Beam profile measurement of a solar-pumped iodine laser

Beam profile measurements have been made as a function of time within the laser pulse and C2F5I pressure. Measurements indicate that the profile is determined directly by the optical excitation volume, produced by the solar simulator, and that media distortion plays a minor role compared to the build up of quenching species during the lasing pulse.     

A study on the dynamic characteristics of the Korean Yi-dynasty bell type structure

The dynamic characteristics of the Korean Yi-dynasty bell type structure, including the acoustic effects, are analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. The numerical solutions of natural frequencies and mode shape for membrane and flexural behavior are obtained by using the NASTRAN program for the finite element method with plate shell elements of triangular and quadrilateral types. Test bells, A and B types similar to the Kap-Sa bell in Kong-Ju chosen among typical Korean Yi-dynasty bells, are manufactured on different scales to the original bell. To consider the effects of the variation of the structural dimension on the dynamic response, these bells are analyzed with respect to the variation of the thickness of the wall and the bottom rim and the asymmetric Dang-Jwas. The impact method with the Fast Fourier Transform Analyzer is adopted to experimentally assess the dynamic response. Results are in good agreement with the numerical solutions.     

Activation of Nrf2/HO-1 by Peptide YD1 Attenuates Inflammatory Symptoms through Suppression of TLR4/MYyD88/NF-κB Signaling Cascade

In this study, we investigate the immunomodulatory effects of a novel antimicrobial peptide, YD1, isolated from Kimchi, in both in vitro and in vivo models. We establish that YD1 exerts its anti-inflammatory effects via up-regulation of the Nrf2 pathway, resulting in the production of HO-1, which suppresses activation of the NF-κB pathway, including the subsequent proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. We also found that YD1 robustly suppresses nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) production by down-regulating the expression of the upstream genes, iNOS and COX-2, acting as a strong antioxidant. Collectively, YD1 exhibits vigorous anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, presenting it as an interesting potential therapeutic agent.     

Potential Antitumor Effects of 6-Gingerol in p53-Dependent Mitochondrial Apoptosis and Inhibition of Tumor Sphere Formation in Breast Cancer Cells

Hormone-specific anticancer drugs for breast cancer treatment can cause serious side effects. Thus, treatment with natural compounds has been considered a better approach as this minimizes side effects and has multiple targets. 6-Gingerol is an active polyphenol in ginger with various modalities, including anticancer activity, although its mechanism of action remains unknown. Increases in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to DNA damage and the induction of DNA damage response (DDR) mechanism, leading to cell cycle arrest apoptosis and tumorsphere suppression. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) promotes tumor growth by stimulating signaling of downstream targets that in turn activates tumor protein 53 (p53) to promote apoptosis. Here we assessed the effect of 6-gingerol treatment on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. 6-Gingerol induced cellular and mitochondrial ROS that elevated DDR through ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and p53 activation. 6-Gingerol also induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial apoptosis by mediating the BAX/BCL-2 ratio and release of cytochrome c. It also exhibited a suppression ability of tumorsphere formation in breast cancer cells. EGFR/Src/STAT3 signaling was also determined to be responsible for p53 activation and that 6-gingerol induced p53-dependent intrinsic apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Therefore, 6-gingerol may be used as a candidate drug against hormone-dependent breast cancer cells.     

Synergistic Flame Retardant Effects of Carbon Nanotube-Based Multilayer Nanocoatings

In an effort to develop highly functionalized flame retardant materials, hybrid nanocoatings are prepared by alternately depositing a positively charged polyaniline (PANi) and negatively charged montmorillonite (MMT) using the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are employed in polymer nanocomposites as effective reinforcement, where nanotubes are stabilized in MMT aqueous solution. The 3D structure and high density of CNTs deposited in the PANi/CNTs-MMT multilayers produce thicker and heavier coatings in comparison to the LbL assemblies without CNTs. Vertical and horizontal flame testing show that the incorporation of CNTs improves fire resistance. Additionally, cone calorimetry reveals that stacking two nanomaterials (MMT and CNTs) in a single coating shows a significant reduction in peak heat release rate (up to 51%), total smoke release (up to 47%), and total heat release (up to 37%) for the polyurethane foam. The enhancement of flame retardancy is attributed to a synergistic effect; MMT serves as a physical barrier that retards the diffusion of heat and gas. The addition of CNTs strengthens the thermal stability and high char yield. These results, coupled with the simplicity with which the LbL deposition is applied, present a viable alternative to halogen-free flame retardant nanocoatings to natural and synthetic fibers.     

Partial Oxidation of Methane to Syngas over Calcined Ni–Mg/Al Layered Double Hydroxides

The catalytic partial oxidation of CH₄ to syngas was carried out over an Ni–Mg/Al mixed-oxide catalyst prepared from layered double hydroxide-type precursors. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, TPR, UV-DRS, XRF, BET and CHNS analysis. The effects of the catalyst composition and the calcination temperature on the catalytic performance and the extent of catalyst deactivation were investigated. Ni–Mg/Al oxide catalysts converted CH₄ into syngas efficiently with high selectivity. The catalyst performance was strongly related to the Ni particle size and the calcination temperature. The catalysts that were calcined at higher temperature exhibited a better catalytic performance. In conclusion, the NiAl₂O₄ spinel phase had a positive effect on the stability of the catalyst.