• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.391-397
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• 2011

The use of Hydrogen as a fuel is receiving considerable attention and as a result, research on novel methods of hydrogen production is necessary so that the hydrogen demands in the future can be satisfied. This study presents experimental data on methanol Autothermal Reformation that quantifies the relationship between the oxygen-to-methanol ratio ($O_2/CH_3OH$) and reformer efficiency. For each catalyst configuration, the $O_2/CH_3OH$ was varied from 0.1 to 0.4, with an increment of 0.05, to investigate the effects of $O_2/CH_3OH$ on the reactor performance, including temperature profile, conversion, and efficiency. $O_2/CH_3OH$ was increased from 0.15 to 0.20, and the catalyst bed temperature increased by $235^{\circ}C$ to approximately $550^{\circ}C$. The catalyst bed temperature increased with increasing $O_2/CH_3OH$ as the reaction shifted from endothermic to exothermic reaction and as a result, excess heat, which raised the reactor temperature, was generated. The reactor performance was shown to be highly dependent on $O_2/CH_3OH$. The optimum $O_2/CH_3OH$ = 0.30 found in the experimental tests is 30% higher than the theoretical optimum of 0.23. This is attributed to a combination of factors such as the concentrations of the $O_2$ and $CH_3OH$ gas, reaction rate, catalyst effects, heat loss from the reactor, and the difference between the actual amounts of reaction products formed and the theoretical amounts of the reaction products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1305-1313
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• 2019

Licochalcone (LC), isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata has multiple pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. To date, Licochalcone C (LCC) has induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation in oral and bladder cancer cells, but lung cancer has not yet been studied. In addition, no study reported LCC-induced autophagy in cancer until now. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of LCC on gefitinib-sensitive and -resistant lung cancer cells and elucidate the mechanism of its action. The 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay data showed that LCC significantly inhibited cell viability in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) HCC827 (gefitinib-sensitive) and HCC827GR (gefitinib-resistant) cell lines. Interestingly, Annexin V/7-aminoactinomycin D double staining and cell cycle analysis showed an apoptosis rate within about 20% at the highest concentration of LCC. LCC induced G2/M arrest by reducing the expression of the cell cycle G2/M related proteins cyclin B1 and cdc2 in NSCLC cell lines. Treatment of LCC also induced autophagy by increasing the expression of the autophagy marker protein microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and the protein autophagy-related gene 5 involved in the autophagy process. In addition, LCC increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the cell viability was partially restored by treatment with the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine. In western blotting analysis, the expression of cdc2 was increased and LC3 was decreased by the simultaneous treatment of NAC and LCC. These results indicate that LCC may contribute to anti-tumor effects by inducing ROS-dependent G2/M arrest and autophagy in NSCLC. In conclusion, LCC treatment may be useful as a potential therapeutic agent against NSCLC.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.38-45
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• 2005

The feasibility of stimulating in situ aerobic cometabolic activity of indigenous microorganisms was investigated in a trichloroethylene (TCE)-contaminated aquifer. A series of single-well natural drift tests (SWNDTs) was conducted by injecting site groundwater amended with a bromide tracer and combinations of toluene, oxygen, nitrate, ethylene and TCE into an existing monitoring well and by sampling the same well over time. Three field tests, Push-pull Transport Test, Drift Biostimulation Test, and Drift Surrogate Activity Test, were performed in sequence. Initial rate of toluene degradation was much faster than the rate of bromide dilution resulting from natural groundwater drift, indicating stimulation of indigenous toluene-oxidizing microorganisms. Transformation of ethylene, a surrogate probing overall activity of TCE transformation, was also observed, and its transformation results in the production of ethylene oxide, suggesting that some tolueneoxidizing microorganisms stimulated may express a orthomonooxygenase enzyme. Also in situ transformation of TCE was confirmed by greater retardation of TCE than bromide after the stimulation of toluene-oxidizing microorganisms. These results indicate that, in this environment, toluene and oxygen additions stimulated the growth and aerobic cometabolic activity of indigenous microorganisms expressing orthomonooxygenase enzymes. The simple, low-cost field test method presented in this study provides an effective method for conducting rapid field assessments and pilot testing of aerobic cometabolism, which has previously hindered application of this technology to groundwater remediation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.172-177
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• 2019

Lactuca indica L. ('Seonhyang') baby leaves were harvested after cultivation for 4 weeks (less than 10 cm plant height) and adults were cultivated for 8 weeks ($20{\pm}5cm$ plant height). The respiration rate and the ethylene production rate of Lactuca indica leaves were higher than those of the baby leaves but the DPPH radical scavenging ability was lower than baby leaves. The $L^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$ values did not show any significant difference between baby leaves and adult leaves but the chlorophyll content was higher in adult leaves. All adult and baby leaves of Lactuca indica were stored at $2^{\circ}C$, $8^{\circ}C$, and $20^{\circ}C$, respectively. The higher the storage temperature, the higher the fresh weight loss rate and weight loss rate of adult leaves was lower at $2^{\circ}C$ and $8^{\circ}C$. The visual quality of Lactuca indica leaves were determined by the panel test during storage and it deteriorated faster as the storage temperature increased. The shelf life that calculated the period of maintaining higher than 3 points of visual quality was longer than 1.6 days at $2^{\circ}C$, 1.4 days at $8^{\circ}C$ and 1.5 days at $20^{\circ}C$. The oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations within the package of Lactuca indica leaves were similar to those in atmosphere. The chlorophyll content was maintained higher at lower storage temperature in the last storage day and the off-odor was higher in baby leaves than in the adult leaves of Lactuca indica L.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.609-614
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• 2015

This study was to investigate the production of combustion toxic gases of pinus rigida specimens treated with pyrophosphoric acid (PP)/4ammonuium ion ($4NH_4{^+}$), methylenepiperazinomethyl-bis-phosphonic acid (PIPEABP) and PIPEABP/$4NH_4{^+}$. Each pinus rigida plates was painted in three times with 15 wt% in the aqueous solution followed by drying the species at room temperature. Emission of combustion toxic gases was examined by the cone calorimeter (ISO 5660-1). First-time to peak mass loss rate (1st-$TMLR_{peak}$) treated with chemicals was delayed upto 66.7~250.0% compared to those of untreated specimens. For test pieces treated with the chemicals, the emission of peak carbon monoxide ($CO_{peak}$) values of 0.0136~0.0178% and peak carbon dioxide ($CO_{2\;peak}$) value of 0.04432~0.3648% were obtained, which were higher than those for the virgin plate. In particular, oxygen emission is much higher than the level of 15% which can be fatal to humans. Therefore, the resulting risk could be eliminated. However it is supposed that the combustion-toxicities were partially increased compared to those of virgin plate.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.433-440
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• 1994

The exposure of Clamydomonas reinhardtii to low temperatures resulted in an accumulation of cellular pyruvate that dissipated when the chilled cells returned to ambient temperature. The dissipation of pyruvate accumulation was accompanied by an increase in the production level of superoxide radicals $(O_2^-)$ in cells. The formation of $O_2^-$ at an excessive level during the post-chilling period was apparently countered by a substantial activation of superoxide dismutase (SOD). All these results are similar to those observed previously in rice seedlings subjected to the cold-treatment, implicating that a common mechanism is probably underlying for the primary processes of chilling injury both in higher plants and in algae. It was also observed that the activation of Mn-containing SOD contributes the major share in the increase of SOD activity of whole algal cells. Because Mn-SOD is present only in mitochondria, the observation corroborates the concept that the $O_2^-$ scavenging enzyme would be induced to cope with the cold treatment-caused adverse situation in mitochondria where the toxic active oxygen is produced at rates far exceeding the normal rate.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.310-316
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• 2017

This study was analyzed the effects of boron (B), calcium (Ca), silicon (Si) on quality and shelf life of 'Unicorn' cherry tomato at the light red maturity-stage. The storage conditions were modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) by oxygen transmission rate (OTR) packaging film at $5^{\circ}C$, $11^{\circ}C$, and $24^{\circ}C$. Respiration and ethylene production were the lowest in B + Ca + Si -treated tomato fruits. The lowest fresh weight loss and the longest shelf life resulted from the B + Ca + Si treatment. And the firmness was enhanced by B + Ca + Si treatment at harvest time, and it was retained after storage at $5^{\circ}C$, $11^{\circ}C$, and $24^{\circ}C$. Significantly lower soluble solids, lycopene, and color development were found at B + Ca + Si-treated tomato fruits compared with control after storage. Moreover, the highest titratable acidity and vitamin C content were observed in B + Ca + Si-treated tomato fruits after storage. From the above results, it was concluded that B + Ca + Si combined treatment can delay the maturity of cherry tomato after harvesting, and retained the firmness and prolong the shelf life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6651-6661
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• 2015

Breast cancer is a global health concern and is a major cause of death among women. In Oman, it is the most common cancer in women, with an incidence rate of 15.6 per 100,000 Omani females. Various anticancer remedies have been discovered from natural products in the past and the search is continuing for additional examples. Cytotoxic natural compounds may have a major role in cancer therapy either in potentiating the effect of chemotherapy or reducing its harmful effects. Recently, a few studies have reported advantages of using crude camel milk in treating some forms of cancer. However, no adequate data are available on the lyophilised camel's milk responsibility for triggering apoptosis and oxidative stress associated with human breast cancer. The present study aimed to address the role of the lyophilised camel's milk in inducing proliferation repression of BT-474 and HEp-2 cells compared with the non-cancer HCC1937 BL cell line. Lyophilized camel's milk fundamentally repressed BT-474 cells growth and proliferation through the initiation of either the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways as indicated by both caspase-3 mRNA and its action level, and induction of death receptors in BT-474 but not the HEp-2 cell line. In addition, lyophilised camel's milk enhanced the expression of oxidative stress markers, heme-oxygenase-1 and reactive oxygen species production in BT-474 cells. Increase in caspase-3 mRNA levels by the lyophilised camel's milk was completely prevented by the actinomycin D, a transcriptional inhibitor. This suggests that lyophilized camel's milk increased newly synthesized RNA. Interestingly,it significantly (p<0.003) repressed the growth of HEp-2 cells and BT-474 cells after treatment for 72 hours while 24 hours treatment repressed BT-474 cells alone. This finding suggests that the lyophilised camel's milk might instigate apoptosis through initiation of an alternative apoptotic pathway.

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.7.1-7.7
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• 2009

"To be, or not to be?" This question is not only Hamlet's agony but also the dilemma of mitochondria in a cancer cell. Cancer cells have a high glycolysis rate even in the presence of oxygen. This feature of cancer cells is known as the Warburg effect, named for the first scientist to observe it, Otto Warburg, who assumed that because of mitochondrial malfunction, cancer cells had to depend on anaerobic glycolysis to generate ATP. It was demonstrated, however, that cancer cells with intact mitochondria also showed evidence of the Warburg effect. Thus, an alternative explanation was proposed: the Warburg effect helps cancer cells harness additional ATP to meet the high energy demand required for their extraordinary growth while providing a basic building block of metabolites for their proliferation. A third view suggests that the Warburg effect is a defense mechanism, protecting cancer cells from the higher than usual oxidative environment in which they survive. Interestingly, the latter view does not conflict with the high-energy production view, as increased glucose metabolism enables cancer cells to produce larger amounts of both antioxidants to fight oxidative stress and ATP and metabolites for growth. The combination of these two different hypotheses may explain the Warburg effect, but critical questions at the mechanistic level remain to be explored. Cancer shows complex and multi-faceted behaviors. Previously, there has been no overall plan or systematic approach to integrate and interpret the complex signaling in cancer cells. A new paradigm of collaboration and a well-designed systemic approach will supply answers to fill the gaps in current cancer knowledge and will accelerate the discovery of the connections behind the Warburg mystery. An integrated understanding of cancer complexity and tumorigenesis is necessary to expand the frontiers of cancer cell biology.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.75-83
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• 2021

The tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) structure got more consideration for development of high performance solar cells by the introduction of a tunnel oxide layer between the substrate and poly-Si is best for attaining interface passivation. The quality of passivation of the tunnel oxide layer clearly depends on the bond of SiO in the tunnel oxide layer, which is affected by the subsequent annealing and the tunnel oxide layer was formed in the suboxide region (SiO, Si₂O, Si₂O₃) at the interface with the substrate. In the suboxide region, an oxygen-rich bond is formed as a result of subsequent annealing that also improves the quality of passivation. To control the surface morphology, annealing profile, and acceleration rate, an oxide tunnel junction structure with a passivation characteristic of 700 mV or more (V_oc) on a p-type wafer could achieved. The quality of passivation of samples subjected to RTP annealing at temperatures above 900℃ declined rapidly. To improve the quality of passivation of the tunnel oxide layer, the physical properties and thermal stability of the thin layer must be considered. TOPCon silicon solar cell has a boron diffused front emitter, a tunnel-SiO_x/n⁺-poly-Si/SiN_x:H structure at the rear side, and screen-printed electrodes on both sides. The saturation currents J_o of this structure on polished surface is 1.3 fA/cm² and for textured silicon surfaces is 3.7 fA/cm² before printing the silver contacts. After printing the Ag contacts, the J_o of this structure increases to 50.7 fA/cm² on textured silicon surfaces, which is still manageably less for metal contacts. This structure was applied to TOPCon solar cells, resulting in a median efficiency of 23.91%, and a highest efficiency of 24.58%, independently. The conversion efficiency of interdigitated back-contact solar cells has reached up to 26% by enhancing the optoelectrical properties for both-sides-contacted of the cells.