• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.186-194
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• 2008

Objectives : This study describes trends in the socioeconomic disparities in breast cancer screening among US women aged 40 or over, from 2000 to 2005. We assessed 1) the disparities in each socioeconomic dimension; 2) the changes in screening mammography rates over time according to income, education, and race; and 3) the sizes and trends of the disparities over time. Methods : Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2000 to 2005, we calculated the age-adjusted screening rate according to relative household income, education level, health insurance, and race. Odds ratios and the relative inequality index (RII) were also calculated, controlling for age. Results : Women in their 40s and those with lower relative incomes were less likely to undergo screening mammography. The disparity based on relative income was greater than that based on education or race (the RII among low-income women across the survey years was 3.00 to 3.48). The overall participation rate and absolute differences among socioeconomic groups changed little or decreased slightly across the survey years. However, the degree of each socioeconomic disparity and the relative inequality among socioeconomic positions remained quite consistent. Conclusions : These findings suggest that the trend of the disparity in breast cancer screening varied by socioeconomic dimension. Continued differences in breast cancer screening rates related to income level should be considered in future efforts to decrease the disparities in breast cancer among socioeconomic groups. More focused interventions, as well as the monitoring of trends in cancer screening participation by income and education, are needed in different social settings.

• BMB Reports
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.507-514
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• 2004

Gamma irradiation ($\gamma$-IR) is reported to have diverse effects on immune cell apoptosis, survival and differentiation. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effect of a low dose $\gamma$-IR (5~10 Gy) was investigated, focusing on the role of NF-${\kappa}B$ in the induction of the B cell differentiation molecule, CD23/FceRII. In the human B cell line Ramos, $\gamma$-IR not only induced CD23 expression, but also augmented the IL-4-induced surface CD23 levels. While $\gamma$-IR did not cause STAT6 activation in these cells, it did induce both DNA binding and the transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ in the $I{\kappa}B$ degradation-dependent manner. It was subsequently found that different NF-${\kappa}B$ regulating signals modulated the $\gamma$-IR-or IL-4-induced CD23 expression. Inhibitors of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, such as PDTC and MG132, suppressed the $\gamma$-IR-mediated CD23 expression. In contrast, Ras, which potentiates $\gamma$-IR-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity in these cells, further augmented the $\gamma$-IR- or IL-4-induced CD23 levels, The induction of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and the subsequent up-regulation of CD23 expression by $\gamma$-IR were also observed in monocytic cells. These results suggest that $\gamma$-IR, at specific dosages, can modulate immune cell differentiation through the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, and this potentially affects the immune inflammatory response that is mediated by cytokines.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• 제59권9호
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• pp.1034-1040
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate inequalities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates in Korea and trends therein using the slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) across income and education groups. Materials and Methods: Data from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey, an annually conducted, nationwide cross-sectional survey, were utilized. A total of 17174 men and women aged 50 to 74 years were included for analysis. Prior experience with CRC screening was defined as having either a fecal occult blood test within the past year or a lifetime colonoscopy. CRC screening rates and annual percentage changes (APCs) were evaluated. Then, SII and RII were calculated to assess inequality in CRC screening for each survey year. Results: CRC screening rates increased from 23.4% in 2005 to 50.9% in 2015 (APC, 7.8%; 95% CI, 6.0 to 9.6). Upward trends in CRC screening rates were observed for all age, education, and household income groups. Education inequalities were noted in 2009, 2014, and overall pooled estimates in both indices. Income inequalities were inconsistent among survey years, and overall estimates did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Education inequalities in CRC screening among men and women aged 50 to 74 years were observed in Korea. No apparent pattern, however, was found for income inequalities. Further studies are needed to thoroughly outline socio-economic inequalities in CRC screening.

• 한국지형학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.173-185
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• 2012

인천 영종도 남부 해안충적평야의 퇴적층을 대상으로 화분분석을 실시하였다. 시료채취 지점(해발고도 7.2m)은 현재 냉온대 중부 낙엽활엽수림대에 속한다. 화분분석에 의해 밝혀진 조사지역 일대의 약 8,900yrBP 이후의 후빙기 환경변화는 다음과 같다. JS-I기(약 8,900~8,500yrB.P.)는 Pinus와 Quercus가 우점하고 일부 Abies와 Picea가 포함된 냉온대 북부의 침활혼효림 시대로서 후빙기 초기의 화분대인 RI대에 대비된다. 이 시대는 현재에 비해 상대적으로 한랭 건조 했다. JS-II기(약 8,500~4,000yrB.P. 어느 시기)는 Pinus가 우점하는 침엽수림시대로서 후빙기 중기 화분대인 RII대에 대비된다. JS-III기(약 4,000yrB.P.경)는 Pinus, Quercus 및 Carpinus가 우점하는 침활혼합림 시대이다. JS-II기와 JS-III기는 JS-I기 보다 상대적으로 온난 습윤했으며, 현재의 기후환경과 유사했을 것으로 생각된다. JS-IV기(약 4,000~900yrBP의 어느 시기)는 Pinus가 우점하는 침엽수림시대로서 후빙기 후기 화분대(RIII) 중에서 RIIIa에 대비된다. JS-V기(약 900yrB.P.~현재)는 2차림인 Pinus가 우점하는 침엽수림시대이다. 이 시대는 수목화분보다 초본화분의 출현율이 높고, 초본류 중에서 Fagopyrum 화분이 연속적으로 출현하는 점 등을 고려할 때, 인간간섭대인 RIIIb에 대비된다. JS-V기부터 조사지역 일대의 거주민들은 본격적인 농경생활을 했던 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model for selecting the best contractor in the Gaza Strip using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The contractor's selection methods and criteria were identified using a field survey. Fifty four engineers were asked to fill a questionnaire that covers factors related to the selection criteria of contractors practiced in Gaza Strip. The results shows that the dominant part of respondents (91%) confirmed that the current awarding method "the lowest bid price" is considered one of the major problems of the construction sector, "award the bid to the highest weight after combination of the technical and financial scores" represented 50% of the respondents. The criteria weights were determined based on Relative Importance Index (RII. Ninety-one tenders(13 projects) were used to train and test the ANN model after re-evaluating the contractors depend on the weights of factors to select the best contractor who achieves the highest score. Neurosolution software was used to train the models. The results of the trained models indicated that neural network reasonably succeeded in selection the best contractor with 95.96% accuracy. The performed sensitivity analysis showed that the profitability and capital of company are the most influential parameters in selection contractors. This model gives chance to the owner to be more accurate in selecting the most appropriate contractor.

• Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2017

India has accorded a high priority to road infrastructure development through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and it has set a high target for investment inflows. Yet, it is widely held that road/highway infrastructure has not been developing at required pace and that the road infrastructure projects under PPP have been suffering from several hurdles and delays, thereby affecting project success/failure. This paper is an attempt to analyze the critical success/failure factors of road infrastructure projects under PPP in India. A questionnaire survey was conducted among a sample of the stakeholders of road infrastructure projects to identify the critical success/failure factors during all four major project stages using different approaches. Initially, the critical factors were identified through ranking based on the average/mean score. Later, the conventional RII score was used to identify the critical success/failure factors. Finally, the critical success/failure factors were also identified based on the stakeholder-wise ranking of the factors and their convergence. The assessment revealed that there was a greater convergence across the different methods and also that there was greater consensus among project stakeholder on the critical success/failure factors of road PPP projects.

• Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• 제6권4호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2016

Construction industry ranks as the largest industry and imparts a significant part in developing and achieving the aims of society. Due to the involvement of larger number of stakeholders, construction industry is complex in nature. The current study is designed to identify and evaluate the factors affecting the success of construction projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. To carry out the study, a questionnaire was developed in term of interview pilot study. The data from the questionnaire survey was analyzed through SPSS software in five groups to accumulate authenticity of 44 factors. Later on the ranking was done by relative importance index (RII). According to the outcome of the research, "Project Group" stood highest among the five groups with factor of "project size" at the top rank while "Contractor Group" stood lowest with the factor of "client size" at bottom rank. From the study it is concluded that the Project Group is identified as a crucial blockade in success of construction projects. By giving pivotal attention to project group, the projects could be successfully attained from factors of project size, materials and equipment, funds and resources and project planning. To focus on the factors of project group, trust of the province people could be restored in construction of projects.

• 국제학술발표논문집
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• The 7th International Conference on Construction Engineering and Project Management Summit Forum on Sustainable Construction and Management
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• pp.313-320
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• 2017

Price fluctuation contract is imperative and of paramount essence in the construction industry as it provides adequate relief and cushioning for changes in the prices of input resources during construction. As a result, several methods have been devised to better help in arriving at fair recompense in the event of price chang es. However, stakeholders often appear not to be satisfied with the existing methods of fluctuation evaluation, ostensibly because of the challenges associated with them. The aim of this study was to identify the challenges to usage of building construction cost indices in Ghana. Data was gathered from contractors and quantity surveying firms. The study utilized survey questionnaire approach to elicit responses from the contractors and the consultants. Data gathered was analyzed scientifically, using the Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank the problems associated with the existing methods. The findings revealed the following among others; late release of data; inadequate recovery of costs; and work items of interest not included in the published indices as the main challenges of the existing methods. This study will provide useful lessons for policy makers and practitioners in decision making towards the usage and improvement of available indices.

• 국제학술발표논문집
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• The 8th International Conference on Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• pp.50-59
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• 2020

The 21st century is witnessing a rapid growth of tall buildings in urban centers globally to create more urban space for an anticipated urban population. Tall buildings, however suffer from incessant delays and sometimes total abandonment. Consequently, this study investigated and ranked the causes of delay in tall building projects, while focusing on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Initially, 36 common delay causes investigated globally were categorized into 9 groups, and then further ranked utilizing the Relative Importance Index (RII) through a questionnaire survey. Tall building professionals in the GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar) were contacted. The respondents' categories include Consultants, Contractors, and Clients' Representatives/Facility Managers. The results reveal that the top three causes include "client's cash flow problems/delays in contractor's payment", "contractor's financial difficulties", and "poor site organization and coordination between various parties". The findings from this study could help construction professionals develop guidelines and controls for delay mitigation, as well as support them in risk-based decision making in the planning of tall building projects.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.314-316
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• 2002

In halobacterial membrane, pharaonis phoborhodopsin (or pharaonis sensory rhdopsin II, psRII) forms a complex with its transducer pHtrII. Flash-photolyis of D75N mutant did not yield M-intermediate but an O-like intermediate is observed. We examined the interaction between D75N of ppR and t-Htr (truncated pHtrII). These formed a complex in the presence of n-dodecyl-$\beta$-D-maltoside, and the association accelerated the decay of the 0 of D75N from 15 to 56 s$\^$-1/. From the decay time constants under varying ratios of D75N and t-Htr, n, the molar ratio of D75N/t-Htr in the complex, and K$\_$D/, the dissociation constant, were estimated. The value of n was unity and K$\_$D/ was estimated to 146 nM. This K$\_$D/ value can be considered as the association between the photo-intermediate and t-Htr, which is deduced by the method of estimation. Previously we (Photochem. Photobiol. 74, 489-494 (2001)) reported K$\_$D/ of 15 $\mu$M for the interaction between the wild-type and t-Htr by means of the change of M-decay rates. Therefore, this value should be the K$\_$D/ value for the interaction between M of the wild-type and t-Htr.