• Title/Summary/Keyword: interdisciplinary studies

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Quantitative Evaluation of Median Nerve Motor Function in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Load Cell : Correlation with Clinical, Electrodiagnostic, and Ultrasonographic Findings

  • Kim, Dong Hwan;Park, Sung Bae;Lee, Sang Hyung;Son, Young-Je;Chung, Gih Sung;Yang, Hee-Jin
    • Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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    • v.54 no.3
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    • pp.232-235
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    • 2013
  • Objective : Major complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are sensory components. However, motor deficit also impedes functional status of hand. Contrary to evaluation of sensory function, the objective, quantitative evaluation of median nerve motor function is not easy. The motor function of median was evaluated quantitatively using load cell and its correlation with findings of electrodiagnostic study (EDS) was evaluated. Methods : Objective motor function of median nerve was evaluated by load cell and personal computer-based measurement system. All of the measurement was done in patients diagnosed as having idiopathic CTS by clinical features and EDS findings. The strength of thumb abduction and index finger flexion was measured in each hand three times, and the average value was used to calculate thumb index ratio (TIR). The correlation of TIR with clinical, EDS, and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated. Results : The TIR was evaluated in 67 patients (119 hands). There were 14 males and 53 females, mean age were 57.6 years (range 28 to 81). The higher preoperative nerve conductive studies grade of the patients, the lower TIR was observed [p<0.001, analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. TIR of cases with thenar atrophy were significantly lower than those without (p<0.001, t-test). TIR were significantly lower in patients with severe median nerve swelling in ultrasonography (p=0.042, ANOVA). Conclusion : Measurements of median nerve motor function using load cell is a valuable evaluation tool in CTS. It might be helpful in detecting subclinical motor dysfunction before muscle atrophy develops.

Feasibility on Evaluation of Movement System Impairment Syndromes by MEMS-IMU (관성측정장치를 이용한 동태손상증후군의 평가 가능성에 관한 고찰)

  • Kim, Hyun-Ho;Kim, Jeong-Kyun;Seo, Jae-Ho;Park, Young-Jae;Park, Young-Bae
    • The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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    • v.15 no.3
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    • pp.223-234
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    • 2011
  • Objectives: This study shows feasibility and suitability of a microelectromechanical system inertial measurement unit(MEMS-IMU) as a helpful measurement device for evaluating movement system impairment syndrome. Methods: We reviewed articles of two fields in this study. First, we reviewed articles about movement system impairment syndrome(MSIS) as a brand new viewpoint of diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal pain. Second, we reviewed articles about conventional motion analysis system and inertial measurement unit(IMU) to show the superiority of IMU in analyzing the human movement. All papers were searched by SciVerse, world largest search engine and database about many academic fields including engineering and medicine. Results: Some physical quantities of human motions can be useful to the diagnosis of MSIS, and those data can be obtained by the MEMS-IMU without the weak points of the conventional motion analysis systems. Conclusions: Using MEMS-IMU as a measurement unit for diagnosing and evaluating MSIS is feasible and can be extended to many further studies.

Economic and Technological Feasibility Study on Pre- and Post-Consumer Recycling of Disposable Diaper in Korea (국내 폐 기저귀 재활용의 경제적, 기술적 타당성 분석)

  • Ahn, JoongWoo;Kim, YoungSil
    • Resources Recycling
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    • v.24 no.1
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    • pp.43-50
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    • 2015
  • An extensive literature survey and personal communication with relevant experts made it possible to understand economic and technical feasibility of disposable diaper recycling. Commercial level of soiled diaper recycling technology is currently available from a Dutch company, Knowaste Co., who owns a proprietary separation technology of the pulps, plastics and super absorbing polymer (SAP). In Korea, on the other hand, pre-consumer diaper recycling technology without material separation at its infancy converts manufacturing scraps into refuse plastic fuel (RPF), container/truck cargo boards or automobile boards/sheets. Although previous studies on feasibility of post-consumer recycling in Korea showed mutually contradictory implication, it was found out in this research that significantly positive economic feasibility can be obtained with pre-consumer diaper recycling. Subsequent recycling R&D including pre-consumer scrap and policy support may expedite 'Establishment of Sustainable Society.

A Survey on the Current Status of Neonatal Physical Therapy in South Korea

  • Kim, Sung Tae;Lee, Joon-Hee
    • The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.168-175
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    • 2020
  • Purpose: This study aimed to investigate and report the current status of physical therapy (PT) performed in Korean neonatal intensive care units (NICU) to present foundational data that promotes the advances in neonatal PT in Korea. Methods: Based on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) data, we administered a questionnaire survey to 74 hospitals (39 tertiary and 35 general hospitals) in Korea equipped with a NICU and pediatric PT unit. We developed a 32-item questionnaire with reference to previous Korean studies. The questionnaires were distributed and retrieved via regular mail and an online system. Results: Of the 74 hospitals, 58 (78%) practiced neonatal PT and the duration of each session significantly differed according to the hospital rating. PT was given, depending on clinical symptoms, to infants who were preterm and low birth-weight (96.5%), had brain and spinal cord diseases (84.5%), had pathological tonus (94.8%), with respiratory problems (65.5%), for range of motion exercises (82.8%), for neurodevelopment approaches (72.4%), and for positioning (70.7%). Interdisciplinary meetings were held to share clinical decisionmaking in 17.2% of the hospitals surveyed and parent-participating education to ensure a family-centered approach was offered in 63.8% of the hospitals. The barriers of neonatal PT included low insurance fees, insufficient awareness of colleagues, and the severity of the patient. Conclusion: This study is the first report of the current status of neonatal PT in Korea. The findings of this study will serve as foundational data to review the current neonatal PT practice and promote further advances.

Exploring the Characteristics of scenic landscapes of between the Dulle-gil and the uphill trail in Bukhansan National Park (북한산국립공원의 둘레길과 정상정복형 탐방로의 경관 특성 비교 연구)

  • Lee, Kyu-Chul;Son, Yong-Hoon;Lee, San-Ha
    • Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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    • v.22 no.3
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    • pp.21-31
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    • 2016
  • This is a comparative study focused on the scenic landscape preferences derived from visitors's perceptions at the Dulle-gil and the uphill trail in Bukhansan National Park. Unlike previous landscape assessment methods, this study contains more direct and on-site analysis with methods of understanding the visitors' perceptions by using 'visitor employed photography(VEP)' which requires each visitor to take preferable scenic landscape with one's own smart phone camera. The scenic landscape types at two different trails were categorized and then the types favoring most of participants were verified. There are total number of 16 visual landscape types preferred by participants at both the Dulle-gil and the uphill trail in Bukhansan National Park. As in terms of consensus photography(CP) on the Dulle-gil was found to have more diverse elements including both natural and artificial elements compare to the uphill trail. Furthermore, the perceptually excited node(PEN) at the Dulle-gill were found to be more scattered evenly whereas PEN at the uphill trail were concentrated on the entrance and the top of the mountain. It is necessary to consider that the scenic landscape management at the Dulle-gil and the uphill trail require different approaches. Facilities were set based on careful consideration of distinctive geographical features and vegetation in the Dulle-gil. And the management need to be focus on the 'forested area' maintaining natural state in the uphill trail. Futhermore, the result of the CP and PEN in the trails would be helpful to proceed the next step of landscape perception study depending on characteristics of groups.

The Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology Approaches for Vascular Cell Signaling by Advanced Glycation Endproducts Receptor and Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier

  • Kim, June Hyun
    • Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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    • v.4 no.4
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    • pp.12.1-12.6
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    • 2012
  • The advanced glycation endproducts receptor (AGE-R) is a signal transduction receptor for multiligand such as S100b and AGEs. S100b has been demonstrated to activate various cells with important links to atherosclerosis initiation and progression including endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells via AGE-R, triggering activation of multiple signaling cascades through its cytoplasmic domain. Many studies have suggested AGE-R might even participate in the cardiovascular complications involved in the pathogenesis of type I diabetes. Recently, Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier 1 (SURM-1 also known as SUMO-1) has been recognized as a protein that plays an important role in cellular post-translational modifications in a variety of cellular processes, such as transport, transcriptional, apoptosis and stability. Computer Database search with SUMOplot Analysis program identified the five potential SURMylation sites in human AGE-R: K43, K44, K123, and K273 reside within the extracellular domain of AGE-R, and lastly K374 resides with the cytosolic domain of AGE-R. The presence of the consensus yKXE motif in the AGE-R strongly suggests that AGE-R may be regulated by SURMylation process. To test this, we decided to determine if AGE-R is SURMylated in living vascular cell system. S100b-stimulated murine aortic vascular smooth muscle cells were used for western blot analysis with relevant antibodies. Taken together, bioinformatics database search and molecular biological approaches suggested AGE-R is SURMylated in living cardiovascular cell system. Whilst SURMylation and AGE-R undoubtedly plays an important role in the cardiovascular biology, it remains unclear as to the exact nature of this contribution under both physiological and pathological conditions.

The Establishment of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-associated Protein1 (TRAP1) Transgenic Mice and Severe Fat Accumulation in the Liver of TRAP1 Mice during Liver Regeneration

  • Im, Chang-Nim;Zheng, Ying;Kim, Sun Hye;Huang, Tai-Qin;Cho, Du-Hyong;Seo, Jeong-Sun
    • Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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    • v.5 no.4
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    • pp.9.1-9.7
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    • 2013
  • Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is a mitochondrial heat shock protein (HSP), which belongs to HSP90 family. It plays important roles in regulating mitochondrial integrity, protecting against oxidative stress, and inhibiting cell death. Recent studies suggest that TRAP1 is linked to mitochondria and its metabolism. In this study, we established TRAP1 transgenic mice and performed partial hepatectomy (PH) on wild-type (WT) and TRAP1 transgenic mice to investigate the function of TRAP1 during liver regeneration. Results and Discussion: We found that TRAP1 was highly expressed in liver as well as kidney. In addition, liver regeneration slightly decreased together with increased fatty liver and inflammation at 72 hr after PH in TRAP1 transgenic mice compared with WT control group mice. Concomitantly, we observed decreased levels of p38 protein in TRAP1 transgenic mice compared with WT control group mice. These results suggest that TRAP1 plays a critical role in liver energy balance by regulating lipid accumulation during liver regeneration. Conclusions and Prospects: To our knowledge, we reported, for the first time, that liver regeneration slightly reduced together with increased fat accumulations after PH in TRAP1 transgenic mice compared with WT control group mice. Concomitantly, we observed decreased levels of p38 protein in TRAP1 transgenic mice compared with WT control group mice. Overexpression of TRAP1 might affect liver regeneration via disturbing mitochondrial function leading to fatty liver in vivo.

Trend of the Convergence Stud in Arts & Culture Education - Focused on Music Technology (문화예술교육에서의 융복합 학문의 시대적 흐름- 음악테크놀로지를 중심으로)

  • Kim, Eun-Jin;Lim, Byung-Ro
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.12 no.3
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    • pp.102-113
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    • 2012
  • The effort to generate new values in this age of digital technology characterized by rapid changes in information and knowledge demands transformations not only in the sociocultural and educational spheres but also specifically in the field of arts and culture education. One of the greatest transformations is emphasis on integration and consilience among different fields which has impacted the field of arts and culture, giving birth to the practice of arts and culture education. Digital technology actively utilizes in lots of subjects, which, also becomes a challenging factor for the field of arts and culture education. In this context, this study theoretically considered to approach music technology to use for the field of arts and culture education. Utilization of music technology takes interdisciplinary approaches combining various subjects in the field of arts and culture education. Considering the current circumstances in which there is a lack of teaching and learning methodologies which reflect the unique, specialized nature and the intrinsic originality of the field of arts and culture education. It is deemed that by accumulating more case studies applying music technology in practice to a wider variety of targets and situations. Music technology will serve the role of an important a learning tool for the arts and culture education field.

A Study on the Internal Marketing Network for Airport Employees' Leisure Satisfaction and Restrictions (공항근무 직원의 여가만족과 여가제약에 대한 내부마케팅 연결망 연구)

  • Lee, Sun-Mi
    • Journal of Distribution Science
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    • v.15 no.7
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    • pp.53-59
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    • 2017
  • Purpose - In the airline industry, an airport plays an important role. There are a lot of employees who work at an airport, and most of the workers experience restraints regarding leisure activities. Thus, there is a need for studying the internal marketing in the airport to better serve the worker. Although there is a lack of well-structured research regarding the restrictions and satisfaction factors experienced by the airport employees for their leisure activities, this research studies how the restrictions and satisfaction factors influence each other in relation to the internal marketing in the airport. The purpose of this research is to provide a detailed, real time research method for studying the restrictions and satisfaction factors in relation to the internal marketing that are experienced by the airport employees regarding their leisure activities. Research design, data, and methodology - This survey was conducted for airport employees working in two shifts. The questionnaire is 152 copies. The analysis method was used as SPSS statistical package 21.0 and Netminer 4.0 program. Social networks were analyzed for leisure satisfaction and leisure restrictions. Results - As a result of analyzing the linkage between variables for leisure satisfaction, most of the variables of leisure satisfaction are satisfied with "psychological factor" and "social factor". However, "educational factor" and "environmental factor" are not satisfied. In order to improve the leisure satisfaction of airport workers in the future, it is necessary to have an environment where leisure activities can be performed and related education. As a result of analyzing the linkage between variables of leisure restrictions, most of the variables in leisure restrictions are "personal factors" and "temporal factors". However, there are few restrictions on "cost-efficient" and "environment-friendly". Conclusions - In the future, in order to reduce the leisure restrictions of airport workers, they need to reduce work stress, psychological time and leisure allowance for leisure activities. However, it is difficult to solve these problems due to realistic problems including the specificity of working at the airport. This research presents an interdisciplinary analysis of how the restrictions and satisfaction factors influence each other in order to further advance the understanding of the constraints and satisfaction that are experienced by the airport employees.

Distributions of Organic Matter and Trace Metals in Intertidal Surface Sediment from the Mokpo-Haenam Coast (목포-해남 연안 조간대 퇴적물중 유기물 및 미량금속 분포 특성)

  • Hwang, Dong-Woon;Kim, Pyoung-Joong;Jung, Rae-Hong;Yoon, Sang-Pil
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.454-466
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    • 2013
  • To evaluate the organic matter and trace metal pollution in intertidal sediment of the coastal zone, various geochemical parameters (grain size, ignition loss [IL], chemical oxygen demand [COD], acid volatile sulfide [AVS], and metals [Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg, and As]) were measured for the intertidal surface sediment of the mainland and islands between Mokpo and Haenam in the southwestern coast of Korea. The surface sediments consist mainly of finer sediments, such as mud and silt. The concentrations of IL, COD, and trace metals in intertidal sediment were relatively high in the shoreline of the mainland than in that of islands and those in some stations exceeded the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). Moreover, the concentrations of IL, COD, and trace metals (except As) in sediment showed relatively good positive correlations with mean grain size, indicating that the concentrations of organic matter and trace metals in intertidal sediment of the study region are dependent on grain size of sediment. Pollution evaluation for trace metals using geochemical assessment techniques, such as enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, and SQGs, suggested that the intertidal sediments in the study region show light pollution with Cr and moderate pollution with As. More extensive interdisciplinary studies are required to determine the potential causes of As pollution in intertidal sediment.