• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2019

Ceramide metabolism is known to be an essential etiology for various diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and Gaucher disease. Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) is a key enzyme for the synthesis of glucosylceramide (GlcCer), which is a main ceramide metabolism pathway in mammalian cells. In this article, we developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to determine GCS activity using synthetic non-natural sphingolipid C8-ceramide as a substrate. The reaction products, C8-GlcCer for GCS, could be separated on a C18 column by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Quantification was conducted using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to monitor the precursor-to-product ion transitions of m/z $588.6{\rightarrow}264.4$ for C8-GlcCer at positive ionization mode. The calibration curve was established over the range of 0.625-160 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficient was larger than 0.999. This method was successfully applied to detect GCS in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2 cells) and mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We also evaluated the inhibition degree of a known GCS inhibitor 1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP) on GCS enzymatic activity and proved that this method could be successfully applied to GCS inhibitor screening of preventive and therapeutic drugs for ceramide metabolism diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and Gaucher disease.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2019

Internal ring beams are primary components of new ring-stiffened cooling towers. In this study, numerical simulation of the internal flow field of a cooling tower with three ring beams under wind-thermal coupling effect is performed. The studied cooling tower is a 220-m super-large hyperbolic indirect natural draft cooling tower that is under construction in China and will be the World's highest cooling tower, the influence of peripheral radiators in operating cooling tower is also considered. Based on the simulation, the three-dimensional effect and distribution pattern of the wind loads on inner surface of the cooling tower is summarized, the average wind pressure distributions on the inner surface before and after the addition of the ring beams are analyzed, and the influence pattern of ring beams on the internal pressure coefficient value is derived. The action mechanisms behind the air flows inside the tower are compared. In addition, the effects of internal ring beams on temperature field characteristics, turbulence kinetic energy distribution, and wind resistance are analyzed. Finally, the internal pressure coefficients are suggested for ring-stiffened cooling towers under wind-thermal coupling effect. The study shows that the influence of internal stiffening ring beams on the internal pressure and flow of cooling towers should not be ignored, and the wind-thermal coupling effect should also be considered in the numerical simulation of cooling tower flow fields. The primary conclusions presented in this paper offer references for determining the internal suction of such ring-stiffened cooling towers.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.270-281
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the changes in friction between orthodontic brackets and archwires coated with aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titanium nitride (TiN), or chromium nitride (CrN). In addition, the resistance of the coatings to intraoral conditions was evaluated. Methods: Stainless steel canine brackets, 0.016-inch round nickel-titanium archwires, and 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless steel archwires were coated with Al₂O₃, TiN, and CrN using radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The coated materials were examined using scanning electron microscopy, an X-ray diffractometer, atomic force microscopy, and surface profilometry. In addition, the samples were subjected to thermal cycling and in vitro brushing tests, and the effects of the simulated intraoral conditions on the coating structure were evaluated. Results: Coating of the metal bracket as well as nickel-titanium archwire with Al₂O₃ reduced the coefficients of friction (CoFs) for the bracket-archwire combination (p < 0.01). When the bracket and stainless steel archwire were coated with Al₂O₃ and TiN, the CoFs were significantly lower (0.207 and 0.372, respectively) than that recorded when this bracket-archwire combination was left uncoated (0.552; p < 0.01). The friction, thermal, and brushing tests did not deteriorate the overall quality of the Al₂O₃ coatings; however, some small areas of peeling were evident for the TiN coatings, whereas comparatively larger areas of peeling were observed for the CrN coatings. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the CoFs for metal bracket-archwire combinations used in orthodontic treatment can be decreased by coating with Al₂O₃ and TiN thin films.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.127-135
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• 2021

Purpose. The aim of this study is to compare the hardness according to the conditions of metal alloys. Moreover, the correlation between the cast crown hardness before and after wear testing and the degree of wear for each dental alloy was assessed. Materials and Methods. Cast crowns of three metal alloys (Co-Cr, gold, and Ni-Cr alloys) opposing smooth-surface monolithic zirconia were used. The Vickers microhardness of the ingot (which did not undergo wear testing) and the cast crown before and after wear testing were measured for each alloy. Two-way ANOVA and Scheffé tests were used to compare the measured hardness values. Moreover, the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between the surface hardness and the wear of the cast crown (α=.05). Results. There was no significant difference in the hardness before and after wear testing for the gold alloy (P>.05); however, the hardness of the worn surface of the cast crown increased compared to that of the cast crown before the wear tests of Ni-Cr and Co-Cr alloys (P<.05). Furthermore, there was no correlation between the wear and hardness of the cast crown before and after wear testing for all three metal alloys (P>.05). Conclusion. There was a significant difference in hardness between dental alloys under the same conditions. No correlation existed between the surface hardness of the cast crown before and after wear testing and the wear of the cast crown.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.29-40
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• 2018

Strength design wind loads for the wind resistance design of structures shall be evaluated by the product of wind loads calculated based on the basic wind speed with 100 years return period and the wind load factor 1.3 specified in the provisions of load combinations in Korean Building Code (KBC) 2016. It may be sure that the wind load factor 1.3 in KBC(2016) had not been determined by probabilistic method or empirical method using meteorological wind speed data in Korea. In this paper, wind load factors were evaluated by probabilistic method and empirical method. The annual maximum 10 minutes mean wind speed data at 69 meteorological stations during past 40 years from 1973 to 2012 were selected for this evaluation. From the comparison of the results of those two method, it can be found that the mean values of wind load factors calculated both probability based method and empirical based method were similar at all meteorological stations. When target level of reliability index is set up 2.5, the mean value of wind load factors for all regions should be presented about 1.35. When target level of reliability index is set up 3.0, wind load factor should be presented about 1.46. By using the relationship between importance factor(conversion factor for return period) and wind load factor, the return periods for strength design were estimated and expected wind speeds of all regions accounting for strength design were proposed. It can be found that return period to estimate wind loads for strength design should be 500 years and 800 years in according to target level of reliability index 2.5 and 3.0, respectively. The 500 years basic wind speed map for strength design was suggested and it can be used with a wind load factor 1.0.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.287-296
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• 2020

The present study aims to improve the accuracy of the maneuvering simulations based on captive model test results. To derive the hydrodynamic coefficients in a self-propelled condition, a mathematical maneuvering model using a whole vehicle model was established. Captive model tests were carried out using the Vertical Planar Motion Mechanism (VPMM) equipment. A motor controller was used to control the constant propeller revolution rate during pure motion tests. The resistance tests, self-propulsion tests, static drift tests, and VPMM tests were performed in the towing tank of Seoul National University. When the vertical drift angle changes, the gravity load on the sensors were changed. The hydrodynamic forces were deduced by subtracting the gravity load from the measured forces. The hydrodynamic coefficients were calculated using the least-square method. The simulation of the turning circle test was compared with the free-running model test result, and the error of the turning radius was 8.3 % compared to the free-running model test.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.315-319
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• 2020

In various fields, several studies based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been conducted. The results of previous studies, wherein CNT coatings have been incorporated as solid lubricants, demonstrate that the friction and wear characteristics of CNT coatings can be improved through the absorption/dispersion of the contact pressure by controlling the stiffness of the nanomesh structure comprising CNT strands. In this study, the friction and wear characteristics of the following are compared: CNT coating formed by spin coating of CNT solution, compressed CNT coating, and compressed/heated CNT coating (wherein CNT strands are squeezed through compression and/or heating). It is observed that the friction coefficient of the CNT coating having the largest number of voids between the CNT strands is significantly lower than those of the compressed CNT coating and the compressed/heated CNT coating. The wear tracks of the compressed CNT coating and the compressed/heated CNT coating indicate that some parts become torn or adhere into a lump. However, in the case of the CNT coating, a smooth wear surface is formed by rubbing. Furthermore, as the void space between the squeezed and adhered CNT strands decreases, the resistance to structural deformation increases, thereby resulting in an increased frictional force and a wear pattern that becomes torn or forms a lump. Hence, the results obtained from this study corroborate that the friction and wear characteristics of CNT coatings can be enhanced through the absorption/dispersion of the contact pressure by controlling the stiffness of the nanomesh structure of CNT coatings.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.49-77
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• 2021

This study uses a choice experiment approach to examine whether different types of feedstocks as well as other attributes such as the cost of bioethanol, bioethanol blending ratio, and government support policies affect consumers' biofuel preferences. We apply a standard conditional logit model, a mixed logit model (MLM), and individual coefficient estimation model (ICM) to estimate the parameters of the investigated attributes. The results show that people prefer domestic and non-food feedstock, along with tax exemption as a support policy. All the attributes show unobservable preference heterogeneity in the MLM and ICM. In particular, willingness to pay for attributes are higher in the genetically modified (GM) feedstock-unknown group than in the known one. We show the importance of using domestic and non-food feedstocks and managing GM feedstocks carefully to avoid consumer resistance when producing bioethanol in South Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.292-296
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• 2022

(La_0.5Nd_0.2Sr_0.3)MnO₃ specimens were prepared by a solid-state reaction. In all specimens, X-ray diffraction patterns of an orthorhombic structure were shown. The fracture surfaces of (La_0.5Nd_0.2Sr_0.3)MnO₃ specimens showed a transgranular fracture pattern be possibly due to La ions (0.122 nm) as a perovskite A-site dopant substituting for Nd ions (0.115 nm) having a small ionic radius. The full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of the Mn 2p XPS spectra showed a value greater than that [8] of the single valence state, which is believed to be due to the overlapping of Mn²⁺, Mn³⁺, and Mn⁴⁺ ions. The dependence of Mn 2p spectra on the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio according to sintering time was not observed. Electrical resistivity resulted in the minimum value of 100.7 Ω-cm for the specimen sintered for 9 hours. All specimens show a typical negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) characteristics. In the 9-hour sintered specimen, TCR, activation energy, and B25/65-value were -1.24%/℃, 0.19 eV, and 2,445 K, respectively.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.162-169
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• 2022

Cobalt-chromium (CoCr)-based alloys have been used for wear applications because of their excellent mechanical properties and wear resistance. With growing concern over environmental problems, CoCr alloys are expected to be used for various tribological applications in degraded lubrication states. To expand the applicability of the materials, data should be accumulated across a broad spectrum of experimental parameters. In this work, the friction and wear characteristics of cobalt-chromium-tungsten (CoCrW) and cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloys are investigated experimentally. The tests are conducted using a pin-on-reciprocating-plate tribotester in dry lubrication. CoCrW and CoCrMo are used as pin and plate materials to investigate the effect of the counter material. The results show that the friction coefficients between CoCrW and CoCrMo generally range from 0.4 to 0.5. The friction coefficient between the CoCrW pin and plate is found to be slightly small. However, the total wear between the CoCrW pin and plate is found to be the largest. In contrast, the total wear between the CoCrW pin and plate is relatively small. Furthermore, CoCrW may cause a faster wear progression of CoCrMo, especially for the case in which CoCrMo is used as the pin material. The results of this work provide a better understanding of the tribological properties of CoCrW and CoCrMo alloys. In addition, this work provides a practical guideline for the use of CoCrW and CoCrMo from the tribological design viewpoint.