• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.87-90
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• 1997

Electrical stimulation has been used or diagnosis and treatment of impairment on the auditory system. Unfortunately, there were no standard methods or theoretical background or choosing stimulus conditions because of the lack of understanding on the current propagation through the auditory pathways. Nine guniea pigs, experimental group(A) and control group(B), were used for the experiment. ABR and ECochG were obtained under our experimental conditions, before tinnitus and 1, 6, 12 hours after tinnitus induction using salicylate. Electrical stimulations were applied to the group A, and the changes on ABR/ECochG's correlation coefficients were observed. Results showed that an electrical stimulation brings ABR waveform back to the normal states well in the group A compare to the group B, which proved the effectiveness of the stimulation. Based on the results of this experiment, establishment of an electrical model which provide the quantitative information regarding diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus could be achievied.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2019

Purpose: The effectiveness of thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients is increasingly reported, but there is no definite consensus on its application. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with better outcomes of TRT among patients with ES-SCLC, focusing on whether a higher TRT dose could improve treatment outcome. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 85 patients with ES-SCLC who received TRT between January 2008 and June 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Eligibility criteria were a biological effective dose with α/β = 10 (BED) higher than 30 Gy₁₀ and completion of planned radiotherapy. Results: During a median follow-up of 5.3 months, 68 patients (80.0%) experienced disease progression. In univariate analysis, a BED >50 Gy₁₀ was a significant prognostic factor for overall survival (OS; 40.8% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.006), progression-free survival (PFS; 15.9% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.004), and intrathoracic PFS (IT-PFS; 39.3% vs. 20.5%, p = 0.004) at 1 year. In multivariate analysis, a BED >50 Gy₁₀ remained a significant prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.502; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.287-0.876; p = 0.015), PFS (HR = 0.453; 95% CI, 0.265-0.773; p = 0.004), and IT-PFS (HR = 0.331; 95% CI, 0.171-0.641; p = 0.001). Response to the last chemotherapy was also associated with better OS in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusion: A TRT dose of BED >50 Gy₁₀ may be beneficial for patients with ES-SCLC. Further studies are needed to select patients who will most benefit from high-dose TRT.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2003

We developed a 37-channel magnetoencephalogram (MEG) measurement system based on low-noise superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometets, and operated the system to measure MEG signals. By using double relaxation oscillation SQUIDs with high flux-4o-voltage transfers, the SQUID outputs could be measured directly by room temperature preamplifiers and compact readout circuits were used for SQUID operation. The average field noise level of the magnetometers is about 3 fT/√Hz in the white region, low enough for MEG measurements when operated inside a magnetically shielded room. The 37 magnetometers were distributed on a hemispherical surface haying a radius of 125 mm. In addition to the 37 sensing channels. 11 reference channels were installed to pickup external noise and to form software gradiometers. A low-noise liquid helium dewar was fabricated with a liquid capacity of 30 L and boil-off rate of 4 L/d. The signal processing software consists of digital filtering, software gradiometer, isofield mapping and source localization. By using the developed system, we measured auditory-evoked fields and localized the current dipoles, demonstrating the effectiveness of the system.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.525-531
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• 2011

Two dimensional (2D) arrays of noble metal nanoparticles are widely used in the sensing of nanoscale biological and chemical events. Research in this area has sparked considerable interest in many fields owing to the novel optical properties, e.g., the localized surface plasmon resonance, of these metallic nanoarrays. In this paper, we report successes in fabricating 2D arrays of gold nano-islands using nanosphere lithography. The reproducibility and the effectiveness of the nano-patterning method are tested by means of spin coating and capillary force deposition. We found that the capillary force deposition method was more effective for nanospheres with diameters greater than 600 nm, whereas the spin coating method works better for nanospheres with diameters less than 600 nm. The optimal deposition parameters for both methods were reported, showing about 80% reproducibility. In addition, we characterize gold nano-island arrays both geometrically with AFM as well as optically with UV-VIS spectrometry. The AFM images revealed that the obtained nano-arrays formed a hexagonal pattern of truncated tetrahedron nano-islands. The experimental and theoretical values of the geometric parameters were compared. The 2D gold nano-arrays showed strong LSPR in the absorption spectra. As the nano-islands increased in size, the LSPR absorption bands became red-shifted. Linear dependence of the plasmon absorption maximum on the size of the gold nano-islands was identified through the increment in the plasmon absorption maximum rate for a one nanometer increase in the characteristic length of the nano-islands. We found that the 2D gold nano-arrays showed nearly seven-fold higher sensitivity of the absorption spectrum to the size of the nano-islands as compared to colloidal gold nano-particles.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.225-234
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• 1992

In order to use a low cost polymer valve in our total artificial heart and ventricular assist device, we have developed a slit-type bileaflet polymer valve[BPV 1. The aim of this study is to determine the hydrodynamic effectiveness of the newly-designed BPV and its feasibility for temporary use in the blood pumps. For hydrodynamic comparison, we investigated in-vitro the pressure drop across the valve, the leakage volume, the flow rate and the flow pattern of the BPV, two mechanical valves and a trileaflet polymer valve. We employed the ventriculo-pulmonary bypassing method for in-vivo tests of the BPV's together vilh our electrohydraulic left venIn ricular assist device in mongrel dogs. The BPV showed adquate gydrodynamic performances and in the preliminary animal bests, there was no xvi dence of thrombus formation on the valve leaflets and around the struts. Detailed results obtained from the animal tests will be separately reported. This report involves the design criteria, fabrication and hydrodynamic charateristics of she BPV, and the basic merits and demerits of the valve are dis- cussed from the hydrodynamic point of view.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.447-456
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• 1997

When the disabled is operating a rehabilitation assisting system with a joystick by himself, unlike in the case of a normal person, tremor with joystick control or instant miscontrol can often occur. If these misoperations should be directly relayed to the system, shaking or malfunction of the mobile rehabilitation assisting system might be the result. The safety of the disabled is of prime concern. To solve this problem, that is, to prevent the miscontrol of the disabled operator and avoid crashes into his or her surroundings, we propose the force-reflection locomotion algorithm with the joystick. This method uses ultrasonic sensors to measure the distance between the object and mobile robot. Based on the reception of sensory data, the necessary torque is applied via the joystick to the attatched motor. To confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method, the subjects on the reflected force by the dynamic characteristics of the joystick and the reflected force by the distance information are tested Even though there are some differences in human dexterity, we confirmed the fact that the information from the obstacles was relayed to the operator via the joystick and resulted in an improved operational performance and safety level with regard to those obstacles.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2020

In this study, we examined whether the systematic literature review method used in the field of evidence-based medicine could be used for post-market clinical evaluation of medical devices by modifying them to fit the regulatory perspective of medical devices in Korea. For this purpose, systematic literature review was modified and applied to conduct a clinical literature survey on the ophthalmic electrosurgical system(Trabectome^®, NeoMediX Corp) used for the treatment of glaucoma. A total of six documents were finally selected, and clinical safety and efficacy information on the indications of the ophthalmic electrosurgical system were effectively presented. In addition, general safety information and unexpected safety information could be distinguished through comparison with medical device adverse event reporting cases. The method used in this study is expected to be used in various ways throughout post-market medical device safety management system and for the purpose of regulation improvement, especially in the field of ophthalmic electrosurgical system.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.194-200
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• 2006

Recently, the population growth, industrial and agricultural development are rapidly undergoing in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) in Texas. The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) composed of the 4 counties and three of them are interesting for Non-point and point source pollutant modeling: Starr, Cameron, and Hidalgo. Especially, the LRGV is an intensively irrigation region, and Texas A&M University Agriculture Program and the New Mexico State University College of Agriculture applied irrigation district program, projects in GIS and Hydrology based agricultural water management systems and assessment of prioritized protecting stream network, water quality and rehabilitation based on water saving potential in Rio Grande River. In the LRGV region, where point and non-point sources of pollution may be a big concern, because increasing fertilizers and pesticides use and population cause. This project objective seeks to determine the accumulation of non-point and point source and discuss the main impacts of agriculture and environmental concern with water quality related to pesticides, fertilizer, and nutrients within LRGV region. The GIS technique is widely used and developed for the assessment of non-point source pollution in LRGV region. This project shows the losses in $kg/km^2/yr$ of BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), TN (total Nitrogen) and TP (total phosphorus) in the runoff from the surface of LRGV. Especially, farmers in Cameron County consume a lot of fertilizer and pesticide to improve crop yield net profit. Then, this region can be created as larger nonpoint source area for nutrients and the intensity of runoff by excess irrigation water. And many sediment and used irrigation water with including high nutrients can be discharged into Rio Grade River.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2016

The objective of this study is to evaluate the compressive strength development and ecological characteristics of mortars using expanded vermiculite absorbing bacteria as a fundamental investigation to develop precast eco-concrete products. For bacterial growth under the high-alkalinity and high-dried environments within hardened mortars and for creating plant growth function to mortars, Bacillus alcalophilus and Rhodoblastus acidophilus were separated and cultured. The cultured bacteria were absorbed into expanded vermiculite selected for bacteria shelter. The expanded vermiculite absorbing bacteria was then added into mortar mixture as a volumetric replacement of fine aggregate. Test results showed that the developed technology is very effective in enhancing the plant growth onto the hardened mortars and reducing the COD and T-N concentration in raw water. The optimum replacement level of expanded vermiculite absorbing bacteria can be recommended to be less than 10% considering the compressive strength development and cost of mortars along with the ecological effectiveness.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.775-783
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate if an community forestry programme (HKm) could be one of the main tool for REDD+ in Indonesia. Recently, considerable numbers of countries including Norway, England, Korea and etc. have invested 69 million US$ in total to Indonesia for implementation of REDD+. However, forest dependent people without a communal right are subject to poor forest governance during a stream of REDD+ in Indonesia. This study suggest that HKm are needed to be a tool for REDD+ in order to achieve the objects of REDD+ in terms of Equity, Efficiency, and Effectiveness (3Es) by stimulating local and Indigenous peoples to participate in REDD+. As a result of our study, Indonesia government have designated only 200,000 ha for HKm area by 2007. Indonesia government have a week political will to extend its area to give a communal right to those peoples who dwell in state forests and HKm application process is complicated and slow. HKm has a potential to be main tool for REDD+ in Indonesia. However HKm will be difficult to be main tool for REDD+ without resolving current obstacles.