• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.101-116
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• 2018

Sustainability science is an emerging transdisciplinary research which necessitates not only the communication and collaboration of scientists, practitioners and stakeholders from different disciplines and interests, but also the paradigm shift from deterministic and reductionist approaches to the old basic. Ecological-societal systems (ESS) are co-evolving complex systems having many interacting parts (or agents) whose random interactions at local scale give rise to spontaneous emerging order at global scale (i.e., self-organization). Here, the flows of energy, matter and information between the systems and their surroundings play a key role. We introduce a conceptual framework for such continually morphing dynamical systems, i.e. self-organizing hierarchical open systems (SOHOs). To understand the structure and functionality of SOHOs, we revisit the two fundamental laws of physics. Re-interpretation of these principles helps understand the destiny and better path toward sustainability, and how to reconcile ecosystem integrity with societal vision and value. We then integrate the so-called visioneering (V) framework with that of SOHOs as feedback/feedforward loops so that 'a nudged self-organization' may guide systems' agents to work together toward sustainable ESS. Finally, example is given with newly endorsed Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Lab (i.e., 'Rural systems visioneering') by Future Earth, which is now underway in rural villages in Tanzania.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.324-331
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• 2013

Channels formed by the co-assembly of the KCNQ1 subunit and the mink (KCNE1) subunit underline the slowly activating delayed rectifier $K^+$ channels ($I_{Ks}$) in the heart. This $K^+$ channel is one of the main pharmacological targets for the development of drugs against cardiovascular disease. Panax ginseng has been shown to exhibit beneficial cardiovascular effects. In a previous study, we showed that ginsenoside Rg3 activates human KCNQ1 $K^+$ channel currents through interactions with the K318 and V319 residues. However, little is known about the effects of ginsenoside metabolites on KCNQ1 $K^+$ alone or the KCNQ1 + KCNE1 $K^+$ ($I_{Ks}$) channels. In the present study, we examined the effect of protopanaxatriol (PPT) and compound K (CK) on KCNQ1 $K^+$ and $I_{Ks}$ channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes. PPT more strongly inhibited the $I_{Ks}$ channel currents than the currents of KCNQ1 $K^+$ alone in concentration- and voltage-dependent manners. The $IC_{50}$ values on $I_{Ks}$ and KCNQ1 alone currents for PPT were $5.18{\pm}0.13$ and $10.04{\pm}0.17{\mu}M$, respectively. PPT caused a leftward shift in the activation curve of $I_{Ks}$ channel activity, but minimally affected KCNQ1 alone. CK exhibited slight inhibition on $I_{Ks}$ and KCNQ1 alone $K^+$ channel currents. These results indicate that ginsenoside metabolites show limited effects on $I_{Ks}$ channel activity, depending on the structure of the ginsenoside metabolites.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.43 no.6 s.312
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• pp.65-84
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• 2006

In this paper, we present an improved image formation model and propose a color image enhancement based on the model. In the presented image formation model, an input image is represented as a product of global illumination, local illumination, and reflectance. In the proposed color image enhancement, an input RGB color image is converted into an HSV color image. Under the assumption of white-light illumination, the H and S component images are remained as they are and the V component image only is enhanced based on the image formation model. The global illumination is estimated by applying a linear LPF with wide support region to the input V component image and the local illumination by applying a JND (just noticeable difference)-based nonlinear LPF with narrow support region to the processed image, where the estimated global illumination is eliminated from the input V component image. The reflectance is estimated by dividing the input V component image by the estimated global and local illuminations. After performing the gamma correction on the three estimated components, the output V component image is obtained from their product. Histogram modeling is next executed such that the final output V component image is obtained. Finally an output RGB color image is obtained from the H and S component images of the input color image and the final output V component image. Experimental results for the test image DB built with color images downloaded from NASA homepage and MPEG-7 CCD color images show that the proposed method gives output color images of very well-increased global and local contrast without halo effect and color shift.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.639-643
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• 1999

Interpenetrating polymer networks(IPNs) composed of castor oil(CO) polyurethane(PU) and epoxy resin were prepared by the simultaneous polymerization technique. Two types of PU were prepared using 1,4-butanediol(BD) and BD/trimethylolpropane(TMP) as a chain extending agent and crosslinking agent. The PU/epoxy based on BD as a chain extending agent showed more shift in the damping peak than PU/epoxy based on BD/TMP as the PU content was increased. BDPU/epoxy simultaneous interpenetrating polymer networks(SINs) had a better compatibility than BD/TMP-PU/epoxy SINs. For both systems, it was postulated that unique network formation of PU/epoxy SINs as a chain extending agent and crosslinking agent had occurred to a significant extent of phase mixing. The types of chain extender in the PU were found to be an important factor in determining the phase mixing of the IPNs. When the BD/TMP-PU reaction was faster than epoxy network, the extent of phase mixing was retarded by decreasing entanglement of networks. It was found that both PU/epoxy SINs provided enhanced flexural properties and fracture toughness, fracture surfaces of BDPU/epoxy and BD/TMP-PU/epoxy SINs showed the localized shear deformation and generation of stress whitening associated with the cavitation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2001

Background: Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes is believed to be important in the development of many human malignancies. Recently, several lines of evidence have indicated that the wild type p53 gene located at 17p13.3, may function as a tumor suppressor gene and that a mutant p53 gene could promote transformation by inactivating normal p53 function in a dominant negative fashion. These broad spectrum of p53 mutation in human cancers provide that mutant p53 and their protein may be potential targets of tumor diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Method: Colony formation was performed to investigate growth suppressional ability. p53 expression pattern was examined by western blot and p53-mediated transactivation ability was assessed by CAT activity. SNU C2A cells were observed in apoptotic aspects induced by etoposide and $H_2O_2$ treatment, detecting sensitivity on agent, DNA fragmentation through agarose gel, chromatin condensation by fluorescence microscope, and cell cycle distribution by FACS. Result: 1) p53 mutant his179arg ($histidine{\rightarrow}arginine$) detected in SNU C2A cells lost transcriptional activity and growth suppression ability, showing dominant negative effect on its wild type p53. 2) Etoposide-treated SNU C2A cells induced apoptosis, exhibiting dramatic reduction of cell growth, DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation formation of apoptotic body and increment of sub-G1 cell fraction. 3) Etoposide and $H_2O_2$-treated SNU C2A cells have no high increase of p53 expression and overexpressed p53 protein changed localization, from cytoplasm to nucleus. Also, p53-mediated transcriptional activity was increased by agents-treatment. Conclusion: SNU C2A cells coexpress wild-type and mutant p53 protein induced apoptosis in the condition on DNA damage, through localizational shift from cytoplasm to nucleus of p53 protein rather than the induction of p53 protein. SNU C2A cells derived mutant p53 his179arg abrogated both the growth supression ability and transactivational activity, showing inhibition effect on transcriptional activity of wild type p53, but did not repress the activity of wild type p53 in SNU C2A cells owing to dominant activity of wild type. These cell condition may provide new gene therapeutic implications leading effective antiproliferation of cell when mutant and wild-type p53 protein were co-expressed in cell.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2003

Background: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) induces nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ activation and angiogenesis and increases tumor growth and pulmonary tumor metastasis in vivo. The role of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation in PAF-induced angiogenesis in a mouse model of Matrigel implantation, and in PAF-mediated pulmonary tumor metastasis were investigated. Methods: Angiogenesis using Matrigel and experimental pulmonary tumor metastasis were tested in a mouse model. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay was done for the assessment of $NF-{\kappa}B$ translocation to the nucleus. Expression of angiogenic factors, such as tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\alpha}$, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were tested by RT-PCR and ELISA. Results: PAF induced a dose- and time-dependent angiogenic response. PAF-induced angiogenesis was significantly blocked by PAF antagonist, CV6209, and inhibitors of $NF-{\kappa}B$ expression or action, including antisense oligonucleotides to p65 subunit of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p65 AS) and antioxidants such as ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and N-acetyl-L-cysteine. In vitro, PAF activated the transcription factor, $NF-{\kappa}B$ and induced mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, bFGF, VEGF, and its receptor, KDR. The PAF-induced expression of the above mentioned factors was inhibited by p65 AS or antioxidants. Also, protein synthesis of VEGF was increased by PAF and inhibited by p65 AS or antioxidants. The angiogenic effect of PAF was blocked when anti-VEGF antibodies was treated or antibodies against $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, and bFGF was co-administrated, but not by antibodies against $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, and bFGF each alone. PAF-augmented pulmonary tumor metastasis was inhibited by p65 AS or antioxidants. Conclusion: These data indicate that PAF increases angiogenesis and pulmonary tumor metastasis through $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent angiogenic factors.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.88-94
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• 2012

One of the effective ways to reduce both $NO_x$ and PM at the same time in a diesel CI engine is to operate the engine in low temperature combustion (LTC) regimes. In general, two strategies are used to realize the LTC operation-dilution controlled LTC and late injection LTC - and in this study, the former approach was used. In the dilution controlled regime, LTC is achieved by supplying a large amount of EGR to the cylinder. The significant EGR gas increases the heat capacity of in-cylinder charge mixture while decreasing oxygen concentration of the charge, activating low temperature oxidation reaction and lowering PM and $NO_x$ emissions. However, use of high EGR levels also deteriorates combustion efficiency and engine power output. Therefore, it is widely considered to use increased intake pressure as a way to resolve this issue. In this study, the effects of intake pressure variations on performance and emission characteristics of a single cylinder diesel engine operated in LTC regimes were examined. LTC operation was achieved in less than 8% $O_2$ concentration and thus a simultaneous reduction of both PM and $NO_x$ emission was confirmed. As intake pressure increased, combustion efficiency was improved so that THC and CO emissions were decreased. A shift of the peak Soot location was also observed to lower $O_2$ concentration while $NO_x$ levels were kept nearly zero. In addition, an elevation of intake pressure enhanced engine power output as well as indicated thermal efficiency in LTC regimes. All these results suggested that LTC operation range can be extended and emissions can be further reduced by adjusting intake pressure.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2017

Recently, flexible cages have been introduced in an attempt to absorb and reduce the abnormal load transfer along the anterior parts of the spine. They are designed to be used with the pedicle screw systems to allow some mobility at the index level while containing ROM at the adjacent level. In this study, a finite element (FE) study was performed to assess biomechanical efficacies of the flexible cage when combined with pedicle screws with flexible rods. The post-operated models were constructed by modifying the L4-5 of a previously-validated 3-D FE model of the intact lumbar spine (L2-S1): (1) Type 1, flexible cage only; (2) Type 2, pedicle screws with flexible rods; (3) Type 3, interbody fusion cage plus pedicle screws with rigid rods; (4) Type 4, interbody fusion cage plus Type 2; (5) Type 5, Type 1 plus Type 2. Flexion/extension of 10 Nm with a compressive follower load of 400N was applied. As compared to the Type 3 (62~65%) and Type 4 (59~62%), Type 5 (53~55%) was able to limit the motion at the operated level effectively, despite moderate reduction at the adjacent level. It was also able to shift the load back to the anterior portions of the spine thus relieving excessively high posterior load transfer and to reduce stress on the endplate by absorbing the load with its flexible shape design features. The likelihood of component failure of flexble cage remained less than 30% regardless of loading conditions when combined with pedicle screws with flexible rods. Our study demonstrated that flexible cages when combined with posterior dynamic system may help reduce subsidence of cage and degeneration process at the adjacent levels while effectively providing stability at the operated level.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.84-88
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• 2016

AlN single crystals were grown by the PT (Physical vapor transport) method with position-changable induction coil. And the graphite crucible dimensioned ${\Phi}90{\times}H120$ was used on processing. The temperature was $1950{\sim}2050^{\circ}C$ and ambient pressure was 150~1 Torr. And the hot-zone was changed according to times on growing for result comparison. When hot-zone by coil is located below far enough (> 40 mm) from AlN crystal concentration position, the as-grown crystals physical size is better ($300{\mu}m/hr$) than another condition, but the condition-reproducibility was very poor. However the closer the distance between hot-zone and AlN growing posion, the smaller the size of as-grown crystal and the rarer the generation of the crystal nuclear, but the crystal growing condition is stable for quality. The best condition for both growth rate and quality is gained when the starting position of hot-zone coil is about 20 mm distance from growing position. For the best growth condition, the position of hot-zone is very sensitive factor and the further more the condition of speed of coil shift also must control.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.307-313
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• 2015

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts on natural killer (NK) cells and T cells. We treated Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts at concentrations of 20, 50, 100, and $150{\mu}g/mL$ to murine NK cells co-incubated with YAC-1 cells. Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts resulted in increased NK cell activity compared to the control group at all concentrations. In the groups treated with Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts, CD69 and IFN-${\gamma}$ expression levels significantly increased compared to the control group at 100 and $150{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts induced significant elevation of CD8+ T cell numbers in a dose-dependent manner. However, Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts also led to reduction of CD4+ T cell and MHCII numbers. The findings of this study suggest that Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts could enhance the immune response through activation of NK and cytotoxic T cells due to a proliferative shift of antigen presentation from MHCII to MHCI, presumably.