• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2597-2603
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• 2016

Ovarian cancer is a highly malignant neoplasm with high mortality rates. Research to identify markers facilitating early detection has been pursued for many years. Currently, diagnosis is based on the CA 125 and HE4 markers, as well as the ROMA algorithm. The search continues for new proteins that meet the criteria of good markers A total of 90 patients were included in the present study, allocated into: group 1, ovarian cancer, with 29 patients; group 2, endometrial cysts, with 30s; and group 3, simple ovarian cysts, with 31. Following histopathological verification, the CA 125, HE4, and metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) levels were determined and the ROMA algorithm was calculated for all patients. The mean concentrations of all determined proteins, CA 125, HE4, and MMP3, as well as the ROMA values, were significantly higher in group 1 (ovarian cancer) compared to group 3 (simple ovarian cysts). The highest significant differences for the CA 125 levels (p<0.000001) and ROMA (p<0.000001) values were observed in postmenopausal women. For HE4, statistical significance was at the level of p=0.00001 compared to p=0.002 for MMP3. For the differentiation between ovarian cancer and endometrial cysts, the respective AUC ratios were obtained for CA 125, HE4, and MMP3 levels, as well as the ROMA values ( 0,93 / 0,96 / 0,75 / 0,98). After removing the post-menopausal patients, the MMP3 AUC value for ovarian cancer vs. benign ovarian cysts increased to 0.814. For post-menopausal women, the MMP3 AUC value for ovarian cancer vs. endometrial cysts was 0.843. As suggested by the results above, both the CA 125 and HE4 markers, as well as the ROMA algorithm, meet the criteria of a good diagnostic test for ovarian cancer. MMP3 seems to meet the criteria of a good diagnostic test, particularly in postmenopausal women; however, it is not superior to the tests used to date.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.755-759
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• 2016

The use of heat pipes in the electronic telecommunication field is increasing. Among the various types of heat pipes, the thin flat heat pipe has relatively high applicability compared with the circular heat pipe in the electronic packaging application. The thin flat heat pipe based on extrusion fabrication has a simple capillary wick structure consisting of rectangular cross sectional grooves on the inner wall of the pipe. Although the groove serves as a simple capillary wick, and many such grooves are provided on the inner wall, it is difficult for the grooves to realize a sufficiently high capillary force. In the present study, a thin flat heat pipe with a wire bundle was developed to overcome the drawback of poor capillary force in the thin flat heat pipe with grooves, and was evaluated by conducting tests. In the performance test, the thin flat heat pipe with the wire bundle showed a lower thermal resistance of approximately 3.4 times, and a higher heat transfer rate of approximately 3.8 times with respect to the thin flat heat pipe with grooves as the capillary wick respectively. The possibility of using the wire bundle as a capillary wick in the heat pipe was validated in the present study; further study for commercializing this concept will be taken up in the future.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.28
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• pp.15.1-15.8
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• 2013

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the association between low-level mercury exposure and neurobehavioral functions in adults living in coastal regions of Korea. Methods We selected 172 adults aged 20-65 years living in a city in the coastal region of Korea. A sociodemographic survey was conducted, mercury levels in the blood, urine, and hair were measured, and the associations according to computerized neurobehavioral tests were determined using univariate analysis. After adjustment for associated variables, a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed. Results The geometric mean mercury levels in the blood, urine, and hair were $5.41{\mu}g/L$ (range, $0.00-15.84{\mu}g/L$), $1.17{\mu}g/g$-creatinine (range, $0.00-32.86{\mu}g/g$-creatinine), and 1.37 mg/kg (range, 0.42-6.56 mg/kg), respectively. Variables that were associated with simple reaction time according to the neurobehavioral test results were age and urine mercury level. Variables associated with choice reaction time were the recent use of Korean traditional medicine and urine mercury level. Variables associated with the right-hand finger tapping speed test were age, gender, smoking behavior, education level, monthly household income, and urine mercury level. Variables associated with the left-hand finger tapping speed test were age, gender, education level, and urine mercury level. After adjustment for associated variables, there was no significant association between urine mercury level and simple reaction time (${\beta}=25.96$; p =0.47), choice reaction time (${\beta}=50.37$; p =0.32), or the number of left-hand finger taps (${\beta}=-1.54$; p =0.21). However, urine mercury level was significantly associated with the number of right-hand finger taps (${\beta}=-3.86$; p =0.01). Conclusions We found no evidence that low-level mercury exposure in adults is associated with deficits in neurobehavioral functions. A longer follow-up study is required to confirm this conclusion.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.8 no.7
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• pp.39-49
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• 2017

Purpose - There are common factors both in Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model and Technology Paradox Theory which can be put together and made in one unified model. The unified model can provide the following merits. First, the unified model is simple but contains factors of the models. Second, the unified model can clarify the process of technology acceptance of common consumers. Third, the unified model can provide the opportunities to analyze the negative sides of new technology, thus find ways to improve the level of acceptance by general consumers. Research design, data, and methodology - The 450 questionnaires were handed out to people around Seoul and 421 were collected. Except insincere and wrong-marked ones, 402 were used to analyze. SPSS program was used to analyze. Factor analysis, regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. Results - By analyzing sub-factors of both models and binding the common factors in one category, we accomplish one model. And we tested the model by empirical method. The results show that the results from the unified model are almost same as the results from the two models. In other words, the unified model works. Conclusions - Explaining one state of affair by two different method is in some sense distracting attention. By devising a new model including factors of both models, we can explain the affair more straightforward and efficiently. At first the technology acceptance model was devised to explain the technology users in an organization and the following tests and revised models were for the similar purposes. However, as on-lone activities including contracts have been expanded and become important, consumers as the technology uses have emerged as first factor to consider. In accordance models to explain this situation has been suggested. The model suggested in this research is one of the models but it has the following merits. That is, it is simple but has strong explanation power, it can clarify the process of technology acceptance of common consumers by containing negative sides of consumer conception, and thus, it can provide the opportunities to analyze the negative sides of new technology, also find ways to improve the level of acceptance by general consumers.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.45-54
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• 2011

A simple model for reinforced concrete shear walls with boundary elements is proposed, which is a macro-model composed of spring elements representing flexure and shear behaviors. The flexural behaviour is represented by vertical springs at the wall ends, where the moment strength and rotational capacity of the wall are based on section analysis. The shear behaviour is represented by a horizontal spring at the wall center, where the key parameters for the shear behavior are based on the flexural behaviour since the shear walls with boundary elements are governed by the flexure. The proposed model was prepared with the results of hysteretic tests of the shear walls, and then the reliability of the hysteretic rule and variables was investigated by nonlinear dynamic analyses. Using parametric study with nonlinear dynamic analyses, the effect of the variables on demand and capacity, which are major parameters in seismic performance evaluation, are investigated. Results show that the measured and calculated shear forces versus the shear distortion relationships are slightly different, but the global response is well simulated. Furthermore, the demand and capacity are also changed in a similar way to the change in the major parameters so that the proposed model may be appropriate for reinforced concrete shear walls with boundary elements.

• Clean Technology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.378-387
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• 2017

To obtain epoxy resin with permanently attached flame-retardant groups, phosphorus compound containing di-hydroxyl group [10-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phospha phenanthrene-10-oxide, DOPO-HQ] and silicone compound containing di-hydroxyl group (polydimethylsiloxane, hydroxyl terminated, PDMS) were reacted with uncured epoxy prepolymer (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, DGEBA) and then cured using 4,4-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) as a crosslinking agent. The properties of the resulting epoxy materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) test/vertical burning test (UL 94-V test), tensile properties test and impact test. This study examined the effect of phosphorus/silicone compound contents on the thermal/mechanical properties and flame retardancy of cured epoxy resins containing phosphorus and silicone compounds. It was found that the thermal/mechanical properties of epoxy resins containing phosphorus and silicone components were higher than those of simple epoxy resin. The flame-retardancy (LOI: 29.9 ~ 31.8% and UL 94-V: V-0) of all samples containing phosphorus compound and phosphrous compound/silicone compound was found to be passed the flame-retardant requirements (LOI: > 30%, UL 94-V: V-0) of LOI and vertical burning tests. However, the flame-retardancy (LOI: 21.4% and UL 94-V: no rating) of simple epoxy resin was found to be failed the flame-retardant requirements.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.317-324
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• 2014

Background Burn infliction techniques are poorly described in rat models. An accurate study can only be achieved with wounds that are uniform in size and depth. We describe a simple reproducible method for creating consistent burn wounds in rats. Methods Ten male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and dorsum shaved. A 100 g cylindrical stainless-steel rod (1 cm diameter) was heated to $100^{\circ}C$ in boiling water. Temperature was monitored using a thermocouple. We performed two consecutive toe-pinch tests on different limbs to assess the depth of sedation. Burn infliction was limited to the loin. The skin was pulled upwards, away from the underlying viscera, creating a flat surface. The rod rested on its own weight for 5, 10, and 20 seconds at three different sites on each rat. Wounds were evaluated for size, morphology and depth. Results Average wound size was $0.9957cm^2$ (standard deviation [SD] 0.1845) (n=30). Wounds created with duration of 5 seconds were pale, with an indistinct margin of erythema. Wounds of 10 and 20 seconds were well-defined, uniformly brown with a rim of erythema. Average depths of tissue damage were 1.30 mm (SD 0.424), 2.35 mm (SD 0.071), and 2.60 mm (SD 0.283) for duration of 5, 10, 20 seconds respectively. Burn duration of 5 seconds resulted in full-thickness damage. Burn duration of 10 seconds and 20 seconds resulted in full-thickness damage, involving subjacent skeletal muscle. Conclusions This is a simple reproducible method for creating burn wounds consistent in size and depth in a rat burn model.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.59-66
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• 2014

Nowadays, some studies are performed in order to introduce the Limit State Design method widely used in foreign work sites. LRFD (Load Resistance Factor Design) method is widely used in the fields in which the data accumulation is possible - such as deep foundations, and shallow foundations, etc. The limit state design in the retaining walls is insufficient in the country owing to difficulties applying load tests. The limit state design method for retaining wall structures are studied based upon the National Retaining wall Design Standard legislated in 2008 by Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs. In this paper several retaining walls were calculated according to LRFD design criteria analysis using the general program with limit state design method and the factor of safety for sliding and overturning. Comparing with their results, the Taylor's series simple reliability analysis was performed. In the analysis results of retaining wall section, safety factors calculated by LRFD were found to be lowered than those calculated in current WSD, and it is possibly judged to be economic design by changing wall dimensions. In the future, pre-assessment of the geotechnical data for ensuring the reliability and the studies including reinforced retaining walls with ground anchor are needed.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.413-422
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to confirm the validity of the $Cariview^{TM}$, test in adults by assessing correlations between $Cariview^{TM}$, scores and caries experience using a quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technique. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 111 patients aged 19-64 years who visited a dental clinic in Seoul from 2015 to 2016, and underwent the $Cariview^{TM}$, test and had their teeth photographed with the Qraycam. Plaque was scraped with sterilized cotton swabs, and then placed in a culture medium and incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 48 h. Finally, the degree of color change was evaluated, and scored on a 0-100 point scale. Caries experience index included not only cavitated lesions but also early caries that were detected on white and fluorescence images. Participants were divided into low, moderate and high caries risk groups according to the $Cariview^{TM}$, score, and caries experience was compared between risk groups using ANCOVA. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to analyze the associations between $Cariview^{TM}$, scores and caries indices. Result: The mean age of the participants was 40 years, and the mean $Cariview^{TM}$, score was $53.6{\pm}20.7$. The WDMFT and the DMFT indices significantly increased with caries risk, and this increase was significantly different between the low- and high-risk groups. The $Cariview^{TM}$, test scores were significantly correlated with the WDMFT (r = 0.28, P = 0.003) and DMFT (r = 0.29, P = 0.002) indices. Conclusion: The $Cariview^{TM}$, test could be a clinically useful and simple method for assessing caries risk in adults.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.252-260
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• 2015

Ballasted track on an asphalt roadbed can be beneficial for its various effects such as (i) decreasing of roadbed thickness by dispersing train load; (ii) prevention of both strength reduction and weakening in roadbed system by preventing rainwater penetration; and (iii) reducing maintenance cost by preventing roadbed mud-pumping and frostbite. With these beneficial effects, ballasted track on asphalt roadbed has been widely used in Europe and Japan, and relevant research for applying such ballasted track on asphalt roadbed systems in Korea is ongoing. In this study, full-scale static and dynamic train load tests were performed to compare the performance of ballasted track on asphalt roadbed and ballasted track. The optimum thickness levels of asphalt and reinforced roadbeds, corresponding to the design criteria for reinforced roadbed of high-speed railway, was estimated using the FEM program ABAQUS. Test results show that the earth pressure on reinforced roadbed of ballasted track on the asphalt roadbed was relatively low compared with that of simple ballasted track. The elastic and plastic displacements of simple ballasted track on the asphalt roadbed were also lower than those of ballasted track. These test results may indicate that the use of ballasted track on asphalt roadbed is an advantageous system in view of long-term maintenance.