• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.231-235
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• 2015

Objective : Degenerative changes in the cervical spine are commonly accompanied by cervical kyphosis which can cause neck pain. This study examined the relationship between neck pain and cervical alignment. Methods : A total of 323 female nursing staff from our hospital were enrolled. Sagittal radiographs of the cervical spine, Body Mass Index (BMI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measures of neck and arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36 scores) were obtained and reviewed retrospectively. Global lordosis (GL) of the cervical spine was measured on radiograph images. Correlations between GL and questionnaire scores were investigated using the following three methods : 1) correlation between GL and questionnaire scores among the entire sample; 2) subgroup analysis of patients with "kyphosis (KYP) : GL scores<0" vs. those with "lordosis (LOR) : GL scores>0" on questionnaire measures; and 3) subgroup analysis of patients with pain vs. those without pain, on GL and questionnaire measures. Results : There was no significant correlation between GL and any questionnaire measure. There was a significant difference between the mean GLs of the KYP and LOR groups, but there were no group differences in BMI, age or any questionnaire measures. There was no difference between the pain (n=92) and pain-free (n=231) groups in age, BMI or GL, but there were differences in neck, and arm pain, and physical function and NDI scores. Conclusions : Our data suggest that kyphotic deformity was not associated with neck pain.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.91-104
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• 2011

Background : Although chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is increasing, it is hard to treat effectively. In western medicine, antimicrobials drug, ${\alpha}$-adreno-ceptor antagonists, anti-inflammatory drugs, tricyclic antidepressants and anticholinergic agents are used commonly, but chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndromes is confusing and frustrating for urologist. IDS(Indongsoyeom-bang) is used in treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndromes. And it is reported that GLS(Gleditsiae spina) and TOF(Toosendan fructus) components of IDS have significant effect on protection of the glandular epithelial cells. Objective : In this study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effects and action machanism of IDS in the rat model of non-bacterial prostatitis induced by castration and testosterone treatment. Methods : We observed six experimental objects of normal group, control group, testosterone group, and IDS 50 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg group. Rats were treated with 17 ${\beta}$-estradiol after castration for induction of experimental non-bacterial prostatitis, which is similar to human chronic prostatitis in histophatological profiles. IDS and testosterone were administered as an experimental specimen and a positive control, respectively. The prostates were evaluated by histological parameters including the epithelial score and epithelio-stromal ratio for glandular damage. Also, the prostates were observed by Hematological alterations of WBC, RBC, hemoglobin and platelet. Results : While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation, the rats treated with IDS-50 showed a diminished range of the tissue damage. Epithelial score was improved in IDS than that of the control. The epithelio-stromal ratio was lower in IDS when compared to that of the control. Also, the examination of bloods were not observed hematological change. Conclusion : These finding suggests that IDS may protects the glandular epithelial cells. We concluded that IDS could be a useful remedy agent for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2011

The dispersion of a pollutant in a turbulent boundary layer has been described in this study by using a two-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and the Smagorinsky sub-grid-scale (SGS) model. The scalar transport equation corresponding to the pollutant concentration is adopted; the pollutant is considered to be in a continuous phase. The pollutant source is classified as ground-level source (GLS) and elevated-point source (ES). Air velocity and particle concentration profile for the pollutant are compared with the respective results and profiles obtained in the experiments of Fackrell and Robins (1982) and Raupach and Legg (1983). The numerical results obtained in this study, i.e., the simulation and the experimental data for the mean flow velocity profiles and the pollutant concentration profiles, are in good agreement with each other.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.385-394
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• 2012

This study investigates whether earnings management behavior of chaebol firms differ from that of non-chaebol firms. The ownership structure of chaebol firms is characterized by the dominance of one largest shareholder and his family members who typically participate in the management of the firm directly or indirectly and influence most of the important management decision. This study adopts the random effect model and the hausman and talyor model, using a panel of 5092 firm-year over a period from 1991 to 2010 to control for potential heterogeneity and endogeneity that may cause sever bias. This study finds that there is no difference in accrual based earnings management level between chaebol firms and non-chaebol firms. However, chaebol firms appeared to engage less real earnings management that is known to negatively affect future earnings and share prices. The results are consistent when controlling for potential heterogeneity and endogeneity in the hausman and taylor model. The results may be of interest to various stakeholders, policy makers, standard setters and academic researchers.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.5282-5286
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• 2015

This study is to analyze the effects of the FDI inflows service industry on China's economic growth using panel data from China's service industry for the period 1990-2012. The results of this study show that the FDI inflows into service industry in China is behind a key driving force to develop its economic growth, and that other factors like investment in the fixed assets and investment in human capital and labor make contribution to promoting its economic development. The results suggest that in order to enhance its growth, the government should expend a great deal of effort trying to make a good environment for investment to increase the FDI inflows into China's service industry.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.251-258
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• 2011

Here we have investigated how lactosylceramide (LacCer) modulates gene expression of adhesion molecules in TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN ${\gamma}$ (CM)-stimulated astrocytes. We have observed that stimulation of astrocytes with CM increased the gene expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. D-Threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP) and N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (NBDNJ), inhibitors of glucosylceramide synthase (GLS) and LacCer synthase (galactosyltransferase, GalT-2), inhibited the gene expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and activation of their gene promoter induced by CM, which were reversed by exogenously supplied LacCer. Silencing of GalT-2 gene using its antisense oligonucleotides also attenuated CM-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, which were reversed by LacCer. PDMP treatment and silencing of GalT-2 gene significantly reduced CM-induced luciferase activities in NF-${\kappa}B$, AP-1, GAS, and STAT-3 luciferase vectors-transfected cells. In addition, LacCer reversed the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ and STAT-1 luciferase activities by PDMP. Taken together, our results suggest that LacCer may play a crucial role in the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 via modulating transcription factors, such as NF-${\kappa}B$, AP-1, STAT-1, and STAT-3 in CM-stimulated astrocytes.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.298-311
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• 1993

Simulation modeling was applied to predict the response of northeast Florida coastal wetlands to futrue sea levl rise due to global warming. Remote sensing and geographic information systems (GLS) were used to develop, manipulate, and synthesize input data, including land cover, digital elevation data, and site characteristics data. The SLAMM3 model evaluated this input data to predict responses of coastal wetlands and lowlands to inundation and erosion by sea level rise, and determined transfers from one habitat to another on a cell-by-cell basis. Significant changes were predicted from different scenarios of sea level rise: 0.5m, 1.0m, and 1.25m. The simulations indicated that 31.9 percent and 40.0 percent of wetlands within the study area would be lost with 1.0m and 1.25m sea level rise respectively, and a 6.5 percent loss with 0.5m rise.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.69-78
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was conducted to analysis relationship about quality of life and family burden of the home-based hospice patient families. Method: The subjects consisted of 94 families with home-based hospice patient. The ages of the subjects were 17-73 years with hospice patient who receivedhome visiting care and registered at 4 hospitals in Daegu and Kyung-Buk. The data was collected from March to November 2004. The instruments used for the study were Quality of Life Scale (GLS) and Family Burden Questionnaire (FBQ). The analysis was done using frequency, mean, standard deviation, correlation and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS WIN 11.0. Results: The results were as follows: 1. The mean score of family burden was 3.36 ($\pm0.55$). The highest mean score of family burden 6 factors were wellness of future 3.85($\pm1.10$), and the second was economic family burden 3.63($\pm0.97$). 2. The mean score of quality of life was 3.09 ($\pm0.48$). The lowest score of quality of life 6 factors were economic status 2.86($\pm0.54$), and the second was physical state and function 3.01($\pm0.62$). 3. In the home-based hospice patient families, family burden had significant negative correlation with quality of life(r=-0.25, p=0.012). 4. Emotional status accounted for 11% of family burden in the home-based hospice patient families by means of stepwise multiple regression. 5. Economical status accounted for 18 and age accounted for an additional 11% of quality of life in the home-based hospice patient families by means of stepwise multiple regression. Conclusion: The finding showed that family burden and quality of life of home-based hospice patient families were significantly negative correlation and the highest factor of family burden was wellness of future and the most important factor of quality of life was economic status.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.131-148
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• 2023

Purpose - Since the 2020s, the management philosophy of Chinese firms' ESG has been rapidly established under the leadership of the Chinese government. We empirically analyze the ESG characteristics and effects on corporate value of Chinese firms. Design/methodology/approach - Using OLS and random effect panel regression analysis, we identify ESG determinants. In analyzing the impact on corporate value, likewise a large number of literatures, we adopt a 2SLS methodology using instrumental variables in the reason of endogeneity between ESG and firm value. We analyze using the G2SLS methodology, which is improving the efficiency of the estimation coefficients along with 2SLS. Findings - We find that ESG ratings are high in state-owned and foreign capital invested companies, ESG ratings are low in companies with a high proportion of non-floating stocks which implies information asymmetry. However, there are no significance in the institutional investor's, the major 10 largest shareholders' and manager's ownership. Furthermore, we can support most of the hypotheses that ESG ratings will be high in companies with high management performance. ESG ratings are significantly higher in companies with high ROA, rich in cash asset, low debt ratio, and large size. we strongly support the hypothesis that the higher the ESG rating, the higher the firm value, and ESG has a moderating effect on state-owned companies, non-floating shares, the ownership of institutional investors, manager, and the 10 major shareholder. In particular, state-owned companies, the proportion of non-floating shares, and the ownership of the 10 major shareholders have a negative impact on firm value, however, ESG attenuates this negative effect. Research implications or Originality - This study looks forward to enhancing our understanding of ESG characteristics in East Asia.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.279-289
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: In many cardiovascular disorders, the contractile performance of the right ventricle (RV) is the primary determinant of prognosis. For evaluating RV volumes and function, 4 dimensional (4D)-echocardiography has become common. This research used 2D and 4D modalities to assess RV contractile performance in hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of 150 patients with essential hypertension were enrolled in this study, along with 75 age and sex-matched volunteers. Clinical evaluation and echocardiographic examination (including M-mode, tissue Doppler imaging, and 2D speckle tracking) were conducted on all participants. RV volumes, 4D-ejection fraction (EF), 4D-fractional area change (FAC), 4D-tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), 4D-septal and free wall (FW) strain were all measured using 4D-echocardiography. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients showed 2D-RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction (including TAPSE, 2D-right ventricular global longitudinal strain, RV-myocardial performance index and average E/EaRV) and 4D-RV impairment (including right ventricular EF, FAC, RV strain and TAPSE, right ventricular end-diastolic volume and right ventricular end-systolic volume) compared to the control group. We verified the prevalence of RV systolic dysfunction in hypertension patients using the following parameters: 1) 15% of them had 2D-TAPSE < 17 mm vs. 40% by 4D-TAPSE; 2) 25% of them had 2D-GLS < 19% vs. 42% by 4D-septal strain and 35% by 4D FW strain; 3) 35% of hypertensive patients had 4D-EF < 45%; and finally; 4) 25% of hypertensive patients had 2D-FAC < 35% compared to 45% by 4D-FAC. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of RV involvement was greater in 4D than in 2D-modality trans-thoracic echocardiography. We speculated that 4D-echocardiography with 4D-strain imaging would be more beneficial for examining RV morphology and function in hypertensive patients than 2D-echocardiography, since 4D-echocardiography could estimate RV volumes and function without making geometric assumptions.