• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2749-2752
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• 2012

Background: Breaking bad news to cancer patients is a delicate and challenging task for most doctors. Better understanding of patients' preferences in breaking bad news can guide doctors in performing this task. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the preferences of Malaysian cancer patients regarding the communication of bad news. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Oncology clinic of a tertiary teaching hospital. Two hundred adult cancer patients were recruited via purposive quota sampling. They were required to complete the Malay language version of the Measure of Patients' Preferences (MPP-BM) with minimal researcher assistance. Their responses were analysed using descriptive statistics. Association between demographic characteristics and domain scores were tested using non-parametric statistical tests. Results: Nine items were rated by the patients as essential: "Doctor is honest about the severity of my condition", "Doctor describing my treatment options in detail", "Doctor telling me best treatment options", Doctor letting me know all of the different treatment options", "Doctor being up to date on research on my type of cancer", "Doctor telling me news directly", "Being given detailed info about results of medical tests", "Being told in person", and "Having doctor offer hope about my condition". All these items had median scores of 5/5 (IQR:4-5). The median scores for the three domains were: "Content and Facilitation" 74/85, "Emotional Support" 23/30 and "Structural and Informational Support" 31/40. Ethnicity was found to be significantly associated with scores for "Content and Facilitation" and "Emotional Support". Educational status was significantly associated with scores for "Structural and Informational Support". Conclusion: Malaysian cancer patients appreciate the ability of the doctor to provide adequate information using good communication skills during the process of breaking bad news. Provision of emotional support, structural support and informational support were also highly appreciated.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2663-2667
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• 2012

Objectives: An attempt was made to understand the nicotine dependence of smokers selected for an ongoing smoking cessation intervention programme in rural Kerala, India. Methods: Data were collected from resident males in the age group of 18 to 60 years from 4 randomly allocated community development blocks of rural Thiruvananthapuram district (2 intervention and 2 control groups). Trained accredited social health activist workers were utilised to collect data from all groups through face to face interview. Nicotine dependence among participants was assessed by means of the six-item Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) translated into the local language. The internal consistency of FTND was computed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Criterion validity (concurrent) was assessed by correlations of nicotine dependence scores with age at initiation of smoking and cumulative smoking volume in pack-years. Results: Among the 928 smokers identified, 474 subjects were in the intervention area (mean age = 44.6 years, SD = 9.66 years) and 454 in the control area (mean age = 44.5 years, SD = 10.30 years). The overall FTND score among current daily smokers was 5.04 (SD: 5.05). FTND scores in the control and intervention areas were 4.75 (SD: 2.57) and 4.92 (SD: 2.51) respectively. The FTND scores increased with age and decreased with higher literacy and socioeconomic status. The average FTND score was high among smokers using both bidi and cigarettes (mean 6.10, SD 2.17). Internal consistency analysis yielded a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.70 in a subsample of 150 subjects, a moderate result. The association of the scale was strongest, with the number of pack-years smoked (rho = 0.677, p < 0.001). Conclusion: A moderate level of nicotine dependence was observed among smokers in the current study. Tobacco cessation strategies could be made more cost effective and productive if a baseline assessment of nicotine dependence is completed before any intervention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1205-1210
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• 2014

Background: Previous studies on the association of oral contraceptives (OC) use and lung cancer generated inconsistent findings. The aim of this study was to confirm any definite correlation between OC use and lung cancer risk. Methods: Publications were reviewed and obtained through PubMed and EMBASE databases literature search up to November, 2013. Reference lists from retrieved articles were also reviewed. The language of publication was restricted to English. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association by calculating pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 14 studies consisting of 9 case-control studies and 5 cohort studies were finally included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant association observed between OC use and lung cancer risk in the overall analysis (OR=0.91; 95% CI=0.81-1.03). There was a significant protective effect in Europe (OR=0.74; 95% CI=0.60-0.91) and a borderline significant protective effect with an adenocarcinoma histology (OR=0.90; 95% CI=0.80-1.01) in subgroup analyses. No association was observed for methodological quality of study, study design, smoking status and case number of study. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that OC use is not likely to be associated with the risk of lung cancer at all. While a significant protective effect of OC use on lung cancer was observed in Europe, interpretation should be cautious because of the potential biases of low-quality studies. At the same time, more attention should be paid to the possible association of OC use with adenocarcinoma of lung. Our findings require further research, with well-conducted and large-scale epidemiological studies to confirm effects of OC use on lung cancer.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.1163-1170
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• 2010

In this paper, in order to develop a remote progress management system through the Internet, we show a design method to make easy maintenance by developing the system with both the JAVA language and GoF Design Patterns. For the system implementation, we added the RS232C and RS422/RS485 communication modules to PLC(Programmable Logic Controller) in the control box which provide the real time status data of machines. Also we set up the RS232C to Ethernet converter based on wireless environment to communicate the PLC control data. We use JAVA Swing components to implement the multi-tier architecture system supported the GUI of the Applet and Frame at the same time so that the manager grasps the progress of work easily at the remote machines through the Internet. The key objective of the multi-tier architecture is to share resources among clients, this proposed system can help to develop the software to control the remote machine, and also it has the advantage that developer who wants to make a similar software can make easy to add new function reusing the existing codes.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.128-136
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• 2008

As Chinese characters occupies more than 70% of words we currently use, the education of Chinese characters is becoming important day by day to accurately deliver the meaning of words in our language life. In recent, there are increasing concerns on writing Chinese characters correctly, especially the order of stroke, as well as memorizing the meaning and the sound of a character. Books and Internet contents on Chinese character writing is emerging. However, currently available Internet media on the Chinese characters education only illuminates recitation and interpretation. Even though some books contain the chapter concerning the order of stroke of a character, those only force simple repetitions. In this paper, we propose a design and implementation of teaming system for writing of Chinese character based on web which enables the user-directed teaming. Using the system, a user can manage the status of learning by oneself. Additionally, we can enhance the efficiency of learning by making users understood the correct reading and writing in Chinese character education.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.11-18
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• 2018

Suhwa Kim Hwan-gi established his own unique world of art based on Korean-style lyricism with his sophisticated and sublimated formative language as the first generation of Korean abstract artist. He made his name known not only in Korea but New York and Paris, the center of contemporary art. Presently, there is almost no material left for us to examine how Kim Hwan-gi's house looked in the first place. But there is a painting that chef Kim Am-gi possesses where we can find the image of painter Kim Hwan-gi's house drawn by recalling the memories at home in a far-off land. With that, we can see it should be the original looks of that house. To examine the original looks of Kim Hwan-gi's house when it was built, this author studied the closure land registration map. By analyzing 29 land registration maps around Eupdong-ri of Gijwa-myeon in Muan-gun of Jeollanam-do produced in 1917 which National Archives of Korea possesses, this researcher could figure out the status of land registration around Kim Hwan-gi's house with No. 15 and 22 drawing boards. According to the results of considering aerial photographs after the emancipation that National Geographic Information Institute possesses, this author has found that the arrangement of Kim Hwan-gi's house was changed from 1954 up to 2008. In 1954 aerophotos, we can see the main building and studio in Kim Hwan-gi's house and there was an additional structure between them. Kim Hwan-gi's house was built before 1925. The main building presently designated as a cultural asset and also the sarangchae arranged in the east and the studio, too, were built in the similar period.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean food adaption, eating behavior and dietary intakes of married female immigrants by age, number of residence years in Korea and level of income. The survey included 67 female marriage immigrants attending the Korean language class at the multicultural family support center within the northern part of Kyonggi province from October 2010 to July 2011. General characteristics, Korean dietary life adaptation, and eating behavior were collected and dietary intakes were assessed using 24-hour recall. The home countries with regards to all subjects were Vietnam (40.3%), China (23.9%), Japan (11.9%), Philippines (7.0%), and Mongolia (3.0%). Total energy intake was 1432.5kcal and there were significant differences in nutritional intake concerning vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 by age (p < 0.05). More than 50% of subjects did not meet estimated average requirements for calcium (56.7%), zinc (52.2%), vitamin C (55.2%), and folic acid (76.1%). Food adaptation scores were significantly correlated with general characteristics (age, residence year, drinking alcohol and acquisition of nationality), total scores of eating behavior, and nutritional intake (energy, protein, fat, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, niacin, vitamin E, and zinc). These results might suggest that the better their Korean food adaptation, the more desirable their eating behavior and nutritional status.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4043-4048
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• 2016

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the ninth most common cancer worldwide, and has a poor 5-year survival rate averaging 50%, which has not changed for decades. A high prevalence of HNC has been reported in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia, as compared to other areas of the country. However, data in regards to HNC are scattered and not well documented. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to gather all available and updated important information regarding HNC in Saudi Arabia, and highlight the gaps of knowledge in our country with regard to this disease. In addition, suggestions of solutions to overcome the current status and improve our future standard of care to fight HNC are also highlighted. Materials and Methods: The electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar using English-language literature were used for this systematic review, using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and keywords. The search was performed in April 2016 and updated in June 2016. Results: Our search revealed twenty-one studies that fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria and that were conducted in Saudi Arabia. These studies investigated different aspects of HNC, including prevalence, risk factors, biomarkers, and assessed knowledge and awareness of both public and practitioners with regard to HNC. Conclusions: This review uncovered a big gap in our epidemiological data in cancer information in general, and head and neck cancer in particular. In addition, a lack of knowledge and awareness of both the public and health care practitioners hinders the early diagnosis of disease and negatively impact the prognosis, treatment and outcome. The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia should develop a more systematic way and adapt policies to gather cancer information in general, and head and neck cancer in particular, from all governmental and private sectors from all over the kingdom, and develop educational programs to raise the knowledge and awareness of HNC in the country.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.445-453
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• 2020

Purpose: Community child centers (CCCs) were introduced to provide after-school activities and care, including meal services to children from low-income families. The assistant cooks, who have the main responsibility for making and serving food at CCCs, are a major factor influencing the eating habits of children using CCCs. In this study, we tried to identify and understand who the assistant cooks are, what their job responsibilities are, and what they need in order to be able to provide children with healthy meals. Methods: Three focus group interviews were held with 17 workfare program participants who worked as assistant cooks at CCCs, and content analysis methods were applied using the NVivo 12 qualitative data analysis software. Results: The assistant cooks reflected on their perceptions of the children's health at the CCCs, their own cooking style, and their role at the CCCs. Additionally, barriers to the optimal provision of their services were pointed out, and improvements were suggested. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used as a fundamental resource for the development of tailored interventions that consider a child's unique environment to address health disparities, specifically with respect to childhood obesity.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.93-116
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• 2006

The main purpose of this study is to examine whether power-of-speech have an impact on persuasion in radio CM and to determine what is stronger variable either power-of-speech or sex of source. Previous research showed confused result about this issue. Some research supposed the effect of power-of-speech depend on sex of source/Carli, 1990) but the others supposed it is not(Holtgraves & Lasky, 1999; Erickson, Lind, Johnson, & O'Barr, 1978). So present research is designed to show empirical evidence about this issue examining the interaction between effect of power-of-speech and sex of source. Result revealed that power-of-speech affects strongly on persuasion and that effect have no interaction with sex of source. This result means that the effect of power-of-speech is stronger than the effect of sex of source. But in attitude toward product exceptionally, female source using powerful speech induce more favorable attitude toward product than female source using powerless speech whereas male source using powerful and powerless speech induce same attitude toward product.