• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.309-317
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• 2008

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) as a predictive marker for ovarian response and cycle outcome in IVF cycles. Methods: From Jan., to Aug., 2007, 111 patients undergoing IVF/ICSI stimulated by short or antagonist protocol were selected. On cycle day 3, basal serum AMH level and FSH level were measured. The correlation between basal serum AMH or FSH, and COH outcome was analyzed and IVF outcome was compared according to the AMH levels. To determine the threshold value of AMH for poor- and hyper-response, ROC curve was analyzed. Results: Serum AMH showed higher correlation coefficient (r=0.792, p<0.001) with the number of retrieved mature oocyte than serum FSH (r=-0.477, p<0.001). According to ovarian response, FSH and AMH leves showed significant differences among poor, normal, and hyperresponder. For predicting poor (${\leq}2$ oocytes) and hyperresponse (${\geq}17$ oocyets), AMH cut-off values were 0.5 ng/ml (the sensitivity 88.9% and the specificity 89.5%) and 2.5 ng/ml (sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 87.0%), respectively. According to the AMH level, patients were divided into 3 groups: low (${\leq}0.60\;ng/ml$), normal ($0.60{\sim}2.60\;ng/ml$), and high AMH (${\geq}2.60\;ng/ml$). The number of retrieved mature oocytes was significantly higher ($2.7{\pm}2.2$, $8.1{\pm}4.8$, $16.5{\pm}5.7$) and total gonadotropin dose was lower ($3530.5{\pm}1251.0$, $2957.1{\pm}1057.6$, and $2219.2{\pm}751.9\;IU$) in high AMH group (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in fertilization rates and pregnancy rates (23.8%, 34.0%, 37.5%) among the groups. Conclusions: Basal serum AMH level correlated better with the number of retrieved mature oocytes than FSH level, suggesting its usefulness for predicting ovarian response. However, IVF outcome was not significantly different according to the AMH levels. Serum AMH level presented good cut-off value for poor- or hyper-responders, therefore it could be useful in prediction of cycle cancellation, gonadotropin dose, and OHSS risk in IVF cycles.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.232-239
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• 2001

Background : Asthmatic patients frequently suffer cold-weather-associated respiratory symptoms. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and diagnostic value of isocapnic hyperventilation of cold air(IHCA) using a multistep method, was investigated in patients suspected to have asthma. Method : One hundred and 29 adult patients who had an IHCA performed between july 1999 and December 2000, had an methacholine bronchoprovocation test because of a clinical suspicion of asthma. Results : According to strict criteria, 50 were defined as asthmatics and 79 as symptomatic nonasthmatics. There were no differences in age, sex and smoking state between the asthmatic and symptomatic nonasthmatic groups. There was a significant decrease in the percentage reduction in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second($FEV_1$) after the IHCA between the asthmatics($-10.0{\pm}6.8%$) and the symptomatic nonasthmatics($-2.3{\pm}2.5%)$. The factors associated with a reactivity to IHCA were $FEV_1$/FVC, $FEF_{25-75}$%/FVC and $FEV_1$(% of predicted). The accuracy was highest using a 7% fall in $FEV_1$ ; the sensitivity was 76% and the specificity 96%. Conclusion : IHCA is a specific, although not a sensitive, test for diagnosing asthma in adult patients. Furthermore, the diagnostic cut-off value of the different methods of IHCA need to be determined.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.540-547
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• 2006

Background : Vital stability and right side heart failure are major prognostic factors of acute pulmonary thromboembolism. While it is important to recognize right side heart failure, it is often difficult in real practice. Recently, several studies have described early diagnostic tools for detecting right side heart failure including echocardiography and biochemical markers. This study, we evaluated the prognostic role of the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in an acute pulmonary thromboembolism. Methods : Thirty-four patients with a diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism were enrolled in the study. The BNP levels were measured and echocardiography was performed at the Emergency Department. Data on the prognostic factors including ventilatory support, vital stability, pulmonary artery pressure, degree of tricuspid valve regurgitation, complications and death was collected from the patients' medical records. The patients with an acute pulmonary thromboembolism were divided into two groups based on the vital stability and the BNP level and the cutoff values and prognostic factors of the two groups were compared. Results : The predictors of the vital stability that influence the prognosis of patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism were the BNP level, ventilatory support and death. The plasma BNP levels showed a strong correlation with the vital stability, ventilatory support, thrombolytic therapy and death. When the BNP cutoff level was set to 377.5 pg/dl in a ROC curve, the sensitivity and the specificity for differentiating between the groups with stable or unstable vital signs was 100% and 90%, respectively. Conclusion : This study indicates that a measurement of the plasma BNP levels may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with an acute pulmonary thrombo-embolism.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.311-319
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• 2009

Objective: Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the capacity to differentiate into all of the cell types and therefore hold promise for cell therapeutic applications. In order to utilize this important potential of hESCs, enhancement of currently used technologies for handling and manipulating the cells is required. The cryopreservation of hESC colonies was successfully performed using the vitrification and slow freezing-rapid thawing method. However, most of the hESC colonies were showed extremely spontaneous differentiation after freezing and thawing. In this study, we were performed to rapidly collect of early passage hESCs, which was thawed and had high rate of spontaneously differentiation of SNUhES11 cell line. Methods: Four days after plating, partially spontaneously differentiated parts of hESC colony were cut off using finely drawn-out dissecting pipette, which is mechanical separation method. Results: After separating of spontaneously differentiated cells, we observed that removed parts were recovered by undifferentiated cells. Furthermore, mechanical separation method was more efficient for hESCs expansion after thawing when we repeated this method. The recovery rate after removing differentiated parts of hESC colonies were 55.0%, 74.5%, and 71.1% when we have applied this method to three passages. Conclusion: Mechanical separation method is highly effective for rapidly collecting and large volumes of undifferentiated cells after thawing of cryopreserved early passage hESCs.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.226-236
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• 1998

If the lowest leaves of the cucumber were removed or training cultivable method was changed, a computer vision system could divide well the cucumber fruit from the others, and also an end-effector could reach and grip cucumber fruit and cut well its fruit stalk. Therefore, this study investigated whether removal leaves and training cultivable method of a cucumber could affect its growth and yield. They can help to be designed the vision system and the end-effector. A cucumber fruit grew by 6-l5cm long for 2 days regardless of removing leaves. Removal leaves didn't affect growth of cucumber fruit. Number of cucumber fruit was produced within 10% different values by three methods (A, B, C) of removal leaves. The first grade rate (best quality) of 4 B and C was 56.7%, 53.1%, 56.3% respectively. Consequently, proper removal leaves were better than traditional way, which does not remove a leaf, because they make cucumber plant ventilate more freely and absorb more light.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.100-115
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide containing nerve fibers in rat pulp after dentinl injury by means of immunohistochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscope. The Spague-Dawley rats weighing about 250-300gm were used. The animals were devided into normal control and experimental groups. Experimental animals were sacrified 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 21days after dentinal injury (dentin cutting, and then acid etching with 35% phosphoric acid) on the maxillary molar teeth. The maxillary teeth and alveolar bone were removed and immersed in the 4% paraformaldehyde in 0.1M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), then were decalcified with 15% formic acid for 10 days. Serial frozen $50{\mu}m$ thick sections were cut on a cryostat. The rabbit CGRP antibody was used as a primary antibody with a dilution of 1:2000 in 0.01M PB. The sections were incubated for 48 hours at $4^{\circ}C$, and placed into biotinylated antirabbit Ig G as a secondary anti body with dilution of 1:200 in 0.01M PB and incubated in ABC(avidin-biotin complex). The peroxidase reaction was visualized by incubating the sections in 0.05% 3,3 diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride containing 0.02% $H_2O_2$. For the confocal laser scanning microscopic examination, Primary antibody reaction was same as immunoperoxidase stainning, but fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)-conjugate antirabbit IgG as a secondary antibody was used. The confocal laser scanning microscope was used for the examination. A series of images of optical sections was collected with a 20x objective at $3{\mu}m$ intervals throughout the depth of specimen. FITC fluerescence was registrated through a 488nm and 568nm excitation filter, and images were saved on optical disk. The stereoscopic images and three dimentionnal images were reconstructed by computer software, and then were analyzed. The results were as follows : 1. In normal control group, CGRP containing nerve fibers were coursed through the root with very little branching, and then formed a dense network of terminals in coronal pulp. 2. A slight increase in CGRP containing nerve fibers at 1 and 2day postinjury was noted subjacent to the injury site. In the 4day group, there were an extensive increase in the number of reactive fibers, followed by a partial return toward normal levels at 7~10 day postinjury, and return by 21days. 3. The sprouting of the CGRP containing nerve fibers was evident within 2day after dentinal injury, and by 4days there was a maximal increased, but was decreased at 7days and returned to normal 10~21 day postinjury. 4. In confocal laser scanning microscopic exammination, the distinct distribution pattern and sprouting reaction of CGRP containing nerve fibers were observed in stereoscopic images and three dimentional images. These results suggest that CGRP containing nerve fiber can be important role in the response to dental injury and pain regulation.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.315-328
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• 2017

Even though assessment using information and communication technology will most likely lead the future of educational assessment, there is little domestic research on this topic. Computerized assessment will not only cut costs but also measure students' performance in ways not possible before. In this context, this study introduces a tool which can overcome the problems of multiple choice tests, which are most widely used type of assessment in current Korean educational setting. Multiple-choice tests, in which options are presented with the questions, are efficient in that grading can be automated; however, they allow for students who don't know the answer, to find the correct answer from the options. Park(2005) has developed a modified multiple-choice testing system (CMMT) using the interactivity of computers, that presents questions first, and options later for a short time when the student requests for them. The present study was conducted to find out if penalizing wrong answers could lower the possibility of students choosing an answer among the options when they don't know the correct answer. 116 students were tested with the directions that they will be penalized for wrong answers, but not for no response. There were 4 experimental conditions: 2 conditions of high or low percentage of penalizing, each in traditional multiple-choice or CMMT format. The results were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA for the number of no response, the test score and self-report score. Analysis showed that the number of no response was significantly higher for the CMMT format and that test scores were significantly lower when the penalizing percentage was high. The possibility of applying CMMT format tests while penalizing wrong answers in actual testing settings was addressed. In addition, the need for further research in the cognitive sciences to develop computerized assessment tools, was discussed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.541-549
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• 2008

Background: Vasoconstrictor-induced reduction in arterial graft diameter can cause significant flow deprivation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vasodilator pretreatment on vasoconstrictor-induced blood vessel spasm in vitro. Material and Method: Rabbit brachial arteries (BA) and celiac arteries (CA) were cut into rings $(3{\sim}4mm)$ and suspended with a force displacement transducer (TSD $125C^{(R)}$, Biopac Inc. USA) in a tissue bath filled with 5 mL modified Krebs solution bubbled with 5% $CO_2$ and 95% $O_2\;at\;38^{\circ}C$. The rings were contracted with vasoconstrictors, and the developed tension changes were considered control values. The rings were then pre- treated with $30{\mu}M$ nitroglycerin, nicardipine, verapamil, and papaverine, respectively, for 40 minutes and rinsed with the physiologic buffered salt solution three times every 15 min. The vasoconstrictor-induced tension changes after the previous procedure were considered experimental values. Data are expressed as the percentage tension induced by vasoconstrictors before and after pretreatment with vasodilators. Result: Nicardipine depressed vasoconstriction induced by norepinephrine, angiotensin II (All), and U46619 in both the BA and the CA more significantly than did nitroglycerin (p<0.01) and verapamil (p<0.05). Verapamil depressed vasoconstriction induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT), All, and U46619 in the BA and by 5HT in the CA more significantly than did nitroglycerin (p<0.01). Conclusion: These findings suggest that both nicardipine and verapamil effectively depressed vasoconstrictor action. Nicardipine is thought to be more effective than verapamil for the prevention of vasoconstrictor action.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.368-370
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• 2013

투명 전극은 전기전도도를 갖는 동시에 가시광선을 투과하는 소재를 말하며, 구체적으로는 빛의 파장이 400~700 nm 영역대의 가시광선을 80% 이상 투과하며 전기전도도가 비저항으로 $10^{-3}{\Omega}cm$이하이거나 면저항이 $10^3{\Omega}$/${\Box}$소재를 의미한다. 투명 전극은 전기전도도에 따라 사용되는 용도가 다양하다. LCD, PDP, OLED 와 같은 평판디스플레이 및 3D 디스플레이의 투명전극으로 사용되는 핵심재료일 뿐만 아니라 터치스크린, 투명필름, 대전방지막, 열반사막, EMI 방지막, 태양전지 분야에 광범위하게 이용되고 있다. 일반적으로, 투명전극 박막에 가장 많이 사용되고 있는 소재는 ITO (indium tin oxide)이나, 주성분인 In의 사용량 증가로 상용 ITO 타겟 가격이 급등하고 있음으며, 고가의 ITO 타겟을 대체하기 위한 저가의 투명전극 소재 개발이 절대적으로 요구되며, 신규 소재 개발을 통한 기술력 우위 선점이 필수적으로 요구되는 상황이다. 본 연구에서는 기존에 디스플레이 분야에서 널리 활용되는 고가의 ITO를 대체하기 위한 다성분 금속산화물 투명전극 스퍼터링 타겟 제조기술을 개발하기 위한 연구로서, Metal이 첨가된 In-Ga-Zn-O기반의 3성분계 투명도전성 소재를 조성설계, 고밀도 균질 타겟 제조 및 투명전극 박막을 형성하는 연구를 실시하였다. 고체산화물 산화인듐(In2O3)분말, 산화갈륨(Ga2O3) 분말그리고 산화아연(ZnO)분말과 Metal을 몰비로 칭량한 후 분말을 폴리에틸렌제 포트에 넣고 에탄올을 충분히 채운 후 지르코니아(ZrO2) 볼(ball)을 이용하여 24 h 동안 볼 밀링(ball milling) 방법으로 혼합한 뒤, $120^{\circ}C$의 플레이트위에서 마그네틱 바로 stirring하면서 건조하였다. 이 분말을 건조기에서 완전히 건조한 후 알루미나 유발을 이용해서 pulverizing한 후 sieving기를 이용하여 분말의 조립화를 하였다. 이 분말을 금형에 넣고 300 kg/$cm^2$의 압력으로 press하여 성형한 뒤 대기중에서 소결하였다 소결을 위한 승온 온도는 $10^{\circ}C$/min이었고 소결은 $1,450^{\circ}C$에서 6 h 동안 하였다. IGZO target의 조성 비율은 1:1:12 (mol%)를 사용하였으며, 첨가한 Metal은 Boron (B), Germanium (Ge), Barium (Ba)을 사용하여 타겟을 제작하였다. M-IGZO 박막은RF magnetron Sputter를 이용하여 증착하였으며, 앞선 실험에서 제작한 타겟을 사용하여 M-IGZO박막을 투명전극으로 사용하기 위한 각각의 특성을 파악하였다. 모든 박막은 상온에서 증착을 하였으며, 증착된 박막두께를 측정하기 위해 ${\alpha}$-step IQ를 사용하였고, 광학적 특성을 분석하기 위해 UV-Visible spectrophotometer 로 투과율을 측정하였다. 그리고 전기적 특성을 측정하기 위해 Hall effect measurement 및 4-probe를 사용하였으며, 결정성 분석을 위하여 XRD를 이용하여 분석하였다. 표1은 M-IGZO타겟을 사용하여 증착시간에 따른 면저항 특성을 나타내었다. Ge, B, Ba이 첨가된 IGZO 박막은 증착시간이 증가할수록 면저항이 낮아짐을 알 수 있었다. 또한, Ge이 첨가된 IGZO 박막이 다른 금속이 첨가된 IGZO 박막의 면저항보다 현저히 낮음을 알 수 있었다. Fig. 1(a), (b), (c)는 각 타겟을 동일한 조건으로 증착을 하여 광학적특성을 나타내는 그래프이다. GZO 박막의 광학적 특성을 보면 가시광 영역에서 평균 투과율은 모두 80% 이상으로 우수한 광투과 특성을 보여 투명전자소자로 사용가능하다. 특히, 자외선 영역을 모두 차단하는 UV cut 능력이 우수함을 알 수 있었다. 따라서, 금속이 첨가된 IGZO 박막을 태양전지용 투명전극으로 사용할 경우, 자외선에 의하여 수명이 단축되는 현상을 줄여줄 수 있음을 기대할 수 있으며 내구성 향상에 크게 기여할 것으로 보인다. Fig. 2는 Ge=0, 0.5, 5%인 IGZO 투명전극을 총 40회 반복하여 증착을 실시한 후 각각의 면저항을 측정한 결과이다. 실험결과에 따르면 Ge가 0%, 5%인 IGZO 투명전극은 증착을 거듭할수록 면저항이 증가하는 결과를 나타내었으며, 0.5%인 IGZO 투명전극은 점차 안정화되어가는 결과를 나타내었다. 따라서 안정화 되었을 때 평균 면저항은 26ohm/sq.로 나타났으며, 광투과율은 Fig. 3과 같이 가시광영역에서 평균 80%이상의 결과를 보였으며, 550 nm에서는 86.36%의 우수한 특성을 나타내었다. 본 연구에서는 Metal이 첨가된 In-Ga-Zn-O기반의 3성분계 투명도전성 소재 target을 제작하여 RF magnetron sputter로 박막을 형성한 후 특성을 비교하였다. M-IGZO target 중 Ge (0.5%)을 첨가한 IGZO 타겟을 사용한 투명전극이 가장 우수한 특성을 보였으며, 제작된 M-target의 In 비율이 30% 정도로 기존의 ITO (90%) 대비하여 투명전극 제작 단가를 절감할 수 있다.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.13-27
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• 2015

A systemic review on the factors affecting food catering hygiene was conducted to provide information for risk management of food catering in Korea. In total 47 keywords relating to food catering and food hygiene were searched for published journals in the DBpia for the last decade (2005-2014). As a result, 1,178 published papers were searched and 142 articles were collected by the expert review. To find the major factors affecting food catering and microbial safety, an analysis based on organization and stakeholder were conducted. School catering (64 papers) was a major target rather than industry (5 pagers) or hospitals (3 papers) in the selected articles. The factors affecting school catering were "system/facility/equipment (15 papers)", "hygiene education (12 papers)", "production/delivery company (6 papers)", food materials (4 papers)" and "any combination of the above factors (9 papers)". The major problems are follow. 1) The problems of "system/facility/equipment" were improper space division/separation, lack of mass cooking utensil, lack of hygiene control equipment, difficulty in temperature and humidity control, and lack of cooperation in the HACCP team (dietitian's position), poor hygienic classroom in the case of class dining (students'), hard workload/intensity of labor, poor condition of cook's safety (cook's) and lack of parents' monitoring activity (parents'). 2) The problem of "hygiene education' were related to formal and perfunctory hygiene education, lack of HACCP education, lack of compliance of hygiene practice (cook's), lack of personal hygiene education and little effect of education (students'). 3) The problems of "production/delivery company" were related to hygiene of delivery truck and temperature control, hygiene of employee in the supplying company and control of non-accredited HACCP company. 4) The area of "food materials" cited were distrust of safety regarding to raw materials, fresh cut produces, and pre-treated food materials. 5) In addition, job stability/the salary can affect the occupational satisfaction and job commitment. And job stress can affect the performance and the hygiene practice. It is necessary for the government to allocate budget for facility and equipment, conduct field survey, improve hygiene training program and inspection, prepare certification system, improve working condition of employees, and introducing hygiene and layout consulting by experts. The results from this study can be used to prepare education programs and develop technology for improving food catering hygiene and providing information.