• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.645-657
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• 2022

Purpose To evaluate and compare the diagnostic outcomes of ultrasonography (US)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) performed on the same thyroid nodule using a surgical specimen for direct comparison. Materials and Methods We included 89 thyroid nodules from 88 patients from February 2015 to January 2016. The inclusion criterion was thyroid nodules measuring ≥ 20 mm (mean size: 40.0 ± 15.3 mm). Immediately after surgical resection, FNA and subsequent CNB were performed on the surgical specimen under US guidance. FNA and CNB cytopathologic results on the specimen were compared with the surgical diagnosis. Results Among the 89 nodules, 30 were malignant and 59 were benign. Significantly higher inconclusive rates were seen in FNA for malignant than benign nodules (80.0% vs. 39.0%, p < 0.001). For CNB, conclusive and inconclusive rates did not differ between benign and malignant nodules (p = 0.796). Higher inconclusive rates were seen for FNA among cancers regardless of US features, and in the subgroup of size ≥ 40 mm (62.5% vs. 22.9%, p = 0.028). Eleven cancers were diagnosed with CNB (36.7%, 11/30), while none was diagnosed using FNA. Conclusion In this experimental study using surgical specimens, CNB showed a potential to provide improved diagnostic sensitivity for thyroid cancer, especially when a conclusive diagnosis is limited with FNA.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2024

Objectives: Direct reading instruments (DRIs) are widely used by industrial hygienists and other experts for preliminary survey and identifying source locations in many industrial fields. Photoionization detectors (PIDs), which are a form of hand-held portable DRIs, have been used for a variety of airborne vaporized chemicals, especially evaporated hydrocarbon solvents. The benefits of PIDs are high sensitivity between each chemical, competitive price, and portability. With the goal of increasing the accuracy of logged PID concentrations, previous studies have performed tests for the assessment of single chemical compounds, not mixtures. The purpose of this preliminary study was to measure mixtures with a PID and charcoal tube at the same time and compare the accuracy between them. Methods: A chamber test was implemented with different mixtures of hydrocarbon chemicals (acetone, isopropyl alcohol, toluene, m-xylene) and levels in the range of 14 to 864 ppm. Three PIDs and charcoal tubes were connected to the chamber and measured the chemical mixtures simultaneously. A comparison of accuracy and the PID group of concentrations with manufacture correction factor (M_CF) and field correction factor (F_CF) applied was performed. Results: The accuracy of the PID concentrations data-logged from the PID did not meet the accuracy criteria except for the mixture level B and C logged from PID No. 2, which was 18% of all tests for meeting accuracy criteria. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of concentration (ppm) of the charcoal tube followed by each mixtures' level were 10.37±0.26, 155.33±5.28, 300.80±11.65, and 774.93±22.65, respectively. When applying F_CF into the PID concentrations, the accuracy increased by nearly 82%. However, in the case of M_CF, none met the accuracy criterion. Between the PID there were differences of logged concentrations. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, the concentration of a logged PID with F_CF applied was a better way to increase accuracy compared to applying M_CF. We suggest that additional research is necessary to consider environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-41
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• 1986

The applicability of micro-ELISA was evaluated in human neuro-cysticercosis using paired samples of serum and CSF. A total of 355 cases who were mostly neurologic patients was subjected. Cystic fluid of C. cellulosae was used as antigen in protein concentration of $2.5{\;}{\mu}g/ml$. Serum was diluted to 1 : 100 and CSF was undiluted in the assay for the specific IgG antibody level. The differential criterion of the positive reaction was the abs. of o. 18 in both samples. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The overall sensitivity of the micro-ELISA in 71 confirmed neurocysticercosis was 90.1% ; the sensitivity by serum was 77.5% and that by CSF was 83.1%. CSF was a more sensitive and valuable material. Most of the false negative cases of neuro-cysticercosis showed far lower level of abs. rather than marginal. 2. The overall specificity of the micro-ELISA in 52 confirmed other neurologic diseases was 88.5%; the specificities by serum and by CSF were 94.2% respectively. Cases of other neurologic diseases did not show false positive reactions in both samples. 3. When serum was assayed, taeniasis(2/18), sparganosis(2/20), paragonimiasis(1/56), clonorchiasis(1/15) and fascioliasis(1/1) cases showed cross reactions. When CSF was assayed, 2 ot 10 neuro-sparganosis showed cross reactions while none of 9 neuro-paragonimiasis showed it. Out of 71 confirmed neuro-cysticercosis cases, 6 and 11 showed cross reactions by serum and CSF to crude extract antigen of sparganum; but no case did show it to crude extract antigen of Paragonimus westermani. 4. Ventricular CSF showed low or negative levels of IgG antibody than lumbar CSF unless the lesion was at the lateral ventricle itself. 5. Out of 4 racemose cysticercosis cases, 3 showed positive reaction in serum while all of 3 examined CSF were positive. The above results indicated that the serological test for detecting the specific IgG antibody by micro-ELISA using paired samples of serum and CSF was very helpful for clinical differentiation of neuro-cysticercosis from neurologic diseases of other causes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.377-387
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• 1996

Background : In 1980, WHO made a definition in which the term "impairment" as applied to the respiratory system is used to describe loss of lung function, "disability" the resulting diminution in exercise capacity. The measurement of pulmonary function during exercise would give us information about overall functional capacity and respiratory performance that would be lacking in tests performed at rest. We conducted this study to investigate the role of resting pulmonary function test and exercise test for assessing impairment/disability in patients with chronic airflow obstruction(CAO). Method : We studied 19 patients with CAO. The spirometry and body plethysmograph were performed in stable condition. And then patients performed a progressive incremental exercise test to a symptom-limited maximum using cycle ergometer. Patients were divided in two groups, severe and non-severe impairment, according to the resting PFTs and compaired each other. A patient was considered to be severely impaired if FVC < 50 %, FEV1 < 40 % or FEV1/FVC < 40 %. Results : 1) The airway obstruction and hypoxemia of severe impairment group were more severe and exercise performance was markedly reduced compairing to non-severe impairment group. 2) The severe impairment group showed ventilatory limitation during exercise test and the limiting symptomes ware dyspnea in 9/10 patients. 3) The impairment and disability of the patients with tuberculous destructed lung were most marked in patients with CAO. 4) The FEV1 was the most prevalent criterion for the determination of severe impairment based on resting PFTs and was the valuable best correlated to V02max(r=0.81, p < 0.001). 5) The sensitivity of exercise limits for predicting severe disability according to resting PFTs was 80 % and specificity 89 %. Conclusion : In patients with severe CAO, FEV1 is a good predictive of exercise performance and impairment measured by resting PFTs can predict a disability by exercise test.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.83-118
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• 2009

Clean Development Mechanism(CDM) projects under the Kyoto Protocol have two objectives. One is to assist the Parties included in Annex I in achieving compliance with their quantified emission limitation and reduction commitments in cost-effective ways by allowing them to implement emission reduction projects in Non-Annex I countries and receive CERs, which will offset their reduction commitments. The other is to assist Parties not included in Annex I in achieving sustainable development and technology transfers through investments by Annex I countries. However, in reality, it is said that the former objective is achievable but the latter is not. In this light, this article suggests sustainability appraisal criteria applicable for Korea. Among various methodologies, we used the 'multi-attributes utility theory(MAUT)'; one of the 'multi-criteria analysis (MCA)' methodologies judged to be the most practical and relevant. Based on the guidelines of the MAUT methodology, we identified sustainability criteria that meet the guidelines. We took two tracks, the first to find the preferences of Korean experts, and the other to check foreign cases. In all, 37 preliminary criteria were suggested to Korean experts and each criterion was scored, from between 1 and 3, in terms of relevance, possibility of real improvement, easiness of data collection, and preferences. We combined foreign cases and the results of a survey conducted in Korea and selected 12 core criteria and 10 additional criteria. After that, all the criteria were converted into indicators. The indicators were applied to a CDM project for case study. We chose the "Sihwa Tidal Power Project", which is currently the biggest tidal power plant in the world. Twelve core indicators and 3 additional indicators were applied. In order to weight each indicator, the 'analytical hierarchy process (AHP)' was used. A total of 30 experts were asked to suggest weights and 21 answered. Among them, only 14 respondents were proven to meet the consistency ratio. We analyzed the 14 responses through Expert Choice and the CDM project was scored (+)53.082. In addition, sensitivity analysis was undertaken with the result of (+)44.667 to (+)65.522. As a result of this study, it was proven that this project would contribute to the sustainable development of Korea.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.107-119
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• 1999

The joints in the jointed concrete pavement provide a control against transverse or longitudinal cracking at slab, which may be caused by temperature or moisture variation during or after hydration. Without control of cracking, random cracks cause more serious distresses and result in structural or functional failure of pavement system. However, joints nay cause distresses due to its inherent weakness in structural integrity. Thus, the evaluation at joint is very important. and the joint-related distresses should be evaluated reasonably for economic rehabilitation. The purpose of this paper was to develop an evaluation system at joints of jointed concrete pavement using finite element analysis program, ILLI-SLAB, and nondestructive testing device. FWD. To develop an evaluation system for JCP, a sensitivity analysis was performed using ILLI-SLAB program with a selected variables which might affect fairly to on the performance of transverse joints. The most significant variables were selected from precise analysis. An evaluation charts were made for jointed concrete pavement by adopting the field FWD data. It was concluded that the variables which most significantly affect to pavement deflections are the modulus of subgrade reaction(K) and the modulus of dowel/concrete interaction(G), and limiting criteria on the performance of joints at JCP are 300pci. 500,000 lb/in. respectively. Using these variables and FWD test, a charts of load transfer ratio versus surface deflection at joints were made in order to evaluate the performance of JCP. Practically, Chungbu highway was evaluated by these evaluation charts and FWD field data for jointed concrete pavement. For Chungbu highway, only one joint showed smaller value than limiting criterion of the modulus of dowel/concrete interaction(G). The rest joints showed larger values than limiting criteria of the modulus of subgrade reaction(K) and the modulus of dowel/concrete interaction(G).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 1999

A simple experimental method was used in an attempt to realize the elevation of the fishing ability of purse seine in the sea area of Cheju Island, the changes of seine volume and tension in the purseline during pursing. Experiments carried out on the six types simplified reduced model seines which were made of knotless nettings. The nettings were woven in different leg length 4.3, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.6 and 7.7mm of polyester 28 tex two threads two-ply twine, and each of the seines were named I, II, III, IV, V and Ⅵ seine. Dimension of seine models were 450cm for corkline and 85cmfor seine depth, each seines rigged up 160g of float for a floatline and 50g (underwater weight) of lead for a leadline. These model purse seines were made of the scale of 1/200 of its full scale, a 120 ton in the near sea of Cheju Island. Designing and testing for the model purse seines were based on the Tauti's law. Experiments were measured in the observation channel of a flume tank at the static conditions set up shooting and pursing equipments. Motion of purse seine during purse line was recorded by the two sets video camera for VTR which were placed in top and front of the model seine. The reading coordinate of seine volume carried out by the video digitization system, disk data for the purseline tension. An analysis were performed on the changes seine volume and tension in the purseline during pursing. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The seine volume during pursing was largest for Ⅵ seine with smallest d/l followed by V, IV, III, II and I seines, and tension in the purseline was small. 2. Seine volume during pursing can be expressed by the following equation; CVt=l-EXP[｛2.79 (d/l）＋0.35｝t-33.37 (d/l) ＋ 0.57] Where CVt is volume ratio, d is twine diameter, l is leg length and t is pursing time (sec). 3. Tension in the purse line during pursing can be expressed by the following equation; T= 1- EXP ｛0.57t ＋ 13.36 (d/l)+2.97｝ Where T is tension (kg) in the purseline during pursing.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.522-529
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• 2000

Backgrounds : Assessment of the presence and degree of reversibility of airflow obstruction is clinically important in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The measurement of peak expiratory flow(PEF) is a simple, fast, and cheap method to assess the severity of obstruction and its degree of reversibility. Assessing the reversibility of airflow obstruction by peak expiratory flow(PEF) measurements is practicable in general practice, but its usefulness has not been well investigated. We compared PEF and $FEV_1$ in assessing reversibility of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma and developed a practical criterion for assessing the presence of reversibility in general practice. Methods : PEF measurements were performed (Spirometry) in 80 patients(aged 24-78) with a history of asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease before and after the inhalation of 200 g salbutamol. The change in PEF was compared with the change in forced expiratory volume in one second($FEV_1$). Reversible airflow obstruction was analyzed according to American Thoracic Society(ATS) criteria. Results : A 12% increase above the prebronchodilator value and a 200ml increase in either FVC or $FEV_1$ reversibility were observed in 45%(36) of the patients. Relative operating characteristic(ROC) analysis showed that an absolute improvement in PEF of 30 l/min gave optimal discrimination between patients with reversible and irreversible airflow obstruction(the sensitivity and specificity of an increase of 30 l/min in detecting a 12% increase above the prebronchodilator value and a 200ml increase in either FVC or $FEV_1$ were 72.2% and 72.7% respectively, with a positive predictive value of 68.4%). Conclusions : Absolute changes in PEF can be used to diagnose reversible airflow obstruction.