• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 1998

This research was designed to investigate how the exercise program affects paraplegic standing and walking employing functional electrical stimulation(FES). Emphasis was also given to fatigue of major lower extremity muscles induced by different types of electrical stimulation. We applied continuous and intermittent rectangular pulse trains to quadriceps of 10 normal subjects and 4 complete paraplegic patients. The frequencies were 20Hz and 80Hz, and the knee angle was fixed at 90$^{\circ}$and 150$^{\circ}$to investigate how muscle fatigue is related to muscle length. The knee extensor torque was measured and monitored. We have been training quadriceps and gastrocnemius of a male paraplegic patient by means of electrical stimulation for the past two year. FES standing was initiated when the knee extensors became strong enough to support the body weight, and then the patient started FES walking utilizing parallel bars and a walker. We used an 8-channel constant-voltage stimulator and surface electrodes. The experimental results indicated that paralyzed muscles fatigued rapidly around the optimal length contrary to normal muscles and confirmed that low frequency and intermittent stimulation delayed fatigue. Our exercise program increased muscle force by approximately 10 folds and decreased the fatigue index to half of the initial value. In addition, the exercise enabled the patient to voluntarily lift each leg up to 10cm, which was of great help to the swing phase of FES walking. Both muscle force and resistance to fatigue were significantly enhanced right after the exercise was applied every day instead of 6 days a week. Up to date, the patient can walk for more than two and half minutes at 10m/min while controlling the on/off time of the stimulator by pushing the toggle switch attached to the walker handle.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.34-63
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• 2003

Occupational and environmental exposure to manganese continue to represent a realistic public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Increased utility of MMT as a replacement for lead in gasoline creates a new source of environmental exposure to manganese. It is, therefore, imperative that further attention be directed at molecular neurotoxicology of manganese. A Need for a more complete understanding of manganese functions both in health and disease, and for a better defined role of manganese in iron metabolism is well substantiated. The in-depth studies in this area should provide novel information on the potential public health risk associated with manganese exposure. It will also explore novel mechanism(s) of manganese-induced neurotoxicity from the angle of Mn-Fe interaction at both systemic and cellular levels. More importantly, the result of these studies will offer clues to the etiology of IPD and its associated abnormal iron and energy metabolism. To achieve these goals, however, a number of outstanding questions remain to be resolved. First, one must understand what species of manganese in the biological matrices plays critical role in the induction of neurotoxicity, Mn(II) or Mn(III)? In our own studies with aconitase, Cpx-I, and Cpx-II, manganese was added to the buffers as the divalent salt, i.e., $MnCl_2$. While it is quite reasonable to suggest that the effect on aconitase and/or Cpx-I activites was associated with the divalent species of manganese, the experimental design does not preclude the possibility that a manganese species of higher oxidation state, such as Mn(III), is required for the induction of these effects. The ionic radius of Mn(III) is 65 ppm, which is similar to the ionic size to Fe(III) (65 ppm at the high spin state) in aconitase (Nieboer and Fletcher, 1996; Sneed et al., 1953). Thus it is plausible that the higher oxidation state of manganese optimally fits into the geometric space of aconitase, serving as the active species in this enzymatic reaction. In the current literature, most of the studies on manganese toxicity have used Mn(II) as $MnCl_2$ rather than Mn(III). The obvious advantage of Mn(II) is its good water solubility, which allows effortless preparation in either in vivo or in vitro investigation, whereas almost all of the Mn(III) salt products on the comparison between two valent manganese species nearly infeasible. Thus a more intimate collaboration with physiochemists to develop a better way to study Mn(III) species in biological matrices is pressingly needed. Second, In spite of the special affinity of manganese for mitochondria and its similar chemical properties to iron, there is a sound reason to postulate that manganese may act as an iron surrogate in certain iron-requiring enzymes. It is, therefore, imperative to design the physiochemical studies to determine whether manganese can indeed exchange with iron in proteins, and to understand how manganese interacts with tertiary structure of proteins. The studies on binding properties (such as affinity constant, dissociation parameter, etc.) of manganese and iron to key enzymes associated with iron and energy regulation would add additional information to our knowledge of Mn-Fe neurotoxicity. Third, manganese exposure, either in vivo or in vitro, promotes cellular overload of iron. It is still unclear, however, how exactly manganese interacts with cellular iron regulatory processes and what is the mechanism underlying this cellular iron overload. As discussed above, the binding of IRP-I to TfR mRNA leads to the expression of TfR, thereby increasing cellular iron uptake. The sequence encoding TfR mRNA, in particular IRE fragments, has been well-documented in literature. It is therefore possible to use molecular technique to elaborate whether manganese cytotoxicity influences the mRNA expression of iron regulatory proteins and how manganese exposure alters the binding activity of IPRs to TfR mRNA. Finally, the current manganese investigation has largely focused on the issues ranging from disposition/toxicity study to the characterization of clinical symptoms. Much less has been done regarding the risk assessment of environmenta/occupational exposure. One of the unsolved, pressing puzzles is the lack of reliable biomarker(s) for manganese-induced neurologic lesions in long-term, low-level exposure situation. Lack of such a diagnostic means renders it impossible to assess the human health risk and long-term social impact associated with potentially elevated manganese in environment. The biochemical interaction between manganese and iron, particularly the ensuing subtle changes of certain relevant proteins, provides the opportunity to identify and develop such a specific biomarker for manganese-induced neuronal damage. By learning the molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity, one will be able to find a better way for prediction and treatment of manganese-initiated neurodegenerative diseases.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 2011

Soybean has widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses. Microwave remote sensing has a great potential over the conventional remote sensing with the visible and infrared spectra due to its all-weather day-and-night imaging capabilities. In this investigation, a ground-based polarimetric scatterometer operating at multiple frequencies was used to continuously monitor the crop conditions of a soybean field. Polarimetric backscatter data at L, C, and X-bands were acquired every 10 minutes on the microwave observations at various soybean stages. The polarimetric scatterometer consists of a vector network analyzer, a microwave switch, radio frequency cables, power unit and a personal computer. The polarimetric scatterometer components were installed inside an air-conditioned shelter to maintain constant temperature and humidity during the data acquisition period. The backscattering coefficients were calculated from the measured data at incidence angle $40^{\circ}$ and full polarization (HH, VV, HV, VH) by applying the radar equation. The soybean growth data such as leaf area index (LAI), plant height, fresh and dry weight, vegetation water content and pod weight were measured periodically throughout the growth season. We measured the temporal variations of backscattering coefficients of the soybean crop at L, C, and X-bands during a soybean growth period. In the three bands, VV-polarized backscattering coefficients were higher than HH-polarized backscattering coefficients until mid-June, and thereafter HH-polarized backscattering coefficients were higher than VV-, HV-polarized back scattering coefficients. However, the cross-over stage (HH > VV) was different for each frequency: DOY 200 for L-band and DOY 210 for both C and X-bands. The temporal trend of the backscattering coefficients for all bands agreed with the soybean growth data such as LAI, dry weight and plant height; i.e., increased until about DOY 271 and decreased afterward. We plotted the relationship between the backscattering coefficients with three bands and soybean growth parameters. The growth parameters were highly correlated with HH-polarization at L-band (over r=0.92).

• Water for future
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.147-158
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• 1995

The purpose of this study is to establish a method of estimating the daily urban water demand using statistical model. This method will be used for the development of the efficient management and operation of the water supply facilities. The data used were the daily urban water use, the population, the year lapse and the weather conditions such as temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, etc. Kwangju city was selected for the case study area. The raw data used in this study were rearranged either by month or by season for the purpose of analysis, and the statistical analysis was applied to the data to obtain the regression model. As a result, the multiple linear regression model was developed to estimate the daily urban water use based on the seather condition. The regression constant and the model coefficients were determined for each month of a year. The accuracy of the model was within 3% of average error and within 10% of maximum error. The developed model was found to be useful to the practical operation and management of the water supply facilities.

• Proceedings of the Korea Association of Crystal Growth Conference
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• 1996.06a
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• pp.258-292
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• 1996

In the last year great interest appears to YBCO thin films preparation on different substrate materials. Preparation of epitaxial film is a very difficult problem. There are many requirements to substrate materials that must be fullfilled. Main problems are lattice mismatch (misfit) and similarity of structure. From paper [1] or follows that difference in interatomic distances and angles of substrate and film is mire important problem than similarity of structure. In this work we present interatomic distances and angle relations between substrate materials belonging to ABCO4 group (where A-Sr or Ca, B-rare earth element, C-Al or Ga) of different orientations and YBCO thin films. There are many materials used as substrates for HTsC thin films. ABCO4 group of compounds is characterized by small dielectric constants (it is necessary for microwave applications of HTsC films), absence of twins and small misfit [2]. There most interesting compounds CaNdAlO4, SrLaAlO4 and SrLaGaO4 were investigated. All these compounds are of pseudo-perovskite structure with space group 14/mmm. This structure is very similar to structure of YBCO. SLG substrate has the lowest misfit (0.3%) and dielectric constant. For preparation of then films of substrates of this group of compound plane of <100> orientation are mainly used. Good quality films of <001> orientations are obtained [3]. In this case not only a-a misfit play role, but c-3b misfit is very important too. Sometimes, for preparation of thin films substrates of <001> and <110> orientations were manufactured [3]. Different misfits for different YBCO faces have been analyzed. It has been found that the mismatching factor for (100) face is very similar to that for (001) face so there is possibility of preparation of thin films on both orientations. SrLaAlO4(SLA) and SrLaGaO4(SLG) crystals of general formula ABCO4 have been grown by the Czochralski method. The quality of SLA and SLG crystals strongly depends on axial gradient of temperature and growth and rotation rates. High quality crystals were obtained at axial gradient of temperature near crystal-melt interface lower than 50℃/cm, growth rate 1-3 mm/h and the rotation rate changing from 10-20pm[4]. Strong anisotropy in morphology of SLA and SLG single crystals grown by the Czochralski method is clearly visible. On the basics of our considerations for ABCO4 type of the tetragonal crystals there can appear {001}, {101}, and {110} faces for ionic type model [5]. Morphology of these crystals depend on ionic-covalent character of bonding and crystal growth parameters. Point defects are observed in crystals and they are reflected in color changes (colorless, yellow, green). Point defects are detected in directions perpendicular to oxide planes and are connected with instability of oxygen position in lattice. To investigate facets formations crystals were doped with Cr3+, Er3+, Pr3+, Ba2+. Chromium greater size ion which is substituted for Al3+ clearly induces faceting. There appear easy {110} faces and SLA crystals crack even then the amount of Cr is below 0.3at.% SLG single crystals are not so sensitive to the content of chromium ions. It was also found that if {110} face appears at the beginning of growth process the crystal changes its color on the plane {110} but it happens only on the shoulder part. The projection of {110} face has a great amount of oxygen positions which can be easy defected. Pure and doped SLA and SLG crystals measured by EPR in the<110> direction show more intensive lines than in other directions which allows to suggest that the amount of oxygen defects on the {110} plane is higher. In order to find the origin of colors and their relation with the crystal stability, a set of SLA and SLG crystals were investigated using optical spectroscopy. The colored samples exhibit an absorption band stretching from the UV absorption edge of the crystal, from about 240 nm to about 550 m. In the case of colorless sample, the absorption spectrum consists of a relatively weak band in the UV region. The spectral position and intensities of absorption bands of SLA are typical for imperfection similar to color centers which may be created in most of oxide crystals by UV and X-radiation. It is pointed out that crystal growth process of polycomponent oxide crystals by Czochralski method depends on the preparation of melt and its stoichiometry, orientation of seed, gradient of temperature at crystal-melt interface, parameters of growth (rotation and pulling rate) and control of red-ox atmosphere during seeding and growth (rotation and pulling rate) and control of red-ox atmosphere during seeding and growth. Growth parameters have an influence on the morphology of crystal-melt interface, type and concentration of defects.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently, Department of Nuclear Medicine have an interest in Video Display Terminals (VDT) syndrome including musculoskeletal disorders, ophthalmologic disorders, trouble of electromagnetic waves and stress disorders occur to VDT workers as the growing number of users and rapid pace of service period supply in large amount. This study research on the actual condition for VDT syndrome in Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), discover the problem and draw a plan of upcoming improvement. The aim of this study establish awareness about VDT syndrome and is to prevent for it in the long run. Materials and Methods: Department of Nuclear Medicine, SNUH is composed Principle part, Pediatric part and PET center. We estimated risk factors visit in each part directly. Estimation method use "Check list for VDT work" of Wonjin working environment health laboratory and check list is condition of VDT work, condition of work tables, condition of chairs, condition of keyboards, condition of monitors, working position, character of health management and other working environment. Analysis result is verified in Department of Occupational and Environment, Hallym University Sacred Heard Hospital. Results: As a result of analysis, VDT condition of Department of Nuclear Medicine, SNUH is rule good. In case of work tables, recent of things are suitable to users upon the ergonomical planning, but 15% of existing work tables are below the standard value. In case of chairs are suitable, but 5% of theirs lost optimum capacity become superannuated. The keyboards are suitable for 98% of standard value. In case of monitors, angle control of screen is possible of all, but positioning control is impossible for 38%. In case of working position, 10% is fixed positioning for long time and some of the items researched unsuitable things for standard. At health management point, needed capable of improvement. Also, other working condition as lighting, temperature, noise and ventilation, discovered the problem, but is sufficient to advice value. Conclusion: VDT syndrome is occurrences of possibility continuously, come economical expensive about improvement, is inherent in various causes and originate without your knowledge. So, there is need systematic management system. In Nuclear Medicine, VDT syndrome make it better that constant interest and effort as improvement of ergonomical working environment, improvement of working procedure, regular exercise and steady stretching, and can be prevented fairly. This promote physical and mental condition of worker in top form in comfortable working environment, so this is judged by enlargement of operations efficiency and rising of satisfaction ratings of the inside client.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2001

Purpose : Irradiation cones by using backscatter electrons are made for the treatment of superficial small lesions of skin, oral cavity, and rectum where a significant dose gradient and maximum surface dose is desired. Methods and Materials : Backscatter electrons are produced from the primary electron beams from the linear accelerators. The design consists of a cylindrical cone that has a thick circular plate of high atomic number medium (Pb or Cu) attached to the distal end, and the plate can be adjusted the reflected angle. Primary electrons strike the metal plate perpendicularly and produce backscatter electrons that reflect through the lateral hole for treatment. Using film and a parallel plate ion chamber, backscatter electron dose characteristics are measured. Results : The depth dose characteristic of the backscatter electron is very similar to that of the hard x-ray beam that is commonly used for the intracavitary and superficial lesions. The basckscatter electron energy is nearly constant and effectively about 1.5 MeV from the clinical megavoltage beams. The backscatter electron dose rate of $35\~85\;cGy/min$ could be achieved from modern accelerators without any modification. and the depth in water of $50\%$ depth dose from backscatter electron located at 6mm for $45^{\circ}$ angled lead scatter. The beam flatness is dependent on the slit size and the depth of treatment, but is satisfactory to treat small lesions. Conclusions : The measured data for backscatter electron energy, depth dose flatness dose rate and absolute dose indicates that the backscatter electrons are suitable for clinical use.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 1984

Optimizing investigation of characteristics of underwater welding by a gravity type arc welding process was experimentally carried out by using six types of domestic coated welding electrodes for welding of domestic marine structural steel plates (KR Grade A-1, SWS41A, SWS41B,) in order to develop the underwater welding techniques in practical use. Main results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The absorption speed of the coating of domestic coated lime titania type welding-electrode became constant at about 60 minutes in water and it was about 0.18%/min during initial 8 minutes of absorption time. 2. Thus, the immediate welding electrode could be used in underwater welding for such a short time in comparison with the joint strength of in-atmosphere-and on-water-welding by dry-, wet-or immediate-welding-electrode. 3. By bead appearance and X-ray inspection, ilmenite, limetitania and high titanium oxide types of electrodes were found better for underwater-welding of 10 mm KR Grade A-1 steel plates, while proper welding angle, current and electrode diameter were 6$0^{\circ}C$, above 160A and 4mm respectively under 28cm/min of welding speed. 4. The weld metal tensile strength or proof stress of underwater-welded-joints has a quadratic relationship with the heat input, and the optimal heat input zone is about 13 to 15KJ/cm for 10mm SWS41A steel plates, resulting from consideration upon both joint efficiency of above-100% and recovery of impact strength and strain. Meanwhile, the optimal heat input zone resulting from tension-tension fatigue limit above the base metal's of SWS41A plates is 16 to 19KJ/cm. Reliability of all the empirical equations reveals 95% confidence level. 6. The microstructure of the underwater welds of SES41A welded in such a zone has no weld defects such as hydrogen brittleness with supreme high hardness, since the HAZ-bond boundary area adjacent to both surface and base metal has only Hv400 max with the microstructure of fine martensite, bainite, pearlite and small amount of ferrite.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.643-651
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• 2001

Paddlewheel-driven circulation in a culture pond has been simulated based on the depth integrated 2 dimensional hydrodynamic model. Acceleration by paddlewheel is expressed as shaft force divided by water mass discharged by paddlewheel blades. The model has been calibrated and applied to culture ponds as following steps:- i) The model predicted velocities at every 10 m along longitudinal direction from the paddlewheel. The model was calibrated comparing the results with the measured values at mass correction factor $\alpha$ and dimensionless eddy viscosity constant $\gamma$, respectively, in a range $15\~20$ and 6. ii) Wind shear stress was simulated under conditions of direction $0^{\circ}C,\;90^{\circ}C\;and\;180^{\circ}C$ and speed 0.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 m/s. Change rate of current speed was <$1\%$ at wind in parallel or opposite direction to the paddlewheel-driven jet flow, while $4\%$ at orthogonal angle. iii) The model was then applied to 2 culture ponds located at the Western coast of Korea. The measured and predicted currents for the ponds were compared using the regression analysis. Analysis of flow direction and speed showed correlation coefficients 0.8928 and 0.6782 in pond A, 0.8539 and 0.7071 in pond B, respectively. Hence, the model is concluded to accurately predict circulation driven by paddlewheel such that it can be a useful tool to provide pond management strategy relating to paddlewheel operation and water quality.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2010

Photopolymer is a material for recording three dimensional holograms containing photo information. Photopolymer has been found to be a proper material due to many advantages such as high DE value, easy processing, and low price. Compositions of PVA, monomer, initiater and photosensitizer were determined by previous experiments and the compositions of $SeO_2$ and $TiO_2$ were considered as variable to find out the effects of $TiO_2$ on DE. The DE values were constant for the varying compositions of $TiO_2$ (0.1 mg~1.0 mg). In other words, $TiO_2$ is not directly effective on the DE values. Composition change experiments from $SeO_2$ 0.1 mg, $TiO_2$ 0.9 mg to $SeO_2$ 0.9 mg, $TiO_2$ 0.1 showed a maximum DE value of 73.75% at a component of $SeO_2$ 0.8 mg, $TiO_2$ 0.2 mg. It seemed that regardless of the amount of $TiO_2$, increasing the amount of $SeO_2$ gently increases DE`s. If nano particles are heavily added, transparent films could not be made due to the separation of particles by the solubility decrease. Photopolymer films could be made with high DE values for an extensive angle range if $TiO_2$ additions were kept minimum and $SeO_2$ additions were kept maximum.