Dynamic Variation in the Semiconductive Tendency of the Passive Film on Duplex Stainless Steel in Corrosion Environments.

Duplex stainless steels, known for their excellent corrosion resistance, are employed in a variety of chloride solutions-acidic, neutral, and alkaline-due to a stable passive film that forms on their surfaces. This study involved polarization tests, EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) measurements, Mott-Schottky plots, and XPS (X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) analyses in both static and dynamic conditions across acidic (1NaCl + 0.1N HCl, pH 1.

Ameliorative Effects of HT074-Inula and Paeonia Extract Mixture on Acute Reflux Esophagitis in Rats via Antioxidative Activity.

HT074, a multiherbal mixture containing extracts from flowers and roots, is used in Korean medicine for gastric disorders. This study investigated the protective mechanisms of HT074 against acute reflux esophagitis (RE) in rats. Nitric oxide (NO) production and mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes (, , , , and ) were evaluated in LPS-induced RAW 264.

Baicalin and baicalein from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi alleviate aberrant neuronal suppression mediated by GABA from reactive astrocytes.

Aims: γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from reactive astrocytes is critical for the dysregulation of neuronal activity in various neuroinflammatory conditions. While Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (S. baicalensis) is known for its efficacy in addressing neurological symptoms, its potential to reduce GABA synthesis in reactive astrocytes and the associated neuronal suppression remains unclear.

Changes in the Average Body Mass Index of Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Korean Elementary School Students: The Role of Physical Education in Student Health.

This study aimed to emphasize the importance of physical education in maintaining sufficient physical activity by examining the average BMI of fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Korea over multiple years. This study investigated changes in the average BMI of fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Korea. It provided foundational data to suggest the role of physical education in student health and set future directions.

Development of an AI-based image/ultrasonic convergence camera system for accurate gas leak detection in petrochemical plants.

Outdoor pipeline leaks are difficult to accurately measure using existing concentration measurement systems installed in petrochemical plants owing to external air currents. Besides, leak detection is only possible for a specific gas. The purpose of this study was to develop an image/ultrasonic convergence camera system that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) to improve pipe leak detection and establish a real-time monitoring system.

Influence of HCl Concentration on Corrosion Behavior between Au or Cu Bonding Wires and the Bond Pad for Semiconductor Packaging.

Wire bonding, one of the methods for electrically connecting a semiconductor chip with a substrate, involves attaching thin metal wires to pads. It is the oldest electrical connection method that exhibits high compatibility with other processes. The metal wires used for electrical connection in wire bonding are mainly made of Au, Cu, and Ag.

The Effect of Fenugreek in Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Fenugreek is a widely used herbal medicine as a complementary therapy for diabetes mellitus. Lots of clinical trials have proved its beneficial effect on glycemic control parameters and lipid profiles. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fenugreek as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Reversible Na Plating/Stripping with High Areal Capacity Using an Electroconductive Liquid Electrolyte System.

Anode-free sodium-metal batteries (AFSMBs) are promising candidates for maximizing energy density and minimizing cost and safety hazards in the absence of metallic sodium during cell assembly. The practical implementation of AFSMBs is hindered by the low cycling stability of Na-metal plating and stripping, particularly under high areal capacities, due to unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer formation with electrolyte decomposition and inactive dead Na formation. Here, we proposed an electroconductive electrolyte system consisting of liquid electrolytes that accept electrons at a certain energy level and form electronically conductive and solid electrolytes that prevent internal short circuit through low electronic conductivity.

Gradient Lithium Metal Infusion in Ag-Decorated Carbon Fibers for High-Capacity Lithium Metal Battery Anodes.

Lithium (Li) metal is a promising anode material for high-energy-density Li batteries due to its high specific capacity. However, the uneven deposition of Li metal causes significant volume expansion and safety concerns. Here, we investigate the impact of a gradient-infused Li-metal anode using silver (Ag)-decorated carbonized cellulose fibers (Ag@CC) as a three-dimensional (3D) current collector.

Fusion Protein of RBP and Albumin Domain III Reduces Lung Fibrosis by Inactivating Lung Stellate Cells.

Activated stellate cells play a role in fibrosis development in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. The fusion protein R-III, which consists of retinol-binding protein and albumin domain III, has been demonstrated to attenuate liver and renal fibrosis by suppressing stellate cell activation. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of R-III against bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice.

Intrusion Detection System CAN-Bus In-Vehicle Networks Based on the Statistical Characteristics of Attacks.

For in-vehicle network communication, the controller area network (CAN) broadcasts to all connected nodes without address validation. Therefore, it is highly vulnerable to all sorts of attack scenarios. This research proposes a novel intrusion detection system (IDS) for CAN to identify in-vehicle network anomalies.

Effect of Laser Peening on the Corrosion Properties of 304L Stainless Steel.

Dry canisters used in nuclear power plants can be subject to localized corrosion, including stress corrosion cracking. External and residual tensile stress can facilitate the occurrence of stress corrosion cracking. Residual stress can arise from welding and plastic deformation.

Metabolic Profiling of Chestnut Shell () Cultivars Using UPLC-QTOF-MS and Their Antioxidant Capacity.

The inner shell of the chestnut () has long been used in Asia as a medicinal herb for improving digestion and blood circulation, and treating diarrhea. However, most chestnut shells are now treated as waste materials in industrial peeling processes. In this study, we examined the metabolite variation among major cultivars of shells using mass spectrometry.

Advances in the development of tubular structures using extrusion-based 3D cell-printing technology for vascular tissue regenerative applications.

Until recent, there are no ideal small diameter vascular grafts available on the market. Most of the commercialized vascular grafts are used for medium to large-sized blood vessels. As a solution, vascular tissue engineering has been introduced and shown promising outcomes.

Genetic Characteristics of Canine Adenovirus Type 2 Detected in Wild Raccoon Dogs () in Korea (2017-2020).

Adenovirus has been detected in a wide range of hosts like dogs, foxes, horses, bats, avian animals, and raccoon dogs. Canine adenoviruses with two serotypes host mammals and are members of the mastadenovirus family. Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) and canine adenovirus type 2 (CAdV-2) cause infectious canine hepatitis and infectious bronchial disease, respectively.

First Isolation of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the Fungal Causative Agent of White-Nose Syndrome, in Korean Bats (Myotis petax).

White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), is a lethal fungal disease that affects hibernating bats in North America. Recently, the presence of Pd was reported in countries neighboring Korea. However, Pd has not been investigated in Korea.

Effect of Laser Peening on Microstructural Changes in GTA-Welded 304L Stainless Steel.

The introduction of tensile residual stress has led to the induction of damage such as fatigue, corrosion fatigue, and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in stainless steel in association with the influence of environments, components, surface defects, and corrosive factors during its use. Compressive residual stress can be achieved through various techniques. Among several methods, laser peening can be more attractive as it creates regularity on the surface with a high-quality surface finish.

Significance of Altered Fatty Acid Transporter Expressions in Uterine Cervical Cancer and Its Precursor Lesions.

Background: High-risk human papilloma virus (HR HPV) infection is a major factor leading to the development of uterine cervical cancer. Data suggest that alterations in lipid metabolism are related to the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. Specifically, the uptake of exogenous fatty acids and their intracellular storage in lipid droplets enables cancer cells to survive and adapt to the changing tumor environment.

Shape-Tuned Multiphoton-Emitting InP Nanotetrapods.

As the properties of a semiconductor material depend on the fate of the excitons, manipulating exciton behavior is the primary objective of nanomaterials. Although nanocrystals exhibit unusual excitonic characteristics owing to strong spatial confinement, studying the interactions between excitons in a single nanoparticle remains challenging due to the rapidly vanishing multiexciton species. Here, a platform for exciton tailoring using a straightforward strategy of shape-tuning of single-crystalline nanocrystals is presented.

A Na ion-selective desalination system utilizing a NASICON ceramic membrane.

Seawater is a virtually unlimited source of minerals and water. Hence, electrodialysis (ED) is an attractive route for selective seawater desalination due to the selectivity of its ion exchange membrane (IEM) toward the target ion. However, a solution-like IEM, which is permeable to water and ions other than the target ion, results in the leakage of water as well as extraction of unwanted ions.

Alkali-Metal-Mediated Reversible Chemical Hydrogen Storage Using Seawater.

The economic viability and systemic sustainability of a green hydrogen economy are primarily dependent on its storage. However, none of the current hydrogen storage methods meet all the targets set by the US Department of Energy (DoE) for mobile hydrogen storage. One of the most promising routes is through the chemical reaction of alkali metals with water; however, this method has not received much attention owing to its irreversible nature.

Effects of Astragalus Extract Mixture HT042 on Circulating IGF-1 Level and Growth Hormone Axis in Rats.

extract mixture HT042 is a standardized functional food granted by the Korean FDA for promoting "Children's Height Growth". In this study, we determined whether HT042 affects circulatory Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) after administration and investigated whether Growth hormone (GH), Growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R), and Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) mRNAs are expressed in the pituitary, and whether Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and Somatostatin (SST) are expressed in the hypothalamus. We also evaluated the growth effect of HT042 on endochondral bone formation.

Dissection of PD-L1 promoter reveals differential transcriptional regulation of PD-L1 in VHL mutant clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is constitutively expressed by hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF2α). It can be induced by interferon gamma (IFNγ) signaling in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Clinical trials of metastatic ccRCCs have suggested that a canonical IFNγ signature is a better biomarker for therapeutic response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) than PD-L1 expression levels in tumor cells.

Investigation on the Structure and Properties of NaZrSiPO as a Solid Electrolyte and Its Application in a Seawater Battery.

The ionic conductivity, bend strength, and electrochemical performance in a seawater battery (SWB) of an NaZrSiPO (vA-NASICON) solid electrolyte were compared to those of NaZrSiPO (H-NASICON). vA-NASICON exhibited three times higher total ionic conductivity (8.6 × 10 S/cm) than H-NASICON (2.

Genetic Characterization and Pathogenicity of H7N7 and H7N9 Avian Influenza Viruses Isolated from South Korea.

H7 low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs) can mutate into highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs). In addition to avian species, H7 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) also infect humans. In this study, two AIVs, H7N9 (20X-20) and H7N7 (34X-2), isolated from the feces of wild birds in South Korea in 2021, were genetically analyzed.