• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.157-178
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• 2009

Corporate credit rating is a very important factor in the market for corporate debt. Information concerning corporate operations is often disseminated to market participants through the changes in credit ratings that are published by professional rating agencies, such as Standard and Poor's (S&P) and Moody's Investor Service. Since these agencies generally require a large fee for the service, and the periodically provided ratings sometimes do not reflect the default risk of the company at the time, it may be advantageous for bond-market participants to be able to classify credit ratings before the agencies actually publish them. As a result, it is very important for companies (especially, financial companies) to develop a proper model of credit rating. From a technical perspective, the credit rating constitutes a typical, multiclass, classification problem because rating agencies generally have ten or more categories of ratings. For example, S&P's ratings range from AAA for the highest-quality bonds to D for the lowest-quality bonds. The professional rating agencies emphasize the importance of analysts' subjective judgments in the determination of credit ratings. However, in practice, a mathematical model that uses the financial variables of companies plays an important role in determining credit ratings, since it is convenient to apply and cost efficient. These financial variables include the ratios that represent a company's leverage status, liquidity status, and profitability status. Several statistical and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been applied as tools for predicting credit ratings. Among them, artificial neural networks are most prevalent in the area of finance because of their broad applicability to many business problems and their preeminent ability to adapt. However, artificial neural networks also have many defects, including the difficulty in determining the values of the control parameters and the number of processing elements in the layer as well as the risk of over-fitting. Of late, because of their robustness and high accuracy, support vector machines (SVMs) have become popular as a solution for problems with generating accurate prediction. An SVM's solution may be globally optimal because SVMs seek to minimize structural risk. On the other hand, artificial neural network models may tend to find locally optimal solutions because they seek to minimize empirical risk. In addition, no parameters need to be tuned in SVMs, barring the upper bound for non-separable cases in linear SVMs. Since SVMs were originally devised for binary classification, however they are not intrinsically geared for multiclass classifications as in credit ratings. Thus, researchers have tried to extend the original SVM to multiclass classification. Hitherto, a variety of techniques to extend standard SVMs to multiclass SVMs (MSVMs) has been proposed in the literature Only a few types of MSVM are, however, tested using prior studies that apply MSVMs to credit ratings studies. In this study, we examined six different techniques of MSVMs: (1) One-Against-One, (2) One-Against-AIL (3) DAGSVM, (4) ECOC, (5) Method of Weston and Watkins, and (6) Method of Crammer and Singer. In addition, we examined the prediction accuracy of some modified version of conventional MSVM techniques. To find the most appropriate technique of MSVMs for corporate bond rating, we applied all the techniques of MSVMs to a real-world case of credit rating in Korea. The best application is in corporate bond rating, which is the most frequently studied area of credit rating for specific debt issues or other financial obligations. For our study the research data were collected from National Information and Credit Evaluation, Inc., a major bond-rating company in Korea. The data set is comprised of the bond-ratings for the year 2002 and various financial variables for 1,295 companies from the manufacturing industry in Korea. We compared the results of these techniques with one another, and with those of traditional methods for credit ratings, such as multiple discriminant analysis (MDA), multinomial logistic regression (MLOGIT), and artificial neural networks (ANNs). As a result, we found that DAGSVM with an ordered list was the best approach for the prediction of bond rating. In addition, we found that the modified version of ECOC approach can yield higher prediction accuracy for the cases showing clear patterns.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.289-294
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• 2009

Purpose : To assess the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), karyotyping, brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), electroencephalogram (EEG), tandem mass screening test, and newborn metabolic screening test in children with language delay for diagnosing underlying diseases. Methods : From January 2000 to June 2007, a retrospective chart review was performed for 122 children with language delay who visited the Child Neurology Clinic at Yeungnam University Hospital and who underwent neuropsychologic tests and other diagnostic evaluations for underlying diseases. They were grouped into phenomenological diagnostic categories, and test results were analyzed according to the underlying diseases. Results : Of 122 patients, 47 (38.5%) had mental retardation, 40 (32.8%) had developmental language disorders, 23 (18.9 %) had borderline IQ, and 12 (9.8%) had autism spectrum disorder. In 26 (21.3%) cases, the causes or relevant clinical findings to explain language delay were found. Eight (10.4%) of 77 MRIs, 6 (8.0%) of 75 EEGs, and 4 (5%) of 80 BAEPs showed abnormal results. Results directly attributed to diagnosing underlying diseases were 2 hearing defects in BAEPs and 1 bilateral perisylvian cortical dysplasia in MRIs. No abnormal results were found in karyotyping, tandem mass screening tests, and new-born screening tests. Conclusion : Commonly used tests to diagnose the cause of language delay are not very effective and should only be used selectively, according to patient characteristics. However, despite the low diagnostic yields from these tests, because many patients show abnormal results, these tests are useful when conducted in complete evaluation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.848-855
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• 2008

Purpose : The objective of this study was to ascertain the incidence of congenital heart disease in the western part of Gyeongnam Province in Korea. Methods : We enrolled 849 children (M:F=390:459) who were diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) and received echocardiography during January 1997 to December 2005 in Gyeongsang National University Hospital. The subjects were limited to patients born from 1997 to 2004. The CHDs were classified into acyanotic types and cyanotic type. Further, acyanotic type CHDs were divided into shunt type and valvular types. Results : Numbers of initially diagnosed patients from 1997 to 2004 were as follows: 113, 128, 116, 104, 129, 97, 84, and 78. The median age of initially diagnosed CHD patients was 1 month in the acyanotic type and 0.5 months in cyanotic type. Also, an annual frequency among CHD types and gender ratio were no significant difference in every year. Incidences of CHD from 2000 to 2004 in the western part of Gyeongnam Province were 8.9, 12.7, 10.9, 10.0, and 9.7 per 1,000 live births, respectively. Conclusion : From 1997 to 2001, 100-130, and from 2002 to 2004, less than 100 patients were diagnosed with CHD. This showed a decrease in the numbers of CHD patients in the last three years. However, the Incidence of CHD was 0.89-1.24% during the last five years. Therefore, the decrease in the annual frequency of CHD was due to the recent decline in birth rate in Korea.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2007

Angiogenesis is a essential part for bone formation and bone fracture healing. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the most important molecules among many angiogenic factors, is a specific mitogen for vascular endothelial cells. VEGF-mediated angiogenesis is required for bone formation and repair. However, the effect of VEGF on osteoblastic cells during osteogenesis is still controversial. In recent days, substantial progress have been made toward developing tissue-engineered alternatives to autologous bone grafting for maxillofacial bony defects. Periosteum has received considerable interest as a better source of adult stem cells. Periosteum has the advantage of easy harvest and contains various cell types and progenitor cells that are able to differentiate into a several mesenchymal lineages, including bone. Several studies have reported the bone formation potential of periosteal cells, however, the correlation between VEGF signaling and cultured human periosteal cell-derived osteogenesis has not been fully investigated yet. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between VEGF signaling and cultured human periosteal-derived cells osteogenesis. Periosteal tissues of $5\;{\times}\;20\;mm$ were obtained from mandible during surgical extraction of lower impacted third molar from 3 patients. Periosteal-derived cells were introduced into the cell culture and were subcultured once they reached confluence. After passage 3, the periosteal-derived cells were further cultured for 42 days in an osteogenic inductive culture medium containing dexamethasone, ascorbic acid, and ${\beta}-glycerophosphate$. We evaluated the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the expression of Runx2 and VEGF, alizarin red S staining, and the quantification of osteocalcin and VEGF secretion in the periosteal-derived cells. The ALP activity increased rapidly up to day 14, followed by decrease in activity to day 35. Runx2 was expressed strongly at day 7, followed by decreased expression at day 14, and its expression was not observed thereafter. Both VEGF 165 and VEGF 121 were expressed strongly at day 35 and 42 of culture, particularly during the later stages of differentiation. Alizarin red S-positive nodules were first observed on day 14 and then increased in number during the entire culture period. Osteocalcin and VEGF were first detected in the culture medium on day 14, and their levels increased thereafter in a time-dependent manner. These results suggest that VEGF secretion from cultured human periosteal-derived cells increases along with mineralization process of the extracellular matrix. The level of VEGF secretion from periosteal-derived cells might depend on the extent of osteoblastic differentiation.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.59-67
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• 2016

In landscape design by public institutions, although the costs and species of landscape trees stipulated by the Korean Public Procurement Service(PPS) are generally adhered to, the PPS regulations about planting trees with well-developed rootlets are almost entirely neglected. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of buried container modules, which are a new technology and product in landscape production that is able to reduce the defect rate while complying with regulations. To this end, this study measured rootlet density, rootlet development length, rootlet survival rate on excavation, and impairments of tree growth for 3 months after root pruning, and compared these variables for the container modules with those for trees that underwent root pruning in bare ground, and those that were cultivated in a container above ground. The results were as follows: First, the rootlet density was 88% for the trees in container modules, which was very high. Trees that underwent standard root pruning in bare ground had a somewhat lower density of 64%. Meanwhile, the trees that were cultivated in pots above ground died, invalidating measurement. Second, in terms of rootlet development and rootlet survival rate, the trees in container modules showed a mean length of 10.4cm, and 100% survival rate, indicating that there was no rootlet damage caused by excavation. For the trees that only underwent root pruning in bare ground, the mean length was 25.6cm and the rootlet survival rate was only half that of the trees in container modules, at 56%, demonstrating considerable damage. Rootlet development did not occur at all in the trees grown in pots. Third, the trees in container modules and those that underwent root pruning in bare ground did not show any deaths during the root pruning process, or any impairments such as stunted leaf growth. Conversely, the trees grown in pots nearly all died, and severe impairments of tree growth were observed. As shown by the results above, when we evaluated the performance of buried container modules, they showed the most outstanding performance of the three models tested in this study. The container modules prevent defects by stimulating early rooting in environments that with poor conditions for growth, or in trees that are not suited to the summer environment Therefore, it is expected that they would be an optimal means by which to enable compliance with rules such as the regulation presented by the PPS.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2005

Purpose : We reviewed the therapeutic results of various Duct-Occlud coils(pfm AG, $K{\ddot{o}}ln$, Germany) to evaluate the efficacy of the most-recently modified Duct-Occlud coil(Nit-Occlud) in the transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA), including large defects more than 4 mm in diameter. Methods : Two hundred and five patients who underwent percutaneous PDA occlusion using Duct-Occlud devices from March 1996 to December 2003 were enrolled and four types of Duct-Occlud [Standard(S), Reinforced(R), Reinforced reverse cone(RR) and Nit-Occlud(N)] were used in this study. The patients were followed up by echocardiogram and physical examination before discharge, one month, six months and 12 months after the procedure. Results : The rate of residual shunt according to the type of Duct-Occlud were as follows : S-54%, R-72%, RR-50%, N-14%(P<0.05 compared with other devices) at one month, S-25%, R-44%, RR-37%, N-0%(P<0.05 compared with other devices) at six months, S-8%, R-8%, RR-4%, N-0%(P<0.05 compared with S and R) at 12 months and later. Nit-Occlud coil showed the complete occlusion of PDA after six months of follow-up, even in 12 patients with relatively large PDA(>4 mm). Conclusion : The transcatheter closure of PDA using Duct-Occlud was an effective treatment and our study revealed that a Nit-Occlud coil which showed higher rate of occlusion even in PDA with large diameters over than 4 mm, was a more effective modality compared to previous devices.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 1982

This study was carried out to promote percent survival of the walnut seedling grafting. The hardwood scions of the walnut were grafted on the nures seed-stock of the Juglans mandshurica Mat in an electric heating bed, then planted in field. The results obtained from the study were as follows : The optimum time of scion cpllection was from January to February. The best medium of the seed bed was sandy soil. The best grafting time was form the early to the 20the of the march. When the grafted seedling in the heating bed was trans-planted on filed 90percent of the seedlings was survived until autmn. The percent grafting on the elective heating bed was 90%. Crown gall occuring frequently in chestnut nurse graft was not appeared in juglans mandshurica Max grafted seedling of after outplanting. The grafted seedlings have not shown any physiological defects but developed normaly 3 years since grafting.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.217-234
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• 2005

혈소판 농축 혈장은 구강과 안면부 재건수술에 새로이 사용되는 유용한 첨가물이다. 혈소판은 상처 치유과정에서 매우 중요하며, 혈소판은 상처부위에 빠르게 도달하여 응고를 형성한다. 그리고 다양한 성장인자를 분비한다. 이러한 성장인자는 골의 형성과 혈관의 증가, 골 이식재의 치유에 관여하는 것으로 생각된다. 본 연구의 목적은 실험 동물을 통하여 혈소판 농축 혈장에 함유된 혈소판의 정량화를 통한 성장인자 함유량을 추정하고, 방사선학적, 조직학적 평가를 통해 혈소판 농축 혈장이 초기의 골형성에 미치는 영향에 대한 평가를 하는데 있다. 15마리의 가토 두개골에 6mm trephine bur(외경 8mm)를 이용하여 경뇌막의 손상을 주지 않도록 하면서 4개의 결손부를 형성하였다. 각각의 두개골 결손부는 $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$만 이식한 군, PRP만 이식한 군, PRP와 $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$를 혼합하여 이식한군, 그리고 아무것도 이식하지 않은 군을 대조군으로 설정하였다. 각각의 재료를 이식한 후 비흡수성 차폐막($Tefgen^{(R)}$)을 위치시키고 흡수성 봉합사로 일차봉합을 시행하였다. 각 군 당 술 후 1, 2, 4주의 치유기간을 설정하였다. 동물을 희생시키고 두개골을 절제하였다. 먼저 방사선학적인 골 밀도 측정을 시행하고, 조직학적 평가를 위해 통법에 따라 조직 표본을 제작한 후 광학현미경으로 관찰하였다. 또한 가토 귀 변연정맥에서 채취한 10 ml의 혈액을 원심분리하여 혈소판 함유량을 평가하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. 혈소판 농축 혈장은 일반 혈액에 비해 약 4.02배 많은 수의 혈소판이 함유되어 있었다. 2. 방사선적인 평가에서 1, 2, 4주 사이에 대조군과 비교하여 $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$에 PRP를 이식한 군에서 골의 밀도는 큰 차이를 보이고 있다(p<0.01). 하지만, 동일한 시기에 PRP만 이식한 군과 대조군의 차이는 발견할 수 없었으며 (p>0.05), $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$만 이식한 군과 $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$에 PRP를 이식한 군의 차이 또한 발견할 수 없었다(p>0.05). 3. 조직학적 평가에서 모든 이식재는 시간이 경과할수록 골 형성이 증가함을 알 수 있었다. 대조군에 비해 PRP만 이식한 군에서 더 두꺼운 섬유성 결합을 보이고 있다. 대조군과 PRP만 이식한 군과 비교해 $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$와 $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$에 PRP를 혼합 이식한 군에서 골의 형성이 더 진행됨을 알 수 있었다. $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$에 PRP를 혼합 이식한 군이 $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$만 이식한 군에서보다 더 많은 신생골 형성을 관찰할 수 있다. 이상의 결과에서 가토의 두개골 결손부에 $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$에 PRP를 혼합 이식하였을 경우 결손부의 초기 골 형성을 촉진 할 수 있음을 시사하였다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.199-216
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• 2005

치주치료의 가장 중요한 목적은 상실된 치주조직의 형태적, 기능적 재건이다. 법랑기칠 단백질 유도체(enamel matrix derivative: EMD)는 치주 병소에 사용시 상피세포의 증식을 억제하며 치주인대 및 백악아세포를 활성화시켜 무세포성 백악질 및 치주인대와 골조직의 생성을 유도한다고 보고되고 있다. 또한 법랑기질 단백칠 유도체는 골모세포의 증식 및 분화를 촉진시키며 alkaline phosphatase의 활성 및 mineralized nodule의 형성을 촉진시킨다고 보고되고 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 토끼 두개골 결손부에 법랑기질 단백질 유도체와 이종골 이식재를 이식한 후 골밀도를 방사선학적으로 분석하고, 신생골 형성 및 주변 조직 반응을 조직학적으로 관찰, 평가하고자 하였다. 토끼 두개골에 6mm trephine bur(외경 8mm)를 이용하여 경뇌막에 손상을 주지 않도록 하면서 4개의 결손부를 형성하였다. 아무것도 이식하지 않은 군을 음성 대조군으로, 이종골 이식재 ($Bio-Oss^{(R)}$, Geistlich, Wolhusen, Switzerland)을 이식한 군을 양성 대조군으로 설정하였다. 법랑기질 단백질 유도체 ($Emdogain^{(R)}$, Biora, Inc., Sweden)만 이식한 군과 법랑기질 단백질 유도체와 이종골 이식재를 혼합하여 이식한 군을 설험군으로 설정하였다. 각각의 재료를 이식한 후 비흡수성 차폐막 ($Tefgen^{(R)}$, Lifecore Biomedical, Inc., U.S.A.)을 위치시키고 흡수성 봉합사로 일차봉합을 시행하였다. 각 군당 술 후 1, 2, 4주의 치유기간을 설정하였다. 동물을 희생시킨 후 두개골을 절제하여 먼저 방사선학적인 골밀도측정을 시행한 후 10% formalin에 고정한 후 통법에 따라 조직표본을 제작하여 광학현미경으로 관찰하였다. 1. 방사선학적인 평가에서 1, 2, 4주에 대조군과 법랑기질 단백질 유도체만 이식한 군과 비교해 이종골 이식재만 이식한 군과 이종골 이식재에 법랑기질 단백질 유도체를 이식한 군에서 더 큰 골의 밀도를 보이고 있었다 (P<0.01). 하지만, 동일한 시기에 대조군과 법랑기질 단백질 유도체만 이식한 군과의 차이는 발견할 수 없었으며 (P>0.05), 이종골 이식재만 이식한 군과 이종골 이식재에 법랑기질 단백질 유도체를 이식한 군의 차이 또한 발견할 수 없었다 (P>0.05). 2. 조직학적인 평가에서 1, 2, 4주에 대조군과 법랑기질 단백질 유도체만 이식한 군과 비교해 이종골 이식재만 이식한 군과 이종골 이식재에 법랑기질 단백질 유도체를 이식한군에서 골의 형성이 더 진행됨을 알 수 있었다. 법랑기질 단백질 유도체만 이식한 군이 대조군보다 2주에서 더 많은 신생골을 볼 수 있었으며, 이종골 이식재에 법랑기질 단백질 유도체를 이식한 군이 이종골 이식재만 이식한 군보다 1, 2주에서 더 많은 신생골을 관찰할 수 있었다. 이상의 결과에서 법랑기질 단백질 유도체는 토끼 두개골 결손부 치유단계에서 초기 골 형성을 촉진하는 것으로 사료되며 골 이식시에 법랑기질 단백질 유도체를 적용하는 것은 유용한 술식으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 1968

For the purpose of ascertaining the status of physical growth and health status of the University students, a intensive survey was conducted by the authors towards a total of 2,638(male; 2,228, female; 410) who passed the written entrance examination at the Seoul National University. The items included the measurements on physical growth, various physical indixes, visual acuity, tuberculosis and dental status. The findings and results can be summarized as follows: 1. Physical Growth No significant difference was found in the physical growth between classes(literature and science) and by ages. In males, the means of body height, body weight, chest-girth and sittingheight were $168.0{\pm}5.07cm,\;55.7{\pm}5.71kg,\;85.8{\pm}4.4cm\;and\;91.5{\pm}2.21cm$, respectively. In females, these were $157.4{\pm}4.57\;cm,\;00.4{\pm}5.75kg,\;80.3{\pm}4.51cm\;and\;86.1{\pm}3.30cm$, respectively. Basing on the above measurements several physical indixes were calculated as follows ; Relative body weight 33.15 in males and 32.02 in females. Relative chest-girth 51.07 and 51.01, relative sitting-height 54.46 and 54.70 $R\ddot{o}hrer$ index 1.00 and 1.02, Kaup index 1.97 and 2.04, Vervaeck index 83.63 and 83.03, and Pelidisi index 89.94 and 92.45. 2. Visual Acuity Among the students of science classes those of 0.8 and below in vision on left and right occupied 46.4% and 45.0%, those of 0.6 and below 39.1% and 41.2%, respectively. Among the students of literature classes those of 0.8 and below occupied 46.3% and 42.9%, and those of 0.6 and below occupied 41.4% and 39.0, respectively. In males those of 0.8 and below occupied 46.8% and 44.5% and 0.6 and below occupied 41.9% and 39.7%, while in females 0.8 and below occupied 43.9%, and 42.4%, and 0.6 and below occupied 38.3% and 37.3%, respectively. In males those of 0.8 and below in corrected vision occupied 12.1% and 10.3%, while in females 12.9% and 12.2%, respectively. More students of abnormal vision were found among science classes and the proportions of corrected vision were 38.9% and 37.4% in males, and 33.9% and 33.2% in females, respectively. 3. Tuberculosis Among the total, 55 students were diagnosed as tuberculosis, of whom 50 were minimal cases, 2 were moderately advanced cases and 3 were far advanced cases. 4. Dental Status Among the total, 81.2% were of decayed teeth, 20.8% filled, 9.5% missed, 5.0% extraction needed, 9.1% sunplatinum bridges, 3.3% golden bridges and 5.5% golden inlay. Regarding tartar on teeth moderate, heavy and light grades occupied 49.5%, 29.7% and 20.3%, respectively and 0.8% had none. 5. Comprehensive evaluation According to criteria 4 grades were applied to comprehensive evaluation as follows : A...excellent in physical status B...with some physical defects but no difficulties in study C...need treatment D...need treatiment and rest Out of the total, A grade occupied 21.6%, B 76.2% and C. and D 2.2.