• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the computer monitors used for analysis and interpretation of digital radiographs within the clinics of the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia. Materials and Methods: In total, 135 computer monitors(3 brands, 6 models) were assessed by analysing the same radiographic image of a combined 13-step aluminium step wedge and the Artinis CDDent 1.0^® (Artinis Medical Systems B.V.^®, Elst, the Netherlands) test object. The number of steps and cylindrical objects observed on each monitor was recorded along with the monitor's make, model, position relative to the researcher's eye level, and proximity to the nearest window. The number of window panels blocked by blinds, the outside weather conditions, and the number of ceiling lights over the surgical suite/cubicle were also recorded. MedCalc^® version 19.2.1 (MedCalc Software Ltd^®, Ostend, Belgium, https://www.medcalc.org; 2020) was used for statistical analyses(Kruskal-Wallis test and stepwise regression analysis). The level of significance was set at P<0.05. Results: Stepwise regression analysis showed that only the monitor brand and proximity of the monitor to a window had a significant impact on the monitor's performance (P<0.05). The Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences (P<0.05) in monitor performance for all variables investigated, except for the weather and the clinic in which the monitors were placed. Conclusion: The vast performance variation present between computer monitors implies the need for a review of monitor selection, calibration, and viewing conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.271-287
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• 2021

Background: Postoperative pain management is crucial for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There have been many recent clinical trials on post-TKA peripheral nerve block; however, they have reported inconsistent findings. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to comprehensively analyze studies on post-TKA analgesia to provide evidence-based clinical suggestions. Methods: We performed a computer-based query of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science to retrieve related articles using neurothe following search terms: nerve block, nerve blockade, chemodenervation, chemical neurolysis, peridural block, epidural anesthesia, extradural anesthesia, total knee arthroplasty, total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and others. After quality evaluation and data extraction, we analyzed the complications, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, patient satisfaction, perioperative opioid dosage, and rehabilitation indices. Evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Results: We included 16 randomized controlled trials involving 981 patients (511 receiving peripheral nerve block and 470 receiving epidural block) in the final analysis. Compared with an epidural block, a peripheral nerve block significantly reduced complications. There were no significant between-group differences in the postoperative VAS score, patient satisfaction, perioperative opioid dosage, and rehabilitation indices. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that the peripheral nerve block is superior to the epidural block in reducing complications without compromising the analgesic effect and patient satisfaction. Therefore, a peripheral nerve block is a safe and effective postoperative analgesic method with encouraging clinical prospects.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.65-77
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate changes in the communication capabilities of dental hygiene students after completing a problem based learning (PBL) dental communication curriculum. With this information, we intend to gather the basic data necessary to stress the need for and value of an education in communication regarding dental hygiene. Methods: PBL-based education was provided to a total of 49 third-year dental hygiene students who took the dental communication class taught by the Department of Dental Hygiene at S University during the 2^nd semester of 2020. The relevant self-evaluation was modified, based on the aim of the present study, to refer to three basic key competencies related to the communication capabilities of dental hygienists. An assessment of dental communication competency was conducted by analyzing the changes in self-evaluations before and after completing the course, for each question, using a paired t-test. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Analysis of core competencies before and after PBL-based dental communication education indicated that all competencies were significantly improved after education (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Dental hygiene students' dental communication skills increased significantly after completing PBL-based dental communication education. Therefore, a PBL-based dental communication curriculum is effective in improving dental communication skills for dental hygiene students.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.95-103
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• 2021

Purpose: High intake of cholesterol leads to cardiovascular disruption. Estimating the actual intake of cholesterol can be beneficial for nutrition intervention. This research aimed to develop Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) to estimate cholesterol intake and analyze its reliability and validity. Methods: SQ-FFQ was developed by sorting high cholesterol food items in Indonesian food database and food items' availability. A total of 30 older adults were randomly chosen from Public Health Center in Jagir District, Surabaya, Indonesia to test its validity. Reliability test was done by measuring the same developed SQ-FFQ in one-month period, while validity test was done by comparing SQ-FFQ results with 6-days food record. Statistical analysis used for reliability test was paired t-test, the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC), and Cronbach's α to measure the internal consistency. Meanwhile, validity of developed SQ-FFQ was analyzed using paired t-test and Bland-Altman. Results: Reliability of 2 administered SQ-FFQs showed a good agreement based on paired t-test analysis (p = 0.200), ICC (0.609), and Cronbach's α (0.757). Strong agreement was found in most of food items, but agreements for egg yolk and fried duck were poor. Significant difference was found between those food items (p = 0.001 vs. p < 0.001, respectively) with mean difference were -25.3 mg and 46.2 mg. Validity of developed SQ-FFQ2 compared to 6-days food diary records also found a strong agreement based on paired t-test and the Bland-Altman analysis. Conclusion: This baseline research provides a reasonably valid and repeatable measure of cholesterol intake estimation that can be widely used in nutrition and public health study, especially in Indonesia. No study has been conducted in Indonesia on the development of tools to estimate the cholesterol intake.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.248-265
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the dietary behaviors of preschool children using the nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P) and analyzed the difference in the scores of the children's dietary behaviors in regards to the parents' health consciousness. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 257 children aged 3-5 years and their parents residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The questionnaire is composed of demographic characteristics, the NQ-P questions, and health consciousness. All data were statistically analyzed by SPSS program (ver. 25.0) and the statistical differences in variables were evaluated by χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple comparison test. RESULTS: There was a significant difference on the intake frequency of processed meat by region and fast foods by age, region, and weight status (P < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in not moving around while eating by weight status and parents' effort to have healthy eating habits by sex (P < 0.05). The mean score of NQ-P of the total subjects was 59.47, which was within the medium-low grade. The mean score of balance was 61.62, and the boys were significantly higher than girls (P < 0.05). As the age of children increased, the mean score of the moderation was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The scores of NQ-P (P < 0.05), balance (P < 0.01), and environment (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the high group of parents' health consciousness than the low group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the evaluation by NQ-P, the dietary behaviors of preschoolers residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do need to be improved. For improving their eating behavior and nutritional health status, parents and children need customized nutrition education programs based on sex, age, region and weight status of preschool children as well as the degree of parents' health consciousness.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.153-164
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• 2021

Objectives: Despite the low cost and high accessibility of manual acupuncture (MA) treatments for the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), this intervention has not been uniformly evaluated in systematic reviews (SR), and no SR has evaluated MA monotherapy for CTS. This review was conducted to summarize the findings and undertake a quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture treatment methods for mild-to-moderate CTS to identify clinical evidence for the use of MA in CTS. Methods: We searched five databases for articles on relevant RCTs that were published until June 2021 without imposing specific restrictions, such as age or sex, on CTS patients. RCTs that evaluated MA were included without any restriction on comparator interventions. Measurement tools for evaluating pain reduction and functional improvement or for evaluating efficacy using electrophysiological indicators were included as outcome measures. Results: We included seven RCTs, of which three studies reported both post-treatment improvement effects and statistical significance using p-values for all outcomes. Five studies reported statistically significant intergroup differences (p-values for all outcomes) in posttreatment improvement. None of the studies reported severe adverse effects of MA. In all of the RCTs, the reporting rates of the 2c, 2a, and 6a items of STRICTA 2010 were 14%, 29%, and 29%, respectively. PC7 (Daereung) was used to treat CTS in all of the included studies. Conclusion: MA can be used for CTS treatment without serious adverse effects. PC7 was the most commonly used acupoint. In order to ensure objective and reliable reporting, accurate standardization of acupuncture treatment methods acupoint terms should be undertaken in future RCTs.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2022

Drunk driving defines a driver as unable to drive a vehicle safely due to drinking. To crack down on drunk driving, alcohol concentration evaluates through breathing and crack down on drinking using S-shaped courses. A method for assessing drunk driving without using BAC or BrAC is measurement via biosignal. Depending on the individual specificity of drinking, alcohol evaluation studies through various biosignals need to be conducted. In this study, we measure biosignals that are related to alcohol concentration, predict BrAC through SVM, and verify the effectiveness of the S-shaped course. Participants were 8 men who have a driving license. Subjects conducted a d2 test and a scenario evaluation of driving an S-shaped course when they attained BrAC's certain criteria. We utilized SVR to predict BrAC via biosignals. Statistical analysis used a one-way Anova test. Depending on the amount of drinking, there was a tendency to increase pupil size, HR, normLF, skin conductivity, body temperature, SE, and speed, while normHF tended to decrease. There was no apparent change in the respiratory rate and TN-E. The result of the D2 test tended to increase from 0.03% and decrease from 0.08%. Measured biosignals have enabled BrAC predictions using SVR models to obtain high Figs in primary and secondary cross-validations. In this study, we were able to predict BrAC through changes in biosignals and SVMs depending on alcohol concentration and verified the effectiveness of the S-shaped course drinking control method.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.439-446
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify correlations between the STOP-Bang score and upper airway dimensions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Materials and Methods: This study included 101 subjects (46 men, 55 women) from dental patients who received CBCT scans from 2014 to 2020. The patients were divided into those with a low obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) risk (STOP-Bang score<3) and those with an intermediate to high OSA risk (STOP-Bang score≥3), and their upper airway dimensions were then analysed on CBCT scans. Comparisons between the low-risk and intermediate/high-risk groups were conducted using the t-test and the Mann-Whitney test. Correlations between the total STOP-Bang score and upper airway dimension parameters were established using Spearman correlation coefficients. P values≤0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: Intermediate/high-risk subjects were predominantly male and over 50 years of age, with a higher body mass index. They had significantly longer upper airways, smaller average airway volumes, and smaller widths and antero-posterior dimensions of the narrowest upper airway segment. The total upper airway length was positively correlated with the STOP-Bang score (r_s=0.278). The average volume (r_s= -0.203) and width of the narrowest upper airway segment(r_s= -0.305) were both negatively correlated with STOP-Bang scores. Conclusion: Subjects with higher STOP-Bang scores had upper airways that were longer, narrower, and smaller in terms of average volume. CBCT scans taken for dental patients as part of investigative procedures could be correlated with STOP-Bang scores to screen for patients at risk of OSA.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.227-235
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the risk and vulnerability of marine accidents based on statistical data on marine accidents at Ulsan Port, which has the largest amount of liquid cargo in Korea. It was found to be quite vulnerable to the risk of marine accidents, environmental damage, and vulnerability to environmental pollution accidents. Based on analysis results, marine accident scenarios and accident response strategies were prepared. Additionally, as a response strategy to prepare for large-scale marine pollution accidents at Ulsan Port, it is necessary to establish control equipment and infrastructure, as well as establish a control center to integrate marine accident safety functions. In particular, in the case of liquid cargo specialized ports such as Ulsan Port, considering the size of the cargo volume and the frequency of marine pollution accidents, it is urgent to build professional safety management institutions, which should make the port safer.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.327-340
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• 2022

The Collapse Margin Ratio (CMR) is a notable index used for seismic assessment of the structures. As proposed by FEMA P695, a set of analyses including the Nonlinear Static Analysis (NSA), Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA), together with Fragility Analysis, which are typically time-taking and computationally unaffordable, need to be conducted, so that the CMR could be obtained. To address this issue and to achieve a quick and efficient method to estimate the CMR, the Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Response Surface Method (RSM), and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) will be introduced in the current research. Accordingly, using the NSA results, an attempt was made to find a fast and efficient approach to derive the CMR. To this end, 5016 IDA analyses based on FEMA P695 methodology on 114 various Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames with 1 to 12 stories have been carried out. In this respect, five parameters have been used as the independent and desired inputs of the systems. On the other hand, the CMR is regarded as the output of the systems. Accordingly, a double hidden layer neural network with Levenberg-Marquardt training and learning algorithm was taken into account. Moreover, in the RSM approach, the quadratic system incorporating 20 parameters was implemented. Correspondingly, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) has been employed to discuss the results taken from the developed model. Additionally, the essential parameters and interactions are extracted, and input parameters are sorted according to their importance. Moreover, the ANFIS using Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy system was employed. Finally, all methods were compared, and the effective parameters and associated relationships were extracted. In contrast to the other approaches, the ANFIS provided the best efficiency and high accuracy with the minimum desired errors. Comparatively, it was obtained that the ANN method is more effective than the RSM and has a higher regression coefficient and lower statistical errors.