• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.99-102
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• 2005

Organic solvents are widely used in biotransformation systems. There are many efforts to reduce the consumption of organic solvents because of their toxicity to the environment and human health. In recent years, several groups have started to explore novel organic solvents called room temperature ionic liquids in order to substitute conventional organic solvents. In this work, lipase-catalyzed transesterification in several uni- and bi-phasic systems was studied. Two representative hydrophobic ionic liquids based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolum coupled with hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][$PF_6$]) and bis[{trifluoromethylsulfonyl} imide] ([BMIM] [$Tf_{2}N$]) were employed as reaction media for the transesterification of n-butanol. The commercial lipase, Novozym 435, was used for the transesterification reaction with vinyl acetate as an acyl donor. The conversion yield was increased around $10\%$ in a water/[BMIM][$Tf_{2}N$] bi-phasic system compared with that in a water/hexane system. A higher distribution of substrates into the water phase is believed to enhance the conversion yield in a water/[BMIM][$Tf_{2}N$] system. Partition coefficients of the substrates in the water/[BMIM][$Tf_{2}N$] bi-phasic system were higher than three times that found in the water/hexane system, while n-butyl acetate showed a similar distribution in both systems. Thus, RTILs appear to be a promising substitute of organic solvents in some biotransformation systems.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.162-167
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• 2021

Camel (camelus dromedarius) is a unique large mammalian species that can survive harsh environmental conditions and produce milk, meat, and wool. Camel reproduction is inferior when compared to other farm animal species such as cattle and sheep. Several trials have been reported to increase camel reproduction and production through assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) such as in vitro fertilization and cloning. For these reasons, obtaining enough mature oocytes is a cornerstone for ARTs. This demand would be improved by the oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) systems. In this review, the current approaches and views from different laboratories using ARTs and the IVM to produce embryos in vitro in camel species. For the last two decades, conventional IVM system was the common approach, however, recently the bi-phasic IVM system has been introduced and showed promising improvement in IVM of camel oocytes. Detailed studies are needed to understand camel meiosis and IVM to efficiently increase the production of this species.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.416-421
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• 2023

Multifunctional composite materials capable of both load-carrying and energy functions are promising innovative candidates for the advancement of contemporary technologies owing to their relative feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and optimized performance. Carbon fiber (CF)-based structural batteries utilize the graphitic inherent structure to enable the employment of carbon fibers as electrodes, current collectors, and reinforcement, while the matrix system is an ion-conduction and load transfer medium. Although it is possible to enhance performance through the modification of constituents, there remains a need for a systematic design methodology scheme to streamline the commercialization of structural batteries. In this work, a bi-phasic epoxy-based ionic liquid (IL) modified structural battery electrolyte (SBE) was developed via thermally initiated phase separation. The polymer's morphological, mechanical, and electrochemical characteristics were studied. In addition, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between CF/SBE was investigated via microdroplet tests. The results accentuated the significance of considering IFSS and matrix plasticity in designing composite structural batteries. This approach is expected to lay the foundation for realizing smart structures with optimized performance while minimizing the need for extensive trial and error, by paving the way for a streamlined computational design scheme in the future.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to develop EMG triggered FES system for restoration of upper extremity function in chronic hemiplegic patients and to identify the optimal location of electrode application for the EMG triggered FES system which produces effective muscle contraction and detects EMG activity for extension in the wrist and finger joints. The stimulus system was composed of EMG measuring component, constant current component and the program for muscle contraction by EMG triggered FES and passive FES. Parameter of electrical stimulation was 35 ㎐ in frequency, 150 ${\mu}\textrm{s}$ in pulse width and symmetric bi-phasic wave. In 15 hemiplegic patients, EMG triggered FES was applied to the proximal half of forearm which was divided into 12 areas. The most sensitive area for measuring EMG activities during extension of the wrist and fingers was area 4, 5 and the optimal location of electrical stimulation for producing extension of the wrist and fingers was area 4, 5, 7, 8. These results suggest that the area 4 and 5 was considered as the most optimal location of electrode application for measuring EMG activities as well as producing extension of the wrist and fingers by EMG triggered FES system.