• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 1994

The present study was carried out to characterize the functional properties of spinomesencephalic tract (SMT) neurons in the lumbar spinal cord of urethane anesthetized rats. Extracellular single unit recordings were made from neurons antidromically activated by stimulation of the midbrain area, including the deep layers of superior colliculus, periaqueductal gray and midbrain reticular formation. Recording sites were located in laminae I-VII of spinal cord segments of L2-L5. Receptive field properties and responses to calibrated mechanical stimulation were studied in 78 SMT cells. Mean conduction velocity of SMT neurons was $19.1{\pm}1.04\;m/sec$. SMT units were classified according to their response profiles into four groups: wide dynamic range (58%), deep/tap (23%), high threshold (9%) and low threshold (3%). A simple excitatory receptive field was found for most SMT neurons recorded in superficial dorsal horn (SDH). Large complex inhibitory and/or excitatory receptive fields were found for cells in lateral reticulated area which usually showed long after-discharge. Most of SMT cells received inputs from $A{\delta}$ and C afferent fiber types. These results suggest that sensory neurons in the rat SMT may have different functional roles according to their location in the spinal cord in integrating and processing sensory inputs including noxious mechanical stimuli.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.369-373
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• 2003

This study was performed to test whether endomorphin-1 has analgesic effect, when locally administrated into inflamed peripheral tissue. Carrageenan suspension (0.5%) was injected intraplantarly into the right paw of Sprague-Dawley male rats, and the rats were subjected to a series of mechanical stimuli with von Frei filaments before and after the injection. Carrageenan-injected rats showed typical inflammatory hyperalgesic signs and decrease of withdrawal threshold, peaked at 3 to 6 hours after the injection and lasted more than 3 days. Endomorphin-1 was intraplantarly injected with carrageenan, simultaneously or 3∼4 hours after carrageenan. Simultaneous injection of endomorphin-1 with carrageenan significantly reduced hyperalgesia and thd analgesic effect was prolonged up to 8 hours. The delivery of endomorphin-1 ($50{\mu}g$) into the inflamed area after 3 to 4 hours of carrageenan injection significantly increased the threshold of hyperalgesic mechanical withdrawal response, but only partially. Intrathecal treatment of endomorphin-1 completely reversed carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia. This report is the first to show that peripherally delivered endomorphin-1 relieved inflammatory hyperalgesia. But a control through peripheral ${\mu}-opioid$ receptors appears to be not sufficient for complete pain treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.104-109
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• 2021

Tactile sensors and integrated circuits that detect external stimuli have been developed for use in various industries. Most tactile sensors have been developed using the MEMS(micro electro-mechanical systems) process in which metal electrodes and strain sensors are applied to a silicon substrate. However, tactile sensors made of highly brittle silicon lack flexibility and are prone to damage by external forces. Flexible tactile sensors based on polydimethylsiloxane and using a multi-walled carbon nano-tube mixture as a pressure-sensitive material are currently being developed as an alternative to overcome these limitations. In this study, a manufacturing process of pressure-sensitive materials with low initial electrical resistance is developed and applied to the fabrication of flexible tactile sensors. In addition, flexible tactile sensors are developed with pressure-sensitive materials dispensed on a substrate with flexible mechanical properties. Finally, a study is conducted on the change in electrical resistance of pressure-sensitive materials according to the modulus of elasticity of the substrate.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2007.05b
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• pp.3187-3190
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• 2007

Elastin-Like polypeptide (ELP) composed of elastin-based repeating units is an artificial biomaterial which is biocompatible and non-immunogenic. ELP shows a characteristic inverse phase transition between hydrophobic and hydrophilic phase by external stimuli such as salt, pH and temperature. In this study, ELP coated PS (polystyrene) beads are packed in tubing and the thermo -responsive flow characteristics of the packed bed are investigated. Preliminary test results show that the control of the fluid flow can be achieved by using the temperature driven phase transition effect of the ELP coated beads in a microchannel.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 1995

Pain is a complex symptom consisting of a sensation underlying potenial disease and associated emotional state. Acute pain is a reflex biological response to injury, in contrast, chronic pain consists of pain of a mininum of 6 months duration and associates with physical, emotional past experience, economic resources of the patient, family and society. Moreover, chronic pain is characterized by physiological affective and behavioral responses that are quite different than those of acute pain. The different type of stimuli exciting pain receptor are mechanical, thermal and chemical stimli and chronic pain are concerned with three of all stimli. The major three components of pain central(Analgesia) system in the brain and spinal cord are 'periaqueductal gray area of the mesencephalon', 'the raphe magnus nucleus' and 'pain inhibitory complex located in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord'. But unfortunately, the central biochemical mechanisms of chronic pain are not clearly defined. To proper management of chronic pain, comprehensive urderstanding as a psychosomatic aspect and multidisciplinary therapeuti-team approach must be emphasized.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.411-422
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• 2013

Polymers in cosmetics are used to deliver desired attributes to skin and hair. Precisely constructed block and graft copolymers widen the range of available mechanical properties and compatibilities. Stimuli responsive hydrophobic polymers can be triggered to become hydrophilic by changes in their environment and this can confer waterproof properties at low temperature and easy water removal at higher temperatures. Transfer-resistant cosmetics can be possible due to silicone resins. The control of rheology properties in cosmetics gradually continue to be easy with copolymers. Durability of colors and fragrances for rinse-off products can be enhanced by delivery systems from complex coacervates. Polymeric anti-microbials promise product preservation while minimizing the concern of skin permeation. This article reviews recent trends in the use of polymers in cosmetics.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.935-939
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• 2003

The emotion recognition is one of the most significant interface technologies which make the high level of human-machine communication possible. The central nervous system stimulated by emotional stimuli affects the autonomous nervous system like a heart, blood vessel, endocrine organs, and so on. Therefore bio-signals like HRV, ECG and EEG can reflect one' emotional state. This study investigates the correlation between emotional states and bio-signals to realize the emotion recognition. This study also covers classification of human emotional states, selection of the effective bio-signal and signal processing. The experimental results presented in this paper show possibility of the emotion recognition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 1986

The vocal nodule is one of the major causes of hoarseness. The patholphysiologic mechanism of the vocal nodule is relatively well-known. Chronic mechanical stimuli, such as vocal abuse, causes vocal nodule by a tissue reaction of the vocal cords. Among the 841 patients, who visited the Vocal Dynamic Laboratory at Severance Hospital complaining of the dysphonia between the period of May 1981- May 1985, 169 patients were selected who were diagnosed as vocal nodule by indirect laryngoscopy and a series of phoniatric examination. (omitted)

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.196-204
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• 1994

The purpose of this clinical trial was to study the effectiveness of 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice as a daily home treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. Thirty subjects with dentinal hypersensitivity were included in a 4-week, double-blind, parallel, comparative study. Stimuli used included mechanical, cold water and compressed air blasts. A subjective assessment of the degree of hypersensitivity for each stimulus was recorded. The results indicated that 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice, in comparision with a conventional fluoride dentifrice, reduced dentinal hypersensitivity to a significant degree. The therapeutic response to potassium nitrate was apparent within 2 weeks and increased continuously for the length of the study period. We conclude that 5% potassium nitrate dentifrice is an effective agent for the daily home treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.592-595
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• 2002

New polymeric hydrogels based on vinyl ethers have been synthesized by the ${\gamma}$-initiated polymerization method. Their physical chemistry and physical mechanical properities have been studied. It has been shown that structure and swelling behavior of the hydrogels can be regulated by the changing of synthesis conditions nature of monomers. Novel stimuli-sensitive polymers have been synthesized by the varying of macrochains hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance. The some biomedical aspects of application of hydrogels in capacity of drain aging polymeric materials in ophthalmology surgery, implants in plastic surgery as well as drug delivery systems have been investigated.