• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.531-537
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• 2008

Abnormal activation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) probably plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD). In this report, we evaluated the efficacy of curcumin, a potent $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor, in mdx mice, a mouse model of DMD. We found that it improved sarcolemmic integrity and enhanced muscle strength after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Histological analysis revealed that the structural defects of myofibrils were reduced, and biochemical analysis showed that creatine kinase (CK) activity was decreased. We also found that levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-\alpha$), interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1\beta$) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the mdx mice were decreased by curcumin administration. EMSA analysis showed that $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity was also inhibited. We thus conclude that curcumin is effective in the therapy of muscular dystrophy in mdx mice, and that the mechanism may involve inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity. Since curcumin is a non-toxic compound derived from plants, we propose that it may be useful for DMD therapy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.97-104
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to evaluate sediment yield reduction under various field slope conditions with rice straw mat. The Vegetative Filter Strip Model-W (VFSMOD-W) and Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) were used for simulation of sediment yield reduction effect of rice straw mat. The Universe Soil Loss Equation Practice factor (USLE P factor), being able to reflect simulation of rice straw mat in the agricultural field, were estimated for each slope with VFSMOD-W and measured soil erosion values under 5, 10, and 20 % slopes. Then with the regression equation for slopes, USLE P factor was derived and used as input data for each Hydrological Response Unit (HRU) in the SWAT model. The SWAT Spatially Distributed-HRU (SD-HRU) pre-processor module was utilized, moreover, in order to consider spatial location and topographic features (measured topographic features by field survey) of all HRU within each subwatershed in the study watershed. Result of monthly sediment yield without rice straw mat (Jan. 2000 - Aug. 2007) was 814.72 ton/month, and with rice straw mat (Jan. 2000 - Aug. 2007) was 526.75 ton/month, which was reduced as 35.35 % compared without it. Also, during the rainy season (from Jun. to Sep. 2000 - 2007), when without vs. with rice straw mat, monthly sediment indicated 2,109.54 ton and 1,358.61 ton respectively. It showed about 35.60 % was reduced depending on rice straw mat. As shown in this study, if rice straw mat is used as a Best Management Practice (BMP) in the sloping fields, rainfall-driven sediment yield will be reduced effectively.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.273-286
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• 2020

The pile group foundation is widely used for gravity pier of high-speed railway bridges in China. If a moderate or strong earthquake occurs, the pile-surrounding soil will exhibit obvious nonlinearity and significant pile group effect. In this study, an improved pushover analysis model for the pile group foundation with consideration of pile group effect is presented and validated by the quasi-static test. The improved model uses simplified springs to simulate the soil lateral resistance, side friction and tip resistance. PM (axial load-bending moment) plastic hinge model is introduced to simulate the impact of the axial force changing of pile group on their elastic-plastic characteristics. The pile group effect is considered in stress-stain relations of the lateral soil resistance with a reduction factor. The influence factors on nonlinear characteristics and plastic hinge distribution of the pile group foundation are discussed, including the pier height, longitudinal reinforcement ratio and stirrup ratio of the pile, and soil mechanical parameters. Furthermore, the displacement ductility factor, resistance increase factor and yielding stiffness ratio are provided to evaluate the seismic performance of soil-pile system. A case study for the pile group foundation of a railway simply supported beam bridge with a 32 m-span is conducted by numerical analysis. It is shown that the ultimate lateral force of pile group is not determined by the yielding force of the single one in these piles. Therefore, the pile group effect is essential for the seismic performance evaluation of the railway bridge with pile group foundation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.534-538
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• 2003

Final disposal of radioactive waste generated from Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) requires the detailed knowledge of the natures and quantities of radionuclides in waste package. Many of these radionuclides are difficult to measure and expensive to assay. Thus it is suggested to the Indirect method by which the concentrations of DTM (Difficult-to-Measure) nuclide is decided using the relation of concentrations (Scaling Factor) between Key (Easy-to-Measure) nuclide and DTM nuclide with measured concentrations of Key nuclide. In general, scaling factor is determined by using of log mean average (LMA) and regression. These methods are adequate to apply most corrosion product nuclides. But in case of fission product nuclides and some corrosion product nuclides, the predicted values aren't well matched with the original values. In this study, the models using artificial neural network (ANN) for C-14 and Sr-90 are compared with those using LMA and regression. The assessment of models is executed in the two parts divided by a training part and a validation part. For all of two nuclides in the training part, the predicted values using ANN are well matched with the measured values compared with those using LMA and regression. In the validation part, the accuracy of the predicted values using ANN is better than that using LMA and is similar to or better than that using regression. It is concluded that the predicted values using ANN model are better than those using conventional model in some nuclides and ANN model can be used as the complement of LMA and regression model.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.51-74
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• 2001

A series of tests on concrete-filled SHS (Square Hollow Section) stub columns (twenty), columns (eight) and beam-columns (twenty one) were carried out. The main parameters varied in the tests are (1) Confinement factor (${\xi}$) from 1.08 to 5.64, (2) concrete compression strength from 10.7MPa to 36.6MPa, (3) tube width to thickness ratio from 20.5 to 36.5. (4) load eccentricity (e) from 15 mm to 80 mm and (5) column slenderness (${\lambda}$) from 45 to 75. A mechanics model is developed in this paper for concrete-filled SHS stub columns, columns and beam-columns. A unified theory is described where a confinement factor (${\xi}$) is introduced to describe the composite action between the steel tube and filled concrete. The predicted load versus axial strain relationship is in good agreement with stub column test results. Simplified models are derived for section capacities and modulus in different stages of the composite sections. The predicted beam-column strength is compared with that of 331 beam-column tests with a wide range of parameters. A good agreement is obtained. The predicted load versus midspan deflection relationship for beam-columns is in good agreement with test results. A simplified model is developed for calculating the member capacity of concrete-filled SHS columns. Comparisons are made with predicted columns strengths using the existing codes such as LRFD (AISC 1994), AIJ (1997), and EC4 (1996). Simplified interaction curves are derived for concrete-filled beam-columns.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.11 no.1_2
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• pp.1-10
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• 1996

A decrease in stratospheric ozone probably caused by chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) emissions, has been observed large parts of-the globe. It is generally accepted that if ozone levels in the stratosphere are depleted, greater amounts of shortwave ultraviolet radiationB (UVB) will reach the earth's surface, resulting in increased incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer. In this study, we evaluated several mathematical models, such as a power and an exponential model, and a geometric model considering the surface area of a human body part and ages for the prediction of Skin cancer incidence caused by exposure to the UVB radiation. These models basically estimated the risk of skin cancer based on those measurements of the local ozone in stratosphere and UVB. Both were measured at a part of Seoul with a Dobson ozone spectrometer and Robertson-Berger UV Biometer for 1995. As a result, we calculated the point estimation applying a biological amplification factor (BAF), UVB radiation and other factors. We used a Monte-Carlo simulation technique with assumption on the distribution of each considered factor. The sensitivity analysis of model by there components conducted using Gaussian sensitivity method. The annual integral of UVB radiation was 2275 MED (minimal erythema dose)/yr. Also, an estimate of the annual amount of UVB reaching the earth's surface at a korea's latitude and altitude was 3328 MED/yr. The values of the radiation amplification factor (RAF) were ranged from 0.9 to 1.5 in Seoul. To give the effective factors required to model the prediction of skin cancer incidence caused by exposure to the UVB radiation in Korea, we studied the pros and cons of above mentioned models with the application of those parameters measured in Seoul, Korea.

• Asia Pacific Journal of Business Review
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.37-62
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• 2017

To analyze the effects of R&D expenditure on the firm value of Korean firms, we classified portfolios based on R&D activity levels. After that, we conducted a time-series analysis to assess excess returns from the portfolios. To carry out such an analysis, an empirical analysis of excess returns in the capital market was performed by using the monthly earning rate of stocks from 2000 to 2013. The purpose of this research is to provide basic data on investment to stakeholders in the capital market by analyzing the effects of R&D on the firm value and to overcome scholarly limitations by offering a new model of analysis. The criteria for classifying the portfolios were based on R&D expenditure levels. The analysis models follow the Fama-French Three-Factor Model and the Carhart Four-Factor Model. The analyses results are as follows. Extrapolating monthly profit rates based on R&D expenditure levels, portfolios with low R&D expenditures showed higher earning rates than those with high R&D expenditures. This suggests that high R&D expenditures did not translate into high earning rates. The investor depreciates the R&D expenditures related profitability and the possibility of success in the market, leading to falls in stock prices and a failure to give a positive effect on the firm value. Our research differs from the previous investigations as we carried out an empirical analysis based on the actual investors' attitudes about R&D expenditures and how these can generate excess earnings. Our research results show that the data related to R&D expenditure are not reflected fully in the market.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to explore a correlation model of traffic safety and personality in elderly and non-elderly people. The correlation model is constructed by a factor regression analysis with latent factors and items related to traffic safety consciousness. As a result, it is found that non-elderly people with positive, active, perfectionistic, and unforgiving personality are likely to speed, have a high chance to be involved in traffic accidents, and tend to give low scores to traffic conditions. However, elderly people who are highly educated are likely to give high scores to traffic conditions and do not speed. Instead, elderly people become more likely to be involved in traffic accidents when they are engaged in more social activities. The results could contribute to developing traffic safety education and policy that is better customized to the specific needs of different groups of road users.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.113-136
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to develop meta evaluating indicators for Defense R&D Programs in Korea. At first, the four components of this meta evaluation model were designed, which are evaluation context, evaluation input, evaluation process, evaluation output. And fifty two indicators were developed for this meta evaluation. Basic model of meta evaluation was derived from the literature review and brain storming. And this meta evaluation model was determined by adapting the result of experts who performed evaluations for Defense R&D Programs in recent years. Factor Analysis method was used to verify the validity of meta evaluation model. The survey of fifty three members turned out that Cronbach' ${\alpha}$ was over 0.6 in evaluation components and items. And the reliability of evaluation context was 0.877, that of evaluation input was 0.755, that of evaluation process was 0.755, that of evaluation output was 0.755 respectively. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used in assigning the evaluation weight. The survey of twenty two members showed that the Consistency Ratio was 0.09 in evaluation components and items.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.151-175
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• 2013

This study investigates the potential components for academic research collaboration, and the factors that make it possible to achieve higher academic productivity. The components include collaboration factors and a collaboration model. We use two major collaboration factors to develop a framework for understanding the mechanisms that influence academic research collaborations: motivational factors and mediating factors. Motivational factors include self-motivation and trust whereas mediating factors are collaboration orientation and peer support. We analyze the effect for use of e-collaboration with research performance, reward, and satisfaction with e-research output. A survey of academicians was conducted, and by using the factor analysis and the structural equation model with SPSS 20 AMOS, we illustrate the possible influence of these factors on research performance and satisfaction. We discovered that both motivational and mediating factors play important roles on the success of academic research. This study offers several implications for academicians. We develop a parsimonious research model, which is related to e-collaboration in academic research. This unique model offers academicians to achieve good publication output from the research team. The motivational factor, self-motivation and trust, are important factors which has received positive impact of mediating factor collaboration orientation and peer support. Our research sheds light on the crucial factors for use of e-collaboration which offer the ultimate effect on performance and satisfaction with e-research output. Satisfaction motivates people to work more and more on the field of their interest, thereby influencing the performance of academicians. Rewards should be distributed according to performance of the individual, which will motivate the person to become more enthusiastic for his work of interest. Our evidence suggests that in understating the collaborative process, one must account for the context in which the collaboration occurs, the motivation of the collaborators, the scope and nature of the project, the roles and activities undertaken, and interpersonal processes such as trust. Researchers' motivations for engaging in collaboration were both instrumental and intrinsic.