• Information Systems Review
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.201-228
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• 2017

Vulnerability information, which can cause serious damage to information assets, has become a valuable commodity, thereby leading to the creation of a vulnerability market. Vulnerability information is traded on the vulnerability market from several hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on its severity and importance, and the types and scope of the vulnerability markets are varying. Based on previous studies on vulnerability markets and hackers, this study empirically analyzed the effects of the security researcher's vulnerability research motivation on his/her vulnerability market use intention. The results are discussed as follows. First, vulnerability research self-efficacy had a significant effect on flow and on white and black market use intention but not on perceived benefit. Second, flow had a significant effect on perceived benefit and on black market use intention but had no effect on white market use intention. Third, perceived profit had a significant effect on white and black market use intention. Fourth, vulnerability research self-efficacy had a significant effect on perceived benefit through flow. Fifth, flow had a significant effect on white and black market use intention through perceived profit. These findings can be used to predict the behavior of security researchers who have experience in exploiting vulnerabilities.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.159-177
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• 2018

With an extensive proliferation of information and communication technology, the volume and amount of digital information collected and utilized on the Internet have been increasing rapidly. Also on the rapid rise are side effects such as unintended breach of accumulated personal information and consequent invasion of personal privacy. Informational self-determination is rarely practiced, despite various states' legal efforts to redress data subjects' damage. Personal health information, in particular, is a subcategory of personal information where informational self-determination is hardly practiced enough. The observation is contrasted with the socio-economic inconvenience that may follow due to its sensitive nature containing individuals' physical and health conditions. This research, therefore, reviews factors of self-determination on personal health information while referring to the protection motivation theory (PMT), the long-time framework to understand personal information protection. Empirical analysis of 200 data surveyed reveals threat-appraisal (perceived vulnerability and perceived severity of threats) and coping-appraisal (perceived response effectiveness), in addition to individual levels of concern regarding provided personal health information, influence self-determination to protect personal health information. The research proposes theoretical findings and practical suggestions along with reference for future research topics.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.34.1-34.19
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• 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis associated with ageing. Vitamin D has diverse biological effect on bone and cartilage, and observational studies have suggested it potential benefit in OA progression and inflammation process. However, the effect of vitamin D on OA is still contradictory. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of vitamin D in OA. Six-week-old male Wistar rats were injected with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) to induce OA. Pain severity, cartilage destruction, and inflammation were measured in MIA-induced OA rats. Autophagy activity and mitochondrial function were also measured. Vitamin-D (1,25(OH)₂D3) and celecoxib were used to treat MIA-induced OA rats and OA chondrocytes. Oral supplementation of vitamin D resulted in significant attenuations in OA pain, inflammation, and cartilage destruction. Interestingly, the expressions of MMP-13, IL-1β, and MCP-1 in synovial tissues were remarkably attenuated by vitamin D treatment, suggesting its potential to attenuate synovitis in OA. Vitamin D treatment in OA chondrocytes resulted in autophagy induction in human OA chondrocytes and increased expression of TFEB, but not LC3B, caspase-1 and -3, in inflamed synovium. Vitamin D and celecoxib showed a synergistic effect on antinociceptive and chondroprotective properties in vivo. Vitamin D showed the chondroprotective and antinociceptive property in OA rats. Autophagy induction by vitamin D treatment may be a promising treatment strategy in OA patients especially presenting vitamin D deficiency. Autophagy promoting strategy may attenuate OA progression through protecting cells from damage and inflammatory cell death.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.195-207
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• 2024

This study selected major drought events that occurred in the Jeonnam region from 1991 to 2023, examining both meteorological and hydrological drought occurrence mechanisms. The daily drought index was calculated using rainfall and dam storage as input data, and the drought propagation characteristics from meteorological drought to hydrological drought were analyzed. The characteristics of the 2022-23 drought, which recently occurred in the Jeonnam region and caused serious damage, were evaluated. Compared to historical droughts, the duration of the hydrological drought for 2022-2023 lasted 334 days, the second longest after 2017-2018, the drought severity was evaluated as the most severe at -1.76. As a result of a linked analysis of SPI (StandQardized Precipitation Index), and SRSI (Standardized Reservoir Storage Index), it is possible to suggest a proactive utilization for SPI(6) to respond to hydrological drought. Furthermore, by confirming the similarity between SRSI and SPI(12) in long-term drought monitoring, the applicability of SPI(12) to hydrological drought monitoring in ungauged basins was also confirmed. Through this study, it was confirmed that the long-term dryness that occurs during the summer rainy season can transition into a serious level of hydrological drought. Therefore, for preemptive drought response, it is necessary to use real-time monitoring results of various drought indices and understand the propagation phenomenon from meteorological-agricultural-hydrological drought to secure a sufficient drought response period.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.178-185
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• 2023

Rapid urbanization and advancements in technology have led to a surge in the number of automobiles, resulting in frequent traffic accidents, and consequently, an increase in human casualties and economic losses. Therefore, there is a need for technology that can predict the risk of traffic accidents to prevent them and minimize the damage caused by them. Traffic accidents occur due to various factors including traffic congestion, the traffic environment, and road conditions. These factors give traffic accidents spatiotemporal characteristics. This paper analyzes traffic accident data to understand the main characteristics of traffic accidents and reconstructs the data in a time series format. Additionally, an LSTM-MLP based model that excellently captures spatiotemporal characteristics was developed and utilized for traffic accident prediction. Experiments have proven that the proposed model is more rational and accurate in predicting the risk of traffic accidents compared to existing models. The traffic accident risk prediction model suggested in this paper can be applied to systems capable of real-time monitoring of road conditions and environments, such as navigation systems. It is expected to enhance the safety of road users and minimize the social costs associated with traffic accidents.

• Molecular Medicine Reports
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.3709-3718
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• 2019

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is characterized by recurrent pancreatic injury, resulting in inflammation and fibrosis. Currently, there are no drugs for the treatment of pancreatic fibrosis associated with CP. Piperine, a natural alkaloid found in black pepper, has been reported to show anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and antitumor activities. Although piperine exhibits numerous properties in regards to the regulation of diverse diseases, the effects of piperine on CP have not been established. To investigate the effects of piperine on CP in vivo, we induced CP in mice through the repetitive administration of cerulein (50 ㎍/kg) six times at 1-h intervals, 5 times per week, for a total of 3 weeks. In the pre-treatment groups, piperine (1, 5, or 10 mg/kg) or corn oil were administrated orally at 1 h before the first cerulein injection, once a day, 5 times a week, for a total of 3 weeks. In the post-treatment groups, piperine (10 mg/kg) or corn oil was administered orally at 1 or 2 week after the first cerulein injection. Pancreases were collected for histological analysis. In addition, pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) were isolated to examine the anti-fibrogenic effects and regulatory mechanisms of piperine. Piperine treatment significantly inhibited histological damage in the pancreas, increased the pancreatic acinar cell survival, reduced collagen deposition and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In addition, piperine treatment reduced the expression of fibrotic mediators, such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen, and fibronectin 1 in the pancreas and PSCs. Moreover, piperine treatment reduced the production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in the pancreas and PSCs. Furthermore, piperine treatment inhibited TGF-β-induced pSMAD2/3 activation but not pSMAD1/5 in the PSCs. These findings suggest that piperine treatment ameliorates pancreatic fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β/SMAD2/3 signaling during CP.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.211-253
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• 2005

Recently, the Korean Supreme Court released two important decisions concerning damages for the pain and suffering from Aircraft noise. The local people who are living near the Air Force practice site at Maehyang-ri and the Kimpo International Airport brought lawsuits against the Korean government requesting damages for their financial loss from the severe noise and the damages for their pain and suffering. Plaintiffs alleged that they suffered physical malfunctions, extreme disturbances and the reduction of property values from the extreme noises which were daily repeated. District Court of Seoul Province did not allow plaintiffs all but the damages for pain and suffering. Plaintiffs could not prove the causation between their financial loss and the noise. The Supreme Court confirmed the lower court's decision. Article V of the National Compensation Act (analogous to the Federal Tort Claims Act of the USA) reads, "the government shall be liable for any loss caused by the defect on establishment or maintenance of public facilities." In the two cases, the major issue was whether the government's establishment or maintenance of Air Force practice site and the airport was defective because they caused serious noise to surrounding neighbors. Previously, the Supreme Court interpreted the clause "defect on establishment or maintenance of public facilities" as failure of duty to provide safety measures to the degree generally required to ordinary manager. However the Court at this time interpreted differently that the defect could be found if the facility caused to any person loss to the degree intolerable. In the two cases the Court confirmed the lower court's finding that noise level at the site was severe enough to be intolerable. This standard is based on the severity of the loss rather than the failure of duty. It became easier for plaintiffs to prove the cause of action under this interpretation. The consequence of the ruling of these two cases is 'rush to the courtroom' by the local people at similar situations. The ruling of these two cases was not appropriate both in theory and in consequence. The Korean tort system is basically based on the theory of negligence. Strict liability is exceptional only when there is special legislation. The Court created strict liability rule by interpreting the Art. V of the National Compensation Act. This is against the proper role of the court. The result of the cases is also dismal. The government was already sued by a number of local people for damages. Especially the Department of Defense which is operating many airports nationwide has financial hardship, which will cause downsizing military practice by the Air Force in the long run, This is no good to anyone. Tens of millions of dollars which might be used for compensation might be better used to prevent further noise problem surrounding airports.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 1997

Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children has been known to be a cause of renal damage, leading to scar formation, hypertension and renal failure. And vesico-ureteral reflex (VUR), frequently accompanying UTI in young children, has been incriminated as the main factor causing scar formation. This retrospective study has been undertaken to see the relationship among UTI, VUR and renal scar formation. Study population consisted of 291 children (boy 134, girl 42) with UTI, who have been admitted to the Pediatric Department of Kyungpook University Hospital during 6 1/2 year period from January 1990 to June 1996. VUR was diagnosed by VCUG and renal scar by ultrasonogram, DMSA scan (or DMSA SPECT) and IVP. The following result were obtained. Sexual difference showed male predominance (male to female, 134:42) below 1 year of age, and female predominance (male to female, 11:35) over 5 years of age were rioted. VUR has been found in 64 children (22%) and the degree of reflux, classfied by the method proposed by 'International Reflux Study in Children', were as follows ; Grade I : 4.0%, Grade II : 3.0%, Grade III : 2.7%, Grade IV : 5.8% and Grade V : 6.2%. There was no sexual difference E.coli was the most predominant infecting agent occurring in 167 children (57%), and end-stage renal failure was diagnosed at the time of first admission in 5 children with Grade V VUR. Renal scar has been noted in 49 out of 582 kidneys (8.4%), and the incidence of scar foramation according to the degree of VUR were as follow ; Grade 0 (No reflux) : 1.2%, Grade I : 6.7%, Grade II 27.3%, Grade III 29.4%, Grade IV : 57.1%, and Grade V : 100%. In summary, present study shows that renal scar formation in UTI has close correlation with the severity of VUR occurring more frequently in severe reflux, so that early diagnosis and proper treatment of UTI and VUR is of paramount importance in preventing renal damage in children with UTI.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.205-208
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• 2007

Purpose : Vascular endothelial cell damage and alteration of a fibrinolytic system was suggested to play a role in the development of coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease (KD). D-dimer is one of the markers of endothelial damage and fibrinolysis. We evaluated the clinical usefulness of D-dimer to differentiate KD from other febrile diseases and predict coronary artery abnormalities in KD. Methods : Sixty eight patients diagnosed as KD and twenty eight patients presented with acute febrile illnesses other than KD from September 2005 to July 2006 were included. Blood levels of D-dimer and various inflammatory markers were measured before treatment and the clinical course of KD was followed. Serial echocardiography was performed at the onset of disease and thereafter at a monthly interval for at least 2 months. Results : KD patients showed a higher D-dimer level than febrile controls, but the difference was not significant ($1.21{\pm}0.77{\mu}g/mL$ vs $0.92{\pm}0.71{\mu}g/mL$, P=0.083). Neither was the difference between KD patients who had coronary artery abnormalities and those who had not ($1.49{\pm}0.98{\mu}g/mL$ vs $1.15{\pm}0.71{\mu}g/mL$, P=0.169). D-dimer was significantly correlated with other inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in both KD patients and febrile controls. Conclusion : D-dimer was not specific for KD. But it may be useful as an inflammatory marker to assess the severity of KD.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.115-127
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• 1973

Leaf discoloration of IR667 lines (tropical) and leading locals (temperate) in fields was classified according to the probable causes and nutritional disorder due to soil reduction in 1972 was investigated. 1. The causes of leaf discoloration in IR667 were low air temperature, soil reduction, seed born, insect bite, nitrogen depression, overdose pesticide, strong wind, early senescence and unknown one. 2. Leaf discoloration due to soil reduction which has been called Sageumbyeong by famers, was caused by the heavy application of $Ca(OH)_2$, compost and poor drainage followed by Zn and K deficiency and Fe toxicity. 3. About 30 days after transplanting deficiency concentration of K and Zn in leaf blade appears to be less than 2.0% and 20ppm respectively, and greater than 200ppm, 500ppm, and 1.0% respectively for toxicity or excess of Fe, Mn and Ca. and in the shoot 2.4% for K, 30ppm for Zn and 800ppm for Fe. The value of K/Ca should be greaterthan 2.0 for health. 4. When plants were damaged by soil reduction the contents of N, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Na in shoot were increased and those of K, Zn, Si were decreased. 5. IR667 lines show in shoot higher content of N, P, Ca, Mg, Si, Na, and lower content K, Zn, Fe, Mn and lower root activity than local leading varietles in either healthy or disieased case, indicating IR667 lines are likely more suseptible to soil reduction damage. 6. Normal soil was less than 6.5 of pH and greater than -50 mv of Eh, but pH of problem soil was ranged from 6.7 to 7.4 and Eh from -100 to -190. 7. The root activity (${\alpha}$-naphthylamine oxidation) decreased at early stage of soil redudtion damage, then increased with severity and at the end it decreased again, but IR667 lines showed always lower root activity than local ones.