Calcitonin (CT) and CT gene-related peptide (CGRP) are well known to regulate blood calcium concentration and osmotic pressure in vertebrates. Although lophotrochozoan CT-like peptides and their receptors have been characterized in several model species, the presence of CT-like signaling systems in gastropods remains unknown. In this study, we identified two CT-like peptides, Hdh-CT1 and -CT2, and their receptors (CTRs), namely Hdh-CTR-L and -CTR-S, in Pacific abalone. Transcripts encoding Hdh-CT1 and Hdh-CT2 precursors were expressed mainly in neural ganglia. Molluscan CT-type peptides including Hdh-CT peptides were similar in length and showed highly conserved two Cys residues forming a disulfide bond in their N-terminal regions. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that gastropod CTRs, including Hdh-CTRs, belong to a large molluscan CTR subfamily. A luciferase reporter driven by cAMP responsive element was stimulated by Hdh-CT1 but not by Hdh-CT2 in Hdh-CTR-L-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells. In silico docking model using SWISS-MODEL and HPEPDOCK server showed that the N-terminal residues in Hdh-CT1 are deeply inserted into the binding pocket of Hdh-CTR-L. Taken together, the identification of the Hdh-CT system provides a comprehensive insight into the functional CT-type signaling system in marine gastropods.

Si-based anodes are promising alternatives to graphite owing to their high capacities. However, their practical application is hindered by severe volume expansion during cycling. Herein, we propose employing a carbon support to address this challenge and utilize Si-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Specifically, carbon supports with various pore structures were prepared through KOH and NaOH activation of the pitch. In addition, Si was deposited into the carbon support pores via SiH4 chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and to enhance the conductivity and mechanical stability, a carbon coating was applied via CH4 CVD. The electrochemical performance of the C/Si/C composites was assessed, providing insights into their capacity retention rates, cycling stability, rate capability, and lithium-ion diffusion coefficients. Notably, the macrostructure of the carbon support differed significantly depending on the activation agent used. More importantly, the macrostructure of the carbon support significantly affected the Si deposition behavior and enhanced the stability by mitigating the volume expansion of the Si particles. This study elucidated the crucial role of the macrostructure of carbon supports in optimizing Si-based anode materials for LIBs, providing valuable guidance for the design and development of high-performance energy-storage systems.

The thermocatalytic decomposition of methane is a promising method for hydrogen production. To determine the cause of carbonaceous catalyst deactivation and to produce high-value carbon, methane decomposition behavior and deactivated catalysts were analyzed. The surface properties and crystallinity of a commercial activated carbon material, MSP20, used as a methane decomposition catalyst, varied with the reaction time at a reaction temperature of 900 °C. During the initial reaction, MSP20 provided a methane conversion of ≥ 50%; however, the catalyst exhibited rapid deactivation as crystalline carbon grew at surface defects; after 15 min of reaction, approximately 33% methane conversion was maintained. With increasing reaction time, the specific surface area of the catalyst decreased, whereas crystallinity increased. The R-square value of the conversion–crystallinity relationship was significantly higher than that of the conversion–specific surface area relationship; however, neither profile was linear. The activity of the activated carbon catalyst for methane decomposition is mainly determined by the complex actions of the specific surface area and defect sites. The activity was maintained after an initial sharp decline caused by the continuous growth of crystalline carbon product. This study presents the application of carbonaceous catalysts for the decomposition reaction of methane to form COx- free hydrogen, while simultaneously yielding porous carbon materials with an improved electrical conductivity.

As the demand for luxury brands faces uprising trends in popularity, marketing strategies strive to fully encompass the shifting tides of the market. Especially, high-end customers, hereby VIPs, are heavily nurtured based on their high-spending nature. With the understanding of VIP sales behavior based on social comparison and the adequate use of VIP marketing programs, luxury brands can optimize their sales of luxury brands. However, scant research examines the simultaneous impact of social comparison and VIP marketing in the luxury industry.

This research proposes a novel approach to tackle the challenge of categorizing unstructured customer complaints in the automotive industry. The goal is to identify potential vehicle defects based on the findings of our algorithm, which can assist automakers in mitigating significant losses and reputational damage caused by mass claims. To achieve this goal, our model uses the Word2Vec method to analyze large volumes of unstructured customer complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). By developing a score dictionary for eight pre-selected criteria, our algorithm can efficiently categorize complaints and detect potential vehicle defects. By calculating the score of each complaint, our algorithm can identify patterns and correlations that can indicate potential defects in the vehicle. One of the key benefits of this approach is its ability to handle a large volume of unstructured data, which can be challenging for traditional methods. By using machine learning techniques, we can extract meaningful insights from customer complaints, which can help automakers prioritize and address potential defects before they become widespread issues. In conclusion, this research provides a promising approach to categorize unstructured customer complaints in the automotive industry and identify potential vehicle defects. By leveraging the power of machine learning, we can help automakers improve the quality of their products and enhance customer satisfaction. Further studies can build upon this approach to explore other potential applications and expand its scope to other industries.

To investigate the effect of the catalyst and metal–support interaction on the methane decomposition behavior and physical properties of the produced carbon, catalytic decomposition of methane (CDM) was studied using Ni/SiO2 catalysts with different metal–support interactions (synthesized based on the presence or absence of urea). During catalyst synthesis, the addition of urea led to uniform and stable precipitation of the Ni metal precursor on the SiO2 support to produce Ni-phyllosilicates that enhanced the metal–support interaction. The resulting catalyst upon reduction showed the formation of uniform Ni0 particles (< 10 nm) that were smaller than those of a catalyst prepared using a conventional impregnation method (~ 80 nm). The growth mechanisms of methane-decomposition-derived carbon nanotubes was base growth or tip growth according to the metal–support interaction of the catalysts synthesized with and without urea, respectively. As a result, the catalyst with Ni-phyllosilicates resulting from the addition of urea induced highly dispersed and strongly interacting Ni0 active sites and produced carbon nanotubes with a small and uniform diameter via the base-growth mechanism. Considering the results, such a Ni-phyllosilicate-based catalyst are expected to be suitable for industrial base grown carbon nanotube production and application since as-synthesized carbon nanotubes can be easily harvested and the catalyst can be regenerated without being consumed during carbon nanotube extraction process.

New triple tungstate phosphors NaPbLa(WO4)3:Yb3+/Ho3+ (x = Yb3+/Ho3+ = 7, 8, 9, 10) are successfully fabricated by microwave assisted sol-gel synthesis and their structural and frequency upconversion (UC) characteristics are investigated. The compounds crystallized in the tetragonal space group I41/a and the NaPbLa(WO4)3 host have unit cell parameters a = 5.3927(1) and c = 11.7961(3) Å, V = 343.05(2) Å3, Z = 4. Under excitation at 980 nm, the phosphors have yellowish green emissions, which are derived from the intense 5S2/ 5F4 → 5I8 transitions of Ho3+ ions in the green spectral range and strong 5F5 → 5I8 transitions in the red spectral range. The optimal Yb3+:Ho3+ ratio is revealed to be x = 9, which is attributed to the quenching effect of Ho3+ ions, as indicated by the composition dependence. The UC characteristics are evaluated in detail under consideration of the pump power dependence and Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage chromaticity. The spectroscopic features of Raman spectra are discussed in terms of the superposition of Ho3+ luminescence and vibrational lines. The possibility of controlling the spectral distribution of UC luminescence by the chemical content of tungstate hosts is demonstrated.

This study aimed to examine the effect of a mild elevation in serum cholesterol level in a porcine coronary overstretch restenosis model using a balloon angioplasty catheter or drug-eluting coronary stent. Pigs were divided into two groups and were fed a commercial normal diet (CND, n = 4) or a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 4) for 5 weeks. Coronary overstretch injury by balloon angioplasty or stent implantation was induced in the left anterior descending and left circumflex artery after 1 week of feeding. Histopathological analysis was performed at 4 weeks after coronary injury. During the experiment, the total cholesterol level in the HFD group increased by approximately 44.9% (from 65.9 ± 3.21 mg/dL at baseline to 95.5 ± 9.94 mg/dL at 5 weeks). The lumen area in the CND group was reduced in comparison with that in the HFD group after balloon angioplasty. After stent implantation, the injury score showed no significant difference. There were significant differences in the neointimal area (2.7 ± 0.33 mm2 in the CND group vs. 3.3 ± 0.34 mm2 in the HFD group, p<0.05), lumen area (2.6 ± 0.54 mm2 in the CND group vs. 2.0 ± 0.33 mm2 in the HFD group, p<0.05), and percent area stenosis (52.0 ± 7.96% in the CND group vs. 62.4 ± 5.15% in the HFD group, p<0.05). Body weight change was not different between the two groups. Increased serum cholesterol level activated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in the porcine coronary overstretch model.

We want to have an opportunity to learn in a global context why GAN is so important to Jeju as Korea's largest Island in a multi-cultural society. Politically, Jeju Island succeeds have to survive ordeal from Jeju 4.3 Grand Tragedy. Geologically, as Jeju Island is located at center of East Asia, it has benefits from easy access to main cities to the island such as Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Busan, Hong Kong, Taipei and so on. Environmentally, as Jeju was designated UNESCO Biosphere, World Natural Heritage and Geo parks, we want to keep it as a longevity island. Culturally, as we recognize it as a specialized in Western countries by human peace, Jeju as a World Peace Island tries to integrate aging human life agenda into part of a human life one. As the result, we suggest “Korea Care into Global Humanity in the Asia Pacific Context” as integrated policy agenda of both Korea and Peace Island villages for the 2021 GAN Biennial Conference from September 26 to 30, 2021 in Jeju Island Korea. As it based on village healing by villagers, Jeju island is small, as there is slrong soldarity between, we believe it can revive Korea communities.

To elucidate the effect of cellular phone electromagnetic wave (EMW) exposure on the developing cerebellar cortex of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats, animals were exposed to cellular phone electromagnetic waves for 1 hr per day for 3 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed by cardiac perfusion, after which histological samples were prepared and observed microscopically. In the EMW exposure group, external granule cells were remained partially in the external granular layer without migrating into the internal granular layer. In addition, dark stained shrunken Purkinje cells with pyknotic nuclei increased and the outline of cells became irregular and showed degenerative signs, such as mitochondrial swelling and disrupted cristae. Moreover, the cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticula and Golgi complex were severely swollen. Bergmann glial cells adjacent to the dark stained Purkinje cells were swollen and cytoplasmic organelles were scant. Dark stained shrunken granule cells were also observed and the outline of cells was irregular. The results of the present study suggest that cellular phone EMW exposure to neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats leads to a partial delay of early migration of cerebellar cortical cells and degenerative changes in Purkinje cells, Bergmann glial cells and granule cells.

This study was conducted to in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of EtOH extracts of Cordyceps militaris (CM). Antioxidant potential, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of CM EtOH extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. Antioxidant activity of CM extracts was measured by following some well-established methods for free radical scavenging such as 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl hydrate and 1,2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). Moreover, Anti-inflammatory activity of CM extracts was determined by measuring the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide/interferon-γ-activated RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells. In addition, cytotoxicity of CM extracts against macrophages was determined by MTT assay. Our results showed that total phenolic content was 19.7 mg gallic acid/g extract. Total flavonoid content was 5.0 mg Naringin/g. Its antioxidant activity was assessed by IC50 value and the values are 338.8 μg/ml (DPPH radical scavenging), 35.4 μg/ml (ABTS radical scavenging). In addition, CM extracts attenuated NO production through the reduction of cellular inducible NO synthase protein expressions. Using MTT assay on indicate that CM extracts showed no toxicity. In conclusion, these results provide important evidence that CM extracts can potentially be used to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

Metformin (1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride), derived from French lilac (Galega officinalis), is a first-line anti-diabetic drug prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the role of metformin in odontoblastic cell differentiation is still unclear. This study therefore undertook to examine the effect of metformin on regulating odontoblast differentiation in MDPC-23 mouse odontoblastic cells derived from mouse dental papilla cells. As compared to controls, metformin significantly accelerated the mineralization, significantly increased and accelerated the expressions of ALP and Col I mRNAs, and significantly increased the accelerated expressions of DSPP and DMP-1 mRNAs, during differentiation of MDPC-23 cells. There was no alteration in cell proliferation of MDPC-23 cells, on exposure to metformin. These results suggest that the effect of metformin on MDPC-23 mouse odontoblastic cells derived from mouse dental papilla cells, facilitates the odontoblast differentiation and mineralization, without altering the cell proliferation.

A black nickel oxide powder, one of the commercial nickel oxide ores, was reduced by hydrogen gas in a batchtype fluidized-bed reactor in a temperature range of 350 to 500 oC and in a residence time range of 5 to 120 min. The hydrogen reduction behavior of the black nickel oxide was found to be somewhat different from that of green nickel oxide ore. For the black nickel oxide, the maximum temperature (below which nickel oxide particles can be reduced without any agglomeration) was significantly lower than that observed for the green nickel oxide. In addition, the best curve fittings of the Avrami model were obtained at higher values of the overall rate constant “k” and at lower values of the exponent “m”, compared to those values for the green nickel oxide. It may be inferred from these results that the hydrogen reduction rate of the black nickel oxide is faster than that of the green nickel oxide in the early stages, but the situation reverses in the later stages. For the black nickel oxide ore, in spite of the low temperature sintering, it was possible to achieve a high degree fluidized-bed reduction at lower temperatures and at lower gas consumption rates than was possible for the green nickel oxide. In this regard, the use of black nickel oxide is expected to yield a benefit if its ore price is sufficiently lower than that of the green nickel oxide.

Population density of Culex tritaeniorhynchus was annually monitored to predict the possibility of a Japanese encephalitis (JE) outbreak at 10 collection sites throughout Republic of Korea (ROK) during mosquito season from 2011 to 2015. Prevalence of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in ROK was spatially and timely very variable and was significantly highest at Busan city during August. Monthly average population density of Cx. tritaeniorhychus showed high correlation to the monthly average daily average temperature and monthly average precipitation. Two models for the estimation of occurrence of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus based on annual monthly daily average temperature and monthly precipitation are shown with linear regression equations of exp(0.413×temperature-0.949) and exp(0.01258×precipitation+3.777). JE vector surveillance and vector control is warranted as part of an effective JE management program at ROK.

Aster glehni Franchet et Schmidt is a compositae plant and has been known as a native specie in Ulleung Island, Korea. It is officially recognized as a regional specialty that grows only in this region. In 2014, brown and dark spots were observed on aster leaves in a forest research field, Jinju, Korea. A causal agent was isolated from the disease symptomatic leaves and identified as fungus Alternaria solani. Fungal morphological characteristics and molecular identification with internal transcribed spacer sequences were synchronized as A. solani. The isolated fungi reproduced the same disease symptoms when the fungus was artificially inoculated on healthy aster leaves. This is the first report that A. solani caused leaf blight disease in Aster glehni in Korea.

미꾸라지에서의 Nitrofuran계 대사물질인3-amino-2-oxazolidone (AOZ), 5-morpholinomethyl-3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ), 1-ammino-hydantoin (AHD)와 semicarbazide (SEM)의 잔류량을 검사하기 위해HPLC-MS/MS를 이용한 신속한 정량법이 개발되었다. 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (2-NBA)를 이용해 50℃에서 1시간 동안 산 가수분해와 유도체화 과정을 거친 뒤에, 액-액 분배로 정제와 추출을 하였다. 회수율은 음성시료에 3가지 농도 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 μg/kg의 표준액을 첨가하여 평가하였고 평균 회수율은 75.1-108.1% 이었다. 정밀성(%RSD)은 일내 8.7% 이하, 일간 8.5% 이하였다. 직선성은 NBAOZ는 0.2-20 μg/Kg, NBAMOZ는 0.8-20 μg/Kg, NBAHD는 0.2-20 μg/Kg, NBSEM 는 0.1-20 μg/Kg 범위에서 모두 상관계수 0.99이상이었다. 검출한계(LOD)는 NBAOZ 0.06 μg/Kg, NBAMOZ 0.24 μg/Kg, NBAHD 0.06 μg/Kg, NBSEM 0.03 μg/Kg이었고, 정량한계(LOQ)는 NBAOZ 0.2 μg/Kg, NBAMOZ 0.8 μg/Kg, NBAHD 0.2 μg/Kg, NBSEM 0.1 μg/Kg 이었다. 가수분해 및 유도체화 소요시간을 1시간으로 줄여 만든 신속 간편한 이 시험법이미꾸라지 중 nitrofuran metabolites잔류량 분석에 적합함을 확인할 수 있었다.