• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.261-269
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of improvement of scoliosis, muscle function and VAS between the exercise group and the control group after conducting correct posture exercise program with 20 female students diagnosed with scoliosis through PAPS in M middle school for 12 weeks. The conclusion was as follows. Cobb's angle in exercise group was changed from $11.6^{\circ}{\ae}2.5^{\circ}\acute{y} $ to $7.3^{\circ}{\ae}2.0^{\circ}\acute{y} $ which was statistically significant difference (p<.001). However, the change in Cobb's angle was not significant in control group, hence there was no statistically significant difference. The limber back strength was changed from $45.9^{\circ}{\ae}8.7$ kg to $51.6^{\circ}{\ae}14.9$ kg and sit-up was changed from $13.7^{\circ}{\ae}5.1$ times to $12.9^{\circ}{\ae}5.3$ times in exercise group, but they were not statistically significant. Control group also showed no statistically significant change in back strength and sit-up. The degree of VAS was changed from $7.3^{\circ}{\ae}1.6$ to $3.3^{\circ}{\ae}2.4$ which was a statistically significant difference (p<.01) in exercise group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in control group. Consequently, correct posture exercise program was considered to be effective for the reduction of Cobb's angle and degree of VAS for middle school female students with scoliosis. Therefore the correct posture exercise program can be recommended for youth scoliosis to improve and prevent the body imbalance and ultimately for the health of the youths.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.356-369
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• 2013

Objective : We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records and radiographic images of patients who never underwent spinal treatment including diagnosis. The objective of this study is to explain the biomechanical and physiologic characteristics of cervical alignment related to thoracic inlet angle including T1 slope changes in each individual. Methods : We reviewed the cervical CT radiographs of 80 patients who visited ENT outpatient clinic without any symptom, diagnosis and treatment of cervical spine from January 2011 to September 2012. All targeted people were randomized without any prejudice. We assessed the data-T1 slope, Cobb's angle C2-7, neck tilt, sagittal vertical axis (SVA) C2-7 and thoracic inlet angle by the CT radiographs. Results : The relationships between each value were analyzed and we concluded that Cobb's angle C2-7 gets higher as the T1 slope gets higher, while the SVA C2-7 value decreases. Conclusion : We propose that the T1 slope is background information in deciding how much angle can be made in the cervical spinal angle of surgical lordotic curvature, especially severe cervical deformity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.922-932
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• 2021

Objective : It is challenging to make solid fusion by posterior screw fixation and laminectomy with posterolateral fusion (PLF) in thoracic and thoracolumbar (TL) diseases. In this study, we report our experience and follow-up results with a new surgical technique entitled posterior thoracic cage interbody fusion (PTCIF) for thoracic and TL spine in comparison with conventional PLF. Methods : After institutional review board approval, a total of 57 patients who underwent PTCIF (n=30) and conventional PLF (n=27) for decompression and fusion in thoracic and TL spine between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed. Clinical outcomes and radiological parameters, including bone fusion, regional Cobb angle, and proximal junctional Cobb angle, were evaluated. Results : In PTCIF and conventional PLF, the mean age was 61.2 and 58.2 years (p=0.46), and the numbers of levels fused were 2.8 and 3.1 (p=0.46), respectively. Every patient showed functional improvement except one case of PTCIF. Postoperative hematoma as a perioperative complication occurred in one and three cases, respectively. The mean difference in the regional Cobb angle immediately after surgery compared with that of the last follow-up was 1.4° in PTCIF and 7.6° in conventional PLF (p=0.003), respectively. The mean durations of postoperative follow-up were 35.6 months in PTCIF and 37.3 months in conventional PLF (p=0.86). Conclusion : PTCIF is an effective fusion method in decompression and fixation surgery with good clinical outcomes for various spinal diseases in the thoracic and TL spine. It provides more stable bone fusion than conventional PLF by anterior column support.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.415-435
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyze the returns to scale by estimating the bigeye tuna production function of Korean distant longline fisheries in WCFPC waters. In the analysis, number of crews, vessel tonnage, number of hooks, and bigeye tuna biomass are used as input variables and the catch amount of bigeye tuna is used as an output variable in the Cobb-Douglas production function. Prior to the function estimation, the biomass of bigeye tuna was estimated by the Bayesian state-space model. Results showed that the fixed effect model was selected based on the hausman test, and vessel tonnage, hooks, and biomass would have direct effects on the catch amount. In addition, it was shown that the bigeye tuna distant longline fisheries in WCFPC water would have increasing returns to scale.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.149-157
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• 2019

Purpose : This study aims to check the relationship between the size of curvature in scoliosis patients and the reduction rate of curvature after wearing a brace and the relationships of the size of curvature and correction angle with Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods : With 30 adolescent girls who had never worn a brace, their Cobb angle and BMI were measured before manufacturing braces, and their corrected Cobb angle was measured after wearing the manufactured scoliosis braces. Results : The size of the major curvature before wearing the brace and the reduction rate of the curvature after putting it on had a negative correlation in both the major curvature (r=-.465, p<.01) and the minor curvature (r=-.516, p<.01). The size of the minor curvature and the reduction rate of the minor curvature before and after putting it on also had a negative correlation (r=-.429, p<.05). As for the relationship between the size of curvature and BMI, they had a negative correlation in both the major curvature (r=-.141) and the minor curvature (r=-.123), and as for the relationship between the reduction rate of curvature and BMI after wearing the brace, they had a positive correlation in both the major curvature (r=.251) and the minor curvature (r=.136); however, it was not statistically significant (p>.05). Conclusion : In conclusion, the larger the size of curvature, the lower the reduction rate of curvature after wearing the brace became. The larger the size of curvature, the lower the BMI became. The higher the BMI, the higher the correction ratio of the brace became. Therefore, it is judged that it is necessary to provide early treatment and manage body composition before scoliosis progresses.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.125-138
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• 2022

Purpose: Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a widely utilized technique to measure product reliability by identifying potential failure modes. Even though FMEA techniques have been studied, the form of Risk Priority Number (RPN) used to evaluate risk priority in FMEA is still questionable because of its shortcomings. In this study, we suggest common RPN(cRPN) to resolve shortcomings of the traditional RPN and show the extensibility of cRPN. Methods: We suggest cRPN which is based on Cobb-Douglas production function, and represent the various application on weighting risk factors, weighted RPN in a mathematical way, and show the possibility of statistical approach. We also conduct numerical study to examine the difference of the traditional RPN and cRPN as well as the potential application from the analysis on marginal effects of each risk factor. Results: cRPN successfully integrates previously suggested approaches especially on the relative importance of risk factors and weighting RPN. Moreover, we analyze the effect of corrective actions in terms of econometric analysis using cRPN. Since cRPN is rely on the reliable mathematical model, there would be numerous applications using cRPN such as smart factory based on A.I. techniques. Conclusion: We propose a reliable mathematical model of RPN based on Cobb-Douglas production function. Our suggested model, cRPN, resolves various shortcomings such as consideration of the relative importance, the effect of combinations among risk factors. In addition, by adopting a reliable mathematical model, quantitative approaches are expected to be applied using cRPN. We find that cRPN can be utilized to the field of industry because it is able to be applied without modifying the entire systems or the conventional actions.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.48-54
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• 2024

Purpose: Foot alignment affects the overall balance and alignment of the body. This study examined the relationship between the foot parameters and scoliosis in children and adolescents through simple radiographs. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and forty-one outpatients under 15 years old from 2013 to 2022 were evaluated. Patients with an abnormal leg length discrepancy or pelvic tilt were screened. The patients included were divided into four groups. Each group was tested to determine if they had scoliosis. The foot anterior-posterior/lateral X-rays were selected for the foot parameters, and the EOS system was used for the spline and pelvis parameters. Results: A t-test of all groups showed no statistically significant difference as the p-value exceeded 0.05. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) comparing the Cobb's angle and foot parameters did not show a significant correlation. On the other hand, female and older patients had a higher Cobb's angle. Conclusion: No direct relationship was noted between scoliosis and the foot parameters that could be measured radiographically among children and adolescents. In addition, no correction between the Cobb's angle and foot parameters was found.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.205-215
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of stocking density and strain on the performance and physiological adaptive responses including the plasma corticosterone content and the level of mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes in broiler chicks. A total of 300 birds of two strains (150 Ross strain vs. 150 Cobb strain) aged 3-d old were allotted into two stocking densities (standard stocking density,$0.046m^2/bird$ vs. high stocking density, $0.023m^2/bird$) in battery cages by $2{\times}2$ factorial designs with ten replicates until 35 d of age. There was no significant strain effect on body weight, feed intakes and feed to gain ratio and the relative organ weights. However body weight, feed intakes and relative organ weight were found to be significantly (P<0.05) affected by the effect of stocking density. Plasma corticosterone level was not affected by both stocking density and strain effects. Hepatic mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, IL-18 and interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) was not significantly changed by the effects of strain and stocking density. However, the mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) was affected by strain, showing that Ross strain decreased (P<0.05) the GPX expression. With respect to the effect of stocking density, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and GPX mRNA expression in the liver from high stocking density group. Splenic pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was not also affected by stocking density and strain, except that IL-18 mRNA significantly (P<0.05) decreased in Cobb strain under high stocking density. The mRNA expression of SOD and CAT was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the effects of stocking density and strain. In conclusion, growth performance was not affected by strain but stocking density. Although mRNA expression of major pro-inflammatory cytokines was not changed by stocking density and strain, antioxidant enzyme was significantly affected by stocking density, strain or even organ in birds under summer conditions. More detailed studies still needed to be explored to elucidate the effects of environmental conditions and genetic background on physiological responses in birds.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of growth rate with body weight or shank length at birth in broiler chickens. Cobb and Ross breeds were used as experimental stocks and four groups were assigned in each breed; thirteen-male and twelve-female chicks(25 birds) were allocated in each group. The heavier body weight group(HBW) and the lighter body weight group(LBW) were established by birth weight. Whereas, the longer shank length group(LSL) and the shorter shank length group(SSL) were established by shank length at birth. The heavier group chicks in birth weight were significantly(P < 0.05) the longer in shank length at birth. The differences between HBW and LSL or between LBW and SSL in the mean 5-wk body weight of Cobb were not significantly different in each other; however, HBW and LSL were significantly(P < 0.05) heavier than LBW or SSL. Whereas, there were no significant differences in the mean 5-wk body weight of Ross although HBW was heavier by 13.1 g than LBW and LSL was heavier by 68.0 g than SSL. In the mean 5-wk shank length, the LSL of Cobb and Ross was longer by 2.9 mm and 1.3 mm than SSL, respectively; however, the significant(P < 0.05) difference was showed in Cobb only. In both breeds, the differences in the mean 5-wk shank length between HBW and LBW were not great. By the results of correlation analysis, the associations of the overall mean birth weights with the overall mean shank length at birth or the association of the 0～5 wk growth rate with the change of shank length during 0～5 wk showed highly significant(P < 0.01～0.001) in both breeds. The present study suggested that the selection based on birth weight could be at advantage due to easier and more accurate tool in using for the improvement growth rate in broiler chickens because the measurement of shank length takes individually longer and less accurate than the measurement of body weight.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.113-124
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe the effect of Bong Chuna manual therapy(BCMT) and acupuncture on the Turtle Neck Syndrome(TNS) by the changes of radiological findings and symptoms. Methods : Total twenty-eight patients diagnosed as TNS were evaluated. Twenty patients in experimental group were treated by the combination of BCMT and acupuncture, eight patients in control group were treated by acupuncture only. We measured VAS(Visual analogue scale) as pain intensity and Neck Pain and Disability Scale(NDI) at pre- and post-treatment. Also the four line Cobb's method and Jochumsen method were assessed for evaluating the radiographical changes, additionally we used 'two line method'. Results : VAS score showed statistically significant reduction in pain intensity in both experimental group and control group after 8 weeks treatment, $-44.05{\pm}14.91$ vs $-23.75{\pm}14.08$ respectively. Also NDI score presented $-11.40{\pm}8.63$ reduction in experimental group, and it was significant statistically, however not in control group, $-8.63{\pm}9.84$ reduction after 8weeks treatment. In radiological findings, the four line Cobb's method, Jochumsen method and two line method were reduced after 8weeks treatment, $-9.30{\pm}10.33$, $-0.65{\pm}1.72$ and $-14.35{\pm}5.68$ in experimental group respectively, $-0.75{\pm}1.91$, $-0.25{\pm}0.71$ and $0.38{\pm}2.20$ in control group respectively. However they were statistical significance only in the four line Cobb's method and two line method in both group. Conclusions : Combination treatment of CMT and acupuncture showed better effect on pain reduction, VAS score and the correction of neck anteversion than acupuncture only in TNS. Two line method seems valuable for evaluating the improvement of radiographical changes in TNS.