• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.433-445
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• 2012

Purpose: In order to validate empirically the theoretical model of this study subjects, who were limited in Andong gun, Youngyang gun, Uiseong gun, Bonghwa gun, Chilgok gun, Cheongsong gun according to residence-specified distribution and over aged 65, were focused to the elderly in rural areas with geographical characteristics where they have difficulties in accessibility of dental facilities and dental care. Methods: The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS 19.0 program. First, the frequency analysis was performed for each independent variable and the dependent variable. Second, reliability analysis and correlation analysis were conducted for daily living skills and Biomedical Vigilance. Third, multivariate analysis was performed in terms of and the post-administration management. Fourth, multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting the post-management of dentures and the period of using dentures. Results: By results of the multiple regression analysis, the elder the subjects are(${\beta}$ = 0.03), the lower their income activities are(${\beta}$ = -0.18), the smaller their monthly allowances are(${\beta}$ = -0.16), the worse their daily activity skills are(${\beta}$ = -0.12), the more they were mounted their dentures by an unlicensed contractor(${\beta}$ = 0.07), and the more they cost to their dentures(${\beta}$ = 0.14), the longer the period of use dentures are. And the beneficiaries of Basic Livelihood Security(${\beta}$ = -0.14) who got free denture business are shorten the period of using dentures. According to multiple regression analysis for post management of dentures, the independent variables like the health education(${\beta}$ = 0.24), smoking(${\beta}$ = -0.18), periodic oral examination(${\beta}$ = 0.13), dentures mounted by an unlicensed contractor(${\beta}$ = -0.13) are shown statistically significant results. In that study subjects are taking part in health education and non-smokers, they are likely to have more chances to post management for their dentures like periodic oral examination. However the subjects who were weared their denture by an unlicensed contractor get less chance to post management for their dentures. Conclusion: As the elderly who want to wear denture are increasing due to the denture insurance for the elderly, the need for oral health education for the elderly is an urgent request, especially continuos education for the way of use their dentures and follow-up management for the elderly who were already mounted their dentures. And also, the need for more systematic researches is requested for securing objective data.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2016

Objectives: Scrub typhus is one of the most prevalent vector-borne diseases. It is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted when people are bitten by infected chigger mites. This study aims at quantifying the association between the incidence of scrub typhus and meteorological factors in Jeollabuk-do Province over the period 2001-2015. Methods: Reported cases of scrub typhus were collected from the website of the Disease Web Statistical System supported by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Simultaneous meteorological data, including temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, and sunshine duration were collected from the website of the National Climate Data Service System by the Korea Meteorological Administration. Correlation and regression analyses were applied to identify the association between the incidence of scrub typhus and meteorological factors. Results: The general epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus in Jeollabuk-do Province were similar to those nationwide for sex, age, and geographical distribution. However, the annual incidence rate (i.e., cases per 100,000) of scrub typhus in Jeollabuk-do Province was approximately four times higher than all Korea's 0.9. The number of total cases was the highest proportion at 13.3% in Jeonbuk compared to other regions in Korea. The results of correlation analysis showed that there were significant correlations between annual cases of scrub typhus and monthly data for meteorological factors such as temperature and relative humidity in late spring and summer, especially in the case of temperature in May and June. The results of regression analysis showed that determining factors in the regression equation explaining the incidence of scrub typhus reached 46.2% and 43.5% in May and June. Using the regression equation, each 1oC rise in the monthly mean temperature in May or June may lead to an increase of 38 patients with scrub typhus compared to the annual mean of incidence cases in Jeollabuk-do Province. Conclusion: The result of our novel attempts provided rational evidence that meteorological factors are associated with the occurrence of scrub typhus in Jeollabuk-do. It should therefore be necessary to observe the trends and predict patterns of scrub typhus transmission in relation to global-scale climate change. Also, action is urgently needed in all areas, especially critical regions, toward taking steps to come up with preventive measures against scrub typhus transmission.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.9027-9031
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• 2014

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is an established cause of peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to identify H. pylori genotypes and to examine their associations with geographical regions and gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer in Laos. Materials and Methods: A total of 329 Lao dyspeptic patients who underwent gastroscopy at Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos during December 2010 - March 2012 were enrolled. Two biopsy specimens (one each from the antrum and corpus) were obtained for CLO testing and only CLO test-positive gastric tissue were used to extract DNA. PCR and sequencing were identified for variants of the cagA and vacA genotypes. Results: Some 119 Laos patients (36.2%) were found to be infected with H. pylori including 83 with gastritis, 13 with gastric ulcers (GU), 20 with duodenal ulcers (DU) and 3 with gastric cancer. cagA was detected in 99.2%. East-Asian-type cagA (62%) and vacA s1c (64.7%) were predominant genotypes in Laos. vacA s1c-m1b was significantly higher in GU than gastritis (53.8% vs. 24.1%; P-value=0.04) whereas vacA s1a-m2 was significantly higher in DU than gastritis (40.0% vs. 16.9%; P-value=0.03). East-Asian-type cagA and vacA s1c were significantly higher in highland than lowland Lao (100% vs. 55.8%; P-value=0.001 and 88.2% vs. 61.5%, P-value=0.03 respectively). Conclusions: H. pylori is a common infection in Laos, as in other countries in Southeast Asia. The cagA gene was demonstrated in nearly all Laos patients, cagA and vacA genotypes being possible important factors in explaining H. pylori infection and disease outcomes in Laos.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.86-93
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• 2015

Recently, the development of Maritime Service Portfolios (MSPs) for the safe navigation of ship has been discussed internationally. For the successful service of the MSPs, first of all, studies for the standardization about the structure and data structure of MSPs should be preceded. Also, it is necessary to evaluate and assess whether the services are effective for safe navigation, and provided data and portrayal methods are proper. However, because great dangers will be accompanied when untested MSPs about their effectiveness and safety are applied in real ship navigation, it is necessary that effectiveness and safety of the MSPs should be proven under various navigational conditions and environments by simulation. In this paper, we propose a 3D navigation simulation system using desktop PC environment, which is proper for evaluating the effectiveness of MSPs. The system consists of three modules which are simulation scenario editor, 3D visualization of navigational environment and 2D navigational equipment. The scenario editor module provides an environment setting for simulation, such as properties, routes and positions of vessels and aids to navigations. It also provides functions to create a scenario for the simulation to operate. Additionally, the 3D visualization module provides 3D navigational environment which shows interplay between geographical and navigational environment based on the created scenario. The 2D navigational equipment module provides visualization functions of various navigational equipment, shows the interaction between ship's navigational equipment and ship's environment. The simulation scenario, in which various kinds of ships are routing in the port, is created by the developed simulation system, and experimented whether this developed system is appropriate to evaluate and assess the MSPs developed by the International Maritime Organization.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1651-1659
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• 2017

Objective: Lao PDR's recent accession to the World Trade Organization necessitates a greater understanding of the patterns and risk of livestock production in order to better align national policy with the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. This eco-health study was conducted to improve understanding of the interrelations between market chains and zoonotic infection risks at two strategic cross border points between Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam. Methods: Information gained from smallholder farmer/trader interviews was integrated with serological surveys for pig-associated zoonoses-including hepatitis E virus (HEV), Taenia solium (T. solium) and trichinella-to identify potential linkages between disease risk and pig production and slaughter in low input systems common across the country. Results: Trichinella and HEV exposure was high in both humans and pigs in both study areas, significantly associated with pig slaughter and the subsequent consumption and handling of raw pork products. T. solium demonstrated a strong geographical and ethnic association with the northern study area bordering Vietnam. With the right knowledge and accessible, affordable inputs, the majority of smallholder farmers indicated a willingness to invest more in pig production, which could simultaneously improve livelihoods and decrease exposure to HEV, Trichinella, and T. solium through increased access to formal markets and an improved slaughter processes. Conclusion: The linkages identified when assessing disease risk in the context of potential economic and cultural drivers of transmission highlight the importance of a systems-based approach for the detection and control of zoonotic disease, and contributes to an improved understanding of the Lao PDR livestock sector.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2017

Invasive alien species (IAS) can affect agricultural ecosystem negatively and critically. The geographical distributions of nine IAS plants in Korean orchards and uplands were investigated. Ambrosia artemisiifolia distributed widely in Korean peninsula and Ambrosia trifida distributed intensively in Gyeonggi-do. Aster pilosus distributed in Gyeonggi-Gangwon region and Lactuca scariola distributed linear region from the north-western to south-eastern part of Korea. Hypochaeris radicata distributed mainly in Jeju-do and Solanum carolinense distributed in eastern Gyeonggi-do. Rumex acetosella and Sicyos angulatus sporadically occurred in Korean croplands and Eupatorium rugosum was found in one region only. The distribution of IAS plants in croplands was very similar to that in non-croplands suggesting that ecological position of arable lands is not different from that of non-arable lands. Therefore, IAS plants in the croplands should be managed for not only prevention of yield reduction, but also protection or maintenance of original ecosystem. Development of management methods apposite to current Korean status are required to control IAS plants in croplands.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.386-392
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• 2016

Background: Sorghum is a major cereal food crop used in many parts of the world. It has been grown on a subsistence level by farmers, under various conditions of environmental stresses in the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia. This plant has received significant attention because of its ability to reduce cholesterol in the blood, and its anti-dementia, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It is possible to develop a functional and commercially viable sorghum variety by using superior cultivars of sorghum. The objective of this study was to build a database of superior sorghum accession. Methods and Results: We used 250 sorghum accessions collected from different geographical bioregions in Korea. We determined various agronomic characters including germination rate and ear length of these accessions. To determine the antioxidant capacity, we measured the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)-diammonium salt radical scavenging activity, total phenolic contents, and total flavonoid contents. Accession 189 showed higher germination (> 80%) than the other accessions. Higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity was observed in 11-SB-078 ($RC_{50}$; $1.89{\pm}2.88{\mu}g/m{\ell}$), and higher 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)-diammonium salt radical scavenging activity was recorded in 11-SB-116 ($RC_{50}$; $35.48{\pm}2.42{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) than in the other accessions. The ear length ranged from 15 cm to 48 cm, the total phenolic contents ranged from $3mg{\cdot}GAE/g$ to $77mg{\cdot}GAE/g$, and total flavonoid contents ranged from $0.09mg{\cdot}QE/g$ to $1.07mg{\cdot}QE/g$. Conclusions: Among 250 sorghum accessions, we selected 10 with both superior agronomic characters and highly functional food quality.

• Journal of KIISE:Databases
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.420-436
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• 2007

The choice of an effective indexing method is crucial to guarantee the performance of the spatial join operator which is heavily used in geographical information systems. The $R^*$-tree based method is renowned as one of the most representative indexing methods. In this paper, we propose an efficient spatial join technique based on the DOT(Double Transformation) index, and compare it with the spatial Join technique based on the $R^*$-tree index. The DOT index transforms the MBR of an spatial object into a single numeric value using a space filling curve, and builds the $B^+$-tree from a set of numeric values transformed as such. The DOT index is possible to be employed as a primary index for spatial objects. The proposed spatial join technique exploits the regularities in the moving patterns of space filling curves to divide a query region into a set of maximal sub-regions within which space filling curves traverse without interruption. Such division reduces the number of spatial transformations required to perform the spatial join and thus improves the performance of join processing. The experiments with the data sets of various distributions and sizes revealed that the proposed join technique is up to three times faster than the spatial join method based on the $R^*$-tree index.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.94-106
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• 2008

As populations inhabiting in natural ecosystem are fragmented by artificial barriers and habitats are destructed by development, extinction possibility of species is getting higher. It is necessary to design and to manage conservation areas and corridors considering animals' movement and migration for sustainable species diversity in present circumstances. 'Least-cost modeling' is one commonly employed approach in which dispersal costs are assigned to distinct habitat types and the last-costly dispersal paths among habitat patches are calculated using a geographical information system (GIS). This study aims to design ecological corridor using least-cost path method and to apply it to a regional ecological network considering movability of medium-large size mammals. This study was carried out over the metropolitan area, which has been deforested by rapid urbanization. Nevertheless there is connected with Gangwon province, Baekdudaegan mountain range and DMZ, considered where many forest species can migrate to this region. This study employs such an approach to develop least-cost path models for medium-large size mammals, have inhabited for this entire region. Considering those species, two forest areas as a source of species supply and forest areas more than 1,000ha are selected as focal forest areas. Movement and migration paths from species supply sources to focal forest areas are calculated by applying landscape permeability theory using land cover map, road density map and land slope map. Results showed least-cost paths from species supply sources to focal forest areas on two species. Wildcat and roe deer are different in some least-cost paths caused by their landscape permeability but paths show generally same specifics. The result of considering regional distribution of expected movement and migration paths to regional ecological network, low altitude mountains of western metropolitan area are evaluated important area for species connectivity. In national or regional levels ecological connectivity is essential to promote species diversity and to preserve integrated ecosystem. This study concludes that developing least-cost models from similar empirical data could significantly improve the utility of these tools.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 2011

This study analyzed and modeled the relationships between the probabilities of two exotic species occurrence (i.e. largemouth bass and blue gill) and environmental factors such as climatic and geographical variables using Generalized Additive Models (GAM), Generalized Liner Models and Classification Tree Analysis (CTA). The most moderate occurrence probability of largemouth bass was predicted using GAM with an area under the curve (ADC) of 0.88 and Kappa of 0.42, while those of blue gill was suggested by using CTA with an AUC of 0.92 and Kappa of 0.44. The most significant environmental variable in terms of changes in deviance for both species was the annual air temperature for the occurrence probability. Dams had stronger effect on the occurrence of largemouth bass than blue gill. Model development and prediction for the occurrence probability of fish species and richness are necessary to prevent further spread of exotic fishes such as largemouth bass and blue gill because they can threaten habitats of native river ecosystem through various mechanisms.