• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.215-227
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Korea's Honam express train's first- and second-class seat discomfort by using pressure measurement, subjective discomfort rating, and physical compatibility. Background: Over the years, the demand for an express train service is continually increasing. A comfortable ride is important to achieving passenger satisfaction. A train seat plays a significant role in fulfilling passenger seating comfort. With this in view, a field survey and pressure measurements were performed on the selected train seat. Method: The pressure ratio at the body-seat interface (thigh and buttock regions) was measured by the pressure mat system. The interface pressure ratio was calculated and compared. The subjective discomfort rating scale was used to evaluate the subjects' overall feeling. The dimensions of train seats were analysed according to the anthropometric and demographic characteristics of the population data from Size Korea. Results: The results highlighted that the interface pressure ratio was greater while participants sat on the second-class seat than the first-class seat in the left- and right-side thigh regions. Also the pressure ratio was greater for the participants in the 1st~25th percentile height groups (149.8~160.8cm). The subjects rated higher discomfort for the second-class seat than the first-class seat. The physical compatibility results showed that the second-class seat's breadth was inadequate for the 95th and 99th percentile male. Conclusion: Overall, interface pressure measurement, subjective discomfort score and physical compatibility results showed that the second-class seat was more uncomfortable for the passengers than the first-class seat. Application: The adopted methodologies could be used to measure the seating comfort of the train seats.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 1997

This study was designed to explore whether the temperament of a child influences the physical growth. The Korean version of the Parent Questionnaire for Children developed by Thomas, Chess and Korn was applied to 395 Korean children whose ages ranged from 3 years to 7 years. Simultaneously the height and the weight were measured for each child and converted into percentile scale according to the Growth Curve and the Weight Percentile Table for the Height of Korean children. Statistical analysis was performed among 9 temperamental categories, height and weight percentiles for the age and weight percentiles for the height using the first-order partial correlation analysis, controlling for the familial mean income per month. Results showed that the more temperamentally difficult a child is, the lower weight he has when compared with the children of the same age or the same height. Although there were some differences, the tendency of the above findings was maintained both in male and female children. These results show that the temperament may influence the physical growth as well as the psychological development.

• International Journal of Reliability and Applications
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2006

Many real world cases in material failure analysis do not follow perfectly the normal distribution. Forcing of the normality assumption may lead to inaccurate predictions and poor product quality. We examine the failure process of the internal bond (IB or tensile strength) of medium density fiberboard (MDF). We propose a forced censoring technique that closer fits the lower tails of strength distributions and better estimates extremely smaller percentiles, which may be valuable to continuous quality improvement initiatives. Further analyses are performed to build an accelerated common-shaped Weibull model for different product types using the $JMP^{(R)}$ Survival and Reliability platform. In this paper, a forced censoring technique is implemented for the first time as a software module, using $JMP^{(R)}$ Scripting Language (JSL) to expedite data processing, which is crucial for real-time manufacturing settings. Also, we use JSL to automate the task of fitting an accelerated Weibull model and testing model homogeneity in the shape parameter. Finally, a package script is written to readily provide field engineers customized reporting for model visualization, parameter estimation, and percentile forecasting. Our approach may be more accurate for product conformance evaluation, plus help reduce the cost of destructive testing and data management due to reduced frequency of testing. It may also be valuable for preventing field failure and improved product safety even when destructive testing is not reduced by yielding higher precision intervals at the same confidence level.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.64-69
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• 2017

Purpose: The goal of nutritional support for very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants from birth to term is to match the in utero growth rates; however, this is rarely achieved. Methods: We evaluated postdischarge growth patterns and growth failure in 81 Korean VLBW infants through a retrospective study. Weight and height were measured and calculated based on age percentile distribution every 3 months until age 24 months. Growth failure was defined as weight and height below the 10th percentile at 24 months. For the subgroup analysis, small-for-gestational age (SGA) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants were evaluated. The growth patterns based on the Korean, World Health Organization (WHO), or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) standard were serially compared over time. Results: At postconception age (PCA) 40 weeks, 47 (58%) and 45 infants (55%) showed growth failure in terms of weight and height, respectively. At PCA 24 months, 20 infants (24%) showed growth failure for weight and 14 (18%) for height. Growth failure rates were higher for the SGA infants than for the appropriate-weight-for-gestational age infants at PCA 24 months (P=0.045 for weight and P=0.038 for height). Growth failure rates were higher for the ELBW infants than for the non-ELBW infants at PCA 24 months (P<0.001 for weight and P=0.003 for height). Significant differences were found among the WHO, CDC, and Korean standards (P<0.001). Conclusion: Advancements in neonatal care have improved the catch-up growth of VLBW infants, but this is insufficient. Careful observation and aggressive interventions, especially in SGA and ELBW infants, are needed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.311-313
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• 2005

Generally, many Asian women tend to dislike the square jaw, as they believe it makes the face look wider, giving a stubborn and strong impression. Contouring of the mandible is therefore a relatively common aesthetic procedure among Asians. These days, the use of botulinum toxin for contouring of the lower face offer simple alternative to surgery. Motor point, which is the site over a muscle where its contraction may be elicited by a minimal intensity short duration electrical stimulus, is the optimal injection point of botulinum toxin. Study was undertaken to identify the location of motor point of the masseter muscle and the skin surface landmark. First, the thickest point of the masseter muscle was inspected through palpation and inspection by 3 different individual plastic surgeons and then compound muscle action potentials(CMAPs) of masseter muscle in 15 health volunteers were recorded using EMG. For the localization of the measured points, line between lateral canthus to the mandibular angle was used. Location of motor points were mapped to skin surface from lateral canthus in a percentage of the distance along the landmark line and in distance in millimeters. The clinical injection point was located at 71.69 percentile and 7.3 mm of the landmark line. The motor point test was located at 72.54 percentile and 7.1 mm of the landmark line. The depth of motor point was 16mm. There was no statistically significant difference between the clinical injection point and the motor point. We conclude that surface mapping of motor point of the masseter muscle would increase accessibility and accuracy in botulinum toxin injection for contouring of the lower face.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.624-631
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• 2008

This study evaluates the impact of aircraft noise on people's health using the Todai health index(THI). A questionnaire survey was conducted in the vicinity of Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, from August 8th to September 9th, 2005. The survey area was divided into three groups based on different aircraft noise levels : area (1) for $80{\sim}85$ WECPNL, area (2) for $75{\sim}80$ WECPNL and area (3) for less than 75 WECPNL. In each area, approximately 200 respondents were sampled. Twelve scale scores of THI are converted to dichotomous variables based on scale scores of 90 percentile value or 10 percentile value in the control group. Logistic regression analysis taking twelve scores converted as the dependent variables and WECPNL(area), age, gender as the independent variables is conducted. Significant dose-response relationships are found in the scale of MOUT, DEPR, NERV, LIFE. Factor analysis was carried out and 2 factors are extracted. Those two factors might be called the "somatic factor" and the "mental factor". The dose-response relationship between two factors and noise seems to be unclear. Unexpectedly the odds ratio of the menatl factor in area (2), where the noise exposure level is lower than that of the area (1), is the highest and the annoyance in this area is also higher than area (1).

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.437-444
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to suggest appropriate human model for ergonomic evaluation considering working postures on 3D space. Background: Traditionally extreme design rules have been widely utilized at the stage of designing products. Body size of 5th percentile and 95th percentile in stature has been generally selected for controllability and clearance evaluation, respectively. However, these rules had limitations in reflecting working posture in ergonomic evaluation. Method: In order to define working posture on 3D space, not only sagittal plane but also lateral plane was considered. Kinematic linkage body model was utilized for representation of working posture. By utilizing the anthropometric data of 2,836 South Korean male populations, the point cloud for end points of linkage models was derived. The individuals who were lacking in certain controllability were selected as human models for the evaluation. Result: In case of standing posture it was found that conventional approach is proper for all controllability evaluations. Contrary to standing posture, tall people had less controllability on control location below shoulder point in sitting posture. Conclusion: From the derived proper range on controllability, ergonomic evaluation rule was suggested according to working posture especially in standing and sitting. Application: The results of the study are expected to aid in selection of appropriate human model for ergonomic evaluation and to improve the usability of products and work space.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.39 no.5 s.104
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• pp.711-721
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• 2004

The aim of this study is to clarify whether frequency and/or severity of extreme climate events have changed significantly in Korea during recent years. Using the best available daily data, spatial and temporal aspects of ten climate change indicators are investigated on an annual and seasonal basis for the periods of 1954-1999. A systematic increase in the $90^{th}$ percentile of daily minimum temperatures at most of the analyzed areas has been observed. This increase is accompanied by a similar reduction in the number of frost days and a significant lengthening of the thermal growing season. Although the intra-annual extreme temperature range is based on only two observations, it provides a very robust and significant measure of declining extreme temperature variability. The five precipitation-related indicators show no distinct changing patterns for spatial and temporal distribution except for the regional series of maximum consecutive dry days. Interestingly, the regional series of consecutive dry days have increased significantly while the daily rainfall intensity index and the fraction of annual total precipitation due to events exceeding the $95^{th}$ percentile for 1901-1990 normals have insignificantly increased.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.170-175
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• 2014

Objective : The aims of this study was to evaluate relationship between body dissatisfaction, personality characteristic, and stress in young adults. Methods : One hundred and ninety five young, healthy, and normal participants filled out all 3 types of self-reported questionnaire, the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination-Self Report (Korean version of BDDE-SR ; K-BDDE-SR), Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and Stress Scale of Korean version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (K-DASS-21). Results : Out of the 195 participants, 30% (n=59) was male and 70% (n=136) was female. There was no statistical difference between high K-BDDE-SR group (K-BDDE-SR score 75 percentile or higher, n=50) and low K-BDDE-SR group (K-BDDE-SR score below than 75 percentile, n=145) in terms of weight, height, and BMI. In high K-BDDE-SR group, neuroticism was significantly higher than low K-BDDE-SR group, and extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness were significantly lower than low K-BDDE-SR group. Also, level of stress in high K-BDDE-SR group was significantly higher than low K-BDDE-SR group. Conclusion : Our study revealed that individual's with more body dissatisfaction were more neurotic and stressful. Thus, body dissatisfaction and diverse psychiatric diseases should be considered in treating neurotic and stressful young adults.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.5037-5041
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• 2015

Background: An hCG regression curve has been used to predict the natural history and response to chemotherapy in gestational trophoblastic disease. We constructed hCG regression curves in high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) treated with EMA/CO and identified an optimal hCG level to detect EMA/CO resistance in GTN. Materials and Methods: Eighty-one women with GTN treated with EMA/CO were classified as primary high-risk GTN (n = 65) and single agent-resistance GTN (n = 16). The hCG levels prior to each course of chemotherapy were plotted in the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles to construct the hCG regression curves. Diagnostic performance was evaluated for an optimal cut-off value. Results: The median hCG levels were 264,482 mIU/mL mIU/mL and 495.5 mIU/mL mIU/mL for primary high-risk GTN and single agent-resistance GTN, respectively. The 50th percentile of the hCG level in primary high-risk GTN and single agent-resistance turned to normal before the 4th and the 2nd course of chemotherapy, respectively. The 90th percentile of the hCG level in primary high-risk GTN and single agent-resistance turned to normal before the 9th and the 2nd course of chemotherapy, respectively. The hCG level of ${\geq}118.6mIU/mL$ mIU/mL at the 5thcourse of EMA/CO predicted the EMA/CO resistance in primary high-risk GTN patients with a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusion: EMA/CO resistance in primary high-risk GTN can be predicted by using an hCG regression curve in combination with the cut-off value of 118.6 mIU/mL at the 5thcourse of chemotherapy.