• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.71-86
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• 2021

Purpose - This study examines the awareness regarding the symptoms of COVID-19 exposures and safety distances strategies whether they were useful to resile the businesses a mid of the pandemic. Besides exploring the awareness and safety distances, the effectiveness of offering free use of protective equipment (mask, hand sanitizer, frequent hand washing, etc.) to the customers for visiting the business centers was also examined. Design/methodology/approach - This study collected 264 survey data in Bangladesh which is one of the most densely populated country and very vulnerable for COVID-19 due to its socio-economic condition. The multiple regression analysis is used to analyze the data. Findings - The findings of the study indicate that the awareness about the symptoms of virus exposures (cough, fever, diarrhea, and weakness) has significant affirmative effects to enhance the public movement for business purposes with the lower possibility to be affected by the virus. The study also indicates that safety distances and protective equipment can mediate the significant positive relationship between the awareness of the disease and the businesses' resilient capacity. Research implications or Originality - COVID-19, as an apprehensive health issue in the current world, has sharpened the uncertainty of the businesses. One essential technique as lockdown, has been followed by almost every country to protect the transmission of the virus even though the scholars criticized it due to the substantial adverse effects on the country's economy. Under this circumstances, this study provides implications to the relevant businesses by assessing the nexus between the safety distances and the proper uses of protective equipment with the business resilient.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.331-343
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: The prognostic implication of right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) size for an immediate success of direct current cardioversion (DCCV) in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. This study aimed to compare RA and LA size for the prediction of DCCV success. Methods: Between 2012 and 2018, 734 consecutive outpatients were screened for our prospective registry. Each eligible patient received a medical history, blood analysis, and transthoracic echocardiography with a focus on indexed RA (iRA) area and LA volume (iLAV) prior to DCCV with up to three biphasic shocks (200-300-360 J) or additional administration of amiodarone or flecainide to restore sinus rhythm. Results: We enrolled 589 patients, and DCCV was in 89% (n=523) successful. Mean age was 68 ± 10 years, and 40% (n=234) had New York heart association class >II. A prevalence of the male sex (64%, n=376) and of persistent AF (86%, n=505) was observed. Although DCCV success was associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-3.65), with absence of coronary heart disease and normal left ventricular function (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.26-4.25), with short AF duration (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.05-4.04) in univariable regression, only iRA area remained a stable and independent predictor of DCCV success (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.12-0.69; area under the curve 0.71), but not iLAV size (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.56) in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: iRA area is superior to iLAV for the prediction of immediate DCCV success in AF.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.355-372
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• 2023

As the need for low-cost, high-efficiency cubesats develops in the new space age, commercial paradigms are shifting in the private sector. This paper examines the challenges of launching and operating both domestic and foreign cubesats, and proposes practical solutions to ensure the robustness and reliability of the satellites from a practical perspective. In particular, the paper deals with checkpoints that are easy to miss, focusing on key events that can occur from the satellite deployment process through normal mode to mission mode in the operation scenario. Although the contents presented in this paper may not be technically applicable to all cubesat systems due to the different nature of each satellite bus system, they will be of some help during satellite assembly, integration and testing.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.9-21
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• 2024

Objective : This study investigated the effects of depression on online and offline social interactions among middle-aged and older adults with the aim of enhancing their social connectivity and mental well-being. Methods : Utilizing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Lubben Social Network Scale-6, this study assessed depression and social relationships in 429 middle-aged adults. We explored the mediation effects of offline relationships on online interactions using path analysis and the Sobel test. Results : Significant links were found between depression and social relationships in a cohort of educated males averaging 63 years of age. Offline interactions mediated 32% of the influence of depression on online relationships, with strong model fit indices emphasizing the importance of offline social interactions. Conclusion : This study highlights the role of active engagement in online and offline networks in improving mental health and managing the impact of depression on social activity among older adults, helping prevent isolation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.451-461
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to provide fundamental information for snack development contributing to physical growth of children with cerebral palsy. The study was conducted on the children with cerebral palsy of age 1 to 7 by investigating their food behavior, physical growth development, nutritional status, and snack intake. As a result of assessing physical growth by WLI (Weight-Length Index), the proportions of the children with cerebral palsy were the following: underweight 45.5%, normal 45.5%, overweight 6.0%, and obesity 3.0%. The mothers of the children with cerebral palsy mainly bought milk and dairy products for their children's snacks (43.5%) as well as fruits (33.3%). They wanted development of new snacks that helped growth development (50.5%), and preferred more development of the following snacks: Korean rice cakes (47.5%), biscuits (24.2%), bread (22.3%). The result of dietary intake showed that the percentage of RI in zinc and folic acid did not reach the RI in every age categories. The proportion of subjects with less than 75% of RI was 76.8% for the zinc and folic acid, and 52.4% for the calcium and iron. These results indicate that children with cerebral palsy had slower physical development and lesser nutrition intake than normal children. Hence, this study provided the basis to develop the snack for the malnutrition state children with cerebral palsy which helped their physical development. The shape of new snack considered was a rice cake which included zinc and folic acid that were insufficient in RI in children with cerebral palsy.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 1999

To evaluate the usefulness of transforming growth factor-$\beta$1 (TGF-$\beta$1) as a new tumor marker, we determined the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels using sandwich ELISA assay in cancer patients. Patients with three most common adult cancers in Korea (stomach, liver and breast cancer) and children's cancers (leukemia and two kinds of solid tumor) were enrolled for the study. Furthermore, 39 individuals were subjected to age and sex-stratified plasma TGF-$\beta$1 analysis. No statistical difference was demonstrated with respect to age or sex. The mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 level (16.0 ng/ ml) of stomach cancer patients was significantly higher than that (8.3 ng/ml) of controls. However, there was no difference among the mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of liver, breast cancer patients and controls. Seven of 16 patients (43.7%) with stomach cancer, one of 8 (12.5%) with liver cancer, and one of 7 (14.3%) with breast cancer showed higher TGF-$\beta$1 levels compared to controls. Plasma TGF-$\beta$1 concentrations of five leukemic children remained in the normal range regardless of the remission state. In contrast, initial high TGF-$\beta$1 levels from two children with solid tumors returned to normal range on surgical resection of tumors. From the above results, we could conclude that plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of apparently healthy individuals seem to be rather constant irrespective of difference in age or sex, and the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 has the limited value as a screening test for the diagnosis of aforementioned adult cancers because of its low sensitivity. Finally, additional studies need to be pursed for the large number of stomach cancer and pediatric solid tumor patients in order to reach a secure conclusion on the usefulness of plasma TGF-$\beta$1 as a tumor marker in these patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.1083-1089
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• 2002

Purpose : The prevalence of obese children has recently increased. Obesity is known to be associated with complications such as hypertension, fatty liver, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. L-carnitine is an essential cofactor for the transport of long chain fatty acids into mitochondria for ${\beta}$-oxidation. The purpose of this study is to measure serum free fatty acid and carnitine levels, and evaluate the role of L-carnitine as a therapeutic drug in obese children with fatty liver. Methods : Nine obese children, ranging from seven to 18 years of age, and 10 normal children were examined. Serum lipid(total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol) and fatty acid levels were analyzed. Serum total, free, and acyl carnitine levels were performed also by a new enzymatic cycling technique. Results : Long chain fatty acids(myristic acid, palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid)were significantly increased in obese children compared to the control group. Total, and acyl carnitine levels were significantly increased in obese children compared to the control group. Conclusion : Serum free fatty acid and carnitine levels were significantly increased in obese children with fatty liver compared to the normal control. This may suggest that L-carnitine can be used as antilipidemic agent to decrease fatty acid and lipid levels for obese children. Prospective studies will investigate serum fatty acid and carnitine levels after treatment of L-carnitine in obese children in the future.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.494-501
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• 1998

From May 1, 1993 to May 31 1995, the authers studied retrospectively 211 patients who underwent cardiovascular operation with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). Because we were interested in new development of ARF(prevalence, mortality rate, and main risk factors), we performed a multivariate statistical analysis about data of patients with preoperative serum creatinine values of less than 1.5 mg/dL. Normal renal function before operation(serum creatinine level less than 1.5 mg/dL) was registered in 198(74%) patients. Of these, 27(14%) patients showed postoperative renal complication, including 20(10%) patients classified as renal dysfunction(serum creatinine level between 1.5 and 2.5 mg/dL) and 7(4%) patients as acute renal failure(serum creatinine level higher than 2.5 mg/dL). The mortality rate was 5.8% in normal patients, 5% in patients with renal dysfunction, and 43% when acute renal failure developed(p=0.036). Indeed, the renal impairment proved to be an independent predictor of mortality(odd ratio 2.52∼11.25), along with cardiovascular(odd ratio 4.20) and respiratory(odd ratio 2.18) complications. Multivariate analysis identified the following variables as independent risk factors for postoperative renal impairment : advanced age(odd ratio 1), need for emergency operation(odd ratio 3.78), low-output syndrome(odd ratio 3.66), respiratory complication(odd ratio 1.30), need for deep hypothermic circulatory arrest(odd ratio 1.4). The 13 patients(7%) with preoperative renal failure showed a significantly higher morbidity and mortality rate than those without renal complications before operation. We concluded that the likelihood of severe renal complications is resonably low in the patients undergoing cardiac operation without preexisting renal dysfunction, but associated mortality remains high. A prominant role of hemodynamic factor in the development of postoperative acute renal failure must be recognized during preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.363-375
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• 2018

Intraoperative monitoring (IOM) utilizes electrophysiological techniques as a surrogate test and evaluation of nervous function while a patient is under general anesthesia. They are increasingly used for procedures, both surgical and endovascular, to avoid injury during an operation, examine neurological tissue to guide the surgery, or to test electrophysiological function to allow for more complete resection or corrections. The application of IOM during pediatric brain tumor resections encompasses a unique set of technical issues. First, obtaining stable and reliable responses in children of different ages requires detailed understanding of normal age-adjusted brain-spine development. Neurophysiology, anatomy, and anthropometry of children are different from those of adults. Second, monitoring of the brain may include risk to eloquent functions and cranial nerve functions that are difficult with the usual neurophysiological techniques. Third, interpretation of signal change requires unique sets of normative values specific for children of that age. Fourth, tumor resection involves multiple considerations including defining tumor type, size, location, pathophysiology that might require maximal removal of lesion or minimal intervention. IOM techniques can be divided into monitoring and mapping. Mapping involves identification of specific neural structures to avoid or minimize injury. Monitoring is continuous acquisition of neural signals to determine the integrity of the full longitudinal path of the neural system of interest. Motor evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials are representative methodologies for monitoring. Free-running electromyography is also used to monitor irritation or damage to the motor nerves in the lower motor neuron level : cranial nerves, roots, and peripheral nerves. For the surgery of infratentorial tumors, in addition to free-running electromyography of the bulbar muscles, brainstem auditory evoked potentials or corticobulbar motor evoked potentials could be combined to prevent injury of the cranial nerves or nucleus. IOM for cerebral tumors can adopt direct cortical stimulation or direct subcortical stimulation to map the corticospinal pathways in the vicinity of lesion. IOM is a diagnostic as well as interventional tool for neurosurgery. To prove clinical evidence of it is not simple. Randomized controlled prospective studies may not be possible due to ethical reasons. However, prospective longitudinal studies confirming prognostic value of IOM are available. Furthermore, oncological outcome has also been shown to be superior in some brain tumors, with IOM. New methodologies of IOM are being developed and clinically applied. This review establishes a composite view of techniques used today, noting differences between adult and pediatric monitoring.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2017

Among 45 patients of herniation of intervertebral disc with $L_4$ to $L_5$ herniation, who underwent infrared thermography, the number of female was larger than male and the age of 50s was highest. From the results measured from the distribution table, we have confirmed that there was no significant difference depending on sex and age (p> 0.05). The region of the highest ROI temperature for patients with $L_4-L_5$ intervertebral disc prolapse was the back of the posterior right tibia, and followed by the back of the left shin bone-below the front right knee-below the front left knee. There was a significant difference depending on the measured site. The average ROI temperature for patients was $30.30{\pm}0.50$ whereas that for normal persons was $31.20{\pm}0.58$, yielding the temperature difference of $0.66{\pm}0.59$ between the two groups. The ROI of patients was lower than $31.20{\pm}0.58$ (p <0.05) because the significance of the sample, which has been obtained from the results of a sample t-test, was less than 0.05 (p <0.05). From further researches, it may necessary to develope the methodology for correcting data regarding thermal environment and, in addition, to develope a new thermal index based on it. Therefore, we can confirm that pre-treatment for infrared thermography is very important in order to minimize the procedure for correcting data. It is required that radiologists who inspect disc herniations should carefully observe and consider the patients during their measurements.