• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.45-55
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• 2005

Knowledge of the relationship between crop yield and yield-limiting factors is essential for precision farming. However, developing this knowledge is not easy because these yield-limiting factors are interrelated and affect crop yield in different ways. In this study, data for grain yield and yield-limiting factors, including crop chlorophyll content, soil chemical properties, and topography were collected for a small (0.3 ha) rice paddy field in Korea and a large (36 ha) upland corn field in the USA, and relationships were investigated with path analysis. Using this approach, the effects of limiting factors on crop yield could be separated into direct effects and indirect effects acting through other factors. Path analysis provided more insight into these complex relationships than did simple correlation or multiple linear regression analysis. Results of correlation analysis for the rice paddy field showed that EC, Ca, and $SiO_2$ had significant (P<0.1) correlations with rice yield, while pH, Ca, Mg, Na, $SiO_2,\;and\;P_2O_5$ had significant correlations with the SPAD chlorophyll reading. Path analysis provided additional information about the importance and contribution paths of soil variables to rice yield and growth. Ca had the highest direct effect (0.52) and indirect effect via Mg (-0.37) on rice yield. The indirect effect of Mg through Ca (0.51) was higher than the direct effect (-0.38). Path analysis also enabled more appropriate selection of important factors limiting crop yield by considering cause-and-effect relationships among predictor and response variables. For example, although pH showed a positive correlation (r=0.35) with SPAD readings, the correlation was mainly due to the indirect positive effects acting through Mg and $SiO_2$, while pH not only showed negative direct effects, but also negatively impacted indirect effects of other variables on SPAD readings. For the large upland Missouri corn field, two topographic factors, elevation and slope, had significant (P<0.1) direct effects on yield and highly significant (P<0.01) correlations with other limiting factors. Based on the correlation analysis alone, P and K were determined to be nutrients that would increase corn yield for this field. With the help of path analysis, however, increases in Mg could also be expected to increase corn yield in this case. In general, path analysis results were consistent with published optimum ranges of nutrients for rice and com production. We conclude that path analysis can be a useful tool to investigate interrelationships between crop yield and yield limiting factors on a site-specific basis.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.227-232
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• 2013

Al-based alloys have recently attracted considerable interest as structural materials and light weight materials due to their excellent physical and mechanical properties. For the investigation of the potential of Al-based alloys, a surface porous $Al_{88}Cu_6Si_6$ eutectic alloy has been fabricated through a chemical leaching process. The formation and microstructure of the surface porous $Al_{88}Cu_6Si_6$ eutectic alloy have been investigated using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The $Al_{88}Cu_6Si_6$ eutectic alloy is composed of an ${\alpha}$-Al dendrite phase and a single eutectic phase of $Al_2Cu$ and ${\alpha}$-Al. We intended to remove only the ${\alpha}$-Al phase and then the $Al_2Cu$ phase would form a porous structure on the surface with open pores. Both acidic and alkaline aqueous chemical solutions were used with various concentrations to modify the influence on the microstructure and the overall chemical reaction was carried out for 24 hr. A homogeneous open porous structure on the surface was revealed via selective chemical leaching with a $H_2SO_4$ solution. Only the ${\alpha}$-Al phase was successfully leached while the morphology of the $Al_2Cu$ phase was maintained. The pore size was in a range of $1{\sim}5{\mu}m$ and the dealloying depth was nearly $3{\mu}m$. However, under an alkaline NaOH, aqueous solution, an inhomogeneous porous structure on the surface was formed with a 5 wt% NaOH solution and the morphology of the $Al_2Cu$ phase was not preserved. In addition, the sample that was leached by using a 7 wt% NaOH solution crumbled. Al extracted from the Al2Cu phase as ${\alpha}$-Al phase was dealloyed, and increasing concentration of NaOH strongly influenced the morphology of the $Al_2Cu$ phase and sample statement.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.26-32
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• 2015

Toll-like receptors (TLR) 7 and 9 transduce a cellular signal through the MyD88-dependent pathway and induce the production of inflammatory mediators against microbial nucleotide components. The repeated stimulation of TLR4 leads to endotoxin tolerance, but the molecular mechanisms of tolerance induced through the costimulation of individual TLR has not yet been established, although endosomal TLRs share signaling pathways with TLR4. In the present study, mouse macrophages were simultaneously stimulated with the TLR7 agonist, gardiquimod (GDQ), and the TLR9 agonist, CpG ODN 1826, to examine the mechanism and effector functions of macrophage tolerance. Compared with individual stimulation, the costimulation of both TLRs reduced the secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 through the delayed activation of the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway; notably, IL-10 remained unchanged in costimulated macrophages. This tolerance reflected the early induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1), according to the detection of elevated TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion and restored NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling in response to the siRNA-mediated abrogation of SOCS-1 signaling. In addition, the restimulation of each TLRs using the same ligand significantly reduced the expression of both TLRs in endosomes. These findings revealed that the costimulation of TLR7 and TLR9 induced macrophage tolerance via SOCS-1, and the restimulation of each receptor or both TLR7 and TLR9 downregulated TLR expression through a negative feedback mechanisms that protects the host from excessive inflammatory responses. Moreover, the insufficient and impaired immune response in chronic viral infection might also reflect the repeated and simultaneous stimulation of those endosomal TLRs.

• 한국정보과학회논문지:소프트웨어및응용
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• 제36권9호
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• pp.706-717
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• 2009

웹 어플리케이션은 프레임워크가 제공하는 라이브러리를 재사용해서 구현하며, 다계층 아키텍처를 갖는다. 또한 사용자 요청을 처리하기 위해, 화면에서 시작하여 해당 웹 어플리케이션 구성 컴포넌트를 실행하고 데이터베이스를 경유하여 다시 화면으로 돌아오는 실행 흐름, 즉 비즈니스 로직을 갖는다. 웹 어플리케이션을 효과적으로 테스트하기 위해서는 이러한 웹 어플리케이션의 특징을 반영하는 테스트 방안이 필요하다. 본 논문은 웹 어플리케이션 테스트를 위해 사용자 화면으로 테스트를 수행하되, 웹 비즈니스 로직 상의 인터페이스 테스트 커버리지로 검증하는 방법을 제안한다. 이를 자동화한 테스트 도구인 Testopiacov를 통해 웹 어플리케이션을 테스트하고 그 결과를 통하여 제안하는 웹 어플리케이션 테스트 방법을 분석한다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제47권10호
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• pp.575-580
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• 2014

In this study, we investigate whether arsenite-induced DNA damage leads to p53-dependent premature senescence using human glioblastoma cells with p53-wild type (U87MG-neo) and p53 deficient (U87MG-E6). A dose dependent relationship between arsenite and reduced cell growth is demonstrated, as well as induced ${\gamma}H2AX$ foci formation in both U87MG-neo and U87MG-E6 cells at low concentrations of arsenite. Senescence was induced by arsenite with senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase staining. Dimethyl- and trimethyl-lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3DMK9 and H3TMK9) foci formation was accompanied by p21 accumulation only in U87MG-neo but not in U87MG-E6 cells. This suggests that arsenite induces premature senescence as a result of DNA damage with heterochromatin forming through a p53/p21 dependent pathway. p21 and p53 siRNA consistently decreased H3TMK9 foci formation in U87M G-neo but not in U87MG-E6 cells after arsenite treatment. Taken together, arsenite reduces cell growth independently of p53 and induces premature senescence via p53/p21-dependent pathway following DNA damage.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.501-509
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• 2016

Shikonin, which derives from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has been traditionally used against a variety of diseases, including cancer, in Eastern Asia. Here we determined that shikonin inhibits proliferation of gastric cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. Shikonin's biological activity was validated by observing cell viability, caspase 3 activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and apoptotic marker expressions in AGS stomach cancer cells. The concentration range of shikonin was 35-250 nM with the incubation time of 6 h. Protein levels of Nrf2 and p53 were evaluated by western blotting and confirmed by real-time PCR. Our results revealed that shikonin induced the generation of ROS as well as caspase 3-dependent apoptosis. c-Jun-N-terminal kinases (JNK) activity was significantly elevated in shikonin-treated cells, thereby linking JNK to apoptosis. Furthermore, our results revealed that shikonin induced p53 expression but repressed Nrf2 expression. Moreover, our results suggested that there may be a co-regulation between p53 and Nrf2, in which transfection with siNrf2 induced the p53 expression. We demonstrated for the first time that shikonin activated cell apoptosis in AGS cells via caspase 3- and JNK-dependent pathways, as well as through the p53-Nrf2 mediated signal pathway. Our study validates in partly the contribution of shikonin as a new therapeutic approaches/agent for cancer chemotherapy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.539-545
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• 2016

Nafamostat mesilate (NM), a synthetic serine protease inhibitor, has anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties. The intracellular mediator and external anti-inflammatory external signal in the vascular wall have been reported to protect endothelial cells, in part due to nitric oxide (NO) production. This study was designed to examine whether NM exhibit endothelium dependent vascular relaxation through Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and generation of NO. NM enhanced Akt/eNOS phosphorylation and NO production in a dose- and time-dependent manner in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and aorta tissues obtained from rats treated with various concentrations of NM. NM concomitantly decreased arginase activity, which could increase the available arginine substrate for NO production. Moreover, we investigated whether NM increased NO bioavailability and decreased aortic relaxation response to an eNOS inhibitor in the aorta. These results suggest that NM increases NO generation via the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway, leading to endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation. Therefore, the vasorelaxing action of NM may contribute to the regulation of cardiovascular function.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.78-87
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• 2012

Purpose: Troglitazone (TRO) is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) agonist. TRO has antiproliferative activity on many kinds of cancer cells via G1 arrest. TRO also increases $Cu^{2+}/Zn^{2+}$-superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and catalase. Cell cycle, and SOD and catalase may affect on radiation sensitivity. We investigated the effect of TRO on radiation sensitivity in cancer cells in vitro. Materials and Methods: Three human cervix cancer cell lines (HeLa, Me180, and SiHa) were used. The protein expressions of SOD and catalase, and catalase activities were measured at 2-10 ${\mu}M$ of TRO for 24 hours. Cell cycle was evaluated with flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate. Cell survival by radiation was measured with clonogenic assay. Results: By 5 ${\mu}M$ TRO for 24 hours, the mRNA, protein expression and activity of catalase were increased in all three cell lines. G0-G1 phase cells were increased in HeLa and Me180 by 5 ${\mu}M$ TRO for 24 hours, but those were not increased in SiHa. By pretreatment with 5 ${\mu}M$ TRO radiation sensitivity was increased in HeLa and Me180, but it was decreased in SiHa. In Me180, with 2 ${\mu}M$ TRO which increased catalase but not increased G0-G1 cells, radiosensitization was not observed. ROS produced by radiation was decreased with TRO. Conclusion: TRO increases radiation sensitivity through G0-G1 arrest or decreases radiation sensitivity through catalase-mediated ROS scavenging according to TRO dose or cell types. The change of radiation sensitivity by combined with TRO is not dependent on the PPAR ${\gamma}$ expression level.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제16권12호
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• pp.1968-1976
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• 2006

Recombinant E. coli ACV 1003 (recA:: lacZ) was used to measure low concentrations of DNA-damaging chemicals, which produce $\beta$-galactosidase via an SOS regulon system. Very low $\beta$-galactosidase activities of less than 0.01 unit/ml, $\beta$-galactosidase produced through an SOS response corresponding to the 10 ng/ml (ppb) of DNA damaging chemicals in the environment, can be rapidly determined by using an alternative interferometric biosensor with optically flat thin films of porous silicon rather than by the conventional time-consuming Miller's enzyme assay as well as the ELISA method. fu order to enhance the sensitivity in the interferometry, it needs to obtain more uniform distribution and higher biolinking efficiency, whereas interferometric sensing is rapid, cheap, and advantageous in high throughput by using a multiple-well-type chip. In this study, pore size adjusted to 60 nm for the target enzyme $\beta$-galactosidase to be bound on both walls of a Si pore and a calyx crown derivative was apllied as a more efficient biolinker. Furthermore, anti-$\beta$-galactosidase was previously functionalized with the biolinker for the target $\beta$-galactosidase to be specifically bound. When anti-$\beta$-galactosidase was bound to the calyx-crown derivative-linked surface, the effective optical thickness was found to be three times as high as that obtained without using anti-$\beta$-galactosidase. The resolution obtained was very similar to that afforded by the time-consuming ELISA method; however, the reproducibility was still unsatisfactory, below 1 unit $\beta$-galactosidase/ml, owing to the microscopic non-uniform distribution of the pores in the etched silicon surface.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.344-359
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• 2019

Effects of various types of zeolite on the catalytic performance of hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of bio-oil obtained from waste larch wood pyrolysis were investigated herein. Bifunctional catalysts were prepared via wet impregnation. The catalysts were characterized through XRD, BET, and SEM. Experimental results demonstrated that HDO enhanced the fuel properties of waste wood bio-oil, such as higher heating values (HHV) (20.4-28.3 MJ/kg) than bio-oil (13.7 MJ/kg). Water content (from 19.3 in bio-oil to 3.1-16.6 wt% in heavy oils), the total acid number (from 150 in bio-oil to 28-77 mg KOH/g oil in heavy oils), and viscosity (from 103 in bio-oil to $40-69mm^2/s$ in heavy oils) also improved post HDO. In our experiments, depending on the zeolite support, NiFe/HBeta exhibited a high Si/Al ratio of 38 with a high specific surface area ($545.1m^2/g$), and, based on the yield of heavy oil (18.3-18.9 wt%) and HHV (22.4-25.2 MJ/kg), its performance was not significantly affected by temperature and solvent concentration variations. In contrast, NiFe/zeolite Y, which had a low Si/Al ratio of 5.2, exhibited the highest improved quality for heavy oil at high temperature, with an HHV of 28.3 MJ/kg at $350^{\circ}C$ with 25 wt% of solvent.