• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.45-55
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• 2008

In this study, the in-situ model test has been conducted to estimate and analyze consolidation behavior of the ground by using the miniature test that reconstructs economically geotechnical behavior of in-situ full scale structure. To analyze the relation of effective stress, void ratio and coefficient of permeability at the self-weight consolidation stage, the low stress seepage consolidation test has been conducted and the involution function of constitutive equation had been obtained from the result of the curve fitted seepage consolidation test. As a result of the numerical analysis that had been conducted on the representative section using a constitute equation, final settlement was similar to those of self-weight consolidation of the centrifugal model test. But it was more or less smaller. It seems that these trends are caused by the difference between estimated values.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.31-38
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• 2009

A continuous, fast, and convenient experimental method, replacing recent tests such as standard oedometer or self weight consolidation test, is needed for the determination of the consolidation behavior of unformed soft soils. This study introduced the seepage induced fast consolidation test using the flow pump technique. It can obtain the consolidation characteristics of unformed soft soils conveniently and fast. The seepage induced consolidation test apparatus consists of a modified triaxial cell, differential pressure transducer, flow pump, and displacement transducer. The test continuously proceeds with starting seepage forces induced consolidation, loading consolidation, and permeability test on the same sample. In addition, this test result was compared with the standard oedometer test result to make this method valid. From this study it was found that this method is a convenient and time saving effective method for obtaining data required for calculation of consolidation settlement of unformed soft soils.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.47-55
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• 2007

In this study, applicability of electrical conductivity monitoring technique for containment barrier such as soil-bentonite wall was evaluated. Laboratory tests including permeability tests and column tests were performed to understand variations in electrical conductivity at different bentonite contents, hydraulic conductivities, and heavy metal concentrations. The electrical conductivity of compacted soil-bentonite mixtures was found to increase proportionally with bentonite content. Accordingly, the hydraulic conductivity of compacted soil-bentonite mixtures which decreases linearly with increasing bentonite content was found to have an inversely proportional relationship with the electrical conductivity. In column tests, electrical conductivity breakthrough curves and concentration breakthrough curves were simultaneously obtained. These results indicated that electrical conductivity measurement can be an effective means of detecting heavy metal transport at the desired locations within barriers and verifying possible contaminant leakage. Experimental results obtained from this study showed that the electrical conductivity measurement can be a promising tool for monitoring of containment barrier.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.5-15
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to examine the validity of recycled aggregates (RAs) as a substitute for Sand-Mat material for soft ground improvement in the housing site development. To evaluate the possibility of RAs as a substitute for sand mat material, first of all, the criteria and regulations related with the quality of lateral drain layer were collected and checked. Secondly, both of the properties of RAs were compared with the properties of natural sand for the lateral drain layer. The material properties related to coefficient of permeability, pressure at-rest state and so on satisfied most standards. On the basis of the test results, RAs were used to the construction site as lateral drain layer. Accordingly, if the quality of RAs can be managed well, the application of these RAs as lateral drain layer to replace natural sand was highly effective. Also, based on cost analysis of two materials, RAs are proved to be very competitive.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.314-319
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• 2023

Sepsis is a life-threatening multi-organ dysfunction with high mortality caused by the body's improper response to microbial infection. No new effective therapy has emerged that can adequately treat patients with sepsis. We previously demonstrated that interferon-β (IFN-β) protects against sepsis via sirtuin 1-(SIRT1)-mediated immunosuppression. Another study also reported its significant protective effect against acute respiratory distress syndrome, a complication of severe sepsis, in human patients. However, the IFN-β effect cannot solely be explained by SIRT1-mediated immunosuppression, since sepsis induces immunosuppression in patients. Here, we show that IFN-β, in combination with nicotinamide riboside (NR), alleviates sepsis by blocking endothelial damage via SIRT1 activation. IFN-β plus NR protected against cecal ligation puncture-(CLP)-induced sepsis in wild-type mice, but not in endothelial cell-specific Sirt1 knockout (EC-Sirt1 KO) mice. IFN-β upregulated SIRT1 protein expression in endothelial cells in a protein synthesis-independent manner. IFN-β plus NR reduced the CLP-induced increase in in vivo endothelial permeability in wild-type, but not EC-Sirt1 KO mice. IFN-β plus NR suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced up-regulation of heparinase 1, but the effect was abolished by Sirt1 knockdown in endothelial cells. Our results suggest that IFN-β plus NR protects against endothelial damage during sepsis via activation of the SIRT1/heparinase 1 pathway.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 2023

Natural pozzolans are used as additives in cement to develop more durable and high-performance concrete. Pozzolanic activity index (PAI) is important for assessing the performance of a pozzolan as a binding material and has an important effect on the compressive strength, permeability, and chemical durability of concrete mixtures. However, the determining of the 28 days (short term) and 90 days (long term) PAI of concrete mixtures is a time-consuming process. In this study, to reduce extensive experimental work, it is aimed to predict the short term and long term PAIs as a function of the chemical compositions of various natural pozzolans. For this purpose, the chemical compositions of various natural pozzolans from Central Anatolia were determined with X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The mortar samples were prepared with the natural pozzolans and then, the short term and the long term PAIs were calculated based on compressive strength method. The effect of the natural pozzolans' chemical compositions on the short term and the long term PAIs were evaluated and the PAIs were predicted by using multiple linear regression (MLR) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model. The prediction model results show that both reactive SiO₂ and SiO₂+Al₂O₃+Fe₂O₃ contents are the most effective parameters on PAI. According to the performance of prediction models determined with metrics such as root mean squared error (RMSE) and coefficient of correlation (R²), ANFIS models are more feasible than the multiple regression model in predicting the 28 days and 90 days pozzolanic activity. Estimation of PAIs based on the chemical component of natural pozzolana with high-performance prediction models is going to make an important contribution to material engineering applications in terms of selection of favorable natural pozzolana and saving time from tedious test processes.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 2024

Direct air capture (DAC) technology plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change. Reports from the International Energy Agency and climate change emphasize its significance, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5 ℃ despite continuous carbon emissions. Despite initial costs, DAC technology demonstrates potential for cost reductions through research and development, operational learning, and economies of scale. Recent advancements in high-permeance polymer membranes indicate the potential of membrane-based DAC technology. However, effective separation of CO₂ from ambient air requires membranes with high selectivity and permeability to CO₂. Current research is focusing on membrane optimization to enhance CO₂ capture efficiency. This study underscores the importance of direct air capture, evolving cost trends, and the pivotal role of membrane development in climate change mitigation efforts. Additionally, this research delved into the theoretical background, conditions, composition, advantages, and disadvantages of permeance and selectivity in membrane-based DAC.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.126-135
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• 2001

Quinacrine (QU), a phospholipase-A2 (PLA-2) inhibitor has been used clinically as a chemotherapeutic adjuvant. To understand the mechanisms leading to its chemotherapeutic effect, we have investigated QU-induced apoptotic signaling pathways in human cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa cells. In this study, we found that QU induced cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling. The release of pro-apoptotic cytochrome c was QU concentration- and time-dependent, and preceded activation of caspase-9 and -3. Flow cytometric FACScan analysis using fluorescence intensities of $DiOC_6$/ demonstrated that QU-induced cytochrome c release was independent of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), since the concentrations of QU that induced cytochrome c release did not alter mitochondrial membrane potential (${\blacktriangle}{\Psi}_m$). Moreover, kinetic analysis of caspase activities showed that cytochrome c release led to the activation of caspase-9 and downstream death effector caspase-3, Caspase-3 inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CHO) partially blocked QU-induced apoptosis, suggesting the importance of caspase-3 in this apoptotic signaling mechanism. Supplementation with arachidonic acid (AA) sustained caspase-3 activation induced by QU. Using inhibitors against cellular arachidonate metabolism of lipooxygenase (Nordihydroxyguaiaretic Acid, NDGA) and cyclooxygenase (5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid, ETYA) demonstrated that QU-induced apoptotic signaling may be dependent on its role as a PLA-2 inhibitor. Interestingly, NDCA attenuated QU-induced cytochrome c release, caspase activity as well as apoptotic cell death. The blockade of cytochrome c release by NDCA was much more effective than that attained with cyclosporin A (CsA), a MPT inhibitor. ETYA was not effective in blocking cytochrome c release, except under very high concentrations. Caspase inhibitor z-VAD blocked the release of cytochrome c suggesting that this signaling event is caspase dependent, and caspase-8 activation may be upstream of the mitochondrial events. In summary, we report that QU induced cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling cascade, which may be dependent on its role as a PLA-2 inhibitor. This apoptotic mechanism induced by QU may contribute to its known chemotherapeutic effects.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2018

Oil/water (O/W) nanoemulsions are effective vehicles to change the permeability of the skin. In this study, we focused on the preparation and characterization of nanoemulsion which serve as colloidal carriers for the dermal application of ceramide IIIB (CIIIB) and stratum corneum (SC) lipids such as cholesterol, and palmitic acid. In order to optimize the nanoemulsions, emulsification process conditions were conducted with regard to droplet size, nanoemulsion stability, and solubility of CIIIB. A decrease in droplet size was observed through emulsification temperature of $80^{\circ}C$ and phase inversion composition (PIC) method. CIIIB has low solubility in oil and water. When the concentration of CIIIB was increased, the droplet size of nanoemulsion was increased. When Lipoid S75-3 was added to the oil phase, the solubility of CIIIB increased, indicating some interactions shown in DSC measurements. CIIIB and SC lipids could be successfully incorporated in nanoemulsions without crystallization or physical instability. In conclusion, a stable nanoemulsion containing the SC lipids could be effective as an efficient moisturizing system for skin.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2008

Ceramides, a constituent of stratum corneum lipids, play a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of the epidermal permeability barrier. As in many other skin disorders, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis show decrease and transformation of the ceramides. The application of ceramide has been demonstrated to be efficient in the repair of these skin disorders. Nevertheless, natural ceramides are still too expensive and small in quantity to be used as a cosmetic ingredient. Although a lot of pseudo-ceramides have been developed and on the market until now, those pseudo-ceramides did not fully meet the consumer's needs, therefore, there is still a demand for a novel pseudo-ceramides. We synthesized a novel pseudo-ceramide BPC-16 from 2-(2-amino-ethylamino)-ethanol(AEEA), which was characterized by structures having both amide bonds and hydroxyl groups as hydrophilic units, as well as two long alkyl chains. We formulated emulsion with BPC-16, cholesterol, stearic acid, and other components to make an emulsion. These emulsion showed a typical optical anisotropy on cross-polarized microscopy. This 'Maltese cross' appearance is a characteristic figure observed in concentric lamellar emulsion under cross-polarized microscopy. In cytotoxicity assay using MTT in monolayer and three dimension(3D) cell culture, a BPC-16 showed only negligible cytotoxicity up to the effective concentration for barrier repair and moisturization(less than 10 mM). In the measurement of TEWL, this BPC-16 showed significant recovery of water-retaining properties when it was topically applied to either SDS-induced dry skin or normal skin compared to that of base cream. This novel pseudo-ceramide BPC-16 showed as effective in skin barrier repair and moisturization as natural ceramides.