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A small fraction of the vehicle fleet produces a large ratio of the total mobile source emissions or the total fuel consumption due to different patterns of driving behavior based on driver characteristics. The Next Generation Simulation (NGSIM)—Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) trajectory data were used to compare the driving patterns of drivers under congested and uncongested conditions. Drivers were statistically classified into three groups; aggressive, moderate, and defensive drivers based on degree of strength of pushing pedals: gas pedal or brake. Accelerating and braking events, named as process, were counted, and strength of pushing pedal was measured in each process. In this paper, the measured strength of pushing pedal is named as target operating acceleration. Then, the emissions and the fuel consumption of each vehicle were estimated using the Virginia Tech Microscopic energy and emission model (VTMicro) model, which consequently provided the comparison of the emissions and fuel consumption of each driver group. The comparative statistical analyses indicate that aggressive drivers, who frequently used stronger acceleration pedal than other drivers, emitted more hydro carbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particularly under uncongested traffic conditions. The results also indicate that if aggressive drivers change their driving pattern to be defensive, the emissions are expected to decrease by 15.1% of HC, 20.8% of CO, and 16.7% of NOx under uncongested condition.

Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is a rare, slow-growing, yet metastasizing neoplasm characterized by histopathological fibrous/myxoid zonal alternations, which occasionally display an intralesional multinodular appearance. We report on the radiological features of two cases of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Case 1 was a large ovoid mass with a well-defined margin in the thigh, showing the characteristic multiple, intralesional variable-sized nodules on high-frequency ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), some of the nodules showing a target-like appearance. Case 2 was a dumbbell-shaped chest wall mass showing invasive features without the intralesional multinodular appearance on MRI. The gross radiological appearances of our two cases were somewhat dissimilar, but they shared a pattern of low/high signal zonal distinction without hemorrhage or necrosis within the masses on MRI.

Since most prediction models are still using the algorithm based on supervised learning, they are flawed by various weaknesses, such as the issue of preprocessing the training data, and difficulties in applying them to new patterns other than the trained data. On the other hand, the prediction model that uses only unsupervised learning is flawed by its difficulty in analyzing the result of prediction because no information about the data is given as to when learning is conducted. In this paper, we propose a hybrid prediction model which integrates the FCM clustering algorithm belonging to unsupervised learning with the features of supervised learning that lead to collection of target values. The proposed hybrid prediction model conducts automatic classification without external interference, detects target values inside the data alone, and applies them to deriving numerical prediction results. Thus the proposed model possesses the strong features of both supervised learning and unsupervised learning. We performed a prediction using the actual measurement data in the ITS, and confirmed the accuracy of the result. We expect that the proposed hybrid prediction model may contribute to enhancement of automation standards in various intelligent systems.

Organic tandem solar cells have two sub-cells vertically connected via a tunnel junction (or interconnecting layer, ICL), which the ICL plays a critical role of determining the performance of the tandem cell. In this manuscript, we report a new design of the ICL consisting of zirconium (IV) acetylacetonate (Zr-Acac) as the electron transport layer. The Zr-Acac has a suitable work function to pin the Fermi-level of the ICL and hence, can effectively behave as the charge recombination function for the tandem device. Comparing to the reference device consisting of ZnO ETL layer, the Zr-Acac ICL can effectively enhance the efficiency by 20%, from 8.4 to 10.1% power conversion efficiencies. More importantly, the Zr-Acac ETL layer functions effectively without thermal annealing, which not only simplifies the tandem solar cell processing, but also widens the front sub-cell material selection.

In the last decade, there has been considerable development in the area of oxide semiconductors, owing to their superior electrical properties as compared to a-Si:H, and lower cost and better uniformity over large areas as compared to poly-Si. On the other hand, multi-functional sensing systems play a significant role in building a bridge across bio/electronic interface and require advanced thin-film transistors (TFT) as sensing components and signal processing circuits. High-performance oxide TFTs are constructed based on material design, advanced processing and device architecture and provide higher sensitivity when compared with other active thin-film transistor platforms. Their versatile configurations and integration with functional materials make oxide TFT the focal point of sensing systems, including wearable and implantable electronics.

The rise of solution-processed electronics, together with their processing methods and materials, provides unique opportunities to achieve low-cost and low-temperature roll-to-roll printing of non-Si-based devices. Here, we demonstrate a wafer-scale direct light-patterned, fully transparent, all-solution-processed, and layer-by-layer-integrated electronic device. The deep ultraviolet irradiation of specially designed metal oxide gel films can generate fine-patterned shapes of ∼3 μm, which easily manifest their intrinsic properties at low-temperature annealing. This direct light patterning can be easily applied to the 4 in. wafer scale and diverse pattern shapes and provides feasibility for integrated circuit applications through the penetration of the deep ultraviolet range on the quartz mask. With this approach, we successfully fabricate all-oxide-based high-performance transparent thin-film transistors on flexible polymer substrates.

In a prospective fashion, transrectal ultrasonography and intravenous urography were performed in 48 patients with distal ureteral calculi. We compared the ability of the two modalities to detect calculus and to determine the size of the calculus, the degree of obstruction, and the degree of hydroureter. In 11 cases (23 %), the calculus was not seen at intravenous urography, while transrectal ultrasonography detect- ed calculus in each patient. In 37 cases in which cal- culi were detected by both modalities, the average diameter of the calculus determined by ultrasonogra- phy was significantly larger (P < 0.05) than that obtained by plain radiography. Positive correlations were obtained in the assessment of degree of obstruc- tion (correlation coefficient = 0.587, P < 0.05) and hydroureter (correlation coefficient = 0.794, P < 0.05) between the two techniques. Transrectal ultrasonog- raphy appears to be a useful adjunctive method to evaluate distal ureteral calculus, particularly if the results of intravenous urography are inconclusive.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of dynamic spiral CT, including multidimensional reformation, in the detection and localization of islet cell tumors of the pancreas. Material and Methods: Seven patients with histopathologically proven functioning islet cell tumors of the pancreas were studied with 2-phase contrast-enhanced spiral CT. Scanning of the arterial phase and late phase was started 30 s and 180 s, respectively, after injection of 100 ml of contrast medium at a rate of 3 ml/s. Results: Axial images in the arterial phase depicted the lesions in 5 patients, but in the late phase in only one patient. Multiplanar reformatted images of the arterial phase depicted the lesions in all 7 patients. Maximal intensity projection images demonstrated all lesions with information of their relationship to the vascular structure. Conclusion: Dynamic spiral CT with scanning during the arterial phase and retrospective multidimensional reformation is useful for preoperative detection and localization of small islet cell tumors of the pancreas.

The purpose of this study was to assess the manual compressibility of thyroid masses with an ultrasound probe and to determine whether this ultrasound feature can be used to differentiate benign from malignant thyroid lesions.We prospectively compared images obtained during compression with an ultrasound probe and noncompressed ultrasound images of 180 pathologically proven thyroid masses (51 malignant, 129 benign) smaller than 2 cm in 169 patients (127 women, 42 men; mean age, 51.2 years). The size (anteroposterior and transverse dimensions) and shape (ratio of anteroposterior to transverse dimension) of the selected lesions were measured on both noncompressed and compressed ultrasound images at a computer workstation, and the compressibility (anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio on noncompressed images minus anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio on compressed images) was calculated. Compressibility was analyzed to determine its association with histopathologic results (benign versus malignant) and the characteristics of the thyroid mass (involved lobe, location in lobe, halo, and composition). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used as an indicator of performance.The mean anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio of a thyroid mass on compressed ultrasound images was significantly lower than that on noncompressed images (0.78 ± 0.28 vs 0.92 ± 0.30; p0.001). The compressibility of masses was greater for benign than for malignant lesions (0.19 ± 0.16 vs 0.05 ± 0.12; p0.001). No statistically significant association was identified between compressibility and other characteristics of a lesion. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for compressibility of thyroid masses was 0.78. On the basis of a cutoff value for malignancy of compressibility less than 0.10, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 72.5%, 72.9%, and 72.8%.Compressibility with an ultrasound probe is a useful criterion for differentiating benign from malignant lesions of the thyroid.

PURPOSE We aimed to compare clinical features and computed tomography (CT) findings of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in lower lobe basal segments and upper lobe apical or apicoposterior segments. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed medical records and chest CT scans of 986 adults who were diagnosed with active pulmonary TB. Active pulmonary TB confined to the basal segments was found in 21 patients. Sixty patients had disease localized to the apical or apicoposterior segments only. Clinical features and CT abnormalities of the lung parenchyma, airways, mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes, and pleura were compared between these two groups. RESULTS A significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of underlying disease prevalence associated with an immunocompromised state (basal, 6/21, 28.6%; apical or apico- posterior, 3/60, 5%; P = 0.008). Chest CT findings, including consolidation (P = 0.0016), lymphadenopathy (P = 0.0297), and pleural effusion (P = 0.008), were more common in basal segment TB than in apical or apicoposterior segment TB. Small nodules were less common in basal segment TB than in apical or apicoposterior segment TB (P = 0.0299). The tree-in-bud sign was the most common CT finding in both basal segment TB (17/21, 81%) and apical or apicoposterior segment TB groups (53/60, 88.3%) (P = 0.4633). CONCLUSION Lower lobe basal segment TB was more commonly present with common CT findings of primary pulmonary TB including consolidation, mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy, and pleural effusion than apical or apicoposterior segment TB.

A uniform polymer thin layer of controllable thickness was bar-coated onto a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown monolayer graphene surface. The effects of this coating layer on the optical, electric, and tribological properties were then investigated. The thin polymer coating layer did not reduce the optical transmittance of the graphene films. The variation in the sheet resistance of the graphene films after the coating depended on the interaction between polymer and graphene. The top coating layer can maintain the high conductivity of chemical doped graphene films under long-term ambient conditions compared with uncovered doped samples. Friction tests demonstrated that the polymer coating layer can enhance both the friction force and the coefficient of friction of the graphene films and protect the graphene against damage in the repeated sliding processes.

Objective The purpose of this study was (1) to evaluate the prevalence of the left and right central venous stenosis by measuring the narrowest area and (2) to assess the effects of the central venous stenosis on perivenous artifacts and reflux of contrast material, in CT of the neck. Materials and methods Images of a total of 443 CT of the neck with an injection of contrast material into the left (n = 249) or right (n = 194) arm were retrospectively reviewed. The maximum stenosis area in the central vein ipsilateral to the injection side was measured in each patient. We also graded the perivenous artifacts and reflux of contrast material with 4-point scale. These results were compared between patients with right arm injection and those with left arm injection. Results The maximum stenosis area in the left arm was significantly smaller than that in the right arm. The stenosis was most frequently identified at the medial clavicular region. The mean scores of the perivenous artifacts and the reflux of contrast material were significantly higher in patients with left arm injection than in those with right arm injection. The perivenous artifacts and reflux of contrast material were more prominent in patients with central venous stenosis (maximum stenosis area Conclusions The image degradation in CT of the neck, due to perivenous artifacts and venous reflux, can be reduced with the right arm injection of contrast material when compared with the left arm injection.

A layer of TiO 2 thin film less than ∼ 500 nm in thickness, as a blocking layer, was coated by sol-gel method directly onto the anode electrode to be isolated from the electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). This is to prevent the back-transferring of electron from the electrode to the electrolyte (I−/I 3 −). The effects of gel processing as well as heat treatment condition of the as-coated film on the thickness and consolidation to substrate were studied. The flexible DSCs were fabricated with working electrode of Ti thin foil coated with a blocking TiO 2 layer, dye-attached mesoporous TiO 2 film, gel electrolyte and counter electrode of Pt-deposited indium doped tin oxide/polyethylene naphthalate (ITO/PEN). The photo-current conversion efficiency of the cell was 5.3% (V oc = 0.678 V, J sc = 12.181 mA/cm2, ff=0.634) under AM1.5, 100 mW/cm2 illumination.

The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of CT for detecting extrathyroidal invasion of thyroid cancer to adjacent structures.Eighty-four patients (19 men, 65 women; age range, 19-84 years; mean, 54.2 +/- 15.4 years) with 86 malignant tumors of the thyroid with extracapsular extension (37 T3, 49 T4) were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Two radiologists independently evaluated the CT findings of invasion of thyroid cancer into the trachea, esophagus, common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and recurrent laryngeal nerve. These results were compared with the surgical and histopathologic findings.The mean sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT were as follows: 59.1%, 91.4%, and 83.2% for tracheal invasion; 28.6%, 96.2%, and 90.7% for esophageal invasion; 75.0%, 99.4%, and 98.8% for invasion of the common carotid artery; 33.3%, 98.8%, and 97.1% for invasion of the internal jugular vein; and 78.2%, 89.8%, and 85.5% for invasion to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Interobserver agreement was moderate to good in the five categories of extrathyroidal invasion with a mean kappa value of 0.65 (range, 0.49-0.77).Although the effectiveness is limited by low sensitivity, CT may be a valuable tool for evaluation of extrathyroidal invasion of thyroid cancer to adjacent structures.

The objective of our study was to investigate the mechanism of the "taller-than-wide sign"--that is, an anteroposterior dimension-to-transverse dimension ratio ofor= 1 on ultrasound.Ultrasound and CT images of 90 pathologically proven thyroid masses (57 malignant and 33 benign) smaller than 2 cm in 77 patients (mean age, 45 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Two readers assessed the anteroposterior and transverse dimensions of the mass, anteroposterior-transverse ratio of the mass, anteroposterior dimension of the ipsilateral thyroid lobe, and the position of the common carotid artery (CCA) relative to the thyroid lobe. In addition, the difference in the anteroposterior-transverse ratio of the mass between ultrasound and CT was correlated with the ultrasound characteristics of the thyroid mass (i.e., maximal diameter, location, location within lobe, and composition), histopathologic results, and ultrasound operator.The mean (+/- SD) anteroposterior-transverse ratio of the thyroid masses on ultrasound was significantly lower than that on CT (0.97 +/- 0.34 vs 1.07 +/- 0.28, respectively; p0.001), and the differences were significantly greater in benign masses than malignant masses, in masses located at the anterior or mid third of the lobe than those located at the posterior third, and in cystic masses than mixed or solid masses. There were statistically significant differences between the two techniques with regard to the anteroposterior dimension of the ipsilateral thyroid lobe and the position of the CCA, suggesting the effect of probe compression.The mechanism of the taller-than-wide sign is no or minimal compressibility of a thyroid mass by the ultrasound probe, which occurs more frequently in malignant masses than in benign masses.

Porcelain gallbladder is regarded as a risk factor of gallbladder cancer. A porcelain gallbladder with calcified regional lymph nodes was found using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a 43-year-old man who presented with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. His cholecystectomy specimen showed diffuse wall thickening and contained small gallstones. Histological examination revealed diffuse infiltrative adenocarcinoma with extensive intratumoral calcification (calcified carcinoma). The majority of the calcified material was located within or replaced the tumor glands, and was not found in the stroma. A lymph node was totally replaced with a calcified metastatic adenocarcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, only one case of calcified lymph node metastasis from a calcified carcinoma of the gallbladder has been previously reported in the literature. We herein add a case of calcified carcinoma of the gallbladder with calcified lymph node metastasis, presenting as a porcelain gallbladder on CT and MRI.

PURPOSE Cosmetic injection of paraffin into cervicofacial tissues has been practiced in the past, especially in Asia, resulting in foreign body granuloma (paraffinoma). The purpose of this study was to describe the computed tomography (CT) findings of cervicofacial paraffinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS CT images of 5 patients (4 women and 1 man; age range, 54-80 years; mean age, 67.6 years), who had received direct paraffin injections into cervicofacial tissues, were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS The lesions were bilateral and located in the subcutaneous fat layer of the cheek (n = 5), buccal space (n = 2), periorbital area (n = 1), periauricular area (n = 1), neck (n = 1), and nose (n = 1). The predominant CT features were speckled mass formation (n = 3), fat-density nodule (n = 5), high-density nodule (n = 5), nodular calcification (n = 5), and rim calcification (n = 4). CONCLUSION Paraffinomas in the cervicofacial region have specific CT features that are distinct from other soft tissue masses.

One goal of all nations is to pursue policy that continuously improves the wealth and standards of living of its population. For this reason, economic growth is a priority worldwide. Modern economic theory attributes economic growth to the interaction of four types of economic capital: natural resources; technology; human capital— i.e. skilled workers; and social capital. These are social standards that are conducive to economic growth. Of these four, human and social capital are now generally considered as the most important resources in the new global economy (Thurow, 1996, 2003). The reason is that natural resources and technology now move around the world to a place where the prerequisite workforce skills can be purchased for the lowest relative wage rates. This reality is not lost even on oil-rich nations as they look to the future, and in fact there are cases in developing countries where rising world prices for oil and other minerals have led to a decline, not an increase, in gross national product (GNP). Thus, a nation’s workforce will determine the degree to which it participates in global economic growth in the long run. Importantly, a nation’s workforce—its citizens—are ‘relatively’ less mobile than other types of capital, more likely to stay in the country and, thus, human capital investments—or human resource development—are becoming the best public policy for the future growth of nations (McLean, Osman-Gani & Cho, 2004; Paprock, 2006).

Purpose To evaluate 5 years results of percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy (PCNAB) for lung lesions and usefulness of the reaspiration or rebiopsy of lung lesions (repeat PCNAB). Materials and methods Six hundred and fifteen cases of PCNAB (591 initial PCNAB and 24 repeat PCNAB) performed under the CT or fluoroscopy guidance in 591 patients was enrolled. The procedure was done using an automated biopsy gun with a 20-G needle (519 cases) or a 20-G aspiration needle (96 cases). The pathologic results, type and rate of complications in the initial and repeat PCNAB were evaluated. The pathologic agreement rate between the initial and repeat PCNAB, and reasons of the repeat PCNAB were also evaluated. Results Of the 615 PCNAB cases, 345 cases yielded tumors and 270 cases yielded non-tumorous lesions. Of the tumorous lesions, 307 cases were primary lung malignancies, 34 cases were metastases, and 4 were benign tumors. The repeat PCNAB rate was 4.1% (24/591). There was no statistically significant difference between automated gun biopsy and needle aspiration as a biopsy tool for calling repeat PCNAB (p = 0.4034). The causes for a repeat PCNAB were inconclusive (n = 14) and unexpected pathologic results (n = 10). Of the 14 pathologically inconclusive cases on initial PCNAB, 9 cases revealed malignancy after the repeat PCNAB. Of the 10 cases with unexpected pathologic results on initial PCNAB, 3 cases yielded different pathologic results on repeat PCNAB from initial PCNAB. The cumulative complication rate of PCNAB was 11.4% (70/615). Conclusion PCNAB was useful for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. Repeat PCNAB might be helpful for the exact diagnosis of lung lesions where initial PCNAB yields inconclusive or unexpected pathologic results.

Polyimide/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite films for potential use in more efficient flexible copper clad laminated (FCCL) films for flexible printed circuit boards (FPCB) were prepared by mixing a polyisoimide (PII) solution and a CNT suspension in NMP followed by casting, evaporation, and thermal imidization. The CNTs were modified by a nitric acid treatment in order to improve the thermal and electrical properties as well as to provide good dispersion of the CNTs in a polymer matrix. The formation of functional groups on the modified CNT was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the modified CNTs to be well dispersed in the polyimide matrix with a uniform diameter of ca. 50A. The thermal stability and electrical properties of the films containing the CNTs were greatly improved due to the strong interfacial interaction and good dispersion between the polyimide matrix and modified CNTs. In addition, the thermal expansion coefficient of the composites films, as measured by thermo mechanical analysis, decreased with increasing CNT content, which is favorable for practical use in packaging and FPCB materials.

The objective of this paper is to describe the diagnosis, detection, and prediction of high risk patient status or level of risk, based on the hospital domain server with agent based intelligent home medical service system. We have proposed a Computer Aided Diagnosis and monitoring system framework for the high risk patient exploiting the ubiquitous artifacts available in the con-temporary medical environment. The proposed framework monitors patients using bio signal devices while they are staying at their homes. Furthermore, the agent based learning process is used to make intelligent inferences and adaptive learning of these private data using Computer Aided Diagnosis system. It can monitor acute COPD using integrated home medical server. The services include prevention, emergency call center and ambulance service in a common platform of ubiquitous environment.

A working model (WM) of a newly designed device for ultrasound-guided puncture was tested.WM featured a wheel-shaped metallic guide that passively rotated within the plane of view as the operator tried to redirect the needle. Four operators performed US-guided intercostal puncture of 24 targets in phantoms using a commercially available preset needle guide (PG). 24 other targets were punctured using WM that we have made. The number of needle passage, procedure time, and the number of inadvertent rib touchings were compared between PG use and WM use.Performance of WM was comparable to that of PG except in one operator, where WM was associated with fewer needle passage (P = 0.0044) and less procedure time (P = 0.0233).It is believed that WM will make US-guided procedures both easier and more flexible. The performance of new device should be investigated by in vivo studies.

We report improvement of hole injection efficiency of a graphene anode by tuning its work function (WF) via surface fluorination. We used chemical vapor deposition to synthesize high-quality graphene sheets and then treated them with CHF3 plasma to induce fluorination. We used x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to examine the fluorine coverage and the kind of chemical bonds in fluorinated graphene (FG). Also, we used ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy to systematically study the changes in the WF and sheet resistance of the FG sheets with varying plasma exposure time (0, 10, 30, 60, 90 s) to find an optimum fluorination condition for hole injection. The WF of graphene sheets was increased by up to 0.74 eV, as a result of the formation of carbon-fluorine bonds that function as negative surface dipoles. We fabricated hole-only devices and conducted dark injection space-charge-limited-current transient measurement; the fluorination greatly increased the hole injection efficiency of graphene anodes (from 0.237 to 0.652). The enhanced hole injection efficiency of FG anodes in our study provides wide opportunities for applications in graphene-based flexible/stretchable organic optoelectronics.

We report on the development of flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) incorporating graphene sheets synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) as transparent conducting electrodes on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. A key barrier that must be overcome for the successful fabrication of OSCs with graphene electrodes is the poor-film properties of water-based poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiphene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) when coated onto hydrophobic graphene surfaces. To form a uniform PEDOT:PSS film on a graphene surface, we added perfluorinated ionomers (PFI) to pristine PEDOT:PSS to create 'GraHEL', which we then successfully spin coated onto the graphene surface. We systematically investigated the effect of number of layers in layer-by-layer stacked graphene anode of an OSC on the performance parameters including the open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Jsc), and fill factor (FF). As the number of graphene layers increased, the FF tended to increase owing to lower sheet resistance, while Jsc tended to decrease owing to the lower light absorption. In light of this trade-off between sheet resistance and transmittance, we determined that three-layer graphene (3LG) represents the best configuration for obtaining the optimal power conversion efficiency (PCE) in OSC anodes, even at suboptimal sheet resistances. We finally developed efficient, flexible OSCs with a PCE of 4.33%, which is the highest efficiency attained so far by an OSC with CVD-grown graphene electrodes to the best of our knowledge.

We demonstrated the aberrant systemic artery supply to a pulmonary sequestration using MR and CT angiography in a 9-year-old boy with recurrent high fever.

The Traffic congestion is caused by the increasing traffic demand. Thus, economic losses have been increasing every year. To solve these problems, car sharing and rental car systems that are equipped with IT technologies emerge. Car sharing has many advantag es- the alleviation of the traffic congestion, the saving of maintenance cost for cars, the reduction of car possessiveness, the so lution for the hassle of car ownership, for business and pe rsonal duty, and the improvement of conn ectivity between public transportations-. T he goal of the car sharing is to achieve low-carbon and eco-friendly transportation. In this study, we review papers related to the car sharing system and the cost system of traffic systems. We estimate the optimal cost of the cloud traffic system that is one of the car sharing services. We suggest a methodology to estimate operational cost and use cost through the analysis of cost system between simila r traffic means. The range of the maximum and minimum cost was determined through the comparison and analysis of similar traffic means. Expected demand and the cost that people are willing to pay were estimated through optimized value pricing. The minimum cost pe r hour that was compared to the cost of rental car was estimated at 5,333 won and the maximum cost per hour that was compared to taxi cost was estimated at 17,700 won. The cost for users was estimated at 6,930 won. The cost of 50% demands was estimated at 6,550 won. Future studies should analyze service hours of users, weather, demand pattern and trend and consider them into the cost estimat ion.Key words : Cloud transportation system, Optimal price, Price-sensitivity Measurement초 록우리나라 인구 10만 이상 대다수의 도시는 교통수요 증가로 인해 교통 혼잡이 발생하고 있으며 이로 인한 경제적 손실은 매년 증가하고 있다 . 교통 혼잡으로 인한 경제적 손실을 감소시킬 수 있는 방법 중 개인차량의 운행 억제를 위해 카 쉐어링 , 렌터카 등의 시스템이 첨단 IT 기술들과 접목되어 등장하고 있다. 이러한 차량 공유는 교통 혼잡을 완화하고 차량의 효율성을 증대시켜 차량유지비 절약 , 자동차를 소유하려는 인간의 욕구 감소, 차량소유의 번거로움 완화, 비즈니스 및 개인용무 활용, 대중교통 수단과의 연계성을 향상시키며, 저탄소, 친환경 교통의 구현을 목적으로 하고 있다. 본 논문에서는 차량공유시스템에 대한 개념, 국내외 차량공유 시스템, 각종 교통 시스템의 요금 체계를 고찰하였다. 아울러 자동차 공유기반의 서비스 중 하나인 클라우드 교통 시스템에서 가장 중요한 요소인 최적의 이용 요금에 대해 추정하였다 . 이를 위해 유사교통 수단 요금 체계 분석을 통해 운영원가와 이용원가가 포함된 요금을 산정하는 방법론을 제시하였다 . 유사교통수단과의 요금 비교분석을 통해 최대, 최소요금 범위를 설정하였으며, 가치기준결정법을 이용해 실제 이용할 수요와 지불의사금액을 추정하였다. 시간당 최소요금은 렌터카 요금과 비교하여 5,333원으로 추정되었으며, 최대요금은 택시요금과 비교하여 17,700원, 이용자의 시간당 지불의사금액은 6,930원으로 추정되었으며, 50%수요시의 가격은 시간당 6,550원으로 추정되었다. 향후연구로 이용자들의 이용시간, 날씨, 수요패턴, 추세 등을 보다 세밀히 분석하여 이를 요금 산정에 반영하는 연구되어야 할 것이다.검색어 : 클라우드 교통시스템, 최적요금, PSMTransportation Engineering

Toxic hepatitis has been reported as a major cause of acute hepatitis, but its potential induction by herbal remedies and/or health foods is usually neglected. We experienced a case of toxic hepatitis associated with Polygoni multiflori, a Chinese herb commonly known as Ho-Shou-Wu. A 54-year-old woman consumed Ho-Shou-Wu for 1 month, after which she experienced fatigue and overall weakness. A diagnosis of toxic hepatitis was made based on her clinical history, the findings for viral markers and other laboratory data, and ultrasonography. Her condition improved considerably after she stopped taking Ho-Shou-Wu. However, she resumed taking Ho-Shou-Wu immediately after discharge from hospital, which aggravated her symptoms and liver function. She was immediately readmitted and stopped taking Ho-Shou-Wu. Her relapse into hepatitis immediate after resuming consumption of the herb is strongly indicative of the validity of Koch's postulate in this case.

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome has been described as focal perihepatitis accompanying pelvic inflammatory disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis. The highest incidence occurs in young, sexually active females. However, the syndrome has been reported to occur infrequently in males, according to the foreign literature. The predominant symptoms are right upper quadrant pain and tenderness, and pleuritic right sided chest pain. The clinical presentation is similar in men and women. In women, the spread of infection to liver capsule is thought to occur directly from infected fallopian tube via the right paracolic gutter. In men, hematogenous and lymphatic spread is thought to be postulated. Recently, we experienced a case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome occurred in a man. As far as we know, it is the first report in Korea, and we report a case with a review of the literature.

The diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pregnant women often is difficult to make on the basis of clinical findings, and radiologic examination is limited because of the potentially hazardous effects of radiation. This study was done to assess the value of sonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pregnant women.We obtained sonograms in 45 pregnant women with clinically suspected acute appendicitis. Our sonographic technique included graded-compression scanning. The left lateral decubitus position was used in the third trimester of gestation. The sonographic criterion for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was visualization of an incompressible appendix with a maximal diameter greater than 7 mm. We correlated the sonographic findings with the surgical findings in 22 cases and with the results of clinical follow-up in 23 cases.Sonography could not be used to make the diagnosis in three (7%) of 45 patients because the size of the gravid uterus prevented use of the graded-compression technique. These three patients were in the third trimester of pregnancy (greater than 35 weeks' gestation). Sonographic findings were used as a basis for diagnosis in 42 cases. Acute appendicitis was diagnosed on the basis of sonograms in 16 patients, and in all but one of these patients, acute appendicitis was confirmed by surgical and pathologic findings. In the 42 cases in which the imaging findings indicated the diagnosis, the overall sensitivity of sonography was 100%, the specificity was 96%, and the accuracy was 98%.Our experience suggests that graded-compression sonography is a valuable procedure for detecting acute appendicitis in pregnant women despite technical difficulty in performing it during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the reaspiration or rebiopsy of pulmonary lesions (second PCNA) in cases where the pathologic results are inconclusive upon initial percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy (PCNA). Materials and Methods: A total of 364 PCNA cases (350 initial PCNA, 14 second PCNA) were performed under CT or fluoroscopy guidance for all the 350 patients enrolled. The procedure was performed by either using an automated biopsy gun with a 20-G needle (298 cases) or a 20-G aspiration needle (66 cases). The pathologic agreement rates between the initial and second PCNA, as well as the causes for a second PCNA, were evaluated. Finally the type and rate of complication were also evaluated. Results: The second PCNA rate was 4.0% (14/350). The causes for a second PCNA, following the initial PCNA included unexpected pathologic results (n = 7) and inconclusive pathologic results (n = 7). Of the seven cases which had unexpected pathologic results from their initial PCNAs, five had similar pathologic results after a second PCNA. Also, of the seven cases of inconclusive pathologic results, such as atypical cells, the scanty cellularity or necrosis upon an initial PCNA, six cases revealed a malignancy on a second PCNA. The overall complication rate, including both the initial and second PCNAs was 14.0% (51/364). Conclusion: A second PCNA was performed to help resolve the exact diagnosis for a pulmonary lesion in cases of inconclusive pathologic results upon an initial PCNA.

An fistula occurring between the stomach and other abdominal internal organs or to the surface of the body is usually encountered as a complication of stomach cancer or colon cancer, peptic ulcer disease, or other variable causes. The most common type of gastric fistula is a gastro-colic fistula that is mainly found as a complication of a gastric carcinoma or of a carcinoma of the transverse colon invading each other. Sometimes, a benign gastric ulcer perforation also can cause a gastro-colic fistula. However, as far as we know, a fistula occurring between the stomach and the umbilicus has not been reported. Here we present a case report of a gastro-umbilical fistula in a young woman that manifested as a umbilical discharge.

Spindle cell hemangioma is an uncommon vascular lesion histologically resembling a cavernous hemangioma and Kaposi's sarcoma with a predilection for the extremities. There are no radiologic reports concerning cardiac spindle cell hemangioma in the current literature. We report here a case of cardiac spindle cell hemangioma.