• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.1335-1343
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• 2022

COVID-19 is an emerging disease that poses a severe threat to global public health. As such, there is an urgent demand for vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Here, we describe a virus-like nanoparticle candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 produced by an E. coli expression system. The fusion protein of a truncated ORF2-encoded protein of aa 439~608 (p170) from hepatitis E virus CCJD-517 and the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 were expressed, purified and characterized. The antigenicity and immunogenicity of p170-RBD were evaluated in vitro and in Kunming mice. Our investigation revealed that p170-RBD self-assembled into approximately 24 nm virus-like particles, which could bind to serum from vaccinated people (p < 0.001) and receptors on cells. Immunization with p170-RBD induced the titer of IgG antibody vaccine increased from 14 days post-immunization and was significantly enhanced after a booster immunization at 28 dpi, ultimately reaching a peak level on 42 dpi with a titer of 4.97 log₁₀. Pseudovirus neutralization tests showed that the candidate vaccine induced a strong neutralizing antibody response in mice. In this research, we demonstrated that p170-RBD possesses strong antigenicity and immunogenicity and could be a potential candidate for use in future SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.855-869
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic disease with an increasing incidence globally; therefore, there is a growing demand for natural compounds effective in treating dermatitis. In this study, the protective effects of Lycium barbarum leaves with and without chlorophyll (LLE and LLE[Ch-]) on AD were investigated in animal models of AD and HaCaT cells. Further, we investigated whether LLE and LLE(Ch-) show any differences in physiological activity. MATERIALS/METHODS: AD was induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) for three weeks, while NC/Nga mice were fed LLE or LLE(Ch-) extracts for 7 weeks. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and cytokine (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-4) concentrations and the degree of DNA fragmentation in lymphocytes were examined. A histopathological examination (haematoxylin & eosin staining and blue spots of toluidine) of the dorsal skin of mice was performed. To elucidate the mechanism of action, the expression of the thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) were measured in HaCaT cells. RESULTS: Serum IgE and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) levels as well as DNA fragmentation of lymphocytes were significantly decreased in AD-induced mice treated with LLE or LLE(Ch-) compared to those of the control group. The epidermal thickness of the dorsal skin and mast cell infiltration in the LLE group significantly reduced compared to that in the control group. The LLE extracts showed no cytotoxicity up to 1,000 ㎍/mL in HaCaT cells. LLE or LLE(Ch-)-treated group showed a reduction of TARC and MDC in TNF-α-and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that LLE potentially improves inflammation by reducing the expression of chemokines that inhibit T helper 2 cell migration. LLE(Ch-) showed similar effects to LLE on blood levels of IgE, TNF-α and IL-6 and protein expression in HaCat cells, but the ultimate effect of skin improvement was not statistically significant. Therefore, both LLE and LLE(Ch-) can be used as functional materials to alleviate AD, but LLE(Ch-) appears to require more research to improve inflammation.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.29-41
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• 2024

The increasing demand for metallic minerals due to global growth and the continued exploitation of near-surface minerals requires safe and efficient ways to mine ores present in deep mines. In deep mines, stresses concentrated around the cavity increase, which can lead to problems such as induced seismicity and rockbursts. In addition, the transfer of energy from blasting to deeply located faults can cause fault slip, which can lead to earthquakes, and controlling these events is key to deep mining methods. In this technical report, we will introduce the Underhand Closed Bench (UCB) mining method, which can control possible accidents and increase productivity when mining in deep mines.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.137-151
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• 2011

This dissertation aims to empirically analyze the effect of cultivation of software industry on the local economy through Inter-regional Software Input-Output Analysis. The temporal range of analysis of effect of software industry on the local economy shall be for the year 2005 since analysis is made on the basis of the Regional Industrial Input-Output Table published by the Bank of Korea in 2005, and spatial domain shall be limited to the 16 metropolitan cities and provinces, which are the standards for each administrative zone. Results of analysis of this dissertation are as follows. Firstly, average inverse matrix coefficient of software industry for each region was computed to be 1.6248, which is lower than the average inverse matrix coefficient of 1.7979 for the entire industries. Secondly, among these, inverse matrix coefficient of software industry for each region on other industry within the same region was 0.1794, which is higher than that of entire industries at 0.1382. However, average inverse matrix coefficients of software industry for each region on self-industry within the same region and entire industries in other regions were found to be 1.0119 and 0.4335, respectively, which is lower than those of entire industries at 1.0982 and 0.5616, respectively. Thirdly, domestic produces induced by final demand items of software industry for each region was the highest for Seoul with 17.3309 trillion Korean won, accounting for 81.0% of the total, followed by Gyeonggi with 2.3370 trillion Korean won, 10.9% of the total. Fourthly, distribution ratios of domestic produces induced by final demand items of software industry for each region were found to be 19.1%, 72.1% and 8.8% with respect to the weight of consumption, investment and export, respectively, thereby illustrating very high level of distribution ratios of domestic produces being induced by investment in comparison to the distribution ratios of domestic produces being induced for the entire industries at 47.3%, 19.8% and 32.9%, respectively.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.379-399
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• 2015

Existing building structures can easily present material mechanical properties which can largely vary even within a single structure. The current European Technical Code, Eurocode 8, does not provide specific instructions to account for high variability in mechanical properties. As a consequence of the high strength variability, at the occurrence of seismic events, the structure may evidence unexpected phenomena, like torsional effects, with larger experienced deformations and, in turn, with reduced seismic performance. This work is focused on the torsional effects related to the irregular stiffness and strength distribution due to the concrete strength variability. The analysis has been performed on a case-study, i.e., a 3D RC framed 4 storey building. A Normal distribution, compatible to a large available database, has been taken to represent the concrete strength domain. Different plan layouts, representative of realistic stiffness distributions, have been considered, and a statistical analysis has been performed on the induced torsional effects. The obtained results have been compared to the standard analysis as provided by Eurocode 8 for existing buildings, showing that the Eurocode 8 provisions, despite not allowing explicitly for material strength variability, are conservative as regards the estimation of structural demand.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.26.1-26.1
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• 2009

A simple route of external mechanical force is presented for enhancing the electrical properties of polymer nanocomposite consisted of nanowires. By dispersing ZnO nanowires in polymer solution and drop casting on substrates, nanocomposite transistors containing ZnO nanowires are successfully fabricated. Even though the ZnO nanowires density is properly controlled for device fabrication, as-cast device doesn't show any detectable currents, because nanowires are separated far from each other with the insulating polymer matrix intervening between them. Compared to the device pressed at 300 kPa, the device pressed at 600 kPa currents increased by 50times showing the linear behavior against drain voltage and exhibits promising electrical properties, which operates in the depletion mode with higher mobility and on-current. Such an improved device performance would be realized by the contacts improvement and the increase of the number of electrical path induced by external force. This approach provides a viable solution for serious contact resistance problem of nanocomposite materials and promises for future manufacturing of high-performance devices.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.99-116
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• 2004

This study estimates the determinants of national health expenditures of OECD countries using panel regression method. The data used are OECD Health Data(2003) covering 33 countries and from 1970 to 2001. This study shows several important different results compared to the previous studies. Further this study estimates the determinants of Korean case using data from 1m to 2000, and compare with the results of OECD panel. The main findings are as follows. The income elasticity of health expenditures is estimated below 1.0, but is shown above 1.0 when the different health systems of each country are controlled. The women's labor participation influences strongly positive effect on the health expenditures. The diffusion of new technologies is positively related with the increasing expense. The increasing government expenditures have a tendency not to contain health expenses, but to increase expenses. The expansion of public health insurance holders is containing the expenses, and the increasing number of doctors is pushing expenditures. This implies the health expenditures are influenced more by the induced demand of providers rather than the moral hazard of patients. However, the above result is opposite in Korean case. The existence of primary care doctors affects slightly up warding rather than containing expenditures. Finally the determinants are seriously depending upon which factors are included in the model and which statistical model is chosen. Therefore it must be cautious to interpret the results of statistical model.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• v.2 no.6
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• pp.11-16
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• 2008

In order to satisfy the customer's variant needs for a product quality in recent years, a demand for developing higher precision machining technologies in a lot of application areas such as automobile, cellular phone and semiconductor has been increased more and more. Micro-magnetic induced polishing(${\mu}-MIP$) process is one of these precision technologies. In this study, to verify the parameters' effect of the ${\mu}-MIP$ process on the surface roughness improvement of the inclined workpiece, well planned experiment which was called the design of experiments was carried out. Considered parameters were spindle speed, inductor current, abrasive configuration and working gap between the workpiece and the solid tool. As a result, it was seen that the inductor current and the working gap greatly affected the surface roughness improvement. And to predict the surface roughness of the inclined workpiece, S/N ratio and first-order response surface model was developed.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.823-832
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• 2009

In recent years, special concerns have been raised about the safety assessment of foods and food ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A growing number of countries establish regulations and laws for GMOs in order to allow consumers an informed choice. In this case, a lot of methods have been developed for the detection of GMOs. However, the reproducibility among methods and laboratories is still a problem. Consequently, it is still in great demand for more effective methods. In comparison with the gel electrophoresis, the capillary electrophoresis (CE) technology has some unique advantages, such as high resolution efficiency and less time consumption. Therefore, some CE-based methods have been developed for the detection of GMOs in recent years. All kinds of CE detection methods, such as ultraviolet (UV), laser induced fluorescence (LIF), and chemiluminescence (CL) detection, have been used for GMOs detection. Microchip capillary electrophoresis (MCE) methods have also been used for GMOs detection and they have shown some unique advantages.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2018

Background: Diagnostic imaging fee had been reduced in May 2011, but it was recovered after 6 months because of strong opposition of medical providers. This study aimed to analyze the behavior of medical providers according to fee changes. Methods: The National Health Insurance claims data between November 2010 and December 2012 were used. The number of exams per computed tomography was analyzed to verify that the fee changes increased or decreased the number of exams. Multivariate regression model were applied. Results: The monthly number of exams increased by 92.5% after fee reduction, so the diagnostic imaging spending were remained before it. But medical provider decreased the number of exams after fee return. After adjusting characteristic of hospitals, fee reduction increased the monthly number of exams by 48.0% in a regression model. Regardless type of hospitals and severity of disease, the monthly number of exams increased during period of fee reduction. The number of exams in large-scaled hospitals (tertiary and general hospital) were increased more than those of small-scaled hospitals. Conclusion: Fee-reduction increased unnecessary diagnostic exams under the fee-for-service system. It is needed to define appropriate exam and change reimbursement system on the basis of guideline.