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Non-radiologic Methods for Predicting Vesicoureteral Reflux in Childhood Urinary Tract Infection (요로감염 환아에서 비방사선학적 방법에 의한 방광요관역류의 조기 예측에 관한 연구)

  • Jeon Seong-Hoi;Lee K.C.;Yoo Kee-Hwan
    • Childhood Kidney Diseases
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.38-45
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    • 1997
  • Purpose : Vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in childhood may be the primary cause of recurrent urinary tract infection and renal scarring. Renal ultrasonography, DMSA, and voiding cystourethrogram are the standard clinical methods for detection of vesicoureteral reflux. But these methods have many disadvantages such as invasiveness and high cost. So, we studied to observe the significance of urine ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin in association with other non-radiologic methods for predictng vesicoureteral reflux. Methods : We evaluated 40 patients with urinary tract infection who were admitted to Korea university Hospital from July 1993 to June 1994. Among them, 24 patients revealed urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux(group A), 16 patients revealed only urinary tract infection(group B). Both groups were compared by presence of fever, hematuria, and proteinuria, positivity of CRP, and level of BUN, Cr, GFR by 99mTc-DTPA, urine ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin, 24 hours urine albumin. Results : 1) Among 24 patients who had vesicoureteral reflux, 14 had unilateral VUR, 10 had bilateral VUR, three kidneys with grade I, nine with grade II, eleven with grade III, eleven with grade IV by classification of International Reflux Study Committee. Among them, 14 patients had renal scar, five with type A, five with type B, four with type C, none with type D by Smellie's classification. 2) The mean of GFR, BUN, Cr, 24hrs urine albumin and the presence of hematuria and proteinuria showed no significant difference between group A and group B. The mean of urine ${\beta}_2$ microglobulin in group A and group B were $283.6{\pm}195.8{\mu}g/l$ and $78.7{\pm}48.5{\mu}g/l$ respectively, showing that group A had a higher value than group B (p<0.01). In case of ${\beta}_2$ microglobulin > $120{\mu}g/l$ and CRP(+), the sensitivity was 93.3% and the specificity is 77.8% for detecting of VUR. In case of ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin>$120{\mu}g/l$ and fever(+), the sensitivity was 92.2%, and the specificity was 62.5% for detecting of VUR Conclusions : If the level of urinary ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin is more than 120ug/l in children with urinary tract infection in association with fever(+) or CRP(+), it can predict VUR. So we can use it for early detection of VUR.

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The Effect of an Anticholinergic Agent(Oxybutynin) on Spontaneous Resolution of Primary Vesicoureteral Reflux (항콜린제(옥시부티닌)가 원발성 방광요관역류의 자연 소실에 미치는 영향)

  • Ahn So-Hyun;Shim So-Yun;Lee Jung-Won;Cho Su-Jin;Lee Seung-Joo
    • Childhood Kidney Diseases
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.174-180
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    • 2003
  • Purpose : Unstable bladder has been known to be one of the reasons for the genesis and persistance of primary vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in children. And treatment of unstable bladder by anticholinergic agent may contribute to the resolution of primary VUR. We evaluated the effect of an anticholinergic agent(oxybutynin) on the resolution of primary VUR in children with different toilet training and voiding functions. Methods : 152 children with persistant primary VUR after one year of follow up were randomly assigned to the oxybutynin group(n=59, oxybutynin 0.2 mg/kg twice daily) and the control group(n=93, no oxybutynin) at Ewha Womans University Mok-Dong Hospital from October 1996 to April 2002. The resolution rate of the VUR and the difference according to the status of toilet training and voiding dysfunction were analyzed. Statistical analysis was done by the Chi-square test and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results : VUR was resolved in 49.2%, improved in 20.3% and not changed in 30.5% in the oxybutynin group(n=59) which was not significantly different to 45.2%, 16.1%, 38.7% in the control group(n=93), respectively. In the non-toilet trained young children, VUR was resolved in 50.0%, improved in 23.5% and not changed in 26.5% in the oxybutynin group(n=34) which was not significantly different to 44.2%, 19.2%, 36.6% in the control group(n=52), respectively. In the toilet trained older children, VUR was resolved in 48.0%, improved in 16.0% and not changed in 36.0% in the oxybutynin group(n=25) which was not significantly different to 46.3%, 12.2%, 41.5% in the control group(n=41), respectively. In the toilet trained older children with no voiding dysfunction, VUR was resolved in 33.3%, improved in 11.1% and not changed in 55.5% in the of oxybutynin group(n=9) which was not significantly different to 53.6 %, 10.7%, 35.7% in the control group(n=28), respectively. In the toilet trained older children with voiding dysfunction, VUR was resolved in 56.3%, improved in 18.7% and not changed in 25.0% in the oxybutynin group(n=16), which looked higher than 30.7%, 15.4%, 53.9% in the control group(n=13), respectively, but these were not significantly different either. Conclusion : Oxybutynin was not effective in the resolution of primary VUR in non-toilet trained young children and toilet trained older children. Oxybutynin showed slightly higher tendency of reflux resolution in toilet-trained older children with voiding dysfunction but the difference was not statistically significant. Judicious use of oxybutynin is required in selected older children with VUR and voiding dysfunction.

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VKOSPI Forecasting and Option Trading Application Using SVM (SVM을 이용한 VKOSPI 일 중 변화 예측과 실제 옵션 매매에의 적용)

  • Ra, Yun Seon;Choi, Heung Sik;Kim, Sun Woong
    • Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.177-192
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    • 2016
  • Machine learning is a field of artificial intelligence. It refers to an area of computer science related to providing machines the ability to perform their own data analysis, decision making and forecasting. For example, one of the representative machine learning models is artificial neural network, which is a statistical learning algorithm inspired by the neural network structure of biology. In addition, there are other machine learning models such as decision tree model, naive bayes model and SVM(support vector machine) model. Among the machine learning models, we use SVM model in this study because it is mainly used for classification and regression analysis that fits well to our study. The core principle of SVM is to find a reasonable hyperplane that distinguishes different group in the data space. Given information about the data in any two groups, the SVM model judges to which group the new data belongs based on the hyperplane obtained from the given data set. Thus, the more the amount of meaningful data, the better the machine learning ability. In recent years, many financial experts have focused on machine learning, seeing the possibility of combining with machine learning and the financial field where vast amounts of financial data exist. Machine learning techniques have been proved to be powerful in describing the non-stationary and chaotic stock price dynamics. A lot of researches have been successfully conducted on forecasting of stock prices using machine learning algorithms. Recently, financial companies have begun to provide Robo-Advisor service, a compound word of Robot and Advisor, which can perform various financial tasks through advanced algorithms using rapidly changing huge amount of data. Robo-Adviser's main task is to advise the investors about the investor's personal investment propensity and to provide the service to manage the portfolio automatically. In this study, we propose a method of forecasting the Korean volatility index, VKOSPI, using the SVM model, which is one of the machine learning methods, and applying it to real option trading to increase the trading performance. VKOSPI is a measure of the future volatility of the KOSPI 200 index based on KOSPI 200 index option prices. VKOSPI is similar to the VIX index, which is based on S&P 500 option price in the United States. The Korea Exchange(KRX) calculates and announce the real-time VKOSPI index. VKOSPI is the same as the usual volatility and affects the option prices. The direction of VKOSPI and option prices show positive relation regardless of the option type (call and put options with various striking prices). If the volatility increases, all of the call and put option premium increases because the probability of the option's exercise possibility increases. The investor can know the rising value of the option price with respect to the volatility rising value in real time through Vega, a Black-Scholes's measurement index of an option's sensitivity to changes in the volatility. Therefore, accurate forecasting of VKOSPI movements is one of the important factors that can generate profit in option trading. In this study, we verified through real option data that the accurate forecast of VKOSPI is able to make a big profit in real option trading. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no studies on the idea of predicting the direction of VKOSPI based on machine learning and introducing the idea of applying it to actual option trading. In this study predicted daily VKOSPI changes through SVM model and then made intraday option strangle position, which gives profit as option prices reduce, only when VKOSPI is expected to decline during daytime. We analyzed the results and tested whether it is applicable to real option trading based on SVM's prediction. The results showed the prediction accuracy of VKOSPI was 57.83% on average, and the number of position entry times was 43.2 times, which is less than half of the benchmark (100 times). A small number of trading is an indicator of trading efficiency. In addition, the experiment proved that the trading performance was significantly higher than the benchmark.

A Study on the Seasonal Color Characteristics of Warm- and Cool-Season Grasses II. Color Characteristics and Life-span of Leaves in Turfgrasses and Cover Plants+ (난지형 및 한지형 지피식물의 엽색변화에 관한 연구 II. 엽색특성 및 엽수명연장)

  • 심재성;민병훈;서병기
    • Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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    • v.9 no.4
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    • pp.293-316
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    • 1995
  • Nitrogen fertilization and cutting practice were studied on turfgrasses and cover plants to investigate the possibility of maintaining green color during the growing season. Research also involved the effect of the nitrogen on a few morphological characteristics of leaf performance elements which might give an information to coloration and life-span of turf leaves. Treatments in the first experiment undertaken on pot included one N level: 350kgN /ha applied as compound fertilizer in split applications of one-half in mid-May and the rest both in late June and August, and four spring-summer cuts: late May, late June, late July and late August. The soil filled in pot a moderately well-drained sandy loam. In the second experiment(field observation) leaf length and width, inflorescence and flowering, and color performance were also investigated. With nitrogen fertilizer applied on turfs, desirable turf color was maintained during a period of poor coloration in specific seasons such as mid-summer for cool season grasses and late fall for warm season grasses comparing to the non-treatment. However, this was not stimulated by cutting treatment to nitrogen status existed. Cutting effect on coloration was more remarkable in both Korean lawngrass and Manilagrass than in cool season turfgrasses such as Italian rye-grass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. Especially down-slide of leaf color in cool season turfgrasses could he detected in mid-summer /early fall season ranging up to mid-September. In early November as well as mid-September, Italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fes-cue retained a high level of green color as followed by nitrogen application and cutting treatment, and little detectable variation of leaf color notation between cool season turfgrasses was obtained. However, Korean la'vngrass and Manilagrass failed to retain the green color until early November. Color notations in cool season turfgrasses investigated early November on the final date of the experiment ranged from 5 GY 3/1 to 4/8 in 'Ramultra' Italian ryegrass, 'Reveile' perennial ryegrass and 'Arid' tall fescue, but those in Zoysiagrasses were 7.5 YR 4/8 in Korean lawngrass and 2.5 y 5 /6 in Manilagrass. Life-span of leaves was shorter in Italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue than in beth Korean lawngrass and Manilagrass with and without nitrogen application. In general, leaves appeared in early May had a long life-span than those appeared in late April or mid-June. Nitrogen application significantly prolonged the green color retaining period in perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, Korean lawngrass and Manilagrass, and this was contrasted with the fact that there was no prolonged life-span of leaves emerging in early May and mid-June in tall fescue. SPAD reading values in 48 turfs and cover plants investigated in the field trial were increasing until late June and again decreasing till September. Increasing trends of reading value could be observed in the middle of October in most of grasses. On the other hand, clovers and reed canarygrasses did not restore their color values even in October. Color differences between inter-varieties, and inter-species occurred during the growing season under the field condition implicated that selection of species and /or cultivars for mixture should be taken into consideration. In Munsell color notation investigated in the final date in the middle of November, 32 cultivars belonged under the category of 5 GY and 10 cultivars under the category of 7.5 GY. This was implying that most of cool season turfs and cover plants grown in the center zone of Korean Peninsula which are able to utilize for landscape use can bear their reasonable green color by early or mid-November when properly managed. The applicable possibilities of SPAD readings and Munsell color notation to determine the color status of turfgrasses and cover plants used in this study were discussed.

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Weed Population and Rice Yield in Organic Rice-Green Manure Crops Rotation System (녹비작물 이용 유기벼 재배지의 논잡초 발생과 벼 수량)

  • Choi, Bong-Su;Jeon, Weon-Tai;Lee, Yong-Hwan;Kim, Min-Tae;Eum, Sun-Pyo;Oh, Gae-Jung;Cho, Hyun-Suk;Park, Tae-Seon;Seong, Ki-Yeong
    • Korean Journal of Weed Science
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    • v.31 no.4
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    • pp.360-367
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    • 2011
  • The use of green manure crop is one of the methods for alternative of chemical fertilizer as well as maintain of soil sustainability, therefore we evaluated the effect of green manure crops on rice growth and weed occurrence in rice-green manure crop double cropping system. The treatments consisted of incorporation of hairy vetch, barley or combined hairy vetch and barley without any agrochemical or fertilizer. In hand weeding, rice yield in hairy vetch only or hairy vetch and barley incorporated fields was attained by 90% and 93% of the conventional practice, respectively, while the value in barley incorporated fields was just 79%. Although the rice yields were lower than the hand weed control, similar trends in non-weed control were observed among all treatments. At maximum tillering stage, occurred weeds in hairy vetch, barley or hairy vetch and barley incorporated fields were five, five and two species, respectively, while those in conventional practice were six species. Also, the dry weight of weeds in hairy vetch and barley incorporated fields was decreased by 33% and 53% compared to it of conventional practice, while the value in hairy vetch and barley incorporated field was increased by 34%. Among all treatments, although occurrence density of Echinochloa crus-galli was lower than another weed species, the dry weight of it significantly increased. These results suggested that although continuous incorporation of proper amount of legume green manure crops was possible to productivity insurance of crop, but to attain it was essential to the effective management of weeds.

Application of Response Surface Methodology for Optimization of Nature Dye Extraction Process (천연색소 추출공정 최적화를 위한 반응표면분석법의 적용)

  • Lee, Seung Bum;Lee, Won Jae;Hong, In Kwon
    • Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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    • v.29 no.3
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    • pp.283-288
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    • 2018
  • As the use of environmentally friendly and non-disease natural pigments grows, various methods for extracting natural pigments have been studied. The natural color was extracted from parsley, a vegetable ingredient containing natural dyes. Target color codes of green series of natural dyes extracted as variables #50932C (L = 55.0, a = -40.0, b = 46.0) were set with the pH and temperature of extracted natural color coordinates (of the extracted), and the quantitative intensities of natural dyes were analyzed. During the colorimetric analysis predicted by the reaction surface analysis method, a color coordinate analysis was conducted under the optimal conditions of pH 8.0 and extraction temperature of $60.9^{\circ}C$. Under these conditions, predicted figures of L, a, and b were 55.0, -36.3, and 36.8, respectively, while actual experimental ones confirmed were 69.0, -35.9, and 31.4, respectively. In these results, the theory accuracy and actual error rate were confirmed to be 73.0 and 13.8%, respectively. The theoretical optimization condition of the color difference (${\Delta}E$) was at the pH of 9.2 and extraction temperature of $55.2^{\circ}C$. Under these conditions the predicted ${\Delta}E$ figure was 12.4 while the experimental one was 13.0. The difference in color analysis showed 97.5% of the theoretical accuracy and 4.5% of the actual error rate. However, the combination of color coordinates did not represent a desired target color, but rather close to the targeted color by means of an arithmetic mean. Therefore, it can be said that when the reaction surface analysis method was applied to the natural dye extraction process, the use of color coordinates as a response value can be a better method for optimizing the dye extraction process.

평행식 진동탄환 암거 천공기의 연구 (IV)(V)-실기 설계 제작 및 보장실험-Development of Balanced-Type Oscillating Mole Drainer(IV)(V)

  • 김용환;이승규;서상용
    • Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.7-24
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    • 1977
  • This paper is the forth and fifth one of the study on balanced type oscillating mole drainer. In the light of the results from previous reports about the model tests, some design criteria were established and a prototype machine was set up for experimental purpose. Motion characteristics and functionof the each parts of the machine were checked and analyzed. After that, performance tests of the prototype machine were carried out in thefield. Obtained results are summarized as follows ; 1. Ten centimeter of the bullet diameter was determined so as to be able to attach it to the tractors with capacity of 30 PS to 40 PS. 2. To maintain the balance between the moments of the front shank and rear shank, the oscillating amplitude of the rear bullet was determined to be larger than that of the front bullet. At the same time , the oscillating direction of the rear bullet was designed with the inclines of ten to thirty degrees. 3. An octagonal dynamo transduced was developed for measuring the compressive force of the upper link is measuring the draft force of the machine. Acceptable linear relationship between forces and strain responses from O.D.T. was obtained. 4. Analysing the balancing mechanism of the acting part of the machine , it was found that the total draft force of the machine was equal to the difference between the sum of the draft force produced from the right and left side bending moments of the lower drawber and the compressive force on the upper link. 5. There are acceptable linear relationship between the strain and twisting moment by driving shaft, and between strain and shank moment. Above results enable us to carry out the field experiment with prototype machine. 6. When the test machine was used in the field, it was possible to reduce the oscillating acceleration by forty percent in average as compared it with the single bullet mole drainer. 7. When the test machine was used under the oscillating condition, the dratt torce was reduced by 27 percent to 59 percent as compared it with the test machine under non-oscillating condition, while the draft force was increased by 7 percent to 20 percent as compared it with the mole drainer having oscillating single bullet. The reasoning behind this fact was considered as the resistance force due to the rear shank and bullet. 8. As the amplitude and frequency of the bullet were increased, the torque was increased accordingly. This tendency could be varied with the various characteristics of the given soils. And the larger frequency and amplitute, the more increasing oscil\ulcornerlating power but decreasing draft brce were needed, and draft force was increased as the velocity was increased.9. When the amplitude of the rear bullet was designed to be larger than that of the front bullet, the minimum value of the moment was lowered and oscillating acceleration was reduced. And when the oscillating direction of the rear bullet was declined back\ulcornerwards, oscillating acceleration was increased along with the increasing angle of decli\ulcornernation. When the test machine was operated in high speed, the difference between maximum moments and minimum ones became narrow. This varying magnitude of moments appeared on the moment oscillogram seems to be correlated to the oscillating acceleration and draft force. 10. From the analysis of variance, it was found that those factors such as frequency, amplitude, and operating velocity significantly affected in the oscillating acceleration, the draft resistance, the torque, the moment, and the total power required. And interaction between frequency and amplitude affected in the oscillating acceleration. 11. Within the given situation of this study, the most preferable operating conditions of the test machine were 7 Hz in oscillating frequency, 0.54 m/sec in operating velocity, and 39.1 mm in oscillating amplitude of front and rear bullets. However, it is necessary to select the proper frequency and magnitude of oscillation depending on the soil properties of the field in which the mole drainer is practiced by use of a bal1nced type oscillating mole drainer. 12. It is recommended that a comparative study of the mole drainers would be performed in the near future using two separate balanced oscillating bullet with the one which is operated by oscillating the movable bullet in a single cylinder or other balanced type which may be single oscillating bullet with spring, damper or balancing weight, and that of thing. To expand the applicability of the balanced type oscillating mole drainer in practical use, it is suggested to develop a new mechanism which perform mole drain with vinyl pipe or filling material such as rice hull.

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Establishment of a Buddhist Arboretum through a Survey of Temple Managers and Laypersons (사찰림 관리자와 일반인의 인식조사를 통한 불교수목원 조성방안)

  • Yi, Young-Kyoung;Yi, Pyong-In
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.42 no.1
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    • pp.104-114
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    • 2014
  • Nowadays, forests have been recognized as valuable resources for biological diversity and tourism/recreation. Temple forests occupy 1.3% of all the Korean forest and are under weak management although their ecological states are very good. Currently in the Buddhist society, the concern for the Buddhist arboretum has been raised as a good alternative for the practical use of temple forests to secure the sustainability of the temple forests as well as to actively meet the demand of the times for forests. This study aims to suggest establishment measures of Buddhist arboretum. This survey was performed on 105 temple forest managers and 130 laypersons. To summarize the results, the two groups differ in opinion. The temple forest managers more concerned for advertizing Buddhist culture and enhancing the image of the temple, while the laypersons had higher expectations for relaxation and education. However, they are similar in putting more emphasis on the conserving the heritage value of the temple and managing the temple forest. Above all, both groups evaluated the needs higher than the urgency and perceived managing temple forest as the most crucial function of a Buddhist arboretum. They also thought that a Buddhist arboretum should be planned to respond to the ecological characteristics of the temple area as well as to be non-exclusive to its users. Based on the important findings, five suggestions for a Buddhist arboretum were proposed. First, a Buddhist arboretum should be carried forward from a long-term point of view, developing a bond of sympathy between members of Buddhist society as well as conducting promotion and education to the general public. Second, the most significant function of a Buddhist arboretum should be preserving the temple forest, with the emphasis on relaxation and education. Third, in order to provide nonexclusive use, a Buddhist arboretum should provide mixed programs applicable to diverse user groups for high user satisfaction and educational effects. Fourth, the Buddhistic identification could be obtained through variety of plants closely associated with Buddhist culture. Lastly, in the process of collecting plants, it is also crucial to reflect the image of the temple and resource property so as to contribute itself in conservation and management of original temple forests. Thereby all Buddhist Arboretum can be classified into two types; preservation/collection and display/education/rest.

A Study on Inhabitants Consciousness of Urban Residential Area Scenic Sites - Focused on Historical and Cultural Environment Conservation Area of Seongragwon(Scenic Sites no.35) Area - (도심지 내 명승 주변지역 거주민의 의식 연구 - 명승 제35호 성락원(城樂園) 주변 역사문화환경 보전지역을 중심으로 -)

  • Yeon, Ung;Lee, Won-Ho;Lee, Se-Mi
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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    • v.31 no.1
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    • pp.38-47
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    • 2013
  • This study was performed in order to preserve and protect the scenic sites and surrounding environment is located in the Urban Residential Area. After classifying the type of area surrounding parcels of Seongbuk-dong is located in Seongragwon, Satisfaction Survey, scenic sites designated areas for residents living near the analyzed. Research methods, Cadastral research, literature survey, field survey, and the survey was conducted. Cultural heritage awareness about the collected questionnaires of frequency analysis, and reliability analysis for cultural heritages around satisfaction, satisfaction analysis by parcel area, parcel area for the verification of specific differences regression analysis for the full-on relationship satisfaction, one-way ANOVA was conducted for each. Overall Cultural awareness analysis results, the residence is located close to the Seoul Seonjamdanji, Seongragwon, Simujang, Sanghoe Lee Tae-Joon's houses, Seoul Hanyang castle showed that cultural heritage were know unfulfilled cultural heritage. The purpose of cultural heritage visit was to break/walks. Preservation was usually level and there is no inconvenience caused as a cultural heritage. Regulatory intensity level was usually level and showed a positive reaction to the impact of cultural heritage in Seongbuk-dong image mostly. cultural heritage have a positive impact on the image of the town. but access to cultural heritage is not easy and doesn't affect the life is expected. Overall satisfaction for cultural heritages in the surrounding space, the larger the size of the lot, and higher satisfaction. Seongbuk-dong most of the residents satisfaction was higher. Small lots of residents showed low satisfaction for safety when walking at night, heritage value rise, private ownership of heritage use, harmony with surrounding environment, Building exterior, non-physical uniqueness like culture art mental. It can be interpreted that small lots of residential environment quality is low compared to the large lots, influx of residents in other regions due to the redevelopment of one of Seongbuk-dong, private ownership of heritage use. And generally lower satisfaction on the harmonization of the facility(street lights, signs, etc.). Therefore cultural heritage signs for facility expansion, cultural educational programs, will be needed to maintain the uniqueness village when scenic sites in the city center around the area of management strategy.

The Evaluation of Images with Various Filters in I-131 SPECT/CT (I-131 SPECT/CT에서 Ringing Artifact 감소를 위한 다양한 Filter값의 적용)

  • Kim, Ha Gyun;Kim, Soo Mee;Woo, Jae Ryong;Oh, So Won;Lee, Jae Sung;Kim, Yu Kyeong
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.62-68
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: After I-131 therapy, SPECT/CT is useful in identifying location of thyroid remnants and metastasis of thyroid cancers. An excessive uptake of thyroid leads to a ringing artifact in the SPECT images. The aim of this study is to investigate and suggest a proper post filters to remove ringing artifact and produce better image quality. Materials and Methods: A low-cost, customized thyroid-mimicking phantom, consisting of an acrylic bottle and a hollow sphere was used for SPECT/CT Discovery (GE Healthcare, USA). It was filled with I-131 solution. The ratio of hollow sphere to background were varied as 50:1, 200:1, 1000:1 and 4000:1. Acquired images were reconstructed by OSEM (2 iterations, 10 subsets) with and without Evolution (resolution recovery correction, GE). Three different post-filters were applied; Butterworth (cut off: 0.38 to 0.58 with intervals of 0.05), Hanning (cut off: 0.8 to 1 with intervals of 0.05) and Gaussian (FWHM: 3 to 5 with intervals of 0.5) filters. Contrast, background variability, air area variability, and full width half maximum (FWHM) were compared. Results: Higher contrasts were obtained from the SPECT images with Evolution than without Evolution. In the case of images without Evolution, image distortion such as star artifact was generated. For all sphere-to-background ratio, the Butterworth filter showed better constrasts and FWHMs than other two filters, but the ringing artifact was still generated in all studies except 50:1 and it was decreased as cutoff value was increased. The ringing artifact didn't appear with Hanning and Gaussian filters at all studies, however constrats and FWHMs with Gaussian was worse than Hanning filter. For the images having ringing artifacts, the background variability and air area variability were increased. Conclusion: In this study, we suggested that it is desirable to use Hanning filter when the ringing artifact is generated and to use Butterworth filter when ringing artifact is not generated in I-131 SPECT.

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