• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.399-409
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• 2022

Objective: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is the central hormone involved in mammalian reproduction, maturation at puberty, and gamete production that mediates its function by control of follicle growth and function. The present study investigated the mutations involved in the regulation of FSH receptor (FSHR) activation. Methods: We analyzed seven naturally-occurring mutations that were previously reported in human FSHR (hFSHR), in the context of equine FSHR (eFSHR); these include one constitutively activation variant, one allelic variant, and five inactivating variants. These mutations were introduced into wild-type eFSHR (eFSHR-wt) sequence to generate mutants that were designated as eFSHR-D566G, -A306T, -A189V, -N191I, -R572C, -A574V, and -R633H. Mutants were transfected into PathHunter EA-parental CHO-K1 cells expressing β-arrestin. The biological function of mutants was analyzed by quantitating cAMP accumulation in cells incubated with increasing concentrations of FSH. Results: Cells expressing eFSHR-D566G exhibited an 8.6-fold increase in basal cAMP response, as compared to that in eFSHR-wt. The allelic variation mutant eFSHR-A306T was not found to affect the basal cAMP response or half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) levels. On the other hand, eFSHR-D566G and eFSHR-A306T displayed a 1.5- and 1.4-fold increase in the maximal response, respectively. Signal transduction was found to be completely impaired in case of the inactivating mutants eFSHR-A189V, -R572C, and -A574V. When compared with eFSHR-wt, eFSHR-N191I displayed a 5.4-fold decrease in the EC₅₀ levels (3,910 ng/mL) and a 2.3-fold decrease in the maximal response. In contrast, cells expressing eFSHR-R633H displayed in a similar manner to that of the cells expressing the eFSHR-wt on signal transduction and maximal response. Conclusion: The activating mutant eFSHR-D566G greatly enhanced the signal transduction in response to FSH, in the absence of agonist treatment. We suggest that the state of activation of the eFSHR can modulate its basal cAMP accumulation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2023

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability in more than 280 million people worldwide. Monoamine-based antidepressants are currently used to treat depression, but delays in treatment effects and lack of responses are major reasons for the need to develop faster and more efficient antidepressants. Studies show that ketamine (KET), a PCP analog, produces antidepressant effects within a few hours of administration that lasts up to a week. However, the use of KET has raised concerns about side effects, as well as the risk of abuse. 4 -F-PCP analog is a novel PCP analog that is also an NMDA receptor antagonist, structurally similar to KET, and might potentially elicit similar antidepressant effects, however, there has been no study on this subject yet. Herein, we investigate whether 4-F-PCP displays antidepressant effects and explored their potential therapeutic mechanisms. 4-F-PCP at 3 and 10 mg/kg doses showed antidepressant-like effects and repeated treatments maintained its effects. Furthermore, treatment with 4-F-PCP rescued the decreased expression of proteins most likely involved in depression and synaptic plasticity. Changes in the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT2, EAAT3, EAAT4) were also seen following drug treatment. Lastly, we assessed the possible side effects of 4-F-PCP after long-term treatment (up to 21 days). Results show that 4-F-PCP at 3 mg/kg dose did not alter the cognitive function of mice. Overall, current findings provide significant implications for future research not only with PCP analogs but also on the next generation of different types of antidepressants.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.99-115
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• 2023

Given the ongoing discussion regarding remote music therapy following the COVID-19 pandemic and the pivotal role of parental involvement in it, this study investigated parents' perceptions on their roles in a synchronous videoconferencing music therapy for their children with developmental disabilities. A total of 32 participants participated in an online survey comprising 68 questions. Descriptive statistics summarized the collected responses, and Pearson's correlation was conducted to examine the relationship between perceived parental roles, psychological burden, and willingness to participate in future remote music therapy. The findings showed that parents of children with developmental disabilities acknowledged the benefits of tele-music therapy and possessed substantial information about its implementation. Furthermore, they reported their roles of providing physical, participatory, and mediating support. As parents exhibited greater satisfaction with their role in supporting their children's participation or managing their off-task behaviors, they perceived reduced psychological burden. These findings hold significant implications for expansion of tele-music therapy strategies to address the unique needs of children with developmental disabilities and support their parents as immediate mediators for their children.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.125-144
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• 2023

Recently, the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT has been increasing in various fields such as interactive commerce and mobile financial services. However, LMMs, which are mainly created by learning existing documents, can also learn various human biases inherent in documents. Nevertheless, there have been few comparative studies on the aspects of bias and discrimination in LLMs. The purpose of this study is to examine the existence and extent of nine types of discrimination (Age, Disability status, Gender identity, Nationality, Physical appearance, Race ethnicity, Religion, Socio-economic status, Sexual orientation) in LLMs and suggest ways to improve them. For this purpose, we utilized BBQ (Bias Benchmark for QA), a tool for identifying discrimination, to compare three large-scale language models including ChatGPT, GPT-3, and Bing Chat. As a result of the evaluation, a large number of discriminatory responses were observed in the mega-language models, and the patterns differed depending on the mega-language model. In particular, problems were exposed in elder discrimination and disability discrimination, which are not traditional AI ethics issues such as sexism, racism, and economic inequality, and a new perspective on AI ethics was found. Based on the results of the comparison, this paper describes how to improve and develop large-scale language models in the future.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.221-233
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• 2019

The purpose of this study tries to show the effectiveness of integrated theater education for low-grade students who lack social skills with the direction of art education based on 'theatrical and educational theater' and 'theater therapy' in the revised curriculum in 2015. To do this, the researcher organized a theater camp organized by the social, cultural and arts education institute in Seoul for a total of 12 low-grade elementary school students for four weeks, and had a presentation session. In addition, the researcher observed the behavioral changes of the participating children to verify the social development of the theater education and after the conclusion, the final results were obtained through the in-depth interviews of the participants' parents and teachers. As a result, it was found that Social Skills Rating System(SSRS)' test, teachers' observation logs, interviews, and responses of participating children, which are the main subjects of this activity, had a great effect on improving their sociality and relationship. Therefore, the researcher tried to prove through this paper that theater education is effective in enhancing social skills as creative, personality and convergence education in preparation for the 4th industrial era and that it is important to solve communication problems such as the absence of human relationships.

• The Korean Journal of Coaching Psychology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.33-65
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• 2021

This study is an exploratory study to investigate the concept of student success recognized by college students. In order to listen to students' free thoughts, an open questionnaire was conducted using an online questionnaire and 99 responses were analyzed. The response results were analyzed using CQR-M (Consensual Qualitative Research-Modified). As a result of the analysis, 25 categories were derived from three domains. The frist domain, 'meaning of student success' recognized by college students is with 9 categories: 'academic achievement', 'job competency improvement', 'gaining diverse experiences', 'satisfactory employment', 'setting of desired career path', 'relationship-building ability improvement', 'setting and achievement of own goals', 'self-development', and 'satisfactory college life'. The second domain, 'college environmental factors for student success' is with 7 categories: 'career development support', 'job competency improvement system', 'support for participation in college life', 'opportunities to form human networks', 'learning capability enhancement system', 'expansion of economic support', and 'environment for student convenience'. The third domain, 'psychological factors necessary for student success' is with 9 categories: 'learning ability', 'self-efficacy', 'interpersonal competence', 'self-awareness and improvement', 'job competency', 'self-regulation ability', 'rich experience', 'career awareness', and 'self-esteem'. The frequency and results of each domain were analyzed and presented, the significance and limitations of the study were discussed, and suggestions for subsequent studies were made.

• (The) Research of the performance art and culture
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• no.40
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• pp.5-35
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• 2020

Affect is intensity and quality that are generated as the physical body senses the outside world. Of experienced affect, notions that are granted meaning and interpretation are emotions. Affect theory distinguishes emotion and affect and by focusing on affect, it provides methods with which to analyze physical body responses and changes and it presents new possibilities to performing arts research that uses the physical body as a medium. Nong-ak is art that concentrates mainly on the occurrence of affect rather than 'representation'. Nong-ak is a performance type in which sound, color, texture, and physical movement overlap and exist in a synesthetic way. Here, physical things such as instruments, props, costumes, and stage devices are gathered together with non-physical things such as rhythm, mood, and atmosphere around human bodies. The physical body is stimulated by these things, displays tendencies that suit performances, and becomes 'the body without an image' as it immerses itself into the performance, acting while displaying 'quasi-corporeality'. The body, which moves automatically as if without consciousness, appears more easily within groups. To transition individuals of everyday life to 'the body without an image', Nong-ak executes the group physical exercise of 'Jinpuri'. Such physical exercise builds up affect by increasing nonverbal communion and communication and brings out the creativity of individuals within mutual trust and a sense of belonging. Affect and emotion stirred up by Nong-ak act as confirmation and affirmation of the existence, vitality, and ability of one's self and groups. Such affirmation recalls Nong-ak as a meaningful and important value from group dimensions and perceives it as a performance form that should be preserved and passed on.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.208-216
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• 2023

In this study, using the Delphi method, 20 responses to 4 questions (need for launch safety control, top-priority considerations for ensuring public safety during launch, necessary improvements for securing maritime safety, and maritime safety threat factors) regarding launch vehicles and public safety were obtained from experts, and their importance was evaluated to analyze the factors that threaten the reinforcement of maritime safety around launch sites and flight paths when launching. According to the results of an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis, the consistency ratio of the four questions was 4.8%, which is lower than CR ≤ 0.1(10%), and the consistency percentage of the lower measurement indicators was 3.9~5.7%. The derived importance and priority of maritime safety threat factors during launching were in the following order: Substantial human and physical damage in case of launch accidents(0.36), Prepare legal bases (e.g., penalty details) regarding maritime control(0.32), Secure the safety of personnel, equipment, and facilities in danger zone(0.31), Unauthorized entry of vessels in maritime control zones and non-compliance to restrictions(0.30). This article can serve as a reference for strengthening maritime safety in areas around launch sites and flight paths.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.307-319
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• 2023

This study aims to explain the key concepts and principles of text-based generative artificial intelligence (AI) that has been receiving increasing interest and utilization, focusing on its application in science education. It also highlights the potential and limitations of utilizing generative AI in science education, providing insights for its implementation and research aspects. Recent advancements in generative AI, predominantly based on transformer models consisting of encoders and decoders, have shown remarkable progress through optimization of reinforcement learning and reward models using human feedback, as well as understanding context. Particularly, it can perform various functions such as writing, summarizing, keyword extraction, evaluation, and feedback based on the ability to understand various user questions and intents. It also offers practical utility in diagnosing learners and structuring educational content based on provided examples by educators. However, it is necessary to examine the concerns regarding the limitations of generative AI, including the potential for conveying inaccurate facts or knowledge, bias resulting from overconfidence, and uncertainties regarding its impact on user attitudes or emotions. Moreover, the responses provided by generative AI are probabilistic based on response data from many individuals, which raises concerns about limiting insightful and innovative thinking that may offer different perspectives or ideas. In light of these considerations, this study provides practical suggestions for the positive utilization of AI in science education.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.204-213
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• 2022

Background: The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant increased the level of anxiety related to the radioactive contamination of various foods sourced in Japan. Particularly, after the accident, the detection of artificial radionuclides in locally produced foods raised food safety concerns. In this study, the radioactivity concentrations and annual ingestions of ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs in food products commonly and frequently consumed by the general public were investigated, and the annual effective dose of each was evaluated. Materials and Methods: The 2016-2018 data from the Radiation Safety Management Report released by the Korea Nuclear Safety Technology Center was referenced for the evaluation of the amounts of ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs contained in food. Using the food-ingestion survey mentioned above as a reference, we selected 62 foods to include in our radioactivity concentration and dose assessment. We also developed a questionnaire and evaluated the responses from the subjects who answered the questionnaire. Results and Discussion: The radioactivity concentration of ¹³⁷Cs was found to be close to or below the level of minimum detectable activity. Additionally, the annual ingestion of 62 foods was 294.77 kg/yr, the effective doses from ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs were 136.4 and 0.163 μSv/yr, respectively. Conclusion: Thus, the findings confirmed that the effective dose from ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs in food tends to be lower than the effective dose limit of 1 mSv/yr suggested by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 60. The questionnaire developed in this study is expected to be useful for estimating the annual effective dose status of Korean adults who consume foods containing ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs.