• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.226-232
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• 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of leptin on biochemical markers of bone metabolism in childhood obesity. Methods: A total of 50 male children (25 obese and 25 controls) were recruited from the pediatric outpatient clinic at the Chosun University Hospital from November 1st 2005 to May 30th 2006. BMI, body fat percentage, serum leptin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP), C-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (CICP), total deoxypyridinoline crosslinks (total DPD) were measured. The correlations of leptin with BMI, body fat percentage, B-ALP, CICP, total DPD were analyzed by Pearson's correlation. In a multiple stepwise regression analysis, leptin after correction for body weight was evaluated if there was a correlation with biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption respectively. Results: The leptin levels of the obese group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p=0.012). In the obese group, the leptin level was significantly positively correlated with the BMI (r=0.551, p=0.01) and the percentage of body fat (r=0.584, p=0.018). In the obese group, of bone markers, B-ALP (r=-0.613, p=0.026) and CICP (r=-0.583, p=0.037) were negatively correlated with leptin. B-ALP (r=-0.728, p=0.007) and CICP (r=-0.684, p=0.014) were negatively correlated with leptin when corrected for body weight. In the control group, bone markers were not correlated with leptin. In the multiple stepwise regression analyses, there was a negative correlation between the leptin and B-ALP (Y=-39.653X+356.341, p=0.026), CICP (Y=-13.437X+ 116.013, p=0.037) respectively in the obese group. Conclusion: Leptin was a significant factor in the bone formation but not in bone resorption in childhood obesity.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2003

Purpose : A new virtual simulation technique for craniospinal irradiation (CSI) that uses a CT-simulator was developed to improve the accuracy of field and shielding placement as well as patient positioning. Materials and Methods : A CT simulator (CT-SIM) and a 3-D conformal radiation treatment planning system (3D-CRT) were used to develop CSI. The head and neck were immobilized with a thermoplastic mask while the rest of the body was immobilized with a Vac-Loc. A volumetric image was then obtained with the CT simulator. In order to improve the reproducibility of the setup, datum lines and points were marked on the head and body. Virtual fluoroscopy was performed with the removal of visual obstacles, such as the treatment table or immobilization devices. After virtual simulation, the treatment isocenters of each field were marked on the body and on the immobilization devices at the conventional simulation room. Each treatment fields was confirmed by comparing the fluoroscopy images with the digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR) and digitally composited radiography (DCR) images from virtual simulation. Port verification films from the first treatment were also compared with the DRR/DCR images for geometric verification. Results : We successfully performed virtual simulations on 11 CSI patients by CT-SIM. It took less than 20 minutes to affix the immobilization devices and to obtain the volumetric images of the entire body. In the absence of the patient, virtual simulation of all fields took 20 min. The DRRs were in agreement with simulation films to within 5 mm. This not only reducee inconveniences to the patients, but also eliminated position-shift variables attendant during the long conventional simulation process. In addition, by obtaining CT volumetric image, critical organs, such as the eyes and the spinal cord, were better defined, and the accuracy of the port designs and shielding was improved. Differences between the DRRs and the portal films were less than 3 m in the vertebral contour. Conclusion : Our analysis showed that CT simulation of craniospinal fields was accurate. In addition, CT simulation reduced the duration of the patient's immobility. During the planning process. This technique can improve accuracy in field placement and shielding by using three-dimensional CT-aided localization of critical and target structures. Overall, it has improved staff efficiency and resource utilization by standard protocol for craniospinal irradiation.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2005

This study was carried out to provide fundamental data for an examination of a health promotion program by determining the influence of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile on the quality of life of female dental hygienists. The sample was selected from the population of 1,148 who were registered in the Association of Seoul Dental Hygienists. 800 subjects were randomly selected from 25 districts in Seoul. The data was collected by calling the dental hygienists to, explaining the contents and objective of our study, and sending them a questionnaire by post. The questionnaire consists of the total number of 97 questions: 62 questions on the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile, 26 questions on the quality of life and 9 general characteristics questions. The data was collected from August 16 to October 15, 2004. Out of 800 subjects, 481(60.1%) completed the questionnaires. For statistical analysis, the frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis, were analyzed using the SAS 8.1 Analysis program. The significance level was set to 0.05. The results of this study were as follows: First, The average score of the subjects' quality of life was 3.1. For the sub-categories, it was shown that the degree of satisfaction on the condition of society was the highest at 3.2, and the degree of satisfaction on the condition of the individuals was the lowest at 3.1. The average score of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile variable was 2.5. For the sub-categories, it was shown that the degree of sanitary life was at 3.2, and degree of the professional health maintenance was the lowest at 1.7. Second, There were significant differences in the Quality of Life benefits of action with the general characteristics. There were significant differences in age, educational level, income, marital status, career, and Perceived Health Status. There were significant difference in Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile benefits of action with the general characteristics. There were significant differences in terms of age, educational level, income, marital status, career, and the Perceived Health Status. Finally, The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the powerful predictors were Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile, income and the Perceived Health Status. These factors accounted for 37.6% of the variance in the Quality of Life patterns. As the subjects were limited to dental hygienists in Seoul, care should be taken when applying these results to all dental hygienists in Korea. In order to generalize the study, a large number of subjects selected from all regions in Korea will be needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1974

The seed quality testing for Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis), their pre-germination and embryo growing process were investigated and the abnormal embryo groups were discriminated by the use of soft X-ray photograph. The study results were as follows ; 1. The embryo reflection was clearly observed for air dried seeds (moisture content was 6.3%) at 30 sec, stratificated seeds at 60 sec (moisture content 24.0-36.0%) and immature seed (moisture content 41.0-64.0%) at 90sec., then the photographing variation for soft X-ray was the radiographing distance at 42cm focus M, voltage 19.5 K.V.P. and Ampere 8 mA. By the above result, the radiographing time for discriminating the embryo reflection was increased by the increase of moisture content in the seeds. 2. The embryo reflection could be clearly observed from the last ten days of June and the embryo length ratio to endosperm length was growing to 65% at the first ten days of September. By the result obtained the soft X-ray photograph was thought to be effective method for the study of inner morphology of seeds. 3. The clear reflection seeds for embryo and endorsperm were observed to 69.7% and the seeds were practically germinated to 75.2% The difference in number between the discriminated seeds by the soft X-ray photograph and the practically germinated seeds was only 6%. According to this results, the soft X-ray photograph was thought to be a effective methods for the germination diagnosis in the shortest time and with the exactness comparatively. 4. Because of the possibility of clearness for observation of pre-germination process, the soft X-ray photograph could be used for the study on the physiology of seed germination. 5. The frequency of abnormal embryos was observed of total 4.4% and their types and subtypes could be classified into twenty groups. Among these groups, single abnormal embryo type was divided into eight subtypes and observed of 2.0 percent, twin embryo was six subtypes and 1.8 percent, triple embryo was five subtypes and 0.5 percent, and inverse type was 0.12 percent.

• Korean Business Review
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• v.13
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• pp.49-66
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• 2000

Despite the fact that understanding customers satisfaction with transportation services is a subject of great importance, authors, so far, found no systematic researches referred to that issue. From this point, studying the satisfaction with subways services can be extremely useful. Empirical study of key factors in the satisfaction with subway services is the departure point, which holds as objectives, and we believe, will contribute to overall increasing in the number of subways services used and in the amount of public benefits derived from that usage. In order to achieve these goals: First, several items referred to some key factors in the satisfaction of subway usage were systemized. Second, a research of specific weights attached to those key factors by subway passengers was conducted. Knowledge of the satisfaction variables system can provide deep insights into ones perceptual experience when using a subway. The results were as follows: Various interrelated factors compose a passengers satisfaction with subway services. People do not just use subway passively; a number of key factors, like physical and personal services, exact timing, easiness to access etc. determine the passengers satisfaction with subway. In order to find out specific weights of these key factors multiple regression analysis was employed. Results showed that satisfaction with subway is determined by (in order of importance) easiness to access, quality of physical services, friendliness of working stuff and timing exactness. According to the findings, passengers do not use subway as a simple mean of transportation, rather they perceive it as a complex combination of environmental elements and overall satisfaction depends on these various factors. Therefore, to learn passengers satisfaction with subways services, passengers subway experience must be thoroughly studied and analyzed, and this is where papers value resides.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.223-229
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• 2006

The objectives of this study was to investigate the amount of tooth ablation and the change of intrapulpal temperature by Er:YAG laser as it relates to pulse energy and pulse repetition rate at the identical power and, thereby, to reveal which of the two parameters strongly relates with ablation efficiency and intrapulpal temperature. Extracted healthy human molar teeth were sectioned into two pieces and each specimen was irradiated within the combination of pulse energy and pulse repetition time at the same power of 3W; $300mJy{\times}10Hz$ group, $200mJy{\times}15Hz$ group, and $150mJy{\times}20Hz$ group. Each specimen comprised ten tooth specimens. A laser beam with conjunction of a water flow rate of 1.6 ml/min was applied over enamel surfaces of the specimens during 3 seconds and the ablation amount was determined by difference in weight before and after irradiation. To investigate the temperature change in the pulp according to the above groups, another five extracted healthy human molar teeth were prepared. Each tooth was embedded into resin block and the temperature-measuring probes were kept on the irradiated and the opposite walls in the dental pulp during lasing. When the power was kept constant at 3W, ablation amount increased with pulse energy rather than pulse repetition rate (p=0.000). Although intrapulpal temperature increased with pulse repetition rate, there were no significant differences among the groups and between the irradiated and the opposite pulpal walls, except at a condition of $150y{\times}20Hz$ (p=0.033). Conclusively, it is suggested that ablation efficacy is influenced by pulse energy rather than pulse repetition rate.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.61-84
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to understand the context of cosumers' lives in Korea with a narrative analysis method. The epistemological orientation of eh narrative analysis is Interpretivism, which blends the two polar philosophical perspectives, Empiricism and Rationalism, and includes Narrotology, Hermeneneutics, Semiotics, and Structural Criticism. Narrative analysis takes as its object of investigation the story itself. This study collects eleven narrative plots from four housewives, into which Labov's structural approach is applied. This study shows clearly that the socio-cultural environment in which consumers live has strong influence on their consumption behavior and also reveals that narrativization tells not only about past actions but how individuals understand those actions, that is, meaning.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-79
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• 1990

Research on technical efficiency, an important dimension of market performance, had received little attention until recently by most industrial organization empiricists, the reason being that traditional microeconomic theory simply assumed away any form of inefficiency in production. Recently, however, an increasing number of research efforts have been conducted to answer questions such as: To what extent do technical ineffciencies exist in the production activities of firms and plants? What are the factors accounting for the level of inefficiency found and those explaining the interindustry difference in technical inefficiency? Are there any significant international differences in the levels of technical efficiency and, if so, how can we reconcile these results with the observed pattern of international trade, etc? As the first in a series of studies on the technical efficiency of Korea's manufacturing industries, this paper attempts to answer some of these questions. Since the estimation of technical efficiency requires the use of plant-level data for each of the five-digit KSIC industries available from the Census of Manufactures, one may consture the findings of this paper as empirical evidence of technical efficiency in Korea's manufacturing industries at the most disaggregated level. We start by clarifying the relationship among the various concepts of efficiency-allocative effciency, factor-price efficiency, technical efficiency, Leibenstein's X-efficiency, and scale efficiency. It then becomes clear that unless certain ceteris paribus assumptions are satisfied, our estimates of technical inefficiency are in fact related to factor price inefficiency as well. The empirical model employed is, what is called, a stochastic frontier production function which divides the stochastic term into two different components-one with a symmetric distribution for pure white noise and the other for technical inefficiency with an asymmetric distribution. A translog production function is assumed for the functional relationship between inputs and output, and was estimated by the corrected ordinary least squares method. The second and third sample moments of the regression residuals are then used to yield estimates of four different types of measures for technical (in) efficiency. The entire range of manufacturing industries can be divided into two groups, depending on whether or not the distribution of estimated regression residuals allows a successful estimation of technical efficiency. The regression equation employing value added as the dependent variable gives a greater number of "successful" industries than the one using gross output. The correlation among estimates of the different measures of efficiency appears to be high, while the estimates of efficiency based on different regression equations seem almost uncorrelated. Thus, in the subsequent analysis of the determinants of interindustry variations in technical efficiency, the choice of the regression equation in the previous stage will affect the outcome significantly.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.538-545
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• 2007

Purpose: We evaluated correlation of $^{18}F$-FDG uptakes, therapeutic response and relapse in pre-treatment $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT in patients with SCLC. Materials and methods: We included 26 patients with pathologically proven small cell lung cancer. Total 102 lesions (26 lungs, 69 lymph nodes and 8 metastatic lesions) were evaluated. All patients underwent $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT for staging. The maxSUV was used as a parameter of $^{18}F$-FDG uptake. The patients were divided into responders and non-responders according to response criteria on chest CT scan after 3 cycles of chemotherapy. We compared maxSUV between two groups by using independent t-test. To access correlation with $^{18}F$-FDG uptake and relapse, maxSUV and interval time to relapse was analyzed by correlation analysis. The cutoff value of maxSUV was evaluated by ROC curve. Results: Twelve-one patients (81%) were responders and five patients were non-responders on follow-up chest CT scan. The mean maxSUV of main lung lesions in responders and non-responders were $14.15{\pm}3.72$ and $9.17{\pm}2.15$, respectively. The maxSUV in the responders was significantly lower than that in non-responders (p<0.05). According to ROC curve, point of cut that predicts therapeutic response was 8.98 with 100% sensitivity and 57% specificity. The correlation analysis between $^{18}F$-FDG uptakes and interval time to relapse showed a significant negative correlation (p<0.05, r=-0.757). Conclusion: The pre-treatment $^{18}F$-FDG uptake of responders was significantly lower than that of non-responders. Patients with high $^{18}F$-FDG uptake in pre-treatment $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT relapse earlier.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1089-1121
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• 2017

'Technological convergence' is the recent innovation trend which facilitates to solve social crux as well as to generate new industries. Korean government research institutes (GRIs) have taken a pivotal role for economic growth which capitalized on technology-oriented strategies. Recently, the policy interests on the transition of their role and mission towards multidisciplinary research organization is increasingly shed lights. This study regards the collaborative activities as one of the key success factors in the multidisciplinary research. In this sense, this study sets research purposes as follows: First, we intend to define a concept and to confine a scope of multidisciplinary research from the view point of R&D purposes and problem-solving process. Second, we categorize the collaboration and the relevant performances which reflect the characteristics of the multidisciplinary research. Third, we analyze the characteristics of collaborative activities and the effects of strength on the research performances. To this end, this study conducted a survey of 104 research project directors, which have experienced at least one of two types of multidisciplinary research projects through National R&D project or NST (National Research Council of Science & Technology) convergence research project. Then, we conducted regression analysis by utilizing the survey results in order to verify the relation between the collaborative activities and the performances. As results of analyses, first, the diversification of collaboration partners was a salient factor in the process of knowledge creation. Second, collective works among the researchers in similar area and domain enhanced mission-oriented technology development projects such as patent creation or technology transfer. Third, we verified that the diversity of created knowledge and the degree of relation continuity between researchers increased in the condition of guaranteeing individual researcher's independence and autonomy as well as sharing various technological capabilities. These results provide the future policy directions related to the methods to measure the collaboration and performance analysis for multidisciplinary research.