• Title/Summary/Keyword: alternative sensitivity

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A Study of Optimal-CSOs by Continuous Rainfall/Runoff Simulation Techniques (연속 강우-유출 모의기법을 이용한 최적 CSOs 산정에 관한 연구)

  • Jo, Deok Jun;Kim, Myoung Su;Lee, Jung Ho;Kim, Joong Hoon
    • Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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    • v.22 no.6
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    • pp.1068-1074
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    • 2006
  • For receiving water quality protection a control systems of urban drainage for CSOs reduction is needed. Examples in combined sewer systems include downstream storage facilities that detain runoff during periods of high flow and allow the detained water to be conveyed by an interceptor sewer to a centralized treatment plant during periods of low flow. The design of such facilities as storm-water detention storage is highly dependant on the temporal variability of storage capacity available as well as the infiltration capacity of soil and recovery of depression storage. For the continuous long-term analysis of urban drainage system this study used analytical probabilistic model based on derived probability distribution theory. As an alternative to the modeling of urban drainage system for planning or screening level analysis of runoff control alternatives, this model has evolved that offers much ease and flexibility in terms of computation while considering long-term meteorology. This study presented rainfall and runoff characteristics of the subject area using analytical probabilistic model. Runoff characteristics manifested the unique characteristics of the subject area with the infiltration capacity of soil and recovery of depression storage and was examined appropriately by sensitivity analysis. This study presented the average annual CSOs, number of CSOs and event mean CSOs for the decision of storage volume.

Comparison of Detection Sensitivity for Human Papillomavirus between Self-collected Vaginal Swabs and Physician-collected Cervical Swabs by Electrochemical DNA Chip

  • Nilyanimit, Pornjarim;Wanlapakorn, Nasamon;Niruthisard, Somchai;Takahashi, Masayoshi;Vongpunsawad, Sompong;Poovorawan, Yong
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.24
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    • pp.10809-10812
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    • 2015
  • Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing is an effective method to screen for precancerous changes in the cervix. Samples from self-collection rather than Pap smear can potentially be used to test for HPV as they are more acceptable and preferred for use in certain settings. The objective of this study was to compare HPV DNA testing from self-collected vaginal swabs and physician-collected cervical swabs. Materials and Methods: A total of 101 self-collected vaginal and physician-collected cervical swabs of known cytology from Thai women were tested by electrochemical DNA chip assay. The specimens were divided into 4 groups: 29 with normal cytology, 14 with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 48 with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), and 10 with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Results: Positive detection rates of HPV from self-collected swabs were similar to those from physician-collected swabs. Among specimens with abnormal cytology, HPV was found in 50% of self-collected swabs and 47.2% of physician-collected swabs. In specimens with normal cytology, 17.2% of self-collected swabs and 24.1% of physician-collected swabs were positive for HPV. Concordance was relatively high between results from self-collected and physician-collected samples. The most common HPV genotype detected was HPV 51. Conclusions: HPV DNA testing using self-collected swabs is a feasible alternative to encourage and increase screening for cervical cancer in a population who might otherwise avoid this important preventive examination due to embarrassment, discomfort, and anxiety.

Sensitivity Test of the Parameterization Methods of Cloud Droplet Activation Process in Model Simulation of Cloud Formation (구름방울 활성화 과정 모수화 방법에 따른 구름 형성의 민감도 실험)

  • Kim, Ah-Hyun;Yum, Seong Soo;Chang, Dong Yeong
    • Atmosphere
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.211-222
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    • 2018
  • Cloud droplet activation process is well described by $K{\ddot{o}}hler$ theory and several parameterizations based on $K{\ddot{o}}hler$ theory are used in a wide range of models to represent this process. Here, we test the two different method of calculating the solute effect in the $K{\ddot{o}}hler$ equation, i.e., osmotic coefficient method (OSM) and ${\kappa}-K{\ddot{o}}hler$ method (KK). To do that, each method is implemented in the cloud droplet activation parameterization module of WRF-CHEM (Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry) model. It is assumed that aerosols are composed of five major components (i.e., sulfate, organic matter, black carbon, mineral dust, and sea salt). Both methods calculate similar representative hygroscopicity parameter values of 0.2~0.3 over the land, and 0.6~0.7 over the ocean, which are close to estimated values in previous studies. Simulated precipitation, and meteorological variables (i.e., specific heat and temperature) show good agreement with reanalysis. Spatial patterns of precipitation and liquid water path from model results and satellite data show similarity in general, but on regional scale spatial patterns and intensity show some discrepancy. However, meteorological variables, precipitation, and liquid water path do not show significant differences between OSM and KK simulations. So we suggest that the relatively simple KK method can be a good alternative to the OSM method that requires various information of density, molecular weight and dissociation number of each individual species in calculating the solute effect.

Path Planing for a Moving Robot using Ultra Sonic Sensors (초음파 센서를 이용한 이동로봇의 경로 계획)

  • Cha, Kyung-Hwan;Shin, Hyun-Shil;Hwang, Gi-Hyun
    • Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.78-83
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    • 2007
  • Robot collects surrounding information to recognize tile unknown environment by using various sensors such as visual, infrared ray and ultra sonic sensors. Although visual sensor is the most popular one, it has some difficulties in collecting data in dark or too bright environment due to sensitivity of the light. It also requests significant amount of calculation on collecting data from certain images with marked, straight and curved ones. As an alternative, ultra sonic sensor can simply overcome this visual sensing system's flaw and easily be used. It is easier than visual system, especially in case of collecting data on object and distance in dark environment. Ultra sonic sensor can replace the expensive visual sensing system not only in avoiding obstacles but also in reaching to the target area smoothly. The purpose of this paper is to develop the algorithm to optimize the environmental recognition, path planning and free-ranging by minimizing errors caused by inaccurate information and by considering characteristics of the ultra sonic rays such as refraction and diffusion. This paper also realizes the system that can recognize the environment and make the appropriate path planning by applying the algorithm on this moving robot.

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Resolving a velocity inversion at the geotechnical scale using the microtremor (passive seismic) survey method

  • Roberts James C.;Asten Michael W.
    • Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.14-18
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    • 2004
  • High levels of ambient noise and safety factors often limit the use of 'active-source' seismic methods for geotechnical investigations in urban environments. As an alternative, shear-wave velocity-depth profiles can be obtained by treating the background microtremor wave field as a stochastic process, rather than adopting the traditional approach of calculating velocity based on ray path geometry from a known source. A recent field test in Melbourne demonstrates the ability of the microtremor method, using only Rayleigh waves, to resolve a velocity inversion resulting from the presence of a hard, 12 m thick basalt flow overlying 25 m of softer alluvial sediments and weathered mudstone. Normally the presence of the weaker underlying sediments would lead to an ambiguous or incorrect interpretation with conventional seismic refraction methods. However, this layer of sediments is resolved by the microtremor method, and its inclusion is required in one-dimensional layered-earth modelling in order to reproduce the Rayleigh-wave coherency spectra computed from observed seismic noise records. Nearby borehole data provided both a guide for interpretation and a confirmation of the usefulness of the passive Rayleigh-wave microtremor method. Sensitivity analyses of resolvable modelling parameters demonstrate that estimates of shear velocities and layer thicknesses are accurate to within approximately $10\%\;to\;20\%$ using the spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) technique. Improved accuracy can be obtained by constraining shear velocities and/or layer thicknesses using independent site knowledge. Although there exists potential for ambiguity due to velocity-thickness equivalence, the microtremor method has significant potential as a site investigation tool in situations where the use of traditional seismic methods is limited.

Improvement of indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of Japanese encephalitis virus antibodies in swine sera

  • Yang, Dong-Kun;Kim, Ha-Hyun;Jo, Hyun-Ye;Lee, Seung Heon;Jang, Sang-Ho;Lee, Sang-Oh;Choi, Sung-Suk;Cho, In-Soo
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.57 no.1
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    • pp.31-36
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    • 2017
  • Japanese encephalitis (JE) is an important zoonosis caused by the mosquito-transmitted JE virus (JEV), which is a causative agent of reproductive failure in pregnant sows. Detection of JEV antibodies in swine is performed by hemagglutination inhibition (HI), virus neutralization (VN), and the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). The most stringent PRNT is the 90% endpoint PRNT ($PRNT_{90}$). These conventional assays are difficult to carry out in diagnostic laboratories with insufficient instruments or cell culture systems. An alternative assay that is easily conducted and time efficient is required. In this study, we improved the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) with clarified antigen for the detection of JEV antibodies. The I-ELISA results obtained from 175 swine serum samples were compared with HI, VN, and $PRNT_{90}$ results. The sensitivity of I-ELISA was 91.8%, 95.0%, and 94.7% compared with HI, VN, and $PRNT_{90}$ results, respectively. The specificity of I-ELISA was 92.2%, 94.7%, and 94.7% compared with HI, VN, and $PRNT_{90}$ results, respectively. Moreover, the I-ELISA results were significantly correlated with the HI (r = 0.93), VN (r = 0.95), and $PRNT_{90}$ (r = 0.92) results. These results suggest that the improved I-ELISA is useful for serosurveillance of JEV in swine.

X-Ray, UV and Optical Observations of Classical Cepheids: New Insights into Cepheid Evolution, and the Heating and Dynamics of Their Atmospheres

  • Engle, Scott G.;Guinan, Edward F.
    • Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.181-189
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    • 2012
  • To broaden the understanding of classical Cepheid structure, evolution and atmospheres, we have extended our continuing secret lives of Cepheids program by obtaining XMM/Chandra X-ray observations, and Hubble space telescope (HST) / cosmic origins spectrograph (COS) FUV-UV spectra of the bright, nearby Cepheids Polaris, ${\delta}$ Cep and ${\beta}$ Dor. Previous studies made with the international ultraviolet explorer (IUE) showed a limited number of UV emission lines in Cepheids. The well-known problem presented by scattered light contamination in IUE spectra for bright stars, along with the excellent sensitivity & resolution combination offered by HST/COS, motivated this study, and the spectra obtained were much more rich and complex than we had ever anticipated. Numerous emission lines, indicating $10^4$ K up to ${\sim}3{\times}10^5$ K plasmas, have been observed, showing Cepheids to have complex, dynamic outer atmospheres that also vary with the photospheric pulsation period. The FUV line emissions peak in the phase range ${\varphi}{\approx}0.8-1.0$ and vary by factors as large as $10{\times}$. A more complete picture of Cepheid outer atmospheres is accomplished when the HST/COS results are combined with X-ray observations that we have obtained of the same stars with XMM-Newton & Chandra. The Cepheids detected to date have X-ray luminosities of log $L_X{\approx}28.5-29.1$ ergs/sec, and plasma temperatures in the $2-8{\times}106$ K range. Given the phase-timing of the enhanced emissions, the most plausible explanation is the formation of a pulsation-induced shocks that excite (and heat) the atmospheric plasmas surrounding the photosphere. A pulsation-driven ${\alpha}^2$ equivalent dynamo mechanism is also a viable and interesting alternative. However, the tight phase-space of enhanced emission (peaking near 0.8-1.0 ${\varphi}$) favor the shock heating mechanism hypothesis.

An Investigation of Using Practices for Universal Design of Information Technology Products (IT제품의 유니버설 디자인을 위한 사용실태조사)

  • Lee, Dong-Hun;Chung, Min-K.;Kim, Jung-Young
    • Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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    • v.28 no.3
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    • pp.103-114
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    • 2009
  • This study investigated perceived discomfort and reasons related to use three information technology products (personal computer, mobile phone and digital television remote controller), and extracted the universal design factors. 240 people (30 females and 30 males for four age groups) participated in the one-to-one interview type of questionnaire, and replied to degree of discomfort at level of items and the reasons of discomfort at level of detailed elements for each product. As a result, almost all age groups answered that using input buttons of mobile phone and remote controller and watching display of mobile phone caused discomfort. Binary logistic regression of the detailed elements showed that response rate of discomfort mostly increased with age, except for specific elements such as shape of mouse and remote controller, and location of function button of mobile phone. Some of the detailed elements had high response rate of discomfort from all age groups. The age groups also showed similar tendency for the elements to select one alternative for the reason of discomfort, but not for sound volume and size of mobile phone and button sensitivity of remote controller. Finally, the universal design factors were extracted for each product based on the results, and divided into common factors and factors classified by the age group. Through this study, we identified using practices of various age groups and their demands for the products. It is expected that extracted detailed elements can be considered as important design factors to design the products universally.

Prevalence of Patent Foramen Ovale and Diagnostic Efficacy of Transcranial Doppler Sonography in Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke Patients

  • Kim, Dae-Sik;Kim, Byung-Weon;Cho, Sung-Jun
    • Biomedical Science Letters
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.17-23
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    • 2009
  • The prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in healthy persons was estimated as about $10{\sim}25%$ and was up to 40% in patients with stroke. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was considered to be the most sensitive method to detect PFO and was used as the gold standard. Transcranial doppler sonography (TCD) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) during a contrast (saline bubble) injection has recently been proposed as an alternative detecting method for PFO. In this study, we would like to know the difference between TCD value and TEE value in subjects with cryptogenic ischemic stroke. We performed TCD and TEE tests to detect PFO on 64 patients (30 women and 34 men, mean age was 59.4 years) with cryptogenic ischemic stroke. PFO prevalence through TCD was 45.3% (29 of 64 patients) and the prevalence through TEE was 34.4% (22 of 64 patients). There was no statistical significance between PFO test and TCD test (P=0.206). But TCD had a sensitivity of 90.9% (20 of 22 patients), specificity of 78.6% (33 of 42 patients), positive predictive value of 69.0% (20 of 29 patients), and negative predictive value of 94.3% (33 of 35 patients). We concluded that TCD was a highly sensitive method for detecting a right-left shunt. Therefore, the non-invasive TCD test is a method more effective than the anti-invasive TEE test in the cost and evaluation of the existence or nonexistence of right to left shunt in addition to the screening method of the cerebrovascular disorder. Considering these points, TCD test could be recommended for patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke as a useful and convenient method for screening of the existence or nonexistence of a right to left shunt caused by PFO.

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Predicting shear capacity of NSC and HSC slender beams without stirrups using artificial intelligence

  • El-Chabib, H.;Nehdi, M.;Said, A.
    • Computers and Concrete
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.79-96
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    • 2005
  • The use of high-strength concrete (HSC) has significantly increased over the last decade, especially in offshore structures, long-span bridges, and tall buildings. The behavior of such concrete is noticeably different from that of normal-strength concrete (NSC) due to its different microstructure and mode of failure. In particular, the shear capacity of structural members made of HSC is a concern and must be carefully evaluated. The shear fracture surface in HSC members is usually trans-granular (propagates across coarse aggregates) and is therefore smoother than that in NSC members, which reduces the effect of shear transfer mechanisms through aggregate interlock across cracks, thus reducing the ultimate shear strength. Current code provisions for shear design are mainly based on experimental results obtained on NSC members having compressive strength of up to 50MPa. The validity of such methods to calculate the shear strength of HSC members is still questionable. In this study, a new approach based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) was used to predict the shear capacity of NSC and HSC beams without shear reinforcement. Shear capacities predicted by the ANN model were compared to those of five other methods commonly used in shear investigations: the ACI method, the CSA simplified method, Response 2000, Eurocode-2, and Zsutty's method. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the ability of ANNs to capture the effect of main shear design parameters (concrete compressive strength, amount of longitudinal reinforcement, beam size, and shear span to depth ratio) on the shear capacity of reinforced NSC and HSC beams. It was found that the ANN model outperformed all other considered methods, providing more accurate results of shear capacity, and better capturing the effect of basic shear design parameters. Therefore, it offers an efficient alternative to evaluate the shear capacity of NSC and HSC members without stirrups.