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Comparison of effectiveness for fluoroscopic cervical interlaminar epidural injections with or without steroid in cervical post-surgery syndrome

  • Manchikanti, Laxmaiah;Malla, Yogesh;Cash, Kimberly A;Pampati, Vidyasagar;Hirsch, Joshua A
    • The Korean Journal of Pain
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    • v.31 no.4
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    • pp.277-288
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    • 2018
  • Background: Neck and back pain are leading sources of disability placing substantial burden on health care systems. Surgical interventions in managing chronic neck pain secondary to various disorders continue to increase. Even though surgical interventions are effective, a significant proportion of patients continue to have symptomatology and develop cervical post-surgery syndrome. This study was performed to know the effectiveness of cervical interlaminar epidural injections with or without steroids. Methods: The effectiveness of fluoroscopic cervical interlaminar epidural injections in post-surgery syndrome was evaluated in a randomized, active controlled trial. The study population included 116 patients assigned to 2 groups. Group 1 received cervical interlaminar epidural injections with local anesthetic alone and Group 2 received injection with local anesthetic and steroids. The main outcomes were defined as significant improvement (greater than 50%) of pain relief using the numeric rating scale and/or functional status improvement using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Results: Both groups had similar results with significant improvement (${\geq}50%$ pain relief and functional status improvement) in 69% of the patients in Group I, whereas, in Group II, 71% of the patients showed significant improvement at the end of 2 years. During a 2-year period, the average number of procedures was 5 to 6, with an average of approximately 12 weeks of significant improvement per procedure. Conclusions: Fluoroscopic cervical interlaminar epidural injections administered in cervical post-surgery syndrome using local anesthetic, regardless of the use of steroids, may be effective in approximately 70% of the patients at 2-year follow-up.

Study on Characterization of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Fractions of Water-soluble Organic Carbon with a XAD Resin (XAD 수지에 의한 친수성 및 소수성 수용성 유기탄소의 특성조사)

  • Jeong, Jae-Uk;Kim, Ja-Hyun;Park, Seung-Shik;Moon, Kwang-Joo;Lee, Seok-Jo
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.27 no.3
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    • pp.337-346
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    • 2011
  • 24-hr integrated measurements of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) in PM2.5 were made between May 5 and September 25, 2010, on a six-day interval basis, at the Metropolitan Area Air Pollution Monitoring Supersite. A macro-porous XAD7HP resin was used to separate hydrophilic and hydrophobic WSOC. Compounds that penetrate the XAD7HP column are referred to hydrophilic WSOC, while those retained by the column are defined as hydrophobic WSOC. Laboratory calibrations using organic standards suggest that hydrophilic WSOC includes lowmolecular aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and carbonyls with less than 4 or 5 carbons, amines, and saccharides. While the hydrophobic WSOC is composed of compounds of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids with carbon numbers larger than 4~5, phenols, aromatic acids, cyclic acid, and humic-like Suwannee River fulvic acid. Over the entire study period, total WSOC accounted for on average 48% of OC, ranging from 32 to 65%, and hydrophilic WSOC accounted for on average 30.5% (9.3~66.7%) of the total WSOC. Based on the previous results, our measurement result suggests that significant amounts of hydrophobic WSOC during the study period were probably from primary combustion sources. However, on June 9 when 1-hr highest ozone concentration of 130 ppb was observed, WSOC to OC was 0.61, driven by increases in the hydrophilic WSOC. This result also suggests that processes, such as secondary organic aerosol formation, produce significant levels of hydrophilic WSOC compounds that add substantially to the fine particle fraction of the organic aerosol.

Concentrations and Characteristics of Carbonaceous Compounds in PM10 over Seoul: Measurement between 2006 and 2007 (서울시 대기 중 미세먼지 내 탄소성 입자의 농도 및 특성 : 2006~2007년 측정결과)

  • Choi, Na Rae;Lee, Ji Yi;Jung, Chang Hoon;Lee, Sun Yong;Yi, Seung Muk;Kim, Yong Pyo
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.31 no.4
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    • pp.345-355
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    • 2015
  • Carbonaceous compounds in the atmospheric particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to a nominal $10{\mu}m$ ($PM_{10}$) were analyzed for the samples collected during the period of August 2006 to August 2007 at Jongro in Seoul. A total 18 dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) and levoglucosan, as well as organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC), were analyzed. Distinctive seasonal patterns of the concentrations of OC, EC, and WSOC including levoglucosan were observed with the highest concentrations in winter and the lowest concentrations in summer. In addition, OC, WSOC, and most of DCAs showed also higher concentration in summer than in winter. Using the seasonal patterns and relevant indicative ratios (WSOC/EC and $OC_{sec}/OC_{tot}$) of the carbonaceous compounds, it was verified that (1) primary emission sources were elevated in winter, and (2) the formation of secondary OC increased due to the prompted photochemical reaction in summer. Results from this study also suggest that some organic compounds were likely attributed to longrange transport.

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Atmospheric Concentrations of Carbonyl Compounds in Seoul Metropolitan Area (수도권 지역 대기 중 카보닐화합물의 시.공간적 농도 분포 특성)

  • Seo, Young-Kyo;Jeong, Eun-Hui;Seo, Seok-Jun;Hwang, Yun-Jeong;Han, Jin-Seok;Bae, Sung-Ok
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.206-219
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    • 2008
  • The purpose of this study is to evaluate concentrations of carbonyl compounds during summer season in Seoul metropolitan area. The air samples were collected at 7 sites in this area from June 2001 to June 2003. The carbonyl compounds were analyzed by DNPH/HPLC method. The analytical method applied in this study showed good repeatability, linearity, and sensitivity. The most abundant carbonyl was formaldehyde (average 4.48 ppb), and followed by acetone, acetaldehyde, methyl ethyl ketone, butyraldehyde, propionaldehyde and benzaldehyde, respectively. Concentrations of carbonyl compounds in June were higher than those in August. There was not only higher solar radiation but also higher ozone concentration in June than in August. As a result o photochemical reactions, carbonyl compounds from both primary and secondary sources are likely to contribute to the formation of ozone. The contributions to photochemical ozone creation of two carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were estimated to be about 70%. Ratios of formaldehyde to acetaldehyde in this study ranged from 1.13 to 4.26, which are generally equivalent levels to those of other urban areas in domestic and foreign countries.

Experimental Techniques for Evaluating the Success of Restoration Projects

  • Robinson, George R.;Handel, Steven-N.l;Mattei, Jennifer
    • The Korean Journal of Ecology
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2002
  • The ecological background of a restoration project is complex and difficult to betermine without experimentation. A useful context for experiments is the well-studied process of natural succession, because the factors that drive or inhibit succession are also at work during reclamation (a form of primary succession) and restoration (which often resembles secondary succession). Using experimental studies on urban wasteland reclamation, we have tested for factors that stimulate or inhibit succession during early phases of woodland development in the Northeastern United states. The emphasis has been on mutualisms (seed dispersal, pollination, and mycorrhizae) and microsite limitations in the recruitment, growth, and reproduction of woody plants. Using plantings of seeds, seedlings, and clusters of reproductively mature plants on abandoned landfills, we have observed that (1) soil microsite deficiencies lead to very poor germination (<0.1$\%$) and seedling survival (<0.01$\%$) of most native species; (2) seed dispersal by birds is a significant and reliable source of woody plant recruitment; however (3) proximity effects are strong, with most (up to 95$\%$) of seed rain falling in the vicinity of planted clusters that are closest to putative seed sources; and (4) remnant natural woodlands are critical components of the recruitment process. To emphasize the last point, in one case, we found that the destruction of approximately 50$\%$ of nearby natural woodland vegetation led to a commensurate decline in seed rain. In another case, we found that the species richness of recruits was strictly limited by the species composition of nearby source plant communities, with no evidence of community enrichment by long distance dispersal over 5 years. We conclude from these results that the size and proximity of remnant natural populations are critical considerations when planning reclamation and restoration programs that rely on natural successional processes.

Bicycle Accident Position Tracing and Alarm System (자전거 사고 위치 추적 및 알림 시스템)

  • Kim, Jang-Won
    • The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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    • v.14 no.6
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    • pp.93-98
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    • 2014
  • Bicycle accidents increase as the number of people riding bicycles increases following the trend try to enhance health and looking for alternative energy sources in the era of high oil price. In bicycle accident cases, physical risk is higher because the impact of the accident has a direct effect on the body of the rider. Therefore, the bicycle rider in an accident might unable to report the accident by themselves, thus, unable to quickly respond to the accident situation. This study developed a system for informing bicycle accidents upon bicycle accident by reporting and texting the accident location using a smart phone application after identifying the accident location using a GPS equipment based on the signal that senses the accident through the system installed in the bicycle for the purpose to improve bicycle riders' safety. This study confirmed the effectiveness of the system developed to quickly respond to the accident to prevent secondary damage through an experiment.

An International Comparative Study of Lower Secondary Home Ecnomics Education -Curriculum Analysis Approach- (중학교 가정과 교육의 국제비교 연구 연구 -교육과정을 중심으로-)

  • 윤인경;박선영
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.91-99
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    • 1990
  • By the comparative analysis of middle school Home Economics curricula in the U.S, Sweden, japan, Taiwan, and Korea, this study attempts to understand the current Home Economics education and to access its trends for each country. Based on the findings of the analysis, this study also seeks to get the major implications of the analysis for the betterment of the Korean Home Economics Education. The main sources of information and data analyzed here are :1)curricula for 10 School Districts in Pennsylvania state as representives of the U.S ; 2)Home Economics curriculum for middle school in Sweden ; 3) Home Economics Teaching Guidelines in Japan ;4)Home Economics curriculum in Taiwan ; and 5) Home Economics curriculum in Korea. Content Analysis technique is applied in this study. The major elements of contents include :1)structure of the curriculum ;2)subject name ; 3)time allotment; 4)goals and objectives ; 5)subject areas and content composition ; 6) other related characteristics for the implemention of the curriculum Summarized results of the study outline as follows; 1)Home Economics is offered as independently required subject without sex discrimination in all five countries. 2)Time allotment for Home Economics in Sweden is double that in the other countries. 3)The common goals of Home Economics courses is practical learning experiences closely related to reality. 4) In terms of subjects areas, Food and Nutrition, Clothing & Textiles, Housing Human Development, and Child care are offered in three of four countries, which is also similar to those of Korea. In addition Consumer Education is also covered in the U.S., Sweden and Korea. 5)Curriculum can be utilized as instructional planning materials due to the clear specification of instructional method, materials, and evaluation method on the curriculum, especially in the U,S, and Taiwan.

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CCD PHOTOMETRY OF STANDARD STARS AT MAIDANAK ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY IN UZBEKSTAN: TRANSFORMATIONS AND COMPARISONS

  • Lim, Beomdu;Sung, Hwan-Kyung;Bessell, M.S.;Karimov, R.;Ibrahimov, M.
    • Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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    • v.42 no.6
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    • pp.161-174
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    • 2009
  • Observation of standard stars is of crucial importance in stellar photometry. We have studied the standard transformation relations of the UBV RI CCD photometric system at the Maidanak Astronomical Observatory in Uzbekistan. All observations were made with the AZT-22 1.5m telescope, SITe 2k CCD or Fairchild 486 CCD, and standard Bessell UBV RI filters from 2003 August to 2007 September. We observed many standard stars around the celestial equator observed by SAAO astronomers. The atmospheric extinction coefficients, photometric zero points, and time variation of photometric zero points of each night were determined. Secondary extinction coefficients and photometric zero points were very stable, while primary extinction coefficients showed a distinct seasonal variation. We also determined the transformation coefficients for each filter. For B, V, R, and I filters, the transformation to the SAAO standard system could be achieved with a straight line or a combination of two straight lines. However, in the case of the U filter and Fairchild 486 CCD combination, a significant non-linear correction term - related to the size of Balmer jump or the strength of the Balmer lines - of up to 0:08 mags was required. We found that our data matched well the SAAO photometry in V, B - V, V - I, and R - I. But in U - B, the difference in zero point was about 3.6 mmag and the scatter was about 0.02 mag. We attribute the relatively large scatter in U -B to the larger error in U of the SAAO photometry. We confirm the mostly small differences between the SAAO standard UBV RI system and the Landolt standard system. We also attempted to interpret the seasonal variation of the atmospheric extinction coefficients in the context of scattering sources in the earth's atmosphere.

Recovery of Palladium from a Mixture of Pt, Pd and Rh by Solvent Extraction

  • Kim, berly S. Svalstad;Kim, Nam-Soo;Kenneth N. Han
    • Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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    • 2001.10a
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    • pp.482-488
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    • 2001
  • Platinum group metals (pgm) are useful to many industries such as chemical, dental and medical, petroleum, refining, electrical and electronic, and automotive. Researchers at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and PGM Recovery Ltd. have developed jointly an environmentally sound and metallurgically efficient process for extracting these metals from secondary sources. Once these metals have been dissolved in the leach liquor, the individual metals mainly platinum, palladium, and rhodium, should be separated in order to recover the individual metals with high purity. During this investigation, solvent extraction has been chosen as the method used to achieve the separation and extraction of platinum, palladium, and rhodium from the leach liquor. There were three solutions used throughout this procedure: 1) Synthetic solution (200 ppm Pt 80 ppm Pd 20 ppm Rh; 300 ppm Pt, 180 ppm Pd 50 ppm Rh), and 2) Auto catalyst leach liquors (100 ppm Pt, 30 ppm Pd, 20 ppm Rh). The solvents investigated included Lix 84(2-hydroxy-5-nonylacetonphenone oxime in a mixture with 5-dodecylsalicyloxime), Lix 84-I, ACORGA CLX-50 (diester of pyridine 3,5 dicarboxylic acid), and di-hexyl sulfide. The extraction values achieved using ACORGA CLX-50, Lix 84, and Lix 84-I were respectively Pt (25%, 0% 0%), Pd (100%, 99.8%, 95.3%), and Rh (99.1%, 35.5%, 4.25%). The stripping processes for the Lix 84, and Lix 84-I were proven to be more involved than others. The solutions were required to be simultaneously heated and stirred. The percentages acquired through these processes yielded unsatisfactory results. The stripping procedure for the ACORGA CLX-50 was easier to execute, yet the percentage recovered from this process was also unsatisfactory. Overall the di-hexyl sulfide has proved to be the most successful organic for this procedure. The average percent extracted for palladium was excellent with 99.9% - 100% with very little Platinum and rhodium extracted. The ability of stripping palladium in ammonia solution was also found to be excellent.

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An Assessment of the Usage of the Lagos Mass Transit Trains

  • Oni, S.I.;Okanlawon, K.R.
    • International Journal of Railway
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    • v.5 no.1
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    • pp.29-37
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    • 2012
  • The rail sector, despite its potential for curtailing the present chaotic transport situation in Lagos, remains inefficient and underutilized. In spite of past initiatives and the current attempt by the Lagos State Government to provide a mass transit rail service in Lagos, the share of rail mode in the transport sector has not been encouraging and the railway plays an insignificant role in urban mass transit in Lagos at present. This paper sets out to assess the usage of the Lagos mass transit trains. Hence, the paper determines the passenger traffic flow along the rail route in Lagos and the number of passengers carried between 2000 and 2009 by the Lagos Mass Transit Trains (LMTT) with a view to assessing the usage of the present LMTT. This paper also discusses the historical development of Nigerian railway and describes rail transport in Lagos. Data were obtained through secondary sources coupled with review of literature. The result of this study shows that for a period of 10 years (2000-2009), Lagos mass transit trains carried a total of 9,870,101 passengers, which gives an average of 987,010 passengers annually. This suggests that the service of the Lagos mass transit train is grossly underutilized. However, LMTT contributes enormously to NRC by carrying 68.5% of the total passenger traffic of NRC between 2000 and 2009. In terms of passenger traffic flow along the route of LMTT, for a period of 1 year, Agbado station recorded the largest number of passengers (393,811), followed by Ijoko (163,652) and Iddo (120,787), while Iganmu station has the lowest number of rail commuters (16,919). This study also discloses that the major commodities hauled by Lagos district of NRC from Lagos to the northern parts of the country in 2007 are Cars, Cement, Billet and Wheat.