• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.155-162
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• 2013

Objective: Stress is known to be an inhibitor of the reproductive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. However, the neural and molecular connections between stress and reproduction are not yet understood. It is well established that in both humans and rodents, kisspeptin (encoded by the kiss1 gene) is a strong stimulator of the HPG axis. In the present study we hypothesized that endocannabinoids, an important neuromodulatory system in the brain, can act on the HPG axis at the level of kiss1 expression to inhibit reproductive function under stress. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were unilaterally implanted with an intracerebroventricular cannula. Afterwards, the animals were exposed to immobilization stress, with or without the presence of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1 ${\mu}g/rat$). Blood samples were collected through a retro-orbital plexus puncture before and after stress. Five hours after the stress, brain tissue was collected for reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction measurements of kiss1 mRNA. Results: Immobilization stress (1 hour) resulted in a decrease in the serum luteinizing hormone concentration. Additionally, kiss1 gene expression was decreased in key hypothalamic nuclei that regulate gonadotrophin secretion, the medial preoptic area (mPOA), and to some extent the arcuate nucleus (ARC). A single central administration of AM251 was effective in blocking these inhibitory responses. Conclusion: These findings suggest that endocannabinoids mediate, at least in part, immobilization stress-induced inhibition of the reproductive system. Our data suggest that the connection between immobilization stress and the HPG axis is kiss1 expression in the mPOA rather than the ARC.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.212-228
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• 2001

This is a cross-sectional descriptive correlation study that aimed to understand the relationship between the level of sexual contacts during the dates and psycho-social factors in teenage girls who have or had boyfriends. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between sexual contacts and self-esteem and self- assertiveness. The subjects of the study were 6,130 teenage girls who have or had boyfriends. They were selected convienently 12,733 teenage girls from 254 secondary schools located in 7 large cities and 9 provinces in Korea. A structured questionaire was used it included items one general characteristics, the levels of sexual contacts, self-esteem and self-assertiveness. Seven levels of sexual contacts were rated they were holding a hand, putting arms around each other's shoulders, kiss, french kiss, touching breast, petting genitalia, and sexual intercourse during the dates. Self-esteem and self-assertiveness were measured by the "Self-esteem scale" of Rogenberg (1971) and the questionaires developed by S. B. Chang et al(2000), respectively. The self-reported questionaires were collected from October 2, to October 28, 2000 and analyzed by using SPSS 10.0 Program. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, reliability, One-way ANOVA with Duncan method & Scheffe method. The results of the analysis were as follows. 1.An average Percentage of the respondents who have (46.1%) or had (53.9%) boyfriends was 48.1% (n=6,130) and the most common sexual contact during the dates was french kiss (26.7%, n=1,634). While 7.5%(458) of respondents had a sexual intercourse, 13.7%(842) of respondents didn't have any sexual contact during the dates. 2. Distribution of starting point of the first sexual contact demonstrates that 1,950 respondents (31.8%) held partner's hand at the first date and 1,367 respondents (22.3%) put arms around each other's shoulders at the 2nd or 3rd date. Sexual contacts such as kiss, french kiss, touching breast, petting genitalia, or sexual intercourse were experienced mostly at the later than the 10th date. However, surprisingly large number(1.7%) of respondents had genital contact and sexual intercourses at the first date. 3. The means of self-esteem and self-assertiveness socres of the respondents who have or had boyfriends are 27.43$({\pm}4.03)$ and 17.96$({\pm}2.55)$, respectively. The range of scores for self esteem was 10-40, 40 with most self esteem. The range of scores for self assertiveness was 7-21, 21 with most self assertiveness. 4. As sexual contacts proceeded, the means of self-esteem and self-assertiveness values decreased. In detail, the respondents having no or light sexual contacts (kiss, putting arms around each other's shoulder, holding a hand) had similar self-esteem values($p{\leq}0.05$). However, ones having relatively intensive sexual contacts (french kiss, touching breast) showed significantly lower self-esteem values($p{\leq}0.05$). Same trend has been obtained for self-assertiveness value. 5. The higher values of self-esteem and self-assertiveness values the respondents had, the later they started the moderate sexual contact (kiss, french kiss) during the dates. Interestingly, among the respondents having intensive sexual contacts (petting genitalia, sexual intercourse) during the dates, those who experienced the such contacts at the first date or later than 10th date have higher self-esteem and self-assertiveness values than one experienced the such contacts during the 2nd$\sim$9th dates, giving U-shape curve. 6. There was a significant relationship between self-esteem and self-assertiveness in girls who have or had boyfriends($P{\leq}.001$). In conclusion, the research shows that self-esteem and self-assertiveness values are significantly related with the sexual contacts of the teenage girls who have or had boyfriends. These results strongly suggest that proper sex education program for teenage girls should contain the program on improving the self-esteem and self-assertiveness. We believe that sex education program is the one of the best ways to prevent the unwanted sexual contacts and pregnancy of teenage girls.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.113-127
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between sexual attitude and risk behaviors, between risk behavior and sexual experiences in Korean girls high school students. The subjects for this study were 522 girls, who were samples from a target population of 63,375 11th grade students from 200 regular high schools and 70 vocational high schools in Seoul. The data were collected from June 22 to July 18, 2002. A structured questionnaire was used that included measurement of general characteristics, sexual attitudes, risk behaviors and sexual experiences. The data were processed with the SAS program, which uses descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA in its an alyses. The results of this study are as follows : 1. The frequency of sexual experience is as follows ; 'holding hands' had the highest percentage, 57.4 7%, followed in order by 'arms around' 50.19%, 'act of embracing' 50.19%, 'kiss' 37.74%, 'french kiss' 30.84%, 'touch breasts' 8.62%, 'touch sexual organs' 3.26%, 'coitus' 2.30%, 'contraception' 0.77%, 'pregnancy' 0.19%, 'abortion' 0.19%, and 'prostitution' 0.19%. 2. The score of conservatives types was significantly different depending upon exposure to pornographic material and drinking. In comparison, the score of permissiveness types was significantly different depending upon exposure to pornographic material, drinking, and running away from home. But the score of pleasure seeking types was not significantly different than that of the risk behaviors types. 3. There was statistically significant difference in the sexual experience depending upon exposure to pornographic material, drinking, smoking, and running away from home. 4. In the relationship between sexual attitude types and sexual experience, there was a negative correlation between the conservatives types and sexual experiences such as 'holding hands', 'arms around', 'act of embracing', 'kiss', 'french kiss', 'touch breasts', 'touch sexual organs', and 'coitus'. There was a positive correlation between the permissiveness types and sexual experiences such as 'holding hands', 'arms around', 'act of embracing', 'kiss', 'french kiss', 'touch breasts', 'touch sexual organs', and 'coitus'. There was also a positive correlation between the pleasure-seeking types and sexual experiences such as 'touch sexual organ', 'contraceptions', 'pregnancy', and 'prostitution'. Based on the finding of this study, this society should develop a integrated program to prevent risk behaviors and sexual experiences in girls high school students.

• Survey Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.63-81
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• 2005

A survey method in Korea has being developed rapidly since a survey company was established in 1968. In latest, the CATI, internet survey, Notebook, PDA survey methods are being utilized in accordance with communication development. This article focuses on the practical use and the strength and weakness of the PDA survey solution which employs 'KISS' system designed by KRIVET itself. The survey using PDA has, on the one hand, such strengths as follows : 1) efficient field control, 2) reduction of time for verifying data and generation of proper data 3) shortening survey duration from intial survey to data completion, 4) cutting down survey personnel and cost. On the other hand, survey using PDA has the following weakness: 1) limitation of questionnaire expression, 2) increasing time for survey, 3) communication barrier in some regions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.172-181
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• 2022

Pubertal onset is known to result from reactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which is controlled by complex interactions of genetic and nongenetic factors. Most cases of precocious puberty (PP) are diagnosed as central PP (CPP), defined as premature activation of the HPG axis. The cause of CPP in most girls is not identifiable and, thus, referred to as idiopathic CPP (ICPP), whereas boys are more likely to have an organic lesion in the brain. ICPP has a genetic background, as supported by studies showing that maternal age at menarche is associated with pubertal timing in their offspring. A gain of expression in the kisspeptin gene (KISS1), gain-of-function mutation in the kisspeptin receptor gene (KISS1R), loss-of-function mutation in makorin ring finger protein 3 (MKRN3), and loss-of-function mutations in the delta-like homolog 1 gene (DLK1) have been associated with ICPP. Other genes, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-1 (GABRA1), lin-28 homolog B (LIN28B), neuropeptide Y (NPYR), tachykinin 3 (TAC3), and tachykinin receptor 3 (TACR3), have been implicated in the progression of ICPP, although their relationships require elucidation. Environmental and socioeconomic factors may also be correlated with ICPP. In the progression of CPP, epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modifications, and non-coding ribonucleic acids may mediate the relationship between genetic and environmental factors. CPP is correlated with short- and long-term adverse health outcomes, which forms the rationale for research focusing on understanding its genetic and nongenetic factors.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.277-278
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• 2011

Traditionally airport users have presented their passport themselves to immigration for entering and leaving countries. To improve the inefficiency of this traditional immigration system, Incheon International Airport (IIA) has introduced automatic immigration system called Korea Immigration Smart Service (KISS). This research investigates airport users' behavioral intentions of KISS. To achieve the research purpose, the conceptual model is developed on the basis of the technology acceptance model. The result from this research can be used for improvement of KISS system.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.335-340
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• 2010

This study was performed to evaluate the fracture strength of the dental zirconia veneering ceramics for zirconia ceramic core. Six commercial zirconia veneering ceramics were used in this study, namely E-Max(Ivoclar vivadent, Inc, Liechtenstein), Creation ZI(KLEMA Dental produckte GmbH, Austria), Cercon ceram kiss(Degudent, GmbH, Hanau-Wolfgang, Germany), Triceram(Dentaurum, Ispringen, Germany), Zirkonzahn(Zirkonzahn GmbH, Italy), Zirmax(Alpadent, korea). All samples were prepared according to the relevant instructions of manufacture. Disc specimens were prepared to the final dimensions of 17 mm in diameter and 1.5 mm in thickness. The biaxial flexure strength test was conducted using a ball-on-three-ball method. All specimens were tested in a moisture-free environment. Average flexural strengths were analyzed with Weibull analysis and one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA). Significant differences were founded between the mean flexural strength values of five commercials zirconia veneering ceramics and the other. The flexural strengths and Weibull modulus were similar to those of five groups E-Max(EM), Creation ZI(CR), Cercon ceram kiss(CE), Triceram(TR), Zirkonzahn(ZI) with the exception of Zirmax(ZM). The biaxial flexural strength from Cercon ceram kiss(CE) was higher than those of other groups. Fracture analysis showed similar results for these five groups.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.45-52
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• 2009

Esthetic restorations have been widely used in dental practice, although many studies have focused on the development and improvement of all ceramic restorations. The success of esthetic restorations depends primarily on an optimal bond strength between various veneered ceramics and core materials for esthetic restorations. The purpose of this study was to compare the shear bond strength between various veneered ceramics and core materials for esthetic restorations. 30 metal cores and 20 zirconia cores were fabricated and divided into five groups according to veneered ceramic materials such as Creation porcelain powder, Cercon Ceram Kiss, and IPS e.max ZirPress. Thirty spacimens were prepared using Creation porcelain powder, veneered 3mm height and 3mm in diameter, over the metal cores (n=10). Twenty specimens were prepared using Cercon Ceram Kiss and Zirpress, veneered 3mm height and 3mm in diameter, over the zirconia cores (n=10). The shear bond strength test was performed in a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 1mm/min. Ultimate shear bond strength data were analyzed with One-way ANOVA and the Scheffe's test (p=.05). Within the limits of this study, the following conclusions were drawn: The mean shear bond strengths (MPa) were: 18.44 for Uni metal VH/Creation (NCUC); 18.72 for Heraenium/Creation (NCHC); 16.23 for Wirobond C/Creation (NCWC); 13.88 for Zirconia core/$110{\mu}m$ $Al_2O_3$ sandblasting/Cercon Ceram Kiss (ZS110P); 14.61 for Zirconia core/No surface treatment/IPS e.max ZirPress (ZNTH). The mean shear bond strength for NCUC (Uni metal VH/Creation), NCHC (Heraenium/Creation) and NCWC (Wirobond C/Creation) were significantly superior to ZS110P (Zirconia core/$110{\mu}m$ $Al_2O_3$ sandblasting/Cercon Ceram Kiss) and ZNTH(Zirconia core/No surface treatment/IPS e.max ZirPress) (p<0.05).

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.90-92
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• 2003

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.129-133
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• 2011

A spread spectrum clock generation is an efficient way to reduce electro-magnetic interference (EMI) radiation in modern mixed signal chip systems. The proposed circuit generates the spread spectrum clock by directly injecting the modulation voltage into the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) current source for SATA II. The resulting 33KHz modulation profile has a Hersey-Kiss shape with a rounded peak. The chip has been fabricated using $0.18{\mu}m$ CMOS process and test results show that the proposed circuit achieves 0.509% (5090ppm) down spreading at 1.5GHz and peak power reduction of 10dB. The active chip area is 0.36mm ${\times}$ 0.49mm and the chip consumes 30mW power at 1.5GHz.