• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.231-244
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• 2020

Background: As the population is aging, chronic diseases and depression are becoming the main problems in a country's healthcare system. In this study, we aimed to explore the associations between chronic diseases and depression among the elderly in South Korea. Methods: We analyzed 9,975 (men, 4,147; women, 5,828) respondents obtained from the 2014 National Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons. Our dependent variable was either 1 or 0 according to whether a respondent had depression or not, where depression was defined when the Short Form of Geriatric Depression Scale score was 8 or more points. Variables of interest were 24 types of chronic diseases and covariates included various socio-demographic and health behavior characteristics. We performed Rao-Scott chi-square tests and hierarchal logistic regression analyses by gender, reflecting the characteristics of the survey. Results: A significant difference was found in the proportion of having depression between genders (men 18.9% vs. women 23.4%). According to fully adjusted, multivariable analyses, for elderly men, relative to those without any chronic disease, the odds ratio of depression was 1.56 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-2.22) in the stroke patients group and 1.82 (95% CI, 1.01-3.25) in the osteoporosis patients group. For elderly women, the odds ratio was 1.96 (95% CI, 1.28-3.00) in the fracture/dislocation and aftereffects patients group and 1.30 (95% CI, 1.03-1.64) in the group of patients with other diseases. Conclusion: Even after being adjusted for diverse characteristics, some chronic diseases were significantly associated with depression in the elderly and the association differed between genders. Therefore, public health and medical interventions are needed to manage such chronic diseases together with curing depression symptoms.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2018.06a
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• pp.140-140
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• 2018

The 3D interconnect technologies have been appeared, as the density of Integrated Circuit (IC) devices increases. Through Silicon Via (TSV) process is an important technology in the 3D interconnect technologies. And the process is used to form a vertically electrical connection through silicon dies. This TSV process has some advantages that short length of interconnection, high interconnection density, low electrical resistance, and low power consumption. Because of these advantages, TSVs could improve the device performance higher. The fabrication process of TSV has several steps such as TSV etching, insulator deposition, seed layer deposition, metallization, planarization, and assembly. Among them, TSV metallization (i.e. TSV filling) was core process in the fabrication process of TSV because TSV metallization determines the performance and reliability of the TSV interconnect. TSVs were commonly filled with metals by using the simple electrochemical deposition method. However, since the aspect ratio of TSVs was become a higher, it was easy to occur voids and copper filling of TSVs became more difficult. Using some additives like an accelerator, suppressor and leveler for the void-free filling of TSVs, deposition rate of bottom could be fast whereas deposition of side walls could be inhibited. The suppressor was adsorbed surface of via easily because of its higher molecular weight than the accelerator. However, for high aspect ratio TSV fillers, the growth of the top of via can be accelerated because the suppressor is replaced by an accelerator. The substitution of the accelerator and the suppressor caused the side wall growth and defect generation. The suppressor was used as Single additive electrodeposition of TSV to overcome the constraints. At the electrochemical deposition of high aspect ratio of TSVs, the suppressor as single additive could effectively suppress the growth of the top surface and the void-free bottom-up filling became possible. Generally, copper was used to fill TSVs since its low resistivity could reduce the RC delay of the interconnection. However, because of the large Coefficients of Thermal Expansion (CTE) mismatch between silicon and copper, stress was induced to the silicon around the TSVs at the annealing process. The Keep Out Zone (KOZ), the stressed area in the silicon, could affect carrier mobility and could cause degradation of the device performance. Cobalt can be used as an alternative material because the CTE of cobalt was lower than that of copper. Therefore, using cobalt could reduce KOZ and improve device performance. In this study, high-aspect ratio TSVs were filled with cobalt using the electrochemical deposition. And the filling performance was enhanced by using the suppressor as single additive. Electrochemical analysis explains the effect of suppressor in the cobalt filling bath and the effect of filling behavior at condition such as current type was investigated.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2018

Objectives: We investigated the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture (MA) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in an assessor-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial; this would provide information for a large-scale randomized controlled trial. Methods: Participants (n = 24) were recruited and randomly allocated to the MA group (experimental) or acupuncture group (control). The MA group received treatment once a week for 3 weeks (total of 3 treatments), while the acupuncture group received treatment two times per week for 3 weeks (total of 6 treatments). The primary outcome was pain as assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes (intensity of current pain, stiffness, and physical function) were assessed using the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Assessments were performed at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 during treatment and at week 5 (2 weeks after the end of treatment). Results: Of the 24 participants, 23 completed the study. Both groups showed significant improvements in VAS, SF-MPQ, and WOMAC. However, there were no significant differences between the MA and acupuncture groups. No serious adverse event occurred and blood test results were within normal limits. Conclusion: Our results suggest that although both MA and acupuncture provide similar effects with regard to pain control in patients with KOA, MA may be more effective in providing pain relief because the same relief was obtained with fewer treatments. A large-scale clinical study is warranted to further clarify these findings.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of massive clinical research and to make a basic analysis on the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion treatment on knee osteoarthritis compared to usual care. Methods and Results : This study is a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Forty participants are assigned to the moxibustion group (n=20) and usual care group (n=20). Participants assigned to the moxibustion group receive moxibustion treatment on the affected knee(s) at six standard acupuncture points (ST36, ST35, ST34, SP9, Ex-LE04 and SP10) three times per week for four weeks (total of 12 sessions). Participants in the usual care group don't receive moxibustion treatment during the study period and follow-up are made on the 5th, 9th and 13th weeks after random allocation. Both groups are allowed to use any kind of treatment, including surgery, conventional medication, physical treatment, acupuncture, herbal medicine, over-the-counter drugs and other active treatments. Education material that explains knee osteoarthritis and current management options and self-exercise is provided for each group. The pain scale of the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Questionnaire (K-WOMAC) is the primary outcome measurement used in this study. Other subscales of the K-WOMAC, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Physical Function test, Patient Global Assessment, and Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) are used as outcome variables to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture. Safety is assessed at every visit. Conclusions : The result of this trial will provide a basis for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2014

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) on the alleviation of lumbar myalgia. This is a randomized, real-sham, double blind pilot study. 38 patients were divided into the PEMF group and the Sham group, each of which was composed of 19 patients (1 patient dropped out in the Sham group) of randomized allocation. The PEMF group was treated by using the PEMF device and the Sham group by using a sham device on the lumbar muscle and acupuncture points, three times a week for a total of two weeks. Evaluations of Visual Analogue Scale for bothersomeness (VASB), Visual Analogue Scale for pain intensity (VASP), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Instrument (SF-36), EuroQol-5Dimension (EQ-5D), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), etc. before and 1 week after treatment were carried out. The primary outcome measure was the VASB, measured 1 week after the end of the pulsed electromagnetic therapy. VASB scores for the PEMF group changed by $-2.06{\pm}2.12$ from the baseline, and that for the Sham group changed by $-0.52{\pm}0.82$ (p < 0.05). VASP scores for the PEMF group were reduced by $-2.10{\pm}2.12$ from the base line, and that for the Sham group was reduced by $-0.53{\pm}1.50$ (p < 0.05). PEMF group showed significant improvements in all VASB, VASP, ODI, SF-36, EQ-5D, BDI and RMDQ scores, while the Sham group showed significant improvements in all scores, except the VASP score. However, the VASB, VASP and RMDQ scores of the PEMF group were much lower than those of the Sham group. The two groups showed no significant difference in ODI, SF-36, EQ-5D and BDI. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of PEMF treatment for alleviating lumbar myalgia.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2005

Sphene U-Pb ages were determined for the granodiorites from Gimcheon, Seongju and Anui areas of the middle Yeongnam massif. The determined ages were in the narrow range of 195.7±2.4∼200.8±1.9(2σ) Ma that are approximately coincident with the boundary between Triassic and Jurassic. Even though the studed plutons are aerially separated, they reveal quite similar major element compositions and almost identical ages, suggesting that they were generated from the similar source materials under the identical tectonic environment and thus they can be considered to form a single suite. Considering the age and spatial distribution of the Triassic to Lower Jurassic plutons of the Yeongnam Massif and Okcheon Belt, it seems that there were episodic changes in tectonic environment in both areas with relatively short intervals. In general, the compressive environment of active continental margin was prevailed. However, the tensional environment of within-plate was also appeared several times intermittently. In conclusion, Yeongnam Massif and Okcheon Belt experienced distinct tectonic environments during Triassic to Lower Jurassic, providing important clue to reveal the crustal evolution of the Korean Peninsula.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.99-107
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was designed to obtain basic data for a further large-scale trial as evaluating the efficacy and safety of Geochangmanryeung-dan(GMD) and acupuncture on patient with spinal stenosis treated by epidural steroid injection. Methods: The study is a randomized controlled pilot clinical trial, conducted over 8 weeks. Twenty participants will be recruited and randomly allocated to 2 groups: an experimental(GMD and acupuncture with epidural steroid injection) group and a control(only epidural steroid injection) group. The epidural steroid injection will be administered once per 2 weeks for 6 weeks(3 times in total). GMD will be administered as a dose of 5 pills, 3 times per day, for 6 weeks. Acupuncture will be performed 2 times per week for 6 weeks(12 times in total). The primary outcome will be measured by visual analogue scale and self-rated walking distance. The secondary outcome will be measured by PainVision, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Oswestry Disability Index. Both primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The last assessment(at 8 weeks) will be performed 2 weeks after treatment cessation. Conclusions : This clinical trial, as the pilot study for a future large-scale trial, will provide clinical information for evaluating the efficacy and safety of GMD and acupuncture treatment in combination with epidural steroid injection for the treatment of spinal stenosis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.963-968
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• 1997

Cereals and legumes were ground, blended and extruded with a twin-screw extruder to form a reconstituted grain. The basic formula was as follows: brown rice 30%, barley 30%, wheat 20%, millet 5%, sorghum 5%, soybean 7%, and red bean 3%. Extrusion conditions were properly set for feed moisture content of $24{\sim}30%$, barrel temperature of $50{\sim}60^{\circ}C$, and screw speed at 250 rpm. The extruded grain was air-dried and evaluated for quality characteristics, compared with milled rice. Size and shape of the reconstituted grain were similar to short-grain milled rice. Stacking volume of the reconstituted grain was a little higher than that of milled rice, and its water absorption was more rapid. From the texture measurements, hardness of cooked reconstituted grain was slightly lower and adhesiveness was appeared to be higher.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.729-758
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• 2009

The domestic Gifted education is evaluated to attain many achievements and to reach stable circle in short term. What about the present situation of artistic talent education which is one of the talent education areas, especially music talent education? The result of domestic Gifted education can be comprehensively understood by actually searching the present situation of diverse Gifted education areas. In this sense, this research aims to search the overall situation of domestic music talent education and to draw the tasks to be improved later mainly on the basis of important matters for efficient operation of music talent education. Thus far, many researches have been made mainly through quantitative statistical data or survey materials in the form of questionnaire. Meanwhile, this research tries to deeply understand the problems that have been superficially managed so far by collecting the voice of diverse practical staffs related to music talent education for comprehensive analysis and investigation. This research is meaningful in that it establishes the direction of more effective music talent education in the future by lessening the gap between policy and reality, intent and result, etc through diverse comprehension of actual situation and position related to music talent education and provides the basic materials based on reality to cultivate teacher and administrator and to develop curriculum.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.331-338
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• 2006

A rapid, selective and sensitive reverse-phase HPLC methods for the determination of atenolol and chlorthalidone in human serum and whole blood were validated, and applied to the pharmacokinetic study of atenolol and chlorthalidone combination therapy. Atenolol and an internal standard, pindolol, were extracted from human serum by liquid-liquid extraction, and analyzed on a $\mu$-Bondapak C18 $10-{\mu}$ column in a mobile phase of methanol-0.01 M potassium dihydrogenphosphate(30:70, v/v, adjusted to pH 3.5) and fluorescence detection(emission: 300 nm, excitation: 224 nm). Chlorthalidone and an internal standard, probenecid, were extracted form human whole blood by liquid-liquid extraction, and analyzed on a Luna C18 $5-{\mu}$ column in a mobile phase of acetonitrile containing 77% 0.01 M sodium acetate and UV detection at 214 nm. These analysis were performed at three different laboratories using the same quality control(QC) samples. The chromatograms showed good resolution, sensitivity, and no interference by human serum and whole blood, respectively. The methods showed linear responses over a concentration range of 10-1,000 ng/mL for atenolol and 0.05-20 ${\mu}g/mL$ for chlorthalidone, with correlation coefficients of greater than 0.999 at all the three laboratories. Intra- and inter-day assay precision and accuracy fulfilled international requirements. Stability studies(freeze-thaw, short-, long-term, extracted sample and stock solution) showed that atenolol and chlorthalidone were stable. The lower limit of quantitation of atenolol and chlorthalidone were 10 ng/mL and 0.05 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively, which was sensitive enough for pharmacokinetic studies. These methods were applied to the pharmacokinetic study of atenolol and chlorthalidone in human volunteers following a single oral administration of Hyundai $Tenoretic^{\circledR}$ tablet(atenolol 50 mg and chlorthalidone 12.5 mg) at three different laboratories.