• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3067-3074
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• 2013

Background: Faced with highly prevalent and recalcitrant cancer-related fatigue (CRF), together with the absence of any official guidelines on management, numerous groups have been striving to seek and test alternative therapies including acupuncture and moxibustion. However, different patients have various feedbacks, and the many clinical trials have given rise to varied conclusions. In terms of the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion, there exist vast inconsistencies. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the auxiliary effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of CRF, and to provide more reliable evidence to guide clinical practice. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before December 2012 were all aggregated, focusing on evaluation of acupuncture or moxibustion for CRF. The quality of the included studies was assessed basing on Cochrane handbook 5.1.0, and the available data were analyzed with RevMan software (version 5.2.0). Descriptive techniques were performed when no available data could be used. Results: A total of 7 studies involving 804 participants were eligible. With real acupuncture versus sham acupuncture, subjects receiving true acupuncture benefited more in the reduction of fatigue. With real acupuncture versus acupressure or sham acupressure, fatigue level appeared 36% improved in the acupuncture group, but 19% in the acupressure group and only 0.6% with sham acupressure. When real acupuncture plus enhanced routine care was compared with enhanced routine care, the combination group improved mean scores for general fatigue, together with physical and mental fatigue. With real acupuncture versus sham acupuncture or wait list controls, the real acupuncture group displayed significant advantages over the wait list controls at 2 weeks for fatigue improvement and better well-being effects at 6 weeks. When moxibustion plus routine care was compared with routine care alone, the meta-analyses demonstrated the combination had a relatively significant benefit in improving severe fatigue and QLQ-C30. Conclusion: Up to the search date, there exist few high quality RCTs to evaluate the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion, especially moxibustion in English. Yet acupuncture and moxibustion still appeared to be efficacious auxiliary therapeutic methods for CRF, in spite of several inherent defects of the included studies. Much more high-quality studies are urgently needed.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.3-9
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• 2013

Various data like digital maps(1/1,000 or 1/5,000), field surveying, online materials and literatures are used for the preliminary investigation for urban development such as the feasibility evaluation, the profitability analysis, the zoning proposal, the zoning designation, and the land replotting planning. There are a couple of urban development methods like an expropriation, a replotting, a mixed-used method. The replotting method requires the consideration of land replotting types based on topography and building condition, which is not easy to gather data for the preliminary investigation maintaining the security of development planning. There are limitations of a preliminary investigation using aerial photos to detect topographic and building changes at specific period. GIS data combined with high-resolution imagery has advantages over the current dataset, which come from easy acquisition of various spatial resolution satellite images, wide swath coverage, the choice of imagery resolution satisfying a usage purpose, economic benefit comparing to aerial photos, and the calculation of distance and area on imagery from image modeling. For these reasons, the proposed method in this study enables to perform the more appropriate preliminary investigation using more accurate information.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.236-246
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• 2014

Purpose: Walnut is known to have unique favorable fatty acids, phytochemicals, and other nutrient profiles. As a result, there has been growing interest in evaluation of its health benefit related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although inverse associations of nut consumption and risk factors of cardiovascular disease have been reported in many epidemiological studies and qualitative reviews, few meta-analysis studies have been reported. This meta-analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of a walnut-enhanced diet on CVD risk factors. Methods: We searched Pubmed, Cochrane, Science Direct, and KISS (Korean studies Information Service System) through July 2014. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on 17 trials reporting total cholesterol (TC), 14 trials reporting LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), 15 trials reporting HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), 17 trials reporting triglyceride (TG), and four trials reporting flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Results: In meta-analysis, intake of a walnut-enhanced diet resulted in significantly lowered TC, LDL-C, and TG by -0.124 mmol/l (95% CI, -0.209, -0.039; p = 0.004), -0.085 mmol/lL (95% CI, -0.167, -0.004; p = l0.039), and -0.080 mmol/l (95% CI, -0.155, -0.004; p = 0.039), respectively. The overall pooled estimate of the effect on FMD was +1.313% (95% CI, 0.744, 1.882, p = 0.000). HDL-C was not affected by walnut intake. No statistical heterogeneity was observed for any analysis. Results of funnel plots and Egger's regression suggested a low likelihood of publication bias in all biomarkers (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this meta-analysis provide consistent evidence that walnut-enhanced diet intake reduces the CVD risk factors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.287-292
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• 2014

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of red clay-processed nano-materials (RCPM) on the quality characteristics of eel (Anguilla japonica). Both eels treated with RCPM and control were farm-raised under identical environments and were commercially processed. General components, texture, nutrients, antioxidant activities, and sensory analysis were performed. RCPM-treated eels showed significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging activities and FRAP values than the of control, indicating higher antioxidant activities of eels raised by RCPM. The amounts of niacin and tocopherol in RCPM-treated eels were higher than those of the control. For analysis of freeze-thaw stability, RCPM-treated eels showed more stable texture over freeze-thaw three treatment cycles. Descriptive panelists perceived eels raised by RCPM to be less oily than the control. Overall, RCPM exhibited positive effects on the quality of farm-raised eels. Therefore, RCPM would be of benefit to produce high value-added eels of premium quality.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5691-5696
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• 2014

Background: Many clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate sorafenib for the treatment of advanced NSCLC, but the results for efficacy have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sorafenib in patients with advanced NSCLC in more detail by meta-analysis. Methods: This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed after searching PubMed, EMBASE, ASCO Abstracts, ESMO Abstracts, and the proceedings of major conferences for relevant clinical trials. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the trials. Outcomes analysis were disease control rate (DCR), progression- free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and major toxicity. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to sorafenib monotherapy, in combination with chemotherapy or EGFR-TKI to investigate the preferred therapy strategy. Results: Results reported from 6 RCTs involving 2, 748 patients were included in the analysis. Compared to sorafenib-free group, SBT was not associated with higher DCR (RR 1.31 (0.96- 1.79), p=0.09), PFS (HR 0.82 (0.66-1.02), p=0.07) and OS (HR 1.01 (0.92-1.12), p=0.77). In terms of subgroup results, sorafenib monotherapy was associated with significant superior DCR and longer PFS, but failed to show advantage with regard to OS. Grade 3 or greater sorafenib-related adverse events included fatigue, hypertension, diarrhea, oral mucositis, rash and HFSR. Conclusions: SBT was revealed to yield no improvement in DCR, PFS and OS. However, sorafenib as monotherapy showed some activity in NSCLC. Further evaluation may be considered in subsets of patients who may benefit from this treatment. Sorafenib combined inhibition therapy should be limited unless the choice of platinum-doublet regimen, administration sequence or identification of predictive biomarkers are considered to receive better anti-tumor activity and prevention of resistance mechanisms.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 2012

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of arthroscopic release of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon in chronic recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis and tried to determine any prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 24 patients with lateral epicondylitis treated by arthroscopic ECRB release was performed. Outcome measures included a patient self rating and visual analog scale (VAS). Functional evaluation was made with Quick-disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score system to identify preoperative factors that might be associated with the outcomes. Results: Twenty one (88%) elbows received benefit from the procedure. A mean preoperative VAS pain score and the mean Quick-DASH were significantly improved at final follow up. Age, sex, dominant arm and duration of symptom, presence of capsular tear or calcification did not correlate significantly with the clinical outcome. Three of four patients without T2-weighted high signal focus of the ECRB origin on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed higher Quick-DASH score. Conclusion: Arthroscopic release of the ECRB is an effective option for chronic recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis. Lack of high signal focus on preoperative MRI is significantly associated with a poor surgical outcome and a considerable factor for the proper surgical indication.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.191-205
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• 2016

North Korea(NK) has designated the special economic zones(SEZs) since the first one in Rason. But, why have the SEZs in NK still not been developed successfully? This study comparatively evaluated the SEZs in China, Vietnam and NK, with respect to 'context/purpose', 'development/management system', and 'location/infrastructure.' NK's strategies for the SEZs were different from those of China and Vietnam in terms of historical context and development purpose. China and Vietnam chose the market opening policy aiming to reform their national economy, while NK tried the opening policy without the economic reform. This difference made NK's decentralization and location strategies marginal. In spite of the positive land system and tax benefit of NK, the strategies couldn't make a successful result. The implications of this comparative study are as follows. Firstly, NK needs to establish a strategy for the SEZs in accord with the comprehensive and long-term plan for economic development and 'trustworthy and substantial market-systems' being compatible with outside world. For that, NK has to secure the regime stability in political and diplomatic dimensions. Secondly, NK has to carry out policies of decentralization and location of the SEZs more positively. Thirdly, in order to solve the problem related to lack of infrastructure capital, NK needs to utilize a BOT scheme.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute Of Construction Engineering and Management
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.384-389
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• 2006

The needs for Light Railroad Transit(LRT) have been increased due to the heavy traffic congestions in large cities like Seoul, Korea. Korean government is seeking the LRT system development (including planning, designing, construction, and maintenance and operations) in terms of public-private-partnership (PPP). At the private sector side, it is crucial to estimate the life cycle cost (LCC) to project the cash flow during the O&M period. Since the most construction and O&M cost of LRT project is at the bridge construction, a cost analysis model and a cost breakdown structures (CBS) on LRT bridges are discussed through in depth literature reviews. Construction and maintenance cost of bridges are collected and analyzed. LCC is analyzed by types of bridge superstructures and historical data of repair and rehabilitation (R&R) is investigated. There have been scarce number of LCC analysis on railway bridges. This research delivers a well-defined CBS and maintenance cost data, which will be a great benefit to the systematic maintenance strategy development for railroad bridges.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.57-66
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• 2007

According to the rapid economic growth and the escalation of recreational tourism activities due to the change of job and working patterns, currently various traffic problems often occur in tourist areas. As tourist traffic, contrary to general traffic, is not regional but rather from outside the area of interest, it is hard to grasp the traffic situation surrounding the tourist area. Furthermore, since the traffic is concentrated during a limited tourist season, it is difficult to examine and solve the problem. In this study, in order to test the feasibility of introducing a traffic transfer system to reduce congestion in tourist areas, the authors considered the differences in traffic congestion between typical and tourist seasons and designed a willingness to pay model. The willingness to pay amount for a shuttle bus fare is assumed as 1,430 Won and 1,650 Won is assumed for a transfer parking charge. These amounts were slightly above the current bus fare in the study area, but many people thought that the introduction of a traffic transfer system would help to relieve the traffic congestion approaching the tourist area and to develop tourism resources. As the willingness to pay appeared high from the persons used in this study, it was indirectly confirmed that the introduction of a traffic transfer system would be a step in the right direction.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.381-389
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• 2013

In order to study the effect of organic fertilizer on dry matter (DM) yield, nitrogen fixation and transfer from pea to barley, an experiment was carried out from May to June in 2008 in Incheon. A completely randomized block design with three replications was used for the experiment and one reference plot assigned each treatment for nitrogen fixation evaluation. Seeding mixture was 40kg barley and 80kg pea per ha. N rate of 40, 80 and 120kg/ha as organic fertilizer was applied at seeding. The equivalent of 1kg per ha as $(15NH_4)_2SO_4$ Solution at 99.8 atom N was applied to the plots ($30{\times}20cm$) at mid April. Forage was harvested from each plot in ripening stage at ground level and separated into barley and pea. Nitrogen fixation was 32.4%, 23.4% and 0% at three different organic N levels. Transfer rate were from 47.6% to 21.8% in difference method and 24.6% and 21.4% on $^{15}N$ dilution method. N Transfer amount were from 92.8kg/ha to 41.9kg/ha on difference method and 47.3kg in the 40kg N plots and 49.7kg in the 80kg N plots on $^{15}N$ dilution method but there was no N transfer in 120kg N organic fertilizer plots. Benefit from increased organic fertilizer was not clear in terms of nitrogen fixation and transfer from pea to barley in barley and pea mixtures.