• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.441-445
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• 2012

X-ray Chest P-A is very important and basic diagnosis examination for pregnant women. For a pregnancy period pregnant women should be treated very carefully not to be exposed to any radiation which might cause harmful damage to women and babies as well. Lead apron is one of the effective methods to protect pregnant women from the X-ray radiation. However, it is difficult to obtain the accurate position of pregnant women during X-ray Chest P-A since conventional lead apron method forces pregnant women to hold the apron by themselves only to make pregnant women very uncomfortable and hard to maintain accurate position during radiation. As a consequence, it is common to get low quality images of X-ray Chest P-A due to the overlap of apex of lung and scapular. In order to fix this problem, we made new design lead apron that allowed pregnant women to be more comfortable to maintain accurate position during X-ray Chest P-A position. Finally, with this new design lead apron, it was possible to get the best optimized images of X-ray Chest P-A of pregnant women by minimizing overlapping apex of lung and scapular.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.105-111
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• 2015

In late December 2013, the Ebola virus emerged from West Africa. The outbreak started in Guinea and rapidly spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. Initially, the virus is spread to the human population after contact with infected wildlife and then spread person-to-person through direct contact with body fluids such as blood, sweat, urine, semen, and breast milk. The Ebola virus infects endothelial cells, mononuclear phagocytes and hepatocytes. It causes massive damage to internal tissues and organs, such as blood vessels and the liver, and ultimately death. Most tests for the virus RNA rely on a technology called reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). While this method is highly sensitive, it is also expensive, requiring skilled scientists, and delicate power supplies. The strip analytical technique (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or ELISA) detects antigens or antibodies to the Ebola virus. This test is cheap and does not require electricity or refrigeration. Despite ongoing efforts directed at experimental treatments and vaccine development, current medical work on the Ebola viral disease is largely limited to supportive therapy. Thus, rapid and reliable diagnoses of the Ebola virus are critically important for patient management, infections, prevention, and control measures.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2010

Background and Objectives : Transient minor voice changes after thyroidectomy are not infrequent complaints even in cases without any evidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve damage. However, clinical course, diagnosis and management of such voice changes are not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of minor voice changes after thyroidectomy. We also tried to assess the significance and feasibility of superior laryngeal nerve monitoring and to find out the optimal evaluation tools for such voice changes after thyroidectomy. Materials and Method : Nine adult patients who received total thyroidectomy without evidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were enrolled for this prospective study. Voice evaluations were performed preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively ; acoustic analyses including voice range profile, aerodynamic study, stroboscopic evaluation and subjective voice assessment with questionnaires. The external branch of superior laryngeal nerve was monitored by nerve stimulator after ligation of superior thyroidal vessels. Results: Four of nine patients complained their voice change at 3 months after the surgery. Three of them reported complete recovery of their voice at 6 months after the surgery. Acoustic analysis revealed significant decrease in their phonatory range especially with high tone loss. Questionnaires related to singing was more sensitive than previously well-known "voice handicap index". Stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve was feasible in most of the cases (94.4%), but it failed to show any correlation with minor voice changes after thyroidectomy. Conclusion : Minor voice changes were not rare events during the first 6 month after thyroidectomy. Decrease in phonatory range with high tone loss and therefore, discomfort in singing was the most common finding. Superior laryngeal monitoring was feasible but it was not a sensitive tool for the prediction of minor voice change after thyroidectomy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.630-633
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• 2020

Renal failure syndrome in wild mammals is infrequently reported. Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a medium-sized rodent known to carry many diseases but rarely exhibiting renal failure. A six-month old female muskrat was submitted to our laboratory for pathological diagnosis, and necropsy revealed severe renal damage with sand-like lithiasis in the ureter, renal calculi, and hydronephrosis. All major organs, including the cerebrum, also showed systemic hemorrhage and calcification which may have been due to uremia induced by renal failure. Histopathologically, necrosis and microcalcification were detected in the renal cortex and the medulla, especially in the proximal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney. Significant hyalinization of the glomeruli was also observed, and this suggested chronic nephritis. These findings would support mycotoxic effects, particularly on the kidney. Moreover, infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells was observed in the lung and of plasma cells in the spleen. The definitive cause of the toxic effects in this case of muskrat renal failure could be attributed to contaminated food.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.107-118
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• 2013

In this paper, we developed the semiconductor monitoring system for the etching process. Around the world, expert companies are competing fiercely since the semiconductor industry is a leading value-added industry that produces the essential components of electronic products. As a result, many researches have been conducted in order to improve the quality, productivity, and characteristics of semiconductor products. Process monitoring techniques has an important role to give an equivalent quality and productivity to produce semiconductor. In fact, since the etching process to form a semiconductor circuit causes great damage to the semiconductors, it is very necessary to develop a system for monitoring the process. The proposed monitoring system is mainly focused on the dry etching process using plasma and it provides the detailed observation, analysis and feedback to managers. It has the functionality of setting scenarios to match the process control automatically. In addition, it maximizes the efficiency of process automation. The result can be immediately reflected to the system since it performs real-time monitoring. UI (User Interface) provides managers with diagnosis of the current state in the process. The monitoring system has diverse functionalities to control the process according to the scenario written in advance, to stop the process efficiently and finally to increase production efficiency.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.428-431
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• 2010

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy characterized by endothelial cell damage, resulting in microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and various degrees of neurological and renal impairment caused by microvascular thrombi. It is rare in children and frequently follows a fatal course. TTP is divided into 2 types: one is inherited and associated with ADAMTS-13 gene mutations and the other is acquired and associated with anti-ADAMTS-13 autoantibodies. The measurement of ADAMTS-13 activity in plasma, identification of ADAMTS-13 circulating inhibitor, anti-ADAMTS-13 IgG, and ADAMTS-13 gene sequencing are crucial to the diagnosis of TTP. Plasma exchanges are the first-line treatment for acquired TTP, combined with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Here, we describe the case of an adolescent patient with TTP, confirmed by decreased level of ADAMTS-13 activity and an increased level of ADAMTS-13 inhibitor, who was successfully treated by plasma exchanges.

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.15-24
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• 2004

The Seokgatap pagoda composed of mainly alkali granite and other minor pink-feldspar granite, fine-grained granite, granodiorite, diorite, gabbro, and tuff. Despite the small loss and damage derived from joints, its peel-off and exfoliation are serious enough to cause the heavy deterioration on the stone surface. The chemical and petrological weathering has partly replaced the original rock-forming minerals with clay minerals and iron oxyhydroxides. Based on the petrogenesis, rock materials of the pagoda is very similar to rocks of Dabotap pagoda and the Namsan granite in the Gyeongju. The central fart of the pagoda has sunken highly, which caused all the corners to split and the structural transformation to become worse. The reverse V-shaped gaps between the materials have broken stones filled in a coarse way. The iron plates inserted between the upper flat stone laid on other stones and tile pagoda body in the north and east side has been exposed in the air and corroded, discoloring of the adjacent stones. The overall diagnosis of the Seokgatap pagoda is the deteriorated functions of the stone materials, which calls for a long-term monitoring and plans to reinforce the stone surfaces. But the main body including the pagoda roof stone needs washing on a regular basis, and the many different cracks should be fixed with glue by using the fillers or hardeners designed for stone cultural properties after removing the cement mortar. In case of the replacement of the stone materials with new stones, it's necessary to examine the pagoda for the center of gravity and support intensity of the materials. The structural stability of the pagoda can be attained by taking a reinforce measure in geotechnical engineering and making a drainage. The ground humidity, which has aggravated weathering and structural instability, should be resolved by setting up a humidity reduction facility. The contamination of lichens and bryophyte around the pagoda and on the surface is serious. Thus biochemical treatments should be given too in order to prevent further biological damages and remove the vegetation growing on the discontinuous planes.

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.92-100
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• 2004

The host rocks of brick-shaped stone pagoda in the Bunhwangsa temple are lots of kinds andesitic rocks, which has gone through mechanical and chemical weathering. As the overall observation, the pagoda is serious damages by air pollutants, and the northeast parts show the much advanced state of turning white, while the southeast parts are heavily cracked in the materials. The rocks of brick-shaped pagoda body are in a relatively stable condition of weathering and damage except for the abrasion and cracks of the corners. The rocks of the pagoda roof suffer from more symptoms including multiple peel-offs, exfoliation, cracks forming round lines, and falling off stone pieces. The pagoda roof rocks are dominated by the thriving leafy lichens and mosses, especially, there are higher plants (selaginella involvens, dandelions) taking root actively between the brick stones and content mortar. There are even light gray precipitates like stalactites between the rocks of the body, In particular, the 1st and 2nd floor in the east side and the body parts in the north side are the most serious. Their major minerals are calcite, gypsum and clay minerals. The rocks of the stylobate and the tabernacle in all the four directions are composed mainly of granitic rocks. The materials consisting of the tabernacles show the severe splits and distortion, which causes the structural instability. The stylobate rocks are heavily contaminated by some weeds with the often marks of inorganic contamination by secondary hydroxides. The central part of the east stylobate has been sinking, while that of the 1st floor west stylobate is protruded nesting a line of cracks. Accordingly, the inside of the tabernacle is always humid with the constant introduction of rainwater. The stone lion standing in the southeast and northeast side are alkali granite, while that in the southwest and northwest lithic tuff. Each of the stone lion also coated with various colored lichens, mosses, algae, bacteria and bryophyte. The external materials of the pagoda have deteriorated the functions of the rocks and made the loss, falling off, and biological contamination even worse due to the surface weathering. Thus it's urgent to come up with scientific restoration and conservation measures through clinical tests.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2020

Objective: Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. But, the adverse effects of oxidative biomarkers on sperm quality remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the levels of nitric oxide (NO), 8-hydroxydesoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) oxidative biomarkers in seminal plasma and their relationship with sperm parameters. Methods: A total of 77 volunteers participated in the study, including fertile (n = 40) and infertile men (n = 37). NO, 8-OHdG, and TAC levels were measured using the ferric reducing ability of plasma, Griess reagent method and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, respectively. Results: The mean values of sperm parameters in the infertile group were significantly lower than those in the fertile group (p< 0.001). The mean 8-OHdG in the seminal plasma of infertile men was significantly higher (p= 0.013) than those of controls, while the mean TAC was significantly lower (p= 0.046). There was no significant difference in NO level between the two groups. The elevated seminal 8-OHdG levels were negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm counts and morphology (p< 0.001, p= 0.001 and p= 0.052, respectively). NO levels were negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm counts and morphology (p= 0.014, p= 0.020 and p= 0.060, respectively). Positive correlations between TAC and both sperm count and morphology (p= 0.043 and p= 0.025, respectively) were also found. Conclusion: These results suggested that increased levels of NO and 8-OHdG in seminal plasma could have a negative effect on sperm function by inducing damage to the sperm DNA hence their fertility potentials. Therefore, these biomarkers can be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.37-44
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• 2018

This study proposed the modified weighting values for jointed rock slopes. The studies on deduction of evaluation index and calculation of weighting, development of criteria for evaluation and evaluation models have been conducted through decision making techniques such as the Delphi method and the AHP method by many researchers. Because these decisions making techniques may be less objective, it is necessary to calculate reasonable weighting considering both an objective weighting and a subjective weighting simultaneously. In this study, utilizing the inspection data of jointed rock slopes, an objective weighting that the concept of entropy is applied was calculated. And the subjective weighting values by AHP technique was calculated based on the opinion of experts. And a modified weighting was suggested by combining the two. As a result, it was found that jointed rock slopes have higher weighting in artificial factors and the damage status items. In addition based on the finally suggested weighting (mixed weighting), the revised evaluation criteria could be presented by converting it into the evaluation score (76 points). And it is expected that it could be usefully utilized upon inspections on cutting slopes and safety diagnosis since objective and highly reliable criteria compared to the condition evaluation criteria that are currently used could be presented through the results of the study.