• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.135-142
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• 2023

Background: Pharmacists communicate with a variety of healthcare experts to prevent medication errors. Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) is a tool used for concise and accurate communication. In 2018, we developed the pharmacy-SBAR (P-SBAR) to deliver pharmacists intervention more quickly and effectively through quality improvement activities. Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of P-SBAR on pharmacists' intervention activities before and after the implementation of P-SBAR applications. We assessed the impact of P-SBAR on reducing the burden of intervention work, promoting pharmacists' participation, and enhancing the acceptance rate. Methods: This is a retrospective study of the two groups before and after P-SBAR implementation. All pharmacists' intervention records during two periods (2016-2017 and 2019-2020) were extracted from the data warehouse system at Kyunghee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul. The outcome was the number of inpatients and pharmacists who participated in the prescription monitoring activity, the number of interventions, and the physicians' acceptance rate. Results: Although the total number of inpatients decreased (364,753 vs. 348,229), the number of pharmacists who participated in intervention activity increased (monthly mean: 15.8 vs. 18.0, p=0.001). The total number of interventions (2,767 vs. 4,389), the frequency of full acceptance (2,018 vs. 3,710), and the monthly acceptance rate increased significantly (73.8% vs. 83.8%, p<0.001). Conclusion: P-SBAR improved accessibility and convenience by digitalizing the intervention activities performed in an offline environment. Improvement in work burden and acceptance rate using P-SBAR is expected to contribute toward reducing medication errors.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• 제23권7호
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• pp.219-230
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• 2023

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) have made it easier for healthcare workers and patients to monitor patients' status continuously in real time. WBANs have complex and diverse network structures; thus, management and control can be challenging. Therefore, considering emerging Software-defined networks (SDN) with WBANs is a promising technology since SDN implements a new network management and design approach. The SDN concept is used in this study to create more adaptable and dynamic network architectures for WBANs. The study focuses on comparing the performance of two SDN controllers, POX and Ryu, using Mininet, an open-source simulation tool, to construct network topologies. The performance of the controllers is evaluated based on bandwidth, throughput, and round-trip time metrics for networks using an OpenFlow switch with sixteen nodes and a controller for each topology. The study finds that the choice of network controller can significantly impact network performance and suggests that monitoring network performance indicators is crucial for optimizing network performance. The project provides valuable insights into the performance of SDN-based WBANs using POX and Ryu controllers and highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate network controller for a given network architecture.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.295-308
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• 2023

This study applied a real-time IoT (Internet of Things) environmental monitoring system to wooden cultural heritages (WCHs) located in suburbs and forests in Korea. It automated the graphs of seasonal Temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) changes inside the heritage structures and seasonal Performance Index (PI) values. While utilizing line graphs of the existing T and RH change trends and a bar graph expressing the PI values, this study examined the current status of the conservation environment inside the WCHs throughout the year and its diagnosis. Consequently, at higher latitudes, the organic cultural heritage repeatedly experienced large T fluctuations, and the risk of physical and chemical degradation of the materials was greater. However, the RH showed significant seasonal differences, even within the same latitude, indicating that the impact of latitude was not significant. Therefore, the staff in charge must manage RH by considering the surrounding environmental conditions and adjusting the internal environment of the structures. The PI values for the year-round T and RH inside the heritages were confirmed to only be a maximum of approximately 60% of the environmental suitability for conservation throughout the year, depending on the season. The relationship between the germination and growth potential period of xerophilic fungi and the monthly internal temperature and humidity in five heritages located at different latitudes was analyzed. As a result, we could thus determine that four particular months of the year (June-September) represent the periods with the highest risk of damage from xerophilic fungi in the country, regardless of latitude.

• 한국위험물학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.6-11
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• 2014

There have been frequent chemical leaks over the past 10 years. Particularly, inorganic acids like sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrogen chloride take up 37 % of the total chemical accidents which took place for the past 10 years. When an acid chemical leak happens, fume is generated, diffusing into the air, which might cause serious damage to health of local residents and the environment. However, most of the acid-based chemicals, detecting and analysis methods have not been settled considering the frequency of accidents. In this study, we investigated detection and analysis methods to quickly analyze accident sites and evaluate the impacts on environments. Reviewing local and international test analysis methods of acids suggested that nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride can be analyzed with IC. It was also found that UV is better for the analysis of hydrogen fluoride and GC/MS for acrylic acid. The analytical methods suggested in the official test methods basically have limitations of consuming much time at stages of preparation and analysis. Considering prompt responses to chemical accidents, further studies should be done to compare the applicability of rapid monitoring methods such as FT-IR, IMR-MS and SIFT-MS.

• 한국지형학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.51-66
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• 2021

This study shows that coastal sand dunes are negatively affected by coastal forests. In South Korea, planting pine trees on the dunes has been carried out to stabilize the dune landscapes and protect residential areas from coastal disasters since the 20th century. However, this strategy could reduce the resilience of dunes. In this study, we selected three monitoring sites with automated weather stations to compare the geomorphological and environmental characteristics between tree-covered and grass-covered dunes at Sohwang-ri, Boryeong-si, Chungnam Province for three years. In addition, we monitored the rates of erosion and deposition using eight pins along the dune crests. We found that the forest affected both wind velocity and direction, resulting in decreased blown sand supply to the dunes in front of the forest. The velocity of the strong winds faster than 5 m/s diminished to 10%-30% of the control sites, and the direction of northwesterly wind were skewed to the north by about 6°. Sand deposition occurred at about 15-20 m away from the pine forest and the amount was only 1/10 of the deposition within the grass-covered dunes. This study suggests that planting trees in coastal dunes is an undesirable strategy with negative impacts on the landscape management.

• 한국작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국작물학회 2022년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.257-257
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• 2022

Late blight, caused by the hemibiotrophic oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans, has been the most important disease limiting potato production worldwide. P. infestans undergo major population shifts in agricultural systems via the successive emergence and migration of asexual lineages. The phenotypic and genotypic bases of these selective sweeps are largely unknown but management strategies need to adapt to reflect the changing pathogen population. Here, we used molecular markers to divide the 86 South Korea isolates into six clonal lineages: KR_1_A1, KR_2_A2, SIB-1, US-11, SIB-1 like, and KR-2 like. We documented the emergence of a new lineage, termed SIB-1 like, and KR-2 like, and their rapid replacement of other lineages to exceed 35% of the pathogen population across South Korea. Genome analyses of the Korean P. infestans populations revealed extensive genetic polymorphism, particularly in effector genes. Importantly, SIB-1 like isolates carry an intact Avr8 effector gene that triggers resistance in potato carrying the corresponding R immune receptor gene R8 cloned from Solarium demissum. These findings point toward a strategy for deploying genetic resistance to mitigate the impact of the SIB-1 like lineage and illustrate how pathogen population monitoring, combined with genome analysis, informs the management of devastating disease epidemics. Further study is being done on pathogenicity of the SIB-1 like isolates on cultivated potatoes and changes in expression patterns of disease effector genes within the SIB-1 like isolates

• 대한원격탐사학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.9-18
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• 2024

Small streams, despite their rich ecosystems, face challenges in vegetation assessment due to the limitations of traditional, time-consuming methods. This study presents a groundbreaking approach, combining unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs), convolutional neural networks(CNNs), and the vegetation differential vegetation index (VDVI), to revolutionize both assessment and management of stream vegetation. Focusing on Idong Stream in South Korea (2.7 km long, 2.34 km² basin area)with eight diverse revetment methods, we leveraged high-resolution RGB images captured by UAVs across five dates (July-December). These images trained a ResNeXt101 CNN model, achieving an impressive 89% accuracy in classifying vegetation cover(soil,water, and vegetation). This enabled detailed spatial and temporal analysis of vegetation distribution. Further, VDVI calculations on classified vegetation areas allowed assessment of vegetation vitality. Our key findings showcase the power of this approach:(a) TheCNN model generated highly accurate cover maps, facilitating precise monitoring of vegetation changes overtime and space. (b) August displayed the highest average VDVI(0.24), indicating peak vegetation growth crucial for stabilizing streambanks and resisting flow. (c) Different revetment methods impacted vegetation vitality. Fieldstone sections exhibited initial high vitality followed by decline due to leaf browning. Block-type sections and the control group showed a gradual decline after peak growth. Interestingly, the "H environment block" exhibited minimal change, suggesting potential benefits for specific ecological functions.(d) Despite initial differences, all sections converged in vegetation distribution trends after 15 years due to the influence of surrounding vegetation. This study demonstrates the immense potential of UAV-based remote sensing and CNNs for revolutionizing small-stream vegetation assessment and management. By providing high-resolution, temporally detailed data, this approach offers distinct advantages over traditional methods, ultimately benefiting both the environment and surrounding communities through informed decision-making for improved stream health and ecological conservation.

• 대한원격탐사학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.45-56
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• 2024

Faced with aging populations, declining resources, and limited agricultural productivity, rural areas in South Korea require innovative solutions. This study investigated the potential of drone-based vegetation indices (VIs) to analyze soybean growth patterns in open-field smart agriculture in Goesan-gun, Chungbuk Province, South Korea. We monitored multi-seasonal normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the normalized difference red edge (NDRE) data for three soybean lots with different irrigation methods (subsurface drainage, conventional, subsurface drip irrigation) using drone remote sensing. Combining NDVI (photosynthetically active biomass, PAB) and NDRE (chlorophyll) offered a comprehensive analysis of soybean growth, capturing both overall health and stress responses. Our analysis revealed distinct growth patterns for each lot. LotA(subsurface drainage) displayed early vigor and efficient resource utilization (peaking at NDVI 0.971 and NDRE 0.686), likely due to the drainage system. Lot B (conventional cultivation) showed slower growth and potential limitations (peaking at NDVI 0.963 and NDRE 0.681), suggesting resource constraints or stress. Lot C (subsurface drip irrigation) exhibited rapid initial growth but faced later resource limitations(peaking at NDVI 0.970 and NDRE 0.695). By monitoring NDVI and NDRE variations, farmers can gain valuable insights to optimize resource allocation (reducing costs and environmental impact), improve crop yield and quality (maximizing yield potential), and address rural challenges in South Korea. This study demonstrates the promise of drone-based VIs for revitalizing open-field agriculture, boosting farm income, and attracting young talent, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous future for rural communities. Further research integrating additional data and investigating physiological mechanisms can lead to even more effective management strategies and a deeper understanding of VI variations for optimized crop performance.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.1228-1237
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• 2023

The CRISPR-Cas system has emerged as the most efficient genome editing technique for a wide range of cells. Delivery of the Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein complex (Cas9 RNP) has gained popularity. The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based assay to quantify the double-strand break reaction mediated by Cas9 RNP. To accomplish this, the dextransucrase gene (dsr) from Leuconostoc citreum was selected as the target DNA. The Cas9 protein was produced using recombinant Escherichia coli BL21, and two sgRNAs were synthesized through in vitro transcription to facilitate binding with the dsr gene. Under optimized in vitro conditions, the 2.6 kb dsr DNA was specifically cleaved into 1.1 and 1.5 kb fragments by both Cas9-sgRNA365 and Cas9-sgRNA433. By monitoring changes in dsr concentration using qPCR, the endonuclease activities of the two Cas9 RNPs were measured, and their efficiencies were compared. Specifically, the specific activities of dsr365RNP and dsr433RNP were 28.74 and 34.48 (unit/㎍ RNP), respectively. The versatility of this method was also verified using different target genes, uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (upp) gene, of Bifidobacterium bifidum and specific sgRNAs. The assay method was also utilized to determine the impact of high electrical field on Cas9 RNP activity during an efficient electroporation process. Overall, the results demonstrated that the qPCR-based method is an effective tool for measuring the endonuclease activity of Cas9 RNP.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.353-361
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• 2023

Background: Noise has been linked to an increased risk of various health issues, including stress, anxiety, insomnia, and cardiovascular disorders. However, research on the relationship between residential traffic noise and mental health in South Korea is limited. Objectives: This study aims to examine the correlation between regional traffic noise levels and mental health using an ecological study design. Methods: In this ecological study, all data were collected from the Korean Statistical Information Service. Traffic noise data in residential areas and the prevalence of mental health indices in 44 cities with noise monitoring stations were obtained. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between regional traffic noise levels and mental health indices. Results: Daytime traffic noise levels were found to have a positive correlation with stress perception (r=0.428, p=0.004) and showed a borderline positive correlation with depressive symptom prevalence (r=0.273, p=0.073). In cities with airports, significant correlations was observed between 24-hour average noise levels and depressive symptoms (r=0.604, p=0.010), whereas this relationship was not observed in cities without airports (r=0.048, p=0.813). Multiple regression analysis, which adjusted for factors such as age, gender ratio, smoking, obesity, unemployment, urban size, and the presence of an airport, confirmed the relationship between 24-hour average noise levels and stress perception (beta=0.287, p=0.024). Conclusions: This study identified correlations between regional traffic noise levels and depressive symptoms or stress perception in adults, with a more pronounced effect in areas with airports. These findings suggest a potential impact of residential traffic noise on mental health, highlighting the importance of preventive measures like noise management in urban planning to promote mental well-being.