• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was to develop a new scoring tool that is comprehensively applicable and predicts fatality within 24 h of intoxication. Methods: This was a cohort study conducted in two emergency medical centers from 2011 to 2012. We identified factors associated with severe/fatality. Through a discriminant analysis, we devised the aBIG (age, Base deficit, Infection, and Glasgow coma scale) score. To compare the ability of aBIG to predict intoxication severity with that of previous scoring systems such as APACHE II, MODS, SAPS IIe, and SOFA, we determined the receiver operating characteristic curves of each variable in predicting severe-to-fatal toxicity. Results: Compared with the mild/moderate toxicity group (n=211), the severe/fatal group (n=143) had higher incidences of metabolic acidosis, infection, serious mental change, QTc prolongation and hepato-renal failure. Age, base deficit, infection-WBC count, and Glasgow Coma Scale were independently associated with severe/fatal poisoning. These variables were combined into the poisoning "aBIG" score [$0.28{\times}$Age group+$0.38{\times}WBC$ count/$10^3+0.52{\times}$Base deficit+$0.64{\times}$(15-GCS)], which were each calculated to have an area under the curve of 0.904 (95% confidence interval: 0.868-0.933). The aBIG poisoning score had an equivalent level of severity predictability as APACHE II and a superior than MODS, SOFA, and SAPS IIe. Conclusion: We developed a simplified scoring system using the four variables of age, base deficit, infected leukocytosis, and GCS. The poisoning aBIG score was a simple method that could be performed rapidly on admission to evaluate severity of illness and predict fatal severity in patients with acute intoxications.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.63-73
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• 2020

Drought is considered as a devastating hazard that causes serious agricultural, ecological and socio-economic impacts worldwide. Fundamentally, the drought can be defined as temporarily different levels of inadequate precipitation, soil moisture, and water supply relative to the long-term average conditions. From no unified definition of droughts, droughts have been divided into different severity level, i.e., moderate drought, severe drought, extreme drought and exceptional drought. The drought severity classification defined the ranges for each indicator for each dryness level. Because the ranges of the various indicators often don't coincide, the final drought category tends to be based on what the majority of the indicators show and on local observations. Evaporative Stress Index (ESI), a satellite-based drought index using the ratio of potential and actual evaporation, is being used as a index of the droughts occurring rapidly in a short period of time from studies showing a more sensitive and fast response to drought compared to Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). However, ESI is difficult to provide an objective drought assessment because it does not have clear drought severity classification criteria. In this study, U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), the standard for drought determination used in the United States, was applied to ESI, and the Percentile method was used to classify drought categories by severity. Regarding the actual 2017 drought event in South Korea, we compare the spatial distribution of drought area and understand the USDM-based ESI by comparing the results of Standardized Groundwater level Index (SGI) and drought impact information. These results demonstrated that the USDM-based ESI could be an effective tool to provide objective drought conditions to inform management decisions for drought policy.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.217-230
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• 2019

This study was conducted to develop a customized severity-adjustment method and to evaluate their validity for acute myocardial infarction(AMI) patients to complement the limitations of the existing severity-adjustment method for comorbidities. For this purpose, the subjects of KCD-7 code I20.0 ~ I20.9, which is the main diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction were extracted using the Korean National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury survey data from 2006 to 2015. Three tools were used for severity-adjustment method of comorbidities : CCI (charlson comorbidity index), ECI (Elixhauser comorbidity index) and the newly proposed CCS (Clinical Classification Software). The results showed that CCS was the best tool for the severity correction, and that support vector machine model was the most predictable. Therefore, we propose the use of the customized method of severity correction and machine learning techniques from this study for the future research on severity adjustment such as assessment of results of medical service.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.21.1-21.7
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• 2019

Background: Lactococcus garvieae is one of the most important risk factors in the rainbow trout culture. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify and detect strains isolated from rainbow trout suspected of having Lactococcus garvieae using biochemical characteristics and PCR and determination of the degree of severity of isolated strains. Methods: In this study, the cause of lactococcosis in selected rainbow trout farms in Kohkilooieh and Boyerahmad province was assayed. Gram-positive and catalase-negative bacterial isolates were first obtained from selected trout fish farms using conventional biochemical tests and PCR assay. The 10-day LD₅₀ method (concentration causing 50% mortality in 10 days) was used to determine the severity of the isolated bacteria. Results: One bacterial isolate was detected from all sampled fish which confirmed as Lactococcus garvieae using a specific PCR assay based on the 16S rDNA gene by producing a single band of 1107 bp. Analysis of the rate of mortality showed that the 10-day LD₅₀ was 4.6 × 10⁵ CFU/fish. The results of this study showed that isolated bacteria had high severity for rainbow trout. The presence of bacteria in internal organs of suspected fish showed a severe systemic infection in challenged fish. Antibiogram assay also indicated that the isolated Lactococcus garvieae were resistant to some mostly used antibiotics in rainbow trout. Conclusions: According to current research, it can be concluded that the condition of lactococcosis in the studied area is not suitable, and despite the presence of disease, there is no proper action to control and prevent the disease. Unfortunately, isolated bacteria from the studied area have a very high severity compared to bacteria isolated from other regions of the country or other countries. Therefore, further investigation is needed to determine the cause of this difference and possibly in the design of the vaccine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.122-137
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• 2010

Objective : Atopic dermatitis (AD) in children may profoundly affect the quality of life (QOL), and also cause financial burden, to the families of those suffering from this ailment. The aim of our study was to examine the quality of life and the financial burden of atopic dermatitis in children and their families to evaluate this relationship with the degree of AD. Methods : 37 infant and child atopic dermatitis patients were included and evaluated using the SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Index and Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Patients and carers were asked to fill in the questionnaires about their quality of life and financial costs during the past year. Data about sleep disturbance and pruritus were also obtained. Pearson's correlation was used for statistical analysis. Results : 1. The mean score of Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) was $10.52{\pm}4.82$, Infants' Dermatologic Quality of Life (IDQOL) was $8.21{\pm}3.95$. 2. The mean score of Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) was $13.30{\pm}5.72$, Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) was $12.5{\pm}4.98$. 3. By analyzing the questionnaire, the monthly average cost was determined to be 730,800 won for each patient : the direct cost was 283,500 won, and the indirect cost was 447,300 won. 4. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and QOL, subjective SCORAD were significantly and positively correlated with QOL(IDQOL, FDLQI, DFI, CDLQI). 5. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and any economic impact, EASI were significantly and positively correlated with the direct cost. Conclusion : The above results show that the QOL of the patients and carers is significantly related to their disease severity. Atopic dermatitis patients pay an average of 730,800 won a month, and the economic impact on the patients is significantly related to their disease severity. The CDLQI, IDQOL, FDLQI and DFImay potentially be of value to help in the appropriate management of AD and can be used as an added measurement in clinical trials involving AD management.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.185-196
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• 2008

The flash flood has been studied in the climatological aspect which considers temporal and spatial characteristics of rainfall. However, we have not interested in runoff hydrograph for flash flood study. Therefore, our objectives of this study are to apply a work of Bhaskar et. al (2000) which studied runoff hydrograph to represent the flash flood to Korea and also to distinguish flash flood event from general flood event. That is, we quantified the severity of flash flood by estimation of flash flood index using runoff hydrograph. This study estimated the flash flood index for investigating the relative severity of flash flood in Han river basin with 101 flood events. Also we quantified the flash flood severity for flood event by heavy rainfall occurred in July of 2006. As a result, Kangwon-do province showed more severe flash flood than other areas in Han river basin and urban area such as Jungrang cheon stream also showed severe flash flood. We analyzed a flash flood of July of 2006 by dividing July into 1st to 3rd terms. From the analysis we knew that the 1st term of July showed the severe flash flood was occurred in Seoul area and the 2nd term showed it was occurred in Kangwon-do province.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.42-52
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the severity and direction of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) on the facet joints and paraspinal muscles. Design: Cross-sectional design. Methods: The subjects were divided according to the diagnosis for severity of unilateral herniation of L4-L5 disc. The groups consisted of disc protrusion group (n=15), disc extrusion group (n=15), and no disc herniation group (n=15). The asymmetry and angle of facet joints and the cross-sectional area of paraspinal muscles were analyzed and compared using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: The results showed that the angle of facet tropism was larger in disc extrusion group than the disc protrusion group and the difference was found to be significant difference (p<0.01). In addition, when both left and right angles of patients with unilateral disc herniation were measured, the results showed larger facet joint angle in the herniated area of the disc extrusion group than in the disc protrusion group. When paraspinal muscles were measured according to the severity of disc herniation and the degree of facet joint asymmetry, there was no difference in paraspinal muscles between the disc protrusion and disc extrusion groups. Meanwhile, the multifidus muscle was smaller in the group with facet tropism than the group without facet tropism (p<0.03), while there were no significant differences in the erector spinae and psoas muscles. Conclusion: Progression of disc herniation resulted in increased facet joint tropism, increased angle of the facet joints in the direction of disc herniation, and decreased size of the multifidus muscle.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.266-277
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• 2003

In order to investigate the working conditions related to cumulative trauma disorder(CTD) and symptoms of CTD, a survey was conducted covering 305 employees who were working in three furniture manufacturing companies in Kyungin area. Data were collected by using questionnaire of the Personal Ergonomics Profiles. The results were as follows : 1. The mean score of working conditions related to CTD was 0.95. The mean score of working conditions for labor workers were significantly higher than that of clerical workers. Among 4 factors of working conditions, the higher score were shown in the working and environment factors with 1.22 and 1.18, respectively. 2. Symptom prevalence rate of CTD for workers was $81.0\%\;{;}\;82.9\%$ for labor workers and $77.0\%$ for clerical workers. As for symptom of CTD in body part, higher rate were shown in lower back with $50.2\%$, shoulder and neck with $38.4\%\;and\;36.4\%$ respectively. 3. The score of symptom severity of CTD were 3.45. Significant difference was shown in symptom severity of forearm and wrist/hand part between labor and clerical workers. As for symptom severity of CTD in body part the higher score were shown in shoulder, ankle/foot, forearm. lower leg and elbow. and the highest score for labor workers were shoulder and ankle/foot and for clerical workers was lower back. 4. As a whole, symptom of CTD for workers positively correlated to working conditions. 5. Symptom of CTD for workers seemed to be significantly influenced by working factor, sex, working duration and working area factor.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2010

To understand day-to-day fluctuations in soil moisture content in Seoul, I simulated daily soil moisture content from 1908 to 2009 using long-term climatic precipitation and temperature data collected at the Surface Synoptic Meteorological Station in Seoul for the last 98 years with a hydrological simulation model, BROOK. The output data set from the BROOK model allowed me to examine day-to-day fluctuations and the severity and duration of droughts in the Seoul area. Although the soil moisture content is highly dependent on the occurrence of precipitation, the pattern of changes in daily soil moisture content was clearly quite different from that of precipitation. Generally, there were several phases in the dynamics of daily soil moisture content. The period from mid-May to late June can be categorized as the initial period of decreasing soil moisture content. With the initiation of the monsoon season in late June, soil moisture content sharply increases until mid-July. From the termination of the rainy season in mid-July, daily soil moisture content decreases again. Highly stochastic events of typhoons from late June to October bring large amount of rain to the Korean peninsula, culminating in late August, and increase the soil moisture content again from late August to early September. From early September until early October, another sharp decrease in soil moisture content was observed. The period from early October to mid-May of the next year can be categorized as a recharging period when soil moisture content shows an increasing trend. It is interesting to note that no statistically significant increase in mean annual soil moisture content in Seoul, Korea was observed over the last 98 years. By simulating daily soil moisture content, I was also able to reconstruct drought phenomena to understand the severity and duration of droughts in Seoul area. During the period from 1908 to 2009, droughts in the years 1913, 1979, 1939, and 2006 were categorized as 'severe' and those in 1988 and 1982 were categorized as 'extreme'. This information provides ecologists with further potential to interpret natural phenomenon, including tree growth and the decline of tree species in Korea.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study was to analyze relationship between post-stroke depression (PSD) and cold, heat, deficiency and excess patterns. Methods : Twenty-eight PSD patients were recruited from STROKE center and measured with questionnaires for cold, heat, deficiency and excess patternvalues and saliva for cortisol awakening response (CAR). Saliva samples were collected immediately, 15, 30 and 45 min after awakening. In addition, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were conducted for PSD severity. We conducted correlation analysis to find the relationship between cold, heat, deficiency and excess patterns and CAR or BDI and HDRS. Results : Deficiency and excess patterns werepositively correlated with area under the curve with respect to the increase (AUCi), but not with area under the curve with respect to the global (AUCg), in CAR. Furthermore, it was negatively correlated with BDI and HDRS, while cold and heat patterns were not correlated with CAR, BDI and HDRS. Conclusions : In terms of deficiency and excess patterns, the higher the PSD severity, the higher the deficiency and the lower the PSD severity, the higher the excess. However, there was not a significant relationship between PSD and cold and heat patterns.