• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.811-815
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• 2011

Inhalational anthrax is caused by B. anthracis, a virulent sporeforming bacterium which secretes anthrax toxins consisting of protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). LF is a Zn-dependent metalloprotease and is the main determinant in the pathogenesis of anthrax. Here we report the identification of a lead small-molecule inhibitor of anthrax lethal factor by screening an available synthetic small-molecule inhibitor library using fluorescence-based high-throughput screening (HTS) approach. Seven small molecules were found to have inhibitory effect against LF activity, among which SM157 had the highest inhibitory activity. All theses small molecule inhibitors inhibited LF in a noncompetitive inhibition mode. SM157 and SM167 are from the same family, both having an identical group complex, which is predicted to insert into S1' pocket of LF. More potent small-molecule inhibitors could be developed by modifying SM157 based on this identical group complex.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.170-176
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• 2013

Power converters produce a vast range of harmonics, subharmonics and interharmonics. Harmonics analyzing tools based on the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) assume that only harmonics are present and the periodicity intervals are fixed, while these periodicity intervals are variable and long in the presence of interharmonics. Using FFT may lead to invalid and undesired results due to the above mentioned issues. They can also lead to problems such as frequency blending, spectral leakage and the picket-fence effect. In this paper, the group-harmonic weighting (GHW) approach has been presented to identify the interharmonics in a power system. Afterwards, a modified GHW has been introduced to calculate the proper bandwidth for analyzing the various values of interharmonics. Modifying this method leads to more precise results in the FFT of a waveform containing inter harmonics especially in power systems with a fundamental frequency drift or frequency interference. Numerical simulations have been performed to prove the efficiency of the presented algorithm in interharmonics detection and to increase the accuracy of the FFT and the GWH methods.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.933-943
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• 2021

Objective : Percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation is a needle based procedure that requires fluoroscopic image guidance. Consequently, radiation exposure is inevitable for patients, surgeons, and operation room staff. We hypothesize that reducing the production of radiation emission will result in reduced radiation exposure for everyone in the operation room. Research was performed to evaluate reduction of radiation exposure by modifying imaging manner and mode of radiation source. Methods : A total of 170 patients (680 screws) who underwent fusion surgery with PPS fixation from September 2019 to March 2020 were analyzed in this study. Personal dosimeters (Polimaster Ltd.) were worn at the collar outside a lead apron to measure radiation exposure. Patients were assigned to four groups based on imaging manner of fluoroscopy and radiation modification (pulse mode with reduced dose) : continuous use without radiation modification (group 1, n=34), intermittent use without radiation modification (group 2, n=54), continuous use with radiation modification (group 3, n=26), and intermittent use with radiation modification (group 4, n=56). Post hoc Tukey Honest significant difference test was used for individual comparisons of radiation exposure/screw and fluoroscopic time/screw. Results : The average radiation exposure/screw was 71.45±45.75 µSv/screw for group 1, 18.77±11.51 µSv/screw for group 2, 19.58±7.00 µSv/screw for group 3, and 4.26±2.89 µSv/screw for group 4. By changing imaging manner from continuous multiple shot to intermittent single shot, 73.7% radiation reduction was achieved in the no radiation modification groups (groups 1, 2), and 78.2% radiation reduction was achieved in the radiation modification groups (groups 3, 4). Radiation source modification from continuous mode with standard dose to pulse mode with reduced dose resulted in 72.6% radiation reduction in continuous imaging groups (groups 1, 3) and 77.3% radiation reduction in intermittent imaging groups (groups 2, 4). The average radiation exposure/screw was reduced 94.1% by changing imaging manner and modifying radiation source from continuous imaging with standard fluoroscopy setting (group 1) to intermittent imaging with modified fluoroscopy setting (group 4). A total of 680 screws were reviewed postoperatively, and 99.3% (675) were evaluated as pedicle breach grade 0 (<2 mm). Conclusion : The average radiation exposure/screw for a spinal surgeon can be reduced 94.1% by changing imaging manner and modifying radiation source from real-time imaging with standard dose to intermittent imaging with modified dose. These modifications can be instantly applied to any procedure using fluoroscopic guidance and may reduce the overall radiation exposure of spine surgeons.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.203-216
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• 1999

A previously proposed finite element formulation method is refined and modified to generate a new type of elements. The method is based on selecting a set of general solution modes for element formulation. The constant strain modes and higher order modes are selected and the formulation method is designed to ensure that the element will pass the basic single element test, which in turn ensures the passage of the basic patch test. If the element is to pass the higher order patch test also, the element stiffness matrix is in general asymmetric. The element stiffness matrix depends only on a nodal displacement matrix and a nodal force matrix. A symmetric stiffness matrix can be obtained by either modifying the nodal displacement matrix or the nodal force matrix. It is shown that both modifications lead to the same new element, which is demonstrated through numerical examples to be more robust than an assumed stress hybrid element in plane stress application. The method of formulation can also be used to arrive at the conforming displacement and hybrid stress formulations. The convergence of the latter two is explained from the point of view of the proposed method.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Broadcast Engineers Conference
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• 1995.06a
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• pp.155-157
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• 1995

New formulas for McClellan transform parameters for the design of 2-D Zero-phase FIR fan filters are optimally derived under the integral squared error(ISE) criterion. By imposing the constraint that F(0,0)=coswc, where F($.$) is the McClellan transform and w is the cutoff frequency of the 1-D prototype filter, the ISE is directly minimized without modifying it and, as a consequence, closed-form formulas for the McClellan transform parameters are obtained. It is shows that these formulas lead to a very efficient design for 2-D zero-phase FIR fan filters.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and information Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.160-163
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• 1996

New formulas for McClellan transform parameters for the design of 2-D zero-phase FIR fan filters are optimally derived under the integral squared error(ISE) criterion. By imposing the constraint that F(0, 0)=\ulcorner, where F($.$) is the McClellan transform and $\omega$\ulcorner is the cutoff frequency of the 1-D prototype filter, the ISE is directly minimized without modifying it and, as a consequence, closed-form formulas for the McClellan transform parameters are obtained. It is shown that these formulas lead to a very efficient design for 2-D zero-phase FIR fan filters.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.5.1-5.19
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• 2024

The key role of T cells in cancer immunotherapy is well established and is highlighted by the remarkable capacity of Ab-mediated checkpoint blockade to overcome T-cell exhaustion and amplify anti-tumor responses. However, total or partial tumor remission following checkpoint blockade is still limited to only a few types of tumors. Hence, concerted attempts are being made to devise new methods for improving tumor immunity. Currently, much attention is being focused on therapy with IL-2. This cytokine is a powerful growth factor for T cells and optimises their effector functions. When used at therapeutic doses for cancer treatment, however, IL-2 is highly toxic. Nevertheless, recent work has shown that modifying the structure or presentation of IL-2 can reduce toxicity and lead to effective anti-tumor responses in synergy with checkpoint blockade. Here, we review the complex interaction of IL-2 with T cells: first during normal homeostasis, then during responses to pathogens, and finally in anti-tumor responses.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.441-449
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• 2023

Heavy metals, widely present in the environment, have become significant pollutants due to their excessive use in industries and technology. Their non-degradable nature poses a persistent environmental problem, leading to potential acute or chronic poisoning from prolonged exposure. Recent research has focused on separating heavy metals, particularly from industrial and mining sources. Industries such as metal plating, mining operations, tanning, wood and chipboard production, industrial paint and textile manufacturing, as well as oil refining, are major contributors of heavy metals in water sources. Therefore, removing heavy metals from water is crucial, especially for safe water supply in swimming and water sports. Iron oxide nanoparticles have proven to be highly effective adsorbents for water contaminants, and efforts have been made to enhance their efficiency and absorption capabilities through surface modifications. Nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts can effectively bind with heavy metal ions by modifying the nanoparticle surface with plant components, thereby increasing the efficiency of heavy metal removal. This study focuses on removing lead from industrial wastewater using environmentally friendly, cost-effective iron nanoparticles synthesized with Genovese basil extract. The synthesis of nanoparticles is confirmed through analysis using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction, validating their spherical shape and nanometer-scale dimensions. The method used in this study has a low detection limit of 0.031 ppm for measuring lead concentration, making it suitable for ensuring water safety in swimming and water sports.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.223-232
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of social network sports community consciousness on loyalty and sports attitude. In order to achieve this research purpose, the population of the study was selected as adult men and women over the age of 20 who are active in the social network sports community in 2022. The sampling method used cluster random sampling to select a total of 300 people, 150 men and 150 women, as research subjects. The survey tool used was the questionnaire method, and the questionnaire whose reliability and validity had been verified in previous studies at home and abroad was used by requoting, modifying, or supplementing it to suit the purpose of this study. It was also structured on a 5-point scale. Frequency analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, simple regression analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed on the collected data using the statistical program SPSS Windows 20.0 Version. The results obtained through this process are as follows. First, social network sports community consciousness was found to have a partial effect on loyalty. Second, social network sports community consciousness was found to have a partial effect on sports attitudes. Third, social network sports community loyalty was found to have a partial effect on sports attitudes. Considering these results, various activities such as decision-making process, relationship formation, and opinion expression of modern people are carried out by the O-line community. In addition, while in the past it was a format that led from offline activities to online activities, currently, there are more and more formats that lead from online activities to offline activities. Therefore, modern people's SNS sports community activities provide many experiences, which creates a sense of community and sports attitudes are formed based on this. This can be said to lead to loyal activities.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.457-463
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• 2024

(Bi_1/2Na_1/2)TiO₃(BNT) piezoelectric ceramics are one of the promising materials that can replace Pb(Zr, Ti)O₃(PZT) piezoelectric ceramics due to the high electromechanical strain properties. However, it is still difficult to use practical applications because the required electric field for inducing electromechanical strain is relatively higher than that of PZT ceramics. To overcome this problem, it has been intensively studied on doping impurity or modifying other ABO₃ for BNT-based piezoelectric ceramics. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of La₂O₃ doping on the phase transition behavior and electromechanical strain properties in BNT-SrTiO₃ (BNT-ST) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics. In the case of the temperature-dependent dielectric properties, it was confirmed that a phase transition from ferroelectrics to relaxors is induced with increasing La₂O₃ content. As a result, the electromechanical strain properties of BNT-ST ceramics were improved. The highest S_max/E_max value corresponding to 300 pm/V was obtained at 2 mol% La₂O₃-dopped BNT-ST ceramics. Accordingly, this study successfully demonstrated that La₂O₃ doping is effective on the inducing phase transition from ferroelectrics to relaxors and the improving electromechanical strain properties of BNT-ST lead-free piezoelectric ceramics.