• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.111-123
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• 2021

Objective: Using domestic cats as a biomedical research model for fertility preservation, the present study aimed to characterize the influences of ovarian tissue encapsulation in biodegradable hydrogel matrix (fibrinogen/thrombin) on resilience to cryopreservation, and static versus non-static culture systems following ovarian tissue encapsulation and cryopreservation on follicle quality. Methods: In experiment I, ovarian tissues (n=21 animals; 567 ovarian fragments) were assigned to controls or hydrogel encapsulation with 5 or 10 mg/mL fibrinogen (5 or 10 FG). Following cryopreservation (slow freezing or vitrification), follicle viability, morphology, density, and key protein phosphorylation were assessed. In experiment II (based on the findings from experiment I), ovarian tissues (n=10 animals; 270 ovarian fragments) were encapsulated with 10 FG, cryopreserved, and in vitro cultured under static or non-static systems for 7 days followed by similar follicle quality assessments. Results: In experiment I, the combination of 10 FG encapsulation/slow freezing led to greater post-thawed follicle quality than in the control group, as shown by follicle viability (66.9%±2.2% vs. 61.5%±3.1%), normal follicle morphology (62.2% ±2.1% vs. 55.2%±3.5%), and the relative band intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor protein phosphorylation (0.58±0.06 vs. 0.42±0.09). Experiment II demonstrated that hydrogel encapsulation promoted follicle survival and maintenance of follicle development regardless of the culture system when compared to fresh controls. Conclusion: These results provide a better understanding of the role of hydrogel encapsulation and culture systems in ovarian tissue cryopreservation and follicle quality outcomes using an animal model, paving the way for optimized approaches to human fertility preservation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.5
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• pp.282-287
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• 2012

Broncholiths are defined as calcified materials that occur in a tracheobronchial tree or in a cavity communicating with that. Broncholith has variable clinical features. The therapeutic options to remove broncholiths are so variable that clinicians need to select the most safe and effective methods by mass size, mobility, and location. As yet, there is no consistent guideline removing a broncholith. We report 2 successful cases of removing a fixed broncholith by flexible bronchoscopy guided cryoadhesion. With repeated technique of thawing and freezing with cryoprobe, we could extract the fixed broncholith safely. This method is promising as a way to remove broncholith in the future.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2014

We present the results of an experimental physical weathering study that focuses on fresh and slightly weathered gneiss samples from the Wonju area of Korea. The study investigated changes in the physico-mechanical properties of these samples during accelerated laboratory-based weathering, including analyses of microfracture formation. The deteriorated samples used in the study were subjected to 100-150 freeze-thaw cycles, with index properties and microfracture geometries measured between each cycle. Each complete freeze-thaw cycle lasted 24 hours, and consisted of 2 hours of saturation in a vacuum chamber, 8 hours of freezing at $-21^{\circ}C{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, and 14 hours of thawing at room temperature. Specific gravity and seismic velocity values were negatively correlated with the number of freeze-thaw cycles, whereas absorption values tended to increase. The amount of deterioration of the rock samples was dependent on the degree of weathering of the rock prior to the start of the analysis. Absorption, specific gravity, and seismic velocity values can be used to infer the amount of physical weathering experienced by a gneiss in the study area. The sizes and density of microfracture in the rock specimens varied with the number of freeze-thaw cycles. We found that box fractal dimensions can be used to quantify the formation and propagation of microfracture in the samples. In addition, these box fractal dimensions can be used as a weathering index for the mid-and long-term prediction of rock weathering. The present results indicate that accelerated-weathering analysis can provide a detailed overview of the weathering characteristics of deteriorated rocks.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.235-242
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• 2005

This study is on the evaluation of performance of polymer cement mortar which is used for pre-wetting spray method. Pre-wetting spray method is an epoch-making method to repair concrete structures damaged, which is added a small quantity water preciously to dry mortar to reduce dust and rebound and spray mortar mixed with fixed quantity water at nozzle before spray. The result showed that physical performance such like compressive, flexural and adhesive strength of polymer cement mortar, TS 100 used for pre-wetting spray method was superior to other repair mortar. Also durable performance such as resistance on permeability of chloride ion, carbonation, chemical and freezing-thawing was excellent.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2015

This paper presents an experimental investigation in order to evaluate fresh and hardened properties of LP (Limestone Powder) blended cement concrete. The cement contents of the mixtures are replaced by LP in the range of 10%, 15%, 25%, and 35%, while a control mixture is prepared with only OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement). The fresh concrete properties like slump and air content are similar to those of control mixture up to 35% of replacement ratio of LP, however a delay in setting time is evaluated. The hardened properties including compressive strength, flexural strength, and rapid freezing and thawing resistance shows similar results of control mixture up to 15% of replacement. Relatively lower strength development is evaluated over 25% replacement of LP. For accelerated carbonation test, resistance to carbonation rapidly decreases with increasing LP replacement ratio due to the limited amount of $Ca(OH)_2$. From the study, LP replacement under 15% can be adopted considering reduction of strength and resistance to carbonation.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.77-87
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• 2015

PURPOSES: It is theoretically well known all over the world, that porous hot mixed asphalt (HMA) with hydrated Lime improves moisture and rutting resistance, and reduces pothole occurrence frequency, as well as the life cycle cost (LCC). METHODS : Addictive in the two different formations of the liquid anti-stripping Agent and powder Hydrated-Lime was applied in this investigation in order to obtain relatively clear results according to their types and conditions. Firstly, the moisture conditions were set, and applied to the porous HMA mixtures with hydrated lime (anti-stripping agent). Next, it was followed by a non-destructive test with the application of three freeze-thaw cycles, which were individually carried out thrice to compare the results of the dynamic moduli. Lastly, the hydrated lime effect related to moisture sensibility to porous HMA has been verified through the analysis of the modulus results regarding the change rate of dynamic modulus per n-cycle. RESULTS: It is clear from this investigation, that the dynamic modulus is inversely proportional to the change in temperature, as the graph representing the rigidity of the thermorheologically simple (TRS) material showed gradual decline of the dynamic modulus with the increase in temperature. CONCLUSIONS: The porous HMA mixture with the anti-stripping agent (hydrated Lime) has been found to be more moisture resistant to freezing and thawing than the normal porous HMA mixture. It is clear that the hydrated lime helps the HMA mixture to improve its fatigue resistance.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.701-706
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• 2007

This study evaluated the durability of high-performance shotcrete mixed in the proper proportions using alkali-free and cement mineral accelerators as a permanent support that maintains its strength for the long term. Durability tests were performed the chloride permeability, repeated freezing and thawing, accelerated carbonation, and the effects of salt environments. Test results showed that all the shotcrete mixes included silica fume had low permeability. In addition, after 300 freeze/thaw cycles, the shotcrete mix had excellent freeze/thaw resistance more than the 85% relative dynamic modulus of elasticity. The accelerated carbonation test results were no effect of accelerator type but, the depth of carbonation was greater in the shotcrete mix containing silica fume. No damage was seen in a salt environments. Therefore, the high performance shotcrete mix proportions used in this study showed excellent durability.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2001

This study presented the experimental results on the durability properties of recycled aggregate concrete incorporating fly ash. The main experimental variables were the substitution ratio of recycled aggregate and fly ash, where the substitution ratios of recycled aggregate were 0, 30, and 50%, and those of fly ash were 0, 10, 20, and 30%. The tests for evaluating compressive strength, freezing-thawing resistance, and drying shrinkage were conducted for each specimen. As a result, the compressive strength and the durability of the recycled aggregate concrete were compared from those of ordinary concrete. The followings were conclusion; The compressive strengths of recycled aggregate concrete were less than those of ordinary concrete by 5-10%. However, the durability factor of recycled aggregate concrete remained above 90% at the substitution ratio of 30%. The quality of recycled aggregate concrete were improved by substitution at the range of less that 20% of fly ash and 30% of recycled aggregate.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.16 no.5 s.83
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• pp.591-596
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• 2004

In order to evaluate the applicability of steel slag aggregates for tetrapod concrete, the properties of concrete as structural material were investigated. The biochemical research of marine concrete using steel slag aggregates was also carried out. The tested concrete properties are slump, ai content, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, elastic modulus, carbonation, hydration heat, freezing and thawing, sulfate attack, drying shrinkage, etc. The biochemical experiments are carried to research the propagation and reproduction of seaweeds and survival of bottom dwelling species. According to this experiment results, the steel slag aggregate content did not have a significant effect on compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and elastic modulus. The durability of concrete was not influenced by the steel slag aggregate content. From the biochemical research, steel slag aggregate can be evaluated as the material that is ideally suited for promoting propagation and reproduction of seaweeds and sessile benthos.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.25-31
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• 2009

In this study, the problem of existing soil pavement is a long-term durability lack and crack occurrence. It complements in order to develop the environmental soil pavement material which composites readily blended mineral binder of liquid and decomposed granite soils. It was estimated optimal mixture proportion for unconfined compressive strength, permeability, $Cr^{6+}$detection test, SEM test with age, freezing and thawing test. It resulted mixture proportion of powder types mineral binder for rates of cement : fly ash : plaster was optimal rates of 50 : 33 : 7, and $Cr^{6+}$detection test as a result was a slight production. SEM test with 3days as a result was made Ettringite. It was found that this material was early development of early-strength for chemical. This study indicated that it will execute field appliciability Evaluation test, examination of soil pavement method with decomposed granite soils and mineral binder.