• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.735-740
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• 2022

In order to reduce side effects such as rectal bleeding in the Brachytherapy, the rectal retractor and wet gauze have been used to increase the distance between the rectum and the tandem. However, there were disadvantages that it was difficult to insert through a narrow entrance into the vagina and poor reproducibility. Also, based on the CT image of the selected catheter, the distance from the tandem to the rectum with or without the balloon catheter was checked and the reduction of the dose to the rectum was confirmed. As a result of the experiment, catheter No. 7 was selected considering the maximum balloon size at a level that does not affect the distance between the start point of the balloon and the end of the catheter, and the ovoid applicator. Based on the CT image of the selected catheter, the degree of expansion according to the presence or absence of the balloon catheter was compared, and it was found that the distance difference was 0.3 - 1 cm. In addition, it was confirmed that a decrease of about 32% was observed due to this distance difference. Therefore, the actual clinical application of the selected catheter can be used as a substitute for the existing rectal retractor and wet gauze.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.457-467
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• 2022

Electron bombardment to silicate glass during electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) causes outward migration of Na from the excitation volume and subsequent decrease in the measured X-ray count rates of Na. To acquire precise Na₂O content of silicate glass, one should use proper analytical technique to avoid or minimize Na migration effect or should correct for decreases in the measured Na X-ray counts. In this study, we analyzed 8 silicate glass standard samples using automated Time Dependent Intensity (TDI) correction method of Probe for EPMA software that can calculate zero-time intercept by extrapolating X-ray count changes over analysis time. We evaluated an accuracy of TDI correction for Na measurements of silicate glasses with EPMA at 15 kV acceleration voltage and 20 nA probe current electron beam, which is commonly utilized analytical condition for geological samples. Results show that Na loss can be avoided with 20 ㎛-sized large beam (<0.1 nA/㎛²), thus silicate glasses can be analyzed without TDI correction. When the beam size is smaller than 10 ㎛, Na loss results in large relative errors up to -55% of Na₂O values without correction. By applying TDI corrections, we can acquire Na₂O values close to the reference values with relative errors of ~ ±10%. Use of weighted linear-fit can reduce relative errors down to ±6%. Thus, quantitative analysis of silicate glasses with EPMA is required for TDI correction for alkali elements such as Na and K.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.835-842
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• 2022

This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of a synthetic MR technique in reducing metal artifacts. In the experiment, the in-plane and through-plane images were acquired by applying a synthetic MR technique and a high-speed spin echo technique to a phantom manufactured with screw for spinal surgery. The area of the metal artifact was compared. The metal artifacts were measured by dividing the signal-loss and the signal pile-up areas, and the area of the final artifact was calculated through the sum of the two. As a result, the metal artifacts were relatively reduced when the synthetic MR techniques were applied to both in-plane and through-plane. Comparing by sequence, the in-plane T1 images decreased by 23.45%, T2 images by 20.85%, PD images by 19.67%, and FLAIR images by 22.12%. Also, in the case of the through-plane, the T1 image decreased by 62.95%, the T2 image decreased by 73.93%, the PD image decreased by 74.68%, and the FLAIR image decreased by 66.43%. The cause of this result is that when the synthetic MR technique is applied, the distortion is due to the signal pile-up and does not occur and the size of the entire metal artifact is reduced. Therefore, synthetic MR technique can very effectively reduce metal artifacts, which can help to increase the diagnostic value of images.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.303-312
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• 2022

Bridges across waterways act as interference factors, that reduce the navigable water area from the perspective of navigation safety. To analyze the safety navigational width of ships navigating bridges across waterways, the optimal traffic distribution based on AIS data was investigated, and ships were classified according to size through k-means clustering. As a result of the goodness-of-fit analysis of the clustered data, the lognormal distribution was found to be close to the optimal distribution for Incheon Bridge and Busan Harbor Bridge. Also, the normal distributions for Mokpo Bridge and Machang Bridge were analyzed. Based on the lognormal and normal distribution, the analysis results assumed that the safe passage range of the vessel was 95% of the confidence interval, As a result, regarding the Incheon Bridge, the difference between the normal distribution and the lognormal distribution was the largest, at 64m to 98m. The minimum difference was 10m, which was revealed for Machang Bridge. Accordingly, regarding Incheon Bridge, it was analyzed that it is more appropriate to present a safety width of traffic by assuming a lognormal distribution, rather than suggesting a safety navigation width by assuming a normal distribution. Regarding other bridges, it was analyzed that similar results could be obtained using any of the two distributions, because of the similarity in width between the normal and lognormal distributions. Based on the above results, it is judged that if a safe navigational range is presented, it will contribute to the safe operation of ships as well as the prevention of accidents.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2022

Increased mRNA levels of cancer upregulated gene (CUG)2 have been detected in many different tumor tissues using Affymetrix microarray. Oncogenic capability of the CUG2 gene has been further reported. However, the mechanism by which CUG2 overexpression promotes cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotypes remains unknown. With recent studies showing that pyruvate kinase muscle 2 (PKM2) is overexpressed in clinical tissues from gastric, lung, and cervical cancer patients, we hypothesized that PKM2 might play an important role in CSC-like phenotypes caused by CUG2 overexpression. The present study revealed that PKM2 protein levels and translocation of PKM2 into the nucleus were enhanced in CUG2-overexpressing lung carcinoma A549 and immortalized bronchial BEAS-2B cells than in control cells. Expression levels of c-Myc, CyclinD1, and PKM2 were increased in CUG2-overexpressing cells than in control cells. Furthermore, EGFR and ERK inhibitors as well as suppression of Yap1 and NEK2 expression reduced PKM2 protein levels. Interestingly, knockdown of β-catenin expression failed to reduce PKM2 protein levels. Furthermore, reduction of PKM2 expression with its siRNA hindered CSC-like phenotypes such as faster wound healing, aggressive transwell migration, and increased size/number of sphere formation. The introduction of mutant S37A PKM2-green fluorescence protein (GFP) into cells without ability to move to the nucleus did not confer CSC-like phenotypes, whereas forced expression of wild-type PKM2 promoted such phenotypes. Overall, CUG2-induced increase in the expression of nuclear PKM2 contributes to CSC-like phenotypes by upregulating c-Myc and CyclinD1 as a co-activator.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.143-152
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• 2022

We investigated the serum cholesterol and visceral fat lowering effects of Momordica charanatia (MC) and Withania somnifera (WS) extracts in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Combination of fermented MC and WS extracts (FMCWS) as well as that of non-fermented extracts (MCWS) were orally administered to HFD-induced obese mice along with the HFD supplementation for 8 weeks. During the experiment, body weight, food intake, and levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol were analyzed. Body weight and the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly increased in the HFD-fed mice compared with the normal control (NC) group. However, supplementation of the extracts showed a tendency to reduce body weight gain and suppressed the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride with the increment of HDL-cholesterol levels. Abdominal fat weight was significantly increased in the HFD group, and the size of adipocytes within the epididymal adipose tissue was markedly expanded compared with the NC group. However, in the FMCWS and MCWS groups, the abdominal fat weight was significantly reduced and the sizes of the adipocytes were noticeably diminished compared with those of the HFD-fed mice. Moreover, the deposition of giant vesicular fat cells observed in the liver tissue of the HFD group was prominently reduced in these groups. These results indicate that the combination of extracts from MC and WS tends to have potent synergic effects in reducing body weight gain as well as significantly lowering the visceral fat and the serum lipid levels, and thus improving anti-obesity efficacy in HFD-induced obese mice.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.51-59
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• 2022

In this work, virion concentration and its dose changes by HVAC and air cleaners were estimated in a subway station platform to control airborne infection of SARS-CoV-2. Collection efficiencies with particle size were measured for the air filter equipped in a HVAC in one subway station in Daejeon. Indoor PM_2.5 changes according to outdoor PM_2.5 with time were also measured to estimate air infiltration rate in the subway station platform. When infected persons generate virions by 10⁴, 10⁵, 10⁶, 3 × 10⁶ and 5 × 10⁶ h^-1 in a 2,400 m³ volume platform, the concentration and dose were estimated as 9, 92, 275 and 458 virions/m³ and 4, 43, 130 and 217 virions after 1 hour exposure, respectively. The concentration and dose were reduced by 70%, and 64%, respectively by operations of both HVAC (with a flow rate of 16,000 m³/h, MERV 11) and ten air cleaners(with total CADR 10,740 m³/h) compared to those without operation of both HVAC and air cleaners. However, virion dose in the platform was estimated to be too low at the general conditions due to a large space, a high air infiltration (3 h^-1) and a short residence time (usually < 10 mins) in the platform irrespective of the operations of HVAC or air cleaners. HVAC with filters and air cleaners would be more necessary in the concourse or shopping areas in the subway stations to reduce the infection dose from a few hundred to several tens virions in a hour.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.107-112
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• 2022

This study was conducted to reduce the phenomenon of biased cultivation and to pursue the diversification of mushroom items. We focused on developing Sparassis latifolia varieties with a short cultivation period, stable pinheading, and a high yield. We have collected and determined the characteristics of genetic resources domestically and abroad since 2016. We bred the unique domestic variety, "Hanyeoul" and the results of this study are as follows. The optimal temperatures for mycelial growth and fruit body growth were 22~25℃ and 19~21℃, respectively. The color of the pileus was pale-yellowish white, which was similar to the color of the control variety, "Neoul". The number of days required for cultivation was 125 for bottle cultivation and 98~102 for bag cultivation, which was shorter than the number of days required for the control variety. Bottle cultivation took 39 days shorter for the new variety than the control variety. The fruiting body of the new variety was similar in size or larger than that of the control variety. The pinheading rate was more than 90% in bottle cultivation and bag cultivation, which was more stable than pinheading in the control variety. The yield was 79.1 g/bottle (1,100 cc) for bottle cultivation, which was 22.6% higher than the yield of the control variety, and 641.1~689.5 g/bag (2.6 kg) for bag cultivation, which 5.8~10.4% higher than yield of the control variety.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.95-104
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• 2022

The development of non-flammable all-solid-state batteries (ASSLBs) has become a hot topic due to the known drawbacks of commercial lithium-ion batteries. As the possibility of applying sulfide solid electrolytes (SSEs) for electric vehicle batteries increases, efforts for the low-cost mass-production are actively underway. Until now, most studies have used high-energy mechanical milling, which is easy to control composition and impurities and can reduce the process time. Through this, various SSEs that exceed the Li⁺ conductivity of liquid electrolytes have been reported, and expectations for the realization of ASSLBs are growing. However, the high-energy mechanical milling method has disadvantages in obtaining the same physical properties when mass-produced, and in controlling the particle size or shape, so that physical properties deteriorate during the full process. On the other hand, wet chemical synthesis technology, which has advantages in mass production and low price, is still in the initial exploration stage. In this technology, SSEs are mainly manufactured through producing a particle-type, solution-type, or mixed-type precursor, but a clear understanding of the reaction mechanism hasn't been made yet. In this review, wet chemical synthesis technologies for SSEs are summarized regarding the reaction mechanism between the raw materials in the solvent.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.57-66
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• 2022

According to the official letter of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (recent guidance on the status of deaths in the construction industry and thorough safety management, April 4, 2022), 17 deaths occurred in construction works worth more than 5 billion won until March 31, 2022. In terms of the size of the construction, 7 cases of 5 billion won to 12 billion won, 5 cases of 12 billion won to 80 billion won, and 5 cases of more than 80 billion won occurred. The causes of death accidents were found to be nine cases (50%), five cases (28%), two cases of collapse (11%), one case of entrapment (5%), and one case of drowning (5%). Safety facilities need to be strengthened to reduce deaths caused by falling, which accounts for most of the deaths, and if fall prevention nets, openings, and safety rails are completely installed, most falling accidents can be prevented. Therefore, this paper intends to present cases of development and use of patent technology through improvement of safety facilities in order to prevent accidents corresponding to the fall of new urban living housing sites, which are small apartment houses.