• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2211-2215
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of post-Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) complications in Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Retrospective chart review was performed for 200 patients undergoing LEEP during January 2012 to February 2013. Their mean age was 45 years-old. Fifty-three (26.5%) were menopausal. The three most common preceding abnormal cervical cytology were high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL; 50%), atypical squamous cell cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H; 10.5%), and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL; 10%). The overall complications prevalence rate was 16.5% (95%CI, 11.4-21.6). Complications included bleeding (11%; 95%CI, 6.66-15.3), offensive discharge (4%; 95%CI, 1.28-6.72), and pelvic inflammatory disease (1.5%; 95%CI, 0.18-3.18). Only mode of delivery was an independent predictor of post-LEEP complications. Women with previous caesarean sections carried an increased risk of complications by 3.9 times (95%CI, 1.21-12.56) compared with vaginal delivery. In conclusion, LEEP is generally safe with an acceptable complication rate. Previous caesarean section was the only independent predictor for post-LEEP complications. However, this predictor still needs prudent evaluation as no clear cause-effect relationship was identified.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.147-162
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• 2002

Transdermal permeation enhancer has been used to increased skin absorption. External control of drug release and skin absorption can also be achieved by iontophoresis or phonophoresis. However, because several problems with iontophoresis are that it has a risk to skin damage because of the change of pH and the increase of current density in applying it and that it can be applied only in the form of water solution, This study is to enhance drug permeation via skin following application of ultrasound. For this goal, in gel containing piroxicam, the degree of skin permeation in vitro and anti-inflammatory effect in in vivo were investigated. Permeation study using hairless mouse skin was performed at 37 $^{\circ}C$ using buffer saline as the receptor solution. The amount of piroxicam were quantified using a HPLC system consisting of solvent delivery system. Following adoption of ultrasound 1 MHZ, it showed relatively high permeation rate where it was compared with non treated by ultrasound. The influence of duty cycle having an effect on skin permeation rate was slight higher in the case of using pulsed mode. Skin permeation increase attended by intensity of ultrasound, the permeation of trice was accelerated at 2.0 W/$cm^{2}$ than 1.0 W/$cm^{2}$. The skin permeation of piroxicam was substantially influenced by ultrasound. Anti-inflammatory effects were determined using carrageenan-induced paw swelling method in SD rat. Paw swelling tests showed that pulsed phonophoresis group was more effective than control group and only gel application group. The conclusion of phonophoresis was found to improve significantly the skin permeation in vitro and the anti-inflammatory effect in vivo.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-75
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• 1997

The bond strengths of composite resin to tooth dentin vary with the methods of cavity preparation and surface treatment. Recent developments in techniques of dentinal surface treatment have renewed interest in microabrasive as a means of tooth preparation, The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a new method of cavity preparation on the bond of composite resin to dentin. Freshly extracted 144 healthy human third molars were used in this study. The dentin surfaces prepared with #600 SiC abrasive paper were divided into control and air abrasion groups according to the method of dentin surface preparation using different combinations of delivery pressure, time, and acid etching. The shear bond strengths were measured after the composite resin (Clearfil Photo Bright) was bonded to prepared dentin surfaces by light-curing using a dentin bonding system (All-bond 2), In addition, the average surface roughness was measured to investigate the effect of differently prepared dentin surfaces on the shear bond strengths. The surface changes of prepared dentin and the debonded dentin surfaces were observed with SEM (S-2300, Hitachi Co., Japan). The following results from this-study were obtained ; 1. There was no significant difference of shear bond strengths according to the changes of delivery pressure and time. 2. The shear bond strengths were lower than the control in the air abraded-only groups, but those of the additional acid-etched groups were higher than the control. 3. The shear bond strengths to all air-abraded surfaces were increased by acid etching. 4. The correlation between shear bond strengths and surface roughness was not certain, although the mean surface roughness of all air-abraded surfaces has increased evidently while it has slightly decreased for additional acid etching. 5. On SEM examination, the dentinal tubules were almost occluded in the air abraded-only groups, but those were opened in the additional acid-etched groups. 6. The debonded surfaces were showed adhesive failure mode in the air abraded- only groups, while those were showed mainly the mixed and cohesive failure mode in the additional acid-etched groups. These results suggest that the layer produced during cavity preparation or surface treatment with air abrasion must be removed for maximum bond strength of composite resin to dentin.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.337-346
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• 2001

Objective : To determine the clinical risk factors associated with the mode of delivery decision and to compare cesarean section rates after adjusting for risk factors identified among Korean hospitals. Methods Data were collected from 9 general hospitals in two provincial regions by medical record abstraction during February 2000. A total of 3,467 cases were enrolled and analyzed by stepwise logistic regression. Performance of the risk-adjustment model (discrimination and calibration) was evaluated by the C statistic and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Crude rates, predicted rates with 95% confidence intervals, and adjusted rates of cesarean section were calculated and compared among the hospitals. Results : The average crude cesarean section rate was 53.2%, ranging from 39.4% to 65.7%. Several risk factors such as maternal age, previous history of cesarean section, placenta previa, placental abruption, malpresentation, amniotic fluid abnormality, gestational anemia, infant body weight, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and chorioamnionitis were found to have statistically significant effects on the mode of delivery. It was confirmed that information about most of these risk factors was able to be collected through the national health insurance claims database in Korea. Performance of the risk-adjustment model was good (c statistic=0.815, Hosmer-Lemeshow test=0.0621). Risk factor adjustment did lead to some change in the rank of hospital cesarean section rates. The crude rates of three hospitals were beyond 95% confidence intervals of the predicted rates. Conclusions : Considering that cesarean section rates in Korean hospitals are too high, it is apparent that some policy interventions need to be introduced. The concept and methodology of risk adjustment should be used in the process of health policy development to lower the cesarean section rate in Korea.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.226-232
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• 2007

We studied a Monte Carlo simulation of the proton beam delivery system at the National Cancer Center (NCC) using the Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit and tested its feasibility as a dose verification framework. The Monte Carlo technique for dose calculation methodology has been recognized as the most accurate way for understanding the dose distribution in given materials. In order to take advantage of this methodology for application to external-beam radiotherapy, a precise modeling of the nozzle elements along with the beam delivery path and correct initial beam characteristics are mandatory. Among three different treatment modes, double/single-scattering, uniform scanning and pencil beam scanning, we have modeled and simulated the double-scattering mode for the nozzle elements, including all components and varying the time and space with the Geant4.8.2 Monte Carlo code. We have obtained simulation data that showed an excellent correlation to the measured dose distributions at a specific treatment depth. We successfully set up the Monte Carlo simulation platform for the NCC proton therapy facility. It can be adapted to the precise dosimetry for therapeutic proton beam use at the NCC. Additional Monte Carlo work for the full proton beam energy range can be performed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.153-157
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• 2016

Tapentadol is a novel oral analgesic with a dual mode of action as an agonist of the ${\mu}$-opioid receptor (MOR), and as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) all in a single molecule. Immediate release (IR) tapentadol shows its analgesic effect quickly, at around 30 minutes. Its MOR agonistic action produces acute nociceptive pain relief; its role as an NRI brings about chronic neuropathic pain relief. Absorption is rapid, with a mean maximal serum concentration at 1.25-1.5 h after oral intake. It is present primarily in the form of conjugated metabolites after glucuronidation, and excretes rapidly and completely via the kidneys. The most common adverse reactions are nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and somnolence. Constipation is more common in use of the ER formulation. Precautions against concomitant use of central nervous system depressants, including sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, other opioids, and alcohol, or use of tapentadol within 14 days of the cessation of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are advised. The safety and efficacy have not been established for use during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, or for nursing mothers, pediatric patients less than 18 years of age, and cases of severe renal impairment and severe hepatic impairment. The major concerns for tapentadol are abuse, addiction, seeking behavior, withdrawal, and physical dependence. The presumed problem for use of tapentadol is to control the ratio of MOR agonist and NRI. In conclusion, tapentadol produces both nociceptive and neuropathic pain relief, but with worries about abuse and dependence.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.133-141
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• 2012

Service and manufacturing companies' efforts are increasingly focused on utilizing services to satisfy customers' needs and survive in today's competitive market environment. The value of services depends mainly on service reliability that is identified by satisfaction derived from the relationship between customer and service provider. In this paper, we extend concepts from the failure modes and effects analysis of tangible systems to services. We use an event-based process model to facilitate service design and represent the relationships between functions and failures in a service. The objective of this research is to propose a method for evaluating service reliability based on service processes using fuzzy failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) and grey theory. We define the failure mode of service as interaction ways that can be failed in a service delivery process. The fuzzy set theory is used to characterize service reliability based on linguistic terms during FMEA. Grey theory is employed to determine the degree of relation and ranking among risk factors that are represented as potential failure causes. To demonstrate implementation of the proposed method, we use a case study involving a typical automotive service operation.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.633-642
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• 2008

It's important to measure quantitative properties about thermal-nano behavior of polymer for producing high quality components using Nanoimprint lithography process. Nanoscale indents can be used to make the cells for molecular electronics and drug delivery, slots for integration into nanodevices, and defects for tailoring the structure and properties. In this study, formability of polymethylmetacrylate(PMMA) and polycarbonate(PC) were characterized Polymer has extreme variation in thermo mechanical variation during forming high temperature. Because of heating the polymer, it becomes softer than at room temperature. In this case it is particularly important to study high temperature-induced mechanical properties of polymer. Nanoindenter XP(MTS) was used to measure thermo mechanical properties of PMMA and PC. Polymer was heated by using the heating stage on NanoXP. At CSM(Continuous Stiffness Method) mode test, heating temperature was $110^{\circ}C,120^{\circ}C,130^{\circ}C,140^{\circ}C$ and $150^{\circ}C$ for PMMA, $140^{\circ}C,150^{\circ}C,160^{\circ}C,170^{\circ}C$ and $180^{\circ}C$ for PC, respectively. Maximum indentation depth was 2000nm. At basic mode test, heating temperature was $90^{\circ}C$ and $110^{\circ}C$ for PMMA, $140^{\circ}C,160^{\circ}C$ for PC. Maximum load was 10mN, 20mN and 40mN. Also indented pattern was observed by using SEM and AFM. Mechanical properties of PMMA and PC decreased when temperature increased. Decrease of mechanical properties from PMMA went down rapidly than that of PC.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.1639-1649
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• 1998

For mobile multimedia services, wireless ATM(Asynchronous transfer Mode) network is studied actively. In wireless ATM network, the existing signaling protocols generate heavy traffics for HLR due to the centralized structure that all signaling loads mush be handled in HLR(Home Location Register). Also, centralized structure causes critical connection setup delays. Thus, it is important that wireless ATM reduces the connection setup delays occurred due to high traffic loads of signaling based on distributed processing. In this thesis, we propose a cache strategy for call delivery as well as the cache updates of registration based on ATM multicasting and compares the cost of cache scheme with that of conventional scheme. Our study shows that cache scheme has better performance than the conventional methods in the case that the portable mobility is low and traffic density is large.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.66-69
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• 2017

In recent year, energy harvesting technologies from the ambient environments such as light, motion, wireless waves, and temperature again a lot of attraction form research community [1-5] due to its efficient solution in order to substitute for conventional power delivery methods, especially in wearable together with on-body applications. The drawbacks of battery-powered characteristic used in commodity applications lead to self-powered, long-lifetime circuit design. Thermoelectric generator, a solid-state sensor, is useful compared to the harvesting devices in order to enable self-sustained low-power applications. TEG based on the Seebeck effect is utilized to transfer thermal energy which is available with a temperature gradient into useful electrical energy. Depending on the temperature difference between two sides, amount of output power will be proportionally delivered. In this work, we illustrated a low-input voltage energy harvesting circuit applied discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) method for getting an adequate amount of energy from thermoelectric generator (TEG) for a specific wearable application. With a small temperature gradient harvested from human skin, the input voltage from the transducer is as low as 60mV, the proposed circuit, fabricated in a $0.6{\mu}m$ CMOS process, is capable of generating a regulated output voltage of 4.2V with an output power reaching to $40{\mu}W$. The proposed circuit is useful for powering energy to battery-less systems, such as wearable application devices.