• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.24-29
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• 1997

Recently, Genetic Algorithm(GA), which is a stochastic direct search strategy that mimics the process of genetic evolution, is widely adapted into a search procedure for structural optimization. Contrast to traditional optimal design techniques which use design sensitivity analysis results, GA is very simple in their algorithms and there is no need of continuity of functions(or functionals) any more in GA. So, they can be easily applicable to wide area of design optimization problems. Also, owing to multi-point search procedure, they have higher porbability of convergence to global optimum compared to traditional techniques which take one-point search method. The methods consist of three genetics opera- tions named selection, crossover and mutation. In this study, a method of finding the omtimum size and topology of drilling machine is proposed by using the GA, For rapid converge to optimum, elitist survival model,roulette wheel selection with limited candidates, and multi-point shuffle cross-over method are adapted. And pseudo object function, which is the combined form of object function and penalty function, is used to include constraints into fitness function. GA shows good results of weight reducing effect and convergency in optimal design of drilling machine.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2023

Many psychiatric disorders are associated with brain functional dysfunctions and neuronal degeneration. According to the research so far, enhanced brain plasticity reduces neurodegeneration and recovers neuronal damage. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the most extensively studied neurotrophins in the mammalian brain that plays major roles in neuronal survival, development, growth, and maintenance of neurons in brain circuits related to emotion and cognitive function. Also, BDNF plays an important role in brain plasticity, influencing dendritic spines in the hippocampus neurogenesis. Changes in neurogenesis and dendritic density can improve psychiatric symptoms and cognitive functions. BDNF has potent effects on brain plasticity through biochemical mechanisms, cellular signal pathways, and epigenetic changes. There are pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to increase the expression of BDNF and enhance brain plasticity. Non-pharmacological interventions such as physical exercise, nutritional change, environmental enrichment, and neuromodulation have biological mechanisms that increase the expression of BDNF and brain plasticity. Non-pharmacological interventions are cost-effective and safe ways to improve psychiatric symptoms.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.4
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• pp.311-322
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• 2023

Riverine flood is one of the critical natural threats to river-crossing bridges. As floods are the most-occurred natural hazard worldwide, survival probability of bridges due to floods must be assessed in a speedy but precise manner. In this regard, the paper presents a reliability-based approach for a rapid assessment of failure probability of vulnerable bridge components under floods. This robust method is generic in nature and can be applied to both concrete and steel girder bridges. The developed methodology essentially utilizes limit state performance functions, expressed in terms of capacity and flood demand, for probable failure modes of various vulnerable components of bridges. Advanced First Order Reliability Method (AFORM), Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS), and Latin Hypercube Simulation (LHS) techniques are applied for the purpose of reliability assessment and developing flood fragility curves of bridges in which flow velocity and water height are taken as flood intensity measures. Upon validating the proposed method, it is applied to a case study bridge that experiences the flood scenario of a river in Gujarat, India. Research outcome portrays how effectively and efficiently the proposed reliability-based method can be applied for a quick assessment of flood vulnerability of bridges in any flood-prone region of interest.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.83-97
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• 2024

Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereal crops, employs the production of sexual fruiting bodies (perithecia) on plant debris as a strategy for overwintering and dissemination. In an artificial condition (e.g., carrot agar medium), the F. graminearum Z3643 strain was capable of producing perithecia predominantly in the central region of the fungal culture where aerial hyphae naturally collapsed. To unravel the intricate relationship between natural aerial hyphae collapse and sexual development in this fungus, we focused on 699 genes differentially expressed during aerial hyphae collapse, with 26 selected for further analysis. Targeted gene deletion and quantitative real-time PCR analyses elucidated the functions of specific genes during natural aerial hyphae collapse and perithecium formation. Furthermore, comparative gene expression analyses between natural collapse and artificial removal conditions reveal distinct temporal profiles, with the latter inducing a more rapid and pronounced response, particularly in MAT gene expression. Notably, FGSG_09210 and FGSG_09896 play crucial roles in sexual development and aerial hyphae growth, respectively. Taken together, it is plausible that if aerial hyphae collapse occurs on plant debris, it may serve as a physical cue for inducing perithecium formation in crop fields, representing a survival strategy for F. graminearum during winter. Insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying aerial hyphae collapse provides offer potential strategies for disease control against FHB caused by F. graminearum.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.363-375
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• 2023

Stem cells are the foundational cells for every organ and tissue in our body. Cell-based therapeutics using stem cells in regenerative medicine have received attracting attention as a possible treatment for various diseases caused by congenital defects. Stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as well as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and neuroprogenitors stem cells (NSCs) have recently been studied in various ways as a cell-based therapeutic agent. When various stem cells are transplanted into a living body, they can differentiate and perform complex functions. For stem cell transplantation, it is essential to determine the suitability of the stem cell-based treatment by evaluating the origin of stem, the route of administration, in vivo bio-distribution, transplanted cell survival, function, and mobility. Currently, these various stem cells are being imaged in vivo through various molecular imaging methods. Various imaging modalities such as optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have been introduced for the application of various stem cell imaging. In this review, we discuss the principles and recent advances of in vivo molecular imaging for application of stem cell research.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.265-272
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• 2006

Background: Chest wall deformities such as kyphoscoliosis, thoracoplasty, and fibrothorax cause ventilatory insufficiency that can lead to chronic respiratory failure, with recurrent fatal acute respiratory failure(ARF). This study evaluated the frequency and outcome of ARF, the physiologic status, and the long-term prognosis of these patients. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with chest wall disorders, who experienced the first requirement of ventilatory support from ARF were examined. The mortality and recurrence rate of ARF, the pulmonary functions with arterial blood gas analysis, the efficacy of home oxygen therapy, and the long-term survival rate were investigated. Results: 1) The mortality of the first ARF was 24.1%. ARF recurred more than once in 72.7% of the remaining 22 patients, and overall rate of successful weaning was 73.2%. 2) Twenty-two patients who recovered from the first ARF showed a restrictive ventilatory impairment with a mean FVC and TLC of 37.2% and 62.4 % of predicted value, respectively, and a mean $PaCO_{2}$ of 57mmHg. Among the parameters of pulmonaty functions. the FVC(p=0.01) and VC(p=0.02) showed a significant correlation with the $PaCO_{2}$ level. 3) There were no significant differences between the patients treated with conservative medical treatment only and those with additional home oxygen therapy due to significant hypoxemia in the patients with recurrent ARF and the mortality. 4) The 1, 3, 5-year survival rates were 75%, 66%, and 57%, respectively, in the 20 patients who had recovered from the first ARF, excluding the two patients managed by non-invasive nocturnal ventilatory support. Conclusion: These results suggest that active ventilatory support should be provided to patients with ARF and chest wall disorders. However, considering recurrent ARF and weak effect of home oxygen therapy, non-invasive domiciliary ventilation is recommended in those patients with these conditions to achieve a better long-term prognosis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.261-277
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• 2017

This study defines influencing sections as the part of the road section where passing vehicles are traveling with the lower speed compared to speed limit due to speed humps. The influencing section was divided into 3 parts; influencing section before the speed hump, interval section, and influencing section after the speed hump. This analysis focused on the changes of each part depending on installation types, vehicle types, and daytime or nighttime. For the interval section, especially, the ratio of distance traveled with lower speed than speed limit to interval section is defined as effective influencing section ratio to be analyzed. Vehicle speed profiles were collected with a speed gun to extract influencing section lengths. The survival analysis was applied and estimated survival functions are compared with each other by several statistical tests. As a consequence, the average length of influencing section on the 50m sequential speed humps was 75.3% longer during the deceleration than that of isolated speed hump, and 18.9% during the acceleration. The effective influencing section ratio for the 30m and 50m sequential speed humps had a small difference of 81.0% and 76.0% while the absolute values of the section that passing speed were less than the speed limit were longer on 50m sequential speed humps, each being 24.3m and 38.0m. Using the log rank test, it was evident that sequential speed humps were more effective to increase the length of influencing sections compared to the isolated speed hump. Vehicle type was the strong factor for influencing section length on the isolated speed hump, but daytime or nighttime was not the effective one. This research result can be used for improving the efficiency selecting the installation point of speed humps for road safety and estimating the standard of the distance between sequential speed humps.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2002

Purpose : We evaluated the radiological and functional results of prosthetic reconstruction for locally aggressive benign and malignant tumor in the lower extremity. Materials and Methods : Eighty eight patients were followed up for an average 76 months(22~174). We examined the survival rate of prosthesis, and evaluated the final result by MSTS functional score and ISOLS radiological implants evaluation system. They were statistically analyzed according to the age(<20 year vs. ${\geq}$20 year), fixation methods, amount of bony resection, chemotherapy, local recurrence, and presence of metastasis. Results : The 5 year prosthetic survival rates were 100% in the proximal femur, 83.3% in the distal femur, 81.9% in the proximal tibia. Mean total functional scores were 73.3%, 72%, 68.7%, respectively. In distal femur, the non-chemotherapeutic group was superior in the prosthetic survival rate. Recurrence or metastasis affected the functions in the distal femur and proximal tibia. In the radiological evaluation of the distal femur, older patients over 20 years of age and with cement fixation were superior in bone remodeling(p<0.05). Postoperative infection and radiological loosening were the main causes of the prosthetic failure. Conclusion : The prosthetic reconstruction in the lower extremity led to good clinical and radiological results. Amount of bony resection, chemotherapy, recurrence and metastasis seemed to influence the prosthetic survival, and long-term follow-up will be necessary to investigate more significant prognostic factors.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2005

Purpose: To evaluate the long term results of surgical treatment for sacral chordoma. Material and Method: We reviewed the records of 4 patients with sacral tumor treated surgical resection. Mean follow-up duration was 8.3 year(3~11). All cases were performed complete resection of tumor mass through posterior approach in 3 cases and anterior-posterior approach in one. The most caudad nerve-roots spared were the second sacral roots in one and the third sacral roots in 3 cases. Functions of voiding and defecation including neurological symptoms of lower extremities, other complications of surgical treatment, and local recurrence or distant metastasis of tumor were evaluated. Result: There was no motor deficit in all cases, but radiating pain was developed in one and wound infection in one. Bladder function was preserved in 2 cases, intermittent incontinence in one, and doing intermittent catheterization in one. Bowel function was preserved in one and 2 cases were suffered from constipation. At the last follow-up, disease-free was in one, local recurrence in one, and local recurrence with distant metastasis in one. Conclusion: The result of surgical resection for sacral chordoma is satisfactory showing average 8 years survival. Early detection and aggressive surgical treatment is the best to prolong survival and to minimize functional deficit with preservation of upper sacral nerves.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.99-128
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• 1997

In order to investigate the effects of Kyegyoksan on antitumor effects after Sarcoma 180 cells transplantation into the peritoneal cavity or left groin in mice, and immune depression in mice induced by methotrexate, the extracts of its herbal medicines were orally administered for 14 or 21 days. Experimental studies were performed for measureance of $IC_{50}$ in MTT assay, mean survival days, tumor and body weights for antitumor effects, delayed type hypersensitivity, hemagglutinine titer, hemolysin titer, rosette forming cells, interleukin-2 productivity, lymphocyte transformation, natural killer cell activity and phagocytic activity for immune responses in the immune depressed ICR mice, and SGOT, SGPT, BUN and creatinine for liver and kidney protective function in SO-rats. The results were obtained as follows: 1. From the results of MTT assay, the Kyegyoksan exstracts for SUN-1 and SUN-C4 were inhibited cell viability. 2. Mean survival time in Kyegyoksan-treated group was slightly increased with no effectiveness, as compared with the control group. 3. Tumor weight in Kyegyoksan-treated group was depressed with the statistical significance, as compared with the control group(p<0.01). 4. Body weight in Kyegyoksan-treated group was incresed with the statistical significance, as compared with the control group(p<0.05). 5. Delayed type hypersensitivity in Kyegyoksan-treated group was slightly incresed with no effctiveness, as compared with the control group. 6. Hemagglutinin titer in Kyegyoksan-treated group was incresed with the statistical significance(p<0.05), but hemolysin titer was slightly incresed with no effectiveness, as compared with the control group. 7. Rosette forming cells in Kyegyoksan-treated group was incresed with the statistical significance, as compared with the control group(p<0.001). 8. Interleukin-2 productivity in Kyegyoksan-treated group was incresed with the statistical significance, as compared with the control group(p<0.001). 9. Lymphocyte transfomation in Kyegyoksan-treated group was incresed with the statistical significance, as compared with the control group(p<0.01). 10. Natural killer cell activity in Kyegyoksan-treated group at E/T ratio 100 : 1 was incresed with the statistical significance(p<0.01), but at E/T ratio 50 : 1 and 10 : 1 was slightly incresed with no effectiveness, as compared with the control group. 11. Phagocytic activity in Kyegyoksan-treated group was slightly incresed with no effectiveness, as compared with the control group. 12. The levels of serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine in Kyegyoksan-treated group were not effective change, as compared with the control group. According to the above results, it could be suggested that Kyegyoksan have prominent antitumor effects, enhance both cellular and humoral immunity, and have no injury to liver and kidney functions.