• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7619-7625
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• 2015

Background: Aberrant microRNA expression has been associated with the pathogenesis of a variety of human malignancies including oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In this study, we examined primary oral SCCs for the expression of 6 candidate miRNAs, of which five (miR-34a, miR-143, miR-373, miR-380-5p, and miR-504) regulate the tumor suppressor TP53 and one (miR-99a) is involved in AKT/mTOR signaling. Materials and Methods: Tumor tissues (punch biopsies) were collected from 52 oral cancer patients and as a control, 8 independent adjacent normal tissue samples were also obtained. After RNA isolation, we assessed the mature miRNA levels of the 6 selected candidates against RNU44 and RNU48 as endogenous controls, using specific TaqMan miRNA assays. Results: miR-34a, miR-99a, miR-143 and miR-380-5p were significantly down-regulated in tumors compared to controls. Moreover, high levels of miR-34a were associated with alcohol consumption while those of miR-99a and miR-143 were associated with advanced tumor size. No significant difference was observed in the levels of miR-504 between the tumors and controls whereas miR-373 was below the detection level in all but two tumor samples. Conclusions: Low levels of miR-380-5p and miR-504 that directly target the 3'UTR of TP53 suggest that p53 may not be repressed by these two miRNAs in OSCC. On the other hand, low levels of miR-34a or miR-143 may relieve MDM4 and SIRT1 or MDM2 respectively, which will sequester p53 indicating an indirect mode of p53 suppression in oral tumors.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.236-247
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• 2020

This study was conducted with the aim of developing inspection tools to select and measure human resource figures and appropriate core competency of the educational goals pursued by S universities. Therefore, key competency factors were defined consistent with concept of talented figures and educational objectives of S universities, inspection tools were developed to measure core competences, and directions are presented for future education policies and curriculum compilation and securing data for rational operation. Based on key competency indicators, questions were developed in a self-reporting form that measures the consent level of the respondents by comprising seven areas of competence, 16 small areas (sub-capacity), and 46 questions. The main Test conducted an analysis of the questionnaires based on the survey results of 2,486 people to ensure the validity of the inspection by conducting a positive factor analysis and reliability analysis. The core competency diagnostic tool of S university is meaningful in this study which verifies the effectiveness of the curriculum and programs conducted at S university and as the first step for the rational operation of the core competency certification system to improve the competency appropriate for students.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2009

Auto-navigation algorithm have been studied to avoid collision and grounding of a ship due to human error. There have been many research on collision avoidance algorithms but they have been validated little on the real coastal traffic situation. In this study, a Collision Avoidance algorithm is developed by using Fuzzy algorithm and the concept of Changeable Action Space Searching (CAS). In the first step, on a basis of collision risk calculated from fuzzy algorithm in the current time(t=to), alternative Action Space for collision avoidance is planned. In the second step, next alternative Action Space for collision avoidance in the future($t=to+{\Delta}t$) is corrected and re-planned with re-evaluated collision risk. In the third step, the safest and most effective course among Action Space is selected by using optimization method in real time. In this paper, the main features of the developed collision avoidance algorithm (CAS) are introduced. CAS is implemented in the ship-handling simulator of MOERI. The performance of CAS is tested on the situation of open sea with 3 traffic ships, whose position is assumed to be informed from AIS. Own-ship is fully autonomously navigated by autopilot including the collision avoidance algorithm, CAS. Experimental results show that own-ship can successfully avoid the collision against traffic ships and the calculated courses from CAS are reasonable.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.25
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• pp.83-150
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• 1993

Traditionally, the emphasis of the information services had been placed on the information provider's knowledge of information sources or information systems. However, in view of the increasing complexity of the information environment. and changes taking place in information professions the evaluation of the information services has callded for further research in interpersonal communication aspects of the librarian user interface especially that which links to user satisfaction. This experimental study was carried out for the purpose of exploring the implications of nonverbal behaviors in measuring user satisfaction in the light of the fact that the meaning of nonverbal clues includes more than verbal communication especially in dealing with variable barriers even though they operate at low levels of awareness. In this sense, among the wide range of nonverbal communication areas in particular kinesics, artifacts and the proximics were examined to suggest alternative model which can be applied effectively in our specific set of information work environment. Two major university libraries and two research libraries in Korea were chosen and visited for the anlysis and per each refernce/information interview the librarian's nonverbal behaviors were checked on the observer's checklist and the qustionnaires completed by the user at a time. On the basis of these data firstly, the relation of user satisfaction concerned with the librarian's nonverbal communication to user satisfaction with information services was analyzed and the possible communication barriers were investigated. In addition, the effect of training the information librarian with positive nonverbal communication skills on the user's satisfaction was analyzed in a SAS computer program in the area of kinesics. On the other hand, the effect of other nonverbal behaviors such as proximics and artifacts known very important clues to improving a complex human interaction was discussed along with their experimental results. In conclusion, it was found that most of users were not sensitive to the importance of nonverbal behaviors exposed by the information librarian, but it was proved that the ultimate user satisfaction and the satisfaction of the librarian's nonverbal behaviors are correlated positively, Moreover, nonverbal behaviors displayed by the trained librarian toward the user had a considerable effect on the user's evalution of information services compared with those by the untrained. These findings imply that in order to control the librarian's nonverbal behaviors and to help the user overcome his barriers the information librarian as a specialist needs to assure and modify willilingly his communication behavior. Without making effective use of such nonverbal communication, information librarian could not expect to meet the user's information needs either. However, when these positive nonverbal behaviors are applied it would be highly desirable to be aware of cultural and contextual differences. With regard to increasing information services success the applicable nonverbal communication model for library management and education can be suggested as below.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to examine the characteristics of joint kinematics and synchronicity of rowing motion between elite and non-elite rowers. Methods: Two elite and two non-elite rowers performed rowing strokes (3 trials, 20 strokes in each trial) at three different stroke rates (20, 30, 40 stroke/min) on two stationary rowing ergometers. The rowing motions of the rowers were captured using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system (8-infrared camera VICON system, Oxford, UK). The range of motion (RoM) of the knee, hip, and elbow joints on the sagittal plane, the lead time ($T_{Lead}$) and the drive time $T_{Drive}$) for each joint, and the elapsed time for the knee joint to maintain a fully extended position ($T_{Knee}$) during the stroke were analyzed and compared between elite and non-elite rowers. Synchronicity of the rowing motion within and between groups was examined using coefficients of variation (CV) of the $T_{Drive}$ for each joint. Results: Regardless of the stroke rate, the RoM of all joints were greater for the elite than for non-elite rowers, except for the RoMs of the knee joint at 30 stroke/min and the elbow joint at 40 stroke/min (p < .05). Although the $T_{Lead}$ at all stroke rates were the same between the groups, the $T_{Drive}$ for each joint was shorter for the elite than for the non-elite rowers. During the drive phase, elite rowers kept the fully extended knee joint angle longer than the non-elite rowers (p < .05). The CV values of the TDrive within each group were smaller for the elite compared with non-elite rowers, except for the CV values of the hip at all stroke/min and elbow at 40 stroke/min. Conclusion: The elite, compared with non-elite, rowers seem to be able to perform more powerful and efficient rowing strokes with large RoM and a short $T_{Drive}$ with the same $T_{Lead}$.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2019

Purpose: Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the most common types of poisoning and a major health problem worldwide. Treatment options are limited to normobaric oxygen therapy, administered using a non-rebreather face mask or hyperbaric oxygen. Compared to conventional oxygen therapy, high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) creates a positive pressure effect through high-flow rates. The purpose of this human pilot study is to determine the effects of HFNC on the rate of CO clearance from the blood, in patients with mild to moderate CO poisoning. Methods: CO-poisoned patients were administered 100% oxygen from HFNC (flow of 60 L/min). The fraction of COHb (fCOHb) was measured at 30-min intervals until it decreased to under 10%, and the half-life time of fCOHb (fCOHb t_1/2) was subsequently determined. Results: At the time of ED arrival, a total of 10 patients had fCOHb levels ≥10%, with 4 patients ranging between 10% and 50%. The mean rate of fCOHb elimination patterns exhibits logarithmic growth curves that initially increase quickly with time (HFNC equation, Y=0.3388*X+11.67). The mean fCOHbt_1/2 in the HFNC group was determined to be 48.5±12.4 minutes. Conclusion: In patients with mild to moderate CO poisoning, oxygen delivered via high flow nasal cannula is a safe and comfortable method to treat acute CO toxicity, and is effective in reducing the COHb half-life. Our results indicate HFNC to be a promising alternative method of delivering oxygen for CO toxicity. Validating the effectiveness of this method will require larger studies with clinical outcomes.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.165-178
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• 2017

Background: Traditional Korean Sasang constitutional (SC) medicine categorizes individuals into four constitutional types [Tae-eum (TE), So-eum (SE), Tae-yang (TY), or So-yang (SY)] based on biological and physiological characteristics. As these characteristics are closely related to the bioenergetics of the human body, we assessed the correlation between SC type and energy metabolism features. Methods: Forty healthy, young ($22.3{\pm}1.4$ years) males volunteered to participate in this study. Participants answered an SC questionnaire, and their face shape, voice tone, and body shape were assessed using an SC analysis tool. Thirty-one participants (10 TE, 10 SE, 3 TY, and 8 SY) were selected for further analysis. Collected blood samples were subjected to blood composition analysis, mitochondrial function analysis, and whole-exome sequencing. Results: The SY type showed significantly lower total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than the SE type. Cellular and mitochondrial Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were similar across types. All types showed similar basal mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates, whereas the TE type showed a significantly lower ATP-linked oxygen consumption rate than the other types. Whole-exome sequencing identified several genes variants that were exclusively detected in particular SC types, including 19 for SE, seven for SY, 11 for TE, and six for TY. Conclusion: SC type-specific differences in mitochondrial function and gene mutations were detected in a small group of healthy, young Korean males. These results are expected to greatly improve the accurate screening and utilization of SC medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

Climate change is the issue that attracts the most attention in the field of environment, as well as the most challenging task faced by the human race. There are various ways to resolve this issue. South Korea has established the primary and secondary national climate change adaptation plans at the national level, and is making it compulsory for each local government (lower and municipal-level) to establish climate change adaptation plans. Climate change vulnerability assessment plays an essential role in establishing climate change adaptation action plans. However, vulnerability assessment has a difficulty performing individual assessments since the results are produced through complex calculations of multiple impact factors. Accordingly, this study developed a web-based supporting tool(VESTAP) for climate change vulnerability assesment that can be used by lower and municipal-level local governments. The VESTAP consists of impact DB and vulnerability assessment and display tool. The index DB includes total 455 impacts of future climate data simulated with RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) 4.5 and 8.5, atmospheric environment data, other humanities and social statistics, and metadata. The display tool has maximized convenience by providing various analytical functions such as spatial distribution, bias and schematization of each vulnerability assessment result. A pilot test of health vulnerability assessment by particulate matters in Sejong Metropolitan Autonomous City was performed using the VESTAP, and Bukang-myeon showed the highest vulnerability. By using the developed tool, each local government is expected to be able to establish climate change adaptation action plans more easily and conveniently based on scientific evidence.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.88-103
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• 2001

It is one of the important tasks to accurately grasp features of the devastated land to revegetate the denuded, volcanic land. In the present report three factors of such features were discussed : the ash fall phenomenon the overflow of surface water, and the generation of sulfurous acid gas, which are all usual, harmful factors for the successful growth of introduced plants to such area. In addition, it is indicated that to overcome those harmful factors some artificial tools should be applied in such regions before the introduction of pioneer tree species such as Pinus thunbergii and etc. In our three-year pilot study it is found out that the use of mulching sheets developed originally by research members combined together with symbiotic microorganisms such as Pisolithus tinctorus Coker et Couch f. tinctorius was very effective. Experimental plots surveyed throughly in Mt. Fugendake in Nagasaki Prefecture and Mt. Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture showed successful revegetation as models. Finally, for the revegetation of the denuded, volcanic land it is recommended that mulching sheets should be used together with symbiotic microorganisms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2016

Although high mammographic density is one of the strongest predictors of breast cancer risk, X-ray based mammography cannot be performed before the recommended screening age, especially not in adolescents and young women. Therefore, new techniques for breast density measurement are of interest. In this pilot study in Guam and Hawaii, we evaluated a radiation-free, bioimpedance device called Electrical Breast Densitometer$^{TM}$ (EBD; senoSENSE Medical Systems, Inc., Ontario, Canada) for measuring breast density in 95 women aged 31-82 years and 41 girls aged 8-18 years. Percent density (PD) was estimated in the women's most recent mammogram using a computer-assisted method. Correlation coefficients and linear regression were applied for statistical analysis. In adult women, mean EBD and PD values of the left and right breasts were $230{\pm}52$ and $226{\pm}50{\Omega}$ and $23.7{\pm}15.1$ and $24.2{\pm}15.2%$, respectively. The EBD measurements were inversely correlated with PD ($r_{Spearman}=-0.52$, p<0.0001); the correlation was stronger in Caucasians ($r_{Spearman}=-0.70$, p<0.0001) than Asians ($r_{Spearman}=-0.54$, p<0.01) and Native Hawaiian/Chamorro/Pacific Islanders ($r_{Spearman}=-0.34$, p=0.06). Using 4 categories of PD (<10, 10-25, 26-50, 51-75%), the respective mean EBD values were $256{\pm}32$, $249{\pm}41$, $202{\pm}46$, and $178{\pm}43{\Omega}$ (p<0.0001). In girls, the mean EBD values in the left and right breast were $148{\pm}40$ and $155{\pm}54{\Omega}$; EBD values decreased from Tanner stages 1 to 4 ($204{\pm}14$, $154{\pm}79$, $136{\pm}43$, and $119{\pm}16{\Omega}$ for stages 1-4, respectively) but were higher at Tanner stage 5 ($165{\pm}30{\Omega}$). With further development, this bioimpedance method may allow for investigations of breast development among adolescent, as well as assessment of breast cancer risk early in life and in populations without access to mammography.