• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.257-268
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• 2021

Phthalates and their metabolites are well-known endocrine disrupting chemicals. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been widely used in industry and the exposing possibility to adult is high. In this study, DEHP was treated (133 ㎍/L and 1,330 ㎍/L in drinking water) according to the OECD test guideline 443 to mature female mice and their adrenal gland were examined for histological characteristics and steroidogenic gene expression. The wet weight of the adrenal gland was increased in all administrated groups compared to control. The diameter of zona fasciculata (ZF) was increased by DEHP in both outer ZF and inner ZF but there was no difference in morphology of the cells and arrangements into zona between groups. In addition, the arrangement of extracellular matrix was not different between control and DEHP groups. CYP11B1 was mainly localized at ZF and the intensity was not different between groups. DAX1 was localized in zona glomerulosa (ZG) and ZF, and its expression levels were decreased by DEHP administration. Its level was lower in DEHP133 group than DEHP1330 group. On the other hand, CYP17A1 was localized in ZG of DEHP1330 group. These results suggest that chronic low-dose DEHP exposing may modify the microstructure and function of the adrenal cortical cortex.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.412-420
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• 2021

In this study, we measure the initial electrical conductivity of SCF/rubber specimens and SCF/rubber specimens with nickel particles respectively. The corresponding electrical conductivity with compressive strain on the specimens is also measured. Through this experiment, we observed the effects of the volume fraction of carbon fiber, nickel particles and external strain on the electrical conductivity. Experiments show that even a small difference in the volume fraction of SCF plays a major role in the change of the electrical conductivity and that the piezoresistivity increases due to fiber reorientation respond to external strain. In addition, the nickel particles contribute to improving the electrical conductivity in specimens with carbon fibers above the threshold volume fraction. It was confirmed that there is an effect of offsetting the increment in the piezoresistivity caused by the reorientation of carbon fibers according to external strain.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.447-456
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• 2022

Korea's self-support program has constituted one of the most important workfare policy for the past 25 years. However, many pointed out the lack of field perceptions in the performance indicators of self-support program, such as overemphasis on the economic performance and uniform application regardless of regional types. This research intends to derive policy implications to improve performance indicators of self-support program by analyzing field perceptions, utilizing ISA(Importance-Satisfaction Analysis) method. Analysis on the difference between importance and satisfaction shows that the procedure was perceived more important than the consequences. It also reveals that current indicators were not satisfactory enough to reflect field practices. Finally, ISA matrix classified indicators into keep, improve, policy reconsideration area, and obvious differences were found by regional type. These findings suggest the importance of field-orientation in performance indicators, and by which, can serve as an exploratory study for the improvement of performance indicators.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.710-715
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• 2022

Background The latissimus musculocutaneous flap (LD flap) is a useful option for breast reconstruction following mastectomy. It has the advantage of obtaining sufficient tissue padding and natural shape by using autologous tissue. However, with the emergence of the skin-sparing mastectomy technique and artificial dermis matrix, direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction has become the first choice of surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the satisfaction levels of patients who underwent DTI and LD flap with implant using patient-reported Breast-Q results. Methods A retrospective study was performed reviewing the records of 49 women who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with DTI or LD flap with implant and responded to the BREAST-Q questionnaire after the operation. The patient-reported breast-Q results were analyzed and correlated to the demographic information and intraoperative information. Results A total of 26 patients who underwent reconstruction with LD flap with implant and 23 patients with DTI were identified and responded to the questionnaire after an average of 32.3 and 10.4 months postoperation, respectively. According to the patient response to the breast-q values, satisfaction with breast was 60.0 and 57.0 points, psychosocial well-being 61.0 and 60.0 points, and sexual well-being 41.0 and 43.0 points in the two groups. Overall, there was no significant difference in the breastQ score between the two groups. Conclusion Patients who underwent DTI breast reconstruction seemed equally satisfied with the appearance and outcome of their breast reconstruction compared with LD flap with implant. Therefore, it appears that DTI is adequately replacing LD with implant.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.366-373
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• 2022

Regulation of proper gene expression is important for cellular and organismal survival, maintenance, and growth. Abnormal gene expression, even for a single critical gene, can thwart cellular integrity and normal physiology to cause diseases, aging, and death. Therefore, gene expression profiling serves as a powerful tool to understand the pathology of diseases and to cure them. In this study, the difference in gene expression in Flammulina velutipes was compared between the wild type (WT) mushroom and the mutant one with clogging phenomenon. Differentially expressed transcripts were screened to identify the candidate genes responsible for the mutant phenotype using the DNA microarray analysis. A total of 88 genes including 60 upregulated and 28 downregulated genes were validated using the real-time quantitative PCR analysis. In addition, proteomic differences between the WT and mutant mushroom were analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF). Interestingly, the genes identified by these genomic and proteomic analyses were involved in stress response, translation, and energy/sugar metabolism, including HSP70, elongation factor 2, and pyruvate kinase. Together, our data suggest that the aberrant expression of these genes attributes to the mutant clogging phenotype. We propose that these genes can be targeted to foster normal growth in F. velutipes.

• 한국정보교육학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2021.08a
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• pp.419-424
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to understand the educational context including the actual learning process and learner perception using the embodied metaphor in AI education. To this end, a class was designed to utilize the embodied metaphor-based unplugged activity through a qualitative approach. Matrix analysis technique was used to analyze the data collected throughout the course of the class to analyze the experiences and perceptions according to the characteristics of the learner, and the learning context. The results of the study were: First, there was a difference according to the learner's prior experience in the effect on the representative knowledge and the subsequent practice process. Next, the embodied metaphor-based unplugged activity showed soft landing effects on practice and text coding. Finally, the organic integration of unplugged and plugged-in classes helped learners understand the potential of computational thinking.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.1327-1335
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• 2023

Objective: When evaluating individuals with the same parent and no phenotype by pedigree best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP), it is difficult to explain carcass grade difference and select individuals because they have the same value in pedigree BLUP (PBLUP). However, single step GBLUP (ssGBLUP), which can estimate the breeding value suitable for the individual by adding genotype, is more accurate than the existing method. Methods: The breeding value and accuracy were estimated with pedigree BLUP and ssGBLUP using pedigree and genotype of 408 Hanwoo cattle from 16 families with the same parent among siblings produced by fertilized egg transplantation. A total of 14,225 Hanwoo cattle with pedigree, genotype and phenotype were used as the reference population. PBLUP obtained estimated breeding value (EBV) using the pedigree of the test and reference populations, and ssGBLUP obtained genomic EBV (GEBV) after constructing and H-matrix by integrating the pedigree and genotype of the test and reference populations. Results: For all traits, the accuracy of GEBV using ssGBLUP is 0.18 to 0.20 higher than the accuracy of EBV obtained with PBLUP. Comparison of EBV and GEBV of individuals without phenotype, since the value of EBV is estimated based on expected values of alleles passed down from common ancestors. It does not take Mendelian sampling into consideration, so the EBV of all individuals within the same family is estimated to be the same value. However, GEBV makes estimating true kinship coefficient based on different genotypes of individuals possible, so GEBV that corresponds to each individual is estimated rather than a uniform GEBV for each individual. Conclusion: Since Hanwoo cows bred through embryo transfer have a high possibility of having the same parent, if ssGBLUP after adding genotype is used, estimating true kinship coefficient corresponding to each individual becomes possible, allowing for more accurate estimation of breeding value.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2008

Weak target detection and localization in the presence of loud surface ship noise is a critical problem for matched field processing (MFP) in shallow water. For stationary sources, each signal component of received signal can be separated and interference can be suppressed using eigen space analysis schemes. However, source motion, in realistic cases, causes spreading of signal energies in their subspace. In this case, eigenvalues of target and interfere signal components are mixed and hard to be separated with usual phone space eigenvector decomposition (EVD) approaches. Our technique is based on mode space and utilizes the difference in their physical characteristics of surface and submerged sources. Performing EVD for modal cross spectral density matrix, interference components in the mode amplitude subspace can be classified and eliminated. This technique is demonstrated with synthetic data, and results are discussed.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2023

Purpose: The delay in acceptance or refusal to get vaccinated despite the availability of services is called vaccine hesitancy. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative in Pakistan faced consistent barriers preventing the eradication of the disease in the country. Similarly with the advent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic mass vaccination drives were initiated to a vaccine hesitant population. The aim of this study is to explore the prevalence and reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Pakistani population. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted during July to September 2021 using a snowball sampling technique targeting the adult population of Pakistan. The modified version of the vaccine hesitancy questionnaire related to the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization Vaccine Hesitancy matrix was distributed online. Results: Out of 973 participants, 52.4% were immediately willing to take the vaccine and constituted the acceptance group whereas the remaining 47.6% who were still not sure formed the hesitant group. Support from leaders was found to be statistically significant for the difference between the hesitant and acceptance groups (p-value=0.027). Hesitant people were concerned about the effectiveness of the vaccine (60.9%) and potential side effects (57.9%) as it was not sufficiently tested prior to launch (44.7%). Age and education were significant factors affecting the acceptance of vaccination. The most trusted source of information regarding vaccination was health care workers (43.8%). Conclusion: A moderately high prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was reported in Pakistan. To overcome it, policymakers need to address the reasons for it. Leaders, celebrities, and healthcare workers can play an instrumental role in dispelling conspiracy theories regarding vaccines and making the vaccination drive a success.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.205-220
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• 2024

Various polylactic acid (PLA) blends were reinforced with untreated or silane-treated micro-sized cellulose fiber (MCF), successfully prepared as 3D printing filaments and then printed using a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printer. In this study, we focused on developing 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites through silane treatment of MCF and investigating the effect of silane treatment on the various properties of FFF 3D-printed composites. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the increase in hydrophobic properties of silane-treated MCF by showing the new absorption peaks at 1,100 cm^-1, 1,030 cm^-1, and 815 cm^-1 representing C-NH₂, Si-O-Si, and Si-CH₂ bonds, respectively. In scanning electron microscope images of silane-treated MCF filled PLA composites, the improved interfacial adhesion between MCF and PLA matrix was observed. The mechanical properties of the 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites with silane-treated MCF were improved compared to those of the 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites with untreated MCF. In particular, the highest tensile and flexural modulus values were observed for S-MCF10 (5,784.77 MPa) and S-MCF5 (2,441.67 MPa), respectively. The thermal stability of silane-treated MCF was enhanced by delaying the initial thermal decomposition temperature compared to untreated MCF. The thermal decomposition temperature difference at T₉₅ was around 26℃. This study suggests that the effect of silane treatment on the 3D-printed MCF/PLA composites is effective and promising.