• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.561-581
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• 2017

Bayesian statistics can play a key role in the design and analysis of clinical trials and this has been demonstrated for medical device trials. By 1995 Bayesian statistics had been well developed and the revolution in computing powers and Markov chain Monte Carlo development made calculation of posterior distributions within computational reach. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiative of Bayesian statistics in medical device clinical trials, which began almost 20 years ago, is reviewed in detail along with some of the key decisions that were made along the way. Both Bayesian hierarchical modeling using data from previous studies and Bayesian adaptive designs, usually with a non-informative prior, are discussed. The leveraging of prior study data has been accomplished through Bayesian hierarchical modeling. An enormous advantage of Bayesian adaptive designs is achieved when it is accompanied by modeling of the primary endpoint to produce the predictive posterior distribution. Simulations are crucial to providing the operating characteristics of the Bayesian design, especially for a complex adaptive design. The 2010 FDA Bayesian guidance for medical device trials addressed both approaches as well as exchangeability, Type I error, and sample size. Treatment response adaptive randomization using the famous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation example is discussed. An interesting real example of a Bayesian analysis using a failed trial with an interesting subgroup as prior information is presented. The implications of the likelihood principle are considered. A recent exciting area using Bayesian hierarchical modeling has been the pediatric extrapolation using adult data in clinical trials. Historical control information from previous trials is an underused area that lends itself easily to Bayesian methods. The future including recent trends, decision theoretic trials, Bayesian benefit-risk, virtual patients, and the appalling lack of penetration of Bayesian clinical trials in the medical literature are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.65-76
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• 2021

There is a possibility of cavities occurring inside and behind the lining of an aged tunnel structure. In most cases, it is not easy to check the cavity because it exists in a place where visual inspection is impossible. Recently, attempts have been made to evaluate the condition of the tunnel lining and the backfill materials using non-destructive tests such as Ground Penetrating Radar, and various related model tests and numerical analysis studies have been conducted. In this study, the GPR signal characteristics for tunnel lining model testing were analyzed using gprMax software, which was compared with model test results. The numerical model applied to the model test reasonably simulated the electromagnetic wave signal according to the change of the material such as tunnel lining and internal cavity. Using the verified GPR model, B-scan data for the development of the GPR signal analysis technique were obtained, which can evaluate the thickness of the tunnel lining, the presence of the cavity, the effect of the waterproof membrane, and the frequency band.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.87-98
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• 2021

To establish an infection, fungal pathogens must recognize diverse signals from host surfaces. The rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the best models studying host-pathogen interactions. This fungus recognizes physical or chemical signals from the host surfaces and initiates the development of an infection structure called appressorium. Here, we found that protein MoAfo1(appressorium formation, MGG_10422) was involved in sensing signal molecules such as cutin monomers and long chain primary alcohols required for appressorium formation. The knockout mutant (ΔMoafo1) formed a few abnormal appressoria on the onion and rice sheath surfaces. However, it produced normal appressoria on the surface of rice leaves. MoAfo1 localized to the membranes of the cytoplasm and vacuole-like organelles in conidia and appressoria. Additionally, the ΔMoafo1 mutant showed defects in appressorium morphology, appressorium penetration, invasive growth, and pathogenicity. These multiple defects might be partially due to failure to respond properly to oxidative stress. These findings broaden our understanding of the fungal mechanisms at play in the recognition of the host surface during rice blast infection.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2022

The development of selective targeting of drug molecules towards the mitochondria is an important issue related to therapy efficacy. In this study, we report that gallic acid (GA)-mitochondria targeting sequence (MTS)-H₃R₉ exhibits a dual role as a mitochondria-targeting vehicle with antioxidant activity for disease therapy. In viability assays, GA-MTS-H₃R₉ showed a better rescue action compared to that of MTS-H₃R₉. GA-MTS-H₃R₉ dramatically exhibited cell penetration and intercellular uptake compared to MTS and fit escape from lysosome release to the cytosol. We demonstrated the useful targeting of GA-MTS-H₃R₉ towards mitochondria in AC16 cells. Also, we observed that the antioxidant properties of mitochondrial-accrued GA-MTS-H₃R₉ alleviated cell damage by reactive oxygen species production and disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential. GA-MTS-H₃R₉ showed a very increased cytoprotective effect against anticancer activity compared to that of MTS-H₃R₉. We showed that GA-MTS-H₃R₉ can act as a vehicle for mitochondria-targeting and as a reagent for therapeutic applications intended for cardiovascular disease treatment.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.85-95
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• 2023

In recent years, solid-state Li metal batteries (SSLBs) have attracted significant attention as the next-generation batteries with high energy and power densities. However, uncontrolled dendrite growth and the resulting pulverization of Li during repeated plating/stripping processes must be addressed for practical applications. Herein, we report a plastic-crystal-based polymer/ceramic composite solid electrolyte (PCCE) to resolve these issues. To fabricate the one-side ceramic-incorporated PCCE (CI-PCCE) film, a mixed precursor solution comprising plastic-crystal-based polymer (succinonitrile, SN) with garnet-structured ceramic (Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂, LLZO) particles was infused into a thin cellulose membrane, which was used as a mechanical framework, and subsequently solidified by using UV-irradiation. The CI-PCCE exhibited good flexibility and a high room-temperature ionic conductivity of over 10^-3 S cm^-1. The Li symmetric cell assembled with CI-PCCE provided enhanced durability against Li dendrite penetration through the solid electrolyte (SE) layer than those with LLZO-free PCCEs and exhibited long-term cycling stability (over 200 h) for Li plating/stripping. The enhanced Li⁺ transference number and lower interfacial resistance of CI-PCCE indicate that the ceramic-polymer composite layer in contact with the Li anode enabled the uniform distribution of Li⁺ flux at the interface between the Li metal and CI-PCCE, thereby promoting uniform Li plating/stripping. Consequently, the Li//LiFePO₄ (LFP) full cell constructed with CI-PCCE demonstrated superior rate capability (~120 mAh g^-1 at 2 C) and stable cycle performance (80% after 100 cycles) than those with ceramic-free PCCE.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2012

This study was designed to determine whether low-density lipoproteins (LDL) from egg yolk and taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose as antioxidant in extender improve the freezability and fertility of Korean Jeju Black Bull semen. The semen was cryopreserved with tris egg yolk extenders containing 7% glycerol and treated 4% LDL, 20 mM taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose. Frozen-thawed sperm were evaluated motility, viability, membrane, and acrosome integrity and sperm penetration ability. The results were compared to semen cryopreserved in tris egg yolk extender only as control. Frozen-thawed semen evaluation cleary indicated that the addition of LDL and LDL-antioxidants (taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose) combination were significantly improved (p<0.05) the viability (%; with staining test using eosin-Y) compared to control spermatozoa. Also, in membrane integrity (%; with supravital hypo-osmotic swelling test), not only LDL-antioxiants combination but also LDL were significantly increased (p<0.05) the swelled sperm using HOST compared to control. Sperm acrosome integrity state was classified by CTC (chlortetracycline) staining test. F pattern was significantly increased in LDL-antioxidant combination than control (p<0.05) and B pattern was not significantly differences among all treatments and control. However, AR pattern was significantly decreased in LDL-antioxidants combination than control (p<0.05). Pronucleus formation and sperm penetration index (SFI) were significantly increased in LDL and LDL-antioxidants combination than control (p<0.05). Especially, LDL-taurine significantly improved pronucleus fomation and SFI than LDL (p<0.05). It was concluded that LDL and LDL-antioxidants in extender improved the freezability and fertility of Korean Jeju Black bull spermatozoa.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2003

This study has evaluated effect of the spermatozoa incubation on the glycosidase activity and fertilizing ability in vitro in the pig. To identify sperm glycosidases specific for sugar residues found in the zona pellucida of pig oocytes, the spermatozoa were treated experimentally and assayed for activities of $\alpha$-L-fucosidase, $\alpha$-D-mannosidase, $\beta$-D-galactosidase and N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-glucosaminidase ($\beta$-GlcNAc'ase). The glycosidases activity were higher in spermatozoa incubated for 2h than without incubation. The $\beta$-GlcNAc'ase activity was at least two-fold higher than other glycosidase regardless of spermatozoa incubation. In the same glycosidases, the activity had a tendency to increase as time of spermatozoa incubation was prolonged, but there were no differences in spermatozoa incubated during the various periods (4~24h). The percentages of spermatozoa that reached acrosome reaction were affected by glycosidases in the medium (P<0.05, for mannosidase), and were higher in spermatozoa with that than without incubation. On the other hand, the spermatozoa motility were decreased with incubation periods, but no effects by different glycosidases on the change of sperm motility during the various periods of incubation. In other experiment, the binding and penetration of pig spermatozoa were tested with oocytes matured in vitro in the presence of various glycosidase. The penetration rates were decreased with incubation of spermatozoa when oocytes were inseminated in medium with different glycosidases. These rates were higher in spermatozoa non-incubated than with incubation for 2h (P<0.05 for GlcNAc'ase; P<0.01 for control group). The sperm-zona binding rate in control group were higherthan in medium with glycosidases. In addition, the highest binding rate were obtained in medium with GlcNAc'ase. In all glycosidases, the sperm-zona binding rate in spermatozoa without incubation were higher than incubation for 2h. The significant differences were obtained in spermatozoa treated with $\alpha$-D-mannosidase (P<0.05). These results suggest that $\beta$-GlcNAc'ase is present mainly in the plasma membrane of pig spermatozoa. It was also shown that the glycosidase activity were increased in all glycosidases in spite of low sperm-zona binding rate and penetration rates by spermatozoa incubation.

• Korean Journal of Dental Materials
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.243-256
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the anodization and cyclic calcification treatment on the surface characteristic and bioactivity of the titanium thin sheet in order to obtain basic data for the production of bioactive titanium membrane. A $30{\times}20{\times}0.08mm$ titanium sheets were prepared, and then they were pickled for 10 seconds in the solution which was mixed with $HNO_3:HF:H_2O$ in a ratio of 12: 7: 81. The $TiO_2$ nanotube layer was formed to increase the specific surface area of the titanium, and then the cyclic calcification treatment was performed to induce precipitation of hydroxiapatite by improvement of the bioactivity. The corrosion resistance test, wettability test and immersion test in simulated body solution were conducted to investigate the effect of these surface treatments. The nanotubes formed by the anodization treatment have a dense structure in which small diameter tubes are formed between relatively large diameter tubes, and their inside was hollow and the outer walls were coupled to each other. The hydroxyapatite precipitates were well combined on the nanotubes by the penetration into the nanotube layer by successive cyclic calcification treatment, and the precipitation of hydroxyapatite tended to increase proportionally after immersion in simulated body solution as the number of cycles increased. In conclusion, it was confirmed that induction of precipitation of hydroxyapatite by cyclic calcification treatment after forming the nanotube $TiO_2$ nanotube layer on the surface of the titanium membrane can contribute to improvement of bioactivity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.116-135
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was intended to clarify how Jakyakkamchobuja-tang (hereinafter referred to JKBT) affects mice of C57BL/10 whose osteoarthritis was induced by papain. Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced in mice by injecting papain in the knee joint. Mice were divided into 4 groups (n=6). The normal group were not treated at all whereas the control group (OAC-control) were induced for osteoarthritis by papain and oral medicated with 200 ul of physiological saline per day. The positive comparison group (OAC-$Joins^{(R)}$) were injected with papain and after 7 days, 100 mg/kg of $Joins^{(R)}$ were medicated with 200 ul of physiological saline mixed. The experimental group (OAC-JKBT) were injected with papain and after 7 days were medicated with 400 mg/kg of JKBT mixed with 200 ul of physiological saline. OAC-$Joins^{(R)}$ and OAC-JKBT were oral medicated for each substance for a total of 4 weeks, once per day. After experiments (from 1 week after injection of papain to 4 weeks elapsed), the function of liver and kidney, inflammation cytokine values within serum, degree of revelation for inflammation cytokine genes, immune cells within blood, metabolism of arachidonic acid and amount of cartilage were measured and histopathological variations for knee joint structures were observed. Results: Functions of liver and kidney were not affected. IL-$1{\beta}$ (interleukin-$1{\beta}$), MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and TNF-${\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) were significantly reduced and IL-6 (interleukin-6) was also reduced but not significantly. After analyzing inflammation cytokine in joints with mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid), revelation of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) and iNOS-II (inducible nitric oxide synthase-II) were all significantly reduced. Revelation of IL-$1{\beta}$ gene was also reduced but not significantly. Neutrophil for WBC (white blood cell) within serum was significantly reduced; monocyte was also reduced but not significantly. PGE2 (prostaglandin E2), TXB2 (thromboxane B2) were significantly reduced and LTB4 (leukotriene B4) was also reduced but not significantly. Destruction of cartilage on micro CT (computed tomography)-arthrography was reduced but had no significant differences. In terms of histopathology, infiltration of inflammation, proliferation of synovial membrane, subsidence of cartilage and bone due to penetration of excessive formation of synovial cell and destruction of cartilage were small (H&E (hematoxylin and eosin), safranine O staining). Conclusions: Based on these results, Jakyakkamchobuja-tang (JKBT) is believed to be useful for suppressing the progress of osteoarthritis and its treatments because of its anti-inflammatory effects and alleviation of pain with histopathological effective efficacy.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.18 no.1 s.91
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• pp.125-132
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• 2006

Recently, surface finishing and protection materials were developed to restore performance of the deteriorated concrete and inhibiting corrosion of the reinforcing-bar. For this purpose, surface protection agent as well as coatings are used. Coatings have the advantage of low Permeability of $CO_2,\;SO_2$ and water. However, for coatings such as epoxy, urethane and acryl, long-term adhesive strength is reduced and the formed membrane of those is blistered by various causes. Also when organic coatings are applied to the wet surface of concrete, those have a problem with adhesion. On the other hand, surface protection agent penetrates into pore structure in concrete through capillary and cm make a dense micro structure in concrete as a result of filling effect. Furthermore, the chemical reaction between silicate from surface protection agent and cement hydrates can also make a additional hydration product which is ideally compatible with concrete body. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of penetrative surface protection agent(SPA) by evaluating several concrete durability characteristics. The results show that the concrete penetrated surface protection agent exhibited higher durability characteristics for instance, carbonation velocity coefficient, resistance to chemical attack and chloride ion penetration than the plain concrete. These results due to formation of a discontinuous macro-pore system which inhibits deterioration factors of concrete by changed the pore structure(porosity and pore size distributions) of the concrete penetrated surface protection agent.