• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1067-1073
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• 2007

This paper presents development of an special metal hydride(SMH) actuator system using a peltier module. The newly developed simple SMH actuator, consisting of the plated hydrogen-absorbing alloy as a power source, Peltier elements as a heat source and a cylinder with metal bellows as a functioning part, has been developed. The SMH actuator is characterized by its small size, low weight, noiseless operation and a compliance similar to that of human body. A new SMH actuator that uses reversible reactions between the heat energy and mechanical energy of a hydrogen absorbing alloy. It is well known that hydrogen-absorbing alloys can reversibly absorb and desorb a large amount of hydrogen, more than about 1000 times of their own volume. To improve the thermal conductivity of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy, an electro-less copper plating has been carried out. For this purpose, the effects of the electro-less copper plating and the dynamic characteristics of the SMH actuator have been studied. The hydrogen equilibrium pressure increases and hydrogen is desorbed by heating the hydrogen-absorbing alloys, whereas by cooling the alloys, the hydrogen equilibrium pressure decreases and hydrogen is absorbed. The SMH actuator has the characteristic of being light and easy to use. Therefore, it is suitable for medical and rehabilitation applications.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.487-492
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• 2012

Trace element zinc deficiency or excess is implicated in the development or progression of some cancers. The exact role of zinc in the etiology of colon cancer is unclear. To cast light on this question, an experimental model of colon carcinogenesis was applied here. Six week old rats were given sub cutaneous injections of DMH (30 mg/kg body weight) twice a week for three months and sacrificed after 4 months (precancer model) and 6 months (cancer model). Plasma zinc levels showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) at 4 months and a greater significant decrease at 6 months (p<0.01) as compared with controls. In the large intestine there was a significant decrease in tissue zinc levels (p<0.005) and in CuZnSOD, and alkaline phosphatase activity (p<0.05) in the pre-cancerous model and a greater significant decrease in tissue zinc (p<0.0001), and in CuZnSOD and alkaline phosphatase activity (p<0.001), in the carcinoma model. The tissue zinc levels showed a significant decrease in the small intestine and stomach (p<0.005) and in liver (p<0.05) in the cancer model. 87% of the rats in the precancer group and 92% rats in the cancer group showed histological evidence of precancerous lesions and carcinomas respectively in the colon mucosa. This study suggests that the decrease in plasma zinc, tissue zinc and activity of zinc related enzymes are associated with the development of preneoplastic lesions and these biochemical parameters further decrease with progression to carcinoma in the colon.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.258-263
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• 2008

The fine aggregates of below 2 mm size was fabricated using by the vertical furnace in which the aggregates could be sintered at floating state and its physical properties were analyzed. The liquid formed at the surface of specimens sintered at $1200{\sim}l300^{\circ}C$ induced a gas in core to expand so the denser shell and porous core could be produced. The C series specimen fabricated by crushing an extruded body had an irregular shape and sharp edges but those became spheroidized by bloating due to gas expansion inside. The fine aggregates fabricated in this study was as light as floating in the water and had an apparent density of $0.68{\sim}1.08$. The absorption rate was proportioned to a porosity showing that the pores in core was not closed completely. The properties of fine aggregates fabricated in vertical furnace were similar with those of in an electric muffle furnace but the sticking-together phenomenon by surface fusion was not occurred in the vertical furnace. The aggregates fabricated in this study had a little lower impact resistance than that of natural aggregate but satisfied the unit volume weight standard specified in KS.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to compare differences in muscle activities according to distance changes, and success or failure in relation to approaches during a round of golf in order to obtain basic data on golf swings. Methods : To achieve our research goal, we asked eight professional golfers playing for the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (height: $1.76{\pm}0.05m$, weight: $73.87{\pm}9.21kg$, career duration: $12.87{\pm}4.48yr$) to perform approach swings at distances of 30, 50, and 70 m. Results : No differences were observed in the muscle activity of the extensor carpi radialis that were caused by the distance changes. In addition, we found that the wrist extensors seemed unaffected by the increase in approach distance. Also, we found that the powers of the approach shots were driven by efficient movements rather than by the strength of the arms. We confirmed that when the distance of the approach increased, the golfers should perform their back-swing tops and follow-through right from the right to the left pelvic limb. To achieve successful approach swings despite distance changes, golfers should first work on the activity of the erector spinae to prepare for rotatory power in the P1 section. Moreover, golfers should increase the activity of the erector spinae on the left when they need to deal with the distance improvements in the P2 and P3 sections. Conclusion : In the light of the discussion above, we may infer that despite approach distance changes during a round of golf, ideal swings can be realized by consistent activities of the wrist extensor muscles and improved performances of the pelvic limb muscles. Furthermore, this study suggests that golfers should improve the consistency of muscle activities in all the other body parts to achieve the ideal swing.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.192-200
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• 2002

Semi-active suspension systems are greatly expected to be in the mainstream of future controlled suspensions for passenger cars. In this study, a continuous variable damper for a passenger car suspension is developed, which is controlled actively and exhibits high performance with light weight, low cost, and low energy consumption. To get fast response of the damper, reverse damping mechanism is adapted, and to get small pressure change rate after blow-off, a pilot controlled proportional valve is designed and analyzed. The reverse continuous variable damper is designed as a HS-SH damper that offers good body control with reduced transferred input force from tire, compared with any other type of suspension system. The damper structure is designed, so that rebound and compression damping force can be tuned independently, of which variable valve is placed externally. The rate of pressure change with respect to the flow rate after blow-off becomes smooth when the fixed orifice size increases, which means that the blow-off slope is controllable using the fixed orifice size. The damping force variance is wide and continuous, and is controlled by the spool opening, of which scheme is usually adapted in proportional valves. The reverse continuous variable damper developed in this study is expected to be utilized in the semi-active suspension systems in passenger cars after its performance and simplicity of the design is confirmed through real car test.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.495-509
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• 2009

Objective : Membranous nephropathy(MN) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease and a relatively common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults worldwide. But treatment of MN is not defined. This study was to evaluate the effects of Acasia Catechu extract(ACE) on the MN induced by cBSA in mice. Methods : Mice were divided into 4 groups. The normal group was injected with a saline solution. The control group was treated with cBSA(10 mg/kg i.p.) only. The third group was treated with cBSA (10 mg/kg i.p.) and ACE (250 mg/kg, p.o.). The fourth group was treated with cBSA (10mg/kg i.p.) and ACE (500mg/kg, p.o.). After cBSA and ACE treatment for 6 weeks, we measured change of body weight, 24hrs proteinuria, serum albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, BUN, creatinine, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, IFN-$\gamma$, IgA, IgM and IgG levels. The morphologic changes of renal glomeruli were also observed with a light microscope. Results : The levels of 24 hrs proteinuria, total cholesterol, triglyceride, IgG, IgM, IgA, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, IFN-$\gamma$ significantly decreased in both ACE groups. The level of albumin significantly increased in both ACE groups. The mRNA expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ in splenocytes considerably decreased in the ACE-500 group. In histological findings of kidney tissue, thickening of GBM decreased in both ACE groups. Conclusions : This study shows that ACE might be effective for treatment of MN. More clinical data and studies are to be done for efficient application.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.182-195
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• 2003

This study investigated the effects of triamcinolone acetonide by iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery on anti-inflammatory action into the rats and which had carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia and edema in the feet, trauma-induced tissue damage in the thigh. Each group was treated under the fellowing conditions. 1. Group I : Control group 2. Group II : Application of direct current 3. Group III : Application of 0.1$\%$ triamcinolone acetonide solution 4. Group IV : Iontophoresis of 0.1$\%$ triamcinolone acetonide solution The degree of anti-inflammation was evaluated by the paw withdrawal latency, the change in volume of foot the change of paw edema, histological change in rats. 1. In paw withdrawal latency, group IV showed the most significant therapeutic effect than the other groups at 0, 3, 6 and 9 hours(p < 0.001). 2. In paw edema experiment in the foot, group IV showed the most significant effect than group I at 0, 3, 6 and 9 hours. It meant that there was effective anti-inflammatory reaction in group I (p < 0.001). 3. In the light microscopic observation, group IV showed the most significant reduction of haemorrhage, hyperemia and infiltrative inflammation. From the results, the iontophoresis with triamcinolone acetonide is more effective than using each groups. It is one of the effective physical agent which delivered large molecular weight drug into the body. The continuous study is needed for many interesting issues of iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery in new future.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.551-555
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• 2005

This paper presents the temperature-pressure characteristics of SMH actuator using a peltier module. The simple SMH actuator, consisting of the plated hydrogen-absorbing alloy as a power source, Peltier elements as a heat source and a cylinder with metal bellows a functioning part has been developed. The SMH actuator is characterized by its small size, low weight, noiseless operation and a compliance similar to that of the human body. A new special metal hydride(SMH) actuator that uses the reversible reaction between the heat energy and mechanical energy of a hydrogen absorbing ally. It is well known that hydrogen-absorbing alloys can reversibly absorb and desorb a large amount of hydrogen, more than about 1000 times as their own volume. To improve the thermal conductivity of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy, an electro-less copper plating has been carried out. The effects of the electro-less copper plating and the dynamic characteristics of the SMH actuator have been studied. The hydrogen equilibrium pressure increases and hydrogen is desorbed by heating the hydrogen-absorbing alloys, whereas by cooling the alloys, the hydrogen equilibrium pressure decreases and hydrogen is absorbed. Therefor, the SMH actuator has the characteristic of being light and easy to use and so is suitable for use in medical and rehabilitation applications.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2000

Epidemiological and experimental studies provide evidences that diet and intestinal microflora play an important role in colon carcinogenesis. In recent years, it has been suggested that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) used to ferment dairy products have an inhibitory effect on the colon cancer. This study was designed to determine the effect of Bifidobacterium longum HY8001 (Bif) and Lactobacillus acidophilus HY2104(Lac) of Korean origin on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic preneoplastic lesions such as aberrant crypt foci(ACF) formation and cecal pH. At five weeks of age, Spraque-Dawley rats were divided at random into four (AOM alone, Bif, ,Lac, and Bif+Lac) groups. Animals were weighed weekly and oral administration of LAB cultures were performed daily until the termination of the study. Two weeks later, all animals were given a subcutaneous injection of AOM dissolved in normal saline at a dose of 15 mg/kg of body weight once per week for 2 weeks. All rats were necropsied 7 weeks after the last AOM injection , and the ACF were visualize under light microscopy in the formalin-fixed, unsectioned methylene blue-stained colons. The total number of aberrant crypt in Bif, Lac, and Bif+Lac groups were significantly lower than that of the AOM alone group and the percentage of inhibitions weas 35.0, 45.6%, respectively. Significant inhibition (p<0.001) in the total number of ACF was also observed in LAB treated groups (Bif , Lac, and Bif+Lac group by 3003, 38.6, and 41.2%, respectively). Furthermore, cecal pH appeared to significantly decrease by LAB administration. The results of present study provide some evidences for potential colon tumor-inhibitory properties of lactic cultures and fermented dairy products.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1059-1071
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary protein level on renal senescence. Male rats of 337.8$\pm$5.7g body weight were underlateral nephrectomy or shamoperation. The rats were divided into high protein(40% casein), normal protein(15% casein) and low protein(8% casein)diets and fed experimental diets ad libitum for 24 weeks. The results are summarized as follows. There was a hypertophy of the remnant kidney of uninephrectomized rats of 40% or 15% protein group, coming up to the comparable weights of both kidneys of sham-operated rats. However, the hypertrophic effect was not seen in uninephrectomized rats of 8% protein group. Serum albumin was lower in uninephrectomized rats. With increasing dietary protein level blood urea nitrogen was increased, whereas, urinary urea nitrogen excretion was decreased. Urinary solute excretion was higher in uninephrectomized group than in sham-operated group. However, effect of dietary protein level on urinary solute excretion varied dpending on th solutes tested. GFR and urinary protein excretion, throughout experiment, increased with feeding period and with dietary protein level. Proteinuria was most severe in uninephrectomized rats fed 40% casein diet. Maximum urine concentration ability measured after dehydration was not different among the experimental groups. Light microscopic examination showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and mild increas of glomerular mesangial matrix in uninephrectomized rats fed 40% and 15% protein diet, however, which was not observed in uninephrectomized rats fed 8% protein diet and in sham-operated rats fed 40% diet. Immunofluorescence studies revealed segmental deposits of albumin in the mesangium and capillary loops in high protein and uninephrectomized groups. Minimal granular deposition of IgG was noted in the mesangium of all experimental groups. In conclusion, high protein intake accelerated deterioration of renal function and it was correlated with morphological change. Low protein intake was effective in preventing these changes.