• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 2011

Transforming growth factor ${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) is involved in cellular processes including growth, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and homeostasis. Generally, TGF-${\beta}$ is the inhibitor of cell cycle progression and plays a role in enhancing the antagonistic effects of many growth factors. Unlike the antiproliferative effect of TGF-${\beta}$, E2, an endogeneous estrogen, is stimulating cell proliferation in the estrogen-dependent organs, which are mediated via the estrogen receptors, $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$, and may be considered as a critical risk factor in tumorigenesis of hormone-responsive cancers. Previous researches reported the cross-talk between estrogen/$ER{\alpha}$ and TGF-${\beta}$ pathway. Especially, based on the E2-mediated inhibition of TGF-${\beta}$ signaling, we examined the inhibition effect of 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) and 4-nonylphenol (NP), which are well known xenoestrogens in endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), on TGF-${\beta}$ signaling via semi-quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. The treatment of E2, OP, or NP resulted in the downregulation of TGF-${\beta}$ receptor2 (TGF-${\beta}$ R2) in TGF-${\beta}$ signaling pathway. However, the expression level of TGF-${\beta}1$ and TGF-${\beta}$ receptor1 (TGF-${\beta}$ R1) genes was not altered. On the other hand, E2, OP, or NP upregulated the expression of a cell-cycle regulating gene, c-myc, which is a oncogene and a downstream target gene of TGF-${\beta}$ signaling pathway. As a result of downregulation of TGF-${\beta}$ R2 and the upregulation of c-myc, E2, OP, or NP increased cell proliferation of BG-1 ovarian cancer cells. Taken together, these results suggest that E2 and these two EDCs may mediate cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting TGF-${\beta}$ signaling via the downregulation of TGF-${\beta}$ R2 and the upregulation of c-myc oncogene. In addition, it can be inferred that these EDCs have the possibility of tumorigenesis in estrogen-responsive organs by certainly representing estrogenic effect in inhibiting TGF-${\beta}$ signaling.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.153-163
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• 2020

Compared to gaeous hydrogen, liquid hydrogen has approximately 1/800 volume, 800 times higher volumetric energy density at the same pressure, and the advantage of lower explosion risk and easier transportation than gaseous hydrogen. However, hydrogen liquefaction requires larger scale facility investment than simple compression storage method. Therefore, the research on energy-saving hydrogen liquefaction processes is highly necessary. In this study, helium/neon (mole ratio 80 : 20) refrigeration cycle was investigated as the main refrigeration process for hydrogen liquefaction. Process simulation for less energy consumption were carried out using PRO/II with PROVISION V10.2 of AVEVA. For hydrogen liquefaction, energy consumption was compared in three cases: Using a helium/neon refrigerant cycle, a SMR+helium/neon refrigerant cycle, and a C3-MR+helium/neon refrigerant cycle. As a result, the total power consumptions of compressors required to liquefy 1 kg of hydrogen are 16.3, 7.03 and 6.64 kWh, respectively. Therefore, it can be deduced that energy usage is greatly reduced in the hydrogen liquefaction process when the pre-cooling is performed using the SMR process or the C3MR process, which have already been commercialized, rather than using only the helium/neon refrigeration cycle for the hydrogen liquefaction process.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.49-60
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• 1995

Features of geological lineaments generally play an important role at the data interpretation concerned geological processes, mineral exploration or natural hazard risk estimation. However, there are intrinsically discordances between lineaments-related features extracted from surficial geological syrvey and those from satellite imagery;nevertheless, any data set contained those information should not be considred as less meaningful within their own task. For the purpose of effective utilization task of extracted lineaments, the mathematical scheme, based on fuzzy set theory, for practical integration of various types of rasterized data sets is studied. As a real application, the geological map named Homyeong sheet(1:50,000) and the Landset TM imageries covering same area were used, and then lineaments-related data sets such as lineaments on the geological map, lineaments extracted from a false-color image composite satellite, and major drainage pattern were utilized. For data fusion process, fuzzy membership functions of pixel values in each data set were experimentally assigned by percentile, and then fuzzy algebraic sum operator was tested. As a result, integrated lineaments by this well-known operator are regarded as newly-generated reasonable ones. Conclusively, it was thought that the implementation within available GISs, or the stand-alone module for general applications of this simple scheme can be utilized as an effective scheme can be utilized as an effective scheme for further studies for spatial integration task for providing decision-supporting information, or as a kind of spatial reasoning scheme.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2005

This study, combining geophysical and environmental approaches, was undertaken to investigate the causes of secondary salinity in the Goondoola basin, in southwestern Queensland. Airborne radiometric, electromagnetic and ground electromagnetic datasets were acquired, along with data on soils and subsurface materials and groundwater. Relationships established between radiometric, elevation data, and measured material properties allowed us to generate predictive maps of surface materials and recharge potential. Greatest recharge to the groundwater is predicted to occur on the weathered bedrock rises surrounding the basin. Electromagnetic data (airborne, ground, and downhote), used in conjunction with soil and drillhole measurements, were used to quantify regolith salt store and to define the subsurface architecture. Conductivity measurements reflect soil salt distribution. However, deeper in the regolith, where the salt content is relatively constant, the AEM signal is influenced by changes in porosity or material type. This allowed the lateral distribution of bedrock weathering zones to be mapped. Salinisation in this area occurs because of local-andintermediate-scale processes, controlled strongly by regolith architecture. The present surface outbreak is the result of evaporative concentration above shallow saline groundwater, discharging at break of slope. The integration of surficial and subsurface datasets allowed the identification of similar landscape settings that are most at risk of developing salinity with groundwater rise. This information is now being used by local land managers to refine management choices that prevent excess recharge and further salt mobilisation.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.59-68
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• 2021

As artificial intelligence(AI) technologies, which have made rapid growth recently, began to be applied to the marine environment such as ships, there have been active researches on the application of CNN-based models specialized for digital videos. In E-Navigation service, which is combined with various technologies to detect floating objects of clash risk to reduce human errors and prevent fires inside ships, real-time processing is of huge importance. More functions added, however, mean a need for high-performance processes, which raises prices and poses a cost burden on shipowners. This study thus set out to propose a method capable of processing information at a high rate while maintaining the accuracy by applying Quantization techniques of a deep learning model. First, videos were pre-processed fit for the detection of floating matters in the sea to ensure the efficient transmission of video data to the deep learning entry. Secondly, the quantization technique, one of lightweight techniques for a deep learning model, was applied to reduce the usage rate of memory and increase the processing speed. Finally, the proposed deep learning model to which video pre-processing and quantization were applied was applied to various embedded boards to measure its accuracy and processing speed and test its performance. The proposed method was able to reduce the usage of memory capacity four times and improve the processing speed about four to five times while maintaining the old accuracy of recognition.

• Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.1-24
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• 2018

In the last decade, the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a new technology has been applied with traditional Computer-aided design implementations in an increasing number of architecture, engineering, and construction projects and applications. Its employment alongside construction management, can be a valuable tool in helping move these activities and projects forward in a more efficient and time-effective manner. The traditional stakeholders, i.e., Owner, A/E and the Contractor are involved in this BIM system that is used in almost every activity of construction projects, such as design, cost estimate and scheduling. This article extracts major features of the application of BIM from perspective of participating BIM components, along with the different phrases, and applies to them a logistic analysis using a fuzzy performance tree, quantifying these phrases to judge the effectiveness of the BIM techniques employed. That is to say, these fuzzy performance trees with fuzzy logic concepts can properly translate the linguistic rating into numeric expressions, and are thus employed in evaluating the influence of BIM applications as a mathematical process. The rotational fuzzy models are used to represent the membership functions of the performance values and their corresponding weights. Illustrations of the use of this fuzzy BIM performance tree are presented in the study for the uninitiated users. The results of these processes are an evaluation of BIM project performance as highly positive. The quantification of the performance ratings for the individual factors is a significant contributor to this assessment, capable of parsing vernacular language into numerical data for a more accurate and precise use in performance analysis. It is hoped that fuzzy performance trees and fuzzy set analysis can be used as a tool for the quality and risk analysis for other construction techniques in the future. Baldwin's rotational models are used to represent the membership functions of the fuzzy sets. Three scenarios are presented using fuzzy MEAN, AND and OR gates from the lowest to intermediate levels of the tree, and fuzzy SUM gate to relate the intermediate level to the top component of the tree, i.e., BIM application final performance. The use of fuzzy MEAN for lower levels and fuzzy SUM gates to reach the top level suggests the most realistic and accurate results. The methodology (fuzzy performance tree) described in this paper is appropriate to implement in today's construction industry when limited objective data is presented and it is heavily relied on experts' subjective judgment.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2019

The needs for precise diagnostics and farm management-decision aids have increased to reduce the risk of climate change and environmental stress. Crop simulation models have been widely used to search optimal solutions for effective cultural practices. However, limited knowledge on physiological responses to environmental variation would make it challenging to apply crop simulation models to a wide range of studies. Advanced research facilities would help investigation of plant response to the environment. In the present study, the sunlit controlled environment chambers, known as Korean SPAR (Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Research) system, was developed by renovating existing SPAR system. The Korean SPAR system controls and monitors major environmental variables including atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and soil moisture. Furthermore, plants are allowed to grow under natural sunlight. Key physiological and physical data such as canopy photosynthesis and respiration, canopy water and nutrient use over the whole growth period are also collected automatically. As a case study, it was shown that the Korean SPAR system would be useful for collection of data needed for understanding the growth and developmental processes of a crop, e.g., soybean. In addition, we have demonstrated that the canopy photosynthetic data of the Korean SPAR indicate the precise representation of physiological responses to environment variation. As a result, physical and physiological data obtained from the Korean SPAR are expected to be useful for development of an advanced crop simulation model minimizing errors and confounding factors that usually occur in field experiments.

• Journal of Platform Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.3-17
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• 2021

Advanced persistent threat (APT) attacks are attacks aimed at a particular entity as a set of latent and persistent computer hacking processes. These APT attacks are usually carried out through various methods, including spam mail and disguised banner advertising. The same name is also used for files, since most of them are distributed via spam mail disguised as invoices, shipment documents, and purchase orders. In addition, such Infostealer attacks were the most frequently discovered malicious code in the first week of February 2021. CDR is a 'Content Disarm & Reconstruction' technology that can prevent the risk of malware infection by removing potential security threats from files and recombining them into safe files. Gartner, a global IT advisory organization, recommends CDR as a solution to attacks in the form of attachments. There is a program using CDR techniques released as open source is called 'Dangerzone'. The program supports the extension of most document files, but does not support the extension of HWP files that are widely used in Korea. In addition, Gmail blocks malicious URLs first, but it does not block malicious URLs in mail systems such as Naver and Daum, so malicious URLs can be easily distributed. Based on this problem, we developed a 'Dangerzone' program that supports the HWP extension to prevent APT attacks, and a Chrome extension that performs URL checking in Naver and Daum mail and blocking banner ads.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2021

Hypertriglyceridemia is the main risk factor for atherosclerosis. It is reported that triglyceride (TG) induces macrophage cell death, and is involved in the formation of plaques and development of atherosclerosis. We previously reported that TG-induced cell death of macrophages is mediated via pannexin-1 activation, which increases the extracellular ATP and subsequent increase in potassium efflux, thereby activating the caspase-2/caspase-1/apoptotic caspases, including the caspase-8 pathway. Contrarily, some studies have reported that caspase-8 is an upstream molecule of caspase-1 and caspase-2 in several cellular processes. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate whether caspase-8 influences its upstream molecules in TG-stimulated macrophage cell death. We first confirmed that caspase-8 induces caspase-3 activation and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage in TG-treated macrophages. Next, we determined that the inhibition of caspase-8 results in reduced caspase-1 and -2 activity, which are upstream molecules of caspase-8 in TG-induced cell death of macrophages. We also found that ATP treatment restores the caspase-8 inhibitor-induced caspase-2 activity, thereby implying that caspase-8 affects the upstream molecules responsible for increasing the extracellular ATP levels in TG-induced macrophage cell death. Taken together, these findings indicate that caspase-8 potentiates the TG-induced macrophage cell death by activating its upstream molecules.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.573-582
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• 2021

In this study, a series of processes for evaluating the effective protection against barriers that should be equipped in institutions that perform reliability tests on high-risk ammunition, such as high-explosive ammunition, were introduced. The impact that high-explosive bombs can have on personnel includes damage to the eardrum and lungs caused by explosion overpressure and penetrating wounds that can be received by fragments generated simultaneously with the explosion. Therefore, a high-explosive with COMP B explosives as its contents were set up, and an explosion protection theory investigation to calculate the degree of damage, numerical calculations and simulations were performed to verify the protection power. A numerical calculation revealed the maximum explosion overpressure on the protective wall when the high-explosive exploded and the penetration force of the fragment against a 50 mm-thick protective wall to be 77.74 kPa and 41.34 mm, respectively. In the simulation verification using AUTODYN, the maximum explosion overpressures affecting the firewall and personnel were 56.68 kPa and 18.175 kPa, respectively, and the penetration of fragments was 35.56 mm. This figure is lower than the human damage limit, and it was judged that the protective power of the barrier would be effective.