• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.29-37
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• 2009

National R&D programs play an important role in the development of a country in this age of the knowledge economy. Since many numbers of R&D programs compete for limited resources such as national R&D budget, the R&D program evaluation problem is a challenging decision-making problem faced by decision makers that deal with R&D management. In this sense, DEA(Data Envelopment Analysis) has been regarded as one of the most widely accepted methods to measure the relative efficiency of productivity of R&D programs. DEA is a methodology to measure and to evaluate the relative efficiency of a homogeneous set of decision-making units(DMUs) in a process which uses multiple inputs to produce multiple outputs. However, the sample of the R&D programs could consist of two or more naturally occurring subsets, thus exhibiting clear signs of heterogeneity such as different objectives. In such situations, the fairness of DEA is limited, for the nature of the relative efficiency of a DMU is likely to be influenced by its membership in a particular subset of the sample. In this study, we propose a methodology AI-DEA(attainment index DEA) allowing for reflecting decision maker's subjective judgement on difference among different subsets of R&D programs which have heterogeneous objectives. This methodology combines AHP and Delphi in order to decide the attainmnet index of each DMU for each outputs, and apply them to DEA model. We illustrate the proposed approach with a pilot evaluation of 13 programs involving 6 different subsets of Korean National R&D programs and compares the results of the original DEA model and AI-DEA model.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.710-721
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• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate the hematological characteristics and risk factors of hypercholesterolemia(HC) in Korean. 344 adult men who took the annual health check ups at D or J hospitals were participated in this cross sectional study. The subjects were grouped by plasma total cholesterol level into three groups: normal cholesterolemic(n=139), borderline hypercholesterolemic (n=93) and hypercholesterolemic(n=112) groups. The data of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP), hemoglobin, plasma glucose, albumin and cholesterol levels were collected from medical records. The levels of plasma triglyceride(TG), HDL C, phospholipid, insulin, apo A and apo B were measured. The levels of plasma LDL C, VLDL C and atherogenic index(AI) were calculated. The subjects with HC had significantly higher SBP and DBP, albumin, TG, phospholipid, HDL C, LDL C, VLDL C and apo B level than those of the normal subjects. The relative and attributable risks on HC were 1.59 and 0.18 for hypertension(SBP/DBP$\geq$160/95), 2.08 and 0.35 for hypertriglyceridemia (TG $\geq$400mg/dl). Plasma total cholesterol level was positively correlated with several hematologic parameters: age(r=0.1242, p<0.05), DBP(r=0.1194, p<0.05), albumin(r=0.2029, p<0.001), plasma TG(r= 0.3829, p<0.001), phospholipid(r=0.6036, p<0.001), LDL C(r=0.8572, p<0.001), HDL C(r=0.2399, p< 0.001), AI(r=0.3116, p<0.001), apo B(r=0.2602, p<0.05) and Lp(a)(r=0.1372, p<0.05). However, plasma total cholesterol level was negatively correlated with the levels of Apo A1(r= 0.2922, p<0.001), and ABR(r= 0.3598, p<0.001).

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.240-247
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• 2013

Purpose: Regurgitation is known to peak at the age of 3-4 months, with a sharp decrease around the age of 6 months. Little is known about the natural evolution of infants who still regurgitate after the age of 6 months. Methods: Hundred thirty-one infants older than 6 months regurgitating more than once a day were followed for a period of 3 months. Results: According to our data, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is seldom at this age. Most of the infants regurgitated 3 or more times/day and spit up an estimated volume of more than 15 mL. Eighty-five parents were educated regarding frequency of feeding. There were only 6 infants that still had frequent regurgitation (>3 times/day) despite an appropriate feeding schedule. The Infant GER Questionnaire score reached a score of 0 in 50% of the infants after one month of follow-up and in 81.9% at the third month of follow-up. There was an increase of the "weight for age z-score" trends in infants that still regurgitated at the end of follow-up and a declining z-score in infants that no longer regurgitated. An explanation may be that infants that regurgitate drink larger volumes than infants who do not regurgitate. Conservative treatment (reassurance, dietary treatment, behavioral advice) resulted in a significant better outcome than natural evolution. Conclusion: Regurgitation that persisted after the age of 6 months, strongly decreased during a 3-month follow-up with conservative treatment. GERD is rare in this age group; therefore, anti-reflux medication is only seldom needed.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.530-538
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• 2007

Magnetocardiography (MCG) is a device to measure the magnetic field from the heart. It is a noninvasive device and takes only few minutes to record magnetocardiogram from a subject. In this study, we compared the difference of MCG data recorded from 56 normal subjects in early twenties (28 males and 28 females, mean $age=21.0{\pm}1.6$ years) and 36 elderly subjects (20 males and 16 females, mean $age=61.9{\pm}6.9$ years) for the analysis of the age and gender difference. A total of 24 parameters used in the analysis were derived from QRS complex, R-wave, T-wave, and ST-T period. As a result, seven parameters including maximum current angle and map angle showed the significant difference (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) between young males and young females. Significant difference (p<0.05) between elderly males and elderly females was found from a parameter, pole distance at T-wave peak. In the comparison of age difference, seven parameters regarding current moment, pole distance, and dynamics showed the significant difference between young and elderly males. Eight parameters also showed significant difference (p<0.05) between two younger and elderly female groups. Results showed that parameters regarding current moment, pole distance, and dynamics might be changed when people get older. In conclusion, gender and age difference should be considered when MCG data are analyzed for certain parameters.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.641-647
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• 2004

The research is focused on relationship between body fat percentage and physical characteristics of women in age group between 20s and 30s who experience great deal of physical change such as marriage, pregnancy, delivery, breast-feeding, and etc. The research used physical measurement of two hundreds women: 50 women in their early twenties, 50 women in their late twenties, 50 women in their early thirties, and 50 women in their late thirties. The research provides base data for women clothing industry by observing relationship between physical figure and body fat percentage rate based on obesity study on body fat percentage, physical BMI, R$\ddot{o}$hrer Index, and Vervaeck Index. Followings are conclusion of the research. The older the ages, the shorter the height and the heavier the weight. Recognizable differences in circumference, thickness, and width rather than in length are found. Also recognizable increases in average body fat percentage and average physical characteristics by age have found. By observing body fat percentage and physical measurements, it was revealed that weight has more effect on body fat percentage than height in all ages. Circumference, width, and thickness have more impact than length measurements among physical measurements. Main body or upper body has more impact than legs and arms or lower body. Body fat percentage increase rapidly by ages. 2.0% of age 20~24, 20.0% of age 25~29, 28.0% of age 30~34, and 54.0% of age 35~39 were sorted as obesity.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2019

Purpose: It has been proposed that using new prediction methods, such as neural networks based on dental data, could improve age estimation. This study aimed to assess the possibility of exploiting neural networks for estimating age by means of the pulp-to-tooth ratio in canines as a non-destructive, non-expensive, and accurate method. In addition, the predictive performance of neural networks was compared with that of a linear regression model. Materials and Methods: Three hundred subjects whose age ranged from 14 to 60 years and were well distributed among various age groups were included in the study. Two statistical software programs, SPSS 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and R, were used for statistical analyses. Results: The results indicated that the neural network model generally performed better than the regression model for estimation of age with pulp-to-tooth ratio data. The prediction errors of the developed neural network model were acceptable, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 4.40 years and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.12 years for the unseen dataset. The prediction errors of the regression model were higher than those of the neural network, with an RMSE of 10.26 years and a MAE of 8.17 years for the test dataset. Conclusion: The neural network method showed relatively acceptable performance, with an MAE of 4.12 years. The application of neural networks creates new opportunities to obtain more accurate estimations of age in forensic research.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2021

Gindai (Pristipomoides zonatus) is one of six snappers in a management complex called the Deep 7 of the Hawaiian Islands. Little is known about its life history and a preliminary analysis of otolith thin sections indicated the species may exhibit moderate growth with a lifespan approaching 40 years. Preliminary age estimates from the previous study were reinvestigated using the same otolith sections in an attempt to validate those ages with bomb radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating. From the misalignment of birth years for the otolith ¹⁴C measurements with regional references - the post-peak bomb ¹⁴C decline period - it was concluded that previous ages were inflated from overcounting of the earliest growth zone structure in otolith sections. The oldest gindai was re-aged to 26 years once the age reading was adjusted for early overcounting, 13 years younger than the original estimate of 39 years for this fish. In general, the earliest otolith growth of gindai was massive and complicated by numerous subannual checks. The approach of lumping the early growth structures was supported by the alignment of ¹⁴C measurements from otolith core material (first year of growth). The result was greater consistency of calculated birthdates with the ¹⁴C decline reference, along with minor offsets that may indicate age estimation was imprecise by a few years for some individuals. The revised von Bertalanffy growth function applied to the validated age-at-length estimates revealed more rapid growth (k = 0.378 cf. 0.113) and a lifespan of approximately 30 years. The findings presented here are a case study of how the bomb ¹⁴C decline period can be used as a tool in the refinement of age reading protocols.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2024

This study was performed to determine the effects of Four seedling age classes ageon the characteristics of growth and nutrient uptake in Chamaecyparis obtusa container seedlings. Seedlings (1-1, 2-0, 2-1, and 2-2 seedlings) of C. obtusa grown in containers were harvested to measure specific leaf area, height (H)/root collar diameter (D) ratio, dry mass of aboveground (T)/root dry mass (R) ratio, and seedling quality index of seedlings. The specific leaf area was highest in 1-0 seedlings (30.48 cm² g^-1), whereas it decreased (from 28.62 cm² g^-1 to 23.59 cm² g^-1) with increasing seedling age. The H/D ratio increased with increasing seedling age (from 4.41 in 1-0 seedlings to 8.35 in 2-2 seedlings). The T/R ratio decreased as the seedling age increased (from 4.29 in the 1-0 seedling to 2.13 in the 2-1 seedling). The seedling quality index increased with increasing seedling age (from 0.10 for the 1-0 seedling to 3.06 for the 2-2 seedling). The carbon concentrations of seedling components (leaf, branches, stem, and roots) did not differ significantly with seedling age, whereas the nitrogen concentration of seedling components was the lowest in 2-1 seedlings, as no fertilizer was applied to discourage excessive growth of the seedlings. Phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium concentrations in 2-1 seedling components were not affected by the lack of fertilizer application. These results can be applied to determine the optimum morphological characteristics and nutrient management by seedling age in container- grown C. obtusa.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.752-759
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• 2000

Background : Many studies have shown that pulmonary function differs widely among race, age and geographical residency. By virtue of the improvement of nutrition and environment, the elderly population in Korea is markedly increasing and so are the ages of patients complaining respiratory symptoms. However, we do not have our own data on the pulmonary functional reserve of elderly persons in Korea. We evaluate the deterioration of pulmonary functional reserve and standardize the predictive values of pulmonary function in the elderly population. Method : Pulmonary function tests were conducted in 100 men and 100 women over the age of 65. We analyzed changes of FVC and $FEV_1$ according to age and height by linear regression. We compared our new multiple linear regression equation with other equations currently used in Korea. Results : In men, the mean age was $71.5{\pm}5.2$(mean${\pm}$SD) years and the mean height was $163.6{\pm}6.2$cm. The mean FVC was $3.42{\pm}0.49{\ell}$ and the mean $FEV_1, $2.72{\pm}v$. In women, the mean age was $72.0{\pm}5.1$ years and the mean height was $149.1{\pm}5.9$cm. The mean FVC was $2.22{\pm}0.42{\ell}$ and the mean $FEV_1$ $1.83{\pm}0.34{\ell}$. Multiple linear regression equation using age and height as an independent factors was as follows : FVC(${\ell}$)=1.857-0.0356$\times$age(year)+0.02517$\times$height(cm) (p<0.01, $R^2$=0.279), $FEV_1(${\ell}$)=1.340-0.02698$\times$age(year)+0.02021$\times$height(cm) (p<0.01, $R^2$=0.255) in men, FVC(${\ell}$) =-0.09765-0.03332$\times$age(year)+0.03164$\times$height(cm) (p<0.01, $R^2$=0.435), $FEV_1(${\ell}$)=-0.l69-0.02469$\times$age(year)+0.02539$\times$height(cm) (p<0.01, $R^2$=0.41) in women. Conclusion : We established prediction regressions for pulmonary functional tests in the elderly Korean population. We also confirmed that currently adopted equations do not exactly anticipate the expected pulmonary functional reserve in the aged person over 65 years old. We suggest that our new equations from this study should be applied to interpret the pulmonary function tests in the elderly population in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.315-324
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to compare the specific binding ratio method with model-based methods in estimating the transporter parameter $k_3/k_4$ in normal controls and Parkinson's patients with [I-123]IPT SPECT and to evaluate the usefulness of [I-123]IPT SPECT. $6.5{\pm}1.1$ mCi ($239.0{\pm}40.3$ MBq) of [$^{123}I$]IPT was intravenouly injected as a bolus into six normal controls(age:$45{\pm}13$) and seventeen patients(age:$55{\pm}8$) with Pakinson's disease(PD). The transporter parameter $k_3/k_4$ was derived using the Ichise's graphical method($R_v$) and Lassen's area ratio method($R_A$) for the dynamic IPT SPECT data without blood samples. Then, the relationships between the transporter parameter $R-v,\;R_A$ and the ratio of (BG-OCC)/OCC at 115 minutes were evaluated by linear regression analysis. $R_vs$ by Ichise's graphical method for NC and PD were $2.08{\pm}0.29$ and $0.78{\pm}0.31$, respectively. $R_As$ by Lassen's area ratio method for NC and PD were $1.48{\pm}0.16$ and $0.65{\pm}0.24$, respectively. The correlation coefficients between (BG-OCC)/OCC and $R_v$, (BG-OCC)/OCC and $R_A$, and $R_v$ and $R_A$ were 0.93, 0.90, 0.99 and their corresponding slopes were 0.54, 0.34, and 0.65, respectively. The $R_v$ and $R_A$ of NC were significantly higher than the ones of PD. That is, the $k_3/k_4$ of NC was clearly separated from the one of PD. $k_3/k_4$ showed a good correlation with the ratio of (BG-OCC)/OCC. The results indicate that the noninvasive simplified quantitative methods may be useful to measure the transporter parameter $k_3/k_4$ and the specific binding ratio method can be used for quantitative studies of dopamine transporter with [I-123]IPT SPECT in humans brains.