• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.439-464
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• 2020

This study conducted a systematic review of mathematics teacher learning communities, especially the characteristics of teacher collaboration in community activities. Our review includes 14 research papers published in national academic journals indexed in KCI and 24 research papers in international academic journals indexed in SSCI from 2003 to 2019. Results show that the literature varied in research design, research topics, and patterns relating to teacher collaboration. While both international and national papers report teacher community activities concerning the organization, management, and participation, there were different levels of involvement, visions, and activities across the communities of practice. For example, research in national journals has presented teacher community as professional development while papers in international journals have focused on documenting teacher community becoming a reflective community of practice. This study contributes to understanding the interplay of context, conflicting epistemic culture, and professional agency in fostering collaboration in teacher communities. This paper also discusses relevant research methods to investigate mathematics teacher communities and insights into the policy and practice of mathematics teacher education.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.43-51
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• 2011

Marine clays are widely distributed in Korean eastern, western and southern coastal areas. Understanding engineering characteristics of the soft ground is very important, whenever civil structures are constructed in those coastal areas. It is because the ground is composed of highly compressible marine clay. In this paper, the physical and compression characteristics of Incheon, Mokpo, Gwangyang and Busan marine clay were analyzed and the characteristics between western and southern coastal marine clays were compared. For this, test results of 1,471 samples from 114 sites were used. As a result, Incheon clay showed the lowest plasticity and the highest unit weight due to influx of silt from the Yellow River and the turn of the tide of Incheon area. However, Gwangyang clay showed highly compressible characteristic due to extensive reclamation. On the other hand, Mokpo and Busan clay showed partially similar levels of characteristics. The compression index of Mokpo and Busan clay was high more than twice in comparison with Incheon clay and that of Gwangyang clay was higher than seventy percents in comparison with Mokpo and Busan clay.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.650-654
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• 2020

A combination of Polycarbonate (PC) material and Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), fabricated using an injection molding machine, has been investigated to determine its advantages, as studied in Ref. 1). This paper aims to investigate the optimization of PMMA/PC blend for both tensile yield strength and impact strength. Furthermore, interaction effects of process conditions on mechanical properties including tensile yield strength and impact strength of PMMA/PC blend by injection molding process are interpreted in this study. Tensile and impact specimens are designed following ASTM, type V, and are fabricated by injection molding process. The processing conditions such as melt temperature, mold temperature, packing pressure, and cooling time are applied; each factor has three levels. As a result, in comparison with optimization of separated responses, mechanical properties of PMMA/PC are found to decrease when optimizing both tensile and impact strengths simultaneously. The melt temperature is found to be the most significant interaction parameter with the mold temperature and packing pressure. In addition, there is more interaction between the mold temperature and cooling time. This investigation provides a useful understanding of the control of injection molding processing of polymer blends in optical application.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.143-149
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• 2022

PURPOSE. Masticatory loading triggers active bone remodeling, altering alveolar bone mineral density (BMD). While dental implants are placed to bear masticatory loading, their influence on changing bone properties has not been fully investigated. Objective of this pilot study was to examine whether the dental implantation has an effect on BMD distribution of bone by comparing dentate, edentulous, and edentulous patients with implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 19 partially edentulous patients (Dent), 19 edentulous patients (Edent), and 16 edentulous patients who received implants in the mandible (Edent+Im), were obtained. CBCT images were also obtained from 5 patients within Edent+Im group, before implant placement and after implant loading. Basal cortical bone region of the mandible was digitally isolated. A histogram of gray levels proportional to BMD was obtained to assess mean, histogram standard deviation (HSD), fifth percentile of low and high values (Low₅ and High₅) of the BMD distribution. Multivariate analysis of variance and paired t-test were used to compare the BMD parameters among the 3 dental status groups and between pre- and post-implantation, respectively. RESULTS. Edentulous patients with implants had significantly greater HSD and High₅ values compared to edentulous patients (P < .013). All other comparisons were not significant (P > .097). Mean, HSD, and High₅ values significantly increased after receiving implants (P < .022). CONCLUSION. The current findings suggested that receiving dental implants promoted oral bone mineralization for edentulous patients. The longitudinal investigation could provide valuable information on understanding the effects of implantation on the behavior of oral bone quality.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.225-234
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• 2022

Background: Ginseng, officially known as Panax ginseng Meyer, has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb, particularly in Asia. Ginseng is propagated from seeds; however, seed germination is challenging, especially in its natural environment on farms. The seeds typically exhibit morphophysiological dormancy and require release from both morphological and physiological dormancy before germination. Although some studies have proposed methods for increasing seed germination rates, the underlying mechanisms of its dormancy release process remain unclear. Here, we investigated metabolic alterations during dehiscence in P. ginseng to determine their potential roles in dormancy release. Methods: We compared the ginseng seed metabolome before and after dehiscence and the ginsenoside and phytosterol compositions of the seeds in both periods in the presence of related enzymes. Results: After seed dehiscence, the sugar, amino acid, and squalene concentrations were significantly altered, phytosterols associated with the stigmasterol biosynthesis pathway were increased, while ginsenoside and brassinosteroid levels were not significantly altered. In addition, squalene epoxidase, cycloartenol synthase, 24-methylenesterol C-methyltransferase, and the stigmasterol biosynthesis pathway were activated. Conclusion: Overall, our findings suggest that morphological activities that facilitate ginseng seed growth are the primary phenomena occurring during the dehiscence process. This study improves the understanding of P. ginseng germination processes and promotes further research of its germination and cultivation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.176-183
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• 2021

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) metastasis is characterized by distant metastasis and local recurrence. Combined chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is routinely used to treat patients with OSCC, and the combined use of gefitinib with cytotoxic drugs has been reported to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells in vitro. However, the development of drug resistance because of prolonged chemotherapy is inevitable, leading to a poor prognosis. Therefore, understanding alterations in signaling pathways and gene expression is crucial for overcoming the development of drug resistance. However, the altered characterization of Ca²⁺ signaling in drug-resistant OSCC cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated alterations in intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) mobilization upon the development of gefitinib resistance in human tongue squamous carcinoma cell line (HSC)-3 and HSC-4 using ratiometric analysis. This study demonstrated the presence of altered epidermal growth factor- and purinergic agonist-mediated [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization in gefitinib-resistant OSCC cells. Moreover, Ca²⁺ content in the endoplasmic reticulum, store-operated calcium entry, and lysosomal Ca²⁺ release through the transient receptor potential mucolipin 1, were confirmed to be significantly reduced upon the development of apoptosis resistance. Consistent with [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization, we identified modified expression levels of Ca²⁺ signaling-related genes in gefitinib-resistant cells. Taken together, we propose that the regulation of [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization and related gene expression can be a new strategy to overcome drug resistance in patients with cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.202-215
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• 2022

The androgen receptor (AR) is an important therapeutic target for treating prostate cancer (PCa). Moreover, there is an increasing need for understanding the AR-independent progression of tumor cells such as neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Menin, which is encoded by multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), serves as a direct link between AR and the mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) complex in PCa development by activating AR target genes through histone H3 lysine 4 methylation. Although menin is a critical component of AR signaling, its tumorigenic role in AR-independent PCa cells remains unknown. Here, we compared the role of menin in AR-positive and AR-negative PCa cells via RNAi-mediated or pharmacological inhibition of menin. We demonstrated that menin was involved in tumor cell growth and metastasis in PCa cells with low or deficient levels of AR. The inhibition of menin significantly diminished the growth of PCa cells and induced apoptosis, regardless of the presence of AR. Additionally, transcriptome analysis showed that the expression of many metastasis-associated genes was perturbed by menin inhibition in AR-negative DU145 cells. Furthermore, wound-healing assay results showed that menin promoted cell migration in AR-independent cellular contexts. Overall, these findings suggest a critical function of menin in tumorigenesis and provide a rationale for drug development against menin toward targeting high-risk metastatic PCa, especially those independent of AR.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1067-1079
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• 2021

The coastal water is a space where salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), critical energy-conveying mediator, stay to adapt to different environments while traveling between ocean and river ecosystems for spawning and growth. The mid-eastern coast of Korea (MECW) is the southern limit of salmon distributed in the North Pacific Ocean. Understanding the distribution and migration characteristics of salmon in the MECW is important for the prediction of changes in the amount and distribution of salmon related to changes in the future marine environment. We analyzed the relationship between the salmon migratory timing ascending the Wangpi river and change in vertical seawater temperature and tidal elevation. Overall results highlight that (1) Salmon began to ascend the river when the sea surface water temperature (SST) decreased below 20℃; (2) The number of salmon ascending the river increased when the temperature difference between the upper and lower layers decreased, but decreased when the temperature difference was higher than 5℃; (3) The number of salmon ascending the river peaked, when the SST was 18℃-19℃ and sea levels rose at high tide. This study provide important insight into predicting changes in the ecosystem energy circulation through climate change at its southern distribution limit.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.307-313
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was to the investigate recognition of physical activity between physical therapy students (PTS) and non-physical therapy students (NPTS) by measuring the level of physical activity using International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed by 191 university students. The IPAQ with an additional question (Is physical activity necessary for your future job?) was used to evaluate the recognition and the amount of physical activity. The collected data were calculated as MET-minutes scores and were classified as walking, moderate, and vigorous level of physical activity. The students were analyzed by dividing them into those who had a part-time employment (16 PTS and 12 NPTS) and those who did not have a part-time employment (80 PTS and 83 NPTS). Results: In students with a part-time employment, no significances were observed between the PTS and NPTS, in terms of MET, frequency and time of physical activity, and sitting time (p>0.05). In students without a part-time employment, the NPTS was significantly higher than the PTS for the MET and frequency of physical activity in a vigorous level (p<0.05), and there were no significant differences in other levels of physical activity (p>0.05). In the additional question, the PTS showed a slightly higher than the NPTS (p<0.05). Conclusion: The physical therapy students did not remarkable barrier to recognition of physical activity, but there was a difference in their recognition of the vigorous level of physical activity. Therefore, the understanding of physical activity for PTS would play an important role in the recognition of how physical activity can be promoted.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.47-60
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the level of communication ability between paramedic students and patients in clinical practice. In addition, it was performed to produce essential data contributing to the qualitative improvement of communication ability. Methods: Data were collected from paramedic students with clinical experience after they provided online consent. Data collection was performed from June 3 to July 12, 2022. One hundred forty-seven questionnaires with 92 items were analyzed using SPSS statistics 28.0. Results: 57.1% of students took communication as a subject despite 92.5% of respondents saying that communication education is necessary for them. The average level of participant communication ability was 4.60 (±1.05) points (measured on a 7-point Likert scale). Among the subdivided communication ability levels, the highest level was demonstrated in the physical examination-related interview (5.36±0.96), and the lowest was shown in the completion part (3.93±1.51). Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was found in communication ability level according to school grade (F=4.709, p=.000). The highest correlation (r=.972, p<.001) was obtained between total communication ability and understanding the patient's point of view. Conclusion: Paramedic students should improve their communication skills to serve patients more effectively. Finally, more educational content should be developed on field-based situations in communication courses.