• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.1452-1458
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• 2009

The change in the electronic absorption and emission energy of 7-aminocoumarin derivatives in binary solvent mixtures has been studied. The electronic transition energy along with the Stokes' shift is correlated with the orientation polarizability of the solvent as well as the empirical solvent polarity parameters $E_T$ (30). It is observed that the emission peak shift traces the change of $E_T$ (30) value very closely in binary solvent mixtures. The emission transition more strongly depends on the solvent polarity than the absorption, which indicates the dipole moment gets larger on excitation. From the dependence of the Stokes’ shift of 7-aminocoumarins with the solvent polarity parameters and the ground state dipole moment obtained by the semi-empirical calculations, the excited state dipole moment was estimated. The fluorescence lifetime change of 7-aminocoumarins in binary solvent mixtures was measured and the results are explained in terms of molecular conformation and solvent polarity. The study indicates the empirical solvent polarity $E_T$ (30) is a good measure of microscopic solvent polarity and it probes in general the non-specific solvent interactions.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.1571-1584
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• 2023

In this study, a numerical analysis was performed as part of an international joint research project to reproduce a real cable tray fire that occurred in the heater bay area of the turbine building of a nuclear power plant. A sensitivity analysis was performed on various input parameters to derive results consistent with the sprinkler activation time obtained from the fire event analysis. For all sensitive parameters, the normalized sprinkler activation time correlated well with the power function of the normalized sprinkler height. A correlation equation was developed to identify the sprinkler activation time at any location when determining the slope or fire growth rate under the conditions assuming a linear or t-squared heat release rate (HRR) time curve. Various cable fire growth assumptions were used to determine which assumption was better to provide the prediction coincident with the information given from the fire event analysis in terms of the sprinkler activation time and total energy generated from cables damaged by fire. In the comprehensive analysis of all the sensitive parameters, the standard deviation of the input parameters increased as the sprinkler height decreased. Within the range of the sensitivity parameter values given in this study, when considering all sprinkler heights, the standard deviation of the cable model change was the largest and that of the overhang position change was the smallest.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2019

This study was performed to apply the measurement of heart rate and velocity in training horses for assessing race performance. Additionally, we aimed to identify parameters that can be used to evaluate the training level and exercise capacity. Eleven healthy 2- to 6-year-old Thoroughbreds were trained by the standard training program and heart rate and velocity were measured by using heart monitoring system and GPS. Regression analysis in heart rate and velocity data was performed to calculate velocity parameters. The mean maximal heart rate in gallop was $214{\pm}11bpm$. The mean $V_{140}$, $V_{180}$, $V_{200}$ and $VHR_{max}$ were $13.8{\pm}4.3km/h$, $37.5{\pm}3.8km/h$, $49.3{\pm}4.3km/h$ and $57.4{\pm}7.1km/h$ respectively. The mean $V_{140}$ of high performance racehorses was significantly higher than that of low performance racehorses (P < 0.05). Moreover, analyzing the correlation between velocity parameters and racing ability-related categories showed that $V_{140}$ was positively correlated with rating (P < 0.05), $V_{180}$ and $VHR_{max}$ were positively correlated with prize money per race (P < 0.05). Also, $V_{140}$ was significantly correlated with G1F (P < 0.05). The results of this study have shown that the measurement of heart rate and velocity during training could be useful methods to assess fitness for races or performance potential. Especially, $V_{140}$ is a good parameter to evaluate a performance of racehorses in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between ovarian follicle count and volume on ultrasonography and serum hormone levels including the levels of the anti-$M\ddot{u}llerian$ hormone (AMH) and gonadotropin in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A total of 118 Korean women aged 18-35 years who were newly diagnosed with PCOS at a university hospital were included in this study. Serum LH, FSH, and AMH levels were measured in the early follicular phase, and the total antral follicle count (TFC) and the total ovarian volume (TOV) were assessed by ultrasonography. The correlations between serum hormonal parameters and ultrasonography characteristics in women with PCOS were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficients and a linear regression analysis. Results: Serum AMH levels were significantly correlated with serum LH levels and LH/FSH ratios, and TFC and TOV were significantly correlated with each other on ultrasonography. Serum AMH and LH levels and the LH/FSH ratio were significantly correlated with TFC. Statistically significant correlations between TOV and the LH level (r=0.208, p=0.024) and the LH/FSH ratio (r=0.237, p=0.010) were observed. However, the serum AMH level was not significantly correlated with the ovarian volume, and this result did not change after adjusting for age and body mass index. Conclusion: Serum AMH is not related to the ovarian volume in women with PCOS. My results suggest that serum LH level and the LH/FSH ratio may be more useful than the serum AMH level for representing the status of the ovarian volume in women with PCOS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3065-3070
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• 2014

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB), is a neuroectodermal tumor derived from neural crest cells, and it is the second most common pediatric malignant tumor. The biological and clinical behavior of NB is very heterogeneous. This study was conducted to evaluate the expression of Ki-67, p53 and VEGF markers in tissues obtained from NB patients with different histologic types and stage. Materials and Methods: Tissue microarray (TMA) blocks were constructed from paraffin blocks of the NB tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on TMA sections to detect the expression of Ki-67, p53 and VEGF markers. The association between the expression of these markers and clinicopathological parameters were then analyzed. Results: We had 18 patients with NB, one patient with ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB) and one with ganglioneuroma. Ki-67 was expressed in 13 (65%) tumors, and negatively correlated with age, prognosis, histologic type and stage of NB (all p<0.05). High and moderate expression of VEGF was found in 5% (1/20) and 65% (13/20) of the tumors, respectively; and it was positively correlated with age, prognosis and histologic types (all p<0.05) and negatively correlated with MKI (mitosis-karyorrhexis index). p53 expression was observed in 10% (2/20) of the tumors, which showed a relative correlation with MKI (p value=0.07). Conclusions: VEGF as a candidate for anti-angiogenic targeted therapy was correlated with the development and progression of NB; therefore, VEGF along with Ki-67 can serve as a valuable marker for the prognosis of this tumor type.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2013-2020
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• 2014

Background: The aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 (ALDH1A1) is one of the promising markers for identifying cancer stem cells in many cancer types, along with other markers including CD44. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression and clinical significance of putative cancer stem cell markers, CD44 and ALDH1A1, in a series of urothelial carcinomas of urinary bladder (UCUB) by tissue microarray (TMA). Materials and Methods: A total of 159 Urothelial Carcinomas (UC) including 96 (60%) low grade and 63 (40%) high grade carcinomas were immunohistochemically examined for the expression of CD44 and ALDH1A1. Correlations of the relative expression of these markers with clinicopathological parameters were also assessed. Results: High level expression of ALDH1A1 was found in 16% (25/159) of bladder UC which was significantly correlated with increased tumor size (p value=0.002), high grade (p value<0.001), pathologic stage (T1, p value=0.007 and T2, p value<0.001) and increased rate of recurrence (p value=0.013). A high level of CD44 expression was found in 43% (68/159) of cases, being positively correlated with histologic grade (p value=0.032) and recurrence (p value=0.039). Conclusions: Taken together, our results showed that ALDH1 was concurrently expressed in a fraction of CD44+ tumors and its expression correlated with poor prognosis in UCs. ALDH1A1 could be an ideal marker for targeted therapy of UCs in combination with conventional therapies, particularly in patients with high grade carcinomas. These findings indicate that cells expressing ALDH1A1 along with CD44 can be a potential therapeutic target in bladder carcinomas.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2016

This study was performed to improve the quality index of paprika by assessment of instrumental test and sensory attributes. Red paprika (11 cultivars), orange paprika (9 cultivars), and yellow paprika (10 cultivars) were provided by GyeongNam (GN) and JeonBuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services (JB). We measured hardness and color values using a colorimeter and TPA as well as developed new terminology such as cucumber taste, grass taste, green pepper flavor and appearance (size, color size, color, and glossiness), texture (hardness, juiciness), and taste (sweetness, pungency, sourness) to describe paprika quality attributes by trained panels. a* value of red 'Nagano' cultivar provided by JB was significantly low, and only b* value of orange paprika was significantly different among the samples. In the case of yellow paprika, b* values were not significantly different, and hardness was significantly different. Overall color values were different among samples provided by GN. Oranos, orange paprika, L value, b value, and hardness were different among the samples. Bitterness was negatively correlated with sweetness and positively correlated with green pepper aroma (p<0.05). Overall acceptability was positively correlated with size, juiciness, and sweetness (p<0.01) and negatively correlated with pungent (p<0.05) and bitterness (p<0.01). In conclusion, negative attributes such as bitterness and pungentness as well as positive attributes such as size, juiciness, and sweetness must be considered as important factors for consumer preference and breeding of new cultivars.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.22.1-22.15
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• 2023

Alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is caused by chronic alcohol overconsumption and might be linked to dysregulated immune responses in the gut-liver axis. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on levels and functions of innate lymphocytes including mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, NKT cells, and NK (NK) cells in ALC patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the levels and function of these cells, evaluate their clinical relevance, and explore their immunologic roles in the pathogenesis of ALC. Peripheral blood samples from ALC patients (n = 31) and healthy controls (HCs, n = 31) were collected. MAIT cells, NKT cells, NK cells, cytokines, CD69, PD-1, and lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) levels were measured by flow cytometry. Percentages and numbers of circulating MAIT cells, NKT cells, and NK cells were significantly reduced in ALC patients than in HCs. MAIT cell exhibited increased production of IL-17 and expression levels of CD69, PD-1, and LAG-3. NKT cells displayed decreased production of IFN-γ and IL-4. NK cells showed elevated CD69 expression. Absolute MAIT cell levels were positively correlated with lymphocyte count but negatively correlated with C-reactive protein. In addition, NKT cell levels were negatively correlated with hemoglobin levels. Furthermore, log-transformed absolute MAIT cell levels were negatively correlated with the Age, Bilirubin, INR, and Creatinine score. This study demonstrates that circulating MAIT cells, NKT cells, and NK cells are numerically deficient in ALC patients, and the degree of cytokine production and activation status also changed. Besides, some of their deficiencies are related to several clinical parameters. These findings provide important information about immune responses of ALC patients.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.157-166
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• 2007

Background: The change in the respiratory pattern has an influence on the change in the autonomic nervous system, which in turn has an influence on the EGG to measure a gastric activity. However, the study on the influence on the EGG parameters by respiratory control and on the correlation between the HRV and EGG through respiratory control has not been perform yet. Objective: It is to perform a series of experiments to find out how the EGG parameters are influenced by the controlled respiration and what correlation there may exist between the EGG and HRV to measure the change in the autonomic nervous system after controlled respiration. Methods: 1st Experiment: During a 15minutes' voluntary respiration, HRV was measured, and it was measured again during another 15 minutes' controlled respiration. 2nd Experiment: After an eight hours' fast, EGG was measured for a period of 30 minutes, and then after another 15 minutes' voluntary respiration, a test-meal was offered for 10 minutes and again EGG was measured. The next day, after an 8 hour's fast, EGG was measured for 30 minutes, and after a 15 minutes' controlled respiration and offered with a test-meal for 10 minutes and then EGG was measured again for 30 minutes. Results: 1. It was observed in all the channels that the power ratio increased more after controlled respiration than after voluntary respiration. No statistical significance, however, could be observed. 2. Through controlled respiration, the HF of HRV and the power ratio of EGG Channel 4 was negatively correlated, while the LF/HF of HRV and the power ratio of EGG channel 1 & 4 was positive correlated. Such correlations as mentioned above, however, could not be observed in HRV & EGG through voluntary respiration. Conclusions: 1. It was concluded that the increase in the power of gastric contractile after controlled respiration is bigger than the increase in the power of gastric contractile after voluntary respiration. 2. It was concluded that the gastric contractile power and sympathetic activity through controlled respiration was negatively correlated, while the gastric contractile power and parasympathetic activity through controlled respiration was positively correlated.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1997

We have monitored nutrients, chlorophyll, suspended solids, and salinity in the Keum Estuary to understand the temporal fluctuation of oceanographic parameters and to illustrate any variation due to the gate operation of the Keum River Dike from June, 1995 to September, 1996, approximately for 500 days. Tidal range is used as the key factor to explain the fluctuations and atmospheric parameters such as air temperature, wind velocity and rainfall are also used supplementally. The fresh water discharge was selected as another major impact on the estuarine environment due to the gate operation of the Keum Dike. In addition, daily variation by tidal cycle was investigated twice in April and July, 1996. In diurnal variation, salinity was positively correlated with tidal elevation, whereas negatively correlated with nutrients. Relatively high suspended solid and chlorophyll contents were found in the period between high and low tide. In 500 days continuous observations, salinity was negatively correlated with the volume of fresh-water discharge, but positively correlated with nutrients. A major chlorophyll bloom occurred in spring. A similar pattern of variation was observed between suspended solid and the neap-spring tidal cycle. In comparison with the data of the Keurn Estuary before the gate operation of the Keum River dike, fresh-water discharge predominated other environmental factors during the rainy season. In addition, the velocity of tidal current and the concentration of suspended solid were decreased, while nutrients and chlorophyll contents were increased.