• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.518-526
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• 2019

Purpose: Limited means exist to assess gastrointestinal activity in pediatric patients postoperatively. Recently, myoelectric gastrointestinal activity recorded by cutaneous patches has been shown in adult patients to be predictive of clinical return of gastrointestinal function postoperatively. The aim of this case series is to demonstrate the feasibility of this system in pediatric patients and to correlate myoelectric signals with return of bowel function clinically. Methods: Pediatric patients undergoing abdominal surgery were recruited to have wireless patches placed on the abdomen within two hours postoperatively. Myoelectric data were transmitted wirelessly to a mobile device with a user-interface and forwarded to a cloud server where processing algorithms identified episodes of motor activity, quantified their parameters and nominally assigned them to specific gastrointestinal organs based on their frequencies. Results: Three patients (ages 5 months, 4 year, 16 year) were recruited for this study. Multiple patches were placed on the older subjects, while the youngest had a single patch due to space limitations. Rhythmic signals of the stomach, small intestine, and colon could be identified in all three subjects. Patients showed gradual increase in myoelectric intestinal and colonic activity leading up to the first recorded bowel movement. Conclusion: Measuring myoelectric intestinal activity continuously using a wireless patch system is feasible in a wide age range of pediatric patients. The increase in activity over time correlated well with the patients' return of bowel function. More studies are planned to determine if this technology can predict return of bowel function or differentiate between physiologic ileus and pathologic conditions.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.723-732
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• 2019

Globally road transport networks are subjected to continuous levels of stress from increasing loading and environmental effects. As the most popular mean of transport in the UK the condition of this civil infrastructure is a key indicator of economic growth and productivity. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems can provide a valuable insight to the true condition of our aging infrastructure. In particular, monitoring of the displacement of a bridge structure under live loading can provide an accurate descriptor of bridge condition. In the past B-WIM systems have been used to collect traffic data and hence provide an indicator of bridge condition, however the use of such systems can be restricted by bridge type, assess issues and cost limitations. This research provides a non-contact low cost AI based solution for vehicle classification and associated bridge displacement using computer vision methods. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been adapted to develop the QUBYOLO vehicle classification method from recorded traffic images. This vehicle classification was then accurately related to the corresponding bridge response obtained under live loading using non-contact methods. The successful identification of multiple vehicle types during field testing has shown that QUBYOLO is suitable for the fine-grained vehicle classification required to identify applied load to a bridge structure. The process of displacement analysis and vehicle classification for the purposes of load identification which was used in this research adds to the body of knowledge on the monitoring of existing bridge structures, particularly long span bridges, and establishes the significant potential of computer vision and Deep Learning to provide dependable results on the real response of our infrastructure to existing and potential increased loading.

• 한국수자원학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국수자원학회 2017년도 학술발표회
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• pp.458-458
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• 2017

증발산은 지표면으로부터의 증발이나 식물에 의한 증산에 의해 유역으로부터 물이 제거되는 주요 기작으로서, 유역 물수지 관점에서 보았을 때 강수량과 증발산량의 차이로부터 유출이나 함양되는 양을 추정할 수 있다. 제주도의 경우에는 수자원 이용량의 약 84%를 지하수에 의존하고 있으며, 한편으로 제주도의 지질학적 특성으로 인해 일정 규모 이하의 강수량은 지표유출이나 중간유출의 과정없이 대부분 지하로 침투되기 때문에, 증발산량을 정확하게 파악하는 것이 지하수 함양량의 추정과 제주도 전체 수자원 계획에 큰 영향을 주게 된다. 정확한 증발산량 파악을 위해서는 지속적인 관측과 전문적인 계측장비 등에 의한 직접적인 방법이 있으나 광범위한 유역 단위의 관측값을 확보하는 것이 현실적으로 어렵기 때문에, 물수지법, 열수지법, 공기역학적방법 및 조합방법 등의 간접적인 방법이 많이 활용되고 있다. 간접적인 방법으로 많이 활용되고 있는 Penman-Monteith 법은 일 단위 기반의 정확도 높은 증발산량을 추정할 수 있는 장점이 있으나, 작물생육단계 및 토양수분, 기상 등 많은 변수들에 대한 입력을 요구하고 있기 때문에 복잡한 모델링 과정을 수반하게 되는 단점을 내포하고 있다. 반면, Morton (1978)의 CRAE (Complementary Relationship Areal Evapotranspiration)나 Priestly and Taylor (1973)의 AA (Advection-Aridity)와 같이 잠재증발산량과 실제증발산량간의 보완관계를 이용하는 방법은 지역적인 인자 또는 가용 수분에 대한 조건없이 몇 가지 기상자료만으로 유역의 증발산량을 산정할 수 있다는 장점이 있다. 본 연구에서는 제주도 지역의 4개 하천유역(한천, 천미천, 강정천, 외도천)을 대상으로, Penman-Monteith 법을 적용한 SWAT 모델링를 통해 얻어진 유역의 실제증발산량과 잠재증발산량으로부터, 고도에 따른 기상특성을 반영하여 증발산 보완관계를 검토하였다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제63권12호
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• pp.491-498
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• 2020

Background: Renal size is an important indicator in the diagnosis of renal diseases and urinary tract infections in children. Purpose: The purpose of this study is twofold. First, it aimed to measure the renal length and calculate the renal volume of normal Thai children using 2-dimensional ultrasonography (2D-US) and study their correlations with somatic parameters. Second, it aimed to compare the age-specific renal size of normal Thai children with the published data of their Western and Chinese counterparts. Methods: A total of 321 children (150 boys, 171 girls; age, 6-15 years) with a normal renal profile were prospectively recruited. All subjects underwent 2D-US by an experienced pediatric radiologist and the renal length, width, and depth were measured. Renal volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula as recommended. The data were compared between the left and right kidneys, the sexes, and various somatic parameters. The age-specific renal lengths were compared using a nomogram derived from a Western cohort that is currently referred by many Thailand hospitals, while the renal volumes were compared with the published data of a Chinese cohort. Results: No statistically significant difference (P<0.05) was found between sexes or the right and left kidneys. The renal sizes had strong correlations with height, weight, body surface area, and age but not with body mass index. The renal length of the Thai children was moderately correlated (r=0.59) with that of the Western cohort, while the age-specific renal volume was significantly smaller (P<0.05) than that of the Chinese children. Conclusion: Therefore, we concluded that the age-specific renal length and volume obtained by 2D-US would vary between children in different regions and may not be suitably used as an international standard for diagnosis, although further studies may be needed to confirm our findings.

• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.49-69
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• 2019

Over the last couple of years, digital diplomacy has become a fascinating area of research among Mass Communication, Peace and Conflict Studies, and International Affairs scholars. Social media and new technology open up new avenues for governments, individuals, and organizations to engage with foreign audiences. However, developing countries' governments are still lacking in the realization of the potential of social media. This study aims to analyze the usage of social media (Facebook & Twitter) by the two biggest countries in South Asia (Pakistan and India). I selected 10 government officials' social media accounts including prime ministers', national press offices', military public relations offices', public diplomacy divisions', and ministries of foreign offices' profiles. The study relies on quantitative content analysis and a comparative research approach. The total number of analyzed Twitter tweets (n=1,015) and Facebook posts (n=1,005) include 10 accounts, five from each country. In light of Kent and Taylor's (1998) dialogic communication framework, the results indicate that no digital engagement and dialogue occurs between government departments and the public through social networking sites. Government departments do not engage with local or foreign audiences through digital media. When comparing both countries, results reveal that India has more institutionalized and organized digital diplomacy. In terms of departmental use of social media, the digital diplomacy division and foreign office of India is more active than other government departments in that nation. Meanwhile, Pakistan's military public relations office and press office is more active than its other government departments. In conclusion, both countries realize the potential of social media in digital diplomacy, but still lack engagement with foreign audiences.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.199-206
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a virtual upper extremity training program using the RAPAEL Smart Glove on upper extremity function in stroke survivors with chronic hemiparesis and to focus the training program development using the Smart Glove as a feasibility study. Methods: This study was conducted using a single group and pre-post test research design in the outpatient departments of local rehabilitation units. Ten chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors with a diagnosis of first stroke received therapeutic rehabilitation at the rehabilitation units. All the participants used a virtual reality program with the RAPAEL Smart Glove for 30 minutes per session 3 days a week over 8 weeks. They also received conventional occupational therapy with functional electrical stimulation for 40 minutes per session 3 days a week for 8 weeks as an additional therapy. To analyze the effects of this therapeutic intervention, four clinical measures, including the box-block test (BBT), the Wolf motor function test (WMFT), the trail-making score, the Jebsen Taylor hand function test (JTHFT), and grip strength, were used. Results: Upon completion of the intervention in week 8, all the participants demonstrated significant WMFT, JTT, BBT, grip strength, and trail-making score gains compared to the respective baselines at week 0. Conclusion: This study suggests that virtual upper extremity training using the RAPAEL Smart Glove has a reasonable and beneficial effects on upper extremity function in chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.67-74
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• 2019

Background: Few studies have examined the effects of a forward rotating shift pattern on police employee performance and well-being. This study sought to compare sleep duration, cognitive performance, and vigilance at the start and end of each shift within a three-shift, forward rotating shift pattern, common in United Kingdom police forces. Methods: Twenty-three police employee participants were recruited from North Yorkshire Police (mean age, 43 years). The participants were all working the same, 10-day, forward rotating shift pattern. No other exclusion criteria were stipulated. Sleep data were gathered using both actigraphy and self-reported methods; cognitive performance and vigilance were assessed using a customized test battery, comprising five tests: motor praxis task, visual object learning task, NBACK, digital symbol substitution task, and psychomotor vigilance test. Statistical comparisons were conducted, taking into account the shift type, shift number, and the start and end of each shift worked. Results: Sleep duration was found to be significantly reduced after night shifts. Results showed a significant main effect of shift type in the visual object learning task and NBACK task and also a significant main effect of start/end in the digital symbol substitution task, along with a number of significant interactions. Conclusion: The results of the tests indicated that learning and practice effects may have an effect on results of some of the tests. However, it is also possible that due to the fast rotating nature of the shift pattern, participants did not adjust to any particular shift; hence, their performance in the cognitive and vigilance tests did not suffer significantly as a result of this particular shift pattern.

• Journal of Gynecologic Oncology
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.97.1-97.12
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• 2018

Objective: Women with cervical cancer (CC) found to have positive surgical margins, positive lymph nodes, and/or parametrial invasion receive a survival benefit from postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) vs. radiation therapy (RT) alone. However, older women may not benefit to the same extent, as they are at increased risk of death from non-oncologic causes as well as toxicities from oncologic treatments. This study sought to evaluate whether there was a survival benefit of CRT over RT in elderly patients with cervical cancer. Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients ${\geq}70$ years old with newly diagnosed IA2, IB, or IIA CC and positive margins, parametrial invasion, and/or positive nodes on surgical resection. Statistics included logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier overall survival (OS), and Cox proportional hazards modeling analyses. Results: Altogether, 166 patients met inclusion criteria; 62 (37%) underwent postoperative RT and 104 (63%) underwent postoperative CRT. Younger patients and those living in areas of higher income were less likely to receive CRT, while parametrial invasion and nodal involvement were associated with an increased likelihood (p<0.05 for all). There were no OS differences by treatment type. Subgroup analysis by number of risk factors, as well as each of the 3 risk factors separately, also did not reveal any OS differences between cohorts. Conclusion: In the largest such study to date, older women with postoperative risk factor(s) receiving RT alone experienced similar survival as those undergoing CRT. Although causation is not implied, careful patient selection is paramount to balance treatment-related toxicity risks with theoretical outcome benefits.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.53-62
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• 2021

Gindai (Pristipomoides zonatus) is one of six snappers in a management complex called the Deep 7 of the Hawaiian Islands. Little is known about its life history and a preliminary analysis of otolith thin sections indicated the species may exhibit moderate growth with a lifespan approaching 40 years. Preliminary age estimates from the previous study were reinvestigated using the same otolith sections in an attempt to validate those ages with bomb radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating. From the misalignment of birth years for the otolith ¹⁴C measurements with regional references - the post-peak bomb ¹⁴C decline period - it was concluded that previous ages were inflated from overcounting of the earliest growth zone structure in otolith sections. The oldest gindai was re-aged to 26 years once the age reading was adjusted for early overcounting, 13 years younger than the original estimate of 39 years for this fish. In general, the earliest otolith growth of gindai was massive and complicated by numerous subannual checks. The approach of lumping the early growth structures was supported by the alignment of ¹⁴C measurements from otolith core material (first year of growth). The result was greater consistency of calculated birthdates with the ¹⁴C decline reference, along with minor offsets that may indicate age estimation was imprecise by a few years for some individuals. The revised von Bertalanffy growth function applied to the validated age-at-length estimates revealed more rapid growth (k = 0.378 cf. 0.113) and a lifespan of approximately 30 years. The findings presented here are a case study of how the bomb ¹⁴C decline period can be used as a tool in the refinement of age reading protocols.

• 국제지역연구
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.79-105
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• 2010

본 논문은 외국인투자자가 국내 기업의 배당과 투자 의사결정에 미치는 영향에 관하여 2001년에서 2008년까지 거래소에 상장된 12월 결산 비금융업체를 대상으로 분석하였다. 연구결과 첫째, 전체 외국인투자자의 경우 배당성향을 증가시켰으나 이러한 경향은 최근으로 올수록 약화되었다. 또한 투자목적을 구분한 경우 기업의 배당성향 증가에 영향을 미치지 않았다. 둘째 외국인 투자자들의 지분이 증가할 경우 고정자산증가율과 유형자산증가율로 본 설비투자는 감소하였으며 5%이상 외국인 투자자와 경영참가목적 외국인 투자자의 경우 연구개발비율에서 유의한 양(+)의 계수값을 보였다. 또한 5%이상 외국인 투자자의 영향력은 경영참가목적 외국인 투자자에 의해 주도됨을 알 수 있었다. 셋째, 외국인 투자자 지분율과 기업의 배당 의사결정 간의 내생성 문제를 고려하기 위해 HT-IV/GLS 방법을 선택한 결과와 회귀분석, 고정효과 모형 간에 계수 값의 크기와 유의성에 차이가 있어 내생성을 고려할 필요가 있음을 알려주었다.