• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.437-444
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• 2017

Different types of eukaryotic cells may adopt seemingly distinct modes of directional cell migration. However, several core aspects are regarded common whether the movement is either ameoboidal or mesenchymal. The region of cells facing the attractive signal is often termed leading edge where lamellipodial structures dominates and the other end of the cell called rear end is often mediating cytoskeletal F-actin contraction involving Myosin-II. Dynamic remodeling of cell-to-matrix adhesion involving integrin is also evident in many types of migrating cells. All these three aspects of cell migration are significantly affected by signaling networks of TorC2, TorC1, and PP2A/B56. Here we review the current views of the mechanistic understanding of these regulatory signaling networks and how these networks affect eukaryotic cell migration.

• Journal of Communications and Networks
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.321-328
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• 2013

In this paper, we present a technique for obtaining conflict-free schedules for real-time automation protocol for industrial Ethernet (RAPIEnet) switches. Mathematical model of the switch is obtained using graph theory. Initially network traffic entry and exit parts in a single RAPIEnet switch are identified, so that a bipartite conflict graph can be constructed. The obtained conflict graph is transformed to three kinds of matrices to be used as inputs for our simulation model, and selection of any of the matrix forms is application-specific. A greedy edge-coloring algorithm is used to schedule the network traffic and to solve the minimum coloring problem. After scheduling, empty slots are identified for forwarding the non real-time traffic of asynchronous devices. Finally, an algorithm for synchronizing the schedules of adjacent switches is proposed using edge-contraction and minors. All simulations were carried out using Matlab.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.183-191
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• 2004

High Deborah or Weissenberg number problems in viscoelastic flow modeling have been known formidably difficult even in the inertialess limit. There exists almost no result that shows satisfactory accuracy and proper mesh convergence at the same time. However recently, quite a breakthrough seems to have been made in this field of computational rheology. So called matrix-logarithm (here we name it tensor-logarithm) formulation of the viscoelastic constitutive equations originally written in terms of the conformation tensor has been suggested by Fattal and Kupferman (2004) and its finite element implementation has been first presented by Hulsen (2004). Both the works have reported almost unbounded convergence limit in solving two benchmark problems. This new formulation incorporates proper polynomial interpolations of the log­arithm for the variables that exhibit steep exponential dependence near stagnation points, and it also strictly preserves the positive definiteness of the conformation tensor. In this study, we present an alternative pro­cedure for deriving the tensor-logarithmic representation of the differential constitutive equations and pro­vide a numerical example with the Leonov model in 4:1 planar contraction flows. Dramatic improvement of the computational algorithm with stable convergence has been demonstrated and it seems that there exists appropriate mesh convergence even though this conclusion requires further study. It is thought that this new formalism will work only for a few differential constitutive equations proven globally stable. Thus the math­ematical stability criteria perhaps play an important role on the choice and development of the suitable con­stitutive equations. In this respect, the Leonov viscoelastic model is quite feasible and becomes more essential since it has been proven globally stable and it offers the simplest form in the tensor-logarithmic formulation.

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.711-719
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Collagen organization within tissues has a critical role in wound regeneration. Collagen fibril diameter, arrangements and maturity between connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) small interfering RNA (siRNA) and mismatch scrambled siRNA-treated wound were compared to evaluate the efficacy of CTGF siRNA as a future implement for scar preventive medicine. METHODS: Nanocomplexes of CTGF small interfering RNA (CTGF siRNA) with cell penetrating peptides (KALA and $MPG^{{\Delta}NLS}$) were formulated and their effects on CTGF downregulation, collagen fibril diameter and arrangement were investigated. Various ratios of CTGF siRNA and peptide complexes were prepared and down-regulation were evaluated by immunoblot analysis. Control and CTGF siRNA modified cells-populated collagen lattices were prepared and rates of contraction measured. Collagen organization in rabbit ear 8 mm biopsy punch wound at 1 day to 8 wks post injury time were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and histology was investigated with Olympus System and TS-Auto software. CONCLUSION: CTGF expression was down-regulated to 40% of control by CTGF siRNA/KALA (1:24) complexes (p<0.01) and collagen lattice contraction was inhibited. However, down-regulated of CTGF by CTGF $siRNA/MPG^{{\Delta}NLS}$ complexes was not statistically significant. CTGF KALA-treated wound appeared with well formed-basket weave pattern of collagen fibrils with mean diameter of $128{\pm}22nm$ (n = 821). Mismatch siRNA/KALA-treated wound showed a high frequency of parallel small diameter fibrils (mean $90{\pm}20nm$, n = 563). CONCLUSION: Controlling over-expression of CTGF by peptide-mediated siRNA delivery could improve the collagen orientation and tissue remodeling in full thickness rabbit ear wound.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.77-86
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• 2002

Current composites are made with dimethacrylate monomers and silane-treated silica microfillers, either alone or with silane treated glass fillers The main reasons for clinical failure of dental composites are secondary caries, wear and fracture. Most of practitioner want to get a composite which is more tougher under occlusal stress, less polymerization contraction, and better handling properties in application clinically. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of resin matrix with various flows on the physical proper-ties such as fracture toughness and degree of conversion of the experimental resins. It was hypothesized that flexible or tough resin composites can be designed by judicious choice of monomer composition Various flow resin matrices containing Bis-GMA, UDMA, and TEG-DMA were made by altering the pro-portion of the monomers. After the unfilled resins were light-cured for different light intensity, the fracture toughness(K$_{1c}$) was measured according to ASTM standard using the single edge notched geometry, and degree of conversion(DC) was measured by FTIR. And experimental composites were formulated with variations in the proportion of silanated quartz and strontium glass fillers as 60, 75, and 77wt%. Also, the physical properties of composites with various filer contents were evaluated as same manner. All resulting data were compared by ANOVA/Tukeys test at 0.05 level. The results were as follows; 1. The degree of conversion of high flow resin containing less Bis-GMA was higher than that of low flow unfilled resin 2. While the degree of conversion of unfilled resin was increased according to light intensity for polymerization, there was no significant increase with moderate and high light intensity. Also, the fracture toughness was not increased by high light intensity. 3. The fracture toughness was high in the low flow unfilled resin containing higher contents of Bis-GMA. 4. There was a significant increase for fracture toughness and a tendency for degree of conversion to be reduced when the content of fillers was increased. 5. In the experimental composites, the flow of resin matrix did not affected on the fracture toughness, even, which was decreased as increase of viscosity. These results showed that the physical properties of a dental composite could be attributed to the flow of resin matrix with relative content of monomers. Specific combination of resin monomers should be designed to fulfil the needs of specific indication for use.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.755-760
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• 2015

For proper wound healing, dermal contraction and remodeling are critical; during the natural healing process, differentiated fibroblasts called "myofibroblasts" typically undertake these functions. For severe wounds, however, a critical mass of dermal matrix and fibroblasts are lost, making self-regeneration impossible. To overcome this impairment, synthetic wound patches with embedded functional cells can be used to promote healing. In this study, we developed a polydioxanone (PDO)-based cell-embedded sheet on which dermal fibroblasts were cultured and induced for differentiation into myofibroblasts, whereby the following combinatorial physicochemical stimuli were also applied: aligned topology, electric field (EF), and growth factor. The results show that both the aligned topology and EF synergistically enhanced the expression of alpha smooth-muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA), a key myofibroblast marker. Our proof-of-concept (POC) experiments demonstrated the potential applicability of a myofibroblast-embedded PDO sheet as a wound patch.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.103-121
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• 2003

The application of powerful ultrasound to rubber recycling is a very recent field of study. An ultrasonic field creates high frequency extension-contraction stresses by acoustic cavitation. The breakdown of rubber network occurs primarily around pulsating cavities due to the highest level of strain produced by high-power ultrasound. Stronger reductions of cross-link density were observed at a higher pressure, indicating an important role of pressure during ultrasonic recycling. Visible bubbles were observed during ultrasonic treatment as a proof of acoustic cavitation. Shearing effect has a significant influence on improving the efficiency of ultrasonic treatment. After the ultrasonic treatment, the cross-link densities of NR/SBR blends were lower than those of NR and SBR due to the reduced degree of unsaturation and chemical reactions. Carbon black fillers increase the probability of bond scission during ultrasonic treatment, due to the restricted mobility. The mechanical properties of ground tire rubber (GRT)/HDPE blends were improved by ultrasonic treatment and dynamic revulcanization. Ultrasonic treatment of GRT in the presence of HDPE matrix was found to give better mechanical properties due to the chemical reactions between rubber and plastic phases.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.50
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• pp.20.1-20.9
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• 2020

Arthropods have an open circulatory system with a simple tubular heart, so it has been estimated that the contractile pumping structure of the cardiac muscle will be less efficient than that of vertebrates. Nevertheless, certain arthropods are known to have far superior properties and characteristics than vertebrates, so we investigated the fine structural features of intercalated discs and cardiac junctions of cardiac muscle cells in the black widow spider Latrodectus mactans. Characteristically, the spider cardiac muscle has typical striated features and represents a functional syncytium that supports multiple connections to adjacent cells by intercalated discs. Histologically, the boundary lamina of each sarcolemma connects to the basement membrane to form an elastic sheath, and the extracellular matrix allows the cells to be anchored to other tissues. Since the intercalated disc is also part of sarcolemma, it contains gap junctions for depolarization and desmosomes that keep the fibers together during cardiac muscle contraction. Furthermore, fascia adherens and macula adherens (desmosomes) were also identified as cell junctions in both sarcolemma and intercalated discs. To enable the coordinated heartbeat of the cardiac muscle, the muscle fibers have neuronal innervations by multiple axons from the motor ganglion.

• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.11-16
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• 2011

Retention of interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of polymer composites at cryogenic temperature application is very important. In this work, single carbon tiber reinforced epoxy compositc was used to evaluate IFSS and apparent modulus under room and cryogenic temperatures. The property change of carbon and selected epoxy for particularly cryogenic temperature application were tested in tension and compression. Tensile strength and elongation of carbon fiber decreased at cryogenic temperature, whereas tensile modulus was almost same. On the other hand, epoxy matrix showed the increased tensile strength but decreased elongation. It can be due to maximum thermal contraction existing free volume in cryogenic temperature. IFSS increased up to $-10^{\circ}C$ and then decreased steadily. However, IFSS at cryogenic temperature was still similar to that at room temperature. This result is very useful to cryogenic application since selected epoxy toughness and interfacial adhesion can keep at such low temperature.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1967-1974
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• 1991

When the functional electrical stimulation is employed to recover mobility to the plegic, it is very important to understand functions of the selected muscles. I have investigated how a muscle acts to accelerate the body segments, since the body segements are connected by joints so that contraction of a muscle not only rotates the segments to which it is attached but also causes other segments to rotate by creation a reaction force at every joint, which is called the inertial coupling. I found that a single-joint muscle always acts to accelerate the spanned joint in the same direction as the joint torque produced by the muscle. However, a double-joint muscle can act to accelerate the spanned joint in the opposite direction to the joint torque produced by the muscle depending on (1) the body position, (2) the body-segmental parameters, and (3) the type of the movement. Investigating the condition number of the inertia matrix of the body-segmental model gave us some insights into how controllable the body-segmental system is for different values of the factors mentioned above. The results suggested that the upright position is the most undesirable position to independently control the three segments(trunk, thigh and shank) and that the controllability is the most sensitive to variation of the shank length and the trunk mass, which implies that accuracy is required particularly when we estimate these two body-segmental parameters before the paralyzed muscles are innervated by using electrical stimulation.