• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 2019

Ovarian cancer is the fifth main cause of pre-senescent death in women. Although chemotherapy is generally an efficient treatment, its side effects and the occurrence of chemotherapeutic resistance have prompted the need for alternative treatments. In this study, ${\alpha}$-mangostin and apigenin were evaluated as possible anticancer alternatives to the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin, used herein as a positive control. The ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line SKOV-3 (ATCC No. HTB77) was used as model ovarian cancer cells, whereas the skin fibroblast line CCD-986Sk (ATCC No. CRL-1947) and lung fibroblast line WI-38 (ATCC No. CCL-75) were used as model untransformed cells. Apigenin and doxorubicin inhibited the growth of SKOV-3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After 72 hr exposure, doxorubicin was mostly toxic to SKOV-3 cells, whereas apigenin was toxic to SKOV-3 cells but not CCD-986Sk and WI-38 cells. ${\alpha}$-Mangostin was more toxic to SKOV-3 cells than to CCD-986Sk cells. A lower cell density, cell shrinkage, and more unattached (floating round) cells were observed in all treated SKOV-3 cells, but the greatest effects were observed with ${\alpha}$-mangostin. With regard to programmed cell death, apigenin caused early apoptosis within 24 hr, whereas ${\alpha}$-mangostin and doxorubicin caused late apoptosis and necrosis after 72 hr of exposure. Caspase-3 activity was significantly increased in ${\alpha}$-mangostin-treated SKOV-3 cells after 12 hr of exposure, whereas only caspase-9 activity was significantly increased in apigenin-treated SKOV-3 cells at 24 hr. Both ${\alpha}$-mangostin and apigenin arrested the cell cycle at the $G_2/M$ phase, but after 24 and 48 hr, respectively. Significant upregulation of BCL2 (apoptosis-associated gene) and COX2 (inflammation-associated gene) transcripts was observed in apigenin- and ${\alpha}$-mangostin-treated SKOV-3 cells, respectively. ${\alpha}$-Mangostin and apigenin are therefore alternative options for SKOV-3 cell inhibition, with apigenin causing rapid early apoptosis related to the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, and ${\alpha}$-mangostin likely being involved with inflammation.

• Journal of Cadastre & Land InformatiX
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.155-168
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• 2020

Open source is a key growth engine of the 4th industrial revolution, and the continuous development and use of various algorithms for image processing is expected. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the UAS image processing open source based algorithm by comparing and analyzing the water reproduction and moving object filtering function and the time required for data processing in 3D reproduction. Five matching algorithms were compared based on recall and processing speed through the 'ANN-Benchmarks' program, and HNSW (Hierarchical Navigable Small World) matching algorithm was judged to be the best. Based on this, 108 algorithms for image processing were constructed by combining each methods of triangulation, point cloud data densification, and surface generation. In addition, the 3D reproduction and data processing time of 108 algorithms for image processing were studied for UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) images of a park adjacent to the sea, and compared and analyzed with the commercial image processing software 'Pix4D Mapper'. As a result of the study, the algorithms that are good in terms of reproducing water and filtering functions of moving objects during 3D reproduction were specified, respectively, and the algorithm with the lowest required time was selected, and the effectiveness of the algorithm was verified by comparing it with the result of 'Pix4D Mapper'.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 2021

Recently, various connected industrial parks (CIPs) architectures using new technologies such as cloud computing, CPS, big data, fifth-generation mobile communication 5G, IIoT, VR-AR, and ventilation transportation AI algorithms have been proposed in Korea. Korea's small and medium-sized enterprises do not have the upper hand in technological competitiveness than overseas advanced countries such as the United States, Europe and Japan. For this reason, Korea's small and medium-sized enterprises have to invest a lot of money in technology research and development. As a latecomer, Korean SMEs need to improve their profitability in order to find sustainable growth potential. Financially, it is most efficient for small and medium-sized Korean companies to cut costs to increase their profitability. This paper made profitability improvement by reducing costs for small and medium-sized enterprises located in CIPs in Korea a major task. VJP (Vehicle Action Program) was noted as a way to reduce costs for small and medium-sized enterprises located in CIPs in Korea. The method of achieving minimum logistics costs for small businesses through the Korean CIPs payment system was analyzed. The details of the new Korean CIPs payment system were largely divided into four types: "Business", "Data", "Technique", and "Finance". Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) was used as a performance analysis method for CIPs payment systems.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.3-11
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• 2021

Myanmar is an undeveloped country with high development value among Asian countries. Therefore, various countries including the U.S. are considering entering the market. In this respect, demand for real estate development project is forecast to grow on increased inflow of foreigners and Myanmar's economic growth. However, Myanmar is a high-risk country in terms of overseas companies, including national risk. In this study, we conducted an in-depth interview with experts (law, finance, technology, and local experts) after analyzing data on Myanmar to extract risk-causing factors. Through this, 106 risk factors were extracted, and the final risk classification system was established by conducting three-time groupings using the affinity diagramming. And the relative importance of each factor was presented using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique. As a result, the country-related risk, the fund-related risk, and the pre-sale-related risk were highly important. The research results are expected to provide risk management standards to companies entering the Myanmar real estate development type project.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.126-133
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• 2021

Background: 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (20(S)-PPD), one of the aglycone derivatives of major ginsenosides, has been shown to have an anticancer activity toward a variety of cancers. This study was initiated with an attempt to evaluate its anti-cancer activity toward human endometrial cancer by cell and xenograft mouse models. Methods: Human endometrial cancer (HEC)-1A cells were incubated with different 20(S)-PPD concentrations. 20(S)-PPD cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using the annexin V binding assay and cell cycle analysis. Cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and activated caspase-9 were assessed using western blotting. HEC-1A cell tumor xenografts in athymic mice were generated by inoculating HEC-1A cells into the flank of BALB/c female mice and explored to validate 20(S)-PPD anti-endometrial cancer toxicity. Results: 20(S)-PPD inhibited HEC-1A cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 3.5 μM at 24 h. HEC-1A cells morphologically changed after 20(S)-PPD treatment, bearing resemblance to Taxol-treated cells. Annexin V-positive cell percentages were 0%, 10.8%, and 58.1% in HEC-1A cells when treated with 0, 2.5, and 5 μM of 20(S)-PPD, respectively, for 24 h. 20(S)-PPD subcutaneously injected into the HEC-1A cell xenograft-bearing mice three times a week for 17 days manifested tumor growth inhibition by as much as 18% at a dose of 80 mg/kg, which sharply contrasted to controls that showed an approximately 2.4-fold tumor volume increase. These events paralleled caspase-9 activation and PARP cleavage. Conclusion: 20(S)-PPD inhibits endometrial cancer cell proliferation by inducing cell death via a caspase-mediated apoptosis pathway. Therefore, the 20(S)-PPD-like ginsenosides are endowed with ample structural information that could be utilized to develop other ginsenoside-based anticancer agents.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2021

The purpose of the study is to explore the personal experiences and efforts of science teachers, who have worked in science core schools over the years, in order to evaluate the educational effects and implications of science core school policies. To achieve this purpose, we conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve individual science teachers who have operated programs and curriculum at science core schools. The results provided three case studies presenting how the teachers operated curriculum and how they perceived the benefits of science core schools and identified some commonalities in their experiences and perceptions through cross-case discussions. Three teachers in case studies presented different teaching orientations for science core schools, but they positively perceived its benefits and were very satisfied with the school environment and financial supports from government even though they had more burdens on work. In cross-case analysis among 12 teachers, the teachers commonly presented their passion and enthusiasm for organizing and implementing various extra-curriculum science activities. They believed that such efforts contributed to encouraging their students to consider their careers in science and engineering fields in college. And the differentiated school program has increased reputation and preference for the school from local parents and students. In addition, they felt that these efforts brought their own growth and professional development as science teachers.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.251-255
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• 2021

a-Si is commonly considered as a primary candidate for the formation of passivation layer in heterojunction (HIT) solar cells. However, there are some problems when using this material such as significant losses due to recombination and parasitic absorption. To reduce these problems, a wide bandgap material is needed. A wide bandgap has a positive influence on effective transmittance, reduction of the parasitic absorption, and prevention of unnecessary epitaxial growth. In this paper, the adoption of a-SiO_x:H as the intrinsic layer was discussed. To increase lifetime and conductivity, oxygen concentration control is crucial because it is correlated with the thickness, bonding defect, interface density (D_it), and band offset. A thick oxygen-rich layer causes the lifetime and the implied open-circuit voltage to drop. Furthermore the thicker the layer gets, the more free hydrogen atoms are etched in thin films, which worsens the passivation quality and the efficiency of solar cells. Previous studies revealed that the lifetime and the implied voltage decreased when the a-SiOx thickness went beyond around 9 nm. In addition to this, oxygen acted as a defect in the intrinsic layer. The D_it increased up to an oxygen rate on the order of 8%. Beyond 8%, the D_it was constant. By controlling the oxygen concentration properly and achieving a thin layer, high-efficiency HIT solar cells can be fabricated.

• Journal of Platform Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.10-31
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• 2021

The digital tax, recently referred to as the Google tax was finally agreed at the 31st General Assembly of the OECD (October 8, 2021) with full support by 136 countries and will take effect from 2023. The purpose of this study is to analyze the digital tax prepared by the OECD for global MNEs, and to suggest the impacts on the Korean industry and to present the Korean governmental countermeasures. As the first study, we analyzed the international agreement on digital tax. In results, we found that even if global MNEs do not set up a business operation in overseas countries, if sales and profits are generated, 25% of the excess profit is borne as tax (pillar 1), and when MNEs do business in all the countries, they are liable to at least a 15% tax (pillar 2). We think that countries around the world have prepared a minimum countermeasure to protect their companies in anticipation that global MNEs will easily encroach on their markets in the future. As the second study, in order to discover the reason why the MNEs are so strong, we investigated the trends of Google and B2B SaaS companies in details. In results, we discovered that the global MNEs establishes a digital platform partnership ecosystem that enables them to enter foreign markets easily and expand rapidly. In conclusion, as a countermeasure for the Republic of Korea, governmental policies were proposed at the corporate (startup nurturing), industry, and national level respectively.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study was conducted as part of research to promote garden diversity and seek sustainable garden management plans, as well as to determine the trends in understanding and use of companion plants as an eco-friendly farming method and provide the results as the basic data for sustainable urban agriculture. Methods: To determine the trends in garden activities, eco-friendly pest control, and use of companion plants, a survey was conducted on 230 urban residents participating in the Urban Agriculture Expert course. 223 copies of the questionnaire were collected excluding missing values, and IBM SPSS statistics Ver. 25 Program was used for frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and regression analysis. Results: Most of the respondents were female (71.3%), homemakers (26.5%), were in their 50s (29.1%), and had 2 members in the family (27.8%). 164 respondents (73.5%) had experience in gardening, most of them once a week (31.7%) and for self-consumption (55.5%). Both men and women raised crops for safe food production (32.3%), and they most preferred the city garden type (39.9%). For the preparation of nourishment for eco-friendly garden management, most respondents (60.1%) purchased fertilizers from the market. For the reason why eco-friendly pest control is necessary, all respondents except 4 of them (98.2%) responded that it is necessary 'because it affects my health as I eat it (73.5%)', indicating that they still had a high level of interest in health. Only 43.9% of the respondents said that they had heard of companion plants, 89.2% responded that companion plants were effective in eco-friendly management, and 87.4% showed the will to participate in gardening using companion plants in the future. Finally, the regression analysis confirmed that the awareness of companion plants and satisfaction with gardening activities are key variables that increase the intention to participate in gardening activities in the future. Conclusion: Since plants require special care depending on the period and various diseases and insect pests occur, there must be continuous research on companion plants as an eco-friendly farming method. Moreover, by actively using companion plants in urban gardens with the utility value in not only eco-friendly pest control but also in helping plant growth, urban agriculture is expected to be continuously activated and promoted by increasing satisfaction in gardening activities with aesthetic landscaping and pest control.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.105-115
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• 2023

This study seeks to find a way to induce users to expand their direct participation in sports through the acceptance of digital technology. From July 1 to August 30, 2022, a survey was conducted targeting home training users who applied the Internet of Things (IoT). 129 people participated in the survey through non-face-to-face self-administration method. For data processing, frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and 3-step mediation regression analysis were conducted using IBM's SPSS 21.0 program. The results of the study are as follows. First, in the relationship between the home training PPM model and direct participation in sports, ease appeared to have a mediating effect. In the factors of push, simple functionality showed a complete mediating effect, and inefficiency showed a partial mediating effect. Among pull factors, enjoyment and possibility of experience showed a complete mediating effect. In the mooring factors, individual innovativeness showed a complete mediating effect. Second, in the relationship between home training PPM model and direct participation in sports, usefulness showed a mediating effect. In the factors of push, simple functionality showed a complete mediating effect, and inefficiency showed a partial mediating effect. Among pull factors, enjoyment and possibility of experience showed a complete mediating effect. Among the mooring factors, individual innovativeness showed a partial mediating effect. Through this research, it is expected that the sports industry will contribute to the expansion of consumption expenditure and economic growth through the expansion of digital technologies such as NFT, Metaverse, and virtual/augmented reality.