• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.124-132
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• 2020

This study examines the clinical availability of alpha amplitude, asymmetry and mean frequency in old age as EEG indexes reflecting brain health condition. The EEGs of prefrontal lobes in eye closure state were measured for 4 minutes with 72 male and female elderly people aged 73. Subjects were divided into higher and lower groups based on average values of alpha amplitude, asymmetry and mean frequency. The results of correlations and t-test among EEG indexes were as follows. First, the higher Alpha altitude was, the higher physical and mental stress resistance and left-to-right brain communication were, and the lower mean Alpha mean frequency location was. The higher Alpha asymmetry was, the lower left-to-right communication level was. Second, as Alpha power of right brain was higher than that of left brain, Alpha amplitude and mental stress resistance and left-to-right brain communication level were higher. Third, as Alpha mean frequency location was higher, Alpha amplitude and mental anti-stress level were lowered and arousal level was enhanced. These high correlations and complementary meaning among quantitative EEG indicators demonstrated the possibility of biomarkers reflecting brain health state in old age.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.351-364
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• 2002

Conventional 3D ultrasound imaging using mechanical ID arrays suffers from poor elevation resolution due to the limited depth-of-focus (DOF). On the other hand, 3D imaging systems using 2D phased arrays have a large number of active channels and hence require a very expensive and bulky beamforming hardware. To overcome these limitations, a new real-time volumetric imaging method using curved 2-D arrays is presented, in which a small subaperture, consisting of 256 elements, moves across the array surface to scan a volume of interest. For this purpose, a 2-D curved array is designed which consists of 90$\times$46 elements with 1.5λ inter-element spacing and has the same view angles along both the lateral and elevation directions as those of a commercial mechanical 1-D array. In the proposed method, transmit and receive subapertures are constructed by cutting the four corners of a rectangular aperture to obtain a required image qualify with a small number of active channels. In addition the receive subaperture size is increased by using a sparse array scheme that uses every other elements in both directions. To suppress the grating lobes elevated due to the increase in clement spacing, fold-over array scheme is adopted in transmit, which doubles the effective size of a transmit aperture in each direction. Computer simulation results show that the proposed method can provide almost the same and greatly improved resolutions in the lateral and elevation directions, respectively compared with the conventional 3D imaging with a mechanical 1-D array.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2002

Gender differences in the effects of gonadectomy and high cholesterol diet on body weight and body cholesterol were investigated by using Sprague Dawley rats. Body weight, plasma and liver levels of cholesterol and triglyceride and platelet aggregation were examined in ovariectomized(OVX) or orchidectomized(ODX) rats with their intacts after feeding diet with or without 0.5% cholesterol. Body weight was significantly increased(p < 0.01) in OVX rats and significantly decreased(p < 0.01) in ODX rats compared to their respective intact rats, and cholesterol diet significantly(p < 0.05) decreased body weight in gonadectomized rats. Liver lobes from rats fed cholesterol diet were opaque and larger than those from rats find control dict, resulting in a significant increase(p < 0.01) in LW/BW ratio. Plasma and liver levels of total cholesterol were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in female rats regardless ovariectomy when find 0.5% cholesterol diet, but those levels in male rats were increased only when they were orchidectomized(p < 0.0l). Plasma HDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased(p < 0.05) in both sexes when find cholesterol diet. HDL-cholesterol were higher in female than male rats regardless treatments(p < 0.05). Liver triglyceride was significantly increased(p < 0.05) in both sexes when find cholesterol dict. Plasma level of triglyceride was not different among groups except significant decrease(p < 0.05) in cholesterol find ODX rats. Maximum platelet aggregation in female rats was significantly lower(p < 0.05) than male, but ovariectomy and cholesterol diet caused an increase te the level of male rats. Microscopic examination showed cholesterol diet caused a lipid accumulation in liver. Results indicate that intact female rats have higher response to hypercholestcrolemic diet than intact male rats and orchidectomy causes male rats more responsive to hypercholesterolemic diet. However, ovariectomy causes an increase female food efficiency ratio to the level of male rats, significantly increasing body weight.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.146-161
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• 2004

There have been always some difficulties in target setting and conditioning of acoustic performances of the Korean traditional music hall due mainly to the lack of the information on the sound radiation characteristics of Korean musical sources. In this study, the radiation characteristics of four typical Korean traditional musical sources were investigated in precision and their usage was demonstrated: The selected musical sources were Gayageum (string), Daegeum (woodwind), Jango (drum), and Pansori Chang (vocal performance). Each sound source was located at the center of a semi-anechoic chamber and the directivity was determined by the measured sound pressure levels in every 10° angular position, for both vertical and horizontal directions. The directivity pattern of Gayageum varies from a uniform to a complex pattern having many side lobes with the increase of frequency. The main radiation of Daegeum is toward the upward direction. The directivity pattern of Jango is clearly a side-oriented one and the left direction intensity is sharper than its right side at low frequencies. For the Chang, the directivity pattern change from a uniform pattern to a frontally directed one as the frequency goes high. Measured directional and spectral characteristics of traditional Korean music sources were implemented into the computation of architectural acoustic measures for the Busan National Korean Traditional Music Hall which is under construction. Parameters such as RT, SPL, C80, IE, STI were calculated at two receiver positions by using a ray tracing technique. Significant differences in the acoustic measures at receiver positions were observed between the results in using the omni-directional source and the directional one. It is thought that the suggested source data and design method can be used as a basic reference in the future acoustic design of performance halls for the Korean traditional music.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2005

Silk Road is the term involving all traffic roads connecting the East to the West, and ancient Korean culture has became globalized through Silk Road. In this paper, natural environment of Silk Road is considered as fundamental data in order to understand the Western culture introduced through Silk Road. Silk Road region is classified into Loess Plateau district; arid basin district; and high mountains district; Hesi Corridor(河西回廊) is the transition zone that the southeastern part of $W{\breve{u}}w{\bar{e}}i$(武威) is Loess Plateau district; other northwestern part is arid basin district Loess Plateau district, composed of homogeneous fines, has experienced dramatic soil loss by bringing under cultivation. At recent times, reforestation and construction of check-dam have been in operation to cope with this problems, Arid basin district; although at midlatitude, is desert climate because it is far from the ocean and is surrounded by high mountains. Oasis of Hesi Corridor is continuous linearly, but that of arid basin district is sporadic. In $H{\bar{a}}mi$ and $T{\breve{u}}l{\breve{u}}f{\bar{a}}n$(吐魯番) fruit-growing using karez flourishes, And glacier of $Ti{\bar{a}}nshian$(天山) Mts. and $Q{\bar{i}}lian$(祁連) Mts. is very important to arid basin district because of supplying water resource. In the tundra zone surrounding alpine glacier, are distributed widely solifluction lobes and earth hummocks.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.55-68
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Epimedium Herb extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Methods : We used the 2-month-old mice and administered the extract solution of Epimedium Herb 0.3 ml/g/day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline as the same way. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Also we observed changes of isolated testis before and after administration of Epimedium Herb extract solutions in the mice. And we compared the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules with the control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm and normality of spermatozoa of the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60, 90 and 120 days groups. The significant differences were observed the motility of the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60 days group. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. And the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : This study shows that Epimedium Herb has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the testicular tissues and the activities of sperm hyaluronidse in 60 days administration group. We can suggest that Epimedium Herb extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction and infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.41-54
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• 2006

Purpose : These studies were undertaken to evaluate the effects of Allii tuberosi Semen (ATS) on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase, testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase. Materials and Methods : We used the 8-week-old mice and administered the 0.2 ml extract solution of ATS in the different concentration (0.1 mg/ml, 1 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml) once a day for 60 days. The control group was administered the distilled water in the same way. After the administration of each extract solution, we examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase, testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase. Also we observed the histological changes of isolated testis. And we compared to the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results : The concentration of total sperm, the motility and normality of spermatozoa were significantly increased in ATS groups, especially in 1 and 10 mg/ml groups, compared to control group. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the ATS groups compared to the control group, respectively. Also, the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the ATS groups compared to the control group. In the antioxidant activity analysis, the activity of testicular peroxidase was significantly increased in the ATS groups compared to the control group, especially in 1 mg/ ml group. The activity of testicular catalase was increased in ATS groups. Conclusion : This study shows that ATS has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase and testicular peroxidase. We can suggest that ATS extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions and infertility.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2009

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare disorder characterized by a diffuse infiltration of the alveolar space, interstitium by lymphocytes, plasma cells, and reticuloendothelial cells. Although its etiology is unknown, LIP has been associated with autoimmune disorders and with viral infections. Because it's clinical and radiographic features are nonspecific, a confirmatory diagnosis is performed by open lung biopsy. A 59-year-old female presented dry cough, which had been present for 1 month. On initial findings of multifocal consolidation at the right middle lobe on both lower lobes in chest radiography, the first diagnosis of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia was suggested. On open lung biopsy, LIP was diagnosed. The patient had no autoimmune disease, viral infection or monoclonal gammopathy. After 3 months of corticosteroid treatment, the patient experienced improved symptoms, reduced abnormalities on chest radiography, and improved pulmonary function testing.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.411-418
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• 2002

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis(PAP) is a disorder in which an insoluble, proteinaceous material, rich in phospholipids, is deposited in the alveoli and bronchioles. The deficiency in the clearance and degradation of the intra-alveolar phospholipoproteinaceous material in PAP most likely represents a dysfunction of the type II pneumocytes. Although the pathogenesis and causative treatment of PAP is unclear a whole lung bronchopulmonary lavage is a relatively safe and effective treatment. Here we experienced a case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a 62 year old female patient who had pulmonary tuberculosis approximately 20 years ago. She complained of aggravated dyspnea and chronic cough, and presented fine inspiratory crackles at both lung fields, diffuse ground glass opacity with some area of consolidation and smooth interlobular septal thickenings in both upper, right middled lobes, and a portion of right lower lobe. Optical microscopy of the lung tissue obtained by and open lung biopsy revealed many granulomas containing acid-fast smear positive bacilli and diffuse homogeneous PAS-positive fluid in the alveolar space. Immunohistochemical stain showed surfactant. A in the alveolar space. Antituberculosis drugs with bronchoalveolar lavage were used to treat the disease. Thereafter she showed improvement in her symptoms and a partial improvement in the chest X-ray and HRCT findings. We present a case of PAP associated with pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.5
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• pp.259-266
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• 2010

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), requiring the intensive care unit (ICU) care, has been a high-mortality condition until now. In the present study, we aimed to investigate clinical features and parameters associated with TB mortality. Methods: From August 2003 to December 2008, patients with microbiologically or histologically confirmed pulmonary TB then admitted to the ICU, were retrospectively enrolled into the study. Upon enrollment, their medical records were reviewed. Results: Forty three patients (30 males, 13 females) were included and their mean age was 63.8 years (range: 17~87 years). Twelve patients died, an overall in-hospital mortality of 27.8%. The main reason for the ICU care was dyspnea or hypoxemia requiring mechanical ventilation (n=17). Other diagnoses for ICU care were hemoptysis, monitoring after procedures, neurologic dysfunction, shock, and gastrointestinal bleeding. On univariate analysis, the factors affecting the mortality were malnutrition-related parameters including low body mass index, hypoalbuminemia, lymphocytopenia, and hypocholersterolemia, as well as severity-related variables such as high acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) score, number of involved lobes, and high C-reactive protein. In addition, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and acute respiratory distress syndrome contributed to patient fatality. It was shown on multivariate analysis that respiratory failure and hypoalbuminemia were significantly independent variables associated with the mortality. Conclusion: Acute respiratory failure is the most common reason for the ICU care and also the most important factor in predicting poor outcome. In addition, our data suggest that the parameters associated with malnutrition could be possible factors contributing to mortality.