• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2021

Objective: The objectives of the current study were to study the main environmental factors affecting birth weight (BW) and weaning weight (WW), estimate variance components, genetic parameters and genetic trend and to evaluate the variability and relationships among breeding value of BW and WW using principal components analysis (PCA). Methods: A total of 16,370 records were collected from 8,271 buffalo calves. Genetic parameters and breeding values were estimated using a bivariate animal model which includes direct, maternal and permanent maternal effects. These estimates were standardized and used in PCA. Results: The direct heritability estimates were 0.06 and 0.41 for BW and WW, respectively whereas direct maternal heritability values were 0.03 and 0.14, respectively. Proportions of variance due to permanent environmental effects of dam were 0.455 and 0.280 for BW and WW respectively. The genetic correlation between BW and WWs was weak approaching zero, but the maternal correlation was 0.26. The first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) were estimated utilizing the standardized breeding values according to Kaiser method. The total variance explained by the first two PCs was 71.17% in which 45.91% and 25.25% were explained by PC1 and PC2, respectively. The direct breeding values of BW were related to PC2 but those of WW and maternal breeding values of BW and WWs were associated with PC1. Conclusion: The results of genetic parameters and PCA indicate that BW and WWs were not genetically correlated and improving growth traits of Egyptian buffaloes could be achieved using WW without any adverse effect by BW.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.42.1-42.1
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• 2021

In this study, we present a visual explanation of a deep learning solar flare forecast model and its relationship to physical parameters of solar active regions (ARs). For this, we use full-disk magnetograms at 00:00 UT from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Michelson Doppler Imager and the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager, physical parameters from the Space-weather HMI Active Region Patch (SHARP), and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite X-ray flare data. Our deep learning flare forecast model based on the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) predicts "Yes" or "No" for the daily occurrence of C-, M-, and X-class flares. We interpret the model using two CNN attribution methods (guided backpropagation and Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping [Grad-CAM]) that provide quantitative information on explaining the model. We find that our deep learning flare forecasting model is intimately related to AR physical properties that have also been distinguished in previous studies as holding significant predictive ability. Major results of this study are as follows. First, we successfully apply our deep learning models to the forecast of daily solar flare occurrence with TSS = 0.65, without any preprocessing to extract features from data. Second, using the attribution methods, we find that the polarity inversion line is an important feature for the deep learning flare forecasting model. Third, the ARs with high Grad-CAM values produce more flares than those with low Grad-CAM values. Fourth, nine SHARP parameters such as total unsigned vertical current, total unsigned current helicity, total unsigned flux, and total photospheric magnetic free energy density are well correlated with Grad-CAM values.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2000

Objectives: Periodic limb movements in sleep(PLMS) is a moderately prevalent disorder, of which pathophysiology remains largely unknown. PLMS has been reported to be common in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS), but reports on their relationship have been inconsistent in previous studies. Inconsistency of results may be attributable to insufficient number of the study subjects. We attempted to explore the influence of OSAS on PLMS in a large number of subjects. Methods: Three hundred and twenty subjects(M : F=192:128) with PLMS, as identified by the nocturnal polysomnography, were studied. Sample mean age was 53.1(SD=15.1) years and their mean periodic limb movement index(PLMI) is 25.2/hr (SD=24.8). PLMS subjects were divided into two groups, based on the presence or absence of OSAS. Periodic limb movement indices and sleep parameters between two groups were analyzed to evaluate the effects of OSAS on PLMS. Results: Each of PLMI and PLMI with arousal(PLMAI) correlated positively with age. PLMI of men was larger than that of women (p<0.01). The presence of comorbid OSAS independently had influence on PLMI(t=-2.20, p<0.05), but not PLMAI. There were no significant differences between the two groups in their PLMI, PLMAI and sleep parameters. However, the two groups differed in PLMI-correlated sleep parameters. In PLMS subjects with comorbid OSAS, PLMI was negatively correlated with each of slow wave sleep time and REM sleep time. In subjects without comorbid OSAS, PLMI was negatively correlated with sleep efficiency. Conclusion: PLMS patients with OSAS turned out to have increased PLMI than those without OSAS We suggest that OSAS patients may have subtle autonomic arousals and these arousals could, in part, express themselves as PLM.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.251-257
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• 2016

The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) was balance measurement equipment for school-age children with mild to moderate motor impairments. The aims of this study are to examine the correlation between PBS and spatiotemporal gait parameter and to identify the walking function with cerebral palsy through balance scale. The PBS consists of 14 items such as sitting of standing, standing to sitting, transfers, standing unsupported, standing on one foot, turning 360 degrees, turing to look behind, etc., and the spatiotemporal parameters include walking speed, stride length, step length, step width, cadence, double-limb support. All subjects were independently ambulatory children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, and they were assessed on PBS and spatiotemporal gait parameters by an experienced pediatric physical therapist. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between PBS and spatiotemporal gait parameters, and the level of significance was set at ${\alpha}$ = 0.05. Total score of PBS(r=.49~.58), standing to sitting(r=.48~.60), turning to look behind(r=.47~.53), and pick up object(r=.52~.69) were positively correlated with walking speed, stride length, step length, and cadence. Most items of the PBS were negatively correlated with double-limb support(r=-.48~-.92). These findings suggest that the pediatric balance scale can be applied to estimate gait function level for children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2013

We analyzed the relationships between backscattering coefficients of wheat measured by COSMO-SkyMed SAR and biophysical measurements such as biomass, vegetation water content, and soil moisture over an entire wheat growth period. Backscattering coefficients increased until DOY 129 and then decreased along with fresh weight, dry weight, and vegetation water content. Correlation analysis between backscattering and wheat growth parameters revealed that backscatter correlated well with fresh weight (r=0.88), vegetation water content (r=0.87), and dry weight (r=0.80), while backscatter did not correlated with soil moisture (r=0.18). Prediction equations for estimation of wheat growth parameters from the backscattering coefficients were developed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2020

Objective: Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. But, the adverse effects of oxidative biomarkers on sperm quality remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the levels of nitric oxide (NO), 8-hydroxydesoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) oxidative biomarkers in seminal plasma and their relationship with sperm parameters. Methods: A total of 77 volunteers participated in the study, including fertile (n = 40) and infertile men (n = 37). NO, 8-OHdG, and TAC levels were measured using the ferric reducing ability of plasma, Griess reagent method and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, respectively. Results: The mean values of sperm parameters in the infertile group were significantly lower than those in the fertile group (p< 0.001). The mean 8-OHdG in the seminal plasma of infertile men was significantly higher (p= 0.013) than those of controls, while the mean TAC was significantly lower (p= 0.046). There was no significant difference in NO level between the two groups. The elevated seminal 8-OHdG levels were negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm counts and morphology (p< 0.001, p= 0.001 and p= 0.052, respectively). NO levels were negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm counts and morphology (p= 0.014, p= 0.020 and p= 0.060, respectively). Positive correlations between TAC and both sperm count and morphology (p= 0.043 and p= 0.025, respectively) were also found. Conclusion: These results suggested that increased levels of NO and 8-OHdG in seminal plasma could have a negative effect on sperm function by inducing damage to the sperm DNA hence their fertility potentials. Therefore, these biomarkers can be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.414-424
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• 2023

In this study, a total of 326 data on a variety of geometric parameters of pick cutters and the corresponding cuttable rock conditions were collected and built as a database. Statistical analysis of the database showed that there is a significant positive correlation between the parameters that define the geometry of a pick cutter, especially between the parameters related to the length of a pick cutter and the geometry of a tungsten carbide insert. The diameter of a pick cutter shaft was also strongly correlated with the geometry of the inserts. On the other hand, it was difficult to find a clear correlation between the parameters for the rock conditions defined by the four conditions and the geometric parameters of pick cutters, which may be due to the uncertainty of the rock mass and the fact that the application of a pick cutter is presented as a range rather than a numerical single value. However, the mean values of geometric parameters of pick cutters tend to increase as a rock mass becomes harder. However, the pick length parameters are found to decrease as a rock mass becomes harder, which may be a way to reduce the moments that can occur when using long pick cutters in a hard rock condition.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.858-868
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• 2012

In this paper, stochastic models for the cross-correlation of multiple channels are established based on measurement data collected using a wideband multiple-input multiple-output relay Band Exploration and Channel Sounder system at 3.7 GHz. We propose models for the cross-correlation characteristics of large-scale parameters (LSPs) between two links, that is, the base station and mobile station (MS) link and the relay station and MS link. The LSPs include shadow fading, Rician K-factor, delay spread, angle spread of arrival, and angle spread of departure. Furthermore, models are established for the cross-correlation of the small-scale fading in the impulse responses of two links. The statistics of these model parameters are investigated as functions of geometrical features of the multilink. They are extracted from a large amount of cross-correlation observations, which are obtained in three measurement sites along more than one hundred measurement routes. These models can be used together with the standard single-link channel models for the generation of correlated components, for example, path clusters, in two separate channels.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.170-178
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• 2012

Dipterocarps or Dipterocarpaceae is a commercially important timber producing and dominant keystone tree family in the rain forests of Borneo. Borneo's landscape is changing at an unprecedented rate in recent years which affects this important biodiversity. This paper attempts to model the natural occurrence (distribution including those areas with natural forests before being converted to other land uses as opposed to current distribution) of dipterocarp species in Sarawak which is important for forest biodiversity conservation and management. Local modeling method of Inverse Distance Weighting was compared with commonly used statistical method (Binary Logistic Regression) to build the best natural distribution models for three genera (12 species) of dipterocarps. Database of species occurrence data and pseudoabsence data were constructed and divided into two halves for model building and validation. For logistic regression modeling, climatic, topographical and edaphic parameters were used. Proxy variables were used to represent the parameters which were highly (p>0.75) correlated to avoid over-fitting. The results show that Inverse Distance Weighting produced the best and consistent prediction with an average accuracy of over 80%. This study demonstrates that local interpolation method can be used for the modeling of natural distribution of dipterocarp species. The Inverse Distance Weighted was proven a better method and the possible reasons are discussed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8367-8370
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• 2014

The relationship between caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer is controversial, although Cav-1 plays an important role in tumor metastasis. To evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic value of expression in patients with gastric cancer, a meta-analysis was performed to investigate the impact on clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in gastric cancer cases. Studies assessing these parameters for Cav-1 in gastric cancer were identified up to June 2014. Finally, a total of six studies met the inclusion criteria. Our combined results showed that Cav-1 expression was significantly associated with the Lauren classification (pooled OR=0.603, 95% CI: 0.381-0.953, P=0.030). Furthermore, we found that Cav-1 expression predicted a better overall survival in gastric cancer patients (pooled OR=0.590, 95% CI: 0.360-0.970, P=0.038, fixed-effect). In conclusion, the overall data of the present meta analysis showed that Cav-1 expression was not correlated with clinicopathological features except for the Lauren classification. Simultaneously, Cav-1 overexpression predicted a better overall survival in gastric cancer. Cav-1 expression in tumors is a candidate positive prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer patients.