• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.253-259
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• 2017

The study examines changes in calcium volume on born by comparing two figures; one is measured by dual energy computed tomography(DECT) followed by applying variation in monochromatic energy selection(keV), material decomposition(MD), and material suppressed iodine(MSI) analysis, and the other is measured by conventional single source computed tomography(CSCT). For this study, based on CSCT images taken by using human mimicked phantom, 70, 100, 140 keV and MSI, MD material calcium weighting(MCW) and MD material iodine weighting(MIW) of DECT were applied respectively. Then calculated calcium volume was converted to Agatston score for comparison. Volume of human mimicked phantom was in inverse proportion to keV. The volume decreased while keV increased(p<0.05). The most similar DECT volumes were reconstructed at 70 keV, the difference was showed $35.8{\pm}12.2$ for rib, femur ($16.1{\pm}24.1$), pelvis($13.7{\pm}18.8$), and spine($179.0{\pm}61.8$). However, the volume of MSI was down for each organ; the volume of rib was 5.55%, femur(76.34%), pelvis(55.16%) and spine(87.58%). The volume of MSI decreased 55.9% for rib, femur(80.7%), pelvis(69.6%) and spine(54.2%) while MD MIW reduced for rib(83.51%), femur(87.68%), pelvis(86.64%), and spine(82.62%). With the results, the study found that outcomes were affected by the method which examiners employed. When using DECT, calcium volume of born dropped with keV increased. It also found that the most similar DECT images were reconstructed at 70 keV. The results of experiments implied that the users of MSI and MD should be cautious of errors as there are big differences in scores between those two methods.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to optimize the selection of sperm, optimal culture system of in vitro derived porcine embryos. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. When oocytes were inseminated with liquid sperm and frozen-thaw sperm, the cleavaged rate of liquid sperm (46.2%) was higher than that of frozen-thaw sperm (39.7%), however there were not show significant different each other. The blastocyst rates of liquid sperm (15.8%) was significantly higher than that of frozen-thawed sperm (9.3%)(P< 0.05). 2. When oocytes were inseminated with epididymal sperm after 1, 2 and 3 day storage, the cleavaged rate of epididymal sperm after 1, 2 and 3 day storage was 60.5, 61.0 and 56.8% respectively. The morulae (17.4, 19.9 or 17.3%) and blastocyst (8.7, 15.4, 11.3%) rate of epididymal sperm after 1, 2 and 3 day storage was no significantly respectively(P< 0.05). 3. In vitro developed to cleavaged rate of G1.3/G2.3 media used for culture was significantly(P< 0.05) higher as 62.1% compared with the results using the media NCSU23(52.8), however in vitro developed to blastocyst rate of NCSU23(11.6%) media was significantly(P< 0.05) higher than that'of G1.3/G2.3(4.7%). 4. When the fertilized oocytes were cultured with NCSU23 in addition to 1 mM glutathione(GSH), the cleavaged rate of treated groups of GSH(62.3%) was significantly higher than that of control(53.5%) respectively(P< 0.05). And in vitro developed to blastocyst rates of treated groups of GSH(15.6%) was higher than that of control(12.6%) however, there was no significant difference(P< 0.05).

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2016

Purpose: The present study was aimed to compare the tear volume and distribution by corneal eccentricity when fitted with spherical and aspherical RGP lenses. Methods: Spherical and aspherical RGP lenses were fitted in best alignment on a total of 77 subjects (136 eyes) in their twenties and thirties without any ocular disease or ocular surgery experience. The tear volume was analyzed by estimating the concentration of tear stained with fluorescein in the center of RGP lens as well as at the mid-peripheral and peripheral areas, and the difference of tear distributions was analyzed according to corneal eccentricity. Results: Tear distribution from the center to the peripheral area was not significantly different when spherical RGP lenses were fitted on the corneal eccentricities of e < 0.38 and $0.68{\leq}e$, indicating the relatively even tear distribution compared with other corneal eccentricity. In the case of aspherical RGP lenses, the difference of tear distribution between the central and peripheral areas was smaller than spherical RGP lenses. The significant difference of tear distribution according to RGP lens design was observed in the corneal eccentricity of 0.48 < e < 0.68. In other words, more even tear distribution was shown when aspherical RGP lenses were fitted on the cornea with eccentricity of $0.48{\leq}e<0.68$ and spherical RGP lenses were fitted on the cornea with eccentricity $0.68{\leq}e$. Furthermore, tear volume in the mid-peripheral area increased with higher corneal eccentricity. Conclusions: The results suggest that the appropriate selection of RGP lens design according to corneal eccentricity is necessary since tear volume and distribution by the regions of spherical and aspherical lenses are affected by corneal eccentricity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.4
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• pp.583-592
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the operational time and productivity of logging operation by chain saw, yarder attached on tractor, tower-yarder, mini-truck, mini-forwarder, and chipping operations by mini-chipper, large-chipper in order to develop the efficient logging operation system for utilization of forest-biomass. As a result, the average felling and bucking time using chain saw at the site 1 and 2 was observed to be 182.7 sec/cycle and 518.5 sec/cycle respectively. The average yarding time was 202.5 sec/cycle using yarder attached on tractor and 295.1 sec/cycle using tower-yarder. The average forwarding time was 2,073 sec/cycle using mini-truck and 2,248.4 sec/cycle using mini-forwarder. The operational time of felling and bucking using chain-saw can be delayed according to the direction of fallen trees. The selection of felling direction is very important to yarding operation because the direction between width-yarding and felling are interrelated. Productivity can be improved through educating and training operators in the yarding operations. Mini-forwarder is needed to use because of higher productivity and lower cost than mini-truck. The operational productivity of felling and bucking by chain saw was $66.96m^3/man{\cdot}day$ and $43.86m^3/man{\cdot}day$ at site 1 and 2 respectively. The yarding productivity was $5.68m^3/man{\cdot}day$ by yarder attached on tractor, $10.74m^3/man{\cdot}day$ by tower-yarder. The forwarding productivity was $21.29m^3/man{\cdot}day$ by mini-truck, $28.57m^3/man{\cdot}day$ by mini-forwarder. The chipping productivity was $4.42m^3/man{\cdot}day$ by mini-chipper, $21.87m^3/man{\cdot}day$ by large-chipper.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.749-756
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• 2019

Na-X and Na-A zeolites that give high adsorption capacity for heavy metals in an aqueous system were synthesized from the coal fly ash obtained from a thermoelectric power plant using a fusion method. The characteristics and Cu(II) adsorption capacity of the synthetic zeolites were also compared to those of using a commercial zeolite. For the selection of optimum conditions of zeolite synthesis, the effects of major parameters in the fusion method such as a dosage ratio of NaOH, aging time, hydrothermal reaction time, and also the dosage ratio of NaAlO₂ (Na-A) on the characteristics and Cu(II) adsorption capacity of the synthetic zeolites were studied. For the analysis of characteristics of the synthetic zeolites, X-ray diffraction (XRD), cation exchange capacity (CEC), Brunaue-Emmett-Teller (BET) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. The optimum conditions for the synthesis of zeolites with a high adsorption capacity for cationic heavy metals including Cu(II) were the aging time of 6 h, hydrothermal reaction time of 6 h and NaOH and NaAlO₂ dosage ratio of 1.5 and 0.5 (Na-A), respectively. According to the Langmuir isotherm test, maximum Cu(II) adsorption capacities of the synthetic and commercial Na-X and Na-A zeolites were found to be 90.1, 105.26, 102.05, and 109.89 mg/g, respectively. This indicates that the adsorption capacity of synthetic zeolites was comparable to commercial ones. The results of this study also suggest that the coal fly ash can be potentially used as a raw material for the zeolite synthesis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2004

Purpose : Children with nephrotic syndrome(NS) are under high risk for metabolic bone disease(MBD) as a complication of long-term glucocorticoid therapy. We prospectively evaluated the effect of oral bisphosphonate(alendronate) therapy in children with NS, which has proven efficacy in adult patients with glucocorticoid induced MBD. Methods : Among 58 children with NS, aged 5 to 8 years and haying a disease duration of more than 2 years, 30(51.7%) were enrolled to meet the selection criteria, less than -1.0 Z-scores of lumbar spine bone mineral density(BMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). These 30 children were divided into three groups and each were assigned to receive alendronate, calcitriol, and no-medication, respectively for one year. Lumbar spine BMD was followed up every 6 months and the biochemical indexes were measured before and 1 year after the treatment. There were no significant difference among groups with respect to the average age, the initial BMD, and the cumulative steroid doses. Analysis of the treatment efficacy was done by the % change of BMD and by the changes in Z-scores of lumbar spine BMD. Results : Mean age and disease duration of patients at the initial lumbar spine BMD evaluation was $7.4{\pm}1.7$ years and $2.2{\pm}1.2$ years, respectively. Twenty-three of 30 children(76%) had osteopenia, and seven(23%) had osteoporosis. There was no difference in the biochemical values among the groups, before and 1 year after the treatment(P<0.05). Twenty two children(73.3%) with frequent relapsing or steroid dependant NS had more frequent MBD, compared to the 8 children(26.6%) with infrequent relapsing NS. The one year % changes of BMD were 8.56 in alendronate group, 5.79 in calcitriol group, and 1.9 in no-medication group. The changes in Z-score of lumbar spine BMD increased in the alendronate group and the calcitriol group, but not in the no-medication group. One year % changes of BMD were different among groups(P=0.0002). Significant differences were found between the alendronate and the no-medication group, and between the calcitriol and the no-medication group(P<0.05). There was no difference between the alendronate and the calcitriol group. No serious adverse effect was observed in the alendronate group. Conclusion : Children with NS receiving high dose steroids are under the high risk of BMD and should undergo regular BMD evaluation. Z-score of lumbar spine BMD was a useful parameter in diagnosing low bone mass in children. Alendronate weekly oral therapy was effective and relatively safe in increasing the lumbar spine BMD in children with NS having steroid induced MBD.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2010

Purpose : It has been a common medical practice to use prophylactic antibiotics to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) in high risk situations such as urinary tract obstruction, vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder, or urinary stones. But sometimes, we meet difficult situation of breakthrough infections (BI) which might cause new or progressive renal scarring. The clinical characteristics of children contracting breakthrough UTI experienced in a single center were studied. Methods : The study was done retrospectively through medical records of 150 pediatric patients who had been cared in pediatric and urologic clinics of Pusan National University Hospital from Jan. 2001 till June 2006 and had prophylactic antibiotics to prevent recurrent UTI. Results : The starting age of prophylactic antibiotics of 150 patient was 1-76 months, and median age was 5 months. The BI developed 61 times in 43 patients (28.7%), 1.5 times per 100 patient-months. The BI occurred more frequently in patients with higher grade of VUR, and in the cases with abnormal DMSA scan. Co-trimoxazole was more effective than 2nd and 3rd generation cephalosporins to prevent UTI. The distribution of causative organisms was more diverse than usual UTI. The causative organisms were sensitive to the antibiotics used for prophylaxis in 29.5%, and resistant in 59.1%. After experience of BI, 40 percents of patients went to the surgical treatment including endoscopic injection of Deflux, 35% to new antibiotics for prophylaxis, 26% remain on the same antibiotics as the previous one. Conclusion : Based on our study results, preexisting renal scar might be one of the factors which should be considered in favor of early surgical interventions of VUR. Poor compliance and wrong selection of antibiotics such as cephalosporins are important underlying causes of breakthrough UTIs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.373-381
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• 2008

To select of optimum rice species and germanium (Ge) application method for production of functional rice with Ge, the growth characteristics, Ge absorption and grain quality of rice plant were investigated under different rice species (Hopyungbyeo, Junambyeo, Ilmeebyeo and Dongjinbyeo) and Ge application method (soil application and foliar spray). The rice yield by soil application was higher in the order of Hopyungbyeo $\fallingdotseq$ Junambyeo > Ilmeebyeo >> Dongjinbyeo. On the other hand, the rice yield by foliar spray was higher in the order of Junambyeo >> Ilmeebyeo > Dongjinbyeo > Hopyungbyeo. The rice yield by soil application was higher than that by foliar spray regardless of rice species. For soil application, the Ge absorption in various parts of the rice was higher in the other of rice bran > brown rice > polished rice regardless of rice species. The Ge absorption of brown rice in Hopyungbyeo, Ilmeebyeo, Dongjinbyeo and Junambyeo by soil application was 14.5, 8.0, 11.6 and $10.4\;mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. In leaf, stem and root, the Ge absorption by foliar spray was higher than that by soil application, whereas, in rice bran, brown rice and polished rice, the Ge absorption by soil application was higher than that by foliar spray. The optimum rice species and Ge application method were demonstrated to be Hopyungbyeo and soil application, respectively, which provided suitable conditions for production of functional rice with Ge.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing the rescue medication decisions for breakthrough cancer patients and evaluate treatments using the factors. Methods: Based on the results of an online survey conducted by the Korean Society of Hospice and Palliative Care from September 2014 through December 2014, we assessed the level of agreement on nine factors influencing rescue medication preference. The same factors were used to evaluate oral transmucosal fentanyl lozenge, oral oxycodone and intravenous morphine. Results: Agreed by 77 physicians, a rapid onset of action was the most important factor for their decision of rescue medication. Other important factors were easy administration, strong efficacy, predictable efficacy and less adverse effects. Participants agreed that intravenous morphine produced a rapid onset of action and strong and predictable efficacy and cited difficulty of administration and adverse effects as negative factors. Oral oxycodone was desirable in terms of easy administration and less adverse effects. However, its onset of action was slower than intravenous morphine. While many agreed to easy administration of oral transmucosal fentanyl lozenge, the level of agreement was low for strength and predictability of its efficacy, long-term durability and sleep improvement. Conclusion: Rapid onset of action is one of the important factors that influence physicians' selection of rescue medication. Physicians' assessment of rescue medication differed by medication.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.42 no.4 s.304
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• pp.1-12
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• 2005

Image registration is a process to establish the spatial correspondence between images of the same scene, which are acquired at different view points, at different times, or by different sensors. This paper presents a new algorithm for robust registration of the images acquired by multiple sensors having different modalities; the EO (electro-optic) and IR(infrared) ones in the paper. The two feature-based and intensity-based approaches are usually possible for image registration. In the former selection of accurate common features is crucial for high performance, but features in the EO image are often not the same as those in the R image. Hence, this approach is inadequate to register the E0/IR images. In the latter normalized mutual Information (nHr) has been widely used as a similarity measure due to its high accuracy and robustness, and NMI-based image registration methods assume that statistical correlation between two images should be global. Unfortunately, since we find out that EO and IR images don't often satisfy this assumption, registration accuracy is not high enough to apply to some applications. In this paper, we propose a two-stage NMI-based registration method based on the analysis of statistical correlation between E0/1R images. In the first stage, for robust registration, we propose two preprocessing schemes: extraction of statistically correlated regions (ESCR) and enhancement of statistical correlation by filtering (ESCF). For each image, ESCR automatically extracts the regions that are highly correlated to the corresponding regions in the other image. And ESCF adaptively filters out each image to enhance statistical correlation between them. In the second stage, two output images are registered by using NMI-based algorithm. The proposed method provides prospective results for various E0/1R sensor image pairs in terms of accuracy, robustness, and speed.