• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.235-243
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• 2007

Hepatocellular carcinoma is significant worldwide public health problem with an estimated annually mortality of 1,000,000 people. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is an interventional technique that in recent years has come to be used for treatment of the hepatocellualr carcinoma, by destructing tumor tissues in high temperatures. Numerous studies have been attempted to prove excellence of RF ablation and to improve its efficiency by various methods. However, the attempts are sometimes paradox to advantages of a minimum invasive characteristic and an operative simplicity in RF ablation. The aim of the current study is, therefore, to suggest an improved RF ablation technique by identifying an optimum RF pattern, which is one of important factors capable of controlling the extent of high temperature region in lossless of the advantages of RF ablation. Three-dimensional finite element (FE) model was developed and validated comparing with the results reported by literature. Four representative Rf patterns (sine, square, exponential, and simulated RF waves), which were corresponding to currents fed during simulated RF ablation, were investigated. Following parameters for each RF pattern were analyzed to identify which is the most optimum in eliminating effectively tumor tissues. 1) maximum temperature, 2) a degree of alteration of maximum temperature in a constant time range (30-40 second), 3) a domain of temperature over $47^{\circ}C$ isothermal temperature (IT), and 4) a domain inducing over 63% cell damage. Here, heat transfer characteristics within the tissues were determined by Bioheat Governing Equation. Developed FE model showed 90-95% accuracy approximately in prediction of maximum temperature and domain of interests achieved during RF ablation. Maximum temperatures for sine, square, exponential, and simulated RF waves were $69.0^{\circ}C,\;66.9^{\circ}C,\;65.4^{\circ}C,\;and\;51.8^{\circ}C$, respectively. While the maximum temperatures were decreased in the constant time range, average time intervals for sine, square, exponential, and simulated RE waves were $0.49{\pm}0.14,\;1.00{\pm}0.00,\;1.65{\pm}0.02,\;and\;1.66{\pm}0.02$ seconds, respectively. Average magnitudes of the decreased maximum temperatures in the time range were $0.45{\pm}0.15^{\circ}C$ for sine wave, $1.93{\pm}0.02^{\circ}C$ for square wave, $2.94{\pm}0.05^{\circ}C$ for exponential wave, and $1.53{\pm}0.06^{\circ}C$ for simulated RF wave. Volumes of temperature domain over $47^{\circ}C$ IT for sine, square, exponential, and simulated RF waves were 1480mm3, 1440mm3, 1380mm3, and 395mm3, respectively. Volumes inducing over 63% cell damage for sine, square, exponential, and simulated RF waves were 114mm3, 62mm3, 17mm3, and 0mm3, respectively. These results support that applying sine wave during RF ablation may be generally the most optimum in destructing effectively tumor tissues, compared with other RF patterns.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.448-464
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to optimize the parameters related to consensus coherency within the PCL 1300, the operating program of wind profiler, from a validation of wind data between rawinsonde and wind profiler at Chupungryeong ($36^{\circ}13^{\prime}$, $127^{\circ}59^{\prime}$) site in Korea. It is then to analyze the diurnal and seasonal characteristics of the turbulence energy dissipation rate (${\varepsilon}$) in clear and rainy days from March 2009 to February 2010. In comparison of the wind data between wind profiler and rawinsonde during April 22-23, 2010, it was shown in a big error more than $10ms^{-1}$ over the height of 3,000 meters in the zonal (u) and meridional (v) wind components. When removing more than $10ms^{-1}$ in each wind speed difference of u an v components between the two instruments, the correlation coefficients of these wind components were 0.92 and 0.88, respectively, and the root mean square errors were 3.07 and $1.06ms^{-1}$. Based on these results, when the data processing time and the minimum available data within the PCL 1300 program were adjusted as 30 minutes and 60%, respectively, the bias errors were small. In addition, as a result of an analysis of sensitivity to consensus coherency of u and v components within the PCL1300 program, u components were underestimated in radial coherency, instantaneous and winbarbs coherency, whereas v components were overestimated. Finally by optimizing parameters of the PCL1300 program, the diurnal and seasonal means of ${\varepsilon}$ at each height were higher in rainy days than those in clear days because of increasing in the vertical wind speed due to upward and downward motions. The mean ${\varepsilon}$ for clear and rainy days in winter was lower than those of other seasons, due to stronger horizontal wind speed in winter than those in other seasons. Consequently, when the turbulence energy dissipation rates in the vertical wind speed of more than ${\pm}10cm\;s^{-1}$ were excluded for clear and rainy days, the mean ${\varepsilon}$ in rainy days was 6-7 times higher than that in clear days, but when considering them, it was 4-5 times higher.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2015

Purpose Various methods for reducing radiation exposure have been continuously being developed. The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of dose reduction, image quality and PET SUV changes by applying combination of automatic exposure dose(AEC), automated dose-optimized selection of X-ray tube voltage(CAREkV) and sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction(SAFIRE) which can be controled by user. Materials and Methods Torso, AAPM CT performance and IEC body phantom images were acquired using biograph mCT64, (Siemens, Germany) PET/CT scanner. Standard CT condition was 120 kV, 40 mAs. Radiation exposure and noise were evaluated by applying AEC, CAREkV(120 kV, 40 mAs) and SAFIRE(120 kV, 25 mAs) with torso phantom compare to standard CT condition. And torso, AAPM and IEC phantom images were acquired with combination of 3 methods in condition of 120 kV, 25 mAs to evaluate radiation exposure, noise, spatial resolution and SUV changes. Results When applying AEC, CTDIvol and DLP were decreased by 50.52% and 50.62% compare to images which is not applying AEC. mAs was increased by 61.5% to compensate image quality according to decreasing 20 kV when applying CAREkV. However, CTDIvol and DLP were decreased by 6.2% and 5.5%. When reference mAs was the lower and strength was the higher, reduction of radiation exposure rate was the bigger. Mean SD and DLP were decreased by 2.2% and 38% when applying SAFIRE even though mAs was decreased by 37.5%(from 40 mAs to 25 mAs). Combination of 3 methods test, SD decreased by 5.17% and there was no significant differences in spatial resolution. And mean SD and DLP were decreased by 6.7% and 36.9% compare to 120 kV, 40 mAs with AEC. For SUV test, there was no statistical differences(P>0.05). Conclusion Combination of 3 methods shows dose reduction effect without degrading image quality and SUV changes. To reduce radiation exposure in PET/CT study, continuous effort is needed by optimizing various dose reduction methods.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.123-131
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• 2015

Recently the development of ICT has a big impact on education field, and diffusion of smart devices has brought new education paradigm. Since people has an opportunity to use various contents anytime and communicate in an interactive way, the method of learning has changing. In 2011, Korean government has established the smart education promotion plan to be a first mover in the paradigm shift from e-learning to smart learning. Especially, government aimed to improve the quality of learning materials and method in public schools, and also to decrease the high expenditure on private education. However, the achievement of smart education policy has not emerged yet, and the refinement of smart learning policy and strategy is essential at this moment. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to propose the successful strategies for smart learning in public education. First, this study explores the status of public education and smart learning environment in Korea. Then, it derives the key success factors through SWOT(Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis, and suggests strategic priorities through AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Priority) method. The interview and survey were conducted with total 20 teachers, who works in public schools. As a results, focusing on weakness-threat(WT) strategy is the most prior goal for public education, to activate the smart learning. As sub-factors, promoting the education programs for teachers($W_2$), which is still a weakness, appeared as the most important factor to be improved. The second sub-factor with high priority was an efficient optimizing the capability of new learning method($S_4$), which is a strength of systematic public education environment. The third sub-factor with high priority was the extension of limited government support($T_4$), which could be a threat to other public schools with no financial support. In other words, the results implicate that government institution factors should be considered with high priority to make invisible achievement in smart learning. This study is significant as an initial approach with strategic perspective for public education. While the limitation of this study is that survey and interview were conducted with only teachers. Accordingly, the future study needs to be analyzed in effectiveness and feasibility, by considering perspectives from field experts and policy makers.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2018

As the use of environmentally friendly and non-disease natural pigments grows, various methods for extracting natural pigments have been studied. The natural color was extracted from parsley, a vegetable ingredient containing natural dyes. Target color codes of green series of natural dyes extracted as variables #50932C (L = 55.0, a = -40.0, b = 46.0) were set with the pH and temperature of extracted natural color coordinates (of the extracted), and the quantitative intensities of natural dyes were analyzed. During the colorimetric analysis predicted by the reaction surface analysis method, a color coordinate analysis was conducted under the optimal conditions of pH 8.0 and extraction temperature of $60.9^{\circ}C$. Under these conditions, predicted figures of L, a, and b were 55.0, -36.3, and 36.8, respectively, while actual experimental ones confirmed were 69.0, -35.9, and 31.4, respectively. In these results, the theory accuracy and actual error rate were confirmed to be 73.0 and 13.8%, respectively. The theoretical optimization condition of the color difference (${\Delta}E$) was at the pH of 9.2 and extraction temperature of $55.2^{\circ}C$. Under these conditions the predicted ${\Delta}E$ figure was 12.4 while the experimental one was 13.0. The difference in color analysis showed 97.5% of the theoretical accuracy and 4.5% of the actual error rate. However, the combination of color coordinates did not represent a desired target color, but rather close to the targeted color by means of an arithmetic mean. Therefore, it can be said that when the reaction surface analysis method was applied to the natural dye extraction process, the use of color coordinates as a response value can be a better method for optimizing the dye extraction process.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.10
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• pp.189-213
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• 2005

Risk management should be controlled systematically by effectively evaluating and suggesting countermeasures against the various risks which are followed by the change of the society and environment. These days, enterprise risk management became a new trend in the field. The first step in risk analysis is to recognize the risk factors, that is to verify the vulnerabilities of loss in the security facilities. The second step is to consider the probability of loss in assessing the risk factors. And the third step is to evaluate the criticality of loss. The security manager will determine the assessment grades and then the risk levels of each risk factor, on the basis of the result of risk analysis which includes the assessment of vulnerability, the provability of loss and the criticality. It is of great importance to put the result of risk analysis in mathematical statement for a scientific approach to risk management. Using the risk levels gained from the risk analysis, the security manager can develop a comprehensive and supplementary security plan. In planning the risk management measures to prepare against and minimize the loss, insurance is one of the best loss-prevention programs. However, insurance in and of itself is no longer able to meet the security challenges faced by major corporations. The security manager have to consider the cost-effectiveness, to suggest the productive risk management alternatives by using the security files which contains every information about the security matters. Also he/she have to reinforce the company regulations on security and safety, and to execute education repeatedly on security and risk management. Risk management makes the most efficient before-the-loss arrangement for and after-the-loss continuation of a business. So it is very much important to suggest a best cost-effective and realistic alternatives for optimizing risk management above all, and this function should by maintained and developed continuously and repeatedly.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.245-253
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary yeast culture containing rPST on growth performances and the characteristics of body compositions in broiler chickens. A total of 460 Ross male broiler chicks aged 2-day-old were fed one of five experimental diets; Control(devoid of all), TI (with $0.1\%$ antibiotics; chlorotetracycline), T2 (with $0.1\%$ rPST-yeast culture), T3 (with $0.2\%$ rPST-yeast culture) or T4 (with $0.2\%$ SC yeast culture) for 6 weeks. Feed consumption and body weights were measured weekly. At week 5 of the experiment, 10 chicks were randomly selected and sacrificed. The relative weights of each organ and the chemical composition of edible meat were measured. The enzyme activity, total cholesterol, Ca and P were also determined. Tibial weight, bone strength and chemical composition were investigated. There were no significant differences in feed intake and feed conversion ratios among the treatments throughout the experimental period. Body weight gains tended to be increased by feeding of diets containing rPST-yeast culture. The relative weight of breast muscle in T3 group was significantly higher than that of the control (P<0.05). The moisture contents of breast meat in groups fed diets containing rPST-yeast culture or SC yeast culture were significantly increased as compared with those of the control and n. However, the contents of crude protein and ether extract were not affected by feeding of rPST-yeast culture. There were no significant differences in GOT, total cholesterol, Ca and P. The relative weight and strength and proximal composition of the tibia were also not affected by dietary treatments. These results indicated that dietary rPST-yeast culture may be a valuable alternative for optimizing growth performances, particularly for improving the yield of breast muscle.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.65-89
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• 2012

Objective : In order to investigate and improve public Korean medical health service satisfaction level, this study was designed. Method : A questionnaire has been conducted on 212 patients who received treatments at six public health centers in the northern part of Gyeongbuk during 15 days between Sep. 24 and Oct. 8, 2011. Result : 1. An Investigation on the usage of herbal clinics in public health centers reveals that 63.7% have received three times or more medical treatments previously and 61.8% have had their illness treated at other medical institutions. In regard to illness 32.1% have had arthritis or muscle aches. 50.9% have taken insurance medication after having had treatments at the public health centers. 66% have assessed acupuncture and moxa cautery the most satisfying. 2. To a question regarding whether herbal health treatment costs higher than that of physician's, the highest response at 31.6% is 'No'. And to a question regarding whether herbal medicines administered at public health centers have more side effects than that of physician's, the highest response at 39.6% is 'No'. 3. To a question regarding whether herbal treatment of public health centers has little effect against acute disease, 48.1% of responses are 'Fair'. To a question regarding whether herbal treatments, when compared with physician's treatments, boost better recovery of patients, 48.1% of responses are 'Fair'. To a question regarding whether herbal medicine is unscientific, when compared with that of western medicine, 38.2% of responses are 'Fair', To a question regarding whether herbal medicine has faster effect on disease than western medicine, 41.0% of responses are 'Fair'. To a question regarding whether herbal medicine is more effective on disease prevention and promotion of health than disease treatment, 38.2% of responses are 'Fair'. And to a question regarding whether the lack of various types of physical therapy devices in herbal medicine, when compared with western medicine causes inconvenience in herbal treatment, 42.0% of responses are 'Fair'. Those responses take up highest portion at each questionnaire. 4. A comparative study between herbal treatments and physician's treatments has also been conducted. To questions regarding which one of the two considering types of disease is the better, responses are the latter accounted for 43.9% against 'Cancer', the latter accounted for 45.3% against 'Endocrine disorders', the former accounted for 30.7% against 'Psychiatric disorders', the latter accounted for 38.2% gainst 'Otolaryngological(ENT) disease', the former accounted for 47.6% against 'Post traumatic stress disorder', and the former accounted for 52.4% against 'Muscle-skeletal disease'. 5. An investigation on frequency of patients' visits via (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. 6. First, an investigation on frequency of reasons of medical treatments reveal that age, occupation, monthly income, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Secondly, an investigation on frequency of subjects taking insurance medicines after herbal health treatments reveal that monthly income (p<0.05) of subject shows a statistically significant difference. 7. First, an investigation on frequency of a claim that herbal treatments of public health center does not have great effect on acute disease reveals that age, education, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Secondly, an investigation on frequency of analysis that herbal treatments has faster effect on disease compared with western treatments reveals that education level, religion, monthly income, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. 8. When herbal clinics of public health centers and general herbal medicine institutions are compared, a survey on additional treatments that herbal clinics need the most reveals that education level, monthly income, and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Secondly, an investigation on frequency of subjects who want various forms of herbal medicines reveals that occupation and insurance type (p<0.05) of subjects show a statistically significant difference. Conclusion : In order to improve efficiency of treatments and enhance patient's satisfaction level, this study suggests measures such as providing a differentiated acupuncture treatments as a whole, streamlining an reception procedure, adopting more elaborated computer system for a patient to get proper medical attention, standardizing a treatment duration in order for a maximum result, keeping regular office hours, and optimizing a consultation time for a patient.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2014

Purpose: To determine the clinical significance of voriconazole therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the pediatric population. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with invasive fungal infections administered with voriconazole from July 2010 to June 2012 were investigated retrospectively. Fourteen received TDM, and 143 trough concentrations were analyzed. All 28 patients were assessed for adverse events and treatment response six weeks into treatment, and at the end. Results: Out of 143 samples, 53.1% were within therapeutic range (1.0-5.5 mg/L). Patients administered with the same loading (6 mg/kg/dose) and maintenance (4 mg/kg/dose) dosages prior to initial TDM showed highly variable drug levels. Adverse events occurred in 9 of 14 patients (64.3%) in both the TDM and non-TDM group. In the TDM group, voriconazole-related encephalopathy (n=2, 14.3%) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation (n=8, 57.1 %) occurred with serum levels in the toxic range (>5.5 mg/L), whereas blurred-vision (n=2, 14.3%) occurred within the therapeutic range (1.18 mg/L and 3.9 mg/L). The frequency of voriconazole discontinuation due to adverse events was lower in the TDM group (0.0% vs. 18.2%, P =0.481). Overall, 57.2% of the patients in the TDM group versus 14.3% in the non-TDM group showed clinical response after 6 weeks (P =0.055), whereas 21.4% in the TDM group versus 14.3% in the non-TDM group showed response at final outcome (P =0.664). In the TDM group, >67.0% of the serum levels were within therapeutic range for the first 6 weeks; however 45.5% were within therapeutic range for the entire duration. Conclusion: Routine TDM is recommended for optimizing the therapeutic effects of voriconazole.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.700-708
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• 2012

In order to optimize a method to determine the firmness of Chinese cabbage, hardness of midrib tissues was examined based on their chronological order of emergence. Texture measurement using volodkevich bite jaws gave a consistent and highest regression ($r^2=0.85$) between firmness and the order of leaf emergence, while blade set, cylinder probe, and crisp fracture support rig showed a lower coefficient of determination. Thickness of midrib tissue within an individual head from 16 cultivars of Chinese cabbage was positively correlated with the order of emergence, becoming thinner toward inner leaves. Mean thickness of midrib tissue from the head ranged from 7.74 mm for 'CR-shingshing' and 9.28 mm for 'Norangyeorum'. The covariance of leaf thickness within a head was highly cultivar-dependent, ranging from 23.6% for 'Chihili' and 5.8% for 'Bulam'. Firmness of the midrib tissue, defined as maximum peak height per tissue thickness, became higher from outer to inner leaves, showing $2^{nd}$ order of regression. Mean firmness of the midrib tissue from individual head varied from 1.58 N for 'Rangno' to 3.46 N for 'CR-shingshing'. The $10^{th}$ or $11^{th}$ leaf brought the best correlation coefficient (r = 0.81) between firmness of an individual leaf and the mean firmness of the entire leaves in a head, suggesting a reliable and rapid method to estimate the firmness of a head in lieu of examining all leaves in the head. The relationship between firmness of midrib tissue and dry mass ($r=0.70^{**}$) as well as cell wall content ($r=0.58^*$) of the head were positively correlated. Results obtained from the present study suggested that a new method to determine midrib firmness would enable to clarify the relationship between textural quality of fresh Chinese cabbage and their processed product, 'Kimchi'. It will also be important to apply this method to screen textural quality of various genotypes under breeding programs.