• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.26-46
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• 2020

An irrigated-maize agroecosystem is viewed as an open thermodynamic system upon which solar radiation impresses a large gradient that moves the system away from equilibrium. Following the imperative of the second law of thermodynamics, such agroecosystem resists and reduces the externally applied gradient by using all means of this nature-human coupled system acting together as a nonequilibrium dissipative process. The ultimate purpose of our study is to test this hypothesis by examining the energetics of agroecosystem growth and development. As a first step toward this test, we employed the eddy covariance flux data from 2003 to 2014 at the AmeriFlux NE1 irrigated-maize site at Mead, Nebraska, USA, and analyzed the energetics of this agroecosystem by scrutinizing its radiation, energy and entropy exchange. Our results showed: (1) more energy capture during growing season than non-growing season, and increasing energy capture through growing season until senescence; (2) more energy flow activity within and through the system, providing greater potential for degradation; (3) higher efficiency in terms of carbon uptake and water use through growing season until senescence; and (4) the resulting energy degradation occurred at the expense of increasing net entropy accumulation within the system as well as net entropy transfer out to the surrounding environment. Under the drought conditions in 2012, the increased entropy production within the system was accompanied by the enhanced entropy transfer out of the system, resulting in insignificant net entropy change. Drought mitigation with more frequent irrigation shifted the main route of entropy transfer from sensible to latent heat fluxes, yielding the production and carbon uptake exceeding the 12-year mean values at the cost of less efficient use of water and light.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.45-57
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• 2020

The prenatal period in livestock animals is crucial for meat production because net increase in the number of muscle fibers is finished before birth. However, there is no study on the growth and development mechanism of muscles in Hanwoo during this period. Therefore, to find candidate genes involved in muscle growth and development during this period in Hanwoo, mRNA expression data of longissimus in Hanwoo at 6 and 9 months post-conceptional age (MPA) were analyzed. We independently identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using DESeq2 and edgeR which are R software packages, and considered the overlaps of the results as final-DEGs to use in downstream analysis. The DEGs were classified into several modules using WGCNA then the modules' functions were analyzed to identify modules which involved in myogenesis and adipogenesis. Finally, the hub genes which had the highest WGCNA module membership among the top 10% genes of the STRING network maximal clique centrality were identified. 913(6 MPA specific DEGs) and 233(9 MPA specific DEGs) DEGs were figured out, and these were classified into five and two modules, respectively. Two of the identified modules'(one was in 6, and another was in 9 MPA specific modules) functions was found to be related to myogenesis and adipogenesis. One of the hub genes belonging to the 6 MPA specific module was axin1 (AXIN1) which is known as an inhibitor of Wnt signaling pathway, another was succinate-CoA ligase ADP-forming beta subunit (SUCLA2) which is known as a crucial component of citrate cycle.

• Archives of design research
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• v.20 no.3 s.71
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• pp.151-162
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• 2007

How can new media devices and networks provide an effective response to the world's growing sector of cultural and historically-minded travelers? This study emerged from the question of how mobile handsets can change the nature of cultural and historical tourism in ubiquitous city environments. As wireless network and mobile IT have rapidly developed, it becomes possible to deliver cultural and historical information on the site through mobile handset as a tour guidance system. The paper describes the development of a new type of mobile tourism platform for site-specific cultural and historical information. The central objective of the project was to organize this cultural and historical walking tour around the mobile handset and its unique advantages (i.e. portability, multi-media capacity, access to wireless internet, and location-awareness potential) and then integrate the tour with a historical story and role-playing game that would deepen the mobile user's interest in the sites being visited, and enhance his or her overall experience of the area. The project was based on twelve locations that were culturally and historically significant to Korean War era in Busan. After the mobile tour game prototype was developed for this route, it was evaluated at the 10th PIFF (Pusan International Film Festival). After use test, some new strategies for developing mobile "edutainment content" to deliver cultural historical contents of the location were discussed. Combining 'edutainment' with a cultural and historical mobile walking tour brings a new dimension to existing approaches of the tourism and mobile content industry.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.61-74
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• 2016

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the location of the epicenter of a medium-sized earthquake(magnitude 4.8) that occurred on January 20, 2007 in the Odaesan area with lineament features using a shaded relief map(1/25,000 scale) and satellite images from LANDSAT-8 and KOMPSAT-2. Previous studies have analyzed lineament features in tectonic settings primarily by examining two-dimensional satellite images and shaded relief maps. These methods, however, limit the application of the visual interpretation of relief features long considered as the major component of lineament extraction. To overcome some existing limitations of two-dimensional images, this study examined three-dimensional images, produced from a Digital Elevation Model and drainage network map, for lineament extraction. This approach reduces mapping errors introduced by visual interpretation. In addition, spline interpolation was conducted to produce density maps of lineament frequency, intersection, and length required to estimate the density of lineament at the epicenter of the earthquake. An algorithm was developed to compute the Value of the Relative Density(VRD) representing the relative density of lineament from the map. The VRD is the lineament density of each map grid divided by the maximum density value from the map. As such, it is a quantified value that indicates the concentration level of the lineament density across the area impacted by the earthquake. Using this algorithm, the VRD calculated at the earthquake epicenter using the lineament's frequency, intersection, and length density maps ranged from approximately 0.60(min) to 0.90(max). However, because there were differences in mapped images such as those for solar altitude and azimuth, the mean of VRD was used rather than those categorized by the images. The results show that the average frequency of VRD was approximately 0.85, which was 21% higher than the intersection and length of VRD, demonstrating the close relationship that exists between lineament and the epicenter. Therefore, it is concluded that the density map analysis described in this study, based on lineament extraction, is valid and can be used as a primary data analysis tool for earthquake research in the future.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.244-249
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• 2001

The transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$) is a multifunctional cytokine modulating the onset and course of autoimmune disease as shown in experimental models. In synovial inflammation, there is a potential role for $TGF-{\beta}$ in repairment, the inhibition of cartilage and bone destruction, and the down-regulation of immune response. The biologic effects of $TGF-{\beta}$ depend on the cell type, the isoform and the availability of active $TGF-{\beta}$. We investigated $TGF-{\beta}$ expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compared to those of osteoarthritis (OA). And we determined a correlation between $TGF-{\beta}1$ and $TGF-{\beta}2$, and also the relationships between each $TGF-{\beta}$ isoform and the parameters for disease activity of RA. Methods: The study population consisted of 20 patients with RA and 20 patients with OA. The commercial ELISA kit was used to study $TGF-{\beta}1$ and $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluids (SF). Results: 1) While PB $TGF-{\beta}1$ level was of no difference between RA and OA patient groups, SF $TGF-{\beta}1$ level was higher in RA group than OA group. Similarly, PB $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels of RA and OA groups was not different, but SF $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels was higher in RA group than OA group. 2) In patients with RA, the $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels were higher than $TGF-{\beta}2$ in both the PB and SF, while in patients with OA, there showed higher readings for $TGF-{\beta}1$ than $TGF-{\beta}2$ in SF but no difference between $TGF-{\beta}1$ and $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels in PB. 3) In patients with RA, there were no correlations between PB $TGF-{\beta}1$ and PB $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels, nor between SF $TGF-{\beta}1$ and SF $TGF-{\beta}2$ levels. At the same way, there was no correlation between PB $TGF-{\beta}1$ and SF $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels, nor between each levels of $TGF-{\beta}2$ in patients with RA. 4) There was also no correlation between each $TGF-{\beta}$ isoform and the parameters for disease activity such as ESR, CRP, tender joint count, swollen joint count, rheumatoid factor, and the duration of morning stiffness except between in PB $TGF-{\beta}1$ and disease duration of RA (r=0.637, p<0.01). Conclusion: Each $TGF-{\beta}$ isoforms were higher in synovial fluid of patients with RA than that of patients with OA. The data from the RA patients demonstrated different patterns of expressions of the isoforms depending on which compartment (PB or SF) was investigated. The quantification of different $TGF-{\beta}$ isoform is thought to be important when $TGF-{\beta}$ is measured under disease conditions of RA.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2003

Type II collagen (CII), major component of hyaline cartilage, has been considered as an auto-antigen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the clinical and biological significances with regard to the CII autoimmunity need to be clarified in human RA. The presence of antibodies to CII has been identified in sera, synovial fluid, and cartilage of patients with RA. In our study, the increased titer of IgG anti-CII in sera was well correlated with C-reactive protein, suggesting that this antibody may reflect the inflammatory status of RA. The titer of anti-CII antibodies (anti-CII Abs) tended to be higher in early stages of diseases. In our extending study, among 997 patients with RA, 269 (27.0%) were positive for circulatory IgG antibody to CII, those levels were fluctuated over time. It is hard to assess the significant amount of T cell responses to CII and CII (255~274) in RA. By using a sensitive method of antigen specific mixed lymphocyte culture, we can detect the presence of CII-reactive T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of RA patients. Sixty seven (46.9%) of 143 patients showed positive CII reactive T cell responses to CII or CII (255~274). The frequencies of CII reactive T cells were more prominent in inflamed synovial fluid (SF) than in peripheral blood. These T cells could be clonally expanded after consecutive stimulation of CII with feeding of autologous irradiated antigen presenting cells (APC). Moreover, the production of Th1-related cytokine, such as IFN-${\gamma}$, was strongly up-regulated by CII reactive T cells. These data suggest that T cells responding to CII, which are probably presenting the IFN-${\gamma}$ producing cells, may play an important role in the perpetuation of inflammatory process in RA. To evaluate the effector function of CII reactive T cells, we investigated the effect of CII reactive T cells and fibroblasts-like synoviocytes (FLS) interaction on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. When the CII reactive T cells were co-cultured with FLS, the production of IL-15 and TNF-${\alpha}$ from FLS were significantly increased (2 to 3 fold increase) and this increase was clearly presented in accord to the expansion of CII reactive T cells. In addition, the production of IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-17, T cell derived cytokines, were also increased by the co-incubation of CII reactive T cells with FLS. We also examined the impact of CII reactive T cells on chemokines production. When FLS were co-cultured with CII stimulated T cells, the production of IL-8, MCP-1, and MIP-1${\alpha}$ were significantly enhanced. The increased production of these chemokines was strongly correlated with increase the frequency of CII reactive T cells. Conclusively, immune response to CII was frequently found in RA. Activated T cells in response to CII contributed to increase the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which were critical for inflammatory responses in RA. The interaction of CII-reactive T cells with FLS further augmented this phenomenon. Taken together, our recent studies have suggested that autoimmunity to CII could play a crucial role not only in the initiation but amplification/perpetuation of inflammatory process in human RA.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.119-130
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• 2018

Aerosol Optical Properties (AOPs) are retrieved using the geostationary satellite instruments such as Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI), Meteorological Imager (MI), and Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) through Yonsei AErosol Retrieval algorithm (YAER). In this study, the retrieved aerosol optical depths (AOD)s from each instrument were intercompared and validated with the ground-based sunphotometer AErosol Robotic NETwork (AERONET) data. As a result, the four AOD products derived from different instruments showed consistent results over land and ocean. However, AODs from MI and GOCI tend to be overestimated due to cloud contamination. According to the comparison results with AERONET, the percentage within expected errors (EE) are 36.3, 48.4, 56.6, and 68.2% for MI, GOCI, AHI-minimum reflectivity method (MRM), and AHI-estimated surface reflectance from shortwave Infrared (ESR) product, respectively. Since MI AOD is retrieved from a single visible channel, and adopts only one aerosol type by season, EE is relatively lower than other products. On the other hand, the AHI ESR is more accurate than the minimum reflectance method as used by GOCI, MI, and AHI MRM method in May and June when the vegetation is relatively abundant. These results are explained by the RMSE and the EE for each AERONET site. The ESR method result show to be better than the other satellite product in terms of EE for 15 out of 22 sites used for validation, and they are better than the other product for 13 sites in terms of RMSE. In addition, the error in observation time in each product is found by using characteristics of geostationary satellites. The absolute median biases at 00 to 06 Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) are 0.05, 0.09, 0.18, 0.18, 0.14, 0.09, and 0.10. The absolute median bias by observation time has appeared in MI and the only 00 UTC appeared in GOCI.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.339-358
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• 2015

This study was to examine perceptions of information technology(IT) competencies among gifted and non-gifted students(i.e., information science high school students and technical high school students). Of the 370 high school students surveyed from 3 high schools(i.e., gifted academy, information science high school, and technical high school) in three metropolitan cities, Korea, 351 students completed and returned the questionnaires yielding a total response rate of 94.86%. High school students recognized the IT professional competence as being most important when recruiting IT employees. And they considered that practice-oriented education was the most importantly needed to improve their IT skills. In addition, the most important sub-factors of IT core competencies among gifted academy students and information science high school students were basic software skills. Also Technical high school students responded that the main network and security capabilities were the most importantly needed to do so. Finally, the most appropriate training courses for enhancing IT competencies were recognized differently among gifted and non-gifted students. Gifted academy students responded that the 'algorithm' was the mostly needed for enhancing IT competencies, whereas information science high school students responded that 'data structures' and 'computer architecture' were mostly needed to do. For technical high school students, they responded that a 'programming language' course was the most needed to do so. Results are discussed in relations to IT corporate and school settings.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.243-248
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• 2010

Two suspicious events, which were claimed as underground nuclear tests by North Korea, were detected in the northern Korean Peninsula on October 9, 2006 and May 25, 2009. The KIGAM and Korea-China Joint seismic stations are distributed uniformly along the boundaries between North Korea and adjacent countries. In this study, the data from broadband stations with the distance of 200 to 550 km from the test site are used to analyze and compare two nuclear tests of North Korea. By comparing the time differences of the Pn-wave arrival times of 1st and 2nd tests at multiple stations, the relative locations of two test sites could be calculated precisely. From the geometrical calculation with the velocity of Pn wave $V_{Pn}$ = 8 km/s, the 2nd test site is estimated to move in the WNW direction from 1st one with the distance of 2 km. Body wave magnitude, mb of the 2nd test, which was announced officially as the network average of 4.5, varies widely with the directional location of stations from 4.1 to 5.2. The magnitude obtained from Lg wave, $m_b$(Lg), shows less variation between 4.3 to 4.7 with the average of 4.6. The moving-window spectra of time traces of 1st and 2nd tests show very similar pattern with different scale level. In addition, the corner frequencies of P wave of 1st and 2nd tests at each station show no or negligible difference. This indicates the burial depths of two tests might be very similar. The relative yield amount of the 2nd test is estimated 8 times larger than that of the 1st from the weighted average of ground-velocity amplitude ratios.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.185-201
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• 2018

Nuclear power plants(NPP) are constructed and operated to ensure safety against natural disasters and man-made disasters in all processes including site selection, site survey, design, construction, and operation. This paper will introduce a series of efforts conducted in Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., to assure the safety of nuclear power plant against earthquakes and other natural hazards. In particular, the present status of the earthquake, fault, and slope safety monitoring system for nuclear power plants is introduced. A earthquake observatory network for the NPP sites has been built up for nuclear safety and providing adequate seismic design standards for NPP sites by monitoring seismicity in and around NPPs since 1999. The Eupcheon Fault Monitoring System, composed of a strainmeter, seismometer, creepmeter, Global Positioning System, and groundwater meter, was installed to assess the safety of the Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant against earthquakes by monitoring the short- and long-term behavioral characteristics of the Eupcheon fault. Through the analysis of measured data, it was verified that the Eupcheon fault is a relatively stable fault that is not affected by earthquakes occurring around the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula. In addition, it was confirmed that the fault monitoring system could be very useful for seismic safety analysis and earthquake prediction study on the fault. K-SLOPE System for systematic slope monitoring was successfully developed for monitoring of the slope at nuclear power plants. Several kinds of monitoring devices including an inclinometer, tiltmeter, tension-wire, and precipitation gauge were installed on the NPP slope. A macro deformation analysis using terrestrial LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) was performed for overall slope deformation evaluation.