• Composites Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.9-17
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• 2008

In this paper, the low velocity impact characteristics of filament winding CFRP pressure vessel was investigated using numerical and experimental methods. The cylinder part of CFRP vessel was impacted using triangular shape impactor which simulated the sharp edge of dropping tools and impact response behavior of CFRP was reviewed. The mechanical behavior, such as deformation and stress distribution, were also predicted by explicit finite element method and the validity of the model was investigated. For the quantitative evaluation of the residual strength of the pressure vessel after impact, a series of the ring specimens was cut from the impacted vessel and its burst pressure was measured by hydraulic pressure hoop tension test. As the results, the relationship between the residual strength degradation and the impact energy was successively obtained and a useful methodology to evaluate quantitatively the impact damage tolerance of CFRP pressure vessel was established.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2009

Speaker verification determines whether the claimed speaker is accepted based on the score of the test utterance. In recent years, methods based on Gaussian mixture models and universal background model have been the dominant approaches for text-independent speaker verification. These speaker verification systems based on these methods provide very good performance under laboratory conditions. However, in real situations, the performance of speaker verification system is degraded dramatically. For overcoming this performance degradation, the feature recombination method was proposed, but this method had a drawback that whole sub-band feature vectors are used to compute the likelihood scores. To deal with this drawback, a modified feature recombination method which can use each sub-band likelihood score independently was proposed in our previous research. In this paper, we propose a sub-band weighting method based on sub-band signal-to-noise ratio which is combined with previously proposed modified feature recombination. This proposed method reduces errors by 28% compared with the conventional feature recombination method.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.675-687
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• 2023

Accumulation of pathogenic amyloid-β disrupts the tight junction of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), one of its senescence-like structural alterations. In the clearance of amyloid-β, the autophagy-lysosome pathway plays the crucial role. In this context, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibits the process of autophagy and lysosomal degradation, acting as a potential therapeutic target for age-associated disorders. However, efficacy of targeting mTOR to treat age-related macular degeneration remains largely elusive. Here, we validated the therapeutic efficacy of the mTOR inhibitors, Torin and PP242, in clearing amyloid-β by inducing the autophagy-lysosome pathway in a mouse model with pathogenic amyloid-β with tight junction disruption of RPE, which is evident in dry age-related macular degeneration. High concentration of amyloid-β oligomers induced autophagy-lysosome pathway impairment accompanied by the accumulation of p62 and decreased lysosomal activity in RPE cells. However, Torin and PP242 treatment restored the lysosomal activity via activation of LAMP2 and facilitated the clearance of amyloid-β in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, clearance of amyloid-β by Torin and PP242 ameliorated the tight junction disruption of RPE in vivo. Overall, our findings suggest mTOR inhibition as a new therapeutic strategy for the restoration of tight junctions in age-related macular degeneration.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1607-1623
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• 2019

Sediment bioelectrochemical systems (SBESs) can be integrated into brackish aquaculture ponds for in-situ bioremediation of the pond water and sediment. Such an in-situ system offers advantages including reduced treatment cost, reusability and simple handling. In order to realize such an application potential of the SBES, in this laboratory-scale study we investigated the effect of several controllable and uncontrollable operational factors on the in-situ bioremediation performance of a tank model of a brackish aquaculture pond, into which a SBES was integrated, in comparison with a natural degradation control model. The performance was evaluated in terms of electricity generation by the SBES, Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and nitrogen removal of both the tank water and the tank sediment. Real-life conditions of the operational parameters were also experimented to understand the most close-to-practice responses of the system to their changes. Predictable effects of controllable parameters including external resistance and electrode spacing, similar to those reported previously for the BESs, were shown by the results but exceptions were observed. Accordingly, while increasing the electrode spacing reduced the current densities but generally improved COD and nitrogen removal, increasing the external resistance could result in decreased COD removal but also increased nitrogen removal and decreased current densities. However, maximum electricity generation and COD removal efficiency difference of the SBES (versus the control) could be reached with an external resistance of $100{\Omega}$, not with the lowest one of $10{\Omega}$. The effects of uncontrollable parameters such as ambient temperature, salinity and pH of the pond (tank) water were rather unpredictable. Temperatures higher than $35^{\circ}C$ seemed to have more accelaration effect on natural degradation than on bioelectrochemical processes. Changing salinity seriously changed the electricity generation but did not clearly affect the bioremediation performance of the SBES, although at 2.5% salinity the SBES displayed a significantly more efficient removal of nitrogen in the water, compared to the control. Variation of pH to practically extreme levels (5.5 and 8.8) led to increased electricity generations but poorer performances of the SBES (vs. the control) in removing COD and nitrogen. Altogether, the results suggest some distinct responses of the SBES under brackish conditions and imply that COD removal and nitrogen removal in the system are not completely linked to bioelectrochemical processes but electrochemically enriched bacteria can still perform non-bioelectrochemical COD and nitrogen removals more efficiently than natural ones. The results confirm the application potential of the SBES in brackish aquaculture bioremediation and help propose efficient practices to warrant the success of such application in real-life scenarios.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.3 s.113
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• pp.361-371
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• 2005

The objective of study was to diagnose integrative ecological health of Daejeon Stream, one of the tributaries of Guem River, during May 2004 ${\sim}$ April 2005. The research approach was primarily based on a Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) and the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish assemblage. These outcomes were compared with conventional chemical dataset. For the experiment, four sampling sites were chosen from Daejeon Stream and long-term water quality data during 1995 ${\sim}$ 2004 (obtained from the Ministry of Environment) were analyzed in the spatial and temporal aspects. For the biological health assessment, we developed a stream health assessment model (SHA model) far regional applications. We found that current water quality conditions, based on the COD, BOD, TN and TP, were enhanced by 1.6 ${\sim}$ 5.3 fold over the period of 1995 ${\sim}$ 2004 and that the parameters showed a typical longitudinal decline from the upstream to downstream reach. The differences of water quality between the two reaches were more than 4.4 times, indicating a large spatial variations within the stream. The health conditions, based on the SHA model, averaged 23 and varied from 20 to 26 depending on the sampling stations. Values of the QHEI varied from 39 (Poor condition) to 124 (Cood condition)and values of QHEI in the reach of S2 ${\sim}$ S4 had significantly lower than in the headwater site (S1). Also, biological stream health, based on the criteria of US EPA (1993), was judged as 'Poor condition', in the S4 where TN, TP, BOD and COD were highest. In the meantime, maximum value of SHA (26) was found in the upstream reach (S1) where the water quality and QHEI were best. We also found that compositions of sensitive species showed a linear function with water quality conditions and this pattern was evident in the tolerant species. Thus, the biological stream health, based on the SHA model, matched well water chemistry. Overall outcomes suggest that the biological health impact was a function of chemical degradation and physical habitat quality in the stream.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.627-636
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• 2020

Debris flow disasters primarily occur in mountainous terrains far from cities. As such, they have been underestimated to cause relatively less damage compared with other natural disasters. However, owing to urbanization, several residential areas and major facilities have been built in mountainous regions, and the frequency of debris flow disasters is steadily increasing owing to the increase in rainfall with environmental and climate changes. Thus, the risk of debris flow is on the rise. However, only a few studies have explored the characteristics of flooding and reduction measures for debris flow in areas designated as steep slopes. In this regard, it is necessary to conduct research on securing independent disaster prevention technology, suitable for the environment in South Korea and reflective of the topographical characteristics thereof, and update and improve disaster prevention information. Accordingly, this study aimed to calculate the amount of debris flow, depending on disaster prevention performance targets for regions designated as steep slopes in South Korea, and develop an independent model to not only evaluate the impact of debris flow but also identify debris barriers that are optimal for mitigating damage. To validate the reliability of the two-dimensional debris flow model developed for the evaluation of debris barriers, the model's performance was compared with that of the hydraulic model. Furthermore, a 2-D debris model was constructed in consideration of the regional characteristics around the steep slopes to analyze the flow characteristics of the debris that directly reaches the damaged area. The flow characteristics of the debris delivered downstream were further analyzed, depending on the specifications (height) and installation locations of the debris barriers employed to reduce the damage. The experimental results showed that the reliability of the developed model is satisfactory; further, this study confirmed significant performance degradation of debris barriers in areas where the barriers were installed at a slope of 20° or more, which is the slope at which debris flows occur.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-atopic dermatitis effects of persimmon leaf extract obtained from Cheongdo-gun, where more than 60% of Korean persimmon is produced. Methods : Anti-oxidative effects of the crude persimmon leaf extract harvested monthly between May and November were determined by in vitro assay using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like reaction. Anti-atopic dermatitis effects of the crude persimmon leaf extract were determined by using collagenase type I inhibition assay and by quantitative assays including serum histamine, prostaglandin E metabolite and leukotriene $B_4$ levels in animal model of atopic dermatitis using Balb/c mice. Results : Persimmon leaf extract harvested in May had higher levels of total phenolic compounds (182.24 mg/g) and flavonoids (23.05 mg/g) than the ones of different month extract. Also, persimmon leaf extract harvested in May showed the most effective extract scavenging activities of DPPH free radical ($13.39{\pm}0.21\;{\mu}g/ml$) and superoxide anion radical ($40.52{\pm}2.32\;{\mu}g/ml$), leading to use the persimmon leaf extract harvested in May for the experiments hereafter. Persimmon leaf extract showed $326.71{\pm}4.6\;{\mu}g/ml$ of 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) for collagenase type I which is responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix. In addition, persimmon leaf extract application group could decrease serum levels of histamine, prostaglandin E metabolite and leukotriene $B_4$ compared to the negative control in animal model of atopic dermatitis. Especially, persimmon leaf extract showed a significantly decreased serum leukotriene $B_4$ level relative to the levels of histamine and prostaglandin E metabolite. Conclusions : Persimmon leaf extract showed anti-oxidative and anti-atopic dermatitis effects in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that persimmon leaf extract may have immunoregulatory function for alleviating atopic dermatitis by decreasing collagenase activity and mast cell activation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.292-301
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• 1997

In drying process, to minimize the quality degradation by improved drying process and pretreatment methods, carrots, cabbages and radishes were dried and rehydrated. Physico-chemical properties of product were analyzed to determine the optimum pretreatment method and drying models were applied to explain drying mechanisms. Microwave, steam and water were used prior to drying as blanching method. In consideration of physical properties, optimum treatment time was decided that microwave was 1 min, steam and water were each 10 min. Control, steam, water, microwave and osmotic dehydration were treated prior to drying as pretreatment individually, osmotic dehydration was lower than the other treatmemt in drying efficiency, but carotene content was higher than the others. The effect continued after rehydration. Ten panelists tested dried and rehydrated carrots. After rehydration, the quality of air dried product with osmotic dehydration was superior to freeze dried without treatment. The fittness of drying models were conducted in order to explain the mechanism of drying each process. Quadratic model was most fittable to explain during drying. However, in rehydration process, no fittable model was found.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.481-493
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• 2012

The Uncertainty of drought events can be regarded as supernatural phenomena so that the uncertainty of water supply system will be also uncontrollable. Decision making for water supply system operation must be dealt with in consideration of hydrologic uncertainty conditions. When ultimate small quantity of precipitation or streamflow lasts, water supply system might be impacted as well as stream pollution, aqua- ecosystem degradation, reservoir dry-up and river aesthetic waste etc. In case of being incapable of supplying water owing to continuation of severe drought, it can make the damage very serious beyond our prediction. This study analyzes comprehensively sustained drought impacts on the Han River Basin Water Supply System. Drought scenarios consisted of several sustained times and return periods for 5 sub-watersheds are generated using a stochastic hydrologic time series model. The developed drought scenarios are applied to assess water supply performance at the Paldang Dam. The results show that multi-year drought events reflecting spatial hydrologic diversity need to be examined in order to recognize variation of the unexpected drought impacts.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2011

Purpose: Collagen membranes are used extensively as bioabsorbable barriers in guided bone regeneration. However, collagen has different effects on tissue restoration depending on the type, structure, degree of cross-linking and chemical treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory reaction, bone formation, and degradation of dehydrothermal treated porcine type I atelocollagen (CollaGuide$^{(R)}$) compared to of the non-crosslinked porcine type I, III collagen (BioGide$^{(R)}$) and the glutaldehyde cross-linked bovine type I collagen (BioMend$^{(R)}$) in surgically created bone defects in rat mandible. Methods: Bone defect model was based upon 3 mm sized full-thickness transcortical bone defects in the mandibular ramus of Sprague-Dawley rats. The defects were covered bucolingually with CollaGuide$^{(R)}$, BioMend$^{(R)}$, or BioGide$^{(R)}$ (n=12). For control, the defects were not covered by any membrane. Lymphocyte, multinucleated giant cell infiltration, bone formation over the defect area and membrane absorption were evaluated at 4 weeks postimplantation. For comparison of the membrane effect over the bone augmentation, rats received a bone graft plus different covering of membrane. A $3{\times}4$ mm sized block graft was harvested from the mandibular angle and was laid and stabilized with a microscrew on the naturally existing curvature of mandibular inferior border. After 10 weeks postimplantation, same histologic analysis were done. Results: In the defect model at 4 weeks post-implantation, the amount of new bone formed in defects was similar for all types of membrane. Bio-Gide$^{(R)}$ membranes induced significantly greater inflammatory response and membrane resorption than other two membranes; characterized by lymphocytes and multinucleated giant cells. At 10 weeks postoperatively, all membranes were completely resorbed. Conclusion: Dehydrotheramal treated cross-linked collagen was safe and effective in guiding bone regeneration in alveolar ridge defects and bone augmentation in rats, similar to BioGide$^{(R)}$ and BioMend$^{(R)}$, thus, could be clinically useful.