• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3369-3375
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• 2014

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP), considered as a prototypical inflammatory cytokine, has been proposed to be involved in tumor progression through inflammation. Recent studies have indicated CRP as a progostic predictor for urological cancers, but the results remain controversial. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of Medline, Scopus and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify eligible studies published between Jan 1, 2001 and Sep 1, 2013. Outcomes of interest were collected from studies comparing overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients with elevated CRP levels and those having lower levels. Studies were pooled, and combined hazard ratio (HR) of CRP with its 95% confidence interval (CI) for survival were used for the effect size estimate. Results: A total of 43 studies (7,490 patients) were included in this meta-analysis (25 for RCC, 10 for UC, and 8 for PC). Our pooled results showed that elevated serum CRP level was associated with poor OS (HR: 1.26, 95%CI: 1.22-1.30) and RFS (HR: 1.38 95%CI: 1.29-1.47), respectively. For CSS the pooled HR (HR: 1.33, 95%CI: 1.28-1.39) for higher CRP expression could strongly predict poorer survival in urological cancers. Simultaneously, elevated serum CRP was also significantly associated with poor prognosis in the subgroup analysis. Conclusions: Our pooled results demonstrate that a high serum level of CRP as an inflammation biomarker denotes a poor prognosis of patients with urological cancers. Further large prospective studies should be performed to confirm whether CRP, as a biomarker of inflammation, has a prognostic role in urological cancer progression.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2109-2114
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• 2012

Background: Ethnic variation in tumor characteristics and clinical presentation of breast cancer is increasingly being emphasized. We studied the tumor characteristics and factors which may influence the presentation and prognosis of triple negative breast cancers (TNC) in a cohort of Chinese women. Methods: A prospective cohort of 1800 Chinese women with breast cancer was recruited in a tertiary referral unit in Hong Kong between 1995 and 2006 and was followed up with a median duration of 7.2 years. Of the total, 216 (12.0%) had TNC and 1584 (88.0%) had non-TNC. Their clinicopathological variables, epidemiological variables and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results: Patients with TNC had similar age of presentation as those with non-TNC, while presenting at earlier stages (82.4% were stage 1-2, compared to 78.4% in non-TNC, p=0.035). They were likely to be associated with grade 3 cancer (Hazard Ratio(HR)=5.8, p<0.001). TNC showed higher chance of visceral relapse (HR=2.69, p<0.001), liver metastasis (HR=1.7, p=0.003) and brain metastasis (HR=1.8, p=0.003). Compared with non-TNC group, TNC had similar 10-year disease-free survival (82% vs 84%, p=0.148), overall survival (78% vs 79%, p=0.238) and breast cancer-specific mortality (18% vs 16%, p=0.095). However, TNC showed poorer 10-year stage 3 and 4 specific survival (stage 3: 53% vs. 67%, p=0.010; stage 4: 0% vs. 40%, p=0.035). Conclusions: Chinese women with triple negative breast cancer do not have less aggressive biological behavior compared to the West and presentation at a later stage results in worse prognosis compared with those with non triple negative breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5177-5182
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• 2012

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitormonotherapy (EFGR-TKIs: gefitinib or erlotinib) with standard second-line chemotherapy (single agent docetaxel or pemetrexed) in previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We systematically searched for randomized clinical trials that compared EGFR-TKI monotherapy with standard second-line chemotherapy in previously treated advanced NSCLC. The end points were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), 1-year survival rate (1-year SR) and grade 3 or 4 toxicities. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) or risk ratio (RR), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated employing fixed- or random-effects models depending on the heterogeneity of the included trials. Results: Eight randomized controlled trials (totally 3218 patients) were eligible. Our meta-analysis results showed that EGFR-TKIs were comparable to standard second-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC in terms of overall survival (HR 1.00, 95%CI 0.92-1.10; p=0.943), progression-free survival (HR 0.90, 95%CI 0.75-1.08, P=0.258) and 1-year-survival rate (RR 0.97, 95%CI 0.87-1.08, P=0.619), and the overall response rate was higher in patients who receiving EGFR-TKIs(RR 1.50, 95%CI 1.22-1.83, P=0.000). Sub-group analysis demonstrated that EGFR-TKI monotherapy significantly improved PFS (HR 0.73, 95%CI: 0.55-0.97, p=0.03) and ORR (RR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.46-2.63, p=0.000) in East Asian patients, but it did not translate into increase in OS and 1-year SR. Furthermore, there were fewer incidences of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and neutrotoxicity in EGFR-TKI monotherapy group, excluding grade 3 or 4 rash. Conclusion: Both interventions had comparable efficacy as second-line treatments for patients with advanced NSCLC, and EGFR-TKI monotherapy was associated with less toxicity and better tolerability. Moreover, our data also demonstrated that EGFR-TKImonotherapy tended to be more effective in East Asian patients in terms of PFS and ORR compared with standard second-line chemotherapy. These results should help inform decisions about patient management and design of future trials.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.297-305
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• 2016

An approach to assess inadvertent human intrusion into radwaste repository was proposed with the assumption that the intrusion occurs after a loss of knowledge of the hazardous nature of the disposal facility. The essential boundary conditions were derived on the basis of international recommendations, followed by an overall approach to deal with inadvertent human intrusion. The interrelation between societal factors, human intrusion scenarios, and protective measures is described to provide a concrete explanation of the approach, including the detailed procedures to set up the human intrusion scenario. The procedure for deriving protective measures is also explained with four steps, including how to derive a safety framework, general measures, potential measures, and eventual protective measures on the basis of stylized scenarios. It is expected that the approach proposed in this study will be used effectively to reduce the potential for and/or the consequences of human intrusion during the entire process of realizing a disposal facility.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.921-932
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• 2015

This study analyzed military personnel survivability in regards to offensive operations according to the scientific military training data of a reinforced infantry battalion. Scientific battle training was conducted at the Korea Combat Training Center (KCTC) training facility and utilized scientific military training equipment that included MILES and the main exercise control system. The training audience freely engaged an OPFOR who is an expert at tactics and weapon systems. It provides a statistical analysis of data in regards to state-of-the-art military training because the scientific battle training system saves and utilizes all training zone data for analysis and after action review as well as offers training control during the training period. The methodologies used the Cox PH modeling (which does not require parametric distribution assumptions) and decision tree modeling for survival data such as CART, GUIDE, and CTREE for richer and easier interpretation. The variables that violate the PH assumption were stratified and analyzed. Since the Cox PH model result was not easy to interpret the period of service, additional interpretation was attempted through univariate local regression. CART, GUIDE, and CTREE formed different tree models which allow for various interpretations.

• Korea Real Estate Review
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.103-118
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• 2017

Under the ownership pre-sale system in the South Korean apartment market, developers can sell apartment ownerships as soon as they start to construct an apartment complex. In the South Korean apartment market, people call this kind of ownership "Bun-yang right." There is a time difference between ownership sale and apartment completion under the ownership pre-sale system. The pre-completion apartment ownerships can be resold to third parties until the apartment complexes are completed, which is called "Geon-mae" of the Bun-yang right. Using survival analysis, this research analyzed the elapsed time between ownership purchase and resale to a third party using 48,316 apartment units nationwide in the 192 complexes supplied from 2000 to 2016. Specifically, this study analyzed the influence of the real estate policy, contract term, location, apartment complex, and unit characteristics on the elapsed time between ownership purchase and resale to a third party. The empirical analysis revealed that the real estate policy and contract term characteristics have a significant effect on the elapsed time between ownership purchase and resale to a third party. Also, this study confirmed that the product characteristics, such as the location and apartment complex and unit characteristics, have an influence on the elapsed time between ownership purchase and resale to a third party.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.6_2
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• pp.1901-1922
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• 2021

Since most large earthquakes occur by reactivation of preexisting active faults, it is important to understand the locations and characteristics of active faults in terms of earthquake hazard research and earthquake disaster prevention. Recently, several remote sensing techniques are broadly used for lineament analysis performed prior to field surveys in active fault surveys. The aim of this paper is introducing simple principles and application examples of each remote sensing technique (satellite remote sensing, airborne remote sensing, InSAR, LiDAR) widely used for active fault investigation. This paper also explains the analytical methods for the slope break generated by fault activity based on GIS and the horizontal displacement of the strike-slip fault. In discussion, we would like to discuss the problems and solutions on making DEM based on aerial photography, and a new developed technique (RRIM) to overcome the problems of DEM based on aerial LiDAR. Understanding remote sensing techniques used for active fault investigation and utilizing appropriate methods depending on the situation and limitations of each remote sensing technique are important for effective active fault investigation.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2021

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems were developed to ensure a high level of food safety and reduced risk of foodborne illness. This paper focuses on significant issues associated with the implementation of HACCP; it provides an overview on recent literature. The structure of the paper follows six groupings of issues in the international literature of HACCP: (1) comparative studies and unification plan between HACCP and other food safety regulations; (2) verification of the HACCP system's effectiveness in improving food safety; (3) establishment of critical control point (CCP) for various foods HACCP model development; (4) expansion of HACCP application in the various fields and small businesses;(5) the impacts of HACCP on consumer's preferences and firms' financial performance in food industry; (6) HACCP and technological changes. The paper concludes with some suggestions for the future research in order to promote safe food supply chain for global customers.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.145-158
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of the ownership structure of unlisted firms on KOSDAQ listing. There are few studies analyzing the characteristics of listing success based on ownership structure. For startup executives, there is not enough data to refer to the ownership structure that can increase the possibility of listing. This paper examines the effects of ownership structure on IPO success through comparison between listed successful and failed companies among the companies in application for KOSDAQ listing eligibility review. The major findings are as follows; (1) Venture capital investment and shareholding have a statistically positive effect on the success of KOSDAQ listing. This results indicate that the venture capital's investment alleviate the problem of information asymmetry, and it is a valid signal for market participants. The result means the role of venture capital seems to be important when companies are listed on the KOSDAQ. (2) The largest shareholder's stake has an inverted-U shape relationship with listing success. In other words, the ownership concentration mitigates moral hazard problem, which leads to listing success. However, if the ownership concentration exceeds a certain level, the chances of success in listing will decrease due to concerns over the pursuit of private interests. The result suggests that the largest shareholder's stake reduce agency problem. This study academically contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating the ownership structure affects IPOs, and explaining the results based on agent theory and signal theory. Our results provide practical implications for companies preparing for an IPO on the KOSDAQ.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.671-677
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• 2021

Interest in the everyday hazards of radon has recently increased as such, this study attempted to examine the dangers of radon in spilled groundwater by comparing the radon concentrations of the drained groundwater and tap water used in recirculating systems in Incheon Subway restrooms. At five stations of Incheon Subway Line 1 and three stations of Line 2, drained groundwater is recirculated and used in restrooms for toilet flushing. Stations restroom tap water for hand washing that used as a control and the measured values of each were compared. With the cooperation of Incheon Transportation Corporation, samples of spilled groundwater and tap water were collected sealed to prevent contact with the air, and a DURRIDGE RAD7 was used as the experimental equipment. The collected samples were subjected to radial equilibration for approximately 3.5 h, at which the radon concentration reached its maximum, and then calculated as 10 measurements using the RAD7 underwater radon measurement mode. In all eight stations, the radon concentration in tap water was lower than the recommended amount. However, in an average of 7 out of the eight stations, the radon concentration in the effluent groundwater was 100 times higher than that in tap water. Since high radon concentrations in groundwater runoff can be harmful to humans, and there is no accurate standard for radon concentrations in domestic water, it is necessary to continuously monitor radon in water and prepare a guidance of recommended values.