• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제85권1호
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• pp.25-36
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• 2022

Background: Only a few studies directly compared the therapeutic efficacy and safety of two pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) in asthma. We analyzed the asthma treatment outcomes, safety, and patient preferences using formoterol/beclomethasone (FORM/BDP), a pMDI with extra-fine particles, compared with formoterol/budesonide (FORM/BUD), another pMDI with non-extra-fine particles. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, double-dummy parallel group study, 40 adult asthmatics were randomized to FORM/BDP group (n=18; active FORM/BDP and placebo FORM/BUD) or FORM/BUD group (n=22; active FORM/BUD and placebo FORM/BDP). During the two visits (baseline and end of 8-week treatment), subjects were asked to answer questionnaires including asthma control test (ACT), asthma control questionnaires (ACQ), and Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adult Korean Asthmatics (QLQAKA). Lung function, compliance with inhaler, and inhaler-handling skills were also assessed. Results: Ten subjects in the FORM/BDP group and 14 in the FORM/BUD group completed follow-up visits. ACT, ACQ, QLQAKA (a primary outcome), and adverse events did not differ between two groups. We found that the increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of the pulmonary volume in the FORM/BDP group was higher than in the FORM/BUD group. Regarding preference, subjects responded that the flume velocity of FORM/BDP was higher, but more adequate than that of FORM/BUD. They also answered that FORM/BDP reached the trachea and bronchus and irritated them significantly more than FORM/BUD. Conclusion: The use of pMDI with extra-fine particles may relieve small airway obstruction more than the one with non-extra-fine particles despite no significant differences in overall treatment outcomes. Some asthmatics have a misconception about the adequacy of high flume velocity of pMDIs.

• 한국기계가공학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.60-69
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• 2022

To keep pace with Industry 4.0, it is imperative for companies to redesign their working environments by adopting robotic automation systems. Automation lines are facilitating the latest cutting-edge technologies, such as 3D vision and industrial robots, to outdo competitors by reducing costs. Considering the nature of the manufacturing industry, a time-saving workflow and smooth linkwork between processes is vital. At Dellics, without any additional new installation in the automation lines, only a few improvements to the working process could raise productivity. Three requirements are the development of gripping technology by utilizing a 3D vision system for the recognition of the material shape and location, research on lighting projectors to target long distances and high illumination, and testing of algorithms/software to improve measurement accuracy and identify products. With some of the functional requisites mentioned above, improved robotic automation systems should provide an improved working environment to maximize overall production efficiency. In this article, the ways in which such a system can become the groundwork for establishing an unmanned working infrastructure are discussed.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.293-304
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• 2022

Objectives : Sagunja-Tang is a famous prescription used in Korean medicine for the purpose of promoting vital energy, and there are few studies using Sagunja-Tang on cerebrovascular diseases yet. As previous studies confirmed that Sagunja-tang is highly likely to be used effectively for stroke, this study was intended to predict the mechanism through which Sagunja-tang would act effectively on stroke. Methods : In this study, a network pharmacology analysis method was used, and oral bioavailability (OB), drug likeness (DL), Caco-2 and BBB permeability were utilized to select compounds with potential activity. For the values of each variable used in this study, OB ≥ 30%, DL ≥ 0.18, Caco-2 ≥ 0, and BBB ≥ 0.3 were applied. Using the above variables, the relations between target genes and diseases that are presumed to be involved in the selected bioavailable compounds were constructed in a network format, and proteins thought to play a major role were identified. Results : Among the compounds included in Sagunja-Tang, 26 bioavailable compounds were selected and it was confirmed that these compounds can be effectively used in cerebrovascular diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke. These compounds are considered to act on proteins related in cell death and growth. The most important mechanism of action was predicted to be apoptosis, and the protein that is thought to play the most key action in this mechanism was caspase-3. Conclusions : In our future study, Sagunja-Tang will be used in an ischemic stroke mouse model, and the mechanism of action will be explored focusing on apoptosis and cell proliferation.

• 한국빅데이터학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.195-204
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• 2022

관광산업은 최근 코로나19 유행으로 인해 위기에 봉착해 있으며, 이를 극복하기 위해 무엇보다 수익성 개선이 매우 중요한 상황이다. 이 때 여행 수요 자체가 축소된 코로나19와 같은 상황에서는 수익 증대를 위해 객실 점유율을 높이기 위한 공격적인 영업전략보다 어려운 여건 속에서도 찾아온 고객에게 객실 외 추가상품을 판매하여 객단가를 높이는 방향이 더 효율적일 것이다. 국내 관광 연구 분야에서 머신러닝 기법은 수요예측을 중심으로 연구된 바 있으나 교차판매 예측에 대해서는 연구된 바가 거의 없다. 또한 넓은 의미로는 호텔과 같은 숙박업종 이지만 회원제 중심으로 운영하며 숙박과 취사에 적합한 시설을 갖추고 있는 리조트 업종에 특화된 연구는 더욱이 전무한 실정이다. 이에 본 연구에서는 실제 리조트 회사의 투숙 데이터로 다양한 머신러닝 기법을 활용하여 교차판매 예측 모형을 제안하고자 한다. 또한 설명가능한 인공지능(eXplainable AI) 기법을 적용해 교차판매에 영향을 미치는 요인이 무엇인지 해석하고 어떻게 영향을 미치는지 실증 분석을 통해 확인해 보고자 한다.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.390-402
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• 2023

Salmonella are Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria commonly found in food animals such as poultry and swine and potentially constitute risks and threats to food safety and public health through transmissible virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Although there are previous studies in the Philippines regarding genotypic and phenotypic AMR in Salmonella, there are very few on virulence and their associations. Hence, this study collected 700 Salmonella isolates from swine samples in abattoirs and wet markets among four districts in Metro Manila and characterized their genotypic virulence and β-lactam AMR profiles. Gene frequency patterns and statistical associations between virulence and bla genes and comparisons based on location types (abattoirs and wet markets) and districts were also determined. High prevalence (>50%) of virulence genes was detected encompassing Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) 1-5 suggesting their pathogenic potential, but none possessed plasmid-borne virulence genes spvR and spvC. For bla, bla_TEM was detected with high prevalence (>45%) and revealed significant associations to four SPI genes, namely, avrA, hilA, mgtC, and spi4R, which suggest high resistance potential particularly to β-lactam antibiotics and relationships with pathogenicity that remain mechanistically unestablished until now. Lastly, comparisons of location types and districts showed variations in gene prevalence suggesting effects from environmental factors throughout the swine production chain. This study provides vital data on the genotypic virulence and AMR of Salmonella from swine in abattoirs and wet markets that suggest their pathogenicity and resistance potential for policymakers to implement enforced surveillance and regulations for the improvement of the Philippine swine industry.

• 한국인구학
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.84-110
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• 1993

This study aims at identifying the recent change in marriage behaviors in Korea. The data used here is the vital statistics compiled from the vital registration system of which registration form is put on one from together with the civil registration form. According to the results of this analysis, since 1970 the number of marriages has steadily increased from about 300, 000 in the former of 1970s to about 400, 000 in the latter of 1980s, appproximately coincided with the change in population size at the marriageable age span. The few exceptions that can be seen in the 1970s seem to result from the impact of social upheavals during 1950s; since the birth cohorts affected by the low fertility during the Korean war and the post-war baby-boom generations chracterized by the high fertility entered the marriage market in the 1970s. However, the marriage rate shows a little increase from around 7 in the former of 1970s to around 9 in the latter of 1980s, indicating that the marriage prevalence has been more or less inconsiderably changed during this period. It is also found that the proportion of remarriage to the total marriages has increased to around 10 per cent in 1989, while decreasing that of first marriage. This fact can be attributable to the higher prevalence of divorces and the collapsing of the Confucianism ethic which contributed to expediting the remarriage of widows. Although this proportion is insignificant compared with that of the of more developed countries, it is not difficult to say that the proportion of remarriages will continue to increase in future. The age first at first marriage(AFM) which directly affects the span exposed to the risks pregnancy has increased to the age about 28 for male and about 25 for female in recent years. However, big difference in AFM between urban and rural areas has narrowed, resultant from the increasing involuntary postponement of marriage of rural young population who have met difficulties in seeking their bride or bridegroom in rural areas characterized by the heavy out-migration of young, particularly female, population. The present study shows the reverse relationship between AFM and educational attainment; i.e, the higher the educational attainment the lower the AFM. The conditions which are taken into considerations were the class and the family in the past time but which are, educational attainment, job and personal characteristics. With regard to the age condition, in recent years the male prefers the female younger than himself on the average by 3 years and vice versa, which is reduced form 4-5 years in beginning of 1970s. The age difference bride and bridegroom tends to decrease with the educational attainment increase. This may be attributable to the fact that the persons with the higher educational attainment prefer the love marriage and hence are more likely to choose their counterparts in the about same age. The education condition is characterized by the bridegroom having the higher educational level than bride. It is also significant to note that the proportion of love marriage has increased, whereas that of traditional arranged marriage has decreased. This is true in the urban areas than the rural areas, indicating that rights as well as responsibilities for marriage have been handed over the young population from their parents. In conclusion, the change in the marriage behaviors in Korea are characterized by increasing tendency for the postponement of first marriage, higher prevalences of divorces and a result remarriages, increase of love marriages, narrowing age difference between bride and bridegroom, etc. which are the main results of rapid industrization, increase in educational and economic activity opportunities and change in the ideals of marriages during the past decades. These phenomena prevailing in Korean society would affect not only the family structure that will become less proliferiated but the population size and structure. The most important is that the changes in marriage behaviors of Koreans and their impact on the society with respect to norms, values, morals, of individual and family in the social aspect, change in population size and structure in the demograpic aspects, and economic development in the economic aspects should be integrated into the plannings towards to the future.

• 한국연초학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.67-73
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• 2002

In light of addressing consumer health concern, coping with anti-tobacco movement, and promoting new product, tobacco industry is actively pursuing to make a new generation of cigarettes with low tar and nicotine deliveries, and less harmful substances. Low tar and low nicotine cigarettes increases their market shares dramatically world wide, especially in KT&G, multinational tobacco companies, EU countries, even in China regulated by CNTC to set up yearly target to lower tar and nicotine deliveries. On the other hand, to design a new cigarette with reduced harmful substances begins to gain speed. The "modified Hoffmann list" publishes thirty plus substances in tobacco leaf and main smoke stream, which is the prime suspect causing health problems. Various ways and means are developed to reduce such components including new tobacco breeds, new curing method, tobacco leaf treatment before processing, selected filtration system, innovated casing system to reduce free radicals, as well as some non conventional cigarette products. In TSRC held this year, the main topic is related to reduce tobacco specific nitrosamines in tobacco leaf. The new generation of cigarette is in the horizon. It still needs a lot help to produce commercial products with satisfied taste and aroma characters. The flavor industry is not regulated by many governments demanding which ingredients might or might not be for tobacco use. However, most of the cigarette companies self impose a list of ingredients to guide flavor suppliers to design flavors. Unfortunately, the number of ingredients in those lists is getting shorter every year. It is understandable that the health is not the only reason. Some cigarette companies are playing safe to protect the company from potential lawsuit, while others are just copying from their competitors. Moreover, it is obvious that it needs more assistance from casings and flavors to design new generation of cigarettes with missing certain flavor components in tobacco leaf and main smoke stream. These flavor components are either non-existed or at lower level at new form of cured tobacco leaf or filtered in the main smoke stream along with reduced harmful substances. The use of carbon filters and other selected filtration system poses another tough task for flavor system design. Specific flavor components are missing from the smoke analysis data, which brings a notion of "carbon taste" and "dryness" of mouth feel. It is ever more demanded by cigarette industry to flavor suppliers to produce flavors as body enhancer, tobacco notes, salivating agents, harshness reducer, and various of aromatic notes provided they are safe to use. Another trend is that water based flavor or flavor with reduced ethanol as solvent is gaining popularity. It is preferred by some cigarette companies that the flavor is compounded with all natural ingredients or all ingredients should he GMO free. The new generation of cigarettes demands many ways of new thinking process. It is also vital for tobacco industry. It reflects the real needs for the consumers that the cigarette product should be safe to use as well as bearing the taste and aroma characters smokers always enjoyed. An effective tobacco flavor system is definitely a part of the equation. The global trend of tobacco industry is like trends of any other industries lead by consumer needs, benefited with new technology availability, affected by the global economy, and subjected for various rules and regulations. Anti-tobacco organizations and media exceptionally scrutinize cigarette, as a legal commercial product. Cigarette is probably the most studied commercial product for its composition, structure, deliveries, effects, as well as its new developmental trend. Therefore, any new trend of cigarette development would be within these boundaries. This paper is trying to point out what it would be like for tobacco industry in the next few yews and what concerns the tobacco industry. It focuses mostly on the efforts to produce safer cigarettes. It is such a vital task for the tobacco industry and its affiliate industries such as cigarette papers, filters, flavors, and other materials. The facts and knowledge presented in this paper might be well known for the public. Some of the comments and predictions are very much personal opinion for a further discussion.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.53-66
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• 2000

Objectives: The studies in biological, behavioral and psychosocial perspectives in nursing research are fundamental in the balanced development of nursing knowledge. Many nursing researchers have placed a strong emphasis on developing psychological and behavioral aspects of nursing knowledge as is evidenced by the large body of research in these areas. However, the paucity of nursing research using the principles of biological science for measurements and techniques have often invited open criticism by many nursing researchers. This study attempts to characterize the researches performed in master and doctoral thesis which used physiological variables. Methods: We analyzed masters' thesis from 1962 to 1996 and doctoral thesis from 1982 to 1996 listed in CD from Korean Nurses Association. Results: Out of 3060 masters' thesis from 1962 to 1996, 342 (11.2%) thesis used physiological variables whereas 43 (10.1%) doctoral thesis used physiological ones. Number of thesis with physiological variables was the highest in Seoul National University for masters' thesis whereas for the doctoral thesis the number was the highest in Yonsei University. The research subjects in these thesis with physiological variables were mostly patients (53.5% in masters' and 69.8% in doctoral). Master's thesis often conducted either nonexperimental or survey research (69.9%) whereas experimental research design prevailed vital signs(181 thesis), blood tests(133), body composition(124), microorganisms(74), gastrointestinal functions(36), lab test(33), drug(21), urinary functions(20), movement(17), Apgar Score(15), reproductive functions(9), skin related functions(6), body fluid and electrolytes(4), parasite(4), metabolism(3), and sensory(1), Among the 338 master' thesis which studied the common nursing concepts such as anxiety, pain, stress, and depression, 48(14.2%) thesis utilized physiological variables while 15 out of 35 doctoral thesis addressed these concepts using physiological variables. Conclusion: In summary, our results indicate that despite the large amount of nursing research performed over the last decades, there are a few nursing researches done with physiological variables either in masters' or doctoral thesis. To enrich nursing knowledge with different perspectives of nursing including especially biological ones, the efforts have to be made to conduct bionursing science research.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.336-345
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• 1999

This study looks at the various alternative therapy methods used in day to day life by elderly, over 60 years of age. The elderly have come to know and practice these methods for the following reasons it is good for the health ; it is the method used in the of fen days when there wesn't modern medicine ; it has been passed down from generations ; it can be done at home without having the need to go to the hospital ; acupuncture or poulticing can be used ; it can be done at home, which was an important factor in rural areas where hospitals are few and far between ; and 〔herbal〕 medicine could be prepared at home at no cost ; it derives from experience ; it is impossible to ignore tradition passed down through the generations. Diet control and plants (herbs) are methods most often used. as they are easy to find and can be readily used in critical situations. Other methods include oriental medicine practices of moxibustion with moxa cone, negative therapy, hand and finger acupunture, finger press method. ordinary acupunture, manual healing methods of massage. diaphoretic therapy and meditation to reach a state of calm, and qigong dirigation. The reasons for its use are as follows ; it has been used before ; it is effective ; there is some improvement after the treatment ; it is not harmful to the body ; medicine cannot be obtained and it is the only thing available ; it is not good for an old person to go to the hospital everyday. the symptoms are not serious enough to go to a hospital : and acupuncture is for these things. The means that the elderly have come to practice these methods are : it has been used since the past ; it has been told by the elders ; they have been told by friends ; it was part of their knowledge ; and they have come to know by watching their mother. Further, to regain vitality lost through old age, the elderly have relied on hot soup. a hearty meal. brewed honey water, pumpkin, or ginseng. Humans, by instinct. would rub or massage the areas that caused pain. These actions, combined with a breathing technique have been recognized in Tong-Eui-Bo-Gam(the essential of eastern medicine), the complete work of early modern medicine, are a useful means to revive chi(기). This knowledge is thought to have greatly affected our heathy lifestyle. Furthermore, though the demand for medical services would increase with age, the elderly have not always been able to tend to their needs at the hospital for reasons economic or other. Hence, these alternative therapy methods seem to have been practiced as a temporary means of relief. The excellence of our traditional therapeutic custom has not received full recognition due to the argument relating to its scientific merits. As a result, it has become vital to prove their effectiveness through scientific and other experimental means. The potency of moxibustion with moxa cone and hand and finger acupunture have been proven scientifically. but diet and herbal methods appear to be practiced as a result of customs passed down from generations. In addition, it is submitted that the effectiveness of the traditional methods of disease control and our heathy lifestyle that are easily found in the nursing field must be verified.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.71-80
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• 2013

Present study analyzes the rooftop gardening status, floristic composition and cost and return of the rooftop garden in Sylhet City Corporation of northeastern Bangladesh. Data was collected from 450 rooftop gardeners randomly during July-September 2010. Study reveal that rooftop gardening is generally for mental satisfaction (95.3%) followed by leisure time activity (87.8%) in the study area and almost all the family members of gardeners' were involved; while collection of planting materials, sites preparation and marketing of products were reported to be carried out by males only (male 71.33%). Middle income classes were most interested in rooftop gardening (43.78%). The survey recorded 53 plant species (35 families) of which Cucurbitaceae family represented highest eight species. Shrubs (28%) were highest followed by herbs (26%) among agri-crops (36%) and flower species (30%). About 89% of the rooftop gardeners procured planting materials from nursery, market, fair, neighbor, relative and friends and they mostly prefer to use seedlings (48%) for roof gardening followed by direct seed sowing (21%). Gardeners sell products sporadically in different local markets, directly or through intermediaries, with no uniform pricing for system. Rooftop gardening improves the food security and meet nutritional deficiency to the gardeners. Survey revealed that generally very few people consider rooftop gardening commercially to get profit and from the cost-return analysis this gardening system can be economically viable if proper and scientifically managed. The study conclude that active government and NGOs could play vital role to increasing this activities by providing training and motivate people with technical aspects of rooftop gardening.