• Title/Summary/Keyword: Stepwise Regression Method

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A Study on the Functional Status in Life and Life Satisfaction for Elderly Residing at Home - Comparing Urban and Rural Elderly - (재택노인의 생활기능상태와 생활만족도에 관한 연구)

  • 이재면
    • Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.109-119
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    • 1995
  • As the population of elderly in Korea is increasing rapidly since the 1990's and will more rapidly in the 21st Century, the demand of their health care would be a great burden to health care expenditure. Then it would be necessary to contemplate the functional status and life satisfaction for elderly to make them live more independently. The objectives of this study were find out the functional status in life and life satisfaction for the elderly aged 65 or over who had resided in urban area of two Gus in Pusan and rural area of two Myuns in Haman Gun in Kyeognam Province, and to provide basic data for planning systematic health care programme. The study period was two weeks from February 6 to February 18, 1995 and the subjects were 274 elderly of which 143 were urban residents, 131 were rural residents, and the study method was by structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed with SAS/PC/sup +/ programme using Chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. The results were as follows; 1. To see the pattern of living together, those living with partners were the most common, 39.1% ; 37.8% of urban elderly lived with married sons, 32.2% of them lived with partners, but 46.6% of rural elderly lived with partners, 16.8% of them lived with married sons, which showed difference between residence(p<0.005). 2. Elderly who had jobs were 64.1% in rural residents, and 7.7% in urban residents, which showed significant difference(p<0.05). 3. The score of cognitive function of total subjects was 24.7, that of urban elderly was 23.8, and that of rural elderly was 25.7, then it was higher in rural ones and low for old-elders and those who had no jobs. 4. The score of PADL was 26.8 for urban elderly, 30.1 for rural elderly, and that of IADL was 22.2 for urban elderly, 25.6 for rural elderly, which showed higher activities of daily living for rural elderly than urban elderly(p<0.001). 5. The score of domestic performance was 21.9 for urban elderly, and 30.5 for rural elderly, which showed higher score for rural elderly(p<0.001). 6. The score of life satisfaction was 20.7 for urban elderly, 29.8 for rural elderly, then it was higher for rural elderly(p<0.01). 7. As a result of ANOVA for functional status in living by general characteristics; the score of cognitive function differed by age, job; that of PADL differed by age, job, education, and the pattern of living together, that of IADL differed by age, job, and the pattern of living together. The score of domestic role performance differed by age, job, marital status, and the pattern of living together. 8. ANOVA for life satisfaction showed that the score of life satisfaction differed by job(p<0.001) and the pattern of living together(p<0.01). 9. The correlations between functional status in living and life satisfaction showed that the higher the score of cognitive function was(r=0.39), the higher the score of activities of daily living was(r=0.50), and the higher the score of domestic role performance was(r=0.41), the higher the score of life satisfaction. 10. Stepwise multiple regression analysis for life satisfaction pointed out that residence was responsible for 39.9% of the variance. cognitive function was for 5.3%, and domestic role performance was for 1.2%.

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A Study on the Working Environment Recognition and the Caracter Disposition of Nurse Aides (간호조무사의 근무환경인식과 성격성향에 관한 연구)

  • Lee Sun Yi
    • Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.57-74
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    • 1990
  • As the whole world took on the tendency to be highly industrialized, it became necessary for each field of occupation to require professional man power. Especially, since the World War n, the participation of woman power in economic activities has been continually increasing. In our country also, because of the rapid economic growth, change in the way of thinking of women as well as their participation in economic activities are increasing. Thus, woman power is being utilized in various occupational fields from simple physical labor to those that require high-professional skill. Also, continued economic development policies, by setting the establishment of welfare society as the ideology to be fulfilled, brought expansion of medical facilities in the field of public health and increase in man power in that field. As for the nursing specialists, more than 6000 have been being produced per year and as of the end of 1988, the total number of nursing specialists, reached 123, 115. Therefore, this study is done to recognize the professional knowledge and ability of nursing specialists, who take up $40\%$ of the total public-health related man power in our country, through evaluating their working environment and their disposition of character. This study, which was done from September 18th to September 30th 1989, took on the method of using formed questionnaires that had been amended and supplemented during two preparatory investigations, 322 of such questionnaires were used as an analytical material. In the formation of questionnaires, 12 questions were related to the working environment, and 26 in fortotal were related to the disposition of character, 5 for wise-disposition, 11 for activedisposition and 10 for open-disposition. The measuring method, which used 5-point-standard, allowed 5 points for affirmative recognition of the working environment, also 5 points for showing wise, active and open disposition of character and only point in opposite cases. Collected materials were analyzed, through an electronic calculation, into the average value, the standard deflection percentage, pearson corelative number and stepwise multiple regression. Summarizing the results from this study is as follows: 1. It was shown that the nursing specialists with the average of 3.07 have affirmative recognition of their working environment. The questions which drew most affirmative reaction were those concerning finance-management system such as hand, the questions that received negative reaction were those concerning communication method with the average of 2.49. Such reaction seems to have resulted from the cramming regulation by the superior authorities. Concerning the recognition of working environment in relation to employment conditions, more affirmative recognition is shown with the average of 3.14. at hospitals where injection job is not performed. The nursing specialists working at regular hospitals show more affirmative recognition than those at general hospitals, the averages being respectiely 3.16 and 3.03. 2. As for the disposition of character of the nursing specialists, active-disposition was highest with the average of 3.38, next was wise-disposition with 3.20 and the lowest was open-diposition with 2.98. Variable-wise disposition of character shows that wise-disposition and academic background are beneficially correlated by 0.12. Ative-disposition and open-disposition show correlation to the office term by respectively 0.16 and 0.21. In other words. better academic background leads to higher wise-disposition and more - experience results in higher active and open disposition. Also, the class that performs the injection job, in relation to the working environment, might cause change in the self-conceit that identify those in that class with the nurses; however, as far as professional judgment and action, in dealing with nursing job, being wise, active and open is concerned, not much effect is made. 3. The relation between the recognition of the working environment and the disposition of character is that more afirmative recognition- a nursing specialist has about her working environment, the higher the active-disposition becomes by 0.13. The degrees of the relation between recongnition of environment and wise and open dispositions show respectively 0.06 and -0.06 and -0.06. That is to say that when having more affirmative recognition of the working environment, a nursing specialist shows wise but closed disposition of character. This, howerver, didn't mean much statistically. When observing the results mentioned above, it is conspicuous that the nursing specialists, working as substitutes for the nurse at medical institutions of various sizes, get the feeling of being somewhat equal to the nurses and to some extent, fulfill their desire to accomplish their ego; however, as far as professional ability expansion if concerned. they lack wise and open dispositions. Therefore, considiering upon the results of this study, in medical institutions where the work of nursing specialists is regaded equal to that of the nurses, as a medical member who deals with human lives, it is desirable to make the nursing specialists work under the supervision of the nurses and to offer them continuous education to strengthen and improve their natural dispositions.

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A study on simple nursing activities for the registered nurses and nurse aides in the hospital (단순간호활동에 관한 간호사 및 간호조무사의 태도조사연구)

  • Lee Jung-Hee
    • Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.37-55
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    • 1990
  • Every country in the world has been trying to expand the basic health right for the peoples as W.H.O has established the goal 'health for AU' by the year of 2000. Related to this goal, our government authority has establish the policy 'the insurance of health for all' into effect from July 198\). Recently hospitalshave been making a ceaseless effort for the plan for the rationalization of its management the academic World is making it a subject of discussion by doing the secure of manpower at a resonable level and the increase of productivity by the manpower. As a result of the efforts the study was established to secure the numbers of nursing manpower at a resonable level and use the unskilled persons at the utilizing field and seek the possible area of their activity for more efficient service through the investigation of ablity of simple nursing activities of regiestered nurses and nurse aides for rational function according to the educational levels and talents. The method of study was established by the registered nurses and nurse and nurse aides(R.N 229, N.A 226) who are working in 15 hospitals with over 200 beds. This surrey was conducted from Mar 29, 1989 to April 8, 1989. The method to test the degree of importance, difficulties, and the abillity of performance of a simple nursing activities was classified into 35 activities on the basis of references on this field. The degree of importance was composed from point l(Not so important) to 5(Very important). the degree of difficulties. was composed as follows; very easy - Point 1 very difficult and complicated - Point 5. and the ability of performance was composed from point 1 to 5. The materials gathered through the survey were analyzed with frequency, mean standard deviation, percentage. t-test, Anova, pearson's coefficient of correlation, stepwise multiple regression. factor analysis, discriminant analysis. The obtained results are summarized as follows: 1. The recognition values of the simple nursing activities of each group of registered nurse and nurse aides show; The degree of importance; 4.04 and 4.26 The degree of difficulties; 2.72 and 2.94 The ability of performance; 2.07 and 2.38 The brief summary shows there are little differences between who two groups the simple nursing activities turned out to be easy and simple work. 2. Regardless of the degree of importance, and difficulties, the ability of performance the important in fluencing of the degree of the simple nursing activities between the registered nurses and nurse aides was the order of educational level, hospital career, working career in wards and ages of the registered nurses and ages and hospital creer of nurse aides. The result was that the simple nursing activities could easily be familiar through the training of their working environment and period of experience. 3. Among the 35 simple nursing activities the items capable of resonable entrusting to the nurse aides are 5 that is helping bed-bathing, 8itz Bath, using bed pan, care while delivering patient, accompaying patient when visitor's check. There wasn't and differences between RN and nurse aides in performing the above 5 items. In anywhere. so we can say obviosuly that this nursing activities should be performed under the nursing system of which chief of nurse are supposed to supervise nurse aides as a possible function to be entrusted. In view of the above mentioned results, therefore, this partial functional job of the simple nursing activities can able be entrusted to the nurse aides through the regular training course. In case of these functional activities could be entrusted under, the responsibility of registered nurse, we can able suggest to for that there are the following advantages: 1.. In the nursing activities-affairs, the qualified guarantee of the nursing services can be kept and increased or promotoed with accommodation of the required nursing service and roles being expanded presently. 2. In the productivity of the hospital manpower, therefore, we have comt to view and consider in favourly that when an automational administration times would be come in the near future time to hospital affairs as a reality, to utilize the existing nures aides is better rather than investing so as to develop the other source manpowers or seek its for the efficient business management in the operational strategy or its policy.

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Optimization of Multiclass Support Vector Machine using Genetic Algorithm: Application to the Prediction of Corporate Credit Rating (유전자 알고리즘을 이용한 다분류 SVM의 최적화: 기업신용등급 예측에의 응용)

  • Ahn, Hyunchul
    • Information Systems Review
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    • v.16 no.3
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    • pp.161-177
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    • 2014
  • Corporate credit rating assessment consists of complicated processes in which various factors describing a company are taken into consideration. Such assessment is known to be very expensive since domain experts should be employed to assess the ratings. As a result, the data-driven corporate credit rating prediction using statistical and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques has received considerable attention from researchers and practitioners. In particular, statistical methods such as multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) and multinomial logistic regression analysis (MLOGIT), and AI methods including case-based reasoning (CBR), artificial neural network (ANN), and multiclass support vector machine (MSVM) have been applied to corporate credit rating.2) Among them, MSVM has recently become popular because of its robustness and high prediction accuracy. In this study, we propose a novel optimized MSVM model, and appy it to corporate credit rating prediction in order to enhance the accuracy. Our model, named 'GAMSVM (Genetic Algorithm-optimized Multiclass Support Vector Machine),' is designed to simultaneously optimize the kernel parameters and the feature subset selection. Prior studies like Lorena and de Carvalho (2008), and Chatterjee (2013) show that proper kernel parameters may improve the performance of MSVMs. Also, the results from the studies such as Shieh and Yang (2008) and Chatterjee (2013) imply that appropriate feature selection may lead to higher prediction accuracy. Based on these prior studies, we propose to apply GAMSVM to corporate credit rating prediction. As a tool for optimizing the kernel parameters and the feature subset selection, we suggest genetic algorithm (GA). GA is known as an efficient and effective search method that attempts to simulate the biological evolution phenomenon. By applying genetic operations such as selection, crossover, and mutation, it is designed to gradually improve the search results. Especially, mutation operator prevents GA from falling into the local optima, thus we can find the globally optimal or near-optimal solution using it. GA has popularly been applied to search optimal parameters or feature subset selections of AI techniques including MSVM. With these reasons, we also adopt GA as an optimization tool. To empirically validate the usefulness of GAMSVM, we applied it to a real-world case of credit rating in Korea. Our application is in bond rating, which is the most frequently studied area of credit rating for specific debt issues or other financial obligations. The experimental dataset was collected from a large credit rating company in South Korea. It contained 39 financial ratios of 1,295 companies in the manufacturing industry, and their credit ratings. Using various statistical methods including the one-way ANOVA and the stepwise MDA, we selected 14 financial ratios as the candidate independent variables. The dependent variable, i.e. credit rating, was labeled as four classes: 1(A1); 2(A2); 3(A3); 4(B and C). 80 percent of total data for each class was used for training, and remaining 20 percent was used for validation. And, to overcome small sample size, we applied five-fold cross validation to our dataset. In order to examine the competitiveness of the proposed model, we also experimented several comparative models including MDA, MLOGIT, CBR, ANN and MSVM. In case of MSVM, we adopted One-Against-One (OAO) and DAGSVM (Directed Acyclic Graph SVM) approaches because they are known to be the most accurate approaches among various MSVM approaches. GAMSVM was implemented using LIBSVM-an open-source software, and Evolver 5.5-a commercial software enables GA. Other comparative models were experimented using various statistical and AI packages such as SPSS for Windows, Neuroshell, and Microsoft Excel VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). Experimental results showed that the proposed model-GAMSVM-outperformed all the competitive models. In addition, the model was found to use less independent variables, but to show higher accuracy. In our experiments, five variables such as X7 (total debt), X9 (sales per employee), X13 (years after founded), X15 (accumulated earning to total asset), and X39 (the index related to the cash flows from operating activity) were found to be the most important factors in predicting the corporate credit ratings. However, the values of the finally selected kernel parameters were found to be almost same among the data subsets. To examine whether the predictive performance of GAMSVM was significantly greater than those of other models, we used the McNemar test. As a result, we found that GAMSVM was better than MDA, MLOGIT, CBR, and ANN at the 1% significance level, and better than OAO and DAGSVM at the 5% significance level.

Environmental Studies in the Lower Part of the Han River Vl. The Statistical Analysis of Eutrophication Factors (한강 하류의 환경학적 연구 Vl. 부영양 요인의 통계적 해석)

  • Jung, Seung-Won;Hue, Hoi-Kwon;Lee, Jin-Hwan
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.37 no.1 s.106
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    • pp.78-86
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    • 2004
  • In order to reveal the relationship between the concentration of chlorophyll- a and the environmental factors affecting eutrophication, the present study was biweekly conducted at G stations in the lower part of the Han river during the period from Feb. 24,2001 to Feb. 9,2002. Water temperature was changed from $0.5^{\circ}C$ to $26.4^{\circ}C$, pH was 5.77${\sim}$8.99, DO 3.15${\sim}$14,36 mg $L^{-1}$, BOD 0.90${\sim}$7.45 mg $L^{-1}$, and COD 1.16${\sim}$9.13 mg $L^{-1}$. TN and TP were ranged from 1.68${\sim}$20.96 mg $L^{-1}$, and 0.02 ${\sim}$ 1.17 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively. $NH_4\;^+$-N, $NO_3\;^-$-N, and $PO_4\;^{3-}$-P were ranged from 0.56${\sim}$3.60 mg $L^{-1}$, 0.03${\sim}$7.29 mg $L^{-1}$, and 0.002${\sim}$0.754 mg $L^{-1}$. Chlorophyll- a was extensively changed from 2.29 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ to 136.28 ${\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ by month and stations. Results of nutrients indicated the eutrophic level in this area and water quality was the gradual worsening in the lower stations than those of upper stations during the period studied. The Pearson correlation analysis between the concentration of chlorophyll- a and the environmental factors indicated that BOD, COD, pH, $NH_4\;^+$-N, TP, TN, conductivity and $PO_4\;^{3-}$-P were positive correlation, but $NO_3\;^-$-N was negative. The environmental factors investigated using the principal component method could be triparted. The first factor group included conductivity, BOD, COD, TN, TP, $NH_4\;^+$-N, $PO_4\;^{3-}$-P and SS, the second WT and DO, and the third pH and $NO_3\;^-$-N. Using the stepwise regression analysis, chlorophyll- a was under the influence of conductivity, $PO_4\;^{3-}$-P, $>NO_3\;^-$-N and $NH_4\;^+$-N Chlorophyll-a = 0.3661 ${\times}$ (Conductivity) - 0.3592 ${\times}$ ($PO_4\;^{3-}$-P) - 0.3449 ${\times}$ ($NO_3\;^-$-N)+0.4362 ${\times}$ ($NH_4\;^+$-N.

The Determinants of Health Promoting Behavior of Industrial Workers (산업장 근로자의 건강증진행위와 자아개념 및 건강의 중요성 인식에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Chung Nam
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.5-19
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    • 1998
  • This descriptive-correlational study was conducted to identify the major factors affecting health promoting behaviors. 344 workers who employed in four different manutacturing plants in Taegu and Kyungbuk area were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected from April let to April 18th, 1998 by ready structured questionaires. The purpose of this study was to offer the basic data for health promotion theory development and health promotion strategy planning. This study was based on Pender's Health Promotion Model and examined three variables health promoting behavior, self-concept and perceived importance of health. The Life Style and Health Habit Assessment scale(LHHA) developed by Pender(1982).The Self-concept scale developed by Choi(1972) and the Health Value scale developed by Wallston, Maides and Wallston(1980) were used for this study. Data was analyzed by percentage, mean. t-test. ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and Stepwise Multiple Regression. The major findings of this study are as follows ; 1. The average level of health promoting behavior practice was 63.2% and possible range was from 62 to 248 point. The mean score of respondent's positive self-concept was 75.8. 81.4% of respondents put a high priority on the importance of health. 2. There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of general self care and less amount of working hours per day(P=0.000), less amount of working hours per week(P=0.000). There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of nutrition and age(0.002), marital status(0.000), working hour per day(0.008), working hours per week(0.001), There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of nutriton and sex(0.000), age(0.000), marital status(0.025), education level(0.000), working hours per day(0.002), working hours per week(0.006). There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of sleep and rest and age(0.003), marital status(0.002), working hours per day(0.001), working hours per week(0.001). There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of stress management and working hours per day(0.001), working hours per week(0.002). There was a significant difference between the practice level in the category of self-actualization and working hours per day(0.050). 3. General characteristics influencing the respodent's self-concept were level(P=0.009) and worksite(P=0.001). 4. The results of the hypothesis tests are as follows The first hypothesis, that "The respondent who have more positive self-concept will have higher scores in the practice of health promoting behavior." was supported(r=0.2973, P=0.0001). The second hypothesis that "The respondent who have higher perception level on importance of health will have higher scores in the practice health promoting behavior." was rejected(r=- 0665, P=0.2225). 5. The most important factor that affects health promoting behavior practice was working hours per week(6.0%). The combination of working hours per week, age, education level accounted for 10.0% of the variance in health promoting behavior. In conclusion, the results of this study on industrial workers supported Pender's health promotion model in partial and showed the relatedness between self concept and the practice of health promoting behavior. Further research is required to find factors influencing health promoting behaviors of industrial workers.

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Association between Bone Mineral Density and Bone Nutrition Indicators in Elderly Residing in Low Income Area of the City (도시거주 저소득층 노인들의 골지표 및 영양소섭취와 골밀도와의 상관관계에 관한 연구)

  • 손숙미;전예나
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.107-113
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    • 2004
  • This study explored the association between the bone nutrition indicators and the bone mineral density (BMD) in 138 apparently healthy elderly (male: 38, female: 100) dwelling in a low income area of the city. Dietary intakes were estimated from two meals (breakfast & dinner) and snack using 24 hr-recall method and lunch with weighing over 3 consecutive days. Female elderly showed significant lower intakes (p<0.001∼p<0-05) for most of the nutrients except calcium and vitamin C than the elderly male. Calcium and vitamin D intakes for both male and female were 331.0 mg, 1.89 $\mu\textrm{g}$ and 308.6 mg, 1.21 $\mu\textrm{g}$, respectively and they were below the 50% of the RDA. Both the BMDs at lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) were positively correlated with the energy intake, calcium intake and vitamin D intake (p<0.05, respectively) for male. In female BMDs of the both sites were positively correlated with the intakes of carbohydrates, protein, lipid, calcium and vitamin D (p<0.01∼p<0.05). Female showed higher serum osteocalcin (p<0.01) and urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine (DPYR/CR) (p<0.001), meaning that female had elevated rate in bone turn over and bone resorption. The proportion of subjects with vitamin D deficiency assessed with serum 25(OH)VitD$_3$<10 mg/mL was 35.0% for female and 23.7% for male, respectively Both the BMDs at lumbar spine and trochanter were positively correlated with serum 25(OH)VitD$_3$ but BMDs in most of the sites were negatively associated with urinary DPYR/CR, phosphate/CR. Stepwise multiple regression showed physical activity, serum alkaline phosphatase, weight, vitamin D explained 47.6% of the variation of the LS BMD. The indicator variable for serum alkaline phosphatase was negatively associated with LS BMD. However, the indicator variable for weight and vitamin D intake were positive and significant (p=0.0087, p=0.0007, respectively). For FN BMD, the indicator variable for age and serum alkaline phosphatase were negative and significant (p<0.0075, p<0.0015, respectively) and the weight was positively associated with the FN BMD.

A Study on Secondary School Girl Students' Life Style, Attitude toward Appearance and Clothing Attitude (중.고등학교 여학생의 라이프스타일, 외모에 대한 태도와 의복태도와의 관련 연구)

  • Lee, Eun-Hee
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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    • v.18 no.4 s.42
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    • pp.85-102
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    • 2006
  • The objectives of this study were to classify of life style of secondary school girl students, to investigate the relationships between life styles, attitude toward appearance and clothing attitude. The method of this study was survey research by using questionnaires. Subjects were 658(middle school students 327, high school students 331) girl students located in Jeollabukdo province. In this statistical analysis, SPSS 11.5 for Windows program was utilized to calculate frequency, mean, cronbach's ${\alpha}$, factor analysis, t-test, Pearson's correlation, multiple regression analysis. The results of this research were as follows: The results of analysing the factors to the response lifestyles, attitude toward appearance and clothing attitude emerged five dimensions(digital orientation, material orientation, positive activity, achievement orientation, frugality), three dimensions(needs conformity value toward appearance), five dimensions(fashion pursuit, gender attractiveness, self-expression, aesthetic, and modesty). High school girls' students showed higher digital orientation and positive activity life styles, attitude toward appearance, clothing attitude except of modesty. Clothing attitude variables except of modesty had positive correlations with lifestyles and attitude toward appearance. However, modesty of clothing had negative correlations with life styles and attitude toward appearance. As a conclusion, secondary school girl students' life styles and attitude toward appearance constituted important characteristics which could affect clothing attitude directly.

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Diagnostic Significance of TNF-$\alpha$ in Tuberculous and Non-Tuberculous Pleural Effusion (결핵성 및 비결핵성 흉막삼출액에서 TNF-$\alpha$ 농도의 진단적 의의)

  • Na, Hyun-Joo;Park, Seog-Chea;Kang, Kwang-Won;Park, Hyeong-Kwan;Kim, Young-Chul;Choi, In-Seon;Park, Kyung-Ok
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.44 no.3
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    • pp.611-620
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    • 1997
  • Objectives : The differentiation of tuberculous effusion from the other causes of exudative pleural effusion remained difficult even with aids of biochemical analyses and pleural biopsy. As the pathophysiology of tuberculous pleural effusion is an enhanced cell mediated immunity, Adenosine deaminase(ADA) and various eytokines including Inteferon-$\gamma$, tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-$\alpha$) are considered as useful diagnostic tools in differentiating exudative pleural effusion. The author would like to demonstrate the diagnostic usefulness of TNF-$\alpha$ in the differentiation of exudative pleural effusion, and compared the discriminating ability of TNF-$\alpha$ with ADA. Methods : Pleural fluids obtained from 80 patients (tuberculous : 39, malignant : 31, parapneumonic : 10) with exudate pleural effusions were processed for cell counts and biochemical analysis including ADA and TNF-$\alpha$. Results : Tuberculous pleural fluid showed higher levels of ADA and TNF-$\alpha$, $48.7{\pm}32.7U/L$ and $184.1{\pm}214.2pg/mL$ than that of non-tuberculous effusion $26.0{\pm}41.3U/L$ and $44.1{\pm}114.2pg/mL$, respectively (ADA, TNF-$\alpha$, p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristics(ROC) curves were generated for ADA and TNF-$\alpha$ and the best cut-off value for adenosine deaminase and TNF-$\alpha$were considered as 30U/L and 15pg/ml, respectively. Comparing the area under the ROC curves, there was no significant difference between ADA and TNF-$\alpha$. Conclusion : For the differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion from the other causes of exudative pleural effusions, TNF-$\alpha$ as well as ADA was considered as useful diagnostic method. However adding TNF-$\alpha$ to ADA has no further diagnotic benefit than ADA alone.

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Environmental Changes after Timber Harvesting in (Mt.) Paekunsan (백운산(白雲山) 성숙활엽수림(成熟闊葉樹林) 개벌수확지(皆伐收穫地)에서 벌출직후(伐出直後)의 환경변화(環境變化))

  • Park, Jae-Hyeon
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.84 no.4
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    • pp.465-478
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    • 1995
  • The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of large-scale timber harvesting on the environment of a mature hardwood forest. To achieve the objective, the effects of harvesting on forest environmental factors were analyzed quantitatively using the field data measured in the study sites of Seoul National University Research Forests [(Mt.) Paekunsan] for two years(1993-1994) following timber harvesting. The field data include information on vegetation, soil mesofauna, physicochemical characteristics of soil, surface water runoff, water quality in the stream, and hillslope erosion. For comparison, field data for each environmental factor were collected in forest areas disturbed by logging and undisturbed, separately. The results of this study were as follows : The diversity of vegetational species increased in the harvested sites. However, the similarity index value of species between harvested and non-harvested sites was close to each other. Soil bulk density and soil hardness were increased after timber harvesting, respectively. The level of organic matter, total-N, avail $P_2O_5$, CEC($K^+$, $Na^+$, $Ca^{{+}{+}}$, $Mg^{{+}{+}}$) in the harvested area were found decreased. While the population of Colembola spp., and Acari spp. among soil mesofauna in harvested sites increased by two to seven times compared to those of non-harvested sites during the first year, the rates of increment decreased in the second year. However, those members of soil mesofauna in harvested sites were still higher than those of non-harvested sites in the second year. The results of statistical analysis using the stepwise regression method indicated that the diversity of soil mesofauna were significantly affected by soil moisture, soil bulk density, $Mg^{{+}{+}}$, CEC, and soil temperature at soil depth of 5(0~10)cm in the order of importance. The amount of surface water runoff on harvested sites was larger than that of non-harvested sites by 28% in the first year and 24.5% in the second year after timber harvesting. The level of BOD, COD, and pH in the stream water on the harvested sites reached at the level of the domestic use for drinking in the first and second year after timber harvesting. Such heavy metals as Cd, Pb, Cu, and organic P were not found. Moreover, the level of eight factors of domestic use for drinking water designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea were within the level of the first class in the quality of drinking water standard. The study also showed that the amount of hillslope erosion in harvested sites was 4.77 ton/ha/yr in the first year after timber harvesting. In the second year, the amount decreased rapidly to 1.0 ton/ha/yr. The impact of logging on hillslope erosion in the harvested sites was larger than that in non-harvested sites by seven times in the first year and two times in the second year. The above results indicate that the large-scale timber harvesting cause significant changes in the environmental factors. However, the results are based on only two-year field observation. We should take more field observation and analyses to increase understandings on the impacts of timber harvesting on environmental changes. With the understandings, we might be able to improve the technology of timber harvesting operations to reduce the environmental impacts of large-scale timber harvesting.

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