• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.53-71
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• 1997

Across sectional study was performed to evaluate the chronic effects on central nerve system(CNS) of cumulative exposure of complex organic solvents, using neurobehavioral test. Subjects were 66 (male) dock yard painters of some large ship industry which is located in Ulsan. The neurobehavioral test battery used in this study was NCTB (Neurabehavioral Core Test Battery recommended by WHO(World Health Organization), which consisted of 7 items-Profile of mood states (POMS), Simple reaction time, Santa Ana dexterity test. Digit span, Digit symbol, Benton visual retention test and Pursuit aiming. The subjects were classified by 3 groups according to duration of employment(group 1 ; less than 9 years, group 2 ; 10-14 years, group 3 ; more than 15 years). The results of performance were analyzed considering of work duration, age, educational level, alcohol drinking, smoking and testing time as confounding factors. Benton visual retention test, pursuit aiming correct dot and sum of dot showed significant differences among the groups, and decreased with increasing work duration. It indicated that the mean scores of performance ability were lowering according to work duration. Besides, the tests that didn't show statistical significances but showed linear trends were depression-dejection, vigor, fatigue of POMS, slowest time of simple reaction time and digit span forward. Most of the neurobehavioral test items were correlated with age and educational level. After controlling of confounding factors-age and educational level, the results followed ; digit span backward was different significantly. Tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility of POMS, SD and slowest time of simple reaction time, Santa Ana dexterity test non-preferred hand, digit span forward, Benton visual retention test and pursuit aiming correct dot decreased with increasing of work duration. The correlation analysis was done in order to find out the relationship between subjective symptom and the scores of neurobehavioral core test battery. According to the results of analysis there were no items that had statistical significant relationship(p<0.05).

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2000

Objectives: The Psychopathology of schizophrenia was expected to be related with focal dysfunction of brain while schizophrenia is recognized and studied as the brain disease. Authors studied correlation between neuropsychological tests and delusion which is representative symptom of schizophrenia in patients with head trauma and psychiatric patients in order to explore the functional localization of brain in delusional symptom. Methods: Halstead Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery and Korean Weschler Intelligent Scale and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory(MMPI) were administered to one hundred ninteen patients consisted of sixty nine psychiatric patients and fifty patients with brain damage. We tested correlation between results of neuropsychological tests and delusional scale made from twenty four items related with delusion in MMPI. T-test between eighteen higher delusion scorers and twenty one lower scorers was examed in psychiatric group. Results: In brain damage group, signigicant correlations were found in the tests related with function of frontal lobe such as category test, trail making AB test, tactual performance test, digit symbol test and fingertip number writing test, and significant correlations were also noted in the tests related with function of left temporal and parietal lobes such as information, comprehension, vocabulary, similarities and speech sound perception test. The tests related with the function of right hemisphere such as tactual performance test location, picture completion and performance, and the tests related with subcortical function such as arithmetic, digit span, attention, digit symbol test, digit symbol and trail making AB test were signigicantly corelated with delusional scale too. In psychiatric group there were significant difference of delusional score in the tests related with function of left hemisphere such as vocabulary, vocable IQ, comprehension and language, and in the tests related with subcortical function such as N 120 voltage, digit symbol and arithmetic. Conclusions: Delusion seems to be related with function of frontal lobe, left hemisphere and subcortex in both groups. Right hemisphere may be also partially related with delusion.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.338-351
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• 1994

This study was to find out whether there were differences in the levels of depressions between positive and negative schizophrenics. This research was derived from the fact that negative schizophrenics show higher levels of depression than positive schizophrenics. This study also examined the levels of psychomotor dysfunction in positive and negative schizophrenics. For this study, there were 453 subjects. They consisted of 119 positive schizophrenics, 122 negative schizophrenics and 212 normal people. They were asked to complete Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS) and to perform one subtest, Digit Symbol of KWIS(Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale). Subjects' levels of depression were measured by the SDS. the level of psychomotor dysfunction was measured by Digit Symbol subtest of Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale. ANOV A and Duncan's multiple comparison analysis were used to examine whether there were differences of depression and psychomotor dysfunction among the normal people, positive and negative schizophrenics. The results were as follows: It was found that the depression level was higher in the negative schizophrenic patients than positive schizophrenic patients. Levels of depression were significantly higher in negative schizophrenics than positive schizophrenics. Psychomotor retardation symptom was the most effective variable that discriminates between the normals and the schizophrenics. And it would be concluded that the psychomotor dysfunction was more severe in negative schizophrenics than positive schizophrenics.

• Hwankyungkyoyuk
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.18-25
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde of newly-built school classroom indoor air on the neurobehavioral functions of students. The elementary schools that were opened in September 2008(as of September 2008) was selected for newly-built school and the elementary school that were opened in March 2006 was selected for control group schools. The concentration of formaldehyde(HCHO), a hazardous organic compound that exists in the air of classrooms, exceeded the standard value of $108.2{\mu}g/m^3$ in newly-built schools while it was $60.8{\mu}g/m^3$ in control group schools, which is around 60% of the standard concentration. However, the concentration of the total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs) was $788.9{\mu}g/m^3$ and $756.1{\mu}g/m^3$ in newly-built schools and control group schools respectively, which are approximately two times higher than the standard concentration. In newly-built schools, the mean reaction time of additions and symbol digit, respectively 3,020ms and 2,398ms in pre-exposure were increased to 3,167ms and 2,514ms respectively in post-exposure. The difference of mean reaction time between pre and post exposure was 146.8 ms, or 4.6%, and 116.7ms, or 4.8%, respectively, showing statistically-significant increase of reaction time(p<0.05). On the contrary, the difference of reaction time of both tests were not statistically significant in the control group schools. These results showed that the neurobehavioral performance of newly-built schools students were affected by volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde of classroom indoor air.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.339-349
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between the Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE-K) and the Korean Computerized Neurobehavioral Test (KCNT) and the usefulness of KCNT for discriminating the patients with suspected dementia from normal persons in patients with a brain injury. The results of each items of KCNT had passed the test for normality. T test for group comparison and bivariate correlation analysis for correlation between two tests were used. There were no significant differences in characteristics of two groups. The differences in results of eight tests of KCNT between two groups were statistically significant (p<.05) and the Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between two tests were statistically significant (p<.05) : simple reaction time (-.580), choice reaction time (-.341), color word vigilance (-.661), digit classification (-.703), 2-digit addition (-.582), 3-digit addition (-.610), symbol digit substitution (-.642), and digit span (.807). These results suggested that simple reaction time and 2-digit addition were useful in discriminating the patients with suspected dementia from normal persons because the Pearson correlation coefficients of the two items of KCNT showed anticlastic association between two groups. And each items of KCNT may use in follow up cognitive function for patients in two groups.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics S
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• v.35S no.8
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• pp.96-105
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• 1998

The aim of this paper is to propose the method of WDHMM(Weighted DHMM), using the MLP-VQ for the improvement of speaker-independent connect-digit recognition system. MLP neural-network output distribution shows a probability distribution that presents the degree of similarity between each pattern by the non-linear mapping among the input patterns and learning patterns. MLP-VQ is proposed in this paper. It generates codewords by using the output node index which can reach the highest level within MLP neural-network output distribution. Different from the old VQ, the true characteristics of this new MLP-VQ lie in that the degree of similarity between present input patterns and each learned class pattern could be reflected for the recognition model. WDHMM is also proposed. It can use the MLP neural-network output distribution as the way of weighing the symbol generation probability of DHMMs. This newly-suggested method could shorten the time of HMM parameter estimation and recognition. The reason is that it is not necessary to regard symbol generation probability as multi-dimensional normal distribution, as opposed to the old SCHMM. This could also improve the recognition ability by 14.7% higher than DHMM, owing to the increase of small caculation amount. Because it can reflect phone class relations to the recognition model. The result of my research shows that speaker-independent connected-digit recognition, using MLP-VQ and WDHMM, is 84.22%.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.178-186
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• 2020

Background: Cognitive impairment is a public health burden. Our objective was to investigate associations between work hours and cognitive function. Methods: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants (n = 2,497; 50.7% men; age range 44-84 years) reported hours per week worked in all jobs in Exams 1 (2000-2002), 2 (2002-2004), 3 (2004-2005), and 5 (2010-2011). Cognitive function was assessed (Exam 5) using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (version 2), a measure of global cognitive functioning; the Digit Symbol Coding, a measure of processing speed; and the Digit Span test, a measure of attention and working memory. We used a prospective approach and linear regression to assess associations for every 10 hours of work. Results: Among all participants, associations of hours worked with cognitive function of any type were not statistically significant. In occupation-stratified analyses (interaction p = 0.051), longer work hours were associated with poorer global cognitive function among Sales/Office and blue-collar workers, after adjustment for age, sex, physical activity, body mass index, race/ethnicity, educational level, annual income, history of heart attack, diabetes, apolipoprotein E-epsilon 4 allele (ApoE4) status, birth-place, number of years in the United States, language spoken at MESA Exam 1, and work hours at Exam 5 (β = -0.55, 95% CI = -0.99, -0.09) and (β = -0.80, -1.51, -0.09), respectively. In occupation-stratified analyses (interaction p = 0.040), we also observed an inverse association with processing speed among blue-collar workers (adjusted β = -0.80, -1.52, -0.07). Sex, race/ethnicity, and ApoE4 did not significantly modify associations between work hours and cognitive function. Conclusion: Weak inverse associations were observed between work hours and cognitive function among Sales/Office and blue-collar workers.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1989.07a
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• pp.481-485
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• 1989

The object of this parer is on the design of an broad board classifier for connected. Korean digit. Many approaches have been applied in speech recognition systems: parametric vector quantization, dynamic programming and hiden Markov model. In the 80's the neural network method, which is expected to solve complex speech recognition problems, came bach. We have chosen the rule based system for our model. The phoneme-groups that we wish to classify are vowel_like, plosive_like fricative_like, and stop_like.The data used are 1380 connected digits spoken by three untrained male speakers. We have seen 91.5% classification rate.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2003

Objectives: It is known that sedative hypnotics would make cross tolerance with alcohol and deteriorate quality of sleep in alcoholics. Light therapy is effective non-pharmacological intervention for sleep disturbance in circadian phase disorders, jet-lag, shift-work and age-related sleep disorders. Authors would investigate the effects of morning light therapy on sleep of patients with alcohol dependence during recovery state without withdrawal symptoms. Methods: 13 patients with alcohol dependence who have not any alcohol withdrawal symptom were recruited. Light therapy during 1 hour in the morning had been administered by 2500 Lux light box through serial 3 days. Sleep state of subjects were assessed by sleep log and the subjective satisfaction at sleep was by 100 mm visual analogue scale. Sleepiness, depressive mood, anxiety were evaluated by 100mm visual analogue scale at 8 AM, 2 PM and 8 PM. For assessment of performance ability that would be associated with sleepiness and vigilance, trail making test A, B and digit symbol substitution test were performed by two times on base line and 4th day. Univariate repeated-measures ANOVAs were performed for each measures except performance tests which were analysed by paired t-test. Results: Sleep latency and sleep efficiency were significantly improved with light therapy and satisfaction at sleep was. There was no significant difference in sleepiness at 2 PM with light therapy but sleepiness at 8 AM significantly decreased and at 8 PM increased. The time to complete Trail making test and digit symbol substitution test were significantly shortened at 4th day compared with baseline. Fatigue at 8 AM were not significantly changed with light therapy but at 2 PM and 8 PM significantly decreased. Depressive mood and anxiety were not significantly changed with light therapy. Conclusion: Although this study had some limitations, it showed that light therapy would be effective modality on sleep disturbance of patients with alcohol dependence who have recovered from alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is proposed that short term light therapy could be used clinically for alcoholics with insomnia. In the future, long term controlled studies using more objective tools for sleep are required to further investigate the effect of light therapy in alcoholics.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.28 no.4 s.51
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• pp.911-923
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• 1995

With increased use of neurotoxic agents in manufacturing industries, hazardous effects of neurotoxic agents pose significant problems in protecting health of workers who work in these industries. A normal range of neurobehavioral performance is required to study hazardous effects of neurotoxic agents among workers. However, such reference for Korean population is not available yet. The objective of this study is to estimate a normal range of neurobehavioral test performance of female workers in Korea. Data for neurobehavioral test performance developed by the World Health Organization were obtained from 165 female workers. Study subjects, 140 production workers and 25 clerks, who voluntarily participated in this study were not occupationally exposed to neurotoxic agents. The mean age and the mean education years of them were 32 years and 10.9 years, respectively Santa Ana dexterity, pursuit aiming, digit symbol, simple reaction time, and Benton visual retention tests among the Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery(NCTB) were included in the evaluation. Subjects were interviewed by a trained interviewer for their detailed occupational history $Mean({\pm}SD)$ performance of the participants were: $45.7{\pm}7.1\;and\;41.9{\pm}6.4$ in the Santa Ana dexterity test of the preferred and non-preferred hands; $45.7{\pm}7.1\;and\;41.9{\pm}6.4$ in correct dot of the pursuit aiming test; $57.7{\pm}16.0$ in the digit symbol test; $274.8{\pm}44.6$ msec in the mean simple reaction time and $70.5{\pm}69.0$ msec in the mean standard deviation of it; and $7.8{\pm}1.7$ in the Benton visual retention test. Most neurobehavioral performance scores were correlated significantly with age and educational level. Educational level was found to be a significant independent variable which was associated with all test scores. Age was significantly associated with scores of pursuit aiming and digit symbol tests.