In this study, the surface characteristics—including roughness, oxide layer thickness, and composition—of the electropolished layer on STS316L steel tubes subjected to double melting via the VIM/VAR process were investigated after exposure to Cl2 gas. The tubes were exposed to Cl2 gas for 1 to 13 d to simulate semiconductor conditions. Surface roughness increased with Cl2 exposure time, showing values of 0.01, 0.04, 0.04 and 0.03 μm after 0, 1, 5 and 9 d, respectively. At the same time, the oxide layer thickness on EPed STS316L, which was initially 8.2 nm, decreased to 3.18, 2.58 after 1, 5 d of Cl2 exposure, approaching the initial thickness of 2.38 nm observed on non-EPed STS316L. After 9 d, the thickness further decreased to 0.51 nm, with no significant change was observed thereafter. Before Cl2 exposure, the CrO/FeO ratio was 2.26. After 1, 5, and 9 d of exposure, the ratio decreased to 2.06, 1.75, and 1.27, respectively. In addition, the penetration depth of Cl into the oxide layer increased with longer exposure time. These results suggest that the formation of chromium chlorides led to the breakdown of the stable Cr2O3 layer.

This study aims to explore the creative and technological significance of applying real-time motion capture data to XR (Extended Reality)-based multidisciplinary performances. By analyzing the case of the performance All About Error, which integrated real-time captured movements of dancers with audiovisual content delivered on a media wall (LED screen), the research investigates both the potential and the limitations of creating nonlinear, interactive stage environments. The methodology combines a review of prior XR production cases with an in-depth analysis of the actual production process of the performance. The findings demonstrate that the convergence of technology and art in multidisciplinary performances advances beyond traditional unidirectional and linear formats, fostering bidirectional and multidimensional performances that respond in real time to the performers’ movements. This evolution promotes expanded visual communication and discourse between performers and audiences, illustrating the creative potential to redefine the boundaries of live art. Utilizing real-time motion data on stage not only maximizes audience immersion and active participation but also suggests that real-time, interactive technologies in digital media art can expand into a variety of fields, including performing arts and games. This trend points to new directions and growth opportunities in artistic creation and provides important implications for future research in performing arts and interactive media art.

Visfatin, an adipokine secreted by cells, is crucial for intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide+ biosynthesis. Extracellularly, visfatin plays diverse roles in inflammatory conditions, including obesity, which is closely linked to osteoclastogenesis. We previously showed that visfatin enhances receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow-derived macrophages. However, its enzymatic activity during this process is poorly understood. Here, we investigated visfatin’s effects on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. Our results demonstrate that visfatin promotes this differentiation, an effect inhibited by FK866, an inhibitor of visfatin’s enzymatic activity. Furthermore, FK866 also inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. These findings suggest that inhibiting visfatin’s enzymatic activity modulates osteoclast differentiation. Thus, visfatin plays an important role in osteoclastogenesis, both intracellularly and extracellularly, and FK866 has therapeutic potential for diseases characterized by imbalanced osteoclast formation, such as osteoporosis and periodontitis.

In this paper, we investigate asteroseismic scaling-relations of evolved stars in star clusters observed by Kepler/K2, aiming to address the issue of whether observed stellar oscillations are influenced by environmental factors, as there are interesting phenomena relating to the stellar pulsations observed in star clusters. Specifically, we compare statistical properties of distributions including Δν, νmax, HGauss, δνenv, and δν02 derived from red giant branch (RGB) and red clump (RC) stars in two pairs of star clusters: NGC 2682 - NGC 6819 and NGC 1817 - NGC 6811. We have found that the slopes of relations between νmax and Δν and between HGauss and νmax associated with RC stars in the more compact star clusters, NGC 2682 and NGC 1817, are in common less steep compared with those for NGC 6819 and NGC 6811. It is also found that the slopes of the relation between δνenv and νmax from RC stars in the more compact star clusters are in common steeper compared with those for the others. For the relation between δν02 and Δν obtained from RGB stars, the slope resulting from NGC 2682 and NGC 6819 is indistinguishable. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests conducted on RC stars in the pairs of NGC 2682 and NGC 6819, as well as NGC 1817 and NGC 6811, indicate that all the seismic quantities considered in this paper are drawn from different distributions. We conclude, therefore, that the properties of star clusters should be considered when asteroseismic data obtained from stars within star clusters are interpreted.

Much effort has been carried out to calibrate and revise asteroseismic relations, given their importance of relations in asteroseismology in determining fundamental parameters of stars. In this study, we statistically explore asteroseismic relations with partial correlation coefficients to determine the most fundamental parameters, separately analyzing asteroseismic data based on the evolutionary status of stars from main sequence up to core helium-burning red-clump stars. We have found that regardless of the evolutionary status of the sampled stars the surface gravity and density of stars strongly influence the observed correlations. More importantly, it is found that indirect correlations derived considering the influence of confounding parameters are subject to the evolutionary status. For example, the observed correlation of the large frequency separation Δν with the central frequency νmax is influenced by the stellar mass, radius, and luminosity only for main sequence stars. The observed correlation of the width of the Gaussian envelope δνenv with νmax is influenced by the stellar mass, effective temperature, radius, and luminosity for main-sequence and subgiant stars. The observed relation between Δν and the small frequency separation δν02 is influenced by the stellar mass, radius, and luminosity for main-sequence and subgiant stars. In contrast, effective temperature, metallicity, and age do not seem to significantly affect the observed correlations. Finally, we conclude by discussing implication of our findings.

넷플릭스의 앤솔로지 애니메이션 시리즈인 <러브, 데스 + 로봇>(Love, Death + Robot) 시즌 3의 에피소드 중 하나이자 알베르토 미엘고 감독이 연출한 단편 애니메이션 <히바로>(Jibaro) 는 공개 당시 작품의 굉장한 몰입감과 사실감으로 화제가 되었다. 그렇지만 <히바로>가 포토 리얼리스틱(Photo-realistic)한 이미지 구현을 목표로 한 작품이라고 보기는 어렵다. 감독의 개성이 애니메이션 매체의 자유로운 표현력을 통해 작품 곳곳에서 드러나기 때문이다. 본 연 구는 <히바로>가 놀라운 사실감을 보여주면서도 초현실적, 환상적 이미지 역시 동시에 담아내 는 독특한 성취를 이룬 작품이며 이를 이루고 있는 구성 요소들을 분석해 볼 필요성이 있다는 판단 아래 진행되었다. 또한, <히바로>에 대한 연구가 국내에서 거의 이뤄지지 않은 상황이기 때문에 본 논문이 더욱 가치를 가질 것으로 기대한다. 본 연구에서는 우선 볼터와 그루신의 재매개 이론에 대해 살펴본 후, 재매개 이론에서 설명하고 있는 재매개의 형태와 방향에 관해 서술하였다. 이후에는 <히바로>의 구성 요소들을 재매개 이론을 바탕으로 분석하며 <히바로> 가 사실성과 환상성을 결합한 방식을 분석해 보았다.

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.

Entomopathogenic fungi are used to produce raw materials by applying solid culture technology using grains. But there are various problems such as low production efficiency and cross-contamination. Solvum Co., Ltd. conducted research on liquid culture technology to develop a method that can overcome these shortcomings of solid culture technology. We conducted research and development on using Beauveria bassiana 331R to observe the culture according to the seed inoculation amount in a 30 L fermenter, it was carried out at 1.0 % (v/v) and 10.0 % (v/v). Although there was a difference of 1 day, 1.0 %(v/v) seed inoculation was observed to be more than twice that, and active blastospores and yield were observed at over 95.0 %. As a results, it was determined that cost and efficient production would be possible during the culture process in mass production. Based on these experiments, a 300 L fermenter was cultured with 1.0 % (v/v) seed inoculation, resulting in a yield of 1.24E+09 CFU/mL on the 6th day of cultivation. As a result of freeze-drying using the final culture medium, it was confirmed that the production yield was improved by 113.0 % compared to the control.

This study supplements the literature by determining how restaurant innovativeness is linked to customer advocacy as well as considering self-image congruity as mediator of this relationship. A questionnaire survey of 385 restaurant customers was conducted in Taiwan. The results indicated that restaurant innovativeness is positively related to customers’ self-image congruity and customer advocacy. Customers’ self-image congruity is positively associated with customer advocacy. In addition, self-image congruity mediates the relationship between restaurant innovativeness and customer advocacy. The research contributes to literature by extend the relationships between restaurant innovativeness, self-image congruity, and customer advocacy. Restaurant managers should adopt approaches (e.g. innovativeness-related activities) for enhancing self-image congruity in customers.