• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.331-337
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• 2009

Background: The whole-blood interferon-gamma release assay (QuantiFERON-TB Gold [QFT-G]: Cellestis, Carnegie, Victoria, Australia) has been studied primarily for the use of diagnosing active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) or latent TB. In the present study, the usefulness of QFT-G was evaluated for the diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EP-TB). Methods: From June 2006 to February 2009, we evaluated the usefulness of QFT-G in patients (n=65) suspected with EP-TB, retrospectively. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the QFT-G assay were analyzed. Results: EP-TB was diagnosed in 33 (51%) participants. The overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the QFT-G assay for EP-TB were 78%, 79%, 81%, and 77%, respectively. Of the 33 with EP-TB, 14 (42%) were diagnosed with TB pleurisy, 7 (21%) with TB lymphadenitis, 7 (21%) with intestinal TB, and 5 (15%) with EP-TB in other sites. In subgroup analyses according by site of infection, the QFT-G showed 86% sensitivity, 64% specificity, and 78% NPV in TB pleurisy. On the other hand, the sensitivity, specificity, and NPV of the assay were 71%, 83% and 71%, respectively in TB lymphadenitis, and 86%, 100% and 88%, respectively in intestinal TB. Among the patients with suspected alternative site EP-TB, the sensitivity, specificity, and NPV of the assay were 50%, 80% and 67%, respectively. Conclusion: The QFT-G assay showed moderate diagnostic accuracy in EP-TB. However, negative QFT-G assay does not exclude EP-TB because of the low NPV of this assay.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.78-86
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand what kinds of chemical substances have been used annually and to investigate incidents that occurred due to chemical hazard release and to analyze statistically clinically chemical injury patients who visited one regional emergency medical center in Gumi city with documented references review. Methods: Annual chemical waste emission quantity (Kg/Year) (Cwep) was reproduced using national web site data governed by the Ministry of Environment and 5 years (from 1 .Jan. 2010 to 31. Dec. 2014) of medical records of chemical injury patients who visited our emergency department were reviewed retrospectively. By applying exclusion criteria, 446 patients of 460 patients were selected. Results: Dichloromethane, Toluene, Trichloroethylene, and Xylene were always included within Top 5 of Cweq. Six cases of chemical incidents were reported and in 3 of 6 cases involving Hydrogen fluoride were included during the study period. Male gender and twenties were the most prevalent group. Injury evoking chemicals were Hydrogen fluoride, unknown, complex chemicals (over 2 substances) in sequence. The most frequent site of wounds and injuries was the respiratory tract. Gas among status, intoxication among diagnosis, and discharge among disposition was most numerous in each group. Conclusion: There have been no uniform clinical protocols for chemical wounds and injuries due to various kinds of chemicophysical properties and ignorance of antidotes. Therefore conduct of a multicenter cohort study and experiments for ruling out chemicals according to chemicophysical priority as well as development of antidotes and clinical protocols for chemical injury patients is needed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 2009

Purpose: First web space contracture of the hand has been treated with various surgical techniques such as Z - plasty, local flap, pedicled flap, distant free flap, and anterolateral thigh free flap. Among those surgical techniques, anterolateral thigh free flap provide a thin and pliable flap, which is a useful method for correction of first web space contracture. Methods: From August 2003 to September 2007, authors selected 9 patients who had first web space contracture with limitation of thumb abduction within 30 degrees. All of patients had received first web contracture release with anterolateral thigh free flap. Age ranged from 24 to 51, and all the patients were male. Average follow up period was 12 months and authors performed photographic analysis of the thumb abduction angle of postoperative increase. Result: All the flaps were survived. Donor site was closed with primary closure in 8 cases and covered with split - thickness skin graft in 1 case. Average flap size was $8{\times}9cm$ and average thickness was 0.6 cm in suprafascial flap. The procedure resulted in increased thumb abduction angle of $34.7^{\circ}$ in average and showed concave shape of first web space in suprafascial flap. Additional operations were performed with Z - plasty in 3 cases, local flap in 5 cases, and opponensplasty in 3 cases. Conclusion: In suprafascial flap, we obtained relatively thin flap thickness and were able to make natural concave shape of first web space. In releasing severe contracture of the first web space, anterolateral thigh free flap provided a good coverage of appropriate thickness and pliable soft tissue and allowed limited donor site morbidity.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.17-29
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• 2014

A remedial investigation was conducted at five military training ranges in northern Gyeonggi province to collect information necessary for the design of on-site treatment facilities for the abatement of explosive compounds release to the environment. These information includes (i) identification of dominant explosive compounds in each range, (ii) discharge/migration routes, and (iii) contaminant distribution in particle size fraction and settling velocity of the soils. The results of investigation showed that TNT and RDX are the major contaminants but the extent of contamination varied depending on the types of military training practices and topography of the site. RDX was also detected in the subsurface soil and in the nearby stream within the training ranges, suggesting release of contaminants to streams. The median concentrations of explosives in the surface soil were less than 20 mg/kg despite several 'hot spots' in which explosives concentrations often exceeds several hundred mg/kg. The average clay contents in the soil of target area was less than 5 % compared to 12 % in the control, indicating loss of smaller particles by surface runoff during rainfall due to lack of vegetative land cover. Analysis of explosive compounds and particle size distribution showed that the amount of explosive compounds in soil particles smaller than 0.075 mm was less than 10 % of the total. Settling column tests also revealed that the quantity of explosive compounds in the liquid phase of the effluent was greater than that in the solid phase. Therefore, pre-treatment of particulate matter in surface runoff of shooting range with a simple settling basin and subsequent effluent treatment with planted constructed wetlands as polishing stage for explosives in the aqueous phase would provide the shooting ranges with a self-standing, sustainable, green solution.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.337-351
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• 1996

Melatonin Is a multifunctional hormone secreted from the pineal gland in the middle of cerebrum and cerebellum. Its synthesis and release reflect photopedod;Photopedod is a yearly predictable ambient factor that most animals utilize as an environmental cue for maximum survival. Hamsters maintaln reproductive activity in summer during which day length exceeds night time. Upon the advent of autumnal equinox they undergo gonadal regression. The photoperiodic effects are prevented by removal of the pineal gland and restored by the timed repiacument of melatonin. The results suggest that melatonin constitutes part of control mechanism whereby environmental information is transduced to neuroendocrine signal responsIble for the functional integrity of the reproductive system. From the studies for the action site of melatonin following the treatment of photopedod or melatonin in the lesion of a spedflc portion of hypothalamus, suprachiasmatic nuclei and pars tuberalis are shown to be a consensus site for melatonIn. The action of melatonin. In the regulation of reproduction is largely unknown. It is mainly due to the lack of acute effect of melatonin on gonadotropin secretion. However, reduction of the gonadotropln release and augmentation of the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) content by long-term treatment of melatonln Indicate that constant presence of melatonln may partidpate in the regulation of sexual activity via the GnRH neuronal system. The action mechanism by which melatonin exerts Its effect on GnRH neuron needs to be eluddated. The inability of opiold analogues to affect the reproductive hormones in sexually regressed animals by inhibftory photopedod and melatonin suggests that the opioldergic neuron may be a prime intervening mediator. Recent cloning of melatonin receptor will contribute to investigate its anatomical Identification and the action mechanism of melatonin on target tissues at the molecular level.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2015

Siniperca scherzeri is major target species for restocking and restoration project as it is one of the economic species in South Korea. In this study, to investigate their ecological characteristics movement pattern and habitat characteristic of S. scherzeri were analyzed using radio telemetry. Three specimens released during spawning season, moved more than 10 km toward upstream from the release site. Whereas the remains released after spawning season, settled within 400 m of their release site except two specimens (Ss 11, 3.2 km; Ss, 15, 1.4 km). One of possible reason of upstream movement during spawning season is reproduction. The conditions of their settlement area is similar with reference conditions of their spawning ground. S. scherzeri were mainly detected near the edge of the water, and it may related with the facts that rocks are mainly located at the edge of the water and S. scherzeri prefers rocks for their shelter. AMD (Accumulated movement distance) positively related with body weight and condition factor K, but no significant relationship was identified with gender and total length. Daily movement boundary of S. scherzeri was $214.94m^2{\sim}3,257.19m^2$, and their movement was restricted near the edge of the water. The results of this study could be useful to restocking and restoration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.857-862
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• 2020

In March 2011, a tsunami off Japan caused radioactive material that had seeped into the sea from the Fukushima nuclear accident to flow to the Pacific Ocean, causing pollution to sea life. For a comparative evaluation with the area surrounding the site of a nuclear power plant by the release of radioactive materials, an area 20 to 30 km away from the emergency protection plan area was selected as a comparative point considering weather conditions, population distribution, etc. In addition, the government intends to analyze the minimum detection radiation received by residents around the nuclear power plant and evaluate the effective dose. Analysis of tritium radiation from water samples showed that most of the samples were not detected and that 0.0014 % to 0.777 % of the annual legal standard of 1 mSv for the general public had little effect on the human body. Therefore, the measurement and analysis of water samples around the nuclear power plant site is expected to help relieve anxiety, such as exposure to the general public and neighboring residents due to radiation release.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2024

The Rapid Hardening Composite Mat (RHCM) is a product that improves the initial strength development speed of conventional Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCM). It offers the advantage of quickly securing sufficient strength in railway slopes with insufficient formation level, and provides benefits such as preventing slope erosion and inhibiting vegetation growth. In this study, an analysis of the practical applicability of RHCM in railway settings was conducted through experimentation. The on-site applicability was assessed by categorizing it into fire resistance, durability, and stability, and conducting combustibility test, ground contact pressure test, and daily displacement analyses. In the case of South Korea, where a significant portion of the territory is composed of forested areas, the prevention of slope fires is imperative. To analyze the fire resistance of RHCM, combustibility tests were conducted as an essential measure. Durability was assessed through ground contact pressure tests to analyze the deformation and potential damage of RHCM caused by the inevitable use of small to medium-sized equipment on the construction surface. Furthermore, daily displacement analysis was conducted to evaluate the structural stability by comparing and analyzing the displacement and behavior occurring during the application of RHCM with railway slope maintenance criteria. As a result of the experiments, the RHCM was analyzed to meet the criteria for heat release rate and gas toxicity. Furthermore, the ground contact pressure was observed to be consistently above 50 kPa during the curing period of 4 to 24 hours under all conditions. Additionally, the daily displacement analyzed through field site experiments ranged from -1.7 mm to 1.01 mm, confirming compliance with the criteria.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.554-564
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to assist farmers in determining the optimal time for the shipment of stored apples by investigating the market trends, storage status and release dates of low-temperature stored apples. We surveyed 300 apple cultivation farms in Daegu, Gyeongbuk Province, which is the main producer of apples, and examined the cultivars, cultivation areas, storage conditions, and shipment status of apples. The main results are as follows: the proportion of apples cultivatedat different ripening times was surveyed. According to the results, the proportions of early, middle and late varieties were 78.3%, 63.7% and 96.0%, respectively. Also, 48.7% of the farm households surveyed had cold storage facilities. The average storage cost per apple box(15kg) was 978.3 won for self-storage and 1,771.8 won for consignment storage. For the six(6) months between November and April, the proportion of shipped apples was 91.6% of the total stored apples. The (average total?)annual apple shipment, including apples stored in general storage warehouses, was 744.4 boxes. The (average total?) annual shipment of cold storage apples was 616 boxes. The stored apples were mainly shipped to 'wholesale markets', which have the highest sales share, followed by 'production site collectors' and then 'supermarkets'. The most common shipping method of the apples was by general trucks, followed by low-temperature trucks, and finally by delivery services. The analysis of the factors influencing the decision to release apples by period showed that it was affected by the storage cost, loss rate, and customary shipping in the off-season(from May to August). On the other hand, in the general release season(from November to April), the statistically significant decision factors for the release of apples were the future expected price, storage cost and decision of the leading farmer groups. For farmers with a high share of general shipment, the deciding factors for the release of apples were the future expected price, storage cost, high income expectation, and decision by leading farmers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.563-572
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• 2006

In order to propose optimum in-situ treatment for reducing phosphorous release from sediment of stationary lakes, a series of column tests were performed. The sediment used in experiment was very fine clay with a mean grain site $7.7{\phi}$ and high $C_{org}$ contents(2.4%). Phosphorous releases were evaluated in two ways : in lake water(with microbial effect) and in distilled water(without microbial effect). As in-situ capping material, sand and loess were used while Fe-Gypsum and $SiO_2$-Gypsum were used for in-situ chemical treatment. In case of lake water considering the effect of microorganism, phosphorous concentration rapidly decreased in the early stage of experiment but it was gradually increased after 10 days. Flux of phosphorous release for control was $3.0mg/m^2{\cdot}d$. Whereas, those for sand layer capping(5 cm) and loess layer capping(5 cm) were $2.5mg/m^2{\cdot}d\;and\;1.8mg/m^2{\cdot}d$, respectively because the latter two were not consolidated sufficiently. For Fe-gypsum and $SiO_2$-gypsum the fluxes were $1.4mg/m^2{\cdot}d$ which meant that reduction efficiency of phosphorous release was more than 40% higher than that of control. The case capping with complex layer was $1.0mg/m^2{\cdot}d$, which showed high reduction efficiency over 60%. The addition of gypsum($CaSO_4{\cdot}2H_2O$) into the sediment reduced release of Phosphorus from the sediments. Gypsum acted as a slow-releasing source of sulphate in sediment, which enhanced the activity of SRB(sulfate reducing bacteria) and improved the overall mineralization rate of organic matter.