• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.175-180
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• 2009

Purpose: Detection of TSH-binding inhibitor immunoglobulin (TBII) in patients with hyperthyroidism is an important result of Graves' disease (GD) and hyperthyroidism treatment. This has been made out an inspection by commercial radio-receptor assays. To increase the sensitivity and the specificity of the assay, many results of the assay were reported. In this study we evaluated the clinical usetulness of TBII assays by the Comparative method. Material and Methods: We were measured by using healthy control group (n=30, male=20, female=10) of Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center from January to March in 2009. Similarly, We were measured by using hyperthyroid (TSH<$0.05\;{\mu}IU/mL$, FT4>1.80 ng/dL) experimental group (n=58, male=14, female=44) of division of endocrinology and metabolism department of internal medicine Seoul National University Hospital from January to March in 2009. We made a comparative study of each two assays from the first generation to the third generation. We were used of TSAb assay as a measurement of GD diagnostic technique. Results: The specificity of healthy control group was 100% according to the generation. (Specificity=100%, n=30) The sensitivity of hyperthyroid experimental group were the first generation RSR<%> (79.3%, n=58), RSR (51.7%, n=58), the second generation RSR-CT (93.1%, n=58), BRAHMSCT (98.3%, n=58), the third generation ELISA (94.6%, n=56), ECLIA (97.7%, n=58) and TS-Ab<%> (93.5%, n=46). Conclusion: We were used of TSAb assay as a measurement of GD diagnostic technique, The result of data showed a high correlation between the third generation TBII assay and the second generation TBII assay ($R^2$=0.923). Instead of the first generation assay, the second generation assay can be more useful in clincal diagnosis.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.131-150
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• 2015

Omission of noun phrases for obligatory cases is a common phenomenon in sentences of Korean and Japanese, which is not observed in English. When an argument of a predicate can be filled with a noun phrase co-referential with the title, the argument is more easily omitted in Encyclopedia texts. The omitted noun phrase is called a zero anaphor or zero pronoun. Encyclopedias like Wikipedia are major source for information extraction by intelligent application systems such as information retrieval and question answering systems. However, omission of noun phrases makes the quality of information extraction poor. This paper deals with the problem of developing a system that can restore omitted noun phrases in encyclopedia documents. The problem that our system deals with is almost similar to zero anaphora resolution which is one of the important problems in natural language processing. A noun phrase existing in the text that can be used for restoration is called an antecedent. An antecedent must be co-referential with the zero anaphor. While the candidates for the antecedent are only noun phrases in the same text in case of zero anaphora resolution, the title is also a candidate in our problem. In our system, the first stage is in charge of detecting the zero anaphor. In the second stage, antecedent search is carried out by considering the candidates. If antecedent search fails, an attempt made, in the third stage, to use the title as the antecedent. The main characteristic of our system is to make use of a structural SVM for finding the antecedent. The noun phrases in the text that appear before the position of zero anaphor comprise the search space. The main technique used in the methods proposed in previous research works is to perform binary classification for all the noun phrases in the search space. The noun phrase classified to be an antecedent with highest confidence is selected as the antecedent. However, we propose in this paper that antecedent search is viewed as the problem of assigning the antecedent indicator labels to a sequence of noun phrases. In other words, sequence labeling is employed in antecedent search in the text. We are the first to suggest this idea. To perform sequence labeling, we suggest to use a structural SVM which receives a sequence of noun phrases as input and returns the sequence of labels as output. An output label takes one of two values: one indicating that the corresponding noun phrase is the antecedent and the other indicating that it is not. The structural SVM we used is based on the modified Pegasos algorithm which exploits a subgradient descent methodology used for optimization problems. To train and test our system we selected a set of Wikipedia texts and constructed the annotated corpus in which gold-standard answers are provided such as zero anaphors and their possible antecedents. Training examples are prepared using the annotated corpus and used to train the SVMs and test the system. For zero anaphor detection, sentences are parsed by a syntactic analyzer and subject or object cases omitted are identified. Thus performance of our system is dependent on that of the syntactic analyzer, which is a limitation of our system. When an antecedent is not found in the text, our system tries to use the title to restore the zero anaphor. This is based on binary classification using the regular SVM. The experiment showed that our system's performance is F1 = 68.58%. This means that state-of-the-art system can be developed with our technique. It is expected that future work that enables the system to utilize semantic information can lead to a significant performance improvement.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.258-266
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• 2015

The modern radiotherapy technique which delivers a large amount of dose to patients asks to confirm the positions of patients or tumors more accurately by using X-ray projection images of high-definition. However, a rapid increase in patient's exposure and image information for CT image acquisition may be additional burden on the patient. In this study, by introducing structural similarity (SSIM) index that can effectively extract the structural information of the image, we analyze the differences between daily acquired x-ray images of a patient to verify the accuracy of patient positioning. First, for simulating a moving target, the spherical computational phantoms changing the sizes and positions were created to acquire projected images. Differences between the images were automatically detected and analyzed by extracting their SSIM values. In addition, as a clinical test, differences between daily acquired x-ray images of a patient for 12 days were detected in the same way. As a result, we confirmed that the SSIM index was changed in the range of 0.85~1 (0.006~1 when a region of interest (ROI) was applied) as the sizes or positions of the phantom changed. The SSIM was more sensitive to the change of the phantom when the ROI was limited to the phantom itself. In the clinical test, the daily change of patient positions was 0.799~0.853 in SSIM values, those well described differences among images. Therefore, we expect that SSIM index can provide an objective and quantitative technique to verify the patient position using simple x-ray images, instead of time and cost intensive three-dimensional x-ray images.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.57-71
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• 2005

Purpose : To evaluate radiation dose and accuracy with TLD and diode detector when treat total skin with electron beam. Materials and Methods : Using Stanford Technique, we treated patient with Mycosis Fungoides. 6 MeV electron beam of LINAC was used and the SSD was 300 cm. Also, acrylic speller(0.8 cm) was used. The patient position was 6 types and the gantry angle was 64, 90 and $116^{\circ}$. The patient's skin dose and the output were detected 5 to 6 times with TLD and diode. Result : The deviations of dose detected with TLD from tumor dose were CA $+\;6\%$, thigh $+\;8\%$, umbilicus $+\;4\%$, calf $-\;8\%$, vertex $-\;74.4\%$, deep axillae $-\;10.2\%$, anus and testis $-\;87\%$, sole $-\;86\%$ and nails shielded with 4mm lead $+4\%$. The deviations of dose detected with diode were $-4.5\%{\sim}+5\%$ at the patient center and $-1.1\%{\sim}+1\%$ at the speller. Conclusion : The deviation of total skin dose was $+\;8\%{\sim}-\;8\%$ and that deviation was within the acceptable range(${\pm}\;10\%$). The boost dose was irradiated for the low dose areas(vertex, anus, sole). The electron beam output detected at the sootier was stable. It is thought that the deviation of dose at patient center detected with diode was induced by detection point and patient position.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.313-323
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• 2009

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been demonstrated to be a practical method for the diagnosis of various brain diseases such as acute infarction, brain tumor, and white matter disease. In this study, we used two techniques to examine the average signal intensity (SI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the brains of patients who ranged in age from 10 to 60 years. Our results indicated that the average SI was the highest in amygdala (as derived from DWI), whereas that in the cerebrospinal fluid was the lowest. The average ADC was the highest in the cerebrospinal fluid, whereas the lowest measurement was derived from the pons. The average SI and ADC were higher in $T_2^*$-DW-EPI than in FLAIR-DW-EPI. The higher the b-value, the smaller the average difference in both imaging techniques; the lower the b-value, the greater the average difference. Also, comparative analysis of the brains of patients who had experienced cerebral infarction showed no distinct lesion in the general MR image over time. However, there was a high SI in apparent weighted images. Analysis of other brain diseases (e.g., bleeding, acute, subacute, chronic infarction) indicated SI variance in accordance with characteristics of the two techniques. The higher the SI, the lower the ADC. Taken together, the value of SI and ADC in accordance with frequently occurring areas and various brain disease varies based on the b-value and imaging technique. Because they provide additional useful information in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with various brain diseases through signal recognition, the proper imaging technique and b-value are important for the detection and interpretation of subacute stroke and other brain diseases.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.103-107
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• 2012

We compared between an automated most-probable-number technique $TEMPO^{(R)}$TVC and traditional plating methods $Petrifilm^{TM}$ for estimating populations of total aerobic bacteria in various livestock products. 257 samples randomly selected in local retail stores and 87 samples inoculated with $E.$ $coli$ ATCC 25922, $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$ ATCC 12868 were tested in this study. The degree of agreement was estimated according to the CCFRA (Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association Group) Guideline 29 and the agreement indicates the difference of two kinds methods is lower than 1 log base 10($log_{10}$). The samples of hams, jerky products, ground meat products, milks, ice creams, infant formulas, and egg heat formed products were showed above 95% in the agreement of methods. In contrast, proportion of agreement on meat extract products, cheeses and sausages were 93.1%, 92.1%, 89.1%, respectively. One press ham and five sausages containing spice and seasoning, two pork cutlets containing spice and bread crumbs, two meat extract product and two natural cheeses and one processing cheese with a high fat content, and one ice cream containing chocolate of all samples showed the discrepancy. Our result suggest that $TEMPO^{(R)}$TVC system is efficient to analyses total aerobic bacteria to compare manual method in time-consuming and laborious process except livestock products having limit of detection.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 1989

Detection of antibody against pathogenic fungi in serum specimens of the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis or other lung diseases has been carried out(male) using the indirect fluorescence antibody technique and immunodiffusion tests. Immunodiffusion tests revealed that 104(36.5%) out of 285 patients examined showed a positive precipitin reaction against one or more of fungal antigens. The majority of ID positive patients 64(61.5%) reacted with Aspergillus fumigatus antigen and 49(47.1%) patients reacted with Candida albicans antigen ID positive reaction to A. fumigatus was found little more frequently among male patients, while Candida albicans reactors were found more frequently among female patients. Age distribution of ID positive reactors was high(49.1-43.3%) in age group of 40-59 years, but least or none in age group of less than 30 years. Age of fungal mycelium used as antigen did not effect sensitivity of the indirect flubrescence (IF) technique in detecting antibody to A. fumigatus. Antibody class against A. fumigatus that showed highest titer was IgG and thus FITC labeled anti-IgG immunoglobulin shoul be preferable. As relatively large amount of cell wall components of Aspergilli shared antigenically, a considerable cross-reaction was observed among A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger, but not much with C. albicans. While (IF) has much better sensitivity when compared with ID, relative specificity of the latter procedure cannot to be overried, so that they could be batter used together in order to obtain quantitative measurement of antibody with relative specificity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2001

The EDXRF(Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer) technique was applied to the determination of heavy metals in welding fume. The EDXRF method designed in this study was a non-destructive analysis method. Samples were analyzed directly by EDXRF without any pre-treatment such as digestion and dilution. The samples used to evaluate this method were laboratory samples exposed in a chamber connected with a welding fume generator. The samples were first analyzed using a non-destructive EDXRF method. The samples subsequently were analyzed using AAS method to verify accuray of the EDXRF method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of the non-destructive analysis of heavy metals in welding fume by EDXRF. The results of this study were as follow: 1.When the samples were collected under the open-face sampling condition, a surface distribution of welding fume particles on sample filters was uniform, which made non-destructive analysis possible. 2. The method was statistically evaluated according to the NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and HSE(Health and Safety Executive) method. 3. The overall precision of the EDXRF method Was calculated at 3.45 % for Cr, 2.57 % for Fe and 3.78 % for Mn as relative standard deviation(RSD), respectively. The limits of detection were calculated at $0.46{\mu}g$/sample for Cr, $0.20{\mu}g$/sample for Fe and $1.14{\mu}g$/sample for Mn, respectively. 4. A comparison between the results of Cr, Fe, Mn analyzed by EDXRF and AAS was made in order to assess the accuracy of EDXRF method. The correlation coefficient between the results of EDXRF and AAS was 0.9985 for Cr, 0.9995 for Fe and 0.9982 for Mn, respectively. The overall uncertainty was determined to be ${\pm}12.31%$, 8.64 % and 11.91 % for Cr, Fe and Mn, respectively. In conclusion, this study showed that Cr, Fe, Mn in welding fume were successfully analyzed by the EDXRF without any sample pre-treatment such as digestion and dilution and a good correlation between the results of EDXRF and AAS was obtained. It was thus possible to use the EDXRF technique as an analysis method of working environment samples. The EDXRF method was an efficient method in a non-destructive analysis of heavy metals in welding fume.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.385-394
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• 2002

Background : Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy(FFB) has become a widely performed technique for diagnosing and managing pulmonary disease because of its low complication and mortality rate. Since the use of FFB can in patients with severely depressed cardiorespiratory function is increasing and hypoxemia during the FFB can induce significant cardiac arrhythmias, the early detection and adequate management of hypoxemia during FFB is clinically important. Method : To evaluate the necessity of the continuous monitoring of the oxygen saturation($SaO_2$) during the FFB, the $SaO_2$ was continuously monitored from the finger tip using pulse oximetry before, during and after the FFB in 379 patient. The patients were then divided into two groups, those with and without hypoxemia($SaO_2$<90%). The baseline pulmonary function data and the clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Results : The mean baseline $SaO_2$ was $96.9{\pm}2.85%$. An $SaO_2$ <90% was recorded at some point in 62(16.4%) out of 379 patients, with 12 out of 62 experiencing this prior to the FFB, in 37 out of 62 during the FFB, and in 13 out of 62 after the FFB. No differences were observed in the smoking and sex distribution between those with and without hypoxemia. The mean age was older in those with hypoxemia than in those without. Significant differences were observed in the mean baseline $SaO_2$ and the mean time for the procedure between the two groups. The $FEV_1$ was significantly lower in those with hypoxemia, and both the FVC and $FEV_1/FVC$ also tended to decrease in this group. Managing hypoxemia included deep breathing in 20 patients, a supplemental oxygen supply in 39 patients, and the abortion of the procedure in 3 patients. Conclusion : These results suggest that the continuous monitoring of the oxygen saturation is necessary during fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and it should be performed in patients with a depressed pulmonay function in order for the early detection and adequate management of hypoxemia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.321-330
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• 1999

Background : Early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment are very important in the management of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) because of its high mortality. Bronchoscopy with a protected specimen brush (PSB) has been considered the standard method to isolate the causative organisms of VAP. However, this method burdens consumer economically to purchase a PSB. Another useful method for the diagnosis of VAP is quantitative cultures of aspirated specimens through bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), for which the infusion of more than 120 m1 of saline has been recommended for adequate sampling of a pulmonary segment. However, occasionally it leads to deterioration of the patient's condition. We studied the diagnostic efficacy of minibronchoalveolar lavage (miniBAL), which retrieves only 25 ml of BAL fluid, in the isolation of causative organisms of VAP. Methods: We included 38 consecutive patients (41 cases) suspected of having VAP on the basis of clinical evidence, who had received antibiotics before the bronchoscopy. The two diagnostic techniques of PSB and miniBAL, which were performed one after another at the same pulmonary segment, 'were compared prospectively. The cut-off values for quantitative cultures to define causative bacteria of VAP were more than $10^3$ colony-forming units (cfu)/ml for PSB and more than $10^4$ cfu/ml for BAL. Results: The amount of instilled normal saline required to retrieve 25 ml of BAL fluid was $93{\pm}32 ml$ (mean${\pm}$SD). The detection rate of causative agents was 46.3% (19/41) with PSB and 43.9% (18/41) with miniBAL. The concordance rate of PSB and miniBAL in the bacterial culture was 85.4% (35/41). Although arterial blood oxygen saturation dropped significantly (p<0.05) during ($92{\pm}10%$) and 10 min after ($95{\pm}3%$) miniBAL compared with the baseline ($97{\pm}3%$), all except 3 cases were within normal ranges. The significantly elevated heart rate during ($l25{\pm}24$/min, p<0.05) miniBAL compared with the baseline ($1l1{\pm}22$/min) recovered again in 10 min after ($111{\pm}26$/min) miniBAL. Transient hypotension was developed during the procedure in two cases. The procedure was stopped in one case due to atrial flutter. Conclusion: MiniBAL is a safe and effective technique to detect the causative organisms of VAP.