• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2008

We investigated death rates, growth rates and recruitment of culms in two neighboring bamboo (Phyllostachys bamboosoides) stands nested in by two different bird species to analyze stand structure and to design conservation strategies. A third bamboo grove not used by birds, the Taewha stand, was included as a control stand. The bamboo stand occupied by birds in the family Ardeidae (the Ardeidae stand) had an approximately 1.5 times higher culm density than the stand occupied by birds in the family Corvidae (the Corvidae stand). The crude death rate and the number of newly emerged shoots were also higher in the Ardeidae stand than the Corvidae stand. The death rate for bamboo in the Ardeidae stand was not dependent on diameter at breast height (DBH) and was almost 40% for culms of all sizes, whereas most dead culms in the Corvidae stand were < 4 cm DBH. Consequently, we conclude that in the Ardeidae stand, density-independent causes of death are operating, while density-dependent factor are more important in the Corvidae site. The results of soil analysis in these stands suggest that the density-independent death pattern observed in the Ardeidae stand may be due to soil acidification resulting from wastes produced by the birds during breeding. On the other hand, the culm distribution and death patterns in the Corvidae stand suggest that the stand characteristics were not affected by the nesting birds. These results suggest that different conservation strategies must be applied to conserve bamboo groves used by ardeids and corvids for nesting.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.11-22
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of three different pelvic tilts on a sit-to-stand (STS) and to suggest a new assessment approach based on biomechanical analysis. The three difrent pelvic tilts were: (1) comfortable pelvic tilt sit-to-stand (CPT STS), (2) posterior pelvic tilt sit-to-stand (PPT STS) and (3) anterior pelvic tilt sit-to-stand (APT STS). To determine the onset time of muscle contraction surface electrodes were applied to the rectus femoris muscle (RF), vastus lateralis muscle (VL), biceps femoris muscle (BF), tibialis anterior muscle (TA), gastrocnemius muscle (GCM), and soleus muscle (SOL). The ICC was used for functional linkage analysis. The findings of this study were as follows. First, significant differences were found in kinematic variables and in muscle activation pattern among the three activities. Second, the results of functional integrated analysis revealed that recruited muscle activation patterns changed when the thigh-off was viewed as a reference point. Third, there were independent functional units between the thigh-off and the VL and between the thigh-off and the RF in the functional linkage analysis. The VL and RF acted as prime mover muscles, and more postural adjustment muscle recruitment was required as the demand of postural muscle control increased (PPT STS, APT STS, and CPT STS in order). In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest the following evaluative and therapeutic approach for STS activity. APT STS can be introduced for movement efficiency and functional advantage when abnormal STS is treated. However, excessive APT would change the muscle activation patterns of BF and SOL and require additional postural muscle control to cause abnormal control patterns.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of three different pelvic tilts on sit-to-stand ativities and to suggest a new therapeutic approach for movement reeducation in patients who have difficulty with sit-to-stand activities. The three different pelvic tilts were: (1) comfortable pelvic tilt sit-to-stand (CPT STS), (2) posterior pelvic tilt sit-to-stand (PPT STS) and (3) anterior pelvic tilt sit-to-stand (APT STS). To analyze the kinematic component of STS, a motion analysis system (Zebris) was applied to the ankle, knee, hip joint, and thigh-off area. Also, to determine the onset time of muscle contraction, surface electrodes were placed to the rectus femoris muscle (RF), the vastus lateralis muscle (VL), the biceps femoris muscle (BF), the tibialis anterior muscle (TA), the gastrocnemius muscle (GCM), and the soleus muscle (SOL). One-way repeated ANOVA was used for the statistical analysis. First, significant differences were found in kinematic variables for the hip, knee, ankle joint, and thigh-off among the three activities. Second, there was significant difference in muscle activation pattern in TA. VL. and BF among three activities. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest the following evaluative and therapeutic approach for STS activity: (1) Changes in knee and ankle joints should be prioritized and recruitment order differences in VL and RF can be generated to accomplish abnormal STS activity. (2) APT STS can be introduced for movement efficiency and functional advantage when abnormal STS is treated.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6175-6179
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• 2012

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are still important to the health of Thai rural residents. IPIs are the cause of many chronic diseases with, for example, opisthorchiasis resulting in progression to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This cross-sectional study in a prospective cohort study aimed to examine the prevalence and co-infection of intestinal parasites among Northeastern Thai rural residents, recruited into the Khon Kaen Cohort Study (KKCS), and who were residing in areas of high-risk for developing CCA. On recruitment, subjects had completed questionnaires and provided fecal samples for IPI testing using the formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique. Data on selected general characteristics and the results of the fecal tests were analysed. IPI test results were available for 18,900 of cohort subjects, and 38.50% were found to be positive for one or more types of intestinal parasite. The prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini (O. viverrini) infection was the highest (45.7%), followed by intestinal flukes (31.9%), intestinal nematodes (17.7%), intestinal protozoa (3.02%), and intestinal cestodes (1.69%). The pattern of different infections was similar in all age groups. According to a mapping analysis, a higher CCA burden was correlated with a higher prevalence of O. viverrini and intestinal flukes and a greater intensity of O. viverrini. Both prevention and control programs against liver fluke and other intestinal parasites are needed and should be delivered simultaneously. We can anticipate that the design of future control and prevention programmes will accommodate a more community-orientated and participatory approach.

• The Journal of Korean Association of Computer Education
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.117-130
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to provide useful knowledge for improving indicators that represent competitiveness and educational competency of the university by deriving a new pattern or the meaningful results from the data of information disclosure of universities using statistical analysis and data mining techniques. To achieve this, a model of decision tree was made and various factors that affect education/research performance such as employment rate, the number of technology transfer and papers per full-time faculty were explored. In addition to this, the cluster analysis of universities was conducted using attributes related to evaluation of university. According to the analysis, common factors affecting higher education/research performance are following indicators ; incoming student recruitment rate, enrollment rate, and the number of students per full-time faculty. In the cluster analysis, when performed by the entire university, the size, location of the university respectively, clusters are mainly formed by well-known universities, art physical non-science and engineering religious leaders training universities, and others. The main influencing factors of this cluster are higher education/research performance indicators such as employment rate and the number of technology transfer.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.79-85
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• 2009

In this study, the effects of psychosocial stress (box color and precision demand) on muscle activity were evaluated in laboratory setting. Eight subjects performed sagittally symmetric lifting tasks. Box color (yellow, black), precision demand (yes, no), and box weight (5%MVC, 10%MVC, 15 %MVC) were varied and surface EMG signals from seven muscles(medial deltoid right, biceps brachii right, lateral triceps right, latissimus dorsi right, erector spinae right, external oblique right, internal oblique right) were recorded. EMG signals were band-pass filtered($10{\sim}400\;Hz$), rectified, RMS smoothed and normalized (NEMG). Analysis of variance tests were conducted on the total NEMG (TNEMG: the sum of the seven muscles' NEMGs) and on the individual muscle's NEMGs. Box color had no effect on the TNEMG and on the seven muscles activities(p>0.05). When precision demand was required at the end point of lifts, the mean NEMG showed higher values than no precision demand conditions: TNEMG (14% increase) and medial deltoid(40% increase), biceps brachii(10% increase), lateral triceps(26% increase), latissimus dorsi(25% increase) muscles. Those increases showed more conspicuous as the box weight increased in the muscles of medial deltoid, lateral triceps, and latissimus dorsi.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.92-99
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• 2009

Population dynamics and sexual maturity of Neomysis japonica (Ishikawa and Oshima, 1951) were investigated from a shrimp farm in Tae-an, Korea. N. japonica was collected monthly at the shrimp farm belonging to the Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, the Soonchunhyang University from October 2002 to September 2003. The proportion of female was higher than that of male. The mean carapace length of male (2.42 mm) was larger than that of female (2.31 mm). Brood size increased with increasing female body size. The size of N. japonica at 50% sexual maturity was approximately 4.4 mm. N. japonica females grew faster and reached larger size than males. The mortality rate (z) calculated by length-converted catch curves was $3.46\;yr^{-1}$. The annual recruitment pattern of N. japonica had two major peaks. Log-transformed total length was significantly related with log-transformed carapace length.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.389-399
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of muscle asymmetry of knee joint among elite cyclists on anaerobic pedaling power related capacity. In another word, based on isokinetic strength of Non-Dominant, ND and Dominant, D, side, high, moderate and low ratio of ND to D were classified as High Symmetry Group, Moderate Symmetry Group and Asymmetry Group, respectively. Analysis of muscle asymmetry of extensor's ND and D side might not lead to any difference between the three groups. Based on muscle strength analysis of the flexor's ND and D, there was statistical difference between the groups in ND flexor and in the muscle balance index of the flexor muscle. This result also leads to significant difference in pedaling power functionality, but this effects might not lead to any negative pedaling power. Therefore, among even cyclists who may show almost the same recruitment pattern of ND and D side during pedaling stroke muscle asymmetry could exist but this phenomena might not negatively contribute to the pedaling capacity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.410-418
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• 2021

Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis through cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and flagellin as pathogen-related molecular patterns (PAMPs), which, in combination with the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of host cells promotes the expression and secretion of inflammation-causing cytokines and activates innate immune responses such as inflammasomes. To identify useful compounds against H. pylori-associated gastric disorders, the effect of chalcone derivatives to activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was examined in an H. pylori-infected human monocytic THP-1 cell line in this study. Among the five synthetic structurally-related chalcone derivatives examined, 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone (8) and 2'-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethoxychalcone (12) strongly blocked the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. At 10 μM, these compounds inhibited the production of active IL-1β, IL-18, and caspase-1, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) oligomerization, but did not affect the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and pro-caspase-1. The interruption of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by these compounds was found to be mediated via the inhibition of the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4)/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway. These compounds also inhibited caspase-4 production associated with non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These results show for the first time that certain chalcones could interrupt the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. Therefore, these chalcones may be helpful in alleviating H. pylori-related inflammatory disorders including chronic gastritis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2022

Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a physical modality used to activate skeletal muscles for strengthening. While voluntary muscle contraction (VMC) follows the progressive recruitment of motor units in order of size from small to large, NMES-induced muscle contraction occurs in a nonselective and synchronous pattern. Therefore, the outcome of muscle strengthening training using NMES-induced versus voluntary contraction might be different, which might affect balance performance. Objects: We examined how the NMES training affected balance and proprioception. Methods: Forty-four young adults were randomly assigned to NMES and VMC group. All participants performed one-leg standing on a force plate and sat on the Biodex (Biodex R Corp.) to measure balance and ankle proprioception, respectively. All measures were conducted before and after a training session. In NMES group, electric pads were placed on the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles for 20 minutes. In VMC group, co-contraction of the three muscles was conducted. Outcome variables included mean distance, root mean square distance, total excursion, mean velocity, 95% confidence circle area acquired from the center of pressure data, and absolute error of dorsi/plantarflexion. Results: None of outcome variables were associated with group (p > 0.35). However, all but plantarflexion error was associated with time (p < 0.02), and the area and mean velocity were 37.0% and 18.6% lower in post than pre in NMES group, respectively, and 48.9% and 16.7% lower in post than pre in VMC group, respectively. Conclusion: Despite different physiology underlying the NMES-induced versus VMC, both training methods improved balance and ankle joint proprioception.