• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.4 s.51
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• pp.311-325
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• 2005

A chemical ranking and scoring system, CRS - Korea, has recently been developed and proposed to use to prioritize on a screening level the toxic chemicals for monitoring and risk assessment. As CRS-Korea requires rigorous assessments prior to its wide application, an assessment was conducted in this study by examining the contribution of individual parameter score to the final chemical score or ranking. The sensitivity of the system to the default values for various parameters of missing data was also tested. The chemical ranking/score was round to depend primarily on the score of a single parameter, i. e., the chemical release, while toxicity scores show little correlation with the priority Further analysis indicated that the dominating effect of the chemical release results from i) its multiplicative relationship with the other two exposure parameters (biodegradation and persistent) and ii) the fact that a maximum score of 10 was assigned to the chemical release parameter while 5 was assigned for all others. AE the fraction of the data that are missing exceeded $70\%$ for various toxicity parameters at compared to less than $10\%$ for exposure parameters, the sensitivity of the ranking to the default value was not significant (rank correlation coefficient = 0.98) for toxicity parameters. Bated on this assessment, an improved CRS system (CRS - Korea II) was proposed in which the impact of the chemical release was properly adjusted by changing the multiplicative relationship to additive one and the maximum score to 5. Chemical priority was derived for each of 16 provinces by using CRS-Korea II. The chemical priority was found to significantly vary among the provinces. It was concluded that not only the national chemical priority but the local chemical priority should be taken into account in setting the nationwide chemical monitoring and risk assessment strategy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1801-1810
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• 2016

Recent discovery showing the presence of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the circulation sparked interest in their use as potential biomarkers. Our previous studies showed the diagnostic potential of miR-451 as a serological marker for inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), miR-337-5p and miR-30b for non-inflammatory breast cancer (non-IBC). The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic values of circulating miRNAs by comparing the amounts of 12 circulating miRNAs in the serum of IBC and non-IBC from Tunisian breast cancer patients, and by determinating whether correlated pairs of miRNAs could provide useful information in the diagnosis of IBC and non-IBC patients. TaqMan qPCR was performed to detect circulating expression of miRNAs in serum of 20 IBC, 20 non-IBC and 20 healthy controls. Nonparametric rank Spearman rho correlation coefficient was used to examine the prognostic value of miRNAs and to assess the correlation profile between miRNAs expression. Further, a large number of miRNAs were highly correlated (rho>0.5) in both patients groups and controls. Also, the correlations profiles were different between IBC, non-IBC and healthy controls indicating important changes in molecular pathways in cancer cells. Our results showed that miR-335 was significantly overexpressed in premenopausal non-IBC patients; miR-24 was significantly overexpressed in non-IBC postmenopausal patients. Patients with previous parity had higher serum of miR-342-5p levels than those without. Furthermore, patients with HER2+ IBC present lower serum levels of miR-15a than patients with HER2-disease. Together, these results underline the potential of miRNAs to function as diagnostic and prognostic markers for IBC and non-IBC, with links to the menopausal state, Her2 status and parity.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.41-47
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• 2012

Background: This study was designed to investigate the correlation between electromyography (EMG) activities in the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) vs vastus lateralis (VL) activity ratio and the valgus collapse knee position while stepping down. Methods: Twenty healthy women volunteered to participate in this study. We measured the frontal-plane projections of the knee valgus angle, knee valgus distance, and hip adduction angle by using a digital camcorder. After 3 repetitions of the step down (dominant side) exercise, the findings of the static and dynamic phases were analyzed. EMG activities data of the VMO:VL activity ratio were recorded during the step down exercise and were normalized to the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the quadriceps. A paired t-test was used to compare the findings of the static and dynamic phases. We analyzed the Spearman's rank order correlation coefficient between the and VMO:VL ratio. Results: Hip adduction angle, knee valgus angle, VMO activity, VL activity, VMO:VL activity ratio were statistically higher in the dynamic phase than in the static phase (p<.05). Frontal-plane projections of knee valgus angle were significantly correlated with hip adduction angle (r=.459, p<.05) and knee valgus distance (r=.505, p<.05). However, the EMG activity ratio of the VMO and the VL did not show a significant change during step down exercise with respect to hip adduction angle (p=.875), knee valgus angle (p=.618), and knee valgus distance (p=.701). Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that frontal-plane projections of knee valgus angle were associated with hip adduction angle and knee valgus distance. On the basis of these results, the knee valgus distance may be used to determine the valgus collapse knee position while stepping down.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.217-230
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• 1998

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to define the relationship between the experience of Sanhuujori, Korean traditional non-professional postpartal care after delivery and abortion and present health status of chronic arthritis female patient who visited to outpatient clinic of rheumatic internal medicine at a hospital located in Seoul, Korea. A convenience sample of 64 women who orally agreed to be a participant and data were collected form October 1996 to May, 1997 for sis months by way of interview with semistructured questionnaire. The data were analyzed by the SPSS pc program using t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe test as a post hoc and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The results of the study were as follows ; Mean age of participants was 53.2 years and mean number of children was 3.1. Mean frequency of abortion was 2.1 times per woman. Seventy four percentage of respondents did not have Sanhujori after abortion. The mean period of Sanhujori after delivery was 17.7, 15.2, 13.8 days from the first child to third child and shorter than that of general woman such as 20.0, 19.0, 17.3 days in the previous study. On the subjective evaluation of whether the women did Sanhujori well or not, the rate of 'did Sanhujori wrongly' was the highest rank in each child where as general woman 'did Sanhujori well' at the first child, 'moderate' at the second and third child and 'did Sanhujori wrongly' at the 4th and fifth child. The health status implies both subjective health status women perceived and the rate of complaints of physical symptom distress women are experiencing presently. The respondents of 82.5% perceived them as unhealthy or sick and 68.9% of women complained more than two symptoms. Mean number of physical symptom distress women complained was 2.33. The main sites of physical symptom distress were upper & lower extremities 69.1% including knee and hand, whole body 19.1%, neck 3.7%, waist & shoulders 2.7% respectively. The characteristics of the symptoms were mostly pain 60%, swelling 19.8%, rigidity & deformity 7.9% respectively, sensation of heat 6.8% and weakness 1.7%. Women perceived the etiology of the chronic arthritis as stress 25.8%, 'did Sanhujori wrongly' & overwork 23.4% respectively, genetic 12.9%, malnutrition, 4.8%, and aging process 3.2%. There were significant positive correlation between subjective health status and the period of Sanhujori after delivery of the second child(r=-0.22) and negative correlation with the number of child at the level of 5% of significance statistically(r=0.27). There were significant negative correlation between the rate of complaints of physical symptom distress and the subjective evaluation whether she did Sanhujori well or not at the level of 5% of significance statistically(r=-0.23). And the rate of complaints of physical symptom distress in the group of women who experienced abortion was significantly higher than that of women who did not experience it at the level of 5% significance statistically(t=2.00) In conclusion, this finding reconfirmed the possible relationship between health status of chronic arthritis female patient and the experience of Sanhujori after delivery & abortion. It provides a challenge to the professional care givers to research further on the effects of Sanhujori on the health status, health recovery after abortion or delivery from the various aspects through the crosssectional and longitudinal research for the refinement of the reality of not only as cultural phenomenon but as conceptual model for the appropriateness of intervention and quality of care for desirable health outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.418-428
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• 1999

The main purpose of this study was to identify the effects of group social support and individual social support on the reduction of burden and improvement in family functioning of families with asthmatic children. The design of this study was a randomized pre-posttest quasi-experimental design to compare the two experimental groups. The theoretical framework for this study was derived from the study of burden in family caregivers by Suh and Oh (1993) based on the main effect model of social support theories. The data were collected from February 12, 1998 to May 29, 1998 at the pediatric out patient department of a university hospital located in Suwon city. The sample consisted of 39 family members who were identified as families with asthmatic children, Eighteen subjects were randomly assigned to the group social support group and 21 were assigned to the individual social support group. Group and individual social support members were seen for 60 to 90 minutes, four times over one to three weeks. The instruments used in this study were the Burden Scale developed by Suh & Oh(1993), the Visual Analogue Scale, and the Family Adaptability Cohesion Evaluation Scale(FACES-III) developed by Olson, Portner, and Lavee(1985). The collected data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test, x$^2$-test, Wilcoxon sign rank test, t-test, ANOVA (Scheff), Pearson correlation coefficient. multiple regression, and social support process and content analysis. The results are as follow : 1. There was no significant difference before the experimental treatment among the subjects in the group social support group and individual social support group for general characteristics, burden, or family functioning. 2. Hypothesis 1 : “There will be a greater reduction on the burden score of the group social support group compared to the individual social support group” was not statistically significant(U＝174.5, p＝.683). The burden scores showed a significant decrease after participation in social support as compared to before participation for both groups. However there was a tendency for more reduction in the burden scores for the group social support than for individual social support. 3. Hypothesis 2 : “There will be a greater improvement in the family functioning scores for the group social support group compared to the individual social support group” was not statistically significant(U＝153.0. p＝.309). There was a tendency toward improvement in the family functioning scores of the group social support as compared to that of the individual social support. 4. According to the length of the treatment period, families with asthmatic children displayed affirmative responses, and the families set up a self-help group of mothers with asthmatic children in order to share their experiences, to get information and to solve their problems. In conclusion, it was found that group social support was the more effective nursing intervention for reducing burden and for improving family functioning of families with asthmatic children.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.72-83
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• 2016

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term success of horizontal alveolar crest augmentation of the retromolar region of the mandible with particulated bone, as well as factors affecting subsequent peri-implant bone loss. Methods: A total of 109 patients (68 female, 41 male) suffering from alveolar ridge deficiencies of the maxilla and mandible were included in this study. All patients were treated with particulated retromolar bone grafts from the mandible prior to the insertion of endosseous dental implants. Mesial and distal peri-implant crestal bone changes were assessed at six time points. Several parameters, including implant survival and the influence of age, gender, localisation of the implant, diameter, covering procedures, and time points of implant placement, were analysed to identify associations with bone level changes using the Mann-Whitney U-test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient. Results: A total of 164 dental implants were placed in the maxilla (n=97) and in the mandible (n=67). The mean observation period was $105.26{\pm}21.58$ months after implantation. The overall survival rate was 97.6% after 10 years. Overall, peri-implant bone loss was highest during the first year, but decreased over time. The mean amount of bone loss after 10 years was 2.47 mm mesially and 2.50 mm distally. Bone loss was significantly influenced by implant type and primary stability. Conclusions: The use of particulated autologous retromolar bone grafts is a reliable technique for the horizontal reconstruction of local alveolar ridge deficiencies. Our results demonstrate that implants placed in augmented bone demonstrated similar bone level changes compared to implants inserted in non-augmented regions.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.693-700
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• 2020

This study compared the accuracy and reliability of definitive casts fabricated from a digital impression and conventional impression technique. A master model with the prepared upper full-arch tooth was used. Samples of ten plaster models and ten polyurethane models were duplicated using a selected standard master model. Six linear measurements were recorded between the landmarks, directly on each of the stone models and the polyurethane models on two occasions by a double examiner. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test, interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), measurement error (MSE), and limit of agreement (LoA) were used for statistical analysis. The ICC ranged from 0.76 to 0.99 when comparing the stone models and polyurethane models. The mean difference between the stone models and polyurethane models ranged from 0.09mm to 0.20mm, suggesting that stone models might be slightly larger than polyurethane models. Based on this study, the accuracy of the polyurethane models in evaluating the performance of an oral scanner and subtractive technology was acceptable. Further studies will be needed on patient subjects under clinical conditions that may involve missing or malpositioned teeth and fixed dental prostheses because this study was limited to use a standard master model and duplicated sample models in a laboratory setting.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.171-180
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• 2012

The field of wildlife habitat conservation research has attracted attention as integrated biodiversity management strategies. Considering the status of the species surveying data and the environmental variables in Korea, the GARP and Maxent models optimized for presence-only data could be one of the most suitable models in habitat modeling. For make sure applicability in the domestic environment we applied the machine learning species distribution model for analyzing habitats of the Korea water deer($Hydropotes$ $inermis$ $argyropus$) in the $Sapgyocheon$ watershed, $Chungcheong$ province. We used the $3^{rd}$ National Natural Environment Survey data and 10 environment variables by literature review for the modelling. Analysis results showed that habitats for the Korea water deer were predicted 16.3%(Maxent) and 27.1%(GARP), respectively. In terms of accuracy(training/test) the Maxent(0.85/0.69) was higher than the GARP(0.65/0.61), and the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient result of the Maxent(${\rho}$=0.71, p<0.01) was higher than the result of GARP(${\rho}$=0.55, p<0.05). However results could be depended on sites and target species, therefore selection of the appropriate model considering on the situation will be important to analyzing habitats.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.445-457
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• 2017

In this study, we developed an approach to better account for uncertainties in estimated contributions from fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) modeling. Our approach computes a Concentration Correction Factor (CCF) which is a ratio of observed concentrations to baseline model concentrations. We multiply modeled direct contribution estimates with CCF to obtain revised contributions. Overall, the modeling system showed reasonably good performance, correlation coefficient R of 0.82 and normalized mean bias of 2%, although the model underestimated some PM species concentrations. We also noticed that model biases vary seasonally. We compared contribution estimates of major source sectors before and after applying CCFs. We observed that different source sectors showed variable magnitudes of sensitivities to the CCF application. For example, the total primary $PM_{2.5}$ contribution was increased $2.4{\mu}g/m^3$ or 63% after the CCF application. Out of a $2.4{\mu}g/m^3$ increment, line sources and area source made up $1.3{\mu}g/m^3$ and $0.9{\mu}g/m^3$ which is 92% of the total contribution changes. We postulated two major reasons for variations in estimated contributions after the CCF application: (1) monthly variability of unadjusted contributions due to emission source characteristics and (2) physico-chemical differences in environmental conditions that emitted precursors undergo. Since emissions-to-$PM_{2.5}$ concentration conversion rate is an important piece of information to prioritize control strategy, we examined the effects of CCF application on the estimated conversion rates. We found that the application of CCFs can alter the rank of conversion efficiencies of source sectors. Finally, we discussed caveats of our current approach such as no consideration of ion neutralization which warrants further studies.

• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.818-826
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• 2015

Recently, objective image quality assessment (IQA) methods that elaborately reflect the visual quality perception characteristics of human visual system (HVS) have actively been studied. Among those characteristics of HVS, luminance adaptation (LA) effect, indicating that HVS has different sensitivities depending on background luminance values to distortions, has widely been reflected into many existing IQA methods via Weber's law model. In this paper, we firstly reveal that the LA effect based on Weber's law model has inaccurately been reflected into the conventional IQA methods. To solve this problem, we firstly derive a new LA effect-based Local weight Function (LALF) that can elaborately reflect LA effect into IQA methods. We validate the effectiveness of our proposed LALF by applying LALF into SSIM (Structural SIMilarity) and PSNR methods. Experimental results show that the SSIM based on LALF yields remarkable performance improvement of 5% points compared to the original SSIM in terms of Spear rank order correlation coefficient between estimated visual quality values and measured subjective visual quality scores. Moreover, the PSNR (Peak to Signal Noise Ratio) based on LALF yields performance improvement of 2.5% points compared to the original PSNR.