• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.1747-1753
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• 2024

The accurate determination of formation density and the physical properties of rocks is the most critical logging tasks which can be obtained using gamma-ray transport and detection tools. Though the simulation works published so far have considerably improved the knowledge of the parameters that govern the responses of the detectors in these tools, recent studies have found considerable differences between the results of using a conventional model of a homogeneous mixture of formation and fluid and an inhomogeneous fractured medium. It has increased concerns about the importance of the complexity of the model used for the medium in simulation works. In the present study, we have suggested two various models for the flow of the fluid in porous media and fractured rock to be used for logging purposes. For a typical gamma-gamma logging tool containing a ¹³⁷Cs source and two NaI detectors, simulated by using the MCNPX code, a simplified porous (SP) model in which the formation is filled with elongated rectangular cubes loaded with either mineral material or oil was investigated. In this model, the oil directly reaches the top of the medium and the connection between the pores is not guaranteed. In the other model, the medium is a large 3-D matrix of 1 cm³ randomly filled cubes. The designed algorithm to fill the matrix sites is so that this realistic random (RR) model provides the continuum growth of oil flow in various disordered directions and, therefore, fulfills the concerns about modeling the rock textures consist of extremely complex pore structures. For an arbitrary set of oil concentrations and various formation materials, the response of the detectors in the logging tool has been considered as a criterion to assess the effect of modeling for the distribution of pores in the formation on simulation studies. The results show that defining a RR model for describing heterogeneities of a porous medium does not effectively improve the prediction of the responses of logging tools. Taking into account the computational cost of the particle transport in the complex geometries in the Monte Carlo method, the SP model can be satisfactory for gamma-gamma logging purposes.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.307-319
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines indicate electrical dyssynchrony as the major criteria for selecting patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy, and 25-35% of patients exhibit unfavorable responses to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We aimed to evaluate different cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony parameters in heart failure patients using current echo-Doppler modalities and we analyzed their association with electrical dyssynchrony. METHODS: The study included 120 heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who underwent assessments for left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD) and interventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (IVMD). RESULTS: Patients were classified according to QRS duration: group I with QRS < 120 ms, group II with QRS 120-149 ms, and group III with QRS ≥ 150 ms. Group III had significantly higher IVMD, LVMD indices, TS-SD speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) 12 segments (standard deviation of time to peak longitudinal strain speckle tracking echocardiography in 12 LV-segments), and LVMD score compared with group I and group II. Group II and group III were classified according to QRS morphology into left bundle branch block (LBBB) and non-LBBB subgroups. LVMD score, TS-SD 12 TDI, and TS-SD 12 STE had good correlations with QRS duration. CONCLUSIONS: HFrEF patients with wide QRS duration (> 150 ms) had more evident LVMD compared with patients with narrow or intermediate QRS. Those patients with intermediate QRS duration (120-150 ms) had substantial LVMD assessed by both TDI and 2D STE, regardless of QRS morphology. Subsequently, we suggest that LVMD indices might be employed as additive criteria to predict CRT response in that patient subgroup. Electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony were strongly correlated in HFrEF patients.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.390-399
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• 2010

Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) values for utilizing them to detect osmotic tolerance in plants were examined with two different soybean cultivars, an osmotic tolerant soybean (Shinpaldalkong 2) and a control soybean (Taekwangkong). Two different stresses were applied to the cultivars as the restricted irrigations of 200 and 50 ml water $pot^{-1}\;d^{-1}$ for 5 days for a control and a drought stress, respectively, and a sodium chloride solution of 200 mmol for 6 days for a salt stress. The intact leaves of the two cultivars after treatment were used to measure chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, maximum efficiencies of photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm), efficiencies of photosystem II photochemistry (${\Phi}_{PSII}$), $CO_2$ assimilation rate ($P_N$), and NPQ. Leaf water potentials of the two cultivars decreased from - 0.2 to - 0.8MPa by a drought treatment and from - 0.7 to - 1.7MPa by a salt treatment. Leaf water content of Shinpaldalkong 2 after a salt treatment was less decreased than that of Taekwangkong. $F_v/F_m$ values of both cultivars were not changed, while ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and $P_N$ were decreased proportionally to leaf water potential decrease. The response of NPQ was occurred in Shinpaldalkong 2 under the drought and salt stresses. With Taekwangkong cultivar, only drought stress referred NPQ response. The cultivar differences on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were found in the relationships between ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and $P_N$, and between NPQ and ${\Phi}_{PSII}$. Although the positive relationships between ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and $P_N$ were established on all treatments of both cultivars, the decreasing rate of ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ to $P_N$ was smaller in Shinpaldalkong 2 than Taekwangkong. The NPQ was increased according to the decrease of ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ by osmotic treatments in Shinpaldalkong 2. The complementary relationships between NPQ and ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ were well maintained at all treatments in Shinpaldalkong 2, while these relationships were lost at a salt treatment in Taekwangkong. Taken together, the results suggest that analysis of complementary relationships between ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and NPQ could be more valuable and applicable for determining osmotic tolerance than single analysis of each parameter such as $F_v/F_m$, ${\Phi}_{PSII}$ and NPQ.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.5-12
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• 2012

Antibiotics have been considered emerging compounds due to their continuous input and persistence in environment. Due to the limited biodegradability and widespread use of these antibiotics, an incomplete removal is attained in conventional wastewater treatment plants and relative large quantities are released into the environment. In this study, it was determined the adsorption and photocatalysis kinetics of antibiotics (Sulfamethoxazole, SMX) with various catalyst (Titanium dioxide; $TiO_2$, Hydroxyapatite; HAP) conditions under UV/$TiO_2$/HAP system. In addition, the statistical analysis of response surface methods (RSM) was used to determine the effects of operating parameters on UV/$TiO_2$/HAP system. $TiO_2$/HAP adsorbent were found to follow the pseudo second order reaction in the adsorption. In the result of applied intrapaticle diffusion model, the constants of reaction rate were $TiO_2$=$0.064min^{-1}$, HAP=$0.2866min^{-1}$ and $TiO_2$/HAP=$0.3708min^{-1}$, respectively.The result of RSM, term of regression analysis in analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significantly p-value (p<0.05) and high coefficients for determination values($R^2$=96.2%, $R^2_{Adj}$=89.3%) that allowed satisfactory prediction of second order regression model. And the estimated optimal conditions for Y(Sulfamethoxazole removal efficiency, %) were $x_1$(initial concentration of Sulfamethoxazole)=-0.7828, $x_2$(amount of catalyst)=0.9974 and $x_3$(reation time)=0.5738 by coded parameters, respectively. According to the result of intraparticle diffusion model and photocatalysis experiments, it was shown that the $TiO_2$/HAP was more effective system than conventional AOPs(advanced oxidation processes, UV/$TiO_2$ system).

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.74-82
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• 2011

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sustained attention deficits in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) children and short-term Heart Rate Variability(HRV) parameters. In addition, we evaluate the relationship between The ADHD rating scale(ARS), the computerized ADHD diagnostic system(ADS) and Parenting stress index- short form(PSI-SF). Methods:This study was performed in the department of children and Adolescent psychiatry, Korea university Guro hospital from august 2008 to January 2009. We evaluated HRV parameters by short-term recordings of 5 minutes. K-ARS and ADS are used for screening and identifying ADHD children. Intelligence was measured using Korean educational Developmental Institute-wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. The caregivers Complete Parenting Stress Index scale for evaluation parent stress. Results:The low frequency(LF) was significantly correlated with response variability of ADS. However, the other variables of ARS and ADS were not significantly correlated with LF. Hyperactivity subscale of ARS was significantly correlated with parental distress subscale and difficult child subscale of PSI-SF and inattention subscale of ARS was also significantly correlated with dysfunctional interaction and difficult child subscale of PSI-SF. Conclusion:The LF, 0.10-Hz component of HRV is known to measure effort allocation. This study shows that the LF component of HRV is significantly correlated with the response variability of ADS. This means that more severe symptoms of ADHD were correlated with the increase in the LF that means decreased effort allocation. These results also support the clinical usability of HRV in the assessment of ADHD. Furthermore, PSI-SF is correlated with hyperactivity and inattention variables of ARS.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 1984

In order to predict the possible fertilizer requirement from the K supplying capacity of soil, the relative K activity ratio, Kas/Kai and Gapon coefficients, KG. were determined for the soil samples before flooding and at heading stage of rice in pot experiment. These parameters assumed as the K supplying capacity of soils were discussed through correlation with other factors such as grain yields or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake by the rice plant. The results may be summarized as follows: 1. The KGo values in soils before flooding were 7.8, 6.6, and 7.1, whereas the Kas/Kai values were 1.37, 1.26 and 2.11, respectively, in clay, loam and sandy loam soils. 2. The significant yield responses to the application of potassium fertilizer were observed whenever the KG values in soils at heading stage become larger to the original KG values, regardless of any levels of fertilizer application. 3. The linear correlations between the exchangeable cation ratios [Kex./(Ca+Mg) ex.:me/100g] in soils and the potassium activity ratios ($[K^+]/\sqrt{[Ca^{{+}{+}}+Mg^{{+}{+}}]}$: mole/l) in equilibrium solutions were observed with different linear gradients according to the soil properties. 4. The Kas/Kai in the soils, estimated prior to the experiment, showed high correlations with the grain yields or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake in the all treatments, while the Kas/Kai and the KGo in the soils at heading stage showed high correlations with the grain yields or the amounts of $K_2O$ uptake in only N 15 Kg/10a treatments. 5. The Kas/Kai and the KGo values determined in the soil at heading stage of rice showed high negative correlation each other and they could be used as soil factors for predicting potassium fertilizer requirement.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.169-176
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• 2010

Purpose : We aimed to evaluate predictive parameters for non-response to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) before IVIG use using two controls. Methods : We evaluated 229 consecutive KD patients who were treated with 2 g/kg of IVIG at a single center. Those who had persistent fever >24 hours after IVIG infusion made up the 23 IVIG non-responders; the first control included a total 206 defervesced cases and the second control included 46 cases that were matched for age and pre-treatment fever duration to non-responders. Results : Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in IVIG non-responders and responders at presentation. As for laboratory findings, the neutrophil differential, CRP, AST, ALT, and LDH were higher, and lymphocyte differential, total protein, albumin, platelet count, and total cholesterol were significantly lower in IVIG non-responders compared to responders by univariate analysis in both study designs. However in multivariate analysis, non-responders showed a significantly higher neutrophil differential (cutoff value, >77%, sensitivity 68.4% and specificity 79.5%) and lower cholesterol (<124 mg/dL, sensitivity 79% and specificity 70.5%). Whereas plasma albumin (<3.6 g/dL, sensitivity 73.7% and specificity 60%) was the sole laboratory parameter of non-responders in the second study design. Conclusion : Severity of inflammation in KD was reflected by higher or lower laboratory values at presentation. Because the multivariate analysis for these indices may be influenced by some confounding factors, including the numbers of patients of different ages and fever duration, other assessment modalities are needed for KD patients with the greatest risk of coronary artery lesions.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.318-329
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• 2014

In order to gain insight into the physiological responses of plants to high temperature stress, the effects of temperature on Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris subsp. napus var. pekinensis cv. Detong) were investigated through analyses of photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence under 3 different temperatures in the temperature gradient tunnel. Growth (leaf length and number of leaves) during the rosette stage was greater at ambient $+4^{\circ}C$ and ambient $+7^{\circ}C$ temperatures than at ambient temperature. Photosynthetic $CO_2$ fixation rates of Chinese cabbage grown under the different temperatures did not differ significantly. However, dark respiration rate was significantly higher in the cabbage that developed under ambient temperature relative to elevated temperature. Furthermore, elevated growth temperature increased transpiration rate and stomatal conductance resulting in an overall decrease of water use efficiency. The chlorophyll a fluorescence transient was also considerably affected by high temperature stress; the fluorescence yield $F_J$, $F_I$, and $F_P$ decreased considerably at ambient $+4^{\circ}C$ and ambient $+7^{\circ}C$ temperatures, with induction of $F_K$ and decrease of $F_V/F_O$. The values of RC/CS, ABS/CS, TRo/CS, and ETo/CS decreased considerably, while DIo/CS increased with increased growth temperature. The symptoms of soft-rot disease were observed in the inner part of the cabbage heads after 7, 9, and/or 10 weeks of cultivation at ambient $+4^{\circ}C$ and ambient $+7^{\circ}C$ temperatures, but not in the cabbage heads growing at ambient temperature. These results show that Chinese cabbage could be negatively affected by high temperature under a future climate change scenario. Therefore, to maintain the high productivity and quality of Chinese cabbage, it may be necessary to develop new high temperature tolerant cultivars or to markedly improve cropping systems. In addition, it would be possible to use the non-invasive fluorescence parameters $F_O$, $F_V/F_M$, and $F_V/F_O$, as well as $F_K$, $M_O$, $S_M$, RC/CS, ETo/CS, $PI_{abs}$, and $SFI_{abs}$ (which were selected in this study), to quantitatively determine the physiological status of plants in response to high temperature stresses.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.66-73
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• 2014

Purpose: Various diagnostic imaging modalities have been used to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma early and noninvasively. We evaluated the effectiveness of imaging studies of plain radiographs and positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in predicting neoadjuvant chemotherapy effect for osteosarcoma and tried to establish a general principle in interpretation of PET/CT parameters. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients who underwent two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical excision for osteosarcoma were enrolled. There were 13 males and 5 females, with a median age of 19 (11-63) years. Fifteen patients of 18 had the American Joint Committe on Cancer (AJCC) stage IIB. They had plain radiographs and PET/CT before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The resected tumor specimens were pathologically examined to determine histological response grade using a conventional mapping method. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between histopathological necrosis rate, and radiographic finding category, post-chemotherapy maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), average standardized uptake value and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) as well as reduction rates of them. Results: Eight patients were good responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on histological evaluation. Median SUVmax reduction rate was 73 (23-77) % in good responders and 42 (-32-76) % in poor responders. Median MTV reduction rate was 93.5 (62-99) % in good responders and 46 (-81-100) % in poor responders. While radiographic finding category was not different according to histological response (p=1.0), SUVmax reduction rate was significantly different (p=0.041). Difference in MTV reduction rates approached statistical significance as well (p=0.071). Conclusion: While radiographic finding category was not reliable to assess neoadjuvant chemotherapy effect for osteosarcoma, reduction rate of SUVmax was a useful indicator in this study. As parameters of PET/CT can be influenced by various factors of settings, different centers have to make an effort to establish their own standard of judgement with reference of previous studies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1618-1624
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• 2009

This study was conducted to estimate the shelf-life of cooked mung bean sprouts contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus according to storage temperatures after cooking in school foodservice operations. A predictive growth model of S. aureus in cooked mung bean sprouts prepared using a standard recipe was developed at 4 storage temperatures (5, 15, 25, and 35${^{\circ}C}$). To determine the effect of vinegar on the shelf-life of cooked mung bean sprouts, the growth of S. aureus in sprouts prepared using vinegar and the standard recipe were compared. The $R^2$ values of the specific growth rate (SGR) and lag time (LT) determined using the Gompertz model were greater than 0.90 at all temperatures except 5${^{\circ}C}$, which confirmed that it would be appropriate to use these parameters for a secondary model. The secondary model, which indicates changes in LT and SGR values according to storage temperatures, was calculated using response surface models. The compatibility of the developed model was confirmed by calculating $R^2$, Bf, Af and MSE values as statistic parameters. The $R^2$ values of LT and SGR were 0.94 or higher, and the MSE, Bf and Af values were 0.02 and 0.002, 0.97 and 1.03, and 1.31 and 1.10, respectively, with high statistical compatibility. The growth rate of S. aureus was higher when the standard recipe was used than when vinegar was used at all temperatures. Indeed, no growth of S. aureus was observed in mung bean sprouts prepared using vinegar. Based on the model developed, cooked mung bean sprouts prepared using the standard recipe for school foodservice should be stored at 10${^{\circ}C}$ or less. Additionally, sprouts stored at 25 or 35${^{\circ}C}$ should be consumed within 6 or 12 hours after cooking. Finally, the addition of vinegar will prevent the growth of S. aureus in cooked mung bean sprouts.