What do consumers think about widespread fashion counterfeits? A Q-methodological analysis of the diverse viewpoints

This study explores the complex facets of fashion counterfeits, focusing on (1) why such purchasing behaviors are widespread and (2) whether or not the behaviors are morally accepted and can be eliminated through law and regulations. In order to identify and categorize perceptual factors of the fashion counterfeits problem, we used Q-methodology with a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques to identify different patterns of subjective perceptions (Brown, 2008)

Comparison of CPR quality and rescuer fatigue between standard 30:2 CPR and chest compression-only CPR: a randomized crossover manikin trial

Objective We aimed to compare rescuer fatigue and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality between standard 30:2 CPR (ST-CPR) and chest compression only CPR (CO-CPR) performed for 8 minutes on a realistic manikin by following the 2010 CPR guidelines. Methods All 36 volunteers (laypersons; 18 men and 18 women) were randomized to ST-CPR or CO-CPR at first, and then each CPR technique was performed for 8 minutes with a 3-hour rest interval. We measured the mean blood pressure (MBP) of the volunteers before and after performing each CPR technique, and continuously monitored the heart rate (HR) of the volunteers during each CPR technique using the MRx monitor. CPR quality measures included the depth of chest compression (CC) and the number of adequate CCs per minute. Results The adequate CC rate significantly differed between the 2 groups after 2 minutes, with it being higher in the ST-CPR group than in the CO-CPR group. Additionally, the adequate CC rate significantly differed between the 2 groups during 8 minutes for male volunteers (p =0.012). The number of adequate CCs was higher in the ST-CPR group than in the CO-CPR group after 3 minutes (p =0.001). The change in MBP before and after performing CPR did not differ between the 2 groups. However, the change in HR during 8 minutes of CPR was higher in the CO-CPR group than in the ST-CPR group (p =0.007). Conclusions The rate and number of adequate CCs were significantly lower with the CO-CPR than with the ST-CPR after 2 and 6 minutes, respectively, and performer fatigue was higher with the CO-CPR than with the ST-CPR during 8 minutes of CPR.OAIID:RECH_ACHV_DSTSH_NO:220142014020983001RECH_ACHV_FG:RR00200001ADJUST_YN:EMP_ID:A080158CITE_RATE:2.025FILENAME:comparison of cpr quality and rescuer fatigue between st-cpr and cc-only cpr_a randomized crossover manikin trial_scand j trauma resusc emerg med_2014.pdfDEPT_NM:의학과EMAIL:[email protected]_YN:YFILEURL:https://srnd.snu.ac.kr/eXrepEIR/fws/file/d98e73fe-13a9-4bea-b265-cb96af10284f/linkCONFIRM:

Combination therapy of vitamin C and thiamine for septic shock in a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, controlled study (ATESS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Septic shock is a life-threatening condition with underlying circulatory and cellular/metabolic abnormalities. Vitamin C and thiamine are potential candidates for adjunctive therapy; they are expected to improve outcomes based on recent experimental and clinical research. The aim of the Ascorbic Acid and Thiamine Effect in Septic Shock (ATESS) trial is to evaluate the effects of early combination therapy with intravenous vitamin C and thiamine on recovery from organ failure in patients with septic shock. Methods This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial in adult patients with septic shock recruited from six emergency departments in South Korea. Patients will be randomly allocated into the treatment or control group (1:1 ratio), and we will recruit 116 septic shock patients (58 per group). For the treatment group, vitamin C (50 mg/kg) and thiamine (200 mg) will be mixed in 50 ml of 0.9% saline and administered intravenously every 12 h for a total of 48 h. For the placebo group, an identical volume of 0.9% saline will be administered in the same manner. The primary outcome is the delta Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (ΔSOFA = initial SOFA at enrolment – follow-up SOFA after 72 h). Discussion This trial will provide valuable evidence about the effectiveness of vitamin C and thiamine therapy for septic shock. If effective, this therapy might improve survival and become one of the main therapeutic adjuncts for patients with septic shock. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03756220. Registered on 5 December 2018.This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korean government (No. 2018R1C1B6006821). The government did not have any role in the study design; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing of the report; and the decision to submit the report for publication

SEALONE (Safety and Efficacy of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography with Low Dose in Patients Visiting Emergency Room) trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Objective Chest pain is one of the most common complaints in the emergency department (ED). Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a frequently used tool for the early triage of patients with low- to intermediate-risk acute chest pain. We present a study protocol for a multicenter prospective randomized controlled clinical trial testing the hypothesis that a low-dose CCTA protocol using prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggering and limited-scan range can provide sufficient diagnostic safety for early triage of patients with acute chest pain. Methods The trial will include 681 younger adult (aged 20 to 55) patients visiting EDs of three academic hospitals for acute chest pain or equivalent symptoms who require further evaluation to rule out acute coronary syndrome. Participants will be randomly allocated to either low-dose or conventional CCTA protocol at a 2:1 ratio. The low-dose group will undergo CCTA with prospective ECG-triggering and restricted scan range from sub-carina to heart base. The conventional protocol group will undergo CCTA with retrospective ECG-gating covering the entire chest. Patient disposition is determined based on computed tomography findings and clinical progression and all patients are followed for a month. The primary objective is to prove that the chance of experiencing any hard event within 30 days after a negative low-dose CCTA is less than 1%. The secondary objectives are comparisons of the amount of radiation exposure, ED length of stay and overall cost. Results and Conclusion Our low-dose protocol is readily applicable to current multi-detector computed tomography devices. If this study proves its safety and efficacy, dose-reduction without purchasing of expensive newer devices would be possible

Innovative Behavior in Public Sector Services Public Service Motivation and Private Sector Experience

The demand for innovation in public organizations is increasing. In this study, I explore factors that contribute to the innovative behavior of civil servants at the individual level. The theoretical distinction between public and private organizations has long been a subject of debate, and certain characteristics of innovation in public organizations mimic innovation in the private sector, even though the purpose of innovation in public organizations is to secure public goods. In order to examine the innovative behavior of public employees who face such contradictory circumstances, I parameterized the characteristics of each sector, using whether or not the employee had worked in the private sector prior to entering the public service as the characteristic for the private sector and the effect of public service motivation on innovative behavior as the characteristic for the public sector and found that at the individual level, the two are not mutually exclusive

Exploring Perceptions of Sustainable Development in South Korea: An Approach Based on Advocacy Coalition Framework’s Belief System

The concept of sustainable development has been criticized for its broadness and ambiguity that permits different interpretations in separate views. However, the prior studies on sustainable development generally relied on survey data, so they have some limitations that preclude congruent conclusions. In contrast to prior studies, we used Q methodology, which is designed to investigate subjective perceptions as it is. This study aims to explore the South Koreans’ perceptions of sustainable development among various stakeholders such as experts, bureaucrats, legislatures, civic group members, company employees, and journalists. Based on the hierarchical belief system of the advocacy coalition framework, we classified all statements into three categories: core value, policy core, and secondary aspects. Using Q methodology, we extracted five types: (1) democrat; (2) idealist; (3) green growth advocate; (4) skeptics; and (5) elitist. We examined the distribution of the five types according to a hierarchical belief system, and discussed implications of the findings

What do consumers think about widespread fashion counterfeits? A Q-methodological analysis of the diverse viewpoints

This study explores the complex facets of fashion counterfeits, focusing on (1) why such purchasing behaviors are widespread and (2) whether or not the behaviors are morally accepted and can be eliminated through law and regulations. In order to identify and categorize perceptual factors of the fashion counterfeits problem, we used Q-methodology with a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques to identify different patterns of subjective perceptions (Brown, 2008).</p

An Integrated Modelling Study on the Effects of Weir Operation Scenarios on Aquatic Habitat Changes in the Yeongsan River

The Seungchon and Juksan Weirs were constructed in 2012 through four major river projects to control floods and secure water in the Yeongsan River. However, anthropogenic changes in the environment can lead to loss of biodiversity and longitudinal connectivity and the deterioration of ecosystem health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of physical and chemical changes in the Yeongsan River on aquatic habitats through an integrated (water quality&ndash;aquatic habitat) model (i.e., Delft3D and HABITAT). The target species used to simulate habitat suitability included Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae (an endemic fish), Cyprinus carpio, and Micropterus salmoides (an invasive species of fish). Based on the results, maintaining the lowest water level in one of the two weirs was predicted to improve the habitat of the target species. In particular, the habitat area was greatly improved, especially when the Juksan Weir was completely opened. Furthermore, resistance to environmental changes due to habitat area changes indicates that invasive species adapt more to environmental changes than endemic species. This study suggests that physical and chemical changes in the environment can predict the impact on the health of the aquatic ecosystems, which will be useful in establishing an integrated water management plan. These results can be used as basic data for supporting water management policy, to apply an aquatic ecology prediction model suitable for the Yeongsan River system, and to present a management plan for improving the health of an aquatic ecosystem

Ethylene induces combinatorial effects of histone H3 acetylation in gene expression in Arabidopsis

Abstract Background Histone acetylation and deacetylation are essential for gene regulation and have been implicated in the regulation of plant hormone responses. Many studies have indicated the role of histone acetylation in ethylene signaling; however, few studies have investigated how ethylene signaling regulates the genomic landscape of chromatin states. Recently, we found that ethylene can specifically elevate histone H3K14 acetylation and the non-canonical histone H3K23 acetylation in etiolated seedlings and the gene activation is positively associated with the elevation of H3K14Ac and H3K23Ac in response to ethylene. To assess the role of H3K9, H3K14, and H3K23 histone modifications in the ethylene response, we examined how ethylene regulates histone acetylation and the transcriptome at global level and in ethylene regulated genes both in wild type (Col-0) and ein2-5 seedlings. Results Our results revealed that H3K9Ac, H3K14Ac, and H3K23Ac are preferentially enriched around the transcription start sites and are positively correlated with gene expression levels in Col-0 and ein2-5 seedlings both with and without ethylene treatment. In the absence of ethylene, no combinatorial effect of H3K9Ac, H3K14Ac, and H3K23Ac on gene expression was detected. In the presence of ethylene, however, combined enrichment of the three histone acetylation marks was associated with high gene expression levels, and this ethylene-induced change was EIN2 dependent. In addition, we found that ethylene-regulated genes are expressed at medium or high levels, and a group of ethylene regulated genes are marked by either one of H3K9Ac, H3K14Ac or H3K23Ac. In this group of genes, the levels of H3K9Ac were altered by ethylene, but in the absence of ethylene the levels of H3K9Ac and peak breadths are distinguished in up- and down- regulated genes. In the presence of ethylene, the changes in the peak breadths and levels of H3K14Ac and H3K23Ac are required for the alteration of gene expressions. Conclusions Our study reveals that the plant hormone ethylene induces combinatorial effects of H3K9Ac, K14Ac and K23Ac histone acetylation in gene expression genome widely. Further, for a group of ethylene regulated genes, in the absence of ethylene the levels and the covered breadths of H3K9Ac are the preexist markers for distinguishing up- and down- regulated genes, the change in the peak breadths and levels of H3K14Ac and H3K23Ac are required for the alteration of gene expression in the presence of ethylene