• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.358-368
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• 2023

The fuel cell market is expected to grow rapidly. Therefore, it is necessary to scale up fuel cells for buildings, power generation, and ships. A multi-stack system can be an effective way to expand the capacity of a fuel cell. Multi-stack fuel cell systems are better than single-stack systems in terms of efficiency, reliability, durability and maintenance. In this research, we developed a residential fuel cell stack and system model that generates electricity using the fuel cell-photovoltaic hybrid system. The efficiency and hydrogen consumption of the fuel cell system were calculated according to the three proposed power distribution methods (equivalent, Daisy-chain, and optimal method). As a result, the optimal power distribution method increases the efficiency of the fuel cell system and reduces hydrogen consumption. The more frequently the multi-stack fuel cell system is exposed to lower power levels, the greater the effectiveness of the optimal power distribution method.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.383-389
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• 2014

Objective : Neural tissue transplantation has been a promising strategy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, transplantation has the disadvantages of low-cell survival and/or development of dyskinesia. Transplantation of cell aggregates has the potential to overcome these problems, because the cells can extend their axons into the host brain and establish synaptic connections with host neurons. In this present study, aggregates of human brain-derived neural stem cells (HB-NSC) were transplanted into a PD animal model and compared to previous report on transplantation of single-cell suspensions. Methods : Rats received an injection of 6-OHDA into the right medial forebrain bundle to generate the PD model and followed by injections of PBS only, or HB-NSC aggregates in PBS into the ipsilateral striatum. Behavioral tests, multitracer (2-deoxy-2-[$^{18}F$]-fluoro-D-glucose ([$^{18}F$]-FDG) and [$^{18}F$]-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-2-carbomethoxy-3-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane ([$^{18}F$]-FP-CIT) microPET scans, as well as immunohistochemical (IHC) and immunofluorescent (IF) staining were conducted to evaluate the results. Results : The stepping test showed significant improvement of contralateral forelimb control in the HB-NSC group from 6-10 weeks compared to the control group (p<0.05). [$^{18}F$]-FP-CIT microPET at 10 weeks posttransplantation demonstrated a significant increase in uptake in the HB-NSC group compared to pretransplantation (p<0.05). In IHC and IF staining, tyrosine hydroxylase and human ${\beta}2$ microglobulin (a human cell marker) positive cells were visualized at the transplant site. Conclusion : These results suggest that the HB-NSC aggregates can survive in the striatum and exert therapeutic effects in a PD model by secreting dopamine.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2022

This study presents experimental measurements of the rotordynamic performance of a motor-driven small turbocompressor supported by gas beam foil journal bearings (GBFJBs) and compares the test results with the predictions of a computational model. The experiments confirmed that the rotational synchronous frequency component dominates the behavior of the overall rotor vibrations, whereas the nonsynchronous components are insignificant, indicating the rotor-bearing system remains stable up to 100 krpm. The undamped natural frequency and imbalanced response of the rotor-bearing system are predicted when integrating the finite element model of the rotor-bearing system with the predictions of the bearing dynamic coefficients. The results are in good agreement with the experimental results. In addition, base excitation test results show that the small turbocompressor can endure large external forces and demonstrate limited rotor amplitudes. A simple single degreeof-freedom rotor model using the nonlinear stiffness of the GBFJBs can effectively predict the test results.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.846-854
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• 2022

Neurons make long-distance connections via their axons, and the accuracy and stability of these connections are crucial for brain function. Research using various animal models showed that the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the assembly and maintenance of neuronal circuitry are highly conserved in vertebrates. Therefore, to gain a deeper understanding of brain development and maintenance, an efficient vertebrate model is required, where the axons of a defined neuronal cell type can be genetically manipulated and selectively visualized in vivo. Placental mammals pose an experimental challenge, as time-consuming breeding of genetically modified animals is required due to their in utero development. Xenopus laevis, the most commonly used amphibian model, offers comparative advantages, since their embryos ex utero during which embryological manipulations can be performed. However, the tetraploidy of the X. laevis genome makes them not ideal for genetic studies. Here, we use Xenopus tropicalis, a diploid amphibian species, to visualize axonal pathfinding and degeneration of a single central nervous system neuronal cell type, the retinal ganglion cell (RGC). First, we show that RGC axons follow the developmental trajectory previously described in X. laevis with a slightly different timeline. Second, we demonstrate that co-electroporation of DNA and/or oligonucleotides enables the visualization of gene function-altered RGC axons in an intact brain. Finally, using this method, we show that the axon-autonomous, Sarm1-dependent axon destruction program operates in X. tropicalis. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that the visual system of X. tropicalis is a highly efficient model to identify new molecular mechanisms underlying axon guidance and survival.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.33 no.S1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2000

The grid-based KIneMatic wave STOrm Runoff Model(Kim, 1998; Kim, et al., 1998) which predicts temporal variation and spatial distribution of saturated overland flow, subsurface flow and stream flow was evaluated at two watersheds. this model adopts the single overland flowpath algorithm and simulates surface and/or subsurface water depth at each cell by using water balance of hydrologic components. the model programmed by C-language uses ASCII-formatted map data supported by the irregular gridded map of the GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) GIS and generates the spatial distribution maps of discharge, flow depth and soil moisture of the watershed.

• Water Engineering Research
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.321-330
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• 2000

The grid-based KIneMatic wave STOrm Runoff Model(Kim, 1998; Kim, et al., 1998) which predicts temporal variation and spatial distribution of overland flow, subsurface flow and stream flow was evaluated at two watersheds. This model adopts the single overland flowpath algorithm and simulates surface and/or subsurface water depth at each cell by using water balance of hydrologic components. The model programmed by C-language uses ASCII-formatted map data supported by the irregular gridded map of the GRASS(Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) GIS and generates the spatial distribution maps of discharge, flow depth and soil moisture of the watershed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Telomeres are located at the chromosomal ends and progressively shortened during each cell cycle. Telomerase, which is regulated by hTERT and c-MYC, maintains telomeric DNA sequences. Especially, telomerase is active in cancer and stem cells to maintain telomere length for replicative immortality. Recently we reported that walnut phenolic extract (WPE) can reduce cell viability in a colon cancer stem cell (CSC) model. We, therefore, investigated the effect of WPE on telomere maintenance in the same model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: $CD133^+CD44^+$ cells from HCT116, a human colon cancer cell line, were sorted by Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and treated with WPE at the concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and $40{\mu}g/mL$ for 6 days. Telomere lengths were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) using telomere specific primers and DNA extracted from the cells, which was further adjusted with single-copy gene and reference DNA ($ddC_t$). Telomerase activity was also measured by qRT-PCR after incubating the PCR mixture with cell protein extracts, which was adjusted with reference DNA ($dC_t$). Transcriptions of hTERT and c-MYC were determined using conventional RT-PCR. RESULTS: Telomere length of WPE-treated cells was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner ($5.16{\pm}0.13$ at $0{\mu}g/mL$, $4.79{\pm}0.12$ at $10{\mu}g/mL$, $3.24{\pm}0.08$ at $20{\mu}g/mL$ and $3.99{\pm}0.09$ at $40{\mu}g/mL$; P = 0.0276). Telomerase activities concurrently decreased with telomere length ($1.47{\pm}0.04$, $1.09{\pm}0.01$, $0.76{\pm}0.08$, and $0.88{\pm}0.06$; P = 0.0067). There was a positive correlation between telomere length and telomerase activity (r = 0.9090; P < 0.0001). Transcriptions of both hTERT and c-MYC were also significantly decreased in the same manner. CONCLUSION: In the present cell culture model, WPE reduced telomere maintenance, which may provide a mechanistic link to the effect of walnuts on the viability of colon CSCs.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.356-362
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• 2019

The binding of MS2 bacteriophage coat protein (MCP) to MS2 binding site (MBS) RNA stem-loop sequences has been widely used to label mRNA for live-cell imaging at single-molecule resolution. However, concerns have been raised recently from studies with budding yeast showing aberrant mRNA metabolism following the MS2-GFP labeling. To investigate the degradation pattern of MS2-GFP-labeled mRNA in mammalian cells and tissues, we used Northern blot analysis of ${\beta}$-actin mRNA extracted from the Actb-MBS knock-in and $MBS{\times}MCP$ hybrid mouse models. In the immortalized mouse embryonic cell lines and various organ tissues derived from the mouse models, we found no noticeable accumulation of decay products of ${\beta}$-actin mRNA compared with the wild-type mice. Our results suggest that accumulation of MBS RNA decay fragments does not always happen depending on the mRNA species and the model organisms used.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.211-216
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• 1979

Air lift fermentor (ALF) is widely used for production of single-cell protein (SCP) from hydrocarbon and other carbon sources, because oxygen transfer efficiency is believed to be superior in the ALF to that in other conventional fermentors. However, the performance of ALF in terms of mixing is somewhat questionable. In this research, we studied about the performance of the ALF in SCP production using methanol fermentation process as a model system. The results show that ALF could be employed for SCP production or other fermentation processes when substrate is miscible and used at low concentration. With a high substrate concentration, it must be operated under high pressure or low dilution rate to meet the adequate oxygen transfer requirement.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2023

Lithium-ion batteries are predominantly employed in electric vehicles and energy storage devices, offering the advantage of high energy density. However, they are susceptible to efficiency degradation when operated at high temperatures due to their sensitivity to the external environment. In this study, we conducted experiments using an indirect cooling method to prevent thermal runaway and explosions in lithium-ion batteries. The results were validated by comparing them with heat transfer simulations conducted through a commercial finite element analysis program. The experiments included single-cell exothermic tests and cooling experiments on a battery pack with 10 cells connected in series, utilizing 21700 lithium-ion batteries. To block external temperature influences, the experimental environment featured an extrusion method insulation in the environmental chamber. The cooling system, suitable for indirect cooling, was constructed with copper tubes and pins. The heat transfer analysis began by presenting a single-cell heating model using commercial software, which was then employed to analyze the heating and cooling of the battery pack.