• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.119-130
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• 1997

In this paper, we analyze quality loss function(QLF) of Taguchi. Taguchi method of QLF gives more advanced measure process capability than classic capacity(i.e. Cp). We first discuss of QLF and Cp and give one good example of QLF. Because of simplicity of QLF, it is not good fit to a, pp.y in the real field. We suggest interval quantity-loss cost function and total loss cost(TLC) which modify QLF. Also we give one example which can be obtained in the real field.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.432-438
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• 2017

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro validity of quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D) and laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent) for assessing proximal caries in extracted premolars, using digital radiography as reference method. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 102 extracted premolars with similar lengths and shapes were used. A single operator conducted all the examinations using three different detection methods (bitewing radiography, QLF-D, and DIAGNOdent). The bitewing x-ray scale, QLF-D fluorescence loss (${\Delta}F$), and DIAGNOdent peak readings were compared and statistically analyzed. RESULTS. Each method showed an excellent reliability. The correlation coefficient between bitewing radiography and QLF-D, DIAGNOdent were -0.644 and 0.448, respectively, while the value between QLF-D and DIAGNOdent was -0.382. The kappa statistics for bitewing radiography and QLF-D had a higher diagnosis consensus than those for bitewing radiography and DIAGNOdent. The QLF-D was moderately to highly accurate (AUC = 0.753 - 0.908), while DIAGNOdent was moderately to less accurate (AUC = 0.622 - 0.784). All detection methods showed statistically significant correlation and high correlation between the bitewing radiography and QLF-D. CONCLUSION. QLF-D was found to be a valid and reliable alternative diagnostic method to digital bitewing radiography for in vitro detection of proximal caries.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to suggest a convenient method of monitoring the gingival state through plaque detection. Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D), which can assess mature plaque, can be used to assess the oral hygiene status of individuals and to establish an adequate intervention plans for them. The subjects of the study participated in the clinical training at Department of Dental Hygiene, N University. The subjects completed questionnaires on general characteristics and oral hygiene methods. Then, photographs of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth of the subjects were taken using the QLF-D. After the oral examinations, gingival state was recorded according to the $L{\ddot{o}}e$ & Silness's Gingival Index (GI). In addition, a plaque control record was calculated in percentage using disclosing agent. The analysis of the relation between the plaque control record and the QLF-D scores showed positive correlation (r=0.638, p<0.001), and the analysis of the relation between the QLF-D scores and the gingival bleeding index scores also showed positive correlation (r=0.562, p<0.001). Besides, the study classified the participants into healthy gingiva group and the gingivitis group according to the classification criteria of GI, and when the difference of QLF-D scores between the groups was analyzed, the QLF-D scores were statistically significantly higher (t=-2.785, p=0.007) in the gingivitis group ($1.71{\pm}1.545$) than the healthy gingiva group ($0.74{\pm}1.290$). When the differences in mean values of the QLF-D scores were analyzed against and the gingival bleeding index scores, the QLF-D scores of 0 and 1 belonged to the category of normal gingival state while the QLF-D scores of 2, 3 and 4 belonged to the category of gingivitis state. Therefore, it is deemed that the red fluorescence detected by the QLF-D from the mature supragingival plaque can be used for monitoring the state of gingivitis.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.218-225
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• 2015

This study used sodium fluorescein to improve imaging diagnostic ability by increasing the fluorescence difference between sound enamel and caries lesions. It also made it easier to discriminate between stain and caries lesions using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). Half of the specimen surface was covered with nail varnish as a control. Specimens were divided randomly in six decalcification groups and decalcified for different lengths of time. Then, ${\Delta}F$ was measured using QLF-D. After applying 0.075% sodium fluorescein, we measured ${\Delta}F$ again and compared it with the initial value. After cutting the central portion of the specimen, we measured the lesion depth using scanning electron microscopy. The lesion surfaces observed with QLF were darker than normal enamel, whereas they were lighter than normal enamel after applying fluorescein. Longer decalcification time was associated with greater fluorescent dye penetration. The ${\Delta}F$ measured after applying fluorescein was higher than the initial value (p < 0.05). Due to QLF measurement using fluorescein being more sensitive for diagnosing early decalcification, this approach will enable early diagnosis of dental caries before the cavity formation stage, allowing the treatment of early caries lesions. With QLF and sodium fluorescein, we can easily discriminate between stain and caries lesions.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2013

Recently, there have been improvements in diagnostic methods for the assessment of early caries lesions. The reason is that dental professionals are seeking methods to reliably detect incipient dental caries and to remineralize them. This review examines the literature on principles, theoretical background, and history of the Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence (QLF) system (Inspektor Research Systems BV, The Netherlands). Furthermore, this paper discusses the potential application of QLF system to clinical practice for educational purpose, enabling dental hygiene students to perform oral health assessment using the QLF system. In addition, the clinical application of QLF system can motivate patients by providing additional visual information about caries and bacterial activity. The evidences on validity and reliability of the QLF system for detection of longitudinal changes in de/remineralization and caries were examined. The QLF system is capable of monitoring and quantifying mineral changes in early caries lesions. Therefore, it can be used to assess the impacts of caries preventive measures on the remineralization and reversal of the caries process. And the QLF system is a very promising equipment to assess educational effectiveness for dental hygiene students in their learning process. In conclusion, the QLF system is the most effective technology for more sensitive staging of caries and treatment without surgical intervention.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.611-619
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to apply the quantitative light-induced fluorescence(QLF) and use of fluorescein-enhanced QLF method for quantitative assessment of early enamel demineralization in vitro, comparing effectiveness of light sources : argon laser, halogen lamp, light emitting diode (LED) and plasma arc lamp. Sixty extracted teeth were used, prepared by gentle pumicing and coating in an acid-resistant nail-varnish, except for an exposure to a demineralizing solution. Teeth were removed at regular intervals (24, 48 and 72hrs), air-dried and QLF image were taken. Mineral loss, as measured by difference of optical density, was recorded. For dyeenhanced QLF a 0.075% sodium fluorescein dye was applied after QLF examination and mineral loss was recorded. The following result were obtained : 1. Comparing with mean difference of optical density, plasma arc lamp was higher than other light sources in all group (p<0.05). 2. Comparing each group with mean difference of optical density, there was significant different using plasma are lamp and halogen lamp. 3. For use of dye-enhanced QLF, comparing with mean difference of optical density, plasma arc lamp were higher than other light sources in all group(p<0.05). 4. With this model dye-enhanced QLF compared with QLF in optical density, dye-enhanced QLF was higher than QLF in optical density. From the results presented in this paper, it was concluded that plasma light source was more effective compared with other light source for the detection and the quantification of early enamel caries.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.405-413
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• 2021

The purpose of this in vivo study was to assess the clinical screening performance of a quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) device in detecting proximal caries in primary molars. Fluorescence loss, red autofluorescence and a simplified QLF score for proximal caries (QS-proximal) were evaluated for their validity in detecting proximal caries in primary molars compared to bitewing radiography. Three hundred and forty-four primary molar surfaces were included in the study. Carious lesions were scored according to lesion severity assessed by visual-tactile and radiographic examinations. The QLF images were analyzed for two quantitative parameters, fluorescence loss and red autofluorescence, as well as for QS-proximal. For both quantitative parameters and QS-proximal, the sensitivity, specificity and area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) were calculated as a function of the radiographic scoring index at enamel and dentin caries levels. Both quantitative parameters showed fair AUROC values for detecting dentine level caries (△F = 0.794, △R = 0.750). QS-proximal showed higher AUROC values (0.757 - 0.769) than that of visual-tactile scores (0.653) in detecting dentine level caries. The QLF device showed fair screening performance in detecting proximal caries in primary molars compared to bitewing radiography.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of in vitro study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy to detect non-cavitated enamel caries on smooth surface by using four kinds of the QLF devices. Materials and Methods: A total of 52 human permanent premolars and molars were used. Fluorescence images were captured by the QLF devices (Inspektor Pro, QLF-D, Qraycam, and Qraypen). Fluorescence loss of the QLF was calculated. The severity of lesions was categorized into the following 3 scores using polarized light microscopy: normal (S), enamel demineralization to outer half of enamel (D1), and inner half of the enamel up to the dentin-enamel junction (D2). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the fluorescence loss among the QLF devices. Spearman rank correlation coefficient between histological scores and fluorescence loss of the devices was calculated. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) were calculated to compare their diagnostic accuracies. Results: The correlation coefficients between histological scores and the fluorescence loss of the devices showed 0.77 to 0.81 (P < 0.001). All histological scores, the fluorescence loss among the devices showed no statistical difference. Among the devices, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values of the fluorescence loss showed 0.84 to 0.94, 0.76 to 0.90, and 0.90 to 0.92, respectively. Conclusions: All QLF devices had no difference with excellent diagnostic accuracies to detect non-cavitated enamel caries on smooth surface.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.53.2-53.2
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• 2021

Quasar luminosity function (QLF) shows the active galactic nucleus (AGN) demography as a result of the combination of the growth and the evolution of black holes, galaxies, and dark matter halos along the cosmic time. The recent wide and deep surveys have improved the census of high-redshift quasars, making it possible to construct reliable ultraviolet (UV) QLFs at 2 < z < 6 down to M1450 = -23 mag. By parameterizing these up-to-date observed UV QLFs that are the most extensive in both luminosity and survey area coverage at a given redshift, we show that the UV QLF has a universal shape, and their evolution can be approximated by a pure density evolution (PDE). In order to explain the observed QLF, we construct a model QLF employing the halo mass function, a number of empirical scaling relations, and the Eddington ratio distribution. We also include the outshining of AGN over its host galaxy, which made it possible to reproduce a moderately flat shape of the faint end of the observed QLF (slope of ~ -1.1). This model successfully explains the observed PDE behavior of UV QLF at z > 2, meaning that the QLF evolution at high redshift can be understood under the framework of halo mass function evolution. The importance of the outshining effect in our model also implies that there could be a hidden population of faint AGNs (M1450 > -24 mag), which are buried under their host galaxy light.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.317-326
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• 2011

QLF-D system composed with DSLR(digital single-lens reflex) camera, and the images of natural enamel caries and artificial caries was developed from 2 days to 14 days captured by QLF-D system. The correlation between lesion depth of the polarized microscope and luminosity ratio of QLF-D image was analyzed and the results were summarized as follows: 1. The Pearson correlation value between the lesion depth of polarized microscope images and luminosity ratio of QLF-D images was 0.969(p<0.01). 2. From Regression analysis of lesion depth from polarized image by demineralized period, the equation was y = 8.67x - 1.16(p<0.05). 3. From Regression analysis of luminosity ratio from QLF-D image by demineralized period, the equation was y = 3.53x + 6.42(p<0.05). From the results, QLF-D system can detect the enamel caries at the very early stage and can monitor the progression of demineralization and remineralization. For the convenient use of QLF-D system in the laboratory, the image analysing software was needed to analyze of interest site of enamel caries lesion.