• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4685-4690
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between cosmetic outcome (CO), body image, and quality of life in post breast-conserving therapy (BCT) women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study concerned one-year post-completed BCT Thai women. The data included subjective and objective CO with a questionnaire covering demographic and clinical data, anti-hormonal treatment status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, Self-Reported Cosmetic Outcomes (SRCO), Self-Reported Breast Symmetry (SRBS), Body Image Scale (BIS), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy with Breast Cancer subscale (FACT-B). Participants had breast photographs taken for the evaluation of objective cosmetic outcome (OCO) after breast cancer conservation treatment. The relationship between CO and FACT-B was tested using Spearman's rank correlation Results: A total 127 participants volunteered for the study. The participant characteristics were age 52(${\pm}9$), Buddhist 87%, married 65%, body mass index 25.0(${\pm}4.6$), breast cup size A-C 91%, college educated 60%, employed 66%, ECOG 0-1 95%, tumor size less than or equal to 2 cm 55%, no lymph node metastasis 98%, and taking tamoxifen 57%. Two percent of the participants regretted their decision to undergo BCT. The SRCO was excellent in 2%, good in 68%, fair in 30%, and poor in 0%. For SRBS, rates were 17%, 58%, 24% and 1% for excellent, good, fair and poor cosmetic outcomes, respectively. The BCCT scores were excellent 24%, good 39%, fair 32%, and poor 6%. The median total QOL score of the participants was 130 (93-144). There was no significant correlation between CO and FACT-B scores. Conclusions: The significance of CO for FACT-B in Thai women with breast cancer could not be assessed in detail because of a very low level of correlation. The results may be due to the effects of cultural background.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 2023

To study the evaluation standard and control limit of mortar filling layer void length, in this paper, the train sub-model was developed by MATLAB and the track-bridge sub-model considering the mortar filling layer void was established by ANSYS. The two sub-models were assembled into a train-track-bridge coupling dynamic model through the wheel-rail contact relationship, and the validity was corroborated by the coupling dynamic model with the literature model. Considering the randomness of fastening stiffness, mortar elastic modulus, length of mortar filling layer void, and pier settlement, the test points were designed by the Box-Behnken method based on Design-Expert software. The coupled dynamic model was calculated, and the support vector regression (SVR) nonlinear mapping model of the wheel-rail system was established. The learning, prediction, and verification were carried out. Finally, the reliable probability of the amplification coefficient distribution of the response index of the train and structure in different ranges was obtained based on the SVR nonlinear mapping model and Latin hypercube sampling method. The limit of the length of the mortar filling layer void was, thus, obtained. The results show that the SVR nonlinear mapping model developed in this paper has a high fitting accuracy of 0.993, and the computational efficiency is significantly improved by 99.86%. It can be used to calculate the dynamic response of the wheel-rail system. The length of the mortar filling layer void significantly affects the wheel-rail vertical force, wheel weight load reduction ratio, rail vertical displacement, and track plate vertical displacement. The dynamic response of the track structure has a more significant effect on the limit value of the length of the mortar filling layer void than the dynamic response of the vehicle, and the rail vertical displacement is the most obvious. At 250 km/h - 350 km/h train running speed, the limit values of grade I, II, and III of the lengths of the mortar filling layer void are 3.932 m, 4.337 m, and 4.766 m, respectively. The results can provide some reference for the long-term service performance reliability of the ballastless track-bridge system of HRS.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.9-24
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• 2022

Currently, a vast amount of hydrologic data is accumulated in real-time through automatic water level measuring instruments in agricultural reservoirs. At the same time, false and missing data points are also increasing. The applicability and reliability of quality control of hydrological data must be secured for efficient agricultural water management through calculation of water supply and disaster management. Considering the characteristics of irregularities in hydrological data caused by irrigation water usage and rainfall pattern, the Korea Rural Community Corporation is currently applying the Hampel filter as a water level data quality management method. This method uses window size as a key parameter, and if window size is large, distortion of data may occur and if window size is small, many outliers are not removed which reduces the reliability of the corrected data. Thus, selection of the optimal window size for individual reservoir is required. To ensure reliability, we compared and analyzed the RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) and NSE (Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient) of the corrected data and the daily water level of the RIMS (Rural Infrastructure Management System) data, and the automatic outlier detection standards used by the Ministry of Environment. To select the optimal window size, we used the classification performance evaluation index of the error matrix and the rainfall data of the irrigation period, showing the optimal values at 3 h. The efficient reservoir automatic calibration technique can reduce manpower and time required for manual calibration, and is expected to improve the reliability of water level data and the value of water resources.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.119-133
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• 1998

Attentional processes facilitate cognitive and behavioral performance in several ways. Attention serves to reduce the amount of information to receive. Attention enables humans to direct themselves to appropriate aspects of external environmental events and internal operations. Attention facilitates the selection of salient information and the allocation of cognitive processing appropriate to that information. Attention is not a unitary process that can be localized to a single neuroanatomical region. Before the cortical registration of sensory information, activation of important subcortical structures occurs, which is called as an orienting response. Once sensory information reaches the sensory cortex, a large number of perceptual processes occur, which provide various levels of perceptual resolution of the critical features of the stimuli. After this preattentional processing, information is integrated within higher cortical(heteromodal) systems in inferior parietal and temporal lobes. At this stage, the processing characteristics can be modified, and the biases of the system have a direct impact on attentional selection. Information flow has been traced through sensory analysis to a processing stage that enables the new information to be focused and modified in relation to preexisting biases. The limbic and paralimbic system play significant roles in modulating attentional response. It is labeled with affective salience and is integrated according to ongoing pressures from the motivational drive system of the hypothalamus. The salience of information greatly influences the allocation of attention. The frontal lobe operate response selection system with a reciprocal interaction with both the attention system of the parietal lobe and the limbic system. In this attentional process, the search with the spatial field is organized and a sequence of attentional responses is generated. Affective, motivational and appectitive impulses from limbic system and hypothalamus trigger response intention, preparation, planning, initiation and control of frontal lobe on this process. The reticular system, which produces ascending activation, catalyzes the overall system and increases attentional capacity. Also additional energetic pressures are created by the hypothalamus. As psychophysiological measurement, skin conductance, pupil diameter, muscle tension, heart rate, alpha wave of EEG can be used. Event related potentials also provide physiological evidence of attention during information process. NI component appears to be an electrophysiological index of selective attention. P3 response is developed during the attention related to stimulus discrimination, evaluation and response.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.398-403
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• 2023

Process-based K-cabbage model is based on physiological processes such as photosynthesis and phenology, making it possible to predict crop growth under different climate conditions that have never been experienced before. Current first-stage process-based models can be used to assess climate impact through yield prediction based on climate change scenarios, but no comparison has been performed between big data obtained from the main production area and model prediction so far. The aim of this study was to find out the direction of model improvement when using the current model for yield prediction. For this purpose, model performance evaluation was conducted based on data collected from farmers growing 'Chungwang' cabbage in Taebaek and Samcheok, the main producing areas of Chinese cabbage in highland region. The farms surveyed in this study had different cultivation methods in terms of planting date and soil water and nutrient management. The results showed that the potential biomass estimated using the K-cabbage model exceeded the observed values in all cases. Although predictions and observations at the time of harvest did not show a complete positive correlation due to limitations caused by the use of fresh weight in the model evaluation process (R²=0.74, RMSE=866.4), when fitting the model based on the values 2 weeks before harvest, the growth suitability index was different for each farm. These results are suggested to be due to differences in soil properties and management practices between farms. Therefore, to predict attainable yields taking into account differences in soil and management practices between farms, it is necessary to integrate dynamic soil nutrient and moisture modules into crop models, rather than using arbitrary growth suitability indices in current K-cabbage model.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.102-130
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• 2000

The aims of this study were to understand and to predict the determinant factors affecting the exercise behaviors and physical fitness by testing the Ponder's health promotion model, and to help the patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis perform the continuous exercise program, and to help them maximize the physical effect such as muscle strength. endurance, and fuctional status and mental effects including self efficacy and quality of life, and improve the physical and mental wellbeing, and to provide a basis for the nursing intervention strategies. We analyzed the clinical records of 208 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis who visited the outpatient clinics at H university hospital in Seoul between October 5, 1999 and October 24, 1999. Data were composed of self reported questionnaire and good of fitness score which were obtained by pedalling the ergometer of bicycle for 9 minutes. SPSS Win 8.0 and Window LISREL 8.12a were used for statistical analysis. 24 Of 54 hypothetical paths were supported in modified model, which was considered as a proper model with improved fit index. The physical fitness was directly influenced by exercise participation behavior and education level, and indirectly by physical fitness, while fatigue, physical disability, pastexercise behavior, life-style, self-efficacy, which explained 20% of physical fitness. The exercise participation were directly influenced by perceived benefits and self-efficacy, and indirectly influenced by life-style, fatigue and physical disability, and directly and indirectly by past exercise behavior, which explained 53% of exercise participation. Exercise score were directly affected by perceived health status, perceived benefits, self efficacy, and past exercise behavior, and were indirectly affected by fatigue, physical disability, and life-style, which explained 50%. Perceived health status were directly influeced by level of education, depression, sleep disorder, and physical disability, which explained 34% of perceived health status. Perceived benefit was directly influenced by fatigue, sleep disorder, physical disability, and life-style, which explained 45%. Perceived barriers was directly influenced by fatigue, sleep disorder, and lifestyle, which explained 9%. Self- efficacy was directly influenced by fatigue, physical disability, past exercise behavior, and level of education, which explained 61%. In conclusion, important variables for physical fitness were exercise participation and level of education, and variables affecting exercise participation were perceived self-efficacy, benefits, and past exercise behavior. Perceived self-efficacy of exercise was a significant predictor of exercise participation. Life-style, fatigue, and physical disability showed direct effects on perceived benefit, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy, and indirect effects on exercise behavior. Therefore, disease related factor should be minimized for physical performance and well being in nursing intervention for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and plans to promote and continue exercise should be soaked to reduce disability. In addition, Exercise program should be planned and performed by the exact evaluation of exercise according to the ability of the patients and the contents to improve the importance of exercise and self efficacy in self control program, dedicated educational program should be involved.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2019

Colibacillosis is one of the major health problems in young piglets resulting in poor health and death caused by Escherichia coli producing F18 pili and Shiga toxin 2e. It is pivotal to reduce colibacillosis in weaned piglets to enhance production performance. In this study, we evaluated synbiotics as the gut health improvement agents in the mouse model challenged with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) isolated from piglets. Prebiotic lactulose was formulated with each $5.0{\times}10^6CFU/mL$ of Pediococcus acidilactici GB-U15, Lactobacillus plantarum GB-U17, and Lactobacillus plantarum GB 1-3 to produce 3 combinations of synbiotics. A total of 40 three weeks old BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 10): a control group and 3 synbiotics treated groups. Each treatment groups were daily administrated with $5.0{\times}10^6CFU/mL$ of one synbiotics for the first week, and every 3 days during the second week. All the mice were challenged with $8.0{\times}10^8CFU/mL$ of STEC 5 days after animals began to receive synbiotics. Mice treated with synbiotics based on Pediococcus acidilactici GB-U15 and Lactobacillus plantarum GB-U17 significantly improved daily weight gain compared to mice in other groups. While mice treated with GB-U15 showed better fecal index, no significant differences were observed among groups. Gross lesion and histopathological evaluations showed that mice treated with GB-U15 moderately improved recovery from STEC infection. In conclusion, our results suggest that the synbiotics formulated with lactulose and Pediococcus acidilactici GB-U15 have potential benefits to prevent and improve colibacillosis in weaned piglets.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of feldspar on laying Performance and e99 qualify in hens. A total of 96 'Tetra Brown' layers were assigned to 4 treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment consisted 4 replicates accommodating 6 layers per replication. Experiment diets were a control diet without feldspar and supplemented 0.5, 1.0 and $1.5\%$ feldspar. The egg Production rate was significantly increased in layers 134 diets supplemented 0.5 and $1.0\%$ feldspar compared to that of control (P<0.05). Egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg shell strength and egg yolk color were not significantly different among the treatments (P>0.05). The haugh unit and blood spot of the eggs were significantly increased in $1.5\%$ feldspa. diets compared to that of control (p<0.05). However, the albumen index and meat spot in the eggs were not statistically different among treatments (P>0.05). Sensory evaluation traits were not significantly differed in terms of appearance, color, texture flavor and overall acceptability of eggs (P>0.05). The juiciness of boiled eggs was significantly increased in eggs of birds fed $1.0\%$ feldspar diets(P>0.05).

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.263-266
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• 2010

Prediction of semen's fertilizing ability used in artificial insemination (AI) is one of very important factors on pig reproductive performance. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has been used for indirect evaluation of sperm's fertilizing ability and it has been showed as highly correlated index. In swine industry, increasing interest in preservation of boar semen raises questions on the sperm motility from semen used in commercial AI centers. Mitochondria in sperm mid-piece generate the energy to support motility and could be an explanation of impaired fertility. Objective of this study was to suggest usable sperm motility to farms in measuring the effect of sperm motility and sperm abnormality on in vitro production of embryo in which sperm's fertilizing ability can be determined indirectly. Semen samples were provided from local AI center and used within 3 days after collection. Semen samples were divided by 4 different motile groups (>70%; 61~70%; 51~60%; <50%) using CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis) on the days of IVF. Developmental rate to the blastocyst stage from over 61% motile sperm group showed significantly higher rate than below 60% motile sperm group ($16.5{\pm}0.7{\sim}18.4{\pm}0.8%$ vs $6.3{\pm}0.8{\sim}11.5{\pm}0.7%$, p<0.05). In experiment to determine the relationship between sperm motility and viability and abnormality, over 61% motile sperm groups showed significantly higher viability rate compared to below 60% motile sperm groups ($84.8{\pm}4.0{\sim}88.1{\pm}4.0%$ vs $69.1{\pm}4.0{\sim}74.2{\pm}4.0%$, p<0.05). On the other hand, morphological sperm abnormality showed significantly higher in over 70% motile sperm group ($10.2{\pm}2.2$ vs $16.0{\pm}2.2{\sim}21.0{\pm}2.2%$, p<0.05). In experiment to find the correlation between sperm motility of 4 different motile groups and amount of mitochondria, lower motility group also showed lower level of mitochondria (p<0.05). The mitochondria parameter used in this study showed another possibility to differentiate the sperm motility. Taken together, because below 60% motile semen used in AI reduce the fertility, AI centers should provide the over 60% motile sperm to the farms at the time of AI.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.473-478
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• 2005

The gastric cancer takes the great part of the cancer occurrence and the mortality from cancer in Korea, and the early detection of gastric cancer is very important in the treatment and convalescence. This paper. for the early detection of gastric cancer, Proposes the analysis system of endoscopic image of the stomach that detects the abnormal region by using the change of color in the image and provides the surface tissue information to the detector. While the advanced inflammation and the cancer may be easily detected, the early inflammation and the cancer have a difficulty in detection and require the more attention lot detection. This paper, at first, converts the endoscopic image to the Image of IHb(Index of Hemoglobin) model and removes noises incurred by illumination, and next, automatically detects the regions suspected as cancer and provides the related information to the detector, or provides the surface tissue information for the regions appointed by the detector. This paper does not intend to provide the final diagnosis of the detected abnormal regions as gastric cancer, but provides the supplementary mean that reduces the load and mistaken diagnosis of the detector by automatically detecting the abnormal regions being not easily detected by human eyes and providing the additional information for the diagnosis. The experiments using practical endoscopic images for performance evaluation showed that the proposed system is effective in the analysis of endoscopic image of the stomach.