• Title/Summary/Keyword: Evaluation of System Level

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Evaluation of Potential Biomarkers for Thioacetamide-induced Hepatotoxicity using siRNA

  • Kang, Jin-Seok;Yum, Young-Na;Han, Eui-Sik;Kim, Joo-Hwan;Lee, Eun-Mi;Ryu, Doug-Young;Kim, Young-Hee;Yang, Sung-Hee;Kim, Seung-Hee;Park, Sue-Nie
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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    • v.16 no.3
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    • pp.197-202
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    • 2008
  • In our previous publication we compared the gene expression profiles on hepatotoxicants exposure to assess the comparability between in vivo and in vitro test systems. We investigated global gene expression from both mouse liver and mouse hepatic cell line treated with thioacetamide (TAA) and identified several common genes. In this study, we selected genes to validate them as potential biomarkers for hepatotoxicity on the relevance of in vitro and in vivo system. Three up-regulated, aquaporin 8 (Aqp8), glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1), succinate-CoA ligase, GDP-forming, alpha subunit (Suclg1) and two down-regulated, DnaJ (Hsp40) homolog subfamily C member 5 (Dnajc5) and tumor protein D52 (Tpd52) genes were tested for their effects in vitro. For characterization of gene function, short interfering RNA (siRNA) for each gene was synthesized and transfected in mouse hepatic cell line, BNL CL.2. Cell viability, mRNA expression level and morphological alterations were investigated. We confirmed siRNA transfection against selected five genes induced down-regulation of respective mRNA expression. siRNA transfection in general decreased cell viability in different degrees and induced morphological changes such as membrane thickening and alterations of intracellular structures. This suggests that these genes could be associated with TAA-induced toxicity. Furthermore, these genes may be used in the investigation of hepatotoxicity for better understanding of its mechanism.

Hydrological Studies on the flood and Risk of failure of the Hydraulic Structures(Ⅰ) -On the annual maximum series- (水利構造物의 破壞危險度와 設計洪水量에 관한 水文學的 硏究(Ⅰ) -年最高値 系列을 中心으로-)

  • Lee, Soon-Hyuk;Park, Myeong-Keun
    • Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.23-37
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    • 1985
  • This studies were carried out to get characteristics of frequency distribution, probable flood flows according to the return periods, and the correlation between return periods and those length of records affect the Risk of failure in the annual maximum series of the main river systems in Korea. Especially, Risk analysis according to the levels were emphasized in relation to the design frequency factors for the different watersheds. Twelve watersheds along Han, Geum, Nak Dong, Yeong San and Seom Jin river basin were selected as studying basins. The results were analyzed and summarized as follows. 1. Type 1 extremal distribution was newly confirmed as a good fitted distribution at selected watersheds along Geum and Yeong San river basin. Three parameter lognormal Seom Jin river basin. Consequently, characteristics of frequency distribution for the extreme value series could be changed in connection with the watershed location even the same river system judging from the results so far obtained by author. 2. Evaluation of parameters for Type 1 extremal and three parameter lognormal distribution based on the method of moment by using an electronic computer. 3. Formulas for the probable flood flows were derived for the three parameter lognormal and Type 1 extremal distribution. 4. Equations for the risk to failure could be simplified as $\frac{n}{N+n}$ and $\frac{n}{T}$ under the condition of non-parametric method and the longer return period than the life of project, respectively. 5. Formulas for the return periods in relation to frequency factors were derived by the least square method for the three parameter lognormal and Type 1 extremal distribution. 6. The more the length of records, the lesser the risk of failure, and it was appeared that the risk of failure was increasing in propotion to the length of return periods even same length of records. 7. Empirical formulas for design frequency factors were derived from under the condition of the return periods identify with the life of Hydraulic structure in relation to the risk level. 8. Design frequency factor was appeared to be increased in propotion to the return periods while it is in inverse proportion to the levels of the risk of failure. 9. Derivation of design flood including the risk of failure could be accomplished by using of emprical formulas for the design frequency factor for each watershed.

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Analysis of Factors Affecting on Satisfaction of Pharmacy Service (약국서비스 만족에 영향을 미치는 요인 분석 - 환자체감시간과 실 조제시간 비교를 중심으로 -)

  • Park, Seong-Hi;Suh, Jun-Kyu;Yoon, Hye-Seol;Hong, Jin-Young;Park, Gun-Je
    • Quality Improvement in Health Care
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.202-215
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    • 1998
  • Purpose : To shorten processing time for variety of medical affairs of the patient at the outpatient clinic of a big hospital is very important to qualify medical care of the patient. Therefore, patient's waiting time for drug delivery after doctor's prescription is often utilized as a strong tool to evaluate patient satisfaction with a medical care provided. We performed this study to investigate factors influencing patient satisfaction related with waiting time for drug delivery. Methods : The data were collected from July 21 to August 12, 1998. A total 535 patients or their families who visited outpatient clinics of Inha University Hospital were subjected to evaluate the drug delivery time and the level of their satisfaction related, which were compared with those objectively evaluated by Quality Improvement Team. The reliability of the scale was tested with Cronbach's alpha, and the data were analyzed using frequency, t-test, ANOVA, correlation analysis and multiple regression. Results : The mean drug delivery time subjectively evaluated by the patient (16.1 13.0 min) was longer than that objectively evaluated (10.9 7.6 min) by 5.2 min. Drug delivery time objectively evaluated was influenced by the prescription contents, total amount or type of drug dispensed, etc, as expected. The time discrepancy between two evaluations was influenced by several causative factors. One of those proved to be a patient's late response to the information from the pharmacy which the drug is ready to deliver. Interestingly, this discrepancy was found to be more prominent especially when waiting place for drug delivery was not less crowded. Other factors, pharmaceutical counseling at the pharmacy, emotional status or behavior of a patient while he waits for the medicine, were also found to influence the time subjectively evaluated. Regarding the degree of patient satisfaction with the drug delivery, majority of patients accepted drug delivery time with less than 10 min. It was also found to be influenced by emotional status of the patient as well as kindness or activity of pharmaceutical counselor. Conclusion : The results show that, besides prescription contents, behavior pattern or emotional status of a patient, environment of the waiting place, and quality of pharmaceutical counseling at the pharmacy, may influence the patient's subjective evaluation of waiting time for drug delivery and his satisfaction related with the service in the big hospital. In order to improve patient satisfaction related with waiting time for drug delivery, it will be cost effective to qualify pharmaceutical counseling and information system at the drug delivery site or waiting place rather than to shorten the real processing time within the pharmacy.

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Korean consumers' attitudes towards organic labels and country-of-origin of organic foods

  • Lee, Hye-Kyoung;Cho, Young-Sang
    • Journal of Distribution Science
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.49-59
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    • 2011
  • Although the South Korean organic food market is in the infancy compared to other industrialized countries, Korean consumers'interest in organic food and retail stores devoting space to organic products have been rapidly increasing. Despite the fact of organic food popularity, the term "organic" is interpreted differently by individuals. As opposed to the US, Japan and the EU where have operated an integrated organic food labelling system, Korea has adopted complex organic labelling systems regulated by several different government bodies. As a result, complicated food labelling standards make consumers confused when purchasing organic foods. Furthermore, in terms of country of origin (COO), it is argued by a lot of researchers that COO effects vary from product to product and from country to country; moreover, other informational cues such as brand and price can influence COO effects. In modern society, COO labelling has been complicated, due to the sourcing, manufacturing and market locations of merchandise spread over the world. Accordingly, the evaluation of COO effects has become complex. In order to examine these issues, a quantitative research was selected to classify the commonfeatures of organic food consumers and construct statistics such as the extent to which people are aware of organic food and COO labellingvia a questionnaire which took place in two cities in Korea with a cluster sample of 161 organic food purchasers. As for the data analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), T-tests, bivariate crosstatulations with Cramer's V were conducted,depending on the characteristics of variables and the assumptions the research data need to fit. It has been concluded that in general, Korean organic consumers comprehend the term "organic"in a closer way to the general concept rather than technical term, thus people do not appreciate environmentally labels which include organic food labels, although marital status influence the degree of label awareness, regardless of gender, age, education level and so on. Regarding COO effects on organic food, home organic products were Korean consumers'first choice over those from industrialized countries and developing nations. Specifically, in processed organic product category, domestically cultivated and processed organic products were absolutely preferred to leading national brands produced with imported ingredients and international brands. However, due to a lack of checks of ingredients' COO, consumers tend to purchase a leading national organic food brand, believing that it is a pure organic food sourced domestically. As a consequence, this research has suggested some important managerial implications and future research directions. In order to prevent consumer confusion when buying organic foods, it should be noted that consumers do not comprehend the organic food certifications, due to complicated labelling systems for organic produce and processed organic foods. Therefore, government bodies related to organic food distribution have to know consumers' perception of organic food labels and the significance of customer-oriented labels and reestablish labelling standards. Similarly, public advertising should be followed to raise public awareness of the labelling to enable customers to have the correct information. In addition, not only international marketers but also domestic marketers need to understand COO images and also the influence COO of ingredients has on the image of an organic product.

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Investigating the Effects of Teaching Based on an Analysis of High School Students' Knowledge State of Concepts Associated with Astronomical Observation (고등학교 천체관측 관련 개념의 지식상태 분석에 따른 교수-학습 효과)

  • Yoon, Ma-Byong
    • Journal of the Korean earth science society
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    • v.32 no.7
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    • pp.902-912
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    • 2011
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of teaching based on analysis of a hierarchy of the concepts associated with astronomical observation as well as each learner's status of knowledge through analytical methods of the knowledge state. A test instrument was developed to measure high school students' concepts associated with astronomical observation before instruction. The learners' psychological hierarchy associated with astronomical observation that the participants possessed showed the order of 'motion of the earth${\rightarrow}$coordinate system${\rightarrow}$astronomical observation (mechanism of the telescope${\rightarrow}$installation of the telescope${\rightarrow}$observation through the telescope)', and so was the hierarchy of teaching (70.6%). The learners' knowledge state that is supposed to be similar each other in the ability of observing celestial bodies was different even through they scored the same on the concept test. There were cases with the knowledge state well-structured and not well-structured, which suggests that differentiated instruction with appropriate teaching-learning prescriptions be prepared. An analysis of the knowledge state can play the role of both preparing individualized learning prescriptions and formative evaluation. In the unit dealing with astronomical observation of Earth ScienceI, teaching according to the psychological hierarchy of learners rather than the order in which the textbook syllabi were presented scored significantly higher (p<0.05) on the level of concept achievements. This result suggests that the teacher can help students achieve more efficient in learning by analyzing the learner's knowledge state and reordering the syllabi of the textbook in teaching the concepts associated with astronomical observation.

Evaluation of the Mental Health Status of the Aged by Zung's Self-rating Anxiety Scale (불안척도에 의한 노인들의 정신건강)

  • Lee, Jung-Hoon;Park, Byung-Tak;Cheung, Sung-Douk;Kang, Pock-Soo;Chung, Jong-Hak
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.121-128
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    • 1984
  • The authors studied on anxiety, using Zung's self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), on the subjects of 329 men and 522 women of 60 years old and older. This study was carried out for 8 months from November 1983 to June 1984 in the area of Seoul, Taegu and Kyungsan Gun, Kyungpook province. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the means of total anxiety scores between the two groups of men and women. The anxiety scores in items of sweating, apprehension, dyspnea, restlessness and insomnia were relatively high in both groups. The scores of faintness, panic, fear, tremor and facial flushing were low in both groups. Among 329 men, 48(14.6%) showed rather serious anxiety level of score 50 or higher, while 153 of 522 women (29.4%) showed the same score. Among these psychosocial factors, suppoter, living place, religion and security system are significantly related with anxiety scores in both groups (p<0.01).

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A Study on the Distribution Characteristics of the Small Village Wetlands in Mountainous Rural Area - Case on Geumsan-gun, Chungnam - (산지 읍면지역 소규모 마을습지 분포 특성 연구 - 충남 금산군을 사례로 -)

  • Park, Mi-Ok;Seo, Joo-Young;Yang, Seung-Bin;Koo, Bon-Hak
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.47 no.6
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    • pp.37-44
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    • 2019
  • This study was conducted to identify the distribution characteristics of small village wetlands in Geumsan County, an inland mountain zone, and comparing with Seocheon County, a coastal plain area with different ecological environment characteristics. Using Arc-GIS (v10.1) the village wetland code was extracted to derive the possible location of the village wetland, and the final distribution of the village was obtained by performing indoor judging work based on satellite images, aerial photographs, topographical maps, Korea Land Information System (KLIS), land use level, land cover degree (division), and land use status by local surveying and indoor analyzing. Although Geumsan County (576.66km2) is more than 60% larger than Seocheon County (358.04km2), 607 villages in Geumsan County and 570 villages in Seocheon County are capable of making similar levels of 106.5% of wetlands, but only a fraction of those in Seocheon County were found to be 67.6%. The density of the village wetlands was much lower than that of Seocheon County, a coastal plain area, because there were many mountainous areas in Geumsan County, and most of the wetlands temporarily created for water supply were removed during the analysis phase of the Jeongsa Image, so the actual wetlands of the village were judged to be only two-thirds different from those of Seocheon County.

STN DBS of Advanced Parkinson's Disease Experienced in a Specialized Monitoring Unit with a Prospective Protocol

  • Lee, Ji-Yeoun;Han, Jung-Ho;Kim, Han-Joon;Jeon, Beom-Seok;Kim, Dong-Gyu;Paek, Sun-Ha
    • Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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    • v.44 no.1
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    • pp.26-35
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    • 2008
  • Objective : In the evaluation of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), most neurologists only see their patients during a limited period of their fluctuating 24-hour-a-day lives. This study aimed to assess the short-term outcome of STN stimulation for patients with advanced PD evaluated in a 24-hour monitoring unit for movement disorder (MUMD) using a prospective protocol. Methods : Forty-two patients with advanced PD consecutively treated with bilateral STN stimulation using multi-channel microelectrode recording were included in this study. All patients were evaluated using a 24-hour MUMD with a video recording/editing system and were evaluated with a prospective protocol of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn and Yahr Staging, Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living, levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD), Short Form-36 Health Survey, and neuropsychological tests. Magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain were performed prior to and six months after surgery. Results : All patients were evaluated at three and six months after surgery. There was a rapid and significant improvement of the motor symptoms, especially in tremor and rigidity, after STN stimulation with low morbidity. Dyskinesia was markedly decreased with much lowered LEDD values by 50% after STN stimulation. 1.5T MR images were safely taken according to the manufacturer's guidelines at six months after surgery without any adverse effects in 41 patients treated with STN stimulations. Conclusion : Evaluations in a 24-hour monitoring unit could reduce the dose of medication efficiently to an optimal level with patients' comfort and improve the clinical symptoms in harmony with STN stimulation.

(A) Case Study on the Financial Solvency of Local Public Enterprises - Focused on Evaluation of Debt management of The GwangJu Metropolitan City Corporation - (지방공기업 재무건전성 사례분석 - 광주광역시도시공사 개발사업 채무관리 평가를 중심으로 -)

  • Jeon, Gwang-Sup
    • Journal of Cadastre & Land InformatiX
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    • v.45 no.1
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    • pp.75-97
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    • 2015
  • Recently public institutions' debt is growing therefore it became an important issue to the level that the government concerns about the possibility of financial burden to reduce the debt. Especially debt of public enterprises in metropolitan areas was in a serious state where debt in late 2013 was 43.2 trillion, which takes approx. 58.4% of 73.9 trillion of debt of all local public enterprises. Sound financial state of local public enterprises is important to public enterprises in metropolitan areas and it may affect seriously financial stability of local governments when public enterprises have financial problems. However, land supply business to form local industrial complexes or local demand for development of public rental housing business always exist; and vitalizing local economy and creating jobs through these businesses are very necessary to develop the areas. However, for local economic development, industirial land business and public rental housing business are needed. In this study, Gwangju Metropolitan City Corporation Ltd is used as a case study to evaluate the local public financial soundness via debt management assessment i.e.(using) the feasibility analysis in the urban development and housing development. As an improvement measure following the result of analysis, for the enhancement of financial soundness of urban innovation corporation, the government and local government shall evaluate and differentiate market demand, price competitiveness, and infrastructure of new town land development project to improve accuracy of project feasibility analysis. Another important insight is that there should be local government-centered management of liabilities of the local government and local public enterprises with the integrated liability management system to reduce the liability of the corporation and solve the issue of debts for local government. This study is significant in that it has analyzed cases from the theoretical aspect to secure financial soundness of national and local public enterprises.

Analysis of Hospital Foodservice Management and Health Insurance Coverage of Inpatient Meals in Seoul (서울지역 의료기관의 급식서비스 및 환자식 급여화 현황 분석)

  • Kim, Hye-Jin;Kim, Eun-Mi;Lee, Geum-Ju;Lee, Jung-Joo;Lim, Jung-Hyun;Lee, Jung-Min;Jeon, Hyun-Jung;Lee, Hae-Young
    • Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.378-396
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    • 2010
  • The objectives of this study were to explore hospital foodservice management and to investigate conditions related to health insurance coverage of inpatient meals. A questionnaire was distributed to the nutrition departments of 44 hospitals in Seoul on July 2009. The average kitchen area was 0.5 $m^2$, and centralized distribution systems were in place. Partition walls from contamination zones, separate work tables to prevent cross-contamination, exclusive areas for preparing tube feeding, and split carts with refrigerated and convection heat settings were largely used in tertiary hospitals. Most dietitians did meal rounds (93.2%) and surveyed for patient satisfaction (86.4%). The major theme of QI (Quality Improvement) was menu management (31.8%). The health insurance fees for meals were (won)4,938.9 for a general diet, (won)5,199.8 for a therapeutic diet, (won)4,067.0 for tube feeding, (won)9,950.0 for sterilized diet, and (won)18,383.4 for diets not covered by health insurance. The prices for general and therapeutic diets were significantly lower in hospitals compared to tertiary or general hospitals (P<0.001). The cost composed of 48.3% food, 44.0% labor and 7.7% overhead for general diets and 47.9%, 44.5% and 7.6% for therapeutic diets. In the case of health insurance coverage for patient meals, the number of items applied to general diets averaged 2.8 out of 4 and for therapeutic diets it averaged 1.9 out of 3. To reform the health insurance coverage system for patient meals, it is urgent that the qualified level of patient meals is presented from a national viewpoint, and monitoring should be performed consistently by developing the evaluation tools.