• Title/Summary/Keyword: pilot human study

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A Study Bioremediation of Tidal Flat by Microorganism in Pilot Scale Test (환경정화 미생물에 의한 갯벌의 생물학적 정화에 대한 파일럿 규모의 연구)

  • Choi, Hye Jin;Han, Young Sun;Park, Doo Hyun;Oh, Bo Young;Hur, Myung Je;Jo, Nam-Gyu;Kim, Young Hee;Kim, Jong-Guk
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.24 no.10
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    • pp.1110-1117
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    • 2014
  • Tidal flats are continuously contaminated by human activities. This study assessed the bioremediation efficiency of tidal flat soil using microcosm reactors and microorganisms originating from the tidal area. We screened 135 bacterial strains that produce extracellular enzymes from the tidal area located in the North port of Incheon bay. Two bacterial strains (Pseudoalteromonas sp. and IC35 Halothiobacillus neapolitanus IC_S22) were selected and used in the microcosm reactors, which were specially designed to functionally mimic the ecological conditions of the tidal flats. Pseudoalteromonas sp. IC35 was selected based on its relatively high activity of the enzymes amylase, cellulose, lipase, and protease. Halothiobacillus neapolitanus IC_S22 was selected for oxidation of sulfur. The M1 and M2 microcosm reactors were operated by continuous feeding of seawater under the same conditions, but M2 was first inoculated with Pseudoalteromonas sp. IC35 before the seawater feeding. The initial COD in both the M1 and M2 microcosm reactors was 320 mg/l. The final COD was 21 mg/l (M1) and 7 mg/l (M2). The M3 and M4 microcosm reactors were operated by continuous feeding of seawater under the same conditions, but M4 was first inoculated with H. neapolitanus IC_S22. The initial sulfate concentration in both the M3 and M4 microcosm reactors was 660 mg/l, and the maximum sulfate concentration was 1,360 mg/l (M3) and 1,600 mg/l (M4).

Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium on PVC Filters (혜산산업보건학술상 수상논문 - PVC 여과지에 채취된 6가 크롬의 환원)

  • Sin, Yong-Cheol
    • 월간산업보건
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    • s.356
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    • pp.16-25
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    • 2017
  • Chromium exists at various valences, including elemental, trivalent, and hexavalent chromium, and undergoes reduction-oxidation reactions in the environment. Since hexavalent chromium is known as a human carcinogen, it is most important to evaluate the oxidationreduction characteristics of the hexavalent chromium species. Although hexavalent chromium can be reduced to trivalent state, the detailed information on this in workplace environments is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate hexavalent chromium reduction in time in various conditions. A pilot chrome plating operation was prepared and operated in a laboratory for this study. There was evidence that the hexavalent chromium was reduced by time after mist generation. The percentage ratio (with 95% confidence intervals in parentheses) of hexavalent chromium to total chromium was almost 100% (99.1 ; 102.3) immediately after mist generation, and was reduced to 87.4% (84.8 ; 89.9) at 1 hour and 81.0% (78.3 ; 83.5) at 2 hours, respectively. Another test indicated that hexavalent chromium collected on PVC filters was also reduced by time after sampling. Hexavalent chromium was reduced to 90.8% (88.2 ; 93.3) at 2 hours after sampling. It also was found that hexavalent chromium was reduced during storage in air. It is recommended that air samples of hexavalent chromium be protected against reduction during storage.

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Development of Web-GIS Pilot System for Supporting the Management of River Improvement Works (하천치수사업 관리를 위한 Web GIS 시범시스템 개발)

  • Choi, Hyun-Sang;Koo, Jee-Hee;Jang, Sung-Hyun
    • Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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    • v.12 no.4 s.31
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    • pp.21-26
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    • 2004
  • Annually repeated flood damage is bringing about the rapid increasement of the loss of human lives and properly, and the enormous social cost for the restoration work is required. The annual amount of flood damage caused by the abnormal climate is reached about 1% of GDP, so more effective management of the flood control operation is needed to prevent the repetitive flood occurred same region. Also, the systematic planning and management or river improvement works are keenly required for the more effective execution of government working budget that expense to recover or to prevent the flood damage. The several organizations of government - Ministry of Construction & Transportation, Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affair, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Science & Technology, Korea Meteorological Adminstration and so on - are promoting the flood prevention operations, but those promotion system makes it difficult to maintain the consistency of works. In this study, we try to develop the Web-GIS system prototype that will be able to effectively manage the nationwide river improvement works and to establish a framework that will be able to maintain the consistency of river improvement works. To achieve the study goals, we analysed current system of flood prevention operations, gathered related documents, had interviews with many government employees, and developed the Web-GIS system prototype.

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Down Regulation of miR-34a and miR-143 May Indirectly Inhibit p53 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: a Pilot Study

  • Manikandan, Mayakannan;Rao, Arunagiri Kuha Deva Magendhra;Arunkumar, Ganesan;Rajkumar, Kottayasamy Seenivasagam;Rajaraman, Ramamurthy;Munirajan, Arasambattu Kannan
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.17
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    • pp.7619-7625
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    • 2015
  • Background: Aberrant microRNA expression has been associated with the pathogenesis of a variety of human malignancies including oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In this study, we examined primary oral SCCs for the expression of 6 candidate miRNAs, of which five (miR-34a, miR-143, miR-373, miR-380-5p, and miR-504) regulate the tumor suppressor TP53 and one (miR-99a) is involved in AKT/mTOR signaling. Materials and Methods: Tumor tissues (punch biopsies) were collected from 52 oral cancer patients and as a control, 8 independent adjacent normal tissue samples were also obtained. After RNA isolation, we assessed the mature miRNA levels of the 6 selected candidates against RNU44 and RNU48 as endogenous controls, using specific TaqMan miRNA assays. Results: miR-34a, miR-99a, miR-143 and miR-380-5p were significantly down-regulated in tumors compared to controls. Moreover, high levels of miR-34a were associated with alcohol consumption while those of miR-99a and miR-143 were associated with advanced tumor size. No significant difference was observed in the levels of miR-504 between the tumors and controls whereas miR-373 was below the detection level in all but two tumor samples. Conclusions: Low levels of miR-380-5p and miR-504 that directly target the 3'UTR of TP53 suggest that p53 may not be repressed by these two miRNAs in OSCC. On the other hand, low levels of miR-34a or miR-143 may relieve MDM4 and SIRT1 or MDM2 respectively, which will sequester p53 indicating an indirect mode of p53 suppression in oral tumors.

Development and Validation of College Students' Core Competency Assessment: Based on the Case of S University (대학생 핵심역량 진단도구 개발 및 타당화 연구 -S대학 사례를 중심으로-)

  • Kang, Min-Soo;So, Mi-Hyun
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.236-247
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    • 2020
  • This study was conducted with the aim of developing inspection tools to select and measure human resource figures and appropriate core competency of the educational goals pursued by S universities. Therefore, key competency factors were defined consistent with concept of talented figures and educational objectives of S universities, inspection tools were developed to measure core competences, and directions are presented for future education policies and curriculum compilation and securing data for rational operation. Based on key competency indicators, questions were developed in a self-reporting form that measures the consent level of the respondents by comprising seven areas of competence, 16 small areas (sub-capacity), and 46 questions. The main Test conducted an analysis of the questionnaires based on the survey results of 2,486 people to ensure the validity of the inspection by conducting a positive factor analysis and reliability analysis. The core competency diagnostic tool of S university is meaningful in this study which verifies the effectiveness of the curriculum and programs conducted at S university and as the first step for the rational operation of the core competency certification system to improve the competency appropriate for students.

Study on the Collision Avoidance Algorithm against Multiple Traffic Ships using Changeable Action Space Searching Method (가변공간 탐색법을 이용한 다중선박의 충돌회피 알고리즘에 관한 연구)

  • Son, N.S.;Furukawa, Y.;Kim, S.Y.;Kijima, K.
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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    • v.12 no.1
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    • pp.15-22
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    • 2009
  • Auto-navigation algorithm have been studied to avoid collision and grounding of a ship due to human error. There have been many research on collision avoidance algorithms but they have been validated little on the real coastal traffic situation. In this study, a Collision Avoidance algorithm is developed by using Fuzzy algorithm and the concept of Changeable Action Space Searching (CAS). In the first step, on a basis of collision risk calculated from fuzzy algorithm in the current time(t=to), alternative Action Space for collision avoidance is planned. In the second step, next alternative Action Space for collision avoidance in the future($t=to+{\Delta}t$) is corrected and re-planned with re-evaluated collision risk. In the third step, the safest and most effective course among Action Space is selected by using optimization method in real time. In this paper, the main features of the developed collision avoidance algorithm (CAS) are introduced. CAS is implemented in the ship-handling simulator of MOERI. The performance of CAS is tested on the situation of open sea with 3 traffic ships, whose position is assumed to be informed from AIS. Own-ship is fully autonomously navigated by autopilot including the collision avoidance algorithm, CAS. Experimental results show that own-ship can successfully avoid the collision against traffic ships and the calculated courses from CAS are reasonable.

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A Pilot Study on the Practical Model of Nonverbal Communication for the Effective Information Services (정보조사제공에 있어서 비언어적 커뮤니케이션의 응용모형개발을 위한 실증적 연구)

  • Han Sang-Wan
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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    • v.25
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    • pp.83-150
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    • 1993
  • Traditionally, the emphasis of the information services had been placed on the information provider's knowledge of information sources or information systems. However, in view of the increasing complexity of the information environment. and changes taking place in information professions the evaluation of the information services has callded for further research in interpersonal communication aspects of the librarian user interface especially that which links to user satisfaction. This experimental study was carried out for the purpose of exploring the implications of nonverbal behaviors in measuring user satisfaction in the light of the fact that the meaning of nonverbal clues includes more than verbal communication especially in dealing with variable barriers even though they operate at low levels of awareness. In this sense, among the wide range of nonverbal communication areas in particular kinesics, artifacts and the proximics were examined to suggest alternative model which can be applied effectively in our specific set of information work environment. Two major university libraries and two research libraries in Korea were chosen and visited for the anlysis and per each refernce/information interview the librarian's nonverbal behaviors were checked on the observer's checklist and the qustionnaires completed by the user at a time. On the basis of these data firstly, the relation of user satisfaction concerned with the librarian's nonverbal communication to user satisfaction with information services was analyzed and the possible communication barriers were investigated. In addition, the effect of training the information librarian with positive nonverbal communication skills on the user's satisfaction was analyzed in a SAS computer program in the area of kinesics. On the other hand, the effect of other nonverbal behaviors such as proximics and artifacts known very important clues to improving a complex human interaction was discussed along with their experimental results. In conclusion, it was found that most of users were not sensitive to the importance of nonverbal behaviors exposed by the information librarian, but it was proved that the ultimate user satisfaction and the satisfaction of the librarian's nonverbal behaviors are correlated positively, Moreover, nonverbal behaviors displayed by the trained librarian toward the user had a considerable effect on the user's evalution of information services compared with those by the untrained. These findings imply that in order to control the librarian's nonverbal behaviors and to help the user overcome his barriers the information librarian as a specialist needs to assure and modify willilingly his communication behavior. Without making effective use of such nonverbal communication, information librarian could not expect to meet the user's information needs either. However, when these positive nonverbal behaviors are applied it would be highly desirable to be aware of cultural and contextual differences. With regard to increasing information services success the applicable nonverbal communication model for library management and education can be suggested as below.

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Comparison of Biomechanical Characteristics of Rowing Performance between Elite and Non-Elite Scull Rowers: A Pilot Study

  • Kim, Jin-Sun;Cho, Hanyeop;Han, Bo-Ram;Yoon, So-Ya;Park, Seonhyung;Cho, Hyunseung;Lee, Joohyeon;Lee, Hae-Dong
    • Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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    • v.26 no.1
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    • pp.21-30
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    • 2016
  • Objective: This study aimed to examine the characteristics of joint kinematics and synchronicity of rowing motion between elite and non-elite rowers. Methods: Two elite and two non-elite rowers performed rowing strokes (3 trials, 20 strokes in each trial) at three different stroke rates (20, 30, 40 stroke/min) on two stationary rowing ergometers. The rowing motions of the rowers were captured using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system (8-infrared camera VICON system, Oxford, UK). The range of motion (RoM) of the knee, hip, and elbow joints on the sagittal plane, the lead time ($T_{Lead}$) and the drive time $T_{Drive}$) for each joint, and the elapsed time for the knee joint to maintain a fully extended position ($T_{Knee}$) during the stroke were analyzed and compared between elite and non-elite rowers. Synchronicity of the rowing motion within and between groups was examined using coefficients of variation (CV) of the $T_{Drive}$ for each joint. Results: Regardless of the stroke rate, the RoM of all joints were greater for the elite than for non-elite rowers, except for the RoMs of the knee joint at 30 stroke/min and the elbow joint at 40 stroke/min (p < .05). Although the $T_{Lead}$ at all stroke rates were the same between the groups, the $T_{Drive}$ for each joint was shorter for the elite than for the non-elite rowers. During the drive phase, elite rowers kept the fully extended knee joint angle longer than the non-elite rowers (p < .05). The CV values of the TDrive within each group were smaller for the elite compared with non-elite rowers, except for the CV values of the hip at all stroke/min and elbow at 40 stroke/min. Conclusion: The elite, compared with non-elite, rowers seem to be able to perform more powerful and efficient rowing strokes with large RoM and a short $T_{Drive}$ with the same $T_{Lead}$.

A Preliminary Study for Effect of High Flow Oxygen through Nasal Cannula Therapy in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (일산화탄소 중독 환자에서 고유속 비강 캐뉼라 산소치료 효과에 대한 예비 연구)

  • Kim, Young-Min;Kim, Sang-Chul;Park, Kwan-Jin;Lee, Seok-Woo;Lee, Ji-Han;Kim, Hoon
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.102-107
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    • 2019
  • Purpose: Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the most common types of poisoning and a major health problem worldwide. Treatment options are limited to normobaric oxygen therapy, administered using a non-rebreather face mask or hyperbaric oxygen. Compared to conventional oxygen therapy, high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) creates a positive pressure effect through high-flow rates. The purpose of this human pilot study is to determine the effects of HFNC on the rate of CO clearance from the blood, in patients with mild to moderate CO poisoning. Methods: CO-poisoned patients were administered 100% oxygen from HFNC (flow of 60 L/min). The fraction of COHb (fCOHb) was measured at 30-min intervals until it decreased to under 10%, and the half-life time of fCOHb (fCOHb t1/2) was subsequently determined. Results: At the time of ED arrival, a total of 10 patients had fCOHb levels ≥10%, with 4 patients ranging between 10% and 50%. The mean rate of fCOHb elimination patterns exhibits logarithmic growth curves that initially increase quickly with time (HFNC equation, Y=0.3388*X+11.67). The mean fCOHbt1/2 in the HFNC group was determined to be 48.5±12.4 minutes. Conclusion: In patients with mild to moderate CO poisoning, oxygen delivered via high flow nasal cannula is a safe and comfortable method to treat acute CO toxicity, and is effective in reducing the COHb half-life. Our results indicate HFNC to be a promising alternative method of delivering oxygen for CO toxicity. Validating the effectiveness of this method will require larger studies with clinical outcomes.

Energy metabolism and whole-exome sequencing-based analysis of Sasang constitution: a pilot study

  • Kim, Hyoung Kyu;Lee, Heetak;So, Ji Ho;Jeong, Seung Hun;Seo, Dae Yun;Kim, Jong-Yeol;Kim, Sanguk;Han, Jin
    • Integrative Medicine Research
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    • v.6 no.2
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    • pp.165-178
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    • 2017
  • Background: Traditional Korean Sasang constitutional (SC) medicine categorizes individuals into four constitutional types [Tae-eum (TE), So-eum (SE), Tae-yang (TY), or So-yang (SY)] based on biological and physiological characteristics. As these characteristics are closely related to the bioenergetics of the human body, we assessed the correlation between SC type and energy metabolism features. Methods: Forty healthy, young ($22.3{\pm}1.4$ years) males volunteered to participate in this study. Participants answered an SC questionnaire, and their face shape, voice tone, and body shape were assessed using an SC analysis tool. Thirty-one participants (10 TE, 10 SE, 3 TY, and 8 SY) were selected for further analysis. Collected blood samples were subjected to blood composition analysis, mitochondrial function analysis, and whole-exome sequencing. Results: The SY type showed significantly lower total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than the SE type. Cellular and mitochondrial Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were similar across types. All types showed similar basal mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates, whereas the TE type showed a significantly lower ATP-linked oxygen consumption rate than the other types. Whole-exome sequencing identified several genes variants that were exclusively detected in particular SC types, including 19 for SE, seven for SY, 11 for TE, and six for TY. Conclusion: SC type-specific differences in mitochondrial function and gene mutations were detected in a small group of healthy, young Korean males. These results are expected to greatly improve the accurate screening and utilization of SC medicine.