• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.420-430
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• 2002

Background : Excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition by airway inflammation is presumed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of worsening airflow obstruction (Ed- acceptable three-word noun) seen during acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Although many proteases can cleave ECM molecules, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors are likely to be the physiologically relevant mediators of ECM degradation. Objectives ; The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that antibiotic treatment can change airway MMPs and TIMP-1 concentrations/levels by controlling airway inflammation in acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. Methods : We studied 40 patients, all of whom had an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. The patients were treated with two different antibiotics, moxifloxacin and clarithromycin, in a double-blind manner for 7 days. Sputum samples were induced and collected before and after antibiotic therapy. We measured the sputum concentration of MMP-1,-9, TIMP-1, IL-8 and secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) in sputum supernatants by ELISA method. Results : There was no difference after antibiotic treatment in the sputum concentrations of MMP-1,-9, TIMP-1, IL-8 and SLPI between the patients treated with moxifloxacin and those treated with clarithromycin. But the sputum concentrations of TIMP-1, and SLPI, and the TIMP-1/MMP-1 ratio were significantly reduced by the antibiotic therapy. There were significant positive correlations between sputum TIMP-1 levels and IL-8 levels (p<0.01, r=0.751), and between the sputum TIMP-1/MMP-1 ratio and IL-8 levels (p<0.01, r=0.752). The sputum SLPI levels were significantly elevated by antibiotic treatment and were negatively correlated with sputum TIMP-1 levels (p<0.01, r=-0.496) and TIMP-1/MMP-1 levels (p<0.01, r=-0.456). Conclusion : The study shows that the worsening of airway inflammation in acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis is associated with an imbalance between the concentrations/levels of TIMP-1 and MMPs. Antibiotic treatment can prevent progression of airway narrowing in acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis by modulation of the protease and anti-protease imbalance.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-34
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• 2004

The present study reviews the license registration status of dental technicians and dentists from 1970 to 2002, the number of technician members of The Korea Dental Technician Association from 1990 to 2003, and the number of dentist members in 2003. It also considers the yearly membership fluctuations, its growth rates, yearly increase/decrease, the rate of dentist to dental technician, regional distribution of association members, regional yearly increase/decrease of the members, and the regional distribution of dentists and dental technicians. The purpose is to identify and predict the problems in the demand/supply of dental technicians and the regional imbalance of manpower distribution. By doing so, this study attempts to propose the appropriate standard for the supply of dental technicians and point out the necessity of making mid- or long-term plans for ensuring the efficiency of manpower supply and balanced regional distribution. The result is as follows: 1. The number of dental technicians and dentists in 2002 has grown 36.79 and 9.27 times from 1970, and 2.20 and 2.05 times from 1990, respectively. It tool 11 years for the twofold increase of dental technicians from 1990, one year faster than the same increase of dentists. The number of dental technicians per a dentist was the lowest in 1972 (0.21 person), and the highest in 2002 (0.86 person). Specifically, the fastest growth was observed for a year from 1983 (0.47 technician per a dentist) to 1984 (0.6). From 1984 to 1986, the ratio grew by 0.1 every year. Summing up the numbers of dentists and dental technicians who passed the national certification examination, this study predicted the number of dental technicians per a dentist to be 0.88 in 2003, and 0.90 in 2004. 2. From 1990 to 2003, the average distribution of dental technician was 71.76% in the metropolitan areas and 28.24% in other smaller regions. The proportion of dental technicians working in the three major cities (Seoul, Busan, and Daegu) was the lowest in 2001 (52.39%) and the highest in 1996 (62.66%). The majority number of dental technicians who practiced in the metropolitan areas (about 70% of the entire population) were in service in the three major cities. 3. Compared with 1990, the number of dental technicians in 2003 grew 2.28 times in the large cities, and 2.05 times in other smaller regions. The yearly growth rate was the highest in 1994 over the previous year: 26.06% in large cities and 17.86% in the other regions. In the large metropolitan cities, the growth rate was the highest in Incheon (5.8 times for 5 years from 1998 to 2003), In the rest of the regions, the increase of dental technicians was the highest in Gyeonggi (6.5 times from 1990 to 2003). 4. In 2003, as much as 73.40% of all the members of the Korea Dental Technician Association were distributed in the large metropolitan cities, and the rest 26.60% were in other smaller regions. Meanwhile, 54.35% of the dentists practiced in the metropolitan cities, and the rest 45.65% were in service at other regions. This result indicates that more dental technicians than dentists are concentrated in large cities. More than half of all the technician members of the Association are distributed in the three major cities (i.e. Seoul, Busan, Daegu). On the other hand, 42.03% of dentist members are in these three cities and 53.97% of them practice in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Busan. In 2003, the ratio of dentist to dental technician is 1:0.43 in general, while the ratio is 1:0.58 in the metropolitan cities, and 1:0.43 in other regions. In 2003, 33.30% of all the certified dental technicians are the member of the Korea Dental Technician Association, while 66.82% of all the licensed dentists are its members.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2017

This experiment was conducted to analyze the effect of drainage reuse rate on the growth and fruiting of summer paprika in closed hydroponic cultivation. The experiment was carried out for 25 weeks from March to September 2015 with 0, 20, 30, 50% mixing ratio of waste nutrient solution using non - recycling hydroponic cultivation as a control. As a result, stem diameter of the test was different in the groups 1 and 2, but no difference showed as the group progressed more than 3 groups. L.A.I tended to decrease with increasing drainage mixing ratio. The number of nodes in the 50% reuse test group was 1.4 compared to the control group, but there was no significant difference. The number of harvested nodes was significantly different in the control group (11.1 nodes) and the 50% reuse test group (8.7 nodes), and the harvested nodes tended to decrease as the drainage was reused. The ratio of harvest was also the same as that of the harvesting node, and the control was the highest at 33.2% and the lowest at the 50% reuse test at 27.6%. Relative yields were reduced by 30%, 35% and 45% in the control group in the first group, and this tendency was also observed in the second and fourth groups. However, in the 3 and 5 groups, the production of 50% test group increased by 13% and 5%. The ratio of unmarketable fruit was increased 2%, 4%, 4%, and 7% in 0%, 20%, 30% and 50% reuse test, respectively. In conclusion, if the decrease in yield due to the decline in early growth is carefully managed, even if the imbalance of inorganic ions occurs after the mid-term growth, the growth of the crop will enter into a stable period and the re-use will not be worried about the growth and the yield decrease.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.17-27
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• 1999

According to the design method for constructing the Korean Men's Jo-go-ri(the traditional Korean jacket)collar, there are differences in form after its completion. In the construction design of the midsection of the gusset as in that of the basic pattern Jo-go-ri, not only was the positioning of the two sides of the collar not smooth, but also, when the collar strip(Dongjung) was attached, there would be an imbalance on one side or the other so that it was difficult to achieve symmetry. Therefore in this project, by applying the pattern design of the gusset midsection to that of the collar midsection, not only did attaching the collar(Kit) and the collar strip create a visual effect by equalizing the lengths of the two sides, but the construction was also easy. This method of construction introduces the three-dimensional aspect of the human form in its conic, spherical and cylindrical aspects, so that, through schematizing the scientific character of Korea's clothing, its appropriateness is verified. As a matter of fact, since there is no standardization of pattern whether for educational use or for mass-produced clothing, so that even the patterns used in computer-assisted design are executed according to the designer's personal skill, the reality is that after completion of construction the quality has not been uniform. For this schematization, inverse calculation of measurements pertaining to the calculation formula and of teaching materials has been referenced. In particular, the partial regulation of the calculation formula pertaining to the basic pattern construction, the method of making the collar midsection, and the construction method of the extreme and mean ratio adjustment, can be adjusted for all measurements, thereby providing the establishment of a design criterion and the possibility of the standardization of construction methods. The production method for the basic pattern design is as follows: 1) The conic angle for the Jo-go-ri's girth, length end neck width is fixed at 70(72) degree. 2) The radius of the cone is sleeve length. 3) The bust girth calculation formula is B/4 + 2.5 cm. 4) The armhole formula is B/4 + 2.5cm. 5) The neck width formula is B/10. 6) The ratio of the collar junction{width of collar(Kit) + width of collar strip(Dongjung) to the gusset length is 5:8. 7) The length of the side seam is a length intersecting the armhole line and the conic radius of sleeve length, that is an arc that exceeds the length of the Jo-go-ri's midsection.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.305-312
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• 2012

Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum (SL; $32.74{\pm}2.18mm$, TW; $8.29{\pm}1.41g$, N; 450) were exposed to various concentrations of naphthalene for 20 weeks. Exposure concentrations of naphthalene established control, solvent control (ethanol), 30, 60, 90 and $120{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$ following results of 96h acute exposure. After exposure during 20 weeks, survival rate of the manila clam was lowed in 60, 90 and $120{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$ exposure group compared control group. Also, sex ratio of male was higher in $60{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$ exposure group (${\chi}^2=5.492$, P < 0.05) but lowed $90{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$ exposure group (${\chi}^2=4.214$, P < 0.05) and $120{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$ exposure group (${\chi}^2=30.118$, P < 0.05). Gonad development was delayed in female (> $60{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$) and male (> $30{\mu}g$ Nap $L^{-1}$). Intersex was 16.28% in female, 1.68% in male. In this result, naphthalene caused survival decrease, imbalance of sex ratio, delay of gonad development of the manila clam. Also, chronic exposure to naphthalene suggested abnormal effects in reproduction of the manila clam.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.193-198
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the autonomic imbalance in syncope by comparing the baseline heart rate variability (HRV) between healthy children and those with vasovagal syncope. Methods: To characterize the autonomic profile in children experiencing vasovagal syncope, we evaluated the HRV of 23 patients aged 7-18 years and 20 healthy children. These children were divided into preadolescent (<12 years) and adolescent groups. The following time-domain indices were calculated: root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD); standard deviation of all average R-R intervals (SDNN); and frequency domain indices including high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), normalized high frequency, normalized low frequency, and low frequency to high frequency ratio (LF/HF). Results: HRV values were significantly different between healthy children and those with syncope. Student t test indicated significantly higher SNDD values (60.46 ms vs. 37.42 ms, P =0.003) and RMSSD (57.90 ms vs. 26.92 ms, P=0.000) in the patient group than in the control group. In the patient group, RMSSD (80.41 ms vs. 45.89 ms, P =0.015) and normalized HF (61.18 ms vs. 43.19 ms, P =0.022) were significantly higher in adolescents, whereas normalized LF (38.81 ms vs. 56.76 ms, P =0.022) and LF/HF ratio (0.76 vs. 1.89, P =0.041) were significantly lower in adolescents. In contrast, the control group did not have significant differences in HRV values between adolescents and preadolescents. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that children with syncope had a decreased sympathetic tone and increased vagal tone compared to healthy children. Additionally, more severe autonomic imbalances possibly occur in adolescents than in preadolescents.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.39-49
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of Taegeuk acupuncture on reducing mental stress by analyzing heart rate variability in Soeumin. Methods : Six Soeumin-diagnosed men participated in this study. They were randomly divided into group A and group B. Each participant went through 4 sessions every week with 1 week of washout period in between each session. HRV was measured three times at every session; at baseline, after administering mentally stressful circumstances and after applying Soeumin Taegeuk acupuncture or Soyangin Taegeuk acupuncture. This study was designed as a crossover clinical trial. Group A participants were treated with two sets of Soeumin Taegeuk and Soyangin Taegeuk acupuncture treatment in respective order (i.e. Soeumin Taegeuk - Soyangin Taegeuk - Soeumin Taegeuk - Soyangin Taegeuk acupuncture treatment). Group B participants were treated with reverse-ordered acupuncture treatment (i.e. Soyangin Taegeuk - Soeumin Taegeuk - Soyangin Taegeuk - Soeumin Taegeuk acupuncture treatment ). Bayesian analysis was performed by using WinBUGS(Ver. 1.4.3) for comparison between Soeumin Taegeuk acupuncture and Soyangin Taegeuk acupuncture. Results : Overall, Soeumin Taegeuk acupuncture tends to reduce LF/HF ratio, LF, HF, LF(Norm) and increase HF(Norm) more than Soyangin Taegeuk acupuncture, but the difference was not statistically significant. In one participant, however, Soeumin Taegeuk acupuncture reduced LF/HF ratio, LF(Norm) and increased HF(Norm) more than Soyangin Taegeuk acupuncture, and the difference was stastatistically significant. Conclusions : This study suggests that Soeumin Taegeuk acupuncture might be an effective means of stabilizing mental stress-induced imbalance of autonomic nervous system for Soeumin.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2019

Heavy metals resulted from the increase of human industrial activity are introduced into the environment through rainfall and wastewater, and have harmful effects on inhabitants. In this study, we investigated biological responses such as survival rate, growth rate, emergence rate and sex ratio, and morphological effects of mentum deformity in Chironomus plumosus, an indicator organism to evaluate pollutions on aquatic ecosystem. The survival rate of C. plumosus showed time- and dose-dependent decrease after chromium and copper exposures. Growth rate decreased at $4^{th}$ day after chromium exposure and significantly reduced at exposure to relatively high concentration (copper $1000mg\;L^{-1}$) for all exposure times. In addition, we observed that the emergence rate by exposure to copper $1000mg\;L^{-1}$ was significantly lower than that of the control group. The imbalance of sex ratios showed at relatively low concentrations (chromium 10 and $50mg\;L^{-1}$) with the high proportion of female and at the relative high concentration (copper $1000mg\;L^{-1}$) with the high proportion of male. Furthermore, the morphological mentum deformities of C. plumosus observed in the exposed group according to chromium and copper exposure. These results suggest that the heavy metal exposure in environment may influence biosynthetic and morphological stresses of benthic invertebrate C. plumosus, and aquatic midge C. plumosus are potential indicators for toxicity assessment of heavy metals such as chromium and copper.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.37-46
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• 2011

An application frequency of vertical drainage method is increasing as an effective consolidation acceleration method. PBD method is most frequently used as a consolidation acceleration method in vertical drainage methods. PBD is economical and easy to operate but has some problems those are an environmental pollution and a decrease of a discharge capacity caused by bending of drainage materials when it is used in great depth. SCP method was frequently used because it's discharge capacity was good but now it is rarely used because of an increase of the material price because of an order imbalance. As the way to solve these problems, GCP method has been to the fore. For analyzing the effect of GCP method on the discharge capacity, three types of composite discharge capacity tests are done by using GCP, SCP and PBD respectively with the circle case, ${\phi}38{\times}h70cm$. On the contrary to this, GCP shows the worst discharge capacity for a decrease of the void ratio and the clogging phenomenon caused by increasing load. Also to figure out the clogging range of GCP, the clogging of GCP is checked in each load stage with a large case($1.0m{\times}0.5m{\times}1.1m$) which has clear acrylic front face. The diameter of GCP was 35cm and a clogging phenomenon occurred in 10% approximately. The result shows that the discharge capacity of GCP was given the lowest value for a decrease of the void ratio and the clogging phenomenon causing by increasing load. And the clogging phenomenon mostly occurred within 10% of GCP's diameter range.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.781-790
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• 2024

As modern people's interest in exercise and health increases, the demand for exercise-related information and devices is increasing, and exercising in the wrong posture can lead to body imbalance and injury. Therefore, in this study, the purpose of this study is to correct the posture for health promotion and injury prevention through the correct exercise posture of users. It was developed using Arduino Uno R3, a pressure sensor, and an acceleration sensor as the main memory device of the system. The pressure sensor was used to determine the squat posture, and the acceleration sensor was used to determine three types of gait: normal step, nasolabial step, and saddle step. Data is transmitted to a smartphone through a Bluetooth module and displayed on an app to guide the user in the correct exercise posture. The gait was determined based on the 20˚ angle at which the foot was opened, and the correct squat posture was compared with the ratio of the pressure sensor values of the forefoot and hindfoot based on the data of the skilled person. Therefore, based on an experiment with about 90% accuracy when determining gait and 95% accuracy based on a 7:3 ratio of pressure sensor values in squat posture, a system was established to guide users to exercise in the correct posture by checking in real time through a smartphone application and correcting exercise in the wrong posture.