• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2022

Background: Herbal medicines are popular approaches to capably prevent and treat obesity and its related diseases. Excessive exposure to dietary lipids causes oxidative stress and inflammation, which possibly induces cellular senescence and contribute the damaging effects in brain. The potential roles of selective enhanced ginsenoside in regulating high fat diet (HFD)-induced brain damage remain unknown. Methods: The protection function of Ginsenoside F1-enhanced mixture (SGB121) was evaluated by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Human primary astrocytes and SH-SY5Y cells were treated with palmitic acid conjugated Bovine Serum Albumin, and the effects of SGB121 were determined by MTT and lipid uptake assays. For in vivo tests, C57BL/6J mice were fed with high fat diet for 3 months with or without SGB121 administration. Thereafter, immunohistochemistry, western blot, PCR and ELISA assays were conducted with brain tissues. Results and conclusion: SGB121 selectively suppressed HFD-induced oxidative stress and cellular senescence in brain, and reduced subsequent inflammation responses manifested by abrogated secretion of IL-6, IL-1β and TNFα via NF-κB signaling pathway. Interestingly, SGB121 protects against HFD-induced damage by improving mitophagy and endoplasmic reticulum-stress associated autophagy flux and inhibiting apoptosis. In addition, SGB121 regulates lipid uptake and accumulation by FATP4 and PPARα. SGB121 significantly abates excessively phosphorylated tau protein in the cortex and GFAP activation in corpus callosum. Together, our results suggest that SGB121 is able to favor the resistance of brain to HFD-induced damage, therefore provide explicit evidence of the potential to be a functional food.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.154-165
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• 1993

A stochastic method using continuous time Markov process is presented to model the one-dimensional convective nuclide transport in geologic media, which have usually heterogeneous feature in physical/geochemical parameters such as velocity, dispersion coefficient, and retardation factor resulting poor description by conventional deterministic advection-dispersion model. The primary desired quantities from a stochastic model are the mean values and variance of the state variables as a function of time. The time-dependent probability distributions of nuclides are presented for each discretized compartment given the volumetric groundwater flux and the intensity of transition. Since this model is discrete in medium space, physical/geochemical parameters which affect nuclide transport can be easily incorporated for the heterogeneous media as well as remarkably layered media having spatially varied parameters. Even though the Markov process model developed in this study was shown to be sensitive to the number of discretized compartments showing numerical dispersion as the number of compartments are increased, this could be easily calibrated by comparing with the analytical deterministic model.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.4195-4208
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• 2022

In this study, operator habitability was numerically evaluated in the event of a fire at the main control bench board (MCB) in a reference main control room (MCR). It was investigated if evacuation variables including hot gas layer temperature (HGLT), heat flux (HF), and optical density (OD) at 1.8 m from the MCR floor exceed the reference evacuation criteria provided in NUREG/CR-6850. For a fire model validation, the simulation results of the reference MCR were compared with existing experimental results on the same reference MCR. In the simulation, various input parameters were applied to the MCB panel fire scenario: MCR height, peak heat release rate (HRR) of a panel, number of panels where fire propagation occurs, fire propagation time, door open/close conditions, and mechanical ventilation operation. A specialized-average HRR (SAHRR) concept was newly devised to comprehensively investigate how the various input parameters affect the operator's habitability. Peak values of the evacuation variables normalized by evacuation criteria of NUREG/CR-6850 were well-correlated as the power function of the SAHRR for the various input parameters. In addition, the evacuation time map was newly utilized to investigate how the evacuation time for different SAHRR was affected by changing the various input parameters. In the previous studies, it was found that the OD is the most dominant variable to determine the MCR evacuation time. In this study, however, the evacuation time map showed that the HF is the most dominant factor at the condition of without-mechanical ventilation for the MCR with a partially-open false ceiling, but the OD is the most dominant factor for all the other conditions. Therefore, the method using the SAHRR and the evacuation time map was very useful to effectively and comprehensively evaluate the operator habitability for the various input parameters in the event of MCB fires for the reference MCR.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.919-926
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• 2023

To analyze the cause of the destruction of thin, carbon-backed lithium fluoride targets during a measurement of the fusion of ⁷Li and ¹⁷O, we estimate theoretically the lifetimes of carbon and LiF films due to sputtering, thermal evaporation, and lattice damage and compare them with the lifetime observed in the experiment. Sputtering yields and thermal evaporation rates in carbon and LiF films are too low to play significant roles in the destruction of the targets. We estimate the lifetime of the target due to lattice damage of the carbon backing and the LiF film using a previously reported model. In the experiment, elastically scattered target and beam ions were detected by surface silicon barrier (SSB) detectors so that the product of the beam flux and the target density could be monitored during the experiment. The areas of the targets exposed to different beam intensities and fluences were degraded and then perforated, forming holes with a diameter around the beam spot size. Overall, the target thickness tends to decrease linearly as a function of the beam fluence. However, the thickness also exhibits an increasing interval after SSB counts per beam ion decreases linearly, extending the target lifetime. The lifetime of thin LiF film as determined by lattice damage is calculated for the first time using a lattice damage model, and the calculated lifetime agrees well with the observed target lifetime during the experiment. In experiments using a thin LiF target to induce nuclear reactions, this study suggests methods to predict the lifetime of the LiF film and arrange the experimental plan for maximum efficiency.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.1021-1030
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• 2023

We propose an overall procedure for measuring and unfolding fast neutron spectra using a trans-stilbene scintillation detector. Detector characterization was described, including the information on energy calibration, detector resolution, and nonproportionality response. The digital charge comparison method was used for the investigation of neutron-gamma Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD). A pair of values of 600 ns pulse width and 24 ns delay time was found as the optimized conditions for PSD. A fitting technique was introduced to increase the trans-stilbene Proton Response Function (PRF) by 28% based on comparison of the simulated and experimental electron-equivalent distributions by the Cf-252 source. The detector response matrix was constructed by Monte-Carlo simulation and the spectrum unfolding was implemented using the iterative Bayesian method. The unfolding of simulated and measured spectra of Cf-252 and AmBe neutron sources indicates reliable, stable and no-bias results. The unfolding technique was also validated by the measured cosmic-ray induced neutron flux. Our approach is promising for fast neutron detection and spectroscopy.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.40.3-41
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• 2021

Minor mergers leave behind long lived, but extremely faint and extended tidal features including tails, streams, loops and plumes. These act as a fossil record for the host galaxy's past interactions, allowing us to infer recent accretion histories and place constraints on the properties and nature of a galaxy's dark matter halo. However, shallow imaging or small homogeneous samples of past surveys have resulted in weak observational constraints on the role of galaxy mergers and interactions in galaxy assembly. The Rubin Observatory, which is optimised to deliver fast, wide field-of-view imaging, will enable deep and unbiased observations over the 18,000 square degrees of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), resulting in samples of potentially of millions of objects undergoing tidal interactions. Using realistic mock images produced with state-of-the-art cosmological simulations we perform a comprehensive theoretical investigation of the extended diffuse light around galaxies and galaxy groups down to low stellar mass densities. We consider the nature, frequency and visibility of tidal features and debris across a range of environments and stellar masses as well as their reliability as an indicator of galaxy accretion histories. We consider how observational biases such as projection effects, the point-spread-function and survey depth may effect the proper characterisation and measurement of tidal features, finding that LSST will be capable of recovering much of the flux found in the outskirts of L* galaxies at redshifts beyond local volume. In our simulated sample, tidal features are ubiquitous In L* galaxies and remain common even at significantly lower masses (M*>10^10 Msun). The fraction of stellar mass found in tidal features increases towards higher masses, rising to 5-10% for the most massive objects in our sample (M*~10^11.5 Msun). Such objects frequently exhibit many distinct tidal features often with complex morphologies, becoming increasingly numerous with increased depth. The interpretation and characterisation of such features can vary significantly with orientation and imaging depth. Our findings demonstrate the importance of accounting for the biases that arise from projection effects and surface-brightness limits and suggest that, even after the LSST is complete, much of the discovery space in low surface-brightness Universe will remain to be explored.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.525-534
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• 2021

Objective: To assess the effect of left atrial appendage (LAA) isolation on LAA emptying and left atrial (LA) function using cardiac MRI in patients who underwent successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 84 patients (mean age, 59 ± 10 years; 67 males) who underwent cardiac MRI after successful catheter ablation of AF. According to the electrical activity of LAA after catheter ablation, patients showed either LAA isolation or LAA normal activity. The LAA emptying phase (LAA-EP, in the systolic phase [SP] or diastolic phase), LAA emptying flux (LAA-EF, mL/s), and LA ejection fraction (LAEF, %) were evaluated by cardiac MRI. Results: Of the 84 patients, 61 (73%) and 23 (27%) patients showed LAA normal activity and LAA isolation, respectively. Incidence of LAA emptying in SP was significantly higher in LAA isolation (91% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) than in LAA normal activation. LAA-EF was significantly lower in LAA isolation (40.1 ± 16.2 mL/s vs. 80.2 ± 25.1 mL/s, p < 0.001) than in LAA normal activity. Furthermore, LAEF was significantly lower in LAA isolation (23.7% ± 11.2% vs. 31.1% ± 16.6%, p = 0.04) than in LAA normal activity. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the LAA-EP was independent from LAEF (p = 0.01). Conclusion: LAA emptying in SP may be a critical characteristic of LAA isolation, and it may adversely affect the LAEF after catheter ablation of AF.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.105-105
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• 2009

$ZrO_2$ is one of the most attractive high dielectric constant (high-k) materials. As integrated circuit device dimensions continue to be scaled down, high-k materials have been studied more to resolve the problems for replacing the EY31conventional $SiO_2$. $ZrO_2$ has many favorable properties as a high dielectric constant (k= 20~25), wide band gap (5~7 eV) as well as a close thermal expansion coefficient with Si that results in good thermal stability of the $ZrO_2/Si$ structure. In order to get fine-line patterns, plasma etching has been studied more in the fabrication of ultra large-scale integrated circuits. The relation between the etch characteristics of high-k dielectric materials and plasma properties is required to be studied more to match standard processing procedure with low damaged removal process. Due to the easy control of ion energy and flux, low ownership and simple structure of the inductively coupled plasma (ICP), we chose it for high-density plasma in our study. And the $BCl_3$ included in the gas due to the effective extraction of oxygen in the form of $BCl_xO_y$ compound In this study, the surface kinetic properties of $ZrO_2$ thin film was investigated in function of Ch addition to $BCl_3/Ar$ gas mixture ratio, RF power and DC-bias power based on substrate temperature. The figure 1 showed the etch rate of $ZrO_2$ thin film as function of gas mixing ratio of $Cl_2/BCl_3/Ar$ dependent on temperature. The chemical state of film was investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The characteristics of the plasma were estimated using optical emission spectroscopy (OES). Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) was used for elemental analysis of etched surface.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.342-343
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• 2013

AlSb is a promising material for optical devices, particularly for high-frequency and nonlinear-optical applications. And AlSb offers significant potential for devices such as quantum-well lasers, laser diodes, and heterojunction bipolar transistors. In this work we study molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth of an unstrained AISb film on a GaAs substrate and identify the real-time monitoring capabilities of in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The samples were fabricated on semi-insulating (0 0 1) GaAs substrates using MBE system. A rotating sample stage ensured uniform film growth. The substrate was first heated to $620^{\circ}C$ under As2 to remove surface oxides. A GaAs buffer layer approximately 200 nm- thick was then grown at $580^{\circ}C$. During the temperature changing process from $580^{\circ}C$ to $530^{\circ}C$, As2 flux is maintained with the shutter for Ga being closed and the reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) pattern remaining at ($2{\times}4$). Upon reaching the preset temperature of $530^{\circ}C$, As shutter was promptly closed with Sb shutter open, resulting in the change of RHEED pattern from ($2{\times}4$) to ($1{\times}3$). This was followed by the growth of AlSb while using a rotating-compensator SE with a charge-coupled-device (CCD) detector to obtain real-time SE spectra from 0.74 to 6.48 eV. Fig. 1 shows the real time measured SE spectra of AlSb on GaAs in growth process. In the Fig. 1 (a), a change of ellipsometric parameter ${\Delta}$ is observed. The ${\Delta}$ is the parameter which contains thickness information of the sample, and it changes in a periodic from 0 to 180o with growth. The significant change of ${\Delta}$ at~0.4 min means that the growth of AlSb on GaAs has been started. Fig. 1b shows the changes of dielectric function with time over the range 0.74~6.48 eV. These changes mean phase transition from pseudodielectric function of GaAs to AlSb at~0.44 min. Fig. 2 shows the observed RHEED patterns in the growth process. The observed RHEED pattern of GaAs is ($2{\times}4$), and the pattern changes into ($1{\times}3$) with starting the growth of AlSb. This means that the RHEED pattern is in agreement with the result of SE measurements. These data show the importance and sensitivity of SE for real-time monitoring for materials growth by MBE. We performed the real-time monitoring of AlSb growth by using SE measurements, and it is good agreement with the results of RHEED pattern. This fact proves the importance and the sensitivity of SE technique for the real-time monitoring of film growth by using ellipsometry. We believe that these results will be useful in a number of contexts including more accurate optical properties for high speed device engineering.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.991-1000
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• 2011

The relationship between discharge (Q) and suspended sediment (SS) concentration often is used for the estimation of inflow SS concentration in reservoir turbidity modeling in the absence of actual measurements. The power function, SS=aQb, is the most commonly used empirical relation to determine the SS load assuming the SS flux is controlled by variations of discharge. However, Q-SS relation typically is site specific and can vary depending on the season of the year. In addition, the relation sometimes shows hysteresis during rising limb and falling limb for an event hydrograph. The objective of this study was to examine the hysteresis of Q-SS relationships through continuous field measurements during flood events at inflow rivers of Yongdam Reservoir and Soyang Reservoir, and to analyze its effect on the bias of SS load estimation. The results confirmed that Q-SS relations display a high degree of scatter and clock-wise hysteresis during flood events, and higher SS concentrations were observed during rising limb than falling limb at the same discharge. The hysteresis caused significant bias and underestimation of SS loading to the reservoirs when the power function is used, which is important consideration in turbidity modeling for the reservoirs. As an alternative of Q-SS relation, turbidity-SS relation is suggested. The turbidity-SS relations showed less variations and dramatically reduced the bias with observed SS loading. Therefore, a real-time monitoring of inflow turbidity is necessary to better estimate of SS influx to the reservoirs and enhance the reliability of reservoir turbidity modeling.