• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.289-299
• /
• 2024

Blockchains are not efficient for real-time processing because the growing number of transactions and users delays many computations and network communications. This study proposes a cloud proxy server, so that legitimate users can use blockchain as well as reduce network latency. To proceed with a blockchain transaction, the blockchain copy server verifies all transaction-related data, but the cloud proxy server verifies legitimate users with a simple zero-knowledge proof algorithm, enabling efficient blockchain real-time processing. The cloud proxy server can support blockchain anonymity, security, and scalability that can verify legitimate users with the proposed zero-knowledge proof by receiving the registered key pair of the blockchain user. In the proposed research analysis, blockchain-based cloud proxy server reduces network latency compared to previous studies and key processing on cloud proxy servers reduces the cost of key computation compared to previous studies.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.101-111
• /
• 2022

Objective: Familial intracranial aneurysms (FIAs) are found in approximately 6%-20% of patients with intracranial aneurysms (IAs), suggesting that genetic predisposition likely plays a role in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify possible IA-associated variants using whole exome sequencing (WES) in selected Korean families with FIA. Materials and Methods: Among the 26 families in our institutional database with two or more IA-affected first-degree relatives, three families that were genetically enriched (multiple, early onset, or common site involvement within the families) for IA were selected for WES. Filtering strategies, including a family-based approach and knowledge-based prioritization, were applied to derive possible IA-associated variants from the families. A chromosomal microarray was performed to detect relatively large chromosomal abnormalities. Results: Thirteen individuals from the three families were sequenced, of whom seven had IAs. We noted three rare, potentially deleterious variants (PLOD3 c.1315G>A, NTM c.968C>T, and CHST14 c.58C>T), which are the most promising candidates among the 11 potential IA-associated variants considering gene-phenotype relationships, gene function, co-segregation, and variant pathogenicity. Microarray analysis did not reveal any significant copy number variants in the families. Conclusion: Using WES, we found that rare, potentially deleterious variants in PLOD3, NTM, and CHST14 genes are likely responsible for the subsets of FIAs in a cohort of Korean families.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
• /
• v.5
• /
• pp.119-168
• /
• 1978

This is a survey of the reserved book system in the pilot universities in Korea. We have surveyed only 22 university libraries among 29 pilot schools as of 1977, because of the differences in the library users, library organization, library facilities, and library materials between universities and colleges. In 1972, the Korean Ministry of Education developed a reformation plan for their higher education based on the teaching method of curriculum-oriented faculty instead of that of the faculty-oriented curriculum. The former puts emphasis on the cultivation of a student's thinking, creativity, and judgement through self-teaching to do a given assignment. The reserved book system in a college or university library is one of the most important methods necessary to accomplish the above educational aim. The survey used a questionnaire with 50 question on 28 items concerning the various aspects of the reserved book system in 22 pilot universities. the survey result discovered many problems needing correction. The following list describes the measures needed to correct the problems found in the pilot universities. 1. The management of a centralized reserved book system is much more effective and economical than the decentralized reserved book system when a university is located on the same campus. 2. In the university library, an independent reserved book department requires to gain the desired educational aims as compared with the reserved book room controlled by any other department in the library. 3. The reserved book system should not be adopted by all the departments at once but enlarged gradually, for it needs the understanding and support of faculty members and the university itself. 4. As competence is essential to the effective operation of the reserved book room, the university library should not place an unqualified person in charge of the reserved book department. 5. The librarian in charge of the reserved book department is required to do more professional works such as analysis of users, collection and analysis of syllabuses, maintenance of faculty member cooperation, establishment of measures to acquire unavailable materials, and drawing up an effective management plan. However, he is spending most of his time in clerical works, that is, non-professional works. 6. Three to five titles of each reserved book are considered reasonable and required materials should be shelved in proportion to the number of students, that is, one copy per eight or ten students if the materials are allowed to lend for two hours at a time. For the supplementary materials, the library needs to place two or three copies per subject. 7. Professors must select reserved books with care so that they can be used year after year. 8. Few universities are asking professors the number of class students and the date when the reserved material will no longer be needed on reserve. 9. The library should gather all the lists of reserved books from every professor at least three to five months before the courses open, because it takes a long time to obtain foreign materials. 10. It is desirable that the reserved book department should collect the lists and prepare the materials with promptness and consistency. 11. Instead of block buying, it is desirable to purchase reserved books at the time the library gets the reserved book list from the professors. The library should also inform faculty members whether it obtained each reserved book or not before the course open. 12. The library should make a copy of materials if a professor requires to reserve an out-of-print book or partial contents of a book, journal, and thesis. 13. An independent budger for reserved books from the budget for general materials is desired. 14. The shelf arrangement of reserved books by courses or professors under the same department is much more preferable than a classified arrangement. 15. While most of the universities adopted the open shelves system for all the reserved books, it is more effective and economical to take a compromise system, that is, closed shelves for requires materials and open shelves for supplementary materials. 18. Circulation of reserved books needs a different system between required materials and supplementary materials: two or three hours and/or overnight loan for the former and two and/or three days loan for the latter. 17. A reserved book room should be open a long time after class so that students can have sufficient time to use the room. 18. The library must take daily and monthly statistic as well as statistics on every aspect of the reserved book system in order that the library ma decide on policy and management of the reserved book room in collaboration with the university. Furthermore, regular reports on the use of the reserved book room should be made to the president and the executive council by the library to acquire their understanding and cooperation for the reserved book system. 19. Cooperation of faculty members is indispensable to the effective management of the reserved book department and it is desirable to make a committee which will fix various decisions about the system. Whenever the director of the library make his decision, he must consult with his staff in order to involve them earnestly in the operation of the system.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.253-260
• /
• 2018

Beneficial microorganisms are widely used in the forestry, livestock, and, in particular, agricultural sectors to control soilborne diseases and promote plant growth. However, the industrial utilization of these microorganisms is very limited, mainly due to uncertainty concerning their ability to colonize and persist in soil. In this study, the survival of beneficial microorganisms in field soil microcosms was investigated for 13 days using quantitative PCR with B. subtilis group-specific primers. Bacterial community dynamics of the treated soils were analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicon sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. The average 16S rRNA gene copy number per g dry soil of Bacillus spp. was $4.37{\times}10^6$ after treatment, which was 1,000 times higher than that of the control. The gene copy number was generally maintained for a week and was reduced thereafter, but remained 100 times higher than that of the control. Bacterial community analysis indicated that Acidobacteria ($26.3{\pm}0.9%$), Proteobacteria ($24.2{\pm}0.5%$), Chloroflexi ($11.1{\pm}0.4%$), and Actinobacteria ($9.7{\pm}2.5%$) were abundant phyla in both treated and non-treated soils. In the treated soils, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria was lower, whereas those of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were higher compared to the control. Differences in total relative abundances of operational taxonomic units belonging to several genera were observed between the treated and non-treated soils, suggesting that inoculation of soil with the Bacillus strains influenced the relative abundances of certain groups of bacteria and, therefore, the dynamics of resident bacterial communities. These changes in resident soil bacterial communities in response to inoculation of soil with beneficial Bacillus spp. provide important information for the use of beneficial microorganisms in soil for sustainable agriculture.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.60 no.3
• /
• pp.290-296
• /
• 2006

Background : IS6110 DNA fingerprint is a very useful tool for investigating the transmission of tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to identify the epidemiological situations within a given area (one province). Methods : The 681 Mycbobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients, who were registered at health centers in Gyeonggi Province from May to December in 2004, were subjected to IS6110 DNA fingerprinting. Patients belonging to clusters were interviewed by health-workers to determine their previous contacts or household TB history. Results : The number of IS6110 copies of the 681 isolates showed diverse fingerprint patterns from 0 to 21 of which the most prevalent copy number was 10 from 120 isolates (17.6%). Thirty-three isolates (4.8%) belonged to the K strain, and 128 isolates (18.8%) belonged to the K family. There were 180 (26.4%) isolates belonged belonging to fifty clusters, of which two clusters were within household transmission. Forty-three (23.9%) out of 180 patients resided in an area under the same health center control. The rate of clusters in those aged 60-70 was higher than in any other age group ( 95% CI of RR : 1.072 ~ 1.988). Conclusion : This is the first report of an epidemiological survey based on a whole province using a DNA fingerprinting technique for M. tuberculosis. These results will be helpful in developing a program or policies to prevent the transmission of TB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.393-404
• /
• 2004

Background : Nucleic acid hybridization has become an essential technique in the development of our understanding of gene structure and function. The quantitative analysis of hybridization has been used in the measurement of genome complexity and gene copy number. The filter hybridization assay is rapid, sensitive and can be used to measure RNAs complementary to any cloned DNA sequence. Methods : The authors assessed the accuracy, linearity, correlation coefficient and specificity of the hybridization depending on the added dose(0, 1, 5, and $10{\mu}g$) of non-specific rat spleen RNA to hybridization of surfactant protein A mRNA. Filter hybridization assays were used to obtain the equation of standard curve and thereby to quantitate the mRNA quantitation. Results : 1. Standard curve equation of filter hybridization assay between counts per minute (X) and spleen RNA input (Y) was Y=0.13X-19.35. Correlation coefficient was 0.98. 2. Standard curve equation of filter hybridization assay between counts per minute (X) and surfactant protein A mRNA transcript input (Y) was Y=0.00066X-0.046. Correlation coefficient was 0.99. 3. Standard curve equation of filter hybridization assay between counts per minute (X) and surfactant protein A mRNA transcript input (Y) after the addition of $1{\mu}g$ spleen RNA was Y=0.00056X-0.051. Correlation coefficient was 0.99. 4. Standard curve equation of filter hybridization assay between counts per minute (X) and surfactant protein A mRNA transcript input (Y) after the addition of $5{\mu}g$ spleen RNA was Y=0.00065X-0.088. Correlation coefficient was 0.99. 5. Standard curve equation of filter hybridization assay between counts per minute (X) and surfactant protein A mRNA transcript input (Y) after the addition of $10{\mu}g$ spleen RNA was Y=0.00051X-0.10. Correlation coefficient was 0.99. Conclusions : Comparison of cpm/filter in a linear range allowed accurate and reproducible estimation of surfactant protein A mRNA copy number irrespective of the addition dosage of non-specific rat spleen RNA over the range $0-10{\mu}g$.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.35-39
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Diagnostic and functional imaging softwares in Nuclear Medicine have been developed significantly. But, there are some limitations which like take a lot of time. In this article, we introduced that the basic concept of macro to help understanding macro and its application to Brain SPECT processing. We adopted macro software to SPM processing and PACS verify processing of Brain SPECT processing. Materials and Methods: In Brain SPECT, we choose SPM processing and two PACS works which have large portion of a work. SPM is the software package to analyze neuroimaging data. And purpose of SPM is quantitative analysis between groups. Results are made by complicated process such as realignment, normalization, smoothing and mapping. We made this process to be more simple by using macro program. After sending image to PACS, we directly input coordinates of mouse using simple macro program for processes of color mapping, adjustment of gray scale, copy, cut and match. So we compared time for making result by hand with making result by macro program. Finally, we got results by applying times to number of studies in 2007. Results: In 2007, the number of SPM studies were 115 and the number of PACS studies were 834 according to Diamox study. It was taken 10 to 15 minutes for SPM work by hand according to expertness and 5 minutes and a half was uniformly needed using Macro. After applying needed time to the number of studies, we calculated an average time per a year. When using SPM work by hand according to expertness, 1150 to 1725 minutes (19 to 29 hours) were needed and 632 seconds (11 hours) were needed for using Macro. When using PACS work by hand, 2 to 3 minutes were needed and for using Macro, 45 seconds were needed. After applying theses time to the number of studies, when working by hand, 1668 to 2502 minutes (28 to 42 hours) were needed and for using Macro, 625 minutes (10 hours) were needed. Following by these results, it was shown that 1043 to 1877 (17 to 31 hours were saved. Therefore, we could save 45 to 63% for SPM, 62 to 75% for PACS work and 55 to 70% for total brain SPECT processing in 2007. Conclusions: On the basis of the number of studies, there was significant time saved when we applied Macro to brain SPECT processing and also it was shown that even though work is taken a little time, there is a possibility to save lots of time according to the number of studies. It gives time on technologist's side which makes radiological technologist more concentrate for patients and reduce probability of mistake. Appling Macro to brain SPECT processing helps for both of radiological technologists and patients and contribute to improve quality of hospital service.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.72 no.3
• /
• pp.293-301
• /
• 2012

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) requires prompt and appropriate treatment. Since methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent pathogen in VAP, rapid identification of it, is pivotal. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a useful method for etiologic diagnoses of MRSA pneumonia. Methods: We performed qPCR for mecA, S. aureus-specific femA-SA, and S. epidermidis-specific femA-SE genes from bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial washing samples obtained from clinically-suspected VAP. Molecular identification of MRSA was based on the presence of the mecA and femA-SA gene, with the absence of the femA-SE gene. To compensate for the experimental and clinical conditions, we spiked an internal control in the course of DNA extraction. We estimated number of colony-forming units per mL (CFU/mL) of MRSA samples through a standard curve of a serially-diluted reference MRSA strain. We compared the threshold cycle (Ct) value with the microbiologic results of MRSA. Results: We obtained the mecA gene standard curve, which showed the detection limit of the mecA gene to be 100 fg, which corresponds to a copy number of 30. We chose cut-off Ct values of 27.94 (equivalent to $1{\times}10^4$ CFU/mL) and 21.78 (equivalent to $1{\times}10^5$ CFU/mL). The sensitivity and specificity of our assay were 88.9% and 88.9% respectively, when compared with quantitative cultures. Conclusion: Our results were valuable for diagnosing and identifying pathogens involved in VAP. We believe our modified qPCR is an appropriate tool for the rapid diagnosis of clinical pathogens regarding patients in the intensive care unit.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.307-314
• /
• 2004

Xenotransplantation of porcine organs has the potential to overcome the severe. shortage of human tissues and organs available for human transplantation. The swine represents an ideal source of such organs because of their plentiful supply and their numerous anatomical and physiological similarities to the human. However, this procedure also carries with a number of safety issues relating to the zoonotic infections. Porcine endogenous retrovinJses(PERVs), \Wich are germ line transmitted and persist without symptoms in the pigs, are most concerning zoonotic viroses. In order to analyze the prevalence of PERV in domestic pigs, four kinds of pigs'(Landrace, Berkshire, Yorkshire, and Duroc) genomic DNA were isolated from their hair follicles. PCR analysis was carried out for detection of PERVs using subgroup A/B/C and E pol sequence primers. All pigs (20 heads) tested had high copy number of PERVs within genomes. Subgroup A/B/C and E pol gene sequences from 20 isolates were determined by direct sequencing. Sequence analysis showed pol sequences are highly conserved among intra- and inter-subspecies(99.l and 98.8%, respectively). As a first report of PERV prevalence in Korea pigs, our data would be the basic concepts of PERV transmission study in xenotransplantation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 1997

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein that mediates the growth and differentiation of erythroid progenitors. In order to produce recombinant human erythropoietin in tobacco plant, the EPO genomic DNA (5.4 kb) was cloned into plant expression vectors, pBI$\Delta$GUS121, pBD$\Delta$GUS121 and pPEV-1, and introduced in Nicotiana tabacum (var. Xanthi) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. After selection on MS media containing kanamycin (Km), 10 Km-resistant plants were obtained per each construct. The correct integration of EPO genomic DNA in the genome of transgenic plant was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Northern blot showed that transcripts of 1.8 kb length were produced in leaves of the plants, but there was no difference of mRNA amount according to promoter number and 5'-untranslated sequence (UTS). The proteins obtained from leaves of transgenic plants were immunologically detected by Western blot using rabbit anti-human EPO polyclonal antibody. The expressed protein appeared as smaller band of apparent mass of 30 kDa as compared to the EPO protein from human urine (37 kDa), suggesting that the modification (glycosylation) system in tobacco plant might be different from that of mammalian cells.