• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.64-72
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• 2023

Despite several advances in identification of cardiac transcription factors, there are still needs to find new bioactive molecules that promote cardiomyogenesis from stem cells to highly efficient myocardial differentiation. We analyzed Illumina expression microarray data of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs)-derived cardiomyocytes. 276 genes were upregulated (≥ 4fold) in mESCs-derived cardiomyocytes compared undifferentiated ESCs. Secreted phosphoprotein 2 (Spp2) is one of candidates and is known to inhibit bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) signal transduction as a pseudoreceptor for BMP2. However, its function in cardiomyogenesis is unknown. We confirmed that Spp2 expression increased during the differentiation into functional cardiomyocytes using mESCs, TC-1/Kh2 and E14. Interestingly, Spp2 secretion transiently increased 3 days after formation of embryoid bodies (EBs), indicating that the extracellular secretion of Spp2 is involved in the differentiation of ESCs into cardiomyocytes. To characterize Spp2, we performed experiments using the C2C12 mouse myoblast cell line, which has the property of shifting the differentiation pathway from myoblastic to osteoblastic by treatment with BMP2. Similar to the differentiation of ESCs, transcription of Spp2 increased as C2C12 myoblasts differentiated into myotubes. In particular, Spp2 secretion increased dramatically in the early stage of differentiation. Furthermore, treatment with Spp2-Flag recombinant protein promoted the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts into myotubes. Taken together, we suggest a novel bioactive protein Spp2 that differentiates ESCs into cardiomyocytes. This may be useful for understanding the molecular pathways of cardiomyogenesis and for experimental or clinical promotion of stem cell therapy for ischemic heart diseases.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2022.06a
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• pp.1249-1249
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• 2022

The facade, an exterior material of a building, is one of the crucial factors that determine its morphological identity and its functional levels, such as energy performance, earthquake and fire resistance. However, regardless of the type of exterior materials, huge property and human casualties are continuing due to frequent exterior materials dropout accidents. The quality of the building envelope depends on the detailed design and is closely related to the back frames that support the exterior material. Detailed design means the creation of a shop drawing, which is the stage of developing the basic design to a level where construction is possible by specifying the exact necessary details. However, due to chronic problems in the construction industry, such as reducing working hours and the lack of design personnel, detailed design is not being appropriately implemented. Considering these characteristics, it is necessary to develop the detailed design process of exterior materials and works based on the domain-expert knowledge of the construction industry using artificial intelligence (AI). Therefore, this study aims to establish a detailed design automation algorithm for AI-based condition-responsive exterior wall panels and their back frames. The scope of the study is limited to "detailed design" performed based on the working drawings during the exterior work process and "stone panels" among exterior materials. First, working-level data on stone works is collected to analyze the existing detailed design process. After that, design parameters are derived by analyzing factors that affect the design of the building's exterior wall and back frames, such as structure, floor height, wind load, lift limit, and transportation elements. The relational expression between the derived parameters is derived, and it is algorithmized to implement a rule-based AI design. These algorithms can be applied to detailed designs based on 3D BIM to automatically calculate quantity and unit price. The next goal is to derive the iterative elements that occur in the process and implement a robotic process automation (RPA)-based system to link the entire "Detailed design-Quality calculation-Order process." This study is significant because it expands the design automation research, which has been rather limited to basic and implemented design, to the detailed design area at the beginning of the construction execution and increases the productivity by using AI. In addition, it can help fundamentally improve the working environment of the construction industry through the development of direct and applicable technologies to practice.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.670-681
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is caused by reactive oxygen species and free radicals that accelerate inflammatory responses and exacerbate fatigue. Tormentic acid (TA) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the aim of present study is to determine the fatigue-regulatory effects of TA in H₂O₂-stimulated myoblast cell line, C2C12 cells and treadmill stress test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) animal models. MATERIALS/METHODS: In the in vitro study, C2C12 cells were pretreated with TA before stimulation with H₂O₂. Then, malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glycogen, and cell viability were analyzed. In the in vivo study, the ICR male mice were administered TA or distilled water orally daily for 28 days. FST and TST were then performed on the last day. In addition, biochemical analysis of the serum, muscle, and liver was performed. RESULTS: TA dose-dependently alleviated the levels of MDA, LDH, CK activity, TNF-α, and IL-6 in H₂O₂-stimulated C2C12 cells without affecting the cytotoxicity. TA increased the SOD and CAT activities and the glycogen levels in H₂O₂-stimulated C2C12 cells. In TST and FST animal models, TA decreased the FST immobility time significantly while increasing the TST exhaustion time without weight fluctuations. The in vivo studies showed that the levels of SOD, CAT, citrate synthase, glycogen, and free fatty acid were increased by TA administration, whereas TA significantly reduced the levels of glucose, MDA, LDH, lactate, CK, inflammatory cytokines, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and cortisol compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: TA improves fatigue by modulating oxidative stress and energy metabolism in C2C12 cells and animal models. Therefore, we suggest that TA can be a powerful substance in healthy functional foods and therapeutics to improve fatigue.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.420-428
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• 2023

Crosslinking was introduced into vinylized-mesoporous silica and recycled polyethylene. By introducing a vinyl group into the mesoporous silica, it becomes a material capable of inducing cross-linking with non-polar polyethylene. By synthesizing vinylized-mesoporous silica and inducing crosslinking with recycled polyethylene, a recycled polyethylene composite with improved physical properties than existing recycled polyethylene was synthesized. In addition, even when a small amount is added according to the grade of recycled polyethylene using vinylized-mesoporous silica, the crosslinking reaction proceeds and all physical properties are improved. Four types of vinylized-mesoporous silica were synthesized, and the shape, microstructure, and functional groups were analyzed by TEM, BET, FT-IR, and XRD. Using vinylized-mesoporous silica, three types of compounds were blended by crosslinking reaction with recycled polyethylene. In order to confirm the presence or absence of crosslinking, analysis was performed using XPS and FT-IR, and physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, flexural strength, and flexural modulus were confirmed using a universal testing machine. As a result, by applying vinylized-mesoporous silica to recycled polyethylene in various grades, the weak physical properties of existing recycled polyethylene were overcome. By applying the vinylized-mesoporous silica, recycled polyethylene composite material that overcomes the weak physical properties to the normal polyethylene, it shows the optimal physical property index that can be used commercially. Therefore, it is expected that it can potentially increase the use of recycled polyethylene and recycle resources.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.796-803
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• 2013

Property changes and bacterial characterizations by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) were investigated during the fermentation of Makgeollies by 5 isolated yeast strains. Changes of pH were large between day 0 (pH 6) and day 2 (pH 3) and showed less variation after then. ANOVA analyses revealed that pHs were statistically different with fermentation times (p<0.001), while strains (p=0.60) did not. Acidities were changed from 0.19 to 1.04% and showed rather high increase from day 2, and fermentation times (p<0.001) and strains (p=0.006) represented statistical differences. All strains showed less than 0.150% at amino-type nitrogen contents except S strain showed 0.442% at day 8, and there were no statistical differences with fermentation times (p=0.4558) and strains (p=0.3513). Saccharinities of C strain were higher from day 4, and fermentation times (p<0.0001) and strains (p=0.007) showed statistical differences. Large variation of alcohol concentrations (%) were observed between day 0 (0%) and day 2 (10%) and showed less variation after day 2, and there was no statistical difference with strains. Dominant prokaryotes were Lactobacillus fermentum and Pediococcus pentosaceus, which producing acids and functional materials. Dominant eukaryote was Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which might be resulted from addition of yeasts.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.68-73
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• 2003

This study performed from 2002 October to 2003 April. The samples were taken at 66 sites, divided into the 6 sections functionally in the southern part of Seoul such as Yangchon-gu, Kangseo-gu, Kuro-gu, Yeongdengpo-gu, Kwanak-gu, Dongjak-gu, Seocho-gu, Kangnam-gu, Songpa-gu, and Kangdong-gu. The result of research showed that each property soil was pH 4.7∼9.5, Cd; 0.391 mg/kg (0.011∼l.081 mg/kg). Cu; 12.35 mg/kg (0.061∼73.62 mg/kg), Pb; 13.04 mg/kg (N.D.∼61.85 mg/kg), Hg; 0.0866 mg/kg (N.D.∼1.353 mg/kg), F; 206.8 mg/kg(47.1∼561.1mg/kg). The minimum and maximum of the concentration with functional soils were Cd; 0.632 mg/kg for multi-purposed soil,0.079 mg/kg for schools, Cu; 21.35 mg/kg for roadside, 2.159 mg/kg for schools, Pb; 24.70 mg/kg for roadside, 1.030 mg/kg for schools, Hg; 0.1780 mg/kg for multi purposed, 0.0087 mg/kg for schools. Especially F was the high concentration at the hills. Also the concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg and F at school Zone was detected such as low. area of schools area was detected the low concentrations as the items of Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, and F. The average concentrations of metals and fluorine in the survey area were below the Preliminary Standard of the Soil Preservation Acts in Korea. To evaluate the soil quality of these area showed as a good qualified results. The results of SQPI (Soil Quality Pollution Index the qualified results as much as 86.4%.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.746-752
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• 2016

This research was carried out to identify aerodynamic property as a function of moisture content for designing equipment such as for post-harvest management. Terminal velocity of two wheat varieties {Backjjung (B) and Jogyeong (J)} with selected sound, damaged kernel and foreign materials (Wheat stick, Wheat husks) were measured with a designed vertical wind column at different moisture contents from about 9 to 30% wet basis. The results showed that terminal velocity of wheat and foreign materials except of Jogyeong's husks (p<0.05) had a significant difference at p<0.001. With increasing moisture content, the aerodynamic property values of the kernels and foreign materials of the two wheat varieties increased linearly. In detail, terminal velocity of sound and damaged kernel increased from 5.46 to 7.13 m/sec (B) and 7.48 to 8.60 m/sec (J), damaged kernel from 5.91 to 7.00 m/sec (B) and 6.48 to 7.75 m/sec (J). For foreign materials the terminal velocity of wheat stick increased from 2.92 to 4.07 m/sec (B) and 3.74 to 5.22 m/sec (J) whereas that of husks from 1.07 to 1.85 m/sec (B) and 2.02 to 2.33 m/sec (J) each. For air separation of wheat and foreign materials, the air flow should be less than 5.22 m/sec due to the range (1.07~5.22 m/sec) of foreign materials in wheat.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.201-213
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• 2003

The adsorption property and ability of domestic zeolites for some heavy metal ions (Ag, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn), which may cause a serious environmental problem in industrial wastewater, were evaluated on ore unit through a series of adsorption experiments together with careful examinations of mineral composition and properties of the zeolites. Though the adsorption behavior basically took place in the form of a cation exchange reaction, the higher CEC value does not necessarily to imply the higher adsorption capacity for a specific heavy metal. A general trend of the adsorption selectivity for heavy metals in the zeolites is determined to be as follow: $Ag\geq$Pb>Cr,Cu$\geq$Zn>Mn, but the adsorption properties of heavy metal ions somewhat depend on the species and composition of zeolite. Clinoptilolite tends to adsorb selectively Cu in case of Cr and Cu, whereas heulandite prefers Cr to Cu. A dominant adsorption selectivity of the zeolite ores for Ag and Pb is generally conspicuous regardless of their zeolite species and composition. The zeolite ores exhibit a preferential adsorption especially for $Ag^{+}$ so as not to regenerate when treated with $Na^{+}$ . In the adsorption capacity for heavy meta ions, the zeolites differ in great depending on their species: ferrierite>clinoptilolite>heulandite. Considering the CEC value of mordenite, the mordenite-rich ore appears to be similar to the clinoptilolite ore in the adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity for heavy metals is not positively proportional to the CEC values of the zeolites measured by the exchange reaction with ammonium ion. In addition, the adsorption capacity roughly tends to depend on the zeolite contents, i.e., the grade of zeolite ore, but the trend is not consistent at all in some ores. These may be caused by the adsorption selectivity for some specific heavy metals, the presence of possible stacking micro-faults and natural cations such as K hardly to exchange in the zeolite. Considering the economic availability and functional effectiveness as natural zeolite resources, clinoptilolite ores could be applicable to utilize the domestic zeolites for the removal of heavy metals.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.238-243
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• 2011

Amelanchier asiatica fruits have been used as a traditional medical food. This research was investigated to assess angiotensin converting enzyme, xanthine oxidase (XOase) and elastase inhibitory activity and antioxidant activities. The content of total phenolic compounds in A. asiatica fruits extracts was 17.6mg/mL. In extracts, the electron donating ability by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging test of A. asiatica fruits extracts was 90.18% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. The 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical decolorization of A. asiatica fruits extracts was 98.81% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. The inhibition rate of the antioxidant protection factor was 1.03, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance was 73.27% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. The XOase inhibition activity of A. asiatica fruits extracts of showed to be 13.19% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. The angiotensin converting enzyme activity was significantly inhibited by A. asiatica fruits extracts as 82.52% inhibitory rate at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Elastase inhibitory activity in the A. asiatica fruits extracts (41.48% at $200{\mu}g/mL$) was higher than vitamin C (12.8% at $200{\mu}g/mL$). These results suggests that A. asiatica fruits extracts have the greatest property as a functional food and functional cosmetic source.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.609-614
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• 2013

This study investigated the spontaneous combustion behavior of solvent-treated low rank coals. Indonesian lignite (a KBB and SM coal) and sub-bituminous (a Roto coal) were mixed with non-polar 1-methyl naphthalene (1MN) either by mechanical agitation or ultrasonication. The property change associated with 1MN treatment was then analyzed using proximate analysis, calorific value analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and moisture re-adsorption test. Susceptibility to spontaneous combustion was evaluated using crossingpoint temperature (CPT) measurement along with gas analysis by GC. A FT-IR profile showed that oxygen functional groups and C-H bonding became weaker when treated by 1 MN. XPS results also indicated a decrease of the oxygen groups (C-O-, C=O and COO-). Increased hydrophobicity was found in the 1MN treated coals during moisture readsorption test. A CPT of the treated coals was ${\sim}20^{\circ}C$ higher than that of the corresponding raw coals and the ultrasonication was more effective way to enhance the stability against spontaneous combustion than the agitation. In the gas analysis less CO and $CO_2$ were emitted from 1MN treated coals, also indicating inhibition of pyrophoric behavior. The surface functional groups participating in the oxidation reaction seemed to be removed by the ultrasonication more effectively than by the simple mechanical agitation.