Coincidence measurement of the nonmesonic weak decay of ¹²_<i>Λ</i>C

Kim, M.J.,Ajimura, S.,Aoki, K.,Banu, A.,Bhang, H.,Fukuda, T.,Hashimoto, O.,Hwang, J.I.,Kameoka, S.,Kang, B.H.,Kim, E.H.,Kim, J.H.,Maruta, T.,Miura, Y.,Miyake, Y.,Nagae, T.,Nakamura, M.,Nakamura, S.N. Elsevier 2006 Physics letters: B Vol.641 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>We have measured the angular correlation of the pair nucleons <I>np</I> and <I>nn</I> emitted from the nonmesonic weak decay (NMWD) of <SUP>12</SUP><SUB><I>Λ</I></SUB>C produced via the (<SUP>π+</SUP>,<SUP>K+</SUP>) reaction in coincidence measurement. The Λp→np and Λn→nn modes were clearly identified by measuring the back-to-back correlation of the emitted nucleon pairs which is the characteristic of two-body kinematics. From the measured nucleon pair numbers <SUB>Nnn</SUB> and <SUB>Nnp</SUB>, the ratio <SUB>Γn</SUB>/<SUB>Γp</SUB> of the partial decay widths <SUB>Γn</SUB>(Λn→nn) and <SUB>Γp</SUB>(Λp→np) of <SUP>12</SUP><SUB><I>Λ</I></SUB>C was extracted to be 0.51±0.13(stat)±0.05(syst); this result is almost free from the ambiguity due to the nuclear final state interaction and 3-body decay process, which were inherent in the previous results. The obtained <SUB>Γn</SUB>/<SUB>Γp</SUB> ratio of <SUP>12</SUP><SUB><I>Λ</I></SUB>C (<I>p</I>-shell) is close to that of <SUP>5</SUP><SUB><I>Λ</I></SUB>He (<I>s</I>-shell). The results are consistent with those of recent theoretical calculations.</P>

Identification and characterization of a carboxypeptidase N1 from red lip mullet (<i>Liza haematocheila</i>); revealing its immune relevance

Perera, N.C.N.,Godahewa, G.I.,Jung, Sumi,Kim, Myoung-Jin,Nam, Bo-Hye,Lee, Jehee ACADEMIC PRESS LTD 2019 FISH AND SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY Vol.84 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Complement system orchestrates the innate and adaptive immunity <I>via</I> the activation, recruitment, and regulation of immune molecules to destroy pathogens. However, regulation of the complement is essential to avoid injuries to the autologous tissues. The present study unveils the characteristic features of an important complement component, anaphylatoxin inactivator from red lip mullet at its molecular and functional level. Mullet carboxypeptidase N1 (MuCPN1) cDNA sequence possessed an open reading frame of 1347 bp, which encoded a protein of 449 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 51 kDa. <I>In silico</I> analysis discovered two domains of PM14-Zn carboxypeptidase and a C-terminal domain of M14 N/E carboxypeptidase, two zinc-binding signature motifs, and an N-glycosylation site in the MuCPN1 sequence. Homology analysis revealed that most of the residues in the sequence are conserved among the other selected homologs. Phylogeny analysis showed that MuCPN1 closely cladded with the <I>Maylandia zebra</I> CPN1 and clustered together with the teleostean counterparts. A challenge experiment showed modulated expression of MuCPN1 upon polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and <I>Lactococcus garviae</I> in head kidney, spleen, gill, and liver tissues. The highest upregulation of MuCPN1 was observed 24 h post infection against poly I:C in each tissue. Moreover, the highest relative expressions upon <I>L. garviae</I> challenge were observed at 24 h post infection in head kidney tissue and 48 h post infection in spleen, gill, and liver tissues. MuCPN1 transfected cells triggered a 2.2-fold increase of nitric oxide (NO) production upon LPS stimulation compared to the un-transfected controls suggesting that MuCPN1 is an active protease which releases arginine from complement C3a, C4a, and C5a. These results have driven certain way towards enhancing the understanding of immune role of MuCPN1 in the complement defense mechanism of red lip mullet.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Carboxypeptidase N1 complement component was identified from the red lip mullet. </LI> <LI> Ubiquitous expression of MuCPN1 was observed in healthy mullet tissues. </LI> <LI> Modulated transcriptions of MuCPN1 revealed the importance in the immune responses. </LI> <LI> MuCPN1 was enhanced the nitric oxide production at an inflammatory condition. </LI> </UL> </P>

Interannual variation in summer N₂O concentration in the hypoxic region of the northern Gulf of Mexico, 1985-2007

Kim, I.-N.,Lee, K.,Bange, H. W.,Macdonald, A. M. Copernicus GmbH 2013 Biogeosciences Vol.10 No.11

<P><p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Microbial nitrous oxide (N₂O) production in the ocean is enhanced under low-oxygen (O₂) conditions. This is especially important in the context of increasing hypoxia (i.e., oceanic zones with extremely reduced O₂ concentrations). Here, we present a study on the interannual variation in summertime nitrous oxide (N₂O) concentrations in the bottom waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM), which is well-known as the site of the second largest seasonally occurring hypoxic zone worldwide. To this end we developed a simple model that computes bottom-water N₂O concentrations with a tri-linear ΔN₂O/O₂ relationship based on water-column O₂ concentrations, derived from summer (July) Texas-Louisiana shelf-wide hydrographic data between 1985 and 2007. &amp;Delta;N₂O (i.e., excess N₂O) was computed including nitrification and denitrification as the major microbial production and consumption pathways of N₂O. The mean modeled bottom-water N₂O concentration for July in the nGOM was 14.5 ± 2.3 nmol L⁻¹ (min: 11.0 ± 4.5 nmol L⁻¹ in 2000 and max: 20.6 ± 11.3 nmol L⁻¹ in 2002). The mean bottom-water N₂O concentrations were significantly correlated with the areal extent of hypoxia in the nGOM. Our modeling analysis indicates that the nGOM is a persistent summer source of N₂O, and nitrification is dominating N₂O production in this region. Based on the ongoing increase in the areal extent of hypoxia in the nGOM, we conclude that N₂O production (and its subsequent emissions) from this environmentally stressed region will probably continue to increase into the future.</p> </P>

Measurement of $^{93}Nb(n,n{\alpha})^{89m}Y$, $^{93}Nb(n,{\alpha})^{90m}Y$ and $^{93}Nb(n,2n)^{92m}Nb$ Cross Sections for 14 MeV Neutrons

김영석,김낙배,정기형,박혜일,Kim, Y.S.,Kim, N.B.,Chung, K.H.,Bak, H.I. Korean Nuclear Society 1986 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.18 No.2

The $^{93}Nb(n,n\alpha)^{89m}Y$, $^{93}Nb(n,{\alpha})^{90m}Y$ and $^{93}Nb(n,2n)^{92m}Nb$ cross sections at a neutron energy of 14.6 MeV have been measured relative to the $^{27}Al(n,p)^{27}Mg$ and $^{27}Al(n,{\alpha})^{24}Na$ cross sections. A small accelerator utilizing $T(D,n)^4He$ reaction was used as a neutron source and the neutron energy spread is about 0.4MeV at the sample. All induced activities were measured with a 70cc HPGe detector in the same geometry.

Manganese-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), a role player in seahorse (<i>Hippocampus abdominalis</i>) antioxidant defense system and adaptive immune system

Perera, N.C.N.,Godahewa, G.I.,Lee, Seongdo,Kim, Myoung-Jin,Hwang, Jee Youn,Kwon, Mun Gyeong,Hwang, Seong Don,Lee, Jehee Elsevier 2017 Fish & shellfish immunology Vol.68 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a metaloenzyme that catalyzes dismutation of the hazardous superoxide radicals into less hazardous H<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>2</SUB> and H<SUB>2</SUB>O. Here, we identified a homolog of MnSOD from big belly seahorse (<I>Hippocampus abdominalis</I>; <I>HaMnSOD</I>) and characterized its structural and functional features. HaMnSOD transcript possessed an open reading frame (ORF) of 672 bp which codes for a peptide of 223 amino acids. Pairwise alignment showed that HaMnSOD shared highest identity with rock bream MnSOD. Results of the phylogenetic analysis of HaMnSOD revealed a close proximity with rock bream MnSOD which was consistent with the result of homology alignment. The intense expression of <I>HaMnSOD</I> was observed in the ovary, followed by the heart and the brain. Further, immune related responses of <I>HaMnSOD</I> towards pathogenic stimulation were observed through bacterial and viral challenges. Highest <I>HaMnSOD</I> expression in response to stimulants <I>Edwardsiella tarda</I>, <I>Streptococcus iniae</I>, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) was observed in the late stage in the blood tissue. Xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay (XOD assay) indicated the ROS-scavenging ability of purified recombinant HaMnSOD (rHaMnSOD). The optimum conditions for the SOD activity of rHaMnSOD were pH 9 and the 25 °C. Collectively, the results obtained through the expressional analysis profiles and the functional assays provide insights into potential immune related and antioxidant roles of <I>HaMnSOD</I> in the big belly seahorse.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> MnSOD was identified from big belly seahorse (HaMnSOD). </LI> <LI> HaMnSOD was cloned and expressed to evaluate its distinct functional features. </LI> <LI> XOD (Xanthine oxidase) assay confirmed the superoxide scavenging ability of HaMnSOD. </LI> <LI> Transcriptional level of <I>HaMnSOD</I> was modulated by pathological stress. </LI> </UL> </P>

Three new species of the genus <i>Probles</i> Förster (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Tersilochinae) from South Korea

Khalaim, Andrey I.,Balueva, Ekaterina N.,Kim, Ki-Beom,Lee, Jong-Wook Pensoft Publishers 2013 ZooKeys Vol.348 No.-

<P>Abstract</P><P>Three closely related species of the genus <I>Probles</I> Förster, <I>P. fulgida</I><B>sp. n.</B>, <I>P. korusa</I><B>sp. n.</B> and <I>P. rukora</I><B>sp. n.</B>, belong to the subgenus <I>Euporizon</I> Horstmann and differ from other Palearctic species of the genus by a combination of long and apically weakly sinuate ovipositor and short temple. These three species are assigned to a newly designated <I>fulgida</I> species-group, and a portion of the key for identification of this species-group is provided. Based on the shape of the ovipositor apex, the <I>fulgida</I> species-group resemble members of the subgenus <I>Microdiaparsis</I> Horstmann but are distinct in having a much shorter temple.</P>

Highly active and durable nitrogen doped-reduced graphene oxide/double perovskite bifunctional hybrid catalysts

Kim, N. I.,Afzal, R.,Choi, S.,Lee, S.,Ahn, D.,Bhattacharjee, S.,Lee, S. C.,Kim, J.,Park, J. Y. Royal Society of Chemistry 2017 Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for e Vol.5 No.25

<P>A-site cation doping in perovskite-based materials with the general ABO(3) formula has a significant effect on the bifunctional oxygen activity (oxygen evolution and reduction reactions) of chemically stable electrocatalysts, enabling the design of highly active, durable, and cost-effective catalysts. In particular, the oxygen activity of double perovskite-structured NdBa0.5Sr0.5Co1.5Fe0.5O5+delta (NBSCF) is 0.973 V, which is much greater than that of previously reported transition metal-based nanostructures. This result is verified by examination of the electronic structure, oxidation state, and electrical properties of the perovskite-based materials using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the iodometric titration method, X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. Further improvements of NBSCF for bifunctional oxygen activity are made by incorporating these synergistic hybrid structures with nitrogen doped-reduced graphene-based (N-rGO) nanostructures (NBSCF/N-rGO). The NBSCF/N-rGO has an oxygen electrode activity of 0.766 V, which is superior to that of other previously reported transition metal-based nanostructures and compares favorably to that of precious metal electrocatalysts. Furthermore, strong N-rGO provides considerably greater electrochemical long-term stability and integrity to NBSCF/N-rGO hybrid catalysts under continuous chronopotentiometric and long-term potential sweep testing conditions for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).</P>

Phase I/II study of S-1 combined with weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic gastric carcinoma

Park, S R,Kim, H K,Kim, C G,Choi, I J,Lee, J S,Lee, J H,Ryu, K W,Kim, Y-W,Bae, J-M,Kim, N K Cancer Research UK 2008 The British journal of cancer Vol.98 No.8

We designed a phase I/II trial of S-1 combined with weekly docetaxel to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose (RD) and to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity in metastatic gastric carcinoma (MGC). Patients with measurable disease received S-1 orally b.i.d. on days 1–14 and docetaxel intravenously on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. In phase I (n=30), each cohort received escalating doses of S-1 (30–45 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP> b.i.d.) and docetaxel (25–40 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP>); MTD was 45 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP> b.i.d. S-1/35 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP> docetaxel and RD was 40 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP> b.i.d. S-1/35 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP> docetaxel. Dose-limiting toxicities included grade 3 elevated liver enzymes, gastric perforation, grade 3 diarrhoea/fatigue, febrile neutropenia with grade 3 anorexia/fatigue, and neutropenic infection with grade 3 stomatitis/anorexia. In phase II (n=52), the overall response rate was 66.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 53.8–79.6%) and the median time to progression and overall survival were 6.5 months (95% CI: 4.9–8.1) and 13.7 months (95% CI: 9.9–17.5), respectively. The most common grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia (29.4%), and febrile neutropenia/neutropenic infection occurred in 19.6% of patients. Non-haematological toxicities were generally mild. There was one treatment-related death due to pneumonitis. S-1 combined with weekly docetaxel is active in MGC with moderate toxicities.British Journal of Cancer (2008) 98, 1305–1311. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6604312 www.bjcancer.com Published online 25 March 2008

Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of expression in rice seedling roots in response to supplemental nitrogen

Chandran, A.K.N.,Priatama, R.A.,Kumar, V.,Xuan, Y.,Je, B.I.,Kim, C.M.,Jung, K.H.,Han, C.d. G. Fischer 2016 Journal of plant physiology Vol.200 No.-

<P>Nitrogen (N) is the most important macronutrient for plant growth and grain yields. For rice crops, nitrate and ammonium are the major N sources. To explore the genomic responses to ammonium supplements in rice roots, we used 17-day-old seedlings grown in the absence of external N that were then exposed to 0.5 mM (NH4)(2)SO4 for 3 h. Transcriptomic profiles were examined by microarray experiments. In all, 634 genes were up-regulated at least two-fold by the N-supplement when compared with expression in roots from untreated control plants. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that those upregulated genes are associated with 23 GO terms. Among them, metabolic processes for diverse amino acids (i.e., aspartate, threonine, tryptophan, glutamine, L-phenylalanine, and thiamin) as well as nitrogen compounds are highly over-represented, demonstrating that our selected genes are suitable for studying the N-response in roots. This enrichment analysis also indicated that nitrogen is closely linked to diverse transporter activities by primary metabolites, including proteins (amino acids), lipids, and carbohydrates, and is associated with carbohydrate catabolism and cell wall organization. Integration of results from omics analysis of metabolic pathways and transcriptome data using the MapMan tool suggested that the TCA cycle and pathway for mitochondrial electron transport are co-regulated when rice roots are exposed to ammonium. We also investigated the expression of N-responsive marker genes by performing a comparative analysis with root samples from plants grown under different NH4+ treatments. The diverse responses to such treatment provide useful insight into the global changes related to the shift from an N-deficiency to an enhanced N-supply in rice, a model crop plant. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.</P>

황처리가 금속/InP Schootky 접촉과 $Si_3$$N_4$/InP 계면들에 미치는 영향

허준,임한조,김충환,한일기,이정일,강광남,Her, J.,Lim, H.,Kim, C.H.,Han, I.K.,Lee, J.I.,Kang, K.N. 대한전자공학회 1994 전자공학회논문지-A Vol.31 No.12

The effects of sulfur treatments on the barrier heithts of Schottky contacts and the interface-state density of metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitors on InP have been investigated. Schottky contacts were formed by the evaporation of Al, Au, and Pt on n-InP substrate before and after (NH$_{4}$)$_{2}$S$_{x}$ treatments, respectively. The barrier height of InP Schottky contacts was measured by their current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C_V) characteristics. We observed that the barrier heights of Schottky contacks on bare InP were 0.35~0.45 eV nearly independent of the metal work function, which is known to be due to the surface Fermi level pinning. In the case of sulfur-treated Au/InP ar Pt/InP Schottky diodes, However, the barrier heights were not only increased above 0.7 eV but also highly dependent on the metal work function. We have also investigated effects of (NH$_{4}$)$_{2}$S$_{x}$ treatments on the distribution of interface states in Si$_{3}$N$_{4}$InP MIS diodes where Si$_{3}$N$_{4}$ was provided by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The typical value of interface-state density extracted feom 1 MHz C-V curve of sulfur-treated SiN$_{x}$/InP MIS diodes was found to be the order of 5${\times}10^{10}cm^{2}eV^{1}$. This value is much lower than that of MiS diodes made on bare InP surface. It is certain, therefore, that the (NH$_{4}$)$_{2}$S$_{x}$ treatment is a very powerful tool to enhance the barrier heights of Au/n-InP and Pt/n-InP Schottky contacts and to reduce the density of interface states in SiN$_{x}$/InP MIS diode.