• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.117-140
• /
• 2019

As the aging phenomenon accelerates and various social problems related to the elderly of the vulnerable are raised, the need for effective elderly care solutions to protect the health and safety of the elderly generation is growing. Recently, more and more people are using Smart Toys equipped with ICT technology for care for elderly. In particular, log data collected through smart toys is highly valuable to be used as a quantitative and objective indicator in areas such as policy-making and service planning. However, research related to smart toys is limited, such as the development of smart toys and the validation of smart toy effectiveness. In other words, there is a dearth of research to derive insights based on log data collected through smart toys and to use them for decision making. This study will analyze log data collected from smart toy and derive effective insights to improve the quality of life for elderly users. Specifically, the user profiling-based analysis and elicitation of a change in quality of life mechanism based on behavior were performed. First, in the user profiling analysis, two important dimensions of classifying the type of elderly group from five factors of elderly user's living management were derived: 'Routine Activities' and 'Work-out Activities'. Based on the dimensions derived, a hierarchical cluster analysis and K-Means clustering were performed to classify the entire elderly user into three groups. Through a profiling analysis, the demographic characteristics of each group of elderlies and the behavior of using smart toy were identified. Second, stepwise regression was performed in eliciting the mechanism of change in quality of life. The effects of interaction, content usage, and indoor activity have been identified on the improvement of depression and lifestyle for the elderly. In addition, it identified the role of user performance evaluation and satisfaction with smart toy as a parameter that mediated the relationship between usage behavior and quality of life change. Specific mechanisms are as follows. First, the interaction between smart toy and elderly was found to have an effect of improving the depression by mediating attitudes to smart toy. The 'Satisfaction toward Smart Toy,' a variable that affects the improvement of the elderly's depression, changes how users evaluate smart toy performance. At this time, it has been identified that it is the interaction with smart toy that has a positive effect on smart toy These results can be interpreted as an elderly with a desire to meet emotional stability interact actively with smart toy, and a positive assessment of smart toy, greatly appreciating the effectiveness of smart toy. Second, the content usage has been confirmed to have a direct effect on improving lifestyle without going through other variables. Elderly who use a lot of the content provided by smart toy have improved their lifestyle. However, this effect has occurred regardless of the attitude the user has toward smart toy. Third, log data show that a high degree of indoor activity improves both the lifestyle and depression of the elderly. The more indoor activity, the better the lifestyle of the elderly, and these effects occur regardless of the user's attitude toward smart toy. In addition, elderly with a high degree of indoor activity are satisfied with smart toys, which cause improvement in the elderly's depression. However, it can be interpreted that elderly who prefer outdoor activities than indoor activities, or those who are less active due to health problems, are hard to satisfied with smart toys, and are not able to get the effects of improving depression. In summary, based on the activities of the elderly, three groups of elderly were identified and the important characteristics of each type were identified. In addition, this study sought to identify the mechanism by which the behavior of the elderly on smart toy affects the lives of the actual elderly, and to derive user needs and insights.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.131-137
• /
• 2000

The release of hazardous waste materials into the environment poses serious risks in humans and ecosystems. The risk assessment of environmental pollutants including hazardous chemicals requires a comprehensive measurement of hazard and exposure of the chemicals that can be achieved by toxicity evaluation using a biological system such as biomarkers. In this report we have tried to develop a biomarker used to elucidate a molecular basis of, and to monitor abnormal behaviors caused by diazinon in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) as a model organism. First, an attempt was made to clone tyrosine hydroxylase gene from Japanese medaka that would be a candidate for a biomarker for neuronal modulations and behaviors. For monitoring experiments at behavioral and molecular biological levels, the fish were treated under different sublethal conditions of diazinon and their behavioral responses were observed . In this study we have successfully cloned a partial TH gene from the medaka fish through PCR screening of an ovary cDNA library. DNA sequencing analysis revealed that the amplified fragment was 327 bp encoding 109 amino acids. Comparing the DNA sequence of medaka TH with other species, TH gene revealed the DNA sequence was completely identical to that of rat TH. In the RT-PCR, 330 Up of mRNA was consistently amplified in all the treated samples including control There were no significant differences in the TH expression level regardless of treating concentrations (1∼5,000 ppb) and time (0∼48 hr) The reason appeared to be that RT-PCR was not performed using through a quantitative analysis normalized against an actin gene expression. Organ or tissue - specific detection of TH activity and mRNA as biomarkers will be a useful monitoring tool for neurobehavioral changes in fish influenced by toxic chemicals. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of locomotive patterns and its correlation with the neurochemical and molecular data would be highly useful in measuring toxicity and hazard ofvarious environmental pollutants.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of pollutant loads on the water quality in the Mankyeong River from January 2002 to December 2004. The BOD level in upstream ranged from 0.58 to 1.57 mg $L^{-1}$, which would be in I grade according to water quality criteria by Ministry of Environment but BOD level in midstream and downstream was III grade. T-N contents were high in midstream and the average T-P level ranged from 0.06 to 2.70 mg $L^{-1}$. The point raw loads of BOD was high in Iksancheon, Mokcheonpo and Cheongha basin. The point raw loads of T-N and T-P were high in Iksancheon and Cheongha watershed. The non-point low loads of BOD were 3,931 kg $day^{-1}$, 2,870 kg $day^{-1}$ and 2,827 kg $day^{-1}$ in Mokcheonpo, Top and Jeonju watershed, respectively. The major source of BOD effluent load was population, that of T-N and T-P effluent loads was livestock. The delivered load of T-N were high in Jeonju, Mokcheonpo, Gosan, Iksancheon watershed in order. The delivered load of T-N was high in Jeonju watershed and that of T-P was high in Jeonju and Iksancheon watershed. The delivery ratio of BOD and T-N at dry season were below 100% except Mokcheonpo watershed. The delivery ratio of BOD and T-N at raining season were high in Gosan watershed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.91-97
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of pollutant loads on the water quality in the Dongjin River area from January 2003 to December 2004. The average value of BOD and T-N showed the highest peak in Yongho, Dukcheon watershed among Dongjin River. Concentrations of BOD, T-N and T-P in Jeongeup watershed were 2.29 mg $L^{-1}$, 4.40 mg $L^{-1}$ and 0.27 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively. Concentration of BOD in Chilbo was 1.19 mg $L^{-1}$ which would be in the grade I according to water quality criteria by Ministry of Environment. The BOD level in Wonpeung and Sinpeung watershed ranged from 4.06 to 7.35 mg $L^{-1}$. The T-N effluent loads of non-point pollutants were high in Wonpeung, Gobu, Yongho Dukcheon, Jeongeup and Sinpeung watershed in order. The major sources of BOD, T-N and T-P effluent loads were Livestock. The T-P effluent load of non-point pollutant was 68 kg $day^{-1}$ in Wonpeung, 58 kg $day^{-1}$ in Yongho Dukcheon and 45 kg $day^{-1}$ Jeongeup watershed. The delivered loads of BOD was high in Gobucheon, while both T-N and T-P were high in Yongho Dukcheon. The delivery ratio of BOD and T-N at dry season was below 100% in all watershed of Dongjin River. The delivery ratio of T-N at raining season was high in Yongho Dukcheon and Chilbo watershed

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.57-64
• /
• 2016

Many phthalic acid esters (PAEs), including DMP, DEP, DBP, BBP, and DEHP, as well as DEHA are widely used as plasticizers in plastics. An analytical method was developed and used to analyze these compounds at 41 industrial facilities. The coefficient of determination (R²) for each constructed curve was higher than 0.98. The method detection limit (MDL) values were 0.4–0.7 μg/L for PAEs and 0.6 μg/L for DEHA. In addition, the recovery rate was shown to be 77.0–92.3%, while the relative standard deviation was shown to be in the range of 5.8-10.5%. DMP (n = 3), DEP (n = 2), DBP (n = 2), BBP (n = 2), and DEHA (n = 3) were detected in the range of 2.2-11.1% in the influent. DEHP was a predominant compound and was detected at > MDL in both the influent (n = 16, 35.6%) and the effluent (n = 4, 10.0%) at a high removal efficiency (92–100%). The highest levels of residue in industrial wastewater influent were 137.4 μg/L of DEHP at plastic products manufacturing facility, 12.5 μg/L of DEHA at a chemical manufacturing facility, and 14.0 μg/L of DEP at an electronics facility. The highest concentration of effluent was 12.5 μg/L of DEHP at a chemical manufacturing facility, which indicated that the effluent was below the allowable concentration (800 μg/L). Therefore, the levels of PAEs and DEHA that are discharged into nearby streams could not influence the health of the ecosystem.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.464-475
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study compared the effects of a high glycemic load (high GL) diet and low glycemic load (low GL) diet on the body weight, body fat, blood pressure, and blood lipid indicators. Methods: Twenty-one young adults aged between 21 and 28 years who were overweighted or obese (body mass index [BMI] between 23 and 33.5 kg/㎡) before the study and after calorie reduction diets with either low GL or high GL for 2 weeks each were examined. The study was a randomized crossover design with a 2-week washout period between the 2 types of diet. The order of the low GL and high GL diet periods was randomized. The body weight, body fat, blood pressure, levels of blood lipids, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) insulin, C-peptide, and HOMA C-peptide were measured at the baseline, as well as 2, 4, and 6 weeks after starting the experiment. Results: When subjects were on the low GL diet, they lost more weight than those eating the high GL diet (mean ± SD, -2.77 ± 1.09 vs. -1.56 ± 0.78 kg; p < 0.001); there were greater decreases in body fat mass (-1.62 ± 1.19 vs. -0.88 ± 0.91 kg; p = 0.024) and BMI (-0.95 ± 0.32 vs. -0.56 ± 1.08 kg/㎡; p < 0.001). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in changes in biochemical parameters, such as blood lipids and fasting glucose levels, and blood pressure. The body weight, body fat mass, BMI, percent body fat, blood pressure, cholesterol (total, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein), fasting glucose, C-peptide, HOMA-insulin resistance-C-peptide levels were decreased significantly at 6 weeks. Conclusion: The low GL diet may be more effective in losing body weight, body fat mass, and BMI than the high GL diet for 2 weeks in healthy young overweight or obese adults.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.476-487
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study evaluated the accuracy of the 24-hour diet recall method for estimating energy intakes in elderly women using the doubly labeled water (DLW) method. Methods: The subjects were 23 elderly women with a mean age of 70.3 ± 3.3 years and body mass index (BMI) of 23.9 ± 2.8 kg/㎡. The total energy expenditure (TEE_DLW) was determined by using the DLW and used to validate the 24-hour diet recall method. The total energy intake (TEI) was calculated from the 24-hour diet recall method for three days. Results: TEI (1,489.6 ± 211.1 kcal/day) was significantly lower than TEE_DLW (2,023.5 ± 234.9 kcal/day) and was largely under-reported by -533.9 ± 228.0 kcal/day (-25.9%). The accurate prediction rate of elderly women in this study was 8.7%. The Bland-Altman plot, which was used to evaluate the TEI and the TEE_DLW, showed that the agreement between them was negatively skewed, ranging from -980.8 kcal/day to -86.9 kcal/day. Conclusion: This study showed that the energy intake of elderly women was underreported. Strategies to increase the accuracy of the 24-hour diet recall methods in the elderly women should be studied through analysis of factors that affect underreporting rate. Further studies will be needed to assess the validity of the 24-hour diet recall method in other population groups.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.269-273
• /
• 2007

Occurrence of malodor could cause adverse impacts on human health and increase public interest. Therefore, scientific methods to decrease odor is required. Endeavor to decrease odor from compost however has not fully been successful. The purpose of this research is assessment of some amendments to reduce $NH_3$ from immature composts. Calcium hydroxide was applied to composts due to it's characteristics to increase pH. Activated carbon and zerovalent iron (ZVI) were selected because of their adsorption properties. The research results were as follows: Calcium hydroxide, activated carbon, zerovalent iron increased the composting temperature above $60^{\circ}C$. The addition of calcium hydroxide, activated carbon, and ZVI to compastry process increased pH 8.6 - 8.8 from $1^{st}$ day to $14^{th}$ day. During the 14 days of composting, addition of calcium hydroxide, activated carbon and ZVI changed EC from $2.15-0.66dS\;m^{-1}$, $1.48-1.11dS\;m^{-1}$, respectively and $1.77-0.68dS\;m^{-1}$. The difference in EC of the compost was due to irregularities of samples. Organic matter in the compost decreased through out theexcept control. The $NH_4-N/NO_3-N$ ratio of all experimental compost increased through the process. The addition of activated carbon, calcium hydroxide and ZVI decreased $NH_3$ from 0.1ppm, 0.7ppm and 1.7ppm more than the control (pig manure and sawdust), 9.3ppm, in 30 days of composting. In conclusion, odor from prematured compost decreased by addition of chemicals like calcium hydroxide, activated carbon, zerovalent iron. Moreover, use of these $NH_3$ reducers alone or together combined at different periods of composting etc. could decrease $NH_3$.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.172-182
• /
• 2016

This study was aimed to determine the changes in vitamin $B_5$ and $B_6$ contents compared to fresh materials after parboiling treatment of the main vegetables consumed in Korea. The specificity of accuracy and precision for vitamin $B_5$ and $B_6$ analysis method were validated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The recovery rate of standard reference material (SRM) was excellent, and all analysis was under the control line based on the quality control chart for vitamin $B_5$ and $B_6$. The Z-score for vitamin $B_6$ in food analysis performance assessment scheme (FAPAS) proficiency test was -1.0, confirming reliability of analytical performance. The vitamin $B_5$ and $B_6$ contents in a total of 39 fresh materials and parboiled samples were analyzed. The contents of vitamin $B_5$ and $B_6$ ranged from 0.000 to 2.462 and from 0.000 to $0.127mg{\cdot}100g^{-1}$, respectively. The highest contents of vitamin $B_5$ and $B_6$ were $2.462mg{\cdot}100g^{-1}$ in fresh fatsia shoots (stem vegetables), and $0.127mg{\cdot}100g^{-1}$ in fresh spinach beet (leafy vegetables), respectively. Moreover, the vitamin $B_5$ and $B_6$ contents for parboiling treatment in most vegetables were reduced or not detected. In particular, the contents of vitamin $B_5$ in parboiled fatsia shoots and vitamin $B_6$ in parboiled yellow potato and spinach beet were decreased 20- and 4-fold compared with fresh material, respectively. These results can be used as important basic data for utilization and processing of various vegetable crops, information for dietary life, management of school meals, and national health for Koreans.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.35-39
• /
• 2019

Purpose Hepatitis B virus (hepatitis B virus, HBV) infection is a worldwide major public health problem and it is known as a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. And serologic tests of hepatitis B virus is essential for diagnosing and treating these diseases. In addition, with the development of molecular diagnostics, the detection of HBV DNA in serum diagnoses HBV infection and is recognized as an important indicator for the antiviral agent treatment response assessment. We performed HBeAg assay using Immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) in hepatitis B patients treated with antiviral agents. The detection rate of HBV DNA in serum was measured and compared by RT-PCR (Real Time - Polymerase Chain Reaction) method Materials and Methods HBeAg serum examination and HBV DNA quantification test were conducted on 270 hepatitis B patients undergoing anti-virus treatment after diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection. Two serologic tests (IRMA, CMIA) with different detection principles were applied for the HBeAg serum test. Serum HBV DNA was quantitatively measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the Abbott m2000 System. Results The detection rate of HBeAg was 24.1% (65/270) for IRMA and 82.2% (222/270) for CMIA. Detection rate of serum HBV DNA by real-time RT-PCR is 29.3% (79/270). The measured amount of serum HBV DNA concentration is $4.8{\times}10^7{\pm}1.9{\times}10^8IU/mL$($mean{\pm}SD$). The minimum value is 16IU/mL, the maximum value is $1.0{\times}10^9IU/mL$, and the reference value for quantitative detection limit is 15IU/mL. The detection rates and concentrations of HBV DNA by group according to the results of HBeAg serological (IRMA, CMIA)tests were as follows. 1) Group I (IRMA negative, CMIA positive, N = 169), HBV DNA detection rate of 17.7% (30/169), $6.8{\times}10^5{\pm}1.9{\times}10^6IU/mL$ 2) Group II (IRMA positive, CMIA positive, N = 53), HBV DNA detection rate 62.3% (33/53), $1.1{\times}10^8{\pm}2.8{\times}10^8IU/mL$ 3) Group III (IRMA negative, CMIA negative, N = 36), HBV DNA detection rate 36.1% (13/36), $3.0{\times}10^5{\pm}1.1{\times}10^6IU/mL$ 4) Group IV(IRMA positive, CMIA negative, N = 12), HBV DNA detection rate 25% (3/12), $1.3{\times}10^3{\pm}1.1{\times}10^3IU/mL$ Conclusion HBeAg detection rate according to the serological test showed a large difference. This difference is considered for a number of reasons such as characteristics of the Ab used for assay kit and epitope, HBV of genotype. Detection rate and the concentration of the group-specific HBV DNA classified serologic results confirmed the high detection rate and the concentration in Group II (IRMA-positive, CMIA positive, N = 53).