• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.35.1-35.13
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• 2021

Background: African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious viral disease of domestic pigs that presents as a hemorrhagic fever, and for which no effective vaccine is available. The disease has a serious negative social and economic impact on pig keepers. There is limited information on the potential risk factors responsible for the spread of ASF in South Kivu. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the potential risk factors associated with ASF infection in suspected ASF virus (ASFV)-infected pigs. Methods: We sampled whole blood from 391 pigs. Additionally, 300 pig farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Viral DNA was detected by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Results: The majority of pigs sampled, 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74.4-82.6), were of local breeds. Over half, 60.4% (95% CI, 55.5-65.2), were female, and most of them, 90.5% (95% CI, 87.6-93.4), were adult pigs (> 1 year old). Viral DNA was detected in 72 of the 391 sampled pigs, indicating an overall infection rate of 18.4% (95% CI, 14.5-22.4). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed several risk factors positively associated with ASFV infection: feeding with swill in pen (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 2.12-6.77); mixed ages of pigs in the same pen (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.99-5.57); introduction of new animals to the farm (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.91-15.28). The risk factors that were negatively (protective) correlated with ASFV positivity were the presence of male animals and the use of an in-pen breeding system. Conclusion: Local pig farmers should be encouraged to adopt proper husbandry and feeding practices in order to increase the number of ASF-free farms.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제54권2호
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• pp.86-95
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigated associations between perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in workers at hospitals designated to treat COVID-19, as well as the difference in the magnitude of these associations by occupational type and previous Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) experience. Methods: The participants were workers at hospitals designated to treat COVID-19 who completed a questionnaire about their perceptions related to COVID-19, work experience during the previous MERS-CoV outbreak, and symptoms of PTSD ascertained by the PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Participants' characteristics were compared using the chi-square test. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the associations between perceptions and the prevalence of PTSD, stratified by occupational type and previous MERS-CoV experience. Results: Non-medical personnel showed stronger associations with PTSD than medical personnel according to general fear (odds ratio [OR], 6.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92 to 23.20), shortages of supplies (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.56), and issue-specific fear (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.59). Those with prior MERS-CoV quarantine experience were more prone to PTSD than those without such experience in terms of general fear (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.37), shortages of supplies (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.40), and issue-specific fear (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.38). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, non-medical personnel tended to have higher odds of being categorized as having PTSD. Workers with prior MERS-CoV experience were more susceptible than those without such experience. These findings suggest the need for timely interventions to manage human resources for a sustainable quarantine system.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.86-96
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• 2022

Background: To explore the association between low back pain (LBP) and pelvic pain (PP) and rectus abdominis diastasis (RAD) in postpartum women and identify the characteristics and risk factors. Methods: Women diagnosed with RAD and a history of labor and delivery, between 2009 and 2018, were identified from six hospitals within the Partners Healthcare System. Univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors associated with pain. Results: Age at onset of RAD in the non-cesarean delivery group was earlier than those in cesarean delivery (CD) group (P = 0.017). Women who underwent CD demonstrated 4.5 times greater risk of RAD than those who had no CD exposure. The cumulative composition ratio of LBP at every age stage of the period from 8 years pre-first delivery to 8 years post-first delivery was significantly higher than the other five conditions (RAD, umbilical hernia, PP, depressive disorder [DD], and strain of muscle, fascia, and tendon [SMFT]) (P for trend < 0.001). Women with DD, SMFT, and PP were more likely to have LBP (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06 to 3.47, P = 0.032; OR = 4.50, 95% CI 1.64 to 12.36, P = 0.003; OR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.17 to 3.89, P = 0.013; respectively). Conclusions: In postpartum women with RAD, DD, SMFT, and PP were found to be risk factors contributing to the development of LBP. Race and LBP also played roles in the development of PP.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

Background: Along with the increase in the elderly population, concerns about polypharmacy, which can cause medication-related problems, are increasing. This study aimed to find out the association between drug-related factors and readmission in elderly patients within 30 days after discharge. Methods: Data of patients aged ≥65 years who were discharged from the respiratory medicine ward of a tertiary hospital between January and March 2016 were retrospectively obtained. The medication regimen complexity at discharge was calculated using the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI) score, comorbidity status was assessed using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) were evaluated based on the Beer 2019 criteria, and adverse drug events (ADEs) were examined using the ADE reporting system. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of medication-related problems on hospital readmission after controlling for other variables. Results: Of the 206 patients included, 84 (40.8%) used PIMs, 31 (15%) had ADEs, and 32 (15.5%) were readmitted. The mean age, total medications, MRCI, CCI, and PIMs in the readmission group were significantly higher than those in the non-readmission group. Age significantly decreased the risk of readmission (odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.96) after adjusting for sex, length of hospital stay, and ADEs. The use of PIMs (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.10-5.16) and increased CCI (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.16-1.93) and MRCI (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07) were associated with an increased occurrence of readmission. Conclusion: PIMs were associated with a significantly greater risk for readmission than MRCI.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.74-85
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• 2024

Objective: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition of unknown etiology associated with venous sinus stenosis. This study aimed to develop a magnetic resonance venography (MRV)-based radiomics model for predicting a high trans-stenotic pressure gradient (TPG) in IIH patients diagnosed with venous sinus stenosis. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 105 IIH patients (median age [interquartile range], 35 years [27-42 years]; female:male, 82:23) who underwent MRV and catheter venography complemented by venous manometry. Contrast enhanced-MRV was conducted under 1.5 Tesla system, and the images were reconstructed using a standard algorithm. Shape features were derived from MRV images via the PyRadiomics package and selected by utilizing the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. A radiomics score for predicting high TPG (≥ 8 mmHg) in IIH patients was formulated using multivariable logistic regression; its discrimination performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). A nomogram was constructed by incorporating the radiomics scores and clinical features. Results: Data from 105 patients were randomly divided into two distinct datasets for model training (n = 73; 50 and 23 with and without high TPG, respectively) and testing (n = 32; 22 and 10 with and without high TPG, respectively). Three informative shape features were identified in the training datasets: least axis length, sphericity, and maximum three-dimensional diameter. The radiomics score for predicting high TPG in IIH patients demonstrated an AUROC of 0.906 (95% confidence interval, 0.836-0.976) in the training dataset and 0.877 (95% confidence interval, 0.755-0.999) in the test dataset. The nomogram showed good calibration. Conclusion: Our study presents the feasibility of a novel model for predicting high TPG in IIH patients using radiomics analysis of noninvasive MRV-based shape features. This information may aid clinicians in identifying patients who may benefit from stenting.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권10호
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• pp.1028-1037
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• 2023

Objective: To evaluate the computed tomography (CT) features for diagnosing metastatic cervical lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and validate the CT-based risk stratification system suggested by the Korean Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (K-TIRADS) guidelines. Materials and Methods: A total of 463 LNs from 399 patients with DTC who underwent preoperative CT staging and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration were included. The following CT features for each LN were evaluated: absence of hilum, cystic changes, calcification, strong enhancement, and heterogeneous enhancement. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent CT features associated with metastatic LNs, and their diagnostic performances were evaluated. LNs were classified into probably benign, indeterminate, and suspicious categories according to the K-TIRADS and the modified LN classification proposed in our study. The diagnostic performance of both classification systems was compared using the exact McNemar and Kosinski tests. Results: The absence of hilum (odds ratio [OR], 4.859; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.593-14.823; P = 0.005), strong enhancement (OR, 28.755; 95% CI, 12.719-65.007; P < 0.001), and cystic changes (OR, 46.157; 95% CI, 5.07-420.234; P = 0.001) were independently associated with metastatic LNs. All LNs showing calcification were diagnosed as metastases. Heterogeneous enhancement did not show a significant independent association with metastatic LNs. Strong enhancement, calcification, and cystic changes showed moderate to high specificity (70.1%-100%) and positive predictive value (PPV) (91.8%-100%). The absence of the hilum showed high sensitivity (97.8%) but low specificity (34.0%). The modified LN classification, which excluded heterogeneous enhancement from the K-TIRADS, demonstrated higher specificity (70.1% vs. 62.9%, P = 0.016) and PPV (92.5% vs. 90.9%, P = 0.011) than the K-TIRADS. Conclusion: Excluding heterogeneous enhancement as a suspicious feature resulted in a higher specificity and PPV for diagnosing metastatic LNs than the K-TIRADS. Our research results may provide a basis for revising the LN classification in future guidelines.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.589-597
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• 2010

하수처리 시스템에서의 생물학적 영양염류 기준이 강화됨에 따라, 표준활성슬러지공법으로 운전 중인 하수처리장의 고도처리 공법으로의 개보수 필요성이 증가하고 있다. 그러나 실제 하수처리 시스템에서의 다양한 유입조건 및 운전조건의 복잡한 반응 구성으로 인해 실험을 통하여 개보수된 고도처리공법의 최적조건을 찾는 것은 쉽지 않은 일이며, 이는 많은 시간과 비용을 소모하여 비효율적이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 활성슬러지공정모델(ASMs)을 기반으로 한 하수처리장의 모델링 및 시뮬레이션 기법을 통하여 하수처리장의 고도처리공법으로의 upgrading 설계를 수행하며, 이를 통계적이며 체계적으로 접근하기 위해 반응표면분석법(Response surface method)을 통한 고도처리공법의 설계 최적화를 수행하였다. 또한 실규모 하수처리장에서의 운전 최적화를 위해서는 하수처리의 동력학적 매개변수에 대한 정확한 분석이 수행되어야 한다. 본 연구에서는 다변량 통계분석 기법인 부분최소승자법(PLS)을 통하여 하수처리 시스템의 동력학적 매개변수 간의 상관관계를 파악하며, 고도처리공법 하수처리장의 운전 결과에 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 매개변수를 도출하였다. 본 연구를 통해 하수처리장의 고도처리공법 upgrading 설계 및 운전 최적화를 위한 방법론을 제시하였으며, 이를 통하여 설계시간 및 경비 절감 등 고도처리공법으로의 고효율적인 개보수가 가능할 것으로 예상된다.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제52권5호
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• pp.592-602
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• 2014

석탄 가스화 복합 발전(coal-based IGCC power plant)에서 가스화기의 동적 상태와 성능이 플랜트 전체에 큰 영향을 미치므로, 가스화기가 문제 없이 운전 되도록 제어 하는 것은 전체 플랜트의 가동률을 높이는 데 있어 매우 중요한 일이라 할 수 있다. 가스화기의 안정적인 운전을 위해서는 고체 슬래그 층의 두께가 일정하게 유지되어야 하는데, 고체 슬래그 두께는 실시간 측정이 불가능하기 때문에 상태를 추정하여 추론 제어해야 한다. 본 연구에서는 Shell-type 가스화기의 동적 모사 모델을 개발하고 다변수 시스템의 추론 제어를 위한 방법으로 두 가지 선형 예측 제어 기법을 적용하여 그 특성을 분석하였다. 측정되지 않는 변수의 상태 추정을 위해 Kalman 필터 기법을 이용하였다. 측정 불가능한 1차 변수를 대신하여 측정 가능한 2차 변수를 제어하는 전통적인 추론 제어 기법으로는 외란의 종류에 따라 추론 제어가 불가능 할 수 있음을 확인하였고, 측정되지 않는 슬래그 두께를 Kalman 필터 기법을 이용하여 추정하여 성능 예측에 반영하고 외란 모델을 사용하여 예측 제어하는 경우 두 가지 측정 불가능한 외란 모두에 대해 추론 제어가 가능함을 확인하였다.

• 한국해안·해양공학회논문집
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.162-168
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• 2017

드론을 이용하여 고도 100 m에서 촬영한 고해상도 카메라 이미지를 분석하여 천해 해저지형 측량을 시도하였다. 쇄파대 내의 수심측량은 해안침식의 원인분석 등 관련 연구를 위해 가장 중요한 입력자료 중의 하나이다. 특히 이동한계수심 이내의 천해 수심자료는 연안 침퇴적 수치모델링을 위한 가장 중요한 입력자료 임에도 불구하고 정확한 해저지형측량 자료를 얻을 수 없었다. 그 이유는 선박을 이용한 상세 수심측량이 흘수 등을 고려할 때 수심 2 m 이내에서는 거의 불가능하며, 또한 쇄파와 연안류로 인해 선박 또는 사람이 직접 충분한 해상도로 측량하기에 매우 어렵기 때문이다. 따라서 소형 드론과 고해상도 카메라 이미지를 이용한 광학원격탐사는 매우 효과적인 천해수심측량 수단이 될 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 경북 월포해수욕장에서 드론으로 촬영한 고해상도 카메라 이미지의 적색, 녹색, 청색 그리고 회색 밴드 이미지를 다변수 선형회귀분석법으로 분석하여 천해 수심을 추정하고 실측한 수심자료와 비교하여 천해수심측량의 가능성과 정확도를 검토하였다. 드론에서 촬영한 이미지를 해저 지질, 바닷물의 색상, 부유사의 농도 등의 영향을 고려하지 않고 수심추정 알고리즘을 이용하여 분석한 결과 수심 5 m 이내에서 상관계수 0.99 이상, 절대오차 0.2 m 이하로 수심을 정확하게 추정할 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.28-38
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• 2018

Purposes: 본 연구는 전립선암 환자의 의료비 지출을 평가하기 위해 남성호르몬 박탈 치료와 근치적 전립선적출술의 비용을 비교하였다. Methods: 본 연구는 스마트 전립선암 데이터베이스(Smart Prostate Cancer Database)의 전립선암 환자 357명의 데이터와 청구데이터베이스에서 의료비 관련 데이터를 도출하였다. 근치적 전립선적출술과 남성호르몬 박탈 치료간 비교를 위해 독립표본 t검정을 실시하였다. 또한 남성호르몬 박탈 치료와 근치적 전립선적출술에 영향을 미치는 요인을 검증하기 위해 다중회귀 분석을 실시하였다. Findings: 치료 후 1년까지 남성호르몬 박탈치료가 근치적 전립선적출술 보다 비용이 낮은 것으로 나타났으며, 치료 후 4년까지 낮게 유지되었다. 그러나 4년이 지나면 남성호르몬 박탈 치료의 누적의료비가 근치적 전립선적출술보다 더 유의미하게 높게 나타났다. 환자의 병기가 높거나 나이가 많은 경우 근치적 전립선적출술보다 남성호르몬 박탈 치료를 할 확률이 더 높았다. Practical Implications: 본 연구는 조기 암 발견이 환자 뿐 아니라 국민건강보험공단의 의료비를 줄일 수 있다는 것을 보여 준다. 또한 의료비를 정확히 평가하기 위해서는 오랜 기간의 정보를 평가해야 하며, 이를 기반으로 평가 및 예측이 필요함을 증명하였다.