• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.16
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• 2021

Objectives: This study evaluated the biocompatibility and bioactive potential of NeoMTA Plus mixed as a root canal sealer in comparison with MTA Fillapex. Materials and Methods: Polyethylene tubes filled with NeoMTA Plus (n = 20), MTA Fillapex (n = 20), or nothing (control group, CG; n = 20) were inserted into the connective tissue in the dorsal subcutaneous layer of rats. After 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, the specimens were processed for paraffin embedding. The capsule thickness, collagen content, and number of inflammatory cells (ICs) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) immunolabeled cells were measured. von Kossa-positive structures were evaluated and unstained sections were analyzed under polarized light. Two-way analysis of variance was performed, followed by the post hoc Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05). Results: At 7 days, the capsules around NeoMTA Plus and MTA Fillapex had more ICs and IL-6-immunostained cells than the CG. However, at 60 days, there was no significant difference in the IC number between NeoMTA Plus and the CG (p = 0.1137) or the MTA Fillapex group (p = 0.4062), although a greater number of IL-6-immunostained cells was observed in the MTA Fillapex group (p = 0.0353). From 7 to 60 days, the capsule thickness of the NeoMTA Plus and MTA Fillapex specimens significantly decreased, concomitantly with an increase in the collagen content. The capsules around root canal sealers showed positivity to the von Kossa stain and birefringent structures. Conclusions: The NeoMTA Plus root canal sealer is biocompatible and exhibits bioactive potential.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.367-383
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• 2023

In this investigation, an improved integral trigonometric shear deformation theory is employed to examine the vibrational behavior of the functionally graded (FG) sandwich plates resting on visco-Pasternak foundations. The studied structure is modelled with only four unknowns' variables displacements functions. The simplicity of the developed model being in the reduced number of variables which was made with the help of the use of the indeterminate integral in the formulation. The current kinematic takes into consideration the shear deformation effect and does not require any shear correction factors as used in the first shear deformation theory. The equations of motion are determined from Hamilton's principle with including the effect of the reaction of the visco-Pasternak's foundation. A Galerkin technique is proposed to solve the differentials governing equations, which enables one to obtain the semi-analytical solutions of natural frequencies for various clamped and simply supported FG sandwich plates resting on visco-Pasternak foundations. The validity of proposed model is checked with others solutions found in the literature. Parametric studies are performed to illustrate the impact of various parameters as plate dimension, layer thickness ratio, inhomogeneity index, damping coefficient, vibrational mode and elastic foundation on the vibrational behavior of the FG sandwich plates.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.283-291
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• 2023

The physical properties were analyzed for four gas diffusion layers, and gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) for the cathode of high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell were fabricated through bar coating with three binder to carbon (B/C) ratios. Among them, The GDE from JNT30-A6P showed a significant change in secondary pore volume at a B/C ratio of 0.31, which had the largest pore volume among all GDEs. In the polarization curve, JNT30-A6P GDE showed the best membrane electrode assembly (MEA) performance with a peak power density of 384 mW/cm² at a a B/C ratio of 0.31. From the distribution of relaxation time analysis, the peak 1 corresponding to mass transfer resistance of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was significantly reduced in the JNT30-A6P GDE. This is the result that when the binder content decreased, the volume of the secondary pore increased, and the mass transfer resistance of ORR decreased, which played an essential role in the MEA performance.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.113-121
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the treatment mechanism of Thread-embedding acupuncture, which is used in Korean medicine beauty treatment. Methods : After searching papers published up to January 1, 2023 using the keyword "Thread-embedding" through the OASIS site, we selected beauty papers that mentioned the treatment mechanism of Thread-embedding acupuncture. Results : A total of 60 papers were retrieved: 19 papers on the topic of cosmetic diseases, 35 papers on the theme of other diseases, and 6 papers written unrelated to diseases. Among the 19 papers on the topic of cosmetic diseases, one unreadable paper was excluded. Among the 18 papers, we finally selected 6 papers that mentioned treatment mechanisms: 2 on facial wrinkles, 2 on obesity, 1 on breast enlargement, and 1 on transdermal hydration. The treatment mechanism of Thread-embedding acupuncture is that in the case of facial wrinkles, polydioxanone(PDO) is embedded to fill the volume, and as it decomposes, it causes a tissue reaction around the area. In obesity, it promotes fat decomposition by improving circulation, and promotes breast enlargement and elasticity through collagen formation. In transdermal hydration, it induces the production of surrounding fibers to increase skin elasticity and moisture. Conclusions : Thread-embedding acupuncture appears to have a cosmetic effect through a mechanism that promotes the production of collagen and elastic fibers in the subepidermal dermal layer and increases the activity of skin moisturizing factors during the absorption process after the PDO suture is embedded.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1076-1083
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• 2023

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a biodegradable and biocompatible bioplastic. Effective PHB degradation in nutrient-poor environments is required for industrial and practical applications of PHB. To screen for PHB-degrading strains, PHB double-layer plates were prepared and three new Bacillus infantis species with PHB-degrading ability were isolated from the soil. In addition, phaZ and bdhA of all isolated B. infantis were confirmed using a Bacillus sp. universal primer set and established polymerase chain reaction conditions. To evaluate the effective PHB degradation ability under nutrient-deficient conditions, PHB film degradation was performed in mineral medium, resulting in a PHB degradation rate of 98.71% for B. infantis PD3, which was confirmed in 5 d. Physical changes in the degraded PHB films were analyzed. The decrease in molecular weight due to biodegradation was confirmed using gel permeation chromatography and surface erosion of the PHB film was observed using scanning electron microscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on B. infantis showing its excellent PHB degradation ability and is expected to contribute to PHB commercialization and industrial composting.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.96-110
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• 2024

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are green energy conversion devices, for which commercial markets have been established, owing to their application in fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). Development of cathode electrocatalysts, replacing commercial Pt/C, plays a crucial role in factors such as cost reduction, high performance, and durability in FCVs. PtNi octahedral catalysts are promising for oxygen reduction reactions owing to their significantly higher mass activity (10-15 times) than that of Pt/C; however, their application in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) is challenged by their low stability. To overcome this durability issue, various approaches, such as third-metal doping, composition control, halide treatment, formation of a Pt layer, annealing treatment, and size control, have been explored and have shown promising improvements in stability in rotating disk electrode (RDE) testing. In this review, we aimed to compare the features of each strategy in terms of enhancing stability by introducing a stability improvement factor for a direct and reasonable comparison. The limitations of each strategy for enhancing stability of PtNi octahedral are also described. This review can serve as a valuable guide for the development of strategies to enhance the durability of octahedral PtNi.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.261-270
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• 1989

The present study is intended to observe the chronologic changes of experimental sparganosis by histopathological observation and detection of circulating anti-sparganum IgG antibody using ELISA. Each of 25 mice was infected with aye spargana, and they were examined after 1, 2, 4, 10 weeks or 6 months from infection. The followings are summarized results. - 1. The plerocercoids were detected in the subcutaneous tissue of the trunk, neck or axilla, but a few often extended into the skeletal muscle. The recovery rates were 72% at the first week, 80% at the second week, 95% at the fourth week, 92% at the tenth week and 100% at .the sixth month. The larvae grew slowly in both length and weight until 6 months. 2. Histopathologically, most of the larvae were observed alive in the soft tissue or skeletal muscle. Numerous eosinophils, neutrophils, Iymphocytes and plasma cells were infiltrated focally around the worms by the second week, but they surrounded the worms to form a layer of inflammatory reaction after 4 weeks of infection. Also histiocytes and fibroblasts began to appear around the inflammatory cells at 4 weeks. After 10 weeks, the worms encircled by a thin fibrous layer were found. After 6 months, the worms were surrounded by either fibrous tissue or active inflammatory cells. The inflammation looked more severe in the tracks left by the worms, rather than around the worms. 3, The level of anti-sparganum IgG antibody in the serum showed an increase by the fourth week, and a rapid and continuous increase was observed thereafter by the tenth week after infection. The high level of the IgG antibody was maintained up to 6 months forming a plateau curve. The present results suggest that the tissue reaction and antibody production in subcutaneous sparganosis become distinctive by the fourth week after infection.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.53-70
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• 1987

The morphological study on the parenchymal cells in the adult planaria performed to observe their cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics. The results are as follows. Nine types of cells are found in parenchyma. 1. Free parenchymal cell: These cells contain several chromatoid bodies around the nucleus. Heterochromatins are evenly dispersed in large nucleus. These cells are abundant in free ribosomes. 2. Fixed parenchymal cells: These cells have well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and Golgi complex but they contain the cytosols exhibiting electron-lucencies. 3. Rhabdite-forming cells: These cells contain the electron-dense rhabdite granules of up to about 0.3 x 0.9 $\mu$m in size. Rhabdite-forming cells have well-developed cell organelles, granular endolplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and Golgy complex. 4. A-type of basophilic granule cells: These cells contain irregularly-shaped granules exhibiting alcianophilia. These granules surrounded by a limited membrane, approximately 1.4 x 0.7 $\mu$m in size, are accumulated in the cytoplasm. 5. C-type of basophilic granule cells: These cells contain electron-dense granules of less than 0.2 $\mu$m in size, which exhibit PAS- positive reaction. This type of granule is also found in the muscle layer of parenchyma. 6. D-type of basophilic granule cells: This type of granule cell occurs only in the parenchyma around reproductive organ. The granules have cytochemical characteristics that they exhibit strongly positive reaction with PAS and weakly eosinophilic property. These electron-dense granules, which are 0.2 to 0.6 $\mu$m in length, have oval shapes. 7. E-type of basophilic granule cells: These cells are found only in the parenchyma around re productive organ. The granules contained in a small number in the cell, exhibit PAS-positive reaction and have an average size of 0. 2pm. 8. Eosinophilic granule cells: These cells contain a large number of eosinophilic granules which have relatively diverse sizes from 0.3 x 0.2 to 0.8 x 0.4 $\mu$m. Most of granules are round or irregularly-shaped and highly electrondense. These cells have an array of well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum of which cisternae are distened. 9. Transparent granule cells contain electron-lucent granules which exhibit negative reactions with three kinds of cytochemical methods used in this experiment.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.99-111
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• 2018

In this study three target radionuclides ($^{60}Co$, $^{137}Cs$, and $^{125}Sb$) were reacted with solid samples collected from the nuclear facility sites to investigate their sorption and mobility behaviors for preparing unexpected nuclear accidents. The highest sorption distribution coefficients ($K_{ds}$) of target radionuclides ($^{60}Co=947mL/g$, $^{137}Cs=2105mL/g$, $^{125}Sb=81.3mL/g$) were found in topsoil layer under groundwater condition, and the $K_d$ values of three radionuclides decreased in the order of fractured rock and bedrock samples under the same groundwater condition. High $K_d$ values of $^{60}Co$ in topsoil layer and fracture rock resulted from the clay minerals present, and the $K_d$ values decreased 58-69 % under seawater condition due to high ionic strength. $^{137}Cs$ sorption was controlled by the ion exchange reaction with $K^+$ on flayed edge sites (FES) of mica. The $^{137}Cs$ sorption was the most affected by seawater (89-97 % decrease), while $^{125}Sb$ sorption was not much affected by seawater. As the results of column and batch experiments, the retardation factors (R) of $^{137}Cs$, $^{60}Co$, and $^{125}Sb$ were determined about 5400-7400, 2000-2500, and 250-415, respectively, indicating no significant transport for these radionuclides even in fractured zone with groundwater. These results suggest that even in the case of severe nuclear accident at the nuclear facilities the mobility of released radionuclides ($^{60}Co$, $^{137}Cs$, and $^{125}Sb$) can be significantly retarded by the topsoil layer and fractured rock. In addition, the results of this study will be used for the safety and environmental performance assessment of nuclear facilities.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.399-410
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• 1985

Bentonites from the Janggi Group of the Lower Miocene age from the Geumgwangdong area, Korea, have been studied for mineralogical and genetic characterization. The Janggi Group is subdivided, in ascending order, into the Janggi Conglomerate, the Nuldaeri Tuff, the Geumgwangdong Shale, the Lower Coal-bearing Formation, the Basaltic Tuff, and the Upper Coalbearing Formation. Bentonites occur as thin or thick beds in all sedimentary units of the Janggi Group, except for the Janggi Conglomerate. Significant bentonite deposits are found in the Nuldaeri Tuff, the Lower Coal-bearing Formation and the Basaltic Tuff. Bentonites consist mainly of smectite (mainly montmorillonite), with minor quartz, cristobalite, opal-CT and feldspar. Occasionally, kaolinite, clinoptilolite or gypsum is associated with bentonites. Bentonites were studied by the methods of petrographic microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (DT A and TG), infrared absorption spectroscopic analysis, SEM, intercalation reaction, and chemical analysis. Smectites commonly occur as irregular boxwork-like masses with characteristic curled thin edges, but occasionally as smoothly curved to nearly flat thin flakes. Most of smectites have layer charge of 0.25-0.42, indicating typical montmorillonite. Crystal-chemical relations suggest that Fe is the dominant substituent for Al in the octahedral layer and there are generally no significant substituents for Si in the tetrahedral layer. Ca is the dominant interlayer cation in montmorillonite. Therefore, montmorillonite from the study area is dioctahedral Ca-montmorillonite. Occurrence and fabrics of bentonites suggest that smectites as well as cristobalite, opal-CT and zeolites have been formed diagenetically from tuffaceous materials. The precursor of smectites is trachytic or basaltic tuff. Smectites derived from the former contain relatively more $Al_2O$ a and less $Fe_2O_3$ than those from the latter.