• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.87-93
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• 2022

To analyze the interfacial property between the fiber and the matrix, work of adhesion was used generally that was calculated by surface energies. In this paper, it was determined what types of contact angle measurement methods were more accurate between static and dynamic contact angle measurements. 4 types of glass fiber and epoxy resin were used each other to measure the contact angle. The contact angle was measured using two types, static and dynamic contact angle methods, and work of adhesion, W_a was calculated to compare interfacial properties. The interfacial property was evaluated using microdroplet pull-out test. Generally, the interfacial property was proportional to work of adhesion. In the case of static contact angle, however, work of adhesion was not consistent with interfacial property. It is because that dynamic contact angle measurement comparing to static contact angle could delete the error due to microdroplet size to minimize the surface area as well as the meniscus measuring error.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.423-432
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• 2022

Background: The decreased expression of mu-opioid receptors (MOR) in the amygdala may be a key molecular in chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP). It is known that miR-339-5p expression in the amygdala of a stressed rat model was increased. Analyzed by RNAhybrid, miR-339-5p could target opioid receptor mu 1 (oprm1) which codes MOR directly. So, the authors hypothesized that miR-339-5p could regulate the expression of MOR via targeting oprm1 and cause the effects to CPSP. Methods: To simulate perioperative short-term stress, a perioperative stress prolongs incision-induced pain hypersensitivity without changing basal pain perception rat model was built. A pmiR-RB-REPORT^TM dual luciferase assay was taken to verify whether miR-339-5p could act on oprm1 as a target. The serum glucocorticoid level of rats was test. Differential expressions of MOR, GFAP, and pERK1/2 in each group of the rats' amygdala were tested, and the expressions of miR-339-5p in each group of rats' amygdalas were also measured. Results: Perioperative stress prolonged the recovery time of incision pain. The expression of MOR was down-regulated in the amygdala of rats in stress + incision (S + IN) group significantly compared with other groups (P < 0.050). miR-339-5p was up-regulated in the amygdala of rats in group S + IN significantly compared with other groups (P < 0.050). miR-339-5p acts on oprm1 3'UTR and take MOR mRNA as a target. Conclusions: Perioperative stress could increase the expression of miR-339-5p, and miR-339-5p could cause the expression of MOR to decrease via targeting oprm1. This regulatory pathway maybe an important molecular mechanism of CPSP.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.43-54
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• 2022

The settlement at the railroad foundation is often the leading cause of track irregularity and potential derailment. The control of such deformation is considered necessary in track maintenance practice. Nevertheless, the monitoring process performed by in situ surveying requires an excessive amount of manpower and cost. The InSAR, a remote sensing technique by RADAR satellite, is used to overcome such a burden. The PS-InSAR technique is preferred for a long-term precise monitoring method. However, this study aims to obtain relatively brief analysis results from only two satellite images using the D-InSAR technique, while a minimum of 25 images are required for PS-InSAR. This study verifies the precision of D-InSAR within a few millimeters by inspecting railroad facilities and land settlements in Korea Railroad Research Institute's test track with images from TerraSAR-X Satellite. Multiple corner reflectors were adopted and installed on an embankment and the building roof to raise the surface reflectivity. Those reflectors were slightly adjusted periodically to verify the detecting performance. The results revealed the optimum distance between corner reflectors. Further, the deformation of railway tracks, slopes, and concrete structures was analyzed successively. In conclusion, this study indicates that the D-InSAR technique effectively monitors the short-term deformation of a broad area such as railway structures.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.497-512
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• 2023

While scientific explanation is a fundamental component of science, teachers often lack familiarity with the formal structure of scientific explanations and the criteria for assessing their quality. Consequently, this study aims to clarify the concept of scientific explanation and proposes a tool for constructing scientific explanations. The primary objective is to explore the tool's impact on enhancing the explanatory skills of pre-service teachers when it comes to the phenomenon of condensation. The research findings indicate that many pre-service teachers initially operated at a description level during the pre-test. However, the implementation of the tool enabled them to advance their explanatory skills beyond the associative level. Notably, the tool was analyzed for its ability to provide pre-service teachers with a conceptual framework for explaining phenomena and guiding logical explanations and micro-level interpretations. This study holds significance in demonstrating that pre-service teachers can comprehend the formalities and criteria of scientific explanations and apply them to enhance their own explanatory abilities. Moving forward, efforts should be made to enhance the scientific explanation level among pre-service teachers across various topics and subject areas. Furthermore, pre-service teachers need classroom experiences that foster the construction of scientific explanations in authentic contexts.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.196-206
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• 2023

Benthic attached diatoms (BADs), a major primary producer in lotic stream and river ecosystems are micro-sized organisms and require a highly magnified microscopic technique in the observation work. Thus, it is often not easy to ensure accuracy and precision in both qualitative and quantitative analyses. This study proposed a new technique applicable to improve quality control of aquatic ecosystem monitoring and assessment using BADs. In order to meet the purpose of quality control, we developed a permanent mounting slide technique which can be used for both qualitative and quantitative analyses simultaneously. We designed specimens with the combination of grid on both cover and slide glasses and compared their efficiency. As a result of observation and counting of BADs, the slide glass designed with the color-lined grid showed the highest efficiency compared to other test conditions. We expect that the method developed in this study could be effectively used to analyze BADs and contributed to improve the quality control in aquatic ecosystem health monitoring and assessment.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.541-554
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• 2023

The utilization of underground spaces in relation to tunnels and energy/waste storage is on the rise. To ensure the stability of underground spaces, it is crucial to reinforce rock fractures and discontinuities. Discontinuities, such as joints, can weaken the strength of the rock and lead to groundwater inflow into underground spaces. In order to enhance the strength and stability of the area around these discontinuities, rock grouting techniques are employed. However, during rock grouting, it is impossible to visually confirm whether the grouting material is being smoothly injected as intended. Without proper injection, the expected increases in strength, durability, and degree of consolidation may not be achieved. Therefore, it is necessary to predict in advance whether the grouting material is being injected as designed. In this study, we aimed to assess the injection performance based on injection variables such as the water/cement mixture ratio, injection pressure, and injection flow using UDEC (Universal Distinct Element Code) numerical program. Additionally, numerical results were validated by the lab experiment. The results of this study are expected to help optimize variables such as injection material properties, injection time, and pump pressure in the grouting design in the field.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.203-213
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• 2024

This study delves into the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced cement composites(FRCC) concerning the dispersion method of multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs). MWCNTs find utility in industrial applications, particularly in magnetic sensing and crack detection, owing to their diverse properties including heat resistance and chemical stability. However, current research endeavors are increasingly directed towards leveraging the electrical properties of MWCNTs for self-sensing and smart sensor development. Notably, achieving uniform dispersion of MWCNTs poses a challenge due to variations in researchers' skills and equipment, with excessive dispersion potentially leading to deterioration in mechanical performance. To address these challenges, this study employs ultrasonic dispersion for a defined duration along with PCE surfactant, known for its efficacy in dispersion. Test specimens of FRCC are prepared and subjected to strength, drawing, and direct tensile tests to evaluate their mechanical properties. Additionally, the influence of MWCNT dispersion efficiency on the enhancement of FRCC mechanical performance is scrutinized across different dispersion methods.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.359-371
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived microRNA (miR)-150-5p-expressing exosomes in promoting skin wound healing through activating PI3K/AKT pathway by PTEN. Methods and Results: Human umbilical cord (HUC)-MSCs were infected with miR-150-5p overexpression and its control lentivirus, and HUC-MSCs-derived exosomes (MSCs-Exos) with stable expression of miR-150-5p were obtained. HaCaT cells were induced by H₂O₂ to establish a cellular model of skin injury, in which the expression of miR-150-5p and PTEN and the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT were evaluated. HaCaT cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-PTEN or pcDNA3.1 and then cultured with normal exosomes or exosomes stably expressing miR-150-5p. Cell proliferation was inspected by CCK-8. Cell migration was detected by scratch test and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. The starBase tool was used to predict the binding site of miR-150-5p to PTEN. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay were applied to assess the interaction between miR-150-5p and PTEN. In H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cells, the miR-150-5p expression decreased, and PTEN expression increased in a concentration-dependent manner. MSCs-Exos promoted the growth and migration of H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cells and inhibited their apoptosis. In addition, overexpression of exosomal miR-150-5p enhanced the protective effect of MSCs-Exos on H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cells; PTEN overexpression in HaCaT cells partially restrained miR-150-5p-mediated inhibition on H₂O₂-induced injury in HaCaT cells. PTEN was a target gene of miR-150-5p. MiR-150-5p regulated PI3K/AKT pathway through PTEN. Conclusions: MSCs-derived miR-150-5p-expressing exosomes promote skin wound healing by activating PI3K/AKT pathway through PTEN.

• Archives of Metallurgy and Materials
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.1317-1322
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• 2020

The present study investigated various thermodynamic parameters, microstructures and electrochemical behaviors of TiMoVCrZr and Ti-rich TiMoVCrZr high-entropy alloys (HEAs) prepared by vacuum arc remelting. The microstructures of the alloys were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and potentiodynamic polarization tests. The determined thermodynamic values of the Ω-parameter and the atomic size difference (δ) for the HEAs were determined to be in the range of Ω ≥ 1.1, and δ ≤ 6.6% with valance electron configuration (VEC) ≤ 5.0, suggesting the HEAs were effective at forming solid solutions. XRD patterns of the equiatomic Ti₂₀Mo₂₀V₂₀Cr₂₀Zr₂₀ HEA revealed four phases consisting of the body centered cubic1 (BCC₁), BCC₂, hexagonal close-packed (HCP), and intermetallic compound Cr₂Zr phases. Three phases were observed in the XRD patterns of Ti-rich Ti₄₀Mo₁₅V₁₅Cr₁₅Zr₁₅ (BCC, HCP, and Cr₂Zr) and a single BCC phase was observed in Ti-rich Ti₆₀Mo₁₀V₁₀Cr₁₀Zr₁₀ HEAs. The backscattered-electron (BSE) images on the equiatomic Ti₂₀Mo₂₀V₂₀Cr₂₀Zr₂₀ HEA revealed BCC and HCP phases with Cr₂Zr precipitates, suggesting precipitation from the HCP solid solution during the cooling. The micro-segregation of Ti-rich Ti₆₀Mo₁₀V₁₀C₁₀Zr₁₀ HEAs appeared to decrease remarkably. The alloying elements in the HEAs were locally present and no phase changes occurred even after additional HIP treatment. The lowest current density obtained in the polarization potential test of Ti-rich Ti₄₀Mo₁₅V₁₅Cr₁₅Zr₁₅ HEA was 7.12×10^-4 mA/cm² was obtained. The studied TiMoVCrZr HEAs showed improved corrosion characteristics as compared to currently available joint replacement material such as ASTM F75 alloy.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.536-543
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• 2007

This research was conducted every month from June 1994 until August 1996 with the aim to understand the ecosystem structure through the analysis of oribatid mite community structure in soil subsequent to environmental difference of its habitats located at northward & southward slopes adjacent to each other at an altitude of 1,000 meters of Mt.Jumbong, which is a natural reserved forest, remaining intact. There appeared a significant difference [t-test, p<0.06] in comparison of the number of the species and individuals of Oribatid mite species which were collected and identified at two survey areas. The mean density and the number of the species collected and identified at the northward slopes, and southward slopes were $99.2{\pm}17.6,\;234.2{\pm}62.6$ and $24.7{\pm}3.0,\;40.8{\pm}5.8$, respectively. Species diversity index(H') was higher at the southward slopes($3.09{\pm}0.11$) than at the northward slopes($2.71{\pm}0.13$). The population size of Oribatid mite species was found by the percentage of each species density as against the whole density and classified into dominant species, influent species, and recessive species according to the percentage; as a result, O. nova and Suctobelbella naginata was found to be a dominant species at both survey slopes while Trichogalumna nipponica was found to be a dominant species, at southward but it wasn't collected at the northward slopes at all. The feeding habit of the dominant species at two survey slopes was found to be microphytophagous- eating soil microbe. There appeared a conspicuous difference in compositions of the number of the species, individuals and dominant species at the southward/northward slopes adjoining each other at an attitude of 1,000 meters and less similarity between the two survey slopes. Conclusively, It was found that the heterogeneity of microhabitat has a great effect on Oribatid mite's community characteristics.