• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.124-131
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• 2012

Most conventional instruments measuring disability rely on total score by simply adding individual item responses, which is dependent on the items chosen to represent the underlying construct (test-dependent) and a test statistic, such as coefficient alpha for the estimate of reliability, varying from sample to sample (sample-dependent). By contrast, item response theory (IRT) method focuses on the psychometric properties of the test items instead of the instrument as a whole. By estimating probability that a respondent will select a particular rating for an item, item difficulty and person ability (or disability) can be placed on same linear continuum. These estimates are invariant regardless of the item used (test-free measurement) and the ability of sample applied (sample-free measurement). These advantages of IRT allow the creation of invariantly calibrated large item banks that precisely discriminate the disability levels of individuals. Computer adaptive testing (CAT) method often requiring a testing algorithm promise a means for administering items in a way that is both efficient and precise. This method permits selectively administering items that are closely matched to the ability level of individuals (measurement precision) and measuring the ability without the loss of precision provided by the full item bank (measurement efficiency). These measurement properties can reasonably be achieved using IRT and CAT method. This article aims to investigate comprehensive overview of the existing disability instrument for back pain and to inform physical therapists of an alternative innovative way overcoming the shortcomings of conventional disability instruments. An understanding of IRT and CAT method will equip physical therapist with skills in interpreting the measurement properties of disability instruments developed using the methods.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.67-79
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• 1989

This study was conducted to investigate the applicability of true model theory for pull prediction in a powered lugged wheel-soil system and to examine the possibility of using principles of similitude in investigating the dimensions of soil parameters pertinent to a powered lugged wheel-soil system concerning the pull prediction. The following conclusions were derived from the study; 1) The pull of prototype wheels proved to be predicted by those of the model wheels for the range of the dynamic weight tested. The pull curves of models and prototype were respectively very similar in the shape. From this basic knowledge, it was enabled to apply the similitude theory to the performance prediction of the true model. 2) A conditional equation which can be used for the prediction of pull of prototype by model test was derived as follows. $n_f=n_1^{-b}$ where $n_f$ : force scale = $w/w_m$ $n_1$ : length scale = ${\ell}/{\ell}_m$ b : exponent on the length dimension of the soil property ${\alpha}$ The range of the numerical value of b, which was determined by the least square method, was found to be -2.0~-2.6. 3) Considering a relatively wide variation of b values in the pull prediction, b is considered to be a function of many variales. Thus it was concluded that there are several soil properties which are pertinent to the powered lugged-wheel-soil system concerning the pull prediction, and these soil properties may have the different effects on the pull of model and protytype wheels, to give the different dimension on the soil parameters.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.29-36
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• 2004

In this work, the effect of composite couplings on hub loads of a hingeless rotor in forward flight is investigated. The hingeless composite rotor blade is idealized as a laminated thin-walled box-beam. The nonclassical effects such as transverse shear, torsional warping are considered in the structural formulation. The nonlinear differential equations of motion are obtained by applying Hamilton's principle. The blade response and hub loads are calculated using a finite element formulation in space and time. The aerodynamic forces acting on the blade are calculated by quasi-steady strip theory. The theory includes the effects of reversed flow and compressibility. The magnitude of elastic couplings obtained by MSC/NASTRAN is compared with the classical pitch-flap $({\delta}3)$ or $pitch-lag({\alpha}1)$ coupling. It is found that the elastic couplings have a substantial effect on the behavior of $N_b/rev$ hub loads. Nearly 10 to 40% of hub loads is reduced by appropriately tailoring the fiber orientation angles in the laminae of the composite blade.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.920-930
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• 2011

This research was executed in order to analyze the factors and strengths of learning difficulties that science-gifted high-school students experienced in Korea Science Academy. The subjects are 284 gifted high-school students from Korea Science Academy who responded to a paper-and-pencil questionnaire survey. The questionnaire used in this research was developed by focusing on the difficulties in the learning situations of science-gifted highschool students based on Rhodes' 4P theory of creative achievement. The data was analyzed using cross-tabulation analysis, frequency analysis, MANOVA by the SPSS 12.0 program. The analysis of the questionnaire survey on the learning difficulties showed (i) a grade difference in interpersonal relationship and (ii) gender differences in learning ability and learning strategies. Also, it was observed that the students tried to solve their learning difficulties most frequently by meeting their school peers except for methods of 'the others' such as relying on religious power.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.20-31
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• 2018

Good assessment is crucial for feedback on curriculum and to motivate students to learn. This study was conducted to perform item analysis on the Medical Education Assessment Consortium clinical knowledge mock examination (MEAC CKME) (2011-2016) and to evaluate several effects to improve item quality using both classical test theory and item response theory. The estimated difficulty index (P) and discrimination index (D) were calculated according to each course, item type, A (single best answer)/R (extended matching) type, and grading of item quality. The cut-off values used to evaluate P were: >0.8 (easy); 0.6-0.8 (moderate); and <0.6 (difficult). The cut-off value for D was 0.3. The proportion of appropriate items was defined as those with P between 0.25-0.75 and D ${\geq}0.25$. Cronbach ${\alpha}$ was used to assess the reliability and was compared with those of the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE). The results showed the recent mean difficulty and decimation index was 0.62 and 0.20 for the first MEAC CKME and 0.71 and 0.19 for the second MEAC CKME, respectively. Higher grade items evaluated by a self-checklist system had better D values than lower grade items and higher grade items gradually increased. The preview and editing process by experts revealed maintained P, decreased recall items, increased appropriate items with better D values, and higher reliability. In conclusion, the MEAC CKME (2011-2016) is deemed appropriate as an assessment to evaluate students' competence and prepare year four medical students for the KMLE. In addition, the self-checklist system for writing good items was useful in improving item quality.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.1062-1070
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• 2022

In the present communication, pure and stable α-Bismuth Oxide (Bi₂O₃) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by low temperature solution combustion method using urea as a fuel and calcined at 500℃. The synthesized sample was characterized by using powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy. The PXRD pattern confirms the formation of mono-clinic, stable and low temperature phase α-Bi₂O₃. The direct optical energy band gap was estimated by using Wood and Tauc's relation which was found to be 2.81 eV. The characterized sample was studied for X-ray/gamma ray shielding properties in the energy range 0.081-1.332 MeV using NaI (Tl) detector and multi channel analyzer (MCA). The measured shielding parameters agrees well with the theory, whereas, slight deviation up to 20% is observed below 356 keV. This deviation is mainly due to the influence of atomic size of the target medium. Furthermore an accurate theory is necessary to explain the interaction of X-ray/gamma ray with the NPs.The present work opens new window to use this facile, economical, efficient, low temperature method to synthesize nanomaterials for X-ray/gamma ray shielding purpose.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.109-129
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• 1994

Chronic health problems has become a major concern and challenge to the health care professionals today. Especially hypertension, one of the leading primary cause of death in Korea, is a typical chronic disease requiring adequate and continuous management. Though these hypertensives need to maintain desirable health practice by themselves for their life time, many previous studies indicated that most of the essential hypertensives have no specific symptoms and thus, reluctant to follow appropriate medical regimens causing the condition further aggravated and complicated. Self-care is an essential factor that keeps chronic patients in control of their health and wellness. Thus this study was conducted to identify the effect of the comprehensive self-regulation program as a nursing intervention on the promotion self-care performance and improvement in physical parameters of hypertensives. For this purpose, a one group quasi-experimental research with pre and post test design was used. The subjects of the study was consisted of thirty persons with mild or moderate essential hypertension from two companies in Cheong-ju city. The whole program was carried out from October, 1993 to February, 1994. The self-regulation program was consisted with group education on hypertension and self-care, self-regulation including the blood pressure self-monitoring and recording, recording of daily self-care activities, and encouraging and reinforcing self-efficacy through verbal persuation and enactive attainment. The subjects were asked to measure their own blood pressure by themselves twice per day and to record blood pressure and the daily self-care performance according to the instructions provided during the whole period of 9 weeks. The instruments used for data collection in this study were as follows : 1) Instruments used for measuring the knowledge about hypertension, multiple health locus of control, and perceived benifits and barriers were adapted from previous studies and modified by author to be fit for the subjects. 2) Self-efficacy scale and self-care performance record were developed by the author. 3) Physiological parameters included systolic / diastolic blood pressure, body weight, level of blood cholesterol, and 24hour ambulatory blood pressure. The post-experimental Cronbach's Alpha as the reliability test of scales were 0.703-0.897, an appropriate level of confidence. The effect of the program was analyzed by experimental stages ; the first week, the fifth week, and the ninth week since the experimental imput began. Data were analyzed by the SPSS PC+ program with paired t-test and t-test, repeated measure ANOVA, and pearson's correlation to de termine the effect of program. The results were as follows : 1) After the self-regulation program, scores on knowledge(t=-2.41, p=.011), perceived self-efficacy (F=5.60, p=.001), self-care performance(F=22.31, p=.0001) were significantly higher than those before the program. 2) After the program, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower than those before the program(F=10.89 -13.11, p=.0001). However in 24hour ambulatory blood pressure, systolic mean pressure was nearly significantly lower, but not in diastolic mean pressure. 3) After the program, the body weight was significant decresed(t=5.53, p=.0001), but the blood cholesterol level was not decreased significantly except in those cases with higher cholesterol level. 4) There were significant relationships between changes in self-care performance and diastolic pressure at 1st week (r=.3389, p=.033) and changes in self-care performance and systolic pressure at 9th week(r=.3651, p=.024). 5) There were significant relationship between perceived self-efficacy and self-care performance at 5th week(r=.5313, p=.001) and 9th week (r=.3026, p=.052). 6) After the program, internal health locus of control and perceived benefits did not show significant change, but perceived barriers was significantly lower than those before the program (t=3.57, p=.0001). From the above results, it can be concluded that 1) The self-regulation program is an effective nursing strategy to promote self-care performance of hypertensives and to lower the blood pressure. Thus this program can be recommended in the management of the hypertensives in workplaces and community settings. 2) The synthesis of Orem's self-care theory and Bandura's self-regulation & self-efficacy theory in this study was proved to enhance explanation and prediction of the change of self-care behavior. Thus the result of the study would contribute in development of the self-care theory and an expansion of practice-theory.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 1981

with the chemical equilibrium formula by Hailwood and Horrobin, $$m=a{\cdot}((k_1k_2h)(1+k_1k_2h)^{-1}+(k_2h)_n-k_2h)^{-1})$$, based on absorption theory, monthly equilibrium moisture content(EMC) variations in southern Korea were predicted. The results were as follows: $$k_1=47370272{\cdot}10^{-7}+477345{\cdot}10^{-7}t-502775{\cdot}10^{-8}t^2$$ $$k_2=705940864{\cdot}10^{-9}+16979472{\cdot}10^{-10}t-555336{\cdot}10^{-11}t^2$$ $$w=2233848{\cdot}10^{-4}+694242{\cdot}10^{-6}+185328{\cdot}10^{-7}t^2$$ Here, it is temperature degrees in Celsius, k is the equilibria between hydrate water and dissolved water, k is the equilibria between dissolved water and the water vapour pressure surrounding atmosphere, w is the molecular weight of the polymer unit that forms the hydrate, h is the relative vapour pressure, And the formula was well agreed with the data when the constant values ${\alpha}$ were given to be 2200 in January, February, October, November and December, 1850 in March, April and May, 1920 June, July, August, and September seasonally.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2018

The primary cilium protrudes from the cell body like a bio-antenna that has many receptors, channels and signaling molecules to sense and response to external stimuli. The external environment such as ultraviolet irradiation, temperature, humidity, gravity and shear stress always influences skin. Skin responds to external stimuli and differentiates by making melanin, collagen and horny layer. Ciliogenesis participates in developmental processes of skin, such as keratinocyte differentiation and hair formation. And it was reported that skin pigmentation was inhibited when ciliogenesis was induced by sonic hedgehog-smoothened-GLI2 signaling. When skin is exposed to ultraviolet irradiation, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormones (${\alpha}$-MSH) increase melanin synthesis through activation of the cAMP pathway in melanocytes. We observed that ${\alpha}$-MSH and cAMP production inducers inhibited ciliogenesis of melanocytes. Therefore, we thought that regulation of ciliogenesis is potential candidate target for the development of agents to treat undesirable hyperpigmentation of skin. As a result, we found out that an ethanol extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (EGG) root and 3,4,5-trimethoxy cinnamate thymol ester (TCTE, Melasolv) significantly inhibit melanin synthesis of normal human melanocyte by inducing primary cilium formation. This study proposed new theory to regulate skin pigmentation and cosmetic components for skin whitening.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.403-411
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• 2010

Essentials of understanding the geochemical evolution and geophysical processes in Earth's system are macroscopic properties and atomistic (and electronic) structures of Earth materials. Recent advances in quantum calculations based on the density functional theory allow us to unveil the previously unknown details of local atomic structures in diverse silicates in Earth's interior. Here, we report the O K-edge ELNES (energy-loss near-edge structure; ELNES) spectra and PLDOS (partial local density of states) for oxygen atoms in ${\alpha}$-quartz and stishovite using the quantum calculations based on FP-LAPW (full potential linearized augmented plane wave). The calculated O K-edge ELNES spectrum of ${\alpha}$-quartz shows a strong peak at ~538 eV due to comer-sharing oxygen linking two $SiO_4$ tetrahedra and that for stishovite shows two distinct peaks at ~537 and ~543 eV corresponding to edge-sharing oxygen linking $SiO_6$ octahedra. The significant differences in spectral features of O K-edge ELNES spectra suggest that the O K-edge features can be useful indicator to distinguish various oxygen sites in diverse crystal and amorphous silicates in the Earth's interior.