• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.355-361
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• 2022

Melanin pigments are the main cause of skin color. They are produced in melanocytes and then transferred to keratinocytes, which eventually gives the skin surface a variety of colors. Although many skin-lightening or depigmenting agents have been developed, the demand for materials to reduce pig- mentation is still increasing. Here, we tried to find materials for skin-lightening or depigmentation using natural compounds and found that mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) extracts (ME) had an inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity. As a result, ME significantly reduced pigmentation in human primary melanocytes. In addition, a promoter reporter assay revealed that ME inhibited the transcription of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), melanophilin (MLPH), tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), and tyrosinase (TYR) genes in HM3KO melanoma cells. In addition, ME decreased the protein level for pigmentation-related molecules, such as TYR and TRP-1. Furthermore, it markedly inhibited the melanogenesis of zebrafish embryos, an in vivo evaluation model for pigmentation. To elucidate the action mechanism of ME, we investigated its effects on intracellular signaling. Eventually, the ME dramatically decreased the phosphorylation of the cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), AKT, and ERK. The data suggest that ME may inhibit the melanogenesis pathway by regulating the signaling pathway related to pigmentation. Taken together, these data propose that ME can be developed as a depigmenting or skin-lightening agent.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.589-603
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported that protein supplementation contributes to the attenuation of inflammation. Serious trauma such as burn injury usually results in the excessive release of inflammatory factors and organs dysfunction. However, a few reports continued to focus on the function of protein ingestion in regulating burn-induced inflammation and organ dysfunction. MATERIALS/METHODS: This study established the rat model of 30% total body surface area burn injury, and evaluated the function of blended protein (mixture of whey and soybean proteins). Blood routine examination, inflammatory factors, blood biochemistry, and immunohistochemical assays were employed to analyze the samples from different treatment groups. RESULTS: Our results indicated a decrease in the numbers of white blood cells, monocytes, and neutrophils in the burn injury group administered with the blended protein nutritional support (Burn+BP), as compared to the burn injury group administered normal saline supplementation (Burn+S). Expressions of the pro-inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and chemokines (macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted factor, and C-C motif chemokine 11) were dramatically decreased, whereas anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) were significantly increased in the Burn+BP group. Kidney function related markers blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and the liver function related markers alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were remarkably reduced, whereas albumin levels were elevated in the Burn+BP group as compared to levels obtained in the Burn+S group. Furthermore, inflammatory cells infiltration of the kidney and liver was also attenuated after burn injury administered with blended protein supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, nutritional support with blended proteins dramatically attenuates the burn-induced inflammatory reaction and protects organ functions. We believe this is a new insight into a potential therapeutic strategy for nutritional support of burn patients.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.299-308
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• 2022

This study was conducted to predict the tendency for heat exchange and boil-off gas (BOG) in a liquefied hydrogen tank under sloshing excitation. First, athe fluid domain excited by sloshing was modeled using a multiphase-thermal flow domain in which liquid hydrogen and hydrogen gas are in the saturated state. Both the the volume of fluid (VOF) and Eulerian-based multi-phase flow methods were applied to validate the accuracy of the pressure prediction. Second, it was indirectly shown that the fluid velocity prediction could be accurate by comparing the free surface and impact pressure from the computational fluid dynamics with those from the experimental results. Thereafter, the heat ingress from the external convective heat flux was reflected on the outer surfaces of the hydrogen tank. Eulerian-based multiphase-heat flow analysis was performed for a two-dimensional Type-C cylindrical hydrogen tank under rotational sloshing motion, and an inflation technique was applied to transform the fluid domain into a computational grid model. The heat exchange and heat flux in the hydrogen liquid-gas mixture were calculated throughout the analysis,, whereas the mass transfer and vaporization models were excluded to account for the pure heat exchange between the liquid and gas in the saturated state. In addition, forced convective heat transfer by sloshing on the inner wall of the tank was not reflected so that the heat exchange in the multiphase flow of liquid and gas could only be considered. Finally, the effect of sloshing on the amount of heat exchange between liquid and gas hydrogen was discussed. Considering the heat ingress into liquid hydrogen according to the presence/absence of a sloshing excitation, the amount of heat flux and BOG were discussed for each filling ratio.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.103-112
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• 2009

In a nuclear power plant (NPP), periodic sensor calibrations are required to assure sensors are operating correctly. However, only a few faulty sensors are found to be calibrated. For the safe operation of an NPP and the reduction of unnecessary calibration, on-line calibration monitoring is needed. In this paper, principal component-based Auto-Associative support vector regression (PCSVR) was proposed for the sensor signal validation of the NPP. It utilizes the attractive merits of principal component analysis (PCA) for extracting predominant feature vectors and AASVR because it easily represents complicated processes that are difficult to model with analytical and mechanistic models. With the use of real plant startup data from the Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3, SVR hyperparameters were optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM). Moreover the statistical techniques are integrated with PCSVR for the failure detection. The residuals between the estimated signals and the measured signals are tested by the Shewhart Control Chart, Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA), Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) and generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) to detect whether the sensors are failed or not. This study shows the GLRT can be a candidate for the detection of sensor drift.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.86-99
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• 2023

The mass spectrometer, being an essential scientific instrument for uncovering the origin of the solar system and life, has been used since the early 1970s on board spacecraft to obtain information of neutral and ionized elements in the atmosphere and surface of the moon, planets, asteroids, and comets. According to the 4th Basic Plan for the Promotion of Space Development (2023-2027), Korea plans to conduct lunar landing in 2032 and Mars landing in 2045 as the core goals of the plan and focuses on developing the technologies required for unmanned robotic exploration missions. In this regard, it is crucial to develop the technology of a mass spectrometer, which is the most fundamental payload for space exploration for maximized scientific achievements, however never tried before in any domestic space missions. We describe in this paper the principle of a domestically developed quadrupole mass spectrometer, its prototype model, and the test results of its performance. We conclude this paper with intended future improvements.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.111-123
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• 2023

The slope of an open cut tunnel is located above the exit of the Leijia tunnel on the Changgan high-speed railway. During the excavation of the open cut tunnel foundation pit, the slope slipped twice, a large landslide of 92500 m³ formed. The landslide body and unstable slope body not only caused the foundation pit of the open cut tunnel to be buried and the anchor piles to be damaged but also directly threatened the operational safety of the later high-speed railway. Therefore, to study the stability change in the slope of the open cut tunnel under heavy rain and excavation conditions, a 3D numerical calculation model of the slope is carried out by Midas GTS software, the deformation mechanism is analyzed, anti-sliding measures are proposed, and the effectiveness of the anti-sliding measures is analyzed according to the field monitoring results. The results show that when rainfall occurs, rainwater collects in the open cut tunnel area, resulting in a transient saturation zone on the slope on the right side of the open cut tunnel, which reduces the shear strength of the slope soil; the excavation at the slope toe reduces the anti-sliding capacity of the slope toe. Under the combined action of excavation and rainfall, when the soil above the top of the anchor pile is excavated, two potential sliding surfaces are bounded by the top of the excavation area, and the shear outlet is located at the top of the anchor pile. After the excavation of the open cut tunnel, the potential sliding surface is mainly concentrated at the lower part of the downhill area, and the shear outlet moves down to the bottom of the open cut tunnel. Based on the deformation characteristics and the failure mechanism of the landslides, comprehensive control measures, including interim emergency mitigation measures and long-term mitigation measures, are proposed. The field monitoring results further verify the accuracy of the anti-sliding mechanism analysis and the effectiveness of anti-sliding measures.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2023

In this study, natural surfactants were extracted from Medicago sativa L. The O/W emulsification processes with the extracted natural surfactants were optimized using central composite design model-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM) and a 95% confidence interval was used to confirm the reasonableness of the optimization. Herein, independent parameters were the ratio of saponins to total surfactant (P), amount of surfactant (W), and emulsification speed (R), whereas the reaction parameters were the emulsion stability index (ESI), mean droplet size (MDS), and viscosity (V). Using the multiple reaction, the optimal conditions for the ratio of saponins to total surfactant, amount of surfactant, and emulsification speed for O/W emulsification were 49.5%, 9.1 wt%, and 6559.5 rpm, respectively. Under these optimal conditions, the expected values of ESI, MDS, and V as the reaction parameters were 89.9%, 1058.4 nm, and 1522.5 cP, respectively. The values of ESI, MDS, and V from these expected values were 88.7%, 1026.4 nm, and 1486.5 cP, respectively, and the average experimental error for validating the accuracy was about 2.3 (± 0.4)%. Therefore, it was possible to design an optimization process for evaluating the O/W emulsion process with Medicago sativa L. using CCD-RSM.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.87-97
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• 2009

The seismic site coefficients are often used with the seismic hazard maps to develop the design response spectrum at the surface. The site coefficients are most commonly developed deterministically, while the seismic hazarde maps are derived probabilistically. There is, hence, an inherent incompatibility between the two approaches. However, they are used together in the seismic design codes without a clear rational basis. To resolve the fundamental imcompatibility between the site coefficients and hazard maps, this study uses a novel probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) technique that simulates the results of a standard PSHA at a rock outcrop, but integrates the site response analysis function to capture the site amplification effects within the PSHA platform. Another important advantage of the method is its ability to model the uncertainty, variability, and randomness of the soil properties. The new PSHA was used to develop fully probabilistic site coefficients for site classes of the seismic design code and another sets of site classes proposed in Korea. Comparisons highlight the pronounced discrepancy between the site coefficients of the seismic design code and the proposed coefficients, while another set of site coefficients show differences only at selected site classes.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.5-19
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to figure out the effect of pressurized grouting on the pullout resistance and the group effect of the compression ground anchor by performing pilot-scale chamber tests and field tests. The laboratory tests are carried out for 3-types of soils which are abundant in the Korean peninsular. Experimental results showed that the enlargement of anchor diameters estimated from the cavity expansion theory matches reasonable well with that obtained from experiments. Moreover, the required injection time as a function of the coefficient of permeability of each soil type was proposed. A series of in-situ anchor pullout tests were also performed to experimentally figure out the effect of pressurized grouting on the pullout resistance. Experimental results also showed that the effect of the pressurized grouting is more prominent in a softer ground with smaller SPT-N value in all of the following three aspects: increase in anchor diameter; pullout resistance; and surface roughness. The pressurized grouting effect in comparison with gravitational grouting was found to be almost nil if the SPT-N value is more than 50. Based on experimental results, a new equation to estimate the pullout resistance as a function of the SPT-N value was proposed. And based on in-situ group anchor pullout tests results, a new group effect equation was proposed which might be applicable to decomposed residual soils which are abundant in the Korean peninsular.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.77-88
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• 2006

In this study, the lateral behavior of Pile-Bent structures subjected to lateral loading was evaluated by a load-transfer approach. An analytical method based on the Beam-Column model and nonlinear load transfer curve method was proposed to consider material non-linearity (elastic and yielding) and $P-{\Delta}$ effect. Special attention was given to the lateral deflection of Pile-Bent structures depending on different soil properties, lateral load, slenderness ratio based on pier length and reinforcing effect of casing. From the results of the parametric study, it is shown that the increase of lateral displacement in a pile is much less favorable for an inelastic analysis than for an elastic analysis. It is found that for inelastic analysis, the maximum bending moment is located within a depth approximately 3.5D(D: pile diameter) below ground surface, but within 1.5D when $P-{\Delta}$ effect is considered. It is also found that the magnitude and distribution of the lateral deflections and bending moments on a pile are highly influenced by the inelastic analysis and $P-{\Delta}$ effect, let alone soil properties around an embedded pile.