• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.682-690
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• 2012

In this paper, a highly linear self oscillating mixers(SOM) using second harmonic injections are presented. The H-slot defected ground structure(DGS) is designed as a balanced resonator for oscillation in the proposed SOM. Since the H-slot DGS resonator achieves a high Q factor, it is a suitable structure to provide low phase noise for the oscillator. The single balanced mixer is utilized in this work and it provides good LO-RF isolation since balanced LO signals are suppressed at the RF input port. In order to inject the second harmonic of the IF, we propose two different methods using feedback loops. In the first method, IF achieves a 3.08 dB conversion gain at 226 MHz with input power of -20 dBm at 5 GHz RF input signal. The IF achieves 2 dB conversion gain at 423 MHz with the input power of -20 dBm at 5.2 GHz RF input signal in the second method. The measured IMD3s are 61.8 dB and 65 dB for the each method. These SOMs present improved linearity compared to that without the second harmonic injection because IMD3s are improved by 18. dB and 21 dB for each method.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.132-139
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• 2016

The endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is known to be involved in the transformation of vascular endothelial cells to mesenchymal cells. EndMT has been confirmed that occur in various pathologic conditions. Transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$) is a potent stimulator of the vascular endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 (AT-RvD1) has been known to be involved in the resolution of inflammation, but whether it has effects on TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EndMT is not yet clear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of AT-RvD1 on the EndMT of human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells line (HUVECs). Treatment with TGF-${\beta}1$ reduced the expression of Nrf2 and enhanced the level of F-actin, which is associated with paracellular permeability. The expression of endothelial marker VE-cadherin in HUVEC cells was reduced, and the expression of mesenchymal marker vimentin was enhanced. AT-RvD1 restored the expression of Nrf2 and vimentin and enhanced the expression of VE-cadherin. AT-RvD1 did also affect the migration of HUVEC cells. Inhibitory ${\kappa}B$ kinase 16 (IKK 16), which is known to inhibit the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway, had an ability to increase the expression of Nrf2 and was associated with the inhibition effect of AT-RvD1 on TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EndMT, but it had no effect on TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EndMT alone. Smad7, which is a key regulator of TGF-${\beta}$/Smads signaling by negative feedback loops, was significantly increased with the treatment of AT-RvD1. These results suggest the possibility that AT-RvD1 suppresses the TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EndMT through increasing the expression of Smad7 and is closely related to oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1225-1231
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• 2017

Disruptive expression patterns of the circadian clock genes are highly associated with many human diseases, including cancer. Cell cycle and proliferation is linked to a circadian rhythm; therefore, abnormal clock gene expression could result in tumorigenesis and malignant development. The molecular network of the circadian clock is based on transcriptional and translational feedback loops orchestrated by a variety of clock activators and clock repressors. The expression of 10~15% of the genome is controlled by the overall balance of circadian oscillation. Among the many clock genes, Period 1 (Per1) and Period 2 (Per2) are clock repressor genes that play an important role in the regulation of normal physiological rhythms. It has been reported that PER1 and PER2 are involved in the expression of cell cycle regulators including cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), and CDK inhibitors. In addition, correlation of the down-regulation of PER1 and PER2 with development of many cancer types has been revealed. In this review, we focused on the molecular function of PER1 and PER2 in the circadian clock network and the transcriptional and translational targets of PER1 and PER2 involved in cell cycle and tumorigenesis. Moreover, we provide information suggesting that PER1 and PER2 could be promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapies and serve as potential prognostic markers for certain types of human cancers.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.276-285
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• 2020

Circadian rhythm is an endogenous oscillation of about 24-h period in many physiological processes and behaviors. This daily oscillation is maintained by the molecular clock machinery with transcriptional-translational feedback loops mediated by clock genes including Period2 (Per2) and Bmal1. Recently, it was revealed that gut microbiome exerts a significant impact on the circadian physiology and behavior of its host; however, the mechanism through which it regulates the molecular clock has remained elusive. 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (4-OH-PPA) and 3-phenylpropionic acid (PPA) are major metabolites exclusively produced by Clostridium sporogenes and may function as unique chemical messengers communicating with its host. In the present study, we examined if two C. sporogenes-derived metabolites can modulate the oscillation of mammalian molecular clock. Interestingly, 4-OH-PPA and PPA increased the amplitude of both PER2 and Bmal1 oscillation in a dose-dependent manner following their administration immediately after the nadir or the peak of their rhythm. The phase of PER2 oscillation responded differently depending on the mode of administration of the metabolites. In addition, using an organotypic slice culture ex vivo, treatment with 4-OH-PPA increased the amplitude and lengthened the period of PER2 oscillation in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and other tissues. In summary, two C. sporogenes-derived metabolites are involved in the regulation of circadian oscillation of Per2 and Bmal1 clock genes in the host's peripheral and central clock machineries.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2009

Many biological systems are regulated by an intricate set of feedback loops that oscillate with a circadian rhythm of roughly 24 h. This circadian clock mediates an increase in body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol secretion early in the day. Recent studies have shown changes in the amplitude of the circadian clock in the hearts and livers of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. It is therefore important to examine the relationships between circadian clock genes and growth factors and their effects on diabetic phenomena in animal models as well as in human patients. In this study, we sought to determine whether diurnal variation in organ development and the regulation of metabolism, including growth and development during the juvenile period in rats, exists as a mechanism for anticipating and responding to the environment. Also, we examined the relationship between changes in growth factor expression in the liver and clock-controlled protein synthesis and turnover, which are important in cellular growth. Specifically, we assessed the expression patterns of several clock genes, including Per1, Per2, Clock, Bmal1, Cry1 and Cry2 and growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and -2 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ in rats with STZ-induced diabetes. Growth factor and clock gene expression in the liver at 1 week post-induction was clearly increased compared to the level in control rats. In contrast, the expression patterns of the genes were similar to those observed after 5 weeks in the STZ-treated rats. The increase in gene expression is likely a compensatory change in response to the obstruction of insulin function during the initial phase of induction. However, as the period of induction was extended, the expression of the compensatory genes decreased to the control level. This is likely the result of decreased insulin secretion due to the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas by STZ.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.27 no.8A
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• pp.739-752
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• 2002

Recently, to utilize the limited bandwidth effectively, the concept of partial response (PR) signaling has widely been adopted in both the high-speed data transmission and high-density digital recording/playback systems such as digital microwave, digital subscriber loops, hard disk drives, digital VCR's and digital versatile recordable disks and so on. This paper is concerned with adaptive equalization of partial response channels particularly for the magnetic recording channels. Specifically we study how the PR channel equalizers work for different choices of desired or reference signals used for adjusting the equalizer weights. In doing so, we consider three different configurations that are actually implemented in the commercial products mentioned above. First of all, we show how to compute the theoretical values of the optimum Wiener solutions derived by minimizing the mean-squared error (MSE) at the equalizer output. Noting that this equalizer MSE measure cannot be used to fairly compare the three configurations, we propose to use the data MSE that is computer just before the final detector for the underlying PR system. We also express the data MSE in terms of the channel impulse response values, source data power and additive noise power, thereby making it possible to compare the performance of the configurations under study. The results of extensive computer simulation indicate that our theoretical derivation is correct with high precision. Comparing the three configurations, it also turns out that one of the three configurations needs to be further improved in performance although it has an apparent advantage over the others in terms of memory size when implemented using RAM's for the decision feedback part.

• 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 the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.86-97
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• 2015

"The Jayeon Madang Development Project("JMDP")" is a project being promoted by the Ministry of Environment to create a cultural space and a natural rest area within the city. Abuksan, located at Abuksan in Gyeongsangnam-do Miryang-si Naeil-dong, has suffered a substantial amount of environmental degradation over time, so the need for ecological restoration made it a natural choice for the location of the JMDP's site. The purpose of this study is to examine ecological restoration design strategies used in Abuksan as part of the JMDP using system dynamics. The national archery center, hole, and arable land sites are key restoration areas in Abuksan that have faced with ecological problems. In this study, we identified the status of each site, determined key strategies being implemented, and designed based on the strategies implemented up to this point for solving problems associated with each sites through the use of causal loop diagrams. The results of the causal loop diagram analysis are as follows. The national archery center site was designed around strategies including planting green manure crops and introducing hugelkultur to reduce soil acidification and green network degradation. The hole site was designed as a constructed wetland based on the emergence of hygropreference vegetation, hydrated by rainwater collected at the bottom of hole, ecological and cultural benefits of such an environment. The arable land site restoration design was built around planting native vegetation on one part of the arable land site after soil quality improved and around restoration of grassland and a dry wetland on the other part of the site to reduce soil acidification, erosion, and green network degradation. This study is a significant attempt to apply principles of system dynamics to ecological restoration by providing the design strategies using comprehension of some problems in the ecosystem feedback loops, which has not been used before in general design processes for ecological restoration.