• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.183-190
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• 2018

With decreasing the number of high school graduates, it is vital for each college to maintain its enrollment number as well as to preserve its dropout rate in a lower level. It is true that all universities and colleges have experienced inevitable dropouts that were in fact more serious in 2 to 3-year colleges. There have been prior studies to examine what factors affected to students' dropout in various ways. However, no specific programs were employed to mitigate the rates of dropout. In this study, new encouraging program is introduced for the students who were not ready to study and isolated from classroom. The result showed that the program led to the GPA enhancement in larger number of participants. Nevertheless, the sustainablity of the program would be unclear unless it combines with other existing programs.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.57-75
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• 2014

Problem Solving has been emphasized for recent decades, and many research case studies have been used to improve students' Problem Solving abilities. However, the gap of students' abilities can be easily shown after enrollment into school in spite of scholar's attempt to reduce students' level of differentiation. Besides, it is clear that teachers have been too readily assisting students' and not allowing them to acquire the process of Problem Solving, and this may be due to impatience. Therefore, students seem to show signs of the dependent tendency towards teachers and other materials. This tendency easily allows students' to depend on teaching resources without attempting any developmental mechanism of Problem Solving. The presupposition of this study is that every student must solve a problem without any assistance, and also this study is to provide new cognitive strategies for both teachers and students who want to solve their problems by themselves through the process of visible Problem Solving. After applying the student-based problem-solving model by this study, it was found to be effective. Therefore this will lead to the improvement of the Problem Solving and knowledge acquisition of students.

• The Journal of Korean Association of Computer Education
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.117-130
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to provide useful knowledge for improving indicators that represent competitiveness and educational competency of the university by deriving a new pattern or the meaningful results from the data of information disclosure of universities using statistical analysis and data mining techniques. To achieve this, a model of decision tree was made and various factors that affect education/research performance such as employment rate, the number of technology transfer and papers per full-time faculty were explored. In addition to this, the cluster analysis of universities was conducted using attributes related to evaluation of university. According to the analysis, common factors affecting higher education/research performance are following indicators ; incoming student recruitment rate, enrollment rate, and the number of students per full-time faculty. In the cluster analysis, when performed by the entire university, the size, location of the university respectively, clusters are mainly formed by well-known universities, art physical non-science and engineering religious leaders training universities, and others. The main influencing factors of this cluster are higher education/research performance indicators such as employment rate and the number of technology transfer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4439-4445
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• 2015

Background: Because there is no clear consensus for the prognostic implication of KRAS mutations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we conducted a meta-analysis based on 12 randomized trials to draw a more accurate conclusion. Materials and Methods: A systematic computer search of articles from inception to May 1, 2014 using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was conducted. The enrollment of articles and extraction of data were independently performed by two authors. Results: Our analysis was based on the endpoints overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Nine records (All for OS, 7 for PFS) comprising 12 randomized trials were identified with 3701 patients who underwent a test for KRAS mutations. In the analysis of the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for OS (HR: 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-1.56) and PFS (HR: 1.33; 95% CI 1.17-1.51), we found that KRAS mutations are related to poor survival benefit for NSCLC. According to a subgroup analysis stratified by disease stage and line of therapy, the combined HRs for OS and PFS coincided with the finding that the presence of a KRAS mutation is a dismal prognostic factor. However, the prognostic role of KRAS mutations are not statistically significant in a subgroup analysis of patients treated with chemotherapy in combination with cetuximab based on the endpoints OS (P=0.141) and PFS (P=0.643). Conclusions: Our results indicate that KRAS mutations are associated with inferior survival benefits for NSCLC but not for those treated with chemotherapies integrating cetuximab.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.891-896
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• 2012

This study focused on infection rates and subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and the relationship between HPV status and prognosis of the disease. We evaluated sixty-six OSCC patients who met the enrollment criteria during the period from January 1999 to December 2009. The presence or absence of oncogenic HPV types in tumors was determined using the SPF10 LiPA25 assay. Overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) for HPV positive and HPV negative patients were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The Cox regression model was applied for multivariate analysis. HPV-DNA was detected in 11(16.7%) of all specimens. Among them, 7 were type HPV-16, while other types were HPV-16/11, HPV-35, HPV-58/52, and HPV-33/52/54. Patients with HPV positive tumors were more likely to be female, non-smokers and non-drinkers (p=0.002, 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). After a median follow-up of 24.5 months, patients with HPV positive tumors had significantly better overall survival (HR=0.106[95%CI=0.014-0.787], p=0.016,) and disease specific survival (HR=0.121[95%CI=0.016-0.906], p=0.030). Patients with HPV positive OSCC have significantly better prognosis than patients with HPV negative tumors. HPV infection is an independent prognostic factor.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10871-10874
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• 2015

Background: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a malignant disease which occurs in women of reproductive age. Treatment of GTN has an excellent outcome and further pregnancies can be expected. However, data concerning quality of life in these cancer survivor patients are limited. This study aimed to assess quality of life in women who were diagnosed with GTN and remission after treatment, and to determine factors that may affect quality of life status. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted from July 2013 to May 2014 in the Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Patients who were diagnosed GTN and complete remission were recruited. Data collection was accomplished by interview with two sets of questionnaires, one general covering demographic data and the other focusing on quality of life, the fourth version of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G). Descriptive statistics were used to determine general data and quality of life scores. Students t-test and one way ANOVA were used to compare between categorical and continuous data. Results: Forty four patients were enrolled in this study. The overall mean quality of life score (FACT-G) was 98.2. The overall FACT-G score was not significantly correlated with age, education level, stage of disease, treatment modalities, and time interval from remission to enrollment. However, patients who needed further fertility showed significant lower FACT-G scores in the emotional well-being domain (p=0.02). Conclusions: Overall quality of life scores in post-treatment gestational trophoblastic neoplasia patients are in the mild impairment range. Patients who desire fertility suffer lower quality of life in the emotional well-being domain.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.23-31
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate existing world economic science theories and concepts of sustainable development as well as create original system of criteria and indicators to assess potential and conditions for sustainable development from a regional perspective and based on the above justify proposals for public authorities to improve methods of economic regulation for regional development. To achieve the goal evolution process of existing theories and concepts of sustainable development and "green growth" have been studied in terms of its adaptation to the spatial development of Kazakhstan, comparative dynamics of natural resources consumption in the Asia-Pacific region and Kazakhstan were investigated as well. Methodology. World best theory and practice methods for assessment of the level of sustainable development of the country and some of its territories were also studied. We selected the best system of criteria and indicators for assessment of economic, social and environmental sustainability of regional systems. Methods offered in this article are based on traditional and new factors of economic development and conditions for operation of regional systems. Indicators are chosen with a glance to basic goals for future development of regions in Kazakhstan. It is recommended to use two levels of methodology offered by author, namely national and regional, and at the local level later (districts, municipalities, cities). The results. Method offered by the author has been tested based on materials and statistics of regions in Kazakhstan. Suitability and usability of the proposed system of criteria and indicators for measuring of economic, social and environmental sustainability of regional systems was proved. Based on this analysis it was found out that there are regions in Kazakhstan that differ from each other by most of key indicators of sustainable regional development and this tendency is increasing. Conclusions and recommendations. As a result of this analysis, the authors have substantiated a number of proposals on methods of analysis to be used, improvement of methods of regional development, implementation of institutional reforms, as well as improvement of regional statistics. This article provides recommendations that can be successfully used in the management practices by public authorities to implement a new regional strategy focused on sustainable development in future.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.11
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• pp.359-364
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• 2017

Purpose: The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been shown to be associated with systemic inflammation in obese adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of MetS and its relation to inflammatory markers in obese Thai children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Children with history of endogenous obesity, chronic diseases, drug ingestion, and any acute illness within 2 weeks prior to enrollment were excluded. Their fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, oral glucose tolerance tests, insulin, lipid profiles, and selected inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, were tested. Results: In this study, 58 obese Thai children (female, 20; male, 38) with a mean body mass index z score of $5.1{\pm}2.2$ were enrolled. The prevalence of MetS and prediabetes was 31% and 17.2%, respectively. None of the children had diabetes. FBG levels, 2-hour glucose levels, and lipid profiles were not statistically different between those with and without MetS. However, obese children with MetS had higher insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values. Elevated hs-CRP levels were found in 69% of the cases, although it was not statistically different between the 2 groups. Conclusion: We described a substantial prevalence of MetS in Thai obese children. Regardless of MetS status, two-thirds of the obese children had elevated hs-CRP level, indicating subtle ongoing inflammatory process. This chronic inflammation feasibly predisposes them to CVD in the future, even in children without MetS.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.104-108
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• 2009

Objectives : To increase the booster vaccination rate, the Korean government legislated a measles vaccination for elementary school students in 2001, requiring parents to submit a certificate of vaccination upon the admission of the students to elementary school. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of measles vaccination certificates which were issued to parents. Methods : Using questionnaire survey data of 890 general practitioners and 9,235 parents in 2005, we investigated the evidence for booster vaccination certificates of measles. Results : In the survey of general practitioners, 59.5% of the certificates depended on the medical records of clinic, 13.5% was immunization booklets, 23.7% was reimmunizations, 1.9% was confirmation of record of other clinics, and 1.4% was parents statements or requests without evidence. In the survey of parents, 36.2% of the certificates depended on the medical records of clinic, 43.4% was immunization booklets, 18.0% was reimmunizations, and 2.4% was parents statements or requests without evidence. Conclusions : Our findings show that a majority of the booster vaccination certificates of measles was issued on the basis of documented vaccinations and it means that the implementation of the law requiring the submission of elementary school students' vaccination certificates has been very successful in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2015

Objectives: Recently, low systolic blood pressure (SBP) was found to be associated with an increased risk of death from vascular diseases in a rural elderly population in Korea. However, evidence on the association between low SBP and vascular diseases is scarce. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the association between low SBP and mortality from all causes and vascular diseases in older middle-aged Korean men. Methods: From 2004 to 2010, 94 085 Korean Vietnam War veterans were followed-up for deaths. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model. A stratified analysis was conducted by age at enrollment. SBP was self-reported by a postal survey in 2004. Results: Among the participants aged 60 and older, the lowest SBP (<90 mmHg) category had an elevated aHR for mortality from all causes (aHR, 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 3.1) and vascular diseases (International Classification of Disease, 10th revision, I00-I99; aHR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.2 to 8.4) compared to those with an SBP of 100 to 119 mmHg. Those with an SBP below 80 mmHg (aHR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 18.8) and those with an SBP of 80 to 89 mmHg (aHR, 3.1; 95% CI, 0.9 to 10.2) also had an increased risk of vascular mortality, compared to those with an SBP of 90 to 119 mmHg. This association was sustained when excluding the first two years of follow-up or preexisting vascular diseases. In men younger than 60 years, the association of low SBP was weaker than that in those aged 60 years or older. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that low SBP (<90 mmHg) may increase vascular mortality in Korean men aged 60 years or older.