• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.24 no.2 s.88
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• pp.65-78
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• 2006

This paper investigates the cost structure ot the Korea and Japan railroad industry with respect to density, scale and scope economies as well as productivity growth rate using a generalized trans)og multiproduct cost function model. The paper then assumes that the Korea and Japan railway companies pi·educe three outputs (incumbent railway passenger-kilometers. Shinkansen passenger-kilometers, ton-kilometers of freight) using four input factors (labor, fuel, maintenance, rolling stock and capital). The specified cost function includes foul other independent variables: track lengths to reflect network effects, two dummies to reflect nation and ownership effects, and time trend as a proxy for technical change. The simultaneous equation system consisting of a cost function and three input share equations is estimated with the Zellner's iterative seemingly unrelated regression. The unbalanced panel data used in the paper, a total of 154 observations. are collected from the annual records of the Korea National Railroad (KNR) for the yews $1977{\sim}2003$, Japan National Railways (JNR) for the years $1977{\sim}1984$. seven Japan Railways (JR's) for the years $1987{\sim}2003$. The findings show that the Korean and Japanese railways exhibit product-specific and overall economies of density but product-specific diseconomies of scale with respect to incumbent railway passenger-kilometers, Shinkansen-kilometers and ton-kilometers. However, the railways experience mild overall economies of scale which result from economies of scope associated with the joint production of incumbent railway/Shinkansen and feight, freight/incumbent railway and Shinkansen except Shinkansen/incumbent railway and freight. In addition, the economies of density and scale in the KNR, JR east, JR central, and JR west companies at the point of the years $1990{\sim}2003$ average is generally analogous to the above results at the point of sample average. There also appear to be economies of ssope associated with the joint Production of the incumbent railway and Shinkansen in JR central but diseconomies of scope in JR East and JR West. The findings also indicate that the productivity growth rate of the privately-owned JR's is larger than that of the government-owned KNR.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.547-555
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• 2009

This study was performed to determine the minimum dose of Poloxamer/Sodium alginate (PX/SA) mixture on preventing intraperitoneal adhesions to evaluate organ toxicity. Twenty five healthy adult mongrel dogs (weighing 4.68${\pm}$1.67 kg) were divided into five experimental groups composed of five dogs respectively; negative control group (NC, non-treated), positive control group (PC, 2% carboxymethyl chitosan solution treated), and experiment 1 group (E1, 0.25 ml PX/SA mixture of abraded area), experiment 2 group (E2, 0.5 ml PX/SA mixture of abraded area), experiment 3 group (E3, 1.0 ml PX/SA mixture of abraded area). Venous blood specimens were collected from all experimental animals for hematologic and biochemical analysis: WBC, fibrinogen, AST, ALT, ALP, BUN and creatinine. The anti-adhesion effect was evaluated using a serosa abrasion model. The denuded ileum was coated with PX/SA mixture, carboxymethyl chitosan solution or neither. The tensile strength of the adhesion site was evaluated with a tensiometer. For histopathological examination, tissue samples of the liver and kidney were collected from all dogs. According to the results, the frequency and tensile strength values for adhesion separation in PX/SA group were significantly lower than those in negative control group (p < 0.05). In E2 group, the tensile strength was significantly decreased in consideration of PX/SA dose. The values of AST, ALT, ALP, BUN and creatinine of the control and the experimental groups showed no statistical differences. No obvious microscopic differences were noted among tissue sections obtained from all groups. The results suggest that PX/SA mixture may be effective on reducing peritoneal adhesion formation in dog and that 0.5 ml PX/SA mixture of abraded area is most effective dose. Moreover, PX/SA mixture was considered not to have toxicity for the liver and the kidney.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2017

Although alternative test methods based on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are being developed to replace animal testing in reproductive and developmental toxicology, they are still in an early stage. Consequently, we aimed to develop alternative test methods in male animals using mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs). Here, we modified the OECD TG 489 and optimized the in vitro comet assay in our previous study. This study aimed to verify the validity of in vitro tests involving mSSCs by comparing their results with those of in vivo tests using C57BL/6 mice by gavage. We selected hydroxyurea (HU), which is known to chemically induce male reproductive toxicity. The 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) value of HU was 0.9 mM, as determined by the MTT assay. In the in vitro comet assay, % tail DNA and Olive tail moment (OTM) after HU administration increased significantly, compared to the control. Annexin V, PI staining and TUNEL assays showed that HU caused apoptosis in mSSCs. In order to compare in vitro tests with in vivo tests, the same substances were administered to male C57BL/6 mice. Reproductive toxicity was observed at 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day as measured by clinical measures of reduction in sperm motility and testicular weight. The comet assay, DCFH-DA assay, H&E staining, and TUNEL assay were also performed. The results of the test with C57BL/6 mice were similar to those with mSSCs for HU treatment. Finally, linear regression analysis showed a strong positive correlation between results of in vitro tests and those of in vivo. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate the effect of HU-induced DNA damage, ROS formation, and apoptosis in mSSCs. Further, the results of the current study suggest that mSSCs could be a useful model to predict male reproductive toxicity.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.364-370
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• 2001

Purpose: In the revascuarization of ischemic dysfunctional myocardium, stunned myocardium was reported to recover function earlier than hibernating myocardium. It was also suggested that stunning and hibernation could be discriminated by reversibility of perfusion impairment on myocardial SPECT. In this study, we investigated the time course of functional recover after CABG according to reversibility of perfusion impairment. Materials and Methods: In 92 patients with coronary artery disease, Tl-201 rest/dipyridamole stress Tc-99m-MIBI gated SPECT was performed before, 3 months after, and 17 months after CABG. Using a 20-segment model, segmental perfusion and systolic thickening were automatically quantified. Perfusion-impaired segments with abnormal thickening were classified by reversibility into reversible (REV) and irreversible (IRREV) groups. The proportions of function-recovered segments were compared between groups and also between 3 months and 17 months in each group. Results: A total of 129 segments were Included In the analysis, and 76 were REV and 53 were IRREV. At 3 months after CABG, 61 segments (80%) in REV group showed functional recovery while 28 segments (53%) in IRREV group did (p<0.001). However, at 17 months after CABG, 60 segments (79%) in REV group and 37 segments (70%) un IRREV group showed functional recovery (p=n.s.). When comparing 3 months and 17 months in each group, REV group showed no difference, while IRREV group showed significant further improvement (p<0.05). Conclusion: In viable myocardium with ischemic myocardial dysfunction, the segments with reversible perfusion impairment recover function earlier after revascularization than irreversible segments.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.153-157
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• 2014

Purpose: SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease, characterized by various autoantibody. The detection of Anti double-stranded DNA (Anti-ds DNA) is important in the diagnostics of SLE, and include the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria for SLE. Also SLE disease activity and correlativity with the level Anti-ds DNA antibody have been reported and Anti-ds DNA antibody quantitative test is very useful for tracing before and after SLE treatment. When These Anti-ds DNA antibody test (Farr assay: $^{125}I$ labeled ds-DNA and bound Anti-ds DNA antibodies complex in serum is precipitated by ammonium sulfate and used to centrifugation, measured it) inhaled supernatant after centrifugation, a lipemic specimen does not facilitate the formation of precipitate and also occurs situation was inhaled with precipitate. To solve these problems, The Influence of the degree of lipemic specimen was evaluated. Materials and Methods: September 2012 to February 2013, We selected lipemic samples (n=81) of specimen commissioned by Anti-ds DNA antibody test. Lipemic samples were done pre-treatment (high-speed centrifugation: 14,000 rpm 5 mins) used a micro-centrifuge (Eppendorf Model 5415D). At the same time lipemic specimen and pre-treatment samples were performed Anti-ds DNA antibody test (Anti-ds DNA kit, Trinity Biotech, Ireland). Statistical analysis were analyzed Pearson's correlation coefficients and regression and paired t-test, and Difference (%). Results: Experimental group 1 (Lipemic Specimen Anti-ds DNA Ab concentration ${\leq}7IU/mL$) at y=0.368X+4.732, $R^2=0.023$, Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.154, paired t-test (P=0.003), Difference (%) mean 65.7 and showed a statistically significant difference. Experimental group 2 (Lipemic Specimen Anti-ds DNA Ab concentration ${\geq}8IU/mL$) at y=0.983X+0.298, $R^2=0.994$, Pearson's correlation coefficient showed 0.997, paired t-test (P=0.181), Difference (%) mean -5.53 made no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Lipemic sample of low Anti-ds DNA Ab concentration (2.5-7 IU/mL) and the result is obtained pre-treatment (high-speed centrifugation: 14,000 rpm 5 mins) were made a significant difference statistically. Anti-ds DNA is one of the primary auto-antibodies present in patients with SLE, and remain an important diagnostic test for SLE. Therefore, we recommend preprocessing (high-speed centrifugation: 14,000 rpm 5 mins) in order to exclude the influence of lipemic specimen.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.133-144
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• 2016

In this study, Frequency Domain Reflectometry (FDR) and COSMIC-ray soil moisture (SM) stations were installed at Sungkyunkwan University in Suwon, South Korea. To provide reliable information about SM, soil property test, time series analysis of measured soil moisture, and comparison of measured SM with satellite-based SM product are conducted. In 2014, six FDR stations were set up for obtaining SM. Each of the stations had four FDR sensors with soil depth from 5 cm to 40 cm at 5~10 cm different intervals. The result showed that study region had heterogeneous soil layer properties such as sand and loamy sand. The measured SM data showed strong coupling with precipitation. Furthermore, they had a high correlation coefficient and a low root mean square deviation (RMSD) as compared to the satellite-based SM products. After verifying the accuracy of the data in 2014, four FDR stations and one COSMIC-ray station were additionally installed to establish the Soil Moisture site with FDR and COSMIC-ray, called SM-FC. COSMIC-ray-based SM had a high correlation coefficient of 0.95 compared with mean SM of FDR stations. From these results, the SM-FC will give a valuable insight for researchers into investigate satellite- and model-based SM validation study in South Korea.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.703-710
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• 2005

Data from Hanwoo steers and bull calves were analyzed to see the phenotypic and genetic relationships between carcass traits from four different covariance models. Four models fit test station and test period as fixed effect of contemporary group and sire as random effect assuming paternal half-sib relationships among animals. Each model fits one of linear covariate (s) of different slaughter end points-age at slaughter in the first order, age at slaughter in the first and second order, slaughter weight or back fat thickness at 12-13th rib of cold carcass. Age at slaughter in its second order was not significant. Age at slaughter accounted for signifi- cant amount of genetic variances and covariances of carcass traits. Heritability estimates of back fat thickness, rib eye area, carcass weight, marbling score and dressing percentage were 0.34, 0.22, 0.24, 0.42 and 0.18, respectively at constant age basis. The genetic correlation between carcass weight and the other variables were all positive and low to high in magnitude. Genetic correlations between back fat thickness and rib eye area and between marbling score and dressing percentage were low but negative. Variance and covariance structure between these traits were shifted to a great extent when these variables were regressed on slaughter weight or on back fat thickness. These two covariates counteracted to each other but they adjusted each carcass variable or their interrelationship according to differential growth of body components, bone, muscle and fat. Slaughter weight tended to decrease genetic variances and covariances of carcass weight and between component traits and back fat thickness tended to increase those of rib eye area and between rib eye area and carcass weight.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.401-410
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• 2003

This study investigates the biomechanical efficacies of various cement augmentation techniques with or without pressurization for varying degrees of osteoporotic femur. For this study, a biomechanical analysis using a finite element method (FEM) was undertaken to evaluate surgical procedures, Simulated models include the non-cemented(i.e., hip screw only, Type I), the cement-augmented(Type II), and the cemented augmented with pressurization(Type III) models. To simulate the fracture plane and other interfacial regions, 3-D contact elements were used with appropriate friction coefficients. Material properties of the cancellous bone were varied to accommodate varying degrees of osteoporosis(Singh indices, II∼V). For each model. the following items were analyzed to investigate the effect surgical procedures in relation to osteoporosis of varying degrees : (a) von Mises stress distribution within the femoral head in terms of volumetric percentages. (b) Peak von Mises stress(PVMS) within the femoral head and the surgical constructs. (c) Maximum von Mises strain(MVMS) within the femoral head, (d) micromotions at the fracture plane and at the interfacial region between surgical construct and surrounding bone. Type III showed the lowest PVMS and MVMS at the cancellous bone near the bone-construct interface regardless of bone densities. an indication of its least likelihood of construct loosening due to failure of the host bone. Particularly, its efficacy was more prominent when the bone density level was low. Micromotions at the interfacial surgical construct was lowest in Type III. followed by Type I and Type II. They were about 15-20% of other types. which suggested that pressurization was most effective in limiting the interfacial motion. Our results demonstrated the cement augmentation with hip screw could be more effective when used with pressurization technique for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. For patients with low bone density. its effectiveness can be more pronounced in limiting construct loosening and promoting bone union.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.47-56
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• 2014

Recently, the velocity of sea-level rising has increased due to the global warming and the natural disasters have been occurred many times. Therefore, there are various demands for the integration of vertical reference datums for the ocean and land areas in order to develop a coastal area and prevent a natural disaster. Currently, the vertical datum for the ocean area refers to Local Mean Sea Level(LMSL) and the vertical datum for the land area is based on Incheon Mean Sea Level(IMSL). This study uses 31 points of Tidal Gauge Bench Mark (TGBM) in order to compares and analyzes the geometric heights referring LMSL, IMSL, and the nationally determined geoid surface. 11 points of comparable data are biased more than 10 cm when the geometric heights are compared. It seems to be caused by the inflow of river, the relocation of Tidal Gauge Station, and the topographic change by harbor construction. Also, this study analyze the inclination of sea surface which is the difference between IMSL and LMSL, and it shows the inclination of sea surface increases from the western to southern, and eastern seas. In this study, it is shown that TGBM can be used to integrate vertical datums for the ocean and land areas. In order to integrate the vertical datums, there need more surveying data connecting the ocean to the land area, also cooperation between Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Administration and National Geographic Information Institute. It is expected that the integrated vertical datum can be applied to the development of coastal area and the preventative of natural disaster.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.733-741
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• 2008

In the present study, we comprehensively examined the associations of plasma levels of total adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin with the features of cardiometabolic risks including body fat distribution, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in a cross-sectional study of 110 treated hypertensive patients. Blood lipid profiles, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA- IR) derived from fasting glucose and insulin concentrations were determined. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were analyzed using ELISA. The results showed that plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin were negatively associated with body mass index (BMI, r = - 0.203, p < 0.05) and waist circumference (r = -0.307, p < 0.01), which was not shown in total adiponectin. Plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin were negatively associated with triglyceride (r = -0.223, p < 0.05) and positively associated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.228, p < 0.05). Plasma levels of adiponectin were positively associated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.224, p < 0.05). Plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin were negatively associated with hsCRP (r = -0.276, p < 0.01) and IL-6 (r = -0.272, p < 0.01). In addition, there were weak associations between plasma levels of HMWadiponectin and TNF-${\alpha}$ (r = -0.163, p = 0.07) and ICAM-1 (r = -0.158, p = 0.09). However, there were no significant associations of total adiponectin with inflammatory markers except hsCRP (r = -0.203, p < 0.05). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that only plasma levels of HMW-adiponectin was an independent factor influencing serum levels of hsCRP, a marker of systemic low grade inflammation, after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, alcohol intake, smoking status, blood lipids, total adiponectin and drug use (p < 0.01). These results suggest that HMW-adiponectin, rather than total adiponectin, is likely to be closely associated with the features of cardiometabolic risks in treated hypertensive patients and might be effective biomarker for the prediction of cardiovascular disease.