• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2699-2703
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• 2016

Background: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have great HCC diagnostic potential and circulating miRNAs have been reported as promising biomarkers for various pathologic conditions. Aim: To explore the potential benefit of serum miR-126, miR-129, miR-155, miR-203 and miR-223 as non-invasive diagnostic markers of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC. Materials and Methods: The expression of miRNA was evaluated using real-time quantitative RT-PCR in 78 serum samples (30 $treatment-na{\ddot{i}}ve$ chronic HCV, 25 post-HCV compensated cirrhosis and 23 $treatment-na{\ddot{i}}ve$ HCC cases). Results: Comparing miRNA fold changes in the HCC group vs the non HCC groups, there was significant fold decrease in miR-126 (P= 0.034), miR-129 (P= 0.006), miR-155 (P= 0.011), miR-203 (P<0.001) and miR-223 (P= 0.013). The highest AUC to differentiate HCC patients from non-HCC was 0.76 for miR-203. Conclusions: Among studied miRNAs, serum miR-203 has the highest potential as a non-invasive biomarker of HCC.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.471-481
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• 2003

In order to evaluate the microstructural characteristics of irradiated fuel claddings (Zircaloy-4), two irradiated specimens having different burnups (18 GWD/MTU and 42 GWD/MTU) were prepared from the G23-M4 fuel rods, which were loaded in Kori Unit 1 for 4 fuel cycles. The oxide thickness, hydride morphology and hardness change were characterized by an optical microscope and a micro-hardness tester after preparing the irradiated specimens in the PIE (Post Irradiation Examination) facilities. The dislocation loops and the amorphous transformation of precipitates induced by the neutron irradiation in the nuclear plant were also examined by a TEM. As the burnup increased from 18 GWD/MTU to 42 GWD/MTU, the oxide thickness increased from $6.0{\mu}m\;to\;25.3{\mu}m$ and the contents of hydrogen pick-up in the Zr matrix also greatly increased. In the comparison of the hardness of the unirradiated fuel cladding, the amount of hardness increase was nearly $9.3\%\;and\;24.2\%$ for the irradiated samples of 18 and 42 GWD/MTU, respectively. Both -type dislocation loops and -type dislocation components were observed simultaneously in the irradiated specimens and the densities of the dislocation was increased by increasing the burnup. The precipitates in both the irradiated specimens were amorphously transformed by the neutron irradiation and the trend of the amorphous transformation of the precipitates was enhanced at a higher burnup.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.372-379
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the traits of the clad metals used in hot-rolled clad steel plates. We examined the sensitization and mechanical properties of STS 316 steel plate and carbon steel (A516) under the specific circumstances of post heat treatment and whether a weld was multilayered and thick or repeated because of repairs. The test conditions were as follows. The clad steel plates were butt-welded using FCAW/SAW, and the heat treatment was conducted at $625^{\circ}C$, for 80, 160, 320, 640, or 1280 min. The change in the corrosion resistance was evaluated in these specimens. In the case of the carbon steel (A516), as the heat treatment time increased, the annealing effect caused the tensile strength to decrease. The micro- hardness gradually increased and then decreased after 640 min. The elongation and contraction of the area increased gradually. An oxalic acid etch test and EPR test on STS316, a clad metal, showed a STEP structure and no sensitization. From the test results for the multi-layered and repair welds, it could be concluded that there is no effect on the corrosion resistance of clad metals. In summary, the purpose of this study was to suggest some considerations when developing on-site techniques and evaluate the sensitization of stainless steels.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.641-646
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• 2009

This study examines the effects of water shortage on agricultural wages in Northwest Bangladesh. For this study, meteorological data including information on the monthly temperature, precipitation, wind speed, hour of sunshine and humidity of six weather stations have been utilized during the monitoring period from 1985 to 2005. With the objective to analyze water surplus and water deficiency, a simple soil-water balance model and the modified Penman formula were applied to the Northwest Bangladesh. The seasonality of Mann-Kendell trend statistics has been used to identify the spatial variation of water surplus and deficiency throughout the region. For micro level verification of the result, a detailed field survey has been conducted within the study area. The results showed that the values of the potential evapotranspiration estimated by the modified Penmen equation were negative for certain periods. In this instance, the water deficiency of the district of Rajshahi was observed significantly in the period of pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. The field study also verified that because of such deficiency in water, the agricultural scenario of the area was widely influenced which lead to less agricultural production and less economic benefits.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2014

Embryonic genome activation (EGA) is a highly complex phenomenon that is controlled at various levels. New studies have ascertained some molecular mechanisms that control EGA in several species; it is apparent that these same mechanisms regulate EGA in all species. Protein phosphorylation, DNA methylation and histone modification regulate transcriptional activities, and mechanisms such as ubiquitination, SUMOylation and microRNAs post-transcriptionally regulate development. Each of these regulations is highly dynamic in the early embryo. A better understanding of these regulatory strategies can provide the possibility to improve the reproductive properties in mammals such as pigs, to develop methods of generating high-quality embryos in vitro, and to find markers for selecting developmentally competent embryos.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.178-185
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• 2016

Tear is a promising biological fluid for non-invasive health monitoring. It has been studied in the past to be a possible candidate for the diagnosis of certain systemic diseases, such as breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, prostate cancer, and diabetes. However, currently existing methods for collecting and extracting tear from the human eye causes inconsistencies in the biomolecule concentrations of the tear sample due to the irritating nature of the process. In response, we designed and fabricated a microfluidic system embedded soft contact-lens for the purpose of tear sampling. The lens was then tested with artificial tear for its tear sampling capability, and found to be able to find concentration equilibrium within 50 minutes. Additionally, simulation was carried out to further optimize the design so that tear sampling rate matched the natural tear turn-over rate of 1 microliter per minute.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2014

Gastric cancer is highly invasive, aggressively malignant, and amongst the most prevalent of all forms of cancer. Despite improved management strategies, early stage diagnosis of gastric cancer and accurate prognostic assessment is still lacking. Several recent reports have indicated that the pathogenesis of gastric cancer involves complex molecular mechanisms and multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Functional inactivation of the tumor suppressor protein PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog) has been detected in multiple cases of gastric cancer, and already shown to be closely linked to the development, progression and prognosis of the disease. Inactivation of PTEN can be attributed to gene mutation, loss of heterozygosity, promoter hypermethylation, microRNA- mediated regulation of gene expression, and post-translational phosphorylation. PTEN is also involved in mechanisms regulating tumor resistance to chemotherapy. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of PTEN and its roles in gastric cancer, and emphasizes its potential benefits in early diagnosis and gene therapy-based treatment strategies.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.49-65
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• 2012

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing followers' continuous usage intention of twitter based on Elaboration Likelihood Model. In particular, central route(information itself) and peripheral route(twitterian's trustworthiness) are tested to reveal which has a more influential role in effecting the continuous usage intention of power-twitter. Furthermore, this study tests the relationship of users' attitude and continuous usage intention. The results indicate that argument quality, accuracy(central route), source expertise and source trustworthiness (peripheral route) have an influence on attitude. However, trustworthy on central route is not significant. Argument quality, trustworthy, accuracy(central route) and source expertise(peripheral route) have an influence on perceived usefulness. But source trustworthiness on peripheral is not significant. Attitude has an influence on perceived usefulness, and attitude and perceived usefulness both have an influence on perceived usefulness. In conclusion, central route is more influential than peripheral route in forming a positive attitude towards arguments, which in turn leads to the perception of twitter's usefulness, and in the end brings the continuous usage intention of twitter.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.8 no.4B
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• pp.514-518
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• 1999

Gold (Au) is not supposed to react with sapphire(single crystalline ) under thermodynamic equillibrium, therefore, a strong adhesion between these two dissimilar materials is not expected. However, pull test showed that the gold film sputter-deposited onto annealed and pre-sputtered sapphire exhibited very strong adhesion even without post-deposition annealing. Strongly and weakly adhered samples as a result of the pull testing were selected to investigate the adhesion mechanisms with Auger electron spectroscopy. The Au/ interfaces were analyzed using a new technique that probes the interface on the film using Auger electron escape depth. It revealed that one or two monolayers of Au-Al-O compound formed at the Au/Sapphire interface when AES in the UHV chamber. It showed that metallic aluminum was detected on the surface of sapphire substrates after irradiating for 3 min. with 7keV Ar+ -ions. These results agree with TRIM calculations that yield preferential ion-beam etching. It is concluded that the formation of Au-Al-O compound, which is responsible for the strong metal-ceramic bonding, is due to ion-induced cleaning and reduction of the sapphire surface, and the kinetic energy of depositing gold atoms, molecules, and micro-particles as a driving force for the inter-facial reaction.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.68-72
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• 2003

In this paper, we developed a new thick photoresist fabrication technology for 3-dimensional microstructures. In general, like as AZ photoresist was coated with thin film thickness about 1 $\mu\textrm{m}$ to 30 $\mu\textrm{m}$, but photoresist like SU-8 has thickness of several tens $\mu\textrm{m}$ or more and high aspect ratio. When we fabricate a microstructure using the thick photoresist like SU-8, cracks on the SU-8 thick photoresist are appeared by stress which was caused by sudden cooling down during bake of the thick photoresist spun on wafer. Thus, it was hard to fabricate the microstructure using the thick photoresist for electroplating. In this paper, we developed a new process to produce a 3-dimensional microstructure without the crack by stress through a suitable thick photoresist coating, time control of cool down and time control of PEB (Post Expose Bake).