Identification of candidate domestication regions in the radish genome based on high-depth resequencing analysis of 17 genotypes

Kim, N.,Jeong, Y. M.,Jeong, S.,Kim, G. B.,Baek, S.,Kwon, Y. E.,Cho, A.,Choi, S. B.,Kim, J.,Lim, W. J. Spring 2016 Theoretical and applied genetics Vol.129 No.9

<P>Key message This study provides high-quality variation data of diverse radish genotypes. Genome-wide SNP comparison along with RNA-seq analysis identified candidate genes related to domestication that have potential as trait-related markers for genetics and breeding of radish. Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is an annual root vegetable crop that also encompasses diverse wild species. Radish has a long history of domestication, but the origins and selective sweep of cultivated radishes remain controversial. Here, we present comprehensive whole-genome resequencing analysis of radish to explore genomic variation between the radish genotypes and to identify genetic bottlenecks due to domestication in Asian cultivars. High-depth resequencing and multi-sample genotyping analysis of ten cultivated and seven wild accessions obtained 4.0 million high-quality homozygous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)/insertions or deletions. Variation analysis revealed that Asian cultivated radish types are closely related to wild Asian accessions, but are distinct from European/American cultivated radishes, supporting the notion that Asian cultivars were domesticated from wild Asian genotypes. SNP comparison between Asian genotypes identified 153 candidate domestication regions (CDRs) containing 512 genes. Network analysis of the genes in CDRs functioning in plant signaling pathways and biochemical processes identified group of genes related to root architecture, cell wall, sugar metabolism, and glucosinolate biosynthesis. Expression profiling of the genes during root development suggested that domestication-related selective advantages included a main taproot with few branched lateral roots, reduced cell wall rigidity and favorable taste. Overall, this study provides evolutionary insights into domestication-related genetic selection in radish as well as identification of gene candidates with the potential to act as trait-related markers for background selection of elite lines in molecular breeding.</P>

Simultaneous Determination of Six Compounds in Hedera helix L. Using UPLC-ESI–MS/MS

Kim, N.,Shin, Y. J.,Park, S.,Yoo, G.,Kim, Y.,Yoo, H. H.,Kim, S. H. Springer Science + Business Media 2017 Chromatographia Vol.80 No.7

<P>We previously reported a method for simultaneously determining flavonoids and saponins from ivy leaf extract using HPLC-DAD. Due to the absence of a chromophore in two triterpene saponins, alpha-hederin and hederacoside C, the previous method was conducted at a non-specific wavelength of 210 nm. Thus, in this study, we focused on a rapid and sensitive analysis method for determining two important triterpene saponins from ivy leaf extract using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The developed method was validated in terms of linearity (R (2) > 0.9997), precision (RSD < 2.95%), and accuracy (98.91-101.92%), and showed increased sensitivity with improved limit of detection when compared to the previous data. In addition, the analytical conditions of UPLC-ESI-MS/MS provided better sensitivity with a shorter analysis time when compared to the HPLC-DAD method. Using this established method, the content of the six compounds was measured in medicinal syrups containing ivy leaf extract and the feasibility of this new method was demonstrated for the use in the quality control of ivy leaf extract products.</P>

Overcoming immunoregulatory plasticity of mesenchymal stem cells for accelerated clinical applications

Kim, N.,Cho, S. G. Springer Science + Business Media 2016 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY Vol.103 No.2

<P>Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells with the potential to differentiate into different tissue lineages. In addition to their differentiation potential, MSCs possess immunomodulatory properties that have created growing interest in both pre-clinical and clinical research. Over the years, MSCs have been applied rapidly in the clinic in a wide variety of immune-mediated disorders; however, MSC therapy has shown contradictory results, often with poor clinical outcomes. Recently, studies on MSC-based immune modulation have provided possible explanations for the conflicting clinical reports. It is now generally recognized that the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs are not constitutive but are induced by various mediators present in the inflammatory microenvironment. Different inflammatory stimuli are able to polarize MSCs to elicit distinct immunomodulatory phenotypes. Thus, the concepts of plasticity and polarization of MSC-based immune modulation may have important therapeutic implications in the clinic. In this review, we focus on the underlying mechanisms of MSC-mediated immune regulation that contribute to their therapeutic potential. Importantly, we discuss novel strategic approaches that enhance the therapeutic potential of MSCs through a consideration of MSC plasticity in immune modulation.</P>

Improved heat dissipation in a crystalline silicon PV module for better performance by using a highly thermal conducting backsheet

Kim, N.,Kim, D.,Kang, H.,Park, Y.G. Pergamon Press 2016 ENERGY Vol.113 No.-

The temperature of a crystalline silicon photovoltaic module has a strong impact on the electrical performance of the module. The performance can be improved by reducing the temperature of the module. In this study, a highly thermal conducting backsheet was integrated to the mini module, consisting of one single crystalline silicon solar cell, to investigate the temperature and performance changes in the module. By applying a backsheet with graphite and aluminum film, it was found that the final temperature was decreased, compared to a solar cell with a reference backsheet. In addition, providing a suitable heat path for thermal dissipation in the frame of the module has an influence on the effectiveness of the highly thermal conducting backsheet.

Environmental Pressure and the Performance of Foreign Firms in an Emerging Economy

Kim, N.,Moon, J. J.,Yin, H. Springer Science + Business Media 2016 JOURNAL OF BUSINESS ETHICS Vol.137 No.3

Post-collisional carbonatite-hosted rare earth element mineralization in the Hongcheon area, central Gyeonggi massif, Korea: Ion microprobe monazite U@?Th@?Pb geochronology and Nd@?Sr isotope geochemistry

Kim, N.,Cheong, A.C.s.,Yi, K.,Jeong, Y.J.,Koh, S.M. Elsevier 2016 Ore geology reviews Vol.79 No.-

The Hongcheon area in the central Gyeonggi massif is a unique carbonatite locality in South Korea. The age and petrogenesis of this uncommon rock type and associated rare earth element (REE) mineralization still remain uncertain. The NNE trending, 20-50m wide and ~2km long Fe-REE ore bodies are hosted within a swarm of carbonatite dykes intruding Precambrian basement gneisses. The intrusive nature of the dykes, fenite alteration halos, exsolution intergrowths of constituent minerals and stable isotope data in the literature collectively attest to the ore formation by crystallization of carbonatite magma. The carbonatites are composed primarily of dolomite, ankerite, siderite, magnetite, monazite, apatite, strontianite and pyrite with subordinate quartz, barite, columbite, fergusonite and calcite. The principal carrier phase of REEs is monazite. The REE contents of monazite vary narrowly (TREO=66.1-69.4wt.%) irrespective of the textural occurrence. Although the monazite shows a sample-to-sample variation in La/Nd ratio, the textural varieties from each rock sample are similar with respect to this ratio. Thorium contents in monazite are consistently low (average=ca. 2500ppm) with unusually high (average=ca. 2200) Th/U ratios. Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) dating of monazite yielded a weighted mean <SUP>208</SUP>Pb/<SUP>232</SUP>Th age of 232.9+/-1.6Ma, which agrees with a weighted mean <SUP>206</SUP>Pb/<SUP>238</SUP>U age of 227.2+/-8.3Ma within uncertainties. This age, coupled with comparable intrusion ages documented for kimberlites and monzonite-syenite-gabbro-mangerite suite from central Korea, demonstrates the occurrence of mantle-derived alkaline igneous activities and associated REE mineralization following the North and South China collision. The intrusion of the Hongcheon carbonatite and potassic or ultrapotassic suite in central Korea may have resulted from the post-collisional detachment of the subducted slab and consequent upwelling of hot asthenosphere and melting of the overriding lithospheric mantle. Initial Nd@?Sr isotopic ranges of the Hongcheon carbonatite (ε<SUB>Nd</SUB>=ca. -26, <SUP>87</SUP>Sr/<SUP>86</SUP>Sr=0.703-0.706) and previous trace element data deny a petrogenetic linkage with the coeval silicate magmas. The metasomatism in the lithospheric mantle source of the Hongcheon carbonatite must have occurred in the distant past (>1.7Ga) to generate significantly negative ε<SUB>Nd</SUB> values.

A numerical method to simulate ductile failure of tensile plates with interacting through‐wall cracks

KIM, N.,OH, C.,KIM, Y. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011 Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials and St Vol.34 No.3

<P><B>ABSTRACT</B></P><P>This paper proposes a simple numerical method to simulate ductile failure behaviours of tensile plates with interacting through‐wall cracks. The method is based on the finite element damage analysis using the stress‐modified fracture strain damage model. To validate the proposed method, simulated results are compared with a total of 23 published experimental data of flat tensile plates with interacting through‐wall cracks. Despite its simplicity, the proposed method well predicted the experimental maximum loads of tensile plates with interacting cracks, including the loads for crack coalescence. Systematic analyses are also performed to investigate the effect of the element size used in the finite element damage analysis.</P>

Development of Dissociation-Enhanced Lanthanide Fluoroimmunoassay for Measuring Leptin

Kim, N.,Son, S. H. Plenum Press 2016 JOURNAL OF FLUORESCENCE Vol.26 No.5

<P>Development of a dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluoroimmunoassay (DELFIA) for measuring leptin, a satiety hormone of appetite control, was conducted in sandwich assay format exploiting a microplate immobilized with an anti-leptin antibody and another antibody raised against leptin and tagged with an europium chelate. In the leptin DELFIA of this study, amounts of antibody coated to the microplate and of the bioconjugate for the second immune reaction were optimized as 0.5 mu g and 200 ng per well, respectively. When plotted in double-logarithmic scale, a linear relationship of y (log(10) response signal) = 0.6023x (log(10) leptin concentration) + 3.4084 (r(2) = 0.9646) was obtained at the leptin concentrations of 0.01a'Euro50 ng/mL with the limit of detection of 0.01 ng/mL. Individual leptin concentrations in various samples were well convergent to the calibration curve of the current assay. When applied to the measurement of leptin in a rat serum, the present assay was found quite effective and was competitive to a commercial sandwich-type ELISA.</P>

Recent progress of functional coating materials and technologies for polycarbonate

Springer Science + Business Media 2017 Journal of coatings technology and research Vol.14 No.1

<P>Polycarbonate (PC) has been recognized as a promising alternative for inorganic glass thanks to high optical transparency, light weight, and excellent toughness. To expand the PC applications, especially in outdoor environments, and to impart new functionalities, surface coating can be an effective approach to overcome the intrinsic drawbacks of PC, such as low hardness and poor weathering performance. Coating techniques for PC are primarily classified into the wet chemical coating of organic-inorganic hybrid networks and the gaseous vacuum deposition of inorganic materials. Parallel to the development of electrical and optical devices and energy-efficient automobiles, PC with improved electrical conductivity, antireflection, and self-cleaning has been in high demand and has been achieved by well-controlled coating technologies of programmed functional materials. This article reviews the physical properties of the coating materials used for PC with emphasis on recent progress of coating technologies.</P>

Self-correcting ensemble using a latent consensus model

Kim, N.,Son, Y.,Lee, Y.,Lee, J. Elsevier Science, B.V 2016 Applied soft computing Vol.47 No.-

<P>Ensemble is a widely used technique to improve the predictive performance of a learning method by using several competing expert systems. In this study, we propose a new ensemble combination scheme using a latent consensus function that relates each predictor to the other. The proposed method is designed to adapt and self-correct weights even when a number of expert systems malfunction and become corrupted. To compare the performance of the proposed method with existing methods, experiments are performed on simulated data with corrupted outputs as well as on real-world data sets. Results show that the proposed method is effective and it improves the predictive performance even when a number of individual classifiers are malfunctioning. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>