• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.169-176
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• 2010

Purpose : We aimed to evaluate predictive parameters for non-response to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) before IVIG use using two controls. Methods : We evaluated 229 consecutive KD patients who were treated with 2 g/kg of IVIG at a single center. Those who had persistent fever >24 hours after IVIG infusion made up the 23 IVIG non-responders; the first control included a total 206 defervesced cases and the second control included 46 cases that were matched for age and pre-treatment fever duration to non-responders. Results : Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in IVIG non-responders and responders at presentation. As for laboratory findings, the neutrophil differential, CRP, AST, ALT, and LDH were higher, and lymphocyte differential, total protein, albumin, platelet count, and total cholesterol were significantly lower in IVIG non-responders compared to responders by univariate analysis in both study designs. However in multivariate analysis, non-responders showed a significantly higher neutrophil differential (cutoff value, >77%, sensitivity 68.4% and specificity 79.5%) and lower cholesterol (<124 mg/dL, sensitivity 79% and specificity 70.5%). Whereas plasma albumin (<3.6 g/dL, sensitivity 73.7% and specificity 60%) was the sole laboratory parameter of non-responders in the second study design. Conclusion : Severity of inflammation in KD was reflected by higher or lower laboratory values at presentation. Because the multivariate analysis for these indices may be influenced by some confounding factors, including the numbers of patients of different ages and fever duration, other assessment modalities are needed for KD patients with the greatest risk of coronary artery lesions.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2008

This study was aimed to classify the intertidal macrozoobenthic community status after 2 years of Sea Prince oil spill, and oil spill effects along oil spreading track from heavily impacted to unaffected reference site. Field sampling was initiated in late February and continued through November 1998 seasonally, after 2.5 years of oil spill. 7 rocky sampling sites were selected among coastal regions coated and/or affected by the Sea Prince spilled oil. Identified species was 158 species, 65 family, 24 order, 9 class, 5 phylum. Mollusca was the dominant faunal group comprising 100 species (63.3%), and followed by 38 species of Crustacea (24.1%), 12 species of Echinodermata (7.6%), 5 species of Porifera (3.2%), and 3 species of Cnidaria (1.9%). On Dugpo of Sori Island, the fewest species was collected from 28 species to 35 species seasonally among sampling stations. But far away Dugpo toward Gamak Bay, the number of species increased, collecting the maximum on Sohwoenggan Island. At the wreck site of Sori Island, especially the species number of attached animals such as poriferans and anthozoans was very low compared to another site. The density and biomass on the higher tidal zone increased toward the low affected sites, but biomass on middle tidal zone decreased. The invertebrate biomass of study area was dependent on the sessile animals. The major dominant species were small-sized barnacles, Chthmallus challengeri, periwinkles, Littorina brevicula, mussels, Septifer virgatus, and so on. The biomass of C. challengeri and L. brevicula on the higher tidal zone was highest in the wreck site of Sori Island and decreased further and further. However, mussels on the middle tidal zone showed the inverse trends because of the larger individual size of mussel inhabited in Sori Island than those of another sites. As a result of community analysis, the effect of oil spill was not found distinctly. Several ecological indices and cluster analysis did not show the meaningful variation with oil track despite of the conspicuous differences among tidal heights. These indicate that the macrozoobenthic community level of oil spreaded zone recovered in some degree after the Sea Prince oil spill accident, but population or individual levels of dominant sessile animals took more recovery times.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.25-34
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• 2010

This study was conducted to develop evaluation indicators to improve athletic performance and operational management of golf courses and the results of the research are as follows. Through theoretical research and a preliminary professional survey, 15 on-going evaluations of golf course composition and operational management and 55 sub-evaluation indices were rejected while 10 on-going evaluations and 52 sub-evaluation indicators were reconfigured as final for environmental-friendliness, level of member services, level of human service of game personnel, difficulties of course, management level of the course, fairness of operational management, accessibility and location characteristic, traditions and ambiance of the golf club, quality of course, and course layout. When analyzing the important decision factors in golf course user preference evaluation indicators, the following contributed in the order of higher to lower contributions: the management level of the course, excellence of the course, level of human services for personnel, course layout and environmental-friendliness. When identifying the path coefficient of golf course evaluation indicators, the curvature of a hole and the length of the course had a causal effect on the 'course layout' section. Tournament facilities and various shot values had a causal relationship with 'excellence of the course', in the order of higher to lower, and convenience of waiting and fair allocation of reservations for 'fairness of operational management'. The history of the golf course and its environmental characteristics, history and culture of the region have relatively higher causal effects on 'traditions of the golf club' and geographical conditions on 'accessibility and location characteristics', pesticide and fertilizer usage and water pollution on 'environmental-friendliness', and member benefit and kindness of employees on 'level of member services'. The kindness and expertise of the game personnel had a relatively higher causal effect on the 'level of human services of game personnel', the location of tenning area, and location of OB and hazards on 'difficulties of course', and rough conditions and obstacles management on 'management level of the course'. There is a need to complete a systematic evaluation index system for golf course user preferences through future studies for a more detailed assessment, as well as a process to verify these evaluation indicators by application to domestic and international golf courses.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: Wicheon watershed has the largest irrigation area among the mid-watershed of Nakdong river. However, no investigation of irrigation water quality has been conducted on the Wicheon watershed, which evaluates the effects on the soil quality and crop cultivation. Therefore, this study aims to provide various assessments of water quality of Wicheon watershed as the scientific basic data for efficient agricultural activities. METHODS AND RESULTS: Water sampling was performed in five locations of the first tributaries of Wicheon. Wicheon watershed showed clean water quality with very low organic matters and safe water quality from metals at all points of investigation. It was estimated that the natural chemical components of Wicheon watershed were originated from water-rock interaction in Gibbs diagram. All samples were concentrated in the type of Ca-HCO₃-Cl in the Piper diagram. The quality of irrigation water was evaluated with sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index (PI), and percent sodium (%Na). The values of these water quality indices were in the range of 0.37-0.67, -2.11--0.24, 41.13-84.52% and 11.28-21.84%, respectively, and were classified as good grades at all sites. CONCLUSION: The water quality of Wicheon watershed was very low in salt, indicating good irrigation water suitable for growing agricultural products. We hope that the results of this study will be used as the basic data for the cultivation of agricultural products and promotion of their excellence.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 1995

Many clinical and laboratory tests have been employed to evaluate disease activity in rheumatioid arthritis. $^{99m}Tc$-labelled polyclonal IgG(HIG) has been demonstrated to accumulate in focal sites of infection or inflammation in both animals and human subjects. The purpose of this study was to distinguish arthritis with active inflammation from those without active inflammation and to correlate relative intensities of $^{99m}Tc$-labelled HIG uptake of the rheumatoid arthritis with clinical and MR indices of the joint inflammation. This study included twelve patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, two with ankylosing spondylitis and one with degenerative osteoarthritis without active inflammation. A Whole-body and spot images were obtained 4 hours after intravenous injection of 20mCi of $^{99m}Tc$-labelled HIG. Scintigrams were assessed visually by 3 experienced radiologists, and graded as normal or mildly and markedly increased uptake within the joints, and the degree of uptake was compared with clinical and radiologic severity of synovial inflammation. MRI studies were done on the involved joints consisted of wrist(n = 11), knee(n = 2) and hip joint(n= 2). Active synovitis was defined when marked elevation of ESR and gadolinium enhancement of synovium on MRI were demonstrated. Markedly increased radiotracer uptake was seen in 10 of 11 rheumatoid arthritic patients with active synovitis whereas normal or mildly increased uptakes were noted in others, including rheumatoid arthritic patient(n=1) and non-rheumatoid patients(n = 3) without active synovitis. This study showed that the localization of involved joints in rheumatoid arthritis could be detected with $^{99m}Tc$-labelled HIG and that the degree of uptake correlated well with the degree and activity of inflammation. In conclusion, $^{99m}Tc$-labelled HIG scan is a useful method in the evaluation of active inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2014

Objectives: Depression, sleep complaints and cognitive impairments are commonly observed in the elderly. Elderly subjects with depressive symptoms have been found to show both poor cognitive performances and sleep disturbances. However, the relationship between sleep complaints and cognitive dysfunction in elderly depression is not clear. The aim of this study is to identify the association between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline in late-life depression. Methods: A total of 282 elderly people who underwent nocturnal polysomnography in a sleep laboratory were enrolled in the study. The Korean version of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery developed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K) was applied to evaluate cognitive function. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the geriatric depression scale (GDS) and subjective sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI). Results: The control group ($GDS{\leq}9$) when compared with mild ($10{\leq}GDS{\leq}16$) and severe ($17{\leq}GDS$) depression groups, had significantly different scores in the Trail making test part B (TMT-B), Benton visual retention test part A (BVRT-A), and Stroop color and word test (SCWT)(all tests p<0.05). The PSQI score, REM sleep duration, apnea-hypopnea index and oxygen desaturation index were significantly different across the three groups (all indices, p<0.05). A stepwise multiple regression model showed that educational level, age and GDS score were predictive for both TMT-B time (adjusted $R^2$=35.6%, p<0.001) and BVRT-A score (adjusted $R^2$=28.3%, p<0.001). SCWT score was predicted by educational level, age, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and GDS score (adjusted $R^2$=20.6%, p<0.001). Poor sleep quality and sleep structure alterations observed in depression did not have any significant effects on cognitive deterioration. Conclusion: Older adults with depressive symptoms showed mild sleep alterations and poor cognitive performances. However, we found no association between sleep disturbances (except sleep apnea) and cognitive difficulties in elderly subjects with depressive symptoms. It is possible that the impact of sleep disruptions on cognitive abilities was hindered by the confounding effect of age, education and depressive symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.252-265
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• 2017

This study aims to analyze the landscape ecological characteristics of green spaces within built up area of high density and evaluate the potential applicability of green patches, thereby introducing urban garden for generating green networks in residence areas. To this end, Yeoksam-Dong was selected as the site area since it is classified as both green initiative zone and alienated area of park service in Seoul. First, the current condition of green spaces in Yeoksam-Dong was identified by five categories: Street trees, private garden, public pocket garden, rooftop garden, and park. Then, the landscape index analysis through FRAGSTATS and connectivity assessment via multi-buffer zone analysis were carried out for analyzing the green networks and evaluating the potential value of green space. The results showed that the degree to which green areas in the site were distributed is arranged in the order of street tree, private garden, public pocket garden, park, and rooftop garden. In case of the street trees whose total core area (TCA, $1,618m^2$) is as high as the park's ($1,128m^2$). Private garden has potential for green network in built up area of high density by gardening since the shape of the patches are irregular (ED = 78.1m/ha) and the average distance among the patches is close (ENN=33.9m). Public pocket garden has also potential for gardening according to the result that it was found to be distributed evenly (LPI=5.7%, SHEI=0.9) with exposing external disturbance ($TCA=66m^2$). For the green network, 84% of all the study site is covered by small green network in 50m butter range of connected green area. The effect of green network was expected through gardening in public pocket garden (27%) and street tree (26%). Accordingly, it is encouraged to actively utilize street tree, private gardens, and rooftop gardens and to establish the urban gardens like local-based community gardens in public pocket garden where a variety of activities can be carried out near residential areas. By doing so, green networks can effectively be established in built up area with high density. The results of this study can contribute positively to fostering the creation of various types of urban gardens.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.31-42
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• 2006

Drought indices, such as PDSI (palmer Drought Severity Index), SWSI (Surface Water Supply Index) and SPI (Standardized Precipitation Index), have been developed to assess and forecast an intensity of drought. To find the applicability of groundwater level data to a drought assessment, a correlation analysis between SPI and groundwater levels was conducted for each time series at a drought season in 2001. The comparative results between SPI and groundwater levels of shallow wells of three national groundwater monitoring stations, Chungju Gageum, Yangpyung Gaegun, and Yeongju Munjeong, show that these two factors are highly correlated. In case of SPI with a duration of 1 month, cross-correlation coefficients between two factors are 0.843 at Chungju Gageum, 0.825 at Yangpyung Gaegun, and 0.737 at Yeongju Munjeong. The time lag between peak values of two factors is nearly zero in case of SPI with a duration of 1 month, which means that groundwater level fluctuation is similar to SPI values. Moreover, in case of SPI with a duration of 3 month, it is found that groundwater level can be a leading indicator to predict the SPI values I week later. Some of the national groundwater monitoring stations can be designated as DIW (Drought Index Well) based on the detailed survey of site characteristics and also new DIWs need to be drilled to assess and forecast the drought in this country.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.30 no.1_2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2018

Purpose : An aim of this study was to compare the effect of multi leaf collimator(MLC) types for high dimension radiotherapy in treatment sites used clinically. Material and Method : 70 patients with lung cancer, spine cancer, prostate cancer, whole pelvis, head and neck, breast cancer were included in this study. High definition(HD) MLC of TrueBeam STx (Varian Medical system, Palo Alto, CA) and millenium(M) MLC of VitalBeam (Varian Medical system, Palo Alto, CA) were used. Radiotherapy plans were performed for each patient under same treatment goals with Eclipse (Version 13.7, Varian Palo Alto USA, CA). To compare the indicators of the radiotherapy plans, planning target volume(PTV) coverage, conformity index(CI), homogeneity index(HI), and clinical indicators for each treatment sites in normal tissues were evaluated. To evaluate low dose distribution, $V_{30%}$ values were compared according to MLC types. Additionally, length and volume of targets for each treatment sites were investigated. Result : In stereotatictic body radiotherapy(SBRT) plan for lung, the average value of PTV coverage was reduced by 0.52 % with HD MLC. With SBRT plan using HD MLC for spine, the average value of PTV coverage decreased by 0.63 % and maximum dose decreased by 1.13 %. In the test of CI and HI, the values in SBRT plan with HD MLC for spine were 1.144, 1.079 and the values using M MLC were 1.160, 1.092 in SBRT plan for lung, The dose evaluation of critical organ was reduced by 1.48 % in the ipsilateral lung mean dose with HD MLC. In prostate cancer volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) with HD MLC, the mean dose and the $V_{30}$ of bladder and the mean dose and the $V_{25}$ of rectum were reduced by 0.53 %, 1.42 %, 0.97 %, and 0.69 %, respectively (p<0.05). The average value of heart mean dose was reduced by 0.83 % in breast cancer VMAT with M MLC. Other assessment indices for treatment sites showed no significant difference between treatment plans with two types of MLC. Conclusion : Using HD MLC had a positive impact on the PTV coverage and normal tissue sparing in usually short or small targets such as lung and spine SBRT and prostate VMAT. But, there was no significant difference in targets with long and large such as lung, head and neck, and whole pelvis for VMAT.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.479-487
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyze photochemical activity of nursery seedlings under drought stress, using chlorophyll fluorescence reaction analysis. Young nursery seedlings of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.), were grown under drought stress for 8 days. Analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence reaction (OJIP) and parameters, were performed to evaluate photochemical fluctuation in nursery seedlings under drought stress. Chlorophyll fluorescence reaction analysis showed maximal recorded fluorescence (P) decreased from the 5 day after treatment in tomato seedlings, while an amount of chlorophyll fluorescence increased at the J-I step. Thus, physiological activity was reduced. In cucumber seedlings, maximal recorded fluorescence (P) and maximal variable fluorescence ($F_V$) lowered from the 4 day after treatment, and chlorophyll fluorescence intensity of J-I step increased. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameter analysis showed electron transfer efficiency of PSII and PSI were significantly inhibited with decreasing $ET2_O/RC$ and $RE1_O/RC$ from the 5 day after treatment, in tomato seedlings and from the 4 day after treatment, in cucumber seedlings. $ET2_O/RC$ and $PI_{ABS}$ significantly changed. In conclusion, 6 indices such as $F_V/F_M$, $DI_O/RC$, $ET2_O/RC$, $RE1_O/RC$, $PI_{ABS}$ and $PI_{TOTAL}ABS$ were selected for determining drought stress in nursery seedlings. Drought stress factor index (DFI) was used to evaluate whether the crop was healthy or not, under drought stress. Cucumber seedlings were less resistant to drought stress than tomato seedlings, in the process of drought stress.