• Title/Summary/Keyword: quantitative research methods

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Alterations of Cerebral Metabolic Activation Following Electro-Acupuncture Stimulation on ST36 and LR3 Acu-Points in Rats (흰쥐의 족삼리 및 태충 전침자극에 따른 뇌대사활성의 변화)

  • Sohn, Young-Joo;Jung, Hyuk-Sang;Ku, Ja-Seung;Won, Ran;Kim, Yong-Suk;Park, Young-Bae;Sohn, Nak-Won
    • Journal of Acupuncture Research
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.159-174
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    • 2002
  • Objective : The meridian theory in oriental medicine explains that each acu-point has a characteristic functional effect. It will be supposed that an acupuncture stimulation on different acu-point evokes different activation on different areas in the central nervous system(CNS) according to the meridian theory. On this supposition, our group tried the semi-quantitative [14C]2-deoxyglucose([14C]2-DG) autoradiography on the acupuncture stimulation to the hindlimb acu-points of Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : A venous catheter for the intravenous administration of isotope was equipped in the right external jugular vein on 3 days prior to the [14C]2-DG study. On the day of the study, two acupuncture needles were inserted into the ST36(Zusanli) or LR3(Taichong) on the left hindlimb. Electro-acupuncture stimulation (2 Hz, 5 ms, 1~3 mA, 15 minutes) started just before the i.v. injection of [14C]2-DG ($25{\mu}Ci/rat$). The brain and the spinal cord were removed and processed for the [14C] 2-DG autoradiography. Results : The EA stimulation on ST36 reveals over 120% metaboilc activation in Arcuate nucleus, Anterior pretectal nucleus, Dorsal cochlear nucleus, Interposed cerebellar nucleus, and Nucleus of Darkschewitsch. The EA stimulation on LR3 reveals over 120% metaboilc activation in Lateral habenula nucleus, Medial vestibular nucleus, Ventromedial thalamic nucleus, Anteroventral thalamic nucleus, Anterior cingulate cortex, Dentate gyrus, Antero cortical amygdaloid nucleus, Anterior pretectal nucleus, and Dorsal tegmental nucleus compared with the non EA stimulation control group. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that the different acu-points evoke the different activations in brain areas. And with this functional brain mapping study, a new scientific elucidation for the basis of the acupuncture-meridian theory in oriental medicine through differences of activated area in CNS according to the each acupuncture point.

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Dietary Factors Associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in School-aged Children (학동기 어린이 주의력결핍 과잉행동장애에서 식이요인의 역할 규명)

  • An, Minji;An, Hyojin;Hwang, Hyo-Jeong;Kwon, Ho-Jang;Ha, Mina;Hong, Yun-Chul;Hong, Soo-Jong;Oh, Se-Young
    • Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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    • v.23 no.5
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    • pp.397-410
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    • 2018
  • Objectives: An association between dietary patterns and mental health in children has been suggested in a series of studies, yet detailed analyses of dietary patterns and their effects on ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are limited. Methods: We included 4569 children who had dietary intake data as part of the CHEER (Children's Health and Environmental Research) study conducted nationwide from 2005 to 2010. We assessed ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) by the DuPaul's ADHD Rating Scales and dietary intake by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Using intake data, we constructed five dietary patterns: "Plant foods & fish," "Sweets," "Meat & fish," "Fruits & dairy products," and "Wheat based." Results: The overall proportion of ADHD was 12.3%. Boys (17.8%) showed a higher rate of ADHD than girls (6.5%). The total intake of calories (85 kcal) and plant fat (2g) in the ADHD group was significantly higher than that of the normal group. ADHD was significantly negatively associated with dietary habits such as having breakfast and meal frequency, and positively associated with eating speed, unbalanced diet, overeating, and rice consumption. Regarding dietary patterns, the "Sweets" category was relevant to high ADHD risk (OR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.15 for Q5 vs. Q1) in a linear relationship. An inverse, non-linear association was found between "Fruits & dairy products" and ADHD (OR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.76 for Q4 vs. Q1). Conclusions: Our study confirms both positive and negative associations between diet and ADHD in elementary school age children. Moreover, linear or nonlinear associations between diet and ADHD draw attention to the possible threshold role of nutrients. Further studies may consider characteristics of diet in more detail to develop better intervention or management in terms of diet and health.

Putative multiple reaction monitoring strategy for the comparative pharmacokinetics of postoral administration Renshen-Yuanzhi compatibility through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

  • Sun, Yufei;Feng, Guifang;Zheng, Yan;Liu, Shu;Zhang, Yan;Pi, Zifeng;Song, Fengrui;Liu, Zhiqiang
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.44 no.1
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    • pp.105-114
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    • 2020
  • Background: Exploring the pharmacokinetic (PK) changes of various active components of single herbs and their combinations is necessary to elucidate the compatibility mechanism. However, the lack of chemical standards and low concentrations of multiple active ingredients in the biological matrix restrict PK studies. Methods: A putative multiple reaction monitoring strategy based on liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was developed to extend the PK scopes of quantification without resorting to the use of chemical standards. First, the compounds studied, including components with available reference standard (ARS) and components lacking reference standard (LRS), were preclassified to several groups according to their chemical structures. Herb decoctions were then subjected to ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis with appropriate collision energy (CE) in MS2 mode. Finally, multiple reaction monitoring transitions transformed from MS2 of ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry were used for ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry to obtain the mass responses of LRS components. LRS components quantification was further performed by developing an assistive group-dependent semiquantitative method. Results: The developed method was exemplified by the comparative PK process of single herbs Radix Ginseng (RG), Radix Polygala (RP), and their combinations (RG-RP). Significant changes in PK parameters were observed before and after combination. Conclusion: Results indicated that Traditional Chinese Medicine combinations can produce synergistic effects and diminish possible toxic effects, thereby reflecting the advantages of compatibility. The proposed strategy can solve the quantitative problem of LRS and extend the scopes of PK studies.

MicroRNA Expression Profiles in Korean Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

  • Son, Ji Woong;Kim, Young Jin;Cho, Hyun Min;Lee, Soo Young;Jang, Jin Sung;Choi, Jin Eun;Lee, Jung Uee;Kang, Min Gyu;Lee, Yu Mi;Kwon, Sun Jung;Choi, Eugene;Na, Moon Jun;Park, Jae Yong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.67 no.5
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    • pp.413-421
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    • 2009
  • Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, development and differentiation. Several studies have shown that aberrant expression of miRNAs is involved in cancer development and progression by regulating the expression of proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. In this study, we investigated miRNA expression profiles in Korean patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We performed miRNA microarray analysis containing 60~65 bp oligonucleotide probes representing human 318 miRNAs and validated the results of the microarray with Northern blot analysis or quantitative RT-PCR. Next, we examined the correlation between miRNA expression and the target gene transcriptional profile using a human whole-genome-expression microarray. Results: We showed that 35 miRNAs were expressed differentially in the NSCLCs and corresponding non-malignant lung tissues. We showed that 35 miRNAs were expressed differentially in the NSCLCs and corresponding nonmalignant lung tissues. Thirteen of the 35 differentially expressed miRNAs were newly identified in the present study. Of the 35 miRNAs, 2 (miR-371 and miR-210) were over-expressed in lung cancers, and 33 miRNAs, including miR-145, were under-expressed in lung cancers. miR-99b expression consistently showed a negative correlation with FGFR3 expression. Conclusion: Albeit a small number of patients were examined, these results suggest that miRNA expression profiles in Korean lung cancers may be somewhat different from the expression profiles reported on lung cancers in Western populations. The findings suggest that miR-99b might be a tumor suppressor through its up-regulation of FGFR3.

The Stability and Characteristic Analysis of Cut Slope Behavior using Real-time Monitoring System (상시 계측시스템을 이용한 붕괴 절토사면 거동 특성 분석 및 안정성 해석)

  • Baek, Yong;Koo, Ho-Bon;Jang, Ki-Tae;Yoo, Byung-Sun;Bae, Gyu-Jin
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.71-80
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    • 2004
  • The failure of cut slopes frequently occurs particularly during the thawing season and the rain season in summer. This study interpreted data collected from site to which a real-monitoring system was applied in order to analyze the causes of ground behaviors and to forecast future slope failure. As for research methods, this study analyzed the size and mechanism of failure by integrating the results of field surveys and measurements. Furthermore, it analyzed data transmitted by the monitoring system installed in the a result, three times of ground displacement occurred as well as a number of partial tension cracks. The cut slope composed of sandstone and siltstone started its initial behavior as a result of torrential downpour and the loss of support of the substructure. For quantitative analysis of the characteristics of ground behavior, this study measured 5 lateral lines. According to the result of the measurement, displacement happened little in the section to which countermeasure had been applied, but displacement of maximum 400mm happened in the section to which countermeasure had not bee applied. The analysis of data on displacement and rainfall suggested a close relationship between ground behavior and rainfall. According to the result of stability interpretation along with the change of ground saturation, stability rate appeared to be less than 1.0 when ground saturation is over 55%. Although the current trend of ground behavior is at a stable stage falling within the range of tolerance, it is considered necessary to continue monitoring and data analysis because ground displacement is highly possible with the change of temperature during the winter.

A Comparative Study of the Way of Introducing Fractions in Mathematics Textbooks of South and North Korea (남북한 초등학교 교과서의 분수 도입 방식 비교)

  • Park Kyo Sik;Lee Kyung Hwa;Yim Jae Hoon
    • Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.367-385
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    • 2004
  • This study intends to compare the way of introducing fractions in elementary mathematics textbooks of south and those of north Korea. After thorough investigations of the seven differences were identified. First, the mathematics textbooks of south Korea use concrete materials like apples when they introduce equal partition context, while those of north Korea do not use that kind of concrete materials. Second, in the textbooks of south Korea, equal partition of discrete quantities are considered after continuous ones are introduced. This is different from the approach of the north Korean text-books in which both quantities are regarded at the same time. Third, the quantitative fraction which refers to the rational number with unit of measure at the end of it, is hardly used in the textbooks of south. However, the textbooks of north Korea use it as the main representations of fractions. Fourth, in the textbooks of south Korea, vanous activities related to fractions are more emphasized, while in the textbooks of north Korea, various meanings of fractions textbooks from south and north Korea focused on the ways of introducing partition approach and equivalence relation as operational schemes of fractions, the following play an important role before defining fraction. Fifth, the textbooks of south Korea introduce equivalent fractions with number one using number bar, and do not consider the reason why that sort of fractions are regarded. On the contrary, the textbooks of north Korea introduce structural equivalence relation by using various contexts including length measure and volume measure situations. Sixth, whereas real-life contexts are provided for introducing equivalent fractions in the textbooks of south Korea, visual explanations and mathematical representations play an important role in the textbooks of north Korea. Seventh, the means of finding equivalent fractions are provided directly in the textbooks of south Korea, whereas the nature of equivalent fractions and the methods of making equivalent fractions are considered in the textbooks of north Korea.

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The Analysis of Sub-Factors of Modesty-Immodesty Concepts in US and South Korean College Women (한국과 미국 여대생의 정숙성-비정숙성 개념 요인구조 분석)

  • Kim, Yang-Jin;Michelman, Susan;Seock, Yoo-Kyoung;Lee, Soo-Kyoung
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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    • v.32 no.6
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    • pp.918-927
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    • 2008
  • The purpose of this research was to identify the dimensions of modesty and immodesty in dress and to examine the differences in female college students' perceptions, in various cultures, of modest and immodest clothes. The researchers selected South Korea and the United States for the cross-cultural comparison study because these two countries show distinctive cultural characteristics. This study was conducted through both qualitative and quantitative methods. According to the result of the preliminary study, 47 questions were developed. The 4 Likert type scales used in the questionnaire were written in both English and Korean. Pretests were performed simultaneously in both countries. 174 American and 208 Korean students completed the questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS. According to the results of factor analysis, there were 4 factors identified for the modesty-immodesty concept, including 'Conservativeness', 'Body exposure', 'Social appropriateness', and 'Attracting attention from others'. Students answered that they liked to wear conservative and socially appropriate dress in both cultures and that they did not like to wear clothing which draws a great deal of attention to them. Cultural differences were also identified. Based on the results, American students dressed more conservatively than Korean students, while Korean students preferred to wear revealing dress. American students were more conservative and preferred modest clothing. Also Korean students were more open about their body exposure and had immodest clothing attitudes.

A Study on the Elaboration of Request for Proposal of Localization Parts using AHP method (AHP 기법을 적용한 부품국산화 제안요청서 정교화 연구)

  • Song, Hyeong-Min
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.21 no.1
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    • pp.35-44
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    • 2020
  • The purpose of this study is to elaborate the request for proposal (RFP) for the localization parts development support project of core parts carried out by the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality. The RFP is the most important document throughout the localization parts project, including project announcement and developer selection, design and test of the development product, final evaluation, and standardization of the project. However, if the RFP is not established at the beginning of the project, there is an increased risk of business failure due to frequent changes by various reasons. In this study, we recognized the necessity of elaboration of RFP and applied the AHP method for quantitative elaboration. Eight requirements of the RFP related to the mechanical/electrical performance of localized development products and three elaboration methods for each requirement were designed in a hierarchical structure, and each weight was calculated by applying the 5-point scale AHP method. The AHP survey was conducted with 20 developers participating in the localization parts project, and the consistency ratio of the AHP survey result was less than 0.1. The elaboration method with the highest value among the calculated weights is classified, and the analysis results and future research directions of the elaboration method are presented.

Oribicularis Oris Muscle Defects in Philtral Deformities in the Repaired Cleft Lip (구순열 수술 후 인중의 변형과 구륜근 결손)

  • Kim, Suk-Wha;Jeong, Yeon-Woo;Cheon, Jung-Eun;Park, Chan-Young;Oh, Myung-June;Kim, Jung-Hong;Choi, Tae-Hyun
    • Archives of Plastic Surgery
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    • v.37 no.4
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    • pp.427-432
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study is to estimate muscle defect by ultrasonography in the patients with secondary deformities of the lip. We investigated the association between the muscle defect in the repaired cleft lip and the philtral appearance not only at resting state but also maximal puckering. Methods: From December 2006 to November 2007, 52 children were evaluated after primary or secondary cheiloplasty. Digital photographs were taken both from the front and both three quarter views in repose and at maximal pucker. Video clips were also taken in repose and at maximal pucker. A panel of four, scored the philtral ridge and dimple seen on these photographs and videos by using two visual analog scales. Eminence of the philtral ridge was scored by a 5 point grading scale, from "conspicuous groove" to "normal philtral ridge" and the philtral dimple was scored by 3 point grading scale, from "no dimple" to "prominent dimple". Ultrasound images of the upper lip were made using a linear array transducer at the resting position of the lip and evaluated by a single radiologist. Results: The philtral ridge eminence scored $2.79{\pm}0.54$ and $1.40{\pm}0.53$ at resting and maximal pucker, correlating with "flat" and "conspicous groove". The philtral dimpling scored $1.44{\pm}0.53$ and $2.27{\pm}0.66$ at resting and maximal pucker, correlating with "no dimple" and "slight dimple". Ultrasound imaging showed the average muscle dehiscence to be $3.78{\pm}2.14$ mm at resting position. Correlation between the muscle defect in ultrasound imaging and philtral ridge eminence at rest was statistically significant (p<0.050), but was not significant (p=0.756) at maximal pucker using Spearman's rank correlation. Correlation between the muscle defect in ultrasound imaging and philtral dimpling was not statistically significant both at rest (p=0.920) and at maximal pucker (p=0.815) using Spearman's rank correlation. Conclusion: Quantitative assessment of the muscle defect using ultrasonography correlates with the static philtral appearance, but does not correlate with the dynamic appearance. Also, the size of the muscle defect does not show any correlation with the philtral dimpling. Our findings reveal that ultrasound imaging partially reflect static appearance of philtrum but cannot reflect dynamic appearance and suggest the need for further research to evaluate dynamic appearance.

Quantitative separation of impacting factors to runoff variation using hydrological model and hydrological sensitivity analysis (수문모형과 수문학적 민감도분석을 이용한 유량변동 요인의 정량적 분리)

  • Kim, Hyeong Bae;Kim, Sang Ug;Lee, Cheol-Eung
    • Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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    • v.50 no.3
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    • pp.139-153
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    • 2017
  • The variation in runoff due to global climate change and urbanization should be identified quantitatively because these two factors have been significantly accelerated during the last three decades in South Korea. However, only a few research to analyze the impacts due to two factors over different time scales can be found. Therefore, in this study, the hydrological model based approach and the hydrological sensitivity approach were used to separate relative impacts by two factors on monthly, seasonal, and annual time scales at the Soyang River upper basin and the Seom River basin in South Korea. The 3 techniques such as the double mass curve method, the Pettitt's test, and the BCP analysis were performed to detect change point occurred by abrupt change in the collected observed runoff. After detection of change ponts, SWAT models calibrated on the natural periods were used to calculate the changes due to human activities. Also, 6 Budyko based methods were auxiliary to verify the results from hydrological based approach.