• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2020

Methamphetamine (MA) is the most common and available drug of abuse in Korea and its primary metabolite is amphetamine (AP). Detection of AP derivatives, such as MA, AP, phentermine (PT), MDA, MDMA, and MDEA by the use of immunoassay screening is not reliable and accurate due to cross-reactivity and insufficient specificity/sensitivity. Therefore, the analytical process accepted by most urine drug-testing programs employs the two-step method with an initial screening test followed by a more specific confirmatory test if the specimen screens positive. In this study, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method was developed and validated for confirmation of MA and AP in human urine. Urine sample (500 µL) was added with N-isopropylbenzylamine as internal standard and ethyl chloroformate as a derivatization reagent, and then extracted with 200 µL of ethyl acetate. Extracted samples were analysed with GC-MS in the SIM/ Scan mode, which were screened by Cobas c311 analyzer (Roche/Hitachi) to evaluate the efficiency as well as the compatibility of the GC-MS method. Qualitative method validation requirements for selectivity, limit of detection (LOD), precision, accuracy, and specificity/sensitivity were examined. These parameters were estimated on the basis of the most intense and characteristic ions in mass spectra of target compounds. Precision and accuracy were less than 5.2 % (RSD) and ±14.0 % (bias), respectively. The LODs were 3 ng/mL for MA and 1.5 ng/mL for AP. At the screening immunoassay had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 95.1 % versus GC-MS for confirmatory testing. The applicability of the method was tested by the analysis of spiked urine and abusers' urine samples.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.63-69
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• 2016

In this paper, shear strength characteristics of an unsaturated soil were compared using triaxial compression tests(CD) and modified direct shear tests and thus feasibility of the newly modified direct shear testing apparatus was confirmed. The shear strength tests of unsaturated state with a soil sample, obtained from a slope where debris flow occurred at Yangpyeong in Kyeunggi province during 2010, were performed. Both tests showed a linear relationship of matric suction with the shear strength under low level of matric suction. The apparent cohesion of the unsaturated soil was also increased linearly with increase of matric suction. As results of comparing two different testing apparatus, estimated values of shear strength parameters of unsaturated soil($c^{\prime}$, ${\phi}^b$) were slightly larger in the modified direct shear tests due to constraint effect of shear box.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.339-354
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• 2007

Arched Corrugated Steel Roof (ACSR) is a kind of thin-walled steel shell, composing of arched panels with transverse small corrugations. Four full-scale W666 ACSR samples with 18m and 30m span were tested under full and half span static vertical uniform loads. Displacement, bearing capacities and failure modes of the four samples were measured. The web and bottom flange in ACSR with transverse small corrugations are simplified to anisotropic curved plates, and the equivalent tensile modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio of 18m span ACSR were measured. Two 18 m-span W666 ACSR samples were analyzed with the Finite Element Analysis program ABAQUS. Base on the tests, the limit bearing capacity of ACSR is low, and for half span loading, it is 74-75% compared with the full span loading. When the testing load approached to the limit value, the bottom flange at the sample's bulge place locally buckled first, and then the whole arched roof collapsed suddenly. If the vertical loads apply along the full span, the deformation shape is symmetric, but the overall failure mode is asymmetric. For half span vertical loading, the deformation shape and the overall failure mode of the structure are asymmetric. The ACSR displacement under the vertical loads is large and the structural stiffness is low. There is a little difference between the FEM analysis results and testing data, showing the simplify method of small corrugations in ACSR and the building techniques of FEM models are rational and useful.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.994-1009
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• 2016

Applying the S-O-R Model within an online context, a hypothesized model incorporates three review characteristics (perceived concreteness, exaggeration, and sufficient quantity of reviews) for apparel products in order to present their impact on consumer perceptions of review usefulness and consumer attitude toward and patronage intent for the online stores hosting the reviews. An online survey of Korean women (N=299) reported their experiences in purchasing apparel products online and reading apparel reviews on a regular basis. Testing of the hypothesized model showed the usefulness of reviews were determined by two review characteristics (S: perceived concreteness and sufficient quantity of reviews); however, the negative effect of exaggerated reviews were insignificant. In addition, the perceived usefulness of reviews (O-cognitive) hosted by an online store influenced online store attitude (O-affective) which subsequently led to online store patronage intent (R). This study systemically advances online retail literature by showing how the characteristics of online reviews (as a part of the online store environment) can influence attitude toward online stores and patronage intent for online stores. Long term relationships with consumers can be achieved through the building of mechanisms to enhance the perceived usefulness of reviews by employing the strategies of hosting concrete reviews and offering a sufficient quantity of reviews. This study addresses removes research gaps by testing an adapted the S-O-R Model that frames review information as an element of an online store environment using a large sample.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.147-156
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• 2022

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections in different age groups, including children. Bacteria are the main etiological agents of UTIs. The aim of the present study was to isolate, identify, and determine the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from children with UTIs from Baghdad, Iraq. Three hundred and two urine samples were collected from children aged 6 months to 12 years. The samples were cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar. The selected colonies were subjected to biochemical tests and antibiotic susceptibility analysis using the Vitek^® 2 Compact automated microbial identification system. In this sample, 299 bacteria were identified, of which, 267 were gram-negative bacteria, and 32 were gram-positive bacteria. Escherichia coli (56%) was the most commonly isolated gram-negative bacteria, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%), Enterobacter spp. (10.48%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.36%), Proteus spp. (7.8%), Acinetobacter baumannii (1.5%), and Morganella morganii (0.37%). Enterococcus faecalis (62.5%) was the most commonly detected gram-positive bacteria, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (37.5%). E. coli and P. aeruginosa were the most antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Among the tested antibiotics, meropenem showed 100% sensitivity, followed by imipenem (97.4%), amikacin (91.8%), and tobramycin (83.5%). In contrast, the high frequencies of resistance were observed with cefixime (93.2%), cefotaxime (78.7%), and ceftriaxone/cefotaxime (71.2%). In conclusion, carbapenems and aminoglycosides are highly recommended for the empirical treatment of UTIs, while, Quinolones, penicillins, and cephalosporins are not suggested. Frequent antibiotics susceptibility testing are warranted to determine the resistance pattern of UTI bacteria.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.255-263
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the immediate effects of electromyography (EMG) biofeedback training of the gluteus medius on dynamic balance during single leg squats in healthy individuals. Methods: The sample size in this study was estimated using the G-power program at an effect size of 0.4, a significance level (α) of 0.05, and a testing power of 0.90. In addition, as a result of considering the 10% dropout rate, this study recruited 21 healthy individuals (8 males and 13 females). All subjects measured the Y-balance test-lower quarter (YBT-LQ) and limits of stability (LOS) before and after a single leg squat (SLS) and SLS with EMG biofeedback training of the gluteus medius (SLSEB). They were trained for 10 minutes for each exercise, and two dynamic balance tests were performed three times. Results: There was a significant difference in the YBT-LQ score between the two exercises (p < 0.05). In the YBT-LQ score, there was a significant difference before and after SLS and SLSEB (p < 0.05). SLSEB showed a significantly higher YBT-LQ score than SLS (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in LOM between the two exercises (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two exercises. Conclusion: A single-leg squat with EMG biofeedback exercises is an effective method to improve dynamic balance, such as the YBT-LQ.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.183-192
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• 2007

The various environmental regulation directives such as RoHS (restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products) and WEEE (waste from electrical and electronic equipments) are practically used as the technical barrier in international trade (TBT) of vehicles and electrical and electronic products recently. Regarding such an environmental regulation, Korea Research Institute of Standards Science (KRISS) organized a proficiency testing scheme to establish the reliability of measurement results produced by the relevant research institutes and test laboratories in Korea. Participants were 31 laboratories related to production of the electrical and electronic equipments and mobile vehicles. Two polypropylene samples of pellet type were employed as the proficiency testing materials (PTMs). Cadmium and lead were the analytes chosen among six components regulated in European Union (EU) RoHS directive. The PTMs were sent to the participants by post on September $1^{st}$ 2006, and deadline for results submission were October $10^{th}$ 2006. The results of each laboratory were evaluated in comparison with KRISS reference values using Robustic Z-score and Youden plot methods. The results of the various sample digestion methods were also compared. Most of participants reported good agreement within 10 % range of reference values. However, results from several laboratories showed significant biases from reference values. These laboratories should establish the quality assurance system for improvement of the measurement reliability.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.491-501
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• 2022

Bentonite has been proposed as a buffer and backfill material for high-level radioactive waste repository. Under such repository environment conditions, bentonite is subjected to combined thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical processes. This study evaluates the feasibility of applying X-ray CT technology on the characterization of bentonite under hydration conditions using a newly developed testing cell. The cylindrical cell is made of platic material, with a removable cap to place the sample, enabling to apply vertical pressure on the sample and to measure swelling pressure. The hydration test was carried out with a sample made of Gyeonju bentonite, with a dry density of 1.4 g/cm³, and a water content of 20%. The sample had a diameter of 27.5 mm and a height of 34 mm. During the test, water was injected at a constant pressure of 0.207 MPa, and lasted for 7 days. After one day of hydration, bentonite swelled and filled out the space inside the cell. Moreover, CT histograms showed how the hydration process induced an initial increase and later progressive decrease on the density of the sample. Detailed profiles of the mean CT value, CT standard deviation, and CT gradient provided more details on the hydration process of the sample and showed how the bottom and top regions exhibited a decrease on density while the middle region showed an increase, especially during the first two days of hydration. Later, the differences in CT values with respect to the initial state decreased, and were small at the end of testing. The formation and later reduction of cracks was also characterized through CT scanning.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.97-100
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• 2018

Purpose The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test is an important indicator of glomerular filtration and has been used to test renal function and the extent of its function. The GFR test is performed by intravenous injection of radioactive medicines made of $^{51}Cr$-EDTA, and blood concentration is measured by taking blood according to the elapsed time. also, PET-CT, bone scan, transfusion and so on will affect the outcome. Therefore, we will improve the quality of the test by providing guidelines for the GFR test for more accurate testing. Materials and Methods 5 mL of physiological saline solution and 2 mL of $^{51}Cr$-EDTA solution are used to make 5 mL of the radiopharmaceutical solution to be injected into the patient. First, the syringe weight is measured before the injection, and then the radioactive medicine is injected into the patient's vein and the syringe weight is measured after the injection. Blood sampling is performed twice in total. In adults, blood is collected 3 hours / 5 hours after injection and in children 2 hours / 5 hours after injection. The blood sample is centrifuged at 3300 rpm for 5 minutes. Standard solution is prepared by filling diluent water up to the scale indicated in the 200-mL volumetric flask, discarding $500{\mu}L$, injecting $500{\mu}L$ of GFR reagent and mixing well. $500{\mu}L$ each of the standard solution is dispensed into two test tubes, and $500{\mu}L$ of each of the plasma samples collected in time is dispensed into two test tubes and measured with a Cobra Counter. Results At present, the reference range applied in this study is $119.5{\pm}30.3ml/min/1.73m2$ for males and $125.2{\pm}28.2ml/min/1.73m^2$ for females. Conclusion The GFR test is conducted using radioactive medical products. GFR testing is performed as a scheduled test, but PET-CT, dialysis and transfusion, which may affect GFR testing, may be scheduled during GFR testing. Therefore, we could get accurate GFR test results by notifying the ward and department beforehand when booking.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.268-275
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• 2012

Purpose: This study is to identify how eye movement influences the static balance and fall efficacy of the elderly who have experienced fall-related injuries. Methods: Thirty nine elderly who scored 24 points in the Korean mini mental state examination, were able to walk, and had no specific disease, were selected as the research subjects among elderly who have experienced fall-related injury more than once in the past year. Thus, 20 for the experimental group, and 19 for the control group were selected as subjects. The experiment was conducted for 6 weeks, including periods of evaluation before and after intervention. Results: The results with respect to the dependent variables are as follows: Substitute sample t-testing showed significant differences between each group in eye movement to check difference in balance performance and fall efficacy. When independent sample t-tests were conducted to compare static balancing performance and fall efficacy between the two groups after intervention, they showed significant differences in statistical terms (p<0.05). Conclusion: From the above results of the study, it was found that the application of eye movement combined with diverse fall prevention programs is effective, when enhancing static balance performance power and improving fall efficacy.