• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권10호
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• pp.3700-3708
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• 2023

The stochastic origin ensembles method with resolution recovery (SOE-RR) has been proposed to reconstruct proton-induced prompt gammas (PGs), and the reconstructed PG image was used for range verification. However, due to low detection efficiency, the number of valid events is low. Such a low-count condition can degrade the accuracy of the SOE-RR method for proton range verification. In this study, we proposed two strategies to improve the reconstruction of the SOE-RR algorithm for low-count PG imaging. We also studied the number of iterations and repetitions required to achieve reliable range verification. We simulated a proton beam (10⁸ protons) irradiated on a water phantom and used a two-layer Compton camera to detect 4.44-MeV PGs. Our simulated results show that combining the SOE-RR algorithm with restricted volume (SOE-RR-RV) can reduce the error of the estimation of the Bragg peak position from 5.0 mm to 2.5 mm. We also found that the SOE-RR-RV algorithm initialized using a back-projection image could improve the convergence rate while maintaining accurate range verification. Finally, we observed that the improved SOE-RR algorithm set for 60,000 iterations and 25 repetitions could provide reliable PG images. Based on the proposed reconstruction strategies, the SOE-RR algorithm has the potential to achieve a positioning error of 2.5 mm for low-count PG imaging.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.150-153
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• 2015

An energy-efficient 64-bit prefix adder is proposed for micro-server processors based on both semidynamic and bypassing structures. Prefix adders consist of three main stages i.e. propagate-generate (PG) stage, carry merge (CM) tree, and sum generators. In this architecture, the PG and CM stages consume most of the power because these are based on domino circuits. This letter proposes a semidynamic PG stage for its energy-efficiency. In addition, we adopt the bypassing structure on the CM tree to reduce its switching activity. Experimental results show 19.1% improvement of energy efficiency from prior art.

• Nonlinear Functional Analysis and Applications
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.753-767
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• 2024

In this paper, we developed the existence and uniqueness results by monotone method for non-linear fractional reaction-diffusion equation together with initial and boundary conditions. In this text the Hilfer fractional derivative is used to denote the time fractional derivative. The employment of monotone method generates two sequences of minimal and maximal solutions which converges to lower and upper solutions respectively.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.324-332
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• 1985

Aspergillus niger B-15 with strong Endo-polygalacturonase (Endo-PG) activities was selected out from a total of 1,573 fungal strains isolated from various testing materials. A mutant strain, U-46, was obtained from the Aspergillus niger B-15 by repeated irradition of ultra-violet light. The objectives of the study were to investigate the fungal properties of the parental and mutant strains obtained and to study the condition of enzyme production and reaction. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The size of conidial head of the U-46 mutant was smaller than that of the parental strains, B-15 and the length of the conidiophore was also shorter than that of the parental strains. 2. The optimum conditions for the Endo-PG production of the parental B-15 strain in the wheat bran Koji were obtained when 40% of water was added to the wheat bran and the temperature was 30 to $35^{\circ}C$. However, the best condition for the mutant U-46 strain was attained when 60 to 70% of water was added and the temperature was $35^{\circ}C$. The optimum growing periods were two to three days for both parental and mutant strains. 3. Under the optimum producing conditions of each strains, the enzymatic activity of the mutant U-46 was 20 times higher than the Endo-PG of the parental strain, B-15. 4. When both strains were cultured in the wheat bran Koji containing 60% of water at $35^{\circ}C$ for three days, the mutant strain. U-46, was about 46 times higher in the Endo-PG activity and about 18 times greater in Exo-PG activity than the parental strain, B-15. The activities of cellulase, $\alpha$-amylase, and glucoamylase were also highly increased in the mutant strain. 5. The mutant strain, U-46, increased its Endo-PG activity up to 20% over that of ordinary case when 1.2 to 1.5% of ammonium sulphate was added to the wheat bran. 6. The optimum condition for Endo-PG activity of crude enzyme of the mutant strain, U-46, was attained when pH of reaction solution was 4.0 to 4.5 and the temperature was $50^{\circ}C$.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• 제3권
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• pp.174-180
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• 1985

This study is designed to evaluate serum free unsaturated fatty acid, phospholipid, creatinine and prostaglandin concentrations to provide normal values for physiological barometers and preliminary information related to these chemical components on the stages of pregnancy and parturition in female rats. Forty female rats are devided into 8 groups. One control group contains 5 intact, nonpregnant female rats and the other 5 pregnancy groups contains each of 5 pregnant rats which are 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21days after pregnancy. The remaining 2 parturition groups contain each of 5 postparturient rats which are 12 and 36 hours after parturition. The results obtained are as follows ; 1. The mean concentrations of free unsaturated fatty acid in serum of the female rats ranges from 6.47 to 8.22 mg/dl. The level of pregnancy group that is 21 days being lower. 2. The mean concentrations of phospholipid in serum of the female rats ranges from 86 to 105 mg/dl. There is no marked difference between all of these groups, especially the levels of 12 days after pregnancy group and 36 hours after parturition group are lower than those of other groups. 3. The mean concentrations of crecatinine in serum of the female rats ranges from 0.64 to 0.84 mg/dl. There is no marked difference between all of 8 groups and the levels of 21 days after pregnancy group are higher than those of other groups. 4. The mean concentrations of prostaglandin in blood of the female rats rarges from 324 to $1208pg/m{\ell}$ and increases from $736pg/m{\ell}$ (18 days after pregnancy) to maximal levels of $1208pg/m{\ell}$ immediately after parturition. and then decreased progressively. Especially, each mean concentration of prostaglandin on 9, 12, or 15 days after pregnancy and mean concentrations of 5 pregnant groups are lower than those of nonpregnant female rats. 5. It is suggested that serum concentrations of free unsaturated fatty acid, phospholipid and creatinine in female rats are not related to the stages of pregnancy and parturition but prostaglandin concentrations influence the initiation of parturition in this species.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.217-223
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• 1997

This study was performed to determine if women with day 3 serum inhibin-B concentrations <45pg/ml (conversion factor to SI unit, 1.00) demonstrate a poor response to ovulation induction and assisted reproductive technology outcome to women with inhibin-B${\ge}45pg$/ml, independant of day 3 FSH, E2 and patient age. From Jan 1996 to Dec 1996, 16 volunteers patients who underwent 25 IVF cycles with luteal phase GnRH agonist suppression and HMG stimulation were allocated to the study group. We evaluated day 3 serum inhibin-B, FSH, E2, peak E2, cancellation rate per initiated cycle (%) and clinical pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (%) according to the above two groups and independent of patient age, day 3 FSH, day 3 E2 and all of above combined. Women with day 3 serum inhibin-B${\ge}45pg$/ml demonstrated higher average day 3 inhibin-B level, clinical pregnancy rate per initiated cycle ($20.3{\pm}2.5$ pg/ml vs $80.9{\pm}5.0$ pg/ml, p<0.05; 24.8% vs 8.5%, p<0.05) and lower day 3 FSH level, cancellation rate per initiated cycle ($6.9{\pm}0.3$ mIU/ml vs $8.5{\pm}0.5$ mIU/ml, p<0.05; 1.5% vs 9.0%, p<0.05). Women with day 3 serum inhibin${\ge}45pg$/ml and age<40 year demonstrated higher pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (28.2% vs 7.4%, p<0.05) and lows. day 3 FSH level, cancellation rate per initiated cycle ($6.9{\pm}0.5$ mIU/ml vs $8.2{\pm}0.7$ mIU/ml, p<0.05; 1.0% vs 9.0%, p<0.05). Women with day 3 serum inhibin${\ge}45pg$/ml and day 3 FSH<15mIU/ml demonstrated higher pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (33.5% vs 9.5%, p<0.05) and lower day 3 FSH level, cancellation rate per initiated cycle ($7.7{\pm}0.2$ mIU/ml vs $8.5{\pm}0.5$ mIU/ml, p<0.05; 1.5% vs 10.0%, p<0.05). Women with day 3 serum inhibin${\ge}45pg$/ml and day 3 E2<50pg/ml demonstrated higher pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (30.0% vs 9.5%, p<0.05) and lower cancellation rate per initiated cycle (1.5% vs 9.5%, p<0.05). Women with day 3 serum inhibin${\ge}45pg$/ml, age<40 year, day 3 FSH<15mIU/ml and day 3 E2<50pg/ml demonstrated higher pregnancy rate per initiated cycle (30.0% vs 10.8%, p<0.05) and lower day 3 FSH level, cancellation rate per initiated cycle ($6.8{\pm}0.6$ mIU/ml vs $8.4{\pm}0.9$ mIU/ml, p<0.05; 1.5% vs 7.8%, p<0.05). Therefore women with low day 3 serum inhibin-B concentrations demonstrate a poorer response to ovulation induction and are less likely to conceive a clinical pregnancy though ART relative to women with high day 3 inhibin-B and day 3 serum inhibin-B, in addition to a day 3 FSH, E2 and patient age, appears helpful in prediction in IVF-ET outcome.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• 제22권7호
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• pp.1345-1355
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• 2000

The main route of exposure of the human population to polychlorinated dibenzop-dioxins(PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans(PCDFs) is through the diet. However in Korea, there are few studies on PCDDs/PCDFs levels in environmental samples and foods. The purpose of this study is to analyze concentration of PCDDs/PCDFs in Korean retail foods and to estimate dietary daily intake of them. 9 samples from animal food and 10 samples from plant food were analysed for PCDDs/PCDFs. Concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs ranged from 0.02(milk) to 5.39(anchovy)pg/g. TEQ levels appeared in order of fish/shellfish, meat, vegetable, cereal, fruit and milk, and these values ranged from 0.0008 to 0.3153pgTEQ/g. The daily intake of PCDDs/PCDFs via food was calculated to be about 37.7pgTEQ/day and these values are equivalent to 0.75 pgTEQ/kg b.w./day, under consideration of 50kg for body weight. The daily intake of PCDDs/PCDFs via food was lower than that in other countries. From these results, it is important to note that fish/shellfish intake is one of the main sources of PCDDs/PCDFs exposure in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• 제32권9호
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• pp.870-878
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• 2010

We investigated the concentration and the sources of ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants [i.e., 17 toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs), and 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)] in waste papers and lumbers from industrial complexes. The total concentrations in waste papers and lumbers ranged from 9.69~176.77 pg/g-dry and 0.14~0.25 pg/g-dry for 17 PCDD/Fs, 109.95~4097.25 pg/g-dry and 28.23~59.88 pg/g-dry for 12 Co-PCBs and 9.30~52.18 ng/g-dry and 0.82~1.82 ng/g-dry for 16 PAHs respectively. Generally, the concentration of these pollutants in waste papers was higher than those in waste lumbers. OCDD was dominant in waste papers and lumbers and the PCDD/F patterns of these samples were similar with that of stack gas. The distribution patterns of Co-PCBs in wastes were related with commercial PCB products, indicating the effect of commercial PCB products on ubiquitous environment. The diagnostic ratios of several PAH compounds in waste paper showed that they were related with pyrogenic sources.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.453-462
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), an oriental herbal medicine, has been known to improve liver function, and has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, little is known about the immune-enhancing effects of PG and its mechanism. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fermented PG extract (FPGE), which has increased platycodin D content, activates the immune response in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using Griess reagent. Cytokine messenger RNA levels of were monitored by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory actions of FPGE in RAW 264.7 cells, we have conducted luciferase reporter gene assay and western blotting. RESULTS: We found that FPGE treatment induced macrophage cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. FPGE also modulated the expression of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. The activation and phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were increased by FPGE treatment. Moreover, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, an activator of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), significantly reduced both lipopolysaccharides- and FPGE-induced NF-κB reporter gene activity. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings suggest that FPGE may be a novel immune-enhancing agent acting via AMPK-NF-κB signaling pathway.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.247-256
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• 2016

In this paper, based on understanding the design theories on soil stabilization, a series of soil stabilizers were prepared with different kinds of industrial wastes such as calcined coal gangue (CCG), blast furnace slag (SS), steel slag (SL), carbide slag (CS), waste alkali liquor (JY), and phosphogypsum (PG). The results indicated that when the Portland cement (PC) proportion was lower than 20% in the stabilizer, for the soil sample selected from Wuhan (WT) and Beijing (BT), the unconfined compress strength (UCS) of the stabilized soil specimens could increase 4.8 times and 5.4 times respectively than that of the specimens stabilized only by PC; compared with the UCS of the specimen stabilized only by PC, the UCS of the specimen which was made from soil sample WT and stabilized by the stabilizer composed only by CCG, CS, and PG increased 1.5 times, and UCS of the specimen which was made from soil sample BT and stabilized by the stabilizer composed only by SS, JY, and PG increased 4.5 times.