• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.239-250
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• 1996

The objective of the present experiments were to determine whether micromanipulative and electro-stimulation conditions for blastomere survival overlapped those for oocyte activation in porcine. Eggs selected for in vitro development potential of blastomeres isolated from 4-cell embryos and oocyte activation by electrostimulation were equilibrated for 5~10 min, in 0.3M sucrose solution containing 7.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml cytochalasin B, and then electrostimulated for 30$\mu$sec using one pulse of 100, 120, 150 or 180 volts DC with electrodes 0.2mm apart. Single blastomeres were inserted into empty zona pellucida prior to electrostimulaticn. Then they were cultured in 20${mu}ell$ drops of fresh BECM to observe their developmental ability in vitro in a humidified incubat or at 38.5$^{\circ}C$. The results obtained from these experiments are as follows : 1. When one pulse of 100, 120, 150 or 180 volts DC for 30$\mu$sec were applied to porcine oocytes having the slit formed on zona pellucida for activation, activation rates were 65.1, 66.7, 70.7 and 91.7%, respectively. Higher activation rate was observed in 180V. 2. Infact oocytes incubated for 30 min, in 0.3M sucrose solution after electrostimulation were significantally different from control group with increasing of voltages(p<0.05). When voltages used for electrostimulation were increased, activation rates of oocytes were improved in all treatment groups. 3. When zona punctured-oocytes were only electrostimulated, or incubated in 0.3M sucrose solution for 30 min. after electrostimulation at 180 volt DC, activation rates were 90.5 and 95.5%, respectively. And activation rates of zona punctured-oocytes were significantly different from the groups for which zona pellucida was not punctured(P<0.05). 4. When single blastomeres form 4-cell transferred into empty zona pellucida were incubated for 0, 15 and 30 min. in 0.3M sucrose solution after electrostimulation using one pulse of 180 volt DC for 30 $\mu$sec, developmental rates of electrostimulated-single blastomeres to blastocyst were 72.5, 59.0 and 51.2%, respectively, and the ratio of control group developed to blastocyst were 80.0%. 5. The average cell number in electrostimulated-blastomeres developed to blastocyst were 7.9~10.8, and reduced than the cell number in diploid control ; Also cell number decreased with increasing of voltages. The results of these experiments indicate that the optimal condition for achieving in vitro developmental ability of single 4-cell blastomeres and oocyte activatin is 1 pulse, duration 30 $\mu$sec. in 180 volt, and incubation of blastomeres and oocytes in 0.3M sucrose solution after electrostimulation was not significantally different from another treatment groups. The results also show that this condition is suitable for nuclear transplantation using porcine eggs.

• Composites Research
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.268-274
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• 2020

This paper analyzed the degradation behaviors of silica nano epoxy composite based on the isoconversional method. The size of the silica nano particle was about 12 nm and the particles were mixed by three different weight ratios to make the degradation test samples. The thermogravimetric analyses were performed under six different temperature increase rates to measure the weight changes. Four different methods, Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Kissinger and DAEM (Distributed Activation Energy Method), were employed to calculate the activation energies depending on the conversion ratios, and their calculation results were compared. The results represented that the activation energy was increased when the silica nano particles were mixed up to 10%, indicating the definite contribution of the particles to the degradation behavior enhancements. However, the enhancement was not proportional to the particle mixture ratio by demonstrating the similar activation energies between 10% and 18% samples. The calculation results by the different methods were also compared and discussed.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.321-325
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• 2012

In this work, we prepared the activated graphite nanofibers (A-GNFs) via chemical activation with KOH/GNFs ratios in a range of 0 to 5. The effect of KOH activation was studied in the surface and pore properties of the samples for electrochemical performance. The surface properties of A-GNFs were characterized by XRD and SEM measurements. The textural properties of the A-GNFs were investigated by $N_2$/77 K adsorption isotherms using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) equation. Their electrochemical behaviors were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge performance. From the results, electrochemical performances of the A-GNFs were improved with increasing the ratio of KOH reagent. It was found that specific surface area and total pore volume of the A-GNFs were increased by KOH activation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.46-53
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• 2017

Background: The MLA is supported by both the abductor hallucis (ABH) and the extrinsic muscles. Insufficient muscular support may lower the MLA when the body's weight is applied to the foot. The short foot exercise (SFE) is effective in increasing the height of the MLA for people with flat feet. Most of the research related to the SFE has simply evaluated the efficiency of the exercise using enhanced ABH electromyography (EMG) activation. Since the tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PER), and ABH are all involved in supporting the MLA, a new experiment design examining the EMG of the selected muscles during SFE should be applied to clarify its effect. Objects: Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the effect of the SFE in different ankle position on the MLA angle and the activation of both the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles and to determine the optimal position. Methods: 20 healthy subjects and 12 subjects with flat feet were recruited from Yonsei University. The surface EMG and camera were used to collect muscle activation amplitude of TA, PER, and ABH and to capture the image of MLA angle during SFE. The subjects performed the SFE while sitting in three different ankle positions-neutral (N), dorsiflexion (DF) at 30 degrees, and plantar flexion (PF) at 30 degrees. Results: ABH EMG amplitudes were significantly greater in N and DF than in PF (p<.05). Muscle activation ratio of TA to ABH was the lowest in PF (p<.05). MLA angle in both groups significantly decreased in PF (p<.01). The TA and ABH was activated at the highest level in DF. However, in PF, subjects significantly activated the ABH and PER with relatively low activation of TA. Conclusion: Therefore, researchers need to discuss which SFE condition most effectively use the arch support muscle for flat foot.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 1999

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2; 72-kDa gelatinase; 72-kDa type IV collagenase; gelatinase A) plays an important role in normal physiological processes and in many pathologic processes such as arthritis and metastasis of cancer. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) binds to proMMP-2 or mature MMP-2 at a 1:1 ratio and inhibits the catalytic activity of MMP-2. We demonstrated that the baculovirus/insect cell system does not have TIMP-2 activity. The human proMMP-2 free of TIMP-2 was expressed in the expression system and purified by one-step affinity chromatography using gelatin-Sepharose. The free proMMP-2 was autoactivated to the mature MMP-2 and autodegraded into smaller molecular weight forms in the absence of external activator. The activation and autodegradation of the proMMP-2 was much more rapid in the presence of 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). Addition of TIMP-2 inhibits both APMA-induced activation and autodegradation of the free proMMP-2. However, an increasing concentration of TIMP-2 more readily inhibited activation of the free proMMP-2 than autodegradation. These results demonstrate that TIMP-2 plays roles in inhibition of both activation and autodegradation of the free proMMP-2 in addition to inhibition of the catalytic activity of MMP-2.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.5
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• pp.521-528
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• 1999

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by infiltrating neutrophils, are considered as an important regulator in the pathogenesis and deveolpment of pancreatitis. The present study aims to investigate whether neutrophils primed by $4{\beta}-phorbol\;12{\beta}-myristate\;13{\alpha}-acetate$ (PMA) affect the productions $H_2O_2$ and lipid peroxide (LPO), $NF-_{\kappa}B$ activation and cytokine production in pancreatic acinar cells, and whether these alterations were inhibited by an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). $H_2O_2$ (ferrithiocyanate method), LPO (as thiobarbiturate reactive substances), and cytokines $(IL-l{\bata},\; IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha};\;enzyme-linked\;immunosorbent\;assay)$ and $NF-_{\kappa}B$ activation (electrophoretic mobility shift assay) were analyzed in acinar cells treated with or without PMA-primed neutrophils in the absence or presence of NAC (10 mM) or SOD (300 U/ml). As a result, the productions of H2O2, LPO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were increased with the ratio of PMA-primed neutrophils to acinar cells while the productions of LPO, $IL-l{\beta},\;IL-6\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ were increased with time. PMA-primed neutrophils resulted in the activation of $NF-_{\kappa}B.$ Both NAC and SOD inhibited neutrophil-induced alterations in acinar cells. In conclusion, ROS, generated by neutrophils, activates $NF-_{\kappa}B,$ resulting in upregulation of inflammatary cytokines in acinar cells. Antioxidants might be clinically useful antiinflammatory agents by inhibiting oxidant-mediated activation of $NF-_{\kappa}B$ and decreasing cytokine production.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.141-145
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• 2017

Background: The concrete walls inside the vaults of cyclotron facilities are activated by neutrons emitted by the targets during radioisotope production. Reducing the amount of radioactive waste created in such facilities is very important in case they are decommissioned. Thus, we proposed a strategy of reducing the neutron activation of the concrete walls in cyclotrons during operation. Materials and Methods: A polyethylene plate and B-doped Al sheet (30 wt% of B and 2.5 mm in thickness) were placed in front of the wall in the cyclotron room of a radioisotope production facility for pharmaceutical use. The target was Xe gas, and a Cu block was utilized for proton dumping. The irradiation time, proton energy, and beam current were 8 hours, 30 MeV, and $125{\mu}A$, respectively. To determine a suitable thickness for the polyethylene plate set in front of the B-doped Al sheet, the neutron-reducing effects achieved by inserting such sheets at several depths within polyethylene plate stacks were evaluated. The neutron fluence was monitored using an activation detector and 20-g on de Au foil samples with and without 0.5-mm-thick Cd foil. Each Au foil sample was pasted onto the center of a polyethylene plate and B-doped Al sheet, and the absolute activity of one Au foil sample was measured as a standard using a Ge detector. The resulting relative activities were obtained by calculating the ratio of the photostimulated luminescence of each foil sample to that of the standard Au foil. Results and Discussion: When the combination of a 4-cm-thick polyethylene plate and B-doped Al sheet was employed, the thermal neutron rate was reduced by 78%. Conclusion: The combination of a 4-cm-thick polyethylene plate and B-doped Al sheet effectively reduced the neutron activation of the investigated concrete wall.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.169-173
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• 2009

Effects of variations sulfur/accelerator ratio on cross-linking and thermal degradation behavior of NR/CR rubber compounds were studied using both dynamic DSC and non-isothermal TGA. DSC thermograms of the given samples were obtained with several different heating rates, and after cross-liked in DSC, TGA thermograms with the same samples also obtained. Kissinger analysis was applied to assess the activation energies for the cross-linking and thermal decomposition processes. Results showed that the formation and thermal decomposition reaction of the samples occurred in the overall temperature range of $120{\sim}180^{\circ}C$ and $350{\sim}450^{\circ}C$, respectively, exhibiting that data could be well-fittable by Kissinger method. Furthermore, formation activation energy by DSC was estimated as $83.0{\pm}5.0kJ/mol$, which was much smaller than that of degradation by TGA, $147.0{\pm}2.0kJ/mol$. From these results, it was considered that, although variations of sulfur/accelerator ratio in the present experiments affected little on the formation mechanism and/or thermal degradation, they could play roles as the catalysts which lower the activation energy of formation. Because of stabilization after formation reaction, however, they have no more effects on the lowering the activation energy, showing higher values when decomposition, caused by main-chain scissions.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.94-100
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• 2010

Colored compounds adsorption from the textile dyeing effluents on activated carbons produced from various indigenous vegetable sources by zinc chloride activation is studied. The most important parameters in chemical activation were found to be the chemical ratio of $ZnCl_2$ to feed (3:1), carbonization temperature (460-470 $^{\circ}C$) and time of activation (75 min). The absorbance at 511 nm (red effluent) and 615 nm (blue effluent) are used for estimation of color. It is established that at optimum temperature ($50^{\circ}C$), time of contact (30-40 min) and adsorbent loading (2 g/L), activated carbons developed from rain tree (Samanea saman) saw dust and blackberry (Randia formosa) tree saw dust showed great capability to remove color materials from the effluents. It is observed that adsorption of reactive dyes by all types of activated carbons is more than that of disperse dyes. It is explained that because of its acidic nature the activated carbon can adsorb better reactive dye particles containing large number of nitrogen sites and $-SO_3Na$ group in their structure. The use of activated carbons from the indigenous biomass would be economical, because saw dusts are readily available waste worldwide.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Combustion
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2011

This paper focuses on the combustion characteristics of blended coals with bituminous and sub-bituminous coals under air and oxy-fuel combustion conditions. The effects of oxygen concentration and blending ratio on the combustion characteristics were experimentally investigated using a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). Characteristic temperatures including ignition, burnout temperature and activation energy were determined from TG and DTG combustion profiles. As oxygen concentration increased and the presence of sub-bituminous coal, characteristic temperatures and activation energy decreased. The ignitability, reactivity and kinetics have all been greatly improved under oxy-fuel combustion conditions. Based on this, co-firing with bituminous and sub-bituminous coals under oxy-fuel combustion conditions may be suggested as an alternative method to the fuel flexibility and cost-effective power production with carbon capture and sequestration.