• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1575-1579
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• 2014

Background: There is a close relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)-specific factors and different gastroduodenal diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of vacA d1, d2 genotypes in the H pylori isolates from patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastritis in East Azerbaijan region, where the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) is high. Strains isolated from this area are likely to be of European ancestry. Materials and Methods: In this study, genotyping of the vacA d region of 115 isolates obtained from patients with different gastrodoudenal diseases was accomplished by PCR methods. In addition to PCR amplification of H pylori 16S rDNA, rapid urease tests or histological examination were used to confirm the presence of H pylori in biopsy specimens. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 19. Results: Of the total of 83 H pylori isolates, 36 (43.4%) contained the d1 allele and 47 (56.6%) were subtype d2. The results of the multiple linear/logistic regression analysis showed high correlation between allele d1 and gastric adenocarcinoma or PUD. Conclusions: This study suggests that the H pylori vacA d1 genotype helps predict risk for gastric adenocarcinoma and PUD in East Azerbaijan, Iran.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5537-5540
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• 2015

Purpose: To research the association between pre-treatment elevated platelet count and clinicopathologic characteristics in breast cancer (BC), as well as explore the relationship between pre-treatment elevated platelet count and HER2 status and prognosis of BC patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of BC patients who were newly diagnosed or treated by surgery only and had pathological detection results and platelet values in the Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical College were enrolled from 1/1/2008 until 31/12/2009, and followed up until 31/12/2014. Age, thrombocyte parameters before chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, immunohistochemical (IHM) indexes, and regional lymph node (LN) involvement and progression-free survival (PFS) were recorded. Results: A total of 447 eligible subjects were included in this research. As we analyzed, for HER2, positive and negative, the incidence rates of elevated platelet count were 25.8% and 14.7% (P<0.05). In the Cox proportional hazards model both variables were independent risk factors for BC (for HER2, OR, 0.592, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.355 to 0.985, P=0.044;f or PLT, OR, 0.998, 95% CI, 0.996 to 1.000, P=0.042). For ER, PR, Ki67 and LN involvement, the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusions: In this research, pre-treatment elevated level of platelet count demostrated a significantrelationship with HER2 amplification/overexpression, and both variables significantly influenced the prognosis of BC. However, elevated platelet count did not exhibit any association with ER, PR, Ki67 and LN involvement.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 1993

A numerical model has been used for the prediction of wave agitations in a harbor which are induced by the intrusion and transformation of incident waves. Based on linear wave theory a mild-slope equation has been used. A partial absorbing boundary condition has been used on solid boundary. Functional has been derived following Chen and Mei(l974)'s technique based on Hybrid Element Method which uses finite discretisation in the inner region and analytical solution of Helmholtz equation in the outer region. Final simultaneous equation has been solved using the Gaussian Elimination Method. Helmholtz natural period and second peak period of seiche in Donghae Harbor coincide very well with the results from numerical calculation. Computed amplification factors show good agreement, especially when the reflection coefficient on solid boundary is 0.99, with those of measurements.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.45-58
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• 2017

As many seismic codes for various facilities are changed into a performance based design code, demand for a reliable nonlinear response-history analysis (RHA) arises. However, the equivalent linear analysis has been used as a standard approach since 1970 in the field of site response analysis. So, the reliability of nonlinear RHA should be provided to be adopted in replace of equivalent linear analysis. In this paper, the reliability of nonlinear RHA is reviewed for a layered soil layer using Loma Prieta earthquake records in 1989. For this purpose, the appropriate way for selecting nonlinear soil models and the effect of base boundary condition for 3D analysis are evaluated. As a result, there is no significant differences between equivalent linear and nonlinear RHA. In case of 3D analysis, absorbing boundary condition should be applied at base to prevent rocking motion of the whole model.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.161-170
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• 2014

Newmark-type deformation analysis has rarely been done in Korea due to the popularity of simple pseudo-static limit equilibrium analysis and detailed time-history FE/FD dynamic analysis. However, the Korean seismic dam design code updated in 2011 prescribes Newmark-type deformation analysis as a major dynamic analysis method for the seismic evaluation of fill dams. In addition, a design PGA for dynamic analysis is significantly increased in the code. This paper aims to study the seismic evaluation of four existing large fill dams through advanced FEM/Newmark-type deformation analyses for the artificial earthquake time histories with the design PGA of 0.22g. Dynamic soil properties obtained from in-situ geo-physical surveys are applied as input parameters. For the FEM/Newmark analyses, sensitivity analyses are performed to study the effects of input PGA and $G_{max}$ of shell zone on the Newmark deformation. As a result, in terms of deformation, four fill dams are proved to be reasonably safe under the PGA of 0.22g with yield coefficients of 0.136 to 0.187, which are highly resistant for extreme events. Sensitivity analysis as a function of PGA shows that $PGA_{30cm}$ (a limiting PGA to cause the 30 cm of Newmark permanent displacement on the critical slip surface) is a good indicator for seismic safety check. CFRD shows a higher seismic resistance than ECRD. Another sensitivity analysis shows that $G_{max}$ per depth does not significantly affect the site response characteristics, however lower $G_{max}$ profile causes larger Newmark deformation. Through this study, it is proved that the amplification of ground motion within the sliding mass and the location of critical slip surface are the dominant factors governing permanent displacements.

• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 2020

Citric acid is a commercially valuable organic acid widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and beverage industries. In this study, 260 yeast strains were isolated from soil, bread, juices, and fruits wastes and preliminarily screened using bromocresol green agar plates for their ability to produce organic acids. Overall, 251 yeast isolates showed positive results, with yellow halos surrounding the colonies. Citric acid production by 20 promising isolates was evaluated using both free and immobilized cell techniques. Results showed that citric acid production by immobilized cells (30-40 g/L) was greater than that of freely suspended cells (8-19 g/L). Of the 20 isolates, two (KKU-L42 and KKU-L53) were selected for further analysis based on their citric acid production levels. Immobilized KKU-L42 cells had a higher citric acid production rate (62.5%), while immobilized KKU-L53 cells showed an ~52.2% increase in citric acid production compared with free cells. The two isolates were accurately identified by amplification and sequence analysis of the 26S rRNA gene D1/D2 domain, with GenBank-based sequence comparison confirming that isolates KKU-L42 and KKU-L53 were Candida tropicalis and Pichia kluyveri, respectively. Several factors, including fermentation period, pH, temperature, and carbon and nitrogen source, were optimized for enhanced production of citric acid by both isolates. Maximum production was achieved at fermentation period of 5 days at pH 5.0 with glucose as a carbon source by both isolates. The optimum incubation temperature for citric acid production by C. tropicalis was 32 ℃, with NH₄Cl the best nitrogen source, while maximum citric acid by P. kluyveri was observed at 27 ℃ with (NH₄)₂ SO₄ as the nitrogen source. Citric acid production was maintained for about four repeated batches over a period of 20 days. Our results suggest that apple and banana wastes are potential sources of novel yeast strains; C. tropicalis and P. kluyveri which could be used for commercial citric acid production.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1995

Alveolar macrophages play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of silicosis since the macrophages may release a wide variety of toxic and inflammatory mediators as well as mitogenic growth factors. In the present study, the effects of in vitro exposure to silica on release of various mediator such as reactive oxygen species, platelet activating factor(PAF), and interleukin-1 (IL-1) by alveolar macrophages were examined. First, hydrogen peroxide release from alveolar macrophages was monitored by measuring the change in fluorescence of scopoletin in the absence or presence of graded concentration of silica. Significantly enhanced release of hydrogen peroxide was observed at 0.5 mg/ml and above. A maximal enhancement of 10 fold above control was observed at 5 mg/ml silica. Similarly, in vitro exposure to silica also significantly stimulated the generation of chemiluminescence from alveolar macrophages at 0.5 mg/ml and above with n maximal enhancement of 8 fold at 5 mg/ml silica. Second, PAF release from alveolar macrophages after 30 min incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ in absence or presence of zymosan and silica was determined by measuring $^{3}H-serotonin$ release ability of the conditioned macrophage supernates from platelets. 5 mg/ml zymosan as a positive control fur the PAF assay increased PAF release by 19 % of total serotonin release. Furthermore, silica also resulted in significant enhancement of the PAF release compared with that in unstimulated (control) cells, i.e., $17.7{\pm}5.8%$ and $24.0{\pm}4.9%$ of total serotonin release at 5 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml silica, respectively, which represents the release of nanomole levels of PAF. Lastly, IL-1 production by alveolar macrophages was analysed following their stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and silica by their capacity to stimulate thymocyte proliferation. $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ LPS resulted in an 11 fold increase in IL-1 production. In comparison, $50\;{\mu}g/ml$ silica resulted in a 4 fold increase in IL-1 release. These data indicate that in vitro exposure of alveolar macrophages to silica activates the release of various bioactive mediators such as reactive oxygen species, PAF and IL-1 which thus contribute to amplification of inflammatory reactions and regulation of fibrotic responses by the lung after inhalation of silica.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.267-279
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• 2020

Fig mosaic is a viral disease (FMD) that spreads in Palestinian common fig (Ficus carica L.) orchards. Recognizing the economic value of fig plants and the harmful nature of FMD, the disease poses a significant threat to the economy of the fig production in Palestine. We applied the reverse transcription and amplification (RT-PCR) and PCR technique to leaf samples of 77 trees and 14 seedlings of 17 fig cultivars. The samples were collected from orchards in the main fig-growing provinces of the Palestinian West Bank, to assess the prevalence of viruses associated with FMD, and confirm a possible link of symptoms with viruses detected. Four viruses were detected: Fig mosaic virus (FMV), Fig badnavirus-1 (FBV-1), Fig leaf mottle-associated virus 2 (FLMaV-2), and Fig fleck-associated virus (FFkaV). FMV and FBV-1 were found in all tested fig plants (100%), while FLMaV-2 and FFkaV were detected in 61.5% and 33% of the fig samples, respectively. The high incidence of FBV-1 in the newly propagated symptomatic and symptomless seedlings from different cultivars may be an indication that FBV-1 is integrated into the genome of the fig in a cultivar nondiscriminatory manner. Very weak or no association was detected between FMD symptoms severity in the 17 Palestinian fig cultivars with the various viruses' combinations observed (i.e., number of the viruses infecting the plant). These results support the notion that FMD symptom severity expression is likely to be controlled by a combination of FMV infection, cultivars, and environmental factors, rather than the number of viruses infecting the plant.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2022

Commercialization of public technology is the transfer of government-led scientific and technological innovation and R&D results to the private sector, and is recognized as a key achievement driving economic growth. Therefore, in order to activate technology transfer, various machine learning methods are being studied to identify success factors or to match public technology with high commercialization potential and demanding companies. However, public technology commercialization data is in the form of a table and has a problem that machine learning performance is not high because it is in an imbalanced state with a large difference in success-failure ratio. In this paper, we present a method of utilizing CTGAN to resolve imbalances in public technology data in tabular form. In addition, to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, a comparative experiment with SMOTE, a statistical approach, was performed using actual public technology commercialization data. In many experimental cases, it was confirmed that CTGAN reliably predicts public technology commercialization success cases.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2022

In this study, three types of combined isolator consisting of High Damping Rubber Bearing (HDRB) and wire isolator were developed for Uninterruptible Power Supply system (UPS). The dynamic characteristics of the combined isolator were investigated through one-axis shaking table test. The input acceleration were generated in accordance with ICC-ES AC156 code. Scale factors of the input acceleration were designed to be 0.5-2 times the required response spectrum defined in ICC-ES AC156. Based on the test results, damage and dynamic characteristics of the UPS were investigated: including natural frequency, damping ratio, acceleration time history response, dynamic amplification factor and relative displacement. Based on that, it was found that the combined isolator developed in this study could improve the seismic behavior of the UPS, in particular, the response acceleration.