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We previously reported that germline chimeras could be produced by transfer of chicken gonadal primordial germ cells (gPGCs) cultured for a short term (5 days). This study was subsequently undertaken to examine whether gPGCs maintained in vitro for an extended period could retain their specific characteristics to induce germline transmission. Chicken (White Leghorn, WL) gPGCs were retrieved from embryos at stage 28 (5.5 days of incubation) and continuously cultured for 2 months in modified Dulbecco's minimal essential medium without subpassage and changing of the feeder cell layer. After the identification of gPGC characteristics using Periodic acid-Shiff's (PAS) reaction and anti stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1) antibody staining at the end of the culture, cultured gPGCs were injected into the dorsal aorta of Korean Ogol Chicken (KOC) recipient embryos at stage 17 (2.5 days of incubation). Nineteen chickens (13 males and 6 females) were hatched, grown to sexual maturity, and subsequently subjected to testcross analysis employing artificial insemination with adult KOC. Of these, four (three males and one female) hatched chickens with white coat color. The percentage of germline chimerism was 21% (4/19). The results of this study demonstrated that gPGCs could maintain their specific characteristics for up to 2 months in vitro, resulting in the birth of germline chimeras following transfer to recipient embryos.

In this work, the effect of activation temperature on adsorption properties of activated carbon fiber-reinforced phenolic resin matrix composites has been investigated. The composites were manufactured via a molding process with unwoven carbon fabrics and phenolic resin. The green body mold was heated at 125°C to cure the phenolic resin and they were carbonized in an inert environment at 1000°C for 2 h. They were then activated by CO2 gas at 700, 800, 900 and 1000°C for 2 h, denoted as ACFC-700, ACFC-800, ACFC-900 and ACFC-1000. The specific surface area and the pore structure were evaluated from nitrogen adsorption data at 77 K, and the acid–base values on the surface were determined by titration methods. As a result, the activation temperatures had a major influence on adsorption characteristics and surface properties of the composites.

We have recently reported that β-caryophyllene oxide (CPO) can induce apoptosis, suppress tumor growth, and inhibit metastasis through the suppression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, PI3K/AKT/mTOR/S6K1 signaling cascades and ROS-mediated MAPKs activation. In the present study, we found that CPO potentiated the apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and chemotherapeutic agents, suppressed TNFα-induced tumor cell invasion, all of which are known to require NF-κB activation. We found that TNFα stimulated the expression of gene products involved in anti-apoptosis (IAP1, IAP2, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and survivin), proliferation (COX-2, cyclin D1, and c-Myc), invasion (MMP 9 and ICAM-1), and angiogenesis (VEGF) and that CPO treatment suppressed their expression. Because these gene products are also regulated by proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB, we postulated that CPO may mediate its effects by modulating the NF-κB pathway. We found that CPO blocked both inducible and constitutive NF-κB activation in a wide variety of tumor cells. CPO was also found to inhibit the TNFα-induced degradation of IκBα through the inhibition of activation of IκBα kinase and p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation. Interestingly, CPO failed to potentiate the apoptotic effect induced by TNFα in p65 −/− cells as compared to the wild-type. Thus, overall, our results indicate that the inhibition of NF-κB is one of major mechanisms by which CPO enhances TNFα-induced apoptosis and suppresses invasion.

Objective: To examine the patterns of submicroscopic DNA deletions in the AZF ( AZ oospermia F actor) subregions of the Y chromosome in patients with idiopathic azoospermia. Design: Controlled clinical study. Setting: University-based infertility clinic. Patient(s): Infertile men (n = 40) with nonobstructive, idiopathic azoospermia. The control group consisted of proven fathers (n = 14) and healthy women (n = 4). Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Semen analysis; polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 37 loci spanning the AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc subregions of the Y chromosome; serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels; and testicular histologic analysis. Result(s): Testicular histologic analysis of the subjects revealed Sertoli cell–only syndrome (n = 36) and spermatogenic arrest (n = 4). Microdeletions of the Y chromosome were found in eight (20%) of the patients with azoospermia. All eight affected patients had interstitial microdeletions within the AZFc subregion. Patients with Sertoli cell–only syndrome had additional microdeletions in regions distal to DAZ ( D eleted in AZ oospermia), although DAZ deletion was observed in seven of the eight affected patients. In five patients, microdeletions were found in the AZFb region containing RBM ( R NA B inding M otif). Conclusion(s): Our results add to the evidence supporting the current suggestion that there is a cause-and-effect relation between Yq11 microdeletions in the AZF region and azoospermia.

Novel silicon-based copolymers show the UV-visible strong absorption bands around 347∼387 nm. Their maximum photoluminescence (PL) wavelengths for silicon-based copolymers appeared around 420∼480 nm in the blue region. The present copolymers with a relatively short π-conjugation length exhibit blue light-emitting diodes (LED) at the low operating voltages, due to the reduction of the LUMO level in luminescent polymers by introducing silicon atoms in luminescent polymers as well as the d-orbital participation of silicon atoms.

A new class of silicon-containing poly(cyanoterephthalylidene) copolymers with a uniform π-conjugated segment was synthesized using the Knoevenagel reaction between the dialdehyde monomer and the appropriate diacetonitrile. The incorporation of organosilicon units with the flexible alkyl side group into the polymer rigid backbone would afford processable electroluminescent materials and interrupt the regular π-conjugated chains. The resulting polymers were highly soluble in common organic solvents. The Mn and Mw of the resulting polymers are in the range 3800−4200 and 5400−6000 with a polydispersity index range of 1.38−1.43, respectively. Their glass transition temperature was in the range of 82−87 °C. According to the molecular mechanical calculations for single chain models of SiBuPPV and SiBuCNPPV, trans conformations are more stable than cis conformations. The UV−visible absorbance of present polymers show strong absorption bands around 340−360 nm, since the π-conjugated system is regulated by organos...

A new class of silicon-containing poly(p-phenylenevinylene)-related copolymers with a uniform π-conjugated segment regulated by organosilicon units was synthesized by the well-known Wittig reaction between the appropriate diphosphonium salts and the dialdehyde monomer such as terephthaldicarboxaldehyde, 2,5-thiophenedicarboxaldehyde, and N-(2-ethylhexyl)-3,6-diformylcarbazole. The resulting polymers were highly soluble in common organic solvents. They could spin cast onto various substrates to give highly transparent homogeneous thin films without heat treatment. Their glass transition temperatures were in the range of 104-119 °C. The UV-visible absorbance of the present polymers shows strong absorption bands at around 347-387 nm, which corresponds to the π-π* transition of the conjugated segments. Their maximum photoluminescence wavelengths for SiPPV analogues appeared around 420-480 nm in the blue emission region, except a silicon-containing poly(p-phenylenevinylene)-related copolymer having a thiophene unit showed a strong PL peak at 520 nm in the green emission region. In the case of the polymers containing a carbazole unit, their PL spectra show both the highest peak in the PL emissive band at 450 nm and an additional strong emissive band in the green region. The single-layer light-emitting diode of a Al/SiPhPPV or SiPhPVK/ITO glass is fabricated. The threshold voltage is in the range 6-12 V from the I-V curve. The electroluminescence (EL) spectrum of the SiPhPPV gives the highest peak in the EL emissive band at 450 nm, when the operating voltage of 9 V was applied. For the polymer containing a carbazole unit, the EL spectrum of the polymer shows the highest peak in the EL emissive band at 450 nm as well as an additional strong emissive band in the yellow region, when the operating voltage of 10 V was applied. Interestingly, the SiPhPVK gives a strong white emitting light, when the operating voltage of higher than 12 V was applied.

Novel red phosphorescent compound (IR-PIQC-1), iridium complex with two phenyl-isoquinoline ligands and one 2-acetyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione ligand was designed and synthesized. The electroluminescent (EL) characteristics of IR-PIQC-1 in the EL device were evaluated. The thin layers of EL devices were fabricated by the vacuum deposition method, and the layer-structures of the devices were ITO/NPD/IR-PIQC-1 or IR-BTPAC (10%) in CBP/Balq/Alq/LiF/Al. Brightness of the IR-PIQC-1 device was 574 cd/m2 at 11 mA/cm2, and the external quantum efficiency was estimated as 5.28% at the same current density. The EL spectrum of the IR-PIQC-1 device was detected at about 620 nm as the maximum peak with red phosphorescence.

Traditionally, the problems of manufacturing technology and manufacturing management have been treated independently. The process planning problem and the scheduling problem are a good example. In this research, we propose a scheduling system which solves the process planning problem and the scheduling problem simultaneously. We argue that we can obtain a better and practical scheduling solution by dynamically changing the processing machines and operations as the shop condition changes. The proposed scheduling system takes the initial process plan for alternative machines and operations represented by an AND/OR graph as its input. Other informational inputs to the system are part order and shop status. The system then generates new process plans and schedules iteratively, until we finally fix the process plan after verifying the performance of the schedules by a simulation study. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme provides a viable solution for real world scheduling problems.

In order to predict the viscosity of liquid and correlation between equilibrium and the glass state, the theory for composite materials and suspensions was applied to an appropriate composition range of a ternary glass-forming system where one liquid and one crystal are in a state of equilibrium. According to the results the theoretical calculation showed good agreement with the measurement within the validity of the theory. The viscosity behaviour of both results was discussed from the viewpoint of the physicochemical structure of liquid and it was suggested that glass reflects latently some characteristics of the state of equilibrium.

The viscosities of the four series of mixed alkali glass melts such as 25(Na2O+K2O)⋅75SiO2, 25(Na2O+K2O)⋅5Al2O3⋅70SiO2, 25(Na2O+K2O)⋅7.5Al2O3⋅67.5SiO2 and 25(Na2O+K2O)⋅10Al2O3⋅65SiO2 as well as their Tg were measured to elucidate a relation between property behaviors and mixed alkali effect models. The base mixed alkali glass melts (25R2O⋅75SiO2) showed a mixed alkali effect, namely viscosity minima at the composition K2O/R2O≈0.25, which become weaker as temperature increases. The activation energy for the viscous flow of this base glass melts showed also a minimum at this composition. However, the mixed alkali effect disappeared, as SiO2 is substituted by Al2O3. This implies that the nonlinearity disappears with decreasing nonbridging oxygen content. In the case of Tg no clear tendency with respect to the Al2O3 content was found.By comparison of the present work with the earlier work of resistivity, two distinct differences between the mixed alkali effects in viscosity and electrical conductivity were found. From these results, it was concluded that the mechanism for the mixed alkali effect in both properties should be treated independently.

The mixed-alkali effect in ac electrical conductivity has been investigated in 25R2O(Na2O+K2O)-yAl2O3-(75-y)SiO2 melts, with y= 0, 5, 7.5, and 10 mol%, at temperatures of 1000°-1400°C. The results for the molten state show a typical mixed-alkali effect, similar to that exhibited below the transformation temperature. These results imply that the interaction between two different alkali ions is maintained in the molten state. However, the mixed-alkali effect increases as the Al2O3 content increases (in other words, with decreasing nonbridging oxygen content). Such results can be explained in terms of the binding state of AlO4-R+ and -O--R+, based on the conductivity behavior of alkali aluminosilicate melts.

Gel powders in a binary glass-forming SiO 2 TiO 2 system with compositions of 2–8 mol% TiO 2 were synthesized by hydrolysis of metal alkoxides in a sol-gel process. The sintering behavior of calcined gel powders was investigated with a dilatometer. Their sintering stage could be divided into three by two characteristic temperatures ( T sin and T cry ) on the shrinkage curve. It was found that the sintering temperature, T sin , in the second stage decreases with increase of TiO 2 content. Considering the effect of viscous flow on the sintering of glass powders, these results mean that the addition of TiO 2 into silica glass reduces the viscosity of this glass. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that the formation of [TiO 4 ] units in the SiO 2 network makes the whole glass network rather weaker than stronger. The correlation between sintering temperature and thermal expansion coefficient of these compositions was also discussed.

A heterogenized Wacker catalyst system in which pores of a high surface area alumina were filled with an aqueous solution of PdCl2 CuCl2 was active for the oxidation of CO near room temperature. The structure of the catalyst was studied by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). The active phase of Pd was a Pd11 species containing chlorine and, probably, carbonyl ligands. Direct interaction of Pd Pd or Pd Cu was not detected. The active phase of copper was found to be solid Cu2Cl(OH)3 particles in agreement with the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results. The presence of Cu was essential to keep the Pd in the Pd11 state during the reaction. The rates of CO oxidation measured at temperatures of 30–70°C showed a minimum at 40°C, which was attributable partly to an unusual structure change of the active palladium species during the reaction at this temperature.

The sintering of glass powder compacts was studied by dilatometer in the (25 -x) Na2O–xK2O–75SiO2glass system. The dilatometrically determined sintering temperature (Tsin) at constant heating rate decreases and the shrinkage at isothermal sintering increases when Na2O is replaced by K2O up to the mole fraction of K2O/(Na2O + K2O) = 0.5. This is due to the decrease in viscosity and means that sintering can be possibly accelereted by introduction of mixed alkali oxides in this system. According to calculation using the VFT-equation, the viscosity value atTsinis almost independent of glass composition. From these results it may be supposed that the dilatometrically determined sintering begin temperature (Tsin) can be a characteristic point for the sintering of glass.

Suspensionnen von Festphasenteilchen in Glasschmelzen verandern deren Fliesverhalten und damit deren Viskositat. Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt die Abhangigkeit der effektiven Viskositat (ηeff) isotroper Suspensionnen von der Konzentration der Festphansenteilchen. Unabhangig von deren Form liegen die effektiven Viskositaten zwischen oberen und unteren Grenzwerten, deren Konzentrationsabhangigkeit durch Naherungslosungen gegeben ist: obere Grenzwertgleichung: ηeff = ηL (1 − CD)−14 untere Grenzwertgleichung: ηeff = ηL (1 − CD)−3 (ηL = Viskositat der Schmelze; CD = Volumenanteil der Festphasenteilchen). Fur die effektive Viskositat von Suspensionen mit spharischen Festphasenteilchen gilt die untere Grenzwertgleichung. Poren in Sinterglasern verandern ebenfalls deren Flies- und damit Sinter-, Umform- und Kriechverhalten. Die effektive Viskositat poroser Glaser (ηP) als Konzentrationsfunktion ist gegeben durch die Naherungslosungen: obere Grenzwertgleichung: ηP = ηM (1 − P)1.04 untere Grenzwertgleichung: ηP = ηM (1 − P)14 (ηM = Viskositat des porenfreien Glases; P = Porositat). IM Falle spharischer Porositat gilt die Viskositatsgleichung Gemessene Werte der Viskositat diverser Suspensionen sowie von Na2O-SiO2-Schmelzen mit dispergierten festen SiO2-Teilchen und Na2O-GeO2-Schmelzen mit dispergierten GeO2-Teilchen werden ebenso mit berechneten Werten verglichen wie die experimentellen Werte der Viskositat von porosen Sinterglasern mit den entsprechenden theoretischen. In allen Fallen wurde hinreichende, vielfach beste Ubereinstimmung festgestellt. Die Gleichungen liefern praxisrelevante, verlasliche Aussagen sowohl fur Suspensionen wie fur porose Sinterglaser. Qn the viscosity of glass melts and porous sintered glasses Suspensions of solid phase particles in molten glasses modify their flow behavior and therefore their viscosity. This work deals with the dependence of the effective viscosity (ηeff) of isotropic suspensions on the concentration of the solid phase particles. Independently of the shape of the inclusions the values of the effective viscosities lie between upper [ηeff = ηL (1 − CD)−14 ]and lower bounds [ηeff = ηL (1 − CD)−3], where ηL is the viscosity of the molten glass and CD is the volume fraction of solid inclusions. The lower bound is also valid for the effective viscosity of suspensions containing spherical inclusions. Pores present in a glass matrix affect its flow behavior and consequently its creep and sintering behavior. The effective viscosity of porous glasses (ηP) as a function of the volume fraction of pores, or porosity (P), also varies between and upper [ηP = ηM (1 − P)1.04] and a lower bound [ηP = ηM (1 − P)14], where ηM is the viscosity of the nonporous glass matrix. For spherical porosity the equation is: Measured values for the viscosity of different suspensions as reported in the literature as well as own experimental data on two glass-solid systems are compared with the theoretical values predicted by these equations. In a similar way literature data for the viscosity of porous sintered glasses are compared with the respective equations. In all cases a fair agreement between experiment and theory was found in some cases the agreement was excellent. Therefore the presented equations constitute a reliable approach for the prediction of the viscosity of suspensions and porous sintered glasses and since they do not contain fitting parameters, they are of substantial practical relevance (for a comprehensive english treatment of the matter compare Glastechnische Berichte, Proc. Otto-Schott-Colloquium 1994).

The oncogenic PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling axis and its downstream effector, the ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) play a key role in mediating cell survival in various tumor cells. Here, we investigated the effects of brassinin (BSN), a phytoalexin first identified as a constituent of cabbage, on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/S6K1 activation, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis in PC-3 human prostate cancer. BSN exerted a significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity and reduced constitutive phosphorylation of Akt against androgen-independent PC-3 cells as compared to androgen-dependent LNCaP cells. Moreover, knockdown of androgen receptor (AR) by small interfering RNA enhanced the potential effect of BSN on induction of apoptosis in LNCaP cells. BSN clearly suppressed the constitutive activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/S6K1 signaling cascade, which correlated with the induction of apoptosis as characterized by accumulation of cells in subG1 phase, positive Annexin V binding, TUNEL staining, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, down-regulation of antiapoptotic and proliferative proteins, activation of caspase-3, and cleavage of PARP. Additionally, BSN could block broad-spectrum inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/S6K1 axes, and aberrant Akt activation by pcDNA3-myr-HA-Akt1 plasmid could not prevent the observed suppressive effect of BSN on constitutive mTOR activation. Finally, overexpression of Bcl-2 also attenuated BSN-mediated apoptosis in PC-3 cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that BSN can interfere with multiple signaling cascades involved in tumorigenesis and might be provided as a potential therapeutic candidate for both the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

Objectives This study aims to investigate the suitability of electronic health record (EHR) systems in Korea for global certification and to propose functions for future global systems by comparing and analyzing the certification criteria for Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) Certified Ambulatory EHR with BESTCare, which is the EHR system at Seoul National University Bundang hospital. Methods Domain expert groups were formed to analyze the inclusion of BESTCare functions and the types of differences for each of the CCHIT Certified 2011 Ambulatory EHR Certification Criteria. The types of differences were divided into differences in functions (F), differences in business processes (B), and differences in government policies (P). Results Generally, the criteria that showed differences in functions pertained to the connection between the diagnosis/problem list and order, the alert and warning functions for medication-diagnosis interactions, and the reminder/instruction/notification messages related to the patient's immunization status; these absent functions were enhanced clinical decision support system (CDSS) functions related to patient safety and healthcare quality. Differences in government policies were found in the pharmacy's electronic prescription functions, while differences in business processes were found in the functions constrained by the local workflow or internal policy, which require some customization. Conclusions Functions that differed between the CCHIT certification criteria and the BESTCare system in this study should be considered when developing a global EHR system. Such a system will need to be easily customizable to adapt to various government policies and local business processes. These functions should be considered when developing a global EHR system certified by CCHIT in the future.

Effects of reaction variables and catalyst components were studied on the activity of supported Wacker-type catalysts for low-temperature CO oxidation. The PdCl2CuCl2 catalysts supported on alumina or carbon were active in the conversion of CO at ambient conditions and were also stable for at least 100 h as long as water was supplied with the reactant gas mixture. Unlike homogeneous Wacker systems, the active phase of the copper was solid Cu2Cl(OH)3 as seen by X-ray diffraction. Silica was an inactive support because it was not able to stabilize the active copper phase. Carbon was a more active support than alumina. The activity of alumina-supported PdCl2CuCl2 showed a marked dependence on the partial pressure of water whereas the carbon-supported catalyst showed no dependence. This difference in catalytic behavior appeared to stem from the catalysts' different interaction with water.

This paper applied an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) based on a geographic information system (GIS) environment using landslide-related factors and location for landslide susceptibility mapping. Landslide-related factors such as slope, soil texture, wood type, lithology and density of lineament were extracted from topographic, soil, forest and lineament maps. Landslide locations were identified from interpretation of aerial photographs and field surveys. Landslide-susceptible areas were analyzed by the ANFIS method and mapped using occurrence factors. In particular, we applied various membership functions (MFs), and analysis results were verified by using the landslide location data. The predictive maps using triangular, trapezoidal, and polynomial MFs were the best individual MFs for modeling landslide susceptibility maps (84.96% accuracy), proving that ANFIS could be very effective in modeling landslide susceptibility mapping.

Die nicht empirische Auswahl von Sinterhilfen kann mit Hilfe von Zustandsdiagrammen erfolgen. Binare eutektische Zustandsdiagramme ohne Randloslichkeit bieten dafur optimale Voraussetzungen. Ihre Selektion hinsichtlich der Verlaslichkeit darauf, – das die eutektische Temperatur wesentlich niedriger ist als der Schmelzpunkt von SiO2-Glas, – das Randunloslichkeit im SiO2-Bereich vorausgesetzt werden kann, ist durch Vergleich mit theoretischen Werten nach der Schroder-van Laar-Gleichung moglich. Im vorliegenden Fall wurde Rubidiumoxid auf dieser Grundlage als optimale Sinterhilfe ermittelt und eingesetzt. Wie die mit einem Netzsch-Dilatometer durchgefuhrten Sinterstudien zeigen, wird erwartungsgemas mit Rubidium-oxid (≥ 6 Mol-%) die Sintertemperatur von SiO2-Glas auf weniger als 0,5 · Ts gesenkt (Ts = Schmelzpunkt von SiO2-Glas) und liegt damit unterhalb der eutektischen Temperatur. Es handelt sich demnach nicht um Sintern mit flussiger Phase.

The mixed-alkali effect in ac electrical conductivity has been investigated in 25R2O(Na2O+K2O)-yAl2O3-(75-y)SiO2 melts, with y= 0, 5, 7.5, and 10 mol%, at temperatures of 1000°-1400°C. The results for the molten state show a typical mixed-alkali effect, similar to that exhibited below the transformation temperature. These results imply that the interaction between two different alkali ions is maintained in the molten state. However, the mixed-alkali effect increases as the Al2O3 content increases (in other words, with decreasing nonbridging oxygen content). Such results can be explained in terms of the binding state of AlO4-R+ and -O--R+, based on the conductivity behavior of alkali aluminosilicate melts.

Ground subsidence susceptibility at a coal mine by integration of L-band SAR measurements and a subsidence hazard model incorporated in GIS was estimated. A subsidence hazard map was constructed using JERS-1 SAR data from the early 1990s and the subsidence hazard model. A certainty factor analysis was employed for estimating the relative weights of four control factors influencing coal mine subsidence. The relative weight of each factor was then integrated to generate a subsidence hazard index (SHI) by a fuzzy combination operator. The hazard map was validated by comparison with subsidence observed by ALOS PALSAR interferometry in 2007–2008. The results showed a good agreement between the predicted locations vulnerable to subsidence and the actual subsidence occurrences with an accuracy of about 72.5%. These results showed that the map produced by integration of InSAR and GIS can be used to predict and monitor coal mine subsidence hazards, especially in remote regions.

Biotechnology is the generic technology in the 21st century. It has a strategic importance for the development of companies, industries and nations in the near future. Therefore, many countries have been making a great effort to promote and develop biotechnology. U.S. has been the leading country in the world in promoting biotechnology. However, U.S. biotechnology policy are very diverse, so that there have been no comprehensive and systematic studies on it. In our paper, therefore, we will discuss the U.S. biotechnology policy in detail. For the effective analysis, we will rely on the concept of national innovation system, which emphasize the institutional settings of innovation actors and their interaction. This paper deals with U.S. national innovation system for biotechnology. We will analyze the role of major actors, academia, public research institutes, and industry and their interaction. According to our study, the U.S. biotechnological innovation system is composed of diverse actors and there are lots of start-up companies in biotechnology industry. In addition, there are many diverse policy programs for promoting biotechnology. In the analysis of U.S. biotechnological system and policy, we would like to maintain the Korean perspectives. Because of country-specific frame conditions, Korea and USA have different institutional settings and policies for promoting biotechnology. Therefore, our paper will render meaningful implications for Korea and USA. We also think that this paper will be of interest for international readers.

A new class of silicon-containing poly ( p -phenylenevinylene) -related polymers with a uniform π -conjugated segment, regulated by organosilicon units, shows two strong absorption bands around 312 and 352 nm, corresponding to the π-π * transition of the carbazole unit and the conjugated segments, respectively. The present polymers exhibit two strong photoluminescent peaks in the blue range of 420–480 nm and the green region of 540 nm. The latter is attributed to the carbazole segment. Their electroluminescence (EL) spectra similarly show two strong emissive bands in the blue region and the yellow region. The current-voltage ( I–V ) curve of a typical light-emitting device fabricated with a Al/SiPVKPPV/ITO glass structure shows a typical rectifying characteristic with a threshold voltage of 12 V.

A load model is very important to improve the accuracy of stability analysis and load flow study in power systems. A power system bus is composed of various loads, and these loads have different power consumptions to voltage/frequency changes. Thus, the effect of voltage/frequency changes must be considered in load modeling. In this research, an ANN was used to construct a component load model for more accurate load modeling. A typical residential load was selected, and experimented on voltage/frequency changes. Acquired data used to construct component ANN models, and an aggregation method of the component load model are presented based on component load model and composition rate. Furthermore, the transformation method used in traditional power system analysis software is also presented.

This study shows the construction of a hazard map for presumptive ground subsidence around abandoned underground coal mines (AUCMs) at Samcheok City in Korea using an artificial neural network, with a geographic information system (GIS). To evaluate the factors governing ground subsidence, an image database was constructed from a topographical map, geological map, mining tunnel map, global positioning system (GPS) data, land use map, digital elevation model (DEM) data, and borehole data. An attribute database was also constructed by employing field investigations and reinforcement working reports for the existing ground subsidence areas at the study site. Seven major factors controlling ground subsidence were determined from the probability analysis of the existing ground subsidence area. Depth of drift from the mining tunnel map, DEM and slope gradient obtained from the topographical map, groundwater level and permeability from borehole data, geology and land use. These factors were employed by with artificial neural networks to analyze ground subsidence hazard. Each factor’s weight was determined by the back-propagation training method. Then the ground subsidence hazard indices were calculated using the trained back-propagation weights, and the ground subsidence hazard map was created by GIS. Ground subsidence locations were used to verify results of the ground subsidence hazard map and the verification results showed 96.06% accuracy. The verification results exhibited sufficient agreement between the presumptive hazard map and the existing data on ground subsidence area.

The effect of anodic surface treatment of activated carbon on adsorption and ion exchange characteristics was investigated in the condition of 35 wt% NaOH electrolyte for 60 s. The acid and base values were determined by a titration technique, and surface and pore structures were studied in terms of BET volumetric measurement with N(2) adsorption. The ion exchange capacity of the anodized activated carbons was characterized by a dry weight capacity technique. It was observed that an increase in current intensity leads to an increase in the surface functional groups of activated carbons, resulting in increasing pH, acid-base values, and anion-cation exchange capacities, without significant change of surface and pore structures (i.e., specific surface area, total pore volume, micropore volume, and average pore diameter). Also, anodically treated activated carbons are more effectively evaluated on the base value or cation exchange capacity than on the opposite properties in this electrolytic system. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

The adsorption characteristics of activated carbon treated with 30 wt% HCl and 30 wt% NaOH were investigated. The acid and base values were determined by Boehm's method and the surface structures were studied by the BET method with N2 adsorption and iodine adsorption capacity. Also the adsorption properties of the activated carbons treated with acid and base chemical solutions were investigated with CO2 and NH3 adsorptions. Different adsorption behaviors of CO2 and NH3 on the modified activated carbons were observed, even though the physical surfaces of the activated carbons (i.e., specific surface area, pore size, and pore volume) were not significantly changed. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Objective: The objective was to examine the association of postoperative physical activity with length of stay in patients who received total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disease. Methods; The case group was composed of 70 patients who entered a critical pathway for elective total laparoscopic hysterectomy from 2009 to 2012 and were discharged behind schedule. The control group was selected from patients who were discharged on schedule, and matched to cases using 1:3 ratio propensity score matching. We compared the number of nursing-documented ambulation of the case group with that of control group. Results; Year of surgery, age, body mass index, endometriosis, systemic disease, previous abdominal surgery and current medication were well balanced between case and control groups. The number of patients with nursing-documented ambulation in case group (19%) was not different from that in control group (11%). Conclusion; Postoperative physical activity measured by nursing-documented ambulation was not associated with length of stay in patients who underwent an elective total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign gynecologic diseases.

The aim of this study is to define a correlation between spatial distribution of functional feeding groups of aquatic insects and their habitat types in the Geum River based on the theory of River Continuum Concept (RCC). For that object we had classified habitat types of the study area according to various environmental factors and examined closely their distribution characteristics by correlation analysis between biota community and the environmental factors. And then, a probabilistic method named Frequency Ratio Model (FRM) and spatial analysis function of GIS were applied to produce a predictive distribution map of biota community considering their distribution characteristics according to the environmental factors as related variables. As a result, 6 major environmental factors that might affect the classification of habitat types were extracted. Finally, we had compared the predicted distribution map with prior survey database from other researches and then could find out a high correlation between them. The results of this study might be used to develop a new estimation method for aquatic ecosystem with functional feeding groups of aquatic insects and also be used as preliminary data for conservation and restoration of stream habitats.

We prepared MgO films using e-beam deposition and polycrystalline MgO pellets and oxygen flow rates of 50 sccm and 100 sccm. These films were examined in gas discharge tests at different temperatures. The dependence of the discharge delay time on film temperature was smaller for the film grown at 100 sccm O2 flow compared to the film grown at 50 sccm. Their wall charges were also measured. This revealed that MgO films grown at 100 sccm had more wall charges. The analysis showed a difference in surface roughness. MgO films with a larger surface roughness had more wall charge.