• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2017

Purpose: To evaluate the image quality improvement and dosimetric effects on virtual monochromatic images of a Dual Source-Dual Energy CT(DS-DECT) for radiotherapy planning. Materials and Methods: Dual energy(80/Sn 140 kVp) and single energy(120 kVp) scans were obtained with dual source CT scanner. Virtual monochromatic images were reconstructed at 40-140 keV for the catphan phantom study. The solid water-equivalent phantom for dosimetry performs an analytical calculation, which is implemented in TPS, of a 10 MV, $10{\times}10cm^2$ photon beam incident into the solid phantom with the existence of stainless steel. The dose profiles along the central axis at depths were discussed. The dosimetric consequences in computed treatment plans were evaluated based on polychromatic images at 120 kVp. Results: The magnitude of differences was large at lower monochromatic energy levels. The measurements at over 70 keV shows stable HU for polystyrene, acrylic. For CT to ED conversion curve, the shape of the curve at 120 kVp was close to that at 80 keV. 105 keV virtual monochromatic images were more successful than other energies at reducing streak artifacts, which some residual artifacts remained in the corrected image. The dose-calculation variations in radiotherapy treatment planning do not exceed ${\pm}0.7%$. Conclusion: Radiation doses with dual energy CT imaging can be lower than those with single energy CT imaging. The virtual monochromatic images were useful for the revision of CT number, which can be improved for target coverage and electron densities distribution.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.189-194
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• 1996

The effects of scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus, Lqh) venom were evaluated on the activities of microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ and $Ca^{2+}$ release channel prepared from the epithelial cells of pig airway. Whole venom of Lqh $(120\;{\mu}g/ml)$ increased the activity of microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ about 32% in the tight-sealed microsomes and about 28% in the Triton X-100-treated or $Ca^{2+}$ ionophore A23187-treated leaky microsomes. Thapsigargin, a specific antagonist of $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$, inhibited 42% of total ATPase activity and also completely blocked the effects of Lqh venom, suggesting that Lqh venom directly activiates the microsomal $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$. In order to determine if Lqh venom increases the microsomal uptake of $^{45}Ca^{2+}$, Lqh venom was added in the uptake medium. The Lqh venom increased microsomal $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake up to ${\sim}20%$ and the increase was only observed when heparin, an antagonist of $InsP_3$ receptor channel, was added in the uptake medium. Lqh venom in the absence of heparin unexpectedly decreased the rate and the amount of $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake. These results were explained by simultaneous increases in $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ release as well as $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake by Lqh venom. Lqh venom itself increased the release of $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ as much as $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ release by $4\;{\mu}m\;InsP_3$, implying that Lqh venom also activates $InsP_3$ receptor, microsomal $Ca^{2+}$ release channel. Based on these results, we suggest that the Lqh venom consists of at least two components; one activates the $InsP_3$ receptor and the other avates the $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$. Currently we a investigating the chemical and electrophysiological properties of the active components of Lqh venom.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.82-93
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• 2008

In order to ensure a standardized data analysis of the eddy covariance measurements, Hong and Kim's quality control program has been updated and used to process eddy covariance data measured at two levels on the main flux tower at Gwangneung site from January to May in 2005. The updated program was allowed to remove outliers automatically for $CO_2$ and latent heat fluxes. The flag system consists of four quality groups(G, D, B and M). During the study period, the missing data were about 25% of the total records. About 60% of the good quality data were obtained after the quality control. The number of record in G group was larger at 40m than at 20m. It is due that the level of 20m was within the roughness sublayer where the presence of the canopy influences directly on the character of the turbulence. About 60% of the bad data were due to low wind speed. Energy balance closure at this site was about 40% during the study period. Large imbalance is attributed partly to the combined effects of the neglected heat storage terms, inaccuracy of ground heat flux and advection due to local wind system near the surface. The analysis of wind direction indicates that the frequent occurrence of positive momentum flux was closely associated with mountain valley wind system at this site. The negative $CO_2$ flux at night was examined in terms of averaging time. The results show that when averaging time is larger than 10min, the magnitude of calculated $CO_2$ fluxes increases rapidly, suggesting that the 30min $CO_2$ flux is influenced severely by the mesoscale motion or nonstationarity. A proper choice of averaging time needs to be considered to get accurate turbulent fluxes during nighttime.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.321-355
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• 1993

This paper focuses on the geographical pattern of financial activities in the Korean urban system during 1975-1990, based on the assumption that financial activities can reveal control points in Korea's urban economy. In terms of spatial evolution of financial insitutions, different locational characteristics are revealed among different types of financial institutions, implying the role of urban hierarchy. Financial resources are highly concentrated in the capital region, Seoul and Kyonggi Province. Both centralization trends into the large metropolitan cities and relative declines of medium and small cities within the Korean urban system, have been experienced over the study period. Financial activities sustain relatively stable hierarchical structure in the urban hierarchy. Regarding the financial flows, dominant flow zones centered on major metropolitan cities are identified, clearly showing a prominant role of Seoul in financial flows in the entire urban system.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.501-512
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• 2015

Landfast sea ice (LFI) in Terra Nova Bay, East Antarctica where the Jangbogo Antarctic Research Station is located, has significant influences on marine ecosystem and the sailing of an icebreaker. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the spatio-temporal variation of the LFI in Terra Nova Bay. In this study, we chose interferometric pairs with the temporal baseline from 1 to 9 days out of a total of 62 COSMO-SkyMed synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images over Terra Nova Bay obtained from December 2010 to January 2012, and then constructed the coherence image of each pair. The LFI showed coherence values higher than 0.3 even in the interferometric SAR (InSAR) pairs of up to 9-days of temporal baseline. This was because the LFI was fixed at coastline and thus showed low temporal phase decorrelation. Based on the characteristics of the coherence on LFI, We defined the areas of LFI that show spatially homogeneous coherence values higher than 0.5. Pack ice (PI) and open water showed low coherence values due to large temporal phase decorreation caused by current and wind. Distinguishing PI from open water in the coherence images was difficult due to their similarly low coherence values. PI was identified in SAR amplitude images by investigating cracks on the ice. The extents of the LFI and PI were estimated from the coherence and SAR amplitude images and their temporal variations were analyzed. The extent of the LFI increased from March to July (maximum extent of $170.7km^2$) and decreased from October. The extent of the PI increased from February to May and decreased from May to July when the LFI increases dramatically. The extent of the LFI and air temperature showed an inverse correlation with a time lag of about 2 months, i.e., the extent of the LFI decreases after 2 months of the increase in the air temperature. Meanwhile the correlation between wind speed and the extent of the LFI was very low. This represents that the extent of LFI in Terra Nova Bay are influenced more by the air temperature than wind speed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.884-892
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• 1998

Background: The gastroepiploic artery is not only an alternative graft but also may be considered an important primary graft for coronary revascularization. However, the long-term patency of the gastroepiploic arterial graft is yet to be determined and the incidence of perioperative spasm and long-term patency of a coronary graft may be affected by the properties of the graft response to certain vasoactive substances. The reactivity of the gastroepiploic artery to vasoactive substances has not been studied extensively and the results of the studies are contradictory. Material and Method: This study was designed to test the reactivity of human gastroepiploic artery to four constrictors and four relaxants. The middle sections of the human gastroepiploic arteries were collected from the patients undergoing gastrectomy and the arterial rings with intact endothelium were suspended in organ baths for isometric tension recording. Result: Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and potassium chloride induced the maximum constriction to higher forces (7.0$\pm$1.1g, 6.6$\pm$0.9g, and 6.5$\pm$1.1g) than 5-hydroxytryptamine did (3.8$\pm$1.7g, p<0.05). Nitroprusside and histamine induced almost full relaxation in the gastroepiploic arteries preconstricted with norepinephrine. There was no significant difference between two relaxants regarding maximum relaxation force. Acetylcholine induced the maximum relaxation to weaker force when compared with nitroprusside and histamine (p<0.05), and isoproterenol was the weakest of the relaxants (p<0.05 compared with acetylcholine). Conclusion: The gastroepiploic artery has a strong capacity of endothelium-dependent relaxation which could have an important influence on long-term patency. The gastroepiploic artery exhibits a potent contractility to catecholamines and the enhanced contractility may facilitate vasospasm in the presence of high circulating levels of catecholamines. Nitroprusside, a potent relaxant in gastroepiploic artery, might be beneficial for the treatment of gastroepiploic arterial graft spasm. The gastroepiploic arterial graft with intact endothelium may respond weakly to beta-adrenoceptor agonist and 5-hydroxytryptamine.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.341-355
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• 1998

Thirty one morphometric characters of specimens in 15 subspecies of striped field mouse(Apodemus agrarius Pallas) from Eurasia were analyzed to clarify taxonomic status of these subspecies. Five major subgroups in A. agrarius were revealed: I, a largest-size form, specimens from two southern from other six localities in Korea, subspecies coreae and pallescens; III, the other large-size from, specimens from Astrachan in western Russia, subspecies volgensis; IV, a medium-size form, specimens from 16 localities in eastern Asia(North Korea, China, and eastern Russia), subspecies coreae, manchuricus, pallidior, ningpoensis, and insulaemus; V, a small-size form, specimens from 16 localities in western Asia and Europe (Kazakhstan, Russia, Lithuania, and Ukraine), subspecies tianschanicus, ognevi, agrarius, septentrionalis, nikolski, caucasicus, and karelicus. From this morphometric analyses, the followings are concluded: subspecies chejuensis is a larger-size form, as noted by Johnson and Jones(1955): subspecies pallescens is the synonym of subspecies agrarius, as suggested by Koh(1986): subspecies coreae from Korea is a large-size form and is idistinct from other 12 subspecies in Eurasia: the eastern form of subspecies ningpoensis by Corbet(1978) is a medium-size form o subspecies manchuricus, pallidior, ningpoensis, and insulaemus from eastern Asia (China and eastern Russia), and it includea North Korea specimens: a small-size form from western Asia and Europe(subspecies tianschanicus, ognevi, agrarius, septentrionalis, nikolski, caucasicus, and karelicus) is the western form of subspecies agrarius by Corbet(1978); the other large-size form of subspecies volgensis from western Russia is a distinct subspecies, which differs from the western subspecies agrarius. Therefore, it is concluded that 15 subspecies of A. agrarius can be classifed into five subspecies (chejuensis, coreae, ningpoensis, agrarius, and volgensis), although it is necessary to measure and analyze morphometric characters of specimens of other seven subspecies(albostriatus, maculatus, rubens, kahmanni, henrici, gloveri, and harti) for the complete reclassification of this species).

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.233-241
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• 2011

Currently, solar module is using the two methods such as a glass-filled method or a super-straight method. The common point of these methods is to use glass structure on the front of solar module. However, the reflectance of the solar module is high depending on the height of the incident sunlight due to the flat surface of the module front glass. Purposed to solve these problems, AG (anti-glare) structures were formed on the glass surface. Next is fabrication methods of AG structure. First, uneven structure made by micro blaster equipment was dipped in Hydro-fluidic acid (HF) acid. HF acid process was carried out to remove particles and to make high transmittance. The reflectance and transmittance of the anti-glare glass was compared to those of the bare glass. The reflectance of anti-glare glass decreased approximately 1% compared with bare glass. The transmittance of anti-glare glass was similar to bare glass. According to the sample angle, the difference of the reflectance between bare glass and the anti-glare glass was about 19%. Isc and efficiency value of anti-glare glass on bare solar cell appeared about 3.01 mA and 0.228% difference compared with bare glass. Anti-glare glass on textured solar cell appeared about 9.46 mA and 0.741% difference compared with bare glass. As a result, the role of anti-glare in the substrate is to reduces the loss of sunlight reflected from the surface. In this study, therefore, AG structure on the solar cell was used to improve the efficiency of solar cell.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 2016

Cardiac angiography(CA) or cardiac intervention(CI) is one of the major examination methods applied to the detection of cardiovascular diseases using X-rays. These CA and CI procedures require radiation exposure to patients and physicians. We evaluated the radiation dose to cardiac operator during the each case of CA and CI procedures. The number of patients is 113 patients in CA and 34 patients in CI. Mean fluoroscopy time, mean cine time, and mean total cumulative dose area product(DAP) in patients during CA and CI was 165.9 sec vs. 1200.0 sec, 30.31 sec vs 107.5 sec, and $37130.3mGy.cm^2$ vs $213312.6mGy.cm^2$, respectively. Mean dose of thyroid, over chest apron and under chest apron in operator during CA and CI was 15.84 uSv vs 89.81 uSv, 20.16 uSv vs 123.20 uSv, and 0.30 uSv vs 2.40 uSv, respectively. Mean effective dose of operator during CI was about 6 times greater than during CA. Also there was significant inter-relationship between fluoroscopy or cine time and effective dose in operator during CA and CI(p=0.001 and p=0.001, respectively).

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2011

Purpose : Pneumococcus is one of the most important causes of invasive infection through the childhood period. In January 2008, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) published revised penicillin breakpoints for Streptococcus pneumoniae and penicillin susceptibility rates of S. pneumoniae increased in Korea. This study was performed to determine the probability of oral amoxicillin for the empirical treatment achieving bactericidal exposure against pneumococcus using pharmacodynamics model. Methods : Twenty-three isolates of pneumococci were subjected to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for ${\beta}$-lactams and macrolide. For the ${\beta}$-lactams, exposure of fT >MIC (time that free drug concentrations remain above the MIC) for 50% of the administration interval have determined the probability of target attainment (PTA), and regimens that had a PTA >90% were considered optimal. An analysis was performed by applying MIC of 23 isolates to a 5000-patient Monte Carlo simulation model. Results : Among 23 isolates from healthy children, 7 (30.4%) isolates were MIC ${\leq}$1.0 ${\mu}g$/mL and 19 (82.6%) were MIC ${\leq}$2 ${\mu}g$/mL for amoxicillin. Amoxicillin 40 mg/kg/day achieved PTA >90% at MIC ${\leq}$1.0 ${\mu}g$/mL but PTA decreased to 52% at MIC 2 ${\mu}g$/mL, whereas amoxicillin 90 mg/kg/day can predict 97% of PTA at MIC 2 ${\mu}g$/mL. Overall, oral amoxicillin 90 mg/ kg/day for the empirical treatment against pneumococcus can expect more successful response in Korean children. Conclusion : Considering the resistantce pattern of pneumococci in Korean children, we estimate that oral amoxicillin 90 mg/kg/day will provide a pharmacodynamic advantage for the empirical treatment against pneumococcus. And low dose amoxicillin or macrolide are expected to have higher chance of treatment failure than high dose oral amoxicillin.