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In this paper, we report on a new dielectric, a C60-containing block polyimide (PI-b-C60). This was realized by introducing C60 as pendent groups into a polymer backbone. When this dielectric was used in a non-contact mode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), it achieved high output power and reliable operation. Compared with perfluoroalkoxy alkane film-based TENGs, the TENG based on PI-b-C60 generated 4.3 times higher output power and a superior charge density of over 300 μC m−2 with a 3 times slower charge decay rate. These results are most likely due to the excellent charge-retention characteristics induced by the most negative electrostatic potential of C60 within the backbone, and these characteristics were confirmed by surface potential measurements. Furthermore, in the course of our work, two non-contact mode applications, a keyless electronic door lock system and a speed sensor with a tone wheel for a car, were developed. Without an ion injection process being needed, very sensitive and reliable operations of the speed sensor were successfully demonstrated, even under very humid conditions (∼99% RH).

The purpose of this study is to analyze the potential of Story Maps to improve the awareness of geography among preservice geography teachers (PGTs). To conduct the research, this study planned a S...

Due to the growing popularity of digital platforms, social media conversations have been proposed and used as an indicator of public diplomacy outcomes. Despite this, existing research has found that most publics were unwilling to engage with foreign countries on social media. Considering this, this study seeks to identify factors that motivate and/or constrain individuals’ engagement in conversations about foreign countries. A survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted with sojourners who temporarily resided in Macao. When choosing how (i.e., channels) and what (i.e., content) to transmit, they managed the tension between perceived risk and expected benefit. Reflecting the theory of planned behavior, where individuals’ motivation (i.e., intended outcomes) and perceived behavioral control (i.e., ability to manage the tension between perceived risk and expected benefit to achieve such intended outcomes) predict behavioral intentions, the findings unveil the limitations of monitoring and tracking social media conversations as an indicator of public diplomacy outcomes.

Although the proteasome inhibitor (PI) bortezomib (Btz) is in current clinical use as a front-line treatment for multiple myeloma, its clinical efficacy in solid tumors has not been satisfactory. Here, we show that loperamide (Lop), an antidiarrheal drug, effectively sensitizes various colon cancer cells, but not normal epithelial cells, to PI-mediated cell death. We report that combined treatment with Btz and Lop induces paraptosis-like cell death accompanied by severe endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived vacuolation. Furthermore, Lop potentiates Btz-mediated ER stress and ER dilation due to misfolded protein accumulation and Ca2+ imbalance, leading to CHOP upregulation and subsequent paraptosis-like cell death. Taken together, our results show for the first time that a combined regimen of PI and Lop may provide an effective and safe therapeutic strategy against solid tumors, including colon cancer, by enhancing the sensitivity to PIs and reducing the side effects of such treatment.

Purpose The standard method used to diagnose central precocious puberty (CPP) is the gonadotropin releasing hormone stimulation test (GnRHST). However, this test is inconvenient for children because it is time-consuming and requires multiple samples. This study aimed to determine the reliability of morning unstimulated luteinizing hormone (mLH) level when screening for CPP, with an emphasis on the influence of diurnal variation. Methods This study included 160 girls with signs of early puberty (SMR 2) under 8 years of age. They were classified as CPP or non-CPP based on their standard GnRHST. The auxological, biochemical, and hormonal characteristics of subjects were retrospectively evaluated. The prognostic value of single morning unstimulated gonadotropin level was examined for use in CPP screening. Results Of 160 patients, 121 (75.6%) presented with CPP, and 39 (24.4%) were determined to be prepubertal. The mLH/mFSH (morning unstimulated follicular stimulating hormone) ratio showed significant differences between the 2 groups (Pl0.001). The mLH was correlated with GnRHST variables (r=0.532, Pl0.001). The mLH cutoff point when screening for CPP was 0.22 IU/L, which had sensitivity and specificity of 69.4% and 82.1%, respectively. In regression analysis, bone age (BA) (odds ratio [OR], 1.018; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.967-1.071; P=0.506) and body mass index (BMI) (OR, 0.874; 95% CI, 0.583-1.310; P=0.515) were not significant predictors. The mLH≥0.22 IU/L group (OR, 9.596; 95% CI, 3.853-23.900; Pl0.001) was highly suggestive of CPP. Conclusion In this study, single morning unstimulated luteinizing hormone had clinical efficacy for CPP screening, but BA advanced over chronological age and BMI was not useful for CPP screening.

This paper is a research finding on the inspection of the camera module assembled in the camera module automation line and automation of the adjustment process. Parts such as camera modules, where foreign particles of several micrometers might cause defects in sensor pixel should be produced with facilities with clean areas to prevent contamination. When managing workers, production by automated robots is essential to prevent defects caused by foreign objects and human mistakes due to monotonous and repetitive tasks. In order to cope with the production process where products are produced through several processes and changes, flexibility with the product production, an automatic sorting system that is available for line reconfiguration and inline production is required. Recently, as the need to produce parts in a clean area increases, a sorting system that can produce small products as well as camera modules and can be used continuously or alone is needed.

BACKGROUND Cases of simultaneous multiple skin cancers in a single patient have become more common. Due to the multiplicity of lesions, reconstruction in such cases is more difficult than after a single lesion is removed. This study presents a series of patients with multiple facial skin cancers, with an analysis of the surgical removal, reconstruction process, and the results observed during follow-up. METHODS We reviewed 12 patients diagnosed with multiple skin cancers on the face between November 2004 and March 2016. The patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify the type of skin cancer, the site of onset, methods of surgical removal and reconstruction, complications, and recurrence during follow-up. RESULTS Nine patients had a single type of cancer occurring as multiple lesions, while three patients had different skin cancer types that occurred together. A total of 30 cancer sites were observed in the 12 patients. The most common cancer site was the nose. Thirteen defects were reconstructed with a flap, while 18 were reconstructed with skin grafting. The only complication was one case of recurrence of basal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION Multiple skin cancers are removed by performing Mohs micrographic surgery or wide excision, resulting in multiple defect sites. The authors emphasize the importance of thoroughly evaluating local lesions surrounding the initially-identified lesions or on other sites when reconstructing a large defect which can not be covered by primary closure. Furthermore, satisfactory results can be obtained by using various methods simultaneously regarding the condition of individual patients, the defect site and size, and the surgeon's preference.

Simple hepatic cysts are common benign liver lesions that usually have no malignant capability. They are generally asymptomatic and are often found incidentally by abdominal imaging procedures. Treatment becomes necessary, however, when huge hepatic cysts cause symptoms and develop complications, such as hemorrhage, adjacent organ damage, and infection. Several therapeutic options have been performed for symptomatic and huge cysts, including the aspiration of cystic fluid, infusion of various sclerosing agents, and surgical intervention. The optimal management of huge hepatic cysts is controversial and each option has its complications and limitations. This paper reports a case of a 66-year-old woman diagnosed with a simple hepatic cyst 2 years earlier, who was referred to hospital due to abdominal pain. The diagnosis was a huge hepatic cyst with symptoms by abdominal imaging studies. During the follow-up period, the huge cysts resolved spontaneously without treatment.

Background Free-flap surgery and skin grafting can be used to reconstruct large facial defects that may result after skin cancer removal by Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). However, these two methods may produce low postsurgical patient satisfaction with aesthetics, and free-flap surgery may produce an undue burden for the majority of skin cancer patients, who are of advanced age. Hence, the authors examined outcomes of large facial defect reconstruction using multiple flaps. Methods Among patients undergoing MMS for skin cancer at Pusan National University Hospital between January 2013 and December 2015, we evaluated 7 patients (2 males, 5 females; average age, 73.14 years) treated for large facial defects from basal cell carcinoma. Based on operative and follow-up records, we investigated the number and type of flaps used, postsurgical complications, and patients’ post-surgical satisfaction. Results Two and 3 types of flaps were used for 5 and 2 patients, respectively. Most frequently used were nasolabial flaps (7 times in 6 patients) and forehead flaps (once in each of 4 patients). The average follow-up period was 14 months, with no complications—including necrosis, hematoma, or wound dehiscence—observed. Post-surgical satisfaction averaged 4.4 out of a maximum of 5 points. Conclusions Reconstruction using two or more flaps for large facial defects after skin cancer removal using MMS produced satisfactory outcomes while preventing aesthetic problems. Practitioners should consider using multiple flaps when choosing a reconstruction method for large facial defects following skin cancer removal.

Summary Water treatment based on advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) supplies clean water to rural areas lacking electric power supply and/or during natural disasters and pandemics. Considering the abundance of solar energy in the ambient environment, the solar-driven AOPs show an interesting potential to driving the water purification process. Involving the energy harvester (EH) that harvests mechanical or thermal energy into electricity to the solar-driven AOPs can achieve sustainable and self-powered water purification. Herein, we summarize the recent progress in the application of solar-induced hybrid EHs that harvest solar and mechanical/thermal energy simultaneously to drive AOP water treatment. A detailed discussion of the solar-induced hybrid EHs enabling AOP water treatment based on the mechanisms of piezo-, tribo-, pyro-, and thermo-assisted photocatalysis is provided. In addition, this paper explores future opportunities and strategies of the solar-induced hybrid EHs to drive the AOP water treatment in actual situations with unstable and fluctuating environmental conditions., Graphical abstract, Energy Resources ; Energy sustainability; Energy systems

Photodetectors have large applications in the current ongoing pandemic. These can be used to study the growth of viruses where depending upon the concentration the light intensity will be reduced. Since the viruses grow very fast therefore a device with very low response time as well as quick recovery will be useful for this study. If the device can be made from the non-toxic materials and sizes are quite small, they can be used for in vitro studies as well. Kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)4 (CZTSSe) thin film can be deposited over flexible substrates. The detectivity of even very small area device is very high with ultra-small response and recovery time. The CZTSSe PD exhibited excellent broadband (Vis-NIR) photoresponse, high responsivity of 18.0 mA.W−1, a fast rise time of 82 ms, and a decay time of 97 ms, as well as high detectivity (∼109 Jones) with favorable self-powered characteristics. This work suggests significant scientific insights for photoconductivity properties of emerging kesterite CZTSSe thin-film materials for broadband, low-cost, high-efficiency next-generation thin-film photodetectors for various optoelectronic applications including diagnostic.

PURPOSES : This study dealt with traffic accidents occurring within roundabouts. The objective of this study was to analyze safety effect by introduction of roundabouts. METHODS : In pursuing the above, traffic accident data on roundabouts are collected and compared. For the analysis, collected data were separated as all intersection points, turning lane accident, approach lane accident by geometric design. RESULTS : Through the study results, it was found that the total accidents decreased by 55 accidents/2 year with safety effect of roundabouts. Also the result shows that accidents by point of two-lane roundabout at turning lane(0.26) and approach lane(0.27) is risky than total accidents by point(0.09). Moreover, accidents by point shows high value as diameter of a roundabout is bigger. CONCLUSIONS : When a roundabout is introduced at the intersections there are safety effects by reduction of traffic accidents.

In this paper, we have proposed a separable nose cap and its opening device to protect a seeker's window from aerodynamic heating and to decrease the drag force on missile body. The nose cap should be promptly deployed to secure the view field of seeker when it is needed. This cap consists of two nose cap structures and separation devices such as pyro puller and pusher. The performance of pyro puller was fully verified through analyses and several kinds of operating tests. We can obtain a sufficient confidence level of the pyro puller through many operating tests under various environments.

This article aims to provide an overall picture of the applications of serious games for social changes. Our main goals are to show that game has great potential in delivering messages for social changes and to suggest guidelines for researchers and game developers in designing related games. We synthesized the key concepts of games for change that make them promising through literature reviews and analyzing game lists for social changes. Based on the theoretical investigations, we found that both role-taking and simulation of games are powerful ways not only to influence attitudes toward the other side but also to bring out empathy as psychological mechanism to draw attitude changes and altruistic actions associated with social or political issues.

This case study presents a practical method to reduce resonant vibration of large vertical pumps. The pumps are driven at 400 rpm rated speed by induction motor. The vibration was not significantly large when operated at this rated speed. Large vibration was occurred when the pump was operated below the rated speed for flow control. Due to the large vibration resonance, variable speed operation of the pump was not possible for several months at worst cases. To find an efficient vibration control method, the flexural responses of pumps for both normal and transient operations were measured. The measured modal characteristics were compared with those of finite element analysis. When the pump was operated at a specific rpm, the natural mode whose resonance frequency is twice the rotating angular speed induced the large vibration. The retrofit utilizing stiffeners to reduce this resonant vibration were performed. Effects of designed stiffeners on reducing vibration were validated through tests after actual installation.

Objective: Research on the transformation of interaction between mobile machines and users through analysis on current gesture interface technology development trend. Background: For smooth interaction between machines and users, interface technology has evolved from "command line" to "mouse", and now "touch" and "gesture recognition" have been researched and being used. In the future, the technology is destined to evolve into "multi-modal", the fusion of the visual and auditory senses and "3D multi-modal", where three dimensional virtual world and brain waves are being used. Method: Within the development of computer interface, which follows the evolution of mobile machines, actively researching gesture interface and related technologies' trend and development will be studied comprehensively. Through investigation based on gesture based information gathering techniques, they will be separated in four categories: sensor, touch, visual, and multi-modal gesture interfaces. Each category will be researched through technology trend and existing actual examples. Through this methods, the transformation of mobile machine and human interaction will be studied. Conclusion: Gesture based interface technology realizes intelligent communication skill on interaction relation ship between existing static machines and users. Thus, this technology is important element technology that will transform the interaction between a man and a machine more dynamic. Application: The result of this study may help to develop gesture interface design currently in use.

A 24-year-old man presented with mental change, fever, abdominal pain, tenderness and palpable mass on the lower abdomen. He was a non-Korean engineer and did not accompany a legal guardian, so medical history taking was difficult due to his mental status. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple rim-enhanced lesions of the brain, and abdominal computed tomography showed huge paraspinal abscess. Chest X-ray and computed tomography showed poorly defined nodular opacities. We initially thought that this patient was infected with toxoplasmosis with typical cerebral image finding and immunoglobulin laboratory finding of cerebrospinal fluid and serum study. The abdominal abscess was confirmed as tuberculosis through the pathologic finding of caseous necrosis. We used anti-tuberculosis medication and anti-toxoplasmosis medication for almost 4 months, and then his clinical state and radiological findings were considerably improved.

This studies shows that Balanced Score-Card(BSC) affects corporate performance and performance measurement systems affect corporate performance, depending on whether they are customer-oriented or finance-oriented. The results of the study are as followings; First, utilization of BSC are significant relationships with performance assessment system. Second, performance assessment system are significant relationships with corporate performance. Third, utilization of Balanced Score-Card(BSC) affects corporate performance.

The IEFT has recently considered to provide flow mobility for multi-interface MN in the PMIPv6. In this paper, we proposed an extended BCE of the LMA and a novel mechanism for flow mobility of PMIPv6. With our proposal BCE and mechanism, the LMA can route packets by the flow label and hence packet loss during handover can be eliminated. Also, to validate our flow mobility scheme, we designed and implemented the PMIPv6 packet data unit and database of both LMA and MAG, and configured a testbed for flow mobility in PMIPv6. And the support of flow mobility was configured with the network connectivity test in our testbed. According to the Wireshark results, we can see that our proposed scheme works wells for flow mobility in PMIPv6.

Reaching up the present from the past, the design was reflected in our life, thereby having brought about great development in the aesthetic harmony or functional part. In the present era, it is advancing in order to seek for the better direction without being satisfied with formativeness. What comes to represent it is UX design, namely, user-experience design. If a user has confusion in using product or environmental facilities, or if a user needs to utilize by analyzing function, this cannot help being inconvenient. Only what a user's behavior is caused by which the cognitive and sensitive attributes interact without inconvenience can be said to be design for a user. Given explaining easily, UX implies to design and develop the designed product or space from the position of a client who uses. Also, it also implies to offer service of being satisfied. For one example, a work can be said that distributes logo to the upper part of web site. That is because of allowing client to be much confused if logo is distributed to the different position. The designed web site in consideration of user's position is developed much now. However, it is the real situation of being still much insufficient in the public facilities that have UX characteristics amid the living environment. There is great interest in UX of the public facilities. However, there are many cases of facing mostly for the first time. The understanding level is thought to be much different. This study examines about a concept of UX design, and about UX design, which considered from the user's position, and analyzes a case. Thus, the aim is to suggest good directivity in designing by efficiently approaching UX that can be difficult theoretically.

Vibration characteristics of stiffened laminated plates are investigated considering postbuckled deflection effect due to thermal load. The finite element method is used for the analysis of thermal postbuckling and natural vibration of stiffened plates in the postbuckling range. The finite element model is based on the first order shear deformable plate theory (FSDT) for a skin panel and Timoshenko beam theory for stiffeners. Von Karman strain-displacement relation is used to account for a large deflection. Critical buckling temperature and the corresponding mode shape are determined from Euler buckling problem. In order to solve the thermal-postbuckling problem, the initial nonlinear stiffness is determined from an estimated deflection of scaled buckling mode shape. The converged deflection at any temperature change is obtained using the Newton-Raphson method. The vibration analyses of stiffened laminated plates in the postbuckling range are performed using the tangent stiffness obtained from the converged deflection. The effects of the stiffener size, the number of stiffeners, and lamination scheme on vibration characteristics are studied for stiffened laminated plates subject to steady-state uniform temperature increase.

Vibration behaviors of thermally postbuckled anisotropic plates are investigated. The finite element method is used for the analysis of thermal postbuckling and natural vibration of thermally postbuckled plates. The finite element model is based on the first-order shear deformable plate theory (FSDT) and von Karman strain-displacement relation to account for large deflection. Critical buckling temperature and the corresponding mode shape are determined from Euler buckling problem. In order to solve the thermal-postbuckling problem, the initial nonlinear stiffness is determined from estimated deflection of scaled buckling mode shape. The converged deflection at any temperature change is obtained using the Newton-Raphson method. The vibration analysis of thermally postbuckled plates are performed using the tangent stiffness obtained from the converged deflection. The effect of fiber orientation angle and aspect ratio on postbuckling and vibration behaviors are studied for simply supported laminated plates subject to steady-state uniform temperature increase.

As the amount of construction information used in the growing construction field increases, the importance of efficient construction field management has been growing. Therefore, construction industry have been tried to introduce and conjugate various software and IT technology such as PMIS, Web Camera, RFID, GPS, PDA. However, existing IT technology especially PMIS have not been performed systematically because of difficulty of real time information collection and decision-making from the insufficient handy equipment. These problems make construction manager cannot efficiently respond to diverse condition occur in construction sites. In addition, after the completion, individual who use PMIS have to move another site and use another system so than cannot use information from previous sites. On the other hand, development of IT technology transmute PDA phone for text-based work like schedule management, internet research to smart phone for network based multimedia service. In other words, smart phone is not just IT equipment but new way for overall industry and it can satisfy the demand IT technology on construction sites. Therefore, the purpose of this study is introduce mobile based individual unit PMIS system using cloud computing and SNS which is in development progress. It is expected to be possible to collect and record the real-time information that occur at the site and make rapid decisions based on the recorded information, by converting the office works that are managed based on the site PC or Web, if the site management system that is based on the smart phones and Cloud computing that will be constructed through this research are utilized. After this study, it is necessary to research about interwork with project unit PMIS system and test on real construction site.

As the building has recently become bigger, higher, and freeform, a technology called BIM(Building Information Modeling), which is a key technology that integrates construction and IT(Information Technology), has been rapidly introduced and expanded. Because BIM technology offers various benefits, countries that introduced BIM early has been actively promoted. However, misperceptions of BIM are prevalent in countries such as South Korea that have adopted it relatively late, with lack of awareness of its fundamental purposes. Under these circumstances, transparent and quantitative performance assessment needs to be executed in order to eliminate the misperceptions, and to explain and revitalize the BIM introduction. These quantitative performance measure KPI (Key Performance Indicators) to be measured should be prioritized. As derive performance indicators in terms of the four types (financial, customer, internal processes, learning and growth), and performance management systems, Uses the BSC to seek a balance between short-term financial goals, values and the value of long-term goals. Uses the BSC(Balanced Scorecards) to derive performance indicators in terms of the four types (financial, customer, internal processes, learning and growth), and performance management systems, seeking a balance between the value of short-term financial objectives and the value of long-term objectives. Through this, the KPI (Key Performance Indicators) which is used for measuring the effect of the BIM will be generated and also the method that can determine whether the generated KPI figures are objectively inter-connected will be suggested as well.

As the construction industry is becoming more large-scaled and complex, the BIM technology has been utilized throughout the industry. Since 2008, the construction industry in South Korea (Korea) has required carrying on BIM-based project continually. According to this trend, BIM S/W market, as well as BIM library market is also gradually activated. Many countries have already been establishing Web-based BIM library market, also Korea has been trying to establishing this Web-based BIM library market. In this study, through market research of Web-based BIM library market of advanced countries including the U.S.A. and U.K., establishment strategy of BIM library market to be derived by late starters that introduce BIM such as Korea, Japan and China was deduced based on current establishment status of BIM library market in Korea. In addition, deal with an issue that a clear revenue-sharing system between business principals of Web-based BIM library market is not available at the current stage was presented as a factor of inhibiting activation of BIM library market. So in order to offer a reasonable revenue-sharing strategy in BIM library market as conceptual level, a methodology and process of applying Game theory being used for deriving. It is expected that a reasonable revenue-sharing model between business principals would be presented as its standard of BIM library market to be more activated in the future.

The analysis of vibration characteristics of anisotropic plates with eccentric stiffeners has been performed using the finite element method based on the shear deformable plate theory. The stiffeners are modeled as a beam element based on Timoshenko beam theory. The present analysis presents the effects of fiber orientation, dimension and location of the stiffener on the vibration characteristics of anisotropic stiffened plates. The stiffened plates are composed of graphite-epoxy(AS1/3501-6) composite laminate with a symmetric stacking sequence. The present finite element model uses nine-node quadrilateral elements for the skin plate and three-node quadratic elements for the stiffener. The solution of the eigenvalue problems has been obtained by the subspace iteration method. The results obtained by the present finite element model are compared with previous results for the stiffened isotropic plates. Also, the result of the present beam model for the stiffener made of composite material is compared with that of the shell model. This result shows that the present model for the stiffened plate gives quite accurate results. The size, fibre orientation angle and location of the stiffener affect the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the stiffened anisotropic plate.

Purpose: We aimed to determine whether a preoperative urodynamic parameter is a valuable predictor for the persistence of OAB symptoms after the AVP repair. Materials and Methods: 65 OAB patients with concomitant POP-Q stage III, IV anterior vaginal wall prolapse underwent a surgical repair were involved. All the patients were subjected to a preoperative urodynamic study, for whom the OABSS on questionnaire were preoperatively recorded. We firstly analyzed the correlation between the BOOI and the OABSS, then randomly divided patients into two groups: the group A (high PdetQmax, BOOI≥20) and the group B (low PdetQmax, BOOI＜20). In each group, the OABSS was repeatedly measured post-operatively and the change were analyzed. Results: 31 patients were classified as the group A and 34 patients were classified as the group B. The group B showed significant decrease of symptom score in daytime frequency (p＜0.01), urgency (p=0.04), urge incontinence (p=0.03), nocturnal frequency (p=0.01) and total score (p=0.01). The group A showed no significant decrease of symptom score in daytime frequency (p=0.42), urgency (p=0.61), urge incontinence (p=0.3), total score (p=0.15) except nocturnal frequency (p=0.01). Conclusions: A preoperative pressure-flow study can be a valuable tool in predicting the OAB symptoms change after the combined AVP repair. While the AVP repair leads to the improvement of OAB symptoms generally, some patients with a higher preoperative PdetQmax are still in need of the additional medical treatment.

To examine the independent effect of metabolic syndrome (MS) on nephrolithiasis (NL) even with changes in MS status over time.From 2002-2003, 3872 men who were reexamined annually or biannually until 2009 were enrolled in the analysis and observed for development of NL. The examination included anthropometric measurements, biochemical measurement, and kidney ultrasonography (US). A standard Cox proportional hazards model and a time-dependent Cox model were used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio in the NL model.After adjusting for age, baseline glomerular filtration rate, and uric acid level, MS at baseline was associated with a significantly increased risk of NL (HR, 1.771; 95% confidence interval, 1.157-2.711). MS over time as a time-dependent variable also predicted the development of NL (HR, 1.678; 95% CI, 1.151-2.447) after adjusted baseline covariate. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, there was a significant stepwise increase in risk of NL, with each additional MS trait compared with those with no traits of MS at baseline and follow-up. As the numbers of MS traits at baseline and follow-up increased, the urine pH of participants at baseline and follow-up decreased significantly (P.01). The prevalence of NL in participants with continual MS (6.6%) was higher than those with resolved MS, and continual MS was an independent factor to predict NL.Our findings suggest that MS is significantly associated with increased risk of developing urine acidification, even with changes in status of MS observed during follow-up.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by reversible airway obstruction, airway hyperreactivity, and remodeling of the airways. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), an ester of caffeic acid with quinic acid, is one of the most abundant polyphenol compounds in various agricultural products. CGA shows various biological properties, such as anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. We investigated suppressive effects of CGA on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma in mice and underlying mechanisms of them. CGA significantly reduced pulmonary eosinophilia and expression of IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α in the lung as well as the serum levels of total and OVA-specific IgE, while CGA enhanced those of total and OVA-specific IgG3, of which isotype switching is down-regulated by IL-4. In vitro IgE production from LPS/IL-4-stimulated splenocytes was remarkably reduced by CGA, while that of IgG3 was enhanced. The Ce germ line transcription, which is necessary for IL-4 mediated IgE isotype switching, was reduced by CGA in LPS/IL-4-stimulated splenocytes. IgE isotype switching is mediated via several transduction pathways, activating several molecules including STAT-6, NF-κB, ERK1/2, and JNK. Among the molecules, which were activated by IL-4/LPS, activation of STAT-6 and JNK was inhibited by CGA.

A supersonic panel flutter analysis of a stiffened laminate panel has been carried out using linear piston theory with plate and beam finite elements based on a shear deformable plate and a Timoshenko beam theory. Numerical results are obtained for the stiffened isotropic and anisotropic panels. This study is focused on the effects on the stiffener seize and the fiber orientation angle on the flutter boundary

We found an error in our published article. Author name should be corrected as the following: Before Suyoung Kim1, Kang Lock Lee1, Dong Min Lee1, Ji Hun Jeong2, Song Mi Moon1, Yiel-Hae Seo2, Chan Jong Yoo3, Dongki Yang4, Yong Kyun Cho1, and Yoon Soo Park1 After Su Young Kim1, Kang Lock Lee1, Dong Min Lee1, Ji Hun Jeong2, Song Mi Moon1, Yiel-Hae Seo2, Chan Jong Yoo3, Dongki Yang4, Yong Kyun Cho1, and Yoon Soo Park1

Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for urinary tract infection (UTI); emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP), a complication of UTIs, often occurs in patients with underlying, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. We report the case of an 87-year-old woman with EP in type 2 diabetes mellitus who developed pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) with portal venous gas. PCI is a radiographic finding, which is found in a linear or cystic form of gas in the submucosa or subserosa of the bowel wall. PCI has two common presentations. Primary PCI is a benign idiopathic condition. Secondary PCI is associated with a wide variety of gastrointestinal and non- gastrointestinal diseases. PCI with portal venous gas in particular is associated with ischemic gastrointestinal disease. Initial pre-enhanced abdominopelvic computed tomography showed EP in the right kidney without PCI. Newly occurring PCI and hepatic portal venous gas were found in the right ascending colon after EP improved. This is a rare case of PCI accompanied by emphysematous pyelonephritis in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patient's general condition improved with intravenous antibiotics and fluid therapy without a surgical approach. However, she was discharged without further treatment because the family refused any further evaluations and treatments. (J Korean Diabetes 2013;15:45-50) Abstract 가천대학교 의과대학 내과 유승희, 엄영실, 이동민, 이시훈, 김연선, 이기영, 김병준, 김광원, 박이병

Background Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of endocrine tumors in target tissues (mainly the pituitary, endocrine pancreas, and parathyroid glands). MEN1 is caused by mutations in the MEN1 gene, which functions as a tumor suppressor and consists of one untranslated exon and nine exons encoding the menin protein. This condition is usually suspected when we encounter patients diagnosed with tumors in multiple endocrine organs, as mentioned above. Methods A 65-year-old woman who underwent surgery for a pancreatic tumor (serous cystadenoma) 5 years previously was referred to our hospital due to neurologic symptoms of diplopia and left ptosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 3.4-cm lesion originating from the cavernous sinus wall and extending into the sellar region. It was thought to be a nonfunctioning tumor from the results of the combined pituitary function test. Incidentally, we found that she also had a pancreatic tumor, indicating the necessity of genetic analysis for MEN1. Results Genomic analysis using peripheral leukocytes revealed a heterozygous c.1621G>A mutation in the MEN1 gene that was previously reported to be either a pathogenic mutation or a simple polymorphism. We pursued a stereotactic approach to the pituitary lesion, and microscopic findings of the tumor revealed it to be an intrasellar cavernous hemangioma, a rare finding in the sellar region and even rarer in relation to oculomotor palsy. The patient recovered well from surgery, but refused further evaluation for the pancreatic lesion. Conclusion There is great emphasis placed on genetic testing in the diagnosis of MEN1, but herein we report a case where it did not assist in diagnosis, hence, further discussion on the role of genetic testing in this disease is needed. Also, in cases of pituitary tumor with cranial nerve palsy, despite its low prevalence, intrasellar cavernous hemangioma could be suspected.

The bladder is involved in 1% to 3% of all hernia cases. We report a case of a large paraperitoneal bladder hernia (BH) in a 59-year-old man who had a palpable scrotal mass. Several techniques and approaches have been described for managing BHs. We performed a laparoscopic partial cystectomy and herniorrhaphy. This is the first case report on the repair of a large BH by use of a laparoscopic technique in Korea.

Purpose: This study was conducted to perform a comparative analysis of the efficacy and safety of conventional transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P), transurethral resection in saline (TURIS), and TURIS-plasma vaporization (TURIS-V) when performed by a single surgeon for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Materials and Methods: The clinical data of 73 consecutive men who underwent conventional TUR-P (39), TURIS (19), or TURIS-V (15) for BPH were retrospectively analyzed. All procedures were carried out by a single surgeon between October 2007 and April 2010. The patients were assessed preoperatively and perioperatively and were followed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Patient baseline characteristics, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes were compared, and major complications were recorded. Results: In all groups, significant improvements in subjective and objective voiding parameters were achieved and were sustained throughout follow-up. TURIS-V had the shortest operation time compared with conventional TUR-P and TURIS (p=0.211). TURIS-V significantly decreased procedural irrigation fluid volume, postoperative irrigation duration, catheter duration, and hospital stay compared with conventional TUR-P and TURIS. There were no significant differences between the groups in hemoglobin levels or serum sodium levels before and after the operations. There were three transfusions and four clot retentions in the TUR-P group, and one transfusion and one clot retention in the TURIS group. The TURIS-V group had no complications. Conclusions: TURIS and TURIS-V were effective for the surgical treatment of BPH in addition to conventional TUR-P. TURIS-V was not inferior to conventional TUR-P or TURIS in terms of safety.

The neurological manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are diverse. Transverse myelitis (TM) is an uncommon, but well-known neurological complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). On the other hand, the reported cases associated with primary APS are extremely rare. To our knowledge, this is the first report of TM in a patient with primary APS in Korea. A 32-year-old male patient was admitted with the sudden onset of numbness, a tingling sensation, and weakness in both lower extremities. He had a 19 months history of external iliac and femoral arterial thromboses prior to admission. The laboratory results indicated the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies of the IgG class and lupus anticoagulant. No other autoantibodies were detected and there were no apparent clinical manifestations of SLE or multiple sclerosis. A T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) image showed swelling and increased intensity of the cervical and thoracic spinal cord between C6 and T7 with slight enhancement by contrast medium. After steroid pulse therapy, the patient's symptoms were gradually relieved and the abnormal findings on MR imaging disappeared.