Search

To identify the type and extent of unmet needs in people with Parkinson's disease and to examine the impact of health locus of control and family support on these needs.A cross-sectional study.This study was conducted from October 2015 - February 2016 in Korea. Data were collected through questionnaires focusing on unmet needs, health locus of control, family support and clinical features.Therapeutic needs represented the highest percentage of unmet needs in people with Parkinson's disease (85.05%), followed by social/spiritual/emotional needs (82.72%). Physical needs were the lowest reported score (75.01%). Unmet needs were more frequent in those with more severe non-motor symptoms. Also, higher family support, internal locus of control and doctor locus of control were correlated with more unmet needs.Understanding factors that determine the type and degree of unmet needs in people with PD is important to provide appropriate nursing care. The findings of this study can be used for providing nursing interventions reflecting unmet needs and reducing their unmet needs to improve the overall well-being of people with PD.This study addressed unmet needs unmet needs specific to Parkinson's disease with respect to their nursing needs. Therapeutic needs were the highest unmet needs in people with PD, followed by social/spiritual/emotional needs, need for certainty and physical needs. The findings may be useful for nurses to identify the unmet needs of people with PD which need to be addressed. By reflecting on unmet needs, nurses can give personally tailored nursing care.目的: 确定帕金森病患者未满足需求的类型和程度并研究健康控制点和家庭支持对这些需求的影响。 设计: 横向研究。 方法: 这项研究于2015年10月至2016年2月在韩国进行。资料收集方式为问卷调查,问卷内容包括未满足的需求、健康控制点、家庭支持和临床特征。 结果: 治疗需求是帕金森病患者未被满足需求的最高比例(85.05%),其次是社会/精神/情感需求(82.72%)。身体需求是最低的报告得分(75.01%)。未满足的需求在非运动症状较严重的患者中更为常见。家庭支持程度、内控倾向、医生倾向与未满足需求呈正相关。 结论: 了解决定PD患者未满足需求类型和程度的因素对提供适当的护理很重要。本研究的结果可用于提供反映未满足需求的护理干预措施,减少未满足需求,以改善PD患者的整体健康状况。 影响: 本研究针对帕金森病患者的护理需求提出了未满足的需求。治疗性需求是PD患者未被满足的最高需求,其次是社会/精神/情感需求、确定性需求和身体需求。这些结果可能对护士识别PD患者未满足的需求是有用的,这些需求需要被处理。通过反思未满足的需求,护士可以提供个性化的护理服务。.

In the present study, electrochemical reaction mechanisms of La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ (LSC)-Gd0.1Ce0.9O2-δ (GDC) composite cathodes for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) were evaluated by a Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) with 3D reconstructed cathode microstructures. Two electrochemical reactions, i.e. one which scales with the LSC surface area and the other with the triple phase boundary (TPB) length, were considered in the simulation. The exchange current density of the surface reaction was fitted with an experimental result of pure LSC cathode, and the TPB reaction exchange current density was fitted using the experimental results of LSC-GDC composites with various volume ratios. It is found for the LSC-GDC composite cathodes that the contribution from the TPB reaction dominates and that the effective reaction thickness elongates as the volume fraction of GDC is increased. It is considered that the performance enhancement of LSC-GDC composite cathode is attributed to both the improvement in effective ionic conductivity and the additional contribution from the TPB reaction.

In the present study, the polarization characteristics of La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 − δ (LSC)-Gd0.1Ce0.9O2 − δ (GDC) composite cathodes for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with different volume ratios were experimentally evaluated. The target volume ratios of LSC:GDC = 20:80, 30:70, 50:50, 70:30, 100:0% cathodes were fabricated by screen printing method. Current-voltage curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were conducted at 700 °C under 100% oxygen. The best performance was achieved at a volume ratio of LSC:GDC = 30:70%. Three dimensional microstructures of composite cathodes were reconstructed by focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM). Microstructural parameters were quantified and correlated with the polarization characteristics. Neither LSC surface nor three phase boundary (TPB) reactions can individually explain the total performance of the composite cathode. Effective ionic conductivity is monotonously enhanced as the volume ratio of GDC is increased due to its high ionic conductivity. Compared to La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 − δ (LSCF)-GDC composite cathodes, overpotentials of LSC-GDC composite cathodes are lower regardless of the volume ratio. Pure LSC cathode shows small surface area due to high sinterability of LSC. Compared to LSCF-GDC composite, LSC:GDC = 50:50 and 70:30 vol% samples showed higher active TPB density due to the larger LSC-GDC interface area.

Purpose This study aimed to construct a structural equation model to predict the quality of life of caregivers of individuals with Parkinson's disease. Design A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire in South Korea. Methods A total of 208 subjects participated in this study from August 31 to November 26, 2015. The questionnaire included caregiving appraisal, social support, educational program needs, and the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-Carer. Findings Participants were either spouses (46.2%) or adult children (45.2%) of individuals with Parkinson's disease. The mean score obtained on the caregiver's quality of life was 40.94 ± 25.30. Social support, caregiving appraisal, and educational program needs were the predictors, explaining 67.0% of the variance in caregivers' quality of life. Conclusions Predicting the quality of life is useful for the development of support resources for caregivers of individuals with Parkinson's disease. Further studies exploring the multidimensional aspects of caregivers' quality of life are needed. Clinical relevance Rehabilitation nurses should identify caregivers at high risk in order to improve their quality of life. Nurses should assess education program needs and caregiving appraisal of caregivers of individuals with Parkinson's disease and develop a customized intervention program.

SMC composites consist of chopped glass fiber as a reinforcements, polyester and mineral fillers. Among them, filler is one of the important factors for improving mechanical and thermal properties of composites, but it has not drawn much attention for SMC composites. In this study, the size effect of calcium carbonate as mineral filler on mechanical properties of SMC composites was discussed using five different sizes of commercial calcium carbonates without chopped fiber reinforcement, to focus on the size effect itself. The SMC process was modified to be suitable for a laboratory scale composed of three steps. The mean sizes of the calcium carbonates were 3 – 20 μm, and the specific surface areas were calculated to be 1 – 5 m2/g by BET. Small size of calcium carbonate having high surface area up to 4 m2/g showed high thermal resistance, and showed higher strength comparing to the large fillers because it affected to form a dense packed microstructure.

Energy harvesting using the human body as an antenna is presented. Low-frequency interference, mainly in the 40–60 kHz range, was generated from electronic ballast of a fluorescent light. Radiated electromagnetic energy was induced in a human body and a rectifier circuit converted induced energy into DC power. An input matching network of the diode rectifier was designed based on an equivalent source model of interference. A wristband-type harvesting module comprising a metal electrode designed to be in contact with the human skin was implemented. A power of −8.5 dBm was harvested from the body of a person with a height of 180 cm made to stand 60 cm below a fluorescent light with two 32 W lamps in a hemi-anechoic chamber. The proposed system can supply energy to the sensors used in body area networks.

PurposeReinforced lightweight soil (RLS) consisting of dredged soil, cement, air‐foam, and waste fishing net is considered to be an eco‐friendly backfilling material because it provides a means to recycle both dredged soil and waste fishing net. It may be difficult to find an optimum mixing ratio of RLS considering the design criteria and the construction's situation using the limited test results because the unconfined compressive strength is complicatedly influenced by various mixing ratios of admixtures. As a result, in order to expedite the field application of RLS, an appropriate prediction method is needed. The paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) model that was based on experimental test results performed on various mixing ratios, was developed to predict the unconfined compressive strength of RLS.FindingsIt was found that the unconfined compressive strength of RLS at a given mixing ratio could be reasonably estimated using the developed neural network model. In addition, sensitivity analysis was also conducted to evaluate the effect of mixing conditions on the compressive strength of RLS.Practical implicationsRLS is considered to be environmentally friendly because it provides a means to recycle both dredged soil and waste fishing net. The contractors could use the proposed ANN model as an alternative method to predict the strength of RLS with a specific mixing ratio.Originality/valueThis paper reveals that the developed ANN model can be served as a simple and reliable predictive tool for the strength of RLS without excessive laboratory tests for various admixture contents. An optimum admixture ratio of composed materials to get a designed strength could be easily found by using the proposed ANN model.

The barrier property of different types of plastic film (with or without pinholes) against two insects, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) larvae and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) adults, and the morphology of damage produced in these insects were investigated. Using a penetration apparatus, four types of plastic films varying in thickness were used for insect-penetration tests: casted polypropylene, 20 μm and 25 μm (CPP20 and CPP25); oriented polypropylene, 20 μm and 30 μm (OPP20 and OPP30); linear low-density polyethylene, 40 μm and 50 μm (LLDPE40 and LLDPE50); and polyethylene terephthalate 12 μm and 16 μm (PET12 and PET16). After being fixed and tested in the penetration apparatus, each film was cut into a disc shape and 10 holes (200 μm diameter) were made by a pin. The shape of film damage and the mouthparts of insects were observed using scanning electronic microscopy. Plodia interpunctella larvae could penetrate all films with pinholes, while T. castaneum adults were unable to penetrate any of the films tested, even those with pinholes. The penetration-percentages by P. interpunctella larvae were 38% (LLDPE40), 3% (LLDPE), 53% (CPP20), 37% (CPP25), 63% (OPP20), 43% (OPP30), 83% (PET12) and 63% (PET16). The elongation value, tensile strength and thickness of film were important factors in the penetration test. LLDPE, which has the highest elongation value and the lowest tensile strength value, was the film that best protected against insect penetration. In CPP and LLDPE films, there were many scratches and tears around the holes. In comparison, much less damage was observed around the holes in OPP and PET films. By observing the mouthparts of insects, it was determined that P. interpunctella larvae had sharper mandibles than those of T. castaneum adults.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity and clinical impact of positron emission tomography (PET) or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose in the posttherapy surveillance of patients with endometrial carcinoma. Eighty-eight patients previously treated for histopathologically diagnosed endometrial adenocarcinoma underwent 99 PET or PET/CT scans at follow-up visits at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, between 2001 and 2007. The standard of reference for tumor recurrence consisted of histopathologic confirmation or follow-up information at least 6 months after PET or PET/CT. Of the 88 patients, 24 underwent PET (n= 11) and/or PET/CT (n= 14) scans due to suspected disease recurrence. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of PET and/or PET/CT in detecting recurrence in these patients were 100%, 83.3%, 96%, 95%, and 100%, respectively. Especially, PET/CT revealed true-positive findings in three patients with elevated tumor markers but negative CT findings. The remaining 64 patients underwent PET (n= 8) and/or PET/CT (n= 66) as part of routine posttherapy surveillance; these patients were asymptomatic, with no evidence of disease. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of PET and/or PET/CT in detecting recurrence in these patients were all 100%. Clinical decisions on treatment were changed in 14 (21.9%) patients by introducing PET or PET/CT into their conventional posttherapy surveillance program. PET and/or PET/CT were highly effective in discriminating true recurrence in patients with suspected recurrence, highly sensitive in detecting recurrence in asymptomatic patients, and had impacts on clinical decisions in a considerable portion of patients.

We successfully developed 256Mb Phase Change Random Access Memory (PRAM) based on 0.10μ m-CMOS technologies using ring type contact. The writing current with uniform CD process variation of Bottom Electrode Contact (BEC) was achieved by improving CMP process and developing core dielectric material. Also, the ring type contact scheme provided strong reliability such as the cycling endurance and data retention time for 256 Mb high density PRAM.

Cerebellar Purkinje neurons have intracellular regulatory systems including Ca2+-binding proteins, intracellular Ca2+ stores, Ca2+-ATPase and Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) that keep intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in physiological range. Among these, NCX interacts with AMPA receptors, activation of which induces cerebellar synaptic plasticity. And the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) is also involved in the induction of cerebellar long-term depression. The interaction of NCX with mGluR1 is not known yet. Thus, in this study, the functional relationship between NCX and mGluR1 in modulating the [Ca2+]i in rat Purkinje neurons was investigated. The interaction between NCX and mGluR1 in Purkinje neurons was studied by measuring intracellular Ca2+ transients induced by an agonist of group I mGluRs, 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG). The DHPG-induced Ca2+ transient was significantly reduced by treatments of NCX inhibitors, bepridil and KB-R7943. When cells were pretreated with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides of NCX, the DHPG-induced Ca2+ transient was also inhibited. These results suggest that NCX modulates the activity of mGluR1 in cerebellar Purkinje neurons. Therefore, NCX appears to play an important role in the physiological function of cerebellar Purkinje neurons such as synaptic plasticity.

We observed the cytotoxicity of human bone marrow stromal cells(hBMSCs) by microparticles of bioactive glass with four particle groups(same chemical composition-45S5 but produced by two different manufacturer and two different size groups). In vivo test using rat calvaria were also carried out. The apoptosis rates of all small particle groups(10-20 ㎛) were increased than large(500-700 ㎛ or 200-900 ㎛) particle groups in any culture time and any amount of particles with statistical significance. In vivo study we observed pathologic signs such as macrophages and foreign-body giant cells in rat calvaria by micro-particles of bioglass. Small(10- 20 ㎛) sized particles induced foreign body reaction and bone resorption. There was proliferation of macrophages and cells in large number. But in large particle groups, only fibroblasts were surrounding the particles. The micro-particles of bioglass induced apoptosis of hBMSC and foreign body reaction in calvaria of rat, therefore micro-particles of bioglass may cause osteolysis if used in replacement arthroplasty.

Fundamental informations on performance of sets of solenoid valve and nozzle were necessary to develop a target selectable spraying system. The experiments were performed for the sets of solenoid valves and flat spraying nozzles at 3 levels of the operating pressures, and the obtained results are as follows; Rise time of the system pressure to reach up to 90% of the operating pressure after the valve turned was affected by nozzle size and operating pressure. Maximum overshoot of the system pressure was about 170% not affected by the sets of valve and nozzle and operating pressure. The system pressure after its settle down within 5% of the set pressure showed good uniformity in any condition of the experiment as less as 2.3% of its coefficient of variation. Time requirement to lower the system pressure down to 50% after the valve power turned off was affected by valve and nozzle set and operating pressure.

The objective of this study was to review the clinical outcome and prognosis of patients with primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) treated with cytoreductive surgery and combination chemotherapy. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 27 patients with histologically confirmed PPC, treated between March 1990 and February 2004 at Asan Medical Center, South Korea. The review included demographic data, pathologic findings, treatments, and outcomes. The mean age of the 27 patients was 57.5 +/- 7.2 years, and the rate of optimal cytoreduction was 70.4%. Seven patients had stage IIIB, 17 had stage IIIC, and 3 had stage IV; all patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. There were 4 patients with progressive disease, 5 partial responders, and 15 complete responders; the remaining 3 patients were nonevaluable. At the time of the review, 10 patients were alive without evidence of disease, 3 were alive with disease, and 14 had died from disease. The median overall survival time was 41 months, and the overall 5-year survival rate was 18.1%. Patients who had optimal cytoreduction had a longer median survival (42 months) than those who had suboptimal cytoreduction (10 months; P0.05). Combination chemotherapy after optimal cytoreductive surgery may be effective in the treatment of patients with PPC.

This study reviews the clinical outcome and prognosis of patients with malignant mixed müllerian tumors (MMMTs) of the ovary treated with optimal cytoreductive surgery, leaving no residual disease, and platinum-based chemotherapy. Ten patients diagnosed with MMMT of the ovary after complete surgical staging from February 1993 to February 2004 at Asan Medical Center in Korea were studied retrospectively. All ten patients were treated with optimal cytoreductive surgery, leaving no gross residual disease. Seven patients received ifosfamide/cisplatin chemotherapy, and the remaining three patients received other platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Demographic data, pathologic findings, treatments, and survival time were reviewed. Of the ten patients, two were scored at FIGO stage IIC, seven were at stage IIIC, and one was at stage IV. The median survival time of all ten patients was 46 months. The overall survival rate was 60.0% at 1 year, 40.0% at 2 years, and 20.0% at 5 years. Platinum-based combination chemotherapy after optimal cytoreductive surgery may be effective in the treatment of ovarian MMMT.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC, a-C:H) films were deposited by r.f. plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of methane(CH4)–nitrous oxide(N2O)–hydrogen(H2) mixtures onto silicon substrates. Increasing the r.f. power leads to the production of more radicals and to a deposition rate as high as 1380 A h−1 at r.f. power of 300 W, after which it decreases. As the r.f. power increases, the root-mean-square (RMS) roughness decreases. The RMS roughness of 2.2 A was obtained at r.f. power of 300 W. The optical properties (the transmittance over a wide spectral range and refractive index) were determined by means of IR-spectroscopy and ellipsometric measurements. Surface morphology of DLC films with roughness below 10 A was observed under atomic force microscopy.