• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2008

Background: A co-inhibitory molecule, B7-H4, is believed to negatively regulate T cell immunity by suppressing T cell proliferation and inhibiting cytokine production. However, the mechanism behind B7-H4-mediated tolerance remains unclear. Methods: Balb/c $(H-2^d)$ mice were fed with dendritic cell line, DC2.4 $(H-2^d)$ every day for 10 days. Meantime, mice were hydrodynamically injected with recombinant plasmid expressing B7-H4 fusion protein (B7-H4.hFc) or hFc via tail vein. One day after last feeding, mice were immunized with allogeneic B6 spleen cells. 14 days following immunization, mice were challenged with B6 spleen cells to ear back and the ear swelling was determined the next day. Subsequently, a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was also performed and cytokines profiles from the reaction were examined by sandwich ELISA. Frequency of immunosuppressive cell population was assayed with flow cytometry and mRNA for FoxP3 was determined by RT-PCR. Results: Tolerant mice given plasmid expressing B7-H4.hFc showed a significant reduction in ear swelling compared to control mice. In addition, T cells from mice given B7-H4.hFc plasmid revealed a significant hyporesponsiveness of T cells against allogeneic spleen cells and showed a significant decrease in Th1 and Th2 cytokines such as IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-5, and TNF-${\alpha}$. Interestingly, flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs in spleen was increased in tolerant mice given recombinant B7-H4.hFc plasmid compared to control group. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that B7-H4 synergistically potentiates oral tolerance induced by allogeneic cells by increasing the frequency of FoxP3+ CD4+CD25+ Treg and reducing Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.227-232
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• 2007

Purpose: To investigate the flavopiridol effect on radiation-induced apoptosis and expression of apoptosisrelated genes of human laryngeal and lung cancer cells. Materials and Methods: A human laryngeal cancer cell line, AMC-HN3 and a human lung cancer cell line, NCI-H460, were used in the study. The cells were divided into four groups according to the type of treatment: 1) control groups; 2) cells that were only irradiated; 3) cells treated only with flavopiridol; 4) cells treated with flavopiridol and radiation simultaneously. The cells were irradiated with 10 Gy of X-rays using a 4 MV linear accelerator. Flavopiridol was administered to the media at a concentration of 100 nM for 24 hours. We compared the fraction of apoptotic cells of each group 24 hours after the initiation of treatment. The fraction of apoptotic cells was detected by measurement of the sub-G1 fractions from a flow cytometric analysis. The expression of apoptosis-regulating genes, including cleaved caspase-3, cleaved PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), p53, p21, cyclin D1, and phosphorylated Akt (protein kinase B) were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: The sub-G1 fraction of cells was significantly increased in the combination treatment group, as compared to cells exposed to radiation alone or flavopiridol alone. Western blotting also showed an increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP expression in cells of the combination treatment group, as compared with cells exposed to radiation alone or flavopiridol alone. Treatment with flavopiridol down regulated cyclin 01 expression of both cell lines but its effect on p53 and p21 expression was different according to each individual cell line. Flavopiridol did not affect the expression of phophorylated Akt in both cell lines. Conclusion: Treatment with flavopiridol increased radiation-induced apoptosis of both the human laryngeal and lung cancer cell lines. Flavopiridol effects on p53 and p21 expression were different according to the individual cell line and it did not affect Akt activation of both cell lines.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.204-212
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• 2009

A strain producing ${\alpha}$-galactosidase and ${\beta}$-glucosidase was isolated from Kimchi. The isolated strain was identified as Weissella cibaria by 16S rDNA analysis and designated as Weissella cibaria K-M1-4. The enzyme activity of ${\alpha}$-galactosidase and ${\beta}$-glucosidase reached the maximum in the soy medium at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr. The enzymes were purified by ethanol fractionation, DEAE sepharose fast flow, and sephacryl S-100HR column chromatography. ${\alpha}$-Galactosidase specific activity was shown by 576 Units/mg protein and the yield was 3.5% of the total activity of crude extracts. ${\beta}$-glucosidase specific activity was shown by 480 Units/mg protein and the yield was 2.9% of the total activity of crude extracts. The optimum temperature for ${\alpha}$-galactosidase was $60^{\circ}C$ and 43% of its original activity remained when it was treated at $80^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. For ${\alpha}$-galactosidase shows the optimum pH of 8.0 and is fairly stable between pH5.0 and pH9.0. The enzyme activity was increased in the presence of $Fe^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$. The value of Km and Vmax for the enzyme were 0.98 mM and $1.81{\mu}$mole/min, respectively. The ${\beta}$-glucosidase has the optimum temperature of $50^{\circ}C$ and 46% of its original activity remained when it was treated at $80^{\circ}C$ for 30min. Its optimum pH of 7.0 and is fairly stable between pH5.0 and pH9.0. The enzyme activity was increased in the presence of $Fe^{2+},\;Co^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$. The value of Km and Vmax for the enzyme were 1.24 mM and $6.81{\mu}$mole/min, respectively.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.183-193
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• 2022

The growth inhibitory effect of Microcystis aeruginosa according to the ultrasonic irradiation time was evaluated using a large algae sample volume (10 L) for various ultrasonic irradiation times (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 hr) at a laboratory scale. Based on the analysis of Chl-a and cell number of M. aerginosa, algae growth inhibition was observed with the decrease in Chl-a and cell number in all experimental groups after the ultrasonic irradiation. For the experimental group (T_B, T_C, T_D) with an ultrasonic irradiation time of less than 2 hours, rapid regrowth of algae was observed after growth inhibition, but the experimental group (T_E, T_F, T_G) with an irradiation time of more than 2 hours successfully inhibited algal growth lasting one or two more days. Based on the comparison of the recovery time to initial cell number the experimental group (T_B, T_C, T_D) took less than 20 days whereas the experimental group (T_E, T_F, T_G) took about 30 days. Correspondingly, the experimental group showed a high first order decay rate (𝜅) in proportion to the ultrasonic irradiation time during the growth inhibition period. Additionally, the specific growth rates (𝜇) during regrowth in the experimental group with irradiation time of more than 2 hours were relatively low compared to those in the experimental group with less than 2 hours. Therefore, ultrasonic irradiation for more than 2 hours is required for long-term (30 days) inhibition of algal growth in stagnant waters. However, the appropriate ultrasonic irradiation time for algae growth inhibition should be determined according to various field conditions such as the volume of stagnant water, water depth, flow rate, algae concentration, etc. Finally, damages to the algal cell surface and cell membrane were clearly observed, and both destruction and disturbance of gas vesicles of M. aeruginosa in the experimental group were discovered, indicating the growth inhibitory effect of Microcystis aeruginosa according to the ultrasonic irradiation time was confirmed.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.177-198
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• 2018

Recently, as economic property it has become necessary to acquire and utilize the framework for water resource measurement and performance management as the property of water resources changes to hold "public property". To date, the evaluation of water technology has been carried out by feasibility study analysis or technology assessment based on net present value (NPV) or benefit-to-cost (B/C) effect, however it is not yet systemized in terms of valuation models to objectively assess an economic value of technology-based business to receive diffusion and feedback of research outcomes. Therefore, K-water (known as a government-supported public company in Korea) company feels the necessity to establish a technology valuation framework suitable for technical characteristics of water resources fields in charge and verify an exemplified case applied to the technology. The K-water evaluation technology applied to this study, as a public interest goods, can be used as a tool to measure the value and achievement contributed to society and to manage them. Therefore, by calculating the value in which the subject technology contributed to the entire society as a public resource, we make use of it as a basis information for the advertising medium of performance on the influence effect of the benefits or the necessity of cost input, and then secure the legitimacy for large-scale R&D cost input in terms of the characteristics of public technology. Hence, K-water company, one of the public corporation in Korea which deals with public goods of 'water resources', will be able to establish a commercialization strategy for business operation and prepare for a basis for the performance calculation of input R&D cost. In this study, K-water has developed a web-based technology valuation model for public interest type water resources based on the technology evaluation system that is suitable for the characteristics of a technology in water resources fields. In particular, by utilizing the evaluation methodology of the Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan to match the expense items to the expense accounts based on the related benefit items, we proposed the so-called 'K-water's proprietary model' which involves the 'cost-benefit' approach and the FCF (Free Cash Flow), and ultimately led to build a pipeline on the K-water research performance management system and then verify the practical case of a technology related to "desalination". We analyze the embedded design logic and evaluation process of web-based valuation system that reflects characteristics of water resources technology, reference information and database(D/B)-associated logic for each model to calculate public interest-based and profit-based technology values in technology integrated management system. We review the hybrid evaluation module that reflects the quantitative index of the qualitative evaluation indices reflecting the unique characteristics of water resources and the visualized user-interface (UI) of the actual web-based evaluation, which both are appended for calculating the business value based on financial data to the existing web-based technology valuation systems in other fields. K-water's technology valuation model is evaluated by distinguishing between public-interest type and profitable-type water technology. First, evaluation modules in profit-type technology valuation model are designed based on 'profitability of technology'. For example, the technology inventory K-water holds has a number of profit-oriented technologies such as water treatment membranes. On the other hand, the public interest-type technology valuation is designed to evaluate the public-interest oriented technology such as the dam, which reflects the characteristics of public benefits and costs. In order to examine the appropriateness of the cost-benefit based public utility valuation model (i.e. K-water specific technology valuation model) presented in this study, we applied to practical cases from calculation of benefit-to-cost analysis on water resource technology with 20 years of lifetime. In future we will additionally conduct verifying the K-water public utility-based valuation model by each business model which reflects various business environmental characteristics.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.44-57
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• 2008

In this study, a 2D finite-element analysis, using the SEEP/W program, was carried out to estimate the amount of groundwater flawing into a tunnel, as well as the groundwater tables around wetland areas during and after a tunnel excavation through rock mass. Four sites along the Wonhyo-tunnel in Cheonseong Mountain (Gyeongnam, Korea) were analysed, where the model damain of the tunnel included both wetland and fault zone. The anisotropy of the hydraulic conductivities of the rock mass was calculated using the DFN model, and then used as an input parameter for the cantinuum model. Parametric study on the influencing factors was perofrmed to minimize uncertainties in the hydraulic properties. Moreover, the volumetric water content and hydraulic conductivity functions were applied ta the model to reflect the ability of a medium ta store and transport water under both saturated and unsaturated conditions. The conductivity of fault zone was assumed ta be $10^{-5}m/sec\;or\;10^{-6}m/sec$ and the conductivity of grouting zone was assumed as 1/10, 1/50 or 1/100 of the conductivity of rock mass. Totally $6{\sim}8$ cases of transient flow simulation were peformed at each site. The hydraulic conductivities of fault zone showed a significant influence on groundwater inflow when the fault zone crossed the tunnel. Also, groundwater table around wetland maintained in case that the hydraulic conductivity of grouting zone was reduced ta be less than 1/50 of the hydraulic conductivity of rock mass.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.29-40
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• 2016

Since the late 20th century, there has been much effort to improve the market value of media contents which are commercialized in a digital format, by fusing digital data of video, audio, numerals, characters with IT technology together. Then by what criteria and methodologies could the market value for the drama "Sons of the Sun" or the animated film 'Frozen', often referred to in the meida, be estimated? In the circumstances there has been little or no research on the valuation framework of media contents and the status of their valuation system development to date, we propose a practical valuation models for various purposes such as contents trading, review of investment adequacy, etc., by formalizing and presenting a contents valuation framework for the four types of media of movies, online games, and broadcasting commercials, and animations. Therefore, we develope computational methods of cash flows which includes production cost by media content types, provide reference databases associated with key variables of valuation (economic life cycle, discount rates, contents contribution and royalty rates), and finally propose the valuation framework of media contents based on both income approach and relief-from-royalty method which has been applied to valuation of intangible assets so far.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.6 s.67
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• pp.938-950
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• 2004

We used portions of mitochondrial 125 ribosomal RNA gene sequences (339 bp) to investigate the phylogenetic and population genetic characteristics of the Japanese anchovy, Engraulis japonicus, in Korean waters. A total of 35 mtDNA haplotypes were obtained from the samples collected in 3 locations (the southern area of the Yellow Sea, the western coast of Jejudo, and the eastern area of the South Sea) in Korean waters. One haplotype, AN8T103, obtained from the southern area of the Yellow Sea, was formed according to an independent phylogenetic individual in the PAUP analysis, which was separated from the others by a $0.2-4.1\%$ sequence divergence. This distinct haplotype appeared to be one that was carried by immigrants from another study area, but further study is necessary. Genetic divergence, except for AN8T103, was moderate to substantial $(0.2-3.8\%)$ and nucleotide diversity within populations was 0.015 for Yellow Sea, 0.013 for Jejudo, and 0.D15 for South Sea, respectively. The female gene flow was substantial or high (Nm=25.5-36.4), and the genetic distances between regions were not statistically significant $(P>0.01)$. These results indicated that the Japanese anchovy populations occurring in Korean waters were consisted of individuals randomly dispersed over geographic areas.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.219-231
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• 2004

The use of air diffuser system to ameliorate the reservoir by breaking stratification is now widespread. This study focuses on the hydrodynamic behavior of bubble plumes, which is the major mechanism of destratification and their combined effect of adjacent plumes on destratification efficiency. By introducing 2-phase Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) technique, we could suggest the optimal diffuser spacing having optimal destratification efficiency by simply analyzing the complex destratification procedures varying with the seasonal stratification intensity and bubble flow rate. Lab experiments were also carried out to verify CFD model in thermally stratified fresh water which quite differs from former researches using salts. This study showed that the mixing efficiency strongly depends on the spacing of neighboring plumes. When diffuser spacing is lower than 1.5 times the depth, the combined effect is stronger; as Plume Number(PN) is increased, the efficiency is strongly affected by spacing. If the distance is shorter than the depth of water, the efficiency increases linearly in proportion to PN. Otherwise, the efficiency increases non-linearly. These findings suggest that the combined effect should be more quantitatively taken into consideration for design and operation of air-diffuser destratification system, and recommend that the optimal destratification efficiency will be when plume number is 1000 and the spacing between neighboring diffusers is 1.5 times the depth.

• Proceedings of the Technology Innovation Conference
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• 1996.12a
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• pp.265-295
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• 1996

This paper investigates empirically the relationship between various business portfolio properties (particularly technological properties) and chaebol′s performance using data on the 50 largest chaebols in Korea. In addition to the traditional indexes to measure diversification such as entropy index we calculated inter-industry technological similarity using R&D expenditure data by industry and 1990 Input-output Table in Korea, and obtained chaebol-level technological relatedness and internal transaction proportion from chaebols′business profile, inter-industry technological similarity and 1990 input-output table. We applied factor analysis on 13 business portfolio property indexes and showed that they could be grouped into 3 dimensions, diversification scope, inter-business relatedness and degree of vertical integration. In this paper, using 50 largest chaebols′financial data (1989-1994), we analyzed empirically the effect of business portfolio properties on ROS (Return On Sales) which is conventional index for firm performance and on TFP(Total Factor Productivity) growth which is a pure measure of firm performance. To utilize the advantage of panel data, FEM(Fixed Effect Model) and REM(Random Effect Model) were used. The empirical result shows that the entropy index as a measurement of inter-business relatedness is not significant but technological relatedness index is significant. OLS estimates on pooled data were considerably different from FEM or REM estimates on panel data. By introducing interaction effect among the three variables for business portfolio properties, we obtained three findings. First, only VI (Vertical integration) has a significant positive correlation with ROS. Second, when using TFP growth as an dependent variable, both TR(Technological Relatedness) and f[ are significant and positively related to the deepened variable. Third, the interaction term between TR and VI is significant and negatively affects TFP growth, meaning that TR and VI are substitutes. These results suggest strategic directions on restructuring business portfolio. As VI is increased, chaebols will get more profit. A higher level of either TR or W will increase TFP growth rate. but increase in both TR and VI will have a negative effect on TFP growth. To summarize, certain business portfolio properties such as VI and TR can be considered "resources" themselves since they can affect profit rate and productivity growth. VI and TR have a synergy effect of change in profit rate and productivity growth. VI increases ROS and productivity growth, while TR increases productivity growth representing a technological synergy effect.