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PurposeThe purpose of this research was to develop a conceptualization and measure of workplace coachability.Design/methodology/approachUsing four independent samples of employed adults, we developed a short and long version of the Coachability Scale. We followed standard scale development practices, presenting evidence of the scales’ factor structure, reliability and validity.FindingsWith the first two samples, we derived an initial three-dimensional version of the Coachability Scale and provided evidence of convergent validity. With Samples 3 and 4, we expanded the scale with additional dimensions related to coaching feedback processes and accumulated additional evidence of the scale's validity, and provided evidence of convergence between the two versions of the Coachability Scale.Research limitations/implicationsWe encourage continued research on the Coachability Scale, as well as research on coachability in formal coaching relationships and with more diverse populations and cultures. It is also important to examine how coachability relates to specific coachee behaviors and outcomes. Although common method bias may be a limitation, we used temporally separated measurements to minimize method bias in Sample 4.Practical implicationsKnowledge about coachability can inform coaching practice decisions and help tailor the coaching engagement to better fit the coachee's needs.Social implicationsMeasuring how individuals respond to coaching and coaching relationships has important implications for managerial behavior and the quality of work life.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to develop valid scales for assessing workplace coachability.

Background Topical calcineurin inhibitors have been used to treat vitiligo, either alone or in combination with phototherapy; however, the long-term safety of these agents remains controversial. Objective To investigate the risk of lymphoma and skin cancer in vitiligo patients who received topical calcineurin inhibitors or phototherapy. Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study of 25,694 vitiligo patients who received topical calcineurin inhibitors or phototherapy for 6 weeks or more between 2001 and 2019 was performed. Cumulative doses of topical calcineurin inhibitors and total phototherapy sessions were determined. Outcomes were the development of lymphoma or skin cancer after enrollment, confirmed through chart review and pathology reports. Results During 95,203 person-years, 13 cases of lymphoma, 22 of actinic keratosis, 15 of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and 5 of melanoma were observed. The risk of lymphoma and skin cancer was not significantly increased by topical calcineurin inhibitor dose or phototherapy sessions. The interaction between the topical calcineurin inhibitors and phototherapy was not associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. Limitations Retrospective study, individual follow-up duration less than 4 years, and no adjustment for comorbidities and medication history. Not generalizable to other races. Conclusion The long-term risk of skin cancer or lymphoma was not associated with the use of topical calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy, and both treatments in combination in patients with vitiligo.

Background/purpose Vitiligo remains a major challenge in dermatology. However, much of the treatment remains unclear, because little evidence is available. We sought to answer some critical questions pertaining to management of vitiligo patients. Methods A modified Delphi process among 31 vitiligo experts was conducted. A total of 12 clinical vitiligo treatment questions without clear answers were collected via a vote. To address each question, two members performed systematic literature reviews and prepared draft statements along with the levels of evidence and strength of recommendation. After reviewing the draft, all expressed their extent of agreement from 1 (strong disagreement) to 9 (strong agreement) for each item. The drafts were revised to reflect suggested comments. Discussion continued until all members agreed with the ultimate decision. Results The consensus process was completed after five rounds. We identified the best answers to 12 key questions, including issues on long-term phototherapy, systemic and topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, immunosuppressants, excimer laser treatment, and surgical interventions. Conclusion This consensus would complement current guidelines and aid both physician and patient decision-making in the treatment of vitiligo.

PurposeThe primary purpose of this article is to develop and test a model of the antecedents and consequences (Cho et al., 2016) of bullying in Korean hotel kitchens.Design/methodology/approachCross-sectional survey data were collected from 288 kitchen workers at 12 upscale Korean hotels. Proposed path models were tested using Hayes' (2013) PROCESS syntax in SPSS for mediation and moderated mediation analyses.FindingsThe empirical results indicated that an employee's acquiescent silence behavior increases the likelihood of being bullied. As a result, bullied employees are more likely to respond by engaging in a person-related counterproductive work behavior (CWB-P) or in defensive silence out of fear with temporary employees reacting less aggressively compared to regular employees.Research limitations/implicationsCross-sectional design and self-report data risk common method variance and attributions of causality. Future research should use longitudinal designs to avoid common method bias and make causal inferences. Theoretical and practical implications for kitchen productivity are presented. The study should offer valuable insights for prospective employers to develop on-going training and create a positive working environment within the organization.Originality/valueWhile bullying is a widespread and even an epidemic problem for the commercial kitchen environment, research into abusive behavior among chefs has been limited. By utilizing a specific segment of the hospitality industry, this research identified different behavioral aspects of bulling between temporary and regular employees in the commercial kitchen environment.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) and falls considering places where falls can occur in adult males. We analyzed 101 862 males in the 2011 Korean Community Health Survey. LUTSs were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score system. The rate of total and indoor falls significantly increased with the LUTS severity, respectively. After adjusting for age and other confounding variables, the odds ratios (ORs) for total falls were significantly high for the mild (OR = 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.54-1.71), moderate (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 2.16-2.56), and severe groups (OR = 2.83, 95% CI = 2.49-3.22), relative to the normal group. Indoor fall experience was the same for the mild (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.36-1.79), moderate (OR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.97-2.85), and severe groups (OR = 3.77, 95% CI = 3.00-4.72). Nocturia, hesitancy, and urgency were significantly associated with indoor falls. The association between falls and the degree of LUTS was observed in both the young and the elderly. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the effects of treatment of LUTS on the risk of falls and the effectiveness of the fall prevention program.

IMPORTANCE: Narrowband UV-B (NBUVB) phototherapy has been the mainstay in the treatment of vitiligo, but its long-term safety in terms of photocarcinogenesis has not been established. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risks of skin cancer and precancerous lesions among patients with vitiligo undergoing NBUVB phototherapy, based on the number of NBUVB phototherapy sessions. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study enrolled 60 321 patients with vitiligo 20 years or older between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. Patients and outcomes were identified through nationwide cohort data from the Korean national health insurance claims database, and frequency matching by age and sex was performed. EXPOSURES: The number of phototherapy sessions each patient received between 2008 and 2017. Patients were classified into 5 groups according to the number of phototherapy sessions (0 sessions, 20 105 patients; 1-49 sessions, 20 106 patients; 50-99 sessions, 9702 patients; 100-199 sessions, 6226 patients; and ≥200 sessions, 4182 patients). We also identifed patients who underwent at least 500 phototherapy sessions (717 patients). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes were the development of actinic keratosis, Bowen disease, nonmelanoma skin cancer, or melanoma after enrollment. RESULTS: Among the 60 321 patients with vitiligo in this study (33 617 women; mean [SD] age, 50.2 [14.9] years), the risks of Bowen disease (

The characteristics of large logistics buildings are their long spans and the ability to take heavy loads. Usually, PC components are used for their frames to ensure quick construction. However, the erection of most pin jointed PC structures increases the time and the cost incurred for ensuring structural stability and construction safety. To solve this problem, “smart” frames have been developed, which have tapered steel joints at both ends of the PC components. A smart frame with the moment frame concept not only assures structural stability and construction safety, but it also simplifies and quickens the erection because of its tapered joint detail. The purpose of this study is to compare the erection time and cost effects of the steel connected PC components for heavily loaded long-span logistics buildings with the existing PC frames. For this study, we selected a logistics building constructed with PC components and redesigned it as the smart frame, and the erection simulations were performed. We analyzed the time reduction effects of the smart frame. Our results confirmed that the use of the smart frame reduced the erection time and cost practically. Our investigations will help develop the erection simulation algorithms for smart frames.

Since localized treatment for vitiligo is as essential as systemic treatment, a reliable instrument for target evaluation is needed besides those for whole body evaluation. We developed the Vitiligo Extent Score for a Target Area (VESTA) using reference images of both marginal and perifollicular repigmentation to measure the repigmentation rate (%) in a target lesion. In the validation study, a total of 65 dermatologists in 10 institutes evaluated 17 pairs of vitiligo images (pre- and post-treatment) using both a rough estimate and the VESTA. The VESTA (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.949, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.942-0.955) was significantly more accurate than the rough estimate (0.896, 95% CI: 0.883-0.908). It was also associated with better inter-rater reliability over the rough estimate, albeit not significant. The VESTA can afford intuitive, convenient, and reliable assessment of the treatment response in a target area, and would be useful in clinical practice as well as retrospective studies.

BACKGROUND Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) develops in seasons where there is high sun exposure, such as summer, and can persistent throughout the year in severely affected cases. The authors noted that CAD prevalence increased in relation to climate changes and air pollutants. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 294 patients with newly diagnosed CAD between December 2000 and November 2016. We investigated the annual trend of sun hours, humidity, and ground-level ozone and respirable particles (PM10) in Pusan, Korea; correlations between climate change and/or air pollution and the incidence of patient with CAD were analyzed. RESULTS The incidence of patients with CAD apparently increased annually during the period of the study. The majority of patients presented in summer. Pearson's correlation analysis showed an increasing tendency of CAD occurrence to be correlated with sun hours (R = .706, P = .002), ground-level ozone (R = .542, P = .03), and mean air humidity (R = .608, P = .012). Inversely, PM10 showed a negative correlation with CAD occurrence (R = -.713, P = .002). The correlations identified by multiple regression analysis showed a strong positive association between the incidence of CAD and sun hours (P = .029) and a negative association between the incidence of CAD and PM10 (P = .027) (adjusted R2 = .778). CONCLUSION The increased incidence of CAD may be related to sun hours and inversely related to PM10.

Pharmacotherapy among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is effective, but many patients suffer from secondary psychiatric problems even after improvement of ADHD core symptoms. Hippotherapy have been used as adjunct treatment options for physical and psychosocial rehabilitation as well as to ameliorate core symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Hippotherapy versus pharmacotherapy for children with ADHD.Thirty-four participants with ADHD were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to either 24 sessions of a twice-weekly hippotherapy or pharmacotherapy. To assess therapeutic effects, the ADHD Rating Scale (ARS) was used pretreatment and posttreatment as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes included the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) child and parent report version, Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ), Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S), and quantitative electroencephalography.Both groups showed marked improvements in ADHD symptoms, CGI-S. No significant differences between groups were detected regarding treatment outcome except thought problem subscales of CBCL. Twelve weeks of hippotherapy improved attention, impulsivity/hyperactivity, and quality of life.This trial is promising, but further studies are required to evaluate the long-term clinical effectiveness of hippotherapy. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT 02482649.

Pyroprocessing technology has been regarded as a promising solution for recycling spent fuel in nuclear power plants. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has been studying the current status of equipment and facilities for pyroprocessing and found that existing facilities are manually operated; therefore, their applications have been limited to laboratory scale because of low productivity and safety concerns. To extend the pyroprocessing technology to a commercial scale, the facility, including all the processing equipment and the material-handling devices, should be enhanced in view of automation. In an automated pyroprocessing facility, a supervised control system is needed to handle and manage material flow and associated operations. This article provides a preliminary design of the supervising system for pyroprocessing. In particular, a manufacturing execution system intended for an automated pyroprocessing facility, named Pyroprocessing Execution System, is proposed, by which the overall production process is automated via systematic collaboration with a planning system and a control system. Moreover, a simulation-based prototype system is presented to illustrate the operability of the proposed Pyroprocessing Execution System, and a simulation study to demonstrate the interoperability of the material-handling equipment with processing equipment is also provided. Keywords: Manufacturing Execution System, Material-handling, Production Automation, Production Planning and Control, Pyroprocessing, Pyroprocessing Execution System

We report the sonographic features of confirmed malignant appendiceal tumors in seven cases. The histologic diagnoses of these tumors were mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (n = 2), colonic type adenocarcinoma (n = 4), and signet-ring cell carcinoma (n = 1). The 2 mucinous cystadenocarcinomas showed mucocele type, which had markedly enlarged inner luminal diameters (mean, 23 mm; range, 15–31 mm) and thick, irregular walls (mean wall thickness, 5.5 mm; range, 5–6 mm). In contrast, the 5 nonmucinous carcinomas (4 adenocarcinomas and 1 signet-ring cell carcinoma) showed nonmucocele type, which had relatively small inner luminal diameters (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 6.6 ± 4.5 mm; range, 2–15 mm) and prominent wall thickening (mean wall thickness ± SD, 6.2 ± 2.3 mm; range, 3–10 mm). Of the 5 nonmucinous tumors, only one had a discernible mass, three had thick irregular walls, two had loss of the wall layer pattern, and four had submucosal hypoechogenicity. Regardless of the histologic type, five of the seven malignant appendiceal tumors showed a severe periappendiceal fat infiltration or periappendiceal abscess, suggestive of perforation. Although the sonographic findings of the malignant appendiceal tumors were nonspecific, some of the sonographic features seen in these seven cases may help radiologists consider the possibility of underlying malignant appendiceal tumors.

원자력 발전 이후에 누적되는 사용후핵연료를 해소하기 위한 다양한 연구가 시도되고 있으며, 특히 건식으로 사용후핵연료 를 재활용하는 파이로 공정이 주목되고 있다. 파이로 공정의 공학규모 실증을 위하여 대형 공정셀을 구비한 PRIDE 시설이 구축되었다. 파이로 공정에 사용되는 용융염의 화학반응성을 고려하여, 공정셀 내부는 아르곤 분위기를 유지한다. 결과적으 로, 작업자가 공정셀 내부에 진입할 수 없으며, 공정셀 내부에 설치된 모든 공정장치는 원격수단에 의해 공정셀 밖에서 원격 조작을 통해 수행한다. 따라서, 공정셀에 설치되는 공정장치는, 설계단계에서 부터 원격작업을 고려하여 설계되어야 하며, 공정셀에 반입하기 전에 원격으로 작동이 가능한지 철저히 검증하여야 한다. 만약, 공정셀에 반입되어 작동하는 단계에서 문제가 발생하는 경우, 장치를 반출하여 수정한 후 재반입하기까지 많은 비용과 시간을 허비하게 된다. 공정장치의 원격성 검증을 위하여, 물리적인 목업을 사용할 뿐 아니라, 설계단계에서 3D 모델을 활용한 가상 검증이 가능하다. 본 연구는, 가상공간에 PRIDE 공정셀을 구성하고, 설계된 공정장치 3D 모델을 입력하여, 원격조작성을 검증하기 위한 PRIDE 3D 시뮬레이터 개발에 관한 것이다. 실제 PRIDE 공정셀의 형상과 공정셀에 설치되는 원격운전 및 유지보수 장치의 움직임을 가상공간에 구현하고, 공정장치의 3D 모델을 실제 설치할 장소에 위치할 수 있도록 하였다. PRIDE 공정셀에 설치 될 전해공정장치의 전극교체 작업을 시뮬레이션 시나리오로 설정하여, 개발된 PRIDE 3D 시뮬레이터의 사용성을 검증하고 자 하였다. 8단계로 이루어진 원격작업 시나리오를 구성하여, 각 단계의 원격작업을 성공적으로 모사함으로써, PRIDE 공정 셀의 원격성 평가를 성공적으로 수행하였다.

To describe distinctive morphologic variations of the prostate associated with the prostatic urethra, and to determine whether structural changes of the urethra within the prostate resulting from gland enlargement, rather than prostrate volume itself, lead to male lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS).After standardizing measurements, 7 ultrasonography-determined variables, that is, prostate volume, transitional zone volume, transitional zone-to-total volume ratio, presence of intraprostatic protrusion, prostatic urethral angle, prostatic urethral length (PUL), and PUL-to-volume ratio (rPUL), were obtained prospectively in 293 men who had not taken LUTS medication during the 3 months prior to initial visits. Correlations between these variables and international prostate symptom scores (IPSS) were then investigated.By simple correlation, only rPUL showed a significant association with IPSS. Multiple linear regression revealed IPSS were significantly correlated with age (beta = .179, P = .04) and rPUL (beta = .139, P = .019). Subanalysis with respect to the symptoms of IPSS revealed only rPUL was correlated with voiding symptoms (Q1,3,5,6; beta = .122, P = .036), and that age alone was correlated with storage symptoms (Q2,4,7; beta = .262, P .001). When dividing 4 groups by applying mean cut-offs for PUL (62 mm) and prostate volume (30 g), long PUL with small volume had significantly higher IPSS score than short PUL with large volume (P = .042).Structural differences of prostate related to prostatic urethra as reflected by rPUL were found to be significantly correlated with the severity of voiding symptoms. This finding suggests structural change of the prostatic urethra inducted by prostate enlargement underlies the development of male LUTS.

BACKGROUND Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory disease affecting multiple aspects of patients' lives. Its epidemiology varies regionally; however, nationwide epidemiologic data on psoriasis depicting profile of Korean patients has not been available to date. OBJECTIVE To understand nationwide epidemiologic characteristics and clinical features of adult patients with psoriasis visited university hospitals in Korea. METHODS This multicenter, non-interventional, cross-sectional study recruited 1,278 adult patients with psoriasis across 25 centers in Korea in 2013. Various clinical data including PASI, BSA, DLQI, SF-36 and PASE were collected. RESULTS A total of 1,260 patients completed the study (male:female=1.47:1). The mean age was 47.0 years with a distribution mostly in the 50s (24.9%). Early onset (

Introduction To our knowledge, this study is the first to identify the predictive factors and outcomes of prolonged operative time associated with laparoscopic appendectomy. We aimed to identify preoperative factors that influence operation time and to determine how operative time affects laparoscopic appendectomy outcomes. Methods The medical records of 3049 patients who had undergone laparoscopic appendectomy between January 2008 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Prolonged operative time was defined in the top 10% according to distribution (>90 min). A multivariate regression model was generated to assess potential predictive factors and outcomes of prolonged operative time. Results In laparoscopic appendectomy for non-perforated appendicitis, independent factors that predict a prolonged operative time as identified through multivariate analysis were elevated C-reactive protein levels, symptom duration of more than 3 days, and computed tomography findings indicating an appendiceal diameter of more than 10 mm. In laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis, overweight, elevated C-reactive protein, symptom duration of more than 3 days, and computed tomography findings of abscess were independent predictive factors for prolonged operative time. Prolonged surgery increases the risk of complications, prolonged hospital stay, and readmission. Conclusions Overweight, elevated C-reactive protein, symptom duration of more than 3 days, appendiceal diameter of more than 10 mm, and abscess were independent predictive factors of prolonged operative time. Furthermore, prolonged operative time was associated with adverse postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic appendectomy.

A 5Gb/s/pin 16Gb LPDDR4/4X reconfigurable SDRAM with a self-mode detection scheme, a voltage-high keeper (VHK) for un-terminated load and a prediction-based fast-tracking ZQ algorithm is implemented in 10nm class ($2^{nd}$ generation) DRAM process. Providing a reconfigurable LVSTL with a mode detection scheme to support two different DRAM interface standards (LPDDR4/4X) depending on I/O supply voltage $(V_{DDQ})$, a proposed design can maintain the system compatibility and longevity to the legacy controller and the PHY structure. The VHK for LPDDR4 enables the 3.2Gb/s operation in the un-terminated load similar to LPDDR4X by alleviating the inter symbol interference (ISI) through the controlled leakage current. In a ZQ calibration, the proposed ZQ algorithm achieves fast ZQ code searching, the calibration time can be reduced by 30% in PVT variation. Moreover, an internal ZQ calibration (IZQC) is newly adopted to minimize the variation of the driver strength to PVT variation.

To assess the status and impact of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a community-based sample of Korean adult males. We analyzed the data of 101,606 adult males aged ≥ 19 years of age obtained during the 2011 Korean Community Health Survey. Subject data were assessed for LUTS and HRQoL using international prostate symptom scores, and EuroQol-five-dimensions three-level version (EQ-5D-3L) and EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) scores. Of the 101,606 subjects, 53,323 (52.5%) reported having at least one LUTS and 3116 (3.1%) had an IPSS of ≥ 20, indicating severe LUTS. In those aged 19–39 years, 28.7% (8343/29,072) reported they had mild to severe LUTS. The prevalence of LUTS was high among those aged 40–59 years (47.7%), 60–79 years (80.5%), and ≥ 80 years (91.2%). In addition, EQ-5D-3L and EQ-VAS scores decreased as LUTS severity and frequency increased. Adult men of all ages with mild to severe LUTS have poorer health statuses and quality of life. Even among young males, LUTS severity and was found to negatively affect HRQoL.

Objective: To use both acellular human dermis and skin grafting simultaneously for improved skin grafting without contracture. The study also aims to address the lack of research on the application of an acellular human dermis in diverse clinical cases. Method: The study examined patients who had received acellular human dermis (CGDerm, CGBio, Seoul, Korea) and split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) simultaneously for lower limb, full-thickness skin defects between September 2012 and June 2014. The researchers performed chart reviews retrospectively and examined the patients based on the following factors: gender, age, injury mechanism, size, exposed structure, pre-coverage dressing method, coverage method, post-operational engraftment and total healing period, contracture development, elasticity, and infection development. Results: A sample of 27 patients with a total of 30 wounds took part in the study. Of these wounds, 29 showed successful engraftment without infection or contracture. In one case, continued seroma was observed and, following new coverage of both the acellular human dermis and STSG, engraftment was successful. Conclusion: Human dermis can play an important role in securing the availability of surrounding tissue and in contracture prevention, both of which are key to lower limb reconstruction. Of the types available, acellular human dermis showed lower infection rates than other human dermis types, and its engraftment rate was higher than in STSG-only cases. These findings suggest that acellular human dermis use in STSG is effective and safe in lower limb reconstruction.

The Advanced spent fuel Conditioning Process Facility (ACPF) at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has recently been successfully renovated. One of the highlights of this renovation project was the installation of a small argon compartment within the atmospheric hot cell of the facility. Even though a crane system was considered necessary for the remote handling of the processing equipment inside the argon compartment, no suitable commercial cranes were available. This was because a limited amount of space had been reserved for the installation of the crane. Moreover, a master-slave manipulator (MSM), the only available means of maintenance of the crane, was unable to reach it in the limited workspace. To address the difficulties in the design of this crane, in this study, a remote actuation mechanism is devised where the mechanical and electrical parts of the crane system are separated, positioned far away from each other, and connected through power transmission shafts. This approach has two main advantages. First, the electrical parts can be placed inside the workspace of the MSM, hence allowing for remote maintenance. Second, the space occupied by the electrical parts and their cables, which are separate from the crane in the proposed design, can be considered and exploited in designing the mechanical parts of the crane. This enables the construction of a short, special crane in order to maximize the workspace. Furthermore, the mechanical parts for the MSM located outside the workspace are designed to possess a high safety margin to ensure durability. An accurate servo-control system is also developed based on absolute positioning measurement. This allows for the safer performance of perform through automatic operation.

Background Chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) has a more complicated pathogenetic basis than others. The clinical grading system and its correlations with the clinical and immunological parameters still remained to be investigated to define the nature of CAD in a more detailed manner. Objectives We investigated correlations of the clinical severity score of CAD (CSS-CAD) with the clinical and immunological parameters. Methods We evaluated 72 patients with CAD and classified them into three groups according to the CSS-CAD. We analysed total IgE level, peripheral blood (PB) eosinophil count, the ratio of Th2cell (CCR4 + CD4 +) percentage over Th1 cell (CXCR3 + CD4 +) percentage (Th2/Th1) and/or the sum of suppressor/cytotoxic T cells. Results The total IgE levels and the percentage of PB eosinophils were higher in the severer group than other groups. A shift towards Th2 from Th2/Th1 balanced status may be affected by total counts of suppressor T cells, and the patient with higher Th2/Th1 ratio than balanced status had the more proportion in the severer CSS-CAD group than other groups. Conclusion The CSS-CAD correlates with total IgE level, PB eosinophil count and a shift towards Th2 immunity from Th2/Th1. So we suggest the Th1/Th2 dysbalance may be affected by the CSS-CAD.

Background: We evaluated ultrasonography variables associated with the improvement of nocturia after administration of alpha adrenoceptor antagonist (alpha blocker) monotherapy. Methods: From February to October 2014, 679 men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) underwent ultrasonography including prostate volume, transitional zone volume, prostatic urethral length, the ratio between prostatic urethral length and prostate volume (RPUL), intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP), and prostatic urethral angle (PUA). Among them, 108 men who had pre-treatment nocturia without nocturnal polyuria (nocturnal polyuria index

Korea is the geographic location during the summer, the temperature rising to and winter temperature is to reduce the air temperature changes, such as relatively large compared to other countries. This increase or decrease of the harmful exhaust gas discharged from automobile substantially inconvenience a significant impact on the active side of the car engine temperature and exhaust gas reducing device receives a large impact on the atmospheric temperature is regulation to be different. However, domestic vehicle emissions test temperature of is it does not reflect this situation the actual test temperature to accurately measure the exhaust gas volume of the vehicle is difficult. In this study, domestic automobile exhaust gas test conditions of a test temperature various temperatures, including (35, 25, 0, -7, -15, ) under the two vehicles (2.0L MPI, 2.4 L GDI) as was discussed with respect to the exhaust gas characteristics of the vehicle according to the ambient temperature gas. As a result, domestic emissions test temperature of than average conditions were temperature decreases greenhouse gas emissions and increase overall increased by up to 15 times higher. Air temperature and the engine exhaust gas inconvenience a direct effect on the activation temperature required in the reduction unit is determined to be an increase of emissions and greenhouse gases, and also an increase in the variety of lubricants based lubricating and viscosity reduction, such as the engine oil due to the low temperature of these result It is considered that shows the.

With rising fuel costs and the depletion of fossil fuels, electric vehicles of high efficiency has been increasing interest. although high-performance battery continually is developing, Electric vehicles is not satisfied with the characteristics of the environment. In this study, By using the current fuel economy testing methods(5-cycle test), until the fully discharged battery electric vehicles is evaluated for a variety of environmental and operating conditions. As a result, Electric vehicles showed a low energy consumption efficiency in low temperature and rapid acceleration, deceleration in the operating environment compared with normal temperature.

This paper presents a wide-frequency-range, self-calibrating, built-off-test (BOT) transceiver for a DDR4 SDRAM interface. The proposed BOT transceiver consists of a data transceiver, a phase-locked loop, a delay-locked loop, a self-timing calibration (STC) circuit with a 90-degree phase shifter, and a self-voltage calibration (SVC) circuit. In particular, with both the STC and SVC circuits, data channel skew is effectively compensated, and the voltage margin can be maximized while the DDR4 SDRAM is communicating with the test equipment. The BOT transceiver is realized in 20-nm DRAM CMOS technology. Using the fabricated BOT transceiver, we have successfully demonstrated 3.2-Gb/s/pin testing for DDR4 SDRAM with a 1.0-V supply voltage.

A 308-nm excimer laser (EL) has been widely used to treat patients with localized vitiligo. However, data are rare on the influence of EL treatment on the risks of skin cancer. To evaluate the skin cancer risks after long-term EL treatment, we performed a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Claims Database. A total of 5,052 patients with vitiligo were classified into three groups according to the EL treatment sessions between 2009 and 2016: no, 50-99, and 100 or more EL treatments after 2-year washout period (2007 and 2008). Using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, we found that the risks of actinic keratosis, non-melanoma skin cancers, and melanoma did not significantly differ among the groups, respectively. In conclusion, EL treatment would not increase the risks of premalignant skin lesions and skin cancers in patients with vitiligo. Based on our results, EL is likely to be a safe treatment option for patients with localized vitiligo.

A sub-0.85V, 6.4Gb/s TX-interleaved transceiver with fast wake-up time using 2-step charging control and a V OH calibration scheme is implemented using 20nm DRAM process. Adopting an interleaving scheme based on improved DRAM process, the proposed design operates at lowest supply voltage of 0.83V in DRAM process, and improves pin-efficiency by 30% compared with recent DRAM I/O interfaces. The fast wake-up time level shifter can achieve target switching voltage level without latency increase. And the leakage current by newly adopted transistors can be alleviated using a splitted power gating scheme.

Background In toe reconstruction, amputation procedures are much more common than salvage procedures. However, toe resurfacing, rather than amputation, provides superior functional and aesthetic results. In this study, we report the clinical outcomes of toe resurfacing using a thin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. Patients and methods Between January 2004 and June 2013, a total of 15 patients underwent toe resurfacing using thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps. Thin flaps were harvested by discarding the deep adipose layer. Twelve cases involved a great toe defect, three, a second toe defect, three, a third toe defect, and one, a fourth toe defect. Patient ages ranged from 19 to 82 years (mean, 42.9 years). The mechanism of injury varied, including crushing injury, degloving injury, and diabetic foot infection. Results The size of thoracodorsal artery perforator flap ranged from 4 × 3 to 20 × 8 cm2 and the thickness of the flap ranged from 4 to 9 mm (mean, 6.5 mm). All flap survived completely without complications. The mean follow-up period was 18.8 months (range, 12–60 months). Only one patient with rheumatoid arthritis had mild gait disturbance. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic and functional results. Conclusion Toe resurfacing with thin thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps appears to be a safer and more reliable option than amputation for preserving their function. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2015.

In this report, we present a rare case of primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the appendix in a 51-year-old woman with right lower quadrant pain. Since non-specific concentric appendiceal wall thickening was found in a radiologic evaluation, it was misdiagnosed as non-tumorous appendicitis. An in-depth examination of the correlation between sonographic and histopathologic findings demonstrated that a single markedly thickened hypoechoic layer was well correlated with the diffuse infiltration of tumor cells in both the submucosal and muscle layers. If this sonographic finding is observed in certain clinical settings, such as potential ovarian and peritoneal metastasis, submucosal infiltrative tumors, including signet-ring cell carcinoma, should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Surely fuel economy(F.E.) label is needed to meet consumer`s right to know. Korea has developed and adopted F.E. correction equation similar to the feeling, because consumer complain about F.E. label higher than they feel. Recently, through continuous research and development high-efficiency & performance green car like HEV, PHEV and EV are being sold. In this situation, it is needed to know whether the current equation can reflect a part of their improved technic or not. In this paper, to review current equation through test using hybrid vehicles on 5-cycle SOC, correction equation and F.E were discussed. The result show HEV didn`t meet the SOC error standard on US06. Also, HEV has bigger F.E. difference between FTP-75 and 5-cycle than conventional vehicles. However, the correction equation that include HEV almost same with current one.

As the interest on the air pollution is gradually rising up at home and abroad, automotive and fuel researchers have been working on the exhaust emission reduction from vehicles through a lot of approaches, which consist of new engine design, innovative after-treatment systems, using clean (eco-friendly alternative) fuels and fuel quality improvement. This research has brought forward various main issues : whether PM emissions should be regulated for diesel and gasoline vehicles and whether gasoline and LPG powered vehicles can be further neglected from PM emission inventories. Finally, the greenhouse gas(CO 2 , CH 4 , N 2 O) regulation has been discussed including automotive emission regulation. The greenhouse gas and emissions (PM) particle of automotive had many problem that cause of ambient pollution, health effects. This paper discussed the influence of LPG fuel on automotive cold startability and exhaust emissions gas. Also, this paper assessed emission characteristics due to the test temperature. These test temperature were performed by dividing the temperature of the test mode and the lowest local temperature in winter. Through this study, the correlation of cold startability, exhaust emission and greenhouse gas emission was analyzed. Key words : LPLi (Liquid phase LPG injection), Greenhouse Gas(CO

Objective To introduce our hybrid technique using a Satinsky clamp for right-sided hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) and to compare its effectiveness and safety with those of standard left-sided HALDN. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 253 patients, who underwent HALDN (51 right and 202 left) from January 2003 to December 2012. Perioperative outcomes including operative time, estimated blood loss, warm ischemic time, hospital stay, complications, and recovery of renal function in recipients were collected and compared between the right hybrid HALDN (rhHALDN) and left-sided HALDN groups. Results The procedure was performed successfully in all 253 patients. No statistical difference in the mean operation time (224.3 vs 217.5 minutes), estimated blood loss (128.1 vs 123.6 mL), warm ischemic time (3.3 vs 3.1 minutes), average time to oral intake (2.4 vs 2.1 days), and mean hospital stay (4.9 vs 5.5 days) was observed between the rhHALDN and left-sided HALDN groups ( P >.05). Perioperative complication rates were not statistically different between rhHALDN (2 intraoperative, 3 postoperative; 9.8%) and left-sided HALDN (6 intraoperative, 22 postoperative; 13.9%) group ( P = .328). No significant difference in mean serum creatinine level and glomerular filtration rate in recipients from postoperative day 1 to 1 year was observed between the 2 groups. Conclusion The perioperative outcomes of rhHALDN using a Satinsky clamp were comparable with those of the left-sided standard HALDN. This hybrid technique can be a technically safe and feasible option for minimally invasive organ donation when right kidney donation is indicated.

Neurofibromatosis type I, also known as Von Recklinghausen disease, is one of the most common congenital disorders, with an incidence of 1 out of 3,000–4,000. It can be diagnosed on the basis of characteristic phenotypic manifestations, such as cafe-au-lait spots, axillary and inguinal freckling, neurofibromas, optic gliomas, Lisch nodules and distinctive osseous lesions. Osseous lesions occur in 2%–3% of neurofibromatosis type I cases, and are known to be caused by a lack of osteoblast function and the consolidation of osteoclast activity [1]. The most commonly affected region is the diaphysis of the tibia. Due to segmental disturbances in periosteal bone formation, anterior bowing occurs, and pathologic fractures eventually develop. In the first 2 years of life, pseudarthrosis may occur, which makes bone healing difficult due to persistent instability and progressive deformity in the bone. In patients with congenital pseudarthrosis, serious consequences such as amputation of the lower limb may be necessary if the condition is not adequately managed [2]. In this report, the authors describe the case of a vascularized fibular bone graft in a congenital pseudarthrosis patient.

Background Psychological aspect and quality of life should be considered in treating patients with psoriasis. Objective We sought to ascertain which clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions are associated with impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with psoriasis. Methods The EPI-PSODE study was a nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in Korea that included 1260 adult patients with psoriasis. In addition to clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions, data were collected using the Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Screening and Evaluation (PASE), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire Psoriasis (WPAI: PSO) and Medication Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Results Patients with a DLQI score > 5 (n = 990) were younger, had an earlier onset of psoriasis, scored higher on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), had higher body surface area (BSA) and had higher PASE scores than patients with DLQI ≤ 5 (n = 266). The group of patients with exposed lesions (n = 871) were younger and male predominance, earlier onset of psoriasis, longer disease duration, higher PASI/BSA score and a higher proportion with drinking and smoking history each than the group of patients without exposed lesions (n = 389). Presence of exposed lesions negatively influenced DLQI, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) (mental component), presenteeism, total work productivity impairment and total activity impairment in the WPAI: PSO. In multiple regression model, PASI score was the only variable which was significantly associated with all HRQoL measures. Presence of exposed lesions was a significant factor affecting DLQI and SF-36 (mental). Conclusion The presence of exposed lesions has a negative impact on quality of life, mental health and work productivity. Therefore, effective treatments are particularly needed for psoriasis patients with exposed lesions.