• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.4102-4110
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• 2022

Aiming at high-power and long-pulse operation up to 1000 s, some improvements have been made for both 2.45 GHz and 4.6 GHz lower hybrid (LH) systems during the recent 5 years. At first, the guard limiters of the LH antennas with graphite tiles were upgraded to tungsten, the most promising material for plasma facing components in nuclear fusion devices. These new guard limiters can operate at a peak power density of 12.9 MW/m². Strong hot spots were usually observed on the old graphite limiters when 4.6 GHz system operated with power >2.0 MW [B. N. Wan et al., Nucl. Fusion 57 (2017) 102019], leading to a reduction of the maximum power capability. With the new limiters, 4.6 GHz LH system, the main current drive (CD) and electron heating tool for EAST, can be operated with power >2.5 MW routinely. Long-pulse operation up to 100 s with 4.6 GHz LH power of 2.4 MW was achieved in 2021 and the maximal temperature on the guard limiters measured by an infrared (IR) camera was about 540 ℃, much below the permissible value of tungsten material (~1200 ℃). A discharge with a duration of 1056 s was achieved and the 4.6 GHz LH energy injected into the plasma was up to 1.05 GJ. Secondly, the fully-active-multijunction (FAM) launcher of 2.45 GHz system was upgraded to a passive-active-multijunction (PAM), for which the density of optimum coupling was relatively low (below the cut-off value). Good coupling with reflection coefficient ~3% has been achieved with plasma-antenna distance up to 11 cm for the new PAM. Finally, in order to eliminate the effect of ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) wave on 4.6 GHz LH wave coupling, the location of the ICRF launcher was changed to a port that is located 157.5° toroidally from the 4.6 GHz LH system and is not magnetically connected.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.523-533
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• 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of video classes and real-time online education has increased, but the lack of interaction between instructors and learners remains a challenging problem to be resolved. This paper designs and implements a learning support system that utilizes a digital human to improve faculty-student interaction, which plays an important role in increasing the educational effect and satisfaction of real-time online classes. In this paper, a digital human participates in a class as a virtual learner and asks questions raised by other learners through an anonymous chat system to the instructor on behalf of the learners. In addition, as a class facilitator, the digital human analyzes the lecturer's speech in real time and provides it to the learner in the form of a summary of the class, thereby facilitating faculty-student interaction. In order to confirm that the proposed system can be used in actual online real-time classes, we apply our system to Zoom classes. Experimental results show that facilitated Q&A and real-time class summaries are successfully provided through our digital human-based learning support system.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.455-468
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• 2023

Purpose: Abeliophyllum distichum (A.distichum) is a plant native to Korea. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the leaf extract of A.distichum. Methods: The antioxidant capacity of the A.distichum leaf extract was determined based on the total polyphenol content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The anti-inflammatory effects of the A.distichum leaf extract were evaluated by measuring the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). In addition, the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear transcription factor-erythroid 2 related factor (Nrf2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), as well as the activation of nuclear factorkappa B (NF-ĸB) were examined using the western blot analysis. Results: The total polyphenol content of the A.distichum leaf extract was 329.89 ± 30.17 gallic acid equivalents mg/g and the DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities were 55% and 70%, respectively. Additionally, the FRAP value of the extract was 743.68 ± 116.59 mg/mL. After 12-hour treatment with the A.distichum leaf extract, there was a tendency for the Nrf2 expression to increase, and the expression of HO-1 was significantly elevated in the RAW264.7 cells. The A.distichum leaf extract treatment resulted in decreased levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, as well as reduced expression of iNOS and COX-2, along with inhibition of NF-κB activation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that the A.distichum leaf extract exerts antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects by upregulating the expression of HO-1 and downregulating NF-κB activation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.10
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• pp.3874-3897
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• 2023

A high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed using the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model for the lower plenum of the High-Temperature Test Facility (HTTF), a ¼ scale test facility of the modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor (MHTGR) managed by Oregon State University. In most next-generation nuclear reactors, thermal stress due to thermal striping is one of the risks to be curiously considered. This is also true for HTGRs, especially since the exhaust helium gas temperature is high. In order to evaluate these risks and performance, organizations in the United States led by the OECD NEA are conducting a thermal hydraulic code benchmark for HTGR, and the test facility used for this benchmark is HTTF. HTTF can perform experiments in both normal and accident situations and provide high-quality experimental data. However, it is difficult to provide sufficient data for benchmarking through experiments, and there is a problem with the reliability of CFD analysis results based on Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes to analyze thermal hydraulic behavior without verification. To solve this problem, high-fidelity 3-D CFD analysis was performed using the LES model for HTTF. It was also verified that the LES model can properly simulate this jet mixing phenomenon via a unit cell test that provides experimental information. As a result of CFD analysis, the lower the dependency of the sub-grid scale model, the closer to the actual analysis result. In the case of unit cell test CFD analysis and HTTF CFD analysis, the volume-averaged sub-grid scale model dependency was calculated to be 13.0% and 9.16%, respectively. As a result of HTTF analysis, quantitative data of the fluid inside the HTTF lower plenum was provided in this paper. As a result of qualitative analysis, the temperature was highest at the center of the lower plenum, while the temperature fluctuation was highest near the edge of the lower plenum wall. The power spectral density of temperature was analyzed via fast Fourier transform (FFT) for specific points on the center and side of the lower plenum. FFT results did not reveal specific frequency-dominant temperature fluctuations in the center part. It was confirmed that the temperature power spectral density (PSD) at the top increased from the center to the wake. The vortex was visualized using the well-known scalar Q-criterion, and as a result, the closer to the outlet duct, the greater the influence of the mainstream, so that the inflow jet vortex was dissipated and mixed at the top of the lower plenum. Additionally, FFT analysis was performed on the support structure near the corner of the lower plenum with large temperature fluctuations, and as a result, it was confirmed that the temperature fluctuation of the flow did not have a significant effect near the corner wall. In addition, the vortices generated from the lower plenum to the outlet duct were identified in this paper. It is considered that the quantitative and qualitative results presented in this paper will serve as reference data for the benchmark.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocyte (CM) hold great promise as a cellular source of CM for cardiac function restoration in ischemic heart disease. However, the use of animal-derived xenogeneic substances during the biomanufacturing of hiPSC-CM can induce inadvertent immune responses or chronic inflammation, followed by tumorigenicity. In this study, we aimed to reveal the effects of xenogeneic substances on the functional properties and potential immunogenicity of hiPSC-CM during differentiation, demonstrating the quality and safety of hiPSC-based cell therapy. Methods and Results: We successfully generated hiPSC-CM in the presence and absence of xenogeneic substances (xeno-containing (XC) and xeno-free (XF) conditions, respectively), and compared their characteristics, including the contractile functions and glycan profiles. Compared to XC-hiPSC-CM, XF-hiPSC-CM showed early onset of myocyte contractile beating and maturation, with a high expression of cardiac lineage-specific genes (ACTC1, TNNT2, and RYR2) by using MEA and RT-qPCR. We quantified N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), a xenogeneic sialic acid, in hiPSC-CM using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry. Neu5Gc was incorporated into the glycans of hiPSC-CM during xeno-containing differentiation, whereas it was barely detected in XF-hiPSC-CM. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that the electrophysiological function and glycan profiles of hiPSC-CM can be affected by the presence of xenogeneic substances during their differentiation and maturation. To ensure quality control and safety in hiPSC-based cell therapy, xenogeneic substances should be excluded from the biomanufacturing process.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.920-929
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• 2024

As a pivotal defensive line against multitudinous malignant tumors, natural killer (NK) cells exist in the tumor microenvironment (TME). RAD18 E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase (RAD18) has been reported to foster the malignant progression of multiple cancers, but its effect on NK function has not been mined. Here, the study was designed to mine the mechanism by which RAD18 regulates the killing effect of NK cells on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Expression of E2F Transcription Factor 7 (E2F7) and RAD18 in CRC tissues, their correlation, binding sites, and RAD18 enrichment pathway were analyzed by bioinformatics. Expression of E2F7 and RAD18 in cells was assayed by qRT-PCR and western blot. Dual-luciferase assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay verified the regulatory relationship between E2F7 and RAD18. CCK-8 assay was utilized to assay cell viability, colony formation assay to detect cell proliferation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test to assay NK cell cytotoxicity, ELISA to assay levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and immunofluorescence to detect expression of toxic molecules perforin and granzyme B. High expression of RAD18 and E2F7 was found in CRC tissues and cells. Silencing RAD18 could hamper the proliferation of CRC cells, foster viability and cytotoxicity of NK cells, and increase the secretion of GM-CSF, TNF-α, IFN-γ as well as the expression of perforin and granzyme B. Additionally, ChIP and dual-luciferase reporter assay ascertained the binding relationship between RAD18 promoter region and E2F7. E2F7 could activate the transcription of RAD18, and silencing RAD18 reversed the inhibitory effect of E2F7 overexpression on NK cell killing. This work clarified the inhibitory effect of the E2F7/RAD18 axis on NK cell killing in CRC, and proffered a new direction for immunotherapy of CRC in targeted immune microenvironment.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.247-257
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Although human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) can be efficiently differentiated into cardiomyocytes (CMs), the heterogeneity of the hiPSC-CMs hampers their applications in research and regenerative medicine. Retinoic acid (RA)-mediated signaling pathway has been proved indispensable in cardiac development and differentiation of hiPSC toward atrial CMs. This study was aimed to test whether RA signaling pathway can be manipulated to direct the differentiation into sinoatrial node (SAN) CMs. Methods and Results: Using the well-characterized GiWi protocol that cardiomyocytes are generated from hiPSC via temporal modulation of Wnt signaling pathway by small molecules, RA signaling pathway was manipulated during the differentiation of hiPSC-CMs on day 5 post-differentiation, a crucial time point equivalent to the transition from cardiac mesoderm to cardiac progenitor cells in cardiac development. The resultant CMs were characterized at mRNA, protein and electrophysiology levels by a combination of qPCR, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and whole-cell patch clamp. The results showed that activation of the RA signaling pathway biased the differentiation of atrial CMs, whereas inhibition of the signaling pathway biased the differentiation of sinoatrial node-like cells (SANLCs). Conclusions: Our study not only provides a novel and simple strategy to enrich SANLCs but also improves our understanding of the importance of RA signaling in the differentiation of hiPSC-CMs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.4
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• pp.496-503
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• 2009

Reclamation area is characterized by high soil salinity and high ground water table that are not favorable environment for tree growth. However, the increasing demand to convert the reclamation area from rice cultivation fields to industrial or residential complex, or parks accompanies the idea of introduction of trees in the area. This study aimed to suggest better performed tree species for the tree planting in the Seosan reclamation area, Chungchungnam-do. Seedlings of 8 tree species (Pinus densiflora, Pinus thunbergii, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Chionanthus retusus, Cornus kousa, Prunus sargentii, Quercus acutissima, and Zelkova serrata) were planted in 4 types of 10 m ${\times}$ 10 m experimental plots. The survival rate and the height growth of seedlings were measured from April 2006 to November 2008 on an annual basis. The experimental plots were constructed using 2 different soil material (dredged sand and dredged sand + forest soil), and 2 soil covering depth (1.5 m and 2.0 m). The tree species showed different survival rates for 3 years since planting (F = 9.632, P < 0.001). C. kousa, Q. acutissima, and P. sargentii showed high mortality rate while P. thunbergii, M. glyptostroboides and Z. serrata showed lower mortality rates. The seedling height growth for 3 years was also significantly different among species (F=4.749, P=0.002). Most of seedlings showed lower height growth in the second year, and the growth began to recover in the third year after transplanting. The survival rate and the growth of the seedlings were better in higher soil covering depth and forest soil material plots regardless of species. The combination of rank orders in survival rate and relative height growth indicates that P. thunbergii, M. glyptostroboides and Z. serrata would perform better than other species used in the experiment, while C. retusus, C. kousa and P. sargenti may not adapt well to this area.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.149-160
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• 2013

The objective of present study was to simultaneously isolate of isoflavone and soyasaponin compounds from the germ of soybean seeds. Soy germ flours were defatted with hexane for 48h at room temperature, and methanolic extracts were prepared using reflux apparatus at $90^{\circ}C$ for 6h, two times. After extraction, extracts were separated with preparative RP-$C_{18}$ packing column ($125{\AA}$, $55-105{\mu}m$, $40{\times}150mm$), and collected 52 fractions were identified with TLC plate (Kieselgel 60 F-254) and HPLC, respectively. Among the identified isoflavone and soyasaponin fractions, isoflavone fractions were re-separated using a recycling HPLC with gel permeation column (Jaigel-W252, $20{\times}500mm$). Final fractions were air-dried, and the purified compounds of two isoflavones (ISF-1-1, ISF-1-2) and four soyasaponins (SAP-1, SAP-2, SAP-3, SAP-4) were obtained. Two isoflavone compounds (ISF-1-1, ISF-1-2) were acid-hydrolyzed for the identification of their aglycones, and confirmed by comparing with 12 types of isoflavone isomers. While the four kinds of soyasaponins were identified by using a micro Q-TOF mass spectrometer in the ESI positive mode with capillary voltage of 4.5kV, and dry temperature of $200^{\circ}C$. Base on the obtained results, it was conclude that ISF-1-1 is the mixture isomers of daidzin (43.4%), glycitin (47.0%), and genistin (9.6%), but ISF-1-2 is the single compound of genistin (99.8% <). On the other hand, soyasaponin SAP-1 is the mixture compounds of soyasaponin A-group (Aa, Ab, Ac, Ae, Af); SAP-2 is soyasaponin B-group (Ba, Bb, Bc) and E-group (Bd, Be); SAP-3 is soyasaponin B-group (Ba, Bb, Bc), E-group (Bd, Be), and DDMP-group (${\beta}g$); SAP-4 is soyasaponin B-group (Ba, Bb, Bc), E-group (Bd, Be), and DDMP-group (${\beta}g$, ${\beta}a$), respectively.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2008

Purpose: This study is to decide a quality control and calibration period of LCD display devices used for reading diagnostic images. Materias and Methods: The assessment test of 20 flat panel LCD color display devices used for reading diagnostic images were performed based on AAPM TG 18 protocol over the total six sessions at one month intervals from three months after primary calibration, in terms of geometric distortion, reflection test, luminance response evaluation, luminance uniformity, resolution, noise, veiling glare and chromaticity test. Results: The results of geometric distortion, reflection test, luminance uniformity, resolution, noise, veiling glare and chromaticity test were within the criteria recommended by AAPM TG 18, except for luminance response evaluation. In the measured luminance deviation of luminance response evaluation, 4(25%) of 20 display devices were passed a criterion from four months after calibration, and 11 (55%) were passed from eight months. Also in the contrast response of the luminance response evaluation, 1(5%) display device was passed a criterion from four months after calibration, and 3(15%) were passed from eight months. Conclusion: Considering the passing deviation after calibration, the time required and a manpower, the quality control and calibration period of LCD display devices used for reading diagnostic images should be a three months and six months after calibration.