• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.448-467
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• 2019

In a new age of smart tourism, free independent travelers (FITs) choose their travel routes in a more diversified and less predictable way with the aid of smart services. This paper focuses on the movements of Chinese outbound FITs in the U.S. in the year of 2018. 110 places to visit (destinations) extracted from 122 travel routes recommendations on Qyer.com, a major online travel community in China, are analyzed with social network analysis (SNA). Based on the results of SNA, employing degree centrality, eigenvector centrality, betweenness centrality, network visualization, and cluster diagram methods, some preferred cities and natural attractions outside city centers (i.e., New York City (NYC), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Niagara Falls) are identified. Moreover, it is found that NYC in the East and Los Angeles in the West play a major role in the movements of Chinese FITs. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on tourist destination movements and provides valuable implications for smart service development in the tourism and hospitality industry.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.592-597
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• 2001

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate with the formation of $CO_2$, acetyl-CoA, NADH, and H+. This complex contains multiple copies of three catalytic components including pyruvate dehydrogenase(E1), dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase(E2), and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (E3). Two regulatory components (E1-kinase and phospho-E1 phosphatase) and functionally less-understood protein (protein X, E3BP) are also involved in the formation of the complex. In this study, cloning and characterization of a gene for human E3BP have been carried out. A cDNA encoding the human E3BP was isolated by database search and cDNA library screening. The primary structure of E3BP has some similar characteristics with that of E2 in the lipoyl domain and the carboxyl-terminal domain, based on the nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence. However, the conserved amino acid moiety including the histidine residue for acetyltransferase activity in E2 is not conserved in the case of human E3BP. The human E3BP was expressed and purified in E. coli. The molecular weight of the protein, excluding the mitochondrial target sequence, was about 50 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. Cloning of human E3BP and expression of the recombinant E3BP will facilitate the understanding of the role(s) of E3BP in mammalian PDC.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.60-71
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• 2011

Purpose: This study explored cardiovascular health (CVH), depressive symptoms, and well-being among community-based Korean women according to hwa-byung (HB) symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study measured HB symptoms, depressive symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and spiritual well-being (SWB) in addition to biophysical indicators of CVH. Results: Fourteen women of the HB group are more likely to live alone with lower income than 36 women in the comparison group. Compared to the comparison group, the HB group has larger mean waist circumference and higher prevalence of abdominal obesity along with more knee arthritis and back pain. Although women in the HB group appeared worse in other CVH than their counterparts, this was not statistically significant. It is noteworthy, that the HB group showed a higher probability of having a hard cardiovascular event (CVE) within 10 years than the comparison group. Women in the HB group reported more depressive symptoms, poor QoL, and low SWB as well as smoking and sleep difficulties. Conclusion: Despite the small sample size, significant relationships of HB symptoms to abdominal obesity, the probability of a hard CVE within 10 years, and psychosocial health were found. Strategies for effective community-based cardiovascular programs for Korean women may include HB screening and/or management.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.115-130
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• 2013

This study reviews the current status of Korean first graders, their experience with early care and education (ECE) programs, and their participation in private and after-school education. The research also examines how school adjustment during the first grade is related to family income, types of ECE programs, and participation in private and after-school education. Using the first year data of the Korean Child and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) 2010, this study analyzes 752 first graders who attended only one of two types of ECE programs (child care centers or kindergartens), after which two 25% income extremes were examined. The analysis demonstrates that children from low-income households attended child care centers more often, while children from high-income households attended kindergartens more often. For both low-income and high-income groups, child care centers had a lower starting age and longer attendance periods than did kindergartens. High-income household children started attending ECE programs earlier, experienced more private and after-school education, and received a larger number of private and after-school educational lessons. For the second research purpose, children from low-income families showed better peer relations in school adjustment, while children attending child care centers showed better teacher relations than children attending kindergartens. Children with after-school education also exhibited better peer relations. These findings show the importance of government support for early learning, especially for low-income families and offer a foundation for developing private education polices for early childhood before and after school entry.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.224-235
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue treatment effects of nonextraction therapy using the modified C-palatal plate (MCPP) to those of premolar extraction (PE) treatment in adult patients with Class II malocclusion. Methods: Pretreatment and posttreatment lateral cephalographs of 40 adult patients with Class II malocclusion were retrospectively analyzed. The MCPP group comprised 20 patients treated with total arch distalization of the maxillary arch while the PE group comprised 20 patients treated with four PE. Fifty-eight linear and angular measurements were analyzed to assess the changes before and after treatment. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and multivariate analysis of variance were performed to evaluate the treatment effects within and between the two groups. Results: The MCPP group presented 3.4 mm of retraction, 1.0 mm of extrusion, and $7.3^{\circ}$ lingual inclination of the maxillary central incisor. In comparison, the PE group displayed greater amount of maxillary central incisor retraction and retroclination, mandibular incisor retraction, and upper lip retraction (5.3 mm, $14.8^{\circ}$, 5.1 mm, and 2.0 mm, respectively; p < 0.001 for all). In addition, the MCPP group showed 4.0 mm of distalization and 1.3 mm of intrusion with $2.9^{\circ}$ distal tipping of the maxillary first molars. Conclusions: These findings suggest the MCPP is an effective distalization appliance in the maxillary arch. The amount of incisor retraction, however, was significantly higher in the PE group. Therefore, four PE may be recommended when greater improvement of incisor position and soft-tissue profile is required.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.525-530
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• 2015

Ceramide is the most abundant lipid in the epidermis and plays a critical role in maintaining epidermal barrier function. Overall ceramide content in keratinocyte increases in parallel with differentiation, which is initiated by supplementation of calcium and/or vitamin C. However, the role of metabolic enzymes responsible for ceramide generation in response to vitamin C is still unclear. Here, we investigated whether vitamin C alters epidermal ceramide content by regulating the expression and/or activity of its metabolic enzymes. When human keratinocytes were grown in 1.2 mM calcium with vitamin C ($50{\mu}g/ml$) for 11 days, bulk ceramide content significantly increased in conjunction with terminal differentiation of keratinocytes as compared to vehicle controls (1.2 mM calcium alone). Synthesis of the ceramide fractions was enhanced by increased de novo ceramide synthesis pathway via serine palmitoyltransferase and ceramide synthase activations. Moreover, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) hydrolysis pathway by action of S1P phosphatase was also stimulated by vitamin C supplementation, contributing, in part, to enhanced ceramide production. However, activity of sphingomyelinase, a hydrolase enzyme that converts sphingomyelin to ceramide, remained unaltered. Taken together, we demonstrate that vitamin C stimulates ceramide production in keratinocytes by modulating ceramide metabolicrelated enzymes, and as a result, could improve overall epidermal barrier function.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.421-426
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• 2002

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), a member of $\alpha$-keto acid dehydrogenase complex, catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate with the formation of $CO_2$, acetyl-CoA, NADH, and $H^+$. This complex contains multiple copies of three catalytic components including pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (E2), and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (E3). Two regulatory components (E1-kinase and phospho-E1 phosphatase) and functionally less-understood protein (protein X, E3BP) are also involved in the formation of the complex. In this study, we have partially cloned the gene for E3BP in human. Nine putative clones were isolated by human genomic library screening with 1.35 kb fragment of E3BP cDNA as a probe. For investigation of cloned genes, Southern blot analysis and the construction of the restriction map were performed. One of the isolated clones, E3BP741, has a 3 kb-SacI fragment, which contains 200 bp region matched with E3BP cDNA sequences. The matched DNA sequence encodes the carboxyl-terminal portion of lipoyl-bearing domain and hinge region of human E3BP. Differences between yeast E3BP and mammalian E3BP coupled with the remarkable similarity between mammalian E2 and mammalian E3BP were confirmed from the comparison of the nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence in the cloned E3BP. Cloning of human E3BP gene and analysis of the gene structure will facilitate the understanding of the role(s) of E3BP in mammalian PDC.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.1093-1098
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• 2001

The gene coding for a Lepidoptera-specific insecticidal crystalline (or control) protein (ICP), recognized as cryIAc, from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-73, was cloned into the vector pBluscript ll SK-, and then transformed in Escherichia coli $DH5{\alpha}$. The clone was named EBtIAc and the chimeric phagemid, as pEBtIAc. Hyperexpression of CryIAc protoxin was observed in the extract of the culture of E. coli harboring pEBtIAc. Crystalline protoxin was purified by differential solubility. It was dissolved in alkaline pH, and exposed to trypsin to be activated. The molecular weights of the pro- and activated toxins on SDS-PAGE were estimated to be ca. 130 kDa and 60 kDa, respectively. The toxicity was tested by force-feeding larvae of gypsi moth (Lymantria diapar) with trypsinized protoxin. Using the batch of biologically active form of the toxin as an immunogen, anti-CryIAc antiserum was raised in a New Zealand white rabbit. Immunoglobulin G was fractionated from the seam by Protein-A sepharose affinity chromatography. Immunoreactivity of the antibody was examined by dot and Westerns blottings. It has been found that the anti- CryIAc antibody recognized the purified toxin at a level below a nanogram in terms of quantity. Using the antibody some of Bt-corns were able to be differentiated from tons of corn kernels which were imported from America as forage crops.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.683-693
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• 2014

This research examines a storytelling of a crisis presented in news coverages about Asiana Airline accident happened at San Francisco airport on July 6th, 2013. and investigate how the storytelling affects public's image toward an organization. To answer the research questions, qualitative content analysis of news articles (n=101) and survey (n=125) were employed. The subjects for the content analysis were Chosun Daily Newspaper and Hankyoreh Daily Newspaper, and the period of news articles is range from June 6th, 2013 to June 12th, 2014. The results showed that 10% out of total news articles was positive description toward stewardess who handled the crisis well in emergence situtation. The major expressions of depicting the stewardess's heroic activities in the news articles were tears, composure, hero, quick response, sacrifice, sorry, and so on. The online survey was conducted from Nov. 15, 2013 to Feb. 14, 2014 and found that the stewardess heroic activity influenced positively public's evaluation on Asian airline's crisis management and image of the company.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4217-4224
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• 2014

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a slow growing but highly metastatic tumor, is highly prevalent in Northeast Thailand. Specific tests that predict prognosis of CCA remain elusive. The present study was designed to investigate whether peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) transcriptional profiles might be of use as a prognostic test in CCA patients. Gene expression profiles of PBLs from 9 CCA and 8 healthy subjects were conducted using the Affymetrix HG_U133 Plus 2.0 GeneChip. We indentified informative PBLs gene expression profiles that could reliably distinguish CCA patients from healthy subjects. Of these CCA specific genes, 117 genes were up regulated and 60 were down regulated. The molecular and cellular functions predicted for these CCA specific genes according to the Gene Ontology database indicated differential PBL expression of host immune response and tumor progression genes (EREG, TGF ${\beta}1$, CXCL2, CXCL3, IL-8, and VEGFA). The expression levels of 9 differentially expressed genes were verified in 36 CCA vs 20 healthy subjects. A set of three tumor invasion related genes (PLAU, CTSL and SERPINB2) computed as "prognostic index" was found to be an independent and statistically significant predictor for CCA patient survival. The present study shows that CCA PBLs may serve as disease predictive clinically accessible surrogates for indentifying expressed genes reflective of CCA disease severity.