• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.298-306
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• 2022

Pathological tissue fixation using formalin has been widely used for histological samples in many hospitals and institutions. In general, formalin fixatives were either manufactured in laboratories or purchased commercially because of the risks and environmental concerns of handling organic compounds. In this study, the efficacy of three kinds of commercially purchased and one laboratory-made formalin fixative was compared in the PCR-based molecular diagnosis using the extracted DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. The quality of extracted DNA from FFPE tonsil tissues with four kinds of formalin solutions was evaluated, and PCR for beta-globin gene and microsatellite instabilities (MSI) tests for pentaplex panel markers were performed using the extracted DNA. There was no difference in PCR and MSI tests as molecular diagnoses regardless of the types of formalin used in this study. However, the total amount and average length of double-stranded DNA extracted from FFPE tonsil tissue showed significant differences according to the type of formalin fixative. Optimized formalin fixatives and methods for DNA extraction might be sophisticated to extract good quality DNA from the small size of specific tissue samples. Further studies are needed to select the most effective formalin fixative for histology and molecular pathology using human FFPE tissues.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 1968

For the effective control of Syphilis, many investigators have developed a more rapid, simple and economical screening serological test which is adequately sensitive and specific. To fulfill the requirements of a more rapid serologic test for syphlis, a substitute for the conventional serum specimen was needed since considerable time and labor are involved in the processing of blood to serum. Burdon suggested the use of plasma in the serologic tests for syphilis as a substitute for serum. He noticed that plasma was more sensitive than serum in the Kline and Kahn tests, and attributed this to the presence of more antibody-like substance, "reagin" in plasma than in serum. However, to make plasma sufficiently sensitive, it was necessary to inactivate plasma by heating at a temperature of $56^{\circ}C$ for about 30 minutes. Heating of plasma resulted in the precipitation of fibrinogen which made centrifugation necessary to obtain dear plasma. Since the chief disadvantage to the use of unheated plasma(or serum) was a reduction in sensitivity of results-which probably was due to a labile factor such as complement-Portnoy et al began to consider rapid chemical methods of inactivation of plasma(or serum). They experienced that choline chloirde was shown to be anticomplementary which suggested its use as an inactivating agent for unheated plasma(or serum). In 1959 Portnoy et al reported the Rapid Plasma Reagin(RPR) Test for syphilis which is a more rapid, economical and simple. But still this test has many disadvantages as a rapid performing, field and office procedure, because it requires the usual laboratory equipments such as centrifuge, rotating machine, microscope etc. To substitute these disadvantages of the RPR test, in 1962, Portnoy et al developed the Rapid Plasma Reagin(RPR) card test for syphilis, which has the following advantages: a) Simplicity and rapidity of performance, b) Requires no laboratory equipments, c) Stable antigen suspension, d) Adequate sensitivity and specificity. This RPR card test can be used as a rapidly performing and screening test in field investigation, outpatient clinics, small laboratories and hospitals doing limited syphilis serology, and predonor in blood bank. Private clinic which has limited laboratory equipment and technic for syphilis serology can also use this RPR card test as a tool in the rapid diagnosis of syphilis. It was thought that this RPR card test is a useful tool in Korea for private physician and mass survey for syphilis diagnosis. But Portnoy patented the reagents needed for the performing the RPR card test. Therefore authors developed newly the reagents and according to Portnoy's method evaluated the newly developed. RPR card test compared with the VDRL, Kolmer CF, and RPCF tests. The RPR card and VDRL tests were performed plasma and serum from the total 1,132 cases. Among these 1,131 cases, 521 were syphilis suspected laboratory specimens, and 611 were syphilis unsuspected healthy young men. After screening with these two tests, the RPR card and VDRL tests, reactive specimens to the above one or both tests were retested by the Kolmer CF and RPCF tests.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship among male age, strict morphology, and sperm chromatin structure and condensation. Methods: Sperm samples from a total of 100 men underwent semen analysis, and sperm chromatin structure and condensation were assessed with toluidine blue (TB) and aniline blue (AB) tests. Results: Prevalence of strict morphology of less than 4%, and abnormal sperm chromatin structure and condensation did not show any statistically significant differences according to male age (p=0.605, p=0.235, and p=0.080). No significant correlation was demonstrated among age of male partners, strict morphology, and abnormal sperm chromatin structure using TB and AB tests. However, abnormal sperm chromatin condensation was positively associated with sperm chromatin structure (r=0.594, p=0.000) and showed negative correlation with strict morphology (r=-0.219, p=0.029). Conclusion: The tests for sperm chromatin condensation showed a significant association with strict morphology. Further study is needed to elucidate the relationship between clinical outcome and sperm chromatin tests.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.28 no.B
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• pp.81-89
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• 2008

This paper is results of investigating the dominant factors influencing to coefficient of consolidation in horizontal direction of Korean marine clays and their correlations through literature review. From the results of analyzing data obtained from field tests such as piezocone penetration and dilatometer tests as well as laboratory tests, coefficient of consolidation in the horizontal direction was found to increase with increase of stiffness index of soil while it decreases with the increase of dissipation time of pore pressure developed during field tests. In general, the coefficient of consolidation in the horizontal direction tends to increase with increase of undrained shear strength and preconsolidation pressure although correlation between them are relatively low. Friction ratio has a high correlation with coefficient of consolidation in the horizontal direction in case of friction ratio being greater than 1.0. For methods of estimating coefficient of consolidation in the horizontal direction with different testing device, values obtained from methods of P2-logt and DMT-A with dilatometer were quite similar to values from piezocone penetration test. Consistency of soil is quite proportional to coefficient of consolidation in the horizontal direction. Clear correlation between coefficients of consolidation in the horizontal and the vertical directions could not be found. coefficient of consolidation in the horizontal direction estimated from the results of field test tends to be 1.13~3.11 times greater than that obtained from laboratory tests.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.543-557
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• 2020

This paper presents a series of experimental and numerical investigations on a vertical isolation system with quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) property. The isolation system comprises a linear helical spring and disk spring. The disk spring is designed to provide variable stiffness to the system. Orthogonal static tests with different design parameters are conducted to verify the mathematical and mechanical models of the isolation system. The deviations between theoretical and test results influenced by the design parameters are summarized. Then, the dynamic tests for the systems with different under-load degrees are performed, including the fast sweeping tests, harmonic excitation tests, and half-sine impact tests. The displacement transmissibility, vibration reduction rate, and free vibration response are calculated. Based on the test results, the variation of the transmission rule is evaluated and the damping magnitudes and types are identified. In addition, the relevant numerical time history responses are calculated considering the nonlinear behavior of the system. The results indicate that the QZS isolation system has a satisfactory isolation effect, while a higher damping level can potentially promote the isolation performance in the low-frequency range. It is also proved that the numerical calculation method accurately predicts the transmission character of the isolation system.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.13-19
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• 2004

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the failure mechanism of geosynthetic-reinforced segmental retaining walls in tiered arrangement using reduced-scale model tests. In this laboratory model tests, a reduced scale model of the full-scale geosynthetic-reinforced wall which was constructed in Geotechnical Experimental Site at Sungkyunkwan University was used to perform a study on the failure mechanism. In order to a high degree of realism, the geometry of the wall and the material properties were selected applying Similitude Laws was used to perform laboratory model tests. And contrary to the previous failure tests with various surcharge pressures, the failure by the tired wall weight was observed. Primary variables considered in the model tests include the different offset distance between the tiers and the different reinforcement length in the lower tier and as a result of the parametric study, a different failure pattern was observed.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.47-58
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• 2010

This paper presents the injection efficiency of 2.0 shot system which was verified by strength and injection time. In order to perform this study, laboratory model tests and field tests are carried out. The laboratory model tests consist of the test of injection time for verifying the injection ratio, and the tests of homo-gel and sand-gel strengths for estimating the characteristic of strength. It is found that the injection ratio of 1:2 shows the best seepage into the ground. The results of the strengths are also larger than other injection ratio. The large strength will also be expressed by field tests at construction site.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.549-565
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• 2022

Severe acid rains can be a major source for geotechnical and environmental problems in any soil depending on the acid type and concentration. Hence, this study investigates the individual severe effects of sulfuric, hydrochloric and nitric acids on the geotechnical properties of real field soil through a series of experimental laboratory tests. The laboratory program consists of experimental tests such as consistency, compaction, unconfined compression, pH determination, electrical conductivity, total dissolved salts, total suspended solids, gypsum and carbonates contents. The experimental tests have been performed on the untreated soil and individual acid treated soil for acid concentrations range of 0% to 20% by weight. In addition, a unique hyperbolic mathematical model has been used to predict significant geotechnical characteristics for acid treated soil. The plastic and liquid limits and optimum moisture content have been increased under the effect of all the used acids whereas the maximum dry density and unconfined stress-strain behavior have been decreased with increasing the acid concentrations. Moreover, the used hyperbolic mathematical model has predicted all the geotechnical characteristics very well with a very high coefficient of determination (R²) value and lowest root mean square error (RMSE) estimate.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.305-318
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• 2022

Permeable reactive barriers used for groundwater treatment require proper estimation of the reactive material behavior regarding the emplacement method. This study evaluates the dry emplacement of zeolite (clinoptilolite) to be used as a reactive material in the barrier by carrying out several geotechnical laboratory tests. Dry zeolite samples, exhibited higher wetting-induced compression strains at the higher vertical stresses, up to 12% at 400 kN/m². The swelling potential was observed to be limited with a 3.5 swell index and less than 1% free swelling strain. Direct shear tests revealed that inundation reduces the shear strength of a dry zeolite column by a maximum of 10%. Falling head permeability tests indicate decreasing permeability values with increasing the vertical effective stress. Regarding self-loading and inundation, the porosity along the zeolite column was calculated using a proposed 1D numerical model to predict the permeability with depth considering the laboratory tests. The calculated discharge efficiency was significantly decreased with depth and less than 2% relative to the top for barrier depths deeper than 20 m. Finally, the importance of directional dependence in the permeability of the zeolite medium for calibrating 2D finite element flow analysis was highlighted by bench-scale tests performed under 2D flow conditions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.63-77
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• 2017

The failure mechanism of a deep hard rock tunnel under high geostress and high geothermalactivity is extremely complex. Uniaxial compression tests of granite at different temperatures were conducted. The complete stress-strain curves, mechanical parameters and macroscopic failure types of the rock were analyzed in detail. The brittleness index, which represents the possibility of a severe brittleness hazard, is proposed in this paperby comparing the peak stress and the expansion stress. The results show that the temperature range from 20 to $60^{\circ}C$ is able to aggravate the brittle failure of hard rock based on the brittleness index. The closure of internal micro cracks by thermal stress can improve the strength of hard rock and the storage capacity of elastic strain energy. The failure mode ofthe samples changes from shear failure to tensile failure as the temperature increases. In conclusion, the brittle failure mechanism of hard rock under the action of thermal coupling is revealed, and the analysis result offers significant guidance for deep buried tunnels at high temperatures and under high geostress.