• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.179-201
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• 2019

Portable low-cost magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems have the potential to enable "point-of-care" and timely MRI diagnosis, and to make this imaging modality available to routine scans and to people in underdeveloped countries and areas. With simplicity, no maintenance, no power consumption, and low cost, permanent magnets/magnet arrays/magnet assemblies are attractive to be used as a source of static magnetic field to realize the portability and to lower the cost for an MRI scanner. However, when taking the canonical Fourier imaging approach and using linear gradient fields, homogeneous fields are required in a scanner, resulting in the facts that either a bulky magnet/magnet array is needed, or the imaging volume is too small to image an organ if the magnet/magnet array is scaled down to a portable size. Recently, with the progress on image reconstruction based on non-linear gradient field, static field patterns without spatial linearity can be used as spatial encoding magnetic fields (SEMs) to encode MRI signals for imaging. As a result, the requirements for the homogeneity of the static field can be relaxed, which allows permanent magnets/magnet arrays with reduced sizes, reduced weight to image a bigger volume covering organs such as a head. It offers opportunities of constructing a truly portable low-cost MRI scanner. For this exciting potential application, permanent magnets/magnet arrays have attracted increased attention recently. A magnet/magnet array is strongly associated with the imaging volume of an MRI scanner, image reconstruction methods, and RF excitation and RF coils, etc. through field patterns and field homogeneity. This paper offers a review of permanent magnets and magnet arrays of different kinds, especially those that can be used for spatial encoding towards the development of a portable and low-cost MRI system. It is aimed to familiarize the readers with relevant knowledge, literature, and the latest updates of the development on permanent magnets and magnet arrays for MRI. Perspectives on and challenges of using a permanent magnet/magnet array to supply a patterned static magnetic field, which does not have spatial linearity nor high field homogeneity, for image reconstruction in a portable setup are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.975-980
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• 2020

Cervical neural foraminal stenosis is a very common spinal disease that affects a relatively large number of people of all ages. However, since imaging methods that quantitatively provide neural foraminal stenosis are lacking, this study attempts to present quantitative measurement results by reconstructing 3D computed tomography images. Using a 3D reconstruction software, the surrounding bones were removed, including the spinous process, transverse process, and lamina of the cervical spine so that the neural foramen were well observed. Using Image J, a region of interest including the neural foramen area of the 3D image was set, and the number of pixels of the neural foramen area was measured. The neural foramen area was calculated by multiplying the number of measured pixels by the pixel size. In order to measure the widest area of the neural foramen, it was measured between 40-50 degrees in the opposite direction and 15-20 degrees toward the head. The measured cervical neural foramen area showed consistent measurement values. The largest measured area of the right neural foramen C5-6 was 12.21 ㎟, and after 2 years, the area was measured to be 9.95 ㎟, indicating that 18% stenosis had progressed. Since 3D reconstruction using axial CT scan images, no additional radiation exposure is required, and the area of stenosis can be objectively presented. In addition, it is good to explain to patients with neural stenosis while viewing 3D images, and it is considered a good method to be used in the evaluation of the progression of stenosis and post-operative evaluation.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.623-627
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• 2021

Cervical foraminal stenosis is a disease in which the nerves that pass from the spinal canal to the limbs are narrowed and the nerves are compressed or damaged. Due to the lack of an imaging method that provides quantitatively stenosis, this study attempted to evaluate the area of the cervical vertebrae by reconstructing a three-dimensional computed tomography image, and to determine the area of the neural foramen in normal adults to calculate the stenosis rate. Using a three-dimensional image processing program, the surrounding bones including the posterior spinous process, lateral process, and lamellar bones of the cervical vertebra were removed so that the neural foramen could be observed well. A region of interest including the neural foraminal area of the three-dimensional image was set using ImageJ, and the number of pixels in the neural foraminal area was measured. The neural foraminal area was calculated by multiplying the number of measured pixels by the pixel size. To measure the largest neural foraminal area, it was measured between 40~50 degrees in the opposite direction and 15~20 degrees toward the head. The average area of the right C2-3 foramen was 44.32 mm², C3-4 area was 34.69 mm², C4-5 area was 36.41 mm², C5-6 area was 35.22 mm², C6-7 area was 36.03 mm². The average area of the left C2-3 foramen was 42.71 mm², C3-4 area was 32.23 mm², C5-6 area was 34.56 mm², and C6-7 area was 31.89 mm². By creating a reference table based on the neural foramen area of normal adults, the stenosis rate of patients with neural foraminal stenosis could be quantitatively calculated. It is expected that this method can be used as basic data for the diagnosis of cervical vertebral foraminal stenosis.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-78
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• 2022

The disc cutter and cutterbit, which are the most important factors to increase the excavation efficiency of TBM, are key factors in the design and construction of the cutter head. The arrangement, spacing, number, size, and material of disc cutters suitable for the ground conditions determine the success or failure of TBM construction. The disc cutter, which is a representative consumable part in TBM construction, can cause enormous disruption to the construction cost as well as the construction cost unless accurate prediction of wear and replacement cycle is accompanied. Therefore, in this study, the method of calculating the replacement cycle of the disc cutter calculated at the time of design for the slurry shield TBM field, and the depth of wear and replacement location of the disc cutter that occurred during actual construction were compared by analyzing the field data. For a quantitative comparison, weathered soil/weathered rock, soft rock, and hard rock were classified according to the ground in the section showing constant excavation data, and the trajectory of circle was different depending on the location of the disc cutter, so it was compared and analyzed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.233-241
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• 2022

Objectives: Asthma is a chronic disease, and the demand for herbal medicines in this field has increased in recent years. The new findings highlight the role of the gut-lung axis in the pathophysiology of asthma. Hence, this study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Glasthma syrup, an herbal formula based on Persian medicine, in improving asthma and regulating intestinal permeability. The formula consists of five herbal ingredients that have anti-inflammatory effects on the respiratory tract, also known as gut tonics. Methods: The study will be conducted as a placebo-controlled, triple-blind, randomized trial. It will consist of a 4-week intervention followed by a 4-week follow-up period. The target sample size is 20 patients with moderate asthma aged 18 to 60 years. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group in equal numbers. Patients in the experimental group will take Glasthma syrup (7.5 mL, twice a day), while patients in the control group will take a matching placebo. Both groups will receive a 4-week combination of a long-acting beta2 agonist and a leukotriene modulator as standard of care. Inhaled corticosteroids can be used as rescue medication as needed. Results: The primary outcomes are asthma symptom scale, lung function, and intestinal permeability. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, symptom recurrence rates, and blood tests. A safety assessment will also be conducted during the trial. Conclusion: In this trial, the effects of Glasthma syrup in patients with moderate asthma will be examined. The study will also assess the effects of the formulation on the gut-lung axis by simultaneously monitoring the gut permeability index, asthma symptoms, and lung function.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2024

This study investigated the early life history of Hemibarbus labeo from in Wicheon, stream Nakdonggang-River, and compared their characteristics with closely related species. In April 2021, egg formation and development of autonomous fish were observed in fertilized eggs collected at four spawning sites. The size of the fertilized egg was 1.93~2.39 (average 2.22±0.15, n=30) mm. The water temperature was 22.2~24.1°C, and the hatching time took 109~115 hours. Newly after hatching, the total length of the yolk-sac larvae was 7.50~8.80 (average 7.99±0.46) mm, and the mouth and anus did not develop and had difficulty in being yolk. 6 days after hatching, the preflexion larvae were fed with a total length of 9.49~10.2 (9.78±0.23, n=30) mm. 10 days after hatching, the flexion larvae was 9.97~11.9 (10.7±0.72, n=30) mm in total length, and the tail of the vertebrae began to bend. 20 days after hatching, the postflexion larvae was 12.6~15.2 (13.9±0.77, n=30) mm in total length, and the tailbone was completely bent to 45°. 29 days after hatching, the total length of the juvenile was 16.9~19.8 (18.1±0.91, n=30) mm, and the number of fins reached an integer with 10 dorsal fins, 9 anal fins, and 7 ventral fins. The distribution of melanophore, such as the head, the center of the body, and the upper part of the fin, was different from that of the allied species during the postflexion larvae period, so the morphological characteristics could be distinguished.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2024

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), which is native to North America, started to be imported into South Korea as pets in the 1990s. The turtle was sold in supermarkets and pet shops nationwide at low prices such as 20 USD. These non-native turtles, with their large size and strong predatory nature, have been consistently discovered in the wild in South Korea beginning in 2014, and they were designated as an ecosystem-disturbing species (EDS) in October 2022. Until June 30, 2023, a collection system was implemented to reduce the abandonment problem of C. serpentina due to their designation as an EDS. In this study, we analyzed the impacts of the legal designation as an ecologically disturbing species and the collection system of C. serpentina on their abandonment and surrender. Our findings showed that designation as EDS did not affect the abandonment of C. serpentina. Meanwhile, the collection system led to cases of immediate surrender. Within 3 years of post-purchase, 41.8% of the turtles were surrendered, and 67.5% were surrendered when they reached 3kg. Determining the impact of the legal designation as an EDS may be currently limited due to the difficulty of detecting C. serpentina in the wild. On the other hand, cases of surrender through the collection system are considered to be effective as they have been shown to reduce the abandonment of this newly designated ecosystem-disturbing species.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.220-229
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• 2024

This study investigated the early life history of Rhinogobius giurinus in the Botongcheon stream and compared the differences with related species. The fertilized egg size (long×short) of the 3.46×1.17 mm (n=30) on average. The time required for hatching at the water temperature of 22.5±1℃ was 213 hours and 30 mins. Immediately after hatching, the egg yolk had an average total length of 2.34±0.05 mm (n=30), and the mouth and anus were not opened, and the number of myotomes was 23~25. 3 days after hatching (DAH), the preflexion larvae had an average total length of 2.70±0.09 mm (n=30), and live food intake began as the mouth and anus were opened. 22 DAH, the flexion larvae had an average total length of 5.26±0.16 mm (n=30), and the tip of the vertebrae began to bend upward. 48 DAH, the postflexion larvae had an average total length of 11.1±0.53 mm (n=30), and the tip of the vertebrae was completely bent 45° upward. 60 DAH the juveniles had an average total length of 14.9±0.69 mm (n=30) was reached to the integer with 6 first dorsal fins, 8~10 second dorsal fins, 9 anal fins, 15 caudal fins, and 5 ventral fins for each fin. As a result of the study, the melanophore differed from other postflexion larvae of the Gobiidae fishes in that it was deposited above the gill lid, on the back and body, and the xanthophore was deposited on the head and body.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.385-394
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• 2008

Larvae of Monochamus saltuarius showed normal growth and development on conifers of Pinus koraiensis, P. densiflora, Abies holophylla, Larix leptolepsis, P. bungeana, and P. rigida, respectively, but the conifers influenced significantly the body weight and the survival rate of larvae. Though the larval body weights were in a wide spectrum among treatments, growth curves of them were very similar from each other, showing continuous increase from the early larval stage to about 3 months old. The body weight was decreased slightly after the feeding period of the early 3 months. The size of larvae and adults became the largest from P. bungeana fed larvae. The mid-sized ones were from P. koraiensis, P. densiflora and A. holophylla. Small ones came from L. leptolepsis and P. rigida. The larval growth was retarded without water supply. Overall survival rates from the early stage of a larva to a fertile adult were 53.6% from P. koraiensis; 51.8%, P. densiflora; 34.7%, A. holophylla; 17.8%, P. bungeana; 16.7%, L. leptolepsis; and 12.3%, P. rigida. Adults from larvae fed the 6 species of conifers, respectively, were grown into the reproductively potent adults, which laid viable eggs. A few of overwintered larvae did not pupate and remained still as a larva until the late October of the year. Data from the field survey, the head width emerged from P. koraiensis was larger than that of L. leptolepsis. The adult emergence hole in P. koraiensis was larger also. While, the size of the emergence hole was larger in the artificially innoculated log of P. koraiensis, which was kept for a larva to be with a minimized food competition and sufficient water supply, than that of the field.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1976

The present. study reports four cases of congenital heart diseases, who received open heart surgery by the Sarn's Heart-Lung-Machine in the department of Thoracic Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital during the period between July 1975 and May 1976. The Heart-Lung-Machine consisted of the Sarn's five head roller pump motor system (model 5000), heat exchanger, bubble trap, the Rygg-Kyvsgaard oxygenator, and monitors. The priming of pump oxygenator was carried out by the hemodilution method using Hartman's solution and whole blood. Of the four cases of the heart diseases, three whose body weight were below 30kg, received the partial hemodilution priming and the remaining one whose body weight was 52kg received the total hemodilution priming with Hartman's solution alone. The rate of hemodilution was in the average of 60.5ml/kg. Extracorporeal circulation was performed at the perfusion flow rate of the average 94.0ml/kg/min, and at the moderate hypothermia between 35'5"C and 30'5"C of the rectal temperature. In the total cardiopulmonary bypass, arterial blood pressure was anged between 30 mmHg and 85 mmHg, generally maintaining over 60 mmHg and venous pressure was measured between 4 and $23cmH_2O$, generally maintaining below $10cmH_2O$. The first case: The patient, a nine year old girl having the symptoms and physical signs typical to cardiac anomaly was definitely diagnosed as isolated pulmonary stenosis through the cardiac catheterization. There was, however, no cyanosis, no pathological finding by X-ray and E.C.G. tracings. The valvulotomy was performed through the arteriotomy of pulmouary artery under the total cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and murmur and the clinical symptoms disappeared. The second case: A 12 year old boy with congenital heart anomaly was positively identified as having ventricular septal defect through the cardiac catheterization. As in the case with the first case, the patient exhibited the symptoms and physical signs typical to cardiac anomaly, but no pathological abnormality by X-ray and E.C.G. tracings. The septal defect was localized on atrioventricular canal and was 2 by 10 mm in size. The septal defect was closed by direct simple sutures under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative hemodynamic study revealed that the pressure of the right ventricle and pulmonary artery were decreased satisfactory. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and murmur and the clinical symptoms disappeared. The third case: The patient, a 19 year old girl had been experienced the clinical symptoms typical to cardiac anomaly for 16 years. The pink tetralogy of Fallot was definitey diagnosed through the cardiac catheterization. The patient was placed on an ablolute bed rest prior to the operation because of severe exertional dyspnea, fatigability, and frequent syncopal attacks. However, she exhibited very slight cyanosis. Positive findings were noted on E.C.G. tracings and blood picture, but no evidence of pathological abnormality on X-ray was observed. All of the four surgical approaches such as Teflon patch closure (3 by 4cm in size) of ventricular septal defect, myocardial resection of right ventricular outflow tract, valvulotomy of pulmonary valvular stenosis, and pericardial patch closing of ventriculotomy wound were performed in 95 minutes under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative hemodynamic study revealed that the pressure of the right ventricle was decreased and pulmonary artery was increased satisfactorily. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and murmur and the clinical symptoms disappeared. The fourth case: The patient, a 7 1/4 year old girl had the symptoms of cardiac anomaly for only three years prior to the operation. She was positively identified as having acyanotic tetralogy of Fallot by open heart surgery. The patient showed positive findings by X-ray and E.C.G. tracings, but exhibited no cyanosis and normal blood picture. All of the three surgical approaches, such a myocardial resection of hypertrophic sight ventricular outflow tract, direct suture closing of ventricular septal defect and pericardial patch closing of ventriculotomy wound were carried out in 110 minutes under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative hemodynamic study revealed that the pressure of the right ventricle was decreased and pulmonary artery was increased satisfactorily. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and the symptoms disappeared.