• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.122-133
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• 2022

The aim of this study was to investigating whether lncRNA H19 promotes myocardial fibrosis by suppressing the miR-29a-3p/miR-29b-3p-VEGFA/TGF-β axis. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and healthy volunteers were included in the study, and their biochemical parameters were collected. In addition, pcDNA3.1-H19, si-H19, and miR-29a/b-3p mimic/inhibitor were transfected into cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), and proliferation of CFs was detected by MTT assay. Expression of H19 and miR-29a/b-3p were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, collagen II, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and elastin were measured by western blot analysis. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was carried out to detect the sponging relationship between H19 and miR-29a/b-3p in CFs. Compared with healthy volunteers, the level of plasma H19 was significantly elevated in patients with AF, while miR-29a-3p and miR-29b-3p were markedly depressed (P < 0.05). Serum expression of lncRNA H19 was negatively correlated with the expression of miR-29a-3p and miR-29b-3p among patients with AF (r_s = -0.337, r_s = -0.236). Moreover, up-regulation of H19 expression and down-regulation of miR-29a/b-3p expression facilitated proliferation and synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins. SB431542 and si-VEGFA are able to reverse the promotion of miR-29a/b-3p on proliferation of CFs and ECM-related protein synthesis. The findings of the present study suggest that H19 promoted CF proliferation and collagen synthesis by suppressing the miR-29a-3p/miR-29b-3p-VEGFA/TGF-β axis, and provide support for a potential new direction for the treatment of AF.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 1997

We fabricated a sensor head which consists of spliced different-diameter fiber gratings for discrimination between strain and temperature. Because the fibers were drawn from the same preform, their temperature characteristics were the same but not for strain sensitivities which are inversely proportional to fibers cross-sectional areas. In measurement range of 0-1500$\mu$strain and 20-10$0^{\circ}C$, we could obtain, by using the matrix calculation, the unknown physical quantities within 10% of calculation error compared with the micrometer and thermocouple values. To improve the strain measurement accuracy, we suggest a new, novel method which deploys an unbalanced fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer. This new signal processing technique converts the strain information to interference signal amplitude variation, temperature-independently. we obtained measurement accuracy nearly 80 times better than that obtainable with the conventional optical spectrum analyzer usage.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.71-81
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• 2008

This paper proposes a spectral element which can represent dynamic responses in high frequency domain such as Lamb waves on a thin plate. A two layer beam model under 2-D plane strain condition is introduced to simulate high-frequency dynamic responses induced by piezoelectric layer (PZT layer) bonded on a base plate. In the two layer beam model, a PZT layer is assumed to be rigidly bonded on a base beam. Mindlin-Herrmann and Timoshenko beam theories are employed to represent the first symmetric and anti-symmetric Lamb wave modes on a base plate, respectively. The Bernoulli beam theory and 1-D linear piezoelectricity are used to model the electro-mechanical behavior of a PZT layer. The equations of motions of a two layer beam model are derived through Hamilton's principle. The necessary boundary conditions associated with electro mechanical properties of a PZT layer are formulated in the context of dual functions of a PZT layer as an actuator and a sensor. General spectral shape functions of response field and the associated boundary conditions are formulated through equations of motions converted into frequency domain. A detailed spectrum element formulation for composing the dynamic stiffness matrix of a two layer beam model is presented as well. The validity of the proposed spectral element is demonstrated through comparison results with the conventional 2-D FEM and the previously developed spectral elements.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.283-299
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• 2017

An analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence (FL) detection was developed for simultaneously analyzing 10 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 18 nitro-derivatives of PAHs (NPAHs). The two-dimensional HPLC system consists of an on-line clean-up and reduction for NPAHs in the 1st dimension, and separation of the PAHs and the reduced NPAHs and their FL detection in the 2nd dimension after column-switching. To identify an ideal clean-up column for removing sample matrix that may interfere with detection of the analytes, the characteristics of 8 reversed-phase columns were evaluated. The nitrophenylethyl (NPE)-bonded silica column was selected because of its shorter elution band and larger retention factors of the analytes due to strong dipole-dipole interactions. The amino-substituted PAHs (reduced NPAHs), PAHs and deuterated internal standards were separated on polymeric octadecyl-bonded silica (ODS) columns and by dual-channel detection within 120 min including clean-up and reduction steps. The limits of detection were 0.1-9.2 pg per injection for PAHs and 0.1-140 pg per injection for NPAHs. For validation, the method was applied to analyze crude extracts of fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) samples and achieved good analytical precision and accuracy. Moreover, the standard reference material (SRM1649b, urban dust) was analyzed by this method and the observed concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs were similar to those in previous reports. Thus, the method developed here-in has the potential to become a standard HPLC-based method, especially for NPAHs.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.36-44
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• 2003

In this paper, an analytic solution method is proposed to overcome the numerical problems when the slewing dynamics of hybrid coordinate systems is investigated via time finite element analysis. It is shown that the dynamics of the hybrid coordinate systems is governed by the coupled dual differential equations for both slewing and structural modes. Structural modes are transformed into the time-based modal coordinates and analytic spatial propagation equations are derived for each space-dependent time mode. Slew angle history is obtained analytically by appropriate applications of the boundary conditions and structural propagation is re-calculated using the slew angle. Numerical examples are demonstrated to validate the proposed analytic method in comparison to the existing state transition matrix method.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.17-29
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• 2002

Interfacial properties and microfailure degradation mechanisms of the bioabsorbable composites for implant materials were investigated using micromechanical technique and measurement of surface wettability. As hydrolysis time increased, the tensile strength, the modulus and the elongation of poly(ester-amide) (PEA) and bioactive glass fibers decreased, whereas those of chitosan fiber almost did not change. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between bioactive glass fiber and poly-L-lactide (PLLA) was much higher than PEA or chitosan fiber/PLLA systems using dual matrix composite (DMC) specimen. The decreasing rate of IFSS was the fastest in bioactive glass fiber/PLLA composites whereas that of chitosan fiber/PLLA composites was the slowest. Work of adhesion, $W_a$ between bioactive glass fiber and PLLA was the highest, and the wettability results were consistent with the IFSS. Interfacial properties and microfailure degradation mechanisms can be important factors to control bioabsorbable composite performance.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2009

In order to improve the electrochemical, mechanical and electrocatalytic characteristics, engineering plastic of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) as polymer matrix was sulfonated (SPEEK) and the organic-inorganic blend composite membranes has been prepared by loading heteropoly acids (HPAs), including tungstophosphoric acid (TPA), molybdophosphoric acid (MoPA), and tungstosilicic acid (TSiA). And then these were covalently cross-linked (CL-SPEEK/HPA) as the electrolyte and MEA of polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis (PEME). As a result, the optimum reaction conditions of CL-SPEEK/HPA was established and the electrochemical characteristics such as ion conductivity ($\sigma$) were in the order of magnitude: CL-SPEEK /TPA30 (${\sigma}=0.128\;S/cm^{-1}$) < /MoPA40 (${\sigma}=0.14\;S/cm^{-1})$ < /TSiA30 (${\sigma}=0.22\;S/cm^{-1}$) at $80^{\circ}C$, and mechanical characteristics such as tensile strength: CL-SPEEK /TSiA30 $\fallingdotseq$ /MoPA40 < /TPA30. Consequently, in regards of above characterisitics and oxidation durability, the CL-SPEEK/TPA30 exhibited a better performance in PEME than the others, but CL-SPEEK/MoPA40 showed the best electrocatalytic activity of cell voltage 1.71 V among the composite membranes. The dual effect of higher proton conductivity and electrocatalytic activity with the addition of HPAs, causes a synergy effect.

• Composites Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.223-229
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• 2016

SiC nanoparticles were used to increase flexural properties of polymer matrix. This study was to manufacture huge concentration SiC nanoparticle/epoxy composites and to evaluate the dispersion. During mixing SiC nanoparticle and epoxy, 20 wt% SiC nanoparticle in total composites was used with both stirrer and sonication equipment together. Mixing speed and dispersion were improved with the method by using both stirrer and sonication equipment at the same time via mechanical test and FE-SEM. Based on the results, modeling of SiC nanoparticle dispersion could be established. Ultimately, unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced composites was manufactured using 20 wt% SiC nanoparticle/epoxy. Mechanical property of CFRP using dual stirrer and sonication mixing method was better than composites by single sonication mixing method.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.81-90
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• 2004

Sialic acid containing glycosphingolipids (gangliosides) have been implicated in the regulation of various biological phenomena such as atherosclerosis. Recent report suggeststhat exogenously supplied disialoganglioside (GD3) serves a dual role in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation and apoptosis. However, the role of the GD3 synthase gene in VSMC responses has not yet been elucidated. To determine whether a ganglioside is able to modulate VSMC growth. the effect of overexpression of the GD3 synthase gene on DNA synthesis was examined. The results show that the overexpression of this gene has a potent inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis and ERK phosphorylation in cultured VSMC in the presence of PDGF. The suppression of the GD3 synthase gene was correlated with the down-regulation of cyclinE/CDK2. the up-regulation of the CDK inhibitor p21 and blocking of the p27 inhibition,whereas up-regulation of p53 as the result of GD3 synthase gene expression was not observed. Consistently, blockade of GD3 function with anti-GD3 antibody reversed VSMC proliferation and cell cycle proteins. The expression of the CD3 synthase gene also led to the inhibition of TNF--induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression in VSMC as determined by zymography and immunoblot. Furthermore, GD3 synthase gene expression strongly decreased MMP-9 promoteractivlty in response to TNF-. This inhibition was characterized by the down-regulation of MMP-9,which was Iranscriptionally regulated at NF-B and activation protein-1 (AP-1) sites in the MMP-9promoter Finally, the overexpression of MMP-9 in GD3 synthase transfectant cells rescued VSMC proliferation. However MMP-2 overexpression was not affected the cell proliferation. These findings suggest that the fl13 synthase gene represents a physiological modulator of VSMC responses that may contribute to plaque instability in atherosclerosis.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.447-460
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• 2012

In this study, the shutdown system of the fuel gas supply system is designed based on the Safety Integrity Level of IEC 61508 and IEC 61511. First of all, the individual risk($10^{-4}$/year) and the risk matrix which are the risk acceptance criteria are set up for the qualitative risk assessment such as the HAZOP study. The natural gas leakage at the gas supply pipe is identified as the highest risk among the hazards identified through the HAZOP study and as a safety instrumented function the shutdown function for leakage was defined. SIL 2 and PFD($2.5{\cdot}10^{-3}$) for the shutdown function are determined by the layer of protection analysis(LOPA). The shutdown system(SIS) carrying out the shutdown function(SIF) is verified and designed according to qualitative and quantitative requirements of IEC 61508 and IEC 61511. As a result of SIL verification and SIS conceptual design, the shutdown system is composed of two gas detectors voted 1oo2, one programmable logic solver, and two shutdown valve voted 1oo2.