• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권7호
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• pp.2444-2452
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• 2022

The field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is gaining popularity in industrial automation such as nuclear power plant instrumentation and control (I&C) systems due to the benefits of having non-existence of operating system, minimum software errors, and minimum common reason failures. Separate functions can be processed individually and in parallel on the same integrated circuit using FPGAs in comparison to the conventional microprocessor-based systems used in any plant operations. The use of FPGAs offers the potential to minimize complexity and the accompanying difficulty of securing regulatory approval, as well as provide superior protection against obsolescence. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are a new technology for acquiring and processing plant data wirelessly in which sensor nodes are configured for real-time signal processing, data acquisition, and monitoring. ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4) is an open worldwide standard for minimum power, low-cost machine-to-machine (M2M), and internet of things (IoT) enabled wireless network communication. It is always a challenge to follow the specific topology when different Zigbee nodes are placed in a large network such as a plant. The research article focuses on the hardware chip design of different topological structures supported by ZigBee that can be used for monitoring and controlling the different operations of the plant and evaluates the performance in Vitex-5 FPGA hardware. The research work presents a strategy for configuring FPGA with ZigBee sensor nodes when communicating in a large area such as an industrial plant for real-time monitoring.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제21권12호
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• pp.816-827
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• 2021

이 연구는 국내에서 2000년 이후 주요 발생한 신종감염병(사스, 신종플루, 메르스, 코로나19) 유행 당시 대중매체 메시지가 표출한 공포, 분노 감정과 주요 이슈 사이의 관계를 파악함을 목적으로 한다. 연구자는 중앙 일간지의 사설을 주요 신종감염병 유행 시기별로 수집하여, 계량적텍스트분석 방법을 활용한 확장병렬처리모형(EPPM)을 통해 분석하였다. 모든 신종감염병 유행 시기에 공포는 분노에 비해 강하게 나타나지만, 공포의 비중이 작을수록 위험통제 가능성이 큰 메시지가 생산된다. 공포는 주로 신종감염병 자체, 경제적 혼란을 향하며, 분노는 정부 등 방역 주체나 집단감염 발생 조직, 감염병 관련 정보의 은폐 등 정보불균형 문제를 다루는 특징이 나타난다. 이 과정에서 공동체 안보를 위협하는 사건, 대상을 향한 분노가 강하게 표출된다. 이때 분노는 방역 조치를 정당화할 수 있는 근거로 작용하기도 하나, 소수자 및 사회적 약자 혐오 담론의 토대가 될 수 있는 양면성을 가질 수 있음을 주목할 필요가 있다.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.5-14
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA) on tendon healing and fatty degeneration in a chronic rotator cuff model. Methods: Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly allocated into two groups: Saline+repair (SR) and PCA+repair (PR). The right shoulder was used for experimental interventions, and the left served as a control. PCA (30 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally at the site of infraspinatus tendon detachment in rats in the PR group, and the same volume of saline was administered to the same site in the SR group. The torn tendon was repaired 4 weeks after infraspinatus detachment. Four weeks after repair, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), S100, and CD68 stains were performed to evaluate the degree of fatty degeneration and H&E and Masson trichrome stains were performed to assess tendon healing. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured to test the efficacy of PCA as an antioxidant. Results: Results from histological evaluation indicated that SOD and CD68 levels at the musculotendinous region and collagen fiber parallel to the orientation at the tendon-to-bone junction were not significantly different between the SR and PR groups. The mean load-to-failure of the PR group (20.32±9.37 N) was higher than that of the SR group (16.44±6.90 N), although this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.395). The SOD activity in the operative side infraspinatus muscle of the PR group was higher than that of the SR group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.053). Conclusions: The use of PCA could improve tendon healing and decrease fatty degeneration after rotator cuff repair.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.159-166
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• 2022

Objectives: The stability of crestal bone has been reported as a major factor in the success of dental implants. Implants can be placed in an equicrestal (crestal) or subcrestal position. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of implant depth placement on marginal bone loss. Materials and Methods: The study was created in a split-mouth design. Immediately after implant surgery, digital parallel radiographs were prepared and levels of bone were measured where marginal bone loss and bone level changes occurred. These measurements were repeated at 3-month and 6-month follow-up periods. Results: In this interventional study, 49 implants were evaluated in 18 patients. Primary bone height was not significant between the intervention and control groups in both mesial and distal aspects at 3 months and 6 months from the baseline. The mean marginal bone loss on the mesial side was 1.03 mm in the subcrestal group and 0.83 mm in the crestal group. In addition, mean marginal bone loss on the distal side was 0.88 mm and 0.81 mm in the subcrestal and crestal groups, respectively. Marginal bone loss was not significantly different between sexes, the maxilla or mandible, and in the anterior or posterior regions as well as between different lengths and diameters of implants. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, there was no significant difference in terms of marginal bone loss between crestal and subcrestal implants.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.450-461
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• 2022

Purpose: DNA damage and repair responses are induced by metabolic diseases and environmental stress. The balance of DNA repair response and the antioxidant system play a role in modulating the entire body's health. This study uses a high-fat and high-calorie (HFC) drink to examine the new roles of a plant-based multivitamin/mineral supplement with phytonutrients (PMP) for regulating the antioxidant system and cellular DNA repair signaling in the body resulting from metabolic stress. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, parallel-arm, and placebo-controlled trial, healthy adults received a capsule containing either a PMP supplement (n = 12) or a placebo control (n = 12) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at 0, 1, and 3 hours after consuming a HFC drink (900 kcal). The blood samples were analyzed for the following oxidative stress makers: areas under the curve reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocytes MDA, urinary MDA, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and the glutathione:oxidized glutathione ratio at the time points. We further examined the related protein levels of DNA repair signaling (pCHK1 (Serine 345), p-P53 (Serine 15), and 𝛄H2AX expression) in the plasma of subjects to evaluate the time-dependent effects of a HFC drink. Results: In a previous study, we showed that PMP supplementation for eight weeks reduces the ROS and endogenous DNA damage in human blood plasma. Results of the current study further show that PMP supplementation is significantly correlated with antioxidant defense. Compared to the placebo samples, the blood plasma obtained after PMP supplementation showed enhanced DNA damage response genes such as pCHK1(Serine 345) (a transducer of DNA response) and 𝛄H2AX (a hallmark of DNA damage) during the 8 weeks trial on metabolic challenges. Conclusion: Our results indicate that PMP supplementation for 8 weeks enhances the antioxidant system against oxidative stress and prevents DNA damage signaling in humans.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제51권
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• pp.20.1-20.12
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• 2021

We explored the link between mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial morphology using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in lymphoblasts of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients and compared these characteristics between tumors and control samples. Gene expression of mitochondrial biogenesis markers was analysed in 23 ALL patients and 18 controls and TEM for morphology analysis was done in 15 ALL patients and 9 healthy controls. The area occupied by mitochondria per cell and the cristae cross-sectional area was observed to be significantly higher in patients than in controls (p-value=0.0468 and p-value<0.0001, respectively). The mtDNA copy numbers, TFAM, POLG, and c-myc gene expression were significantly higher in ALL patients than controls (all p-values<0.01). Gene Expression of PGC-1α was higher in tumor samples. The analysis of the correlation between PGC-1α expression and morphology parameters i.e., both M/C ratio and cristae cross-sectional area revealed a positive trend (r=0.3, p=0.1). The increased area occupied by mitochondria and increased cristae area support the occurrence of cristae remodelling in ALL. These changes might reflect alterations in cristae dynamics to support the metabolic state of the cells by forming a more condensed network. Ultrastructural imaging can be useful for affirming changes occurring at a subcellular organellar level.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.75-93
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• 2023

Objectives We aimed to analyze the registration status of interventional clinical trials in children and adolescents with chronic cough. Methods All interventional clinical trials registered up to 3 July, 2023 on the international clinical trial registry platform (ICTRP) of the World Health Organization (WHO) were analyzed. Information was extracted including study design, interventions, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and outcome indicators. Results A total of 18 interventional clinical trials were analyzed. For study design, multicentre trials, randomized allocation, parallel group design and phase 4 trials were the most frequently reported. Blinding was used in 44.4% and informed consents were obtained from 61.1%. For intervention, drugs were used in 61.1%, using placebo control group in 27.8%. Quality of life questionnaires were most frequently reported in 50% as the primary outcome, and adverse events were the most as the secondary outcome. In most cases, the assessment timepoints were after two weeks. Conclusions Based on the characteristics of clinical trial design analyzed in this study, it is necessary to design traditional Korean medicine clinical trials with improved quality and accuracy of information.

• 한국농업기계학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국농업기계학회 2000년도 THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY ENGINEERING. V.III
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• pp.819-826
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• 2000

This study was performed to develop a measurement system of tractor field performance for plow and rotary operations. Measurement system for tractor consisted of torque sensors to measure torque of drive axles and PTO axle, speed sensors to measure rotational speed of drive axles and engine, microcomputer to control data logger, and data logger as I/O interface system. The measurement system was installed on four-wheel-drive tractor. Four-element full-bridge type strain gages were used for torque measurement of drive axles and optical encoders were used to measure speeds of drive axles and engine. Slip rings were mounted on the rotational axles. Signals from sensors were inputted to data logger that was controlled by microcomputer with parallel communication. Sensors were calibrated before the field tests. Regression equations were found on completion of the calibrations. The field experiment was performed at paddy fields and uplands. Rotary and plow were used when the tractor was operated in the field. Travelling speeds of the tractor were 1.9 km/h, 2.7 km/h, 3.7 km/h, 5.5 km/h, 8.2 km/h, and 11.8 km/h. Operating depths of implements were maintained approximately 20cm during the tests. Torque data of drive axles were different at each location during plow and rotary operations. Results showed that torque of rear axles were greater than those of front axles. Total torque were 6860 - 11064 Nm at the upland and 7360 - 14190 Nm at the paddy field for plow operations. It was found that torque at the paddy field were about 20% greater than those at the upland for plow operations. Torque data showed that rotary operations required less power than plow operation at the paddy field and the upland. Torque measurements at each axle for rotary operations were only 8 - 16% of plow operations in the upland and 15 - 20% in the paddy field.

• 치위생과학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.13-19
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• 2023

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with dysbiosis of the oral microbiota. The aim of the present clinical study was to explore the adjunctive effect of ozonized water irrigation in the circuits of ultrasonic scalers for the full-mouth decontamination of patients with periodontitis Stage I or II. Methods: The study was a randomized, single-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial. The test group (n=25) was treated with ultrasonic scalers irrigated with ozonized water, whereas the control group (n=25) received normal tap water irrigation within the ultrasonic scalers used during the professional mechanical debridement. Full mouth plaque score, bleeding score, probing pocket depth, and the gingival index were evaluated at baseline, two, and 4 weeks after treatment. The pain perceived and dental anxiety were also assessed after treatment by means of the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: All periodontal parameters resulted in significant improvement for both study groups. The effect of the treatment group on the gingival index was significant, in particular, patients in the test group experienced a greater reduction in this score. No significant differences could be observed with regards to the average probing depth, full mouth plaque index and bleeding score. Patients treated with ozonized water running in the circuits of ultrasonic scalers displayed also lower scores for pain and dental anxiety. Conclusion: The present study showed a significant clinical effect on gingival inflammation attributable to adjunctive ozone irrigation during nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Further studies, including patients with severe periodontitis and greater sample sizes, are recommended to test the clinical effect of ozonized water in the circuits of ultrasonic scalers.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.2018-2025
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• 2023

In our previous study, we proposed an integrated PG-PET-based imaging method to increase the prediction accuracy for patient dose distributions. The purpose of the present study is to experimentally validate the feasibility of the PG-PET system. Based on the detector geometry optimized in the previous study, we constructed a dual-head PG-PET system consisting of a 16 × 16 GAGG scintillator and KETEK SiPM arrays, BaSO₄ reflectors, and an 8 × 8 parallel-hole tungsten collimator. The performance of this system as equipped with a proof of principle, we measured the PG and positron emission (PE) distributions from a 3 × 6 × 10 cm³ PMMA phantom for a 45 MeV proton beam. The measured depth was about 17 mm and the expected depth was 16 mm in the computation simulation under the same conditions as the measurements. In the comparison result, we can find a 1 mm difference between computation simulation and measurement. In this study, our results show the feasibility of the PG-PET system for in-vivo range verification. However, further study should be followed with the consideration of the typical measurement conditions in the clinic application.