• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.294-308
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• 2002

Background : The cell-mediated immune response plays an important role in tuberculosis. After being activated by mycobacterial antigens, T lymphocytes express a high affinity receptor (IL-2R) for interleukin-2 (IL-2) on their own surface and release a soluble fraction of the IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) from the cell membrane into the circulation. Neopterin is a metabolite of guanosine-triphosphate, which is produced by stimulated macrophages under the influence of IFN-$\gamma$ with a T lymphocyte origin. Therefore, the utility of sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and the neopterin levels as immunologic indices of the cell-mediated immune response and severity of disease in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was assessed. Methods : The serum sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin levels were measured in 39 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 6 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis prior to treatment and 10 healthy subjects. The serum and pleural sIL-2R, neopterin and ADA levels were measured in 22 patients with tuberculous pleurisy. The patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were divided into a mild, moderate and severe group according to the severity by ATS guidelines. To compare the results from these patients with those of the pretreatment levels, the sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin levels were measured in 36 of the 39 patients(1 patient, expired; 2 patients were referred to a sanitarium) with pulmonary tuberculosis after 2 months of treatment. Results : 1) the serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels were elevated in patients with tuberculosis when compared to those of healthy subjects (p>0.05). The neopterin concentration in the serum was significantly lower in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis($2967{\pm}2132.8$ pg/ml) than in healthy controls($4949{\pm}1242.1$ pg/ml)(p<0.05). 2) In the pulmonary tuberculosis group, the serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels were higher in patients with severe disease than those in patients with mild and moderate disease. However, the neopterin levels declined as the pulmonary tuberculosis became more severe (p<0.01). 3) The mean serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels declined from $1071{\pm}1139.4$ U/ml to $1023{\pm}1920.9$ U/ml(p>0.05), $41{\pm}52.8$ pg/ml to $22{\pm}23.9$ gm/ml(p<0.05), respectively, after 2 month of treatment. The mean serum neopterin levels increased from $3158{\pm}2272.6$ pg/ml to $3737{\pm}2307.5$ pg/ml(p>0.05) after a 2 month of treatment. These findings were remarkable in the severe group of pulmonary tuberculosis with a clinical correlation. 4) In the patients with tuberculous pleurisy, the serum sIL-2R and ADA were significantly higher than those in the pleural fluid, However, the neopterin levels in the sera and pleural effusion were similar. Conclusion : On the basis of this study, sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin measurements may not only provide an insight into the present state of the cell-mediated immune response, but also serve as parameters monitoring of the prognosis of the disease, particularly in patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, an assay of the pleural sIL-2R levels might signal a stimulated local immunity including T cell activation in the tuberculous pleural effusion.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2016

Purpose: It is important to alleviate care burden for terminal cancer patients and their families. This study investigated the factors associated with care burden among family caregivers (FCs) of terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: We analyzed data from 289 FCs of terminal cancer patients who were admitted to palliative care units of seven medical centers in Korea. Care burden was assessed using the Korean version of Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) scale which comprises five domains. A multivariate logistic regression model with stepwise variable selection was used to identify factors associated with care burden. Results: Diverse associating factors were identified in each CRA domain. Emotional factors had broad influence on care burden. FCs with emotional distress were more likely to experience changes to their daily routine (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.29~5.02), lack of family support (aOR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.04~4.97) and health issues (aOR, 5.44; 2.50~11.88). Family functionality clearly reflected a lack of support, and severe family dysfunction was linked to financial issues as well. FCs without religion or comorbid conditions felt more burdened. The caregiving duration and daily caregiving hours significantly predicted FCs' lifestyle changes and physical burden. FCs who were employed, had weak social support or could not visit frequently, had a low self-esteem. Conclusion: This study indicates that it is helpful to understand FCs' emotional status and family functions to assess their care burden. Thus, efforts are needed to lessen their financial burden through social support systems.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.855-861
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• 2002

Purpose : Thymus size can be affected by several factors and perinatal diseases can be estimated by its size. The purpose of this study was to search for a relationship between cardiothymic/thoracic(CT/T) ratio and perinatal diseases such as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(RDS) and intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR) by measuring the width of the cardiothymic shadow at the level of the carina and dividing it by the width of the thorax at the costophrenic angles. Methods : A clinical study was conducted on newborn infants with RDS(n=51), IUGR(n=27), and premature rupture of membranes(PROM, n=48), who were admitted at NICU of Catholic University of Daegu from June 2000 to Oct. 2001. CT/T ratio was measured within six hrs of age, at 2-3 days of age, and at 5-7 days of age. Results : CT/T ratios of RDS group, IUGR group, and PROM group were $0.46{\pm}0.07$, $0.32{\pm}0.04$. $0.36{\pm}0.06$, respectively. CT/T ratios of RDS group within 6hrs of age, at 2-3 days of age, and at 5-7 days of age were $0.43{\pm}0.07$, $0.34{\pm}0.06$, $0.25{\pm}0.04$, respectively. There were statistically significances among the RDS group, the IUGR group, and the PROM group and in the RDS group at different times. Regression for gestational age among three groups was not statistically significant but correlation for gestational age in the entire groups was statistically significant. CT/T ratio between normal spontaneous vaginal delivery and c-section among three groups was not statistically significant. CT/T ratios with dexamethasone-treated group and untreated group was not statistically significant. Conclusion : We concluded that thymus size differed significantly in the perinatal diseases such as RDS and IUGR, and so can be used as an early diagnostic tool for perinatal diseases.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.290-297
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• 2009

In case of radiation treatment using small field high-energy photon beams, an accurate dosimetry is a challenging task because of dosimetrically unfavorable phenomena such as dramatic changes of the dose at the field boundaries, dis-equilibrium of the electrons, and non-uniformity between the detector and the phantom materials. In this study, the absorbed dose in the phantom was measured by using an ion chamber and a diode detector widely used in clinics. $GAFCHROMIC^{(R)}$ EBT films composed of water equivalent materials was also evaluated as a small field detector and compared with ionchamber and diode detectors. The output factors at 10 cm depth of a solid phantom located 100 cm from the 6 MV linear accelerator (Varian, 6 EX) source were measured for 6 field sizes ($5{\times}5\;cm^2$, $2{\times}2\;cm^2$, $1.5{\times}1.5\;cm^2$, $1{\times}1\;cm^2$, $0.7{\times}0.7\;cm^2$ and $0.5{\times}0.5\;cm^2$). As a result, from $5{\times}5\;cm^2$ to $1.5{\times}1.5\;cm^2$ field sizes, absorbed doses from three detectors were accurately identified within 1%. Wheres, the ion chamber underestimated dose compared to other detectors in the field sizes less than $1{\times}1\;cm^2$. In order to correct the observed underestimation, a convolution method was employed to eliminate the volume averaging effect of an ion chamber. Finally, in $1{\times}1\;cm^2$ field the absorbed dose with a diode detector was about 3% higher than that with the EBT film while the dose with the ion chamber after volume correction was 1% lower. For $0.5{\times}0.5\;cm^2$ field, the dose with the diode detector was 1% larger than that with the EBT film while dose with volume corrected ionization chamber was 7% lower. In conclusion, the possibility of $GAFCHROMIC^{(R)}$ EBT film as an small field dosimeter was tested and further investigation will be proceed using Monte Calro simulation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.77-82
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• 1999

Three floating islands have been constructed for water quality improvement for a polluted irrigation reservoir. Each floating island consists of 10 segments. Each segment hay an area of $16m^2$(4×4m) and is made of wood frames and floats(polystyrene foam). We planted three species of aquatic macrophytes(Typha angustifolia, Zizania latifolia, and Phragmites australis) in floating island on June, 1998. They grew very well without death. We would like to evaluate Phragmites australis is the most suitable aquatic macrophyte that could be planted in a floating island because it maintained the best balance of its root and shoot among them. During their grown period, net primary productivity of Typha angustifolia was $962gDM/m^2$, Zizania latifolia was $1,115gDM/m^2$, and Phragmites australis was $523gDM/m^2$. From these data, it would be estimated to 5.0Kg uptake of nitrogen by aquatic macrophytes and phosphorus 0.8Kg in 3 floating islands. The floating islands worked well as a habitat of fish and prawns. Many kinds of insect lived on the floating islands. The floating island has not only the function of water quality treatment but also several advantages: improvement of landscape and species diversity; low cost of maintenance; low technology; unnecessary of energy; less susceptible to variations in pollutant loading. It could be evaluated a good measure of water quality improvement for an irrigation reservoir. However, it should be intensively studied to develop more light, strong, durable and low-priced frames for efficient floating islands.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.45-55
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• 1990

This study describes on the erosion control effects of the several grasses and its mixtures for the man-made slopes. The grasses used for this experiment include cool-season grasses such as Festuca rubra L. (Creeping redfescue), Poa pratensis L. (Kentucky bluegrass), Lolium perenne L. (Perenial ryegrass), Lolium multiflorum LAM. (Italian ryegrass), Festuca arundinacea Schrel. (Tall fescue), and warm-season grasses such as Eragrostis curvula Schrad. (Weeping lovegrass), Zoysia japonica Steud. (Zoysiass) and native plants (Artemisia princeps var. orientalis Hara, Lespedeza cuneata G. Don, Arundinella hirta var. ciliata K.) This study was conducted at Dan-kook University from April, 1988 to Octover, 1989. The results are summurized as follows; 1.Cool-season grasses covered the ground quickly in early stage, and weekened slowly during sumer season. Warm-season grasses and native-plants covered the ground slowly in early stage, but during summer season they grew vigorously, so outweighed cool season grasses. 2. The amount of aboveground growth of weeping locearass and underground growth of Artemisia prinoepts are quite differant from others. Since Arumdinella hirta has deep root system, it is thought to very useful protection of unstable for hrdro-seeding. Because cool-season grasses are useful for quick coverage, and native plants or warm-season grow well during summer season with the better compatability to weeds. 3.Mixture III(cool-season and warm-season grasses), mixtureIV(native spp. and Italian ruegrass), and mixtureV(native spp.) resulted in better control of erosion control on man-made slopes. Native spp. has equivallent capacity of erosion control compared to several foreign grasses.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.119-124
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• 1997

Purpose: To assess the utility of magnetic resonance(MR) cerebral blood volume (CBV) map in the evaluation of brain tumors. Materials and Methods: We performed perfusion MR imaing preoperatively in the consecutive IS patients with intracranial masses(3 meningiomas, 2 glioblastoma multiformes, 3 low grade gliomas, 1 lymphoma, 1 germinoma, 1 neurocytoma, 1 metastasis, 2 abscesses, 1 radionecrosis). The average age of the patients was 42 years (22yr -68yr), composed of 10 males and S females. All MR images were obtained at l.ST imager(Signa, CE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wisconsin). The regional CBV map was obtained on the theoretical basis of susceptibility difference induced by first pass circulation of contrast media. (contrast media: IScc of gadopentate dimeglumine, about 2ml/sec by hand, starting at 10 second after first baseline scan). For each patient, a total of 480 images (6 slices, 80 images/slice in 160 sec) were obtained by using gradient echo(CE) single shot echo-planar image(EPI) sequence (TR 2000ms, TE SOms, flip angle $90^{\circ}$, FOV $240{\times}240mm,{\;}matrix{\;}128{\times}128$, slice-thick/gap S/2.S). After data collection, the raw data were transferred to CE workstation and rCBV maps were generated from the numerical integration of ${\Delta}R2^{*} on a voxel by voxel basis, with home made software (${\Delta}R2^{*}=-ln (S/SO)/TE). For easy visual interpretation, relative RCB color coding with reference to the normal white matter was applied and color rCBV maps were obtained. The findings of perfusion MR image were retrospectively correlated with Cd-enhanced images with focus on the degree and extent of perfusion and contrast enhancement. Results: Two cases of glioblastoma multiforme with rim enhancement on Cd-enhanced Tl weighted image showed increased perfusion in the peripheral rim and decreased perfusion in the central necrosis portion. The low grade gliomas appeared as a low perfusion area with poorly defined margin. In 2 cases of brain abscess, the degree of perfusion was similar to that of the normal white matter in the peripheral enhancing rim and was low in the central portion. All meningiomas showed diffuse homogeneous increased perfusion of moderate or high degree. One each of lymphoma and germinoma showed homogenously decreased perfusion with well defined margin. The central neurocytoma showed multifocal increased perfusion areas of moderate or high degree. A few nodules of the multiple metastasis showed increased perfusion of moderate degree. One radionecrosis revealed multiple foci of increased perfusion within the area of decreased perfusion. Conclusion: The rCBV map appears to correlate well with the perfusion state of brain tumor, and may be helpful in discrimination between low grade and high grade gliomas. The further study is needed to clarify the role of perfusion MR image in the evaluation of brain tumor.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.129-138
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• 2006

Helicopter-borne aeromagnetic surveys at two different times separated by three years were conducted to better understand the shallow subsurface structure of the Vulcano and Lipari volcanic complex, Aeolian Islands, southern Italy, and also to monitor the volcanic activity of the area. As there was no meaningful difference between the two magnetic datasets to imply an apparent change of the volcanic activity, the datasets were merged to produce an aeromagnetic map with wider coverage than was given by a single dataset. Apparent magnetisation intensity mapping was applied to terrain-corrected magnetic anomalies, and showed local magnetisation highs in and around Fossa Cone, suggesting heterogeneity of the cone. Magnetic modelling was conducted for three of those magnetisation highs. Each model implied the presence of concealed volcanic products overlain by pyroclastic rocks from the Fossa crater. The model for the Fossa crater area suggests a buried trachytic lava flow on the southern edge of the present crater. The magnetic model at Forgia Vecchia suggests that phreatic cones can be interpreted as resulting from a concealed eruptive centre, with thick latitic lavas that fill up Fossa Caldera. However, the distribution of lavas seems to be limited to a smaller area than was expected from drilling results. This can be explained partly by alteration of the lavas by intense hydrothermal activity, as seen at geothermal areas close to Porto Levante. The magnetic model at the north-eastern Fossa Cone implies that thick lavas accumulated as another eruption centre in the early stage of the activity of Fossa. Recent geoelectric surveys showed high-resistivity zones in the areas of the last two magnetic models.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2008

This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of the temperature characteristics of the tidal flat sediments during low tide as a environmental factor, and burrowing behaviour, fatness, total hemocyte counts(THCs) and differential hemocyte counts(DHCs) of hard clam Meretrix lusoria as biological activity indices for the management of hard clam farms located in Taean(Chungnam province) and Gimje(Jeonbuk province) tidal flat in Korea. Temperature ranges of the sediment at 1cm depth during spring(March to May) and summer(June to August) in Taean(where the exposure time was about $5.5{\sim}6$ hours during low tide) were $8.7{\sim}26.8^{\circ}C\;and\;27.6{\sim}32.8^{\circ}C$, respectively. Even though there was no significant difference(P>0.05), temperatures of the surface sediment where submerged with remained seawater were generally higher than that of uncovered with seawater. Burrowing depths of normally digged hard clams were 0.9{\sim}3.6cm from March to October, 2002. In the field experiment performed at Taean farming ground covered with seawater, burrowing times of the clams under natural water temperatures were $41.6{\pm}10minutes$ in February and $5.4{\pm}1.3minutes$ in August, respectively, and these were influenced by water temperatures. Fatness of hard clams began to decrease from May(at Taean tidal flat) and June(at Gimje tidal flat), showed the lowest level in August and increased again from September. Total hemocytes counts in the hemolymph of the hard clams were decreased to the lowest level in July($24.7{\times}10^4cells/mL$, at Taean tidal flat) and August($28.2{\times}10^4cells/mL$, at Gimje tidal flat), and significantly increased again from September(at Taean tidal flat, P<0.01) and October(at Gimje tidal flat, P<0.001), respectively. We observed three types of hemocytes from the hemolymph of hard clams according to whether hemocytes retain the granules or not and the size of the granules. As a results, we could found that periodical monitoring of the sediment temperatures, clam burrowing behaviour and hemocyte parameters were very helpful for the management of hard clam farming.

• The Magazine of the IEIE
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.76-80
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• 2002

'Liquid Crystal의 상전이(相轉移)와 광학적 이방성(異方性)이 1888년과 1889년 F. Reinitzer와 O. Lehmann에 의해 Monatsch Chem.과 Z.Physikal.Chem.에 각각 보고된 후 부터 제2차 세계대전이 끝난 뒤인 1950년대 까지는 Liquid Crystal을 단지실험실에서의 기초학문 차원의 연구 대상으로만 다루어 왔다. 1963년 Williams가 Liquid Crystal Device로는 최초로 특허 출원을 하였으며, 1968년 RCA사의 Heilmeier등은 Nematic 액정(液晶)에 저주파(低周波) 전압(電壓)을 인가하면 투명한 액정이 혼탁(混濁)상태로 변화하는 '동적산란(動的散亂)'(Dynamic Scattering) 현상을 이용하여 최초의 DSM(Dynamic Scattering Mode) LCD(Liquid Crystal Display)를 발명하였다. 비록 150V 이상의 높은 구동전압과 과소비전력의 특성 때문에 실용화에는 실패하였지만 Guest-Host효과와 Memory효과 등을 발견하였다. 1970년대에 이르러 실온에서 안정되게 사용 가능한 액정물질들이 합성되고(H. Kelker에 의해 MBBA, G. Gray에 의한 Cyano-Biphenyl 액정의 합성), CMOS 트랜지스터의 발명, 투명도전막(ITO), 수은전지등의 주변기술들의 발전으로 인하여 LCD의 상품화가 본격적으로 이루어지게 되었다. 1971년에는 M. Shadt, W. Helfrich, J.L. Fergason등이 TN(Twisted Nematic) LCD를 발명하여 전자 계산기와 손목시계에 응용되었고, 1970년대 말에는 Sharp에서 Dot Matrix형의 휴대형 컴퓨터를 발매하였다. 이러한 단순 구동형의 TN LCD는 그래픽 정보를 표시하는 데에는 품질의 한계가 있어 1979년 영국의 Le Comber에 의해 a-Si TFT(amorphous Silicon Thin Film Transistor) LCD의 연구가 시작되었고, 1983년 T.J. Scheffer, J. Nehring, G. Waters에 의해 STN(Super Twisted Nematic) LCD가 창안되었고, 1980년 N. Clark, S. Lagerwall 및 1983년 K.Yossino에 의해 Ferroelectric LCD가 등장하여 LCD의 정보 표시량 증대에 크게 기여하였다. Color화의 진전은 1972년 A.G. Ficher의 셀 외부에 RGB(Red, Green, Blue) filter를 부착하는 방안과, 1981년 T. Uchida 등에 의한 셀 내부에 RGB filter를 부착하는 방법에 의해 상품화가 되었다. 1985년에는 J.L. Fergason에 의해 Polymer Dispersed LCD가 발명되었고, 1980년대 중반에 이르러 동화상(動畵像) 표시가 가능한 a-Si TFT LCD의 시제품(試製品) 개발이 이루어지고 1990년부터는 본격적인 양산 시대에 접어들게 되었다. 1990년대 초에는 STN LCD의 Color화 및 대형화(大型化) 고(高)품위화에 힘입어 Note-Book PC에 LCD가 본격적으로 적용이 되었고, 1990년대 후반에는TFT LCD의 표시품질 대비 가격경쟁력 확보로 인하여 Note-Book PC 시장을 독점하기에 이르렀다. 이후로는 TFT LCD의 대형화가 중요한 쟁점으로 부각되고 있고, 1995년 삼성전자는 당시 세계최대 크기의 22' TFT LCD를 개발하였다. 또한 LCD의 고정세(高情細)화를 위해 Poly Si TFT LCD의 개발이 이루어졌고, 디지타이져 일체형 LCD의 상품화가 그 응용의 폭을 넓혔으며, LCD의 대형화를 위해 1994년 Canon에 의해 14.8', 21' 등의 FLCD가 개발되었다. 대형화 방안으로 Tiled LCD 기술이 개발되고 있으며, 1995년에 Sharp에 의해 21' 두장의 Panel을 이어 붙인 28' TFT LCD가 전시되었고 1996년에는 21' 4장의 Panel을 이어 붙인 40'급 까지의 개발이 시도 되었으며 현재는 LCD의 특성향상과 생산설비의 성능개선과 안정적인 공정관리기술을 바탕으로 삼성전자에서 단패널 40' TFT LCD가 최근에 개발되었다. Projection용 디스플레이로는 Poly-Si TFT LCD를 이용하여 $25'{\sim}100'$사이의 배면투사형과 전면투사형 까지 개발되어 대형 TV시장을 주도하고 있다. 21세기 디지털방송 시대를 맞아 플라즈마디스플레이패널(PDP) TV, 액정표시장치 (LCD)TV, 강유전성액정(FLCD) TV 등 2005년에 약 1500만대 규모의 거대 시장을 형성할 것으로 예상되는 이른바 '벽걸이TV'로 불리는 차세대 초박형 TV 시장을 선점하기 위하여 세계 가전업계들이 양산에 총력을 기울이고 있다. 벽걸이TV 시장이 본격적으로 형성되더라도 PDP TV와 LCD TV가 직접적으로 시장에서 경쟁을 벌이는 일은 별로 없을 것으로 보인다. 향후 디지털TV 시장이 본격적으로 열리면 40인치 이하의 중대형 시장은 LCD TV가 주도하고 40인치 이상 대화면 시장은 PDP TV가 주도할 것으로 보는 시각이 지배적이기 때문이다. 그러나 이러한 직시형 중대형(重大型)디스플레이는 그 가격이 너무 높아서 현재의 브라운관 TV를 대체(代替)하기에는 시일이 많이 소요될 것으로 추정되고 있다. 그 대안(代案)으로는 비교적 저가격(低價格)이면서도 고품질의 디지털 화상구현이 가능한 고해상도 프로젝션 TV가 유력시되고 있다. 이러한 고해상도 프로젝션 TV용으로 DMD(Digital Micro-mirror Display), Poly-Si TFT LCD와 LCOS(Liquid Crystals on Silicon) 등의 상품화가 진행되고 있다. 인터넷과 정보통신 기술의 발달로 휴대형 디스플레이의 시장이 예상 외로 급성장하고 있으며, 요구되는 디스플레이의 품질도 단순한 문자표시에서 그치지 않고 고해상도의 그래픽 동화상 표시와 칼라 표시 및 3차원 화상표시까지 점차로 그 영역이 넓어지고 있다. <표 1>에서 보여주는 바와 같이 LCD의 시장규모는 적용분야 별로 지속적인 성장이 예상되며, 새로운 응용분야의 시장도 성장성을 어느 정도 예측할 수 있다. 따라서 LCD기술의 연구개발 방향은 크게 두가지로 분류할 수 있으며 첫째로는, 현재 양산되고 있는 LCD 상품의 경쟁력강화를 위하여 원가(原價) 절감(節減)과 표시품질을 향상시키는 것이며 둘째로는, 새로운 타입의 LCD를 개발하여 기존 상품을 대체하거나 새로운 시장을 창출하는 분야로 나눌 수 있다. 이와 같은 관점에서 현재 진행되고 있는 LCD기술개발은 다음과 같이 분류할 수 있다. 1) 원가 절감 2) 특성 향상 3) New Type LCD 개발.