• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.45-55
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• 2012

In Korea, the parcel delivery service was launched officially in 1992, and the market has grown to 13.2 billion units, or 3.5 trillion won, as of 2011. The service companies accept small packages under 30 kg and deliver them on the next day in most domestic areas. This service plays an important role in business and personal activities. The parcel service companies have themselves designed the tariff for the delivery service based on two criteria: weight and the sum of three side lengths. Further, the tariff is graded in steps of three or four rate structures based on size (small, medium, large, and extra-small). However, the basic freight rate is generally decided according to the cargo's weight or measurement size, and an extra rate is added according to some factors (handling, stowability, liability, and so on). The parcel service tariff adopted by the companies is illogically designed, and this study was carried out to assess the need for redesigning the tariff structure. The cargo volume cannot be logically reflected by three side lengths. For example, two parcels measuring 160 cm based on three side lengths may have different volumes, one measuring 0.152 cbm (53.33 cm × 53.33 cm × 53.34 cm) and the other 0.05 cbm (100 cm × 50 cm × 10 cm). A small package of less than120 cm (sum of three side lengths) may have a volume of as much as 0.064 cbm (40 cm × 40 cm × 40 cm). Sample comparison showed that 17% of medium-size parcels (based on the sum of three side lengths) are small-volume packages, 24% of large-size parcels are small- or medium-volume packages, and 40% of extra-big-size parcels are big- or under-size packages. Therefore, if parcel service companies rate their services for volume cargo based on the three side lengths standard, users may have to pay higher than normal rates, particularly because a large percentage of parcels are volume cargo. According to this study, the average weight per 1 cbm is less than 300 kg. Therefore, users face an increasing risk of paying higher than logical freight charges. Generally, transportation companies are called "public interest enterprises," and parcel service companies operate as postal services. Public interest enterprises must provide the delivery service to all customers without discrimination at a reasonable service level and logical service charges. Therefore, parcels service tariffs must be designed and adopted logically. In this study, freight theories and prior research findings were used to consider the importance of freight rates, and distortion of parcel service rates based on the three side lengths system was verified through regression analysis of a parcel sample and sample comparison. In conclusion, volume sizes based on three side lengths have a higher correlation to the rate level than does the sum of three side lengths. Further, compared to the sum of three side lengths, volume size has a higher correlation to cargo weight, which is the most basic factor determining transportation cost. Therefore, the existing parcel service tariff should be changed to weight- and volume-based rates, and the tariff must be graded in steps of 8 to 10 higher rate structures for a logical freight schedule based on service cost.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.605-612
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• 2005

In previous studies, we evaluated the effect of the 6 energy-tonic or blood-building prescriptions of traditional oriental medicine, and observed that Si-Wu-Tang and Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang showed high activity in the protection of the gastrointestinal and hematopoietic organs in irradiated mice. But any of these prescriptions did not show a high activity in the activation of the immune cells. We performed this study to design an herb mixture which protects the self-renewal tissues and also promotes recovery of the immune system against radiation damage. In order to meet all the requirements, we designed a new mixture of 3 edible herbs listed in Korean Food Code. The mixture of Angelim gigas radix, Cnidium officinale rhizoma and Paeonia japonica radix was decocted with hot water, and the activities of the water extract (HIM-I) were evaluated. HIM-1 stimulated the immune cells in a much higher extent than the traditional prescriptions, and promoted dramatically the growth of bone marrow stem cells in vitro. Also, HIM-1 protected digestive and hematopoietic organs against radiation as effectively as the 2 prescriptions, Si-Wu-Tang and Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang. On the other hand, it showed high in vitro antioxidative activity that might be considered as a mechanism of the protective effects against radiation. Although the detailed mechanisms of those effects remain to be elucidated, these results indicated that HIM-I might be a useful agent for protection and recovery of body from various risk factor as well as radiation, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.673-681
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• 2011

We investigated the effects of an ethanol extract of Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. (loquat) leaves (EJ) on the lipid metabolism of serum, liver, and adipose tissue, and antioxidative activity in rats fed a fat/cholesterol diet for four weeks. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 207 g were divided into 4 groups: a normal diet group (N), a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet group (HFC), a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet group administered 200 mg/kg day EJ (HFC-EJL), and a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet group administered 400 mg/kg/day EJ (HFC-EJH). The serum ALT and AST activities of the EJ groups were lower than those of HFC group, but there was no significant change in serum ALP or LDH activities. The serum total and LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index, and cardiac risk factor tended to be decreased in the EJ groups compared to the HFC group, while the serum HDL-cholesterol decreased in the HFC group and increased only minimally in the EJ groups. The total cholesterol in liver and mesenteric adipose tissues was lower in the EJ groups than in the HFC group. Triglycerides in the mesenteric and epididymal adipose tissues were lower in the EJ groups than in the HFC group. The liver GSH levels of the EJ groups were significantly lower than the HFC group. The liver TBARS content was significantly lower in the EJ groups than in the HFC group. These results suggest that EJ ethanol extract may improve the lipid metabolism of serum, liver, and adipose tissue and prevent oxidative stress by stimulating antioxidative systems in rats fed a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.457-479
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• 2013

Through a Chinese rise, Chinese dream is actualizing as the world's great power. According to outlook of World Bank and IMF, Around 2030 China will be a great power bigger than America's economic power. The rise of China will give a huge impact to the whole world. China expands her influence through a global manufacturing base and a global market. To actualize 'Peaceful Rise' Strategy, China has many constraints. Chinese society is facing many difficult social problem due to side effects of a rapid development. Such as the spread of corruption, the severity of wealth gap, environmental degradation and energy shortage. Internationally there are containment from hegemon so-called 'China threat' dispute, Taiwan issue and territorial disputes. Western countries are hostile to China for two reasons. Based on expectations, one is China's socialist system and the other is the rising China which will compete for supremacy with Europe and America. Recent emergence of Chinese nationalism and the containment of the neighboring countries are also serious limiting factors. Domestically they have the rampant corruption in the bureaucracy, weakened capacity of Communist rule, wealth disparity due to the discriminatory economic development strategy, seriousness of rural problem, social instability, lack of social security systems and the development gap between the eastern coastal areas and western inland areas, ethnic minorities problems, the constraint of sustainable development issues due to lack of resources, environmental pollution and energy constraints. Like the former Soviet Union, China may face a dismantlement. After the rise, China may encounter possibilities of a war between great powers or a collapse of Chinese society caused by deepening internal conflict. Serious economic polarization would make peasants and urban workers, who are social vulnerable people, to turn their back to communist party and threaten the justification and the appropriateness of the ruling communist party. Chinese government will think internal system security threat is more formidable risk factor than a system security threat from the hegemon. The decline of great country comes from internal reasons rather than external reasons. To achieve peaceful rise, unification with Taiwan is an essential prerequisite. Taiwan issues are complex problems which equipped with international and domestic factors. Lack of energy resources, environmental pollution in China will bring economic crisis to Korean enterprises. Important influence to Korean economy will be a changeover of the method in economic development. It will turn the balance of investment and consumption, GDP-centered growth to consumption and environment-centered growth. Services industries including finance, environment, culture, education, health care and social welfare will grow. Change in China's growth model will give a great challenge upon the intermediate goods industry in Korea. Korea should reduce the portion of machinery, automotive, semiconductor, steel and chemical-centered export industry to China, and should increase the proportion of the service industry.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.293-303
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• 2007

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate if there is a relationship between anterior disc displacement without reduction and development of anterior open bite, and a relation between occurrence of open bite and occlusal appliance therapy. In general, the statistically significant differences were found between the Group 1 and 2 and normal mean group. The variables that represent mandibular size and form, showed a statistical significance in all 3 groups. Also 3 groups patients had a smaller ANB, a larger FMA than normal mean group. When we compared the 3 groups with respect to all cephalometric measurements by One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), group 1 and 2 patients had a larger FMA, a larger SN to mandibular plane angle, a larger maxillomandibular plane angle, a larger occlusal plane to mandibular plane angle, a smaller total posterior facial height/total anterior facial height(%), and a larger gonial angle than group 3. The statistically significant differences were not found between the Group 1 and 2, and skeletal patterns were similar. Thus, morphologic features of patients with vertical discrepancies may represent a risk factor for the development of anterior open bite with or without occlusal appliance treatment. In case of patients with vertical discrepancy, we may have to be more careful when inducing a change of the vertical dimension.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2004

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence rate of OSA in subjects whose main sleep complaint is insomnia and to find differential factors of OSA in these insomniac subjects. Method: We reviewed the medical records and polysomnographic findings of patients referred to the Sleep Laboratory at Seoul National University Hospital from January 1996 to December 2002. Four-hundred and seventy subjects complained of insomnia as their main sleep problem (235 males and 235 females, mean age $53.6{\pm}12.4\;years$). First, we investigated the prevalence rate of OSA in these insomniac patients. Second, we compared the clinical and demographic characteristics of the OSA-associated group with those of the non-associated group. Third, we examined whether the degree or presence of differential factors within the OSA group correlate with severity of OSA, as determined by the respiratory disturbance index (RDI). Results: Among 470 insomniac subjects, 125 subjects (26.6%) were diagnosed as OSA by nocturnal polysomnography. OSA-associated subjects were significantly older ($58.4{\pm}12.3\;years$ vs. $51.8{\pm}11.2\;years$, p<0.01), and had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) ($23.4{\pm}3.3\;kg/m^2$ vs. $22.5{\pm}3.1\;kg/m^2$, p=0.44) than non-associated subjects. The OSA-associated group had more subjects with male gender (64.0% vs. 44.9%, p<0.01), hypertension (20.0% vs. 9.3%, p<0.01) or snoring (96.0% vs. 63.5%, p<0.01). Within the OSA-associated group, age had a significant positive correlation with RDI (p=0.01). Conclusion: We found that a considerable portion of patients complaining of insomnia as their main sleep problem were diagnosed as OSA. Snoring, old age, male gender, obesity, and comorbid hypertension were found to be differential factors of OSA in insomniac patients. We suggest that diagnostic efforts including nocturnal polysomnography are needed for insomniac patients with any of the above risk factors of OSA.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2016

Background and Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often undiagnosed but is an important risk factor affecting the health of an individual. The level of awareness of the illness among patients with OSA is low and is not correlated with severity of the illness. This study was conducted to compare awareness of OSA symptoms and illness between patients with OSA and simple snorers. Materials and Methods: Two hundred eighty-two patients who were suspected of having OSA participated in this study. All subjects underwent overnight polysomnography. Those with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ${\geq}5$ were classified as the OSA group, while those with an AHI < 5 were classified as the simple snoring group. A sleep questionnaire, which included items on awareness of the illness, OSA, and sleep symptoms, was administered to all subjects and their bed-partners. Results: Simple snorers were much more aware of their symptoms such as snoring, irregular breathing, and apnea than were patients with OSA. Bed-partners of simple snorers were also more aware of the participants' sleep symptoms than were partners of patients with OSA. However, the duration of OSA symptoms was longer in the OSA group. In the correlation analysis, the level of awareness of OSA symptoms was negatively correlated with AHI, age, body mass index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. Among the sleep questionnaire and polysomnography results, only Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was positively correlated with level of awareness of OSA symptoms. The minority of the respondents had heard about the treatment methods of continuous positive airway pressure and oral appliance and preferred them as treatment options. Conclusion: This study suggests that simple snorers are more aware of their symptoms than are patients with OSA. A higher severity of OSA, represented by a higher AHI, is correlated with lower awareness of one's OSA symptoms.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.329-337
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• 1997

Background : Since endotracheal tube is the most important factor involved in the imposed work of breathing during mechanical ventilation, extubation of endotracheal tube is supposed to reduce respiratory work of patient. However, some patients show labored breathing after extubation despite acceptable blood gases. We investigated the changes of work of breathing before and after extubation and the factors involved in the change of WOB after extubation. Methods : The subjects were 34 patients(M : F = 20 : 14, mean age = $61{\pm}17yre$) who recovered from respiratory failure after ventilatory support and were considered to be ready for extubation. The patients with clinical or radiologic evidences of upper airway obstruction before endotracheal intubation for mechanical ventilation were excluded. Vital sign, physical examination, chest X-ray, work of breathing and other respiratory mechanic indices were measured prior to, immediately, 6, 24 and 48 hours after extubation serially. Definition of weaning failure after extubation was resumption of ventilatory support or reintubation of endotracheal tube within 48 hour after extubation because of respiratory failure. The patients were classified into group 1(decreased work of breathing), group 2(unchanged work of breathing) and group 3(increased work of breathing) depending on the statistical difference in the change of work of breathing before and after extubation. Results : Work of breathing decreased in 33%(11/34, group 1), unchanged in 41%(14/34, group 2) and increased in 26%(9/34, group 3) of patients after extubation compared with before extubation. Weaning failure occurred 9%(1/11) of group, 1, 28.6%(4/14) of group 2 and 44%(4/9) of group 3 after extubation(p = 0.07). The change of work of breathing after extubation was positively correlated with change of mean airway resistance(mRaw). (r = 0.794, p > 0.01). In three cases of group 3 whose respiratory indices could be measured until 48 hr after extubation, the change in work of breathing paralleled with the sequential change of mRaw. The work of breathing was peaked at 6 hr after extubation, which showed a tendency to decrease thereafter. Conclusions : Reversible increase of work of breathing after extubation may occur in the patients who underwent extubation, and the increase in mRaw could be responsible for the increase in work of breathing. In addition, the risk of weaning failure after extubation may increase in the patients who have increased WOB immediately after extubation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.538-543
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• 2011

This study was conducted for the antihyperlipidemic effect of ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea in high fat diet-induced obese mice after having injected the ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea to the obese mice with high fat diet. The 30 six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 3 groups of 10 and fed for 5 weeks to be obese with high fat diet. Thereafter, for 4 weeks, ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea was provided through oral injection to the 3 groups: control group (HFD), group injected with 75 mg/kg of ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea (HFD+POE 75) and the group injected with 125 mg/kg of ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea (HFD+POE 125). The serum and liver lipid and the alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activity were measured. The result showed that there was no significant difference in weight gain and feed intake, and the feed efficiency ratio was significantly low in the group provided with ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea. Serum total cholesterol was significantly low in the group of ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea (HFD+POE 125). It appeared that all the groups provided with ethanol extract from Portulaca loeracea reduced plasma triglyceride significantly according to the ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea dose. There was no dose dependency of HDL-cholesterol to the dose of ethanol extract of Portulaca oleracea. LDL-cholesterol was low in the group dosed with high ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea (HFD+POE 125). There was difference of total cholesterol, triglyceride and total lipid contents in liver. AI (atherogenic index) and CRF (cardiac risk factor) were significantly low in the group with high dose of ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea (HFD+POE 125). There was no difference of serum AST activity, however, serum ALT activity was significantly low in the group with high dose of ethanol extract from Portulaca oleracea (HFD+POE 125).

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.52-58
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• 2011

Osteoporotic fracture (OF), along with bone mineral density (BMD), is an important diagnostic parameter and a clinical predictive risk factor in the assessment of osteoporosis in the elderly population. However, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on OF has not yet been clarified sufficiently. To identify OF-associated genetic variants and candidate genes, we conducted a GWAS in a population-based cohort (Korean Association Resource [KARE], n=1,427 [case: 288 and control: 1139]) and performed a de novo replication study in hospital-based individuals (Asan and Catholic Medical Center [ACMC], n=1,082 [case: 272 and control: 810]). In a combined meta-analysis, a newly identified genetic locus in an intergenic region at 10p11.2 (near genes FZD8 and ANKRD30A ) showed the most significant association (odd ratio [OR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.47~2.74, p=$1.27{\times}10^{-6}$) in the same direction. We provide the first evidence for a common genetic variant influencing OF and genetic information for further investigation in bone metabolism.