• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2005

Purpose : Early detection of small brain metastases is important. The purpose of this study was to compare the detectability of brain metastases according to the size between 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI. Materials and Methods : We reviewed 162 patients with primary lung cancer who were examined for TNM staging. After administration of double dose of Gd-DTPA, MR imaging was performed with SPGR by 3.0 T MRI and then with T1 SE sequence by 1.5 T MRI. In each patient, three readers performed qualitative assessment. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated in 3.0 T and 1.5 T MRI according to size. Using the signal intensity (SI) measurements between the metastatic nodules and adjacent tissue, nodule-to-adjacent tissue SI ratio was calculated. Results : Thirty-one of 162 patients had apparent metastatic nodules in the brain at either 1.5 T or 3.0 T MR imaging. 143 nodules were detected in 3.0 T MRI, whereas 137 nodules were detected at 1.5 T MRI. Six nodules, only detected in 3.0 T MRI, were smaller than 3.0 mm in dimension. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy in 3.0 T MRI were 100 %, 100 %, and 100 % respectively, and in 1.5 T MRI were 95.8%, 88.3%, and 85.1% respectively. SI ratio was significantly higher in the 3.0 T MRI than 1.5 T MRI (p=0.025). Conclusion : True positive rate of 3.0 T MRI with Gd-DTPA was superior to 1.5 T MRI with Gd-DTPA in detection of metastatic nodules smaller than 3.0 mm.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2004

In order to determine the effect of fresh water inflow from the Heongsan river on the changes of water quality in the Yeongil Bay (Korea), the seasonal changes of water temperature, salinity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN) and phosphate phosphorus ($PO_4$-P) concentrations were examined using the data set obtained five fixed points of Yeongil Bay from 1998 to 2000. The distributions and changes of COD and concentrations of total inorganic phosphorous (TIP) and nitrogen (TIN) at three points Heongsan river, were also compared with those of Yeongil Bay. Based on the correlations of DIN and $PO_4$-P, it was found that the inflow of freshwater affected on the water quality of Yeongil Bay. Such a complicacy was confirmed by the prominent differences in n few water quality measures between Site 1(the innermost area) and Site 5 (the mouth of the bay). The negative correlations in $\Delta N/\Delta P $ at sites 1, 2 and 3 of the inner-part of the bay also indicated a large effect of freshwater inflow on the water quality of the bay. The extremely low atomic ratio of an average of 6.4 in $\Delta N/\Delta P $ compared to the Redfild ratio suggested that the DIN was depleted in the overall bay system. In contrast, it was inferred that the excessive PO$_4$-P concentration was due to the inflow of freshwater from the Heongsan river.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1999

Purpose: Up to date there is no nationwide survey on epidemiological or clinical data of nephrotic syndrome, so we investigated about age of onset, sex, result of renal biopsy, treatment method, its results of treatment, its responsiveness, time of response to treatment and pattern of relapse in Korea. Methods: Between 1987 and 1997, 2193 patients with primary nephrotic syndrome diagnosed at 38 university hospital and general hospital in Korea were included. Of these 1655 were male and 538 were female. Incidence peaked at 1-5 years of age. Results: Results were as follows; 1) Among 2193 cases, male was 1655($75.5\%$), female was 538 cases($24.5\%$) and male to female ratio was about 3:1. Among 1752 patients with MCNS, male was 1338, female was 414 and male to female ratio was about 3.23:1. The most prevalent age group was 1-5 years of age. 2) Renal biopsy was done in 942 cases($43\%$), pathologic findings were as follows; MCNS 646 cases($68.6\%$), FSCS 149 cases($15.8\%$). 3) Regimen of treatment were as follows; prednisolone 1191 cases, Calcort 192 cases, cyclophosphamide 251 cases, cyclosporin A 223 cases, MPD pulse therapy 120 cases.4) Complete response to treatment were noted in 1597 cases($82.2\%$, n=1944). 5) Responsiveness according to result of renal biopsy were significantly different between MCNS and FSGS. Complete response were noted in $86.5\%$ among patients with MCNS, $35.8\%$ in patients with FSGS. 6) Time of response to treatment were noted between 1 and 4 weeks after treatment in 879 cases($67.4\%$, n=1305). 7) 994 cases($73.1\%$) relapsed during follow up, most frequently between 2 months and 6 months after response. Conclusion : Nationwide survey of epidemiological and clinical data were performed in childhood primary nephrotic syndrome. Most of the clinical and epidemiological data were similar to other reports from U.S.A. and from Europe, however male to female ratio is higher in Korean nephrotic syndrome(3:1 in contrast to 2:1).

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2011

This study was performed to determine the relative quality of mungbeans harvested in bulk after applying a labor-saving cultivation (LSC) method, compared to mungbeans harvested three different times under the conventional cultivation condition. There was no significant difference in starch, crude protein, and vitexin or isovitexin content of seed according to the cropping system or harvest time. The mungbeans grown under the LSC method had the highest crude fat content, followed by mungbeans from the third-, the second- and the first-harvest mungbeans under the conventional cultivation. No significant difference was found in the composite ratio of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids according to cropping system or harvest time. The second-harvest mungbeans grown under the conventional cultivation condition had 17 different types of fatty acids, while the third-harvest mungbeans grown under the conventional cultivation and those grown under the LSC condition had the fewest types of fatty acids with 12. Of the major saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid and arachidonic acid had the highest composite ratio in the first conventional cultivation followed by the second, the third and the LSC. However, stearic acid showed the opposite tendency. Of the major unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid had the highest composite ratio in the first conventional cultivation, followed by the second and third conventional cultivation and the LSC. Amylogram characteristics of the mungbeans were significantly different according to cropping system and harvest times. The mungbeans harvested after the first conventional cultivation had significantly higher pasting temperature, peak viscosity, holding strength viscosity, final viscosity and breakdown, while mungbeans harvested after the third conventional cultivation had significantly higher setback viscosity. In contrast, the mungbeans harvested under the LSC methods had a significantly lower amylogram value. When harvest rate, color values and amino acid content of sprout were measured, mungbeans grown under the LSC conditions had a low harvest rate of sprout, but had Hunter's color values and amino acid content of sprout similar to those of mungbeans grown under the conventional cultivation condition.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.893-900
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• 2009

To estimate the contribution of epiphytic algae attached on reed to organic matter production in constructed wetland, primary productivity by epiphytic algae was investigated in two sub-wetlands (Banweol and Donhwa wetlands) of the Sihwa Constructed Wetland (CW) with different chemistry of inflows. Chlorophyll a concentration of epiphytic algae was higher in the Banweol wetland (range:37~3,581 mgChl.a/$m^2$surface stem, average:655 mgChl.a/$m^2$surface stem) than the Donhwa wetland (range:87~2,093 mgChl.a/$m^2$surface stem, average:527 mgChl.a/$m^2$surface stem). In contrast, assimilation number (AN) representing photosynthetic activity was higher in the Donhwa wetland with low TN/TP ratio than the Banweol wetland. A negative correlation (r=0.46) was observed between TN/TP ratios of inflows and AN in two wetlands, implying that high photosynthetic activity of epiphytic algae may be related with low TN/TP ratio. The areal primary productivity ranged from 307 to 2,473 mgC/$m^2$/day in the Banweol wetland and from 756 to 2,096 mgC/$m^2$/day in the Donghwa wetland, showing high productivity in summer. Average primary production was lower in the Banweol wetland (1,166 mgC/$m^2$/day) than the Donghwa wetland (1,467 mgC/$m^2$/day), although the standing crop (as chlorophyll a concentration) was high in the Banweol wetland. This result may be due to the low photosynthetic activity of epiphytic algae in the Banweol wetland with high TN/TP ratio. The annual primary production (300 tonC/year) of epiphytic algae contributed 33% of the total production in the Sihwa CW. An excessive organic matter production in constructed wetland can negatively affect the efficiency of water treatment. Therefore, the role of epiphytic algae should be considered in management of constructed wetland for water treatment.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.100-108
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• 2000

High sodium contents in food-waste compost(FWC) is the greatest limitation to recycle it to arable lands in Korea. The effects of the FWC application to paddy soil on the growth of rice plants, cationic balance in plants, and the sodicity of soil have been studied in pot trials. The effects of FWC application were compared with those of NaCl compound and swine manure compost(SMC) application. $Na_2O$ contents of FWC were high as 2.2%. Immediately after transplanting, rice plants in three treatments showed severe wilting in the order of 40Mg FWC $ha^{-1}$ > NPK+900kg $NaClha^{-1}$ > 20Mg FWC $ha^{-1}$. The high EC value and volatile acid contents of soil solution were regarded as the cause of severe wilting of young rice plants. Increase of NaCl application rate upto $900kgha^{-1}$ showed no significant reduction of dry matter yield at harvesting stage. Regardless of application rates FWC reduced the dry matter yield at harvesting stage, while SMC increased it with increase of application rates upto $40Mgha^{-1}$. In NPK+NaCl and FWC treatments, Na contents and equivalent ratio in plants increased linearly with increase of Na application rates. Between Na and K equivalent ratio negative correlation with high significance was shown. In contrast to much difference of Na, K, and Na/K equivalent ratio among treatments, little difference of Na+K indicated the physiological substitution of Na for K in rice plants. Na use efficiency in NPK+NaCl and FWC treatments showed 12-22%.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.15-24
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• 2021

Purpose SPECT/CT was noted for its excellent correction method and qualitative functions based on fusion images in the early stages of dissemination, and interest in and utilization of quantitative functions has been increasing with the recent introduction of companion diagnostic therapy(Theranostics). Unlike PET/CT, various conditions like the type of collimator and detector rotation are a challenging factor for image acquisition and reconstruction methods at absolute quantification of SPECT/CT. Therefore, in this study, We want to find out the effect on the radioactivity concentration estimate by the increase or decrease of the total acquisition time according to the number of projections and the acquisition time per projection among SPECT/CT imaging conditions. Materials and Methods After filling the 9,293 ml cylindrical phantom with sterile water and diluting 99mTc 91.76 MBq, the standard image was taken with a total acquisition time of 600 sec (10 sec/frame × 120 frames, matrix size 128 × 128) and also volume sensitivity and the calibration factor was verified. Based on the standard image, the comparative images were obtained by increasing or decreasing the total acquisition time. namely 60 (-90%), 150 (-75%), 300 (-50%), 450 (-25%), 900 (+50%), and 1200 (+100%) sec. For each image detail, the acquisition time(sec/frame) per projection was set to 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 15.0 and 20.0 sec (fixed number of projections: 120 frame) and the number of projection images was set to 12, 30, 60, 90, 180 and 240 frames(fixed time per projection:10 sec). Based on the coefficients measured through the volume of interest in each acquired image, the percentage of variation about the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) was determined as a qualitative assessment, and the quantitative assessment was conducted through the percentage of variation of the radioactivity concentration estimate. At this time, the relationship between the radioactivity concentration estimate (cps/ml) and the actual radioactivity concentration (Bq/ml) was compared and analyzed using the recovery coefficient (RC_Recovery Coefficients) as an indicator. Results The results [CNR, radioactivity Concentration, RC] by the change in the number of projections for each increase or decrease rate (-90%, -75%, -50%, -25%, +50%, +100%) of total acquisition time are as follows. [-89.5%, +3.90%, 1.04] at -90%, [-77.9%, +2.71%, 1.03] at -75%, [-55.6%, +1.85%, 1.02] at -50%, [-33.6%, +1.37%, 1.01] at -25%, [-33.7%, +0.71%, 1.01] at +50%, [+93.2%, +0.32%, 1.00] at +100%. and also The results [CNR, radioactivity Concentration, RC] by the acquisition time change for each increase or decrease rate (-90%, -75%, -50%, -25%, +50%, +100%) of total acquisition time are as follows. [-89.3%, -3.55%, 0.96] at - 90%, [-73.4%, -0.17%, 1.00] at -75%, [-49.6%, -0.34%, 1.00] at -50%, [-24.9%, 0.03%, 1.00] at -25%, [+49.3%, -0.04%, 1.00] at +50%, [+99.0%, +0.11%, 1.00] at +100%. Conclusion In SPECT/CT, the total coefficient obtained according to the increase or decrease of the total acquisition time and the resulting image quality (CNR) showed a pattern that changed proportionally. On the other hand, quantitative evaluations through absolute quantification showed a change of less than 5% (-3.55 to +3.90%) under all experimental conditions, maintaining quantitative accuracy (RC 0.96 to 1.04). Considering the reduction of the total acquisition time rather than the increasing of the image acquiring time, The reduction in total acquisition time is applicable to quantitative analysis without significant loss and is judged to be clinically effective. This study shows that when increasing or decreasing of total acquisition time, changes in acquisition time per projection have fewer fluctuations that occur in qualitative and quantitative condition changes than the change in the number of projections under the same scanning time conditions.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 1999

Purpose : The purpose of this study was aimed to evaluate the BOLD(blood oxygen level dependent) contrast fMRI(functional MR imaging) in the occipital lobe and to compare with the metabolic changes based on H MRS (MR spectroscopy) and MRSI (MR spectroscopic imaging) before and after visual stimulation Materials and Methods : Healthy human volunteers (eight males and two females with 24-30 year age) participated in this study. All of the BOLD fMRI were acquired on a 1.5T MR with EPI during supervised visual stimulation in the occipital lobe. The red flicker with 8Hz was used for visual stimulation. After imaging acquisition, the MR images were transferred into unix workstation and processed with acquired from the same location based on the activation map. MRSI (magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging) was also acquired to analyze the lactate changes before and after stimulation. Results : The activation maps were successfully produced by BOLD effect due to visual stimulation. NAA (N-acetyle aspartate)/Cr (creatine) ratio varied only from $1.79{\pm}0.28{\;}to{\;}1.88{\pm}0.20$ in activation area before and after stimulation. However, the signal intensity of lactate was elevated $9.48{\pm}4.38$ times higher than before activation. Lactate metabolite images were consistent with the activation maps. Conclusion : The BOLD contrast fMRI is enough sensitive to detect the activated area in human brain during the visual stimulation. Lactate metabolite map presents the evidence of lactate elevation on the same area of activation.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.321-327
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• 2014

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal lenses of the cell gap of $11{\mu}m$ and $30{\mu}m$ were made from a uniformly dispersed mixture of 40 wt% NOA65 prepolymer - 60 wt% E7 liquid crystal with the variations of the additional photoinitiator. The photoinitiator, benzophenone of 5.0 wt% was originally in the commercial prepolymer NOA65. In this works, the influence of the benzophenone amount intentionally added in the commercial NOA65 on the electrical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal lens for smart electronic glasses. The additional quantities of the photoinitiator were 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 wt% of the weight of NOA65 - E7 mixture. All the electro-optical properties of the sample with added benzophenone such as the driving voltage, the slope of the linear region, the response time and contrast ratio were more improved than that of commercial NOA65 only. These improvements were due to the increase of the average size of E7 liquid crystal droplets in the samples with the increase of the added benzophenon amount. The liquid crystal droplet size was increased from $5.3{\mu}m$ to $12.2{\mu}m$ when the photoinitiator was added from 0 wt% to 8 wt%. At the same concentration range of the photoinitiator, the driving voltage was ranged from 11.1 V to 17.3 V. The slopes of the linear region were in the range of 10.35~13.96 %T/V, which were more enhanced than that of NOA65 without the additional benzophenone. In particular, though the deteriorations by cell gap of $11{\mu}m$ were so effective to offset the influence of the added benzophenone for both rising and falling response time, it is confirmed that there were still somewhat improvement by the additional benzophenone. Response time and contrast ratios of all the samples with excess benzophenone were slightly enhanced.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.31-36
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• 2017

Purpose Recently, the performance of PET/CT scanner has been improved and various techniques have been developed to increase the image quality such as Sensitivity and Resolution. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of Q.Clear (a fully convergent iterative reconstruction) technique of GE Discovery IQ equipment to enhance the image quality. Materials and Methods All scans were acquired by Discovery IQ (GE Healthcare, MI, USA). In NEMA IEC Body Phantom test, Background to Hot-sphere (10 mm, 13 mm, 17 mm, 22 mm) ratio was 1:4 and scan time was 3 minutes. The images were reconstructed by VPHDs (VUE Point High-Definition + SharpIR) and Q.Clear to evaluate each Contrast. We injected 18F-FDG 187 M㏃ to PET/SPECT Performance Phantom. And then it was scanned for 4 minutes to evaluate Resolution and Uniformity. T-test statistical analysis was performed on SUVmax of small lesions less than 2 cm in 100 clinical patients regardless of disease type. Results In the NEMA IEC Body Phantom, the Contrast was $63.6{\pm}5.7%$ (VPHDs) and $75{\pm}4.8%$ (Q.Clear). In the PET/SPECT Performance Phantom, the Resolution was 9.2 mm (VPHDs) and 7.3 mm (Q.Clear). Uniformity of Q.Clear was 10.8% better than VPHDs. T-test statistic of the clinical patients showed a significant difference of p value of 0.021. Conclusion Both the phantom test and the clinical results showed that the quality of the image was improved in Q.Clear was applied. The SUVmax was highly measured in Q.Clear and the lesions were clearly distinguished visually. Therefore Q.Clear can be useful in various aspects such as dose-reduction, patients evaluation and image analysis.