• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2021

This paper presents the development process for airbag safety devices fitted in motorcyclists' garments. Motorcycle riders often sustain multiple injuries in crashes since rider post-impact kinematics depend on several variables. This study proposes a newly inflatable safety system connected to the motorcycle by a cable. An airbag device with a mechanical triggering system is deployed when the cable detaches from its mounting clip. Airbag filling tests are performed to determine the mixing ratio of compressed gases with the severance of temperature. To estimate the airbag effectiveness to reduce riders' injuries, numerical analysis is performed using the finite element method. A comparative analysis (i.e., with and without the chosen device) was conducted to evaluate its protective efficacy. Prototype garments based on the proposed design have been created and have undergone sled tests. The proposed safety device could also be beneficial in accidents during other sports activities.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate age-related changes of multi-finger synergy during a constant force production task with and without an additional mechanical constraint. Method: Fourteen elderly subjects (age: $78.50{\pm}4.63yrs$, height: $157.29{\pm}8.97cm$, weight: $65.13{\pm}6.93kg$) and 14 young subjects (age: $21.13{\pm}1.35yrs$, height: $171.57{\pm}8.43cm$, weight: $70.29{\pm}16.77kg$) participated in this study. The subjects were asked to place their index and middle fingers on two force transducers fixed on a small non-moving teeterboard and produce 10 N by pressing the sensors while watching force feedback on a computer screen under the no additional constraint condition (NAC). The subjects also performed the same task with an additional mechanical constraint (AC) where the subjects were asked to balance a teeterboard that could be rotated by finger forces. An uncontrolled manifold approach was used to calculate within-trial and between-trial multi-finger synergy indices, variance in uncontrolled subspace ($V_{UCM}$), and variance in subspace orthogonal to UCM subspace ($V_{ORT}$). Two-way repeated measured ANOVA was performed with the within-factor of task condition (with and without an additional constraint) and the between factor of groups (elderly and young). Results: The elderly group showed significantly increased within-trial $V_{ORT}$ in AC compared with NAC (p < .05) while the young group showed no significant difference between AC and NAC. There was no significant group difference for within-trial $V_{UCM}$. Between-trial $V_{ORT}$ remained unchanged between groups and conditions. However, between-trial $V_{UCM}$ for the elderly group significantly decreased in AC as compared to NAC, along with no significant difference for the young group. For multi-finger synergy, there was no significant group difference of within-trial synergy. However, between-trial synergy for the elderly group significantly decreased in AC as compared to NAC (p < .05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that aging decreased consistency (i.e., ability to perform the task on a moment-to-moment basis) with an additional mechanical constraint. In addition, aging was associated with decreased multi-finger synergy on a trial-to-trial basis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.575-580
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• 2021

Cisplatin is widely known as an anti-cancer drug. However, the effects of cisplatin on mitochondrial function and autophagy-related proteins levels in the skeletal muscle are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different doses of cisplatin on mitochondrial function and autophagy-related protein levels in the skeletal muscle of rats. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats (n = 24) were assigned to one of three groups; the first group was administered a saline placebo (CON, n = 10), and the second and third groups were given 0.1 mg/kg body weight (BW) (n = 6), and 0.5 mg/kg BW (n = 8) of cisplatin, respectively. The group that had been administered 0.5 mg cisplatin exhibited a reduced BW, skeletal muscle tissue weight, and mitochondrial function and upregulated levels of autophagy-related proteins, including LC3II, Beclin 1, and BNIP3. Moreover, this group had a high LC3 II/I ratio in the skeletal muscle; i.e., the administration of a high dose of cisplatin decreased the muscle mass and mitochondrial function and increased the levels of autophagy-related proteins. These results, thus, suggest that reducing mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy pathways may be important for preventing skeletal muscle atrophy following cisplatin administration.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.744-754
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• 2020

We investigated the whether endurance exercise and MitoQ intake mediated neuroprotection are associated with mitochondrial function in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine(MPTP) -induced mice model of Parkinson's disease. C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to five groups: Normal Conrol(NC, n=10), MPTP Control(MC, n=10), MPTP +MitoQ(MQ, n=10), MPTP + Exercise(ME, n=10) and MPTP + MitoQ + Exercise(MQE, n=10). Exercise intervention groups performed the treadmill exercise for 5days/week for 5 weeks with gradual increase of intensity. MitoQ intake groups consumed the MitoQ at a concentration of 250μmol by dissolving with water during experiment period. Our data demonstrated that ME and MQE group restored MPTP-induced motor dysfunction. In addition, treatment groups(MQ, ME and MQE) increased tyrosine hydroxylase levels, and suppressed the accumulation of α-synuclein levels. Futhermore, treatment groups modulated the mitochondrial function such as upregulated mitochondrial biogenesis, increased antioxidant enzyme, enhanced a anti-apoptotic protein(e.g., BCL2), and reduced a pro-apoptotic protein(e.g., BAX). Taken together, these results suggested that endurance exercise and MitoQ intake-mediated increase in mitochondrial function contributes to improvement of aggravated dopaminergic neuronal, resulting in attenuation of motor function of Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1509-1515
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• 2013

The term lipotoxicity has been used to describe how excess lipid accumulation leads to cellular dysfunction and death in non-adipose tissues, including skeletal muscle. While lipotoxicity has been found in cultured skeletal muscle cells with high-fat feeding, the consequences of lipotoxicity in vivo are still unknown, particularly in Type-I muscle, which is metabolically affected by lipotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high-fat diet on changes in the morphology and apoptotic protein expression of Type-I muscle loss in rats. The rats were fed either a high-fat diet or a normal diet for six weeks, and then lipid accumulation, inflammation response, and nucleus infiltration were measured, and PARP protein expression was cleaved by Oil Red O staining, H & E staining, and Western blot, respectively. Lipid accumulation, inflammation response, nucleus infiltration, and cleaved PARP protein expression were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the high-fat diet group than they were in the normal diet group. The weight of Type-I muscle tended to be lower in the high-fat diet group compared to the normal diet group, but the difference was not statistically significant. These results indicate that a high-fat diet triggers cell death in Type-I muscle via lipotoxicity, which suggests that a high-fat diet may be associated with sarcopenia.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.199-207
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fermented Laminaria japonica (FL), a type sea tangle used as a functional food ingredient, has been reported to possess cognitive improving properties that may aid in the treatment of common neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia. MATERIALS/METHODS: We examined the effects of FL on scopolamine (Sco)- and ethanol (EtOH)-induced hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, using the Passive avoidance (PA) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. To examine the underlying mechanisms associated with neuroprotective effects, we analyzed acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, brain tissue expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and immunohistochemical analysis, in the hippocampus of mice, compared to current drug therapy intervention. Biochemical blood analysis was carried out to determine the effects of FL on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels. 7 groups (n = 10) consisted of a control (CON), 3 Sco-induced dementia and 3 EtOH-induced dementia groups, with both dementia group types containing an untreated group (Sco and EtOH); a positive control, orally administered donepezil (Dpz) (4mg/kg) (Sco + Dpz and EtOH + Dpz); and an FL (50 mg/kg) treatment group (Sco + FL50 and EtOH + FL50), orally administered over the 4-week experimental period. RESULTS: FL50 significantly reduced EtOH-induced increase in AST and ALT levels. FL50 treatment reduced EtOH-impaired step-through latency time in the PA test, and Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia escape latency times in the MWM test. Moreover, anticholinergic effects of Sco and EtOH on the brain were reversed by FL50, through the attenuation of AChE activity and elevation of ACh concentration. FL50 elevated ERK1/2 protein expression and increased p-CREB (ser133) in hippocampus brain tissue, according to Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results suggest that FL may be considered an efficacious intervention for Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia, in terms of reversing cognitive impairment and neuroplastic dysfunction.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.110-117
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to find out kinematic and kinetic differences the lower extremity joint according to the landing type during vertical jump movement after jump landing, and to present an efficient landing method to reduce the incidence of injury in youth players. Method: Total of 24 Youth players under Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, who used either heel contact landing (HCG) or toe contact landing (TCG) participated in this study (HCG (12): CG height: 168.7 ± 9.7 cm, weight: 60.9 ± 11.6 kg, age: 14.1 ± 0.9 yrs., career: 4.3 ± 2.9 yrs., TCG height: 174.8 ± 4.9 cm, weight: 66.9 ± 9.9 kg, age 13.9 ± 0.8 yrs., career: 4.7 ± 2.0 yrs.). Participants were asked to perform jump landing consecutively followed by vertical jump. A 3-dimensional motion analysis with 19 infrared cameras and 2 force plates was performed in this study. To find out the significance between two landing styles independent t-test was performed and significance level was set at .05. Results: HCG showed a significantly higher dorsi flexion, extension and flexion angle at ankle, knee and hip joints, respectively compared with those of TCG (p<.05). Also, HCG revealed reduced RoM at ankle joint while it showed increased RoM at knee joint compared to TCG (p<.05). In addition, HGC showed greater peak force, a loading rate, and impulse than those of TCG (p<.05). Finally, greater planta flexion moment was revealed in TCG compared to HCG at ankle joint. For the knee joint HCG showed extension and flexion moment in E1 and E2, respectively, while TCG showed opposite results. Conclusion: Compared to toe contact landing, the heel contact landing is not expected to have an advantage in terms of absorbing and dispersing the impact of contact with the ground to the joint. If these movements continuously used, performance may deteriorate, including injuries, so it is believed that education on safe landing methods is needed for young athletes whose musculoskeletal growth is not fully mature.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2024

Content is now recognized as a key resource to sustain competitive advantage in the OTT market and for e-commerce companies. Coupang is pursuing a content growth strategy to maximize the lock-in effect that binds consumers to the subscription economy and its ecosystem. Given this background, this study aims to explain Coupang's content growth momentum through a case study method and examine Coupang's content strategy in detail. Based on this, this study describes Coupang's content growth strategy in detail and confirms that Coupang differentiates its content from the competition by focusing on sports and low prices to build a lock-in effect in the subscription economy. As a result, we can summarize that the purpose of Coupang's content strategy is to build a lock-in effect for the subscription economy based on content differentiation focused on sports, a bundle strategy linked to e-commerce, and a low-cost strategy. This study contributes to the field of venture creation research by carefully analyzing how Coupang grew from a venture firm to a Decacorn corporation and developed the influence of its content in a completely different industry, and systematically explains the importance of content strategy in strengthening the lock-in effect for the subscription economy. Future research should compare the impact of content strategy of venture and startups in the contents industry to broaden the scope of research in the field and suggest deeper lessons learned.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.30-43
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• 2024

Background and Purpose: The SoUth Korea study to PrEvent cognitive impaiRment and protect BRAIN health through lifestyle intervention (SUPERBRAIN) proved the feasibility of multidomain intervention for elderly people. One-quarter of the Korean population over 65 years of age has mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Digital health interventions may be cost-effective and have fewer spatial constraints. We aim to examine the efficacy of a multidomain intervention through both face-to-face interactions and video communication platforms using a tablet personal computer (PC) application in MCI. Methods: Three hundred participants aged 60-85 years, with MCI and at least one modifiable dementia risk factor, will be recruited from 17 centers and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the multidomain intervention and the waiting-list control groups. Participants will receive the 24-week intervention through the tablet PC SUPERBRAIN application, which encompasses the following five elements: managing metabolic and vascular risk factors, cognitive training, physical exercise, nutritional guidance, and boosting motivation. Participants will attend the interventions at a facility every 1-2 weeks. They will also engage in one or two self-administered cognitive training sessions utilizing the tablet PC application at home each week. They will participate in twice or thrice weekly online exercise sessions at home via the ZOOM platform. The primary outcome will be the change in the total scale index score of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status from baseline to study end. Conclusions: This study will inform the effectiveness of a comprehensive multidomain intervention utilizing digital technologies in MCI.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.287-298
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• 2020

Ca²⁺ signaling of endothelial cells plays a critical role in controlling blood flow and pressure in small arteries and arterioles. As the impairment of endothelial function is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis, stroke, and hypertension), endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling mechanisms have received substantial attention. Increases in endothelial intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations promote the synthesis and release of endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs, e.g., nitric oxide, prostacyclin, or K⁺ efflux) or directly result in endothelial-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH). These physiological alterations modulate vascular contractility and cause marked vasodilation in resistance arteries. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are nonselective cation channels that are present in the endothelium, vascular smooth muscle cells, or perivascular/sensory nerves. TRP channels are activated by diverse stimuli and are considered key biological apparatuses for the Ca²⁺ influx-dependent regulation of vasomotor reactivity in resistance arteries. Ca²⁺-permeable TRP channels, which are primarily found at spatially restricted microdomains in endothelial cells (e.g., myoendothelial projections), have a large unitary or binary conductance and contribute to EDHFs or EDH-induced vasodilation in concert with the activation of intermediate/small conductance Ca²⁺-sensitive K⁺ channels. It is likely that endothelial TRP channel dysfunction is related to the dysregulation of endothelial Ca²⁺ signaling and in turn gives rise to vascular-related diseases such as hypertension. Thus, investigations on the role of Ca²⁺ dynamics via TRP channels in endothelial cells are required to further comprehend how vascular tone or perfusion pressure are regulated in normal and pathophysiological conditions.