• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.710-718
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• 2021

Recently, due to high theoretical capacitance and excellent ion diffusion rate caused by the 2D layered crystal structure, transition metal hydroxides (TMHs) have generated considerable attention as active materials in supercapacitors (or electrochemical capacitors). However, TMHs should be designed using morphological or structural modification if they are to be used as active materials in supercapacitors, because they have insulation properties that induce low charge transfer rate. This study aims to modify the morphological structure for high cycling stability and fast charge storage kinetics of TMHs through the use of nickel cobalt hydroxide [NiCo(OH)₂] decorated on nickel foam. Among the samples used, needle-like NiCo(OH)₂ decorated on nickel foam offers a high specific capacitance (1110.9 F/g at current density of 0.5 A/g) with good rate capability (1110.9 - 746.7 F/g at current densities of 0.5 - 10.0 A/g). Moreover, at a high current density (10.0 A/g), a remarkable capacitance (713.8 F/g) and capacitance retention of 95.6% after 5000 cycles are noted. These results are attributed to high charge storage sites of needle-like NiCo(OH)₂ and uniformly grown NiCo(OH)₂ on nickel foam surface.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.134-140
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• 2022

Ship local structure sometimes experiences severe vibration due to the resonance with an excitation force generated by the propulsion system. In that case, the installation of dynamic vibration absorber such as Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) on the structure can be considered as an effective alternative countermeasure to reduce the troublesome vibration if structural modification or change of excitation frequencies is difficult. Meanwhile, the conventional optimal design method of TMD premises the target structure exposed on an excitation force without the constraint of its magnitude and frequency range. However, the frequencies of major ship excitation forces due to propulsion system are normally bounded and its magnitude is varied according to its operation speed. Hence, the optimal design of TMD to reduce the resonant vibration of ship local structure should be differently approached compared with the conventional ones. For the purpose, this paper proposes an optimal design method of TMD considering maximum frequency and magnitude variation of a target harmonic excitation component. It is done by both lowering the resonant response at the 1st natural frequency and locating the 2nd natural frequency over maximum excitation frequency for the idealized 2 degree of freedom system consisted of the structure and the TMD. For the validation of the proposed method, a numerical design case of TMD for a ship local structure exposed on resonant vibration due to a propeller excitation force is introduced and its performance is compared with the conventionally designed one.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.431-438
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• 2022

In functional materials, in situ experimental techniques as a function of external stimulus (e.g., electric field, magnetic field, light, etc.) or changes in ambient environments (e.g., temperature, humidity, pressure, etc.) are highly essential for analyzing how the physical properties of target materials are activated/evolved by the given stimulation. In particular, in situ electric-field-dependent X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements have been extensively utilized for understanding the underlying mechanisms of the emerging electromechanical responses to external electric field in various ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and electrostrictive materials. This tutorial article briefly introduces basic principles/key concepts of in situ electric-field-dependent XRD analysis using a lab-scale XRD machine. We anticipate that the in situ XRD method provides a practical tool to systematically identify/monitor a structural modification of various electromechanical materials driven by applying an external electric field.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.237-245
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• 2021

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) enhances the stability of cathode materials via surface modification. Previous studies have demonstrated that an Ni-rich cathode, such as LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂, is a promising candidate owing to its high capacity, but is limited by poor cycle stability. In this study, to enhance the stability of the Ni-rich cathode, synthesized LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ was coated with Al₂O₃ using ALD. Thus, the surface-modified cathode exhibited enhanced stability by protecting the interface from Ni-O formation during the cycling process. The coated LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ exhibited a capacity of 176 mAh g^-1 at 1 C and retained up to 72% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles within a range of 2.8-4.3 V (vs Li/Li⁺. In contrast, pristine LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ presented only 58% of capacity retention after 100 cycles with an initial capacity of 173 mAh g^-1. Improved cyclability may be a result of the ALD coating, which physically protects the electrode by modifying the interface, and prevents degradation by resisting side reactions that result in capacity decay. The electrochemical impedance spectra and structural and morphological analysis performed using electron microscopy and X-ray techniques establish the surface enhancement resulting from the aforementioned strategy.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.249-261
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• 2020

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have stemness characteristics, including germ cell-specific imprints that allow them to form gametes. Spermatogenesis involves changes in gene expression such as a transition from expression of somatic to germ cell-specific genes, global repression of gene expression, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, highly condensed packing of the nucleus with protamines, and morphogenesis. These step-by-step processes finally generate spermatozoa that are fertilization competent. Dynamic epigenetic modifications also confer totipotency to germ cells after fertilization. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in embryos do not enter meiosis, remain in the proliferative stage, and are referred to as gonocytes, before entering quiescence. Gonocytes develop into SSCs at about 6 days after birth in rodents. Although chromatin structural modification by Polycomb is essential for gene silencing in mammals, and epigenetic changes are critical in spermatogenesis, a comprehensive understanding of transcriptional regulation is lacking. Recently, we evaluated the expression profiles of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and CP2c in the gonads of E14.5 and 12-week-old mice. YY1 localizes at the nucleus and/or cytoplasm at specific stages of spermatogenesis, possibly by interaction with CP2c and YY1-interacting transcription factor. In the present article, we discuss the possible roles of YY1 and CP2c in spermatogenesis and stemness based on our results and a review of the relevant literature.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.4106-4113
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• 2021

Rare earth doped barium tellurite glasses were synthesised and explored for their radiation shielding applications. All the samples showed good thermal stability with values varying between 101 ℃ and 135 ℃ based on dopants. Structural properties showed the dominance of matrix elements compared to rare earth dopants in forming the bridging and non-bridging atoms in the network. Bandgap values varied between 3.30 and 4.05 eV which was found to be monotonic with respective rare earth dopants indicating their modification effect in the network. Various radiation shielding parameters like linear attenuation coefficient, mean free path and half value layer were calculated and each showed the effect of doping. For all samples, LAC values decreased with increase in energy and is attributed to photoelectric mechanism. Thulium doped glasses showed the highest value of 1.18 cm^-1 at 0.245 MeV for 2 mol.% doping, which decreased in the order of erbium, holmium and the base barium tellurite glass, while half value layer and mean free paths showed an opposite trend with least value for 2 mol.% thulium indicating that thulium doped samples are better attenuators compared to undoped and other rare earth doped samples. Studies indicate an increased level of thulium doping in barium tellurite glasses can lead to efficient shielding materials for high energy radiation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 2022

Steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) are commonly utilized to provide lateral stiffness in high-rise structures. The simplified model is frequently used instead of the fine-scale model in the design of buildings with SPSWs. To predict the lateral strength of steel plate shear walls with diagonal stiffeners (DS-SPSWs), a simplified model is presented, namely the cross brace-strip model (CBSM). The bearing capacity and internal forces of columns for DS-SPSWs are calculated. In addition, a modification coefficient is introduced to account for the shear action of the thin plate. The feasibility of the CBSM is validated by comparing the numerical results with theoretical and experimental results. The numerical results from the CBSM and fine-scale model, which represent the bearing capacity of the DS-SPSW with varied stiffened plate dimensions, are in good accord with the theoretical values. The difference in bearing capacity between the CBSM and the fine-scale model is less than 1.35%. The errors of the bearing capacity from the CBSM are less than 5.67% when compared to the test results of the DS-SPSW. Furthermore, the shear and axial forces of CBSM agree with the results of the fine-scale model and theoretical analysis. As a result, the CBSM, which reflects the contribution of diagonal stiffeners to the lateral resistance of the SPSW as well as the effects on the shear and axial forces of the columns, can significantly improve the design accuracy and efficiency of buildings with DS-SPSWs.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.239-245
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• 2023

Cellulose is an abundant biodegradable material in nature with excellent properties, but due to its poor processability, it has been widely studied for processing through modification. Cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) is a cellulose derivative in which the hydroxyl group of cellulose is replaced by acetyl and propionyl groups. CAP has several advantages, such as excellent solubility, structural stability, light and weather resistance, and good transparency. Porous nanofibers with excellent specific surface area, which can be applied in various fields, can be easily formed by the phase separation method using highly volatile solvents. High speed centrifugal spinning is a nano/micro fiber preparation method with advantages such as fast spinning and easy alignment control. In this study, a CAP/polybutylene succinate (PBS) spinning solution with chloroform as solvent was prepared to prepare porous microfibers and the fiber morphology was examined as a function of the disk rotation speed in an high speed centrifugal spinning device.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.29-38
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• 2023

Recent studies have highlighted the link between diseases and inflammation across our lifespan. Our sedentary lifestyle, high-calorie diet, chronic stress, chronic infections, and exposure to pollutants and xenobiotics, collectively intensify the course and recurrence of infections and inflammation in our bodies, promoting the prevalence of chronic diseases and aging. Given such phenomena and considering additional factors such as the frequency of prescription, and easy access to over-the-counter drugs, the need for anti-inflammatory therapeutics is ever-increasing. However, the readily available anti-inflammatory treatment option comes with a greater risk of side effects or high cost (biologics). Therefore in this growing competition of discovering and developing new potent anti-inflammatory drugs, we focused on utilizing the established knowledge of traditional medicine to find lead compounds. Since lead optimization is an indispensable step toward drug development, we applied this concept for the production of potent anti-inflammatory compounds achieved by structural modification of flavonoids. The derivative obtained through acetylation of myricetin, 3,3',4',5,5',7-hexaacetate myricetin, showed a greater inhibitory effect in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, Prostaglandin E₂, and pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6, interleukin1β, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells compared to myricetin. The increased potency of inhibition was in conjunction with an increased inhibitory effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 proteins. Through such measures, this study supports lead optimization for well-established lead compounds from traditional medicine using a simpler and greener chemistry approach for the purpose of designing and developing potent anti-inflammatory therapeutics with possibly fewer side effects and increased bioavailability.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1660-1670
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• 2024

The aim of this study was to modify phytase YiAPPA via protein surficial residue mutation to obtain phytase mutants with improved thermostability and activity, enhancing its application potential in the food industry. First, homology modeling of YiAPPA was performed. By adopting the strategy of protein surficial residue mutation, the lysine (Lys) and glycine (Gly) residues on the protein surface were selected for site-directed mutagenesis to construct single-site mutants. Thermostability screening was performed to obtain mutants (K189R and K216R) with significantly elevated thermostability. The combined mutant K189R/K216R was constructed via beneficial mutation site stacking and characterized. Compared with those of YiAPPA, the half-life of K189R/K216R at 80℃ was extended from 14.81 min to 23.35 min, half-inactivation temperature (T₅₀³⁰) was increased from 55.12℃ to 62.44℃, and T_m value was increased from 48.36℃ to 53.18℃. Meanwhile, the specific activity of K189R/K216R at 37℃ and pH 4.5 increased from 3960.81 to 4469.13 U/mg. Molecular structure modeling analysis and molecular dynamics simulation showed that new hydrogen bonds were introduced into K189R/K216R, improving the stability of certain structural units of the phytase and its thermostability. The enhanced activity was primarily attributed to reduced enzyme-substrate binding energy and shorter nucleophilic attack distance between the catalytic residue His28 and the phytate substrate. Additionally, the K189R/K216R mutant increased the hydrolysis efficiency of phytate in food ingredients by 1.73-2.36 times. This study established an effective method for the molecular modification of phytase thermostability and activity, providing the food industry with an efficient phytase for hydrolyzing phytate in food ingredients.