• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 2022

Background: Neurokinin-1 (NK1) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) play a vital role in pain pathogenesis, and these proteins' antagonists have attracted attention as promising pharmaceutical candidates. The authors investigated the anti-nociceptive effect of co-administration of the CGRP antagonist and an NK1 antagonist on pain models compared to conventional single regimens. Methods: C57Bl/6J mice underwent sciatic nerve ligation for the neuropathic pain model and were injected with 4% formalin into the hind paw for the inflammatory pain model. Each model was divided into four groups: vehicle, NK1 antagonist, CGRP antagonist, and combination treatment groups. The NK1 antagonist aprepitant (BIBN4096, 1 mg/kg) or the CGRP antagonist olcegepant (MK-0869, 10 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. Mechanical allodynia, thermal hypersensitivity, and anxiety-related behaviors were assessed using the von Frey, hot plate, and elevated plus-maze tests. The flinching and licking responses were also evaluated after formalin injection. Results: Co-administration of aprepitant and olcegepant more significantly alleviated pain behaviors than administration of single agents or vehicle, increasing the mechanical threshold and improving the response latency. Anxiety-related behaviors were also markedly improved after dual treatment compared with either naive mice or the neuropathic pain model in the dual treatment group. Flinching frequency and licking response after formalin injection decreased significantly in the dual treatment group. Isobolographic analysis showed a meaningful additive effect between the two compounds. Conclusions: A combination pharmacological therapy comprised of multiple neuropeptide antagonists could be a more effective therapeutic strategy for alleviating neuropathic or inflammatory pain.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2022

As various flexible display products are released, the demand for high-performance colorless and transparent polyimide (CPI) film is continuously increasing. The primary purpose of this study is to establish a systematic procedure for optimizing the optical performance of CPI films by applying the response surface method. After selecting three key factors (monomer type, stirring time for varnish synthesis, and maximum temperature of vacuum furnace for film production) affecting optical performance based on experiences and references, CPI films were manufactured according to the experimental sequence designed by the central composite design, and then the yellowness index (YI) and optical transmittance (Tr) of the films were measured. When producing a CPI film by pouring varnish into a petri dish, the change in optical properties according to thickness should be considered, and there was a meaningful linear relationship between YI and Tr. The species of monomer and the maximum temperature were the critical factors that had an influence on YI and Tr, respectively. It is expected that the procedure proposed in this study can serve as a starting point for CPI film optimization studies considering the other factors that were not considered and responses such as thermal properties.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2021

This study aims to develop an improved evaluation technology for assessing CANDU-6 safety. For this purpose, the multiple steam generator tube rupture (mSGTR) followed by an unmitigated station blackout (SBO) in a CANDU-6 plant was selected as a hypothetical event scenario and the analysis model to evaluate the plant responses was envisioned into the MARS-KS input model. The model includes logic models for controlling the pressure and inventory of the primary heat transport system (PHTS) decreasing due to the u-tubes' rupture, as well as the main features of PHTS with a simplified model for the horizontal fuel channels, the secondary heat transport system including the shell side of steam generators, feedwater and main steam line, and moderator system. A steady state condition was successfully achieved to confirm the stable convergence of the key parameters. Until the turbine trip, the fuel channels were adequately cooled by forced circulation of coolant and supply of main feedwater. However, due to the continuous reduction of PHTS pressure and inventory, the reactor and turbine were shut down and the thermal-hydraulic behaviors between intact and broken loops got asymmetric. Furthermore, as the conditions of low-flow coolant and high void fraction in the broken loop persisted, leading to degradation of decay heat removal, it was evaluated that the peak cladding temperature (PCT) exceeded the limit criteria for ensuring nuclear fuel integrity. This study is expected to provide the technical bases to the accident management strategy for transient conditions with multiple events.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1063-1074
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to the Sasang constitution (SC) and cold and heat pattern identification (CHPI). Methods: SC, CHPI, MetS, and component data were obtained from 2,561 participants in 26 Korean medical clinics from 2007 to 2013. SC, diagnosed by Korean medicine doctors, was confirmed by positive responses to herbal medicines administered according to that constitution. The CHPI was verified by a questionnaire about thermal sensitivity and drinking habits. The diagnosis criteria for MetS were: 1) waist circumference (WC) ≥90 cm (male) and ≥80 cm (female); 2) triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL; 3) high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) <40 mg/dL (male) and <50 mg/dL (female); 4) blood pressure ≧130/85 mmHg; and 5) fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL. Odds ratios (ORs) and differences in MetS and its components were compared using logistic regression and ANCOVA. Results: The MetS prevalence rates were 54.1%, 22.0%, and 33.3% for Taeeumin (TE), Soeumin (SE), and Soyangin (SY), respectively, and 30.5% and 44.5% for the cold and heat patterns, respectively. ANCOVA for MetS components showed significantly higher WC in TE than in SE or SY, and all components except HDL were higher in the heat pattern group than in the cold pattern group. Logistic regression for MetS prevalence showed a significant association between TE and the heat pattern group (OR=1.653) but not for non-TE and the cold pattern group. Conclusions: Considering SC and CHPI together may be more effective in managing MetS than considering SC alone.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.374-386
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• 2023

Thermal stress induces dynamic changes in nuclear proteins and relevant physiology as a part of the heat shock response (HSR). However, how the nuclear HSR is fine-tuned for cellular homeostasis remains elusive. Here, we show that mitochondrial activity plays an important role in nuclear proteostasis and genome stability through two distinct HSR pathways. Mitochondrial ribosomal protein (MRP) depletion enhanced the nucleolar granule formation of HSP70 and ubiquitin during HSR while facilitating the recovery of damaged nuclear proteins and impaired nucleocytoplasmic transport. Treatment of the mitochondrial proton gradient uncoupler masked MRP-depletion effects, implicating oxidative phosphorylation in these nuclear HSRs. On the other hand, MRP depletion and a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger non-additively decreased mitochondrial ROS generation during HSR, thereby protecting the nuclear genome from DNA damage. These results suggest that suboptimal mitochondrial activity sustains nuclear homeostasis under cellular stress, providing plausible evidence for optimal endosymbiotic evolution via mitochondria-to-nuclear communication.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2022

An influence analysis on multiple steam generator tube rupture (mSGTR) followed by an unmitigated station blackout is performed to compare the plant responses according to the number of ruptured u-tubes under the assumption of a total of 10 ruptured u-tubes. In all calculation cases, the transient behaviour of major thermal-hydraulic parameters, such as the discharge flow rate through the ruptured u-tubes, reactor header pressure, and void fraction in the fuel channels is found to be overall similar to that of the base case having a single SG with 10 u-tubes ruptured. Additionally, as the conditions of low-flow coolant with high void fraction in the broken loop continued, causing the degradation of decay heat removal, the peak cladding temperature (PCT) would be expected to exceed the limit criteria for ensuring nuclear fuel integrity. However, despite the same total number of ruptured u-tubes, because of the different connection configuration between the SG and pressurizer, a difference is foud in time between the pressurizer low-level signal and reactor header low-pressure signal, affecting the time to trip the reactor and to reach the PCT limit. The present study is expected to provide the technical basis for the accident management strategy for mSGTR transient conditions of CANDU-6 plants.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2024

In a fire-resistant structure, uncertainties arise in factors such as ventilation, material elasticity modulus, yield strength, coefficient of thermal expansion, external forces, and fire location. The ventilation uncertainty affects thefactor contributes to uncertainties in fire temperature, subsequently impacting the structural temperature. These temperatures, combined with material properties, give rise to uncertain structural responses. Given the nonlinear behavior of structures under fire conditions, calculating fire fragility traditionally involves time-consuming Monte Carlo simulations. To address this, recent studies have explored leveraging machine learning algorithms to predict fire fragility, aiming to enhance efficiency while maintaining accuracy. This study focuses on predicting the fire fragility of a steel moment frame building, accounting for uncertainties in fire size, location, and structural material properties. The fragility curve, derived from nonlinear structural behavior under fire, follows a log-normal distribution. The results demonstrate that the proposed method accurately and efficiently predicts fire fragility, showcasing its effectiveness in streamlining the analysis process.

• Solar Energy
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.60-65
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• 1990

[ $n^+-p^+$ ] InP homojunction solar cells were fabricated by thermal diffusion of sulphur into a $p^+$-InP wafer($p=4{\times}10^{18}cm^{-3}$), and a SiO film($600{\AA}$ thick) was coated on the $n^+$ layer as an antireflection(AR) coating by an e-beam evaporator. The volume of the cells were $5{\times}5{\times}0.3mm^3$. The front contact grids of the cells with 16 finger pattern of which width and space were $20{\mu}m$ and $300{\mu}m$ respectively, were formed by photo-lithography technique. The junction depth of sulphur were as shallow as about 0.4r m We found out the fabricated solar cells that, with increasing the diffusion time, short circuit current densities($J_{sc}$), series resistances($R_s$) and energy conversion efficiencies(${\eta}$) were increased. The cells show good spectral responses in the region of $5,000-9,000{\AA}$. The short circuit current density, the open circuit voltage( $V_{oc}$), the fill factor(F.F) and the energy conversion efficiency of the cell were $13.16mA/cm^2$, 0.38V, 53.74% and 10.1% respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.67-71
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to explore olfactory sensitivity of odors from injection molding processing. To do this, the experiment was carried out in an injection molding factory, and participants were exposed to the environment where odor-substances (Formaldehyde, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene, Styrene) exist. In addition, we used the subjective scale using semantic adjectives as an olfactory sensitivity. As a result, the assessment structure of olfactory sensitivity was composed of eight factors (irritant, thermal, tense, unique, like-dislike, active, stable, masculine), and the main factor which was irritant characteristics explained 20% of the total olfactory sensibility. These results suggested that odors from injection molding processing would cause more negative emotional responses than the flavor which is mainly used in olfactory sensitivity. This study, as a basic study of the improvement in a factory environment for the efficiency of work, has limits in that it was conducted to the extent of identifying the olfactory sensitivity structure of those who were at a laboratory and who were exposed to the environment of odor substance induced in the injection molding processing. Therefore, for the method of removing malodorous substance, the effect of materials which can neutralize it, and the comparison of a direct performance in the environment where negative sensitivity structure exists, a series of studies which aim to improve the environment of injection molding factories, such as performance assessment in the environment of a factory and an office need to be conducted. It is expected that when these studies are put together, the improvement guidelines will be provided as a type that can maximize the effectiveness of work in the factory environment where injection molding processing is done.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2013

Current service system of the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) for blooming date forecasting in spring depends on regression equations derived from long term observations in both temperature and phenology at a given station. This regression based system does not allow a timely correction or update of forecasts that are highly sensitive to fluctuating weather conditions. Furthermore, the system cannot afford plant responses to climate extremes which were not observed before. Most of all, this method may not be applicable to locations other than that which the regression equations were derived from. This note suggests a way to replace the location restricted regression equations with a thermal time based phenology model to complement the KMA blooming forecast system. Necessary parameters such as reference temperature, chilling requirement and heating requirement were derived from phenology data for forsythia, azaleas and Japanese cherry at 29 KMA stations for the 1951-1980 period to optimize spring phenology prediction model for each species. Best fit models for each species were used to predict blooming dates and the results were compared with the observed dates to produce a correction grid across the whole nation. The models were driven by the KMA's daily temperature data at a 5km grid spacing and subsequently adjusted by the correction grid to produce the blooming date maps. Validation with the 1971-2012 period data showed the RMSE of 2-3 days for Japanese cherry, showing a feasibility of operational service; whereas higher RMSE values were observed with forsythia and azaleas.