• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3565-3572
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and leading cause of death worldwide, including in Turkey. High perceptions of cancer fatalism are associated with lower rates of participation in screening for breast cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of breast cancer fatalism and other factors on breast cancer awareness among nursing students in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at three universities in the Western Black Sea region. The sample was composed of 838 nursing students. Data were collected by Personal Information Form, Powe Fatalism Inventory (PFI) and Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Results: Breast cancer fatalism perception of the students was at a low level. It was determined that students; seriousness perception was moderate, health motivation, BSE benefits and BSE self-efficacy perceptions were high, and BSE barriers and sensitivity perceptions were low. In addition, it was determined that students awareness of breast cancer was affected by breast cancer fatalism, class level, family history of breast cancer, knowledge on BSE, source of information on BSE, frequency of BSE performing, having breast examination by a healthcare professional within the last year and their health beliefs. Conclusions: In promoting breast cancer early diagnosis behaviour, it is recommended to evaluate fatalism perceptions and health beliefs of the students and to arrange training programs for this purpose.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.412-417
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• 2013

Analytical modeling of photovoltaic power systems has been receiving significant attentions in recent years in that it is easy to apply for prediction of its dynamics and fault detection and diagnosis in advanced engineering technologies. This paper presents a novel probabilistic modeling approach for such power systems with a big data sequence. Firstly, we express input/output function of photovoltaic power systems in which solar irradiation and ambient temperature are regarded as input variable and electric power is output variable respectively. Based on this functional relationship, conditional probability for these three random variables(such as irradiation, temperature, and electric power) is mathematically defined and its estimation is accomplished from ratio of numbers of all sample data to numbers of cases related to two input variables, which is efficient in particular for a big data sequence of photovoltaic powers systems. Lastly, we predict the output values from a probabilistic model of photovoltaic power systems by using the expectation theory. Two case studies are carried out for testing reliability of the proposed modeling methodology in this paper.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.659-663
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• 2013

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus (ESCC) is one of the most common cancers in China. Preserved vegetables are processed foods and consumed in high amounts in the high risk areas for ESCC. This study aimed to investigate the relationships of preserved vegetable consumption with ESCC and precancer lesions. Methods: Cases from Yanting cancer hospital with pathological diagnosis of primary cancer, along with controls and individuals diagnosed with precancer lesions by endoscopy with iodine staining were interviewed. Trained staff collected data on dietary habits 1 year before the interview. An unconditional logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios of preserved vegetable consumption for precancer lesions and cancer. Results: Adjusting for potential confounders, intake of preserved vegetables (OR=2.92, 95%CI 1.32~6.47) and longer intake period (OR=5.78, 95%CI 2.26~14.80) were associated with higher risk of ESCC. Compared with lowest intake frequency, the highest was associated with a 3.0-fold risk for precancer lesions and 3.59-fold risk for ESCC (both p<0.05). Conclusion: Consumption of preserved vegetables is a risk factor for esophageal lesions in high risk areas. The carcinogenicity of preserved vegetables needs investigation in further studies and the public health strategies for reducing the consumption might be initiated in high risk areas.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.769-779
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• 1995

The understanding the nature of occlusal tooth contacts of natural dentition is important for correct diagnosis and treatment of diseases developed in stomatognatic system. Several investigator have studied the distribution of tooth contacts in maximum intercuspation and have repored contact locations with respect to the tooth position. However, there are few report the variation of the occlusal contact point with change in each head position. This study analysed the number of occlusal contact point with change in each head position. 30 subject(male 17, female 13), who ahad natural occlusion and no symptoms of temporomandibular disorder, were selected. The numbers and patterns of tooth contact were recorded by silicone bite registration on stone model at four different head positions with head anguration gauge(from the supine to the upright position). The results obtained were as follows : 1. The numbers of total occlusal contact point on teeth increased to average 25, 29, 35, 42 points as head angulation was changed from the supine to the upright position against the ala-tragus line, and there was significant difference(P<0.05). 2. In the 19 subject(65%)of total 30 subject, the perforated point of the silicone bite indicated that the locus for the prime contact point moved mesially as the head angulation was changed from the supine to the upright position. 3. On the basis of the fact that the anterior occlusal contact point increase as head angulation changed from the supine to the upright position, we could find that the mandibular position is moved anteriorly.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2008

The aim of this paper is to establish the evaluation system of port logistics of Incheon using the QFD(Quality Function Deployment) model. The research methodology is consisted of four phases. The first step is to investigate the important factors consisting the port logistics of Incheon and then calculate the weighting of factors by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The second step is to draw out the degree of inter-relation among factors by Fuzzy Subordination Relations (FSR). At the third step, the established system through the QFD method using results of the first and second steps will be used to evaluate and diagnosis the level of port logistics of Incheon. Finally, the sensitivity analysis will be performed and the degree of improving port logistics will be presented according to the rising the relevant factors.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.231-236
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• 2014

The transit time of contrast agents and the parameters of time-intensity curves in ultrasonography are important factors to diagnose various diseases of a digestive organ. We have implemented an automatic parametric imaging method to overcome the difficulty of the diagnosis by naked eyes. However, the micro-bubble noise and the respiratory motions may degrade the reliability of the parameter images. In this paper, we introduce an optimization technique based on MRF(Markov Random Field) model to enhance the quality of the parameter images, and present an image tracking algorithm to compensate the image distortion by respiratory motions. A method to extract the respiration periods from the ultrasound image sequence has been developed. We have implemented the ROI(Region of Interest) tracking algorithm using the dynamic weights and a momentum factor based on these periods. An energy function is defined for the Gibbs sampler of the image enhancement method. Through the experiments using the data to diagnose liver lesions, we have shown that the proposed method improves the quality of the parametric images.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.7
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• pp.251-255
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• 2015

Purpose: The widespread introduction of bacterial conjugate vaccines has decreased the risk of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis due to bacterial meningitis (BM) in children. However, most patients with CSF pleocytosis are hospitalized and treated with parenteral antibiotics for several days. The bacterial meningitis score (BMS) is a validated multivariate model derived from a pediatric population in the postconjugate vaccine era and has been evaluated in several studies. In the present study, we examined the usefulness of BMS in South Korean patients. Methods: This study included 1,063 patients with CSF pleocytosis aged between 2 months and 18 years. The BMS was calculated for all patients, and the sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of the test were evaluated. Results: Of 1,063 patients, 1,059 (99.6%) had aseptic meningitis (AM). Only four patients (0.4%) had BM. The majority of patients (98%) had a BMS of ${\leq}1$, indicating a diagnosis of AM. The BMS was 0 in 635 patients (60%) and 1 in 405 patients (38%). All four BM patients had a BMS of ${\geq}4$. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the diagnostic strength of the BMS in South Korea. In our study, the BMS showed 100% sensitivity and 100% NPV. Therefore, we believe that the BMS is a good clinical prediction rule to identify children with CSF pleocytosis who are at a risk of BM.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.271-272
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• 1998

Contrast-enhanced CT has an important role in the assessment of liver lesions. However, the optimal protocol to get most effective result is not clear. The main principle for deciding injection protocol is to optimize lesion detectability by rapid scanning when lesion-to-liver contrast is maximum. For this purpose, we developed a physiological model of contrast medium enhancement based on the compartment modeling and pharmacokinetics. Blood supply to liver was modeled in two paths. This dual supply character distinguishes the CT enhancement of liver from that of the other organs. The first path is by hepatic artery and the second is by portal vein. It is assumed that only hepatic artery can supply blood to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compartment. It is known that this causes the difference of contrast enhancement between normal liver tissue and hepatic tumor. By solving differential equations for each compartment simultaneously using computer program Matlab, CT contrast-enhancement curves were simulated. Simulated enhancement curves for aortic, hepatic, portal vein, and HCC compartments were compared with mean enhancement curves from 24 patients exposed to the same protocols as simulation. These enhancement curves were in a good agreement. Furthermore, we simulated lesion-to-liver curves for various injection protocols, and analyzed the effects. These may help to optimize the scanning protocols for good diagnosis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.276-285
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• 2020

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges in severity from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis. Early detection of NAFLD is important for preventing the disease from progressing to become an irreversible end-stage liver disease. We developed a nomogram that allows for non-invasive screening for NAFLD in obese children. Methods: Anthropometric and laboratory data of 180 patients from our pediatric obesity clinic were collected. Diagnoses of NAFLD were based on abdominal ultrasonographic findings. The nomogram was constructed using predictors from a multivariate analysis of NAFLD risk factors. Results: The subjects were divided into non-NAFLD (n=67) and NAFLD groups (n=113). Factors, including sex, body mass index, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, insulin resistance, and levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT), uric acid, triglycerides, and insulin, were significantly different between the two groups (all p<0.05) as determined using homeostatis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). In our multivariate logistic regression analysis, elevated serum ALT, γGT, and triglyceride levels were significantly related to NAFLD development. The nomogram was established using γGT, uric acid, triglycerides, HOMA-IR, and ALT as predictors of NAFLD probability. Conclusion: The newly developed nomogram may help predict NAFLD risk in obese children. The nomogram may also allow for early NAFLD diagnosis without the need for invasive liver biopsy or expensive liver imaging, and may also allow clinicians to intervene early to prevent the progression of NAFLD to become a more advanced liver disease.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.349-357
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• 2013

Background: Although interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) is now available alternatives to tuberculin skin test (TST) for detection of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), the cost of IGRA test is much higher than TST. So economic analysis of LTBI screening strategies have been done in many countries, but there are few reports in Korea. This study examined cost analysis of LTBI screening strategies in Korea. Methods: The economic outcomes were evaluated by five strategies. These were 1) TST alone, 2) IGRA alone, 3) combination of TST and IGRA (TST followed by IGRA) and 4) no testing no prevention, 5) no testing all prevention. Last two strategies were added to compare with three main LTBI screening strategies. Decision analysis model were used to perform economic analysis. A cohort study of Korean Institute of Tuberculosis and the data of published literatures were used to estimate the cost analysis. Results: In a base-case scenario which was assumed that TST specificity was 80%, TST alone was the least expensive strategy. In a alternative scenario which was assumed that TST specificity was 97%, the combination of TST and IGRA was the least expensive strategy. Sensitivity analysis shows that patients adherent rate to LTBI treatment, TST sensitivity, IGRA sensitivity and IGRA specificity did not have a significant impact on the outcomes. Conclusion: In Korea, for the diagnosis of LTBI at the time of child and adolescent, TST alone reduces medical costs compared with IGRA alone or combination of TST and IGRA.