• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2012

Thoracolumbar orthosis has been used for the rehabilitation of the patients with senile kyphosis. Recently, a number of different thoracolumbar orthosis designs have been introduced but its biomechanical effectiveness still remain unknown. In this study, we compared the pressure distribution on the surface of the trunk and stresses on the orthosis in relation to changes in connecting frame designs (Type 1, one-connecting frame type; Type 2, two-connecting frame type; Type 3, all-in-one type) using finite element (FE) models under different motions of the trunk. The results showed that Type 3 distributed the pressure on the trunk most evenly followed by Type 2 and Type 1 and the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 was negligible. ROM was limited most effectively by Type 3 ($8.5{\sim}9.4^{\circ}$), followed by Type 2 ($11.3{\sim}13.9^{\circ}$) and Type 1 ($12.1{\sim}15.4^{\circ}$). The ratio between the peak von Mises stress and yield strength of each material remained less than 20% regardless of orthosis type indicating low likelihood of component failure. In conclusion, our study found that all-in-one type of orthosis was the most effective design for the conservative treatment of spinal deformity in terms of function and comfort.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.163-178
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• 2010

Emotional associations formed in the relationships between the consumer and luxury brands can be approached via examining the roles these associations play when they account for the brand equity of the luxury brands. The present study is an exploratory examination on the effects a battery of emotional relationships exert upon the consumers' intention to participate in promotional activities and in communities built around the brand, which is a crucial part of the luxury brand's equity, in regards to Korea's burgeoning import auto market. Participants who completed the survey are professionals such as medical doctors, lawyers, accountants, and university professors. Included in the analyses are the top six automobile brands in sales(i.e., BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Audi, and Volkswagen), and the scores that the respondents provided regarding the way they relate themselves to particular foreign car brands are analyzed and yield six different groups of emotional associations(i.e., affection, identification, indispensability, reliability, intimacy, and awe). The brand equity is measured with three variables that show the levels of the consumer's participatory intentions toward each brand are analyzed in order to elicit the antecedent variables and their impact on the participation variables in the regression models. When the respondents are divided into two groups by the levels of brand knowledge(i.e., scores drawn from the respondent's capability of correctly linking specific automobile brands with the corresponding corporate brands), consumers with higher brand knowledge show distinct patterns of influential variables, as they differentiate themselves from less knowledgeable consumers in terms of the influential antecedent variables accounting for the consumer's intended participation.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.141-153
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• 1991

The optimal choice of the tax rate and the inflation rate framework is extended to yield relevant interpretations for the optimal fiscal and monetary policy regime in Korea. To study the relationship between the government budget and monetary growth in different environments of policy coordination, two models assuming different degrees of fiscal dominance are developed. By modelling differing institutional arrangements of the fiscal and the monetary authority from an optimal government finance viewpoint, we find the optimal relationship among some important fiscal and monetary variables. By testing the existence of the relationship empirically, we find the characteristics of the optimal policy-mix regime in Korea. The first model-the strong from of fiscal dominance-studies the optimal collection of seigniorage in a period-by-period optimization with standard assumptions on the income velocity of money, deriving a general testable result: the optimal inflation/tax rate ratio co-vary with the marginal revenue ratio. The second model-the weak form of fiscal dominance-studies an implication of the inflationary bias of discretionary monetary policy in the presence of fiscal side distortions. This model shows that the tax rate and the inflation rate can have a positive correlation. Empirical tests of the theoretical results are done for the Korean economy for 1972-1989 period. The test results show that the macroeconomic policy regime in Korea can be characterized by the strong form of fiscal dominance, implying the importance of the government budget in explaining money growth and inflation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1530-1540
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• 2016

This study was conducted to estimate the genetic parameters of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and acetone concentration in milk by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy along with test-day milk production traits including fat %, protein % and milk yield based on monthly samples of milk obtained as part of a routine milk recording program in Korea. Additionally, the feasibility of using such data in the official dairy cattle breeding system for selection of cows with low susceptibility of ketosis was evaluated. A total of 57,190 monthly test-day records for parities 1, 2, and 3 of 7,895 cows with pedigree information were collected from April 2012 to August 2014 from herds enrolled in the Korea Animal Improvement Association. Multi-trait random regression models were separately applied to estimate genetic parameters of test-day records for each parity. The model included fixed herd test-day effects, calving age and season effects, and random regressions for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Abundance of variation of acetone may provide a more sensitive indication of ketosis than many zero observations in concentration of milk BHBA. Heritabilities of milk BHBA levels ranged from 0.04 to 0.17 with a mean of 0.09 for the interval between 4 and 305 days in milk during three lactations. The average heritabilities for milk acetone concentration were 0.29, 0.29, and 0.22 for parities 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There was no clear genetic association of the concentration of two ketone bodies with three test-day milk production traits, even if some correlations among breeding values of the test-day records in this study were observed. These results suggest that genetic selection for low susceptibility of ketosis in early lactation is possible. Further, it is desirable for the breeding scheme of dairy cattle to include the records of milk acetone rather than the records of milk BHBA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6111-6116
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• 2015

Background: Stomach cancer is one of leading causes of death worldwide. In Thailand, the incidence and mortality of stomach cancer are in the top ten for cancers. Effects of DNA repair gene X-ray repair cross complementary protein 1 (XRCC1) polymorphisms and clinicopathological characteristics on survival of stomach cancer in Thailand have not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of XRCC1 gene and clinicopathological characteristics on survival of stomach cancer patients in Thailand. Materials and Methods: Data and blood samples were collected from 101 newly diagnosed stomach cancer cases pathologically confirmed and recruited during 2002 to 2006 and followed-up for vital status until 31 October 2012. Genotype analysis was performed using real-time PCR-HRM. The data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method to yield cumulative survival curve, log-rank test to assess statistical difference of survival and Cox proportional hazard models to estimate adjusted hazard ratio. Results: The total followed-up times were 2,070 person-months, and the mortality rate was 4.3 per 100 person-months. The median survival time after diagnosis was 8.07 months. The cumulative 1-, 3-, 5-years survival rates were 40.4%, 15.2 % and 10.1 % respectively. After adjustment, tumour stage were associated with an increased risk of death (p= 0.036). The XRCC1 Gln339Arg, Arg/Arg homozygote was also associated with increased risk but statistically this was non-significant. Conclusions: In addition to tumour stage, which is an important prognostic factor affecting to the survival of stomach cancer patients, the genetic variant Gln339Arg in XRCC1 may non-significantly contribute to risk of stomach cancer death among Thai people. Larger studies with different populations are need to verify ours findings.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.2A
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• pp.85-95
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• 2012

This paper presents an investigation on the ultimate behavior of steel cable-stayed bridges using nonlinear finite element analysis method. Cable-stayed bridges exhibit various geometric nonlinearities as well as material nonlinearities, so rational nonlinear finite element analysis should be performed for investigation of the ultimate behavior. In this study, ultimate behavior of steel cable-stayed bridges was studied using rational ultimate analysis method. Nonlinear equivalent truss element and nonlinear frame element were used for modeling the cable, girder and mast. Moreover, refined plastic hinge method was adopted for considering the material nonlinearity of steel members. In this study, the 2-step analysis method was used. Before live load analysis, initial shape analysis was performed in order to consider the dead load condition. For investigation of the ultimate behavior of steel cable-stayed bridges, analysis models which span length is 920.0 m were used. Radiating type and fan type were considered as the cable-arrangement types. With various quantitative evidences such as load-displacement curves, deformed shapes, locations of the yield point or region, bending moment distribution and so on, the ultimate behavior of steel cable-stayed bridges was investigated and described in this paper.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.577-584
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• 2015

Orostachys malacophyllus grow on the old roofing tile or on the rock of mountain and is belong to Crassulaceae family. After air drying for Orostachys malacophyllus (OM), using the mixture of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus) was fermented (FOM). OM and FOM extracted using water (W), ethanol (E) and methanol (M) and were measured extracts yield, pH and Brix. Extracted OM and FOM were tested by in vitro experimental models of α,α´-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Fe/Cu reducing power, linoleic acid peroxidation using ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods and peroxidation of rat liver homogenate. In addition, the bioactive materials (phenolic compounds, flavonoids and minerals) were measured. The highest phenolic compounds and flavonoids were OME 122.2 mg/100 g and OME 84.0 mg/100 g. OM and FOM′s major minerals were K, Ca and Mg. The highest free radical scavenging activity showed in FOMM (93.9%), OMM (93.4%), FOME (92.1%) and OME (91.9%) at 0.5% additional level. Fe reducing powers were strong in FOME and FOMM and Cu reducing powers were strong in OME and FOMM. Antioxidant activities on lipid peroxidation using rat homogenate as measured by TBARS method showed strong in FOME and on lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid as measured by ferric TBA method showed strong in OME and FOME and measured by ferric thiocyanate showed strong in FOME and FOMM.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.540-546
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• 2018

Annona muricata, generally known as soursop, graviola, or sirsak, is native to the warmest tropical areas of North and South America and is now widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical parts of the world, including India and Nigeria. This study tested the contents of polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, and minerals, as well as the antioxidative effects of DPPH radical-scavenging activity, Fe/Cu-reducing power, linoleic-acid peroxidation using thiobarbituric-acid (TBA) methods and peroxidation of rat-hepatocyte microsomes, and ${\beta}$-carotene bleaching assay. These were tested with in-vitro experimental models using water, ethanol, and methanol extracts of the Annona muricata leaf (AMl). Water extracts of AMl showed the highest extraction yield (1.76%). The total polyphenol-compound concentration was the highest in the methanol extract of AMl. However, the flavonoids concentration was the highest in the ethanol extracts of AMl. AMlMl major minerals were Ca, K, and Mg. In DPPH radical-scavenging activity, the contents exhibited a strong scavenging effect on the ethanol and methanol extracts of AMl. Additionally, the Fe/Cu-reducing power was strong in ethanol and methanol extracts of AMl. $Fe^{2+}$/ascorbate-induced linoleic-acid peroxidation using TBA methods and auto-oxidation of rat-hepatic microsomes showed strong antioxidative activities in ethanol extracts of AMl. ${\beta}$-Carotene bleaching was also highest in the ethanol extracts of AMl. These results may provide the basic data to understand the chemical characteristics and antioxidative effects of Annona muricata leaf extract for the development of functional foods.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-43
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• 2017

In the Hapcheon area, hypersthene-bearing monzonite (mangerite) and syenite are recognized. The main minerals of syenite are alkali feldspar, plagioclase, amphibole, biotite, and quartz. Anhedral hornblende and biotite are interstitial between feldspar and quartz, indicating that the hydrous minerals were crystallized later on. Based on petrochemical studies of major elements, syenite is alkaline series, metaluminous, and I-type. The variation patterns in the trace and rare earth elements of mangerite and syenite show the features of subduction-related igneous rock such as depletion of HFSE, relative enrichment in LILE to LREE, and negative Nb-P-Ti anomalies. Based on the experimental data and petrographic characteristics of the syenite, Hapcheon syenitic magma is considered to be formed by partial melting in a dry system. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon data yield the Triassic age as $227.4{\pm}1.4Ma$ in mangerite, $215.3{\pm}1.2Ma$ in syenite, and $217.9{\pm}2.6Ma$ in coarse-grained syenite, respectively. The mangerite age is similar to those of post-collisional plutonic rocks in Hongseong (226~233 Ma), Yangpyeong (227~231 Ma), and Odaesan (231~234 Ma) areas in the Gyeonggi Massif. Syenites were intruded after about 10 Ma. The features seen in the mangereite and syenite rocks can be explained by models such as the continental collision and slab break-off and the lithosphere thinning and asthenosphere upwelling model.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.276-282
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• 2015

Recently, during the multi-level fusion with pedicle screws, interspinous spacer are sometimes substituted for the most superior level of the fusion in an attempt to reduce the number of fusion level and likelihood of degeneration process at the adjacent level. In this study, a finite element (FE) study was performed to assess biomechanical efficacies of the interspinous spacer combined with posterior lumbar fusion with a previously-validated 3-dimensional FE model of the intact lumbar spine (L1-S1). The post-operative models were made by modifying the intact model to simulate the implantation of interspinous spacer and pedicle screws at the L3-4 and L4-5. Four different configurations of the post-op model were considered: (1) a normal spinal model; (2) Type 1, one-level fusion using posterior pedicle screws at the L4-5; (3) Type 2, two-level (L3-5) fusion; (4) Type 3, Type 1 plus Coflex$^{TM}$ at the L3-4. hybrid protocol (intact: 10 Nm) with a compressive follower load of 400N were used to flex, extend, axially rotate and laterally bend the FE model. As compared to the intact model, Type 2 showed the greatest increase in Range of motion (ROM) at the adjacent level (L2-3), followed Type 3, and Type 1 depending on the loading type. At L3-4, ROM of Type 2 was reduced by 34~56% regardless of loading mode, as compared to decrease of 55% in Type 3 only in extension. In case of normal bone strength model (Type 3_Normal), PVMS at the process and the pedicle remained less than 20% of their yield strengths regardless of loading, except in extension (about 35%). However, for the osteoporotic model (Type 3_Osteoporotic), it reached up to 56% in extension indicating increased susceptibility to fracture. This study suggested that substitution of the superior level fusion with the interspinous spacer in multi-level fusion may be able to offer similar biomechanical outcome and stability while reducing likelihood of adjacent level degeneration.