• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2024

Alterations in DNA methylation play an important pathophysiological role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. We comprehensively profiled DNA methylation alterations in 165 Korean patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and conducted an in-depth investigation of cancer-specific methylation patterns. Our analysis of the tumor samples revealed a significant presence of hypomethylated probes, primarily within the gene body regions; few hypermethylated sites were observed, which were mostly enriched in promoter-like and CpG island regions. The CpG Island Methylator Phenotype-High (CIMP-H) exhibited notable enrichment of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). Additionally, our findings indicated a significant correlation between methylation of the MLH1 gene and MSI-H status. Furthermore, we found that the CIMP-H had a higher tendency to affect the right-side of the colon tissues and was slightly more prevalent among older patients. Through our methylome profile analysis, we successfully verified the methylation patterns and clinical characteristics of Korean patients with CRC. This valuable dataset lays a strong foundation for exploring novel molecular insights and potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of CRC.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.46-54
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the periodontal status of end-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis and referred for intraoral evaluation prior to renal transplantation surgery with those having normal kidney function. Materials and Methods: Patients who had been undergoing dialysis for end-stage renal disease and been referred to the Dental Clinic Center by the Department of Nephrology at University Hospital for intraoral evaluation prior to kidney transplantation surgery. For comparison of periodontal status, subjects without abnormalities in kidney function were matched with the patients by age and gender and selected as healthy controls. The patients' age, gender, comorbidities, type of dialysis received, and duration of dialysis were investigated by reference to their medical records, and data on their periodontal status were analyzed via the relevant periodontal records. Results: A total of 102 patients, including 51 dialyzed patients and 51 healthy control group subjects, participated in this study. In the patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis with periodontal probing depth of 5 mm or more, percentage of sites with clinical attachment level of 4 mm or more, percentage of teeth with bleeding on probing, number of missing teeth, and ratio of moderate to severe periodontitis were all significantly greater than in the healthy controls. Conclusion: The periodontal status of end-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis and referred for intraoral evaluation prior to kidney transplantation was worse than that of healthy controls.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.273-284
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• 2024

This study investigates the impact of international oil price fluctuations on overseas construction orders secured by domestic and foreign companies. The analysis employs statistical data spanning the past 20 years, encompassing international oil prices, overseas construction orders from domestic firms, and new overseas construction orders from the top 250 global construction companies. The correlation between these variables is assessed using correlation coefficients(R), determination coefficients(R²), and p-values. The results indicate a strong positive correlation between international oil prices and overseas construction orders. The correlation coefficient between domestic overseas construction orders and oil prices is found to be 0.8 or higher, signifying a significant influence. Similarly, a high correlation coefficient of 0.76 is observed between oil prices and new orders from leading global construction companies. Further analysis reveals a particularly strong correlation between oil prices and overseas construction orders in Asia and the Middle East, potentially due to the prevalence of oil-related projects in these regions. Additionally, a high correlation is observed between oil prices and orders for industrial facilities compared to architectural projects. This suggests an increase in plant construction volumes driven by fluctuations in oil prices. Based on these findings, the study proposes an entry strategy for navigating oil price volatility and maintaining competitiveness in the overseas construction market. Key recommendations include diversifying project locations and supplier bases; utilizing hedging techniques for exchange rate risk management, adapting to local infrastructure and market conditions, establishing local partnerships and securing skilled local labor, implementing technological innovations and digitization at construction sites to enhance productivity and cost reduction The insights gained from this study, coupled with the proposed overseas expansion strategies, offer valuable guidance for mitigating risks in the global construction market and fostering resilience in response to international oil price fluctuations. This approach is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic and foreign construction firms seeking success in the international arena.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.137-166
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• 2020

While South Koreans overseas travelling rate has been increased every year, domestic travelling rate has been at a standstill for several years. The purpose of this study is to analyze domestic traveling styles of Koreans according to their generations in order to provide generation-specific traveling services. For this purpose, we categorized the survey respondents into four different generations, which are Millennium (age 19~34), X generation (35~54), Baby Boomer (55~64) and senior by following the criterions of the Korea National Tourism Organization. After then, we analyze factors related to travel preparation process, the actual traveling activities and satisfaction after the travel. In this study, 16,713 data collected by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are used. The results of this study show that Korean people tends to acquire domestic traveling information from their own or acquaintances past experiences. Also, they do not prefer the organized trip for domestic travels, thus do not buy package products a lot. In addition, natural scenery, rich in cultural heritage, and convenient accommodation are the most important determinant factors affecting the overall travel satisfaction of level for all generations. The traveling characteristics for each generation are as follows. Millennium get traveling information from the internet a lot, and more specifically, they refer portal sites and social network services (SNS) in many cases. Also, they tend to travel in summer peak season to popular destinations and pursues active traveling experiences. Generation X has similar traveling patterns with Millennium, however they major transportation method is using their own car. Also, transportation convenience and satisfactory leisure activity are important factors affecting the overall satisfaction level to Generation X. On the other hand, Baby boomer generation has a greater emphasis on appreciation of nature, visiting famous restaurants, and relaxation, rather than actively participating experiencing programs. They travel evenly in summer and spring/fall season to many different areas instead of focusing on popular tourist spots. In addition, shopping and eating delicious food are the important factors affecting the overall satisfaction level for them. Lastly, Senior generation has similar characteristics with Baby boomer in many ways, however, they travel a lot on the same day using public transportations or car rental service. They prefer spring and autumn trips rather than summer peak season, and tend to buy packaged travel products a lot compared with other generations. If these different traveling characteristics of each generation are considered for organizing and customizing tourism services, it is expected that domestic tourism satisfaction level will be ultimately increased.

• Information Systems Review
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-19
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• 2017

Original scripts of e-learning lectures for the CEOs of corporation S were analyzed using topic analysis, which is a text mining method. Twenty-two topics were extracted based on the keywords chosen from five-year records that ranged from 2011 to 2015. Research analysis was then conducted on various issues. Promising topics were selected through evaluation and element analysis of the members of each topic. In management and economics, members demonstrated high satisfaction and interest toward topics in marketing strategy, human resource management, and communication. Philosophy, history of war, and history demonstrated high interest and satisfaction in the field of humanities, whereas mind health showed high interest and satisfaction in the field of in lifestyle. Studies were also conducted to identify topics on the proportion of content, but these studies failed to increase member satisfaction. In the field of IT, educational content responds sensitively to change of the times, but it may not increase the interest and satisfaction of members. The present study found that content production for CEOs should draw out deep implications for value innovation through technology application instead of simply ending the technical aspect of information delivery. Previous studies classified contents superficially based on the name of content program when analyzing the status of content operation. However, text mining can derive deep content and subject classification based on the contents of unstructured data script. This approach can examine current shortages and necessary fields if the service contents of the themes are displayed by year. This study was based on data obtained from influential e-learning companies in Korea. Obtaining practical results was difficult because data were not acquired from portal sites or social networking service. The content of e-learning trends of CEOs were analyzed. Data analysis was also conducted on the intellectual interests of CEOs in each field.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.279-294
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• 2024

Large-scale civil engineering structures such as dams require a systematic approach to jointed rock-mass grouting to prevent water leakage into the foundations and to ensure safe operation. In South Korea, rock grouting design often relies on the experience of field engineers that was gained in similar projects, highlighting the need for a more systematic and reliable approach. Rock-mass grouting is affected mainly by hydrogeology and the presence of discontinuities, involving factors such as the rock quality designation (RQD), joint spacing (Js), Lugeon value (Lu), and secondary permeability index (SPI). This study, based on data from field investigations of 14 domestic sites, analyzed the correlation between hydrogeological factors (Lu and SPI), discontinuity characteristics (RQD and Js), and grout take, and systematically established a design method for rock grouting. Analysis of correlation between the variables RQD, Js, Lu, and SPI yielded Pearson correlation (r) values as follows: Lu-SPI, 0.92; RQD-Lu, -0.75; RQD-Js, 0.69; RQD-SPI, -0.65; Js-Lu, -0.47; and SPI-Js, -0.41. The grout take increases with Lu and SPI values, but there is no significant correlation between RQD and Js. The proposed approach for grouting design based on SPI values was verified through analysis and comparison with actual curtain-grouting construction, and is expected to be useful in practical applications and future studies.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 2024

Evaluating carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) inputs from litterfall is important for soil nutrient management to enhance forest productivity and to understand the mechanisms of nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. This study was conducted to compare C and N inputs from litterfall components of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don an d Chamaecyparis obtusa Endlicher planted in adjacent sites in the Jinju Research and Experimental Forests in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. Litterfall into litter traps was collected at three-month intervals between December 2020 and December 2021, and the C and N concentrations of the litterfall components were measured. Litterfall amounts were not significantly different between the plantations, except for reproductive litterfall components. Litterfall accumulation peaked between December and March. The litterfall C concentration in the needle and seed litterfall was significantly higher for C. obtusa than for C. japonica. By contrast, the C concentrations in needle and flower litterfall differed seasonally. The mean N concentration of needle litterfall was significantly higher in C. japonica (0.96%) and C. obtusa collected between June and September (1.01%) than in the other seasons (C. japonica: 0.43%; C. obtusa: 0.53%). Carbon and N inputs in both plantations were highest in needle litterfall collected from December to March and lowest in needle litterfall collected from June to September. Annual C input by litterfall was similar between the plantations (C. japonica: 3,054 kg C ha^-1 yr^-1; C. obtusa: 3,129 kg C ha^-1 yr^-1), whereas total N input was higher for C. japonica (46.93 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1) than for C. obtusa (25.17 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1). The higher N input in the C. japonica plantation than in the C. obtusa plantation was associated with the input of reproductive components. These results could be applied to improve stand-scale models of C and N cycling by litterfall components in C. japonica an d C. obtusa plantations.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2024

Along with the high interest in electric vehicles and new renewable energy, there is a growing demand to apply lithium-ion batteries in the construction equipment industry. The capacity of heavy construction equipment that performs various tasks at construction sites is rapidly decreasing. Therefore, it is essential to accurately predict the state of batteries such as SOC (State of Charge) and SOH (State of Health). In this paper, the errors between actual electrochemical measurement data and estimated data were compared using the Dual Extended Kalman Filter (DEKF) algorithm that can estimate SOC and SOH at the same time. The prediction of battery charge state was analyzed by measuring OCV at SOC 5% intervals under 0.2C-rate conditions after the battery cell was fully charged, and the degradation state of the battery was predicted after 50 cycles of aging tests under various C-rate (0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5C rate) conditions. It was confirmed that the SOC and SOH estimation errors using DEKF tended to increase as the C-rate increased. It was confirmed that the SOC estimation using DEKF showed less than 6% at 0.2, 0.5, and 1C-rate. In addition, it was confirmed that the SOH estimation results showed good performance within the maximum error of 1.0% and 1.3% at 0.2 and 0.3C-rate, respectively. Also, it was confirmed that the estimation error also increased from 1.5% to 2% as the C-rate increased from 0.5 to 1.5C-rate. However, this result shows that all SOH estimation results using DEKF were excellent within about 2%.

• Clean Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2024

Jatropha oil extracted from the seeds of Nepalese Jatropha curcas, a non-edible crop, was used as a raw material and converted to biodiesel through a two-step process consisting of an esterification reaction and a transesterification reaction. Amberlyst-15 catalyst was applied to the esterification reaction between the free fatty acids contained in the Jatropha oil and methanol. The acid value of the Jatropha oil could be lowered from 11.0 to 0.26 mgKOH/g through esterification. Biodiesel was synthesized through a transesterification reaction between Jatropha oil with an acid value of 0.26 mgKOH/g and methanol over NaOH/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts. As the loading amount of NaOH increased from 3 to 25 wt%, the specific surface area decreased from 129 to 28 m²/g and the pore volume decreased from 0.249 to 0.129 cm³/g. The amount and intensity of base sites over the NaOH/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts increased simultaneously with the NaOH loading amount. It was confirmed that the optimal NaOH loading amount for the NaOH/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was 12 wt%. The optimal temperature for the transesterification reaction of Jatropha oil using the NaOH/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was selected to be 65 ℃. In the transesterification reaction of Jatropha oil using the NaOH/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst, the reaction rate was affected by external diffusion limitation when the stirring speed was below 150 RPM, however the external diffusion limitation was negligible at higher stirring speeds.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.89-102
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• 2024

Land Surface Phenology (LSP) plays a crucial role in understanding vegetation dynamics. The near-infrared reflectance of vegetation (NIRv) has been increasingly adopted in LSP studies, being recognized as a robust proxy for gross primary production (GPP). However, NIR v is sensitive to the terrain effects in mountainous areas due to artifacts in NIR reflectance cannot be canceled out. Because of this, estimating phenological metrics in mountainous regions have a substantial uncertainty, especially in the end of season (EOS). The topographically corrected NIRv (TCNIRv) employs the path length correction (PLC) method, which was deduced from the simplification of the radiative transfer equation, to alleviate limitations related to the terrain effects. TCNIRv has been demonstrated to estimate phenology metrics more accurately than NIRv, especially exhibiting improved estimation of EOS. As the topographic effect is significantly influenced by terrain properties such as slope and aspect, our study compared phenology metrics estimations between south-facing slopes (SFS) and north-facing slopes (NFS) using NIRv and TCNIRv in two distinct mountainous regions: Gwangneung Forest (GF) and Odaesan National Park (ONP), representing relatively flat and rugged areas, respectively. The results indicated that TCNIR v-derived EOS at NFS occurred later than that at SFS for both study sites (GF : DOY 266.8/268.3 at SFS/NFS; ONP : DOY 262.0/264.8 at SFS/NFS), in contrast to the results obtained with NIRv (GF : DOY 270.3/265.5 at SFS/NFS; ONP : DOY 265.0/261.8 at SFS/NFS). Additionally, the gap between SFS and NFS diminished after topographic correction (GF : DOY 270.3/265.5 at SFS/NFS; ONP : DOY 265.0/261.8 at SFS/NFS). We conclude that TCNIRv exhibits discrepancy with NIR v in EOS detection considering slope orientation. Our findings underscore the necessity of topographic correction in estimating photosynthetic phenology, considering slope orientation, especially in diverse terrain conditions.