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Objective We report the results of pharmacogenomics-based antidepressant treatment (PGXt) results in treating treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD) patients in real practice. Methods Nine patients were prescribed NeuropharmagenⓇ for selection of antidepressants for individual patient and their clinical outcomes were followed. Results After treatment by PGXt results from current antidepressants, substantial reduction of depressive symptoms was observed at some point and maintained during observation period in six patients. Conclusion Our case series potentially shows the clinical utility and benefit of PGXt for treatment of TRD patients.

Research and development of smart vessels has progressed significantly in recent years, and ships have become high-value technology-intensive resources. These ships entail high production costs and long-life cycles. Thus, modernized technical design, professional training, and aggressive maintenance are important factors in the efficient management of ships. With the continuing digital revolution, the industrial shipbuilding applicability of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies as well as related 3D system modeling and processes has increased. However, resolving the differences between AR/VR and real-world models remains burdensome. This problem is particularly evident when mapping various texture characteristics to virtual objects. To mitigate the burden and improve the performance of such technologies, it is necessary to directly define various texture characteristics or to express them using expensive equipment. The use of deep-learning-based CycleGAN, however, has gained attention as a method of learning and automatically mapping real-object textures. Thus, we seek to use CycleGAN to improve the immersive capacities of AR/VR models and to reduce production costs for shipbuilding. However, when applying CycleGAN’s textures to pipe structures, the performance is insufficient for direct application to industrial piping networks. Therefore, this study investigates an improved CycleGAN algorithm that can be specifically applied to the shipbuilding industry by combining a modified object-recognition algorithm with a double normalization method. Thus, we demonstrate that basic knowledge on the production of AR industrial pipe models can be applied to virtual models through machine learning to deliver low-cost and high-quality textures. Our results provide an on-ramp for future CycleGAN studies related to the shipbuilding industry.

Objective : To test clinical effectiveness and tolerability of Korean Red Ginseng augmentation (RGA) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with difficult-to-treat. Methods Thirty six patients were enrolled in this 6 weeks, prospective, clinical trial. Rating scales were MontgomeryAsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Clinical Global Impression-improvement (CGI-I), and Patient Satisfaction Score. The primary endpoint was a remission rate measured by MADRS score at the end of study (≤ 10). Clinical outcomes and tolerability were assessed at baseline, week 2, and week 6. Results Among 36 patients, 26 patients completed the study and 28 patients had post-baseline visit data. The remission rate by MADRS score was 39.3% (11/28) and 57.1% by CGI-I scores of 1 or 2 at the end of the study. The mean change of MADRS score was significantly decreased by 44.4% from baseline to the end of study. The most frequent adverse events were headache (7/28, 25.0%) during the study. Conclusion Our study indicates the putative effectiveness and tolerability of RGA for treating MDD with difficult-to-treat in clinical practice. However, adequately powered, randomized, controlled trials will be needed to confirm these results.

Objective There has been a lack of data regarding the usefulness and clinical characteristic between patients-treated with and without antidepressants (Pw/Pwo ADs). Methods One hundred and eighty inpatients were recruited and observed for a 6-month. The depressive, cognitive, daily activity, and motor symptoms were evaluated at baseline and tracked at month 6, with the use of rating scales including Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), modified Rankin Scale (MRS), modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results Among 178 patients, 84 (47.2%) were treated with ADs. PwAD had numerically or significantly higher depressive cognitive, and motor symptoms along with daily activity impairment (8.3 point higher in BDI score, p < 0.001; 3.6 point lower in MMSE, p = 0.003; 0.8 point higher in GDS score, p = nonsignificant; 8.2 point lower in BBS score, p = 0.053, and 0.4 point higher in MBI score, p = nonsignificant) than PwoAD. Psychiatric consultation was also significantly higher in PwAD than in PwoAD (p < 0.001). The numbers need to treat for good clinical outcomes between PwAD and PwoAD were 5.8, 6.0, and 7.5, respectively, by MRS, MBI, and BBS scores. Conclusion Our findings suggest the potential utility of AD treatment and different clinical parameters between patients- treated with and without ADs. Adequately-powered and well-controlled further studies are mandatory to confirm and fully elaborate such association.

The transfer characteristics of the three different CMOS image sensor (CIS) pixel schemes; the vertical transfer gate (VTG) with the front-side deep trench isolation (FDTI), the VTG with the back-side deep trench isolation (BDTI), and the planar transfer gate (PTG) with the BDTI are rigorously studied with 3D TCAD simulation. The electrical potential profiles of photo-diode (PD) region are optimized in terms of full well capacity (FWC) and transfer characteristics for each scheme. The simulated blooming margin potentials are well matched to the experimental blooming signal. According to our TCAD analysis, the VTG with the FDTI scheme showed high full FWC characteristics compared to the PTG with the BDTI and the VTG with the BDTI.

We developed a dual pixel with accurate and all-directional auto focus (AF) performance in CMOS image sensor (CIS). The optimized in-pixel deep trench isolation (DTI) provided accurate AF data and good image quality in the entire image area and over whole visible wavelength range. Furthermore, the horizontal-vertical (HV) dual pixel with the slanted in-pixel DTI enabled the acquisition of all-directional AF information by the conventional dual pixel readout method. These technologies were demonstrated in 1.4μm dual pixel and will be applied to the further shrunken pixels.

Incorporating different wavelength (400 to 1000nm) LEDs, photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors allow wearable devices to monitor various health parameters such as heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), and blood pressure (BP). Nowadays, PPG sensing technology at the wrist is well established. To cope with the large degree of motion turbulence presented at the wrist, PPG sensors use Green (Gr) LEDs together with multiple photodiodes (PD), and they are driven by wide-dynamic-range (DR) current-sensing front-ends [1]. It is attractive to use a near-infra-red (nIR) PPG sensor in a True Wireless Stereo (TWS), as the ear provides the best site to measure heart rhythm (more blood flow, constant distance from the heart, and less motion than at the finger or wrist). However, TWS requires a PPG sensor that is more stringent on size and power consumption (shown in Fig. 28.2.1). A promising solution [2, 3] is integrating an array of PDs with an ADC to dramatically reduce power while also providing monolithic integration. However, the limited DR (

Purpose: The objective of this study was to improve the three-dimensional (3D) understanding of optimal lateral cortical hinge in medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) via a computational cadaveric simulation of actual size. Methods: The computed tomography data of 117 adult cadavers were imported into Mimics® software to design 3D models of tibia and fibula. To simulate the MOWTHO, a virtual cutting plane was developed inside the safe zone based on established landmarks. After splitting and distracting through the cutting plane, the 10-mm cylinder (Ø 30 mm; height 10 mm) was placed vertically to be occupied properly in the nonosteotomized lateral cortex. The cross points between the round cylinder and cutting plane represented the anterior and posterior hinge points, which were used to validate the 3D position and direction of cortical hinge. Results: A 10-mm cylinder did not violate the proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) and the protruding segment of the condylar area was less than 2 mm in 115 models. The connecting line between anterior and posterior hinge points was an average of 12.1° (range 0–24.1°, SD 4.64) to the lateral side. In the nonoverlapping anteroposterior projection between proximal fibula and tibia, the posterior hinge point was laid over the PTFJ as close as possible. Based on free 360° rotation and magnification without any tilt, no posterior cortical disruption of PTFJ was observed while securing a minimum width of 10 mm. Conclusion: If the posterior hinge point was placed immediately above the PTFJ without involvement, the nonosteotomized portion carried sufficient width greater than 10 mm, despite lateral rotation at an average hinge direction of 12.1°.

IMPORTANCE: The incidence of gallstones has been reported to increase after gastrectomy. However, few studies have been conducted on the prevention of gallstone formation in patients who have undergone gastrectomy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in preventing gallstone formation after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The PEGASUS-D study (Efficacy and Safety of DWJ1319 in the Prevention of Gallstone Formation after Gastrectomy in Patient with Gastric Cancer: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted at 12 institutions in the Republic of Korea. Adults (aged ≥19 years) with a diagnosis of gastric cancer who underwent total, distal, or proximal gastrectomy were enrolled between May 26, 2015, and January 9, 2017; follow-up ended January 8, 2018. Efficacy was evaluated by both the full analysis set, based on the intention-to-treat principle, and the per-protocol set; full analysis set findings were interpreted as the main results. INTERVENTIONS: Eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg of UDCA, 600 mg of UDCA, or placebo at a ratio of 1:1:1. Ursodeoxycholic acid and placebo were administered daily for 52 weeks. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Gallstone formation was assessed with abdominal ultrasonography every 3 months for 12 months. Randomization and allocation to trial groups were carried out by an interactive web-response system. The primary end point was the proportion of patients developing gallstones within 12 months after gastrectomy. RESULTS: A total of 521 patients (175 received 300 mg of UDCA, 178 received 600 mg of UDCA, and 168 received placebo) were randomized. The full analysis set included 465 patients (311 men; median age, 56.0 years [interquartile range, 48.0-64.0 years]), with 151 patients in the 300-mg group, 164 patients in the 600-mg group, and 150 patients in the placebo group. The proportion of patients developing gallstones within 12 months after gastrectomy was 8 of 151 (5.3%) in the 300-mg group, 7 of 164 (4.3%) in the 600-mg group, and 25 of 150 (16.7%) in the placebo group. Compared with the placebo group, odds ratios for gallstone formation were 0.27 (95% CI, 0.12-0.62; P = .002) in the 300-mg group and 0.20 (95% CI, 0.08-0.50; P

Background and Aims Minor glomerular abnormalities (MGAs) are unclassified glomerular lesions indicated by the presence of minor structural abnormalities that are insufficient for a specific pathological diagnosis. The long-term clinical outcomes and pathogenesis have not been examined. We hypothesized that MGAs would be associated with the deterioration of long-term kidney function and increased urinary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy numbers. Method We retrospectively enrolled patients with MGAs, age-/sex-/estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)-matched patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and similarly matched healthy controls (MHCs; n = 49 each). We analyzed the time×group interaction effects of the eGFR and compared mean annual eGFR decline rates between the groups. We prospectively enrolled patients with MGAs, age- and sex-matched patients with IgAN, and MHCs (n = 15 each) and compared their urinary mtDNA copy numbers. Results Compared to the MHC group, the MGA and IgAN groups displayed differences in the time×group effects of eGFR (Figure 1), higher mean annual rates of eGFR decline (Table), and higher urinary mtDNA copy numbers (Figure 2); however, these groups did not significantly differ from each other. Conclusion The results indicate that MGAs are associated with deteriorating long-term kidney function, and mitochondrial injury, despite few additional pathological changes. We suggest that clinicians conduct close long-term follow-up of patients with MGAs.

Energy efficiency in mobile devices is a pivotal criteria from the overall system point of view, Although the 7,5Gb/s 8Gb LPDDR5 [1], with low-power schemes (internal data copy, dynamic-voltage-frequency scaling (DVFS), and a deep-sleep mode (DSM)), achieves improved energy efficiency compared to the previous LPDDR4X [2], the market demands for higher density and speed gradually increase for high-end applications including hand-held artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), To achieve higher density and speed in a power-efficient manner, this paper proposes a 8,5Gb/s 12Gb LPDDR5 with a hybrid bank architecture (split/merged bank), a skew-tolerant scheme, bus-based ROBI AC, and speed-boosting techniques based on 2nd generation 10nm DRAM process, Adopting a hybrid bank architecture and skew-tolerant scheme enables high speed and power-optimization for each bank-mode in high density memories, Moreover, bus-based RDBI AC achieves 2,1 % current gain and command-based WCK control scheme achieves 36mA saving at WCK-always-on mode, The speed-boosting techniques (duty-cycle correction (DCC), an active-resonant load, and at-tap DFE receiver) provide improved operating speeds from 7,5Gb/s to 8,5Gb/s@VDD2H = 1, 05V, where the read/write DQ valid windows are 0,60UI and 0.64UI (1UI = 118ps).

An association between alopecia areata (AA) and other autoimmune diseases has been reported. We investigated the associations between AA and overt autoimmune thyroid diseases. A nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional study was performed using the Korea National Health Insurance claims database. We defined patients with AA as those whose records showed at least four physician contacts in which AA, alopecia totalis (AT) or alopecia universalis (AU) was the principal diagnosis. We also established an age- and sex-matched control group without AA. In a subgroup analysis, patients with AT or AU were classified into the severe AA group, and the remainder were classified into the mild to moderate AA group. Patients with AA were at an increased risk of Graves' disease (odds ratio [OR], 1.415; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.317-1.520) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (OR, 1.157; 95% CI, 1.081-1.237), and the associations were stronger in the severe AA group (Graves' disease: OR, 1.714; 95% CI, 1.387-2.118; Hashimoto thyroiditis: OR, 1.398; 95% CI, 1.137-1.719). In conclusion, AA was significantly associated with overt autoimmune thyroid diseases. Furthermore, the risk was much higher in the severe AA group.

Current strategy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance evaluates individual risks of HCC for defining candidates for surveillance, but estimated risks are not utilized for clinical decision-making during actual screening. We sought to determine whether consideration of individual risks improve the performance of ultrasound (US)-based HCC screening in a real-world chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cohort. This single center retrospective cohort study analyzed 27,722 screening US tests from 4,175 consecutive CHB patients. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent parameters predicting presence of HCC. A nomogram was built based on the independent predictors of HCC and compared with US-only screening by receiver operating characteristics analysis. The cost-effectiveness of the nomogram was assessed by decision curve analysis. HCC developed in 222 patients with the incidence of 0.769 per 1000 person-year during the median follow-up of 63 months. Age, sex, presence of cirrhosis, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and positive US test results were independent predictors of HCC presence. A nomogram based on these predictors showed higher C-statistics compared to US-only screening (0.960 vs. 0.731 and 0.935 vs. 0.691 for derivation and validation cohort, respectively; p < 0.001). Decision curve analysis showed higher net benefit of the HCC nomogram-guided screening model compared to US-only screening in the risk threshold range between 0 and 0.3. A nomogram composed of age, sex, presence of cirrhosis, serum AFP levels and US findings better predicted the presence of HCC compared to US-only screening in CHB on surveillance.

Gitelman syndrome is characterized by hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypocalciuria, and hypomagnesemia. The clinical course of Gitelman syndrome in pregnant women remains unclear, but it is thought to be benign. We report here the first Korean case of atypical eclampsia in a 31-year-old who was diagnosed with Gitelman syndrome incidentally during an antenatal screening test. The patient did well during pregnancy despite significant hypokalemia. At 33 weeks' gestation, the patient exhibited eclampsia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, and renal insufficiency without significant hypertension or proteinuria. We explain this unusual clinical course through a review of the relevant literature.

Purpose This study was conducted to compare the diagnostic performance and early recurrence rate between gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-EOB-MRI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with extracellular contrast agent (ECA-MRI) for evaluating hepatic lesions in colorectal cancer. Materials and methods Between 2005 and 2010, 418 colorectal cancer patients with both preoperative computed tomography (CT) and liver MRI were retrospectively reviewed. Image analysis was based on initial radiologic reports, and diagnostic performance was assessed based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). The early intrahepatic recurrence rate within 6 months was then evaluated. Results Overall, 291 and 127 patients underwent Gd-EOB-MRI and ECA-MRI, respectively. The AUROCs were not significantly different between Gd-EOB-MRI (0.990; 95% CI, 0.980 to 0.999) and ECA-MRI (0.985; 95% CI, 0.968 to 1.000; p=0.836). When compared with CT alone, ECA-MRI detected additional 21 lesions in 14 patients (14/127, 11.0%), whereas Gd-EOB-MRI detected 56 lesions in 33 patients (33/291, 11.3%) without a significant difference between two MRI groups (p=0.331). The early recurrence rate in the ECA-MRI (28.6%) was significantly higher than that in the Gd-EOB-MRI (11.6%) for patients who underwent hepatic resection (p=0.031). Conclusion Gd-EOB-MRI is potentially better than ECA-MRI for decreasing the early intrahepatic recurrence rate, although the two MRI modalities showed comparable diagnostic performance in colorectal cancer patients.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that is caused by an abnormal immune response to infection and can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Erastin is a small molecule capable of initiating ferroptotic cell death in cancer cells. However, the function of erastin in the inflammatory response during sepsis remains unknown. Here, we showed that erastin ameliorates septic shock induced by cecal ligation and puncture or lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in mice, which was associated with a reduced production of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&alpha, and interleukin (IL)-1&beta, Pretreatment with erastin in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) significantly attenuated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, TNF-&alpha, and IL-1&beta, mRNA in response to LPS treatment. Furthermore, we also showed that erastin suppresses phosphorylation of I&kappa, B kinase &beta, phosphorylation and degradation of I&kappa, B&alpha, and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-&kappa, B) in LPS-stimulated BMDMs. Our findings suggest that erastin attenuates the inflammatory response by suppressing the NF-&kappa, B signaling pathway, resulting in inhibition of sepsis development. This study provides new insights regarding the potential therapeutic properties of erastin in sepsis.

In Asian countries, acupuncture with gold threads has been widely used in the treatment of pain. However, several reports have suggested that the implanted gold threads can become fragmented and migrate to other parts of the body, damaging surrounding tissues. A 75-year-old female presented with diffuse erythematous edema with multiple vesicles on the right lower leg for 3 days. She had previously suffered from cellulitis on the same region twice for the last 1 year. Her past medical history included acupuncture with gold threads on the back due to lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) about 10 years ago. Histopathological examination demonstrated marked subepithelial edema and diffuse perivascular infiltrate of inflammatory cells in the dermis. Simple radiography of the leg revealed numerous radiodense threads in the soft tissue. Since the patient did not receive acupuncture on any other sites except on the back, we hypothesized that the gold threads injected on the back may have migrated through the vessels to the leg. These metal fragments can cause inflammatory reaction and make the tissues more susceptible to secondary infections. The lesion gradually improved after treatment with systemic steroid and antibiotics for 1 week.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease whose prevalence is increasing worldwide. Filaggrin (FLG) is essential for the development of the skin barrier, and its genetic mutations are major predisposing factors for AD. In this study, we developed a convenient and practical method to detect FLG mutations in AD patients using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes labelled with fluorescent markers for rapid analysis. Fluorescence melting curve analysis (FMCA) precisely identified FLG mutations based on the distinct difference in the melting temperatures of the wild-type and mutant allele. Moreover, PNA probe-based FMCA easily and accurately verified patient samples with both heterozygote and homozygote FLG mutations, providing a high-throughput method to reliable screen AD patients. Our method provides a convenient, rapid and accurate diagnostic tool to identify potential AD patients allowing for early preventive treatment, leading to lower incidence rates of AD, and reducing total healthcare expenses.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. The incidence rate of skin cancer has continuously increased over the past decades. In an effort to discover novel anticancer agents, we identified a novel tubulin inhibitor STK899704, which is structurally distinct from other microtubule-binding agents such as colchicine, vinca alkaloids and taxanes. STK899704 inhibited microtubule polymerization leading to mitotic arrest and suppressed the proliferation of various cancer cell lines as well as multidrug resistance cancer cell lines. In this study, our investigation is further extended into animal model to evaluate the effect of STK899704 on skin carcinogenesis in vivo. Surprisingly, almost 80% of the tumors treated with STK899704 were regressed with a one-fifth reduction in tumor volume. Furthermore, the efficacy of STK899704 was nearly 2 times higher than that of 5-fluorouracil, a widely used skin cancer therapeutic. Overall, our results suggest that STK899704 is a promising anticancer chemotherapeutic that may replace existing therapies, particularly for skin cancer.

In this paper, an indoor positioning system of pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR), with WiFi fingerprint and map-matching techniques, is proposed on a smartphone. Based on five different holding styles, which are classified by using decision tree method, the proposed system supports the user in a more freedom of holding style while walking but still be able to track the location of the user accurately. To compensate the accumulating error of the PDR system, WiFi fingerprint and map-matching techniques are applied. The proposed method aims to enhance the tracking performance of the whole system with the WiFi fingerprint technique as well as can reduce the building cost of the radio map with fewer number of reference positions compared to conventional systems. In addition, the methods to detect turning behaviour and collisions based on a given map information are suggested to correct the position from the PDR system. From numerous experiments, the performance of the whole system is demonstrated.

We present a CMOS image sensor (CIS) with phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) in all pixels. The size of photodiode (PD) is 0.64μm by 1.28μm, the smallest ever reported and two PDs compose a single pixel. Inter PD isolation was fabricated by deep trench isolation (DTI) process in order to obtain an accurate AF performance. The layout and depth of DTI was optimized in order to eliminate side effects and maximize the performance even at extremely low light condition up to 1lux. In particular the AF performance remains comparable to that of 0.70μm dual PD CIS. By using our unique technology, it seems plausible to scale further down the size of pixels in dual PD CIS without sacrificing AF performance.

Potential diseased donors manifest altered physiological changes associated with pulmonary edema, profound hemodynamic and metabolic abnormalities. These derangements may be more significant after apnea tests which result in severe hypoxemia and cardiovascular complications. Nitric oxide (NO) inhalation therapy can be applied following apnea tests in the brain-dead donor whose ventilator support has been maintained with high positive end-expiratory pressure. Inhalation of NO gas causes selective dilation of blood vessels in only those lung segments that are actively participating in gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide) at the alveolar capillary level. In other words, this increases the blood flow to areas of the lung where oxygen is being provided and thus improves oxygen levels in the body. We report on the case of a 14-year-old organ donor with inhaled NO therapy after apnea testing. The duration of NO inhalation therapy was 14 hours. This deceased donor, who suffered with severe hypoxemia and hemodynamic instability after apnea tests, improved after NO gas therapy and adequate vasoactive drugs. NO gas therapy will be helpful for improving oxygen delivery to pulmonary vessels. Two kidneys and one liver were successfully retrieved from donors. These recipients had well preserved function of allografts. Therefore, NO inhalation can be help¬ful in improvement of hypoxemia and increasing organ availability in deceased organ donors.

The cargo of ships and offshore structures is the number of oil of combustibility and volatile, oil processing cargo. Furthermore heavy cargo of the vehicle or container box or bulk cargo are occupied the remainder of cargo. In addition, there is a possibility to move the location of the cargo and the vessel because it is received periodic / non-periodic a load of wave and ocean current. Therefore a shipboard hazard is much greater than onshore industry hazard. Monitoring and preparation for safety are necessary things because there is always risk of accidents arise from the impact of the freight and cargo of ships and offshore structures. In this study, we conducted a study with respect to the introduction of the wireless sensor network monitoring system to ensure the safety of the crew and workers on shipboard Keywords :ubiquitous sensor network, wireless sensor network, shipboard safety, off-limits zone, industrial disaster † Corresponding author: Tel: +82-32-860-8848; E-mail: kyungho@inha.ac.krReceived October 24 2014; Revised December 1 2014Accepted December 10 2014Ⓒ2014 by Computational Structural Engineering Institute of KoreaThis is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License(http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Fig. 1 International energy consumption and trend and prospect

In the present study, 15 concrete mixes with dry density between 300 and 500 kg/m3 were tested for developing reliable mixing proportions, and establishing the significance of sustainable application of alkali-activated (AA) foamed concrete as a thermal insulation material in floor heating systems of buildings. Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) was activated using the following three types of alkali activators: 10% Ca(OH)2 and 4% Mg(NO3)2, 5% Ca(OH)2 and 6.5% Na2SiO3, and 2.5% Ca(OH)2 and 6.5% Na2SiO3. The unit binder content varied in the concrete mixes corresponding to each type of activator. All mixes were produced using the pre-formed foam procedure with no aggregate or filler. The test results revealed that AA GGBS foamed concrete has considerable potential for practical applications when the unit binder content is close to 400 kg/m3, achieving the minimum quality requirements specified in the KS F 4039 as well as ensuring economic efficiency. Furthermore, the tested AA GGBS foamed concrete developed higher compressive strength than ordinary Portland cement (OPC) foamed concrete with the same dry density. In particular, a lifecycle assessment demonstrated a reduction in the environmental impact profiles of all specimens relative to typical OPC foamed concrete as follows: 99% for photochemical oxidation potential, 85–93% for global warming potential, 73–85% for abiotic depletion, and 68–85% for both acidification potential and human toxicity. Overall, the developed AA GGBS foamed concrete can be enlarged to sustainable varieties of cast-in-place structural fill and precast masonry materials.

Although lateral pelvic node dissection (LPND) is recommended for rectal cancer with clinically metastatic lateral pelvic lymph nodes (LPNs), LPNs may respond to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Our aim was to determine the optimal indication for LPND after nCRT for mid/low rectal cancer. Of 2,263 patients with clinical stage II/III mid/low rectal cancer who were managed at three tertiary referral hospitals, 66 patients underwent curative surgery including LPND after nCRT were included in this study. Risk factors for LPN metastasis were retrospectively analyzed and oncologic outcomes determined according to LPN response to nCRT. Persistent LPNs greater than 5 mm on post-nCRT magnetic resonance imaging were significantly associated with residual tumor metastasis, unlike responsive LPN after nCRT (short-axis diameter ≤5 mm) (pathologically, 61.1 % [22 of 36] vs. 0 % [0 of 30], P

Drug delivery into neurological tissue is challenging because of the low tissue permeability. Ultrasound incorporating microbubbles has been applied to enhance drug delivery into these tissues, but the effects of a streaming flow by microbubble oscillation on drug perfusion have not been elucidated. In order to clarify the physical effects of steady streaming on drug delivery, an experimental study on dye perfusion into a tissue model was performed using microbubbles excited by acoustic waves. The surface concentration and penetration length of the drug were increased by 12% and 13%, respectively, with streaming flow. The mass of dye perfused into a tissue phantom for 30s was increased by about 20% in the phantom with oscillating bubbles. A computational model that considers fluid structure interaction for streaming flow fields induced by oscillating bubbles was developed, and mass transfer of the drug into the porous tissue model was analyzed. The computed flow fields agreed with the theoretical solutions, and the dye concentration distribution in the tissue agreed well with the experimental data. The computational results showed that steady streaming with a streaming velocity of a few millimeters per second promotes mass transfer into a tissue.

As was witnessed from PCR technology, in vitro applications of biosynthetic machinery can expand the horizon of biotechnology. Cell-free protein synthesis has emerged as a powerful technology that can potentially transform the concept of bioprocess. With the ability to harness the synthetic power of biology without many of the constraints of cell-based systems, cell-free protein synthesis enables instant creation of protein molecules from diverse sources of genetic information. Enzyme discovery and engineering is the field of particular interest among the possible applications of cell-free protein synthesis since many of the intrinsic limitations associated with traditional cell-based expression screening of enzymes can be effectively addressed. Cell-free synthesis not only offers excellent throughput in the generation of enzymes, it allows facile integration of expression and analysis of enzymes, greatly accelerating the process of enzyme discovery. This review article is thus intended to survey recent progress in cell-free protein synthesis technology focused on its applications in enzyme expression and screening.

This paper suggests a navigation information display system that is based on augmented reality technology. A navigator always has to confirm the information from marine electronic navigation de vices and then compare it with the view of targets outside the windows. This "head down" posture causes discomfort and sometimes near accidents such as collisions or missing objects, because he or she cannot keep an eye on the front view of the windows. Augmented reality can display both virtual and real information in a single display. Therefore, we attempted to adapt AR technology to assist navigators. To analyze the outside view of the bridge window, various computer image processing techniques are required because the sea surface has many noises that disturb computer image processing for object detection, such as waves, wakes, light reflection, and so on. In this study, we investigated an analysis module to extract navigational information from images that are captured by a CCTV camera, and we validated our prototype.

A novel on-chip micromanipulation method has been developed by which the streaming generated by oscillating twin bubbles actuated by alternating current electrowetting-on-dielectric (AC-EWOD) was used to manipulate micro/bio-objects in an aqueous medium. First, the behavior of a bubble placed on a plain EWOD electrode submerged in a water chamber was investigated under different AC-EWOD actuation conditions such as various frequencies and voltages using high-speed images. The results showed that the bubble oscillation amplitude highly depended on the applied frequency and was proportional to the strength of the bubble-induced streaming. To investigate the effect of the streaming, the forces generated by the oscillating bubble-induced streaming were indirectly measured using Stokes’ drag approximation under the different AC-EWOD actuation conditions at various distances between the bubble and a fish egg. The maximum force was calculated as 9 μN. To improve the controllability for manipulating objects, a system of twin bubbles was proposed, and twin-bubble-induced streaming patterns at different distances between the twin bubbles were experimentally studied on microfabricated AC-EWOD chips to determine the optimum distance. To transport twin bubbles on microfluidic chips, the arrays of EWOD electrodes were microfabricated, and EWOD signals were controlled by a digital I/O board using custom-programmed Labview code. The transportation of twin bubbles was successfully demonstrated by sequentially activating the arrays of EWOD electrodes. Finally, as proof of the feasibility of the proposed method, the manipulation of a fish egg by AC-EWOD driven twin bubbles was experimentally achieved.

In this paper, simulations were carried out to determine the efficiency of the rotation efficiency according to the draft of waterwheel in open rectangular channel. In the small hydroelectric generators to get the highest efficiency of waterwheel is very important. But the presence of various elements(free water surface flow, non-uniform velocity distribution because of the waterways wall friction etc) makes it difficult to create a mathematical formula. In this paper, we made a scale model and perform a physical simulation where the draft, gradient and flux is variable. Scale modelling with 10-step draft, 3-step gradients and 2-step flux, as well were constructed then computerized automatic experimental system were configured to acquire the rotational efficiency vs. draft of itself. Rotational efficiency is analyzed as for the draft of waterwheel using the acquired data by varying the gradient and flux of canal. Reviewing the analyzed data, it is confirmed that phenomena of efficiency shown at previous and present experiment is similar and revealed that computerized system shows more sophisticated numerical figures.

We investigated the results of delirium which developed after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and the risk factors for delirium in the patients who are older than 65 years. From March 2008 to March 2012, we performed a retrospective study on 296 knees of 265 patients who were treated with TKA. They were divided into two groups: 216 patients without delirium and 49 patients diagnosed with delirium by psychiatry. We analyzed the risk factors into three categories: First, the preoperative factors including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), clinical and functional knee joint score (Knee Society Knee Score and Knee Society Function Score) and the number of underlying diseases and associations with each disease; Second, the operative factors including the anesthesia method, amount of blood loss, operating time, laboratory factors, and transfusion count; Third, the postoperative factors such as start time of walking and duration of hospital stay were analyzed. There were significant statistical difference between two groups just in age, history of dementia, cerebrovascular disease, difference of hemoglobin and albumin, start time of walking, and duration of hospital stay. The delirium after TKA delays the postoperative ambulation and extends the hospital stay, which causes functional and socioeconomic loss of patients. Therefore, the risk factors for delirium should be assessed and proper prevention and management should be conducted.

In this paper, we present the integration of RESURF high-voltage lateral Power MOSFETs which achieve highly competitive figures of merit (such as Rsp, defined as Rdson∗Area) in a Trench-Isolated 0.18 micron 100V-rated BCD technology. The new high-voltage LDMOS are rated for operation up to 45V, 60V, 80V and 100V and achieve BVdss & Rsp of 55V/32 mOhm∗mm2, 75V/57 mOhm∗mm2, 100V/91 mOhm∗mm2 and 128V/206 mOhm∗mm2 respectively. The HV devices are integrated with high-performance and fully isolated 8V to 30V LDMOS with low Rsp, 1.8V and 5V CMOS, as well as bipolar devices, diodes and other passive devices. The devices are isolated laterally using 20 micron deep trenches with air-gap, for low stress and minimized capacitance. Large 1mm2 Power MOSFETs were fabricated and characterized in order to determine the “effective Rsp“ including metallization, using a three metal back-end with 4um thick top aluminum metallization.

In this paper, we develop 0.13 μm BCD technology which gives best-in-class LDMOS transistors rated up to 30V with ultra-low leakage logic device. Based on this process, high density EEPROM with the cell size of 0.645 μm 2 and RF devices such as varactor and inductor are integrated. Also, high reliable Hall sensor family can be added. Total Photo mask layers are only 33 for 5 metallization.

This paper describes a novel non-invasive micromanipulation technique that employs the cavitational microstreaming generated by acoustically oscillating twin bubbles. First, a single acoustically oscillating bubble was attached to the tip of a rod that was combined with a three-dimensional traverse system, and a fish egg (diameter: 1 mm) was then manipulated in an aqueous medium. Although the microstreaming generated by the single oscillating bubble was sufficiently strong to push and move the fish egg, the manipulation direction was uncontrollable. Hence, to improve the manipulation controllability, identical twin bubbles with the same size and resonant frequency were employed. The identical gas bubbles were generated on a microfabricated chip comprising sharp tip-shaped electrodes by employing an electrochemical method, electrolysis, and controlling the applied voltage and time. Subsequently, the bubbles were sequentially transferred to the tips of a U-shaped rod coated with a hydrophobic layer to improve the surface adhesion. The force generated from the acoustically oscillating bubbles and its direction were analyzed under various acoustic excitation conditions by using high-speed images. Our results showed that the generated force was proportional to the bubble oscillation amplitude, whereas the direction of the force depended on the distance between a bubble and object. A steel ball (500 μm diameter) was used for investigating the force direction. When a bubble (600 μm diameter) was acoustically excited, the steel ball was pulled toward the oscillating bubble when the distance between the bubble and ball was short ( 3 mm). Finally, a fish egg (diameter: 1 mm) and glass beads (diameter: 100 μm) were experimentally manipulated using acoustically oscillating twin bubbles.

Key Words: Smart Grid(스마트그리드), Presence Sensor(재실센서), Building Energy Management System(건물에너지관리시스템), Indoor Location-Based Service(실내위치기반서비스)초록: 본논문에서는Building Energy Management System(BEMS) 구현을위해“재실자의위치및인원정보” 에기반을둔실내위치기반서비스및그를위한센서시스템에대하여제안한다. 본논문에서제안한센서시스템에는열에너지그자체를감지할수있는서모파일센서와비접촉방식으로대상까지의거리를얻어낼수있는초음파센서, 그리고이를제어하고구동할수있는기구및동작부가포함된다. 본시스템은적절한크기의방전체를감시할수있도록, 360° 회전과틸팅이가능한구조로되어있어, 실내공간내의재실자의인원및위치를동시에파악할수있다. 또한무선통신기술인블루투스모듈을통해빌딩관리자나스마트홈서버와의통신이가능하도록되어있어, 빌딩내의조명이나공조시스템을자동으로제어, 관리하게함으로써전체에너지절약을가능케한다. 마지막으로측정데이터검증을위한실환경실험을통해, 본연구에서제안한시스템의효용성및타당성을확인한다.Abstract: This paper introduces a sensor system based on indoor locations in order to implement the BuildingEnergy Management System. This system consists of a thermopile sensor and an ultrasonic sensor. The sensormodule is rotated by 360

Background: The pathogenesis of psoriasis may involve the interleukin (IL)-23 and Th17-mediated immune responses. Th17 cells secret IL-17 and IL-22, which mediates dermal inflammation and acanthosis. Objective: As inhibitor of nuclear factor κB kinase-α (IKKα) has been previously identified as a primary regulator of keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, we proposed that IL-17 and IL-22 might affect keratinocyte differentiation by changing the expression of IKKα. Methods: We employed HaCaT cells maintained culture medium at a low calcium concentration (0.06 mM) and induced differentiation by switching to the high concentration (2.8 mM) media with IL-17 or IL-22, then compared the IKKα expression and the cell cycle. We employed reconstituted human epidermal skin (Neoderm) and mice ears for the in vivo studies. Results: Elevated calcium concentration induced IKKα expression and terminal differentiation with cell cycle arrest in HaCaT cell cultures. Moreover, IL-17 and IL-22 treatment also induced IKKα in HaCaT cells and reconstituted human epidermis. IKKα induction was also noted, following the injection of IL-17 and IL-22 into mice ears. Conclusion: Although the induction of IKKα was accompanied by keratinocyte diffe-rentiation, IL-17 and IL-22 did not affect calcium-mediated differentiation or the cell cycle. Rather, IL-17 and IL-22 appear to contribute to the inflammation occurring via the induction of IKKα from keratinocytes or skin layers. (Ann Dermatol 24(4) 398∼405, 2012)

This paper describes a novel microfluidic mixing method using an alternating current electrowetting-on-dielectric (AC-EWOD)-driven mobile oscillating bubble. An AC-EWOD-driven bubble can generate a microstreaming flow and be simultaneously transported on the two-dimensional surface of patterned electrodes covered with a hydrophobic dielectric layer in a microfluidic chip filled with an aqueous medium. When a bubble is actuated by AC-EWOD at a certain frequency (100 Hz), it oscillates and simultaneously generates a microstreaming flow around itself owing to its compressibility. The flow induced by the bubble oscillation is strong enough to be applied for enhancement of fluid mixing. The oscillating bubble also can be transported on the array of EWOD electrodes using the same AC-EWOD actuation. The bubble behavior under different AC-EWOD conditions has been investigated, and the bubble oscillation amplitudes are characterized by using a high-speed camera. The flow visualization experiments show that the strength of the microstreaming flow is proportional to the bubble oscillation amplitude. For a relative comparison of mixing enhancement, four cases with different combinations of the two actuations (bubble oscillation and transportation) have been tested; the results show that a bubble simultaneously actuated by both actuations shows overwhelming mixing performance with reduced mixing time. This method can be applied to efficient mixing tools in microfluidic systems, with the benefits of a small size and high compatibility.

Background: Skin acts as the first line of defense against any foreign materials outside of our body. In inflammatory skin disease, the pathogenesis is due to an immune reaction in the keratinocytes, immune cells and soluble mediators. Balneotherapy is widely used for the treatment of inflammatory skin disease, but the mechanisms are only partly understood by immune regulation. Balneotherapy in dermatologic disease can affect the secretion of pro- inflammatory cytokines, IL-1 α and tumor necrosis factor from keratinocytes, and possibly affect the T cell differentiation. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effect of spa spring water from Yong-gung oncheon on the cells, and investigated the skin immune reaction. Methods: We investigated the immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory effect of thermal spring water on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the HaCaT cells under Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation, as well as the effect on the differentiation of CD4 ＋ T cells under spring water. Results: The treatment of spa spring water from Yong-gung oncheon decreased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines under TLR stimulation to the HaCaT cells and antigen presenting cells. In addition, spa spring water attenuated the differentiation process of subsets of CD4 ＋ T cells, i.e., Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells. All these immune parameters can be used to evaluate the efficacy of spa spring water in Korea, in terms of the immune modulatory effect. Conclusion: Spa spring water treatment suppressed the inflammatory cytokines production and also modulated the differentiation of CD4 ＋ T cells into Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, but not the Tregs cells. (Ann Dermatol 24(3) 324∼336, 2012)