• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.157-178
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• 2009

Corporate credit rating is a very important factor in the market for corporate debt. Information concerning corporate operations is often disseminated to market participants through the changes in credit ratings that are published by professional rating agencies, such as Standard and Poor's (S&P) and Moody's Investor Service. Since these agencies generally require a large fee for the service, and the periodically provided ratings sometimes do not reflect the default risk of the company at the time, it may be advantageous for bond-market participants to be able to classify credit ratings before the agencies actually publish them. As a result, it is very important for companies (especially, financial companies) to develop a proper model of credit rating. From a technical perspective, the credit rating constitutes a typical, multiclass, classification problem because rating agencies generally have ten or more categories of ratings. For example, S&P's ratings range from AAA for the highest-quality bonds to D for the lowest-quality bonds. The professional rating agencies emphasize the importance of analysts' subjective judgments in the determination of credit ratings. However, in practice, a mathematical model that uses the financial variables of companies plays an important role in determining credit ratings, since it is convenient to apply and cost efficient. These financial variables include the ratios that represent a company's leverage status, liquidity status, and profitability status. Several statistical and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been applied as tools for predicting credit ratings. Among them, artificial neural networks are most prevalent in the area of finance because of their broad applicability to many business problems and their preeminent ability to adapt. However, artificial neural networks also have many defects, including the difficulty in determining the values of the control parameters and the number of processing elements in the layer as well as the risk of over-fitting. Of late, because of their robustness and high accuracy, support vector machines (SVMs) have become popular as a solution for problems with generating accurate prediction. An SVM's solution may be globally optimal because SVMs seek to minimize structural risk. On the other hand, artificial neural network models may tend to find locally optimal solutions because they seek to minimize empirical risk. In addition, no parameters need to be tuned in SVMs, barring the upper bound for non-separable cases in linear SVMs. Since SVMs were originally devised for binary classification, however they are not intrinsically geared for multiclass classifications as in credit ratings. Thus, researchers have tried to extend the original SVM to multiclass classification. Hitherto, a variety of techniques to extend standard SVMs to multiclass SVMs (MSVMs) has been proposed in the literature Only a few types of MSVM are, however, tested using prior studies that apply MSVMs to credit ratings studies. In this study, we examined six different techniques of MSVMs: (1) One-Against-One, (2) One-Against-AIL (3) DAGSVM, (4) ECOC, (5) Method of Weston and Watkins, and (6) Method of Crammer and Singer. In addition, we examined the prediction accuracy of some modified version of conventional MSVM techniques. To find the most appropriate technique of MSVMs for corporate bond rating, we applied all the techniques of MSVMs to a real-world case of credit rating in Korea. The best application is in corporate bond rating, which is the most frequently studied area of credit rating for specific debt issues or other financial obligations. For our study the research data were collected from National Information and Credit Evaluation, Inc., a major bond-rating company in Korea. The data set is comprised of the bond-ratings for the year 2002 and various financial variables for 1,295 companies from the manufacturing industry in Korea. We compared the results of these techniques with one another, and with those of traditional methods for credit ratings, such as multiple discriminant analysis (MDA), multinomial logistic regression (MLOGIT), and artificial neural networks (ANNs). As a result, we found that DAGSVM with an ordered list was the best approach for the prediction of bond rating. In addition, we found that the modified version of ECOC approach can yield higher prediction accuracy for the cases showing clear patterns.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.323-331
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• 2014

Purpose : To assess the usefulness of rectal filling using ultrasonographic gel in patients with lower rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty five patients with lower rectal cancer were enrolled. High resolution pelvic MR was performed twice before and after gel filling. Independently and retrospectively, two radiologists reviewed each set of MR images using five-grade scales for sphincter involvement, CRM (circumferential resection margin) involvement and depiction of the tumor. Same two radiologists retrospectively performed consensus review of each set of MR images for tumor distance from the anal verge and T&N staging. Results: Tumor depiction scores from MR with gel filling were significantly higher than those of MR without distention (p<0.001). Compared to MR without distension, MR with gel filling had no significant differences in prediction of CRM or sphincter involvement (p>0.05). Distance from the anal verge was significantly different between MR with gel filling and rigid endoscopy ($6.8{\pm}1.6cm$ vs. $5.8{\pm}1.6cm$, p=0.001). There were no significant differences between pathological staging and MR staging with or without gel filling. Conclusion: MR with gel filling improved tumor depiction. And also MR with gel filling revealed same ability for the predictions of CRM or sphincter invasion in patients with lower rectal cancer, comparing with MR without gel filling.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.314-318
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• 2012

Most types of collagen used for biomedical applications, such as cell therapy and tissue engineering, are derived from animal tissues. Therefore, special precautions must be taken during the production of these proteins in order to assure against the possibility of the products transmitting infectious diseases to the recipients. The ability to remove and/or inactivate known and potential viral contaminants during the manufacturing process is an ever-increasingly important parameter in assessing the safety of biomedical products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacies of the 70% ethanol treatment and pepsin treatment at pH 2.0 for the inactivation of bovine viruses during the manufacture of collagen type I from bovine hides. A variety of experimental model viruses for bovine viruses including bovine herpes virus (BHV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (BPIV-3), and bovine parvovirus (BPV), were chosen for the evaluation of viral inactivation efficacy. BHV, BVDV, BPIV-3, and BPV were effectively inactivated to undetectable levels within 1 h of 70% ethanol treatment for 24 h, with log reduction factors of ${\geq}5.58$, ${\geq}5.32$, ${\geq}5.11$, and ${\geq}3.42$, respectively. BHV, BVDV, BPIV-3, and BPV were also effectively inactivated to undetectable levels within 5 days of pepsin treatment for 14 days, with the log reduction factors of ${\geq}7.08$, ${\geq}6.60$, ${\geq}5.60$, and ${\geq}3.59$, respectively. The cumulative virus reduction factors of BHV, BVDV, BPIV-3, and BPV were ${\geq}12.66$, ${\geq}11.92$, ${\geq}10.71$, and ${\geq}7.01$. These results indicate that the production process for collagen type I from bovine hides has a sufficient virus-reducing capacity to achieve a high margin of virus safety.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2003

With the advent of stage-adapted multimodal regiments for esophageal malignancy, accurate staging has become of utmost importance. Endoscopic ultrasono graphy(EUS) i.: a diagnostic method for the local staging of esophageal cancer, in particular for T and N evaluation. The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic efficacy of the EUS and to evaluate the relation between prognosis and EUS findings. Material and Method : We reexamined the cases of 88 consecuitive patients who underwent transthroacic esophagectomy and cervical esophagogastrostomy for esophageal cancer from January 1991 to July 2001 We compared EUS findings, histological results and outcomes. Result : There were 83 male(94.3%) and 5 female. Median age was 61.3 years old. Overall staging accuracy were 59.0% for T staging and 76.0% for N staging, In early T staging group, the accuracy was 74.9% except 74 stage. However significant differences were not found in the ability of EUS-determined T-stage and N-Stage to predict survival. Multivariate analysis showed EUS-stage to predict survival. Conclusion : EUS provides a high degree of accuracy in assessing both T and N parameters in staging esophagal cancer. EUS should be performed in all patients with esophageal cancer, not only for staging before therapy, but also as a valuable method of determining prognosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1718-1721
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• 2008

The skin of human is constantly being exposed to environmental irritants such as ultraviolet, smoke and chemicals. These irritants cause free radicals and reactive oxygen species which leave serious damages on the cells of skin. The water and ethanol extracts of Cambodian Phellinus linteus were investigated for the activities of anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-wrinkle effects to apply as a functional ingredient for cosmetic products. As the result of evaluation of liquid oxidation rate by add $Fe^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ to Cambodian Phellinus linteus extracts, Cambodian Phellinus linteus ethanol extracts were higher than Cambodian Phellinus linteus water extracts in the chealting ability of $Fe^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$. The Cambodian Phellinus linteus ethanol extracts exhibited that anti-lipid peroxidation higher than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml, 0.5 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml. Cambodian Phellinus linteus water and ethanol extracts showed a higher inhibitory effect on $Fe^{2+}$-induced lipid peroxidation compared to $Cu^{2+}$-induced lipid peroxidation. In the case of anti-wrinkle effect, the elastase inhibition activity of Cambodian Phellinus linteus ethanol extracts was 50.7%, and it is higher than urosolic acid at the concentration of 0.01 mg/ml. Also, in collagenase inhibition activity, Cambodian Phellinus linteus water extract showed low effect, but Cambodian Phellinus linteus ethanol extract was about 50% at a 0.1 mg/ml. concentration. These results proved that Cambodian Phellinus linteus had anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-wrinkle effect. Therefore, Cambodian Phellinus linteus could be useful as an anti-wrinkle cosmetic ingredient.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• no.12
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• pp.37-45
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• 1970

The processing management forms of our country's filature factories in 1969 are summarized as follows. (1) About 80％ of total cocoon collection is made within 5 days involving peak day, and 10％ of cocoon collection is finished until 3 days before and after the peak day, (2) About 92％ of alive cocoons transported on unpaved road, and about 40％ of the cocoons purchased by all factories are loaded on trucks from common selling station which is far beyond 40km, therefore a new packing system of alive cocoons to drop the damage of cocoon qualities, should be taken. (3) 22％ of all factories in our. country have only low-temperature cocoon drying machine. Therefore the installment of hot-air cocoon drying machine is required urgently. (4) In view of cocoon qualities in our country, the grouping method of cocoon for reeling. taken by about 50％ of the factories at percent, which classify cocoons for reeling as high group (1,2,3,4 grades) and low group(5,6 grades), will have to be replaced by the method tat classify them high group (1,2 grades) middle group (3,4 grades), low group (5,6 grades). (5) The .ratio of cocoon assorting stood about 10％ in multi-ends reeling, about 15％ in automatic reeling, conclusively, the ratio of cocoon assorting for automatic reeling was higher tan that for multi-ends reeling. One person's ability for a day in cocoon assorting reaches to about 80-100kg. (6) Cocoon cooking condition requires the increase of the cooking time, the pressure and temperature used to be prolonged as much as the qualities of cocoons are material cocoon ior automatic and double cocoon machines are treated uncompletely. (7) Automatic silk reeling is being performed at 1-2$^{\circ}C$ lower in reeling water temperature and operated at about twice velocity. (8) The temperature and humidity of rereeling room stood at 25$^{\circ}C$, 67.2％ R.H and 32.3$^{\circ}C$, 51.9％ R.H of rereeling machine are showed, Average rereeling velocity is 233m/min and large reefs charged for one person are 7.5 reels and form of skein used in all factories is double skein. (9) About 73％ of water sources for filature used under-earth water. About 48％ of all filature factories in our country have not yet water purifying equipments. Installation of the equipment for these factories seems to be urgent, (10) Denier .balance, sizing reel, seriplane, are being used in most factories as self-inspection apparatus. (11) More than 90％ of the factories use the vacum tank in rereeling process and about 20％ of them use it in cocoon cooing process (12) Only 21％ of the factories use chemicals in filature process. About all them use "Seracol 100" in cocoon cooking process and "Seracol 500" in rereeling process, (13) Above survey results explain each all factories show large difference in the processing management. Therefore, it is believed that intercommunication through seminar or technical exchange will contribute to the production evaluation of cocoon in our filature industry.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2006

Purpose: According to the development of CT scanner in PET/CT system, the role of CT unit as a diagnostic tool has been more important. To improve the diagnostic ability of CT scanner, it is a key aspect that CT scanning has to be performed with high dose energy and intravenous (IV) contrast. So we investigated the effect of IV contrast media on the maximum SUV (maxSUV) of normal tissues and pathologic lesions using PET/CT scanner with high dose CT scanning. Materials & Methods: The study enrolled 13 patients who required PET/CT evaluation. At first, the patients were performed whole body non-contrast CT (NCCT-120 kVp, 130 mAs) scan. Then contrast enhanced CT (CECT) scan was performed immediately. Finally PET scan was followed. The PET omission data were reconstructed twice, once with the NCCT and again with the CECT. We measured the maxSUV of 10 different body regions that were considered as normal in ail patients. Also pathologic lesions were investigated. Results: There were not seen focal artifacts in PET images based on CT with IV contrast agent. Firstly, 130 normal regions in 13 patients were evaluated. The maxSUV was significantly different between two PET images (p<0.00)). The maxSUV was $1.1{\pm}0.5$ in PET images with CECT-corrected attenuation and $1.0{\pm}0.5$ in PET images with NCCI-corrected attenuation. The limit of agreement was $0.1{\pm}0.3$ in Bland-Altman analysis. Especially there were significant differences in 6 of 10 regions, apex and base of the right lung, ascending aorta, segment 6 & segment 8 of the liver and spleen (p<0.05). Secondly, 39 pathologic lesions were evaluated. The maxSUV was significantly different between two PET images (p<0.001). The maxSUV was $4.7{\pm}2.0$ in PET images with CECT-corrected attenuation and $4.4{\pm}2.0$ in PET images with NCCT-corrected attenuation. The limit of agreement was $0.4{\pm}0.8$ in Bland-Altman analysis. Conclusion: Although there were increases of maxSUVs in the PET images based on CT with IV contrast agent, it was very narrow in the range of limit of agreement. So there was no significant effect to clinical interpretation for PET images that were corrected attenuation with high dose CT using IV contrast.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.421-428
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• 2009

Purpose: We have evaluated characteristics of adrenal masses incidentally observed in nonenhanced F-18 FDG PET/CT of the oncologic patients and the diagnostic ability of F-18 FDG PET/CT to differentiate malignant from benign adrenal masses. Materials and Methods: Between Mar 2005 and Aug 2008, 75 oncologic patients (46 men, 29 women; mean age, $60.8{\pm}10.2$ years; range, 35-87 years) with 89 adrenal masses incidentally found in PET/CT were enrolled in this study. For quantitative analysis, size (cm), Hounsfield unit (HU), maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SUVratio of all 89 adrenal masses were measured. SUVmax of the adrenal mass divided by SUVliver, which is SUVmax of the segment 8, was defined as SUVratio. The final diagnosis of adrenal masses was based on pathologic confirmation, radiologic evaluation (HU<0 : benign), and clinical decision. Results: Size, HU, SUVmax, and SUVratio were all significantly different between benign and malignant adrenal masses.(P < 0.05) And, SUVratio was the most accurate parameter. A cut-off value of 1.0 for SUVratio provided 90.9% sensitivity and 75.6% specificity. In small adrenal masses (1.5 cm or less), only SUVratio had statistically significant difference between benign and malignant adrenal masses. Similarly a cut-off value of 1.0 for SUVratio provided 80.0% sensitivity and 86.4% specificity. Conclusion: F-18 FDG PET/CT can offer more accurate information with quantitative analysis in differentiating malignant from benign adrenal masses incidentally observed in oncologic patients, compared to nonenhanced CT.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2018

The main objective of this study was to determine the quality of rice straw silage made with various lactic acid bacteria (LAB) during fermentation. Five strains of LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum CMRT, L. leuconostoc mesenteroides M17, L. sakei C11, M5, SP2) were used in this study. With regard to odor, ready-made CMRT (a comparison strain) had the highest value from 10-60 days, followed by M17. The pH level of all silages made with five strains (apart from CMRT) ranged from 4.02 to 4.59. Of these, M17 rapidly lowered the pH value in the silage. Crude protein (CP) content was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in ready-made CMRT compared to the other bacteria. C11 fermentation produced the highest content of silage, with a score of 5.56. Acetic acid and butyric acid were not detected in any of the silage products. The lactic acid levels in silages produced by M17, M5, C11, and SP2 were comparatively higher than that produced by CMRT. The total digestible nutrient (TDN) content levels and relative fees value (RFV) were he highest in the silage of C11 (69.65 and 155.56, respectively), followed by M17. Based on odorl, pH, protein, organic acid, and feed value, we suggest tha the M17 strain is a suitable substitute for CMRT that can be used to generate high quality rice straw silage.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.106-119
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• 2018

The purposes of this study were to develop a learner activity-centered science class program, apply it to the fourth-grade elementary students, and analyze its effects on their attitude towards science, academic achievement, and concept sustainability. To this end, the content of the fourth-grade elementary subject related to 'volcanoes and earthquakes' was reorganized through 12 periods, and the class was divided into two groups. Then, general science class was applied to the comparative group, and the learner activity-centered science class program including writing, making, and expressing was applied to the experimental group. In order to compare the two groups regarding attitude towards science, academic achievement, and concept sustainability before and after the application, mind map data was collected and analyzed based on mind map grading criteria. As a result of the post-test, the two groups showed statistically significant differences in all the sub-factors of attitude towards science, that is, recognition, ability, value, and interest sustainability, especially in interest sustainability. As for academic achievement, as a result of the post-achievement test, the experimental group had higher average scores than the comparative group, and it also showed improved scores compared to the pre-achievement test results. In addition, as a result of the post-achievement test, both the two groups showed statistically significant results. In the concept sustainability test after the post-achievement test, the experimental group had higher average scores than the comparative group in the areas of center circle, branches, and expression, which were the evaluation criteria for the mind map analysis, and the two groups showed statistically significant differences in the areas of center circle and expression, except for branches. In conclusion, learner activity-centered science class turned out to be effective on students' attitude towards science, academic achievement, and concept sustainability. If the learner activity-centered science class program is actively introduced and used in actual educational sites, it is expected to contribute to improving related classes.