• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.455-463
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• 1998

RCCA(rod cluster control assembly) End-Tip suffers from neutron irradiation and constant vibration due to high-speed internal flow of primary coolant during plant operation. Such operating conditions cause the RCCA end-tip crackings around tile circumferential weldment of the end-tip, and in some cases, the defective end-tips were completly broken loose. However, no reliable inspection techniques for end-tip crackings were developed in the past, although some techniques exist for inspecting RCCA control rod wears. Therefore, NDE group at KEPRI has developed an ECT technique for the detection and the sizing of the end-tip crackings. The technique uses a specially designed surface-riding probe that can detect size of circumferential crackings with an accuracy of ${\pm}5.31%$ RMS error. This paper describes the ECT instrumentation including the ECT probes, calibration bars, as well as technical approaches.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.470-478
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (Crassulaceae) has been used in traditional herbal medicines in Korea and other Asian countries to treat various diseases, including liver disorders. In the present study, the anti-fibrotic effects of O. japonicus extract (OJE) in cellular and experimental hepatofibrotic rat models were investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: An in vitro hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) system was used to estimate cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining techniques, respectively. In addition, thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis was established in Sprague Dawley rats. Briefly, animals were divided into five groups (n = 8): Control, TAA, OJE 10 (TAA with OJE 10 mg/kg), OJE 100 (TAA with OJE 100 mg/kg) and silymarin (TAA with Silymarin 50 mg/kg). Fibrosis was induced by treatment with TAA (200 mg/kg, i.p.) twice per week for 13 weeks, while OJE and silymarin were administered orally two times per week from week 7 to 13. The fibrotic related gene expression serum biomarkers glutathione and hydroxyproline were estimated by RT-PCR and spectrophotometry, respectively, using commercial kits. RESULTS: OJE (0.5 and 0.1 mg/ mL) and silymarin (0.05 mg/mL) treatment significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) induced apoptosis (16.95% and 27.48% for OJE and 25.87% for silymarin, respectively) in HSC-T6 cells when compared with the control group (9.09%). Further, rat primary HSCs showed changes in morphology in response to OJE 0.1 mg/mL treatment. In in vivo studies, OJE (10 and 100 mg/kg) treatment significantly ameliorated TAA-induced alterations in levels of serum biomarkers, fibrotic related gene expression, glutathione, and hydroxyproline (P < 0.05-P < 0.001) and rescued the histopathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: OJE can be developed as a potential agent for the treatment of hepatofibrosis.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.81-88
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• 2019

In this study, the effects of graphene oxide (GO) addition on electromigration (EM) lifetime of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu Pb-free solder joint between a ball grid array (BGA) package and printed circuit board (PCB) were investigated. After as-bonded, $(Cu,Ni)_6Sn_5$ intermetallic compound (IMC) was formed at the interface of package side finished with electroplated Ni/Au, while $Cu_6Sn_5$ IMC was formed at the interface of OSP-treated PCB side. Mean time to failure of solder joint without GO solder joint under $130^{\circ}C$ with a current density of $1.0{\times}10^3A/cm^2$ was 189.9 hrs and that with GO was 367.1 hrs. EM open failure was occurred at the interface of PCB side with smaller pad diameter than that of package side due to Cu consumption by electrons flow. Meanwhile, we observed that the added GO was distributed at the interface between $Cu_6Sn_5$ IMC and solder. Therefore, we assumed that EM reliability of solder joint with GO was superior to that of without GO by suppressing the Cu diffusion at current crowding regions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.144-152
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• 2019

According to the National Police Agency, point-to-point speed enforcement system is being installed and operated in 97 sections across the country. It is more effective than other enforcement systems in terms of stabilizing the traffic flow and inhibiting the kangaroo effect. But it is only 5.1% of the total enforcement systems. The National Police Agency is also aware that its operation ratio is very low and it is necessary to expand point-to-point speed enforcement system. Hence, this study aims to provide the expansion basis of the point-to-point speed enforcement operation through analysis of the quantitative effects and development the accident prediction model. Firstly, this study analyzed the effectiveness of point-to-point speed enforcement system. Naive before-after study and comparison group method(C-G Method) were used as methodologies of analyzing the effectiveness. The result of using the naive before-after study was significant. Total accidents, EPDOs and casualty crashes decreased by 42.15%, 70.64% and 45.30% respectively. And average speed and the ratio of exceeding speed limit decreased by 6.92% and 20.50%p respectively. Moreover, using the C-G method total accidents, EPDOs and casualty crashes decreased by 31.35%, 66.62% and 10.04% respectively. And average speed and the ratio of exceeding speed limit decreased by 3.49% and 56.65%p respectively. Secondly, this study developed a prediction model for the probability of casualty crash. It was dependant on factors of traffic volume, ratio of exceeding speed limit, ratio of heavy vehicle, ratio of curve section, and presence of point-to-point speed enforcement. Finally, this study selected the most danger sections to the major highway and evaluated proper installation sections to the recent installation section by applying the accident prediction model. The results of this study are expected to be useful in establishing the installation standards for the point-to-point speed enforcement system.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1321-1331
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to separate the photosensitizer that induces apoptosis of U937 and SK-HEP-1 cells from Nostoc commune. Dried N. commune was extracted with $CH_2Cl_2/MeOH$ (1:1) to separate the photosensitizer using various chromatographic techniques. The isolated compound was identified as pheophytin a ($C_{55}H_{74}N_4O_5$) with a molecular weight of 870. Its photodynamic activities were assessed under different irradiation conditions (light and non-light) at the same concentration range of $1.15-23.0{\mu}M$. The apoptosis inducing activity in U937 or SK-HEP-1 cells appeared only in the light. The mechanisms underlying the pheophytin a-mediated photodynamic inhibition of cancer cells were further investigated by examining cell morphology changes, cytotoxicity, caspase-3/7 activity, fluorescence staining, flow cytometry analysis, and DNA fragmentation in these two cell lines. The positive control and the light irradiation group showed typical apoptotic responses, including morphological changes, cytotoxicity, caspase activity, nucleus shrinkage owing to chromatin condensation, DNA laddering, and the presence of apoptotic bodies. Cytotoxicity markedly increased in a dose-dependent manner after a 12 hr exposure. Caspase-3/7 activity was higher in U937 cells than in SK-HEP-1 cells. Apoptosis induction therefore appeared to be both concentration- and light-dependent. In conclusion, pheophytin a, isolated from the blue green alga N. commune, had a photodynamic apoptosis-inducing effect on U937 and SK-HEP-1 cells. The findings reported here can be used as basic data for the development of next-generation photosensitizers from N. commune.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2019

Majangcheon is a small agricultural stream which is located in Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do. To understand ecological characteristics of Majangcheon as biological habitats, we surveyed its physical environment and fishes from June 2016 to September 2016. The altitudinal difference between lowest and highest point of the stream was 3 meters and the first-order stream under a map drawn on a scale of 1:25,000. The flow rate of stream was slow in overall with $0.09-0.48m{\cdot}s^{-1}$. More than 50% of clay were found in all points except for the point St. 3 in the riverbed structure surveyed. A total of 2,532 individuals of 22 species in nine families were collected from Majangcheon. Of them, stillwater-living species (Acheilognathinae and Carassius auratus) and floating species (Zacco platypus and Oryzias sinensis) were mainly collected. In Majangcheon, thus, both of stillwater-living and floating fishes were specifically coexisted. The correspondence analysis, based on fishes collected from Majangcheon and past research, showed that Majangcheon is closer to the flat streams in Gyeonggi-do rather than the mountainous streams in Gangwon-do but it appeared as an independent group from those of two regions. As a result, Majangcheon is a stream with specificity of fish community.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.236-259
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• 2010

The examination of sediment distribution in Seongryu Cave shows existence of rocks contrasting with Joseon Supergroup contrary to existing knowledge. Contrasting especially with the Taeback Group, Daegi Formation, Hwajeol Formation, and Dongjeom Formation has been observed. Unlike Taeback area where Dumugol Formation and Makgol Formation are observed on top of Dongjeom Formation, the rocks of this area are not clear in its separation between the two, so that it was named Geunnam Formation. Seongryu Cave has been developed in this Ordovician Geunnam Formation of the Joseon Supergroup. The cave, mostly horizontal, runs in the NE-SW direction, and contains three lakes. The main passage and branches are about 330 m and 540 m, respectively, making the total length of the cave about 870 m (show cave area = 270 m). Through underwater examination, about 85 m-long underwater passage was newly discovered. Various speleothem such as soda straw, stalactite, stalagmite, column, flowstone, rimston, cave shield, cave coral, curtain, bacon sheet, cave pearl, cave flower, helictite and calcite raft can be found in the cave. There are sections with constant flow of cavern water, but the majority of cavern water in the cave come from the ceiling. The most important discovery in this study is the presence of various speleothem in the submerged part of cave passages. Traces of corrosion and/or erosion can be observed in the speleothem in the submerge passage.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.67-76
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• 2019

This study was conducted from 2017 to 2018 to determine habitat aspects of Acheilognathus signifier, an endangered species reintroduced (2010~2012) to Heukcheon Stream, a tributary of the Hangang River, Korea. A total of 329 individuals were collected in 2017 (two surveys) and 723 individuals were collected in 2018 (four surveys) at about 5 km habitat area, including the discharge station. A. signifier's habitat was about 0.4 to 1.2 meters deep in slow water flow upstream of the discharge area. It was a place with many boulders and cobbles. The spawning period was estimated from April to June in terms of spawning behavior and collected juvenile size. Sex ratio of females (438) and males (412) was 1 : 0.94. Estimated age of A. signifier based on their total length distribution during the spawning period (April) indicated that 1-, 2-, 3-year old groups and more than 4-year-old group were 32~43 mm, 50~61 mm, 62~75 mm, and 76~89 mm, respectively. Age-specific composition costs differed depending on the timing of the collection. They were relatively high in the order of first-year (juvenile)>third-year> and fourth-year or higher, showing a stable age structure. Thus, A. signifier reintroduced to Heukcheon Stream has successfully settled down and formed a stable population, showing a tendency to proliferate.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2019

Objective: In the current work, we investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Thymoquinone (TQ), an active compound of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) and Cis-platinum, on normal renal epithelial (GP-293) and human renal adenocarcinoma cell lines (ACHN). Methods: GP-293 and ACHN cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with 10% Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin plus streptomycin antibiotic. The MTT assay was used for cellular viability assessment. Viability of cells was observed using inverted light microscope 24, 48 and 72 h after exposure of the cells to various concentrations of TQ (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$) and Cis-platinum (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 6 and $12.5{\mu}g/ml$). Moreover, apoptosis was analyzed with a flow-cytometry method. The untreated cells were considered as control group. Results: Morphological changes such as reduced cell number and increased intercellular distance and reduced cell viability in ACHN and GP-293cell lines were observed in both TQ and Cis- platinum groups; however, Cis-platinum had greater effect on ACHN cell line than GP-293 cell line. In addition, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ compared to ACHN cell line. Furthermore, TQ and Cis-platinum had apoptotic effects on both ACHN and GP-293 cell lines. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that TQ and Cis-platinum had cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on both cell lines, However, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ. Additionally, Cis-platinum was more effective on ACHN cell line than on GP-293 cell line.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.395-405
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• 2021

When issuing forecasts and alerts for agricultural drought, the relevant ministries only rely on the observation data from the reservoirs managed by the Korea Rural Community Corporation, which creates gaps between the drought analysis results at the local (si/gun) governments and the droughts actually experienced by local residents. Closing these gaps requires detailed local geoinformation on reservoirs, which in turn requires the information on reservoirs managed by local governments across Korea. However, installing water level and flow measurement equipment at all of the reservoirs would not be reasonable in terms of operation and cost effectiveness, and an alternate approach is required to efficiently generate information. In light of the above, this study validates and calibrates the parameters of the TANK model for reservoir basins, divided them into groups based on the characteristics of different basins, and applies the grouped parameters to unmeasured local government reservoirs to estimate and assess inflow. The findings show that the average determinant coefficient and the NSE of the group using rice paddies and inclinations are 0.63 and 0.62, respectively, indicating better results compared with the basin area and effective storage factors (determinant coefficient: 0.49, NSE: 0.47). The findings indicate the possibility of utilizing the information regarding unmeasured reservoirs managed by local governments.