• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.194-198
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• 2014

Methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) are emerging as important pathogens in humans and animals worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of MRS in the racehorse population and in horse-related personnel in Korea. A total of 195 horses and 18 humans (eight veterinarians, three veterinary hospital staff, and seven horse-handlers) from racehorse farms in Korea were included in the study. The samples were collected from nasal cavities using bacterial transport medium and were cultivated on tryptic soy agar with 5% sheep blood for 3 days at $37^{\circ}C$ to confirm the presence of Staphylococcus spp. Presumptive Staphylococcus spp. isolates were identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene analysis. The coagulase test and oxacillin susceptibility tests were performed using the tube dilution and disk diffusion methods, respectively. The presence of the mecA gene was determined using a polymerase chain reaction assay. Of the 195 horses, 29 (15.6%) yielded 29 MRS isolates. Twelve (66.7%) of the 18 horse-related personnel yielded 12 MRS isolates. All of the MRS isolates from horses or horse-related personnel were identified as methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS). The result of this study suggest that the prevalence of MRS increased with the duration of antibiotic use (p = 0.002). This study also provides evidence for the zoonotic transmission of MRCNS between horses and humans, although further investigations are needed.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.3-9
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• 2015

The wireless communication system adopts an appropriate retransmission scheme on each system protocol layer to improve reliability of data transmission. In each system protocol layer, the retransmission scheme operates in independently other layers and operates based on the parameters without reference to end-to-end performance of wireless communication system. For this reason, it is difficult to design the optimal system parameters that satisfy the QoS requirements for each service class. Thus, the performance analysis of wireless communication system is needed to design the optimal system parameters according to the end-to-end QoS requirements for each service class. In this paper, we derive the mathematical model to formulate the end-to-end performance of wireless communication system. We also evaluate the performance at the MAC and transport layers in terms of average spectral efficiency and average transmission delay. Based on the results of performance evaluations, we design the optimal system parameters according to the QoS requirements of service classes. From the results, the HARQ combined with AMC is appropriate for the delay-sensitive service and the ARQ combined with AMC is appropriate for a service that is insensitive to transmission delay. Also, the TCP can be applied for the delay-insensitive service only.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.2_spc
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• pp.317-325
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• 2020

The Korea Radioactive Waste Agency plans to expand the storage capacity of radioactive waste by constructing a radioactive waste inspecting building to solve the problem of the lack of inspection space and drum-handling space in the radioactive waste receipt and storage building for the first-stage disposal facility. In this study, the exposure doses of radiation workers that handle new disposal containers for decommissioning waste in the storage areas of the radioactive waste inspecting building were calculated using the Monte Carlo N-particle transport code. The annual collective dose was calculated as a total of 84.8 man-mSv for 304 new disposal containers and an estimated annual 306 working hours for the radiation work. When the 304 new disposal containers (small/medium type) were stored in the storage areas, it was found that 25 radiation workers should be involved in acceptance/disposal inspection, and the estimated exposure dose per worker was calculated as an average annual value of 3.39 mSv. When the radiation workers handle the small containers in high-radiation dose areas, the small containers should be shielded further by increasing the concrete liner thickness to improve the work efficiency and radiation safety of the radiation workers. The results of this study will be useful in establishing the optimal radiation working conditions for radiation workers using the source term and characteristics of decommissioning waste based on actual measurements.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.171-177
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• 2014

L-Carnitine is an antioxidant for the transport of fatty acids in mitochondria and breakdown of lipids for metabolic energy. Some studies have suggested that carnitine improves sperm motility in mammals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of L-carnitine on the characteristics in fresh semen of miniature pigs. The collected fresh semen was stored in modena B medium with L-carnitine (0, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg/ml) for 10 days at $18^{\circ}C$. The semen quality of viability, acrosome reaction and mitochondria integrity was analyzed on 0, 3, 7, and 10 day of semen storage. The percentages of live and dying sperm were not different among treatment groups with different concentrations of L-carnitine during the storage period. In acrosome reaction analysis, when the sperm stored for 7 day, the percentages of live sperm with acrosome reaction were significantly (p<0.05) lower in 1 ($9.0{\pm}0.9%$), 2 ($7.6{\pm}0.2%$) or 4 mg/ml ($7.9{\pm}0.8%$) L-carnitine-treated groups than the control group (0 mg/ml L-carnitine) ($11.12{\pm}0.2%$). However, there were no difference in percentages of live sperm with acrosome reaction for 3 and 10 days of storage with each concentrations of L-carnitine. When sperm was stored for 3 and 10 days, the percentages of live sperm with mitochondria integrity were significantly higher in 2 mg/ml of L-carnitine-treated group than control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the L-carnitine has a positive effect on acrosome reaction and mitochondria integrity in liquid state of fresh semen in miniature pigs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.373-382
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• 2003

Magnesium ion ($Mg^{2+}$) is a vasodilator, but little is known about its mechanism of action on vascular system. In vitro, extracellular magnesium sulfate ($MgSO_4$) produced relaxation in phenylephrine (PE) or high KCl-precontracted isolated rat thorocic aorta with (+E) or without (-E) endothelium in a concentration-dependent manner. The $MgSO_4$-induced relaxations were not affected by removal of the endothelium. Pretreatment of +E or -E aortic rings with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors ($20{\mu}M$ L-NNA, $100{\mu}M$ L-NAME, $1{\mu}M$ dexamethasone and $400{\mu}M$ aminoguanidine), cyclooxygenase inhibitor ($10{\mu}M$ indomethacin), guanylate cyclase inhibitors ($10{\mu}M$ ODQ and $30{\mu}M$ methylene blue) and $Ca^{2+}$ transport blocker ($10{\mu}M$ ryanodine) did not affect the relaxant effects of $MgSO_4$. $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers ($0.3{\mu}M$ nifedipine and $0.5{\mu}M$ veropamil) completely decreased the relaxant effects of $MgSO_4$ in +E and -E aortic rings. However, in $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, $MgSO_4$-induced vasorelaxation was potentiated and this response was inhibited by nifedipine. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors ($1.0{\mu}M$ staurosporine, $0.5{\mu}M$ tamoxifen and $0.1{\mu}M$ H7) or PLC inhibitor ($100{\mu}M$ NCDC) markedly decreased the relaxant effects of $MgSO_4$ in +E and -E aortic rings. In vivo, infusion of $MgSO_4$ elicited significant decreases in arterial blood pressure. After intravenous injection of nifedipine ($150{\mu}g/kg$) and NCDC (3 mg/kg), infusion of $MgSO_4$ inhibited the $MgSO_4$-lowered blood pressure markedly. However, after introvenous injection of saponin (15 mg/kg), L-NNA (3 mg/kg), L-NAME (5 mg/kg), indomethacin (2 mg/kg), methylene blue (15 mg/kg) and aminoguanidine (10 mg/kg) failed to inhibit it. These results suggest that endothelial NQ-cGMP or prostaglandin pathway is not involved in vasorelaxant or hypotensive action of $Mg^{2+}$ and that these effects are due to the inhibitory action of $Mg^{2+}$ on the $Ca^{2+}$ channel or PLC-PKC pathway, and are due to the competitive influx of $Mg^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}$ through the $Ca^{2+}$ channel.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.257-262
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• 2019

Lattice steel towers for overhead transmission lines have been replaced by tubular steel poles due to the visual impact of large and complex shape of truss type. Demand for tubular steel poles consisting of a single frame member continues to grow because of its advantages such as visual minimization, architectural appeal and minimal site consumptions. However, there are some constraints on the transportation and construction. As the diameter of tower base has been enlarged, it may exceed minimum height limit required to pass the tunnel in case of land transportation. Also, in a narrow place where it is not easy to secure the installation areas such as mountainous places, there might be some areas wherein it must secure a wide working space so that large vehicles and working cranes will be allowed to enter. In this paper, we presented a vertical separated tubular steel pole, which is a new type of support that can be implemented for general purpose such as mountainous areas or narrow areas to improve the issues raised by breaking away from the conventional design and fabrication methods. Technical approaches for overcoming the limit of the cross-sectional size is to separate and modularize the cross-section of the tubular steel pole designed with a size that cannot be carried or assembled, and to lighten it with a weight capable of being transported and assembled in a narrow space or mountainous area. As a result of this research, it will be possible to enter small and medium sized vehicles in locations where it is restricted to transport by large-sized vehicles. In the case of mountainous areas, it will be possible to divide it into a weight capable of being carried by a helicopter and it will be easy to adjust and fabricate it with individual modules. Furthermore, in order to break away from the traditional construction method, we proposed the equipment that can be applied to the assembly of Tubular Steel Pole without using a large crane in locations where there is no accessible road or in locations wherein large cranes cannot enter. In particular, this paper shows the movable assembling equipment and some methods that are specialized for vertical separated tubular steel pole consisting of members with reduced weight. The proposed assembly equipment is a device for assembling the body of the Tubular Steel Poles. It will be installed inside the support and the modules can be lifted by using the support itself.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.44-57
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• 2008

In this study, a 2D finite-element analysis, using the SEEP/W program, was carried out to estimate the amount of groundwater flawing into a tunnel, as well as the groundwater tables around wetland areas during and after a tunnel excavation through rock mass. Four sites along the Wonhyo-tunnel in Cheonseong Mountain (Gyeongnam, Korea) were analysed, where the model damain of the tunnel included both wetland and fault zone. The anisotropy of the hydraulic conductivities of the rock mass was calculated using the DFN model, and then used as an input parameter for the cantinuum model. Parametric study on the influencing factors was perofrmed to minimize uncertainties in the hydraulic properties. Moreover, the volumetric water content and hydraulic conductivity functions were applied ta the model to reflect the ability of a medium ta store and transport water under both saturated and unsaturated conditions. The conductivity of fault zone was assumed ta be $10^{-5}m/sec\;or\;10^{-6}m/sec$ and the conductivity of grouting zone was assumed as 1/10, 1/50 or 1/100 of the conductivity of rock mass. Totally $6{\sim}8$ cases of transient flow simulation were peformed at each site. The hydraulic conductivities of fault zone showed a significant influence on groundwater inflow when the fault zone crossed the tunnel. Also, groundwater table around wetland maintained in case that the hydraulic conductivity of grouting zone was reduced ta be less than 1/50 of the hydraulic conductivity of rock mass.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.179-194
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• 2020

A Bayesian approach was introduced to improve the belief of prior distributions of input parameters for the probabilistic safety assessment of radioactive waste repository. A GoldSim-based module was developed using the Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm and implemented through GSTSPA (GoldSim Total System Performance Assessment), a GoldSim template for generic/site-specific safety assessment of the radioactive repository system. In this study, sequential Bayesian updating of prior distributions was comprehensively explained and used as a basis to conduct a reliable safety assessment of the repository. The prior distribution to three sequential posterior distributions for several selected parameters associated with nuclide transport in the fractured rock medium was updated with assumed likelihood functions. The process was demonstrated through a probabilistic safety assessment of the conceptual repository for illustrative purposes. Through this study, it was shown that insufficient observed data could enhance the belief of prior distributions for input parameter values commonly available, which are usually uncertain. This is particularly applicable for nuclide behavior in and around the repository system, which typically exhibited a long time span and wide modeling domain.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 1982

Higenamine(dl-demethylcoclaurine, dl-1-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrah-ydroisoquinoline hydrochloride), which has recently been isolated from Aconite root by Drs. Kosuge and Yokota, has known to be the main cardiotonic component of the Aconite root. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Higenamine on the calcium binding and release and ATPase activity of fragmented cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum under in vitro condition. The calcium binding and release of sarcoplasmic reticulum were measured by using the double-beam spectrophotometer and the calcium sensitive dye, murexide. In the presence of $10^{-4}{\sim}5{\times}10^{-3}M$ of Higenamine, the maximal calcium binding and the initial binding rate of porcine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum were inhibited dose dependently by up to 43%. However, the calcium release from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, which was loaded with $Ca^{++}(50{\mu}M)$, was stimulated in dose dependent manner. When incubated in the medium of 20 mM Tris-maleate(pH 7.0), 100 mM KCl, 10 mM $MgCl_2,\;0.05mM\;CaCl_2\;and\;0.014{\sim}1\;mM\;Tris-ATP\;at\;30^{\circ}C$ in the presence of Higenamine $(10^{-4}{\sim}5{\times}10^{-3}M)$, both $Ca^{++}-and\;Mg^{++}-ATPase$ of sarcoplasmic reticulum were inhibited non-competitively by Higenamine and values of $K_i$ were 4.896 mM and 6.875 mM respectively. It is suggested from the above findings that the cardiotonic effects of Higenamine might be partially explained by the inhibition of calcium binding and the stimulation of calcium release from the sarcoplasimic reticulum which may increase the free intracellular calcium that is available in the contraction of the cardiac muscle fiber.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea TC
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• v.43 no.10 s.352
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• pp.79-89
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• 2006

TCP is the most widely used transport protocol in Internet applications that guarantees a reliable data transfer. But, in the wireless multi-hop networks, TCP performance is degraded because it is designed for wired networks. The main reasons of TCP performance degradation are contention for wireless medium at the MAC layer, hidden terminal problem, exposed terminal problem, packet losses in the link layer, unfairness problem, reordering problem caused by path disconnection, bandwidth waste caused by exponential backoff of retransmission timer due to node's mobility and so on. Specially, in the mobile ad-hoc networks, discrepancy between a station's transmission range and interference range produces hidden terminal problem that decreases TCP performance greatly by limiting simultaneous transmission at a time. In this paper, we propose a new MAC algorithm for mobile ad-hoc networks to solve the problem that a node can not transmit and just increase CW by hidden terminal. In the IEEE 802.11 MAC DCF, a node increases CW exponentially when it fails to transmit, but the proposed algorithm, changes CW adaptively according to the reason of failure so we get a TCP performance enhancement. We show by ns-2 simulation that the proposed algorithm enhances the TCP performance by fairly distributing the transmission opportunity to the failed nodes by hidden terminal problems.