• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.304-315
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• 2018

Harmony Search (HS) is a recently developed metaheuristic algorithm that is widely known to many researchers. However, due to the increasing complexity of optimization problems, the optimal solution cannot be efficiently found by HS. To overcome this problem, there have been many studies that have improved the performance of HS by modifying the parameter settings and incorporating other metaheuristic algorithms. In this study, Copycat HS (CcHS) is suggested, which improves the parameter setting method and the performance of searching for the optimal solution. To verify the performance of CcHS, the results were compared to those of HS variants with a set of well-known mathematical benchmark problems. The effectiveness of CcHS was proven by finding final solutions that are closer to the global optimum than other algorithms in all problems. To analyze the applicability of CcHS to engineering optimization problems, it was applied to a design problem for Water Distribution Systems (WDS), which is widely applied in previous research. As a result, CcHS proposed the minimum design cost, which was 21.91% cheaper than the cost suggested by simple HS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.605-612
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• 2000

Background: Ischemic preconditioning enhances the tolerance of myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury, with the enhancement of the recovery of post-ischemic myocardial function. This study was disigned to assess whether the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning could provide one additional hour of myocardial preservation in four hour myocardial ischemia in a rate heart. Material and method: Fourty four Spargue-Dawley rats, weighing 300~450gm, were divided into four groups. Group 1(n=7) and group 3(n=12) were subjected to 30 minutes of aerobic Langendorff perfusion without ischemic preconditioning and then preserved in saline solution at 2~4$^{\circ}C$ for 4 hours and 5 respectively. Group 2(n=7) and group 4(n=18) were perfused in the same way for 20 minutes, followed by 3 minutes of global mormothermic ischemia and 10 minutes of perfusion and then preserved in the same cold saline solution for 4 hours and 5 hours respectively. Heart rate, left ventricular developed pressure(LVDP), and coronary flow were measured at 15 minutes during perfusion as baseline. Spontaneous defibrillation time was measured after reperfusion. Heart rate, LVDP, and coronary flow were also recorded at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes during reperfusion. Samples of the apical left ventricular wall were studied using a transmission electron microscope. Result: Time of spontaneous defibrillation(TSD) was significantly longer in group 4 than in group 1(p<0.001), and TSD in group 1 was significantly longer in comparision to that of group 2(p<0.05). Heart rate at 45 minutes was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 4(p<0.05). Heart rate at 15 min was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1(p<0.001) and in group 4 than in group 3(p<0.05). Left ventricular developed pressure(LVDP) at 30 minutes and 45 minutes was higher in group 1 than in group 4(p<0.01), LVDP at 45 minutes was higher in group 4 than in group 3(p<0.05). Rate-pressure product(RPP) at 30 minutes and 45 minutes was higher in group 1 than in group 4(p<0.05). RPP at 15 minutes was higher in group 2 than in group 1(p<0.01). RPP at 30 minutes and 45 minutes was higher in group 4 than in group 3(p<0.05). Group 2 showed relatively less sarcoplasmic edema and less nuclear chromatin clearance than group 1. Group 4 showed less myocardial cell damage than group 3, group 4 showed less myocardial cell damage than group 3, group 4 showed more myocardial cell edema than group 1. Conclusion: Ischemic preconditioning enhanced the recovery of postischemic myocardial function after 4 hours and 5 hours preservation. However, it was not demonstrated that ischemic preconditioning could definitely provide one additional hour of myocardial preservation in four hour myocardial ischemia in a rat heart.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2014

Discussions for water resources vulnerability and index development with sustainable concept are actively being made in recent years. Based on such index, water resources vulnerability of present and future is determined and diagnosed. This study calculated the water resources vulnerability rankings by 152 nations, using indicator related to water resources assessment that can be obtained from World Bank, VRI (Vulnerability Resilience Indicator), ESI (Environmental Sustainability Index). In order to quantitatively assess of water resources vulnerability based on this indicator, TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) technique was applied to index water vulnerability and to determine the rankings by nations. As a results, South Korea was ranked as the 88th among the 152 nations including Korea. Among the continents, Oceania was the least vulnerable and Afirica was the most vulnerable in continents. WUnited State, Japan, Korea and China were vulnerable in order among the major countries. Therefore, water resources vulnerability rankings by nations in this study helps us to better understand the situation of South Korea and provide the data for water resources planning and measure.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.241-246
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• 2008

Increase of $CO_2$ by using fossil fuels makes mainly global warming and the international efforts to reduce the $CO_2$ emission is being promoted. Absorption process using aqueous alkanolamine solution to remove acid components in the mixed gases has been used commercially. This method was used to remove $CO_2$ in the flue gas in recent years. $CO_2$ Absorption characteristics of several aqueous alkanolamine solutions such as MEA, DEA and AMP was studied by measuring vapor-liquid-equilibrium(VLE) and absorption velocity in this study. VLE measuring equipment, shell and reactor type, was used to acquire VLE data, equilibrium $CO_2$ pressure(${P_{CO_2}}^*$) and time at each pulse gas input. We also acquired the $CO_2$ absorption velocity by measuring the time to arrive the VLE at $40{\sim}80^{\circ}C$ and first gas input. The $CO_2$ absorption capacity of MEA 10wt% solution was higher than two alkanolamine solutions at $40^{\circ}C$ and the equilibrium $CO_2$ loading was 0.5. Absorption capacity was excellent as follows; AMP>DEA>MEA. But absorption velocity was fast as follows; MEA>AMP>DEA. Though good absorbent was considered by many variables, absorption velocity and capacity was more important factor.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2013

Lowering surface reflectance of Si wafers by texturization is one of the most important processes for improving the efficiency of Si solar cells. This paper presents the results on the effect of texturing using acidic solution mixtures containing the catalytic agents to moderate etching rates on the surface morphology of mc-Si wafer as well as on the performance parameters of solar cell. It was found that the treatment of contaminated crystalline silicon wafer with $HNO_3-H_2O_2-H_2O$ solution before the texturing helps the removal of organic contaminants due to its oxidizing properties and thereby allows the formation of nucleation centers for texturing. This treatment combined with the use of a catalytic agent such as phosphoric acid improved the effects of the texturing effects. This reduced the reflectance of the surface, thereby increased the short circuit current and the conversion efficiency of the solar cell. Employing this technique, we were able to fabricate mc-Si solar cell of 16.4% conversion efficiency with anti-reflective (AR) coating of silicon nitride film using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and Si wafers can be texturized in a short time.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 1998

The catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide has been studied for the fixation of carbon dioxide to mitigate global warming problems, but it needed hydrogen, which the price is still high. Recently, the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide has been drawn attractions because carbon dioxide could be converted to the valuable chemicals such as methane, ethane and alcohols electrochemically in the electrolyte solution using a catalytic electrode. This system is simple because the water electrolysis and hydrogenation take place at the same time using the surplus electricity at midnight. In this work, a continuous electrochemical reduction system was fabricated, which was composed of the reduction electrode (copper or perovskite type, $2{\times}2cm^2$), reference electrode(platinum, $2{\times}6cm^2$), standard electrode(Ag/AgCl), and potassium bicarbonate electrolyte solution saturated with carbon dioxide. The quality and quantity of the products and reduction current were analyzed, according to the electrolyte concentration and electrode type.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1519-1526
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• 2010

The behavior of peptide or protein solutes in saline aqueous solution is a fundamental topic in physical chemistry. Addition of ions can strongly alter the thermodynamic and physical properties of peptide molecules in solution. In order to study the effects of added ionic salts on protein conformation and dynamics, we have used the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the behavior of Staphylococcus aureus Hfq protein under two different ionic concentrations: 0.1 M NaCl and 1.0 M NaCl in presence and absence of RNA (a hepta-oligoribonucleotide AU5G). Hfq, a global regulator of gene expression is highly conserved and abundant RNA-binding protein. It is already reported that in vivo the increase of ionic strength results in a drastic reduction of Hfq affinity for $Q{\beta}$ RNA and reduces the tendency of aggregation of Escherichia coli host factor hexamers. Our results revealed the crucial role of 0.1 M NaCl Hfq system on the bases with strong hydrogen bonding interactions and by stabilizing the aromatic stacking of Tyr42 residue of the adjacent subunits/monomers with the adenine and uridine nucleobases. An increase in RNA pore diameter and weakened compactness of the Hfq-RNA complex was clearly observed in 1.0 M NaCl Hfq system with bound RNA. Aggregation of monomers in Hfq and the interaction of Hfq with RNA are greatly affected due to the presence of high ionic strength. Higher the ionic concentration, weaker is the aggregation and interaction. Our results were compatible with the experimental data and this is the first theoretical report for the experimental study done in 1980 by Uhlenbeck group for the present system.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.443-454
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• 2013

Various metal ions (transition and base metals) incorporated MCM-41 catalysts can be synthesized using colloidal and soluble silica with non-sodium involved process. Transition metal ion-typically $V^{5+}$, $Co^{2+}$, and $Ni^{2+}$-incorporated MCM-41 catalysts were synthesized by isomorphous substitution of Si ions in the framework. Each incorporated metal ion created a single species in the silica framework, single-site solid catalyst, showing a substantial stability in reduction and catalytic activity. Radius of pore curvature effect was investigated with Co-MCM-41 by temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The size of metallic Co clusters, sub-nanometer, could be controlled by a proper reduction treatment of Co-MCM-41 having different pore size and the initial pH adjustment of the Co-MCM-41 synthesis solution. These small metallic clusters showed a high stability under a harsh reaction condition without serious migration, resulting from a direct anchoring of small metallic clusters to the partially or unreduced metal ions on the surface. After a complete reduction, partial occlusion of the metallic cluster surface by amorphous silica stabilized the particles against aggregations. As a probe reaction of particle size sensitivity, carbon single wall nanotubes (SWNT) were synthesized using Co-MCM-41. A metallic cluster stability test was performed by CO methanation using Co- and Ni-MCM-41. Methanol and methane partial oxidations were carried out with V-MCM-41, and the radius of pore curvature effect on the catalytic activity was investigated.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.499-512
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• 2016

The boundary reaction method(BRM) is a substructure time domain method, it removes global iterations between frequency and time domain analyses commonly required in the hybrid approaches, so that it operates as a two-step uncoupled method. The BRM offers a two-step method as follows: (1) the calculation of boundary reaction forces in the frequency domain on an interface of linear and nonlinear regions, (2) solving the wave radiation problem subjected to the boundary reaction forces in the time domain. In the time domain analysis, the near-field soil is modeled to simulate the wave radiation problem. This paper evaluates the performance of the BRM according to modeling extent of near-field soil for the nonlinear SSI analysis of base-isolated NPP structure. For this purpose, parametric studies are performed using equivalent linear SSI problems. The accuracy of the BRM solution is evaluated by comparing the BRM solution with that of conventional SSI seismic technique. The numerical results show that the soil condition affects the modeling range of near-field soil for the BRM analysis as well as the size of the basemat. Finally, the BRM is applied for the nonlinear SSI analysis of a base-isolated NPP structure to demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the method.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.133-160
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• 2006

Objectives : Scolopendrae Corpus has a broad array of clinical applications in Korean medicine, including treatment of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. To explore the global gene expression profiles in human Raw cell lines treated with Scolopendrae Corpus herbal-acupuncture solution (SCHAS), cDNA microarray analysis was performed. Methods : The Raw 264.7 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), SCHAS, or both. The primary data was normalized by the total spots of intensity between two groups, and then normalized by the intensity ratio of reference genes such as housekeeping genes in both groups. The expression ratio was converted to log2 ratio. Normalized spot intensities were calculated into gene expression ratios between the control and treatment groups. Greater than 2 fold changes between two groups were considered to be of significance. Results : Of the 8 K genes profiled in this study, with a cut-off level of two-fold change in the expression, 20 genes (BCL2-related protein A1, MARCKS-like 1, etc.) were upregulated and 5 genes (activated RNA polymerase II transcription cofactor 4, calcium binding atopy-related autoantigen 1, etc.) downregulated following LPS treatment. 139 genes (kell blood group precursor (McLeod phenotype), ribosomal protein S7, etc.) were upregulated and 42 genes (anterior gradient 2 homolog (xenopus laevis), phosphodiesterase 8B, etc.) were downregulated following SCHAS treatment. And 10 genes (yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae intergeneic sequence 4-1, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1, etc.) were upregulated and 8 genes (spermatid perinuclear RNA binding protein, nuclear receptor binding protein 2, etc.) were downregulated following co-stimulation of SCHAS and LPS. Discussions : It is thought that microarrays will play an ever-growing role in the advance of our understanding of the pharmacological actions of SCHAS in the treatment of arthritis. But further studies are required to concretely prove the effectiveness of SCHAS.