• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.164-173
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• 2001

Objectives : Fatigue is a common symptom in primary medical care and has nonspecific and highly subjective features. So it has been difficult to define and measure fatigue, especially those present without any organic diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the validity of the Fatigue severity scale(FSS) in patients with persistent fatigue who were free of any organic diseases or psychiatric disorders of depression or anxiety. Methods : Subjects consisted of 45 controls, 44 fatigued patients and 43 psychiatric patients with depression or anxiety. They all completed the fatigue severity, modified Bepsi stress, and Hospital anxiety and depression scales. Chalder fatigue scale was administrated randomly in 30 of them. Data were analyzed for reliability and validity of the FSS. Results: Cronbach's a coeffient of FSS was 0.929, and the Pearson correlation coefficient for test-retest was 0.916(p<0.01). ANCOVA for discriminant validity revealed that there were significant differences in mean FSS values among the three groups. The fatigue group had significantly higher FSS value than the other two groups. The psychiatric group also had significantly higher FSS value than the control group. The Pearson correlation coefficient for convergent validity by comparing FSS with Chalder fatigue scale was 0.782(p<0.01). Using FSS index 3.22 as the cut-off point, sensitivity was 84.1% and specificity was 85.7% for the fatigue and control groups, respectively. Conclusion : Results suggested the clinical application of the FSS to be a useful measurement for distinguishing fatigue between patients with physiologic fatigue and psychiatric patients with depression or anxiety.

• Journal of Clinical Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.212-222
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• 2018

Background and Objectives : The purpose of this study was to compare the measured values of acoustic and auditory perceptual assessments between normal and functional dysphonia (FD) groups. Materials and Methods : 102 subjects with FD and 59 normal voice groups were participated in this study. Mid-vowel portion of the sustained vowel /a/ and two sentences of 'Sanchaek' were edited, concatenated, and analyzed by Praat script. And then auditory-perceptual (AP) rating was completed by three listeners. Results : The FD group showed higher acoustic voice quality index version 2.02 and version 3.01 (AVQIv2 and AVQIv3), slope, Hammarberg index (HAM), grade (G) and overall severity (OS), values than normal group. Additionally, smoothed cepstral peak prominence in Praat (PraatCPPS), tilt, low-to high spectral band energies (L/H ratio), long-term average spectrum (LTAS) in FD group were lower than normal voice group. And the correlation among measured values ranged from -0.250 to 0.960. In ROC curve analysis, cutoff values of AVQIv2, AVQIv3, PraatCPPS, slope, tilt, L/H ratio, HAM, and LTAS were 3.270, 2.013, 13.838, -22.286, -9.754, 369.043, 27.912, and 34.523, respectively, and the AUC of each analysis was over .890 in AVQIv2, AVQIv3, and PraatCPPS, over 0.731 in HAM, tilt, and slope, over 0.605 in LTAS and L/H ratio. Conclusions : In conclusion, AVQI and CPPS showed the highest predictive power for distinguishing between normal and FD groups. Acoustic analyses and AP rating as noninvasive examination can reinforce the screening capability of FD and help to establish efficient diagnosis and treatment process plan for FD.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop a screening tool that is simple and easy to use for assessing sleep problems, including hypersomnolence, restless legs syndrome, and insomnia. We also examined the reliability and validity of this tool. Methods: We developed the Sleep Problem Screening Questionnaire (SPSQ), which consists of three sub-sections: insomnia (SPSQi), hypersomnolence (SPSQh), and restless legs syndrome (SPSQr). Subsequently, the participants, consisting of 222 patients with insomnia disorder and 78 healthy individuals, completed both the SPSQ and the comparative scale (Korean version of the Insomnia Severity Index). The analysis was then conducted using this data. Results: The SPSQ demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity, as well as satisfactory internal consistency. A cutoff score of 6 on the SPSQi was found to be optimal for distinguishing individuals with insomnia. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the SPSQ is a reliable and valid tool for screening sleep problems among general adult population. However, there is a limitation as a comparison and validation with scales related to restless legs syndrome and hypersomnolence were not conducted.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.75-99
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• 2023

The current study aimed to explore the suicidal behaviors and risk factors of completed suicides using psychological autopsy and use them as index variables to classify suicidal types. In addition, this study looked into the influential factors that affect each suicidal type. related to suicidal behaviors and suicidal risk factors by psychological autopsy. In addiction, the distinctions among the classes were analyzed. For this, psychological autopsies were conducted on the families and the close ones of 128 completed suicides. Then, the index variables were finally chosen for classifying suicidal types. The selected index variables for suicidal risk factors were mental disorders, suicide/self-harm, significant changes in physical appearance, marital conflict, adjustment and relationship issues at work/school, unemployment/layoff, jobless status and serious financial problems. The selected index variables for suicidal behaviors were expressing their suicidal attempts, writing suicidal notes, asking for help, the time/place/method of suicidal behavior, past suicidal/self-harm experience and the first person who witnessed the suicide. The Latent Class Analysis(LCA) and the 3-step method were used for classifying suicidal types. Then external variables(financial changes, cohabitation, existence of stressors, changes in stress level or relationships and family members with mental disorder/alchohol problems/ physical disorders, and work/school stisfaction) were applied for distinguishing classes. As a result, 5 classes(financial problems, adjustment problems, complex problems, psychiatric problems, and response to event[s]) were revealed on suicidal behaviors and 3 classes(residence- suicidal attempt- found by family, nonresidence- nonsuicidal attempt- found by acquaintances, residence- nonsuicidal attempt- found by family) were presented on suicidal risk factors. External variables such as gender, marital status, cohabitation, changes in relationships significantly differentiated among the 3 classes. Especially, class 3(residence- nonsuicidal attempt- found by family) tended to cohabit with others, were married, and had a significantly high level of interpersonal conflicts. When comparing the 5 classes of suicidal risk factors, auxiliary variables such as economic changes, cohabitation, stress, relationship changes, and family-related problems, and school/work satisfaction significantly differentiated the 5 classes. Especially class 3 (complex problems) experienced comparatively less family-related problems, but showed an aggravating level of personal stress. Suicial prevention strategies should be provided considering the characteristics of each class and the influential factors.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.664-672
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• 2012

As an artificial light source, light-emitting diode (LED) with a short wavelength range can be used in closed-type plant production systems. Among various wavelength ranges in visible light, individual light spectra induce distinguishing influences on plant growth and development. In this study, we determined the effects of monochromatic LEDs on leaf shape index, growth and the accumulation of phytochemicals in a red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. 'Sunmang') and a green leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. 'Grand rapid TBR'). Lettuce seedlings grown under normal growing conditions ($20^{\circ}C$, fluorescent lamp + high pressure sodium lamp, $130{\pm}5{\mu}mmol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, 12 hours photoperiod) for 18 days were transferred into incubators at $20^{\circ}C$ equipped with various monochromatic LEDs (blue LED, 456 nm; green LED, 518 nm; red LED, 654 nm; white LED, 456 nm + 558 nm) under the same light intensity and photoperiod ($130{\pm}7{\mu}mmol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, 12 hours photoperiod). Leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, shoot/root ratio, SPAD value, total phenolic concentration, antioxidant capacity, and the expression of a key gene involved in the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), were measured at 9 and 23 days after transplanting. The leaf shape indexes of both lettuce cultivars subjected to blue or white LEDs were similar with those of control during whole growth stage. However, red and green LEDs induced significantly higher leaf shape index than the other treatments. The green LED had a negative impact on the lettuce growth. Most of growth characteristics such as fresh and dry weights of shoots and leaf area were the highest in both cultivars subjected to red LED treatment. In case of red leaf lettuce plants, shoot fresh weight under red LED was 3.8 times higher than that under green LED at 23 days after transplanting. In contrast, the accumulation of chlorophyll, phenolics including antioxidants in lettuce plants showed an opposite trend compared with growth. SPAD value, total phenolic concentration, and antioxidant capacity of lettuce grown under blue LED were significantly higher than those under other LED treatments. In addition, PAL gene was remarkably activated by blue LED at 9 days after transplanting. Thus, this study suggested that the light quality using LEDs is a crucial factor for morphology, growth, and phytochemicals of two lettuce cultivars.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.3B
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• pp.153-159
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• 2012

In this study, we proposed modified settling basins transformed by substituting the downstream sill for low head weirs such as generic labyrinth weir and inclined crest labyrinth weir worked as internal baffles. Laboratory experiments were carried out to understand hydraulic characteristics inside of the settling basin to improve the efficiency of sedimentation rate. For a quantitative analysis, we suggested the headwater ratio($H_t/P$), the magnification ratio(L/W) and the inflow rate per total crest length($q_L$) as primary analysis indexes for sedimentation efficiency. Six different types of settling basin were used for labscaled pilot tests by distinguishing with internal structures. Based on results, the variation of headwater ratio with the change of magnification ratio would highly affect the deposition efficiency(%) and it was improved under specific condition that repeating arrange number(N) of labyrinth weir was between 2 and 4. Also, the regression analysis showed that initial condition and shape for improving sedimentation efficiency were plotted on the graph for both $q_L{\geq}3.5cm^2/s$ and $L/W{\leq}3.5$. It would be expected that the geometrically optimized labyrinth settling basin could be designed with proper deposition efficiency for inflow rates of influent and required area of settling basin utilizing the proposed analysis index in this study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.893-901
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• 2017

Objective: Hypocalcemia is an important metabolic disease of dairy cows during the transition period, although the effect of hypocalcemia on biological function in dairy cows remains unknown. Methods: In this study, proteomic, mass spectrum, bioinformatics and western blotting were employed to identify differentially expressed proteins related to serum Ca concentration. Serum samples from dairy cows were collected at three time points: 3rd days before calving (day -3), the day of calving (day 0), and 3rd days after calving (day +3). According to the Ca concentration on day 0, a total of 27 dairy cows were assigned to one of three groups (clinical, subclinical, and healthy). Samples collected on day -3 were used for discovery of differentially expressed proteins, which were separated and identified via proteomic analysis and mass spectrometry. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to determine the function of the identified proteins (gene ontology and pathway analysis). The differentially expressed proteins were verified by western blot analysis. Results: There were 57 differential spots separated and eight different proteins were identified. Vitamin D-binding protein precursor (group-specific component, GC), alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) protein, and apolipoprotein A-IV were related to hypocalcemia by bioinformatics analysis. Due to its specific expression (up-regulated in clinical hypocalcemia and down-regulated in subclinical hypocalcemia), A2M was selected for validation. The results were consistent with those of proteomic analysis. Conclusion: A2M was as an early detection index for distinguishing clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia. The possible pathogenesis of clinical hypocalcemia caused by GC and apolipoprotein A-IV was speculated. The down-regulated expression of GC was a probable cause of the decrease in calcium concentration.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.8 no.1 s.27
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• pp.77-87
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• 2006

Dynamic stability (DS) in the wheel tracking (WT) test is used as a basic index of rut-resistance for asphalt mixtures. In general, the deeper rut depth is obtained from the weaker mixture, resulting in the lower DS value. On the other hand, the shallower rut depth is obtained from the stronger mixture, resulting in the higher DS. However, it is not always the case when the DS is calculated by the existing method because the DS is simply determined based on the slope at the final stage of the rut depth-cycle curve. Specifically, in the case of the depth-cycle curve showing a steeper slope in the early part but flatter slope in last part, the DS is calculated to be higher than the curve showing a ever-increasing slope throughout the test. As long as the last part of slope is flatter, the deeper final rut depth is evaluated to show a higher DS than the little final rut depth. Therefore, a reasonable method for DS evaluation need to be established. Several new methods were suggested by considering the early, middle and final parts of rut depth to determine a reasonable DS. The results have shown that those new methods have demonstrated a significant improvement in distinguishing similarly performing mixtures. The result also showed that $DS_2$ had better correlation with SD than any other methods , representing the rutting resistance of asphalt mixture very well. The new DS calculation method is relatively simple and easy to follow. More validatin study is required for practical application.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2 s.66
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• pp.145-154
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• 2006

Objectives : Methods to evaluate obesity are growing to be important in studying links between health and disease. Physicians are using BMI (body mass index) to evaluate obesity, but they can't know how much fat the body has by using that method. Even though there are several assessments, there are different scales, so patients are diagnosed as obese, by some but not by others. These studies are limited in evaluating obesity; it is necessary to study based on new knowledge. According to Oriental Medical Theory, obese people are categorized into 3 types, Fei, Kao and Liu Ren. They have different pathology and body shapes than non-obese people. The relationship between Oriental Medical Theory and BMI and assessment of body fat is a fundamental need to easily approach and treat obesity. Methods : At 00 Oriental Medical Center, 145 female subjects who intended to lose weight were given physical tests and grouped into 5 types of obesity. The physical tests were height measurement, BMI, body composition (body fat mass and lean body mass), skin elasticity and physical strength tests. One-way analysis of variance was done to compare the means of physical tests between the five types of obese women. There was some relationship between characteristics of the five types based on physical tests and Fei, Kao and Liu Ren based on Oriental Medical Theory. Least significant difference (LSD) was used in multiple comparisons. Results : 1. According to the skin elasticity test, obesity type 5 placed between obesity types 3 and 4 and obesity types 1 and 2. Obesity types 3 and 4 were in the low skin elasticity result group; obesity types 1 and 2 were in the high ones (p<0.1).Based on Oriental Medical Theory, Fei Ren and Kao Ren can be distinguished by skin elasticity degree. This result should form the basis of obesity diagnosis. 2. According to Oriental Medical Theory, Fei Ren is smaller than others. Based on height measurement, obesity types 3 and 4 were significantly lower than other obesity types (p<0.1), so there is a relationship between Fei Ren and obesity types 3 & 4. 3. There were significant differences between obesity type 2 and obesity type 4 in the body fat mass result (p<0.1). This study did not have large enough a sample size to distinguish Liu Ren. Conclusions : Further clinical research is necessary to study measurement methods of body shape type and skin elasticity for distinguishing Fei Ren from Kao Ren. The diagnosis and treatment based on the relationship of these types should be studied further.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2014

Although adolescents usually show peculiar aspects in oral health status, there have been not so many studies about it, while there have been innumerable studies for children. This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of dental caries of adolescents in Yangsan in Republic of Korea, detecting its contributing factors, and distinguishing the high-risk group by epidemiological mass survey. Besides, the significance including early caries lesion in diagnosis criteria was assessed with minimal invasive concept. This survey was performed on 1,371 adolescents aged 14 to 16 in Yangsan as subject examinees by a single trained examiner. The dental caries status was checked by oral examination at schools and questionnaire survey was accompanied for some relevant risk factors. The data were analyzed to yield the results as follows: Regarding the caries experience, the DMFT score by WHO criteria with ECL including or not was 4.79 and 3.97 respectively. In both the criteria, female showed higher values and that of high-risk group was almost twice compared with whole examinees by Sic Index. About pit & fissure sealed rate, it revealed the tendency that the more sealed teeth, the lower DMFT values. Among the studied risk factors, only the habit of brushing before going to bed showed positive relationship (p < 0.05).