• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.97-115
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• 2008

Introduction The e-government is concerned with using Internet and Web technologies to exchange information and services with citizens, businesses and other related organizations, and it centers on three functions, namely informational, interactive, and transactional [UN, 2001]. Many developed countries like the U.S. have been actively involved in e-government projects, since they enable both more effective public services for citizens and more efficient internal operations. Korea is among these leading countries that are planning to leverage computer and communication technologies to provide for integration of work processes and information as well as convenient access to information and services. For this reason, evaluating e-government projects is becoming a crucial issue for both researchers and policy-makers. However, most research to date has primarily focused on a model of success of an e-government system designed for citizens, overlooking internal systems specifically created for employees working in a public organization. This paper is intended to propose a model to measure the success of a Web-based information system designed for use by internal users at Chungwadae, the executive branch of Korea's central government. The paper is also aimed at applying the model to the assessment of the present system being used at Chungwadae in comparison with the preceding system. Evaluating an e-Government System The most widely cited model of information systems success today is that of DeLone and McLean[1992, 2003, 2004]. The original model states that the success of an information system can be measured using six dimensions, including system quality, information quality, use, user satisfaction, individual impact, and organizational impact. Although the ultimate success of an information system may be reflected in the impact that the system has upon individuals as well as an organization, aspects of using the system such as system use and user satisfaction can play an important role in determining the system success, because the system would be a sheer failure if users don't like and use the system. As a response to criticisms given by numerous researchers, the authors adapted their model to fit the emerging Web-based environment. The revised model[DeLone and McLean, 2003] they offered included an additional quality dimension, namely service quality, and combined individual and organizational impacts into net benefits which can also influence user satisfaction. The e-government system success model can be built around this updated model. Our model incorporates information quality, system quality, and service quality as in the DeLone and McLean model. However, the 'system use' dimension has been replaced by perceived usefulness, as suggested by Seddon[1998]. In addition, because the e-government systems that this paper focuses on are internal public systems used in government agencies, the 'net benefits' dimension has been replaced by perceived work efficiency. Based on the proposed model, a total of nine hypotheses have been formulated which we tested using an empirical analysis. Methods A questionnaire form has been created with items that are designed to examine the relationships among the variables in the model. The questionnaire has been handed over, in person, to 65 members of Chungwadae staff who are now actively using the E-Support System, the present information system created to support internal work at Chungwadae. We made arrangements to meet with each individual who agreed to participate in our survey, and helped to fill out the survey form with explanations. Of the 65 copies that were delivered, only 33 were returned, and 30 responses of these have been adopted for our analysis, since three were not valid. The extremely small sample size was due to the limited number of staff members who had adequate experience required of this study. Results We gathered data from the questionnaire survey and analyzed them using a regression analysis to test the hypotheses. As shown in the table below, the results indicated that all three dimensions of an information system’s quality are positively related to user satisfaction. However, information quality and system quality were found to be positively related to perceived usefulness, while service quality was not. In addition, perceived usefulness is not positively related to user satisfaction, implying that a user may find a system useful, but may not be satisfied with it. Finally, user satisfaction and perceived usefulness both are positively related to perceived work efficiency. This suggests that workers' positive experience with the system is important to guarantee favorable work efficiency. Conclusions We conclude that the proposed model proved useful in measuring the success of an internal information system used by a government agency. To demonstrate the applicability and usefulness of the model in the paper, we applied the model to the assessment of the present internal system used at Chungwadae in comparison with the preceding system. The results showed that the present system outperforms the preceding one in a statistically significant way. Future research will have to focus on applying the model to Korea's governmental agencies other than Chungwadae and examine whether it proves applicable in different types of governmental organizations.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.715-725
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• 2012

This study was performed to make the method of food waste manufacturing for feeding to earthworm and different ratio of earthworm cast was investigated for applying vegetable plants that cultivated in a family or roof garden. We made conventional treatment of gardening soil and prepared soils with earthworm cast (the only fertilizer) at 30, 50, 70 and 100% for planting vegetable plants and then we studied its growth feature. The treatment was repeated three times with 12 weeks for each time. The cultivation of radish and chinese cabbage were managed at the same cultivation level for RDA standard cultivation method, and each sample of soils and plants was analyzed by appropriate analysis method. The growth investigation was performed 12 week after planting, and as for growth characteristics, height, leaf diameter, leaf number, leaf length, fresh weight and dry weight were investigated. The chemical characteristics, soils and plants, were surveyed. As for the growth characteristics investigated, radish and chinese cabbage showed the biggest growth in 70% and 50% treatment with average growth of all characteristics, height, leaf diameter, leaf number, leaf length, fresh weight and dry weight, respectively. Applying these results, a new equation for vermicast recommendation for radish and Chinese cabbage in summer (June-August) was presented. The earthworm cast 50% level with the gardening soil showed the high production in chinese cabbage. In case of radish, earthworm cast 70% with gardening soil level showed great growth, significantly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.477-487
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• 2019

Objectives: Firefighters are known to be exposed to a variety of toxic substances, but little information is available on the exposure profile of firefighting activities. The aims of this study were to conduct exposure monitoring of toxic chemicals at fire scenes, to compare the concentrations of respective chemicals among firefighting tasks, and to assess the main factors influencing the concentrations of chemicals. Methods: Researchers performed sampling at firefighting scenes during four weeks in 2013. At the scene, we collected samples based on firefighters' own activities and examined the situation and scale of the accident. Collected samples were classified into three categories, including fire extinguishing and overhaul, and were analyzed in the laboratory according to respective analysis methods. Results: A total of fourteen fire activity events were surveyed: five fire extinguishing, six overhaul, and three fire investigations. Although no substance exceeded the ACGIH TLV, PAHs were detected in every sample. Naphthalene ranged from 0.24 to 279.13 mg/㎥ (median 49.6 mg/㎥) and benzo(a)pyrene was detected in one overhaul case at 10.85 ㎍/㎥. Benzene (0.01-12.2 ppm) was detected in every task and exceeded the ACGIH TLV. No significant difference in concentrations between tasks was shown. Conclusions: These results indicate that all firefighting tasks generated various hazardous combustion products, including possible carcinogens.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• 제32권5호
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• pp.381-388
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated the levels of natural preservatives of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and propionic acid in spices. The quantitative analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for benzoic acid and sorbic acid and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for propionic acid. The sample was extracted with ethanol using sonication, then centrifuged and evaporated to dryness and redissolved to 1 mL with ethanol to use for the instrumental analysis. The analytical method was validated based on linearity, recovery, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). This method was suitable to determine low amounts of naturally occurring preservatives (benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and propionic acid) in various spices. Benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and propionic acid were found in 165 samples, 88 samples, and 398 samples, respectively from the total of 493 samples. The concentration of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and propionic acid were ranged at ND-391.99 mg/L, ND-57.70 mg/L, and ND-188.21 mg/L in spices, respectively. The highest mean levels of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and propionic acid were found in cinnamon (167.15 mg/L), basil leaves (22.79 mg/L), and white pepper (51.48 mg/L), respectively. The results in this study provide ranges of concentration regarding naturally occurring benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and propionic acid in spices. Moreover, the results may use to the case of consumer complaint or trade friction due to the inspection services of standard criteria for the preservatives of spices.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.254-266
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• 1997

This study was to know the usefulness of argon laser for composite resin, to prove the polymerized effect of heat treatment of composite resin inlay and to get the curing method for optimal physical properties of composite resin inlay. In this study we used four light curing units and one heat curing unit: Visilux $II^{TM}$, a visible light gun: $SPECTRUM^{TM}$, an argon laser: Unilux AC$^{(R)}$ and Astorn XL$^{(R)}$, visible light curing unit: CRC-$100^{TM}$ for heat treatment. Compared to a control group, we divided the experemental groups into five as follows: Control group: Light curing(Visilux $II^{TM}$) Experimental group 1 : Light curing(Visilux $II^{TM}$) + Light curing(Unilux AC$^{(R)}$) Experimental group 2: Light curing(Visilux $II^{TM}$) + Light curing(Astron XL$^{(R)}$) + Heat treatment(CRC-$100^{TM}$) Experimental group 3 : Laser curing($SPECTRUM^{TM}$) Experimental group 4 : Laser curing($SPECTRUM^{TM}$) + Light curing(Unilux AC$^{(R)}$) Experimental group 5 : Laser curing($SPECTRUM^{TM}$) + Light curing(Astron XL$^{(R)}$) + Heat treatment (CRC-$100^{TM}$) According to the above classification, we made samples through the curing of Clearfil CR Inlay$^{(R)}$, which is a composite resin for inlay, in a separable cylindrical metal mold and polycarbonate plate. And then, we measured and compared the value of compressive strength, diametral tensile strength and the surface micro hardness of each sample. The results were as follows : 1. Among the experimental groups, group 5 showed the highest value of compressive strength, $157.50{\pm}10.24$ kgf and control group showed the lowest value of compressive strength, $103.93{\pm}21.93$ kgf. Control group showed significant difference with the experimental groups(p<0.001). Group 2 which was treated by the heat showed higher compressive strength than that of group 1 which was not, and there was significant difference between group 1 and group 2(p<0.001). Group 5 which was treated by heat showed higher compressive strength than group 4 which was not, and there was significant difference group 4 and group 5(p<0.001). 2. Among the experimental groups, group 5 showed the highest value of diametral tensile strength, $95.84{\pm}1.97$ kgf and control group showed the lowest value of diametral tensile strength, $81.80{\pm}2.17$ kgf. Control group which was cured by visible light showed higher diametral tensile strength than group 3 which was cured Argon Laser. Group 2 which was treated by heat showed higher compressive strength than that of group 1 which was not, and there was significant difference between group 1 and group 2(p<0.001). Group 5 which was treated by heat showed higher compressive strength than group 4 which was not, and there was a significant difference group 4 and group 5(p<0.001). 3. Among the experimental groups, group 5 showed the highest value of microhardness of top surface, $148.42{\pm}9.57$ kgf and control group showed the lowest value of microhardness, $111.43{\pm}7.63$ kgf. In the case of bottom surface, group 5 showed the highest value of $146.19{\pm}7.62$ kgf, and control group showed the lowest, $104.03{\pm}11.05$ kgf. Group 3 which was cured by Argon Laser showed higher diametral tensile strength than control group which was cured only with a visible light gun. Group 2 which was treated by heat showed higher compressive strength than that of group 1 which was not, and there was a significant difference between group 1 and group 2(p<0.001). Group 5 which was treated by heat showed higher compressive strength than group 4 which was not, and there was a significant difference group 4 and group 5(p<0.001). 4. According to the above results, we took a conclusion that argon laser can be used as a useful unit for curing the composite resin and heat treatment can improve the physical properties of the composite resin inlay.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.836-844
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate plant characteristics and nutritional components of the genetically modified (GM) Chinese cabbage and its control line grown in the central and northern parts of Korea in order to establish the evaluating protocol and standard assessment. The GM and non-GM Chinese cabbage was planted with normal and concentrated density at two locations in spring and fall of 2008 and 2009. From the statistic analysis on plant characteristics and nutritional components, there were not many significant differences between GM and non-GM Chinese cabbage. Only few differences in the plant characteristics were found between the dense and normal planting. In the dense planting, there was no significant difference between GM and non-GM Chinese cabbages except for three out of 18 plant traits, such as leaf shape, hairiness and midrib length. On the other hand, nine plant traits including leaf length, leaf width, leaf color, leaf shape, fresh weigh of ground part, number of leaf, midrib length, midrib width and root diameter were slightly different between GM and non-GM Chinese cabbage in the normal planting. In case of leaf length, midrib length, midrib width and fresh weigh of ground part, there were significantly differences not only between two lines, but also between two locations. From nutritional component analysis, only five fatty acids were identified in the Chinese cabbage: palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Except linoleic acid, four fatty acids in one gram of dried sample from GM line were little higher than those from non-GM line. However, there were no significant differences in total contents of fatty acids not only between GM and non-GM Chinese cabbage line, but also between northern and central cultivating areas in the normal and dense planting. According to the composition of inorganic elements identified in the samples from both lines, there were six macro-elements, such as N, P, Ca, K, Mg and Na, and four micro-elements, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. Based on the result from PCA analysis, specific clusters were not found between GM Chinese cabbage and the control line, but found between two regions.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.400-420
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• 1998

We already know that it is very difficult to obtain an "isolated field" for direct bonding during the surgical exposure of unerupted teeth. The aim of this in-vitro study is to simulate the clinical situation of forced eruption and to evaluate the tensile strengths of preligatured button with several types of contamination which can happen during the surgical exposure of unerupted teeth. Four orthodontic direct bonding systems were used. ($Ortho-One^{TM}$, $Rely-a-Bond^{(R)}$, $Ortho-Two^{TM}$, Phase $II^{(R)}$) Each material was divided into four groups(n=20) : Group 1. (Control, no contamination), Group 2. (Rinse etching agent with saline instead of water), Group 3. (Blood contamination of etched surface for 30 seconds), Group 4. (Blood contamination of primed surface for 30 seconds) 320 bovine anterior permanent teeth were divided into the above mentioned 16 groups. Enamel surface was flattened and ground under water coolant. Pre-ligatured buttons were prepared to the same form. (Cut 0.25 ligature wire 10 cm in length. Twist the ligature wire 30 times clockwise. Mark the wire 15mm and 35mm points from button. Make a loop sticking two points together and twist the loop 6 times counterclockwise.) The bonded specimens were stored at $37^{\circ}C$ saline solution for 3 days. Then the tensile strength of each sample was measured with Instron universal testing machine, crosshead speed of 0.5mm/min. The following results were obtained: 1. As compared to control groups (Group 1) of each material, Rely-a-Bond had a significantly lower mean tensile strengths than other material. (p<0.01) 2. In Group 2. of Ortho-One and Rely-a-Bond, the mean tensile strengths decreased about 7.7% and 11.1%, respectively with statistical significances. (p<0.05) 3. In Group 2. of Ortho-Two and Phase II, the mean tensile strengths did not decrease. 4. In Group 3. of Ortho-One, Rely-a-Bond, Ortho-Two, and Phase II, the mean tensile strengths decreased about 60.8%, 56.1%, 60.2%, and 46.0%, respectively with statistical significances. (p<0.01) 5. In Group 4. of Ortho-One and Rely-a-Bond, the mean tensile strengths did not decrease. 6. In Group 4. of Ortho-Two and Phase II, the mean tensile strengths were decreased about 20.95% and 22.28%, respectively with statistical significances. (p<0.01) There were formations of a hump shaped mass from bonding resin under blood contamination which disturbed direct bonding procedure. According to Reynolds, the proper bond strength for clinical manipulation should be at least 45N or about 4.5Kg.F. According to these results, it can be concluded that Ortho-One could be used during surgical exposure of unerupted teeth. In any case, blood contamination of the etched surface should be avoided, but the blood contamination of primed surface of Ortho-One may not decrease bond strength. Just 'blowing-out' is enough to remove blood from primed surface of Ortho-One. You can verify the clean surface of the primer of Ortho-One after blowing out the blood contamination.

• Journal of Life Science
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• 제25권7호
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• pp.826-832
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• 2015

This study describes the effects of activated charcoal on the removal of salts, detergents, and pigments from protein extracts of ginseng leaves and roots. Incubation of protein extracts with 5% (w/v) activated charcoal (100-400 mesh) for 30 min at 4℃ almost removed the salts and detergents including NP-40 as can be observed on SDS-PAGE. In addition, analysis of chlorophyll content showed significant depletion of chlorophyll (~33%) after activated charcoal treatment, suggesting potential effect of activated charcoal on removal of pigments too along with the salts and detergents. 2-DE analysis of activated charcoal treated protein samples showed better resolution of proteins, further indicating the efficacy of activated charcoal in clearing of protein samples. In case of root proteins, although not major differences were observed on SDS-PAGE, 2-DE gels showed better resolution of spots after charcoal treatment. In addition, both Hierarchical clustering (HCL) and Principle component analysis (PCA) clearly separated acetone sample from rest of the samples. Phenol and AC-phenol samples almost overlapped each other suggesting no major differences between these samples. Overall, these results showed that activated charcoal can be used in a simple manner to remove the salts, detergents and pigments from the protein extracts of various plant tissues.

• Journal of Life Science
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.365-373
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• 2010

To monitor newly emerged influenza virus variants and to investigate the prevalence pattern, our laboratory performed isolation of the viruses from surveillance sentinel hospitals. In the present study, we analysed influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B viruses isolated in Busan during the 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons by sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA1 subunit) and neuraminidase (NA) genes. The isolates studied here were selected by the stratified random sample method from a total of 277 isolates, in which 15 were A/H1N1, 16 were A/H3N2 and 29 were B. Based on the phylogenetic tree, the HA1 gene showed that A/H1N1 isolates had a 96.7% to 97.7% homology with the A/Brisbane/59/2007, A/H3N2 isolates had a 98.4% to 99.7% homology with the A/Brisbane/10/2007, and B isolates had a 96.5% to 99.7% homology with the B/Florida/4/2006(Yamagata lineage), which are all the vaccine strains for the Northern Hemisphere in 2008~2009 season. In the case of the NA gene, A/H1N1 isolates had 97.8% to 98.5% homologies, A/H3N2 isolates had 98.9% to 99.4% homologies, and B isolates had 98.9% to 100% homologies with each vaccine strain in the 2008~2009 season, respectively. Characterization of the hemagglutinin gene revealed that amino acids at the receptor-binding site and N-linked glycosylation site were highly conserved. These results provide useful information for the control of influenza viruses in Busan and for a better understanding of vaccine strain selection.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2011

Owing to the risk of fetal loss associated with prenatal diagnostic procedures (amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling), noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) is ultimate goal of prenatal diagnosis. The discovery of circulating cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal plasma in 1997 has opened up new probabilities for NIPD by Dr. Lo et al. The last decade has seen great development in NIPD. Fetal sex and fetal RhD status determination by cffDNA analysis is already in clinical use in certain countries. For routine use, this test is limited by the amount of cell-free maternal DNA in blood sample, the lack of universal fetal markers, and appropriate reference materials. To improve the accuracy of detection of fetal specific sequences in maternal plasma, internal positive controls to confirm to presence of fetal DNA should be analyzed. We have developed strategies for noninvasive determination of fetal gender, and fetal RhD genotyping using cffDNA in maternal plasma, using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) including RASSF1A epigenetic fetal DNA marker (gender-independent) as internal positive controls, which is to be first successful study of this kind in Korea. In our study, accurate detection of fetal gender through gestational age, and fetal RhD genotyping in RhD-negative pregnant women was achieved. In this assay, we show that the assay is sensitive, easy, fast, and reliable. These developments improve the reliability of the applications of circulating fetal DNA when used in clinical practice to manage sex-linked disorders (e.g., hemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), RhD incompatibility, and the other noninvasive pregnant diagnostic tests on the coming soon. The study was the first successful case in Korea using cffDNA in maternal plasma, which has created a new avenue for clinical applications of NIPD.