• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.61 no.2
• /
• pp.121-128
• /
• 2006

Background: The "health-related quality of life" (HRQL) for patients with chronic respiratory disease has been emphasized, because chronic respiratory disease (CRD) is chronic and progressive, and it finally causes disability. HRQL instruments may be useful for monitoring patients' progress or for determining the most appropriate choice of treatment. We describe the adapting St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), which is a self-administered questionnaire developed by Jones et al. (1991), into the Korean version for covering three domains of health for the patients suffering with airways disease. Method: We obtained the original SGRQ from the author after gaining permission. For adaptation, we created an expert panel and translated the original questionnaire into Korean language. The translated questionnaire was then back-translated by bilingual experts and we compared it with the original questionnaire. After correction and feasibility testing, 74 patients with chronic respiratory disease (COPD, asthma, destroyed lung) completed the Korean version of the SGRQ. The clinical status of each patients was evaluated concurrently with measurement of their health status. Result: The Korean version of the SGRQ was acceptable and easy to understand. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was 0.92 for the overall scale and 0.63 for the "Symptoms", subscale, 0.87 for the "Activity", subscale, and 0.89 for the "Impacts" subscales. The correlation coefficients between the overall score and the Borg scale score, oxygen saturation, and forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) were 0.52, -0.32 and -0.26, respectively. These results support that the Korean SGRQ was correlated with other measurements. Conclusion: The Korean SGRQ was reliable and valid for patients with chronic respiratory disease, such as COPD, asthma, and destroyed lung. The SGRQ score was well correlated with other respiratory measurements as well. Although further studies should complete the adaptation work, our results suggest that the SGRQ may be used in Korea and also for international studies involving Korean CRD patients.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.1319-1329
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this research was to develop and validate the coach-athlete relationship scale suitable to amateur golf players by applying the Rasch rating scale model. As the coach-athlete relationship scale, the Korean form of scale developed by Kim and Park (2008), which was revised based on the evidence on the basis of inspection contents, was used to conduct a survey on 217 amateur golf athletes. And the unidimensionality, which is the basic assumption of the Rasch model, was verified using the WINSTEPS program, and the appropriateness of the item category was established through the step calibration. The goodness of fit of each question was tested through the goodness-of-fit index and the differential item functioning (DIF) was estimated according to the golf career. When the goodness-of-fit index estimated for each question was 1.30 or more it was judged unfit and the significance level in the analysis was all set as.05. The results of the analysis showed that the measures variance explained by the Rasch measurement model was more (33.7%) than 20%, so the unidimensionality assumptions of the 11 questions (..hospitable posture when my coach is teaching) were satisfied. The result of analyzing the item category (7 scale) with step calibration was found to be unfit, but in the result of reanalyzing by rescoring into a 5-point scale, it was found to be fit. Particularly, in the result of estimating the goodness-of-fit using the systematized item category (5 scale), Question 10 (...my best when my coach is teaching) and Question 11 were found to be unfit, and as a result of estimating the differential functioning item according to golf career, Question 11 was found to be unevenly differentiated according to golf career. So the 5-point scale of Question 9 after eliminating the two questions which were unfit and differentiated was validated to be the coach-athlete relationship scale suitable to amateur golf athletes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.98 no.6
• /
• pp.791-798
• /
• 2009

The role of forest and soil carbon under global climate change is getting important as a carbon sink and it is necessary to research on applicable forest models as well as in the field for a study of these dynamics. On this study, historical annual litter dataset as a major input data for the forest soil carbon model, Yasso was established using a dendrochronological reconstruction method, and the soil carbon dynamics of a Pinus densiflora forest in Gwangneung, Korea was simulated using Yasso. The amount of litter (needle, branch, stem and fine root) production, which was estimated using the dendrochronological method, has increased continuously from 1971 to 2006. Furthermore, there was no significant error between estimated and measured values of litter production (needle and branch) in 2006. The average of simulated soil carbon stock up to 30 cm depth was $46.30{\pm}4.28tCha^{-1}$, which accounted for 53% of carbon stock in trees of the forest, and had no significant difference and error with measured soil carbon stock. Under the climate change trend in Korea according to IPCC A1B scenario, it was estimated that the simulated soil carbon stock in the region would increase continuously from 1971 to 2041 and then decreased until 2100. Compared to the result of the scenario that there is no climate change, the soil carbon stock could be decreased up to 7.58% at 2100. It was inferred the dendrochronological reconstruction method and simulation of Yasso model are useful to estimate soil carbon dynamics of the natural P. densiflora forest. Follow-up researches, such as improvement of the dendrochronological method and Yasso model and their application and validation in various environment, are needed to produce more reliable results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.955-961
• /
• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the amounts of vitamin C in 22 sweet potato cultivars cultivated in Korea as well as evaluate the effects of cooking methods on vitamin C contents. Methods for determining vitamin C was validated by determining linearity, specificity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, and accuracy using HPLC. Results showed high linearity in the calibration curve with a coefficient of correlation ($R^2$) of 0.9999. The LOD and LOQ values for ascorbic acid (AA) were 0.03 and $0.10{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for intra- and inter-day precision of AA were less than 5%. The recovery rates of AA and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) were in the range from 98.21~98.64 and 98.28~100.68%, respectively. Depending on cultivar, contents of AA, DHA, and total ascorbic acid (TA) in sweet potatoes varied in the range from 37.76 (Sinyulmi)~89.25 (Juhwangmin), 23.37 (Sinjami)~63.94 (Sinyulmi), and 68.52 (Sinjami)~115.95 (Juhwangmin) mg/100 g, respectively, and their average levels were $56.98{\pm}12.53$, $36.46{\pm}9.03$, and $93.44{\pm}12.00mg/100g$, respectively. The average TA levels were also dependent on flesh color, whish was significantly higher in general sweet potato and orange sweet potato than in purple sweet potato. Steaming, baking, and frying processes significantly reduced AA (10.61~58.41%), DHA (2.57~52.81%), and TA (14.54~49.92%) contents in sweet potatoes. The highest reduction of AA, DHA, and TA contents was observed after baking, followed by steaming and frying. We expect that the basic information provided by this study will be useful to plant breeders and food scientists.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.162-170
• /
• 2013

Dedicated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) systems based on pixelated semiconductors are being developed for studying small animal models of human disease. To clarify the possibility of using a SPECT system with CdTe for a high resolution low-dose small animal imaging, we compared the quality of reconstructed images from pixelated CdTe detector to those from a small SPECT system with NaI(Tl). The CdTe detector was $44.8{\times}44.8$ mm and the pixels were $0.35{\times}0.35{\times}5$ mm. The intrinsic resolution of the detector was 0.35 mm, which is equal to the pixel size. GATE simulations were performed to assess the image quality of both SPECT systems. The spatial resolutions and sensitivities for both systems were evaluated using a 10 MBq $^{99m}Tc$ point source. The quantitative comparison with different injected dose was performed using a voxelized MOBY phantom, and the absorbed doses for each organ were evaluated. The spatial resolution of the SPECT with NaI(Tl) was about 1.54 mm FWHM, while that of the SPECT with a CdTe detector was about 1.32 mm FWHM at 30 mm. The sensitivity of NaI(Tl) based SPECT was 83 cps/MBq, while that of the CdTe detector based SPECT was 116 cps/MBq at 30 mm. The image statistics were evaluated by calculating the CNR of the image from both systems. When the injected activity for the striatum in the mouse brain was 160 Bq/voxel, the CNR of CdTe based SPECT was 2.30 while that of NaI(Tl) based SPECT was 1.85. The CNR of SPECT with CdTe was overall higher than that of the NaI(Tl) based SPECT. In addition, the absorbed dose was higher from SPECT with CdTe than those from NaI(Tl) based SPECT to acquire the same quantitative values. Our simulation results indicated that the SPECT with CdTe detector showed overall high performance compared to the SPECT with NaI(Tl). Even though the validation study is needed, the SPECT system with CdTe detector appeared to be feasible for high resolution low-dose small animal imaging.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.119-128
• /
• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was a phantom study to measure the diffusion properties of water molecules by steady-state free precession diffusion-weighted imaging (SSFP- DWI) with a low b-value and to determine if this sequence might be useful for application to the evaluation of bone marrow pathology. Materials and methods : 1. The phantom study: A phantom study using two diffusion weighted sequences for the evaluation of the diffusion coefficient was performed. Three water-containing cylinders at different temperatures were designed: phantom A was $3^{\circ}C$, B was $23^{\circ}C$ and C was $63^{\circ}C$. Both SSFP and echo planar imaging (EPI) sequences (b-value: $1000s/mm^2$) were performed for comparison of the diffusion properties. The Signal to noise ratios (SNR) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the three phantoms using each diffusion-weighted sequence were assessed. 2. The Clinical study: SSFP-DWI was performed in 28 patients [sacral insufficiency fractures (10), osteoporotic lumbar compression fractures (10), malignant compression fractures (8)]. To measure the ADC maps, a diffusion-weighted single shot stimulated echo-acquisition mode sequence ($650s/mm^2$) was obtained using the same 1.5-T MR imager Results : For the phantom study, the signal intensity on the SSFP as well as the classic EPI-based DWI was decreased as the temperature increased in phantom A to C. The ADC values of the phantoms on EPI-DWI were $0.13{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/s$ in phantom A, $0.22{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/s$ in B and $0.37{\times}10^{-3}mm^2/s$. in C. The SSFP can be regarded as a DWI sequence in view of the series of signal decreases. Conclusion : Bone marrow pathologies with different diffusion coefficients were evaluated by SSFP-DWI. All benign fractures were hypointense compared to the adjacent normal bone marrow where as the malignant fractures were hyperintense compared to the adjacent normal bone marrow.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.945-950
• /
• 2014

Purpose: To explore the value of systemic inflammatory markers as independent prognostic factors and the extent these markers improve prognostic classification for patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving palliative chemotherapy. Methods: We studied the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory factors such as circulating white blood cell count and its components as well as that combined to form inflammation-based prognostic scores (Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Prognostic Index (PI) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)) in 384 patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving first-line chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the impact of inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS). Results: Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated white blood cell, neutrophil and/or platelet count, a decreased lymphocyte count, a low serum albumin concentration, and high CRP concentration, as well as elevated NLR/PLR, GPS, PI, PNI were significant predictors of shorter OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only elevated neutrophil count (HR 3.696, p=0.003) and higher GPS (HR 1.621, p=0.01) were independent predictors of poor OS. Conclusion: This study demonstrated elevated pretreatment neutrophil count and high GPS to be independent predictors of shorter OS in inoperable advanced or metastatic GC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy. Upon validation of these data in independent studies, stratification of patients using these markers in future clinical trials is recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.33-45
• /
• 2009

In the industry of landscape architecture, in which the core of production is manpower, the management of manpower is of utmost importance. The industry of landscape architecture, however, is highly sensitive to economic shifts and policy changes; this sensitivity renders the management of manpower-maintaining the balance between supply and demand-often times difficult. Currently, this vicious circle appears to persist in the sense that the industry suffers from a lack of skilled employees, and a new body of skilled laborers from the paucity of jobs. This study, in analyzing current manpower management as well as the prospective supply and demand in the field, looks forward to the stability of the supply and demand in landscape architecture in the nation. According to this study, the number of new skilled laborers-those who have a higher credential than that of "landscape architect-engineer"-is expected to increase by 10% per year. The number of new skilled laborers being 1,137 in 2008, it can be inferred that there will be a new group of 1,251 skilled laborers in the field in 2009. Meanwhile, estimating that the number of current skilled laborers in the field of landscape architecture is 14,783, the demand for new skilled laborers remains approximately 540. The supply of 1,251 skilled laborers outnumbers the demand of 540 by nearly 230%. Hence, the educational institutions of landscape architecture must be prepared to deal with this imbalance between the excessive supply and the lesser demand of skilled laborers. The issue of the excessive supply of manpower is particularly critical, because it may well undermine the competitiveness of the industry as a whole: compared to other related industries such as architecture and civil engineering, for instance. With the customary validation of long work experience no longer in effect, the need for an engineer's license will keep on increasing. It is time that educational institutions took this issue into full account and helped their students to be better qualified and more competent.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.58 no.2
• /
• pp.235-247
• /
• 2020

Simulation study and validation on 50 L/hr pilot-scale Bunsen process was carried out in order to investigate thermodynamics parameters, suitable reactor type, separator configuration, and the optimal conditions of reactors and separation. Sulfur-Iodine is thermochemical process using iodine and sulfur compounds for producing hydrogen from decomposition of water as net reaction. Understanding in phase separation and reaction of Bunsen Process is crucial since Bunsen Process acts as an intermediate process among three reactions. Electrolyte Non-Random Two-Liquid model is implemented in simulation as thermodynamic model. The simulation results are validated with the thermodynamic parameters and the 50 L/hr pilot-scale experimental data. The SO₂ conversions of PFR and CSTR were compared as varying the temperature and reactor volume in order to investigate suitable type of reactor. Impurities in H₂SO₄ phase and HI_X phase were investigated for 3-phase separator (vapor-liquid-liquid) and two 2-phase separators (vapor-liquid & liquid-liquid) in order to select separation configuration with better performance. The process optimization on reactor and phase separator is carried out to find the operating conditions and feed conditions that can reach the maximum SO₂ conversion and the minimum H₂SO₄ impurities in HI_X phase. For reactor optimization, the maximum 98% SO₂ conversion was obtained with fixed iodine and water inlet flow rate when the diameter and length of PFR reactor are 0.20 m and 7.6m. Inlet water and iodine flow rate is reduced by 17% and 22% to reach the maximum 10% SO₂ conversion with fixed temperature and PFR size (diameter: 3/8", length:3 m). When temperature (121℃) and PFR size (diameter: 0.2, length:7.6 m) are applied to the feed composition optimization, inlet water and iodine flow rate is reduced by 17% and 22% to reach the maximum 10% SO₂ conversion.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.343-349
• /
• 2012

Exposure and risk assessments were conducted to evaluate the relative safety of mixing/loading work of indoxacarb between wettable powder (WP) and water dispersible granule (WG). Hand exposure was monitored using cotton gloves while inhalation exposure was measured using personal air monitor. Method validation for the exposure monitoring was established successfully through several experiments. Limit of determination and limit of quantitation were 0.25 and 1 ng, respectively. $R^2$ of calibration curve linearity was more than 0.9999 and reproducibility was 0.7-6. Recovery of indoxacarb from gloves, solid sorbent and glass fiber filter at three different levels was 81.5-108.8%. Trapping efficiency and breakthrough tests gave 981.5-108.8% of recovery. During mixing/loading procedure, hand exposure amount (75 percentile of 30 repetitions) for indoxacarb WP was 6 folds (459.8 mg/kg a.i) than that of WG (81.4 mg/kg a.i). This result indicates that WG has less drift than WP thanks to its granular type of formulation. Inhalation amount was $10^{-8}-10^{-7}%$ of spray mixture prepared and $10^{-4}-10^{-3}%$ of hand exposure. In inhalation case, no significant differences were observed between two formulations. Margin of safety was calculated for risk assessment using male Korean average body weight and acceptable operator exposure level as the important exposure factors. Mixing/loading procedures for both of the formulations were considered to be of least risk because calculated MOS values were more than 1.