• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.146-151
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: The relationship between hearing aid (HA) use and improvement in cognitive function is not fully known. This study aimed to determine whether HAs could recover temporal resolution or hearing in noise functions. Materials and Methods: We designed a prospective study with two groups: HA users and controls. Patients older than 45 years, with a pure tone average threshold of worse than 40 dB and a speech discrimination score better than 60% in both ears were eligible. Central auditory processing tests and hearing in noise tests (HINTs) were evaluated at the beginning of the study and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the use of a monaural HA in the HA group compared to the control group. The changes in the evaluation parameters were statistically analyzed using the linear mixed model. Results: A total of 26 participants (13 in the HA and 13 in the control group) were included in this study. The frequency (p<0.01) and duration test (p=0.02) scores showed significant improvements in the HA group after 1 year, while the HINT scores showed no significant change. Conclusions: After using an HA for one year, patients performed better on temporal resolution tests. No improvement was documented with regard to hearing in noise.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.146-151
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: The relationship between hearing aid (HA) use and improvement in cognitive function is not fully known. This study aimed to determine whether HAs could recover temporal resolution or hearing in noise functions. Materials and Methods: We designed a prospective study with two groups: HA users and controls. Patients older than 45 years, with a pure tone average threshold of worse than 40 dB and a speech discrimination score better than 60% in both ears were eligible. Central auditory processing tests and hearing in noise tests (HINTs) were evaluated at the beginning of the study and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the use of a monaural HA in the HA group compared to the control group. The changes in the evaluation parameters were statistically analyzed using the linear mixed model. Results: A total of 26 participants (13 in the HA and 13 in the control group) were included in this study. The frequency (p<0.01) and duration test (p=0.02) scores showed significant improvements in the HA group after 1 year, while the HINT scores showed no significant change. Conclusions: After using an HA for one year, patients performed better on temporal resolution tests. No improvement was documented with regard to hearing in noise.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.1991-1999
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• 2021

The response changes of the specific growth rate of Lemna minor duckweed was modeled using the logarithms of frond numbers on tritium activity concentration and gamma radiation dose from cobalt 60. The concept of average specific growth rate depends on the general exponential growth pattern, where toxicity is estimated based on the effect on the growth rate. One of the main questions of the effect of the radiation dose on duckweed is how to correlate the effect of beta radiation with the effect of any other radiation for modeling radiation on Lemna minor. Experimental data were extrapolated by utilizing the OECD guidelines. A linear relationship of absorbed dose and activity concentration was obtained for the average dependency growth rate of Lemna minor as D = (0.1257)·A^0.585. The dose rate of gamma irradiation from ⁶⁰Co increases with tritium activity dependence, on the specific growth rate of the Lemna minor duckweed. An increase in the tritium activity causes a decrease in the specific growth rate of the Lemna minor duckweed. It indicates that as the quantity of the beta radiation dose increase in Lemna minor duckweed, a higher quantity of gamma radiation will be required to cause the same effect in the specific growth rate of Lemna minor duckweed. The relation between the inhibition of the Lemna minor seedling growth and gamma and beta radiation dosage agrees roughly with that between the decrease of survival rate or fertility and dosage.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to compare the mechanical and thermal properties in the anterior and posterior segments of new and retrieved specimens of a commercially available multizone superelastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwire. Methods: The following groups of 0.016 × 0.022-inch Bioforce NiTi archwires were compared: a) anterior and b) posterior segments of new specimens and c) anterior and d) posterior segments of retrieved specimens. Six specimens were evaluated in each group, by three-point bending and bend and free recovery tests. Bending moduli (Eb) were calculated. Furthermore, the new specimens were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. A multiple linear regression model with a random intercept at the wire level was applied for data analysis. Results: The forces in the posterior segments or new specimens were higher than those recorded in the anterior segments or retrieved specimens, respectively. Accordingly, Eb also varied. Higher austenite start and austenite finish (Af) temperatures were recorded in the anterior segments. No statistically significant differences were found for these temperatures between retrieved and new wires. The mean elemental composition was (weight percentage): Ni, 52.6 ± 0.5; Ti, 47.4 ± 0.5. Conclusions: The existence of multiple force zones was confirmed in new and retrieved Bioforce archwires. The retrieved archwires demonstrated lower forces during the initial stages of deactivation in three-point bending tests, compared with new specimens. The Af temperature of these archwires may lie higher than the regular intraoral temperature. Even at 2 mm deflections, the forces recorded from these archwires may lie beyond biologically safe limits.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

An Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) based wireless communication system has drawn wide attention for its high transmission rate and high spectrum efficiency in not only radio but also Underwater Acoustic (UWA) applications. Because of the narrow sub-carrier spacing of OFDM, orthogonality between sub-carriers is easily affected by Doppler effect caused by the movement of transmitter or receiver. Previously, Doppler compensation signal processing algorithm for Desired propagation path was proposed. However, other Doppler shifts caused by delayed Undesired signal arriving from different directions cannot be perfectly compensated. Then Receiver Bit Error Rate (BER) is degraded by Inter-Carrier-Interference (ICI) caused in the case of Multi-path Doppler channel. To mitigate the ICI effect, a modified Delay and Doppler Profiler (mDDP), which estimates not only attenuation, relative delay and Doppler shift but also sampling clock shift of each multi-path component, is proposed. Based on the outputs of mDDP, an ICI canceling multi-tap equalizer is also proposed. Computer simulated performances of one-tap equalizer with the conventional Time domain linear interpolated Channel Transfer Function (CTF) estimator, multi-tap equalizer based on mDDP are compared. According to the simulation results, BER improvement has been observed. Especially, in the condition of 16QAM modulation, transmitting vessel speed of 6m/s, two-path multipath channel with direct path and ocean surface reflection path; more than one order of magnitude BER reduction has been observed at CNR=30dB.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.422-430
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• 2023

Objectives: Prolactin is vital for breastfeeding and milk production, and its secretion is influenced by factors related to the mother, infant, and environment. To date, no study has concurrently investigated the correlation of these factors with serum prolactin levels during lactation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the correlations among maternal and infant factors, lead exposure, and serum prolactin levels during lactation. Methods: A cross-sectional approach was employed in Surabaya, Indonesia, among 110 exclusively lactating mothers. The mothers' daily diets were determined using multiple 24-hour recalls, while blood lead levels were measured with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Serum prolactin levels were assessed using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. For bivariate analysis, we employed the Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, while for multivariate analysis, we utilized multiple linear regression. Results: The average serum prolactin level of the lactating mothers was 129.19±88.96 ng/mL. Positive correlations were found between serum prolactin levels and breastfeeding frequency (p<0.001), protein intake (p<0.001), and calcium intake (p=0.011) but had negative correlation with blood lead levels (p<0.001) and vitamin B6 intake (p=0.003). Additionally, prolactin levels were not significantly associated with maternal age; parity; intake of calories, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, folic acid, magnesium, or iron; infant age; or infant sex. Conclusions: Breastfeeding frequency had a stronger positive relationship with serum prolactin levels than protein and calcium intake. However, lead exposure was associated with reduced serum prolactin levels during lactation. Consequently, specific interventions from policymakers are necessary to manage breastfeeding in mothers exposed to lead.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1021-1033
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• 2021

Objective: To assess the expression of vascular normalization genes in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and to determine whether molecular subtypes with a higher vascular normalization gene expression can be identified using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Materials and Methods: This prospective study evaluated 306 female (mean age ± standard deviation, 50 ± 10 years), recruited between January 2014 and August 2017, who had de novo breast cancer larger than 1 cm in diameter (308 tumors). DCE MRI followed by IVIM DWI studies using 11 different b-values (0 to 1200 s/mm²) were performed on a 1.5T MRI system. The Tofts model and segmented biexponential IVIM analysis were used. For each tumor, the molecular subtype (according to six [I-VI] subtypes and PAM50 subtypes), expression profile of genes for vascular normalization, pericytes, and normal vascular signatures were determined using freshly frozen tissue. Statistical associations between imaging parameters and molecular subtypes were examined using logistic regression or linear regression with a significance level of p = 0.05. Results: Breast cancer subtypes III and VI and PAM50 subtypes luminal A and normal-like exhibited a higher expression of genes for vascular normalization, pericyte markers, and normal vessel function signature (p < 0.001 for all) compared to other subtypes. Subtypes III and VI and PAM50 subtypes luminal A and normal-like, versus the remaining subtypes, showed significant associations with K^trans, k_ep, v_p, and IAUGC_BN90 on DEC MRI, with relatively smaller values in the former. The subtype grouping was significantly associated with D, with relatively less restricted diffusion in subtypes III and VI and PAM50 subtypes luminal A and normal-like. Conclusion: DCE MRI and IVIM parameters may identify molecular subtypes of breast cancers with a different vascular normalization gene expression.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.402-411
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• 2023

Background: We hypothesized that fatty liver disease (FLD) is associated with a high prevalence of hearing loss (HL) owing to metabolic disturbances. This study aimed to evaluate the association between FLD and HL in a large sample of the Korean population. Methods: We used a dataset of adults who underwent routine voluntary health checkups (n=21,316). Fatty liver index (FLI) was calculated using Bedogni's equation. The patients were divided into two groups: the non-FLD (NFLD) group (n=18,518, FLI <60) and the FLD group (n=2,798, FLI ≥60). Hearing thresholds were measured using an automatic audiometer. The average hearing threshold (AHT) was calculated as the pure-tone average at four frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kHz). HL was defined as an AHT of >40 dB. Results: HL was observed in 1,370 (7.4%) and 238 patients (8.5%) in the NFLD and FLD groups, respectively (p=0.041). Compared with the NFLD group, the odds ratio for HL in the FLD group was 1.16 (p=0.040) and 1.46 (p<0.001) in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, respectively. Linear regression analyses revealed that FLI was positively associated with AHT in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Analyses using a propensity score-matched cohort showed trends similar to those using the total cohort. Conclusion: FLD and FLI were associated with poor hearing thresholds and HL. Therefore, active monitoring of hearing impairment in patients with FLD may be helpful for early diagnosis and treatment of HL in the general population.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2010

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of dietary inorganic (copper sulfate) and organic (copper proteinate) forms of copper and energy level on performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens. Two hundred day-old commercial Vencobb broiler chicks were purchased and randomly distributed to 20 cages of 10 birds each. These replicates were randomly assigned to one of five treatments in a (($2{\times}2$)+1) factorial arrangement. These two factors were sources of Cu ($CuSO_{4}$ vs. Cuproteinate) and dose of Cu supplements (200 mg and 400 mg/kg dietary dry matter) and the control (no supplemental Cu). After the starter period (up to 3 weeks), from d 22 onwards another factor i.e. energy at two levels (2,900 vs. 2,920 kcal/kg diet) was introduced with the previous factorial arrangements by subdividing each replicate into two equal parts, for two energy levels, without disturbing the dose and source of Cu supplement. Cu-salt supplementation linearly increased (p<0.01) live weight (LW), live weight gain (LWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 3 weeks, whereas cumulative feed intake (CFI) was unaffected (p>0.05). LWG and FCR were higher (p<0.01) in Cu-proteinate supplemented birds compared to $CuSO_{4}$ supplementation. A linear dose response (p<0.01) of Cu was found for the performance of broiler chickens. Birds having a higher energy level in the finisher stage increased (p<0.01) LWG and FCR. Cumulative feed intake was similar (p>0.05) across the groups up to the 5th week. Cu-proteinate increased performance of broiler chickens compared to $CuSO_{4}$. Dose of supplemental Cu-salt irrespective of source showed a linear response (p<0.01) for performance. Supplementation of Cu-proteinate increased metabolizability of DM (p<0.01), NFE (p<0.05), total carbohydrate (p<0.01) and OM (p<0.01) at the starter period. Increased dose of Cu-salt linearly increased (p<0.01) metabolizability of DM, CP, CF, NFE and OM. Higher energy level in the diet improved DM (p<0.05), EE (p<0.01), NFE (p = 0.01), total carbohydrate (p<0.01) and OM (p<0.01) metabolizability. Cu-proteinate supplementation showed better nutrient utilization compared to CuSO4. Dose of Cu linearly increased DM, CP, EE, NFE, total carbohydrate and OM metabolizability. CF metabolizability was unaffected (p>0.05) among the treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of Cu-salt more than the requirement may improve performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens even with a high energy finisher diet. Cu-proteinate showed better performance and nutrient utilization compared to $CuSO_{4}$.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.116-126
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to investigate the removal of ammonium nitrogen by biological nitrification in raw water containing LAS using BAC. At batch teats, LAS removal by ozone followed the first order reaction, and the rate constants(k) by ozone dose 1, 3mg/min.L were $0.040min^{-1}$, $0.062min^{-1}$ respectively. Therefore, the more ozone was dosed, the higher LAS was removed The reaction between ozone and ammonium nitrogen also followed the first order, and rate constants(k) at pH7,8 and 9 were $8.9{\times}10^{-4}min-1$, $3.8{\times}10^{-3}min^{-1}$, and $2.9{\times}10^{-2}min^{-1}$ respectively at ozone dose of 3mg/min.L . Therefore, ammonium nitrogen was little removed by ozone under neutral pH of 7. The continuous flow apparatus had four sets composed of a ozone contacter and a GAC column. Through continuous filtration test for 50days, the following conclusions were derived; (1) LAS was removed 23%, 30% respectively by ozone dose 1, 3mg/L, and was not detected in all column effluents during the period of experiment. Therefore, it appeared that adsorption capacities of each column still remained. (2) Ammonium nitrogen concentration after ozone contact varied little in raw Water because pH of raw water was from 6 to 7, and was transfered to nitrite and nitrate within GAC columns as the result of staged nitrification. After 30days, nitrite was not detected in all column effluents due to biological equilbrium between nitro semonas and nitrobacter Average removals of ammonium nitrogen in each column after the lapse of 30days were the following; ${\cdot}$ column A (ozone dose 3mg/L, EBCT 9.5min): about 100% ${\cdot}$ column B (ozone dose 1mg/L, EBCT 9.5min): 91% ${\cdot}$ column C (ozone dose 3mg/L, EBCT 14.2min): about 100% ${\cdot}$ column D (ozone dose 0mg/L, EBCT 9.5min): 53% Though column A and C reached nitrification of about 100%, column C (longer EBCT than column A) was more stable than column A. (3) After backwash, nitrification reached steady state within 5 to 8 hours. Therefore, nitrification was not greatly affected by backwash. (4) According to the nitrification capacity in depth of column A, C, where 100% nitrification occured. LAS was removed within 20cm, while ammonium nitrogen required more depth to be removed by nitrification.