• Journal of the Korean Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.225-242
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• 2016

The phase-type representation is strongly connected with the positive realization in positive system. We attempt to transform phase-type representation into sparse mono-cyclic positive representation with as low order as possible. Because equivalent positive representations of a given phase-type distribution are non-unique, it is important to find a simple sparse positive representation with lower order that leads to more effective use in applications. A Hypo-Feedback-Coxian Block (HFCB) representation is a good candidate for a simple sparse representation. Our objective is to find an HFCB representation with possibly lower order, including all the eigenvalues of the original generator. We introduce an efficient nonlinear optimization method for computing an HFCB representation from a given phase-type representation. We discuss numerical problems encountered when finding efficiently a stable solution of the nonlinear constrained optimization problem. Numerical simulations are performed to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 2014

This study explored the effect of using the inquiry-based science writing heuristic approach in class on metacognition and scientific creativity to enhance the ability of solving problems in science classrooms of elementary students. The results of this study were as follows. First, the science writing heuristic had a positive influence on the usage of metacognition necessary for learners to solve the problem with science. Second, the science writing heuristic contributed to the improvement of scientific creativity. In the process of inquiry-based approach, learners used scientific knowledge to come up with ideas and produce outcomes, therefore they could seek sanswers to scientific problems for themselves. Third, the science writing heuristic produced a positive awareness of science process skill because learners had more opportunities to think on their own than an existing passive class. In conclusion, this study found that the inquiry-based science writing heuristic approach encouraged learners to do inquiring activities in school classrooms, therefore contributing to the application of metacognition and the improvement of scientific creativity.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2004

This study investigated the effects of the project approach in science teaching on scientific knowledge and attitudes, science related attitudes of the 6th grade students. Students engaged in the study were divided into comparison group and experimental group. The project approach was applied to the experimental group with various activities while the traditional teaching method was applied to the comparison group with science text book and teacher's guidebook. The data were statistically analysed by SPSS WIN 8.0. The results are as follows: The students of the project approach in science teaching made significant progress in scientific knowledge and attitudes, science related attitudes (p<.05). The students in the project approach was more effective in improvement of curiosity, critical thinking, positive thinking than the traditional teaching method. And the project approach was good for causing interest and helping student's science learning.

• Journal of applied mathematics & informatics
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• v.29 no.3_4
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• pp.949-953
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• 2011

It is interesting to know the behavior of a network from its structure. One interesting topic is to find a relation between the existence of a positive equilibrium of the reaction network and its structure. One approach to study this topic is using the concept of deficiency. Another is using some conditions on nodes, which can apply to large-size networks compared to deficiency. In this work, we show the relation between deficiency and the conditions.

• Journal of applied mathematics & informatics
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• v.28 no.5_6
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• pp.1545-1552
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• 2010

It is interesting to know the behavior of a network from its structure. One interesting topic is to find a relation between the existence of a positive equilibrium of the reaction network and its structure. One approach to study this topic is using the concept of deficiency. In this work, we develop an algorithm and show an elementary proof of the relation based on the algorithm and deficiency.

• East Asian mathematical journal
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2023

In this paper, we consider φ-Laplacian nonlocal boundary value problems with singular weight function which may not be in L¹(0, 1). The existence and nonexistence of positive solutions to the given problem for parameter λ belonging to some open intervals are shown. Our approach is based on the fixed point index theory.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.114-120
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics, frequency of renal abnormalities and benefits of a top-down approach in children with their first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: We reviewed 308 patients retrospectively who were admitted to Yeungnam University Hospital and were treated for their first febrile UTI from February 2006 to December 2013. We performed a comparative analysis of laboratory findings and results of imaging techniques including a Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan. Results: Among the patients, 69% (213/308) were males, and 90% (277/308) had their first UTI episode during infancy. A DMSA renal scan was performed on all patients, and showed positive findings in 60% (184/308) of cases. Laboratory indices of inflammation were significantly higher in the DMSA-positive group (P< 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the age distribution between the two groups. In the DMSA-positive group, 165 patients underwent voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), and 58 (35%) cases demonstrated vesicoureteral reflux. In total, 110 patients in the DMSA-positive group, underwent repeat scanning at 6 months; 33 children (30%) demonstrated static scarring, but 77 (70%) had improved completely. The concordance of the ultrasonography (US) and VCUG was low. Older patients had more renal scarring. Conclusion: DMSA is a sensitive method for assessing the severity of inflammation and kidney injury. However, the ability of US to predict renal parenchymal damage was limited. A top-down approach in children with their first febrile UTI showed significant value.

• Journal of applied mathematics & informatics
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• v.14 no.1_2
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• pp.51-67
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• 2004

A matrix pair $(X_0,\;Y_0)$ is called a Hermitian nonnegative-definite(respectively, positive-definite) solution to the matrix equation $GXG^*\;+\;HYH^*\;=\;C$ with unknown X and Y if $X_{0}$ and $Y_{0}$ are Hermitian nonnegative-definite (respectively, positive-definite) and satisfy $GX_0G^*\;+\;HY_0H^*\;=\;C$. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of at least a Hermitian nonnegative-definite (respectively, positive-definite) solution to the matrix equation are investigated. A representation of the general Hermitian nonnegative-definite (respectively positive-definite) solution to the equation is also obtained when it has such solutions. Two presented examples show these advantages of the proposed approach.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2021

Purpose: Open extremity fractures require prompt antibiotic medication and initial debridement surgery to reduce the infection rate and restore functional stabilization. We aimed to report the effects and positive outcomes of a trauma team approach on the management of open extremity fractures in polytrauma patients. Methods: This retrospective review included all polytrauma patients with open extremity fractures admitted between March 2009 and December 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they were treated before or after the implementation of the trauma team approach (March 2014). We analyzed the outcomes in each group with respect to the time interval until the doctor's arrival, total length of stay in the emergency department, the time interval until initial antibiotic treatment and operation, whether the initial operation was performed within 24 hours, and the rate of deep infections. Results: A total of 123 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics. The time interval until the doctor's arrival (64.12±49.2 minutes vs. 19.82±15.23 minutes; p=0.035) and initial antibiotic treatment (115.47±72.12 minutes vs. 48.78±30.12 minutes; p=0.023) significantly improved after implementing the trauma team approach. The union rate was not significantly different. However, the time interval until initial debridement, opportunity for initial debridement within 24 hours, and the rate of deep infections demonstrated better results. Conclusions: The reduced time interval until initial antibiotic treatment and debridement could be attributed to the positive effect of the trauma team approach on the management of open extremity fractures in polytrauma patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.75 no.4
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• pp.150-156
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• 2013

Background: Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy is often required for rapid and confirmative diagnosis in patients with suspected pleural tuberculosis (PL-TB). However, this method is more invasive and costly than its alternatives. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical utility of the chest computed tomography (CT)-based bronchial aspirate (BA) TB-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in such patients. Methods: Bronchoscopic evaluation was performed in 54 patients with presumptive PL-TB through diagnostic thoracentesis but without a positive result of sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear, pleural fluid AFB smear, or pleural fluid TB-PCR test. Diagnostic yields of BA were evaluated according to the characteristics of parenchymal lesions on chest CT. Results: Chest radiograph and CT revealed parenchymal lesions in 25 (46%) and 40 (74%) of 54 patients, respectively. In cases with an absence of parenchymal lesions on chest CT, the bronchoscopic approach had no diagnostic benefit. BA TB-PCR test was positive in 21 out of 22 (95%) patients with early-positive results. Among BA results from 20 (37%) patients with patchy consolidative CT findings, eight (40%) were AFB smear-positive, 18 (90%) were TB-PCR-positive, and 19 (95%) were culture-positive. Conclusion: The BA TB-PCR test seems to be a satisfactory diagnostic modality in patients with suspected PL-TB and patchy consolidative CT findings. For rapid and confirmative diagnosis in these patients, the bronchoscopic approach with TB-PCR may be preferable to the thoracoscopy.