• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.67-71
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• 2015

Objective: Elevated serum progesterone (P) levels on triggering day have been known to affect the pregnancy rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study aimed to identify the possible factors influencing serum P levels on triggering day in stimulated IVF cycles. Methods: Three hundred and thirty consecutive fresh IVF cycles were included in the study. All cycles were first attempts and were performed in a single infertility center. The indications for IVF were male factor infertility (n=114), ovulatory infertility (n=84), endometriosis (n=61), tubal infertility (n=59), unexplained infertility (n=41), and uterine factor infertility (n=39). A luteal long protocol of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (n=184) or a GnRH antagonist protocol (n=146) was used for pituitary suppression. Ovarian sensitivity was defined as the serum estradiol level on triggering day per 500 IU of administered gonadotropins (OS[a]) or the retrieved oocyte number per 500 IU of administered gonadotropins (OS[b]). Results: Univariate analysis revealed that the serum P level on triggering day was associated with the serum estradiol level on triggering day (r=0.379, p<0.001), the number of follicles ${\geq}14mm$ (r=0.247, p<0.001), the number of retrieved oocytes (r=0.384, p<0.001), and ovarian sensitivity (OS[a]: r=0.245, p<0.001; OS[b]: r=0.170, p=0.002). The woman's age, body mass index, antral follicle count, and basal serum follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol levels were not associated with serum P level on triggering day. The serum P level on triggering day did not show significant variation depending on the type or cause of infertility, pituitary suppression protocol, or the type of gonadotropins used. Conclusion: The serum P level on triggering day was closely related to the response to ovarian stimulation.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.170-180
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• 2009

Objectives : To assess clinical improvement and change in plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) level after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Methods : Seven patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia, who were proven to be treatment-resistant, were treated with 15 sessions of rTMS for three weeks as an adjuvant therapy to antipsychotic treatment. Clinical improvement and change in plasma BDNF level were measured after the treatment period. The symptom severity was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS) and the Korean Version of Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia(K-CDSS) at baseline and 7 days after the treatment. Plasma BDNF level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) at baseline and 7 days after the treatment. Results : After the rTMS treatment, there was no significant improvement in PANSS total score(Z=-1.693, p=0.090) and no significant change in plasma BDNF was found(Z=-1.183, p=0.237). Negative correlations were found between percentage change in PANSS positive subscale score and duration of illness(rho=-0.991, N=7, p<0.0005, two-tailed), and PANSS negative subscale score at baseline and percentage change in plasma BDNF level(rho=-0.821, N=7, p=0.023, two-tailed). Conclusion : This preliminary study suggests that rTMS didn't make a significant change in clinical symptoms nor in plasma BDNF level in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Percentage change in plasma BDNF, however, might be correlated with treatment resistance in schizophrenic patients. This is a pilot study with a small sample size, therefore, a further study with a larger sample size is needed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1521-1526
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• 2007

A maltogenic amylase gene from Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC33323 (LGMA) was expressed in Lactococcus lactis MG1363 using the P170 expression system. The successful production of recombinant LGMA (rLGMA) was confirmed by the catalytic activity of the enzyme in liquid and solid media. The N-terminal amino acid sequencing analysis of the rLGMA showed that it was Met-Gln-Leu-Ala-Ala-Leu-, which was the same as that of genuine protein, meaning the signal peptide was efficiently cleaved during secretion to the extracellular milieu. The optimal reaction temperature and pH of rLGMA ($55^{\circ}C$ and pH 5, respectively) and enzymatic hydrolysis patterns on various substrates (${\beta}$-cyclodextrin, starch, and pullulan) supported that rLGMA was not only efficiently secreted from the Lactococcus lactis MG1363 but was also functionally active. Finally, the branched maltooligosaccharides were effectively produced from liquefied com starch, by using rLGMA secreted from Lactococcus lactis, with a yield of 53.1%.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.663-670
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• 2009

Two-phase flow boiling heat transfer of R-410A in horizontal small tubes was reported in the present experimental study. The local heat transfer coefficients were obtained over a heat flux range of 5 to 40 kW/$m^2$ a mass flux range of 170 to 600 kg/$m^2s$, a saturation temperature range of 3 to $10^{\circ}C$, and quality up to 1.0. The test section was made of stainless steel tubes with inner diameters of 0.5 and 3.0 mm, and lengths of 330 and 3000 mm, respectively. The test section was heated uniformly by applying a direct electric current to the tubes. The effects on heat transfer of mass flux, heat flux, inner tube diameter, and saturation temperature were presented. The experimental heat transfer coefficients are compared with six existing heat transfer coefficient correlations. A new boiling heat transfer coefficients correlation based on the superposition model for R-410A in small tubes was developed with mean deviation of 10.13%.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.170-190
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• 1994

The importantce of a development of competitiveness in domestic construction industry is growing as some of domestic construction markets is scheduled to open to foreign competing firms with higher level of construction technology and management. A national level of competitiveness in domestic construction industry and firms are partially, but significantly, affected by a technology level and a characteristics of production pattern. The purpose of the study is mainly to analyze and identify a technology level, production pattern and a development stage of R&D activities of domestic construction industry and firms. Based on these findings the study draws on a concluding remarks and derives technology policy implications. Results of analysis in the study impliy that (1) competitiveness of domestic construction firms(industry) in terms of technology level is relatively weak as compare to that of advanced foreign competing firms, (2) degrees of substitution of capital for labor are seemed to be relatively high, (3) R&D (investment) activities of domestic construction firms are generally spread out in forms of import, adjustment and betterment, and (4) only a small number of big domestic construction firms are seemed to afford to R&D investment for research facilities and equipments, but not enough for higher level of R&D man-power. The study suggests that technology policy for construction industry should be based on a fundamental policy directions. For example the increase in size and heightened quality level of R&D man-power should be placed in a top priority in policy agenda. Sound and specific policy items should be developed for planning and design, and maintenace and inspection technology in order to lead domestic industry to compete with foreign firms with full strength.

• Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2017

Objectives The Behavioral Activation of Depression Scale (BADS) has been reported to be a valid tool for assessing the different behavioral aspects of depression, such as activation, rumination or avoidance, and functional impairment. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of BADS (K-BADS). Methods A sample of 196 outpatients completed the K-BADS and the data were analyzed for internal consistency and factor structures. An additional 51 outpatients re-filled the K-BADS after two weeks for the test-retest reliability. To test for the validity, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), Drug Attitude Inventory-10 (DAI-10), and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) were administered. Results Internal consistency of K-BADS was good (Cronbach's alpha=0.843) and principal component factor analysis revealed the four-factor structure. The K-BADS showed a reasonable test-retest reliability (r=0.863, p<0.001). The total score of K-BADS correlated significantly with the total scores of the HADS depression (r=-0.694) and HADS anxiety (r=-0.681). No correlations were found between the K-BADS and the K-WAI (r=0.170) and between the K-BADS and the K-DAI-10 (r=0.311). Conclusion The K-BADS is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the behavioral activation for depression in Korean patients with depressive symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.105-109
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• 2011

To determine mixing ratios for mixtures of rapeseed oil and other oils, an electronic nose (E-nose) based on a mass spectrometer system was used. Rapeseed oil was blended with soy bean oil or corn oil at ratios of 100:0, 97:3, 94:6, 91:9, 88:12, 85:15, and 80:20, respectively. The intensities of each fragment from the mixed rapeseed oil by E-nose based on MS were completely different from those of the soy bean oil and corn oil. The obtained data were used for discriminant function analysis (DFA). DFA plots indicated a significant separation of pure rapeseed oil and soy bean oil or corn oil and their mixtures. The added concentration of soy bean oil or corn oil to rapeseed oil was highly correlated to the first discriminant function score (DF1). When soy bean oil was added to rapeseed oil, it was possible to predict the following equation: DF1=-0.170*conc. of soy bean oil+0.431 ($r^2=0.989$). For corn oil the equation was: DF1=-0.1*conc. of corn oil+0.4 ($r^2=0.844$). The use of an E-nose based on a MS system is as an efficient method for the authentication of pure rapeseed oil.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 1996

Twelve isolates of Accnthamoebc app. assigned to either A. castellanii or A. poIMphoSa, and type strains of A. culbefsoni, A. henIWi, A. pqkestinefiE, and A. astronyxi,s were examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of a conserved region of small subunit ribosomal RMh gene (ssu rDNA) amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products of the isolates measured approximately 910-930 bp, except for that of A. astronyxis which was extraordinarily long, approximately 1,170 bp. Average of estimated sequence divergence of the amplified DNA among the isolates assigned to A. castellanii was 9.8% whereas that among the isolates assigned to A. polvphusn 9.6%. The maximum intraspecific sequence divergence among the isolates assigned to A. costellanii was observed between the Chang and Ma strains (17.3%) while that among the isolates assigned to A. poIWphosa was observed between KA/S3 and KA/S7 strains (16.1%). The both maximum sequence divergences were much greater than the minimum interspecific sequence divergence between A. cnstellnnii and A. polwphasa (2.6%) which appeared between the Castellani (or CCAP 1501/12 g) and KA/S3 strains. The PCR-RFLP patterns of A. culbertsoni, A. healyi, A. palestinensis, and A. ostronvxis were quite diverse from one another and from those of isolates assigned to either A. castellanii or A. polyphoga. It is suggested that taxonomic validity of the isolates assigned to either A. castellnnii or A. polyphoga should be reevaluated.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.160-180
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• 2012

We have studied the eukaryotic plankton species diversity to compare the community structure of fresh and brackish waters in the lower reaches of the Nakdong River using metagenomic methods. We constructed 18S rDNA clone libraries of total DNAs extracted from environmental water samples collected at Mulgeum (MG100929, fresh) and Eulsukdo bridge (ES, brackish). Through the steps of colony PCR, PCR-RFLP, sequencing and similarity analysis, we discovered the diverse species composition of eukaryotic plankton. Total 338 clones (170 at MG100929 and 168 at ES) were analyzed, and then we found 74 phylotypes (49 for MG100929 and 25 for ES). From the phylogenetic analysis, we confirmed various eukaryotic plankton of broad range of taxonomic groups, including Stramenopiles, Cryptophyta, Viridiplantae, Alveolata, Rhizaria, Metazoa, and Fungi. We also found several unreported species in Korea and candidates of new taxonomic entities at levels higher than genus. Especially, the cryptic species diversity including unreported phylotypes of Pirsonia (Stramenopiles) and Perkinsea (Alveolata) suggests that the molecular monitoring method can produce new informative biological data in monitoring the changes in the Nakdong River Mouth ecosystem.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2024

The key components of a Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) are an electrode catalyst, an electrolyte matrix and a gas diffusion layer (GDL). In this study, we introduced a microporous layer on the GDL of PAFC to enhance liquid electrolyte management and overall electrochemical performance of PAFC. MPL is primarily used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells to serve as an intermediate buffer layer, effectively managing water within the electrode and reducing contact resistance. In this study, electrodes were fabricated using GDLs with and without MPL to examine the influence of MPL on the performance of PAFC. Internal resistance and polarization curves of the unit cell were measured and compared to each other to assess the impact of MPL on PAFC electrode performance. As the results, the application of MPL improved power density from 170.2 to 192.1 mW/cm². MPL effectively managed electrolyte and water within the matrix and electrode, enhancing stability. Furthermore, the application of MPL reduced internal resistance in the electrode, resulting in sustained and stable performance even during long-term operation.