• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.348-354
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• 2011

Composite resin has been widely used for eroded enamel. But, as there have been many reports about the differences in physicochemical characteristics of eroded enamel compared with sound enamel, an additional effort was thought necessary to obtain the optimal bond strength. As a possible answer, we came to think about the application of infiltrant resin which is known to have an excellent penetration capacity into enamel. This study was performed for the purpose of comparing the bond strength of composite restoration with or without infiltrant resin under adhesives on the artificially eroded enamel. 60 extracted sound maxillary primary incisors were selected and divided into group 1, 2, 3 according to the number of artificial erosion cycling for 5 minute duration in 1% citric acid of pH 3.2 at $37^{\circ}C$. And the labial surfaces were divided into 3 areas; group A, only resin adhesive was used, group I, only infiltrant resin, group IA, infiltrant resin followed by resin adhesive. Afterwards, every specimen was restored with composite resin. Microtensile bond strength was measured and failure modes were observed. The obtained results were as follows: 1. In comparing the bond strength by the degree of enamel erosion, it was revealed the highest bond strength in group 1, followed by group 2 and 3, showing the lowest bond strength in most eroded group(p<0.05). 2. In comparing the bond strength by surface treatment methods, group IA and I showed higher value than group A(p<0.05), with unsignificant difference between group I and IA(p>0.05). 3. In observation of failure mode, it was shown higher frequency of cohesive failure in order of 1-2-3 and IA-I-A. Conclusively, it was shown decreasing tendency of bond strength as the enamel is more eroded, and infiltrant resin was thought helpful to replace or add to the resin adhesive for optimal bonding with eroded enamel.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.239-276
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• 2009

The paper investigates the possible relationship between earnings prediction by security analysts and special ownership ties that link security companies those analysts belong to and firms under analysis. "Security analysts" are known best for their role as information producers in stock markets where imperfect information is prevalent and transaction costs are high. In such a market, changes in the fundamental value of a company are not spontaneously reflected in the stock price, and the security analysts actively produce and distribute the relevant information crucial for the price mechanism to operate efficiently. Therefore, securing the fairness and accuracy of information they provide is very important for efficiencyof resource allocation as well as protection of investors who are excluded from the special relationship. Evidence of systematic distortion of information by the special tie naturally calls for regulatory intervention, if found. However, one cannot presuppose the existence of distorted information based on the common ownership between the appraiser and the appraisee. Reputation effect is especially cherished by security firms and among analysts as indispensable intangible asset in the industry, and the incentive to maintain good reputation by providing accurate earnings prediction may overweigh the incentive to offer favorable rating or stock recommendation for the firms that are affiliated by common ownership. This study shares the theme of existing literature concerning the effect of conflict of interests on the accuracy of analyst's predictions. This study, however, focuses on the potential conflict of interest situation that may originate from the Korea-specific ownership structure of large conglomerates. Utilizing an extensive database of analysts' reports provided by WiseFn(R) in Korea, we perform empirical analysis of potential relationship between earnings prediction and common ownership. We first analyzed the prediction bias index which tells how optimistic or friendly the analyst's prediction is compared to the realized earnings. It is shown that there exists no statistically significant relationship between the prediction bias and common ownership. This is a rather surprising result since it is observed that the frequency of positive prediction bias is higher with such ownership tie. Next, we analyzed the prediction accuracy index which shows how accurate the analyst's prediction is compared to the realized earnings regardless of its sign. It is also concluded that there is no significant association between the accuracy ofearnings prediction and special relationship. We interpret the results implying that market discipline based on reputation effect is working in Korean stock market in the sense that security companies do not seem to be influenced by an incentive to offer distorted information on affiliated firms. While many of the existing studies confirm the relationship between the ability of the analystand the accuracy of the analyst's prediction, these factors cannot be controlled in the above analysis due to the lack of relevant data. As an indirect way to examine the possibility that such relationship might have distorted the result, we perform an additional but identical analysis based on a sub-sample consisting only of reports by best analysts. The result also confirms the earlier conclusion that the common ownership structure does not affect the accuracy and bias of earnings prediction by the analyst.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.77-90
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this review Is to provide an update on novel radiation treatments for head and neck cancer Recent Findings: Despite the remarkable advances In chemotherapy and radiotherapy techniques, the management of advanced head and neck cancer remains challenging. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) Is an appealing target for novel therapies In head and neck cancer because not only EGFR activation stimulates many important signaling pathways associated with cancer development and progression, and importantly, resistance to radiation. Furthermore, EGFR overexpression Is known to be portended for a worse outcome in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. Two categories of compounds designed to abrogate EGFR signaling, such as monoclonal antibodies (Cetuxlmab) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ZD1839 and 051-774) have been assessed and have been most extensively studied In preclinical models and clinical trials. Additional TKIs In clinical trials include a reversible agent, Cl-1033, which blocks activation of all erbB receptors. Encouraging preclinical data for head and neck cancers resulted In rapid translation Into the clinic. Results from Initial clinical trials show rather surprisingly that only minority of patients benefited from EGFR inhibition as monotherapy or In combination with chemotherapy. In this review, we begin with a brief summary of erbB- mediated signal transduction. Subsequently, we present data on prognostic-predictive value of erbB receptor expression in HNC followed by preclinlcal and clinical data on the role of EGFR antagonists alone or in combination with radiation In the treatment of HNC. Finally, we discuss the emerging thoughts on resistance to EGFR biockade and efforts In the development of multiple-targeted therapy for combination with chemotherapy or radiation. Current challenges for investigators are to determine (1 ) who will benefit from targeted agents and which agents are most appropriate to combine with radiation and/or chemotherapy, (2) how to sequence these agents with radiation and/or cytotoxlc compounds, (3) reliable markers for patient selection and verification of effective blockade of signaling in vivo, and (4) mechanisms behind intrinsic or acquired resistance to targeted agents to facilitate rational development of multi-targeted therapy, Other molecuiar-targeted approaches In head and neck cancer were briefly described, Including angloenesis Inhibitors, farnesyl transferase inhibitors, cell cycle regulators, and gene therapy Summary: Novel targeted theraples are highly appealing in advanced head and neck cancer, and the most premising strategy to use them Is a matter of intense Investigation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1077-1082
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• 1997

To assess the early results, risk factors and optimal timing for coronary artery bypass graft surgery(CABG) after an acute myocardial infarction(AMI), we reviewed our 19 patients who underwent CABG within 30 days after AMI, between June 1994 and October 1996. This study excluded 1 patient whose diagnosis was AMI with ventricular septal rupture. 14 of the patients were male and 5 were female. Their ages ranged from 41 to 77 years(mean age, 60.6$\pm$ 10.4 years), and the amount of time between AMI and CABG ranged from 8 hours to 24 days(mean time, 10.6$\pm$6.4 days). There were 11 anteroseptal infarctions and 8 inferior wall infarctions. 11 patients had trsnsmural infarctions and 8 had subendocardial infarctions. Indications of operations were p imary revascularization and postinfarction angina. Three patients required preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP) support, and 4 additional patients required IABP to be separated from cardiopulmonary bypass. An average of 3.6 $\pm$ 0.6 vessels per patient were bypassed. The early mortality rate for these 19 patients was 5.3% and late mortality rate was 5.5%, 1-year and 2-year actuarial survival rates were 89.5% Univariate analysis of mortality showed that an ejection fraction less than 30% and intraopretative IABP supports were associated with risk factors(p value=0.018 and 0.015 respectively). Age, sex, time to CABG, emergency operations, types and locations of infarctions were not significant. Although our studies have weak p.oints in that there was only a small number of patients and the lack of long-term results, we could conclude that early myocardial revascularization is relatively safe after AMI for those individuals with an ejection fraction greater than 30%.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2018

As many local governments have faced increasing conflicts on landfill use and the time of end use, it is difficult to provide an alternative landfill or conclude a consensus of lifespan extension for the existing landfill site. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to contribute improving of the landfill capacity by calculating the resource recovery potentials of landfilled waste previously and in the future by landfill mining. For this, rate of volume increase, weight ratio, and apparent density were adopted as major parameters and their values were calculated through previous cases. The rate of volume increase was calculated to 1.42 by averaging previous cases of three areas. The average weight ratio of soil matter was 45.6% by calculating for the three areas. For the combustible waste and incombustible waste, statistical data can be used. The apparent densities were divided by combustible waste, incombustible waste, and soil matter using an average of two areas value, i.e., $0.35ton/m^3$, $1.40ton/m^3$ and $1.58ton/m^3$. We analyzed the resource recovery potential of Cheongju landfill by using the estimated parameters. The additional landfill capacity was 45% of the existing landfill capacity by recovering landfilled waste by landfill mining. In addition, it is analyzed that the lifespan is extended to 20 years, if the combustible waste of new inputting waste is sorted and combusted for energy recovery and incineration ash, incombustible waste, and soil matter are only reclaimed into the existing Cheongju landfill. It is expected that the methodology and parameters of this study will be used as basic data when resource recovery potential is analyzed for another case study of landfill mining.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.273-280
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• 2016

We investigated the contents of total phenols, anthocyanins, carotenoids and the antioxidant capacity of black carrot, black currant, acaiberry, black raspberry, and blueberry. We also examined the physical and organoleptic characteristics of pudding with added black carrot extract following 7 days of storage. Black carrot and black raspberry had the highest total phenols. Blueberry contained the highest anthocyanins and black currant equaled black carrot in carotenoids. Anti-oxidant capacity measured by 1,1-diphenyl-1,2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethyl-benthiazolin-6-sulfonic acid was highest in black raspberry and black currant followed closely by black carrot. In pudding, redness was increased and blueness decreased by adding black carrot extract, but the trend was partially reversed during 7-day storage due to oxidation of the anthocyanins, which are stable in acid situation. As black carrot extract contents were increased, pH value decreased. The pudding's hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness were optimal with 7.5 % black carrot extract. In conclusion, black carrot is moderately rich in anthocyanins and phenolic compounds. In pudding adding 7.5 % black carrot extract was optimal for organoleptic qualities. However, additional studies are needed to develop methods for protecting anthocyanins from breaking-down during storage of back carrot pudding.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.54-58
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• 2010

Purpose: In patients with chronic cervical pain, the facet joint is the source of the majority. Due to the difficulty of identifying the exact location of the joint that causes these symptoms, the possibility of complications and the placebo effect brings clinical application into question. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of patients with chronic cervical pain and report the diagnostic and therapeutic usefulness of ultrasonography - guided facet joint block therapy. Materials and Methods: Patients with nonspecific chronic cervical pain for more than 6 months were selected. Patients with disc herniation, sciatica-related pain were excluded from the study and 160 patients who failed in conservative treatment (physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, medication) were included in the study. Diagnostic Ultrasonography-guided facet joint block was performed with 1% lidocaine, and after two weeks, Bupivacaine 0.25% was used in patients who tested positive for lidocaine. Patients with more than 75% pain reduction during movement after facet joint block were considered positive. Results: Among the 160 patients with chronic cervical pain, 96 patients(60%) had a positive reaction after facet block using lidocaine. Among the 64 patients with a negative reaction to lidocaine, 48 patients(75%) had a positive reaction to bupivacaine. There were 48 false positive patients(50%) who showed a positive reaction to lidocaine but a negative reaction to bupivacaine. The mean VAS of the total 160 patients before blocks was 8.5, after 2 weeks follow up it decreased to 2.7 (p = 0.001) and after 4weeks 3.6 (p = 0.001). The 8 patients as an initial improvement of symptoms are not satisfied with the procedure and the 3 patients had been worsened during observation, were showed pain relief after additional ultrasonography-guided facet joint block at 4th week. Conclusion: A single ultrasonography-guided block to chronic cervical pain patients has relatively low diagnostic value since high false positive rate. The twice facet joint blocks is thought to be a useful method for interventional pain management of patients with chronic cervical pain.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.123-138
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• 2016

This study investigates intents of acquisitions in information technology industries. Mergers and acquisitions are a strategic decision at corporate-level and have been an important tool for a firm to grow. Plenty of firms in information technology industries have acquired startups to increase production efficiency, expand customer base, or improve quality over the last decades. For example, Google has made about 200 acquisitions since 2001, Cisco has acquired about 210 firms since 1993, Oracle has made about 125 acquisitions since 1994, and Microsoft has acquired about 200 firms since 1987. Although there have been many existing papers that theoretically study intents or motivations of acquisitions, there are limited papers that empirically investigate them mainly because it is challenging to measure and quantify intents of M&As. This study examines the intent of acquisitions by measuring specific intents for M&A transactions. Using our measures of acquisition intents, we compare the intents by four acquisition types: (1) the acquisition where a hardware firm acquires a hardware firm, (2) the acquisition where a hardware firm acquires a software/IT service firm, (3) the acquisition where a software/IT service firm acquires a hardware firm, and (4) the acquisition where a software /IT service firm acquires a software/IT service firm. We presume that there are difference in reasons why a hardware firm acquires another hardware firm, why a hardware firm acquires a software firm, why a software/IT service firm acquires a hardware firm, and why a software/IT service firm acquires another software/IT service firm. Using data of the M&As in US IT industries, we identified major intents of the M&As. The acquisition intents are identified based on the press release of M&A announcements and measured with four categories. First, an acquirer may have intents of cost saving in operations by sharing common resources between the acquirer and the target. The cost saving can accrue from economies of scope and scale. Second, an acquirer may have intents of product enhancement/development. Knowledge and skills transferred from the target may enable the acquirer to enhance the product quality or to expand product lines. Third, an acquirer may have intents of gain additional customer base to expand the market, to penetrate the market, or to enter a foreign market. Fourth, a firm may acquire a target with intents of expanding customer channels. By complementing existing channel to the customer, the firm can increase its revenue. Our results show that acquirers have had intents of cost saving more in acquisitions between hardware companies than in acquisitions between software companies. Hardware firms are more likely to acquire with intents of product enhancement or development than software firms. Overall, the intent of product enhancement/development is the most frequent intent in all of the four acquisition types, and the intent of customer base expansion is the second. We also analyze our data with the classification of production-side intents and customer-side intents, which is based on activities of the value chain of a firm. Intents of cost saving operations and those of product enhancement/development can be viewed as production-side intents and intents of customer base expansion and those of expanding customer channels can be viewed as customer-side intents. Our analysis shows that the ratio between the number of customer-side intents and that of production-side intents is higher in acquisitions where a software firm is an acquirer than in the acquisitions where a hardware firm is an acquirer. This study can contribute to IS literature. First, this study provides insights in understanding M&As in IT industries by answering for question of why an IT firm intends to another IT firm. Second, this study also provides distribution of acquisition intents for acquisition types.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.417-428
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• 2013

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes), listed as a Class I endangered species by the Ministry of Environment of Korea, has been considered to be extinct in South Korea since the 1980s, and an intensive restoration project has been underway in Sobaeksan national park. This study was carried out to develop a suitable model for the red fox reintroduction program based on Population viability analysis (PVA) by using the VORTEX program. If 10 animals (5 females and 5 males) were continuously released into the initial zero population every year for 10 years, population growth rate and extinction probability over the next 50 years after the introduction of the population were $0.018{\pm}0.204$ and 0.354, respectively; the maximum population size was 116.34 at the 16th year after the first release, and a reduction rate of 1.22 every year from the 17th year was inferred. We found that additional releases would be needed from the 17th year after the initial release to maintain a positive growth rate and to prevent the extinction of the released red foxes, and releasing more than 12 individuals every year would be needed for the long-term, continuous existence of red foxes. By contrast, if fewer than 6 red fox individuals were released the extinction probability over the next 50 years was more than 80%. To maintain the minimum population growth rate, the release of more than 8 individuals were needed for positive population growth. The population growth rate was more stable when 10 animals in the change of their sex rate every year from the set value were released as the female-to- male sex ratio of 6:4 rather than 1:1. However, if the female-biased sex ratio was increased by more than 7:3, a negative population growth was expected. The occurrence rate of roadkill and poaching are important factors in the red fox restoration project. The extinction probability was decreased to 30% if each factor was decreased to 3% based on the standard baseline; however, if each factor was increased to more than 3%, an extinction rate of about 90% was reached over the next 50 years.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 1999

To evaluate the usefulness of transforming growth factor-$\beta$1 (TGF-$\beta$1) as a new tumor marker, we determined the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels using sandwich ELISA assay in cancer patients. Patients with three most common adult cancers in Korea (stomach, liver and breast cancer) and children's cancers (leukemia and two kinds of solid tumor) were enrolled for the study. Furthermore, 39 individuals were subjected to age and sex-stratified plasma TGF-$\beta$1 analysis. No statistical difference was demonstrated with respect to age or sex. The mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 level (16.0 ng/ ml) of stomach cancer patients was significantly higher than that (8.3 ng/ml) of controls. However, there was no difference among the mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of liver, breast cancer patients and controls. Seven of 16 patients (43.7%) with stomach cancer, one of 8 (12.5%) with liver cancer, and one of 7 (14.3%) with breast cancer showed higher TGF-$\beta$1 levels compared to controls. Plasma TGF-$\beta$1 concentrations of five leukemic children remained in the normal range regardless of the remission state. In contrast, initial high TGF-$\beta$1 levels from two children with solid tumors returned to normal range on surgical resection of tumors. From the above results, we could conclude that plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of apparently healthy individuals seem to be rather constant irrespective of difference in age or sex, and the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 has the limited value as a screening test for the diagnosis of aforementioned adult cancers because of its low sensitivity. Finally, additional studies need to be pursed for the large number of stomach cancer and pediatric solid tumor patients in order to reach a secure conclusion on the usefulness of plasma TGF-$\beta$1 as a tumor marker in these patients.