• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.38-48
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• 2022

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is an oncofetal antigen primarily detected in the peripheral blood of cancer patients, particularly in those with colorectal cancer. CEA is considered a valuable target for antigen-specific immunotherapy. In this study, we induced the anti-tumor immunity for CEA through the administration of a dendritic cell (DC) vaccine. However, there was a limitation in inducing tumor regression in the DC vaccinated mice. To enhance the efficacy of anti-tumor immunity in MC38/CEA2 tumor-bearing mice, we evaluated the effects of DC vaccine in combination with cyclophosphamide (CYP). Administration of CYP 100 mg/kg in mice resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth in the 2-day tumor model, whereas a lower inhibition of tumor growth was seen in the 10-day tumor model. Therefore, the 10-day tumor model was selected for testing chemo-immunotherapy. The combined CYP and DC vaccine not only increased tumor antigen-specific immune responses but also induced synergistic anti-tumor immunity. Furthermore, the adverse effects of CYP such as weight loss and immunosuppression by regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells showed a significant reduction in the combined chemo-immunotherapy treatment compared with CYP alone. Our data suggest that chemoimmunotherapy with the DC vaccine may offer a new therapeutic strategy to induce a potent anti-tumor effect and reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.251-264
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to present factors and strategies for successful rewarded-crowdfunding of companies. For this, rewarded-crowdfunding based on the extended theory of planned behavior(E-TPB) by adding individual innovation and risk preference as extended variables, in addition to the basic variables of the theory of planned behavior(TPB), including attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavior control. In addition, the moderating effect of rewarded-crowdfunding experience was confirmed. In addition, the moderating effect of the rewarded-crowdfunding experience was confirmed, and exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted for questionnaires who were aware of the concept of rewarded-crowdfunding. As a result of testing the hypothesis, it was found that attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and risk preference affect the intention to invest in rewarded-crowdfunding. Also, we could find that perceived behavior control and risk preference were moderately influenced by investor who had experience in rewarded-crowdfunding. Based on the research results, it has academic and practical value by presenting the direction of enhancing the success of rewarded-crowdfunding that companies can use as a way to raise funds and boost sales.

• Korean small business review
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.129-150
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• 2019

It is very meaningful to research on how people's perception on equality and psychology on class movement can have effect on the entrepreneurial intention at the present time when the Korean Government persuades people to create new businesses and the polarization between the rich and the poor gets severe. Accordingly, in this study, an empirical analysis was conducted to find out how the proportional equality acceptance level can affect the entrepreneurial intention via the upward mobility expectation by considering the proportionate equality acceptance level as independent variable, upward mobility expectation as a medium variable and the entrepreneurial intention as a dependent variable and then the hypothesis was tested through regression analysis. The results are as follows. First, it was found that the proportional equality acceptance level over the results makes a positive (+) effect on the entrepreneurial intention and the upward mobility expectation. On the other hand, it was found that proportional equality acceptance level over opportunity does not make any significant effect on each of entrepreneurial intention and upward mobility expectation. Second, it was found that the upward mobility expectation makes the positive (+) effect on the entrepreneurial intention. Third, it was found that the proportional equality acceptance level over opportunity and equality acceptance level over the results makes a positive (+) effect on the entrepreneurial intention through upward mobility expectation as a medium, thus showing the partial effect. This study has critical implications as it is an empirical analysis for finding out how the individual's level of perceiving equality makes an effect on entrepreneurial intention and testing the upward mobility expectation's mediating effect, thus reflecting the current society's situation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2023

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the workload of healthcare workers (HCWs), impacting their health. This study aimed to assess sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and identify factors associated with poor sleep among HCWs in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1000 frontline HCWs were recruited from various healthcare facilities in Vietnam between October 2021 and November 2021. Data were collected using a 3-part self-administered questionnaire, which covered demographics, sleep quality, and factors related to poor sleep. Poor sleep quality was defined as a total PSQI score of 5 or higher. Results: Participants' mean age was 33.20±6.81 years (range, 20.0-61.0), and 63.0% were women. The median work experience was 8.54±6.30 years. Approximately 6.3% had chronic comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. About 59.5% were directly responsible for patient care and treatment, while 7.1% worked in tracing and sampling. A total of 73.8% reported poor sleep quality. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant associations between poor sleep quality and the presence of chronic comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 5.24), being a frontline HCW directly involved in patient care and treatment (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.16), increased working hours (OR, 1.84; 95% CI,1.37 to 2.48), and a higher frequency of encountering critically ill and dying patients (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.95). Conclusions: The high prevalence of poor sleep among HCWs in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic was similar to that in other countries. Working conditions should be adjusted to improve sleep quality among this population.

• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2018

Objectives : Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and meta-analyses indicate that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the a-1C subunit of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (CACNA1C) gene increase the risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorders (BDs). We investigated the association between the genetic variants on CACNA1C and schizophrenia and/or BDs in the Korean population. Methods : A total of 582 patients with schizophrenia, 336 patients with BDs consisting of 179 bipolar I disorder (BD-I) and 157 bipolar II disorder (BD-II), and 502 healthy controls were recruited. Based on previous results from other populations, three SNPs (rs10848635, rs1006737, and rs4765905) were selected and genotype-wise association was evaluated using logistic regression analysis under additive, dominant and recessive genetic models. Results : rs10848635 showed a significant association with schizophrenia (p=0.010), the combined schizophrenia and BD group (p=0.018), and the combined schizophrenia and BD-I group (p=0.011). The best fit model was dominant model for all of these phenotypes. The association remained significant after correction for multiple testing in schizophrenia and the combined schizophrenia and BD-I group. Conclusion : We identified a possible role of CACNA1C in the common susceptibility of schizophrenia and BD-I. However no association trend was observed for BD-II. Further efforts are needed to identify a specific phenotype associated with this gene crossing the current diagnostic categories.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.85-95
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• 2023

This study implemented intelligent compaction technology at the construction site of the AY Highway in Gyeonggi Province, with a focus on obtaining the representative intelligent compaction value, CMV. The target CMV for quality control was established through trial construction, and the validation of the compaction quality control process based on intelligent compaction was conducted. The optimal approach for determining the target CMV was confirmed to be through linear regression of the average CMV measured within a 5-m radius from the plate load testing location. Upon assessing compaction quality against the target CMV, it was observed that the quality criteria outlined in the domestic intelligent compaction standard were met. However, the criteria outlined in Austria and the United States were not satisfied. Notably, indicators related to the variability of compaction quality did not meet the specified criteria, suggesting a stringent standard compared to the observed variability of CMV, ranging from 17% to 55%. Consequently, it is recommended to conduct additional field tests to further validate the compaction quality control process based on intelligent compaction. This will aid in confirming and enhancing the appropriateness of the regulations stipulated in each standard.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.121-133
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• 2023

The demand for cement and limestone crushed materials has increased many folds due to the tremendous increase in construction activities in Pakistan during the past few decades. The number of cement production industries has increased correspondingly, and so the rock-blasting operations at the limestone quarry sites. However, the safety procedures warranted at these sites for the blast-induced ground vibrations (BIGV) have not been adequately developed and/or implemented. Proper prediction and monitoring of BIGV are necessary to ensure the safety of structures in the vicinity of these quarry sites. In this paper, an attempt has been made to predict BIGV using artificial neural network (ANN) at three selected limestone quarries of Pakistan. The ANN has been developed in Python using Keras with sequential model and dense layers. The hyper parameters and neurons in each of the activation layers has been optimized using randomized and grid search method. The input parameters for the model include distance, a maximum charge per delay (MCPD), depth of hole, burden, spacing, and number of blast holes, whereas, peak particle velocity (PPV) is taken as the only output parameter. A total of 110 blast vibrations datasets were recorded from three different limestone quarries. The dataset has been divided into 85% for neural network training, and 15% for testing of the network. A five-layer ANN is trained with Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) activation function, Adam optimization algorithm with a learning rate of 0.001, and batch size of 32 with the topology of 6-32-32-256-1. The blast datasets were utilized to compare the performance of ANN, multivariate regression analysis (MVRA), and empirical predictors. The performance was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R²), mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and root mean squared error (RMSE)for predicted and measured PPV. To determine the relative influence of each parameter on the PPV, sensitivity analyses were performed for all input parameters. The analyses reveal that ANN performs superior than MVRA and other empirical predictors, andthat83% PPV is affected by distance and MCPD while hole depth, number of blast holes, burden and spacing contribute for the remaining 17%. This research provides valuable insights into improving safety measures and ensuring the structural integrity of buildings near limestone quarry sites.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.439-447
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• 2024

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection, prevalent in more than half of the global population, is associated with various gastrointestinal diseases, including peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. The effectiveness of early diagnosis and treatment in preventing gastric cancer highlights the need for improved diagnostic methods. This study aimed to develop a simple scoring system based on endoscopic findings to predict H. pylori infection. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,007 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at Asan Medical Center from January 2019 to December 2021. Exclusion criteria included prior H. pylori treatment, gastric surgery, or gastric malignancies. Diagnostic techniques included rapid urease and ¹³C-urea breath tests, H. pylori culture, and assessment of endoscopic features following the Kyoto gastritis classification. A new scoring system based on endoscopic findings including regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC), nodularity, and diffuse or spotty redness was developed for predicting H. pylori infection, utilizing logistic regression analysis in the development set. Results: The scoring system demonstrated high predictive accuracy for H. pylori infection in the validation set. Scores of 2 and 3 were associated with 96% and 99% infection risk, respectively. Additionally, there was a higher prevalence of diffuse redness and sticky mucus in cases where the initial H. pylori eradication treatment failed. Conclusions: Our scoring system showed potential for improving diagnostic accuracy in H. pylori infection. H. pylori testing should be considered upon spotty redness, diffuse redness, nodularity, and RAC absence on endoscopic findings as determined by the predictive scoring system.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.312-329
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• 2024

In various underground research projects such as energy storage and development and radioactive waste disposal targeting deep underground, the characteristics of permeable rock fractures that serve as major pathway of groundwater flow in deep rock aquifer are considered as an important evaluation factor in the design, construction, and operation of research facilities. In Korea, there is little research and database on the location and hydraulic characteristics of permeable rock fractures and the pattern of groundwater flow patterns that may occur between fractures in deep rock boreholes. In this paper, the hydraulic characteristics of permeable rock fractures in deep rock aquifer were evaluated through the analysis of geothermal gradient and pumping test data. First, the deep geothermal distribution was identified through temperature logging, and the geothermal gradient was obtained through linear regression analysis using temperature data by depth. In addition, the hydraulic characteristics of the fractured rock were analyzed using outflow temperature obtained from pumping tests. Ultimately, the potential location and hydraulic characteristics of permeable rock fractures, as well as groundwater flow within the boreholes, were evaluated by integrating and analyzing the geophysical logging and hydraulic testing data. The process and results of the evaluation of deep permeable rock fractures proposed in this study are expected to serve as foundational data for the successful implementation of underground research projects targeting deep rock aquifers.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 1993

An attempt was made to investigate the yield response to the N P K fertilizer application for barley, soybean, corn, garlic, onion and potato in the famers' fields from 1971 to 1989. 1. The yield index of without-fertilizers plot when yield of N P K plot is regarded as 100, were 43~92 in plot without N, 71~94 in plot without $P_2O_5$ and 88~96 in plot without $K_2O$. The effects of each fertilizer application for upland crops were greater in barley, potato and corn for N, barley and soybean cultivated in reclaimed soil for $P_2O_5$ and potato and barley for $K_2O$. 2. The optimum levels of N, P and K fertilizers varied with the kinds of soil and crop in the ranges of 4.0~23.2kg/10a for N, 6.0~45.0kg/10a for $P_2O_5$ and 6.6~21.9kg/10a for $K_2O$. 3. The efficiencies of applied fertilizers were increased in cultivated soil in comparison with the reclaimed soil and the efficiencies were in order of potato, onion>barley, corn>soybean. 4. The regression equations of fertilizer recommendation for 5 crops excepting onion were obtained from relations between the organic matter in soil and the amount of N fertilizer applied, between the available $P_2O_5$ in soil and the amount of P fertilizer applied, and between the exchangeable K of soil and the amount of K fertilizer applied. 5. The reduced rates of P and K fertilizer application based on soil testing varied with regions in the ranges of 11.8~80.0 and 0~62.5%, respectively. And the recommendation for N fertilizer amount was necessary to increase or decrease depending on regions.