• Perinatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.165-169
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• 2018

Objective: Highly sensitive haptoglobin measurement should be used in neonates because the haptoglobin concentration in neonates is lower than that of adults. The aim of this study was to establish the reference values of haptoglobin levels in the cord blood of uninfected neonates. Methods: The cord blood of 29 preterm and 51 term babies was collected, and data from the mother and the newborn were recorded. The haptoglobin concentrations of 80 cord blood samples were simultaneously measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; Assaypro, St Charles, MO, USA) and immunoturbidimetry assay (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland). C-reactive protein (CRP) was also measured by immunoturbidimetry assay (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland). Results: Mean values of CRP and ELISA haptoglobin were not significantly different between preterm and term babies. The 2.5 percentile and 97.5 percentile values of ELISA haptoglobin concentration were as follows: 80 neonates, 0.01 mg/dL and 0.59 mg/dL; 29 preterm babies, 0.08 mg/dL and 0.18 mg/dL; and 51 term babies, 0.07 mg/dL and 0.23 mg/dL. There were no differences in ELISA haptoglobin concentration according to maternal underlying diseases, delivery method, usage of antibiotics or steroids before delivery, gestational age, gender of baby, or twin gestation. Conclusion: A highly sensitive haptoglobin method should be used to determine the haptoglobin concentration in Korean newborns because the reference values of cord blood haptoglobin concentration in Korean newborns are less than the lower detection limit for commonly used immunoturbidimetric haptoglobin measurement methods.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.37-47
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to analyze the influences of forest management activity on the diameter distribution of Larix kaempferi Carriere stands in South Korea. We used 232 managed stands data, 47 unmanaged stands data of National Forest Inventory for this study. We employed the Weibull distribution function for estimating diameter based on percentiles and parameter recovery method. The results revealed that the average diameter breast height movements and growth of tree in the managed stands higher than the unmanaged stands according to the scenario: age, site index, and tree density change. The finding shows the percentage of the total amount of large class diameter was also high in the managed stands. The results of this study could be apply for the estimation of multi-products of timbers per diameter classes and stand structure development for Larix kaempferi Carriere stands in South Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.99-109
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• 2019

We compared the confidence intervals of estimators using various bootstrap methods for a Random Coefficient Autoregressive(RCA) model. We consider a Quasi score estimator and M-Quasi score estimator using Huber, Tukey, Andrew and Hempel functions as bounded functions, that do not have required assumption of distribution. A standard bootstrap method, percentile bootstrap method, studentized bootstrap method and hybrid bootstrap method were proposed for the estimations, respectively. In a simulation study, we compared the asymptotic confidence intervals of the Quasi score and M-Quasi score estimator with the bootstrap confidence intervals using the four bootstrap methods when the underlying distribution of the error term of the RCA model follows the normal distribution, the contaminated normal distribution and the double exponential distribution, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.697-710
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• 2021

Relative error prediction is preferred over ordinary prediction methods when relative/percentile errors are regarded as important, especially in econometrics, software engineering and government official statistics. The relative error prediction techniques have been developed in linear/nonlinear regression, nonparametric regression using kernel regression smoother, and stationary time series models. However, random effect models have not been used in relative error prediction. The purpose of this article is to extend relative error prediction to some of generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with panel data, which is the random effect models based on gamma, lognormal, or inverse gaussian distribution. For better understanding, the real auto insurance data is used to predict the claim size, and the best predictor and the best relative error predictor are comparatively illustrated.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.308-314
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• 2022

Background: Occupational cancer is a global health issue. The Korean CARcinogen EXposure (K-CAREX), a database of CARcinogen EXposure, was developed for the Korean labor force to estimate the number of workers exposed to carcinogens by industry. The present study aimed to estimate the intensity of exposure to carcinogens by industry, in order to supply complementary information about CARcinogen EXposure intensity to the K-CAREX. Methods: We used nationwide workplace monitoring data from 2014 to 2016 and selected target carcinogens based on the K-CAREX list. We computed the 95th percentile levels of measurements for each industry by carcinogens. Based on the 95th percentile level relative to the occupational exposure limit, we classified the CARcinogen EXposure intensity into five exposure ratings (1-5) for each industry. Results: The exposure ratings were estimated for 21 carcinogenic agents in each of the 228 minor industry groups. For example, 3,058 samples were measured for benzene in the manufacturing industry of basic chemicals. This industry was assigned a benzene exposure rating of 3. Conclusions: We evaluated the CARcinogen EXposure ratings across industries in Korean workers. The results will provide information on the exposure intensity to carcinogens for integration into the K-CAREX. Furthermore, it will aid in prioritizing control efforts and identifying industries of concern.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.87-93
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this research was to investigate the age-related changes in whole-body motor variability during sit-to-stand (STS) task. It has been reported that children perform motor tasks less accurately with greater variability as compared to adults. However, it is still unknown how they utilize the abundant degrees of freedom and accomplish voluntary actions. Uncontrolled manifold (UCM) analysis has been used to partition motor variabilities into two independent variability components, task-relevant variability (V_ORT) and task-irrelevant variability (V_UCM). We investigated what differences exist between children and adults with respect to these two motor variability components in relation to motor development stages. Method: Ten 6-year-old children (height: 116.2 ± 4.3 cm, weight: 23.1 ± 3.9 kg, motor development assessment percentile score: 77.5 ± 18.6%), ten 10-year-old children (height: 138.7 ± 7.2 cm, weight: 35.8 ± 10.3 kg, motor development assessment percentile score: 73.9 ± 12.7%), and ten young adults (age: 23 ± 1.6 year-old, height: 164.3 ± 11.4 cm, weight: 60.8 ± 12.0 kg) participated in this study. Each participant performed STS ten times, and a motion capture system was used to capture the whole-body kinematics. Each segment centers of mass and the whole-body center of mass were calculated, and UCM analysis was used to quantify motor variabilities, V_ORT and V_UCM. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results: We found that children produced more motor variabilities in V_ORT and V_UCM in all three dimensions, anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and vertical. As age increased, both, V_ORT and V_UCM significantly decreased (p<.05). Conclusion: The greater V_ORT found in children compared to adults indicates that the repeatability over repetitions improves through development, while the greater V_UCM found in children suggests that children better utilize the abundant degrees of freedom during STS compared to adults.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.101-112
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• 2022

Extreme precipitation events have recently become a leading cause of disasters. Thus, investigating the variability and trends of extreme precipitation is crucial to mitigate the increasing impact of such events. Spatial distribution and temporal trends in annual precipitation and four extreme precipitation indices of duration (CWD), frequency (R10 mm), intensity (Rx1day), and percentile-based threshold (R95pTOT) were analyzed using the daily precipitation data of 10 observation stations in Chungcheong province during 1974-2020. The precipitation at all observation stations, except the Boryeong station, showed nonsignificant increasing trends at 95% confidence level (CL) and increasing magnitudes from the west to east regions. The high variability in mean annual precipitation was more pronounced around the northeast and northwest regions. Similarly, there were moderate to high patterns in extreme precipitation indices around the northeast region. However, the precipitation indices of duration and frequency consistently increased from the west to east regions, while those of intensity and percentile-based threshold increased from the south to east regions. Nonsignificant increasing trends dominated in CWD, R10 mm, and Rx1day at all stations, except for R10 mm at Boeun station and Rx1day at Cheongju and Jecheon stations, which showed a significantly increasing trend. The spatial distribution of trend magnitude shows that R10 mm increased from the west to east regions. Furthermore, variations in precipitation were very strongly correlated (99% CL) with R10 mm, Rx1day, and R95pTOT at all stations, except with wR10 mm at Cheongju station, which was strongly correlated with a 95% CL.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.210-217
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• 2023

Background: N-nitrosamines are carcinogenic substances often found in rubber products. They are produced when certain additives of rubber products react with nitrite in saliva or air. Exposure assessment for the proper management and communication of N-nitrosamines in rubber balloons should be carried out. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of N-nitrosamines in rubber balloons in the South Korean market and assess exposure among Korean children. Methods: Forty eight rubber balloon products in the domestic market were purchased and a total of 68 balloons were analyzed for N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances. Chemical analysis was conducted by HPLC-MS/MS according to the method EN 71-12. For exposure assessment, an exposure algorithm and coefficients were obtained from previous studies. Results: Among the 68 rubber balloons, N-nitrosamines were detected in 18 (26.5%) with an average level of 60.77 ㎍/kg. N-Nitrosatable substances were detected in 44 products (64.7%) with an average level of 1353.33 ㎍/kg. As a result of the exposure evaluation, the exposure dose differed according to how exposure coefficients were applied. The median exposure (50th percentile) was higher in the age group of 6~12 years, and high exposure (95th percentile) was higher in the age group of 13~18. Conclusions: We evaluated the N-nitrosamines contained in rubber balloons purchased in the domestic market and assessed oral exposure among South Korean children. For integrated risk management of N-nitrosamines, further studies and discussion regarding exposure and risk assessment are required.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.35-48
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• 2023

Objectives We aimed to analyze changes in growth indicators before and after Korean medicine treatment in patients treated at the pediatric department of a hospital. Methods We analyzed the medical records of children and adolescents under 18 years of age who underwent growth assessment between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2022. Results A total of 21 patients were selected for this study. After treatment, there was a significant increase in the height percentile, whereas bone age-chronological age (BA-CA) and predicted adult height (PAH) did not show significant changes. No major adverse reactions were observed during the treatment. Growth reassessment was conducted twice for 10 participants. When comparing the growth indicators between the assessment sessions, the height percentile showed an increasing trend between the initial and the first growth reassessment. However, there were no significant differences between BA-CA and PAH across the different assessment periods. Conclusions There is a need to establish evidence for the efficacy and safety of continuous Korean medicine growth treatment through the long-term observation of growth indicators in patients undergoing treatment for two or more periods, as well as observational studies on liver and renal function indicators.

• Atmosphere
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.21-32
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• 2023

Characteristics of downslope windstorm (DW) has been examined mainly based on 1-min average wind and the other meteorological conditions in the Yeongdong region for 2000~2020. First, a classification procedure for the downslope windstorm is proposed using surface wind speed (greater than 99 percentile), 1-hour longevity of strong wind (SW), westerly wind direction, low humidity (less than 20 percentile), and leeside warming. The number of DW days satisfying the proposed criteria is 221 (2.9% of total days and 47.5% of SW days) while the number of SW days is 465 (6.1% of total days) for 2000~2020. The occurrences of both SW and DW shows distinctive annual variation with its peak in April. In addition, mean wind speed of DW days is 8.2 m s^-1 with its duration of 2 hr 30 min and relative humidity of 28% at Gangneung. An episode (7 May 2021) was selected by applying the proposed criteria to SW days of 2021. The sounding shows that the layer of wind speed greater than 25 m s^-1 was lowered down to 925 hPa at Gangneung (leeside) relative to 850 hPa at Hoengseong (Wonju), in the afternoon along with significant warming and drying. Froude numbers of Wonju and Gangneung for the DW events were increased 4 and 5 times greater than those of normal days, respectively. This kind of DW long-term statistics in the leeside of the mountains is thought to build a foundation of further understanding DW mechanism.