• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the interrelationship and clinical usefulness of sperm morphology by strict criteria (SM), acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge test (ARIC) and sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova as prognostic factors in in vitro fertilization. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were provided by 83 patients undergoing IVF. We first evaluated the differences between normal fertilization group and poor fertilization group on three andrologic tests. Secondly, we analyzed the relationship between the three andrologic tests and in vitro fertilization on IVF settings. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of the three andrologic tests as the prognostic indicators for fertilizing ability. Results: The fertilization rate of all men in the poor fertilization group was less than 30%; but there was no evidence that this poor fertilization was due to oocyte defects. The results of three andrologic tests were significatly higher in normal fertilization group. Fertilization rate (%) in vitro was highly correlated (p<0.001) with % normal sperm by SM, ARIC value (%), and SPA result. By using Receiver-Operator-Characteristic curve (ROC), we evaluated the effectiveness of these three tests. The sensitivity and specificity of SM, ARIC test and SPA in predicting fertilization potential in IVF setting were 76% and 75%, 84% and 90%, and 76% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the three andrologic tests can be reliable tools as prognostic factors of sperm fertilizing ability. Among these test, ARIC test and SPA gave more accurate information on fertilizing capacity. ARIC test was shown to have a predictive value for fertilizing ability comparable to that of SPA that appears to be a simple and cost-effective addition to current andrology laboratory. Combined application of these three tests may give more information on predicting sperm fertilizing capacity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2016

Background: The use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in the setting of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has shown improved outcomes compared with conventional CPR. The aim of this study was to determine factors predictive of survival in extracorporeal CPR (E-CPR). Methods: Consecutive 85 adult patients (median age, 59 years; range, 18 to 85 years; 56 males) who underwent E-CPR from May 2005 to December 2012 were evaluated. Results: Causes of arrest were cardiogenic in 62 patients (72.9%), septic in 18 patients (21.2%), and hypovolemic in 3 patients (3.5%), while the etiology was not specified in 2 patients (2.4%). The survival rate in patients with septic etiology was significantly poorer compared with those with another etiology (0% vs. 24.6%, p=0.008). Septic etiology (hazard ratio [HR], 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49 to 5.44; p=0.002) and the interval between arrest and ECLS initiation (HR, 1.05 by 10 minutes increment; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.09; p=0.005) were independent risk factors for mortality. When the predictive value of the E-CPR timing for in-hospital mortality was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve method, the greatest accuracy was obtained at a cutoff of 60.5 minutes (area under the curve, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.80; p=0.032) with 47.8% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity. The survival rate was significantly different according to the cutoff of 60.5 minutes (p=0.001). Conclusion: These results indicate that efforts should be made to minimize the time between arrest and ECLS application, optimally within 60 minutes. In addition, E-CPR in patients with septic etiology showed grave outcomes, suggesting it to be of questionable benefit in these patients.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.85-90
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• 2017

Indoor location-based services have been developed based on the Internet of Things technologies which measure and analyze users who are moving in their daily lives. These various indoor positioning technologies require separate hardware and have several disadvantages, such as a communication protocol which becomes complicated. Based on the fact that a reduction in signal strength occurs according to the distance due to the physical characteristics of the transmitted signal, RSSI technology that uses the received signal strength of the wireless signal used in this paper measures the strength of the transmitted signal and the intensity of the attenuated received signal and then calculates the distance between a transmitter and a receiver, which requires no separate costs and makes to implement simple measurements. It was applied calculating the value for the average RSSI and the RSSI filtering feedback. Filtering is used to reduce the error of the RSSI values that are measured at long distance.It was confirmed that the RSSI values through the average filtering and the RSSI values measured by setting the coefficient value of the feedback filtering to 0.5 were ranged from -61 dBm to - 52.5 dBm, which shows irregular and high values decrease slightly as much as about -2 dBm to -6 dBm as compared to general measurements.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5889-5897
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• 2015

Background: The performance of combined testing visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and cervical cytology tests might differ from one setting to another. The average estimate of the testing accuracy across studies is informative, but no meta-analysis has been carried out to assess this combined method. Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the average sensitivity and specificity of the combined VIA and cervical cytology tests for the detection of cervical precancerous lesions. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis, according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Diagnostic Test Accuracy. We considered two cases. In the either-positive result case, a positive result implies positivity in at least one of the tests. A negative result implies negativity in both tests. In the both-positive case, a positive result implies having both tests positive. Eligible studies were identified using Pubmed, Embase, Website of Science, CINHAL and COCRANE databases. True positive, false positive, false negative and true negative values were extracted. Estimates of sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative likelihood (LR) and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) were pooled using a hierarchical random effect model. Hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics (HSROC) were generated and heterogeneity was verified through covariates potentially influencing the diagnostic odds ratio. Findings: Nine studies fulfilled inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Pooled estimates of the sensitivities of the combined tests in either-positive and both-positive cases were 0.87 (95% CI: 0.83-0.90) and 0.38 (95% CI: 0.29-0.48), respectively. Corresponding specificities were 0.79 (95% CI: 0.63-0.89) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96-0.99) respectively. The DORs of the combined tests in either-positive or both-positive result cases were 27.7 (95% CI: 12.5-61.5) and 52 (95% CI: 22.1-122.2), respectively. When including only articles without partial verification bias and also a high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia as a threshold of the disease, DOR of combined test in both-positive result cases remained the highest. However, DORs decreased to 12.1 (95% CI: 6.05-24.1) and 13.8 (95% CI: 7.92-23.9) in studies without partial verification bias for the combined tests in the either-positive and both-positive result cases, respectively. The screener, the place of study and the size of the population significantly influenced the DOR of combined tests in the both-positive result case in restriction analyses that considered only articles with CIN2+ as disease threshold. Conclusions: The combined test in the either-positive result case has a high sensitivity, but a low specificity. These results suggest that the combined test should be considered in developing countries as a primary screening test if facilities exist to confirm, through colposcopy and biopsy, a positive result.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3525-3531
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• 2014

Objective: Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) is a new technique for identifying different malignant tumors using different uptake values between tumor cells and normal tissues. Here we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG-PET in patients with testicular cancer by pooling data of existing trials in a meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Trials databases were searched and studies published in English relating to the diagnostic value of FDG-PET for testicular cancer were collected. The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was used to examine the FDG-PET accuracy. Results: A total of 16 studies which included 957 examinations in 807 patients (median age, 31.1 years) were analyzed. A meta-analysis was performed to combine the sensitivity and specificity and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), from diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive likelihood ratios (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR). SROC were derived to demonstrate the diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET for testicular cancer. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.75 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.70-0.80) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84-0.89), respectively. The pooled DOR was 35.6 (95% CI, 12.9-98.3). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.88. The pooled PLR and pooled NLR were 7.80 (95% CI, 3.73-16.3) and 0.31 (95% CI, 0.23-0.43), respectively. Conclusion: In patients with testicular cancer, 18F-FDG-PET demonstrated a high SROC area, and could be a potentially useful tool if combined with other imaging methods such as MRI and CT. Nevertheless, the literature focusing on the use of 18F-FDG-PET in this setting still remains limited.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2017

Background & Object: Basic daily activity screening tool such as the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) has been used commonly in rehabilitation clinic and community based rehabilitation setting. Previous studies have shown the significant relations between the level of daily activities and driving ability on stroke or elderly people. However, there is a lack of studies to investigate the usefulness of MBI on prediction of driving ability for stroke patient. This study was to predict driving abilities of stroke survivor using Korean version Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). Methods: A sample of 48 patients with stroke in rehabilitation hospital was recruited. All participants were tested level of basic daily activities using K-MBI. The driving ability of participants was tested using virtual reality driving simulator. The predictive validity was calculated of the K-MBI among pass or fail group of driving simulator test using receiver operating characteristics curves. Results: The cut-off score of >86.5 on the K-MBI is proper sensitivity to predict on driving performance ability. Conclusion: This pilot result offers clinical reference to therapists and caregivers for reasoning on driving recommendation period during rehabilitation stage of stroke survivors. Further studies need to identify prediction using real on-road test in a large population group.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.469-480
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• 2005

There have been always some difficulties in target setting and conditioning of acoustic performances or the Korean traditional music hall due mainly to the lack of the information on the sound radiation characteristics of Korean musical sources. As the 2nd experiment succeeding the previous study[1], the radiation characteristics of eight typical Korean traditional musical sources were investigated if precision. The selected musical sources were Geomungo, Haegeum (string), Piri, Taepyeongso (woodwind), Buk, Kwaengguari, Jing (drum), and male Pansori Chang (vocal Performance). The results show that the directivity pattern of each instrument is different and has their own directivity characteristics. Measured directional and spectral characteristics of traditional Korean music sources were implemented into the computation of architectural acoustic measures. Significant differences in the acoustic measures at receiver positions were observed between the results in using the omni-directional source and the directional one. In order to investigate the acoustical characteristics of the instruments depending on the spatial variation four different shapes of halls were introduced including rectangular, fan. horse-shoe and geometrical shapes. Room acoustical parameters such as RT, SPL, C80, LF, STI were calculated at each type or hall. As the results, It was found that the rectangular hall has the most high clarity. lateral energy and STI values among low shapes of halls. It is thought that the suggested source data and design method can be used as a basic reference in the future acoustic design of performance halls for the Korean traditional music.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.66-77
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• 2020

Purpose: The aims of the present study were twofold. First, the research investigated the effect of an individual's risk factors and the prevalence of psychotropic drugs on QTc prolongation, TdP (torsades de pointes), and death. Second, the study compared the risk scoring systems (the Mayo Pro-QT risk score and the Tisadale risk score) on QTc prolongation. Methods: The medical records of intoxicated patients who visited the emergency department between March 2010 and February 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Among 733 patients, the present study included 426 psychotropic drug-intoxicated patients. The patients were categorized according to the QTc value. The known risk factors of QTc prolongation were examined, and the Mayo Pro-QT risk score and the Tisadale risk score were calculated. The analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression, Spearman correlation, and ROC (receiver operating characteristic). Results: The numbers in the mild to moderate group (male: 470≤QTc<500 ms, female: 480≤QTc<500 ms) and severe group (QTc≥500 ms or increase of QTc at least 60ms from baseline, both sex) were 68 and 95, respectively. TdP did not occur, and the only cause of death was aspiration pneumonia. The statically significant risk factors were multidrug intoxications of TCA (tricyclic antidepressant), atypical antipsychotics, an atypical antidepressant, panic disorder, and hypokalemia. The Tisadale risk score was larger than the Mayo Pro-QT risk score. Conclusion: Multiple psychotropic drugs intoxication (TCA, an atypical antidepressant, and atypical antipsychotics), panic disorder, and hypokalemia have been proven to be the main risk factors of QTc prolongation, which require enhanced attention. The present study showed that the Tisadale score had a stronger correlation and predictive accuracy for QTc prolongation than the Mayo Pro-QT score. As a result, the Tisadale risk score is a crucial assessment tool for psychotropic drug-intoxicated patients in a clinical setting.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of kilovoltage- peak (kVp) and the metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool on the detection of buccal and lingual peri-implant dehiscence in the presence of titanium-zirconia (Ti-Zr) and zirconia (Zr) implants in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: Twenty implant sites were created in the posterior region of human mandibles, including control sites (without dehiscence) and experimental sites (with dehiscence). Individually, a Ti-Zr or Zr implant was placed in each implant site. CBCT scans were performed using a Picasso Trio device, with variation in the kVp setting (70 or 90 kVp) and whether the MAR tool was used. Three oral radiologists scored the detection of dehiscence using a 5-point scale. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated and compared by multi-way analysis of variance (α=0.05). Results: The kVp, cortical plate involved (buccal or lingual cortices), and MAR did not influence any diagnostic values (P>0.05). The material of the implant did not influence the ROC curve values(P>0.05). In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity were statistically significantly influenced by the implant material (P<0.05) with Zr implants showing higher sensitivity values and lower specificity values than Ti-Zr implants. Conclusion: The detection of peri-implant dehiscence was not influenced by kVp, use of the MAR tool, or the cortical plate. Greater sensitivity and lower specificity were shown for the detection of peri-implant dehiscence in the presence of a Zr implant.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1210-1230
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• 1997

In this paper, we suggest an architecture of DS/CDMA tranceiver composed of one pilot channel used as reference and multiple traffic channels. The pilot channel-an unmodulated PN code-is used as the reference signal for synchronization of PN code and data demondulation. The coherent demodulation architecture is also exploited for the reverse link as well as for the forward link. Here are the characteristics of the suggested DS/CDMA system. First, we suggest an interlaced quadrature spreading(IQS) method. In this method, the PN coe for I-phase 1st channel is used for Q-phase 2nd channels and the PN code for Q-phase 1st channel is used for I-phase 2nd channel, and so on-which is quite different from the eisting spreading schemes of DS/CDMA systems, such as IS-95 digital CDMA cellular or W-CDMA for PCS. By doing IQS spreading, we can drastically reduce the zero crossing rate of the RF signals. Second, we introduce an adaptive threshold setting for the synchronization of PN code, an initial acquistion method that uses a single PN code generator and reduces the acquistion time by a half compared the existing ones, and exploit the state machines to reduce the reacquistion time Third, various kinds of functions, such as automatic frequency control(AFC), automatic level control(ALC), bit-error-rate(BER) estimator, and spectral shaping for reducing the adjacent channel interference, are introduced to improve the system performance. Fourth, we designed and implemented the DS/CDMA MODEM to be used for variable transmission rate applications-from 16Kbps to 1.024Mbps. We developed and confirmed the DS/CDMA MODEM architecture through mathematical analysis and various kind of simulations. The ASIC design was done using VHDL coding and synthesis. To cope with several different kinds of applications, we developed transmitter and receiver ASICs separately. While a single transmitter or receiver ASC contains three channels (one for the pilot and the others for the traffic channels), by combining several transmitter ASICs, we can expand the number of channels up to 64. The ASICs are now under use for implementing a line-of-sight (LOS) radio equipment.