• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2021

Objective: Muscle depletion in patients undergoing liver transplantation affects the recipients' prognosis and therefore cannot be overlooked. We aimed to evaluate whether changes in muscle and fat mass during the preoperative period are associated with prognosis after deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). Materials and Methods: This study included 72 patients who underwent DDLT and serial computed tomography (CT) scans. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) and fat mass index (FMI) were calculated using the muscle and fat area in CT performed 1 year prior to surgery (1 yr Pre-LT), just before surgery (Pre-LT), and after transplantation (Post-LT). Simple aspects of serial changes in muscle and fat mass were analyzed during three measurement time points. The rate of preoperative changes in body composition parameters were calculated (preoperative ΔSMI [%] = [SMI at Pre-LT - SMI at 1 yr Pre-LT] / SMI at Pre-LT x 100; preoperative ΔFMI [%] = [FMI at Pre-LT - FMI at 1 yr Pre-LT] / FMI at Pre-LT x 100) and assessed for correlation with patient survival. Results: SMI significantly decreased during the preoperative period (mean preoperative ΔSMI, -13.04%, p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, preoperative ΔSMI (p = 0.016) and model for end-stage liver disease score (p = 0.011) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. The mean survival time for patients with a threshold decrease in the preoperative ΔSMI (≤ -30%) was significantly shorter than for other patients (p = 0.007). Preoperative ΔFMI was not a prognostic factor but FMI increased during the postoperative period (p = 0.009) in all patients. Conclusion: A large reduction in preoperative SMI was significantly associated with reduced survival after DDLT. Therefore, changes in muscle mass during the preoperative period can be considered as a prognostic factor for survival after DDLT.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.240-252
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• 2009

In this study, we applied a web-based education system to the teaching-demonstrations of the pre-service teachers and identified the usefulness of the system as a method supporting constructive education for pre-service teachers. The pre-service teachers performed the web-based activities for the teaching-demonstrations, and we interviewed them after the teaching-demonstrations. On the basis of the results, we found three situations showing the usefulness of the web-based education system. First, the pre-service teachers examined the materials on the constructive teaching-learning theories and constructed the related theoretical knowledge. At this point the web-based discussion board supported the environment where they thought deeply and investigated the theories carefully. Second, they experienced interaction with others and the academic adviser in the processes of preparing the teaching-demonstrations. This interaction was supported by web-based discussion board, and they were able to form the practical knowledge related to the planning and building constructive teaching. Third, they reflected on their own teaching after the teaching-demonstrations. At this point, the web-based discussion board was able to facilitate the interaction for the reflective thinking processes. In this study, we identified that the web-based education system could provide an effective environment where the pre-service teachers could learn constructive teaching-learning methods.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.426-433
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• 2024

The environmental stress that plants are most susceptible to is water stress. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone synthesized by plants to counteract environmental stress. The role of stomata in plants is to allow the synthesis of sucrose by absorbing CO₂, which greatly affects photosynthetic activity. In addition, stomata are pathways for transpiration, which releases H₂O and help establish a water potential gradient that allows plant roots to continuously absorb water and inorganic substances from the soil. Plants have a mechanism to minimize water loss by closing their stomata when exposed to water-stressed environments. The most well-studied hypothesis concerning the mechanism of stomatal closure is the response to water stress. When a plant receives sufficient water, its stomata open during the day and close at night due to its circadian rhythm. In addition, stomatal closure occurs when the concentration of CO₂ in the intercellular space increases. However, the mechanism of stomatal closure due to circadian rhythm and increased CO₂ concentration in the intercellular space is not well understood. When plants undergo water stress, the increased concentration of ABA in the guard cell cytoplasm induces an increase in Ca²⁺ concentration, resulting in cytoplasmic depolarization. As a result, the outward K⁺-channel of the tonoplast and the slow-type anion channels SLAC1 and SLAH3 are activated, releasing K⁺, Cl^-, and malate^2-, causing the stomata to close. Therefore, in this paper, the mechanism of stomatal closure caused by water stress was investigated.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 2024

Olivine, a major mineral in the upper mantle with strong intrinsic elastic anisotropy, plays a crucial role in seismic anisotropy in the mantle, primarily through its lattice preferred orientation (LPO). Despite this, the influence of the microstructure of mylonitic rocks on seismic anisotropy remains inadequately understood. Notably, there is a current research gap concerning seismic anisotropy directly inferred from mylonitic peridotite massifs in Korea. In this study, we introduce the deformation microstructure and LPO of olivine in the mantle shear zone. We calculate the characteristics of seismic anisotropy based on the degree of deformation (proto-mylonite, mylonite, ultra-mylonite) and establish correlations between these characteristics. Our findings reveal that the seismic anisotropy resulting from the olivine LPO in the ultra-mylonitic rock appears to be the weakest, whereas the seismic anisotropy resulting from the olivine LPO in the proto-mylonitic rock appears to be the strongest. The results demonstrate a gradual decrease in seismic anisotropy as the fabric strength (J-index) of olivine LPO diminishes, irrespective of the specific pattern of olivine's LPO. Moreover, all samples exhibit a polarization direction of the fast S-wave aligned subparallel to the lineation. This suggests that seismic anisotropy originating from olivine in mylonitic peridotites is primarily influenced by fabric strength rather than LPO type. Considering these distinctive characteristics of seismic anisotropy is expected to facilitate comparisons and interpretations of the internal mantle structure and seismic data in the Yugu area, Gyeonggi Massif.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.273-285
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• 2024

With the active utilization of Online Judge (OJ) systems in the field of education, various studies utilizing learner data have emerged. This research proposes a problem recommendation based on a user-based collaborative filtering approach with learner data to support learners in their problem selection. Assistance in learners' problem selection within the OJ system is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of education as it impacts the learning path. To achieve this, this system identifies learners with similar problem-solving tendencies and utilizes their problem-solving history. The proposed technique has been implemented on an OJ site in the fields of algorithms and programming, operated by the Chungbuk Education Research and Information Institute. The technique's service utility and usability were assessed through expert reviews using the Delphi technique. Additionally, it was piloted with site users, and an analysis of the ratio of correctness revealed approximately a 16% higher submission rate for recommended problems compared to the overall submissions. A survey targeting users who used the recommended problems yielded a 78% response rate, with the majority indicating that the feature was helpful. However, low selection rates of recommended problems and low response rates within the subset of users who used recommended problems highlight the need for future research focusing on improving accessibility, enhancing user feedback collection, and diversifying learner data analysis.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2024

Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, a plant pathogenic bacterium that can survive for a long time in soil and water, causes lethal wilt in the Solanaceae family. Sigma S is a part of the RNA polymerase complex, which regulates gene expression during bacterial stress response or stationary phase. In this study, we investigated the role of sigma S in R. pseudosolanacearum under stress conditions using a rpoS-defective mutant strain of R. pseudosolanacearum and its wild-type strain. The phenotypes of rpoS-defective mutant were complemented by introducing the original rpoS gene. There were no differences observed in bacterial growth rate and exopolysaccharide production between the wild-type strain and the rpoS mutant. However, the wild-type strain responded more sensitively to nutrient deficiency compared to the mutant strain. Under the nutrient deficiency, the rpoS mutant maintained a high bacterial viability for a longer period, while the viability of the wild-type strain declined rapidly. Furthermore, a significant difference in pH was observed between the culture supernatant of the wild-type strain and the mutant strain. The pH of the culture supernatant for the wild-type strain decreased rapidly during bacterial growth, leading to medium acidification. The rapid decline in the wild-type strain's viability may be associated with medium acidification and bacterial sensitivity to acidity during transition to the stationary phase. Interestingly, the rpoS mutant strain cannot utilize acetic acid, D-alanine, D-trehalose, and L-histidine. These results suggest that sigma S of R. pseudosolanacearum regulates the production or utilization of organic acids and controls cell death during stationary phase under nutrient deficiency.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2024

We evaluated the efficacy of Geranium thunbergii (GT), which has so far been understudied as a cosmetic material, and conducted anti-inflammatory-related activity studies. We measured the electron donation ability and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging ability to confirm the antioxidant ability of GT and found values of 91% and 94% at a concentration of 50 ㎍/ml, respectively, confirming that GT had excellent antioxidant ability. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity was measured to evaluate whitening activity, and it was found that inhibitory activity was 24.8% at the highest concentration of 1,000 ㎍/ml. Elastase and collagenase inhibitory activity were measured to determine the wrinkle improvement activity of the GT; 30.6% and 90% inhibitory activity were shown at the highest concentration of 1,000 ㎍/ml, respectively. Excellent inhibitory activity was confirmed through the measurement of collagenase inhibitory activity. Before the cell experiments were conducted, the survival rate of the macrophages Raw 264.7 according to GT treatment was determined based on the MTT assay, and the cell survival rate was greater than 83.6% at a concentration of 100 ㎍/ml. Subsequent cell-related experiments were conducted at concentrations of 100 ㎍/ml or less. The NO production inhibitory activity according to the GT treatment by NO assay was measured, and a 74.9% inhibitory rate was confirmed at a concentration of 100 ㎍/ml. Western blotting was performed to determine protein expression inhibition, and both COX-2 and iNOS factors were concentration-dependently inhibited in GT. Based on these results, GT is considered to have potential as an anti-inflammatory functional cosmetic material.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.139-162
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• 2023

With the emergence of new digital technologies into a supply chain, it is essential for companies to incorporate these technologies in managing their supply chains. However, various challenges have been identified in digital supply chain management, especially when it comes to its assessment. There are no universally agreed measurements for the performance of digital supply chain management within the research community so far. This paper explores an option of using user experience as one of possible measurements. Therefore, three different focus-group discussions were held and later analyzed with a qualitative content analysis. The subscription-based video on demand service, Netflix was used as an example in those discussions. Due to the fact that Netflix provides a digital product as a streamline service, user experience is critical for the company. Especially, user experience with a recommender system and related privacy issues have become significant for a company to retain existing customers and attract new customers in many fields. Since the recommender system and related privacy issues are parts of a digital supply chain, user experience can be one of appropriate measurements for digital supply chain management. This study opens a new perspective for research on performance measurements of digital supply chain management.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.157-164
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• 2023

The estuary dam is a structure installed and operated in a closed state except when flood event occurs to prevent inland saltwater intrusion and secure freshwater supply. However, the closed state of dam leads to issues such as eutrophication, so it is necessary to examine the extent of saltwater intrusion resulting from the opening of sluice gates. Groundwater, due to its subsurface conditions and slow flow characteristics, is widely analyzed using numerical models. OpenGeoSys, an open-source software capable of simulating Thermal- Hydraulic- Mechanical- Chemical phenomena, was adopted for this study. Simulations were conducted assuming natural flow conditions without dam and operating considering busy farming season, mostly from March to September. Verification of the model through analytical solutions showed error of 3.7%, confirming that OpenGeoSys is capable of simulating saltwater intrusion for these cases. From results simulated for 10 years, considering for the busy farming season, resulted in about 46% reduction in saltwater intrusion length compared to natural flow conditions, approximately 74.36 m. It may be helpful to make choices to use groundwater as a water resource.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

In Korea, mountainous areas cover 60% of the land, leading to increased factors such as concentrated heavy rainfall and typhoons, which can result in debris flow and landslide. Despite the high risk of disasters like landslides and debris flow, there has been a tendency in most regions to focus more on post-damage recovery rather than preventing damage. Therefore, in this study, precise topographic data was constructed by conducting on-site surveys and drone measurements in areas where debris flow actually occurred, to analyze the risk zones for such events. The numerical analysis program RAMMS model was utilized to perform debris flow analysis on the areas prone to debris flow, and the actual distribution of debris flow was compared and analyzed to evaluate the applicability of the model. As a result, the debris flow generation area calculated by the RAMMS model was found to be 18% larger than the actual area, and the travel distance was estimated to be 10% smaller. However, the simulated shape of debris flow generation and the path of movement calculated by the model closely resembled the actual data. In the future, we aim to conduct additional research, including model verification suitable for domestic conditions and the selection of areas for damage prediction through debris flow analysis in unmeasured watersheds.