• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.150-150
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to describe the distribution of metals concentrations in blood of adults who were not occupationally exposed in Korea. The blood samples were obtained between February and August 2001 from volunteer adults in urban area of Korea. 66 male participants were 46 (20-75) years of age and 74 female were 40 (20-69) years of age. The levels of metals in blood were observed the log-normal distribution, and we calculated geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD). The GM levels of metals in blood of the men were 65.88$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 1.01$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 0.23$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$ and 0.15$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, for Pb, Cr, Ni and Cd, respectively. The GM levels of the women were 58.49$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 1.66$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 0.30$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$ and 0.10$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, for Pb, Cr, Ni and Cd, respectively. The levels of Pb-B and Cd-B were significantly higher non-smoker than smoker, whereas those of Cr-B and Ni-B were not different by smoking habit.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the distribution dynamics and proposed determinants, including morphological measurements, clinical laboratory tests, and lifestyle factors among young Korean men aged 20 to 29 years with the coexistence of age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and obesity (CALSMO). METHODS: Six hundred and sixty-six participants were divided into two groups based on their skeletal muscle mass index, with 12 individuals categorized in the CALSMO group and the remaining 654 in the normal group. The proposed determinants variables consisted of three main components: morphological measurements, clinical laboratory tests, and lifestyle factors. The morphological measurement variables were height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and skeletal muscle mass index. The clinical laboratory tests were fasting glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol levels, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The lifestyle factors considered were alcohol consumption and tobacco use. Complex sampling analysis was performed for the evaluation. RESULTS: The distribution dynamics were determined to be 1.81(1.02-3.18) %. Morphological factors, such as height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and skeletal muscle mass index, showed significant differences (p < .05). The clinical laboratory test variables, specifically the fasting glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels, also exhibited significant differences (p < .05). The lifestyle factor, alcohol consumption, also showed a significance (p < .05). CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into the distribution dynamics. The proposed determinants in young Korean individuals with CALSMO are height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass index, fasting glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol levels, and alcohol consumption.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.162-168
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• 1994

In this paper we develop an unconditional method for inferences on the shape parameter of a gamma distribution. A simple numerical implementation of this unconditional method is developed; this is a computer program that takes the observed data as input and produces the confidence distribution function for the shape parameter, which in turn provides approximate observe significance levels and confidence intervals for that parameter, as output. These approximations are extremely accurate even for very small sample size and numerically simple and easy to obtain.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-3
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• 1980

The model of an isolated organ system has been developed to simulate the kinetic behavior of drug levels in an acting organ or site. The model is developed from basic considerations of drug distribution with hemodynamical and pharmacokinetical meanings. Model: It is considered a situation in which non-metabolic drug substance is injected into the arterial inflow of an isolated organ at constant rate. The volume of distribution and the concentration of drug in the venous outflow can be mathematically expressed as a function of time.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.243-253
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to set new guidelines for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence hygiene monitoring of distribution trays at children's foodservices. Five dietitians visited 223 foodservices (95 institutional, 128 small) to examine whether they adhered to the norms of 'Keeping distribution tray sanitary by washing/sanitizing' and 'Performing food distribution in a clean and appropriate way'. In this visit, dietitians swabbed 100 ㎠ area of the distribution trays twice, once for obtaining ATP measurements and the second time for Aerobic Plate Counts (APC) using 3M Petrifilm Plates. Chi-square test and ANOVA were applied using SPSS 23.0 software. SPSS 23.0 was used to conduct graphical and statistical analysis of the raw data of ATP measurements, which were further transformed by a Box-Cox transformation. The mean of APC from all the subjects inspected was 3.8×10²±2,102.0 CFU/100 ㎠. A total of 208 (93.3%) trays were observed within the acceptable limits of APC (Pass<5.0×10² CFU/100 ㎠). APCs taken at institutional foodservices showed significantly lower levels (1.4×10²±600.0 CFU/100 ㎠, P<0.01) compared to the small foodservices (5.5×10²±2,718.7 CFU/100 ㎠). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in ATP measurements and in the performance rate of 2 checklist items. As against the 93.3% APC adequacy from the total subjected inspection, total ATP adequacy (Pass≤300 RLU/100 ㎠) was only 71.7%. Therefore, more practical guidelines should be prepared for the assessment of the hygiene of distribution trays. In the graphical and statistical analysis, levels below 250 RLU/100 ㎠ was considered 'Pass', while equal to or greater than 350 RLU/100 ㎠ was considered 'Fail' for distribution trays.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.215-227
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• 2018

Supplemental passive control devices are widely considered as an important tool to mitigate the dynamic response of a building under seismic excitation. Nevertheless, a systematic method for strategically placing dampers in the buildings is not prescribed in building codes and guidelines. Many deterministic and stochastic methods have been proposed by previous researchers to investigate the optimum distribution of the viscous dampers in the steel frames. However, the seismic performances of the retrofitted buildings that are under large earthquake intensity levels or near collapse state have not been evaluated by any seismic research. Recent years, an increasing number of studies utilize genetic algorithms (GA) to explore the complex engineering optimization problems. GA interfaced with nonlinear response history (NRH) analysis is considered as one of the most powerful and popular stochastic methods to deal with the nonlinear optimization problem of damper distribution. In this paper, the effectiveness and the efficiency of GA on optimizing damper distribution are first evaluated by strong ground motions associated with the collapse failure. A practical optimization framework using GA and NRH analysis is proposed for optimizing the distribution of the fluid viscous dampers within the moment resisting frames (MRF) regarding the improvements of large drifts under intensive seismic context. Both a 10-storey and a 20-storey building are involved to explore higher mode effect. A far-fault and a near-fault earthquake environment are also considered for the frames under different seismic intensity levels. To evaluate the improvements obtained from the GA optimization regarding the collapse performance of the buildings, Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) is conducted and comparisons are made between the GA damper distribution and stiffness proportional damping distribution on the collapse probability of the retrofitted frames.

• KIEE International Transactions on Power Engineering
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• v.4A no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2004

In this paper, the on-line volt/var control algorithms of the Load Tap Changer (LTC) transformer and Shunt Capacitor (SC) are proposed for distribution volt/var compensation. In the existing volt/var control of the distribution substation, the feeder voltage and reactive power demand of the distribution are mainly controlled by the LTC transformer tap position and on/off operation of the Sc. It is very difficult to maintain volt/var at the distribution networks within the satisfactory levels due to the discrete operation characteristics of the LTC and SC. In addition, there is the limitation of the LTC and SC operation times, which affects their functional lifetimes. The proposed volt/var control algorithm determines an optimal tap position of the LTC and on/off status of the SC at a distribution substation with multiple connected feeders. The mathematical equations of the proposed method are introduced. A simple case study is performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.237-247
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• 2001

The concentrations of gaseous mercury (Hg) determined between two different time periods of the late 1980s and the late 1990s were compared to account for the effects of changes between source/sink relationships of atmospheric Hg in an urban area. The Hg concentration levels were different remarkably between the two time periods due possibly to changes in source/sink relationships. The results showed that the Hg levels in the former period were measured to be 14.4${\pm}$9.56ngm$^{-3}$ (N = 2714), whereas those of the latter period were characterized by approximately three-fold decreased values of 5.34${\pm}$3.92 ngm$^{-3}$ (N=2576). Using two independent measurement data sets, we examined the patterns of Hg distribution at different time scales. When analyzed over 24 hour scale, these data sets exhibited two distinctive distribution patterns. The former period showed enhanced concentration levels during daytime, while the latter period showed relative depletion during daytime. The patterns of the two data sets were also examined over seasonal scale. The results of two different time periods consistently showed the occurrences of maximum seasonal values during winter. The former period was characterized by seasonal patterns of fuel consumption with excessive Hg levels during winter. Conversely, no distinctive trend was apparent for the latter period with slight changes in concentration levels across seasons. In order to analyze the factors affecting Hg distributions between two different periods, we conducted both correlation and factor analysis on both all data sets and on seasonally divided data groups. The results of these analyses consistently indicate that the Hg concentration levels for two different time periods are regulated by distinctive source processes that are characteristic of each period.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1901-1906
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• 2012

Background: The discovery that microRNA (miRNA) regulates metastasis provide a principal molecular basis for tumor heterogeneity. A characteristic of solid tumors is their heterogenous distribution of blood vessels, with significant hypoxia occurring in regions (centers of tumor) of low blood flow. It is necessary to discover the mechanism of breast cancer metastasis in relation to the fact that there is a differential distribution of crucial microRNA in tumors from centers to edges. Methods: Breast tissues from 48 patients (32 patients with breast cancer) were classified into the high invasive and metastatic group (HIMG), low invasive and metastatic group (LIMG), and normal group. Samples were collected from both the centers and edges of all tumors. The first six specimens were detected by microRNA array, and the second ten specimens were detected by real-time qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Correlation analysis was performed between the miRNAs and target proteins. Results: The relative content of miR-20a and miR-20b was lower in the center of the tumor than at the edge in the LIMG, lower at the edge of the tumor than in the center in the HIMG, and lower in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues. VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha mRNA levels were higher in the HIMG than in the LIMG, and levels were higher in both groups than in the normal group; there was no difference in mRNA levels between the edge and center of the tumor. VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha protein levels were higher in the HIMG than in the LIMG, and protein levels in both groups were higher than in the normal group; there was a significant difference in protein expression between the edge and center of the tumor. Correlation analysis showed that the key miRNAs (miR-20a and miR-20b) negatively correlated with the target proteins (VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha). Conclusions: Our data suggest that miR-20a and miR-20b are differentially distributed in breast cancer, while VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha mRNA had coincident distributions, and VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha proteins had uneven and opposing distributions to the miRNAs. It appears that one of the most important facets underlying metastatic heterogeneity is the differential distribution of miR-20a and miR-20b and their regulation of target proteins.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.393-400
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• 2001

We examined the relationship between plasma folate and total homocysteine(Hcy) levels and the distribution of plasma folate and Hcy levels from 204 Korean adults(113 men and 91 women aged between 20yr and 69yr). Plasma folate levels were significantly lower in men(12.2nmol/L) than in women(14.6nmol/L) after controlling for smoking and drinking(p<0.05). Plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in men(13.9$\mu$mol/L) than in women(11.8$\mu$mol/L) after controlling and drinking. Plasma Hcy levels were more more strongly correlated with plasma folate in women(${\gamma}$=-0.321, p<0.05) than in men(${\gamma}$=-0.202, p<0.05), but the difference between men and women was no longer statistically significant controlling for plasma folate concentration. Prevalence of mild homocysteinemia(plama Hcy>15$\mu$mol/L) was greatest among subjects with lowest folate status. These results indicate a strong association between plasma Hcy concentration and folate status and the poor folate status is the strong causative factor of mild homocysteinemia. (Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 393~400, 2001)