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Histochemical Detection of Ionic Zinc in the Rat Olfactory Mucosa: Zinc Selenium Autometallography ($ZnSe^{AMG}$) (랫드 후각점막내 Zinc 이온의 조직화학적 동정)

  • Nam, Dong-Woo;Sun, Yuan-Jie;Kim, Sung-Joo;Kim, Yong-Kuk;Kim, Soo-Jin;Yu, Yun-Cho;Jeong, Young-Gil;Jo, Seung-Mook
    • Applied Microscopy
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.145-154
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    • 2003
  • The present study was designed to demonstrate ionic zinc in the rat nasal mucosa by means of zinc selenium autometallography ($ZnSe^{AMG}$). Rats were given sodium selenide either intraperitoneally (i.p) or intranasally (i.n). Prior to the i.n. administration the rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg, i.p.). A thin plastic tube coupled to a Hamilton syringe was then inserted into the right nostril and $10{\mu}l$ of the solution was instilled. For the i.p. administration non-anesthetized rats were given $100{\mu}l$ of the sodium selenide solution (10 mg/kg). Control rats were instilled with saline. After 2 hrs survival, the rats were anaesthetized and transcardially perfused with 3% glutaraldehyde. The olfactory area was removed and put into same fixative. The nose was then sectioned ($30{\mu}m$) horizontally, autometallography (AMG) was performed according to Danscher et al. (1997). After silver enhancement, fine AMG grains were scattered in the whole length of the olfactory epithelium containing olfactory receptor neurons, sustentacular and basal cells. However, much higher concentration of the AMG grains occupied near the surface and in the basal region of the olfactory epithelium. Both groups of i.p. and i.n. administration showed almost same level in the concentration of the AMG grains. In i.n. group, few AMG grains were also found in olfactory nerves of the lamina propria, suggesting zinc transport into the olfactory bulb via olfactory axons. At the electron microscopic level, the AMG grains were most entirely found in the supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium, and they were mostly localized in lysosome-like organelles. The i.n. group showed various signs of tissue damage of the olfactory mucosa, where dense concentration of AMG grains were localized at crystalloid structures. The present study demonstrated dense population of ionic zinc in the rat olfactory epithelium. zinc may play a role in the olfactory functioin and in the pathogenesis of the neurodegerative disorders affecting nose.

The Role of DNA Binding Domain in hHSF1 through Redox State (산화환원에 따른 hHSF1의 DNA binding domain의 역할)

  • Kim, Sol;Hwang, Yun-Jeong;Kim, Hee-Eun;Lu, Ming;Kim, An-D-Re;Moon, Ji-Young;Kang, Ho-Sung;Park, Jang-Su
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.16 no.6
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    • pp.1052-1059
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    • 2006
  • The heat shock response is induced by environmental stress, pathophysiological state and non-stress conditions and wide spread from bacteria to human. Although translations of most proteins are stopped under a heat shock response, heat shock proteins (HSPs) are produced to protect cell from stress. When heat shock response is induced, conformation of HSF1 was changed from monomer to trimer and HSF1 specifically binds to DNA, which was called a heat shock element(HSE) within the promoter of the heat shock genes. Human HSF1(hHSFl) contains five cysteine(Cys) residues. A thiol group(R-SH) of Cys is a strong nucleophile, the most readily oxidized and nitrosylated in amino acid chain. This consideration suggests that Cys residues may regulate the change of conformation and the activity of hHSF1 through a redox-dependent thiol/disulfide exchange reaction. We want to construct role of five Cys residues of hHSF by redox reagents. According to two studies, Cys residues are related to trimer formation of hHSF1. In this study, we want to demonstrate the correlation between structural change and DNA-binding activity of HSF1 through forming disulfide bond and trimerization. In this results, we could deduce that DNA binding activity of DNA binding domain wasn't affected by redox for always expose outside to easily bind to DNA. DNA binding activity of wild-type HSF's DNA binding domain was affected by conformational change, as conformational structure change (trimerization) caused DNA binding domain.

Understanding the protox inhibition activity of novel 1-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazolin-5-yl)methoxy-2-chloro-4-fluorobenzene derivatives using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) methodology (비교 분자장 분석 (CoMFA) 방법에 따른 1-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazolin-5-yl)methoxy-2-chloro-4-fluoro-benzene 유도체들의 Protox 저해 활성에 관한 이해)

  • Sung, Nack-Do;Song, Jong-Hwan;Yang, Sook-Young;Park, Kyeng-Yong
    • The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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    • v.8 no.3
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    • pp.151-161
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    • 2004
  • Three dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (3D-QSAR) studies for the protox inhibition activities against root and shoot of rice plant (Orysa sativa L.) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) by a series of new A=3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimino, B=3-chloro-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-indazolyl and C=3,4-dimethylmaleimino group, and R-group substituted on the phenyl ring in 1-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazolin-5-yl)methoxy-2chloro-4-fluorobenzene derivatives were performed using comparative molecular field analyses (CoMFA) methodology with Gasteiger-Huckel charge. Four CoMFA models for the protox inhibition activities against root and shoot of the two plants were generated using 46 molecules as training set and the predictive ability of the each models was evaluated against a test set of 8 molecules. And the statistical results of these models with combination (SIH) of standard field, indicator field and H-bond field showed the best predictability of the protox inhibition activities based on the cross-validated value $r^2_{cv.}$ $(q^2=0.635\sim0.924)$, conventional coefficient $(r^2_{ncv.}=0.928\sim0.977)$ and PRESS value $(0.091\sim0.156)$, respectively. The activities exhibited a strong correlation with steric $(74.3\sim87.4%)$, electrostatic $(10.10\sim18.5%)$ and hydrophobic $(1.10\sim8.30%)$ factors of the molecules. The steric feature of molecule may be an important factor for the activities. We founded that an novel selective and higher protox inhibitors between the two plants may be designed by modification of X-subsitutents for barnyardgrass based upon the results obtained from CoMFA analyses.

Three Dimensional Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Analyses on the Fungicidal Activities of New Novel 2-Alkoxyphenyl-3-phenylthioisoindoline-1-one Derivatives Using the Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analyses (CoMSIA) Methodology Based on the Different Alignment Approaches (상이한 정렬에 따른 비교분자 유사성 지수분석(CoMSIA) 방법을 이용한 새로운 2-Alkoxyphenyl-3-phenylthioisoindoline-1-one 유도체들의 살균활성에 관한 3차원적인 정량적 구조와 활성과의 관계)

  • Sung, Nack-Do;Yoon, Tae-Yong;Song, Jong-Hwan;Jung, Hoon-Sung
    • The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.26-34
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    • 2005
  • 3D-QSAR studies for the fungicidal activities against resistance phytophthora blight (RPC; 95CC7303) and sensitive phytophthora blight (Phytopthora capsici) (SPC; 95CC7105) by a series of new 2-alkoxyphenyl-3-phenylthioisoindoline-1-one derivatives (A & B) were studieded using comparative molecular similarity indices analyses (CoMSIA) methodology. From the based on the results, the two CoMSIA models, R5 and S1: as the best models were derivated. The statistical results of the models showed the best predictability and fitness for the fungicidal activities based on the cross- validated value ($q^2=0.714{\sim}0.823$) and non cross-validated, value ($r^2_{ncv.}=0.918{\sim}0.954$), respectively. The model R5 for fungicidal activity of RPC generated from the field fit alignment and combination of electrostatic field, H-bond acceptor field and LUMO molecular orbital field. The model S1 (or S5) for fungicidal activity of SPC generated from the atom based fit alignment and combination of steric field and HOMO molecular orbital field. The models also shows that inclusion of H-bond acceptor field (A) improved the statistical significance of the models. From the based graphical analyses of CoMSIA contribution maps, it was revealed that the novel selective character for fungicidal activities between the two fungi by modify of X-sub-stituent on the N-phenyl group and R-substituent on the S-phenyl group will be able to achivement.

Brief Observation on Arbitration Agreement and Arbitral Award - Focusing on Construction Disputes - (중재합의와 중재판정에 관한 소고 -건설분쟁을 중심으로-)

  • Cho Dae-Yun
    • Journal of Arbitration Studies
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.273-314
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    • 2004
  • There is a belief in the construction industry that the traditional court system may not be an ideal forum to effectively and efficiently resolve construction disputes due to the protracted proceedings and the three tier appeal system resulting in a long delay in the final and conclusive settlement of the dispute, relatively high costs involved, the lack of requisite knowledge and experience in the relevant industry, etc. Hence, they assert that certain alternative dispute resolution ('ADR') methods, such as mediation, conciliation, arbitration or a new system for dispute settlement in the form of any combination thereof should be developed and employed for construction disputes so as to resolve them more promptly and efficiently to the satisfaction of all the disputants concerned. This paper discusses certain merits of such assertions and the need for additional considerations for effective resolution of the construction disputes in light of the complexity of the case, importance of expert witnesses, parties' relationship and non-level playing field of the construction industry and so on. At the same time, however, given the inherent nature of disputes rendering the parties involved in an adversarial position, it would rather be difficult, if not practically impossible, to satisfy all the parties concerned in the dispute. Accordingly, in this study, it is also purported to address the demerits of such assertions by studying the situation from a more balanced perspective, in particular, in relation to the operation of such ADRs. In fact, most of such ADRs as stipulated by special acts, such as the Construction Industry Basic Act of Korea, in the form of mediation or conciliation, have failed to get support from the industry, and as a result, such ADRs are seldom used in practice. Tn contrast, the court system has been greatly improved by implementing a new concentrated review system and establishing several tribunals designed to specialize in the review and resolution of specific types of disputes, including the construction disputes. These improvements of the court system have been warmly received by the industry. Arbitration is another forum for settlement of construction disputes, which has grown and is expected to grow as the most effective ADR with the support from the construction industry. In this regard, the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board ('KCAB') has established a set of internal rules end procedures in operation to efficiently handle construction disputes. Considering the foregoing, this paper addresses the most important elements of the arbitration, i.e., arbitration agreement and arbitral award, primarily focusing on the domestic arbitrations before the KCAB. However, since this parer is prepared for presentation at the construction disputes seminar for the public audience, it is not intended for academic purposes, nor does it delve into any specific acadcmic issues. Likewise, although this paper addresses certain controversial issues by way of introduction, it mainly purports to facilitate the understanding of the general public, including the prospective arbitrators on the KCAB roster without the relevant legal education and background, concerning the importance of the integrity of the arbitration agreement and the arbitral award. In sum, what is purported in this study is simply to note that there are still many outstanding issues with mediation, conciliation and arbitration, as a matter of system, institutional operation or otherwise, for further study and consideration so as to enhance them as effective means for settlement of construction disputes, in replacement of or in conjunction with the court proceeding. For this purpose, it is essential for all the relevant parties, including lawyers, engineers, owners, contractors and social activists aiming to protect consumers' and subcontractors' interests, to conduct joint efforts to study the complicated nature of construction works and to develop effective means for examination and handling of the disputes of a technical nature, including the accumulation of the relevant industrial data. Based on the foregoing, the parties may be in a better position to select the appropriate dispute resolution mechanism, a court proceeding or in its stead, an effective ADR, considering the relevant factors of the subject construction works or the contract structure, such as the bargaining position of the parties, their financial status, confidentiality requirements, technical or commercial complexity of the case at hand, urgency for settlements, etc.

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Characterization and Distribution of Glycoconjugates in Human Pulmonary Tubercles by Lectin Histochemistry (폐결핵 결절에서 복합당질의 분포에 관한 Lectin 조직화학적 연구)

  • Yoon, Sik;Kim, Ji-Hong;Shin, Cheol-Shik;Jeong, Suk;Son, Mal-Hyun;Song, Sun-Dae;Kim, Jin-Jeong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.41 no.3
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    • pp.248-261
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    • 1994
  • Background: Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that recognize a specific sequence of sugar residues. The availability of a large number of lectins has provided the capacity to identify selectively glycoconjugates possessing distinctive chemical structure in diverse sites of highly specialized biological activity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the lectin binding patterns of various components in human pulmonary tubercles. Method: Biopsy specimens of tuberculous lung were obtained from male adult patients who underwent a surgical resection for severe pulmonary tuberculosis. The specimens were processed and stained with 13 kinds of biotinylated lectins according to some modification of Hsu and Raine's methods. Results: 1) In the caseous necrotic lesions, BS $I-B_4$ showed negative reaction and BS I were also negative except some irregularly-shaped cells located in the marginal zone. All other lectins, however, showed a positive reaction with various binding patterns. 2) The epithelioid cells were broadly divided into three groups according to the reaction patterns in the cytoplasms and cell membranes. 3) WGA, ECL, PHA-L, PHA-E and LCA showed strong staining in the lymphocytes. 4) SBA showed a different binding patterns between the endothelial layers located in the region beyond the fibrous layers and those located within the fibrous layers. 5) PNA showed a positive reaction in the outer 1/3 to 1/2 of the fibrous layer, but showed no staining in the inner 1/2 to 2/3 of the fibrous layers. Conclusion: The present lectin histochemical study provided a useful information to assess the characterization and distribution of various glycoconjugates in each constituent of human pulmonary tubercles. The results demonstrate structural differences in the glycoconjugate composition of various components of the tubercles and reveal changes in glycosylation in the components during soft tubercle formation. This study provides a new data useful for the studies on the pathogenesis and pathology of human pulmonary tubercles.

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VKOSPI Forecasting and Option Trading Application Using SVM (SVM을 이용한 VKOSPI 일 중 변화 예측과 실제 옵션 매매에의 적용)

  • Ra, Yun Seon;Choi, Heung Sik;Kim, Sun Woong
    • Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.177-192
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    • 2016
  • Machine learning is a field of artificial intelligence. It refers to an area of computer science related to providing machines the ability to perform their own data analysis, decision making and forecasting. For example, one of the representative machine learning models is artificial neural network, which is a statistical learning algorithm inspired by the neural network structure of biology. In addition, there are other machine learning models such as decision tree model, naive bayes model and SVM(support vector machine) model. Among the machine learning models, we use SVM model in this study because it is mainly used for classification and regression analysis that fits well to our study. The core principle of SVM is to find a reasonable hyperplane that distinguishes different group in the data space. Given information about the data in any two groups, the SVM model judges to which group the new data belongs based on the hyperplane obtained from the given data set. Thus, the more the amount of meaningful data, the better the machine learning ability. In recent years, many financial experts have focused on machine learning, seeing the possibility of combining with machine learning and the financial field where vast amounts of financial data exist. Machine learning techniques have been proved to be powerful in describing the non-stationary and chaotic stock price dynamics. A lot of researches have been successfully conducted on forecasting of stock prices using machine learning algorithms. Recently, financial companies have begun to provide Robo-Advisor service, a compound word of Robot and Advisor, which can perform various financial tasks through advanced algorithms using rapidly changing huge amount of data. Robo-Adviser's main task is to advise the investors about the investor's personal investment propensity and to provide the service to manage the portfolio automatically. In this study, we propose a method of forecasting the Korean volatility index, VKOSPI, using the SVM model, which is one of the machine learning methods, and applying it to real option trading to increase the trading performance. VKOSPI is a measure of the future volatility of the KOSPI 200 index based on KOSPI 200 index option prices. VKOSPI is similar to the VIX index, which is based on S&P 500 option price in the United States. The Korea Exchange(KRX) calculates and announce the real-time VKOSPI index. VKOSPI is the same as the usual volatility and affects the option prices. The direction of VKOSPI and option prices show positive relation regardless of the option type (call and put options with various striking prices). If the volatility increases, all of the call and put option premium increases because the probability of the option's exercise possibility increases. The investor can know the rising value of the option price with respect to the volatility rising value in real time through Vega, a Black-Scholes's measurement index of an option's sensitivity to changes in the volatility. Therefore, accurate forecasting of VKOSPI movements is one of the important factors that can generate profit in option trading. In this study, we verified through real option data that the accurate forecast of VKOSPI is able to make a big profit in real option trading. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies on the idea of predicting the direction of VKOSPI based on machine learning and introducing the idea of applying it to actual option trading. In this study predicted daily VKOSPI changes through SVM model and then made intraday option strangle position, which gives profit as option prices reduce, only when VKOSPI is expected to decline during daytime. We analyzed the results and tested whether it is applicable to real option trading based on SVM's prediction. The results showed the prediction accuracy of VKOSPI was 57.83% on average, and the number of position entry times was 43.2 times, which is less than half of the benchmark (100 times). A small number of trading is an indicator of trading efficiency. In addition, the experiment proved that the trading performance was significantly higher than the benchmark.

The Effects of e-Business on Business Performance - In the home-shopping industry - (e-비즈니스가 경영성과에 미치는 영향 -홈쇼핑을 중심으로-)

  • Kim, Sae-Jung;Ahn, Seon-Sook
    • Management & Information Systems Review
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    • v.22
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    • pp.137-165
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    • 2007
  • It seems high time to increase productivity by adopting e-business to overcome challenges posed by both external factors including the appreciation of Korean won, oil hikes and fierce global competition and domestic issues represented by disparities between large corporations and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Seoul metropolitan and local cities, and export and domestic demand all of which weaken future growth engines in the Korean economy. The demands of the globalization era are for innovative changes in businessprocess and industrial structure aiming for creating new values. To this end, e-business is expected to play a core role in the sophistication of the Korean economy through new values and innovation. In order to examine business performance in e-business-adopting industries, this study analyzed the home shopping industry by closely looking into the financial ratios including the ratio of net profit to sales, the ratio of operation income to sales, the ratio of gross cost to sales cost, the ratio of gross cost to selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense, and return of investment (ROI). This study, for best outcome, referred to corporate financial statements as a main resource to calculate financial ratios by utilizing Data Analysis, Retrieval and Transfer System (DART) of the Financial Supervisory Service, one of the Korea's financial supervisory authorities. First of all, the result of the trend analysis on the ratio of net profit to sales is as following. CJ Home Shopping has registered a remarkable increase in its ratio of net profit rate to sales since 2002 while its competitors find it hard to catch up with CJ's stunning performances. This is partly due to the efficient management compared to CJ's value of capital. Such significance, if the current trend continues, will make the front-runner assume the largest market share. On the other hand, GS Home Shopping, despite its best organized system and largest value of capital among others, lacks efficiency in management. Second of all, the result of the trend analysis on the ratio of operation income to sales is as following. Both CJ Home Shopping and GS Home Shopping have, until 2004, recorded similar growth trend. However, while CJ Home Shopping's operating income continued to increase in 2005, GS Home Shopping observed its operating income declining which resulted in the increasing income gap with CJ Home Shopping. While CJ Home Shopping with the largest market share in home shopping industryis engaged in aggressive marketing, GS Home Shopping due to its stability-driven management strategies falls behind CJ again in the ratio of operation income to sales in spite of its favorable management environment including its large capital. Companies in the Group B were established in the same year of 2001. NS Home Shopping was the first in the Group B to shift its loss to profit. Woori Home Shopping has continued to post operating loss for three consecutive years and finally was sold to Lotte Group in 2007, but since then, has registered a continuing increase in net income on sales. Third of all, the result of the trend analysis on the ratio of gross cost to sales cost is as following. Since home shopping falls into sales business, its cost of sales is much lower than that of other types of business such as manufacturing industry. Since 2002 in gross costs including cost of sales, SG&A expense, and non-operating expense, cost of sales turned out to have remarkably decreased. Group B has also posted a notable decline in the same sector since 2002. Fourth of all, the result of the trend analysis on the ratio of gross cost to SG&A expense is as following. Due to its unique characteristics, the home shopping industry usually posts ahigh ratio of SG&A expense. However, more than 80% of SG&A expense means the result of lax management and at the same time, a sharp lower net income on sales than other industries. Last but not least, the result of the trend analysis on ROI is as following. As for CJ Home Shopping, the curve of ROI looks similar to that of its investment on fixed assets. As it turned out, the company's ratio of fixed assets to operating income skyrocketed in 2004 and 2005. As far as GS Home Shopping is concerned, its fixed assets are not as much as that of CJ Home Shopping. Consequently, competition in the home shopping industry, at the moment, is among CJ, GS, Hyundai, NS and Woori Home Shoppings, and all of them need to more thoroughly manage their costs. In order for the late-comers of Group B and other home shopping companies to advance further, the current lax management should be reformed particularly on their SG&A expense sector. Provided that the total sales volume in the Internet shopping sector is projected to grow over 20 trillion won by the year 2010, it is concluded that all the participants in the home shopping industry should put strategies on efficient management on costs and expenses as their top priority rather than increase revenues, if they hope to grow even further after 2007.

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The Excluded from Public Pension : Problem, Cause and Policy Measures (공적연금의 사각지대 : 실태, 원인과 정책방안)

  • Seok, Jae-Eun
    • Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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    • v.53
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    • pp.285-310
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    • 2003
  • As National Pension Scheme for all nation complete in 1999 through expanding application in cities, the public pension including Public Occupational Pension became main axis of old-age income maintenance. After 4years since then, now, it is only half of total National Pension insured persons who have been qualified to receive pension through participate and contribution. The other half of National Pension insured is left the excluded from public pension. This paper is intended to identify scale and characteristics of the excluded from public pension and to analysis its cause, and to explore policy measures for solving the excluded's problem. for current recipients over 60 years old generation, the its excluded's scale is no less than 86% of the old over 60 years. The probability of getting in the excluded is high in case of old elderly and female for current elderly generation. For future recipients 18-59 years working generation, the its excluded's scale is no less than 61% of the 18-59 years total population. The probability of getting in the excluded is high in case of 18-29 years and female for current working generation. As logistic regression analysis determinant factor of paying or not pension contribution for future recipients, it appear that probability of getting in the excluded for current working generation is high in case of younger old, lower education attainment, irregular employee, working at agriculture forestry fishery sector, construction sector, wholesale retail trade restaurants hotels sector, financial institution and insurance real estate renting and leasing sector in comparison with manufacturing sector, occpaying at elementary occupation, professionals technicians and associate professionals, sale and service workers, plant machine operators and assemblers, legislators senior officials and managers in comparison with clerks. The Policy measures for the current recipient old generation have need to reinforce supplemental role of Senior's pension(non-contribution pension) until maturing of public pension, because of no having chance of public pension participants for them. And the Policy measures for the future recipient working generation have need to restructure social security fundamentally corresponding with social-economic change as labour market and family structure etc. The pension system has need to change from one earner one pension to one citizen one pension with citizenship rights. At this point, public pension have need to manage with combining insurance's contribution principle and citizenship principle financing by taxes. Then public pension will become substantially universal social network for old-age income maintenance and we can find real solution for the excluded from.

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Characterization and Functional Analysis of Obox4 during Oocyte Maturation by RNA Interference (생쥐의 난소와 난자에서의 Obox4의 동정과 RNAi를 이용한 기능연구)

  • Lee, Hyun-Seo;Lee, Kyung-Ah
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.34 no.4
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    • pp.293-303
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    • 2007
  • Objective: Previously, we identified differentially expressed genes between GV and MII stage mouse oocytes using ACP technology. When we study one of GV selective genes, Obox family, we found Obox4 mRNA expression in ovaries that has been reported as expressed exclusively in testis. Therefore, this study was conducted for characterization and functional analysis for Obox4. Methods: Expression of Obox4 mRNA was examined in gonads and oocytes by RT-PCR. To determine the role of Obox4 in oocyte maturation, Obox4 dsRNA was microinjected into the cytoplasm of GV oocytes followed by 16 h of incubation in the plain medium or by 24 h of incubation in the medium containing IBMX. After RNAi, phenotypes and maturation rates were observed, change in mRNA expression was evaluated, and chromosomal status was confirmed by orcein staining. Results: Obox4 has minimal expression in the ovary compared to that of the other family members. When oocytes were cultured for 16 h in M16 medium after RNAi, maturation rate was not changed significantly, compared with that of non-injected or buffer-injected control oocytes. Surprisingly, however, when oocytes were cultured for 24 h in M16 containing IBMX, in which oocytes were supposed to arrest at GV stage, Obox4 RNAi oocytes were advanced to MI and MII. Spindle structure was disappeared and the chromosomes were condensed in the oocytes after Obox4 RNAi. Conclusions: This is the first report on the expression of Obox4 in the ovary and oocytes. Results of the study suggest that Obox4 plays a crucial role in spindle formation and chromosome segregation during meiosis in oocytes. In addition, Obox4 may play an important role in cAMP-dependent signal cascades of GV-arrest in mouse oocytes.