• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5635-5641
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• 2015

Background: Cirrhosis is regarded as a possible end stage of many liver diseases, including viral infection. It occurs when healthy liver tissue becomes damaged and is replaced by scar tissue and finally may lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. Interferons (IFNs)are two general categories, type I and II. Type I includes one beta interferon and over 20 different alpha interferons. Alpha interferons are very similar in how they work, interacting with other proteins on cells like receptors. The main objective of this study was to compare Mx gene productivity post different cell line treatment with imported and Egyptian biosimilar locally produced IFNs, as well as the efficacy of those tested IFNs. Also, an assessment was made of sensitivity of different cell lines as alternatives to that recommended for evaluation of antiviral activity. Materials and Methods: Different cell lines (Vero, MDBK and Wish) were employed to evaluate cytotoxicity using the MTT assay. Antiviral activity was evaluated compared with standard IFN against VSV, Indiana strain -156, on tested rh-IFNs (imported; innovated and Egyptian biosimilar locally produced IFNs) in the pre-treated cell lines previously mentioned. The virus was propagated in the Wish cell line as recommended. Finally we estimated up-regulation of the Mx gene as a biomarker. Results: Data recorded revealed that test IFNs were safe in test cell lines. Viability was around 100%. Locally tested interferon did not realize the international potency limits, while the imported one was accepted compared with the standard IFN. These results were the same either using infectivity titer reduction assay or crystal violet staining of residual non- infected cells. Mx protein production was cell type related and confirmed by the detected Mx gene expressed in imported and locally produced IFN pre-treated cell lines. The expression of the gene was arranged in the order of Vero> wish > MDBK for the imported IFN, while for the Egyptian biosimillar locally produced one it was MDBK> Vero> wish. With regard to the antiviral activity there was a significant difference of imported IFN potency compared with the locally produced IFN (P<0.05), the IFN potential (antiviral activity) was not cell line related and showed non-significant difference for each separate product. Conclusions: Vero cells can be used as an alternative cell line for evaluation of IFN potency in case of unavailable USP recommended cell lines. Alternative potency evaluation assay could be used and proved significant difference in IFN potency in case of local and imported agents. Evaluation of antiviral activity could be used in parallel to viral infectivity reduction assay for better accuracy. Mx gene can be used as a marker for IFN potential.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 1982

Transition process of plastic region. displacements, stresses and strains ahead the flaw tips were analysed by the finite element method on the steel plate with the circular hole and the one with the elliptical hole under completely alternating load (repetition of tensile loading, unloading and compressive loading). As the results, the followings were obtained. Transition process of elastic failure (yielding) region was estimated. From this the tendency was confirmed that the fracture would be initiated from ahead the flaw tip, and propagated along the $45^{\circ}$ direction. The fundamental data available in estimating the stress intensity factor that was considered as the core in analysing the fracture mechanism of steel plates were obtained. It was indicated that when unloading after tension the effect of compressive loading, and even the compressive reyield, was occured ahead the flaw tip. Similarly it was indicated that when unloading after compression the effect of tensile loading, and even the tensile reyield, was occured ahead the flaw tip. It was considered that these phenomena were occured because the unloading effect was constrained by the residual strains when unloading. It was considered that the fatigue phenomenon was occured ahead, the flaw tip by repetition of tensile yield, the above compressive reyield, compressive yeild and the above tensile reyield. In addition, the tendency was confirmed that the fracture ahead the flaw tip was occured as the flaw was changed from the circular hole to the elliptical hole and became to be the crack lastly.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1741-1754
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to estimate genetic parameters for milk yield traits using daily milk yield records from parlour data generated in an intensively managed commercial dairy farm with Jersey and Jersey-Friesian cows in Sri Lanka. Methods: Genetic parameters were estimated for first and second lactation predicted and realized 305-day milk yield using univariate animal models. Genetic parameters were also estimated for total milk yield for each 30-day intervals of the first lactation using univariate animal models and for daily milk yield using random regression models fitting second-order Legendre polynomials and assuming heterogeneous residual variances. Breeding values for predicted 305-day milk yield were estimated using an animal model. Results: For the first lactation, the heritability of predicted 305-day milk yield in Jersey cows (0.08±0.03) was higher than that of Jersey-Friesian cows (0.02±0.01). The second lactation heritability estimates were similar to that of first lactation. The repeatability of the daily milk records was 0.28±0.01 and the heritability ranged from 0.002±0.05 to 0.19±0.02 depending on day of milk. Pearson product-moment correlations between the bull estimated breeding values (EBVs) in Australia and bull EBVs in Sri Lanka for 305-day milk yield were 0.39 in Jersey cows and -0.35 in Jersey-Friesian cows. Conclusion: The heritabilities estimated for milk yield in Jersey and Jersey-Friesian cows in Sri Lanka were low, and were associated with low additive genetic variances for the traits. Sire differences in Australia were not expressed in the tropical low-country of Sri Lanka. Therefore, genetic progress achieved by importing genetic material from Australia can be expected to be slow. This emphasizes the need for a within-country evaluation of bulls to produce locally adapted dairy cows.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.63-89
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• 2007

This study aims at empirically verifying whether long memory properties exist in returns and volatility of the financial time series and then, empirically observing influential factors of long-memory properties. The presence of long memory properties in the financial time series is examined with the Hurst exponent. The Hurst exponent is measured by DFA(detrended fluctuation analysis). The empirical results are summarized as follows. First, the presence of significant long memory properties is not identified in return time series. But, in volatility time series, as the Hurst exponent has the high value on average, a strong presence of long memory properties is observed. Then, according to the results empirically confirming influential factors of long memory properties, as the Hurst exponent measured with volatility of residual returns filtered by GARCH(1, 1) model reflecting properties of volatility clustering has the level of $H{\approx}0.5$ on average, long memory properties presented in the data before filtering are no longer observed. That is, we positively find out that the observed long memory properties are considerably due to volatility clustering effect.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.2A
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• pp.65-73
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• 2012

In this study, we tested structural performance of Half-Decked PSC girder which was developed for applying to long span bridge. We operated 4 point bending test with 60 m span full scale girder designed as simple bridge with hinge-roller boundary condition. Actuators were set on the both sides of girder, 5.5 m away from the center, and 4 stages of cyclic loading was applied at rate of 1 kN/sec. Through stages 1 to 4, loading and unloading 1,000 kN, 1,200 kN, 1,500 kN, and 2,000 kN were repeated and displacement, strain of concrete and steel, crack of girder were checked. From these results, the strength of girder was assessed and resilience and ductility were observed after removing the load. Since initial flexural crack occurred in the vicinity of 1,400 kN, non-linearity of load-displacement curve appeared and definite residual strain was measured at that point. The test result showed that initial cracking load was over twice the DB-24 load which means the developed girder had sufficient strength. To verify the experimental results, we numerically analyze the test and confirmed that the data were similar with results from the test above. Half-Decked PSC type of 60 m-girder developed in this study showed its adequate structural capacity through static loading test, which proved that possibility of applying the girder to actual bridges practically.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.339-347
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• 2003

Using 171 groundwater chemistry data, seawater intrusion in the Ulsan area was studied. The area near the downstream area of the Taehwa River shows the higher Cl concentrations(11,300 mg/L in maximum), whereas the Cl concentrations are generally low in the eastern coastal area maybe due to the geology of the area. When Cl concentrations are very low, groundwater shows Br:Cl weight ratios significantly deviating from the Br:Cl ratio of seawater($34.7{\times}10^{-4}$). However, Br:Cl ratios are very close to the value of seawater when Cl concentrations are higher than 100 mg/L. Eleven groundwater samples having very high Cl concentrations(>500 mg/L) show that ionic ratios for Ca, Mg, $SO_4$, $HCO_3$ and $SiO_2$ are considerably different from those of seawater. This indicates that the origin of the high Cl groundwaters occurring along the Taehwa River are likely to be the residual salines from the salterns previously located on the alluviums rather than the seawaters intruded recently. These waters seem to be accumulated in the sediments before the drastic expansion of the city. Considering the characteristics of the urban groundwater system where the inflow exceeds the outflow, it is anticipated that the high Cl concentration in the groundwater show a decreasing trend in the future.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.629-636
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of oral health on the quality of life of elderly patients with dentures or implants. It is our intention that through this analysis we can aid seniors in making the choice between dentures or implants, considering future masticatory function and the likely effects of this decision on the patients quality of life. Methods : This survey was conducted between November 1, 2010 and November 25, 2010, in Kyunggi-Do, whasung city. The research was carried out at one public health center, among elderly patients. 105 seniors were surveyed using the direct interviewing method, oral health related quality of life was measured by the Philadelphia Geriatric Center(PGC) Morale Scale. Collected data was examined using the SPSS 13.0 program, using frequency, mean, and standard deviation analysis, T-test and $x^2$ test. Results : The number of residual teeth for patients who have implants was $20.45{\pm}5.85$, while among those patients with dentures the number was considerably lower, $8.11{\pm}7.66$(p<0.05). The results of patients masticatory function, was $28.13{\pm}2.40$ for those with implants, and $25.35{\pm}4.15$ with dentures. The results were better for those with implants. Among implant patients overall satisfaction was rated $25.21{\pm}3.63$, higher than for those with dentures $20.20{\pm}6.79$(p<0.05). Quality of life was scored higher for patients with implants($12.76{\pm}2.61$) compared to those with dentures($10.47{\pm}3.52$)(p<0.05). The subjects masticatory function was highly related to the number of remaining teeth and greater masticatory function had a positive effect on patients quality of life and life satisfaction. Conclusion : Dental treatments such as dentures and implants will have a great influence on patients quality of life and life satisfaction. Implants can improve the oral health related quality of life and satisfaction and the general quality of life more than denture therapy.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.643-649
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• 2016

When a cyclotron produces $^{18}F^-$, accelerated protons interact with metal parts of the cyclotron machine and induces radioactivity. Especially, the target window and chamber of the target assembly are the main parts where long-lived radionuclides are generated as they are incident by direct beams. It is of great importance to identify radionuclides induced in the target assembly for the safe operation and maintenance of a cyclotron facility. In this study, we analyzed major radionuclides generated in the target assembly by an operation of the Cyclotron 18/9 machine and measured dose rates after the operation to establish the radiation safety guideline for operators and maintenance personnel of the machine. Gamma spectroscopy with HPGe was performed on samples from the target chamber and Havar foil target window to identify the radionuclides generated during the operation for production of $^{18}F^-$- isotope and their specific activity. Also, the dose rates from the target were measured as a function of time after an operation. These data will help improve radiological safety of operating the cyclotron facilities.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2014

Objective : Despite the high prevalence and clinical importance of panic disorder, studies on the clinical characteristics and course of panic disorder are relatively rare. This study is a multi-center, and retrospective study to examine the clinical characteristics and course of Korean panic disorder patients who visit university hospital. Methods : The study subjects were panic disorder patients who had visited the psychiatric outpatient clinics of 8 university hospitals in South Korea from January to December in 2008. Finally, 238 panic patients were included in this study. Their medical charts were retrospectively reviewed and reassessed by experienced psychiatrists to examine their clinical characteristics, demographic data and clinical course in repose to pharmacotherapy. Results : Among the 238 patients (121 males vs. 117 females), the mean age of disease onset was $41.3{\pm}12.7$ years and female patients showed 5 years older age of disease onset, compared with male patients. The mean score of PSR scale was $4.5{\pm}1.0$ at the first visit, reflecting a 'marked' level of severity of illness and impairment in functioning. Only 110 patients (46.4%) completed the whole follow up visits, whereas 128 patients (53.6%) dropped out during the treatment. After $17.7{\pm}0.5$ months of mean follow up period, the mean score of PSR scale at the last visit was reduced into $2.1{\pm}0.9$, reflecting a 'residual' severity of illness and impairment in functioning. The cumulative recovery rate was 62.1% in the completer group, whereas that of the drop-out group was 47.7%. Conclusions : The mean age of disease onset in Korean panic disorder patients who had visited university hospital was about 10 years older than that of Western panic disorder patients in previous studies, and the Korean panic disorder patients who had visited university hospital showed a relatively higher cumulative recovery rate. These differences might result from an ethnic difference in clinical characteristics and course in response to pharmacotherapy of panic disorder.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate changes in pesticide residues in eggplant and lettuce during washing and cooking processes after application with azoxystrobin. Eggplant was processed with running washing, steaming, and stir-frying, and lettuce was processed with soaking washing, running washing, soaking and running washing, ultrasonic cleaning, and blanching. The limit of quantitation of GC analysis of azoxystrobin was 0.01 mg/kg and the recovery rate was 84.7-109.5%. The azoxystrobin processing factors (PFs) and reduction rates in eggplant and lettuce were calculated and the results were as follows. In the case of eggplant, the azoxystrobin PF and reduction rate of running washing were 0.29 and 71.1%, respectively, those of steaming were 0.32 and 68.0%, respectively, and those of stir-frying were 0.24 and 75.7%, respectively. In the case of lettuce, the azoxystrobin PF and reduction rate of soaking washing were 0.25, 75.3%, those of running washing were 0.61 and 38.9%, respectively, those of soaking and running washing were 0.32, 68.0%, those of ultrasonic cleaning were 0.47 and 53.1%, respectively, and those of blanching were 0.26 and 73.6%, respectively. It could be identified that pesticide residues in eggplant and lettuce can be effectively reduced through washing and cooking processes and that most of pesticide residues were removed when cooking processes were undergone after washing. Therefore, azoxystrobin PFs after washing and processing can be provided as basic data for risk assessment.