• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.44.1-44.13
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• 2022

Brugada syndrome (BS) is an autosomal dominant inheritance cardiac arrhythmia disorder associated with sudden death in young adults. Thailand has the highest prevalence of BS worldwide, and over 60% of patients with BS still have unclear disease etiology. Here, we performed a new viral metagenome analysis pipeline called VIRIN and validated it with whole genome sequencing (WGS) data of HeLa cell lines and hepatocellular carcinoma. Then the VIRIN pipeline was applied to identify viral integration positions from unmapped WGS data of Thai males, including 100 BS patients (case) and 100 controls. Even though the sample preparation had no viral enrichment step, we can identify several virus genes from our analysis pipeline. The predominance of human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) viruses was found in both cases and controls by blastn and blastx analysis. This study is the first report on the full-length HERV-K assembled genomes in the Thai population. Furthermore, the HERV-K integration breakpoint positions were validated and compared between the case and control datasets. Interestingly, Brugada cases contained HERV-K integration breakpoints at promoters five times more often than controls. Overall, the highlight of this study is the BS-specific HERV-K breakpoint positions that were found at the gene coding region "NBPF11" (n = 9), "NBPF12" (n = 8) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) "PCAT14" (n = 4) region. The genes and the lncRNA have been reported to be associated with congenital heart and arterial diseases. These findings provide another aspect of the BS etiology associated with viral genome integrations within the human genome.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.194-200
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of guided tissue regeneration therapy for human periodontal intrabony defects using two different collagen membranes: a porous nonchemical cross-linking collagen membrane (NC) and a bilayer collagen membrane (BC). Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly assigned and divided into the following 3 groups: a test group (NC+BM), in which a NC was used with xenograft bone mineral (BM), a positive control group (BC+BM), in which a BC was used with xenograft BM, and a negative control group (BM), in which only xenograft BM was used. The following clinical measurements were taken at baseline and 3 months after surgery: plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, gingival recession, and clinical attachment level. Radiographic analysis was performed at baseline, 1 week and 3 months after surgery. Results: Membrane exposure was not observed in any cases. Significant probing depth reduction, attachment-level gain and bone fill were observed for both test and control groups compared to baseline at 3 months after surgery (P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in clinical improvement and radiographic bone fill between treatment protocols (P>0.05). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest that both NC and BC were comparable in terms of clinical and radiographic outcomes for the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects in human subjects.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-61
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• 2000

Introduction. Despite the fact that half of premature deaths are caused by unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking tobacco, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol and drug abuse and poor nutrition, there are no theoretical models which accurately explain these health promotion related behaviors. This study tests a new model of health behavior called the Model of Health Promotion Behavior. This model draws on elements and frameworks suggested by the Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, the Theory of Planned Action and the Health Promotion Model. This model is intended as a general model of behavior but this first test of the model uses amount of exercise as the outcome behavior. Design. This study utilized a cross sectional mail-out, mail-back survey design to determine the elements within the model that best explained intentions to exercise and those that best explained amount of exercise. A follow-up questionnaire was mailed to all respondents to the first questionnaire about 10 months after the initial survey. A pretest was conducted to refine the questionnaire and a pilot study to test the protocols and assumptions used to calculate the required sample size. Sample. The sample was drawn from 2000 eligible participants at two blue collar (utility company and part of a hospital) and two white collar (bank and pharmaceutical) companies located in Southeastern Michigan. Both white collar site had employee fitness centers and all four sites offered health promotion programs. In the first survey, 982 responses were received (49.1％) after two mailings to non-respondents and one additional mailing to secure answers to missing data, with 845 usable cases for the analyzing current intentions and 918 usable cases for the explaining of amount of current exercise analysis. In the follow-up survey, questionnaires were mailed to the 982 employees who responded to the initial survey. After one follow-up mailing to non-respondents, and one mailing to secure answers to missing data, 697 (71.0％) responses were received, with 627 (63.8％) usable cases to predict intentions and 673 (68.5％) usable cases to predict amount of exercise. Measures. The questionnaire in the initial survey had 15 scales and 134 items; these scales measured each of the variables in the model. Thirteen of the scales were drawn from the literature, all had Cronbach's alpha scores above .74 and all but three had scores above .80. The questionnaire in the second mailing had only 10 items, and measured only outcome variables. Analysis. The analysis included calculation of scale scores, Cronbach's alpha, zero order correlations, and factor analysis, ordinary least square analysis, hierarchical tests of interaction terms and path analysis, and comparisons of results based on a random split of the data and splits based on gender and employer site. The power of the regression analysis was .99 at the .01 significance level for the model as a whole. Results. Self efficacy and Non-Health Benefits emerged as the most powerful predictors of Intentions to exercise, together explaining approximately 19％ of the variance in future Intentions. Intentions, and the interaction of Intentions with Barriers, with Support of Friends, and with Self Efficacy were the most consistent predictors of amount of future exercise, together explaining 38％ of the variance. With the inclusion of Prior Exercise History the model explained 52％ of the variance in amount of exercise 10 months later. There were very few differences in the variables that emerged as important predictors of intentions or exercise in the different employer sites or between males and females. Discussion. This new model is viable in predicting intentions to exercise and amount of exercise, both in absolute terms and when compared to existing models.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.123-144
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate affection on how users perceive colors viewed from an automotive visual display according to cultural and radical differences including North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. This study especially aims to identify effects of the variation of tone and chroma of representative color groups by analyzing affection differences depending on cultural and racial differences targeting the colors constituted through variation of tone and chroma, centered on representative colors. Background: The colors of the menu, information display or background viewed through an automotive visual display are an important factor stimulating consumer's affection, and therefore an effort to express the vehicle's brand and product image through colors is made. The studies on colors focus only on the research on unique characteristics of colors, but an affective approach lacks according to cultural and racial differences on colors considering tone and chroma variation within a color from the currently used automotive visual displays. Method: To grasp the visual affection felt by users, this study extracted affective adjectives related with colors through existing literature and a dictionary for adjectives, and presented human affection dimensions on colors through evaluation of various colors. Prior to carrying out affection evaluation, the basic light sources, red (R), green (G), and blue (B) constituting the colors used for automotive visual displays were defined as a representative color group, respectively. When colors in a color group are constituted, the evaluation target of each color group consisted of the colors considering the variation of tone and chroma by changing color sense through RGB values of the remaining two light sources. And then, this study carried out affection evaluation on the constituted colors targeting the subjects with cultural and racial differences. Results: As a result of evaluating the constituted colors with representative affections, there were statistically significant differences between the groups having cultural and racial differences. As a result of S-N-K post-hoc analysis on the colors showing significant differences, North America and Europe were classified as heterogeneous groups. In some cases, Korea was classified as the homogeneous group with North America, but Korea was mainly classified as the homogenous group with Europe. Conclusion: The representative affections on colors from an automotive visual display was drawn as three affective dimensions: passionate, neat, and masculine. Based on these, the affection of Korea and Europe on the constituted colors showed significant differences from that of North America, as a result of affection evaluation on the constituted colors viewed through the visual display by reflecting cultural and racial factors. Regarding representative color groups, bigger cultural and racial differences were revealed in terms of affection on red and green colors than on blue color, and variation of affection was the biggest in the red color. Application: This study analyzed correlations of affection considering the colors constituted through variation of tone and chroma, and the culture and race in the representative color groups constituting a visual display. The results of this study are predicted to be utilized in coordination and selection of colors viewed from an automotive visual display taking into account culture and race.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.70-79
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• 1984

With the help of the nuclear computational system for a large LMFBR (KAERI-26 group cross section library/1DX/2DB), the reactivity coefficients for the diagrid expansion and the pad expansion at the beginning of cycle of the equilibrium core of SUPER-PHENIX I are calculated and reviewed. the core is described using R-Z geometry model, and a two-dimensional multigroup diffusion theory is used. For reference cases, reactivity calculations for radial and axial uniform expansion are performed, and also calculated are reactivity variations due to changes in material density and core volume. The reactivity coefficient for the diagrid expansion is calculated to be -0.553pcm/mil. The temperature coefficient corresponding to the above value is -1.0766pcm/$^{\circ}C$ and is well in accord with the French datum of -1.09pcm/$^{\circ}C$ within 1.2% difference. With the use of 4he calculational method for the diagrid expansion effect, reactivity calculations for the pad expansion bringing about nonuniform expansion are performed, which show that the calculational method is very useful in the analysis of the pad expansion effect. The reactivity coefficients for the pad expansion are calculated to be -0.2743 pcm/mil and -0.2786pcm1mi1 for the averaged expansion model and for the integrated pancake model, respectively. Under the assumption of the free expanding core the temperature reactivity coefficients for each model are obtained to be -0.5766pcm/$^{\circ}C$ and -0.5858pcm/$^{\circ}C$, both of which agree with the French datum of -0.574pcm/$^{\circ}C$ within 2% difference.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.52-63
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• 2012

This study empirically investigated some problems with the criteria for subdividing the management zone in a rural area through a case study of Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongbuk and provided some suggestions for their improvement. To do this, the subdivision criteria in the guideline for developing urban management planning were firstly compared with those of Cheongsong-gun. Next, geographic information system(GIS) was used to do the cross-check analysis between the results from land suitability assessment and those from the subdivision in the management zone and to grasp the spatial relationships of a zone with its neighboring zones by analyzing the zoning inventory and comparing the areas. Finally, map analysis and field survey were conducted to examine the relevance to the actual situation of land use and focus interviews were done to analyze the civil complaint cases resulted from the subdivision in the management zone. This study found out three major categories of problems with the criteria for subdividing the management zone in Cheongsong-gun: the incomplete formalization of zoning, the inadequate decision criteria on the availability of land for development, and the biased consulting of the departments concerned. Some suggestions for their improvement were then provided in this study. The empirical results from this study can be used as the preliminary information for suggesting the right direction of the subdivision in the management zone within the rural areas in the near future.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2024

This study investigated the levels of 345 pesticide residues in 50 herbal medicines sold in Incheon metropolitan city to determine their safety. Pesticide residues are harmful substances that can cause serious health problems owing to their toxicity and carcinogenicity. The analysis of pesticide residues in the samples was conducted using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method, known for its high analysis efficiency, to analyze a wide range of pesticides for which no standards have been set. The analysis was cross-validated with the pretreatment method outlined in the Korea Pharmacopoeia. Among the 50 samples encompassing 24 different herbs, 22 pesticide residues were detected in 24 samples, covering 7 distinct herbs, resulting in a detection rate of 48%. It is noteworthy that, except for two cases, all detected pesticides were those for which no standards were set. However, after conducting a risk evaluation considering the daily dosage of herb, it was determined that the levels of pesticide residues were within safe limits. Pesticides with high frequency within the same category of herbs were detected, indicating the necessity for continuous monitoring and regulation. In addition, comparative analysis using the pretreatment method outlined in the Korean Pharmacopoeia, yielded similar results, suggesting the possibility of analyzing pesticide residues in herbs using the QuEChERS method. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in herbs and the development of high-efficiency reliability analysis methods should continue to ensure consumer safety.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.52
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• pp.165-194
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• 2018

Employing Fairclough's critical discourse analysis (CDA), the purpose of this study was to analyze linguistically significant features, intertextuality, and sociocultural practice focusing on selected editorials of The Global Times, $Hu{\acute{a}}nqi{\acute{u}}$ Shíbào on the 2018 United States-China Trade War. The editorial titled "With the strong will of 'the War to Resist America and Aid Chosun,' let us go through the trade war against America" focused on the use of 'war' related vocabulary in the frame of 'war.' First, "Trade War" and "War to Resist America and Aid Chosun" are examples that reveal metaphors and a war frame. Second, "Strategy" is used positively for China but negatively towards America. Third, various war related words are used. Fourth, cases of allusion illustrate war. Intertextuality in terms of discourse practice pertains to two findings. First, The Global Times, $Hu{\acute{a}}nqi{\acute{u}}$ Shíbào repeatedly uses the phrase 'equivalent revenge.' That is because the expression enables China to justify their counterattack and such war that China may wage can be interpreted as just counterattack much like a self-defense mechanism. Second, the expression, 'the counterattack is not intended but it is not fearful' is repeated in several editorials of the newspaper. The reasons are the following: 1) it is used to appeal to the public, 2) by invoking the feeling of fear, the public should be understand why they should unite, and 3) the expression, "it is not fearful" is used to preserve China's global image and "the counterattack is not intended" is used to signal China's will to America. The whole expression is a good example of intertextuality that repetitively illustrates the intended meaning of China in nine editorials in the newspaper within three months, March 23-June 17, 2018. Finally, sociocultural practice is manipulated through the editorial for disseminating the Chinese government's hegemonic ideology. First, it is clear that the core national project, "China Manufacturing 2025" cannot be abandoned. Second, by calling for "War to Resist America and Aid Chosun" the editorial is manipulated to condemn and intimidate America, avoid dissent of the people, appeal to the people, and empower the government. Third, China somehow wants to open up the possibility of negotiation with the United Sates.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.23-40
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• 2021

In the era of the global coronal 19 pandemic, there is a risk of cross-infection in hospitals at the stage where treatments and vaccines are currently being developed and marketed, so individuals should enhance their acquired immunity and generalize their living systems by the performance of copper ions in the social environment. In order to prevent the spread of infection, the need for anti-bacterial film and its efficacy were analyzed through anti-viral performance tests based on research and development cases of worldwide and immemorial time. he Korea Construction Research Institute (KCL) has received anti-bacterial performance certification and anti-viral test scores from the "National Approval Performance Certification Agency." At the time, NCCP 43326 Human Corona virus (BetaCoV/Korea/KCDC03/2020), which was approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was introduced to ensure that the activity rate of infected cells was satisfied in the anti-viral performance test. Anti-proliferation measures for the Corona 19 virus require a quality clinical trial study comparing the experimental group within the glass space where the antiviral copper film is constructed with the comparator of the same condition without copper film.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate patients' preferences on receiving life-sustaining treatments (LST) and to analyze the relationship between patients' characteristics and LST selection. We also examined any discrepancy between LST patients' choices regarding medical intervention and actual medical intervention given/not given within 48 hours before death. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from March 1, 2008 to August 31, 2008 in the Palliative Care Unit of Korea University Hospital. Electric medical records (EMR) of 102 hospice cancer patients were reviewed, and 74 patients with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) ${\geq}$10 at the time of signing the advance medical directives (AMD) were selected for the first analysis. Then, patients alive at the end of this study, transferred to other hospitals or dead within 48 hours were excluded, and the remaining 42 patients were selected for the second analysis. Results: Preferred LST included antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition, tube feeding, transfusion, and laboratory and imaging studies. The relationship between patients' characteristics and LST could not be analyzed due to skewed preferences. LST chosen at the time of signing the AMD and actual medical intervention given/not given in the last 48 hours showed discrepancy in most cases. Conclusion: When making AMD in hospice cancer patients, it is important to consider the time and possibility of changing the choices. Above all, patients must fully understand the AMD. Thus, LST should always be provided with careful consideration of all possibilities, because legal and social aspects of AMD have not been established yet.