• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.82-85
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• 2009

Amongst society's transitional presuppositions towards the future, an aging population is the most significant matter. Korea has entered the aging society in 2000 and will face the aged society by 2018, which is the fastest time that takes from the aging society to the aged society in the world. Korea requires immediate attention to devise a countermove. U.S entered aging society in 1942 since then have developed various types of elderly housing. Recently, university-affiliated CCRC became an attractive alternative. Therefore, it is necessary to study a successful case of elderly housing. This study aims to explore the key features of a university-affiliated CCRC as an alternative socially integrated aging friendly community. Oak Hammock at the University of Florida was selected for this research as a successful case. The method of this is field visit case study. The study finds that University-affiliated CCRC has a lot of benefits for both university and CCRC. Oak Hammock members can access university's facilities and university provides a life-long learning experience and other programs. Oak Hammock provides internship, volunteer and parttime job opportunities and offer advice to students as a mentor. This study is expected to provide a implication in developing elderly housing of Korea.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.8-20
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• 2023

The current study aims to determine digital transformation (organizational, technical, and human resources) requirements at Saudi universities from Umm Al-Qura University faculty members' perspectives. The researcher used a quantitative approach based on the descriptive analytical design. To answer the questions of the study, the researcher used the questionnaire as a data collection tool. The questionnaire was sent electronically to faculty members working in colleges and institutes affiliated with Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of the three dimensions of digital transformation: organizational; technical; and human resources requirements. The results showed that requirements related to human resources came first with an average of 2.25 then the organizational requirements with an average of 1.95, and in the last, technical requirements came with an average of 1.64. In addition, some suggestions were given by the participants (faculty members) related to the mechanism that could contribute to implementing digital transformation at Saudi universities. Likewise, at the end of the study, the researcher has given some suggestions related to the implementation of digital transformation requirements at Saudi universities.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.127-133
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• 2018

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is one of the strategies for managing firms' business activities but may have heterogeneity depending on ownership structures. This study investigates the association between group-affiliation and CSR activities. Drawing on a theory from the prior research, this study predicts that group-affiliated firms are less likely to invest on CSR activities. For instance, prior research finds that controlling shareholders expropriate the values of minority shareholders. As one of the motivations of investing on CSR activities is the harmonization among the stakeholders, it leads to the prediction that firms controlled by large shareholders are less likely to engage in CSR activities. Second, group-affiliated firms under poor financial performance benefit from other group members through sharing their financial resources. Thus, there is less incentive for managers of group-affiliated firms to increase their financial performance by conducting CSR. By leveraging firms listed in Korean stock market and CSR score from Korea Economic Justice Institute, the result shows that the group-affiliation is negatively related to CSR activities. The result is consistent in case of applying propensity score-matched sample. Based on the findings of this study, this paper contributes to the related literature by showing the significant association between group-affiliation and CSR decisions.

• Journal of Breast Cancer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.371-381
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• 2018

Purpose: Immune suppression is common in patients with advanced breast cancer but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have not been sufficiently studied. In this study, we aimed to identify B7 family members that were able to predict the immune status of patients, and which may serve as potential targets for the treatment of breast cancer. We also aimed to identify microRNAs that may regulate the expression of B7 family members. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas data from 1,092 patients with breast cancer, including gene expression, microRNA expression and survival data, were used for statistical and survival analyses. Polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to measure messenger RNA and protein expression, respectively. Luciferase assay was used to investigate direct microRNA target. Results: Bioinformatic analysis predicted that microRNA (miR)-93, miR-195, miR-497, and miR-340 are potential regulators of the immune evasion of breast cancer cells, and that they exert this function by targeting CD274, PDCD1LG2, and NCR3LG1. We chose CD274 for further investigations. We found that miR-195, miR-497, and CD274 expression levels were inversely correlated in MDA-MB-231 cells, and miR-195 and miR-497 expressions mimic inhibited CD274 expression in vitro. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that miR-195 and miR-497 directly target CD274 3' untranslated region. Conclusion: Our data indicated that the level of B7 family members can predict the prognosis of breast cancer patients, and miR-195/miR-497 regulate CD274 expression in triple negative breast cancer. This regulation may further influence tumor progression and the immune tolerance mechanism in breast cancer and may be able to predict the effect of immunotherapy on patients.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.399-410
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• 2024

Long-span suspension bridges located in typhoon-prone regions face significant risks of flutter instability, particularly in girder erection. Despite the implementation of aerodynamic countermeasures designed for the service stage, the flutter stability of bridge in girder erection may not meet the required standards. Nowadays, the double-deck truss girder is increasingly common in practical engineering which exhibits different performance from the single-deck truss girder. To gain insights into the flutter performance of this girder type and determine temporary aerodynamic countermeasures for flutter suppression in girder erection, wind tunnel tests were conducted. The effects of affiliated members on the flutter performance were first examined. Subsequently, different aerodynamic countermeasures were designed and their effectiveness was tested. The results indicate that the stabilizers above and below the upper and lower decks are the most effective for the flutter stability of bridge at positive and negative angles of attack, respectively. The higher the stabilizers are, the better the effect on flutter suppression achieves. Considering the feasibility in practical engineering, a temporary stabilizer above the upper deck was considered. It is expected that the results could provide references for the aerodynamic design of double-deck truss girder during erection.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.37-42
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• 2014

The objective of the study is to find out the faculty members' perspective of most and least preferred parameters affecting the quality of education in an affiliated undergraduate engineering institution in Haryana, India. It is a descriptive research. The data has been collected with the help of Questionnaire Based Survey. The sample size for the study is 110. The respondents are the faculty members teaching B. Tech who were selected randomly from the above said geographical area. For data analysis and conclusion of the results of the survey, statistical tool like factor analysis was performed in SPSS. The most preferred aspects of the institution by the faculty members are: a secured Wi-Fi facility is well channelized to provide easy access, library is well equipped, faculty can visit the library with ease whenever they find time, toilets for the faculty are hygienic and in adequate number, parking facility for the faculty vehicle is spacious, adequate Industry Institute Interaction for the faculty development etc. The least preferred aspects of the institution by the faculty members are: faculty / staff rooms are spacious, well furnished and adequate in number, and working relationships between the Head of Departments and their faculty members are synchronized.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2012

The need for evidence-based decision making in immunization programs has increased due to the presence of multiple health priorities, limited human resources, expensive vaccines, and limited funds. Countries should establish a group of national experts to advise their Ministries of Health. So far, many nations have formed their own National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs). In the Republic of Korea, the Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP), established by law in the early 1990s, has made many important technical recommendations to contribute to the decline in vaccine preventable diseases and currently functions as a NITAG. It includes 13 core members and 2 non-core members, including a chairperson. Core members usually come from affiliated organizations in internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, microbiology, preventive medicine, nursing and a representative from a consumer group, all of whom serve two year terms. Non-core members comprise two government officials belonging to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and the Korea Food and Drug Administration. Meetings are held as needed, but at least twice a year, and sub-committees are formed as a resource for gathering, analyzing, and preparing information for the KECIP meetings. Once the sub-committees or the KCDC review the available data, the KECIP members discuss each issue in depth and develop recommendations, usually by a consensus in the meeting. The KECIP publishes national guidelines and immunization schedules that are updated regularly. KECIP's role is essentially consultative and the implementation of their recommendations may depend on the budget or current laws.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7601-7605
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• 2013

Background: Gambogenic acid is a major active compound of gamboge which exudes from the Garcinia hanburyi tree. Gambogenic acid anti-cancer activity in vitro has been reported in several studies, including an A549 nude mouse model. However, the mechanisms of action remain unclear. Methods: We used nude mouse models to detect the effect of gambogenic acid on breast tumors, analyzing expression of apoptosis-related proteins in vivo by Western blotting. Effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis and apoptosis-related proteins in MDA-MB-231 cells were detected by MTT, flow cytometry and Western blotting. Inhibitors of caspase-3,-8,-9 were also used to detect effects on caspase family members. Results: We found that gambogenic acid suppressed breast tumor growth in vivo, in association with increased expression of Fas and cleaved caspase-3,-8,-9 and bax, as well as decrease in the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2. Gambogenic acid inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our observations suggested that Gambogenic acid suppressed breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell growth by mediating apoptosis through death receptor and mitochondrial pathways in vivo and in vitro.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6311-6316
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• 2015

Background: In mainland China, awareness of disease of elderly cancer patients largely relies on the patients' families. We developed a staged procedure to improve their awareness of disease. Materials and Methods: Participants were 224 elderly cancer patients from 9 leading hospitals across Southern China. A questionnaire was given to the oncologists in charge of each patient to evaluate the interaction between family and patients, patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making. After first cycles of treatment, increased information of disease was given to patients with cooperation of the family. Then patient awareness of their disease and participation in medical decision-making was documented. Results: Among the 224 cancer elderly patients, 26 (11.6%) made decisions by themselves and 125 (55.8%) delegated their rights of decision-making to their family. Subordinate family members tended to play a passive role in decision-making significantly. Patients participating more in medical decision-making tended to know more about their disease. However, in contrast to the awareness of disease, patient awareness of violation of medical recommendations was reversely associated with their participation in medical decision-making. Improvement in awareness of diagnosis, stages and prognosis was achieved in about 20% elderly cancer patients. About 5% participated more actively in medical decision-making. Conclusions: Chinese elderly cancer patient awareness of disease and participation in medical decision-making is limited and relies on their family status. The staged procedure we developed to improve patient awareness of disease proved effective.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.339-347
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• 2023

Transforming growth factor-β is a key factor in regulating adhesion formation during tendon healing. We investigated the effectiveness of SMAD family members, SMAD7 and SMAD3, in the TGF-β/Smad signaling during flexor tendon repair. Mouse flexor toe deep tendon rupture anastomosis models were made. On days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, the expressions of smad7 and smad3 in flexor tendon tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. Furthermore, postoperative intraperitoneal injections of SMAD7 agonists or SMAD3 antagonists were given. The degree of tendon healing was evaluated by adhesion testing and biomechanical experiments. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expressions of collagen III, SMAD3, and SMAD7. The mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinases, Mmp2 and Mmp9, and scleraxis (SCX) in flexor tendon tissue were detected by RT-qPCR. Smad3 expression increased and Smad7 expression decreased in flexor tendon tissue after injury. In addition, the SMAD7 agonist blocked SMAD3 phosphorylation. SMAD7 agonist and SMAD3 antagonist both improved adhesion formation during flexor tendon healing, and decreased the expressions of collagen III, Mmp9, and SCX, while increasing Mmp2 expression. This study provides a possible theoretical basis for the SMAD7-SMAD3 signal cascade during flexor tendon adhesion healing.