• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 2021

In the periodic surveillance material test for the spacer component of fuel channel assembly in CANDU, a microstructural characterization analysis is required in addition to the mechanical property evaluation test. In this study, detailed microstructure analysis and simple mechanical property evaluation of archive spacer parts were conducted to indirectly support the surveillance test and assist in the study of spacer material degradation. We investigated the microstructural characteristics of the spacer garter spring coil through comparative analysis with the plate material. The main microstructure characteristics of the garter spring coil X-750 are represented by the fine grain size distribution, the ordering phase distribution developed inside the matrix, the high dislocation density inside the grains, and the arrangement of coarse carbides. In addition, the yield strength of the garter spring coil X-750 was indirectly evaluated to be approximately 1 GPa. We also established an analytical method to elucidate the microstructural evolution of the radioactive spacer garter spring coil X-750 based on Canadian research experiences. Finally, we confirmed the measurement technique for helium bubble formation through TEM examination on the helium implanted X-750 material.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.478-483
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• 2023

This study examined the corrosion behavior of bimetal materials composed of Fe-Ni alloy and Fe-Ni-Mo alloy, both suitable for use in electromagnetic switches. Electrochemical polarization and weight loss measurements revealed that, in contrast to Fe-Ni alloy, which exhibited pseudo-passivity behavior, Fe-Ni-Mo alloy had higher anodic current density, displaying only active dissolution and greater weight loss. This indicated a lower corrosion resistance in the Fe-Ni-Mo alloy. Equilibrium calculations for the phase fraction of precipitates suggested that the addition of 1 wt% Mo may lead to the formation of second-phase precipitates, such as Laves and M₆C, in the γ matrix. These precipitates might degrade the homogeneity of the passive film formed on the surface, leading to localized attacks during the corrosion process. Therefore, considering the differences in corrosion kinetics between these bimetal materials, the early degradation caused by galvanic corrosion should be prevented by designing a new alloy, optimizing heat treatment, or implementing periodic in-service maintenance.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.3
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• pp.287-299
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• 2024

Composite skew plates are aesthetically appealing light weight structural units finding wide applications in floors and roofs of commercial buildings. Although bending and vibration characteristics of these units have received attention from researchers but the domain of first and progressive failure has not been explored. Confident use of these plates necessitates comprehensive understanding of their failure behavior. With this objective, the present paper uses an eight noded isoparametric finite element together with von-Kármán's approach of nonlinear strains to study first ply and progressive failure up to ultimate damage of skew plates being subjected to uniform surface pressure. Parameters like skew angles, laminations and boundary conditions are varied and the results are practically analyzed. The novelty of the paper lies in the fact that the stiffness matrix of the damaged plate is calculated by considering material degradation locally only at failed points at each stage of first and progressive failure and as a result, the present outputs are so close to experimental findings. Interpretation of results from practical angles and proposing the relative performances of the different plate combinations in terms of ranks will be of much help to practicing engineers in selecting the best suited plate option among many combinations.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1401-1409
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• 2024

Postbiotics have various functional effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity. Levilactobacillus brevis BK3, the subject of this study, was derived from lactic acid bacteria isolated from Kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food. The antioxidant activity of BK3 was confirmed through the measurements of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The wrinkle improvement effect was validated by assessing elastase inhibitory activity and collagenase inhibitory activity. The intracellular activity was confirmed using human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human fibroblasts (HFF-1). BK3 protects skin cells from oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ and reduces intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In addition, the expressions of the antioxidant genes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were upregulated. Meanwhile, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), involved in collagen degradation and synthesis, were significantly regulated. These results suggest the possibility of utilizing BK3 as a functional ingredient with antioxidant and wrinkle-improving effects.

• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.416-421
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• 2024

Satellites operating in low Earth orbit environments (400~700 km) are constantly subjected to severe thermal cycles, ultraviolet radiation, and collisions with atomic oxygen (AO), which might cause continuous damage. Particularly, collisions with AO oxidize and erode polymer matrices, reducing surface mass and degradation of material properties. Therefore, to analyze these effects, Reax-FF molecular dynamics simulations were adopted. More than qualitative studies of mass loss due to AO interactions between materials in the previous NVE analysis, we quantified erosion rates as a function of temperature within the operational range of actual satellites (200 K~400 K) using NVT analysis. We also analyzed changes in reaction patterns occurring on the surface and effects due to polymer phase transitions.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.1901-1912
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• 2024

Objective: Lactic acid (LA) treatment of cereals is known to improve ruminant performance. However, changes in cereal nutrient levels and variations in rumen fermentation remain unclear. Methods: This study was designed to compare the effects of 5% LA treatment on the trophic and morphological characteristics of barley and to discover the differences in rumen fermentation characteristics and metabolomes between LA-treated and untreated barley. Results: Compared with those of untreated barley (BA), the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash and water-soluble carbohydrate contents of barley plants treated with 5% LA for 48 h (BALA) decreased, but the resistant starch (RS) and non-fiber carbohydrate contents increased. Moreover, the amount of proteinaceous matrix in BA decreased in response to LA treatment. During in vitro fermentation, BALA had a greater pH but lower dry matter disappearance and ammonia, methane, and short-chain fatty acid levels than BA. The differential metabolites between BA and BALA were clustered into metabolic pathways such as purine metabolism, lysine degradation, and linoleic acid metabolism. Observable differences in ultrastructure between BALA and BA were noted during fermentation. Conclusion: Lactic treatment altered barley nutrient content, including DM, CP, RS, ash, water-soluble carbohydrates and non-fiber carbohydrates, and affected barley ultrastructure. These variations led to significant and incubation time-dependent changes in the in vitro fermentation characteristics and metabolome.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.889-896
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• 2015

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) is an endopeptidase, mainly responsible for degradation of extracellular matrix components, which plays an important role in cancer disease. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -1306 disrupts a Sp1-type promoter site. The results from the published studies on the association between MMP2 -1306 C>T polymorphism and cancer risk are contradictory and inconclusive. In the present study, a meta-analysis was therefore performed to evaluate the strength of any association between the MMP2 -1306 C>T polymorphism and risk of cancer. We searched all eligible studies published on association between MMP2 -1306 C>T polymorphism and cancer risk in PubMed (Medline), EMBASE and Google Scholar online web databases until December 2013. Genotype distribution data were collected to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) to examine the strength of the association. A total of 8,590 cancer cases and 9,601 controls were included from twenty nine eligible case control studies. Overall pooled analysis suggested significantly reduced risk associated with heterozygous genotype (CT vs CC: OR=0.758, 95%CI=0.637 to 0.902, p=0.002) and dominant model (TT+CT vs CC: OR=0.816, 95%CI=0.678 to 0.982, p=0.032) genetic models. However, allelic (T vs C: OR=0.882, 95%CI=0.738 to 1.055, p=0.169), homozygous (TT vs CC: OR=1.185, 95%CI=0.825 to 1.700, p=0.358) and recessive (TT vs CC+CT: OR=1.268, 95%CI=0.897 to 1.793, p=0.179) models did not show any risk. No evidence of publication bias was detected during the analysis. The results of present meta-analysis suggest that the MMP2 -1306 C>T polymorphism is significantly associated with reduced risk of cancer. However, further studies with consideration of different populations will be required to evaluate this relationship in more detail.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2008

Gingival overgrowth can cause dental occlusion and seriously interfere with mastication, speech, and dental hygiene. It is observed in 25 to 81% of renal transplant patients treated with cyclosporine A (CsA). CsA-induced gingival overgrowth (CIGO) is caused by quantitative alteration of the extracellular matrix components, particularly collagen. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of CIGO remain poorly understood, despite intense clinical and laboratory investigations. The aim of the present work is to identify differentially expressed genes closely associated with CIGO. Human gingival fibroblasts were isolated by primary explant culture of gingival tissues from five healthy subjects (HGFs) and two patients with the CIGO (CIGO-HGFs). The proliferative activity of CsA-treated HGFs and CIGO-HGFs was examined using the MTT assay. The identification of differentially expressed genes in CsA-treated CIGO-HGF was performed by differential display reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by DNA sequencing. CsA significantly increased the proliferation of two HGFs and two CIGO-HGFs, whereas three HGFs were not affected. Seven genes, including the beta subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4HB) and testican 1, were upregulated by CsA in a highly proliferative CIGO-HGF. The increased P4HB and testican-1 mRNA levels were confirmed in CsA-treated CIGO-HGFs by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Furthermore, CsA increased type I collagen mRNA levels and suppressed MMP-2 mRNA levels, which are regulated by P4HB and testican-1, respectively. These results suggest that CsA may induce gingival overgrowth through the upregulation of P4HB and testican-1, resulting in the accumulation of extracellular matrix components.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 2011

This paper presents an experimental study results on the crack control of flexure-dominant reinforced concrete beams repaired with strain-hardening cement composite (SHCC). Five RC beams were fabricated and tested until failure. One unrepaired RC beam was a control specimen (CBN) and remaining four speciemens were repaired with SHCC materials. The test parameters included two types of SHCC matrix ductility and two types of repair method (patching and layering). Test results demonstrated that RC beams repaired with SHCC showed no concrete crushing or spalling until final failure, but numerous hair cracks were observed. The control specimen CBN failed due to crushing. It is important to note that SHCC matrix can improve crack-damage mitigation and flexural behavior of RC beams such as flexural strength, post peak ductility, and energy dissipation capacity. In the perspective of crack width, crack widths in RC beams repaired with SHCC had far smaller crack width than the control specimen CBN under the same deflection. Especially, the specimens repaired with SHCC of PVA0.75%+PE0.75% showed a high durability and ductility. The crack width indicates the residual capacity of the beam since SHCC matrix can delay residual capacity degradation of the RC beams.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.64-67
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether in patients with rotator cuff tears a correlation exists between molecular changes and clinical parameters such as age, duration of symptom, range of motion, and tear size. Molecular changes of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) were assessed by measuring messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the two proteins. Methods: The rotator cuff tissue from was obtained from the edge of a torn tendon revealed after debridement by a motorized shaver. Using the sample of rotator cuff tissue, the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression. To determine whether mRNA levels and the clinical variables, such as age, defect size, range of motion (ROM) of shoulder, and duration of symptoms, show any correlation, Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to test for significant differences. Results: There was an inverse correlation between the mRNA levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 from the torn rotator cuff tendons regardless of the clinical variables. However, comparison of mRNA levels versus clinical parameters such as age, defect size, range of motion and duration of symptoms revealed a number of findings. We found a significant correlation between age and mRNA levels of MMP-2 from torn cuffs (r = 0.513, p = 0.021). Further, we found a significant correlation between defect size in the full thickness tears and mRNA levels of MMP-2 (r = 0.454, p = 0.045). Conversely, no significant association between mRNA levels of MMP-2 and ROM or duration of symptom was found. Conclusions: Our results suggest that both MMP-2 and TIMP-2 may be involved in the disease process of rotator cuff tears. Although the level of mRNA expression of MMP-2 and TMP-2 remain constant in torn rotator cuffs irrespective of the clinical variables, their levels may be influenced by age and defect size, which could account to change in tendon degradation and the healing process.