• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4071-4075
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• 2016

Background: FDG PET/CT is at an equivocal stage to recommend for staging of colorectal cancer as compared to contrast-enhanced CT (ceCT). This study was intended to evaluate the value of FDG PET/ceCT in colorectal cancer staging as compared to ceCT alone. Materials and Methods: PET/ceCT was performed for 61 colorectal cancer patients who were prospectively enrolled in the study. Three patients were excluded due to loss to follow-up. PET/ceCT findings and ceCT results alone were read separately. The treatment planning was then determined by tumor board consensus. The criteria for T staging were determined by the findings of ceCT. Nodal positive by PET/ceCT imaging was determined by visual analysis of FDG uptake greater than regional background blood pool activity. The diagnostic accuracy of T and N staging was determined only in patients who received surgery without any neoadjuvant treatment. Results: Of 58 patients, there were 40 with colon cancers including sigmoid cancers and 18 with rectal cancers. PET/ceCT in pre-operative staging detected bone metastasis and metastatic inguinal lymph nodes (M1a) that were undepicted on CT in 2 patients (3%), clearly defined 19 equivocal lesions on ceCT in 18 patients (31%) and excluded 6 metastatic lesions diagnosed by ceCT in 6 patients (10%). These resulted in alteration of management plan in 15 out of the 58 cases (26%) i.e. changing from chemotherapy to surgery (4), changing extent of surgery (9) and avoidance of futile surgery (2). Forty four patients underwent surgery within 45 days after PET/CT. The diagnostic accuracy for N staging with PET/ceCT and ceCT alone was 66% and 48% with false positive rates of 24% (6/25) and 76% (19/25) and false negative rates of 47% (9/19) and 21% (4/19), respectively. All of the false negative lymph nodes from PET/ceCT were less than a centimeter in size and located in peri-lesional regions. The diagnostic accuracy for T staging was 82%. The sensitivity of the peri-lesional fat stranding sign in determining T3 stage was 94% and the specificity was 54%. Conclusions: Our study suggested promising roles of PET/ceCT in initial staging of colorectal cancer with better diagnostic accuracy facilitating management planning.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.36-51
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• 2012

The demand for a climatological dataset with a regular spaced grid is increasing in diverse fields such as ecological and hydrological modeling as well as regional climate impact studies. PRISM(Precipitation-Elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model) is a useful method to estimate high-altitude precipitation. However, it is not well discussed over the optimization of PRISM parameters and DEM(Digital Elevation Model) resolution in South Korea. This study developed the PRISM and then optimized parameters of the model and DEM resolution for producing a gridded annual average precipitation data of South Korea with 1km spatial resolution during the period 2000-2005. SCE-UA (Shuffled Complex Evolution-University of Arizona) method employed for the optimization. In addition, sensitivity analysis investigates the change in the model output with respect to the parameter and the DEM spatial resolution variations. The study result shows that maximum radius within which station search will be conducted is 67km. Minimum radius within which all stations are included is 31km. Minimum number of stations required for cell precipitation and elevation regression calculation is four. Optimizing DEM resolution is $1{\times}1km$. This study also shows that the PRISM output very sensitive to DEM spatial resolution variations. This study contributes to improving the accuracy of PRISM technique as it applies to South Korea.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.101-111
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• 2012

In this paper, the feedback loop mechanisms among the operational indices and exogenous variables of a sewerage system that are inherent in the operation and maintenance of a sewerage system were identified using the System Dynamics (SD) modeling methodology. The identified feedback loops were used to develop a SD computer simulation model that can be used to predict future operational conditions of a sewerage system and identified the efficient ways of operation. The data of Busan metropolitan city sewerage system was applied to verify the developed SD model and predict future operational conditions of the system. As a result, it was predicted that sewage treatment efficiency, volume of sewage treatment and cost recovery rate will be gradually increased, whereas service rate which was already very close to the target will remain almost the same as the current value. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis concerning some operational indices was performed in order to discover the policy leverage. As a result, it was found that the exogenous variables related to the pipe maintenance had a great effect on facility using rate, volume of sewage treatment as well as sewage treatment efficiency.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.519-530
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• 2013

To provide a reliable tool for runoff simulations of ungauged watersheds upstream of reservoirs, a daily runoff simulation model, Tank model, is restructured, the parameter regionalization of the model is conducted, and the model's applicability is evaluated. Taking into account the characteristics of runoffs from the watersheds, a three-tank model is employed. The percolation process of the model's third tank is eliminated, considering the water budgets of the watersheds, and its evapotranspiration component is improved, reflecting the conditions of meteorological observation in South Korea. The sensitivity analysis of the model shows that the model's behaviors, varying with a sensitive parameter, ${\alpha}$, are reasonable. The regional parameter estimation equations are determined, using the characteristics and land uses of the watersheds as variables. The model is applied for the runoff simulations of three watersheds and the water stage simulation of one reservoir, and the simulation results are then compared with the observed values, which prove to be in close agreement with the observations. In addition, the results from simulating inflows of twenty-four reservoirs using the model show that the averages of evapotranspiration rate and runoff rate are 42.8% and 56.6%, respectively, which are resonable. Consequently, it is concluded that the model is practically applicable to simulating runoffs from watersheds upstream of reservoirs, and simulated inflow data are useful for watershed management and reservoir planning, design, and operation.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.233-233
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• 2015

Vu Gia - Thu Bon basin is located in central Vietnam between Truong Son mountain range on the border with Lao in the west and the East Sea in the east. The basin occupies about 10,350 km2 or roughly 90% of the Quang Nam Province and includes Da Nang, a very large city with about 876,000 inhabitants. Total annual rainfall ranges from about 2,000 mm in central and downstream areas to more than 4,000 mm in southern mountainous areas. Rainfall during the monsoon season accounts for 65 to 80% of total annual rainfall. The highest amount of rainfall occurs in October and November which accounts for 40 to 50% of the annual rainfall. Rainfall in the dry season represents about 20 to 35% of the total annual rainfall. The low rainfall season usually occurs from February to April, accounting for only 3 to 5% of the total annual rainfall. The mean annual flow volume in the basin is $19.1{\times}109m 3$. Similar to the distribution of rainfall, annual flows are distinguished by two distinct seasons (the flood season and the low-flow season). The flood season commonly starts in the mid-September and ends in early January. Flows during the flood season account for 62 to 69% of the total annual water volume, while flows in the dry season comprise 22 to 38% of total annual run-off. The water volume gauged in November, the highest flow month, accounts for 26 to 31% of the total annual run-off while the driest period is April with flows of 2 to 3% of the total annual run-off. There are some hydropower projects in the Vu Gia - Thu Bon basin as the cascade of Song Bung 2, Song Bung 4, and Song Bung 5, the A Vuong project currently under construction, the Dak Mi 1 and Dak Mi 4 projects on the Khai tributary, and the Song Con project on the Con River. Both the Khai tributary and the Song Con join the Bung River downstream of SB5, although the Dak Mi 4 project involves an inter-basin diversion to Thu Bon. Much attention has recently been focused on the effects that climate variability and human activities have had on runoff. In this study, data from the Vu Gia - Thu Bon River Basin in the central of Viet Nam were analyzed to investigate changes in annual runoff during the period of 1977-2010. The nonparametric Mann-Kendall test and the Mann-Kendall-Sneyers test were used to identify trend and step change point in the annual runoff. It was found that the basin had a significant increasing trend in annual runoff. The hydrologic sensitivity analysis method was employed to evaluate the effects of climate variability and human activities on mean annual runoff for the human-induced period based on precipitation and potential evapotranspiration. This study quantitatively distinguishes the effects between climate variability and human activities on runoff, which can do duty for a reference for regional water resources assessment and management.

• Journal of International Area Studies (JIAS)
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.107-133
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• 2009

International relations in the 21st century is featured by boundless competition among nations to secure sufficient energy resources for achieving economic development. Resource diplomacy, therefore, is competitive in its nature, which is derived from the fact that resources of the globe are limited. Chinese recent economic growth has been possible mainly due to its success in resource diplomacy. The Chinese resource diplomacy has shown two different patterns according to target regions. On the one hand, China has pursued multilateral approach to Central Asia region, by which China aimed to secure energy with joint exploration method in the region. Chinese resource diplomacy toward Africa, on the other hand, has been based on bilateral approach combined with unit-centered economic aid to African nations. This difference in Chinese foreign policy pattern seems to be derived from three factors: namely, Chinese strategic considerations on geopolitical condition, regional security sensitivity, and legacies of Chinese long-time non-alignment diplomacy since the 1950s. Whether China is able to maintain the current pattern of resource diplomacy will be depended on how wisely China pursue its relations with two other global powers: Russia in the Central Asia and the U.S. in Africa. In this regard, the Chinese resource diplomacy is expected to work as determining factor of shaping a pattern of tri-lateral strategic relations among the U.S., Russia, and China. Chinese resource diplomacy thus will determine the future direction of the global politics in terms of strategic arrangement.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.82-94
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Spiropidion and its metabolite are tetramic acid insecticide and require the establishment of an official analysis method for the safety management because they are newly registered in Korea. Therefore, this study was to determine the analysis method of residual spiropidion and its metabolite for the five representative agricultural products. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three QuEChERS methods (original, AOAC, and EN method) were applied to optimize the extraction method, and the EN method was finally selected by comparing the recovery test and matrix effect results. Various adsorbent agents were applied to establish the clean up method. As a result, the recovery of spiropidion was reduced when using the dispersive-SPE method with MgSO₄, primary secondary amine (PSA), graphitized carbon black (GCB) and octadecyl (C₁₈) in soybean. Color interference was minimized by selecting the case including GCB and C18 in addition to MgSO₄. This method was established as the final analysis method. LC-MS/MS was used for the analysis by considering the selectivity and sensitivity of the target pesticide and the analysis was performed in MRM mode. The results of the recovery test using the established analysis method and inter laboratory validation showed a valid range of 79.4-108.4%, with relative standard deviation and coefficient of variation were less than 7.2% and 14.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): Spiropidion and its metabolite could be analyzed with a modified QuEChERS method, and the established method would be widely available to ensure the safety of residual insecticides in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2008

Purpose: In FDG-PET/CT of breast cancer, a sensitivity was 80~96% and a specificity was 75~95% commonly. It was valuable to identify a cancer in early stage been difficult in Mammography. Most of the PET/CT scans have been examined on supine position, so, the image of breast has been acquired by reconstructed whole body scan image. However, using prone position with a compensator, a shape of breast was reassembly shown to be real by gravity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value of prone position in FDG PET-CT of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: 30 female patients with doubtful or positive breast cancer were examined. The PET-CT whole body scan was acquired at 60 minutes after $^{18}F$-FDG injection on Supine position. Then, regional breast spot scan was progressed on prone position using a compensator. Each image was evaluated by physicians blinded to patient's data, and statistical analysis did through SUVs measured in PET-CT images. Results: In 27 of 30 patients, prone position was shown accurate discrimination and diagnostic value, but in another 3 patients had a lesion 1cm below, PET-CT couldn't detect it, unlike MRI. Consequently, prone position distinguished a lesion better than Supine position, because of low degree of metamorphosis by gravity. The SUVs analysis of each position was significant (p value=0.004). Conclusion: In PET-CT of breast cancer, prone position could detect micrometastasis as well as primary lesion, better than supine position. Therefore, this study proposes that any technical change considered morphological feature like prone position can offer adequate and useful diagnostic information, together with complementary quantitative analysis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.637-656
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• 2023

River estuaries are dynamic and productive ecosystems with high regional biodiversity. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has become a useful approach to assessing biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. This study was conducted to investigate fish community characteristics and species diversity in two river estuary ecosystems, the Taehwa River and Changwon Stream. We further compared conventional and eDNA metabarcoding analyses of the fish communities. The conventional survey was performed in May, July, and October 2022, while the eDNA analysis was conducted only in May. We observed various fish species with different life histories, including carp, goby, and marine fish. We also found that migratory fish, such as dace Tribolodon hakonensis, sweetfish Plecoglossus altivelis, and eel Auguilla japonica, occurred in the Taehwa River, suggesting high river connectivity. Marine fish species were predominant in the Changwon Stream, as this river is located close to the sea. The diversity indices showed that the Taehwa River generally had higher species richness, evenness, and diversity values than the Changwon Stream. A total of 9-19 species were detected in the conventional survey for the three sites, whereas 11-18 species were found from eDNA analysis. The findings indicate that the sensitivity of eDNA was similar to or higher than that of the conventional method. Our study findings suggest the efficiency and efficacy of eDNA-based fish community monitoring, although with some shortcomings in applying the genetic marker to Korean fish, including no clear-cut distinction for Korean endemic species and/or genetically closely related species groups.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.90-101
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of various quantitative indices for the differentiation of benign from malignant primary soft tissue tumors by FDG-PET. A series of 32 patients with a variety of histologically or clinically confirmed benign (20) or malignant (12) soft tissue lesions were evaluated with emission whole body (5min/bed position) PET after injection of [$^{18}F$]FDG. Regional 20min transmission scan for the attenuation correction and calculation of SUV was performed in 16 patients (10 benign, 6malignant) followed by dynamic acquisition for 56min. Postinjection transmission scan for the attenuation correction and calculation of SUV was executed in the other 16 patients (10 benign, 6 malignant). The following indices were obtained. the peak and average SUV (pSUV, aSUV) of lesions, tumor-to-background ratio acquired at images of 51 min p.i. ($TBR_{51}$), tumor-to-background ratio of areas under time-activity curves ($TBR_{area}$) and the ratio between the activities of tumor ROI at 51 min p. i. and at the time which background ROI reaches maximum activity on the time-activity curves ($T_{51}/T_{max}$). The pSUV, aSUV, $TBR_{51}$, and $TBR_{area}$ in malignant lesions were significantly higher than those in benign lesions. We set the cut-off values of pSUV, aSUV, $TBR_{51},\;TBR_{area}$ and $T_{51}/T_{max}$ for the differentiation of benign and malignant lesions at 3.5, 2.8, 5.1, 4.3 and 1.55, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 91.7%, 80.0%, 84.4% by pSUV and aSUV, 83.3%, 85.0%, 84.4% by $TBR_{51}$, 83.3%, 100%, 93.8% by $TBR_{area}$ and 66.7%, 70.0%, 68.8% by $T_{51}/T_{max}$. The time-activity curves did not give additional information compared to SUV or TBR. The one false negative was a case with low-grade fibrosarcoma and all four false positives were cases with inflammatory change on histology. The visual, analysis of FDG-PET also detected the metastatic lesions in malignant cases with comparable accuracy In conclusion, all pSUV, aSUV, $TBR_{51}$, and $TBR_{area}$ are useful metabolic semi-quantitative indices with good accuracy for the differentiation of benign from malignant soft-tissue lesions.