• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.257-263
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• 1999

It is well known that discard of seminal plasma from the semen and separation of motile sperm should be preceded before insemination for IUI or IVF. Till now, more than ten kinds of semen treatment methods have been developed. Of those, swim-up and Percoll methods have been used widely in ART laboratories as a routine semen treatment methods because of its advantages. However, there are reports that Percoll can make a genetic trouble because of its chemical structure and therefore the necessity has been arisen to substitute Percoll for other equivalent materials. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of three different sperm preparation methods (swim-up, Percoll and Sil-Select) on sperm motility, sperm recovery rate and fertilization rate. Also, the feasibility of using Sil-Select instead of Percoll in ART was evaluated. Each semen samples were divided into three fractions and motile sperm were recovered by swim-up, Percoll and Sil-Select gradient centrifugation methods. Normal and sub-normal criteria of fifteen semen samples and seventeen IVF cycles were included in these study. As results, no significant difference was found in sperm recovery rate in normal semen treated by a Swim-up, Percoll and Sil-Select method ($13.2{\times}10^6,\;17.5{\times}10^6\;and\;17.7{\times}10^6$ respectively). The initial sperm motility was 61.9% and this increased to 87.1%, 92.6% and 89.5% through Swim-up, Percoll and Sil-Select treatment, respectively. Higher motility was observed in Percoll and Sil-Select treated groups (81.5%, 79.2%, respectively) than swim-up group (66.8%) after incubation for 24hrs. In sub-normal group, sperm recovery rates were higher in Sil-Select group $(2.9{\times}10^6)$ than Percoll gradients group $(1.8{\times}10^6)$. In IVF cycles, the outcomes of fertilization using sperm treated by swim-up and Sil-Select group were similar (82.2%, 79.7% respectively). In conclusion, our results indicate that Sil-Select can be used as a substitute material for sperm preparation instead of Percoll.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2004

This article reviews recent developments in three-dimensional (3-D) magntotelluric (MT) imaging. The inversion of MT data is fundamentally ill-posed, and therefore the resultant solution is non-unique. A regularizing scheme must be involved to reduce the non-uniqueness while retaining certain a priori information in the solution. The standard approach to nonlinear inversion in geophysis has been the Gauss-Newton method, which solves a sequence of linearized inverse problems. When running to convergence, the algorithm minimizes an objective function over the space of models and in the sense produces an optimal solution of the inverse problem. The general usefulness of iterative, linearized inversion algorithms, however is greatly limited in 3-D MT applications by the requirement of computing the Jacobian(partial derivative, sensitivity) matrix of the forward problem. The difficulty may be relaxed using conjugate gradients(CG) methods. A linear CG technique is used to solve each step of Gauss-Newton iterations incompletely, while the method of nonlinear CG is applied directly to the minimization of the objective function. These CG techniques replace computation of jacobian matrix and solution of a large linear system with computations equivalent to only three forward problems per inversion iteration. Consequently, the algorithms are efficient in computational speed and memory requirement, making 3-D inversion feasible.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4 s.92
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• pp.350-357
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• 2000

This paper evaluated the influence of point source and flow events on inorganic nitrogen fractions at 17 sites of Taechung Reservoir during 1993${\sim}$1994. Total nitrogen (TN) averaged 1.53 mg/L during the study and ranged between 0.70 and 2.56 mg/L. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN) accounted for >90% of TN regardless of season and location, indicating a nitrogen-rich system showing eutrophic${\sim}$hypereutrophic conditions. Some 67${\sim}$94% of DIN was NO$_{3}$-N, whereas mean level of NH$_{4}$-N was less than 5% of DIN. During monsoon 1993, dilution of NO$_{3}$-N was evident in the headwaters as a result of mixing of lake water with rain water, while NH$_{4}$-N increased>100% compared to the premonsoon. Values of NH$_{4}$-N had a positive correlation with rainfall (r=0.85; p<0.001) and negative correlations with theoretical water residence time(r=-0.90; p<0.001) and conductivity(r=-0.78, p<0.001), respectively. These outcomes suggest that NH$_{4}$-N came from external input from the watershed during the monsoon. In both years, mean TN was greater in the mid-lake sites than any other sites. A great amount of TN in the mid-lake was most pronounced in monsoon 1994 because of an accumulated influence of the point sources during low inflow. Overall data suggest that concentrations of TN in this system did not show large differences along the longitudinal gradients and its distributions is likely determined by point-sources rather than inflow regime.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.76-86
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• 2012

Macrozoobenthos were collected from 24 sites using small grab ($0.05m^2$) in order to see the spatial distribution of them at Sueocheon stream at the northern part of Gwangyang Bay during summer season when the maximum ecological processes are occurring. A total of 44 species of macrozoobenthos occurred, and their mean density was $789individuals/m^2$. Mollusks was the dominant faunal group accounted for 43.1% and 86.8% of the whole community density and biomass, respectively. Top five dominant species were a molluscan, Corbicula japonica (40.7%), two polychaete worms, Neanthes japonica (19.3%) and Heteromastus filiformis( 8.1%), and two crustaceans, Paranthura japonica (6.9%) and Jaeropsis sp. (6.9%). Species diversity index was very low with mean value of 1.12 and maximum value was recorded at the river mouth. At the upper stream, a brackish water species such as Corbicula japonica showed their maximum population density. The overall distribution of stream macrobenthos showed a rather simple pattern along with salinity and grain size gradients with few brackish water species occurring at coarse sediments in the stream but more diverse faunas inhabiting fine sediments in the river mouth.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 1984

The formation and structure of tidal front in the eastern part of the Yellow Sea were studied based on the oceanographic data compiled during the periods of $1982{\sim}1983$ and $1966{\sim}1970$. Well-defined fronts occurring in the Yellow Sea in summer mark the boundary between the stratified and vertically mixed regimes. The occurrence of vertically mixed regimes may be interpreted in terms of available turbulent kinematic energy of tidal currents. The tidal frontal regions were determined by horizontal gradients of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen, and were verified by water colour and transparency. In summer the tidal fronts were found at depths of $15{\sim}25m$ at about 20 miles from the shore. Potential energy of vortical stratification in the tidal frontal region was 10 $Joule/m^3$. The stratification parameter in the frontal region computed from the numerical tidal model was $S_p=1.0.$ Tidal front is formed in regions with $S_p=1-1.5,$ if surface heat flux are constant. Waters in the stratified region have the layer structures of wind-mixed surface layer, thermocline and tidal-mixed bottom layer. In the vertically mixed region, however, sea water is nearly homogeneous. in winter no distinctive tidal front was seen.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.159-173
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• 2017

The Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) - Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) system was applied to investigate the influence of major point sources located in Chungcheongnam-do (CN) on surface $PM_{2.5}$ (Particulate Matter of which diameter is $2.5{\mu}m$ or less) concentrations in its surrounding areas. Uncertainties associated with contribution estimations were examined through cross-comparison of modeling results using various combinations of model inputs and setups; two meteorological datasets developed with WRF for 2010 and 2014, and two domestic emission inventories for 2010 and 2013 were used to estimate contributions of major point sources in CN. The results show that contributions of major point sources in CN to annual $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations over Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and CN ranged $0.51{\sim}1.63{\mu}g/m^3$, $0.71{\sim}1.62{\mu}g/m^3$, $0.63{\sim}1.66{\mu}g/m^3$, and $1.04{\sim}1.86{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, depending on meteorology and emission inventory choice. It indicates that the contributions over the surrounding areas can be affected by model inputs significantly. Nitrate was the most dominant $PM_{2.5}$ component that was increased by major point sources in CN followed by sulfate, ammonium, and others. Based on the model simulations, it was estimated that primary $PM_{2.5}$ $(PPM)-to-PM_{2.5}$ conversion rates were 41.3~50.7 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for CN, and 12.4~18.3 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi, respectively. In addition, spatial gradients of PPM contributions show very steep trends. $NO_X$-to-nitrate conversion rates were 7.61~12.3 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for CN, and 3.94~11.3 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for the sub-regions in the SMA. $SO_2$-to-sulfate conversion rates were 4.04~5.28 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for CN, and 3.73~4.43 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for the SMA, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.299-305
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• 1995

Vegetational data from 81 quadrats of Quercus mongolica communities in Mt. Odae and Mt. Jumbong were analysed by applying two multivariate methods : two - way indicator species analysis(TWNSPAN) for classification and detrended canonical correspondence analysis(DCCA) for ordination. The dominant tree species of Quercus mongolica communities were found in the order of Quercus mongolica, Acer pseudosieboldianum. Tilia amurensis, Carpinus cordata, Acer mono, and Fraxinus rhynchophylla. The forest vegetation of Quercus mongolica community was classified into Quercus mongolica, Quercus mongolica - Carpinus cordata, and Quercus mongolica - Abies nephrolepis groups according to the TWNSPAN. The relationships between the distribution of dominant groups for forest vegetation and soil condition in Quercus mongolica communities were investigated by analysing elevation and soil nutrition gradients. Quercus mongolica group was distributed in the low elevation and poor nutrition area of total nitrogen, Quercus mongolica - Carpinus cordata group was distributed in the low elevation and good nutrition area of $Mg^{{+}{+}}$ and $Ca^{{+}{+}}$, while Quercus mongolica Abies nephrolepis group was distributed in the high elevation and poor nutrition area of $Mg^{{+}{+}}$ and $Ca^{{+}{+}}$. The two dominant factors influencing community distribution were elevation and total nitrogen.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2007

An echo planar imaging (EPI)-based spin-echo sequence Is often used to obtain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data on most of the clinical MRI systems, However, this sequence is confounded with the susceptibility artifacts, especially on the temporal lobe in the human brain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to design a pulse sequence that relatively immunizes the susceptibility artifacts, but can map diffusion tensor components in a single-shot mode. A multi-slice multi-echo pulsed-gradient spin-echo (MePGSE) sequence with eight echoes wasdeveloped with selective refocusing pulses for all slices to map the full tensor. The first seven echoes in the train were diffusion-weighted allowing for the observation of diffusion in several different directions in a single experiment and the last echo was for crusher of the residual magnetization. All components of diffusion tensor were measured by a single shot experiment. The sequence was applied in diffusive phantoms. The preliminary experimental verification of the sequence was illustrated by measuring the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for tap water and by measuring diffusion tensor components for watermelon. The ADC values in the series of the water phantom were reliable. The MePGSE sequence, therefore, may be useful in human brain studies.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.244-252
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• 2014

Purpose : We proposed a multi-physiological signals based real-time intelligent triggering system(MITS) for Cardiac MRI. Induced noise of the system was analyzed. Materials and Methods: MITS makes cardiac MR imaging sequence synchronize to the cardiac motion using ECG, respiratory signal and second order derivative of $SPO_2$signal. Abnormal peaks due to arrhythmia or subject's motion are rejected using the average R-R intervals and R-peak values. Induced eddy currents by gradients switching in cardiac MR imaging are analyzed. The induced eddy currents were removed by hardware and software filters. Results: Cardiac MR images that synchronized to the cardiac and respiratory motion are acquired using MITS successfully without artifacts caused by induced eddy currents of gradient switching or subject's motion or arrhythmia. We showed that the second order derivative of the $SPO_2$ signal can be used as a complement to the ECG signals. Conclusion: The proposed system performs cardiac and respiratory gating with multi-physiological signals in real time. During the cardiac gating, induced noise caused by eddy currents is removed. False triggers due to subject's motion or arrhythmia are rejected. The cardiac MR imaging with free breathing is obtained using MITS.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.489-502
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• 2012

Biogeochemical processes in groundwater-stream water mixing zone are recently of great interest because biodegradation and natural attenuation of aquatic contaminants may occur through the processes. The objectives of this study are to investigate the hydrologic and biogeochemical processes at the groundwater-stream water mixing zone through which surface water-driven nitrate may be naturally attenuated, and to examine the effect of the vertical flow exchange flux on biogeochemical processes using correlation analysis. To examine the direction of vertical water flow in the zone, vertical hydraulic gradients were measured at several depths using mini-piezometers. Microbial populations in soil samples of the zone were also analyzed by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Cloning methods. In addition, partial correlations among vertical flow exchange, nitrate concentration and microbial activity was investigated to examine their mutual interaction. The results showed the significant interaction among the three parameters, resulting in natural attenuation of nitrate. This study showed an example of the biogeochemical fuction of groundwater-stream water mixing zone, which can be predictable from the examination of the interaction among microbial activities, concentration of contamination and vertical flow exchange flux. temperature show a significant difference in adjacent streambed, Also, the results shows that distribution of temperature was more affected by groundwater direction than intensity of flux.