• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권10호
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• pp.1006-1016
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• 2023

Objective: Computed tomography (CT) is an established method for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of multiple myeloma. Here, we investigated the potential of photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) in terms of image quality, diagnostic confidence, and radiation dose compared with energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT). Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, patients with known multiple myeloma underwent clinically indicated whole-body PCD-CT. The image quality of PCD-CT was assessed qualitatively by three independent radiologists for overall image quality, edge sharpness, image noise, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence using a 5-point Likert scale (5 = excellent), and quantitatively for signal homogeneity using the coefficient of variation (CV) of Hounsfield Units (HU) values and modulation transfer function (MTF) via the full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the frequency space. The results were compared with those of the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols as controls. Additionally, the radiation dose (CTDIvol) was determined. Results: We enrolled 35 patients with multiple myeloma (mean age 69.8 ± 9.1 years; 18 [51%] males). Qualitative image analysis revealed superior scores (median [interquartile range]) for PCD-CT regarding overall image quality (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), edge sharpness (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), image noise (4.0 [4.0-4.0] vs. 3.0 [3.0-4.0]), lesion conspicuity (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), and diagnostic confidence (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]) compared with EID-CT (P ≤ 0.004). In quantitative image analyses, PCD-CT compared with EID-CT revealed a substantially lower FWHM (2.89 vs. 25.68 cy/pixel) and a significantly more homogeneous signal (mean CV ± standard deviation [SD], 0.99 ± 0.65 vs. 1.66 ± 0.5; P < 0.001) at a significantly lower radiation dose (mean CTDIvol ± SD, 3.33 ± 0.82 vs. 7.19 ± 3.57 mGy; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Whole-body PCD-CT provides significantly higher subjective and objective image quality at significantly reduced radiation doses than the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols, along with readily available multi-spectral data, facilitating the potential for further advanced post-processing.

• 한국양봉학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.39-46
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• 2019

BQCV multi-point PCR was developed as a rapid multiplex detection method for BQCV, one of the viral pathogens of honeybees. It could detect BQCV specific genes qualitative as well as quantitative detection based on ultra-rapid PCR. Three primer pairs (RNA dependent RNA polymerase, capsid protein, 3C like protease) were specifically designed for accurate the detection and were optimized for minimizing the detection time and increasing the sensitivity. Our advanced diagnostic system have the accuracy by lowering the concern about the variation in the BQCV detection site. In addition, it should be an opportunity to identify mutations that are mixed with other viruses.

• 한국산림과학회지
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• 제103권4호
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• pp.622-629
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• 2014

산양삼 재배자가 스스로 경영 수준을 진단하여 문제점을 파악하고 이를 개선해 나갈 수 있도록 경영 표준진단표를 개발하여 활용하고자 하였다. 산양삼 경영 표준진단표는 임가 일반 현황과 경영 성과 지표, 그리고 경영수준 진단을 위한 3개의 대분류 항목 및 18개의 중분류 항목으로 구성되어 있다. 산양삼 경영 표준진단표의 작성을 위해 산양삼 주산단지 15개 시 군 81개 임가의 경영 실태 조사를 실시하였으며 경영수준 진단을 위해서 18개 중분류 항목 점수를 합산하여 총점을 산출하였다. 조사 결과 81개 임가의 평균 점수는 57.2점으로 나타났으며 조사 임가의 58%가 40점 이상 60점 미만에 해당하는 것으로 나타났다. 지역별로 평균점수를 비교해 보면 전북이 52.9점으로 가장 낮고, 경남이 61.4점으로 가장 높게 나타났다. 경영기반 지표에서는 재배자들이 재배 특성상 인위적으로 상을 만들지 않고 재배하는 경우가 많아 채종포 조성(상높이)에 대한 항목의 평균 점수가 1.59점으로 낮게 나타났다. 생산기술 수준 지표에서는 병해충 관리 항목의 평균 점수가 1.28점으로 재배자의 90%이상이 병해충 예찰을 하지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 파종 및 식재방법, 종자에 대한 항목은 경남 함양에서의 평균 점수가 4.00점, 4.47점으로 특히 높게 나타났으며 경영 및 판매능력 지표에서는 경영기록 및 분석 항목의 평균 점수가 2.20점으로 낮게 나타나 여전히 재배 임가에서는 경영기록 등 경영관리가 미흡한 것으로 나타났다.

• 대한기계학회논문집B
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• 제28권9호
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• pp.1110-1116
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• 2004

Experimental measurements of laser-induced ion mobility(LIIM) were performed for ethene/air premixed flames operated near the soot inception point. Soot was ionized using a pulsed laser operated at 532 nm. The ionization signal was collected with a tungsten electrode located in the post-flame region. ionization signals were collected using both a single electrode and dual electrode configuration. Prior LIIM studies have focused on the use of a single biased electrode to generate the electric field, with the burner head serving as the path to ground. In many practical combustion systems, a path to ground is not readily available. To apply the LIIM diagnostic to these geometries, a dual electrode geometry must be employed. The influence of electrode configuration, flame equivalence ratio, and flame height on ionization signal detection was determined. The efficacy of the LIIM diagnostic to detect soot inception in the post-flame region of a premixed flame using a dual electrode configuration was investigated. For the different dual electrode configurations tested, the dual parallel electrode geometry was observed to be most sensitive to detect the soot inception point in a premixed flame.

• 한국컴퓨터정보학회논문지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.197-206
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a model for diagnosing core competencies at the higher education level. Based on literature reviews, a potential model for core competencies at university was suggested. A tool for validating the model was composed of 24 items, which were delivered to 226 professors and administrative staffs, 730 students, and 134 graduates & external industrial experts. Five constructs (core competencies) were extracted from the data collected among professors and administrative staff responding to the importance of the items. The results of importance and performance surveys on core competencies with students were respectively 3.28 to 3.66 and 2.68 to 3.28 (4-point Likert scale). Statistical differences between importance level and performance level were found in all the sub-categories of core competencies. Borich priority determination formula and Locus for Focus Model were used for the determination of the priority of needs. Importance survey among graduates and external experts showed that the mean of each items ranged from 2.80 to 3.76 (4-point Likert scale). The overall results of the analyses suggest that the final model is appropriate for measuring the core competencies.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제60권4호
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• pp.281-288
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• 2022

Malaria continues to be one of the most crucial infectious burdens in endemic areas worldwide, as well as for travelers visiting malaria transmission regions. It has been reported that 8-aminoquinolines are effective against the Plasmodium species, particularly primaquine, for anti-hypnozoite therapy in P. vivax malaria. However, primaquine causes acute hemolytic anemia in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Therefore, G6PD deficiency testing should precede hypnozoite elimination with 8-aminoquinoline. Several point-of-care devices have been developed to detect G6PD deficiency. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a novel, quantitative G6PD diagnostics based on a metagenomic blue fluorescent protein (mBFP). We comparatively evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the G6PD diagnostic modality with standard methods using 120 human whole blood samples. The G6PD deficiency was spectrophotometrically confirmed. The performance of the G6PD quantitative test kit was compared with that of a licensed control medical device, the G6PD strip. The G6PD quantitative test kit had a sensitivity of 95% (95% confidence interval (CI): 89.3-100%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 94.3-100%). This study shows that the novel diagnostic G6PD quantitative test kit could be a cost-effective and time-efficient, and universally mandated screening tool for G6PD deficiency.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.9-18
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• 2023

The rapid detection of bacteria in the oral cavity, its species identification, and bacterial count determination are important to diagnose oral diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. The existing clinical microbial diagnosis methods are time-consuming as they involve observing patients' samples under a microscope or culturing and confirming bacteria using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits, making the process complex. Therefore, it is required to analyze the development status of substances and systems that can rapidly detect and analyze pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity. With research advancements, a close relationship between oral and systemic diseases has been identified, making it crucial to identify the changes in the oral cavity bacterial composition. Additionally, an early and accurate diagnosis is essential for better prognosis in periodontal disease. However, most periodontal disease-causing pathogens are anaerobic bacteria, which are difficult to identify using conventional bacterial culture methods. Further, the existing PCR method takes a long time to detect and involves complicated stages. Therefore, to address these challenges, the concept of point-of-care (PoC) has emerged, leading to the study and implementation of various chair-side test methods. This study aims to investigate the different PoC diagnostic methods introduced thus far for identifying pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity. These are classified into three categories: 1) microbiological tests, 2) microchemical tests, and 3) genetic tests. The microbiological tests are used to determine the presence or absence of representative causative bacteria of periodontal diseases, such as A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, and T. denticola. However, the quantitative analysis remains impossible, and detecting pathogens other than the specific ones is challenging. The microchemical tests determine the activity of inflammation or disease by measuring the levels of biomarkers present in the oral cavity. Although this diagnostic method is based on increase in the specific biomarkers proportional to inflammation or disease progression in the oral cavity, its commercialization is limited due to low sensitivity and specificity. The genetic tests are based on the concept that differences in disease vulnerability and treatment response are caused by the patient's DNA predisposition. Specifically, the IL-1 gene is used in such tests. PoC diagnostic methods developed to date serve as supplementary diagnostic methods and tools for patient education, in addition to existing diagnostic methods, although they have limitations in diagnosing oral diseases alone. Research on various PoC test methods that can analyze and manage the oral cavity bacterial composition is expected to become more active, aligning with the shift from treatment-oriented to prevention-oriented approaches in healthcare.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.71-81
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• 2017

Purpose: To compare three, motion-resistant, T1-weighted MR sequences on the hepatobiliary phase for gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging of the liver. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 79 patients underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced, 3T liver MR imaging. Fifty-nine were examined using a standard protocol, and 20 were examined using a motion-resistant protocol. During the hepatocyte-specific phase, three MR sequences were acquired: 1) gradient recalled echo (GRE) with controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA); 2) radial GRE with the interleaved angle-bisection scheme (ILAB); and 3) radial GRE with golden-angle scheme (GA). Two readers independently assessed images with motion artifacts, streaking artifacts, liver-edge sharpness, hepatic vessel clarity, lesion conspicuity, and overall image quality, using a 5-point scale. The images were assessed by measurement of liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and tumor-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The results were compared, using repeated post-hoc, paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction and the Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferroni correction. Results: In the qualitative analysis of cooperative patients, the results for CAIPIRINHA had significantly higher ratings for streak artifacts, liver-edge sharpness, hepatic vessel clarity, and overall image quality as compared to, radial GRE, (P < 0.016). In the imaging of uncooperative patients, higher scores were recorded for ILAB and GA with respect to all of the qualitative assessments, except for streak artifact, compared with CAIPIRINHA (P < 0.016). However, no significant differences were found between ILAB and GA. For quantitative analysis in uncooperative patients, the mean liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR with radial GRE were significantly higher than those of CAIPIRINHA (P < 0.016). Conclusion: In uncooperative patients, the use of the radial GRE sequence can improve the image quality compared to GRE imaging with CAIPIRINHA, despite the data acquisition methods used. The GRE imaging with CAIPIRINHA is applicable for patients without breath-holding difficulties.

• 사물인터넷융복합논문지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.23-30
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• 2020

본 논문에서는 주택이나 건물의 에너지 손실 요인을 발견하고 이를 개선하기 위한 방안을 도출하기 위한 에너지 관리 방향을 제시하고 있다. 대중성과 편의성이 큰 강점인 스마트폰 탈부착형 열화상 카메라를 주택 전문가들만이 아닌 일반인들이 생활 속에서 활용할 수 있도록 생활 속 활용 진단 콘텐츠 앱을 설계하였다. 이 앱을 활용한 진단 결과를 에너지 효율 진단 솔루션인 에너지 파인더를 이용하여 분석하였다. 에너지 복지 사각지대 주민 및 시설 중 특히 지역 노인들이 자주 이용하는 경로당을 대상으로 진단 조사하였다. 진단 대상은 전라남도 나주시에 위치한 경로당 600여개소 중 15년 이상 노후 시설 30개소를 선정하여 에너지 효율 진단을 실시하였다. 진단 결과는 전반적으로 양호한 편이었지만, 7등급으로 분류된 곳은 에너지 효율 개선을 위한 보완이 필요하다고 판단된다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.61-68
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to present controversial point and reform measurements by analysing factors haying important effect on selection of upper gastrointestinal study in total health promotion. We examined 200 persons for this study, who visited for upper gastrointestinal study from January to February in 1999. We classified this group into Endoscopy, Upper gastrointestinal series, and sleeping endoscopy. We also investigated standard of satisfaction and factors having effect on selection of each study. As a results, in the motive of selection, Item of 'making accurate observation' and 'without pain' was 39.3% and 34.7%, respectively. In this study, sleeping endoscopy was 45.7%, but on the other side upper gastrointestinal series was low 22.6%(P<0.05). In the standard of preference of study, the man was 55.7% in the endoscopy, and the woman was 61.8% in the upper gastrointestinal series(P<0.05). The standard of preference of upper gastrointestinal series show that it was satisfied on the whole irrespective of sex, dwelling place, age, occupation, and level of education. In the selection of study, one's own will was showed the highest frequency, and family inducement was showed second(P<0.05). Persons over 60% were examined before the same study. Selection of upper gastrointestinal series was 47.9% of person with normal findings, and endoscopy and sleeping endoscopy was over 70% with gastritis, gastric and duodenal(P<0.01). For one's accurate selection of examination, it is important that objective and credible information should be given to a recipient for examination.