• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.563-588
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• 2021

Increasing meat demand in terms of both quality and quantity in conjunction with feeding a growing population has resulted in regulatory agencies imposing stringent guidelines on meat quality and safety. Objective and accurate rapid non-destructive detection methods and evaluation techniques based on artificial intelligence have become the research hotspot in recent years and have been widely applied in the meat industry. Therefore, this review surveyed the key technologies of non-destructive detection for meat quality, mainly including ultrasonic technology, machine (computer) vision technology, near-infrared spectroscopy technology, hyperspectral technology, Raman spectra technology, and electronic nose/tongue. The technical characteristics and evaluation methods were compared and analyzed; the practical applications of non-destructive detection technologies in meat quality assessment were explored; and the current challenges and future research directions were discussed. The literature presented in this review clearly demonstrate that previous research on non-destructive technologies are of great significance to ensure consumers' urgent demand for high-quality meat by promoting automatic, real-time inspection and quality control in meat production. In the near future, with ever-growing application requirements and research developments, it is a trend to integrate such systems to provide effective solutions for various grain quality evaluation applications.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.238-244
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• 2018

Hanwoo cattle have been genetically selected for enhancing meat quality and meat quantity since the last few decades. Beef consumption in South Korea has also increased to 11.6 kg per year in 2016 and is expected to continue to increase. For improving meat quality, Hanwoo cattle has been raised a high-energy corn-based diet for long fattening periods, which causes not increment of fat percentage in the loin muscle but increment of feeding costs. Consumer demands on the Korean beef industry are driving differing beef production systems and also changes to the beef grading system. For a sustainable Hanwoo industry, researcher in Korea have attempted to develop feeds for efficient fattening periods and precision feeding systems based on genetic information for Hanwoo cattle. Therefore, representatives of government, academics, and market association need to provide efficient collaboration for the future prospective or develop a precise management system for Hanwoo industry in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.271-287
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• 2021

Background: Postoperative pain management is crucial for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There have been many recent clinical trials on post-TKA peripheral nerve block; however, they have reported inconsistent findings. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to comprehensively analyze studies on post-TKA analgesia to provide evidence-based clinical suggestions. Methods: We performed a computer-based query of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science to retrieve related articles using neurothe following search terms: nerve block, nerve blockade, chemodenervation, chemical neurolysis, peridural block, epidural anesthesia, extradural anesthesia, total knee arthroplasty, total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and others. After quality evaluation and data extraction, we analyzed the complications, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, patient satisfaction, perioperative opioid dosage, and rehabilitation indices. Evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Results: We included 16 randomized controlled trials involving 981 patients (511 receiving peripheral nerve block and 470 receiving epidural block) in the final analysis. Compared with an epidural block, a peripheral nerve block significantly reduced complications. There were no significant between-group differences in the postoperative VAS score, patient satisfaction, perioperative opioid dosage, and rehabilitation indices. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that the peripheral nerve block is superior to the epidural block in reducing complications without compromising the analgesic effect and patient satisfaction. Therefore, a peripheral nerve block is a safe and effective postoperative analgesic method with encouraging clinical prospects.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2021

Purpose: To investigate the reliability of CT and MRI for quantitative and qualitative analyses of lumbar paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration (PSFI) and correlation of PSFI with intervertebral disc pathology. Materials and Methods: Lumbar spine CT and MRI of 36 subjects were reviewed retrospectively. Two observers independently outlined lumbar paraspinal muscles at each mid-intervertebral disc level. Paraspinal muscles on CT and MRI were graded according to the Goutallier grading system (GGS). The area, mean value, and standard deviation (SD) of the Hounsfield unit (HU) were obtained. Intervertebral discs were assessed on axial image of T2WI at each level. Correlations between qualitative and quantitative data and intervertebral disc pathology, age, and sex were evaluated. Results: Inter- and intra-observer agreements for results of GGS on MRI were substantial (κ = 0.79) and moderate (κ = 0.59), respectively. Inter- and intra-observer agreements for results of GGS on CT were almost perfect (κ = 0.88) and substantial (κ = 0.66), respectively. Quantitative measurements of HU showed almost perfect inter- and intra-observer reliabilities (κ = 0.82 and κ = 0.99, respectively). There were statistically significant correlations between intervertebral disc pathology and PSFI at L1-2, L2-3, and L4-5 levels on MRI and at L1-2 and L3-4 levels on CT. Age showed significant correlation with results of GGS at all levels on CT and MRI. Conclusion: This study showed that GGS results and HU measurements could be useful for evaluating PSFI because they showed correlations with intervertebral disc pathology results at certain levels.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.293-299
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• 2020

The characteristics of the polycarbosilane (PCS)-based composite ceramic layer was studied by controlling the curing temperature. The stress at the interface of the graphite and SiOC composite layer was evaluated v ia finite element analysis. As a result, the tensile stress was released as the carbon ratio of the SiC decreases. In experiment, the SiOC layers were coated on the VDR graphite block by dip-coating process. It was revealed that the composition of Si and C was effectively adjusted depending on the curing temperature. As the solution-based process is employed, the surface roughness was reduced for the appropriate PCS curing temperature. Hence, it is expected that the cured SiOC layer can be utilized to reduce cracking and peeling of SiC ceramic composites on graphite mold by improving the interfacial stress and surface roughness.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.20-31
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• 2021

The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for patients with rotator cuff diseases. There were 12 electronic databases and 3 trial registries searched up to November 30th, 2019. All randomized trials were eligible, regardless of language, date of publication, or settings. The primary outcomes were pain, shoulder function, and proportion of improved participants assessed within 12 weeks of randomization of the trial. The Cochrane risk of bias for the studies was assessed. Effects sizes were presented as a risk ratio, mean difference, or standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence intervals. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was adopted to rate certainty of evidence. Of the 3,686 records screened, 28 randomized trials (2,216 participants) were included in this review. The types of acupuncture included manual acupuncture, dry needling, electroacupuncture, acupotomy, warm needle acupuncture, and fire needle acupuncture. All of the studies had an unclear or high risk of bias related to more than 1 domain. Significant benefits of acupuncture in terms of pain and shoulder function were observed in all comparisons, however, the proportion of improved participants was not described in 2 comparisons. There was substantial heterogeneity among meta-analyzed trials. No serious harm was observed. For primary outcomes, the overall certainty of evidence was very low. There was very low certainty of evidence for the benefits of acupuncture for patients with rotator cuff diseases. The safety of acupuncture remains unclear due to the incompleteness of reporting. Future well-designed randomized trials with transparent reporting are required.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.16-29
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• 2021

Purpose: Incidence, risk factors, and clinical consequences of pancreatic fistula (POPF) after D1+/D2 radical gastrectomy have not been well investigated in Western patients, particularly those from Eastern Europe. Materials and Methods: A total of 358 D1+/D2 radical gastrectomies were performed by surgeons with high caseloads in a single surgical center from 2002 to 2017. A retrospective analysis of data that were prospectively gathered in an electronic database was performed. POPF was defined and graded according to the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) criteria. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify potential predictors of POPF. Additionally, the impact of POPF on early complications and long-term outcomes were investigated. Results: POPF was observed in 20 patients (5.6%), according to the updated ISGPS grading system. Cardiovascular comorbidities emerged as the single independent predictor of POPF formation (risk ratio, 3.051; 95% confidence interval, 1.161-8.019; P=0.024). POPF occurrence was associated with statistically significant increased rates of postoperative hemorrhage requiring re-laparotomy (P=0.029), anastomotic leak (P=0.002), 90-day mortality (P=0.036), and prolonged hospital stay (P<0.001). The long-term survival of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma was not affected by POPF (P=0.661). Conclusions: In this large series of Eastern European patients, the clinically relevant rate of POPF after D1+/D2 radical gastrectomy was low. The presence of co-existing cardiovascular disease favored the occurrence of POPF and was associated with an increased risk of postoperative bleeding, anastomotic leak, 90-day mortality, and prolonged hospital stay. POPF was not found to affect the long-term survival of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.283-295
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• 2021

Existing meso-scale models of concrete need to refine the mesh grids of aggregate and cement mortar, which may greatly reduce the computational efficiency. To overcome this problem, a novel meso-scale modeling strategy, which is based on rigid body spring method and Voronoi diagram, is proposed in this study to establish the meso-scale model of concrete. Firstly, establish numerical aggregate models according to user-defined programs. Circle aggregates are adopted due to their high efficiency in generation and packing process, and the grading of aggregate are determined according to the distribution curve proposed by Full and Thompson; Secondly, extract the centroids of aggregates, and then develop the Voronoi diagram in which aggregate centroids are defined as initial scatters; Finally, establish the rigid body spring model for concrete based on the Voronoi diagram. Aggregates are represented by rigid blocks, and assumed to be unbreakable. Cement mortar is concentrated into the interface between adjacent blocks and represented by two uniform springs. The number of grids is consistent with that of aggregates in specimens, and no mesh-refinement of aggregates and cement mortar is required. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed modeling strategy are firstly identified by comparing the numerical results with the experimental ones, and then the applicability of the proposed strategy with different volume percentage occupied by aggregates is investigated.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.827-836
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• 2021

Objective : Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most common causes of facial pain. Our aim is to investigate the efficacy and borders of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Methods : Between May 2007 and April 2017, 156 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated with radiofrequency thermocoagulation. These 156 patients underwent 209 procedures. In our study, we investigated the early and late results of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation under guiding fluoroscopic imaging in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain scale was used for grading the early results. In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess long-term outcomes. Of the 156 patients who underwent radiofrequency thermocoagulation for trigeminal neuralgia, 45 had additional disease. Patients with this condition were evaluated with their comorbidities. Early and late results were compared with those without comorbidity. Results : In 193 of 209 interventions BNI pain scale I to III results were obtained. Out of the 193 successful operation 136 patients (65.07%) were discharged as BNI I, 14 (6.70%) as BNI II, 43 (20.58%) as BNI III. Sixteen patients (7.65%) remained uncontrolled (BNI IV and V). While the treatment results of trigeminal neuralgia patients with comorbidity seem more successful in the early period, this difference was not observed in follow-up examinations. Conclusion : Finally, we concluded that percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion is a safe and effective method in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. However, over time, the effectiveness of the treatment decreases. Neverthless, the reapprability of this intervention gives it a distinct advantage.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.spc
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• pp.92-98
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• 2022

Although various methods have been proposed to assess groundwater vulnerability, most of the models merely consider the mobility of contaminants (i.e., intrinsic vulnerability), and the attenuation capacity of vadose zone is often neglected. This study proposed an evaluation model for the attenuation capacity of vadose zone to supplement the limitations of the existing index method models for assessing groundwater vulnerability. The evaluation equation for quantifying the attenuation capacity was developed from the combined linear regression and weighted scaling methods based on the lab-scale experiments using various vadose zone soils having different physical and biogeochemical properties. The proposed semi-quantifying model is expected to effectively assess the attenuation capacity of vadose zone by identifying the main influencing factors as input parameters together with proper weights derived from the coefficients of the regression results. The subsequent scoring and grading system has great versatility while securing the objectivity by effectively incorporating the experimental results.