• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.251-257
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• 2024

Background Plastic surgery has developed to benefit in a variety of challenging areas formerly handled by other disciplines. Medical students do not have a clear picture of plastic surgery as a career due to lacking scope, clinical practice, and understanding of plastic surgery as a clinical area of expertise, including general practitioners, nursing staff, medical trainees, and the general public, and misconceptions about the extent of reconstructive and plastic surgery. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on Kuwait University Medical students (2nd-7th Years) over a period of 1 month. A questionnaire and a consent form were provided to eligible students. The inclusion criteria were Kuwait University Medical students from 2nd to 7th Years with signed consent form. The response was collected via email sent in coordination with the Vice Dean of Student Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine. Using statistical package for the social sciences, responses were statistically analyzed. Pearson's chi-square test was used to calculate p-values, where p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 244 eligible medical students, 121 males and 123 females, were included in the study, with a mean age of 21 (±2) years. Similarly, 126 (51.6%) were preclinical students (2nd-4th-year students), while 118 (48.4%) were clinical students (5th-7th-year students). About 79.8% of medical students believed that plastic surgery plays an essential role in trauma management, whereas 9.2% did not consider plastic surgery significant for trauma management. This study found that only 15.5% of medical students were interested in enrolling in plastic surgery residency after graduation, while 47.1% of students did not consider plastic surgery residency after graduation. However, 37.4% were uncertain. The two most driving factors in deciding on plastic surgery residency were expected income (61.8%) and lifestyle (14.3%). Conclusion Improving medical students' education quality can enhance their perception and awareness of plastic surgery. Students should be taught the broader scope of plastic surgery. The inclusion of formal training during undergraduation is the essence of time and should be added to or improved during plastic surgery rotations with more emphasis on reconstructive and hand/peripheral nerve surgery. Student-led interest groups can be a useful tool for educating students about their specialty.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1294-1317
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• 2023

Background: Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) is a common complication in severe COVID-19 cases, often associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome or mechanical ventilation. Patients with PCPF frequently experience a decline in their quality of life due to persistent COVID-19 sequelae, including cough and chest pain. However, there is currently no established standard treatment, and the efficacy of existing medications remains uncertain. Case Report: A 65-year-old female patient presenting with cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fatigue due to PCPF received Korean medicine treatment for 25 days. Symptom evaluation utilized the modified Medical Research Council scale, the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, and the Numeral Rating Scale. Quality of life and functional status were assessed using the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status and the EuroQol 5-Dimensional 5-Level. The extent of pulmonary fibrosis was assessed by comparing chest computed tomography (chest CT) scans before and after hospitalization. Following treatment, the patient demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in clinical symptoms, enhanced quality of life, and decreased fibrotic lesions on CT scans. Conclusion: This case report suggests that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in improving clinical symptoms, such as cough and dyspnea caused by PCPF, while also enhancing post-COVID-19 quality of life and ameliorating pulmonary fibrotic lesions.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.87-103
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• 2024

The content system table of the subject-matter curriculum is considered important in the Korean national curriculum, textbook writing, and teaching and learning in the classroom. However, studies that comprehensively organize the issues concerning the format of the subject-matter curriculum content system have been scarce. This study scrutinized the evolution of the content system from its inception in The 6th Curriculum to the most recent 2022 Revised National Curriculum, focusing on science curricular. The following issues and suggestions were derived for the format of the subject content system. First, caution should be exercised in using terms such as "domain," "field," and "category," and it should be clarified whether these terms are intended simply for logical differentiation or to serve as a content organizer with a specific emphasis. Second, the nature of components such as "core ideas," which can serve as innovative content organizers, should be strictly defined. Third, while the introduction of three-dimensional content elements such as "knowledge and understanding," "process and skill," and "value and attitude" is viewed positively, it is suggested that a further delineation be made, elaborating how each can be utilized to form core competencies. Fourth, the construction of the subject-specific content system in national curriculum needs caution because whether it will resolve or exacerbate the 'disparity between general curriculum and subject-matter curriculums' is uncertain. Finally, as an apparent pendulum motion of the subject-matter content system is observed in national curriculum documents, efforts should be made to ensure that it does not result in meaningless repetition, but instead achieves meaningful dialectical progress.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.225-236
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• 2024

To prepare for the impending climate crisis, it is necessary to establish policies and strategies based on scientific predictions and analyses of climate change impacts. For this, climate change should be considered, however, in conventional scenario-led approach, researchers select and utilize representative climate change scenarios. Using the representative climate change scenarios makes prediction results high uncertain and low reliable, which leads to have limitations in applying them to relevant policies and design standards. Therefore, it is necessary to utilize scenario-neutral approach considering possible change ranges due to climate change. In this study, hydrologic risk was estimated for Boryeong after generating 343 time series of climate stress and calculating drought return period from bivariate drought frequency analysis. Considering 18 scenarios of SSP1-2.6 and 18 scenarios of SSP5-8.5, the results indicated that the hydrologic risks of drought occurrence with maximum return period ranged 0.15±0.025 within 20 years and 0.3125±0.0625 within 50 years, respectively. Therefore, it is necessary to establish drought policies and countermeasures in consideration of the corresponding hydrologic risks in Boryeong.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.354-363
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• 2024

Objective : This study aims to determine the optimal dose of recombinant-human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) for successful bone fusion in minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion (MIS LLIF). Previous studies show that rhBMP is an effective alternative to autologous iliac crest bone graft, but the optimal dose remains uncertain. The study analyzes the fusion rates associated with different rhBMP doses to provide a recommendation for the optimal dose in MIS LLIF. Methods : Ninety-three patients underwent MIS LLIF using demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or a mixture of rhBMP-2 and DBM as fusion material. The group was divided into the following three groups according to the rhBMP-2 usage : group A, only DBM was used (n=27); group B, 1 mg of rhBMP-2 per 5 mL of DBM paste (n=41); and group C, 2 mg of rhBMP-2 per 5 mL of DBM paste (n=25). Demographic data, clinical outcomes, postoperative complication and fusion were assessed. Results : At 12 months post-surgery, the overall fusion rate was 92.3% according to Bridwell fusion grading system. Groups B and C, who received rhBMP-2, had significantly higher fusion rates than group A, who received only DBM. However, there was no significant increase in fusion rate when the rhBMP-2 dosage was increased from group B to group C. The groups B and C showed significant improvement in back pain and Oswestry disability index compared to the group A. The incidence of screw loosening was decreased in groups B and C, but there was no significant difference in the occurrence of other complications. Conclusion : Usage of rhBMP-2 in LLIF surgery leads to early and increased final fusion rates, which can result in faster pain relief and return to daily activities for patients. The benefits of using rhBMP-2 were not significantly different between the groups that received 1 mg/5 mL and 2 mg/5 mL of rhBMP-2. Therefore, it is recommended to use 1 mg of rhBMP-2 with 5 mL of DBM, taking both economic and clinical aspects into consideration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2024

This review discusses the pivotal role of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, vital processes influencing vascular permeability, endothelial cell recruitment, and the maintenance of tumor-associated blood and lymphatic vessels. VEGF exerts its effects through tyrosine-kinase receptors, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3. This VEGF-VEGFR system is central not only to cancer but also to diseases arising from abnormal blood vessel and lymphatic vessel formation. In the context of cancer, VEGF and its receptors are essential for the development of tumor-associated vessels, making them attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Various approaches, such as anti-VEGF antibodies, receptor antagonists, and VEGF receptor function inhibitors, are being explored to interfere with tumor growth. However, the clinical efficacy of anti-angiogenic agents remains uncertain and necessitates further refinement. The article also highlights the physiological role of VEGFs, emphasizing their involvement in endothelial cell functions, survival, and vascular permeability. The identification of five distinct VEGFs in humans (VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and PLGF) is discussed, along with the classification of VEGFRs as typical receptor tyrosine kinases with distinct signaling systems. The family includes VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, crucial in tumor biology and angiogenesis, and VEGFR-3, specifically involved in lymphangiogenesis. Overall, this review has provided a comprehensive overview of VEGF and VEGFR, detailing their roles in various diseases, including cancer. This is expected to further facilitate the utilization of VEGF and VEGFR as therapeutic targets.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.127-134
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• 2008

Potential economic impact of a hypothetical severe accident at a nuclear power plant(Uljin units 3/4) was estimated by applying the Delphi method, which is based on the expert judgements and opinions, in the process of quantifying uncertain factors. For the purpose of this study, it is assumed that the radioactive plume directs the inland direction. Since the economic risk can be divided into direct costs and indirect effects and more uncertainties are involved in the latter, the direct costs were estimated first and the indirect effects were then estimated by applying a weighting factor to the direct cost. The Delphi method however subjects to risk of distortion or discrimination of variables because of the human behavior pattern. A mathematical approach based on the Bayesian inferences was employed for data processing to improve the Delphi results. For this task, a model for data processing was developed. One-dimensional Monte Carlo Analysis was applied to get a distribution of values of the weighting factor. The mean and median values of the weighting factor for the indirect effects appeared to be 2.59 and 2.08, respectively. These values are higher than the value suggested by OECD/NEA, 1.25. Some factors such as small territory and public attitude sensitive to radiation could affect the judgement of panel. Then the parameters of the model for estimating the direct costs were classified as U- and V-types, and two-dimensional Monte Carlo analysis was applied to quantify the overall economic risk. The resulting median of the overall economic risk was about 3.9% of the gross domestic products(GDP) of Korea in 2006. When the cost of electricity loss, the highest direct cost, was not taken into account, the overall economic risk was reduced to 2.2% of GDP. This assessment can be used as a reference for justifying the radiological emergency planning and preparedness.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.245-261
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• 1997

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis(SCFE) is a disorder in which there is a gradual or acute disruption through the capital physeal plate. The physiolysis is through a widened zone of hypertrophy, which is weakened due to altered chondrocytic maturation and endochondral ossification. The cause or causes of SCFE remain uncertain. The association of obesity and adolescent age with growth rate are predisposing factors. The possibility that most patients with subclinical hormonal abnormality were proved. The goal of treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis is to restore the function of the hip and delay the development of degenerative osteoarthrosis by prevention of additional displacement of the epiphysis. We report 10 patients(12hips) with SCFE who were treated by surgical means and followed along for more than one year, at Yeungnam University Hospital, from 1989 to 1996. There were six boys and four girls. The average age at operation was 11.8 years. Seven cases occurred in the left hip, one case in the right and 2 cases had bilateral involvement, five cases had a history of minor trauma on affected hip. Among hormonally studied six patients, panhypopituitarism patient was one case; decreased testosterone, two; decreased growth hormone, two; and decreased thyroid hormone, one. According to clinical stage, two cases were the acute type; five cases, acute on chronic type; and three cases, chronic type. On the radiological grades of slipping, mild slippage were nine hips; moderate, one; and severe, two. The eleven hips were treated by pin fixation in situ, and one, by cuneiform osteotomy. On the average follow-up of 2.6 years, ten hips were excellent or good functional results, two hips were failure.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.490-497
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• 2011

Objectives: This study examined the effect of the uncured dentin adhesives on the bond interface between the resin inlay and dentin. Materials and Methods: Dentin surface was exposed in 24 extracted human molars and the teeth were assigned to indirect and direct resin restoration group. For indirect resin groups, exposed dentin surfaces were temporized with provisional resin. The provisional restoration was removed after 1 wk and the teeth were divided further into 4 groups which used dentin adhesives (OptiBond FL, Kerr; One-Step, Bisco) with or without light-curing, respectively (Group OB-C, OB-NC, OS-C and OS-NC). Pre-fabricated resin blocks were cemented on the entire surfaces with resin cement. For the direct resin restoration groups, the dentin surfaces were treated with dentin adhesives (Group OB-D and OS-D), followed by restoring composite resin. After 24 hr, the teeth were assigned to microtensile bond strength (${\mu}TBS$) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), respectively. Results: The indirect resin restoration groups showed a lower ${\mu}TBS$ than the direct resin restoration groups. The ${\mu}TBS$ values of the light cured dentin adhesive groups were higher than those of the uncured dentin adhesive groups (p < 0.05). CLSM analysis of the light cured dentin adhesive groups revealed definite and homogenous hybrid layers. However, the uncured dentin adhesive groups showed uncertain or even no hybrid layer. Conclusions: Light-curing of the dentin adhesive prior to the application of the cementing material in luting a resin inlay to dentin resulted in definite, homogenous hybrid layer formation, which may improve the bond strength.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2014

A Case Study on Venture and Small-Business Executives' Use of Strategic Intuition in the Decision Making Process This paper is a case study on how Venture and Small-Business Executives managers can take advantage of their intuitions in situations where the business environment is increasingly uncertain, a novel situation occurs without any data to reflect on, when rational decision-making is not possible, and when the business environment changes. The case study is based on a literature review, in-depth interviews with 16 business managers, and an analysis of Klein, G's (1998) "Generic Mental Simulation Model." The "intuition" discussed in this analysis is classified into two types of intuition: the Expert Intuition which is based on one's own experiences, and Strategic Intuition which is based on the experience of others. Case study strategic management intuition and intuition, the experts were utilized differently. Features of professional intuition to work quickly without any effort by, while the strategic intuition, is time-consuming. Another feature that has already occurred, one expert intuition in decision-making about the widely used strategic intuition was used a lot in future decision-making. The case study results revealed that managers were using expert intuition and strategic intuition differentially. More specifically, Expert Intuition was activated effortlessly, while strategic intuition required more time. Also, expert intuition was used mainly for making judgments about events that have already happened, while strategic intuition was used more often for judgments regarding events in the future. The process of strategic intuition involved (1) Strategic concerns, (2) the discovery of medium, (3) Primary mental simulation, (4) The offsetting of key parameters, (5) secondary mental simulation, and (6) the decision making process. These steps were used to develop the "Strategic Intuition Decision-making Model" for Venture and Small-Business Executives. The case study results further showed that firstly, the success of decision-making was determined in the "secondary mental simulation' stage, and secondly, that more difficulty in management was encountered when expert intuition was used more than strategic intuition and lastly strategic intuition is possible to be educated.