• Journal of the Korean Physical Society
• /
• v.73 no.11
• /
• pp.1619-1624
• /
• 2018

Laser ablation may provide a minimally invasive palliative treatment for pancreatic cancer. The aim of the current study was to assess the feasibility of a 532-nm laser equipped with a cylindrical light diffuser for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Monolayers of BxPC-3 human pancreatic cancer cell were exposed to 532 nm laser light. Power levels of 5 - 7 W were used to uniformly target the entire cell colonies for 60 and 120 seconds. The cells were incubated for 24 hours after treatment and viabilities were determined by using a MTT assay. Laser ablation was performed by using the cylindrical light diffuser on six pancreatic tumor tissues obtained from pancreatic cancer xenograft mouse models, which were exposed to the 532 nm light at 5W or 7W for 10 to 30 seconds. In the in vitro study, the survival rates of the pancreatic cancer cells were reduced by 6.6% to 98.9% after the treatment, and the survival rates were reduced by increasing laser power and/or irradiation time. In the pancreatic tumor tissues, a homogenous circular ablation zone was observed in all tumors and the ablation distance induced by the laser irradiation showed to be constant from the diffuser to all directions (standard deviation, 0.3 - 1.3 mm). Ablation distance and area increased with increasing laser power and/or irradiation time. The 532 nm laser effectively killed pancreatic cancer cells, and the cylindrical light diffuser was found to be suitable for laser ablation as it provided uniform ablation in pancreatic cancer.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.123-137
• /
• 2021

In this study, we performed cross calibration of KOMPSAT-3 AEISS imaging sensor with reference to normalized pixels in the Landsat 8 OLI scenes of homogenous ROI recorded by both sensors between January 2014 and December 2019 at the Libya 4 PICS. Cross calibration is using images from a stable and well-calibrated satellite sensor as references to harmonize measurements from other sensors and/or characterize other sensors. But cross calibration has two problems; RSR and temporal difference. The RSR of KOMPSAT-3 and Landsat 8 are similar at the blue and green bands. But the red and NIR bands have a large difference. So we calculate SBAF of each sensor. We compared the SBAF estimated from the TOA Radiance simulation with KOMPSAT-3 and Landsat 8, the results displayed a difference of about 2.07~2.92% and 0.96~1.21% in the VIS and NIR bands. Before SBAF, Reflectance and Radiance difference was 0.42~23.23%. Case of difference temporal, we simulated by 6S and Landsat 8 for alignment the same acquisition time. The SBAF-corrected cross calibration coefficients using KOMPSAT-3, 6S and simulated Landsat 8 compared to the initial cross calibration without correction demonstrated a percentage difference in the spectral bands of about 0.866~1.192%. KOMPSAT-3 maximum uncertainty was estimated at 3.26~3.89%; errors due to atmospheric condition minimized to less than 1% (via 6S); Maximum deviation of KOMPSAT-3 DN was less than 1%. As the result, the results affirm that SBAF and 6s simulation enhanced cross-calibration accuracy.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.96-107
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE. Microstructural and physico-mechanical characterization of highly translucent zirconia, prepared by milling technology (CAD-CAM) and repeated firing cycles, was the main aim of this in vitro study. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two groups of samples of two commercial highly-translucent yttria-stabilized dental zirconia, VITA YZ-HT^White (Group A) and Zolid HT + White (Group B), with dimensions according to the ISO 6872 "Dentistry - Ceramic materials", were prepared. The specimens of each group were divided into two subgroups. The specimens of the first subgroups (Group A₁ and Group B₁) were merely the sintered specimens. The specimens of the second subgroups (Group A₂ and Group B₂) were subjected to 4 heat treatment cycles. The microstructural features (microstructure, density, grain size, crystalline phases, and crystallite size) and four mechanical properties (flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness) of the subgroups (i.e. before and after heat treatment) were compared. The statistical significance between the subgroups (A₁/A₂, and B₁/B₂) was evaluated by the t-test. In all tests, P values smaller than 5% were considered statistically significant. RESULTS. A homogenous microstructure, with no residual porosity and grains sized between 500 and 450 nm for group A and B, respectively, was observed. Crystalline yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia was exclusively registered in the X-ray diffractograms. The mechanical properties decreased after the heat treatment procedure, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION. The produced zirconia ceramic materials can be safely (i.e., according to the ISO 6872) used in extensive fixed prosthetic restorations, such as substructure ceramics for three-unit prostheses involving the molar restoration and substructure ceramics for prostheses involving four or more units. Consequently, milling technology is an effective manufacturing technology for producing zirconia substructures for dental fixed all-ceramic prosthetic restorations.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.54 no.8
• /
• pp.3059-3072
• /
• 2022

A Jacobian-Free Newton Krylov Two-Nodal Coarse Mesh Finite Difference algorithm based on Nodal Expansion Method (NEM_TNCMFD_JFNK) is successfully developed and proposed to solve the three-dimensional (3D) and multi-group reactor physics models. In the NEM_TNCMFD_JFNK method, the efficient JFNK method with the Modified Incomplete LU (MILU) preconditioner is integrated and applied into the discrete systems of the NEM-based two-node CMFD method by constructing the residual functions of only the nodal average fluxes and the eigenvalue. All the nonlinear corrective nodal coupling coefficients are updated on the basis of two-nodal NEM formulation including the discontinuity factor in every few newton steps. All the expansion coefficients and interface currents of the two-node NEM need not be chosen as the solution variables to evaluate the residual functions of the NEM_TNCMFD_JFNK method, therefore, the NEM_TNCMFD_JFNK method can greatly reduce the number of solution variables and the computational cost compared with the JFNK based on the conventional NEM. Finally the NEM_TNCMFD_JFNK code is developed and then analyzed by simulating the representative PWR MOX/UO₂ core benchmark, the popular NEACRP 3D core benchmark and the complicated full-core pin-by-pin homogenous core model. Numerical solutions show that the proposed NEM_TNCMFD_JFNK method with the MILU preconditioner has the good numerical accuracy and can obtain higher computational efficiency than the NEM-based two-node CMFD algorithm with the power method in the outer iteration and the Krylov method using the MILU preconditioner in the inner iteration, which indicates the NEM_TNCMFD_JFNK method can serve as a potential and efficient numerical tool for reactor neutron diffusion analysis module in the JFNK-based multiphysics coupling application.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.771-779
• /
• 2022

Background: As a kind of common complication of the surgery of perianal diseases, perianal ulcer is known as a nuisance. This study aims to develop a kind of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3)-loaded hydrogel to treat perianal ulcers in a rat model. Methods: The copolymers PLGA₁₆₀₀-PEG₁₀₀₀-PLGA₁₆₀₀ were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization process and Rg3-loaded hydrogel was then developed. The perianal ulcer rat model was established to analyze the treatment efficacy of Rg3-loaded hydrogel for ulceration healing for 15 days. The animals were divided into control group, hydrogel group, free Rg3 group, Rg3-loaded hydrogel group, and Lidocaine Gel® group. The residual wound area rate was calculated and the blood concentrations of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were recorded. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Masson's Trichrome (MT) staining, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), Ki-67, CD31, ERK1/2, and NF-κB immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results: The biodegradable and biocompatible hydrogel carries a homogenous interactive porous structure with 10 ㎛ pore size and five weeks in vivo degradation time. The loaded Rg3 can be released sustainably. The in vitro cytotoxicity study showed that the hydrogel had no effect on survival rate of murine skin fibroblasts L929. The Rg3-loaded hydrogel can facilitate perianal ulcer healing by inhibiting local and systematic inflammatory responses, swelling the proliferation of nuclear cells, collagen deposition, and vascularization, and activating ERK signal pathway. Conclusion: The Rg3-loaded hydrogel shows the best treatment efficacy of perianal ulcer and may be a candidate for perianal ulcer treatment.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.343-365
• /
• 2022

This paper tries to identify the effect of reducing PM2.5 concentration of the First Seasonal Management Policy implemented by Korean government by using statistical method. In particular, this paper tests the hypothesis that this policy effect may differ by region (west-coast, south-coast, and east-coast). To this end, this paper analyzed only pure policy effects by removing temporal abnormalities such as COVID-19, warm winter temperature during the policy implementation period (December 2019 to March 2020) by using the difference-in-difference method (DID). As a result of the analysis, this policy had the effect of reducing PM2.5, but the effect is not homogenous by region. In particular, PM2.5 reducing effect is the largest in west-coast region and south-coast region folllows, but its effect is not statistically significant in the east-cost region. In conclusion, this paper drew implications that the current Seasonal mamangement policy which is implemented regardless of the regional difference needs to be changed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.65 no.2
• /
• pp.255-268
• /
• 2022

Objective : Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease in neurosurgical departments, but optimal perioperative management guidelines have not yet been established. We aimed to assess the current clinical management and outcomes for CSDH patients and identify prognostic factors for CSDH recurrence. Methods : We enrolled a total of 293 consecutive patients with CSDH who underwent burr hole craniostomy at seven institutions in 2018. Clinical and surgery-related characteristics and surgical outcomes were analyzed. The cohort included 208 men and 85 women. Results : The median patient age was 75 years. Antithrombotic agents were prescribed to 105 patients. History of head trauma was identified in 59% of patients. Two hundred twenty-seven of 293 patients (77.5%) had unilateral hematoma and 46.1% had a homogenous hematoma type. About 70% of patients underwent surgery under general anesthesia, and 74.7% underwent a single burr hole craniostomy surgery. Recurrence requiring surgery was observed in 17 of 293 patients (5.8%), with a median of 32 days to recurrence. The postoperative complication rate was 4.1%. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with CSDH recurrence were separated hematoma type (odds ratio, 3.906; p=0.017) and patient who underwent surgery under general anesthesia had less recurrence (odds ratio, 0.277; p=0.017). Conclusion : This is the first retrospective multicenter generalized cohort pilot study in the Republic of Korea as a first step towards the development of Korean clinical practice guidelines for CSDH. The type of hematoma and anesthesia was associated with CSDH recurrence. Although the detailed surgical method differs depending on the institution, the surgical treatment of CSDH was effective. Further studies may establish appropriate management guidelines to minimize CSDH recurrence.

• Advances in materials Research
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.225-235
• /
• 2022

It includes the synthesis of pristine ZnO nanoparticles and a series of Ag-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles was carried out by reflux method by varying the amount of silver (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9% by mol.). The morphology of these nanoparticles was investigated by SEM, XRD and FT-IR techniques. These techniques show that synthesized particles are homogenous spherical nanoparticles having an average particle size of about 50-100 nm along with some agglomeration. The photocatalytic activity of the ZnO nanoparticles and Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles were investigated via photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) as a standard dye. The data from the photocatalytic activity of these nanoparticles show that 7% Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibit much enhanced photocatalytic activity as compared to pristine ZnO nanoparticles and other percentages of Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Furthermore, 7% Ag-doped ZnO was made composites with sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride by physical mixing method and a series of nanocomposites were made (3.5, 7.5, 25, 50, 75% by weight). It was observed that the 25% composites exhibited better photocatalytic performance than pristine S-g-C 3 N 4 and pure 7% Ag-doped ZnO. Tauc's plot also supports the photodegradation results.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.180-194
• /
• 2023

This study characterize, classify and evaluates the function of topography on spatial variability of some selected soil properties to assist in designing land management that support uniform agricultural production. The study site, an agricultural land, was part of the derived savanna zone in southwest Nigeria. Four soil profile pits each were established along two delineated toposequence and described following the FAO/UNESCO guidelines. Samples were collected from the identified genetic horizons. Properties of four soil series developed on different positions of the two delineated Toposequence viz upper, middle, lower slopes and valley bottom positions respectively were studied. The soil samples were analysed for selected physical and chemical properties and data generated were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that soil colour, depth and texture varied in response to changes in slope position and drainage condition. The sand content ranged from 61 to 90% while the bulk density ranged between 1.06 g cm^-3 to 1.68 g cm^-3. The soils were neutral to very strongly acid with low total exchangeable bases. Available phosphorus value were low while the extractable micronutrient concentration varied from low to medium. Soils of Asejire and Iwo series mapped in the study area were classified as Typic isohyperthermic paleustult, Apomu series as Plinthic isohyperthermic paleustult and Jago series as Aquic psamment (USDA Soil Taxonomy). These soils were correlated as Lixisol, Plinthic Lixisol and Fluvisol (World Reference Based), respectively. Major agronomic constraints of the soils associations mapped in the study area were nutrient availability, nutrient retention, slope, drainage, texture, high bulk density and shallow depth. The study concluded that the soils were not homogenous, shows moderate spatial variation across the slope, had varying potentials for sustainable agricultural practices, and thus, the agronomic constraints should be carefully addressed and managed for precision agriculture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.764-769
• /
• 2010

The aim of this study was to examine how customers perceive storytelling at a real local restaurant and to understand how consumption reflects their evaluation by understanding their values. Participants received information from a real local restaurant in the Gangneung area to examine the effects of storytelling and to evaluate their affective attitudes towards local restaurant stories, word-of-mouth intentions, and purchasing intentions using a seven-point Likert scale. A total of 310 consumers were used. A factor analysis was performed to identify consumption value characteristics and factor structure, which consisted economic value, emotional value, and epistemic value. To test whether local restaurant consumers could be classified into homogenous groups based on their consumption values, a three cluster solution was selected, and a Kmeans cluster analysis was performed. As a result, three groups were identified and labeled appropriate for their scores based on each of the consumption values; emotional value-oriented consumers to cluster 1, epistemic value-oriented consumers to cluster 2, and economic value-oriented consumers to cluster 3. An analysis of variance was used to examine the differences in the affective attitudes towards storytelling at the local restaurant, purchasing intentions, and word-of-mouth intentions across the three clusters. The epistemic value-oriented consumers had the highest score for all three variables. In contrast, economic value-oriented consumers had the lowest scores for the three variables. A regression analysis revealed that affective attitudes towards storytelling were significantly affected by these three consumption values. It also showed that positive affective attitudes towards storytelling were associated with higher purchasing intention and word-of-mouth. The significance of this study was to show how customers perceive storytelling at a real restaurant and reflect on their evaluation by understanding their consumption values. As a result, this study examined the potential power of storytelling as an effective marketing communication tool for local restaurants.