• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.79-84
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• 2012

Combustion characteristics of outdoor advertisement materials were evaluated for fire risk assessment about fire expanding. At this study, the flame retardancy and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) was measured by UL 94 and ASTM D 2863 respectively. At the result of flame retardancy, foamex was V-0 grade and those of others were out of grade. LOI measurement showed that the LOI of foamex was highest in the samples. The cone calorimeter test was done by ISO 5660-1 to find the combustion characteristics. The cone calorimeter test showed that the outdoor advertisement materials were not good to prevent of fire expanding. The time to ignition (TTI) of flex was the fastest and the peak heat release rate (PHRR) as well as the total heat release (THR) of acrylic panel was higher than those of others.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.249-256
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• 2017

In this study, we evaluated the potential of 70% ethanol extract from Persicaria nepalensis (PNE) as a cosmetic ingredient by primary skin irritation, ocular irritation, and maximization tests for delayed hypersensitivity in New Zealand white rabbits and Hartley guinea pig. Skin safety study was performed to evaluate the potential toxicity of PNE using the primary irritation test. In the primary irritation test, 50% PNE was applied to the skin, and no adverse reactions such as erythema and edema were observed at the intact skin sites. Therefore, PNE was classified as a practically non-irritating material based on a primary irritation index of "0.0.". In the ocular irritation test, the 50% PNE applied did not show any adverse reactions in the different parts of rabbit eyes, including the cornea, iris, and conjunctiva. Thus, PNE was classified as a practically non-irritating material based on an acute ocular irritation index of "0.0.". Skin sensitization was tested by the Guinea Pig Maximization Test (GPMT) and Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) using an intradermal injection of 10% PNE. Edema and erythema were not observed 24 and 48 h after the topical application of PNE in skin sensitization test, which exhibited a sensitization score of "0.0.". Therefore, it can be suggested that P. nepalensis could be used as potential candidates for cosmoceutical ingredients, without any major side effects.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 1994

Soil loss was estimated by using universal soil loss equation(USLE) through GIS technique in Buyeu area. The expected soil loss is determined from six environmental factors: rainfall, erodibility of selected soil, length and steepness (gradient) of ground slope, crop grown in soil, and land practices used. A scoring system for assessing soil lossrisk has been developed for calculating SLI(Soil Loss Index) by GIS. The scores of six factors multiplied to give a total score which was compared with an chosen classification system to categorize areas of low, moderate and high risk. Finally, a soil loss assessment map was produced by GIS cartographic simulation technique, and this map could be applied in the establishment of regional land use planning.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.105-114
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• 2016

PURPOSE: This study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of Tetrax on balance dysfunction caused by ataxia in cerebellar stroke. METHODS: A total of thirty subjects with cerebellar stroke were recruited. The participants was divided into two groups, the experimental (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Tetrax training and conventional physical therapy (CPT) were performed in experimental group, whereas the patients in the control group were treated with CPT twice a day. Each session of the Tetrax and CPT was carried out for 30 minutes, 5 times per week for 4 weeks. Korean version of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (K-SARA) was the primary outcome measure, and the secondary outcomes covered Berg balance scale (BBS), falling index (FI), Timed up and go (TUG), and modified Barthel index of Korean version (K-MBI). All outcome measures were evaluated before and after 4 weeks. RESULTS: K-SARA was decreased significantly after 4 weeks intervention in both the experimental (p<.05) and the control group (p<.05). Furthermore, the experimental group produced significantly better outcomes in K-SARA, BBS, FI, and TUG compared with the control group (p=.012, p=.027, p=.008, and p=.048). There were significant correlations between K-SARA and BBS, FI, TUG, and K-MBI (p<.001, p<.001, p=.004, and p<.001). CONCLUSION: The restoration of ataxia was related with the improvement of the balance, falling risk, mobility, and activity of daily living. Tetrax training was effectively aided recovery of ataxia after cerebellar stroke.

• Architectural research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2018

Countermeasures against earthquake disasters such as the seismic capacity evaluation and/or retrofit schemes of buildings, especially existing low-rise reinforced concrete buildings, have not been fully performed since Korea had not experienced many destructive earthquakes in the past. However, due to more than 1200 earthquakes with low or moderate intensity in the off-coastal and inland of Korea during the past 20 years, and due to the recent moderate earthquakes in Korea, such as the 2016 Gyeongju Earthquake with M=5.8 and the 2017 Pohang Earthquake with M=5.4, the importance of the future earthquake preparedness measures is highly recognized in Korea. The main objective of this study is to provide the basic information regarding seismic capacities of existing low-rise reinforced concrete buildings in Korea. In this paper, seismic capacities of 14 existing low-rise reinforced concrete public buildings in Korea are evaluated based on the Japanese Standard for Evaluation of Seismic Capacity of Existing Reinforced Concrete Buildings. Seismic capacities between existing buildings in Korea and those in Japan is compared, and the relationship of seismic vulnerability of Korean buildings and Japanese buildings damaged due to severe earthquakes are also discussed. Results indicated that Korean existing low-rise reinforced concrete buildings have a narrow distribution of seismic capacities and they are relatively lower than Japanese buildings, and are also expected to have severe damage under the earthquake intensity level experienced in Japan. It should be noted from the research results that the high ductility in Korean existing low-rise buildings obtained from the Japanese Standard may be overestimated, because most buildings investigated herein have the hoop spacing wider than 30 cm. In the future, the modification of strength and ductility indices in the Japanese Standard to propose the seismic capacity evaluation method of Korean buildings is most needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2008

Objectives : The purposes of this study were to examine the health-related quality of life(HRQoL) and to identify its related factors for a group of rural adults. Methods : The study subjects were 1,901 adults who were aged 40-70 years and who were living in Naju City, Jeollanamdo. The sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behavior, health status and global self-rated health were collected for statistical analysis. The health-related quality of life was measured by the Euroqol EQ-5D instrument. The differences on the EQ-5D index between the groups were assessed with t-test, ANOVA and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results : Overall, the mean value of the EQ-5D index was $0.884{\pm}0.140$ and this score was significantly different according to the socioeconomic characteristics, the health-related behavior, the health status and the global self-rated health. According to the results from the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the HRQoL was significantly reduced for females, older subjects, and other subjects with no spouse and the subjects with osteoporosis, obesity, mental distress or poorer global self-rated health. Conclusions : The HRQoL for rural adults was related to the socioeconomic characteristics, the health status and the global self-rated health, A better understanding of the factors related to the HRQoL would help to improve the rural adults' quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.441-455
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of Mt. Byeollipsan (Ganghwa-gun). The vascular plants from 13 field surveys were revealed to total of 574 taxa; 116 families, 355 genera, 505 species, 8 subspecies, 52 varieties, 7 forms and 2 hybrids. A high plant diversity were Asteraceae (12.3%), Poaceae (10.6%), Cyperaceae (6.1%), Fabaceae (4.5%) and Rosaceae (4.2%) in regular order. The seven taxa of Korean endemic plants such as Clematis brachyura, Viola seoulensis, Populus × tomentiglandulosa, Salix koriyanagi, Ajuga multiflora f. rosea, Hemerocallis hakuunensis and Polygonatum infundiflorum were collected. The red data of vascular plants according to IUCN valuation basis were examined five taxa; Least Concern (LC) species of both Phacelurus latifolius and Belamcanda chinensis, Not Evaluate (NE) species of Lithospermum arvense, Scorzonera austriaca ssp. glabra and Polygonatum infundiflorum. The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 34 taxa comprising one taxa of degree IV, six taxa of degree III, 11 taxa of degree II, and 16 taxa of degree I. In addition, the naturalized plants were identified as 46 taxa and the percent of naturalized index (NI) was 8.0%, Urbanization Index (UI) was 14.3%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.46-56
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• 1999

A deep understanding of the dietary patterns and nutrient intake is important for assessment of possilbe nutritional risk and for establishing nutrition improvement strategies. This study was conducted toexamine the dietary characteristics of a nutritionally poor elderly group compared to the middle-and highly-nourished group. Elderly participant was recruited from local elderly centers in Suwon city in 1998. Trained dietitians interviewed 119 elderly(35 males, 84 females) aged 60 years and over for collecting dietary data(24-hour recall) and related variables. Male and female subjects were grouped into high, middle, and low according to the mean nutrient adequancy ratio(MAR) tertiles. An analysisof the percentage of RDA(Recommended Daily Allowances of Korea) for each of the 10 nutrients showed that the male low-MAR group consumed below the RDA in all kinds of nutrients, and the female low-MAR group consumed nutrients below the RDA except vitamin C. An evaluation of nutrient density by Index of Nutritonal Quality(INQ) also showed a similar tendency. Thus, the INQ level of the male low-MAR group was significantly lower than the middle-or high-MAR group, especially in protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, and phosphorus(p<0.05). Moreover, INQ level of female low-MAR group was significantly lower than that of the high group(p<0.05) in all nutrients. The female low-MAR group's daily food intake were also lower than those of the high-MARgroup in gains, fish, fruits, oil and beverages. The energy distribution from carbohydrates, fats and proteins showed that the male low-MAR group had significantly higher carbohydrate and lower fat proportions compared to each gender high-MAR group, respectively. The male and female low-MAR group had low scores about eating all side dishes. These findings indicate that a moderate increase of the meat/egg/fishes intake was needed by the male low-MAR group for improving nutrition adequacy, and an overall increase of the food quantity and quality was desired for the female low-MAR group. These data could be used for planning a community elderly nutrition program and establishing strategies for tailored guidelines for the individuals.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.188-199
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• 2021

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disease with increased prevalence in the elderly. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosome, which progressively shorten as cells divide. Telomere length is known to be a molecular marker of aging. This study aimed to assess the relationship between telomere length and the risk of COPD, lung function, respiratory symptoms, and emphysema index in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Dusty Areas (CODA) cohort. Methods: We extracted DNA from the peripheral blood samples of 446 participants, including 285 COPD patients and 161 control participants. We measured absolute telomere length using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. All participants underwent spirometry and quantitative computed tomography scan. Questionnaires assessing respiratory symptoms and the COPD Assessment Test was filled by all the participants. Results: The mean age of participants at the baseline visit was 72.5±7.1 years. Males accounted for 72% (321 participants) of the all participants. The mean telomere length was lower in the COPD group compared to the non-COPD group (COPD, 16.81±13.90 kb; non-COPD, 21.97±14.43 kb). In COPD patients, 112 (75.7%) were distributed as tertile 1 (shortest), 91 (61.1%) as tertile 2 and 82 (55%) as tertile 3 (longest). We did not find significant associations between telomere length and lung function, exacerbation, airway wall thickness, and emphysema index after adjusting for sex, age, and smoking status. Conclusion: In this study, the relationship between various COPD phenotypes and telomere length was analyzed, but no significant statistical associations were shown.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2022

Background: This study investigated the predictive value of the frailty index calculated using laboratory data and vital signs (FI-L) in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: This study included 508 patients (age 67.3±9.7 years, male 78.0%) who underwent CABG between 2018 and 2021. The FI-L, which estimates patients' frailty based on laboratory data and vital signs, was calculated as the ratio of variables outside the normal range for 32 preoperative parameters. The primary endpoints were operative and medium-term all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoints were early postoperative complications and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). Results: The mean FI-L was 20.9%±10.9%. The early mortality rate was 1.6% (n=8). Postoperative complications were atrial fibrillation (n=148, 29.1%), respiratory complications (n=38, 7.5%), and acute kidney injury (n=15, 3.0%). The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 96.0% and 88.7%, and the 1- and 3-year cumulative incidence rates of MACCEs were 4.87% and 8.98%. In multivariable analyses, the FI-L showed statistically significant associations with medium-term all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.042; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.010-1.076), MACCEs (subdistribution HR, 1.054; 95% CI, 1.030-1.078), atrial fibrillation (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% CI, 1.002-1.039), acute kidney injury (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.014-1.108), and re-operation for bleeding (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.032-1.152). The minimal p-value approach showed that 32% was the best cutoff for the FI-L as a predictor of all-cause mortality post-CABG. Conclusion: The FI-L was a significant prognostic factor related to all-cause mortality and postoperative complications in patients who underwent CABG.