• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-35
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• 2024

Background: This study investigated a safe and effective bolus dose and lockout time for patient-controlled sedation (PCS) with dexmedetomidine for dental treatments. The depth of sedation, vital signs, and patient satisfaction were investigated to demonstrate safety. Methods: Thirty patients requiring dental scaling were enrolled and randomly divided into three groups based on bolus doses and lockout times: group 1 (low dose group, bolus dose 0.05 ㎍/kg, 1-minute lockout time), group 2 (middle dose group, 0.1 ㎍/kg, 1-minute), and group 3 (high dose group, 0.2 ㎍/kg, 3-minute) (n = 10 each). ECG, pulse, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, end-tidal CO₂, respiratory rate, and bispectral index scores (BIS) were measured and recorded. The study was conducted in two stages: the first involved sedation without dental treatment and the second included sedation with dental scaling. Patients were instructed to press the drug demand button every 10 s, and the process of falling asleep and waking up was repeated 1-5 times. In the second stage, during dental scaling, patients were instructed to press the drug demand button. Loss of responsiveness (LOR) was defined as failure to respond to auditory stimuli six times, determining sleep onset. Patient and dentist satisfaction were assessed before and after experimentation. Results: Thirty patients (22 males) participated in the study. Scaling was performed in 29 patients after excluding one who experienced dizziness during the first stage. The average number of drug administrations until first LOR was significantly lower in group 3 (2.8 times) than groups 1 and 2 (8.0 and 6.5 times, respectively). The time taken to reach the LOR showed no difference between groups. During the second stage, the average time required to reach the LOR during scaling was 583.4 seconds. The effect site concentrations (Ce) was significantly lower in group 1 than groups 2 and 3. In the participant survey on PCS, 8/10 in group 3 reported partial memory loss, whereas 17/20 in groups 1 and 2 recalled the procedure fully or partially. Conclusion: PCS with dexmedetomidine can provide a rapid onset of sedation, safe vital sign management, and minimal side effects, thus facilitating smooth dental sedation.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.525-539
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• 2024

Massive multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) is a common type of game these days. Predicting user churn in MMORPG is a crucial task. The retention rate of users is deeply associated with the lifespan and revenue of the service. If the churn of a specific user can be predicted in advance, targeted promotions can be used to encourage their stay. Therefore, not only the accuracy of churn prediction but also the speed at which signs of churn can be detected is important. In this paper, we propose methods to identify early signs of churn by utilizing the daily predicted user retention probabilities. We train various deep learning and machine learning models using log data and estimate user retention probabilities. By analyzing the change patterns in these probabilities, we provide empirical rules for early identification of users at high risk of churn. Performance evaluations confirm that our methodology is more effective at detecting high risk users than existing methods based on login days. Finally, we suggest novel methods for customized marketing strategies. For this purpose, we provide guidelines of the percentage of accessed users who are at risk of churn.

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.303-308
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• 2021

Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of nosocomial infections and is one of the most commonly isolated bacterial species in the hospital and continues to be an important pathogens in both community and hospital-acquires infection. The purpose of this study is to investigate the carrier rate of S. aureus and MRSA in the community and molecular genetic characteristics of these organisms. The identification of S. aureus and MRSA were done by the procedures in Murray's manual of Clinical Microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility patterns by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI). MRSA strains were confirms by oxacillin disk diffusion method. forty-six strains (71.9%) of S. aureus were isolated from the nasal specimens of 64 students in health science university. twenty-two strains (22%) of 46 S. aureus were resistant to penicillin and oxacillin. twenty-two strains of the 46 S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The mecA genes in MRSA were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Community and nosocomial infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are a significant problem worldwide. There continuous epidemiological study is to investigate the prevalence of MRSA in community acquired infections.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.395-400
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• 2005

Purpose :Rotavirus is one of the most important causes of nosocomial infections among children. The aim of this study is to determine the risk of nosocomial rotavirus infections and to evaluate the effectiveness of breast-feeding and probiotics in the prevention of nosocomial rotavirus infections. Methods : This study was carried out on admitted children without diarrhea between March 1, 2003 and February 29, 2004. Three hundred ninety patients aged 4 days to 13 years during this study were available. We examined the feces of all children for rotavirus by latex agglutination on admission, during hospital, and after discharge, to see whether they developed diarrhea or not. Results : Nosocomial rotavirus infections was significantly increased with children under 12 months of age(P=0.008). The monthly attack rate was great between December and March(P=0.046). Prolonged hospital stay was associated with an increased attack rate of nosocomial rotavirus infections (P=0.003). The risk of nosocomial rotavirus infections was not associated with the number of roommates and whether or not they were breast-fed or fed on probiotics. Conclusion : Nosocomial rotavirus infections are significantly more likely to occur in children under 12 months of age, admitted between December and March, and with prolonged hospital stays. Prompt identification and isolation of children with nosocomial rotavirus infections, even without diarrhea, may decrease rates of nosocomial rotavirus infections.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.92-100
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• 2008

Experimental studies were conducted to identify the active agents for reductive dechlorination of TCE in cement/Fe(II) systems focusing on cement components such as CaO, $Fe_2O_3$, and $Al_2O_3$. A hematite that was used to simulate an $Fe_2O_3$ component in cement was found to have degradation efficiencies (k = 0.641 $day^{-1}$) equivalent to that of cement/Fe(II) systems in the presence of CaO/Fe(II), only when it contained an aluminum impurity$(Al_2O_3)$. When the effect of $Al_2O_3$ content of hematite/CaO/$Al_2O_3$/Fe(II) system was tested, the mole ratio of $Al_2O_3$ to CaO affected the rate of TCE degradation with an optimum ratio around 1 : 10 that resulted in a rate constant of 0.895 $day^{-1}$. In the SEM images of hematite/CaO/$Al_2O_3$/Fe(II) systems, acicular crystals were also found that were also observed in cement/Fe(II) systems. Thus it was suspected that these crystals were reactive reductants and that they might be goethite or ettringite that are known to have acicular structures. An EDS element map analysis revealed that these crystals were not goethite crystals. A subsequent experiment that tested reactivities of compounds formed during the ettringite synthesis showed that ettringite and minerals associated with ettringite formation are not reactive reductants. These observations conclude that a mineral containing CaO and $Al_2O_3$ with a acicular structure could be a major reactive reductant of cement/Fe(II) systems.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.335-344
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• 2015

It was conducted to identify all 47 isolates obtained from infected fruits of pepper and boxthorn, and to investigate the mycological characteristics and the response to fungicides. All of 11 isolates from pepper were identified as Colletotrichum acutatum included into A2 group. Among 36 isolates from boxthorn, 14 isolates were identified as C. gloeosporioides, and the others were done as C. acutatum, which were composed as A1 group with 15 isolates and A3 with 7 isolates. After incubating the isolates on PDA at $25^{\circ}C$ for 10 days, the colony color of C. acutatum was greyish white, while that of C. gloeosporioides was orange at center of colony and was gradually turned into an greyish white to the periphery. The rate of conidia showing ellongated ellipsoidal shape with round ends was over 95% in C. acutatum isolated from pepper. However, C. acutatum isolated from boxthorn produced ellongated ellipsoidal conidia with the rate of 75%, and the others were pointed at one or both ends. Regardless of species of Colletotrichum, all isolated used in this study was showed an optimal temperature at $25^{\circ}C$. $EC_{50}$ values of all isolates of Colletotrichum spp. to 2 fungicides as carbendazim and the mixture of carbendazim and diethofencarb was investigated by an agar dilution method. With C. acutatum isolates from pepper belonged to A2 group, the mean of $EC_{50}$ value to carbendazim and the mixture of carbendazim and diethofencarb was 0.68 and $3.16{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In the case of C. acutatum isolates from boxthorn, which were divided into 2 groups as A1 and A3 group, that to carbendazim was 0.21 at A1 and $0.24{\mu}g/ml$ at A3, while that to the mixture was 1.52 and $3.35{\mu}g/ml$. Isolates of C. gloeosporioides showed the mean of $EC_{50}$ value was $0.12{\mu}g/ml$ to carbendazim and $0.92{\mu}g/ml$ to the mixture. The value of resistant factor was higher in the isolates of C. acutatum obtained in boxthorn than those from pepper.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.421-426
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• 1999

Objectives: An outbreak of dermatosis occurred at a city gas manufacturing factory in Pohang in Aug, 1998. The authors conducted a study to find the cause and prevent the dermatosis, Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey of 73 workers in the factory twice, once or Aug. 14th and then Sept. 11th, 1998. Also, a dermatologist examined their skin lesions. We suspected ants as the cause, so we collected them for identification. Results: Twelve cases of dermatosis were identified with an attack rate of 16.4%. The attack rates were not different by age, educational level or tenures. The attack rates were 66.6% among production workers, 2.0% among clerical workers, 16.7% among tank trailer drivers and 0% among guards. The attack rate among production workers was significantly higher than that of the others (<0.01). There were no histories of the same dermatosis for the past one year. Histories of other skin diseases and allergies were very rare in both cases with skin diseases and control. Multiple, pruritic, rice-grained to bean sized erythemafous macules or papules with a central biting point could be found after initial severe itching occurred, Three cases showed signs of dermatosis with an allergic nature. The onset of dermatosis was between July 30 and Aug 12 and the durations varied from 5 days to over a month. The most frequent sites of stir lesions were the chest and abdomen (60.6%), and they were also observed on the neck (33.3%), arms (33.3%), shoulders (16.7%) and back (16.7%). Over 10 ants with their wings were collected in the work place and identified as Pachycondyla chinensis, subfamily Ponerinae. Conclusions : We thought that the outbreak of dermatosis was brought about by the ants flying into the work place through the open windows. Further studies on the factors contributing to the prosperity of the ants in this area are needed.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 1999

This study was aimed at the investigation of the possibility of the addition of lactic acid bacteria as "starter"for the preparation of radish juice. Forty strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from dongchimi that was fermented by a traditional method. The isolates were assorted into 5groups, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides (J-9), Lacobacillus brevis (J-12), Lactobacillus fermentum (J-7), Lactobacillus sake (J-20), and Lactobacillus plantarum (J-39). Leuconostoc mesenteroides was predominated in the sample of dongchimi with frequency of 52.5%. Each of the strain, which exhibited the beat growth in the species, was selected in the 5species, and investigation of the fermentation characteristcis was carried out. The fermentation were performed for 9 days at 25${\circ}C$ after the inoculation of 0.3% ($10^{6}$ cfu/㎖) to each ultra-filtrated radish juice. The pH, total acidity, content of non-volatile organic acids were examined during the fermentation period. Lactobacillus plantarum showed the highest growth rate and the growth rate of Lactobacillus sake was the lowest. The pH (6.3-6.36) and total acidity (0.09-1.0 %) fo the ultrafiltrated radish juice before fermentation were changed to 3.2-4.3 and 0.65-1.2% after 9days, respectively. The changes of the pH and total acidity were related with the growth of the lactic acid bacteria; the better growth of lactic acid bacteria, the more rapid decrease of pH and increase of the total acidity. when the amount of non-volatile organic acids were estimated during fermentation, citric acid, malic acid, malonic acid, and succinic acid were decreased in all cases. However, the content of lactic acid increased with the progression of fermentation. L. mesenteroides (J-9), L. brevis (J-12) and L. fermentum (J-7) were chosen for the candidates of the starter for the lactic fermentation of radish juice based on the biochemical analysis and sensory evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2013

The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, is an economically important pest for greenhouse crops because they cause direct damage by feeding on plant nutrients and indirect damage as transmits many virus vectors. It has recently become a serious problem because of the continuous use of insecticide resulting in resistance among greenhouse whitefly population. To overcome these problems, in this study, the biological characteristics and virulence of an entomopathogenic fungus isolated from the cadaver of nymph greenhouse whitefly were investigated. Isolated fungus was identified as Isaria fumosorosea by morphological examinations and genetic identification using sequences of the ITS, ${\beta}$-tubulin, and EF1-${\alpha}$ regions. This fungus was named as I. fumosorosea SDTv and tested for the virulence against nymphs T. vaporariorum and the cold activity, the thermotolerance and the stability of UV-B irradiation on conidia. Mortality rate of greenhouse whitefly showed from 84 to 100% and the virulence increased with increasing conidial concentrations, $1{\times}10^5$ to $10^8$ conidia/ml. Conidia were stable at $35^{\circ}C$, 0.1 $J/cm^2$ of UV irradiation and germinated after 8 days at $4^{\circ}C$. Additionally, the activities of chitinases and proteases produced by I. fumosorosea SDTv were varied according to the medium. In conclusion, I. fumosorosea SDTv which showed high mortality rate against greenhouse whitefly will be used effectively in the integrated pest management programs against the greenhouse whitefly.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 1988

Vaginitis is one of the most common disease in gynecologic field in recent days. About 90% of these patients suffer from the infection of the vagina caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida, or Trichomonas, either alone or in combination. For the effective diagnosis and management, it is essential to get an accurate identification of the causative agent. Applying simple and easy diagnostic methods such as pH of vaginal discharge, amine test and microscopic examination of wet mount preparation of normal saline and 10% KOH to 549 cases of randomly selected patients visiting Out-patient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Yeung-nam University Hospital through May 1st to Sept. 31st, 1987, the following results were obtained. 1. In the Gardnerella vaginitis vaginal pH was more than 5.0 in 81.0% of total cases, positive amine test in 62.8%, decreased lactobacilli in 77.4% & decreased WBC counts in 70.1%, In the Trichomonas vaginitis vaginal pH more than 5.0 was noted in 93.3% of the cases, negative amine test in 90%, decreased lactobacilli in 90% & increased WBC counts in 93.3%, whereas Candida vaginitis and normal groups showed vaginal pH of 3.0~4.0 in 83.2%, negative amine test in 100%, normal distribution of lactobacilli in 89.7%, normal WBC counts in 72.4%. 2. The accuracy rates of physical diagnosis by wet mount preparation of normal saline and 10% KOH revealed 26.3%, 47.5% % 70,0% in Gardnerella vaginitis, Candida vaginitis, and Trichomonas vaginitis, respectively. The vaginal pH and amine test showed 83.2% of accuracy rate in Candida vaginitis group, 60.6% in Gardnerella vaginitis group and 83.3% III Trichomonas vaginitis group. 3. In 23 cases of Gardnerella vaginitis showing vaginal pH of 3.0 or 4.0 and positive amine test, the clue cells were observed in 10% or less in 12 cases, 30% in 5 cases, 50% in 4 cases and 50% or more in 2 cases. In summary vaginal pH and amine test could be useful in screening and differentiating the different types of infectious vaginitis. Furthermore by adding microscopic examination of normal saline and 10% KOH wet mount preparation to them, they not only could obtain higher diagnostic accuracy rate but would be more valuable in selecting the patients requiring cultures to confirm the diagnoses.