• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.264-269
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was carried out to develop a classification index and grade levels to rate agricultural heaters for energy efficiency classification. Methods: The classification index was developed mainly by taking simplicity of calculation and easy access to relevant data into consideration. The grade levels were developed on the basis of a 5-grade classification system in which graded heaters are to be normally distributed over the grades. The value of each grade level were determined in terms of the classification index values calculated using the published performance data of agricultural heaters tested at the FACT in Korea over the past 12 years. Results: The thermal efficiency of agricultural heaters based on the enthalpy method was proposed as a reasonable classification index. The grade levels were proposed in equation form for three types of agricultural heaters: fossil fuel heaters, wood pellet heaters and wood pellet boilers. A reasonable energy efficiency classification of agricultural heaters could be performed using the proposed classification index and grade levels. Conclusions: It is expected that energy saving programs will be extended to agricultural machines in the near future. The classification index and grade levels to rate agricultural heaters for energy efficiency classification were developed and proposed for such near future to come.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.96-100
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was to develop a classification index and the grade levels for a five-grade energy efficiency classification of agricultural dryers in Korea. Methods: The classification index and the grade levels were determined by using the performance test data published by the FACT over the last eight years to reflect a state of the art technology for agricultural dryers in Korea. The five grades were designed to have the classified dryers distributed normally over the grades with 15% for the $1^{st}$ grade, 20% for the $2^{nd}$ grade, 30% for the $3^{rd}$ grade, 20% for the $4^{th}$ grade and 15% for the $5^{th}$ grade. Results: The classification index was defined as the total amount of fuel and electrical energy consumed per 1% of the wet basis moisture content evaporated from a unit mass of grain or agricultural crops during the drying process: 1 MT of paddy rice for grain dryers and 1 kg of red pepper for agricultural crop dryers as the standard mass. Conclusions: The grade levels for the five-grade energy efficiency classification of grain dryers, kerosene dryers, and electric dryers were proposed in terms of the classification index value.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.125-147
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• 2012

The primary goal of the study was to provide some preliminary validity evidence for the Vocabulary Grade Levels Test (Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, 2009), which is designed to measure the receptive vocabulary knowledge of learners in L2. For the purpose of the current study, 327 participants at the elementary school participated in the study and were asked to take two different vocabulary tests. Namely, a Vocabulary Size Test (Nation, 2001) and a Vocabulary Grade Levels Test. The data were analyzed using correlation in order to discover the relationship between these two types of tests. Following this, the Rasch analysis was conducted to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement in question. The data analysis showed that both grade separation reliability and item separation reliability were high, indicating that the Vocabulary Grade Levels Test well discriminates learners with a wide range of proficiency levels. The findings of the study are discussed, along with further improvements in order to ascertain the validity of this particular vocabulary test.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.190-198
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare stress levels of middle school students by grade. Methods: This was a descriptive comparative survey using as convenience sample of 701 1st, 2nd and 3rd-grade students. The stress levels was measured by stress scale that consisted of 65 items regarding personal characters family, school, and peer factors. The data were analyzed by ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression using the SPSS/WIN 12.0 statistical program. Results: 1st graders and female students showed higher stress levels than 2nd, 3rd graders and male students, respectively. Conclusion: Grade, gender, life satisfaction, and regional levels were all significant factors associated with high stress levels among middle school students. Development of stress management program for this specific population, especially targeting students who are 1st Grader and living in rural areas, is needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2555-2558
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• 2014

Pirpose: The aim of this study to analyze the association between history of diabetes mellitus (DM) with risk of prostate cancer (PCa) and cancer grade among men undergoing radical prostatectomy for PCa. Materials and Methods: 50 patients with DM and 50 patients without DM who undervent radical prostatectomy (RP) were included in the study. Age at biopsy, height, weight, digital rectal examination (DRE), pre-biopsy PSA levels, prostate volume, histopathologic diagnosis after surgery and gleason scores were collected data from all patients. Histologic material obtained at biopsy was given a Gleason score; tumours with a Gleason score ${\geq}7$ were considered high grade and <7 were considered low grade. Results: The mean age at the time of biopsy was 63.7 in patients with DM and 61.6 in patients without DM. Diabetic men had significantly lower PSA levels (p=0.01). Mean PSA level $7.04{\pm}2.85$ in patients with DM and $8.7{\pm}2.86$ in patients without DM, respectively. Also, diabetic men had higher RP tumor grade than men without DM (p=0.04). We found that HbA1c levels were higher in patients who have high grade prostate cancer (p<0.05). Conclusions: Diabetic men undergoing RP have lower PSA levels and have significantly higher grade PCa. We must be careful for screening PCa in patients with DM. Although the patients had lower PSA levels, they might have high grade disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1817-1820
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• 2015

Background: Hemoglobin A1c(HgA1c) is a marker of poor gylcemic control and elevation HgA1c is associated with increased risk of many cancers. We aimed to determine the HgA1c levels in endometrial cancer cases and any relationship with stage and grade of disease. Materials and Methods: A retrospective data review was performed between June 2011 and October 2012 at a tertiary referral center in Turkey. The study included 35 surgically staged endometrial cancer patients and 40 healthy controls. Preoperative HgA1c levels drawn within 3 months before surgery were compared. Also the relationships between HgA1c levels and stage, grade and hystologic type of cancer cases were evaluated. Results: The mean HgA1c levels were statistically significantly higher at $6.19{\pm}1.44$ in endometrial cancer cases than the $5.61{\pm}0.58$ in controls (p=0.027). With endometrial cancer cases, the mean HgA1c level was found to be $6.62{\pm}1.40$ for stage I and $6.88{\pm}1.15$ for stages II-IV (p=0.07). The figures were $6.74{\pm}1.65$ for endometrioid and $6.63{\pm}1.41$ for non-endometrioid type tumors (p=0.56). Mean HgA1c levels of $6.72{\pm}1.14$ for grade 1 and $6.62{\pm}1.42$ for grade 2-3 were observed (p=0.57). Conclusions: HgA1c levels in endometrial cancer patients were statistically higher than healthy controls. However, HgA1c did not show any significant correlation with stage, grade and histologic type in endometrial cancer cases.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.137-156
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• 2014

The current study examined the relations between sixth-grade elementary school children's perceptions of daily hassles, optimistic thinking, and subjective well-being. This study also investigated the moderating effect of optimistic thinking on the relationship between daily hassles and subjective well-being. A total of 474 sixth-grade elementary school children participated in this study. First, children's daily hassles were negatively related to optimistic thinking and subjective well-being. As children perceived higher levels of daily hassles, they showed lower levels of optimistic thinking and subjective well-being. Children's optimistic thinking was positively related to subjective well-being. Second, children's optimistic thinking moderated the relations between daily hassles and subjective well-being. Specifically, for children with higher levels of optimistic thinking, their subjective well-being decreased with increasing levels of daily hassles related to parents and teachers. However, for children with lower levels of optimistic thinking, there was no relation between daily hassles and subjective well-being. These findings suggest that optimistic thinking could be an important means by which we could improve children's subjective well-being, especially when they experience higher levels of daily hassles.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.99-109
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• 2024

This study focused on analyzing the difference in the impact of non-financial performance, specifically ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) activity grade level, on management performance and corporate value among the 25 fashion companies listed on the Korea Exchange that completed their ESG evaluation in 2022. The companies were categorized into three levels based on their ESG evaluations: ESG Integrated Grade (ESG-T), ESG-E (Environmental), ESG-S (Social), and ESG-G (Governance). The study then empirically analyzed how these levels affected management performance and corporate value. The empirical analysis revealed significant differences in the impact on management performance and corporate value depending on the ESG activity grade level. Companies with higher ESG grades exhibited better management performance and higher corporate values across all ESG sub-variables (ESG-T, ESG-E, ESG-S, ESG-G) compared to those with lower grades. This finding demonstrates the influence of ESG activity grade levels on improving management performance and enhancing corporate value in fashion companies. The results of this research provide meaningful insights into the direction of sustainable management through ESG activities in fashion companies.

• The Mathematical Education
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.525-539
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• 2014

In this study, we suggest implications for teaching mathematical justification with analysis of 6th grade students' awareness of why they needed mathematical justification and their levels of mathematics justification in Algebra and Geometry. Also how their levels of mathematical justification were related to mathematic achievement. 96% of students thought mathematical justification was needed, the reasons were limited for checking their solutions and answers. The level of mathematical justification in Algebra was higher than in Geometry. Students who had higher mathematic achievement had higher levels of mathematical justification. In conclusion, we searched the possibility of teaching mathematical justification to students, and we found some practical methods for teaching.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9841-9846
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• 2014

Objectives: To compare the metabolic indices, lipid profile, androgens, and prostate specific antigen between prostate cancer and BPH and between grades of prostate cancer in a cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 95 cases of prostate cancer and 95 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Prostate gland volume was measured using transrectal ultrasound. We compared insulin, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, prostate specific antigen levels and lipid profile between prostate cancer of different grades and BPH. Further, prostate cancer patients were classified into low grade and high grade. Unpaired t-test for normally distributed variables and Man-Whitney U test for non-normal variables were used to assess differences. Results: We found that prostate cancer patients had significantly higher levels of insulin, testosterone, PSA, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in comparison to their BPH counterparts. Higher levels of these parameters also correlated with a higher grade of the disease. Conclusions: We conclude that higher levels of insulin, testosterone, PSA, and cholesterol correlate with a higher risk of prostate cancer, and also with a higher grade of the disease.