• Title/Summary/Keyword: S-N curve

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Diagnostic Image Feature and Performance of CT and Gadoxetic Acid Disodium-Enhanced MRI in Distinction of Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma from Hepatocellular Carcinoma

  • Kim, Hyunghu;Kim, Seung-seob;Lee, Sunyoung;Lee, Myeongjee;Kim, Myeong-Jin
    • Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.313-322
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    • 2021
  • Purpose: To find diagnostic image features, to compare diagnostic performance of multiphase CT versus gadoxetic acid disodium-enhanced MRI (GAD-MRI), and to evaluate the impact of analyzing Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) imaging features, for distinguishing combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Ninety-six patients with pathologically proven CHC (n = 48) or HCC (n = 48), diagnosed June 2008 to May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed in random order by three radiologists with different experience levels. In the first analysis, the readers independently determined the probability of CHC based on their own knowledge and experiences. In the second analysis, they evaluated imaging features defined in LI-RADS 2018. Area under the curve (AUC) values for CHC diagnosis were compared between CT and MRI, and between the first and second analyses. Interobserver agreement was assessed using Cohen's weighted κ values. Results: Targetoid LR-M image features showed better specificities and positive predictive values (PPV) than the others. Among them, rim arterial phase hyperenhancement had the highest specificity and PPV. Average sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values were higher for MRI than for CT in both the first (P = 0.008, 0.005, 0.002, respectively) and second (P = 0.017, 0.026, 0.036) analyses. Interobserver agreements were higher for MRI in both analyses (κ = 0.307 for CT, κ = 0.332 for MRI in the first analysis; κ = 0.467 for CT, κ = 0.531 for MRI in the second analysis), with greater agreement in the second analysis for both CT (P = 0.001) and MRI (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Rim arterial phase hyperenhancement on GAD-MRI can be a good indicator suggesting CHC more than HCC. GAD-MRI may provide greater accuracy than CT for distinguishing CHC from HCC. Interobserver agreement can be improved for both CT and MRI by analyzing LI-RADS imaging features.

Development and Validation of 18F-FDG PET/CT-Based Multivariable Clinical Prediction Models for the Identification of Malignancy-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

  • Xu Yang;Xia Lu;Jun Liu;Ying Kan;Wei Wang;Shuxin Zhang;Lei Liu;Jixia Li;Jigang Yang
    • Korean Journal of Radiology
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.466-478
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    • 2022
  • Objective: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT is often used for detecting malignancy in patients with newly diagnosed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), with acceptable sensitivity but relatively low specificity. The aim of this study was to improve the diagnostic ability of 18F-FDG PET/CT in identifying malignancy in patients with HLH by combining 18F-FDG PET/CT and clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: Ninety-seven patients (age ≥ 14 years) with secondary HLH were retrospectively reviewed and divided into the derivation (n = 71) and validation (n = 26) cohorts according to admission time. In the derivation cohort, 22 patients had malignancy-associated HLH (M-HLH) and 49 patients had non-malignancy-associated HLH (NM-HLH). Data on pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT and laboratory results were collected. The variables were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test or Pearson's chi-square test, and a nomogram for predicting M-HLH was constructed using multivariable binary logistic regression. The predictors were also ranked using decision-tree analysis. The nomogram and decision tree were validated in the validation cohort (10 patients with M-HLH and 16 patients with NM-HLH). Results: The ratio of the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the lymph nodes to that of the mediastinum, the ratio of the SUVmax of bone lesions or bone marrow to that of the mediastinum, and age were selected for constructing the model. The nomogram showed good performance in predicting M-HLH in the validation cohort, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.875 (95% confidence interval, 0.686-0.971). At an appropriate cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity for identifying M-HLH were 90% (9/10) and 68.8% (11/16), respectively. The decision tree integrating the same variables showed 70% (7/10) sensitivity and 93.8% (15/16) specificity for identifying M-HLH. In comparison, visual analysis of 18F-FDG PET/CT images demonstrated 100% (10/10) sensitivity and 12.5% (2/16) specificity. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT may be a practical technique for identifying M-HLH. The model constructed using 18F-FDG PET/CT features and age was able to detect malignancy with better accuracy than visual analysis of 18F-FDG PET/CT images.

Laparoscopic Assisted Total Gastrectomy (LATG) with Extracorporeal Anastomosis and using Circular Stapler for Middle or Upper Early Gastric Carcinoma: Reviews of Single Surgeon's Experience of 48 Consecutive Patients (원형 자동문합기를 이용한 체외문합을 시행한 복강경 보조 위전절제술: 한 술자에 의한 연속적인 48명 환자의 수술성적분석)

  • Cheong, Oh;Kim, Byung-Sik;Yook, Jeong-Hwan;Oh, Sung-Tae;Lim, Jeong-Taek;Kim, Kab-Jung;Choi, Ji-Eun;Park, Gun-Chun
    • Journal of Gastric Cancer
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.27-34
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: Many recent studies have reported on the feasibility and usefulness of laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for treating early gastric cancer. On the other hand, there has been few reports about laparoscopy assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) because upper located gastric cancer is relatively rare and the surgical technique is more difficult than that for LADG, We now present our procedure and results of performing LATG for the gastric cancer located in the upper or middle portion of the stomach. Materials and Methods: From Jan 2005 to Sep 2007, 96 patients underwent LATG by four surgeons at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Among them, 48 consecutive patients who were operated on by asingle surgeon were analyzed with respect to the clinicopathological features, the surgical results and the postoperative courses with using the prospectively collected laparoscopy surgery data. Results: There was no conversion to open surgery during LATG. For all the reconstructions, Roux-en Y esophago-jejunostomy and D1+beta lymphadenectomy were the standard procedures. The mean operation time was $212{\pm}67$ minutes. The mean total number of retrieved lymph nodes was $28.9{\pm}10.54$ (range: $12{\sim}64$) and all the patients had a clear proximal resection margin in their final pathologic reports. The mean time to passing gas, first oral feeding and discharge from the hospital was 2.98, 3.67 and 7.08 days, respectively. There were 5 surgical complications and 2 non-surgical complications for 5 (10.4%) patients, and there was no mortality. None of the patients needed operation because of complications and they recovered with conservative treatments. The mean operation time remained constant after 20 cases and so a learning curve was present. The morbidity rate was not different between the two periods, but the postoperative course was significantly better after the learning curve. Analysis of the factors contributing to the postoperative morbidity, with using logistic regression analysis, showed that the 8MI is the only contributing factor forpostoperative complications (P=0.029, HR=2.513, 95% CI=1.097-5.755). Conclusions: LATG with regional lymph node dissection for upper and middle early gastric cancer is considered to be a safe, feasible method that showed an excellent postoperative course and acceptable morbidity. BMI should be considered in the patient selection at the beginning period because of the impact of the BMI on the postoperative morbidity.

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Effects of Scutellariae Barbatae Herba·Alli bulbus·Oldenlandiae Herba Complex Herbal Acupuncture on Tumor and Immune Response (반지련(半枝蓮)·대산(大蒜)·백화사설초(白花蛇舌草) 복합약침(複合藥鍼)이 종양(腫瘍) 및 면역반응(免疫反應)에 미치는 영향)

  • Song, Ho-sueb;Hwang, Hyeon-seo;Kim, Kee-hyun
    • Journal of Acupuncture Research
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.56-73
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    • 2002
  • Objective : We need to develop a new treatment method which can curve cancer growth and enhance immunity of patients with various kinds of cancer more safely and effectively, for conventional anticancer treatment has lots of problems to be overcomed, in other words, Its efficacy can be recognizible but it doesn't actually give aid to patients due to its side effects. This study was taken up to evaluate the anticancer and immune-enhancing effect of Scutellariae Barbatae Herba, Alli bulbus, Oldenlandiae Herba(SAO) Herbal acupuncture. Methods : SAO Herbal acupuncture solution was made from Scutellariae Barbatae Herba, Alli bulbus, Oldenlandiae Herba by decoction. Experimental group was divided into normal(N), control(TC, cancer group induced by S 180), high and low concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group. In the high and low concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group, SAO Herbal acupuncture solution was injected, on the left and right Chok-samni(足三里, ST36) of ICR-male S 180 rats alternatively, by 200mg/kg and 100mg/kg respectively. In vitro, S 180 was cultured with $200{\mu}g$ and $500{\mu}g$ of SAO Herbal acupuncture solution. In each experimental group, we examined the effect of SAO complex Herbal acupuncture on body weight, antitumor, organ weight, activity of macrophage, activity of B cell, spleen cell division, IL-2 production and population of lymphocytes. Results : 1. In Body weight, no significant change was shown, but In solid cancer weight, the high concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group showed signigicant(P<0.05) decrease and significant(P<0.05) increase in the weight of kidney, compared with control group. 2. In activity of macrophage, low concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group showed significant(P<0.01) increase, but in vitro, there was no significant increase, compared with control group. 3. In activity of B cell, high and low concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group showed no significant decrease, but in vitro, low concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group showed significant(P<0.01) increase, compared with control group. 4. In spleen cell division, high and low concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group had no significant influence on spleen cell division induced by Co A, meanwhile, it was found that macrophge promote spleen cell division in low concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group(P<0.05), compared with control group. 5. In IL-2 production, high concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group showed significant((P<0.05) increase, compared with control group. 6. In population of lymphocytes, high concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group showed significant increase of CD3+(P<0.05), CD4+(P<0.05), CD3+ and CD4+ T cell(P<0.01) and B cell(P<0.05), while low concentration SAO complex Herbal acupuncture group showed significant increase of CD4+(P<0.05), CD8+ T cell(P<0.05) and B cell(P<0.01), compared with control group. Conclusion : SAO Herbal acupuncture inhibited cancer growth and enhanced immunity.

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Size Distribution and Temperature Dependence of Magnetic Anisotropy Constant in Ferrite Nanoparticles

  • Yoon, Sunghyun
    • Proceedings of the Korean Magnestics Society Conference
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    • 2012.11a
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    • pp.104-105
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    • 2012
  • The temperature dependence of the effective magnetic anisotropy constant K(T) of ferrite nanoparticles is obtained based on the measurements of SQUID magnetometry. For this end, a very simple but intuitive and direct method for determining the temperature dependence of anisotropy constant K(T) in nanoparticles is introduced in this study. The anisotropy constant at a given temperature is determined by associating the particle size distribution f(r) with the anisotropy energy barrier distribution $f_A(T)$. In order to estimate the particle size distribution f(r), the first quadrant part of the hysteresis loop is fitted to the classical Langevin function weight-averaged with the log?normal distribution, slightly modified from the original Chantrell's distribution function. In order to get an anisotropy energy barrier distribution $f_A(T)$, the temperature dependence of magnetization decay $M_{TD}$ of the sample is measured. For this measurement, the sample is cooled from room temperature to 5 K in a magnetic field of 100 G. Then the applied field is turned off and the remanent magnetization is measured on stepwise increasing the temperature. And the energy barrier distribution $f_A(T)$ is obtained by differentiating the magnetization decay curve at any temperature. It decreases with increasing temperature and finally vanishes when all the particles in the sample are unblocked. As a next step, a relation between r and $T_B$ is determined from the particle size distribution f(r) and the anisotropy energy barrier distribution $f_A(T)$. Under the simple assumption that the superparamagnetic fraction of cumulative area in particle size distribution at a temperature is equal to the fraction of anisotropy energy barrier overcome at that temperature in the anisotropy energy barrier distribution, we can get a relation between r and $T_B$, from which the temperature dependence of the magnetic anisotropy constant was determined, as is represented in the inset of Fig. 1. Substituting the values of r and $T_B$ into the $N{\acute{e}}el$-Arrhenius equation with the attempt time fixed to $10^{-9}s$ and measuring time being 100 s which is suitable for conventional magnetic measurement, the anisotropy constant K(T) is estimated as a function of temperature (Fig. 1). As an example, the resultant effective magnetic anisotropy constant K(T) of manganese ferrite decreases with increasing temperature from $8.5{\times}10^4J/m^3$ at 5 K to $0.35{\times}10^4J/m^3$ at 125 K. The reported value for K in the literatures is $0.25{\times}10^4J/m^3$. The anisotropy constant at low temperature region is far more than one order of magnitude larger than that at 125 K, indicative of the effects of inter?particle interaction, which is more pronounced for smaller particles.

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Evaluation of Biogenic Amines in Korean Commercial Fermented Foods (국내 유통 발효식품 중 biogenic amines 함량 분석)

  • Han, Gyu-Hong;Bahn, Kyeong-Nyeo;Son, Yeong-Wook;Jang, Mi-Ran;Lee, Chang-Hee;Kim, So-Hee;Kim, Dae-Byoung;Kim, Seon-Bong;Cho, Tae-Yong
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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    • v.38 no.6
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    • pp.730-737
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    • 2006
  • High performance liquid chromatographic methods for the simultaneous determination of 12 biogenic amines were developed and contents of biogenic amines in 23 varieties of Korean commercial fermented food were analyzed. Dansyl derivatives of biogenic amine were very stable and had good peak resolution. Except agmatine, the recovery of biogenic amines from soybean paste with extraction of 0.1 N HC1 added biogenic amines to soybean paste was greater 85%. The calibration curve showed good linearity over a concentration range up to 50 ${\mu}g/mL$. In the determination of biogenic amine level in Korean commercial fermented foods, doenjang and chungkukjang (fermented soybean pastes), soy sauce, anchovy and pacific sand lance liquid jeotkal (fermented fish sauce products), and cabbage kimchi had high level biogenic amines. Especially, traditional doenjang had a histamine (HIS) level of 952.0 mg/kg, a tyramine (TYR) level of 1,430.7 mg/kg. Most cheese had low level of biogenic amines, but one Gouda cheese had a tyramine (TYR) level of 97.5 mg/kg. A low level of biogenic amines was detected in wines, beer, yoghurt, and sausage. Putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), tryptamine (TRY), histamine (HIS), tyramine (TYR), and 2-phenylethylamine (PHE) were mainly formed in fermented foods by the action of microorganism, so their levels were high with a range. On the other hand, spermidine (SPD), spermine(SPM), serotonin (SER), noradrenaline (NOR), and dopamine (DOP) were formed originally via biosynthesis with consequent low level.

Quantitative Analysis of t-Cinnamaldehyde of Cinnamomum cassia by $^1H-NMR$ Spectrometry ($^1H-NMR$을 이용한 계피의 t-cinnamaldehyde 정량분석)

  • Song, Myoung-Chong;Yoo, Jong-Su;Baek, Nam-In
    • Applied Biological Chemistry
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    • v.48 no.3
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    • pp.267-272
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    • 2005
  • trans-Cinnamaldehyde, a major component of Cinnamomum cassia, was quantitatively analyzed using the $^1H-NMR$ spectrometry. Applicability of this method was confirmed through observing the variation of chemical shift in the $^1H-NMR$ spectrum of t-cinnamaldehyde and the integration value according to various sample concentrations or running temperatures. When the $^1H-NMR$ spectrometry was run for t-cinnamaldehyde (7.1429 mg/ml) at 19, 25, 30, 40 and $50^{\circ}C$, the chemical shifts of the doublet methine signal due to an aldehyde group were observed at 9.7202, 9.7184, 9.7169, 9.7142 and 9.7124 ppm, respectively, to imply that the running temperature had no significant variation in the chemical shift of the signal. The integration values of the signal were $1.37\;(19^{\circ}C),\;1.37\;(25^{\circ}C),\;1.37\;(30^{\circ}C),\;1.37(40^{\circ}C)$ and $1.37(50^{\circ}C)$, respectively, to also indicate running temperature gave no effect on the integration value. When the sample solutions with various concentrations such as 0.4464, 0.8929, 1.7857, 3.5714, 7.1429 and 14.286 mg/ml were respectively measured for the $^1H-NMR$ at $25^{\circ}C$, the chemical shifts of the aldehyde group were observed at 9.7206, 9.7201, 9.7196, 9.7192, 9.7185 and 9.7174 ppm. Even though the signal was slightly shifted to the high field in proportion to the increase of sample concentration, the alteration was not significant enough to applicate this method. The calibration curve for integration values of the doublet methine signal due to the aldehyde group vs the sample concentration was linear and showed very high regression rate ($r^2=1.0000$). Meantime, the $^1H-NMR$ spectra (7.1429 mg/ml $CDCl_3,\;25^{\circ}C$) of t-cinnamaldehyde and t-2-methoxycinnamaldehyde, another constituent of Cinnamomum cassia, showed the chemical shifts of the aldehyde group as ${\delta}_H$ 9.7174 (9.7078, 9.7270) for the former compound and ${\delta}_H$ 9.6936 (9.6839, 9.7032) for the latter one. The difference of the chemical shift between two compounds was big enough to be distinguished using the NMR spectrometer with 0.45 Hz of resolution. The contents of cinnamaldehyde in Cinnamomum cassia, which were respectively extracted with n-hexane, $CHCl_3$, and EtOAc, were determiend as 94.2 \;mg/g (0.94%), 137.6 mg/g (1.38%) and 140.1 mg/g(1.40%) t-cinnamaldehyde in each extract, respectively, by using the above method.

Relationship between the level of Sexual Contacts and Self-Esteem, Self-Assertiveness of Teenage Girls Who Have or Had Boyfriends (이성교제를 하는 십대여학생의 성접촉과 자아존중감.자기주장의 관계)

  • Lee, Sun-Kyoung
    • Women's Health Nursing
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.212-228
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    • 2001
  • This is a cross-sectional descriptive correlation study that aimed to understand the relationship between the level of sexual contacts during the dates and psycho-social factors in teenage girls who have or had boyfriends. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between sexual contacts and self-esteem and self- assertiveness. The subjects of the study were 6,130 teenage girls who have or had boyfriends. They were selected convienently 12,733 teenage girls from 254 secondary schools located in 7 large cities and 9 provinces in Korea. A structured questionaire was used it included items one general characteristics, the levels of sexual contacts, self-esteem and self-assertiveness. Seven levels of sexual contacts were rated they were holding a hand, putting arms around each other's shoulders, kiss, french kiss, touching breast, petting genitalia, and sexual intercourse during the dates. Self-esteem and self-assertiveness were measured by the "Self-esteem scale" of Rogenberg (1971) and the questionaires developed by S. B. Chang et al(2000), respectively. The self-reported questionaires were collected from October 2, to October 28, 2000 and analyzed by using SPSS 10.0 Program. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, reliability, One-way ANOVA with Duncan method & Scheffe method. The results of the analysis were as follows. 1.An average Percentage of the respondents who have (46.1%) or had (53.9%) boyfriends was 48.1% (n=6,130) and the most common sexual contact during the dates was french kiss (26.7%, n=1,634). While 7.5%(458) of respondents had a sexual intercourse, 13.7%(842) of respondents didn't have any sexual contact during the dates. 2. Distribution of starting point of the first sexual contact demonstrates that 1,950 respondents (31.8%) held partner's hand at the first date and 1,367 respondents (22.3%) put arms around each other's shoulders at the 2nd or 3rd date. Sexual contacts such as kiss, french kiss, touching breast, petting genitalia, or sexual intercourse were experienced mostly at the later than the 10th date. However, surprisingly large number(1.7%) of respondents had genital contact and sexual intercourses at the first date. 3. The means of self-esteem and self-assertiveness socres of the respondents who have or had boyfriends are 27.43$({\pm}4.03)$ and 17.96$({\pm}2.55)$, respectively. The range of scores for self esteem was 10-40, 40 with most self esteem. The range of scores for self assertiveness was 7-21, 21 with most self assertiveness. 4. As sexual contacts proceeded, the means of self-esteem and self-assertiveness values decreased. In detail, the respondents having no or light sexual contacts (kiss, putting arms around each other's shoulder, holding a hand) had similar self-esteem values($p{\leq}0.05$). However, ones having relatively intensive sexual contacts (french kiss, touching breast) showed significantly lower self-esteem values($p{\leq}0.05$). Same trend has been obtained for self-assertiveness value. 5. The higher values of self-esteem and self-assertiveness values the respondents had, the later they started the moderate sexual contact (kiss, french kiss) during the dates. Interestingly, among the respondents having intensive sexual contacts (petting genitalia, sexual intercourse) during the dates, those who experienced the such contacts at the first date or later than 10th date have higher self-esteem and self-assertiveness values than one experienced the such contacts during the 2nd$\sim$9th dates, giving U-shape curve. 6. There was a significant relationship between self-esteem and self-assertiveness in girls who have or had boyfriends($P{\leq}.001$). In conclusion, the research shows that self-esteem and self-assertiveness values are significantly related with the sexual contacts of the teenage girls who have or had boyfriends. These results strongly suggest that proper sex education program for teenage girls should contain the program on improving the self-esteem and self-assertiveness. We believe that sex education program is the one of the best ways to prevent the unwanted sexual contacts and pregnancy of teenage girls.

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A Fundamental Study on Evaluation of Corrected Compression Index by Plasticity Index in Marine Clayey Soils (해성 점성토의 소성지수에 따른 보정압축지수 평가에 관한 기초연구)

  • Park, Seong-Bak;Lee, Kang-Il;Seo, Se-Gwan
    • Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.9-18
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    • 2018
  • The soil parameters important for the design of the soft ground are the compression index ($C_c$), the consolidation settlement and consolidation speed at the field. Compression index is obtained by laboratory consolidation test. In the laboratory consolidation test, sample disturbance always occurs. In order to correct the disturbance phenomena, the method of calculating the compression index proposed by Schmertmann (1955) is generally used. However, recent developments in sampling technology and Korean soil conditions are different from those proposed by Schmertmann. So it needs to be verified. In this study, each consolidation curve's cross void ratio is evaluated by doing consolidation test varying disturbance on high-plastic clay (CH), low-plastic clay (CL) and low-plastic silt (ML). The test results were $0.521e_0$ for low-plastic silt, $0.404e_0$ for low-plastic clay, and $0.458e_0$ for the high-plastic clay. This results were different from those of Schmertmann's suggested value of $0.42e_0$. Therefor we proposed a correction formula using the plastic index according to soil type. However, since the results of this study are limited test results, further studies on various korean soil are needed to suggest the compression index correction method according to the degree of plasticity index of soil.

Electrochemical properties of $AB_5$-type Hydrogen alloys upon addition of Zr, Ti and V ($AB_5$계 수소저장합금의 Zr, Ti 및 V 첨가에 따른 전기화학적특성)

  • Kim, D.H.;Cho, S.W.;Jung, S.R.;Park, C.N.;Choi, J.
    • Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.31-38
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    • 2006
  • There are two types of metal hydride electrodes as a negative electrode in a Ni-MH battery, $AB_2$ Zr-based Laves phases and $AB_5$ LM(La-rich mischmetal)-based alloys. The $AB_5$ alloy electrodes have characteristic properties such as a large discharge capacity per volume, easiness in activation, long cycle life and a low cost of alloy. However they have a relatively small discharge capacity per weight. The $AB_2$alloy electrodes have a much higher discharge capacity per weight than $AB_5$ alloy electrodes, however they have some disadvantages of poor activation behavior and cycle life. Therefore, in order to improve the discharge capacity of the $AB_5$ alloy electrode the Zr, Ti and V which are the alloying elements of the $AB_2$ alloys were added to the $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}$ alloy which was chosen as a $AB_5$ alloy with a high capacity. The addition of Zr, Ti and V to $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}$ alloy improved the activation to be completed in two cycles. The discharge capacities of Zr 0.02, Ti 0.02 and V 0.1 alloys in $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}M_y$ (M = Zr, Ti, V) were respectively 346, 348 and 366 mAh/g alloy. The alloy electrodes, Zr 0.02, Ti 0.05 and V 0.1 in $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}M_y$ (M = Zr, Ti, V), have shown good cycle property after 200 cycles. The rate capability of the $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}M_y$ (M = Zr, Ti, V) alloy electrodes were very good until 0.6 C rate and the alloys, Zr 0.02, Ti 0.05 and V 0.1, have shown the best result as 92 % at 2.4 C rate. The charge retention property of the $LaNi_{3.6}Ai_{0.4}Co_{0.7}Mn_{0.3}M_y$ (M = Zr, Ti, V) alloys was not good and the alloys with M content from 0.02 to 0.05 showed better charge retention properties.