• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.92-101
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• 2023

Background: Stroke is one of the causes affecting gait and balance. Taping is considered an effective method for improving balance and gait in stroke patients. Numerous studies have confirmed the functional effects of taping in stroke patients. However, there is still no consensus regarding the use of taping to improve gait and balance. Objects: The purpose of this review was to investigate the effects of taping on the balance and gait of patients with stroke through meta-analysis of studies. Methods: PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Review, RISS, DBPia, and Science on were used to collect articles on Kinesio and non-elastic taping. The key terms were "Stroke", "Hemiplegia", "Taping", "Tape", "Balance", and "Gait" with cut-off of October, 2022. Taping group was compared with control groups with sham, placebo, and no taping. The outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and gait speed (cm/s). Eighteen studies (524 patients) were selected for the meta-analysis. Results: Overall, taping improved balance and gait in stroke patients, and Kinesio and non-elastic taping had similar effect sizes. Taping improved the BBS and TUG, and was most effective on gait speed. Contrary to the expectation that a longer duration of taping would be more affective, taping was most effective when the total taping duration was shorter than 500 minutes. In addition, the effect size of taping was greater when it was simultaneously attached to multiple locations. Conclusion: This meta-analysis supports the use of taping to improve gait and balance in stroke patients, and provides guidelines for the location, duration, and type of tape to increase taping efficiency.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.381-392
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• 2023

This study experimentally investigates the flexural behavior of steel-UHPC composite slabs composed of an innovative negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) steel plate and Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) slab connected via demountable high-strength bolt shear connectors. Eight demountable composite slab specimens were fabricated and tested under traditional four-point bending method. The effects of loading histories (positive and negative bending moment), types of steel plate (NPR steel plate and Q355 steel plate) and spacings of high-strength bolts (150 mm, 200 mm and 250 mm) on the flexural behavior of demountable composite slab, including failure mode, load-deflection curve, interface relative slip, crack width and sectional strain distribution, were evaluated. The results revealed that under positive bending moment, the failure mode of composite slabs employing NPR steel plate was distinct from that with Q355 steel plate, which exhibited that part of high-strength bolts was cut off, part of pre-embedded padded extension nuts was pulled out, and UHPC collapsed due to instantaneous instability and etc. Besides, under the same spacing of high-strength bolts, NPR steel plate availably delayed and restrained the relative slip between steel plate and UHPC plate, thus significantly enhanced the cooperative deformation capacity, flexural stiffness and load capacity for composite slabs further. While under negative bending moment, NPR steel plate effectively improved the flexural capacity and deformation characteristics of composite slabs, but it has no obvious effect on the initial flexural stiffness of composite slabs. Meanwhile, the excellent crack-width control ability for UHPC endowed composite members with better durability. Furthermore, according to the sectional strain distribution analysis, due to the negative Poisson's ratio effect and high yield strength of NPR steel plate, the tensile strain between NPR steel plate and UHPC layer held strain compatibility during the whole loading process, and the magnitude of upward movement for sectional plastic neutral axis could be ignored with the increase of positive bending moment.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.263-275
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• 2023

The electron transport properties of Y-type zigzag branched carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of great significance for micro and nano carbon-based electronic devices and their interconnection. Based on the semi-empirical method combining tight-binding density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function, the electron transport properties between the branches of Y-type zigzag branched CNT are studied. The results show that the drain-source current of semiconducting Y-type zigzag branched CNT (8, 0)-(4, 0)-(4, 0) is cut-off and not affected by the gate voltage in a bias voltage range [-0.5 V, 0.5 V]. The current presents a nonlinear change in a bias voltage range [-1.5 V, -0.5 V] and [0.5 V, 1.5 V]. The tangent slope of the current-voltage curve can be changed by the gate voltage to realize the regulation of the current. The regulation effect under negative bias voltage is more significant. For the larger diameter semiconducting Y-type zigzag branched CNT (10, 0)-(5, 0)-(5, 0), only the value of drain-source current increases due to the larger diameter. For metallic Y-type zigzag branched CNT (12, 0)-(6, 0)-(6, 0), the drain-source current presents a linear change in a bias voltage range [-1.5 V, 1.5 V] and is symmetrical about (0, 0). The slope of current-voltage line can be changed by the gate voltage to realize the regulation of the current. For three kinds of Y-type zigzag branched CNT with different diameters and different conductivity, the current-voltage curve trend changes from decline to rise when the branch of drain-source is exchanged. The current regulation effect of semiconducting Y-type zigzag branched CNT under negative bias voltage is also more significant.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.409-418
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• 2012

A modified standardized precipitation index was developed by considering the length of dry period and surface run-off effect. The official reports and newspapers on drought from 1973 to 2009 were quantified to evaluate drought indices. The developed index was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic analysis. In order to suggest improved drought index, we cut the precipitation amount that may do not contribute the mitigation of drought and weight dry period by considering cumulative distribution, decile distribution of dry periods. Drought detection capability of the suggested index has improved by weighting of dry period effects and considering precipitation amounts contributing drought mitigation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.267-267
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• 2012

최근 국내 반도체 장비 업체들에 의해서 차세대 반도체용 450 mm 웨이퍼 공정용 장비 개발이 진행 중에 있다. 반도체 산업은 계속해서 반도체 칩의 크기를 작게 하고, 웨이퍼 크기를 늘리면서 웨이퍼 당 칩수를 증가시켜 생산성을 향상해오고 있다. 현재 300 mm 웨이퍼에서 450 mm 웨이퍼를 도입하게 되면, 생산성 뿐만 아니라 30%의 비용절감과 50%의 cycle-time 단축이 기대되고 있다. 장비에 대한 이해와 공정에 대한 해석 능력을 위해 비용과 시간이 많이 들기 때문에 최근 컴퓨터를 활용한 수치 모델링이 진행되고 있다. 또한, 수치 모델링은 실험 결과와의 비교가 필수적이다. 본 연구에서는 450 mm 웨이퍼 공정용 장비의 전자밀도를 cut off probe를 통해 100 mTorr에 서 Ar 플라즈마를 파워에 따라 측정했다. 13.56 MHz 200 W, 500 W, 1,000 W로 입력 파워가 증가하면서 웨이퍼 중심에서 $6.0{\times}10^9#/cm^3$, $1.35{\times}10^{10}#/cm^3$, $2.4{\times}10^{10}#/cm^3$로 증가했다. 450 mm 웨이퍼 영역에서 전자 밀도의 불균일도는 각각 10.31%, 3.24%, 4.81% 였다. 또한, 이 450 mm 웨이퍼용 CCP 장비를 축대칭 2차원으로 형상화하고, 전극에 13.56 MHz를 직렬로 연결된 blocking capacitor ($1{\times}10^{-6}$ F/$m^2$)를 통해 인가할 수 있도록 상용 유체 모델 소프트웨어(CFD-ACE+, EXI corp)를 이용하여 계산하였다. 주요 전자-중성 충돌 반응으로 momentum transfer, ionization, excitation, two-step ionization을 고려했고, $Ar^+$와 $Ar^*$의 표면 재결합 반응은 sticking coefficient를 1로 가정했다. CFD-ACE+의 CCP 모델을 통해 Poisson 방정식을 풀어서 sheath와 wave effect를 고려하였다. Stochastic heating을 고려하지 않았을 때, 플라즈마 흡수 파워가 80 W, 160 W, 240 W에서 실험 투입 전력 200 W, 500 W, 1,000 W일 때와 유사한 반경 방향의 플라즈마 밀도 분포를 보였다. 200 W, 500 W, 1,000 W일 때의 전자밀도 분포는 수치 모델링과 전 범위에서 각각 10%, 3%, 2%의 오차를 보였다. 450 mm의 전극에 13.56 MHz의 전력을 인가할 때, 파워가 증가할수록 전자밀도의 최대값의 위치가 웨이퍼 edge에서 중심으로 이동하고 있음을 실험과 모델링을 통해 확인할 수 있었다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5665-5669
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• 2012

Background: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mediates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis through promoting endothelial cell growth, migration and mitosis, and has involvement in cancer pathogenesis, progression and metastasis. However, the prognostic value of VEGF in patients with prostate cancer remains controversial. Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value of VEGF in prostate cancer, and summarise the results of related research on VEGF. Methods: In accordance with an established search strategy, 11 studies with 1,529 patients were included in our meta-analysis. The correlation of VEGF-expression with overall survival and progression-free survival was evaluated by hazard ratio, either given or calculated. Results: The studies were categorized by introduction of the author, demographic data in each study, prostate cancer-relatived information, VEGF cut-off value, VEGF subtype, methods of hazard ratio (HR) estimation and its 95% confidence interval (CI). High VEGF-expression in prostate cancer is a poor prognostic factor with statistical significance for OS (HR=2.32, 95%CI: 1.40-3.24). However, high VEGF-expression showed no effect on poor PFS (HR=1.30, 95%CI: 0.88-1.72). Using Begg's, Egger's test and funnel plots, we confirmed lack of publication bias in our analysis. Conclusion: VEGF might be regarded as a prognostic maker for prostate cancer, as supported by our meta-analysis. To achieve a more definitive conclusion enabling the clinical use of VEGF in prostate cancer, we need more high-quality interventional original studies following agreed research approaches or standards.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5829-5834
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• 2012

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Although different metabolic factors have been implicated in breast cancer development, the relationship between hypertension and breast cancer has not been elucidated. Aim: To evaluate hypertension as a risk factor for breast cancer in Chilean women of low and middle socio-economic status. Methods: We conducted an age-matched (1:1) case-control study in 3 hospitals in Santiago, Chile. Breast cancer cases (n=170) were histopathologically confirmed. Controls had been classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System I (negative) or II (benign findings) within 6 months of recruitment. Blood pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer and standardized procedures. We used 2 hypertension cut-off points: blood pressures of ${\geq}140/90$ mmHg and ${\geq}130/85$ mmHg. Fasting insulin and glucose levels were assessed, and anthropometric, sociodemographic, and behavioral information were collected. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for the entire sample and restricted to postmenopausal women using multivariable conditional logistic regression models. Results: Hypertension (${\geq}140/90$ mmHg) was significantly higher in cases (37.1%) than controls (17.1%) for the entire sample and in postmenopausal pairs (44.0% compared to 23.8%). In crude and adjusted models, hypertensive women had a 4-fold increased risk of breast cancer (adjusted odds ratio: 4.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.8; 9.6) compared to non-hypertensive women in the entire sample. We found a similar association in the postmenopausal group (adjusted odds ratio: 2.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.1; 7.4). A significant effect was also observed when hypertension was defined as blood pressure of ${\geq}130/85$ mmHg. Conclusion: A significant association was found between hypertension and breast cancer over the entire sample and when restricted to postmenopausal women. Hypertension is highly prevalent in Latin America and may be a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer; therefore, a small association between hypertension and breast cancer may have broad implications.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.1D
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• pp.23-31
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• 2012

Busan Metropolitan City government has been implementing the local Bus Quasi-Public Operating policy since 2007. As a result of the policy, financial burden to cover financial deficit has become a big social issue. For successful settlement of the policy, the government should be able to gradually cut off the financial support for the deficit by continuously increasing the bus demand, which can be accomplished by providing more convenient bus services. The weather conditions that affect the public transportation demand include rain, fog and snow. They affect the mode choice for public transportation use, which in turn results in decrease in bus demand. In short, the adverse weather conditions result in significant profit loss of bus transportation, and consequently it financially burdens the City of Busan. In this research, the pattern of travelers' use of transportation modes given various weather conditions was analyzed. In addition, the reasons why people transfer from one to other transportation modes were analyzed by conducting a field survey, and policy implications on desirable public transportation facilities and transfer system were discussed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.615-625
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• 2005

Objectives : Poststroke depression is a frequent and specific entity that impaires the rehabilliation and functional recovery of patients with hemiplegia. The author evaluated the effect of Banhahubak-tang(Banxiahoupotang) in patients with poststroke depression. Methods : 38 patients suffering from poststroke depression(determined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, revised. 3rd edition. and Beck Depression Inventory[BDI] cutoff $point{\geqq}10$) in Kyunghee Oriental hospital were randomized into two groups; treatment group(n=19) and control group(n=19). The treatment group was prescribed with Banhahubak-tang(Banxiahoupotang) three times a day fur a week. Control troop was prescribed with other herbal medicines used for stroke Patients three times a day for a week. Patients were evaluated by use of BDI scale, Modified Barthel Index, Depression of Ki score, Yin syndrome score, and Yang syndrome score. Among 38 patients, 24 patients got BDI scores above 21, which is the cut-off score for depression in Korean. The same procedures and assessments described above were applied. Results : Treatment group did not significantly improve compared with control group. Results yielded only slight significance (P=0.086). Especially. patients with poststroke depression as yin syndrome improved more significantly on BDI than those classified as yang syndrome. When BDI cutoff point for depression was defined as being ${\geq}\;21$, treatment group did not significantly improve compared with control group(P=0.114). However, patients with poststroke depression classified as yin syndrome were also significantly improved on BDI than those classified as yang syndrome. Conclusions : This study suggests that Banhahubak-tang(Banxiahoupotang) is significantly effective in patients with poststroke depression classified as yin syndrome.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4691-4698
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• 2015

Background: The tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is an important negative regulator of cell-survival signaling. However, available results for the prognostic value of PTEN expression in patients with cancer remain controversial. Therefore, a meta-analysis of published studies investigating this issue was performed. Materials and Methods: A literature search via PubMed and EMBASE databases was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed by using the STATA 12.0 (STATA Corp., College, TX). Data from eligible studies were extracted and included into the meta-analysis using a random effects model. Results: A total of 3,810 patients from 27 studies were included in the meta-analysis, 22 investigating the relationship between PTEN expression and overall survival (OS) using univariate analysis, and nine with multivariate analysis. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for OS was 1.64 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-2.05) by univariate analysis and 1.56 (95% CI: 1.20-2.03) by multivariate analysis. In addition, eight papers including two disease-free-survival analyses (DFSs), four relapse-free-survival analyses (RFSs), three progression-free-survival analyses (PFSs) and one metastasis-free-survival analysis (MFS) reported the effect of PTEN on survival. The results showed that loss of PTEN expression was significant correlated with poor prognosis, with a combined HR of 1.74 (95% CI: 1.24-2.44). Furthermore, in the stratified analysis by the year of publication, ethnicity, cancer type, method, cut-off value, median follow-up time and neoadjuvant therapy in which the study was conducted, we found that the ethnicity, cancer type, method, median follow-up time and neoadjuvant therapy are associated with prognosis. Conclusions: Our study shows that negative or loss of expression of PTEN is associated with worse prognosis in patients with cancer. However, adequately designed prospective studies need to be performed for confirmation.