• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.166-171
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• 2005

Background: Smoking effects are relatively well-documented, especially on cancers and cardiovascular diseases. However, the direction and magnitude of association between smoking and obesity remain unclear. Conflicting results so far are thought to stem from the multiple confounding structure of smoking and other obesogenic life style characteristics. Methods: Cotwin control study is a genomic epidemiology design, in which the other twin (=cotwin) serves as a control of the twin. Cotwin control study, discordant for smoking habits can provide powerful evidence of association between smoking and obesity by completely matching genomic information, intrauterine environment, and almost all environmental factors. We selected 3,697 like-sex twin pairs (2,762 male and 935 female pairs) out of 63,666 pairs of adult twins in the existing Korea Twin and Family Register, whose smoking habits are discordant. We used the information of obesity as body mass index (BMI, $kg/m^2$) blood pressure, and blood cholesterol level at the time or later than the smoking information. Paired t-test was done to compare the smoking effects. Results: Lifetime smoking rate was 80.1 % (47.9 current smoker) for men and 10% (1.7% current smoker) for women. Among 2,762 and 935 male and female like-sex twin pairs, 363 male pairs and 20 female pairs correspond to the definition of smoker-nonsmoker pair. The male smokers demonstrated increase in BMI by 0.47, while female smokers show slight decrease (by 0.13), which were not statistically significant. Diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and cholesterol level were slightly increased among smokers by 1.85 mmHg, 0.62 mmHg, and 1.28 mg/dl for men. For women, the results show increase in diastolic blood pressure (3.42mmHg) and cholesterol level (1.25 mg/dl), and systolic pressure (8.17 mmHg). Conclusion: The results refute the possibility that smoking can reduce BMI. Considering the direct adverse effect of smoking, it should be emphasized that smoking do not decrease obesity and thus increase overall metabolic syndrome.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.2999-3005
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• 2009

Among the more than 120 different types of human papillomavirus (HPV), types 16 and 18 have been known to be high risk agents that cause cervical cancer. We examined, in an immuno-chromatographic analysis, the potential of using the early gene product, E7 protein, as a diagnostic marker of cervical cancer caused by HPV. We developed monoclonal antibodies specific to HPV-16 and 18 E7 proteins that were produced from bacterial cells using gene recombinant technology. For each E7 protein, the optimal antibody pair was selected using the immuno-chromatographic sandwichtype binding system based on the lateral flow through membrane pores. Under these conditions, this rapid testing assay had a detection capability as low as 2 ng/mL of E7 protein. Furthermore, since viral analysis required the host cell to be lysed using chemicals such as detergents, it was possible that the E7 protein was structurally damaged during this process, which would result in a decrease in detection sensitivity. Therefore, we examined the detrimental effects caused by different detergents on the E7 protein using HeLa cells as the host. In these experiments, we found that the damage caused by the detergent, nonylphenylpolyethylene glycol (NP-40), was minimal relative to Triton X-100 commonly used for the cell lysis. Temperature also affected the stability of the E7 protein, and we found that the E7 protein was stabilized at 4$^{\circ}C$ for about 2 h, which was 4 times longer than at room temperature. Finally, a HPV-infected cervical cancer cell line, which was used as a real sample model, was treated using the optimized conditions and the presence of E7 proteins were analyzed by immuno-chromatography. The results of this experiment demonstrated that this rapid test could specifically detect HPV-infected samples.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.168-174
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• 2014

Objectives Sensory gating dysfunctions in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have been investigated through two similar methods ; P50 suppression and prepulse inhibition paradigms. However, recent studies have demonstrated that the two measures are not correlated but rather constitute as distinct neural processes. Recent studies adopting spectral frequency analysis suggest that P50 suppression reflects the interaction between gamma and other frequency bands. The aim of the present study is to investigate which frequency component shows more significant interaction with gamma band. Methods A total of 108 mood disorder patients and 36 normal subjects were included in the study. The P50 responses to conditioning and test stimuli with an intra-pair interval of 500 msec were measured in the study population. According to P50 ratio (amplitude to the test stimulus/amplitude to the conditioning stimulus), the subjects with P50 ratio less than 0.2 were defined as suppressed group (SG) ; non-suppressed group (NSG) consisted of P50 ratio more than 0.8. Thirty-five and 25 subjects were included in SG and NSG, respectively. Point-to-point correlation coefficients (PPCCs) of both groups were calculated between two time-windows : the first window (S1) was defined as the time-window of one hundred millisecond after the conditioning auditory stimulus and the second window (S2) was defined as the time-window of 100 msec after the test auditory stimulus. Spectral frequency analysis was performed to investigate which frequency band results in the difference of PPCC between SG and NSG. Results Significant reduction of PPCC between S1 and S2 was observed in the SG (Pearson's r = 0.24), compared to PPCC of the NSG (r = 0.58, p < 0.05). In spectral frequency analysis, gamma band showed "phase-reset" and similar responses after the two auditory stimuli in suppressed and non-suppressed group. However in the case of alpha band, comparison showed significantly low PPCC in SG (r = -0.14) compared to NSG (r = 0.36, p < 0.05). This may be reflecting "phase-out" of alpha band against gamma band at approximately 50 msecs after the test stimulus in the SG. Conclusions Our study suggests that normal P50 suppression is caused by phase-out of alpha band against gamma band after the second auditory stimulus. Thus it is demonstrated that normal sensory gating process is constituted with attenuated alpha power, superimposed on consistent gamma response. Implications of preserved gamma and decreased alpha band in sensory gating function are discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.39-50
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• 2005

For the life quality improvement of rural elderly family placed in risk of frail, this study was investigated. Health habit, food habit, and dietary management were analyzed between elderly and middle aged family The subjects 1870 collected in 9 provinces 88 cities or guns by sampling with probability proportional to size(PPS). Questionnaire method was used. Survey was conducted by trained interviewers. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS(version 8.1). Chi-square tests and General Linear Models were used. The elderly families' characters were odd pair$(42.0\%)$, with patients$(17.6\%)$ and health examination per 1 or 2 years$(44.0\%)$. The elderly families' health habit: high of no-drink$(55.2\%)$ and low of smoke$(31.3\%)$ situation was better than those of middle aged families'. The states of diets of elderly family: having breakfast$(94.1\%)$ but 1-2 kinds$(17.7\%)$ or 3-4 kinds$(59.4\%)$ of side dishes allowed to guess lower status of food intake balance. Nutritional supplements$(27.5\%)$with tablets of vitamins$(63.5\%)$ were the most frequent states in elderly family. The aspects of dietary habit of elderly family: no instant foods$(72.6\%)$, no snack$(3.08\%)$ and no dine-out$(67.7\%)$ were significantly different with those of middle aged family. Dietary habit score(8.28/12 points) of elderly family was not significantly different with 8.22/12 points of middle aged family. Food purchase place of elderly family was mainly at traditional market$(43.6\%)$, but it was significantly different with super-market$(47.6\%)$ of middle aged family. In elderly family, traditional dish preparation was seldom$(49.8\%)$ except winter kimchi$(91.5\%)$, but significantly higher rate of in middle aged families' traditional dish preparation and winter kimchi$(94.5\%)$. From these results, more of snack, traditional dishes and dine-out were needed to improve quality of life for rural elderly.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 1996

Purpose: The purposes of this paper are to develop a theoretical basis that the beam directions should be considered when the mechanical accuracy of teletherapy machine is evaluated by the star pattern test, to develop methods using asymmetric field in length to simulate beam direction for the case that beam direction does not appear on film. Method: In evaluating mechanical rotational accuracy of the gantry of teletherapy unit by the star pattern test, the direction of radiation beams was considered. A star pattern using some narrow beams was made. Density profiles at 10cm far from estimated gantry axis on the star pattern were measured using an optical densitometer. On each profile, one coordimate of a beam axis was determined. A pair of coordinates on a beam axis form an equation of the axis. Assume that a unit vector equation omitted is with same direction as radiation beam and a vector equation omitted is a vector directing to the beam axis from the estimated gantry axis. Then, a vector product equation omitted ${\times}$ equation omitted is an area vector of which the absolute value is equal to the distance from the estimated gantry axis to the beam axis. The coordinate of gantry axis was obtained by using least-square method for the area vectors relative to the average of whole area vectors. For the axis, the maximum of absolute value of area vectors would be an accuracy of the gantry rotation axis. For the evaluation of mechanical accuracies of collimator and couch axes for which beam direction could not be depicted on a star pattern test film, narrow beams asymmetric in field length was used to simulate beam direction. Result: For a star test pattern to evaluate the mechanical accuracy of rotational axes of a telectherapy machine, the result considering beam direction was different from that ignoring beam direction. For the evaluation of mechanical accuracies of collimator and couch axes by means of a star pattern test, narrow asymmetric beams could simulate beam direction. Conclusion: When a star pattern test is used to evaluate the mechanical accuracy of a teletherapy unit, beam direction must be considered or simulated, and quantitatively evaluated.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2002

Accurate knowledge of the distribution of contamination electrons ( which comes from mainly gantry head by Compton scattering, pair production, and tray: henceforth called leptons ) at the surface and in the first centimeters of tissue is essential for the clinical practice of radiation oncology. Such lepton tends to reduce or eliminate the ‘skin-sparing’ advantage of megavoltage photon beam radiotherapy, This information is needed to prescribe a absorbed dose to a skin volume at a few millimeter depth in high energy therapeutic radiation photon beam All experiments were done with 15 MV photon beam from a dual energy linear accelerator (Clinac 1800, Varian). Field size is defined by ranged from 10.0$\times$10.0 to 30.0$\times$30.0 $\textrm{cm}^2$. The absorbed dose and distribution of leptons in therapeutic radiation beam (15 MV) are investigated by means of variable blocked beams of 30.0$\times$30.0 $\textrm{cm}^2$ and dose beam profiles partly removed leptons with a copper plate. A numerous leptons mainly are distributed as shape of broad cone in the central photon beam and leptons path length in the water are shorter than 2.5 cm because of the leptons energy having around 3.0 MeV. These results clearly appears that the subtraction of leptons from the total depth dose curve not only lower the absolute dose in the buildup region and surface dose, it also causes a shift of d$_{max}$ to a deeper depth.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.1123-1129
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• 2015

A pair of two-way valves typically is used in automotive washing machines, where the water flow direction is frequently reversed and highly pressurized clean water is sprayed to remove the oil and dirt remaining on machined engine and transmission blocks. Although this valve system has been widely used because of its competitive price, its application is sometimes restricted by surging effects, such as pressure ripples occurring in rapid changes in water flow caused by inaccurate valve control. As an alternative, one three-way reversing valve can replace the valve system because it provides rapid and accurate changes to the water flow direction without any precise control device. However, a cavitation effect occurs because of the complicated bottom plug shape of the valve. In this study, the cavitation index and percent of cavitation (POC) were introduced to numerically evaluate fluid flows via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. To reduce the cavitation effect generated by the bottom plug, the optimal shape design was carried out through a parametric study, in which a simple computer-aided engineering (CAE) model was applied to avoid time-consuming CFD analysis and difficulties in achieving convergence. The optimal shape design process using full factorial design of experiments (DOEs) and an artificial neural network meta-model yielded the optimal waist and tail length of the bottom plug with a POC value of less than 30%, which meets the requirement of no cavitation occurrence. The optimal waist length, tail length and POC value were found to 6.42 mm, 6.96 mm and 27%, respectively.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.149-157
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• 2020

This study aimed to explore the change of engineering students' competencies through the havruta class. In the havruta class, engineering students' competencies were compared with pre-test and post-test. The research tool was developed by selecting learning readiness, academic self-efficacy, and communication ability as the learner's competence in the havruta class. Finally, 105 data were analyzed with SPSS 21.0 for windows. First, there was a statistically significant difference in learning readiness. Second, there was no statistically significant difference in academic self-efficacy. Third, there was a statistically significant difference in communication ability. It was found that there was a positive change of competencies in learning readiness ability and communication ability in the havruta class. Although the findings are difficult to generalize to all majors, these results will be a useful basis for instructors who want to apply the havruta class.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.1-26
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• 2011

This study was conducted to select the location of the logistics center for environment-friendly agricultural products in the Gwangyang Bay Area. AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process) technique was used to examine location selection factors and factor hierarchy was made through a questionnaire survey and an expert interview for objective and quantitative decision. The hierarchy process of location factors of logistics center for environment-friendly agricultural products in the Gwangyang Bay Area were categorized into five factors such as natural factors, economic factors, social factors, distribution efficiency, and land use plan. Then, those factors were sub-categorized into three factors each. As a result of pair-wise comparison analysis of five categories, the weight of economic factors was the highest, and easy cargo transportation, fitness to higher-order plan, climate, land price, and limitation regulations of sub-categorized factors appeared as comparative evaluation criteria. The priority of the final candidate was decided through this process. While the weight of the Yulchon II Industrial Complex was the highest in natural and economic factors were the highest, the weight of the Gwangyang Hwanggeum Industrial Complex was the highest in social factors, distribution efficiency, and land use plan. The result of the final analysis showed that the Gwangyang Hwanggeum Industrial Complex was the most optimal location candidate for the logistics center for environment-friendly agricultural products.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.151-162
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• 2008

Chromosome analysis using karyotyping and bicolor FISH were carried out in Pimpinella hallaisanensis which is one of the endemic plants in Jeju island of Korea. The somatic methaphase chromosomes number of this plant was 2n=2x=22 and the size of this chromosomes ranged from 3.58 to $5.82{\mu}m$. The chromosome complements consisted of two pairs of metacentrics (chromosomes 1 and 2), four pairs of submetacentrics (chromosomes 3, 4, 6 and 8) and five pairs of subtelocentrics (chromosomes 5, 7, 9, 10 and 11). Using bicolor FISH, three pairs of 5S and four pairs of 45S rDNA loci were observed. Two pairs of 5S rDNA signals were detected on the end of the long arm of chromosome 4 and one pair of them were observed between long arm end and centromere. Another 45S rDNA signals were detected on the end of short arm of chromosome 4, 6, 10 and 11, respectively. Hence, the chromosome number reexamined using both conventional staining and FISH methods was different from previous report.