• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.331-338
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• 2000

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the experience and point prevalence rate and factors related with Low Back Pain (LBP) in bin drivers. Methods: Questionnaires were completed by 200 drivers at 2 bus companies in Andong city in October.2000. The information was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and $99\%$ confidence intervals (CI) for factors relation to LBP. A cross-section study design was used. Results: The experience rate for LBP was $53.5\%$, point prevalence rate was $31.5\%$. Variables significantly associated with LBP experience were employ duration and stress related occupation. The higher subjects had experienced stress. the higher experience for LBP was (OR=2.9, $95\%$ Cl 1.2-7.2). The longer subjects had employ duration in bus company, the higher experience far LBP was (OR=1.3, $95\%$ Cl 1.2-7.2). Significant factors relation to a week point prevalence far LBP were obesity and employ duration. LBP increased as weight increased (OR=4.1, Cl 1.6-10.7). The longer subjects has employ duration at bus company, the higher LBP is (OR=1.4. $95\%$ Cl 1.6-2.9). Conclusions: Results from this study indicated that a statistically significant factor relation to LBP was stress related occupation. employ duration, and obesity.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.669-673
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• 2018

Background and Objectives Tinnitus, a common complaint of workers who are exposed to noise, can cause substantial negative effects on the quality of life of these workers. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of tinnitus in patients with noise-induced hearing loss and the relationship between tinnitus and the duration of noise exposure. Subjects and Method Thirty-three patients with subjective tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss were included in this study. Tinnitus questionnaire, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and audiological examinations were investigated according to the duration of noise exposure. Results There was a significant correlation between the tinnitus loudness and the duration of noise exposure. Patients who had longer periods of noise exposure had a louder tinnitus and higher THI score. However, there is no significant correlation between the characteristics of tinnitus and aging process. Conclusion The duration of noise exposure influences the loudness and distress of tinnitus. An awareness of tinnitus should be considered as part of hearing conservation program.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 2008

This study was carried out to determine whether a short-tenn zinc supplementation contributes to beneficial changes in glycemic control among type 2 diabetic patients. Seventy-six diabetic subjects and 72 normal adults participated in this study. Subjects were divided into supplemented and control groups. Forty-four diabetic patients and 34 normal subjects were supplemented with 50 mg zinc daily as zinc gluconate for 4 weeks. Zinc status was assessed from fasting plasma levels and urinary excretion. The effects of zinc supplementation on fasting blood glucose, $HbA_{1c}$, insulin, and C-peptide were measured at the beginning of the study and after 4 weeks of supplementation. The changes in glycemic control indicators were compared between diabetic groups, classified by baseline $HbA_{1c}$ levels, and by diabetic duration. At baseline, the incidence of marginal zinc deficiency in the diabetic group, as determined by plasma zinc level, was approximately twice as high as in the normal adult group. The changes of $HbA_{1c}$ concentration, and fasting blood glucose following supplementation were not statistically significant in diabetic subjects. In normal subjects, a significant decrease of $HbA_{1c}$ occurred only in the zinc supplemented group. No significant changes were observed for serum insulin and C-peptide in diabetic as well as normal subjects. However, when the changes were compared by baseline $HbA_{1c}$ level, we found that diabetic subjects with $HbA_{1c}\;{\geq}\;7.5%$ showed significantly improved levels of $HbA_{1c}$ and fasting glucose after Zn supplementation. While such improvement in fasting blood glucose was significant among diabetics with shorter diabetic duration, significant levels of increase in serum insulin and C-peptide were observed in zinc supplemented subjects with longer diabetic duration. Fasting blood glucose was significantly decreased, whereas serum insulin and C-peptide were increased in diabetics with marginal zinc status. Therefore, we suggest that Zn supplementation for a short-term period may improve glycemic control in diabetic patients with higher $HbA_{1c}$ levels and marginal zinc status.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2019

Climate change has significantly affected the rainfall characteristics which can influence the pollutant build-up and wash-off patterns from the catchment. Therefore, this study explored the influence of varying rainfall characteristics on urban and agricultural runoff pollutant export using statistical approaches. For this purpose, Mann-Kendall and Pettitt's test were applied to detect the trend and breakpoint in rainfall characteristics time series. In addition, double mass curve and correlation analysis were used to drive the relationship between rainfall-runoff and pollutant exports from both catchments. The results indicate a significant decreased in total rainfall and average rainfall intensity, while a significant increased trend for antecedents dry days and total storm duration over the study periods. The breakpoint was determined to be 2013 which shows remarkable trend shifts for total rainfall, average rainfall intensity and antecedents dry days except total duration. Double mass curve exhibited a straight line with significant rainfall-runoff relationship indicates a climate change effect on both sites. Overall, higher pollutant exports were observed at both sites during the baseline period as compared to change periods. In agricultural site, most of the pollutants exhibited significant (p< 0.05) association with total rainfall, average rainfall intensity and total storm duration. In contrast, pollutants from urban site significantly correlated with antecedent dry days and average rainfall intensity. Thus, total rainfall, average rainfall intensity and total duration were the significant factors for the agricultural catchment while, antecedents dry days and average rainfall intensity were key factors in build-up and wash-off from the urban catchment.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.11-20
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• 2016

It is well known that vowels are shorter before voiceless consonants than voiced ones in English, as in many other languages. Research has shown that the ratio of vowel durations in voiced and voiceless contexts in English is in the range of 0.6~0.8. However, little work has been done as to whether the ratio of vowel durations varies depending on English variety. In the production experiment in this paper, seven speakers from three varieties of English, New Zealand, British, and American English, read 30 pairs of (C)VC monosyllabic words which differ in coda voicing (e.g. beat-bead). Vowel height, phonemic vowel length, and consonant manner were varied as well. As expected, vowel-shortening effects were found in all varieties: vowels were shorter before voiceless than before voiced codas. Overall vowel duration was the longest in American English and the shortest in New Zealand (NZ) English. In particular, vowel duration before voiceless codas is the shortest in New Zealand English, indicating the most radical degree of shortening in this variety. As a result, the ratio of vowel durations in varying voicing contexts is the lowest in NZ English, while American and British English do not show a significant difference each other. In addition, consonant closure duration was examined. Whereas NZ speakers show the shortest vowel duration before a voiceless coda, their voiceless consonants have the longest closure duration, which suggest an inverse relationship between vowel duration and closure duration.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-70
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• 2019

The phase properties of ground acceleration records from Mw 5.5~6.5 earthquakes are analyzed. The interrelationships between phase properties and significant durations, as well as PGA, are clarified through both of theoretical and empirical approaches. The probabilistic characteristics of phase information is also discussed based on previous studies and it is shown that circular normal distribution is the most appropriate probability distribution for the phase angle and phase difference. Whereas those variates can be modeled by Gaussian random variables. From the survey results on the frequency dependency of the phase statistics, a simple model is introduced, which is possible to express the frequency dependency of phase information. It is also shown that the significant duration can be controlled by appropriately chosen standard deviation of phase difference for 4~8Hz frequency band and additional consideration of phase scattering in higher frequency band through a series of Monte Carlo simulations. The source of phase scattering effect is also pointed out and discussed.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.529-536
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to examine the immediate effects of spiral taping applied to an affected leg on gait ability in stroke patients. Forty two stroke patients were divided into a spiral taping group (n=21) and a quadriceps femoris group (n=21), and each taping method was applied. Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters (Cadence, speed, gait cycle duration, stance phase duration, double support duration) were measured using the 10-meter walk test, the dynamic gait index (DGI) and an accelerometer for both groups. Both groups showed a significant increase in a 10-minute walk, the DGI, cadence, speed before and after the intervention, whereas no significant difference was detected in stance phase duration, gait cycle duration and double support duration on the affected side in all groups. All groups revealed no significant difference in variation. It has been found that the two taping methods augment gait ability in patients with stroke. This study suggests that spiral taping can be an easily applicable method at home.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.401-413
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the occlusal outcome and duration of fixed orthodontic therapy from clinical trials in humans with the Objective Grading System (OGS) proposed by the American Board of Orthodontics. Methods: Nine databases were searched up to October 2016 for prospective/retrospective clinical trials assessing the outcomes of orthodontic therapy with fixed appliances. After duplicate study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment according to the Cochrane guidelines, random-effects meta-analyses of the mean OGS score and treatment duration were performed and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: A total of 34 relevant clinical trials including 6,207 patients (40% male, 60% female; average age, 18.4 years) were identified. The average OGS score after treatment was 27.9 points (95% CI, 25.3-30.6 points), while the average treatment duration was 24.9 months (95% CI, 24.6-25.1 months). There was no significant association between occlusal outcome and treatment duration, while considerable heterogeneity was identified. In addition, orthodontic treatment involving extraction of four premolars appeared to have an important effect on both outcomes and duration of treatment. Finally, only 10 (39%) of the identified studies matched compared groups by initial malocclusion severity, although meta-epidemiological evidence suggested that matching may have significantly influenced their results. Conclusions: The findings from this systematic review suggest that the occlusal outcomes of fixed appliance treatment vary considerably, with no significant association between treatment outcomes and duration. Prospective matched clinical studies that use the OGS tool are needed to compare the effectiveness of orthodontic appliances.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.223-229
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• 2003

The welding workers are frequently exposed to heavy metals such as manganese. Manganese is well evaporated into the air while welding. This study had been carried out to investigate the relationship of the blood manganese level to age, work duration, and smoking status among 128 welding workers in Gyeongnam and Jeonnam province from May to November, 2003. They showed high manganese level in the first health examination. Subjects were also classified for the investigation according to their smoking status as smokers and nonsmokers, work duration ($\leq$9, 10~9, 20$\leq$years), and ages ($\leq$29, 30~39, 40~49, 50$\leq$years). Blood manganese Jevels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Mean blood manganese level was 1.62$\pm$0.56 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl. In the comparison of blood manganese levels by age and smoking status, mean blood manganese levels of smokers in age of 20's, 30's, and 50's were 2.09$\pm$0.44 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, 1.94$\pm$0.33 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, and 2.l5$\pm$0.33 $\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, respectively. Blood manganese levels of smokers were significantly higher than those of non-smokers, showing no significant difference in the 40's. In the comparison of blood manganese levels by work duration, the blood manganese levels of smokers were the highest in the case of 10 to 19 years work duration. This study showed that the blood manganese levels were related to the smoking status, work duration, and age. Mean manganese levels of smokers showed higher than those of nonsmokers. It also showed that the length of work duration was related to the elevation of blood manganese levels. Among the welding workers, blood manganese levels of smokers were the highest over their age of 50's. In conclusion, smoking was the most significant risk factor to increase blood manganese levels. The further study will need analysis of the other factors related to manganese level elevation.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.3-10
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to analyze the acoustic characteristics of Korean alveolar sibilant sounds of children with cerebral palsy by acoustic analysis. Thirteen children with spastic cerebral palsy aging from 6 to 10 years old, were selected by an articulation test, and compared with a control group of thirty children. The meaningless monosyllable CV, disyllable VCV(/asa/) and frame sentence including target syllables CV were measured. C was from the /s, s'/, and V was from the set /a, i, u, ${\varepsilon}$, o, ɯ, ʌ/. Multi-Speech was used for data recording and analysis. As a result, the frication duration of lenis-glottalized alveolar sibilant of children with cerebral palsy was significantly shorter than that of the control group in CV, VCV and frame sentence. The vowel duration in the following lenis-glottalized alveolar sibilant of children with cerebral palsy was significantly longer than that of the control group in CV, VCV and frame sentence. The children with cerebral palsy showed frequency and intensity of friction intervals which were significantly lower than in the control group in CV, VCV and frame sentence. In the comparison of the lenis-glottalized alveolar sibilant by the children with cerebral palsy group's phonation types, the frication duration showed a significant difference between the phonation types in CV, VCV and between the phonetic contexts. The glottalized-sibilant was longer than the lenis-sibilant in all the phonetic contexts. The subsequent vowel duration showed a significant difference between the phonation types in VCV and between the phonetic contexts(p<.05). The vowel duration in the following glottalized-sibilant was longer than the vowel duration in the following lenis-sibilant in all the phonetic contexts. In the frequency there was a significant difference between the phonation types in CV, and in the intensity there was a significant difference between the phonation type in CV and VCV. The children with spastic cerebral palsy had difficulty in articulating the alveolar sibilant due to poor control ability in laryngeal, respiration and articulatory movements which require fine motor coordination. This study quantitatively analyzes the acoustic parameters of the alveolar sibilant in various phonetic contexts. Therefore, the results are expected to help provide fundamental data for an intervention of articulation treatment for children with cerebral palsy.