• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.362-369
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• 2014

This study investigated physical properties and combustion gas characteristics for 8 types of wood pellets (4 domestic and 4 imported products) distributed in the domestic market. Results showed that most pellet types were first-grade pellets in the wood pellet quality standards in Korea with the exception of 3 pellet types from K company (second-grade in mechanical durability), G company (off-grade in nitrogen content) and P company (second-grade in ash percentage). Mixed pellets which contained more lignin and sap content were higher in mechanical durability (%) than that of white pellets. From the combustion gas analysis results, NOx emitted from all pellets combustion was at acceptable levels for national emission standard of the Clean Air Conservation Act except for pellets from G company. In addition, CO levels from all types of wood pellets were acceptable except for pellets from D company and domestic pellets were higher CO levels than imported pellets. These results indicate the higher CO levels in domestic pellets due to the usage of forest thinning materials including logging debris which usually had the high content of bark.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1327-1330
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• 2015

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common cancer in the oral area. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and especially MMP-2 and MMP-9 are increased in malignancy and lymph node involvement in oral SCCs. We aimed to evaluate the serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with oral SCC compared to normal subjects and their relation with clinicopathological findings. Materials and Methods: In this case control study, 20 patients with oral SCC and 20 healthy subjects were included and serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were compared between groups. Also, the correlation between these markers with clinicopathological findings including grade (T) and node (N) were evaluated. Results: Patients with oral SCC had significantly higher serum levels of MMP-2 (p=0.01) and MMP-9 (p<0.001) compared to healthy subjects. With increase in grade T, MMP-2 was significantly increased (p=0.001), but in the MMP-9 case this was not significant (p=0.27). The levels of MMP-2 (p=0.002) and MMP-9 (p=0.01) in cases with lymph node involvement and that of MMP-2 in subjects with smoking history (p=0.001) were significantly high. There was significantly positive correlation between MMP-2 with grade T tumor (r=0.598, p=0.005), lymph node involvement (r=0.737, p<0.001) and smoking (r=0.674, p=0.001) and also between MMP-9 and lymph node involvement (r=0.474, p=0.03). Conclusions: Both markers are significantly increased in oral SCC compared to healthy subjects. However, MMP-2 was better for evaluating lymph node involvement and tumor grade.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.4029-4032
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze any association between the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and risk of prostate cancer (PCa) and cancer grade among men undergoing radical prostatectomy for PCa. Materials and Methods: 50 patients with MetS and 50 patients without MetS 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 $63.7{\pm}5.94$ in patients with MetS and $61.6{\pm}6.14$ in patients without MetS. Men with MetS had significantly lower PSA levels (p=0.01) ($7.21{\pm}2.74$ and $8.81{\pm}2.72$, respectively). Also, the men with MetS had higher RP tumor grade (p=0.04). Conclusions: Men with MetS undergoing RP have lower PSA levels and have significantly higher grade PCa. We must be careful for screening PCa in patients with MetS. Although the patients had lower PSA levels, they may have high grade disease.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.475-485
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• 2016

This study explored mothers' and grandmothers' perception regarding child rearing practices as overprotective behaviors for first to third grade levels of elementary school. The study was conducted on 202 mothers and grandmothers of first to third grade elementary school students. Questionnaires were made with 40 questions on overprotection behaviors selected from the existing questions for preschooler, high grade elementary students, and youth. The questionnaires were distributed to target subjects to answer how they would perceive when each of question is applied to their lower grade elementary students. Based on the collected responses and the factor analysis, it was found out that the overprotective behaviors were classified into four factors such as "reduction in independence," "over-sensitiveness to safety," "interference in daily life," and "health anxiety." There were significant differences in the perception of the overprotective behavior by the subjects depending on the generations, features of children and mothers. This study focused on the lower grade elementary school students who have been removed from studies due to the lack of intervention measures. It has the implication in that the findings of the study can give the basic data for the development of the scale on overprotective behaviors in lower grade elementary school students.

• Research in Mathematical Education
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.87-98
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• 2001

The Center for Science Gifted Education (CSGE) of Chongju National University of Education was established in 1998 with the financial support of the Korea. Science & Engineering Foundation (KOSEF). In fact, we had prepared mathematics and science gifted education program beginning in 1997. It was possible due to the commitment of faculty members with an interest in gifted education. Now we have 5 classes in Mathematics, two of which are fundamental, one of which is a strengthened second-grade class gifted elementary school students, and one a fundamental class, and one a strengthened class for gifted middle school students in Chungbuk province. Each class consists of 16 students selected by a rigorous examination and filtering process. Also we have a mentoring system for particularly gifted students in mathematics. We have a number of programs for Super-Saturday, Summer School, Winter School, and Mathematics and Science Gifted Camp. Each program is suitable for 90 or 180 minutes of class time. The types of tasks developed can be divided into experimental, group discussion, open-ended problem solving, and exposition and problem solving tasks. Levels of the tasks developed for talented elementary students in mathematics can be further divided into grade 5 and under, grade 6, and grade 7 and over. Types of the tasks developed can be divided into experimental, group discussion, open-ended problem solving, and exposition and problem solving task. Also levels of the tasks developed for talented elementary students in mathematics can be divided into the level of lower than grade 5, level of grade 6, and level of more than grade 7. Three tasks developed and practiced are reported in this article.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.465-476
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• 2007

Whether and when naturalistic or supernaturalistic explanations of the origins of sun and earth, humans, life and species change with development was explored in a questionnaire and interviews with 32 first graders and 32 second graders, and in a questionnaire with 34 third graders, 32 sixth graders and 38 eighth graders. Participants were also asked about factors affecting their explanations in the questionnaires. Even the first and second graders could consistently provide supernaturalistic or naturalistic explanations on both the origins of sun and earth, and of humans. There was an age-related developmental shift from supernaturalistic to naturalistic explanation. As for origins of species, most of the first and second graders held the spontaneous generationist explanation, and after the third grade their views divided into evolutionist and creationist explanations. Students' explanations of species origins were established by the sixth grade through a transitional stage in the third grade. At the first and second grade levels, books and the children's own reasoning mainly influenced the views of origins, whereas parents and school were not perceived as being important. For the third graders and higher-grade levels, several factors, including parents and religion, were perceived as being important. These results show that explanations of origins start to develop earlier than or during the first grade, and are established by the sixth grade; moreover, the formation of these views is affected by several factors in addition to development.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4289-4294
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive effect of preoperative CEA and CA 19-9 levels on the prognosis of colorectal and gastric cancer patients. Materials and Methods: CEA and CA 19-9 were evaluated preoperatively in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer (n=116) and gastric cancer (n=49). Patients with CEA levels <5 ng/mL were classified as CEA Group 1, 5-30 ng/mL as CEA Group 2 and >30 ng/mL were classified as CEA Group 3. Similarly the patients with a CA 19-9 level <35 U/mL were classified as CA 19-9 Group 1, with 35-100 U/mL as Group 2 and with >100 U/mL as Group and 3. TNM stages and histologic grades were noted according to histopathological reports. Patients with a TNM grade 0 or 1 were classified as Group A, TNM grade 2 patients constituted Group B and TNM grade 3 and 4 patients constituted Group C. Demographic characteristics, tumor locations and blood types of the patients were all recorded and these data were compared with the preoperative CEA and CA19-9 values. Results: A significant correlation between CA 19-9 levels (>100 U/mL) and TNM stage (in advanced stages) was determined. We also determined a significant correlation between TNM stages and positive vlaues for both CEA and CA 19-9 in colorectal and gastric cancer patients. In comparison between CEA and CA 19-9 levels and age, gender, tumor location, ABO blood group, and tumor histologic grade, no significant correlation was found. Conclusions: Positive levels of both CEA and CA 19-9 can be considered to indicate an advanced stage in colorectal and gastric cancer patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2010

Objective : In cervico-thoracic junction (CTJ), the use of strong fixation device such as pedicle screw-rod system is often required. Purpose of this study is to analyze the anatomical features of C7 and T1 pedicles related to screw insertion and to evaluate the safety of pedicle screw insertion at these levels. Methods : Nineteen patients underwent posterior CTJ fixation with C7 and/or T1 included in fixation levels. Seventeen patients had tumorous conditions and two with post-laminectomy kyphosis. The anatomical features were analyzed for C7 and T1 pedicles in 19 patients using computerized tomography (CT). Pedicle screw and rod fixation system was used in 16 patients. Pedicle violation by screws was evaluated with postoperative CT scan. Results : The mean values of the width, height, stable depth, safety angle, transverse angle, and sagittal angle of C7 pedicles were $6.9{\pm}1.34\;mm$, $8.23{\pm}1.18\;mm$, $30.93{\pm}4.65\;mm$, $26.42{\pm}7.91$ degrees, $25.9{\pm}4.83$ degrees, and $10.6{\pm}3.39$ degrees. At T1 pedicles, anatomic parameters were similar to those of C7. The pedicle violation revealed that 64.1% showed grade I violation and 35.9% showed grade II violation, overall. As for C7 pedicle screw insertion, grade I was 61.5% and grade II 38.5%. At T1 level, grade I was 65.0% and grade II 35.0%. There was no significant difference in violation rate between the whole group, C7, and T1 group. Conclusion : C7 pedicles can withstand pedicle screw insertion. C7 pedicle and T1 pedicle are anatomically very similar. With the use of adequate fluoroscopic oblique view, pedicle screw can be safely inserted at C7 and T1 levels.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to explore the variables of knowledge, acceptance of theory of evolution and epistemology that could be keys for teaching and learning the theory of evolution within school contexts, and to suggest instructional tips for teaching evolution in relation to the grade levels of education. This cross-sectional study examined the grade level differences (8th, 11th, and preservice teachers) of four variables: evolutionary knowledge; acceptance of theory of evolution; and both domain-specific epistemology (nature of science in relation to evolution) and context-specific epistemology (scientific epistemological views) and their relationships. This study, then, built conceptual models of each grade level students' acceptance of theory of evolution among the factors of evolutionary knowledge and epistemology (both domain-specific and context-specific). The results showed that the scores of evolutionary knowledge, evolution in relation to NOS, and scientific epistemology increased as the grade levels of education go up(p<.05) except the scores of acceptance of theory of evolution(p>.05). In addition, the 8th graders' and the 11th graders' acceptance of evolutionary theory was most explained by 'evolution in relation to NOS', while the preservice teachers' acceptance of evolutionary theory was most explained by evolutionary knowledge. Interestingly, 'scientific epistemological views' were only included for the 8th graders, while evolutionary knowledge and 'evolution in relation to NOS' (context-specific epistemology) were included in explaining all the level of students' acceptance of evolutionary theory. This study implicated that when teaching and learning of the theory of evolution in school contexts, knowledge, acceptance of evolutionary theory and epistemology could be considered appropriately for the different grade levels of students.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.122-136
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• 2022

Purpose: This study attempted to recommend a revision of inpatient nursing fees based on analyzing current and appropriate staffing levels. Methods: Staffing grades and their inpatient nursing fees as of the first quarter of 2022 were analyzed. Nurse managers and staff nurses answered surveys about the current and appropriate staffing levels, working days, and monthly salary. A total of 101 nurse managers and 588 staff nurses working in general wards at tertiary hospitals and general hospitals participated in the study. Results: The results showed that grade 1 staffing was found in 73.3% of tertiary hospitals and 63.7% of general hospitals. The current staffing ratios of tertiary hospitals and general hospitals were 1:9.3 and 1:10.4, respectively. The appropriate staffing ratios according to nurse managers and staff nurses at tertiary hospitals were 1:7.6 and 1:7.0, respectively, and 1:8.7 and 1:8.8 in general hospitals, respectively. The average estimated annual working days of staff nurses were 235.2 days in tertiary hospitals and 240.0 days in general hospitals. The median monthly salary for staff nurses was 4.957 million won in tertiary hospitals and 4.140 million won in general hospitals. The new staffing grade system was suggested from 1:6 (Grade 1) to 1:12 (Grade 5). The new inpatient nursing fee schedules were recommended to be paid based on nursing hours per patient day of each grade. Conclusion: The new staffing grade and inpatient nursing fee schedules are expected to increase staffing levels, improve the quality of nursing care, and provide a better work environment for nurses.