• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.163-168
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate recipients' perception of service quality, satisfaction, and behavioral intention in home delivered meals program in the US. Out of 398 questionnaires, 265 (66.6%) were collected, and 209 questionnaires (52.5%) were used for the statistical analysis. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with a maximum likelihood was first conducted to estimate the measurement model by verifying the underlying structure of constructs. The level of internal consistency in each construct was acceptable, with Cronbach's alpha estimates ranging from 0.7 to 0.94. All of the composite reliabilities of the constructs were over the cutoff value of 0.50, ensuring adequate internal consistency of multiple items for each construct. As a second step, a Meals-On-Wheels (MOW) recipient perception model was estimated. The model's fit as indicated by these indexes was satisfactory and path coefficients were analyzed. Two paths between (1) volunteer issues and behavioral intention and (2) responsiveness and behavioral intention were not significant. The path for predicting a positive relationship between food quality and satisfaction was supported. The results show that having high food quality may create recipient satisfaction. The findings suggest that food quality and responsiveness are significant predictors of positive satisfaction. Moreover, satisfied recipients have positive behavioral intention toward MOW programs.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.145-153
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• 2009

We present measurements of diffuse interstellar $H_2$ absorption lines in the continuum spectra of 10 early-type stars. The data were observed with the Berkeley Extreme and Far-Ultraviolet Spectrometer (BEFS) of the ORFEUS telescope on board the ORFEUS-SPAS I and II space-shuttle missions in 1993 and 1996, respectively. The spectra extend from the interstellar cutoff at 912 $\AA$ to about 1200 $\AA$ with a resolution of ~ 3000 and statistical signal-to-noise ratios between 10 and 65. Adopting Doppler broadening velocities from high-resolution optical observations, we obtain the $H_2$ column densities of rotational levels J" = 0 through 5 for each line of sight. The kinetic temperatures derived from J" = 0 and 1 states show a small variation around the mean value of 80 K, except for the component toward HD 219188, which has a temperature of 211 K. Based on a synthetic interstellar cloud model described in our previous work, we derive the incident UV intensity IUV and the hydrogen density $n_H$ of the observed components to be -0.4 $\leq$ log $I_{UV}\leq2.2$ and $6.3{\leq}n_H2500cm^{-3}$, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical utility of the Four square step test (FSST) for predicting falls in stroke patients, to compare the ability of the FSST test to discriminate between subgroups of fallers, and to determine if the test has any predictive value in identifying stroke patients who will fall. Methods: Stroke patients (N=37) who could walk at least 50 m with minimal assistance were recruited consecutively when attending a physical therapy session during their rehabilitation. Dynamic standing balance was measured using the FSST. The main outcome measures were FSST time and fall number. Numbers of falls were compared with FSST scores. Differences between the groups in FSST scores were examined using a t-test and 1-way analysis of variance. Post hoc analysis using the Tukey B procedure was used to identify specific group differences. Alpha was set at 0.05. Results: A total of 15 participants (40.5%) reported falls 6 had recurrent falls (2 falls) and 9 fell once. The mean FSST time differed significantly between groups with zero and multiple falls. A cutoff score of greater than 17 seconds on the FSST was associated with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 84% for the identification of subjects with multiple risk factors for falls. Conclusion: The FSST is a feasible and valid clinical test of dynamic standing balance and can predict falls in post-stroke patients.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.351-365
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• 2017

The minimization method is widely used to predict the dynamic characteristics of a system. Generally, data recorded by experiment (for example displacement) tends to contain noise, and the error in the properties of the system is proportional to the noise level (NL). In addition, the accuracy of the results depends on various factors such as the signal character, filtering method or cut off frequency. In particular, coupled terms in multimode systems show larger differences compared to the true value when measured in an environment with a high NL. The iterative least square (ILS) method was proposed to reduce these errors that occur under a high NL, and has been verified in previous research. However, the ILS method might be sensitive to the signal processing, including the determination of cutoff frequency. This paper focused on improving the accuracy of the ILS method, and proposed the modified ILS (MILS) method, which differs from the ILS method by the addition of a new calculation process based on correlation coefficients for each degree of freedom. Comparing the results of these systems with those of a numerical simulation revealed that both ILS and the proposed MILS method provided good prediction of the dynamic properties of the system under investigation (in this case, the damping ratio and damped frequency). Moreover, the proposed MILS method provided even better prediction results for the coupling terms of stiffness and damping coefficient matrix.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.346-352
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• 2002

This paper is the experimental study to estimate the influence of various design parameters on the performance of mufflers with perforated tubes and through-flow partitions. Muffler types considered in the present work include through-flow chamber, through-flow chamber with partition, and cross-flow chamber. The influences of the design parameters on the performance of the mufflers can be outlined as follows. In the case of the through-f]ow type mufflers, increasing the tube thickness and the hole diameter of the perforated tubes does not change the maximum value of the transmission loss but decrease the cutoff frequency. In the case of the through-flow with partitions type mufflers, it is shown that combining a fe w short chambers and long chambers can modify the frequency locations of the resonance frequencies to optimize the performance of the mufflers. For the case of the cross-flow type mufflers, it is shown that the transmission loss of the mufflers is mainly affected by the lower porosity when the porosities are different in both sides of the plug. Overall, it is shown that performance of the through-flow type with partition type mufflers is excellent in the lower frequency region, where the cross-flow type mufflers have better performance in the higher frequency region.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.581-582
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• 2006

In this paper, we investigate three different types of multi-fingered layout nMOSFET devices with varying $W_f$(unit finger width) and $N_f$(number of finger). Using layout modification, we improve $f_T$(current gain cutoff frequency) value of 15GHz without scaling down, and moreover, we decrease $NF_{min}$(minimum noise figure) by 0.23dB at 5GHz. The RF noise can be reduced by increasing $f_T$, choosing proper finger width, and reducing the gate resistance. For the same total gate width using multi-fingered layout, the increase of finger width shows high $f_T$ due to the reduced parasitic capacitance. However, this does not result in low $NF_{min}$ since the gate resistance generating high thermal noise becomes larger under wider finger width. We can obtain good RF characteristics for MOSFETs by using a layout optimization technique.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to low dose organic solvents on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Study design was retrospective cohort study subjected on 191 exposures and 118 controls working in a petrochemical manufacture company. The eight indicators related to CVD risk were followed up for five years from 2008 to 2012. The risk level was compared during the follow up years and subject's characteristics, and the change of risk level were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: At the start year 2008, the rate over cutoff value (ROCV) of BS (p<.001) and mean systolic BP (p=.017) were higher in organic solvent exposure group and the others showed no difference. And by the subject's characteristics, odds ratio of the ROCV of BS were higher in organic solvent exposure group and work shift group as 2.51 and 3.07. Comparing the results in 2012 to those of 2008, cardiovascular disease risk in organic solvent exposure group was about 1.5 times higher than that of in the control group. Conclusion: Gradual increase in the CVD risk was identified in organic solvent exposure group. However, the risk might be influenced by shift work and bad behaviors rather than organic solvent exposure.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2024

Purpose: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a common gastrointestinal disease in neonates and hypochloremia metabolic alkalosis is a typical laboratory finding in affected patients. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of infants with IHPS and evaluate the association of clinical and laboratory parameters with ultrasonographic findings. Methods: Infants diagnosed with IHPS between January 2017 and July 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: A total of 67 patients were included in the study. The mean age at diagnosis was 40.5±19.59 days, and the mean symptom duration was 11.97±9.91 days. The mean pyloric muscle thickness and pyloric canal length were 4.87±1.05 mm and 19.6±3.46 mm, respectively. Hyponatremia and metabolic alkalosis were observed in five (7.5%) and 36 (53.7%) patients, respectively. Serum sodium (p=0.011), potassium (p=0.023), and chloride levels (p=0.015) were significantly lower in patients with high bicarbonate levels (≥30 mmol/L). Furthermore, pyloric canal length was significantly higher in patients with high bicarbonate levels (p=0.015). To assess metabolic alkalosis in IHPS patients, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of pyloric canal length was 0.910 and the optimal cutoff value of the pyloric canal length was 23.5 mm. Conclusion: We found a close association between laboratory and ultrasonographic findings of IHPS. Clinicians should give special consideration to patients with pyloric lengths exceeding 23.5 mm and appropriate fluid rehydration should be given to these patients.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2024

Background and Purpose: Although dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia, its clinical prevalence is low. We developed a short and easy-to-complete DLB screening questionnaire (DLBSQ) to raise diagnostic sensitivity in routine clinical settings. Methods: A total of 501 participants were retrospectively enrolled, including 71 controls, 184 patients without DLB, and 246 patients with probable DLB. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, including core features of DLB, the DLBSQ, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and detailed neuropsychological assessments. The diagnostic performance of the DLBSQ for probable DLB was investigated using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: Total DLBSQ score was associated with visuospatial and frontal/executive dysfunction and the diagnosis of probable DLB. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for total DLBSQ score was 0.727. Youden's method revealed an optimal cutoff value of 3. The sensitivity and specificity of the DLBSQ were 68.7% and 62.4%, respectively. Its discriminating performance improved when cognitive test profiles were additionally considered (area under the curve: 0.822, sensitivity: 80.6%, and specificity: 70.4%). Conclusions: The DLBSQ might be a useful screening tool for DLB in routine clinical practice with good sensitivity and specificity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.10
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• pp.451-456
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• 2014

Purpose: We evaluated serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic marker of neonatal sepsis, and compared PCT levels with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 269 neonates with a suspected infection, admitted to Wonkwang University School of Medicine & Hospital between January 2011 and December 2012, for whom PCT and CRP values had been obtained. Neonates were categorized into 4 groups according to infection severity. CRP and PCT values were analyzed and compared, and their effectiveness as diagnostic markers was determined by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We also calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive, and negative predictive values. Results: The mean PCT and CRP concentrations were respectively $56.27{\pm}81.89$ and $71.14{\pm}37.17mg/L$ in the "confirmed sepsis" group; $15.64{\pm}32.64$ and $39.23{\pm}41.41mg/L$ in the "suspected sepsis" group; $9.49{\pm}4.30$ and $0.97{\pm}1.16mg/L$ in the "mild infection" group; and $0.21{\pm}0.12$ and $0.72{\pm}0.7mg/L$ in the control group. High concentrations indicated greater severity of infection (P<0.001). Five of 18 patients with confirmed sepsis had low PCT levels (<1.0 mg/L) despite high CRP levels. In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve was 0.951 for CRP and 0.803 for PCT. The cutoff concentrations of 0.5 mg/L for PCT and 1.0 mg/L for CRP were optimal for diagnosing neonatal sepsis (sensitivity, 88.29% vs. 100%; specificity, 58.17% vs. 85.66%; positive predictive value, 13.2% vs. 33.3%; negative predictive value, 98.6% vs. 100%, respectively). Conclusion: PCT is a highly effective early diagnostic marker of neonatal infection. However, it may not be as reliable as CRP.