• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.173-198
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• 2018

In this paper, we analyze the determinants of the adoption of industrial robots using the data from 42 countries, and thereby examine the factors underlying the rapid expansion of industrial robots in Korea. To this end, the industrial robot data for the years 2001-2016 were drawn from the World Robotics dataset of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). The explanatory variables included labor market environment variables and innovation capacity variables extracted from the dataset of the relevant international organizations. For data analysis, the Arellano-Bond dynamic panel analysis was performed to control for the endogeneity problem of some explanatory variables. The empirical results confirmed the exceptionally rapid expansion of industrial robots in Korea as compared to other countries, even when considering the national income level, employment cost, and innovation capacity. This phenomenon could be attributed to both the demand-side and supply-side factors. For one thing, changes in the labor market environment, such as an increase in employment costs, have led to an increase of the corporate demand for industrial robots. For another, the supply-side factors, such as an increase in the capital intensity and innovation capacity of companies, have also contributed to the widespread adoption of industrial robots.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권12호
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• pp.935-949
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• 2022

Liver cancer has a high prevalence, with majority of the cases presenting as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prognosis of metastatic HCC has hardly improved over the past decade, highlighting the necessity for liver cancer research. Studies have reported the ability of the KiSS1 gene to inhibit the growth or metastasis of liver cancer, but contradictory research results are also emerging. We, therefore, sought to investigate the effects of KiSS1 on growth and migration in human HCC cells. HepG2 human HCC cells were infected with lentivirus particles containing KiSS1. The overexpression of KiSS1 resulted in an increased proliferation rate of HCC cells. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting revealed increased Akt activity, and downregulation of the G1/S phase cell cycle inhibitors. A significant increase in tumor spheroid formation with upregulation of β-catenin and CD133 was also observed. KiSS1 overexpression promoted the migratory, invasive ability, and metastatic capacity of the hepatocarcinoma cell line, and these effects were associated with changes in the expressions of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)- related genes such as E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and slug. KiSS1 overexpression also resulted in dramatically increased tumor growth in the xenograft mouse model, and upregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 in the HCC tumors. Furthermore, KiSS1 increased the angiogenic capacity by upregulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and CD31. Based on these observations, we infer that KiSS1 not only induces HCC proliferation, but also increases the metastatic potential by increasing the migratory ability and angiogenic capacity.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.81-85
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• 2023

This study presents an experimental investigation of the effects of surface roughness on gas foil thrust bearing (GFTB) performance. A high-speed motor with the maximum speed of 80 krpm rotates a thrust runner and a pneumatic cylinder applies static loads to the test GFTB. When the motor speed increases and reaches a specific speed at which a hydrodynamic film pressure generated within the gap between the thrust runner and test GFTB is enough to support the applied static load, the thrust runner lifts off from the test GFTB and the friction mechanism changes from the boundary lubrication to the hydrodynamic lubrication. The experiment shows a series of lift-off test and load-carrying capacity test for two thrust runners with different surface roughnesses. For a constant static load of 15 N, thrust runner A with its lower surface roughness exhibits a higher start-up torque but lower lift-off torque than thrust runner B with a higher surface roughness. The load capacity test at a rotor speed of 60 krpm reveals that runner A results in a higher maximum load capacity than runner B. Runner A also shows a lower drag torque, friction coefficient, and bearing temperature than runner B at constant static loads. The results imply that maintaining a consistent surface roughness for a thrust runner may improve its static GFTB performance.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.311-321
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• 2022

The interfacial bond strength of partially encased composite (PEC) structure tends to 0, therefore, the cast-in-place concrete theoretically cannot embody better composite effect than the fabricated structure. A total of 12 specimens were designed and experimented to investigate the energy dissipation and damage of fabricated PEC beam through unidirectional cyclic loading test. Because the concrete on both sides of the web was relatively independent, some specimens showed obvious asymmetric concrete damage, which led to specimens bearing torsion effect at the later stage of loading. Based on the concept of the ideal elastoplastic model of uniaxial tensile steel and the principle of equivalent energy dissipation, the energy dissipation ductility coefficient is proposed, which can simultaneously reflect the deformability and bearing capacity. In view of the whole deformation of the beam, the calculation formula of energy dissipation is put forward, and the energy dissipation and its proportion of shear-bending region and pure bending region are calculated respectively. The energy dissipation efficiency of the pure bending region is significantly higher than that of the shear-bending region. The setting of the screw arbors is conducive to improving the energy dissipation capacity of the specimens. Under the condition of setting the screw arbors and meeting the reasonable shear span ratio, reducing the concrete pouring thickness can lighten the deadweight of the component and improve the comprehensive benefit, and will not have an adverse impact on the energy dissipation capacity of the beam. A damage model is proposed to quantify the damage changes of PEC beams under cyclic load, which can accurately reflect the load damage and deformation damage.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.406-417
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Pathophysiological changes of right ventricle (RV) after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are coupled with a highly compliant low-pressure pulmonary artery (PA) system. This study aimed to determine whether pulmonary vascular function was associated with RV parameters and exercise capacity, and its impact on RV remodeling after pulmonary valve replacement. Methods: In a total of 48 patients over 18 years of age with repaired TOF, pulmonary arterial elastance (Ea), RV volume data, and RV-PA coupling ratio were calculated and analyzed in relation to exercise capacity. Results: Patients with a low Ea showed a more severe pulmonary regurgitation volume index, greater RV end-diastolic volume index, and greater effective RV stroke volume (p=0.039, p=0.013, and p=0.011, respectively). Patients with a high Ea had lower exercise capacity than those with a low Ea (peak oxygen consumption [peak VO₂] rate: 25.8±7.7 vs. 34.3±5.5 mL/kg/min, respectively, p=0.003), while peak VO₂ was inversely correlated with Ea and mean PA pressure (p=0.004 and p=0.004, respectively). In the univariate analysis, a higher preoperative RV end-diastolic volume index and RV end-systolic volume index, left ventricular end-systolic volume index, and higher RV-PA coupling ratio were risk factors for suboptimal outcomes. Preoperative RV volume and RV-PA coupling ratio reflecting the adaptive PA system response are important factors in optimal postoperative results. Conclusions: We found that PA vascular dysfunction, presenting as elevated Ea in TOF, may contribute to exercise intolerance. However, Ea was inversely correlated with pulmonary regurgitation (PR) severity, which may prevent PR, RV dilatation, and left ventricular dilatation in the absence of significant pulmonary stenosis.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.86-94
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the changes in bladder capacity and storage through non-invasive neuromodulation by application of repetitive Trans magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and genital nerve stimulation (GNS) in traumatic spinal cord survivors. Design: A Single Case Study. Method: The Patient was registered in trail with the clinical trial registry of India (CTRI/2022/05/042431). The Patient was interposed with rTMS on lumbar area, from T11-L4 vertebrae with 1 Hz and the intensity was 20% below that elicited local paraspinal muscular contraction for 13 minutes. GNS was placed over dorsum of the penis with the cathode at the base and anode 2 cm distally at 20 Hz, 200 microseconds, Continuous and biphasic current was delivered and amplitude of stimulation necessary to elicit the genito-anal reflex. For assessment, Neurological examination was done for peri-anal sensation (PAS), voluntary anal contraction (VAC) and bulbocavernous reflex (BCR), deep anal pressure (DAP), and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (ASIA scale). Outcome assessment was done using Urodynamics, Spinal Cord Independence Measure Scale Version-III (SCIM-III), American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Score (ASIA Score), Beck's Depression Inventory Scale (BDI). The baseline evaluation was taken on Day 0 and on Day 30. Results: The pre-and post-data were collected through ASIA score, SCIM-III, BDI and Urodynamics test which showed significant improvement in bladder capacity and storage outcomes in the urodynamics study across the span of 4 weeks. Conclusion: rTMS along with GNS showed improvement in bladder capacity & storage, on sensory-motor score, in functional independence of individual after SCI.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.333-343
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• 2011

The yellow poplar is an appropriate species for the age of low carbon green growth, because its absorption rates of ozone is greatly excellent, and also the absorption rates of carbon dioxide causing climate changes is very remarkable. The yellow poplar, which is a kind of rapid growth tree, shows a lack of performance as a structural member, however, it is suitable to use a variety of purposes like furniture materials, interior materials, plywood materials, and so on. In this study, the structural size skin-timbers were made by using the yellow poplar, and the compressive capacity was evaluated, also the numerical model was developed for the various uses. The rectangular shape skin-timber presented a good performance by showing 56.3% residual strength about the solid material. In case of the cylinder shape skin-timber showed a possibility to use diversely as a furniture material, as well as a structural uses, because almost 50% compressive capacity of material even though its residual area rates was 25%. Both rectangular shape and the cylinder shape represented that 'Brooming or end rolling' were the major failure mode, and partly splitting failure mode. The compressive capacity of the rectangular shape which residual area rates was large was higher than the cylinder shape, but it did not show statistical significance about the compressive capacity between them. Thus, it will be possible to use them mixed for a convenience of users. The result of the numerical analysis model was quite similar to actual test of the compressive capacity. Therefore, the yellow poplar can be utilized in the development of various uses by applying numerical analysis model about a variety of shapes and dimensions.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.189-194
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• 2002

Silkworm diseases are major constraint in silk cocoon production. Among silkworm diseases, white muscar-dine is highly contagious and most common in winter and rainy seasons. It is suggested that hemocytes involve in defense against invasion of Beauveria bassi-ana and systemic fungicide/chemicals prevent the proliferation of fungi in the hemolymph or preventing the growth of the fungi in the body cavity through enhancing the hemocyte mediated defense response. In the present study the influence of systemic fungicide on hematological changes in silkworms infected with Beauveria bassiana was reported. It is observed that the total hemocyte counts increased in the hemolymph up to 5 days post inoculation in systemic fungicide treated batches while in the inoculated control the increase was up to 3 days indicating the positive hemocyte mediated response in silkworm treated with systemic fungicide. After 2 days in the inoculated control as the multiplication and growth of mycelia increased, defense capacity of the silkworm was decreased. The biochemical changes were also observed in the hemolymph of silkworm infected with B. bassiana. In silkworm infected with Beauveria bassi-ana, the total protein content increased whereas total carbohydrate and total lipids decreased as the infection progresses. In the case of systemic fungicide treated batches the increase in total protein content was comparatively higher and decrease in total carbohydrate and lipids were comparatively lower than the inoculated control.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 한국철도학회 2011년도 춘계학술대회 논문집
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• pp.1533-1538
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• 2011

The dynamic characteristics such as resonant frequencies and dampings have been utilized as important parameters in dynamic behavior and inverse analyses. In general, the dynamic parameters have been determined based on design and experimental data, but experimental studies on the time-dependent changes of the dynamic parameters during service have rarely been conducted. Especially, unlike highway bridges, it is much easier for railroad bridges to estimate accumulated amount of fatigue because of the controlled train operation, and the study of dynamic characteristic change due to fatigue is useful, since it can enhance the accuracy of dynamic analysis. In this paper, the dynamic characteristic change due to fatigue is measured via the modal test on the PSC girder during a fatigue test. The test specimen utilized in the test is the IT girder which enhances the sectional capacity of the conventional PSC girders. The test specimen is designed 10m long and the modal tests are conducted during the application of fatigue load two million times. The test result shows that considerable changes in the measured dynamic parameters are observed as the fatigue accumulates, and these changes during the service life should be considered in designing railroad bridges.

• BMB Reports
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.209-216
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• 2015

Stress is now recognized as a universal premorbid factor associated with many risk factors of various chronic diseases. Acute stress may induce an individual's adaptive response to environmental demands. However, chronic, excessive stress causes cumulative negative impacts on health outcomes through "allostatic load". Thus, monitoring the quantified levels of long-term stress mediators would provide a timely opportunity for prevention or earlier intervention of stressrelated chronic illnesses. Although either acute or chronic stress could be quantified through measurement of changes in physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and levels of various metabolic hormones, it is still elusive to interpret whether the changes in circulating levels of stress mediators such as cortisol can reflect the acute, chronic, or diurnal variations. Both serum and salivary cortisol levels reveal acute changes at a single point in time, but the overall long-term systemic cortisol exposure is difficult to evaluate due to circadian variations and its protein-binding capacity. Scalp hair has a fairy predictable growth rate of approximately 1 cm/month, and the most 1 cm segment approximates the last month's cortisol production as the mean value. The analysis of cortisol in hair is a highly promising technique for the retrospective assessment of chronic stress. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(4): 209-216]