• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.413-421
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• 2020

Objective: A widely applicable, non-invasive screening method for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is needed. We aimed to develop and validate an index combining computed tomography (CT) and routine clinical data for screening for NAFLD in a large cohort of adults with pathologically proven NAFLD. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 2218 living liver donors who had undergone liver biopsy and CT within a span of 3 days. Donors were randomized 2:1 into development and test cohorts. CTL-S was measured by subtracting splenic attenuation from hepatic attenuation on non-enhanced CT. Multivariable logistic regression analysis of the development cohort was utilized to develop a clinical-CT index predicting pathologically proven NAFLD. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by analyzing the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The cutoffs for the clinical-CT index were determined for 90% sensitivity and 90% specificity in the development cohort, and their diagnostic performance was evaluated in the test cohort. Results: The clinical-CT index included CTL-S, body mass index, and aspartate transaminase and triglyceride concentrations. In the test cohort, the clinical-CT index (AUC, 0.81) outperformed CTL-S (0.74; p < 0.001) and clinical indices (0.73-0.75; p < 0.001) in diagnosing NAFLD. A cutoff of ≥ 46 had a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 41%, whereas a cutoff of ≥ 56.5 had a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 89%. Conclusion: The clinical-CT index is more accurate than CTL-S and clinical indices alone for the diagnosis of NAFLD and may be clinically useful in screening for NAFLD.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.88-100
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• 2020

Objective: We aimed to develop and validate a deep learning system for fully automated segmentation of abdominal muscle and fat areas on computed tomography (CT) images. Materials and Methods: A fully convolutional network-based segmentation system was developed using a training dataset of 883 CT scans from 467 subjects. Axial CT images obtained at the inferior endplate level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra were used for the analysis. Manually drawn segmentation maps of the skeletal muscle, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat were created to serve as ground truth data. The performance of the fully convolutional network-based segmentation system was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient and cross-sectional area error, for both a separate internal validation dataset (426 CT scans from 308 subjects) and an external validation dataset (171 CT scans from 171 subjects from two outside hospitals). Results: The mean Dice similarity coefficients for muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat were high for both the internal (0.96, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively) and external (0.97, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively) validation datasets, while the mean cross-sectional area errors for muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat were low for both internal (2.1%, 3.8%, and 1.8%, respectively) and external (2.7%, 4.6%, and 2.3%, respectively) validation datasets. Conclusion: The fully convolutional network-based segmentation system exhibited high performance and accuracy in the automatic segmentation of abdominal muscle and fat on CT images.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.559-567
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• 2021

Objective: To evaluate the impact of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) before confirmatory prostate biopsy in patients under active surveillance (AS). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 170 patients with Gleason grade 6 prostate cancer initially enrolled in an AS program between 2011 and 2019. Prostate mpMRI was performed using a 1.5 tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging system with a 16-channel phased-array body coil. The protocol included T1-weighted, T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging sequences. Uroradiology reports generated by a specialist were based on prostate imaging-reporting and data system (PI-RADS) version 2. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed based on regression models. Results: The reclassification rate at confirmatory biopsy was higher in patients with suspicious lesions on mpMRI (PI-RADS score ≥ 3) (n = 47) than in patients with non-suspicious mpMRIs (n = 61) and who did not undergo mpMRIs (n = 62) (66%, 26.2%, and 24.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, presence of a suspicious mpMRI finding (PI-RADS score ≥ 3) was associated (adjusted odds ratio: 4.72) with the risk of reclassification at confirmatory biopsy after adjusting for the main variables (age, prostate-specific antigen density, number of positive cores, number of previous biopsies, and clinical stage). Presence of a suspicious mpMRI finding (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.62) was also associated with the risk of progression to active treatment during the follow-up. Conclusion: Inclusion of mpMRI before the confirmatory biopsy is useful to stratify the risk of reclassification during the biopsy as well as to evaluate the risk of progression to active treatment during follow-up.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.502-512
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• 2021

Objective: To objectively and subjectively assess and compare the characteristics of monoenergetic images [MEI (+)] and polyenergetic images (PEI) acquired by dual-energy CT (DECT) of patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the images and data of 42 patients with breast cancer who had undergone dual-phase contrast-enhanced DECT from June to September 2019. One standard PEI, five MEI (+) in 10-kiloelectron volt (keV) intervals (range, 40-80 keV), iodine density (ID) maps, iodine overlay images, and Z effective (Z_eff) maps were reconstructed. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were calculated. Multiple quantitative parameters of the malignant breast lesions were compared between the arterial and the venous phase images. Two readers independently assessed lesion conspicuity and performed a morphology analysis. Results: Low keV MEI (+) at 40-50 keV showed increased CNR and SNR_{breast lesion} compared with PEI, especially in the venous phase ([CNR: 40 keV, 20.10; 50 keV, 14.45; vs. PEI, 7.27; p < 0.001], [SNR_{breast lesion}: 40 keV, 21.01; 50 keV, 16.28; vs. PEI, 10.77; p < 0.001]). Multiple quantitative DECT parameters of malignant breast lesions were higher in the venous phase images than in the arterial phase images (p < 0.001). MEI (+) at 40 keV, ID, and Z_eff reconstructions yielded the highest Likert scores for lesion conspicuity. The conspicuity of the mass margin and the visual enhancement were significantly better in 40-keV MEI (+) than in the PEI (p = 0.022, p = 0.033, respectively). Conclusion: Compared with PEI, MEI (+) reconstructions at low keV in the venous phase acquired by DECT improved the objective and subjective assessment of lesion conspicuity in patients with malignant breast lesions. MEI (+) reconstruction acquired by DECT may be helpful for the preoperative evaluation of breast cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.77-84
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• 2024

Aging and damaged underground utilities cause cavity and ground subsidence under roads, which can cause economic losses and risk user safety. This study used infrared cameras to assess the thermal characteristics of such cavities and evaluate their reliability using a CNN algorithm. PVC pipes were embedded at various depths in a test site measuring 400 cm × 50 cm × 40 cm. Concrete blocks were used to simulate road surfaces, and measurements were taken from 4 PM to noon the following day. The initial temperatures measured by the infrared camera were 43.7℃, 43.8℃, and 41.9℃, reflecting atmospheric temperature changes during the measurement period. The RP algorithm generates images in four resolutions, i.e., 10,000 × 10,000, 2,000 × 2,000, 1,000 × 1,000, and 100 × 100 pixels. The accuracy of the CNN model using RP images as input was 99%, 97%, 98%, and 96%, respectively. These results represent a considerable improvement over the 73% accuracy obtained using time-series images, with an improvement greater than 20% when using the RP algorithm-based inputs.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.143-154
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• 2024

In this study, we improved the vitamin C test method and reviewed data on the adjustable range of chromatography conditions for quantification. First, we adjusted the mobile phase conditions such as solvent composition, salt concentration, pH and column temperature and in particular, it was confirmed through an improved test method that the peak derived from the buffer solution could be clearly separated from the target component, vitamin C by adjusting the pH. The retention time of vitamin C was partially changed by adjusting the column diameter, length and particle size but the number of theoretical plates indicated similar values and did not affect the separation and quantitative analysis of the target component. The flow rate according to the column specifications was derived from the equation proposed by the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug administration) and the Korean MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety), and evaluation of the applicability to vitamin complexes showed high selectivity for vitamin C even with altered stationary phase conditions and flow rates. In conclusion, vitamin C can be optimally separated and detected by changing the chromatographic method conditions and it was confirmed that the mobile and stationary phase conditions of liquid chromatography can be slightly adjusted in case the assay method uses an isocratic elution.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.564-579
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the change in the classes of the beginning science teachers through a cooperative mentoring program that induces the practice of reflective thinking. Participants in this study included three mentor-teachers, two teachers in doctorate or masters courses, one university professor, and three mentee-teachers who had less than four years of teaching experience. We collected data such as video recordings of mentee-teachers' classes and transcription, lesson plans, recording of one-on-one mentoring and transcription, mentor's and mentee's journals, and RTOP class observation reports. RTOP was used for the class analysis, and the cognition and changes in mentee-teachers' classes were determined from their journal entries and one-on-one mentoring interview materials. According to mentee-teachers' recognition of changes in their classes during the mentoring program, they themselves recognized their teacher-centered teaching styles, misconception, and lack of content knowledge. Furthermore, there were changes in the mentee-teachers' classes through their reflective practice and improvement. Based on the result of this study, however, the teachers' reflection was not all accompanied with reflective practice even if the beginner science teachers made some partial changes in reflective practice by reflection. This means that it is hard to instill a reflective practice in mentee-teachers through mentoring in a short period. Therefore, we consider that more systematic and long-term mentoring is necessary for beginner science teachers.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.90-101
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• 2009

Analysis of multi-channel seismic reflection data from the Southern Ulleung Basin reveals that Plio-Quaternary section in the area consists of nine stacked sedimentary units separated by erosional unconformities. On the southern slope, these sedimentary units are acoustically characterized by chaotic seismic facies without distinct internal reflections, interpreted as debris-flow bodies. Toward the basin floor, the sedimentary units are defined by well-stratified facies with good continuity and strong amplitude, interpreted as turbidite/hemipelagic sediments. The seismic facies distribution suggests that deposition of Plio-Quaternary section in the area was controlled mainly by tectonic movement and sea-level fluctuations. During the Pliocene, sedimentation was mainly controlled by tectonic movements related to the back-arc closure of the East Sea. The back-arc closure that began in the Miocene caused compressional deformation along the southern margin of the Ulleung Basin, resulting in regional uplift which continued until the Pliocene. Large amounts of sediments, eroded from the uplifted crustal blocks, were supplied to the basin, depositing Unit 1 which consists of debris-flow deposits. During the Quaternary, sea-level fluctuations resulted in stacked sedimentary units (2-9) consisting of debris-flow deposits, formed during sea-level fall and lowstands, and thin hemipelagic/turbidite sediments, deposited during sea-level rise and highstands.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.809-817
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• 2007

The purpose of this research was to investigate the nature of the science views of science teachers and high school students as well as the views expressed in 10th grade science textbooks. The subjects were a high school science teacher, 18 male students and 11 female students in a 10th grade class located in Gyeongbuk Province, Korea. The data were analyzed in terms of three main categories of the nature of the science: the definition of science, the development of science, and the method of science. In the results, it was found that the textbook had an inductivism point of view, and that the teacher had a falsificationism point of view in terms of the definition of science. However, the teacher presented the inductive point of view of the textbook in the class. After the class, the students showed an inductive point of view. In terms of scientific development, the textbook represented a relativism point of view briefly, and the viewpoint of the teacher also expressed relativism. The teacher taught briefly from the relativism point of view, as in the textbook. The viewpoints of the students were inductivism and were not affected by the textbook or the explanations of the teacher. In terms of scientific methods, the viewpoints of the textbook and the teacher were falsificationism, and the teacher represented falsificationism views in her classes. The views of the students also showed falsificationism after their classes. However, before conclusions can be made, it is necessary to find concrete proof of the teaching effect on the viewpoints of the students in continuing research.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.379-393
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• 2007

The purpose of this article is to analyze the conceptual change of nine 11th graders after implementing the model-based instruction of blood circulation by multidimensional framework, and to find some implications about teaching strategies for improving conceptual understanding. The model-based instruction consisted of 4 periods: (1) introduction for inducing students' interests using an episode in the science history of blood circulation, (2) vivisectional experiment on rats, (3) visual-linguistic model instruction using the videotape of heartbeat, and (4) modeling activity on the path of blood flow. Based on the data from pre-test, post-test and interviews, we classified students' models on the path of blood flow, and investigated their ontological features and the conceptual status of blood circulation. Most students could describe the path of blood flow and the changes of substances in blood precisely after the instructions. However, the modeling activity were not sufficient to improve students' understanding of the mechanisms of the blood distribution throughout various organs and the material exchanges between blood and tissues. From the interview of 9 students, we acquired informative results about conceptual status elements that were helpful to, preventing from, or not used for students' understanding. It was also found that conceptual status of students depended on the ontological categories into which students' conceptions of blood circulation fell. The results of this study can help design the effective teaching strategy for the understanding of concept of the equilibrium category.