• IEMEK Journal of Embedded Systems and Applications
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.265-272
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• 2022

As the risk of lung cancer has increased, early-stage detection and treatment of cancers have received a lot of attention. Among various medical imaging approaches, computer tomography (CT) has been widely utilized to examine the size and growth rate of lung nodules. However, the process of manual examination is a time-consuming task, and it causes physical and mental fatigue for medical professionals. Recently, many computer-aided diagnostic methods have been proposed to reduce the workload of medical professionals. In recent studies, encoder-decoder architectures have shown reliable performances in medical image segmentation, and it is adopted to predict lesion candidates. However, localizing nodules in lung CT images is a challenging problem due to the extremely small sizes and unstructured shapes of nodules. To solve these problems, we utilize atrous spatial pyramid pooling (ASPP) to minimize the loss of information for a general U-Net baseline model to extract rich representations from various receptive fields. Moreover, we propose mixed-up attention mechanism of reverse, boundary and convolutional block attention module (CBAM) to improve the accuracy of segmentation small scale of various shapes. The performance of the proposed model is compared with several previous attention mechanisms on the LIDC-IDRI dataset, and experimental results demonstrate that reverse, boundary, and CBAM (RB-CBAM) are effective in the segmentation of small nodules.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.6
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• pp.1589-1593
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• 2021

Rheumatoid nodules are the most common extra-articular presentations of rheumatoid arthritis. Although rheumatoid nodules can develop anywhere in the body, they develop most commonly in the subcutaneous region, where they are easily exposed to repetitive trauma or pressure. However, an infrascapular presentation has not yet been reported. We report a case of giant bilateral rheumatoid nodules that developed in the infrascapular area, complicating its distinction from elastofibroma dorsi on radiological examination.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.98-105
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• 1986

Rhizobium meliloti 102 F 51, the symbiotic partner of alfalfa, was mutagenized with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) and UV-irradiation. Three group of mutants which form white, white-pink and red nodules were selected. The adetylene reduction activity, nodulation activity, amount of heme synthesis during the nodulation, and ${\delta}-aminolevulinic$ acid synthetase (ALAS) and ${\delta}-aminolevulinic$ acid dehydratase (ALAD) activities in free living rhizobia and bacteroid states of the each group of mutants were compared. The mutants forming white nodules showed lower acetylene reduction activity compared to those of red nodule forming mutants. The two key enzymes for the heme synthetic pathway, ALAS and ALAD activities of the mutants forming red nodules was much higher than those of the mutants forming white nodules in bacteroid state, however no significant difference was observed in free living state. In the nodules the ALAS was detected only in bacteroid fraction, while ALAD was detected both in bacteroid and plant fraction. ALAS was dramatically increased with the heme synthesis during the nodulation, while ALAD was decreased in plant fraction but slight increase was observed in bacteroid fraction.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2015

A fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the primary means of distinguishing benign from malignant in thyroid nodules. However, between 10 and 30% of the FNABs of thyroid nodules are diagnosed as 'indeterminate'. A molecular method is needed to reduce unnecessary surgery in this group. In Korea, most thyroid cancer is classic papillary type and BRAFV600E mutation is highly prevalent. Thus, this study compared the pyrosequencing method with the conventional direct DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP analysis and investigated the evaluation of preoperative BRAFV600E mutation analysis as an adjunct diagnostic method with routine FNABs. Sixty-five (78.3%) of 83 histopathologically diagnosed malignant nodule revealed positive BRAFV600E mutation on pyrosequencing analysis. In detail, 65 (83.8%) of 78 papillary thyroid carcinomas sample showed positive BRAFV600E mutation. None of 29 benign nodules had in pyrodequencing, direct DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP. Out of 31 thyroid nodules classified as 'indeterminate' on cytological examination preoperatively, 28 cases turned out to be malignant: 24 papillary thyroid carcinomas. Among that, 16 (66.7%) classic papillary thyroid carcinomas had BRAFV600E mutation. Among 65 papillary thyroid carcinomas with positive BRAFV600E mutation detected by pyrosequencing analysis, each 3 cases and 5 cases did not show BRAFV600E mutation by direct DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP analysis. Therefore, pyrosequencing was superior to direct DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP in detecting the BRAFV600E mutation of thyroid nodules (p =0.027). Detecting BRAFV600E mutation by pyrosequencing was more sensitivity, faster than direct DNA sequencing or PCR-RFLP.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.10039-10043
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• 2014

Background: In Pakistan thyroid cancer is responsible for 1.2% cases of all malignant tumors. Ultrasonography (US) is helpful in detecting cancerous thyroid nodules on basis of different features like echogenicity, margins, microcalcifications, size, shape and abnormal neck lymph nodes. We therefore aimed to calculate diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in detection of carcinoma in thyroid nodules taking fine needle aspiration cytology as the reference standard. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was designed to prospectively collect data from December 2010 till December 2012 from the Department of Radiology in Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 100 patients of both genders were enrolled after informed consent via applying non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Patients referred to Radiology department of Aga Khan University to perform thyroid ultrasound followed by fine-needle aspiration cytology of thyroid nodules were included. They were excluded if proven for thyroid malignancy or if their US or FNAC was conducted outside our institution. Results: The subjects comprised 76 (76%) females and 24 males. Mean age was $41.8{\pm}SD$ 12.3 years. Sensitivity and specificity with 95%CI of ultrasound in differentiating malignant thyroid nodule from benign thyroid nodule calculated to be 91.7% (95%CI, 0.72-0.98) and 78.94% (0.68-0.87) respectively. Reported positive predictive value and negative PV were 57.9% (0.41-0.73) and 96.8% (0.88-0.99) and overall accuracy was 82%. Likelihood ratio (LR) positive was computed to be 4.3 and LR negative was 0.1. Conclusions: Ultrasonography has a high diagnostic accuracy in detecting malignancy in thyroid nodules on the basis of features like echogenicity, margins, micro calcifications and shape.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10307-10311
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• 2015

Background: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology is one of the main classification systems for thyroid nodules. It expects that 7% of all fine needle aspiration biopsies will be reported as atypia or follicular lesions of undetermined significance, and 5-15% of these undetermined nodules are malignant. Our study is a retrospective analysis of variables that may be associated with outcome in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy in our institution between 2010 and 2014 were retrieved from the institutional records database. Patient demographics and medical histories were recorded. All ultrasonography reports were examined for nodule features and biochemical blood levels, hormone levels and complete blood counts were recorded. Results: A total of 103 patient cytopathology reports were regarded as belonging to the undetermined category. Some 35% of patients had malignant nodules. Median preoperative red cell distribution width (RDW) level was 13.6 inthe benign group, while it was 14.3 in patients with malignancy, demonstrating a significant correlation (p=0.003). Only calcification presence was significantly different between benign and malignant groups on ultrasonography (p=0.034). Conclusions: Ultrasonography is one of the primary tools for this matter. RDW levels may become another promising tool to predict malignancy.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.81-90
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• 2015

International Seabed Authority (ISA) is currently developing rules with regard to exploitation of manganese nodules which will be contained in its first regulations governing the exploitation of deep seabed mineral resources. A stakeholder survey was conducted in the early 2014 by ISA with the aim of facilitating participation of interested entities in the development process of the rules. The stakeholders who had replied to the survey included existing contractors, sponsoring States, environmentalists, academics, and nongovernmental organizations. Opinions given by them largely reflect their own interests. This paper aims to clarify the scope of the obligations regarding the environmental protection which may be imposed on contractors under the new regulations for the exploitation of manganese nodules. To do so, it first analyses the express provisions on environmental protection applicable to deep seabed mining included in the Law of the Sea Convention, its agreement on implementation of Part XI, and the regulations on exploration for manganese nodules. Secondly, it categorizes these obligations based on the categories of international obligations suggested by Combacau and Alland. Based on the categorizations this paper concludes that, in addition to the existing duties to protect deep seabed environment within the Law of the Sea Convention system, the following new obligations could be added: conservation of exploitation sites for a limited time after the contract is ceased; taking all necessary measures for rehabilitation of destroyed ecosystems that occurredas a result of mining activities; monitoring exploitation sites for a limited period time after the contract is ceased; observing rules and standards on safety of ships and environmental protection adopted under IMO instruments; regulation on the discharge of mine tailings from the facilities used for exploitation of deep sea minerals. Lastly, this paper attempts to provide ways of reflecting national interests in terms of potential obligations which may be included in the new regulations.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.248-257
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• 1994

Growth rates of two manganese nodules collected in the Korea Deep Ocean Study (KODOS-89) site in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zones in the central Equatorial Pacific have been estimated by employing uranium-series disequilibrium techniques to investigate the geochemical processes leading to the formation of deep-sea nodules. the growth rates estimated from the profiles of excess /SUP 230/Th activities and ratios of excess /SUP 230/Th to /SUP 232/Th to /SUP 232/Th are in the order of a few millimeters per million years. Growth rates at bottom-side of nodules are 2-3 times faster than those at top-sides. Diagenetic supply of manganese could explain the faster growth at the bottom-side of nodules.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6331-6335
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• 2013

Objective:To evaluate the performance of combined quantitative analysis of thyroid blood flow and static imaging data in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Method: Thyroid blood flow and static imaging were performed in 165 patients with thyroid nodules. Patients were divided into a benign thyroid nodule group (BTN, n=135) and a malignant thyroid nodule group (MTN, n=30) based on the results of post-surgical pathologic examination. Carotid artery thyroid transit times (CTTT), perfusion ratio of thyroid nodule blood/thyroid blood (TNB/TB), and perfusion ratio of thyroid nodule blood/carotid artery blood (TNB/CAB) were measured using thyroid blood flow imaging. The ratios between thyroid nodule and ipsilateral submandibular gland (TN/SG) and thyroid nodule and normal thyroid tissue (TN/T) were measured from thyroid static imaging. The differences between the BTN and MTN groups were compared. Results: 1) CTTT was markedly lower in the MTN group than the BTN group, the difference being statistically significant. 2) TNB/TB and TNB/CAB were both significantly higher in MTN than BTN groups. 3) TN/T was significantly lower in MTN group than BTN group. 4) TN/SG was lower in MTN group than BTN group, but the difference was not statistically significant. 5) Using the combination of CTTT and TN/T, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 93.1%, 95.3% and 94.9% respectively for the diagnosis of MTN. Using the combination of CTTT, TNB/TB and TN/T, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy changed to 89.7%, 100%, and 98.1% respectively. 6) Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between TN/T and TNB/TB (r=-0.384, P=0.036) and TNB/CAB (r=-0.466, P=0.009) in the MTN group. Conclusion: The combination of quantitative markers from thyroid blood flow and thyroid static imaging had high specificity and accuracy in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, thus providing an important imaging diagnostic approach.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.14 no.4 s.66
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• pp.17-21
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• 2005

Deep-sea Manganese nodules was treated with reduction-smelting process with adding the spent Ni-Cd battery or the cobalt contained spent catalyst for recovery of nickel and cobalt metals. The nickel in the spent Ni-Cd battery could be recovered by adding $5\%$ coke as a reducing agent regardless of the amount of battery added. However, to recover cobalt from the spent catalyst, it is require to add more coke for reduction of cobalt oxide in the catalyst. The treatment of metal wastes with manganese nodules can contribute to lower the cost for the processing of nodules and to facilitate the recycling of metal wastes.