• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 1998

Purpose In this study, We observed the recovery process in the ability to move in the hind limbs of the rats whose spinal cord injuries were treated by Radix acouniti(RA). The purpose of this study is to see the effects of Radix acouniti(RA) water extract on the contraction of rat's spinal cord injury. Procedure First, the rats were subjected to hemisectional spinal cord injuries by a scalpel blade. Those rats, then, were divided into three groups: Sham operated rats group and the experimental group, which received the Radix acouniti(RA) water extract, and the control group, which had no treatment. Their recovery in the ability to walk was observed by the Open Field Test (OFT) for 14 days after the injuries. Method The OFT was applied at four points: the hip, knee, ankle joint, and the tail. Each joint was given a movement rating of from 0 to 3, depending on the amount of movement. A movement rating of 0 designates no movement, a 1 designates slight movement, a 2 designates increased movement, and a 3 designates active movement. Slight movement is defined as a joint displaying less than or equal to 30% of that joint range, increased movement is displaying less than or equal to 60% of that joint's range, and active movement is greater than or equal to 90% of that joint's range. Tail movement is also graded on a scale of 0 to 3. A rating of 0 indicates that the tail is down 100% of the time, one of 1 indicates that the tail is down more than 10%, one of 2 shows that the tail is down less than 50% but more than 10% of the time, and one of 3 shows that the tail is down less than 10% of the time. All four ratings were added together and then averaged to arrive at a single score. Results The sham group which did not go through spinal cord injuries showed near normal results on all 3 joints and tail from right after the operation, which one would expect. The RA oral application group showed more effective recovery of movememt function than the control group around 4 days after the spinal cord injuries. However, after 14 days, both groups displayed almost the same degree of movement recovery. The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1. After 14days the spinal cord injuries, movement was recovered in sham operated group, control group, and experimented group in the hip, the knee, the tail and then the ankle of rats, in that order. 2. Around 7 days after the spinal cord injuries, the experimental group proved the effectiveness of the therapy in terms of movement recovery. 3. The level of ALT, ALP, AST in RA treated group was slightly increased. 4. The level of BUN and creatinine in RA treated group was slightly increased. The above results indicate that RA therapy at an early stage can bring about better movement recovery in patients with spinal cord injuries from traffic accidents or industrial disasters. But there is apparent side effect of RA on clinical, therefore the study on this should be continued.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.585-589
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• 2015

Physical inactivity may an important outcome in the prognosis of breast cancer. Physical activity levels decrease significantly for breast cancer patients following the treatment and remain low after oncology treatment is completed. The aim of this study was to determine physical activity levels and to examine associations among physical activity, comorbidity, functional capacity, peripheral muscle strength, and psychosocial status in breast cancer patients. Forty breast cancer survivors were included in this study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Physical activity was assessed with a short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We defined comorbid diseases according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Functional capacity was evaluated with a six-minute walk test (6MWT). Peripheral muscle strength was measured for quadriceps femoris muscle with a hand-held dynamometer. Psychosocial status was measured with the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). Forty percent of patients were inactive. The IPAQ total score was significantly related with quadriceps muscle strength (r=0.492; p<0.001) and HADS depression score (r=0.341; p<0.05). Marked correlations were also observed between IPAQ walking score and quadriceps muscle strength (r=0.449; p<0.001), HADS depression score (r=0.341; p<0.05), and CCI (r=-0.433; p<0.001). The CCI score was also markedly associated with quadriceps muscle strength (r=-0.413; p<0.001). 6MWT distance was not significantly correlated with any of the parameters. Regression analyses revealed that psychosocial status and peripheral muscle strength were significant predictors of physical activity estimated with the IPAQ short form and when combined, they explained 35% of the variance. Comorbidities, peripheral muscle strength and psychosocial status partially explain the variability of physical activity level in breast cancer survivors. These results suggest that physical inactivity contributes to worsening health in breast cancer survivors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.6
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• pp.498-503
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• 2011

Background: The causes of exertional desaturation in patients with COPD can be multifactorial. We aimed to investigate factors predict exertional desaturation in patients with moderate to severe COPD. Methods: We tested 51 consecutive patients with stable COPD (FEV1/FVC, $40{\pm}13%$ predicted). Patients performed a six minute walk test (6MWT). Pulse oxymetric saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate were recorded. Results: Oxygen desaturation was found in 15 subjects after 6MWT, while 36 subjects were not desaturated. Lung diffusing capacity was significantly lower in desaturation (DS) group ($62{\pm}18%$ predicted) compared with not desaturated (ND) group ($84{\pm}20$, p<0.01). However there was no statistical difference of FEV1/FVC ratio or residual volume between two groups. The pulse rate change was significantly higher in the desaturated compared with the not desaturated group. Six minute walking distance, subjective dyspnea scale, airflow obstruction, and residual volume did not predict exertional oxygen desaturation. Independent factors assessed by multiple logistic regression revealed that a pulse rate increment (odd ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01~1.40; p=0.02), a decrease in baseline PaO2 (OR, 1.105; 95% CI, 1.003~1.218; p=0.04) and a decrease in lung diffusing capacity (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01~1.19; p=0.01) were significantly associated with oxygen desaturation. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that an absolute increment in pulse rate of 16/min gave optimal discrimination between desaturated and not desaturated patients after 6MWT. Conclusion: Pulse rate increment and diffusion capacity can predict exertional oxygen desaturation in stable COPD patients with moderate to severe airflow obstruction.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.4
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• pp.281-288
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• 2018

Background: There are limited number of studies that investigate clinical variables instead of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) management according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2017 classification. The aim of the study was to investigate whether there was a difference between GOLD 2017 classification and spirometric stage in clinical variables in patients with COPD. The data of 427 male patients with stable COPD were investigated retrospectively. Methods: Patients were allocated into combined assessment of GOLD 2017 and spirometric stage. Age, amount of smoking, pulmonary function, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS), St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), body mass index (BMI), and fat free mass index (FFMI) were recorded. Results: Seventy-three (17%) patients were in group A, 103 (24%) constituted group B, 38 (9%) were included in group C, and 213 (50%) comprised group D according to the combined assessment of GOLD 2017. Twenty-three patients (5%) were in stage 1, 95 (22%) were in stage 2, 149 (35%) were in stage 3, and 160 (38%) were in stage 4 according to spirometric stage. According to GOLD 2017, age, amount of smoking, mMRC, BMI, FFMI, SGRQ, HADS, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$), and ISWT were significantly different between groups. Ages, amount of smoking, FFMI, BMI, HADS of group A were different from B and D. Smiliar values of $FEV_1$ were found in A-C and B-D. A and C had smiliar ISWT. According to spirometric stage, BMI, FFMI of stage 4 were statistically different. mMRC, ISWT, and SGRQ of stages 3 and 4 were different from other stages, amongst themselves. $FEV_1$ was correlated with mMRC, SGRQ, anxiety scores, BMI, FFMI, and ISWT. Conclusion: This study showed that the GOLD ABCD classification might not represent the severity of COPD sufficiently well in terms of lung function or exercise capacity. The combination of both spirometric stage and combined assessment of GOLD 2017 is important, especially for estimating clinical variables.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.149-181
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• 2004

In this study we perform empirical tests using KOSPI return to investigate the existence of nonlinear characteristics in the generating process of stock returns. There are three categories in empirical tests; the test of nonlinear dependence, nonlinear stochastic process and nonlinear deterministic chaos. According to the analysis of nonlinearity, stock returns are not normally distributed but leptokurtic, and appear to have nonlinear dependence. And it's decided that the nonlinear structure of stock returns can not be completely explained using nonlinear stochastic models of ARCH-type. Nonlinear deterministic chaos system is the feedback system, which the past incidents influence the present, and it is the fractal structure with self-similarity and has the sensitive dependence on initial conditions. To summarize the results of chaos analysis for KOSPI return, it is the persistent time series, which is not IID and has long memory, takes biased random walk, and is estimated to be fractal distribution. Also correlation dimension, as the approximation of fractal dimension, converged stably within 3 and 4, and maximum Lyapunov exponent has positive value. This suggests that chaotic attractor and the sensitive dependence on initial conditions exist in stock returns. These results fit into the characteristics of chaos system. Therefore it's decided that the generating process of stock returns has nonlinear deterministic structure and follow chaotic process.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2018

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may cause changes in the shape of the thoracic cage by increasing lung volume and hyperinflation. This study investigated changes in thoracic cage dimensions and related factors in patients with COPD. Methods: We enrolled 85 patients with COPD (76 males, 9 females; mean age, $70.6{\pm}7.1years$) and 30 normal controls. Thoracic cage dimensions were measured using chest computed tomography at levels 3, 6, and 9 of the thoracic spine. We measured the maximal transverse diameter, mid-sagittal anteroposterior (AP) diameter, and maximal AP diameter of the right and left hemithorax. Results: The average AP diameter was significantly greater in patients with COPD compared with normal controls ($13.1{\pm}2.8cm$ vs. $12.2{\pm}1.13cm$, respectively; p=0.001). The ratio of AP/transverse diameter of the thoracic cage was also significantly greater in patients with COPD compared with normal controls ($0.66{\pm}0.061$ vs. $0.61{\pm}0.86$; p=0.002). In COPD patients, the AP diameter of the thoracic cage was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and 6-minute walk test distance (r=0.395, p<0.001 and r=0.238, p=0.028) and negatively correlated with increasing age (r=-0.231, p=0.034). Multiple regression analysis revealed independent correlation only between BMI and increased ratio of AP/transverse diameter of the thoracic cage (p<0.001). Conclusion: Patients with COPD exhibited an increased AP diameter of the thoracic cage compared with normal controls. BMI was associated with increased AP diameter in these patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.310-313
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• 2011

A 6-year-old female Shih-tzu dog was referred with left elbow joint mass associated with weight bearing lameness. Ultrasonography demonstrated an encapsulated hyperechoic mass at the left elbow joint. Radiography was performed on elbow joint, chest, and abdomen, but there was no evidence of metastasis. Clinicopathologic examination revealed the existence of neoplastic cells with anisocytosis, pleomorphism and increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. The left forelimb was amputated for cure. Histopathological examination diagnosed the mass as a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. During the 4 weeks follow-up, the patient showed full remission and adopted to walk with remaining three legs. Thereafter, the tumor recurred after 5 months of first surgery at the operation site and other two cutaneuos regions. Cytology test revealed the mesenchymal originated tumor cells with malignancy. These tumors were surgically removed and histopathological examination of the resected tissue revealed the recurrence of primary tumor and metastasis. Metronomic therapy with cyclophophamide (10 mg/$m^2$, PO, sid) and piroxicam (0.3 mg/kg, PO, sid) had been adopted for 5 months. At 26 months of follow up after the first surgery, the dog alive with satisfactory quality of life. Aggressive surgical resection with metronomic chemotherapy should be the most effective treatment for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.65-77
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• 2013

Recent economic slump is making the construction industry's overall construction business environment worse. Contractors which are under the legal management and/or walk out are to the brink of 25 companies according to the Construction association of Korea released in 2011. It means that existing construction companies are required to transform the fundamental ideology of existing operation framework, and besides, existing companies should be transformed to service industry in order to proceed further into the developing future industries. In this study, it will be chosen the internal marketing related factor like 'Satisfying employees, internal customer, are the first thing to do in order to satisfy external customer.' which is about existing service industry field before its implementation in construction companies. In addition, appropriateness test will be performed including both interactions between each of the factors affect mutually and looking into any management improvement effects on contractors. And also, this proposal is suggested by approaching with internal marketing strategy which is both paradigm shift for customers by construction company members and another internal communication way as a means of overcoming the crisis of overall construction industry under currently happening.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.469-477
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of insole-equipped ankle-foot-orthoses (AFO) on gait. 10 healthy males who had no history of injury in the lower extremity participated in this study as the subjects. The foot of each subject was first scanned, and the insole fit to the plantar was made using BDI-PCO(Pedcad Gmbh, Germany). The subject then was made to walk on a treadmill under four experimental conditions: 1) normal walking, 2) walking wearing AFO, 3) walking wearing AFO equipped with the insole, 4) walking wearing pneumatic-ankle-foot-orthosis (pAFO) equipped with the insole. During walking, foot pressure data such as maximum force, contacting area, peak pressure, and mean pressure was collected using Pedar-X system (Novel Gmbh, Germany) and EMG activity of lower limb muscles such as gastrocnemius medial head, gastrocnemius lateral head, and soleus was recorded using MP150 EMG module (BIOPAC System Inc., USA). Collected data was then analyzed using paired t-test in order to investigate the effects of the insole. As a result of the analysis, when insole was equipped, overall contacting area was increased while both the highest peak pressure and the mean pressure were significantly decreased, and EMG activity of the lower limb muscles was decreased. On the contrary, the cases of wearing AFO showed the decreased contacting area and the increased pressures. Therefore, the AFO equipped with a proper insole fit well to the foot can help comfortable walking by spreading the pressure over the entire plantar.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.85-94
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• 2018

This study aims to investigate how easy pedestrians get around within/through the "Apartment Complexes (AC), " a common style of high-rise multi-family housing in Korea. Over the past six decades, the AC has been the most conventional way to provide standardized housing efficiently to address the problems of the shortage of housing and the substandard housing, due to the explosion of urban population with the rapid industrialization. The AC is a huge chunk of homeogenous multi-family housing, mostly condos with decent infrastructure, including parks, pedestrian passages, schools, ect. Both in the new town development and urban renewal programs have utilized the advantages of the AC. Since the design principals of AC tend to adopt the "protective design" to prevent cars and pedestrians coming outside from passing it, it has been criticised for dissecting the continuity of socioeconomic context in neighborhoods. The neo-traditional planning urbanists, including Jane Jacobs, emphasize that smaller blocks and grid road newtworks are the key in improving social, cultural, and economic vitality of the neighborhoods, because these design concepts allow more pedestrians and different types of people to be mixed in a neighborhood. In this study, we first adopted objective measures for pedestrian accessibility and pedestrian efficiency. These measures were used to calculate the lengths of shortest paths from residential buildings to the edges of AC. We tested the difference in shortest paths between the current pedestrian networks of AC and hypothetical grid networks on the AC, and the relative difference is considered as the pedestrian efficiency, using the network analysis function of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Python programming. We found from the randomly selected 30 ACs that the existing non-grid road networks in ACs are worse than the hypothesized grid networks, in terms of pedestrian efficiency. In average, pedestrians in AC with the conventional road networks have to walk than 25%, 26%, and 27% longer than the networks of $125{\times}45m$, $100{\times}45m$, and $75{\times}45m$, respectively. With the t-test analysis, we found the pedestrian efficiency of AC with the conventional network is lower than grid-networks. Many new urbanists stress, easiness of walking is one of the most import elements for community building and social bonds. With the findings from the objective measures of pedestrian accessibility and efficiency, the AC would have limitations to attract people outside into the AC itself, which would increase dis-connectivity with adjacent areas.