• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.258-267
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• 2011

Background: Current management strategies attempt to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at an early stage. Transcription profiling is applied in the search for biomarkers for detecting early-stage disease. Even though gene profiling has been reported using several animal models of RA, most studies were performed after the development of active arthritis, and conducted only on the peripheral blood and joint. Therefore, we investigated gene expression during the initial phase of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) before the arthritic features developed in the thymus in addition to the peripheral blood and synovium. Methods: For gene expression analysis using cDNA microarray technology, samples of thymus, blood, and synovium were collected from CIA, rats immunized only with type II collagen (Cll), rats immunized only with adjuvant, and unimmunized rats on days 4 and 9 after the first immunization. Arrays were scanned with an Illumina bead array. Results: Of the 21,910 genes in the array, 1,243 genes were differentially expressed at least 2-fold change in various organs of CIA compared to controls. Among the 1,243 genes, 8 encode T-cell receptors (TCRs), including CD3${\zeta}$, CD3${\delta}$, CD3${\varepsilon}$, CD8${\alpha}$, and CD8${\beta}$ genes, which were down-regulated in CIA. The synovium was the organ in which the genes were differentially expressed between CIA and control group, and no difference were found in the thymus and blood. Further, we determined that the differential expression was affected by adjuvant more than Cll. The differential expression of genes as revealed by real-time RT-PCR, was in agreement with the microarray data. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the genes encoding TCRs including CD3${\zeta}$, CD3${\delta}$, CD3${\varepsilon}$, CD8${\alpha}$, and CD8${\beta}$ genes were down-regulated during the initial phase of CIA in the synovium of CIA. In addition, adjuvant played a greater role in the down-regulation of the CD3 complex compared to CII. Therefore, the down-regulation of TCR gene expression occurred dominantly by adjuvant could be involved in the pathogenesis of the early stage at CIA.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2001

Background: A large number of diseases occur in association with specific HLA-B or-C alleles. Recently a new gene, termed maj or histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA), has been identified in close proximity to HLA-B. The function of this gene is still unknown. However, it is structurally similar to HLA class I genes. MICA gene is polymorphic and is potentially associated with several diseases. Methods: To evaluate the association of MICA gene in Korean patients with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infections, Polymerase chain reaction-Sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) was done for MICA alleles in the extracellular exons, and a microsatellite analysis for GCT repeat polymorphisms in the TM exon was also completed. Results: In 199 Korean healthy controls, 7 alleles were observed and the frequencies for each allele were MICA008 (44.7%), MICA0 10 (34.2%), MICA002 (31.7%), MICA004 (23.6%), MICA0 12 (2 1.6%), MICA009 (19.6%), and MICA007 (6.5%). When 65 HIV seropositive patients were analyzed, MICA007 allele frequency was significantly higher than in controls (15.4% vs 6.5 %, RR=2.6, p<0.04). In contrast, the frequencies of other MICA alleles and microsatellite alleles in the transmembrane region of MICA gene were not significantly different between HIV seropositive patients and controls. The tight linkage between MICA alleles in the extracellular exons and GCT repeat polymorphisms in the TM exon was observed as follows; MICA002/A9, MICA004/A6, MICA007/A4, MICA008/A5.1, MICA0 10/A5, and MICA0 12/A4 in both groups. No significant difference between patients and controls was observed in the haplotype frequencies of MICA alleles in the extracellular exons and GCT repeat polymorphisms in the TM exon. Conclusion: The data suggest that immune functions related with MICA gene may affect a HIV infections.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.97-107
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• 2015

Up until recently, Korea has ranked the first place in UN e-Government Survey for three consecutive years. In keeping with such accomplishment, the size of budget execution has been consistently growing in accordance with Korea's Government 3.0 policy and vision, leading to increase in big-sized informatization projects in the business. Especially in mission critical public sector's infrastructure where it affects many people, growing demand for establishing high-quality information system with new technologies being brought to attention in order to meet the complex needs of citizens. National defense information system, being one of representative domains examples in the concerned area, established high military competency by applying breakthrough technology. Network-oriented national defense knowledge informatization was set as the vision in order to implement core roles in making efficient national defense management; and effort has been made to materialize the vision by making advancement in national defense's information system and its informatization implementation system. This research studies new quality index relevant to test and evaluation (T&E)of informatization business in national defense which is the representative example of mission critical public sector's infrastructure. We studied international standards and guidelines, analyzed actual T&E cases, and applied them to the inspection items that are currently in use, complying with the e-government law (Act No. 12346, Official Announcement Date 2014. 1.28., Enforcement Date 2014. 7.29.) As a result of productivity analysis, based on hypothesis in which suggested model was applied to T&E of the national defense informatization business, we confirmed the possibility of enhancement in the T&E productivity by assessing reliability, expertise, and safety as evaluation factors.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.43-58
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• 2014

As the use of trading systems has increased rapidly, many researchers have become interested in developing effective stock market prediction models using artificial intelligence techniques. Stock market prediction involves multifaceted interactions between market-controlling factors and unknown random processes. A successful stock prediction model achieves the most accurate result from minimum input data with the least complex model. In this research, we develop a combination model of ${\pi}$-fuzzy logic and support vector machine (SVM) models, using a genetic algorithm to optimize the parameters of the SVM and ${\pi}$-fuzzy functions, as well as feature subset selection to improve the performance of stock market prediction. To evaluate the performance of our proposed model, we compare the performance of our model to other comparative models, including the logistic regression, multiple discriminant analysis, classification and regression tree, artificial neural network, SVM, and fuzzy SVM models, with the same data. The results show that our model outperforms all other comparative models in prediction accuracy as well as return on investment.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2014

3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATA) (2.5 and 5.0 phr) was incorporated into a immiscible maleated ethylene propylene diene rubber(mEPDM)/maleated high density polyethylene(mHDPE) (50 wt%/50 wt%) blend by melt mixing. Effects of the ATA on structure, mechanical and rheological properties of the blend was investigated. FT-IR and DMA results revealed that supramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between the polymer chains occur by reaction of ATA with maleic anhydride grafted onto the component polymers in the blend, which induces the physical crosslinks in the blend. FE-SEM analysis showed that mEPDM forms a dispersed phase in continuous mHDPE matrix, and the blend with the ATA has finer phase morphology as compared to the blend without the ATA. By the addition of ATA in the blend, there were significant increases in tensile strength, modulus and elongation-at-break as well as elastic recoverability. Melt rheology studies revealed that ATA induced substantial increase in storage modulus and complex viscosity of the blend at the melt state.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.566-575
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• 2008

Twenty-five chipmunk species occur in the world, of which only the Siberian chipmunk, Tamias sibiricus, inhabits Asia. To investigate mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence variations and population structure of the Siberian chipmunk in northeastern Asia, we examined mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences (1140 bp) from 3 countries. Analyses of 41 individuals from South Korea and 33 individuals from Russia and northeast China resulted in 37 haplotypes and 27 haplotypes, respectively. There were no shared haplotypes between South Korea and Russia - northeast China. Phylogenetic trees and network analysis showed 2 major maternal lineages for haplotypes, referred to as the S and R lineages. Haplotype grouping in each cluster was nearly coincident with its geographic affinity. In particular, 3 distinct groups were found that mostly clustered in the northern, central and southern parts of South Korea. Nucleotide diversity of the S lineage was twice that of lineage R. The divergence between S and R lineages was estimated to be 2.98-0.98 Myr. During the ice age, there may have been at least 2 refuges in South Korea and Russia - northeast China. The sequence variation between the S and R lineages was 11.3% (K2P), which is indicative of specific recognition in rodents. These results suggest that T. sibiricus from South Korea could be considered a separate species. However, additional information, such as details of distribution, nuclear genes data or morphology, is required to strengthen this hypothesis.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.123-133
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• 2015

Purpose - The Korean government has devised intermodal transportation policies and granted subsidies to shippers and logistics companies that made a conversion of transportation means through the policies. This provides support by expanding the complex uniform railroad transportation and overhauling the deteriorated railroad facilities. As for 2013, however, the freight transportation percentage of railroad was 4.5% in tons and 8.5% in ton kilometers. Meanwhile, since the 1990s, developed countries such as the U.S. and Europe have been trying to expand intermodal freight transport with a legal and institutional support to build a logistics system corresponding with social and economic environmental changes. In this study, I set out to examine the effects of the intermodal freight transport policies in the EU and the U.S., and to explore the direction of setting up a rail intermodal transport system in South Korea. Research design, data, and methodology - The paper used a qualitative research methodology through the literature review. First, was an overview of Intermodal transportation in the EU, U.S. and UN. Second, it describes the development of transport in Europe and the U.S. with particular emphasis on intermodal freight transport. Third, it explores the direction of setting up a intermodal freight transport in South Korea. The last section contains concluding remarks. Results - As for the EU, it has been promoting integration between transport and intermodal logistics network designs while utilizing ITS or ICT and supports for rail freight intermodal by giving reduction to a facilities fee or subsidizing for rail freight in order to minimize the cost of external due to freight transport. On the other hand, as for the U.S., it has been made up of an industrial-led operating project and has been promoting it to improve accessibility between intermodal hubs and cargo terminals through intermodal corridor program, and an intermodal cargo hub access corridor projects, etc. Moreover, it has tried to construct intermodal transport system using ITS or ICT and to remove Barrier. As a result, in these countries, the proportion of intermodal freight transport is going to be the second significant transport compared with rail and maritime transport. An Effective rail intermodal transport system is needed in South Korea, as seen in the case of these countries. In order to achieve this object, the following points are required to establish radical infrastructure policy; diversify investment financing measures taken under public-private partnerships, legal responsibilities, improvement of utilization of existing facilities to connect the railway terminal and truck terminal, and enhancement service competitiveness through providing cargo tracking and security information that combines the ITS and ICT. Conclusions - This study will be used as a basis for policy and support for intermodal freight transport in South Korea. In the future, it is also necessary to examine from the perspective of the shipper companies using the rail intermodal transport, ie, recognition of shipper, needed institutional supports, and transportation demand forecasting and cost-effective analysis of the railway infrastructure systems improvement.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.60-64
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• 2002

Background: Chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been one of the mainstay in breast cancer treatment. The effects of high dose 5-FU on cell cycle regulation were studied in breast caner cells. Methods: A breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was used. Protein expressions of G1/S cyclins, $p21^{Waf1/Cip1}$, cdk2, E2F1 and retinoblastoma were tested by western blot analysis. Immunoprecipitation and immune complex kinase assay were done for the assessment of E2F1/RB interacton and the activity of cdk2 respectively. Results: $p21^{Waf1/Cip1}$ expression was barely detectable in control cells. With addition of 5-FU level of $p21^{Waf1/Cip1}$ were induced and cyclin D3 level was decreased as cell growth decreases. In accordance with increased expression of $p21^{Waf1/Cip1}$, cyclin E-associated cdk2 kinase activity was reduced. Retinoblastoma protein (RB) became dephosphorylated and E2F-1 binding activity with RB was increased. Conclusion: In this situation of high concentration of 5-FU breast cancer cells tend to be G1/S cell cycle arrested. Overexpression of $p21^{Waf1/Cip1}$ and dephosphorylation of RB may mediate the effectss of 5-FU by inhibiting E2F-1 activity, which contributes to G1/S cell cycle arrest. These results could be an indicating landmark for further study of high dose chemotherapy with 5-FU.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.799-804
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• 2016

Broadband powerline communication (BPLC) uses distribution lines as a medium for achieving effective bidirectional data communication along with electric current flow. As the material characteristics of power lines are not good at the communication channel, the development of power line communication (PLC) systems for internet, voice, and data services requires measurement-based models of the transfer characteristics of the network suitable for performance analysis by simulation. In this paper, an analytic model describing a complex transfer function is presented to obtain the attenuation and path parameters for a multipath power line model. The calculated results demonstrated frequency-selective fading in multipath channels and signal attenuation with frequency, and were in good agreement with the experimental results. Inductive coupling units are used as couplers for coupling the signal to the power line to avoid physical connections to the distribution line. The inductance of the ferrite core, which depends on the frequency, determines the cut-off frequency of the inductive coupler. Coupling loss can be minimized by increasing the number of windings around the coupler. Coupling efficiency was improved by more than 6 dB with three windings compared to the results obtained with one winding.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.246-260
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• 2014

A 90-m horizontal-resolution numerical model was configured to study the micrometeorological features of local winds in the valley of Gwangneung KoFlux (Korea Flux network) Sites (GDK: Gwangneung Deciduous forest site in Korea, GCK: Gwangneung Coniferous forest site in Korea) during summer days. The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data were employed for high-resolution model terrain height. Model performance was evaluated by comparing observed and simulated near-surface temperature and winds. Detailed qualitative analysis of the model-simulated wind field was carried out for two selected cases which are a clear day (Case I) and a cloudy day (Case II). Observed winds exhibited that GDK and GCK, as well as Case I and Case II, had differences in timing, duration and strength of daytime and nighttime wind direction and speeds. The model simulation results strongly supported the existence of the drainage flow in the valley of the KoFlux tower sites. Overall, the simulated model fields realistically presented the diurnal cycle of local winds in and around the valley, including the morning drainage-upslope transition and the evening reversal of upslope wind. Also, they indicated the complexity of local winds interactions by presenting that daytime westerly winds in the valley were not always pure mountain winds and were often coupled with larger-scale wind systems, such as synoptic-scale winds or mesoscale sea breezes blowing from the west coast of the peninsula.