• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.209-217
• /
• 2010

Retinal prostheses are being developed to restore vision for the blind with retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Since retinal prostheses depend upon electrical stimulation to control neural activity, optimal stimulation parameters for successful encoding of visual information are one of the most important requirements to enable visual perception. Therefore, in this paper, we focused on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) responses to different voltage stimulation parameters and compared threshold charge densities in normal and rd1 mice. For this purpose, we used in vitro preparation for the retina of normal and rd1 mice on micro-electrode arrays. When the neural network of rd1 mouse retinas is stimulated with voltage-controlled pulses, RGCs in degenerated retina also respond to voltage amplitude or voltage duration modulation as well in wild-type RGCs. But the temporal pattern of RGCs response is very different; in wild-type RGCs, single peak within 100 ms appears while in RGCs in degenerated retina multiple peaks (~4 peaks) with ~10 Hz rhythm within 400 ms appear. The thresholds for electrical activation of RGCs are overall more elevated in rd1 mouse retinas compared to wild-type mouse retinas: The thresholds for activation of RGCs in rd1 mouse retinas were on average two times higher ($70.50{\sim}99.87\;{\mu}C/cm^2$ vs. $37.23{\sim}61.65\;{\mu}C/cm^2$) in the experiment of voltage amplitude modulation and five times higher ($120.5{\sim}170.6\;{\mu}C/cm^2$ vs. $22.69{\sim}37.57\;{\mu}C/cm^2$) in the experiment of voltage duration modulation than those in wild-type mouse retinas. This is compatible with the findings from human studies that the currents required for evoking visual percepts in RP patients is much higher than those needed in healthy individuals. These results will be used as a guideline for optimal stimulation parameters for upcoming Korean-type retinal prosthesis.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.10
• /
• pp.6567-6574
• /
• 2015

In order to estimate the characteristics of the growth and composition of phytoplankton according to the available nutrients, we added nitrate (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, $100{\mu}M$) and phosphate (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, $10{\mu}M$) to field samples in a eutrophic site (St. 1) and an oligotrophic site (St. 22) in 2010 as well as a eutrophic site (St. 1, 5), a mesotrophic site (St. 19), and an oligotrophic site (St. 22) in 2011 at Jinhae Bay, Korea. The phytoplankton growth in the areas with additional nitrates and phosphates on St. 1 were significantly different from the control (One-way ANOVA:P<0.01). The dominant species at St. 1 in 2010 were Heterocapsa triquetra and Pseudo-nitzchia spp., to which nitrate and phosphate were added, respectively. The dominant species at St. 22 in 2010 differed between treatment conditions as follows: nitrate treatment Chaetoceros spp. (${\leq}10{\mu}M$), Thalassiosira spp. ($20{\mu}M$), and Pseudo-nitzchia spp.(${\geq}50{\mu}M$) for nitrate treatment; Cylindrotheca spp. ($2{\mu}M$) and Pseudo-nitzchia spp. ($5{\mu}M$) for phosphate treatment. Phytoplankton growth in 2011 according to the added nutrient were significantly different with treatment concentrations (One-way ANOVA: P<0.01). Moreover, the beginning of exponential growth in phytoplanktons was different between the eutro-mesotrophic sites (St. 1, 5, and 19) and the oligotrophic sites (St. 22) on day 2 and day 6 respectively. This implies that phytoplankton growth in the low nutrient condition may be retarded. The dominant species at St. 1 were Eucampia spp. and Chaetoceros spp. in the low nutrient treatment compared to Skeletonema spp., and Thalassiosira spp in the high nutrient treatment. The dominant species at St. 5 and St. 19 were mostly Skeletonema spp. and Chaetoceros spp. However, the dominant species at St. 22 was Thalassiosira spp.. The results of this study showed that phytoplankton growth and composition were different in areas with different nutrient characteristics resulting from the additional nutrients. Therefore, the nutrients additional algal assay could be indirectly explained why the biomass and composition of phytoplankton in Jinhae Bay has shown spatial differences.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.441-467
• /
• 2016

This fMRI study is aim to investigate effects of competitive environment in cognitive empathic process in human brain. Empathy is known as a crucial factor for human's adaptive behavior in aspects of social cognition and it is almost automatic process, on the other hand competitive situation is psychologically devastated environment to win someone for getting rewards. We hypnotized that reading and understanding of other person's mind are a specific characteristic related to survival evolutionarily, however competition would have an effect on the empathic cognitive process because of mechanisms of competition. To manipulate the competitive atmosphere, one researcher took a role of competitor against participants and they were instructed to get monetary rewards when their performance was better than a competitor. 21 participants(9 males and 12 females) performed to judge the emotional valence of the empathic task consisted of illustrated images with various situation could be experienced in real world as on $1^{st}$ person perspective in both competitive and non-competitive condition, and did same performance with objects stimulus in control condition. In order to examine the competition effects on empathic process,, hemodynamic response were obtained during fMRI session and the imaging data were analyzed to identify brain regions where responses to each condition across the two consecutive runs. Participants' reaction time in competitive condition was faster statistically significant than non-competitive one. Activation for competitive condition increased in the following areas: ACC, mPFC, SMG, thalamus extended caudate and Nacc, parahippocampal gyrus, and for non-competitive condition increased paracingulate gyrus, temporal pole, vmPFC, superior occipital gyrus. As a result of regression analysis using empathic scores as covariance, the rSMG, IFG, fusiform gyrus, thalamus, putamen were correlated with higher empathic levels, and TPJ were correlated with lower empathic scores. We suggest that these observations could mean competitive environment have an effect on neural base of cognitive empathic process.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.147-153
• /
• 2013

Functional game, which is the combination of play and learning and a futuristic tool, can minimize the dysfunction and maximize the proper functions, and furthermore, has taken root as a new alternative that can change the game industry and game culture. Recently, the focus of game and education markets is shifting to the development of more advanced learning contents, rather than emphasizing the self-control and motivation of users. Along with that, the game market has excluded the socially dysfunctional elements, such as the addiction and learning disabilities, and has witnessed a diversification into the human-friendly entertainment business that emphasizes the mental and physical health and pursues scientific educational effects. In addition, functional games are expanding its reach from the professional sectors - such as medical aide/medical learning, military simulation, health, auxiliary tools, special education and learning tools - to the realm of routine education, mental health, etc., and has seen a steady growth. However, most functional games, which are being currently planned and developed to cope with the special characteristics of the market, have not undergone accurate scientific assessment of their functions and have not proven their effectiveness. An overwhelming proportion of the functional games are being developed based on the intuition and experience of game developers. Moreover, the type of games, which involve the repetition of simple tasks or take the form of simple puzzles, cannot effectively combine the practically interesting factors and the learning effects. Most games incorporate unscientific methods leading to the vague anticipation of improvement in functions, rather than the assessment of human functions. In this paper, a study was conducted to present the measures that could maximize the effects of functional games in relation to the changes in the visual and auditory stimulations in order to maximize the effects of functional games, i,e., the immersion and concentration. To compare the degree of effects arising from the visual stimulation, the functional game contents made in the form of 2D and 3D were utilized. In addition. ultra sound and 3-dimensional functional game contents were utilized to compare the degree of effects resulting from the changes in the auditory stimulation. The brainwave of the users were measured while conducting the experiments related to the response to the changes in visual and auditory stimulations in 3 steps, and the results of the analysis were compared.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.13-19
• /
• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate whether modified MUPIT applicator can effectively eradicate recurrent tumor in uterine cervix cancer and reduce rectal complication after complete radiation treatment. Materials and Methods: Modified MUPIT applicator basically consists of an acrylic cylinder with flexible brain applicator, an acrylic template with a predrilled array of holes that serve as guides for interstitial needles and interstitial needles. CT scan was peformed to determine tumor volume and the position of interstitial needles. Modified MUPIT applicator was applied to patient in operation room and the accuracy for position of interstitial needles in tumor volume was confirmed by CTscan. Brachytherapy was delivered using modified MUPIT applicator and RALS(192-lr HDR) after calculated computer planning by orthogonal film. The daily dose was 600cGy and the total dose was delivered 3,000 cGy in tumor volume by BID. Rectal dose was measured by TLD at 5 points so that evaluated the risk of rectal complication. Results: The application of modified MUPIT applicator improved dramatically dose distributions in tumor volume and follow-up of 3 month for this patient was clinically partial response without normal tissue complication, Rectal dose was measured 34.1 cGy, 57.1 cGy, 103.8 cGy, 162.7 cGy, 165.7 cGy at each points, especially the rectal dose including previous EBRT and ICR was 34.1 cGy, 57.1 cGy. Conclusion: Patients with locally recurrent tumor in uterine cervix cancel treated with modified MUPIT applicator can expect reasonable rates of local control. The advantages of the system are the fixed geometry provided by the template and cylinders. and improved dose distributions in irregular tumor volume without rectal complication.

• Korean Security Journal
• /
• no.21
• /
• pp.75-94
• /
• 2009

Since mechanical security systems are mostly composed of electronic, information and communication devices, they have effects in the aspects of overall social environment and crime-oriented environment. Also, the importance is increasing for wireless recognition of RFID and tracing function, which will be usefully utilized in controlling the incomings and outgoings of people/vehicles or allowance, surveillance and control. This is resulting from the increase in the care for the elderly according to the overall social environment, namely, the aging society, and the number of women entering, as well as the increase in the number of heinous crimes. The purpose of this study is to examine the theoretical considerations on ubiquitous sensor network and present a direction for securities companies for their development by focusing on the technological and application areas. To present strategies of response to a new environment for security companies, First, a diversification strategy is needed for security companies. The survival of only high level of security companies in accordance with the principle of liberal market competition will bring forth qualitative growth and competitiveness of security market. Second, active promotion by security companies is needed. It is no exaggeration to say that we are living in the modern society in the sea of advertisements and propaganda. The promotional activities that emphasize the areas of activity or importance of security need to be actively carried out using the mass media to change the aware of people regarding security companies, and they need to come up with a plan to simultaneously carry out the promotional activities that emphasize the public aspect of security by well utilizing the recent trend that the activities of security agents are being used as a topic in movies or TV dramas. Third, technically complementary establishment of ubiquitous sensor network and electronic tag is needed. Since they are used in mobile electronic tag services such as U-Home and U-Health Care, they are used throughout our lives by forming electronic tag environment within safe ubiquitous sensor network based on the existing privacy guideline for the support of mobile electronic tag terminal commercialization, reduction in communication and information usage costs, continuous technical development and strengthening of privacy protection, and the system of cooperation of academic-industrial-research needs to be established among the academic world and private research institutes for these parts.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.265-279
• /
• 1996

Damage produced by radiation elicits a complex response in mammalian cells, including growth rate changes and the induction of a variety of genes associated with growth control and apoptosis. At doses of 10,000 cGy or greater, the exposed individual was killed in a matter of minutes to a couple of days, with symptoms consistent with pathology of the central nervous system(CNS) including degenerative changes. The nature of the damage in irradiated cells underlies the unique hazards of ionizing radiation. Radiation injury to CNS is a rare event in clinical medicine, but it is catastrophic for the patient in whom it occurs. The incidence of cerebral necrosis has been reported as high as 16% for doses greater than 6,000 cGy. In this study, the effect of radiation on brain tissue was studied in vivo. Jun and p53 genes in the rat brain were induced by whole body irradiation of rat with 600Co in doses between 1 Gy and 100 Gy and analyzed for expression of jun and p53 genes at the postirradiation time up to 6 hours. Northern analyses were done using 1.8 Kb & 0.8 Kb-pGEM-2-JUN/Eco RI/Pst I fragments, 2.0 Kb-php53B/Bam HI fragment and ,1.1 Kb-pBluescript SK--ACTIN/Eco RI fragment as the digoxigenin or [${\alpha}^{32}P$] dCTPlabeled probes for Jun, p53 and ${\beta}$-actin genes, respectively. Jun gene seemed to be expressed near the threshold levels in 1 hour after irradiation of $^{60}$Co in dose less than 1 Gy and was expressed in maximum at 1 hour after irradiation of $^{60}$Co in dose of 30 Gy. Jun was expressed increasingly with time until 5 or 6 hours after irradiation of $^{60}$Co in doses of 1 Gy and 10 Gy. After irradiation of $^{60}$Co in dose between 20 Gr and 100 Gy, the expression of Jun was however increased to peak in 2 hours and decreased thereafter. p53 gene in this study also seemed to be expressed near the threshold levels in 1 hour after irradiation of $^{60}$Co in dose less than 1 Gy and was expressed in maximum at 6 hours after irradiation of $^{60}$Co in dose of 1 Gy, p53 was expressed increasingly with time until 5 or 6 hours after irradiation of $^{60}$Co in dose between 1 Gy and 40 Gy. After irradiation of $^{60}$Co in doses of 50 Gy and 100 Gy, the expression of p53 was however increased to peak in 2 hours and decreased thereafter. The expression of Jun and p53 genes was not correlative in the brain tissue from rats. It seemed to be very important for the establishment of the optimum conditions for the animal studies relevant to the responses of genes inducible on DNA damage to ionizing radiation in mammalian cells. But there are many limitations to the animal studies such as the ununiform patterns of gene expression from the tissue because of its complex compositions. It is necessary to overcome the limitations for development of in situ Northern analysis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.27-31
• /
• 1994

There are a number of reports suggesting that there may be a correlation between the clinical response to radiotherapy in various tumors and the clonogenic survival of cell lines derived from these tumors following exposure to 2 Gy(SF2). Authors conducted this study to determine SF2 for cells in primary culture from surgical specimens. The tumor tissues with squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix and head and neck were obtained. The tumor tissues were disaggregated to single cells by incubating with collagenase type w for 2 hours with constant stirring. Single cell suspensions were inoculated in four 24-well plates precoated with cell adhesive matrix. After 24 hours of incubation at 37$ ^{\circ}C $, rows of four wells were then irradiated, consisting of control set and five other sets each receiving doses of 1,2,3,4, and 6 Gy. After incubation for a total of 13 days, the cultures were stained with crystal violet and survival at each dose was determined by quantitative image analysis system, To determine whether cell growth was of epithelial origin, immunocytochemical staining with a mixture of cytokeratin and epithelial monoclonal antibodies were performed on cell cultures. During the period of this study, we received 5 squamous cell carcinoma specimens of head and neck and 20 of uterine cervical carcinoma. Of these, 15 yielded enough cells for radiosensitivity testing. This resulted an overall success rate of 60$ \% $. The mean SF2 value for 15 tumours was 0.55$\pm$0.17 ranging from 0.20 to 0.79. These results indicate that there is a broad range of sensitivities to radiation in same histologic type. So with a large patient population, we plan to determine whether a different SF2 value is associated with tumours that are controlled with radiotherapy than those that are not.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.311-319
• /
• 1993

The retrospective analysis was performed on 37 patients with stage III non small cell lung cancer who received the radiotherapy from Feb. 1986 to Dec. 1990 at the Dept. of Radiation Oncology, National Medical Center. This analysis, with 29 patients $(78.4\%)$ having been followed from 10 to 60 months, was done to know the survival rate and significant prognostic factor. The actuarial 2,5-year survival rates were $20.6\%,6.9\%$ in our all patients and median survival time was 10 months. Of patients with KPS (Karnofsky prformance status) greater than $80\%,$ the 2, 5 year survival rate and median survival time were $29.2\%,9.7\%$ and 13 months, respectively. The 2-year survival rate and median survival time of patients with KPS less than $80\%\;were\;13.7\%$ and 7 months, respectively. The survival difference according to performance status was statisticaly significant $(29.2\%\;vs.\;13.7\%)(p<0.05).$ In stage IIIa, the 2,5-year survival rate and median survival rate and median survival time were $29.2\%,9.7\%$ and 12 months, respectively. The 2-year survival rate and metian survival time of stage IIIb were $8.6\%$ and 10 months, respectively. The survival difference between stage IIIa and IIIb did not show statistical significance (p>0.1). Of the prognostic factors, the difference of survival rate by initial performance status was statistically significant (p<0.05). But the difference of survival rates by pathologic cell type, stage, total radiation dose, radiotherapy response, and cmbination with chemotherapy were not statistically significant.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.225-231
• /
• 2020

Fresh water that can be used by a person of the total amount of water on the planet is increased because it is less than 0.01 % except underground water, ice and snow, etc. water management response need. In order to protect and efficiently utilize water resources, major countries are conducting water footprint studies that can quantitatively estimate the amount of water put into the operating phase of the resource harvesting phase, mainly agriculture. Korea has also recently developed a number of policies in order to cope with water shortages, and in the construction industry, as well as the need for basic research to support it has been emphasized. This study was constructed DB up to the raw material harvesting step, the transport step, the production stage in order to estimate the water consumption of resources to be put into the work process to target the drainage of the road. Water usage estimation method was utilized the method presented in the Water Footprint Manual and the environmental score card certification guide, unit water usage each drainage main method was calculated after estimating the water footprint considering the water character factor, indirect water and the direct water, the water consumption factor of material input to each process. Brown asphalt, rebar, remicon of the drainage material as a result of the water footprint calculation accounted for 97 % of the total. Drainage method is a culvert, a side channel, a culvert wing wall, reinforced concrete open channel accounted for 92.2 % of the total. Drainage total step-by-step calculated water consumption and water footprint was found in order of raw material harvesting step, transport stage, production stage. Water footprint each drainage method or total drainage material calculated in this study can be used as a base data in the agricultural and construction sectors. In order to increase the reliability of the analysis, it is believed that further overseas databases will be needed for continuous review and research.