• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.416-423
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• 2003

During the last ten years, the need has been increased for reducing maintenance cost for aged equipments and ensuring safety, efficiency and profitability of petrochemical and refinery plants. RBI (Risk Based Inspection) methodology is one of the most promising technologies satisfying the need in the field of integrity management. In this study, a user-friendly software, realRBl for RBI based on the API 581 code was developed. This software has modules for evaluating qualitative and semi-quantitative risk level, analyzing quantitative risks using the potential consequences of a failure of the pressure boundary, and assessing the likelihood of failure. A quantitative analysis was performed for 16 columns in a domestic NCC (Naphtha Cracking Center) plant whose operating time reaches about 12 years. Each column was considered as two equipment parts by dividing into top and bottom. Generic column failure frequencies were adjusted based on likelihood data. After determining release rate, release duration and release mass for each failure scenario, flammable/explosive and toxic consequences were assessed. Current risks for 32 equipment parts were evaluated and risk based prioritization were determined as a final result.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.750-756
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• 2002

The effect of equivalence ratio and velocity on the stability of flame in dump combustor was studied in an atmospheric pressure, laboratory scathe dump combustor operating natural gas. Traditionally, peak-to-peak pressure, fluctuation of the heat release rate and Rayleigh index were used to find and control the combustion instability. Cross correlation coefficients, Ci,j which is defined as the normalized value of the integration of the product of two of the mixer pressure, dump plane pressure and heat release rate, are introduced to see whether the flame is stable or not. Ci,j shows more sensitive to combustion status than Rayleigh index in steadily burning flame. Also, the result indicates that the amplitude of Ci,j between heat release and mixer pressure goes up before the flame at the rich de-stabilizing equivalence ratio near $\psi$=0.85. t means Ci:j at this case has a potential to detect the de-stablizing moment in prior to becoming unstable in dump combustor.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.314-318
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• 2004

Microglia are the major inflammatory cells in the central nervous system and become activated in response to brain injuries such as ischemia, trauma, and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, activated microglia are known to release a variety of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidants such as nitric oxide (NO). Minocycline is a semi-synthetic second-generation tetracycline that exerts anti-inflammatory effects that are completely distinct form its antimicrobial action. In this study, the inhibitory effects of minocycline on NO and prostaglandin E$_2$ (PGE$_2$) release was examined in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-challenged BV2 murine microglial cells. Further, effects of minocycline on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression levels were also determined. The results showed that minocycline significantly inhibited NO and PGE$_2$ production and iNOS and COX-2 expression in BV2 microglial cells. These findings suggest that minocycline should be evaluated as potential therapeutic agent for various pathological conditions due to the excessive activation of microglia.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.262-269
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• 2010

Seventeen fish species were counted in an underwater visual census, and the most common species, Sebastes inermis and Halichoeres poecilopterus, were released. More than 60% of the released S.inermis occurred near a fish farm 5 days after release, but they moved to a distant rocky area, and decreasing numbers were seen near the farm 90 days after release. In pots, a total of 722 individuals belonging to 43 species occurred, and released S.inermis dominated with 174 individuals recaptured during the study period. The other common fish species were Stephanolepis cirrhifer and Acanthopagrus schlegeli. The percentage of recapture was 0.23%, but declined to 0.12% at 90 days after release. The potential predators of released S.inermis included Lateolabrax japonicus and Sebastes schlegeli.

• International Journal of Automotive Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.543-553
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• 2007

It is becoming increasingly difficult for engines using conventional fuels and combustion techniques to meet stringent emission norms. The homogeneous charge compression ignition(HCCI) concept is being evaluated on account of its potential to control both smoke and NOx emissions. However, HCCI engines face problems of combustion control. In this work, a single cylinder water-cooled diesel engine was operated in the HCCI mode. Diesel was injected during the suction stroke($0^{\circ}$ to $20^{\circ}$ degrees aTDC) using a special injection system in order to prepare a nearly homogeneous charge. The engine was able to develop a BMEP(brake mean effective pressure) in the range of 2.15 to 4.32 bar. Extremely low levels of NOx emissions were observed. Though the engine operation was steady, poor brake thermal efficiency(30% lower) and high HC, CO and smoke were problems. The heat release showed two distinct portions: cool flame followed by the main heat release. The low heat release rates were found to result in poor brake thermal efficiency at light loads. At high brake power outputs, improper combustion phasing was the problem. Fuel deposited on the walls was responsible for increased HC and smoke emissions. On the whole, proper combustion phasing and a need for a well- matched injection system were identified as the important needs.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2019

This paper proposes a quantitative criterion for optimization of actuator placement for the Prestress-Accumulation Release (PAR) strategy of mitigation of vibrations. The PAR strategy is a recently developed semi-active control approach that relies on controlled redistribution of vibration energy into high-order modes, which are high-frequency and thus effectively dissipated by means of the natural mechanisms of material damping. The energy transfer is achieved by a controlled temporary removal of selected structural constraints. This paper considers a short-time decoupling of rotational degrees of freedom in a frame node so that the bending moments temporarily cease to be transferred between the involved beams. We propose and test a quantitative criterion for placement of such actuators. The criterion is based on local modal strain energy that can be released into high-order modes. The numerical time complexity is linear with respect to the number of actuators and potential placements, which facilitates quick analysis in case of large structures.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2017

The release profiles of nisin from nisin-incorporating gel foods and the antimicrobial activities of the gels on the growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta in an aqueous system containing the gels have been investigated. A linear regression model was applied to determine the diffusion coefficient (D) for the diffusion of nisin in the gel. The antimicrobial activities of nisin released from 1, 2 and 3% (w/v) agar gels on the growth of B. thermosphacta in a broth medium with and without nisin were investigated. The D decreased from $1.2{\times}10^{-2}$ to $8.2{\times}10^{-3}$ and $6.4{\times}10^{-3}cm^2/s$ as the agar concentration in the gel increased from 1 to 2 and 3% (w/v), demonstrating the diffusion rate in the gels can be controlled by the agar concentration in gel. The agar gel incorporating nisin inhibited the B. thermosphacta growth in the broth medium by prolonging the lag phase. The growth inhibition was enhanced by the addition of nisin in the medium. The results of this study exhibited that the gel food is a feasible nisin delivery system with a controlled release achieved by the adjustment of agar concentration in the system, demonstrating the potential of nisin-incorporating gel for preserving particulate-containing drinks.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.193-201
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• 2022

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) are major causes of hospital- and community-acquired infections. The treatment of biofilm-related infections caused by these bacteria is a global healthcare challenge. Therefore, the development of alternative therapeutics is required. An essential oil extracted from Curcuma zedoaria (CZ) Rosc, also known as white turmeric, has been reported to possess various antimicrobial activities. In the present study, we evaluated the antibiofilm activities of an ethanolic extract of the CZ rhizome against MRSA and MSSA. The results showed that the CZ extract with the highest sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC), 1/2 MIC (0.312 mg/ml), significantly inhibited biofilm production by up to 80-90% in both tested strains. Subsequently, we evaluated the ability of the CZ extract to prevent cell-surface attachment to a 96-well plate and extracellular DNA (eDNA) release from the biofilm. The CZ extract demonstrated an inhibitory effect on bacterial attachment and eDNA release from the biofilm biomass. The CZ extract may inhibit biofilm formation by preventing eDNA release and cell-surface attachment. Therefore, this CZ extract is a potential candidate for the development of alternative treatments for biofilm-associated MRSA and MSSA infections.

• 한국연소학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2013.06a
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• pp.33-35
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• 2013

The present work is an experimental investigation on potential operating range using directly injected gasoline fuel in a single-cylinder compression ignition (CI) engine. The objectives of present study were to apply auto-ignited combustion to gasoline fuel and to evaluate potential operating range. In order to auto-ignite gasoline fuel in CI engine, the fuel direct-injection system and the intake air system were modified that a flow rate and temperature of intake air were regulated. The heat-release rate (HRR), net indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), start of combustion (SOC), and combustion duration were derived from in-cylinder pressure data in a test engine, which has 373.33cc displacement volume and 17.8 compression ratio. The exhaust emission characteristics were obtained emission gas analyzer and smoke meter on the exhaust line system.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from different types of kidney cells under physiologic conditions contribute to homeostasis maintenance, immune-modulation, and cell-to-cell communications. EVs can also negatively affect the progression of renal diseases through their pro-inflammatory, pro-fibrotic, and tumorigenic potential. Inhibiting EVs by blocking their production, release, and uptake has been suggested as a potential therapeutic mechanism based on the significant implication of exosomes in various renal diseases. On the other hand, stem cell-derived EVs can ameliorate tissue injury and mediate tissue repair by ameliorating apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis while promoting angiogenesis and tubular cell proliferation. Recent advancement in biomedical engineering technique has made it feasible to modulate the composition of exosomes with diverse biologic functions, making EV one of the most popular drug delivery tools. The objective of this review was to provide updates of recent clinical and experimental findings on the therapeutic potential of EVs in renal diseases and discuss the clinical applicability of EVs in various renal diseases.