• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.639-645
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• 2018

Liver transplantation is recommended for patients with liver failure, but liver donors are limited. This necessitates the development of artificial livers, and hepatocytes are necessary to develop such artificial livers. Although induced hepatocyte-like cells are used in artificial livers, the characteristics of mouse induced hepatocyte-like cells (miHeps) reprogrammed with embryonic fibroblasts have not yet been clarified. Therefore, this study investigated the mechanisms underlying the survival, function, and death of miHeps. miHeps showed decreased cell viability, increased cytotoxicity, decreased hepatic function, and albumin and urea secretion at passage 14. Addition of necrostatin-1 (NEC-1) to miHeps inhibited necrosome formation and reactive oxygen species generation and increased cell survival. However, NEC-1 did not affect the hepatic function of miHeps. These results provide a basis for development of artificial livers using hepatocytes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.529-529
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• 2007

Ruthenium (Ru) is a white metal and belongs to platinum group which is very stable chemically and has a high work function. It has been widely studied to apply Ru as an electrode material in memory devices and a Cu diffusion barrier metal for Cu interconnection due to good electrical conductivity and adhesion property to Cu layer. To planarize deposited Ru layer, chemical mechanical planarization(CMP) was suggested. However, abrasive particle can induce particle contamination on the Ru layer surface during CMP process. In this study, zeta potentials of Ru and interaction force of alumina particles with Ru substrate were measured as a function of pH. The etch rate and oxidation behavior were measured as a function of chemical concentration of several organic acids and other acidic and alkaline chemicals. PRE (particle removal efficiency) was also evaluated in cleaning chemical.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.11-25
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of activation functions on flood forecasting model based on Artificial neural networks (ANNs). The traditional activation functions, the sigmoid and tanh functions, were compared with the functions which have been recently recommended for deep neural networks; the ReLU, leaky ReLU, and ELU functions. The flood forecasting model based on ANNs was designed to predict real-time runoff for 1 to 6-h lead time using the rainfall and runoff data of the past nine hours. The statistical measures such as R2, Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), the error of peak time (ETp), and the error of peak discharge (EQp) were used to evaluate the model accuracy. The tanh and ELU functions were most accurate with R2=0.97 and RMSE=30.1 (㎥/s) for 1-h lead time and R2=0.56 and RMSE=124.6~124.8 (㎥/s) for 6-h lead time. We also evaluated the learning speed by using the number of epochs that minimizes errors. The sigmoid function had the slowest learning speed due to the 'vanishing gradient problem' and the limited direction of weight update. The learning speed of the ELU function was 1.2 times faster than the tanh function. As a result, the ELU function most effectively improved the accuracy and speed of the ANNs model, so it was determined to be the best activation function for ANNs-based flood forecasting.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.406-422
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• 2023

Sarcopenia is an age-related, progressive skeletal muscle disorder involving the loss of muscle mass and strength. Previous studies have shown that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from fermented oysters aids in regulatory T cells (Tregs) cell expansion and function by enhancing autophagy, and concomitantly mediate muscle regeneration by modulating muscle inflammation and satellite cell function. The fermentation process of oysters not only increases the GABA content but also enhances the content of branched amino acids and free amino acids that aid the level of protein absorption and muscle strength, mass, and repair. In this study, the effect of GABA-enriched fermented sarco oyster extract (FSO) on reduced muscle mass and functions via Treg modulation and enhanced autophagy in aged mice was investigated. Results showed that FSO enhanced the expression of autophagy markers (autophagy-related gene 5 [ATG5] and GABA receptor-associated protein [GABARAP]), forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) expression, and levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-10 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-β) secreted by Tregs while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-17A and interferon [IFN]-γ). Furthermore, FSO increased the expression of IL-33 and its receptor IL-1 receptor-like 1 (ST2); well-known signaling pathways that increase amphiregulin (Areg) secretion and expression of myogenesis markers (myogenic factor 5, myoblast determination protein 1, and myogenin). Muscle mass and function were also enhanced via FSO. Overall, the current study suggests that FSO increased autophagy, which enhanced Treg accumulation and function, decreased muscle inflammation, and increased satellite cell function for muscle regeneration and therefore could decrease the loss of muscle mass and function with aging.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.652-662
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• 2015

It is necessary to develop small, implantable bio-telemetry systems which can measure and transmit patients' bio-signals from internal body to external receiver. When measuring bio-signals, like electrical bio-signals, acoustic bio-signal measurement has also a big clinical usefulness. But, sound signal has larger frequency bandwidth than any other bio-signals. When considering these issues, a wireless telemetry system which has rapid data transmission rate proportional to wide frequency bandwidth is necessary to be developed. The bluetooth module is used to overcome the data rate limitation caused by the large frequency bandwidth. In this paper, a novel multimedia bluetooth biotelemetry system was developed which consists of transmitter module located in the body and receiver device located outside of the body. The transmitter consists of microphone, bluetooth, and wireless charging device. And the receiver consists of bluetooth and codec system. The sound inside the skin is captured by microphone and sent to receiver by bluetooth while charging. The wireless charging system constantly supplies the electric power to the system. To verify the performance of the developed system, an in vitro experiment has been performed. The results show that the proposed biotelemetry system has ability to acquire the sound signals under the skin.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.51-60
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• 2017

Bottom ash(BA) from coal-fired power plants is burnt and remaining ash at high temperature. Since the BA is baked at high temperature, it is considered to be the same function as the elvan. Nowadays, the demand for mortar with far infrared rays, antibacteria, antifungus, deodorization, aridity and humidity function is increasing as the materials such as Hwangtoh(yellow soil) and elvan rather than general mortar. As a result of comparing the functionality of eco-friendly bio BA mortar with that of general mortar, the far infrared ray emissivity is about $0.02{\times}10^2W/m^2$ more and the deodorization function is about 26% or more. Even in the case of humidity control, BA motors showed about 1.8 times higher than general mortar, and more than 10% higher than the "good" standards of moisture absorption and damp proofing construction materials established by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.191-198
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• 2005

A novel technology for the removal of nitrogen from wastewater, an autotrophic denitrification process with sulfur particles, has been developed. A respirometer was employed to monitor the nitrogen gas produced in the reactor, while 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining was employed to investigate the biomass distribution in terms of cell number according to the reactor height. From the respirometric monitoring, the denitrification reaction was defined as a first order reaction. The reactor was divided into 7 sections and biomass was analyzed in each section where cell number was ranged from $4.8\;{\times}\;10^6\;to\;8.7\;{\times}\;10^7$ cells/g dry weight of sulfur. Cells placed mostly in the lower layer ( < 10 cm of height). A function for biomass distribution was obtained with non-linear regression. Then a mathematical model has been developed by combining a plug-flow model with the biomass distribution function. The model could make a vertical profile of the up-flow packed-bed reactor resulting in a reasonable comparison with measured nitrate concentration with 5% of error range.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.383-392
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• 1996

An observation and evaluation of the reproducibility of the mandibular movements has been a integral part of a test for mandibular function and dysfunction. After Pantographic Reproducibility Index(PRI) was introduced in dentistry, many authors have used the index for investigation of mandibular movement function, especially in condylar compartment. Howerer, the difficult and time-consuming work of instrumentation for getting the PRI has been a major obstacle in using pantograph. This study was performed to try a new mandibular reproducibility index, so-called BioEGN reproducibility index(BERI), calculated from mandibular trajectory recorded with BioEGN. 26 dental students without any signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders and 22 patients with temporomandibular disorders took part in this study and classed to control group and patients group, respectively. Pantronic and BioEGN were used to record and calculate the indices, PRI and BERI. PRI had only one value, but BERI had two values of outgoing and incoming movement in each scale. With two scales of small and large, as a result, BERI had four values in this study. PRI corresponded to BERI in small scale on outgoing total movements. The data were calculated and analyzed with SAS/stat program and the conclusion of this study were as follows : 1. In every scales, in each movement, BERI on outgoing movement in control group was lower than that in patients group, respectively, but BERI on incoming movement was only different in one side movement, that was, left excursion. 2. The difference between BERI on outgoing movement and BERI on incoming movement was only shown in small scale on total movements, not in each movement, in control group. However, there was generally a positive correlationship between BERI on outgoing movement and BERI on incoming movement in each movement in both groups. 3. Simple statistics of PRI was similar to that of BERI on total movements in small scale, but there was a negative correlation between PRI and BERI on total movements in large sclae only in patients group.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2009

The glycoprotein hormone family represents a class of heterodimers, that includes the placental hormone equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and the anterior pituitary hormones- follitropin (FSH), lutropin (LH), and thyrotropin (TSH). The 4 hormones are heterodimers, with a common $\alpha$-subunit and unique $\beta$-subunits. eCG is the most heavily glycosylated of the known pituitary and placental glycoprotein hormones. Recent observations using single chain glycoprotein hormone analogs in which, the $\beta$-and $\alpha$-subunits are linked, implied that heterodimeric-like quaternary configuration is not a prerequisite for receptor/signal transduction. To study the function and signal transduction of tethered rec-eCG, a single chain eCG molecule was constructed and rec-eCG protein was produced. Molecular mass of the single chain is about 45 kDa. All mice were ovulated by tethered rec-eCG treatment. The dual activity of tethered rec-eCG was determined in receptor cell lines of nonequid species; in fact, this dual activity was proven in species other than horse. Tethered rec-eCG in equids does not bind to FSH receptors, suggesting that eCG is primarily an LH-like hormone in the horse. Taken together, these data suggest that tethered rec-eCG has dual activity in nonequid species in vitro. However, it has only LH-like activity in equid species in vitro.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.614-623
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• 2020

The objective of this study was to produce a nutrient delivery system (NDS) using sialic acid extracted from edible bird's nest (EBN), which improves brain function in patients with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, by affinity bead technology (ABT). The inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and pyramidal cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were analyzed to investigate the effect of a sialic acid NDS on Alzheimer's disease. Also, the effect of a sialic acid NDS on Parkinson's disease was evaluated by rota-rod test and pole test in an animal model. Among the groups treated with donepezil, EBN, and sialic acid NDS, the AChE activity was the lowest in the sialic acid NDS-treated group. The results of the hippocampus analysis of the rat model confirmed that the sialic acid NDS inhibited amyloid-beta accumulation depending upon the concentration. Also, the sialic acid NDS group showed more improvement in motor deterioration than the1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced group in both the rota-rod test and pole test. Therefore, the sialic acid NDS had an effect of protecting not only Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting AChE and amyloid-beta accumulation, but Parkinson's disease by preventing neurotoxicity induced by MPTP.