Using DNA microarray technology, we identified changes in expression of 18 genes during renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat. We confirmed changes in five genes (fibronectin, ADAM2, cyp 2d6, HO-1 and PPARgamma) by quantitative real-time PCR. Several genes, not previously been identified as playing a role in ischemic ARF, may have importance in this disease.

This study aimed at developing an artificial-neural-network (ANN)-based model that can calculate the required time for restoring the current indoor temperature during the setback period in accommodation buildings to the normal set-point temperature in the cooling season. By applying the calculated time in the control logic, the operation of the cooling system can be predetermined to condition the indoor temperature comfortably in a more energy-efficient manner. Three major steps employing the numerical computer simulation method were conducted for developing an ANN model and testing its prediction performance. In the development process, the initial ANN model was determined to have input neurons that had a significant statistical relationship with the output neuron. In addition, the structure of the ANN model and learning methods were optimized through the parametrical analysis of the prediction performance. Finally, through the performance tests in terms of prediction accuracy, the optimized ANN model presented a lower mean biased error (MBE) rate between the simulation and prediction results under generally accepted levels. Thus, the developed ANN model was proven to have the potential to be applied to thermal control logic.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship among the mother's knowledge of infant development, mother's parenting stress, maternal parenting behavior and infant development. Participations in this study included 2078 infants(1056 boys, 1022 girls) and their mother. The major results of this study were as follows: First mother's knowledge of infants showed positive effects on maternal parenting behaviors, and mother's parenting stress showed negative effects on maternal parenting behaviors. Second, maternal parenting behaviors and mother's knowledge of infants showed positive effect on infant development. But maternal parenting stress didn't show direct effect on infant development. In conclusion, maternal parenting behaviors partially mediated between mother's knowledge of infants and infant development, and fully mediated between mother's parenting stress and infant development.

The purposes of this study was to investigate the relationship and interaction between infant temperament, development, mother's parenting stress and social support on mother's self-efficacy. Participants in this study included 1610 infants (825 boys, 785 girls) and their mothers. The major findings of this study were as follows: First, infant temperament demonstrated a direct relationship to mother's self-efficacy. Lower levels of infant temperament indicated lower levels of self-efficacy, and higher levels of infant temperament indicated higher levels of self-efficacy. Second, infant development demonstrated a direct relationship to mother's self-efficacy. Greater communicative and social interaction between mother and child demonstrated a higher level of maternal self-efficacy. Third, mothers' parenting stress demonstrated a direct relationship to mother's self-efficacy. Higher levels of parenting stress demonstrated lower levels of maternal self-efficacy. Forth, Social support demonstrated a direct relationship to mother's self-efficacy. Greater levels of social support demonstrated lower level of maternal self-efficacy. Fifth, the greatest single relationship effecting mother's self-efficacy was mother's parenting stress. This research suggests the need for development of diverse social policies and programs to help mothers reduce maternal parenting stress and support the development of positive parenting skills with the goal of boosting mother's self-efficacy.

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