• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.58.1-58.11
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• 2020

Background: Quantitative evaluation of renal cortical echogenicity (RCE) has been tried and developed in human and veterinary medicine. Objectives: The objective of this study was to propose a method for evaluating RCE quantitatively and intuitively, and to determine associations between ultrasonographic renal structural distinction and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in canine chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Data were collected on 63 dogs, including 27 with normal kidney function and 36 CKD patients. Symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine concentrations were measured for calculating eGFR. RCE was evaluated as 3 grades on ultrasonography images according to the distinction between the renal cortex and outer medulla. The RCE grade of each kidney was measured. Results: There was a significant difference in eGFR between the group normal and CKD (p < 0.001). As mean of RCE grades (the mean values of each right and left kidney's RCE grade) increases, the proportion of group CKD among the patients in each grade increases (p < 0.001). Also, severity of RCE (classified as "high" if any right or left kidney evaluated as RCE grade 3, "low" otherwise) and eGFR is good indicator for predicting group CKD (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The degree of distinction between the renal cortex and the outer medulla is closely related to renal function including eGFR and the RCE grade defined in this study can be used as a method of objectively evaluating RCE.

• Clinical Pain
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.90-96
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of two physical examinations (straight leg raise [SLR] and Bragard test) and electromyography (EMG) in patients with lumbosacral monoradiculopathy in acute and chronic state on confirmation of different diagnostic criteria (MRI vs MRI and diagnostic selective nerve root block [DSNRB]). Method: We identified 297 participants retrospectively from the departmental database. MRI evidence of L5 or S1 nerve root compression and a positive result in diagnostic SNRB served as reference standards. They were divided into two groups by the symptom duration: lasting more than 12 weeks in the chronic group and less than 12 weeks in the acute group. The diagnostic value of clinical tests and EMG were compared. Results: The clinical tests (SLR and Bragard test) done in acute stage on detection by MRI and DSNRB had the highest sensitivity (68%) compared to the chronic stage (63%), but sensitivity was low (57%) on confirmation of MRI alone. However, there was no significant difference on sensitivity and specificity of EMG regardless of reference standards and symptom duration. Electromyography was a significant predictor of neuropathic abnormalities on both acute (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.4 to 16.7; p<0.01) and chronic (OR, 6.8; 95% CI, 2.9 to 16.3; p<0.01). Conclusion: In general, individual physical tests are easy to do and a combination of those tests could be a sensitive indicator of L5 or S1 radiculopathy. Furthermore, the use of provocation tests could provide useful information, especially in proceeding therapeutic selective nerve root block.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2022

Objectives: Using algometer, measure the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the epigastric pain(心下痞硬) and calculate the cut-off value, and this can serve as the basis for prognostic diagnosis of functional dyspepsia so we would like to evaluate its diagnostic value. Methods: We investigated 353 patients with functional dyspepsia symptoms who admitted Gangnam Weedahm Oriental Hospital from February 1, 2021 to February 27, 2021. At the time of the patient's visit, an oriental medical doctor measured the pressure at the first pain point on the Algometer of (CV14), twice each, at 1minute intervals. The ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve and the optimal cut-off value derived through the diagnosis of the (CV14) PPT value for epigastric pain(心下痞硬) and the gold standard of oriental medical doctor, it was evaluated through. Results: In 353 patients, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.909 (p=0). In addition, the optimal cutting value was 10.05 (kg/cm2), which was statistically significant. Additionally, the sensitivity of the Algometer's PPT measurement was 0.704 and the specificity was 0.884. As a result, if the PPT value of the Algometer exceeds 10.05 (kg/cm²) in terms of the optimal cutting value, it can be seen that epigastric pain(心下痞硬) is lost. Conclusion: Algometer's PPT value measurement can be a reliable test method for quantification of epigastric pain(心下痞硬) diagnosis and can be useful as an objective indicator.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.69-86
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• 2023

Regulatory sentiment refers to the market's subjective evaluation of regulatory reform and is one of the most widely adopted indicators to those charged with implementing and diagnosing regulatory policies. The use of regulatory sentiment in advanced analysis has become universal, albeit it is often limited due to difficulties in articulating consistent and objective quantitative indicators that can meticulously reflect market sentiment overall. Thus, despite ample effort by scholars to read the economic impact of regulatory sentiment in the real economy, causal links are difficult to spot. To fill this gap in the literature, this study analyzes a regulatory sentiment index and economic performance indicators through a text analysis approach and by inspecting diverse tones in media articles. Using different stages of tests, the paper identifies a causal relationship between regulatory sentiment and actual economic activities as measured by private consumption, facility investment, construction investment, gross domestic investment, and employment. Additionally, as a result of analyzing one-unit impulse of regulatory perception, the initial impact on economic growth and private investment was found to be negligible; this was followed by a positive (+) response, after which it converged to zero. Construction investment showed a positive (+) response initially, which then rapidly changed to a negative (-) response and then converged to zero. Gross domestic investment as the initial effect was negligible after showing a positive (+) reaction. Unfortunately, the facility investment outcome was found to be insignificant in the impulse response test. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that it is necessary and important to increase the sensitivity to regulations to promote the economic effectiveness of regulatory reforms. Thus, instead of dealing with policies with the vague goal of merely improving regulatory sentiment, using regulatory sentiment as an indicator of major policies could be an effective approach.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.193-208
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• 2022

In this study, we proposed a mathematical model that can explain the source of the observed variability of repeated measurement data collected in Korean medicine clinical practice, and conducted a pilot analysis to infer the source of these variability based on our model. Mathematical model was constructed by dividing the observed variations into three components: common time-dependent variations, signal shift, and measurement error. To show the applicability of our model in real data, we analyzed 20 repeated measurement data of Korean clinical indicators in graduate students of Pusan National University Graduate School of Korean Medicine. We showed how to infer each source of variations based on our model and also showed the limitation of inference given the acquired the dataset. On the basis of objective recognition of these source of the variability, we hope that quantitative investigations on these sources for each Korean medicine clinical indicator are made in the future, so that they can be used in the clinical and educational areas of Korean medicine.

• 국제학술발표논문집
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• The 3th International Conference on Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• pp.1599-1607
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• 2009

In order to deal with severe competition in the construction market of developing countries, large contractors must continually improve their own performance and operation. Performance measurement is the heart of ceaseless improvement in organizations. Key performance indicators (KPIs) play a key role in measuring project management performance (PMP) of large contractors in developing countries. The main objective of this paper is to identify KPIs, which can be used to measure PMP of contractors, and then analyze the underlying relationships of these KPIs in order to gain insight into PMP of large construction firms in Vietnam construction industry (VCI). Literature reviews and the pilot survey provided 30 KPIs. Fourteen KPIs, which have the mean values higher than 3.0, were considered as important KPIs through a questionnaire survey of 32 professionals. Factor analysis of these KPIs was employed to categorize them. The results of the survey revealed that top six KPIs are construction time and cost, owner satisfaction on services and products, and quality management and project team performance. Factor analysis uncovered that 14 top-ranked KPIs can be grouped under six categories, namely: (1) construction input management, (2) owner satisfaction, (3) cost and quality, (4) manpower management, (5) subcontractor performance and (6) equipment management. The findings of this research can be used as a guideline to measure PMP of contractors in Vietnam as well as in other developing countries. Since contractors from a country to the other country may have the same manner to manage construction projects, the results of this study may be useful not only to practitioners and researchers in Vietnam but also to participants in other developing countries.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.139-149
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of Ikgibohyeol-tang(Yìqìbǔxuè-tāng) granules and Deer antler granules on fatigue symptoms. Methods: This is a 39-patient case series from a retrospective chart review of outpatients who were treated with Ikgibohyeol-tang granules and Deer antler granules at a Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital (Seoul) between 1st, January 2015 to 1st, August 2021. We reviewed the patients who complained of fatigue and analyzed changes in the degree of discomfort with fatigue and accompanying symptoms and HRV (Heart Rate Variability) score before and after treatment. Results: After taking Ikgibohyeol-tang granules and Deer antler granules, the degree of discomfort with fatigue and accompanying symptoms decreased significantly compared to before taking them. After treatment, Autonomic nervous system activity, Stress resistance, Heart Stability increased, and Stress index, Degree of fatigue decreased significantly. Conclusions: This study showed subjective symptoms and objective indicator (HRV score) were improved by taking Ikgibohyeol-tang granules and Deer antler granules.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.9.1-9.11
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• 2022

Background: Escherichia coli, which causes subclinical or clinical mastitis in cattle, is responsible for transmitting antimicrobial resistance via human consumption of raw milk or raw milk products. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular characteristics of 183 E. coli from bulk tank milk of five different dairy factories in Korea. Methods: The molecular characteristics of E. coli such as serogroup, virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and integron genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction and antimicrobial susceptibility were tested using the disk diffusion test. Results: In the distribution of phylogenetic groups, group D was the most prevalent (59.6%) and followed by group B1 (25.1%). The most predominant serogroup was O173 (15.3%), and a total of 46 different serotypes were detected. The virulence gene found most often was fimH (73.2%), and stx1, fimH, incC, fyuA, and iutA genes were significantly higher in isolates of phylogenetic group B1 compared to phylogenetic groups A, B2, and D (p < 0.05). Among 64 E. coli isolates that showed resistance to at least one antimicrobial, the highest resistance rate was observed for tetracyclines (37.5%). All 18 integron-positive E. coli carried the integron class I (int1) gene, and three different gene cassette arrangements, dfrA12+aadA2 (2 isolates), aac(6')-Ib3+aac(6')-Ib-cr+aadA4 (2 isolates), and dfrA17+aadA5 (1 isolate) were detected. Conclusions: These data suggest that the E. coli from bulk tank milk can be an indicator for dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors via cross-contamination.

• 대한중풍순환신경학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.9-16
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• 2005

Objective : The heart rate variability is very useful indicator to study the function of the autonomic nervous system(ANS), and the physiologic signals can be observed based on the changes of the ANS of the heart. In order to assay the effects of the laser exposing to healthy subjects, the double blind test has been performed. Methods : This study included 62 healthy adults who have not any ANS disease and had normal sinus rhythm in electrocardiogram. The control group consisted of 31 subjects, laser group consisted of 31 subject. HRV was measured for 5 minutes before laser irradiation, sham and real laser irradiated for 30 minutes and than HRV remeasured for 5 minutes. Statistical significance was evaluated by independent T-test. Results : Mean HRV, Ln(VLF), Ln(HF), Ln(TP) of both groups at post-laser period decreased compared with that of the pre-laser period. Ln(LF) of both groups at post-laser period increased compared with that of the pre-laser period. LF/HF, SDNN of real laser group decreased and sham group decreased. Conclusions : There is no difference between two groups. The reason is presumed that all the studied subjects are healthy adults, and also the short and single transcutaneous laser irradiation would not influence upon changes of the ANS. The further study must be followed.

• 한국수자원학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국수자원학회 2021년도 학술발표회
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• pp.82-82
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• 2021

전 세계적으로 가뭄은 농업·식량안보·수자원관리·생태계 등 다양한 분야에서 부정적인 영향을 미치고 있다. 일반적으로 가뭄은 강수량의 부족으로 발생하고, 지표수와 지하수의 가용성이 제한됨에 따라 작물생산 및 사회·경제적으로 피해가 발생한다. 이러한 영향은 특정 가뭄 모니터링 및 조기 경보와 관련하여 가뭄 지표를 결정할 때 중요한 고려사항이다. 가뭄을 분석하기 위해서는 가뭄 지표를 적용하여 정확하게 반영하고 나타내는 것이 중요하다. 가뭄의 특성을 객관적으로 정량화하기 어렵기 때문에 다양한 지표와 계산을 통한 가뭄 모니터링 및 분석 기술이 필요하며, 강수량, 토양수분, 증발산량 및 식생과 관련하여 가뭄 지표가 개발되었다. 본 연구에서는 혼합 가뭄 지표 (Drought Indicator Blends) 활용하여 우리나라의 가뭄을 분석하였다. 혼합 가뭄 지표는 NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)의 기후 예측 센터 (Climate Prediction Center, CPC)에서 여러 가뭄 지수를 단기 또는 장기로 구분하여 통합, 개발되었다. 단기 및 장기 혼합 제품은 PDSI (Palmer Drought Severity Index), Z-Index, SPI (Standardized Precipitation Index)를 결합하여 가뭄을 추정한다. 혼합 가뭄 지표는 해당 지역의 단기 및 장기 가뭄을 이해하는데 유용하게 활용할 수 있으며, 현재까지 미국에서 활발하게 연구가 진행되고 있다. 단기 지표는 비관개 농업, 토양수분 등 강수량에 밀접한 관련이 있는 가뭄과 관련되어 평가하며, 장기 지표의 경우 관개 농업, 지하수위 등 장기간 가뭄과 연관성을 가지고 있다. 단기 및 장기 혼합 가뭄 지표를 우리나라에 적용함으로써 기존 단일 가뭄 지수를 활용한 가뭄 분석 이상으로 다방면에서 효율적인 가뭄 모니터링을 할 수 있을 것이라 판단된다.