• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.663-672
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• 2024

The use of nanoparticles as a delivery system for a specific antigen could solve many limitations of mucosal vaccine applications, such as low immunogenicity, or antigen protection and stabilization. In this study, we tested the ability of nasally administered chitosan nanoparticles loaded with glycoprotein B of murine cytomegalovirus to induce an immune response in an animal model. The choice of chitosan nanoparticle type was made by in vitro evaluation of sorption efficiency and antigen release. Three types of chitosan nanoparticles were prepared: crosslinked with tripolyphosphate, coated with hyaluronic acid, and in complex with polycaprolactone. The hydrodynamic size of the nanoparticles by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, stability, loading efficiency, and release kinetics with ovalbumin were evaluated. Balb/c mice were immunized intranasally using the three-dose protocol with nanoparticles, gB, and adjuvants Poly(I:C) and CpG ODN. Subsequently, the humoral and cell-mediated antigen-specific immune response was determined. On the basis of the properties of the tested nanoparticles, the cross-linked nanoparticles were considered optimal for further investigation. The results show that nanoparticles with Poly(I:C) and with gB alone raised IgG antibody levels above the negative control. In the case of mucosal IgA, only gB alone weakly induced the production of IgA antibodies compared to saline-immunized mice. The number of activated cells increased slightly in mice immunized with nanoparticles and gB compared to those immunized with gB alone or to negative control. The results demonstrated that chitosan nanoparticles could have potential in the development of mucosal vaccines.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.228-241
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• 2021

Cremated archaeological bones provide crucial information to unravel the details of ancient cremation events and funeral culture. The research on cremated bones to date has been mainly focused on extracting archaeological information in Korea. Recently, the techniques of physical anthropology have been applied to obtain biological information and cremation temperatures for individuals. This study analyzed human remains excavated from Seoul Seokchon-dong Ancient Tombs and determined whether there were human cremations as well as the estimated cremation temperatures. There was no trace of fire in the pits where cremated bones were found; therefore, it is assumed that they were deposited with the artifacts. In this study, four samples were selected according to the surface color of the bones, and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used for analysis. All four of the Seokchon-dong cremated bones were found, based on the crystallization index of X-ray diffraction analysis, to have experienced cremation above the temperature of 700℃. Infrared spectroscopy results indicated that the four bones from Seokchon-dong were cremated at temperatures above 700℃ and below 1,000℃. IR peaks were observed at 700℃, whereas no changes were found when bones experienced more than 1000℃. We assume that the cremated people in the Seokchon-dong Tombs were people of high-status because cremation at such a high temperature at that period required much effort. Here we present significant evidence of the cremation status and temperature of archaeological human bones on the basis of XRD and FT-IR, allowing for the restoration of the cremation events and funeral culture in archaeological sites.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate value of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) as a negative oral contrast agent in MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Materials and methods : Forty-eight patients with suspected biliary tract or pancreatic diseases and six healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. All MR images were obtained using a 1.5 T MR unit. MR-CP using fat-suppressed half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) and turbo spin echo (TSE) techniques were performed and reconstructed with maximal intensity projection (MIP). To determine the most optimal concentration of SPIO to obliterate the high signal intensity of water, a phantom experiment was conducted with various concentrations of SPIO-water mixture. Two radiologists evaluated pre- and postcontrast MRCPS. The contrast enhancement was assessed on the basis of loss of signal intensity in the stomach and duodenum. Results : In the phantom experiment, a significant increase of percentage of signal intensity loss (PSIL) occurred in concentration of 22.4 ugFe/ml (Feridex1 ml diluted with water 500 ml). Postcontrast MRCP showed an improved image quality compared with precontrast images. The rate of improvement in the diagnosis of diseases of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct was 25% (12/48). Conclusion : In patients with suspected biliary tract and pancreatic diseases, the SPIO is useful as a negative oral contrast agent for MRCP and provides an improvement of image quality.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.275-280
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• 2012

Poly(amic acid)s were successfully synthesized from 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene (1,4-APB) or 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane (HFBAPP) with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3'-4,4'-benzopenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and $p$-phenylenediamine ($p$-PDA) and then they were effectively converted into polyimide films by thermal imidization. The chemical structure and thermo-mechanical properties of polyimide films were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA), thermo-mechanical analyzer, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and universal tensile machine (UTM). The moisture absorption, thermal and mechanical properties of polyimide films decreased with increasing the amount of 1,4-APB and HFBAPP. The polyimide films using HFBAPP showed lower properties than that of 1,4-APB at the same ratio, but it displayed better thermal properties and lower moisture absorption at the similar coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) with a copper. On the basis of our finding, it is concluded that 4-component polyimide films could be utilized for base films for flexible copper clad laminates (FCCL) of flexible printed circuit boards.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1996.05b
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• pp.233-240
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• 1996

Analyses of the viscous and end effects on electromagnetic (EM) pumps of annular linear induction type for the sodium coolant circulation in Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactors have been carried out based on the MHD laminar flow analysis and the electromagnetic field theory. A one-dimensional MHD analysis for the liquid metal flowing through an annular channel has been performed on the basis of a simplified model of equivalent current sheets instead of three-phase currents in the discrete primary windings. The calculations show that the developed pressure difference resulted from electromagnetic and viscous forces in the liquid metal is expressed in terms of the slip, and that the viscous loss effects are negligible compared with electromagnetic driving forces except in the low-slip region where the pumps operate with very high flow velocities comparable with the synchronous velocity of the electromagnetic fields, which is not applicable to the practical EM pumps. A two-dimensional electromagnetic field analysis based on an equivalent current sheet model has found the vector potentials in closed form by means of the Fourier transform method. The resultant magnetic fields and driving forces exerted on the liquid metal reveal that the end effects due to finiteness of the pump length are formidable. In addition, a two-dimensional numerical analysis for vector potentials has been performed by the SOR iterative method on a realistic EM pump model with discretely-distributed currents in the primary windings. The numerical computations for the distributions of magnetic fields and developed pressure differences along the pump axial length also show considerable end effects at both inlet and outlet ends, especially at high flow velocities. Calculations of each magnetic force contribution indicate that the end effects are originated from the magnetic force caused by the induced current ( u x B ) generated by the liquid metal movement across the magnetic field rather than the one (E) produced by externally applied magnetic fields by three-phase winding currents. It is concluded that since the influences of the end effects in addition to viscous losses are extensive particularly in high-velocity operations of the EM pumps, it is necessary to find ways to suppress them, such as proper selection of the pump parameters and compensation of the end effects.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.84-92
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• 2014

In this study, vibrational tendon tension measurement methods are applied to estimate tension of external tendons used in segmental post-tensioned bridges. The acceleration of various length type of tendons is measured and natural frequencies are obtained using FFT (Fast Fourier Transform). The obtained natural frequencies are within 1% error regardless of sensor direction and location. On the basis of natural frequency of tendon, estimation of the tendon tension is performed by using many types of solutions such as string theory equation, multi mode estimation, practical formula estimation and stiff string with clamped-clamped boundary conditions. The results are compared with each other and have shown that the flexural stiffness is not negligible in tendons of this type causing the vibration mode to be inharmonically related. The results have shown that the method using stiff string equation with clamped-clamped boundary conditions is more accurate than the other methods. Application example of in-service bridges has shown that force distribution effects from friction at deviation blocks can be effectively detected.