• Title/Summary/Keyword: functional perspective

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Analysis of a Large-scale Protein Structural Interactome: Ageing Protein structures and the most important protein domain

  • Bolser, Dan;Dafas, Panos;Harrington, Richard;Schroeder, Michael;Park, Jong
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bioinformatics Conference
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    • 2003.10a
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    • pp.26-51
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    • 2003
  • Large scale protein interaction maps provide a new, global perspective with which to analyse protein function. PSIMAP, the Protein Structural Interactome Map, is a database of all the structurally observed interactions between superfamilies of protein domains with known three-dimensional structure in thePDB. PSIMAP incorporates both functional and evolutionary information into a single network. It makes it possible to age protein domains in terms of taxonomic diversity, interaction and function. One consequence of it is to predict the most important protein domain structure in evolution. We present a global analysis of PSIMAP using several distinct network measures relating to centrality, interactivity, fault-tolerance, and taxonomic diversity. We found the following results: ${\bullet}$ Centrality: we show that the center and barycenter of PSIMAP do not coincide, and that the superfamilies forming the barycenter relate to very general functions, while those constituting the center relate to enzymatic activity. ${\bullet}$ Interactivity: we identify the P-loop and immunoglobulin superfamilies as the most highly interactive. We successfully use connectivity and cluster index, which characterise the connectivity of a superfamily's neighbourhood, to discover superfamilies of complex I and II. This is particularly significant as the structure of complex I is not yet solved. ${\bullet}$ Taxonomic diversity: we found that highly interactive superfamilies are in general taxonomically very diverse and are thus amongst the oldest. This led to the prediction of the oldest and most important protein domain in evolution of lift. ${\bullet}$ Fault-tolerance: we found that the network is very robust as for the majority of superfamilies removal from the network will not break up the network. Overall, we can single out the P-loop containing nucleotide triphosphate hydrolases superfamily as it is the most highly connected and has the highest taxonomic diversity. In addition, this superfamily has the highest interaction rank, is the barycenter of the network (it has the shortest average path to every other superfamily in the network), and is an articulation vertex, whose removal will disconnect the network. More generally, we conclude that the graph-theoretic and taxonomic analysis of PSIMAP is an important step towards the understanding of protein function and could be an important tool for tracing the evolution of life at the molecular level.

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Evaluation of the Reducing Efficiency of Vertical and Horizontal Wetland Using Intermittent Flow System (간헐식 흐름방식을 활용한 수직·수평 습지의 정화효율 평가)

  • Joo, Kwang Jin;Lee, Dong Min;Kim, Ki Jung;Cho, Yong Chul;Jang, Gwang Hyeon;Choi, I Song;Oh, Jong Min
    • Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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    • v.4 no.3
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    • pp.142-148
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    • 2017
  • Nitrogen and phosphorus are key factors in causing eutrophication of water body. In this study, ceramics media was selected to increase the removal efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus. We designed vertical, horizontal flow constructed wetlands to create aerobic and anaerobic flow conditions by using the media, then proceeded to performance evaluations after acrylic reactors were produced. In the case of vertical and horizontal flow constructed wetlands, we measured oxygen concentrations to evaluate aerobic and anaerobic conditions. we got the result of 2.7 mg/L in the aerobic condition, N.D in the anaerobic condition respectively, which suited our purpose. The result of the combined vertical and horizontal flow condition showed that the removal efficiency of SS was 94%, 91%, 61% at 140 min, 80 min, 60 min of running times, respectively, and the removal efficiency of T-P was 84%, 71%, 63% during each running time. In case of T-N, the removal efficiency was 63%, 49%, 42% during each running time. We found that the reactor exerted better removal efficiency when in the short time compared to 12 - 24 hr residence time of existing wetlands. In this study, we conducted experiments to explore functional effects after applying combined vertical and horizontal flow methods in the field. Further study will be carried out to identify its mechanism and administrative perspective.

Effect Analysis of Media Pole on Pedestrian Satisfaction for Walking -Focused on Media Pole in Gang Nam U-street- (가로변 미디어폴이 보행만족도에 미치는 영향분석 - 서울시 강남 U-street를 중심으로 -)

  • Cho, Jeong-Phil;Park, Tae-Won
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.14 no.7
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    • pp.518-528
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    • 2014
  • The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of road facilities that have adopted digital media such as total road facility called L.E.D media pole installed on U-street, Gangnam-gu on the pedestrians' satisfaction. Through the study, we would like to improve the brand competitiveness, increase the revisiting decision factors and suggest the fundamental development direction for the digital media road facilities on the typical pedestrian road, Gangnam street. The three factors from the studies came out to be spatial component, design component, and functional component. In order to analyze the factors, the pedestrians' behaviors were observed through a direct survey which provided 35 reserved factors. Also, the preliminary factors derived through survey questionnaires were revised by experts which compressed the result into 20 factors. The result of the regression analisis states that the 'Factor of the spatial component' is the statistically significant factor among the five elicited factors of the effect of the media pole on the pedestrian satisfaction. U-street's media pole provides the comfortable and various contents and application methods and will provide the new perspective on the purpose of pedestrians by new experience that is based on digital technology.

Study on Analysis of Difference in Preference of Stakeholders in Port Gyeongin Using Conjoint Analysis (컨조인트 분석을 활용한 경인항 이해관계자의 선호도 차이분석에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Jong-Min;YANG, Tae-Hyeon;Park, Sung Hoon;Yeo, Gi-Tae
    • Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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    • v.44 no.1
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    • pp.10-19
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    • 2020
  • Port Gyeongin was developed as a multi-functional port equipped with container and general port facilities and could be linked with nearby tourist attractions. However, it has experienced difficulties from the limitation of being a small port, duplicating functions, and lacking an interlink with nearby ports. Nonetheless, resident companies that need logistics facilities in Port Gyeongin or nearby ports process specific import and export goods such as wood, steel, and industrial products through Port Gyeongin because of the characteristics of the port. From this perspective, it is critical to establish a measure to promote Port Gyeongin through utility analysis of the stakeholders in Port Gyeongin. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to analyze the preference of stakeholders in Port Gyeongin using conjoint analysis and propose a difference in the preference of the stakeholders. Study results show that the terminal group, shippers, and tenant companies considered the berthing capacity, incentive scale, and port logistics cost as the most critical matters, respectively. The stakeholders in Port Gyeongin should recognize the difference in critical matters, and be equipped with shipper discovery and institutional arrangement according to the characteristics of Port Gyeongin such as cooperation with related institutions and inter-collaboration between operating companies to promote Port Gyeongin.

Treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency in a patient with a submucous cleft palate using a speech aid: the more treatment options, the better the treatment results

  • Park, Yun-Ha;Jo, Hyun-Jun;Hong, In-Seok;Leem, Dae-Ho;Baek, Jin-A;Ko, Seung-O
    • Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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    • v.41
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    • pp.19.1-19.6
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    • 2019
  • Background: The submucous cleft palate (SMCP) is a type of cleft palate that may result in velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Palate muscles completely separate oral and nasal cavities by closing off the velopharynx during functional processes such as speech or swallow. Also, hypernasality may arise from anatomical or neurological abnormalities in these functions. Treatments of this issue involve a combination of surgical intervention, speech aid, and speech therapy. This case report demonstrates successfully treated VPI resulted from SMCP without any surgical intervention but solely with speech aid appliance and speech therapy. Case presentation: A 13-year-old female patient with a speech disorder from velopharyngeal insufficiency that was caused by a submucous cleft palate visited to our OMFS clinic. In the intraoral examination, the patient had a short soft palate and bifid uvula. And the muscles in the palate did not contract properly during oral speech. She had no surgical history such as primary palatoplasty or pharyngoplasty except for tonsillectomy. And there were no other medical histories. Objective speech assessment using nasometer was performed. We diagnosed that the patient had a SMCP. The patient has shown a decrease in speech intelligibility, which resulted from hypernasality. We decided to treat the patient with speech aid (palatal lift) along with speech therapy. During the 7-month treatment, hypernasality measured by a nasometer decreased and speech intelligibility became normal. Conclusions: Surgery remains the first treatment option for patients with velopharyngeal insufficiencies from submucous cleft palates. However, there were few reports about objective speech evaluation pre- or post-operation. Moreover, there has been no report of non-surgical treatment in the recent studies. From this perspective, this report of objective improvement of speech intelligibility of VPI patient with SMCP by non-surgical treatment has a significant meaning. Speech aid can be considered as one of treatment options for management of SMCP.

Current Trend and Perspective of Research and Development on Biologically - Active Livestock Products (생리활성을 강화한 기능성 축산식품의 연구개발 동향과 전망)

  • 이복희
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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    • v.6 no.2
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    • pp.257-271
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    • 1996
  • Livestock products like meat, milk and egg have been principal food sources for human beings since the historic periods of time. Nowadays consumption of these food items have been avoided due to its high contents of SFA, cholesterol and total fat which are major culprits of chronic adult diseases causing major deaths of people. However, the relationship between livestock products and diseases is not always true because the amounts of fat and cholesterol and types of fatty acids in meat and meat by-products depend on the part of the meat and types of animals. Although meat intakes do not always cause mai or adult diseases, still the developmental necessity does exist for animal foods equipped with biologically active properties, which in turn can improve nutritional status and health more than ever Meat with high protein lean part and low fat can be produced by applying synthetic somatotropin and beta-adrenergic agonists like clenbuterol, cimaterol etc. during breeding. This application brings benefits like higher growth rate, lower fat contents and improve feed efficiency ratios. Meats fortified with long chain PUFA($\omega$-3 fatty acids) can also be produced by modulating feed composition.Egg Products have faced the reduced sales annually because of its high cholesterol contents. Recently brand eggs fortified with special nutrients or chemical components having functional proper ties in the human body system are very popular Research Interests have been focused on eggs with low cholesterol and high omega-3 fatty acids. Low cholesterol eggs and high omega-3 eggs can be produced in several different ways, but popular way to increase is feeding the feeds with different oil sources containing high omega-3 and 6 fatty acids such as fish oil, perilla oil, linseed oil and lecithin etc. But proper compositon of feed formula should be found and economically beneficial. Brand eggs fortified with vitamin, mineral, unknown growth factors are also manufactured. Low cholesterol and high $\omega$-3 PUFA milk are marketed recently Cholesterol removal technology is not completely established and has several limitations to be overcome. Milk fortified with $\omega$-3 fatty acids is made by incorporating high &13 fatty acid foods in feed despite of extraordinary way of fatty acid metabolism In cow. All these biologically active products will be very beneficial and useful for human consumption when limitations of manufacturing technology such as safety and lowered sensory qualities are resolved. Furthermore, thorough and precise tests and quality control for these products should be performed to ensure the effectiveness and usefulness in terms of improving health and nutritional status in general. However one caution should be pointed out to lay people informing that these items are nothing but a food and not panacea. Therefore, it is important to remember that the only way of maintaining good health is absolutely through consuming balanced diet.

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Factors Affecting the Resolution of Environmental Disputes and Relevant Policy Alternatives (환경분쟁해결에 영향을 미치는 요인과 정책대안)

  • Lee, Soo-Jang
    • Journal of Environmental Policy
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    • v.9 no.4
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    • pp.125-154
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    • 2010
  • Among the various contemporary issues that confront the nation or society, surely one of the most difficult to resolve are environmental disputes between government authorities, developers, local residents and advocacy groups. While such disputes can in some cases be the result of a selfish and illegal NIMBY("Not In My Back Yard") syndrome, they can also be an expression of rational and appropriate demands from local residents to preserve the ecology and quality of life for their communities, particularly with respect to the planning of "locally unwanted land uses(LULUs). Accordingly, rethinking NIMBYism entails several implications for planning of LULUs. Until the 20th century many planners considered only "functional rationality" in their decision making, in a confrontational "us versus them"process of "decide-announce-defend(DAD)". I believe, however, that a fair, voluntary, and negotiated process of alternative dispute resolution(ADR) based on consensus building is the means to resolving these disputes. A voluntary process is more desirable and feasible than a coercive one, making ADR well worth pursuing. From this perspective, I explore several factors which affect the resolution of environmental disputes. I suggest three main factors as follows: i) extension of citizen participation, ii) enhancement of equity, and iii) building of trust. Alternatives are presented based on these factors.

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A Classification of Car-related Mobile Apps: For App Development from a Convergence Perspective (차량용 모바일 앱의 분류: 융복합 관점의 앱 개발을 위해)

  • Zhang, Chao;Wan, Lili;Min, Daihwan
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
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    • v.15 no.3
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    • pp.77-86
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    • 2017
  • This study selected car-related mobile apps for app developers suffering from low revenue and classified car apps assisting users in driving or managing a car. A total of 697 car apps were classified into eight categories. Most apps are in four categories: car news & information (28%), locating service (23%), car rental service (15%), safe/efficient driving service (12%). The remaining categories are buying & selling, driver's communication, maintenance management, and expenses monitoring. Many apps are simple and too similar in their main functions. Only a few apps are designed to be more comprehensive and have functions in two or more categories. For the practicality of the categorization scheme, this study checked the inter-rater reliability in two tests and got 0.886 and 0.828. The result from this study suggests functions that are not implemented yet or need to be combined. Future research will focus on identifying promising car apps or designing multi-functional car apps.

Current Status of Systems Biology in Traditional Chinese medicine - in regards to influences to Korean Medicine (최근 중의학에서 시스템생물학의 발전 현황 - 한의학에 미치는 영향 및 시사점을 중심으로 -)

  • Lee, Seungeun;Lee, Sundong
    • Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.1-13
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    • 2017
  • Objectives : This paper serves to explore current trends of systems biology in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and examine how it may influence the Traditional Korean medicine. Methods : Literature review method was collectively used to classify Introduction to systems biology, diagnosis and syndrome classification of systems biology in TCM perspective, physiotherapy including acupuncture, herbs and formula functions, TCM systems biology, and directions of academic development. Results : The term 'Systems biology' is coined as a combination of systems science and biology. It is a field of study that tries to understand living organism by establishing a theory based on an ideal model that analyzes and predicts the desired output with understanding of interrelationships and dynamics between variables. Systems biology has an integrated and multi-dimensional nature that observes the interaction among the elements constructing the network. The current state of systems biology in TCM is categorized into 4 parts: diagnosis and syndrome, physical therapy, herbs and formulas and academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology. Diagnosis and syndrome field is focusing on developing TCM into personalized medicine by clarifying Kidney yin deficiency patterns and metabolic differences among five patterns of diabetes and analyzing plasma metabolism and biomarkers of coronary heart disease patients. In the field of physical therapy such as acupuncture and moxibustion, researchers discovered the effect of stimulating acupoint ST40 on gene expression and the effects of acupuncture on treating functional dyspepsia and acute ischemic stroke. Herbs and formulas were analyzed with TCM network pharmacology. The therapeutic mechanisms of Si Wu Tang and its series formulas are explained by identifying potential active substances, targets and mechanism of action, including metabolic pathways of amino acid and fatty acid. For the academic development of TCM systems biology and its technology, it is necessary to integrate massive database, integrate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as systems biology. It is also essential to establish a platform to maximize herbal treatment through accumulation of research data and diseases-specific, or drug-specific network combined with clinical experiences, and identify functions and roles of molecules in herbs and conduct animal-based studies within TCM frame. So far, few literature reviews exist for systems biology in traditional Korean medicine and they merely re-examine known efficacies of simple substances, herbs and formulas. For the future, it is necessary to identify specific mechanisms of working agents and targets to maximize the effects of traditional medicine modalities. Conclusions : Systems biology is widely accepted and studied in TCM and already advanced into a field known as 'TCM systems biology', which calls for the study of incorporating TCM and systems biology. It is time for traditional Korean medicine to acknowledge the importance of systems biology and present scientific basis of traditional medicine and establish the principles of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. By doing so, traditional Korean medicine would be innovated and further developed into a personalized medicine.

Establishment and Functions of World Health Organization: With a Functionalism Perspective (기능주의 관점에서 본 세계보건기구의 설립과 역할)

  • Ko, Han-Soo;Kim, Chang-Yup
    • Health Policy and Management
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    • v.22 no.1
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    • pp.1-28
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    • 2012
  • Since its establishment in 1948, World Health Organization (WHO) has tried and facilitated international cooperation of public health under the goal of "the highest attainable health," and gained outcomes like the eradication of smallpox and polio, turning itself into the representative of international public health. However, there was discord between member nations during the cold war era, and the status of WHO experienced rise and fall after its establishment. WHO, the representative international health organization, also has not been freed from influences from international regime changes, which means that the discussion on the internal causes of WHO functionings should be expanded more. In this study, functionalism was tested as one of international relations theory that tries to explain the establishment and role of WHO. Especially, this study analyzed the problems and problem-solving process that WHO had to face by using Imber's five steps theory that arranged chronologically the theory of Mitrany. We mainly investigated the secondary source that described historic facts on the rise and fall of WHO in terms of roles and functionings during establishment of WHO, the cold war era, and international cooperation of public health. The roles of WHO were analyzed by selecting the gains of WHO in the post cold war era. The functionalism arrangement of Imber was appropriate to some extent in explaining the establishment and role of WHO. The first step was International Sanitary Conference in 1851 that made nations to recognize international cooperation of public health, and the second step was the establishment of WHO that handles public health as an international organization. Recent cases of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and International Health Regulations showed that each nation agreed with an international norm that they had to cooperate each other to tackle infectious diseases and smoking, and this implies that these were emergence of global governance. This process was the third step of Imber's theory (nations had a gain from international cooperation would agree with the expansion of authority of international organization). However, the last two steps of the theory are still not realized. The partial success of WHO was based on the functional elements that WHO deals with non-political elements, human resources centering on professionals, and democratic decision making process. This essential and non-political characteristics mean that necessity of international cooperation catalyzed by WHO would continue despite of the global governance era when global health governance get faced more challenges.