• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 2000

This study examined the characteristicso f the knowledge discovery and data mining algorithms to demonstrate how they can be used to predict health outcomes and provide policy information for hypertension management using the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation database. Specifically this study validated the predictive power of data mining algorithms by comparing the performance of logistic regression and two decision tree algorithms CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection) and C5.0 (a variant of C4.5) since logistic regression has assumed a major position in the healthcare field as a method for predicting or classifying health outcomes based on the specific characteristics of each individual case. This comparison was performed using the test set of 4,588 beneficiaries and the training set of 13,689 beneficiaries that were used to develop the models. On the contrary to the previous study CHAID algorithm performed better than logistic regression in predicting hypertension but C5.0 had the lowest predictive power. In addition CHAID algorithm and association rule also provided the segment characteristics for the risk factors that may be used in developing hypertension management programs. This showed that data mining approach can be a useful analytic tool for predicting and classifying health outcomes data.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.872-878
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• 2006

In recent years the importance of the preservation of cultural artefacts like ancient tombs has been widely accepted domestically and internationally as the quality of life improves. However not much technical attention has been paid for the facilities and systems to preserve those artefacts. Even the general understanding of the preservatory environment of the underground space as tombs is poor. As a part of the present study, the temperature and relative humidity inside a selected artefact, Shinkwan-ri tomb, have been monitored for a year round by the present author to improve the understanding of the indoor thermal environment, is pursued to provide a predictive tool of numerical modelling of Shinkwan-ri tomb the opened underground space thermal environment. In this study, predictive numerical modelling of Shinkwan-ri tomb using the Computational Fluid Dynamics, calculate the velocity and temperature distribution and offer basic data which are necessary for the best fitted design of tomb air-conditioning device.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.441-450
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• 2021

This study presents the first analysis system and fast-access cloud database for shrinkage and creep of concrete in the world, named "shrinkage and creep database in Taiwan", SCDT. SCDT not only has the most comprehensive experimental data, including NU, JSCE, Europe, and TW databases, but provides a design tool for researchers and engineers. It can further facilitate the development of prediction models for localized concrete. Users can obtain the shrinkage and creep curves based on their selected prediction models in SCDT. Comparisons of the predicted results of selected models and test results in the chosen database can be generated in seconds. One example of the development of basic creep prediction model in Taiwan based on model B4 by using SCDT to reflect concrete characteristics in Taiwan is also presented in this study. Users anywhere in the world can easily access SCDT to browse and upload data, receive predictive results, or develop predictive models.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.4-28
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• 2024

Liquid biopsy, a minimally invasive procedure that causes minimal pain and complication risks to patients, has been extensively studied for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, it facilitates comprehensive quantification and serial assessment of the whole-body tumor burden. Several biosources obtained through liquid biopsy have been studied as important biomarkers for establishing early diagnosis, monitoring minimal residual disease, and predicting the prognosis and response to treatment in patients with cancer. Although the clinical application of liquid biopsy in gastric cancer is not as robust as that in other cancers, biomarker studies using liquid biopsy are being actively conducted in patients with gastric cancer. Herein, we aimed to review the role of various biosources that can be obtained from patients with gastric cancer through liquid biopsies, such as blood, saliva, gastric juice, urine, stool, peritoneal lavage fluid, and ascites, by dividing them into cellular and acellular components. In addition, we reviewed previous studies on the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers for gastric cancer using liquid biopsy and discussed the limitations of liquid biopsy and the challenges to overcome these limitations in patients with gastric cancer.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.279-286
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• 2022

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a standard procedure for obtaining tissue from lesions near the gastrointestinal lumen. However, there is a scarcity of information on the diagnostic performance of EUS-FNA for abdominal lymphadenopathy of unknown causes. To assess the accuracy of EUS-FNA in diagnosing abdominal lymphadenopathy of unknown etiology. Methods: The EUS records of patients with undiagnosed abdominal lymphadenopathy between 2010 and 2015 were reviewed. Results: A total of 42 patients were included in this study. Adequate specimens were obtained from 40 patients (95%). The final diagnoses were metastatic cancer (n=16), lymphoma (n=9), tuberculosis (n=8), inflammatory changes (n=6), and amyloidosis (n=1). For diagnosing malignancy, EUS-FNA had a sensitivity of 84.6%, specificity of 95.7%, positive predictive value of 91.7%, negative predictive value of 91.7%, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.901. For the diagnosis of lymphoma, EUS-FNA was 100% accurate when combined with cytologic evaluation and immunohistochemical staining. The diagnostic sensitivity decreased to 75%, whereas the specificity remained 100%, for tuberculosis. The overall AUROC was 0.850. No procedure-related complications occurred. Conclusions: EUS-FNA showed high diagnostic performance for abdominal lymphadenopathy of unknown causes, especially malignancy, lymphoma, and tuberculosis. Therefore, it is a crucial diagnostic tool for this patient population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2013

Background: Throughout Indonesia, thyroid cancer is one of the ten commonest malignancies, with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in our hospital accounting for about 60% of all thyroid nodules. Although fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the most reliable diagnostic tool, some nodules are diagnosed as indeterminate and second surgery is common for PTC. The aim of this study was to establish the diagnostic value and feasibility of testing the BRAF T1799A mutation on FNA specimens for improving PTC diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 95 patients with thyroid nodules and future surgery planned. Results of mutational status were compared with surgical pathology diagnosis. Results: Of the 70 cases included in the final analysis, 62.8% were PTC and the prevalence of BRAF mutation was 38.6%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for BRAF mutation analysis were 36%, 100%, 100% and 48%, respectively. With other data findings, nodules with "onset less than 5 year" and "hard consistency" were proven as diagnostic determinants for BRAF mutation with a probability of 62.5%. This mutation was also a significant risk factor for extra-capsular extension. Conclusions: Molecular analysis of the BRAF T1799A mutation in FNAB specimens has high specificity and positive predictive value for PTC. It could be used in the selective patients with clinical characteristics to facilitate PTC diagnosis and for guidance regarding extent of thyroidectomy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1961-1966
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• 2016

Background: To investigate the prevalence of premature ejaculation (PE) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in a sample of patients with prostate cancer and to determine the utility of the previously suggested cutoffs of the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) for the diagnosis of PE and that of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) for ED. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,202 men with prostate cancer were invited from urology clinics at the universities of Iran, Tehran, Qazvin, Ahvaz, Guilan and Tabriz. Clinical characteristics were collected through medical records. PE and ED diagnoses were made by trained urologists. In addition to the clinical diagnoses, PE and ED were measured through self-report using the PEDT and the IIEF-5. Questionnaire cutoff scores were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and confirmed by predictive ability using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of PE was 63.7% and that of ED was 66.2%. Prevalences of PE decreased and that of ED increased with advanced TNM stages. According to ROC, the suggested cutoff for the PEDT to diagnose a PE was ${\geq}11$ (sensitivity=0.988, 1-specificity=0.084, and predictive ability=0.914) and ${\leq}17$ for the IIEF-5 (sensitivity=0.966, 1-specificity=0.031, and predictive ability=0.967). Conclusions: Prevalence of sexual problems was high in prostate cancer patients in Iran, therefore oncologists should take into account these potential problems when deciding on treatment modalities.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.245-254
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was done to examine predictive validity of Critical Care Non-verbal Pain Scale (CNPS) and develop criteria for pain assessment using CNPS with critically ill patients who have communication problems. Methods: Data were collected from intensive care units at three major general hospitals in Seoul and Kyunggi province. During each observation, a nurse assessed pain severity using CNPS ratings (range 0-9) at four treatment stages: at rest, during central catheter dressing change (nonpainful procedure), position change and suctioning (routine painful procedures). Patients also assessed their pain using a self-report 4-point VRS-4. Results: There were significant differences between the four treatment stages except between "at rest" and "nonpainful procedure". Strong correlations were found between CNPS and VRS-4 for "at rest" (r=.552, p<.001), central catheter dressing change (r=.505, p<.001), position change (r=.709, p<.001), and suctioning (r=.662, p<.001). ROC curve analysis of CNPS based on 3 point on VRS-4 showed the cutoff point was 3 for CNPS, the starting point for pain management with 73% sensitivity, 92.2% specificity, 73% positive predictive value, and 92.8% negative predictive value. Conclusion: Results indicate that CNPS is a valid tool for measuring pain in critically ill patients with communication problems and 3 point should be the standardized pain treatment point.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.114-125
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• 2008

Colored dissolved organic matter(CDOM) is an important component of ocean color that can be used as an invaluable tool in water quality and ocean color studies. With the largest source of coastal CDOM appearing to be from freshwater discharge into the ocean, coastal predictive models will do much to refine our knowledge about major processes that control CDOM distributions in coastal waters and provide a better insight into the global carbon cycle. This study aims at developing a GIS-based watershed-scale predictive model of CDOM distributions in Neponset river watersheds that can be used to appraise our understanding of CDOM sources and distributions in coastal waters and predict the response of CDOM concentration to changes in land use patterns. Weighting factors are developed for CDOM freshwater sources after extensive groundtruthing from various landuse types in the watershed. This model makes use of a publicly available DEM(Digital elevation model) as the base data for analysis. Stream networks, discharge, and land use data are used from public repositories while sub- watershed delineation, pour-points, and land use parcels are generated using Spatial Analysis of ArcGIS 9.2 to estimate the CDOM loading from various sources to the lower tributaries of rivers. The Neponset Watershed in eastern Massachusetts is selected as the site for development of the model.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.260-278
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• 1997

Background : Quality of professional nursing care is the most essential factor for survival and growth of nursing profession. Then, nursing professionals have responsibility for the evaluation of quality of professional nursing care. The purpose of this study was to develope an evaluation tool of nursing care for patients received gastrointestinal surgery with general anesthesia. This study was a primary work for the developement of a computer program for the evaluation of nursing care. Methods : This study was done through some consecutive steps. They were (1) Developement of items for the tool (2) Developement of an evaluation tool of nursing care quality for the G-I surgery patient (3) Test of reliability and validity of the tool. Two groups of experts and expert pannels who had much experience of the QA and the care of G-I surgery patients participated for developement of the items. 85 nursing records were used for the test of reliability and validity of the developed tool. The evaluation tools were developed with two types of scoring, norm-referenced tool and criterion-referenced tool. Results The system of items for tool was evaluation area evaluation item-indicator. There were 7evaluation areas which contained 32evaluation items which contained 7lindicators. Evaluation areas 1, 2, 3, 4 were for the evaluation of process and 5, 6, 7 were for the evaluation of outcome of nursing care for G-I surgery patient. For the test of interrator reliability, correlation coefficients of each scores of items and intragroup correlation coefficients were calculated. The average correlation coefficients between two rators were 0.65, 0.54 and the intragroup correlation coefficient were 0.99 and 1.00 by the types of scoring. The Cronbach alpha coefficients of the tools were 0.54 and 0.46 by the types of scoring. The average content validity index of the items was 0.95 from 4 pairs of experts. Because there were significant differences between some scores of quality of nursing care of 3 general hospitals regardless of the types of scoring, the tools could be thought to have some construct validity. And also, there were significant correlations between some scores of quality of nursing care and admission days and admission days after surgery regardless of the types of scoring, the tools could be thought to have predictive validity. Conclusion In this study, the evaluation tool of nursing care was developed for the very specified group of patient, G-I surgery patient. And the items were developed and tested by the experts of nursing practice. Because of these reasons, it was supposed that the tool could be used effectively in nursing pratice. And the procedures for the development and the test of the evaluation tool of nursing care in this study were supposed to be used for the developement of other tools.