Two distinct red giant branch populations in the globular cluster NGC 2419 as tracers of a merger event in the Milky Way

Recent spectroscopic observations of the outer halo globular cluster (GC) NGC 2419 show that it is unique among GCs, in terms of chemical abundance patterns, and some suggest that it was originated in the nucleus of a dwarf galaxy. Here we show, from the Subaru narrow-band photometry employing a calcium filter, that the red giant-branch (RGB) of this GC is split into two distinct subpopulations. Comparison with spectroscopy has confirmed that the redder RGB stars in the $hk$[=(Ca$-b)-(b-y)$] index are enhanced in [Ca/H] by $\sim$0.2 dex compared to the bluer RGB stars. Our population model further indicates that the calcium-rich second generation stars are also enhanced in helium abundance by a large amount ($\Delta$Y = 0.19). Our photometry, together with the results for other massive GCs (e.g., $\omega$ Cen, M22, and NGC 1851), suggests that the discrete distribution of RGB stars in the $hk$ index might be a universal characteristic of this growing group of peculiar GCs. The planned narrow-band calcium photometry for the Local Group dwarf galaxies would help to establish an empirical connection between these GCs and the primordial building blocks in the hierarchical merging paradigm of galaxy formation.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, accepted for the publication in ApJ

Picture Quality and Sound Quality of OLED TVs

Unlike the past when cathode-ray tube (CRT) dominated display industry, many different types of flat panel displays (FPDs) are now leading the industry. Of these, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display has recently become a next-generation display since this display is recognised as having advantages over other competing technologies in picture quality and form factor. With major attributes of picture quality considered, a series of evaluations based on objective measures was performed with an OLED TV compared to an LCD TV. OLED TV outperformed LCD TV 100 times in black, 20 times in colour contrast, 30% in dynamic range coverage, 50 times in local contrast and 20 times in viewing angle. In addition, sound quality of the OLED TV was assessed using both objective and subjective evaluation methods compared to conventional TV speakers since OLED panel speaker technology was recently commercialised. The OLED panel speaker showed better performance both in objective and subjective methods

Comparing the Performance of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Algorithms in Wastewater Treatment Process

This study assessed the performance of single and modified algorithms based on machine learning and deep learning for wastewater treatment process. More specifically, this study adopted support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and artificial neural network (ANN) for machine learning as well as long short-term memory (LSTM) for deep learning. The performance of these (single) algorithms were compared with that of modified ones processed through hyperparameter tuning, ensemble learning (only for machine learning), and multi-layer stacking (i.e., two layers of LSTM units). The daily effluent of wastewater treatment process observed between 2017 and 2022 in the Cheong-Ju National Industrial Complex was used as input to all tested algorithms, which was evaluated with respect to mean squared error. For the model performance evaluation, discharge and biochemical oxygen demand are selected as dependent variables out of nine measured parameters. Results showed that the performance of any machine learning algorithms was superior to their competitor LSTM. This is mainly attributed to a small amount of input data provided to the LSTM algorithm and unstable effluent wastewater characteristics. Meanwhile, hyperparameter tuning improved the performance of all tested algorithms. However, ensemble learning for machine learning and two-layer stacking for LSTM generally resulted in performance degradation as compared to that of single algorithms, regardless of dependent variables. Therefore, this calls for a careful design and evaluation of modified algorithms, specifically for model architecture and performance improvement processes

RuO2-coated MoS2 Nanosheets as Cathode Catalysts for High Efficiency LiO2 Batteries

© 2019 Korean Chemical Society, Seoul & Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, WeinheimDespite their potential for high capacity, lithium oxygen (Li–O2) batteries still suffer from the low round-trip energy efficiency and limited cycle life, mainly due to the slow decomposition of discharge products. Therefore, developing efficient catalysts is a key issue for the practical application of Li-O2 batteries. Ruthenium oxide (RuO2) is one of the most efficient catalysts developed thus far for lithium-air batteries. However, the high price and limited availability of Ru prohibits its large-scale use in practical device fabrications. Recently, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has been actively investigated in various catalytic systems, taking advantage of its two-dimensional (2D) structure and catalytic activities. However, the low electrical conductivity of MoS2 limits the realization of fully operative MoS2-based catalysts on its own. In this report, RuO2-coated MoS2 nanosheets (RuO2/MoS2) are prepared and implemented as cathode catalysts for Li–O2 batteries. In this hybrid structure, RuO2 and MoS2 complement each other; the poor electrical conductivity of MoS2 is overcome by the nearly conformal coating of conducting RuO2, while 2D MoS2 nanosheets act as excellent supports for RuO2 catalysts and also contribute to the overall catalytic activities. These combined features result in excellent cathode performance, including improved efficiency and cycling lifetimes, with significantly reduced amounts of precious RuO

Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of HfO2 Thin Films Deposited at Low-Temperature Using Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition

HfO2 was deposited at 80–250 °C by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), and properties were compared with those obtained by using thermal atomic layer deposition (thermal ALD). The ALD window, i.e., the region where the growth per cycle (GPC) is constant, shifted from high temperatures (150–200 °C) to lower temperatures (80–150 °C) in PEALD. HfO2 deposited at 80 °C by PEALD showed higher density (8.1 g/cm3) than those deposited by thermal ALD (5.3 g/cm3) and a smooth surface (RMS Roughness: 0.2 nm). HfO2 deposited at a low temperature by PEALD showed decreased contaminants compared to thermal ALD deposited HfO2. Values of refractive indices and optical band gap of HfO2 deposited at 80 °C by PEALD (1.9, 5.6 eV) were higher than those obtained by using thermal ALD (1.7, 5.1 eV). Transparency of HfO2 deposited at 80 °C by PEALD on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was high (> 84%). PET deposited above 80 °C was unable to withstand heat and showed deformation. HfO2 deposited at 80 °C by PEALD showed decreased leakage current from 1.4 × 10−2 to 2.5 × 10−5 A/cm2 and increased capacitance of approximately 21% compared to HfO2 using thermal ALD. Consequently, HfO2 deposited at a low temperature by PEALD showed improved properties compared to HfO2 deposited by thermal ALD

DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF THE BEAM POSITION MONITOR FOR THE PEFP LINAC

The beam position monitor (BPM) is an essential component for the PEFP 100-MeV linac's commissioning. A prototype stripline-type linac BPM was designed for this purpose. The electrode aperture is 20 mm in diameter, and the electrode is 25 mm long, so it can be installed between Drift Tube Linac (DTL)101 and DTL102, which is the shortest distance. One end of the electrode is connected to the Sub Miniature Type A (SMA) feed through for signal measurement, and the other end is terminated as a short. The signal amplitude of the fundamental component was calculated and compared with that of the second harmonic component. The designed BPM was fabricated and a low-power RF test was conducted. In this paper, the design, fabrication and low power test of the BPM for the PEFP linac are presented

Sorbaria kirilowii Ethanol Extract Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects In Vitro and In Vivo by Targeting Src/Nuclear Factor (NF)-κB

Inflammation is a fundamental process for defending against foreign antigens that involves various transcriptional regulatory processes as well as molecular signaling pathways. Despite its protective roles in the human body, the activation of inflammation may also convey various diseases including autoimmune disease and cancer. Sorbaria kirilowii is a plant originating from Asia, with no anti-inflammatory activity reported. In this paper, we discovered an anti-inflammatory effect of S. kirilowii ethanol extract (Sk-EE) both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro effects of Sk-EE were determined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, while ex vivo analysis was performed using peritoneal macrophages of thioglycollate (TG)-induced mice. Sk-EE significantly reduced the nitric oxide (NO) production of induced macrophages and inhibited the expression of inflammation-related cytokines and the activation of transcription factors. Moreover, treatment with Sk-EE also decreased the activation of proteins involved in nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling cascade; among them, Src was a prime target of Sk-EE. For in vivo assessment of the anti-inflammatory effect of Sk-EE, HCl/EtOH was given by the oral route to mice for gastritis induction. Sk-EE injection dose-dependently reduced the inflammatory lesion area of the stomach in gastritis-induced mice. Taking these results together, Sk-EE exerts its anti-inflammatory activity by regulating intracellular NF-κB signaling pathways and also shows an authentic effect on reducing gastric inflammation

Optimization of various extraction methods for quercetin from onion skin using response surface methodology

Quercertin and typical flavonoids present in onion skin draw interest due to bioactive properties. For utilizing quercetin from onion skin, conventional solvent extraction (CSE), microwave assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) were employed. Statistic models of each method were proposed to estimate the best possible yield of quercertin employing response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of several independent variables including concentration of ethanol, provided power or the temperature, and reaction time were investigated. From 1 g sample of dried onion skin, the highest yield of each method could be achieved at 16.5 min of process time under 59.2A degrees C for CSE with 59.3% ethanol, 117 s for MAE with 69.7% ethanol, and 21.7 min for UAE using power of 606.4 W with 43.8% ethanol. The most productive method was MAE, whose maximum yield was 20.3 and 30.8% higher than UAE and CSE, respectively.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2011-01/102/0000047059/8SEQ:8PERF_CD:SNU2011-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000047059ADJUST_YN:YEMP_ID:A077087DEPT_CD:5321CITE_RATE:.493FILENAME:11-12-FSB-20-6(37)2011-09-008(1727-1733).pdfDEPT_NM:농생명공학부EMAIL:[email protected]_YN:NCONFIRM: