• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.59.1-59.1
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• 2015

We present hydrodynamic simulations of gas clouds that inflowing from the disk to a few hundred parsec region of the Milky Way. Realistic Galactic structures are included in our simulations by thousands of multipole expansions that describe 6.4 million stellar particles of a self-consistent Galaxy simulation (Baba, Saitoh & Wada, in prep.). We find that a hybrid multipole expansion model with two different basis sets and a thick disk correction well reproduces the overall structures of the Milky Way. We find that the nuclear ring evolves into 240 pc at T~1500 Myr, regardless of the initial size. For most of simulation runs, gas inflow rate to the nuclear region is equilibrated as ~0.02 Msun/yr, and thus accumulated gas mass and star formation activity is stabilized as $6{\times}10^7Msun$ and ~0.02M/yr, respectively. These stabilized values are in a good agreement with estimations for the CMZ. The nuclear ring is off-centered to the Galactic center by the lopsided central mass distribution of the Galaxy model, and thus an asymmetric mass distribution is arose accordingly. The lopsidedness also leads the nuclear ring to be tilted to the Galactic plane and to precess along the Galaxy rotation. In early evolutionary stage when gas clouds start to inflow and form the nuclear ring, the z-directional oscillations of the gas clouds results in the twisted, infinity-shaped nuclear ring. Since the infinity-shaped feature is transient only for first 100 Myr, the current infinity-shape observed in the CMZ may indicate that the CMZ forms quite recently.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.69-83
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• 2013

Clothes show not just the different social status of people, but the ideology and value of former society through pattern, colour, materials, shapes, etc. The purpose of this article is to fill the academic blank of this part by researching the pattern of fabric design in Jing Pai(Beiing style) and Hai Pai(Shanghai style) cheong-sam during the period of the Republic of China. The contrastive analysis of regional pattern between Jing Pai and Hai Pai cheong-sam expect to provide the theoretical basis for the former fashion designers and scholars. There are three approaches in the article: Data collection method, comparison method and Combining theory with practice method as film. Regarding components of pattern, both Jing Pai and Hai Pai cheong-sam have mostly single or composite pattern like plants. Further the most of Jing Pai cheong-sam pattern is traditional flower pattern. But Haipai cheong-sam patterns have some western flower pattern. Beside that, it have some geometry pattern. Regarding arrangement of the pattern, both cheong-sams have scattered dot style, the border style, and pictures style. But continuous type of Jing Pai cheong-sam is less while Hai Pai cheong-sam is the most. Comparing Jing Pai cheong-sam color of patterns in "Moment in Peking" is unadorned and types are simple as chinese traditional clothes; However, "In the Mood for Love" introduces us various material colors, new types of patterns and extraneous characteristic geometry patterns of Hai Pai cheong-sam. Generally speaking, the main characteristic of Jing Pai cheong-sam is traditional and conservatism. It keeps Chinese traditional pattern and culture to the most extent. However, Hai Pai cheong-sam are confluent and open with absorbed external culture and techniques which are endowed new artistic color.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5709-5714
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• 2012

Objective: To evaluate the effects of curcumin on matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and invasion ability induced by transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$) in MDA-MB-231 cells and potential mechanisms. Methods: Human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were used with the CCK-8 assay to measure the cytotoxicity of curcumin. After treatment with 10 ng/ml TGF-${\beta}1$, with or without curcumin (${\leq}10{\mu}M$), cell invasion was checked by transwell chamber. The effects of curcumin on TGF-${\beta}1$-stimulated MMP-9 and phosphorylation of Smad2, extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) were examined by Western blotting. Supernatant liquid were collected to analyze the activity of MMP-9 via zymography. Following treatment with PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK, and SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38MAPK, Western blotting and zymography were employed to examine MMP-9 expression and activity, respectively. Results: Low dose curcumin (${\leq}10{\mu}M$) did not show any obvious toxicity to the cells, while $0{\sim}10{\mu}mol/L$ caused a concentration-dependent reduction in cell invasion provoked by TGF-${\beta}1$. Curcumin also markedly inhibited TGF-${\beta}1$-regulated MMP-9 and activation of Smad2, ERK1/2 and p38 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, PD98059, but not SB203580, showed a similar pattern of inhibition of MMP-9 expression. Conclusion: Curcumin inhibited TGF-${\beta}1$-stimulated MMP-9 and the invasive phenotype in MDA-MB-231 cells, possibly associated with TGF-${\beta}$/Smad and TGF-${\beta}$/ERK signaling.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.53.2-53.2
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• 2015

We present preliminary results from a series of observations toward G108.8-00.8, which is one of Planck Cold Clumps and a promising candidate of massive prestellar cores. In the integrated intensity map of SCUBA 850 micron dust continuum emission, highly fragmented structures appear. These are distributed along one long filamentary structure seen in the CO 1-0 and 13CO 1-0 integrated intensity maps obtained with the PMO 13.7 m telescope. The northern part of the filament is divided into two parts, as seen in the CO 2-1, 13CO 2-1, and C18O 2-1 integrated intensity maps obtained with the CSO 10 m telescope. The observations of HCO+ 1-0, N2H+ 1-0, and HCN 1-0 with the IRAM 30 m telescope focus on the northern part of the CSO maps, which show a head-tail structure. NH3 (1,1) also shows similar distribution with IRAM maps. The depletion factors, derived by the comparison between the dust continuum and C18O 2-1 emission, varies from 1.5 to 6 over the region, suggesting different evolutionary status of each component. To study the chemical and physical environments of G108.8-00.8, more detailed analysis is in progress.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2010

Clenbuterol, a $\beta_2$-adrenoceptor agonist, has been proven to be a powerful repartition agent that can decrease fat deposition. Based on results from our previous cDNA microarray experiment of pig clenbuterol administration, a novel up-regulated EST was full-length cloned (4859 bp encoding 1041 amino acids) and found to be the pig homolog of large tumor suppressor 2 (Lats2). We mapped pig Lats2 to chromosome 11p13-14 by using FISH, and western blotting demonstrated that pig Lats2 protein was most abundant in adipose. In Drosophila, Lats2 ortholog was reported as a key component of the Hippo pathway which regulates cell differentiation and growth. Here, we show that pig Lats2 exhibit inverted expression to YAP1, another member of the Hippo pathway which positively regulates cell growth and proliferation, during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Our results suggested that Lats2 may involve in Hippo pathway regulating the fat reduction by inhibiting adipocyte differentiation and growth.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2006

Recently, we have reported that the environmental pollutant 2-bromopropane (2-BP) induces a significant embryo-fetal developmental toxicity in rats. However, the cause of developmental toxicity and the relationship between maternal and developmental toxicities could not be elucidated because the developmental toxicity of 2-BP was observed only in the presence of maternal toxicity The in vitro teratogenicity study using whole embryo culture was carried out to understand the teratogenic properties and the possible mechanism of teratogenicity induced by 2-BP in rats. Rat embryos aged 9.5 days were cultured in vitro for 48 hrs at medium concentrations of 0, 1, 3, or 10 mg/ml of 2-BP. Embryos were evaluated for growth, differentiation, and morphological alterations at the end of the culture period. At 10 mg/ml, 2-BP caused a delay in the growth and differentiation of embryos and an increase in the incidence of morphological alterations, including altered yolk sac circulation, abnormal axial rotation, craniofacial hypoplasia, open neuropore, absent optic vesicle and kinked somites. At 3 mg/ml, only a delay in the growth and differentiation of embryos was observed. There were no adverse effects on embryonic growth and development at the concentration of 1 mg/ml. The results showed that the exposure of 2-BP to rat embryos results in a developmental delay and morphological alterations at dose levels of 3 mg/ml culture media or higher and that 2-BP can induce a direct developmental toxicity in rat embryos.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.273-281
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• 2018

$Ji{\check{u}}di{\grave{a}}n$ iron production site in China is a relic smelting site, which in the past produced pig iron. In this study, scientific analysis of the smelting furnace and collected slag was conducted to reveal some aspects of the ancient Chinese smelting technique. A 3D model of the smelting furnace showed a narrow lower part and an upper section which increased in diameter upwards. Although the smelting furnace relic does not include the upper part and its complete shape cannot be predicted, the remaining part suggests that the furnace had a larger diameter in the central part compared to the upper and lower parts. Most of the collected slag was completely vitrified. Long prismatic fayalite was observed in the matrix of some samples. The iron particles contained phosphorus, which could not be discharged during smelting work. In addition, as the $CaO/SiO_2$ ratio was 0.42 or lower in the results of the content analysis, no CaO slag former had been added. However, the ratio of $CaO/SiO_2$ to $Al_2O_3/SiO_2$ did not have a constant trend. This needs to be investigated in a further study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.180-188
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the melanogenesis associated transcription factor (MITF) and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) genes on plumage coloration in Asian native duck breeds. MITF encodes a protein for microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, which regulates the development and function of melanocytes for pigmentation of skin, hair, and eyes. Among the tyrosinase-related family genes, DCT is a pigment cell-specific gene that plays important roles in the melanin synthesis pathway and the expression of skin, feather, and retina color. Methods: Five Asian duck varieties (black Korean native, white Korean native, commercial Peking, Nageswari, and Bangladeshi Deshi white ducks) were investigated to examine the polymorphisms associated with plumage colors. Among previously identified SNPs, three synonymous SNPs and one indel of MITF and nine SNPs in exon regions of DCT were genotyped. The allele frequencies for SNPs of the black and white plumage color populations were estimated and Fisher's exact test was conducted to assess the association between the allele frequencies of these two populations. Results: Two synonymous SNPs (c.114T>G and c.147T>C) and a 14-bp indel (GCTGCAAAC AGATG) in intron 7 of MITF were significantly associated with the black- and white-colored breeds (p<0.001). One non-synonymous SNP [c.938A>G (p.His313Arg)] in DCT, was highly significantly associated (p<0.001) and a synonymous SNP (c.753A>G) was significantly associated (p<0.05) with black and white color plumage in the studied duck populations. Conclusion: The results of this study provide a basis for further investigations of the associations between polymorphisms and plumage color phenotypes in Asian duck breeds.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.323-327
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• 2004

Whitening effect, which decreases the skin pigmentation, is the one of important targets in cosmetics. This study was investigated the effects of Scirpi rhizoma on ant ioxidation and melanogenesis. S.rhizoma is a rhizome of Scirpus fluviatilis G. a perennial Cyperaceae species of wide occurrence in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. S.rhizoma shown scavenging activities of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the IC50 of 638${\mu}g/ml$ against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and 21.7${\mu}g/ml$ against superoxide radicals in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, respectively. S.rhizoma treatment (48 h) suppressed the biosynthesis of melanin up to 27% and reduced tyrosinase activity up to 31% at 100${\mu}g/ml$ in B16 melanoma cells. S.rhizoma was also able to significantly inhibit tyrosinase and TRP-1 expres- sion in protein level. These results suggest that S.rhizoma inhibited melanin biosynthesis by regulating tyrosinase activity and expression in B16 melanoma cells. Therefore S.rhizoma may be useful as new whitening agent due to the antioxidant effect and the inhibitory effect against melanogenesis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8541-8551
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• 2016

Background: The coverage of breast and cervical cancer screening has only slightly increased in the past decade in Thailand, and these cancers remain leading causes of death among women. This study identified socioeconomic and contextual factors contributing to the variation in screening uptake and coverage. Materials and Methods: Secondary data from two nationally representative household surveys, the Health and Welfare Survey (HWS) 2007 and the Reproductive Health Survey (RHS) 2009 conducted by the National Statistical Office were used. The study samples comprised 26,951 women aged 30-59 in the 2009 RHS, and 14,619 women aged 35 years and older in the 2007 HWS were analyzed. Households of women were grouped into wealth quintiles, by asset index derived from Principal components analysis. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Screening rates for cervical and breast cancers increased between 2007 and 2009. Education and health insurance coverage including wealth were factors contributing to screening uptake. Lower or non-educated and poor women had lower uptake of screenings, as were young, unmarried, and non-Buddhist women. Coverage of the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme increased the propensity of having both screenings, while the universal coverage scheme increased the probability of cervical screening among the poor. Lack of awareness and knowledge contributed to non-use of both screenings. Women were put off from screening, especially Muslim women on cervical screening, because of embarrassment, fear of pain and other reasons. Conclusions: Although cervical screening is covered by the benefit package of three main public health insurance schemes, free of charge to all eligible women, the low coverage of cervical screening should be addressed by increasing awareness and strengthening the supply side. As mammography was not cost effective and not covered by any scheme, awareness and practice of breast self examination and effective clinical breast examination are recommended. Removal of cultural barriers is essential.