• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.876-888
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• 2021

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the diameter and volume of liver metastases on CT images in relation to overall survival and tumor response in patients with gastric cancer liver metastases (GCLM) treated with chemotherapy. Materials and Methods We recruited 43 patients with GCLM who underwent chemotherapy as a first-line treatment. We performed a three-dimensional quantification of the metastases for each patient. An independent survival analysis using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) was performed and compared to volumetric measurements. Overall survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using Cox proportional hazard ratios following univariate analyses. Results When patients were classified as responders or non-responders based on volumetric criteria, the median overall survival was 23.6 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 8.63-38.57] and 7.6 months (95% CI, 3.78-11.42), respectively (p = 0.039). The volumetric analysis and RECIST of the non-progressing and progressing groups showed similar results based on the Kaplan-Meier method (p = 0.006) and the Cox proportional hazard model (p = 0.008). Conclusion Volumetric assessment of liver metastases could be an alternative predictor of overall survival for patients with GCLM treated with chemotherapy.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.421-426
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• 2024

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) converts people's judgment criteria into objective numerical values using pairwise comparisons. However, the need for an excessive number of pairwise comparisons poses a problem. To mitigate this issue, most existing studies have utilized the process separation approach. The method of process separation devised in this study is a "separation and integration approach," where 1) the standard AHP process is used for evaluating judgment criteria, and 2) the Multi-Attributive Utility Technique (MAUT) is applied for comparing alternatives. This AHP-MAUT Hybrid model was applied to a real analysis case, specifically analyzing the transportation choices of commuters between Bundang and Gangnam Station in Gyeonggi Province. The results showed that the computational process was reduced by 42.03% when applying the Hybrid model compared to using the AHP model alone. Furthermore, the choice results of residents using the Hybrid model were compared with those using the standard AHP. The consistency between the two models' choices was 82.1%, indicating a significant level of consistency. In conclusion, this study contributes by presenting a simpler, more convenient, yet equally effective Hybrid model as a new decision-support system alternative to AHP.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.370-385
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• 2023

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (Cyano-HABs) are an international environmental problem that negatively affects the ecosystem as well as the safety of water resources by discharging cyanotoxins. In particular, the discharge of microcystins (MCs), a highly toxic substance, has been studied most actively, and various water treatment methods have been proposed for this purpose. In this paper, we reviewed adsorption technology, which is recognized as the most feasible, economical, and efficient method among suggested treatment methods for removing MCs. Activated carbons (AC) are widely used adsorbents for MCs removal, and excellent MCs adsorption performance has been reported. Research on alternative adsorption materials for AC such as biochar and biosorbents has been conducted, however, their performance was lower compared to activated carbon. The impacts of adsorbent properties(characteristics of pore surface chemistry) and environmental factors (solution pH, temperature, natural organic matter, and ionic strength) on the MCs adsorption performance were also discussed. In addition, toward effective control of MCs, the possibility of the direct removal of harmful cyanobacteria as well as the removal of dissolved MCs using adsorption strategy was examined. However, to fully utilize the adsorption for the removal of MCs, the application and optimization under actual environmental conditions are still required, thereby meeting the environmental and economic standards. From this study, crucial insights could be provided for the development and selection of effective adsorbent and subsequent adsorption processes for the removal of MCs from water resources.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.77-85
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• 2010

Pig slurry has been considered as environmental waste to be treated in an appropriate manner. Recently, there has been the movement toward reusing the pig slurry as an alternative fertilizer sources for agricultural lands. For instance, SCB(Slurry Composting & Biofiltration) liquid fertilizer has been developed and widely used in Korea. However, the impacts of swine slurry liquid fertilizers on both agricultural environment and crop yield have not been investigated yet. Therefore, the current study was conducted to accumulate the basic data which can be subsequently used to determine appropriate application amount of swine slurry liquid fertilizers (SCB liquid fertilizer and storage liquid fertilizer) as well as the application method for each liquid fertilizer. For this, growth of rice was cultivated under the treatment of SCB liquid fertilizer, storage liquid fertilizer, and chemical fertilizer. Also, control treatment (no fertilizer) was included for comparison and all treatments were conducted in five replication. Rice growth was good with the treatment in the order of chemical fertilizer>storage liquid fertilizer>SCB liquid fertilizer>control and likewise, the yield amount of rice straw was in the same order of rice growth. The rice yield amount appeared to be no difference among the treatment except control which showed the least yield amount. Also there was no difference in nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in rice among the treatment except control which showed the least concentration.

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.303-308
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• 2021

Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of nosocomial infections and is one of the most commonly isolated bacterial species in the hospital and continues to be an important pathogens in both community and hospital-acquires infection. The purpose of this study is to investigate the carrier rate of S. aureus and MRSA in the community and molecular genetic characteristics of these organisms. The identification of S. aureus and MRSA were done by the procedures in Murray's manual of Clinical Microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility patterns by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI). MRSA strains were confirms by oxacillin disk diffusion method. forty-six strains (71.9%) of S. aureus were isolated from the nasal specimens of 64 students in health science university. twenty-two strains (22%) of 46 S. aureus were resistant to penicillin and oxacillin. twenty-two strains of the 46 S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The mecA genes in MRSA were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Community and nosocomial infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are a significant problem worldwide. There continuous epidemiological study is to investigate the prevalence of MRSA in community acquired infections.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.228-235
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• 2024

Using transcranial doppler ultrasonography (TCD) to measure the presence or absence of abnormalities in patent foramen ovale (PFO) is more effective than transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) because it is simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive. Thus, it can be a good alternative test in cases where it is difficult to perform TEE or in groups at a high risk of complications. Therefore, in this study, we sought to assist in arriving at a diagnosis by suggesting an appropriate method through the comparison of empirical results according to the presence or absence of blood use and varying patient posture. The results were compared depending on the patient's posture and whether blood was used. Patients in whom both middle cerebral arteries were observed were targeted. In cases where the temporal window was defective, it was replaced with basilar artery and compared. There were higher positivity rate and accuracy for sitting position using valsalva maneuver (VM) than for Resting and supine position using VM. Therefore, if it is possible to perform a sitting position using VM with a mixture of blood, it would be a good idea to perform it.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.176-184
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• 2014

In this study, we compared dose distributions from simultaneously integrated boost (SIB) method versus the RTOG 0631 protocol for spine radiosurgery. Spine radiosurgery plans were performed in five patients with localized spinal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma. The computed tomography (CT) and T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were fused for delineating of GTV and spinal cord. In SIB plan, the clinical target volume (CTV1) was included the whole compartments of the involved spine, while RTOG 0631 protocol defines the CTV2 as the involved vertebral body and both left and right pedicles. The CTV2 includes transverse process and posterior element according to the extent of GTV. The doses were prescribed 18 Gy to GTV and 10 Gy to CTV1 in SIB plan, while the prescription of RTOG 0631 protocol was applied 18 Gy to CTV2. The results of dose-volume histogram (DVH) showed that there were competitive in target coverage, while the doses of spinal cord and other normal organs were lower in SIB method than in RTOG 0631 protocol. The 85% irradiated volume of VB in RTOG 0631 protocol was similar to that in the SIB plan. However, the dose to normal organs in RTOG 0631 had a tendency to higher than that in SIB plan. The SIB plan might be an alternative method in case of predictive serious complications of surrounded normal organs. In conclusion, although both approaches of SIB or RTOG 0631 showed competitive planning results, tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) through diverse clinical researches should be analyzed in the future.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1-19
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• 2007

1. Purpose Rural tourism is made by individuals with different characteristics, needs and wants. It is important to have information on the characteristics and preferences of the consumers of the different types of existing rural accommodation. The stud aims to identify the determinants of consumer preference by type of accommodations. 2. Methodology 2.1 Sample Data were collected from 1000 people by telephone survey with three-stage stratified random sampling in seven metropolitan areas in Korea. Respondents were chosen by sampling internal on telephone book published in 2006. We surveyed from four to ten-thirty 0'clock afternoon so as to systematic sampling considering respondents' life cycle. 2.2 Two-step cluster Analysis Our study is accomplished through the use of a two-step cluster method to classify the accommodation in a reduced number of groups, so that each group constitutes a type. This method had been suggested as appropriate in clustering large data sets with mixed attributes. The method is based on a distance measure that enables data with both continuous and categorical attributes to be clustered. This is derived from a probabilistic model in which the distance between two clusters in equivalent to the decrease in log-likelihood function as a result of merging. 2.3 Multinomial Logit Analysis The estimation of a Multionmial Logit model determines the characteristics of tourist who is most likely to opt for each type of accommodation. The Multinomial Logit model constitutes an appropriate framework to explore and explain choice process where the choice set consists of more than two alternatives. Due to its ease and quick estimation of parameters, the Multinomial Logit model has been used for many empirical studies of choice in tourism. 3. Findings The auto-clustering algorithm indicated that a five-cluster solution was the best model, because it minimized the BIC value and the change in them between adjacent numbers of clusters. The accommodation establishments can be classified into five types: Traditional House, Typical Farmhouse, Farmstay house for group Tour, Log Cabin for Family, and Log Cabin for Individuals. Group 1 (Traditional House) includes mainly the large accommodation establishments, i.e. those with ondoll style room providing meals and one shower room on family tourist, of original construction style house. Group 2 (Typical Farmhouse) encompasses accommodation establishments of Ondoll rooms and each bathroom providing meals. It includes, in other words, the tourist accommodations Known as "rural houses." Group 3 (Farmstay House for Group) has accommodation establishments of Ondoll rooms not providing meals and self cooking facilities, large room size over five persons. Group 4 (Log Cabin for Family) includes mainly the popular accommodation establishments, i.e. those with Ondoll style room with on shower room on family tourist, of western styled log house. While the accommodations in this group are not defined as regards type of construction, the group does include all the original Korean style construction, Finally, group 5 (Log Cabin for Individuals)includes those accommodations that are bedroom western styled wooden house with each bathroom. First Multinomial Logit model is estimated including all the explicative variables considered and taking accommodation group 2 as base alternative. The results show that the variables and the estimated values of the parameters for the model giving the probability of each of the five different types of accommodation available in rural tourism village in Korea, according to the socio-economic and trip related characteristics of the individuals. An initial observation of the analysis reveals that none of variables income, the number of journey, distance, and residential style of house is explicative in the choice of rural accommodation. The age and accompany variables are significant for accommodation establishment of group 1. The education and rural residential experience variables are significant for accommodation establishment of groups 4 and 5. The expenditure and marital status variables are significant for accommodation establishment of group 4. The gender and occupation variable are significant for accommodation establishment of group 3. The loyalty variable is significant for accommodation establishment of groups 3 and 4. The study indicates that significant differences exist among the individuals who choose each type of accommodation at a destination. From this investigation is evident that several profiles of tourists can be attracted by a rural destination according to the types of existing accommodations at this destination. Besides, the tourist profiles may be used as the basis for investment policy and promotion for each type of accommodation, making use in each case of the variables that indicate a greater likelihood of influencing the tourist choice of accommodation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.427-436
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• 2004

The current study was conducted to determine the effect of suspension method on satisfaction level of Korean consumers and objective meat quality traits in Hanwoo longissimus dorsi(LD), triceps brachii(TB) and semimembranosus(SM) muscles. Eighteen Hanwoo steers were slaughtered and alternative sides were hung either by pelvic bone(TS) or Achilles tendon(Al). Sensory characteristics, WB-shear force, sarcomere length, water-holding capacity, saroomere length and cooking loss were determined after a 7-d chiller ageing. Higher carcass quality grade received significantly(p < 0.05) greater eating quality for LD, but the grade did not affect eating quality for both TB and SM. TS did not influence objective and subjective meat quality for TB, but that significantly(P < 0.05) improved eating quality for LD and SM. The most noticeable result was that when SM was tenderstretehed, eating quality was equivalent to that of nonna1ly hung LD. In relationship between objective and subjective meat quality assessments, eating qualty for LD had a significant(P < 0.05) relationship with intramuscular fat content, while that for SM was greatly(P < 0.05) related to saroomere length. The current study indicated that pelvic hanging was an effective way to improve eating quality both LD and SM, and carcass quality grades did not greatly reflect eating quality of SM and TB. The data also implied that instnunental measurements poorly estimated the satisfaction level of Korean conswners.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.59-66
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• 2020

Recently, cultivation and management technologies have been needed to adapt due to climate change, which is causing abnormal weather conditions. One technique is to increase the utilization of evergreen broad-leaved species with high ornamental value. A total of five treatments were installed (1m×22.5m), including 60g/㎡ and 80g/㎡ using two types mulching material with an overlapping and hole-drilling mulching method and these were compared to un-mulching treatment a total of planted 92㎡ attheWol-aTestSiteForestattheForestforBiomaterialsResearchCenterinJinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-dofor 10monthsusing3-years-oldQuercusglaucaThunb. In comparison with the control site, the 60g/㎡ overlapping method was about 1.9 times higher than the root collar diameter, but there was no statistical significance between the treatments. Healthy seedlings were found to meet these conditions due to high biomass values and below and T/R ratios of 3.0 or lower and H/D ratios of 7.0 or lower. Comparing the values of LWR, SWR, and RWR, which can be evaluated for seedling due to the mulching treatments, as compared to the control, the growth of the ground areas including leaves and stems was enhanced, but the growth of the underground areas containing roots tended to have high control values. Based on this, the SQI value, which can be evaluated for the comprehensive quality of seedlings, was found to be significantly different between the control site and the mulching treatment sites, confirming that the growth and growth improvement effects were achieved with mulching treatments. The chlorophyll content analysis showed that there was a significant difference from the control site, and it was judged that weed generation in the control acted as an environmental stress, causing a decrease in chlorophyll content. It was found that the overlapping 80g/㎡ of polypropylene mulching material generated about 4 times fewer weeds than the control, and the manpower required for the mulching test field and weeding were equal at 3.3 people/100㎡/1 day. Mulching treatments have demonstrated a significant difference in the promotion of growth and quality of the seedlings and are judged as an alternative that can reduce the economic burden incurred by the purchase of the supplies and the manpower required to weed forestry plantations.