• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.595-602
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• 1997

Treatment of newborn female rats with gonadal steroids induces permanent sterility in adulthood. We investigated the alteration in expression patterns of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in neonatally estrogenized sterile rats (ESR). Newborn female rats received daily injections of 17${\beta}$-estradiol (E, 10 ${\mu}$g) from the day of birth (day 1) to postnatal day 5. Controls were subjected to vehicles over the same period. All animals were sacrificed on week 7 after birth. Hypothalamic GnRH mANA levels were markedly higher in all ESR than in controls, while hypothalamic GnRH contents in ESR increased in proportion to the frequency of daily administration of E. However, both pituitary LH6 mRNA and serum LH levels were inversely decreased by the same treatment. The data indicate that neonatal exposure of E equally elevates the expression of GnRH gene, but reduces the secretion of GnRH, accordingly leading to attenuation of LH6 gene expression and circulating LH levels. The temporal effect of E and/or progesterone (P) on GnRH and LH6 mRNA levels was also examined in ESR. Newborn female rats were daily injected with E (10 ${\mu}$g) or vehicle for five successive days from day 1 and ovariectomized at week 5. They were implanted with E (235 ${\mu}$g/ml) two days prior to week 7, injected with P (1 mg) 42 h later, and sacrificed 7 h after P administration. In ovariectomized controls, hypothalamic GnRH mRNA levels were dropped to half by treatment of E and restored by subsequent treatment of P. The negative feedback action of E on GnRH mRNA levels observed in ovariectomized rats was completely blocked by neonatal exposure of E. The change in pituitary LH mRNA levels was similar to that in hypothalamic GnRH mRNA levels. Taken together, the results suggest that neonatal treatment of E alters the synthesis and release of GnRH in adulthood and furthermore blocks the negative feedback regulation of E which occurs normally after ovariectomy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.209-216
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• 2013

Soybean polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) is thought to exert anti-inflammatory activities and has potent effects in attenuating acute renal failure and liver dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PC in protecting multiple organ injury (MOI) from lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Six groups of rats (N=8) were used in this study. Three groups acted as controls and received only saline, hydrocortisone (HC, 6 mg/kg, i.v.) or PC (600 mg/kg, i.p.) without LPS (15 mg/kg, i.p.) injections. Other 3 groups, as the test groups, were administered saline, HC or PC in the presence of LPS. Six hours after the LPS injection, blood and organs (lung, liver and kidney) were collected from each group to measure inflammatory cytokines and perform histopathology and myeloperoxidase (MPO) assessment. Serum cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-10) and MPO activities were significantly increased, and significant histopathological changes in the organs were observed by LPS challenge. These findings were significantly attenuated by PC or HC. The treatment with PC or HC resulted in a significant attenuation on the increase in serum levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, pro-inflammatory cytokines, while neither PC nor HC significantly attenuated serum levels of IL-10, anti-inflammatory cytokine. In the organs, the enhanced infiltration of neutrophils and expression of ED2 positive macrophage were attenuated by PC or HC. Inductions of MPO activity were also significantly attenuated by PC or HC. From the findings, we suggest that PC may be a functional material for its use as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.25-34
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• 2012

New calibration method for the near-field scanning (NFS) system is presented. The proposed calibration method consisted of a new near-field antenna (NFP) and newly devised patterns as circular patch patterns (CPPs) and meander patterns (MPs). The proposed patterns were used for improving spatial resolutions and simplifying a calibration procedure of the NFP compared to the conventional method defined in the IEC61967-3 and 6. Also, the effect of the length of NFPs on attenuation characteristics was investigated with length of 8mm and 30mm. For them, we designed and fabricated CPPs of diameter (D) = 20, 40, 60, and 100mm and MPs of various widths and spaces. We found the reverse relations between spatial resolutions and heights of measuring points by using simplified calibration procedure. The testing result shows that the spatial resolution of $120{\mu}m$ at height of $200{\mu}m$ was verified without complex correlation algorithms under 8GHz. For manufacturing cost all patterns and the NFP were realized with low-cost fabrication using PCB (FR-4) not by a conventional LTCC process. For verification of chip-level EMC from the results, near-field scanning system (NFSS) having step resolution of Sub-micron scale was produced and by using the proposed NFSS and proposed NFP measurement of chip shows accurately the shape of the resolution of $200{\mu}m$ patterns for securing a high level of chip-level EMC verification.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.431-437
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• 2015

This convergence study analyzed the effectiveness of contrast agent reduction by normal saline solution dilution in the computed tomography of arteries of lower limb. 48 patients of 125 cc contrast agent and 30 patients of the same amount divided at a ratio of 7:3 for the contrast agent and normal saline solution were studied. The average attenuation coefficient(HU) and signal to noise ratio(SNR) of abdominal aorta, femoral artery, popliteal artery and posterior tibial artery at each image were evaluated quantitatively and the four criteria in the five point scale was conducted qualitatively by two radiologists and four radiological technologists. In the quantitative evaluation, both HU and SNR had high average score before dilation but there were no statistical significance by independent t-test(p>0.05). In the qualitative evaluation, there were a little differences in the average scores between 4.86~4.77 of original contrast agent and 4.83~4.67 of dilated contrast agent but there were no statistical significance(p>0.05). In the computed tomography of arteries of lower limb, the dilated contrast agent doesn't influence image quality and reduces overall contrast agent and lowers iodine content per unit of molecular therefore will contribute to decrease side effect of contrast agent.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2011

Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA), which can effectively apply inevitable uncertainties in seismic data, considers a number of seismotectonic models and attenuation equations. The calculated hazard by PSHA is generally a value dependent on peak ground acceleration (PGA) and expresses the value as an annual exceedance probability. To represent the uncertainty range of a hazard which has occurred using various seismic data, a hazard curve figure shows both a mean curve and percentile curves (15, 50, and 85). The percentile performs an important role in that it indicates the uncertainty range of the calculated hazard, could be calculated using various methods by the relation of the weight and hazard. This study using the weight accumulation method, the weighted hazard method, the maximum likelihood method, and the moment method, has calculated the percentile of the computed hazard by PSHA on the Shinuljin 1, 2 site. The calculated percentile using the weight accumulation method, the weighted hazard method, and the maximum likelihood method, have similar trends and represent the range of all computed hazards by PSHA. The calculated percentile using the moment method effectively showed the range of hazards at the source which includes a site. This study suggests the moment method as effective percentile calculation method considering the almost same mean hazard for the seismotectonic model and a source which includes a site.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.399-407
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• 2010

The horizontal response spectra using the observed ground motions from the recent more than 19 macro earthquakes were analysed and then were compared to both the seismic design response spectra (Reg Guide 1.60), applied to the domestic nuclear power plants, and the Korean Standard Design Response Spectrum for general structures and buildings (1997). 130 horizontal ground motions, without considering soil types, were used for normalization with respect to the peak acceleration value of each ground motion. The results showed that response spectrum have strong dependency on epicentral distance. The results also showed that the horizontal response spectra revealed much higher values for frequency bands above 5 Hz than Reg. Guide (1.60). The results were also compared to the Korean Standard Response Spectrum for the 3 different soil types and showed that the vertical response spectra revealed much higher values for the frequency bands below 0.3 second than the Korean Standard Response Spectrum (SD soil condition). These spectral values dependent on frequency could be related to characteristics of the domestic crustal attenuation and the effect of each site amplification. However, through the qualitative improvements and quantitative enhancement of the observed ground motions, the conservation of horizontal seismic design response spectrum should be considered more significantly for the frequency bands above 5 Hz.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.301-312
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• 1996

This study was performed to search a optimal analyzing method of cadmium in whole-blood. Cadmium was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry(GFAAS). We investigated the effect of ashing temperature on the absorbance of cadmium in a simple dilution(ten-fold) method with triton X-100 and matrix modifier methods treated with $NH_4H_2PO_4$(1 and 3%) and $Pd(NO_3)_2$(0.00l and 0.005%) as matrix modifier. We also compared the reported reference values of standard blood with values resulted from optimal analyzing conditions of this study. In case of a simple dilution method, when ashing temperature was set at $450^{\circ}C$, the absorbance of sample and background were $0.334{\pm}0.012$ and $1.382{\pm}0.245$, respectively. Background level was higher than the value(0.8) that can be corrected by $D_2$ background correction method. As ashing temperature was rised to $500^{\circ}C$, the absorbance of sample and background were $0.178{\pm}0.008$ and $0.711{\pm}0.223$ respectively. The higher ashing temperature($450^{\circ}C-650^{\circ}C$) was, the lower the absorbance of sample was. In case of a matrix modifier method with $NH_4H_2PO_4$(1 and 3%), when ashing temperature was rised from $500^{\circ}C$ to $650^{\circ}C$, the absorbance of sample slightly changed. The absorbances of sample at $600^{\circ}C$ were $0.230{\pm}0.017$ and $0.137{\pm}0.012$, respectively. These values were larger than that of simple dilution method. But the absorbance of background was higher than the level that can be corrected by $D_2$ method. In case of a matrix modifier method with $Pd(NO_3)_2$(0.001 and 0.005%), the absorbance of sample and background were higher than those of other methods and were stable and reproducible. When ashing temperature was over $550^{\circ}C$, the absorbance of sample was significantly decreased. In case of 0.005% $Pd(NO_3)_2$ carbon residue remained in graphite tube affected the absorbance of sample and background. From these results, We propose that in case of a simple dilution(ten-fold) method with triton X-100 ashing temperature must be maintained below $400^{\circ}C$. In order to diminish the absorbance of background, the alternative method is attenuation of injection volume or multiplication of dilution ratio. We recommend $Pd(NO_3)_2$ than $NH_4H_2PO_4$ as a matrix modifier. In case of a matrix modifier method with $Pd(NO_3)_2$ ashing temperature might be maintained below $550^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.459-468
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• 2021

Blocking electromagnetic waves on the exterior walls of buildings effectively reduces the intensity of electromagnetic fields in buildings, which leads to attenuation of electromagnetic disturbances, so there is a great interest in developing technologies. In this study, SiC by-products and graphite generated in the semiconductor field were selected and mixed into mortar after pretreatment such as pulverization to evaluate their physical properties and electromagnetic wave shielding performance. Considering the economic efficiency of each shielding material, only 10% volume of the outermost side of the experiment was mixed with each shielding material to evaluate the shielding performance. The shielding performance was predicted when the experiment was manufactured by mixing the shielding material with the entire volume of the experiment using the shielding effect evaluation formula. The results of the experiment showed that the shielding performance was up to 20 dB when SiC grains were mixed with shielding materials, the shielding performance was up to 18 dB when graphite powder was mixed with shielding materials, and the shielding performance was up to 28 dB when SiC powder was mixed with shielding materials, and the shielding performance was close to 30 dB, which is known to have a shielding rate of 99.9%.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.302-311
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• 2022

Sound barrier walls are one of the most effective alternatives for reducing environmental noise on roads and railways in the city center. The insertion loss of the sound barrier against road traffic noise is the sum of the sound transmission loss, sound absorption loss, and sound energy reduction due to the diffraction attenuation of the sound barrier. The sound transmission loss of the sound barrier is one of the important factors that determine the insertion loss of the sound barrier and is a basic indicator that determines the performance of the sound barrier. Nevertheless, there is not a separate standard in Korea for measuring the acoustic transmission loss of sound barrier panels. There are only a few conditions in KS F 4770 series that stipulates on the general material of sound barrier panels. This thesis examines the necessity of the acoustic transmission loss measurement and evaluation standards of sound barrier walls, and seeks a measurement method in a free sound field (anechoic chamber) sound receiving room considering the characteristics of sound barrier walls installed in external spaces, unlike indoor building materials. In addition, a single number evaluation method using a reference spectrum was proposed so that the sound insulation effect according to various installation places such as roadside or railroad side can be easily displayed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.589-603
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported that protein supplementation contributes to the attenuation of inflammation. Serious trauma such as burn injury usually results in the excessive release of inflammatory factors and organs dysfunction. However, a few reports continued to focus on the function of protein ingestion in regulating burn-induced inflammation and organ dysfunction. MATERIALS/METHODS: This study established the rat model of 30% total body surface area burn injury, and evaluated the function of blended protein (mixture of whey and soybean proteins). Blood routine examination, inflammatory factors, blood biochemistry, and immunohistochemical assays were employed to analyze the samples from different treatment groups. RESULTS: Our results indicated a decrease in the numbers of white blood cells, monocytes, and neutrophils in the burn injury group administered with the blended protein nutritional support (Burn+BP), as compared to the burn injury group administered normal saline supplementation (Burn+S). Expressions of the pro-inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and chemokines (macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted factor, and C-C motif chemokine 11) were dramatically decreased, whereas anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) were significantly increased in the Burn+BP group. Kidney function related markers blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and the liver function related markers alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were remarkably reduced, whereas albumin levels were elevated in the Burn+BP group as compared to levels obtained in the Burn+S group. Furthermore, inflammatory cells infiltration of the kidney and liver was also attenuated after burn injury administered with blended protein supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, nutritional support with blended proteins dramatically attenuates the burn-induced inflammatory reaction and protects organ functions. We believe this is a new insight into a potential therapeutic strategy for nutritional support of burn patients.