• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.1005-1010
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• 2021

We report a case of Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) related disease involving the pterygoplataine fossa. A 83-year-old male presented with left ocular pain and visual disturbance. CT showed an isodense soft tissue lesion in the left pterygopalatine fossa with bony sclerotic changes and erosion. MRI revealed an infiltrative soft tissue mass in the left pterygopalatine fossa as a T2 slightly low signal intensity and heterogeneous enhancement. The patient underwent left ethmoidectomy, and biopsy of the mass was conducted. The histopathological diagnosis was IgG4-related disease. In this case, it was difficult to differentiate invasive aspergillosis, which is common in immunocompromised patients, considering the patient's clinical history of diabetes mellitus. This report describes the imaging findings of IgG4-related disease mimicking invasive sinusitis such as invasive aspergillosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.914-922
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• 2021

Purpose To investigate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) after > 10 years of follow-up. Materials and Methods This study included five patients who underwent RFA to treat PTMCs (five lesions, mean diameter 0.5 cm, range 0.4-0.7 cm) between November 2006 and December 2009. The inclusion criteria were histopathologically confirmed PTMCs, a single PTMC lesion without extrathyroidal extension, no metastasis, and ineligibility or refusal to undergo surgery. RFA was performed by a single radiologist using a radiofrequency generator and an internally cooled electrode. We retrospectively analyzed the procedure-induced complications, serial changes in ablated tumors, recurrence, and local as well as lymph node metastasis based on data obtained from medical records and radiological images. Results The mean follow-up period was 130.6 months (range 121-159 months). Three patients underwent a single RFA session, and two patients underwent two RFA sessions. We observed no procedure-induced complications. Three tumors completely disappeared after ablation, and ablation of the other two tumors resulted in the formation of a small scar that showed long-term stability (mean duration 16.8 months, range 12-27 months). At the last follow-up, no patient showed recurrence or lymph node metastasis, and serum thyroglobulin levels were within normal limits in all patients. Conclusion RFA may be effective and safe to treat low-risk PTMC in patients who refuse or are ineligible for surgery.

• 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.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2008

Effects of the various dietary additives on growth and tolerance of abalone Haliotis discus hannai to the stresses were determined in the 16-week feeding trial. Seventy juvenile (an initial body weight of 4.2 g) abalone per container were randomly distributed into 21, 50 L plastic rectangular containers each. The six kinds of experimental diets were prepared: control (CON) with no additive, by-product of green tea (BPG), extract of figs (EF), extract of green tea (EG), commercially available product of Hearok (PH), and Haematococcus (HC). In addition, dry sea tangle (ST) was prepared to compare the efficiency of the experimental diets. Fishmeal, soybean meal and shrimp head meal were used as the protein source, and dextrin, sea tangle powder and wheat flour, and soybean oil and fish oil were used as the carbohydrate and lipid sources, respectively in the experimental diets. The experimental diets were fed to abalone once a day at a satiation level with a little leftover. The feeding trial lasted for 16 weeks. At the end of the 16-week feeding trial, abalone was exposed to the different types of stresses (air exposure, and sudden changes of rearing temperature and salinity). Survival of abalone fed the sea tangle was highest. However, weight gain of abalone fed the EF, EG and PH diets was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of abalone fed the BPG diet or dry sea tangle. Shell length of abalone fed the all experimental diets was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of abalone fed the dry sea tangle. Accumulated mortality of abalone fed the sea tangle was low when exposed to the different types of stresses. Also, relatively low mortality was achieved in abalone fed the HC and EF diets. In considering these results, it can be concluded that the various sources of additives is effective to improve production of abalone, and Haematococcus and extract of figs can be considered as dietary additives to improve resistance of abalone against the different types of stresses.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.430-437
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• 2005

Purpose: The objectives of this study were - First, to determine the normal range of left ventricular end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV) and election fraction (EF) from gated myocardial perfusion SPECT for Quantitative Gated SPECT (QGS) and 4D-MSPECT (4DM), respectively. Second, to evaluate the relationships between values produced by both software packages. Materials & Methods: Tc-99m MIBI gated myocardial perfusion SPECT were performed for 77 patients (mean age: $49.6{\pm}13.7y$, n=37(M), 40(F)) with a low likelihood (<10%) of coronary artery disease (CAD) using dual head gamma camera (E.CAM, Siemens, USA). Left ventricular EDV, ESV and EF were automatically measured by means of QGS and 4DM, respectively. Results: in QGS, the mean EDV, ESV and EF for all patients were $78.2{\pm}25.2ml,\;27.4{\pm}12.9ml\;and\;66.6{\pm}8.0%$ at stress test respectively, not different from rest test (p>0.05). In 4DM, the mean EDV, ESV and EF for all patients were $89.1{\pm}26.4ml,\;29.1{\pm}12.8ml\;and\;68.5{\pm}6.7%$ at stress test. Most cases in 4DM, there was no significant difference statistically between stress and rest test (p>0.05). But statistically significant difference was found in EF ($68.5{\pm}6.7%$ at stress vs $70.9{\pm}8.0%$ at rest, p<0.05). Correlation coefficients between the methods for EDV, ESV and EF were comparatively high (0.95, 0.93, 0.71 at stress test and 0.95, 0.90, 0.69 at rest test, respectively). However, Bland-Altman plots showed a large range of the limit value of agreement for EDV, ESV and EF between both methods ($-30ml{\sim}10ml,\;-12ml{\sim}8ml,\;-14%{\sim}11%$ at stress test and $-32ml{\sim}5ml,\;-13ml{\sim}13ml,\;-18%{\sim}12%$ at rest test). Conclusion: We found the normal ranges of EDV, ESV and EF for patients with a low likelihood of CAD in both methods. We expect these values will be a good reference to interpret gated myocardial perfusion SPECT. Although good correlation was observed between both methods, they should not be used interchangeably. Therefore, when both programs are used at the same site, it will be important to apply normal limits specific to each method.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2005

Purpose : Perinatal complications associated with maternal smoking and alcohol ingestion in pregnancy have been well documented. But until now there has been no clinical data on it collected in our country. In this paper, we tried to research the association between maternal smoking and alcohol ingestion in pregnancy and the physical indices of the neonate at delivery among unmaried mothers from one charitable institution. Methods : We enlisted 125 unmarried with a history of smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy who delivered a baby in National Medical Center from March, 2001 to March, 2004 as a study group. As a control, 174 unmarried mothers without a history of smoking and alcohol were enlisted. Then, we compared the physical indices - birth weight, height, and the head circumference - of the neonates from both groups. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of the period and the quantity of maternal smoking and alcohol ingestion on the physical indices of the neonates from the both groups. Results : Low physical indices of neonates were found in the study group(either smoking group, or drinking group) compared with the control group. The quantity of smoking or drinking and the period of smoking or drinking have no significant effect on physical indices. Conclusion : We found that maternal smoking and alcohol result in the low physical index of neonates, and educational initiatives must be directed at expectant mothers to emphasize the harmful effects of smoking and alcohol ingestion in pregnancy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.362-371
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• 2016

The distribution patterns of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) and the chemical characteristics of CDOM in the Seomjin river estuary were investigated in March, June and July 2012 in order to determine the spatial and temporal variability of CDOM along the salinity gradient considering the effects of mixing, nutrients and Chl a. The average CDOM values were $1.0{\pm}0.3m^{-1}$, $1.3{\pm}0.4m^{-1}$, and $1.4{\pm}0.3m^{-1}$ in March, June and July, respectively. A high concentration of CDOM (greater than $1.5m^{-1}$) was found at the head of the river which decreased towards the river mouth to as low as less than $0.5m^{-1}$. The average concentrations of CDOM increased from the dry season (March and June) to the wet season (July), and the average slope values ($S_{300-500}$), which were used as indicators of CDOM characteristics and sources, were in the range of $0.013-0.018m^{-1}$. The CDOM and $S_{300-50}$ values showed that not only the concentration of CDOM but also the chemical properties of DOM clearly changed between upstream and downstream in the Seomjin river. CDOM and FDOM showed a negative correlation with salinity ($R^2$ > 0.8), and CDOM was positively correlated with FDOM. Furthermore, the mixing pattern of CDOM was confirmed as conservative for all seasons. The main environmental factors influencing the concentration of CDOM was confirmed as conservative for all seasons. The main environmental factors influencing the concentration of CDOM were salinity (mixing) and water temperature, which meant the dilution of low CDOM seawater, was the controlling factor for the spatial distribution of CDOM. Increases in water temperature seemed to induce the production of CDOM during summer (June and July) through the biological degradation of DOM either by microbial activity or photo-degradation.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.77-90
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• 2016

This study is to examine the importance of site selection and service quality in franchise business as food service franchise became one of the fastest-growing service industries today. The chief finding of this study is as follows: First, a survey in locational and service quality factors affecting food service franchise shows that responders are more concerned with hygiene and visibility of the store than proximity and transportation advantages which reflects low statistical significance, thus the distance did not seem to be a big problem for the responders in the context that they mostly visit nearby food franchise. Second, the examination of the influence by the service quality factors and customer satisfaction shows significant positive relation with customer response, speed and accuracy, and accuracy factors which reveals that the responders prefer prompt response and swift judgment toward the customer's needs and expectations, professional knowledge services to the credibility factors in which little correlation with the customer satisfaction were found. Third, the examination of the influence by the service quality factors, locational factors, and re-visit reveals that customer response and specialty showed statistically significant correlation with intention of WOM (Word of Mouth) and revisit, which suggests that swift judgment and response toward the customer's needs and expectations, professional knowledge services is of great importance to both customer satisfaction and revisit. The study on the aspects of locational and service quality factors affecting franchise industry's customer satisfaction was conducted as above, an investigation in both factors' influence on the customer satisfaction was made, and based on the results of the analysis, this research seeks an optimal operation strategy of a franchise business. Food service franchise are relatively very competent to business adminstration and reaction capability to consumption changes due to the already established market, and there are stores springing up everywhere inspired by the founders who are too confident of their success in the franchise business. However, it is necessary for the franchise beginners to figure out a zone oriented, regular customer oriented business strategy than just complying with the head office manual. Owing to an increasing trend of opening medium to large sized stores and investments in the wake of converting to multiple business type Korean food franchise, there is growing need to set up new concept of store development and operational management strategy in order to overcome the excessive competition and limited sales volume of the old-fashioned small sized, small capital franchise stores. Furthermore, as most business category of food service franchise serve very similar menus, from a product differentiation point of view, it is required to map out flexible sales concept including the adoption of competitive and low-price strategy. In conclusion, as is shown in the analytical research, the customers' optimal choice fluctuate over their preferences like customer convenience and circumstances rather than insisting on specific brand, thus it will be necessary for the franchise stores to draw up aggressive strategy and planning in running food service franchise to maximize their profits.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.314-321
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• 2007

This study was conducted to select leaf vegetables suitable for cultivation in apartment verandas and simple and easy fertigation method for home gardening. In order to develop the convenient fertigation method, hydroponics, wick irrigation, and overhead irrigation methods were compared. For the wick irrigation, two types of nutrient sources were used; one was slow release fertilizers mixed with medium and the other one was nutrient solution filled in container located under pots. The growth of leafy lettuce, leaf mustard, and leaf beet was better in both of the wick irrigation methods rather than in overhead irrigation and hydroponics. The wick irrigation method is very easy, so that it is expected to bring a good result from the cultivating and managing point of view, if it brings with commercialized system along with slow release fertilizer. As a result of investigation of environment such as temperature, relative humidity, and irradiance level in apartment verandas in autumn the highest irradiance level during a day was just 48% and 35% in verandas facing south and feeing southeast, respectively, comparing to that in greenhouse. The light environment was investigated as a limiting factor for vegetable growing in verandas. Therefore, to select the vegetables showing good growth under low irradiance environment, nine leaf vegetables such as romaine lettuce, lent lettuce, head lettuce, endive, pak-choi, leaf mustard, garland chrysanthemum, leaf beet, and Chinese chive were grown under 0%, 50%, 70%, 90% shading. Among them, Chinese chive showed the best growth under low irradiance levels. Endive showed line growth reduction according to shading degree, however, even under 90% shading condition, it showed good growth. And then leafy lettuce, garland chrysanthemum, and pak-choi followed. Therefore, these results will be of help in selecting vegetables for veranda gardening with different light levels.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.235-251
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• 2016

After carrying out on-the-spot observation targeting each farmhouse of large-scale environment-friendly agricultural district (LEAD), Suncheon, Sancheong, Jangheung, Yeongam, Hamyang, Okcheon, and Jeongseon in 2015, only one LEAD, a farmhouse in Jangheung had used sustainable compost coming out under their own non-antibiotic livestock. The soil pH and EC at a depth of 0-20 cm in the seven LEADs were ranged between 5.3-6.6 and $0.4-1.2dS\;m^{-1}$, respectively, with 0.03- 0.27% for T-N concentration, $22-322mg\;kg^{-1}$ for P, and $0.05-0.29mg\;kg^{-1}$, which were, in particular, low a farmhouse in Jeongseon. When intensively surveying on each farmhouse of Suncheon, Jangheung, and Okcheon for a growing period, seasonal soil pH was maintained above 6.0 and high in a farmhouse in Okcheon, with similar soil EC observed among the three LEADs. Seasonal soil T-N was 0.1% higher on the farmhouse in Suncheon than other two LEADs, with higher seasonal soil P observed on the farmhouse in Okcheon and higher soil K in the Jangheung. T-N concentration in rice (Oryza sativa L.) crops was the highest in Jangheung, and concentrations of T-N, P, and K decreased in a season. Plant height and number of tillers per hill were the highest on the farmhouse in Okcheon, where was similar or low plant diameter and SPAD levels compared to other two LEADs. Dry weight (DW) before harvest was ranged between 52-63 g, and DW, rough rice yield (kg), brown rice/rough rice (%), brown rice yield (kg), head rice (%), and broken rice (%) were not significantly different among the three LEADs. Total annual gross production ha-1 was the highest on the farmhouse in Okcheon (16,230,000 won) planting with high class of variety, 'Milky queen' at early maturation, which was expected to be increased on an agricultural income. However, high amount of fertilizer was applied for growing the following crops on the farmhouse in Okcheon, affecting the highest balance of T-N, P, and K more than $200kg\;ha^{-1}$.