• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2012

Purpose : To evaluate white matter abnormalities on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with mild Alzheimer disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Materials and Methods: DTI was performed in 21 patients with mild AD, in 13 with MCI and in 16 old healthy subjects. A fractional anisotropy (FA) map was generated for each participant and processed for voxel-based comparisons among the three groups using TBSS. For comparison, DTI data was processed using the VBM method, also. Results: TBSS showed that FA was significantly lower in the AD than in the old healthy group in the bilateral anterior and right posterior corona radiata, the posterior thalamic radiation, the right superior longitudinal fasciculus, the body of the corpus callosum, and the right precuneus gyrus. VBM identified additional areas of reduced FA, including both uncinates, the left parahippocampal white matter, and the right cingulum. There were no significant differences in FA between the AD and MCI groups, or between the MCI and old healthy groups. Conclusion: TBSS showed multifocal abnormalities in white matter integrity in patients with AD compared with old healthy group. VBM could detect more white matter lesions than TBSS, but with increased artifacts.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 2014

Purpose : In this study, the medication effects of Milnacipran and Pregabalin, as well known as fibromyalgia treatment medicine, in fibromyalgia syndrome patients were compared through the change of BOLD signal in pain related functional MRI. Materials and Methods: Twenty fibromyalgia syndrome patients were enrolled in this study and they were separated into two groups according to the treatment medicine: 10 Milnacipran (MLN) treatment group and 7 Pregabalin (PGB) treatment group. For accurate diagnosis, all patients underwent several clinical tests. Pre-treated and post-treated fMRI image with block-designed pressure-pain stimulation for each group were obtained to conduct the statistical analysis of paired t-test and two sample t-test. All statistical significant level was less than 0.05. Results: In clinical tests, the clinical scores of the two groups were not significantly different at pre-treatment stage. But, PGB treatment group had lower Widespread Pain Index (WPI) and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) score than those of MLN treatment group at post-treatment stage. In functional image analysis, BOLD signal of PGB treatment group was higher BOLD signal at several regions including anterior cingulate and insula than MLN treatment group at post-treatment stage. Also, paired t-test values of the BOLD signal in MLN group decreased in several regions including insula and thalamus as known as 'pain network'. In contrast, size and number of regions in which the BOLD signal decreased in PGB treatment group were smaller than those of MLN treatment group. Conclusion: This study showed that MLN group and PGB group have different medication effects. It is not surprising that MLN and PGB have not the same therapeutic effects since these two drugs have different medicinal mechanisms such as antidepressants and anti-seizure medication, respectively, and different detailed target of fibromyalgia syndrome treatment. Therefore, it is difficult to say which medicine will work better in this study.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 1999

Purpose: To simulate and measure the signal intensity of various tissues near bone interface in 2D and 3D neurological MR images. Materials and Methods: In neurological proton density (PD) weighted images, every component in the head including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), muscle and scalp, with the exception of bone, are visualised. It is possible to acquire images in 2D or 3D. A 2D fast spin-echo (FSE) sequence is chosen for the 2D acquisition and a 3D gradient-echo (GE) sequence is chosen for the 3D acquisition. To find out the signal intensities of CSF, muscle and fat (or scalp) for the 2D spin-echo(SE) and 3D gradient-echo (GE) imaging sequences, the theoretical signal intensities for 2D SE and 3D GE were calculated. For the 2D fast spin-echo (FSE) sequence, to produce the PD weighted image, long TR (4000 ms) and short TE$_{eff}$ (22 ms) were employed. For the 3D GE sequence, low flip angle (8$^{\circ}$) with short TR (35 ms) and short TE (3 ms) was used to produce the PD weighted contrast. Results: The 2D FSE sequence has CSF, muscle and scalp with superior image contrast and SNR of 39 - 57 while the 3D GE sequence has CSF, muscle and scalp with broadly similar image contrast and SNR of 26 - 33. SNR in the FSE image were better than those in the GE image and the skull edges appeared very clearly in the FSE image due to the edge enhancement effect in the FSE sequence. Furthermore, the contrast between CSF, muscle and scalp in the 2D FSE image was significantly better than in the 3D GE image, due to the strong signal intensities (or SNR) from CSF, muscle and scalp and enhanced edges of CSF. Conclusion: The signal intensity of various tissues near bone interface in neurological MR images has been simulated and measured. Both the simulation and imaging of the 2D SE and 3D GE sequences have CSF, fat and muscle with broadly similar image intensity and SNR's and have succeeded in getting all tissues about the same signal. However, in the 2D FSE sequence, image contrast between CSF, muscle and scalp was good and SNR was relatively high, imaging time was relatively short.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.113-119
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• 2010

This study examined figurative characters of rice terraces, and is intended to seek figurative possibility of a natural scene by selecting Gyeongnam Area Namhae Gacheon rice terraces, Sancheong Imcheon rice terraces and Hamyang Macheon rice terraces through an analysis of the target land. As a theoretical background, studies of a natural scene and figuration-related literature were looked into, and for figuring a natural scene on the basis of the results, the character of the topography of rice terraces was divided into 9 items as follows by generalizing the inspiration obtained from the natural scenic character and spatial character of rice terraces represented from the topography: (1) Inclination showing the degree of the slope of rice terraces, (2) The bending showed by unevenness of the edge line of rice terraces, (3) The degree of parallelism of the up-and-down edge line, (4) The size of the width of the section of each rice terrace, (5) The area of the total rice terraces, (6) Step gap that indicates the difference of high and low of the up-and-down small rice terraces, (7) Figuration as an image represented by the external form of the total rice terraces, (8) Naturalness and artificiality kept by the total scene, (9) Softness of cornerstones or soil that forms small rice terraces, an atmosphere produced by the total scenes, etc. The results of analysis made through GIS, with rice terraces of Gyeongnam Namhae, Sancheong and Hamyang Area as the target land, are as follows. First, the steeper the inclination is, the higher the step difference of cornerstones becomes, and the steeper the inclination, the narrower the area and width become, so that it could be known that, in rice terraces, inclination is proportional to step difference and the area is inversely proportional to the width. Second, it is considered that line showed in rice terraces, area elements and reiteration, repeated changes, and changes in the scene affected by the surrounding environment including those according to season can be converted into a variety of images according to an individual disposition. Third, it was decided that it is possible to figure repetitive composition and directivity, motility, order and change, etc. into a common type drawn from each target land. This paper, as a study of basic materials for expressing figuration in an environment field, investigated and analyzed the surrounding environment of the target land, and is significant in that it attempted the possibility of being able to generalize the environmental beauty of the target land as one figurative element. More precise studies are expected to be made later.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.89-99
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• 2005

The golf courses more than about 200 are operating in Korea. From the golf courses, a great amount of turfgrass clippings tend to increase, steadily. Materials used in the experiment were Creeping Bentgrass(CB), Kentucky Bluegrass(KB), Korean Lawngrass(KL), rice bran and composted chicken drop. Treatments are CB, KB, and KL. The temperature during the composting of all treatments increased rapidly and reached at the highest temperature($57.9^{\circ}C$, $67.8^{\circ}C$, $74.3^{\circ}C$) within 20 days, and then stabilized to the range of $35.2{\sim}41.6^{\circ}C$ at the 30th day. The pH values of all treatments decreased on the first day. However, they were increased rapidly after three days and decreased again on 10~20 days. The pH values of all treatments at the final day were stabilized to the low alkali levels. The contents of total carbon during the period of composting tend to decrease and total nitrogen was increased for factor of reduction of volume. CEC value of all treatments during the period of composting tends to increase. The round paper chromatogram of extracted solution of KL sample was the sharpest and clearest among all treatments. The G.I. values of CB, KB, and KL in 30th day of composting were about 95.1, 77.7, and 98.7 in germination test using chinese cabbage, respectively. Conclusively, all turfgrass clippings used in this experiment were composted well, suitable as composting products standardized by KSC. The maturity of the final compost samples is best in KL, followed by CB and KB treatments. The turfgrass compost can contribute to the plant cultivation for environment-friendly farm, and the results of this study can become the basic data of turfgrass clippings compost. Further research on the mixing ratio of each material is required to produce compost of good quality.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 1990

The ultimate objective of our experiment is to obtain the precise distribution of temperature in malignant tumors occurring in cerebral parenchyme of human beings when we will carry out interstitial hyperthermia in the near future. To achieve this purpose, first of all, it is necessary to make an attempt at performing interstitial hyperthermia in vivo under the similar condition of human beings. Therefore, we chose cats as materials much alike tissue characteristics of human beings. Moreover, it is also necessary to get the basic data from dynamic phantom in order to standardize and compare results obtained from interstitial hyperthermia carried out in cats. By having performed these experiments we got the following results. 1) On doing interstitial hyperthermia with 915 MHz microwave, the possible treated volume was 2 cm by 2 cm by 6 cm according to $50\%$ specific absorption rate (SAR). 2) The distribution of temperature within non-circulated static phantom was much the same as power density in air, but we observed that the temperature, within $5\~10$ minutes, rose to more higher than $55^{\circ}C$ not measured with Ga-As fiberoptic thermistor which was not impeded by microwave after performing interstitial hyperthermia. 3) Within dynamic phantom in which normal saline was circulating, temperature reached steady state which was maintained for more than 45 minutes through transit period in 5 minutes after starting interstitial hyperthermia. 4) When we interrupted circulation in the dynamic phantom, we observed that temperature rose to the same level as in the static phantom. 5) We could carry out interstitial hyperthermia safely when we used the generating power below 5 watts. Abrupt interruption of circulation caused a rapid increase in temperature. Times taking to rise to maximum $55^{\circ}C$ were 15.2 minutes (SE 0.4),9.7 minutes (SE 0.3), and 6.3 min-utes (SE 0.4) respectively with generating powers of 5,10, and 15 watts.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2000

Background :The authors have developed a Digital image chart(DIC) and digital Radiotherapy Record System (DRRS). We have evaluated the DIC and DRRS for reliability, usefulness, ease of use, and efficiency. Materials and Methods :The basic design of the DIC and DRRS was to build an digital image database of radiation therapy Patient records for a more efficient and timely flow of critical image information throughout the department. This system is a submit of comprehensive radiation oncology management system (C-ROMS) and composed of a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), a radiotherapy information database, and a radiotherapy imaging database. The DIC and DRRS were programmed using Delphi under a Windows 95 environment and is capable of displaying the digital images of patients identification photos, simulation films, radiotherapy setup, diagnostic radiology images, gross lesion Photos, and radiotherapy Planning isodose charts with beam arrangements. Twenty-three clients in the department are connected by Ethernet (10 Mbps) to the central image server (Sun Ultra-sparc 1 workstation). Results :From the introduction of this system in February 1998 through December 1999, we have accumulated a total of 15,732 individual images for 2,556 patients. We can organize radiation therapy in a 'paperless' environment in 120 patients with breast cancer. Using this system, we have succeeded in the prompt, accurate, and simultaneous access to patient care information from multiple locations throughout the department. This coordination has resulted in improved operational efficiency within the department. Conclusion :The authors believe that the DIC and DRRS has contributed to the improvement of radiation oncology department efficacy as well as to time and resource savings by providing necessary visual information throughout the department conveniently and simultaneously. As a result, we can also achieve the 'paperless' and 'filmless' practice of radiation oncology with this system.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.172-178
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• 1999

Purpose : To measure the basic structural characteristics of radiation oncology facilities in Korea during 1997 and to compare personnel, equipments and patient loads between Korea and developed countries. Methods and Materials : Mail serveys we conducted in 1998 and data on treatment machines, personnel and peformed new patients were collected. Responses were obtained from the 100 percent of facilities. The consensus data of the whole country were summarized using Microsoft Excel program. Results: In Korea during 1997, 42 facilities delivered megavoltage radiation theraphy with 71 treatment machines, 100 radiation oncologists, 26 medical physicist, 205 technologists and 19,773 new patients. Eighty nine percent of facilities in Korea had linear accelators at least 6 MeV maximum photon energy. Ninety five percent of facilities had simulators while five percent of facilities had no simulator, Ninety one percent of facilities had computer planning systems and eighty three percent of facilities reported that they had a written quality assurance program. Thirty six percent of facilities had only one radiation oncologist and thirty eight percent of facilities had no medical physicists. The median of the distribution of annual patients load of a facility, patients load per a machine, patients load per a radiation oncologist, patients load per a therapist and therapists per a machine in Korea were 348 patients per a year, 263 patients per a machine, 171 patients per a radiation oncologist, 81 patients per a therapist, and 3 therapists per a machine respectively. Conclusions : The whole scale of the radiation oncology departments in Korea was smaller than Japan and USA in population ratio regard. In case of hardware level like linear accelerators, simulators and computer planning systems, there was no big differences between Korea and USA. The patients loads of radiation oncologists and therapists had no significant differences as compared with USA. However, it was desirable to consider the part time system in USA because there were a lot of hospitals which did not employ medical physicists.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.887-900
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• 2014

This study was conducted to provide a job analysis for, and assess the job performance of horticultural therapists, as well as examine future educational needs. To this end, a chart developed using the DACUM method was chosen as the appropriate tool for the job analysis of horticultural therapists (Study 1). Based on the chart, a survey using an evaluation form was produced to investigate the current level of job performance and future required level of horticultural therapists (Study 2). A total of 8 duties and 45 tasks were classified to examine job performance, based on analysis of the DACUM Council (Study 1). These duties include A. Decide execution organization for horticultural therapy (HT) program, B. Diagnose and assess clients before starting the HT program, C. Plan HT program, D. Develop HT program, E. Prepare to implement HT program for each session, F. Implement HT program for each session, G. Implement overall assessment for HT program, and H. Develop oneself as a horticultural therapist. Their duties were broken down further into five to eight tasks per duty, totaling 45 tasks. Based on the horticultural therapist job performance sheet developed through this process, an assessment of the current job level of horticultural therapists was performed and future required level were examined (Study 2). The evaluation forms were sent to 779 horticultural therapists with level 1 or 2 certification via email or mail delivery. The analysis of 242 questionnaires (31.1%) revealed that horticultural therapists with level 1 certificates have a significantly higher job performance level for 34 of the 45 tasks. Regarding future required level, 20 out of 45 tasks were assessed as higher for level 1 horticultural therapists than level 2. In addition, a Borich formula was utilized to identify the priority of educational needs for the 45 horticultural therapist tasks. The results revealed the following top three tasks: H1. Receive feedback from the supervisor for the horticultural therapy program; A1. Distribute promotional materials about the horticultural therapy program; and H2. Submit a grant proposal for horticultural therapy program to organizations such as welfare foundations. The results of this study are anticipated to facilitate understanding and improve work conditions for current horticultural therapists or horticultural therapists-in-training. In addition, institutions that train horticultural therapists will be able to use this as basic research to develop a practical training curriculum.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 2007

This study was carried out to know the effect of the oriental medicinal plants byproduct containing vitamin E and 0.1% antibiotics (T1) and the oriental medicinal plants byproduct containing vitamin E and the replacing antibiotics by 0.03% herb extracts (T2) and 0.1% aminolevulinic acid (T3) on production performance of finishing hog and its meat qualities. There were no significant differences in the daily weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion rate values between all treatment groups. However, the T2 group tends to have a higher daily weight gain (g/day) than the other groups (p>0.05). The T2 group showed lower total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol contents (114.71 and 68.09 mg/dl, respectively) than the control in the blood serum (p<0.001), and all the treated groups of oriental medicinal plants byproduct and vitamin E increased HDL-cholesterol and decreased LDL-cholesterol contents in the blood serum. Content of vitamin E in muscles from the group T1, T2 and T3 (2.11, 2.21 and 2.18 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively) showed higher levels than those of control. The presence of antibiotics (chlortetracycline) in hog loin meat were detected (0.08 ppm) in control sample. However, there was no antibiotic in other treated hog loin meats (T1, T2 and T3, respectively). The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and volatile basic nitrogen values of the groups T2 (0.06 mg MA $kg^{-1}$ and 11.21 mg%, respectively) and T3 (0.05 mg MA $kg^{-1}$ and 8.23 mg%, respectively) were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of control in loin meat. However, there was no significant difference between treated samples (T1, T2 and T3, respectively) and control in cooking loss and drip loss.