• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2014

Exendin-4 (Ex-4), a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, has been known to reverse hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. Although many studies have evaluated molecular targets of Ex-4, its mechanism of action on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis has not fully been determined. In the liver, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) is mainly expressed in hepatocytes, endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the present study, the effects of Ex-4 on GLUT4 expression were determined in the liver of ob/ob mice. Ob/ob mice were treated with Ex-4 for 10 weeks. Serum metabolic parameters, hepatic triglyceride levels, and liver tissues were evaluated for hepatic steatosis. The weights of the whole body and liver in ob/ob mice were reduced by long-term Ex-4 treatment. Serum metabolic parameters, hepatic steatosis, and hepatic fibrosis in ob/ob mice were reduced by Ex-4. Particularly, Ex-4 improved hepatic steatosis by enhancing GLUT4 via GLP-1R activation in ob/ob mice. Ex-4 treatment also inhibited hepatic fibrosis by decreasing expression of connective tissue growth factor in HSCs of ob/ob mice. Our data suggest that GLP-1 agonists exert a protective effect on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.535-550
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• 2016

Objective: To enhance user experience of the product by using "wow" materials and parts, a framework for participatory emotional design and evaluation was proposed and validated through a case study in this paper. Background: Customers in recent days value a product which provides new feeling and images they want to get while interacting with it beyond its function, quality, and usability. Since the product consists of various parts and materials, "wow" materials and parts which can affect the customer's feeling and emotions are the essential components for changing the user experience. Method: A framework for participatory and human sensibility ergonomic design was considered and applied on developing the aesthetically and emotionally affecting glass panels of changing colors. Design experts defined a target market for this multicolor glass panels and modified the existing designing goal. Constraints for this design modification were identified by market trend research and consulting with the company which owns the technology for checking out its feasibility. The company developed and provided prototype samples as well as their competing materials. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the emotional quality was conducted to validate whether the design goal was achieved successfully. Results: The target market for the developing materials was defined as finishing for the buildings. The designing goal was set as to feed new visual sensation of clean and colorful images. The emotional quality of two different types of multicolor glass panels and an ordinary unicolor panel were evaluated quantitatively with semantic differential method. Results showed that the emotion of the subjects for the multicolor glass panels can be abstracted into two dimensions; named 'colorfulness' and 'harmony'. It was found that the developed samples got higher scores in emotional quality for both dimensions compared to the ordinary one. Age was found to be a significant factor for evaluating the emotional quality of colorfulness. Conclusion and Applications: The proposed framework is a valid approach for enhancing the user experience of the product by participatory design of emotional materials and parts. This framework can be applied easily on the emotional design and evaluation of different materials and components.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.39-53
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• 2013

Although the efficient formation of urban space structure is a key factor in energy saving and environmentally-friendly aspect, the maintenance of the center and sub-center of the city that are key factors has been becoming increasingly difficult due to the variability and complexity of urban activities. In the case of Busan, amid the expansion of urban scale due to rapid economic development and overpopulation, systematic approaches to professional diagnosis and maintenance have been significantly insufficient - other than the city basic plan which has been conducted at an interval of 20 years. For the effective management of urban central area, systematic monitoring of the CBD through demand forecast and blight forecast at a city level must first be implemented. In order to fulfill this goal, this study is to figure out the current state of the CBD through the diagnosis on blight of the urban central area in the viewpoint of rehabilitation of the CBD and to propose the measures for practical utilization of the information about space for the further management of the central area of the city. For analysis, the study looks into the present state in terms of physical index, economic index, and social index. And then as a micro-approach by utilizing economic index, the study has thoroughly examined the economic blight of the Seomyun urban central area of Busan. The outcome of the analysis shows that in terms of population distribution and land utilization the area is in the stage of inefficient dispersion after having gone through the stage of suburbanization. It is expected that this study, as the material that proves the necessity of enhancing the function of the CBD, can propose the direction for the management of the urban center of Busan through blight prediction and management of the urban center and can provide the basic data for the long-term urban development that aims at the efficient strengthening of functions of the CBD.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.85-94
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• 2020

Vowel articulation in subjects related to speech disorders seems to be difficult. A chant method that properly reflects the characteristics of language could be used as an effective way of addressing the difficulties. The purpose of this study was to find out whether the chant method is effective as a means of enhancing vowel articulation. The subjects of this study were 60 normal adults (30 males and 30 females) in their 20s and 30s whose native language is Korean. Eight utterance conditions including chanting and reading conditions were recorded and their acoustic data were analyzed. The results of the analysis of the acoustic variables related to the formant confirmed that the F1 and F2 values of the vowel formants are increased and the direction of movement of the center of gravity of the vowel triangle is statistically significantly forwarded and lowered in the chant method in both the word and the phrase context. The results also proved that accent is the most influential musical factor in chant. There was no significant difference between four repeated tokens, which increased the reliability of the results. In other words, chanting is an effective way to shift the center of gravity of the vowel triangle, which suggests that it can help to improve speech intelligibility by forming a desirable place for articulation.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2013

This research sheds light on the non-intrusive traits of mobile devices (Electronic Guidebook, Rememberer, I-Guides and eXspot) deployed in Exploratorium for enhancing visitor experience via case studies. In an interactive exhibition environment, non-intrusiveness was the key to supporting the immersive experience and meaning-making for visitors. The usability of hand-held devices directly impacted on the non-intrusiveness, thereby reshaping the form-factors of mobile devices. The change in from-factor has also minimized the functions of devices as the remember of museum experience. Furthermore, the role of mobile devices, which turned from a supposed multi-media guide to a mere rememberer, made them virtually impossible for realizing the "seamless visiting model" originally planned. An array of projects carried out in Exploration have achieved some degree of success such as increasing viewing time as well as reinforcing post-visit activities. However, taken from musicological perspective, increase in viewing time is by all means insufficient to be taken as proof since it is assumed to be achieved by photo-taking (i.e. MyExploratorium) rather than by interacting between visitors and exhibits. This issue --increased viewing time -- needs to be analyzed in depth. All in all, mobile devices used in Exploratorium can be defined as a learning tool/educational supporting medium based on personalization for (visitors') optimizing extended museum experience.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.21-44
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• 2009

This study aims to understand the conditions for using logistics outsourcing of Korean enterprises, present existing problems, examine factors affecting utility, and analyze the pattern of logistics outsourcing based on contract term, and to ultimately contribute to enhancing competitiveness of logistics enterprises. Through the literature survey 8 factors were identified as three broad factors of corporate strategy, corporate characteristics, and environment. Factor analysis was conducted on the bases of 155 collected data among 400 distributions for 2 months from April to May in 2008. From the result of analysis, the implication and finding can be summarized into three aspects. Firstly, Korean companies value factors relative to corporate strategies as motivating factors for logistics outsourcing. Secondly, Korean companies consider logistics outsourcing depending on how to handle customers' demands and the severity of competition. Thirdly, it was found that product and organization characteristics are perceived as more important when contract term with logistics business is longer. The implications can be observed into two aspects. Firstly once the logistics outsourcing between manufacturers and logistics companies are determined, it was verified that mutual agreement, particular contracts and periodic communications can increase the outcome. Secondly the logistics outsourcing appeared to be different depending on the level of entering to foreign market and resulted in higher performance as well.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.323-338
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• 1991

This study investigated the effect of supportive nursing care including modified guided imagery on the discomfort, self- esteem, erythrocyte semdimentation rate(ESR) and quality of life(Q. L.) in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (R. A.). The purpose was to contribute to the development of theoretical nursing care to enhance the Q. L. of persons with chronic illness. From Nov. 22, 1990 to May 2, 1991, 49 patients registered at a rheumatic clinic at one general hospital in Seoul, were accepted according to the research criteria as subjects for this study. Among these, 26 were selected for an experimental group to he treated with an interpersonal interview and modified guided imagery, the other 23 became the control group not treated for the purpose of measuring and comparing the effect of the treatment. Statistical analysis was done by a SAS program for X$^2$-test, unpaired t -test, Pearson correlation coefficients and factor analysis. The results were as follows : 1. The pre-experimental discomfort level of the total subject group averaged 25.42(S. D. ＝8.77), and the difference between the pre /post experimental discomfort levels of the two groups was not statistically significant. 2. The pre - experimental self- esteem scores of the total subject group averaged 27.48(S. D. ＝3.95), and the difference between the pre /post experimental self -esteem scores of the two groups was not statistically significant. 3. The pre - experimental Q. L. scores of the total subject group averaged 28.70(S. D. ＝5.99), and the difference between the pre /post experimental Q. L. score of the two groups was statistically significant (t＝2.1748, df＝47, p＝ .0347), 4. The pre - experimental mean of the ESR of the total subject group was 34.48(S. D. ＝19.50) mm, and the difference between the pre /post expeimental ESR scores of the two groups was not statistically significant. 5. The Family support scores of the total subject group averaged 41.28(S. D. ＝10.27). 6. The total subject group 0.L. score was correlated with self-exteem score (r＝ .3984, p＝ .0046). In this study, supportive nursing care including modified guided imagery increased the quality of life scores for this group of persons with R. A. significantly. So the concept of supportive nursing care of this study may be effective in enhancing the quality of life persons with chronic illness. Further investigations related to the methodology and with other groups of clients was recommended.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.453-468
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate factors influencing physical activity in female nursing students based on the habit formation model. The participants were 207 female students at G nursing college and J nursing college located in J city. All data were collected from 31, August to 14, September in 2020 and analyzed by descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Scheffĕ test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Univariate, and Multivariate multinomial logistic regression using SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. The average level of physical activity measured by the Korean version of IPAQ was 2506.31±2807.05 MET-min/week. According to the physical activity category classified by IPAQ, there were 59students(28.5%) in the high group, 98students(47.3%) in the moderate group, and 50students(24.2%) in the low group. Physical activity habit strength was the significant factor influencing physical activity in female nursing students. Therefore, this study suggests that it is necessary to develop the habit formation program and verify effectiveness for enhancing and maintaining the physical activity in female nursing students.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.282-290
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• 2020

Background: Ginseng is a commonly used herbal medicine in treating various medical conditions. Chronic gut inflammation is a recognized factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this project, Asian ginseng berry polysaccharide preparations were used to assess their effects on CRC and related immune regulation mechanisms. Methods: Ginseng berry polysaccharide extract (GBPE) and purified ginseng berry polysaccharide portion (GBPP) were used to evaluate their activities on human HCT-116 and HT-29 CRC cell proliferation. Interleukin-8 secretion analysis was performed on HT-29 cells. Naive CD4 cell isolation and T-helper cell differentiation were performed and determined using flow cytometry for Th1 and Treg in addition to cell cycle and apoptotic investigation. Results: GBPE and GBPP significantly inhibited interleukin-8 secretion and cancer cell proliferation, inhibited CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ cell (Th1) differentiation, and decreased CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ cell (Treg) differentiation. Compared to the GBPE, GBPP showed more potent antiinflammatory activities on the malignant cells. This is consistent with the observation that GBPP can also inhibit Th1-cell differentiation better, suggesting that it has an important role in antiinflammation, whereas Treg cells hinder the body's immune response against malignancies. Supported by cell cycle and apoptosis data, GBPE and GBPP, at various degrees, remarkably enhanced the anticancer activities of 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion: Data from this project suggested that Asian ginseng berry potentially has clinical utility in managing enteric inflammation and suppressing CRC through immunomodulation mechanisms.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.653-664
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• 2018

The RNA-binding protein tristetraprolin (TTP) binds to adenosine-uridine AU-rich elements in the 3'-untranslated region of messenger RNAs and facilitates rapid degradation of the target mRNAs. Therefore, it regulates the expression of multiple cancer and immunity-associated transcripts. Furthermore, a lack of TTP in cancer cells influences cancer progression and predicts poor survival. Although the functions of TTP on cancer cells have previously been researched, the mechanism of TTP on the interaction between cancer cells with their micro-environment remains undiscovered. In this study, we admed to determine the role of cancer cell TTP during the interaction between tumor and immune cells, specifically regulatory T cells (Tregs). We evaluate the capability of TTP to modulate the antitumor immunity of GC and explored the underlying mechanism. The overexpression of TTP in GC cells dramatically increased peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocyte (PBML) -mediated cytotoxicity against GC cells. Increased cytotoxicity against TTP-overexpressed GC cells by PBMLs was determined by Treg development and infiltration. Surprisingly, we found the stabilization of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) mRNA was declining while TTP was elevated. The PD-L1 protein level was reduced in TTP-abundant GC cells. PD-L1 gas been found to play a pivotal role in Treg development and functional maintenance in immune system. Taken together, our results suggest the overexpression of TTP in GC cells not only affects cell survival and apoptosis but also increases PBMLs -mediated cytotoxicity against GC cells to decelerate tumor progression. Moreover, we identified PD-L1 as a critical TTP-regulated factor that contributes to inhibiting antitumor immunity.