• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.101-114
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• 2016

Purpose - The aim of this study is to investigate the benefit-sharing activities. They affect contract renewal intention between franchisers and franchisees that are linked through a contract with the intention of building their relationship from the level based on dynamic trust. This study will show a new approach on qualitative growth and consolidation of competitive power and may well be able to suggest practical ways to strengthen directions in the field of franchise industries. Research design, data, and methodology - In this study, based on literature review, we separated logistical-supporting activities and non-logistical-supporting activities from benefit-sharing activities. We modeled how benefit-sharing activities influence contract renewal intention of franchisees by dynamic trust. In particular, considering the possibility of trading concepts and characteristics of trust between providers opportunistic behaviors was defined as variables, depending on the situation and dynamic characters reveal their relationship trust concept. That is, dynamic trust having the possibility of changing depending on opportunistic risks and interdependencies by Lewis & Weigert(1985, 2012) was classified into transitional-based trust, calculated based trust, relational-based trust and balance-based on trust. The total of 104 samples from domestic franchisees being with franchisees were collected by using a structural composed questionnaire. Results - The results are as following. Benefit-sharing activities in logistical supporting activities appeared to affect the multidimensional concept of transitional trust, calculated based on trust, relationship-based trust and balance based on trust dynamic trust with all-defined impact. Non-logistical supporting activities appeared to affect significantly the positive (+) to the dynamic trust concept except transitional trust. Lewis & Weigert(1985; 2012) have proposed a dynamic confidence calculated from relations within-based trust relationship based on trust appears to affect the significant positive (+) to the balance-based confidence transactions confidence mechanism of the system side in the verified relationship. Finally, a relationship based on trust and confidence in the balance based on the Influence of dynamic renewed confidence showed significantly affect the positive(+). In particular, the balance based trust showed the acts as a mediating factors between relational trust and confidence and renew calculated. Conclusion - From the above these results, the significance from this study is as following. First, the proposed activity is to share and validate the approach by identifying the potential in the relationship from the contract with building dynamic trust, and one of the ways from the franchise headquarters and affiliated merchants mutual growth through win-win cooperation in sharing activities. Next, the dynamic segmentation confidence to suggest the possibility can be broken down over the validity and reliability test for each concept. In addition, by identifying the relationship between the dynamic level of confidence granular multi-dimensional concept, to determine the level of trust with a dynamic relationship between risk and interdependencies can be possible in franchise industries. In order to maintain and develop their mutual relationship, franchise industries should propose confidence-building steps to promote their quality improvement.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.231-238
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• 2016

Purpose: Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is a 65-kDa acute phase protein, derived from the liver, which is present in high concentrations in plasma. Data regarding the association between circulating plasma LBP levels and obesity-related biomarkers in the pediatric population are scarce. We aimed to determine whether there was a difference in plasma LBP levels between overweight/obese and normal-weight adolescents and to assess the correlation of circulating LBP levels with anthropometric measures and obesity-related biomarkers, including insulin resistance, liver enzyme levels, and lipid profiles. Methods: The study included 87 adolescents aged 12-13 years; 44 were overweight/obese and 43 were of normal-weight. We assessed anthropometric and laboratory measures, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, insulin resistance, liver enzyme levels, and lipid profiles. Plasma LBP levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The mean age of the participants was $12.9{\pm}0.3$ years. Circulating plasma LBP levels were significantly increased in overweight/obese participants compared with those in normal-weight participants ($7.8{\pm}1.9{\mu}g/mL$ vs. $6.0{\pm}1.6{\mu}g/mL$, P<0.001). LBP levels were significantly and positively associated with BMI, systolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fasting glucose and insulin, and insulin resistance as indicated by the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (all P<0.05). In multivariate linear regression analysis, BMI and HOMA-IR were independently and positively associated with plasma LBP levels. Conclusion: LBP is an inflammatory biomarker associated with BMI and obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents. The positive correlation between these parameters suggests a potentially relevant pathophysiological mechanism linking LBP to obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.547-555
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• 2020

Objective: Apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) affects mammalian follicular development and fecundity. This study aimed to explore the regulatory relationship between microRNA-26a (miR-26a) and the 3β-hydroxysteroid-Δ24-reductase gene (DHCR24) gene in porcine follicular granular cells (pGCs), and to provide empirical data for the development of methods to improve the reproductive capacity of pigs. Methods: The pGCs were transfected with miR-26a mimic, miR-26a inhibitor and DHCR24-siRNA in vitro. The cell apoptosis rate of pGCs was detected by the flow cytometry. The secretion levels of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) in pGCs were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Double luciferase validation system was used to detect the binding sites between miR-26a and DHCR24 3'-UTR region. Qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to verify the DHCR24 mRNA and protein expression in pGCs, respectively, after transfecting with miR-26a mimic and miR-26a inhibitor. Results: Results showed that enhancement of miR-26a promoted apoptosis, and inhibited E2 and P secretion in pGCs. Meanwhile, inhibition of DHCR24 also upregulated the Caspase-3 expression, reduced the BCL-2 expression, promoted pGCs apoptosis, and inhibited E2 and P secretion in pGCs. There were the binding sites of miR-26a located within DHCR24 3'-UTR. Up-regulation of miR-26a inhibited DHCR24 mRNA and protein expression in pGCs. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that miR-26a can promote cell apoptosis and inhibit E2 and P secretion by inhibiting the expression of DHCR24 in pGCs.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.222-228
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA; Dentsply, Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA), which is widely used as root-end filling material, with DiaRoot BioAggregate (DB; Innovative BioCaramix Inc, Vancouver, BC, Canada), newly developed product, by using MG63 osteoblast-like cells. MTA, DB, and Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM; Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE, USA) were used for root-end filling material while tissue culture plastic was used for control group. Each material was mixed and, the mixtures were left to set for 24 hours. MG63 cells were seeded to each group and then they were cultured for attachment for 4 hours. Following the attachment of cells to the root-end filling material, early cellular response was observed. After another 12 hours'culture, the level of attachment between cells and material was observed and in order to identify the effect of each material to bone formation, transforming growth factor beta1 ($TGF{\beta}1$) and osteocalin (OC) were estimated by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the amount of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was also measured. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. As a result, only at OC and the number of cells which were attached to materials, there was no statistical difference between MTA and DB. At other items, there was statistically significant difference in all groups. Although DB has not shown exactly the same cellular response like that of MTA, the number of attached cells shows that biocompatibility of the material and OC indicates bone formation rate. Therefore, if DB is used for root end filling material, it is expected to lead to similar results to MTA.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.4467-4474
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the factor of the quality of elderly women's sleep. The subjects in this study were 198 elderly women who were at the age of 60 and up. One instrument used to assess their quality of sleep was Buysse, et. al.(1989)'s Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), and the other used to check their urinary incontinence was Jackson, et. al.(1996)'s Urination Symptom Inventory. The collected data were analyzed by the statistical package SPSS 18.0. The elderly women got $7.09{\pm}4.29$ in the quality of sleep of the PSQI, and 67.7 percent suffered from sleep disorders. Among the subfactors of the PSQI, their subjective quality of sleep was low, and the quality of sleep during, sleep latency was low as well. And their sleep disturbance was great. In contrast, the effectiveness of their habitual sleep was relatively good, and they didn't take medicine such as a sleep pill a lot, and their functional sleep disorder in the daytime wasn't great. There were differences in the quality of sleep according to their education, financial state, self-rated health status and family relations, and whether they worked out on a regular basis or not made a difference to that as well. No differences were found according to age, religion, occupation and having a coffee or not. There was a positive correlation between their quality of sleep in the PSQI and urinary incontinence(r=.51, p=.000). Out of the subfactors of the PSQI, the sleep disturbance factor was most closely linked to urinary incontinence(r=.465, p=.001). Finally, urinary incontinence and subjective health status were identified as the variables that exerted a statistically significant influence on the quality of sleep. Those variables made a 31% prediction of it.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.141-154
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to provide the information of the aged olds for which basic data are almost no available. The subjects were divided on the base of age 75. The elderly under 75 were named 'the young olds' and over 75 were 'the aged olds'. The aim of this research is to promote health and to improve nutrition, and the survey was made for health promotion behaviors, habits against health risk, dietary management status and diet intake. And it was conducted by 24 hr-recall method and analyzed by nutrients intake. 242 subjects were collected in 12 cities or counties in Gyeonggi Province and 20 elderly people (10 male and 10 female) were selected out of 1 village in each district. Questionnaire about health behavior and dietary management was carried out by interview method through regional home extension workers. Statistical analyses were made by SAS (version 8.1) and Chi-square tests and General Linear Models were used. Out of the subjects the aged olds over 75 was 31.9%, elementary school educated (93.5%), with spouse (40.3%), with adult children(28.6%), monthly living cost of 500-1,000 thousand won(40.3%). Mean age was 78.82 years compared with 69.75 years of the young olds. 46.8% of the aged olds used monthly pocket money over 1000 won and it was lower than 63.3% of the young olds. Only half of the aged olds had regular exercise of walking (77.8%) or with athletic equipment (17.8%). However, the young olds did more frequent walking (82.1 %) and less exercise with athletic equipment (4.8 %), which was significantly different. Kinds of disease were different with the young or the aged olds, as more proportion of cardiovascular disease(37.9%) for the young olds and joint lumbago neuralgia(41.6%) for the aged olds. Dietary management was good (3 meals per day: 93.4%, fixed mealtime: 72.4%, and regular amount: 79.9%). But there was significant difference in side dish varieties and kinds of snacks; for the aged olds only 8% had over 5 sorts (compared with 18.8% of the young olds) and the kinds of snacks were cookie, candy, juice, carbonated beverage for the aged olds (compared with noodle, milk, soybean-milk for young olds). The ratio of nutrients intake (energy, riboflavin and niacin) with RDA was significantly higher for the aged olds than that of the young olds. The surveyed subjects had no difficulties in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), but some of the aged olds had difficulties in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) like housekeeping, using transportation, going shopping and making phone calls. These results suggest that low quality of life is linked with low economic status of the rural elderly and congregate meal at village hall would be required because of the lack of side dishes variety for the aged olds. And nutrition education program about good snacks and exercise practice would be needed for the aged olds. By operating nutrition education program the aged olds would enjoy better quality life maintaining or ameliorating IADL abilities.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 1998

The dnrF gene, responsible for conversion of aklavinone to $\varepsilon$-rhodomycinone via C-11 hydroxylation, was mapped in the daunorubicin gene cluster of Streptomyces peucetius subsp. caesius ATCC 27952, close to drrAB, one of the anthracycline resistance genes. To characterize the enzymatic properties of the aklavinone 11-hydroxylase, the dnrF gene was overexpressed in Escherchia coli. The pET-22(+) plasmid which has the T7 promoter under the control of lacUV5 gene was used for the overexpression of the dnrF gene, and the recombinant plasmid pET213 that contains the dnrF gene linked to the T7 promoter of pET-22b(+) was introduced into the E. coli BL2l. When the expression of the dnrF gene was induced by IPTG at the final concentration of 1 mM, the induced protein could be detected in SDS-PAGE only in insoluble precipitate. The insoluble protein was electroeluted from the gel and used for the preparation of antiserum in mice. Various culture conditions were tested to maximize the expression of the aklavinone 11-hydroxylase in soluble form. The enzymatic activity was checked by the bioconversion experiment, and the protein was confirmed by the SDS-PAGE and the Western blot analysis. From the analysis of the data, it was concluded that the culture induced with IPTG at the final concentration of 0.02 mM at 37$^{\circ}C$ yielded the best productivity of active form of enzyme.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.3 no.2 s.8
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• pp.131-140
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• 2001

Concrete pavement of Jungbu Expressway composed of CRCP(Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement) and JCP(Jointed Concrete Pavement). The CRCP was firstly constructed and applied to new expressway in Korea. It is a good source of the study to analyze the performance of CRCP and JCP because it experiences same amount of traffic and environmental loading. Up to the present, condition survey has conducted several times during 13 years but roughness measurement has not been carefully conducted. Through comparisons among several types of pavement(CRCP, JCP, Asphalt) by roughness, CRCP is superior to JCP. In addition, connected sections in the highway such as bridges and tunnels that have higher IRI values, about 5mm/m, than normal sections should be considered appropriated maintenance such as diamond grinding. The relationship between IRI and distresses carried out by Korea Highway Cooperation in 1999 skewed that the number of crack is related to IRI value in JCP, while other distresses of JCP and CRCP are not shown clearly. The comparison study with IRI values between Jungbu Expressway and GPS-3(JCP) and GPS-5(CRCP) of LTPP data also showed that roughness of Jungbu Expressway is not inferior to that of the state. Some of section showed larger values of IRI are linked with under-9round structures for passages and drainages. The overall performance considering only roughness, the CRCP is also superior to JCP in sections with under-ground tunnels.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.175-182
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• 1998

Recently it is reported that anomalously low saline surface waters (salinity < 32) occurred at the Ulleung Basin in the East Sea-Japan Sea, during early September to November 1996. Apparent source of such a low saline watermass seems remotely linked to the Changjiang Dilute Water (CDW), which expands to the vicinity of Cheju Island during a flood season. Based on the assumption that waters passing through the Western Channel of the Korea Strait are formed by a mixing of Kuroshio Water and CDW, simplified two end-member mixing model using $^{228}Ra/^{226}Ra$ as a conservative tracer is applied to calculate the contribution of each end member for the formation of low saline surface seawater. Model calculations show CDW contributes $58{\pm}3%$ in September 1996 (S=32.17) and $10{\pm}3%$ in February 1997 (S=34.53) in the formation of surface water flowing into the Western Channel of the Korea Strait. Although results arc deduced from a simplified model with limited data, this study demonstrates that Changjiang discharge is clearly traceable to the interior of the East Sea-Japan Sea in fall season. Undergoing Three Valley Dam construction in the Changjiang River would invoke inevitable changes in the nature and discharge of CDW and its impacts on the marine environment might be significant in the northern East China Sea and even in the Ulleng Basin for coming decades.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1356-1363
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• 2014

Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid orexigenic peptide hormone that is secreted predominantly by tX/A cells in the stomach, and it plays a major role in energy homeostasis. Activated ghrelin has an n-octanoyl group covalently linked to the hydroxyl group of the Ser3 residue, which is critical for its binding to the G-protein coupled growth hormone secretagogue receptor-1a (GHS-R1a). According to recent reports, both ghrelin and its receptor, GHS-R1a, are expressed by a variety of immune cells, including T- and B-lymphocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells, and ghrelin stimulation of leukocytes provides a potent immunomodulatory signal controlling systemic and age-associated inflammation and thymic involution. Here, we report that ghrelin protected murine thymocytes from dexamethasone (DEX)-induced cell death both in vivo and in vitro. Subsequently, we explored the molecular mechanisms of the antiapoptotic effect of ghrelin. According to our experiments, ghrelin inhibited the expression of proapoptotic proteins via the regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) phosphorylation. As a result, ghrelin inhibited the proapoptotic activation of proteins, such as Caspase-3, PARP, and Bim. These data suggest that ghrelin, through GHS-R, inhibits the pathway to apoptosis by regulation of the proapoptotic protein activation signal pathway. They provide evidence that blocking apoptosis is an essential function of ghrelin during the development of thymocytes.