• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.937-944
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• 2017

To investigate the beneficial effects of fiber derived from agar on the lipid and glucose metabolism of obese model mice, changes in the fat accumulation, lipid content, and insulin concentration were measured in C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with a beverage containing agar (BCA) for 9 weeks. The feed efficiency ratio was significantly decreased in the HFD+BCA treatment group, although the body weight and food intake were maintained a constant level. Also, the fat accumulation in the fatty tissue and liver were lower in the HFD+BCA treatment group than in the HFD+Vehicle treatment group. Furthermore, a significant decrease was detected in the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and LDL after the BCA treatment, while a constant HDL level was maintained in the same group. Moreover, the serum insulin concentration was significantly decreased in the HFD+BCALo (Low concentration) and HFD+BCAMi (Middle concentration) groups compared to the HFD+Vehicle group. Therefore, the results suggest that the long-term administration of dietary fiber from agar can improve fat accumulation in the fatty tissue and liver, the serum lipid profile, and the insulin concentration in the blood. Also, the results provide evidence that the inclusion of agar fiber in beverages results in significant hypolipidemic and hypoinsulinemic effects.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 2012

The objective of this study is to suggest improvement plan for invention gifted education based on the awareness of teachers and professionals who related to the invention gifted education for the expansion and development of invention gifted education through improvement of relevant problems. To this end, invention gifted education system and its operational status were analyzed, and questionnaire survey on the awareness of the development plan and satisfaction level was conducted, targeting professionals related to the invention gifted education and teachers in charge of invention gifted education classes or gifted education center. The research results are as follows. First, the level of satisfaction on the invention gifted education was greater than normal (M=3.0) in general, but in the field of 'educational materials', 'teacher training programs' and 'human and material support system of support agencies', the level of satisfaction was relatively low, which requires expansion of the support. Second, it is necessary for Korean Intellectual Property Office and Korea Invention Promotion Association to designate and establish specialized research institution to play a key role in enhancing development and efficiency of invention gifted education. As a result of the questionnaire survey, it turned out that expectation and necessity of the specialized research agency was highly recognized. In particular, demand for 'research and development of gifted education method and materials' and 'research and development of teacher training materials and implementation of teacher training' was high among the key areas of the specialized research institution. Third, teachers and professionals related to the invention gifted education responded that 'invention knowledge' in the areas of invention knowledge and thinking and 'entrepreneurship' in the area of invention attitude was somewhat low toward the question on the level of the 9 characteristics of gifted students with invention talents which current beneficiaries of invention gifted education have, which leads to conclusion that review on the model for the selection of gifted children with invention talents as well as research and development of invention gifted education program to enhance characteristics with low levels is required. If long-term development plans and initiatives are deduced based on this, an effective framework for the invention gifted education will be established in the near future. In addition, it is expected that the differentiated political visions and goals will be established in connection with master plan for the promotion of gifted education.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.33-48
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• 2012

As a scientific curiosity to understand the structure and the function of crops and experimental efforts to apply it to plant breeding, genetic maps have been constructed in various crops. Especially, in the case of Brassica crop, genetic mapping has been accelerated since genetic information of model plant $Arabidopsis$ was available. As a result, the whole $B.$ $rapa$ genome (A genome) sequencing has recently been done. The genome sequences offer opportunities to develop molecular markers for genetic analysis in $Brassica$ crops. RFLP markers are widely used as the basis for genetic map construction, but detection system is inefficiency. The technical efficiency and analysis speed of the PCR-based markers become more preferable for many form of $Brassica$ genome study. The massive sequence informative markers such as SSR, SNP and InDels are also available to increase the density of markers for high-resolution genetic analysis. The high density maps are invaluable resources for QTLs analysis, marker assisted selection (MAS), map-based cloning and comparative analysis within $Brassica$ as well as related crop species. Additionally, the advents of new technology, next-generation technique, have served as a momentum for molecular breeding. Here we summarize genetic and genomic resources and suggest their applications for the molecular breeding in $Brassica$ crop.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.109-124
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• 2014

In order to understand the carbon cycle in the Amundsen Sea of the Southern Ocean, the export fluxes of particulate organic carbon from the euphotic zone to deep water estimated using ${\psi}$/${\psi}$ disequilibrium method. Seawaters in 14 water columns were collected during February and March 2012, and analyzed for total and dissolved ${\psi}$, and particulate organic carbon. Total ${\psi}$ activities in the water column showed deficiency and excess relative to those of ${\psi}$ depending on the water depth. Deficiency of total ${\psi}$ in the euphotic zone showed mirror images both with chlorophyll-a and fluorescence, and was consistent with the loss of nitrate, which indicated the effect of biological activity. In addition, deficiency of total ${\psi}$ from deep water was associated with the increase of total dissolvable Fe/Mn concentration. Excess total ${\psi}$ activity presented below the euphotic zone might be related to particulate ${\psi}$ concentrated in this water depth. Mean export flux of ${\psi}$ estimated using the steady state model was $867{\pm}246dpmm^{-2}day^{-1}$. Mean export flux of particulate organic carbon, which were estimated by the product of total ${\psi}$ flux and ratio of POC/${\psi}$ ($7.08{\pm}4.27{\mu}molCdpm^{-1}$) in the sinking particles, was $5.9{\pm}3.9mmolCm^{-2}day^{-1}$. These fluxes were similar levels to those in the Weddell Sea during February and March 2008. Export ratios (ThE) relative to the primary production in the euphotic zone were in the range of 3-54% (av. 28%).

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.277-286
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• 1994

The pot experiment using $^{15}N$ isotope dilution technique was carried out to calculate the balance of nitrogen of surface applied urea in the rice-soil system. The $^{15}N$ concentration was determined by stable isotope ratio mass spcetrometer (model: VG ISO-GAS MM622). In the pots with $^{15}N$ labeled urea application at the rates of 15 and 30 kg N/10a, the percentage of nitrogen derived from fertilizer (NDFF) in rice was higher at the rate of 30 kg N/10a (average 89%) than at the rate of 15 kg N/10a (average 64%). However, the recovery as percentage of fertilizer N by rice was higher at the rate of 15 kg N/10a (65.5%) than at the rate of 30 kg N/10a (54.2%). The percentage of the fertilizer N remained in extractable inorganic N form at the rates of 15 and 30 kg N/10a were $13.5%\;(NH_4-N\;5.53%,\;NO_3-N\;7.99%)$ and $16.5%\;(NH_4-N\;7.49%,\;NO_3-N\;8.98%)$ in unplanted soil, and $2.0%\;(NH_4-N\;0.63%,\;NO_3-N\;1.32%)$ and$2.3%\;(NH_4-N\;0.87%,\;NO_3-N\;1.40%)$ in soil planted to rice, respectively. The dominant form of inorganic-N in soil after harvest was $NO_3-N$ form rather than $NH_4-N$ form regardless of urea application rate or rice cultivation. The percentage of the fertilizer N remained in organic N form at the rates of 15 and 30 kg N/10a were 65.0 and 41.8% in unplanted soil, and 23.7 and 26.9% in soil planted to rice, respectively. In conclusion, the efficiency of surface-applied urea was greater at the rate 15 kg N/10a than at the rate of 30 kg N/10a.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 1993

Objective of this research was to assess the influence of reaction time on the heavy metal-organic ligand complexation by employing kinetic models. Aqueous solutions of humic (HA) or fulvic acid (FA) were reacted with metal solutions with 1:1 ratio to form complexes. Efficiency of organic ligand on metal removal was determined by separating the precipitates from solution using $0.45\;{\mu}m$ filter paper. Complexation between Cu or Pb and HA or FA followed the first- or multiple first order kinetics, largely depending on metal concentration and kind of organic ligand. Amounts of precipitates were increased proportionally with reaction time but reached to quasiequilibrium where rate of precipitate formation was not varied with time. Copper-ligand complexation was, irrespective of ligand, fitted to the single first order kinetics at Cu concentrations lower than $300{\mu}M$, but this was fitted to the multiple first order kinetics at Cu concentrations higher than $300{\mu}M$. As increasing Cu concentrations, the precipitates formed more readily, judging from the increased rate constants (${\kappa}$). In the multiple first order kinetics, ${\kappa}$ was decreased as reaction steps proceeded. Most of Cu-ligand precipitates were formed within 15 min. FA precipitated Cu more rapidly than HA did. ${\kappa}$ for Pb-HA complexation was decreased but that for Pb-FA reaction was increased, as increasing Pb concentration. Most of Pb-organic ligand complexation occurred within 30 min. Afterwards, ${\kappa}$ values were relatively small and not affected much by time. Pb was precipitated by humic acid more readily than Cu when metal concnetrations were $200{\sim}300{\mu}M$. However, when metal concentrations were in the ranges of $400{\sim}500{\mu}M$, a reversed tendency was observed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2005

There are several problems in the commercial pound net in the heavy tide ; the breaking and loss of net, steeply variation of net shape and decreasing of fishing efficiency, etc. In order to solve these problems, we introduced method of added sinker used to coastal cultivating cage of Japan and investigated the possibility of application to the Korean pound net. The results are obtained as follows; 1. In case of the upperward flow with fish court net, tension of the frame line was increased about 10${\sim}$25% than that of prototype according to the added sinker from 1.3gf to 5.2gf. The tension of A-type and B-type was similar to the case of the prototype, the tension of C-type and D-type was increased about 10${\sim}$15% than that of prototype. 2. The variation of deformed angle of fish court net was from 0$^{\circ}$ to 70$^{\circ}$ and that of the slope net was from 0$^{\circ}$ to 64$^{\circ}$ and that of the second bag net was from 0$^{\circ}$ to 46$^{\circ}$ and the depth of the second bag net was increased about 10% when the added sinker was changed from 1.3gf to 5.2gf. The depth of the first bag net and the second bag net were decreased about 50% than that of initial depth. 3. For the deformed angle of fish court net according to the attached point of the added sinker, A-type and B-type were decreased about 25% and 10% than the prototype, respectively. C-type was similar to the case of the prototype and D-type was increased about 15% than that of the prototype. The depth of slope net became deep in turn of A-type, B-type, C-type and D-type. For the depth of the second bag net, A-type, B-type, C-type and D-type were increased about 10${\sim}$15% than that of prototype. The depth of the slope net was changed from 0$^{\circ}$ to 63$^{\circ}$ and that of the second bag net was changed from 0${\sim}$44$^{\circ}$ according to the increase of velocity. 4. The optimal weight of added sinker was about 2.6${\sim}$3.6gf and the optimal attached point of added sinker was the case of C-type and D-type.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.792-800
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• 2012

The study was performed to simulate the reduction efficiency of suspended solids (SS) for cultivated land located at riverine area at the Namhan River and the Bukhan River watershed sites (site A, B, C) under the rainfall conditions using HUFF & SCS UH-based VFS Design module of Web GIS-based VFSMOD System. The study indicates that the field 5% sloped, located at Bukhan River watershed (site A), requires at least 0.5 m width of Vegetative Filter Strip (VFS) to reduce 70% of SS while the field 10% sloped requires the at least 1.0~1.5 m width of VFS to reduce 70% SS, under the condition 106.2 mm of rainfall event and bell pepper or corn of crops. Against the conditions 95.1 mm of rainfall event and sweet potato or soy bean of crops, the field 5% sloped, located at Namhan River watershed (site B) requires at least 0.5 m width of VFS to reduce 70% of SS while the field 10% sloped requires at least 1.0 m width of VFS to reduce 50% SS. The crops sweet potato and soy bean are cultivated in the site C, located at Namhan River watershed, 1 m of VFS is capable of 64.0% and 62.0% of SS reduction against 102.6 mm and 151.2 mm rainfall conditions respectively, for the 5% sloped field. The result supports that VFS is one of most potential methods to reduce SS from cultivated area, which is environment-friendly hydrologic structure. The VFS design, however, needs to be simulated before its installation in the field, the simulation needs to consider not only various characteristics of the field but also different conditions affecting the VFS, using a model capable to consider a lot of factors.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.123-135
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• 2006

Spatial variability and distribution map of soil properties and the relationships between soil properties and crop yields are not well characterized in agroecosystems that have been land leveled to facilitate more cultivation of the new reclaimed sloping highland. Potato, onion, carrot, Chinese cabbage and radish were grown on the coarse sandy loam soil in 2004. Soil moisture content, soil penetration resistance and crop yield were sampled in the $10m{\times}50m$ field consisted of five plots. Sampling sites of each cultivation plot were 33 for the soil moisture, 11 for the soil penetration and 33 for the crop yield. The results of semivariance analysis, most of models were shown spherical equation. The significant ranges of each spatial variability model for the soil moisture, soil penetration and crop yield were broad as 33-35 meters in the potato cultivation plot, and that in the Chinese cabbage cultivation plot was narrow as 5-6 meters. The coefficient of variances (C.V.) of moisture, penetration and yield were various from 14 to 59 percents in five cultivation plots. The highest C.V. of potato yield was 59 percents, and that of the radish cultivation plot was as low as 14 percents. The required sample numbers for the determination of soil moisture content, soil penetration resistance and crop yield with error 10% at 0.05 significant level were ranged 8-40 for soil moisture, 7-25 for soil penetration and 424-4,678 for crop yield. The variogram and distribution map by kriging described field characteristics well so that the spatial variability would be useful for soil management for better efficiency and precision agriculture in the reclaimed highland.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4603-4608
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• 2015

Background: To determine the potential value of serum tumor markers in predicting pCR (pathological complete response) during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively monitored the pro-, mid-, and post-neoadjuvant treatment serum tumor marker concentrations in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (stage II-III) who accepted pre-surgical chemotherapy or chemotherapy in combination with targeted therapy at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center between September 2011 and January 2014 and investigated the association of serum tumor marker levels with therapeutic effect. Core needle biopsy samples were assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) prior to neoadjuvant treatment to determine hormone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2), and proliferation index Ki67 values. In our study, therapeutic response was evaluated by pCR, defined as the disappearance of all invasive cancer cells from excised tissue (including primary lesion and axillary lymph nodes) after completion of chemotherapy. Analysis of variance of repeated measures and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed for statistical analysis of the data. Results: A total of 348 patients were recruited in our study after excluding patients with incomplete clinical information. Of these, 106 patients were observed to have acquired pCR status after treatment completion, accounting for approximately 30.5% of study individuals. In addition, 147patients were determined to be Her-2 positive, among whom the pCR rate was 45.6% (69 patients). General linear model analysis (repeated measures analysis of variance) showed that the concentration of cancer antigen (CA) 15-3 increased after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in both pCR and non-pCR groups, and that there were significant differences between the two groups (P=0.008). The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) of pre-, mid-, and post-treatment CA15-3 concentrations demonstrated low-level predictive value (AUC=0.594, 0.644, 0.621, respectively). No significant differences in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or CA12-5 serum levels were observed between the pCR and non-pCR groups (P=0.196 and 0.693, respectively). No efficient AUC of CEA or CA12-5 concentrations were observed to predict patient response toward neoadjuvant treatment (both less than 0.7), nor were differences between the two groups observed at different time points. We then analyzed the Her-2 positive subset of our cohort. Significant differences in CEA concentrations were identified between the pCR and non-pCR groups (P=0.039), but not in CA15-3 or CA12-5 levels (p=0.092 and 0.89, respectively). None of the ROC curves showed underlying prognostic value, as the AUCs of these three markers were less than 0.7. The ROC-AUCs for the CA12-5 concentrations of inter-and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the estrogen receptor negative HER2 positive subgroup were 0.735 and 0.767, respectively. However, the specificity and sensitivity values were at odds with each other which meant that improving either the sensitivity or specificity would impair the efficiency of the other. Conclusions: Serum tumor markers CA15-3, CA12-5, and CEA might have little clinical significance in predicting neoadjuvant treatment response in locally advanced breast cancer.