• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.570-583
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• 2023

Objective: Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play critical roles in embryo development, and immune responses to infectious diseases. In this study, to investigate the roles of FGFs, we performed genome-wide identification, expression, and functional analyses of FGF family members in chickens. Methods: Chicken FGFs genes were identified and analyzed by using bioinformatics approach. Expression profiles and Hierarchical cluster analysis of the FGFs genes in different chicken tissues were obtained from the genome-wide RNA-seq. Results: A total of 20 FGF genes were identified in the chicken genome, which were classified into seven distinct groups (A-F) in the phylogenetic tree. Gene structure analysis revealed that members of the same clade had the same or similar exon-intron structure. Chromosome mapping suggested that FGF genes were widely dispersed across the chicken genome and were located on chromosomes 1, 4-6, 9-10, 13, 15, 28, and Z. In addition, the interactions among FGF proteins and between FGFs and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins are limited, indicating that the remaining functions of FGF proteins should be further investigated in chickens. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analysis showed that FGF gene interacts with MAPK genes and are involved in stimulating signaling pathway and regulating immune responses. Furthermore, this study identified 15 differentially expressed genes (DEG) in 21 different growth stages during early chicken embryo development. RNA-sequencing data identified the DEG of FGFs on 1- and 3-days post infection in two indigenous Ri chicken lines infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 (HPAIV). Finally, all the genes examined through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and RNA-Seq analyses showed similar responses to HPAIV infection in indigenous Ri chicken lines (R² = 0.92-0.95, p<0.01). Conclusion: This study provides significant insights into the potential functions of FGFs in chickens, including the regulation of MAPK signaling pathways and the immune response of chickens to HPAIV infections.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.129-135
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• 2013

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In advanced and metastatic gastric cancer, the conventional chemotherapy with limited efficacy shows an overall survival period of about 10 months. Patient specific and effective treatments known as personalized cancer therapy is of significant importance. Advances in high-throughput technologies such as microarray and next generation sequencing for genes, protein expression profiles and oncogenic signaling pathways have reinforced the discovery of treatment targets and personalized treatments. However, there are numerous challenges from cancer target discoveries to practical clinical benefits. Although there is a flood of biomarkers and target agents, only a minority of patients are tested and treated accordingly. Numerous molecular target agents have been under investigation for gastric cancer. Currently, targets for gastric cancer include the epidermal growth factor receptor family, mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor axis, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin pathways. Deeper insights of molecular characteristics for gastric cancer has enabled the molecular classification of gastric cancer, the diagnosis of gastric cancer, the prediction of prognosis, the recognition of gastric cancer driver genes, and the discovery of potential therapeutic targets. Not only have we deeper insights for the molecular diversity of gastric cancer, but we have also prospected both affirmative potentials and hurdles to molecular diagnostics. New paradigm of transdisciplinary team science, which is composed of innovative explorations and clinical investigations of oncologists, geneticists, pathologists, biologists, and bio-informaticians, is mandatory to recognize personalized target therapy.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.71-84
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• 2015

A low-profile flow sensor has been designed, fabricated, and characterized to demonstrate the feasibility for monitoring hemodynamics in cerebral aneurysm. The prototype device is composed of three micro-membranes ($500-{\mu}m$-thick polyurethane film with $6-{\mu}m$-thick layers of nitinol above and below). A novel super-hydrophilic surface treatment offers excellent hemocompatibility for the thin nitinol electrode. A computational study of the deformable mechanics optimizes the design of the flow sensor and the analysis of computational fluid dynamics estimates the flow and pressure profiles within the simulated aneurysm sac. Experimental studies demonstrate the feasibility of the device to monitor intra-aneurysmal hemodynamics in a blood vessel. The mechanical compression test shows the linear relationship between the applied force and the measured capacitance change. Analytical calculation of the resonant frequency shift due to the compression force agrees well with the experimental results. The results have the potential to address important unmet needs in wireless monitoring of intra-aneurysm hemodynamic quiescence.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2009

Land cover changes associated with urbanization have driven climate change and pollution, which alter properties of ecosystems at local, regional, and continental scales. Thus, the relationships among urban ecological variables such as community composition, structure, health, soil and functioning need to be better understood to restore and improve urban ecosystems. In this study, we discuss urban ecosystem management and research from a futuristic perspective based on analyses of vegetation structure, composition, and successional trends, as well as the chemical properties of soils and the distribution of heat along an urban-rural gradient. Urban thermo-profile analysis using satellite images showed an obvious mitigating effect of vegetation on the Seoul heat island. Community attributes of Quercus mongolica stands reflected the effects of urbanization, such as pronounced increases in disturbance-related and pollution-tolerant species, such as Styrax japonica and Sorbus alnifolia. Retrogressive successional trends were detected in urban sites relative to those in rural sites. Changes in the urban climate and biotic environment have the potential to significantly influence the practice and outcomes of ecological management, restoration and forecasting because of the associated changes in future bio-physical settings. Thus, for management (i.e., creation and restoration) of urban green spaces, forward-thinking perspectives supported by historical information are necessary.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2008

Potential application of the scroll type machine to air compressor for fuel cell has been studied. Among the seven configuration factors which determine scroll wrap profile, the wrap thickness and the orbiting radius were chosen as two independent variables to generate various scroll wrap profiles. A conceptual design practice was conducted for scroll air compressor for SOFC with power output of 2 kW. With larger wrap thickness and orbiting radius, base plate area of the orbiting scroll becomes smaller, so is the axial gas force acting on the base plate, resulting in reduced thrust loss in spite of larger friction velocity. Performance analysis on the designed model showed that its total efficiency was 64.4% with the mass flow rate per unit compressor input of 0.00905 kg/(s kW) for the wrap thickness of 3.5 mm and the orbiting radius of 3.0 mm.

• Journal of computational fluids engineering
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2005

For proper installation, operation and performance of axial flow jet engines in aircrafts, the impacts and effects of inlet flow distortion in axial compressors have to be understood. Inlet distortion conditions may cause component-mismatch and instability problems known as rotating stall, and severe oscillations of mass flow rate called surge or a combination of both. Typical effects of this phenomenon include stresses and wear on the compressor blading, destruction of entire jet engines due to the failure of airfoil and mechanical failure or interruption of the combustion process. Therefore, it is important to study inlet flow distortion and its propagation effects to minimize and hence to prevent the occurrence of such calamity. The current novel integral method with parametric analysis signifies its validity to this field of research and offers much potential for further improvements. The present effort further indicates that this simple method may be flourishing in the problems of strongly distorted flow and propagating stall in axial compressor. It is therefore believe that using a more realistic and flexible velocity and pressure profiles could develop this approach further.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.419-426
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• 2015

We investigated the high dispersion spectra that had been secured at the center of the planetary nebula NGC 7027 with the Bohyunsan Optical Echelle Spectrograph (BOES) on October, 20, 2009. We analyzed the forbidden lines of [OI], [SII], [OII], [NII], [ClIII], [ArIII], [OIII], [ArIV], [NeIII], [ArV], and [CaV] in the $3770-9225{\AA}$ wavelength region. The expansion velocities were derived from double Gaussian line profiles of the emission lines, after eliminating the subsidiary line broadening effects. The radial variations of the expansion velocities were obtained by projecting the derived expansion velocities: $19.56-31.93kms^{-1}$ onto the equatorial shell elements of the inner and the outer boundaries of the main shell of 2.5(2.1)" and 3.8(3.6)", according to the ionization potential of each ion. Analysis of equatorial shell spectra indicated that the equatorial shell generally expands in an accelerated velocity mode, but the expansion pattern deviates from a linear velocity growth with radial distance. NGC 7027, of which age is about 1000 years or less, might be still at its early stage. During the first few hundred years, plausibly in its early stage, the main shell of PN expands very slowly and, later, it gradually gain its normal expansion speed.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.50
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• pp.232-238
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• 2023

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a pivotal role in epigenetic regulation, affecting the structure of chromatin and gene expression across different stages of plant development and in response to environmental stresses. Although the role of HDACs in Arabidopsis and rice has been focused on in extensive research, the role of the HDAC gene family in various medicinal plants remains unclear. In the genome of the balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus), we identified 10 putative P. grandiflorus HDAC (PlgHDAC) proteins, which were classified into the three families (RPD3/HDA1, SIR2, and HD2 HDAC families) based on their domain compositions. These HDACs were predicted to be localized in various cellular compartments, indicating that they have diverse functions. In addition, the tissue-specific expression profiles of PlgHDACs differed across different plant tissues, indicating that they are involved in various developmental processes. Furthermore, the expression levels of all PlgHDACs were upregulated in leaves after waterlogging treatment, implying their potential role in coping with waterlogging-induced stress. Overall, our findings provide a comprehensive foundation for further research into the epigenetic regulation of PlgHDACs, and particularly, on their functions in response to environmental stresses such as waterlogging. Understanding the roles of these HDACs in the development and stress responses of balloon flower could have significant implications for improving crop yield and the quality of this important medicinal plant.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2018

Insulators used in overhead transmission lines are continuously exposed to a number of mechanical and electrical stresses owing to external environmental factors, resulting in corrosion, reduction in durability, and deterioration. Widely used porcelain insulators are fabricated with cement and porcelain and are especially common in Korea. Changes in the hardness and chemical reactivity of the cement increase the leakage and fault currents and increase the possibility of flashover due to insulation breakdown. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the durability and defects of porcelain insulators. Studies on the reliability of various evaluation methods are needed to prevent accidents by accurately determining the replacement timing and potential defects in porcelain insulators. In this study, the hardness of the cement part of the porcelain insulator was measured using the Vickers hardness test and its composition was analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The performance of the insulators was compared in two different regions with varying climatic conditions. This study presents an evaluation method of the defects in porcelain insulators by measuring humidity, which can also be used to assess the reliability of the insulators.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.126-126
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• 2017

Using first principles calculations we unveil fundamental mechanism of hydrolysis reactions of two hazardous chemicals $PCl_3$ and $POCl_3$ with molecular water clusters nearby. It is found that the water molecules play a key role as a catalyst significantly lowing the activation barriers by transferring its protons to the reaction intermediates. Interestingly, torsional angles of molecular complexes at transition states are identified as a vital descriptor on the reaction rate. Analysis of charge distribution over the complexes further reinforces the finding with atomic level correlation between the torsional angle and variation of the orbital hybridization state of P in the complex. Electronic charge separation (or polarization) enhances thermodynamic stability of the activated complex at transition state and reduces the activation energy through hydrogen bonding network with water molecules nearby. Calculated potential energy surfaces (PES) for the hydrolysis reactions of $PCl_3$ and $POCl_3$ depict their two contrastingly different profiles of double- and triple-deep wells, respectively. It is ascribed to the unique double-bonding O=P in the $POCl_3$. Our results on the activation free energy show well agreements with previous experimental data within $7kcalmol^{-1}$ deviation.