• Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.398-407
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• 2014

Shortages and delays in a humanitarian logistics system can contribute to the pain and suffering of survivors or other affected people. Humanitarian logistics budgets should be sufficient to prevent such shortages or delays. Unlike commercial supply chain systems, the budgets for relief supply chain systems should be able to satisfy demand. This study describes a comprehensive model in an effort to satisfy the total relief demand by minimizing logistics operations costs. We herein propose a strategic model which determines the locations of distribution centers and the total inventory to be stocked for each distribution center where a flood or other catastrophe may occur. The proposed model is formulated and solved as a mixed-integer programming problem that integrates facility location and inventory decisions by considering capacity constraints and time restrictions in order to minimize the total cost of relief operations. The proposed model is then applied to a real flood case involving 47 disaster areas and 13 distribution centers in Thailand. Finally, we discuss the sensitivity analysis of the model and the managerial implications of this research.

• BMB Reports
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• 제49권10호
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• pp.542-547
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• 2016

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cation channels widely expressed in the nervous system. Proton sensing by ASICs has been known to mediate pain, mechanosensation, taste transduction, learning and memory, and fear. In this study, we investigated the differential subcellular localization of ASIC2a and ASIC3 in heterologous expression systems. While ASIC2a targeted the cell surface itself, ASIC3 was mostly accumulated in the ER with partial expression in the plasma membrane. However, when ASIC3 was co-expressed with ASIC2a, its surface expression was markedly increased. By using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, we confirmed the heteromeric association between ASIC2a and ASIC3 subunits. In addition, we observed that the ASIC2a-dependent surface trafficking of ASIC3 remarkably enhanced the sustained component of the currents. Our study demonstrates that ASIC2a can increase the membrane conductance sensitivity to protons by facilitating the surface expression of ASIC3 through herteromeric assembly.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.55-57
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• 2014

Synovial cysts of the cervical spine, although they occur infrequently, may cause acute radiculopathy or myelopathy. Here, we report a case of a cervical synovial cyst presenting as acute myelopathy after manual stretching. A 68-year-old man presented with gait disturbance, decreased touch senses, and increased sensitivity to pain below T12 level. These symptoms developed after manual stretching 3 days prior. Computed tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 1-cm, small multilocular cystic lesion in the spinal canal with cord compression at the C7-T1 level. We performed a left partial laminectomy of C7 and T1 using a posterior approach and completely removed the cystic mass. Histological examination of the resected mass revealed fibrous tissue fragments with amorphous materials and granulation tissue compatible with a synovial cyst. The patient's symptoms resolved after surgery. We describe a case of acute myelopathy caused by a cervical synovial cyst that was treated by surgical excision. Although cervical synovial cysts are often associated with degenerative facet joints, clinicians should be aware of the possibility that these cysts can cause acute neurologic symptoms.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute an important class of drug targets and are involved in every aspect of human physiology including sleep regulation, blood pressure, mood, food intake, perception of pain, control of cancer growth, and immune response. Radiometric assays have been the classic method used during the search for potential therapeutics acting at various GPCRs for most GPCR-based drug discovery research programs. An increasing number of diverse small molecules, together with novel GPCR targets identified from genomics efforts, necessitates the use of high-throughput assays with a good sensitivity and specificity. Currently, a wide array of high-throughput tools for research on GPCRs is available and can be used to study receptor-ligand interaction, receptor driven functional response, receptor-receptor interaction,and receptor internalization. Many of the assay technologies are based on luminescence or fluorescence and can be easily applied in cell based models to reduce gaps between in vitro and in vivo studies for drug discovery processes. Especially, cell based models for GPCR can be efficiently employed to deconvolute the integrated information concerning the ligand-receptor-function axis obtained from label-free detection technology. This review covers various platform technologies used for the research of GPCRs, concentrating on the principal, non-radiometric homogeneous assay technologies. As current technology is rapidly advancing, the combination of probe chemistry, optical instruments, and GPCR biology will provide us with many new technologies to apply in the future.

• 자동차안전학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.52-61
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• 2020

In recent years, the increasing interest in health-care requires the industrial products to be well-designed ergonomically. In the commercial vehicle industry, several researchers have demonstrated the driver's posture has great effect on the orthopedic desease such as fatigue, back pain, scoliosis, and so on. However, the existing sensor systems developed for measuring the driver posture in real time have suffered from inaccuracy and low reliability issues. Here, we suggest our smart vehicle seat system capable of real-time driver posture monitoring by using the air bag sensor package with high sensitivity and reliability. The ergonomic numerical model which can evaluate a driver's posture has been developed on the basis of the human body segmentation method followed by simulation-based validation. Our experimental analysis of obtained pressure distribution of a vehicle seat under the different driver's postures revealed our smart vehicle system successfully achieved the driver's real-time posture data in great agreement with our numerical model.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권9호
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• pp.1281-1287
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• 2021

Clinical and preclinical studies have reported that Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17, a probiotic bacterial strain isolated from human breast milk, reduces body weight and white adipose tissue volume. In order to further explore the actions of L. gasseri BNR17, we investigated the anti-menopausal effects of L. gasseri BNR17 in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. The serum alanine aminotransferase levels of the rats in the OVX-BNR17 group were lower than those of the rats in the OVX-vehicle only (OVX-Veh) group. Upon administration of L. gasseri BNR17 after ovariectomy, calcitonin and Serotonin 2A levels increased significantly, whereas serum osteocalcin levels showed a decreasing tendency. Compared to the rats in the OVX-Veh group, those in the OVX-BNR17 group showed lower urine deoxypyridinoline levels, lower pain sensitivity, and improved vaginal cornification. Furthermore, L. gasseri BNR17 administration increased bone mineral density in the rats with OVX-induced femoral bone loss. These results suggest that L. gasseri BNR17 administration could alleviate menopausal symptoms, indicating that this bacterium could be a good functional probiotic for managing the health of older women.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to conduct inter-rater and intra-rater reliability tests in patients with low back pain (LBP) using the prone instability test (PIT) and side-lying instability test (SIT). We have analyzed the Korean version Oswestry disability index (K-ODI) correlations and radiograph finding (RF) for validity. METHODS: Individuals (n = 51) (mean age of 40.27 ± 13.28) with LBP for at least over a week were recruited, together with two participating physical therapist examiners. The measurement consisted of PIT, PST, K-ODI, and RF. Sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value, negative predictive value, prevalence index, agreement %, Cohen's kappa, and prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) were calculated. The PIT and SIT were compared with RF for validity analysis, while PIT, SIT, K-ODI, and RF were calculated for the correlation analysis. RESULTS: The intra-rater reliability test measured for the PIT (kappa = .79, PABAK = .88) and SIT (kappa = .73, PABAK = .84), and inter-rater reliability test measured for the SIT (kappa = .80, PABAK = .88) showed good agreements. The PIT (Sn = .65, Sp = .63) and SIT validities (Sn = .68, Sp = .70) were compared with RF, showing a significant correlation in PIT and RF (r = .69), SIT and RF (r = .73), and PIT and K-ODI (r = .53). CONCLUSION: The SIT is a more comfortable position test than the PIT in patients. Both PIT and SIT have acceptable reliability and validity.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.24.1-24.7
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• 2023

Assays of clinical diagnosis and species identification using molecular markers are performed according to a quantitative method in consideration of sensitivity, cost, speed, convenience, and specificity. However, typical polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay is difficult to quantify and have various limitations. In addition, to perform quantitative analysis with the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) equipment, a standard curve or normalization using reference genes is essential. Within the last a decade, previous studies have reported that the digital PCR (dPCR) assay, a third-generation PCR, can be applied in various fields by overcoming the shortcomings of typical PCR and qRT-PCR assays. We selected Stilla Naica System (Stilla Technologies), Droplet Digital PCR Technology (Bio-Rad), and Lab on an Array Digital Real-Time PCR analyzer system (OPTOLANE) for comparative analysis among the various droplet digital PCR platforms currently in use commercially. Our previous study discovered a molecular marker that can distinguish Hanwoo species (Korean native cattle) using Hanwoo-specific genomic structural variation. Here, we report the pros and cons of the operation of each dPCR platform from various perspectives using this species identification marker. In conclusion, we hope that this study will help researchers to select suitable dPCR platforms according to their purpose and resources.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.150-167
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• 1991

The intent of this longitudinal descriptive correlational study is to investigate the change of the mother - infant interactions over the periods of one month, three months and six months of the infant's age. This study is also intended to explore the interrelationships among three major factors- the perception of pregnancy, the mother -infant inter-action and the maternal attitude. The samples participated are 36 pairs of mother and infant from two university hospitals in Seoul. A data collection was made, from October in 1988 to September in 1989, for each subject at five periods of time ; prenatal period (after 36 weeks in pregnancy), postpartum two or three days, one month, three months and six months of infant's age. The research tools used in this investigation are Mother - Infant Play Interaction Scale (MIPIS), Prenatal Self- Evaluation Questionnaire and Cohler's Maternal Attitude Scale. Some of the findings are as follows ; 1. There is a significant increase in the mother - infant interaction from one month to three months and six months of infant's age. The highest score of the mother - infant interaction during three periods is at the time of three months. 2. The primipara's mother -infant interaction is not affected by the demographic characteristics, such as age, education and vocation of mother, types of delivery, or sex of infant. 3. Among seven categories of the perception of pregnancy, the most positively perceived categories by primiparas are acceptance of pregnancy and identification of. a motherhood role : whereas the negative ones are preparation for labor, concern for well -being of self and baby, md fear of pain, helplessness and loss of control in order of negativity. 4. There is no significant relationship between the perception of pregnancy and the mother - infant interactions. 5. There is no significant change in the maternal attitude over the period of one month, three months, and six months of infant's age. 6. There is no significant relationship between the maternal attitude and the mother - infant interactions. 7, The significant relationships are (end between the perception of pregnancy and maternal attitude, especially in the categories of concern for well -being of self and baby, accetance of pregnancy, identification of a motherhood role, fear of pain, helplessness and loss of control, and relationship with husband. In conclusion, it is confirmed that primipara's mother-infant interactions change over time period, and that perception of pregnancy and the maternal attitude do not affect the mother-infant interactions despite a significat relationship between those two variables. The implications of this investigation include a suggestion that nurses need to teach and demonstrate to mothers how to care for and interact with their infants, with a view to improving the mother-infant interactions which can be obtained through the improvement of maternal sensitivity to their infants.

• 대한정형외과스포츠의학회지
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.50-54
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• 2008

목적: 골프 운동시 발생한 흉배부 통증의 원인은 늑골골절인 경우가 많다. 이런 늑골 골절은 일반 방사선 검사상 놓치기 쉬운데 이러한 놓치기 쉬운 늑골 골절에 대한 진단에 초음파 검사의 유용성을 확인하는데 있다. 대상 및 방법: 골프 운동 중 발생한 흉부 및 배부통증을 주소로 내원하여 늑골 골절로 진단된 20 대에서 60대까지의 남녀 환자 56명을 대상으로 시행한 일반 흉부 방사선 검사(전후, 측면, 좌우측 사선 촬영)의 결과와 초음파 결과를 비교 통계적 분석을 시행하였다. 결과: 56례의 늑골 골절로 진단된 환자 중 일반 흉부 방사선 검사상 골절로 진단된 경우는 34례였고, 초음파 검사상 골절로 진단된 경우는 51례였다. 흉부 방사선 검사의 민감도는 60.71%, 초음파 검사의 민감도는 91.07% 를 보였으며, 카이제곱 검정상 초음파 검사의 결과가 일반 방사선 검사에 비해 통계적인 유의한 차이가 있었다(P=0.0004). 초음파 검사가 늑골 골절을 진단하는 데 매우 민감한 검사임을 확인할 수 있었다. 결론: 골프운동 중 발생한 흉부 및 배부 통증 환자에 이학적 검사 상 늑골 골절이 의심되는 경우 일반 흉부 방사선 검사상 골절 소견이 관찰되지 않을 시, 초음파 검사가 진단 및 치료에 도움을 줄 수 있다.