• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.631-643
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• 2021

Purpose: Frailty is a clinical syndrome in older adults, and adequate nutrition is a modifiable factor in preventing the condition. The current study aims to investigate the association between frailty and dietary intake in the Korean elderly. Methods: This cross-sectional study included data from the 2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 1,268 subjects (535 men and 733 women) aged 65 years or older. Frailty was defined as having more than three of the following 5 modified Fried frailty phenotype criteria: unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, walking difficulties, weakness, and low physical activity. Dietary intake was assessed by applying the one-day 24-hour dietary recall. The association between frailty and dietary intakes were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Results: Totally, 9.7% men and 21.9% women were classified as the frail group. Increasing levels of frailty were proportional to a decreased mean nutrient adequacy ratio in both genders. Moreover, the total food intake was significantly low in the frail elderly. In male subjects, multiple logistic regression analyses after adjusting covariates showed that the odds ratio (OR) of frailty in the highest tertile of the consumption of fruits (OR [95% confidence interval, CI] = 0.34 [0.13-0.93], p-trend = 0.021) were significantly lower than values obtained in the lowest tertile. In females, the highest tertile of fish and shellfish intake showed a significantly lower OR for frailty (OR [95% CI] = 0.55 [0.30-0.99], p-trend = 0.045), as compared with the lowest tertile. Conclusion: The present study indicates that high intake of fruits for men, and fish and shellfish for women, are probably linked with lowering the risk of frailty in the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.19-32
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• 2021

In this study, evaluation and consideration of domestic/overseas design, construction, and quality control performed by the authors on the deep cement mixing method were performed, and improvements for the development of the DCM method were suggested in the future. As a result of this study, it was found that the cross-sectional area correction for strength is required during the laboratory test of mix proportion, and caution is required because the extrapolation method may lead to different results from the actual one. Applicable design methods should be selected in consideration of both the improvement ratio and the type of improvement during design, and it was confirmed that the allowable compressive strength to which the safety factor was applied refers to the standard value for stability review and not the design parameters. In the case of the stress concentration ratio, rather than applying a conventional value, it was possible to perform economical design by calculating the experimental and theoretical stress concentration ratio reflecting the design conditions. In the case where pre-boring is expected during construction, if the increased water content is not large compared to the original, there were cases where a major problem did not occur even if the result that did not consider the increase in water content was used. In addition, it was confirmed that when the ratio of the top treatment length to the improved length is high, a small amount of design cement contents per unit length can be injected during construction. In the case of quality control, it was evaluated that D/4~2D/4 for single-axis and D/4 point for multi-axis were optimal for coring of grouting mixtures. As an item for quality control, it is judged that the standard that considers the TCR along with the unconfined compressive strength of grouting mixtures is more suitable for the domestic situation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.412-421
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• 2021

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly prevalent metabolic disease. Muscle is known to influence NAFLD development. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationships among low muscle mass, NAFLD, and hepatic fibrosis using various definitions of low muscle mass and NAFLD diagnostic methods, including magnetic resonance imaging-based proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 320 participants (107 males, 213 females) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study on Atherosclerosis Risk of Rural Areas in the Korean General Population cohort. Muscle mass was assessed using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and adjusted for the height squared, body weight, and body mass index (BMI). NAFLD was diagnosed using ultrasonography (US), MRI-PDFF, and the comprehensive NAFLD score (CNS). Hepatic fibrosis was assessed using magnetic resonance elastography. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to determine the aforementioned associations. Results: According to US, 183 participants (57.2%) had NAFLD. Muscle mass adjusted for body weight was associated with NAFLD diagnosed using US (odds ratio [OR], 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70 to 5.31), MRI-PDFF (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.53), and CNS (OR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.73 to 6.65) and hepatic fibrosis (males: β=-0.070, p<0.01; females: β=-0.037, p<0.04). Muscle mass adjusted for BMI was associated with NAFLD diagnosed by US (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.86) and CNS (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.04 to 3.65), whereas muscle mass adjusted for height was not associated with NAFLD. Conclusions: Low muscle mass was associated with NAFLD and liver fibrosis; therefore, maintaining sufficient muscle mass is important to prevent NAFLD. A prospective study and additional consideration of muscle quality are needed to strengthen the findings regarding this association.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.695-701
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of COVID-19-induced household economic deterioration on gingival pain and bleeding. Methods: Data from the 16th Adolescent Health Behavior Survey 2020 were used. A total of 57,925 adolescents were included in this cross-sectional study. We evaluated the worsening of the COVID-19-induced household economic situation, gingival pain, and bleeding. All surveys were assessed in a subjective non-face-to-face online interview. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression. Results: The overall prevalence of gingival pain and bleeding symptoms in the study population was 19.2%. People with COVID-19 were more likely to suffer from gingival pain and gingival bleeding than those who did not have economic deterioration due to COVID-19. There was no economic deterioration due to COVID-19 (aOR=1.048, 95% CI=1.034-1.227) and worsened very much (aOR=1.358, 95% CI=1.164-1.585). Conclusions: There were more cases of gingival pain and gingival bleeding, which are early symptoms of periodontal disease, in patients with COVID-19 compared to cases without deterioration of the household economic situation due to COVID-19. It is necessary to measure and study gingival bleeding objectively rather than relying on self-reports.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.74-83
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• 2022

Objective : Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) is a surgical technique that utilizes a large interbody cage to indirectly decompress neural elements. The position of the cage relative to the vertebral body could affect the degree of foraminal decompression. Previous studies determined the position of the cage using plain radiographs, with conflicting results regarding the influence of the position of the cage to the degree of neural foramen decompression. Because of the cage obliquity, computed tomography (CT) has better accuracy than plain radiograph for the measurement of the obliquely inserted cage. The objective of this study is to find the correlation between the position of the OLIF cage with the degree of indirect decompression of foraminal stenosis using CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods : We review imaging of 46 patients who underwent OLIF from L2-L5 for 68 levels. Segmental lordosis (SL) was measured in a plain radiograph. The positions of the cage were measured in CT. Spinal canal cross-sectional area (SCSA), and foraminal crosssectional area (FSCA) measurements using MRI were taken into consideration. Results : Patients' mean age was 69.7 years. SL increases 3.0±5.1 degrees. Significant increases in SCSA (33.3%), FCSA (43.7% on the left and 45.0% on the right foramen) were found (p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis shows putting the cage in the more posterior position correlated with more increase of FSCA and decreases SL correction. The position of the cage does not affect the degree of the central spinal canal decompression. Obliquity of the cage does not result in different degrees of foraminal decompression between right and left side neural foramen. Conclusion : Cage position near the posterior part of the vertebral body increases the decompression effect of the neural foramen while putting the cage in the more anterior position correlated with increases SL.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.133-150
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• 2021

Purpose: The epidemiologic understanding of allergic diseases, including prevalence and risk factors, is needed for allergy management. This study identified the prevalence of and coping patterns for various types of allergies, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), food allergy (FA), and drug allergy (DA), in Nam-gu, Ulsan, one of the most industrialized districts in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-report multiple choice questionnaire. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and other measures were reviewed to develop the questionnaire. Data was collected from May 9th to November 30th of 2018. Descriptive and frequency analyses were performed to apprehend the prevalence of symptoms, diagnostic rates, diagnosis dates, treatment history, and others. Results: By randomized sampling, 9,102 children from 25 nurseries, 25 kindergartens, and 15 elementary schools participated in the study. The prevalence of asthma, AR, AD, AC, FA, and DA were 11.1%, 48.7%, 15.5%, 17.6%, 15.1%, and 2.0%, respectively. The respective rate of ever being diagnosed with asthma, AR, AD, AC, FA, and DA were 4.2%, 38.4%, 25.5%, 23.3%, 9.7%, and 1.1%, respectively. Last year's allergy related school absenteeism rates were 10.8%, 4.1%, and 1.3% for asthma, AR, and AD, respectively. Lastly, 59.2% of the participants considered air pollution as the most challenging factor in allergy management. Conclusion: This study comprehensively investigated the current state of various allergic diseases in Nam-gu, Ulsan. The study's findings are expected to be applied to strategies for decreasing the socioeconomic burden of allergic diseases.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2022

Expandable steel pipe piles are installed by inserting expansion equipment to increase the cross-sectional area of steel pipes, which can improve the pile performance compared to micro-piles. In this paper, a hydraulic expansion device was developed to expand steel pipe piles in practice. A series of laboratory and field tests were conducted to verify the performance of the developed expansion device to expand steel pipes. The expansion capability and expandable range was evaluated by measuring the strain and expansion time at the maximum pressure of the hydraulic expansion device. The thinner steel pipe, the larger strain but longer expansion time required in the test. For example, the 4.0-mm-thick steel pipe showed strain reduction by 30% and a decrease in the required expansion time by 40% compared to the 2.9-mm-thick steel pipe. In addition, in-situ expansion tests were performed to verify the expandability of steel pipes under the ground, and the exhumed specimen showed clear expanded sections. The structural integrity was determined by comparing the material performance the original and expanded specimens.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.9-17
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• 2022

To take into account of the increasing speed of next generation high-speed trains, a new design code for the traffic safety of railway bridges is required. To solve dynamic responses of the bridge, this research offers a numerical analyses of PSC (Pre-stressed Concrete) box girder bridge, which is most representative of all the bridges on Gyungbu high-speed train line. This model takes into account of the inertial mass forces by the 38-degree-of-freedom and interaction forces as well as track irregularities. Our numerical analyses analyze the maximum vertical deflection and DAF (Dynamic Amplification Factor) between simple span and two-span continuous bridges to show the dynamic stability of the bridge. The third-order polynomial regression equations we use predict the maximum vertical deflections depending on varying running speeds of the train. We also compare the vertical deflections at several cross-sectional positions to check the influence of running speeds and the maximum irregularity at a longitudinal level. Moreover, our model analyzes the influence lines of vertical deflection accelerations of the bridge to evaluate traffic safety.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.557-564
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• 2021

Background: Conscious sedation is a useful adjunct in the treatment of patients in dentistry; however, a lack of knowledge among the dental profession regarding sedation is a restricting factor in the practice of dental sedation. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practice of sedation in dentistry among dental professionals in Tanzania. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted for five months targeting all practicing dental professionals in Tanzania. A modified questionnaire contained 14 questions regarding knowledge about sedative agents and a section on the practice of sedation. The data obtained from this study were coded and entered into a computer program and analyzed using SPSS software version 23.0. The data are presented as frequencies and percentages in tables and charts. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The age range of participants was between 24 and 63 years (mean 36.6 ± 7.7 years). There were 107 men (78.1%), and the male-to-female ratio was 3.6:1. The majority (76.6%) of participants only had an undergraduate dental degree. Thirty-one percent of participants only worked in publicly owned health facilities. Slightly more than half (59.9%) of participants had satisfactory knowledge regarding sedation in dentistry. There was no statistically significant association between the level of sedation-related knowledge and the demographic characteristics of the participants. Only 21.9% reported using sedation in their practice, and the most commonly used sedative drug was diazepam. The reasons for not using dental sedation in clinical practice included a perceived lack of knowledge on sedation, lack of equipment, and cost. Conclusion: Most dental professionals in Tanzania have basic knowledge of sedation in dentistry, although knowledge regarding sedative agents is generally low. The practice of sedation in dentistry in Tanzania is very low compared to that in middle- and high-income countries. Inadequate knowledge, lack of equipment, and the cost of practicing sedation are the main reasons for not practicing sedation.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.469-479
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• 2021

As a material for preventing spalling of concrete, the effectiveness of PP fiber has already been confirmed. However, it is necessary to consider the maximum temperature that occurs during a fire, and to solve the mixing problem and the strength reduction problem that occur depending on the mixing amount. In this study, the fire resistance performance of tunnel segment linings according to the PP fiber content and air volume under the RABT fire scenario was investigated. As a result, no spalling or cross-sectional loss occurred in all test specimens, and when the PP fiber content was small, the maximum temperature was relatively high and the maximum temperature arrival time was also fast. On the other hand, no trend was found for the maximum temperature and arrival time according to the difference in air volume. In the internal temperature distribution results for the PP fiber mixing amount of 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 kg/m³, the results of 0.75 and 1.0 kg/m³ showed similar temperature distribution, and the results of 1.5 and 2.0 kg/m³ were similar. It was confirmed that the internal temperature distribution tends to decrease at the same depth when the amount of PP fiber mixed is large, and it was confirmed that a remarkable difference occurred from the results of 1.0 kg/m³ and 1.5 kg/m³ of PP fiber mixed amounts.