• Title/Summary/Keyword: Degradation factor

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Efficient Verification of X-ray Target Replacement for the C-series High Energy Linear Accelerator

  • Cho, Jin Dong;Chun, Minsoo;Son, Jaeman;An, Hyun Joon;Yoon, Jeongmin;Choi, Chang Heon;Kim, Jung-in;Park, Jong Min;Kim, Jin Sung
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.29 no.3
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    • pp.92-100
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    • 2018
  • The manufacturer of a linear accelerator (LINAC) has reported that the target melting phenomenon could be caused by a non-recommended output setting and the excessive use of monitor unit (MU) with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Due to these reasons, we observed an unexpected beam interruption during the treatment of a patient in our institution. The target status was inspected and a replacement of the target was determined. After the target replacement, the beam profile was adjusted to the machine commissioning beam data, and the absolute doses-to-water for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams were calibrated according to American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group (TG)-51 protocol. To verify the beam data after target replacement, the beam flatness, symmetry, output factor, and percent depth dose (PDD) were measured and compared with the commissioning data. The difference between the referenced and measured data for flatness and symmetry exhibited a coincidence within 0.3% for both 6 MV and 10 MV, and the difference of the PDD at 10 cm depth ($PDD_{10}$) was also within 0.3% for both photon energies. Also, patient-specific quality assurances (QAs) were performed with gamma analysis using a 2-D diode and ion chamber array detector for eight patients. The average gamma passing rates for all patients for the relative dose distribution was $99.1%{\pm}1.0%$, and those for absolute dose distribution was $97.2%{\pm}2.7%$, which means the gamma analysis results were all clinically acceptable. In this study, we recommend that the beam characteristics, such as beam profile, depth dose, and output factors, should be examined. Further, patient-specific QAs should be performed to verify the changes in the overall beam delivery system when a target replacement is inevitable; although it is more important to check the beam output in a daily routine.

Performance of a Closed-Loop Power Control Using a Variable Step-size Control Scheme in a DS/CDMA LEO Mobile Satellite System (DS/CDMA 저궤도 이동 위성 시스템에서 가변 스텝사이즈 조절 방식 폐루프 전력제어의 성능분석)

  • 전동근;이연우;홍선표
    • The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.16-24
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    • 2000
  • In this paper the performance of a closed-loop power control scheme using variable step size decision method for DS/CDMA based-low earth orbit(LEO) mobile satellite systems in which the long round trip delay is a dominant performance degradation factor is evaluated. Because there are fundamental differences in the characteristics between the LEO mobile satellite channel and terrestrial mobile channel, such as long round trip delay and different elevation angle, these factors are considered in channel modeling based on the European Space Agency(ESA) measurement data. Since the round trip delay (from the mobile terminal to the gateway station via satellite) is typically 10∼20ms in low altitude satellite channels, closed-loop power control is much less effective than it is on a terrestrial channel. Thus, the adaptive power control scheme using a variable step size control is essential for overcoming the long round trip delay and fading due to the elevation angle. It is shown that the standard deviation of signal to interference ratio(SIR) adopting a variable step size closed-loop power control scheme is much less than that of a fixed step size closed-loop power control. Furthermore, we have driven the conclusion that the measurement interval of power control commands is optimal choice when it is twice the round trip delay.

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Effect of Phellinus Extracts on Sprouting in Porcine Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells (혈관내피세포의 발아에 미치는 상황버섯 추출물의 효과)

  • Oh, In-Suk;Kim, Hwan-Gyu
    • KSBB Journal
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.292-297
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    • 2006
  • One of the steps in angiogenesis is the degradation of the underlying basement membrane via proteases. Endothelial cells release proteinases to degrade the extracellular matrix for their sprouting in vivo. In this study, we examined the effect of water extracts of Phellinus linteusis(Phellinus extracts) and combination of Phellinus extracts and fibroblast growth factor(FGF-2) on cultured porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells(PPAECs). Phellinus extracts induced sprouting of PPAECs, which was inhibited by MMPs and plasmin inhibitors, and induced the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) and plasmin. At high concentration of Phellinus extracts($200{\sim}400{\mu}g/mL$), the active MMP-2 secretion was induced. It is therefore, suggested that Phellinus extracts induces the sprouting of cultured endothelial cells by means of increased active MMP-2 and plasmin secretion. Also, combination with Phellinus extracts and FGF-2 produced an enhanced effect on sprouting and secretion of active MMP-2, and MMP-3 and plasmin from PPAECs.

Effect of Acid Treatment of Graphitized Carbon on Carbon Corrosion in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (결정성 탄소의 산처리가 고분자연료전지의 성능과 내구성에 미치는 영향 평가)

  • Oh, Hyung-Suk;Han, Hak-Soo;Kim, Han-Sung
    • Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.181-188
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    • 2009
  • Pt catalyst was adsorbed on Carbon nanofiber (CNF) by modified polyol method after acid treatment of the carbon support with $HNO_3$ and $H_{2}SO_{4}$. As the time for acid treatment increases, more oxygen functional groups on carbon surface were produced which improve the loading amount and dispersion of Pt catalyst on carbon supports. In order to inspect the effect of CNF acid treatment time on electrochemical corrosion, constant potential of 1.4 V was applied to a single cell for 30 min and the amount of $CO_2$ emitted was monitored with on-line mass spectrometry. According to the results of our experiment, more $CO_2$ was produced with Pt/ oxidized-CNF catalyst in compared to that with unoxidized-CNF. Increasing acid treatment time also induces the more $CO_2$ emission. Besides, performance degradation after corrosion test expanded with severer carbon corrosion. From the observed results, it can be concluded that the acid treatment of CNF is beneficial to catalyst loading, but it also is a significant factor declining the fuel cell durability by accelerating electrochemical oxidation of carbon support.

Effects of Bcl-2 Overexpressing on the Apoptotic Cell Death Induced by HDAC Inhibitors in Human Leukemic U937 Cells (HDAC 저해제에 의한 인체 백혈병 U937 세포의 apoptosis 유발에 미치는 Bcl-2의 영향)

  • Lee, In-Hyuk;Hur, Man-Gyu;Park, Dong-Il;Choi, Byung-Tae;Choi, Yung-Hyun
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.17 no.4 s.84
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    • pp.552-560
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    • 2007
  • Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is overexpressed in a variety of cancers and is closely correlated with oncogenic factors. HDAC inhibitors such as trichostatin A(TSA) and sodium butyrate (Na-B) have been shown to induce apoptosis in vitro and in vivo in many cancer cells. The anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein has the remarkable ability to prevent cell death and Bcl-2 overexpression has been reported to protect against cell death. We previously reported that the apoptotic cell death of human leukemic U937 cells by TSA and Na-B treatment was associated with the down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and activation of caspases. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Bcl-2 overexpression on the growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by TSA and Na-B in U937 cells. TSA-induced growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were significantly attenuated in Bcl-2 overexpressing U937/Bcl-2 cells however Na-B did not affected. Induction of apoptosis by TSA was accompanied by down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression, activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9, and degradation of DNA fragmentation factor/inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase, which was blocked by the overexpression of Bcl-2. Collectively, these findings suggest that ectopic expression of Bcl-2 appeared to inhibit TSA-induced apoptosis by interfering with inhibition of Bcl-2 and caspase activation.

The Influence of Pre- and Post-harvest Factors on the Shelf-life and Quality of Leaf Lettuce (수확 전후 요인이 잎상추의 저장수명 및 품질에 미치는 영향)

  • Yang, Yong-Joon;Park, Kuen-Woo;Jeong, Jin-Cheol
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.133-140
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    • 1991
  • Weight-loss, general-appearante, yellowing, and compositions such as chlorophyll, carotenoid, vitamin C and nitrate, were studied to investigate the influence of pre-(cultivar and growing season) and post-(low-temperature and high-density polyethylene film packaging) harvest factors on the shelf-life and quality of leaf lettuce(Lactuca sativa L). Weight-loss was reduced by the treatment of high-density polyethylene film packaging, and more at $0{\sim}1^{\circ}C$ than $4{\sim}5^{\circ}C$. Leaf-lettuce grown in Winter lost less fresh weight than that grown in Autumn. In experiment on difference between cultivars, the reduction of weight-loss in 'Cheongchima' lettuce was somewhat significant than that in 'Jeokchukmyeon' lettuce. The tendency of changes in general appearance was similar to that of weight-loss. The yellowing of leaf lettuce during the storage was caused by chlorophyll degradation. Vitamin C content before the storage was 128.0 mg/100 g FW. in lettuce grown in Winter, 123.8 mg/100g FW. in that grown in Autumn, and more 'Cheongchima' lettuce than 'Jeokchukmyeon' lettuce. In all treatment, vitamin C content decreased rapidly, and this tendency was more obvious at $4{\sim}5^{\circ}C$ than $0{\sim}1^{\circ}C$. The nitrate content of 'Jeokchukmyeon' was 3812.6 ppm and that of 'Cheongchima' was 2855.6 ppm before the storage. Nitrate content decreased more at $4{\sim}5^{\circ}C$ than $0{\sim}1^{\circ}C$ during the storage.

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Changes of RuBisCO Content and Protease Activity during the Life Span of Tobacco Leaf (담배잎의 일생에 있어서 RuBisCO 함량과 Protease활성의 변동)

  • 이학수
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.63-74
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    • 1993
  • Changes in the amount of ribulose 1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oygenase(=RuBisCO) protein, namely fraction I protein, and the protease activity were determined in the 10th leaf of tobacco(Nicotiana tabacum, var. Ky-57) from 10 days after emergence through senescence at 5 days interval. The amount of RuBisCO per deveined leaf rapidly increased during the early growing season, reached a maximal quantity at the around 20 days after leaf emergence, when the leaf has gone through its most rapid expansion, and began gradually to decrease till 30 days after leaf emergence, thereafter significantly declined to 45 days that the leaf has been dried up partly. The pattern of the ratio of RuBisCO protein to soluble protein in quantity changed similar to that of RuBisCO contents in a leaf, that was 43%, 60%, and 21% at the around 10 days, 20 days, and 45 days, respectively. And RuBisCO contents was linearly correlated with the concentration of chlorophyll(r=0.98) throughout the life span of the leaf. So, it was assumed that the leaf color can be a useful indicator for judging whether RuBisCO contents higher or not in tobacco leaves without homogenization. On the other hand, the protease activities for degradation of casein were assayed at pH 5.5. 7.0. and 8.5 with crude extracts desalted on Sephadex G-25. The highest caseolytic activity was found at pH 5.5 throughout the life sawn of the leaf. Also, the activity at 5.5 became gradually to increase from 30 days after leaf emergence, when RuBisCO protein had became to disappear and remarkably increased in the last stage of senescence, although nitrogen contents of the leaf had reached low levels. The caseolytic activity at pH 5.5 was in negative correlation with RuBisCO contents throughout the life span of the leaf, but not in lineality between them. In other words, the caseolytic activity increased in a rapid exponential manner when RuBisCO contents had reached some low levels. These results showed that the leaf age, namely harvesting time, is a very important factor for the production of the tobacco leaf containing higher RuBisCO protein. It was concluded that the practical harvesting time is between 20 days and 30 days after the leaf emergence from the present results.

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Marine Environments and Production of Laver Farm at Aphae-do Based on Water Quality and Phytoplankton Community (수질환경과 식물플랑크톤 군집 변화에 의한 압해도 김 양식장의 해양환경과 생산)

  • Yoon, Yang Ho
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.159-167
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    • 2014
  • In this study, I examined the water quality and phytoplankton community in aquaculture laver farm in the southwest part of Aphae-do, South Korea, based on the young leaf stage, middle leaf stage, and adult leaf stage of laver thallus from October, 2013 to January, 2014. It was observed that the Aphae laver farm, as located in shallow waters, was found to have a serious resuspsension of the surface sediments due to physical disturbance caused by winds and tidal mixing. Such a resuspension of surface sediments coupled with nutrients supply obstructs light penetration into the sea for its huge amount of total suspended matters. As a result for this reason, it was viewed toimpedthe growth of phytoplankton was impeded as it also competes with laver to absorb the same kinds of nutrients as laver does during the laver growth period in winter. Such elements of the marine environment in Aphae laver farm are in contrast with the environment of Japan, where nutrients including dissolved inorganic nitrogen, in particular, are insufficient to cause the recent laver bad harvest, discoloration and quality degradation while large diatoms, with their higher nutrients absorption efficiency than laver, generate winter red tide. In other words, an important factor to maintain the high laver production in the southern parts of West Sea of Korea was found to be the marine environment of its laver farms where large diatoms are prevented from growing due to nutrients supply and dense seston weights from resuspended matters by physical disturbances.

Relationship between fish assemblages community and Streamline complexity (어류군집 특성과 하안형태복잡도와의 관계)

  • Kim, Jin-Ah;Lee, Sang-Woo;Hwang, Gil-Son;Kim, Chulgoo
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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    • v.15 no.2
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    • pp.19-29
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    • 2012
  • Numerous studies suggested that fish assemblage structure reflects the status of stream ecosystems. The status of streams integrity, including various trophic levels, water quality and habitat degradation, can be assessed by fish assemblages. In this study, we investigated the relationships between fish assemblages and streamline geometry of streams. Previous studies suggested that geomorphologic parameter can be a critical factor of permeability between adjacent two systems. From a landscape ecological perspective, edges may partially control the flow rate of energy between two adjacent systems. Thus, the Streamline geometry can be a geomorphologic parameter that exhibits the integrity of stream. We selected the Nakdong river for study areas, which is one of major rivers and the longest (525 km) River in South Korea. We used the revised IBI representing overall ecological characteristics of Korean fish assemblages and eight sub-assessment criteria of IBI, collected from 82 sampling sites in the Nakdong River. For calculating the Streamline geometry, we measured fractal dimension index that generally used in biology, ecology and landscape ecology. We used the digital land-use/land-cover map and generated a 1-km buffer for each sampling site and refined the shape of the Streamlines. Pearson correlation analyses were performed between Streamline geometry and IBI and sub-assessment criteria of IBI. The results show that IBI and eight sub-assessments of fish are significantly correlated with geometry of Streamline. The fractal dimension of Streamline geometry were related with IBI (r = 0.48) and six sub-assessments of IBI, including total number of native fish and native species, the number of riffle benthic species, sensitive species, tolerant species and native insectivore. Especially, the number of tolerant species(r = -0.52) and native insectivore(r = 0.52) show strong correlation with geometry of Streamline. These results indicate that lower Streamline geometry can result in poor fish assemblages, while higher geometry of Streamline can enhance fish assemblages by potentially supplying insects and better habitat conditions. We expect the results of our study to be useful for stream restoration and management. However, we see the necessity of study investigating the mechanisms how Streamline geometry affect fish assemblages.

Anti Photoaging Effects of Hyaluronic Acid following Oral Administration in SKH-1 Hairless Mice (SKH-1 Hairless Mice에서의 히알루론산 경구 투여를 통한 피부 광노화 개선 효과)

  • Lee, Sung-jin;Seo, YoonHee;Yun, Min-kyu;Yu, Heui-jong;Choe, Soo-Young
    • The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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    • v.28 no.6
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    • pp.941-946
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    • 2015
  • Photoaging is the main extrinsic aging factor that is induced due to UVB. Many studies have revealed that application of hyaluronic acid to the skin is effective in healing photoaging. However, the effect of hyaluronic acid through oral administration is unclear. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect on skin photoaging after oral administration of hyaluronic acid. During a ten week study, hyaluronic acid was fed to hairless mice, which were illuminated by UV radiation. After ten weeks, wrinkle indicator and histological changes were determined. Compared with the control group, the sample group had a decrease in wrinkle depth, thickness, and number. Especially, the HA 160 mg/kg group had a similar value of wrinkle depth ($19.44{\pm}0.75{\mu}m$), number ($654.00{\pm}98.34$), and thickness ($1.35{\pm}0.08mm$), when compared with the RA (retinoic acid) group ($19.28{\pm}0.95{\mu}m$, $653.57{\pm}83.54$, and $1.34{\pm}0.07mm$ respectively). Also, the treated group showed improved elastosis and decreased collagen degradation resulting from UV irradiation. Thus, we can conclude that hyaluronic acid has a positive effect in improving skin photoaging induced by UV radiation. Hyaluronic acid therefore has the potential to be an ingredient in skin health function foods.