• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.231-235
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• 2014

Elevated serum uric acid levels are associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes, including gout, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Several genome-wide association studies on uric acid levels have implicated the ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G, member 2 (ABCG2) gene as being possibly causal. We investigated an association between the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2725220 in the ABCG2 gene and uric acid levels in the Korean population. A total of 991 subjects in Seoul City were used for a replication study with ABCG2 SNP rs2725220. The rs2725220 SNP in the ABCG2 gene was associated with mean uric acid levels (effect per allele 0.25 mg/dL, p < 0.0001). Subjects with the GC/CC genotype had a 1.78-fold (range, 1.22- to 2.62-fold) higher risk of having abnormal uric acid levels (${\geq}7.0mg/dL$) than subjects with the GG genotype. When analyzed by gender, the association with ABCG2 was stronger in men than in women. The association with ABCG2 was much stronger in male subjects with body mass index (BMI) ${\geq}26.4$ (odds ratio, 5.09; 95% confidence interval, 2.41 to 10.8) than in male subjects with BMI < 26.4. This study clearly demonstrates that genetic variations in ABCG2 influence uric acid levels in Korean adults.

• Bulletin of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 1980

For the preliminary estimation of the vertical hull natural frequency, the Schlick's or Schlick-type formulae have been traditional ones and are still in common use today. Some investigators have made their efforts, based on statistical data of ships' system parameters, to extend the applicability of Schlick-type formulae to higher modes, or to utilize the Rayleigh method. For instance, the work done by Dinsenbacher et al.[5] belongs to the former and that of Nagamoto et al.[6] to the latter. In a part of his previous paper[7], the author, investigating the case of a cargo ship of medium size, suggested that provided statistically simplified curves such as trapezoid of system parameter distributions are available in hands, direct utlization of an ordinary computer program can be also an another convenient method by which we can obtain both natural frequencies and normal mode shapes. In this paper, to confirm the feasibility of the above suggestion, four high speed boats are investigated. The system parameters of them are originally given in [5]. The computer program used here is one confiled based on a calculation method derived from Myklestal-Prohl modeling of hull, transfer matrix formulation and an extended Gumbel's initial value method for solving frequency equation. The results of the investigation show that the direct calculation based on statistically oriented and reasonably assumed trapezoidal mean curves of system parameter distributions can give us natural frequencies within about 5% deviation up to several-noded modes and normal mode shapes serviceable at least up to 4- or 5-noded modes in comparision with those based on actual distributions of system parameters. For this simplified method the actual data required for input are only of ship length, displacement, total added mass, bending and shear rigidity at amidship. They are available at the early stage of design. By this method we can also easily trace variations of vibration characteristics in the course of ship design cycles.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

Busan is the 6th largest port city in the world, where nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions from transportation and port industries are significant. This study aims to assess the NO₂ products of the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) over Busan using ground-based instruments (i.e., surface in-situ network and Pandora). The GEMS vertical column densities of NO₂ showed reasonable consistency in the spatiotemporal variations, comparable to the previous studies. The GEMS data showed a consistent seasonal trend of NO₂ with the Korea Ministry of Environment network and Pandora in 2022, which is higher in winter and lower in summer. These agreements prove the capability of the GEMS data to monitor the air quality in Busan. The correlation coefficient and the mean bias error between the GEMS and Pandora NO₂ over Busan in 2022 were 0.53 and 0.023 DU, respectively. The GEMS NO₂ data were also positively correlated with the ground-based in-situ network with a correlation coefficient of 0.42. However, due to the significant spatiotemporal variabilities of the NO₂, the GEMS footprint size can hardly resolve small-scale variabilities such as the emissions from the road and point sources. In addition, relative biases of the GEMS NO₂ retrievals to the Pandora data showed seasonal variabilities, which is attributable to the air mass factor estimation of the GEMS. Further studies with more measurement locations for longer periods of data can better contribute to assessing the GEMS NO₂ data. Reliable GEMS data can further help us understand the Asian air quality with the diurnal variabilities.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.386-397
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• 2024

Background: Despite the global increase in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), clinical characteristics show geographical variations. We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with NTM-PD in South Korea. Methods: We systematically reviewed articles concerning patients with NTM-PD in South Korea until February 2022. Individual participant data, regardless of treatment, were collected using a standard case report form. Results: Data of 6,489 patients from 11 hospitals between 2002 and 2019 were analyzed. The mean age was 61.5±11.7 years, of whom 57.7% were women. Mycobacterium avium (41.4%) and Mycobacterium intracellulare (38.4%) comprised most of the causative species, followed by Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus (8.6%) and M. abscessus subspecies massiliense (7.8%). Bronchiectasis (59.4%) was the most common pulmonary comorbidity. Although reported cases of NTM-PD increased over the years, the proportions of causative species and radiologic forms remained similar. Distinct clinical characteristics were observed according to age and sex. Men were older at the time of diagnosis (median 63.8 years vs. 59.9 years, p<0.001), and had more cavitary lesions than women (38.8% vs. 21.0%, p<0.001). The older group (≥65 years) had higher proportions of patients with body mass index <18.5 kg/m² (27.4% vs. 18.6%, p<0.001) and cavitary lesions (29.9% vs. 27.6%, p=0.009) than the younger group. Conclusion: We conducted a meta-analysis of the clinical characteristics of patients with NTM-PD in South Korea, and found age- and sex-related differences in disease-specific severity. Further investigation would enhance our comprehension of the nature of the disease, and inherited and acquired host factors.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.151-161
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• 2012

An intensive analysis of 148 timings of V700 Cyg was performed, including our new timings and 59 timings calculated from the super wide angle search for planets (SWASP) observations, and the dynamical evidence of the W UMa W subtype binary was examined. It was found that the orbital period of the system has varied over approximately $66^y$ in two complicated cyclical components superposed on a weak upward parabolic path. The orbital period secularly increased at a rate of $+8.7({\pm}3.4){\times}10^{-9}$ day/year, which is one order of magnitude lower than those obtained by previous investigators. The small secular period increase is interpreted as a combination of both angular momentum loss (due to magnetic braking) and mass-transfer from the less massive component to the more massive component. One cyclical component had a $20.^y3$ period with an amplitude of $0.^d0037$, and the other had a $62.^y8$ period with an amplitude of $0.^d0258$. The components had an approximate 1:3 relation between their periods and a 1:7 ratio between their amplitudes. Two plausible mechanisms (i.e., the light-time effects [LTEs] caused by the presence of additional bodies and the Applegate model) were considered as possible explanations for the cyclical components. Based on the LTE interpretation, the minimum masses of 0.29 $M_{\odot}$ for the shorter period and 0.50 $M_{\odot}$ for the longer one were calculated. The total light contributions were within 5%, which was in agreement with the 3% third-light obtained from the light curve synthesis performed by Yang & Dai (2009). The Applegate model parameters show that the root mean square luminosity variations (relative to the luminosities of the eclipsing components) are 3 times smaller than the nominal value (${\Delta}L/L_{p,s}{\approx}0.1$), indicating that the variations are hardly detectable from the light curves. Presently, the LTE interpretation (due to the third and fourth stars) is preferred as the possible cause of the two cycling period changes. A possible evolutionary implication for the V700 Cyg system is discussed.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1990

Total suspended particulate (TSP) in the atmosphere was collected and size-fractionated by Andersen high volume air sampler for the past two years (Mar. 1987-Feb. 1989) in Seoul. The concentrations of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals were determined to investigate the atmospheric concentrations, seasonal variations and its relationship with the size distribution of suspended particulate matter. The arithmetic mean concentration of total suspended particulate was $229.48\;{\mu}g/m^3$. The concentrations of heavy metals were $2971.94\;ng/m^3$ for Fe, $767.75\;ng/m^3$ for Zn, $765.80\;ng/m^3$ for Pb, $218.40\;ng/m^3$ for Cu, $129.91\;ng/m^3$ for Mn, respectively. And the concentration of PAHs were $3.23\;ng/m^3$ for benzo(a)pyrene, $2.71\;ng/m^3$ for benzo(k)fluoranthene, $4.53\;ng/m^3$ for benzo(ghi)perylene, respectively. The mass-size distribution of TSP was lowest in the particle size range $1.1-3.3\;{\mu}m$ increased as the particle size increased or decreased. But PAHs, Pb and Zn abounded in particles below $2.0\;{\mu}m$, while Fe and Mn abouned in particles above $2.0\;{\mu}m$. TSP and its chemical compositions showed the seasonal variations. The concentrations of anthrophogenic origin like TSP, PAH and heavy metals in the fine particles were highest in winter and lowest in summer. PAH and Ph analyzed showed significant correlations with each other and with TSP concentration in fine particles, indicating that the particles in which they are contained have a similar behavior in the atmosphere.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.166-172
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• 2011

Objective : The intralaminar screw (ILS) fixation technique offers an alternative to pedicle screw (PS) and lateral mass screw (LMS) fixation in the C7 spine. Although cadaveric studies have described the anatomy of the pedicles, laminae, and lateral masses at C7, 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging is the modality of choice for pre-surgical planning. In this study, the goal was to determine the anatomical parameter and optimal screw trajectory for ILS placement at C7, and to compare this information to PS and LMS placement in the C7 spine as determined by CT evaluation. Methods : A total of 120 patients (60 men and 60 women) with an average age of $51.7{\pm}13.6$ years were selected by retrospective review of a trauma registry database over a 2-year period. Patients were included in the study if they were older than 15 years of age, had standardized axial bone-window CT imaging at C7, and had no evidence of spinal trauma. For each lamina and pedicle, width (outer cortical and inner cancellous), maximal screw length, and optimal screw trajectory were measured, and the maximal screw length of the lateral mass were measured using m-view 5.4 software. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test. Results : At C7, the maximal PS length was significantly greater than the ILS and LMS length (PS, $33.9{\pm}3.1$ mm; ILS, $30.8{\pm}3.1$ mm; LMS, $10.6{\pm}1.3$; p<0.01). When the outer cortical and inner cancellous width was compared between the pedicle and lamina, the mean pedicle outer cortical width at C7 was wider than the lamina by an average of 0.6 mm (pedicle, $6.8{\pm}1.2$ mm; lamina, $6.2{\pm}1.2$ mm; p<0.01). At C7, 95.8% of the laminae measured accepted a 4.0-mm screw with a 1.0 mm of clearance, compared with 99.2% of pedicle. Of the laminae measured, 99.2% accepted a 3.5-mm screw with a 1.0 mm clearance, compared with 100% of the pedicle. When the outer cortical and inner cancellous height was compared between pedicle and lamina, the mean lamina outer cortical height at C7 was wider than the pedicle by an average of 9.9 mm (lamina, $18.6{\pm}2.0$ mm; pedicle, $8.7{\pm}1.3$ mm; p<0.01). The ideal screw trajectory at C7 was also measured ($47.8{\pm}4.8^{\circ}$ for ILS and $35.1{\pm}8.1^{\circ}$ for PS). Conclusion : Although pedicle screw fixation is the most ideal instrumentation method for C7 fixation with respect to length and cortical diameter, anatomical aspect of C7 lamina is affordable to place screw. Therefore, the C7 intralaminar screw could be an alternative fixation technique with few anatomic limitations in the cases when C7 pedicle screw fixation is not favorable. However, anatomical variations in the length and width must be considered when placing an intralaminar or pedicle screw at C7.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.66-77
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• 2015

In order to survey the seasonal variation of the chemical composition of particulate matter of $2.5{\mu}m$ or less ($PM_{2.5}$), $PM_{2.5}$ was sampled from 8 February 2013 to 31 March 2014 in an industrial area of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Chemical measurements of the sample included: ionic components ($Na^+$, $NH_4{^+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$, $Cl^-$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$), carbonaceous components - organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC). Also, secondary organic carbon (SOC) was measured based using the EC tracer method, and char-EC and soot-EC were calculated from the analytical results. The data obtained were interpreted in terms of temporal variation. Of the overall mean value of $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentration obtained during the study period, ionic components, OC and EC accounted for 45.3%, 19.7%, and 8.0%, respectively. $NO_3{^-}$ showed a unique seasonal distribution pattern due to a dependence on temperature and absolute humidity. It was estimated that an approximate temperature of $14^{\circ}C$, and absolute humidity of $7g/m^3$ were critical for the reversible reaction of $NH_4NO_3(p){\leftrightharpoons}NH_3(g)+HNO_3(g)$. The amount of OC and EC contributing to the monthly $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentration was higher in autumn and winter compared to spring and summer. This result could be attributed to the impact of burning biomass, since WSOC and the ratio of char-EC/soot-EC showed a similar pattern during the corresponding period. From the comparison of monthly WSOC/OC values, a maximum ratio of 83% was obtained in August (summer). The WSOC and estimated SOC levels derived from the EC tracer method correlated (R=0.77) in summer. The high occurrence of WSOC during summer was mainly due to the formation of SOC by photochemical reactions. Through long-term observation of $PM_{2.5}$ chemical components, we established that the degree to which the above-mentioned factors influence $PM_{2.5}$ composition, fluctuates with seasonal changes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.206-211
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• 2020

Tungsten alloys are used widely in general industrial fields, but they are difficult to cast, so products are manufactured using powder metallurgy. In this study, a mixed powder of tungsten, nickel, and iron homogenized using a ball mill was added to pure water as a solvent, and PVA as a binder was added to prepare a spray drying mixture. The mixed liquid was prepared using a spraying machine. A study was carried out to produce a granular powder that can reduce the variations between products during the molding and sintering process of the powder metallurgy method. A preliminary experiment was conducted to confirm the influence of the variables in the granulation process. Through the preliminary test results, this experiment was performed with the volume of solvent of the spray drying the mixture as an independent variable, and granular powder having a mean particle size similar to that of the existing mass-production conditions and an increased apparent density was prepared. In addition, a pilot test was conducted for the molding and sintering process. The improved granular powder reduced the characteristic variation (weight variation) of the mass-produced product.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.101-112
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• 2008

Systematic CCD observations of times of minimum lights for eclipsing binaries has been carried out from 2002 to 2007 at Campus Station of Chungbuk National University Observatory which is located in Cheongju city, Korea. As a by-product of our observations, photometric data for stars in CCD images taken from 2005 to 2007 were used to determine 1st order atmospheric extinction coefficient (hereafter AEC) and seasonal and yearly variations of the AECs were studied. Total nights used for determination of AECs were 57 days in 2005, 51 days in 2006, and 63 days in 2007. As a result the annual mean value of the AECs per air mass is calculated as $0.^m34{\pm}0.^m18$ for 2005, $0.^m38{\pm}0.^m19$ for 2006, and $0.^m45{\pm}0.^m20$ for 2007. These values show that the AECs and their standard deviations are two and four times, respectively, larger than those of normal observatories which are not located near large cities. Annual comparison between concentration of atmospheric fine dust and coefficient of atmospheric extinction show strong correlation between two quantities of which time variations show similar patterns. The AECs for the east sky show larger than those for the west sky. It can be easily understood by the reasonable possibility that air pollutants remain more in the east sky than in the west because the east area of Cheongju city has been more developed than the west one. In conclusion the atmospheric extinction of the night sky of Cheongju city has an annual trend of increase of $0.^m06\;airrnass^{-1}\; year^{-1}$ implying that it may take only about 13 years for Cheongju city to have 2 times brighter night sky than the present one. Our study highlights that variations of AEC can be used as an important indicator of air pollution to monitor night skies.