• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.644-655
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• 2024

Objective: To develop and validate a preoperative risk score incorporating carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, CT, and fluorine18-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) PET/CT variables to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) after upfront surgery in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Materials and Methods: Patients with resectable PDAC who underwent upfront surgery between 2014 and 2017 (development set) or between 2018 and 2019 (test set) were retrospectively evaluated. In the development set, a risk-scoring system was developed using the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, including variables associated with RFS. In the test set, the performance of the risk score was evaluated using the Harrell C-index and compared with that of the postoperative pathological tumor stage. Results: A total of 529 patients, including 335 (198 male; mean age ± standard deviation, 64 ± 9 years) and 194 (103 male; mean age, 66 ± 9 years) patients in the development and test sets, respectively, were evaluated. The risk score included five variables predicting RFS: tumor size (hazard ratio [HR], 1.29 per 1 cm increment; P < 0.001), maximal standardized uptake values of tumor ≥ 5.2 (HR, 1.29; P = 0.06), suspicious regional lymph nodes (HR, 1.43; P = 0.02), possible distant metastasis on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT (HR, 2.32; P = 0.03), and CA 19-9 (HR, 1.02 per 100 U/mL increment; P = 0.002). In the test set, the risk score showed good performance in predicting RFS (C-index, 0.61), similar to that of the pathologic tumor stage (C-index, 0.64; P = 0.17). Conclusion: The proposed risk score based on preoperative CA 19-9, CT, and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT variables may have clinical utility in selecting high-risk patients with resectable PDAC.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.135-141
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of image merging of an intraoral scan of an edentulous arch to a facial scan using wax rim and markers. Materials and Methods: For registration of oral scan to face scan, a wax rim with markers was made. The markers were cuboid and divided into four groups according to size (5, 10 mm) and attachment location (midline, canine region). The evaluation of registration accuracy was compared with a standard created using cone-beam computed tomography data. Anterior linear variation of the edentulous arch and the 3D variation of the overall arch were measured. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistics, and the significance level was set at 0.05 and evaluated under Bonferroni correction (0.05/6 = 0.083). Results: In the anterior deviation and global deviation results, there was no statistically significant difference in the oral scan position displacement values between the 5 mm and 10 mm groups. When the midline marker was used, the intraoral scan position displacement value was significantly lower than when only the canine marker was used. Conclusion: Marker attached wax rim can be used for image matching between facial and intraoral scans of the edentulous arch. Marker location at the middle area increases the accuracy of image matching.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.851-858
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• 2024

Objective: This study investigates the long-term efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating locally recurrent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 39 consecutive patients with 61 locally recurrent PTCs (14 males, 25 females; mean ± standard deviation age, 52.8 ± 16.7 years; range 21-92 years) who underwent US-guided RFA with curative intent between September 2008 and April 2012. A subgroup of 24 patients with 37 recurrent PTCs who had a follow-up of at least 10 years were analyzed separately. All patients were followed for changes in lesion size on US and thyroglobulin (Tg) levels at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after RFA, with follow-up every 6-12 months thereafter. Any complications were documented during the follow-up period. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were assessed using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Long-term outcomes were evaluated in patients with follow-up of at least 10 years. Results: The follow-up period ranged from 7 to 180 months (median 133 months). The RFS rates for the 39 patients at 3, 5, and 10 years were 86.8%, 75.5%, and 60.6%, respectively. Among the 24 patients with 37 recurrent PTCs followed for more than 10 years, the volume reduction rate was 99.9% (range 96%-100%), and the complete tumor disappearance rate was 91.9%. The mean serum Tg level also decreased significantly, from 2.66 ± 86.5 mIU/L before ablation to 0.43 ± 0.73 mIU/L (P < 0.001) at the final follow-up. In 14 (58.3%) of the 24 patients, Tg levels were undetectable (below 0.08 mIU/L) at the last follow-up. No life-threatening or delayed complications were observed during the 10-year follow-up period. Conclusion: The high RFS throughout the follow-up period, with efficacy and safety lasting beyond 10 years, supports US-guided RFA as a valuable option for local control of recurrent PTCs.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.339-343
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• 2012

This study was performed to examine the effect of the clay mineral illite on the improvement of soil and plant growth. Red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was used as a test vegetable crop. The experiment was performed during six weeks in the plantation of the Chungbuk National University. Its seedlings were cultivated in the soil normally used for horticultural purpose. Among the seedlings germinated the healthy and regular size of seed were selected and cultivated in the plantation. They were treated with two forms of illite, particulate (PA) and powder (PW), at the following application rates: standard application[P1 (PA1, PW1), soil: illite = 1:20 (w/w)] and two times [P2 (PA2, PW2), 1:10 (w/w)] of standard application. Untreatment (P0) was used as a control soil. At six weeks of cultivation, their growth lengths were correspondingly increased as the application rate was increased ranging from P0, P1, and P2. Their growth length was a little greater with the application of powder illite (PW) than with the particulate illite (PA). Based on the plant analysis of root, leaf, and stem of red pepper, the uptake amounts of K, Ca, and Mg, were correspondingly increased, as the application rate was increased ranging from P0, P1, and P2 respectively. At the same application rate, their amounts taken up in the respective parts were higher with the application of PW illite than on the PA one. Especially the amounts of Ca and Mg were higher in the stem and leaf than root. Consequently, it appears that the illite treatment, especially, PW form of illite, enhance the growth of red pepper in the plantation during the six weeks of experiment.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.34 no.3 s.104
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• pp.253-260
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• 2004

Frictional force between the orthodontic bracket and arch wire during sliding tooth movement is related to many factors, such as the size, shape and material of both the bracket and wire, ligation method and the angle formed between the bracket and wire. There have been clear conclusions drawn in regard to most of these factors, but as to the effect of bracket width on frictional force there are only conflicting studies. This study was designed to investigate the effect of bracket width on the amount of frictional forces generated during clinically simulated tooth movement. Three different widths of brackets $(0.018{\times}0.025'\;standard)$ narrow (2.40mm), medium (3.00mm) and wide (4.25mm) were used in tandem with $0.016{\times}0.022'$ stainless steel wire. Three bracket-arch wire combinations were drawn on for 4 minutes on a testing apparatus with a head speed of 0.5mm/min and tested 7 times each. To reproduce biological conditions, dentoalveolar models were designed with indirect technique using a material with similar elastic properties as periodontal ligament (PDL). In addition, to minimize the effect of ligation force, elastomer was used with added resin, which was attached to the bracket to make up for the discrepancies of bracket width. The results were as follows: 1. Maximum frictional force for each bracket-arch wire combination was: Narrow (2.40mm): $68.09\pm4.69gmf$ Medium (3.00mm): $72.75\pm4.98 gmf$ Wide (4.25mm): $72.59\pm4.54gmf$ 2. Frictional force was increased with more displacement of wire through the bracket slot. 3. The ANOVA psot-hoc test showed that the bracker width had no significant effect on frictional force when tested under clinically simulated conditions(p>0.05).

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.123-127
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• 1978

The major objective of this research is to identify those hospital characteristics that best explain cost variation among hospitals and to formulate linear models that can predict hospital costs. Specific emphasis is placed on hospital output, that is, the identification of diagnosis related patient groups (DRGs) which are medically meaningful and demonstrate similar patterns of hospital resource consumption. A casemix index is developed based on the DRGs identified. Considering the common problems encountered in previous hospital cost research, the following study requirements are estab-lished for fulfilling the objectives of this research: 1. Selection of hospitals that exercise similar medical and fiscal practices. 2. Identification of an appropriate data collection mechanism in which demographic and medical characteristics of individual patients as well as accurate and comparable cost information can be derived. 3. Development of a patient classification system in which all the patients treated in hospitals are able to be split into mutually exclusive categories with consistent and stable patterns of resource consumption. 4. Development of a cost finding mechanism through which patient groups' costs can be made comparable across hospitals. A data set of Medicare patients prepared by the Social Security Administration was selected for the study analysis. The data set contained 27,229 record abstracts of Medicare patients discharged from all but one short-term general hospital in Connecticut during the period from January 1, 1971, to December 31, 1972. Each record abstract contained demographic and diagnostic information, as well as charges for specific medical services received. The 'AUT-OGRP System' was used to generate 198 DRGs in which the entire range of Medicare patients were split into mutually exclusive categories, each of which shows a consistent and stable pattern of resource consumption. The 'Departmental Method' was used to generate cost information for the groups of Medicare patients that would be comparable across hospitals. To fulfill the study objectives, an extensive analysis was conducted in the following areas: 1. Analysis of DRGs: in which the level of resource use of each DRG was determined, the length of stay or death rate of each DRG in relation to resource use was characterized, and underlying patterns of the relationships among DRG costs were explained. 2. Exploration of resource use profiles of hospitals; in which the magnitude of differences in the resource uses or death rates incurred in the treatment of Medicare patients among the study hospitals was explored. 3. Casemix analysis; in which four types of casemix-related indices were generated, and the significance of these indices in the explanation of hospital costs was examined. 4. Formulation of linear models to predict hospital costs of Medicare patients; in which nine independent variables (i. e., casemix index, hospital size, complexity of service, teaching activity, location, casemix-adjusted death. rate index, occupancy rate, and casemix-adjusted length of stay index) were used for determining factors in hospital costs. Results from the study analysis indicated that: 1. The system of 198 DRGs for Medicare patient classification was demonstrated not only as a strong tool for determining the pattern of hospital resource utilization of Medicare patients, but also for categorizing patients by their severity of illness. 2. The wei틴fed mean total case cost (TOTC) of the study hospitals for Medicare patients during the study years was $11,27.02 with a standard deviation of $117.20. The hospital with the highest average TOTC ($1538.15) was 2.08 times more expensive than the hospital with the lowest average TOTC ($743.45). The weighted mean per diem total cost (DTOC) of the study hospitals for Medicare patients during the sutdy years was $107.98 with a standard deviation of $15.18. The hospital with the highest average DTOC ($147.23) was 1.87 times more expensive than the hospital with the lowest average DTOC ($78.49). 3. The linear models for each of the six types of hospital costs were formulated using the casemix index and the eight other hospital variables as the determinants. These models explained variance to the extent of 68.7 percent of total case cost (TOTC), 63.5 percent of room and board cost (RMC), 66.2 percent of total ancillary service cost (TANC), 66.3 percent of per diem total cost (DTOC), 56.9 percent of per diem room and board cost (DRMC), and 65.5 percent of per diem ancillary service cost (DTANC). The casemix index alone explained approximately one half of interhospital cost variation: 59.1 percent for TOTC and 44.3 percent for DTOC. Thsee results demonstrate that the casemix index is the most importand determinant of interhospital cost variation Future research and policy implications in regard to the results of this study is envisioned in the following three areas: 1. Utilization of casemix related indices in the Medicare data systems. 2. Refinement of data for hospital cost evaluation. 3. Development of a system for reimbursement and cost control in hospitals.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.253-263
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• 2011

This study was conducted to gain preliminary data for restoration and management of constructed small-scale ponds in paddy fields through analysis of their physicochemical and biological properties. A field survey was performed at 13 small-scale ponds located in paddy fields from August 2009 to October 2010. Structural properties, water quality, soil characteristics and fish fauna were measured. Results showed that small-scale ponds without frames might lose their function over time because of crumbling walls. Therefore, it is necessary for these ponds to have frames for soil protection and sustainable maintenance. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentration were higher than the water quality standard for agricultural water in small-scale ponds. In particular, TN concentration was 8.03 mg $L^{-1}$ and over 8 times the water quality standard because of the presence of livestock such as cows and pigs in the study areas. Sand, organic matter and available phosphorus contents of soil in small-scale ponds was 53.4${\pm}$16.6%, 21.8${\pm}$9.74 g $kg^{-1}$ and 12.8${\pm}$7.59 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively indicating that sand and available phosphorus contents were suitable for plants in small-scale ponds, but organic matter contents was somewhat low in newly constructed small-scale ponds, and would take some time to stabilize for plant growing. Fish fauna was not diverse with only 4 species at all sites surveyed. Collected fishes share a common feature that they all inhabit paddy fields or canals with shallow water depth. In this study, all ponds were not linked to the streams and canals around them. It appears that connection to adjacent streams was the major factor controlling fish fauna in small-scale ponds. The results of statistical analysis were classified into three groups. Factor 1 was 26.3%, which shows a structural properties such as area and depth of small-scale pond. As for factor 2, it appears on 20.1%, showing water quality like a TP, suspended solids (SS) and COD. Small-scale ponds were classified into three groups by factor scores. Group I consisted of 6 small-scale ponds, which were larger than the others. Group III had higher water quality than the others. We conclude that the most important points to be considered for restoration and management of small-scale ponds is connection with adjacent streams or ditches and depth and size of the small-scale pond.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.253-262
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• 2009

The present study was conducted to develop a rapid and accurate method of evaluating chemical composition of total mixed ration (TMR) for dairy cows using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). A total of 253 TMR samples were collected from TMR manufacturers and dairy farms in Korea. Prior to NIR analysis, TMR samples were dried at $65^{\circ}C$ for 48 hour and then ground to 2 mm size. The samples were scanned at 2 nm interval over the wavelength range of 400-2500 nm on a FOSS-NIR Systems Model 6500. The values obtained by NIR analysis and conventional chemical methods were compared. Generally, the relationship between chemical analysis and NIR analysis was linear: $R^2$ and standard error of calibration (SEC) were 0.701 (SEC 0.407), 0.965 (SEC 0.315), 0.796 (SEC 0.406), 0.889 (SEC 0.987), 0.894 (SEC 0.311), 0.933 (SEC 0.885) and 0.889 (SEC 1.490) for moisture, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, crude ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), respectively. In addition, the standard error of prediction (SEP) value was 0.371, 0.290, 0.321, 0.380, 0.960, 0.859 and 1.446 for moisture, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, crude ash, ADF and NDF, respectively. The results of the present study showed that the NIR analysis for unknown TMR samples would be relatively accurate. Use of the developed NIR calibration curve can obtain fast and reliable data on chemical composition of TMR. Collection and analysis of more TMR samples will increase accuracy and precision of NIR analysis to TMR.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.33 no.5_1
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• pp.469-480
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• 2017

This study aims to understand the relationship between lineaments and epicenters in Geochang region, Gyungsangnam-do, South Korea. An instrumental observation of earthquakes has been started by Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) since 1978 and there were 6 earthquakes with magnitude ranging 2 to 2.5 in Geochang region from 1978 to 2016. Lineaments were extracted from LANDSAT 8 satellite image and shaded relief map displayed in 3-dimension using Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Then, lineament density was statistically examined by hotspot analysis. Hexagonal grids were generated to perform the analysis because hexagonal pattern expresses lineaments with less discontinuity than square girds, and the size of the grid was selected to minimize a variance of lineament density. Since hotspot analysis measures the extent of clustering with Z score, Z scores computed with lineaments' frequency ($L_f$), length ($L_d$), and intersection ($L_t$) were used to find lineament clusters in the density map. Furthermore, the Z scores were extracted from the epicenters and examined to see the relevance of each density elements to epicenters. As a result, 15 among 18 densities,recorded as 3 elements in 6 epicenters, were higher than 1.65 which is 95% of the standard normal distribution. This indicates that epicenters coincide with high density area. Especially, $L_f$ and $L_t$ had a significant relationship with epicenter, being located in upper 95% of the standard normal distribution, except for one epicenter in $L_t$. This study can be used to identify potential seismic zones by improving the accuracy of expressing lineaments' spatial distribution and analyzing relationship between lineament density and epicenter. However, additional studies in wider study area with more epicenters are recommended to promote the results.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.13
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• pp.423-449
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• 2007

This research is to investigate the detention facilities of police stations and their real operations through the perceptions of detainees at police station cells and to present the policy suggestions for them. To fulfill the research, a questionnaire was made out on the basis of 'the Regulation on Detention and Escort for Suspects'. 'the Regulation on a Standard Plan for Detention Facilities' and 'the Regulation on the Lowest Standard to Treat Detainees' ; and detainees at 23 police station cells under the jurisdiction of Kyungbuk Local Police Agency were asked to answer it. Policy suggestions following from the result of the investigation of detainees' perceptions of the detention facilities of the police stations are as follows; Firstly, the structure of police station cells should be arranged in straight lines in order to take their human rights into consideration and more detention facilities are needed to be built in order to separate male, female, handicapped and juvenile inmates. Secondly, shower rooms and washrooms outside the cells should always be open to detainees whenever they need to be used. Thirdly, any detention facilities deficient in fire fighting equipment should have exit doors installed as soon as possible in case of an emergency and provide sufficient fire extinguishers considering the number of detainees and the size of the facilities. Fourthly, the detention facilities should have sufficient windows for ventilation and take necessary measures to obtain natural lighting instead of electric lighting. Fifthly, air conditioners should be equipped properly taking account of the number of detainees and the dimensions of the facilities. Policy suggestions according to the result of the investigation of detainees' perceptions of the operation of detention facilities of police stations are as follows; Firstly, the problem of operating the detention facilities must deal with worn-out facilities and measures to secure the budget should be taken as soon as possible. Secondly, considering that most detained suspects have difficulties in livelihood, daily necessaries must be issued to them. Thirdly, personal belongings deposited by inmates must be properly managed with the same documentation throughout the police station detention facilities. The number of female guards to take exclusive charge of the physical checkups and processing of female detainees should be increased. Also the facilities for handicapped detainees must be expanded, improved and managed properly. Fourthly, except for handcuffs and ropes to bind detainees in the detention facilities, helmets to prevent self-harm must be withdrawn. The budget to improve the quality of meal issued by the government must be urgently secured and the price of private food sent to detainees must be readjusted to be in line with the consumer price. Health and medical care and sanitation for detainees must be substantial, and also sunbathing and outdoor exercises should be allowed to detainees.