• Strategy21
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• s.33
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• pp.113-147
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• 2014

While China's military rise is an issue of growing importance to regional security, it is worthwhile to note that it is not China's military modernization per se, but its capacity to project and sustain power along and beyond its borders--in particular, the possibility to resolve forcefully its outstanding maritime disputes and various contingencies. This essay argues that China's "anti-access capability"--a U.S.-coined term originally developed for a Taiwan contingency--is equally applicable to other major regional cases such as the Spratly disputes and a North Korean contingency. Furthermore, notwithstanding China's continuos efforts to develop and deploy various types and classes of weapons/platforms, it is the Russian systems and technologies that are most capable and thus likely assigned to the highest mission-critical areas. In assessing China's current and likely future military capability as well as their implications for the region, it is necessary to take note of the following: • There exists asymmetry of military capability between China and its weaker neighbors. While the PLAN is weak in several important aspects, for instance, many of its neighbors' navies are weaker still. • Some have argued that China's foreign policy behavior apparently became more "assertive" in 2009-2013, but it is wiser to keep in mind that China has almost always been assertive and aggressive when it comes to what China defines as "sovereignty and territorial issues" as well as its newest "core interests." • On the South China Sea disputes it is the function of U.S. presence in the theater--in the form of overseas bases and the freedom of navigation--and the PLA's own limitations to project and sustain power for an extended period of time that have largely prevented armed. • While Taiwan remains the idee fixe of China's diplomacy and military, it is and will be a tough nut to crack. China's recent creeping attempts for economic integration with Taiwan should be seen in this context. • China and Japan, the two regional heavyweights and traditional rivals, will likely have a bilateral relationship that is replete with difficulties and tension. China's unilateral announcement of its ADIZ in November 2013 as well as the occasional yet persistent disputes with Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyudao/Diaoyutai islands are only the latest manifestation of this deeper and difficult relationship. • For Korean security it is imperative to take into account the geostrategic and historical factors. On top of the existing military threats from North Korea, the ROK should be able to employ a) hedging strategy, b) "limited defense sufficiency" strategy, and c) rock-solid relations with the United States.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.751-763
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• 2005

Statement of problem. To improve a direct implant fixation to the bone, various strategies have been developed focusing on the surface of materials. The surface quality of the implant depends on the chemical, physical, mechanical and topographical properties of the surface. The different properties will interact with each other and a change in thickness of the oxide layer may also result in a change in surface energy, the surface topography and surface, chemical composition. However, there is limited the comprehensive study with regard to changed surface and biologic behavior of osteoblast by anodization. Purpose of study. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of an oxide layer formed and to evaluate the cellular biologic behaviors on titanium by anodic oxidation (anodization) by cellular proliferation, differentiation, ECM formation and gene expression. And the phospholipase activity was measured on the anodized surface as preliminary study to understand how surface properties of Ti implant are transduced into downstream cellular events. Methods and Materials. The surface of a commercially pure titanium(Grade 2) was modified by anodic oxidation. The group 1 samples had a machined surface and other three experimental specimens were anodized under a constant voltage of 270 V(Group 2), 350 V(Group 3), and 450 V(Group 4). The specimen characteristics were inspected using the following five categories; the surface morphology, the surface roughness, the thickness of oxide layer, the crystallinity, and the chemical composition of the oxide layer. Cell numbers were taken as a marker for cell proliferation. While the expression of alkaline phosphatase and Runx2 (Cbfa1) was used as early differentiation marker for osteoblast. The type I collagen production was determined, which constitutes the main structural protein of the extracellular matrix. Phospholipase $A_2$ and D activity were detected. Results. (1) The anodized titanium had a porous oxide layer, and there was increase in both the size and number of pores with increasing anodizing voltage. (2) With increasing voltage, the surface roughness and thickness of the oxide film increased significantly (p<0.01), the $TiO_2$phase changed from anatase to rutile. During the anodic oxidization, Ca and P ions were more incorporated into the oxide layer. (3) The in vitro cell responses of the specimen were also dependant on the oxidation conditions. With increasing voltage, the ALP activity, type I collagen production, and Cbfa 1 gene expression increased significantly (p<0.01), while the cell proliferation decreased. (4) In preliminary study on the relation of surface property and phospholipase, PLD activity was increased but $PLA_2$ activity did not changed according to applied voltage. Conclusion. The anodized titanium shows improved surface characteristics than the machined titanium. The surface properties acquired by anodization appear to give rise more mature osteoblast characteristics and might result in increased bone growth, and contribute to the achievement of a tight fixation. The precise mechanism of surface property signaling is not known, may be related to phospholipase D.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.32-41
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• 2012

Objectives: Rehmannia glutinosa pharmacopuncture solution (RGPS) was investigated to determine both its anti-allergic inflammatory effects on mast cells and its detailed mechanism of actions. Methods: We investigated whether RGPS suppress cytokines, enzymes, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ expression and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with anti-DNP IgE/DNP-HSA. The suppressive effects of RGPS on the levels of cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and GM-CSF were measured using emzyme-linked immunospecific assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of cytokines, enzymes (HDC2, COX-1, COX-2 and 5LO) and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}{\beta}{\gamma}$ subunits were measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The activation of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling was examined using Western blot analyses. Results: RGPS suppressed production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and GM-CSF) in stimulated RBL-2H3 cells significantly (p < 0.05). RGPS also suppressed mRNA expression of inflammatory enzymes (HDC2, COX-1, COX-2, 5LO). In addition, mRNA expression levels of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\alpha}$, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\beta}$and $Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\gamma}$ were lowered by treatment with RGPS. Finally, RGPS prevented phosphrylation of Lyn, Syk, LAT, Gab2, PLC ${\gamma}1/2$, PI3K, Akt, cPLA2 and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. Conclusions: RGPS effectively suppresses mast cell activations such as degranulation and inflammatory response via down-regulation of the $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signaling pathways in IgE/Ag-stimulated mast cells.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.493-500
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• 1997

We performed this study to evaluate hepatic venous drainage in atrial isomerism by MR and the clinical significance of anomalous hepatic venous return in total cavopulmonary shunt operation. Numbers and locations of hepatic veins in twenty-two patients with isomerism(thirteen with right isomerism and nine with left isom rism) were evaluated by MR. Operative procedure of hepatic veins and postoperative arterial oxygen saturation were compared with hepatic vein connection in six patients after total cavopulmonary shunt operation. Among nine patients with left isomerism, hepatic venous return was totally anomalous via a single opening in eight, and via two separate openings in one. Among thirteen patients with right isomerism, partial anomalous hepatic venous connection directly to the atrium was seen in four. One showed total anomalous hepatic venous connection to atrium through one opening. Total cavopulmonary shunt operation was performed in 6 patients. Hepatic veins were connected to pulmonary arteries in four patients who had one atrial opening of hepatic vein andlor IVC, or two ipsilateral atrial opening of hepatic veins and IVC. In conclusion, hepatic vein drainage to atrium is variable in atrial isomerism. MR is useful for evaluation of hepatic vein drainage in atrial isomerism and surgical pla ning.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.250-256
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• 2003

Lactic acid bacteria with amylolytic and acid producing activities can ferment starch directly to lactic acid thereby producing a monomer for the production of biodegradable poly lactic acid (PLA). In this study, the strain producing L-lactic acid from soluble starch was isolated from Nuruk. The isolated strain was identified as Enterococcus sp. through its morphological, cultural, biochemical characteristics as well as the 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and named Enterococcus sp. JA-27. Enterococcus sp. JA-27 produced exclusively L-lactic acid from soluble starch as a carbon source. The optimal conditions for the maximum production of L-lactic acid from Enterococcus sp. JA-27 were 30 C, pH 8, 1.5 % soluble starch as a substrate and 3.5 % tryptone as a nitrogen source, 0.1 % $K_2$$HPO_4$, 0.04 % $MgSO_4$. $7H_2$O, 0.014 % $MnSO_4$$.$4$H_2O$, 0.004% $FeSO_4$$.$$7H_2$O. Batch and fed batch culture were carried out and the former was more effective. L-Lactic acid production in the optimum medium was significantly increased in a 7 L jar fermenter, where the maximum L-lactic acid concentration was 3 g/L. For the purification of lactic acid in fermented broth, two stage ionexchange column chromatographies were employed and finally identified by HPLC.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.378-383
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• 2016

The glasswort is an edible halophyte demonstrating various physiological effects including anti-inflammatory activity. In the present study, the effects of glasswort extracts on inflammatory events and interactions of THP-1 monocytes with intestinal epithelial cells were investigated. Five solvent fractions, including the ethylether fraction (Fr.E), were prepared from a 70% methanol extract of glasswort. THP-1 monocytes underwent differentiation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment and were then activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. None of the glasswort fractions tested alone induced COX-2 in differentiated THP-1 cells. Fr.E, however, enhanced LPS-induced COX-2 expression in differentiated THP-1 cells. Culture media of THP-1 cells treated with each fraction stimulated the growth of normal intestinal INT-407 cells more prominently than that of HT-29 colon cancer cells. COX-2 expression in HT-29 cells was inhibited when the cells were exposed to the THP-1 culture medium treated with Fr.E. Thus, glasswort could modulate the interaction between immune cells and intestinal cells.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.342-349
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• 2010

Lactic acid is widely used in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and there is an increasing demand for lactic acid as the raw material of poly lactic acid(PLA), which is a biodegradable polymer. Lactic acid production has been changing over from production by synthesis to production by fermentation, since the fermentation process is more nature friendly and economic. However, the fermentation method generates excess water and impurities with high boilers. The presence of high boilers and non volatility of lactic acid makes the separation of lactic acid very difficult job. Also, the purification-separation process requires the many investment costs and energy costs. Reactive distillation concept was also introduced for the process, giving higher selectivity and yield compared to the convention method. We introduce a new highly integrated process, reactive diving wall column, to reduce the capital and energy cost for producing a pure lactic acid. The reactive dividing wall column combines reactive distillation and dividing wall column. We compared capital and energy consumption required for the purification of lactic acid the between the proposed design structures. And we examined the effect of major process variables on the process performance and determined optimal process.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the packaging status of the $Agaricus$ $bisporus$ mushrooms and the benefits of storing them after precooling to improve their distribution system using small packages. The packaging status of the $Agaricus$ $bisporus$ mushrooms was surveyed at a farm, a department store, a wholesale market, and a supermarket from May to September 2011. The packaging materials that were used were PS, carton, PP, LDPE, PLA, and PVC. The harvested $Agaricus$ $bisporus$ mushrooms were precooled at $4^{\circ}C$ for three hours and were then stored at $20^{\circ}C$ for three days. The weight loss rate of the precooled sample was slightly lower than that of the unprecooled sample; conversely, the L value of the precooled sample was higher than that of the unprecooled sample. The ${\Delta}E$ value was lowest in the precooled sample after packaging. The precooling process effectively prolonged the shelf life and enhanced the quality of the$Agaricus$ $bisporus$ mushrooms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9177-9183
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• 2014

Polymorphisms of inflammation-related genes have been found to be associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or some of its subtypes, but only a few relevant data have been reported in China. In this study, the Snapshot method was used to assess genetic variation; a total of 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for 6 inflammatory factors in 157 NHL cases (64 Uygur ethnic subjects, 93 Han Chinese) and 435 controls (231 Uygur and 204 Han Chinese) were studied from the Xinjiang province of China. Haplotype distribution was estimated using PHASE 2.3 software. Statistical differences in the genotype and haplotype frequencies between case and control groups were also considered and estimated. For the Han population, the geneotype distributions for TNF-${\alpha}rs1800629$, TNF-${\alpha}rs1800630$, IL-6 rs1800795, IL-6 rs1800797, NF-KB1 rs1585215 and TLR-4 rs4986790 showed significant differences between the case and control groups (p<0.05). The TNF-${\alpha}$ gene frequencies of ACG and CCA haplotypes in the cases were higher than in the controls (OR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.55-3.89, p=0.0002, OR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.10-5.80, p=0.029, respectively), and the same findings were detected for TNF-${\beta}$ gene CA haplotype (OR=1.87, 95% CI: 1.21-2.90, p=0.0054). However, for the Uygur population, no such significant differences were detected within the gene-type distribution of the 14 SNPs. The TNF-${\alpha}$ gene frequency of the CCA haplotype between the two groups (OR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.11-3.51, p=0.021) revealed a statistically significant difference. Our results showed that polymorphic variations of inflammation-related genes could be important to the NHL etiology of the Han population, and that these may only have limited influence on the Uygur population.

• Strategy21
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• s.38
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• pp.250-286
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• 2015

The main purpose of this article is to provide an understanding on current maritime issues in the Northeast Asia, and thereby help formulating the right strategy for our national security. The article summarizes core arguments in the recently published 『The 21^st Century Maritime Strategies in the Northeast Asia: Dilemma between Competition and Cooperation』. It will help readers to comprehend historical backgrounds as well as recent updates related to maritime issues and strategies in the region. Also, readers may find guidance to conceive their own maritime strategies for the Republic of Korea. Currently, the U.S. is shifting its focus from Atlantic to Pacific, and increasing its naval presence in Asia-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the 21^st century China views the maritime interests as the top priority in its national security and prosperity. PLA Navy's offensive maritime strategies and naval building such as aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines are unprecedented. Japan is another naval power in the region. During the Cold War JMSDF faithfully fulfilled the mission of deterring Soviet navy, and now it is doing its job against China. Lastly, Putin has been emphasizing to build the strong Russia since 2000, and putting further efforts to reinforce current naval capabilities of Pacific Fleet. The keyword in the naval and maritime relations among these powers can be summarized with "competition and cooperation." The recent security developments in the South China Sea(SCS) clearly represent each state's strategic motivations and movements. China shows clear and strong intention to nationalize the islands in SCS by building artificial facilities - possibly military purpose. Obviously, the U.S. strongly opposes China by insisting the freedom of navigation(FON) in international waters as recent USS-Lassen's FON operation indicate. The conflict between China and the U.S. surrounding the SCS seems to be heading towards climax as Russia and Japan are searching for their own national interests within the conflict. Also, the neighboring small and middle powers are calculating their own economic and security interests. This is no exception for us in establishing timely strategies to maximize our own national security. Hopefully, this article leads the readers to the right direction.