• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.112-116
• /
• 2024

Gas-sensor technology for volatile organic compounds (VOC) biomarker detection offers significant advantages for noninvasive diagnostics, including rapid response time and low operational costs, exhibiting promising potential for disease diagnosis. Colorimetric gas sensors, which enable intuitive analysis of gas concentrations through changes in color, present additional benefits for the development of personal diagnostic kits. However, the traditional method of visually monitoring these sensors can limit quantitative analysis and consistency in detection threshold evaluation, potentially affecting diagnostic accuracy. To address this, we developed a machine vision platform based on metal-organic framework (MOF) for colorimetric gas sensor arrays, designed to accurately detect disease-related VOC biomarkers. This platform integrates a CMOS camera module, gas chamber, and colorimetric MOF sensor jig to quantitatively assess color changes. A specialized machine vision algorithm accurately identifies the color-change Region of Interest (ROI) from the captured images and monitors the color trends. Performance evaluation was conducted through experiments using a platform with four types of low-concentration standard gases. A limit-of-detection (LoD) at 100 ppb level was observed. This approach significantly enhances the potential for non-invasive and accurate disease diagnosis by detecting low-concentration VOC biomarkers and offers a novel diagnostic tool.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.121-129
• /
• 2024

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs) are caused by the rapid proliferation of cyanobacteria and are believed to be exacerbated by climate change. However, the extent to which HCBs will be stimulated in the future due to increased temperature remains uncertain. This study aims to predict the future occurrence of cyanobacteria in the Nakdong River, which has the highest incidence of HCBs in South Korea, based on temperature rise scenarios. Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) were used as the basis for these scenarios. Data-driven model simulations were conducted, and out of the four machine learning techniques tested (multiple linear regression, support vector regressor, decision tree, and random forest), the random forest model was selected for its relatively high prediction accuracy. The random forest model was used to predict the occurrence of cyanobacteria. The results of boxplot and time-series analyses showed that under the worst-case scenario (RCP8.5 (2100)), where temperature increases significantly, cyanobacterial abundance across all study areas was greatly stimulated. The study also found that the frequencies of HCB occurrences exceeding certain thresholds (100,000 and 1,000,000 cells/mL) increased under both the best-case scenario (RCP2.6 (2050)) and worst-case scenario (RCP8.5 (2100)). These findings suggest that the frequency of HCB occurrences surpassing a certain threshold level can serve as a useful diagnostic indicator of vulnerability to temperature increases caused by climate change. Additionally, this study highlights that water bodies currently susceptible to HCBs are likely to become even more vulnerable with climate change compared to those that are currently less susceptible.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.39 no.6_1
• /
• pp.1211-1224
• /
• 2023

Clouds cause many difficult problems in observing land surface phenomena using optical satellites, such as national land observation, disaster response, and change detection. In addition, the presence of clouds affects not only the image processing stage but also the final data quality, so it is necessary to identify and remove them. Therefore, in this study, we developed a new cloud detection technique that automatically performs a series of processes to search and extract the pixels closest to the spectral pattern of clouds in satellite images, select the optimal threshold, and produce a cloud mask based on the threshold. The cloud detection technique largely consists of three steps. In the first step, the process of converting the Digital Number (DN) unit image into top-of-atmosphere reflectance units was performed. In the second step, preprocessing such as Hue-Value-Saturation (HSV) transformation, triangle thresholding, and maximum likelihood classification was applied using the top of the atmosphere reflectance image, and the threshold for generating the initial cloud mask was determined for each image. In the third post-processing step, the noise included in the initial cloud mask created was removed and the cloud boundaries and interior were improved. As experimental data for cloud detection, CAS500-1 L2G images acquired in the Korean Peninsula from April to November, which show the diversity of spatial and seasonal distribution of clouds, were used. To verify the performance of the proposed method, the results generated by a simple thresholding method were compared. As a result of the experiment, compared to the existing method, the proposed method was able to detect clouds more accurately by considering the radiometric characteristics of each image through the preprocessing process. In addition, the results showed that the influence of bright objects (panel roofs, concrete roads, sand, etc.) other than cloud objects was minimized. The proposed method showed more than 30% improved results(F1-score) compared to the existing method but showed limitations in certain images containing snow.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.361-370
• /
• 2017

Previous reports have suggested that physical and psychological stresses may trigger fibromyalgia (FM). Stress is an important risk factor in the development of depression and memory impairments. Antidepressants have been used to prevent stress-induced abnormal pain sensation. Among various antidepressants, tianeptine has been reported to be able to prevent neurodegeneration due to chronic stress and reverse decreases in hippocampal volume. To assess the possible effect of tianeptine on FM symptoms, we constructed a FM animal model induced by restraint stress with intermittent cold stress. All mice underwent nociceptive assays using electronic von Frey anesthesiometer and Hargreaves equipment. To assess the relationship between tianeptine and expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB), western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed. In behavioral analysis, nociception tests showed that pain threshold was significantly decreased in the FM group compared to that in the control group. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus showed downregulation of BDNF and p-CREB proteins in the FM group compared to the control group. However, tianeptine recovered these changes in behavioral tests and protein level. Therefore, this FM animal model might be useful for investigating mechanisms linking BDNF-CREB pathway and pain. Our results suggest that tianeptine might potentially have therapeutic efficacy for FM.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.177-184
• /
• 1991

Soybean cultivars for bean sprouting, and for cooking with rice are related closely with Korean dietary tradition, but their yields have been kept in low level. The yielding responses of Danyup, a cultivar for bean sprouting and Gumjung, a cultivar for cooking with rice were compared with Paldal as standard cultivar in planting density within 10 to 80 plants per ㎡. Yield of Paldal increased as planting density increased from 10 plants up to 80 plant/㎡. But, Danyup reached at threshold as planting density reached up to 40 plants/㎡. Gumjung did not have significant difference in yield within planting density. Danyup had the highest yield, 445 kg/l0a at 80 plants/㎡. The highest yield of Paldal was 406kg/10a at 40 plants /㎡ while Gumjung had 373kg/ l0a at 40 plants. The yield responses of cultivars were influenced by canopy structure and light utilization. Paldal had short and straight canopy with determinate growth habit responded well at the heavy density, and had 6.2 in critical LA!. But Gumjung, tall and dense canopy with indeterminate growth habit had limited utilization of light within canopy with 5.4 in critical LAI and high rate of lodging. Gumjung was concluded as a low yielding cultivar, since it did not have good response to increasing source size and sink number.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.495-499
• /
• 2003

Purpose : Eosinophil is one of the important inflammatory cell involved in the airway inflammation in childhood asthma. It has been demonstrated that markers of eosinophil activation, including eosinophil cationic protein or eosinophil protein X(EPX), are increased in childhood asthma. Furthermore, they are related to disease activity and are assumed to be helpful in monitoring the treatment effect as urinary EPX(U-EPX) can be obtained easily and in a noninvasive way in children of all ages. Methods : Twenty-five children(22 male and three female) aged $11.87{\pm}3.82$ years with stable asthma were challenged with methacholine and urine was collected from each child during the following periods; before methacholine challenge test(MCT); 0-3 hr after the end of MCT; 4-7 hr after the end of MCT; and 8-24 hr after the end of MCT. Bronchial reactivity was determined by using Dosimeter( Jeager, Germany) with serially diluted methacholine from 0.05 to 25.0 mg. The $FEV_1$ less than 80% of baseline value were classified into positive MCT. U-EPX was measured with a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay(Pharmacia & Upjohn AB, Uppsala, Sweden). Results were expressed as ${\mu}gEPX/mmol$ creatinine. Results : An early airway response after MCT was associated with an increase of U-EPX excretion for 0-3 hr after methacholine inhalation in comparison with beseline values. Most subjects showed a small increase in U-EPX excretion during late asthmatic response for 4-7 hr, which then decreased to normal level in 8-24 hr. Also, a tendency for a higher increase of U-EPX was associated with a lower threshold of methacholine challenge and a longer duration of asthma. Conclusion : Measurement of EPX in urine is a noninvasive and easy method to assess the severity of airway inflammation in asthmatic children. It may be a helpful index of the events underlying the airway inflammatory responses during nonspecific bronchial challenge, and in monitoring asthma management.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.98 no.5
• /
• pp.548-557
• /
• 2009

For centuries, forests have been a key component of rural livelihood. They are important both socially and economically in Nepal. Firewood and fodder are the basic forest products that are extracted daily or weekly basis in most of the rural areas in Nepal. In this study, a field survey of 100 households was conducted to examine the degree of forest dependency and forest resource availability, households' livelihood strategy and their relationship with forest dependency in Chitwan, Nepal. A household' response indexes were constructed, Gini coefficient, Head Count Poverty Index (HCI) and Poverty Gap Index (PGI) were calculated and one way ANOVA test was also performed for data analysis. Data revealed that 82/81% of all households were constantly used forest for firewood and fodder collection respectively while 42% of households were used forest or forest fringe for grazing. The Forest Product Availability Indexes (FPAI) showed a sharp decline of forest resources from 0.781 to 0.308 for a 20-yr time horizon while timber wood was noticeably lowered than the other products. Yet, about 33% of households were below the poverty threshold line with 0.0945 PGI. Income distribution among the household showed a lower Gini coefficient 0.25 than 0.37 of landholdings size. However, mean income was significantly varies with F-statistics=246.348 at P=0.05 between income groups (rich, medium and poor). The extraction of firewood, fodder and other forest products were significantly different between the income group with F-statistics=16.480, 19.930, 29.956 at P=0.05 respectively. Similarly, landholdings size and education were also significantly different between the income groups with F-statistics=4.333, 5.981 at P=0.05 respectively. These findings suggested that income status of households was the major indicator of forest dependency while poor and medium groups were highly dependent on the forests for firewood, fodder and other products. Forest dependency still remains high and the availability of forest products that can be extracted from the remaining forestlands is decreasing. The high dependency of households on forest coupled with other socioeconomic attributes like education, poverty, small landholders and so on were possibly caused the forest degradation in Chitwan.Therefore, policy must be directed towards the poor livelihood supporting agenda that may enhance the financial conditions of rural households while it could reduce the degree of forest dependency inspired with other income generating activities in due course.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.16 no.7
• /
• pp.149-156
• /
• 2011

This paper proposes the effective edge selection algorithm for the rapid processing time and low memory usage of efficient graph-based image segmentation on mobile device. The graph-based image segmentation algorithm is to extract objects from a single image. The objects are consisting of graph edges, which are created by information of each image's pixel. The edge of graph is created by the difference of color intensity between the pixel and neighborhood pixels. The object regions are found by connecting the edges, based on color intensity and threshold value. Therefore, the number of edges decides on the processing time and amount of memory usage of graph-based image segmentation. Comparing to personal computer, the mobile device has many limitations such as processor speed and amount of memory. Additionally, the response time of application is an issue of mobile device programming. The image processing on mobile device should offer the reasonable response time, so that, the image segmentation processing on mobile should provide with the rapid processing time and low memory usage. In this paper, we demonstrate the performance of the effective edge selection algorithm, which effectively controls the edges of graph for the rapid processing time and low memory usage of graph-based image segmentation on mobile device.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
• /
• v.58 no.4
• /
• pp.447-459
• /
• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the differences between emotional responses and neurotransmitters in moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in 30 low-active women. Both groups performed a designed acute treadmill exercise and repeated the same exercise three times at intervals of one week. MICE performed a 25-minute continuous exercise at 90% VT(ventilation threshold) after a 5-minute warm-up session at 50% VT and then cooled down for 5 minutes at 50% VT level. The HIIE was repeated 6 times for 2 minutes at 115% VT level, and the intermediate active recovery was repeated 4 times for 2 minutes at 85% VT level. The results of the statistical analysis are as follows. MICE was showed positive effect for feeling scale and PACES after exercise in the first experiment, but negative effect in the third experiment. Conversely, HIIE was showed negative effect for feeling scale and PACES after exercise in the first experiment, but positive effect in the third experiment. Neurotransmitters were significantly increased in all three groups after 10 minutes of exercise compared to before exercise. In summary, HIIE exercise may be a strategy to increase exercise compliance for low-active women.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.41-49
• /
• 2023

Objectives: To obtain audiologic basic data to diagnose the noise induced hearing loss of workers in fisheries. Methods: The charts of the referred fishermen with noise induced hearing loss from November 2022 to February 2023 at a general hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, auditory brainstem response test and auditory steady state response test were conducted. Results: All of them were men over 60 years of age, and the average duration of exposure to noise was 38.9 ± 10.8 years, and the average symptom duration of hearing loss was 13.4 ± 4.3 years. Although the hearing thresholds in the high frequencies were higher than thresholds in the low frequencies, the audiogram showed a down-sloping pattern without rebound at 8 kHz. 10.5% of the cases had thresholds greater than 75 dB in high frequencies, but 57.9% had thresholds greater than 40 dB in low frequencies. Other hearing test results of fishermen were similar to those of general noise-induced hearing loss. Conclusions: Although the fishermen were exposed to noise for a long time, they recognized hearing loss late. The hearing threshold in lower frequencies of the fishermen was higher than expected. Further studies will be needed to analyze the audiologic characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss of the fishermen after confirming noise exposure by conducting a survey on the working environment, such as the noise level and working hours.