• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.287-296
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality of reports on observational studies published in the Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing (KJWHN). Methods: Forty-six studies using cross-sectional designs published in KJWHN from January 2011 to June 2013 were selected for analysis. Selected articles were reviewed and evaluated by three reviewers using the 22 items of the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. As some of 22 items had more than one check point, further broken down, 34 checklist items were used for analysis. Results: Overall, the reviewed studies provided sufficient descriptions for many STROBE items. Seven of the 34 items were found to be not applicable, and 15 of the remaining 27 items (55.5%) were evaluated as 'sufficient' in reporting. Only one study included a flow diagram illustrating participation and this lack of flow diagram was the weakest area of reporting in this review. Conclusion: Clearer reporting of cross-sectional studies can be attained by attention to vulnerable areas of reporting, such as including a flow diagram of participants, descriptions of sources of bias and reason for non-participation, and describing limitations of the study. Issues regarding the application of STROBE statement items should be actively discussed in order to aid future revision and clarification of items included in STROBE statement.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.34-42
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• 2011

The lumbrical muscles contribute to the intrinsic plus position, that is simultaneous metacarpophalangeal (MCP) flexion and interphalangeal (IP) extension. The strength of the lumbrical muscles is necessary for normal hand function. However, there is no objective and efficient method of strength measurement for the lumbrical muscles. In addition, previous studies have not investigated the measurement of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the lumbrical muscles using ultrasonography (US) and the relationship between lumbrical muscle strength in the intrinsic plus position and the CSA. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the measurement method of the CSA of the lumbrical muscles using US and to examine the relationship between maximal isometric strength and the CSA of lumbrical muscles. Nine healthy males participated in this study. Maximal isometric strength of the second, third, and fourth lumbrical muscles was assessed using a tensiometer in the intrinsic plus position which isolated MCP flexion and IP extension. The CSA of the lumbrical muscles was measured with an US. The US probe was applied on the palmar aspect of the metacarpal head with a transverse view of the hand in resting position. There was no significant difference between maximal isometric strength of the lumbrical muscles, but the fourth lumbrical muscle was stronger than the others. The CSA of the lumbrical muscles was significantly different and the fourth lumbrical muscle was significantly larger than the second lumbrical muscle. There was moderate to good correlation between maximal isometric strength and the CSA of the lumbrical muscles. Therefore, we conclude that maximal isometric strength of the lumbrical muscles was positively correlated to the CSA of the lumbrical muscle in each finger, while the measurement of the CSA of the lumbrical muscles, using US protocol in this study, was useful for measuring the CSA of the lumbrical muscles.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.417-426
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• 2021

Background: Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a common patient complaint imposing great costs on the healthcare system. It is associated with psychological factors such as depression. The aim of the present study is determining depression predictors in NCCP patients. Methods: The participants of this cross-sectional study were 361 NCCP patients. Patients filled out questionnaires concerning their sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors (severity of pain, type D personality, somatization, cardiac anxiety, fear of body sensations, and depression). Results: Based on multiple ordinal logistic regression, lack of physical activity (odds ratio [OR], 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-2.87), sleep quality (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.15-7.69), being a smoker (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 2.41-4.03), present pain intensity (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.05-1.11), type D personality (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.47-4.03), and somatization (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.15-1.3) were significant predictors of depression in NCCP patients. Additionally, multiple linear regression showed that being unmarried (β = 1.51, P = 0.008), lack of physical activity (β = 1.22, P = 0.015), sleep quality (β = 2.26, P = 0.022), present pain intensity (β = 0.07, P = 0.045), type D personality (β = 1.87, P < 0.001), somatization (β = 0.45, P < 0.001), and fear of bodily sensation (β = 0.04, P = 0.032) increased significantly depression scores in NCCP patients. Conclusions: Physicians should consider the predictors of depression in NCCP patients which can lead to receiving effective psychological consultations and reducing the costs and ineffectual referrals to medical centers.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.454-462
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• 2021

Background: This study was performed to reveal the relationships between the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the paraspinal muscles and the severity of low back pain (LBP), including the level of disability. Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 164 patients with chronic LBP. The effects of demographic characteristics, posture, level of physical activity, disc herniation type, and sarcopenia risk on the CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated along with the relationship between the CSAs and severity of pain and disability in all patients. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles were evaluated using the software program Image J 1.53. Results: A negative significant correlation was found between age and the paraspinal muscle's CSA (P < 0.05), whereas a positive correlation was present between the level of physical activity and the CSA of the paraspinal muscle at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels. The CSAs of paraspinal muscles in patients with sarcopenia risk was significantly lower than those in patients without sarcopenia risk (P < 0.05). The CSAs of paraspinal muscles at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels in obese patients were significantly higher than those in overweight patients (P = 0.028, P = 0.026, respectively). There was no relationship between the CSAs of paraspinal muscles and pain intensity or disability. Conclusions: Although this study did not find a relationship between paraspinal CSAs and pain or disability, treatment regimens for preventing paraspinal muscles from atrophy may aid pain physicians in relieving pain, restoring function, and preventing recurrence in patients with chronic LBP.

• 대한지역사회영양학회지
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.512-519
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• 2020

Objectives: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the associations between food groups and hearing loss. Methods: Data of 1,312 individuals were used from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013. Hearing loss was determined with a pure tone average (PTA) of greater than 25 dB in either ear. The PTA was measured as the average hearing threshold at speech frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. The dietary intake was examined with a food frequency questionnaire with 112 food items. The food items were classified into 25 food groups. A weighted logistic regression was used to investigate the association. Results: Individuals in the highest tertile of vegetables and nuts food groups were less likely to have hearing loss than those in the lowest tertile [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.58 (95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.38-0.91), P = 0.019; OR = 0.59 (95% CI 0.39-0.90), P = 0.020, respectively], after adjusting for confounding variables of age, sex, body mass index, drinking, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and physical activity. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, we observed that high intake of vegetables and nuts food groups revealed significant inverse associations with hearing loss, after adjusting for confounding variables among 1,312 participants.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.72-81
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• 2021

Background: In the literature, there have been debates as to whether smartphone use has negative effects on physical and mental health. The present study investigated the extent to which smartphone addiction impacts on musculoskeletal pain prevalence among university students. Methods: The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic information, the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: A total of 249 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. The body parts that were reported with highest prevalence of musculoskeletal pain were the upper back (70.3%), neck (65.9%), and wrists/hands (68.7%). The SAS scores were correlated with duration of smartphone use on a typical day (P = 0.001), duration of owning a smartphone (P = 0.027), and musculoskeletal pain prevalence in the neck (P = 0.001), wrists/hands (P = 0.001), shoulders (P = 0.025), and upper back (P = 0.023). The SAS score was significantly associated with prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the neck (odd ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.10; P = 0.002), wrists/hands (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.97-1.09; P = 0.001), and upper back (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.98-1.11; P = 0.033). Conclusions: The findings indicated that the upper back, neck, and wrists/hands have a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among smartphone users, particularly those with a smartphone addiction. Smartphone addiction scores were correlated with duration of smartphone use on a typical day, duration of owning smartphone, and musculoskeletal pain prevalence in the neck, wrists/hands, shoulders, and upper back.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.59-74
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• 2022

Objectives : Evidence supporting the cold-heat symptom and sasang constitution type, which are diagnostic items of traditional Korean medicine, is needed to manage sleep disturbances, which is a typical symptom of mibyeong (subhealth). This study examined the association between each cold-heat symptom and sleep disturbances according to each sasang constitution type. Methods : This research was a cross-sectional study of 5,793 subjects from the Korean Medicine Data Center (KDC) community cohort survey. The association between each cold-heat symptom and sleep disturbances was analyzed by logistic regression analysis adjusted for several demographic variables. Subgroup analysis was then performed for each type of sasang constitution. Results : The soeum and soyang types were 1.53 and 1.26 times more likely to have sleep disturbances than the taeum type. Sleep disturbances were associated with 'coldness of the abdomen', 'watery mouth' in the cold domain items, and 'body feverishness', 'flushed face and eye', 'thirst', and 'scanty dark urine' in the heat domain items. The soeum and soyang types were 1.55 and 1.39 times more likely to sleep less than five hours per night than the taeeum type. In addition, the associations of those showed a different pattern for each sasang constitution type. Conclusions : Sleep disturbances are associated with specific cold-heat symptoms, and the associated cold-heat symptoms differ according to the sasang constitution type. These results may help traditional medicine specialists select customized interventions for patients with sleep disturbances.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.327-341
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• 2024

This paper is the first in a series of articles dealing with the study and analysis of imperfections in thin-walled, cold-formed steel sections with modified cross-sectional shapes. A study was conducted, using 3D scanning techniques, to determine the most vulnerable geometric imperfections in the profiles. Based on a review of the literature, it has been determined that few researchers are studying thin-walled sections with modified cross-sectional shapes. Each additional bend in the section potentially generates geometric imperfections. Geometric imperfections significantly affect the resistance to loss of stability, which is crucial when analyzing thin-walled structures. In addition, the most critical locations along the length where these imperfections occur were determined. Based on the study, it was found that geometric imperfections cause a reduction in critical load. It should be noted that the tests performed are preliminary studies, based on which a program of further research will be developed. In addition, the article presents the current state of knowledge in the authors' field of interest. The future objective is to ascertain if these imperfections could potentially contribute positively to structural integrity. This enhanced understanding may pave the way for novel methodologies in structural engineering, wherein imperfections are viewed not solely as flaws but also as elements that could enhance the end product.

• 한국철도학회논문집
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.223-227
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• 2014

제동 패드는 철도차량의 기초제동요소 중 하나이다. 제동 패드는 제동 캘리퍼로부터 압부력을 전달받아 제동디스크와의 마찰력으로 철도차량에 제동작용을 한다. 따라서 제동 패드는 주어진 고압의 압부력을 견뎌야 하므로 제동 패드의 주요 성능평가항목으로 압축강도를 관리한다. 압축강도를 측정하는 규격은 KRS, KRCS, KRT 등이 있다. 이들 규격은 압축강도를 측정하기 위한 시험편의 크기를 $20mm{\times}10mm{\times}15mm$ (가로${\times}$세로${\times}$높이)로 규정하고 있다. 압축강도에 대한 불확도를 줄이기 위하여 불확도 요인을 분석한 결과, 단면의 치수를 변경함으로써 불확도를 줄일 수 있음을 알았다. 새로운 단면치수에 의한 불확도를 평가하여 불확도 감소에 대한 유효성을 입증하였다.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.333-345
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• 2020

In the past, many efficient profiles have been developed for cold-formed steel (CFS) members by judicious intermediate stiffening of the cross-sections, and they have shown improved structural performance over conventional CFS sections. Most of this research work was based on numerical modelling, thus lacking any experimental evidence of the efficiency of these sections. To fulfill this requirement, experimental studies were conducted in this study, on efficient intermediately stiffened CFS sections in flexure, which will result in easy and simple fabrication. Two series of built-up sections, open sections (OS) and box sections (BS), were fabricated and tested under four-point loading with same cross-sectional area. Test strengths, modes of failure, deformed shapes, load vs. mid-span displacements and geometric imperfections were measured and reported. The design strengths were quantified using North American Standards and Indian Standards for cold-formed steel structures. This study confirmed that efficient profiling of CFS sections can improve both the strength and stiffness performance by up to 90%. Closed sections showed better strength performance whereas open sections showed better stiffness performance.