• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.203-209
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• 2006

The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of ex vivo MR diffusion tensor imaging technique in order to observe the diffusion-contrast characteristics of human gastric tissues. On normal and pathologic gastric tissues, which have been fixed in a polycarbonate plastic tube filled with 10% formalin solution, laboratory made 3D diffusion tensor Turbo FLASH pulse sequence was used to obtain high resolution MR images with voxel size of $0.5{\times}0.5{\times}0.5mm^3\;using\;64{\times}32{\times}32mm^3$ field of view in conjunction with an acquisition matrix of $128{\times}64{\times}64$. Diffusion weighted- gradient pulses were employed with b values of 0 and $600s/mm^2$ in 6 orientations. The sequence was implemented on a clinical 3.0-T MRI scanner(Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) with a home-made quadrature-typed birdcage Tx/Rx rf coil for small specimen. Diffusion tensor values in each pixel were calculated using linear algebra and singular value decomposition(SVD) algorithm. Apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) and fractional anisotropy(FA) map were also obtained from diffusion tensor data to compare pixel intensities between normal and abnormal gastric tissues. The processing software was developed by authors using Visual C++(Microsoft, WA, U.S.A.) and mathematical/statistical library of GNUwin32(Free Software Foundation). This study shows that 3D diffusion tensor Turbo FLASH sequence is useful to resolve fine micro-structures of gastric tissue and both ADC and FA values in normal gastric tissue are higher than those in abnormal tissue. Authors expect that this study also represents another possibility of gastric carcinoma detection by visualizing diffusion characteristics of proton spins in the gastric tissues.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 1998

This study was designed to compare the absorption fraction and extent of ketoprofen gels and a matrix typed ketoprofen plaster patch. 3g (90mg as ketoprofen) of the two gels whi ch has oleohydrogel or hydrogel as a base, respectively, and 3 pieces of plaster patches (90mg as ketoprofen) were, applied in the area of 210$cm^2$ on forearm in 12 volunteers by cross over design. Blood samples were collected serially up to 24 hours and the plasma concentrations of ketoprofen were analyzed by HPLC using flurbiprofen as an internal standard. The detection limit of the assay was 1ng/ml of ketoprofen in plasma. The pharmacokinetic parameters (e.g. $AUC_{24hr}$, $AUMC_{24hr}$, MRT, Fraction Absorbed) were calculated from the plasma concentrations time data of each volunteer. The oleo-hydrogel showed significantly higher absorption fraction and extent of ketoprofen than the current hydrogel. The mean plasma concentrations of the oleo-hydrogel were increased to 98.46${\pm}$23.15ng/ml by 6 hour after application, and increased futher to 100.61${\pm}$18.65ng/ml at 24 hour. On the other hand, those of the hydrogel were increased 17.61${\pm}$18.65ng/ml at 5 hour to 34.68${\pm}$9.65ng/ml at 24 hour gradually. Therefore the plasma concentrations of oleo-hydrogel at each measured time were 3~7 times greater than those of the hydrogel with statistical significance. The $AUC_{24hr}$ (1797.26${\pm}$52.09ng.h/ml) of the oleo-hydrogel was 3.5 times greater (P<0.05) than that (516.17${\pm}$104.52ng.h/ml) of the hydrogel. The plaster patches showed higher bioavailability ($AUC_{24hr}$ 2877.37${\pm}$578.27ng.h/ml) than the olea-hydrogel ($AUC_{24hr}$ 1797.26${\pm}$52.09ng.h/ml) without statistical significance. But the absorption fraction of the oleo-hydrogel was rather higher than that of the plaster patches during the first 6 hours after administration. These results suggest that newly developed ketoprofen gel which is used oleo-hydrogel as a base would show excellent skin permeation on topical application for the corresponding clinical indications and could be absorbed as well as plaster patches.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.27-36
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• 2008

This paper presents a comprehensive laboratory study that examines the effects of porosity, water content, density and grain size distribution on the thermal conductivity of soils which were sampled from 16 synoptic stations of Korea. The experimental results clearly demonstrate that porosity and water content are important parameters which strongly affect the thermal conductivity of soils. Soils with lower porosities and higher water contents have higher thermal conductivities. On the contrary, increase of the matrix density slightly increases the thermal conductivity, and grain size distribution hardly affects the thermal conductivity. Dry soils with the same porosity tend to have more scattered values of thermal conductivity than wet soils. Based on the experimental results, a multiple linear regression model and a nonlinear regression model, having two regression variables of porosity and water content, were presented to predict thermal conductivity. Both models show a high accuracy of prediction with $R^2$ values of 0.74 and 0.82, respectively. Thus, it is expected that the suggested empirical models can be used for predicting thermal conductivity of soils by measuring porosity and water content.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2023

Purpose PET-CT imaging require an appropriate quality assurance system to achieve high efficiency and reliability. Quality control is essential for improving the quality of care and patient safety. Currently, there are performance evaluation methods of UN2-1994 and UN2-2001 proposed by NEMA and IEC for PET-CT image evaluation. In this study, we compare phantom images with the same experiments before and after PET-CT 3D normalization and well counter correction and evaluate the usefulness of quality control. Materials and methods Discovery 690 (General Electric Healthcare, USA) PET-CT equiptment was used to perform 3D normalization and well counter correction as recommended by GE Healthcare. Based on the recovery coefficients for the six spheres of the NEMA IEC Body Phantom recommended by the EARL. 20kBq/㎖ of ¹⁸F was injected into the sphere of the phantom and 2kBq/㎖ of ¹⁸F was injected into the body of phantom. PET-CT scan was performed with a radioacitivity ratio of 10:1. Images were reconstructed by appliying TOF+PSF+TOF, OSEM+PSF, OSEM and Gaussian filter 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6,5 mm with matrix size 128×128, slice thickness 3.75 mm, iteration 2, subset 16 conditions. The PET image was attenuation corrected using the CT images and analyzed using software program AW 4.7 (General Electric Healthcare, USA). The ROI was set to fit 6 spheres in the CT image, RC (Recovery Coefficient) was measured after fusion of PET and CT. Statistical analysis was performed wilcoxon signed rank test using R. Results Overall, after the quality control items were performed, the recovery coefficient of the phantom image increased and measured. Recovery coefficient according to the image reconstruction increased in the order TOF+PSF, TOF, OSEM+PSF, before and after quality control, RCmax increased by OSEM 0.13, OSEM+PSF 0.16, TOF 0.16, TOF+PSF 0.15 and RCmean increased by OSEM 0.09, OSEM+PSF 0.09, TOF 0.106, TOF+PSF 0.10. Both groups showed a statistically significant difference in Wilcoxon signed rank test results (P value<0.001). Conclusion PET-CT system require quality assurance to achieve high efficiency and reliability. Standardized intervals and procedures should be followed for quality control. We hope that this study will be a good opportunity to think about the importance of quality control in PET-CT

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.27-42
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• 2016

This study is to investigate seaport clustering by using meta-frontier and cross-efficiency models. Data covers the 13 Asian ports during 2009, 2010 and 2013 with 3 inputs(depth, total area, and number of cranes) and 1 output(TEU). Correlations coefficient from cross-efficiency matrix are used for measuring clustering dendrogram. After that, meta-frontier analysis for investigating whether the clustering using cross-efficiency method increases the meta-efficiency. Empirical main results are as follows: First, group efficiencies of Busan, Incheon, and Gwangyang ports are increased. Second, meta and group efficiencies of China ports are greater than those of Korean ports. Third, distortion of technology gap of Gwangyang is lower than that of Busan and Incheon. Fourth, Gwangyang, clustering with Ningbo, Chingtao, Tokyo and Caosung ports in 2009 and with Dubai port in 2013 can increase the efficiency. Fifth, to enhance the efficiency, Busan port should be clustered to group 2 in 2010 and group 1 in 2013, and Incheon port clustered to group 2 in 2010 and 2013. Fifth, it is empirically investigated that Busan, Incheon and Gwangyang ports can increase the efficiency by using Cross-efficiency and Meta-frontier models. Port policy planner should promote the clustering policy for Busan with Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore, Incheon and Gwangyang with Chingtao, Nagoya, Ningbo, Tokyo, and Kaoshung ports.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.19-27
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• 2023

This paper is aimed at exploring a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural trianglulation of Black, White, and Korean American race relations connected to a large-scale disturbance in the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The second generation Korean American Steph Cha's Your House Will Pay (2019) focuses on a social portrait of the racially marginalized beings as Korean immigrant merchants and African American native consumers. This family saga explores issues resulting from racial hierarchy, racialized stereotypes, and historical marginalization in the internalized sociometry of race and class inequality. This work grapples with issues involved in a sociocultural web of racial triangulation under the white dominant structure, and ensuing intergroup conflicts of social minorities in the economic geography of urban space. It opens up civil discussions for transracial, transethnic, and transcultural interactions and coexistence. It ultimately leads to extending young people's minds for a deep understanding of the socioecomonic landscape of racial matrix, and enhancing the cultural literacy for a better awareness of social empathy and the communal respect of life.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.27-35
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• 2023

In this paper, we propose a process of increasing productivity by applying a deep learning-based defect detection and classification system to the prepreg fiber manufacturing process, which is in high demand in the field of producing composite materials. In order to apply it to toe prepreg manufacturing equipment that requires a solution due to the occurrence of a large amount of defects in various conditions, the optimal environment was first established by selecting cameras and lights necessary for defect detection and classification model production. In addition, data necessary for the production of multiple classification models were collected and labeled according to normal and defective conditions. The multi-classification model is made based on CNN and applies pre-learning models such as VGGNet, MobileNet, ResNet, etc. to compare performance and identify improvement directions with accuracy and loss graphs. Data augmentation and dropout techniques were applied to identify and improve overfitting problems as major problems. In order to evaluate the performance of the model, a performance evaluation was conducted using the confusion matrix as a performance indicator, and the performance of more than 99% was confirmed. In addition, it checks the classification results for images acquired in real time by applying them to the actual process to check whether the discrimination values are accurately derived.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.716-725
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• 2023

Objective : Anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) is a common surgical procedure used to treat cervical spinal degenerative diseases. One of the complications associated with ACSS is prevertebral soft tissue swelling (PSTS), which can result in airway obstruction, dysphagia, and other adverse outcomes. This study aims to investigate the correlation between various cervical sagittal parameters and PSTS following single-level ACSS, as well as to identify independent risk factors for PSTS. Methods : A retrospective study conducted at a single institution. The study population included all patients who underwent single-level ACSS between January 2014 and December 2022. Patients with a history of cervical spine surgery or trauma were excluded from the study. The presence and severity of PSTS was assessed by reviewing pre- and postoperative imaging studies. The potential risk factors for PSTS that were examined include patient age, sex, body mass index, tobacco use, comorbidities, serum albumin levels, operative time, implant type, implanted level, and various cervical spine sagittal parameters. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors for PSTS. Results : A total of 62 consecutive patients who underwent single-level ACSS over a 8-year period at a single institution were enrolled in this study. Only preoperative segmental angle showed positive correlation with PSTS among various cervical spine sagittal parameters (r=0.36, p=0.005). Artificial disc replacement showed a negative correlation with PSTS (β=-0.38, p=0.002), whereas the use of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) had a positive impact on PSTS (β=0.33, p=0.009). We found that male sex, lower preoperative serum albumin, and implantation of upper cervical level (above C5) were independent predictors for PSTS after single-level ACSS (β=1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 2.15; p=0.012; β=-1.63; 95% CI, -2.91 to -0.34; p=0.014; β=1.44; 95% CI, 0.38 to 2.49; p=0.008, respectively). Conclusion : Our study identified male sex, lower preoperative serum albumin levels, and upper cervical level involvement as independent risk factors for PSTS after single-level ACSS. These findings can help clinicians monitor high-risk patients and take preventive measures to reduce complications. Further research with larger sample sizes and prospective designs is needed to validate these findings.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.334-346
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• 2023

The antioxidant ability of 80% ethanolic extract of nutmeg seed (NM80) was evaluated using in vitro assays and bulk oil and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion matrices. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) cation radical scavenging, and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) in vitro assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant ability of the extract. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of 25, 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL NM80 were 12.5, 20.9, 35.1, and 62.8%, respectively, while the ABTS cation radical scavenging activities were 2.7, 6.5, 30.5, and 29.8%, respectively, demonstrating a dose-dependent effect. The ORAC value was significantly higher at an NM80 concentration of 25 ㎍/mL than the positive control (p<0.05). The conjugated dienoic acid (CDA), ρ-anisidine, and tertiary butyl alcohol values in 90-min-heated corn oil containing 200 ppm of NM80 were significantly reduced by 3.26, 16.94, and 17.34%, respectively, compared to those for the sample without NM80 (p<0.05). However, the headspace oxygen content and CDA value in the O/W emulsion containing 200 ppm of NM80 at 60℃ had 6.29 and 82.85% lower values, respectively, than those for the sample without NM80 (p<0.05). The major volatile compounds of NM80 were allyl phenoxyacetate, eugenol acetate, and eugenol. NM80 could be an effective natural antioxidant in lipid-rich foods in bulk oil or O/W emulsion matrix.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.310-319
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of perinatal risk factors on brain maturation and the relationship of brain maturation and neurodevelopmental outcomes with brain maturation scoring system in brain MRI. Methods: ELBWI infants born at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 2006 to December 2010 were included. A retrospective analysis was performed with their medical record and brain MR images acquired at near full term. We read brain MRI and measured maturity with total maturation score (TMS). TMS is a previously developed anatomic scoring system to assess brain maturity. The total maturation score was used to evaluate the four parameters of maturity: (1) myelination, (2) cortical infolding, (3) involution of glial cell migration bands, and (4) presence of germinal matrix tissue. Results: Images from 124 infants were evaluated. Their mean gestational age at birth was 27.1${\pm}$2.1 weeks, and mean birth weight was 781.5${\pm}$143.9 g. The mean TMS was 10.8${\pm}$2.0. TMS was significantly related to the postmenstrual age (PMA) of the infant, increasing with advancing postmenstrual age (P<0.001). TMS showed no significance with neurodevelopmental delay, and with brain injury, respectively. Conclusion: TMS was developed for evaluating brain maturation in conventional brain MRI. The results of this study suggest that TMS was not useful for predicting neurodevelopmental delay, but further studies are needed to make standard score for each PMA and to re-evaluate the relationship between brain maturation and neurodevelopmental delay.