• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.158-158
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• 2022

Ecological drought consequences have received a lot of attention in recent years. Thus, ecological drought was proposed as a new drought category to characterize the impact of drought on ecosystems. The current study used a unique drought index, the standardized supply-demand water index (SSDI), and a run theory to detect ecological drought occurrences and characteristics such as drought-affected area, drought severity, drought duration, drought frequency, and drought orientation in the Hwang River, an environmentally valuable region. Hence, to assess drought-prone areas, the bivariate probability and return period will be calculated using a two-dimensional joint copula. The core results show that (a) the Spatio-temporal characteristics of ecological drought were successfully recognized using the spatial and temporal identification approach; (b) in comparison to the SPEI meteorological drought index, the SSDI is more credible and can more readily and effectively capture the entire properties of ecological drought information; (c) the Hwang river had seen the most severe drought occurrences between the late 1990s and the mid-2020s, with 48.3 percent occurring before the twenty-first century; (d) Severe ecological drought occurrences occurred more frequently in most areas of the Hwang River (e) Only the drought duration and severity in the Hwang area were more responsive to temperature when temperatures rise around 1.1℃, the average drought duration and severity rise around 16 % and 26 %, respectively. This suggested that the Hwang River has been exposed to more severe heat stress in the twenty-first century. Thereupon droughts in the twenty-first century occurred with bigger affected regions, longer durations, higher frequency, and more intensity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.81-100
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• 2020

Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) has been increasingly used in recent years for the assessment of peripheral neuropathies. Fat suppression T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have typically been used to provide high contrast MRN. Isotropic 3-dimensional (3D) sequences with fast spin echo, post-processing imaging techniques, and fast imaging methods, among others, allow good visualization of peripheral nerves that have a small diameter, complex anatomy, and oblique course within a reasonable scan time. However, there are still several issues when performing high contrast and high resolution MRN including standard sequence; fat saturation techniques; balance between resolution, field of view, and slice thickness; post-processing techniques; 2D vs. 3D image acquisition; different T2 contrasts between proximal and distal nerves; high T2 signal intensity of adjacent veins or joint fluid; geometric distortion; and appropriate p-values on DWI. The proper understanding of these issues will help novice radiologists evaluate peripheral neuropathies using MRN.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.303-316
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• 2024

Seismic records are composed of mainshock and a series of aftershocks which often result in the incremental damage to underground structures and bring great challenges to the rescue of post-disaster and the repair of post-earthquake. In this paper, the repetition method was used to construct the mainshock-aftershocks sequence which was used as the input ground motion for the analysis of dynamic time history. Based on the Daikai station, the two-dimensional finite element model of soil-station was established to explore the failure process of station under different seismic precautionary intensities, and the concept of incremental damage of station was introduced to quantitatively analyze the damage condition of structure under the action of mainshock and two aftershocks. An arc rubber bearing was proposed for the shock absorption. With the arc rubber bearing, the mode of the traditional column end connection was changed from "fixed connection" to "hinged joint", and the ductility of the structure was significantly improved. The results show that the damage condition of the subway station is closely related to the magnitude of the mainshock. When the magnitude of the mainshock is low, the incremental damage to the structure caused by the subsequent aftershocks is little. When the magnitude of the mainshock is high, the subsequent aftershocks will cause serious incremental damage to the structure, and may even lead to the collapse of the station. The arc rubber bearing can reduce the damage to the station. The results can offer a reference for the seismic design of subway stations under the action of mainshock-aftershocks.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.98-107
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• 2006

Magnetization Transfer (MT) imaging generates contrast dependent on the phenomenon of magnetization exchange between free water proton and restricted proton in macromolecules. In biological materials in knee, MT or cross-relaxation is commonly modeled using two spin pools identified by their different T2 relaxation times. Two models for cross-relaxation emphasize the role of proton chemical exchange between protons of water and exchangeable protons on macromolecules, as well as through dipole-dipole interaction between the water and macromolecule protons. The most essential tool in medical image manipulation is the ability to adjust the contrast and intensity. Thus, it is desirable to adjust the contrast and intensity of an image interactively in the real time. The proton density (PD) and T2-weighted SE MR images allow the depiction of knee structures and can demonstrate defects and gross morphologic changes. The PD- and T2-weighted images also show the cartilage internal pathology due to the more intermediate signal of the knee joint in these sequences. Suppression of fat extends the dynamic range of tissue contrast, removes chemical shift artifacts, and decreases motion-related ghost artifacts. Like fat saturation, phase sensitive methods are also based on the difference in precession frequencies of water and fat. In this study, phase sensitive methods look at the phase difference that is accumulated in time as a result of Larmor frequency differences rather than using this difference directly. Although how MT work was given with clinical evidence that leads to quantitative model for MT in tissues, the mathematical formalism used to describe the MT effect applies to explaining to evaluate knee disorder, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and meniscal tear. Calculation of the effect of the effect of the MT saturation is given in the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) which is a quantitative measure of the relative decrease in signal intensity due to the MT pulse.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.875-881
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• 2013

The failure of a bolted joint owing to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) has been considered one of the most important structural integrity issues in a nuclear power plant. In this study, the failure possibility of bolting, which is used to support the steam generator of a pressurized water reactor, owing to SCC and brittle fracture was evaluated in accordance with guidelines proposed by the Electric Power Research Institute, which are called the Reference Flaw Factor method. For this evaluation, first, detailed finite element stress analyses were conducted to obtain the actual nominal stresses of bolting in which either service loads or bolt preloads were considered. Based on these nominal stresses, the structural integrity of bolting was addressed from the viewpoints of SCC and toughness. In addition, the accuracy of the EPRI Reference Flaw Factor for assessing bolting failure was investigated using finite element fracture mechanics analyses.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.289-295
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• 2018

Background: The intraarticular (IA) injection has become popular for the management of the osteoarthritic knee without an effusion. The success rate of IA injection would be better if it was able to be visually confirmed. We hypothesized that an anterolateral approach, which targets the synovial membrane of the lateral condyle using ultrasound, would provide an equivalent alternative to the anterolateral approach, targeting the synovial membrane of the medial condyle for IA injection of the knee. Methods: A total of 96 knees with osteoarthritis were randomized placed into the two groups, which were group I (anterolateral approach to the medial condyle) and group II (anterolateral approach to the lateral condyle). The primary outcome was to compare the success rate of the two methods of IA injection. The required length of the needle for injection was also measured and compared. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale in order to evaluate the success of injection. Results: There were no significant differences in the success rate between both groups. The success rate of group I and group II were 87.8% (95%, CI 78.7-97.0) and 91.5% (95%, CI 83.6-99.5), respectively (P = 0.549). The needle depth was $5.0{\pm}0.8$ (3.0 to 6.1 cm) in group I, and $3.0{\pm}0.8$ (1.5 to 5 cm) in group II (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The anterolateral approach to the lateral femoral condyle, using ultrasound, is an alternative method to the approach targeting the medial femoral condyle, using shorter needle.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.158-163
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• 2011

$CuInS_2$ thin films were prepared using a sol-gel spin-coating method. That makes large scale substrate coating, simple equipment, easy composition control available. The structural and optical properties of $CuInS_2$ thin films that include less toxic materials (S) instead of Se, tetragonal chalcopyrite structure. Copper acetate monohydrate ($Cu(CH_3COO)_2{\cdot}H2O$) and indium acetate ($In(CH_3COO)_3$) were dissolved into 2-propanol and l-propanol, respectively. The two solutions were mixed into a starting solution. The solution was dropped onto glass substrate, rotated at 3000 rpm, and dried at $300^{\circ}C$ for Cu-In as-grown films. The as-grown films were sulfurized inside a graphite container box and chalcopyrite phase of $CuInS_2$ was observed. To determine the optical properties measured optical transmittance of visible light region (380~770 nm) were less than 30 % in the overall. The XRD pattern shows that main peak was observed at Cu/In ratio 1.0 and its orientation was (112). As annealing temperature increases, the intensity of (112) plane increases. The unit cell constant are a = 5.5032 and c = 11.1064 $\AA$, and this was well matched with JCPDS card. The optical transmittance of visible region was below than 30 %.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 2004

Objectives : The usage of acupuncture has gained popularity as an alternative method of treatment for certain chronic pain conditions. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in various diseases has not been fully established and the underlying mechanism is not clearly understood. In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to foot samli$(ST_{36})$ on the carrageenan-induced knee arthritic pain was examined. Methods : A common source of persistent pain in humans is the knee arthritis. Knee arthritis was induced by injection of 2 % carrageenan $50\;{\mu}l$ into the knee joint cavity. When rats developed pain behaviors, EA was applied for 30 min. under enflurane anesthesia with repeated train stimuli at the intensity of 10X of muscle twitch threshold. The weight bearing force of the hind limb was measured for an indicator of pain level after each manipulation. Results : The average weight borne by the hind limb during normal gait was 55% of total body weight, which was reduced to less than 10% after knee arthritis. EA improved the weight bearing of the arthritic hind limb significantly for the duration of 4 hr. EA applied to $ST_{36}$ point produced a significant improvement of stepping force of the arthritic foot lasting for at least 4 h. However, $GB_{31}$ point did not produce any significant increase of weight bearing force. The analgesic effect was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effect on the knee arthritis model could not be mimicked by EA applied to a nearby point, $GB_{31}$. The relations between EA-induced analgesia and endogenous nitric oxide(NO) and inducible NO synthase(iNOS)/neuronal NOS was also examined. Results were turned out that both NO production and nNOS/iNOS protein expression which is increased by arthritis were suppressed by EA stimulation applied to $ST_{36}$ point. Conclusions : The data suggest 1) that EA produces a potent analgesic effect on the rat model of chronic knee arthritis pain in a point specific manner and 2) that EA-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of nNOS/iNOS protein expression.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2015

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the differences in subjective symptoms, clinical characteristics, distribution according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) subgroup, psychological profile of TMD patients, and to identify the prevalence and trend according to age. Methods: A total of 1,052 patients (261 men and 791 women; mean age, $34.40{\pm}15.73$ years) who visited the Orofacial Pain Clinic of the Department of Oral Medicine, Seoul National University Dental Hospital complaining of TMD symptoms of were evaluated. All patients were questioned for medical history, clinical symptoms and contributing factors. Clinical examination and patient grouping based on RDC/TMD was conducted. Radiographies were taken. The Korean version of RDC/TMD axis II and Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R) were administered to evaluate pain-related disability level and psychological status of the patients. Results: Prevalence peaked in the 20-year-old age group. There were more women than men in all groups. The highest T-score among SCL-90-R dimensions was somatization in each group, except for teenagers who showed the highest T-score in interpersonal sensitivity. The 30-year-old age group showed the highest distribution of high disability based on the graded chronic pain scale. Age was positively associated with pain intensity (r=0.100), number of positive muscles on palpation (r=0.137) and negatively associated with maximum mouth opening (r=-0.168). Conclusions: Subjective symptoms and clinical characteristics of TMD patients show distinct tendencies according to different age groups. Treatment should be customized and personalized according to age for efficient symptom resolution and patient satisfaction.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2017

Objectives : The present study aimed to examine the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture(EA) applied to the brook point of the Liver meridian in the rat model of inflammatory pain and to investigate involvement of endogenouse opioid in the EA-induced analgesia. Methods : Knee arthritis was induced by injection of $125{\mu}l$ of complete Freund's adjuvant into the knee joint cavity unilaterally. To examine the level of pain, weight bearing forces(WBFs) of affected limb was measured. EA treatment was given at the LR2, LI4 or non-acupoint on the contralateral limb with frequency of 2 Hz and intensity of 2 mA under gaseous anesthesia. Results : After induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected hindlimb due to a painful knee. EA applied to the LR2 point on the contralateral hind limb produced a significant improvement of stepping force of the hind limb lasting for at least 2 h, and this effect was equivalent to that obtained by 5 mg/kg of oral indomethacin. The effect of EA was specific to the acupoint since it could not be mimicked by EA applied to the LI4 point or the arbitrary non-acupoint. The analgesic effect was blocked by pretreatment with naltrexone(10 mg/kg, i.p.). Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture applied to LR2, brook point of Liver meridian suppresses inflammatory pain in a rat model of knee arthritis and this effect seems to be mediated by endogenous opioid systems.