• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.426-437
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• 2024

Objective: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a diagnostic tool that provides precise and reproducible information about cardiac structure, function, and tissue characterization, aiding in the monitoring of chemotherapy response in patients with light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of CMR in monitoring responses to chemotherapy in patients with AL-CA. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, we enrolled 111 patients with AL-CA (50.5% male; median age, 54 [interquartile range, 49-63] years). Patients underwent longitudinal monitoring using biomarkers and CMR imaging. At follow-up after chemotherapy, patients were categorized into superior and inferior response groups based on their hematological and cardiac laboratory responses to chemotherapy. Changes in CMR findings across therapies and differences between response groups were analyzed. Results: Following chemotherapy (before vs. after), there were significant increases in myocardial T2 (43.6 ± 3.5 ms vs. 44.6 ± 4.1 ms; P = 0.008), recovery in right ventricular (RV) longitudinal strain (median of -9.6% vs. -11.7%; P = 0.031), and decrease in RV extracellular volume fraction (ECV) (median of 53.9% vs. 51.6%; P = 0.048). These changes were more pronounced in the superior-response group. Patients with superior cardiac laboratory response showed significantly greater reductions in RV ECV (-2.9% [interquartile range, -8.7%-1.1%] vs. 1.7% [-5.5%-7.1%]; P = 0.017) and left ventricular ECV (-2.0% [-6.0%-1.3%] vs. 2.0% [-3.0%-5.0%]; P = 0.01) compared with those with inferior response. Conclusion: Cardiac amyloid deposition can regress following chemotherapy in patients with AL-CA, particularly showing more prominent regression, possibly earlier, in the RV. CMR emerges as an effective tool for monitoring associated tissue characteristics and ventricular functional recovery in patients with AL-CA undergoing chemotherapy, thereby supporting its utility in treatment response assessment.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

The safety of cosmetic ingredients is considered paramount. In order to enhance safety, a novel preservative, PE-gal, was bio-synthesized by utilizing the Escherichia coli enzyme 𝛽-galactosidase on the conventional preservative 2-phenoxyethanold (PE). The skin absorption of the bio-synthesized product, PE-gal, intended for use in cosmetics, was evaluated for permeability using the Franz Diffusion Cell Assay system, comparing it with the conventinal preservative PE. When using samples of the same mass concentration, the Flux and Kp values of PE increased over time, indicating a gradual increase in permeability. However, PE-gal did not exhibit sufficient permeability to measure. This suggests that the skin permeability of PE is higher than that of the PE-gal saccharide. According to Marzulli et al., when confirming the degree of permeation using Kp values, the permeation rate of PE was measured as "slow" at a concentration of 1mg/mL. Thus, the transdermal permeability of the divedened form of PE-gal was significantly lower compared to PE.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-30
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• 2024

As a member of ectomycorrhizal fungi, Tricholoma matsutake has a symbiotic relationship with its host, Pinus densiflora. To cultivate T. matsutake artificially, the co-cultivation of T. matsutake mycelia and bacteria from shiro was introduced. In this study, bacteria were isolated from soil samples in Bonghwa-gun, and seven bacterial isolates (B22_7_B05, B22_7_B06, B22_7_B07, B22_7_B08, B22_7_B10, B22_7_B13, and B22_7_B14) promoted the growth of T. matsutake mycelia (147.48, 232.11, 266.72, 211.43, 175.17, 154.62, and 177.92%, respectively). Sequencing of the 16S rRNA region of the isolated bacteria was performed. B22_7_B05 and B22_7_B10 were identified as Bacillus toyonensis, B22_7_B06 and B22_7_B08 as Paenibacillus taichungensis, B22_7_B07 and B22_7_B14 as P. gorilla, and B22_7_B13 as P. odorifer. These bacterial isolates were associated with the shiro community and are expected to contribute to the cultivation of T. matsutake.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2024

Plastics are widely used in industries in human society and because of their structural stability, degradation is a serious global issue. To estimate the degradation of plastic, 31 edible mushrooms were cultured with the selected plastic films (polyethylene [PE], polystyrene [PS], and poly(ethylene terephthalate) [PET]) for 3 months at 25 ℃. Measuring the weight of the films showed that four species of mushrooms, namely Porostereum spadiceum, Ganoderma lucidum, Coprinellus micaceus, and Pleurotus ostreatus, exhibited the highest degrees of plastic degradation. In addition, the mushrooms and fungi that exhibited the most significant plastic degradation were cross-cultured to promote this degradation. As a result, cross-cultivation of G. lucidum and Aspergillus niger showed a weight loss of 2.49% for the PET film. For the PS film, Aspergillus nidulans showed a weight loss of 4.06%. Cross-cultivation of A. nidulans and C. micaceus, which showed a weight loss of 2.95%, was noted as an alternative for PS biodegradation, but is harmful to humans. These bio-degradation effects of edible mushroom will contribute to the development of alternatives for eco-friendly plastic degradation.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.375-394
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• 2024

The extensive utilization of concrete has given rise to environmental concerns, specifically concerning the depletion of river sand. To address this issue, waste deposits can provide manufactured-sand (MS) as a substitute for river sand. The objective of this study is to explore the application of machine learning techniques to facilitate the production of manufactured-sand concrete (MSC) containing stone nano-powder through estimating the splitting tensile strength (STS) containing compressive strength of cement (CSC), tensile strength of cement (TSC), curing age (CA), maximum size of the crushed stone (Dmax), stone nano-powder content (SNC), fineness modulus of sand (FMS), water to cement ratio (W/C), sand ratio (SR), and slump (S). To achieve this goal, a total of 310 data points, encompassing nine influential factors affecting the mechanical properties of MSC, are collected through laboratory tests. Subsequently, the gathered dataset is divided into two subsets, one for training and the other for testing; comprising 90% (280 samples) and 10% (30 samples) of the total data, respectively. By employing the generated dataset, novel models were developed for evaluating the STS of MSC in relation to the nine input features. The analysis results revealed significant correlations between the CSC and the curing age CA with STS. Moreover, when delving into sensitivity analysis using an empirical model, it becomes apparent that parameters such as the FMS and the W/C exert minimal influence on the STS. We employed various loss functions to gauge the effectiveness and precision of our methodologies. Impressively, the outcomes of our devised models exhibited commendable accuracy and reliability, with all models displaying an R-squared value surpassing 0.75 and loss function values approaching insignificance. To further refine the estimation of STS for engineering endeavors, we also developed a user-friendly graphical interface for our machine learning models. These proposed models present a practical alternative to laborious, expensive, and complex laboratory techniques, thereby simplifying the production of mortar specimens.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.69-81
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• 2024

The The purpose of this study is to have a positive impact on the evaluation of the traditional market revitalization project by discussing the business details and implementation process of the commercial district revitalization project in depth. The research method uses practical methods for traditional market revitalization projects. First, the activation method of the place was examined through the concepts of Oldenburg's 'Third Place' and Carr et al.'s 'Five Demands for Public Space' and the theories related to non-face-to-face transactions were examined. The first study case was the commercial district revitalization project of the Cheongju Global Market Development Project(Seongan-gil Street Shopping Mall and Yukgeori traditional Market), which discussed revitalization of open space, revitalization through reproduction, and revitalization through festivals. The revitalization project through representation is a project to install a symbolic sculpture at the estimated location of the 'Namseokgyo' buried in Yukgeori traditional Market. The revitalization through the festival is the Korea Sale Festa, which is a vibrant business due to increased sales at traditional markets and shopping malls and floating population in open spaces. The second study case was the Cultural Tourism Promotion Project(Hanmin traditional Market), which discussed revitalization through the development of local brands and SNS content. In the conclusion, the relationship between the six projects and commercial district revitalization methods was discussed, and policy recommendations were made, mentioning the importance of reflecting regional characteristics in design planning. We hope that this study will be used to positively evaluate the traditional market revitalization project, showing that stakeholders are working hard to produce positive results within institutional limitations.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.262-275
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• 2024

In Indonesia, Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren and Cryptotermes cyanocephalus Light termite attacks can damage wood and causing losses of 8.7 trillion rupiah per year. Wood treatment and soil barrier are very important to protect structures and their components from termite infestation. The application of synthetic chemicals that pose risks to the environment and human health. The growing movement to replace these chemicals with new termiticides that are safe for the environment in place of persistent organic pollutants. Efficacy performance in entomopathogenic fungi spores such as that produce decanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, and octadecadienoic acid are potential compounds that provide for ecofriendly termite control. Entomopathogenic fungal spores from Metarhizium anisopliae, Trichoderma harzianum, and Beauveria bassiana, as the active ingredient were formulated with nanocellulose was added as an inert ingredient to which helped to deliver the active ingredients on controlling the target pest, and enhance the utility ability of the product fungi to control termites. The mortality of these termites successively entomopathogenic fungi was the main cause of death. The higher concentrations being associated with of nanocellulose used affect increased the number of termites mortality. M. anisopliae paired with 60% nanocellulose concentrate was the best percentage for yielded the greatest C. curvignathus and C. cynocephalus termite control. In the field testing, M. anisopliae provided better, it showed the finest result of termite control rather than B. bassiana and T. harzianum. The results of the research indicate that entomopathogenic fungi can be used for Pest Control Management as the subterranean termite and drywood termite control.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.206-210
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• 2007

Aerospace aluminum alloys such as Al alloy 2024-T3 and 7075-T6 are subject to localized corrosion due the existence of intermetallics containing Cu, Mg or Zn. Chromate is currently widely used in the aerospace industry as the corrosion inhibitor for these alloys. However, chromate needs to be replaced due to its strong carcinogenicity. In this study, an extensive pigment screening has been performed to find replacements for chromates. Different categories of inhibitors were evaluated by immersion tests, DC polarization tests and other methods. Phosphates, zinc salts, cerium salts, vanadates and benzotriazole were found to be effective inhibitors for AA7075. Among those inhibitors, zinc phosphate was found to be the most effective in our novel, silane-based, one-step aqueous primer system. The performance of this primer is comparable to that of currently used chromate primers in accelerated corrosion tests, while it is completely chromate-free and its VOC is about 80% less than that of current primers. Studies by SEM/EDS showed that the unique structure of the superprimer accounts for the strong anti-corrosion performance of the zinc phosphate pigment. The self-assembled stratified double-layer structure of the superprimer is characterized by a less-penetrable hydrophobic layer at the top and a hydrophilic layer accommodating the inhibitors underneath. The top layer functions as the physical barrier against water ingress, while the lower layer functions as a reservoirfor the inhibitor, which is leached out only if the coating is damaged by a scratch or scribe. The presence of a silane in the primer further improves the adhesion and anti-corrosion performance of the primer.

• International Journal of Ocean System Engineering
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.106-115
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• 2012

In the present study, TiN and CrN films were coated by arc ion plating equipment onto aluminum alloy substrate, A2024. The film thickness was about 4.65 ${\mu}m$. TiN and CrN films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray equipments. The Young's modulus and the micro-Vickers hardness of aluminum substrate were modified by the ceramic film coatings. The difference in Young's modulus between substrate and coating film would affect on the wear resistance. The critical load, Lc, was 75.8 N for TiN and 85.5 N for CrN. It indicated from the observation of optical micrographs for TiN and CrN films that lots of cracks widely propagated toward the both sides of scratch track in the early stage of MODE I. TiN film began to delaminate completely at MODE II stage. The substrate was finally glittered at MODE III stage. For CrN film, a few crack can be observed at MODE I stage. The delamination of film was not still occurred at MODE II and then was happened at MODE III. This agrees with critical load measurement which the adhesive strength was greater for CrN film than for TiN film. Consequently, it was difficult for CrN to delaminate because the adhesive strength was excellent against Al substrate. The wear process, which the film adheres and the ball transfers, could be enhanced because of the increase in loading. The wear weight of ball was less for CrN than for TiN. This means that the wear damage of ball was greater for TiN than for CrN film. It is also obvious that it was difficult to delaminate because the CrN coating film has high toughness. The coefficient of friction was less for CrN coating film than for TiN film.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2024

Background: The gamma emission tomography (GET) device has been reported a reliable technique to inspect partial defects within spent nuclear fuel (SNF) of pin-by-pin level. However, the existing GET devices have low accuracy owing to the high attenuation and scatter probability for SNF inspection condition. The purpose of this study is to design and optimize a Yonsei single-photon emission computed tomography version 2 (YSECT.v.2) for fast inspection of SNF in water storage by acquisition of high-quality tomographic images. Materials and Methods: Using Geant4 (Geant4 Collaboration) and DETECT-2000 (Glenn F. Knoll et al.) Monte Carlo simulation, the geometrical structure of the proposed device was determined and its performance was evaluated for the ¹³⁷Cs source in water. In a Geant4-based assessment, proposed device was compared with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-authenticated device for the quality of tomographic images obtained for 12 fuel sources in a 14 × 14 Westinghouse-type fuel assembly. Results and Discussion: According to the results, the length, slit width, and septal width of the collimator were determined to be 65, 2.1, and 1.5 mm, respectively, and the material and length of the trapezoidal-shaped scintillator were determined to be gadolinium aluminum gallium garnet and 45 mm, respectively. Based on the results of performance comparison between the YSECT.v.2 and IAEA's device, the proposed device showed 200 times higher performance in gamma-detection sensitivity and similar source discrimination probability. Conclusion: In this study, we optimally designed the GET device for improving the SNF inspection accuracy and evaluated its performance. Our results show that the YSECT.v.2 device could be employed for SNF inspection.