• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.1-21
• /
• 2007

Among numerous policy influencers' and researchers' advices and policy suggestions, there is little opposition to the proposition that technology is essential to the economic development. The role of technology has never been more emphasized than today in Korea as in any other countries. The effects of the government's innovation policy on corporate R&D activities and more broadly the economic welfare of a whole nation are widely recognized with intuitional and empirical evidence. That is, various R&D incentives reduce the marginal cost of a firm's R&D efforts, inducing as much increase of its R&D investment to result in a better chance to acquire target technology. This paper examines the impact of R&D incentives on the technological outcomes by analyzing individual firms' investment behaviors subject to the government's R&D incentive policies. An econometric model of technological outcomes is estimated on a project level with cross-sectional data. "Probit model" is employed for estimations. Special attention was given to the effectiveness of R&D programs by estimating policy impact by types of investment. The data were collected from 928 different R&D projects completed between 1987 and 1993. With the single equation approach, we were able to find that the structure of investment is a far more significant factor in technological outcomes than the total amount of investment. The analysis also shows that the two types of firms' matching investment, in-kind and cash, do not bear a complementary, but a substitutive relations to each other. It also reconfirms the proposition that R&D incentives increase firm's financial investment. Despite many supportive studies emphasizing the cooperation between innovation performers, it is also found that the larger the number of institutions involved in a project, the less likely it leads to a technological success, And meeting the proposed deadlines without postponing is estimated to be a good barometer to predict the outcome of an R&D project. Also the probabilities of success for major variables are represented for policy implications, after calculating marginal effects.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.7 no.5
• /
• pp.267-273
• /
• 2003

We have investigated the effect on inducing substate(s) of positively charged residues replaced in position 172 of the second transmembrane domain in murine inward rectifier potassium channels, formed by stable or transient transfection of Kir2.1 gene in MEL or CHO cells. Single channel recordings were obtained from either cell-attached patches or inside-out patches excised into solution containing 10 mM EDTA to rule out the effect of $Mg^{2+}$ on the channel gating. The substate(s) could be recorded with all mutants D172H, D172K and D172R. The unitary current-voltage (I-V) relation was not linear with D172H at $pH_i$ 6.3, whereas the unitary I-V relation was linear at $pH_i$ 8.0. The relative occupancy at $S_{LC}$ was increased from 0.018 at $pH_i$ 8.0 to 0.45 at $pH_i$ 5.5. In H-N dimer, that was increased from 0.016 at $pH_i$ 8.0 to 0.23 at $pH_i$ 5.5. The larger the size of the side chain or $pK_a$ with mutants (D172H, D172K and D172R), the more frequent the transitions between the fully open state and substate within an opening. The conductance of the substate also depended upon the pKa or the size of the side chain. The relative occupancy at substate $S_{LC}$ with monomer D172K (0.50) was less than that in K-H dimer (0.83). However, the relative occupancy at substate with D172R (0.79) was similar to that with R-N dimer (0.82). In the contrary to ROMK1, positive charge as well as negative charge in position 172 can induce the substate rather than block the pore in murine Kir2.1. The single channel properties of the mutant, that is, unitary I-V relation, the voltage dependence of the mean open time and relative occupancy of the substates and the increased latency to the first opening, explain the intrinsic gating observed in whole cell recordings.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.136-140
• /
• 2008

A new concept of salt core, a melting temperature of which is lower than the solidus temperature of cast alloy, was introduced to produced an integrated casting part having a complicated inner shape or requiring under-cut in high pressure die casting or squeeze casting process. The main goal of this study is to develop a new integrated net-shape forming technology using fusible core of lower melting temperature than that of a casting alloy. This integrated net-shape forming technology would be very successful and cost-effective for producing the integrated products having a complicated inner shape or requiring under-cut. The technology for measuring and evaluating a various property of fusible core such as a thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient, melting temperature was established. Also, the work space can be cleaned without a pollution inducing products.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.572-580
• /
• 2016

3-Deoxysappanchalcone (3-DSC) has been reported to possess anti-allergic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 3-DSC on the proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HDPCs) and mouse hair growth in vivo. A real-time cell analyzer system, luciferase assay, Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were employed to measure the biochemical changes occurring in HDPCs in response to 3-DSC treatment. The effect of 3-DSC on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice was also examined. 3-DSC promoted the proliferation of HDPCs, similar to Tofacitinib, an inhibitor of janus-activated kinase (JAK). 3-DSC promoted phosphorylation of ${\beta}$-catenin and transcriptional activation of the T-cell factor. In addition, 3-DSC potentiated interleukin-6 (IL-6)-induced phosphorylation and subsequent transactivation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), thereby increasing the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase-4 (Cdk4), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). On the contrary, 3-DSC attenuated STAT6 mRNA expression and IL4-induced STAT6 phosphorylation in HDPCs. Finally, we observed that topical application of 3-DSC promoted the anagen phase of hair growth in C57BL/6 mice. 3-DSC stimulates hair growth possibly by inducing proliferation of follicular dermal papilla cells via modulation of $WNT/{\beta}$-catenin and STAT signaling.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2016

Galvannealed(GA) steels are now generally used in car body manufacturing for corrosion resistance. In this study, the weldability and joint mechanical behavior of a newly developed 1.2GPa grade GA ultra high strength TRIP(transformation induced plasticity) steel was investigated for three joining processes, such as adhesive bonding, resistance spot welding and weldbonding. Under both shear and peel stress conditions, the failure mode of the adhesive joints were the mixture of the adhesive cohesive failure, adhesive interface failure and coating layer failure. It means that the adhesion strength of GA coating onto the base metal was similar to that of adhesive bonding onto the GA coating. Under the shear stress condition, the weldbonding exerted to expand the optimal spot welding condition of 1.2GPa GA TRIP steel because the strength of adhesive bond overwhelmed that of the resistance spot weld. Under the peel stress condition, the weldbonding also exerted to expand the optimal spot welding condition of 1.2GPa GA TRIP steel by inducing the tear fracture mode rather than the partial plug fracture mode.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.189-194
• /
• 2011

Effect of Sargassum confusum extract on the reduction of body weight gain and lipid contents in obese rats were evaluated to find natural materials with anti-obesity benefits. After inducing obesity by feeding 42.5% high-fat diet for 5 weeks, each 10 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to high-fat diet control (HFD) group and high-fat diet group containing 3% Sargassum confusum extract (HFDSC). Weight gain of HFD group ($2.96{\pm}0.31g/day$) was significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared to that of normal diet (ND) group ($2.19{\pm}0.17g/day$). Weights of adipose tissues of HFD group were higher than those of ND group. Body weight gain of HFDSC group, however, was $2.36{\pm}0.24g/day$, which was significantly (p<0.05) lower by 21% than that of HFD group. In addition, weights of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissues were lower by 15% and 16%, respectively, as compared to those of HFD group. Biochemical analyses showed that concentration of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and fatty acids were significantly (p<0.05) lower in HFDSC group. These results suggest that Sargassum confusum extract has a high potential as an anti-obesity material by reducing weight gain and obesity-related factors in serum.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate the diuretic effects of Erythritol (ET) salt on urinary electrolyte excretion in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Methods: Animals were divided into two groups: Salt group (n = 7) and Salt + ET fed group (n = 7). Animals were provided food and water ad libitum. Supplements were administered orally to animals for one week. Results: Body weights were not statistically different between groups either on Day 1 or Day 7. However, water consumption of the Salt + ET group was significantly higher than that of the Salt group on Day 1 and Day 7. Urine volume of the Salt + ET group was approximately 27% and 38% higher than that of the Salt group on Day 1 and Day 7. In addition, we found that the total amounts of urinary electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, of the Salt + ET group were significantly higher than those of the Salt group on Day 7. We also found that serum electrolyte concentrations did not differ between two groups. These results demonstrated that salt intake with ET was effective in increasing urinary electrolyte excretion, which might be caused by higher water intake and diuretic effect inhibiting reabsorption of water, sodium, and potassium in renal tubules. Conclusion: The results suggest that short-term supplementation of ET salt can be a potential diuretic agent by inhibiting sodium and potassium reabsorption and inducing loss of water.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.353-359
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500 on the improvement of skin aging in an UVB-induced photo-aging model of hairless mice. The dorsal skin of hairless mice was exposed to UVB three times a week for 12 weeks to induce skin wrinkle. After inducing the wrinkle, $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500 was orally administered once a day for 4 weeks. Skin thickness, skin barrier function, and wrinkle indicators were improved by treatment with $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500. Both gene and protein expression levels of MMP-3 and c-Jun in skin were significantly decreased by $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500. Therefore, the intake of $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500 is thought to have a positive effect on the improvement of skin aging, although further studies are needed.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.195-201
• /
• 2003

Aromatic hydrocarbons are of major concern among genotoxic chemicals due to their toxicity and persistence. Some microorganisms can utilize aromatic hydrocarbons as carbon and energy sources by inducing expression of catabolic operon(s). The XylR regulatory protein activates transcription of the catabolic enzymes to degrade BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) from its cognate promoters, Pu and Ps upon exposure of the cells to the aromatic hydrocarbons. The activity of XylR on the promoters was previously monitored using luciferase luc reporter system. The xylR, its promoter Pr and the promoter Po for the phenolic compound catabolic operon were introduced upstream of firefly luciferase luc in the pGL3b vector to generate about 7.1 kb of pXRBTEX. Here E. coli harboring the plasmid was freeze-dried under various conditions to fin,d optimal conditions for storage and transport. The cell viability and luciferase activity were maintained better, when the cells were freeze-dried at -7$0^{\circ}C$ in the addition of the 10% skim milk or 12% sucrose. However, coaddition of protectants such as 10% skim milk plus 10% glucose or 12% sucrose plus 10% glucose, resulted in much better viability and bioluminescence activity compared with the effect of single addition of each protectant. In addition, it was shown that the freeze-dried cells maintained almost intact bioluminescent activities and cell viability for at least 1 week after freeze-drying. This work demonstrated that the properly freeze-dried recombinant bacterial cells could be utilized as a whole-cell biosensor for simple and rapid monitoring of BTEX in the environment.

• Asian Journal of Innovation and Policy
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.240-256
• /
• 2020

The Biotechnology Support Act has provided a legal basis for promoting the biotechnology field as the highest legal authority in the biosciences since its enactment in 1983, and has contributed to enhancing Korea's biotechnology research and development (R&D) capabilities and to revitalizing bioscience ecosystems by establishing policies for supporting biotechnology, expanding the government research and development, and promoting industrial applications. The revised bill of the Biotechnology Support Act is the law that reflects changes in the technological and social environment and that provides a legal basis for practical support of government policies such as total periodic research support, commercialization empowerment, and creation of an innovative research environment, and it will come into effect in November, 2020 after a six-month grace period. The main contents of the revised bill are 1) increasing status as a general norm in the biotechnology field, 2) establishing data evidence-based policies, 3) inducing biotechnology innovation, and 4) promoting regulatory science, especially research and development. This revision has been reorganized in a timely manner in accordance with the current technological advancements, changes in society and environment, and both quantitative and qualitative growth of the domestic bioscience ecosystems and its competitiveness are expected by systematic supports and promotions of the government during the whole period in terms of research and development (R&D) as well as business and industrialization.