• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.71-79
• /
• 2016

Background: It is necessary to analyze radioactivity of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in products to ensure radiological safety required by Natural Radiation Safety Management Act. The pretreatments for the existing analysis methods require high technology and time. Such destructive pretreatments including grinding and dissolution of samples make impossible to reuse products. We developed a rapid and simple procedure of radioactivity analysis for thorium series in the products containing NORM. Materials and Methods: The developed method requires non-destructive or minimized pretreatment. Radioactivity of the product without pretreatment is initially measured using gamma spectroscopy and then the measured radioactivity is adjusted by considering material composition, mass density, and geometrical shape of the product. The radioactivity adjustment can be made using scaling factors, which is derived by radiation transport Monte Carlo simulation. Necklace, bracelet, male health care product, and tile for health mat were selected as representative products for this study. The products are commonly used by the public and directly contacted with human body and thus resulting in high radiation exposure to the user. Results and Discussion: The scaling factors were derived using MCNPX code and the values ranged from 0.31 to 0.47. If radioactivity of the products is measured without pretreatment, the thorium series may be overestimated by up to 2.8 times. If scaling factors are applied, the difference in radioactivity estimates are reduced to 3-24%. Conclusion : The developed procedure in this study can be used for other products with various materials and shapes and thus ensuring radiological safety.

• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.221-227
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The objectives were to identify the characteristics of neonates with hydrops fetalis, and to identify the risk factors associated with mortality. Methods: A retrospective review of AMC (Asan Medical Center) dataset was performed from January 1990 to June 2009. The characteristics of 71 patients with hydrops fetalis were investigated and they were divided into two groups: the survived group and the expired group. Various perinatal and neonatal factors in two groups were compared to find out risk factors associated with mortality based on univariate analysis, followed by multiple regression analyses (SPSS version 18.0). Results: Of those 71 neonates (average gestational age: 33 weeks, birth weight: 2.6 kg), 38 survived, 33 died, resulting in overall mortality rate of 46.5%. The most common etiology was idiopathic followed by chylothorax, cardiac anomalies, twin-to-twin transfusion, meconium peritonitis, cardiac arrythmias, and congenital infections. Factors that were associated independently with mortality in logistic regression analyses were low 5-minutes Apgar score, hyaline membrane disease and delayed in achieving 50th percentile ideal body weight for appropriate gestational age by 10 days. Conclusion: In this study, 5-minutes Apgar score, hyaline membrane disease and delayed in achieving 50th percentile ideal body weight for appropriate gestational age by 10 days were significant risk factors associated with mortality in hydrops fetalis. Therefore, the risk of death among neonates with hydrops fetalis depends on the illness immediately after birth and severity of hydrops fetalis. Informations from this study may prove useful in prediction of prognosis to neonates with hydrops fetalis.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.281-291
• /
• 1999

The objective of this study was to optimize the freezing/thawing method of in vitro produced Hanwoo blastocysts. Day 7 blastocysts after IVF were vitrified using EFS40 (40% ethylene glycol, 18% ficoll, 0.3 M sucrose and 10% FBS added m-DPBS) as a freezing solution and electron microscope (EM) grid (V-G) or straw (V-S) as an embryo container. In both method, freezing/thawing were treated by 2-step, treatment time was required in V-G method and V-S method, for 2 min / 3 min and 3.5 min / 10 min, respectively. Embryo survival was assessed as re-expanded and hatched rates at 24 h and 48 h after warming, respectively. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows: when the effect of exposure in vitrification solution and chilling injury from freezing procedure on in vitro produced expanded blastocysts were examined, at 24 h after warming, embryo survival in exposure group (100.0%) was not different compared to that in control group (100.0%), although those results were significantly different with two vitrified groups (V-G: 87.8, V-S: 77.8%) (P＜0.001). However, at 48 h after warming, hatched rates of V-G group (67.8%) were significantly higher than those of V-S group (53.3%) (P＜0.05). In addition, this hatched rate in V-G group was not different with that in exposure group (73.3%). When the effects of embryo developmental stage (early, expanded and early hatching blastocysts) and embryo container (EM grid and straw) to the in vitro survival of vitrified-warmed day 7 Hanwoo blastocysts were simultaneously examined, fast developed embryos were indicated the better resistance to freezing than delayed developed one, irrespective of embryo containers (early; 57.1 ＆ 24.4%, expanded; 84.7 ＆ 60.6%, early hatching; 91.7 ＆ 80.0%) (P＜0.001). Especially, in expanded and early hatching blastocysts, embryo survival of V-G group (67.8, 95.0%) was significantly higher than those of V-S group (53.0, 65.0%) at 48 h post warming, respectively (P＜0.05, P＜0.001). Therefore, this study indicates that Hanwoo blastocysts can be cryopreserved more simple, efficient and successful by vitrification method using EM grid.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.265-272
• /
• 2002

Forage breeding laboratory of National Livestock Research Institute, R.D.A. has made interspecific hybrids of Lolium multiflorum $\times$ L. pratensis and intergeneric hybrids of Lolium $\times$ Festuca since 1984, and has collected ecotypes of Italian ryegrass since 1991. Growth characteristics of these hybrids and ecotypes were researched, and then these clone lines were named. Among these clone lines, the several clones that have polen fertility, high cold-tolerance, and similar heading time were used for making synthetics, Naehan 6, 7, 8, 9, with polycrossing method in 1997. Field experiments were carried out to compare the mophological and agronomical characteristics and forage productivity and quality of the synthetics with those of Italian ryegrass varieties, Barmultra and Hwasan 101. in Suwon and Yonchun from 1999 to 2000. Heading time of the synthetics were 22th to 24th May that belong to late-mature types to be similar to that of Barmultra and Hwasan 101 in Suwon. The synthetics were 101 to 106 c3n in plant length, medium or thick in thickness of stem, dark peen in leaf color, broad and long in flag leaf, strong in lodging resistance, and excellent in regrowth. Winter survivals of the synthetics were no different from that of Barmultra or Hwasan 101 in Suwon, but better than that of Barmultra or Hwasan 101 in Yonchun where was -10 to -12$^{\circ}C$ of minimum average air temperature in January or February. Dry matter(DM) yields of the synthetics were similar to DM 8,238kg per ha of Barmultra in Suwon, but in Yonchun, were more 7 to 13% than DM 7,291kg per ha of Barmultra. Forage qualities, IVDMD, ADF, NDF and TDN of the synthetics were lower than those of Hwasan 101, but higher than those of Barmultra.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to compare the chemical composition, dry matter digestibility (DMD), dry matter intake, and utilization of nitrogen and energy of dairy goats (Saanen), when fed on imported timothy hay (IT), mixture grass hay (MG) and native grass hay (NG), respectively. The experimental trials were conducted from April, 2008 to December, 2008 at the environmental controlled barn of Chungnam National University. Twelve dairy goats (Saanen) were selected which had nearly the same body weight (24.2kg, male). The content of crude protein (CP) of MG hay was higher than that of other diets (p<0.05), but the contents of NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin of IT and NG diet were higher than those of MG diet (p<0.05). The voluntary DM intake of dairy goats fed with herbage from MG diet (30.7/$BW_{kg}$/day) was higher than that of other diets, but no significant difference was observed between that of IT diet and NG diet (p>0.05). The DMD of MG diet (69.8%) was higher than that of NG diet (62.2%) and IT diet (60.8%) (p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between that of IT diet and NG diet (p>0.05). In nitrogen utilization, the apparently digested N %, retained % and biological value of dairy goats fed with herbage from MG diet were higher and TG diet was lower (p<0.05). In energy utilization, digestible energy and the energy of apparently digested minus urinary losses of MG diet were higher than those of IT diet and NG diet (p<0.05), but no significant difference was found between IT diet and NG diet (p>0.05). Based on the results, the dry matter intake, DMD and utilization of nitrogen and energy of dairy goats of MG were higher than those of IT diet and NG diet (p<0.05), the DMD and biological value (%) of NG diet was higher than that of IT diet (p<0.05).

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.388-404
• /
• 2001

In order to examine the relative accuracy of satellite observations and model reanalyses about lower stratospheric temperature trends, two satellite-observed Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) channel 4 (Ch 4) brightness temperature data and two GCM (ECMWF and GEOS) reanalyses during 1981${\sim}$1993 have been intercompared with the regression analysis of time series. The satellite data for the period of 1980${\sim}$1999 are MSU4 at nadir direction and SC4 at multiple scans, respectively, derived in this study and Spencer and Christy (1993). The MSU4 temperature over the globe during the above period shows the cooling trend of -0.35 K/decade, and the cooling over the global ocean is 1.2 times as much as that over the land. Lower stratospheric temperatures during the common period (1981${\sim}$1993) globally show the cooling in MSU4 (-0.14 K/decade), SC4 (-0.42 K/decade) and GEOS (-0.15 K/decade) which have strong annual cycles. However, ECMWF shows a little warming and weak annual cycle. The 95% confidence intervals of the lower stratospheric temperature trends are greater than those of midtropospheric (channel 2) trends, indicating less confidence in Ch 4. The lapse rate in the trend between the above two atmospheric layers is largest over the northern hemispheric land. MSU4 has low correlation with ECMWF over the globe, and high value with GEOS near the Korean peninsula. Lower correlations (r < 0.6) between MSU4 and SC4 (or ECMWF) occur over $30^{\circ}$N latitude belt, where subtropical jet stream passes. Temporal correlation among them over the globe is generally high (r > 0.6). Four kinds of lower stratospheric temperature data near the Korean peninsula commonly show cooling trends, of which the SC4 values (-0.82 K/decade) is the largest.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.539-544
• /
• 2005

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the pathophysiologic role of serum E-selectin, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-induced cell adhesion mollecule in Kawasaki disease(KD) and to look for the evidence of direct relationship between the plasma levels of soluble E-selectin and the incidence of coronary artery lesion(CAL). Methods : Changes in plasma levels of sE-selectin(n=98) over time were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 23 patients with acute KD and 25 age-matched febrile children. Results : Compared with control values, the peak levels of plasma sE-selectin were significantly elevated($mean{\pm}S.E$. : $22.89{\pm}12.53ng/mL$ vs $10.65{\pm}3.42ng/mL$, P=0.01) in KD. 5 patients with CAL, plasma sE-selectin levels before treatment were higher than in 18 patients without CAL($mean{\pm}S.E$. : $39.43{\pm}15.08ng/mL$ and $19.00{\pm}8.32ng/mL$, respectively; P=0.01). Plasma sE-selectin declined rapidly in the majority of KD patients regardless of the presence of CAL. Plasma sE-selectin levels after treatment and convalesent period were similar in KD patients with and without CAL. The plasma levels sE-selectin were correlated with those of white blood cell count(r=0.299, P<0.05), CRP(r=0.430, P<0.05), serum albumin(r=-0.483, P<0.05), serum protein(r=-0.502, P<0.05) and hemoglobin(r=-0.372, P<0.05) not with those of ESR, platelet, or duration of fever. There were significant differences in the initial level of serum sE-selectin between KD with and without CAL($mean{\pm}S.E$. : $39.44{\pm}15.08ng/mL$ vs. $19.00{\pm}17.18ng/mL$) in multivariated linear tests. Conclusion : Plasma sE-selectin levels were significantly higher in KD than in other febrile illness. Higher plamsa levels of sE-selectin may have potential as a predictor of CAL in patients with KD.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.241-249
• /
• 2014

The continuous observations for atmospheric aerosol were carried out during 3 years (2009-2011) by using a multi-wavelength Raman lidar at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Korea ($35.11^{\circ}N$, $126.54^{\circ}E$). The particle depolarization ratios were retrieved from the observations in order to distinguish the Asian dust layer. The vertical information of Asian dust layers were used as input parameter for the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model for analysis of its backward trajectories. The source regions and transport pathways of the Asian dust layer were identified. The most frequent source region of Asian dust in Korea was Gobi desert during observation period in this study. The statistical analysis on the particle depolarization ratio of Asian dust was conducted according to their transport route in order to retrieve the variation of optical properties of Asian dust during long-range transport. The transport routes were classified into the Asian dust which was transported to observation site directly from the source regions, and the Asian dust which was passed over pollution regions of China. The particle depolarization ratios of Asian dust which were transported via industrial regions of China was ranged 0.07-0.1, whereas, the particle depolarization ratio of Asian dust which was transported directly from the source regions to observation site were comparably higher and ranged 0.11-0.15. It is considered that the pure Asian dust particle from source regions were mixed with pollution particles, which is likely to spherical particle, during transportation so that the values of particle depolarization of Asian dust mixed with pollution was decreased.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.23 no.2 s.54
• /
• pp.105-114
• /
• 1999

To investigate the effects of korean ginseng on the expression of transferrin receptor (TfR) in the liver cell membrane, we had carried out the experiments of $[^{3}H]thymidine$ uptake, $^{125}I-transferrin$ binding, and TfR mRNA expression in the liver after partial hepatectomy of normal and 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoa-zobenzene (3'-Me-DAB) treated rat with or without treatment of korean gingseng. $[^3H]thymidine$ uptake was not changed in the liver of 3'-Me-DAB or ginseng treated rat compared to that of control rat, but increased in that of partial hepatectomy of normal or 3'-Me-DAB treated rat. And this increased $[^{3}H]thymidine$ uptake was lowered slightly by the treatment of ginseng. Transferrin binding sites in the liver plasma membrane of ginseng treated rat with or without partial hepatectomy were similar, but increased in that of 3'-Me-DAB treated rat with or without partial hepatectomy compared to those of each control rat and these increased binding sites were reduced by ginseng treatment. Transferrin binding affinity (l/kd) was not changed by ginseng treatment, but tended to decrease in the liver of 3'-Me-DAB treated rat or in those after partial hepatectomy of all groups and reverse by ginseng treatment in 3'-Me-DAB treated rat. The expression of TfR mRNA was increased in the liver of 3'-Me-DAB treated rat with partial hepatectomy (peak at 24 hours), but lowered by ginseng treatment in this rat. From these results, it is suggested that korean ginseng has no effect on the increased expression of TfR with decreased affinity in the cell membrane of regenerated liver after partial hepatectomy of rat, but could inhibt that of 3'-Me-DAB treated rat through the regulation of DNA synthesis or TfR mRNA in partial.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.581-584
• /
• 2008

The catalyst carriers of the mesoporous layer compounds were prepared to carry out the partial oxidation of methane(POM) to hydrogen. The catalytic activities of POM to hydrogen were investigated over Ru(3)/SPK and Ru(3)/SPM catalyst in a fixed bed flow reactor under atmosphere. In addition, the catalysts and carriers were characterized by BET, TEM, TPR. The BET surface areas of the silica-pillared $H^+-kenyaite$(SPK) and the silica-pillared $H^+-magadite$(SPM) were $760m^2/g$ and $810m^2/g$, repectively, and the average pore sizes were 3.0 nm and 2.6 nm, repectively. The nitrogen adsorption isotherms were type IV with developed hysteresis. The TEM showed that the mesoporous layer compounds were formed well. The Ru(3)/SPK and the Ru(3)/SPM catalyst were obtained high hydrogen yields(90%, 87%), and were kept constant high hydrogen yields even about 60 hours at 973 K, $CH_4/O_2=2$, $1.25{\times}10^{-5}g-Cat.hr/ml$. The TPR peaks of Ru(3)/SPK and the Ru(3)/SPM catalyst showed the similar reducibilities around 453 K and 413 K. It could be suggested that SPK and SPM had the physicochemical properties as oxidation catalyst carries from these analysis data.