• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.77-87
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• 2021

The color gray in the cinema expresses the private or public memory and oblivion in the reminiscence scenes. The aesthetic function and meaning of gray that interacts with other elements in cinematic time and space are expanded in various ways. This study was analyzed the cases in which gray was used as the main visual style by limiting the scope to Korean films. Based on the traditional cultural symbolic meaning of gray, I analyzed how it was applied and transformed in films, and interpreted the cultural-social meaning by the interaction between gray and other elements. In film history starting from monochrome, gray has been used as a visual device suitable for realizing cinematic or imaginary reality. Gray is adopted when dreams or recollections are visualized as imaginary reality, and it is used when dreamy imaginations of daydreaming are demonstrated. Gray, which reproduces the dreamlike reality of imagination, is the concrete and realistic way of expression. First, in Korean films, gray is a flashback visual device that recalls the past, and is an intermediary visual form that materializes the imaginary. In films such as Ode to My Father (2014), DongJu (2015), A Resistance(2019) and The Battle : Roar to Victory (2019), the gray of the past is a visual device for cultural memory that builds the homogeneity and identity of the group. In the era of hyper-visibility, gray in black and white images is intended to be clearly remembered by unfamiliarity rather than blurry oblivion by familiarity. Second, in genre films with disaster materials such as Train To Busan (2016) and Ashfall (2019), the grays of rain, fog, clouds, shadows and smoke highlight other elements, and the gray color causes anxiety and fear. In war films such as TaeGukGi: Brotherhood Of War (2003) and The Front Line (2011), gray shows a more intense brutality than the primary color. In sports films such as 4th Place (2015), Take Off (2009) and Forever The Moment (2007), gray expresses uncertainty and immaturity. Third, gray visualizes the historical memory of A Petal (1996), the oblivion in Oh! My Gran (2020) and Poetry (2010), and the reality of daydreaming Gagman (1988) and Dream (1990). At the boundary between imagination and reality, gray is a visual form of dreams, memories and forgetfulness.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.359-365
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• 2022

This study was to provide teaching and learning strategies to develop a creative sight-singing and ear-training program that aims to design student-centered education. Therefore, the characteristics of the sight-singing and ear-training as well as teaching and learning methods were analyzed through the literature review, and the following meaningful strategies were derived. First, a student-centered teaching environment was promoted by diversifying the teaching environment through small group activities and establishing a sustainable learning environment using MyEarTraining and Musescore applications. Second, teaching and learning strategies were proposed to improve sight-singing and ear-training skills by applying for various teaching and learning methods and cultivating the qualities of a pre-service teacher. This study is expected to be used as meaningful fundamental data in developing specific teaching and learning processes for a creative sight-singing and ear-training program.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.827-843
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mitochondrial DNA leakage leads to inflammatory responses via endosome activation. This study aims to evaluate whether the perennial grass water extract (Pogonatherum panicum) ameliorate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. MATERIALS/METHODS: The major bioactive constituents of P. paniceum (PPW) were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography, after which their antioxidant activities were assessed. In addition, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, resulting in mitochondrial damage. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to examine the gene expression and cytokines. RESULTS: Our results showed that PPW extract-treated activated cells significantly decrease reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels by reducing the p2^phox and iNOS expression and lowering cytokine-encoding genes, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, PG-E2 and IFN-γ relative to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Furthermore, we observed that LPS enhanced the mtDNA leaked into the cytoplasm, increasing the transcription of Tlr9 and signaling both MyD88/Irf7-dependent interferon and MyD88/NF-κb p65-dependent inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression but which was alleviated in the presence of PPW extract. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that PPW extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by facilitating mtDNA leakage and lowering the Tlr9 expression and signaling activation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with twin pregnancy following day 3 double embryo transfer (DET). Methods: This retrospective cohort study incorporated data from 16,972 day 3 DET cycles. The participants were women aged between 18 and 45 years who underwent in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at My Duc Assisted Reproduction Technique Unit (IVFMD), My Duc Hospital, located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Results: Of the 16,972 day 3 DET cycles investigated, 8,812 (51.9%) resulted in pregnancy. Of these, 6,108 cycles led to clinical pregnancy, with 1,543 (25.3% of clinical pregnancies) being twin pregnancies. Factors associated with twin pregnancy included age under 35 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32 to 1.71; p<0.001) and cycles involving the transfer of at least one grade I embryo. Relative to the transfer of two grade III embryos, the risk of twin pregnancy was significantly elevated following the transfer of two grade I embryos (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.69; p<0.001) or a combination of one grade I and one grade II embryo (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.55; p=0.001). Conclusion: By analyzing a large number of IVF/ICSI cycles, we identified several predictors of twin pregnancy. These findings can assist medical professionals in tailoring treatment strategies for couples with infertility.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.162-169
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• 2024

Particulate matter (PM) constitutes a hazardous blend of organic and inorganic particles that poses health risks. Inhalation of fine airborne PM with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 ㎛ (PM_2.5) can lead to significant lung impairments. (+)-afzelechin (AZC), a natural compound sourced from Bergenia ligulata, boasts a range of attributes, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and cardiovascular effects. However, knowledge about the therapeutic potential of AZC for patients with PM_2.5-induced lung injuries remains limited. Thus, in this study, we investigated the protective attributes of AZC against lung damage caused by PM_2.5 exposure. AZC was administered to the mice 30 min after intratracheal instillation of PM_2.5. Various parameters, such as changes in lung tissue wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio, total protein/total cell ratio, lymphocyte counts, levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), vascular permeability, and histology, were evaluated in mice exposed to PM_2.5. Data demonstrated that AZC mitigated lung damage, reduced W/D weight ratio, and curbed hyperpermeability induced by PM_2.5 exposure. Furthermore, AZC effectively lowered plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines produced by PM_2.5 exposure. It reduced the total protein concentration in BALF and successfully alleviated PM_2.5-induced lymphocytosis. Additionally, AZC substantially diminished the expression levels of Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and autophagy-related proteins LC3 II and Beclin 1. In contrast, it elevated the protein phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Consequently, the anti-inflammatory attribute of AZC positions it as a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating PM_2.5-induced lung injuries by modulating the TLR4-MyD88 and mTOR-autophagy pathways.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2020

Foreign students in South Korea face important challenges when they try to maintain their health. As a measure of their motivation to actively build skills for overcoming those challenges, we evaluated the 10-item Consumer Health Activation Index (CHAI), testing its feasibility, dimensionality, and reliability. There were no missing data, there was no floor effect, and for the total scores the ceiling effect was trivial (< 2%). Results of the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test and Bartlett's test of sphericity indicated that the data were suitable for the detection of structure by factor analysis. The results of parallel analysis and the shape of the scree plot supported a two-factor solution. One factor had 3 items concerning "my doctor" and the other factor had the 7 remaining items. Reliability was high for the 10-item CHAI (alpha = 0.856), for the 3-item subscale (alpha = 0.838), and for the 7-item subscale (alpha = 0.857). Reliability could not be improved by deletion of any items. Use of the CHAI to gather data from these foreign students is feasible, and reliable results can be obtained whether one uses the total score from all 10 items or scores from the proposed 7-item and 3-item subscales.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.144-154
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• 1997

This study is planned to gather necessary data for setting up a system on students' health care in the university. In order to obtain statistical data on the students' health care problems especially in 'depression' among the mental health problems of the students, 'The Beck Depression Inventory' by A. T. Beck and 'Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale' by W. W. K. Zung were used for gathering numerical data of scale of depression. It is evident that we have to prepare for further medical examination and health care educations for several students. For these students, it is clear that they have problems not only in mental health but also in physical health. I have screened out the high scored students for comparison and analysis. And it disclosed that we have to build up a periodical and continuous 'Health Screening System' utilizing Health Questionnaire for both physical and mental aspects, which will bring up us the very exact result to pick out any person who has healthy problem among the enormous number of the students with handy, convenient and effective procedures but with the least expense and effort. Also it is my firm confidence that this system will be applicable for primary health care control of mass population in local community or any organization.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.421-428
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• 2015

This research is to understand customer satisfaction with virtual fitting based on a 3D body scanner and avatars as well as differences between avatars and the 'real me'. To this end, this research examined Korean college students to facilitate 3D body scanning, avatar generation and surveys. The author used 3D body scan data with direct measurements to identify differences between the 3D body scan data-based 'my avatar' and 'real me' in the virtual dress fitting system. The survey results on 'the level of customer awareness on 3D body scanner' found that the majority of both genders did not know about it and indicated a lower usability to incorporate IT technology into the fashion industry. The question in the 3D body scanning and avatar found an affirmative attitude. Satisfaction levels on the 3D avatars' similarity with 'own body' and garment fitting were positive and indicated a need for further technological improvements to express the avatars identical to customers' own body. More research is necessary for the accuracy of sizes for 3D body scanning that measure body sizes while wearing clothes. Avatars based on such datamay be less similar to 'own body' and cause customer dissatisfaction. Thus, further technology development is required to narrow gaps using data to make avatars that provide more accurate virtual fitting simulation services to customers.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.27-36
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• 2018

This is qualitative research using grounded theory to examine the experiences that mothers of children with epilepsy can have. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and memo-taking with a total of 13 participants in this study-10 mothers taking care of children with epilepsy and 3 principal informants-and the data were analyzed using the method developed by Strauss and Corbin (1998). As a result of data analysis, 163 concepts, 26 subcategories and 8 categories were formed through open coding. Such categories were analyzed by the paradigm of the grounded theory, and as a result the experiences of the mothers of epileptic children were based on a causal condition of 'confrontation' and the central phenomenon of 'Wandering around the forest under a yoke'. The contextual conditions, which exerted influence on phenomena, were 'stigma cognition', 'personality traits' and 'health of children.' The action/interaction strategy selected by participants was 'Quietly pulling through: Bracing myself, Getting to know my enemy and myself, Taking care while hiding, Putting out one step at a time, Establishing a foothold. The intervening condition affecting action/interaction was 'the support system', and its result was 'watching.'

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.491-500
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was done to examine interpersonal relations, hope, professional self-concept and turnover intention according to adult attachment styles in early stage nurses. Methods: A survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted with 245 nurses who work in one of six general hospitals. Additionally, a qualitative method was used to obtain data on experiences in interpersonal relations. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WINdows 14.0 and qualitative data from open question in the survey questionnaire were analyzed using content analysis. Results: There was a significant difference in interpersonal relations, hope, and professional self-concept according to adult attachment styles. In the interpersonal relation of early stage nurses, 8 themes were identified, of which the most frequent were: a comfortable relationship with my co-workers (43%) and stress from the relationship (34%). Conclusion: Findings from this study should be useful in the development of programs to promote adult attachment and professional self-concept for early stage nurses.