• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-25
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-arthritis effects of Jeonsaenghwalhyeoltanggamibang(JHTG) on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) in mice. Methods: To assess the effects of JHTG on CIA in mice, we conducted several experiments such as analysis of arthritis index, cell count of draining lymph node(DLN) and paw joint, measurement of serum antibody levels and observation of the histological changes of joint. Results: 1. JHTG extract had a suppressive effect on the arthritis index of paw joints in CIA mice. 2. JHTG extract increased the total cell number of DLN, and decreased the total cell number of paw joints in CIA mice. 3. JHTG extract increased the absolute number of various cell surface receptors in DLN, and decreased the absolute number of B220+/CD23+ cells in DLN in CIA mice. 4. JHTG extract decreased the absolute number of CD3+, CD4+, CD11b+/Gr-1 cells in paw joint in CIA mice. 5. JHTG extract didn't decrease the absolute number of CD4+/CD25+ cells in paw joints in CIA mice. 6. JHTG extract decreased levels of total IgM in the serum of CIA mice, but had no effect on levels of collagen II specific antibody. 7. JHTG extract decreased the destruction of articular cartilages and collagen fibers and the proliferation of synovial cells in paw joints from CIA mice. Conclusion: These results indicate that JHTG has clinical potential for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by modulating the immune response.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.375-385
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• 2023

There are many joint fissures distributed in the engineering rock mass. In the process of geological history, the underground rock mass undergoes strong geological processes, and undergoes complex geological processes such as fracture breeding, expansion, recementation, and re-expansion. In this paper, the damage-stick-slip process (DSSP), an analysis model used for rock mass failure slip, was established to examine the master control and time-dependent mechanical properties of the new and primary fractures of a multi-fractured rock mass under the action of stress loading. The experimental system for the recemented multi-fractured rock mass was developed to validate the above theory. First, a rock mass failure test was conducted. Then, the failure stress state was kept constant, and the fractured rock mass was grouted and cemented. A secondary loading was applied until the grouted mass reached the intended strength to investigate the bearing capacity of the recemented multi-fractured rock mass, and an acoustic emission (AE) system was used to monitor AE events and the update of damage energy. The results show that the initial fracture angle and direction had a significant effect on the re-failure process of the cement rock mass; Compared with the monitoring results of the acoustic emission (AE) measurements, the master control surface, key blocks and other control factors in the multi-fractured rock mass were obtained; The triangular shaped block in rock mass plays an important role in the stress and displacement change of multi-fracture rock mass and the long fissure and the fractures with close fracture tip are easier to activate, and the position where the longer fractures intersect with the smaller fractures is easier to generate new fractures. The results are of great significance to a multi-block structure, which affects the safety of underground coal mining.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.5B
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• pp.539-549
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• 2006

The performance of a pontoon-type floating breakwater (FB) is investigated numerically with the use of a second-order time domain model. The model has been developed based on potential theory, perturbation theory and boundary element method. This study is focused on the effects of weakly nonlinear wave on the hydrodynamic characteristics of the FB. Hydrodynamic forces, motion responses, surface elevation, and wave transmission coefficient around the floating breakwater are evaluated for various wave and geometric parameters. It is shown that the second-order wave component is of significant importance in calculating magnitudes of the hydrodynamic forces, mooring forces and the maximum response of a structure. The weak non-linearity of incident waves, however, can have little influence on the efficiency of the FB. From numerical simulations, the ratio of draft and depth, the relationship of wave number and width are presented for providing an effective means of reducing wave energy.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.495-511
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• 2023

In this research, the impact of micro-silica, nano-silica, and polypropylene fibers on the fracture energy of self-compacting concrete was thoroughly examined. Enhancing the fracture energy is very important to increase the crack propagation resistance. The study focused on evaluating the self-compacting properties of the concrete through various tests, including J-ring, V-funnel, slump flow, and T50 tests. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the concrete, such as compressive and tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, and fracture parameters were investigated on hardened specimens after 28 days. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of micro-silica and nano-silica not only decreased the rheological aspects of self-compacting concrete but also significantly enhanced its mechanical properties, particularly the compressive strength. On the other hand, the inclusion of polypropylene fibers had a positive impact on fracture parameters, tensile strength, and flexural strength of the specimens. Utilizing the response surface method, the relationship between micro-silica, nano-silica, and fibers was established. The optimal combination for achieving the highest compressive strength was found to be 5% micro-silica, 0.75% nano-silica, and 0.1% fibers. Furthermore, for obtaining the best mixture with superior tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and fracture energy, the ideal proportion was determined as 5% micro-silica, 0.75% nano-silica, and 0.15% fibers. Compared to the control mixture, the aforementioned parameters showed significant improvements of 26.3%, 30.3%, 34.3%, and 34.3%, respectively. In order to accurately model the tensile cracking of concrete, the authors used softening curves derived from an inverse algorithm proposed by them. This method allowed for a precise and detailed analysis of the concrete under tensile stress. This study explores the effects of micro-silica, nano-silica, and polypropylene fibers on self-compacting concrete and shows their influences on the fracture energy and various mechanical properties of the concrete. The results offer valuable insights for optimizing the concrete mix to achieve desired strength and performance characteristics.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.330-339
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• 2024

Corn cobs were fermented with Aspergillus niger to produce soluble dietary fiber (SDF) of high quality and excellent food safety. In this work, the fermentation process was optimized by single-factor test and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal fermentation conditions were determined to be a material-liquid ratio of 1:30, an inoculum concentration of 11%, a temperature of 32℃, a time of 6 days, and a shaking speed of 200 r/min. Under these conditions, the SDF yield of corn cob increased from 2.34% to 11.92%, and the ratio of soluble dietary fiber to total dietary fiber (SDF/TDF) reached 19.08%, meeting the requirements for high-quality dietary fiber (SDF/TDF of more than 10%). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis revealed that the fermentation effectively degraded part of cellulose and hemicellulose, resulting in the formation of a loose and porous structure. After fermentation the water swelling capacity, water-holding capacity, and oil-holding capacity of the corn cob SDF were significantly improved and the adsorption capacity of glucose, cholesterol, and nitrite ions all increased by more than 20%. Moreover, the total phenolic content increased by 20.96%, which correlated with the higher antioxidant activity of SDF. Overall, the fermentation of corn cobs by A. niger increased the yield and enhanced the functional properties of dietary fiber (DF) as well.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2024

In paste backfill mining, cemented coal gangue-fly ash backfill (CGFB) can effectively utilize coal-based solid waste, such as gangue, to control surface subsidence. However, given the pressurized water accumulation environment in goafs, CGFB is subject to coupling effects from water pressure and chloride ions. Therefore, studying the influence of pressurized water on the chlorine salt erosion of CGFB to ensure green mining safety is important. In this study, CGFB samples were soaked in a chloride salt solution at different pressures (0, 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 MPa) to investigate the chloride ion transport characteristics, hydration products, micromorphology, pore characteristics, and mechanical properties of CGFB. Water pressure was found to promote chloride ion transfer to the CGFB interior and the material hydration reaction; enhance the internal CGFB pore structure, penetration depth, and chloride ion content; and fill the pores between the material to reduce its porosity. Furthermore, the CGFB peak uniaxial compression strain gradually decreased with increasing soaking pressure, whereas the uniaxial compressive strength first increased and then decreased. The resulting effects on the stability of the CGFB solid-phase hydration products can change the overall CGFB mechanical properties. These findings are significant for further improving the adaptability of CGFB for coal mine engineering.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.34 no.13
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• pp.5243-5256
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• 2021

The North Pacific Oscillation (NPO), a primary atmospheric mode over the North Pacific Ocean in boreal winter, is known to trigger El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the following winter, the process of which is recognized as the seasonal footprinting mechanism (SFM). On the basis of the analysis of model simulations from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), we found that the SFM acts differently among models, and the correlation between the NPO and subsequent ENSO events, called the SFM efficiency, depends on the background mean state of the model. That is, SFM efficiency becomes stronger as the climatological position of the Pacific intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) moves poleward, representing an intensification of the northern branch of the ITCZ. When the Pacific ITCZ is located poleward, the wind-evaporation-sea surface temperature (SST) feedback becomes stronger as the precipitation response to the SST anomaly is stronger in higher latitudes than that in lower latitudes. In addition, such active ocean-atmosphere interactions enhance NPO variability, favoring the SFM to operate efficiently and trigger an ENSO event. Consistent with the model results, the observed SFM efficiency increased during the decades in which the northern branch of the climatological ITCZ was intensified, supporting the importance of the tropical mean state of precipitation around the Pacific ITCZ.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1898-1911
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• 2024

Phylloporia lonicerae is an annual fungus that specifically parasitizes living Lonicera plants, offering significant potential for developing new resource food and medicine. However, wild resources and mycelium production of this fungus is limited, and its anti-tumor active ingredients and mechanisms remain unclear, hampering the development of this fungus. Thus, we optimized the fermentation medium of P. lonicerae and studied the anti-tumor activity of its mycelium. The results indicated that the optimum fermentation medium consisted of 2% sucrose, 0.2% peptone, 0.1% KH₂PO₄, 0.05% MgSO₄·7H₂O, 0.16% Lonicera japonica petals, 0.18% P fungal elicitor, and 0.21% L. japonica stem. The biomass reached 7.82 ± 0.41 g/l after 15 days of cultivation in the optimized medium, a 142% increase compared with the potato dextrose broth medium, with a 64% reduction in cultivation time. The intracellular alcohol extract had a higher inhibitory effect on A549 and Eca-109 cells than the intracellular water extract, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 2.42 and 2.92 mg/ml, respectively. Graded extraction of the alcohol extract yielded petroleum ether phase, chloroform phase, ethyl acetate phase, and n-butanol phase. Among them, the petroleum ether phase exhibited a better effect than the positive control, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 113.3 ㎍/ml. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that petroleum ether components could induce apoptosis of Eca-109 cells, suggesting that this extracted component can be utilized as an anticancer agent in functional foods. This study offers valuable technical support and a theoretical foundation for promoting the comprehensive development and efficient utilization of P. lonicerae.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.5-11
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• 2023

Due to frequent occurrences of concentrated heavy rainfall caused by abnormal climate conditions in recent years, collapses of steep slopes have been occurring frequently due to surface erosion and increased pore water pressure. Various methods are being applied to prevent slope collapses, such as increasing the resistance to movement and reducing pore water pressure. Research on these methods has been consistently conducted as they provide an efficient response to slope collapses by satisfying both the conditions of resistance to movement and pore water pressure simultaneously. Therefore, in this study, we propose an upward slope reinforcement method by burying drainage materials with an upward slope inclination, instead of the conventional horizontal application. This approach aims to satisfy both slope reinforcement and drainage functions effectively, offering a comprehensive solution for slope stabilization. Furthermore, to determine the optimal burial angle that exhibits the most effective reinforcement and drainage effects of the proposed method, we investigated the reinforcement and drainage effects under conditions where the horizontal drainage materials were set at angles ranging from 0° to 60° in increments of 10° on a representative cross-section. Additionally, indoor model experiments were conducted under the conditions of 40°, which showed the most outstanding drainage effect, and 20°, which exhibited the highest safety factor, to validate the numerical analysis results. The results showed that the burial angle of 40° exhibits a relatively higher drainage effect as with the numerical analysis results, while the angle of 20° results in inadequate drainage and observed slope collapse.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2014

In this study, it was found that determined the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics (lincomycin, LM) with various catalyst composite of titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$), hydroxyapatite (HAP) and germanium (Ge) under UV-A irradiation. At first, various type of complex catalysts were investigated to compare the enhanced photocatalytic potential. It was observed that in order to obtain the removal efficiencies were $TiO_2/HAP/Ge$ > $TiO_2/Ge$ > $TiO_2/HAP$. The composition of $TiO_2/HAP/Ge$ using a statistical approach based on mixture analysis design, one of response surface method was investigated. The independent variables of $TiO_2$ ($X_1$), HAP ($X_2$) and Ge ($X_3$) which consisted of 6 condition in each variables was set up to determine the effects on LM ($Y_1$) and TOC ($Y_2$) degradation. Regression analysis on analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant p-value (p < 0.05) and high coefficients for determination value ($R^2$ of $Y_1=99.28%$ and $R^2$ of $Y_2=98.91%$). Contour plot and response curve showed that the effects of $TiO_2/HAP/Ge$ composition for LM degradation under UV-A irradiation. And the estimated optimal composition for TOC removal ($Y_2$) were $X_1=0.6913$, $X_2=0.2313$ and $X_3=0.0756$ by coded value. By comparison with actual applications, the experimental results were found to be in good agreement with the model's predictions, with mean results for LM and TOC removal of 99.2% and 49.3%, respectively.