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This article proposes a method for the prediction of wide range two-dimensional refractivity for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications, using an inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation of high-altitude radio refractivity data from multiple meteorological observatories. The radio refractivity is extracted from an atmospheric data set of twenty meteorological observatories around the Korean Peninsula along a given altitude. Then, from the sparse refractive data, the two-dimensional regional radio refractivity of the entire Korean Peninsula is derived using the IDW interpolation, in consideration of the curvature of the Earth. The refractivities of the four seasons in 2019 are derived at the locations of seven meteorological observatories within the Korean Peninsula, using the refractivity data from the other nineteen observatories. The atmospheric refractivities on 15 February 2019 are then evaluated across the entire Korean Peninsula, using the atmospheric data collected from the twenty meteorological observatories. We found that the proposed IDW interpolation has the lowest average, the lowest average root-mean-square error (RMSE) of ∇M (gradient of M), and more continuous results than other methods. To compare the resulting IDW refractivity interpolation for airborne SAR applications, all the propagation path losses across Pohang and Heuksando are obtained using the standard atmospheric condition of ∇M = 118 and the observation-based interpolated atmospheric conditions on 15 February 2019. On the terrain surface ranging from 90 km to 190 km, the average path losses in the standard and derived conditions are 179.7 dB and 182.1 dB, respectively. Finally, based on the air-to-ground scenario in the SAR application, two-dimensional illuminated field intensities on the terrain surface are illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted the study on the relationship between the distribution of coastal sand dune plants and edaphic factors from the shoreline to inland in sand dune ecosystem. The application of TWINSPAN classification based on 10 species, led to the recognition of three vegetative groups (A-C), which associated with their habitats (foredune, hummuck in semistable zone and stable zone). The associations were separated along soil gradient far from the seashore. The relationships between species composition and environmental gradients were explained by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Distance from the shoreline was an important indicator to determine soil properties (pH, total ion contents, sand particle sizes, organic matters and nitrogen contents) from the seaward area to inland area and distribution pattern of coastal sand dune plants. Group A is foredune zone, characterized by Calystegia soldanella; group included typical foredune species such as Elymus mollis, Carex kobomugi, Ixeris repens, C. soldanella and Glehnia littoralis. Group B on semi-stabilized zone was characterized by Vitex rotundifolia, a perennial woody shrub. This group was associated the proportion of fine sand size (100 to 250 μm). The results on the proportion of soil particle size showed a transition in sand composition, particularly with respect to the proportion of fine sand size that occurred from the foredune ridge at 32.5 m to the Vitex rotundifolia community at 57.5 m from the shoreline. Group C on stabilized zone was characterized by Zoysia macrostachya, Lathyrus japonicus and Cynodon dactylon and were associated soil organic matter and nitrogen contents. The spatial distribution of plants in the Goraebul coastal sand dune system may result from the interactions between the plant species and environmental heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the metabolic syndrome (MS) is linked to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Korean men. This was a longitudinal study that used data collected from 328 men aged 50–89 years who were randomly selected among 1,520 participants in 2004. We collected information from 224 (68.3%) men among the original responders on the biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle, and economic factors in 2007. The prevalence of the MS was 187/328 (57.0%) in 2004 and 125/224 (55.8%) in 2007 among men, respectively. There was no significantly greater increase in the IPSS in men with the MS than in men without the MS over a 3-year period of time (2.0±9.37 versus 3.0±8.44, p=0.402, resp.). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis with control for age and life style factors, the risk factors for moderate/severe LUTS were age and erectile dysfunction (p<0.05). However, the presence of the MS did not increase the risk of moderate/severe LUTS (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.63–1.89, p=0.748). Our cross-sectional and longitudinal risk factor analyses do not support the hypothesis that the MS is linked to LUTS in Korean men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To identify predictors of initial weight loss among women with abdominal obesity by using a path model. Background Successful weight loss in the initial stages of long-term weight management may promote weight loss maintenance. Design A longitudinal study design. Methods Study participants were 75 women with abdominal obesity, who were enrolled in a 12-month Community-based Heart and Weight Management Trial and followed until a 6-month assessment. The Weight Efficacy Lifestyle, Exercise Self-Efficacy and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile- II measured diet self-efficacy, exercise self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviour respectively. All endogenous and exogenous variables used in our path model were change variables from baseline to 6 months. Data were collected between May 2011-May 2012. Findings Based on the path model, increases in both diet and exercise self-efficacy had significant effects on increases in health-promoting behaviour. Increases in diet self-efficacy had a significant indirect effect on initial weight loss via increases in health-promoting behaviour. Increases in health-promoting behaviour had a significant effect on initial weight loss. Conclusion Among women with abdominal obesity, increased diet self-efficacy and health-promoting behaviour were predictors of initial weight loss. A mechanism by which increased diet self-efficacy predicts initial weight loss may be partially attributable to health-promoting behavioural change. However, more work is still needed to verify causality. Based on the current findings, intensive nursing strategies for increasing self-efficacy for weight control and health-promoting behaviour may be essential components for better weight loss in the initial stage of a weight management intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the solute pattern of salt marsh plants in Suncheon Bay in Korea, plants and soil samples were collected at three sites from July to September 2011. The soil pH around the investigated species was weakly alkaline, 6.9-8.1. The total ion and Cl- content of site 1 gradually increased, while those of site 2 and site 3 were lowest in August and highest in September. The exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ in the soil were relatively constant during the study period, but the soil exchangeable Na+ content was variable. Carex scabrifolia and Phragmites communis had constant leaf water content and very high concentrations of soluble carbohydrates during the study period. However, Suaeda malacosperma and S. japonica had high leaf water content and constant very low soluble carbohydrate concentrations. Carex scabrifolia accumulated similar amounts of Na+ and K+ ions in its leaves. Phragmites communis contained a high concentration of K+ ions. Suada japonica and S. malacosperma had more Na+ and Cl- ions than K+ ions in their leaves. Suaeda japonica had higher levels of glycine betaine in its leaves under saline conditions than C. scabrifolia and P. communis. Consequently, the physiological characteristics of salt marsh chenopodiaceous plants (S. japonica and S. malacosperma) were the high storage capacity for inorganic ions (especially alkali cations and chloride) and accumulation of glycine betaine, but monocotyledonous plant species (C. scabrifolia and P. communis) showed high K+ concentrations, efficient regulation of ionic uptake, and accumulation of soluble carbohydrates. These characteristics might enable salt marsh plants to grow in saline habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores air passengers' behavior of airport access mode choice and develops airport access mode choice models for two major domestic airports in Korea, Gimpo Airport and Daegu Airport. First, descriptive analyses are conducted to identify whether the key explanatory variables such as trip purpose, travel time, and travel cost are statistically different among airport access modes. Second, logistic regression models are proposed for three types of airport access mode choices: auto and public transit, auto and bus, and auto and subway. The model results indicate that the choice of airport access mode is significantly affected by travel characteristics and sociodemographic variables. This study also estimates access mode choice models for business and nonbusiness travel, indicating that access mode choice is significantly more affected by demographic characteristics of nonbusiness travel air passengers than those for business travel passengers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of emotional labor, emotional intelligence and social support on job stress in clinical nurses. Methods: Participants were 123 clinical nurses and data were collected from October to December, 2011 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression with SPSS 18.0. Results: A positive correlation was found between job stress and emotional labor. Emotional labor showed a significant negative correlation with emotional intelligence and social support, whereas a positive correlation was found between emotional intelligence and social support. The strongest predictor of job stress was emotional labor. In addition, institution satisfaction (dissatisfaction) and the reason for selecting the job (opportunities for service) accounted for 21% of variance in job stress. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that it is important to manage emotional labor as well as to improve job satisfaction in order to reduce job stress in clinical nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cigarette smoking is a risk factor of coronary heart disease. Vascular calcification such as coronary artery calcium (CAC) and aortic calcium (AC) is associated with coronary heart disease. The authors hypothesised that cigarette smoking is associated with coronary artery and aortic calcifications in Japanese and Koreans with high smoking prevalence. Methods: Random samples from populations of 313 Japanese and 302 Korean men aged 40-49 years were examined for calcification of the coronary artery and aorta using electron beam CT. CAC and AC were quantified using the Agatston score. The authors examined the associations of cigarette smoking with CAC and AC after adjusting for conventional risk factors and alcohol consumption. Current and past smokers were combined and categorised into two groups using median pack-years as a cut-off point in each of Japanese and Koreans. The never-smoker group was used as a reference for the multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: The ORs of CAC (score ≥10) for smokers with higher pack-years were 2.9 in Japanese (p<0.05) and 1.3 in Koreans (non-significant) compared with neversmokers. The ORs of AC (score ≥100) for smokers with higher pack-years were 10.4 in Japanese (p<0.05) and 3.6 in Koreans (p<0.05). Conclusion: Cigarette smoking with higher pack-years is significantly associated with CAC and AC in Japanese men, while cigarette smoking with higher pack-years is significantly associated with AC but not significantly with CAC in Korean men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical implication of extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC) resistance has been unclear in patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis (SPM). We collected the clinical data of 120 patients with SPM in 12 hospitals of the Republic of Korea. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of 23 ESC-nonsusceptible SPM episodes were compared to those of 97 ESC-susceptible episodes. Hospital acquisition, presence of other foci of pneumococcal infection, septic shock at initial presentation, or concomitant bacteremia were more commonly observed in ESC-nonsusceptible than ESC-susceptible SPM. Empiric antimicrobial therapy with vancomycin and ESC combination was very common in both groups. Although there was a tendency towards higher early fatality in ESC-nonsusceptible SPM (3-day mortality; 17.4 % vs. 4.4 %, p = 0.05), in-hospital mortality (26.1 % vs. 20.9 %, p = 0.59) and median length of hospital stay (20 days vs. 24 days, p = 0.34) did not differ between ESC-nonsusceptible and ESC-susceptible SPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article details the study on the biodiversity of marine invertebrates on rocky shores of Dokdo, Korea. From August 2007 to June 2008, a total of 98 marine invertebrate species were identified. Mollusca and Arthropoda predominated among the 7 phyla that were presented. The relation of the topographical characteristics of each station to the faunal composition and distribution of invertebrates is mentioned. The study concludes that the 403 species, composed of 10 phyla and 172 families, found in Dokdo ecosystem have a high and dynamic biodiversity.

Background: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. However, few data on clinical characteristics and outcomes of IPA in Korea have been reported. We conducted a nationwide multicenter study in Korea for evaluation of the epidemiology and clinicaloutcomes of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 10 hospitals in Korea. We reviewed all adult patients who met the revised EORTC/MSG definitions between 2008 and 2010. Results: A total of 334 cases, which included proven (26, 8%), probable (159, 48%), or possible (149, 44%) IPA, were identified. Patients with proven or probable IPA were evaluated, and, of these 185 IPA patients, 105 (57%) had neutropenia, 30(16%) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, 25 (14%) underwent solid organ transplantation, and 32 (17%) without neutropenia and transplantation received immunosuppressive agents or corticosteroid. Aspergil/us spp. were isolated from 42 patients (23%), and positive fungal culture rates from sterile fluid, sputum, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) were 67% (6/9), 21% (32/1 50), and 20% (9/44), respectively. Results of assays for sensitivity of serum and BAL galactomannan were 84% (1 55/1 84) and 89% (25/28), respectively. Amphotericin-B deoxycholate and ftraconazole were most commonly administered as a primary therapy in 107 (58%). and 34 (19%) patients, respectively. Of 133 patients (73%) who received salvage therapy after primary antifungal therapy for a median period of six days (IQR 3-12), 82 (62%) patients were treated with voriconazole. Of 185 patients, 82 (44%) died within three months after diagnosis of IPA. CT findings, including small airway lesions and micronodules, ground glass opacities, and pleural effusion and persistent positive galactomannan status showed an independent association with worse outcome, while proven diagnosis of IPA showed an independent association with better outcome. Conclusions: Microbiologic confirmation of PA was low in Korea; therefore, many Korean physicians were dependent on the galactomannan assay for microbiologic diagnosis. Primary therapy with Amphotericin-B deoxycholate followed by salvage therapy with voriconazole was the most common antifungal strategy for treatment of patients with IPA in Korea. Overall mortality and IPA-related mortality were comparable with data from Western clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volcanic activity of Ulleung Island generated considerable amount of pyroclastic materials composed of volcanic ash, lapilli tuff, pumice, and breccia, during the period ranging from the Pleistocene to the Holocene. The Nari Formation exposed in the southern part of the Nari caldera can be divided into four units; Nari-I, Nari-II, Nari-III and Nari-IV. Nari-I, Nari-II, and Nari-III are characterized by dense gray pumice, white and gray pumices, and brown and black pumices, respectively. In this study, we dated radiocarbon ages and identified species of four charcoal fragments collected from the pumiceous deposits of Nari-I and Nari-II. Radiocarbon ages for Nari-I and Nari-II are 15,880 ± 60∼15,560 ± 100 BP and 7,660 ± 40∼7,600 ± 40 BP, respectively. Calibrated ages from these ages are 19,055 ± 95∼18,840 ± 150 cal BP for Nari-I and 8,465 ± 75∼8,400 ± 40 cal BP for Nari-II. This result indicates that the interval between Nari-I and Nari-II might be about 10,000 years. Nari-III was formed after 5,600 cal BP that records the youngest age data correlated with Nari-II. Therefore, it can be concluded that Albong lava dome, the youngest volcanic activity of the island, is more likely to cease a few thousands of years ago. On the basis of the anatomical characteristics of the charcoal fragments, they were identified to be Picea spp. and Fagus crenata. To summarize, the paleovegetation around the Nari caldera consisted of Picea spp. until 19,055∼18,840 cal BP and Fagus crenata, representing a broadleaf forest of Ulleung Island at present, flourished after about 8,465 cal BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kwak YG, Lee S-O, Kim TH, Choo EJ, Jeon M-H, Jun J-B, Kim K-M, Jeong JS, Kim YS. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2012; 18: 77-83 The use of multidose vials and fingerstick blood sampling devices in Korean emergency departments and intensive care units This study was performed to compare compliance with standard precautions for the use of multidose vials (MDVs) and fingerstick devices in emergency departments (EDs) and intensive care units (ICUs). Between December 2007 and February 2008, 389 nurses from the EDs or ICUs of six university-affiliated hospitals in Korea were asked to complete the questionnaire. A total of 338 (86.9%) nurses completed the survey, corresponding to 159 of 184 ED and 179 of 205 ICU nurses. A comparison of MDV use in EDs and ICUs indicated a significant difference only in disinfection of the rubber septum of heparin vials; 88.1% of ED nurses and 96.6% of ICU nurses stated that they always disinfected the rubber septum of heparin vials whenever drawing medication ( P = 0.003). The use of separate fingerstick devices for each patient (71.7% vs. 54.5%) and disinfection of these devices after each use (36.5% vs. 26.0%) were more common in ED nurses. The rate of good hand hygiene was lower in ED nurses, both before (43.7% vs. 74.3%) and after (64.6% vs. 91.6%) the use of fingerstick devices ( P < 0.001 for both). There is a need to improve compliance with standard precautions, especially hand hygiene, in EDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite growing interest in overactive bladder (OAB), urinary incontinence (UI), and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), there is no epidemiologic study on the prevalence in general population of Korea. This survey was aimed at estimating the prevalence of OAB, UI, and other LUTS among Korean men and women. Methods: Population-based cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted between May and September 2006 using questionnaire regarding demographics and the prevalence. A geographically stratified random sample of men and women aged ≥ 18 years were selected. Current International Continence Society definitions were used for individual LUTS and OAB. Results: Of a total of 9,067 individuals contacted, 2,000 (888 men, 1,112 women) agreed to participate. Overall prevalence of LUTS was 61.4% (53.7% of men, 68.9% of women) and the prevalence increased with age. Storage LUTS was more prevalent than voiding or post-micturition LUTS in both men (storage; 44.6%, voiding; 28.5%, post-micturition; 15.9%) and women (storage; 64.4%, voiding; 25.9%, post-micturition; 13.9%). Nocturia was the most frequently reported symptom (36.6% of men, 48.2% of women). Overall prevalence of OAB was 12.2% (10.0% of men, 14.3% of women). UI was reported by 2.9% of men and 28.4% of women. The most prevalent type was other UI in men and stress urinary incontinence in women. Conclusions: Lower urinary tract symptoms and OAB are prevalent among Korean men and women and the prevalence increases with age. Storage LUTS is more prevalent than voiding or post-micturition LUTS and nocturia is the most common symptom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper traces the translation processes associated with the mobilization of resources and industrial agency in the development of a next generation mobile network in Korea. To explain the socio-technical dynamics, the sociology of translation is used. The paper provides a story of a translation of strategy and related activities using Callon''s four moments of translation. The story illustrates how, during the translation process, 4G strategies have been formed, shaped, and enhanced. It describes the process of technology adoption and developing stories by highlighting the co-evolving nature, diversity, and interface which constitute the next-generation network environment. It provides insight into the Korean mobile environment by offering a socio-technical analysis of 4G development and how it involves the dynamics of industry, regulation, and technology. The study suggests that the sociology of translation may be a promising explication of technological change and innovation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) in the presence or absence of CHK2 was estimated at the Korean National Cancer Center Proton Therapy Center (NCCPTC). Methods and Materials: The proton beam was fixed at 210 MeV with 6-cm spread-out Bragg peaks (SOBPs) because this is expected to be the most frequently used clinical setting. X-rays were obtained using a 6-MV conventional linear accelerator. The RBE was estimated from the survival of jejunal crypt in C3H/He and Chk2 -/- mice. Results: The estimated RBEs of the NCCPTC at the middle of the SOBP were 1.10 and 1.05 in the presence and absence of CHK2, respectively. The doses that reduced the number of regenerated crypt per jejunal circumference to 20 (D20) in C3H/He mice were 14.8 Gy (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.7–15.9) for X-rays and 13.5 Gy (95% CI, 14.5–15.5) for protons. By contrast, the doses of D20 in Chk2 -/- mice were 15.7 Gy (95% CI, 15.0–16.4) and 14.9 Gy (95% CI, 14.0–15.8) for X-rays and protons, respectively. Conclusions: The RBE of the NCCPTC is clearly within the range of RBEs determined at other facilities and is consistent with the generic RBE value of 1.10 for 150- to 250-MeV beams. The mutation of Chk2 gave rise to radioresistance but exhibited similar RBE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Out of some isolated Heterorhabditis bacteriophora from Korea, ecological study on two isolates which had different geographical features was investigated. That is, effects of temperature and dose on the pathogenicity and reproduction of two Korean isolates of H. bacteriophora were investigated using Galleria mellonella larvae in the laboratory. The median lethal dose (LD50) decreased with increasing temperature, but increased at 35°C. The optimal temperatures for infection were 30°C for H. bacteriophora Jeju strain and 24°C for H. bacteriophora Hamyang strain. The median lethal time, LT50 of H. bacteriophora Hamyang strain was recorded at 13°C to 35°C and that of H. bacteriophora Jeju strain was recorded at 18°C to 30°C. The number of established nematodes in G. mellonella larvae was significantly different depending on temperature and dose. When G. mellonella larvae were exposed to 300 infective juveniles (IJs), mortality of G. mellonella gradually increased with exposure time with H. bacteriophora Jeju strain but not with H. bacteriophora Hamyang strain. 87.5% mortality of G. mellonella was recorded by H. bacteriophora Hamyang strain after 1440min whereas 100% mortality was recorded by H. bacteriophora Jeju strain after 4320min. The time from infection to the first emergence of nematodes decreased with increasing temperature. Duration of emergence of the two strains in the White traps also decreased with increasing temperature. The highest progeny numbers of H. bacteriophora Jeju strain were 264,602 while those of H. bacteriophora Hamyang strain were 275,744 at the rate of 160 IJs at 24°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines an application of Augmented Reality technology (AR) for Korean Cultural Traditional Buildings, specifically, the Namdaemun Gate, "National Treasure No 1" of the Republic of Korea. Unfortunately, in February 2008, the Namdaemun Gate burned down, despite the efforts of many firemen, as the main difficulty was getting the fire under control without any structural knowledge of the wooden building. Hence, with the great advances in digital technology, an application of virtual technical information to traditional buildings is needed, and the new technology of AR offers many such advantages for digital architectural design and construction fields. While AR is already being considered as new design approach for architecture, outdoor AR is another practical application that can take advantage of new wearable computer equipment (Head-mounted display also know as HMD, position and orientation sensors, and mobile computing) to superimpose virtual graphics of traditional buildings (in this case, Namdaemun Gate) in a real outdoor scene. Plus, outdoor AR also allows the user to move freely around and inside a 3D virtual construction, thereby offering important training opportunities, for example, specific structural information in the case of firemen and mission planning in the case of a real-life emergency. In this example, the proposed outdoor AR system is expected to provide important educational information on traditional wooden building for architects, archaeologists, and engineers, while also assisting firemen to protect such special buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives We investigated the prevalence and comorbidities of problem drinking in community-dwelling elders living in Korea. Methods Structured face-to-face diagnostic interviews were administered to the 714 Korean elders randomly sampled from Seongnam, Korea. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores, the participants were categorized into one of six diagnostic groups: lifetime abstainer, ex-drinker, social drinking, at-risk drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence. Results Prevalence rates of social drinking, at-risk drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence were estimated to be 13.60%, 5.42%, 2.28%, and 2.92%, respectively. Problem drinking was associated with increased risks of smoking (OR = 3.52), whereas social drinking was associated with decreased risks of stroke (OR = 0.27) and depression (OR = 0.49). Conclusions Problem drinking was common particularly in men and associated with smoking. Social drinking was associated with the lower risks of stroke and depression. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the changing performance of the business groups known as chaebols in Korea. It examines the investments decision and technological capabilities as well as the investment inefficiency in the Korean chaebol. It presents a comparison of the productive efficiency across chaebol and non-chaebol firms. Findings showed that the failure of chaebols is due to the productive inefficiency arising from inefficient investment drives. It suggests that business groups should upgrade their capability to be able survive in a changing market environment.

Background/Aims: We estimated the prevalence of dementia and its major subtypes in an elderly urban Korean population. Methods: A study population of 1,118 Korean elders was randomly sampled from the residents aged 65 years or older living in Seongnam, Korea. Standardized face-to-face interviews, and neurological and physical examinations were conducted on 714 respondents. Dementia was diagnosed according to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, and its subtypes were determined according to the criteria of the NINCDS-ADRDA, the NINDS-AIREN, and the consensus guideline proposed by McKeith et al. [Neurology 1996;47:1113–1124]. Results: The estimated age- and gender-standardized prevalences were 6.3% for dementia (95% CI = 4.5–8.1), 4.8% for Alzheimer’s disease (AD; 95% CI = 3.3–6.4), 1.0% for vascular dementia (VD; 95% CI = 0.3–1.8), and 0.4% for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB; 95% CI = 0.0–0.9). The prevalence of AD consistently increased with age, whereas that of VD peaked at age 75–79 years and decreased thereafter. Of the dementia patients, 72.0% were in the very mild or mild stages of the disease. Conclusions: The prevalence of dementia in a typical urban area of Korea was estimated to be 6.3%, and AD was the most prevalent subtype. DLB was less prevalent than VD among these community-dwelling Korean elders. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of demographic variables on Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) performance in an educationally diverse elderly population and to provide normative information. Methods SCWT was administered to 564 community-dwelling volunteers aged 60–90 years with an educational history of from zero to 25 years of full-time education. People with serious neurological, medical and psychiatric disorders (including dementia) were excluded. Results Age, education and gender were found to be significantly associated with performance on all three pages of the SCWT. Based on the results obtained, SCWT norms were stratified by age (four overlapping tables), education (three strata), and gender. Conclusions In the present study, normative information on SCWT was obtained from an educationally diverse elderly population. SCWT would appear to be more useful in poorly educated elderly, and could be used in future cross-cultural comparisons of geriatric populations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined the prevalence and types of urinary incontinence (UI) in Korean women and analyzed their attitude toward treatment. This national survey was conducted as part of the Korean National Health Interview Survey to evaluate the prevalence of UI in Korean women between April and June 2005. In 13,345 Korean households, 13,484 women aged 19 years or older were interviewed by census takers. The subjects were asked about the type of UI that they had experienced and their treatment. UI was classified as “stress,” “urge,” “mixed” (stress and urge), or “other.” The overall prevalence of UI in the subjects was 24.4%. Of those women, 48.8% reported stress UI only; 7.7%, urge UI only; 41.6%, mixed UI; and 1.9%, other type of UI. The prevalence of UI increased with age. Only 12.6% of the women with UI had sought medical care, and only 0.8% had undergone surgery for UI. Self-reported depression was higher in women with UI than in those without that disorder, and UI was more prevalent in women who were married, unemployed, and undereducated. According to national population data estimated by weighted UI numbers, about 4.2 million Korean women aged 19 years or older have experienced UI. The prevalence of UI among women aged 19 years or older in Korea was 24.4%, and stress UI was the most prevalent type. Many women with UI did not seek medical treatment for that condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) has been used as a primary health outcome in cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP). Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an 8‐week CRP on HRQOL and exercise capacity in myocardial infarction (MI) patients in Korea. Methods: After matching on gender, age, and left ventricular ejection fraction, 60 subjects with a first acute MI were allocated to either a CRP group (n =31) or a Control group (n =29). The 8‐week CRP included hospital‐based, supervised exercise training (three times per week, average intensity of 65% VO2peak) and individual education sessions. The Control group was instructed on a home‐based exercise regimen without contact during the 8 weeks. At baseline and 8 weeks, HRQOL was assessed by the Quality of Life Index (QLI)–cardiac version III; exercise capacity by a treadmill test. Results: After adjusting for education level, the overall QLI, health/functioning and psycho/spiritual scores showed greater increases in the CRP group than the Control group (p =.014, p =.016, and p =.036, respectively). We observed significant improvements in VO2peak (p <.0001), anaerobic threshold (p <.0001), and maximal exercise duration (p <.0001) in the CRP group, compared to the Control group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the Korean CRP can lead to significant improvements in HRQOL outcomes and exercise capacity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bacillus cereus is a foodborne spore-forming bacterial pathogen that is ubiquitous in the natural environment. Infections with this pathogen manifest as diarrheal or emetic types of food poisoning. In this study, 140 samples of dried red pepper purchased in Korea were assayed for the presence of B. cereus according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration standard culture method. A multiplex PCR assay was developed for the rapid confirmation of B. cereus as an alternative to conventional biochemical confirmation tests. The genetic diversity of B. cereus isolates was investigated using a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay. B. cereus was found in 84.3% of the dried red pepper samples, with an average concentration of 1.9 x 104 CFU/g. B. cereus could be detected and distinguished from B. thuringiensis in the multiplex PCR assay by using the BCFWI plus BCrevnew and the K3 plus K5 primer sets designed to detect the gyrB gene of B. cereus and B. thuringiensis and the cry gene of B. thuringiensis. A RAPD assay using the OPG 16 and MUP 3 primers was used to successfully distinguish among isolates, thus elucidating the genetic diversity of B. cereus isolates. The discriminating ability of the OPG 16 primer (142 types) was about threefold higher than that of MUP 3 (52 types) in the RAPD assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese beetle traps baited with the Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) pheromone lure and a eugenol feeding attractant were placed at five golf courses in Korea to determine how well they work for detecting activity of a closely related species, Popillia quadriguttata (F.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a turf pest in Korea. The traps also were used to determine the time of day and time of year that P. quadriguttata is most active. Nineteen scarab species of 13 genera were attracted to the Japanese beetle traps with P. quadriguttata clearly being the most abundant (383 beetles per trap), followed by Adoretus tenuimaculatus Waterhouse (10 per trap), Popillia flavosellata Fairmaire (seven per trap), Exomala orientalis Waterhouse (four per trap), and Maladera japonica (two per trap). Other scarab species were trapped at a rate of <1.0 per trap. Popillia quadriguttata adults were active over a 5-wk period in late June and early July. At Yongwon Golf Club in 2002, peak adult activity was during the last week of June in visual counts and ≈1 wk later in the Japanese beetle traps. In Korea, P. quadriguttata adults are most active between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. This information should be helpful to golf course superintendents in Korea and to entomologists interested in finding natural enemies of P. quadviguttata to evaluate as potential biocontrol organisms for the very closely related species, the Japanese beetle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib has demonstrated clinical activity in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Adverse events, including thrombocytopenia and peripheral neuropathy, have affected 30% to 60% of patients overall, and interrupted therapy in 10% to 20%. No prior toxicity data are available for Asian patients who have used bortezomib for MM. We used National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0, to review the clinical records of patients with an MM diagnosis from 25 centers in Korea. The included patients were treated with bortezomib alone or in combination with other agents, including thalidomide. Ninety-five MM patients were treated. The patients had a median age of 60 years (range, 42-77 years). The median number of previous treatments was 3 (range, 0-10), and 39% of the patients had been treated with 4 or more major classes of agents, including thalidomide (67%), and autologous stem cell transplantation (51%). Regimens included bortezomib only in 38 patients (40%), bortezomib plus dexamethasone in 34 patients (36%), and bortezomib plus a thalidomide-containing regimen in 23 patients (24%). The analysis of patient response to therapy revealed a complete response (CR) or a near-CR in 31 patients (33%) and a partial response in 30 patients (32%), for an objective response rate of 65% in 93 patients. The most common adverse events reported were thrombocytopenia (47%), sensory neuropathy (42%), anemia (31%), and leukopenia (31%). Thirteen patients (14%) stopped therapy because of adverse events (neuropathy, 8; infection, 4; diarrhea, 1). Neuropathy greater than grade 2 was more frequent in patients who received 4 or more prior therapy regimens (17/37) than in those who received 3 or fewer (14/58). In addition, therapy including thalidomide was significantly correlated with neuropathy of grades 1 to 3 (P = .001). We identified 6 therapy-related deaths (6%) within 20 days after the last dose of bortezomib. The causes of death were infection in 3 patients, disease progression in 2 patients, and suicide in 1 patient. The incidences of thrombocytopenia and neurotoxicity were similar; however, gastrointestinal toxicities were relatively low in Korean patients compared with those reported in Western studies. Significant neuropathy was associated with the number of prior regimens and combination with thalidomide. These findings provide useful information for clinicians and patients using bortezomib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal trends and spatial distributions of visibility measured by the human eye over 60 stations in Korea between 1980 and 2000 are analyzed and discussed. Generally, visibility is lowest on winter mornings and highest on summer afternoons throughout Korea. Visibility in Seoul is now in an increasing trend while it has decreased nationwide, especially in clean coastal areas. Spatial distribution of visibility in the 1990s was related negatively to that of relative humidity (RH). However, visibility generally decreased despite an overall decrease in RH throughout the country. Air pollutants should have played a role in this dissonant variation, particularly in relatively clean areas and on summer afternoons. It was interpreted that the visibility increase in major metropolitan areas, including the greater Seoul area, in the 1990s was caused mainly by the reduction in pollutant emissions by rigorous government policy. But the effect of the emission reduction was manifested with decreasing RH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the various conceptions held by K-8th Korean grade students regarding the 'changes of state' and the 'conditions for changes of state'. The study used a sample of five kindergarteners, five secondgrade students, five fourth-grade students, five sixth-grade students, and five eighth-grade students. The 25 students attend schools in a rural district of South Korea. Some activities that involved a change in the state of water, including condensation, solidification, and melting, were chosen from K-8th grade science textbooks and attempted by the students. Subsequently, we conducted interviews with the students. While most kindergarteners and second-grade students were able to perceive the phenomena involving changes of state, they were unable to express conceptions related to the changes of state and the conditions under which the state the changes. The upper-grade students, on the other hand, had some conception of the invisible gas state. Most of these students held conceptions about the boiling water's change of state from liquid to gas, but few of them held conceptions about the changes of state involving condensation. Most students understood heat and temperature as conditions of the changes of state, but only applied the heat concept to situations involving rising temperatures. In situations involving cooling, students applied the temperature concept. The younger students understood the concept of heat without understanding the concept of temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which identified novel mutations of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene in Korean patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Characteristics of FH; Identification of the novel mutations.

Various air pollutants have been measured at Tokchok Island since April 1999. The Island is situated in the Yellow Sea, about 50 km from Incheon. This study was undertaken to help understand the levels of air pollution and their distribution characteristics over the Yellow Sea. The mass concentrations and chemical compositions, of total suspended particulates (TSP) and fine particles (PM[sub 2.5]), measured up until March 2000 are discussed in this paper. The overall average mass concentrations for TSP and PM[sub 2.5] were about 37.2 and 18.7 μg m[sup -3], respectively, which were similar to, or lower than, those observed at other background sites in Kangwha and Taean, Korea. However, they are much lower than those observed at Qingdao in China. The low mass concentrations and major anthropogenic ion concentrations in aerosols collected at Tokchok Island show that local sources are not dominant. The estimated average fractions of non-sea-salt (nss) sulfate to total sulfate concentrations of TSP and PM[sub 2.5] are > 98% for each. This would suggest that sulfate is mainly affected by anthropogenic sources. If we consider the average mass ratio of PM[sub 2.5] to TSP, the mass fractions of anthropogenic species to PM[sub 2.5], and the molar ratio of nss sulfate to total nitrate, it may be possible to infer that a part of the anthropogenic species measured at Tokchok Island is transported from China. The characteristics of neutralization of nss sulfate, and the particle sizes of major ions, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the concentrations and compositions of hydrocarbons emitted from motor vehicles in a tunnel in Seoul, South Korea during the winter, spring and summer seasons of 2000. Average concentrations of ethylene, butane and acetylene; Tendency for the compositions of individual species to be relatively constant over each season; Ratio of exhaust composition to fuel composition.

Highlights: [•] We applied SE-AFLP to analyze genetic diversity of S. monticolum populations. [•] We revealed high level of genetic diversity for S. monticolum populations in Korea. [•] The population genetic similarity and geographical proximity was not correlative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and explore the multidimensional complexity of the neuropsychiatric syndromes of AD. Neuropsychiatric symptoms and syndromes of 216 subjects with probable and possible AD diagnosed by NINCDS-ADRDA criteria were evaluated by the Korean version of behavior rating scale for dementia (BRSD-K). The prevalence rate of six neuropsychiatric syndromes (depressive symptoms, inertia, vegetative symptoms, irritability/aggression, behavioral dysregulation, psychotic symptoms) and comorbid neuropsychiatric syndromes were calculated according to the Clinical Dementia Rating scale. To investigate the relationship among neuropsychiatric syndromes, logistic regression analyses were performed. About 95% of patients with AD had one or more neuropsychiatric symptoms and syndromes during the past month. Among the neuropsychiatric syndromes, irritability/aggression (76.2%) was the most frequent, followed by apathy (72.3%) and depressive symptoms (68.0%). About 90% of the subjects had one or more comorbid neuropsychiatric syndromes. The mean numbers of comorbid neuropsychiatric syndromes were significantly varied according to the severity of disease (p <0.05). Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with vegetative symptoms and irritability/aggression (p <0.05). Inertia and psychotic symptoms were significantly associated with vegetative symptoms and behavioral dysregulation, respectively (p <0.05). This study demonstrated that neuropsychiatric syndromes of AD were highly prevalent and involved complex relationships among them. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To design comprehensive traffic safety measures, the risk of the occurrence of traffic accidents must be objectively evaluated. It is difficult, however, to evaluate the effects of traffic measures in terms of the change in the number of traffic accidents, because traffic accidents are unpredictable and rare events. Therefore, this study used a traffic conflict technique to objectively evaluate traffic safety at intersections. In this study, traffic conflicts that occur at the time of a signal violation were differentiated according to type, and a traffic conflict technology was developed that would consider the severity of each type of conflict. To apply this method, traffic images were collected from the Jungja intersection and the Naejung intersection in Sungnam City, Korea and were analyzed using traffic data by means of image procedure technology. The analyses showed that of the four levels of differentiated conflict conditions, the Level 1 condition occurred most often, followed by Level 2, which occurred much less frequently than Level 1. Level 3 (serious conflicts) and Level 4 (dangerous conflicts: accidents) conditions were not detected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: We evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in a Korean population. Methods: We included 134 patients (mean age, 52.3±9.3 yr) who underwent the TVT procedure for SUI in three institutions and followed for 5 yr (mean, 67.0 mo; range, 60–76 mo) postoperatively. We analysed voiding diaries and complete multichannel urodynamic studies preoperatively as well as cough stress tests, uroflowmetry, and questionnaires postoperatively. Results: The overall 5-yr success rates (cure/improved) were 94.9% (76.9% and 18.0%, respectively), with an 86.6% patient satisfaction rate. Although the success rates between 1 and 5 yr were similar (97.7% vs. 94.9%), the cure rate decreased from 90.1% to 76.9% (p <0.001) at 5 yr. The 5-yr cure rate for mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) was 72.0%, which was not significantly different from pure SUI (78.0%, p >0.05). Maximal flow rate dropped from 25.9±10.3ml/s to 20.4±8.6ml/s at 1 mo postoperatively and recovered to 24.8±8.5ml/s at 5 yr. Complications included bladder perforation in 5 patients (3.7%), tape cutting or release in 11 (8.2%), and persistent suprapubic pain in 3 (2.2%). Urgency and urge incontinence improved in 46.7% and 48.0% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: TVT was an effective and safe procedure for SUI and MUI with high success rates in the long-term follow-up. It also improved concomitant overactive bladder symptoms and initially reduced postoperative urine flow, which recovered over time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The genetic variations for 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA were performed on 231 unrelated Korean population using commercially available AmpF/STR Identifiler kit. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A performance of an energy-efficient reverse osmosis (RO) system for seawater desalination was evaluated. The evaluation focused on energy saving performance of the RO system. The strategy adopted was to induce high recovery (50%) through the pressure increase. For this purpose, a pilot-scale RO plant (5 m3/h) was built and installed in a southern port of Korea. The study showed that energy saving was possible by application of high pressure. The 50% recovery was achieved at 8.3 MPa, but the operation led to water quality degradation. The water quality problem was solved by the operation of two-stage mode. Under this condition, the target recovery was achieved at lower pressure (6.6∼7.5 MPa), which resulted in the saving of power consumption. No water quality degradation was observed. Further saving was possible by adding energy recovery turbine (ERT) and inverter system. When the RO system was operated for 50% recovery at two-stage mode while equipped with energy saving devices of ERT and inverter system, 44% of saving in power consumption was possible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed to validate the TICS and modified TICS (TICSm) in Korean elderly population and to compare MCI and dementia screening ability between TICS and TICSm. TICS and TICSm were administered to 70 cognitively normal (CN), 75 MCI, and 85 dementia subjects, with mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and other cognitive and functional measures. TICS and TICSm scores were highly correlated with other global cognitive and functional scores. The CN vs. dementia discrimination ability of both instruments was as excellent as that of MMSE (sensitivity/specificity at optimal cutoff: 87.1/90.1 for TICS; 88.2/90.0 for TICSm). Although their CN vs. MCI discrimination performances were comparable to that of MMSE, they were far from perfect (sensitivity/specificity: 69.3/68.6 for TICS; 73.3/67.1 for TICSm). There was no significant difference in dementia or MCI screening accuracy between TICS and TICSm. Both of them also showed high test–retest reliability. Our findings indicate that TICS and TICSm are reliable and as valid as MMSE in regard of screening cognitively impaired elderly. In terms of the comparison between TICSm and TICS, however, TICSm has little advantage over TICS for screening dementia and even MCI, in spite of longer administration time and more efforts required. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]