• Title/Summary/Keyword: Correlation

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The Influence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Systemic Blood Pressure, Cardiac Rhythm and the Changes of Urinary (폐쇄성 수면 무호흡이 전신성 혈압, 심조율 및 요 Catecholamines 농도 변화에 미치는 영향)

  • Lo, Dae-Keun;Choi, Young-Mee;Song, Jeong-Sup;Park, Sung-Hak;Moon, Hwa-Sik
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.45 no.1
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    • pp.153-168
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    • 1998
  • Background: The existing data indicate that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome contributes to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction such as systemic hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias, and the cardiovascular dysfunction has a major effect on high long-term mortality rate in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients. To a large extent the various studies have helped to clarify the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea, but many basic questions still remain unanswered. Methods: In this study, the influence of obstructive sleep apnea on systemic blood pressure, cardiac rhythm and urinary catecholamines concentration was evaluated. Over-night polysomnography, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and ECG monitoring, and measurement of urinary catecholamines, norepinephrine (UNE) and epinephrine (UEP), during waking and sleep were undertaken in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients group (OSAS, n=29) and control group (Control, n=25). Results: 1) In OSAS and Control, UNE and UEP concentrations during sleep were significantly lower than during waking (P<0.01). In UNE concentrations during sleep, OSAS showed higher levels compare to Control (P<0.05). 2) In OSAS, there was a increasing tendency of the number of non-dipper of nocturnal blood pressure compare to Control (P=0.089). 3) In both group (n=54), mean systolic blood pressure during waking and sleep showed significant correlation with polysomnographic data including apnea index (AI), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), arterial oxygen saturation nadir ($SaO_2$ nadir) and degree of oxygen desaturation (DOD). And UNE concentrations during sleep were correlated with AI, AHI, $SaO_2$ nadir, DOD and mean diastolic blood pressure during sleep. 4) In OSAS with AI>20 (n==14), there was a significant difference of heart rates before, during and after apneic events (P<0.01), and these changes of heart rates were correlated with the duration of apnea (P<0.01). The difference of heart rates between apneic and postapneic period (${\Delta}HR$) was significantly correlated with the difference of arterial oxygen saturation between before and after apneic event (${\Delta}SaO_2$) (r=0.223, P<0.001). 5) There was no significant difference in the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias between OSAS and Control In Control, the incidence of ventricular ectopy during sleep was significantly lower than during waking. But in OSAS, there was no difference between during waking and sleep. Conclusion : These results suggested that recurrent hypoxia and arousals from sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome may increase sympathetic nervous system activity, and recurrent hypoxia and increased sympathetic nervous system activity could contribute to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction including the changes of systemic blood pressure and cardiac function.

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Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Isoniazid and Rifampicin in Korean Tuberculosis Patients (한국인 결핵환자에서 Isoniazid와 Rifampicin의 약동학)

  • Ahn, Seok-Jin;Park, Sang-Joon;Kang, Kyeong-Woo;Suh, Gee-Young;Chung, Man-Pyo;Kim, Ho-Joong;Kwon, O-Jung;Rhee, Chong-H.;Cha, Hee-Soo;Kim, Myoung-Min;Choi, Kyung-Eob
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.47 no.4
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    • pp.442-450
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    • 1999
  • Background : Isoniazid(INH) and rifampicin(RFP) are the most effective anti-tuberculosis drugs which make the short-course chemotherapy possible. Although prescribed dosages of INH and RFP in Korea are different from those recommended by American Thoracic Society, there has been few study about pharmacokinetic profiles of INH and RFP in Korean patients who receive INH, RFP, ethambutol(EMB) and pyrazinamide(PZA) simultaneously. Methods : Among the patients with active tuberculosis from Dec. 1997 to July 1998, we selected 17 patients. After an overnight fast, patients were given INH 300mg, RFP 450mg, EMB 800mg and PZA 1500mg daily. Blood samples for the measurement of plasma INH(n=15) and RFP(n=17) level were drawn each at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12hrs, and urine was also collected. INH and RFP level in the plasma and the urine were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Pharmacokinetic parameters such as peak serum concentration(Cmax), time to reach to peak serum concentration(Tmax), half-life, elimination rate constant(Ke), total body clearance(CLtot), nonrenal clearance(CLnr), and renal clearance(CLr) were calculated. Results : 1) Pharmacokinetic parameters of INH were as follows: Cmax; $7.63{\pm}3.20{\mu}g/ml$, Tmax; $0.73{\pm}0.22hr$, half-life; $2.12{\pm}0.84hrs$, Ke; $0.83{\pm}0.15hrs^{-1}$, CLtot; $17.54{\pm}8.89L/hr$, CLnr; $14.74{\pm}8.35L/hr$, CLr; $2.79{\pm}1.31L/hr$. 2) Pharmacokinetic parameters of RFP were as follows: Cmax; $8.93{\pm}3.98{\mu}g/ml$, Tmax; $1.76{\pm}1.13hrs$, half-life; $2.27{\pm}0.54hrs$, Ke; $0.32{\pm}0.08hrs^{-1}$, CLtot; $14.63{\pm}6.60L/hr$, CLr; $1.04{\pm}0.55L/hr$, CLnr; $13.59{\pm}6.21L/hr$. 3) While the correlation between body weight and Cmax of INH was not statistically significant (r=-0.514, p value>0.05), Cmax of RFP was significantly affected by body weight of the patients(r=-0.662, p value<0.01). Conclusion : In Korean patients with tuberculosis, 300mg of INH will be sufficient to reach the ideal peak blood level even in the patients over 50kg of body weight However, 450mg of RFP will not be the adequate dose in the patients who weigh over 50~60kg.

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The Evaluation of IL-8 in the Serum of Pneumoconiotic patients (진폐증 환자에서의 혈청내 IL-8 농도)

  • Ahn, Hyeong Sook;Kim, Ji Hong;Chang, Hwang Sin;Kim, Kyung Ah;Lim, Young
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.43 no.6
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    • pp.945-953
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    • 1996
  • Background : Many acute and chronic lung diseases including pneumoconiosis are characterized by the presence of increased numbers of activated macrophages. These macrophages generate several inflammatory cell chemoattractants, by which neutrophil migrate from vascular compartment to the alveolar space. Recruited neutrophils secrete toxic oxygen radicals or proteolytic enzymes and induce inflammatory response. Continuing inflammatory response results in alteration of the pulmonary structure and irreversible fibrosis. Recently, a polypeptide with specific neutrophil chemotactic activity, interleukin-8(IL-8), has been cloned and isolated from a number of cells including : monocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts. IL-1 and/or TNF-${\alpha}$ preceded for the synthesis of IL-8, and we already observed high level of IL-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in the pneumoconioses. So we hypothesized that IL-8 may be a central role in the pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis. In order to evaluate the clinical utility of IL-8 as a biomarker in the early diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, we investigated the increase of IL-8 in the pneumoconiotic patient and the correlation between IL-8 level and progression of pneumoconiosis. Method : We measured IL-8 in the serum of 48 patients with pneumoconiosis and 16 persons without dust exposure history as a control group. Pneumoconiotic cases were divided into 3 groups according to ILO Classification : suspicious group(n=16), small opacity group(n=16) and large opacity group(n=16). IL-8 was measured by a sandwich enzytne immunoassay technique. All data were expressed as the $mean{\pm}standard$ deviation. Results: 1) The mean value of age was higher in the small opacity and large opacity group than comparison group, but smoking history was even. Duration of dust exposure was not different among 3 pneumoconiosis groups. 2) IL-8 level was $70.50{\pm}53.63pg/m{\ell}$ in the suspicious group, $107.50{\pm}45.88pg/m{\ell}$ in the small opacity group, $132.50{\pm}73.47pg/m{\ell}$ in the large opacity group and $17.85{\pm}33.85pg/m{\ell}$ in the comparison group. IL-8 concentration in all pneumoconiosis group was significant higher than that in the comparison group(p<0.001). 3) IL-8 level tended to increase with the progression of pneumoconiosis. Multiple comparison test using Anova/Scheffe analysis showed a significant difference between suspicious group and large opacity group(p<0.05). 4) The level of IL-8 was correlated with the progression of pneumoconiosis(r=0.4199, p<0.05). Conclusion : IL-8 is thought to be a good biomarker for the early diagnosis of pneumoconiosis.

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The Variation of Natural Population of Pinus densiflora S. et Z. in Korea (VI) - Genetic Variation of the Progency Originated from Myong-Ju, Ul-Jin and Suweon Populations - (소나무 천연집단(天然集團)의 변이(變異)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究)(VI) - 명주(溟洲), 울진(蔚珍), 수원(水原) 소나무 집단(集團)의 차대(次代)의 유전변이(遺傳變異) -)

  • Yim, Kyong Bin;Kwon, Ki Won;Lee, Kyong Jae
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.38 no.1
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    • pp.33-45
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    • 1978
  • The purpose of present study is to analyze the genetic variation of natural stand of Pinus densiflora. In 1975 following after the selection of 1974, twenty trees from each of three natural populations of the species were selected and their open-pollinated seeds were collected, and the locations and conditions of the populations ate presented in table 1, 2 and figure 1. Some morphological traits of the populations were already detailed in our second report of this series, in which Myong-Ju and Ul-Jin populations were regarded to be superior phenotypically to suweon population. The morphological traits of cone, seed and seed-wing, and also the growth performances and needle characters of the seedling were observed in the present study according to the previous methods. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The meteorological data obtained by averaging the records of 30 year period (1931~1960) measured from the nearest meteorological stations to each population are shown in fig.2, 3, 4. The distributional patterns of investigated climate factors are generally considered to be similar among the locations. However, the precipitation density during growing season and the air temperature during dormant season on Suweon area, population 6, were quite different from those of the other areas. 2. The measurements of fresh cone weight, length, diameter and cone index, i.e., length to diameter ratio are presented in table 7. As shown in table 7, all these traits except for cone diameter seem to be highly significant in population differences and family differences within population. 3. The morphological traits of seed and seed-wing are detailed in table 8, 9, and highly significant differences are recognized among the populations and the families within population in seed-wing length, seed-wing index, seed weight, seed-length and seed index but not among the populations in the other observed traits. The values of correlation coefficient between the characters of cone and seed are given in table 10 and the positive significant correlations can be observed in the most parts of the compared traits. 4. Significant statistical differences among populations and families within population are observed in the growth performances of 1-0 and 1-1 seedling height of these progenies. But the differences in root collar diameter are shown only among families within population. As shown in table 13, the most parts of correlations are not significant statistically between the growth performances of seedling and the seed characters. 5. The number of stomata row on both sides of needle and the serration density were measured in the seedlings from each of the families of the three populations. As shown in table 15, statistical differences are considered to be significant among the populations and among the families within population in serration density but not among the populations in stomata row on both sides of the needle. The results differ from those of the third report of this series. Even if one of the reason seems to be the diversity of selected populations, it could not be confirmed definitely. The correlations between progenies and parents are not generally observed in the investigated traits of needle as shown in table 16.

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Effects of Molecular Weight of Polyethylene Glycol on the Dimensional Stabilization of Wood (Polyethylene Glycol의 분자량(分子量)이 목재(木材)의 치수 안정화(安定化)에 미치는 영향(影響))

  • Cheon, Cheol;Oh, Joung Soo
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.71 no.1
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    • pp.14-21
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    • 1985
  • This study was carried out in order to prevent the devaluation of wood itself and wood products causing by anisotropy, hygroscopicity, shrinkage and swelling - properties that wood itself only have, in order to improve utility of wood, by emphasizing the natural beautiful figures of wood, to develop the dimensional stabilization techniques of wood with PEG that it is a cheap, non-toxic and the impregnation treatment is not difficult, on the effects of PEG molecular weights (200, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, 2000, 4000, 6000) and species (Pinus densiflora S. et Z., Larix leptolepis Gordon., Cryptomeria japonica D. Don., Cornus controversa Hemsl., Quercus variabilis Blume., Prunus sargentii Rehder.). The results were as follows; 1) PEG loading showed the maximum value (137.22%, Pinus densiflora, in PEG 400), the others showed that relatively slow decrease. The lower specific gravity, the more polymer loading. 2) Bulking coefficient didn't particularly show the correlation with specific gravity, for the most part, indicated the maximum values in PEG 600, except that the bulking coefficient of Quercus variabilis distributed between the range of 12-18% in PEG 400-2000. In general, the bulking coefficient of hardwood was higher than that of softwood. 3) Although there was more or less an exception according to species, volumetric swelling reduction was the greatest in PEG 400. That is, its value of Cryptomeria japonica was the greatest value with 95.0%, the others indicated more than 80% except for Prunus sargentii, while volumetric swelling reduction was decreased less than 70% as the molecular weight increase more than 1000. 4) The relative effectiveness of hardwood with high specific gravity was outstandingly higher than softwood. In general, the relative effectiveness of low molecular weight PEG was superior to those of high molecular weight PEG except that Quercus variabilis showed more than 1.6 to the total molecular weight range, while it was no significant difference as the molecular weight increase more than 4000. 5) According to the analysis of the results mentioned above, the dimensional stabilization of hardwood was more effective than softwood. Although volumetric swelling reduction was the greatest at a molecular weight of 400. In the view of polymer loading, bulking coefficiency reduction of swelling and relative effectiveness, it is desirable to use the mixture of PEG of molecular weight in the range of 200-1500. To practical use, it is recommended to study about the effects on the mixed ratio on the bulking coefficient, reduction of swelling and relative effectiveness.

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A Comparative Study of Food Habits and Body Satisfaction of Middle School Students According to Clinical Symptoms (일부 남녀 중학생의 건강 관련 임상증상에 따른 식습관과 체헝관심도에 관한 연구)

  • Sung, Chung-Ja
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.34 no.2
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    • pp.202-208
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    • 2005
  • This study was conducted to examine the food habits, knowledge of nutrition and actual conditions of food ingestion of adolescent middle school students according to questionnaire answers. Questionnaires were completed by 524 students, divided into a healthy group (n=289) and an unhealthy group (n=235) according to clinical signs. Further questions were asked of the two groups in the areas of food habits, knowledge of nutrition and nutritional attitude. The results were as follows: Mean age of all subjects was 14, heights for male and female students were 162.0 em, and 157.2 cm, weights were 53.4 kg, and 49.4, respectively. Heights and weights of male students were greater than those of female students. The body mass index (BMI) for male and female students was 20.3 kg/$m^2$ and 20.0 kg/$m^2$, respectively, and all data were within normal ranges. There were no significant differences in mean age, height, weight, and BMI between the healthy and unhealthy groups. There was no significant difference in body image recognition between the two groups, although the ratio of dissatisfaction with their own body shape was significantly higher in the female unhealthy group (46.1%), than in the female healthy group (33.0%) (p<0.05). In the area of the struggle to control body weight during the previous year, the female unhealthy group (59.4%) was higher than the female healthy group (38.4%) (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in the scores between the two groups in the areas of knowledge of nutrition and the nutritional attitude. Meal frequency and meal patterns were showed that having breakfast less than 4x/week was significantly higher in the female unhealthy group (44.0%), than in the female healthy group (30.7%) (p<0.01). Meal frequency for suppers<4x/week showed that the female unhealthy group (18.8%) was also higher than the female healthy group (10.7%). Therefore, the unhealthy group exhibited a higher pattern of missing both breakfast and supper. The male unhealthy group (16.7%) dined out more frequently than the male healthy group (12.3%) (p<0.01), and female unhealthy group also indulged in snacking significantly more frequently than the female healthy group. The unhealthy group also ate only 1 item for meals more frequently than the healthy group and no significant difference. The conclusion of this study is that adolescent Korean middle school students, who showed a higher incidence of clinical symptoms, representing an unhealthy status, missed breakfast and supper, and dined out and indulged in snacking more frequently. Their quality of breakfast and satisfaction of body image were also lower than the healthy group. These results indicated that there is a high correlation between a Korean adolescent's health status, food habits and body image satisfaction. It is recommended that a more intense program of nutritional education and monitoring be introduce into the current Korean middle-school system in order to optimally support and maximize the health potential of the current population of Korean student.

Effect of Cassia tora L. Powder Added-Diets on the Accumulation of Cadmium in Rat (결명자 첨가식이가 흰쥐의 체내 카드뮴 축적에 미치는 영향)

  • 김성조;백승화;허종욱;김운성;이주돈;강경원;박성혜;한종현;정성윤
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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    • v.12 no.6
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    • pp.554-565
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    • 2002
  • The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of raw Cassia tora L. powder added-diets on reducing cadmium accumulation in rats. The experimental animals were Sprague-Dawley family(♂, 4 weeks) which was classified into normal group CN, compared group CS, Cd-added group Cl and groups C2, C3, C4 in which 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of the Cassia tora L. powder are added, respectively. The growth rate and food efficiency ratio, and the amounts of accumulated cadmium in rats for S weeks were measured and analyzed. The results are as follows; 1. The rates of weight gain decreased in the order of C3>C2>C4>Cn>Cs>Cl groups, and Cl group to which only cadmium water had been fed was the lowest among them. The correlation between groups Cl and C3 was significantly different at the 1% level. 2. Food efficiency ratio(FER) decreased in the order of C3>C2>Cs>Cn>C4>Cl, and the FERs of C3, C2, CS, CN and C4 are greater than that of Cl by 22.87, 19.59, 18.54, 14.20 and 13.17%, respectively. 3. As for the Cassia tora L. powder-added groups, the amounts of cadmium accumulated in organs and tissues, that is, the brain, heart, spleen, liver, lungs, testicles. kidney, femoral muscle and leg bones were 0.45 $\pm$ 0.04 to 0.83$\pm$0.04, 1.68$\pm$0.02 to 2.16$\pm$0.02, 3.26$\pm$0.05 to 4.62$\pm$0.27, 37.52$\pm$0.09 to 47.71$\pm$0.73, 1.07$\pm$0.10 to 1.66$\pm$0.04, 1.04$\pm$0.06 to 1.24$\pm$0.08, 36.79$\pm$0.20 to 39.61 $\pm$0.53, 0.87$\pm$0.02 to 1.00$\pm$0.02 and 0.65$\pm$0.17 to 1.27 $\pm$ 0.06 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g, respectively. 4. The accumulated Cd content for C4 was the lowest among Cassia tora L. powder-added groups. When the results for C4 are compared with those for Cl, it is observed that each cadmium content accumulated in the brain, heart spleen, liver, lungs, testicles, kidney. femoral muscle and leg bones is dropped by 49.03, 22.56, 36.02, 35.75, 41.75, 36.20, 37.00, 22.77 and 56.67 %, respectively. On the other hand. the accumulated Cd content increased in the order of brain

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A Study on the Effects of Support Service of Gyeonggi-do Cultural Contents Area Business Incubating Center on Corporate Performance: Focusing on the Business Validity of Business Start-Up Items (경기도 문화콘텐츠분야 창업보육센터 지원서비스가 입주기업 성과에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구: 창업아이템의 사업타당성을 중심으로)

  • Hong, Dae Ung;Lee, Il han;Son, Jong Seo
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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    • v.12 no.4
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    • pp.47-60
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    • 2017
  • As the recent cultural contents area start-ups are creating remarkable outcomes such as investment attraction together with the reinforced institutional supports from the government, this study aimed to reverify the significance of researches related to correlation analysis between service of Business Incubating Center of Small & Medium Business Administration operated with no separation of business type, and corporate performance, in the aspect of Business Incubating Center in cultural contents area, and also to suggest the importance of establishing the business incubating system in the systematic and rational cultural contents area through the differentiated business incubating service by verifying the significant effects of the business validity of items on corporate performance, and then discovering services suitable for business incubating in cultural contents area, targeting Gyeonggi-do cultural contents area Business Incubating Center recently showing the biggest growth. Especially, contrary to the existing researches, in order to verify the characteristics of Gyeonggi-do Cultural Contents Business Incubating Center, the personal support service and marketing support service were included. It also aimed to understand the effects of the business validity of start-up items on corporate performance. Summarizing the results of this study, contrary to the results of the existing researches saying that spatial & additional support service, management support service, technical support service, personal support service, and marketing support service had significant effects on corporate performance, among the support service of Gyeonggi-do cultural contents area Business Incubating Center, the spatial & additional support service, personal support service, and marketing support service had significantly positive(+) effects on corporate performance while the management support service and technical support service had no significant effects on it. Comparing with the results of the researches on the support service of Business Incubating Center(BI) of Small & Medium Business Administration, the effects of the management support service and technical support service of Gyeonggi-do cultural contents area Business Incubating Center on corporate financial/non-financial performance were not huge. Also, in the results of analyzing the business validity of star-up items, the spatial & additional support service, management support service, and technical support service did not have significant effects on the business validity of start-up items while the personal support service and marketing support service had significantly positive(+) effects on it. In case when selecting companies, Gyeonggi-do Business Incubating Center emphasized the business validity of start-up items. However, the support service provided after the selection did not have huge effects on the business validity of start-up items. Lastly, in the results of analyzing the effects of the business validity of start-up items in Gyeonggi-do cultural contents area on corporate performance, among the success factors of business start-up, the business validity of start-up items was an important element having effects on corporate performance(financial/non-financial) in the cultural contents area.

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Development of an Offline Based Internal Organ Motion Verification System during Treatment Using Sequential Cine EPID Images (연속촬영 전자조사 문 영상을 이용한 오프라인 기반 치료 중 내부 장기 움직임 확인 시스템의 개발)

  • Ju, Sang-Gyu;Hong, Chae-Seon;Huh, Woong;Kim, Min-Kyu;Han, Young-Yih;Shin, Eun-Hyuk;Shin, Jung-Suk;Kim, Jing-Sung;Park, Hee-Chul;Ahn, Sung-Hwan;Lim, Do-Hoon;Choi, Doo-Ho
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.91-98
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    • 2012
  • Verification of internal organ motion during treatment and its feedback is essential to accurate dose delivery to the moving target. We developed an offline based internal organ motion verification system (IMVS) using cine EPID images and evaluated its accuracy and availability through phantom study. For verification of organ motion using live cine EPID images, a pattern matching algorithm using an internal surrogate, which is very distinguishable and represents organ motion in the treatment field, like diaphragm, was employed in the self-developed analysis software. For the system performance test, we developed a linear motion phantom, which consists of a human body shaped phantom with a fake tumor in the lung, linear motion cart, and control software. The phantom was operated with a motion of 2 cm at 4 sec per cycle and cine EPID images were obtained at a rate of 3.3 and 6.6 frames per sec (2 MU/frame) with $1,024{\times}768$ pixel counts in a linear accelerator (10 MVX). Organ motion of the target was tracked using self-developed analysis software. Results were compared with planned data of the motion phantom and data from the video image based tracking system (RPM, Varian, USA) using an external surrogate in order to evaluate its accuracy. For quantitative analysis, we analyzed correlation between two data sets in terms of average cycle (peak to peak), amplitude, and pattern (RMS, root mean square) of motion. Averages for the cycle of motion from IMVS and RPM system were $3.98{\pm}0.11$ (IMVS 3.3 fps), $4.005{\pm}0.001$ (IMVS 6.6 fps), and $3.95{\pm}0.02$ (RPM), respectively, and showed good agreement on real value (4 sec/cycle). Average of the amplitude of motion tracked by our system showed $1.85{\pm}0.02$ cm (3.3 fps) and $1.94{\pm}0.02$ cm (6.6 fps) as showed a slightly different value, 0.15 (7.5% error) and 0.06 (3% error) cm, respectively, compared with the actual value (2 cm), due to time resolution for image acquisition. In analysis of pattern of motion, the value of the RMS from the cine EPID image in 3.3 fps (0.1044) grew slightly compared with data from 6.6 fps (0.0480). The organ motion verification system using sequential cine EPID images with an internal surrogate showed good representation of its motion within 3% error in a preliminary phantom study. The system can be implemented for clinical purposes, which include organ motion verification during treatment, compared with 4D treatment planning data, and its feedback for accurate dose delivery to the moving target.

Measuring Consumer-Brand Relationship Quality (소비자-브랜드 관계 품질 측정에 관한 연구)

  • Kang, Myung-Soo;Kim, Byoung-Jai;Shin, Jong-Chil
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.111-131
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    • 2007
  • As a brand becomes a core asset in creating a corporation's value, brand marketing has become one of core strategies that corporations pursue. Recently, for customer relationship management, possession and consumption of goods were centered on brand for the management. Thus, management related to this matter was developed. The main reason of the increased interest on the relationship between the brand and the consumer is due to acquisition of individual consumers and development of relationship with those consumers. Along with the development of relationship, a corporation is able to establish long-term relationships. This has become a competitive advantage for the corporation. All of these processes became the strategic assets of corporations. The importance and the increase of interest of a brand have also become a big issue academically. Brand equity, brand extension, brand identity, brand relationship, and brand community are the results derived from the interest of a brand. More specifically, in marketing, the study of brands has been led to the study of factors related to building of powerful brands and the process of building the brand. Recently, studies concentrated primarily on the consumer-brand relationship. The reason is that brand loyalty can not explain the dynamic quality aspects of loyalty, the consumer-brand relationship building process, and especially interactions between the brands and the consumers. In the studies of consumer-brand relationship, a brand is not just limited to possession or consumption objectives, but rather conceptualized as partners. Most of the studies from the past concentrated on the results of qualitative analysis of consumer-brand relationship to show the depth and width of the performance of consumer-brand relationship. Studies in Korea have been the same. Recently, studies of consumer-brand relationship started to concentrate on quantitative analysis rather than qualitative analysis or even go further with quantitative analysis to show effecting factors of consumer-brand relationship. Studies of new quantitative approaches show the possibilities of using the results as a new concept of viewing consumer-brand relationship and possibilities of applying these new concepts on marketing. Studies of consumer-brand relationship with quantitative approach already exist, but none of them include sub-dimensions of consumer-brand relationship, which presents theoretical proofs for measurement. In other words, most studies add up or average out the sub-dimensions of consumer-brand relationship. However, to do these kind of studies, precondition of sub-dimensions being in identical constructs is necessary. Therefore, most of the studies from the past do not meet conditions of sub-dimensions being as one dimension construct. From this, we question the validity of past studies and their limits. The main purpose of this paper is to overcome the limits shown from the past studies by practical use of previous studies on sub-dimensions in a one-dimensional construct (Naver & Slater, 1990; Cronin & Taylor, 1992; Chang & Chen, 1998). In this study, two arbitrary groups were classified to evaluate reliability of the measurements and reliability analyses were pursued on each group. For convergent validity, correlations, Cronbach's, one-factor solution exploratory analysis were used. For discriminant validity correlation of consumer-brand relationship was compared with that of an involvement, which is a similar concept with consumer-based relationship. It also indicated dependent correlations by Cohen and Cohen (1975, p.35) and results showed that it was different constructs from 6 sub-dimensions of consumer-brand relationship. Through the results of studies mentioned above, we were able to finalize that sub-dimensions of consumer-brand relationship can viewed from one-dimensional constructs. This means that the one-dimensional construct of consumer-brand relationship can be viewed with reliability and validity. The result of this research is theoretically meaningful in that it assumes consumer-brand relationship in a one-dimensional construct and provides the basis of methodologies which are previously preformed. It is thought that this research also provides the possibility of new research on consumer-brand relationship in that it gives root to the fact that it is possible to manipulate one-dimensional constructs consisting of consumer-brand relationship. In the case of previous research on consumer-brand relationship, consumer-brand relationship is classified into several types on the basis of components consisting of consumer-brand relationship and a number of studies have been performed with priority given to the types. However, as we can possibly manipulate a one-dimensional construct through this research, it is expected that various studies which make the level or strength of consumer-brand relationship practical application of construct will be performed, and not research focused on separate types of consumer-brand relationship. Additionally, we have the theoretical basis of probability in which to manipulate the consumer-brand relationship with one-dimensional constructs. It is anticipated that studies using this construct, which is consumer-brand relationship, practical use of dependent variables, parameters, mediators, and so on, will be performed.

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