• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.107-120
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• 2022

The bracing members capable of active control against seismic loads to reduce earthquake damage have been widely utilized in construction projects. Effectively reducing the structural damage caused by earthquake events, bracing systems equipped with retrofitting damper devices, which take advantage of the energy dissipation and impact absorption, have been widely used in practical construction sites. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are a new generation of smart materials with the capability of recovering their predefined shape after experiencing a large strain. This is mainly due to the shape memory effects and the superelasticity of SMA. These properties make SMA an excellent alternative to be used in passive, semi-active, and active control systems in civil engineering applications. In this research, a new system in diagonal braces with slit damper combined with SMA is investigated. The diagonal element under the effect of tensile and compressive force turns to shear force in the slit damper and creates tension in the SMA. Therefore, by creating shear forces in the damper, it leads to yield and increases the energy absorption capacity of the system. The purpose of using SMA, in addition to increasing the stiffness and strength of the system, is to create reversibility for the system. According to the results, the highest capacity is related to the case where the ratio of the width of the middle section to the width of the end section (b₁/b) is 1.0 and the ratio of the height of the middle part to the total height of the damper (h₁/h) is 0.1. This is mainly because in this case, the damper section has the highest cross-section. In contrast, the lowest capacity is related to the case where b₁/b=0.1 and the ratio h₁/h=0.8.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.116-125
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• 2023

The present study sought to examine the association between an infant's anthropometric outcomes with maternal Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P) scores during the third trimester of pregnancy. This prospective cohort study was applying 130 pregnant women, at the pregnancy training center in west Tehran, Iran (November 2020 to July 2021). The maternal dietary intake, and body mass index (BMI), and social economic level were evaluated. The data about birth weight, birth height, head circumference, and, gestational age at birth were extracted from each child's health records. The ultimate sample included 122 (93.8%) pairs of women/newborn children. The participants, mean age was 28.13 ± 4.66 years with gestational age between 28 to 40 weeks and the mean of BMI was 24.62 ± 3.51. Our outcomes, after adjustment for confounding factors, suggested that those newborn infants in the highest quartile of maternal DII score had a significantly lower weight (p < 0.001) and height (p = 0.05), in comparison to those in the lowest quartile, but not head circumference (p = 0.18). Moreover, after adjustment for confounding factors, results suggested that those newborn infants in the First quartile of maternal AHEI-P score had a significantly lower weight (p = 0.018) and, in comparison to those in the higher quartile. It appears that newborn infants with lower maternal DII and higher AHEI-P scores may have a better anthropometric outcome. Further longitudinal and in-depth qualitative and quantitative studies, with a longer-term follow-up, is warranted to support the integrity of our outcomes.

• 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.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.155-167
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• 2024

Identifying the location of earthquake-induced damage in buildings and mitigating its impact, especially in low-damage systems such as rocking frames, is a significant challenge for structural engineers. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the sensitivity and type of damage of buildings exposed to severe earthquakes to concentrate damage in predefined locations that can be repaired easily. This paper explores the seismic responses of a Self-Centering Rocking Steel Braced Frame (SCR-SBF) under far-field and near-field ground motions. This earthquake-resistant system includes components such as post-tensioning cables to provide frame self-centering, eliminate residual drift in the system, and replaceable fuses to concentrate the earthquake-induced damage. While previous studies have examined far and near-field earthquakes, their comparative influence on the seismic behavior of structures with a rocking system remains unexplored. This paper presents a novel investigation into the sensitivity of SCR-SBF structures to far and near-field earthquakes. Considering the critical effects of shock and impulse loads on rocking systems, the study aims to assess the effects of near-field earthquakes and compare them to far-field earthquakes on these systems. For this purpose, different response parameters have been calculated under records of far- and near-field earthquakes at three specific ground acceleration levels by incremental nonlinear dynamic analysis. Additionally, the seismic behavior of the SCR-SBF and Steel-Braced Frame (SBF) are compared for near and far-field ground motions. The results show that SCR-SBF systems have better resilience and reduced local failures compared to SBF systems under far and near-field earthquakes, requiring tailored design strategies.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.509-513
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• 2018

Present study was performed to survey infection status of digenetic trematode metacercariae in 2 alien fish species, Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass) and Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill), in 2 rivers draining Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. A total of 107 largemouth bass and 244 bluegills were caught in Daecheong-ho (ho=lake) and Musim-cheon (a branch of Geum-gang), in Chungcheongbuk-do April-July 2015. Additionally, 68 native fish of 5 species, i.e., Zacco platypus, Hemibarbus longirostris, Carassius auratus, Pseudogobio esocinus and Puntungia herzi, were caught from the same water bodies. All of the fish collected were examined by artificial digestion method. The metacercariae of Centrocestus armatus, Clinostomum complanatum, Metagonimus sp. and Diplostomum spp. were detected from 4 out of 5 native fish species in Daecheong-ho. However, any metacercariae were not found from 87 M. salmoides and 177 L. macrochirus in Daecheong-ho. In Musim-cheon, metacercariae of Exorchis oviformis and Metacercaria hasegawai were detected from 78% Z. platypus and 34% L. macrochirus, but any metacercariae not found in M. salmoides. We report here that the 2 alien fish species were less infected with the metacercariae than the native ones. Surveys on the metacercariae in the alien fish species in geographically various rivers should be undertaken for better understanding on the role of alien fish species in the trematode infections in Republic of Korea.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.637-642
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• 2012

Background Fingertip injuries involving subtotal or total loss of the digital pulp are common types of hand injuries and require reconstruction that is able to provide stable padding and sensory recovery. There are various techniques used for reconstruction of fingertip injuries, but the most effective method is functionally and aesthetically controversial. Despite some disadvantages, cross-finger pulp flap is a relatively simple procedure without significant complications or requiring special techniques. Methods This study included 90 patients with fingertip defects who underwent cross-finger pulp flap between September 1998 and March 2010. In 69 cases, neurorrhaphy was performed between the pulp branch from the proper digital nerve and the recipient's sensory nerve for good sensibility of the injured fingertip. In order to evaluate the outcome of our surgical method, we observed two-point discrimination in the early (3 months) and late (12 to 40 months) postoperative periods. Results Most of the cases had cosmetically and functionally acceptable outcomes. The average defect size was $1.7{\times}1.5$ cm. Sensory return began 3 months after flap application. The two-point discrimination was measured at 4.6 mm (range, 3 to 6 mm) in our method and 7.2 mm (range, 4 to 9 mm) in non-innervated cross-finger pulp flaps. Conclusions The innervated cross-finger pulp flap is a safe and reliable procedure for lateral oblique, volar oblique, and transverse fingertip amputations. Our procedure is simple to perform under local anesthesia, and is able to provide both mechanical stability and sensory recovery. We recommend this method for reconstruction of fingertip injuries.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.7 s.252
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• pp.504-506
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• 2005

Intracavitary coronary artery is variant anomalous entrance to right ventricular cavity of left anterior descending artery. Since the disease is extremely rare, there has not been any report of it in Korea and is only found in $0.2\~0.3\%$ of all CABG patients. It is very difficult to be diagnosed by preoperative coronary arteriography (CAG) and secure suture is needed for right ventriculotomy after CABG due to bleeding from right ventricle. Horizontal mattress suture with pledget has been recommended but, it could compress the myocardium surrounding ventriculotomy and result in disturbed flow of left anterior descending artery branch and perforating artery. So we used simple interrupted suture and the patient was recovered as other CABG patients without complications.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2018

Objective: The role of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), CREB (cAMP response element binding) and VGF neuropeptide has been proved in antidepressant activity of long term saffron administration in the rat hippocampus. In this study we evaluated the role of these proteins in antidepressant activity of saffron in long term administration in the rat cerebellum. Methods: Saffron aqueous extract (40 and 80 mg/kg/day) and imipramine (10 mg/kg/day) were administered intraperitoneally for 21 days to rats. At the end of experiment, animals were sacrificed and cerebellums were separated. The protein levels of BDNF, VGF, CREB and P- CREB in the rat cerebellum were evaluated using western blot analysis. Results: Saffron aqueous extract (80mg/kg/day) caused significant increase in protein level of P-CREB in long term treatment in the rat cerebellum. The increases in the protein levels of VGF, CREB and BDNF were not significant. Conclusion: In summary, our results showed that antidepressant effect of saffron in rat cerebellum might be due to the enhanced phosphorylation of CREB.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to improve the fomula efficiency and prevent the resource abuse by clarifying the origin of kinds of Cinnamomum cassia Presl. Methods : 1. We researched "Shennongbencaojing", "Bencaogangmu", "Shanghanlun", "Jinguiyaolue", "Dongeuibogam", and other books. 2. Choosing a related words such as Cinnamomi ramulus(Gye-ji), Cassiae Cortex Interior(Gye-sim), Cinamomi Cortex(Yuk-gye). 3. Searching prescriptions: We searched prescriptions containing the Cinnamon in above books, and compared the differency among them. Conclusions : 1. Cinnamomi ramulus(Gye-ji) used for Shanghanlun contains Cinamomi Cortex(Yuk-gye), Cinnamomi ramulus(Gye-ji) and Cassiae Cortex Interior(Gye-sim) written in the Korean Pharmacopoeia. 2. Cinamomi Cortex(Yuk-gye) is the thick cortex of trunk of Cinnamomum cassia. It has functions like downwarding and warming-tonifying, and it is mainly used for Palmi-won(Bawei-yuan). 3. Cassiae Cortex Interior(Gye-sim) is about 30% of Cinamomi Cortex(Yuk-gye) middle layer, removing outer and inner cortex. Its main functions are regulating heart, coordinating the heart and kidney, and dispelling stastic blood and it is mainly used for Gyejibokryoung-hwan(Guizhifuling-wan) and Dangguisoo-san(Dangguixu-san). 4. Current Cinnamomi ramulus(Gye-ji) is a twig. thus, it means a small branch. Its main functions are upwarding, transversing, and exterior-effusing and it is mainly used for Gyeji-tang(Guizhijiagui-tang) and Gyejigagye-tang(Guizhi-tang).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1943-1950
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• 2016

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are commonly present xenobiotics in natural and contaminated soils. We studied three (phenanthrene, naphthalene, and biphenyl) xenobiotics, catabolism, and associated proteins in Sphingobium chungbukense DJ77 by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis. Comparative analysis of the growth-dependent 2-DE results revealed that the intensity of 10 protein spots changed identically upon exposure to the three xenobiotics. Among the upregulated proteins, five protein spots, which were putative dehydrogenase, dioxygenase, and hydrolase and involved in the catabolic pathway of xenobiotic degradation, were induced. Identification of these major multifunctional proteins allowed us to map the multiple catabolic pathway for phenanthrene, naphthalene, and biphenyl degradation. A part of the initial diverse catabolism was converged into the catechol degradation branch. Detection of intermediates from 2,3-dihydroxy-biphenyl degradation to pyruvate and acetyl-CoA production by LC/MS analysis showed that ring-cleavage products of PAHs entered the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and were mineralized in S. chungbukense DJ77. These results suggest that S. chungbukense DJ77 completely degrades a broad range of PAHs via a multiple catabolic pathway.