• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.150-159
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• 2008

The marine litter generated as by-products of human activities and economic development enters to the sea through rivers or stream Indirectly, and through sea-based activities directly. It is commonly comprised of materials that degrade very slowly, such as various plastic products, polystyrene, glass, rubber, metal, wood, derelict fishing nets, wire, rope and so on. Such litter is found in the water column and on the seafloor as well as coastal areas In the Northwest Pacific region. It causes injury or death of human and other living organisms and also accident or damage of the vessel. It is not only a problem of country but also regional and/or global problem because it is transported by currents and winds from one country to another. In this regard, Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) Marine Litter Activity (MALITA) project had been carried out during 2006-2007 biennium and NOWPAP Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) has been also continuously implemented in the 2008-2009 biennium as next phase step of MALITA. MERRAC, one of four Regional Activity Centres (RACs) of NOWPAP, has developed monitoring guidelines, sectoral guidelines, and brochures related to sea-based marine litter and port reception facilities and services through MALITA project. Based upon these output, MERRAC will continuously implement relevant activities of RAP MALI in order to help to establish and improve a regional mechanism to deal with the sea-based marine litter problem. This paper aims to introduce MERRAC activities under MALITA and RAP MALI, and to suggest several recommendations to reduce marine litter in the NOWPAP region.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.155-158
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• 2016

The effect of microsilica content modified with silicone-modified epoxy on electrical and mechanical properties of cycloaliphatic epoxy/microsilica system was investigated. The cycloaliphatic epoxy resin was diglycidyl 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate and curing agent was an anhydride. Surface of microsilica was modified with silicone-modified epoxy. Electrical breakdown strength, the most important property for electrical insulation materials was tested. Tensile and flexural tests were also performed using universal testing machine (UTM). The microcomposite with 60 wt% microsilica shows maximum values in electrical breakdown strength.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.98-101
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• 2011

A 10 nm nano-silica was introduced to a conventional 3 ${\mu}M$ micro-silica composite to develop an eco-friendly new electric insulation material for heavy electric equipment. Thermal and mechanical properties, such as glass transition temperature (Tg), dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile and flexural strength, were studied. The mechanical results were estimated by comparing scale and shape parameters in Weibull statistical analysis. The thermal and mechanical properties of conventional epoxy/micro-silica composite were improved by the addition of nano-silica. This was due to the increment of the compaction via the even dispersion of the nano-silica among the micro-silica particles.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.135-139
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• 2011

In an effort to develop new electrical insulation materials, four different kinds of organically modified layered silicate were incorporated into an epoxy matrix to prepare nanocomposites for electrical insulation. Five wt% of organically modified layered silicates were processed in a planetary centrifugal mixer in an epoxy matrix, and the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the cured epoxy/layered silicate were investigated. The morphology of the nanoscale silicate dispersed in the epoxy matrix was observed using transmission electron microscopy, and the interlayer distance was measured by wide-angle X-ray scattering diffraction analysis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.2055-2060
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• 2015

Purpose: To present information about prognostic factors of gastric cancer patients treated in our Erzurum center including age, gender, tumour location, pathological grade, stage and the effect of treatment on survival. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was performed on patients who applied to our clinic and diagnosed as gastric cancer. Age and gender of the patients, primary location, histopathological characteristics, TNM stage of the gastric cancers (GCs), treatment applied, oncological treatment modalities and survival outcomes were studied. A univariate analysis of potential prognostic factors was performed with the log-rank test for categorical factors and parameters with a p value < 0.05 at the univariate step were included in the multivariate regression. Results: A total of 228 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of gastric cancer were included in the study with a male/female ratio of 1.47. Median follow-up period was estimated as 22.3 (range, 3 to 96) months. When diagnosis of the patients at admission was analysed, stage III patients were most frequently encountered (n=147; 64.5%). One hundred and twenty-six (55.3%) underwent surgical treatment, while 117 (51.3%) were given adjuvant chemotherapy. Median overall survival time was 18.0 (${\pm}1.19$) months. Mean overall survival rates for 1, 2, 3 and 5 years were $68{\pm}0.031%$, $36{\pm}0.033%$, $24{\pm}0.031%$and $15.5{\pm}0.036%$, respectively. Univariate variables found to be significant for median OS in the multivariate analysis were evaluated with Cox regression analysis. A significant difference was found among TNM stage groups, location of the tumour and postoperative adjuvant treatment receivers (p values were 0.011, 0.025 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: This study revealed that it is possible to achieve long-term survival of gastric cancer with early diagnosis. Besides, in locally advanced GC patients, curative resection followed by adjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy based on the McDonald regimen was an independent prognostic factor for survival.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.293-316
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• 2002

This study aims to identify changes that have occurred in the regional structure and locational characteristics of the Najin-Seonbong Economic and Trade Zone established in North Korea in 1991. In order to analyze land use patterns as variables of change in the regional structure, an field trip data, satellite imagery and other materials about the region are examined. In terms of its location as a major regional transit hub, the Najin-seonbong Economic and Trade Zone has not been supported by the required infrastructural developments and the establishment of the export processing zones has exposed the lack of vital links with local networks and industry. Thus, despite the fact that the local government has made a lot of effort in attracting foreign investment over the past decade, little progress has been made and the region has not changed. By and large, its operational efficiency and potential for development as a major export processing zone has been relatively limited. In the long w, prospects for the region's emergence as a major economic player will depend on the North Korean Govemment's policy in tackling the various infrastructural deficiencies.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.509-515
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The root of Vitis amurensis Ruprecht, a sort of wild-growing grape, has been used in oriental medicine for treatment of skin ailments; however, its dermatological activity is not sufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to investigate tyrosinase inhibitory and anti-melanogenic activities of V. amurensis Ruprecht root methanol extract (VARM) in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and to attempt to isolate and identify the active compound issued from VARM. MATERIALS/METHODS: Anti-melanogenic activity of VARM was analyzed in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)-stimulated B16F10 cells through evaluation of antioxidative activity as well as inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin contents compared with those of kojic acid and arbutin. After anti-melanogenic analysis of VARM, serial fractionation, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and thin layer chromatorgraphy (TLC) were applied for identification of active compounds contained in VARM. RESULTS: VARM significantly inhibited oxidative stress and tyrosinase activity and attenuated ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanin production in B16F10 cells. For isolation of active compounds, VARM was fractionated using a series of organic solvents, including dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol (n-BuOH). Among fractions showing anti-melanogenic activity, the CH2Cl2 fraction induced the most potent attenuation of melanogenesis without cytotoxicity and the major compound in the $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction was identified as betulinic acid. Betulinic acid isolated from the $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction of VARM significantly attenuated ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanogenesis in a dose dependent manner, which was stronger than that of arbutin used as a positive control. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that VARM inhibits oxidative stress, tyrosinase activity, and ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 cells, due primarily to the active compound, betulinic acid, in the $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8815-8822
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• 2014

Background: The incidence of stomach cancer in India is highest in the state of Mizoram. In this population based matched case-control study, we evaluated the relationship between CYP450 2E1 RsaI polymorphism and risk of stomach cancer taking into considering various important dietary habits along with tobacco, alcohol consumption and H. pylori infection status. Materials and Methods: A total of 105 histologically confirmed stomach cancer cases and 210 matched healthy population controls were recruited. CYP2E1 RsaI genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP and H. pylori infection status by ELISA. Information on various dietary, tobacco and alcohol habits was recorded in a standard questionnaire. Results: Our study revealed no significant association between the CYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism and overall risk of stomach cancer in Mizoram. However, we observed a non-significant protective effect of the variant allele (A) of CYP2E1 against stomach cancer. Tobacco smokers carrying C/C genotype have three times more risk of stomach cancer, as compared to non-smokers carrying C/C genotype. Both Meiziol and cigarette current and past smokers who smoked for more than 10 times per day and carrying the (C/C) genotype are more prone to develop stomach cancer. Smoke dried fish and preserved meat (smoked/sun dried) consumers carrying C/C genotype possesses higher risk of stomach cancer. No significant association between H. pylori infection and CYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism in terms of stomach cancer was observed. Conclusions: Although no direct association between the CYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism and stomach cancer was observed, relations with different tobacco and dietary risk habits in terms of developing stomach cancer exist in this high risk population of north-eastern part of India. Further in-depth study recruiting larger population is required to shed more light on this important problem.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2001

Purpose: Normal aging results in detectable changes in the brain structure and function. We evaluated the changes of regional cerebral glucose metabolism in the normal aging process with FDG PET. Materials and Methods: Brain PET images were obtained in 44 healthy volunteers (age range 20-69 'y'; M:F = 29:15) who had no history of neuropsychiatric disorders. On 6 representative transaxial images, ROIs were drawn in the cortical and subcortical areas. Regional FDG uptake was normalized using whole brain uptake to adjust for the injection dose and correct for nonspecific declines of glucose metabolism affecting all brain areas equally. Results: In the prefrontal, temporoparietal and primary sensorimotor cortex, the normalized FDG uptake (NFU) reached a peak in subjects in their 30s. The NFU in the prefrontal and primary sensorimotor cortex declined with age after 30s at a rate of 3.15%/decade and 1.93%/decade, respectively. However, the NFU in the temporoparietal cortex did not change significantly with age after 30s. The anterior (prefrontal) posterior (temporoparietal) gradient peaked in subjects in their 30s and declined with age thereafter at a rate of 2.35%/decade. The NFU in the caudate nucleus was decreased with age after 20s at a rate of 2.39%/decade. On the primary visual cortex, putamen, and thalamus, the NFU values did not change significantly throughout the ages covered. These patterns were not significantly different between right and left cerebral hemispheres. Of interest was that the NFU in the left cerebellar cortex was increased with age after 20s at a rate of 2.86%/decade. Conclusion: These data demonstrate regional variation of the age-related changes in the cerebral glucose metabolism, with the most prominent age-related decline of metabolism in the prefrontal cortex. The increase in the cerebellar metabolism with age might reflect a process of neuronal plasticity associated with aging.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.59-73
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• 2001

This thesis aims to explore the effects of ecotourism in New Zealand as a foreign area study and investigate spatial implications of ecotourism in geographical context. In addition, this research pursuit to provide effective regional policies for ecotourism in Korea. To achieve the objectives this research carried out literature review before taking field survey in New Zealand. The survey was undertaken for three times in New Zealand. Using the materials such as data collection and interviews, the effects of the ecotourism were investigated. The effects of the ecotourism in New Zealand not only have presented environmental conservation and educational feedbacks to the ecotourists, but also contributed to development of regional economy. In addition, the collaboration of the governmental policies has supported the ecotour environments and active involvement of residents that resulted the effects of the ecotourism in New Zealand. Therefore, the ecotour industry has been able to foster stable economic development in long-term and provide educational opportunities for ecotourists to recap environmental importance. These benefits that the ecotour resources provide have contributed to accomplish the main purposes of the tour industry in New Zealand where natural environment has been identified as the mostly highest priority to be preserved for their tour industry. These effects have led aggressive activities of the ecotour development of central and local governments and local residents The ecotourism in Korea has not still achieved the real benefits which meet environmental conservation, regional economic advantages and educational effects. To obtain the effects, therefore, it needs close collaboration with governmental activities and close involvement of local residents. For this, the case studies of New Zealand present a good examples of how to success the ecotour as a set of tour industrial resource.