• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• 제9권5호
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• pp.1677-1685
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• 2014

Major problem in the high voltage power transmission line is the flashover due to polluted ceramic insulators which leads to failure of equipments, catastrophic fires and power outages. This paper deals with the development of a better diagnostic tool to predict the flashover and pollution severity of power transmission line insulators based on the wavelet transform and fuzzy c-means clustering approach. In this work, laboratory experiments were carried out on power transmission line porcelain insulators under AC voltages at different pollution conditions and corresponding leakage current patterns were measured. Discrete wavelet transform technique is employed to extract important features of leakage current signals. Variation of leakage current magnitude and distortion ratio at different pollution levels were analyzed. Fuzzy c-means algorithm is used to cluster the extracted features of the leakage current data. Test results clearly show that the flashover and pollution severity of power transmission line insulators can be effectively realized through fuzzy clustering technique and it will be useful to carry out preventive maintenance work.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.271-276
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• 2012

사람에 연구에 따르면 심부전 진단에 널리 사용되는 NT-proBNP농도는 비만, 비만 관련인자들과 밀접한 상관 관계가 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 이러한 상관관계는 아직까지 수의분야에서는 입증된 바가 없다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 다양한 정도의 이첨판 패쇄부전증(CMVI)에 이환된 73마리 개 집단에서 NT-proBNP와 비만 및 비만 관련인자들간의 상호관계를 조사하였다. 절식시 혈당 농도, 지방관련 인자(i.e., total triglycerides [TG], total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]), fructosamine, insulin 및 NT-proBNP 농도를 측정하였다. Insulin/glucose ratio 역시 계산하였다. NT-proBNP 농도는 CMVI에 의한 심부전의 정도에 따라 농도변화가 관찰되었으며, body condition scores (BCS), insulin 및 fructosamine 농도와도 관련이 있었다. 또한 본 연구를 통해 비만과 혈중 NT-proBNP농도 간에 상관관계 역시 확인되었다. 또한 NT-proBNP농도는 비만과 관련 있는 인자인 fructosamine과 insulin농도와도 관련이 있었다. 본 연구는 개에서 NT-proBNP농도와 비만 정도와 상관관계를 입증한 첫 보고이다.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.142-150
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• 2013

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is common in patients with chronic kidney disease, affecting most of those who are receiving dialysis. Cinacalcet, a novel calcimimetic, targets the calcium-sensing receptor to lower PTH levels in dialysis patients. Objective: This study aimed to assess efficacy, safety and appropriateness of use of cinacalcet in dialysis patients. Method: This retrospective study was performed on total 24 cases with identified intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), serum calcium and phosphorus levels before and 4 weeks after cinacalcet initiation at a teaching hospital from July 1st, 2011 to October 31st, 2012. Results: Cinacalcet decreased iPTH by 19% from baseline after 4weeks treatment and it was statistically significant (p<0.001). Cinacalcet also significantly decreased iPTH levels regardless of dialysis modality (hemodialysis group versus peritoneal dialysis group) and severity of SHPT (iPTH 300-800 pg/ml group versus iPTH >800 pg/ml group). Serum calcium, phosphorus and Ca x P levels were decreased without statistical significance. Gastrointestinal events, headache and hypocalcemia were the most common side effects. Monitoring for iPTH and serum calcium was not performed appropriately. 43.7% patients initiated cinacalcet therapy at serum calcium level< 9.0 mg/dl. Conclusion: In conclusion, cinacalcet lowers parathyroid hormone levels with no serious side effects. However, it is required to avoid cinacalcet treatment in patients with low serum calcium levels and monitor iPTH and serum calcium levels during cinacalcet administration.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.25-31
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• 2008

Purpose: Acute organophosphate (OP) poisoning may be monitored by measuring the acetylcholinesterase (AChE). It is important to assess severity and establish prognostic tests in the early stage of OP poisoning. The aim of this study was to look at the relationship between various clinical aspects of the OP poisoning, prognostic indicators of OP poisoning including Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3, and the associated changes in AChE levels. Methods: Clinical data and initial AChE levels from thirty-seven patients with OP poisoning were prospectively reviewed from 12 teaching hospitals in South Korea from August 2005 to July 2006. Clinical manifestations at the time of arrival such as miosis, respiratory abnormality, salivation, urinary incontinence, GCS score, AVPU scale, need for intubation, and mechanical ventilation requirements were recorded. SAPS 3 was calculated using clinical data and laboratory results. Results: The median level of AChE was 9.8 (1.3-53.6) U/gHb. There was no significant difference in AChE levels between the groups with and without cholinergic symptoms. The median level of AChE of the patients who required intubation and those who did not were 3.5 U/gHb and it 19.7 U/gHb respectively (Mann-Whitney test; p<0.001). The AChE levels were also significantly different (p=0.007) in patients who needed mechanical ventilation compared to those who did not with AChE levels found to be 3.1 U/gHb and it was 14.8 U/gHb, respectively. Level of consciousness assessed using the AVPU scale was correlated with AChE levels (Kruskal-Wallis test; p=0.013). GCS score were correlated with AChE levels (p=0.007, Spearman's rho = 0.454). In addition, the lower the level of initial AChE, the longer the ICU stay (p=0.029, Spearman's rho=-0.380). SAPS 3 was inversely correlated with the initial AChE (p<0.001, Spearman's rho=-0.633). Conclusion: In the acute OP poisoning, low AChE levels appear to help indicate the severity of poisoning. The initial AChE level may be a useful prognostic parameter for acute OP poisoning.

• 말소리와 음성과학
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.173-179
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• 2011

The present study was performed to investigate the intelligibility of voice disorder patients by providing the various background noise levels. Four sets of 12-sentence-stimuli produced by 11 voice disorder patients were prepared, and 5 minute-news from radio broadcasting studio were used as a background noise. 30 listeners assigned intelligibility score of each sentence with visual analog scale. Each set of sentences was provided with 20dB, 10dB, 0dB noise (same intensity with stimuli), and, finally, with no noise. As results, as background noise level increased, intelligibility scores were lowered with statistical significance. Even though in the same severity, more loud background noise showed much lower scores than less loud noise. When 10dB noise was provided, intelligibility scores showed the biggest difference among the degree of severity.

• Mycobiology
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.96-101
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• 2002

Four pathogenic fungal isolates belonging to different genera including Alternaria, Fusarium and Curvularia were isolated from selected diseased weeds growing in the fields in Dakahalia district. The inoculum of these pathogenic fungi specific to weeds were cultured, standardized and formulated as alginate pellets containing mycelium plus culture filtrate. These mycoherbicides were evaluated for disease severity(DS). Maximum DS was obtained with the alginate pellets of mycelium filtrate Fusarium solani. Physiological changes of the treated weed were determined 5 aiid 10 days after treatments. As compared to the healthy weeds, all mycoherbicide formulations significantly decreased the amount of photosynthetic pigments and subsequently soluble and insoluble sugars in the infected weeds. The mycoherbicide formulation of F. solani had the greatest effect on lowering to the abovementioned amount in the leaves of Chenopodium murale. Generally, treatment of weed leaves with the specific mycoherbicide led to a highly significant increase in total phenol content when compared to the healthy control weed. C. murale infected with the mycoherbicide formulation of F. solani had higher levels of phenolic compounds than those other treated weeds particularly after 10 days of inoculation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.149-154
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• 2011

In order to determine the efficacy of functional foods, objective measurement of the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) after taking foods is important. The aim of this study was to conduct an objective evaluation of whether Korean red ginseng (KRG) might be helpful for improvement of skin condition and serum IgE in patients with AD. Thirty atopic patients (18 females and 12 males) participated in this study. Patients took KRG for 16 weeks. Bioengineering methods, including the corneometer and evaporimeter, were used at the start of the study and after 8 weeks and 16 weeks. In addition, we assessed serum IgE levels and the severity scoring of the atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Transepidermal water loss and skin hydration showed significant improvement after 16 weeks. A significant decrease in the SCORAD index, as well as in serum IgE level, was observed after 16 weeks. Our results demonstrated that KRG may be helpful as a functional food for patients with AD.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.247-256
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationships between the N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels with the sociodemographic and clinical factors, self-care behaviors, and the physical symptom experiences in patients with heart failure. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a convenience sample of adult outpatients and inpatients who attended a cardiology department in a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea. The data from 154 patients with heart failure were collected using a questionnaire, and their clinical data were extracted from their electronic medical records. Results: Compared with the patients with high NT-proBNP levels, those with low NT-proBNP levels had significantly lower physical symptom experiences scores. Patients with low- and mid-NT-proBNP levels were more likely to be employed compared with those with high NT-proBNP levels. Patients with low NT-proBNP levels had higher left ventricular ejection fractions, and were less likely to have arrhythmias and comorbidities. Conclusion: The results from this study showed that patients with more severe heart failure had higher physical symptom experiences scores; hence, individualizing treatment approaches based on heart failure severity is necessary.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.166-174
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• 1999

To study the relation between serum fatty acids and coronary artery disease(CAD), 194 subjects were randomly selected and divided into three groups(control, single vessel disease group(SVD), muliple vessel disease group(MVD)) according to the angiographic results. Total serum levels of fatty acids and serum phospholipid(PL)-fatty acids(FAs)were analysed using gas chromatography and their associations with CAD were examined. Different patterns of total serum fatty acid levels were found in men and women. Levels of most fatty acids of SVD and MVD were significantly lower in men, while those of MVD were significantly higher in women. In terms of PL-FAs in both men and women, the levels of PL-FAs follow the order of control < SVD < MVD and in women, the difference was significant. Various ratio(including ratios denoting the activites of desaturase and elongase) of total serum-and PL-FAs were similar in the three groups. In the relation of serum fatty acids to serum lipid profiles, PUFA & LDL showed a negative correlation, while, SFA & LDL-cholesterol and PUFA and HDL-cholesterol showed positive correlatons. correlations. Systolic blood pressure and alcohol intake levels negatively affected the levels of serum LA, AA, EPA and DHA in the risk factor analysis. These findings are consistent with other evidence indicating that fatty acid compositions are changed in CAD, especially on the concentration base and the change was related to the severity of the disease. Therefore, for the purpose of disease prevention and therapeutic use, balanced intakes of various fatty acids must be seriously considered.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.379-390
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• 2018

In this paper, a novel and effective damage diagnosis algorithm is proposed to detect and estimate damage using two stages least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) and limited number of attached sensors on structures. In the first stage, LS-SVM1 is used to predict the unmeasured mode shapes data based on limited measured modal data and in the second stage, LS-SVM2 is used to predicting the damage location and severity using the complete modal data from the first-stage LS-SVM1. The presented methods are applied to a three story irregular frame and cantilever plate. To investigate the noise effects and modeling errors, two uncertainty levels have been considered. Moreover, the performance of the proposed methods has been verified through using experimental modal data of a mass-stiffness system. The obtained damage identification results show the suitable performance of the proposed damage identification method for structures in spite of different uncertainty levels.