• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.272-287
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• 2019

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway coordinates the metabolic activity of eukaryotic cells through environmental signals, including nutrients, energy, growth factors, and oxygen. In the nervous system, the mTOR pathway regulates fundamental biological processes associated with neural development and neurodegeneration. Intriguingly, genes that constitute the mTOR pathway have been found to be germline and somatic mutation from patients with various epileptic disorders. Hyperactivation of the mTOR pathway due to said mutations has garnered increasing attention as culprits of these conditions : somatic mutations, in particular, in epileptic foci have recently been identified as a major genetic cause of intractable focal epilepsy, such as focal cortical dysplasia. Meanwhile, epilepsy models with aberrant activation of the mTOR pathway have helped elucidate the role of the mTOR pathway in epileptogenesis, and evidence from epilepsy models of human mutations recapitulating the features of epileptic patients has indicated that mTOR inhibitors may be of use in treating epilepsy associated with mutations in mTOR pathway genes. Here, we review recent advances in the molecular and genetic understanding of mTOR signaling in epileptic disorders. In particular, we focus on the development of and limitations to therapies targeting the mTOR pathway to treat epileptic seizures. We also discuss future perspectives on mTOR inhibition therapies and special diagnostic methods for intractable epilepsies caused by brain somatic mutations.

• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.38-51
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• 2004

Over the years, most or many companies have focused their attention to the effectiveness and efficiency of their business units. As a new way of doing business, these companies have begun to realize the strategic importance of planning, controlling, and designing their own supply chain system. This paper analyzes the coordination issues in supply chains that consist of one manufacturer and multiple retailers operating under uncertain end customer demand and delivery lead-time. We use the Genetic Algorithm (GA) to determine the appropriate ordering and inventory level at which the manufacturer and multiple retailers can maximize the profit of the chain. This is performed under three controlling policies: the traditionally centralized controlling policy under the manufacturer's perspective, the entire chain’s perspective, and lastly the coordinating controlling policy with an incentive scheme. The outcome from the study reveals that the coordinating controlling policy with an incentive scheme can outperform the traditional centralized controlling policies by creating a win-win situation in which all members of the chain benefit from higher profit, thus resulting in more willingness from all members to join the chain.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.5
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• pp.686-692
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• 2010

This study described the general pattern of genetic variation among ten teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) provenances in Myanmar and determined the most suitable seed sources for the plantation program in Bago Yoma region. Seeds of ten provenances were collected to cover the whole teak natural distribution in Myanmar and planted at four trial sites in Bago Yoma region in 1998. Seven years after planting, variation was assessed for growth, morphological characteristics and their correlation with geoclimatic factors. Statistical analysis using ANOVA revealed that there were significant differences in most of the traits measured among provenances, trial sites and provenance ${\times}$ site interaction at five percent level. A positive significant correlation (p<0.01) was found among most of the traits. The regression analyses between all traits and geoclimatic factors indicated the existence of ecoclinal variation in teak. Most of the traits were negatively correlated with the latitude while a positive significant correlation was found between longitude and C/B ratio, crown-diameter, average branch angle and leaf-remain. There was no significant correlation between the mean temperature and any other traits in this study. Furthermore, growth traits and crown diameter were positively correlated with the mean annual rainfall while negative correlation was found between the geographical distance and growth traits. Results indicate that the latitudinal pattern of teak genetic variations in growth performance was attributed to the limit of mean annual rainfall. Comparative assessment showed that local provenances were generally the best and could be use as suitable seed sources for the plantation program in the Bago Yoma region.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.275-283
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• 2013

In this paper, the structural optimum design method of composite rotor blade cross-section was investigated with the genetic algorithm. An auto-mesh generation program was developed for iterative calculations of optimum design, and stresses in the blade cross-section were analyzed by VABS (variational asymptotic beam sectional analysis) program. Minimum mass of rotor blade was defined as an object function, and stress failure index, center mass and blade minimum mass per unit length were chosen as constraints. Finally, design parameters such as the thickness and layup angles of a skin, and the thickness, position and width of a torsion box were determined through the structural optimum design method of composite rotor blade cross-section presented in this paper.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2012

Kelp grouper ($Epinephelus$ $bruneus$ Bloch 1793) is a commercially important fish in Korea. In recent years, the catch of kelp grouper in the coastal waters of Korea has significantly declined. Despite its importance, little is known about its genetic diversity and conservation efforts are hampered. In this study, we isolated and characterized 12 microsatellite loci using an enrichment method based on magnetic/biotin capture of microsatellite sequences from a size-selected genomic library. All loci were readily amplified and contained TG/CA denucleotide repeats. To characterize each locus, 30 individuals from a natural E. bruneus population in the coastal waters of Jeju Island, Korea, were genotyped. All loci except three, KEm118, KEm154, and KEm219, were polymorphic, with an average of 8.1 alleles per locus (range 2-18). The mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.47 (range 0.19-1.00) and 0.61 (range 0.29-0.92), respectively. A significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed at three loci (KEm134, KEm184, and KEm283). These findings will be useful for effective monitoring and management of genetic variation of kelp grouper as well as for the implementation of a fisheries conservation program.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2013

Enrofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic approved for the treatment of infections in animals. Because of the side effects to consumers of animal products, the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of enrofloxacin in animal tissues for consumption are regulated. In this study, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against enrofloxacin was prepared and characterized for the development of a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The obtained mAb, Enro44, was highly specific for enrofloxacin and had a 50% inhibition concentration ($IC_{50}$) of 1.99 ng/ml in a competitive ELISA, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.50 ng/ml. The cross-reactivity of the mAb with other quinolones and fluoroquinolones was lower than 0.01%. The subclass of the mAb Enro44 was identified as IgG1. The antigen (Ag)-captured direct competitive ELISA using the mAb Enro44 was tested on different spiked samples, including chicken muscle, cattle milk, and cattle urine, and the assay demonstrated recoveries of 82-112%, 80-125%, and 78-124%, respectively. Furthermore, the quantitation of enrofloxacin obtained from the ELISA and from high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was in good agreement, with the linear regression coefficient between 0.933 and 1.056. The cDNAs encoding a heavy-chain Fd fragment (VH and CH1) and a light chain of the mAb Enro44 were cloned and sequenced. Taken together, the results obtained reveal a potential use of this mAb in an ELISA for the detection of enrofloxacin in food samples. The information of amino acid sequence of this mAb will be useful for further modification and production of the mAb in a bioreactor.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.483-488
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• 2009

The main objective of this breeding program is to develop high yielding, disease resistance and good processing potato cultivar. 'Gui Valley' is a clonal selection resulting from a cross between 'ND2471-8' and 'Cona'. It has medium plant height and light green foliage. 'Gui Valley' has medium flowering habit and light pink flowers. 'Gui Valley' is a medium maturing potato cultivar and tubers are smooth, yellow skin, light yellow flesh, long-oval tuber shape, distinct red eyes with medium depth and medium dormancy. It has high level of tuber uniformity and good keeping quality. 'Gui Valley' demonstrates resistance to potato virus Y (PVY), soft rot, but moderately susceptible to late blight and common scab. It is also resistant to most of the internal and external physiological disorders particularly dehiscence, hollow heart and internal brown spot. The specific gravity of 'Gui Valley' is significantly higher (1.097) than that of 'Shepody' (1.078). 'Gui Valley' has suitable for processing mainly French fries and chips. This cultivar has high level of tuber uniformity and capable of yielding 37.6 $t{\cdot}ha^{-1}$, which is 18.2% higher than the control potato cultivar 'Shepody' under optimum agronomical practices.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.213-222
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• 2007

In this study, science history program was developed to enhance student's concepts toward the particulate nature of matter and the understanding about the nature of science. And the effects of its application was investigated in the lesson of ‘Composition of Matter' in middle school science class. This science history program was based on genetic approach and included the contents from the old Greek natural philosophers to Avogadro. Before instruction, the test of understanding about nature of science was administered, and the science scores of the previous course were obtained, which were used as covariates. During 24 class hours, this study was conducted with two classes(experimental and comparison group) in a middle school in Seoul. The experimental group was received lessons by science history programs and the comparison group was received traditional lessons. After instruction, the scientific concept test, the test of understanding about nature of science were administered. The result of this study indicates that the scientific concept scores of experimental group were significantly higher than comparison group at p <.01 level of significance. It means that the students in experimental group has more sound conceptions about the particulate nature of matter and less mis conceptions about matter than the students in comparison group. However, there was no significant difference between two groups in the score of understanding about the nature of science.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2011

Over the years Korean health care system has improved in delivery of quality care to the general population for many areas of the health problems. The system is now being recognized in the world as the most cost effective one. It is covered by the uniform national health insurance policy for which most people in Korea are mandatory policy holders. Genetic counseling service, however, which is well recognized as an integral part of clinical genetics service deals with diagnosis and management of genetic condition as well as genetic information presentation and family support, is yet to be delivered in comprehensive way for the patients and families in need. Two major obstacles in providing genetic counseling service in korean health care system are identified; One is the lack of recognition for the need for genetic counseling service as necessary service by the national health insurance. Genetic counseling consumes a significant time in delivery and the current very low-fee schedule for physician service makes it very difficult to provide meaningful service. Second is the critical shortage of qualified professionals in the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling who can provide the service of genetic counseling in clinical setting. However, recognition and understanding of the fact that the scope and role of genetic counseling is expanding in post genomic era of personalized medicine for delivery of quality health care, will lead to the efforts to overcome obstacles in providing genetic counseling service in korean health care system. Only concerted efforts from health care policy makers of government on clinical genetics service and genetic counseling for establishing adequate reimbursement coverage and professional communities for developing educational program and certification process for professional genetic counselors, are necessary for the delivery of much needed clinical genetic counseling service in Korea.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.281-285
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• 2005

Pod dehiscence (PD), defined as the opening of pods along both the dorsal and ventral sutures, causes the seed to shatter in the field before harvesting and results in loss of seed yields. However, breeding for resistance to PD is difficult due to the complicated genetic behavior and environmental interaction. The objective of the present research was to analyze the genetic behavior of PD for improving the breeding efficiency of resistance to PD in soybean. PD after oven-drying the sampled pod at $40^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours was the most reliable to predict the degree of PD tested in the field. Keunolkong, a dehiscent parent, was crossed with non-dehiscent parents, Sinpaldalkong and Iksan 10. Using their $F_1\;and\;F_2$ seeds, PD was measured after oven drying the pod at $40^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. The gene conferring PD behaved in different manners depending on the genetic populations. In the Keunolkong$\times$Sinpaldalkong population, PD seemed to be governed by single major recessive gene and minor genes, while several genes were probably involved in the resistance to pod dehiscence in the Keunolkong$\times$Iksan 10 population. Heritability for PD estimated in F2 population showed over $90\%$ in the two populations. High heritability of PD indicated that selection for resistance to PD should be effective in a breeding program. In addition, genetic mapping of quantitative locus (QTL) for PD in both populations may reveal that genes conferring PD are population-specific.