• Computers and Concrete
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.277-287
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• 2022

Due to the scarcity of extortionate experimental data, fatigue failure of the reinforced concrete (RC) element might be achieved economically adopting nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis as an alternative approach. However, conventional implicit dynamic analysis is expensive, quasi-static method overlooks interaction effects and inertia, direct cyclic analysis computes stabilized responses. Apart from this, explicit dynamic analysis may provide a numerical operating system for factual long-term responses. The study explores the fatigue behavior based on a simplified explicit dynamic solution employing nonlinear time domain analysis. Among fourteen RC beams, one beam is selected to validate under static loading, one under fatigue with the experimental study and other twelve to check the detail fatigue behavior. The SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) analysis has been carried out to pinpoint the detail scenario in the adoption of numerical approach as an alternative to the experimental study. Excellent agreement of FE and experimental results is seen. The 3D nonlinear RC beam model at service fatigue limits is truthful to be used as an expedient contrivance to envisage the precise fatigue behavior. The simplified analysis approach for RC beam under fatigue offers savings in computation to predict responses providing acceptable accuracy rather than the complicated laboratory investigation. At higher frequency, the flexural failure occurs a bit earlier gradually compared to the repeated loading case of lower frequency. The deflection increases by 6%-10% at the end of first cycle for beams with increasing frequency of cyclic loading. However, at the end of fatigue loading, greater deflection occur earlier for higher load range because of more rapid stiffness degradation. For higher frequency, a slight boost in concrete compressive strains at an initial stage of loading has been seen indicating somewhat stepper increment. Stiffness degradation in larger loading cycle at same duration escalates the upsurge of the rate of strain in case of higher frequency.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.285-297
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• 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with progressive memory loss and the cognitive decline. AD is mainly caused by abnormal accumulation of misfolded amyloid β (Aβ), which leads to neurodegeneration via a number of possible mechanisms such as down-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin-related kinase B (BDNF-TRKB) signaling pathway. 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a TRKB agonist, has demonstrated potential to enhance BDNF-TRKB pathway in various neurodegenerative diseases. To expand the capacity of flavones as TRKB agonists, two natural flavones quercetin and apigenin, were evaluated. With tryptophan fluorescence quenching assay, we illustrated the direct interaction between quercetin/apigenin and TRKB extracellular domain. Employing Aβ folding reporter SH-SY5Y cells, we showed that quercetin and apigenin reduced Aβ-aggregation, oxidative stress, caspase-1 and acetylcholinesterase activities, as well as improved the neurite outgrowth. Treatments with quercetin and apigenin increased TRKB Tyr516 and Tyr817 and downstream cAMP-response-element binding protein (CREB) Ser133 to activate transcription of BDNF and BCL2 apoptosis regulator (BCL2), as well as reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic BCL2 associated X protein (BAX). Knockdown of TRKB counteracted the improvement of neurite outgrowth by quercetin and apigenin. Our results demonstrate that quercetin and apigenin are to work likely as a direct agonist on TRKB for their neuroprotective action, strengthening the therapeutic potential of quercetin and apigenin in treating AD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.237-245
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) has a variety of pharmacological activities and provides benefits during inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. However, there are no reports about the relationship between Rg2 and atherosclerosis. Methods: We used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to detect the cell viability of Rg2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of inflammatory factors in HUVECs and the expression of phenotypic transformation-related marker in VSMCs were detected at mRNA levels. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of inflammation pathways and the expression of phenotypic transformation at the protein levels. The rat carotid balloon injury model was performed to explore the effect of Rg2 on inflammation and phenotypic transformation in vivo. Results: Rg2 decreased the expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide in HUVECs-without affecting cell viability. These events depend on the blocking regulation of NF-κB and p-ERK signaling pathway. In VSMCs, Rg2 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of VSMCs induced by platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-which may contribute to its anti-atherosclerotic role. In rats with carotid balloon injury, Rg2 can reduce intimal proliferation after injury, regulate the inflammatory pathway to reduce inflammatory response, and also suppress the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that Rg2 can exert its anti-atherosclerotic effect at the cellular level and animal level, which provides a more sufficient basis for ginseng as a functional dietary regulator.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.118-124
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• 2023

Many recent studies have reported that the quality of input learning data was vital to the detection of regions of interest. However, due to a lack of research on the quality of learning data on lesion detetcting using gastroscopy, we aimed to quantify the impact of quality difference in endoscopic images to lesion detection models using Image Quality Assessment (IQA) algorithms. Through IQA methods such as BRISQUE (Blind/Referenceless Image Spatial Quality Evaluation), Laplacian Score, and PSNR (Peak Signal-To-Noise) algorithm on 430 sheets of high quality data (HQD) and 430 sheets of low quality data (PQD), we showed that there were significant differences between high and low quality images in lesion detecting through BRISQUE and Laplacian scores (p<0.05). The PSNR value showed 10.62±1.76 dB on average, illustrating the lower lesion detection performance of PQD than HQD. In addition, F1-Score of HQD showed higher detection performance at 77.42±3.36% while F1-Score of PQD showed 66.82±9.07%. Through this study, we hope to contribute to future gastroscopy lesion detection assistance systems that involve IQA algorithms by emphasizing the importance of using high quality data over lower quality data.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.470-470
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• 2023

하천 및 저수지의 수량자료 수집을 위해 부자식 또는 레이더식 수위계 등의 계측기를 이용하여 수위의 변화를 측정한다. 그러나, 수량 모니터링을 위해 설치되는 계측기와 유지관리를 위한 인력소모 비용의 이유로 일부 지역에서만 제한적으로 수행되고 있어 정확한 수문 해석에 한계가 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 저가의 센싱장비와 라즈베리파이를 활용한 ICT 기술을 수량 모니터링분야에 적용하여 수위 모니터링 기술을 개발하고자 한다. 라즈베리파이(Raspberry Pi 3 B Model)는 오픈소스 기반의 초소형 컴퓨터로 여러 센서를 연결하여 다양한 수문 인자(토양수분, 온도, 수위 등)들을 측정할 수 있으며, 통신 모듈이 기본 내장되어 있어 통신망 구축을 통해 측정데이터를 데이터베이스에 저장할 수 있다. 수위센서(eTape)와 초음파센서를 연결하여 실제 하천 유량 모니터링에 활용되고 있는 부자식 수위계 장비와 비교 분석을 통해 활용 가능성을 검증하고자 하였다. 검증방법은 인공강우실험을 위해 설치된 플륨관에 수위센서(eTape)와 초음파센서를 부착하여 기존 운영중인 부자식 수위계와 비교하였다. 부자식 수위계의 측정결과와 두 센서의 상관관계를 분석한 결과 결정계수(R²)가 0.94 이상으로 나타났다. 분석결과와 같이 기존 고가의 수위 관측장비들을 대체하여 저가의 센서 기반 모니터링 장비들의 실용화가 가능할 것이라 판단된다. 향후 연구에서는 다양한 센서(수위, 초음파, 카메라 등)를 이용하여 농업용수 물수지 분석에 활용할 계획이다. 농업용수는 수자원 총량 중 차지하는 비율이 높음에도 불구하고 정량적 데이터가 부족한 실정이며, 지역별 공급 특성이 다양하여 이를 계량화하기 위해서는 다수의 계측기가 필요하다. 따라서, 본 연구에서 개발중인 센서를 활용하여 물순환 과정의 정량적인 계측을 통해 농업용수의 효율적인 관리 및 농업용수의 하천기여도 평가 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.525-535
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• 2023

Objective : We performed an expanded multi-ethnic meta-analysis to identify associations between inflammation-related loci with intracranial aneurysm (IA) susceptibility. This meta-analysis possesses increased statistical power as it is based on the most data ever evaluated. Methods : We searched and reviewed relevant literature through electronic search engines up to August 2022. Overall estimates were calculated under the fixed- or random-effect models using pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were performed according to ethnicity. Results : Our meta-analysis enrolled 15 studies and involved 3070 patients and 5528 controls including European, Asian, Hispanic, and mixed ethnic populations. Of 17 inflammation-related variants, the rs1800796 locus (interleukin [IL]-6) showed the most significant genome-wide association with IA in East-Asian populations, including 1276 IA patients and 1322 controls (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.56-0.75; p=3.24#x00D7;10^-9) under a fixed-effect model. However, this association was not observed in the European population (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.80-1.47; p=0.5929). Three other variants, rs16944 (IL-1β), rs2195940 (IL-12B), and rs1800629 (tumor necrosis factor-α) showed a statistically nominal association with IA in both the overall, as well as East-Asian populations (0.01<p<0.05). Conclusion : Our updated meta-analysis with increased statistical power highlights that rs1800796 which maps on the IL-6 gene is associated with IA, and in particular confers a protective effect against occurrence of IA in the East-Asian population.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.712-720
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• 2023

Osteoporosis is a growing global health concern primarily associated with decreased estrogen in postmenopausal women. Recently, some strains of probiotics were examined for potential anti-osteoporotic effects. This study intended to evaluate the impacts of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MGE 3038 strain (MGE 3038) in ovariectomized rats. For this purpose, twelve weeks old female Wistar rats (n=21; 250-300 g) were divided into 3 groups; ovariectomy (OVX) group, OVX/MGE 3038 group and Sham group (control). In these groups; two went through respective OVX and one had daily MGE 3038 administration through oral gavage. Prior to 16 weeks after OVX, we collected blood samples and extracted the tibiae. We scanned the extracted tibiae by in-vivo micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and evaluated pathology by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining. The serum levels of C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), osteocalcin (OC), and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) were examined. The OVX/MGE 3038 group showed increases in bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and a decrease in trabecular spacing than the OVX group. However, OVX/MGE 3038 group and control group were measurably comparable in Tb.Th. Micro-CT, H&E, and Masson's trichrome findings exhibited increased preservation and maintenance of trabecular bone structure in the OVX/MGE 3038 group in comparison to the OVX group. In serum, the levels of CTX, OC and RANKL were significantly different between the OVX and OVX/MGE 3038 groups. Taken together, L. plantarum MGE 3038 could be helpful for the treatment of osteoporosis.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.43.2-44
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• 2020

We have carried out high-resolution near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic observations toward 16 Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) showing strong H2 emission features. A dozen bright H2 emission lines are clearly detected for individual SNRs, and we have measured their central velocities, line widths, and fluxes. For all SNRs except one (G9.9-0.8), the H2 line ratios are well consistent with that of thermal excitation at T~2000 K and their line widths are broader than ~10 km s-1, indicating that the H2 emission lines are most likely from shock-excited gas and therefore that they are physically associated with the remnants. The kinematic distances to the 15 SNRs are derived from the central velocities of the H2 lines using a Galactic rotation model. We derive for the first time the kinematic distances to four SNRs: G13.5-0.2, G16.0-0.5, G32.1-0.9, G33.2-0.6. Among the rest 11 SNRs, the central velocities of the H2 emission lines for six SNRs are well consistent (±5 km s-1) with those obtained in previous radio observations, while for the other five SNRs (G18.1-0.1, G18.9-1.1, Kes 69, 3C 396, W49B), they are significantly different. We discuss the velocity discrepancies in these five SNRs. In G9.9-0.8, the H2 emission shows non-thermal line ratios and very narrow line width (~4 km s-1), and we discuss its origin.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.158-158
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• 2022

Ecological drought consequences have received a lot of attention in recent years. Thus, ecological drought was proposed as a new drought category to characterize the impact of drought on ecosystems. The current study used a unique drought index, the standardized supply-demand water index (SSDI), and a run theory to detect ecological drought occurrences and characteristics such as drought-affected area, drought severity, drought duration, drought frequency, and drought orientation in the Hwang River, an environmentally valuable region. Hence, to assess drought-prone areas, the bivariate probability and return period will be calculated using a two-dimensional joint copula. The core results show that (a) the Spatio-temporal characteristics of ecological drought were successfully recognized using the spatial and temporal identification approach; (b) in comparison to the SPEI meteorological drought index, the SSDI is more credible and can more readily and effectively capture the entire properties of ecological drought information; (c) the Hwang river had seen the most severe drought occurrences between the late 1990s and the mid-2020s, with 48.3 percent occurring before the twenty-first century; (d) Severe ecological drought occurrences occurred more frequently in most areas of the Hwang River (e) Only the drought duration and severity in the Hwang area were more responsive to temperature when temperatures rise around 1.1℃, the average drought duration and severity rise around 16 % and 26 %, respectively. This suggested that the Hwang River has been exposed to more severe heat stress in the twenty-first century. Thereupon droughts in the twenty-first century occurred with bigger affected regions, longer durations, higher frequency, and more intensity.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.213-214
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• 2023

In a paper reporting the introduction and settlement of Anoplophora horsfieldii (Hope) into Jeju, it was found that Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) was misquoted as "it was introduced into the Jeju area and is currently being discovered." Fortunately, the sentence was quickly discovered and corrected to "it has the potential to be introduced to Jeju Island". Taking this as an opportunity, we would like to emphasize to researchers that it is necessary to verify very carefully when describing the domestic distribution of prohibited quarantine pests. Estimating by the cold stress index of the CLIMEX model, B. dorsalis was predicted to be unable to survive in Jeju in the winter of 2022-2023. However, in the winter of 2023, it was confirmed that the occurrence of A. horsfieldii was found to occur in the summer after overwintering at sub-zero temperatures, and it was judged to have succeeded in settling.