• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2021

Introduction The clinical usefulness of Sasang Digestive Function Inventory (SDFI) for analyzing Sasang type-specific pathophysiological symptom was illustrated repeatedly. It was revised to enhance its validity, reliability and clinical usefulness, however its clinical studies supporting these were not sufficient yet. Methods 193 healthy university students responded once to Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean (NDIK), Functional Dyspepsia-Related Quality of Life (FDQOL), and Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and twice to SDFI with four weeks of interval. The Body Mass Index (BMI) and Ponderal Index (PI) were also calculated. The 4-week test-retest reliability and correlation coefficients between NDIK, FDQOL, DEBQ, and SDFI were examined using Pearson's correlation. The significant differences between Sasang types in SDFI and its subscales were examined using ANCOVA with the age as covariate. Results The range of test-retest reliability for SDFI and its subscales was from 0.801 to 0.887. The SDFI-total correlated positively with BMI (r=0.323) and DEBQ-External Eating (r=0.433), while the SDFI-Digestion negatively with NDIK (r=-0.472) and FDQOL-total (r=-0.364). The SDFI-Habit correlated positively with BMI (r=0.310) and DEBQ-total (r=0.481), and the SDFI-Appetite with DEBQ-total (r=0.322). The SDFI-total, SDFI-Digestion, and SDFI-Habit scores of Tae-Eum type (35.6±6.25, 12.38±3.24 and 9.89±3.38, respectively) were significantly bigger than those of So-Eum type (29.84±8.31, 9.93±4.28 and 7.66±3.96). Discussion The SDFI was found to be an objective clinical measure with sufficient concurrent validity for measuring eating behavior and quality of life related to overeating and dyspepsia, and illustrated distinctive differences between Sasang types. It might be useful for the effective medical education and integrative medical practice.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.37 no.5_2
• /
• pp.1307-1315
• /
• 2021

The Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) spreads over the East China Sea every summer and significantly affects the sea surface salinity changes in the seas around Jeju Island and the southern coast of Korea peninsula. Sometimes its effect extends to the eastern coast of Korea peninsula through the Korea Strait. Specifically, the CDW has a significant impact on marine physics and ecology and causes damage to fisheries and aquaculture. However, due to the limited field surveys, continuous observation of the CDW in the East China Sea is practically difficult. Many studies have been conducted using satellite measurements to monitor CDW distribution in near-real time. In this study, an algorithm for estimating Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) in the East China Sea was developed using the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI). The Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network (MPNN) method was employed for developing an algorithm, and Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) SSS data was selected for the output. In the previous study, an algorithm for estimating SSS using GOCI was trained by 2016 observation data. By comparison, the train data period was extended from 2015 to 2020 to improve the algorithm performance. The validation results with the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) serial oceanographic observation data from 2011 to 2019 show 0.61 of coefficient of determination (R²) and 1.08 psu of Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE). This study was carried out to develop an algorithm for monitoring the surface salinity of the East China Sea using GOCI and is expected to contribute to the development of the algorithm for estimating SSS by using GOCI-II.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.245-256
• /
• 2021

Poor logistical infrastructure and agri-food supply chain management leads to significant food waste in logistic system. The concept of the sustainable value added agri-food chains requires defined approach to the analysis of the existing situation, possible improving strategies and also assessment of these changes impact on further development. The purpose of research is to provide scientific substantiation of theoretical and methodological principles and develop practical recommendations for the improvement of the agri-food logistics distribution system. A case study methodology is used in this article. The research framework is based on 4 steps: Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Gap and Process Analysis, Validation and Improvement Areas Definition and Imitation Modelling. This paper presents the appropriateness of LEAN logistics tools using, in particular, Value Stream Mapping (VSM) for minimizing logistic losses and Simulation Modeling of possible logistics distribution system improvement results. The algorithm of VSM analysis of the agri-food supply chain, which involves its optimization by implementing the principles of sustainable development at each stage, is proposed. The methodical approach to the analysis of possible ways for optimizing the operation of the logistics system of the agri-food distribution is developed. It involves the application of Value Stream Mapping, i.e. designing of stream maps of the creation of the added value in the agri-food supply chain for the current and future state based on the minimization of logistic losses. Simulation modeling of the investment project on time optimization in the agri-food supply chain and economic effect of proposed improvements in logistics product distribution system functioning at the level of the investigated agricultural enterprise has been determined. Improvement of logistics planning and coordination of operations in the supply chain and the innovative pre-cooling system proposed to be introduced have a 3-year payback period and almost 75-80% probability. Based on the conducted VSM analysis of losses in the agri-food supply chain, there have been determined the main points, where it is advisable to conduct optimization changes for the achievement of positive results and the significant economic effect from the proposed measures has been confirmed. In further studies, it is recommended to focus on identifying the synergistic effect of the agri-food supply chain optimization on the basis of sustainable development.

• Journal of Breast Cancer
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.363-370
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer among women worldwide, and therefore, improved approaches for its early detection are urgently needed. As microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized as critical regulators in tumorigenesis and possess excellent stability in plasma, this study focused on using miRNAs to develop a method for identifying noninvasive biomarkers. Methods: To discover critical candidates, differential expression analysis was performed on tissue-originated miRNA profiles of 409 early breast cancer patients and 87 healthy controls from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We selected candidates from the differentially expressed miRNAs and then evaluated every possible molecular signature formed by the candidates. The best signature was validated in independent serum samples from 113 early breast cancer patients and 47 healthy controls using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The miRNA candidates in our method were revealed to be associated with breast cancer according to previous studies and showed potential as useful biomarkers. When validated in independent serum samples, the area under curve of the final miRNA signature (miR-21-3p, miR-21-5p, and miR-99a-5p) was 0.895. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 97.9% and 73.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The present study established a novel and effective method to identify biomarkers for early breast cancer. And the method, is also suitable for other cancer types. Furthermore, a combination of three miRNAs was identified as a prospective biomarker for breast cancer early detection.

• International Area Studies Review
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.583-603
• /
• 2011

This study was designed to comprehensively understand and separate the characteristics of recreation forests of Korea through the multi-variate analysis for the provision of fundamental materials for recreation forests development policies and planning, and attempted to evaluate on the validity of classification of recreation forests, which has never been performed before. According to analysis results, recreation forests could be divided into 4 types; type I(recreation forests whose ecological nature status is not good, but the risk of calamity is low and accessibility is good), type II(recreation forests whose the risk of calamity is low, but ecological nature status is not good, slope is steep, and accessibility is poor), type III(recreation forests that have charming vegetation and landscape, various rest opportunity, and a gentle slope, but poor accessibility), and type IV(recreation forests that ecological nature status is good, but have poor landscape, less rest opportunity, and a steep slope). Also, each type was adjusted as follows; type I($25{\rightarrow}24$ reviews), type II($25{\rightarrow}26$ reviews), type III($17{\rightarrow}16$ reviews), and type IV($25{\rightarrow}25$ reviews). This study can be said to show the usability of validation of classified types, which was not done before. It is clear that the classification of recreation forests increases the efficiency in policy making and performance. Furthermore, by validating the separated types, we could expect high efficiency in policy making and performance on planned recreation forests in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.192-202
• /
• 2019

Objectives: According to the central limit theorem, the samples in population might be considered to follow normal distribution if a large number of samples are available. Once we assume that toxicity dataset follow normal distribution, we can treat and process data statistically to calculate genus or species mean value with standard deviation. However, little is known and only limited studies are conducted to investigate whether toxicity dataset follows normal distribution or not. Therefore, the purpose of study is to evaluate the generally accepted normality hypothesis of aquatic toxicity dataset Methods: We selected the 8 chemicals, which consist of 4 organic and 4 inorganic chemical compounds considering data availability for the development of species sensitivity distribution. Toxicity data were collected at the US EPA ECOTOX Knowledgebase by simple search with target chemicals. Toxicity data were re-arranged to a proper format based on the endpoint and test duration, where we conducted normality test according to the Shapiro-Wilk test. Also we investigated the degree of normality by simple log transformation of toxicity data Results: Despite of the central limit theorem, only one large dataset (n>25) follow normal distribution out of 25 large dataset. By log transforming, more 7 large dataset show normality. As a result of normality test on small dataset (n<25), log transformation of toxicity value generally increases normality. Both organic and inorganic chemicals show normality growth for 26 species and 30 species, respectively. Those 56 species shows normality growth by log transformation in the taxonomic groups such as amphibian (1), crustacean (21), fish (22), insect (5), rotifer (2), and worm (5). In contrast, mollusca shows normality decrease at 1 species out of 23 that originally show normality. Conclusions: The normality of large toxicity dataset was not always satisfactory to the central limit theorem. Normality of those data could be improved through log transformation. Therefore, care should be taken when using toxicity data to induce, for example, mean value for risk assessment.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.119-134
• /
• 2019

In order to analyze the observational environment of solar radiation stations operated by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), we used the digital elevation model (DEM) and the solar radiation model to calculate a topographical shading, sky view factor (SVF) and solar radiation by surrounding terrain. The sky line and SVF were calculated using high resolution DEM around 25 km of the solar stations. We analyzed the topographic effect by analyzing overlapped solar map with sky line. Particularly, Incheon station has low SVF whereas Cheongsong and Chupungryong station have high SVF. In order to validation the contribution of topographic effect, the solar radiation calculated using GWNU solar radiation model according to the sky line and SVF under the same meteorological conditions. As a result, direct, diffuse and global solar radiation were decreased by 12.0, 5.6, and 4.7% compared to plane surface on Cheongsong station. The 6 stations were decreased amount of mean daily solar radiation to the annual solar radiation. Among 42 stations, eight stations were analyzed as the urgent transfer stations or moving equipment quickly and more than half of stations (24) were required to review the observational environment. Since the DEM data do not include artifacts and vegetation around the station, the stations need a detail survey of observational environment.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2019

A major predictor of the efficacy of natural or synthetic cannabinoids is their binding affinity to the cannabinoid type I receptor ($CB_1$) in the central nervous system, as the main psychological effects of cannabinoids are achieved via binding to this receptor. Conventionally, receptor binding assays have been performed using isotopes, which are inconvenient owing to the effects of radioactivity. In the present study, the binding affinities of five cannabinoids for purified $CB_1$ were measured using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique as a putative non-isotopic receptor binding assay. Results were compared with those of a radio-isotope-labeled receptor binding assay. The representative natural cannabinoid ${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol and four synthetic cannabinoids, JWH-015, JWH-210, RCS-4, and JWH-250, were assessed using both the SPR biosensor assay and the conventional isotopic receptor binding assay. The binding affinities of the test substances to $CB_1$ were determined to be (from highest to lowest) $9.52{\times}10^{-3}M$ (JWH-210), $6.54{\times}10^{-12}M$ (JWH-250), $1.56{\times}10^{-11}M$ (${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol), $2.75{\times}10^{-11}M$ (RCS-4), and $6.80{\times}10^{-11}M$ (JWH-015) using the non-isotopic method. Using the conventional isotopic receptor binding assay, the same order of affinities was observed. In conclusion, our results support the use of kinetic analysis via SPR in place of the isotopic receptor binding assay. To replace the receptor binding affinity assay with SPR techniques in routine assays, further studies for method validation will be needed in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.19 no.11
• /
• pp.626-634
• /
• 2018

This retrospective study investigates the accuracy of triage procedures for pediatric patients in emergency departments (EDs) using the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS). The study includes 250 randomly selected initial nursing records and clinical outcomes of pediatric patients who visited one regional ED or a local ED from October 2016 to September 2017. The collected data were analyzed by a qualified expert to determine the true triage score. The accuracy of triage was defined as the agreement between the triage score of the emergency nurses (ENs) and the true triage score as determined by the expert. Based on expert comments, the cause of the triage error was analyzed and the KTAS score was compared with the discharge, length of stay (LOS), and medical cost. The results showed that the degree of agreement in the triage score between the experts and the ENs was excellent (weighted kappa=0.77). Among the causes of triage discordance, the most frequent was the incorrect application of vital signs to the KTAS algorithm criteria (n=13). Patients with high severity KTAS levels 1 and 2 were discharged less often (${\chi}=43.25$, p<0.001). There were significant differences in the length of stay (F=12.39, p<0.001) and cost (F=11.78, p<0.001) between KTAS scores when adjusting for age. The results of this study indicate that KTAS is highly accurate in EDs. Hence, the newly developed triage tool is becoming well established in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.40-61
• /
• 2009

A new construction methodology has been proposed on a scientific basis to reason a rational explanation for the structure and the present configuration of Chum-Sung-Dae. This is because there is no way to otherwise explain the gap between our expectation that the people in Shilla are assumed to be and the problems, such as the use of a temporary supporting structure including falsework, the use of a conveying device for stonework and the practice of soil fill, raised when the construction method in nowadays is applied to the structure. Furthermore, it is because the questions, such as the difference of an azimuth angle between the southward opening and the square podium, the skewed circular plan in layers of the body, misalignment between neighboring layers of the body, disagreement between the inclination due to slight sidesway and the eccentricity in each layer of the circular body, perfectly aligned vertical and horizontal joints and the existence of soil fill, raised from the present configuration of Chum-Sung-Dae, also require a reasonable explanation based on scientific evidences, if any. Therefore, the proposed new construction methodology, in which the soil hill outside as well as the soil fill inside the Chum-Sung-Dae may have been utilized as a temporary scaffolding system for construction, is the highly probable one that the builders of Chum-Sung-Dae might have inevitably employed. The existence of great tombs, scattered in Hwang-Nam-Dong close to Chum-Sung-Dae, implies that the people of Shilla might have accepted the proposed new construction methodology as a natural one.