• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of changes in degrees of freedom of the fingers (i.e., the number of the fingers involved in tasks) on the task performance during force production and releasing task. Method: Eight right-handed young men (age: $29.63{\pm}3.02yr$, height: $1.73{\pm}0.04m$, weight: $70.25{\pm}9.05kg$) participated in this study. The subjects were required to press the transducers with three combinations of fingers, including the index-middle (IM), index-middle-ring (IMR), and index-middle-ring-little (IMRL). During the trials, they were instructed to maintain a steady-state level of both normal and tangential forces within the first 5 sec. After the first 5 sec, the subjects were instructed to release the fingers on the transducers as quickly as possible at a self-selected manner within the next 5 sec, resulting in zero force at the end. Customized MATLAB codes (MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA, USA) were written for data analysis. The following variables were quantified: 1) finger force sharing pattern, 2) root mean square error (RMSE) of force to the target force in three axes at the aiming phase, 3) the time duration of the release phase (release time), and 4) the accuracy and precision indexes of the virtual firing position. Results: The RMSE was decreased with the number of fingers increased in both normal and tangential forces at the steady-state phase. The precision index was smaller (more precise) in the IMR condition than in the IM condition, while no significant difference in the accuracy index was observed between the conditions. In addition, no significant difference in release time was found between the conditions. Conclusion: The study provides evidence that the increased number of fingers resulted in better error compensation at the aiming phase and performed a more constant shooting (i.e., smaller precision index). However, the increased number of fingers did not affect the release time, which may influence the consistency of terminal performance. Thus, the number of fingers led to positive results for the current task.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.3-25
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• 2011

Recently, a number of local governments as well as private organizations have spearheaded the release of animals into the natural ecosystem in Korea. In 2002, most of these animals released were mammals and birds, but the parameter was gradually expanded to include fish, amphibians, and invertebrates in addition to mammals and birds in 2007, with an increased overall number of animals released. Such increase has not only posed ecological, economic, and public health risks, but also yielded an increase in damages incurred by releasing animals historically or ecologically alien to a given region without thorough risk assessment. The most significant cause of such risks was a critical lack of risk management and regulatory schemes addressing the release of animals into the natural ecosystem. In stark contrast, developed countries long before established the requisite risk management and regulatory schemes either by complying with the IUCN/SSC's Guidelines for Re-Introductions or devising them independently. In this context, the current study has examined the release of animals into the natural ecosystem in Korea and, based on the investigation, asserted a strong need for proper risk management. Moreover, the study has presented systematic risk management and regulatory schemes suitable for the Korean milieu based on a comparative analysis of those employed in developed countries.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.529-538
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• 2002

There is no adverse opinion on the anticariogenic effect of fluoride, so glass ionomer restoration which release the fluoride is recommended fer child patient. To study the anticariogenic effect of initial carious lesion of fluoride released from adjacent glass ionomer restoration, the in situ model was constructed. A microhardness test, polarized scope investigation and electron probe microanalysis was done for analyzing the distribution of fluoride which was precipitated from glass ionomer restoration to the enamel caries lesion. Fuji IX, the conventional glass ionomer, was used for experimental group and Z-100, composite resin that fluoride was not contained, was used for control group. On the microhardness test, the remineralization was accelerated by fluoride. And on the polarized investigation, the size of caries lesion was reduced in the oral cavity and that phenomenon was accelerated by fluoride, too. Electron probe microanalysis shows that the remineralization was accelerated by fluoride and the fluoride concentration on subsurface area was increased. It maybe that the subsurface area was critical to anticariogenic effect. In summary of these result, initial caries lesion can be remineralized in the oral cavity and that phenomenon can be accelerated by fluoride. The subsurface area of caries lesion was a major part of defense to cariogenic invasion and to conserve the subsurface area, the surface of lesion body have to conserved.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.125-129
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• 2016

Background: Patients with differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) who receive radioactive iodine-131 (RAI) are released from isolation when their dose rate is below the regulatory requirements. The purpose of this study was establish predicting factors for early release from the isolation facility after RAI administration in patients with DTC. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study which included 96 (58 females and 38 males) patients with DTC who had received RAI from April 2013 till August 2015. The study was duly approved by the ethical committee of the institute. Patients who had complete information of primary tumor size (PTS), serum TSH, stimulated thyroglobulin level [sTg] with antibodies (IU/ml) at the time of RAI treatment were included. All had a normal serum creatinine level. To attain lower effective half-life good hydration and administration of soft laxative were ensured. Dose rate was measured (immediately, 24 h and 36 h) at 1 meter distance from anterior mid trunk and a dose rate <$50{\mu}Sv/h$ was considered as the releasing criterion. At 24 h 50 patients were released while the remaining 46 patients were released at 36 h. A post-ablative whole body scan (PA-WBIS) was performed 5-8 days after RAI ablation in all patients. Results: Patients released after 24 h were significantly younger, had smaller lesions with higher proportion of papillary cancer, lower sTg, lower sTg/TSH ratio and had received a lower dose of RAI as comapred to those who were discharged after 36 h. Serum TSH and gender were not found to have any significant correlation between two cohorts. ROC and multivariate analysis have shown age ${\leq}37years$, PTS ${\leq}3.8cm$, $RAI{\leq}150mCi$, $sTg{\leq}145ng/ml$ and $sTg/TSH{\leq}1.085$ as strong indepedent predictors for early release. Conclusions: We conclude that younger age (${\leq}37years$), smaller tumor size (${\leq}3.8cm$), lower RAI dose (${\leq}150mCi$), lower sTg (${\leq}145ng/ml$) and a lower sTg/TSH ratio (${\leq}1.085$) are significant independent predictors for release at 24 h after RAI treatment in DTC patients. Effective utilization of these factors could help the treating physicians to use limited number of internment facilities with higher throughput, lower cost and lower psychological stress to patients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2011

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene is expressed at the anterior pituitary gland and plays a key role in gonad development. This study aimed to investigate molecular genetic characteristics of the GnRHR gene and elucidate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GnRHR gene on sex steroid level in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of the GnRHR gene in 75 individuals. We identified three SNPs in the GnRHR gene: P1 locus (C759A and C830T) in the coding region of exon2 which were both linked together and P2 locus (G984T) in the coding region of exon3, which added a new transcript factor (ADR1) and a new methylation site (CG). Only C830T of P1 leads to amino acid changes Thr266Ile. Statistical analysis showed that P1 was significantly associated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level (p<0.01) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype BB of P1 had significantly higher serum $E_2$ levels (p<0.01) and GSI (p<0.05) than those of genotype AA or AB. Another SNP, P2, synonymous mutation, was significantly associated with GSI (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype AB of P2 had significantly higher GSI (p<0.05) than that of genotype AA. In addition, there was a significant association between one diplotype based on three SNPs and reproductive traits. The genetic effects for both serum $E_2$ level and GSI of diplotype D4 were super diplotypes (p<0.05). These results suggest that the SNPs in Japanese Flounder GnRHR are associated with $E_2$ level and GSI.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 2009

Purpose: First web space contracture of the hand has been treated with various surgical techniques such as Z - plasty, local flap, pedicled flap, distant free flap, and anterolateral thigh free flap. Among those surgical techniques, anterolateral thigh free flap provide a thin and pliable flap, which is a useful method for correction of first web space contracture. Methods: From August 2003 to September 2007, authors selected 9 patients who had first web space contracture with limitation of thumb abduction within 30 degrees. All of patients had received first web contracture release with anterolateral thigh free flap. Age ranged from 24 to 51, and all the patients were male. Average follow up period was 12 months and authors performed photographic analysis of the thumb abduction angle of postoperative increase. Result: All the flaps were survived. Donor site was closed with primary closure in 8 cases and covered with split - thickness skin graft in 1 case. Average flap size was $8{\times}9cm$ and average thickness was 0.6 cm in suprafascial flap. The procedure resulted in increased thumb abduction angle of $34.7^{\circ}$ in average and showed concave shape of first web space in suprafascial flap. Additional operations were performed with Z - plasty in 3 cases, local flap in 5 cases, and opponensplasty in 3 cases. Conclusion: In suprafascial flap, we obtained relatively thin flap thickness and were able to make natural concave shape of first web space. In releasing severe contracture of the first web space, anterolateral thigh free flap provided a good coverage of appropriate thickness and pliable soft tissue and allowed limited donor site morbidity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.512-519
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• 2018

Phthalates widely used in the manufacture of plastics have deeply penetrated into our everyday lives. Recently, a concern over the toxicity of phthalates on thyroid, has been raised but in most of cases, the doses employed were unrealistically high. To investigate the effects of phthalates on thyroid, we investigated the effects of the repeated oral exposure to low to high doses (0.3, 3, 30 and 150 mg/kg) di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) from weaning to maturity for 90 days in juvenile rats on the thyroid. The histological examination revealed that DEHP significantly induced hyperplasia in the thyroid from the doses of 30 mg/kg, which was confirmed with Ki67 staining. In line with this finding, increased mRNA expression of thyrotropin releasing hormone (Trh) was observed in the thyroid of female at 0.3 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg as determined by RNAseq analysis. Moreover, significantly increased expression of parathyroid hormone (Pth) in the female at 0.3 mg/kg, and thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid hormone responsive (Thrsp) in the male at 0.3 mg/kg were noted in the blood, of which changes were substantially attenuated at 150 m/kg, alluding the meaningful effects of low dose DEHP on the thyroid hormone regulation. Urinary excretion of mono-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate (MEHP), a major metabolite of DEHP was determined to be 4.10 and 12.26 ppb in male, 6.65 and 324 ppb in female at 0.3 and 30 mg/kg DEHP, respectively, which fell within reported human urine levels. Collectively, these results suggest a potential adverse effects of low dose phthalates on the thyroid.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1097-1103
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• 2017

For the artificial induction of the sexual maturation of Anguilla japonica, salmon pituitary extract (SPE) is continuously injected into females, and the eggs obtained from artificial sexual maturation are artificially fertilized with sperms and hatched. However, repeated injection of SPE in the abdominal cavity causes tremendous stress in females, which may prevent their complete sexual maturation and reduce the immune system function, ultimately resulting in death. In addition, the poor quality of the ovulated eggs can reduce the hatching and survival rate of larvae. In the present study, sexual maturation of females was induced by inserting an osmotic (OS) pump containing hormone analogs known to effectively induce sexual maturation into the abdominal cavity of female eels, and the effect of the OS pump on the induced sexual maturation was investigated. Our study results showed that the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was significantly higher in the fish subjected to SPE injection than those subjected to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa), and methyl testosterone (MT) injections, either separately or in combination. In addition, a histological analysis showed that the oocytes in the SPE OS pump groups were more mature (entered the nuclear shift stage) than those in the other groups. These results suggest that an osmotic pump containing hormone analogs can be used to induce sexual maturation in female A. japonica artificially.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.55-63
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• 2020

The IoT technology is a field that applies and converges the technologies in the existing industrial environment, instead of new technologies. The IoT technology is releasing various application services converged with other industries such as smart home, healthcare, construction, and automobile, and it is also possible to secure the work efficiency and convenience of users of IoT-based technologies. However, the security threats occurring in the IoT-based technology environment are succeeding to the vulnerability of the existing wireless network environment. And the occurrence of new and variant attacks in the combination with the ICT convergence environment, is causing damages. Thus, in the IoT technology-based environment, it would be necessary to have researches on the safe transmission of messages in the communication environment between user and device, and device and device. This thesis aims to design a safe communication protocol in the IoT-based technology environment. Regarding the suggested communication protocol, this thesis performed the safety analysis on the attack techniques occurring in the IoT technology-based environment. And through the performance evaluation of the existing PKI-based certificate issuance system and the suggested communication protocol, this thesis verified the high efficiency(about 23%) of communication procedure. Also, this thesis verified the reduced figure(about 65%) of the issued quantity of certificate compared to the existing issuance system and the certificate management technique.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.355-362
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• 1999

Objective: This study was performed to compare the clinical response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) according to the size of baseline ovarian cyst. Method: From February 1992 to March 1999, a retrospective analysis was done of 272 cases who underwent COH using mid-luteal phase long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) for IVF-ET. These cases were divided into four group; group 1 (n=63) had cysts with mean diameters between 20.0 and 29.0 mm on their baseline ultrasound on cycle day 3, group 2 (n=57, $30.0{\sim}49.0mm$), group 3 (n=68, >50.0 mm) and control group (n=84). Cases were excluded according to the following criteria; pure male factor infertility, the presence of only one ovary, high CA-125 level and previous endometriosis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between cases with baseline ovarian cyst <50.0 mm in diameter and control group in any of the parameters. However, cases with baseline ovarian cyst>50.0 mm in mean diameter needed more amount of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), showed significantly lower estradiol ($E_2$) level, the number of follicle >15.0 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of mature oocytes, and pregnancy rate compared with control group. Conclusion: This study suggests that cases with baseline ovarian cyst <50.0 mm in diameter do not adversely impact on IVF-ET outcome. However, cases with baseline ovarian cyst >50.0 mm in diameter had adverse effects on various parameters. Therefore, to improve the outcome of IVF-ET in these cases, ovarian cyst aspiration prior to initiating COH may be required.