ON POSITIVE QUATERNIONIC KÄHLER MANIFOLDS WITH b_4=1

Let M be a positive quaternionic Kähler manifold of dimension 4m. In earlier papers, Fang and the first author showed that if the symmetry rank is greater than or equal to [m=2]+3, then M is isometric to HP^m or Gr_2(C^). The goal of this paper is to give a more refined classification result for positive quaternionic Kähler manifolds (in particular, of relatively low dimension or with even m) whose fourth Betti number equals one. To be precise, we show in this paper that if the symmetry rank of M with b_4(M)=1is no less than [m/2]+2 for ≥5, then M is isometric to HP^m

Predictive Numerical Simulations on the Formation of Internal Transport Barriers in the Reversed Shear Regime of KSTAR Tokamak

Numerical simulations have been carried out to predict the formation of internal transport barriers (ITBs) in the reversed shear (RS) regime of Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) tokamak by using the ASTRA-1.5D transport code coupled with a simplified neutral beam injection (SINBI) code developed for this work. The present simulations employ a multi-mode transport model, MMM95, for anomalous transport calculations and use neutral beam injection for additional plasma heating and current drive. The simulations for the KSTAR plasmas reveal that ITBs are formed in the RS regime by control of flow shear and by very low magnetic shear, and steep gradient regions apparently reside in both the ion and the electron temperature profiles. Suppression of plasma transport has been considered in this simulation work in two ways: control of the coefficient deciding the strength of flow shearing rate and addition of the effect of magnetic shear to the flow shear.Supported by the Korea Basic Science Institute

Model eye imaging by closed-loop accumulation of single scattering (CLASS) microscopy

‘Closed-loop accumulation of single scattering (CLASS)’ microscopy provides novel solutions to the problems of light scattering and aberration in optical imaging, providing increased imaging depth while maintaining diffraction limited resolution. This method has a great potential to increase imaging depth and resolution of current eye imaging. In this presentation, the strength and weakness of the CLASS microscopy over the current adaptive optical microscopy will be discussed. Important factors to apply CLASS microscopy to eye imaging and the possibility to imaging retina in turbid condition will be discussed by using model eye

Increase of urinary malondialdehyde level by bisphenol A exposure: a longitudinal panel study

Background To verify oxidative stress as a possible mechanism that establishes a relationship between exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and adverse health outcomes in the elderly Korean population, we evaluated the relation between visit-to-visit variations in urinary BPA and oxidative stress biomarker. Methods To assess the relation between BPA and urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidative stress biomarker, we used a mixed effect model after controlling for age, sex, BMI, drinking status, exercise, urinary cotinine level, PM10 on lag day 2, and mean temperature and dew point on the day. The relation between exposure to BPA and MDA level by sex of participants and polymorphisms of oxidative stress-related genes (COX2, EPHX1, HSP70-hom, PON1, eNOS, CAT, DRD2, SOD2, and MPO) was also evaluated. Results A significant association was found for BPA with MDA in both male and female elderly participants (male, β = 0.19 and p = 0.0003; female, β = 0.18 and p < .0001; and total, β = 0.18 and p < .0001). Furthermore, the association of BPA with MDA was found regardless of any genotype of the nine oxidative stress-related genes. Conclusions The results of our study suggest a strong association of BPA with oxidative stress, not related with sex and oxidative stress-related gene polymorphisms

Current Status of Image-Enhanced Endoscopy for Early Identification of Esophageal Neoplasms

Advanced esophageal cancer is known to have a poor prognosis. The early detection of esophageal neoplasms, including esophageal dysplasia and early esophageal cancer, is highly important for the accurate treatment of the disease. However, esophageal dysplasia and early esophageal cancer are usually subtle and can be easily missed. In addition to the early detection, proper pretreatment evaluation of the depth of invasion of esophageal cancer is very important for curative treatment. The progression of non-invasive diagnosis via image-enhanced endoscopy techniques has been shown to aid the early detection and estimate the depth of invasion of early esophageal cancer and, as a result, may provide additional opportunities for curative treatment. Here, we review the advancement of image-enhanced endoscopy-related technologies and their role in the early identification of esophageal neoplasms

Estimation of hospital-based HIV seroprevalence as a nationwide scale by novel method; 2002-2008 in Korea

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Korea, approximately 70% of HIV-positive individuals are currently diagnosed in hospitals, while most HIV-positive patients were diagnosed at public health centers in 1980 s and 1990 s. However, there are no reporting systems to identify how many HIV tests are performed in the Korean hospitals different from public health centers and Blood centers. We estimated how many HIV tests were performed in hospitals and analyzed the nationwide hospital-based HIV seroprevalence in the present study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between 2002 and 2008, data included HIV tests on insurance claims in hospitals and the proportion of computerized insurance claims from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services. The number of HIV tests from the survey in the External Quality Assurance Scheme for hospital laboratories was collected to calculate the insurance claim proportion. HIV seroprevalence was estimated using data of tested individuals, including infected individuals. Statistical analysis was confirmed with the 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance was defined at p-values < 0.05.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The number of HIV tests in hospitals increased from 2.7 million in 2002 to 5.0 million in 2008. The trend of HIV seroprevalence was decrease (1.5-1.3 per 10,000 individuals, P < 0.0028), except in 2002. The number of women tested was greater than men, and the proportion increased in older individuals and in small towns. Men had a higher annual HIV seroprevalence than women (P < 0.0001). The annual seroprevalence decreased in men (P = 0.0037), but was stable in women. The seroprevalence in the 30-39 year age group demonstrated higher than other age groups except 2008.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The nationwide hospital-based number of HIV tests and seroprevalence were estimated using a new method and seroprevalence trends were identified. This information will facilitate improvement in national HIV prevention strategies.</p