• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.87-95
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• 2023

Purpose: To quantify the relationship between perceived pain intensity and psychological variables in a sample of participants with temporomandibular disorder, with or without central sensitization (CS). Methods: A cross-sectional study with nonprobability convenience sampling was conducted from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire, STAI), catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale, PCS), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Co.), which included descriptive and normality analyses and the calculation of strength of multiple correlational regression. Results: A total of 52 (n=34 female 65.4%; n=18 male 34.6%) subjects with diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) were finally included. A total of 26 participants (n=26, 50.0%) were cases suffered from CS (TMD-CS mean=46.62±11.24) while the remaining participants (n=26, 50.0%) were the controls (TMD-nCS mean=26.77, standard deviation [SD]=8.42). The pain intensity was moderate in both groups TMDCS (mean=7.62, SD=0.83) and TMD-nCS (mean=7.05, SD=0.86), anxiety (TMD-CS STAI mean=53.27, SD=11.54; TMD-nCS STAI mean=49, SD=11.55), catastrophizing (TMD-CS PCS mean=46.27, SD=9.75; TMD-nCS PCS mean=26.69, SD=4.97), perceived stress (TMDCS PSS mean=30.35, SD=4.91; TMD-nCS PSS mean=26.12, SD=6.60) and sleep quality (TMD-CS PSQI mean=15.81, SD=3.65; TMD-nCS PSQI mean=12.77, SD=2.76) levels were measured in both groups. In TMD-CS and TMD-nCS, higher anxiety levels were moderately and significantly associated with greater pain intensity β=0.4467 (t=2.477, p=0.021) and β=0.5087 (t=2.672, p=0.014). Nevertheless, catastrophizing, perceived stress and sleep quality were not associated to pain intensity in neither of group. Conclusions: In both TMD-CS and TMD-nCS patients, elevated anxiety levels were moderately and significantly associated with increased pain intensity. However, heightened levels of pain catastrophizing, perceived stress, and poor sleep quality were not significantly associated with increased pain intensity in either of the two analyzed groups.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.35-44
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• 2023

Objective : This study sought to explore occupational therapy students' awareness of Developmental Rehabilitation Services (DRSs) and the certification of Sensory Developmental Rehabilitation Service Providers (SDRSPs). Moreover, it also aimed to examine the differences in students' awareness based on general characteristics. The findings were intended to provide a foundation for research on sensory developmental rehabilitation. Methods : An online survey was conducted among 199 occupational therapy students nationwide from October 4 to November 5, 2022. Frequency analysis was used to assess the general characteristics and additional items. Both descriptive statistics and frequency analysis were employed to assess the students' awareness of DRSs and SDRSP certification. Any differences in the students' awareness based on their general characteristics were examined using t-tests and an analysis of variance. Results : The students' awareness of DRSs was moderate (4.50 ± 2.40), while their awareness of SDRSP certification was also moderate (4.22 ± 2.55). The awareness of DRSs varied significantly based on the students' academic year and child-related practice experience. Similarly, the awareness of SDRSP certification differed significantly based on the students' academic program, academic year, recognition by the related department, and child-related practice experience. Conclusion : The occupational therapy students expressed a strong intention to provide DRSs and become certified as SDRSPs. However, their awareness levels were moderate. These findings emphasize the importance of educational efforts and the provision of relevant information about DRSs and SDRSP certification in universities to foster the development of competent SDRSPs.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.25-39
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• 2023

As the scope of supply chains expands globally, unpredictable risks continue to arise. The occurrence of these supply chain risks affects port cargo throughput and hinders port operation. In order to examine the impact of global supply chain risks on port container throughput, this study conducted an empirical analysis on the impact of variables such as the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI), Shanghai Container Freight Index (SCFI), Industrial Production Index, and Retail Sales Index on port traffic using the vector autoregressive(VAR) model. As a result of the analysis, the rise in GSCPI causes a short-term decrease in the throughput of Busan Port, but after a certain point, it acts as a factor increasing the throughput and affects it in the form of a wave. In addition, the industrial production index and the retail sales index were found to have no statistically significant effect on the throughput of Busan Port. In the case of SCFI, the effect was almost similar to that of GSCPI. The results of this study reveal how risks affect port cargo throughput in a situation where supply chain risks are gradually increasing, providing many implications for establishing port operation policies for future supply chain risks.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.521-531
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• 2023

Transmembrane protein TMEM16A, which encodes calcium-activated chloride channel has been implicated in tumorigenesis. Overexpression of TMEM16A is associated with poor prognosis and low overall survival in multiple cancers including lung adenocarcinoma, making it a promising biomarker and therapeutic target. In this study, three structure-related sesquiterpene lactones (mecheliolide, costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone) were extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Aucklandiae Radix and identified as novel TMEM16A inhibitors with comparable inhibitory effects. Their effects on the proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells were examined. Whole-cell patch clamp experiments showed that these sesquiterpene lactones potently inhibited recombinant TMEM16A currents in a concentration-dependent manner. The half-maximal concentration (IC50) values for three tested sesquiterpene lactones were 29.9 ± 1.1 µM, 19.7 ± 0.4 µM, and 24.5 ± 2.1 µM, while the maximal effect (E_max) values were 100.0% ± 2.8%, 85.8% ± 0.9%, and 88.3% ± 4.6%, respectively. These sesquiterpene lactones also significantly inhibited the endogenous TMEM16A currents and proliferation, and migration of LA795 lung cancer cells. These results demonstrate that mecheliolide, costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone are novel TMEM16A inhibitors and potential candidates for lung adenocarcinoma therapy.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.745-764
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• 2023

In the Republic of Congo, Banded iron formations (BIFs) occur in two areas: the Chaillu Massif and the Ivindo Basement Complex, which are segments of the Archean Congo craton outcropping in the northwestern and southwestern parts of the country. They show interesting potential with significant mineral resources reaching 2 Bt and grades up to 60% Fe. BIFs consist mostly of oxide-rich facies (hematite/magnetite), but carbonate-rich facies are also highlighted. They are found across the country within the similar geological sequences composed of amphibolites, gneisses and greenschists. The Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS)-normalized patterns of BIFs show enrichment in elements such as SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, CaO, P₂O₅, Cr, Cu, Zn, Nb, Hf, U and depletion in TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, Na₂O, K₂O, Sc, Th, Ba, Zr, Rb, Ni, V. REE diagrams show slight light REEs (rare earth elements; LREEs) compared to heavy REEs (HREEs), and positive La and Eu anomalies. The lithological associations, as well as the very high (Eu/Eu^*)_SN ratios> 1.8 shown by the BIFs, suggest that they are related to Algoma-type BIFs. The positive correlations between Zr and TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Hf suggest that the contamination comes mainly from felsic rocks, while the absence of correlations between MgO and Cr, Ni argues for negligeable contributions from mafic sources. Pr/Pr^* vs. Ce/Ce^* diagram indicates that the Congolese BIFs were formed in basins with redox heterogeneity, which varies from suboxic to anoxic and from oxic to anoxic conditions. They were formed through hydrothermal vents in the seawater, with relatively low proportions of detrital inputs derived from igneous sources through continental weathering. Some Congolese BIFs show high contents in Cr, Ni and Cu, which suggest that iron (Fe) and silicon (Si) have been leached through hydrothermal processes associated with submarine volcanism. We discussed their tectonic setting and depositional environment and proposed that they were deposited in extensional back-arc basins, which also recorded hydrothermal vent fluids.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1021-1030
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• 2024

Objective: R-loops are DNA:RNA triplex hybrids, and their metabolism is tightly regulated by transcriptional regulation, DNA damage response, and chromatin structure dynamics. R-loop homeostasis is dynamically regulated and closely associated with gene transcription in mouse zygotes. However, the factors responsible for regulating these dynamic changes in the R-loops of fertilized mouse eggs have not yet been investigated. This study examined the functions of candidate factors that interact with R-loops during zygotic gene activation. Methods: In this study, we used publicly available next-generation sequencing datasets, including low-input ribosome profiling analysis and polymerase II chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq), to identify potential regulators of R-loop dynamics in zygotes. These datasets were downloaded, reanalyzed, and compared with mass spectrometry data to identify candidate factors involved in regulating R-loop dynamics. To validate the functions of these candidate factors, we treated mouse zygotes with chemical inhibitors using in vitro fertilization. Immunofluorescence with an anti-R-loop antibody was then performed to quantify changes in R-loop metabolism. Results: We identified DEAD-box-5 (DDX5) and histone deacetylase-2 (HDAC2) as candidates that potentially regulate R-loop metabolism in oocytes, zygotes and two-cell embryos based on change of their gene translation. Our analysis revealed that the DDX5 inhibition of activity led to decreased R-loop accumulation in pronuclei, indicating its involvement in regulating R-loop dynamics. However, the inhibition of histone deacetylase-2 activity did not significantly affect R-loop levels in pronuclei. Conclusion: These findings suggest that dynamic changes in R-loops during mouse zygote development are likely regulated by RNA helicases, particularly DDX5, in conjunction with transcriptional processes. Our study provides compelling evidence for the involvement of these factors in regulating R-loop dynamics during early embryonic development.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.335-343
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• 2024

Real-time target signal processing techniques for FMCW LiDAR are described in this paper. FMCW LiDAR is gaining attention as the next-generation LiDAR for self-driving cars because of its detection robustness even in adverse environmental conditions such as rain, snow and fog etc. in addition to its long range measurement capability. The hardware architecture which is required for high-speed data acquisition, data transfer, and parallel signal processing for frequency-domain signal processing is described in this article. Fourier transformation of the acquired time-domain signal is implemented on FPGA in real time. The paper also details the C-FAR algorithm for ensuring robust target detection from the transformed target spectrum. This paper elaborates on enhancing frequency measurement resolution from the target spectrum and converting them into range and velocity data. The 3D image was generated and displayed using the 2D scanner position and target distance data. Real-time target signal processing and high-resolution image acquisition capability of FMCW LiDAR by using the proposed parallel signal processing algorithms based on FPGA architecture are verified in this paper.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.431-441
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• 2020

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance and interobserver variability of strain ratio obtained from one or two regions of interest (ROI) on breast elastography. Materials and Methods: From April to May 2016, 140 breast masses in 140 patients who underwent conventional ultrasonography (US) with strain elastography followed by US-guided biopsy were evaluated. Three experienced breast radiologists reviewed recorded US and elastography images, measured strain ratios, and categorized them according to the American College of Radiology breast imaging reporting and data system lexicon. Strain ratio was obtained using the 1-ROI method (one ROI drawn on the target mass), and the 2-ROI method (one ROI in the target mass and another in reference fat tissue). The diagnostic performance of the three radiologists among datasets and optimal cut-off values for strain ratios were evaluated. Interobserver variability of strain ratio for each ROI method was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient values, Bland-Altman plots, and coefficients of variation. Results: Compared to US alone, US combined with the strain ratio measured using either ROI method significantly improved specificity, positive predictive value, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (all p values < 0.05). Strain ratio obtained using the 1-ROI method showed higher interobserver agreement between the three radiologists without a significant difference in AUC for differentiating breast cancer when the optimal strain ratio cut-off value was used, compared with the 2-ROI method (AUC: 0.788 vs. 0.783, 0.693 vs. 0.715, and 0.691 vs. 0.686, respectively, all p values > 0.05). Conclusion: Strain ratios obtained using the 1-ROI method showed higher interobserver agreement without a significant difference in AUC, compared to those obtained using the 2-ROI method. Considering that the 1-ROI method can reduce performers' efforts, it could have an important role in improving the diagnostic performance of breast US by enabling consistent management of breast lesions.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.198-207
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• 2009

Distribution of cavitation bubbles relative to change of the sound speed and attenuation in the water was estimated using acoustic signal from 20 to 300 kHz in two cases that cavitation bubbles exist and do not exist. To study generation and extinction property of cavitation bubble, bubble distribution was estimated in three cases: change of rotation speed (3000-4000 rpm), surface area of blade ($32-98\;mm^2$) and elapsed time (30-120 sec). As a result, the radii of the generated bubbles ranged from 10 to $60{\mu}m$, and bubble radius of $10-20{\mu}m$ and $20-30{\mu}m$ was accounted for 45 and 25% of the total number of cavitation bubbles, respectively. And generation bubble population correlated closely with the rotating speed of the blades but did not correlate with the surface area of blade. It was observed that 80% of total bubble population disappeared within 2 minutes. Finally, acoustic data of bubble distribution was compared with optical data.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2010

High-frequency bottom loss measurements for grazing angle of $82^{\circ}$ in frequency range 17-40 kHz were made in Jinhae bay in the southern part of Korea. Observations of bottom loss showed the strong variation as a function of frequency, which were compared to the predicted values using two-layered sediment reflection model. The geoacoustic parameters including sound speed, density and attenuation coefficient for the second sediment layer were predicted from the empirical relations with the mean grain size obtained from sediment core analysis. The geoacoustic parameters for the surficial sediment layer were inverted using Monte Carlo inversion algorithm. A sensitivity study for the geoacoustic parameters showed that the thickness of surficial sediment layer was most sensitive to the variation of the bottom loss.