Ethanol extract of Kalopanax septemlobus leaf inhibits HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation via inducing cell cycle arrest at G_1 phase

Objective:To investigate the effects of an ethanol extract of Kalopanax septemlobus(Thunb.)Koidz.leaf(EEKS) on cell proliferation in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its mechanisms of action.Methods:Cells were treated with EEKS and subsequently analyzed for cell proliferation and flow cytometry analysis.Expressions of cell cycle regulators were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis and Western blotting,and activation of eyclin-associaled kinases studied using kinase assays.Results:The EEKS suppressed cell proliferation in both HepG2 and Hep3 B cells,but showed a more sensitive anli-proliferative activity in HepG2 cells.Flow cytometry analysis revealed an association between the growth inhibitory effect of EEKS and with G_1 phase cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells,along with the dephosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein(pRB) and enhanced binding of pRB with the E2 F transcription factor family proteins.Treatment with EEKS also increased the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase(CDK) inhibitors,such as p21WAF1/CIP1 and p27KIP1.without any noticeable changes in G_1 cyclins and CDKs(except for a slight decrease in CDK4).Treatment of HepG2 cells with EEKS also increased the binding of p21 and p27 with CDK4 and CDK6.which was paralleled by a marked decrease in the cyclin D- and cyclin E-associated kinase activities.Conclusions:Overall,our findings suggest that EEKS may be an effective treatment for liver cancer through suppression of cancer cell proliferation via G_1,cell cycle arrest Further studies arc required to identify the active compounds in EEKS.

A Certain Subclass of Analytic Functions with Bounded Positive Real Part

For real numbers α and β such that 0≤α<1<β, we denote by T(α,β) the class of normalized analytic functions which satisfy , where U denotes the open unit disk. We find some relationships involving functions in the class T(α,β). And we estimate the bounds of coefficients and solve Fekete-Szego problem for functions in this class. Furthermore, we investigate the bounds of initial coefficients of inverse functions or bi-univalent functions.

Switched Reluctance Motor: Research Trends and Overview

There has been a growing interest in switched reluctance motor(SRM)ever since the development of thyristor in 1956.The most appealing feature of SRM which attracts researchers over these years is its simple structure that incorporates concentrated windings on the stator poles and plain laminations of ferromagnetic material as a rotor.Due to this attributes,advances are being made rapidly with the consideration that SRM can be used as an alternative to DC motors and permanent magnet motors.The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the recent developments and a prediction of possible future advancements in SR Drives.Brief history,importance,innovations in structure and control,along with practical application examples are all discussed here to give a more in-depth comprehension of the motor.

Preventive effect of Angelica gigas Nakai extract oral administration on dry eye syndrome

Objective:To identify the preventive effect of Angelica gigas Nakai(A.gigas Nakai)extract in a benzalkonium chloride-induced dry eye model.Methods:A total of 28 mice were divided into 4 groups:1)Normal group:mice received only saline;2)positive control group:mice received an oral solution without A.gigas Nakai extract at 10:00 a.m.and 0.2%benzalkonium chloride eye drops at 2:00 p.m.;3)A.gigas Nakai extract(5 mg);4)A.gigas Nakai extract(10 mg).Both group 3)and group 4)received an oral solution with A.gigas Nakai extract(either 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg)at 10:00 a.m.and 0.2%benzalkonium chloride eye drops at2:00 p.m.After 14 d of follow-up,tear volume measurement and fluorescein staining were evaluated for the recovery effects on ocular surface.Histologic analysis was conducted by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Apoptosis on ocular epithelium layer was examined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining.Expression of TNF-a was also measured using western blot analysis.Results:An increase in both the tear volume and the sustained fluorescein staining scores was observed,demonstrating the preventive effects of A.gigas Nakai extract.Structure changes such as irregularity of the epithelial layer and corneal epithelial cell death were inhibited in the A.gigas Nakai extract groups.Expression of TNF-αmoderately declined;however,its expression level was still higher,compared to the normal group.Conclusions:Results from the current study show the significant preventive effect of A.gigas Nakai extract in a mouse model of benzalkonium chloride-induced dry eye syndrome.Thus,A.gigas Nakai extract could be considered as an oral preventive agent for dry eye syndrome in the future.

Some Properties of Analytic Functions with the Fixed Second Coefficients

In this paper, we investigate some argument properties for analytic functions with fixed second coefficient and positive real part. And we apply the argument properties to the functions that are analytic and normalized. In particular, the order of strongly starlikeness of strongly convex functions with fixed second coefficients is given.

Atomic Diffusion in Cu/Si （111） and Cu/SiO2/Si （111） Systems by Neutral Cluster Beam Deposition

The Cu films are deposited on two kinds of p-type Si （111） substrates by ionized duster beam （ICB） technique. The interface reaction and atomic diffusion of Cu/Si （111） and Cu/SiO2/Si （111） systems are studied at different annealing temperatures by x-ray diffraction （XRD） and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry （RBS）. Some significant results are obtained： For the Cu/Si （111） samples prepared by neutral dusters, the interdiffusion of Cu and Si atoms occurs when annealed at 230℃. The diffusion coefficients of the samples annealed at 230℃ and 500℃ are 8.5 ×10^-15 cm^2.s^-1 and 3.0 ×10^-14 cm^2.s^-1, respectively. The formation of the copper-silicide phase is observed by XRD, and its intensity becomes stronger with the increase of annealing temperature. For the Cu/SiO2//Si （111） samples prepared by neutral dusters, the interdiffusion of Cu and Si atoms occurs and copper silicides are formed when annealed at 450℃. The diffusion coefficients of Cu in Si are calculated to be 6.0 ×10^-16 cm^2.s^-1 at 450℃, due to the fact that the existence of the SiO2 layer suppresses the interdiffusion of Cu and Si.

A Certain Subclass of Analytic Functions

In the present paper, we introduce a class of analytic functions in the open unit disc by using the analytic function qα(z)=3/(3+(α-3)z-αz2), which was investigated by Sokó? [1]. We find some properties including the growth theorem or the coefficient problem of this class and we find some relation with this new class and the class of convex functions.

Diffusion and Interface Reaction of Cu/Si(100)Films Prepared by Cluster Beam Deposition

Cu thin films are deposited on Si(100)substrates by neutral cluster beams and ionized cluster beams.The atomic diffusion and interface reaction between the Cu films and the Si substrates of as-deposited and annealed at different temperatures(230℃,450℃,500℃and 600℃)are investigated by Rutherford backscatteringspectrometry(RBS)and x-ray diffraction(XRD).Some significant results are obtained on the following aspects:(1)For the Cu/Si(100)samples prepared by neutral cluster beams and ionized cluster beams at V_(a)=0 kV,atomic diffusion phenomena are observed clearly in the as-deposited samples.With the increase of annealing temperature,the interdiffusion becomes more apparent.However,the diffusion intensities of the RBS spectra of the Cu/Si(100)films using neutral cluster beams are always higher than that of the Cu/Si(100)films using ionized cluster beams at V_(a)=OkV in the as-deposited and samples annealed at the same temperature.The compound of Cu3Si is observed in the as-deposited samples.(2)For the Cu/Si(100)samples prepared by ionized cluster beams at V_(a)=1,3,5 kV,atomic diffusion phenomena are observed in the as-deposited samples at V_(a)=1,5 kV.For the samples prepared at V_(a)=3 kV,the interdiffusion phenomenon is observed until 500℃annealing temperature.The reason for the difference is discussed.

Experimental Study on Flow Characteristic in Sloping Weir

Drop structure is a key hydraulic structure used in river improvement projects for flood control purposes. However, as demand for riparian construction techniques with environmental considerations is increasing both domestically and internationally, discontinuation of aquatic organisms as a result of high head is raised as a serious issue associated with the existing drop structures. Accordingly, it has become necessary to install a drop structure with a mild slope rather than the existing drop structures with high head, so that the structure can function as a migration channel for fish, which is severed by the existing drop structures, and also improve surrounding landscapes. In this study, which was initiated based on the necessity as such, a drop structure of mild slope was defined as sloping weir and flow characteristics under different conditions were analyzed through a hydraulic experiment. Focusing on efficiency according to energy dissipation that takes place according to different gradients of sloping weir, particle sizes of riverbed materials and the effect of hydraulic jump occurring at the downstream of a structure, this study aimed at identifying flow characteristics according to the conditions of sloping weirs. Thehydraulic experimentwas carried out on a variable-slope channel measuring 0.6 m in width and 20.0 m in length. As for riverbed materials, materials with two particle sizes (16 mm and 25 mm) were selected. For the experiment, models with different slope ratios to the structure, such as 1V:2H, 1V:3H and 1V:4H, were created. For flow conditions and hydraulic jump locations, an amount of water satisfying four water level conditions by stage was flown according to water level at the inlet area. Then, eight points were selected from inlet area, drop area, jet flow area and downstream area by controlling water level at the downstream area and adjusting the location of hydraulic jump occurrence. Water level (y), flow velocity (V), length of hydraulic jump (Lr) and distance of hydraulic jump occurrence (Lj) were measured at the eight points.

A Study on Gender Differences in Learning Motivation of Chinese Language Learners

The purpose of this study is to investigate students’ motivation and gender differences in learning Chinese as a foreign language between female students and male students from Korea. Furthermore, this method denotes that students’ motivation was measured through a self-report questionnaire based on Gardner′s Social Psychological Model. The questionnaire contained close-ended questions to provide both quantitative and qualitative information. These findings suggest that students were highly motivated toward learning English. There are significant differences found between genders. This was particularly the case for the female students who showed significantly higher instrumental motivation in learning English. The present study examined gender-based differences in motivation. We will make a quantitative analysis to investigate and discuss the gender differences in language motivation found in the questionnaire carried out with Korean students learning Chinese as L2 in this University. The results have shown that female students have stronger motivation than male students. Female students tend to show greater integrative motivation using a wider range of learning strategies;to show more comprehensive learning motivation and positive attitude in language learning;to show a higher interest in both Chinese language and Chinese culture. To shed light on language learning motivation according to gender difference, questions about L2 motivation are worthy of empirical investigation.

Torque Sharing Function Control of Switched Reluctance Machines with Reduced Current Sensors

This paper presents a Torque Sharing Function(TSF)control of Switched Reluctance Machines(SRMs)with different current sensor placements to reconstruct the phase currents.TSF requires precise phase current information to ensure accurate torque control.Two proposed methods with different chopping transistors or a new PWM implementation require four or two current sensors to replace the current sensors on each phase regardless of the phase number.For both approaches,the actual phase current can be easily extracted during the single phase conducting region.However,how to separate the incoming and outgoing phase current values during the commutation region is the difficult issue to deal with.In order to derive these two adjacent currents,the explanations and comparisons of two proposed methods are described.Their effectiveness is verified by experimental results on a four-phase 8/6 SRM.Finally,the approach with a new PWM implementation is selected,which requires only two current sensors for reducing the number of sensors.The control system can be more compact and cheaper.

Design and Modeling of Electromagnetic Impedance Surfaces to Reduce Coupling between Antennas

We study the coupling problem of two waveguide antennas using the design of a two-dimensional inhomogeneous impedance structure with a fixed reflected field. Since this structure enables electromagnetic compatibility between antennas located on a plane, the behaviors of the electromagnetic field along the impedance structure are investigated. The method of moments is used to solve the integral equations and the numerical results are presented and analyzed. To reduce coupling between antennas, we need to take into account both the amplitude distribution of the field along the structure and in the openings of the antennas. In addition, while designing the structure, it is necessary to control the coefficient of decoupling.

Message from Editors

SWITCHED reluctance motor(SRM)is a doubly salient electric machine that relies on reluctance torque to rotate rather than electromagnetic torque,as implied on the name.The term switch comes from the fact that the motor depends heavily on power switches for its operation.This was the reason that slowed the development of SRM since micro and power electronics were not so advanced.

Some Radius Problems Related to a Certain Subclass of Analytic Functions

For real parameters αand β such that 0≤α 〈 1 〈β, we denote by S（α,β） the class of normalized analytic functions which satisfy the following two-sided inequality：where U denotes the open unit disk. We find a sufficient condition for functions to be in the class S（α,β） and solve several radius problems related to other well-known function classes.

Suspending Control Scheme of 8/10 Bearingless SRM Based on Adaptive Fuzzy PID Controller

As a nonlinear,strong coupling and multi-variable system,the drive performance of bearingless switched reluctance motor(BLSRM)is always limited by its complicated electromagnetic properties.Generally,conventional PID methods are used to achieve the basic control requirement in wide industrial applications,however its inherent operating principle limits its use on suspending control of BLSRM.In this paper,the suspending force system,which is separately controlled from torque system,is built based on an adaptive fuzzy PID controller to limit the rotor eccentric displacement with proper generation of radial force.When compared with a system adopted using conventional PID method for suspending force control,the proposed adaptive fuzzy PID method has superior performance in shortening the response time,reducing the maximum eccentric displacement error and higher speed range of operation due to its online self-turning of controller parameters.Both in simulation and experimental cases,comparison of results of the above two methods validates the effectiveness of the adaptive fuzzy PID controller for BLSRM drive system.

Suppression of pheromone biosynthesis and mating behavior by RNA interference of pheromone gland-specific fatty acyl reductase in Maruca vitrata

In moths,various enzymes,such as fatty acid synthases,fatty acyl desaturases,and fatty acyl reductases(FARs),are involved in pheromone biosynthesis.In particular,pheromone gland-specific FAR(pgFAR)plays an important role in converting the functional group from carboxylic to alcohol during pheromone biosynthesis.A novel pgFAR of Maruca vitrata,Mvi-pgFAR,was identified through transcriptome sequencing of its pheromone gland.To investigate the involvement of Mvi-pgFAR in pheromone biosynthesis,Mvi-pgFAR was cloned from the pheromone gland and suppressed by RNA interference(RNAi).Mvi-pgFAR harbored several conserved motifs related to NAD(P)H-binding,N-glycosylation,and adenosine/guanosine triphosphate binding.Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Mvi-pgFAR with other lepidopteran pgFARs formed an independent clade.Mvi-pgFAR was specifically expressed only in the pheromone gland.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that the diurnal expression levels of Mvi-pgFAR in the pheromone gland were the highest at 2 h before the scotophase.After primarily confirming Mvi-pgFAR suppression by RNAi,(E,E)-10,12-hexadecadienal(E10E12-16:Ald),a major sex pheromone component,was quantified by gas chromatography.When Mvi-pgFAR was successfully suppressed,E10E12-16:Ald production was reduced by up to half of that of the control,and the mating rate was subsequently decreased.Our results demonstrate that Mvi-pgFAR downregulation can suppress mating behavior by changing the relative sex pheromone component ratio,suggesting that Mvi-pgFAR can be used as a novel control target.

Visible light communication based on space-division multiple access optical beamforming

We propose and demonstrate a visible light communication （VLC） scheme based on space-division multiple access （SDMA） optical beamforming to accommodate multiple user devices in the VLC based on optical beamforming. SDMA optical bealnforming is a technique which separates light-emitting diode light spa- tially and focuses each part on different target devices simultaneously. We show the experimental results of the VLC signal amplitudes, the optical power densities, and the bit-error rate performance as a function of transmission distance before and after the SDMA optical beamforming. The results show that the VLC signal amplitudes and optical power densities are improved by 8-2 and 3.8- 5 dB, respectively, with the help of SDMA optical beamforming.

Optimal Age Replacement Policy with Replacement Occurrence While the Warranty is in Effect

This study considers an age replacement policy(ARP) for a repairable product with an increasing failure rate with and without a product warranty. As for the warranty policy to consider in association with such an age replacement policy, we adapt a renewable minimal repair-replacement warrant(MRRW) policy with 2D factors of failure time of the product and its corresponding repair time. The expected cost rate during the life cycle of the product is utilized as a criterion to find the optimal policies for both with and without the product warranty. We determine the optimal replacement age that minimizes the objective function which evaluates the expected cost rate during the product cycle and investigate the impact of several factors on the optimal replacement age. The main objective of this study lies on the generalization of the classical age replacement policy to the situation where a renewable warranty depending on 2D factors is in effect. We present some interesting observations regarding the effect of relevant factors based on numerical analysis.

Experimental demonstration of underwater optical wireless power transfer using a laser diode

We experimentally demonstrate an underwater optical wireless power transfer （OWPT） using a laser diode （LD） as a power transmitter. We investigate the characteristics of a solar cell and a photodiode （PD） as a power receiver. We optimize the LD, the PD, and the solar cell to achieve the maximum transfer efficiency. The maxi- mum transfer efficiency of the back-to-back OWPT is measured as 4.3% with the PD receiver. Subsequently, we demonstrate the OWPT in tap and sea water. Our result shows an attenuation of 3 dB/m in sea water.

Optimization of optical wireless power transfer using near-infrared laser diodes

We experimentally demonstrated optical wireless power transfer(OWPT)using a near-infrared laser diode(LD)as the optical power transmitter.We considered a photovoltaic(PV)cell and a photodiode(PD)as the optical power receivers.We investigated the characteristics of the LD,PD,and PV cell in order to determine the optimum operating condition from the viewpoint of transfer efficiency.We also experimentally demonstrated a whole system optimization process to maximize the DC-to-DC transfer efficiency of the OWPT.Our experimental results showed that the optimization process can improve the OWPT efficiency by up to 48%.