• Gut and Liver
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.714-721
• /
• 2018

Background/Aims: Recently reported prognostic models for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) have been shown to be effective in Western populations but have not been well-validated in Asian patients. This study aimed to compare the performance of prognostic models in Korean patients and to investigate whether inflammation-based scores can further help in prognosis prediction. Methods: This study included 271 consecutive patients diagnosed with PBC in Korea. The following prognostic models were evaluated: the Barcelona model, the Paris-I/II model, the Rotterdam criteria, the GLOBE score and the UK-PBC score. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was analyzed with reference to its association with prognosis. Results: For predicting liver transplant or death at the 5-year and 10-year follow-up examinations, the UK-PBC score (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUCs], 0.88 and 0.82) and GLOBE score (AUCs, 0.85 and 0.83) were significantly more accurate in predicting prognosis than the other scoring systems (all p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the performance of the UK-PBC and GLOBE scores. In addition to the prognostic models, a high NLR (>2.46) at baseline was an independent predictor of reduced transplant-free survival in the multivariate analysis (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.74; p<0.01). When the NLR was applied to the prognostic models, it significantly differentiated the prognosis of patients. Conclusions: The UK-PBC and GLOBE scores showed good prognostic performance in Korean patients with PBC. In addition, a high NLR was associated with a poorer prognosis. Including the NLR in prognostic models may further help to stratify patients with PBC.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.153-160
• /
• 2018

This article examines actions of the department of a university according to Higher Education Evaluation Policy as a case on the department of Christian education of A University. This article consists of background and policy Higher Education Evaluation and actions of the department of Christian education. Specialization, curriculum, management of instructional quality, educational achievement, student support and cooperation of local community as category of trends of the department of Christian education are discussed. Aim of education, model of human resource, educational objects, and key-competency as the specialization of department of Christian education are discussed. Curriculum of department suggests students career track which is related to their career. Positive guidance counseling are implemented for rate of recruit related to educational achievement. Non-subject matter program of University and Department are introduced for students's support. 60 hours of educational service and other educational activities are carried out for local community. Principal, chaplain of school and teachers are invited for educational practical affairs of education. The result of this article can be used as a basic reference for the direction of the higher education.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.44.1-44.15
• /
• 2021

Background: Intraoperative fluids are still poorly studied in veterinary medicine. In humans the dosage is associated with significant differences in postoperative outcomes. Objectives: The aim of this study is to verify the influence of three different fluid therapy rates in dogs undergoing video-assisted ovariohysterectomy. Methods: Twenty-four female dogs were distributed into three groups: G5, G10, and G20. Each group was given 5, 10, and 20 mL·kg^-1·h^-1 of Lactate Ringer, respectively. This study evaluated the following parameters: central venous pressure, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, acid-base balance, and serum lactate levels. Additionally, this study evaluated the following urinary variables: urea, creatinine, protein to creatinine ratio, urine output, and urine specific gravity. The dogs were evaluated up to 26 h after the procedure. Results: All animals presented respiratory acidosis during the intraoperative period. The G5 group evidenced intraoperative oliguria (0.80 ± 0.38 mL·kg^-1·h^-1), differing from the G20 group (2.17 ± 0.52 mL·kg^-1·h^-1) (p = 0.001). Serum lactate was different between groups during extubation (p = 0.036), with higher values being recorded in the G5 group (2.19 ± 1.65 mmol/L). Animals from the G20 group presented more severe hypothermia at the end of the procedure (35.93 ± 0.61℃) (p = 0.032). Only the members of the G20 group presented mean potassium values below the reference for the species. Anion gap values were lower in the G20 group when compared to the G5 and G10 groups (p = 0.017). Conclusions: The use of lactated Ringer's solution at the rate of 10 mL·kg^-1·h^-1 seems to be beneficial in the elective laparoscopic procedures over the 5 or 20 mL·kg^-1·h^-1 rates of infusion.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.486-495
• /
• 2021

Background: Particulate matter (PM) is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. Previous studies in South Korea have applied a relative risk calculated from Western populations when estimating the disease burden attributable to PM. However, the relative risk of PM on health outcomes may not be the same across different countries or regions. Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the premature deaths and socioeconomic costs attributable to long-term exposure to PM in South Korea. We considered not only the difference in PM concentration between regions, but also the difference in relative risk. Methods: National monitoring data of PM concentrations was obtained, and missing values were imputed using the AERMOD model and linear regression model. As a surrogate for relative risk, hazard ratios (HRs) of PM for cardiovascular and respiratory mortality were estimated using the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. The nation was divided into five areas (metropolitan, central, southern, south-eastern, and Gangwon-do Province regions). The number of PM attributable deaths in 2018 was calculated at the district level. The socioeconomic cost was derived by multiplying the number of deaths and the statistical value of life. Results: The average PM₁₀ concentration for 2014~2018 was 45.2 ㎍/m³. The association between long-term exposure to PM₁₀ and mortality was heterogeneous between areas. When applying area-specific HRs, 23,811 premature deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory disease in 2018 were attributable to PM₁₀ (reference level 20 ㎍/m³). The corresponding socioeconomic cost was about 31 trillion won. These estimated values were higher than that when applying nationwide HRs. Conclusions: This study is the first research to estimate the premature mortality caused by long-term exposure to PM using relative risks derived from the national population. This study will help precisely identify the national and regional health burden attributed to PM and establish the priorities of air quality policy.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.127-133
• /
• 2021

Background: Phosphogypsum is material produced as a byproduct in fertilizer industry and is generally used for building materials. This material may contain enhanced radium-226 (²²⁶Ra) activity concentration compared to its natural concentration that may lead to indoor radon accumulation. Therefore, an accurate measurement method is proposed in this study to determine ²²⁶Ra activity concentration in phosphogypsum sample, considering the potential radon leakage from the sample container. Materials and Methods: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) phosphogypsum reference material was used as a sample in this study. High-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry was used to measure the activity concentration of the ²²⁶Ra decay products, i.e., ²¹⁴Bi and ²¹⁴Pb. Marinelli beakers sealed with three different sealing methods were used as sample containers. Due to the potential leakage of radon from the Marinelli beaker (MB), correction to the activity concentration resulted in gamma spectrometry is needed. Therefore, the leaked fraction of radon escaped from the sample container was calculated and added to the gamma spectrometry measured values. Results and Discussion: Total activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra was determined by summing up the activity concentration from gamma spectrometry measurement and calculated concentration from radon leakage correction method. The results obtained from ²¹⁴Bi peak were 723.4 ± 4.0 Bq·kg^-1 in MB1 and 719.2 ± 3.5 Bq·kg^-1 in MB2 that showed about 5% discrepancy compared to the certified activity. Besides, results obtained from ²¹⁴Pb peak were 741.9 ± 3.6 Bq·kg^-1 in MB1 and 740.1 ± 3.4 Bq·kg^-1 in MB2 that showed about 2% difference compared to the certified activity measurement of ²²⁶Ra concentration activity. Conclusion: The results show that radon leakage correction was calculated with insignificant discrepancy to the certified values and provided improvement to the gamma spectrometry. Therefore, measuring ²²⁶Ra activity concentration in TENORM (technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material) sample using radon leakage correction can be concluded as a convenient and accurate method that can be easily conducted with simple calculation.

• Korean Journal of Labor Studies
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.181-214
• /
• 2018

This study uses the youth panel survey (YP2007 2th ~ 9th) data of the Korea Employment Information Service to examine the phenomenon of subjective mismatch arising from the youth labor market and analyzed the determinants and wage effects of subjective mismatch. Overall, the analysis showed that the over-education and over-technology of both educational background and technical skill level in the Miss Match significantly decreased, while the lack of education and technology increased rather gradually. Next, the analysis of the determinants of downward employment(Excess of education and technology) showed that males were less likely to be downwardly employed(Excess of education and technology) than females, and in the status of workers, the probability of downward employment of regular and non-wage workers was lower than that of temporary/daily workers. Finally, as a result of estimating the wage effect of the mismatch based on the pooled OLS model and the Panel Fixed Effect model, the mismatch which has the greatest effect on the wage was found to be excessive education, and it has been estimated that youth employees who are over-educated have an average 6.7% lower wages than those who are not. After controlling for the unobserved individual characteristics, they were found to receive a lower wage of 3.2%, and it is estimated that 2.9% for the technical excess mismatch and 2.3% for the major mismatch receive lower wages than the reference group.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.76-82
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND: For sustainable agriculture, there are various agricultural practices including low input. Over the last few decades high input of chemical fertilizer and compounds results in environmental pollution and deterioration of soil fertility. Soybean (Glycine max L.) is well known eco-friendly crop due to their symbionts. Soybean has a relationship with nitrogen fixation bacteria called rhizobia. In this research work, we investigated effects of soybean cultivation on soil microorganism activities. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experiments were conducted in pots and potato cultivation was used as reference. Soil chemical properties were analyzed considering soil nutrient over cropping period. For the soil microbial community analysis, dehydrogenase activity analysis (DHA) analyzed along with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The results showed that higher soil organic matter in the soybean cultivation soil than in the potato cultivation soil. Available $P_2O_5$ concentration increased gradually in both pots but showed higher value in the potato cultivation soil. DHA value implying microbial activities showed higher value in the soybean cultivation soil over all cropping period. CONCLUSION: The cause of high microbial activity in the soybean cultivation soil was considered to the effects of some specific microorganisms related to soybean cultivation. Therefore, the availability of soybean cultivation for sustainable agriculture should be encouraged in terms of microorganism community activity in soil.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.105-116
• /
• 2021

Background: The creation of the National Institute of Ecology began as a national alternative project to preserve mudflats instead of constructing the industrial complexes by reclamation, and achieve regional development. On the other hand, at the national level, the research institute for ecology was needed to cope with the worsening conditions for maintaining biodiversity due to accelerated climate change such as global warming and increased demand for development. In order to meet these needs, the National Institute of Ecology has the following objectives: (1) carries out studies for ecosystem change due to climate change and biodiversity conservation, (2) performs ecological education to the public through exhibition of various ecosystem models, and (3) promotes regional development through the ecological industry. Furthermore, to achieve these objectives, the National Institute of Ecology thoroughly followed the basic principles of ecology, especially restoration ecology, in the process of its construction. We introduce the principles and cases of ecological restoration applied in the process. Results: We minimized the impact on the ecosystem in order to harmonize with the surrounding environment in all the processes of construction. We pursued passive restoration following the principle of ecological restoration as a process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem degraded for all the space except in land where artificial facilities were introduced. Reference information was applied thoroughly in the process of active restoration to create biome around the world, Korean peninsula forests, and wetland ecosystems. In order to realize true restoration, we pursued the ecological restoration in a landscape level as the follows. We moved the local road 6 and high-voltage power lines to underground to ensure ecological connectivity within the National Institute of Ecology campus. To enhance ecological diversity, we introduced perch poles and islands as well as floating leaved, emerged, wetland, and riparian plants in wetlands and mantle communities around the forests of the Korean Peninsula in the terrestrial ecosystem. Furthermore, in order to make the public aware of the importance of the intact nature, the low-lying landscape elements, which have disappeared due to excessive land use in most areas of Korea, was created by imitating demilitarized zone (DMZ) landscape that has these landscape elements. Conclusions: The National Institute of Ecology was created in an eco-friendly way by thoroughly reflecting the principles of ecology to suit its status and thus the impact on the existing ecosystem was minimized. This concept was also designed to be reflected in the process of operation. The results have become real, and a result of analysis on carbon budget analysis is approaching the carbon neutrality.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.57-64
• /
• 2021

Background: During squat exercises, Ankle joint stability during squat movement transfers forces produced by unstable supports or various loads to the leg joints and trunk, reducing the risk of injury; therefore, a reference is needed for correct ankle joint posture during squat exercises. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ankle joint stability on quadriceps femoris and hamstring activation during squat exercises. Design: Quasi-experiment one group pretest-posttest design. Methods: The participants in this study were 20 volunteers who performed squat exercises with and without kinesiology tape. We measured quadriceps femoris and hamstring activation using surface electromyography. The ankle joint was stabilized with kinesiology tape using the ankle balance taping (ABT) method. A paired t-test was performed to compare differences between taping conditions. Results: Vastus medialis and vastus lateralis activation were greater following squat exercises with kinesiology tape than without; however, the difference was not significant. Medial and lateral hamstring activation was not significantly different between taping conditions. Conclusion: Although it is difficult to maintain stability using kinesiology tape alone, ankle joint stability is believed to affect quadriceps femoris muscle activity, which increases the effectiveness of the squat exercise.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.18 no.12
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2020

The background of this study is that machine learning administrative services are recently attracting attention as a major policy tool for non-face-to-face administrative services in the post-corona era. This study investigated the types of work expected to be effective when introducing machine learning administrative services for Seoul Metropolitan Government officials who are piloting machine learning administrative services. The research method is a machine that can be introduced by organizational unit by distributing and collecting questionnaires for Seoul administrative organizations that have performed machine learning-based administrative services for one month in July 2020 targeting Seoul public officials using machine learning-based administrative services. By analyzing the learning administration service and application service, the business characteristics of each machine learning administration service type such as supervised learning work type, unsupervised learning work type, and reinforced learning work type were analyzed. As a result of the research analysis, it was found that there were significant differences in the characteristics of administrative tasks by supervised and unsupervised learning areas. In particular, it was found that the reinforcement learning domain contains the most appropriate business characteristics for machine learning administrative services. Implications were drawn. The results of this study can be provided as a reference material to practitioners who want to introduce machine learning administration services, and can be used as basic data for research to researchers who want to study machine learning administration services in the future.