• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.455-462
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• 2013

The effects of earthquakes can be devastating especially to existing structures that are not based on earthquake resistant design. This study proposes a steel grid shear wall that can provide a sufficient lateral resistance and can be used as a seismic retrofit method. The pushover analysis was performed on RC structure with and without the proposed steel grid shear wall. Obtain the performance point that the target structure for seismic loads applied to evaluate the response and performance levels. The capacity spectrum at performance point is nearly elastic range, so satisfied the performance objectives(LS level). And response modification factor(R factor) were calculated from the pushover analysis. The R factor approach is currently implemented to reflect inelastic ductile behavior of the structures and to reduce elastic spectral demands from earthquakes to the design level. The R factor increases from 2.17 to 3.25 was higher than the design criteria. As a result, according to reinforcement by steel grid shear wall, strength, stiffness, and ductility of the low-rise RC structure has been appropriately improved.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5356-5363
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to validate the Korean Version of the Empathy Quotient-Short form(EQ-Short-K) in a sample of Korean nursing students. A total 528 students(494 female, 34 male) were studied by 2 groups. To provide a validity of the Empathy Quotient-Short form in Korean sample, exploratory factor analysis, reliability test and Pearson correlation coefficient were conducted. In study 1 (N=298), the finding of factor analysis confirmed that 11 of the 22 EQ-Short items were presented as a single-factor structure. The reliability estimate of the EQ-Short-K was high(.88). In terms of criterion validity, the EQ-short-K correlated positively with Interpersonal Reactivity Index(IRI)(r=.279, p<.000). In study 2 (N=230), the finding identified that the EQ-Short-K correlated positively with Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire(ICQ)(r=.351, p<.000). It suggested that the EQ-Short-K had satisfactory internal consistency and validity, thereby the EQ-Short-K can be used as a meaningful measure for empathy among Korean nursing domain.

• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.27.1-27.6
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• 2012

Red ginseng, which has a variety of biological and pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects, has been used for thousands of years as a general tonic in traditional oriental medicine. Here, we tested the immune regulatory activities of hydrolyzed red ginseng by malted barley (HRG) on the expressions of receptor interacting proteins (Rip) 2 and $I{\kappa}B$ kinase-beta (IKK-${\beta}$) in mouse peritoneal macrophages. We show that HRG increased the activations of Rip 2 and IKK-${\beta}$ for the first time. When HRG was used in combination with recombinant interferon-${\gamma}$ (rIFN-${\gamma}$), there was a marked cooperative induction of nitric oxide (NO) production. The increased expression of inducible NO synthase from rIFN-${\gamma}$ plus HRG-stimulated cells was almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$). In addition, the treatment of peritoneal macrophages with rIFN-${\gamma}$ plus HRG caused significant increases in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression and production. Because NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ play an important role in the immune function and host defense, HRG treatment can modulate several aspects of the host defense mechanisms as a result of the stimulations of the inducible nitric oxide synthase and NF-${\kappa}B$. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that HRG increases the productions of NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ from rIFN-${\gamma}$-primed macrophages and suggest that Rip2/IKK-${\beta}$ plays a critical role in mediating these immune regulatory effects of HRG.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.7-14
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• 1989

A trajectory control method being capable of singularity avoidance is proposed for a robot and positoner (R-P) system. In the proposed method, the damping factor of the Damped Least Square (DLS) method is adjusted by gradients of trajectory following errors so that the singularity avoidance can be achieved while mimimizing the errors. Two numerical examples are given by employing a Rhino robot with five degrees-of-freedom (d.o.f.) and two d.o.f's, where the method of maximizing the manipulagility the DLS method with a fixd damping factor and the proposed method are compared in terms of trajectory following errors, manipulabilities and joint velocities.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.283-286
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• 2012

(1-X)$(Na_{0.5}K_{0.5})NbO_3-XK_{5.4}Cu_{1.3}Ta_{10}O_{29}$ (NKN-KCT) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have been synthesized by the conventional solid state sintering method, and their sinterability and piezoelectric properties were investigated. Typically, this material is sintered between 1,025 and $1,100^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours to achieve the required densification. Crystalline structures and Microstructures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The density, dielectric constant (${\varepsilon}_r$), piezoelectric constant $d_{33}$, electromechanical coupling factor $k_p$ and mechanical quality factor $Q_m$ value of the NKN ceramics depended upon the KCT content and the sintering temperature. In particular, the KCT addition to NKN greatly improved the mechanical quality factor $Q_m$ value. The ceramic with X = 1.0 mol% sintered at $1,050^{\circ}C$ exhibited optimum properties (${\varepsilon}_r$=246, $d_{33}$=95, $k_p$=0.38 and $Q_m$=1,826). These results indicate that the ceramic is a promising candidate material for applications in lead free piezoelectric transformer and filter materials.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.103-113
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• 2012

The ButterStar Observatory at the Dongducheon High School has been working for photographic observations of the Sun since October 16, 2002. In this study, we observed the Sun at the ButterStar observatory for 3,364 days from October 16, 2002 to December 31, 2011, and analyzed the photographic sunspot data obtained in 1,965 days. The correction factor $K_b$ for the entire observing period is 0.9519, which is calculated using the linear least square method to the relationship between the daily sunspot number, $R_B$, and the daily international relative sunspot number, $R_i$. The yearly correction factor calculated for each year varies slightly from year to year and shows a trend to change along the solar cycle. The correction factor is larger during the solar maxima and smaller during the solar minima in general. This implies that the discrepancy between a relative sunspot number, R, and the daily international relative sunspot number, $R_i$, can be reduced by using a yearly correction factor. From 2002 to 2008 in solar cycle 23, 35.4% and 64.6% of sunspot groups and 35.1% and 64.9% of isolated sunspots in average occurred in the northern hemisphere and in the southern hemisphere, respectively, and from 2008 to 2011 in solar cycle 24, 61.3% and 38.7% of sunspot groups and 65.0% and 35.0% of isolated sunspots were observed, respectively. This result shows that the occurrence frequency for each type of sunspot group changes along the solar cycle development, which can be interpreted as the emerging and decaying process of sunspot groups is different depending on the phase of solar cycle. Therefore, it is considered that a following study would contribute to the efforts to understand the dependence of the dynamo mechanism on the phase of solar cycle.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.501-508
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• 2021

Background: Yellow flags are psychosocial factors shown to be indicative of long-term chronicity and disability. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish Yellow Flag Questionnaire (YFQ) in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP). Methods: The cross-cultural adaptation was conducted with translation and back-translation of the original version. Reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) was examined for 231 patients with CMP. Construct validity was assessed by correlating the YFQ with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ), and Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS). Factorial validity was examined with both exploratory and confirmatory factorial analysis. Results: The YFQ showed excellent test/retest reliability with an Intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.82. The internal consistency was moderate (Cronbach's alpha of 0.797). As a result of the exploratory factor analysis, there were 7 domains compatible with the original version. As a result of confirmatory factor analysis, the seven-factor structure of YFQ was confirmed. There was a statistically significant correlation between YFQ-total score and OMPQ (r = 0.57, P < 0.001), HADS-anxiety (r = 0.32, P < 0.001), HADS-depression (r = 0.44, P < 0.001), and TKS (r = 0.37, P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study's results provide considerable evidence that the Turkish version of the YFQ has appropriate psychometric properties, including test-retest reliability, internal consistency, construct validity and factorial validity. It can be used for evaluating psychosocial impact in patients with CMP.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2019

Objective : Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a very serious health problem, usually caused by a trauma and accompanied by elevated levels of inflammation indicators. Stem cell-based therapy is promising some valuable strategies for its functional recovery. Nestin-positive progenitor and/or stem cells (SC) isolated from pancreatic islets (PI) show mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics. For this reason, we aimed to analyze the effects of rat pancreatic islet derived stem cell (rPI-SC) delivery on functional recovery, as well as the levels of inflammation factors following SCI. Methods : rPI-SCs were isolated, cultured and their MSC characteristics were determined through flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis. The experimental rat population was divided into three groups : 1) laminectomy & trauma, 2) laminectomy & trauma & phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and 3) laminectomy+trauma+SCs. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) labelled rPI-SCs were transplanted into the injured rat spinal cord. Their motilities were evaluated with Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) Score. After 4-weeks, spinal cord sections were analyzed for GFP labeled SCs and stained for vimentin, $S100{\beta}$, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proinflammatory (interleukin [IL]-6, transforming growth factor $[TGF]-{\beta}$, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-2, myeloperoxidase [MPO]) and anti-inflammatory (IL-1 receptor antagonis) factors. Results : rPI-SCs were revealed to display MSC characteristics and express neural and glial cell markers including BDNF, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), fibronectin, microtubule associated protein-2a,b (MAP2a,b), ${\beta}3$-tubulin and nestin as well as anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 receptor, EP3. The BBB scores showed significant motor recovery in group 3. GFP-labelled cells were localized on the injury site. In addition, decreased proinflammatory factor levels and increased intensity of anti-inflammatory factors were determined. Conclusion : Transplantation of PI-SCs might be an effective strategy to improve functional recovery following spinal cord trauma.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.325-334
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to determine the roughage to concentrate (R:C) ratio with rain tree pod meal (RPM) supplementation on in vitro fermentation using gas production technique. The experiment design was a 6${\times}$4 factorial arrangement in a CRD. Factor A was 6 levels of R:C ratio (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80 and 0:100) and factor B was 4 levels of RPM (0, 4, 8 and 12 mg). It was found that gas kinetic, extent rate (c) was linearly increased (p<0.01) with an increasing level of concentrate while cumulative gas production (96 h) was higher in R:C of 40:60. In addition, interaction of R:C ratio and RPM level affected $NH_3-N$ and IVDMD and were highest in R:C of 0:100 with 0, 4 mg of RPM and 40:60 with 8 mg of RPM, respectively. Moreover, interaction of R:C ratio and RPM level significantly increased total volatile fatty acids and propionate concentration whereas lower acetate, acetate to propionate ratios and $CH_4$ production in R:C of 20:80 with 8 mg of RPM. Moreover, the two factors, R:C ratio and RPM level influenced the protozoal population and the percentage of methanogens in the total bacteria population. In addition, the use of real-time PCR found that a high level of concentrate in the diet remarkably decreased three cellulolytic bacteria numbers (F. succinogenes, R. flavefaciens and R. albus). Based on this study, it is suggested that the ratio of R:C at 40:60 and RPM level at 12 mg could improve ruminal fluid fermentation in terms of reducing fermentation losses, thus improving VFA profiles and ruminal ecology.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.211-221
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• 2017

Transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ $(TGF{\beta}1)/Smad4$ signaling plays a pivotal role in maintenance of the dynamic balance between bone formation and resorption. The microRNA miR-155 has been reported to exert a significant role in the differentiation of macrophage and dendritic cells. The goal of this study was to determine whether miR-155 regulates osteoclast differentiation through $TGF{\beta}1/Smad4$ signaling. Here, we present that $TGF{\beta}1$ elevated miR-155 levels during osteoclast differentiation through the stimulation of M-CSF and RANKL. Additionally, we found that silencing Smad4 attenuated the upregulation of miR-155 induced by $TGF{\beta}1$. The results of luciferase reporter experiments and ChIP assays demonstrated that $TGF{\beta}1$ promoted the binding of Smad4 to the miR-155 promoter at a site located in 454 bp from the transcription start site in vivo, further verifying that miR-155 is a transcriptional target of the $TGF{\beta}1/Smad4$ pathway. Subsequently, TRAP staining and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that silencing Smad4 impaired the $TGF{\beta}1$-mediated inhibition on osteoclast differentiation. Finally, we found that miR-155 may target SOCS1 and MITF to suppress osteoclast differentiation. Taken together, we provide the first evidence that $TGF{\beta}1/Smad4$ signaling affects osteoclast differentiation by regulation of miR-155 expression and the use of miR-155 as a potential therapeutic target for osteoclast-related diseases shows great promise.