• The Journal of Korean Association of Computer Education
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.127-134
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• 2000

Distance education, which emerged under the influence of both the rapid development of hi-tech information technology and the constructivism theory of learning, enables learners to acquire knowledge and skills needed by monitoring their learning process for themselves. Emphasis on web-based distance education and contructivism as a basis of learner-centered education does not mean that those education systems are performed without teachers or in noninterference. This study proposes a model of distance education system in which learners are taught in various levels of learning with the help of teacher agents. In the model teacher agents produce the learners' respective learning model considering the information on individual learners and also control the progress to the next step of learning with the result of the evaluation of learning accomplishment. The model of distance education system suggested in this study is able to help solve the problem that the learning resources web-based distance education provides were used only as objects of web search and to supply a basis of realizing learner-centered education.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.37-71
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• 2010

This article identifies factors affecting successful ERP systems by focusing on the stages after stabilizing ERP systems and overcoming temporary performance dip by introduction of ERP systems, and suggests change management tactics to control those identified factors. We can not expect that every users are familiar with the usage of an ERP system even after they are informed about the expected advantage of the newly implemented ERP system and trained intensively for changed business process and system usage while implementing a new ERP system. Moreover, even after more than six months usage of the system, the users may still have some trouble due to the reason why they have insufficient information about the expected advantage of the system (recognition gap) and insufficient knowledge about the changed usage of the system (knowledge gap). Hence, this article diagnoses by conducting a case study that those recognition and knowledge gap would have a severe bad influence upon the users' trust and satisfaction on ERP systems. This article suggests an appropriate change management tactics to overcome those recognition and knowledge gap by considering the relationship with the efforts for change management before, during, and after the introduction of ERP systems and performing an in-depth analysis on the users' dissatisfaction and request for update during the stages after the stabilization of the ERP systems. This article also shows a corroborative evidence that these efforts of change management consequently contributes to the solution of users' distrust and dissatisfaction. In sum, this article identifies the factors influencing badly on the magnitude and seriousness of knowledge and recognition gap, and suggests a conceptual research model which says that the satisfaction of ERP users could be uplifted by the solution of their knowledge and recognition gap if we keep making efforts on appropriate change management considering those identified factors during the stages after the stabilization of an ERP system.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.14.1-14.16
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to critically analyze previously published studies of the effects of dentin surface pretreatment with deproteinizing agents on the bonding of self-etch (SE) adhesives to dentin. Additionally, a meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the effects of the above-mentioned surface pretreatment methods on the bonding of SE adhesives to dentin. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was performed using the following databases: Scopus, PubMed and ScienceDirect. The online search was performed using the following keywords: 'dentin' or 'hypochlorous acid' or 'sodium hypochlorite' and 'self-etch adhesive.' The following categories were excluded during the assessment process: non-English articles, randomized clinical trials, case reports, animal studies, and review articles. The reviewed studies were subjected to meta-analysis to quantify the effect of the application time and concentration of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) deproteinizing agents on bonding to dentin. Results: Only 9 laboratory studies fit the inclusion criteria of this systematic review. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that the pooled average microtensile bond strength values to dentin pre-treated with deproteinizing agents (15.71 MPa) was significantly lower than those of the non-treated control group (20.94 MPa). Conclusions: In light of the currently available scientific evidence, dentin surface pretreatment with deproteinizing agents does not enhance the bonding of SE adhesives to dentin. The HOCl deproteinizing agent exhibited minimal adverse effects on bonding to dentin in comparison with NaOCl solutions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.429-433
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• 2005

We investigated the effects of aqueous extract from talc for suppression in the process of cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in the rat. The weight of urinary bladder was increased in the cyclophosphamide-injected rat compared with normal, but the increase of weight was arrested by intake of talc. More similar results showed in the uric test involving nitrate content and blood cell number and serum analysis involving the content of blood urea nitrogen and uric acid in the talc challenged rat compared with control one. More severe histological changes of urinary bladder such as edema, wall thickness, bleeding, vacuolation in mucosal epithelium were demonstrated in the rat injected with cyclophosphamide compared with normal. Fewer scores of these changes such as edema and bleeding were observed in rats treated with talc. In the immunohistochemical analysis, the expression of inflammatory-related protein examined tended to increase in the urinary bladder of cyclophosphamide-injected rat, especially COX-2 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in mucosal epithelium and iNOS and $IL-1{\beta}$ in mucosal and muscular layer. The decline of these immunoreation were observed in the talc treated rat, significant decrease of COX-2 was detected in mucosal epithelium and iNOS in submucosal layer. These results suggest that talc may use as a useful therapeutic agent for noninfectious cystitis.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.242-250
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• 2023

Titanium, which has excellent strength and toughness characteristics, is increasingly used in the aerospace field. Among the titanium alloys used for body parts, more than 80 % are Ti-6Al-4V alloys with a tensile strength of 931 MPa. The spark plasma sintering (SPS) method is used for solidification molding of powder manufactured by the mechanical milling (MM) method, by sintering at low temperature for a short time. This sintering method avoids coarsening of the fine crystal grains or dispersed particles of the MM powder. To improve the mechanical properties of pure titanium without adding alloying elements, stearic acid was added to pure titanium powder as a process control agent (PCA), and MM treatment was performed. The properties of the MM powder and SPS material produced by solidifying the powder were investigated by hardness measurement, X-ray diffraction, density measurement and structure observation. The processing deformation of the pure titanium powder depends on the amount of stearic acid added and the MM treatment time. TiN was also generated in powder treated by MM 8 h with 0.50 g of added stearic acid, and the hardness of the powder was higher than that of Ti-6Al-4V alloy when treated with MM for 8 h. When the MM-treated powder was solidified in the SPS equipment, TiC was formed by the solid phase reaction. The SPS material prepared as a powder treated with MM 8 h by adding 0.50 g of stearic acid also formed TiN and exhibited the highest hardness of Hv1253.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.50-60
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• 2024

Objective: Testicular fat deposition has been reported to affect animal reproduction. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. The present study explored whether sperm meiosis and testosterone synthesis contribute to mouse testicular fat deposition-induced reproductive performance. Methods: High fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity CD1 mice (DIO) were used as a testicular fat deposition model. The serum hormone test was performed by agent kit. The quality of sperm was assessed using a Sperm Class Analyzer. Testicular tissue morphology was analyzed by histochemical methods. The expression of spermatocyte marker molecules was monitored by an immuno-fluorescence microscope during meiosis. Analysis of the synthesis of testosterone was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and reagent kit. Results: It was found that there was a significant increase in body weight among DIO mice, however, the food intake showed no difference compared to control mice fed a normal diet (CTR). The number of offspring in DIO mice decreased, but there was no significant difference from the CTR group. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone were lower in DIO mice and their luteinizing hormone levels were similar. The results showed a remarkable decrease in sperm density and motility among DIO mice. We also found that fat accumulation affected the meiosis process, mainly reflected in the cross-exchange of homologous chromosomes. In addition, overweight increased fat deposition in the testis and reduced the expression of testosterone synthesis-related enzymes, thereby affecting the synthesis and secretion of testosterone by testicular Leydig cells. Conclusion: Fat accumulation in the testes causes testicular cell dysfunction, which affects testosterone hormone synthesis and ultimately affects sperm formation.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.38
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• pp.16.1-16.9
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• 2016

Background: The association of biomaterial combined with repair factor-like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has prospective values. Bovine-derived xenograft has been identified as an osteoconductive and biocompatible grafting material that provides osseointegration ability. PRP has become a valuable adjunctive agent to promote healing in a lot of dental and oral surgery procedures. However, there are controversies with respect to the regenerative capacity of PRP and the real benefits of its use in bone grafts. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of PRP combined with xenograft for the repair of peri-implant bone defects. Methods: Twelve rabbits were used in this study, and the experimental surgery with implant installation was performed simultaneously. Autologous PRP was prepared before the surgical procedure. An intrabony defect (7.0 mm in diameter and 3.0 mm deep) was created in the tibia of each rabbit; then, 24 titanium dental implants (3.0 mm in diameter and 8.5 mm long) were inserted into these osteotomy sites. Thus, a standardized gap (4.0 mm) was established between the surrounding bony walls and the implant surface. The gaps were treated with either xenograft alone (control group) or xenograft combined with PRP (experimental group). After healing for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed with an overdose of KCl solution. Two rabbits were killed at each time, and the samples including dental implants and surrounding bone were collected and processed for histological analysis. Results: More newly formed bone and a better bone healing process were observed in control group. The histomorphometric analysis revealed that the mean percentage of bone-to-implant contact in the control group was significantly higher than that of the experimental group (25.23 vs. 8.16 %; P < 0.05, independent-simple t test, analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Conclusions: The results indicate that in the addition of PRP to bovine-derived xenograft in the repair of bone defects around the implant, PRP may delay peri-implant bone healing.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2018

Background: Asthma is a disease of chronic airway inflammation with heterogeneous features. Neutrophilic asthma is corticosteroid-insensitive asthma related to absence or suppression of $T_H2$ process and increased $T_H1$ and/or $T_H17$ process. Macrolides are immunomodulatory drug that reduce airway inflammation, but their role in asthma is not fully known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of macrolides in neutrophilic asthma and compare their effects with those of corticosteroids. Methods: C57BL/6 female mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Clarithromycin (CAM) and/or dexamethasone (DXM) were administered at days 14, 15, 21, 22, and 23. At day 24, the mice were sacrificed. Results: Airway resistance in the OVA+LPS exposed mice was elevated but was more attenuated after treatment with CAM+DXM compared with the monotherapy group (p<0.05 and p<0.01). In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid study, total cells and neutrophil counts in OVA+LPS mice were elevated but decreased after CAM+DXM treatment. In hematoxylin and eosin stain, the CAM+DXM-treated group showed less inflammation additively than the monotherapy group. There was less total protein, interleukin 17 (IL-17), interferon ${\gamma}$, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ in the CAM+DXM group than in the monotherapy group (p<0.001, p<0.05, and p<0.001). More histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) activity was recovered in the DXM and CAM+DXM challenged groups than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Decreased IL-17 and recovered relative HDAC2 activity correlated with airway resistance and inflammation in a neutrophilic asthma mouse model. This result suggests macrolides as a potential corticosteroid-sparing agent in neutrophilic asthma.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.49-54
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• 2011

Case-based reasoning is an efficient method to find solutions for new problems by using past cases after appropriate changes. It is widely used in everyday life because it resembles the way human acts. In this paper, we propose a military system that generates the most appropriate tactics for CGF (Computer Generated Forces) by utilizing past practices. It indeed applies case-based reasoning at the process of armed conflict. When the CGF squad on a mission, they will be given an action plan to reach the final goal. In the process of executing, tactics for specific action should be organized such as attacks, ambushes, and tactical moves. By using the proposed method, tactics were generated by case-based reasoning. The proposed system successfully receives input through each command and control agent, measures the degree of similarity with the case in case DB, selects the most similar case, modifies, uses, and then stores it for next time.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.220-226
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• 2010

Purpose: Many topical agents had been used for burn or wound treatment. An awareness of topical agents on various aspects of wound healing permits the clinician to choose the most appropriate material to advantageously control the wound process and final results. Although polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) was used as a tissue repair stimulating agent in a number of human diseases, such as ulcers and burns, its wound healing effects were largely unreported. We aimed to compare the woundhealing effects of PDRN and common dressing materials on full-thickness skin defect in the mouse. Methods: Full-thickness skin defects were made on the back of mice (N=60). The mice were divided into the following 4 groups according to the dressing used for the wounds: group O (Polydeoxyribonucleotide cream), group I (Polydeoxyribonucleotide solution), group M (Medifoam$^{(R)}$), and group G (dry gauze, control group). We analyzed the gross findings, wound sizes and histological findings for the groups. Results: The rate of wound size was decreased in order of group I, group O, group M and group G. The histological findings revealed that the I group showed more reepithelialization and granulation tissue formation and less inflammatory cell infiltration than the other materials. The grade score of wound healing was increased in order of group I, group O, group M and group G. Conclusion: PDRN applicated wound dressings can be used for treating a full-thickness skin defect wounds. Considering its superior efficacy in comparison to the efficacies of other wound dressings, PDRN soaked gauze dressing should be preferentially used for the treatment of fullthickness skin wounds.