• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.475-480
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• 2009

The transcription of soybean (Glycine max) calmodulin isoform-4 (GmCaM-4) is dramatically induced within 0.5 h of exposure to pathogen or NaCl. Core cis-acting elements that regulate the expression of the GmCaM-4 gene in response to pathogen and salt stress were previously identified, between -1,207 and -1,128 bp, and between -858 and -728 bp, in the GmCaM-4 promoter. Here, we characterized the properties of the DNA-binding complexes that form at the two core cis-acting elements of the GmCaM-4 promoter in pathogen-treated nuclear extracts. We generated GUS reporter constructs harboring various deletions of approximately 1.3-kb GmCaM-4 promoter, and analyzed GUS expression in tobacco plants transformed with these constructs. The GUS expression analysis suggested that the two previously identified core regions are involved in inducing GmCaM-4 expression in the heterologous system. Finally, a transient expression assay of Arabidopsis protoplasts showed that the GmCaM-4 promoter produced greater levels of GUS activity than did the CaMV35S promoter after pathogen or NaCl treatments, suggesting that the GmCaM-4 promoter may be useful in the production of conditional gene expression systems.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.spc
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• pp.57-65
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• 2014

Spatial and temporal distributions of zooplankton were measured in an oligotrophic pumped storage-type hydroelectric reservoir which was composed of two reservoirs exchanging water daily, with water going up at night and going down during the day. Repetitive diel disturbance of the water column can be a unique feature of this reservoir system. Chl-${\alpha}$ concentration was highest in the early winter season. Phytoplankton density was lower in summer monsoon due to high flushing rate on rainy days. The zooplankton density was higher in the smaller upper reservoir possibly due to lower fish density in the upper reservoir. In the seasonal variation a time gap was observed between the phytoplankton bloom and the zooplankton bloom (particularly a rotifer, Keratella cochlearis). It is likely to that Keratella production is partially supported by heterotrophic food sources than phytoplankton. The dominance of a mixotrophic dinoflagellate (Peridinium bipes f. ocultatum) might have complicated the trophic relationship between phytoplankton and zooplankton. Our results provide some ecological information of zooplankton community in a highly disturbed alpine reservoir ecosystem relying on mostly allochthonous organic matter.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.236-245
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of guava leaf extract (GLE) supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activity and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA in ovariectomized rats. Methods: All animals were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 7 for each group): non-ovariectomized control (Sham), the ovariectomized control (OVX), ovariectomy + 150 mg/kg b.w. of GLE ($OVX{\cdot}GL$), and ovariectomy + 300 mg/kg b.w. of GLE ($OVX{\cdot}GH$). Treatment groups were administered GLE for 8 weeks every day. Results: Body weight gain was significantly reduced in the $OVX{\cdot}GL$ group compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). The level of serum $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) was significantly lower in the OVX groups than the Sham group (p < 0.05). Serum triglyceride (TG) and HDL-cholesterol levels were not significantly different between all groups. However, serum total cholesterol (TC) level was significantly reduced in the $OVX{\cdot}GH$ group compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). Serum free fatty acid (FFA) level and liver TG level were significantly reduced in both $OVX{\cdot}GL$ and $OVX{\cdot}GH$ groups compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was significantly elevated in the GLE groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression level of GPx was not affected by ovariectomy. However, administration of GLE resulted in significantly increased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and catalase (CAT) mRNA expression levels in the liver (p < 0.05). In addition, liver nitric oxide (NO) level was significantly reduced in the $OVX{\cdot}GH$ group compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). Expression level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was significantly elevated in the $OVX{\cdot}GH$ group compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that GLE could have protective effects in OVX rats by stimulating eNOS expression and improving the antioxidant defense system.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.798-806
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation. The spleen is the largest organ of the lymphatic system and has an important role in immunity. Obesity-induced inflammatory responses are triggered by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) pathway signaling. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), major dietary glucosinolates present in cruciferous vegetables, have been reported to produce anti-inflammatory effects on various diseases. However, the effects of PEITC and DIM on the obesity-induced inflammatory response in the spleen are unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of PEITC and DIM on the spleen and their mechanism in high fat/cholesterol diet (HFCD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: We established an animal model of HFCD-induced obesity using C57BL/6 mice. The mice were divided into six groups: normal diet with AIN-93G diet (CON), high fat diet (60% calories from fat) with 1% cholesterol (HFCD), HFCD with PEITC 30 mg/kg/day or 75 mg/kg/day (HFCD+P30, HFCD+P75), and HFCD with DIM 1.5 mg/kg/day or 7.5 mg/kg/day (HFCD+D1.5, HFCD+D7.5). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze protein and mRNA levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, interleukin 6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), TLR2, TLR4, and MyD88 in spleen tissue. RESULTS: Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the HFCD group than in groups fed a HFCD with PEITC or DIM. Levels of NF-κB p65 protein and TLR2/4, MyD88, NF-κB p65, IL-6, and COX-2 mRNA were significantly higher in the HFCD group than in the CON group and were reduced by the PEITC and DIM supplements. CONCLUSIONS: PEITC- and DIM-supplemented diets improved splenic inflammation by modulating the TLR2/4-MyD88 pathway in HFCD-fed mice. We suggest that dietary glucosinolates may at least partially improve obesity-induced inflammation of the spleen.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.1-13
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine the main features of South Korea's New Northern Policy and to make some suggestions for cooperation with neighboring countries' initiatives. The New Northern Policy encompasses the whole of Eurasia, but the starting development area would be the border region of the Korean Peninsula. In this viewpoint, this study examines the Belt and Road Initiative of China, the New Eastern Policy of Russia and the Steppe Road Initiative of Mongolia, and presents the characteristics, problems and some implementation strategies of the New Northern Policy. Apart from the future possibilities of the regional cooperations that include North Korea, it would be necessary for South Korea to secure and expand the possible opportunities for "Korea-China-Mongolia-Russia" cooperation. In order to create a close cooperative environment with North Korea in the future, it would also be necessary to build a maritime route, with port development around major border regions on the Korean Peninsula, including Russia, and to develop the port-railway intermodal transportation system with neighboring countries. South Korea need to actively cooperate with neighboring countries to develop the new Eurasia logistics routes would be more favorable to the Korean Peninsula in preparation for the time when the North Korean nuclear issue will be resolved.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.131-138
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• 2019

The world's electricity production ratio is 40% for coal, 20% for natural gas, 16% for hydroelectric power, 15% for nuclear power and 6% for petroleum. Fossil fuels also cause serious problems in terms of price and supply because of the high concentration of resources on the earth. Solar energy is attracting attention as a next-generation eco-friendly energy that will replace fossil fuels with these problems. In this study, we test the charge-operation plan and the discharge operation plan for peak-cut operation by applying the maximum power demand reduction simulation. To do this, we selected the electricity usage from November to February, which has the largest amount of power usage, and applied charge / discharge logic. Simulation results show that the contract power decreases as the peak demand power after the ESS Peak-cut service is reduced to 50% of the peak-target power. As a result, the contract power reduction can reduce the basic power value of the customer and not only the economic superiority can be expected, but also contribute to the improvement of the electric quality and stabilization of the power supply system.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.325-332
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• 2018

Carotid angiography covering the aortic arch includes contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CEA), which is applied to a large region and usually employs contrast media. However, the use of contrast media can be dangerous in infants, pregnant women, and patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Follow-up patients informed of a lesion may also want to avoid constant exposure to contrast media. We aimed to apply time-of-flight (TOF) angiography to a large region and compare its usefulness with that of CEA. Ten patients (mean age, 58 years; range, 45~75 years) who visited our hospital for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) participated in this study. A 3.0 Tesla Achieva magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (Philips, Netherland) and the SENSE NeuroVascular 16-channel coil were employed for both methods. Both methods were applied simultaneously to the same patient. Three TOF stacks were connected to cover the aortic arch through the circle of Willis, and CEA was applied in the same manner. For the quantitative assessment, the acquired images were used to set the regions of interest (ROIs) in the common carotid artery (CCA) bifurcation, internal carotid artery, external carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, and vertebral artery, and to obtain the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for the soft tissues. Three radiologists and one radiological resident performed the qualitative assessment on a 5-point scale - 1 point, "very bad"; 2 points, "bad"; 3 points, "average"; 4 points, "good"; and 5 points, "very good" - with regard to 4 items: (1) sharpness, (2) distortion, (3) vein contamination, and (4) expression of peripheral vessels. For the quantitative assessment, we estimated the mean SNR and CNR in each of the 5 ROIs. In general, the mean SNR was higher in TOF angiography (166.1, 205.2, 154.39, 172.23, and 161.95) than in CEA(92.05, 95.43, 84.76, 73.69, and 88.3). Both methods had a similar mean CNR: 67.62, 106.71, 55.9, 73.74, and 63.46 for TOF angiography, and 67.82, 71.19, 60.52, 49.45, and 64.07 for CEA. In all ROIs, the mean SNR was statistically significant (p<0.05), whereas the mean CNR was insignificant (p>0.05). The mean values of TOF angiography and CEA for each item in the qualitative assessment were 4.2 and 4.28, respectively for item 1; 2.93 and 4.55, respectively, for item 2; 4.6 and 3.13, respectively, for item 3; and 2.88 and 4.65, respectively, for item 4. Therefore, TOF angiography had a higher mean for item 3, and CEA had a higher mean for items 2 and 4; there was no significant difference between the two methods for item 1. The results for item 1 were statistically insignificant (p>0.05), whereas the results for items 2~4 were statistically significant (p<0.05). Both methods have advantages and disadvantages and they complement each other. However, CEA is usually applied to a large region covering the aortic arch. Time-of-flight angiography may be useful for people such as infants, pregnant women, CRF patients, and followup patients for whom the use of contrast media can be dangerous or unnecessary, depending on the circumstance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.745-753
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• 2018

As the radiation is used in various fields, the number of radiation workers is on the increase and there has been an increasa in interest in the radiation worker's safety. In South Korea, it is focusing on securing safety of workers through KISOE system and owner's report. In advance study, We determined that in assessing the risks of securing safety for workers and businesses, the assessment of other items as well as exposure doses would be effective and develops the Radial Scale Analysis Model. So, data from the actual radiographic testing companies were applied to the radial scale analysis model to determine the risks of the actual companies. And, we selected 4 companies to confirm the applicability. Risk assessments of all 56 companies were conducted and improvements and inspections were anticipated for each company's problems. The results of the study are expected to be utilized by radiographic testing companies and regulatory for self-assessment and regulation criteria.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.385-413
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• 2019

This study examines the determinants of net export of electricity among 30 European countries sharing electricity grid during the period of 1990~2014 by separating the sample period before and after 2005 in which ETS was introduced in Europe. The empirical method used in this study is generalize least squared one considering both heterogeneous and serial correlation in the balanced panel data. According to the empirical results, after 2005 introducing the ETS, holing energy resources, concentrating only on few electricity generation resources, and nuclear electricity generation had played more important role in net export of electricity, while renewable energy had negative effect on net export of electricity and coal and gas generation have no effect on net export after introduction of ETS in Europe probably because of high environmental cost. The policy implication of the results would be that reconsidering each country's optimal generation mix strategy and its role in case freely trading electricity.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.329-338
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• 2019

Suction of unsaturated bentonite buffers is a very important input parameter for hydro-mechanical performance assessment and design of an engineered barrier system. This study analyzed suction measurement techniques and constitutive models of unsaturated porous media reported in the literature, and suggested suction measurement techniques and constitutive models suitable for bentonite buffer in an HLW repository. The literature review showed the suction of bentonite buffer to be much higher than that of soil, as measured by total suction including matric suction and osmotic suction. The measurement methods (RH-Cell, RH-Cell/Sensor) using a relative humidity sensor were suitable for suction measurement of the bentonite buffer; the RH-Cell /Sensor method was more preferred in consideration of the temperature change due to radioactive decay heat and measurement time. Various water retention models of bentonite buffers have been proposed through experiments, but the van Genuchten model is mainly used as a constitutive model of hydro-mechanical performance assessment of unsaturated buffers. The water characteristic curve of bentonite buffers showed different tendencies according to bentonite type, dry density, temperature, salinity, sample state and hysteresis. Selection of water retention models and determination of model input parameters should consider the effects of these controlling factors so as to improve overall reliability.