• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the potential adverse effect of spontaneously decreasing serum estradiol (SE) levels on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Methods: This retrospective single-subject study analyzed IVF cycles conducted at a hospital IVF unit between 2010 and 2017. Overall, 2,417 cycles were analyzed. Only cycles with spontaneously decreasing SE before human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) triggering were included. Each patient served as her own control, and subsequent cycles were analyzed for recurrent SE decreases. The main outcome was the number of oocytes retrieved. Results: Cycle characteristics were similar between the study (SE decrease) and control groups, with the exception of the median SE on the day of hCG triggering (899.7 pg/mL; interquartile range [IQR], 193-2,116 pg/mL vs. 1,566.8 pg/mL; IQR, 249-2,970 pg/mL; p< 0.001). The study group, relative to the control group, had significantly fewer total oocytes (5 [IQR, 2-9] vs. 7 [IQR, 3-11]; p= 0.002) and significantly fewer metaphase II (MII) oocytes (3 [IQR, 1-6] vs. 4 [IQR, 2-8]; p= 0.001) retrieved. The study group had fewer cleavage-stage embryos than the control cycles (3 [IQR, 1-6] vs. 4 [IQR, 2-7]; p= 0.012). Compared to cycles with a ≤ 20% SE decrease, cycles with a > 20% decrease had significantly fewer total and MII oocytes retrieved. SE decrease recurred in 12% of patients. Conclusion: A spontaneous decrease in SE levels adversely affected IVF outcomes, with a linear correlation between the percentage decrease and the number of oocytes retrieved. SE decrease can repeat in later cycles.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.27.1-27.12
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• 2023

Background: Environmental exposure is characterized by low concentration, chronic, and complex exposure. Traditional epidemiological studies show limitations in reflecting these characteristics since they usually focus on a single or very limited number of exposure factors at a time. In this study, we adopted the methodology of environment-wide association study (EWAS) to figure out the association of human liver function with various environmentally hazardous substances. Methods: We analyzed 2,961 participants from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey Cycle 4 (2018-2020). Using generalized linear model (GLM) analysis, we analyzed the association of 72 variables with 3 liver function indices (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and gamma glutamyl transferase [GGT]). Finally, we visualized our results with Manhattan plot. Results: In GLM analysis, perfluorooctanesulfonate were positively associated with ALT (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39-3.46; p_adjusted = 0.0147) and perfluorodecanoic acid showed positive association with GGT (OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.36-5.5; p_adjusted = 0.0256). Plasma mercury showed positive association with GGT (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.14-1.84; p_adjusted = 0.0315). Using a plastic container while keeping food in the refrigerator was associated with elevated GGT compared to using a glass container (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.16-1.95; p_adjusted = 0.0153). 2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate, showed a negative trend with all 3 indices, with AST (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.39-0.73; p_adjusted = 0.00357), ALT (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.34-0.75; p_adjusted = 0.036), GGT (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.4-0.76; p_adjusted = 0.00697). Bisphenol S and frequent use of sunblock cream showed negative association with ALT (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.66-0.89), and GGT (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11-0.55), respectively. Conclusions: We conducted an exploratory study on environmental exposure and human liver function. By using EWAS methodology, we identified 7 factors that could have potential association with liver function.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.457-465
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• 2013

This study discussed the influence of mixtures and curing conditions on the development of strength and microstructure of RPC using ternary pozzolanic materials. Through pilot experiment, various RPC was manufactured by adding single or mixed ternary pozzolanic materials such as silica fume, blast furnace slag and fly ash by mass of cement, up to 0~65%, and cured by using 4 types of method which are water and air-dried curing at $20^{\circ}C$, steam and hot-water curing at $90^{\circ}C$. The results show that the use of ternary pozzolanic materials and a suitable curing method are an effective method for improving development of strength and microstructure of RPC. The unit volume of cement was greatly reduced in RPC with ternary pozzolanic materials and unlike hydration reaction in cement, the pozzolanic reaction noticeably contributes to a reduction in hydration heat and dry shrinkage. A considerable improvement was found in the flexural strength of RPC using ternary pozzolanic materials, and then the utilization of a structural member subjected to bending was expected. The X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis and Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) revealed that the microstructure of RPC was denser by using the ternary pozzolanic materials than the original RPC containing silica fume only.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2015

A commercially available copper mesh was investigated as an iodine off-gas capturing medium for pyroprocessing, with an aim to replace costly silver based adsorbents. Theoretical calculation results suggested that the reaction between metallic copper and gaseous iodine will occur spontaneously to produce copper iodide in the temperature range of 100 ~ 500℃. The effect of the reaction temperature on iodine capturing efficiency was investigated by experimentation, and it was found that 5 and 6 wt% of iodine (initial mass 2.0 g) was captured by a single copper mesh (0.26 g) at 300 and 400℃, respectively. The repeated experimental results also suggested that copper utilization can be increased with the help of the spontaneous detachment of the reaction product (CuI) from a copper mesh. The formation of the CuI phase was confirmed using the X-ray diffraction technique, and the surface morphology of the reaction product was observed using scanning electron microscopy.

• Transactions of the KSME C: Technology and Education
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2013

The established gait analysis studies have regarded leg as one single spring. If we can design a knee-ankle actuating mechanism as a primary actuator for supporting knee extension, it might be possible to revolutionary store or release elastic strain energy, which is consumed during the gait cycle, and as a result leg stiffness is expected to increase. An ankle joint actuating mechanism that stores and releases the energy in ankle joint is expected to support and solve excessive artificial leg stiffness caused by the knee actuator (primary actuator) to a reasonable extent. If unnecessary kinematic energy is released with the artificial speed reduction control designed to prevent increase in gait speed caused by increase in time passed, it naturally brings question to the effectiveness of the actuator. As opposed to the already established studies, the authors are currently developing knee-ankle two actuator system under the concept of increasing lower limb stiffness by controlling the speed of gait in relative angular velocity of the two segments. Therefore, the author is convinced that compensatory mechanism caused by knee actuating must exist only in ankle joint. Ankle joint compensatory mechanism can be solved by reverse-examining the change in metatarso-phalangeal joint (MTPJ) tilt angle (${\theta}_1=0^{\circ}$, ${\theta}_2=17^{\circ}$, ${\theta}_3=30^{\circ}$) and the effect of change in gait speed on knee activity.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.558-567
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• 2020

This study examined the defect characteristics of fuel flow proportioner-mounted structures to analyze the causes of structural defects during aircraft operation. System vibrations and single component vibrations that occur during aircraft operations are usually the cause of structural defects. The fuel flow proportioner causes a defect in the support structure due to the vibration caused by the pressure change caused by the sudden increase in the flow rate. Defects in the support structure of the fuel flow proportioner are not correlated directly with the cracking of the maneuver, and flight time according to aircraft operation analysis is related to the use of A/B. The structural reinforcement configuration was confirmed through static and life analysis of the cracks of the bracket mounted under the fuel flow proportioner for improvement of the defect. An analysis of the reinforcement revealed a minimum structural strength of +0.15. Structural life analysis confirmed that the stress acted on the site under 15Ksi. The fatigue life was confirmed to be more than 7,700 Cycles.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.254-260
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• 2017

The service life of civil infrastructure needs to be maintained or extended through appropriate inspections and maintenance planning, which results from the optimization process. A multi-objective optimization process can lead to more rational and flexible trade-off solutions rather than a single-objective optimization for the service life management of civil infrastructure. Recent investigations on the service life management of civil infrastructure were generally based on minimizing the life-cycle cost analysis and maximizing the structural performance. Various objectives for service life management have been developed using novel probabilistic concepts and methods over the last few decades. On the other hand, an increase in the number of objectives in a multi-objective optimization problem can lead to difficulties in computational efficiency, visualization, and decision making. These difficulties can be overcome using the objective reduction approach to identify the redundant and essential objectives. As a result, the efficiency in computational efforts, visualization, and decision making can be improved. In this paper, the multi-objective optimization using the objective reduction approach was applied to the service life management of concrete bridges. The results showed that four initial objectives can be reduced by two objectives for the optimal service life management.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.387-393
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• 2016

Tumor using the efficient concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy to remove, prior to surgery and, either reduce the size of the tumor after surgery, or was can be made smaller, Or excised tumor, in a way to be removed, most conventional surgical method is surgical excision surgery therapy. And methods reduce or tumor size, or smaller, chemotherapy can kill tumor is administered selectively anticancer agent which increases the radioactive susceptible to tumor cells, sensitive to susceptibility to radiation are those which make it possible to respond to, either TRAIL methods of various biological cytostatic can deform the protein, by deforming the structure of the protein help to cell death it is known. In this paper, the HCT-116 cells thought to be a cancer cell to analyze the interaction of TRAIL and radiation. Experimental results, single use of TRAIL and radiation, results were compared with the control group, it was found to have no significant effect on each cell proliferation and apoptosis. Conversely treated with TRAIL, when treated in parallel radiation, it was possible to know that the HCT-116 cells significantly apoptosis occurs, The proportion of G1 ratio G0 also was found to have increased. TRAIL conclusion is increased apoptosis radiation defensive cells can know that increased radiosensitivity, also possible to alter the cell cycle, reduce cell proliferation ability stepwise it was possible. TRAIL is increased apoptosis, decreased cell proliferative capacity, it is considered to be possible to use as a radiation sensitizer.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.17 no.1 s.85
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• pp.121-128
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• 2005

A RC column-bent pier represents one of the most popular piers used in highway bridges. Seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) column-bent piers under bidirectional seismic loadings was experimentally investigated. Six column bent-piers were constructed with two circular supporting columns which were made in 400 mm diameter and 2,000 mm height. One single column specimen was additionally made to comparatively evaluate the seismic response of RC column-bent piers. Test parameters are different transverse reinforcement and loading pattern. These piers were tested under lateral load reversals with the axial load of $0.1 f_{ck}A_g$. Three specimens were subjected to bidirectional lateral load cycles which consisted of two main longitudinal loads and two sub transverse loads in one load cycle. Other three specimens were loaded in the opposite way. Test results indicated that lateral strength and ductility of the latter three specimens were generally bigger than those of the former three specimens. Plastic hinges were formed with the spall of cover concrete and the fracture of the longitudinal reinforcing steels in the bottom plastic hinge of two supporting columns for the former three specimens. Similar behavior was observed in the top and bottom parts of two supporting columns for the latter three specimens.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2012

In coastal areas that are affected by continuous, seasonal or occasional pollution sources, bivalves accumulate biological contaminants such as pathogenic bacteria. We investigated the effect of natural seawater relaying and electrolyzed seawater depuration on the bacteriological quality of artificially contaminated oysters Crassostrea gigas and short-necked clams Ruditapes philippinarum to suggest an alternative method of shellfish sanitation control.When artificially contaminated oysters and short-necked clams (fecal coliform level 1,700 MPN/100 g) were relayed into a sea area of safe bacteriological water quality, the fecal coliform level dropped to below 110 MPN/100 g after 1 day. The bacteriological quality of oysters and short-necked clams that are contaminated at a fecal coliform level of 1,700 MPN/100 g could be improved, and become appropriate for raw consumption by a single day relay under proper environmental conditions. When artificially contaminated oysters (fecal coliform level 330 MPN/100 g) were depurated with electrolyzed seawater, 94% of fecal coliform was eliminated after 12 h and fecal coliform was undetectable after 24 h. After 24 h depuration with electrolyzed seawater, the fecal coliform level of short-necked clams with initial fecal coliform of 2,400 MPN/100 g was below 20 MPN/100 g. However, the fecal coliform level of short-necked clams with initial fecal coliform of 17,000 MPN/100 g was relatively high, at 790 MPN/100 g, even after 24 h of depuration with electrolyzed seawater, because of the repeated cycle of excretion and accumulation of fecal coliform in shellfish tissue under the closed depuration environment. Such natural seawater relaying and electrolyzed seawater depuration can be restrictively applied to improve or secure the bacteriological quality of oysters and short-necked clams in accordance with safety levels for bivalves for raw consumption.