• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.42-47
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• 2023

Carthamus tinctorius L. (known as safflower) is a valuable oil plant whose importance is increasing rapidly in the world due to its high adaptation to arid regions. The seeds of this unique plant are especially used in edible oil, soap, paint, varnish and lacquer production. Its flowers are used in vegetable dye production and medicinal purposes beside its features as a coloring and flavoring in food. After the oil is removed, the remaining pulp and plant parts are used as animal feed, and dry straw residues are used as fuel. Beside all these features, its usage as a herbal medicinal plants for various diseases has gained importance on recent years. In this study, it was designed a plant metabolomic approach which transfers all the recent data processing strategies of untargeted metabolomics in clinical applications to the present study. Q-TOF LC/MS-based analysis of the extracts (70% ethanol, hexane, and chloroform) for both seed and flowers was performed using a C18 column (Agilent Zorbax 1.8 µM, 100 × 2.1 mm). Differences were observed in seed and fruit extracts and these differences were visualized using principal component analysis (PCA) plots. The total number and intersections of the peaks in the extracts were visualized using peak count comparison graph. Based on the experimental results, the number of the detected peaks for seeds was higher than the ones for the flowers for all solvent systems to extract the samples.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.4146-4158
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• 2022

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has been widely utilized in military and civil protective structures to resist intensive loadings attributed to its excellent properties, e.g., high tensile/compressive strength, high dynamic toughness and impact resistance. At present, aiming to improve the defects of the traditional vertical concrete cask (VCC), i.e., the external storage facility of spent fuel, with normal strength concrete (NSC) shield, e.g., heavy weight and difficult to fabricate/transform, the feasibility of UHPC applied in the shield of VCC is numerically examined considering its high radiation and corrosion resistance. Firstly, the finite element (FE) analyses approach and material model parameters of NSC and UHPC are verified based on the 1/3 scaled VCC tip-over test and drop hammer test on UHPC members, respectively. Then, the refined FE model of prototypical VCC is established and utilized to examine its dynamic behaviors and damage distribution in accidental tip-over and end-drop events, in which the various influential factors, e.g., UHPC shield thickness, concrete ground thickness, and sealing methods of steel container are considered. In conclusion, by quantitatively evaluating the safety of VCC in terms of the shield damage and vibrations, it is found that adopting the 300 mm-thick UHPC shield instead of the conventional 650 mm-thick NSC shield can reduce about 1/3 of the total weight of VCC, i.e., about 50 t, and 37% floor space, as well as guarantee the structural integrity of VCC during the accidental drop simultaneously. Besides, based on the parametric analyses, the thickness of concrete ground in the VCC storage site is recommended as less than 500 mm, and the welded connection is recommended for the sealing method of steel containers.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.543-551
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• 2023

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is a representative Chinese herbal medicine with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PPD) has been isolated from ginseng and shown to have promising pharmacological activities. However, effects of PDD on pulmonary fibrosis (PF) have not been reported. We hypothesize that PDD may reverse inflammation-induced PF and be a novel therapeutic strategy. Methods: Adult male C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a model of PF induced by bleomycin (BLM). The pulmonary index was measured, and histological and immunohistochemical examinations were made. Cell cultures of mouse alveolar epithelial cells were analyzed with Western blotting, coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, siRNA transfection, cellular thermal shift assay and qRT-PCR. Results: The survival rate of PPD-treated mice was higher than that of untreated BLM-challenged mice. Expression of fibrotic hallmarks, including α-SMA, TGF-β1 and collagen I, was reduced by PPD treatment, indicating attenuation of PF. Mice exposed to BLM had higher STING levels in lung tissue, and this was reduced by phosphorylated AMPK after activation by PPD. The role of phosphorylated AMPK in suppressing STING was confirmed in TGF-b1-incubated cells. Both in vivo and in vitro analyses indicated that PPD treatment attenuated BLM-induced PF by modulating the AMPK/STING signaling pathway. Conclusion: PPD ameliorated BLM-induced PF by multi-target regulation. The current study may help develop new therapeutic strategies for preventing PF.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.232-232
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• 2022

We reported in our recent studies that the combined treatment of Paenibacillus yonginensis DCY84^T (DCY84^T) and Silicon (Si) promotes initial plant growth and increases resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. To understand the molecular background of these phenotypes, Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis was performed, and it was confirmed that unsaturated fatty acid metabolites such as oleic acid and linoleic acid decreased in response to the combined treatment of DCY84^T and Si. The stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase (SACPD) introduces the cis double bond into the acyl-ACPs at C9, resulting in the production of unsaturated fatty acid. We identified OsSSI2 encoding SACPD in rice and found that the expression of OsSSI2 was reduced under DCY84^T and Si treatment. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of OsWRKY45, which is downstream of OsSSI2, was upregulated in response to DCY84^T and Si treatment. These results enable the speculation that activation of the salicylic acid (SA)-responsive gene, OsWRKY45, may contribute to enhancing biological stress resistance. Based on this, we propose a probable model for the rice defense pathway following DCY84^T and Si treatment. This model retains a WRKY45-dependent but NH1(NPR1)-independent SA signaling pathway.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.189-194
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• 2016

Obesity is characterized as an accumulation of adipose tissue mass represented by chronic, low-grade inflammation. Obesity-derived inflammation involves chemokines as important regulators contributing to the pathophysiology of obesity-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. The obesity-driven chemokine network is poorly understood. Here, we identified the profiles of chemokine signature between human preadipocytes and adipocytes, using PCR arrays and qRT-PCR. Both preadipocytes and adipocytes showed absent or low levels in chemokine receptors in spite of some changes. On the other hand, the chemokine levels of CCL2, CCL7-8, CCL11, CXCL1-3, CXCL6 and CXCL10-11 were dominantly expressed in preadipocytes compared to adipocytes. Interestingly, CXCL14 was the most dominant chemokine expressed in adipocytes compared to preadipocytes. Moreover, there is significantly higher protein level of CXCL14 in conditioned media from adipocytes. In addition, we analyzed the data of the chemokine signatures in adipocytes obtained from healthy lean and obese postmenopausal women based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. Adipocytes from obese individuals had significantly higher levels in chemokine signature as follows: CCL2, CCL13, CCL18-19, CCL23, CCL26, CXCL1, CXCL3 and CXCL14, as compared to those from lean ones. Also, among the chemokine networks, CXCL14 appeared to be the highest levels in adipocytes from both lean and obese women. Taken together, these results identify CXCL14 as an important chemokine induced during adipogenesis, requiring further research elucidating its potential therapeutic benefits in obesity.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.413-418
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• 2005

Perovskite $Pb(Ni_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})O_3-Pb(Zr,Ti)O_3[PNN-PZT]$ ceramics were synthesized by conventional ceramic processing technique. In order to modify piezoelectric properties for sensor application in this system, NiO addition was considered to provide $Ni^{+2}$ as an acceptor, which was known to occupy with B site in the structure. The effect of NiO addition up to $8\;mol\%$ on the following piezoelectric properties as well as sintering properties was investigated. When NiO added more than $1\;mol\%$, average grain size was decreased and second phase was found to form. Moreover, the second phase caused decrease in relative dielectric constant $(\varepsilon_{33}T/\varepsilon0)$, electro-mechanical coupling factor $(k_p)$, and piezoelectric charge constant $(d_{33})$, while increasing mechanical quality factor $(Q_m)$. When $1\;mol\%$ NiO was added, density, dielectric properties and piezoelectric properties were abruptly increased.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2014

The width of depletion region in a varactor diode can be modulated by varying a reverse bias voltage. Thus, the preferred characteristics of depletion capacitance can obtained by the change in the width of depletion region so that it can select only the desirable frequencies. In this paper, the TV tuner varactor diode fabricated by hyper-abrupt profile control technique is presented. This diode can be operated within 3.3 V of driving voltage with capability of UHF band tuning. To form the hyperabrupt profile, firstly, p+ high concentration shallow junction with $0.2{\mu}m$ of junction depth and $1E+20ions/cm^3$ of surface concentration was formed using $BF_2$ implantation source. Simulation results optimized important factors such as epitaxial thickness and dose quality, diffusion time of n+ layer. To form steep hyper-abrupt profile, Formed n+ profile implanted the $PH_3$ source at Si(100) n-type epitaxial layer that has resistivity of $1.4{\Omega}cm$ and thickness of $2.4{\mu}m$ using p+ high concentration Shallow junction. Aluminum containing to 1% of Si was used as a electrode metal. Area of electrode was $30,200{\mu}m^2$. The C-V and Q-V electric characteristics were investigated by using impedance Analyzer (HP4291B). By controlling of concentration profile by n+ dosage at p+ high concentration shallow junction, the device with maximum $L_F$ at -1.5 V and 21.5~3.47 pF at 0.3~3.3 V was fabricated. We got the appropriate device in driving voltage 3.3 V having hyper-abrupt junction that profile order (m factor) is about -3/2. The deviation of capacitance by hyper-abrupt junction with C0.3 V of initial capacitance is due to the deviation of thermal process, ion implantation and diffusion. The deviation of initial capacitance at 0.3 V can be reduced by control of thermal process tolerance using RTP on wafer.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.241-251
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• 2007

The observed spectra from Odaesan earthquake were fitted to a point-source spectral model to evaluate the source spectrum and spatial features of the modelling error. The source spectrum was calculated by removing from the observed spectra the path and site dependent responses (Yun, 2007) that were previously revealed through an inversion process applied to a large accumulated spectral dataset. The stress drop parameter of one-corner Brune's ${\omega}^2$ source model fitted to the estimated source spectrum was well predicted by the scaling relation between magnitude and stress drop developed by Yun et al. (2006). In particular, the estimated spectrum was quite comparable to the two-corner source model that was empirically developed for recent moderate earthquakes occurring around the Korean Peninsula, which indicates that Odaesan earthquake is one of typical moderate earthquakes representative of Korean Peninsula. Other features of the observed spectra from Odaesan earthquake were also evaluated based on the commonly treated random error between the observed data and the estimated point-source spectral model. Radiation pattern of the error according to azimuth angle was found to be similar to the theoretical estimate. It was also observed that the spatial distribution of the errors was correlated with the geological map and the $Q_0$ map which are indicatives of seismic boundaries.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.235-246
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• 2023

Yellowball (Citrus hybrid cv. Yellowball ) is a new citrus hybrid between Haruka (C. tamurana × natsudaidai ) and Kiyomi (C. unshiu × sinensis) and is known to possess strong antioxidant activity. However, detailed information on the antioxidant components of its peel has not yet been reported. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of the peel and identified the antioxidant components by fractionating a methanolic extract of Yellowball peels using liquid-liquid extraction with n-hexane, ethyl ether (ether), ethyl acetate (EA), butanol, and water. The phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of the n-hexane, ether, and EA fractions were higher than those of the other fractions, and these fractions were further separated by semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Four antioxidant peaks, EA1, EA2, EA3, and He1, were isolated and analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time- of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF MS). Sinapoyl glucoside and hesperidin were identified in EA2 and EA3, respectively, and a polymethoxylated flavone (PMF) complex (5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3',4'-hexamethoxyflavone, natsudaidain, tetrameth- oxyflavone, and tangeretin) was identified in He1. A compound in EA1 with m/z 223.0246 [M-H] could not be identified and was named unknown2. The antioxidant activity of unknown2 (IC₅₀=69.17 ㎍/mL) was similar to that of Trolox, which was noted as a major antioxidant in Yellowball peel. Further studies on the antioxidant capacity of Yellowball peel are required; however, these results provide a foundation for using Yellowball peel as an antioxidant.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1087-1093
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• 2010

Autotrophic denitrification is known as an effective and economical alternative for heterotrophic denitrification using external carbon sources such as methanol. In this study, we evaluated design and operation parameters for a sulfur denitrification reactor (SDR) treating high strength nitrogen wastewater. The SDR was filled with spherical sulfur media in connected to a pilot-scale nutrient removal process (daily flow rate, $Q=18\;m^3/d$) using moving spongy media. Total nitrogen (TN) concentration of the final effluent was below the 7.0 mg TN/L because nitrate was additionally removed through autotrophic denitrificationin without adding alkalinity (initial alkalinity was $169.4{\pm}20.8\;mg$ $CaCO_3$/L). During the test period, 60~80% of nitrogen in the influent was removed even in low temperature (below $15^{\circ}C$). The alkalinity consumption for nitrate removal in SDR was $4.09{\pm}1.29$ g $CaCO_3/g$ ${NO_3}^-$-N, and the residual alkalinity of influent of SDR was higher than that of theoretical requirements for full conversion of nitrate. The consumption of sulfur was 943.8 g S/d and it was 2.4 times higher than theoretical value (400.1 g S/d) due to abrasion and loss of sulfur media in backwash, etc.