• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10917-10922
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• 2015

Background: This study was conducted to determine DEPDC1 expression in hepatocelluar carcinomas (HCCs) and to reveal its potential role in diagnosis and prognosis of affected patients. Materials and Methods: DEPDC1 expression at the mRNA level was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in 205 cases of HCC and paired adjacent normal liver tissues, and by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in 20 cases. Survival curves were obtained by using Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. Independent predictors associated with regard to disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were identified using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results: High DEPDC1 mRNA levels were detected in 144 out of 205 cases (70.24%) of HCC, significantly associated with clinicopathological parameters, including tumor size (${\geq}4cm$), alpha-fetoprotein (${\geq}100ng/ml$), B-C of BCLC stage and recurrence. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that HCC patients with high DEPDC1 expression had poor OS and DFS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high DEPDC1 expression was an independent predictor for OS (HR=1.651; 95% 95%CI, 1.041-2.617; p=0.033) and DFS (HR=1.583; 95%CI, 1.01-2.483; p=0.045). Conclusions: Our results indicate DEPDC1 might be a novel diagnostic marker and an independent prognostic predictor for HCC patients.

• Journal of KIISE:Software and Applications
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• v.29 no.1_2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2002

Evolutionary artificial neural networks (EANNs) are towards the near optimal ANN using the global search of evolutionary instead of trial-and-error process. However, many real-world problems are too hard to be solved by only one ANN. Recently there has been plenty of interest on combining ANNs in the last generation to improve the performance and reliability. This paper proposes a new approach of constructing multiple ANNs which complement each other by speciation. Also, we develop a multiple ANN to combine the results in abstract, rank, and measurement levels. The experimental results on Australian credit approval data from UCI benchmark data set have shown that combining of the speciated EANNs have better recognition ability than EANNs which are not speciated, and the average error rate of 0.105 proves the superiority of the proposed EANNs.

• East Asian mathematical journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.179-196
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• 2009

Let E be a uniformly convex Banach space and K a nonempty closed convex subset which is also a nonexpansive retract of E. For i = 1, 2, 3, let $T_i:K{\rightarrow}E$ be an asymptotically nonexpansive mappings with sequence ${\{k_n^{(i)}\}\subset[1,{\infty})$ such that $\sum_{n-1}^{\infty}(k_n^{(i)}-1)$ < ${\infty},\;k_{n}^{(i)}{\rightarrow}1$, as $n{\rightarrow}\infty$ and F(T)=$\bigcap_{i=3}^3F(T_i){\neq}{\phi}$ (the set of all common xed points of $T_i$, i = 1, 2, 3). Let {$a_n$},{$b_n$} and {$c_n$} are three real sequences in [0, 1] such that $\in{\leq}\;a_n,\;b_n,\;c_n\;{\leq}\;1-\in$ for $n{\in}N$ and some ${\in}{\geq}0$. Starting with arbitrary $x_1{\in}K$, define sequence {$x_n$} by setting {$$x_{n+1}=P((1-a_n)x_n+a_nT_1(PT_1)^{n-1}y_n)$$ $$y_n=P((1-b_n)x_n+a_nT_2(PT_2)^{n-1}z_n)$$ $$z_n=P((1-c_n)x_n+c_nT_3(PT_3)^{n-1}x_n)$$. Assume that one of the following conditions holds: (1) E satises the Opial property, (2) E has Frechet dierentiable norm, (3) $E^*$ has Kedec -Klee property, where $E^*$ is dual of E. Then sequence {$x_n$} converges weakly to some p${\in}$F(T).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.14.1-14.12
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• 2018

Background: Sheep production is a major component of the livestock sector in Ethiopia. The country owing to the large population of 30.70 million estimated numbers of sheep in the country and out of which about 72.14% are females, and 27.86% are males with diverse genetic resources. The real value of indigenous breeds was often under-estimated mostly due to their poor appearance and relatively low productivity. Developing countries in most cases opt for exotic breeds to increase animal productivity through crossbreeding or breed substitution without properly investigating the production potential of the indigenous breeds. The main objective of the research was to identify sheep flock composition and structure, farmers' traits of interest and breeding objective of Wollo highland sheep, and their $F_1$ crossbreed progenies. Results: Smallholder farmers' flock synthesized from breeding ewes, breeding rams, pre-weaned ewe lambs, pre-weaned ram lambs, unproductive ewes, castrated and fattened rams, with the percentage coverage of 29.2, 13.3, 15.5, 16.5, 12.4, and 12.5%, respectively. The maximum number of flock size was 289.0 sheep per flock and higher in the third stratum. The off-take rate percentage of the three strata presented as 21.9% in 1st stratum, 12% in the 2nd stratum, and 16.4% in the 3rd stratum and higher off-take rate recorded in the first stratum. Sheep producer's traits of interest ranked by growth rate (first), body size (second) and marketing value was third rank. Communal breeding (random mating), village based controlled breeding, mixed type and private ram controlled breeding practice were comprised of 39.7, 61.7, 52 and 71.3%, respectively. The percentages of ewes per flock composition were presented as 36.5, 27.1 and 25.5%, respectively in the 3rd stratum, 2nd stratum and 3rd stratum in the order of their importance's. Conclusion: Genetic improvement practices at smallholder sheep producers situation was showing promising outcome with indigenous Washera $F_1$ crossbred lambs and which designated for weaning rate, body size, marketing age, age at first lambing, good temperament and large litter size in the order of their rank. The contemporary breeding practice tendency indicated that, reduced flock size to improve flock productivity via crossbreeding practices.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.40-53
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• 2008

Groundwater pollution prediction methods have been developed to plan the sustainable groundwater usage and protection from potential pollution in many countries. DRASTIC established by US EPA is the most widely used groundwater vulnerability mapping method. However, the DRASTIC showed limitation in predicting the groundwater contamination because the DRASTIC method is designed to embrace only hydrogeologic factors. Therefore, in this study, three different methods were applied to improve a groundwater pollution prediction method: US EPA DRASTIC, Modified-DRASTIC suggested by Panagopoulos et al. (2006), and LSDG (Land use, Soil drainage, Depth to water, Geology) proposed by Rupert (1999). The Modified-DRASTIC is the modified version of the DRASTIC in terms of the rating scales and the weighting coefficients. The rating scales of each factor were calculated by the statistical comparison of nitrate concentrations in each class using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test; while the weighting coefficients were modified by the statistical correlation of each parameter to nitrate concentrations using the Spearman's rho test. The LSDG is a simple rating method using four factors such as Land use, Soil drainage, Depth to water, and Geology. Classes in each factor are compared by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test which gives a different rating to each class if the nitrate concentration in the class is significantly different. A database of nitrate concentrations in groundwaters from 149 wells was built in Keumsan area. Application of three different methods for assessing the groundwater pollution potential resulted that the prediction which was represented by a correlation (r) between each index and nitrate was improved from the EPA DRASTIC (r = 0.058) to the modified rating (r = 0.245), to the modified rating and weights (r = 0.400), and to the LSDG (r = 0.415), respectively. The LSDG seemed appropriate to predict the groundwater pollution in that it contained land use as a factor of the groundwater pollution sources and the rating of each class was defined by a real pollution nitrate concentration.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.51
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• pp.325.1-325.10
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• 2018

Background: To evaluate survival outcomes and prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who received sunitinib (SU) and pazopanib (PZ) as first-line therapy in real-world Korean clinical practice. Methods: Data of 554 patients with mRCC who received SU or PZ at eight institutions between 2012 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the targeted therapy, the patients were divided into SU (n = 293) or PZ (n = 261) groups, and the clinicopathological variables and survival rates of the two groups were compared. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the prognostic factors for OS. Results: The median follow-up was 16.4 months (interquartile range, 8.3-31.3). Patients in the PZ group were older, and no significant difference was observed in the performance status (PS) between the two groups. In the SU group, the dose reduction rate was higher and the incidence of grade 3 toxicity was more frequent. The objective response rates were comparable between the two groups (SU, 32.1% vs. PZ, 36.4%). OS did not differ significantly between the two groups (SU, 36.5 months vs. PZ, 40.2 months; log-rank, P = 0.955). Body mass index, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS > 2, synchronous metastasis, poor Heng risk criteria, and liver and bone metastases were associated with a shorter OS. Conclusion: Our real-world data of Korean patients with mRCC suggested that SU and PZ had similar efficacies as first-line therapy for mRCC. However, PZ was better tolerated than SU in Korean patients.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

This study is conducted to use the real-time ultrasound measurement data of Hanwoo as basic data being available to improvement. We used the ultrasound measurement data of 1,125 heads of performance tested cattle and the carcass data after castrating at about 12 months of age, fattened to 30 months, and then sold. For 921 heads of progeny tested cattle, we used test data and slaughter data. Heritabilities of ultrasound data for longissimus muscle area and backfat thickness measured at 12 months of age were estimated as 0.57 and- 0.41, respectively, and at 24 months of age, it was 0.57 and- 0.60, respectively, with high heritability. However, in estimation value of heritability containing ultrasound measurement for percent intramuscular fat, it showed low and medium heritability as 0.14 at 12 months of age and 0.22 at 24 months of age for each. The longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness, and percent intramuscular fat of ultrasound measure traits and longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness, marbling score of carcass traits genetic correlation of at 12 months of age were estimated as 0.616, 0.544, 0.501, respectively and at 24 months of age, it showed high genetic correlation as 0.894, 0.937, 0.263, respectively. As a result of ranking correlation between selection index by using weight, carcass traits at 12 months of age and selection index based on ultrasound measurement data which has high genetic correlation, in data of ultrasound measurement at 12 months of age, it showed high ranking correlation as that selection index of young bull was 0.140 and that of proven bull was 0.843.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.43-54
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore EMT-paramedic students' experience of simulation education and analyze the confidence before and after education, learning attitude and course evaluation. Method: Research survey was conducted on 38 EMT-paramedic students during November, 2011 and EMT-paramedic students' experience of simulation education was analyzed after applying head, spinal, and chest injury scenario. The confidence before and after education, learning attitude and course evaluation in gender were analyzed by Mann-Whitny U test and the difference of confidence before and after education was analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test and learning attitude & course evaluation were analyzed by evaluating frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation by using SPSS WIN 17.0 program. Results: 1. Students experienced various advantages such as increasing interest and self-reflection on learning, critical thinking ability, and EMT-paramedic-role experience and recognition of importance of teamwork. Students also pointed out disadvantages such as gap between real situation and simulation, limit of time and equipments, and burden of demonstration. 2. The confidence between before and after education, learning attitude and course evaluation in gender were not significant different statistically. 3. Confidence mean score elevated from 5.53(before education) to 5.87(after education), but the difference in their confidence did not show significant difference statistically. 4. Total mean score in learning attitude after simulation education was 3.70 out of 5.00, which is considerably very high. 5. Total mean score in course evaluation was 3.89 with score of 3.83 in evaluation in learning environment and 3.99 in evaluation of debriefing. Conclusion: The finding of this study demonstrate that the simulation education can provide a safe and repetitive practice environment, improve problem-solving ability and critical thinking, and increase the confidence in prehospital emergency care; therefore, simulation may be the new effective EMT-paramedic education strategy.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.4903-4929
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• 2018

In this study, a fully automatic pose and expression invariant 3D face alignment algorithm is proposed to handle frontal and profile face images which is based on a two pass course to fine alignment strategy. The first pass of the algorithm coarsely aligns the face images to an intrinsic coordinate system (ICS) through a single 3D rotation and the second pass aligns them at fine level using a minimum nose tip-scanner distance (MNSD) approach. For facial recognition, multi-view faces are synthesized to exploit real 3D information and test the efficacy of the proposed system. Due to optimal separating hyper plane (OSH), Support Vector Machine (SVM) is employed in multi-view face verification (FV) task. In addition, a multi stage unified classifier based face identification (FI) algorithm is employed which combines results from seven base classifiers, two parallel face recognition algorithms and an exponential rank combiner, all in a hierarchical manner. The performance figures of the proposed methodology are corroborated by extensive experiments performed on four benchmark datasets: GavabDB, Bosphorus, UMB-DB and FRGC v2.0. Results show mark improvement in alignment accuracy and recognition rates. Moreover, a computational complexity analysis has been carried out for the proposed algorithm which reveals its superiority in terms of computational efficiency as well.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.291-296
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• 2014

Objectives: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a side effect of bisphophonate therapy that has been reported in recent years. Osteoclastic inactivity by bisphosphonate is the known cause of BRONJ. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) plays an important role in the development of bone. Recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) is potentially useful as an activation factor for bone repair. We hypothesized that rhBMP-2 would enhance the osteoclast-osteoblast interaction related to bone remodeling. Materials and Methods: Human fetal osteoblast cells (hFOB 1.19) were treated with $100{\mu}M$ alendronate, and 100 ng/mL rhBMP-2 was added. Cells were incubated for a further 48 hours, and cell viability was measured using an MTT assay. Expression of the three cytokines from osteoblasts, receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Cell viability was decreased to $82.75%{\pm}1.00%$ by alendronate and then increased to $110.43%{\pm}1.35%$ after treatment with rhBMP-2 (P<0.05, respectively). OPG, RANKL, and M-CSF expression were all decreased by alendronate treatment. RANKL and M-CSF expression were increased, but OPG was not significantly affected by rhBMP-2. Conclusion: rhBMP2 does not affect OPG gene expression in hFOB, but it may increase RANKL and M-CSF gene expression.