• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1206-1212
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• 2023

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays essential roles in regulating various cellular behaviors, including proliferation, survival, and differentiation [1-3]. The intracellular β-catenin level, which is regulated by a proteasomal degradation pathway, is critical to Wnt/β-catenin pathway control [4]. Normally, casein kinase 1 (CK1) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), which form a complex with the scaffolding protein Axin and the tumor suppressor protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), phosphorylate β-catenin at Ser45, Thr41, Ser37, and Ser33 [5, 6]. Phosphorylated β-catenin is ubiquitinated by the β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP), an F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and ubiquitinated β-catenin is degraded via a proteasome pathway [7, 8]. Colorectal cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Abnormal up-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a major pathological event in intestinal epithelial cells during human colorectal cancer oncogenesis [9]. Genetic mutations in the APC gene are observed in familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP) and sporadic colorectal cancers [10]. In addition, mutations in the N-terminal phosphorylation motif of the β-catenin gene were found in patients with colorectal cancer [11]. These mutations cause β-catenin to accumulate in the nucleus, where it forms complexes with transcription factors of the T-cell factor/lymphocyte enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family to stimulate the expression of β-catenin responsive genes, such as c-Myc and cyclin D1, which leads to colorectal tumorigenesis [12-14]. Therefore, downregulating β-catenin response transcription (CRT) is a potential strategy for preventing and treating colorectal cancer. Plant cytokinins are N⁶-substituted purine derivatives; they promote cell division in plants and regulate developmental pathways. Natural cytokinins are classified as isoprenoid (isopentenyladenine, zeatin, and dihydrozeatin), aromatic (benzyladenine, topolin, and methoxytopolin), or furfural (kinetin and kinetin riboside), depending on their structure [15, 16]. Kinetin riboside was identified in coconut water and is a naturally produced cytokinin that induces apoptosis and exhibits antiproliferative activity in several human cancer cell lines [17]. However, little attention has been paid to kinetin riboside's mode of action. In this study, we show that kinetin riboside exerts its cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promoting intracellular β-catenin degradation.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.36-36
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• 2022

The molecular understanding of resistance and susceptibility of host plants to scab, a most threatful disease to pome fruit production worldwide, is very limited. Comparing resistant line '93-3-98' to susceptible one 'Sweet Skin' at seven time points of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 days post inoculation, RNA-sequencing data derived from infected and mock-inoculated young leaves were analyzed to evaluate the tolerant response and to mine candidate genes of pear to the scab pathogen Venturia nashicola. Analysis of the mapped reads showed that the infection of V. nashicola led to significant differential expression of 17,827 transcripts with more than 3-fold change in the seven pairs of libraries, of which 9,672 (54%) are up- and 8,155(46%) are down-regulated. These included mainly receptor (NB-ARC domains-containing, CC-NBS-LRR, TIR-NBS-LRR, seven transmembrane MLO family protein) and transcription factor (ethylene responsive element binding, WRKY DNA-binding protein) related gene. An arsenal of defense response of highly resistant pear accessions derived from European pear was probably supposed no sooner had V. nashicola infected its host than host genes related to disease suppression like Polyketide cyclase/dehydrase and lipid transport protein, WRKY family transcription factor, lectin protein kinase, cystein-rich RLK, calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding copine protein were greatly boosted and eradicated cascade reaction induced by pathogen within 24 hours. To identify transcripts specifically expressed in response to V. nashicola, RT-PCRs were conducted and compare to the expression patterns of seven cultivars with a range of highly resistant to highly susceptible symptom. A DEG belonging to the PR protein family genes that were higher expressed in response to V. nashicola suggesting extraordinary role in the resistance response were led to the identification. This study provides the first transcriptional profile by RNA-seq of the host plant during scab disease and insights into the response of tolerant pear plants to V. nashicola.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.102-110
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• 2023

PSC-I girder bridges constitute the largest proportion among highway bridges in Korea. According to the precision safety diagnosis data for the past 10 years, approximately 41.3% of the PSC-I bridges have been graded as C. Furthermore, with the increase in the aging of bridges, preemptive management is becoming more important. Damage and deterioration to the deck and girder with a long replacement cylce can have considerable impacts on the service and deterioration of a bridge. In addition, the high rate of device damages, including expansion joints and bearings, necessitates an investigation into the influence of the device damage in the structural members of the bridge. Therefore, this study defined representative PSC-I girder bridges with single and multiple spans to evaluate heterogeneous damages that incorporate the damage of the bridge member and device with the deterioration of the deck. The heterogeneous damages increased a crack area ratio compared to the individual single damage. For the single-span bridge, the occurrence of bearing damage leads to the spread of crack distribution in the girder, and in the case of multi-span bridges, expansion joint damage leads to the spread of crack distribution in the deck. The research underscores that bridge devices, when damaged, can cause subsequent secondary damage due to improper repair and replacement, which emphasizes the need for continuous observation and responsive action to the damages of the main devices.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.43-66
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• 2003

This study was to investigate two main purposes; The first was to explore the factors which have an effect on conceding seats to the old or the weak in subway(concessive action). The second was to examine the influence that the psychological burden and the responsibility had on concessive action and it's gender differences. The results of study 1 showed that affective empathy, morality, and negative-state relief were important inductive factors, while 3 factors were revealed as important inhibitory factors for the concessive action; psychological burden, repulsion for coercive demand for conceding seats and vagueness of concession situation. In study 2, We could find the fact that the psychological burden and the responsibility had a main effect on the concessive action. The more participants felt the psychological burden, they were likely to evaluate that the tendency to concessive action would be decreased. And the more participants felt the responsibility, they were inclined to evaluate that concessive action would be increased. Secondly, the interaction effect was also revealed: On the situation that the psychological burden was high and responsibility was low, participants judged that people tended not to concede seats. Finally, We were able to identify gender differences. Specifically, Judging the tendency to concessive action, women were more responsive to the psychological burden than men.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.255-260
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• 2023

As demanding the detection of explosive molecules, it is required to develop rapidly and precisely responsive sensors with ultra-high sensitivity. Since two-dimensional semiconductors have an atomically thin body nature where mobile carriers accumulate, the abrupt modulation carrier in the thin body channel can be expected. To investigate the effectiveness of WSe₂ semiconductor materials as a detection material for TNT (Trinitrotoluene) explosives, WSe₂ was synthesized using thermal chemical vapor deposition, and afterward, WSe₂ FETs (Field Effect Transistors) were fabricated using standard photo-lithograph processes. Raman Spectrum and FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy reveal that the adsorption of TNT molecules induces the structural transition of WSe₂ crystalline. The electrical properties before and after adsorption of TNT molecules on the WSe₂ surface were compared; as -50 V was applied as the back gate bias, 0.02 μA was recorded in the bare state, and the drain current increased to 0.41 μA with a dropping 0.6% (w/v) TNT while maintaining the p-type behavior. Afterward, the electrical characteristics were additionally evaluated by comparing the carrier mobility, hysteresis, and on/off ratio. Consequently, the present report provides the milestone for developing ultra-sensitive sensors with rapid response and high precision.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.159-176
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• 2021

Obviating user churn is a prominent strategy to capitalize on online games, eluding the initial investments required for the development of another. Extant literature has examined factors that may induce user churn, mainly from perspectives of motives to play and game as a virtual society. However, such works largely dismiss the service aspects of online games. Dissatisfaction of user needs constitutes a crucial aspect for user churn, especially with online services where users expect a continuous improvement in service quality via software updates. Hence, we examine the relationship between a game's quality management and its user base. With text mining and survival analysis, we identify complaint factors that act as key predictors of user churn. Additionally, we find that enjoyment-related factors are greater threats to user base than usability-related ones. Furthermore, subsequent quasi-experiment shows that improvements in the complaint factors (i.e., via game patches) curb churn and foster user retention. Our results shed light on the responsive role of developers in retaining the user base of online games. Moreover, we provide practical insights for game operators, i.e., to identify and prioritize more perilous complaint factors in planning successive game patches.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.45-60
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• 2024

This study aims to analyze the accidence of tourist safety accidents in Jeju using GIS and to expand the understanding of tourist safety accidents in the Jeju area. For this purpose, the eastern part of Jeju was selected as the study area, with the research period set for the entire year of 2021. The analysis utilized data on tourist safety accidents and emergency dispatch data resulting from these accidents in Jeju throughout 2021. Based on this safety accident data, an initial analysis was conducted on the accidence of tourist safety accidents across Jeju Island. This analysis identified patterns in the occurrence of tourist safety accidents by month, time, and location. Subsequently, using spatial data, grid analysis, and overlay analysis, the study examined the status of tourist safety accidents and emergency dispatches to identify vulnerable areas. Through this GIS analysis of tourist safety accidents, the study highlights the need for preventive and responsive measures considering the activity characteristics of tourists. It emphasizes the necessity of proactive preventive measures such as inspecting tourist facilities and promoting safety accident prevention, particularly in vulnerable areas..

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.65-78
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• 2023

Objective : In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of family-centered intervention conducted with caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Korea through a systematic literature review. Methods : Previous studies published from 2011 to 2021 were searched through RISS, KISS, and DBpia. The search terms applied included "autism spectrum" OR "general developmental disorder" OR "high-functioning autism" OR "Asperger's" AND "parent education" OR "family-centered intervention" OR "parent coaching" OR "parent training" OR "family participation." A total of 11 experimental studies were chosen based on the selection criteria. Results : According to the findings on the general characteristics of the study participants, intervention strategies, and effects of the intervention, it was observed that the majority of children with ASD who participated in the study were preschool-aged, and the majority of participating caregivers were mothers. The effects of family-centered interventions were evident in both children and parents. In children, the most significant effects were observed in interaction and communication skills. In parents, a reduction in parenting stress and an improvement in parenting efficacy were observed. The intervention strategies employed in the study varied, with sensory integration intervention, responsive communication, and interaction-centered intervention being the most commonly used, followed by developmental-centered intervention, positive behavior support (PBS), and parent-mediated intervention based on pivotal response treatment (PRT). Conclusion : The results of this study are significant in that they confirm that family-centered intervention is effective not only in improving the functioning of children with autism spectrum disorder, but also in reducing parenting stress and enhancing parenting efficacy, and provide evidence for clinical use.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.23-48
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• 2024

Building human-aligned artificial intelligence (AI) for social support remains challenging despite the advancement of Large Language Models. We present a novel method, the Chain of Empathy (CoE) prompting, that utilizes insights from psychotherapy to induce LLMs to reason about human emotional states. This method is inspired by various psychotherapy approaches-Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy (PCT), and Reality Therapy (RT)-each leading to different patterns of interpreting clients' mental states. LLMs without CoE reasoning generated predominantly exploratory responses. However, when LLMs used CoE reasoning, we found a more comprehensive range of empathic responses aligned with each psychotherapy model's different reasoning patterns. For empathic expression classification, the CBT-based CoE resulted in the most balanced classification of empathic expression labels and the text generation of empathic responses. However, regarding emotion reasoning, other approaches like DBT and PCT showed higher performance in emotion reaction classification. We further conducted qualitative analysis and alignment scoring of each prompt-generated output. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the emotional context and how it affects human-AI communication. Our research contributes to understanding how psychotherapy models can be incorporated into LLMs, facilitating the development of context-aware, safe, and empathically responsive AI.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.611-618
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• 2004

Background : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF), a subtype of IIP(idiopathic interstitial pneumonia), is a fatal disease with a 3-5 year median survival. Many attempts at treating this condition have failed to demonstrate a survival benefit in IPF. Recently Ziesche et $al^{12}$ reported the efficacy of IFN-${\gamma}$ for treating IPF but there is still some controversy. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of IFN-${\gamma}$ in patients with advanced IPF who had not been responsive to steroid and cytotoxic agents. Method : Nine patients with advanced IPF(age: $55.4{\pm}15.3$ years, Male: Female=8:1) were enrolled. One year treatment regime with 2 million IU of IFN-${\gamma}$ administered subcutaneously three times a week, and low dose prednisolone(10-30 mg/d) was also used. In the case of a definite aggravation and serious side effects, the IFN-${\gamma}$ was discontinued. During the IFN-${\gamma}$ trial, a pulmonary function test and chest radiography were checked every three month throughout the study. Result : 1) Among 9 patients, only 4 patients were able to complete the 12 month treatment with IFN-${\gamma}$, and 5 patients died during the treatment period. 2) No improvement either in the respiratory symptoms or pulmonary functions were observed any of the patients, even in those who completed the 12 months trial of IFN-${\gamma}$, 3) At the time of IFN-${\gamma}$ trial, the survivors who finished the IFN-${\gamma}$ treatment for 12 months had a higher oxygen level($81.3{\pm}2.8$ vs. $67.4{\pm}8.4$, P=0.024) and a better pulmonary function(FVC: $61.3{\pm}5.1$ % predicted vs. $45.7{\pm}12.3%$, P=0.048, and $D_Lco$: $45.0{\pm}5.0%$ predicted vs. $30.8{\pm}11.2%$, P=0.048) than the non-survivors. Conclusion : Our data suggested that IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy was not effective in the patients with advanced IPF refractory compared with other therapeutic agents. Furthermore, these results suggest that severe impairment of the pulmonary function and hypoxemia during the IFN-${\gamma}$ therapy requires special attention.