• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.319-327
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• 2004

An additional amylase, besides the typical $\alpha-amylase,$ was detected for the first time in the cytoplasm of B. subtilis SUH4-2, an isolate from Korean soil. The corresponding gene (bbmA) encoded a malto­genic amylase (MAase) and its sequence was almost identical to the yvdF gene of B. subtilis 168, whose function was unknown. Southern blot analysis using bbmA as the probe indicated that this gene was ubiquitous among various B. subtilis strains. In an effort to understand the physiological function of the bbmA gene in B. subtilis, the expression pattern of the gene was monitored by measuring the $\beta-galactosidase$ activity produced from the bbmA promoter fused to the amino terminus of the lacZ struc­tural gene, which was then integrated into the amyE locus on the B. subtilis 168 chromosome. The pro­moter was induced during the mid-log phase and fully expressed at the early stationary phase in defined media containing $\beta--cyclodextrin\;(\beta-CD),$ maltose, or starch. On the other hand, it was kept repressed in the presence of glucose, fructose, sucrose, or glycerol, suggesting that catabolite repression might be involved in the expression of the gene. Production of the $\beta-CD$ hydrolyzing activity was impaired by the spo0A mutation in B. subtilis 168, indicating the involvement of an additional regu­latory system exerting control on the promoter. Inactivation of yvdF resulted in a significant decrease of the $\beta-CD$ hydrolyzing activity, if not all. This result implied the presence of an additional enzyme(s) that is capable of hydrolyzing $\beta-CD$ in B. subtilis 168. Based on the results, MAase encoded by bbmA is likely to be involved in maltose and $\beta-CD$ utilization when other sugars, which are readily usable as an energy source, are not available during the stationary phase.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.350-355
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• 2018

HnRNPK is a multifunctional protein that participates in chromatin remodeling, transcription, RNA splicing, mRNA stability and translation. Here, we uncovered the function of hnRNPK in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts. hnRNPK was mutated in the C2C12 myoblast cell line using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. A decreased proliferation rate was observed in hnRNPK-mutated cells, suggesting an impaired proliferation phenotype. Furthermore, increased G2/M phase, decreased S phase and increased sub-G1 phase cells were detected in the hnRNPK-mutated cell lines. The expression analysis of key cell cycle regulators indicated mRNA of Cyclin A2 was significantly increased in the mutant myoblasts compared to the control cells, while Cyclin B1, Cdc25b and Cdc25c were decreased sharply. In addition to the myoblast proliferation defect, the mutant cells exhibited defect in myotube formation. The myotube formation marker, myosin heavy chain (MHC), was decreased sharply in hnRNPK-mutated cells compared to control myoblasts during differentiation. The deficiency in hnRNPK also resulted in the repression of Myog expression, a key myogenic regulator during differentiation. Together, our data demonstrate that hnRNPK is required for myoblast proliferation and differentiation and may be an essential regulator of myoblast function.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.751-755
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• 2005

We propose a sound source localization method using the Head-Related-Transfer-Function (HRTF) to be implemented in a robot platform. In conventional localization methods, the location of a sound source is estimated from the time delays of wave fronts arriving in each microphone standing in an array formation in free-field. In case of a human head this corresponds to Interaural-Time-Delay (ITD) which is simply the time delay of incoming sound waves between the two ears. Although ITD is an excellent sound cue in stimulating a lateral perception on the horizontal plane, confusion is often raised when tracking the sound location from ITD alone because each sound source and its mirror image about the interaural axis share the same ITD. On the other hand, HRTFs associated with a dummy head microphone system or a robot platform with several microphones contain not only the information regarding proper time delays but also phase and magnitude distortions due to diffraction and scattering by the shading object such as the head and body of the platform. As a result, a set of HRTFs for any given platform provides a substantial amount of information as to the whereabouts of the source once proper analysis can be performed. In this study, we introduce new phase and magnitude criteria to be satisfied by a set of output signals from the microphones in order to find the sound source location in accordance with the HRTF database empirically obtained in an anechoic chamber with the given platform. The suggested method is verified through an experiment in a household environment and compared against the conventional method in performance.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.543-553
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• 2017

Vibration is a source of performance degradation in all optical imaging systems. Performance of high resolution remote sensing payloads is often limited due to satellite platform vibrations. Effects of Linear and high frequency sinusoidal vibrations on the system MTF are known exactly in closed form but the low frequency vibration effects is a random process and must be considered statistically. Usually the vibration MTF budget is defined based on the mission requirements and the overall MTF limitations. For analyzing low frequency effects, designer must know all the systems specifications and parameters. With a good understanding of harmful vibration frequencies and amplitudes in the system preliminary design phase, their effects could be removed totally or partially. This procedure is cost effective and let the designer to eliminate just harmful vibrations and avoids over-designing. In this paper we have analyzed the effects of low-frequency platform vibrations on the payload's modulation transfer function. We have used a statistical analysis to find the probability of imaging with a MTF equal or greater than a pre-defined budget for different missions. The worst and average cases have been discussed and finally we have proposed "look-up figures". Using these look-up figures, designer can choose the electro-optical parameters in such a way that vibration effects be less than its pre-defined budget. Furthermore, using the results, we can propose a damping profile based on which vibration frequencies and amplitudes must be eliminated to stabilize the payload system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.920-927
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• 2008

This study deals with modeling of Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) in the time and frequency domains. Four PCA models based on Head-Related Impulse Responses (HRIRs), complex-valued HRTFs, augmented HRTFs, and log-magnitudes of HRTFs are investigated. The objective of this study is to compare modeling performances of the PCA models in the least-squares sense and to show the theoretical relationship between the PCA models. In terms of the number of principal components needed for modeling, the PCA model based on HRIR or augmented HRTFs showed more efficient modeling performance than the PCA model based on complex-valued HRTFs. The PCA model based on HRIRs in the time domain and that based on augmented HRTFs in the frequency domain are shown to be theoretically equivalent. Modeling performance of the PCA model based on log-magnitudes of HRTFs cannot be compared with that of other PCA models because the PCA model deals with log-scaled magnitude components only, whereas the other PCA models consider both magnitude and phase components in linear scale.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2017

For many stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation therapy, there is a need for indicator for evaluating the body function in paretic and non-paretic regions of stroke patients quantitatively. In this paper, the function of muscles and cells in paretic and non-paretic regions of severe and mild hemiplegic stroke patients was evaluated using multi-channel bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy. The paretic and non-paretic regions of severe and mild stroke patients were quantitatively assessed by using bioelectrical impedance parameters such as prediction marker (PM), phase angle (${\theta}$), characteristic frequency ($f_c$), and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA). The mean values of impedance vector were significantly discriminated in all comparisons (severe-paretic, severe-non-paretic, mild-paretic, and mild-non-paretic). The bioelectrical impedance parameters were proved to be a very valuable tool for quantitatively evaluating the paretic and non-paretic regions of hemiplegic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 1998

Type Ⅰ thyuroplasty in conjunction with arytenoid adduction is one of the excellent techniques in the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis. But perioperative objective evaluation of the patients is difficult. With the development of the videostroboscopy and image analysis program, we could quantify the Glottal Area Waveform(GAW) in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis and investigated the relationship between the glottal area and aerodynamic and acoustic parameters. Eight female patients who were performed type Ⅰ thyroplasty in conjunction with arytenoid adduction and 5 females with normal vocal function were involved in this study. Preoperative and postoperative videostroboscopy and vocal function study wire performed. GAW was analysed quantitatively with image analysis program (Kay Stroboscope Image analysis, KSIP) Peak Glottal Area(PGA), Baseline Offset(BO), and Closing Phase(CP) were increased in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis and they were reduced after the operation. Mean flow Rate (MFR) was well correlated with the PGA in normal control group and unilateral vocal fold paralysis patients. Noise to harmonic ratio(NHR) was correlated with PGA only in preoperative unilateral vocal fold paralysis patients. In conclusion quantitative measurement of the GAW is useful method in evaluation of unilateral vocal f31d paralysis patients.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.564-573
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• 2023

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of assessing the viscoelastic properties of the brain using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and a novel MRE transducer to determine the relationship between the viscoelastic properties and glymphatic function in neurologically normal individuals. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 47 neurologically normal individuals aged 23-74 years (male-to-female ratio, 21:26). The MRE was acquired using a gravitational transducer based on a rotational eccentric mass as the driving system. The magnitude of the complex shear modulus |G^*| and the phase angle 𝛗 were measured in the centrum semiovale area. To evaluate glymphatic function, the Diffusion Tensor Image Analysis Along the Perivascular Space (DTI-ALPS) method was utilized and the ALPS index was calculated. Univariable and multivariable (variables with P < 0.2 from the univariable analysis) linear regression analyses were performed for |G^*| and 𝛗 and included sex, age, normalized white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, brain parenchymal volume, and ALPS index as covariates. Results: In the univariable analysis for |G^*|, age (P = 0.005), brain parenchymal volume (P = 0.152), normalized WMH volume (P = 0.011), and ALPS index (P = 0.005) were identified as candidates with P < 0.2. In the multivariable analysis, only the ALPS index was independently associated with |G^*|, showing a positive relationship (β = 0.300, P = 0.029). For 𝛗, normalized WMH volume (P = 0.128) and ALPS index (P = 0.015) were identified as candidates for multivariable analysis, and only the ALPS index was independently associated with 𝛗 (β = 0.057, P = 0.039). Conclusion: Brain MRE using a gravitational transducer is feasible in neurologically normal individuals over a wide age range. The significant correlation between the viscoelastic properties of the brain and glymphatic function suggests that a more organized or preserved microenvironment of the brain parenchyma is associated with a more unimpeded glymphatic fluid flow.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.111-121
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• 2009

Value Engineering(VE) at design phase(so-called Design-VE) becomes quite a compulsory solution for better customer satisfaction, cost reduction, higher product performance, and, eventually, insured predominance in the competition. Unlike intended, however, the customer requirement on Design-VE has not been fully reflected in reality. Furthermore, the Design-VE occasionally does not progress in regular sequence; Preparation for measuring customer requirement - Function analysis - Idea creation. Therefore, this study suggests Axiomatic Design Theory to be adopted in Design-VE process expecting that the functions required by the customer could systematically reflected in VE process. Post-occupancy Evaluation(POE) is also represented as a method to measure and arrange the customer requirements. The customer satisfaction Design-VE process creates ideas defining functions in more detailed, to reflect the concrete user requirement. This approach helps function analysis and idea creation linked closely because function and idea are developed zigzag (i.e. function - idea - function...) in being decomposed into level down. The application of the process proposed by this study will be helpful to improve the customer requirement measurement and clarify a link between functions and ideas.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2004

Three D-type cyelins (D1, D2, and D3) are expressed in G1 phase of the cell cyele and have been implicated in cell transformation and neoplasia in human and mouse. Cyclin D1 overexpression or amplification was described in various human cancers. However, there is controversy about the role of cyclin D2 in cell cyele progression and human carcinogenesis. Specially, loss of cyelin D2 is involved in a vital tumor suppressor function in normal breast tissue, and that its loss may be related to tumorigenesis. The author examined to effect over-expression of cyclin D2 on the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle using cyclin D2 transfected stable T47D breast cancer cells to investigate whether cyclinD2 functions as a positive regulator or negative regulator in cell proliferation. Overexpression of cyclin D2 led to the suppression of cell growth in cyclin D2 transfected T47D in both in its expression level and a time dependent manner with up to 50% reduction of cell growth at 72 hours. Therefore, the authors performed the cell cycle phase analysis using the flow cytometry to investigate the effect of cyclin D2 on the cell cycle phase in cyclin D2 transfected stable T47D cells. The flow cytometry analysis revealed increased sub G0 phase in cyclin D2 transfeted cells up to 23% at 72 hours. To confirm these results induced by overexpression of cyclinD2, the apoptotic bodies were counted in control and cyclin D2 transfected T47 cells. There are markedly increases of apoptotic bodies in cyclin D2-transfected cells up to 18%. These results suggested that Cyclin D2 suppresses the cell proliferation in breast cancers cells via the induction of apotosis.