• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2019

Studies to augment emotion and immersion in multimedia content through olfactory stimulation are being increasingly conducted in the past two decades, and a variety of scent devices have been developed. Most of the scent devices are very large and heavy; consequently, they are installed on a table rather than being attached to the Head-mounted Display (HMD). Even if such devices are mounted on the HMD, it is not possible to control the scent density because of the size limitation, and it is not easy to be immersed in the experience because of the noise caused by the scent device. In order for an actual virtual reality or an augmented reality system to work efficiently with the scent device, three conditions - noiseless, a compact design, and concentration control- must be satisfied. In this study, we design a scent device that satisfies these three conditions. By using a miniature piezoelectric pump, a small size scent device is designed so that it can be easily attached to the lower end of the HMD, and hardly any noise is generated. Moreover, it is possible to control the concentration of the scent by controlling the piezoelectric pump using amplitude and frequency.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.1037-1042
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• 2018

The present study aims to assess the excess induced reactivity in a Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) for a Beyond Design Basis Accident (BDBA) scenario. The BDBA scenario as defined in the Safety Analysis Report (SAR) of the reactor involves sticking of the control rod and filling of the inner and outer irradiation sites with water. At the end of the MNSR core life, 10.95 cm of Beryllium is added to the top of the core as a reflector which affects some neutronic parameters such as effective delayed neutrons fraction (${\beta}_{eff}$), the reactivity worth of inner and outer irradiation sites that are filled with water and the reactivity worth of the control rod. Given those influences and changes, new neutronic calculations are required to be able to demonstrate the reactor safety. Therefore, a validated MCNPX model is used to calculate all neutronic parameters at the end of the reactor core life. The calculations show that the induced reactivity in the BDBA scenario increases at the end of core life to $7.90{\pm}0.01mk$ which is significantly higher than the induced reactivity of 6.80 mk given in the SAR of MNSR for the same scenario but at the beginning of the core's life. Also this value is 3.90 mk higher than the maximum allowable operational limit (i.e. 4.00 mk).

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.337-342
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• 2018

Cryopreservation is mainly used for preservation of boar sperm. However, this method stresses the sperm by reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the conception rate and the litter size are not more efficient than the liquid preservation of spermatozoa. Therefore, we use chitosan which is a natural product derived antioxidant compound. We used GnHA (chitosan+hyaluronic acid) and GnHG (chitosan hydrogel) as chitosan complexes to cryopreserve boar sperm for improve sperm metabolism and function. Sperm parameter (sperm motility, progressive motility, path velocity, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity) is measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) using frozen sperm with GnHA or GnHG (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/mL), respectively. Also, lipid peroxidation analysis using malondialdehyde (MDA) is performed to confirm the antioxidative effect of chitosan in frozen spermatozoa. CASA analysis showed GnHA and GnHG are effective against cryopreserved boar sperm. And antioxidant effect is measured by lipid peroxidation analysis. GnHA and GnHG, which is chitosan complex are effective for boar sperm cryopreservation by antioxidant effect.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.25-39
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• 2021

Brachytherapy, along with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), is an essential and effective radiation treatment process. In brachytherapy, in contrast to EBRT, the radiation source is radioisotopes. Because these isotopes can be positioned inside or near the tumor, it is possible to protect other organs around the tumor while delivering an extremely high-dose of treatment to the tumor. Brachytherapy has a long history of more than 100 years. In the early 1900s, the radioisotopes used for brachytherapy were only radium or radon isotopes extracted from nature. Over time, however, various radioisotopes have been artificially produced. As radioisotopes have high radioactivity and miniature size, the application of brachytherapy has expanded to high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Recently, advanced treatment techniques used in EBRT, such as image guidance and intensity modulation techniques, have been applied to brachytherapy. Three-dimensional images, such as ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography are used for accurate delineation of treatment targets and normal organs. Intensity-modulated brachytherapy is anticipated to be performed in the near future, and it is anticipated that the treatment outcomes of applicable cancers will be greatly improved by this treatment's excellent dose delivery characteristics.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.336-338
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• 2020

A 12-year-old female spayed miniature schnauzer with one month history of halitosis had a cylindrical protruding mass about 2 × 2 × 1 cm in size arising from the right palatine tonsil. Histopathologically, tonsillar mass was covered with stratified squamous epithelium and many lymphoid follicles with germinal center were existed in the upper area of submucosa. Numerous variable sized, occasionally cystic dilated vascular channels (thin walled lymphatic channels) lined by flattened, discontinous endothelial cells were widely distributed throughout the core of fibrovascular stroma. According to immunohistochemistry (IHC), lining endothelial cells in vascular channels showed strong immunoreactivities for CD31 and von Willebrand factor. Based on the gross, histopathologic, and IHC findings, the oral mass of dog was diagnosed as tonsillar lymphangiomatous polyp, the second case in a veterinary field.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.381-391
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• 2022

Two-photon-polymerization additive-manufacturing systems feature high resolution and precision. However, there are few reports on specific methods and possible problems concerning the use of small lasers to independently build such platforms. In this paper, a femtosecond-laser two-photon-polymerization additive-manufacturing system containing an optical unit, control unit, monitoring unit, and testing unit is built using a miniature femtosecond laser, with a detailed building process and corresponding control software that is developed independently. This system has integrated functions of light-spot detection, interface searching, micro-/nanomanufacturing, and performance testing. In addition, possible problems in the processes of platform establishment, resin preparation, and actual polymerization for two-photon-polymerization additive manufacturing are explained specifically, and the causes of these problems analyzed. Moreover, the impacts of different power levels and scanning speeds on the degree of polymerization are compared, and the influence of the magnification of the object lens on the linewidth is analyzed in detail. A qualitative analysis model is established, and the concepts of the threshold broadening and focus narrowing effects are proposed, with their influences and cooperative relation discussed. Besides, a linear structure with micrometer accuracy is manufactured at the millimeter scale.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.373-377
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• 2022

Hypercoagulability is the most common coagulopathy seen in dogs with neoplasia, whereas a hypocoagulable state is relatively rare. A 16-year-old spayed female miniature Schnauzer presented with bilateral epistaxis, bilateral hindlimb swelling, and lameness. Previously, the dog was diagnosed with intermediate grade solid carcinoma after mastectomy, and then showed generalized ecchymoses on the abdomen and bilateral hindlimbs on presentation. Laboratory tests revealed a hypocoagulable state, including thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, and delayed prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time. Thromboelastography demonstrated a prolonged K time with a decreased alpha angle and low maximal amplitude, reflecting a decrease in clot strength. The hypocoagulable state of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy was speculated based on the presence of an underlying tumor, clinical symptoms, and laboratory results of the hypocoagulable state. This case shows the incidence of hemostatic dysfunction as a paraneoplastic syndrome in a dog with mammary gland carcinoma.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.398-407
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• 2023

We explored a method to evaluate imaging performance for the optimal assembly of an endoscopic miniature lens and a sensor constituting an imaging module at the distal end of gastrointestinal endoscopy. For the assembly of the imaging module, the image sensor was precisely located at the focal plane when collimated light passed through the endoscopic lens. As another method, the distance between the lens and sensor was adjusted to obtain the highest focus index from images measured the star chart of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard at various positions. We analyzed the slanted-edge modulation transfer function (MTF), corresponding depth of field, and number of line pairs for MTF 50% and 20% at each working distance within the range of 5-100 mm for imaging modules assembled in different ways. Assembly conditions of the imaging module with better MTF performance were defined for each working distance range of 5-30 mm and 30-100 mm, respectively. In addition to the MTF performance, the focus index of each assembled module was also compared. In summary, we examined the performance of imaging modules assembled with different methods within the suggested working distance and tried to establish the optimal assembly protocol.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1370-1375
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• 2023

In this study, we aimed to enhance the accumulation of chorismate (CHR) and anthranilate (ANT), key intermediates in the shikimate pathway, by modifying a shikimate over-producing recombinant strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum [19]. To achieve this, we utilized a CRISPR-driven genome engineering approach to compensate for the deletion of shikimate kinase (AroK) as well as ANT synthases (TrpEG) and ANT phosphoribosyltransferase (TrpD). In addition, we inhibited the CHR metabolic pathway to induce CHR accumulation. Further, to optimize the shikimate pathway, we overexpressed feedback inhibition-resistant Escherichia coli AroG and AroH genes, as well as C. glutamicum AroF and AroB genes. We also overexpressed QsuC and substituted shikimate dehydrogenase (AroE). In parallel, we optimized the carbon metabolism pathway by deleting the gntR family transcriptional regulator (IolR) and overexpressing polyphosphate/ATP-dependent glucokinase (PpgK) and glucose kinase (Glk). Moreover, acetate kinase (Ack) and phosphotransacetylase (Pta) were eliminated. Through our CRISPR-driven genome re-design approach, we successfully generated C. glutamicum cell factories capable of producing up to 0.48 g/l and 0.9 g/l of CHR and ANT in 1.3 ml miniature culture systems, respectively. These findings highlight the efficacy of our rational cell factory design strategy in C. glutamicum, which provides a robust platform technology for developing high-producing strains that synthesize valuable aromatic compounds, particularly those derived from the shikimate pathway metabolites.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2024

An attempt was made to apply digital image correlation (DIC) strain analysis to in-situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of bending deformation to quantify local strain distribution inside a ZnMgAl-alloy coating in deformation. Interstitial-free steel sheets were hot-dipped in a Zn-3Mg-6Al (mass%) alloy melt at 400 ℃ for 2 s. The specimens were deformed using a miniature-sized 4-point bending test machine inside the SEM chamber. The observed in situ SEM images were used for DIC strain analysis. The hot-dip ZnMgAl-alloy coating exhibited a solidification microstructure composed of a three-phase eutectic of fine Al (fcc), Zn (hcp), and Zn2Mg phases surrounding the primary solidified Al phases. The relatively coarsened Zn₂Mg phases were locally observed inside the ZnMgAl-alloy coating. The DIC strain analysis revealed that the strain was localized in the primary solidified Al phases and fine eutectic microstructure around the Zn₂Mg phase. The results indicated high deformability of the multi-phase microstructure of the ZnMgAl-alloy coating.