• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.5-11
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• 2007

This paper is to investigate the removal of the smear at elevated temperatures. This study utilized both small cylinder cell and large consolidometer apparatus to investigate the combination of PVD with heat and without heat. Two types of heaters are used in this study. The heater drain made of copper tube is used for all tests except large consolidometer and flexible wire heater is used for large consolidometer. Specimens demonstrated volume contraction upon heat and without heat. This contraction is dependent on temperature magnitude. When the specimen is heated, the magnitude of settlements is higher and rate of consolidation is faster. After treatment using PVD combined without heat and with heat for undisturbed specimens the $C_h$ values obtained were $3.45m^2/yr$ and $3.83m^2/yr$, respectively, from $3.2m^2/yr$ before treatment. The $K_h/K_s$ ratios were 3 for the specimen without heat and 2 for the specimen with heat. Similarly, in reconstituted specimens without heat and with heat, the $C_h$ values were $2.1m^2/yr$ and $2.5m^2/yr$ with $K_h/K_s$ ratios of 1.75 and 1.5, respectively.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.458-468
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• 2023

Background: As a complication of Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of cognitive dysfunction are still undefined. Recent studies demonstrated that Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has promising neuroprotective properties, but the effect and mechanism in diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction (DACD) deserve further investigation. Methods: After establishing the T2DM model with a high-fat diet and STZ intraperitoneal injection, Rg1 was given for 8 weeks. The behavior alterations and neuronal lesions were judged using the open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze (MWM), as well as HE and Nissl staining. The protein or mRNA changes of NOX2, p-PLC, TRPC6, CN, NFAT1, APP, BACE1, NCSTN, and Ab1-42 were investigated by immunoblot, immunofluorescence or qPCR. Commercial kits were used to evaluate the levels of IP3, DAG, and calcium ion (Ca²⁺) in brain tissues. Results: Rg1 therapy improved memory impairment and neuronal injury, decreased ROS, IP3, and DAG levels to revert Ca²⁺ overload, downregulated the expressions of p-PLC, TRPC6, CN, and NFAT1 nuclear translocation, and alleviated Aβ deposition in T2DM mice. In addition, Rg1 therapy elevated the expression of PSD95 and SYN in T2DM mice, which in turn improved synaptic dysfunction. Conclusions: Rg1 therapy may improve neuronal injury and DACD via mediating PLC-CN-NFAT1 signal pathway to reduce Aβ generation in T2DM mice.

• Composites Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.15-23
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• 2009

The lubricant tribological characteristics of $Al_2O_3$ fiber and SiC particle hybrid metal matrix composites (MMCs) fabricated by squeeze casting method was investigated using a pin-on-disk wear tester. The wear tests of the MMCs were performed according to fiber/particle hybrid ratio in the planar-random (PR) and normal (N) orientations sliding against a counter steel disk at a fixed speed and $25\;kg_f$ loading under different sliding distances and temperatures. The test results showed that the wear behavior of MMCs varied with fiber orientation and hybrid ratio. At room temperature, the lubricant wear behavior of F20P0 unhybrid PR-MMCs was superior to that of N-MMCs while the hybrid composites exhibited the reverse lubricant wear behavior. It was also revealed that the wear resistance of PR-MMCs was superior to that of the N-MMCs due to the joint action of reinforcements and lubricant film between the friction surfaces at an elevated temperature of $100^{\circ}C$ for both fiber only and hybrid cases. In case of $150^{\circ}C$, although the trend of weight loss was similar to that of others, the wear resistance of PR-MMCs was better than that of N-MMCs for hybrid MMCs.

• 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.

• Laboratory Medicine Online
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.110-114
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• 2011

There have been a few reports of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) with chromosomal abnormalities. Clonal chromosomal abnormalities in HLH patients are usually found in association with hematologic malignancies and rarely with epstein-barr virus (EBV) infection. Here, we report a fatal case of HLH with clonal karyotype abnormalities. A 75-yr-old man was admitted with persistent anorexia and high fever. Laboratory data revealed pancytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, hyperferritinemia, prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, and marked elevated level of serum transaminases. In real time-PCR using whole blood, EBV DNA was not detected but cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA was detected. The bone marrow aspiration smear showed hyperplasia of mature histiocytes with prominent hemophagocytosis. In chromosomal analysis of bone marrow aspirates, complex chromosomal abnormalities were found. In spite of steroid pulse therapy and antibiotic treatment, he died of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of vibration on primary (e.g. plasma cortisol), secondary (e.g. plasma glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^- and tertiary (e.g. mortality) stress responses in cultured eel, Anguilla japonica. For this purpose, three groups (including one control group and two stress groups) were set up. The control group was made exposed to vibration corresponding to 48 decibel (dB, V) (produced using electric vibrators) for 15 minutes per hour every day, and the two stress groups was made exposed to vibration corresponding to 58 and 68 dB (V) (produced using the same electric vibrators), equally, for 15 minutes per hour every day. Blood was sampled at day 0 (before starting vibration stress tests, BS), and days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 (after starting vibration stress tests). As a result, plasma cortisol showed trend to continuously rise by consecutive stress from 4.1±0.1 ng/ml in BS. In 48 dB group (control), cortisol showed the highest level with 7.6±0.9 ng/ml after 7 days (p<0.05), but at 9 and 11 days was not significantly compared with BS level. In 58 dB group, the cortisol showed the highest level with 43.1±4.8 ng/ml after 1st day. Cortisol of 68 dB group increased significantly during the experimental period (14.4±2.3~32.0±5.7 ng/ml) (p<0.05). In 58, and 68 dB groups during the experimental period differed significantly compared to 48 group (p<0.05). Glucose in 48 dB were increased from 42.0 ±5.7 (BS) to 52.5±2.1 (1 day), the level was not significantly from 1 to 11 days. Glucose in 58 and 68 dB groups was increased significantly than BS during experimental period (p<0.05). K⁺ in 68 dB increased significantly (p<0.05) from 2.3±0.2 mE/ql (BS) to 3.3±0.5 mE/ql at 5 days. In 48 and 58 dB groups during the experimental period differed significantly (p<0.05). Na⁺ and Cl^- levels were not differed significantly during the experimental period. AST and ALT in 58 and 68 dB groups showed trend to continuously rise by consecutive stress. At 7 and 9 days in AST, between 48, 58 and 68 dB groups differed significantly (p<0.05). In 48, 58 and 68 dB groups at 1 day, blood hematocrit increased significantly higher than BS. The 11 days after vibration stress, the mortality in 48, 58 and 68 dB groups was 1.1, 5.1 and 5.8%, respectively. The present results have shown that A. japonica exhibited ''typical'' physiological responses when exposed to chronic vibration stress. These data suggested that chronic vibration stress caused substantial stress in the fish; especially the persisting elevated plasma AST and ALT levels observed would be expected to adverse effect. In conclusion, chronic vibration stress could greatly affects the hematological characteristics in A. japonica.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

In order to assess seasonal and geographical characteristics of pollutant Escherichia coli, we investigated its distribution in Nakdong River mouth and Busan coastal water from February 2013 to November 2015. The coastal area was divided into five different zones (I-V) based on the pollutant level and geographical characteristics. During the study periods, water temperature and salinity varied from 7.50 to 27.64℃ and 16.82 to 34.82 psu, respectively. The annual water temperature variation was characterized in temperate zone. The salinity was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in zone IV and zone III after heavy rain during summer season in 2014, resulting led to elevated E. coli biomass. The highest colony formation of E. coli was recorded at 6,000 cfu l^-1 during autumn at station 1 (zone I). On the other hands, during all seasons of 2015, E. coli abundances were kept to be low level in zone III. The E. coli was not significantly (p>0.05) correlated with water temperature. However, the salinity was significantly (r=-0.53, p<0.05) correlated with the E. coli, implying that salinity plays a crucial role in the proliferation of E. coli. Consequently, E. coli in western Busan coastal water might have been significantly promoted by pollutant sources from Nakdong Rive discharge during the spring and summer rainy seasons depending on annual rainfall variations. On the other hands, E. coli in station 1 (i.e., Suyeong Bay) was obviously high due to influences of discharge water from municipal wastewater treatment plant. However, there was no clear seasonality of E. coli.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2023

Background: This study aims to reevaluate natural radiation exposure, following up on our previous study conducted in 2019, and to assess the associated risk of lung cancer to the public residing in the gold mining areas of Betare-Oya, east Cameroon, and its vicinity. Materials and Methods: Gamma-ray spectra collected using a 7.62 cm×7.62 cm in NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer during a car-borne survey, in situ measurements and laboratory measurements performed in previous studies were used to determine the outdoor absorbed dose rate in air to evaluate the annual external dose inhaled by the public. For determining internal exposure, radon gas concentrations were measured and used to estimate the inhalation dose while considering the inhalation of radon and its decay products. Results and Discussion: The mean value of the laboratory-measured outdoor gamma dose rate was 47 nGy/hr, which agrees with our previous results (44 nGy/hr) recorded through direct measurements (in situ and car-borne survey). The resulting annual external dose (0.29±0.09 mSv/yr) obtained is similar to that of the previous study (0.33±0.03 mSv/yr). The total inhalation dose resulting from radon isotopes and their decay products ranged between 1.96 and 9.63 mSv/yr with an arithmetic mean of 3.95±1.65 mSv/yr. The resulting excess lung cancer risk was estimated; it ranged from 62 to 216 excess deaths per million persons per year (MPY), 81 to 243 excess deaths per MPY, or 135 excess deaths per MPY, based on whether risk factors reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, United Nations Scientific Committee on the effects of Atomic Radiation, or International Commission on Radiological Protection were used, respectively. These values are more than double the world average values reported by the same agencies. Conclusion: There is an elevated level of risk of lung cancer from indoor radon in locations close to the Betare-Oya gold mining region in east Cameroon. Therefore, educating the public on the harmful effects of radon exposure and considering some remedial actions for protection against radon and its progenies is necessary.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.1951-1975
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• 2023

Recent advances in Cognitive Radio Networks (CRN) have elevated them to the status of a critical instrument for overcoming spectrum limits and achieving severe future wireless communication requirements. Collaborative spectrum sensing is presented for efficient channel selection because spectrum sensing is an essential part of CRNs. This study presents an innovative cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) model that is built on the Firefly Algorithm (FA), as well as machine learning artificial neural networks (ANN). This system makes use of user grouping strategies to improve detection performance dramatically while lowering collaboration costs. Cooperative sensing wasn't used until after cognitive radio users had been correctly identified using energy data samples and an ANN model. Cooperative sensing strategies produce a user base that is either secure, requires less effort, or is faultless. The suggested method's purpose is to choose the best transmission channel. Clustering is utilized by the suggested ANN-FA model to reduce spectrum sensing inaccuracy. The transmission channel that has the highest weight is chosen by employing the method that has been provided for computing channel weight. The proposed ANN-FA model computes channel weight based on three sets of input parameters: PU utilization, CR count, and channel capacity. Using an improved evolutionary algorithm, the key principles of the ANN-FA scheme are optimized to boost the overall efficiency of the CRN channel selection technique. This study proposes the Artificial Neural Network with Firefly Algorithm (ANN-FA) for cognitive radio networks to overcome the obstacles. This proposed work focuses primarily on sensing the optimal secondary user channel and reducing the spectrum handoff delay in wireless networks. Several benchmark functions are utilized We analyze the efficacy of this innovative strategy by evaluating its performance. The performance of ANN-FA is 22.72 percent more robust and effective than that of the other metaheuristic algorithm, according to experimental findings. The proposed ANN-FA model is simulated using the NS2 simulator, The results are evaluated in terms of average interference ratio, spectrum opportunity utilization, three metrics are measured: packet delivery ratio (PDR), end-to-end delay, and end-to-average throughput for a variety of different CRs found in the network.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1B
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• pp.153-160
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• 2008

To estimate microbial contaminant loading discharged from diffuse sources, rainfall runoff of six rainfall events were monitored at three study watersheds of forestry and agricultural land use. Monitored indicator microorganism constituents were total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), Escherichia coli (EC), and fecal streptococcus (FS). Soil loss during elevated flow rate caused higher suspended solid concentrations. Indicator microorganism concentrations were closely related with flow rate. TC event mean concentration (EMC) from unpolluted forestry was $5.3{\times}10^3CFU/100ml$, FC EMC was $1.4{\times}10^3CFU/100ml$, EC EMC was $1.1{\times}10^3CFU/100ml$, and FS EMC was $2.9{\times}10^2CFU/100ml$. From a watershed with agricultural-forestry land use, TC EMC was $1.7{\times}10^5CFU/100ml$, FC EMC was $8.5{\times}10^4CFU/100ml$, EC EMC was $8.9{\times}10^4CFU/100ml$, and FS EMC was $3.4{\times}10^4CFU/100ml$. Mixed land use of agricultural-forestry with bigger area, TC EMC was $1.9{\times}10^5CFU/100ml$, FC EMC was $9.6{\times}10^4CFU/100ml$, EC EMC was $7.0{\times}10^4CFU/100ml$, and FS EMC was $5.1{\times}10^4CFU/100ml$.