• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.57-68
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• 2021

Successfully adapting to digital and customer-oriented transformation, the concept of lean manufacturing professes the philosophy of creating greater benefit while minimizing losses. These losses are operations that do not add value in the production process to ensure the efficiency, flexibility, and profitability of projects. In the context of broad automation and digitalization of all sectors of the economy, mechanisms for combining automation technologies and lean production are becoming available. Moreover, when it comes to the efficient use of financial, human, or material resources, it is clear that the use of Industry 4.0 technologies can be an effective tool for achieving the goals of lean production, as many of them pursue the same goal. In this context, this article aims to study the effectiveness of the implementation of project management concepts at the global level and identify the main factors influencing its effectiveness to ensure the achievement of lean production through LEAN technologies and Industry 4.0 technologies. To achieve this goal, several statistical indicators were selected and several statistical methods of analysis were used: pairwise correlation, regression analysis, methods of comparison, synthesis, and generalization. Statistical analysis was conducted according to a survey conducted by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in 2020. An economic-mathematical model of dependence of project effectiveness in different regions of the world on the level of implementation of project management approaches is built, which shows that the increase in project effectiveness by 85% is due to financial losses, technical training, and consumer orientation. These results allow project managers to develop appropriate strategies to improve project management approaches at all levels. It is established that LEAN technologies and technologies of Industry 4.0 have several tools that have a positive effect on minimizing losses following the concept of lean production. Besides, given that the technology of Industry 4.0 is focused on the automation of Lean Production technology, a mechanism for the introduction of lean production using these technologies and methods.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2020

The aim of present study was to investigate regulatory mechanism of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) during in vitro maturation (IVM) on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes. Basically, immature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated for 22 h in IVM-I to which hormone was added, and then further incubated for 22 h in IVM-II without hormone. As a result, relative cumulus expansion was increased at 22 h after IVM and it was enhanced by treatment of ALA compared with control group (p < 0.05). During IVM process within 22 h, cAMP level in oocytes was decreased at 6 h (p < 0.05) and it was recovered at 12 h in ALA-treated group, while oocytes in control group recovered cAMP level at 22 h. In cumulus cells, it was reduced in all time point (p < 0.05) and ALA did not affect. Treatment of ALA enhanced metaphase-I (MI) and MII population of oocytes compared with oocytes in control group at 22 and 44 h, respectively (p < 0.05). Intracellular GSH levels in ALA group was increased at 22 and 44 h after IVM (p < 0.05), whereas it was increased in control group at 44 h after IVM (p < 0.05). In particular, the GSH in ALA-treated oocytes during 22 h of IVM was higher than control group at 22 h (p < 0.05). Lipid amount in oocytes from ALA group was higher than control group (p < 0.05). Treatment of ALA did not influence to absorption of glucose from medium. Cleavage and blastocyst formation of ALA-treated oocytes were enhanced compared with control group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that supplementation of ALA could improve oocyte maturation and development competence through increasing GSH synthesis, lipid storage, and regulation of cAMP accumulation during early 22 h of IVM, and these might be mediated by cumulus expansion.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.345-352
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• 2021

In this study, Ni nanoparticle supported by graphene oxide (GO) (Ni-GO) is successfully synthesized through hydrothermal synthesis and calcination, and Cr(VI) is extracted from aqueous solution. The morphology and structure of Ni-GO composites are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), trans mission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and XRD confirms the high dispersion of Ni nanoparticle after support by GO. Loading Ni on GO can obviously enhance the stability of Ni-GO composites. It can be calculated from TGA that the mass percentage of Ni is about 60.67 %. The effects of initial pH and reaction time on Cr(VI) removal ability of Ni-GO are investigated. The results indicate that the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) is greater than that of bared GO. Ni-GO shows fast removal capacity for Cr(VI) (<25 min) with high removal efficiency. Dynamic experiments show that the removal process conforms to the quasi-second order model of adsorption, which indicates that the rate control step of the removal process is chemical adsorption. The removal capacity increases with the increase of temperature, indicating that the reaction of Cr(VI) on Ni-GO composites is endothermic and spontaneous. Combined with tests and characterization, the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal by rapidly adsorption on the surface of Ni-GO and reduction by Ni nanoparticle is investigated. The above results show that Ni-GO can be used as a potential remediation agent for Cr(VI)-contaminated groundwater.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.118-122
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• 2022

The synthesis of porous W by freeze-casting and vacuum drying is investigated. Ball-milled WO₃ powders and tert-butyl alcohol were used as the starting materials. The tert-butyl alcohol slurry is frozen at -25℃ and dried under vacuum at -25 and -10℃. The dried bodies are hydrogen-reduced at 800℃ and sintered at 1000℃. The XRD analysis shows that WO₃ is completely reduced to W without any reaction phases. SEM observations reveal that the struts and pores aligned in the tert-butyl alcohol growth direction, and the change in the powder content and drying temperature affects the pore structure. Furthermore, the struts of the porous body fabricated under vacuum are thinner than those fabricated under atmospheric pressure. This behavior is explained by the growth mechanism of tert-butyl alcohol and rearrangement of the powders during solidification. These results suggest that the pore structure of a porous body can be controlled by the powder content, drying temperature, and pressure.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.519-530
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• 2022

Recent research indicates that lactate promotes the switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to a synthetic phenotype, which has been implicated in various vascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lactate on the VSMC phenotype switch and the underlying mechanism. The CCK-8 method was used to assess cell viability. The microRNAs and mRNAs levels were evaluated using quantitative PCR. Targets of microRNA were predicted using online tools and confirmed using a luciferase reporter assay. We found that lactate promoted the switch of VSMCs to a synthetic phenotype, as evidenced by an increase in VSMC proliferation, mitochondrial activity, migration, and synthesis but a decrease in VSMC apoptosis. Lactate inhibited miR-23b expression in VSMCs, and miR-23b inhibited VSMC's switch to the synthetic phenotype. Lactate modulated the VSMC phenotype through downregulation of miR-23b expression, suggesting that overexpression of miR-23b using a miR-23b mimic attenuated the effects of lactate on VSMC phenotype modulation. Moreover, we discovered that SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3) was the target of miR-23b in regulating VSMC phenotype. Further findings suggested that lactate promotes VSMC switch to synthetic phenotype by targeting SMAD3 and downregulating miR-23b. These findings suggest that correcting the dysregulation of miR-23b/SMAD3 or lactate metabolism is a potential treatment for vascular diseases.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.96-105
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Skin aging is reportedly associated with regulation in collagen and elastin synthesis. This study investigated the potential of combining light-emitting diode (LED) treatments using a 630-nm and 850-nm LED with simultaneous microcurrent application. Materials and Methods The dorsal skin of female pigs was treated with a home-use device. We examined the treatment effects using photography, thermocamera, microscopic pathology, and histological examination to determine the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of the procedure. A histological observation was performed using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Victoria blue, and immunohistochemical staining. We also used the Sircol soluble collagen and elastin assay kit to measure the amounts of collagen and elastin in the porcine back skin tissue after 2 and 6 weeks. Results Evaluation by visual inspection and devices showed no skin damage or heat-induced injury at the treatment site. Histological staining revealed that accurate treatment of the targeted dermis layer effectively enhanced collagen and elastin deposition. Collagen type I, a protein defined by immunohistochemical staining, was overexpressed in the early stages of weeks 2 and 6. Combined therapy findings showed the superior capability of the 630-nm and 850-nm LED procedures to induce collagen; in contrast, elastin induction was more pronounced after microcurrent treatments. Conclusion The home-use LED device, comprising a combination of 630-nm and 850-nm LEDs and microcurrent, is safe and can be used as an adjunctive treatment for self-administered facial rejuvenation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.19-25
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• 2019

Objectives : Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol), a natural monoterpenoid phenol, is one of the major odorant constituents found in natural essential oils of various herbal plants, such as Thymus quinquecostatus and Thymus vulgaris. Multiple biological activities of thymol, including antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, have been reported in numerous in vitro studies, and recently it was suggested that thymol may could inhibit oxidization of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) to dopaquinone required in melanogenesis pathway, as an antioxidant. Methods : MTT assay was performed to test the cytotoxic effect of thymol in B16F10 cells. Inhibitory effect of thymol to tyrosinase activities were examined using both mushroom tyrosinase and intracellular tyrosinase. Expression level of tyrosinase in B16F10 cells were investigated by western blot analysis. Results : The cell viability was decreased by thymol treatment in dose-dependant manner, leading significant cytotoxicity in 500 and $1000{\mu}M$ thymol-treated groups. In the alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-induced melanogenesis, administration of thymol significantly decreased extracellular (secreted) melanin content in dose-dependent manner. Cellular tyrosinase activity assay and western blot analysis of intracellular tyrosinase showed that thymol has a strong anti-melanogenic effect by inhibition of tyrosinase activity and by decreasing expression of tyrosinase that contribute to melanin synthesis in the B1610 cells. Conclusions : As the first functional study that prove anti-melanogenic effect of thymol and its underlying mechanism in the living cells, our study suggests the applicability of fragrance as the functional materials of cosmetics or health supplement, not as just an additive.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.56-62
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• 2003

The liver progenitor cells could form a potential target cell population fore both tumor-initiating and -promoting chemicals. Induction of drug-metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes, including AhR-dependent CYP1A1, NQO-1 and AKR1C9, was detected in the rat liver epithelial WB-F344 "stem-like" cells. Additionally, WB-F344 cells express a functional, wild-type form of p53 protein, a biomarker of genotoxic events, and connexin 43, a basic structural unit of gap junctions forming an important type of intercellular communication. In this cellular model, two complementary assays have been established for detection of the modes of action associated with tumor promotion: inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and proliferative activity in confluent cells. We found that the PAHs and PCBs, which are AhR agonists, released WB-F344 cells from contact inhibition, increasing both DNA synthesis and cell numbers. Genotoxic effects of some PAHs that lead to apoptosis and cell cycle delay might interfere with the proliferative activity of PAHs. Contrary to that, the nongenotoxic low-molecular-weight PAHs and non-dioxin-like PCB congeners, abundant in the environment, did not significantly affect cell cycle and cell proliferation; however both groups of compounds inhibited GJIC in WB-F344 cells. The release from contact inhibiton by a mechanism that possibly involves the AhR activation, inhibition of GJIC and genotoxic events induced by environmental contaminants are three important modes of action that could play an important role in carcinogenic effects of toxic compounds. The relative potencies to inhibit GJIC, to induce AhR-mediated activity, and to release cells from contact inhibition were determined for a large series of PAHs and PCBs and their metabolites. In vitro bioassays based on detection of events on cellular level (deregulation of GJIC and/or proliferation) or determination of receptor-mediated activities in both ?$stem-like^{\circ}{\times}$ and hepatocyte-like liver cellular models are valuable tools for detection of modes of action of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. They may serve, together with concentration data, as a first step in their risk assessment.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.321-329
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• 2023

The bacterium Neobacillus endophyticus BRMEA1^T, isolated from the medicinal plant Selaginella involvens, known as its thermotolerant can grow at 50℃. To explore the genetic basis for its heat tolerance response and its potential for producing valuable natural compounds, the genomes of two thermotolerant and four mesophilic strains in the genus Neobacillus were analyzed using a bioinformatic software platform. The whole genome was annotated using RAST SEED and OrthVenn2, with a focus on identifying potential heattolerance-related genes. N. endophyticus BRMEA1^T was found to possess more stress response genes compared to other mesophilic members of the genus, and it was the only strain that had genes for the synthesis of osmoregulated periplasmic glucans. This study sheds light on the potential value of N. endophyticus BRMEA1^T, as it reveals the mechanism of heat resistance and the application of secondary metabolites produced by this bacterium through whole-genome sequencing and comparative analysis.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2023

Objectives : Alcohol-induced liver disease advances as to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular lipid peroxidation increase. We examined the hepatoprotective effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizome extract (ZR), Pueraria lobata Ohwi flower extracts (PF), and a newly developed herbal juice (HJ), which was a combination of ZR and PF extracts, against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: The study utilized the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 cells to validate the hepatoprotective effect of HJ (50~200 ㎍/mL) against ethanol (EtOH, 700 mM)-induced liver damage. Results: HJ effectively reduced the protein expression of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1, adiponectin, and AMP-activated protein kinase in EtOH-induced HepG2 cells. The levels of ROS, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, which are the result of various synthesis and lipogenesis processes induced by EtOH in the liver, were reduced by HJ. Furthermore, the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, enzymes linked to alcohol degradation, were more effectively downregulated by HJ treatment compared to treatment with ZR and PF alone, all without causing cytotoxic effects. Conclusions: HJ protects the liver by inhibiting EtOH-induced lipogenesis, lowering ROS generation, and improving alcohol degradation, which is more effective than ZR and PF alone. Further, in vivo experiments can offer additional evidence regarding the effectiveness, safety, and underlying mechanism of action of HJ.