University of Suwon

The journal has retracted the article “A combination of natural products, BenPros (Green Tea Extract, Soybean Extract and Camellia Japonica Oil), ameliorates benign prostatic hyperplasia” [...]

This report describes the experimental demonstration of a silicon-nanowire-based flat-topped demultiplexer, specifically designed for Long Reach 8 (LR-8) wavelength-division multiplexing targeting 400 GbE interconnects. The motivation stems from the limitations of conventional bulk and silica-based demultiplexers. The proposed device is based on a multi-stage, multiple delayed interferometric (MDI) structure. Its core consists of four MDI stages, featuring precisely engineered optical path differences and multimode interference (MMI) couplers with varied splitting ratios. The third stage incorporates an intentionally shortened path difference to disrupt spectral periodicity. To further enhance band suppression ratio and ensure flat-topped responses, additional band rejection filters are introduced in the fourth stage. The device achieves an ultra-compact footprint of 600 × 300 μm² and employs passive silicon waveguides (220 nm thick, 410 nm wide). The measured discrete, non-uniformly spaced channel grid in the O-band closely aligns with theoretical simulations based on coupled mode theory. A measured band suppression of 11 dB and box-like spectral shapes validate the design, with minor distortions attributed to fabrication-induced phase errors. This study also experimentally confirms the impact of statistical excess phase errors by evaluating an alternative waveguide design with a width of 350 nm. Importantly, the non-periodic, flat-topped LR-8 spectral characteristics were successfully demonstrated under TE-polarized input. The report also discusses performance limitations such as spectral crosstalk and suboptimal suppression ratio, identifying phase imbalance in certain asymmetric MMI couplers as the main cause. These degradations can be mitigated by integrating discrete phase shifters in the third MDI stage, without adding design or fabrication complexity. This work sets a new benchmark for integrated LR-8 demultiplexer designs, combining spectral flatness, non-periodicity, compactness, and thermal stability - key features for next-generation high-capacity interconnects.

Urban areas are challenging environments for satellite navigation because of large multipath errors and frequent satellite signal loss. Urban air mobility (UAM) has a concept for operating aircraft in urban environments, where it is important to have accurate and integrity-assured positions. In response, this paper proposes a receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) method using the time-differenced carrier phase (TDCP). TDCP measurements are robust to multipath and do not require the resolution of integer ambiguity because time differences eliminate any integer ambiguity. TDCP RAIM differentiates measurements at fixed time intervals and accumulates the estimated displacement vector. In this study, a general formulation for positioning and protection level of TDCP RAIM is introduced. The performance of TDCP RAIM was evaluated through simulation and validated using real urban measurement data, and was compared with that of Relative RAIM. The results indicate that TDCP RAIM is robust to changes in visible satellites and provides continuous positioning and protection level.

BackgroundObesity is accompanied by chronic low-grade inflammation, largely driven by imbalances in macrophage polarization. While pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages accumulate in adipose tissue and circulation, contributing to insulin resistance and metabolic disruption, alternatively activated M2 macrophages exert anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective effects. Exercise is widely recognized as a non-pharmacological strategy to improve metabolic health; however, the extent to which short-term aerobic training influences systemic macrophage polarization in obesity is not fully understood. This study examined whether a 4-week aerobic exercise intervention alters systemic macrophage polarization in diet-induced obese mice and explored its role in attenuating obesity-related inflammation.MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice (8 weeks old) were fed either a standard chow diet (Ch) or a high-fat diet (HF; 60% kcal from fat) for 12 weeks. Following obesity induction, HF-fed mice were assigned to either a sedentary (HF-Sed) or exercise-trained (HF-Exe) group. The training protocol involved treadmill running at moderate intensity, performed twice daily, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. Plasma concentrations of M1-associated markers (TNF-α, IFN-γ , IL-1β, IL-6) and M2-associated markers (IL-10, Arg1, CD163) were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical differences were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc testing.ResultsAfter 12 weeks of high-fat feeding, mice exhibited approximately 20% higher body weight than chow controls, confirming obesity induction. Four weeks of exercise training did not significantly reduce body weight but improved metabolic indices, including plasma glucose and insulin sensitivity. HF-Sed mice displayed elevated circulating M1 cytokines, whereas HF-Exe mice had significantly lower levels of IL-6, and TNF-α. Conversely, exercise enhanced M2-associated markers, including IL-10, Arg1, and CD163. Thus, aerobic training shifted systemic macrophage polarization away from a pro-inflammatory toward an anti-inflammatory profile, independent of substantial weight loss.ConclusionShort-term aerobic exercise is sufficient to promote M2 macrophage polarization and dampen systemic inflammation in obese mice. These findings underline the rapid immunomodulatory potential of exercise and support its role as an effective non-pharmacological approach to counteract obesity-related inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.

Polyphenolic flame‐retardant (FR) systems have attracted growing attention as promising candidates that can simultaneously address environmental sustainability and fire safety requirements. This review comprehensively analyzes their operating mechanisms and application performance through a comparative assessment of the literature. Representative polyphenolic materials—including lignin, polydopamine, tannic acid, flavonoids, and related phenolics—are examined with respect to char formation, radical scavenging, metal‐ion coordination, surface protection mechanisms, and synergistic effects with inorganic or organic coadditives. Their FR efficacy, durability, and stability are compared across diverse substrates, including polymers, wood, fibers, and coatings, with emphasis on biodegradability, renewability, and environmental safety. Furthermore, life cycle assessment (LCA) and safe‐and‐sustainable‐by‐design (SSbD) frameworks are applied to evaluate their alignment with circular economy principles. Collectively, this review clarifies the opportunities and limitations of polyphenolic FR systems and highlights their potential as sustainable candidates for next‐generation fire mitigation technologies.

Abstract Accurate retrieval of satellite‐derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) is critical for air quality forecasting, especially when AOD is assimilated into models. However, if retrieval errors in the satellite‐derived AOD are not corrected or characterized, they can lead to false analysis increments and ultimately degrade the quality of data assimilation (DA). The issue also arises in the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI)‐II AOD product, which remains susceptible to cloud contamination. To address the issue, this study developed a cloud screening framework for GOCI‐II AOD that combines two processes: (a) cloud removal using cloud type information from Himawari‐8/9 Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) and (b) a statistical cloud filtering based on AOD retrieval characteristics. Comparisons with Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) AOD demonstrated that the cloud screening framework effectively mitigated overestimation of GOCI‐II AODs compared to AERONET AODs. Consequently, the cloud‐screened GOCI‐II AOD showed a better agreement with AERONET AOD, improving Pearson's correlation coefficient from 0.77 to 0.82 and decreasing root‐mean‐square error from 0.175 to 0.110. Despite these improvements, the normalized biases of the cloud‐screened GOCI‐II AOD against AERONET AOD still exhibited diurnal variations, with GOCI‐II AODs being overestimated in coastal regions and underestimated in inland sites, under low‐AOD conditions. Nonetheless, the enhanced consistency of the cloud‐screened GOCI‐II AOD with AERONET AOD and its more Gaussian‐like error distribution supports the utility of the cloud screening framework in improving the quality of GOCI‐II AOD for DA systems.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has strong potential for use in sustainable packaging, automotive components, and structural materials; however, its inherent brittleness and limited thermal stability restrict broader application. To overcome these drawbacks, this study developed PLA-based composites reinforced with mica and compatibilized using poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB). To overcome the inherent brittleness and limited thermal stability of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), this study investigated the incorporation of mica as a reinforcing filler into PLA and PLA/poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) composite systems. Five types of mica with varying particle sizes and densities were examined to evaluate their influence on the mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of the composites. The PLA/PVB blend was prepared in an 8:2 weight ratio, and mica was added at 5 phr (35 g). PLA/mica composites showed limited improvement in mechanical performance due to poor interfacial compatibility between PLA and mica, resulting in decreased tensile strength and non-uniform filler dispersion. In contrast, the addition of PVB, a tough and flexible polymer containing hydroxyl groups (ca. 20 mol%) remaining after polymerization, significantly enhanced the interfacial interaction with mica and improved filler dispersion within the matrix. As a result, PLA/PVB/mica composites exhibited increased tensile strength and toughness. Thermal analysis revealed that mica restricted polymer chain mobility, leading to higher glass transition temperatures, while PVB promoted a more uniform crystalline structure. Rheological studies indicated that PLA/PVB/mica composites had higher complex viscosity and lower melt flow index (MFI) due to increased molecular interactions and reduced chain mobility. Notably, certain mica types containing Ca2+ ions catalyzed chain scission during melt processing, leading to reduced molecular weight and increased MFI. These findings demonstrate that the synergistic combination of PVB and mica can effectively improve the processability and performance of PLA-based composites, offering a promising route for developing sustainable materials for advanced applications.