• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.430-440
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze the degree of depression, cognitive function, communication ability, and the quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) in elderly individuals with hearing loss and to investigate their inter-relationship. Hearing-impaired elderly participants, aged 60 years or older (37 men and 26 women) who visited the S Hearing Rehabilitation Center in Y City from June 20, 2020, to September 3, 2020, participated voluntarily after a recruitment announcement.The participants' overall characteristics, depression, and cognitive functions were evaluated with a structured questionnaire. The Word Recognition Score (WRS) was evaluated with an audiometer using the Korean Standard Monosyllabic Word Lists for Adults (KS-MWL-A). The quantitative EEG was measured with dry electrodes using a 2-channel EEG on the frontal lobes Fp1 and Fp2. The results are summarized as follows: Communication ability showed a positive correlation with the left-right symmetry of the frontal lobes (**p<.01) and a negative correlation with right-brain mental distraction and stress (*p<.05). In the difference WRS test for each group, the left-right symmetry of the frontal lobes (**p<.01) showed the greatest correlation with communication ability. Our results suggest that the left-right symmetry of the frontal lobes can be a biomarker indicative of the communication ability of older people with hearing impairments.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.574-582
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• 2018

In systems such as railways, automobiles, and airplanes, system malfunctions may lead to accidents, which often cause serious personal injury and economic loss. In previous studies, failure analysis has been performed, and safety measures derived using the component level information to reduce damage when a failure occurs. However, in functional safety concept, a focus is placed on lowering the frequency of occurrence of failures by performing risks analysis, setting up safety goals, and designing safety functions. Therefore, it is necessary to study how to determine the required safety function that can reduce the failure frequency to the acceptable level. To achieve this, we first studied a failure modeling method using SysML. It was then presented how several alternatives can be assessed to determine the desired safety function by simulating the generated SysML failure models and calculating the ability to reduce the failure frequency. A case study of a railway signaling system was done, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach. We assessed whether the safety objectives were met for the alternative design of the railway signaling system through M & S. The results can be useful in that it can be applied from the early design phase and allow to choose the appropriate safety function that satisfies safety objectives among various design alternatives.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.136-143
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• 2018

Cellular automata have been applied to simulations in many fields such as astrophysics, social phenomena, fire spread, and evacuation. Using cellular automata, this study develops a model for consequence analysis of the dispersion of hazardous chemicals, which is required for risk assessments of and emergency responses for frequent chemical accidents. Unlike in cases of detailed plant safety design, real-time accident responses require fast and iterative calculations to reduce the uncertainty of the distribution of damage within the affected area. EPA ALOHA and KORA of National Institute of Chemical Safety have been popular choices for these analyses. However, this study proposes an initiative to supplement the model and code continuously and is different in its development of free software, specialized for small and medium enterprises. Compared to the full-scale computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which requires large amounts of computation time, the relative accuracy loss is compromised, and the convenience of the general user is improved. Using Python open-source libraries as well as meteorological information linkage, it is made possible to expand and update the functions continuously. Users can easily obtain the results by simply inputting the layout of the plant and the materials used. Accuracy is verified against full-scale CFD simulations, and it will be distributed as open source software, supporting GPU-accelerated computing for fast computation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.480-494
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• 2019

Aggregates of disease-causing proteins dysregulate cellular functions, thereby causing neuronal cell loss in diverse neurodegenerative diseases. Although many in vitro or in vivo studies of protein aggregate inhibitors have been performed, a therapeutic strategy to control aggregate toxicity has not been earnestly pursued, partly due to the limitations of available aggregate models. In this study, we established a tetracycline (Tet)-inducible nuclear aggregate (${\beta}23$) expression model to screen potential lead compounds inhibiting ${\beta}23$-induced toxicity. High-throughput screening identified several natural compounds as nuclear ${\beta}23$ inhibitors, including peucedanocoumarin III (PCIII). Interestingly, PCIII accelerates disaggregation and proteasomal clearance of both nuclear and cytosolic ${\beta}23$ aggregates and protects SH-SY5Y cells from toxicity induced by ${\beta}23$ expression. Of translational relevance, PCIII disassembled fibrils and enhanced clearance of cytosolic and nuclear protein aggregates in cellular models of huntingtin and ${\alpha}$-synuclein aggregation. Moreover, cellular toxicity was diminished with PCIII treatment for polyglutamine (PolyQ)-huntingtin expression and ${\alpha}$-synuclein expression in conjunction with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) treatment. Importantly, PCIII not only inhibited ${\alpha}$-synuclein aggregation but also disaggregated preformed ${\alpha}$-synuclein fibrils in vitro. Taken together, our results suggest that a Tet-Off ${\beta}23$ cell model could serve as a robust platform for screening effective lead compounds inhibiting nuclear or cytosolic protein aggregates. Brain-permeable PCIII or its derivatives could be beneficial for eliminating established protein aggregates.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.655-667
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• 2019

This research aims to identify the possibility of developing A horizon resources that can be used for construction and civil engineering work. As such, the utility of A horizon resources was examined by establishing planting ground through a mixture of soil layers and by analyzing the growth and development of Pinus densiflora. The physicochemical and physical properties of the soil were as follows: the A horizon was sandy clay loam, B horizon was sandy loam, and the mixture of two layers appeared as sandy loam, which was identical to the B horizon. The experimental groups did not show any significant difference in their physical properties of porosity and degree of water-stable aggregates. With regards to chemical properties, the A horizon as well as the mixture of A and B horizon showed acidity while the B horizon showed alkalinity. The figures of organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphate, and replaceable potassium were greater as the A horizon content increased, whereas the figures of replaceable calcium, replaceable magnesium, and conductivity increased as the A horizon content decreased. As a result of the growth and development of Pinus densiflora in each planting ground, the final survival rates were all above 100%. However, the tree height and the rate of growth for the diameter of root were higher in the order of A horizon > A horizon + B horizon > B horizon,indicating that the increased A horizon content is related to the growth and development of Pinus densiflora. The treatment of soil with improvement agents, used to recover the functions of in-situ soil showing poor growth and development, did not have a clear impact on the soil texture and porosity. However, the degree of water-stable aggregates increased significantly when using O horizon as the soil improvement agent among the types of in-situ soil. In contrast, all items related to the chemical properties showed significant differences following the treatment by soil improvement agents. The survival rate according to the treatment of soil improvement agents for the growth and development of Pinus densiflora was higher in the order of organic horizon = no treatment > compound fertilizer > organic fertilizer + compound fertilizer > organic fertilizer; this result was statistically significant with a marginal significance value of the log-rank test(p < 0.05).

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.281-293
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• 2021

Patients who went through maxillectomy can have severely impaired swallowing, mastication, and pronunciation functions because of palatal defects. Leakage occurs through the nasal cavity while eating, chewing becomes difficult due to the loss of teeth and alveolar ridges, and oral and nasal passages are not separated, leading to hyper-nasal sound, and significantly reducing the quality of life. To prosthetically reconstruct the defect, the weight of the obturator should be reduced as much as possible to minimize dropout because of gravity, and the bulb of the obturator should be properly extended into the defect to get additional retention and stability. In this case of a partially edentulous patient who underwent additional maxillary resection because of tumor recurrence, a metal framework was designed by applying the basic design principles of removable partial dentures. An obturator with improved retention, stability, and support was fabricated through functional impressions. The patient was satisfied with the improved facial expression, mastication, swallowing, and pronunciation, and showed stable occlusion and oral hygiene management during the follow-up period.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.51-64
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• 2022

Along with the urbanization, the risk of urban flooding due to climate change is increasing. Flood regulation, one of the ecosystem services, is implemented in the different level of function of flood risk mitigation by the type of ecosystem such as forests, arable land, wetlands etc. Land use changes due to development pressures have become an important factor in increasing the vulnerability by flash flood. This study has conducted evaluating the urban flood regulation service using InVEST UFRM(Urban Flood Risk Model). As a result of the simulation, the potential water retention by ecosystem type in the event of a flash flood according to RCP 4.5(10 year frequency) scenario was 1,569,611 tons in urbanized/dried areas, 907,706 tons in agricultural areas, 1,496,105 tons in forested areas, 831,705 tons in grasslands, 1,021,742 tons in wetlands, and 206,709 tons in bare areas, the water bodies was estimated to be 38,087 tons. In the case of more severe 100-year rainfall, 1,808,376 tons in urbanized/dried areas, 1,172,505 tons in agricultural areas, 2,076,019 tons in forests, 1,021,742 tons in grasslands, 47,603 tons in wetlands, 238,363 tons in bare lands, and 52,985 tons in water bodies. The potential economic damage from flood runoff(100 years frequency) is 122,512,524 thousand won in residential areas, 512,382,410 thousand won in commercial areas, 50,414,646 thousand won in industrial areas, 2,927,508 thousand won in Infrastructure(road), 8,907 thousand won in agriculture, Total of assuming a runoff of 50 mm(100 year frequency) was estimated at 688,245,997 thousand won. In a conclusion. these results provided an overview of ecosystem functions and services in terms of flood control, and indirectly demonstrated the possibility of using the model as a tool for policy decision-making. Nevertheless, in future research, related issues such as application of models according to various spatial scales, verification of difference in result values due to differences in spatial resolution, improvement of CN(Curved Number) suitable for the research site conditions based on actual data, and development of flood damage factors suitable for domestic condition for the calculation of economic loss.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.87-110
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• 2022

This study was conducted based on the need to establish an operational plan following the establishment of the Okcheon-gun Daily Life Culture and Sports Center Library, and for the users of public libraries in Okcheon-gun, the functions and roles of the Okcheon-gun Library, collection related to operational direction, user service related activation, library usage related status survey, preference for the future use and perception of desired services were surveyed. Based on the results of the perception survey, the direction required by the Okcheon-gun residents for the Library was identified, and the research results are as follows. As a result of the study, first, when establishing a collection plan, the data types ought to be based on the printed materials and the multi-media materials to reflect the needs of the users, and it may also be necessary to collect them in consideration of the subject areas including literature, art, history, and technical sciences. Second, to provide various information services, it would be necessary to establish an overall information service plan, and it was identified that it would be necessary to develop various information services according to the user preferences and provide cooperative services. Third, it was determined that the programs appropriate for the various subjects and age groups should be continuously expanded moving forward in consideration of the larges demand for programs by the residents of Okcheon-gun. Fourth, new constructions and spatial improvements are needed, and the overall preference for open spaces was significant. In the case of cultural space, the preference for youth cultural facilities, convenience facilities for residents, infinite loss of imagination, and the (experiential) exhibition halls turned out to be large.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2023

Background: Due to the interrupted blood supply in cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS), ischemic and hypoxia results in neuronal depolarization, insufficient NAD+, excessive levels of ROS, mitochondrial damages, and energy metabolism disorders, which triggers the ischemic cascades. Currently, improvement of mitochondrial functions and energy metabolism is as a vital therapeutic target and clinical strategy. Hence, it is greatly crucial to look for neuroprotective natural agents with mitochondria protection actions and explore the mediated targets for treating CIS. In the previous study, notoginseng leaf triterpenes (PNGL) from Panax notoginseng stems and leaves was demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the potential mechanisms have been not completely elaborate. Methods: The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) was adopted to verify the neuroprotective effects and potential pharmacology mechanisms of PNGL in vivo. Antioxidant markers were evaluated by kit detection. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by ATP content measurement, ATPase, NAD and NADH kits. And the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and pathological staining (H&E and Nissl) were used to detect cerebral morphological changes and mitochondrial structural damages. Western blotting, ELISA and immunofluorescence assay were utilized to explore the mitochondrial protection effects and its related mechanisms in vivo. Results: In vivo, treatment with PNGL markedly reduced excessive oxidative stress, inhibited mitochondrial injury, alleviated energy metabolism dysfunction, decreased neuronal loss and apoptosis, and thus notedly raised neuronal survival under ischemia and hypoxia. Meanwhile, PNGL significantly increased the expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) in the ischemic regions, and regulated its related downstream SIRT1/2/3-MnSOD/PGC-1α pathways. Conclusion: The study finds that the mitochondrial protective effects of PNGL are associated with the NAMPT-SIRT1/2/3-MnSOD/PGC-1α signal pathways. PNGL, as a novel candidate drug, has great application prospects for preventing and treating ischemic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.290-300
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• 2023

This study was understood the risk mechanism of falls in the elderly and reviewed previous research data to see if the principle of Pilates rehabilitation exercise could have a positive effect on balance ability and postural stabilization in the elderly, and the purpose of this study is to present literature-based data on the fall prevention effect of rehabilitation Pilates exercise. First, the rehabilitation Pilates exercise makes it available for strengthening the center of the body to stabilize the spine and pelvis and stimulates the nerve root, thereby having an effect on the balance and the joint stabilization. Second, a proprioceptive sensory impairment and a musculoskeletal degenerative disease due to aging increase the loss of balance ability and the instability in posture maintenance, thereby coming to raise the risk of a fall damage caused by the difficulty in performing motor functions and by the gait disturbance. Third, the rehabilitation Pilates exercise leads to improving the core muscle strength in older adults, resulting in being capable of expecting the betterment in the balance and the reaction time motor function. And there is a positive impact on the improvement in body imbalance and on the stability in movement involved in the fall prevention, resulting in being able to suggest the possibility of likely contributing to a reduction in a fall risk rate. In conclusion, the rehabilitation Pilates as the elderly exercise program showed effects on the improvement in the body's muscular strength, on the upgrade in a sense of balance, and on the stabilization of core. Thus, it was considered to diminish the risk factors for a fall damage caused by musculoskeletal degeneration and to be capable of preventing a serious disorder of activity due to a chronic senile disease.