The Global Economic Crisis, Dual Polarization, and Liberal Democracy in South Korea

This paper aims at a theoretical reflection on and an empirical analysis of the relationship between the global economic crisis and liberal democracy in South Korea. For this, we elaborate the concept of dual polarization and construct a model of path analysis which includes such variables as socio-economic and political-ideological cleavage, political party affiliation, ideological orientation, economic (crisis) outlook, and support for an autocratic presidential rule as potential threats to liberal democracy. Descriptively, the paper examines how liberal democracy has unfolded and where South Korea stands today with regard to the quality of her democracy. Analytically, the paper examines where the potential threat to liberal democracy comes from based on a general population survey in Korea from 2014. The major findings of our analysis include: 1) The support for autocratic presidential power is stronger among citizens than among MPs. 2) Political party affiliation, ideological orientation, and economic (crisis) outlook are closely interrelated and significantly affected by the political-ideological cleavage. All independent variables contribute to explaining support for an autocratic presidential rule. 3) Yet there also exists strong support for a democratic regime among both MPs and citizens

Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke during Sleep in Apneic Patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The literature indicates that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of ischemic stroke. However, the causal relationship between OSA and ischemic stroke is not well established. This study examined whether preexisting OSA symptoms affect the onset of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS:We investigated consecutive patients who were admitted with acute ischemic stroke, using a standardized protocol including the Berlin Questionnaire on symptoms of OSA prior to stroke. The collected stroke data included the time of the stroke onset, risk factors, and etiologic subtypes. The association between preceding OSA symptoms and wake-up stroke (WUS) was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS:We identified 260 subjects with acute ischemic strokes with a definite onset time, of which 25.8% were WUS. The presence of preexisting witnessed or self-recognized sleep apnea was the only risk factor for WUS (adjusted odds ratio=2.055, 95% confidence interval=1.035-4.083, p=0.040). CONCLUSIONS:Preexisting symptoms suggestive of OSA were associated with the occurrence of WUS. This suggests that OSA contributes to ischemic stroke not only as a predisposing risk factor but also as a triggering factor. Treating OSA might therefore be beneficial in preventing stroke, particularly that occurring during sleep

Vav1 inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption

Vav1 is a Rho/Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor primarily expressed in hematopoietic cells. In this study, we investigated the potential role of Vav1 in osteoclast (OC) differentiation by comparing the ability of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) obtained from Vav1-deficient (Vav1−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice to differentiate into mature OCs upon stimulation with macrophage colony stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear kappa B ligand in vitro. Our results suggested that Vav1 deficiency promoted the differentiation of BMMCs into OCs, as indicated by the increased expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, and calcitonin receptor. Therefore, Vav1 may play a negative role in OC differentiation. This hypothesis was supported by the observation of more OCs in the femurs of Vav1−/− mice than in WT mice. Furthermore, the bone status of Vav1−/− mice was analyzed in situ and the femurs of Vav1−/− mice appeared abnormal, with poor bone density and fewer number of trabeculae. In addition, Vav1-deficient OCs showed stronger adhesion to vitronectin, an αvβ3 integrin ligand important in bone resorption. Thus, Vav1 may inhibit OC differentiation and protect against bone resorption

ADADA 2016 14TH international Conference for Asia Digital Art and Design Association - Relationship between perceived value in Omni-Channel Shopping and repurchase intention

Along with the development of ICT, the distribution strategy of existing companies has been changing to the ‘Omni-Channel’ strategy. According to the diversification of distribution channels, the value of customer shopping has also been changing. Consumers that shop within various distribution channels want to acquire benefits through new and diversified experiences. Thus, it is important to perform studies on whether continuous purchase is possible by continuing from values that are being satisfied by certain elements of the Omni-Channel by grasping the cognition of consumers. This study identifies the characteristics of Omni-Channel consumption, perceived usefulness through the ease-of-use by consumers, and relationships with repurchase intention. This study provides a theoretical basis to activate the Omni-Channel which may satisfy the demand of consumers by setting causal relationship between each element by conducting a survey

The lipoxygenase gene family: a genomic fossil of shared polyploidy between Glycine max and Medicago truncatula

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Soybean lipoxygenases (<it>Lxs</it>) play important roles in plant resistance and in conferring the distinct bean flavor. <it>Lxs </it>comprise a multi-gene family that includes <it>GmLx1</it>, <it>GmLx2 </it>and <it>GmLx3</it>, and many of these genes have been characterized. We were interested in investigating the relationship between the soybean lipoxygenase isozymes from an evolutionary perspective, since soybean has undergone two rounds of polyploidy. Here we report the tetrad genome structure of soybean <it>Lx </it>regions produced by ancient and recent polyploidy. Also, comparative genomics with <it>Medicago truncatula </it>was performed to estimate <it>Lxs </it>in the common ancestor of soybean and <it>Medicago</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two <it>Lx </it>regions in <it>Medicago truncatula </it>showing synteny with soybean were analyzed. Differential evolutionary rates between soybean and <it>Medicago </it>were observed and the median Ks values of Mt-Mt, Gm-Mt, and Gm-Gm paralogs were determined to be 0.75, 0.62, and 0.46, respectively. Thus the comparison of Gm-Mt paralogs (Ks = 0.62) and Gm-Mt orthologs (Ks = 0.45) supports the ancient duplication of <it>Lx </it>regions in the common ancestor prior to the <it>Medicago</it>-<it>Glycine </it>split. After speciation, no <it>Lx </it>regions generated by another polyploidy were identified in <it>Medicago</it>. Instead tandem duplication of <it>Lx </it>genes was observed. On the other hand, a lineage-specific duplication occurred in soybean resulting in two pairs of <it>Lx </it>regions. Each pair of soybean regions was co-orthologous to one <it>Lx </it>region in <it>Medicago</it>. A total of 34 <it>Lx </it>genes (15 <it>MtLxs </it>and 19 <it>GmLxs) </it>were divided into two groups by phylogenetic analysis. Our study shows that the <it>Lx </it>gene family evolved from two distinct <it>Lx </it>genes in the most recent common ancestor.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study analyzed two pairs of <it>Lx </it>regions generated by two rounds of polyploidy in soybean. Each pair of soybean homeologous regions is co-orthologous to one region of <it>Medicago</it>, demonstrating the quartet structure of the soybean genome. Differential evolutionary rates between soybean and <it>Medicago </it>were observed; thus optimized rates of Ks per year should be applied for accurate estimation of coalescence times to each case of comparison: soybean-soybean, soybean-<it>Medicago</it>, or <it>Medicago</it>-<it>Medicago</it>. In conclusion, the soybean <it>Lx </it>gene family expanded by ancient polyploidy prior to taxon divergence, followed by a soybean- specific duplication and tandem duplications, respectively.</p