• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.135-150
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• 2015

Large concrete structures are prone to cracks and damages over time from human usage, weathers, and other environmental attacks such as flood, earthquakes, and hurricanes. The health of the concrete structures should be monitored regularly to ensure safety. A reliable method of real time communications can facilitate more frequent structural health monitoring (SHM) updates from hard to reach positions, enabling crack detections of embedded concrete structures as they occur to avoid catastrophic failures. By implementing an unconventional mode of communication that utilizes guided stress waves traveling along the concrete structure itself, we may be able to free structural health monitoring from costly (re-)installation of communication wires. In stress-wave communications, piezoelectric transducers can act as actuators and sensors to send and receive modulated signals carrying concrete status information. The new generation of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) based smart aggregates cause multipath propagation in the homogeneous concrete channel, which presents both an opportunity and a challenge for multiple sensors communication. We propose a time reversal based pulse position modulation (TR-PPM) communication for stress wave communication within the concrete structure to combat multipath channel dispersion. Experimental results demonstrate successful transmission and recovery of TR-PPM using stress waves. Compared with PPM, we can achieve higher data rate and longer link distance via TR-PPM. Furthermore, TR-PPM remains effective under low signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio. This work also lays the foundation for implementing multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) stress wave communication networks in concrete channels.

• Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.512-527
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• 2018

This review provides a comprehensive overview of brain imaging studies of the brain-gut interaction in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Functional neuroimaging studies during gut stimulation have shown enhanced brain responses in regions related to sensory processing of the homeostatic condition of the gut (homeostatic afferent) and responses to salience stimuli (salience network), as well as increased and decreased brain activity in the emotional response areas and reduced activation in areas associated with the top-down modulation of visceral afferent signals. Altered central regulation of the endocrine and autonomic nervous responses, the key mediators of the brain-gut axis, has been demonstrated. Studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging reported abnormal local and global connectivity in the areas related to pain processing and the default mode network (a physiological baseline of brain activity at rest associated with self-awareness and memory) in FGIDs. Structural imaging with brain morphometry and diffusion imaging demonstrated altered gray- and white-matter structures in areas that also showed changes in functional imaging studies, although this requires replication. Molecular imaging by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography in FGIDs remains relatively sparse. Progress using analytical methods such as machine learning algorithms may shift neuroimaging studies from brain mapping to predicting clinical outcomes. Because several factors contribute to the pathophysiology of FGIDs and because its population is quite heterogeneous, a new model is needed in future studies to assess the importance of the factors and brain functions that are responsible for an optimal homeostatic state.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.195-200
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• 2009

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) play a central role in the modulation of a wide variety of cellular events such as differentiation, proliferation and metabolism, and their unregulated activation can lead to various diseases including cancer and diabetes. PTKs represent a diverse family of proteins including both receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and non-receptor tyrosine kinases (NRTKs). Due to the diversity and important cellular roles of PTKs, accurate classification methods are required to better understand and differentiate different PTKs. In addition, PTKs have become important targets for drugs, providing a further need to develop novel methods to accurately classify this set of important biological molecules. Here, we introduce a novel statistical model for the classification of PTKs that is based on their structural features. The approach allows for both the recognition of PTKs and the classification of RTKs into their subfamilies. This novel approach had an overall accuracy of 98.5% for the identification of PTKs, and 99.3% for the classification of RTKs.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.169-181
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• 2011

In this present paper, a comprehensive drain current model incorporating the effects of channel length modulation has been presented for multi-layered gate material engineered trapezoidal recessed channel (MLGME-TRC) MOSFET and the expression for linearity performance metrics, i.e. higher order transconductance coefficients: $g_{m1}$, $g_{m2}$, $g_{m3}$, and figure-of-merit (FOM) metrics; $V_{IP2}$, $V_{IP3}$, IIP3 and 1-dB compression point, has been obtained. It is shown that, the incorporation of multi-layered architecture on gate material engineered trapezoidal recessed channel (GME-TRC) MOSFET leads to improved linearity performance in comparison to its conventional counterparts trapezoidal recessed channel (TRC) and rectangular recessed channel (RRC) MOSFETs, proving its efficiency for low-noise applications and future ULSI production. The impact of various structural parameters such as variation of work function, substrate doping and source/drain junction depth ($X_j$) or negative junction depth (NJD) have been examined for GME-TRC MOSFET and compared its effectiveness with MLGME-TRC MOSFET. The results obtained from proposed model are verified with simulated and experimental results. A good agreement between the results is obtained, thus validating the model.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제60권12호
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• pp.390-394
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• 2017

Purpose: Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) is less common in pediatric patients than in adult patients. Thus, data for pediatric AVNRT patients are insufficient. Hence, we aimed to analyze the patient characteristics, treatment, and any recurrences in pediatric AVNRT patients. Methods: We reviewed the records of 50 pediatric AVNRT patients who had undergone radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) between January 1998 and December 2016 at a single regional center. The patients were aged ${\leq}18years$. Results: Among 190 pediatric patients who underwent RFCA for tachyarrhythmia, 50 (26.3%; mean age, $13.4{\pm}2.6years$) were diagnosed as having AVNRT by electrophysiological study. Twenty-five patients (25 of 50, 50%) were male. Twenty patients (20 of 50, 40%) used beta-blockers before RFCA. All patients had no structural heart disease except 1 patient with valvular aortic stenosis and coarctation of the aorta. RFCA was performed using the anatomic approach under fluoroscopic guidance. The most common successfully ablated region was the midseptal region (25 of 50, 50%). Slow pathway (SP) ablation and SP modulation were performed in 43 and 6 patients, respectively. Complication occurred in 1 patient with complete atrioventricular block. During follow-up, 6 patients had recurrence of supraventricular tachycardia, as confirmed by electrocardiography. Among them, 5 underwent successful ablation at the first procedure. In 1 patient, induction failed during the first procedure. Conclusion: RFCA is safe and effective in pediatric AVNRT patients. However, further research is needed for establishing the endpoints of ablation in pediatric AVNRT patients and for identifying risk factors by evaluating data on AVNRT recurrence after RFCA.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.1217-1231
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• 2016

In this research, a slotted patch antenna sensor is designed for wireless strain and crack sensing. An off-the-shelf RFID (radiofrequency identification) chip is adopted in the antenna sensor design for signal modulation. The operation power of the RFID chip is captured from wireless reader interrogation signal, so the sensor operation is completely battery-free (passive) and wireless. For strain and crack sensing of a structure, the antenna sensor is bonded on the structure surface like a regular strain gage. Since the antenna resonance frequency is directly related with antenna dimension, which deforms when strain occurs on the structural surface, the deformation/strain can be correlated with antenna resonance frequency shift measured by an RFID reader. The slotted patch antenna sensor performance is first evaluated through mechanics-electromagnetics coupled simulation. Extensive experiments are then conducted to validate the antenna sensor performance, including tensile and compressive strain sensing, wireless interrogation range, and fatigue crack sensing.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.69-79
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• 2017

Viruses continue to evolve a new strategy to take advantage of every aspect of host cells in order to maximize their survival. Due to their central roles in transducing a variety of transmembrane signals, GPCRs seem to be a prime target for viruses to pirate for their own use. Incorporation of GPCR functionality into the genome of herpesviruses has been demonstrated to be essential for pathogenesis of many herpesviruses-induced diseases. Here, we introduce US28 of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as the best-studied example of virally-encoded GPCRs to manipulate host GPCR signaling. In this review, we wish to summarize a number of US28-related topics including its regulation of host signaling pathways, its constitutive internalization, its structural and functional analysis, its roles in HCMV biology and pathogenesis, its proliferative activities and role in oncogenesis, and pharmacological modulation of its biological activities. This review will aid in our understanding of how pathogenic viruses usurp the host GPCR signaling for successful viral infection. This kind of knowledge will enable us to build a better strategy to control viral infection by normalizing the virally-dysregulated host GPCR signaling.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.631-640
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• 2011

Milk oligosaccharides are the complex mixture of six monosaccharides namely, D-glucose, D-galactose, N-acetyl-glucosamine, N-acetyl-galactosamine, L-fucose, and N-acetyl-neuraminic acid. The mixture is categorized as neutral and acidic classes. Previously, 25 oligosaccharides in bovine milk and 115 oligosaccharides in human milk have been characterized. Because human intestine lacks the enzyme to hydrolyze the oligosaccharide structures, these substances can reach the colon without degradation and are known to have many health beneficial functions. It has been shown that this fraction of carbohydrate can increase the bifidobacterial population in the intestine and colon, resulting in a significant reduction of pathogenic bacteria. The role of milk oligosaccharides as a barrier against pathogens binding to the cell surface has recently been demonstrated. Milk oligosaccharides have the potential to produce immuno-modulation effects. It is also well known that oligosaccharides in milk have a significant influence on intestinal mineral absorption and in the formation of the brain and central nervous system. Due to its structural resemblance, bovine milk is considered to be the most potential source of oligosaccharides to produce the same effect of oligosaccharides present in human milk. This review describes the characteristics and potential health benefits of milk oligosaccharides as well as the prospects of oligosaccharides in bovine milk for use in functional foods.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제32권8호
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• pp.339-344
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• 2022

The lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM) is considered one of the promising approaches to overcome the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER), bypassing -OOH^* coordination with a high energetic barrier. Activated lattice oxygen can participate in the OER as a reactant and enables O^*-O^* coupling for direct O₂ formation. However, such reaction kinetics inevitably include the generation of oxygen vacancies, which leads to structural degradation, and eventually shortens the lifetime of catalysts. Here, we demonstrate that Se incorporation significantly enhances OER performance and the stability of NiFe (oxy)hydroxide (NiFe) which follows the LOM pathway. In Se introduced NiFe (NiFeSe), Se forms not only metal-Se bonding but also Se-oxygen bonding by replacing oxygen sites and metal sites, respectively. As a result, transition metals show reduced valence states while oxygen shows less reduced valence states (O^-/O₂^2-) which is a clear evidence of lattice oxygen activation. By virtue of its electronic structure modulation, NiFeSe shows enhanced OER activity and long-term stability with robust active lattice oxygen compared to NiFe.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2023

Due to the irregular shape and the deviation of stiffness center and gravity center, buildings always suffer from complex surface load and vibration response under wind action. This study is dedicated to analyze the surface wind load and wind-induced response of an irregular building, and to discuss the possibility of top swimming pool as a TLD to diminish wind-induced vibration of the structure. Wind tunnel test was carried out on a hotel with irregular shape to analyze the wind load and structural response under 8 wind incident angles. Then a precise numerical model was established and calibrated through experimental results. The top swimming pool was designed according to the principle of frequency modulation, and equations of motion of the control system were derived theoretically. Finally, the wind induced response of the structure controlled by the pool was calculated numerically. The results show that both of wind loads and wind-induced responses of the structure are significantly different with wind incident angle varies, and the across-wind response is nonnegligible. The top swimming pool has acceptable damping effect, and can be designed as TLD to mitigate wind response.