• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1401-1411
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• 2019

Mycobacterial cell walls comprise thick and diverse lipids and glycolipids that act as a permeability barrier to antibiotics or other chemical agents. The use of OH radicals from a non-thermal plasma jet (NTPJ) for the inactivation of mycobacteria in aqueous solution was adopted as a novel approach. Addition of water vapor in a nitrogen plasma jet generated OH radicals, which converted to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) that inactivated non-pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis and pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. A stable plasma plume was obtained from a nitrogen plasma jet with 1.91 W of power, killing Escherichia coli and mycobacteria effectively, whereas addition of catalase decreased the effects of the former. Mycobacteria were more resistant than E. coli to NTPJ treatment. Plasma treatment enhanced intracellular ROS production and upregulation of genes related to ROS stress responses (thiolrelated oxidoreductases, such as SseA and DoxX, and ferric uptake regulator furA). Morphological changes of M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis H37Rv were observed after 5 min treatment with $N_2+H_2O$ plasma, but not of pre-incubated sample with catalase. This finding indicates that the bactericidal efficacy of NTPJ is related to the toxicity of OH and $H_2O_2$ radicals in cells. Therefore, our study suggests that NTPJ treatment may effectively control pulmonary infections caused by M. tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) such as M. avium or M. abscessus in water.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1762-1769
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• 2021

The final goal of this study is to develop a system that can analyze whether a wanted vehicle is a criminal vehicle from images collected from black boxes, smartphones, CCTVs, and so on. Data collection was collected using a self-developed black box. The used data in this study has used a total of 83,753 cases such as the eight vehicle types(truck, RV, passenger car, van, SUV, bus, sports car, electric vehicle) and 434 vehicle models. As a result of vehicle recognition using YOLO v5, mAP was found to be 80%. As a result of identifying the vehicle model with ReXNet using the self-developed black box, the accuracy was found to be 99%. The result was verified by surveying field police officers. These results suggest that improving the accuracy of data labeling helps to improve vehicle recognition performance.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.33-38
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine anti-thrombotic effect of traditional herbal extracts in a rat model of ferric chloride ($FeCl_3$)-induced carotid arterial thrombosis. Methods : Thirty minutes prior to a 35% $FeCl_3$ application, Sprague Dawley(SD) rats were injected with the 10 types of traditional herbal extracts (100mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), respectively. The effect of these herbal extracts was examined for time to occlusion(TTO) using the Laser doppler flow meter and measured for thrombus weight (TW) in $FeCl_3$-induced thrombosis model. Results : In the TTO, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Sm, $2.30{\pm}0.28$ min, p<0.001) and Santalum album (Sa, $2.19{\pm}0.19$ min, p<0.001) showed significantly delayed TTO more than twice compared with Saline-treated group. Cnidium officinale (Co), Psoralea corylifolia (Pc), Scutellatia baicalensis (Sba), Panax notoginseng (Pn), Angelica tenuissima (At), Scrophularia buergeriana (Sbu), Rhus verniciflua (Rv) and Picrasma quassioides (Pq), except for Rhus verniciflua (Rv) also meaningfully impeded TTO more than one fold. In addition, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Santalum album, Cnidium officinale, Psoralea corylifolia and Scutellatia baicalensis significantly reduced TW more than 10% compared with Saline-treated group. Especially, Salvia miltiorrhiza and Santalum album showed the most excellent anti-thrombotic effect among the 10 herbal extracts tested on the restoration of altered TTO and TW. Conclusions : These results suggest that Sm and Sa extracts have outstanding anti-thrombotic effect in $FeCl_3$-induced thrombosis model and is potentially useful as herbal medicines for the treatment and prevention of thrombosis.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.64.1-64.1
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• 2019

The first high-resolution spectroscopic and new multiband photometric observations of the semi-detached Algol type binary XZ CMi were performed at the Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (BOAO) and the Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (SOAO), respectively. A total of 34 spectra were obtained using the 1.8 m reflector of the BOAO equipped with the Bohyunsan Optical Echelle Spectrograph to construct the radial velocity (RV) curves of the eclipsing pair. New BVRI photometric light curves were also covered by using the SOAO 61cm reflector and a CCD camera. A detailed analysis of all eclipse timings shows that the orbital period of XZ CMi has varied in an upward parabolic variation superposed on a sinusoidal oscillation with a period of 38.0 yr and a semi-amplitude of 0.0071 days. From the spectral analysis, the effective temperature and the projected rotational velocity of the primary component were determined to be T_eff,1 = 7387±161 K and v₁sini = 122±6 km s^-1, respectively. Our simultaneous synthesis of the double-lined RV and BVRI light curves gives the reliable system parameters of XZ CMi with a mass ratio (q) of 0.314, an orbital inclination (i) of 81.9 deg and a large temperature difference (∆T) of 2481 K. The individual masses and radii of both components are M₁ = 1.91±0.08M_⊙, M₂ = 0.60±0.02M_⊙, R₁ = 1.60±0.02R_⊙, R₂ = 1.13±0.02R_⊙, respectively. Although the primary component is located inside the δ Sct and γ Dor instability strips, no evidence of pulsation in the system was detected. The possible evolutionary status of XZ CMi is discussed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.75-86
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• 2023

Background: We investigated the long-term outcomes of truncus arteriosus repair at a single institution with a 30-year study period. Methods: Patients who underwent repair of truncus arteriosus between 1993 and 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Factors associated with early mortality, overall attrition, and reintervention were identified using appropriate statistical methods. Results: In total, 42 patients were enrolled in this study. The median age and weight at repair were 26 days and 3.5 kg, respectively. Thirty patients (71.4%) underwent 1-stage repair. There were 8 early deaths (19%). In the univariable analysis, undergoing surgery before 2011 was associated with early mortality (p=0.031). The overall survival rate at 10 years was 73.8%. In the multivariable analysis, significant truncal valve (TrV) dysfunction (p=0.010), longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.018), and the earlier era of surgery (p=0.004) were identified as risk factors for overall mortality. During follow-up, 47 reinterventions were required in 27 patients (64.3%). The freedom from all-cause reintervention rate at 10 years was 23.6%. In the multivariable analysis, associated arch obstruction (p<0.001) and significant TrV dysfunction (p=0.011) were identified as risk factors for all-cause reintervention. Arch obstruction (p=0.027) and a number of TrV cusps other than 3 (p=0.014) were identified as risk factors for right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) reintervention, and significant TrV dysfunction was identified as a risk factor for TrV reintervention (p=0.002). Conclusion: Despite recent improvements in survival outcomes after repair of truncus arteriosus, RV-PA or TrV reinterventions were required in a significant number of patients during follow-up.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1133-1142
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• 2023

A rapid increase in power capacity in a power system can seriously reduce system reliability by causing the fault capacity to exceed the breaking capacity of circuit breaker. Fault current limiter is a practical and effective way to improve reliability by limiting fault capacity to the breaking capacity level. In this study, in order to help develop an application methodology when applying fault current limiters to power systems, first the topology and operating principles of each type of fault current limiters was reviewed, and the main advantages and disadvantages was compared. Next, to verify the effect of applying fault current limiter to the power system, the power system in which the fault current limiter was introduced was modeled. Finally, after simulating a three-phase short-circuit fault using EMTP-RV, the effect of application was verified by comparing the fault current before and after application of the fault current limiter and confirming that the fault current was reduced by the fault current limiter.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.184-194
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• 2024

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are widely employed as a therapeutic option for end-stage heart failure. We evaluated the outcomes associated with centrifugal-flow LVAD implantation, comparing 2 device models: the Heartmate 3 (HM3) and the Heartware Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD). Methods: Data were collected from patients who underwent LVAD implantation between June 1, 2015 and December 31, 2022. We analyzed overall survival, first rehospitalization, and early, late, and LVAD-related complications. Results: In total, 74 patients underwent LVAD implantation, with 42 receiving the HM3 and 32 the HVAD. A mild Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support score was more common among HM3 than HVAD recipients (p=0.006), and patients receiving the HM3 exhibited lower rates of preoperative ventilator use (p=0.010) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p=0.039). The overall early mortality rate was 5.4% (4 of 74 patients), with no significant difference between groups. Regarding early right ventricular (RV) failure, HM3 implantation was associated with a lower rate (13 of 42 [31.0%]) than HVAD implantation (18 of 32 [56.2%], p=0.051). The median rehospitalization-free period was longer for HM3 recipients (16.9 months) than HVAD recipients (5.3 months, p=0.013). Furthermore, HM3 recipients displayed a lower incidence of late hemorrhagic stroke (p=0.016). In the multivariable analysis, preoperative use of continuous renal replacement therapy (odds ratio, 22.31; p=0.002) was the only significant predictor of postoperative RV failure. Conclusion: The LVAD models (HM3 and HVAD) demonstrated comparable overall survival rates. However, the HM3 was associated with a lower risk of late hemorrhagic stroke.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.200-206
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a significant risk of major adverse cardiac events in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). In this study, we evaluated RV-pulmonary artery (PA) coupling, assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)/pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and assessed its prognostic significance, in AHF patients. METHODS: We measured the TAPSE/PASP ratio and analyzed its correlations with other echocardiographic parameters. Additionally, we assessed its prognostic role in AHF patients. RESULTS: A total of 1147 patients were included in the analysis (575 men, aged 70.81 ± 13.56 years). TAPSE/PASP ratio exhibited significant correlations with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction(r = 0.243, p < 0.001), left atrial (LA) diameter(r = -0.320, p < 0.001), left atrial global longitudinal strain (LAGLS, r = 0.496, p < 0.001), mitral E/E' ratio(r = -0.337, p < 0.001), and right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC, r = 0.496, p < 0.001). During the median follow-up duration of 29.0 months, a total of 387 patients (33.7%) died. In the univariate analysis, PASP, TAPSE, and TAPSE/PASP ratio were significant predictors of mortality. After the multivariate analysis, TAPSE/PASP ratio remained a statistically significant parameter for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.453; p = 0.037) after adjusting for other parameters. In the receiver operating curve analysis, the optimal cut-off level of TAPSE/PASP ratio for predicting mortality was 0.33 (area under the curve = 0.576, p < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 47%. TAPSE/PASP ratio < 0.33 was associated with an increased risk of mortality after adjusting for other variables (HR, 1.306; p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: In AHF patients, TAPSE/PASP ratio demonstrated significant associations with RVFAC, LA diameter and LAGLS. Moreover, a decreased TAPSE/PASP ratio < 0.33 was identified as a poor prognostic factor for mortality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.252-261
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• 2024

This research establishes design standards for vortex reduction devices (VRDs) aimed at minimizing underwater radiated noise by mitigating horseshoe vortex (HSV) and root vortex (RV) generated at the junction of appendages and the hull of underwater vehicles. Initial analysis replaced the influence of appendage dimensions and flow velocity with the Reynolds number by verifying the Reynolds similarity of vortex flows. The three-dimensional surfaces of VRDs were parameterized using Bezier curves. Optimal length-to-height ratios were identified by evaluating the vortex reduction performances of VRDs with various dimensions. Ultimately, non-dimensional design standards were derived for VRDs, ensuring effective vortex reduction across any appendage, thereby enhancing stealth performance.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.574-582
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• 1998

Background: Bronchofiberscopy is a procedure with a chance of airway irritation and it may cause pathophysiologic changes of respiratory system. So we tried to evaluate the influence of bronchofibercopy on $O_2$ saturation, ABGA and PIT by patient's basal status and procedure type. Method: $O_2$ saturation was measured every 1 minute from the left index finger tip with percutaneous oximetry. ABGA was done before and right after the bronchofiberscopy and PIT was done before and within 10 minutes after the bronchofiberscopy. Results: The mean time for bronchofiberscopy procedure was 14.5mim and $SaO_2$ maximally fall to 89.0 below 8% of the baseline after mean time of 8.4min, which was recovered at the end of the procedure. $SaO_2$ change amount was 8.4 % on Non-$O_2$ supply group, which was lower compared to 6.4 % of the $O_2$-supply group without statistically significance. Biopsy Group and BAL group showed more $SaO_2$ fall than washing only group. The level of $PaO_2$ and FEV1 of the patient didn't influence significantly on $SaO_2$ fall during the procedure. ABGA taken before and after the bronchofiberscopy showed mild fall of $PaO_2$ and mild rise of $PaCO_2$. Whereas PFT showed decrease of FEV1(P<0.05) and increase of RV without changes in airway resistance and pulmonary diffusion capacity. Comparing before and after the bronchofiberscopy, the washing group showed no significant changes on PIT, while the biopsy group and the BAL group showed increase of RV & decrease of $FEV_1$ after the bronchofiberscopy. BAL group showed more changing tendency rather than biopsy group although not statistically significant. Conclusion: Bronchofiberscopy is considered as a relatively safe procedure, but it would be better to be done with $O_2$ supply especially in the patient with low $PaO_2$ and in the case of biopsy and BAL.