• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the interrelationship and clinical usefulness of sperm morphology by strict criteria (SM), acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge test (ARIC) and sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova as prognostic factors in in vitro fertilization. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were provided by 83 patients undergoing IVF. We first evaluated the differences between normal fertilization group and poor fertilization group on three andrologic tests. Secondly, we analyzed the relationship between the three andrologic tests and in vitro fertilization on IVF settings. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of the three andrologic tests as the prognostic indicators for fertilizing ability. Results: The fertilization rate of all men in the poor fertilization group was less than 30%; but there was no evidence that this poor fertilization was due to oocyte defects. The results of three andrologic tests were significatly higher in normal fertilization group. Fertilization rate (%) in vitro was highly correlated (p<0.001) with % normal sperm by SM, ARIC value (%), and SPA result. By using Receiver-Operator-Characteristic curve (ROC), we evaluated the effectiveness of these three tests. The sensitivity and specificity of SM, ARIC test and SPA in predicting fertilization potential in IVF setting were 76% and 75%, 84% and 90%, and 76% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the three andrologic tests can be reliable tools as prognostic factors of sperm fertilizing ability. Among these test, ARIC test and SPA gave more accurate information on fertilizing capacity. ARIC test was shown to have a predictive value for fertilizing ability comparable to that of SPA that appears to be a simple and cost-effective addition to current andrology laboratory. Combined application of these three tests may give more information on predicting sperm fertilizing capacity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2006

Objective : Although management of asthma has become increasingly effective, its cure remains elusive, necessitating a new modality to prevent or eliminate causes triggering clinical progress. Based in the clinical experiences, a novel decoration Cheongsangbiyeum (CSB), has been developed to treat asthma, which consists of Polyporus, Semen Myristicae, Pericarpium citri Reticulatae, Rhizoma Cimicifugae, Cortex Albizziae, Fructus Rubi, Rhizoma Zedoariae, and Rhizoma Rhei. In the current study, its anti-asthmatic efficacy was evaluated using a mouse model of asthma. Methods : Experimental allergic asthma was induced by repeated intraperitioneal sensitization and intranasal challenge of ovalbumin (OVA). Water extract of CSB (1 mg/mouse/day) was administrated orally whereas control mice on given with identical volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 5 days during the course of antigen challenge. When airway hyperreactivity(AHR) measured by ${\bata}-methacoline-induced$ airflow obstruction was compared, AHR of CSB-treated mice was significantly lower than those of control mice, indicating that CM extract can attenuate an asthmatic symptom. Airway recruitment of leukocytes and eosinophils was also markedly reduced by CSB treatment suggesting that oral treatment of CSB can alleviate the airway inflammation. For a better understanding of possible mechanisms underlying anti-asthmatic effet of CSB, cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and $IFN{\gamma}$ levels in bronchoalveola lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were determined. Results : The results showed that cytokine levels were significantly lowered by CSB treatment. Additionally, number of draining lymph node cells was significantly lower than those of control mice. These data indicate that CSB suppress in vivo allergen-specific response. However, notably, levels of type 2 cytokines such as IL-5 and IL-13 were more profoundly influenced. Moreover, in vitro OVA-specific proliferative response and type 2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) production lymph node cells was markedly decreased in CSB-treated mice, whereas their $IFN{\gamma}$ production was not significantly altered Thrse data clearly showed a preferential inhibition of type 2 T cell (Th2) response by CSB treatment. This finding was also supported by serum antibody data showing that levels of OVA-specific type 2 antibodies, IgE and IgG1, in CSB-treated mice were significantly lower than in control mice, while type 1 antibody, IgG2a level m rather higher than controls, although the difference was in significant. Conclusions : In conclusion, oral administration of CSB attenuates asthmatic manifestations including AHR ad airway recruitment of eosinophils in a mouse model which possibly results from selective inhibition of Th2 cell response to allergen. Our data suggest a potential clinical application of CSB for control of allergic asthma.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2014

Five dogs were used to determine whether 0.1% tacrolimus ointment application for one day would inhibit IgE-mediated late-phase reactions (LPRs). It was consisted of three periods: one period without therapeutic administration (control) and two periods of treatment with either the tacrolimus ointment or vehicle. Induction of IgE-mediated LPRs was induced by intradermal injections of 0.05 ml (0.14 mg/ml) of solution of goat anti-canine IgE polyclonal antibodies. Each section for mast cells (MCs) and eosinophils (EPs) was stained with acidified toluidine blue, and Luna's stain, respectively. Assessment of anti-inflammatory effect of tacrolimus ointment composed of cell counts of MC and EP from lesions of induced LPR. In normal canine biopsies, the number of dermal MCs and EPs were $12.3{\pm}1.4cells/mm^2$ and $3.1{\pm}1.3cells/mm^2$, respectively. MC counts dramatically decreased at time dependent manner after anti-IgE administration. However, the number of MCs on 6 hours after challenge was significantly less decreased in the groups treated with the tacrolimus, as compared with control and vehicle group. The number of EPs on 24 hours after challenge was significantly lower in the group treated with the tacrolimus than in the control and vehicle groups. In conclusion, this study revealed that 0.1% tacrolimus ointment in dogs may exert a potent anti-inflammatory effect on inhibition of MC degranulation and also secondary prevention of EP infiltration during LPR.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.55-68
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• 1999

Many ITS services require map databases in digital form to meet desired needs. Due to the dynamic nature of ITS and the sheer diversity of applications, the design and development of spatial databases to meet those needs pose a major challenge to both the public and private sectors. This challenge is further complicated by the necessity to transfer locationally referenced information between different kinds of databases and spatial data handling systems so that ITS products will work seamlessly across the region and nation. The Purpose of this paper is to develop the framework-models commonly to reference locations in the various applications and systems-the ITS Map Datum and LRS(Location Referencing System). The ITS Map Datum consists of the around control points which are the prime intersections (nodes) of the nationwide road network In this study, the major points have been determined along wish link-node modeling procedure. LRS, defined as a system for determining the position (location) of an entity relative to other entities or to some external frame of reference, has also been set up using CSOM type method. The method has been implemented using ArcView GIS software over the Kangnam and Seocho districts in the city of Seoul, showing that the implemented LRS scheme can be used successfully elsewhere. With the proper advent of the K.ITS architecture and services, the procedure can be used to improve the data sharing and to inter operate among systems, enhancing the efficiency both in terms of money and time.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.263-275
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• 2016

Objective: This paper introduces the regulatory oversight approaches and issues to consider in the course of safety culture oversight model development in the nuclear field. Common understanding on regulatory oversight and present practices of international communities are briefly reviewed. The nuclear safety culture oversight model of Korea is explained focusing on the development of safety culture definition and components, and their basic meanings. Oversight components are identified to represent the multiple human and organizational elements which can affect and reinforce elements of defense in depth system for nuclear safety. Result of validation study on safety culture components is briefly introduced too. Finally, the results of the application of the model are presented to show its effectiveness and feasibility. Background: The oversight of nuclear licensee's safety culture has been an important regulatory issue in the international community of nuclear safety regulation. Concurrent with the significant events that started to occur in the early 2000s and that had implications about safety culture of the operating organizations, it has been natural for regulators to pay attention to appropriate methods and even philosophy for intervening the licensee's safety culture. Although safety culture has been emphasized for last 30 years as a prerequisite to ensure high level of nuclear safety, it has not been of regulatory scope and has a unique dilemma between external oversight and the voluntary nature of culture. Safety culture oversight is a new regulatory challenge that needs to be approached taking into consideration of the uncontrollable aspects of cultural changes and the impacts on licensee's safety culture. Although researchers and industrial practitioners still struggle with measuring, evaluating, managing and changing safety culture, it was recognized that efforts to observe and influence licensees' safety culture should not be delayed. Method: Safety culture components which regulatory oversight will have to focus on are developed by benchmarking the concept of physical barriers and introducing the defense in depth philosophy into organizational system. Therefore, this paper begins with review of international regulatory oversight approaches and issues associated with the regulatory oversight of safety culture, followed by the development of oversight model. The validity of the model was verified by statistical analysis with the survey result obtained from survey administration to NPP employees in Korea. The developed safety culture oversight model and components were used in the "safety culture inspection" activities of the Korean regulatory body. Results: The developed safety culture model was confirmed to be valid in terms of content, construct and criterion validity. And the actual applicability in the nuclear operating organization was verified after series of pilot "safety culture inspection" activities. Conclusion: The application of the nuclear safety culture oversight model to operating organization of NPPs showed promising results for regulatory tools required for the organizations to improve their safety culture. Application: The developed oversight model and components might be used in the inspection activities and regulatory oversight of NPP operating organization's safety culture.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.349-368
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• 2023

The revised 2022 educational curriculum highlighted the significance of mathematical literacy as a foundational competency that can be cultivated through the learning of various subjects, along with language proficiency and digital literacy. However, due to the lack of a precise definition for mathematical literacy, there exists a challenge in systematically implementing it across all subjects in the educational curriculum. The aim of this study is to clarify the definition of mathematical literacy in the curriculum through a literature review and to analyze the application patterns of mathematical literacy in other subjects so that mathematical literacy can be systematically applied as a basic literacy in Korea's curriculum. To achieve this, the study first clarifies and categorizes the meaning of mathematical literacy through a comparative analysis of terms such as numeracy and mathematical competence via a literature review. Subsequently, the study compares the categories of mathematical literacy identified in both domestic and international educational curricula and analyzes the application of mathematical literacy in the education curriculum of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, where mathematical literacy is reflected in the achievement standards across various subjects. It is expected that understanding each property by subdividing the meaning of mathematical literacy and examining the application modality to the curriculum will help construct a curriculum that reflects mathematical literacy in subjects other than mathematics.

• Journal of KIISE
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2017

The continuously growing internet service requirements has resulted in a multitier system structure consisting of web server and database (DB) server. In this multitier structure, the existing intrusion detection system (IDS) detects known attacks by matching misused traffic patterns or signatures. However, malicious change to the contents at DB server through hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests at the DB server cannot be detected by the IDS at the DB server's end, since the DB server processes structured query language (SQL) without knowing the associated HTTP, while the web server cannot identify the response associated with the attacker's SQL query. To detect these types of attacks, the malicious user is tracked using knowledge on interaction between HTTP request and SQL query. However, this is a practical challenge because system's source code analysis and its application logic needs to be understood completely. In this study, we proposed a scheme to find the HTTP request associated with a given SQL query using only system log files. We first generated an HTTP request-SQL query map from system log files alone. Subsequently, the HTTP request associated with a given SQL query was identified among a set of HTTP requests using this map. Computer simulations indicated that the proposed scheme finds the HTTP request associated with a given SQL query with 94% accuracy.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.31-39
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• 2015

Sequencing depth, which is directly related to the cost and time required for the generation, processing, and maintenance of next-generation sequencing data, is an important factor in the practical utilization of such data in clinical fields. Unfortunately, identifying an exome sequencing depth adequate for clinical use is a challenge that has not been addressed extensively. Here, we investigate the effect of exome sequencing depth on the discovery of sequence variants for clinical use. Toward this, we sequenced ten germ-line blood samples from breast cancer patients on the Illumina platform GAII(x) at a high depth of ${\sim}200{\times}$. We observed that most function-related diverse variants in the human exonic regions could be detected at a sequencing depth of $120{\times}$. Furthermore, investigation using a diagnostic gene set showed that the number of clinical variants identified using exome sequencing reached a plateau at an average sequencing depth of about $120{\times}$. Moreover, the phenomena were consistent across the breast cancer samples.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.5959-5963
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• 2012

Background: The term 'hardcore' has been applied to use of smoking tobacco and generally referred to as the inability or unwillingness of regular smokers to quit. The component constructs of hardcore except nicotine dependence are product neutral. With the use of 'time to first chew' as a measure of nicotine dependence, hardcore definition can be extended to characterize smokeless tobacco users. Hardcore users respond less to tobacco cessation interventions, and are prone to tobacco induced diseases including cancer. Thus identifying hardcore users would help in estimate the burden of high risk population for tobacco induced diseases. Smokeless tobacco use is predominant and accounts for more than 50% of oral cancer in India. Hence, hardcore chewing information could be used for planning of tobacco and cancer control interventions. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of hardcore smokeless tobacco use in India. Materials and Methods: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS)-India 2010 data were analyzed to quantify hardcore smokeless tobacco use in India with following five criteria: (1) current daily smokeless tobacco use; (2) no quit attempt in the past 12 months of survey or last quit attempt of less than 24 hours duration; (3) no intention to quit in next 12 months or not interested in quitting; (4) time to first use of smokeless tobacco product within 30 minutes of waking up; and (5) knowledge of smokeless tobacco hazards. Results: The number of hardcore smokeless tobacco users among adult Indians is estimated to be 5% (39.5 million). This group comprises 23.2% of daily smokeless tobacco users. The population prevalence varied from 1.4-9.1% across different national regions of India. Logistic regression modeling indicated age, education and employment status to be the major predictors of hardcore smokeless tobacco use in India. Conclusions: The presence of a huge number (39.5 million) of hardcore smokeless tobacco users is a challenge to tobacco control and cancer prevention in India. There is an unmet need for a universal tobacco cessation programme and intensification of anti-tobacco education in communities.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.11-12
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• 2005

With the great advances in process understanding, sensor and instrumentation technology and modelling capability it is important to ask what if any practical benefits can the lake manager and operator look forward to. Here, we examine some of the more important problems facing operators of drinking reservoirs, hydro-lakes and lakes used predominantly for recreation and the environment. In drinking reservoirs the main problems originate from increased loadings of nutrients leading to increased biomass and biomass that may give rise to toxins, of anthropogenic chemicals such as metals and synthetic organics and of pathogens of different types. Hydro-lakes are predominantly plagued by problems arising from low oxygen levels in the hypolimnion and in recreational and environmentally sensitive lakes the biggest challenge for the operator is to maintain an existing or establish a new trophic hierarchy or protect the water body from foreign species. The control variables that are at an operator's disposal are the choice of lake water level, the modification of the water colunm stratification via a de-stratification system, the modification of the lake flow path with flow intervention. curtains, intervention in the catchments to modify the loadings flowing into a lake, manipulation of the trophic chain with introduction of new species and chemical dosing, the latter being of marginal use in a large lake. Each of these options is cost effective under certain-circumstances. We endeavour to provide a users guide for their application and show how, especially new instrumentation and modelling methodologies may be used to achieve an effective intervention.