• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2024

In Recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the global incidence of breast cancer, with approximately 2.3 million cases of female breast cancer reported worldwide in 2020. Numerous studies are currently underway to enhance the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis through the development of digital mammography detectors. This study aims to create Monte Carlo simulation-based mammographic anti-scatter grids and investigate their utility in evaluating the performance of digital mammography detector. Two types of mammographic anti-scatter grids, MAM-CP and Senographe 600T HF, were created using Monte Carlo simulation software (MCNPX 2.7.0), with grid ratios of 3.7 : 1 and 5 : 1, respectively. The grid physical characteristics (sensitivity, exposure factor, contrast improvement ratio) were calculated based on the KS C IEC60627 in the simulations using two X-ray qualities, RQA-M2 (28 kVp) and MW4 (35 kVp). As the X-ray tube voltage increased from 28 kVp to 35 kVp, sensitivity and exposure factor exhibited a decreasing trend, while contrast improvement ratio demonstrated an increasing trend. With an increase in grid ratio from 3.7 : 1 to 5 : 1, all physical characteristics showed an upward trend. Our results were consistent with a previous study that conducted measurements of physical properties using a real phantom. However, the pattern of change in the contrast improvement ratio with X-ray tube voltage differed from the previous study.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.9
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• pp.3717-3729
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• 2024

Accurately predicting evacuation time in a ventilated main control room (MCR) during fire emergencies is crucial for ensuring the safety of personnel at nuclear power plants. This study proposes to use neural networks alongside consolidated fire and smoke transport (CFAST) simulations to serve as a surrogate model for physics-based simulation tools. Our neural networks can promptly predict the evacuation time in MCRs, proving to be a valuable asset in fire emergencies and eliminating the need for time-consuming rollouts of the CFAST simulations. The CFAST model simulates fire and evacuation scenarios in a ventilated MCR with variations in input parameters such as door conditions, ventilation flow rate, leakage area, and fire propagation time. Target output parameters, such as hot gas layer temperature (HGLT), heat flux (HF), and optical density (OD), are used alongside standardized evacuation variables to train a machine learning model for predicting evacuation time. The findings suggest that high ventilation flow rates help to dilute smoke and discharge hot gas, leading to lower target output parameters and quicker evacuation. Standardized evacuation variables exceed the required abandonment criteria for all door conditions, indicating the importance of proper evacuation procedures. The results show that neural networks can generate evacuation times close to those obtained from CFAST simulations.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.12-29
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• 2022

Purpose: In the present study, whole diphtheria toxin (dt) and fragment B (dtb) genes from Corynebacterium diphtheriae Park William were cloned into Escherichia coli, the purified expressed proteins were evaluated for ultimately using as a candidate vaccine. Materials and Methods: The dt and dtb genes were isolated from bacterial strain ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) no. 13812. Plasmid pET29a+ was extracted by DNA-spin TM plasmid purification kit where genes were inserted using BamHI and HindIII-HF. Cloned pET29a+dt and pET29a+dtb plasmids were transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3)PlysS as expression host. The identity of the sequences was validated by blasting the sequence (BLASTn) against all the reported nucleotide sequences in the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) GenBank. Production of proteins in high yield by different types and parameters of fermentation to determine optimal conditions. Lastly, the purified concentrated rdtx and rdtb were injected to BALB/c mice and antibody titers were detected. Results: The genetic transformation of E. coli DH5α and E. coli BL21 with the pET-29a(+) carrying the dt and dtb genes was confirmed by colony polymerase chain reaction assay and were positive to grow on Luria-Bertani/kanamycin medium. The open reading frame of dt and dtb sequences consisted of 1,600 bp and 1,000 bp, were found to be 100% identical to dt and dtb sequence of C. diphtheriae (accession number KX702999.1 and KX702993.1) respectively. The optimal condition for high cell density is fed-batch fermentation production to express the rdtx and rdtb at 280 and 240 Lf/mL, dissolved oxygen was about 24% and 22% and the dry cell weight of bacteria was 2.41 g/L and 2.18 g/L, respectively. Conclusion: This study concluded with success in preparing genetically modified two strains for the production of a diphtheria vaccine, and to reach ideal production conditions to achieve the highest productivity.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2006

Objectives : A variety of symptoms are typically reported during anxiety period, several of which are clearly linked to the autonomic nervous system(ANS), such as palpitations, chest pain and shortness of breath. Using spectral analysis of heart rate, several studies have shown that patients with anxiety disorder are characterized by a reduced heart rate variability(HRV), indicative of abnormalities in ANS fuction. To further evaluate the effect of anxiety and medication on autonomic function, 30 patients and 30 matched control subjects were assessed. Methods : Using spectral analysis of heart rate, which consisted of standardised measurements of HRV, we compared ANS between 30 patients with DSM-IV diagnosed anxiety disorder and 30 healthy controls, and investigated the autonomic effects of SSRI treatment. Five-minute HRV recordings were obtained before and after SSRI treatment and were analysed. Results : Five-minute HRV recordings in anxiety disorder patients revealed that a significant reduction in HRV was shown compared to controls. There was no significant changes in HRV between before and after SSRI treatment. Conclusion: Anxiety disorder patients showed a significant reduction in HRV compared to controls. SSRIs do not affect HRV influenced by ANS function. Further study is needed to confirm these things. Patients with anxiety disorder may suffer from functional disturbances in the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic tree.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1991

The effect of 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DDG) on $C_3H$ mouse fibrosarcoma(FSall) was studied. Metabolic status, especially for energy metabolism, was studied using in vivo $^{31}P$-MRS, proliferative capacity was observed on flow cytometry(FC) and growth rate was measured after transplantation of $10^6$ viable tumor cells in the dorsum of foot of $C_3Hf/Sed$ mice. One gram of 2-DDG Per kg of body weight was injected intraperitoneally on 12th day of implantation. Average tumor size on 12th day of implantion was $250mm^3$. Growth rate of Fsall tumor was measured by tumor doubling time and slope on semilog plot. After 2-DDG injection, growth rate slowed down. Tumor doubling time between tumor age 5-12 days was 0.84 days with slope 0.828 and tumor doubling time between tumor age 13-28 days was 3.2 days with slope 0.218 in control group. After 2-DDG injection, tumor doubling time was elongated to 5.1 days with slope 0.136. The effect of 2-DDG studied in vivo $^{31}P$-MRS suggested that the increase of phosphomonoester (PME) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) by increasing size of tumor, slowed down after 2-DDG injection. Flow cytometry showed significantly increased S-phase and $G_2+M$ phase fraction suggesting increased proliferative capacity of tumor cells in the presence of 2-DDG. Authors observed an interesting effect of 2-DDG on FSall tumor and attempt to utilize as an adjunct for radiotherapy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.155-167
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• 2013

Objectives : This research was conducted to investigate the factors that affect the level of facial nerve damage. Methods : From October 2009 to September 2013, the total number of 581 patients of Bell's palsy and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome visited Facial Palsy Center in Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong for Traditional Korean and Western combined medical treatment. Of these, 453 patients of peripheral facial nerve palsy were selected for the research. After reviewing the medical records that have details of age, gender, diagnosis(Bell's palsy and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome), onset, underlying diseases(DM, HTN), and HbAlc value, the analysis on the influence factors on the level of facial nerve damage was drew out. Results : The axonal loss rate of oris branch and nasal branch were significantly higher than the axonal loss rate of frontal branch and oculi branch. In addition, the frequency of becoming a major damaged branch was also high in the oris branch nasal branch. The factors by month, weather, smoking, and alcohol did not influence EMG axonal loss rate. Male rather than female and patient with Rasmay-Hut syndrome rather than Bell's palsy had a higher axonal loss rate in all branches. Of those, front of branch of male was remarkably higher than female. Patient with DM as P/H had high axonal loss rate in all branches. Patient with HTN as P/H had high axonal loss rate in all branches except for oris branches. Patients with DM and HTN group had significantly higher value from the average of axonal loss rate than patients who are only with HTN and without DM/HTN. DM alone group had significantly higher value than patients who are without DM/HTN. However, HTN alone was not significantly high. By analysing HbAlc of the patients who were hospitalised regardless DM, axonal loss rate was high in the order of DM group, preDM group, normal group. Nevertheless, only DM group showed higher axonal rate statistically than normal group. Considering DM and HbA1c value, the patients can be divided into 4 different groups of hkDM, lkDM, hfDM and nDM. By analysing those groups, the average damaged value of the groups with diagnosis followed by treatment(lkDM, hkDM) were higher than the average rate of hfDM and statistically higher than the rate of the nDM. Conclusions : The influential factors of increasing the level of EMG damage are male(only for the frontal branch), age above sixties, HTN, DM, and HbAlc value above 6.5. Besides, the negligible factors are month, season, diagnosis, alcohol, and smoking. Further research including clinical prognosis should be conducted.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2000

Objectives: Through comparing sleep variables and autonomic activities among three shifts in shift workers, the authors intended to clarify which shift is most tolerable and to identify the characteristics of their psychological and physical problems. This study is also expected to help shift workers to adapt themselves to their work more effectively. Methods: Fifty one shift workers took part in this study. They were working in a rapidly rotating system in which they worked for 3 days in one shift with one day off between each shift. Based on a sleep diary, sleep latency (SL), sleep period time (SPT), and number of wake after sleep onset (NWASO) were estimated and compared among the three shifts. In assessing sleepiness, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used. To evaluate mood states among the three shifts, profile of mood states (POMS) was administered. Heart rate variability (HRV), and the level of adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured to assess autonomic activities. HRV included low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), and LF/HF. Results: SPT was significantly lengthened during the evening shift and SL was shortened during the night shift. The workers showed a drop in alertness at wake-up during morning shift and a drop in alertness at work during night shift. During night shift the subjects complained of physical fatigue and cognitive decline. Comparison of HRV showed that parasympathetic activity was most prominent during the evening shift. Secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline decreased during the evening shift, though statistically not significant. Conclusion: We found that the evening shift was most tolerable among the three shifts. It is recommended that morning light exposure be done during the morning shift and nocturnal light exposure during the night shift.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.3 s.178
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• pp.329-342
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to determine the geochemical characteristics for the stream sediments in the Konyang area. So we can estimate the environment contamination and understand geochemical disaster. We collect the stream sediments samples by wet sieving along the primary channels and slowly dry the collected samples in the laboratory and grind to pass a 200mesh using an alumina mortar and pestle for chemical analysis. Mineralogy, major, trace and rare earth elements are determined by XRD, XRE, ICP-AES and NAA analysis methods. For geochemical characteristics on the geological groups of stream sediments, the studied area was grouped into quartz porphyry area, sedimentary rock area, anorthosite area and gneiss area. Contents of major elements for the stream sediments in the Konyang area were $SiO_2\;41.86{\sim}76.74\;wt.%,\;Al_{2}O_{3}\;9.92{\sim}30.00\;wt.%,\;Fe_{2}O_{3}\;2.74{\sim}12.68\;wt.%,\;CaO\;0.22{\sim}3.31\;wt.%,\;MgO\;0.34{\sim}3.97\;wt.%,\;K_{2}O\;0.75{\sim}0.93\;wt.%,\;Na_{2}O\;0.25{\sim}1.92\;wt.%,\;TiO_{2}\;0.40{\sim}3.00\;wt.%,\;MnO\;0.03{\sim}0.21\;wt.%,\;P_{2}O_{5}\;0.05{\sim}0.38\;wt.%$. The contents of trace and rare earth elements for the stream sediments were $Cu\;7{\sim}102\;ppm,\;Pb\;15{\sim}47\;ppm,\;Sr\;48{\sim}513\;ppm,\;V\;29{\sim}129\;ppm,\;Zr\;31{\sim}217\;ppm,\;Li\;14{\sim}94\;ppm,\;Co\;5.6{\sim}32.1\;ppm,\;Cr\;23{\sim}259\;ppm,\;Cs\;1.7{\sim}8.7\;ppm,\;Hf\;2.1{\sim}109.0\;ppm,\;Rb\;34{\sim}247\;ppm,\;Sc\;4.5{\sim}21.9\;ppm,\;Zn\;24{\sim}609\;ppm,\;Sb\;0.8{\sim}2.6\;ppm,\;Th\;3{\sim}213\;ppm,\;Ce\;22{\sim}1000\;ppm,\;Eu\;0.7{\sim}5.3\;ppm,\;Yb\;0.6{\sim}6.4\;ppm$. Generally, the contents of $Al_{2}O_{3}\;and\;SiO_2$ had a good relationships with each other in rocks but it had a bad relationships in stream sediments for this study area. The contents of $Fe_{2}O_3$, CaO, MnO and $P_{2}O_{5}$ had a good relationships with major and minor elements in stream sediments of this study area. The contents of Co and V in the stream sediments had a good relationships with other toxic elements.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.727-738
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• 2007

The present study investigation the geochemical characteristics of the stream sediments in the Unbong area was conducted to enable a understanding the natural background and a prediction the prospects of geochemical disaster as a result of that bed rocks(mylonitic granites, Kim et al., 1992). We systematically collected seventy three stream sediments samples by wet sieving along the primary channels. Major, trace and rare earth element(REE) concentrations, combined with mineralogical characteristics, were determined by XRD, XRF, ICP-AES and NAA analysis methods. Major element concentrations for the stream sediments in the Unbong area were $SiO_2\;36.94{\sim}65.39wt.%,\;Al_2O_3\;10.15{\sim}21.77wt.%,\;Fe_2O_3\;3.17{\sim}10.90wt.%,\;CaO\;0.55{\sim}5.27wt.%,\;MgO\;0.52{\sim}4.94wt.%,\;K_2O\;1.38{\sim}4.54wt.%,\;Na_2O\;0.49{\sim}3.36wt.%,\;TiO_2\;0.39{\sim}1.27wt.%,\;MnO\;0.04{\sim}0.22wt.%,\;P_2O_5\;0.08{\sim}0.54wt.%$. Trace and REE concentrations for the stream sediments were $Cu\;4.8{\sim}134ppm,\;Pb\;24.2{\sim}82.5ppm,\;Sr\;95.9{\sim}739ppm,\;V\;19.9{\sim}124ppm,\;Zr\;52.9{\sim}145ppm,\;Li\;25.2{\sim}3.3ppm,\;Co\;3.87{\sim}50.0ppm,\;Cr\;17.4{\sim}234ppm,\;Hf\;3.93{\sim}25.2ppm,\;Sc\;4.60{\sim}20.6ppm,\;Th\;3.82{\sim}36.9ppm,\;Ce\;45.7{\sim}243ppm,\;Eu\;0.89{\sim}2.69ppm,\;Yb\;1.42{\sim}5.18ppm$. According to the comparison of average major element concentrations, CaO, $Na_2O\;and\;K_2O$ contents are higher in stream sediments than in bed rocks(mylonitic granites, Kim et al., 1992) $Al_2O_3\;and\;SiO_2$ contents show good correlation both stream sediments and bed rocks(mylonitic granites, Kim et al., 1992). Yb and Eu in the stream sediments show a positive correlation with $SiO_2$. In contrast, the stream sediments display a negative correlation.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.595-610
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• 2000

This study has been designed to elucidate the petrography and geochemical characteristics of the volcanic rocks and focused on petrogenesis and tectonic environment of the Bokyeongsa volcanics in the northeast Gyeongsang Basin. The Bokyeongsa volcanics consist of the Naeyeonsan tuff which include rock fragment plagioclase, quartz and hornblende and pumice showing welded structures, and felsite. According to the petrochemical data, the Naeyeonsan tuff and felsite are in the range of 68${\sim}$71wt% and 77wt% SiO$_2$ content respectively. The Naeyeonsan tuff belongs to dacite/rhyodacite, and felsite to rhyolite. These volcanics rocks belong to the calc-alkaline rock series on the TAS diagram and the AFM diagram. The variations of major elements of the volcanic rocks show that contene of TiO$_2$, Al$_2$ O$_3$, FeO$^T$, MnO, MgO, CaO are inversely proportional to those of SiO$_2$, but contents of K$_2$O are positively. They represent differentiation trend of calc-alkaline rocks series. In spider disgram of MORB-normalized trace element partterns, contents of K, Rb, Th and Ta are relatively high, but those of Nb, Zr, Hf, Ti, Y and Yb are nearly similar to MORB. In the chondrite-normalized REE patterns, light REEs are more enriched than heavy REEs. The trace element composition and REE patterns suggest that they are typical island-arc calc-akaline volcanic rocks formed in the tectonomagmatic environment of subduction zone under continental margin.