1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance study of Ferroelectric (NH4)3H(SO4)2

S. H. Choi,K. S. Han,S. K. Kwon,S. K. Nam,H. H. Choi,Moohee Lee,Ae Ran Lim 한국자기공명학회 2007 Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society Vol.11 No.2

1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments have been performed at 30 - 300 K and 7 T to investigate dynamics of hydrogen bond network in the single crystal (NH4)3H(SO4)2. The two proton sites, ammonium proton and hydrogen-bond proton, are identified from the 1H NMR MAS spectrum at 340 K. As temperature decreases, the 1H NMR spectrum shifts to the higher frequency side with a larger linewidth. The spectrum at 65 K shows a distinctive change in line shape toward the ferroelectric transition at 63 K. The measured values of T1 for ammonium and hydrogen-bond protons are similar in the whole range of temperature. T1 of 1H NMR shows a gradual decrease down to 120 K and starts to steeply increase below 100 K. Then T1 shows abrupt decrease below 70 K with a sharp minimum at 63 K, where the ferroelectric transition occurs. This temperature dependence of spectrum and T1 clearly prove that the large change in the dynamics of hydrogen bond network is associated with the ferroelectric phase transition at 63 K.

Involvement of S6K1 in mitochondria function and structure in HeLa cells

Park, J.,Tran, Q.,Mun, K.,Masuda, K.,Kwon, S.H.,Kim, S.H.,Kim, D.H.,Thomas, G.,Park, J. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 Cellular signalling Vol.28 No.12

The major biological function of mitochondria is to generate cellular energy through oxidative phosphorylation. Apart from cellular respiration, mitochondria also play a key role in signaling processes, including aging and cancer metabolism. It has been shown that S6K1-knockout mice are resistant to obesity due to enhanced beta-oxidation, with an increased number of large mitochondria. Therefore, in this report, the possible involvement of S6K1 in regulating mitochondria dynamics and function has been investigated in stable lenti-shS6K1-HeLa cells. Interestingly, S6K1-stably depleted HeLa cells showed phenotypical changes in mitochondria morphology. This observation was further confirmed by detailed image analysis of mitochondria shape. Corresponding molecular changes were also observed in these cells, such as the induction of mitochondrial fission proteins (Drp1 and Fis1). Oxygen consumption is elevated in S6K1-depeleted HeLa cells and FL5.12 cells. In addition, S6K1 depletion leads to enhancement of ATP production in cytoplasm and mitochondria. However, the relative ratio of mitochondrial ATP to cytoplasmic ATP is actually decreased in lenti-shS6K1-HeLa cells compared to control cells. Lastly, induction of mitophagy was found in lenti-shS6K1-HeLa cells with corresponding changes of mitochondria shape on electron microscope analysis. Taken together, our results indicate that S6K1 is involved in the regulation of mitochondria morphology and function in HeLa cells. This study will provide novel insights into S6K1 function in mitochondria-mediated cellular signaling.

S–N Fatigue and Fatigue Crack Propagation Behaviors of X80 Steel at Room and Low Temperatures

Jung, D. H.,Kwon, J. K.,Woo, N. S.,Kim, Y. J.,Goto, M.,Kim, S. Springer Science + Business Media 2014 Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Physi Vol.45 No.2

<P>In the present study, the S-N fatigue and the fatigue crack propagation (FCP) behaviors of American Petroleum Institute X80 steel were examined in the different locations of the base metal (BM), weld metal (WM), and heat-affected zone (HAZ) at 298 K, 223 K, and 193 K (25 degrees C, 50 degrees C, and 80 degrees C). The resistance to S-N fatigue of X80 BM specimen increased greatly with decreasing temperature from 298 K to 193 K (25 degrees C to -80 degrees C) and showed a strong dependency on the flow strength (1/2(yield strength + tensile strength)). The FCP rates of X80 BM specimen were substantially reduced with decreasing temperature from 298 K to 223 K (25 degrees C to 50 degrees C) over the entire Delta K regime, while further reduction in FCP rates was not significant with temperature from 223 K to 193 K (-50 degrees C to -80 degrees C). The FCP rates of the X80 BM and the WM specimens were comparable with each other, while the HAZ specimen showed slightly better FCP resistance than the BM and the WM specimens over the entire Delta K regime at 298 K (25 degrees C). Despite the varying microstructural characteristics of each weld location, the residual stress appeared to be a controlling factor to determine the FCP behavior. The FCP behaviors of high strength X80 steel were discussed based on the microstructural and the fractographic observations. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2013</P>

1H NMR Measurements of the Phase Transition of (NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ Single Crystals

S. H. Choi,Moohee Lee,Ae Ran Lim,K. S. Han,S. K. Kwon,S. K. Nam 한국물리학회 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.52 No.2

$^1$H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments have been performed in the temperature range of 30 -- 300 K at 7 T to investigate the phase-dependent nature of the dynamic network of hydrogen bonds in a ((NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ single crystal. The crystal has six phases, which are ferroelectric, antiferroelectric, incommensurate, antiferroelectric, ferroelastic, and superionic with the respective transition temperatures of 63, 133, 139, 256 and 413 K. The spin-lattice relaxation time, T₁, of ¹H NMR is similar for the ammonium protons and the hydrogen-bond protons over the entire range of experimental temperatures. The T₁, of ¹H NMR gradually decreases down to 120 K and starts to steeply increase below 100 K. Then, the T₁ shows an abrupt decrease below 68 K with a sharp minimum at 63 K, where the ferroelectric transition occurs. The ¹H NMR spectrum shifts to the high-frequency side at temperatures below 63 K due to the ferroelectric phase transition. This behavior of the T₁ and the spectrum confirms a dramatic change in the dynamics of hydrogen bonds associated with the ferroelectric phase transition at 63 K. $^1$H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments have been performed in the temperature range of 30 -- 300 K at 7 T to investigate the phase-dependent nature of the dynamic network of hydrogen bonds in a ((NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ single crystal. The crystal has six phases, which are ferroelectric, antiferroelectric, incommensurate, antiferroelectric, ferroelastic, and superionic with the respective transition temperatures of 63, 133, 139, 256 and 413 K. The spin-lattice relaxation time, T₁, of ¹H NMR is similar for the ammonium protons and the hydrogen-bond protons over the entire range of experimental temperatures. The T₁, of ¹H NMR gradually decreases down to 120 K and starts to steeply increase below 100 K. Then, the T₁ shows an abrupt decrease below 68 K with a sharp minimum at 63 K, where the ferroelectric transition occurs. The ¹H NMR spectrum shifts to the high-frequency side at temperatures below 63 K due to the ferroelectric phase transition. This behavior of the T₁ and the spectrum confirms a dramatic change in the dynamics of hydrogen bonds associated with the ferroelectric phase transition at 63 K.

[ $^1H$ ] Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study of Ferroelectric $(NH_4)_3H(SO_4)_2$

Choi, S.H.,Han, K.S.,Kwon, S.K.,Nam, S.K.,Choi, H.H.,Lee, Moo-Hee,Lim, Ae-Ran Korean Magnetic Resonance Society 2007 Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society Vol.11 No.2

[ $^1H$ ] nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments have been performed at 30 - 300 K and 7 T to investigate dynamics of hydrogen bond network in the single crystal $(NH_4)_3H(SO_4)_2$. The two proton sites, ammonium proton and hydrogen-bond proton, are identified from the $^1H$ NMR MAS spectrum at 340 K. As temperature decreases, the $^1H$ NMR spectrum shifts to the higher frequency side with a larger linewidth. The spectrum at 65 K shows a distinctive change in line shape toward the ferroelectric transition at 63 K. The measured values of $T_1$ for ammonium and hydrogen-bond protons are similar in the whole range of temperature. $T_1$ of $^1H$ NMR shows a gradual decrease down to 120 K and starts to steeply increase below 100 K. Then $T_1$ shows abrupt decrease below 70 K with a sharp minimum at 63 K, where the ferroelectric transition occurs. This temperature dependence of spectrum and $T_1$ clearly prove that the large change in the dynamics of hydrogen bond network is associated with the ferroelectric phase transition at 63 K.

The microRNA miR-124 inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by targeting S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4)

Choe, N.,Kwon, D. H.,Shin, S.,Kim, Y. S.,Kim, Y. K.,Kim, J.,Ahn, Y.,Eom, G. H.,Kook, H. Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam. 2017 FEBS letters Vol.591 No.7

<P>S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) induces proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We aimed to find the microRNA regulating S100A4 expression. S100A4 transcripts are abruptly increased in the acute phase of carotid arterial injury 1 day later (at day 1) but gradually decreases at days 7 and 14. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that miR-124 targets S100A4. VSMC survival is attenuated by miR-124 mimic but increased by miR-124 inhibitor. miR-124 decreases immediately after carotid arterial injury but dramatically increases at days 7 and 14. miR-124 inhibitor-induced cell proliferation is blocked by S100A4 siRNA, whereas miR-124-induced cell death is recovered by S100A4. Our findings suggest that miR-124 is a novel regulator of VSMC proliferation and may play a role in the development of neointimal proliferation.</P>

Comparison study on neutronic analysis of the K-DEMO water cooled ceramic breeder blanket using MCNP and ATTILA

Park, J.S.,Kwon, S.,Im, K. North-Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2016 Fusion engineering and design Vol.109 No.1

A comparison study of main parameter calculations: neutron wall loading (NWL), tritium breeding ratio (TBR), and nuclear heating, on a Korean fusion demonstration reactor (K-DEMO) neutronic analysis model using MCNP and ATTILA was performed to investigate the feasibility of using ATTILA for the main parameter calculations. The model was created by commercial CAD program (Pro-Engineer(TM)) as a 22.5<SUP>o</SUP> sector of tokamak consisting of major components such as blankets, shields, divertors, vacuum vessels (VV), toroidal field (TF) coils, and others, which was directly imported into ATTILA by Parasolid file. The discretizing in space, angle, and energy variables were refined for application of the K-DEMO neutronic analysis model through an iterative process since these variables greatly impact on accuracy, solution times, and memory consumptions in ATTILA. The main parameter calculations using ATTILA and the result of comparison studies indicate that the NWL distributions by two codes were almost agreed within discrepancy of 3.3%; the TBR distribution using ATTILA was slightly bigger than MCNP with a difference 3.9%; the nuclear heating values on TF coils and VV were bigger than MCNP with relatively high difference (17% and 28%). As a result of comparisons, ATTILA shows close agreement with MCNP within reasonable discrepancy ranges (3.3-28%).

Experimental Approach to Explosive Nucloeosynthesis with RI Beams

S. Kubono,Y. Yamaguchi,G. Amadio,S. Hayakawa,Y. Wakabayashi,Y. Kurihara,J. J. He,A. Saito,H. Fujikawa,Le Hong Khiem,M. Niikura,T. Teranishi,N. Iwasa,S. Kato,S. Nishimura,C. S. Lee,Y. K. Kwon,I. S. Hah 한국물리학회 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.54 No.1

Experimental efforts to investigate stellar reactions under high-temperature and high density conditions have been made as a major program using the RI beams from the Center for Nuclear Study (CNS) low-energy in-flight RI beam separator (CRIB) at University of Tokyo in order to understand the evolution of the universe, as well as various stellar phenomena. Specically, two subjects of hydrogen burning are discussed here. One is a reaction study of the pp-chain and the second is of the explosive hydrogen burning, the rp-process. Some s-wave resonances have been identified by the thick target method in the crucial reaction processes in the hydrogen burning. The resonant scattering with the thick target method also succeeded in identifying inelastic resonant scattering, giving proton widths for the first excited state of the target nucleus. This provided very efficiently the reaction rate estimate for the process under high-temperature equilibrium conditions. Possibilities of the CRIB facility in near future are also briey discussed. Experimental efforts to investigate stellar reactions under high-temperature and high density conditions have been made as a major program using the RI beams from the Center for Nuclear Study (CNS) low-energy in-flight RI beam separator (CRIB) at University of Tokyo in order to understand the evolution of the universe, as well as various stellar phenomena. Specically, two subjects of hydrogen burning are discussed here. One is a reaction study of the pp-chain and the second is of the explosive hydrogen burning, the rp-process. Some s-wave resonances have been identified by the thick target method in the crucial reaction processes in the hydrogen burning. The resonant scattering with the thick target method also succeeded in identifying inelastic resonant scattering, giving proton widths for the first excited state of the target nucleus. This provided very efficiently the reaction rate estimate for the process under high-temperature equilibrium conditions. Possibilities of the CRIB facility in near future are also briey discussed.

Substrate specificity of a recombinant d-lyxose isomerase from Providencia stuartii for monosaccharides

Kwon, H.J.,Yeom, S.J.,Park, C.S.,Oh, D.K. Society for Bioscience and Bioengineering, Japan ; 2010 Journal of bioscience and bioengineering Vol.110 No.1

The specific activity and catalytic efficiency (k<SUB>cat</SUB>/K<SUB>m</SUB>) of the recombinant putative protein from Providencia stuartii was the highest for d-lyxose among the aldose substrates, indicating that it is a d-lyxose isomerase. Gel filtration analysis suggested that the native enzyme is a dimer with a molecular mass of 44 kDa. The maximal activity for d-lyxose isomerization was observed at pH 7.5 and 45 <SUP>o</SUP>C in the presence of 1 mM Mn<SUP>2+</SUP>. The enzyme exhibited high isomerization activity for aldose substrates with the C2 and C3 hydroxyl groups in the left-hand configuration, such as d-lyxose, d-mannose, l-ribose, d-talose, and l-allose (listed in decreasing order of activity). The enzyme exhibited the highest activity for d-xylulose among all pentoses and hexoses. Thus, d-lyxose was produced at 288 g/l from 500 g/l d-xylulose by d-lyxose isomerase at pH 7.5 and 45 <SUP>o</SUP>C for 2 h, with a conversion yield of 58 % and a volumetric productivity of 144 g l<SUP>-1</SUP> h<SUP>-1</SUP>. The observed k<SUB>cat</SUB>/K<SUB>m</SUB> (920 mM<SUP>-1</SUP> s<SUP>-1</SUP>) of P. stuartiid-lyxose isomerase for d-xylulose is higher than any of the k<SUB>cat</SUB>/K<SUB>m</SUB> values previously reported for sugar and sugar phosphate isomerases with monosaccharide substrates. These results suggest that the enzyme will be useful as an industrial producer of d-lyxose.

RNPS1 is modulated by ubiquitin-specific protease 4

Kwon, S. K.,Kim, E. H.,Baek, K. H. North-Holland Pub 2017 FEBS letters Vol. No.

<P>RNA-binding protein with serine-rich domain 1 (RNPS1) is a component of pre-splicing and post-splicing multiprotein complexes, which activates constitutive and alternative splicing. RNPS1 participates in the formation of the spliceosome and activates the pre-mRNA splicing process. In the present study, we found that ubiquitin-specific protease 4 (USP4) is a binding partner of RNPS1. Although RNPS1 is polyubiquitinated by both K48- and K63-linkages, USP4 exclusively deubiquitinates K63-linked polyubiquitin chains of RNPS1. We also demonstrate that the catalytic activity of USP4 on ubiquitinated RNPS1 is elevated by squamous cell carcinoma antigen recognized by T cells 3 (Sart3).</P>