• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.4 s.91
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• pp.304-315
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• 2006

This study is performed to reexamine the association between ambient air pollution and daily mortality in seven major cities of Korea using a method of meta-analysis with the data filed for the period 1998-2001. These cities account for half of the Korean population (about 23 million). The observed concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO, mean=1.08 ppm), ozone ($O_3$, mean=33.97 ppb), particulate matter less than 10 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{10},\;mean=57.11\;{\mu}g/m^3$), nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$, mean=25.09 ppb), and sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$, mean=9.14 ppb) during the study period were at levels below Korea's current ambient air quality standards. Generalized additive models were applied to allow for the highly flexible fitting of seasonal and long-term time trends in air pollution as well as nonlinear associations with weather variables, such as air temperature and relative humidity. Also, we calculated a weighted mean as a meta-analysis summary of the estimates and its standard error. In city-specific analyses, an increase of $41.17{\mu}g/m^3(IQR)\;of\;PM_{10}$ corresponded to $1{\sim}12%$ more deaths, given constant weather conditions. Like most of air pollution epidemiologic studies, this meta-analysis cannot avoid fleeing from measurement misclassification since no personal measurement was taken. However, we can expect that a measurement bias be reduced in district-specific estimate since a monitoring station is better representative of air quality of the matched district. Significant heterogeneity was found for the effect of all pollutants. The estimated relative risks from meta-like analysis increased compared to those relative risks from pooled analysis. The similar results to those from the previous studies indicated existence of health effect of air pollution at current levels in many industrialized countries, including Korea.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.153-160
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• 1997

The frequencies of ${\gamma}$-ray-induced micronuclei (MN) in cytokinesis-blocked (CB) lymphocytes at several doses were measured in three donors of human and C57BL/6 mice. Measurements performed after irradiation showed a dose-related increases in MN frequency in each of the donors studied. The relative sensitivity of mouse in spleen lymphocytes (SLs) compared with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) was estimated by best fitting linear-quadratic model based on the radiation-induced MN data over the range from 0 cGy to 400 cGy. In the case of MN frequency with 0.2 per CB cell, the relative sensitivity of mouse SLs was 1.67. Compared with the radiation-induced MN formation in the PBLs of human, the SLs of mouse were more radiosensitive. Using this MN assay with human PBLs and mouse SLs, studies were performed to determine whether the water fraction of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer) against radiation-induced MN in human PBLs after in vitro irradiation (3Gy) and in SLs of C57BL/6 mice after in vivo irradiation (3Gy). The frequency of MN in human PBLs was reduced by water fraction of ginseng (0.5mg/ml of medium) both pre-and post treatment (p<0.0l) in vitro. In addition, the frequency of MN in mouse SLs was also reduced by pretreatment of ginseng (2mg/ml of drinking water for 7days) in vivo. The data suggested that the ginseng may reduce cell damage caused by ${\gamma}$-rays in vitro and in vivo. Further studies are needed to characterize better the protective nature of ginseng extract, its fractions and compounds.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.259-268
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• 2014

In this paper, we suggest a method of extracting circuit parameters of the insulating transformer using S-parameter measurement, especially in high frequency range. At 60 Hz, conventionally, no load test and short circuit test are used to extract the circuit parameters. In this paper S-parameters measured from VNA(Vector Network Analyzer) were used to extract the transformer parameters using data fitting method (optimization). The S-parameters from the equivalent circuit using the extracted parameters showed good agreement with those from measurement. Furthermore, the transformer secondary voltages from the equivalent circuit model also coincide quite exactly to the measured secondary voltages in sinusoidal forms. Finally we assert that the proposed method to extract the parameters for the insulating transformer using S-parameter is valid especially in high frequency.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.21-26
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• 2018

Soil-water characteristic curve, which is called soil retention curve, is required to explore water flows in unsaturated soils, relative permeability of water in multi-phase fluids flow, and change to stiffness and volume of soils. Thus, the understanding of soil-water characteristic curves of soils help us explore the behavior of soils inclduing fluids. Biopolymers are environmental-friendly materials, which can be completely degraded by microbes and have been believed not to affect the nature. Thus, various biopolymers such as deacetylated power, polyethylene oxide, xanthan gum, alginic acid sodium salt, and polyacrylic acid have been studies for the application to soil remediation, soil improvement, and enhanced oil recovery. PAA (polyacrylic acid) is one of biopolymers, which have shown a great effect in enhanced oil recovery as well as soil remediation because of the improvement of water-flood performance by mobility control. The study on soil-water characteristic curves of sandy soils containing PAA (polyacrylic acid) has been conducted through experimentations and theoretical models. The results show that both capillary entry pressure and residual water saturation dramatically increase according to the increased concentration of PAA (polyacrylic acid). Also, soil-water characteristic curves by theoretical models are quite well consistent with the results by experimental studies. Thus, soil-water characteristic curves of sandy soils containing biopolymers such as PAA (polyacrylic acid) can be estimated using fitting parameters for the theoretical model.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.425-442
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• 2004

Statement of problem: A difficulty in achieving a passive-fitting prosthesis can be overcome by individual crown restoation of multiple implants. But individualized crown has another difficulty in control of contact tightness and stress distribution. Purpose: This in vitro study is to evaluate the stress distribution and the magnitude in the supporting tissues around Endopore implants with different crown lengths, interproximal contact tightness, and the splinting effects. Material & methods: Three Endopore implants($4.1{\times}9mm$) were placed in the mandibular posterior edentulous area distal to the canine and photoelastic model was made with PL-2 resin(Measurements Group, Raleigh, USA). Restorations were fabricated in two crown lengths: 9, 13 mm. For non-splinted restorations, individual crowns were fabricated on three custom-milled titanium abutments. After the units were cemented, 4 levels of interproximal contact tightness were evaluated: open, ideal($8{\mu}m$ shim stock drags without tearing), medium($40{\mu}m$), and heavy($80{\mu}m$). For splinted restorations, 3-unit fixed partial dentures were fabricated. This study was examined under simulated non-loaded and loaded conditions(6.8 kg). Photoelastic stress analysis was carried out to measure the fringe order around the implant supporting structure. Results: 1. When restorations were not splinted, the more interproximal contact tightness was increased among the three implants, the more stress was shown in the cervical region of each implant. When crown length was increased, stresses tended to increase in the apex of implants but there were little differences in stress fringes. 2. When nonsplinted restorations were loaded on the first or third implant, stresses were increased in the apex and cervical region of loaded implant. Regardless of interproximal contact tightness level, stresses were not distributed among the three implants. But with tighter interproximal contact, stresses were increased in the cervical region of loaded first or third implant. 3. When the nonsplinted restorations were not loaded, there were little stresses on the supporting structure of implants, but low level stresses were shown in the splinted restorations even after sectioning and soldering. 4. With splinted restorations, there were little differences in stresses between different crown lengths. When splinted restorations were loaded, stresses were increased slightly on the loaded implant, but relatively even stress distribution occurred among the three implants. Conclusions: Splinting the crowns of adjacent implants is recommended for Endopore implants under the overloading situation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the associations of non alcoholic fatty liver with metabolic syndrome and the serum carotenoids. Methods : This study was conducted in a general hospital in South Korea from November, 2004 to August, 2005. The study subjects were 350 sampled persons who were aged from 40 years and older (males : 180, females : 170). They were grouped into the normal, mild and severe groups according to fat accumulation in their livers, as determined by ultrasonography. We analyzed the association between non alcoholic fatty liver and metabolic syndrome by multiple logistic regression analysis and we analyzed the association between non alcoholic fatty liver and the serum carotenoids by a general linear model(ANCOVA). Results : After adjustment for the effect of potential covariates, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was associated with fat accumulation in the liver (p trend <0.001). If the odds ratio of normal group is 1.00, then that of the mild group is 2.80 (95% C.I=1.17-6.71) and that of the severe group is 7.29 (95% C.I=2.76-19.30). The prevalence of metabolic alterations fitting the criteria of metabolic syndrome, according to the class of fat accumulation in the liver, was significantly increased, except for criteria of high blood pressure, a large waist circumference and low HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol level (p trend <0.001). The level of serum ${\beta}$-carotene was decreased according to the class of fat accumulation in the liver (p trend=0.036), but the levels of serum ${\alpha}$-carotene, lycopene, ${\beta}$-cryptoxanthin and lutein were not decreased. Conclusions : This study shows that non alcoholic fatty liver was associated with metabolic syndrome and with the serum ${\beta}$-carotene level.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.173-186
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• 1998

In this study, both the literary survey as well as empirical research has been executed to test the validity of the scales that measure the construct of self-monitoring scale could not be classified into five factors as Snyder suggested. Many other scholars (Briggs, Cheek and Buss, 1980) suggested 3 different classifications which was accepted by Snyder and Gangestad (1986). John, Cheek and Klohnen (1996) claimed a two-factor classification. As has been discussed, factor analysis is used to prove convergent validity within the factor and discriminant validity between the factors. However, depending on the researchers, many variations in classification of the factors were found and a lack of content and discriminant validity was found in the previous research findings. It is also important to note that Snyder's self-monitoring scale, did not factor-load at over 30 for all 25 items, regardless of how many factors could be classified. According to findings of this study, the self-monitoring scale neither classified as five, three or two factors nor factor loaded as hypothesized. It is also clear that Snyder's self-monitoring scale lack convergent validity as the sub-factors of the scale fail to prove its uni-dimensionality. The A self-monitoring scale not only fail to overcome the problems of Snyder's self-monitoring scale but even lost the attractiveness of the self-monitoring scale. In this study, it was also found that the A self-monitoring scale was not classified as hypothesized in either in a two or three-factor classification. It is, of course, not desirable to use any scale that lacks convergent and discriminant validity even though it has been widely used but also has held a great deal of influence on the field of social psychology. To overcome the shortcomings of Snyder's self-monitoring scale, Lennox and Wolfe(1984) suggested 13 items. This study 1. was dedicated to test the validity and reliability of the scale, in which we found that the data presented in validity as the two factors were classified and loaded as expected. Reliability was also proven by checking Cronbach's alpha for each factor and for the total items. In addition, a confirmatory factor analysis was executed for the 13 items using LISREL 8.12 program to confirm convergent validity in a two-factor classification. The model was fitting and sound ; however, the self-monitoring scale was unfitted and not validated. Thus, it is recommended to use not the original or the abbreviated self-monitoring scale but the 13 items in future studies. It should also be noted that items 7 and 13 should be removed to obtain better uni-dimensionality for the 13 items. These items loaded at over .30, too high for the two factors in the test results of factor analysis. In addition, it is necessary to double-check the cause of two-hold loading at over .30 for the two factors. It could be a problem caused by data or by the scale itself. Therefore, additional studies should follow to better clarify this matter.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.66-79
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the effects of the educational context variables on 8th-grade science achievement of 5 top performing countries(Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan) in TIMSS 2015. TIMSS 2015 science data and questionnaire results were used for fitting Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) in this study. According to the results, such student-level variables as home resources for learning, students' interest in science learning, valuing science, Students' Educational Expectations gave significant influence on the science achievement of Korean students. School-level variables including Student Economic Background, and School Emphasis on Academic Success gave significant influence on the science achievement of Korean students. Comparing 5 countries, home resources for learning, students' interest in science learning, Students' Educational Expectations gave significant influence on the science achievement in all 5 countries. At the school level, Student Economic Background is statistically significant in explaining students' science achievement gap in all countries except Japan, and Teaching Limited by Student Needs gave significant influence on the science achievement in all countries except Korea. Discussed in the conclusion are ways to improve middle-school science teaching and learning including reducing the education divide among socioeconomic status, teaching innovation for competency education, inquiry and reinforcement of lab activities in science classes, and so on.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1741-1754
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to estimate genetic parameters for milk yield traits using daily milk yield records from parlour data generated in an intensively managed commercial dairy farm with Jersey and Jersey-Friesian cows in Sri Lanka. Methods: Genetic parameters were estimated for first and second lactation predicted and realized 305-day milk yield using univariate animal models. Genetic parameters were also estimated for total milk yield for each 30-day intervals of the first lactation using univariate animal models and for daily milk yield using random regression models fitting second-order Legendre polynomials and assuming heterogeneous residual variances. Breeding values for predicted 305-day milk yield were estimated using an animal model. Results: For the first lactation, the heritability of predicted 305-day milk yield in Jersey cows (0.08±0.03) was higher than that of Jersey-Friesian cows (0.02±0.01). The second lactation heritability estimates were similar to that of first lactation. The repeatability of the daily milk records was 0.28±0.01 and the heritability ranged from 0.002±0.05 to 0.19±0.02 depending on day of milk. Pearson product-moment correlations between the bull estimated breeding values (EBVs) in Australia and bull EBVs in Sri Lanka for 305-day milk yield were 0.39 in Jersey cows and -0.35 in Jersey-Friesian cows. Conclusion: The heritabilities estimated for milk yield in Jersey and Jersey-Friesian cows in Sri Lanka were low, and were associated with low additive genetic variances for the traits. Sire differences in Australia were not expressed in the tropical low-country of Sri Lanka. Therefore, genetic progress achieved by importing genetic material from Australia can be expected to be slow. This emphasizes the need for a within-country evaluation of bulls to produce locally adapted dairy cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.355-362
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• 2017

Objective: The use of locally produced forage (LPF) in cattle production has economic and environmental advantages over imported forage. The objective of this study was to characterize the nutritional value of LPF commonly used in Korea. Differences in ruminal fermentation characteristics were also examined for the LPF species commonly produced from two major production regions: Chungcheong and Jeolla. Methods: Ten LPF (five from each of the two regions) and six of the most widely used imported forages originating from North America were obtained at least three times throughout a year. Each forage species was pooled and analyzed for nutrient content using detailed chemical analysis. Ruminal fermentation characteristics were also determined by in vitro anaerobic incubations using strained rumen fluid for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. At each incubation time, total gas, pH, ammonia, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility were measured. By fitting an exponential model, gas production kinetics were obtained. Results: Significant differences were found in the non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) content among the forage species and the regions (p<0.01). No nutrient, other than NFC, showed significant differences among the regions. Crude protein, NFC, and acid detergent lignin significantly differed by forage species. The amount of acid detergent insoluble protein tended to differ among the forages. The forages produced in Chungcheong had a higher amount of NFC than that in Jeolla (p<0.05). There were differences in ruminal fermentation of LPF between the two regions and interactions between regions and forage species were also significant (p<0.05). The pH following a 48-h ruminal fermentation was lower in the forages from Chungcheong than from Jeolla (p<0.01), and total VFA concentration was higher in Chungcheong than in Jeolla (p = 0.05). This implies that fermentation was more active with the forages from Chungcheong than from Jeolla. Analysis of gas production profiles showed the rate of fermentation differed among forage species (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the nutritional values of some LPF (i.e., corn silage and Italian ryegrass) are comparable to those of imported forages widely used in Korea. This study also indicated that the nutritional value of LPF differs by origin, as well as by forage species. Detailed analyses of nutrient composition and digestion kinetics of LPF should be routinely employed to evaluate the correct nutritional value of LPF and to increase their use in the field.