FEASIBILITY STUDY ON EFFECT OF STRUCTURAL FLEXIBILITY OF ASYMMETRIC PRE-SWIRL STATOR ON PROPULSION PERFORMANCE FOR KRISO CONTAINER SHIP (KCS)

The use of energy-saving devices is the most effective method for decreasing CO2 emissions, which is an increasingly concerning environmental issue. The asymmetric pre-swirl stator has been developed as an energy-saving device and has been successfully applied to various types of vessels. In the present study, a flexible material was applied to an asymmetric pre-swirl stator to determine the variation in the flow around stator and its efficiency. A fluid–structure interaction (FSI) analysis system was developed using the Star-CCM+ (fluid) and the Abaqus (structure). The proposed analysis system was validated by comparing the experimental results using a flexible plate in a flowing fluid. The flexible stator was applied to a 3,600 TEU KRISO Container Ship to determine the improvement in its performance compared to the previous optimum value achieved with a rigid stator. Although this application was conducted on a model scale and the deformation was small, the results of the flexible stator indicated the possibility of not only increasing the efficiency but also decreasing the vortex risk around stator blade

Response Inhibition During Processing of Sexual Stimuli in Males with Problematic Hypersexual Behavior

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Individuals with problematic hypersexual behavior (PHB) are unable to control their sexual cravings, regardless of other situational factors. This inability to control cravings is a common trait in patients with neurological pathologies related to response inhibition. Until recently, however, it was unclear whether individuals with PHB have decreased inhibition and altered neural responses in the brain regions associated with inhibition compared to healthy control individuals, especially in the presence of distracting sexual stimuli. In this study, we examined the neural and psychological underpinnings of inhibition in individuals with PHB. METHODS: Thirty individuals with PHB and 30 healthy subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a modified go/no-go task with neutral or sexual backgrounds used as distractors. RESULTS: Individuals with PHB showed poorer response inhibition than healthy subjects, especially when sexual distractors were present. Further, compared to healthy control subjects, individuals with PHB showed decreased activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and reduced functional connectivity between the IFG and the pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA) when response inhibition was required. Finally, the reduced activation and connectivity were more pronounced in the presence of sexual distractors than in the presence of neutral distractors. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that individuals with PHB show reduced ability to inhibit responses that might be related to lower IFG activation and IFG-preSMA connectivity during response inhibition. Our results provide insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of poor response inhibition in individuals with PHB

Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase binding to DNA by thymidine dimer

AbstractThe ability of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase to bind damaged DNA was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. DNA binding domain of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARPDBD) binds to synthetic deoxyribonucleotide duplex 10-mer. However, the synthetic deoxyribonucleotide duplex containing cys-syn thymidine dimer which produces the unwinding of DNA helix structure lost its affinity to PARPDBD. It was shown that the binding of PARPDBD to the synthetic deoxyribonucleotide duplex was not affected by O6-Me-dG which causes only minor distortion of DNA helix structure. This study suggests that the stabilized DNA helix structure is important for poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase binding to DNA breaks, which are known to stimulate catalytic activity of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase

Altered Prefrontal and Inferior Parietal Activity During a Stroop Task in Individuals With Problematic Hypersexual Behavior

Accumulating evidence suggests a relationship between problematic hypersexual behavior (PHB) and diminished executive control. Clinical studies have demonstrated that individuals with PHB exhibit high levels of impulsivity; however, relatively little is known regarding the neural mechanisms underlying impaired executive control in PHB. This study investigated the neural correlates of executive control in individuals with PHB and healthy controls using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Twenty-three individuals with PHB and 22 healthy control participants underwent fMRI while performing a Stroop task. Response time and error rates were measured as surrogate indicators of executive control. Individuals with PHB exhibited impaired task performance and lower activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and inferior parietal cortex relative to healthy controls during the Stroop task. In addition, blood oxygen level-dependent responses in these areas were negatively associated with PHB severity. The right DLPFC and inferior parietal cortex are associated with higher-order cognitive control and visual attention, respectively. Our findings suggest that individuals with PHB have diminished executive control and impaired functionality in the right DLPFC and inferior parietal cortex, providing a neural basis for PHB

FEASIBILITY OF BREWING MAKGEOLLI (TURBID RICE WINE) USING PARTIALLY GELATINIZED WHEAT FLOUR AND TAPIOCA FLOUR

Makgeolli is made from cooked rice or wheat, then brewed with nuruk (Korean fermentation starter) for several days. But, nowadays, attempts have been made to use various raw materials and process innovations to make makgeolli for particular purposes.  This study aimed to evaluate the quality of makgeolly made from partially gelatinized wheat flour and tapioca flour. Five different combination of wheat flour and tapioca flour were used to manufacture makgeolli. The results showed that different combination of partially gelatinized wheat flour and tapioca flour significantly affected the chemical and sensorial characteristics of makgeolli. Increasing proportion of wheat flour produced higher level of total acid, amino acidity, reducing sugar and total solid of makgeolli. Inversely, alcohol content was higher when higher level of tapioca flour was used. In general, sensorial characteristics of makgeolli made from partially gelatinized wheat flour and tapioca flour didn’t acceptable by panelists. Thus, brewing makgeolli by using partially gelatinized wheat flour and tapioca flour isn’t acceptable in term of sensorial characteristics

3D Cell Printed Tissue Analogues: A New Platform for Theranostics

Stem cell theranostics has received much attention for noninvasively monitoring and tracing transplanted therapeutic stem cells through imaging agents and imaging modalities. Despite the excellent regenerative capability of stem cells, their efficacy has been limited due to low cellular retention, low survival rate, and low engraftment after implantation. Three-dimensional (3D) cell printing provides stem cells with the similar architecture and microenvironment of the native tissue and facilitates the generation of a 3D tissue-like construct that exhibits remarkable regenerative capacity and functionality as well as enhanced cell viability. Thus, 3D cell printing can overcome the current concerns of stem cell therapy by delivering the 3D construct to the damaged site. Despite the advantages of 3D cell printing, the in vivo and in vitro tracking and monitoring of the performance of 3D cell printed tissue in a noninvasive and real-time manner have not been thoroughly studied. In this review, we explore the recent progress in 3D cell technology and its applications. Finally, we investigate their potential limitations and suggest future perspectives on 3D cell printing and stem cell theranostics.116Nsciescopu