• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2024

In this study, the feasibility of using the covariance-matrix-adaptation-evolution-strategy (CMA-ES) algorithm in a multichannel coherent-beam-combining (CBC) system was experimentally verified. We constructed a multichannel CBC system utilizing a spatial light modulator (SLM) as a multichannel phase-modulator array, along with a coherent light source at 635 nm, implemented the stochastic-parallel-gradient-descent (SPGD) and CMA-ES algorithms on it, and compared their performances. In particular, we evaluated the characteristics of the CMA-ES and SPGD algorithms in the CBC system in both 16-channel rectangular and 19-channel honeycomb formats. The results of the evaluation showed that the performances of the two algorithms were similar on average, under the given conditions; However, it was verified that under the given conditions the CMA-ES algorithm was able to operate with more stable performance than the SPGD algorithm, as the former had less operational variation with the initial phase setting than the latter. It is emphasized that this study is the first proof-of-principle demonstration of the CMA-ES phase-control algorithm in a multichannel CBC system, to the best of our knowledge, and is expected to be useful for future experimental studies of the effects of additional channel-number increments, or external-phase-noise effects, in multichannel CBC systems based on the CMA-ES phase-control algorithm.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.2
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• pp.143-152
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• 2024

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and nutrient dynamics in response to fertilization of four tree species (LT: Liriodendron tulipifera L.; PY: Prunus yedoensis Matsumura; QA: Quercus acutissima Ca rruth; a nd PT: Pinus thunbergii Parl.) planted in a fire-disturbed urban forest in Bongdaesan (Mt.), Ulsan Metropolitan Area, South Korea. The trees were planted in 2009, and compound fertilizers (N₆P₄K₁) were applied in April 2013 and March 2014. Tree growth, soil, and foliage nutrients were examined from March 2013 to October 2016. The regression coefficients for the increment of the diameter at breast height (DBH) significantly differed between the fertilized and unfertilized plots, suggesting the significant effects of fertilization. By contrast, fertilization did not affect the coefficients for height increments. Regarding soil nutrient contents, organic carbon and total nitrogen concentrations were lower in the fertilized plots than in the unfertilized plots, whereas available phosphorus, exchangeable calcium, and magnesium concentrations were higher in the fertilized plots than in the unfertilized plots. In foliage, nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were higher in the fertilized plots than in the unfertilized plots, whereas potassium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations were not affected by fertilization. Nutrient concentration of foliage among the tree species were higher in LT and PY than in QA and PT. These results suggest that fertilizers may be used to enhance soil fertility and the growth and nutrient status of tree species planted in a fire-disturbed urban forest.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2024

Hepatocyte damage caused by medications or herbal products is one of the important problem when these compounds are chronically administrated. Thus, improving hepatocyte survival during treatment offers a wide range of opportunities. Valproic acid (VPA), a branched short-chain fatty acid derived from naturally occurring valeric acid, is commonly used to treat epilepsy and seizures. Although VPA exerts numerous effects in cancer, HIV therapy, and neurodegenerative disease, its effects on the liver and its mechanism of action have not been fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrated that VPA caused moderate liver cell toxicity and apoptosis. Interestingly, VPA treatment increased transcription levels of PPAR alpha (PPAR-α) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in murine (Hepa1c1c7) hepatoma cells in a time and concentration dependent manner. VPA-induced FGF21 expression was significantly weaker under PPAR-α silencing condition than in cells transfected with non-targeting control siRNA. Subsequent experiments showed that cell viability was significantly lowered when the FGF21 signaling pathway was blocked by FGF receptor antagonist. Finally, we further determined that AMPK phosphorylation was not responsible for VPA-induced FGF21 expression and PPAR-a increments. These results indicate that increases of FGF21 expression alleviate VPA-induced hepatic toxicity, thereby making FGF21 a potential biomarker for predicting liver damage during VPA treatments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2024

The elbow joint is made up of three different bones. X-rays or other radiological exams are commonly used to diagnose elbow injuries or disorders caused by physical activity and external forces. Previous research on the elbow joint reported a new examination method that meets the imaging evaluation criteria in the tilt position by Z-axis elevation of the forearm. Therefore, this study aims to design an optimized instrument and develop an aid applicable to other upper extremity exams. After completing the 2D drawing and 3D modeling design, the final design divided into four parts was fabricated with a 3D printer using ABS plastic and assembled. The developed examination aid consists of a four-stage Z-axis elevation tilt angle function (0°, 5°, 10°, and 15°) and can rotate and fixate 360° in 1-degree increments. It was designed to withstand a maximum equivalent stress of 56.107 Pa and a displacement of 1.6548e-5 mm through structural analysis to address loading issues caused by cumulative frequency of use and physical utilization. In addition to X-ray exams of the elbow joint, the developed aid can be used for shoulder function tests by rotating the humerus and also be applied to MRI and CT exams as it is made of non-metallic materials. It will contribute to the accuracy and efficiency of medical imaging diagnosis through clinical applications of various devices and medical imaging exams in the future.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.163-171
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of various technical parameters for the dose optimization in pediatric chest radiological examinations by evaluating effective dose and effective detective quantum efficiency (eDQE) including the scatter radiation from the object, the blur caused by the focal spot, geometric magnification and detector characteristics. For the tube voltages ranging from 40 to 90 kVp in 10 kVp increments at the FDD of 100, 110, 120, 150, 180 cm, the eDQE was evaluated at the same effective dose. The results showed that the eDQE was largest at 60 kVp when compares the eDQE at different tube voltage. Especially, the eDQE was considerably higher without the use of an anti-scatter grid on equivalent effective dose. This indicates that the reducing the scatter radiation did not compensate for the loss of absorbed effective photons in the grid. When the grid is not used the eDQE increased with increasing FDD because of the greater effective modulation transfer function (eMTF). However, most of major hospitals in Korea employed a short FDD of 100 cm with an anti-scatter grid for the chest radiological examination of a 15 month old infant. As a result, the entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) values for the hospitals of this survey exceeded the Korean DRL (diagnostic reference level) of $100{\mu}Gy$. Therefore, appropriate technical parameters should be established to perform pediatric chest examinations on children of different ages. The results of this study may serve as a baseline to establish detailed reference level of pediatric dose for different ages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.99-106
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• 2009

For Exp. 1, 120 ((Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace)${\times}$Duroc) weaned pigs (7.96${\pm}$0.01 kg average initial BW, 21 days weaning) were used in a 28 d-growth assay to determine the effects of replacing soy protein concentrate (SPC) with fermented soy protein (FSP) in a starter diet (d 0 to 7) on the growth performance, apparent fecal amino acid digestibility and subsequent performance in weaned pigs. Dietary treatments included: i) FSP0 (basal diet; whey-skim milk powder-SPC based diet); ii) FSP5 (replacing SPC with 5% FSP); iii) FSP10 (replacing SPC with 10% FSP). Pigs were fed the phase I diet for 7 days, and then each group was fed a common commercial diet for 21 days to determine the effect of previous diet on subsequent performance. Average daily gain (ADG) from d 5 to 7 (linear effect, p = 0.01) and d 7 to 14 (linear effect, p<0.001) were increased as FSP level increased. The pigs fed with FSP was heavier than the pigs fed with SPC at d 5 to 7 and d 7 to 14 after weaning (p<0.05). In the entire period (d 0 to 28), there were no significant differences in weight gain and final weight between SPC and FSP diets (p>0.05). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was higher in pigs fed with the 5% FSP diet than those fed with the other diets at d 0 to 2 post-weaning (quadratic effect, p = 0.05). Also, for the entire period of phase I (d 0 to 7), pigs consumed more 5% FSP diet compared to other treatments (quadratic effect, p = 0.03). Gain/feed (G/F) was not affected by dietary SPC or FSP in phase I and subsequent periods, but G/F from d 5 to 7 after weaning was improved linearly (p = 0.04) as dietary FSP level increased. Pigs fed with 10% FSP also improved G/F compared with those fed only SPC (p<0.05). At d 7, there were linear increments in fecal dry matter (DM) (p<0.1) and nitrogen (N) (p<0.01) digestibilities as the dietary FSP level increased. The digestibilities of fecal essential and total amino acids were increased as the FSP level increased (linear effect, p<0.1). For Exp. 2, three ((Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace)${\times}$Duroc) weaned barrows (average initial BW of 7.32 kg) were surgically fitted with a simple T-cannula approximately 15 cm prior to the ileo-cecal junction. The experimental designs were 3${\times}$3 latin squares with pigs and periods as blocking criteria. Dietary treatments and composition were the same as in Exp. 1. Apparent ileal N digestibility was increased as FSP level was increased (linear effect, p<0.05). The dietary treatments (SPC and FSP) did not affect apparent ileal DM digestibility (p>0.05). Among essential amino acids, apparent digestibility of ileal arginine (Arg), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met) and phenylalanine (Phe) were improved as the FSP level increased (linear effect, p<0.1). Also, apparent ileal total essential, non-essential and total amino acid digestibilities were increased linearly (p<0.1). In conclusion, replacing SPC with fermented soy protein appeared beneficial in growth performance, N and amino acid digestibility during the early 7 days after weaning, and an equivalent effect showed on growth performance in subsequent period of 7 to 28 days after weaning.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.170-176
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• 1998

Nitrogen and phosphorus loads from an agricultural watershed of the Yulmun-chon tributary in the Buk-Han River Basin were quantified based on total amounts of water stream flow. The water quality and soil loss were estimated. Levels of the stream were recorded automatically using the water level meter. The flow velocities, along with the cross-sectional areas of the riverbed, were measured to estimate total amounts of water flow at three monitoring sites in this tributary. Water samples were collected at nine sites with two weeks interval from May to August and analyzed for the water quality parameters. Amounts of soil loss were estimated by the USLE. The size of the Yulmunchon watershed was 3,210 ha, of which paddy and upland soil areas were composed about 41%. The total amounts of soil loss from the watershed areas were estimated to be $13,273Mg\;year^{-1}$, showing 53%, 46% and 0.7% of the soil loss ratio from upland, forest, and paddy areas, respectively. Electrical conductivities and Nitrogen concentrations of the stream water were higher in the lower watershed area than in the upper area. Increments of N were higher for $NO_3-N$ than $NH_4-N$. Nitrate nitrogen was the major N form to pollute the water due to the agricultural activity. Total runoff was about 72% of the total precipitation in the watershed. The maximum loads of T-N and T-P due to the runoff were estimated to be 1,500 and $5kg\;day^{-1}$, respectively. Concentrations of $NO_3-N$ and $NH_4-N$ in the runoff were 13.5 and 1.8 times higher than those in precipitation. The N loads were mainly from soil loss, application of fertilizer, and livestock wastes, which were 52% of total N load. Results demonstrated that reduction of fertilizer use and the soil loss would be essential for water quality protection of the agricultural watershed.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2004

Processed meals, such as a ground meat and hamburger patty, are required to ensure that no pathogens remain in the final products. However, there was no rapid method available to verify that the recommended end-point cooking temperature(EPT) was reached. Thus, the objective of this study was to rapidly determine EPT of ground pork hams using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SOS-PAGE), based on the disappearance of sarcoplasmic proteins after cooking. Fresh pork hams were added two levels of salt(0, 2%) and fat(15, 25%) combinations, and stored in refrigerator overnight, and cooked to internal cooking temperatures of $64^{\circ}C$ to $74^{\circ}C$ with $2^{\circ}C$ increments. Cooked pork hams were measured cooking loss(CL, %), protein solubility(PS) and SOS-PAGE. CL(%) was reduced with the addition of 2% salt, as compared to the control, regardless of fat contents. It was also increased with increasing eooking temperature. Protein solubility was affected by the cooking temperature, resulting in reduced PS up to $64^{\circ}C$(P < 0.05), but remained constant higher than $68^{\circ}C$. In SOS-PAGE analysis, protein bands with the molecular weights of 36 and 66 kDa were affected by the addition of salt and fat combinations. regardless of treatments. These protein fractions were decreased gradually with increased cooking temperatures up to $68^{\circ}C$ ${\sim}$ $70^{\circ}C$ and might be good indicators for the determination of EPT in ground pork hams.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.68-72
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• 2014

Purpose The nuclear medicine examination, there is a difficulty to carry out the inspection of both on the day of residual isotope due to the half-life. In this study, by studying the mutual influence and $^{18}F$-FDG of $^{99m}TcO_4{^-}$, I would like to explain the matters to be considered in the case of performing the same day. Materials and Methods With the NEMA-1994 Phantom, and experiments were performed 3 times. Create a 1: 4 Background ratio HOT and the $^{99m}TcO_4{^-}$ The first experiment: After underwent SPECT in INFINIA (GE Healthcare, MI, USA), and were injected with $^{18}F$-FDG 37 MBq in the Background area, 13 once for 60 minutes under the same conditions was time Scan. Create a 1: 4 Background ratio HOT and the $^{18}F$-FDG second is: The Scan in PET/CT Discovery 600 (GE Healthcare, MI, USA), and 148 MBq after injection $^{99m}TcO_4{^-}$ the Background area, once for 60 minutes, 6 under the same conditions was time Scan. Create a 1: 4 Background ratio HOT and the $^{18}F$-FDG experiments las, increments of 296 MBq and 148 MBq the 1 Bed Scan after $^{99m}TcO_4{^-}$, was 1 Bed Scan under the same conditions. Non BKG area and HOT, I was measured comparing the Total Counts and SNR or CNR. Results Showed a significant difference in the ratio CNR of enforcement during SPECT $^{18}F$-FDG is, (p>0.05). The $^{99m}TcO_4{^-}$ was no significant difference between the SNR ratio of PET / CT at the time of the effective date (p<0.05). I got the results $^{99m}TcO_4{^-}$ that reduce the Total Counts of PET / CT scan. Conclusion If you make a PET / CT scan, may affect the test using the $^{99m}TcO_4{^-}$ up to 12 hours, when it is performed before the $^{99m}TcO_4{^-}$, does not affect the SNR and SUV, PET / CT scan I reduced the detection efficiency. The inspection of day, we'd like to recommend a way to complement the detection efficiency to increase the inspection time of PET / CT in move forward the inspection using the $^{99m}TcO_4{^-}$.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 1991

An acid tolerant R. meliloti "YA03" which was characterized through both acidified tube and pot soil experiment, was examined on its inoculation effect to alfalfa[Medicago sativa (L.)]cv. Vernal on hilly acid soil. It was conducted for 2 years to evaluate inoculation residual effect and there were two-fertilizer factors of nitrogen(0.8kg/10a) and lime(0,162kg/10a)as urea and $Ca(OH)_2$, respectively. The results obtained were summarized as follows : 1. In the 1st-year experiment, YA03 inoculated without nitrogen and lime application showed higher symbiotic effectiveness than check strains, YA026 and Rm2011 in nodule mass, $N_2$-fixing activity, and dry matter yield, but with N 8kg/10a application lower effectiveness than Rm2011. 2. In the 2nd-year experiment, Alfalfa dry matter yield by YA03 inoculation with N application(without lime) was 74% higher than that(276 kg/10a) in the 1st year, and the value showed 166%, 20%, and 21% increments as compared with noninoculated control(180kg/10a). YA026(399kg/10a), and Rm2011(397kg/10a), respectively. 3. In the 2nd-year experiment of N applicated plote(without lime), especially, YA03 showed higher shoot nitrogen(7.7kg N/10a/Yr.) fixed and soil rhizobial population($1{\times}10^4\;cells/g.\;soil$) than check strains. 4. On the basis of lime application, application effect of three major fertilizers with YA03 inoculation on alfalfa yield and soil rhizobial population was in the order of $N+P_2O_5+K_2O>P_2O_5+K_2O>P_2O_5+K_2O$. 5. On the whole, alfalfa yield by acid tolerant R. meliloti YA03 inoculation on hilly acid soil was enhanced with nitrogen application, and besides it appeared 44% higher with lime than without lime.