• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.425-436
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• 2019

Botrytis cinerea, a major phytopathogenic fungus, has been reported to infect more than 200 crop species worldwide, and it causes massive losses in yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory abilities and effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens RS-25, Bacillus licheniformis MG-4, Bacillus subtilis Z-14, and Bacillus subtilis Pnf-4 and their culture filtrates and extracts against the gray mold caused by B. cinerea on postharvest tomato, strawberry, and grapefruit. The results revealed that the cells of Z-14, culture filtrate of RS-25, and cells of Z-14 showed the strongest biocontrol activity against the gray mold on the strawberry, grape, and tomato fruit, respectively. All the strains produced volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and the VOCs of Pnf-4 displayed the highest inhibition values. Based on headspace solid-phase microextraction in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, esters accounted for the largest percentage of the VOCs produced by RS-25, MG-4, Z-14, and Pnf-4 (36.80%, 29.58%, 30.78%, and 36.26%, respectively). All the strains showed potent cellulase and protease activities, but no chitinase activity. RS-25, Z-14, and MG-4, but not Pnf-4, grew on chrome azurol S agar, and an orange halo was formed around the colonies. All the strains showed biofilm formation, fruit colonization, and lipopeptide production, which may be the main modes of action of the antagonists against B. cinerea on the fruit. This study provides the basis for developing natural biocontrol agents against the gray mold caused by B. cinerea on postharvest fruit.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.3236-3246
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• 2021

Lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident directed that multiple failures should be considered more seriously rather than single failure in the licensing bases and safety cases because attempts to take accident management measures could be unsuccessful under the high radiation environment aggravated by multiple failures, such as complete loss of electric power, uncontrollable loss of coolant inventory, failure of essential safety function recovery. In the case of the complete loss of electric power called station blackout (SBO), if there is no mitigation action for recovering safety functions, the reactor core would be overheated, and severe fuel damage could be anticipated due to the failure of the active heat sink. In such a transient condition at CANDU-6 plants, the seal failure of the primary heat transport (PHT) pumps can facilitate a consequent increase in the fuel sheath temperature and eventually lead to degradation of the fuel integrity. Therefore, it is necessary to specify the regulatory guidelines for multiple failures on a licensing basis so that licensees should prepare the accident management measures to prevent or mitigate accident conditions. In order to explore the efficiency of implementing accident management strategies for CANDU-6 plants, this study proposed a realistic accident analysis approach on the SBO transient with multiple-failure sequences such as seal failure of PHT pumps without operator's recovery actions. In this regard, a comparative study for two PHT pump seal failure modes with and without coolant seal leakage was conducted using a best-estimate code to precisely investigate the behaviors of thermal-hydraulic parameters during transient conditions. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis for different PHT pump seal leakage rates was also carried out to examine the effect of leakage rate on the system responses. This study is expected to provide the technical bases to the accident management strategy for unmitigated transient conditions with multiple failures.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.207-223
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• 2023

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Under the standard of care, patients with advanced GC (AGC) have a median survival time of approximately 12-15 months. With the emergence of immunotherapy as a key therapeutic strategy in medical oncology, relevant changes are expected in the systemic treatment of GC. In the phase III ATTRACTION-2 trial, nivolumab, a monoclonal anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibody, as a third- or later-line treatment improved overall survival (OS) compared with placebo in patients with AGC. Furthermore, nivolumab in combination with 5-fluorouracil and platinum as a first-line treatment improved OS in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-negative AGC in the global phase III CheckMate-649 study. Another anti-PD-1 antibody, pembrolizumab, in combination with trastuzumab and cytotoxic chemotherapy as a first-line treatment, significantly improved the overall response rate in patients with HER2-positive AGC. Therefore, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are essential components of the current treatment of GC. Subsequent treatments after ICI combination therapy, such as ICI rechallenge or combination therapy with agents having other modes of action, are being actively investigated to date. On the basis of the success of immunotherapy in the treatment of AGC, various clinical trials are underway to apply this therapeutic strategy in the perioperative and postoperative settings for patients with early GC. This review describes recent progress in immunotherapy and potential immunotherapy biomarkers for GC.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.83-102
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• 2008

Ubiquitous computing requires timely supply of contextual information in order to upgrade decision quality. In this sense, this study is aimed at proposing a multi-dynamic decision support system for highly ill-structured problems. Especially, it is very important for decision makers in the ubiquitous computing to coordinate conflicts among local goals and global goal harmoniously. The proposed Multi-Dynamic Decision Support System (MDDSS) is basically composed of both central structure and distributed structure, in which central structure supports multi objects decision making and distributed structure supports individual decision making. Its hybrid architecture consists of decision processor, multi-agent controller and intelligent knowledge management processor. Decision processor provides decision support using contexts which come from individual agents. Multi-agent controller coordinates tension among multi agents to resolve conflicts among them. Meanwhile, intelligent knowledge management processor manages knowledge to support decision making such as rules, knowledge, cases and so on. To prove the validity of the proposed MDDSS, we applied it to an u-fulfillment problem system in which many kinds of decision makers exist trying to satisfy their own objectives, and timely adjustment of action strategy is required. Therefore, the u-fulfillment problem is a highly ill-structured problem. We proved its effectiveness with the aid of multi-agent simulation comprising 60 customers and 10 vehicles under three experimental modes.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.565-574
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• 2002

Based on previous investigations of aerial photographs and topographical surveys, this study focuses on the sedimentologic features of the Daebudo area including sedimentation processes, sedimentary facies and hydrologic conditions of the erosional coast. A total of 137 surface sediments and one core (by hand auger) sediment were obtained to interpret the depositional environment of the erosional coast in the macro-tidal coast. Surface sediments are distributed from sandy gravel (sG) to silt (Z). Textural parameters are characterized not only by coarse, poorly sorted, positive skewed and multi-modal distribution in the supra-tidal flat, but also finer, relatively well-sorted, symmetric distribution in the intertidal flat. According to the C/M diagram, sediment transport modes of study area are characterized by the mixed mode of suspension and bedload in the upper-, middle-tidal flat and by uniform suspension in the lower-tidal flat due to tidal effect. Vertical sediment distribution of the core, collected near shoreline, shows coarsening-upward, poorly sorted pattern by the input of detritus resulting from coastal erosion. Considering the sedimentological features of the study area, it appears to be composed of a coastal zone changed by not only artificial reclamation, but also by natural processes such as strong wave action due to typhoons and storms during high water level and long/short-term sea level rising. As a result, tide-dominated erosional coasts show that the shore is affected by local, temporal and hydrological conditions near high tide level and that the intertidal flat is represented by a general tide-dominated sedimentary environment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.228-233
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• 2008

Antimicrobial activities of ethanol extracts of about 60 endemic Korean herbs and medicinal plants were investigated. When compared to the group treated with phenoxyethanol as a positive control, the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was inhibited by Styrax japonica, Stevia rebaudiana, Morus Leaf, Coptis chinensis and Slavia miltorrhiza Bunge, the latter showing the strongest inhibition (97%). The growth of Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited by Acorus calamus, Pinus densiflora, Ginkgo biloba, Dryopteris crassirhizoma, Chrysanthemum zawadskii, Slavia miltorrhiza Bunge and Coptis chinensis, the latter showing the strongest inhibition (99%). The growth of yeast type fungi Candida albicans was inhibited to about 35% by Scutellaria baicalensis Geogr and about 33% by Coptis chinensis as determined by paper disk method. The growth of bacterium Malassezia furfur was inhibited by Paeonia lactiflora, Rosa multiflora, Coptis chinensis, Citrus aurantium L. subsp, Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, and Galla rhois, the latter showing the strongest inhibition (57%). The growth of Propionibacterium acnes was inhibited by Galla rhois, Paeonia lactiflora, Morus bombycis, Cucumis sativus, Stevia rebaudiana, Coptis chinensis and Slavia miltorrhiza Bunge. Interestingly, Coptis chinensis and Slavia miltorrhiza Bunge showed the strongest inhibition (99%) similar to that in postive control. The possible components and their action modes were suggested and discussed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.984-992
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• 2015

Sanguinarine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid originally isolated from the roots of Sanguinaria canadensis. It has multiple biological activities (e.g., antioxidant and antiproliferative) and immune-enhancing potential. In this study, we explored the proapoptotic properties and modes of action of sanguinarine in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Our results revealed that sanguinarine inhibited HepG2 cell growth and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis by sanguinarine was associated with the up-regulation of Fas and Bax, the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol, and the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, sanguinarine activated caspase-9 and -8, initiator caspases of the intrinsic and death extrinsic pathways, respectively, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Sanguinarine also triggered the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elimination of ROS by N-acetylcysteine reversed sanguinarine-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, sanguinarine induced the dephosphorylation of Akt and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. The growth inhibition was enhanced by the combined treatment of sanguinarine with a phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor and an ERK inhibitor but not JNK and p38 inhibitors. Overall, our data indicate that the proapoptotic effects of sanguinarine in HepG2 cells depend on ROS production and the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways, which is mediated by blocking PI3K/Akt and activating the ERK pathway. Thus, our data suggest that sanguinarine may be a natural compound with potential for use as an antitumor agent in liver cancer.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.545-553
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• 2016

This paper presents experimental static test results of the precast concrete panels developed for short-span concrete bridge deck form. Different from LB-DECK, concrete rib attached to the bottom surface of concrete panel, and Top-bar is not used at the top surface of concrete panel. Number of concrete ribs and cross-section details of concrete rib are determined from the analytical results of parametric study considering the span length and the thickness of concrete bridge decks. Shear rebars are installed at the top surface of concrete panel for composite action between precast concrete panel and cast-in-place concrete. In order to evaluate the safety and the serviceability of the developed short-span concrete panel subjected to design load, static load test is conducted. Three test panels with span length of 1.6m are fabricated, and during the load test displacements, strains and cracks of test panels are measured and final failure modes are investigated. Serviceability of the test panels is evaluated based on the results of displacements, cracking load, and crack width at the design load level. Safety is also evaluated based on the comparison of the ultimate strength and the factored design load of test panels. Based on the test results, it is confirmed the short-span precast concrete panel satisfies the serviceability and safety regulated in design codes. In addition, the range of span length of concrete bridge decks for the short-span concrete panel is discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.402-410
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to estimate the chitinolytic and antifungal activity of Actinomycetes sp.isolated from waste mushroom media. In five kinds of waste mushroom media, Sinyeong mushroom and Yangsongi were the order of the population density of actinomycetes. Totally 91 chitinolytic isolates of Actinomycetes sp. were obtained from waste mushroom media. The isolates were categorized into 3 groups based on chitinolytic activity and antagonisms against Phytophthora capsici, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Collectotrichum gloeosporioides, and Cladosporium cucumerinum in vitro. CA-23 was selected as a representative isolate of a group showing strong chitinolytic and antagonistic activities to all of the plant pathogens, while AA-65 was selected as a representative isolate showing no chitinolytic activities but strong antagonistic activities to the pathogens. CA-23 and AA-65 were highly effective on control of Phytophthora blight of hot-pepper, powdery mildew and scab of cucumber in a greenhouse tests. Among the isolates tested, CA-23 showed highest control efficacy, while AA-65 not only effectively controlled the diseases but also consistently increased plant growth and yield. Although the isolates are similarly affected on suppression of plant pathogens, the isolates could be differ from each other in modes of action. Further studies on mechanisms and practical applications are being progressed.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.323-336
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• 2018

Machine foundations with impact loads are common powerful sources of industrial vibrations. These foundations are generally transferring vertical dynamic loads to the soil and generate ground vibrations which may harmfully affect the surrounding structures or buildings. Dynamic effects range from severe trouble of working conditions for some sensitive instruments or devices to visible structural damage. This work includes an experimental study on the behavior of dry dense sand under the action of a single impulsive load. The objective of this research is to predict the dry sand response under impact loads. Emphasis will be made on attenuation of waves induced by impact loads through the soil. The research also includes studying the effect of footing embedment, and footing area on the soil behavior and its dynamic response. Different falling masses from different heights were conducted using the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) to provide the single pulse energy. The responses of different soils were evaluated at different locations (vertically below the impact plate and horizontally away from it). These responses include; displacements, velocities, and accelerations that are developed due to the impact acting at top and different depths within the soil using the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) and accelerometers (ARH-500A Waterproof, and Low capacity Acceleration Transducer) that are embedded in the soil in addition to soil pressure gauges. It was concluded that increasing the footing embedment depth results in increase in the amplitude of the force-time history by about 10-30% due to increase in the degree of confinement. This is accompanied by a decrease in the displacement response of the soil by about 40-50% due to increase in the overburden pressure when the embedment depth increased which leads to increasing the stiffness of sandy soil. There is also increase in the natural frequency of the soil-foundation system by about 20-45%. For surface foundation, the foundation is free to oscillate in vertical, horizontal and rocking modes. But, when embedding a footing, the surrounding soil restricts oscillation due to confinement which leads to increasing the natural frequency. Moreover, the soil density increases with depth because of compaction, which makes the soil behave as a solid medium. Increasing the footing embedment depth results in an increase in the damping ratio by about 50-150% due to the increase of soil density as D/B increases, hence the soil tends to behave as a solid medium which activates both viscous and strain damping.