• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.386-394
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• 2019

Trypanosoma cruzi infection results in debilitating cardiomyopathy, which is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the endemic regions of Chagas disease (CD). The pathogenesis of Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCM) has been intensely studied as a chronic inflammatory disease until recent observations reporting the role of cardio-metabolic dysfunctions. In particular, we demonstrated accumulation of lipid droplets and impaired cardiac lipid metabolism in the hearts of cardiomyopathic mice and patients, and their association with impaired mitochondrial functions and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in CD mice. In the present study, we examined whether treating infected mice with an ER stress inhibitor can modify the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy during chronic stages of infection. T. cruzi infected mice were treated with an ER stress inhibitor 2-Aminopurine (2AP) during the indeterminate stage and evaluated for cardiac pathophysiology during the subsequent chronic stage. Our study demonstrates that inhibition of ER stress improves cardiac pathology caused by T. cruzi infection by reducing ER stress and downstream signaling of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor ($P-elF2{\alpha}$) in the hearts of chronically infected mice. Importantly, cardiac ultrasound imaging showed amelioration of ventricular enlargement, suggesting that inhibition of ER stress may be a valuable strategy to combat the progression of cardiomyopathy in Chagas patients.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.2085-2092
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• 2016

One of the most important properties of the IC substrate is that it should be uniform over large areas. Among the various physical approaches of wafer defect characterization, special attention is to be payed to the infrared techniques of inspection. In particular, a high spatial resolution, near infrared absorption method has been adopted to directly observe defects in semi-insulating GaAs. This technique, which relies on the mapping of infrared transmission, is both rapid and non-destructive. This method demonstrates in a direct way that the infrared images of GaAs crystals arise from defect absorption process. A new interpretation is presented for the observed reversal of contrast in the infrared absorption of nonuniformly distributed deep centers, related to EL2, in semi-insulating GaAs. The low temperature photoquenching experiment has demonstrated in a direct way that the contrast inverse images of GaAs wafers arise from both absorption and scattering mechanisms rather than charge re-distribution or local variation of bandgap.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.3309-3312
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• 2010

D-[$^{18}F$]FMAU and L-[$^{18}F$]FMAU are F-18 labeled nucleoside analogue which have been efficiently synthesized in order to be a PET imaging probe. D-[$^{18}F$]FMAU and L-[$^{18}F$]FMAU were compared as PET imaging agents using HSV1-TK gene expressing tumor-bearing mice. Their cellular uptake profiles were also compared using MCA and MCA-TK cell lines. D-[$^{18}F$]FMAU demonstrated higher cellular uptake and higher accumulation in MCA-TK tumor regions than L-[$^{18}F$]FMAU. On the other hand, L-[$^{18}F$]FMAU showed higher MCA-TK/MCA ratio of %ID/g than that of D-[$^{18}F$]FMAU. L-[$^{18}F$]FMAU can be utilized as a good candidate for HSV1-TK PET imaging. It can be used for antiviral drug evaluation.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2022

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to investigate shade changes in fully- and pre-crystalized CAD-CAM lithium disilicate crowns after the required and additional firing processes. MATERIALS AND METHODS. One hundred and five crowns of shade A1 with high translucency were milled out of CAD-CAM lithium disilicate blocks and categorized as follows (n = 15): (1) restorations fabricated from Straumann n!ce with no additional sintering process; (2) restorations fabricated from Straumann n!ce with one additional sintering process; (3) restorations fabricated from Straumann n!ce with two additional sintering processes; (4) restorations fabricated from Amber Mill with one sintering process; (5) restorations fabricated from Amber Mill with two sintering processes; (6) restorations fabricated from IPS e.max CAD with one sintering process; (7) restorations fabricated from IPS e.max CAD with two sintering processes. All restorations were evaluated with a color imaging spectrophotometer. RESULTS. All restorations presented some color alteration from the original shade both after a single and after two firing processes. CONCLUSION. The required and additional sintering processes for restorations fabricated with chairside CAD-CAM lithium disilicate blocks cause an alteration of the original shade selected. Shade A1 high translucency restorations tend to change to a more yellowish B1 shade after a sintering process.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.29.5-30
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• 2020

We present an improved weak-lensing (WL) study of the high-z (z=0.87) merging galaxy cluster ACT-CL J0102-4915 ("El Gordo"), the most massive system known to date at z > 0.6. El Gordo has been known to be an exceptionally massive and rare cluster for its redshift in the current ΛCDM cosmology. Previous multi-wavelength studies have also found that the cluster might be undergoing a merging event showing two distinctive mass clumps and radio relics. The previous WL study revealed a clear bimodal mass structure and found that the entire system is indeed massive (M200a = (3.13 ± 0.56) × 1015 Msun). This mass estimate, however, was obtained by extrapolation because the previous HST observation did not extend out to the virial radius of the cluster. In this work, we determine a more accurate mass estimate of the cluster using WL analysis utilizing a new set of WFC3/IR and wide-field ACS observations. While confirming the previous bimodal mass structure, we find that the new data yield a ~20% lower mass for the entire system (M200a = (2.37 ± 0.28) × 1015 Msun). We also discuss the rarity of the cluster in the ΛCDM paradigm and suggest an updated merging scenario based on our new measurement.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.195-202
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• 2008

Purpose : To characterize the effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) and quercetin (QCT) on gene expression of osteonectin (ON) and osteopontin (OP) in irradiated MC3T3-El cells. Materials and Methods : When MC3T3-El osteoblastic cells had reached 70-80% confluence, cultures were transferred to a differentiating medium supplemented with 5 mM 2-DG or 10 ${\mu}M$ QCT and then irradiated with 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy. At various times after irradiation, the cells were analyzed for the expression of bone mineralization genes such as ON and OP. Results : The mRNA expression of both ON and OP was increased according to the culture time in the differentiation medium, and the increase of the genes peaked at 14 days after the differentiation induction. In the case of OP, the increase of mRNA expression was maintained to 28 days after the differentiation, while the mRNA level of ON was reduced to the basal level at the same time. Irradiation adding 2-DG showed a significant peak value in the expression pattern of ON at 4 Gy 7 days after irradiation. Irradiation adding QCT increased the mRNA expression of ON and OP in a dose-dependant manner, but irradiation adding 2-DG did not show any differences between the control and experiments 14 days after irradiation. Irradiation adding QCT increased significantly the expression patterns of ON 21 days after irradiation. Conclusion : The results showed that QCT acted as a radiosensitizer in the gene expression of ON and OP during differentiation of the late stage of irradiated MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells in vitro. (Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol 2008; 38: 195-202)

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2005

Purpose : To investigate the effects of irradiation on the calcium content and calcific nodule formation in the MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line. Materials and Methods : Cells were irradiated with a single dose of 2,4 and 8 Gy at a dose rate of 5.38 Gy/min using a Cs-137 irradiator. After irradiation, the calcium content and calcific nodule formation were examined on the 1 st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week. Results : A decreasing dose-dependent tendency of the cell proliferation rate was found in all irradiated groups of this experiment when compared with the unirradiated control group. In accordance with the duration of culture, there was no significant difference in the cell proliferation rate after irradiation of 2 Gy when compared with the unirradiated group, however a decreasing tendency was found in 4 Gy- and 8 Gy-irradiated groups. While an increase in total calcium content after irradiation of 2 Gy was found at week 1, week 2, and week 4, there was a decrease in calcium content at week 1 through 4 in the 8 Gy- irradiated group. Calcific nodule formation was increased in irradiated experimental groups when compared with the unirradiated control group in the 2 Gy-irradiated group, but decreased in the 4 Gy- and 8 Gy-irradiated groups at the same stage. Conclusion : The results showed a mild increasing tendency of the calcific nodule formation after irradiation of 2 Gy. However, a decreased calcific nodule formation in 4 Gy- and 8 Gy-irradiated groups was found. Taken together, the irradiation of 2 Gy mildly activated bone formation, however 4 Gy or 8 Gy suppressed bone formation by decreasing cell numbers in the MC3T3-El osteoblastic cell line.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.71-75
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to determine the position of the mental foramen relative to the apices of the teeth based on panoramic radiographs in a Moroccan population. We also analyzed gender differences and the symmetry of location within individuals. Materials and Methods: Seven hundred ninety-four panoramic radiographs were evaluated with regard to the location and symmetry of the mental foramina in male and female subjects. The results were analyzed using Pearson's ${\chi}^2$ and Fisher's exact test. Results: Of the 794 panoramic radiographs, 377 met the inclusion criteria for at least one side. The mental foramen was located just below the apex of the second premolar in 62.7% of the patients and between the first and second premolars in 30%. It was symmetrically located in 79%. No statistically significant differences were found between males and females in the position and symmetry of the mental foramen. Conclusion: The most common position for the mental foramen in this sample was in line with the second premolar.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.85-96
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• 2019

Renewable energy is emerging as a reliable alternative source of energy, it is much safer, cleaner than conventional sources and has contributed significantly in this sector. However, there are still some challenges that needed to address this evolving technology. Artificial Intelligence (A. I.) can assess the past, optimize the present, and forecast the future. Therefore, A. I. will resolve most of these problems. Artificial intelligence is complex in nature, but it reduces error and aims to reach a greater degree of precision which make renewables smarter. This paper provides an overview of frequently used A. I. methods in solar energy applications. A sample algorithm is also provided for literature purposes and knowledge transfer.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.08a
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• pp.94-97
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• 2002

We report highly efficient phosphorescent-dye-doped polymeric light-emitting devices. The devices consist of a polymeric light-emitting layer comprising the phosphorescent dye, host, and matrix polymers. We patterned the phosphorescent-dye-doped polymeric layer with the LITI technique. The devices showed high efficiencies and good pattern quality to adapt to the development of full-color electroluminescent (EL) devices.