Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

ABSTRACTIn this study, we report experimental observations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results for two transparent polyimide (PI) systems that use 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) as the dianhydride monomer and bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl] sulfone (p‐BAPS) and bis[4‐(3‐aminophenoxy)phenyl] sulfone (m‐BAPS), which contain both ether (O) and sulfone (SO2) groups, as the diamine monomers. FT‐IR structural analysis clearly shows that the PI films used in this study were successfully synthesized and fabricated. In addition, the DSC and TGA analysis results clearly indicate that the PI film based on BPDA/p‐BAPS has a higher Tg and greater thermal stability than the PI film based on BPDA/m‐BAPS, which appears to be due to the structural differences in the benzene ring substitution of the diamine monomers on p‐BAPS and m‐BAPS. Additionally, the two PI films fabricated in this study exhibited relatively high transmittance, ranging from 85% to 87% at 500 nm. Finally, although small‐scale MD simulations were performed in this study, it was nonetheless confirmed that the overall motion of PI molecules and gases within the amorphous PI cell can be influenced by the structural characteristics of diamine monomers such as p‐BAPS and m‐BAPS.

Background/AimReplication factor C subunit 3 (RFC3) is a critical component of the replication factor C complex, which is essential for DNA replication and repair. Recent studies have highlighted the RFC3’s significance in various cancer types. Herein, we aimed to elucidate its biological role in cervical cancer.Materials and MethodsCervical cancer cells were transfected with RFC3 or control siRNA. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay over a 4-day period and its clonogenic potential was determined using colony formation assays. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate cell cycle distribution. Transwell migration and invasion assays were performed to assess the migration and invasion abilities of cervical cancer cells.ResultsRFC3 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell-cycle arrest, and decreased migration and invasion in HeLa and ME-180 cells compared to control siRNA-transfected cells.ConclusionThe crucial role of RFC3 in cervical cancer progression is highlighted. RFC3 knockdown resulted in decreased cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target in cervical cancer.

Simple SummaryThe contrast mechanism of electrical conductivity is preliminarily determined by the concentration and mobility of ions that make up tissues. Recent magnetic resonance-based conductivity imaging has been reported as a highly sensitive tool for measuring and evaluating the responses of normal tissues to irradiation. To evaluate and assess its therapeutic effects in clinical practice, it is required to verify the response of malignant tissues to irradiation. In this study, the responses of tumor tissues following irradiation were quantified and compared with the responses of normal tissues. Conductivity at high frequencies provides information on the changes in cellularity and the amounts of electrolytes inside tumor tissues, showing potential as an imaging tool for quantifying the therapeutic effects of radiation on tumors by measuring absolute values and calculating percentage changes. For clinical applications, the imaging results of large samples and statistical analysis of the relationship between conductivity changes and tissue responses are required.Ionizing radiation delivers sufficient energy inside the human body to create ions, which kills cancerous tissues either by damaging the DNA directly or by creating charged particles that can damage the DNA. Recent magnetic resonance (MR)-based conductivity imaging shows higher sensitivity than other MR techniques for evaluating the responses of normal tissues immediately after irradiation. However, it is still necessary to verify the responses of cancer tissues to irradiation by conductivity imaging for it to become a reliable tool in evaluating therapeutic effects in clinical practice. In this study, we applied MR-based conductivity imaging to mouse brain tumors to evaluate the responses in irradiated and non-irradiated tissues during the peri-irradiation period. Absolute conductivities of brain tissues were measured to quantify the irradiation effects, and the percentage changes were determined to estimate the degree of response. The conductivity of brain tissues with irradiation was higher than that without irradiation for all tissue types. The percentage changes of tumor tissues with irradiation were clearly different than those without irradiation. The measured conductivity and percentage changes between tumor rims and cores to irradiation were clearly distinguished. The contrast of the conductivity images following irradiation may reflect the response to the changes in cellularity and the amounts of electrolytes in tumor tissues.

Although gastrointestinal diseases are reported at various times throughout the year, some particular seasons are associated with a higher incidence of these diseases. This study aimed to identify the seasonal variations of peptic ulcer (PU), peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB), and acute pancreatitis (AP) in South Korea.We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study of all subjects aged >18 years between 2012 and 2016 using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment-National Patient Samples database, previously converted to the standardized Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership-Common Data Model. We assessed the overall seasonal variations of PU, PUB, and AP and further analyzed seasonal variations according to age and sex subgroups.In total, 14,626 patients with PU, 3575 with PUB, and 9023 with AP were analyzed for 5 years. A clear seasonal variation was noted in PU, with the highest incidence rate during winter, the second highest during spring, the third highest during summer, and the lowest incidence during autumn for 5 years (P < .001). PUB also showed significant seasonal fluctuations, with winter peak for 4 years, except 1 year, which had a spring peak (P < .001). However, AP showed no clear seasonal variations (P = .090). No significant differences in the seasonal variation of PU, PUB, and AP were observed according to sex and age subgroups (<60 years vs ≥60 years).Seasonal variation of PU and PUB should be considered when determining allocation of available health care resources.

Abstract This article analyses the utility and advantages of employing side letters in the investment chapter in Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs). Even thoughparties to a PTA often use side letters, particularly in relation to the investment chapter, the literature has paid little attention to their utility and advantages. This article develops a typology based on the three functions of the side letter (ie clarification, correction, and consensus on a new term) and explains the detailed letter exchange procedure of the letter exchange. It then discusses the three advantages (ie cost efficiency, flexibility, and transparency) of using side letter.

A funding agency, as a crucial agent in the government-sponsored R&D system, makes funding choices to enhance the output or outcome of the R&D projects in which it invests. This paper examines the impact a Korean funding agency can have to drive the output of R&D projects. Using a data set of 147 government-sponsored large-scale R&D projects, this study tests how choice variables of a funding agency or R&D consortium affect technological output. This study finds that a funding agency's choice variables - the amount of funding, duration, and the intensity of monitoring - are quite influential on the success score and the number of publications of R&D projects, but do not significantly impact the number of patent applications. The results suggest that the funding agency, as an innovation facilitator, needs to expand its entrepreneurial activities, including consulting toward commercialisation, besides its traditional tasks related to project evaluation and management.

ABSTRACT Numerous studies have investigated whether regulation substitutes for or complements internal governance. The results have been inconclusive due to their over reliance on agency theory and extensive use of demographic proxy variables to real board activities. We empirically investigate the relationship between government performance evaluation (GPEs) and internal monitoring by SOE boards in the context of Korean state-owned enterprises (SOEs), overcoming the limitations of existing empirical studies. This analysis is enabled by data collected from the 1,525 board minutes of 170 Korean SOEs. Our prior expectation is a substitutive relationship. First, the similarity of GPE and internal monitoring by the board makes the relative cost of internal monitoring more expensive. Second, GPEs only reward managers, leaving outside directors unpaid. The empirical results are consistent with our expectation, and indicate that even in heavily regulated SOEs, internal imperatives outweigh institutional pressure. Hence, policy makers should carefully design GPEs so as not to crowd-out the potential benefit of internal monitoring by SOE boards.