• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2004

The suitability of the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay as a test for the monitoring of genotoxicity of aquatic environment was evaluated. The SCGE assay was employed to detect DNA damage induced in clam (Spisula sachalinensis) exposed to a direct mutagen, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) or an indirect mutagen, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). The cells of gill and digestive glands were isolated from clam by homogenization, which was the optimized cell dissociation method, and the level of DNA damage was assessed and expressed as mean tail length. In the gill cells, significant dose- and time-dependent increase was observed in the mean tail length at the concentration from 0.01 to 0.5 ppm MNNG for 96 h. The linear correlation between relative dam-age index (RDI) values was suggested to provide criteria of genotoxicity monitoring for direct acting mutagen. The dose- and time-dependent responses of the digestive glands cells were less sensitive than those of the gill cells. In contrast, the genotoxic response resulting from the exposure of 0.01～1.0 ppm B[a]P to clam revealed a higher sensitivity in the digestive glands cells than the gill cells. The comparison between the time profiles of genotoxic responses in clam and carp, the latter had been obtained in our previous study, indicated that the metabolism of genotoxic compounds in the two aquatic organisms were quite different each other. We conclude that the SCGE assay has the potential as a screening test for routine genotoxicity monitoring of aquatic organisms because of its higher sensitivity and simplicity.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1300-1309
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• 2021

Objective: To assess the feasibility and reproducibility of pancreatic surface lobularity (PSL) quantification derived from abdominal computed tomography (CT) in a population of patients free from pancreatic disease. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 265 patients free from pancreatic disease who underwent contrast-enhanced abdominal CT between 2017 and 2019. A maximum of 11 individual PSL measurements were performed by two abdominal radiologists (head [5 measurements], body, and tail [3 measurements each]) using dedicated software. The influence of age, body mass index (BMI), and sex on PSL was assessed using the Pearson correlation and repeated measurements. Inter-reader agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland Altman (BA) plots. Results: CT images of 15 (6%) patients could not be analyzed. A total of 2750 measurements were performed in the remaining 250 patients (143 male [57%], mean age 45 years [range, 18-91]), and 2237 (81%) values were obtained in the head 951/1250 (76%), body 609/750 (81%), and tail 677/750 (90%). The mean ± standard deviation PSL was 6.53 ± 1.37. The mean PSL was significantly higher in male than in female (6.89 ± 1.30 vs. 6.06 ± 1.31, respectively, p < 0.001). PSL gradually increased with age (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). Inter-reader agreement was excellent (ICC 0.82 [95% confidence interval 0.72-0.85], with a BA bias of 0.30 and 95% limits of agreement of -1.29 and 1.89). Conclusion: CT-based PSL quantification is feasible with a high success rate and inter-reader agreement in subjects free from pancreatic disease. Significant variations were observed according to sex, age, and BMI. This study provides a reference for future studies.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.381-386
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• 2012

Nematode fauna in Dokdo island was investigated for two years between 2008 and 2009. Population density and biomass were $239,500m^2$ (26,000-836,000) and $103.9mg/m^2$ (3.0-388.6), respectively. Total of 31 species of nematodes were identified : Acrobeloides is the most important genus with prominence value (PV) of 117.8, followed by Rhabditidae (PV = 81.9), Prismatolaimus (PV = 39.0), and Aphelenchoides (PV = 31.4). Among feeding group, bacteriovorus nematode composed 77% of density and 62% of biomass followed by plant-parasitic and fungivorus nematodes. A species of Pratylenchus having distinctive tail terminus is under study as a new species. Biological indices, Shannon and Wiener index (2.46), Simpson's diversity index (0.86), Species evenness (0.73), Species richness (1.30) indicate that nematode fauna in Dokdo island is diverse and unique. This study may give a general idea of nematode fauna at the Dokdo island.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.93-106
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• 2020

Trade is an important economic activity. In particular, since the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the scope of trade has been expanding due to events such as the entry of China into the WTO in 2001, the establishment of a multilateral trading system, mitigation and integration of trade barriers, and the establishment of the free trade agreement (FTA). Despite the expansion of the trade market, however, extreme events such as the 2008 global financial crisis, the 2016 Brexit, and the 2018 US-China trade war have had a direct negative impact on the trade market. Therefore, the present this study analyzed the dependence structure between the international shipping freight rate index, a variable representing trade activities, and the trade uncertainty between the US and China. The following is a summary of the analysis results. First, the US-Chinese trade policy uncertainty and international shipping freight rate index presented a Frank copula and rotated Clayton copula 270° distribution, respectively, showing the same distribution structure for each country. Second, the Kendall's tau correlation revealed a negative dependence between the international shipping freight rate index and US-Chinese trade policy uncertainty. The degree of dependence was greater in the combination of uncertainty in China's trade policy and international shipping freight rates. In other words, the dependence of global demand and trade policy uncertainty confirmed that China was stronger than the US. Finally, the tail dependence results revealed that the US-Chinese trade policy uncertainty and international shipping freight rates were independent of each other. This means that extreme events related to the trade policy uncertainty or international shipping rate index were not affected by each other.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.1123-1129
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• 2015

A pair of two-way valves typically is used in automotive washing machines, where the water flow direction is frequently reversed and highly pressurized clean water is sprayed to remove the oil and dirt remaining on machined engine and transmission blocks. Although this valve system has been widely used because of its competitive price, its application is sometimes restricted by surging effects, such as pressure ripples occurring in rapid changes in water flow caused by inaccurate valve control. As an alternative, one three-way reversing valve can replace the valve system because it provides rapid and accurate changes to the water flow direction without any precise control device. However, a cavitation effect occurs because of the complicated bottom plug shape of the valve. In this study, the cavitation index and percent of cavitation (POC) were introduced to numerically evaluate fluid flows via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. To reduce the cavitation effect generated by the bottom plug, the optimal shape design was carried out through a parametric study, in which a simple computer-aided engineering (CAE) model was applied to avoid time-consuming CFD analysis and difficulties in achieving convergence. The optimal shape design process using full factorial design of experiments (DOEs) and an artificial neural network meta-model yielded the optimal waist and tail length of the bottom plug with a POC value of less than 30%, which meets the requirement of no cavitation occurrence. The optimal waist length, tail length and POC value were found to 6.42 mm, 6.96 mm and 27%, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.76-88
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• 2009

Back ground and Objective : There is a need for objectification and scientific verification of Pattern identification in Oriental medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the skin characteristics of Qi deficiency and Blood deficiency animal models. Material and Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: normal group, Qi deficiency group and Blood deficiency group. The Qi deficiency animal model was induced through restriction of food (75g/kg/day) for 20 days. Blood deficiency animal model was induced by bleeding from tail vein(0.3 ml/time) 8 times. The normal animal model was kept without any intervention. The general condition was observed by measuring body weight, body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and hematological and biochemical parameters. The skin characteristics were observed by measuring the erythema index(EI), melanin index(Ml), transepidermal water loss(TEWL) and dermal microcirculation. Results : 1. In the Qi deficiency group, body weight was lower than the other groups. In the Qi deficiency group, blood pressure was lower than in the Normal group. There was no difference in body temperature and pulse rate between the three groups. 2. In the Qi deficiency group, blood sugar was lower than in the Blood deficiency group. There was no difference in triacylglycerol between the three groups. In the Qi deficiency group, the WBC count was lower than in the Blood deficiency group. RBC count was highest in the Qi deficiency group, Normal group and Blood deficiency group respectively. In the Qi deficiency group, Hb and Hct were higher than the other groups. 3. EI and MI were decreased in the Qi deficiency group, and EI showed a significant decrease. 4. EI and MI were increased in the Blood deficiency group, and MI showed a significant increase. 5. TEWL was significantly increased in the Qi deficiency group, while it was decreased in the Blood deficiency group, TEWL was highest in the Qi deficiency group, Normal group and Blood deficiency group respectively and all three groups showed significant difference. 6. In the Qi deficiency group, dermal microcirculation was lower than the other groups. Conclusion : The above results show that the erythema index decreases in the Qi deficiency model, and the melanin index increases in the Blood deficiency model. The Qi deficiency animal model shows an increase in transepidermal water loss, while the Blood deficiency animal model shows a decrease. Further studies should develop new models of Pattern Identification that are more specific.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.325-335
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• 2013

The study was set for one year to measure the effects of concentrate supplementation on reproductive performances and semen quality in indigenous rams. The study was conducted at the Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during the period from May 2011 to April 2012. Forteen ram lambs (4~5 months) were randomly divided into two equal groups (n=7); supplemented vs control. The animals of control group were maintained on natural grazing. Along with natural grazing the supplemented group was on supplemented feeding. The concentrate supplementation (Wheat bran, Crushed maize, Soy bean meal, Fish meal, DCP powder, Vitamin mineral premix, Salt) was provided @ 300 g/head /day to the supplemented group. Body weight, scrotal circumference, BCS and libido index were measured weekly. Age, body weight and scrotal circumference at puberty were recorded. Semen was collected once in a weak using artificial vagina and chilled at $5^{\circ}C$ for 48h for evaluation. Concentrate supplementation did not influence (p>0.05) body condition score, age, weight, scrotal circumference at puberty and libido index. Final body weight (kg), growth rate (g/d), scrotal circumference (cm) and scrotal growth rate (mm/15d) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in supplemented group of rams compared to control. Volume, concentration, motility and membrane potentiality of spermatozoa were varied significantly (p<0.05) in supplemented and control groups. However, density, mass motility, viability and sperm with normal acrosome, midpiece and tail were not differed insignificantly (p>0.05) in different observation times. It was concluded that concentrate supplementation with free grazing improved weight and scrotal circumference gain and semen production with increased quality in indigenous ram.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 1995

Effect of cadmium on the early amphibian development was analyzed through FETAX (Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay: Xenopus). Embryos manifested concentration-dependent mortality and realformations; shortage of anterior-posterior axis gut realformation, ocular anomalies, bent notochord, misshapen dorsal fin, and derreal blisters. The treatment with 1.5ppm cadmium solution caused 100% mortality and concentration of lppm did not kill the embryos that caused 100% anomaly. The teratogenic index (TI = LC50 /EC50) was 2.8 indicating that $CdCl_2$ is teratogenic for Xenopus laevis. Embryos that were pulsetreated with at early to late blastula stage (St. 3-9) and mid to late blastula stage (St. 6-10) showed relatively strong resistance to cadmium, but the embryos treated at gastrula stage (St. 10-13) showed high mortality. And the embryos treated at tailbud stage (after St. 25) showed highest mortality of any other early stages. Effects of temperature were studied through pulse- treatment during gastrula stage at $20^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$. The embryos treated with 7.5ppm at $30^{\circ}C$ and 15ppm at $20^{\circ}C$ caused 100% mortality respectively, indicating that higher temperature had more severe toxic effect. One of the most peculiar effect of cadmium at gastrulation was distortion of the tail. The probable cause of toxic effect of Cd was discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.651-668
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• 2010

Various estimators of two risk measures of a specific financial portfolio, Value-at-Risk and Expected Shortfall, are compared for each case of 1-day and 10-day horizons. We use the Korea Composite Stock Price Index data of 20-year period including the year 2008 of the global financial crisis. Indexes of five foreign stock markets are also used for the empirical comparison study. The estimator considering both the heavy tail of loss distribution and the conditional heteroscedasticity of time series is of main concern, while other standard and new estimators are considered too. We investigate which estimator is best for the Korean stock market and which one shows the best overall performance.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2003

The gonadal development and the gametogenic cycle and the fine structure of ripe germ cells of the cultured Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas were investigated using oysters monthly collected from the southern coast of Korea from October 2000 to September 2001. Monthly changes in the condition index were similar to that of meat weight rate and the highest value was observed in between April and May, and the lowest value in August. The external colors of the testis and the ovary were milky white and yellowish, respectively. The spawning period of the Pacific oyster was continued from May to September, with a peak in July. The gametogenic cycle could be classified into five successive stages: multiplicative stage (December to March), growing stage (March and April), mature stage (April to June), spawning stage (June to August) and resting stage (August to January). Variety of egg yolk granules, lipid granules, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticula were observed in cytoplasm of ripe oocyte. The spermatozoon consisted of the head, middle piece and tail; including cap-shaped acrosome with domed structure, elliptical shaped nucleus, four mitochondria, two centrioles and flagellum.