• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.213-221
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• 2008

Purpose: The objective of this retrospective study was to identify predictive factors for the complete pathologic response and tumor downstaging after preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Between the years 2000 and 2008, 39 patients with newly diagnosed rectal cancer without prior evidence of distant metastasis received preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. The median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy (range, $45{\sim}59.4\;Gy$)). Thirty-eight patients received concurrent infusional 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin, while one patient received oral capecitabine twice daily during radiotherapy. Results: A complete pathologic response (CR) was demonstrated in 12 of 39 patients (31%), while T-downstaging was observed in 24 of 39 patients (63%). N-downstaging was observed in 18 of 28 patients (64%), with a positive node in the CT scan or ultrasound. Two patients with clinical negative nodes were observed in surgical specimens. The results from a univariate analysis indicated that the tumor circumferential extent was less than 50% (p=0.031). Moreover, the length of the tumor was less than 5 cm (p=0.004), while the post-treatment carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were less than or equal to 3.0 ng/mL (p=0.015) and were significantly associated with high pathologic CR rates. The univariate analysis also indicated that the adenocarcinoma (p=0.045) and radiation dose greater than or equal to 50 Gy (p=0.021) were significantly associated with high T-downstaging, while a radiotherapy duration of less than or equal to 42 days (p=0.018) was significantly associated with N-downstaging. The results from the multivariate analysis indicated that the lesser circumferential extent of the tumor (hazard ratio [HR] 0.150; p=0.028) and shorter tumor length (HR, 0.084; p=0.005) independently predicted a higher pathologic CR. The multivariate analysis also indicated that a higher radiation dose was significantly associated with higher T-downstaging (HR, 0.115; p=0.025), while the shorter duration of radiotherapy was significantly associated with higher N-downstaging (HR, 0.028; p=0.010). Conclusion: The circumferential extent of the tumor and its length was a predictor for the pathologic CR, while radiation dose and duration of radiotherapy were predictors for tumor downstaging. Hence, these factors may be used to predict outcomes for patients and to develop further treatment guidelines for high-risk patients.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.471-484
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• 2009

This study was carried out to classify vegetation structure on the deciduous forest at Namdeogyu area in Deogyusan National Park from May 2007 to September 2008 using the gradient analyses and phytosociological method. The vegetation was classified into Quercus mongolica community(Typical subcommunity, Rhododendron sehlippenbaehii-Q. mongolica subcommunity, Carex lanceolata-Q. mongolica subcommunity), Q. Serrata community(Typical subcommunity, Q. variabilis -Q. serrata subcommunity, Carpinus laxiflora - Q. serrata subcommunity), C. laxiflora community, Fraxinus mandshurica community and Corn us controversa community. Ecological characteristics such as species composition, layer structure, vegetation ratio, and the distribution of individual trees by DBH(diameter at breast height) were significantly different among communities. The order of important value of the forest community with DBH 2cm above plants was Q. mongolica(67.8), F. mandshurica(44.8), Q. serrata(27.5), Acer pseudo-sieboldianum(17.0), C. controversa(l5.9), F. sieboldiana(l1.5), R. schlippenbachii(11.0), C. cordata(11.0), Styrax obassia(10.9), Magnolia sieboldii(10.4) and C. laxiflora(9.8). Distribution of DBH of Q. mongolica had a formality distribution, suggesting a continuous domination of these species over the other species for the time being. In contrast, F. mandshurica appeared limited to the valley of the sheet and a higher frequency of young individuals, suggesting a continuous domination of these species the development of a climax forest terrain. Q. serrata had a higher frequency of young individuals and middle individuals, suggesting a continuous domination of these species over the other species for the time being in contrast. This study examined the correlation between each community and the environment according to DCCA ordination. The Q. mongolica community predominated in the highest elevation habitats which had many C.E.C and T-N. F. mandshurica community predominated in the highest elevation habitats which had many Moisture and EX-Cation. The Q. serrata community and C. laxiflora community mainly occurred in the low elevation habitats which had few C.E.C and T-N. The C. controversa community appeared on the park in the middle habitats.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.559-569
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• 2001

Background : Pleural effusion is one of the most common clinical manifestations associated with a variety of pulmonary diseases such as malignancy, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. However, there are no useful laboratory tests to determine the specific cause of pleural effusion. Therefore, an attempt was made to analyze the various types of pleural effusion and search for useful laboratory tests for pleural effusion in order to differentiate between the diseases, especially between a malignant pleural effusion and a non-malignant pleural effusion. Methods : 93 patients with a pleural effusion, who visited the Severance hospital from January 1998 to August 1999, were enrolled in this study. Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis was done and a confirmational diagnosis was made by a gram stain, bacterial culture, Ziehl-Neelsen stain, a mycobacterial culture, a pleural biopsy and cytology. Results : The male to female ratio was 56 : 37 and the average age was $47.1{\pm}21.8$ years. There were 16 cases with a malignant effusion, 12 cases with a para-malignant effusion, 36 cases with tuberculosis, 22 cases with a para-pneumonic effusion, and 7 cases with transudate. The LDH2 fraction was significantly higher in the para-malignant effusion group compared to the para-pneumonic effusion group [$30.6{\pm}6.4%$ and $20.2{\pm}7.5%$, respectively (p<0.05)] and both the LDH1 and LDH2 fraction was significantly in the para-malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$16.4{\pm}7.2%$ vs. $7.6{\pm}4.7%$, and $30.6{\pm}6.4%$ vs.$17.6{\pm}6.3%$, respectively (p<0.05)]. The pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio was significantly lower in the malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$1.5{\pm}0.8$ vs. $2.1{\pm}0.6$, respectively (p<0.05)]. The LDH4 fraction and the pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio was significantly lower in the para-malignant effusion group compared to those with tuberculosis [$17.0{\pm}5.8%$ vs. $23.5{\pm}4.6%$ and $1.3{\pm}0.4$ vs. $2.1{\pm}0.6$, respectively (p<0.05)]. Conclusion : These results suggest that the LDH isoenzyme was the only useful biochemical test for a differential diagnosis of the various diseases. In particular, the most useful test was the pleural effusion/serum LDH4 fraction ratio to distinguish between a para-malignant effusion and a tuberculous effusion.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2013

Coal ash can be added to agricultural soils to increase the chemical properties of soil such as pH, cation exchange capacity and nutrient availability of - B, Ca, Mo etc-. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of fly ash as a soil amendment in paddy soils. Selected fly ash was mixed with bentonite and calcium hydroxide at the ratio of 80:15:5 (w/w) and manufactured as a pellet type at the size of 10 mm. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of fly ash fertilizer on the soil quality and crop growth compare to the control (no fertilizer) and, - traditional fertilizer. Results showed that soil pH and organic matter in paddy soils after applying the manufactured fly ash fertilizer were not increased compared to the other two treatments. However, the concentration of available phosphate and silicate in paddy soils were higher than those of the control and traditional fertilization. With regard to crop growth, no significant difference was observed between three different treatments. However, the content of protein in the rice grain cultivated with the fly ash fertilizer was higher than in the rice cultivated by other two treatments. Overall, fly ash fertilizer could increase the concentration of available silicate and phosphate in the paddy soil and improve the rice quality. In conclusion, fly ash can be utilized in agricultural soils as soil amendment, especially in the rice paddy soil.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.242-248
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• 1992

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of root-zone temperature in hydroponics on the plant growth and nutrient uptake of lettuce(Lactuca sativa L), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L). Respiration rate in roots increased with increase in root-zone temperature. At $10^{\circ}C$ of root-zone temperature, respiration rate in lettuce root was higher than those in tomato and cucumber. Increasing rate of root respiration in tomato with increase in root-zone temperature was greater than those in lettuce and cucumber. The lowest dry weight and leaf area of the crops studied were obtained at $10^{\circ}C$ of root-zone temperature, but they were not different between 20 and $30^{\circ}C$. Increase in root-zone temperature generally resulted in increase in T/R ratio and net assimilation rate. At the low root-zone temperature, root growth and leaf area of tomato and cucumber were severely affected. Relative growth rates of lettuce and cucumber were also greatly reduced by the low root-zone temperature. Contents of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in the crops increased as root-zone temperature increased from 10 to $20^{\circ}C$, whereas only Ca content in tomato and cucumber increased with increase in root-zone temperature to $30^{\circ}C$. Remarkably low contents of P and Mg in the crops were found at the low root-zone temperature. Inhibition of plant growth and nutrient uptake due to low root-zone temperature was much greater in cucumber than in lettuce and tomato.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2004

The Shihwa constructed wetland was established for the treatment of severely polluted water from Banwoul, Donghwa and Samhwa streams. This study was focused on investigating dynamics of phytoplankton communities in open waters and periphytic algae on reed (Phragmites communis) planting area at 5 stations from October 2001 to July 2002. The concentration of T-N and T-P of inlet stations from the streams were decreased by flowed through the wetland. However, the TN/TP ratios at all stations were shown as a little over 16 indicating that the T-P will play some role as a limitation factor. Phytoplankton communities were identified as a total 413 taxa which were composed of 375 species, 21 varieties, 2 forma and 15 unidentified species. Standing crops of phytoplankton communities and chlorophyll-a concentrations ranged from $330{\sim}36,420\;cells/mL$ and $2.5{\sim}170.7\;{\mu}g/L$ respectively, and showed the decreasing tendency after flowing through the wetland at almost all stations. Dominant species were 14 taxa at all stations which were Euglena oblonga and Synura spinosa etc. Periphytic algae on the reed were a total 329 taxa which were composed of 295 species, 13 varieties, 3 forma and 17 unidentified species. The species numbers were recorded in order of Chlorophyceae-Bascillariophyceae-Cyanophyceae-Euglenophyceae-Chrysophyceae. The relative abundance (%) was showed a seasonal variation from Cyanophyceae to Bascillariophyceae and to Chlorophyceae. Chlorophyll-a concentrations, ie. the biomass of periphytic algae were ranged from $5.5{\sim}363.8\;mg/m^2$. Dominant species were 16 taxa which were Lyngbya angusta of Cyanophyceae in the early investigation, and were changed to Stigeoclonium lubricum of Chlorophyceae, and Nitzschia plea of Bacillariophyceae etc. in the late. Species number, standing crops and chlorophyll-a concentrations of phytoplankton and perphytic algae were shown higher values at the inlet stations than the stations after flowing through the wetland.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.79-93
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• 2022

In this study, an electronics industrial wastewater activated sludge model (e-ASM) to be used as a Water Digital Twin was calibrated based on real high-tech electronics industrial wastewater treatment measurements from lab-scale and pilot-scale reactors, and examined for its treatment performance, effluent quality prediction, and optimal process selection. For specialized modeling of a high-tech electronics industrial wastewater treatment system, the kinetic parameters of the e-ASM were identified by a sensitivity analysis and calibrated by the multiple response surface method (MRS). The calibrated e-ASM showed a high compatibility of more than 90% with the experimental data from the lab-scale and pilot-scale processes. Four electronics industrial wastewater treatment processes-MLE, A2/O, 4-stage MLE-MBR, and Bardenpo-MBR-were implemented with the proposed Water Digital Twin to compare their removal efficiencies according to various electronics industrial wastewater characteristics. Bardenpo-MBR stably removed more than 90% of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and showed the highest nitrogen removal efficiency. Furthermore, a high concentration of 1,800 mg L^-1 T MAH influent could be 98% removed when the HRT of the Bardenpho-MBR process was more than 3 days. Hence, it is expected that the e-ASM in this study can be used as a Water Digital Twin platform with high compatibility in a variety of situations, including plant optimization, Water AI, and the selection of best available technology (BAT) for a sustainable high-tech electronics industry.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 1979

Red pepper paste were prepared by using various raw materials such as rice, glutinous rice, polished barley, polished wheat and corn powder, and their chemical compositions including reducing sugar, amino-N and ethanol were analyzed during the period of aging in order to elucidate effects of these starchy materials on the compositions and qualities of the products. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1) Koji of these materials were manufactured respectively by inoculating a strain of Asporyzae and their activities of protease and saccharifying amylase were determined. Wheat koji was found to have the highest level of protease activity among the koji, while glutinous rice koji had the strongest amylase activity. 2) Contents of moisture, crude protein, crude fat, and sodium chloride in the red pepper pastes were not changed significantly, however total sugar content was decreased during the period of aging. 3) After 60 days of aging, the highest amount (160mg%) amino nitrogen was detected in the red pepper paste of polished wheat, but higher levels of reducing sugar and ethanol contents were detected in that of glutinous rice. 4) Amino acids in the products were analyzed after 60 days of aging: a) Total 17 amino acids were detected. b) Free amino acid ratio to total amino acid content was approximately 35 percent in average. c) Free glutamic acid was higher than any other free amino acid In the amount and free ratio, but free methionine was lower. d) Lysine content was relatively high, while histidine and glycine were detected in trace. 5) Sensory tests including color, odor and taste on the products resulted in the highest mark for the red pepper paste of glutinous rice but in the lowest mark for that of corn powder.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.773-782
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• 2002

Purpose : To identify the necessity of more reasonable diagnostic criteria and the possibility of early prediction of coronary involvement in the higher risk group, we investigated and compared clinical and laboratory findings in the acute phase and coronary involvements in those younger (n=17) and older(n=53) than one year of age in Kawasaki disease(KD). Methods : Retrospective chart reviews were performed on 70 patients with KD who were admitted to the Chung-Ang University Hospital from April 1997 to May 2001. Results : Male were significantly higher in the younger age group(M : F ratio 3.3 : 1 vs. 1.0 : 1, P=0.004). Fever durations before intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) and echocardiography were significantly shorter in the younger group($4.6{\pm}1.3$ vs. $6.2{\pm}2.5$, P=0.004 vs. 0.01, respectively). Cases meeting typical diagnostic criteria were significantly less in the younger group(P=0.006). In the laboratory findings, serum albumin, BUN and $K^+$ levels in the acute febrile phase were significantly higher in the younger group(P=0.002, 0.006, <0.001, respectively) and incidences of coronary artery dilatation in the acute phase were significantly higher in the younger group(P=0.01). Conclusion : Although less met the typical diagnostic criteria of KD, infants younger than one year of age are more susceptible to coronary artery change in the acute febrile phase. Therefore, KD should be entertained as a diagnostic possibility in young infants with prolonged fever without distinct fever focus, and echocardiography should be considered as part of the evaluation of these patients, and then early diagnosis and prompt IVIG should be conducted.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1990

The paper board sludge(PBS) itself and compost sludge manure(CSM) mixed with sawdust, fowl droppings and urea to the PBS were treated to soybean plants to find the effects of growing characters, yield components, and nutritional compounds in the plant tissues. 1. Percentages of missing plants were 5-9% and 3.6-4.1% in the treatments of PBS and CSM, respectively. After that, the plants were restored to normal conditions. Anyway it is not desirable to use the paper board sludge and immature compost sludge manure in seeding time or to young seedlings. 2. Growth of the plant height was retarded in early growing phase, but it was normal in later stages. And the width and length of the largest leaf, numbers of main stem nodes and pods were not significant among the treatments. 3. The yield intends to increase through the treatments of 1,200, 1,600, and 2,000Kg PBS per 10a. In the CSM treatments with high rate of sawdust, fowl droppings and urea, the numbers of pods and grains were higher than the treatment of high content of PBS. 100-grain and one liter weights were opposite intention. It was suggested that the excess nitrogen amounts from the compost sludge manure than conventional fertilization affected to the yield components. 4. The contents of the main chemical compounds such as N, $P_2O_5$, $K_2O$, Ca, Mg were determined. The concentrations of nitrogen were higher in the treatment of PBS and CSM than none and control. 5. In conclusion, the nutritional effects of PBS were in evidence. To use the sludges, it should be fermented with adequate additives to improve the aeration, C/N ratio, activity of microbial, and other conditions. The sludges could be used to crops as a fertilizers effectively.