• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.989-998
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• 2019

Autophagy is crucial for immune defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Mtb can evade host immune attack and survival within macrophages by manipulating the autophagic process. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that are involved in regulating vital genes during Mtb infection. The precise role of miRNAs in autophagy with the exits of Mtb remains largely unknown. In this study, we found miR-1958, a new miRNA that could regulate autophagy by interacting with 3'UTR of autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5). In addition, Mtb infection triggered miR-1958 expression in RAW264.7 cells. What's more, miR-1958 overexpression blocked autophagic flux by impairing the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. Overexpression of miR-1958 reduced Atg5 expression and LC3 puncta while inhibition of miR-1958 brought an increase of Atg5 and LC3 puncta; the opposite results were observed in detection of p62. The survival of Mtb in RAW264.7 cells transfected with mimic of miR-1958 was enhanced. Taken together, our research demonstrated that a novel miR-1958 could inhibit autophagy by interacting with Atg5 and favored intracellular Mtb survival in RAW264.7 cells.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.223-231
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• 2019

The properties of Electroactive Polymer (EAP) materials are attracting the attention of engineers and scientists from many different disciplines. From the point-of-view of robotics, Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMC) belong to the most developed group of the EAP class. To allow effective design of IPMC-actuated mechanisms with large induced strains, it is necessary to have adequate analytical tools for predicting the behavior of IPMC actuators as well as simulating their response as part of prototyping methodologies. This paper presents a novel IPMC motor construction. To simulate the bending behavior that is the dominant phenomenon of motor movement process, a nonlinear model is used. To accomplish the motor design, the IPMC model was identified via a series of experiments. In the proposed model, the curvature output and current transient fields accurately track the measured responses, which is verified by measurements. In this research, a three-dimensional Finite Element Method (FEM) model of the IPMC motor, composed of IPMC actuators, simultaneously determines the mechanical and electrical characteristics of the device and achieves reliable analysis results. The principle of the proposed drive and the output signals are illustrated in this paper. The proposed modelling approach can be used to design a variety of controllers and motors for effective micro-robotic applications, where soft and complex motion are required.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.98-102
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• 2021

GaOOH is obtained via hydrothermal synthesis procedure. The formed GaOOH is turned into α-Ga₂O₃ at 500℃ annealing. As the annealing temperatures increase the α-Ga₂O₃ is in part turned into β-Ga₂O₃ and fully turned into β-Ga₂O₃ after 1100℃. XPS and PL results reveal that heterojunction interface between α-Ga₂O₃ and β-Ga₂O₃ become maxim at 500℃ annealing condition, which result in the highest photocatalytic activity. The presence of heterojunction interface slows down the recombination process by separating photogenerated electron-hole pairs and thereby enhance the overall photocatalytic activity.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.310-317
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• 2020

This study investigated the damage to the specimen due to liquid droplet impingement erosion corrosion, which improved the corrosion resistance and durability via hard anodization of 5083-H321 aluminum alloy, which is widely used for small ships and marine structures. The experiment combined liquid droplet impingement erosion and electrochemical equipment with the flow rates in natural seawater solution. Subsequently, Tafel extrapolation of polarization curves was performed to evaluate damage due to the liquid droplet impingement erosion corrosion. The damaged surface was observed using a 3D microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The degree of pitting damage was measured using the Image J program, and the surface hardness was measured using the micro-Vickers hardness tester. The corrosion current density, area, depth, and ratio of the damaged areas increased with the increase in flow rate. The grain size of the damaged area at a flow rate of 20 m s-1 showed fewer and minor differences in height, and a smooth curved shape. The hardness of the damaged surface tended to decrease with increase in flow rate.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.159-166
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• 2022

The assembly of the micron-sized Si/CNT/carbon composite wrapped with graphene (SCG composite) is designed and synthesized via a spray drying process. The spherical SCG composite exhibits a high discharge capacity of 1789 mAh g^-1 with an initial coulombic efficiency of 84 %. Moreover, the porous architecture of SCG composite is beneficial for enhancing cycling stability and rate capability. In practice, a blended electrode consisting of spherical SCG composite and natural graphite with a reversible capacity of ~500 mAh g^-1, shows a stable cycle performance with high cycling efficiencies (> 99.5%) during 100 cycles. These superior electrochemical performance are mainly attributed to the robust design and structural stability of the SCG composite during charge and discharge process. It appears that despite the fracture of micro-sized Si particles during repeated cycling, the electrical contact of Si particles can be maintained within the SCG composite by suppressing the direct contact of Si particles with electrolytes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.77-83
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• 2022

When carbon dioxide in a liquid becomes supersaturated, carbon dioxide gas bubbles are generated in the liquid, and they ascend to the surface as they develop further. At this time, the inner wall of the cup with carbon gas attached is known as the entrapped gas cavity (EGS); once an EGS is established, it does not disappear and will continuously create carbon bubbles. This bubbling phenomenon can be activated or suppressed by changing the properties of the solid surface in contact with the carbonated liquid. In this study, the foaming of carbonated liquid is promoted or suppressed by modifying the wettability of the surface. A micro/nano surface structure is formed on the surface of an aluminum cup to produce a superhydrophilic surface, and a superhydrophobic surface similar to a lotus leaf is synthesized via fluorination. Experiment results show that the amount of carbon dioxide bubble generated differs significantly in the first few seconds depending on the surface, and that the amount of gas generated after it enters the stabilization period is the same regardless of the wettability of the cup surface.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.321-335
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• 2022

Copper-based Metal-organic framework (MOF) namely ([Cu (INA)₂]-MOF) is synthesized by ball milling and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the topography, microstructure, and elemental evidence determination, powdered X-ray diffraction (XRD) for the crystallinity measurement, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis was performed to determine the thermal stability of the material, and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for functional groups identification. The use of [Cu (INA)₂]-MOF as hazardous removal material of β-agonists as persistent hazardous micro-pollutants in our environmental water is first reported in this study. The removal efficiency of the Cu-MOF is successfully determined to be 97.7% within 40 minutes, and the MOF has established an exceptional removal capacity of 835 mg L^-1 with 95 % percent removal on Clenbuterol (CLB) even after the 5th consecutive cycle. The Langmuir model of the adsorption isotherms was shown to be more favourable, while the pseudo-second-order model was found to be favoured in the kinetics. The reaction was exothermic and spontaneous from a thermodynamic standpoint, and the higher temperatures were unfavourable for the adsorption study of the CLB. As a result, the studied MOF have shown promising properties as possible adsorbents for the removal of CLB in wastewater.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.123-133
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• 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the restaurant business adversely. The restaurant business is essential for Thailand's economy as it generates high income and a high employment rate. This study aimed to determine the relationships between restaurant businesses. Furthermore, it examined the problems encountered during COVID-19 and measures already implemented and planned. The research is intended to resolve these issues. We collected data from 136 people who worked in restaurants in Bangkok, Thailand, via telephone interviews. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and correspondence analysis using SPSS. The findings of this analysis indicate that all restaurants, irrespective of their size, face problems, though their planned and remedial actions are different. One finding was that medium restaurants face more financial problems and increased costs than others. They are countering this challenge through measures such as applying for loans and transitioning into a "non-restaurant" business. Nevertheless, typical medium restaurants have not engaged in extensive planning for the future. Based on a fact-finding survey, we considered appropriate short- and long-term measures suitable for micro, small and medium restaurants. In addition, our study's findings will help policymakers and practitioners identify strategies for responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and other future crises.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.567-581
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• 2022

The free and forced vibration in addition to electric energy harvesting of a piezoelectric disk resting on two-parameter foundation modeled by modified couple stress as well as Kirchhoff plate theory is probed. The governing equations and boundary conditions are obtained using Hamilton's principle. Then, the free and forced vibration are solved using numerical solutions, generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) and Newmark-beta method. The forced vibration is resulted from a base excitation load. Also, the possible voltage which can be harvested from this system is obtained using generalized integral quadrature method. The validity of the formulation and solution procedure is confirmed using a compassion study. The impact of parameters such as length effect, inner to outer radius ratio, and foundations parameters on the free and forced vibration as well as energy harvesting is investigated in detail. This paper can be a basis for future studies in the area of piezoelectric harvesters in small scales.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.121-127
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• 2022

This study presents the development of an integrated oil purification system consisting of moisture removal, oil flushing, and oil filtering devices. In this system, the oil flushing device is combined with a micro-bubble generator. Oil purification is necessary for ensuring the high performance of the lubricant through the efficient removal of contaminants and thus enables good maintenance of mechanical systems. The developed purification system removes moisture, varnish, and solid particles. Moreover, during oil purification, the oil flushing device separates foreign materials and contaminants remaining in the lubricating oil piping or mechanical systems. The microbubble generator, which is combined with the oil flushing device, can separate harmful contaminants, such as sludge, wear particles, and rust, from piping or lubrication systems through the cavitation effect. Moisture is removed using a double high-vacuum chamber, while sludge and varnish are removed via electro-absorption using a high-voltage generator. Additionally, the total maintenance cost of the system is reduced through the use of domestically fabricated cartridge filters composed of glass fiber and cellulose. The heater, which maintains the temperature of the lubricant at 60℃, can process 41,000 L of lubricant simultaneously. Multiple tests confirmed that the proposed integrated purification system exhibits good performance in oil flushing and removal of water and varnish.