Somatic cell nuclear transfer in cattle has limited efficiency in terms of production of live offspring due to high incidence of fetal failure after embryo transfer to recipients. Such low efficiency of cloning could possibly arise from abnormal and poorly developed placenta. In the present study the placental proteome in late pregnancy established from in vitro fertilization (IVF) and nuclear transfer (NT) was analysed. Proteome alternation was tested using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI- TOF). Comparing placenta from NT embryos to those from IVF counterparts, significant changes in expression level were found in 18 proteins. Of these proteins 12 were not expressed in NT placenta but expressed in IVF counterpart, whereas the expression of the other 6 proteins was limited only in NT placenta. Among these proteins, cytokeratin 8 and vimentin are considered to be involved in regulation of post-implantation development. In particular, cytokeratin 8 and vimentin may be used as makers for placental development during pregnancy because their expression levels changed considerably in NT placental tissue compared with its IVF counterpart. Data from 2-DE suggest that protein expression was disorientated in late pregnancy from NT, but this distortion was eliminated with progression of pregnancy. These findings demonstrate abnormal placental development during late pregnancy from NT and suggest that alterations of specific placental protein expression may be involved in abnormal function of placenta.

The use of natural paint for the application to walls and furnishings is now increasing to improve indoor air quality, thereby the natural paint could be a significant source of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in indoor environments. Recent studies have shown that gas-phase reactions between terpenes and ozone can generate sub-micron size particles and toxic volatile organic compounds such as aldehydes and ketones. In this research, we have studied the formation of particles and secondary organic compounds during the reaction of ozone with terpenes emitted from commercial natural paint. The paint applied onto stainless steel was dried and oxidized in a teflon chamber. Two monoterpenes (α- and β-pinenes) were identified by FTIR and GC/MS. Several tests were performed to evaluate the effects of ozone concentration on particle formation. Increased ozone levels significantly affect the increase of particle number concentration (monitored with SMPS), which results in the increase of particle counts ranging from 8,000 to 70,000 particles/㎤. Gas-phase products such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone + acrolein, and propionaldehyde were identified during the terpene/ozone reactions by HPLC. These compounds are potential hazardous chemical compounds having harmful health effects to animals and plants. The results obtained from this study provide an insight on the adverse effect of eco-friendly natural product on indoor air quality (IAQ).

We introduce and describe performance of the 6-meter telescope of Seoul Radio Astronomy Observatory (SRAO). All the softwares and instruments except the antenna structure and its driving system are developed for ourselves. The SIS mixer type receiver resulted in the receiver noise temperature less than 50 K (DSB) over the whole 3-mm radio window. An autocorrelation spectrometer, developed first in Korea, provides maximum 50 MHz band width over 1024 channels. Antenna surface is measured and adjusted using template method and radio holography which resulted in a superb surface accuracy bet-ter than 30μm. Accordingly, the aperture and beam efficiences amount to 70% and 75%, respectively, largely independent of frequency in the 85 - 115 GHz range. It is also found that telescope pointing errors are less than 10" in both azimuth and elevation and that antenna gain is almost constant against elevation greater than 20°, without adjusting sub-reflector position. The SRAO 6-meter telescope is now fully operational and all these characteristics verify that observations are carried out with high precision and fidelity.

Base isolation is an innovative design strategy that provides a practical alternative for the seismic design of structures. Base isolators, mainly employed to isolate large structures subjected to earthquake ground excitations and to rehabilitate structures damaged by past earthquakes, deflect and absorb the seismic energy horizontally transmitted to the structures. This study demonstrated that the base isolation system may offer effective performance for bridges during severe seismic events through shaking table tests. Two base isolation systems using laminated rubber bearings with and without hydraulic dampers are tested. The test results strongly show that the laminate rubber bearings cause the natural period of the bridge structure increased considerably, which results in the deck acceleration and the shear forces on the deck acceleratino and the shear forces on the piers reduced significantly. The results also demonstrate that the hydraulic dampers enhance the system's capacity in dissipating energy to reduce the relative displacement between the bridge deck and the pier.

강원도 오대산에서 한국 미기록과인 Blasticotomidae를 채집하였다. 이는 고사리줄기잎벌과 고사리줄기잎벌속 고사리줄기잎벌(신칭), Blasticotoma filiceti pacifica Malaise, 1931(Blasticotomidae)으로 동정되어 보고한다.

Stevia rebaudiana (Asteraceae), a perennial plant, has been used as a low-calorie sweetener and is being developed as a therapeutic agent for diabetes, hypertension, myocardial diseases, and microbial infections. Despite the common use of its leaves and stem, the bioavailability of the components present in S. rebaudiana flowers, when used as ingredients of cosmetics, has not been well investigated. Herein, we investigated the antioxidative and antimelanogenic effects of an aqueous extract of S. rebaudiana flowers (Stevia-F). Total flavonoid and phenolic content in Stevia-F were determined to be 8.64 ± 0.23 ㎎ of quercetin equivalents/100 g and 631.5 ± 2.01 ㎎ of gallic acid equivalents/100 g, respectively. The IC50 values of Stevia-F for reducing power, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate radical, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide scavenging activities were 5541.96, 131.39, 466.34, and 10.44 ㎍/mL, respectively. Stevia-F showed inhibitory effects on the tyrosinase (IC50 = 134.74 ㎍/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 114.81 ㎍/mL) activities. No significant cytotoxicity of Stevia-F was observed in B16F10 cells, treated with up to 100 ㎍/mL of the extract for 24 and 48 h (p > 0.05). Stevia-F (1–100 ㎍/mL) suppressed α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced melanin production in B16F10 cells (p < 0.05) and also inhibited the cellular tyrosinase activity (p < 0.05). Overall, our results show that Stevia-F possesses potential for inhibiting tyrosinase and α-glucosidase activities and has significant antioxidant capacity. The antimelanogenic potential of Stevia-F should extend the usage of S. rebaudiana flowers in the development of skinwhitening products.

본 연구에서는 SWAT 모형과 random forest를 이용하여 미래 기후변화에 따른 한강유역(34,148 km2)의 수생태계 건강성을 평가하였다. 국립 환경과학원에서 8년간(2008~2015년) 봄철(4~6월)에 모니터링한 부착돌말류 지수(TDI), 저서형 대형무척추동물지수(BMI), 어류평가지수(FAI)는 0~100점, A~E등급으로 평가되며, 이를 본 연구에서 사용하였다. 수생태 건강성에 영향을 미치는 변수로는 수질(T-N, NH4, NO3, T-P, PO4)과 수온을 선정하였으며, 수질 오염도가 낮은 경우에는 수생태계 건강성 점수가 광범위하게 분포되지만 수질 오염도가 높은 경우 수생태계 건강성 점수가 낮아지는 역상관관계를 확인하였다. 기계학습의 분류 분석 기법 중 하나인 random forest 모델을 이용한 세 개의 수생태 건강성 지수 등급 분류 결과 정밀도, 재현율, f1-score 모두 0.81 이상의 예측 정확도를 나타내었다. 기상청의 HadGEM3-RA RCP 4.5와 8.5 시나리오를 적용한 미래 SWAT 수문, 수질 결과 기저유출의 증가로 인해 질소 계열 수질 농도는 기준년도 대비 최대 43.2% 증가하였고, 지표유출 감소로 인해 인 계열 수질 오염도는 최대 18.9% 감소하는 것으로 분석되었다. 미래 FAI, BMI의 등급은 개선되는 경향을 보이지만 TDI는 등급이 악화되는 것으로 나타 났다. 이를 통해 TDI는 질소 계열 수질에 민감하고 FAI, BMI는 인 계열 수질에 더 민감하다고 판단하였다.

유방촬영장치(mammography equipment, ME)을 이용한 유방검사(mammography, MG)의 경우 유방암의 조기진단을 위해 가장 일반적으로 시행되고 있는 검사방법으로 유방 내 섬유화 조직, 미소석회화 및 종양덩어리의 발견과 진단은 유방촬영장치의 품질관리(quality management, QM)에 의해 크게 영향을 받게 된다. 특히, 유방검사에서 품질관리란 장치와 연관된 문제점들이 임상영상에서 영상의 질(image quality, IQ) 저하로 진단영역 축소를 초래할 수 있는 발생가능한 모든 문제점을 사전에 파악하여 교정함으로써 항상 일정 수준의 영상의 질을 유지하고 영상을 획득할 수 있게 하는 행위를 의미한다. 이에 본 연구진은 유방촬영장치를 이용한 유방검사의 품질관리에 대한 일반적인 내용을 요약하여 보고 한다.

Angelica tenuissima, also known as Ligusticum tenuissimum, is classified as a food-related plant and has been used as traditional medicines treating headache and anemia in Asia. However, its anti-melanogenic effect has not been reported in detail. When the extract of Angelica tenuissima (ATE) was prepared by the extraction with 70% EtOH at 80°C (final yield = 22%), the contents of decursin and Z-ligustilide in ATE were determined 0.06% and 8.43%, respectively. Total flavonoid and phenolic content in mg ATE were 5.52±0.07 ㎍ quercetin equivalents and 237.27±13.24 ㎍ gallic acid equivalents, respectively. Antioxidant capacity of ATE determined by DPPH and ABTS assay was increased with a dose dependent manner up to 1000 ㎍/㎖. The amount of melanin synthesis followed by α-melanocyte stimulating hormone on B16F10 cells were significantly reduced in the presence of ATE (250 to 1000 ㎍/㎖, p<0.05). ATE (125 to 1000 ㎍/㎖, p<0.05) suppressed the tyrosinase activity but did not show any significant effect on α-glucosidase activity at the same condition. Taken together, ATE possesses tyrosinase inhibitory potential with significant antioxidant capacities. These effects of ATE might be involved in suppression of melanin synthesis, at least, in B16F10 cells. The anti-melanogenic potential of ATE will provide an insight into developing a new skin whitening product.

현재 의료분야에서는 방사선 차폐체로서 납(Pb)이 널리 쓰이고 있다. 하지만 납은 무게가 매우 무거워 납 치마 등의 방호복은 장시간 착용이 어려우며, 인체에 치명적인 납 중독의 위험이 상시 가지고 있다는 문제 점을 가지고 있다. 이러한 문제점을 해결하고자 납을 대체 할 수 있는 물질에 대한 많은 연구가 진행되고 있다. 현재 납의 대체물질로써 대표적인 바륨(Ba)과 요오드(I) 등은 우수한 차폐능을 가지고 있지만, 30keV 근처의 에너지 영역에서 특성 X선을 방출하는 특성을 가지고 있다. 환자나 방사선 종사자의 경우 차폐체를 인체에 접촉하고 있는 경우가 많으므로 차폐체에서 발생되는 특성 X선이 인체에 직접 조사되어 방사선 피 폭을 증가시킬 위험이 매우 높다. 본 연구에서는 바륨(Ba)과 요오드(I)등에서 발생되는 특성 X선을 제거하기에 적절한 이중구조 차폐체를 방사선 수송코드 중 하나인 FLUKA 수송코드를 개발하여 선행연구로서 진행된 MCNPX 시뮬레이션과 비 교 분석하여 이중구조 차폐체의 차폐율에 대한 신뢰성을 검증하고자 하였다. MCNPX와 FLUKA를 이용하 여 황산바륨(BaSO4)과 산화비스무스(Bi2O3)로 이루어진 다양한 두께조합의 이중구조 차폐체를 설계하였으 며, IEC61331-1에 제시된 모식도를 기하학적으로 동일하게 시뮬레이션 상에 구현하였다. 또한, 120 kVp 의 연속 X선 스펙트럼에 대한 차폐체의 투과스펙트럼과 흡수선량을 납과 비교 평가하였다. 평가결과, 0.3 mm-BaSO4/0.3 mm-Bi2O3 와 0.1 mm-BaSO4/0.5 mm-Bi2O3 구조에서는 33 keV와 37 keV의 특 성 X선을 모두 흡수하였으며, 90 keV 이상의 고에너지 X선에 대해서도 납과 거의 유사한 차폐효율을 보였 다. 또한, FLUKA의 수송코드는 33 keV 이하에서는 cut-off 가 발생하여 저에너지 X선 광자에 대한 전산모 사에 제약이 있지만, 40 keV 이상의 고에너지 영역에서 MCNPX와의 상대오차가 6 % 이내로 신뢰성이 매 우 우수하다는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

The management of acute Achilles tendon rupture has been well established and is often treated with interrupted tenorrhaphy. While surgical site infection, rerupture and ankle contracture has been reported as potential complications, the tendon often heals uneventfully, and reports of complication other than mentioned above are extremely rare. We report a case of a common peroneal nerve injury which occurred after Achilles tendon repair surgery. The injury may have occurred following compartment syndrome from the anteriorly place long leg splint. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature.

Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models such as the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are essential for forecasting one-day-ahead solar irradiance. In order to evaluate the performance of the WRF in forecasting solar irradiance over the Korean Peninsula, we compared WRF prediction data from 2008 to 2010 corresponding to weather observation data (OBS) from the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA). The WRF model showed poor performance at polluted regions such as Seoul and Suwon where the relative Root Mean Square Error (rRMSE) is over 30%. Predictions by the WRF model alone had a large amount of potential error because of the lack of actual aerosol radiative feedbacks. For the purpose of reducing this error induced by atmospheric particles, i.e., aerosols, the WRF model was coupled with the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. The coupled system makes it possible to estimate the radiative feedbacks of aerosols on the solar irradiance. As a result, the solar irradiance estimated by the coupled system showed a strong dependence on both the aerosol spatial distributions and the associated optical properties. In the NF (No Feedback) case, which refers to the WRF-only stimulated system without aerosol feedbacks, the GHI was overestimated by 50–200 W m-2 compared with OBS derived values at each site. In the YF (Yes Feedback) case, in contrast, which refers to the WRF–CMAQ two-way coupled system, the rRMSE was significantly improved by 3.1–3.7% at Suwon and Seoul where the Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations, specifically, those related to the PM10 size fraction, were over 100 g m-3. Thus, the coupled system showed promise for acquiring more accurate solar irradiance forecasts.