• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.26-32
• /
• 2022

Living cells generate, sense, and respond to mechanical forces through their interaction with neighboring cells or extracellular matrix, thereby regulating diverse cellular processes such as growth, motility, differentiation, and immune responses. Dysregulation of mechanosensitive signaling pathways is found associated with the development and progression of various diseases such as cancer. Yet, little is known about the mechanisms behind mechano-regulation, largely due to the limited availability of tools to study it at the molecular level. The recent development of molecular tension probes allows measurement of cellular forces exerted by single ligand-receptor interaction, which has helped in revealing the hitherto unknown mechanistic details of various mechanosensitive processes in living cells. Here, we provide an introductory overview of two methods based on molecular tension probes, tension gauge tether (TGT), and molecular tension fluorescence microscopy (MTFM). TGT utilizes the irreversible rupture of double-stranded DNA tether upon application of force in the piconewton (pN) range, whereas MTFM utilizes the reversible extension of molecular springs such as polymer or single-stranded DNA hairpin under applied pN forces. Specifically, the underlying principle of how molecular tension probes measure cell-generated mechanical forces and their applications to mechanosensitive biological processes are described.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.59.2-59.2
• /
• 2019

In this talk, I will explain the implications of a rapid appearance of dark energy between the redshifts ($z$) of one and two on the expansion rate and growth of perturbations. Using both Gaussian process regression and a parametric model, I show that this is the preferred solution to the current set of low-redshift ($z<3$) distance measurements if $H_0=73~\rm km\,s^{-1}\,Mpc^{-1}$ to within 1\% and the high-redshift expansion history is unchanged from the $\Lambda$CDM inference by the Planck satellite. Dark energy was effectively non-existent around $z=2$, but its density is close to the $\Lambda$CDM model value today, with an equation of state greater than $-1$ at $z<0.5$. If sources of clustering other than matter are negligible, we show that this expansion history leads to slower growth of perturbations at $z<1$, compared to $\Lambda$CDM, that is measurable by upcoming surveys and can alleviate the $\sigma_8$ tension between the Planck CMB temperature and low-redshift probes of the large-scale structure.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.41.1-41.1
• /
• 2014

Clusters of galaxies provide unique laboratories to study astrophysical processes on large scales, and are also important probes for cosmology. X-ray observations are still the best way to find and characterise clusters. The extended ROSAT-ESO flux-limited X-ray (REFLEX II) galaxy clusters form currently the largest well-defined and tested X-ray galaxy cluster sample, providing a census of the large-scale structure of the Universe out to redshifts of z-0.4. I will describe the properties of the survey and the X-ray luminosity function, which led to our recent cosmological constraints on omegaM-sigma8. They tighten the previous constraints from other X-ray experiments, showing good agreements with those from the Planck clusters, but some tension exists with the Planck CMB constraints. The second part of my talk will concern the structure of the local Universe, and the study of the first X-ray superclusters. The density of the clusters reveals an under-dense region in the nearby Universe, which has an interesting implication for the cosmological parameters. Using the X-ray superclusters, that are constructed with a physically motivated procedure, I will show environmental aspects that X-ray superclusters provide, and compare to cosmological N-body simulations.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
• /
• v.25 no.A
• /
• pp.87-93
• /
• 2005

Three-dimensional ultrasonic probes being applied to the medical imaging can be grouped into three depending on the scanning methods, which are a mechanical type system, a free-hand system, and 2D phased arrays system. A mechanical type scanner uses a mechanically driven transducer to acquire series of 2D plane images. By integrating these images, a 3-D medical image can be constructed. A motor driving mechanism is a conventional choice for mechanically driving a transducer assembly which picks the raw ultrasonic images up. In this paper we attempt to design a 3D ultrasonic probe which has a operating mechanism of s tilting 3-D scanning. The motion of a transducer assembly of the ultrasonic probe is analytically modelled. We propose a selection procedure for the diameter of a wire rope driving the transducer assembly and the size of torsional spring which gives an initial tension to wire ropes.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.341-348
• /
• 2013

Maintenance of adequate soil tension or content during the period of crop growth is necessary to support optimum plant growth and yields. A better understanding of soil tension and content for precision irrigation would allow optimal soil water condition to crops and minimize the adverse effects of water stress on crop growth and development. This research reports on a comparison of soil water tension and content variations in differently textured soils over time under drip irrigation using two different water management methods, i.e. pulse time and required water irrigation methods. The pulse time-based irrigation was performed by turning the solenoid valve on and off for preset times to allow the wetting front to disperse in root zone before additional water was applied. The required water estimation method was a new water control logic designed by Rural Development Administration that applies the amount of water required based on a conversion of the measured water tension into water content. The use of the pulse time irrigation method under drip irrigation at a high tension of -20 kPa and high temperatures over $30^{\circ}C$ was not successful at maintaining moisture tensions within an appropriate range of 5 kPa because the preset irrigation times used for water control could not compensate for the change in evapotranspiration during day and night. The response time and pattern of water contents for all of the tested soils measured with capacitance-based sensor probes were faster and more direct than those of water tensions measured with porous and ceramic cup-based tensiometers when water was applied, indicating water content would be a better control variable for automatic irrigation. The required water estimation-based irrigation method provided relatively stable control of moisture tension, even though somewhat lower tension values were obtained as compared to the target tension of -20 kPa, indicating that growers could expect to be effective in controlling low tensions ranging from -10 to -20 kPa with the required water estimation system.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.94 no.6
• /
• pp.496-503
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the influences of sapflow flux on soil water tensions and soil moisture content at the Abies holophylla plots in Gwangneung, Gyeonggido, from September to October 2004. The Abies holophylla had been planted in 1976 and thinning and pruning were carried out in 1996 and 2004. Sapflow flux was measured by the heat pulse method, and soil water tension was measured by tensiometer at hillslope and streamside. Time domain reflectometry probes (TDR) were positioned horizontally at the depth of 10, 30 and 50 cm to measure soil moisture content. All of data were recorded every 30 minutes with the dataloggers. The sapflow flux responded sensitively to rainfall, so little sapflow was detected in rainy days. The average daily sapflow flux of sample trees was 10.16l, a maximum was 15.09l, and a minimum was 0.0l. The sapflow flux's diurnal changes showed that sapflow flux increased from 9 am and up to 0.74 l/30 min. The highest sapflow flux maintained by 3 pm and decreased almost 0.0 l/30 mm after 7 pm. The average soil water tensions were low ($-141.3cmH_2O$, $-52.9cmH_2O$ and $-134.2cmH_2O$) at hillslope and high ($-6.1cmH_2O$, $-18.0cmH_2O$ and $-3.7cmH_2O$) at streamside. When the soil moisture content decreased after rainfall, the soil water tension at hillslope responded sensitively to the sapflow flux. The soil water tension decreased as the sapflow flux increased during the day time, whereas increased during the night time when the sapflow flux was not detected. On the other hand, there was no significant relationship between soil water tension and sapflow flux at streamside. Soil moisture content at hillslope decreased continuously after rain, and showed a negative correlation to sapflow flux like a soil water tension at hillslope. As considered results above, it was confirmed that the response of soil moisture tension to sapflow flux at hillslope and streamside were different.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.55.5-56
• /
• 2017

Galaxy dynamics probes weak gravity at accelerations below the de Sitter scale of acceleration adS = cH, where c is the velocity of light and H is the Hubble parameter. Low and high redshift galaxies hereby offer a novel probe of weak gravity in an evolving cosmology, satisfying H(z) = H0(1 + A(6z + 12z^2 +12z^3+ 6z^4+ (6/5)z^5)/(1 + z) with baryonic matter content A sans tension to H0 in surveys of the Local Universe. Galaxy rotation curves show anomalous galaxy dynamics in weak gravity aN < adS across a transition radius r beyond about 5 kpc for galaxy mass of 1e11 solar mass. where aN is the Newtonian acceleration based on baryonic matter content. We identify this behavior with a holographic origin of inertia from entanglement entropy, that introduces a C0 onset across aN=adS with asymptotic behavior described by a Milgrom parameter satisfying a0=omega/(2pi), where omega=sqrt(1-q)H is a fundamental eigenfrequency of the cosmological horizon. Extending an earlier confrontation with data covering 0.003 < aN/adS < 1 at redshift z about zero in Lellie et al. (2016), the modest anomalous behavior in the Genzel et al. sample at redshifts 0.854 < z <2.282 is found to be mostly due to clustering 0.36 < aN/adS < 1 close to the C0 onset to weak gravity and an increase of up to 65% in a0.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.101-109
• /
• 1984

The influences of acute respiratory and metabolic acid-base disturbances on the carotid, renal and coronary blood flow were measured in dogs. Respiratory acidosis was induced by artificial respiration with 8% CO2 -02 gas mixture and respiratory alkalosis was induced by hyperventilation under the control of respirator. Metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis were induced by intravenous infusion of 0.3N hydrochloric acid and 0.6M sodium bicarbonate solution. To observe the effect of hyperkalemia, isotonic potassium chloride solution was infused. CVI electromagnetic flowmeter probes were placed on the left common carotid artery, left renal artery and left circumflex coronary artery. Each flow was recorded on polygraph. 1. The carotid blood flow showed rapid showed rapid and marked increase in acute respiratory acidosis. Even in the cases when arterial blood pressure was lowered during the state of respiratory acidosis, carotid blood flow increased. By the infusion of hydrochloric acid, carotid blood flow increased slowly and returned to the previous label after discontinuation of the infusion. Carotid blood flow also increased by the infusion of large amount of sodium bicarbonate, but it might be the combined effect of expansion of extracellular fluid and compensatory elevation of carbon dioxide tension. 2.The renal blood flow remained unchanged during the acute acid-base disturbances, suggesting effective autoregulation. Renal blood flow, however, increased very slowly when the infusion of potassium chloride continued for a long period. 3.Although less marked than the carotid blood flow, the coronary blood flow increased in the acute respiratory and metabolic acidosis. In asphyxiated condition, coronary blood flow increased most markedly and this might be the combined effect of hypoxia, hypercapnea, and lowering of pH. In summary, the carotid blowflow showed more marked change in the acute respiratory and metabolic acidosis than the renal and coronary blood flow. Respiratory and metabolic components of acid-base disturbances may influence the local blood flow concomitantly, there being more differences in the individual responses, but respiratory component manifested more rapid and marked effect than metabolic component.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 1999

Background: Essential hyperhidrosis is a condition with excessive sweating, which may be localized in any parts of the body. Thoracic sympathectomy has been a surgical procedure for the management of hyperhidrosis. Methods: We studied 30 ASA I and II patients suffering from severe hyperhidrosis. Bilateral upper thoracoscopic sympathectomy of $T_{2-4}$ was performed in 30 patients under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with 2.5% thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg and succinylcholine chloride 1 mg/kg and was maintained with enflurane 1~2 Vol% and $N_2O-O_2$ mixture adjusted to maintain $SpO_2$ greater than 96%. During anesthesia, invasive arterial pressure, heart rate, EKG, $SpO_2$ and capnography were monitored. Skin temperature was measured with thermister probes attached to the index finger of each hand. An increase in temperature after cautery confirmed success of the sympathectomy. Results: There were 14 men and 16 women whose ages ranged from 16 to 46 years old (mean age 22.2). Of these patients, 13 patients had complained of palm-sole hyperhidrosis, 9 of palm-sole-axilla hyperhidrosis, 4 of palm-sole-face hyperhidrosis and 4 of palm-sole-axilla-face hyperhidrosis. The provocative factors of excessive sweating were tension and stress from interpersonal relationships. There was positive familial history in 37%. The most common complication was compensatory hyperhidrosis in 23 patients comprising 76%. Other complication included peumothorax (4 patients), hemothorax (1 patient), ipsilateral Horner's syndrome (1 patient) and paresthesia of right arm (1 patient). The degree of satisfaction was graded as good, fair and poor with 15, 12 and 3 patients, respectively. Conclusions: Thoracoscopic sympathectomy with VATS is an efficient, safe and minimally invasive surgical procedure for essential hyperhidrosis.