• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2004

Nitric oxide (NO) system has been implicated in a wide range of physiological functions in the nervous system. However, the role of NO in regulating the neural activity in the gustatory zone of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) has not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the role of NO in the gustatory NTS neurons. Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing about 50 g, were used. Whole cell patch recording and immunohistochemistry were done to determine the electrophysiological characteristics of the rostral gustatory nucleus of the tractus solitaries and distribution of NO synthases (NOS). Neuronal NOS (nNOS) immunoreactivity was strongly detected along the solitary tract extending from rostral to caudal medulla. Resting membrane potentials of NTS neurons were $-49.2{\pm}2\;mV$ and action potential amplitudes were $68.5{\pm}2\;mV$ with a mean duration measured at half amplitude of $1.7{\pm}0.3\;ms$. Input resistance, determined from the response to a 150 ms, -100 pA hyperpolarizing current pulse, was $385{\pm}15\;M{\Omega}$, Superfusion of SNAP or SNP, NO donors, produced either hyperpolarization (68%), depolarization (5%), or no effect (27%). The hyperpolarization was mostly accompanied by a decrease in input resistance. The hyperpolarization caused by SNAP or SNP increased the time to initiate the first action potential, and decreased the number of action potentials elicited by current injection. SNP or SNAP also markedly decreased the number of firing neural discharges of the spontaneous NTS neural activity under zero current. Superfusion of L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor, slightly depolarized the membrane potential and increased the firing rate of NTS neurons induced by current injection. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ameliorated the SNAP-induced changes in membrane potential, input resistance and firing rates. 8-Br-cGMP, a non-degradable cell-permeable cGMP, hyperpolarized the membrane potential and decreased the number of action potentials. It is suggested that NO in the gustatory NTS has an inhibitory role on the neural activity of NTS through activating soluble guanylate cyclase.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.79-91
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• 2005

Wetland systems are widely accepted natural water purification systems around the world in nonpoint sources pollution control. Constructed wetlands have become a popular technology for treating contaminated surface and wastewater. In this study, the field experiment to reduce nonpoint source pollution loadings from polluted stream waters using wetland system was performed from June 2002 to March 2004, including winter performance using four newly constructed wetlands. The Dangjin stream water flowing into Seokmun estuarine lake was pumped into wetlands, and inflow and hydraulic residence time of the system was $500m^{3}{\~}1500m^{3}/day\;and\;2{\~}5$ days respectively. After 3 years operation plant-coverage was about $80~90\%$ from zero at initial stage even with no plantation. Average water quality of the influent in growing season was BOD_{5}\;3.96mg/L$, TSS 22.98 mg/L, T-N 3.29 mg/L, T-P 0.30 mg/L. The average removal rate of four wetlands for $BOD_{5},\;TSS,\;T-N\;and\;T-P$ in growing season was $24\%$, $62\%$, $54\%$, and $51\%$, respectively. And average water quality of the influent in winter season was $BOD_{5}$ 4.92 mg/L, TSS 12.47 mg/L, T-N 5.54 mg/L, and T-P 0.32 mg/L, respectively. The average removal rate of four wetlands for them was $-21\%$. $23\%$, $33\%$, and $53\%$, respectively. The reason of higher BOD_{5} effluent concentration in winter season might be that low temperature restrained microorganism activity and a organic body from the withered plant and algae was flown out. Except the result of $BOD_{5}$, the effectiveness of water quality improvement in winter season was satisfactory for treating polluted stream waters, and $BOD_{5}$ variation was within the range of background concentration. Performance of the experimental system was compared with existing data base (NADB), and it was within the range of general system performance. Overall, the wetland system was found to be satisfactory for NPS control such as improvement of polluted stream water.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2010

In this paper, a new mode changeable asymmetric full bridge dc/dc converter is proposed to solve the freewheeling current problem of the conventional zero voltage switching(ZVS) phase shift full bridge(PSFB) dc/dc converter of low output voltage and high output current applications. The proposed converter is operated as an asymmetric full bridge converter when the duty cycle is less than 50% and active clamp full bridge converter when the duty cycle is greater than 50%. As a result, since its freewheeling current is eliminated, the conduction loss is lower than that of the conventional ZVS PSFB dc/dc converter. Moreover, ZVS of all power switches can be ensured along a wide load ranges and output current ripple is very small. Therefore, high efficiency of the proposed converter can be achieved. Especially since its operation mode is changed to the active clamp full bridge converter during hold up time and can be operated with 50~100% duty ratio, it can produce the stable output voltage along wide input voltage range. The operational principles, theoretical analysis and design considerations are presented. To confirm the operation, validity and features of the proposed converter, experimental results from a 1.2kW($400V_{dc}/12V_{dc}$) prototype are presented.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.421-426
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• 2011

Purpose: Although the sural nerve is the most commonly used donor for autologous nerve graft, its morbidity after harvesting is sparsely investigated. The sural nerve being a sensory nerve, complications such as sensory changes in its area and neuroma can be expected. This study was designed to evaluate the donor site morbidity after sural nerve harvesting. Methods: Among the 13 cases, who underwent sural nerve harvesting between January 2004 and August 2009, 11 patients with proper follow up were included in the study. The collected data included harvested graft length, actual length of the grafted nerve, anesthetic and paresthetic area, presence of Tinel sign and symptomatic neuroma, and scar quality. Results: In 7 patients, no anesthetic area could be detected. Of the patients with a follow up period of more than 2 years, all the patients showed no anesthetic area except two cases who had a very small area of sensory deficit ($225mm^2$) on the lateral heel area, and large deficit ($4,500mm^2$) on the lateral foot aspect. The patients with a short follow up period (1~2 m) demonstrated a large anesthetic skin area ($6.760mm^2$, $12,500mm^2$). Only one patient had a Tinel sign. This patient also showed a subcutaneous neuroma, which was visible, but did not complain of discomfort during daily activities. One patient had a hypertrophic scar in the retromalleolar area, whereas the two other scars on the calf were invisible. Conclusion: After a period of 2 years the size of anesthetic skin in the lateral retromalleolar area is nearly zero. It is hypothesized that the size of sensory skin deficit may be large immediately after the operation. This area decreases over time so that after 2 years the patient does not feel any discomfort from nerve harvesting.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.442-452
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• 2010

Our team carried out a new program for public engagement on nanotechnology in Korea. We chose 22 monitors, who majored in science or technology and graduated from universities long time ago. Most of them were married and housewives. This 'focus group' had not only general knowledge about science or technology but also much interest in social activities. The 167 nanoproducts to be monitored were for daily life, e.g. home appliances (washing machine, refrigerator, water purifier, etc), clothing, cosmetics, food, toy, and others. And the period of it was one month. The monitors had a sheet with 10 questions, and filled them out in essay form. All of them submitted 2~3 sheets every weekend to our team. Before monitoring, our team had a meeting for introduction and explanation about the potential risk of nanotechnology as well as benefits from it. Another meeting was held after finishing monitoring to share their experience one another. The main results of the monitoring were as follows: the number of nanoproducts describing both the definition of 'nano' and the size of nanomaterials was just 2 (1.2%) the number of them explaining the technical methods enough was 15 (9/0%) the number of them accounting for the reason of functional improvement enough was 14(8.4%); the number of them doubtful as if there would be exaggeration or false knowledge was 27 (16.2%); the number of them commenting potential hazards to human health or environment was almost zero; the number of them describing about safety certification acceptable was 9 (5.4%). The monitors made a proposal containing recommendation to Government and industry. The contents were as follows: industry should make the manual in detail and correctly, Describe Certificate detailed and correctly, Do research on risk and toxicity continually, Educate employee about nanoproducts at consumer's center; Government should make indication of nanoproducts compulsory, Appoint Certificate Authority and make Certificate Mark guaranteeing the safety on nanoproducts, Make detailed explanation about nanoproducts compulsory.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.256-265
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• 2009

Laser output becomes output adjustment from 20 w to 100 w consecutively and time of exposure is available adjustment through water plant in 0.01 seconds. Pulse action can intercept laser beam periodically and supermarket pulse 0.1 $\sim$ between 1ms discharge consist and momentary laser output is increased to 5 $\sim$ 10. Specially, that must remove malignancy cell in womb nine escarps in the case of uterine cancer first of all stability of tube output about pulse by weight very, stable soft switching action area is defined without high frequency transformer leakage inductance ($L_1$) increase and additional series inductor insertion to converter the first main circuit securing zero voltage and marks of switching action in this research specially, because circulation current path of inductor ($L_f$) current is intercepted, converter the first main circuit switching component and spiritual enlightenment damage of high frequency transformer take decreasing greatly and high frequency the second stoppage department ($D_5,\;D_6$) becomes soft switching, and also, switching damage absorption quantity characteristic that can come to life again as subordinate have, and to become tube stabilization design and result that manufacture and experiment, brought result that improve of 10% than existing equipment, and if supplement as systematic late, it becomes thought to get into superior result.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.420-426
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• 1999

We examined the immune response in flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, with immunization of formalin killed Edwardsiella tarda as an antigen. The ELISPOT-assay (enzyme-linked immunospot assay) was optimized technically and applied to count the number of total and specific antibody secreting cells (TASC and SASC) in lymphocytes of different lymphatic organs. Incubation of lymphocytes on 96 well plate for more than 2.5hrs came out enough time in ELISPOT-assay for counting the antibody secreting cells in the anterior kidney and spleen. However, too much of plate-coated antigen or rabbit anti-flounder immunoglobulin for SASC or TASC counting, respectively, was appeared to decrease the sensitivity of the assay system. Specificity of the system was also confirmed by the absence of TASC in lymphocytes treated with cycloheximide to prevent protein synthesis. The peak numbers of SASC appeared at wk 3 post immunization after that there was a sharp decrease and reached to almost zero at wk 7. In the spleen and kidney, the timing and numbers of SASC on peak response were concurrent without preferential organ distribution. The specific antibody level in the sera increased rapidly between wk 2 and 3 after immunization, i.e. like the specific cellular response found with ELISPOT-assay on that period, However, the remained high level of specific serum antibody from wk 5 after immunization until the end of experiment was clearly distinguishable from the kinetics of SASC response decreased sharply.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.460-474
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenoside compound K (CK) is a promising drug candidate for rheumatoid arthritis. This study examined the impact of polymorphisms in NR1I2, adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes on the pharmacokinetics of CK in healthy Chinese individuals. Methods: Forty-two targeted variants in seven genes were genotyped in 54 participants using Sequenom MassARRAY system to investigate their association with major pharmacokinetic parameters of CK and its metabolite 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD). Subsequently, molecular docking was simulated using the AutoDock Vina program. Results: ABCC4 rs1751034 TT and rs1189437 TT were associated with increased exposure of CK and decreased exposure of 20(S)-PPD, whereas CFTR rs4148688 heterozygous carriers had the lowest maximum concentration ($C_{max}$) of CK. The area under the curve from zero to the time of the last quantifiable concentration ($AUC_{last}$) of CK was decreased in NR1I2 rs1464602 and rs2472682 homozygous carriers, while $C_{max}$ was significantly reduced only in rs2472682. ABCC4 rs1151471 and CFTR rs2283054 influenced the pharmacokinetics of 20(S)-PPD. In addition, several variations in ABCC2, ABCC4, CFTR, and NR1I2 had minor effects on the pharmacokinetics of CK. Quality of the best homology model of multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4) was assessed, and the ligand interaction plot showed the mode of interaction of CK with different MRP4 residues. Conlusion: ABCC4 rs1751034 and rs1189437 affected the pharmacokinetics of both CK and 20(S)-PPD. NR1I2 rs1464602 and rs2472682 were only associated with the pharmacokinetics of CK. Thus, these hereditary variances could partly explain the interindividual differences in the pharmacokinetics of CK.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2018

Purpose: In 2012, a revised guideline for acute acetaminophen overdose was proposed in the UK, recommending that the treatment threshold should be lowered to 100 mcg/ml at 4 hours after ingestion without risk stratification of hepatotoxicity. However, the poison centers in some developing countries do not have laboratory resources to provide serum drug levels in time. The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the cut-off value of reported dose per kilogram to determine when N-acetylcysteine treatment is warranted under the revised guideline. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from the toxicology registry of an urban emergency medical center between 1st January 2010 and 30th June 2017. Inclusion criteria were single acute overdose of more than 75 mg/kg in 15 hours from ingestion and over 14 years of age. Subgroups were created by 25 mg/kg increments of reported dose, then sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for the cut-off values of 100 mg/kg, 125 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 175 mg/kg for toxic serum level over '100-treatment line'. Results: A total of 99 patients were enrolled in the study; 24 patients showed toxic serum levels (24.2%). Zero of 17 patients with an ingestion dose under 100 mg/kg showed toxic level (0%), and 0 of 15 under 125 mg/kg (0%), 2 of 14 under 150 mg/kg (14.3%), and 4 of 12 under 175 mg/kg (33.3%) had toxic levels. The higher the ingested dose per kilogram of weight, the higher the frequency of the toxic serum concentration on the first test (${\chi}^2$ test for trend, ${\chi}^2=22.66$, p-value<0.001) and the sensitivity of each value was 100%, 100%, 92% and 76%. Conclusion: In acute single acetaminophen intoxication, the ingestion dose of 100 mg/kg of weight will be useful in determining the need for the N-acetylcysteine antidote in the indigent laboratory environment.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.27-36
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• 2019

In this study, experiments on the improvement of the emotion classification, analysis and accuracy of EEG data were proceeded, which applied DEAP (a Database for Emotion Analysis using Physiological signals) dataset. In the experiment, total 32 of EEG channel data measured from 32 of subjects were applied. In pre-processing step, 256Hz sampling tasks of the EEG data were conducted, each wave range of the frequency (Hz); Theta, Slow-alpha, Alpha, Beta and Gamma were then extracted by using Finite Impulse Response Filter. After the extracted data were classified through Time-frequency transform, the data were purified through Independent Component Analysis to delete artifacts. The purified data were converted into CSV file format in order to conduct experiments of Machine learning algorithm and Arousal-Valence plane was used in the criteria of the emotion classification. The emotions were categorized into three-sections; 'Positive', 'Negative' and 'Neutral' meaning the tranquil (neutral) emotional condition. Data of 'Neutral' condition were classified by using Cz(Central zero) channel configured as Reference channel. To enhance the accuracy ratio, the experiment was performed by applying the attributes selected by ASC(Attribute Selected Classifier). In "Arousal" sector, the accuracy of this study's experiments was higher at "32.48%" than Koelstra's results. And the result of ASC showed higher accuracy at "8.13%" compare to the Liu's results in "Valence". In the experiment of Random Forest Classifier adapting ASC to improve accuracy, the higher accuracy rate at "2.68%" was confirmed than Total mean as the criterion compare to the existing researches.