• Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.512-527
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• 2018

This review provides a comprehensive overview of brain imaging studies of the brain-gut interaction in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Functional neuroimaging studies during gut stimulation have shown enhanced brain responses in regions related to sensory processing of the homeostatic condition of the gut (homeostatic afferent) and responses to salience stimuli (salience network), as well as increased and decreased brain activity in the emotional response areas and reduced activation in areas associated with the top-down modulation of visceral afferent signals. Altered central regulation of the endocrine and autonomic nervous responses, the key mediators of the brain-gut axis, has been demonstrated. Studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging reported abnormal local and global connectivity in the areas related to pain processing and the default mode network (a physiological baseline of brain activity at rest associated with self-awareness and memory) in FGIDs. Structural imaging with brain morphometry and diffusion imaging demonstrated altered gray- and white-matter structures in areas that also showed changes in functional imaging studies, although this requires replication. Molecular imaging by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography in FGIDs remains relatively sparse. Progress using analytical methods such as machine learning algorithms may shift neuroimaging studies from brain mapping to predicting clinical outcomes. Because several factors contribute to the pathophysiology of FGIDs and because its population is quite heterogeneous, a new model is needed in future studies to assess the importance of the factors and brain functions that are responsible for an optimal homeostatic state.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.27-34
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• 2019

Purpose: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth has been reported to be between 0.1% and 3.8%. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, clinical significance, and associated pathologies of fourth molars based on a retrospective study and a literature review. Materials and Methods: A 5-year retrospective prevalence study was conducted at the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Dentomaxillofacial Radiology of Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan. The study involved extracting data from the digital records of patients from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2017. The sampling frame included all patients who had panoramic radiographs, cone-beam computed tomography (CT), and multislice CT images during the period under review. Results: A total of 26,721 cases were reviewed and 87 fourth molars were identified. The prevalence of fourth molars in the 5-year study at Okayama was calculated as 0.32%. The mean age of patients with a fourth molar was 30.43 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.98. The vast majority of cases were in the maxilla (92%) and had normal shapes(89.7%); furthermore, 82.8% of cases were unerupted. Conclusion: The prevalence of fourth molars in the study population was found to be 0.32%, and fourth molars occurred with approximately equal frequency in males and females. Fourth molars were more common in the maxilla and were predominantly unerupted and small.

• Advances in materials Research
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.47-73
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• 2019

Joining of Mg/Ti hybrid structures by welding for automotive and aerospace applications has attracted great attention in recent years due mainly to its potential benefit of energy saving and emission reduction. However, joining them has been hampered with many difficulties due to their physical and metallurgical incompatibilities. Different joining processes have been employed to join Mg/Ti, and in most cases in order to get a metallurgical bonding between them was the use of an intermediate element at the interface or mutual diffusion of alloying elements from the base materials. The formation of a reaction product (in the form of solid solution or intermetallic compound) along the interface between the Mg and Ti is responsible for formation of a metallurgical bond. However, the interfacial bonding achieved and the joints performance depend significantly on the newly formed reaction product(s). Thus, a thorough understanding of the interaction between the selected intermediate elements with the base metals along with the influence of the associated welding parameters are essential. This review is timely as it presents on the current paradigm and progress in welding and joining of Mg/Ti alloys. The factors governing the welding of several important techniques are deliberated along with their joining mechanisms. Some opportunities to improve the welding of Mg/Ti for different welding techniques are also identified.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.215-222
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• 2019

PURPOSE. To evaluate the polishing effect on roughness and color change of pressed and layering ceramics after immersion in coffee solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 88 ceramic discs ($1.0mm{\times}10.0mm$) were manufactured - 44 nano-fluorapatite layering ceramics (IPS e.max Ceram. Group C) and 44 pressed lithium disilicate ceramic discs (IPS e. max Press - Group P). Each group was divided into 4 subgroups according to surface treatments: (G) Glaze, (S) Shofu polishing system (Shofu Inc.), (E) Edenta AG polishing System, (KG) $30-{\mu}m$ diamond granulation tip. Surface roughness (Ra) and color change (${\Delta}E$) measurings after the surface treatments were performed, before and 12 days after the immersion in coffee solution. A samples' qualitative analysis was conducted with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were statistically-treated with one-way-ANOVA and Duncan's tests, apart from paired t-test and Pearson's correlation test (${\alpha}=5%$). RESULTS. The decrescent order, both for surface roughness (Ra) and ${\Delta}E$ for both ceramics were: KG > E > S > G (P<.05). With exception for PG and CG subgroups, which did not present statistical difference between them, all other pressed ceramics subgroups presented smaller Ra values and greater ${\Delta}E$ values than the layering ceramics subgroups (P<.05). CONCLUSION. Although mechanical polishing systems presented intermediate Ra values, their colors were considered clinically acceptable. There is a strong correlation between the surface roughness and the color change of tested ceramics.

• 한국식생활문화학회지
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.605-615
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• 2008

The principal objective of this study was to categorize service attributes on the basis of the asymmetric and non-linear relationship existing between service attributes and customer satisfaction. Researchers generally assume that service attribute performances and customer satisfaction are both symmetrical and linear. That is to say, improvements in attribute performance will inevitably result in increased customer satisfaction. However, this is not always the case. Certain attributes have been shown not to create satisfaction even when improved, and others do not create dissatisfaction even when their performance ratings become negative. Understanding this relationship is crucial not only to researchers, but also to service managers. Service managers can arrange their priorities with regard to which attributes must be improved or promoted first, in an environment of limited technical, financial, and human resources. Many studies into this asymmetric and non-linear relationship have recently been conducted, beginning with Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory (1976) and the disconfirmation theory, which was eventually developed into Kano's model (1984). This study attempted to determine the impact level of service attributes on incidents of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. It used 30 service attributes generated by Park (2008) in the CIT research into family restaurants. The data were collected from 600 participants, 300 incidences of satisfaction and 300 incidents of dissatisfaction, via an online survey. The t-test was used to confirm the difference between the satisfaction group's and dissatisfaction group's attributes. 11 attributes were found to be significant at a level of p>0.05. This indicates that the 11 attributes exerted different impacts on satisfaction and dissatisfaction, which confirmed the asymmetric and non-linear relationship. 14 attributes were categorized into the core service, 1 attribute into the quality service, 7 attributes into the basic service, and 8 attributes into the neutral service. Strategic customer service management was recommended for the 'A' family restaurant as an example, on the basis of the asymmetric and non-linear relationship and the characteristics of the four service factors.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.1101-1121
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• 2024

Thorough understanding of user demands and formulation of product development strategies are crucial in product design, and can effectively stimulate consumer behavior. Scientific categorization and classification of demands contribute to accurate design development, design efficiency, and success rates. In recent years, e-commerce has become important consumption platforms for smart wearable products. However, there are few studies on product design and development among those related to promoting platform product services and sales. Meanwhile, design strategies focusing on real consumer needs are scarce among smart wearable product design studies. Therefore, an empirical consumer demand analysis method is proposed and design development strategies are formulated based on a categorized interpretation of demands. Using representative smart bracelets from wearable smart products as a case, this paper classifies consumer demands with three methods: big data semantic analysis, KANO model analysis, and satisfaction analysis. The results reveal that analysis methods proposed herein can effectively classify consumer demands and confirm that differences in consumer demand categories have varying impacts on consumer behavior. On this basis, corresponding design strategies are proposed based on four categories of consumer demands, aiming to make product design the leading factor and promote consumer behavior on e-commerce platforms. This research further enriches demand research on smart wearable products on e-commerce platforms, and optimizes products from a design perspective, thereby promoting consumption. In future research, different data analysis methods will be tried to compare and analyze changes in consumer demands and influencing factors, thus improving research on impact factors of product design in e-commerce.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제13권9호
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• pp.71-79
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• 2015

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to find out the effect of changes in the differentiated "servicescape" on the business performance in the hair salon industry using a case study. For this, we selected hair salon M located in Suwon. The shop is innovatively different from existing shops in terms of spatial layout and functionality. We conducted in-depth research, beginning with the launch of the shop concept through investment and ongoing stable sales. Research design, data, and methodology - The M hair salon is a start up shop providing a differentiated servicescape (physical environment where the service takes place) located in Suwon, Yeongtong-gu. We conducted research to investigate how spatial layout and functionality of the servicescape impact customers' perceived quality. The interview period and case analysis was May 2014 through March 2015, covering 11 months. To conduct the case analysis, we analyzed the spatial layout and functionality of existing shops and interviewed customers and experts about the difference between hair salon M and existing shops. Results - Our results found clues to the positive effect of spatial layout and functionality among servicescape factors on perceived service quality at the salon. The shop showed a fast payback of the principal investment, growth potential in contrast to competitors near the salon, and 45 percent returning customers. The problem with the spatial layout at existing shops was that customers were aware of the way other people were looking at them, since viewing angles overlapped, therefore there was a limitation to the relationship intensity with an exclusive hair designer. In contrast, the layout of the stands at the M salon kept the number of dressing stands limited to maximize the customer's emotional response. Additionally, because of the new layout of dressing stands hiding other customer voices and appearance in the salon, customers perceived their service space as independent. Therefore, they did not have to focus on their personal emotional response, which was one of the advantages of the new layout. Conclusions - This study conducted case study analysis by offering a new perspective focusing on spatial layout, previously not considered as an independent variable of quality evaluations and customer satisfaction in existing literature on hair salon management. Therefore, this study contributes to the field by offering an opportunity to discover the causal relationships between the overlooked physical environment and a customer's perceived quality. However, a process objectifying the results of the study through empirical analysis and hypotheses is needed to overcome the limitations of the case study approach and generalize the results. Moreover, it would be beneficial to conduct further empirical study of the relationship between the spatial layout provided in the case and a customer's emotional response and change in mood. In addition, an analysis is needed regarding how customers feel about the factors using the Kano Model. These suggestions would be considered in further study.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.134-141
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• 2018

Purpose: Postoperative pancreatic fistula is a serious and fatal complication of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Blunt trauma to the parenchyma of the pancreas can result from an assistant's forceps compressing and retracting the pancreas, which in turn may result in pancreatic juice leakage. However, no published studies have focused on blunt trauma to the pancreas during laparoscopic surgery. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between compression of the pancreas and pancreatic juice leakage in a swine model. Materials and Methods: Three female pigs were used in this study. The pancreas was gently compressed dorsally for 15 minutes laparoscopically with gauze grasped with forceps. Pancreatic juice leakage was visualized by fluorescence imaging after topical administration of chymotrypsin-activatable fluorophore in real time. Amylase concentrations in ascites collected at specified times was measured. In addition, pancreatic tissue was fixed with formalin, and the histology of the compressed sites was evaluated. Results: Fluorescence imaging enabled visualization of pancreatic juice leaking into ascites around the pancreas. Median concentrations of pancreatic amylase in ascites increased from 46 U/L preoperatively to 12,509 U/L 4 hours after compression. Histological examination of tissues obtained 4 hours after compression revealed necrotic pancreatic acinar cells extending from the surface to deep within the pancreas and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Conclusions: Pancreatic compression by the assistant's forceps can contribute to pancreatic juice leakage. These findings will help to improve the procedure for lymph node dissection around the pancreas during laparoscopic gastrectomy.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2017년도 9th Asian Crop Science Association conference
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• pp.321-321
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• 2017

Water availability in rainfed lowlands (RFL) is strongly affected by climate change. In RFL, rice plants are exposed to soil moisture fluctuations (SMF) but rarely to simple progressive drought as widely believed. Typical RFL field is characterized by a about 5-cm thick high bulk density hardpan layer underneath the cultivated layer at about 20 cm depth that impedes deep root development. Root system has the ability to develop in response to changes in SMF, known as phenotypic plasticity. We hypothesized that genotypes that can adapt to RFL have root plasticity. The roots can sharply respond to re-wetting after drought period and thus penetrate the hardpan layer when the hardpan is wet and so becomes relatively soft, and thus access water under the hardpan. This study aimed to identify CSSLs derived from a cross between Sasanishiki and Habataki which adapted to such RFL conditions. We used 39 CSSLs together with the parent Sasanishiki, which were grown in hydroponics and pot under transient soil moisture stresses (drought and then rewatering), and compared with continuously well-watered (WW) (control) up to 14 days after sowing (DAS), and 20 DAS, respectively. Based on the results of hydroponics and pot experiments, we selected a few lines, which were grown in the soil-filled rootbox with artificial hardpan layer and without artificial hardpan. For the rootbox without artificial hardpan, plants were grown under WW and transient soil moisture stresses for 49 DAS. While the rootbox with artificial hardpan, the plants were grown under WW (control) and SMF (WW up to 21 DAS, 1st drought (22-36 DAS), rewatering (37-44 DAS), and followed by 2nd drought (45-58 DAS)). Among the 39 CSSLs, only CSSL439 (SL39) consistently showed significantly higher shoot dry weight (SDW) than Sasanishiki under transient soil moisture stress conditions as well as SMF conditions in all the experiments. Furthermore, under WW, SL39 consistently showed no significant differences from Sasanishiki in shoot and root growth in most of traits examined. SL39 showed significantly greater total root length (TRL) than Sasanishiki under transient soil moisture stress, which is considered as phenotypic plasticity in response to rewatering after drought period. Such plastic root development was the key trait that effectively contributed to root elongation and branching during the rewatering period and consequently enhanced the root to penetrate hardpan layer when the soil penetration resistance at hardpan layer reduced. In addition, using the rootbox with artificial hardpan layer ($1.7g\;cm^{-3}$, heavily compacted), SL39 showed greater root system development than Sasanishiki under SMF, which was expressed in its significantly higher TRL, total nodal RL, and total lateral RL at hardpan layer as well as at below the hardpan layer. These results prove that SL39 has plasticity that enables its root systems to penetrate hardpan layer in response to rewatering. Under SMF, such root plasticity contributed to its higher gs and Pn.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2017년도 9th Asian Crop Science Association conference
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• pp.237-237
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• 2017

Rice is highly sensitive to salt stress especially in its early growth stage, which thus is one of the major constraints in rice production. In rice plants, salt sensitivity is associated with the accumulation of $Na^+$ in the shoots, especially in the photosynthetic tissues. High salt concentrations in soil cause high $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ transport to the shoot and preferential accumulation of those ions in older leaves, which decreases $K^+$ in the shoot, photosynthetic activity and grain yield. Salt exclusion capacity at the leaf sheath is therefore considered to be one of the main mechanisms of salt tolerance. In addition, it is suspected that the lamina joint might be involved in the salt transport from leaf sheath to leaf blade. This research aims to determine if leaf sheaths of rice exclude a large amount of $Na^+$ only or other ions such as $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Cl^-$ as well, to identify tissues in the leaf sheath, which accumulate $Na^+$, and to examine if the lamina joint is involved in the salt exclusion by the leaf sheath. The rice seedlings of salt tolerant genotype FL478 and salt sensitive genotype IR29 were independently treated with NaCl, KCl, $MgCl_2$ and $CaCl_2$, and Taichung 65 and its near-isogenic liguleless line (T65lg) were treated with NaCl. Then, the content of $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Cl^-$ ions and their specific location were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, Ion Chromatograph, and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Results showed that leaf sheaths of FL478 and IR29 accumulated a large amount of $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Cl^-$ ons, and thus excluded them from leaf blades when treated with high concentration of each salt. When treated with NaCl, the highest $Na^+$ concentration was found in the basal part of leaf sheaths of both cultivars. Moreover, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that the central parenchyma cells of the leaf sheath were the site where most Na, Cl, and K were retained under salinity in the salt tolerant genotype FL478. Also, the concentration of $Na^+$, $K^+$ and $Cl^-$ ions in leaf sheaths and leaf blades was comparable between T65 and T65lg, indicating that the lamina joint may not be involved in the exclusion of $Na^+$, $Cl^-$ and $K^+$ by the leaf sheath from the leaf blade under salinity. Therefore, we conclude that the central parenchyma cells of basal part of leaf sheath are the site that plays a physiological role to exclude $Na^+$ in the shoots of rice without the involvement of the lamina joint.