• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.289-298
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• 2015

Objectives: The method of analyzing urinary arsenic by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-HG-AAS) is generally used because it shows relatively greater sensitivity, low detection limits, low blocking action, and is simple to operate. In this study, the results of analysis according to three pre-reductants commonly used in the FI-HG-AAS method were compared with each other. Methods: To analyze urinary arsenic, nineteen urine samples were collected from adults aged 43-79 years old without occupational arsenic exposure. Analysis equipment was FI-HG-AAS (AAnalyst 800/FIAS 400, Perkin- Elmer Inc., USA). The three pre-reductants were potassium iodide (KI/AA), C3H7NO2S (L-cysteine), and a mixture of KI/AA and L-cysteine (KI/AA&L-cysteine). Results: In the results of the analysis, the recovery rate of the method using KI/AA was 82.3%, 95.7% for Lcysteine, and 123.5% for KI/AA and L-cysteine combined. When compared with the results by use of high performance liquid chromatography inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS), the method using L-cysteine was the closest to those using HPLC-ICP-MS ($98.57{\mu}g/L$ for HPLC-ICP-MS; $74.96{\mu}g/L$ for L-cysteine; $69.23{\mu}g/L$ for KI/AA and L-cysteine; $13.06{\mu}g/L$ for KI/AA) and were significantly correlated (R2=0.882). In addition, they showed the lowest coefficient of variation in the results between two laboratories that applied the same method. Conclusion: The efficiency of hydride generation is considered highly important to the analysis of urinary arsenic via FI-HG-AAS. This study suggests that using L-cysteine as a pre-reductant may be suitable and the most rational among the FI-Hg-AAS methods using pre-reductants.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.35-47
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• 1992

Hydrogel coated ring shaped ocular inserts (containing the antibiotic, tylosin tartrate) were used in an evaluation of the effectiveness of polymeric ocular drug release devices for treating infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis. The in vivo experiments represent the first experiments using hydrogel ocular inserts containing an antibiotic for treating infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis. In the infection tests, ten calves. were challenged with $2.4{\times}10^8{\sim}1.6{\times}10^9$ Moraxella bovis (a bacterium) colonies per eye following two ten minute ultraviolet radiation eye preconditioning exposures. Ninety five percent of the eyes (19 of 20 eyes) were successfully infected by this method. All infected eyes were monitored for the presence of the bacteria quantitiatively, and clinical observations were made for 14 days. The test was performed by three consecutive steps: 1) inoculation with 2 ultraviolet (UV) radiations, 2) growth of bacterial colonies and 3) treatment with medicated ring-shaped devices. The first. bacteriological measurements after 2 UV exposures were performed at day 3 of the tests. At day 7 after inoculation of both eyes of a calf with M. bovis, a medicated or a non-medicated ring-shaped device was inserted into each eye of a calf. The eye receiving the non-medicated ring was taken as a control for comparison with the eye that received a medicated ring. During the next 7 day period following a medicated ring insertion, the number of bacteria in the treated eyes dropped dramatically to negligible levels (0 to 30 colony forming units/swab), while the control eyes which received a non-medicated ring still exhibited a relatively high number of bacteria ($10^3\;to\;10^6$ colony forming units/swab). The number of bacteria was significantly reduced by the antibiotic released from the medicated ocular insert.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.61-79
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• 2020

Purpose - This article empirically investigated the effects of the socio-political factor of censorship preconditioning, and organizational support, mediating performance expectancy of public sector officials' behavioural intention to utilise social media in a post-communist country, Mongolia. Design/methodology/approach - This study collected 212 survey data from public sector organisations in Mongolia. Using the Partial Least Squire (PLS) method, this study analyzed the proposal model grounded on the UTAUT model. Findings - There are still communist footprints in the form of censorship, which remained as a negative precondition factor, and this has an indirect negative influence, and organisational support mediates to enhance performance expectancy. Effort expectancy and social influence factors have direct positive influence on the use of social media systems in the government domain of Mongolia Research implications or Originality - This study empirically investigated the model of public employees' intention to examine the post-communist countries' cultural, social, economic, and political systems, government organisational environment of the former communist sphere. The cultural factors, censorship and organisational support, to the existing IT adoption UTAUT model were also identified to test the situation of a post-communist country, Mongolia. This study contributes to the new theoretical involvement with social media by testing a new social media-based third-party intercommunication channel, including intent to use in the public service for post-communist countries. This study practically provides the guidelines to promote social media usage for public sector in the post-communist situation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.168-179
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• 2007

Background: The recent trend of an increasing number of patients with acute cardiogenic shock or chronic congestive heart failure following myocardial infarction, as well as the considerable number who can not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass after open heart surgery, call for immediate efforts to develop affordable ventricular assist devices that are suitable for the Korean physique. Recently, a pneumatic pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD), named DKUH-75, has been developed by the Department of Biomedical Engineering, in collaboration with the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Dankook University College of Medicine. The feasibility of the DKUH-75 VAD was evaluated on the bases of common hemodynamic variables and echocardiographic measurements in pigs, which are subjected to an acute cardiogenic shock state following myocardial infarction, using a novel coronary artery ligation method employing the ischemic preconditioning concept. Material and Method: Acute cardiogenic shock was induced in 10 Yorkshire Landrace Duroc strain pigs by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery via an ischemic preconditioning process. The hemodynamic variables were monitored, with epicardial echocardiographic measurements performed before and one hour after the ligation. The DKUH-75 VAD was implanted into 5 pigs one hour after the onset of the shock. The hemodynamic variables and echocardiographic measurements were taken one hour after installation of the VAD. Result: The systolic, diastolic and mean systemic arterial pressures were significantly decreased in all the experimental animals one hour after the ligation. The systolic, diastolic and mean pulmonary arterial pressures were increased (Eds note: this completely contradicts the preceding statement? However, if you mean the non-experimental animals this should be stated?). The left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was increased, but the cardiac index decreased, An increase in the left ventricular end systolic dimension and decreases in the fractional shortening and ejection fraction were observed all animals one hour after the coronary artery ligation. In all 5 of the VAD implanted pigs, the systolic and mean systemic arterial pressures were increased, and the pulmonary arterial pressures decreased one hour after the implantation; the LVEDP decreased, but the cardiac index was significantly increased, In the echocardiographic measurements, the left ventricular end systolic dimension decreased after the implantation of the VAD, but the fractional shortening and ejection fraction significantly increased. Conclusion: Significant improvements in the hemodynamic variables and echocardiographic measurements were observed in the 5 VAD implanted animals one hour after installation, which had been subjected to an acute cardiogenic shock state by ligation of the coronary artery, indicating that the DKUH-75 VAD could help in the recovery of the myocardial function. This suggests that the DKUH-75 VAD is feasible in the short term in relation to an acute cardiogenic shock state due to myocardial infarction.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.182-189
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• 2016

For high accuracy of forecast using numerical weather prediction models, we need to get weather observation data that are large and high dense. Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) mantains Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) to get weather observation data, but their installation and maintenance costs are high. Mini-AWS is a very compact automatic weather station that can measure and record temperature, humidity, and pressure. In contrast to AWS, costs of Mini-AWS's installation and maintenance are low. It also has a little space restraints for installing. So it is easier than AWS to install mini-AWS on places where we want to get weather observation data. But we cannot use the data observed from Mini-AWSs directly, because it can be affected by surrounding. In this paper, we suggest a correcting method for using pressure data observed from Mini-AWS as weather observation data. We carried out preconditioning process on pressure data from Mini-AWS. Then they were corrected by using machine learning methods with the aim of adjusting to pressure data of the AWS closest to them. Our experimental results showed that corrected pressure data are in regulation and our correcting method using SVR showed very good performance.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2004

This article reviews the development of three-dimensional (3-D) magnetotelluric (MT) modeling. The 3-D modeling of electromagnetic fields is essential in understanding the physics of MT soundings, and in implementing an inversion method to reconstruct a 3-D resistivity image. Although various numerical schemes have been developed over the last two decades, practical methods have been quite limited. However, the recent rapid improvement in computer speed and memory, as well as the advance in iterative solution algorithms for a large system of equations, makes it possible to model the MT responses of complex 3-D structures, which have been very difficult to simulate before. The use of staggered grids in finite difference method has become popular, conserving a magnetic flux and an electric current and allowing for realistic discontinuous fields. The convergence of numerical solutions has been greatly accelerated by adopting Krylov subspace methods, proper preconditioning techniques, and static divergence corrections. The vector finite-element method using edge elements is also free from the discontinuity problem, and seems a natural choice for modeling complex structures including irregular topography because its flexibility allows one to capture full geometric complexity.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.34-39
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• 2015

Fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) are widely applied in the papermaking process to improve the CIE whiteness and the ISO brightness of papers. Large amounts of FWAs are used in the paper and paperboard industry, but no standard method exists for quantitative FWA analysis. Therefore, a new method is needed to analyze the presence of FWAs in paper and paperboard to control their additions and applications. In particular, FWA analysis must concentrate on those used for surface treatment of paper because their use in surface applications has increased recently. The purposes of this study were to measure the optical properties of papers surface-treated with oxidized starch containing FWAs and to deduce the regression equations for the quantitative analysis of FWAs used for surface treatments. Surface sizing was carried out to treat the surface of a base paper with T-FWA and H-FWA, and the pickup weight of the surface sized paper was measured to determine the real weight of FWAs transferred onto the paper surface. After surface sizing and preconditioning, the paper was evaluated for CIE whiteness, ISO brightness, fluorescence index, and reflectance at 440 nm using an Elrepho spectrophotometer. The CIE whiteness and the ISO brightness increased linearly as FWA content increased. The fluorescence index and the reflectance showed linear relationships with T-FWA and H-FWA. Linear regression equations were determined for the quantitative analysis of FWAs used for surface treatments.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.1161-1170
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• 2014

In global competition like today, intellectual property of novel areas such as traditional knowledge, traditional creation, hereditary resource, etc. are perceived as important resources. Therefore making solid competitive power in overall knowledge resources like cultural contents, brand, design etc. in nation is a pressing question. Accordingly in this study, to prepare for intellectual property rights dispute and advantage-sharing problem that would be variously derived from the Nagoya Protocol which will come into force after 2014, this research selected 200 knowledge of middle region in Korea from 2,047 literal and 931 oral knowledge using preconditioning process. The order of priority of top 50 of them was ranked by a quantitative research method, the Delphi survey. Among them, 30 was literal traditional knowledge and 20 was oral traditional knowledge. Result of this research could be used later as basic material for qualitative researches like the focus group interviewing. Furthermore in this paper is meaningful; the selected traditional knowledge can contribute remarkably to traditional biologic knowledge resource in nation which can be acknowledged in international society, announcing validity (hold precedence for patent) later on.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2017

Background: In oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production contributes to cellular dysfunction and initiates the apoptotic cascade. Autophagy is considered the mechanism that decreases ROS concentration and oxidative damage. Propofol shows antioxidant properties, but the mechanisms underlying the effect of propofol preconditioning (PPC) on oxidative injury remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether PPC protects against cell damage from hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced oxidative stress and influences cellular autophagy. Method: COS-7 cells were randomly divided into the following groups: control, cells were incubated in normoxia (5% $CO_2$, 21% $O_2$, and 74% $N_2$) for 24 h without propofol; $H_2O_2$, cells were exposed to $H_2O_2$ ($400{\mu}M$) for 2 h; $PPC+H_2O_2$, cells pretreated with propofol were exposed to $H_2O_2$; and 3-methyladenine $(3-MA)+PPC+H_2O_2$, cells pretreated with 3-MA (1 mM) for 1 h and propofol were exposed to $H_2O_2$. Cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide thiazolyl blue (MTT) reduction. Apoptosis was determined using Hoechst 33342 staining and fluorescence microscopy. The relationship between PPC and autophagy was detected using western blot analysis. Results: Cell viability decreased more significantly in the $H_2O_2$ group than in the control group, but it was improved by PPC ($100{\mu}M$). Pretreatment with propofol effectively decreased $H_2O_2$-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis. However, pretreatment with 3-MA inhibited the protective effect of propofol during apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed that the level of autophagy-related proteins was higher in the $PPC+H_2O_2$ group than that in the $H_2O_2$ group. Conclusion: PPC has a protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis, which is mediated by autophagy activation.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2023

Wastewater purification is one of the most important techniques for controlling environmental pollution and fulfilling the demand for freshwater supply. Various technologies, such as different types of distillations and reverse osmosis processes, need higher energy input. Capacitive deionization (CDI) is an alternative method in which power consumption is deficient and works on the supercapacitor principle. Research is going on to improve the electrode materials to improve the efficiency of the process. A reverse electrodialysis (RED) is the most commonly used desalination technology and osmotic power generator. Among many studies conducted to enhance the efficiency of RED, MXene, as an ion exchange membrane (IEM) and 2D nanofluidic channels in IEM, is rising as a promising way to improve the physical and electrochemical properties of RED. It is used alone and other polymeric materials are mixed with MXene to enhance the performance of the membrane further. The maximum desalination performances of MXene with preconditioning, Ti₃C₂T_x, Nafion, and hetero-structures were respectively measured, proving the potential of MXene for a promising material in the desalination industry. In terms of osmotic power generating via RED, adopting MXene as asymmetric nanofluidic ion channels in IEM significantly improved the maximum osmotic output power density, most of them surpassing the commercialization benchmark, 5 Wm^-2. By connecting the number of unit cells, the output voltage reaches the point where it can directly power the electronic devices without any intermediate aid. The studies around MXene have significantly increased in recent years, yet there is more to be revealed about the application of MXene in the membrane and osmotic power-generating industry. This review discusses the electrodialysis process based on MXene composite membrane.