• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.719-729
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• 2022

Objective : The ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is one of the major causes of thoracic myelopathy. Surgical decompression with or without instrumented fusion is the mainstay of treatment. However, few studies have reported on the added effect of instrumented fusion. The objective of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes between surgical decompression without instrumented fusion (D-group) and that with instrumented fusion (F-group). Methods : A retrospective review was performed on 28 patients (D-group, n=17; F-group, n=11) with thoracic myelopathy due to OLF. The clinical parameters compared included scores of the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), the Visual analogue scale of the back and leg (VAS-B and VAS-L), and the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (K-ODI). Radiological parameters included the sagittal vertical axis (SVA), the pelvic tilt (PT), the sacral slope (SS), the thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), the segmental kyphosis angle (SKA) at the operated level, and the lumbar lordosis angle (LLA; a negative value implying lordosis). These parameters were measured preoperatively, 1 year postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively, and were compared with a linear mixed model. Results : After surgery, all clinical parameters were significantly improved in both groups, while VAS-L was more improved in the F-group than in the D-group (-3.4±2.5 vs. -1.3±2.2, p=0.008). Radiological outcomes were significantly different in terms of changes in TKA, SKA, and LLA. Changes in TKA, SKA, and LLA were 2.3°±4.7°, -0.1°±1.4°, and -1.3°±5.6° in the F-group, which were significantly lower than 6.8°±6.1°, 3.0°±2.8°, and 2.2°±5.3° in the D-group, respectively (p=0.013, p<0.0001, and p=0.037). Symptomatic recurrence of OLF occurred in one patient of the D-group at postoperative 24 months. Conclusion : Clinical improvement was achieved after decompression surgery for OLF regardless of whether instrumented fusion was added. However, adding instrumented fusion resulted in better outcomes in terms of lessening the progression of local and regional kyphosis and improving leg pain. Decompression with instrumented fusion may be a better surgical option for thoracic OLF.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.107-119
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• 2022

This study was a descriptive research study to identify the effects of related knowledge to COVID-19, infection control performance, and job stress in emergency department nurses due to COVID-19 on nursing performance, to improve emergency department nurses' ability to cope with emerging infectious diseases and to prepare basic data for effective nursing work. This study was collected data from August, 10 until September, 10, 2021, for 165 emergency department nurses in 26 hospitals, which were located in G province and designated as regional emergency medical institutions, and total 150 copies were finally analyzed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression. As a result of analyzing the variables affecting the subject's nursing job performance by multiple regression using the hierarchical selection method, the higher the infection control performance and the higher the job stress, the more higher the nursing job performance, and the explanatory power was 18.4%. The study results showed that infection control performance, job stress, and non-shift work had an effect on nursing performance. It was thought that various plans to protect them, reduced tasks to efficiently perform and the nursing ability to cope with emerging infectious disease should be prepared to improve and reduce the job stress of emergency department nurses.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.701-708
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• 2023

Local governments are required to take measures to prevent occupational accidents under Articles 4(2) and 4(3) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and this study suggested the necessity of establishing an IT-based integrated safety and health information sharing system for serious accident reduction and safety and health management through the case of Incheon Metropolitan City. Recently, as local governments have established labor and health ordinances and basic plans, the need for an independent integrated safety and health management system based on local industrial characteristics has increased. It is necessary to establish a cooperation and support system with basic local governments and hub institutions, share integrated safety and health information with related institutions and organizations, and play a pivotal role in regional safety and health management by managing occupational accident statistics and implementing basic policies. The system through local governments' safety and health management will reduce serious accidents in the region, and the comprehensive safety and health management system for small businesses and projects ordered by local governments will strengthen the operability of the site, which will be effective in preventing critical accidents and industrial accidents.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.61-73
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• 2007

As a part of Load and Resistance Factor Design(LRFD) code development in Korea, in this paper an intensive reliability analysis was performed to evaluate reliability levels of the two static bearing capacity methods for driven steel pipe piles adopted in Korean Standards for Structure Foundations by the representative reliability methods of First Order Reliability Method(FORM) and Monte Carlo Simulation(MCS). The resistance bias factors for the two static design methods were evaluated by comparing the representative measured bearing capacities with the design values. In determination of the representative bearing capacities of driven steel pipe piles, the 58 data sets of static load tests and soil property tests were collected and analyzed. The static bearing capacity formula and the Meyerhof method using N values were applied to the calculation of the expected design bearing capacity of the piles. The two representative reliability methods(FORM, MCS) based computer programs were developed to facilitate the reliability analysis in this study. Mean Value First Order Second Moment(MVFOSM) approach that provides a simple closed-form solution and two advanced methods of FORM and MCS were used to conduct the intensive reliability analysis using the resistance bias factor statistics obtained, and the results were then compared. In addition, a parametric study was conducted to identify the sensibility and the influence of the random variables on the reliability analysis under consideration.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.222-243
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• 2023

In this study, we looked at how to preserve and use the Yibugok earthen fortification ruin in Sangju, which has recently been actively investigated and researched. Now that the coronavirus pandemic has become a reality, a utilization plan using local historical and cultural resources can be the starting point for regional revitalization. To this end, this study first reviewed the historical value of the Sangju Yibugok earthen fortification. The historical and cultural resource value of the fortification was reviewed in recent archaeological achievements along with the results of existing literature research, and distortion in its utilization was avoided. Next, an analysis of the perception of the demand class and local residents, the subject of utilization, was conducted with visitor statistics and surveys. This is because empathy for historical and cultural resources by the demand class and local residents, who are the main agents of utilization, is the most important factor in the use of cultural assets. Based on the theoretical review presented above, the use cases of ancient fortification ruins were examined in the last chapter 4, and a utilization plan for the fortification was presented focusing on empathy. This study was conducted with a focus on the historical value of the use of the fortification ruins, the empathy of the demand class, and the public. In order to overcome the crisis in Sangju, a high-risk area due to population decline, various measures must be proposed, and establishing historical and cultural identity at the center of Sabeolguk and enhancing its image through various utilization measures can be one of the alternatives.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.131-146
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• 2023

Smart card data is widely used in the public transportation field. Despite the inevitability of various errors occur during the data collection and storage; however, smart card data errors have not been extensively studied. This paper investigates inherent errors in boarding and alighting station information in smart card data. A comparison smart card data and bus boarding and alighting survey data for the same time frame shows that boarding station names differ by 6.2% between the two data sets. This indicates that the error rate of smart card data is 6.2% in terms of boarding station information, given that bus boarding and alighting survey data can be considered as ground truth. This paper propose 6-step algorithm for correcting errors in smart card boarding station information, linking them to corresponding information in Bus Information System(BIS) Data. Comparing BIS data and bus boarding and alighting survey data for the same time frame reveals that boarding station names correspond by 98.3% between the two data sets, indicating that BIS data can be used as reliable reference for ground truth. To evaluate its performance, applying the 6-step algorithm proposed in this paper to smart card data set shows that the error rate of boarding station information is reduced from 6.2% to 1.0%, resulting in a 5.2%p improvement in the accuracy of smart card data. It is expected that the proposed algorithm will enhance the process of adjusting bus routes and making decisions related to public transportation infrastructure investments.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.64-77
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to objectify the level of case management performance and the factors influencing performance, to improve the case management performance at the Korea Worker's Compensation & Welfare Service (KWCWS) on the basis of the recognition of the objective realities of case management by job coordinators at the KWCWS, to develop a model of case management fit for the KWCWS, and to provide a basis for establishing guidelines for standardized case management. Methods: A total of 156 questionnaires were distributed to job coordinators at the KWCWS's headquarters, six regional headquarters, and 55 branches. One hundred forty-one questionnaires were collected and 126 were analyzed statistically using SPSS 21.0. Factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted to verify the validity and reliability of the main measurement items in the research model. Frequency analysis was conducted for general characteristics of survey subjects. Frequency analysis or descriptive statistics were conducted to identify the level of independent variables (case manager's individual variables, job variables, institutional and organizational variables). Dependent variables (case management performance) and the degree of correlation were analyzed through correlation analysis between research variables. Multiple regression analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were conducted to examine the effect of independent variables on case management performance. Results: The results of the study showed that the level of overall performance in the five stages of case management was ordinary, with an average level of 3.45 on a 5-point scale. Levels of performance by step were institutional approach and intake (3.69), assessment (3.63), goal setting and intervention planning (3.46), implementation of intervention plan (3.32), and evaluation and termination (3.20), in that order. The explanatory power of case management performance (overall) by case managers with the KWCWS was case manager's institutional and organizational variables, job variables, and individual variables, in that order. At each stage of case management, the explanatory power of a case manager's institutional and organizational variables was found to be the greatest. The model changes at each stage of case management assume similar aspects statistically. In hierarchical regression analysis, it was institutional support that had a significant effect on case management performance (overall), and institutional support had the greatest effect. The results of multiple regression analysis in which all variables are input simultaneously showed that institutional support and expertise as well as self-efficacy had a positive effect. However, case management work experience, expertise (technology), and autonomy were found to have a negative effect during the stage of case management performance. Conclusions: As a result of the study, it was confirmed that raising the case manager's expertise and support from the institution and organization are important factors to improve the level of case management performance. The research also derived practical ways of reinforcement of case manager capacity, institutional and organizational support, operation of rehabilitation-case management teams, and occupational health-related aspects.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.127-140
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• 2011

Research achievement of Korean geographers on karst studies was evaluated based on the number of publications for the past fifty years, which were divided into four main periods, including beginning, youth, growth, and maturity stages. The descriptive statistics of research papers published in major geography journals were computed and these articles were classified according to their main subjects and study areas. The role of moisture is particularly important in Karst geomorphology compared to the other geomorphological fields. The morphology, landscape, and formation processes of tropical and temperate karst are different from each other, and the regional and altitudinal characteristics of karst environments are significantly diverse. Thus, it is likely that the detailed records of climatic changes are preserved in the northeast Asian karst landform. Since karst geomorphology can be a major cause of natural hazards, such as collapsed surfaces or subsidence, which are associated with anthropogenic activities, including underground-water pumping and land use, education and training of physical geographers, specializing on monsoon effects, distributions of limestone, and soil characteristics, are critical issues to foster the capacity of disaster management in the nation. Moreover, knowing that the unique and spectacular landscape of karst geomorphology is a valuable, natural resource of tourism and has aesthetic values on its own, contributions of geographers to the introduction, conservation, research, and development of karst environment should be emphasized.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.794-802
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• 2022

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of single-shot whole thoracic time-resolved MR angiography (TR-MRA) to identify the feeding arteries of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) and reperfusion of the lesion after embolization in patients with multiple PAVMs. Materials and Methods: Nine patients (8 females and 1 male; age range, 23-65 years) with a total of 62 PAVMs who underwent percutaneous embolization for multiple PAVMs and were subsequently followed up using TR-MRA and CT obtained within 6 months from each other were retrospectively reviewed. All imaging analyses were performed by two independent readers blinded to clinical information. The visibility of the feeding arteries on maximum intensity projection (MIP) reconstruction and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) TR-MRA images was evaluated by comparing them to CT as a reference. The accuracy of TR-MRA for diagnosing reperfusion of the PAVM after embolization was assessed in a subgroup with angiographic confirmation. The reliability between the readers in interpreting the TR-MRA results was analyzed using kappa (κ) statistics. Results: Feeding arteries were visible on the original MIP images of TR-MRA in 82.3% (51/62) and 85.5% (53/62) of readers 1 and 2, respectively. Using the MPR, the rates increased to 93.5% (58/62) and 95.2% (59/62), respectively (κ = 0.760 and 0.792, respectively). Factors for invisibility were the course of feeding arteries in the anteroposterior plane, proximity to large enhancing vessels, adjacency to the chest wall, pulsation of the heart, and small feeding arteries. Thirty-seven PAVMs in five patients had angiographic confirmation of reperfusion status after embolization (32 occlusions and 5 reperfusions). TR-MRA showed 100% (5/5) sensitivity and 100% (32/32, including three cases in which the feeding arteries were not visible on TR-MRA) specificity for both readers. Conclusion: Single-shot whole thoracic TR-MRA with MPR showed good visibility of the feeding arteries of PAVMs and high accuracy in diagnosing reperfusion after embolization. Single-shot whole thoracic TR-MRA may be a feasible method for the follow-up of patients with multiple PAVMs.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2024

Background: The population of Gangneung City in South Korea has shown a gradual increase in the proportion of individuals aged 65 years and older, and the most frequently reported diseases for several years have consistently been periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis. The regional imbalance in the distribution of dental personnel and resources has emerged as a problem of inequality in the use of dental care. It has been advocated to identify areas with disadvantages in dental care and develop public dental policies based on that. This study aimed to develop a customized oral healthcare program for local seniors based on a Public-Private-Academic Partnership, and to evaluate the oral health status of older adults in Gangneung City. Methods: The participants were residents aged 60 years and above in Gangneung City. A questionnaire including general information, systemic health status, and oral health status was administered to the participants. In addition, oral healthcare and education tailored to each individual's health status were provided once or twice based on their oral health status. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 for descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Among the older adults in Gangneung City, 75% had at least one prosthesis and exhibited symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis. Additionally, the modified sulcus bleeding index decreased among participants who underwent the program twice. Over 90% of the participants expressed satisfaction with the program. Conclusion: The program appeared to contribute positively to the oral health promotion among local seniors. Further oral healthcare programs should focus on seniors in rural and old urban areas to reduce disparities in oral health across regions.