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The Iksan Ssangneung (twin tombs), a pair of tombs comprising the Daewangneung (large royal tomb) and the Sowangneung (small royal tomb), were constructed in the typical style of stone tunnel and chamber tombs in the Baekje Kingdom during the Sabi period (538 to 660 AD) of ancient Korea. Soil layers exposed during excavation of Sowangneung in a trench east of the tomb are: the bottommost layer, the ground level layer, the Panchuk (rammed earth) layer of the Baekje, the layer created by a grave robbery, and soil recovered during the Japanese colonial period. Soil samples were obtained by segmenting an easy stratigraphic horizon into sub categorized soil layers, and their material properties were analyzed; they are composed mainly of sandy loam based on the particle size distributions. In the site foundation, loamy sand is packed in the bottommost layer, and sandy loam with high sand and silty sand fills most of the overlying layer. The central and topmost portion of the Baekje layer is composed of loam with high clay content. All soil layers show geochemical behaviors similar to those of the bottommost layer. X-ray diffraction analysis verified kaolinite in all layers, also observed in soil layers displaying high crystallinity. Kaolinite and halloysite were identified by scanning electron microscopy. Thus, we conclude that the Baekje layer of the Sowangneung is composed of sandy loam containing kaolin procured from near the site. An impermeable middle to upper layer was created using viscous loam. The top of the tomb was closed tightly.

Regulations for banning smoking in indoor public places and workplaces have increased worldwide in recent years. A consecutive Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2008 and 2018 showed a trend toward significant decreases in self-reported tobacco smoke exposure and measured urinary cotinine concentrations. We established and compared each optimal cut-off value for assessing the effect of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure on establishing urinary cotinine-based cut-off values for smoking status classification in a population setting controlled for racial and cultural diversity, using four KNHANES datasets consisting of the 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2018 surveys. A total of 18,229 Korean participants aged >19 years with measured urinary cotinine concentrations were enrolled. Self-reports of current smoking status showed that the prevalence of current smokers decreased from 22.9% to 18.2% between 2008 and 2018. During this period, the median value of urinary cotinine in nonsmokers decreased from 5.86 µg/L to 0.48 µg/L, whereas the median value showed no remarkable decrease in current smokers. The AUC-based optimal cut-off values of urinary cotinine concentration for distinguishing current smokers from nonsmokers decreased from 86.5 µg/L to 11.5 µg/L. Our study showed that decreased SHS exposure would result in decreased optimal cut-off values for distinguishing current smokers from nonsmokers. In addition, the study suggests that the range of urinary cotinine concentration to define SHS exposure for the trend monitoring of populationof SHS exposure is appropriate between 0.30 µg/L and 100 µg/L. In addition, our study showed the importance of determination of cotinine concentration, which would have allowed us to avoid mistakes in qualification to the study group in an increased use of e-cigarette setting.

Background Several factors contribute to differences in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype distribution. We investigated the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of S. pneumoniae isolated between 2014 and 2016 in Korea. Methods We collected a total of 1,855 S. pneumoniae isolates from 44 hospitals between May 2014 and May 2016, and analyzed the serotypes by sequential multiplex PCR. We investigated the distribution of each serotype by patient age, source of the clinical specimen, and antimicrobial resistance pattern. Results The most common serotypes were 11A (10.1%), followed by 19A (8.8%), 3 (8.5%), 34 (8.1%), 23A (7.3%), and 35B (6.2%). The major invasive serotypes were 3 (12.6%), 19A (7.8%), 34 (7.8%), 10A (6.8%), and 11A (6.8%). Serotypes 10A, 15B, 19A, and 12F were more common in patients ≤5 years old, while serotype 3 was more common in patients ≥65 years old compared with the other age groups. The coverage rates of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)7, PCV10, PCV13, and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 were 11.8%, 12.12%, 33.3%, and 53.6%, respectively. Of the 1,855 isolates, 857 (46.2%) were multi-drug resistant (MDR), with serotypes 11A and 19A predominant among the MDR strains. The resistance rates against penicillin, cefotaxime, and levofloxacin were 22.8%, 12.5%, and 9.4%, respectively. Conclusions There were significant changes in the major S. pneumoniae serotypes in the community. Non-PCV13 serotypes increased in patients ≤5 years old following the introduction of national immunization programs with the 10- and 13-polyvalent vaccines.

BACKGROUND Plasma epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation tests are less invasive than tissue EGFR mutation tests. We determined which of two kits is more efficient: cobas EGFR Mutation test v2 (cobasv2; Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA, USA) or PANAMutyper-R-EGFR (Mutyper; Panagene, Daejeon, Korea). We also evaluated whether pleural effusion supernatant (PE-SUP) samples are assayable, similar to plasma samples, using these two kits. METHODS We analyzed 156 plasma and PE-SUP samples (31 paired samples) from 116 individuals. We compared the kits in terms of accuracy, assessed genotype concordance (weighted κ with 95% confidence intervals), and calculated Spearman's rho between semi-quantitatively measured EGFR-mutant levels (SQIs) measured by each kit. We also compared sensitivity using 47 EGFR-mutant harboring samples divided into more-dilute and less-dilute samples (dilution ratio: ≥ or

The fragments of a wall painting excavated from among the historical remains of Jeseoksa Temple in Iksan. The extent of the damage to the fragments was examined and an analysis of the components of the pigment was conducted. The results of the component analysis of the pigment confirmed that the white pigment consisted of alkali feldspar and mullite. Although the results of the visual inspection revealed differences in color in the red and black pigments, the main component of the two colors was confirmed to be iron oxide. Red and black pigments are found at the same position. Although differences of color is obvious, those are identified as hematite and magnetite of oxidized steel’s affiliation. It is judged that Differences of ingredients happened by external environment’s factors.

This paper addresses the growing phenomenon of cosmetic surgery tourism through a focus on the development of this industry in South Korea. Unlike many discussions of this topic, the paper decentres dominant narratives based on west-goes-east or north-goes-south journeys. Instead, we look at regional flows by exploring the experiences of Chinese patients travelling to South Korea in search of facial cosmetic surgery – procedures often referred to as the ‘Korean Look’ and associated with exported Korean popular culture. We focus on the contested understandings of the motives for and outcomes of this surgery between Korean surgeons and Chinese patients, documenting one example of the cultural investments and (mis)understandings that can impact on the experiences of medical tourists as they travel across national borders in search of treatment. We situate the development of cosmetic surgery tourism in Korea in the context of a discourse we call ‘medical nationalism’, showing how surgeons in particular reproduce this discourse in terms of pride in their contribution to the economic and reputational success of South Korea on a world stage. However, we demonstrate finally that, as a privatised, feminised and trivialised form of medicine, cosmetic surgery will always fail to deliver in this respect.

ObjectiveHeterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRNPA1), serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1), and SRSF3 are splicing regulators associated with oncogenesis. However, the alterations of SF proteins and their diagnostic values in cervical cancer are unclear. To apply SFs clinically, effective marker selection and characterization of the target organ properties are essential.Materials and MethodsWe concurrently analyzed HNRNPA1, SRSF1, SRSF3, and the conventional tumor markers squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in cervical tissue samples (n = 127) using semiquantitative immunoblotting. In addition, we compared them with p16 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A [CDKN2A]), which has shown high diagnostic efficacy in immunohistochemical staining studies and has been proposed as a candidate protein for point-of-care screening biochemical tests of cervical neoplasia.ResultsHNRNPA1, higher molecular weight forms of SRSF1 (SRSF1-HMws), SRSF3, CEA, and p16 levels were higher (P < 0.05) in cervical carcinoma tissue samples than in nontumoral cervical tissue samples. However, the levels of SRSF1-Total (sum of SRSF1-HMws and a lower molecular weight form of SRSF1) and SCCA, a commonly used cervical tumor marker, were not different between carcinoma and nontumoral tissue samples. In paired sample comparisons, HNRNPA1 (94%) showed the highest incidence of up-regulation (carcinoma/nontumor, >1.5) in cervical carcinoma, followed by p16 (84%), SRSF1-HMws (69%), SRSF3 (66%), CEA (66 %), SCCA (32%), and SRSF1-Total (31%). HNRNPA1 (92%) and p16 (91%) presented the two highest diagnostic accuracies for cervical carcinoma, which were superior to those of SRSF3 (75%), SRSF1-HMws (72%), CEA (72%), SCCA (59%), and SRSF1-Total (55%).ConclusionsOur results identified that HNRNPA1 is the best diagnostic marker among the SFs and conventional markers given its excellent diagnostic efficacy for cervical carcinoma, and it has a p16-comparable diagnostic value. We suggest that HNRNPA1 is an additional effective target protein for developing cervical cancer detection tools.

조선시대 목리유적 회격묘의 재료학적 특성과 물성을 분석하여 석회의 제조기법 및 회격의 제작과정과 원료산지를 검토하였다. 회격의 건조밀도는 1호 회격묘 남벽이 1.82 g/cm3로 가장 높고, 공극률은 25.20%로 최저값을 보였다. 건조밀도와 공극률은 반비례 관계를 보이나, 일축압축강도는 2호 회격묘에서 182.36 kg/cm2로 최대강도를 보였으며 공극률 및 밀도와 상관관계는 보이지 않았다. 회격의 석회혼합물은 주로 황갈색 기질에 200~600 μm의 석영, 장석 및 운모류와 방해석으로 이루어져 있다. 특히 회격에서는 하이드로탈사이트 및 포틀란다이트가 검출되나 토양에서는 고령석이 동정되었다. 회격의 모든 석회는 600~800℃에서 탄산칼슘의 탈탄산반응에 기인한 대대적인 중량감소와 다양한 흡열피크가 나타났다. 회격의 산출상태와 광물조성 및 열분석 결과로 보아 석회의 조성온도는 800℃ 내외로 추정된다. 회격묘는 삼물(석회, 세사, 황토)의 혼합조성으로 인해 넓은 주성분원소 범위를 보이며 작열감량 또한 22.5~33.6 wt.%로 나타났다. 회격의 석회와 골재의 함량이 불균질하고 부분적으로 양생이 충분히 이루어지지 않은 것으로 밝혀져 기술수준은 다소 낮았던 것으로 판단된다. 목리유적 일대에서는 석회의 원료인 석회암질암의 분포가 여러 곳에서 확인되며 상업적으로 석회를 생산한 예산 및 홍성지역의 석회석 광산과 근거리에 있다. 석회 원료는 목리유적 인근의 산지에서 공급되었을 것으로 판단된다.

The use of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) has rapidly increased recently at acute stage, but the CT findings associated with bacteremia in UTI patients are unknown. 189 UTI patients were enrolled who underwent a CT scan within 24 h after hospital admission. We classified CT findings into eight types: a focal or multifocal wedge-shaped area of hypoperfusion, enlarged kidneys, perinephric fat stranding, ureteritis or pyelitis, complicated renal cyst, renal papillary necrosis, hydronephrosis, and renal and perirenal abscess. A retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate the CT findings associated with bacteremia. The mean age of these patients was 60 ± 17.2 years, and 93.1 % were women. Concurrent bacteremia was noted in 40.2 % of the patients. Abnormal CT findings were noted in 96.3 % of the patients and 62.4 % had two or more abnormal findings. The most frequent abnormal CT finding was a focal or multifocal wedge-shaped area of hypoperfusion (77.2 %), followed by perinephric fat stranding (29.1 %). Perinephric fat stranding, hydronephrosis, and the presence of two or more abnormal CT findings were significantly associated with bacteremia in patients with community-acquired UTI. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, age [odds ratio (OR) 1.03; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.009-1.062], two or more abnormal CT findings (OR 3.163; 95 % CI 1.334-7.498), and hydronephrosis (OR 13.160; 95 % CI 1.048-165.282) were significantly associated with bacteremia. Physicians should be aware that appropriate early management is necessary to prevent fatality in patients with these CT findings.

Background Plasma epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation tests are less invasive than tissue EGFR mutation tests. We determined which of two kits is more efficient: cobas EGFR Mutation test v2 (cobasv2; Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA, USA) or PANAMutyper-R-EGFR (Mutyper; Panagene, Daejeon, Korea). We also evaluated whether pleural effusion supernatant (PE-SUP) samples are assayable, similar to plasma samples, using these two kits. Methods We analyzed 156 plasma and PE-SUP samples (31 paired samples) from 116 individuals. We compared the kits in terms of accuracy, assessed genotype concordance (weighted κ with 95% confidence intervals), and calculated Spearman's rho between semi-quantitatively measured EGFR-mutant levels (SQIs) measured by each kit. We also compared sensitivity using 47 EGFR-mutant harboring samples divided into more-dilute and less-dilute samples (dilution ratio: ≥ or

The purpose of this study is to examine the differences between major satisfaction, university life adjustment, self-esteem, career identity according to the time of department selection of students in the department of occupational therapy. Frequencies, descriptive statistics, chi-square test, ANOVA was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 22. The major satisfaction and career identity have statistically significant difference according to the time of department selection. As the time of department selection was earlier(in high school), major satisfaction and career identity turned out to be higher than other times(before application period or application period). Thus, in order to effective life guidance and career guidance for the students in the department of occupational therapy after admission, the carrer programs that convergent the characteristics of the department of occupational therapy are needed.

Objectives To determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in the normal rectal flora of patients undergoing transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy in Korea. Methods Between May 2010 and October 2010, rectal swabs were cultured from patients before transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy in three tertiary referral centers of Jeonbuk Province, Korea. Rectal swabs were collected using cotton-tipped culture swabs in a standard collection system immediately before prostate biopsy. The swabs were cultured on eosin methylene blue and McConkey agar at 37°C. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests were carried out according to National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines. Results Of the 160 patients who had a rectal swab taken before prostate biopsy, microorganisms were isolated in 125 patients. Escherichia coli was isolated from the rectal swabs of 95 patients. The mean age was 68.1 years, the median serum prostate specific antigen was 5.6 ng/mL and the mean prostate volume measured by transrectal ultrasonography was 43.8 mL. Of the E. coli, 33.7%, 29.1%, 26.7%, 23.3%, 12.8%, 9.3%, 5.8%, 1.2% and 0% were resistant to ampicillin, piperacillin, levofloxacin, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin, cephalothin, cefotaxim, amikacin and meropenem, respectively. Conclusions There is a high level of resistance to ciprofloxacin and ampicillin, and a very low level of resistance to amikacin in the E. coli in the bowel flora. The prevalence of resistance to ciprofloxacin in Korea is significantly higher than that reported in Western countries.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week rehabilitation program on body composition, shoulder pain, and isokinetic internal/external torques of pitchers with impingement syndrome. A total of 30 pitchers were divided into 2 groups: experimental group (EG, n = 16) and control group (CG, n= 14). The rehabilitation program consisted of physical therapy, warm-up, work-out, and cool-down. As results, body weight and fat mass of EG were decreased whereas muscle mass of EG was significantly increased after the experiment. The pain degrees in resting, normal daily activity, and strenuous activity on the numeric pain rating scale were significantly decreased in the EG. The internal and external peak torques (PTs) of uninvolved and involved sides of EG were increased in EG after 12 weeks. Such results provide a deficit ratio of both sides in EG close to normal values. The ratios of internal/external PTs in EG were also close to the reference values. The internal and external total works of both sides in EG were similar to the values of PT. The fatigue indices of internal and external rotators of both sides in EG were decreased. As a conclusion, a 12-week rehabilitation program reduced the shoulder pain, improved the body composition and enhanced the isokinetic shoulder internal/external rotators in EG with impingement symptoms. Also the study suggested that the rehabilitation program evened out the ratio between internal and external rotators and lowered the fatigue level after the experiment.

Background: Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) plays a crucial role in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in- duced pleural responses. Interleukin (IL)-33 up-regulates the production of IFN-γ. We aimed to identify whether an association between pleural IL-33 levels and tuberculous pleurisy exists and determine its diagnostic value. Methods: Pleural IL-33, ST2 (a receptor of IL-33), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and IFN-γ, as well as serum IL-33 and ST2 were measured in 220 patients with pleural effusions (PEs). Patients with malignant (MPEs), parapneumonic (PPEs), tuberculous (TPEs), and cardio- genic (CPEs) pleural effusions were included. Results: Pleural and serum IL-33 levels were highest or tended to be higher in patients with TPEs than in those with other types of PEs. The median pleural fl uid-to-serum IL-33 ratio was higher in TPE cases (≥ 0.91) than in other PE cases (≤ 0.56). Pleural IL-33 lev- els correlated with those of pleural ADA and IFN-γ. However, the diagnostic accuracies of pleural IL-33 (0.74) and pleural fl uid-to-serum IL-33 ratio (0.75) were lower than that of ADA (0.95) or IFN-γ (0.97). Pleural ST2 levels in patients with MPEs were higher than in patients with TPEs. Serum ST2 levels did not differ among the groups. Conclusions: We identifi ed an association between elevated pleural IL-33 levels and tuber- culous pleurisy. However, we recommend conventional pleural markers (ADA or IFN-γ) as diagnostic markers of TPE.

The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of various serotypes and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing features of Salmonella strains and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of 256 Salmonella strains other than Salmonella serotype Typhi, which were isolated at 12 university hospitals in Korea. We identified 46 serotypes of Salmonella spp. Serogroup D was the most common (39.5%), followed by B (32.4%), C (22.7%), E (2.7%), A (2.3%), and G (0.4%). The three most common Salmonella serotypes were Enteritidis (36.3%), Typhimurium (16.8%), and Infantis (7.8%). Six strains that belonged to serotype Paratyphi A and nine that belonged to serotype Paratyphi B were also detected. The 256 Salmonella strains had a 38.7% rate of resistance to ampicillin, 23.0% to chloramphenicol, 8.2% to cefotaxime, 8.6% to ceftriaxone, and 6.3% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The antimicrobial resistance rates of Salmonella serogroups B and D were higher than those of the other serogroups. Seven isolates carried blaCTX-M: four CTX-M-15, two CTX-M-14, and one CTX-M-3.

The purpose of this study was to provide information on how to improve both the satisfaction and the current sizing system for the school summer uniform focused on middle and high school students. In order to collect the data, a questionnaire was administered to middle and high school students, and 1,153 data were analyzed. For the satisfaction of their school uniform, there were statistical differences in mean of gender in the design(upper garment) and design & activity(lower garment). On the other hand, students' evaluation of summer school uniform was significantly different in the upper garment(textile, design, activity), and lower garment(design, activity) by school age. For the evaluation of sizing fitness, the length and width of the summer upper garment(blouse/shirts) and the length and width of the summer gar- ments(pants/skirts) were statistical differences in mean of gender or sexuality whereas there were significant differences in the summer upper garment(length, width, the length of sleeve, the width of sleeve, armhole) and the summer lower garment(length, width) by school age.

This study aims to examine the current living conditions of former South Korean Olympic judo medallists and to investigate what impact their life as athletes has had on their choice of career path. The primary method for qualitative research is an analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with five Olympic judo medallists. Results suggest that these athletes have suffered as a result of the lack of studying whilst pursuing an extensive athletic lifestyle, and consequently have found difficulty in terms of social mobility and preferred career options unrelated to judo. This study proposes differentiated educational and career programmes for elite athletes in South Korea. In addition, a means of evaluating programmes that may enable them to take various career paths other than sports after retirement is suggested.

The belief that elite sport and its mega events act like behemoths trampling over all before them is widely held, not least in the culture industries. But how accurate is this view and what contradictory evidence, if any, can be cited? In order to answer these related questions, this article examines the legacy of the 1998 Summer Olympics, held in Seoul, South Korea. This study is based not only on a review of existing relevant literature but also on a series of interviews conducted with prominent figures from the worlds of South Korean politics and sport whose reflections on the immediate impact of the Games and also their consequences, although impressionistic and ultimately highly subjective, nevertheless add flesh to the bones of developments that are difficult, if not impossible, to quantify. We find evidence in the legacy of the Seoul Olympics that global events can help to promote indigenous cultures and even reverse the direction of dominant globalising trends. If nothing else, the example of Seou...

Tae-il Seo*AbstractIt is very difficult to determine suitable cutting conditions in order to obtain accurate cutting profiles because machining errors caused by tool deflection depend upon cutting conditions. In this study the relationship between real cutting profiles (inclined shapes and machining errors) and cutting conditions was modeled in order to fabricate draft angle on micro molds. CCD (Central Composite Design) of DOE (Design Of Experiment) and RSM (Response Surface Method) were applied in order to model the relationship between cutting conditions and machining errors. In order to use CCD the range of radial depth of cut was chosen by 10-90㎛ and the range of feedrate was chosen by 200-300mm/min, and 9 points of cutting conditions were chosen inside determined ranges. Then, actual cutting processes were carried out as respect to 9 points of cutting conditions, draft angles and real cutting profiles were measured on cutting profiles, each response surface function was determined by conducting response surface analysis and the functions were represented by 3-dimensional graphs, contour lines and 101×101 matrices. Consequently it is possible to determine suitable cutting conditions in order to obtain arbitrary given draft angles and cutting profiles by using modeling. To validate proposed approach in this study suitable cutting conditions were determined by modeling in order to obtain arbitrary given draft angle and cutting profile, and actual cutting processes were carried out. About 95% of good agreement between predicted and measured values was obtained.

This paper investigates shape design processes of two implant systems for bone fracture treatment ; Bone plate and Interlocking nail system. These systems can directly fix fractured human bones by surgical operations. The bone plates consist of various shaped plates and implant screws for fixation of fractured human bones with various manual instruments allowing to handle them. The material corresponds to titanium alloy Ti6Al4V because it is harmless material for human body as well as significantly rigid. This system has to be suitably rigid as well as manually bended in orthopedic surgery operations. The Interlocking nail system is a kind of nail implanted inside fractured human bones. The shapes of these systems have to be suitably designed in order to endure various loads as well as avoid any damages. If various shaped prototypes would be fabricated and tested to design the optimal shapes, optimal shapes could be obtained but very long time and expensive costs must be required. In this paper finite element method was applied into these systems. Under various boundary conditions a series of structural analysis was conducted by using ANSYS. Finally important shape factors could be determined on the basis of the analysis results.

YKL-40 (a chitinase-like protein) is an inflammatory biomarker that is associated with lung injury pathogenesis. We aimed to identify the diagnostic values of YKL-40 in pleural effusions and to evaluate circulating YKL-40 levels during multiple etiological pulmonary/pleural diseases and the role of YKL-40 as a monitoring marker of inflammatory pulmonary disease.Pleural YKL-40 (n=197), YKL-39 (the most homologous chitinase-like protein to human YKL-40), and conventional pleural marker levels were measured in patients with pulmonary/pleural disease. Additionally, serum YKL-40 and YKL-39 levels were analyzed in both patients and controls (n=432) and serially monitored in patients with asthma (n=27) or pneumonia (n=22).Pleural YKL-40 levels were higher than those in the serum and highest in tuberculous pleural effusions (TPEs; 1181 ng/mL), followed by parapneumonic, malignant, and cardiogenic effusions (560 ng/mL). The diagnostic accuracy of pleural YKL-40 (0.78) for discriminating between tuberculous and malignant effusion was comparable to or greater than those of YKL-39, total protein, C-reactive protein and CYFRA 21-1, and lower than those of adenosine deaminase (p0.05) and carcinoembriogenic antigen (p=0.05). Serum YKL-40 levels were higher in the pneumonia group than in the cancer, asthma, or control groups. Following treatment, serum YKL-40 levels were more greatly reduced in pneumonia patients than in asthma patients. Serum YKL-39 levels did not differ between patients and controls.Pleural YKL-40 levels are elevated in TPEs and have fairly good diagnostic efficacy for detecting TPEs. However, adenosine deaminase is more efficient for detecting TPEs than pleural YKL-40. Serum YKL-40 levels are highest during pneumonia compared to common pulmonary/pleural diseases and are more useful for monitoring pneumonia than asthma.

The Usuki Stone Buddha Statues in Oita are consisted of 60 Buddhas which represent of Japan carved on the rock-cliff in the 12 to 14th centuries. The basement rock of the statues is dark gray welded lapilli tuff that containing the Aso-4 pyroclastic rock group. Deterioration maps for the Hoki I and the Furuzono Buddha Statues group show multi-directional fissures on the Cakra, and sheeting-off zone at the margin of uprising water. Deterioration rate of the Hoki I group was calculated fissure about 121 in number, 19% of sheeting-off zone and 51% of biological weathering in surface of area. And the Furuzono group was also evaluated as about 48 of fissures in number, 24% of sheeting-off zone and 41% biological weathering. The slope stability assessment results, the Hoki I developed discontinuous planes has possibility of planar, toppling and wedge failures in all caves. Ultrasonic velocity of the Aizen-myooh (basement rock) ranges from 1,520 to 2,794 (average 2,298m/s). And pedestal of Amita-yeorae which has been replaced by new fresh rock is measured as 3,242 to 4,141 (average 3,813m/s). Therefore, we establish of planing conservation treatment and reinforcement methods to fissure, cavity, sheeting-off zone in the Buddha surface.

Our objective was to identify factors associated with septic shock in patients with bacteremic acute pyelonephritis who were admitted to our emergency department (ER). We performed a retrospective cohort study of 208 adult cases compiled between January 2000 and December 2010. The mean age of the 208 predominantly female (81.3%) adult cases enrolled during the study period was 65.9 ± 15.2 years. The overall mortality rate was 6.7% (14/208), but the mortality rate of 54 patients (26%, 54/208) who initially presented with shock was 25.9% (14/54). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the independent risk factors for the occurrence of septic shock were the presence of a urinary tract obstruction (OR 4.391, 95% CI 1.782-10.821, P = 0.001), healthcare-associated infection (OR 3.491, 95% CI 1.585-7.692, P = 0.002), and liver cirrhosis (OR 4.609, 95% CI 1.395-15.222, P = 0.012). Therefore, physicians should be aware that appropriate early management is necessary to prevent fatal outcomes in patients with risk factors of septic shock.

This paper investigates a design optimization for "Bone Plate System" which can directly fix human bones fractured. The active trauma system consists of several shaped bone plates and implant screws for fixation of fractured human bones with various manual instruments allowing to handle them. The material corresponds to titanium because it was well known as harmless material when being inserted into human body. This system has to be suitably rigid as well as manually bended in orthopedic surgery operations. Then bone plates have to be designed with suitable shapes. In order to verify whether bone plates were well designed, a series of bending tests. However optimized shapes of bone plates have to be determined before unnecessary a number of bending tests. For this purpose FEM(Finite Elements Method) was applied during design process which allows us to investigate the bending strengths of bone plates. Based on FEM results, dimensions of bone plates were optimized in order to be suitably rigid without actual bending tests.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the key ingredients of Six Sigma in order to grasp and understand its essential characteristics and then identify suitable ingredients and complements in consideration of vision, strategies, capability, and circumstance of a company.Design/methodology/approachThe study outlines the range of research in Korean enterprises, suppliers, and SMEs. Potential ingredients collected from previous studies about critical success factors, ingredients of Six Sigma and TQM, and criteria of quality awards (Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA), European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Award, Deming Prize, Korean National Quality Award) are classified into 11 categories based on Six Sigma expert opinions and affinity analysis. Also, questionnaires are surveyed from champions, master black belts and black belts in 90 Korean companies that have more than three years of experience in implementing Six Sigma. Statistical analysis with factor analysis and hypothesis testing has been done to select the key ingredients and to find the differences among the diverse types of companies.FindingsBy using factor analysis, three main factors are derived for each category respectively, and consequently 30 factors in 11 categories are concluded as the key ingredients of Six Sigma in Korean companies. There is a significant difference in importance of Six Sigma key ingredients according to company size, business type, and implementation phase.Research limitations/implicationsA study may be conducted to identify Six Sigma success factors according to corporate characteristics from key ingredients identified in this study in future.Originality:/valueThe paper investigates the key ingredients of Six Sigma based on a survey of diverse sizes, industries, and implementation phases of Korean companies. Compared with other studies conducted by empirical methods, the survey data are statistically analysed and the evaluation results are represented as quantitative indicators.