• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.349-356
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• 2020

Rock brittleness, which is closely related to the failure modes, plays a significant role in the design and construction of many rock engineering applications. However, the brittle-ductile failure transition is mostly ignored by the current statistical damage constitutive model, which may misestimate the failure strength and failure behaviours of intact rock. In this study, a new statistical damage model considering rock brittleness is proposed for brittle to ductile behaviour of rocks using brittleness index (BI). Firstly, the statistical constitutive damage model is reviewed and a new statistical damage model considering failure mode transition is developed by introducing rock brittleness parameter-BI. Then the corresponding damage distribution parameters, shape parameter m and scale parameter F₀, are expressed in terms of BI. The shape parameter m has a positive relationship with BI while the scale parameter F₀ depends on both BI and ε_e. Finally, the robustness and correctness of the proposed damage model is validated using a set of experimental data with various confining pressure.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.30.1-30.7
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• 2020

The novel coronavirus pandemic that has originated from China and spread throughout the world in three months. Genome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) predecessor, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) play an important role in understanding the concept of genetic variation. In this paper, the genomic data accessed from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) through Molecular Evolutionary Genetic Analysis (MEGA) for statistical analysis. Firstly, the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and Akaike information criterion (AICc) are used to evaluate the best substitution pattern. Secondly, the maximum likelihood method used to estimate of transition/transversions (R) through Kimura-2, Tamura-3, Hasegawa-Kishino-Yano, and Tamura-Nei nucleotide substitutions model. Thirdly and finally nucleotide frequencies computed based on genomic data of NCBI. The results indicate that general times reversible model has the lowest BIC and AICc score 347,394 and 347,287, respectively. The transition/transversions bias for nucleotide substitutions models varies from 0.56 to 0.59 in MEGA output. The average nitrogenous bases frequency of U, C, A, and G are 31.74, 19.48, 28.04, and 20.74, respectively in percentages. Overall the genomic data analysis of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV highlights the close genetic relationship.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2021

Alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts have been widely studied for improving the efficiency and green hydrogen production through electrochemical water splitting. Transition metal-based electrocatalysts have emerged as promising materials that can significantly reduce the hydrogen production costs. Among the available electrocatalysts, transition metal-based layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have demonstrated outstanding OER performance owing to the abundant active sites and favorable adsorption-desorption energies for OER intermediates. Currently, cobalt doped nickel LDHs (NiCo LDHs) are regarded as the benchmark electrocatalyst for alkaline OER, primarily owing to the physicochemical synergetic effects between Ni and Co. We report effects of heat-treatment of the as-grown NiCo LDH on electrocatalytic activities in a temperature range from 250 to 400℃. Electrocatalytic OER properties were analysed by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The heat-treatment temperature was found to play a crucial role in catalytic activity. The optimum heat-treatment temperature was discussed with respect to their OER performance.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.220-225
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• 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary type of liver cancer, is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths worldwide. HCC patients have poor prognosis due to intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major causes of various liver diseases including HCC. Among HBV gene products, HBV X protein (HBx) plays an important role in the development and metastasis of HCC. However, the mechanism of HCC metastasis induced by HBx has not been elucidated yet. In this study, for the first time, we report that HBx interacts with the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) which negatively controls NF-κB by degrading p65, a subunit of NF-κB. NF-κB activates the transcription of factors associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a crucial cellular process associated with invasiveness and migration of cancer cells. Here, we report that HBx physically binds to SOCS1, subsequently prevents the ubiquitination of p65, activates the transcription of EMT transcription factors and enhance cell migration and invasiveness, suggesting a new mechanism of HBV-associated HCC metastasis.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.37-59
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• 2021

Purpose - Although models of innovation and exporting dominate recent studies of relations between innovation and access to foreign markets, relations between innovation and foreign direct investment (FDI) are less explored. This is especially true of relations between types of innovation and FDI. We fill that gap in the literature with empirical evidence that clarifies whether firms enter foreign markets through exports or FDI. Design/methodology - In order to assess the role of innovation in firms' international engagement strategies, we develop research hypotheses and present new empirical evidence on firms' choice of entry - exports and FDI - based on firm-level data. Findings - Our empirical results suggest that the impact of product innovation is more significant in transition from being a purely domestic firm to an exporter, while process innovation more significantly affect transition from being an exporter to a multinational enterprise. Our results also support 'self-selection into FDI' rather than 'learning-by-performing FDI' in the relationship between innovation and firms' overseas expansion. Originality/value - Recent literature on the relationship between innovation and firms' participation in foreign markets is dominated by models of innovation and export behavior. However, foreign direct investment by multinational enterprises may also be associated with firms' innovative activities. We first analyze how product and process innovations influence firms' choices to initiate exports or FDI.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.276-290
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• 2024

A study of the transition from transitory state to steady state in DSSCs based on natural dyes is presented; cochineal was used as dye and Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ were the ions added to the electrolyte. The photocurrent profiles were obtained as a function of time. Several DSSCs were prepared with different cations and their role and the transitory-to-steady transition was determined. A novel hybrid charge carrier source model based on the Heaviside function H(t) and the Lambert-Beer law, was developed and applied to analysis of the transient response of the output photocurrent. Additionally, the maximum effective light absorption coefficient α and the electronic extraction rate κ for each ion were determined: ${\alpha}_{Li^+,Na^+,K^+}\,=\,(0.486,\,0.00085,\,0.1126)\,cm^{-1}$, and also the electronic extraction rate ${\kappa}^{Li^+,Na^+,K^+}_{ext.}\,=\,(1410,\,19.07,\,19.69)\,cm\,s^{-1}$. The impedance model using Fick's second law was developed for carrier recombination to characterize the photocurrent.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.113-120
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• 2004

Considering the present and expected demand for human resources by the maritime community, its quantity and quality depend on the number of the ships and the technology applied to them. Scientific and economic developments in this community bring the intensive use of modem technology for many of ships operation. Generally it effects to reduce the quantity of manpower, while it increases the requirement of qualifications of human resources to utilize such advanced technology. Considering above, the maritime education, training and research activities should be revised and updated according to the demand of the community. Because of a difference between the transition of the demand for the human resources and development of the maritime education, training and research activities, there are two most common questions as “What to teach” and “How to teach”. The first question has been asked for many years. The contents of maritime education and training are always related to the existing maritime knowledge and technology and should be updated with consideration of changes of the demand namely “Globalisation of maritime community”. It brings globalisation of the maritime education, training and research activities. The second question is still keeping us busy to look for the best way. Presently traditional methods are used together with new system, while the use of sophisticated simulation, communication and information systems etc. and it is changing our understanding on teaching. This paper introduces the new role of Maritime Institutions from the viewpoints of the maritime education. training and research activities. The role of guide for seafarers and maritime companies is always essential and the concepts such as “Refreshment Training”, “On the Job Training”, “Lifelong” or “Continuous Training” bring new understanding to the training period, trainee's age and position. As a result, the maritime institutions should be ready for their new role, which is, in brief, guiding the maritime society, recommending and providing new learning environments, organising research and developments, performing the education, training and assessment, improving existing methods and developing new methods of the education, training and assessment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3625-3630
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• 2013

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to promote mesothelial carcinogenesis that is closely associated with asbestos fibers and inflammation. Epithelial to mesenchymal cell transition (EMT) is an important process involved in the progression of tumors, providing cancer cells with aggressiveness. The present study was performed to determine if EMT is induced by $H_2O_2$ in human malignant mesothelioma (HMM) cells. Cultured HMM cells were treated with $H_2O_2$, followed by measuring expression levels of EMT-related genes and proteins. Immunohistochemically, TWIST1 expression was confined to sarcomatous cells in HMM tissues, but not in epithelioid cells. Treatment of HMM cells with $H_2O_2$ promoted EMT, as indicated by increased expression levels of vimentin, SLUG and TWIST1, and decreased E-cadherin expression. Expression of stemness genes such as OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG was also significantly increased by treatment of HMM cells with $H_2O_2$. Alteration of these genes was mediated via activation of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-${\beta}1$). Considering that treatment with $H_2O_2$ results in excess ROS, the present study suggests that oxidative stress may play a critical role in HMM carcinogenesis by promoting EMT processes and enhancing the expression of stemness genes.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1128-1133
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• 2019

This paper proposed colored front panel glass for Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems using multi-layered thin films composed of transition metal oxide (TMO) layers. Molybdenum oxide (MoO₃) and tungsten oxide (WO₃) provided complementary and suitable materials in making effective interference of reflected light from interfaces with significant difference in refractive indices. A simple, fast, and cheap fabrication method was achieved by depositing the multi-layer films in a single thermal evaporator. Magenta colored glass with optical transmittance of more than 90% was achieved with MoO₃ (60nm)/WO₃(100nm) multi-layered film. This technology could play in a critical role in commercial BIPV system applications.

• International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

In the first part of the paper, Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis of the combusting flow within a high-swirl lean premixed gas turbine combustor and over the $1^{st}$ row nozzle guide vanes is presented. In this analysis, the focus of the investigation is the fluid dynamics at the combustor/turbine interface and its impact on the turbine. The predictions show the existence of a highly-rotating vortex core in the combustor, which is in strong interaction with the turbine nozzle guide vanes. This has been observed to be in agreement with the temperature indicated by thermal paint observations. The results suggest that swirling flow vortex core transition phenomena play a very important role in gas turbine combustors with modern lean-premixed dry low emissions technology. As the predictability of vortex core transition phenomena has not yet been investigated sufficiently, a fundamental validation study has been initiated, with the aim of validating the predictive capability of currently-available modelling procedures for turbulent swirling flows near the sub/supercritical vortex core transition. In the second part of the paper, results are presented which analyse such transitional turbulent swirling flows in two different laboratory water test rigs. It has been observed that turbulent swirling flows of interest are dominated by low-frequency transient motion of coherent structures, which cannot be adequately simulated within the framework of steady-state RANS turbulence modelling approaches. It has been found that useful results can be obtained only by modelling strategies which resolve the three-dimensional, transient motion of coherent structures, and do not assume a scalar turbulent viscosity at all scales. These models include RSM based URANS procedures as well as LES and DES approaches.