• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.431-441
• /
• 2020

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance and interobserver variability of strain ratio obtained from one or two regions of interest (ROI) on breast elastography. Materials and Methods: From April to May 2016, 140 breast masses in 140 patients who underwent conventional ultrasonography (US) with strain elastography followed by US-guided biopsy were evaluated. Three experienced breast radiologists reviewed recorded US and elastography images, measured strain ratios, and categorized them according to the American College of Radiology breast imaging reporting and data system lexicon. Strain ratio was obtained using the 1-ROI method (one ROI drawn on the target mass), and the 2-ROI method (one ROI in the target mass and another in reference fat tissue). The diagnostic performance of the three radiologists among datasets and optimal cut-off values for strain ratios were evaluated. Interobserver variability of strain ratio for each ROI method was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient values, Bland-Altman plots, and coefficients of variation. Results: Compared to US alone, US combined with the strain ratio measured using either ROI method significantly improved specificity, positive predictive value, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (all p values < 0.05). Strain ratio obtained using the 1-ROI method showed higher interobserver agreement between the three radiologists without a significant difference in AUC for differentiating breast cancer when the optimal strain ratio cut-off value was used, compared with the 2-ROI method (AUC: 0.788 vs. 0.783, 0.693 vs. 0.715, and 0.691 vs. 0.686, respectively, all p values > 0.05). Conclusion: Strain ratios obtained using the 1-ROI method showed higher interobserver agreement without a significant difference in AUC, compared to those obtained using the 2-ROI method. Considering that the 1-ROI method can reduce performers' efforts, it could have an important role in improving the diagnostic performance of breast US by enabling consistent management of breast lesions.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.146-154
• /
• 2024

The ship management industry in South Korea has been growing steadily, leading the government to implement policies to support its development in response to changing environmental conditions. These policies aim to improve the competitiveness of South Korea's ship management industry by recognizing the importance of skilled professionals in determining its success. Plans and policies have been put in place to cultivate these professionals, but ship management companies are currently facing a serious shortage of manpower. To enhance the industry's competitiveness, it is essential to attract and retain competent ship management professionals. Therefore, this study investigates the reasons for turnover among these professionals. The research results identified four factors contributing to turnover: Work Environment, Economic Compensation and Welfare Benefits, Self-Development, and Promotion and Career Advancement. Subsequent multiple regression analysis based on these factors revealed the need to strengthen economic rewards and benefits in order to reduce turnover rates among ship management professionals. This study provides foundational data for the development of stable human resource management policies for the future of the ship management industry.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.231-247
• /
• 2024

In the field of high-level radioactive waste disposal targeting deep rock environments, hydraulic characteristic information serves as the most important key factor in selecting relevant disposal sites, detailed design of disposal facilities, derivation of optimal construction plans, and safety evaluation during operation. Since various rock types are mixed and distributed in a small area in Korea, it is important to conduct preliminary work to analyze the hydrogeological characteristics of rock aquifers for various rock types and compile the resulting data into a database. In this paper, we obtained hydraulic conductivity data, which is the most representative field hydraulic characteristic of a high-depth volcanic bedrock aquifer, and also analyzed and evaluated the field data. To acquire field data, we used a high-performance hydraulic testing system developed in-house and applied standardized test methods and investigation procedures. In the process of hydraulic characteristic data analysis, hydraulic conductivity values were obtained for each depth, and the pattern of groundwater flow through permeable rock joints located in the test section was also evaluated. It is expected that the series of data acquisition methods, procedures, and analysis results proposed in this report can be used to build a database of hydraulic characteristics data for high-depth rock aquifers in Korea. In addition, it is expected that it will play a role in improving technical know-how to be applied to research on hydraulic characteristic according to various bedrock types in the future.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.34 no.1 s.93
• /
• pp.9-19
• /
• 2001

contrasting monsoon between 1993 and 1994 produced an interannual difference in hydrology. Theoretical water residence time (TWRT) in monsoon 1993 averaged 27 d, which was>3 months shorter compared to the TWRT in monsoon 1994. A dominant physical process influencing thermal stratification, water movement, and mixing regime was an interflow current in 1993. During summer 1993, river water plunged to mid-lake (location 27 km) and passed through the 10${\sim}$20m stratum of the reservoir, resulting in an isolation of epilimnetic lake water from advected river water. The interflow disrupted thermal stratification and produced a meta-hypolimnetic warming of >4$^{\circ}C$ downlake, thereby increased a mixing depth (>13 m). In contrast, during monsoon 1994 density currents were not observed and strong thermal stratification occurred in the entire reservoir, resulting in > 2 fold greater thermal resistance (8.2${\times}10^{5}$ erg)compared to 1993 (4.0${\times}10^{5}$ erg). This reservoir was identified as a typical warm monomictic reservoir which showed one mixis during early winter. The timing of overturn, however, differed between the two years as a result of distinct contrast in TWRT and thermal regime; overturn in 1993 occured about one month earlier relative to that in 1994. Hypolimnetic warming was predictable in this system; the variation in discharge accounted (Y = 4.35-0.06X+0.10X$^{2}$, p<0.0001)for 98% of the interannual variation in hypolimnetic temperature. Overall data suggest that thermal stability, the timing of fall overturn, and water residence time in this system are primarily regulated by the intensity of monsoon.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.139-157
• /
• 2015

We investigated the relative errors of satellite-observed Surface Skin Temperature (SST) data caused by sea ice in the northern hemispheric ocean ($30-90^{\circ}N$) during April 16-24, 2003-2014 by intercomparing MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Ice Surface Temperature (IST) data with two types of Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) SST data including one with the AIRS/Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU) and the other with 'AIRS only'. The MODIS temperatures, compared to the AIRS/AMSU, were systematically up to ~1.6 K high near the sea ice boundaries but up to ~2 K low in the sea ice regions. The main reason of the difference of skin temperatures is that the MODIS algorithm used infrared channels for the sea ice detection (i.e., surface classification), while microwave channels were additionally utilized in the AIRS/AMSU. The 'AIRS only' algorithm has been developed from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC) to prepare for the degradation of AMSU-A by revising part of the AIRS/AMSU algorithm. The SST of 'AIRS only' compared to AIRS/AMSU showed a bias of 0.13 K with RMSE of 0.55 K over the $30-90^{\circ}N$ region. The difference between AIRS/AMSU and 'AIRS only' was larger over the sea ice boundary than in other regions because the 'AIRS only' algorithm utilized the GCM temperature product (NOAA Global Forecast System) over seasonally-varying frozen oceans instead of the AMSU microwave data. Three kinds of the skin temperatures consistently showed significant warming trends ($0.23-0.28Kyr^{-1}$) in the latitude band of $70-80^{\circ}N$. The systematic disagreement among the skin temperatures could affect the discrepancies of their trends in the same direction of either warming or cooling.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.21-30
• /
• 2011

As well known, dowel bars are used to transfer traffic load acting on one edge to another edge of concrete slab in concrete pavement system. The dowel bars widely used in South Korea are round shape steel bar and they shows satisfactory performance under bending stress which is developed by repetitive traffic loading and environment loading. However, they are not invulnerable to erosion that may be caused by moisture from masonry joint or bottom of the pavement system. Especially, the erosion could rapidly progress with saline to prevent frost of snow in winter time. The problem under this circumstance is that the erosion not only drops strength of the steel dower bar but also comes with volume expansion of the steel dowel bar which can reduce load transferring efficiency of the steel dowel bar. To avoid this erosion problem in reasonable expenses, dowers bars with various materials are being developed. Fiber reinforced plastic(FRP) dower that is presented in this paper is suggested as an alternative of the steel dowel bar and it shows competitive resistance against erosion and tensile stress. The FRP dowel bar is developed in tube shape and is filled with high strength no shrinkage. Several slab thickness designs with the FRP dowel bars are performed by evaluating bearing stress between the dowel bar and concrete slab. To calculated the bearing stresses, theoretical formulation and finite element method(FEM) are utilized with material properties measured from laboratory tests. The results show that both FRP tube dowel bars with diameters of 32mm and 40mm satisfy bearing stress requirement for dowel bars. Also, with consideration that lean concrete is typical material to support concrete slab in South Korea, which means low load transfer efficiency and, therefore, low bearing stress, the FRP tube dowel bar can be used as a replacement of round shape steel bar.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.27-44
• /
• 1999

Digital maps produced in Korea are various in scale and include a lot of geographic and attribute data. In this study, it is argued that, to reduce the production cost and the difficulties for renewal, it is necessary to establish the already nationally drawn 1:5,000 scale digital maps as the base maps and simplify them as much as the TIGER files in the U.S. The comprehensive data included in the digital maps in Korea are mostly land use information, which are supposed to be established separately from the digital maps. The land use information system could be maintained and updated cheaply and frequently at the local government level. In response to common needs, the land use information could be imported to GIS and used for analyses. As technologies and societies changes, the Census questions and methodologies should be changed for better uses. Along with GIS, the Census would be developed and processed more reliably and efficiently. Also, it is recommended for Korean government to develop the Census Tract and Block Group system. Current Eup, Myon, Dong as basic units for Census information may not be useful or effective for micro level urban analyses and public service planning activities because of their large population and land areas. It is recommended that optimum population of a Census Tract be 5,000 and a Block Groups 1,500, and one Census Tract includes 1~9 Block Groups. It is recommend that Census Tract and Block Group boundary lines be decided flexibly in light of population, physical features, socio-economic attributes, and tradition. For urban analyses using GIS, socio-economic census data, city government's information such as parcel data and building permit data, survey data, and satellite image data could also be used. The existence of Census Tracts and Block Groups as well as GIS could help for the data and methods to be useful for urban analyses and public service provisions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.38 no.7
• /
• pp.832-838
• /
• 2009

The inhibitory effects of solvent extracts from dried beet (Beta vulgaris) on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in cell systems and on the growth of cancer cell lines (HT-29 human colon cancer and AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells) were investigated. Inhibitory effects of acetone with methylene chloride (A+M) and methanol (MeOH) extracts on the growth of HT-29 and AGS cancer cells increased in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05). The inhibitory effect was more significant on the growth of AGS cells and A+M extracts had a higher inhibitory effect compared to MeOH extracts. The treatments of hexane, 85% aq. methanol, butanol and water fractions significantly inhibited the growth of both cancer cells (p<0.05). Among fractions, hexane and 85% aq. methanol fractions showed higher inhibitory effects. In order to determine the protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress, DCHF-DA (dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate) assay was conducted. The A+M and MeOH extracts of dried beet appeared to significantly reduce the levels of intracellular (ROS) with dose responses. Among the fractions, 85% methanol fractions showed a higher protective effect on production of lipid peroxides. These results indicate that the intake of dried beet may improve oxidative stress in cell and reduce cancer risk.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.269-276
• /
• 2009

Radiation treatment techniques using photon beam such as three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) as well as intensity modulated radiotherapy treatment (IMRT) demand accurate dose calculation in order to increase target coverage and spare healthy tissue. Both jaw collimator and multi-leaf collimators (MLCs) for photon beams have been used to achieve such goals. In the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system (TPS), which we are using in our clinics, a set of model parameters like jaw collimator transmission factor (JTF) and MLC transmission factor (MLCTF) are determined from the measured data because it is using a model-based photon dose algorithm. However, model parameters obtained by this auto-modeling process can be different from those by direct measurement, which can have a dosimetric effect on the dose distribution. In this paper we estimated JTF and MLCTF obtained by the auto-modeling process in the Pinnacle3 TPS. At first, we obtained JTF and MLCTF by direct measurement, which were the ratio of the output at the reference depth under the closed jaw collimator (MLCs for MLCTF) to that at the same depth with the field size $10{\times}10\;cm^2$ in the water phantom. And then JTF and MLCTF were also obtained by auto-modeling process. And we evaluated the dose difference through phantom and patient study in the 3D-CRT plan. For direct measurement, JTF was 0.001966 for 6 MV and 0.002971 for 10 MV, and MLCTF was 0.01657 for 6 MV and 0.01925 for 10 MV. On the other hand, for auto-modeling process, JTF was 0.001983 for 6 MV and 0.010431 for 10 MV, and MLCTF was 0.00188 for 6 MV and 0.00453 for 10 MV. JTF and MLCTF by direct measurement were very different from those by auto-modeling process and even more reasonable considering each beam quality of 6 MV and 10 MV. These different parameters affect the dose in the low-dose region. Since the wrong estimation of JTF and MLCTF can lead some dosimetric error, comparison of direct measurement and auto-modeling of JTF and MLCTF would be helpful during the beam commissioning.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.54-64
• /
• 2006

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a wood preservative, has been widely used to protect wood products from attacks by bacteria, fungi and insects. However, the use of CCA is currently forbidden or limited to some applications in many countries because the toxic elements (Cr, Cu, and As) of CCA are released into the environments during outdoor uses, which may cause adverse health effects on humans and ecological systems. This study was conducted to investigate the distributions of chromium, copper and arsenic in soils adjacent to two CCA-treated wood structures. In a 7 month old pond entry structure, ten surface soil samples (0-2.5 cm) were collected at lateral distances of 0, 0.5, and 1 m from the stairway, and nine surface soil samples were collected beneath the deck. Nine top soil samples were taken from a 2 year old sound barrier structure at lateral distances of 0, 1, and 2 m. Background surface soil samples were also collected from each structure. Samples were analyzed for some physicochemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter content, and soil texture. Following the extraction of the elements with a microwave digestion system, samples were analyzed for Cr, Cu, and As. The concentrations of the three elements in soils adjacent to the structures were significantly elevated compared to the background levels, indicating that the elements have been leached out of the structures. Released e1ements showed lateral concentration gradients within 1 m. The elevations of the three elements in soils underneath the deck did not seem different (background-corrected concentrations: Cr, 5.01 mg/kg; Cu, 5.50 mg/kg; As, 4.91 mg/kg), while the elements in soils near the sound barrier were elevated in the order of As>Cu>Cr with measured concentrations of 49.7, 44.7 and 52.5 mg/kg, respectively. Background As, Cu, and Cr concentrations near the sound barrier were 9.88, 30.8, and 46.5 mg/kg, respectively. These results showed that CCA constituents are released into the environment and it is suggested that risk assessment need to be conducted to investigate harmful effects of the released elements on humans and ecological systems.