• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2024

Objectives: Frozen shoulder (FS) is one of the most challenging shoulder disorders for patients and clinicians. Its symptoms mainly include any combination of stiffness, nocturnal pain, and limitation of active and passive glenohumeral joint movement. Conventional treatment options for FS are physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, injection therapy, and arthroscopic capsular release, but adverse and limited effects continue to present problems. As a result, pharmacoacupuncture (PA) is getting attention as an alternative therapy for patients with FS. PA is a new form of acupuncture treatment in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) that is mainly used for musculoskeletal diseases. It has similarity and specificity compared to corticosteroid injection and hydrodilatation, making it a potential alternative injection therapy for FS. However, no systematic reviews investigating the utilization of PA for FS have been published. Therefore, this review aims to standardize the clinical use of PA for FS and validate its therapeutic effect. Methods: The protocol was registered in Prospero (CRD42023445708) on 18 July 2023. Until Aug. 31, 2023, seven electronic databases will be searched for randomized controlled trials of PA for FS. Authors will be contacted, and manual searches will also be performed. Two reviewers will independently screen and collect data from retrieved articles according to predefined criteria. The primary outcome will be pain intensity, and secondary outcomes will be effective rate, Constant-Murley Score, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, range of motion, quality of life, and adverse events. Bias and quality of the included trials will be assessed using the Cochrane handbook's risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Meta analyses will be conducted using Review Manager V.5.3 software. GRADE will be used to evaluate the level of evidence for each outcome. Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted following PRISMA statement. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusion: This review will provide scientific evidence to support health insurance policy as well as the standardization of PA in clinical practice.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.394-403
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• 2023

In the pursuit of sustainable and environmentally-friendly agricultural practices, we conducted an extensive study on the rhizosphere bacteria inhabiting soils that have been devoid of chemical fertilizers for an extended period exceeding 40 years. Through this investigation, we isolated a total of 80 species of plant growth-promoting rhizosphere bacteria and assessed their potential to enhance plant growth. Among these isolates, Burkholderia cepacia CD2 displayed remarkable plant growth-promoting activity, making it an optimal candidate for further analysis. Burkholderia cepacia CD2 exhibited a range of beneficial characteristics conducive to plant growth, including phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, denitrification, nitrate utilization, and urease activity. These attributes are well-known to positively influence the growth and development of plants. To validate the taxonomic classification of the strain, 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed its placement within the Burkholderia genus, providing further insights into its phylogenetic relationship. To delve deeper into the potential mechanisms underlying its plant growth-promoting properties, we sought to confirm the presence of specific genes associated with plant growth promotion in CD2. To achieve this, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed by Plasmidsaurus Inc. (USA) utilizing Oxford Nanopore technology (Abingdon, UK). The WGS analysis of the genome of CD2 revealed the existence of a subsystem function, which is thought to be a pivotal factor contributing to improved plant growth. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Burkholderia cepacia CD2 has the potential to serve as a microbial fertilizer, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2023

This raises the question of how competitive advantage can be created, prompting firms to enhance their capacity for change. In this context, the role of knowledge creation becomes increasingly vital. This research aims to explore the role of intellectual capital and how to improve knowledge cration ability through absorptive capacity framework. It examines the links among knowledge acquisition, learning of new knowledge, knowledge creation, intellectual capital, and competitive advantage, drawing from both internal and external sources. The study focuses on small and medium-sized supplier firms in Korea, with data collected from 15 industries, totaling 106 responses. The research model employs structural equation modeling (SEM) and utilizes AMOS 22 for analysis. As anticipated, all hypotheses were supported. The study provides robust evidence that absorptive capacity is a pivotal factor in cultivating suppliers' competitive advantage. Furthermore, it posits that intellectual capital should be viewed as a criucial component of suppliers' knowledge stock, significantly enhancing the impact of absorptive capacity on their competitive edge. Future studies should aim to validate the research model in different international settings or across multinational corporations to enhance its generalizabulity.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-53
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• 2024

Background: To train dental hygienists to utilize knowledge in practice, an integrated curriculum based on the competencies of dental hygienists is expanding; however, in the field of basic dental hygiene the curriculum is still fragmented and based on segmented knowledge. This study developed an integrated curriculum based on the competencies of dental hygienists in Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Physiology, which are subjects for basic dental hygiene that have high linkage and overlap. Methods: After selecting the learning objectives for the integrated curriculum from those of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Physiology, the duties of the dental hygienist in relation to the learning objectives were analyzed. Learning objectives were combined with the duties of a dental hygienist to derive competencies for an integrated curriculum. Referring to the syllabus and learning objectives for each subject, the weekly educational content, learning objectives, and credits of the integrated curriculum were derived. After conducting a Delphi survey to validate the competency and content of the derived integrated curriculum, an integrated curriculum was developed. Results: By using the first and second Delphi surveys, four competencies were developed for dental hygienists that can be achieved through an integrated basic dental hygiene curriculum. In addition, an integrated curriculum including the courses Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Physiology, Structure and Function of the Human Body/Head/Neck, and Structure and Function of the Oral Cavity was established. Conclusion: This study presents a specific example for developing a competency-based integrated curriculum that can be used as a framework to derive a competency-based integrated curriculum among subjects that can be integrated according to the linkage of learning contents and the competencies that can be achieved.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.744-755
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is considered a class I indication for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, there is little evidence regarding the potential benefits of early AVR in symptomatic patients diagnosed with normal-flow, low-gradient (NFLG) severe AS. Methods: Two-hundred eighty-one patients diagnosed with symptomatic NFLG severe AS (stroke volume index ≥35 mL/m², mean transaortic pressure gradient <40 mmHg, peak transaortic velocity <4 m/s, and aortic valve area <1.0 cm²) between January 2010 and December 2020 were included in this retrospective study. After performing 1:1 propensity score matching, 121 patients aged 75.1±9.8 years (including 63 women) who underwent early AVR within 3 months after index echocardiography, were compared with 121 patients who received conservative care. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Results: During a median follow-up of 21.9 months, 48 primary outcomes (18 in the early AVR group and 30 in the conservative care group) occurred. The early AVR group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of primary outcomes (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.93; p=0.028); specifically, there was no significant difference in all-cause death (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.23-1.16; p=0.110), although the early AVR group showed a significantly lower incidence of hospitalization for HF (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-0.95, p=0.037). Subgroup analyses supported the main findings. Conclusions: An early AVR strategy may be beneficial in reducing the risk of a composite outcome of death or hospitalization for HF in symptomatic patients with NFLG severe AS. Future randomized studies are required to validate and confirm our findings.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.196-206
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• 2024

Background: Most of the biomass equations were developed using sample trees collected mainly from pan-tropical and tropical regions that may over- or underestimate biomass. Site-specific models would improve the accuracy of the biomass estimates and enhance the country's measurement, reporting, and verification activities. The aim of the study is to develop site-specific biomass estimation models and validate and evaluate the existing generic models developed for pan-tropical forest and newly developed allometric models. Total of 140 trees was harvested from each diameter class biomass model development. Data was analyzed using SAS procedures. All relevant statistical tests (normality, multicollinearity, and heteroscedasticity) were performed. Data was transformed to logarithmic functions and multiple linear regression techniques were used to develop model to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB). The root mean square error (RMSE) was used for measuring model bias, precision, and accuracy. The coefficient of determination (R² and adjusted [adj]-R²), the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and the Schwarz Bayesian information Criterion was employed to select most appropriate models. Results: For the general total AGB models, adj-R² ranged from 0.71 to 0.85, and model 9 with diameter at stump height at 10 cm (DSH₁₀), ρ and crown width (CW) as predictor variables, performed best according to RMSE and AIC. For the merchantable stem models, adj-R² varied from 0.73 to 0.82, and model 8) with combination of ρ, diameter at breast height and height (H), CW and DSH₁₀ as predictor variables, was best in terms of RMSE and AIC. The results showed that a best-fit model for above-ground biomass of tree components was developed. AGB_Stem = exp {-1.8296 + 0.4814 natural logarithm (Ln) (ρD²H) + 0.1751 Ln (CW) + 0.4059 Ln (DSH₃₀)} AGB_Branch = exp {-131.6 + 15.0013 Ln (ρD²H) + 13.176 Ln (CW) + 21.8506 Ln (DSH₃₀)} AGB_Foliage = exp {-0.9496 + 0.5282 Ln (DSH₃₀) + 2.3492 Ln (ρ) + 0.4286 Ln (CW)} AGB_Total = exp {-1.8245 + 1.4358 Ln (DSH₃₀) + 1.9921 Ln (ρ) + 0.6154 Ln (CW)} Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the development of local models derived from an appropriate sample of representative species can greatly improve the estimation of total AGB.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2023

Pharmacokinetic (PK) data provide pivotal information in drug development, and they are usually first studied in the preclinical stage using various animals. However, quite often, animal PK data may not match with human PK, especially in metabolites. Thus, most regulatory agencies in the world make it mandatory to obtain metabolite information using ¹⁴C radiolabeled drug in human for small molecule drug candidates. However, such studies are expensive and time consuming and they are usually done at the end of Phase II trials using ~3.7 MBq of ¹⁴C labeled drug in a limited number of human subjects. Introduction of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in this kind of study has revolutionized it. Since AMS can measure ¹⁴C level as close as natural abundance, it can quantify the amounts of ¹⁴C labeled drugs and their metabolites produced in human body that consumes less than the amount of 0.0037 MBq of ¹⁴C labeled drug, a very safe level of radioactive dose in human. Therefore, it is now possible to conduct human ¹⁴C studies safely in early clinical trials without spending hefty amount of money and time. Korea Radioisotope Center for Pharmaceuticals(KRICP) at Korea Institute of Biological and Medical Sciences(KIRAMS) has established an AMS facility in 2018, housing a 0.5MV AMS manufactured at the US National Electrostatics Corps (NEC). The AMS instrument has been validated using various standard samples that have been prepared at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the US, a worldly reputable provider of AMS standards. In this paper, we present a mass balance study for acetaminophen in rats using AMS and prove that the study results are equivalent with those of literature, which shows the AMS facilities at KRICP has successfully installed and be ready to be used in the various PK studies using ¹⁴C labelled compounds for new drug development.

• The Transactions of the Korea Information Processing Society
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.335-347
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• 2024

Open-vocabulary 3D point cloud instance segmentation (OV-3DIS) is a challenging visual task to segment a 3D scene point cloud into object instances of both base and novel classes. In this paper, we propose a novel model Open3DME for OV-3DIS to address important design issues and overcome limitations of the existing approaches. First, in order to improve the quality of class-agnostic 3D masks, our model makes use of T3DIS, an advanced Transformer-based 3D point cloud instance segmentation model, as mask proposal module. Second, in order to obtain semantically text-aligned visual features of each point cloud segment, our model extracts both 2D and 3D features from the point cloud and the corresponding multi-view RGB images by using pretrained CLIP and OpenSeg encoders respectively. Last, to effectively make use of both 2D and 3D visual features of each point cloud segment during label assignment, our model adopts a unique feature ensemble method. To validate our model, we conducted both quantitative and qualitative experiments on ScanNet-V2 benchmark dataset, demonstrating significant performance gains.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.205-212
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• 2023

Among cardiac diseases, arrhythmias can lead to serious complications such as stroke, heart attack, and heart failure if left untreated, so continuous and accurate ECG monitoring is crucial for clinical care. However, the accurate interpretation of electrocardiogram (ECG) data is entirely dependent on medical doctors, which requires additional time and cost. Therefore, this paper proposes an arrhythmia recognition module for the purpose of developing a medical platform through the analysis of abnormal pulse waveforms based on Lifelogs. The proposed method is to convert ECG data into image format instead of time series data, apply visual pattern recognition technology, and then detect arrhythmia using CNN model. In order to validate the arrhythmia classification of the CNN model by image type conversion of ECG data proposed in this paper, the MIT-BIH arrhythmia dataset was used, and the result showed an accuracy of 97%.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.383-388
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• 2024

This study conducted voluntary focus group user observations to empirically validate the efficacy of the self-developed psychological support mobile application, "Mindful Now". The app is structured as an interactive game format, enabling individuals to activate self-awareness of mindfulness states anytime, anywhere. It consists of a 3-step process of sensory/emotional/consciousness awareness, facilitating the expression of non-judgmental awareness. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this mindful activation in enhancing psychological well-being such as happiness and stress reduction, voluntary mindfulness mobile app usage was tracked among 49 university students. The results revealed significant improvements, with a 14.4% increase in SWLS happiness index and a 17.1% decrease in PSS-10 stress levels among 12 users who used the app continuously for over 60 days to practice mindfulness awareness. Particularly, higher app engagement was observed among students who initially reported relatively lower indices before using the app. The utilization of mobile apps that promote mindful activation aligns with various therapeutic paradigms based on mindfulness and meditation, contributing to advancements in digital therapeutic interventions for psychological support.