• Title/Summary/Keyword: Improvement Methods

Search Result 11,332, Processing Time 0.041 seconds

Clinical Presentation and Prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Infants Aged ≤90 Days: Insights for Management During Outbreaks

  • Hye Jeong Moon;Mi Seon Han;Kyung Min Kim;Kyung Jin Oh;Ju Young Chang;Seong Yong Lee;Ji Eun Choi
    • Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
    • /
    • v.30 no.2
    • /
    • pp.84-90
    • /
    • 2023
  • Purpose: Infants aged ≤90 days with fever are susceptible to severe infections. This study aimed to analyze the clinical features of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in this particular age group. Methods: Infants aged ≤90 days who were diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and hospitalized between March 1, 2020, and May 1, 2022 were included. Medical records of patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 105 infants with COVID-19 were included; 27 (25.7%) neonates aged <28 days, and 48 (45.7%) and 30 (28.6%) infants aged 28-59 days and 60-90 days, respectively. Five (4.7%) patients remained asymptomatic and 68 (62.8%) were febrile, with a median fever duration of 2 days. The most common symptoms were respiratory including cough (66.6%), nasal stuffiness (51.4%), and rhinorrhea (40.9%). Blood cultures were performed in 10 infants but no organisms were detected. Cultures of bag-collected urine specimens from 8 infants were grown, resulting in positive growth for 2 without pyuria. Nine (8.6%) infants were treated with empirical antibiotics for a median duration of 2.3 days (range, 1-7 days). All 105 infants showed improvement without any complications, and there were no fatal cases. Conclusions: In this study, most infants aged ≤90 days with COVID-19 presented with mild symptoms and none of those evaluated had documented bacterial co-infection. The favorable prognosis among young infants with SARS-CoV-2 may aid clinicians in tailoring their approach to evaluation and management during outbreaks.

Development of Rapid-cycling Brassica rapa Plant Program based on Cognitive Apprenticeship Model and its Application Effects (인지적 도제 모델 기반의 Rapid-cycling Brassica rapa 식물 프로그램의 개발 및 적용 효과)

  • Jae Kwon Kim;Sung-Ha Kim
    • Journal of Science Education
    • /
    • v.47 no.2
    • /
    • pp.192-210
    • /
    • 2023
  • This study was intended to develop the plant molecular biology experimental program using Rapid-cycling Brassica rapa (RcBr) based on the teaching steps and teaching methods of the cognitive apprenticeship model and to determine its application effects. In order to improve a subject's cognitive function and expertise on molecular biology experiments, two themes composed of a total 8 class sessions were selected: 'Identification of DFR gene in purple RcBr and non-purple RcBr' and 'Identification of RcBr's genetic polymorphism site using the DNA profiling method'. Research subjects were 18 pre-service teaching majors in biology education of H University in Chungbuk, Korea. The effectiveness of the developed program was verified by analyzing the enhancement of 'cognitive function' related to the use of molecular biology knowledge and technology, and the enhancement of 'domain-general metacognitive abilities.' The effect of the developed program was also determined by analyzing the task flow diagram provided. The developed program was effective in improving the cognitive functions of the pre-service teachers on the use of knowledge and technology of molecular biology experiments. It was especially effective to improve the higher cognitive function of pre-service teachers who did not have the previous experience. The developed program also showed a significant improvement in the task of metacognitive knowledge and in the planning, checking, and evaluation of metacognitive regulation, which are sub-elements of domain-general metacognitive abilities. It was found that the developed program's self-test activity could help the pre-service teachers to improve their metacognitive regulation. Therefore, this developed program turned out to be helpful for pre-service teachers to develop core competencies needed for molecular biology experimental classes. If the teaching and learning materials of the developed program could be reconstructed and applied to in-service teachers or high school students, it would be expected to improve their metacognitive abilities.

Review of Domestic Research Trends on Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) Materials: Based on Research Articles in Korean Citation Index (KCI) (이중층수산화물(layered double hydroxide, LDH) 소재의 국내 연구동향 리뷰: 한국학술지인용색인(KCI)에 발표된 논문을 대상으로)

  • Seon Yong Lee;YoungJae Kim;Young Jae Lee
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
    • /
    • v.56 no.1
    • /
    • pp.23-53
    • /
    • 2023
  • In this review paper, previous studies on layered double hydroxides (LDHs) published in the Korean Citation Index (KCI) were examined to investigate a research trend for LDHs in Korea. Since the first publication in 2002, 160 papers on LDHs have been published until January 2023. Among the 31 academic fields, top 5 fields appeared in the order of chemical engineering, chemistry, materials engineering, environmental engineering, and physics. The chemical engineering shows the highest record of published paper (71 papers) while around 10 papers have been published in the other four fields. All papers were reclassified into 15 research fields based on the industrial and academic purposes of using LDHs. The top 5 in these fields are in order of environmental purification materials, polymer catalyst materials, battery materials, pharmaceutical/medicinal materials, and basic physicochemical properties. These findings suggest that researches on the applications of LDH materials in the academic fields of chemical engineering and chemistry for the improvement of their functions such as environmental purification materials, polymer catalysts, and batteries have been being most actively conducted. The application of LDHs for cosmetic and agricultural purposes and for developing environmental sensors is still at the beginning of research. Considering a market-potential and high-efficiency-eco-friendly trend, however, it will deserve our attention as emerging application fields in the future. All reclassified papers were summarized in our tables and a supplementary file, including information on applied materials, key results, characteristics and synthesis methods of LDHs used. We expect that our findings of overall trends in LDH research in Korea can help design future researches with LDHs and suggest policies for resources and energies as well as environments efficiently.

Surgical Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures at Thoraco-Lumbar Levels: Only Pedicle Screw Constructs with Polymethylmethacrylate Augmentation (흉요추부 골다공증성 척추 압박 골절의 수술적 치료: 골시멘트 보강술을 이용한 척추경 나사 고정)

  • Jun, Deuk Soo;Baik, Jong-Min;Park, Ji Hyeon
    • Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
    • /
    • v.54 no.4
    • /
    • pp.327-335
    • /
    • 2019
  • Purpose: To investigate the radiological efficacy of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) augmentation of pedicle screw operation in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty OVCF patients, who underwent only posterior fusion using pedicle screws with PMMA augmentation, were included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 15.6 months. The demographic data, bone mineral density (BMD), fusion segments, number of pedicle screws, and amount of PMMA were reviewed as medical records. To analyze the radiological outcomes, the radiologic parameters were measured as the time serial follow-up (preoperation, immediately postoperation, postoperation 6 weeks, 3, 6 months, and 1 year follow-up). Results: A total of 20 patients were examined (16 females [80.0%]; mean age, 69.1±8.9 years). The average BMD was -2.5±0.9 g/cm2. The average cement volume per vertebral body was 6.3 ml. The mean preoperative Cobb angle of focal kyphosis was 32.7°±7.0° and was improved significantly to 8.7°±6.9° postoperatively (p<0.001), with maintenance of the correction at the serial follow-up, postoperatively. The Cobb angle of instrumented kyphosis, wedge angle, and sagittal index showed similar patterns. In addition, the anterior part of fractured vertebral body height averaged 11.0±5.0 mm and was improved to 18.5±5.7 mm postoperatively (p=0.006), with maintenance of the improvement at the 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: The reinforcement of pedicle screws using PMMA augmentation may be a feasible surgical technique for OVCF. Moreover, it appears to be appropriate for improving the focal thoracolumbar/lumbar kyphosis and is maintained well after surgery.

Clinical Results of Footprint Restoration Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Remnant Preservation (잔여부 보존술식을 이용한 고유부착부 재현 전방십자인대 재건술의 임상결과)

  • Chung, Hyun-Min;Seo, Young-Jin;Song, Si Young;Cha, Myoungsoo
    • Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
    • /
    • v.54 no.6
    • /
    • pp.537-546
    • /
    • 2019
  • Purpose: Anteromedial (AM), posterolateral (PL), anterior, and posterior remnant preserving anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions were conducted on patients with partial ACL tears based on the arthroscopic findings. The clinical results of the four groups were compared. Materials and Methods: This study included 98 patients who underwent a remnant preserving ACL reconstruction from January 2013 to June 2016 and could be followed-up for at least two years. The subjects were categorized into four groups according to the selective bundles reconstructed: group A, anteromedial selective bundle reconstruction; group B, posterolateral selective bundle reconstruction; group C, anterior bundle reconstruction; and group D, posterior bundle reconstruction. The preoperative and postoperative anterior translation from the stress X-ray, International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC SKF) score, Lysholm score, and hospital for special surgery (HSS) score were compared. Results: All four groups showed significant improvement in anterior translation on the stress X-ray conducted with knees at 15° flexion, IKDC SKF score, Lysholm score, and HSS score postoperatively (in all groups, p<0.001). No intergroup differences were observed in terms of the functional outcomes except that preoperative IKDC SKF score was higher in the C group than in the A group (p=0.021), and the preoperative Lysholm score was higher in the B group than in the A group (p=0.03). Conclusion: After the AM, PL, anterior, and posterior remnant preserving ACL reconstructions, all four groups showed satisfactory results in terms of the anteroposterior stability and functional knee scores with no significant intergroup differences.

Study of Deformity by the Involvement of the Femoral Head of the Proximal Femur in Polyostotic Fibrous Dysplasia (다발성 섬유성 이형성증에서 근위 대퇴골두 침범 여부에 따른 변형 정도)

  • Na, Bo Ram;Jung, Sung Taek;Cho, Yong Jin
    • Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
    • /
    • v.54 no.6
    • /
    • pp.519-527
    • /
    • 2019
  • Purpose: To evaluate the treatment result in polyostotic fibrous dysplasia classified according to the involvement of the femoral head. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three patients from March 1987 to March 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with no involvement of the physeal scar in the femoral head were classified as Type I, and those with involvement of the physeal scar were classified as Type II. A plain radiograph was used to measure the femoral neck shaft angle, articulo-trochanteric distance (ATD), and anterior bowing through the lateral view. A teleoroentgenogram of the lower limb was used to measure the leg length discrepancy and lower extremity mechanical axis. The pre- and postoperative femoral neck-shaft angle and ATD were compared to assess the degree of correction of the deformity. Results: Among a total of 46 cases (23 patients), 28 cases (23 patients) had lesions in the proximal femur. Type I were 16/28 cases (15/23 patients) and Type II were 12/28 cases (9/23 patients). The preoperative proximal femoral neck-shaft angle was 116.8° in Type I and 95.3° in Type II. The ATD was 12.08 mm in Type I and -5.54 mm in Type II. The deformity correction showed significant improvement immediately after surgery, the deformity correction was lost in Type II (neck shaft angle Type I: 133.8°-130.8°, Type II: 128.6°-116.9°, and ATD Type I: 17.66-15.72 mm, Type II: 7.44-4.16 mm). The extent of anterior bowing was 12.74° in Type I and 20.19° in Type II. The mean differences of 12 mm between the 9 patients who showed a leg length discrepancy and the lower extremity mechanical axis showed 4 cases of lateral deviation and 7 cases of medial deviation. Conclusion: In polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, when the femur head is involved, the femur neck shaft angle, ATD, and anterior bowing of the femur had more deformity, and the postoperative correction of deformity was lost, suggesting that the involvement of the femoral head was an important factor in the prognosis of the disease.

The factors to impact on the satisfaction of field practice among dental hygiene students (일부 치위생(학)과 학생들의 현장임상실습 만족도의 영향을 미치는 요인)

  • Sim, Seon-Ju;Baek, Ha-Oung;Um, Jung-Sun;Jung, Ha-Yan;Ji, Hey Mi;Hwang, Si-Nae;Han, Ji-Hey
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Dental Administration
    • /
    • v.5 no.1
    • /
    • pp.22-30
    • /
    • 2017
  • Objective: The purpose is to study the factors to impact on the satisfaction of field practice among dental hygiene students and to provide the basic data for the quality improvement of the field practices for dental hygiene students. Methods: A self-reported questionnaires were filled out by 108 dental hygiene students in C city. Questionnaires were composed with the general characteristics, satisfaction to major, and satisfaction to field clinical practice. The data was analyzed by chi-square statistics using SPSS 20.0 program. Results: The higher satisfaction to communication with professor or seniors in department was associated with the higher satisfaction to field clinical practice (p<0.05). The higher satisfaction to field clinical practice hours per week was associated with the higher satisfaction to field clinical practice (p<0.05). The higher interest to major subjects and the satisfaction to the laboratory environment were associated with the higher satisfaction to field clinical practice (p<0.05). Conclusions: The higher satisfaction to major was associated with the higher satisfaction to field clinical practice. Therefore, the systematic curriculum development is needed to improve the satisfaction with major and clinical practice.

One-Dimensional Consolidation Simulation of Kaolinte using Geotechnical Online Testing Method (온라인 실험을 이용한 카올리나이트 점토의 일차원 압밀 시뮬레이션)

  • Kwon, Youngcheul
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
    • /
    • v.26 no.4C
    • /
    • pp.247-254
    • /
    • 2006
  • Online testing method is one of the numerical experiment methods using experimental information for a numerical analysis directly. The method has an advantage in that analysis can be conducted without using an idealized mechanical model, because mechanical properties are updated from element test for a numerical analysis in real time. The online testing method has mainly been used for the geotechnical seismic engineering, whose major target is sand. A testing method that may be applied to a consolidation problem has recently been developed and laboratory and field verifications have been tried. Although related research thus far has mainly used a method to update average reaction for a numerical analysis by positioning an element tests at the center of a consolidation layer, a weakness that accuracy of the analysis can be impaired as the thickness of the consolidation layer becomes more thicker has been pointed out regarding the method. To clarify the effectiveness and possible analysis scope of the online testing method in relation to the consolidation problem, we need to review the results by applying experiment conditions that may completely exclude such a factor. This research reviewed the results of the online consolidation test in terms of reproduction of the consolidation settlement and the dissipation of excess pore water pressure of a clay specimen by comparing the results of an online consolidation test and a separated-type consolidation test carried out under the same conditions. As a result, the online consolidation test reproduced the change of compressibility according effective stress of clay without a huge contradiction. In terms of the dissipation rate of excess pore water pressure, however, the online consolidation test was a little faster. In conclusion, experiment procedure needs to improve in a direction that hydraulic conductivity can be updated in real time so as to more precisely predict the dissipation of excess pore water pressure. Further research or improvement should be carried out with regard to the consolidation settlement after the end of the dissipation of excess pore water pressure.

Study on the consumption practices and Importance-Satisfaction Analysis of meal-kit selection attributes among adults in their 20s and 30s (20-30대 성인의 밀키트 소비 실태와 밀키트 선택속성에 대한 중요도-만족도 분석)

  • Se-Eun Kim;Hyun-Joo Bae
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
    • /
    • v.56 no.3
    • /
    • pp.315-329
    • /
    • 2023
  • Purpose: This study examined the meal-kit consumption practices of adults in their 20s and 30s and analyzed the properties that should be given priority for improvement among the selection attributes to improve the quality of meal-kits. Methods: Statistical analyses were conducted using the SPSS program (ver. 28.0) for χ2-test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Duncan's multiple range test, factor analysis, and Importance-Satisfaction Analysis (ISA). Results: Of the 249 subjects surveyed, 85.5% had some experience of purchasing meal-kits, with significantly more females than males (p < 0.01), significantly more married people than single people (p < 0.05), significantly more employed people than unemployed people (p < 0.05). Meal-kits were purchased most frequently for meals (60.6%), from discount stores or supermarkets (44.6%), and priced between 10,000 won and 20,000 won per person (46.9%). The overall satisfaction with meal-kits was 4.1 out of 5.0 points. The frequency of purchases was Korean soup dishes (69.5%), Korean main dishes (47.4%), and Korean street snacks (46.9%). Factor analysis of the meal-kit selection attributes revealed, 4 factors: 'quality of food,' 'packaging and diversity,' 'quality of meal-kit,' and 'convenience and price.' Compared to single-person households, multi-person households placed significantly higher importance on the 'quality of food,' 'packaging and diversity,' and 'quality of meal-kit.' The factor, 'packaging and diversity' were significantly higher in the importance evaluation scores for females (p < 0.01), married people (p < 0.05), and people in their 30s (p < 0.05) among meal-kit consumers. According to the ISA results, a critical aspect that meal-kit manufacturers or sellers should strengthen is 'price.' Conclusion: Meal-kit products will need to be developed for various purposes that offer high value for money that can satisfy the consumers' needs to improve the satisfaction of meal-kit consumers.

A Study on the Characteristics and Consultation Type of Inpatients Referred for Delirium and Depressive Disorder (섬망 및 우울장애로 자문 의뢰된 입원환자의 임상적 특징 및 의뢰 형태에 관한 연구)

  • Seong min Lee;Seung-Ho Ryu;Jee Hyun Ha;Hong Jun Jeon;Doo-Heum Park
    • Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
    • /
    • v.31 no.1
    • /
    • pp.10-18
    • /
    • 2023
  • Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of patients referred for delirium and depressive disorder and to find direction of improvement of consultation-liason psychiatry in general hospital. Methods : We performed a retrospective computed chart review of the 4,966 inpatients hospitalized at Konkuk University Hospital who were referred to the Department of Psychiatry from August 1, 2005 to December 31, 2011. Results : Depressive disorder shows the order of frequency of consultation type Parallel-Complementary-Mending. Delirium shows the order of frequency of consultation type Mending-Parallel-Complementary. When comparing 'follow up consultation' and 'without follow up consultation' group within the depressive disorder, the proportion of men in the 'follow up consultation' group was higher. In the analysis of the consultation type, the 'follow up consultation' group showed the order of consultation type Parallel-Mending- Complementary, and type Parallel-Complementary-Mending in the 'without follow up consultation' group. When comparing 'follow up consultation' and 'without follow up consultation' group within the delirium, the proportion of the surgical field in the 'follow up consultation' group was higher. In the analysis of the consultation type, both group showed the order of consultation type Mending-Parallel- Complementary. Conclusions : Doctors in each department and psychiatrists should pay attention to delirium symptoms that may occur in surgical inpatients and preventive measures should be taken. Screening tests should be conducted in medical patients to properly evaluate coexisting psychiatric diseases. Risk factors of Delirium and Depressive disorder should be identified from the time of hospitalization, and actively discussing treatment plans and early interventions could improve the quality of medical services.