• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.226-238
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• 2021

Purpose: Although several reports have described the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, information about the association between periodontal disease and the progression of degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) is lacking. Therefore, we performed a retrospective, single-center, pilot study to provide insight into this potential association. Methods: Data from 45 consecutive patients (19 men; median age, 83 years) with mild or moderate degenerative aortic stenosis were analyzed for a mean observation period of 3.3±1.9 years. The total amount of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis and titers of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) against periodontal bacteria and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were evaluated. Aortic valve area (AVA), maximal velocity (Vmax), mean pressure gradient (mean PG), and the Doppler velocity index (DVI) were evaluated. The change in each parameter per year ([Parameter_LATEST-Parameter_BASELINE]/Follow-up Years) was calculated from the retrospective follow-up echocardiographic data (baseline vs. the most recently collected data [latest]). Results: No correlation was found between the concentration of periodontopathic bacteria in the saliva and AS status/progression. The anti-P. gingivalis antibody titer in the serum showed a significant positive correlation with AVA and DVI. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between the anti-P. gingivalis IgG antibody titer and mean PG. The hs-CRP concentration showed positive correlations with Vmax and mean PG. Meanwhile, a negative correlation was observed between the anti-P. gingivalis IgG antibody titer and ΔAVA/year and Δmean PG/year. The hs-CRP concentration showed positive correlations with Vmax and mean PG, and it was significantly higher in patients with rapid aortic stenosis progression (ΔAVA/year <-0.1) than in their counterparts. Conclusions: Our results suggest that periodontopathic bacteria such as A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis are not directly related to the status/progression of degenerative AS. However, inflammation and a lower immune response may be associated with disease progression.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.651-658
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• 2012

This paper concentrates on the evaluation of microcracks in thermal damaged concrete on the basis of the nonlinear ultrasonic modulation technique. Since concrete structure exposed to high temperature accompanies the development of microcracks due to the physical and chemical changes from temperature and exposed time, the adoption of nonlinear approach is required. Instead of using the conventional ultrasonic nondestructive methods which have the limitation in evaluating excessive microcracks, accordingly, a nonlinear ultrasonic modulation method which shows better sensitivity in quantifying microcracks is introduced. Upon the analysis for the modulation of ultrasonic wave and low frequency impact to measure the nonlinearity parameter, which can be used as an indicator of thermal damage, the verification processes for the introduced technique are followed: SEM investigation and permeable pore space test are performed to characterize thermally induced microcracks in concrete, and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests are performed to confirm the outstanding sensitivity of nonlinear ultrasonic modulation technique. In advance, compressive strength of thermal damaged concrete is measured to represent the effect of microcracks on performance degradation. Correlation studies between experimental data and measured data show that nonlinear ultrasonic modulation technique can effectively be used to quantify thermally induced microcracks, and to estimate the compressive strength of thermally damaged concrete.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.926-934
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• 2006

In this study, nitrate uptake rate(NUR) and oxygen uptake rate(OUR) tests were conducted for the assessment of application of Terephtalic acid(TPA) by-product as an alternative external carbon source for sewage treatment plant(STP). With the ASM1 installed in GPS-X the substrate removal characteristic was investigated with simulation by obtained data from NUR and OUR test. As a result, the fraction of RBDCOD(readily biodegradable COD) was mort than 90% and specific denitrification rate was observed about 8.00 mg $NO_3^-$-N/g VSS/hr that was similar to conventional external carbon source. In the next step, sensitivity analysis for heterotrophic biomass in ASM1 was conducted. Optimized parameters of ${\mu}_{max,H}$, $K_s$, ${\eta}_g$, and $b_H$ were 6.60/day, 23.3 mg/L, 0.88, and 0.54/day, respectively. Then, relative mean squared error(RMSE) was reduced to about 40%. Optimized parameters value were well corresponded with the substrate removal characteristics of high maximum and final endogenous specific OUR and high specific NUR.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.185-190
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• 1999

Autotoxic substance(s) from alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) plants reduces germination and growth of adjacent new alfalfa after alfalfa. The autotoxic chemical(s) in alfalfa are clearly unknown. Our objective was to improve the sensitivity of an alfalfa seedling bioassay for evaluating autotoxic leaf extracts. We determined critical extract concentrations that inhibit seed germination and seedling growth, compared two different culture media, and evaluated the effects of extract sterilization on the sensitivity of the assay, by using streptomycin and autoclaving method. An agar medium in petri plate gave better responses of germination and seedling growth to the extracts than using filter paper in the plate. On agar medium, the concentration of extract required to reach 50% inhibition of root length was 2.7 g $kg^{-1}$, and of germination and hypocotyl length were 3.8 and 9.9 g $kg^{-1}$, respectively. Leaf extracts with 100 ppm streptomycin stimulated germination significantly compared to Leaf extract alone but reduced root length of control by 43%. Root length was more sensitive to the autotoxin(s) than was germination or hypocotyl length. These results suggest that agar medium mixed with extract and sterilization by autoclaving could be improved the consistency and precision of bioassay, and that root length was the best parameter of autotoxic effect of alfalfa leaf extract.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.799-805
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• 2016

Background: There is no standard treatment for patients with platinum-resistant or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer. Single agent chemotherapies have evidence of more efficacy and less toxicity than combination therapy. Most are very expensive, with appreciable toxicity and minimal survival. Since it is difficult to make comparison between outcomes, economic analysis of single-agent chemotherapy regimens and best supportive care may help to make decisions about an appropriate management for the affected patients. Objective: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of second-line chemotherapy compared with best supportive care for patients with platinum-resistant or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods: A Markov model was used to estimate the effectiveness and total costs associated with treatments. The hypothetical patient population comprised women aged 55 with platinum-resistant or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer. Four types of alternative treatment options were evaluated: 1) gemcitabine followed by BSC; 2) pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) followed by BSC; 3) gemcitabine followed by topotecan; and 4) PLD followed by topotecan. Baseline comparator of alternative treatments was BSC. Time horizon of the analysis was 2 years. Health care provider perspective and 3% discount rate were used to determine the costs of medical treatment in this study. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) were used to measure the treatment effectiveness. Treatment effectiveness data were derived from the literature. Costs were calculated from unit cost treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer patients at various stages of disease in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) in the year 2011. Parameter uncertainty was tested in probabilistic sensitivity analysis by using Monte Carlo simulation. One-way sensitivity analysis was used to explore each variable's impact on the uncertainty of the results. Results: Approximated life expectancy of best supportive care was 0.182 years and its total cost was 26,862 Baht. All four alternative treatments increased life expectancy. Life expectancy of gemcitabine followed by BSC, PLD followed by BSC, gemcitabine followed by topotecan and PLD followed by topotecan was 0.510, 0.513, 0.566, and 0.570 years, respectively. The total cost of gemcitabine followed by BSC, PLD followed by BSC, gemcitabine followed by topotecan and PLD followed by topotecan was 113,000, 124,302, 139,788 and 151,135 Baht, respectively. PLD followed by topotecan had the highest expected quality-adjusted life-years but was the most expensive of all the above strategies. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) of gemcitabine followed by BSC, PLD followed by BSC, gemcitabine followed by topotecan and PLD followed by topotecan was 344,643, 385,322, 385,856, and 420,299 Baht, respectively. Conclusions: All of the second-line chemotherapy strategies showed certain benefits due to an increased life-year gained compared with best supportive care. Moreover, gemcitabine as second-line chemotherapy followed by best supportive care in progressive disease case was likely to be more effective strategy with less cost from health care provider perspective. Gemcitabine was the most cost-effective treatment among all four alternative treatments. ICER is only an economic factor. Treatment decisions should be based on the patient benefit.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.217-236
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• 1979

The author's theory for plastic deformation was applied to superplastic alloys (Zn-Al eutectoid, Al-Cu, Pb-Sn, Sn-Bi, Mg-Al eutectics). The plastic deformation of the superplastic alloys could be described by two Maxwell models connected in parallel which represent two grain boundary flow units. The flow units are characterized by the two parameters $X_{gj}/{\alpha}_{gj}\;and\;{\beta}_{gj}$ (j=l or 2, g signifies the grain boundary) the values of which were obtained by applying our flow equation [Eq. (5)] to experiment. We confirmed that our flow equation describes the superplasticity very well. The curve of strain rate sensitivity m (=${\partial}\;In\;f/{\partial}\;In\;\dot{s})\;vs.\;-In\dot{s}$, where f and s are stress and strain rate, respectively, showed two peaks corresponding to flow unit gl and g2, the separation of the two peaks is determined by the difference between ${\beta}_{g1}\;and\;{\beta}_{g2}$. The condition of superplasticity is also determined by ${\beta}_{gj}$, which satisfies $\dot{s}_{mj}{\leqslant}1.53}{\beta}_{gj}$ [Eq.(13)], where $\dot{s}_{mj}$ is the s of the jth unit at the peak. The grain size dependence of ${\beta}_{gj}$ is described by $ln({\beta}_{gj})^{-1}$=alnx+b [Eq. (16)], where x is the grain size, and a and b are constants. The activation enthalpy for each flow unit, ${\Delta}H_{gj}^{\neq}$ was also determined from the temperature dependence of ${\beta}_{gj}$ which is proportional to the relaxation time of the j th unit. Since the superplasticity is determined by Eq. (13), and since ${\beta}_{gj}$ and ${\Delta}H_{gj}^{\neq}$ are related, we obtained the conclusion that superplasticity occurs in the system having small ${\Delta}H_{gj}^{\neq}$ values. The Aej values were equal to the activation enthalpies of grain boundary self-diffusion of the component atoms of the alloys, this accords with our proposed flow mechanism. The ${\Delta}H_{gj}^{\neq}$ value increases with grain size as expected from Eq. (16).

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.6
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• pp.878-884
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• 2010

Ozone sensitivity of physiological indicators and the difference of ozone tolerance on 4 families of Quercus aliena seedlings were investigated on the basis of the standardized physiological indicators. Photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigment and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and antioxidative enzyme activities were measured or analyzed from the leaves of Q. aliena seedlings at the end of ozone fumigation, and ozone tolerance indices among 4 families were calculated with the standardized physiological parameters. After ozone treatment, the reduction of carboxylation efficiency was observed in the leaves of four families, and their reduction were ranged from -24.1% to -56.9% of control seedlings. Photosynthetic pigment content differed significantly among 4 families and treatments. The reduction of total chlorophyll content showed the highest in family SU4 (-40.6%) and the lowest family US2 (-18.8%). Ascorbate-peroxidase (APX) activity showed significant difference among families and treatments, and increased as compared with control in three families, except for family US2. On the basis of the physiological indices, ozone tolerance of four families was ranked in the order of US1 > SU4 > US2 > SU1. In conclusion, photosynthetic parameters, pigment content and APX activity were recommended as appropriate indicators to assess the tolerance against ozone stress of Q. aliena.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1403-1407
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• 2015

Background: New tumour biomarkers are being intensely investigated for malignant mesothelioma (MM). Fibulin-3 is produced in MM but its role remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of measuring serum fibulin-3 in the diagnosis and prognosis of MM. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was performed on 43 patients and 40 healthy controls who were admitted to our hospital between January 2012 and January 2014. Data from MM patients, including demographic and clinical features, routine laboratory data, levels of serum fibulin-3, and treatment outcomes were defined as potential prognostic factors. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for fibulin-3 was used to detect the cut-off value with highest sensitivity and specificity. Univariate survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method in patients with MM. Afterwards, the possible factors identified with univariate analyses were entered into the cox regression analysis. Results: Our results revealed that patients with MM had significantly higher serum levels of fibulin-3 than controls. The results showed that the best cut-off point was 36.6 ng/ml with an AUC (area under the curve)=0.976, sensitivity=93.0% and specificity=90.0. In our study, the initial significant poor prognostic factors were advanced stage, high white blood cell count, high platelet count, high C-reactive protein (p<0.05 for each variable). Later, according to multivariate analysis the results showed only advanced stage as significant parameter (p=0.040). Conclusions: We determined that real use for serum fibulin-3 was not for prognosis but for diagnosis in MM. Also advanced stage was associated with poor MM prognosis.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.419-419
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• 2011

이상호우, 사막화, 빙하융해, 생태계 먹이사슬 변화, 이상기온 등 기후변화의 행태는 지구 곳곳에서 다양하게 발발되고 있으며 그로인해 발생되는 인적 물적 피해가 심각하다. 1996년 집중호우에 의한 연천댐체 파괴, 2002년 8월의 낙동강 유역 장기홍수, 2002년 태풍 루사 및 2003년 태풍 매미 등 국내에서는 기후변화 중에서도 주로 이상호우로 인해 발생하는 피해가 많았으며 이들은 주기성이나 특성을 갖지 않아 예측이 어려운 관계로 망양보뢰 식의 후처리에 급급한 실정이었다. 최근 기후변화에 따른 지역별 홍수량, 가뭄량 등에 관한 연구가 가속화되고 있으며, 이와 더불어 해당 기후모델 발현 시 기존 구조물에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구도 필수적이다. 나아가 기존 구조물 뿐 아니라 새로 시공되는 구조물의 설계에서 기후변화에 대한 안정성을 위해 추가적으로 포함해야 할 요소가 있는지에 대한 연구도 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 가상 기후모델에 대해 그 모델이 예측하는 홍수량이 실제 발현되었을 경우를 가정하여, 기존 수공구조물의 안정성에 미치는 영향을 살펴보고 영향인자의 민감도를 분석하고자 한다. 대상 수공구조물은 붕괴 시 영향력이 큰 정도를 기준으로 필댐, 콘크리트차수벽형석괴댐(CFRD), 콘크리트중력식댐, 제방으로 그 범주를 제한 하였으며 대상유역은 한강으로 가정하였다. 구조물의 안정성 검토방법은 각 구조물의 종류에 따라 상이하다. 흙이 주 재료인 제방과 필댐의 경우, 침투(Piping)와 비탈면(Sliding)에 대한 안정성 평가가 이루어지며 CFRD는 댐체와 벽체로 나누어 안정성평가를 하며 댐체 안정성 평가방법은 필댐과 유사하다. 본 연구에서는 하천설계기준(2009)과 댐설계기준(2005)에 따라 각 구조물의 기준안전율을 책정하였으며 점착력, 내부마찰각, 단위중량 등의 물성치는 해당 지역의 토질특성에 따라 여러 문헌을 참고하여 설정하였고 이를 SEEP/W, SLOPE/W 프로그램을 이용하여 구조해석을 실시하였다. 콘크리트중력식댐은 활동, 전도, 지지력에 대해 각각 안정성을 평가하며 MIDAS와 ABAQUS 프로그램을 병행하여 해석하였다. 민감도(Sensitivity)란 안정성에 영향을 미치는 설계인자들의 변화에 따라 안정성이 어떻게 변화하는 지를 말한다. 기후변화에 의한 수공구조물 설계인자 민감도 연구를 통해 기존 설계과정 또는 안정성 검토 시 해당인자의 기여도를 높이거나 새로운 설계인자를 추가하여 미래 상황에 대한 구조물의 위험 정도를 과거대비 상세히 예측할 수 있으며 나아가 적절한 대응 방안 제시에 기여하여 기후변화에 따른 피해를 감소할 수 있을 것이라고 생각된다.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.83-93
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• 1997

The purpose of the study is to analyze the sensitivity of the parameters that affect the runoff and water quality in the studied drainage basins. SWMM model is applied to the four drainage basins located at Namgazwa and Sanbon in Seoul and Gray Haven and Kings Creek in the USA. first of all, the optimum values of the parameters which have least simulation error to the observed data, are detected by iteration procedure. These are used as the standard values which are compared against the procedure. These are used as the standard values which are compared against the varied parameter values. In order to catch the effectiveness of the parameters to the computing result, the parameters are changed step by setp, and the results are compared to the standard results in flowerate and quality of the sewer. The study indicates that the discharge is greatly affected by the types of runoff surface, i.e., impervious area remarkably affects the peak flow and runoff volume while the surface storage affects the runoff volume at mild sloped basins. In addition, the major parameters affecting the pollution concentrations and loadings are the contaminant accumulation coefficient per unit area per time and the continuous dry weather days. Furthermore, the factors that affect the water quality during the initial rainfall period are the rainfall intensity, transport capacity coefficient and its power coefficient. Consequently, in order to simulate the runoff-water quality, it is needed to evaluate previous data in the research performed for the studied basins. To accurately estimated from the tributary areas and the rational computation methods of the pollutants calculation should be introduced.