• Title/Summary/Keyword: deviation analysis

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Application of Westgard Multi-Rules for Improving Nuclear Medicine Blood Test Quality Control (핵의학 검체검사 정도관리의 개선을 위한 Westgard Multi-Rules의 적용)

  • Jung, Heung-Soo;Bae, Jin-Soo;Shin, Yong-Hwan;Kim, Ji-Young;Seok, Jae-Dong
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.115-118
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    • 2012
  • Purpose: The Levey-Jennings chart controlled measurement values that deviated from the tolerance value (mean ${\pm}2SD$ or ${\pm}3SD$). On the other hand, the upgraded Westgard Multi-Rules are actively recommended as a more efficient, specialized form of hospital certification in relation to Internal Quality Control. To apply Westgard Multi-Rules in quality control, credible quality control substance and target value are required. However, as physical examinations commonly use quality control substances provided within the test kit, there are many difficulties presented in the calculation of target value in relation to frequent changes in concentration value and insufficient credibility of quality control substance. This study attempts to improve the professionalism and credibility of quality control by applying Westgard Multi-Rules and calculating credible target value by using a commercialized quality control substance. Materials and Methods : This study used Immunoassay Plus Control Level 1, 2, 3 of Company B as the quality control substance of Total T3, which is the thyroid test implemented at the relevant hospital. Target value was established as the mean value of 295 cases collected for 1 month, excluding values that deviated from ${\pm}2SD$. The hospital quality control calculation program was used to enter target value. 12s, 22s, 13s, 2 of 32s, R4s, 41s, $10\bar{x}$, 7T of Westgard Multi-Rules were applied in the Total T3 experiment, which was conducted 194 times for 20 days in August. Based on the applied rules, this study classified data into random error and systemic error for analysis. Results: Quality control substances 1, 2, and 3 were each established as 84.2 ng/$dl$, 156.7 ng/$dl$, 242.4 ng/$dl$ for target values of Total T3, with the standard deviation established as 11.22 ng/$dl$, 14.52 ng/$dl$, 14.52 ng/$dl$ respectively. According to error type analysis achieved after applying Westgard Multi-Rules based on established target values, the following results were obtained for Random error, 12s was analyzed 48 times, 13s was analyzed 13 times, R4s was analyzed 6 times, for Systemic error, 22s was analyzed 10 times, 41s was analyzed 11 times, 2 of 32s was analyzed 17 times, $10\bar{x}$ was analyzed 10 times, and 7T was not applied. For uncontrollable Random error types, the entire experimental process was rechecked and greater emphasis was placed on re-testing. For controllable Systemic error types, this study searched the cause of error, recorded the relevant cause in the action form and reported the information to the Internal Quality Control committee if necessary. Conclusions : This study applied Westgard Multi-Rules by using commercialized substance as quality control substance and establishing target values. In result, precise analysis of Random error and Systemic error was achieved through the analysis of 12s, 22s, 13s, 2 of 32s, R4s, 41s, $10\bar{x}$, 7T rules. Furthermore, ideal quality control was achieved through analysis conducted on all data presented within the range of ${\pm}3SD$. In this regard, it can be said that the quality control method formed based on the systematic application of Westgard Multi-Rules is more effective than the Levey-Jennings chart and can maximize error detection.

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Particle Size Analysis of Cadmium Aerosol for Cadmium Inhalation Toxicology Study (766ppm Cadmium Nebulizing Solution) (카드뮴의 흡입독성 연구를 위해 설계된 에어로졸 발생장치에서 발생된 카드뮴 에어로졸의 입경분석(766ppm 카드뮴 네뷸라이징 용액))

  • Jeung Jae Yeal;Milton Donald K.;Kim Tae Hyeung;Lee Jong Young;Jahng Doo Sub;Kang Sung He;Song Young Sun;Lee Ki Nam
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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    • v.16 no.5
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    • pp.1035-1041
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    • 2002
  • Ultrasonic nebulizer with the application of new engineering methodology and the design of electronic circuit and 766ppm Cd nebulizing solution were used to generate cadmium aerosol for inhalation toxicology study. The results of particle size analysis for cadmium aerosol were as following. The highest particle counting for source temperature 20℃ was 43.449 x 10³ in inlet temperature 250℃ and particle diameter 0.75㎛. The highest particle counting for source temperature 50℃ was 43.211 x 10³ in inlet temperature 100 ℃ and particle diameter 0.75㎛. The highest particle counting for source temperature 70℃ was 41.917x10³ in inlet temperature 250℃ and particle diameter 0.75㎛. The ranges of geometric mean diameter(GMD) were 0.677-1.009㎛ in source temperature 20℃, 0.716-0.963㎛ in source temperature 50℃, and 0.724-0.957㎛ in source temperature 70℃. The smallest GMD was 0.677㎛ in source temperature 20℃ and inlet temperature 20℃. and the largest GMD was 1.009㎛ in source temperature 20℃ and inlet temperature 20℃. The ranges of geometric standard deviation(GSD) were 1.635-2.101 in source temperature 20℃. 1.676-2.073 in source temperature 50℃, and 1.687-2.051 in source temperature 70℃. The lowest GSD was 1.635 in source temperature 20℃ and inlet temperature 20℃, and the highest GSD was 2.101 in source temperature 20℃ and inlet temperature 200℃. Aerosol generated for cadmium inhalation toxicology study was polydisperse aerosol. The ranges of mass median diameter(MMD) were 1.399-5.270㎛ in source temperature 20℃. 1.593-4.742㎛ in source temperature 50℃, and 1.644-4.504㎛ in source temperature 70℃. The smallest MMD was 1.399㎛ in source temperature 20℃ and inlet temperature 20℃, and the largest MMD was 5.270㎛ in source temperature 20℃ and inlet temperature 200℃. Increasing trends for GMD, GSD, and MMD were observed with same source temperature and increase of inlet temperature. MMD for inhalation toxicology testing in EPA guidance is less than 4㎛. In our results. inlet temperature 20 and 50℃ in source temperature 20℃, and inlet temperature 20 to 150℃ in source temperature 50 and 70℃ were conformed to the EPA guidance. MMD for inhalation toxicology testing in OECD and EU is less than 3㎛. In our results, inlet temperature 20 and 50℃ in source temperature 20, 50, and 70℃ were conformed to the OECD and EU guidance.

Reproducibility Evaluation of Deep inspiration breath-hold(DIBH) technique by respiration data and heart position analysis during radiation therapy for Left Breast cancer patients (좌측 유방암 환자의 방사선치료 중 환자의 호흡과 심장 위치 분석을 통한 Deep inspiration breath-hold(DIBH) 기법의 재현성 평가)

  • Jo, Jae Young;Bae, Sun Myung;Yoon, In Ha;Lee, Ho Yeon;Kang, Tae Young;Baek, Geum Mun;Bae, Jae Beom
    • The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.297-303
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    • 2014
  • Purpose : The purpose of this study is reproducibility evaluation of deep inspiration breath-hold(DIBH) technique by respiration data and heart position analysis in radiation therapy for Left Breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods : Free breathing(FB) Computed Tomography(CT) images and DIBH CT images of three left breast cancer patients were used to evaluate the heart volume and dose during treatment planing system( Eclipse version 10.0, Varian, USA ). The signal of RPM (Real-time Position Management) Respiratory Gating System (version 1.7.5, Varian, USA) was used to evaluate respiration stability of DIBH during breast radiation therapy. The images for measurement of heart position were acquired by the Electronic portal imaging device(EPID) cine acquisition mode. The distance of heart at the three measuring points(A, B, C) on each image was measured by Offline Review (ARIA 10, Varian, USA). Results : Significant differences were found between the FB and DIBH plans for mean heart dose (6.82 vs. 1.91 Gy), heart $V_{30}$ (68.57 vs. $8.26cm^3$), $V_{20}$ (76.43 vs. $11.34cm^3$). The standard deviation of DIBH signal of each patient was ${\pm}0.07cm$, ${\pm}0.04cm$, ${\pm}0.13cm$, respectively. The Maximum and Minimum heart distance on EPID images were measured as 0.32 cm and 0.00 cm. Conclusion : Consequently, using the DIBH technique with radiation therapy for left breast cancer patients is very useful to establish the treatment plan and to reduce the heart dose. In addition, it is beneficial to using the Cine acquisition mode of EPID for the reproducibility evaluation of DIBH.

Recognition and Request for Medical Direction by 119 Emergency Medical Technicians (119 구급대원들이 지각하는 의료지도의 필요성 인식과 요구도)

  • Park, Joo-Ho
    • The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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    • v.15 no.3
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    • pp.31-44
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    • 2011
  • Purpose : The purpose of emergency medical services(EMS) is to save human lives and assure the completeness of the body in emergency situations. Those who have been qualified on medical practice to perform such treatment as there is the risk of human life and possibility of major physical and mental injuries that could result from the urgency of time and invasiveness inflicted upon the body. In the emergency medical activities, 119 emergency medical technicians mainly perform the task but they are not able to perform such task independently and they are mandatory to receive medical direction. The purpose of this study is to examine the recognition and request for medical direction by 119 emergency medical technicians in order to provide basic information on the development of medical direction program suitable to the characteristics of EMS as well as for the studies on EMS for the sake of efficient operation of pre-hospital EMS. Method : Questionnaire via e-mail was conducted during July 1-31, 2010 for 675 participants who are emergency medical technicians, nurses and other emergency crews in Gyeongbuk. The effective 171 responses were used for the final analysis. In regards to the emergency medical technicians' scope of responsibilities defined in Attached Form 14, Enforcement regulations of EMS, t-test analysis was conducted by using the means and standard deviation of the level of request for medical direction on the scope of responsibilities of Level 1 & Level 2 emergency medical technicians as the scale of medical direction request. The general characteristics, experience result, the reason for necessity, emergency medical technicians & medical director request level, medical direction method, the place of work of the medical director, feedback content and improvement plan request level were analyzed through frequency and percentage. The level of experience in medical direction and necessity were analyzed through ${\chi}^2$ test. Results : In regards to the medical direction experience per qualification, the experience was the highest with 53.3% for Level 1 emergency medical technicians and 80.3% responded that experience was helpful. As for the recognition on the necessity of medical direction, 71.3% responded as "necessary" and it turned out to be the highest of 76.9% in nurses. As for the reason for responding "necessary", the reason for reducing the risk and side-effects from EMS for patients was the largest(75.4%), and the reason of EMS delay due to the request of medical direction was the highest(71.4%) for the reason for responding "not necessary". In regards to the request level of the task scope of emergency medical technicians, injection of certain amount of solution during a state of shock was the highest($3.10{\pm}.96$) for Level 1 emergency rescuers, and the endotracheal intubation was the highest($3.12{\pm}1.03$) for nurses, and the sublingual administration of nitroglycerine(NTG) during chest pain was the highest($2.62{\pm}1.02$) for Level 2 emergency medical technicians, and regulation of heartbeat using AED was the highest($2.76{\pm}.99$) for other emergency crews. For the revitalization of medical direction, the improvement in the capability of EMS(78.9%) was requested from emergency crew, and the ability to evaluate the medical state of patient was the highest(80.1%) in the level of request for medical director. The prehospital and direct medical direction was the highest(60.8%) for medical direction method, and the emergency medical facility was the highest(52.0%) for the placement of medical director, and the evaluation of appropriateness of EMS was the highest(66.1%) for the feedback content, and the reinforcement of emergency crew(emergency medical technicians) personnel was the highest(69.0%) for the improvement plan. Conclusion : The medical direction is an important policy in the prehospital EMS activity because 119 emergency medical technicians agreed the necessity of medical direction and over 80% of those who experienced medical direction said it was helpful. In addition, the simulation training program using algorithm and case study through feedback are necessary in order to enhance the technical capability of ambulance teams on the item of professional EMS with high level of request in the task scope of emergency medical technicians, and recognition of medical direction is the essence of the EMS field. In regards to revitalizing medical direction, the improvement of the task performance capability of 119 emergency medical technicians and medical directors, reinforcement of emergency medical activity personnel, assurance of trust between emergency medical technicians and the emergency physician, and search for professional operation plan of medical direction center are needed to expand the direct medical direction method for possible treatment beforehand through the participation by medical director even at the step in which emergency situation report is received.

Development and Validation of an Official Analytical Method for Determination of Ipfencarbazone in Agricultural Products using GC-ECD (GC-ECD를 이용한 농산물 중 Ipfencarbazone의 신규분석법 개발 및 검증)

  • Jang, Jin;Kim, Heejung;Lee, Eun-Hyang;Ko, Ah-Young;Ju, Yunji;Kim, Sooyeon;Chang, Moon-Ik;Rhee, Gyu-Seek
    • The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.210-217
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    • 2015
  • Ipfencarbazone is a herbicide of the tetrazolinone class, and is believed to be an inhibitor of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), which control cell division in weeds. The objective of this study was to develop and validate an official analytical method for ipfencarbazone determination in agricultural products. The ipfencarbazone residues in agricultural products were extracted with acetone, partitioned with n-hexane, and then purified through silica SPE cartridge. Finally, the analyte was quantified by gas chromatograph-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and confirmed with gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer(GC/MS). The linear range of ipfencarbazone was 0.01 to 1.0 mg/L with the coefficient of determination ($r^2$) of 0.9999. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) was 0.003 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. In addition, average recoveries of ipfencarbazone ranged from 80.6% to 112.3% at the different concentration levels LOQ, 10LOQ and 50LOQ, while the relative standard deviation was 2.2-8.6%. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the CODEX guidelines. Furthermore, and inter-laboratory study was conducted to validate the method. This proposed method for determination of ipfencarbazone residues in agricultural products can be used as an official analytical method.

Analysis of components according to different collecting time and production method in sun-dried salt (채취시기 및 생산방법에 따른 천일염의 성분 분석)

  • Jin, Yong-Xie;Kim, Haeng-Ryan;Kim, So-Young
    • Food Science and Preservation
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    • v.20 no.6
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    • pp.791-797
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    • 2013
  • This study was conducted to investigate the changes in the composition and microbiological properties of domestic sun-dried salt (white and gray salts) according to their collection time and production method. The results showed that the moisture contents of the white and gray sun-dried salts were 10.4~13.2% and 5.2~8.0%, respectively, and the sand contents were 0.1% and 0.2~0.3%, respectively, according to the month. Several samples exceeded the criteria of 15% moisture content and 0.2% sand content. The ash content and salinity of gray salt (below 85% and 90%, respectively) were higher than those of white salt (both below 80%). The total chloride contents of the salts collected in September and October were slightly lower than that of the others and exceeded the criteria of above 40%. In the case of mineral contents, there was no significant difference among the collection times because the analyses showed a marked deviation. The microbiological analysis showed that there was no significant difference among the production method, but the salt samples collected in September and October had relatively high detection rates of total aerobe, staphylococci, and halophilic bacteria.

Recent Variations of UV Irradiance at Seoul 2004~2010 (서울의 최근 자외선 복사의 변화 2004~2010)

  • Kim, Jhoon;Park, Sang Seo;Cho, Nayeong;Kim, Woogyung;Cho, Hi Ku
    • Atmosphere
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.429-438
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    • 2011
  • The climatology of surface UV radiation for Seoul, presented in Cho et al. (1998; 2001), has been updated using measurement of surface erythemal ultraviolet (EUV) and total ultraviolet (TUV) irradiance (wavelength 286.5~363.0 nm) by a Brewer Spectrophotometer (MK-IV) for the period 2004~2010. The analysis was also carried out together with the broadband total (global) solar irradiance (TR ; 305~2800 nm) and cloud amount to compare with the UV variations, measured by Seoul meteorological station of Korean Meteorological Agency located near the present study site. Under all-sky conditions, the day-to-day variability of EUV exhibits annual mean of 98% in increase and 31% in decrease. It has been also shown that the EUV variability is 17 times as high as the total ozone in positive change, whereas this is 6 times higher in negative change. Thus, the day to day variability is dominantly caused rather by the daily synoptic situations than by the ozone variability. Annual mean value of daily EUV and TUV shows $1.62kJm^{-2}$ and $0.63MJm^{-2}$ respectively, whereas mean value of TR is $12.4MJm^{-2}$ ($143.1Wm^{-2}$). The yearly maximum in noon-time UV Index (UVI) varies between 9 and 11 depending on time of year. The highest UVI shows 11 on 20 July, 2008 during the period 2004~2010, but for the period 1994~2000, the index of 12 was recorded on 13 July, 1994 (Cho et al., 2001). A 40% of daily maximum UVI belongs to "low (UVI < 2)", whereas the UVI less than 5% of the maximum show "very high (8 < UVI < 10)". On average, the maximum UVI exceeded 8 on 9 days per year. The values of Tropospheric Emission Monitoring Internet Service (TEMIS) EUV and UVI under cloud-free conditions are 1.8 times and 1.5 times, respectively, higher than the all-sky measurements by the Brewer. The trend analysis in fractional deviation of monthly UV from the reference value shows a decrease of -0.83% and -0.90% $decade^{-1}$ in the EUV and TUV, respectively, whereas the TR trend is near zero (+0.11% $decade^{-1}$). The trend is statistically significant except for TR trend (p = 0.279). It is possible that the recent UV decrease is mainly associated with increase in total ozone, but the trend in TR can be attributed to the other parameters such as clouds except the ozone. Certainly, the cloud effects suggest that the reason for the differences between UV and TR trends can be explained. In order to estimate cloud effects, the EUV, TUV and TR irradiances have been also evaluated for clear skies (cloud cover < 25%) and cloudy skies (cloud cover ${\geq}$ 75%). Annual mean values show that EUV, TUV and TR are $2.15kJm^{-2}$, $0.83MJm^{-2}$, and $17.9MJm^{-2}$ for clear skies, and $1.24kJm^{-2}$, $0.46MJm^{-2}$, and $7.2MJm^{-2}$ for cloudy skies, respectively. As results, the transmission of radiation through clouds under cloudy-sky conditions is observed to be 58%, 55% and 40% for EUV, TUV and TR, respectively. Consequently, it is clear that the cloud effects on EUV and TUV are 18% and 15%, respectively lower than the effects on TR under cloudy-sky conditions. Clouds under all-sky conditions (average of cloud cover is 5 tenths) reduced the EUV and TUV to about 25% of the clear-sky (cloud cover < 25%) values, whereas for TR, this was 31%. As a result, it is noted that the UV radiation is attenuated less than TR by clouds under all weather conditions.

Estimation of Environmental Effect and Genetic Parameter on Reproduction Traits for On-farm Test Records (농장검정돈의 번식형질에 미치는 환경효과 및 유전모수의 추정)

  • Jung, D.J.;Kim, B.W.;Roh, S.H.;Kim, H.S.;Moon, W.K.;Kim, H.Y.;Jang, H.G.;Choi, L.S.;Jeon, J.T.;Lee, J.G.
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.50 no.1
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    • pp.33-44
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    • 2008
  • The purpose of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters and trend of Landrace and Yorkshire pigs, which were raised on private farms from 1999 to 2005 and tested for their reproductive performance by the Korea Animal Improvement Association. Prior to analysis, records without pedigree or having value with larger than±3×standard deviation for the Total number of born were excluded. The effects of breed and environmental factors were estimated with least square method(Harvey, 1979), and estimation of breeding values and genetic parameters were performed on the data of 1’st litter only with GIBBSF90(Misztal, 2001) which was programmed according to Gibbs Sampling method based on Bayesian Inference by Gianola and Fernando(1986), Jensen(1994) and others. Gibbs sampling was performed 50,000 times for each parameter, and the first 5000 samples were regarded as those in burn-in period and thus, excluded for post hoc analysis. Total number of born and total number of accident were statistically significant(p<0.01) for the breed, farrowing year, farrowing season and parity effects, and the number born alive at birth was statistically significantp<(0.01) for the breed, farrowing year, farrowing season and parity effects. No particular trend was observed in the genetic and phenotypic improvement of the total number of born and number born alive at birth before 2001, when the piglet registration system started, but the tendencies of increasing for the total number of born and number born alive and decreasing for the total number of accident were observed since 2001. Somewhat higher heritability estimates of our study seems to be attributed to the situations that first parity records with poor farrowing performances were used in the analyses and it was impossible to obtain accurate reproductive performance due to the absence of criteria for record keeping at the level of individual farms.

Development of NCS Based Vocational Curriculum Model for the Practical and Creative Human Respirces (실전 창의형 인재 양성을 위한 NCS 기반 직업교육과정의 모형 개발)

  • Kim, Dong-Yeon;Kim, Jinsoo
    • 대한공업교육학회지
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    • v.39 no.2
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    • pp.101-121
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    • 2014
  • The study aims to develop the NCS based vocational curriculum model for the practical and creative human resources. For effectiveness of the study, the study consists of literature studies of both domestic and international, contents analysis, case study, expert(9samples) consultation and review, and in-depth-interview of the three advisory members. The validity of the developed model is analyzed through mean, standard deviation and contents validity ratio(CVR). The main results of the model development in our study are as follow. First, our NCS based vocational curriculum model for the practical and creative human resources is developed with the analyses of NCS development manuals, training standard utilization and training curriculum organization manuals, NCS learning module development manual and case studies, NCS research report, NCS based curriculum pilot development resources directed toward the high schools and vocational school as well as the domestic and international literature study on career training model like NCS. Second, based on the findings of our analysis in combination with the findings from the consultations with the expert and advisory committee, total 19 sub-factors of each step and domain are extracted. The sub-factors of domain in step 1 are the competency unit, definition of competency unit, competency unit element, performance criteria, range of variable, guide of assessment, key competency; in step 2, they are subject title, subject objectives, chapter title, chapter objectives, pedagogical methods, assessment methods and basic job competence; and in step 2, they are NCS based subject matrix table, NCS based subject profile, NCS based job training curriculum table, NCS based subjects organization flowchart, NCS based job training operation plan. Third, the final model including step 3 NCS based subject profile are developed in association with the linked organizational sub-factors of step 1 and step 2. Forth, the validity tests for the final model by the step and domain yield the mean 4.67, CVR value 1.00, indicating the superior validity. Also, the means of each sub-factors are all over 4.33 with the CVR value 1.00, indicating the high validity as well. The means of the associated organizations within the model are also over 4.33 with the CVR value of 1.00. Standard deviations are all .50 or lower which are small. Fifth, based on the validity test results and the in-depth-interview of the expert and advisory committee, the model is adjusted complemented to establish final model of the NCS based vocational curriculum for the practical and creative human resources.

Determination of homogentisic acid in human plasma by GC-MS for diagnosis of alkaptonuria (GC-MS를 이용한 혈장 중 호모겐티식산의 분석;알캅톤뇨증의 진단)

  • Thapa, Maheshwor;Yu, Jundong;Lee, Wonjae;Islam, Fokhrul;Yoon, Hye-Ran
    • Analytical Science and Technology
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    • v.28 no.5
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    • pp.323-330
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    • 2015
  • Alkaptonuria, a rare inherited metabolic disease, is characterized by a lack of homogentisate dioxygenase and accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA), leading to homogentisic aciduria, arthritis, and ochronosis. In this study, a rapid analytical method, without an expensive and tedious solid phase extraction step, was developed to quantify HGA in plasma using GC-MS. HGA-spiked pooled plasma samples were subjected to liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with ethyl acetate, followed by trimethylsilyl derivatization (TMS) and GC-MS quantification using selected ion monitoring. The formation of TMS derivative of the 1 carboxylic and 2 hydroxyl functional groups was performed by reacting BSTFA (with 10% TMCS) for 5 min at 80 ℃. For selected ion monitoring, quantification and confirmation ions were determined based on specific ions (m/z 384, m/z 341 and m/z 252) of the TMS derivative of HGA. Calibration curves of pooled normal plasma specimens showed a linear relationship in the range of 1-100 ng/µL. The precision and accuracy were within a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1 to 15% and a bias of -5 to 25%. Recoveries were obtained in the range of 99-125% and 95-115% for intra-day and inter-day assay, respectively, at 2, 20 and 80 ng/µL. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.4 ng/µL and 4 ng/µL, respectively. No homogentisic acid was excreted from normal Korean plasma samples. Collectively, the results from the present study suggest that this method could be useful for routine diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of alkaptonuria patients with excellent sensitivity and rapidity.