• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.663-679
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• 2021

To elucidate the differences in the collapse behavior between a single-story beam-column assembly and multi-story frame, two 1/3-scale two-bay composite frames, including a single-story composite beam-column assembly and a three-story composite sub-frame, were designed and quasi-statically tested. The load-displacement responses, failure modes, and internal force development of the two frames were analyzed and compared in detail. Furthermore, the resistance mechanisms of the two specimens were explored, and the respective contributions of different load-resisting mechanisms to the total resistances were quantitatively separated to gain deeper insights. The experimental tests indicated that Vierendeel action was present in the two-dimensional multi-story frames, which led to an uneven internal force distribution among the three stories. The collapse resistance of TSDWA-3S in the flexural stage was not significantly increased by the structural redundancy provided by the additional story, as compared to that of TSDWA-1S. Although the development of the load response was similar in the two specimens at flexural stage, the collapse mechanisms of the multi-story composite frame were much more complicated than those of the single-story beam-column assembly, and the combined action between stories was critical in determining the internal force redistribution and rebalancing of the remaining structure.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.291-301
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• 2023

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are particularly vulnerable to the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Currently, no anti-NSCLC/COVID-19 treatment options are available. As ginsenoside Rg3 is beneficial to NSCLC patients and has been identified as an entry inhibitor of the virus, this study aims to explore underlying pharmacological mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 for the treatment of NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Methods: Based on a large-scale data mining and systemic biological analysis, this study investigated target genes, biological processes, pharmacological mechanisms, and underlying immune implications of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Results: An important gene set containing 26 target genes was built. Target genes with significant prognostic value were identified, including baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), glucagon receptor (GCGR), interleukin 2 (IL2), peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4), and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1). The expression of target genes was significantly correlated with the infiltration level of macrophages, eosinophils, natural killer cells, and T lymphocytes. Ginsenoside Rg3 may benefit NSCLC patients with COVID-19 by regulating signaling pathways primarily involved in anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, cell cycle, cell fate, carcinogenesis, and hemodynamics. Conclusions: This study provided a comprehensive strategy for drug discovery in NSCLC and COVID-19 based on systemic biology approaches. Ginsenoside Rg3 may be a prospective drug for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Future studies are needed to determine the value of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2023

Viral infections are known as one of the major factors causing death. Ginseng is a medicinal plant that demonstrated a wide range of antiviral potential, and saponins are the major bioactive ingredients in the genus Panax with vast therapeutic potential. Studies focusing on the antiviral activity of the genus Panax plant-derived agents (extracts and saponins) and their mechanisms were identified and summarized, including contributions mainly from January 2016 until January 2022. P. ginseng, P. notoginseng, and P. quinquefolius were included in the review as valuable medicinal herbs against infections with 14 types of viruses. Reports from 9 extracts and 12 bioactive saponins were included, with 6 types of protopanaxadiol (PPD) ginsenosides and 6 types of protopanaxatriol (PPT) ginsenosides. The mechanisms mainly involved the inhibition of viral attachment and replication, the modulation of immune response by regulating signaling pathways, including the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE)/hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) pathway, phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1)/ protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathway, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway. This review includes detailed information about the mentioned antiviral effects of the genus Panax extracts and saponins in vitro and in vivo, and in human clinical trials, which provides a scientific basis for ginseng as an adjunctive therapeutic drug or nutraceutical.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.54-68
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether metformin (MF) could alleviate the expresssion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improve the osteogenic ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells derived from diabetic rats (drBMSCs) in vitro, and to evaluate the effect of MF on the ectopic osteogenesis of drBMSCs in a nude mouse model in vivo. Methods: BMSCs were extracted from normal and diabetic rats. In vitro, a cell viability assay (Cell Counting Kit-8), tests of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and western blot analysis were first used to determine the cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of drBMSCs that were subjected to treatment with different concentrations of MF (0, 50, 100, 200, 500 µM). The cells were then divided into 5 groups: (1) normal rat BMSCs (the BMSCs derived from normal rats group), (2) the drBMSCs group, (3) the drBMSCs + Mito-TEMPO (10 µM, ROS scavenger) group, (4) the drBMSCs + MF (200 µM) group, and (5) the drBMSCs + MF (200 µM) + H₂O₂ (50 µM, ROS activator) group. Intracellular ROS detection, a senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay, ALP staining, alizarin red staining, western blotting, and immunofluorescence assays were performed to determine the effects of MF on oxidative stress and osteogenic differentiation in drBMSCs. In vivo, the effect of MF on the ectopic osteogenesis of drBMSCs was evaluated in a nude mouse model. Results: MF effectively reduced ROS levels in drBMSCs. The cell proliferation, ALP activity, mineral deposition, and osteogenic-related protein expression of drBMSCs were demonstrably higher in the MF-treated group than in the non-MF-treated group. H₂O₂ inhibited the effects of MF. In addition, ectopic osteogenesis was significantly increased in drBMSCs treated with MF. Conclusions: MF promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of drBMSCs by inhibiting the oxidative stress induced by diabetes and enhenced the ectopic bone formation of drBMSCs in nude mice.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.253-267
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• 2023

The bearing capacities resisted by the two-bay beams of multi-story planar frames with unequal spans under column removal scenarios differ considerably owing to the asymmetric stress on the left and right beams connected to the failed column and cause the potential for beams with larger span-to-depth ratios to be unable to exert effectively, which is disadvantageous for resisting the vertical load in unequal-span frame structures. To address this problem, the structural measure of adding braces to the weak bays of multi-story unequal-span frames was proposed, with the objective of achieving a coordinated stress state in two-bay beams with unequal spans, thereby improving the collapse resistance of unequal-span frame structures. Before conducting the numerical simulation, the modeling methods were verified by previous experimental results of two multi-story planar frames with and without steel braces. Thereafter, the effects of the tensile and compressive braces on the collapse behavior of the frame structures were elucidated. Then, based on the mechanical action laws of the braces throughout the collapse process, a detailed design method for improving the collapse resistance of unequal-span frame structures was proposed. Finally, the proposed design method was verified by using sufficient example models, and the results demonstrated that the design method has good application prospects and high practical value.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.637-648
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• 2023

When an earth pressure balance (EPB) shield machine bores a tunnel in gravelly sand stratum, the excavated natural soil is normally transformed using foam and water to reduce cutter wear and the risk of direct muck squeezing out of the screw conveyor (i.e., muck spewing). Understanding the undrained shear behavior of conditioned soils under pressure is a potential perspective for optimizing the earth pressure balance shield tunnelling strategies. Owing to the unconventional properties of conditioned soil, a pressurized vane shear apparatus was utilized to investigate the undrained shear behavior of foam-conditioned gravelly sands under normal pressure. The results showed that the shear stress-displacement curves exhibited strain-softening behavior only when the initial void ratio (e₀) of the foam-conditioned sand was less than the maximum void ratio (e_max) of the unconditioned sand. The peak and residual strength increased with an increase in normal pressure and a decrease in foam injection ratio. A unique relation between the void ratio and the shear strength in the residual stage was observed in the e-ln(τ) space. When e₀ was greater than e_max, the fluid-like specimens had quite low strengths. Besides, the stick-slip behavior, characterized by the variation coefficient of measured shear stress in the residual stage, was more evident under lower pressure but it appeared to be independent of the foam injection. A comparison between the results of pressurized vane shear tests and those of slump tests indicated that the slump test has its limitations to characterize the chamber muck fluidity and build the optimal conditioning parameters.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

Objects : This study aimed to identify the origin species of Ulmi Cortex and Ulmi Semen Pasta. Methods : I searched for different types of 'Yu(楡)' from Zhong Xiu Zheng Huo Jing Shi Zheng Lei Bei Yong Ben Cao (重修政和經史證類備用本草) of the Song Dynasty, then compared the descriptions of Yu with real life species. Items that were inconsistent were sequentially deleted to finally find the original species that satisfies all conditions. Results : There were five types of Yu : Jiyu(地楡), Jayu(刺楡), Langyu(郞楡), Goyu(姑楡), and Baekyu(白楡). Jiyu was Sanguisorba officinalis or Sanguisorba officinalis var. longifolia which was a herb. Jayu was Hemiptelea davidii (Hance) Planch. which had thorns on its branches. Ulmus laciniata had leaves that split into three branches. Langyu was Ulmus parvifolia which beared fruit in the fall. For these reasons, the four items above were ruled out. The fruit of Goyu was Ulmi Semen Pasta, which was the largest among fruits and was therefore Ulmus macrocarpa. The fruit of Baekyu was Yuhyup(楡莢) and the ancient coin Yuhyupjeon(楡莢錢) was resembled Yuhyup. The normal pulse of the lung resembled the appearance of falling Yuhyup. The peel of Baekyu was Yubaekpi(楡白皮), and when it was removed from coarse bark, contained an abundance of white sap; the place where this sap overflowed on the stem bark was white, therefore Baekyu was identified as Ulmus pumila. Conclusions : From the results above, the origin species of Ulmi cortex was Ulmus pumila and the origin species of Ulmi Semen Pasta was Ulmus macrocarpa.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.57-67
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• 2023

A flash drought is a rapid-onset drought that develops over a short period of time as weather and environmental factors change rapidly, unlike general droughts, due to meteorological abnormalities. Abnormally high evapotranspiration rates and rapid declines in soil moisture increase vegetation stress. In addition, crop yields may decrease due to flash droughts during crop growth and may damage agricultural and economic ecosystems. In this study, Flash Drought Intensity Index (FDII) based on soil moisture data from Gravity Recovery Climate Experiment (GRACE) was used to analyze flash drought. FDII, which is calculated using soil moisture percentile, is expressed by multiplying two factors: the rate of intensification and the drought severity. FDII was developed for domestic flash drought events from 2014 to 2018. The flash drought that occurred in 2018, Chungcheongbuk-do showed the highest FDII. FDII was higher in heat wave flash drought than in precipitation deficit flash drought. The results of this study show that FDII is reliable flash drought analysis tool and can be applied to quantitatively analyze the characteristics of flash drought in South Korea.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.448-457
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• 2023

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common form of dementia, and impaired mitophagy is a hallmark of AD. Mitophagy is mitochondrial-specific autophagy. Ginsenosides from Ginseng involve in autophagy in cancer. Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1 hereafter), a single compound of Ginseng, has neuroprotective effects on AD. However, few studies have reported whether Rg1 can ameliorate AD pathology by regulating mitophagy. Methods: Human SH-SY5Y cell and a 5XFAD mouse model were used to investigate the effects of Rg1. Rg1 (1µM) was added to β-amyloid oligomer (AβO)-induced or APPswe-overexpressed cell models for 24 hours. 5XFAD mouse models were intraperitoneally injected with Rg1 (10 mg/kg/d) for 30 days. Expression levels of mitophagy-related markers were analyzed by western blot and immunofluorescent staining. Cognitive function was assessed by Morris water maze. Mitophagic events were observed using transmission electron microscopy, western blot, and immunofluorescent staining from mouse hippocampus. The activation of the PINK1/Parkin pathway was examined using an immunoprecipitation assay. Results: Rg1 could restore mitophagy and ameliorate memory deficits in the AD cellular and/or mouse model through the PINK1-Parkin pathway. Moreover, Rg1 might induce microglial phagocytosis to reduce β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits in the hippocampus of AD mice. Conclusion: Our studies demonstrate the neuroprotective mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 in AD models. Rg1 induces PINK-Parkin mediated mitophagy and ameliorates memory deficits in 5XFAD mouse models.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2022

The influence of normal stress perpendicular to the potential shear plane was always neglected in existing researches, which may lead to a serious deviation of the shear strength of concrete members in practice designs and numerical analyses. In this study, a series of experimental studies are carried out in this paper, which serves to investigate the shear behavior of concrete under compression shear loading. Based on the test results, a three-phase shear failure model for cohesive elements are developed, which is able to take into consideration the influence of normal stress on the shear strength of concrete. To identify the accuracy and applicability of the proposed model, numerical models of a double-noted concrete plate are developed and compared with experimental results. Results show that the proposed constitutive model is able to take into consideration the influence of normal stress on the shear strength of concrete materials, and is effective and accurate for describing the complex fracture of concrete, especially the failure modes under compression shear loadings.