• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.148-163
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• 2021

Timely fault identification is important for safe and reliable operation of the electric valve system. Many research works have utilized different data-driven approach for fault diagnosis in complex systems. However, they do not consider specific characteristics of critical control components such as electric valves. This work presents an integrated shallow-deep fault diagnostic model, developed based on signals extracted from DN50 electric valve. First, the local optimal issue of particle swarm optimization algorithm is solved by optimizing the weight search capability, the particle speed, and position update strategy. Then, to develop a shallow diagnostic model, the modified particle swarm algorithm is combined with support vector machine to form a hybrid improved particle swarm-support vector machine (IPs-SVM). To decouple the influence of the background noise, the wavelet packet transform method is used to reconstruct the vibration signal. Thereafter, the IPs-SVM is used to classify phase imbalance and damaged valve faults, and the performance was evaluated against other models developed using the conventional SVM and particle swarm optimized SVM. Secondly, three different deep belief network (DBN) models are developed, using different acoustic signal structures: raw signal, wavelet transformed signal and time-series (sequential) signal. The models are developed to estimate internal leakage sizes in the electric valve. The predictive performance of the DBN and the evaluation results of the proposed IPs-SVM are also presented in this paper.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.440-447
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• 2021

Background Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a potential target for anti-obesity treatments. Previous studies have shown that BAT activation causes an acute metabolic boost and reduces adiposity. Furthermore, BAT and BAT-derived cell transplantation reportedly help treat obesity by regulating glucose and fatty acid metabolism. However, since BAT transplantation leads to whole-body weight loss, we speculated that earlier approaches cause a generalized and unnecessary fat tissue loss, including in breast and hip tissues. Methods We transplanted white adipose tissue-derived or BAT-derived preadipocytes prepared from C57BL/6 mice into one side of the inguinal fat pads of an obese mouse model (db/db mice) to examine whether it would cause fat loss at the peri-transplant site (n=5 each). The same volume of phosphate-buffered saline was injected as a control on the other side. Six weeks after transplantation, the inguinal fat pad was excised and weighed. We also measured the concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, fatty acids, and total cholesterol in the peripheral blood. Results BAT-derived preadipocytes showed abundant mitochondria and high levels of mitochondrial membrane uncoupling protein 1 expression, both in vivo and in vitro, with a remarkable reduction in weight of the inguinal fat pad after transplantation (0.17±0.12 g, P=0.043). Only free fatty acid levels tended to decrease in the BAT-transplanted group, but the difference was not significant (P=0.11). Conclusions Our results suggest that brown adipocytes drive fat degradation around the transplantation site. Thus, local transplantation of BAT-derived preadipocytes may be useful for treating obesity, as well as in cosmetic treatments.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.17-22
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• 2021

Background/Objectives: To evaluate clinical significance of FDG PET-CT for detection of residual cancer cells after curative radiation therapy or chemoradiotherapy for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of Head and Neck Materials & Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with SCC of Head and neck with curative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherpy between June 2011 and Jan. 2019 was performed. Sixty patients were treated with Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The Metabolic responses were evaluated on the post-treatment FDG PET-CT at 12 weeks after curative radiotherapy completion. Results: Median follow up was 51.5 months (3-102). The overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), local control rate (LCR), and Distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) at 5 years were 80.5%, 80.1%, 87.7% and 89.1%. Metabolic CR was found in 43 (71.7%) and partial metabolic response (PR) was noted in 17 (14.6%). Metabolic CR was significantly correlated with OS, DFS, LCR, and DMFS. On multivariate analysis, Metabolic CR remained significant for DFS and LCR. Conclusion: Metabolic CR on post-radiotherapy FDG PET-CT is highly predictive of increased DFS and LCR in patients with head and neck cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.355-363
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• 2021

Dynamic changes in adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) with nutritional status play a role in the regulation of metabolic and endocrine functions. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system via β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR) contributes to the control of postprandial enhancement of ATBF. Herein, we sought to identify the role of each β-AR subtype in the regulation of ATBF in mice. We monitored the changes in visceral epididymal ATBF (VAT BF), induced by local infusion of dobutamine, salbutamol, and CL316,243 (a selective β1-, β2-, and β3-AR agonist, respectively) into VAT of lean CD-1 mice and global adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) knockout (KO) mice, using laser Doppler flowmetry. Administration of CL316,243, known to promote lipolysis in adipocytes, significantly increased VAT BF of CD-1 mice to a greater extent compared to that of the vehicle, whereas administration of dobutamine or salbutamol did not produce significant differences in VAT BF. The increase in VAT BF induced by β3-AR stimulation disappeared in ATGL KO mice as opposed to their wild-type (WT) littermates, implying a role of ATGL-mediated lipolysis in the regulation of VAT BF. Different vascular reactivities occurred despite no significant differences in vessel density and adiposity between the groups. Additionally, the expression levels of the angiogenesis-related genes were significantly higher in VAT of ATGL KO mice than in that of WT, implicating an association of ATBF responsiveness with angiogenic activity in VAT. Our findings suggest a potential role of β3-AR signaling in the regulation of VAT BF via ATGL-mediated lipolysis in mice.

• 한국경제지리학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.163-180
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• 2021

원자력발전은 위험을 안고 있음에도 많은 국가에서 에너지 공급원으로 그리고 지구온난화 대응으로 중요하게 자리잡고 있다. 핵에너지는 방사능 오염의 위험과 핵무기의 위협 그리고 핵폐기물 처리의 문제를 가지고 있으나 효율적인 신기술로 안전 관리가 가능하다는 기술낙관주의가 전문가 그리고 정부 주도로 주류를 이루어 왔다. 그러나 체르노빌 그리고 후쿠시마 원전 사고는 전세계적으로 핵발전의 대안을 모색하는 관심과 노력은 확대되어 대안 모색으로 지속가능한 재생 에너지의 생산을 확대하는 노력, 에너지의 효율적 전달을 위한 스마트그리드와 환경친화적 소비 행태를 통한 에너지 사용 절감, 그리고 핵폐기물의 처리 등을 포함한 환경의 수용능력을 감안한 청지기 정신을 강조한다. 보다 근본적인 대안 운동으로는 대규모 원전 사고를 경험하며 기존 전문가와 정부가 중심이 되어 형성해온 기술주의가 배제했던 지역에서의 피해 사례와 이를 고려하지 못하는 접근에 대한 불만이 보다 광범위하게 피해자, 기술자, 일반인 등이 대안운동을 전개한다. 이들 비전문가들은 지역의 오염을 감지하고 대중의 일상생활에 심각하게 영향을 위험과 감정을 고려하는 능력을 가진 반전문가로 등장한다. 이들은 광범위한 지역에서 원자력에 대한 대안적 지식을 구성하고 합법화하는데 중요한 역할을 한다.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.11-19
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• 2022

Although translational research is referred to clinical chemistry measures, correct weighting factors for linear and quadratic calibration curves with least-squares regression algorithm have not been carefully considered in bioanalytical assays yet. The objective of this study was to identify steroidogenic roles in preeclampsia and verify accuracy of quantitative results by comparing two different linear regression models with weighting factor of 1 and 1/x². A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based adrenal steroid assay was conducted to reveal metabolic signatures of preeclampsia in both serum and placenta samples obtained 15 preeclamptic patients and 17 age-matched control pregnant women (33.9 ± 4.2 vs. 32.8 ± 5.6 yr, respectively) at 34~36 gestational weeks. Percent biases in the unweighted model (w_i = 1) were inversely proportional to concentrations (-739.4 ~ 852.9%) while those of weighted regression (w_i = 1/x²) were < 18% for all variables. The optimized LC-MS combined with the weighted linear regression resulted in significantly increased maternal serum levels of pregnenolone, 21-deoxycortisol, and tetrahydrocortisone (P < 0.05 for all) in preeclampsia. Serum metabolic ratio of (tetrahydrocortisol + allo-tetrahydrocortisol) / tetrahydrocortisone indicating 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 was decreased (P < 0.005) in patients. In placenta, local concentrations of androstenedione were changed while its metabolic ratio to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone responsible for 17,20-lyase activity was significantly decreased in patients (P = 0.002). The current bioanalytical LC-MS assay with corrected weighting factor of 1/x² may provide reliable and accurate quantitative outcomes, suggesting altered steroidogenesis in preeclampsia patients at late gestational weeks in the third trimester.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.387-394
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• 2022

Background: Dental pain management is an important aspect of patient management in pediatric dentistry. Articaine is considered the most successful anesthetic agent for infiltration anesthesia. Buffered articaine has been observed to have faster onset and longer duration of action with less pain on injection. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare pain on injection, onset of action, and pain during extraction using buffered (using Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)) and non-buffered 4% articaine (with 1:100000 adrenaline) infiltrations for primary maxillary molar extractions in 4-10-year-old children. Methods: Seventy children who required extraction of maxillary primary molars were enrolled in this triple-blind randomized study. Children undergoing extraction were randomly divided into two groups, with 35 in each group. The study group was the buffered articaine group; the control group was the non-buffered articaine group. Buccal and palatal infiltrations were administered with either buffered or non-buffered articaine. Subjective evaluation was done for pain on injection, pain during extraction using Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPR) and onset of anesthesia in seconds. Pain on injection, pain during extraction were objectively evaluated using Sound Eye Motor (SEM) scale and onset of anesthesia was also evaluated objectively by pricking with sharp dental probe. Results: The outcome was, significantly less pain on injection and significantly faster onset of anesthesia with significantly less pain during extraction for both subjective and objective evaluations in the buffered articaine group. Subgroup analysis was also performed and it showed variable results, with only significant difference for WBFPR scores in age subgroup 4-7 years for palatal infiltration. Conclusion: Less pain on injection, faster onset of anesthesia, and less pain during extraction were observed when buffered articaine was used for maxillary primary molar extraction.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.224-230
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• 2021

Background: Local anesthetics often are used in rotator cuff tears as therapeutic tools, although some cases have reported that they have detrimental effects. Neurotropin (NTP) is used widely in Japan as a treatment for various chronic pain conditions and is shown to have protective effects on cartilage and nerve cells. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of NTP against lidocaine-induced cytotoxicity. Methods: Tenocytes from rotator cuff tendons were incubated with lidocaine, NTP, lidocaine with NTP, and a control medium. Cell viability was evaluated using the WST-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was detected via annexin V staining using flow cytometry. The expression of BCL-2 and cytochrome c, which are involved in the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, was evaluated via Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Results: In the cell viability assay, lidocaine decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, and NTP did not affect cell viability. Moreover, NTP significantly inhibited the cytotoxic effect of lidocaine. The flow cytometry analysis showed that lidocaine significantly induced apoptosis in tenocytes, and NTP considerably inhibited this lidocaine-induced apoptosis. Western blotting experiments showed that lidocaine decreased the protein expression of BCL-2, and that NTP conserved the expression of BCL-2, even when used with lidocaine. Immunohistochemical staining for cytochrome c showed that 0.1% lidocaine increased cytochrome c-positive cells, and NTP suppressed lidocaine-induced cytochrome c expression. Conclusions: NTP suppresses lidocaine-induced apoptosis of tenocytes by inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Intra-articular/bursal injection of NTP with lidocaine could protect tenocytes in rotator cuff tendons against lidocaine-induced apoptosis.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.196-203
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• 2023

We investigated the nutritional characteristics and antioxidant effects of sea mustard Undaria pinnatifida fractions from Gultongmeori in Taejongdae, Youngdo, Busan. Based on dry weight, the moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, crude ash, and crude fiber contents were 34.98%, 11.55%, 0.43%, 17.82%, and 3.45%, respectively. To evaluate the antioxidant effect, we used radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production measurement, and DNA oxidation assays. Total flavonoid and phenol contents were higher in the n-hexane fraction than in other fractions. The n-hexane fraction was more effective at scavenging free radicals than other fractions as assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays (P<0.05). The ROS production assay showed that all sea mustard fractions decreased H₂O₂ induced cellular ROS production compared to that seen in the control (P<0.05); however, the n-hexane fraction reduced cellular ROS production to a greater extent than the other fractions. Furthermore, the n-hexane fraction from Gultongmeori significantly inhibited genomic DNA oxidation. These results indicate that the antioxidant effect of sea mustard is associated with its high flavonoid and phenol content. This study proposes that processed food products supplemented with sea mustard can be developed as functional foods to promote health in the local population.

• 한국안전학회지
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.87-95
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• 2023

On October 29, 2022, a very large number of people gathered in Itaewondong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea for a Halloween festival, and as crowds pushed through narrow alleys, 159 deaths and 195 injuries occurred, making it the largest crushing incident in Korea. There have been a number of stampede deaths where crowds gathered at large-scale festivals, event venues, and stadiums, both at home and abroad. When the density increases, the physical contact between bodies becomes very strong, and crowd turbulence occurs when the force of the crowd is suddenly added from one body to another; thus, the force is amplified and causes the crowd to behave like a mass of fluid. When crowd turbulence occurs, people cannot control themselves and are pushed into he crowd. To prevent a stampede accident, investigation and management of areas expected to be crowded and congested must be systematically conducted, and related ministries and local governments are planning to establish a crowd management system to prepare safety management measures to prevent accidents involving multiple crowds. In this study, based on national data, a continuous digital topographic map is modeled in 3D to analyze the risk of crowding and present a plan for selecting high-risk walking routes. Areas with a high risk of crowding are selected in advance based on various data (numerical data, floating population, and regional data) in a realistic and feasible way, and the analysis is based on the visible results from 3D modeling of the risk area. The study demonstrates that it is possible to prepare measures to prevent cluster accidents that can reflect the characteristics of the region.