• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.725-734
• /
• 2021

Objective: To intraindividually compare hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) washout between MRIs using hepatobiliary agent (HBA) and extracellular agent (ECA). Materials and Methods: This study included 114 prospectively enrolled patients with chronic liver disease (mean age, 55 ± 9 years; 94 men) who underwent both HBA-MRI and ECA-MRI before surgical resection for HCC between November 2016 and May 2019. For 114 HCCs, the lesion-to-liver visual signal intensity ratio (SIR) using a 5-point scale (-2 to +2) was evaluated in each phase. Washout was defined as negative visual SIR with temporal reduction of visual SIR from the arterial phase. Illusional washout (IW) was defined as a visual SIR of 0 with an enhancing capsule. The frequency of washout and MRI sensitivity for HCC using LR-5 or its modifications were compared between HBA-MRI and ECA-MRI. Subgroup analysis was performed according to lesion size (< 20 mm or ≥ 20 mm). Results: The frequency of portal venous phase (PP) washout with HBA-MRI was comparable to that of delayed phase (DP) washout with ECA-MRI (77.2% [88/114] vs. 68.4% [78/114]; p = 0.134). The frequencies were also comparable when IW was allowed (79.8% [91/114] for HBA-MRI vs. 81.6% [93/114] for ECA-MRI; p = 0.845). The sensitivities for HCC of LR-5 (using PP or DP washout) were comparable between HBA-MRI and ECA-MRI (78.1% [89/114] vs. 73.7% [84/114]; p = 0.458). In HCCs < 20 mm, the sensitivity of LR-5 was higher on HBA-MRI than on ECA-MRI (70.8% [34/48] vs. 50.0% [24/48]; p = 0.034). The sensitivity was similar to each other if IW was added to LR-5 (72.9% [35/48] for HBA-MRI vs. 70.8% [34/48] for ECA-MRI; p > 0.999). Conclusion: Extracellular phase washout for HCC diagnosis was comparable between MRIs with both contrast agents, except for tumors < 20 mm. Adding IW could improve the sensitivity for HCC on ECA-MRI in tumors < 20 mm.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.62 no.1
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2024

In this study, a carbon coated hollow silicon (HSi/C) composite material was prepared for anode material of high-capacity lithiun-ion battery. Hollow silica (HSiO₂) was synthesized by the Stöber method with CTAB (N-Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide). The HSi/C anode composite was manufactured by carbon coating after magnesiothermic reduction of HSiO₂. The physical and electrochemical characteristics of the prepared anode materials were investigated based on CTAB amount. In the FE-SEM analysis, it was found that the HSiO₂ particle size increased as CTAB amount decreased, but shell thickness decreased. The HSi/C composites exhibited high initial discharge capacities of 1866.7, 2164.5 and 2188.6 mAh/g with various CTAB ratios (0.5, 1.0, 1.5), respectively. After 100 cycles of charge-discharge, 0.5-HSi/C demonstrated a high reversible capacity of 1171.3 mAh/g and a capacity retention of 70.9%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to analyze the impedance characteristics, and it revealed that 0.5-HSi/C showed more stable resistance characteristics than HSi/C composites with other CTAB amount over 20 cycles.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Construction Safety
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.12-18
• /
• 2024

High-rise, large-scale, and diversification of buildings are possible, and the reduction of concrete cross-sections reduces the weight of the structure, thereby increasing or decreasing the height of the floor, securing a large number of floors at the same height, securing a large effective space, and reducing the amount of materials, rebar, and concrete used for designating the foundation floor. In terms of site construction and quality, a low water binder ratio can reduce the occurrence of dry shrinkage and minimize bleeding on the concrete surface. It has the advantage of securing self-fulfilling properties by improving fluidity by using high-performance sensitizers, making it easier to construct the site, and shortening the mold removal period by expressing early strength of concrete. In particular, with the rapid development of concrete-related construction technology in recent years, the application of ultra-high-strength concrete with a design standard strength of 100 MPa or higher is expanding in high-rise buildings. However, although high-rise buildings with more than 120 stories have recently been ordered or scheduled in Korea, the research results of developing ultra-high-strength concrete with more than 130 MPa class considering field applicability and testing and evaluating the actual applicability in the field are insufficient. In this study, in order to confirm the applicability of ultra-high-strength concrete in the field, a preliminary experiment for the member of a reduced simulation was conducted to find the optimal mixing ratio studied through various indoor basic experiments. After that, 130 MPa-class ultra-high-strength concrete was produced in a ready-mixed concrete factory in a mock member similar to the life size, and the flow characteristics, strength characteristics, and hydration heat of concrete were experimentally studied through on-site pump pressing.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.191-203
• /
• 2024

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated medical service model for a fibromyalgia patient and their caregiver, focusing on reducing pain and improving quality of life. Methods: A single-case study design was employed, involving a fibromyalgia patient and their primary caregiver treated at W University Hospital. The integrated medical service program, based on the Ministry of Health and Welfare's model, included medical consultations and complementary therapies such as psychological counseling, art therapy, music therapy, horticultural therapy, yoga, and meditation. The program was conducted weekly for 8 weeks, with each session lasting up to 100 minutes. Data collection involved both quantitative and qualitative assessments. Quantitative data included demographic surveys, psychological tests, health-related quality of life measures, pain indices, and sleep quality indices. Qualitative data were gathered through feedback evaluations and emotional assessments. Results: The patient showed improvements in mobility, self-care, daily activities, and anxiety/depression, with EQ-VAS scores increasing from 20 to 40 and pain perception decreasing from 67.41 to 42.58. The caregiver reported reduced anxiety/depression and an increase in EQ-VAS scores from 95 to 98. Both patient and caregiver exhibited emotional changes, with decreased depression and increased happiness. However, the patient showed an increase in fear and anger. Conclusions: The integrated medical service model positively impacted the emotional and psychological well-being of the fibromyalgia patient and their caregiver. Despite the limitations of a small sample size and a single-case study design, the findings suggest that an integrated approach can be beneficial. Larger-scale studies are needed to confirm and generalize these results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.81 no.2
• /
• pp.428-435
• /
• 2020

Herein, we report a case of synchronous bilateral triple negative invasive ductal breast carcinoma in a patient with discrepant pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Right and left breast cancer stages at the initial diagnosis were T1cN0M0 and T4dN3aM0, respectively. The patient was identified as a BRCA1 mutation carrier and treated with four cycles of adriamycin and cyclophosphamide, followed by four cycles of docetaxel. Bilateral breast cancer stages decreased with the first regimen. However, the bilateral breast cancers showed discrepant responses to chemotherapy with docetaxel. The right breast cancer showed a continuous tumor volume reduction while the left breast cancer showed marked progression. Finally, the tumor size was 0.3 cm and 12 cm in the right and left mastectomy specimens, respectively. As bilateral breast cancers of the same subtype may show discrepant responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, close monitoring and follow-up imaging are required to avoid delayed surgery.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.90 no.6
• /
• pp.611-633
• /
• 2024

This study intends to investigate the response of multi-cell (MC) beams to flexural loads in which the primary reinforcement is composed of both metallic and non-metallic materials. "Multi-cell" describes beam sections with multiple longitudinal voids separated by thin webs. Seven reinforced concrete MC beams measuring 300×200×1800 mm were tested under flexural loadings until failure. Two series of beams are formed, depending on the type of main reinforcement that is being used. A control RC beam with no openings and six MC beams are found in these two series. Series one and two are reinforced with metallic and non-metallic main reinforcement, respectively, in order to maintain a constant reinforcement ratio. The first crack, ultimate load, deflection, ductility index, energy absorption, strain characteristics, crack pattern, and failure mode were among the structural parameters of the beams under investigation that were documented. The primary variables that vary are the kind of reinforcing materials that are utilized, as well as the kind and quantity of mesh layers. The outcomes of this study that looked at the experimental and numerical performance of ferrocement reinforced concrete MC beams are presented in this article. Nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was performed with ANSYS-16.0 software to demonstrate the behavior of composite MC beams with holes. A parametric study is also carried out to investigate the factors, such as opening size, that can most strongly affect the mechanical behavior of the suggested model. The experimental and numerical results obtained demonstrate that the FE simulations generated an acceptable degree of experimental value estimation. It's also important to demonstrate that, when compared to the control beam, the MC beam reinforced with geogrid mesh (MCGB) decreases its strength capacity by a maximum of 73.33%. In contrast, the minimum strength reduction value of 16.71% is observed in the MC beams reinforced with carbon reinforcing bars (MCCR). The findings of the experiments on MC beams with openings demonstrate that the presence of openings has a significant impact on the behavior of the beams, as there is a decrease in both the ultimate load and maximum deflection.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.117-132
• /
• 2023

With the recent spread of COVID-19, the size of the online shopping market continues to increase, and various online platforms are appearing in the market, and many small and medium businesses are entering the platform. As the recent increase in the use of the platform by small andmedium businesses as raised the issue of appropriate platform fees, the need for social discussions on the use of the platform and fees is raised. Currently, most discussions regarding fees primarily focus on specific cases from a negative perspective, and discussions that comprehensively consider the platform's utilization value and fees are insufficient. Therefore, this study aims to systematically and comprehensively understand platform fees by considering the value of using platform services and commission costs together. To achieve this, the economic value of each platform service was estimated and analyzed in detail. It selected two industries that are actively using online platforms, delivery services and e-commerce, and paid attention to changes in expected profits generated by sellers using platform services, and compared and analyzed expected profits based on estimated sales and costs for each scenario, such as whether sellers entered the platform and whether they used the service. As a result of the study, our results that entering the platform and using the platform service enable sales increase and cost reduction, which have a positive effect on the seller's expected profit. Through this study, we intend to understand platform fees from the perspective of user fees for platform service use and value acquisition, and based on this, estimate the economic value of platform services and fees to expand the value and cost of using platform services to a comprehensive and systematic discussion.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2024

The direct and indirect damages caused by fires in underground utility tunnels have a great impact on society as a whole, so efforts are needed to prevent and manage them in advance. To this end, research is ongoing to prevent disasters such as fire flooding by applying digital twin technology to underground utility tunnels. A network is required to transmit the sensed signals from each sensor to the platform. In essence, it is necessary to analyze the application of wireless networks in the underground utility tunnel environments because the tunnel lacks the reception range of external wireless communication systems. Within the underground utility tunnels, electromagnetic interference caused by transmission and distribution cables, and diffuse reflection of signals from internal structures, obstacles, and metallic pipes such as water pipes can cause distortion or size reduction of wireless signals. To ensure real-time connectivity for remote surveillance and monitoring tasks through sensing, it is necessary to measure and analyze the wireless coverage in underground utility tunnels. Therefore, in order to build a wireless network environment in the underground utility tunnels. this study minimized the shaded area and measured the actual cavity environment so that there is no problem in connecting to the wireless environment inside the underground utility tunnels. We analyzed the data transmission rate, signal strength, and signal-to-noise ratio for each section of the terrain of the underground utility tunnels. The obtained results provide an appropriate wireless planning approach for installing wireless networks in underground utility tunnels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.43-52
• /
• 2024

Purpose: Cancer is the leading cause of death in Koreans, with breast cancer being the most common among women. Breast cancer readily metastasizes, and the existing treatment processes impose a significant burden on patients. This study examined whether pomegranate-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PNVs) have anti-cancer effects by inhibiting cell infiltration and metastasis while increasing apoptosis on breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Methods: Initially, exosome-like nanovesicles were isolated from pomegranate using ultracentrifugation. Subsequently, the size range of these nanovesicles was confirmed using nanoparticle tracking analysis. The ability of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells to internalize these natural nanovesicles was assessed with flourescence microscope. The anti-cancer effects of the PNVs were confirmed by applying various concentrations of PNVs (10, 50, 100 ㎍/mL) to MDA-MB-231 cells and systematically assessing their impact on cell viability and migration. Results: The round shape of the lipid bilayer in the PNVs was confirmed, providing crucial insights into their structural properties. We demonstrate that PNVs-associated DiD dye can be efficiently internalized by the MDA-MB-231 cells. The data showed that the PNVs inhibited cell viability, invasion rates, and migration in MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, PNVs were absorbed into the MDA-MB-231 cells, leading to an increased expression of apoptosis proteins, such as cleaved caspase-3 and phosphorus-JNK, in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, a reduction in cell infiltration and decreased expression of the transition markers MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins were observed. Conclusion: For the first time, this study suggests that PNVs may be useful in the prevention or treatment of breast cancer by inhibiting the infiltration and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells and inducing apoptosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.27-42
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study examined whether regular moderate-intensity treadmill exercise (Ex) and Syzygium aromaticum L. (SA) administration can influence lipid and muscle metabolism in obese rats induced by a 60% high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: Rats, except those in the Normal group, were exposed to a 60% HFD for 4 weeks to induce obesity. The obese rats were assigned randomly to three groups: HFD control group, HFD+Ex group, and HFD+Ex+SA group. Treadmill exercise was conducted five times a week for 4 weeks, with a 5° incline and a speed of 18 m/min (Week 1: 20 minutes; Weeks 2: 25 minutes; Weeks 3-4: 30 minutes). Serum analysis was performed. Western blot analysis was conducted on the liver and soleus muscle, and histopathological analysis was carried out on the liver and adipose tissues. Results: The body weight change in the Ex groups was significantly lower than in the HFD control group, while the soleus muscle weight in the HFD+Ex group increased significantly. The histopathological examination in the Ex groups revealed a marked reduction in liver lipid accumulation and a decrease in adipocyte size in adipose tissue. Obesity induction increased leptin levels substantially, but Ex notably reversed these changes. Ex resulted in significant inhibition of ROS and ONOO^-, whereas the serum inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, and total cholesterol were reduced only by SA administration. Furthermore, the inflammatory proteins in the liver were inhibited more effectively when Ex was supplemented with SA. The expression of the muscle synthesis-related proteins and degradation proteins were modulated by Ex and Ex+SA. Conclusion: Ex significantly affected lipid and muscle metabolism, and adding SA alleviated the inflammation.