• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.142-153
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• 2023

Background: Cognitive impairment has been reported to be closely associated with poor oral health, and the relationship is bidirectional, as older adults with poor oral health and chewing function are at a higher risk of cognitive decline (CD). This cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether masticatory discomfort in Korean elderly increases the risk of daily living difficulty (DLD) related to CD and whether there is a difference in risk according to gender and age. Methods: The data used were obtained from the Korean Community Health Survey (2019). The final analysis included 22,154 people aged 65 years and older who completed the survey and responded to all items on the variables used in the study. Chi-square test, trend test, and complex sample logistic regression were performed for statistical analysis, to clarify the purpose of this study. Results: As masticatory discomfort increased, the elderly's DLD tended to increase (p-for trend, p<0.001). For logistic regression, adjusting for all covariates, participants who reported masticatory discomfort as "discomfort" (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.11~3.50) and "severe discomfort" (AOR=2.95, 95% CI=2.49~3.50) had a more than a two-fold increased risk of CD-related DLD compared to participants who reported "no discomfort at all." In age-stratified analyses, elderly men aged 75~84 years and elderly women aged 65~74 years had the highest risk of developing CD-related DLD. Conclusion: Oral care interventions to improve masticatory function in older adults may slow CD and improve CD-related DLD. We hope that this study will raise awareness among caregivers and clinical professionals regarding the importance of oral care for older adults with CD.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.90-99
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• 2023

Background: Quantitative risk assessments should be accompanied by uncertainty analyses of the risk models employed in the calculations. In this study, we aim to develop a computational code named SUMRAY for use in cancer risk projections from radiation exposure taking into account uncertainties. We also aim to make SUMRAY publicly available as a resource for further improvement of risk projection. Materials and Methods: SUMRAY has two versions of code written in R and Python. The risk models used in SUMRAY for all-solid-cancer mortality and incidence were those published in the Life Span Study of a cohort of the atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The confidence intervals associated with the evaluated risks were derived by propagating the statistical uncertainties in the risk model parameter estimates by the Monte Carlo method. Results and Discussion: SUMRAY was used to calculate the lifetime or time-integrated attributable risks of cancer under an exposure scenario (baseline rates, dose[s], age[s] at exposure, age at the end of follow-up, sex) specified by the user. The results were compared with those calculated using another well-known web-based tool, Radiation Risk Assessment Tool (RadRAT; National Institutes of Health), and showed a reasonable agreement within the estimated confidential interval. Compared with RadRAT, SUMRAY can be used for a wide range of applications, as it allows the risk projection with arbitrarily specified risk models and/or population reference data. Conclusion: The reliabilities of SUMRAY with the present risk-model parameters and their variance-covariance matrices were verified by comparing them with those of the other codes. The SUMRAY code is distributed to the public as an open-source code under the Massachusetts Institute of Technology license.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.735-746
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome is closely associated with lifestyle factors, including diet and nutritional intake. Modern trends show a shift in food consumption from healthy home-cooked meals to processed and instant foods. Therefore, this study analyzed the association between ultra-processed food intake and the development of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults based on the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2013-2018. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects of this study were 17,414 adults aged 19-80 years who participated in the 6th-7th KNHANES. Processed food was classified into four categories, NOVA1 to NOVA4, using 24-h recall data. The higher the NOVA category, the more processed the food. Statistical analysis was conducted using logistic regression to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to the consumption of ultra-processed foods. RESULTS: Among the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome, hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-0.85; Q4 vs. Q1, P-trend < 0.001) and high triglycerides (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.94; Q4 vs. Q1, P-trend < 0.001) showed a correlation with the percentages of energy consumed from ultra-processed foods. The OR for metabolic syndrome, according to the percentages of energy consumed from ultra-processed foods, is shown only for men. The OR showed that the percentages of energy consumed from ultra-processed foods were associated with increased metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that consumption of ultra-processed foods raises the risk of metabolic syndrome especially among men. To prevent metabolic syndrome, it is necessary to prepare appropriate dietary guidelines for Korean adults.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.28-41
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and risk factors associated with pressure injuries related to medical devices among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Method : A retrospective study analyzed data from 462 ICU patients. Statistical analyses, including independent t-tests, Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regression were performed to analyze the data. Results : Among the 154 subjects, there were a total of 198 medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPI). Stage 2 and deep tissue pressure injuries were the most frequent. MDRPI occurred most frequently on the face, with nasogastric tubes being its leading cause, followed by endotracheal tubes. The risk factors for MDRPI included male sex (odds ratio [OR]=1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.12-2.83), department at the time of ICU admission (OR=4.29, 95% CI=2.01-9.15), post-surgery ICU admission (OR=0.43, 95% CI=0.25-0.73), application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines (OR=2.72, 95% CI=1.06-6.95), number of medical devices (OR=1.16, 95% CI=1.05-1.30), inotropic drug administration (OR=2.33, 95% CI=1.19-4.60), and sedative use (OR=2.53, 95% CI=1.17-5.45). Conclusion : These results enable the determination of the characteristics and risk factors associated with MDRPI. It is crucial to acknowledge the risk factors for MDRPI in ICU patients and establish a prevention strategy.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.143-154
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• 2022

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is considered as the main cause of concrete structures deterioration, especially those under humid environmental conditions. Hence, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars are being increasingly used as a replacement for conventional steel owing to their non-corrodible characteristics. However, predicting the shear strength of beams reinforced with FRP bars still challenging due to the lack of robust shear theory. Thus, this paper aims to develop an explicit data driven based model to predict the shear strength of FRP reinforced beams using multi-objective evolutionary polynomial regression analysis (MOGA-EPR) as data driven models learn the behavior from the input data without the need to employee a theory that aid the derivation, and thus they have an enhanced accuracy. This study also evaluates the accuracy of predictive models of shear strength of FRP reinforced concrete beams employed by different design codes by calculating and comparing the values of the mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), mean (𝜇), standard deviation of the mean (𝜎), coefficient of determination (R²), and percentage of prediction within error range of ±20% (a20-index). Experimental database has been developed and employed in the model learning, validation, and accuracy examination. The statistical analysis illustrated the robustness of the developed model with MAE, RMSE, 𝜇, 𝜎, R², and a20-index of 14.6, 20.8, 1.05, 0.27, 0.85, and 0.61, respectively for training data and 10.4, 14.1, 0.98, 0.25, 0.94, and 0.60, respectively for validation data. Furthermore, the developed model achieved much better predictions than the standard predictive models as it scored lower MAE, RMSE, and 𝜎, and higher R² and a20-index. The new model can be used in future with confidence in optimized designs as its accuracy is higher than standard predictive models.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2023

Background: Fruit and vegetable market is an abundant source of bioaerosols. Exposure to organic and inorganic waste and long-term inhalation of bioaerosols during working hours leads to chronic respiratory symptoms. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and related factors among fruit and vegetable workers compared with the control group in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods and materials: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from 2020 to 2021. Data were entered in EpiData 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Logistic regressions were computed to depict the data and related factors. The culture method was done to count and compare bacterial and fungal concentrations between fruit and vegetable workers and office workers. Results: In this study, the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms (PR = 2.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.772-4.66) was significantly higher among fruit and vegetable workers (46.7%) than controls (23.4%). Sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.12-3.98), educational status (AOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 0.78-2.32), working hours per day (AOR = 3.91, 95% CI = 1.586-9.65), and working department (AOR = 3.20, 95% CI = 0.90-11.40) were associated with chronic respiratory symptoms. Bacterial and fungal concentrations were significantly higher in the air of the vegetable market (276 colony-forming unit) than the air in the workplace of controls (7 colony-forming unit). Conclusion: The fruit and vegetable market workers (greengrocers) had a higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms relative to office workers. Respiratory protective devices should be given to deliver preventive measures.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.302-314
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• 2023

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to classify the shapes of retromolar pads and assess their morphometric differences using a 3D model. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two hundred fully edentulous or Kennedy Class I partially edentulous patients (400 retromolar pads) were enrolled. Scan data of the definitive mandibular casts produced through functional impressions were obtained using a 3D laser scanner. Seven parameters (transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, transverse-contour length, longitudinal-contour length, longitudinal/transverse diameter ratio, longitudinal/transverse-contour length ratio, and angle of the retromolar pad line to the residual alveolar ridge line) were measured using image analysis software. Subsequently, the pads were classified according to the shape. Statistical analyses were performed using 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS. Classifying the retromolar pads into three shapes led to high intra-examiner reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.933). The pear shape was the most common (56.5%), followed by oval/round (27.7%) and triangular (15.8%) shapes. There were no significant differences between the left and right sides according to the shape and no significant differences in any parameter according to age. The transverse diameter and longitudinal/transverse diameter ratio differed between sexes (P < .05). The triangular shape had a significantly different transverse diameter, transverse-contour length, longitudinal/transverse diameter ratio, and longitudinal/transverse-contour length ratio compared with the pear and oval/round shapes (P < .05). CONCLUSION. From a clinical reliability standpoint, classifying retromolar pads into three shapes (oval/round, pear-shaped, and triangular) is effective. The differences in the sizes among the shapes were attributed to the transverse measurement values.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.37-43
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• 2023

The hospital situation, timing, and patient restrictions have become obstacles to an optimum therapy session. The crowdedness of the hospital might lead to a tight schedule and a shorter period of therapy. This condition might strike a post-stroke patient in a dilemma where they need regular treatment to recover their nervous system. In this work, we propose an in-house and uncomplex serious game system that can be used for physical therapy. The Kinect camera is used to capture the depth image stream of a human skeleton. Afterwards, the user might use their hand gesture to control the game. Voice recognition is deployed to ease them with play. Users must complete the given challenge to obtain a more significant outcome from this therapy system. Subjects will use their upper limb and hands to capture the 3D objects with different speeds and positions. The more substantial challenge, speed, and location will be increased and random. Each delegated entity will raise the scores. Afterwards, the scores will be further evaluated to correlate with therapy progress. Users are delighted with the system and eager to use it as their daily exercise. The experimental studies show a comparison between score and difficulty that represent characteristics of user and game. Users tend to quickly adapt to easy and medium levels, while high level requires better focus and proper synchronization between hand and eye to capture the 3D objects. The statistical analysis with a confidence rate(α:0.05) of the usability test shows that the proposed gaming is accessible, even without specialized training. It is not only for therapy but also for fitness because it can be used for body exercise. The result of the experiment is very satisfying. Most users enjoy and familiarize themselves quickly. The evaluation study demonstrates user satisfaction and perception during testing. Future work of the proposed serious game might involve haptic devices to stimulate their physical sensation.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.106-116
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of obesity on the incidence of diabetes mellitus in adults with pre-diabetes. Methods: This study employed a longitudinal study design and utilized secondary data drawn from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. This study used data from a sample of 3,693 adults with prediabetes who were followed every two years from 2001 to 2018. Statistical data analysis for frequency, number of cases per 1,000 person-years, log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier curve, and Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis was performed using IBM SPSS statistics version 26. Results: During the observation period, there were 1,309 (35.4%) patients with diabetes, and the total number of person-years was 35,342. The incidence of diabetes was higher in the obese group compared to the normal weight group (body mass index [BMI]: hazard ratio=1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.40~1.77, waist: hazard ratio=1.55, 95% CI=1.38~1.76, waist to hip ratio [WHR]: hazard ratio=1.53, 95% CI=1.24~1.89, body fat [BF] (%): hazard ratio=1.42, 95% CI=1.27~1.61). Conclusion: An increase in BMI, waist circumference, and WHR, which are indicators of obesity, can exacerbate the risk factors for diabetes. Thus, a decrease in BMI, waist circumference, and WHR is necessary to prevent pre-diabetes. In particular, health care professionals should provide individualized weight management program interventions, including adult obesity programs and obesity counseling in partnership with local health departments, to reduce BMI and waist circumference in people at high risk for diabetes.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2024

PURPOSE. The aim of this stuldy was to compare the clinical marginal fit of CAD-CAM inlays obtained from intraoral digital impression or addition silicone impression techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study included 31 inlays for prosthodontics purposes of 31 patients: 15 based on intraoral digital impressions (DI group); and 16 based on a conventional impression technique (CI group). Inlays included occlusal and a non-occlusal surface. Inlays were milled in ceramic. The inlay-teeth interface was replicated by placing each inlay in its corresponding uncemented clinical preparation and taking interface impressions with silicone material from occlusal and free surfaces. Interface analysis was made using white light confocal microscopy (WLCM) (scanning area: 694 × 510 ㎛²) from the impression samples. The gap size and the inlay overextension were measured from the microscopy topographies. For analytical purposes (i.e., 95-%-confidence intervals calculations and P-value calculations), the procedure REGRESS in SUDAAN was used to account for clustering (i.e., multiple measurements). For p-value calculation, the log transformation of the dependent variables was used to normalize the distributions. RESULTS. Marginal fit values for occlusal and free surfaces were affected by the type of impression. There were no differences between surfaces (occlusal vs. free). Gap obtained for DI group was 164 ± 84 ㎛ and that for CI group was 209 ± 104 ㎛, and there were statistical differences between them (p = .041). Mean overextension values were 60 ± 59 ㎛ for DI group and 67 ± 73 ㎛ for CI group, and there were no differences between then (p = .553). CONCLUSION. Digital impression achieved inlays with higher clinical marginal fit and performed better than the conventional silicone materials.