• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.838-850
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• 2012

In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm that generates multi-view images by using various image features obtained from the given stereoscopic images. In the proposed algorithm, we first create an intensity gradient saliency map from the given stereo images. And then we calculate a block-based optical flow that represents the relative movement(disparity) of each block with certain size between left and right images. And we also obtain the disparities of feature points that are extracted by SIFT(scale-invariant We then create a disparity saliency map by combining these extracted disparity features. Disparity saliency map is refined through the occlusion detection and removal of false disparities. Thirdly, we extract straight line segments in order to minimize the distortion of straight lines during the image warping. Finally, we generate multi-view images by grid mesh-based image warping algorithm. Extracted image features are used as constraints during grid mesh-based image warping. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm performs better than the conventional DIBR algorithm in terms of visual quality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.3
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• pp.412-425
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• 2012

Concrete Soil Erosion Control Dam, which blocks flow of debris flow in torrential stream, are reported to lose expected functions due to structural failure and collapses, caused by poor construction, material deterioration and external impacts. In this paper, an integrity assessment technique for debris barriers was proposed, which allows preliminary detection of problems inherent in debris barriers. The proposed integrity assessment technique is a non-destructive method based on SASW method, one of surface-wave tests. In this paper, a practical procedure and analysis guidelines in applying the SASW technique to debris barrier was proposed and its validity was verified using five decrepit debris barriers older than 20-year old. As a result, the SASW method was validated for the reliable grade evaluation method for concrete soil erosion control dam, and the resulting grades turned out to agree with the results determined by Sabang Associations.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2013

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important intra-intercellular signaling molecule that regulates many physiological processes and participates in the development some pathological conditions in animals. In this study, we compared different methods for determining NO concentration in the hemocytes of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. For measuring the intracellular NO levels, we used the specific fluorescent probe 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2 DA), and the quantification methods that were compared were based on image analysis, spectrophotometry, and flow cytometry. NO concentration could be determined using all the 3 methods, and the concentration varied significantly depending upon the presence of NO regulators in the hemocytes; NO concentration increased in the presence of L-arginine, while it decreased in the presence of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. In particular, it is found that estimation of NO using a flowcytometry is more economical, reliable and accurate compared to image analysis and spectrophotometry. Accordingly we believe that determining NO concentration by using flowcytometry will be useful in evaluating physiological and pathological conditions in marine bivalves.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.415-429
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• 2012

The monitoring methods for volcanic gases are divided into remote sensing and direct gas sampling approaches. In the remote sensing approach, COSPEC and Li-COR are used to measure $SO_2$ and $CO_2$, respectively, with FT-IR for detection of a range of volcanic gases. However, the remote sensing approach is not applicable to Mt. Baegdu, where the atmospheric contents of volcanic gases are very low as a result of the strong interaction of volcanic gases with the nearby surface water and groundwater. On the other hand, the direct gas sampling approach involves the collection of volcanic gases from volcanic vents or fumaroles and the subsequent laboratory analysis, thus making it possible to measure even very low levels of volcanic gases. The direct sampling approach can be subdivided into the evacuated bottle method and the flow-through bottle method. In applying both methods, sampling bottles typically contain reaction media to trap specific volcanic gases. For example, NaOH solution(Giggenbach bottle), $NH_4OH$ solution, and acid condensates have been experimented for volcanic gas sampling. Once taken from vents and fumaroles, the samples of volcanic gases are pretreated and subsequently analyzed for volcanic gases using GC, IC, HPLC, titrimetry, TOC-IC, or ICP-MS. Recently, there has been the increasing number of evidences on the potential volcanic activity of Mt. Baegdu. However, little technical development has been made for the sampling and analysis of volcanic gases in Korea. In the present work, we reviewed various volcanic gas monitoring methods, and provided the detailed information on the monitoring methods applied to Mt. Baegdu.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.302-310
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• 2002

Purpose : X-linked agammaglobulinemia(XLA) is an immunodeficiency caused by abnormalities in Bruton's tyrosine kinase(Btk), and is characterized by a deficiency of peripheral blood B cells. We studied cytoplasmic expression of Btk protein and analyzed the Btk gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) from three XLA families in Korea. Methods : Heparinized venous blood samples were collected from four XLA patients and additional family members in three unrelated XLA families. Mononuclear cells were separated from their blood and the intracellular Btk protein was characterized by a flow cytometry. The mutation analysis was performed using direct sequencing. Results : Cytoplasmic expression of Btk protein in monocytes was not detected in the patients with XLA. We observed a novel deletion and two point mutations within introns(intron 1 and intron 18) resulting in alternative splicings. In XLA family 2, a 980 bp deletion(from intron 9+191 T to intron 10-215 C) including exon 10 was found in patient P2. He was the only sporadic case in this study, because his mother and brother showed a normal Btk expression by flow cytometry. Conclusion : These identified genetic alterations support the molecular heterogeneity of Btk gene in XLA disease. Additionally, by means of flow cytometric analysis, we diagnosed three hypogammaglobulinemia patients as XLA. Advancements in diagnostic methods has facilitated a prompt and definite diagnosis of this disease.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 1997

At the tailings dam of the disused Brukunga pyrite mine in South Australia, reaction of groundwater with the tailings causes the formation and discharge of sulphuric acid. There is a need to improve remediation efforts by decreasing groundwater flow through the tailings dam. Geophysical methods have been investigated to determine whether they can be used to characterise variations in depth to watertable and map preferred groundwater flow paths. Three methods were used: transient electromagnetic (TEM) soundings, direct current (DC) soundings and profiling, and self potential (SP) profiling. The profiling methods were used to map the areal extent of a given response, while soundings was used to determine the variation in response with depth. The results of the geophysical surveys show that the voltages measured with SP profiling are small and it is hard to determine any preferred channels of groundwater flow from SP data alone. Results obtained from TEM and DC soundings, show that the DC method is useful for determining layer boundaries at shallow depths (less than about 10 m), while the TEM method can resolve deeper structures. Joint use of TEM and DC data gives a more complete and accurate geoelectric section. The TEM and DC measurements have enabled accurate determination of depth to groundwater. For soundings centred at piezometers, this depth is consistent with the measured watertable level in the corresponding piezometer. A map of the watertable level produced from all the TEM and DC soundings at the site shows that the shallowest level is at a depth of about 1 m, and occurs at the southeast of the site, while the deepest watertable level (about 17 m) occurs at the northwest part of the site. The results indicate that a possible source of groundwater occurs at the southeast area of the dam, and the aquifer thickness varies between 6 and 13 m. A map of the variation of resistivity of the aquifer has also been produced from the TEM and DC data. This map shows that the least resistive (i.e., most conductive) section of the aquifer occurs in the northeast of the site, while the most resistive part of the aquifer occurs in the southeast. These results are interpreted to indicate a source of fresh (resistive) groundwater in the southeast of the site, with a possible further source of conductive groundwater in the northeast.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 2022

A lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) method using carbon nanodot@silica as a signaling material was developed for analyzing the concentration of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), one of the lung cancer biomarkers. Instead of antibodies mainly used as bioreceptors in nitrocellulose membranes in LFIA for protein detection, aptamers that are more economical, easy to store for a long time, and have strong affinities toward specific target proteins were used. A 5' terminal of biotin-modified aptamer specific to RBP4 was first reacted with neutravidin followed by spraying the mixture on the membrane in order to immobilize the aptamer in a porous membrane by the strong binding affinity between biotin and neutravidin. Carbon nanodot@silica nanoparticles with blue fluorescent signal covalently conjugated to the RBP4 antibody, and RBP4 were injected in a lateral flow manner on to the surface bound aptamer to form a sandwich complex. Surfactant concentrations, ionic strength, and additional blocking reagents were added to the running buffer solution to optimize the fluorescent signal off from the sandwich complex which was correlated to the concentration of RBP4. A 10 mM Tris (pH 7.4) running buffer containing 150 mM NaCl and 0.05% Tween-20 with 0.6 M ethanolamine as a blocking agent showed the optimum assay condition for carbon nanodot@silica-based LFIA. The results indicate that an aptamer, more economical and easier to store for a long time can be used as an alternative immobilizing probe for antibody in a LFIA device which can be used as a point-of-care diagnosis kit for lung cancer diseases.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2005

Recently, 1,4-Dioxane is known as the contaminant in water plants in Korea. Owing to its toxicity and potential health effect, 1,4-Dioxane must be determined at very low levels in drinking water. Studies on the removal of 1,4-Dioxane in drinking water were performed by using multi filtration system with activated carbons and membrane filter. For extraction of 1,4-Dioxane, methyl-t-butyl ether (MTBE) was used and then analyzed using gas chromatography-mass selective detection (GC/MSD). Removal experiment was proceeded for 300 L with a sample volume of 30 L. At first. The removal was 70%, 95% and 100% after using activated carbon, membrane and second activated carbon respectively. At larger accumulated water fluxes, the removal rate decreased at each filter. After the flow volume was 300 L, the removal rate was 30%, 88% and 99% through the first activated carbon, membrane and second activated carbon respectively.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2009

A rapid and sensitive reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of piroxicam in the rabbit plasma. After a treatment of plasma sample by liquid-liquid extraction, the drug was analyzed on an HPLC system with ultraviolet detection at 330 nm. HPLC was carried out using reversed-phase isocratic elution with a C18 column, a mobile phase of a mixture of acetonitril, doubly deionized water and acetic acid 43.74:56.00:0.26 v/v%) at a flow rate of 1.1 mL/min. The chromatograms showed good resolution and sensitivity and no interference of plasma. The calibration curve for the drug in plasma sample was linear over the concentration range of 0.01-2.0 ${\mu}$g/mL. The intra- and inter-day assay accuracies of this method ranged from 86.82% to 108.33% of normal values and the precision did not exceed 13% of relative standard deviation. The plasma concentration of piroxicam decreased to below the quantifiable limit at 12 hr after the i.v. bolus administration to rabbits following dose of 0.375 mg/kg yielding a apparen t plasma half life of 1.38 hr. The transdermal route prolongs plasma levels of piroxicam. The bioavailability, calculated from the dose-adjusted ratio of the $AUC_{transdermal}$ to the $AUC_{i.v.}$, was 7.44%. The plasma concentration of piroxicam was detected by 48 hr after the transdermal administration of patch at a dose of 32 mg/kg. This method was suitable for cutaneous absorption studies of piroxicam in the rabbit after transdermal administration of different types of dosages of the drug.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2004

Objective : This study was designed to examine the effects of orally administered Prunus persica water extract (PPE), which is used as herbal medicine, for treatment of Yu Xue (stasis of blood) and tacrine on the basal concentration of extracellular acetylcholine in the hippocampus of rats. Methods: To investigate the effects of PPE and tacrine on concentration of extracellular acetylcholine in the hippocampus of rats, the microdialysis technique, under the same experimental conditions, was used. And we used male Wistar rats which were 7 weeks of age and 210-290 g. PPE was extracted with boiling water, and the rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital Na. Their skulls were exposed and a hole was drilled for implantation of a microdialysis probe. In order to increase the recovery of acetylcholine, a probe with a long membrane was used. One day after surgery, the microdialysis probe was perfused with Ringer's solution at a flow rate of 1.5 l/min. The acetylcholine concentration in dialysis samples was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. AChE activity was measured using the radiometric method, as described by Sherman. Results : The comparative effects of PPE and tacrine on hippocampal extracellular acetylcholine concentration was that these cholinesterase inhibitors produced dose-dependent increases in the extracellular acetylcholine concentration. And the effect of PPE and tacrine on rat brain AChE activity was that PPE produced maximal inhibition at 1 h after administration, when AChE activity was 44% of the intact level. AChE activity gradually recovered thereafter, and reached 78% of the intact level at 12 h after administration. Conclusion : In this study, PPE has a potent activity and a long-lasting effect on the central cholinergic system, in terms of the basal concentration of extracellular acetylcholine in the hippocampus and the AChE activity in the brain of rats. And oral administration of PPE increased dose-dependently the basal concentration of extracellular acetylcholine in the hippocampus of rats. PPE may be one of the more useful cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.