• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.825-833
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• 2022

Objective : ABM/P-15 (anorganic bone matrix/15-amino acid peptide fragment) is a commercially available synthetically manufactured P-15 collagen peptide fragment, that is adsorbed on ABM. This study was done to investigate the efficacy of ABM/P-15 in achieving fusion in the lumbar spine and comparing it with that of recombinant bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and demineralized bone matrix (DBM). Methods : A retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data of 140 patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion surgeries in a single specialty spine hospital between 2016 and 2020, with a minimum 6-month follow-up was conducted. Based on the material used for the augmentation of the bone graft at the fusion site, the patients were divided into three categories namely ABM/P-15, rhBMP-2, and DBM group. Results : ABM/P-15, rhBMP-2, and DBM were used in 46, 44, and 50 patients, respectively. Patient characteristics like age, gender, bone mineral density, smoking history, and presence of diabetes mellitus were comparable amongst the three groups. Average follow-up was 16.0±5.2, 17.9±9.8, and 26.2±14.9 months, respectively in ABM/P-15, rhBMP-2, and DBM groups. The fusion was achieved in 97.9%, 93.2%, and 98% patients while the average time-to-union was 4.05±2.01, 10±4.28, and 9.44±3.49 months (p<0.001), respectively for ABM/P-15, rhBMP-2, and DBM groups. The average pre-operative Visual analogue scale score was 6.93±2.42, 7.14±1.97, 7.01±2.14 (p=0.900) for ABM/P-15, rhBMP-2 and DBM groups, respectively, which reduced to 1.02±0.80, 1.21±0.96, and 0.54±0.70 (p=0.112), respectively at the last follow up. Pre-operative Oswestry disability index scores were 52.7±18.02, 55.4±16.8, and 53.56±19.6 (p=0.751) in ABM/P-15, rhBMP-2, and DBM groups, which post-operatively reduced to 33.77±15.52, 39.42±16.47, and 38.3±15.89 (p=0.412) and further to 15.74±8.3, 17.41±10.45, and 16.76±9.81 (p=0.603), respectively at the last follow-up. Conclusion : ABM/P-15 appears to achieve union significantly earlier than rhBMP-2 and DBM in lumbar spinal fusion cases while maintaining a comparable clinical and complication profile.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.402-412
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• 2022

This study investigated each forest's stand characteristics and the NVOCs emission characteristics for Quercus acuta, Castanopsis sieboldii, Dendropanax trifidus, Camellia Japonica which are major warm temperate evergreen broad-leaved species, and Pinus thunbergii. Data were collected from May 2019 to January 2020. The seasonal temperature and humidity of each research site indicated the typical climatic characteristics of Korea, which are hot and humid in summer and cold and dry in winter. Also, the atmospheric pressure was generally high in winter and higher in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Overall, the total volume of NVOCs (Natural Volatile Organic Compounds) from the five research sites was the highest in the summer. The concentration of TNVOCs was relatively high in the Dendropanax trifidus forest in spring and winter, the Castanopsis sieboldii forest in the autumn, and the Quercus acuta forest in the summer. According to the results of this study, it was confirmed that the concentrations of NVOCs emission of warm temperate evergreen broad-leaved species such as Quercus acuta, Castanopsis sieboldii, Dendropanax trifidus and Camellia Japonica were not lower but rather higher than Pinus thunbergii. The correlation was positive (+) between NVOCs emission and temperature (r=0.590, P=0.000) or humidity (r=0.655, P=0.000), whereas it was negative (-) between NVOCs emission and atmospheric pressure (r=-0.384, P=0.000) or wind speed (r=-0.263, P=0.018). Among the micrometeological factors, humidity (β=0.507, P=0.000) was found to have the greatest effect on NVOC emission, followed by temperature, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.354-360
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• 2021

People hope to live a healthy and happy life achieving satisfaction by striking a good work-life balance. Therefore, there is a growing interest in well-aging which means living happily to a healthy old age without worry. This study identified important factors related to well-aging by analyzing news articles published in Korea. Using Python-based web crawling, 1,199 articles were collected on the news service of portal site Daum till November 2020, and 374 articles were selected which matched the subject of the study. The frequency analysis results of text mining showed keywords such as 'elderly', 'health', 'skin', 'well-aging', 'product', 'person', 'aging', 'female', 'domestic' and 'retirement' as important keywords. Besides, a social network analysis with 45 important keywords revealed strong connections in the order of 'skin-wrinkle', 'skin-aging' and 'old-health'. The result of the CONCOR analysis showed that 45 main keywords were composed of eight clusters of 'life and happiness', 'disease and death', 'nutrition and exercise', 'healing', 'health', and 'elderly services'.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.19-23
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• 2022

For the substantiation and verification of studies related to the construction of a levee using riverbed soil, real-scale levee construction and experimental studies are essential. One of the most important factors in the experimental study is the reproducibility of the multiple levees with the same initial conditions. Quantitative analysis of the reproducibility should be presented. In this study, a number of physical properties (specific gravity test, sieving test, liquid-plastic limit test, compaction test, on-site Density test) for multiple embankments built with fine-grained bed soil was obtained. The collected data then used to obtain the possibility of reproducing levee through statistical analysis to suggest a process of indicating a numeric initial condition of the real-scale test. As a result of statistical analysis to verify the aforementioned process, it was confirmed that it was possible to quantitatively evaluate the reproducibility of the construction under the same conditions of embankments. This is expected to be a basic data for a full-scale embankment test using riverbed soil including other soil based real-scale tests.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.17-28
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to provide the measures for improving the self-directed learning ability and the reference data for substantializing the educational programs by verifying the main factors affecting the self-directed learning ability of dental hygiene students in reality when the learners' autonomy is emphasized than ever. Methods: From June 20 to July 4, 2022, an online survey was conducted targeting total 218 dental hygiene students. The collected data was analyzed by using the SPSS Program Version 22.0. Results: First, in the results of analyzing differences in detailed items of self-directed learning ability according to the general characteristics, the 'students who entered the department of dental hygiene by considering their aptitude and interest' showed higher results than the 'students who entered the department by considering their high school record'. Second, when the academic efficacy, study immersion, and problem-solving ability of dental hygiene students were higher, their self-directed learning ability was also high. Third, the factor that had the greatest effect on self-directed learning ability of dental hygiene students was problem-solving ability, which was followed by academic efficacy and study immersion. Conclusion: Putting together the results above, in order to cultivate the problem-solving ability of dental hygiene students, it would be necessary to operate the problem-solving-centered simulation course that could foster critical thinking, interactions with others, and creative approach and solution to problems in dental medical site. It would be also possible to improve their academic efficacy by applying the learning mentoring & one-to-one learning counseling program, and also strengthening proper feedbacks for learners. Moreover, the study immersion could be strengthened by developing and operating the emotion-based learning motivation program & learning coaching program through the process of verifying the potential and growth needs of learners, exploring one's own resources through learning diagnosis/introspection, and exploring the career-related vision for strengthening the learning motivation, which could have positive effects on the improvement of self-directed learning ability.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.368-379
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• 2022

Background: This study aimed to establish a strategy to improve the poor working environment and working conditions among long-term healthcare workers in Korea. Methods: A total of 600 questionnaires with which long-term health care workers participated in the targeted base areas of each city and province nationwide were distributed directly and 525 responses were collected and 506 responses were analyzed. Surveys, on-site field visits, and in-depth interviews were also conducted to understand the working environment as well as conditions and establish a strategy for improving the working environment among long-term healthcare workers to understand the demands of working conditions and working conditions. Results: Korean long-term care workers firstly and mostly enumerated their risk factors for ill-health when lifting or moving elderly recipients directly by hand (69.9%), followed by increased physical workload with old beds, tools, and facilities (42.3%) in the workplaces, shortage of manpower (32%), and source of infection (30%). To improve the working environment as well as conditions, Korean long-term care workers considered improving low-wage structures, ergonomic improvements to solve excessive physical loads, and increasing various bonus payments as well as implementing the salary system, positive social awareness, and increasing resting time. Of 506 responses, 92.3% replied that the long-term care insurance system for the elderly should be developed to expand publicization at the national level. Conclusion: This study proposes to improve the low-wage structure of Korean long-term care workers, automation and improvement of facilities, equipment, and tools to eliminate excessive physical loads (beneficiary elderly lifting), and reduction of night labor.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2022

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had major effects worldwide, including sudden and forceful setbacks to the healthcare system. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to changes in the plastic and reconstructive management of emergency cases, including those due to road traffic accidents. This study analyzed changes in patterns of plastic surgery emergencies and modifications in consultation policies to minimize the exposure of healthcare workers. Methods: Data on plastic surgery emergency calls received from the trauma and emergency department were collected for a period of 2 months before and during lockdown. The data were then analyzed with respect to the cause, mechanism, and site of the injury, as well as other variables. Results: During lockdown, there was a 40.4% overall decrease in the plastic surgery emergency case volume (168 vs. 100). The average daily number of consultations before lockdown was 2.8 as compared to 1.6 during lockdown. Road traffic accidents remained the most common mechanism of injury in both groups (45.8% vs. 39.0%) but decreased in number during the lockdown (77 vs. 39). Household accidents, including burns, were the second most common cause of injury in both phases (7.7% vs. 20.0%), but their proportion increased significantly from 7.7.% to 20.0% in the lockdown phase (P=0.003). The percentage of minor procedures done in the emergency department increased from 53.5% to 72.0% during lockdown (P=0.002). Procedures in the operating room decreased by 73.1% during lockdown (67 vs. 18, P=0.001). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown orders in India greatly influenced trends in traumatic emergencies as observed by the plastic surgery team at our tertiary care center. Amidst all the chaos and limitations of the pandemic period, providing safe and prompt care to the patients presenting to the emergency room was our foremost priority.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.13-24
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• 2021

This study used big data to analyze visitors' experiences in Fishing Experience Recreation Village. Through the portal site posting data for the past six years, the experience of visiting Fishing Experience Villages in Baekmi and Susan was analyzed. The analysis method used Text mining and Social Network Analysis which are Big data analysis techniques. Data was collected using Textom, and experience keywords were extracted by analyzing the frequency and importance of experience texts. Afterwards, the characteristics of the experience of visiting the Fishing Experience Village were identified through the analysis of the interaction between the experience keywords using 'U cinet 6.0' and 'NetDraw'. First, through TF and TF-IDF values, keywords such as "Gungpyeong Port", "Susan Port", and "Yacht Marina" that refer to the name of the port and the port facilities appeared at the top. This is interpreted as the name of the port has the greatest impact on the recognition of the Fishing Experience Villages, and visitors showed a lot of interest in the port facilities. Second, focusing on the unique elements of port facilities and fishing villages such as "mud flat experience", "fishing village experience", "Gungpyeong port", "Susan port", "yacht marina", and "beach" through the values of degree, closeness, and betweenness centrality interpreted as having an interaction with various experiences. Third, through the CONCOR analysis, it was confirmed that the visitor's experience was focused on the dynamic behavior, the experience program had the greatest influence on the experience of the visitor, and that the experience of the static and the dynamic behavior was relatively balanced. In conclusion, the experience of visitors in the Fishing Experience Villages is most affected by the environment of the fishing village such as the tidal flats and the coast and the fishing village experience program conducted at the fishing port facilities. In particular, it was found that fishing port facilities such as ports and marinas had a high influence on the awareness of the Fishing Experience Villages. Therefore, it is important to actively utilize the scenery and environment unique to fishing villages in order to revitalize the Fishing Experience Villages experience and improve the quality of the visitor experience. This study is significant in that it studied visitors' experiences in fishing village recreation villages using big data and derived the connection between fishing village and fishing village infrastructure in fishing village experience tourism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.15-31
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• 2022

The Green Purification Unit System (GPUS) is a green infrastructure facility applicable to the roadside to reduce particulate matter from road traffic. This study introduces two types of GPUS (type1 and type2) and assesses the performance and maintenance costs of each of them. The GPUS's performance analysis used the data collected in November 2021 after the installation of the GPUS type1 and type2 at the study site in Suwon. The changes in the particulate matter concentration near the GPUS were measured. The maintenance cost of GPUS type1 and type2 was assessed by calculating the initial installation cost and the management and repair cost after installation. The results of the performance analysis showed that the GPUS type1, which was manufactured by combining plants and electric dust collectors, had a superior particulate matter reduction performance. In particular, type1 produced a greater effect of particulate matter reduction in the time with a high concentration (50㎍/m³ or higher) of particulate matter due to the operation of electric dust collectors. GPUS type2, which was designed in the form of a plant wall without applying an electric dust collector, showed lower reduction performance than type1 but showed sufficiently improved performance compared to the existing band green area. Meanwhile, the GPUS type1 had three times higher costs for the initial installation than GPUS type2. In terms of costs for managing and repairing, it was evaluated that type1 would be slightly more costly than type2. Finally, this study discussed the applicability of two types of GPUS based on the result of the analysis of their particulate matter performance and maintenance cost at the same time. Since GPUS type2 has a cheaper cost than type1, it could be more economical. However, in the area suffering a high concentration of particulate matter, GPUS type1 would be more effective than type2. Therefore, the choice of GPUS types should rely on the status of particulate matter concentration in the area where GPUS is being installed.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.9-19
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• 2022

In this study, a systematic review was conducted to analyze the method of applying sEMG to evaluate the swallowing function of the elderly at each stage of swallowing, and to help objectively measure the swallowing stage of the older adults in clinical practice. From 2011 to 2021, 7 studies that met the selection criteria were selected using Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS). As a result of this study, the older adults and adults were divided into an experimental group and a control group and the swallowing phase was analyzed using sEMG only for the older adults. sEMG was used to evaluate swallowing in the oral and pharyngeal stages, and the sEMG attachment site was attached to the swallowing muscle involved in each stage. The collected sEMG data were filtered using a bandpass-filter and a notch-filter, and were analyzed using RMS, amplitude, and maximum spontaneous contraction. In this study, it was found that sEMG can be used as a tool to objectively and quantitatively evaluate the swallowing function in stages. Therefore, it is expected that this study will activate various studies that incorporate sEMG to evaluate the swallowing function in stages.