• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.495-509
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• 2003

Background : Neutrophil-mediated inflammation is usually self-limiting, because neutrophils have a remarkably short life span. Prolonged neutrophil survival, which is caused by decreased spontaneous apoptosis, leads to persistent inflammation in sepsis. Because many inflammatory cytokines, which generate signals that delay apoptosis, are regulated by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ transcription factor, we hypothesized that nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ might be related to the reduced neutrophil apoptosis observed in sepsis. Methods : Neutrophils of healthy volunteers and sepsis patients were freshly isolated from venous blood. Neutrophil apoptosis was assayed with two approaches : by counting apoptotic cells under a microscope and by flow cytometry using Annexin V. The activity of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ was assessed by immunofluorescent staining or electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis was measured by western blot assay. Results : We confirmed reduced spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis in patients with sepsis. The number of apoptotic neutrophils in patients with sepsis increased to the level of that in healthy controls after cycloheximide treatment, suggesting that decreased spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis is dependent on de novo protein synthesis. In patients with sepsis, basal neutrophil nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ was activated compared to the level in healthy controls. Moreover, a blockade of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ activity reversed the decreased spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis in sepsis patients. Meanwhile, X-linked inhibition of apoptosis expression, which is regulated by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, decreased 24 hours after incubation in healthy persons, but persisted for 24 hours in patients with sepsis. Conclusion : These observations suggest that the reduced spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis observed in patients with sepsis may be related to the induction of survival protein by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.5-9
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• 2010

In recent, a digital x-ray detector attracted worldwide attention and there are many studies to commercialize. There are two methods in digital x-ray detector. This method is an Indirect method and Direct method. This study is to see the differences between the digital x-ray detector based on a-Se used in the existing indirect conversion method and an x-ray conversion material that has better SNR(Signal-to-noise ratio) and property than the a-Se. To solve the problem that is difficult to make a large area film using Screen-Print method, we used a Screen-Print method. In this study, we used a polyclystal $HgI_2$ as x-ray conversion material and a sample thickness is $150{\mu}m$ and an area is $3cm{\times}3cm$. ITO(Indium-Tin-Oxide) electrode was used as top electrode using a Magnetron Sputtering System and each area is $3cm{\times}3cm$, $2cm{\times}2cm$ and $1cm{\times}1cm$ and then we evaluated darkcurrent, sensitivity and SNR of the $HgI_2$ film are measured, then we evaluated the electrical properties. And we used a current integration mode when I-V test. This experiment shows that the sensitivity increases in accordance with the area of the electrode but the SNR is decreased because of the high darkcurrent. Through fabricating of various thicknesses and optimal electrodes, we will optimize SNR in the future work.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.292-300
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• 2008

Purpose: Our purpose was to evaluate F-18 FDG uptake in pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC) according to CT findings and histology of lung cancer. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three lung cancer patients with PLC were enrolled in this retrospective study. All the patients had a CT-based diagnosis of PLC. Chest CT findings of PLC were classified on the basis of involvement of axial interstitium. We categorized the involvement of axial interstitium as group 1, and the involvement of peripheral interstitium only as group 2. Visual and semiquantitative analyses by F-18 FDG PET/CT were performed in the PLC lesions. At first, we analyzed the F-18 FDG uptake in the PLC by visual assessment. If abnormal uptake was seen in the PLC, we drew regions of interest in the PLC lesions to obtain the maximum SUVs (maxSUVs). Results: Of the 33 patients, 22 had abnormal F-18 FDG uptake in the visual assessment. There was no significant difference in the frequency of abnormal F-18 FDG uptake between group 1 and group 2 (p=0.17), although the frequency of group 1 tended to be higher than group 2 (15/19 (78.9%) in group 1, 7/14 (50.0%) in group 2). However, group 1 had a higher maxSUV than group 2 (p<0.01, group 1: $2.9{\pm}1.4$, group 2: $1.5{\pm}0.6$). There was no significant difference in the frequency of abnormal F-18 FDG uptake and maxSUV among the histology of the lung cancers. Conclusion: The involvement of axial interstitium in the PLC by lung cancer has a higher maxSUV than the involvement of only peripheral interstitium.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.234-265
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• 2013

Oceanic current maps in the secondary school science and earth science textbooks have played an important role in piquing students's inquisitiveness and interests in the ocean. Such maps can provide students with important opportunities to learn about oceanic currents relevant to abrupt climate change and global energy balance issues. Nevertheless, serious and diverse errors in these secondary school oceanic current maps have been discovered upon comparison with up-to-date scientific knowledge concerning oceanic currents. This study presents the fundamental methods and strategies for constructing such maps error-free, through the unification of the diverse current maps currently in the textbooks. In order to do so, we analyzed the maps found in 27 different textbooks and compared them with other up-to-date maps found in scientific journals, and developed a mapping technique for extracting digitalized quantitative information on warm and cold currents in the East Sea. We devised analysis items for the current visualization in relation to the branching features of the Tsushima Warm Current (TWC) in the Korea Strait. These analysis items include: its nearshore and offshore branches, the northern limit and distance from the coast of the East Korea Warm Current, outflow features of the TWC near the Tsugaru and Soya Straits and their returning currents, and flow patterns of the Liman Cold Current and the North Korea Cold Current. The first draft of the current map was constructed based upon the scientific knowledge and input of oceanographers based on oceanic in-situ measurements, and was corrected with the help of a questionnaire survey to the members of an oceanographic society. In addition, diverse comments have been collected from a special session of the 2013 spring meeting of the Korean Oceanographic Society to assist in the construction of an accurate current map of the East Sea which has been corrected repeatedly through in-depth discussions with oceanographers. Finally, we have obtained constructive comments and evaluations of the interim version of the current map from several well-known ocean current experts and incorporated their input to complete the map's final version. To avoid errors in the production of oceanic current maps in future textbooks, we provide the geolocation information (latitude and longitude) of the currents by digitalizing the map. This study is expected to be the first step towards the completion of an oceanographic current map suitable for secondary school textbooks, and to encourage oceanographers to take more interest in oceanic education.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.33-38
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• 2021

Recently, rollable and foldable displays are attracting great attention in the flexible display market due to their excellent form factor. To predict and prevent the mechanical failure of the display panels, it is essential to accurately understand the mechanical properties of brittle SiN_x thin films, which have been used as an insulating film in flexible displays. In this study, tensile properties of the ~130 nm- and ~320 nm-thick SiN_x thin films were successfully measured by coating a ~190 nm-thick organic nano-support-layer (PMMA, PS, P3HT) on the fragile SiN_x thin films and stretching the films as a bilayer state. Young's modulus values of the ~130 nm and ~320 nm SiN_x thin films fabricated through the controlled chamber pressure and deposition power (A: 1250 mTorr, 450 W/B: 1000 mTorr, 600 W/C: 750 mTorr, 700 W) were calculated as A: 76.6±3.5, B: 85.8±4.6, C: 117.4±6.5 GPa and A: 100.1±12.9, B: 117.9±9.7, C: 159.6 GPa, respectively. As a result, Young's modulus of ~320 nm SiN_x thin films fabricated through the same deposition condition increased compared to the ~130 nm SiN_x thin films. The tensile testing method using the organic nano-support-layer was effective in the precise measurement of the mechanical properties of the brittle thin films. The method developed in this study can contribute to the robust design of the rollable and foldable displays by enabling quantitative measurement of mechanical properties of fragile thin films for flexible displays.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.271-280
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• 2021

Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the patient's occlusion and a cracked tooth by using T-scan occlusal analysis and a quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology. Materials and methods. This study was carried out on 51 patients having cracked teeth between January, 2019 and December, 2020. The tooth crack was determined with a Q-ray pen and QLF parameters (ΔF_max and ΔR_max) were obtained by a Q-ray software. T-scan tests were conducted to all subjects and then, the occlusal force and disclosing time were analyzed. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare the occlusal force and disclosing time between cracked teeth groups and contra-lateral normal teeth groups (α = .05). Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare ΔF_max and ΔR_max according to the results of cold/bite tests (α = .05). A Spearman correlation analysis was run to determine the relationship between ΔF_max or ΔR_max and occlusal force or disclosing time (α=.05). Results. The mean occlusal force and disclosing time were significantly higher on cracked teeth than on normal teeth (P < .05). The ΔF_max or ΔR_max were not significantly different according to the results of cold/bite tests (P > .05). There was no correlation between ΔF_max or ΔR_max and occlusal force or disclosing time (P > .05). Conclusion. There was a significant relationship between occlusion and cracked tooth syndrome. QLF has the potential to be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of tooth crack in clinical practice.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.208-216
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• 2010

Lab scale experiments were conducted in order to assess the applicability of $CaCO_{3}$-alginate beads as neutralizer for the high cell density cultivation and prepare the direct vat inoculation cultures of isolated sourdough lactic acid bacteria. With increasing the amount of bead and decreasing the diameter of bead in acidic solution, the neutralizing effect of $CaCO_{3}$-alginate bead became higher. In batch process with $CaCO_{3}$-alginate beads, Lactobacillus amylovorus DU-21 isolated from sourdough showed the highest viable cell counts and optical density in MRS broth. The values of viable cell counts and optical density were 9.996 log CFU/mL and 3.97, respectively. Experiments on the conditions which increase viability during lyophilization were carried out and the following results were obtained; 15% glycerol revealed the high cryoprotective effect on the concentrated cultures during lyophilization among the two cryoprotective agents. Consequently, $CaCO_{3}$-alginate beads and 15% glycerol were found to be useful not only to cultivate Lactobacillus amylovorus DU-21 but also to preserve strain.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2019

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) has a intrinsic function of inducing growth and proliferation of cells through interacting with cell membrane receptors in human epidermis and dermis layer. These functions of EGF are used as a main ingredient for wound healing medicines and anti-aging cosmetics. As a cosmetic ingredient, the EGF has a problem in exhibiting its natural efficacy due to the lack of the ability to penetrate through the stratum corneum, which is known as the skin barrier. In this study, a recombinant human epidermal growth factor ($MTD_{151}-EGF$) fused with the macromolecule transduction domain $(MTD)_{151}$ with the skin penetration ability was developed to improve the skin penetration efficiency of the EGF. Expression of $MTD_{151}-EGF$ was performed in E. coli transformed with a vector encoding the $MTD_{151}-EGF$ gene and then purified. The purified $MTD_{151}-EGF$ was evaluated using cell proliferation assay, cytotoxicity test and skin penetration test by franz diffusion cell assay and artificial skin. Cell proliferation activity of $MTD_{151}-EGF$ purified to high purity of 99% or above was equivalent to the EGF or better, and cytotoxicity was not observed. In addition, the $MTD_{151}-EGF$ showed an excellent penetration efficiency compared to the EGF in the skin penetration test with EGF and $MTD_{151}-EGF$ labeled by FITC in an artificial skin penetration model. Based on the quantitative analysis of the penetrating substance using franz diffusion cell assay, the amount of penetration was about 16 times more than that of EGF. These results can be regarded as an effective alternative to improve the existing physical transdermal penetration method related to the use of various active ingredients for cosmetics.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.101-116
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• 2019

Technology-based start-up is important in that it encourages innovation, facilitates the development of new products and services, and contributes to job creation. Technology-based start-up activates entrepreneurship when appropriate support is provided within the ecosystem. Thus, understanding the technology-based start-up ecosystem is crucial. The purpose of this study is as follows. First, in Herrmann et al.'s(2015) study, we compare and analyze the ecosystem of each country by selecting representative regions such as Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv, London and Singapore which have the highest ranking in the start-up ecosystem. Second, we try to deeply understand the start-up ecosystem based on in-depth interviews with various stakeholders such as VC investors, start-ups, support organizations, and professors related to the Korean start-up ecosystem. Finally, based on the results of the study, we suggest development and activation of Korean technology-based start-up ecosystem. As a result, the Seoul start-up ecosystem showed a positive evaluation of government support compared to other advanced countries. In addition, it was confirmed that the ratio of tele-work and start-up company working experience of employees was higher than other countries. On the other hand, in Seoul, It was confirmed that overseas market performance, human resource diversity, attracting investment, hiring technological engineers, and the ratio of female entrepreneurs were lower than those of overseas advanced countries. In addition, according to the results of the interview analysis, Seoul was able to find that start-up ecosystems such as individual angel investors, accelerators, support institution, and media are developing thanks to the government's market-oriented policy support. However, in order for this development to continue, it is necessary to improve the continuous investment system, expansion of diversity, investment return system, and accessibility to the global market. A discussion on this issue is presented.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.82-98
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• 2019

The importance of spatial information is rapidly rising. In particular, 3D spatial information construction and modeling for Real World Objects, such as smart cities and digital twins, has become an important core technology. The constructed 3D spatial information is used in various fields such as land management, landscape analysis, environment and welfare service. Three-dimensional modeling with image has the hig visibility and reality of objects by generating texturing. However, some texturing might have occlusion area inevitably generated due to physical deposits such as roadside trees, adjacent objects, vehicles, banners, etc. at the time of acquiring image Such occlusion area is a major cause of the deterioration of reality and accuracy of the constructed 3D modeling. Various studies have been conducted to solve the occlusion area. Recently the researches of deep learning algorithm have been conducted for detecting and resolving the occlusion area. For deep learning algorithm, sufficient training data is required, and the collected training data quality directly affects the performance and the result of the deep learning. Therefore, this study analyzed the ability of detecting the occlusion area of the image using various image quality to verify the performance and the result of deep learning according to the quality of the learning data. An image containing an object that causes occlusion is generated for each artificial and quantified image quality and applied to the implemented deep learning algorithm. The study found that the image quality for adjusting brightness was lower at 0.56 detection ratio for brighter images and that the image quality for pixel size and artificial noise control decreased rapidly from images adjusted from the main image to the middle level. In the F-measure performance evaluation method, the change in noise-controlled image resolution was the highest at 0.53 points. The ability to detect occlusion zones by image quality will be used as a valuable criterion for actual application of deep learning in the future. In the acquiring image, it is expected to contribute a lot to the practical application of deep learning by providing a certain level of image acquisition.