• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.267-274
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• 2008

Since first discovered in chick skeletal muscles, stretch-activated channels (SACs) have been proposed as a probable mechano-transducer of the mechanical stimulus at the cellular level. Channel properties have been studied in both the single-channel and the whole-cell level. There is growing evidence to indicate that major stretch-induced changes in electrical activity are mediated by activation of these channels. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of stretch-induced automaticity by exploiting a recent mathematical model of rat atrial myocytes which had been established to reproduce cellular activities such as the action potential, $Ca^{2+}$ transients, and contractile force. The incorporation of SACs into the mathematical model, based on experimental results, successfully reproduced the repetitive firing of spontaneous action potentials by stretch. The induced automaticity was composed of two phases. The early phase was driven by increased background conductance of voltage-gated $Na^+$ channel, whereas the later phase was driven by the reverse-mode operation of $Na^+/Ca^{2+}$ exchange current secondary to the accumulation of $Na^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$ through SACs. These results of simulation successfully demonstrate how the SACs can induce automaticity in a single atrial myocyte which may act as a focus to initiate and maintain atrial fibrillation in concert with other arrhythmogenic changes in the heart.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.16-24
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• 2014

To test the potential effects of extracellular electron shuttles (EES) on the rate and extent of heavy metal release from contaminated soils during microbial iron reduction, we created anaerobic batch systems with anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) as a surrogate of EES, and with contaminated soils as mixed iron (hydr)oxides and microbial sources. Two types of soils were tested: Zn-contaminated soil A and As/Pb-contaminated soil B. In soil A, the rate of iron reduction was fastest in the presence of AQDS and > 3500 mg/L of total Fe(II) was produced within 2 d. This suggests that indigenous microorganisms can utilize AQDS as EES to stimulate iron reduction. In the incubations with soil B, the rate and extent of iron reduction did not increase in the presence of AQDS likely because of the low pH (< 5.5). In addition, less than 2000 mg/L of total Fe(II) was produced in soil B within 52 d suggesting that iron reduction by subsurface microorganisms in soil B was not as effective as that in soil A. Relatively high amount of As (~500 mg/L) was released to the aqueous phase during microbial iron reduction in soil B. The release of As might be due to the reduction of As-associated iron (hydr)oxides and/or direct enzymatic reduction of As(V) to As(III) by As-reducing microorganisms. However, given that Pb in liquid phase was < 0.3 mg/L for the entire experiment, the microbial reduction As(V) to As(III) by As-reducing microorganisms has most likely occurred in this system. This study suggests that heavy metal release from contaminated soils can be strongly controlled by subsurface microorganisms, soil pH, presence of EES, and/or nature of heavy metals.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2005

Polystyrene (PS) particles containing the phase change material (PCM) were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization. The polymer particles prepared with different parameters were investigated in terms of average particle size, particle distribution, and latent heat storage of encapsulated paraffin wax (PW) as PCM. The morphology and particle features of PS particles were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and particle size analyzer, respectively. As a result, the diameters of PS particles were adjusted with manufacturing conditions. The stable and spherical PS particles of nanosize were obtained by miniemulsion polymerization, which could be attributed to the prevention of Ostwald ripening by cosurfactant. Thermal properties of PS particle containing PCM were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. From DSC freeze-thaw cycle, PCM coated with PS exhibited the thermal energy storage and release behaviors, and the latent heat was found to be a maximum 145 J/g. It was noted that PS particles containing PCM showed a good potential as a thermal energy storage medium.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 1983

The test specimen, designated the double cantilever beam, was employed for a fracture mechanics study of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of type 5083 Al-alloy in seawater. Stress intensities for this DCB specimen were calculated by using compliance, strain energy release rate and relation between stress intensity and strain energy release rate. Analytical expression for compliance as a function of crack length was obtained by applying beam theory. It was investigated that the polarization potentials affected the growth rate and surface of stress corrosion cracking. The results are as follows, The critical stress intensity was 134.81-148.38kg/mm super(3/2) and K sub(Ii) under polarization potentials was 75.92-145.78kg/mm super(3/2). The minimum stress corrosion crack growth rate was occurred at-987mV SCE. Insoluble compound on $\beta$ phase was looked into through SCC. The greater anodic potential is, the larger insoluble compound on $\beta$ phase becomes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.539-545
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• 2021

Background: Red ginseng polysaccharides (RGPs) have been acknowledged for their outstanding immunomodulation and anti-tumor activities. However, their studies are still limited by the complexity of their structural features, the absence of purification and enrichment methods, and the rarity of the analytical instruments that apply to the analysis of such macromolecules. Thus, this study is an attempt to establish a new mass spectrometry (MS)-based analysis procedure for RGPs. Methods: Saponin pre-excluded powder of RG (RG-SPEP, 10 mg) was treated with 200 µL of distilled water and centrifuged for 5 h at 1000 rpm and 85 ℃. Ethanol-based precipitation and centrifugation were applied to obtain RGPs from the heated extracts. Further, endo-carbohydrase treatments were performed to produce specific saccharide fragments. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) processes were implemented to purify and enrich the enzyme-treated RGPs, while matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) MS was employed for the partial structural analysis of the obtained RGPs. Results: Utilizing cellulase, porous graphitized carbon (PGC), hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC), and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS, the neutral and acidic RGPs were qualitatively analyzed. Hex_n and Hex_n-18 (cellulose analogs) were determined to be novel neutral RGPs. Additionally, the [Unknown + Hex_n] species were also determined as new acidic RGPs. Furthermore, HexA_n (H) was determined as another form of the acidic RGPs. Conclusion: Compared to the previous methods of analysis, these unprecedented applications of HILIC-SPE and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS to analyze RGPs proved to be fairly effective for fractionating and detecting neutral and acidic components. This new procedure exhibits great potential as a specific tool for searching and determining various polysaccharides in many herbal medicines.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.658-666
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• 2021

Podophyllotoxin (PT), a lignan compound from the roots and rhizomes of Podophyllum peltatum, has diverse pharmacological activities including anticancer effect in several types of cancer. The molecular mechanism of the anticancer effects of PT on colorectal cancer cells has not been reported yet. In this study, we sought to evaluate the anticancer effect of PT on human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells and identify the detailed molecular mechanism. PT inhibited the growth of cells and colony formation in a concentration-dependent manner and induced apoptosis as determined by the annexin V/7-aminoactinomycin D double staining assay. PT-induced apoptosis was accompanied by cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and an increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The effects of PT on the induction of ROS and apoptosis were prevented by pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), indicating that an increase in ROS generation mediates the apoptosis of HCT116 cells induced by PT. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that PT upregulated the level of phospho (p)-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The treatment of SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, strongly prevented the apoptosis induced by PT, suggesting that PT-induced apoptosis involved the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, PT induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and multi-caspase activation. The results suggested that PT induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and apoptosis through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway by upregulating ROS in HCT116 cells.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.22.1-22.9
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• 2021

Background: Standing surgery in horses combining intravenous sedatives, analgesics and local anaesthesia is becoming more popular. Ultrasound guided (USG) peribulbar nerve block (PB) has been described in dogs and humans for facial and ocular surgery, reducing the risk of complications versus retrobulbar nerve block (RB). Objective: To describe a technique for USG PB in horse cadavers. Methods: Landmarks and PB technique were described in two equine cadaver heads (Phase 1), with computed tomography (CT) imaging confirming contrast location and spread. In Phase 2, ten equine cadaver heads were randomised to two operators naive to the USG PB, with moderate experience with ultrasonography and conventional "blind" RB. Both techniques were demonstrated once. Subsequently, operators performed five USG PB and five RB each, unassisted. Contrast location and spread were evaluated by CT. Injection site success was defined for USG PB as extraconal contrast, and for RB intraconal contrast. Results: Success was 10/10 for USG PB and 0/10 for RB (p < 0.001). Of the RB injections, eight resulted in extraconal contrast and two in the masseter muscle (p = 0.47). Conclusions: The USG PB had a high injection site success rate compared with the RB technique; however, we cannot comment on clinical effect. The USG technique was easily learnt, and no potential complications were seen. The USG PB nerve block could have a wide application for use in horses for ocular surgeries (enucleations, eyelid, corneal, cataract surgeries, and ocular analgesia) due to reduced risk of iatrogenic damage. Further clinical studies are needed.

• Nano
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1850124.1-1850124.12
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• 2018

$TiO_2$ films were deposited from oxygen/titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) plasmas at low temperature by Helicon-PECVD at floating potential ($V_f$) or substrate self-bias of -50 V. The influence of titanium precursor partial pressure on the morphology, nanostructure and optical properties was investigated. Low titanium partial pressure ([TTIP] < 0.013 Pa) was applied by controlling the TTIP flow rate which is introduced by its own vapor pressure, whereas higher titanium partial pressure was formed through increasing the flow rate by using a carrier gas (CG). Then the precursor partial pressures [TTIP+CG] = 0:027 Pa and 0.093 Pa were obtained. At $V_f$, all the films exhibit a columnar structure, but the degree of inhomogeneity is decreased with the precursor partial pressure. Phase transformation from anatase ([TTIP] < 0.013 Pa) to amorphous ([TTIP+CG] = 0:093 Pa) has been evidenced since the $O^+_2$ ion to neutral flux ratio in the plasma was decreased and more carbon contained in the film. However, in the case of -50 V, the related growth rate for different precursor partial pressures is slightly (~15%) decreased. The columnar morphology at [TTIP] < 0.013 Pa has been changed into a granular structure, but still homogeneous columns are observed for [TTIP+CG] = 0:027 Pa and 0.093 Pa. Rutile phase has been generated at [TTIP] < 0:013 Pa. Ellipsometry measurements were performed on the films deposited at -50 V; results show that the precursor addition from low to high levels leads to a decrease in refractive index.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.381-407
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• 2018

This paper presents a hybrid numerical approach, which combines a two-phase Navier-Stokes model (NS) and the fully nonlinear potential theory (FNPT), for modelling wave-structure interaction. The former governs the computational domain near the structure, where the viscous and turbulent effects are significant, and is solved by OpenFOAM/InterDyMFoam which utilising the finite volume method (FVM) with a Volume of Fluid (VOF) for the phase identification. The latter covers the rest of the domain, where the fluid may be considered as incompressible, inviscid and irrotational, and solved by using the Quasi Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian finite element method (QALE-FEM). These two models are weakly coupled using a zonal (spatially hierarchical) approach. Considering the inconsistence of the solutions at the boundaries between two different sub-domains governed by two fundamentally different models, a relaxation (transitional) zone is introduced, where the velocity, pressure and surface elevations are taken as the weighted summation of the solutions by two models. In order to tackle the challenges associated and maximise the computational efficiency, further developments of the QALE-FEM have been made. These include the derivation of an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian FNPT and application of a robust gradient calculation scheme for estimating the velocity. The present hybrid model is applied to the numerical simulation of a fixed horizontal cylinder subjected to a unidirectional wave with or without following current. The convergence property, the optimisation of the relaxation zone, the accuracy and the computational efficiency are discussed. Although the idea of the weakly coupling using the zonal approach is not new, the present hybrid model is the first one to couple the QALE-FEM with OpenFOAM solver and/or to be applied to numerical simulate the wave-structure interaction with presence of current.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.75-85
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• 2019

Quantum technology is undergoing a revolution. Theoretically, strange phenomena of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, can enable high-performance computing, unconditionally secure communication, and high-precision sensing. Such theoretical possibilities have been examined in the last few decades. The goal now is to apply these quantum advantages to daily life. Europe, where quantum mechanics was born a 100 years ago, is struggling to be placed at the front of this quantum revolution. Thus, the European Commission has decided to invest 1 billion EUR over 10 years and has initiated the ramp-up phase with 20 projects in the fields of communication, simulation, sensing and metrology, computing, and fundamental science. This program, approved by the European Commission, is called the "Quantum Technology Flagship" program. Its first objective is to consolidate and expand European scientific leadership and excellence in quantum research. Its second objective is to kick-start a competitive European industry in quantum technology and develop future global industrial leaders. Its final objective is to make Europe a dynamic and attractive region for innovative and collaborative research and business in quantum technology. This program also trains next-generation quantum engineers to achieve a world-leading position in quantum technology. However, the most important principle of this program is to realize quantum technology and introduce it to the market. To this end, the program emphasizes that academic institutes and industries in Europe have to collaborate to research and develop quantum technology. They believe that without commercialization, no technology can be developed to its full potential. In this study, we review the strategy of the Quantum Europe Flagship program and the 20 projects of the ramp-up phase.