• Title/Summary/Keyword: computer-assisted

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Utilization, Safety, and Related Factors of Illegal Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors in South Korean Men (국내 남성에서 포스포디에스테라제 5형 억제제 불법유통 사용현황, 안전성 및 관련 요인)

  • Kim, Bong Gi;Jung, Sun-Young;Kwon, Kyoung-Eun;Park, Byung-Joo
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.50-55
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    • 2015
  • Background: Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors (PDE5Is), which are prescription drug in South Korea, have been concerned about misuse, overuse and illegal provision of the drugs. This study was performed to investigate utilization and safety of illegal Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors (PDE5Is), and related factors among South Korean men. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted from May to July in 2013 among 1,500 nationally representative general males using computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI). The questionnaire included the characteristics of population, the characteristics of PDE5Is use, the experience with the use of illegally obtained PDE5Is, and adverse events after PDE5Is use. Results: Among study population, the 1,015 (67.7%) men answered that they have used the illegally obtained PDE5Is. Younger age, single, lower frequency of PDE5Is use in a lifetime was associated with an increased use of illegally obtained PDE5Is. The men experienced adverse events after PDE5Is use is 528 (35.2%). The most common adverse event was mild to moderate hot flashes. Conclusion: We need to enhance awareness about the risk of illegally obtained PDE5Is use, especially in younger men and single. Proactive educations and public relations on safe use of PDE5Is for proper patients are needed.

The Effect of Computer-Assisted Instruction(CAI) through the Multimedia CD-ROM on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse (CAI를 이용한 어린이 성희롱/성폭력 예방교육 효과)

  • Bae, Jeong-Yee
    • The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.239-251
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    • 2004
  • The purpose of this study was to find out the effects of education for prevention of child sexual abuse (rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment etc.) of children in elementary school students. Incidences of sexual abuse in Korea is ranked 3rd in the world. Sexual abuse of children, particularly, is one of the most serious crimes that affect both the victimized children and their family. The issue related to sexual abuse of children has been ignored, and there is a lack of systematic education to prevent sexual abuse of children either for children or their parents. Furthermore, lack of knowledge and poor attitude of teachers limit their capability to provide education for sexual abuse prevention to the children. The education for teachers may change their knowledge of the sexual abuse and their attitude toward it and improve their capability in helping children. 223 Korean elementary school students participated in this study. Research design was One group pretest-posttest design. The education given to the subjects included 4 hours through the multimedia CD-ROM on the prevention of child sexual abuse. The education program was developed based on a survey. School- aged- children, parents, and teachers were interviewed to reveal their educational needs based on their experiences related to sexual abuse. This program includes such as safety education, crisis management, resource person(s), and phone numbers of available hospital. Data was collected before, during and after the education was given to the subjects, to assess their knowledge and attitude toward child sexual abuse. Two instruments were used in this study. Using Cronbach's ALPHA validity and reliability of 2 instruments were tested. The analysis of the data was done with Window SPSS 10.0 for descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA. The results of this analysis were as follows : 1. After education, the score of school nurses knowledge was higher than before(t= -4.677, p=0.000). 2. After education, the score of school nurses attitude was not higher than before (t=0.131, p=0.896). The findings from this study will provide an intervention strategy for prevention of sexual abuse in children.

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Volumetric quantification of bone-implant contact using micro-computed tomography analysis based on region-based segmentation

  • Kang, Sung-Won;Lee, Woo-Jin;Choi, Soon-Chul;Lee, Sam-Sun;Heo, Min-Suk;Huh, Kyung-Hoe;Kim, Tae-Il;Yi, Won-Jin
    • Imaging Science in Dentistry
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    • v.45 no.1
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    • pp.7-13
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    • 2015
  • Purpose: We have developed a new method of segmenting the areas of absorbable implants and bone using region-based segmentation of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images, which allowed us to quantify volumetric bone-implant contact (VBIC) and volumetric absorption (VA). Materials and Methods: The simple threshold technique generally used in micro-CT analysis cannot be used to segment the areas of absorbable implants and bone. Instead, a region-based segmentation method, a region-labeling method, and subsequent morphological operations were successively applied to micro-CT images. The three-dimensional VBIC and VA of the absorbable implant were then calculated over the entire volume of the implant. Two-dimensional (2D) bone-implant contact (BIC) and bone area (BA) were also measured based on the conventional histomorphometric method. Results: VA and VBIC increased significantly with as the healing period increased (p<0.05). VBIC values were significantly correlated with VA values (p<0.05) and with 2D BIC values (p<0.05). Conclusion: It is possible to quantify VBIC and VA for absorbable implants using micro-CT analysis using a region-based segmentation method.

A Dual-Scale Analysis of Macroscopic Resin Flow in Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding Process (VARTM공정에서의 거시적 수지 유동의 Dual-Scale 분석)

  • 박윤희;강문구;이우일
    • Composites Research
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    • v.15 no.6
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2002
  • In VARTM process where a sacrificial medium is used to facilitate the resin flow, the velocity of resin varies drastically between the sacrificial medium and the fiber preform. Although the thickness-to-length ratio of a VARTM product is usually small, a 3-D analysis is prerequisite to analyze the lead-lag flow in the two different media. The problem associated with the full 3-D analysis is the CPU time. A full 3-D numerical mesh comprising large number of nodes requires an impractical CPU time on average computer platforms. In this study, a dual-scale analysis technique was developed. The flow analysis for the entire calculation domain was conducted in 2.5-D, and the 3-D analysis was performed for a small area of special concern. In some numerical examples, the local 3-D analysis could discover an eccentric flow pattern as well as the lead-lag flow that will inevitably be neglected in 2.5-D simulations. The global-local analysis technique practiced in this study can be used to analyze the intricate flow of resin through non-uniform media in affordable CPU times.

Comparison of 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional Conformal Treatment Plans in Gastric Cancer Radiotherapy

  • Adas, Yasemin Guzle;Andrieu, Meltem Nalca;Hicsonmez, Ayse;Atakul, Tugba;Dirican, Bahar;Aktas, Caner;Yilmaz, Sercan;Akyurek, Serap;Gokce, Saban Cakir;Ergocen, Salih
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.17
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    • pp.7401-7405
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    • 2014
  • Background: Postoperative chemoradiotherapy is accepted as standard treatment for stage IB-IV, M0 gastric cancer. Radiotherapy (RT) planning of gastric cancer is important because of the low radiation tolerance of surrounding critical organs. The purpose of this study was to compare the dosimetric aspects of 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) treatment plans, with the twin aims of evaluating the adequacy of 2D planning fields on coverage of planning target volume (PTV) and 3D conformal plans for both covering PTV and reducing the normal tissue doses. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients with stage II-IV gastric adenocarcinoma were treated with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy using 3DRT. For each patient, a second 2D treatment plan was generated. The two techniques were compared for target volume coverage and dose to normal tissues using dose volume histogram (DVH) analysis. Results: 3DRT provides more adequate coverage of the target volume. Comparative DVHs for the left kidney and spinal cord demonstrate lower radiation doses with the 3D technique. Conclusions: 3DRT produced better dose distributions and reduced radiation doses to left kidney and spinal cord compared to the 2D technique. For this reason it can be predicted that 3DRT will result in better tumor control and less normal tissue complications.

The Effect of L-carnitine and Acetylcarnitine on Sperm Parameters in vitro (생체외 L-carnitine과 Acetylcarnitine의 정자지표 개선 효과)

  • Lee, Wan;Park, Nam-Cheol
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.149-157
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    • 2002
  • Objectives: To assess the scavenging effect of carnitine derivatives on oxidative damage to sperm during sperm processing, cryopreservation and thawing. Materials and Methods: Fresh semen samples from 20 normal healthy volunteers were collected by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence. After liquefaction of semen samples at room temperature, the specimens were diluted with sperm wash media (Ham's F-10, Life technologics) to a uniform density of $20{\times}10^6/ml$. L-carnitine or acetylcarnitine were added with various concentration of $0{\mu}M$, $10{\mu}M$, $30{\mu}M$ in semen sample or cryoprotectant. All specimens were cryopreservated at $-196^{circ}C$ $LN_2$ for 3 days. Sperm motility, vitality, fertilizing capacity, reactive oxygen species formation and the level of lipid peroxidation were analyzed by computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, hypoosmotic swelling test, chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid method, respectively, during sperm processing, cryopreservation and thawing. Results: The sperm motility was only increased in proportion to the concentration of acetylcarnitine with no statistical significance (p>0.05). The sperm vitality was also significantly improved in proportion to the concentration of acetylcarnitine with statistical significance (p<0.05). The sperm fertilizing capacity was significantly increased in proportion to the concentration of L-carnitine and acetylcarnitine and reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation were significantly decreased with same fashion (p<0.05). On comparison of effects between L-carnitine and acetylcarnitine, acetylcarnitine was superior to L-carnitine on the improvement of sperm motility and vitality as well as the suppression of reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation. Conclusions: These results suggest that carnitine derivatives have a scavenging effect against oxidative damages during sperm processing, cryopreservation and thawing. Therefore, carnitine derivatives may be useful as an oral antioxidant in patients with male infertility due to increased ROS generation.

Needs Assessment of Nutrition Education for Preschoolers and Their Parents using Focus Group Interview (포커스 그룹 인터뷰를 이용한 유치원 학부모 대상의 유아영양교육 요구도 조사)

  • Kim, Kyungmin
    • Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.20-29
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    • 2015
  • This study investigated the demand of nutrition education programs among preschooler's parents. Focus group interview was conducted four times with 29 parents of preschool children. Most subjects appeared to have interest in nutrition education; 'very interested' (58.6%), 'somewhat interested' (20.7%). Sources of nutrition information were 'internet' (35.1%), 'books' (21.6%), 'newspaper or magazines' (13.5%), 'family or relatives' (13.5%), 'media' (8.1%), 'preschool' (5.4%) and 'hospital or public health center' (2.7%) in order. The most frequently mentioned health problems related to dietary behavior were atopy and obesity. Major concerns for children's dietary behavior was picky eating habits, and having questions for how to deal with this problem. Most subjects had trouble with obtaining an adequate amount of dietary supplements for their children. Nutrition education for parents about food labeling and information on processed foods was in demand. Preferred methods of nutrition education for children were playing games with stickers, gardening vegetables, and participating in cooking. Attitudes toward computer-assisted education materials, one of the methods of nutrition education, appeared to be ambivalent. Some preschool parents showed negative attitudes towards exposing their children to electronic devices at an early age, whereas others showed positive attitudes. Subjects were interested in meal-planning and ways to balance nutrients for their child. Parents preferred attending professional lectures to receive reading materials or searching websites as an adult nutrition education method. Results of this study have implications on providing basic information for developing nutrition education programs for preschoolers and their parents. Future research should focus on developing nutrition education programs for both preschools and the home.

Computerized Image Analysis of Micronucleated Reticulocytes in Mouse Bone Marrow (컴퓨터 이미지 분석법을 이용한 마우스 골수세포에서 소핵의 계수)

  • 권정;홍미영;고우석;정문구;이미가엘
    • Toxicological Research
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    • v.18 no.4
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    • pp.369-374
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    • 2002
  • The present study was performed to validate an automated image analysis system (Loats Automated Micronucleus Scoring System) for the mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay, comparing with conventional microscopic scoring. Two studies were conducted to provide slides for a comparison of micro-nucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) values collected manually to those collected by the auto-mated system. Test article A was used as an example of a compound negative for the induction of micronuclei and test article B was wed as a micronucleus-inducing agent to elicit a positive response. Cyclophosphamide was included to provide an positive control in two studies. Bone marrow samples were collected 24 h after administration of test article A and B in male ICR mice. The cells were fixed with absolute methanol and stained with May-Grunwald and Giemsa. The number of MNPCEs was determined by the analysis of 1000 total PCEs per bone marrow sample. In addition to micronucleus scoring, an index of bone marrow toxicity based on PCE ratio (% of PCEs to total erythrocytes) was determined for each sample. The automated and manual scoring was similar when the MNPCEs incidence induced by each test article was less than 10. However manual scoring was able to effectively enumerate micronucleated PCEs in mouse bone marrow when MNPCEs incidence was more than 10, such as cyclophosphamide treatment. Conversely, PCE ratio was superior in computer-assisted image analysis. Taken together, it is suggested that improvement of the automated image analysis may be necessary to render the automatic scoring as sensitive as manual scoring for routine counting of micronuclei, especially because it is superior in objectivity and high throughput scoring.

An Off-line Maximum Torque Control Strategy of Wound Rotor Synchronous Machine with Nonlinear Parameters

  • Wang, Qi;Lee, Heon-Hyeong;Park, Hong-Joo;Kim, Sung-Il;Lee, Geun-Ho
    • Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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    • v.11 no.3
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    • pp.609-617
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    • 2016
  • Belt-driven Starter Generator (BSG) differs from other mild hybrid systems as the crankshaft of vehicle are not run off. Motor permits a low-cost method of adding mild hybrid capabilities such as start-stop, power assist, and mild levels of regenerative braking. Wound rotor synchronous motor (WRSM) could be adopted in BSG system for HEV e-Assisted application instead of the interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM). In practice, adequate torque is indispensable for starter assist system, and energy conversion should be taken into account for the HEV or EV as well. Particularly, flux weakening control is possible to realize by adjusting both direct axis components of current and field current in WRSM. Accordingly, this paper present an off-line current acquisition algorithm that can reasonably combine the stator and field current to acquire the maximum torque, meanwhile the energy conversion is taken into consideration by losses. Besides, on account of inductance influence by non-uniform air gap around rotor, nonlinear inductances and armature flux linkage against current variation are proposed to guarantee the results closer to reality. A computer-aided method for proposed algorithm are present and results are given in form of the Look-up table (LUT). The experiment shows the validity of algorithm.

Effect of Cholesterol-loaded-cyclodextrin in Presence and Absence of Egg Yolk during Freezing Step on Quality of Markhoz Buck's Spermatozoa

  • Farshad, A.;Amidi, F.;Khor, A. Koohi;Rashidi, A.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.181-189
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    • 2011
  • Cryopreservation protocols induce partially irreversible damage to mammalian sperm plasma membranes. Previous studies have indicated that adding cholesterol to the plasma membrane, as cholesterol-loaded-cyclodextrins, improves cryosurvival of sperm. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if treating sperm of Markhoz bucks with cholesterol-loaded-cyclodextrins (CLC) (0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 mg/ml diluted $240{\times}10^6$ sperm/ml) in Tris-citric acid-glucose diluents with and without egg yolk (containing 5% glycerol) would improve the post-thaw sperm quality. The motion characteristics were evaluated with a Computer Assisted System Analyzer (CASA); acrosome integrity and vitality were measured with the triple-stain technique. Samples were recovered before and after freezing by means of putting straws into $37^{\circ}C$ water for 30 sec and then parameters were assessed. The results showed that the treatments significantly affected motility, progressive motility, recovery rate, curvilinear velocity, beat cross frequency, live sperm with reacted acrosome, live sperm with unreacted acrosome, dead sperm with reacted acrosorne, and dead sperm with unreacted acrosome during freezing (p<0.05). However; no significant differences were found for average path velocity, straight line velocity, amplitude of lateral head displacement, straightness and linearity (p>0.05). The best results were observed for extender containing 2.25 mg/ml ($240{\times}10^6$ sperm/ml) CLC supplemented with 2.6% egg yolk. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate improved Markhoz sperm viability and motility following treatment in the presence of egg yolk.