• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.76-80
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• 2020

Background: To improve the measurement accuracy of liquid-scintillation counting for activity standardization, it is necessary to significantly reduce the background caused by thermal noise or after-pulses. We have therefore improved a movable 3 photomultiplier (3PM)-γ coincidence-counting method using the logical sum of three double coincidences for β events. Materials and Methods: We designed a new data-acquisition system in which β events are obtained by counting the logical sum of three double coincidences. The change in β-detection efficiency can be derived by moving three photomultiplier tubes sequentially from the liquid-scintillation vial. The validity of the method was investigated by activity measurement of ¹³⁴Cs calibrated at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) with 4π(PC)β-γ(NaI(Tl)) coincidence counting using a proportional counter (PC) for the β detector. Results and Discussion: Measurements were taken over 14 counting intervals for each liquidscintillation sample by displacing three photomultiplier tubes up to 45 mm from the sample. The dead time in each β- and γ-counting channel was adjusted to be a non-extending type of 20 ㎲. The background ranged about 1.2-3.3 s^-1, such that the contributions of thermal noise or after-pulses were negligible. As the β-detection unit was moved away from the sample, the β-detection efficiencies varied between 0.54 and 0.81. The result obtained by the method at the reference date was 396.3 ± 1.7 kBq/g. This is consistent with the KRISS-certified value of 396.0 ± 2.0 kBq/g within the uncertainty range. Conclusion: The movable 3PM-γ method developed in the present work not only succeeded in reducing background counts to negligible levels but enabled β-detection efficiency to be varied by a geometrical method to apply the efficiency extrapolation method. Compared with our earlier work shown in the study of Hwang et al. [2], the measurement accuracy has much improved. Consequently, the method developed in this study is an improved method suitable for activity standardization of β-γ emitters.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1339-1347
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• 2003

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of microbial phytase ($Natuphos^{(R)}$) supplementation in combination with carbohydrases (composed of enzymes targeted to soybean meal (SBM) dietary components such as $\alpha$-galactosides and galactomannans; $Endo-Power^{(R)}$) to corn-soybean meal based diet (CSD) and complex diet (CD) with a partial replacement of SBM with rape seed meal (RSM) and cotton seed meal (CSM) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of growing pigs. A total of 168 growing pigs averaging $13.18{\pm}1.77kg$ of initial body weight was arranged as a $2{\times}2$ factorial design with main effects of diet types (corn-SBM based diet (CSD) and complex diets (CD; 5% of SBM was replaced with 2.5% of RSM and 2.5% of CSM in diet for phase I (0 to 3 weeks) and 6% of SBM was replaced with 3% of RSM and 3% of CSM in diet for phase II (4 to 7 weeks))) and enzyme supplementation (none and 0.1% of phytase (500 FTU/kg diet) and 0.1% of carbohydrases). The diet with enzyme application were formulated to have a 0.18% unit lower aP than diets without enzyme application. Each treatment had three replicates with 14 pigs per replicate. To determine supplementation effect of phytase and carbohydrases on ileal amino acid digestibility of SBM, RSM and CSM, a total of 18 T-cannulated pigs (initial body weight; $13.52{\pm}1.24kg$) were assigned to six dietary treatments in the present study. Dietary treatments in metabolic trial included 1) SBM diet, 2) SBM diet+with enzymes (phytase (500 FTU/kg) and carbohydrases at 0.1%, respectively), 3) CSM diet, 4) CSM diet+enzymes, 5) RSM diet and 6) RSM diet+enzymes. During whole experimental period (0 to 7 wks), there was no difference in growth performance between diets (CSD and CD). However, dietary phytase and carbohydrases supplementation significantly improved gain/feed ratio (G:F) of growing pigs. During the phase II (4-7 weeks), dietary phytase and carbohydrases supplementation significantly improved all fecal nutrient digestibilities (Dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P)). Dietary phytase and carbohydrases supplementation improved significantly overall ileal amino acid digestibilities of SBM, RSM and CSM based diets (p<0.05). The simultaneous inclusion of phytase and carbohydrases in both of CSD and CD reduced feed cost per kg body weight gain (FCG). Also, results suggest that 2.5 to 3% of RSM and CSM, respectively, might be used as a protein source in growing pig diets without having an adverse effect on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility and simultaneous phytase and carbohydrases addition improves nutritional value of SBM, RSM and CSM by improving ileal amino acid digestibilities.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.744-753
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• 2015

This paper presents the results of research on developing marine unified communications to provide VoIP service based on marine satellites. With the recent popularity of smart-phones and other mobile devices, the demand for Internet-based wired and wireless unified technology has been growing in marine environments, and increasing interest is being directed to VoIP products and service models with high price competitiveness and the ability to deliver a variety of services. In this regard, this research designed three instruments, developed their unit modules, and verified their performances. These three instruments included the following: (1) a marine VoIP module equipped with an analogue gateway that can be linked to the existing devices used in vessels, which is more than 80% smaller than that of a land system; (2) a text/voice/video engine for marine satellite communications that runs on technology that minimizes communication data usage, which is a core technology for a marine VoIP service; and (3) a unified communication service that can support multilateral cloud-based message conversations, telephone number-based call functions, and voice/video calling between a private space in a ship and shore.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.192-201
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• 2005

Experiments and simulation were done to study the impact of contrast agent when CT scan was used to attenuation correction for PET Images in PET/CT system. Whole body phantom was imaged with various concentration of iodine-based contrast agent using CT. Mathematical emission and transmission density map with liver were made to simulate for whole body FDG Imaging. A variety of factors were estimated, including non-uniform enhancement of contrast agent, concentration and distribution size of contrast agent, noise level, image resolution, reconstruction algorithm, hypo-attenuation of contrast agent, and different time phases for contrast agent. Experimental studies showed that Hounsfield unit depends on the concentration of contrast agent and tube voltage. From the simulation data, contrast agents Introduced artifacts and degraded image quality on the attenuation-corrected PET images. The severity of these effects depends on a variety of factors, including the concentration and distribution size of contrast agent, the noise levels, and the Image resolution. These results Indicated that the impact of contrast agents should be considered with a full understanding of their potential problems in clinical PET/CT images.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.92-100
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• 2018

The manufacturer of a linear accelerator (LINAC) has reported that the target melting phenomenon could be caused by a non-recommended output setting and the excessive use of monitor unit (MU) with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Due to these reasons, we observed an unexpected beam interruption during the treatment of a patient in our institution. The target status was inspected and a replacement of the target was determined. After the target replacement, the beam profile was adjusted to the machine commissioning beam data, and the absolute doses-to-water for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams were calibrated according to American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group (TG)-51 protocol. To verify the beam data after target replacement, the beam flatness, symmetry, output factor, and percent depth dose (PDD) were measured and compared with the commissioning data. The difference between the referenced and measured data for flatness and symmetry exhibited a coincidence within 0.3% for both 6 MV and 10 MV, and the difference of the PDD at 10 cm depth ($PDD_{10}$) was also within 0.3% for both photon energies. Also, patient-specific quality assurances (QAs) were performed with gamma analysis using a 2-D diode and ion chamber array detector for eight patients. The average gamma passing rates for all patients for the relative dose distribution was $99.1%{\pm}1.0%$, and those for absolute dose distribution was $97.2%{\pm}2.7%$, which means the gamma analysis results were all clinically acceptable. In this study, we recommend that the beam characteristics, such as beam profile, depth dose, and output factors, should be examined. Further, patient-specific QAs should be performed to verify the changes in the overall beam delivery system when a target replacement is inevitable; although it is more important to check the beam output in a daily routine.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3357-3362
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• 2013

The human skeleton is the most common organ to be affected by metastatic cancer and bone metastases are a major cause of cancer morbidity. The five most frequent cancers in Malaysia among males includes prostate whereas breast cancer is among those in females, both being associated with skeletal lesions. Bone metastases weaken bone structure, causing a range of symptoms and complications thus developing skeletal-related events (SRE). Patients with SRE may require palliative radiotherapy or surgery to bone for pain, having hypercalcaemia, pathologic fractures, and spinal cord compression. These complications contribute to a decline in patient healthrelated quality of life. The multidimensional assessment of health-related quality of life for those patients is important other than considering a beneficial treatment impact on patient survival, since the side effects of treatment and disease symptoms can significantly impact health-related quality of life. Cancer treatment could contribute to significant financial implications for the healthcare system. Therefore, it is essential to assess the health-related quality of life and treatment cost, among prostate and breast cancer patients in countries like Malaysia to rationalized cost-effective way for budget allocation or utilization of health care resources, hence helping in providing more personalized treatment for cancer patients.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.43-61
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• 2011

In this research, we analyze about the effect of the traditional market supporting policy about 16 large unit self-governing bodies and effeciency through DEA analysis. The plan for supports of the traditional market were shown. Now, the object of the traditional market supporting policy was any more not improvement of facilities and the thing which is the attraction of customer activity for the sales increase of the traditional market could be confirmed. For the sales increase, supporting of the field like the client information center, source indicator, autonomic packing stand, and the broadcasting facility are effective more. In addition, for the visiting customer inducement activation, we could know that supporting of the field like client information center, broadcasting facility, broadcasting advertisement, and the premium event for gift certificate were required. The method including the customer distribution service operation, which is the various product development and cross sellings and client friendly based on data which it investigates the actual conditions the market merchant on the Incheon area and consumer with the concrete plan for support gift certificate activation, the market information system construction, and etc. was shown.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.541-546
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• 2020

The surveillance radar for naval ships is an essential equipment of a battle system that executes the detection and tracking of targets, and the shooting support function; it calculates the three-dimensional track of the target range, azimuth, and altitude to carry out its duty. The surveillance radar consists of an antenna, a transceiver, a processing unit, and an air dryer section. The radar radiates the transmission signal on the antenna section, receives the reflected signal from the target, and amplifies the signals on the transceiver section. The signal received from the antenna is used to provide the operator with target information in various ways. This study identified the display problems when the information about the target is displayed through the radar. The causes of the problems were analyzed and improved. The tracking disappearance phenomenon caused by the altered-course of the ship was improved on the TWS tracking algorithm. The validity of the improved TWS tracking algorithm was confirmed by the normal condition of the target status on the B-scope.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.841-855
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• 2009

The main objective of this study is to examine the situations of group-homes for the elderly and clarify the problems of them. This study investigates the present conditions of welfare facilities and supply conditions. 4 group-homes were surveyed in Jeonju and Kwangju cities. Data was collected through various ways including the survey conducted by facility operators, the measurement of living space, and photo-takings. The major results of this study are as follows: 1) With the introduction of nursing care insurance in 2008, the increase of the demand and supply to group-home will be expected, due to less cost for recuperation. The care of elderly in homelike atmosphere is effective to the elderly suffering from dementia. Therefore, it is proper that the supply of group-homes for dementia will be needed. 2) Group-homes for the elderly are being supplied under the standards of welfare facilities in the present. Separate supply standards, however, are needed because they are not suitable for small scale group-homes. 3) To supply Group-homes for the elderly on a one-unit basis would cause various problems such as economical unreality, personnel distribution and so on. It is necessary to supply more than two units for more efficient management. 4) The management of group-homes for the elderly is financially unstable because the operating funds heavily depend on the users or people who are connected with the facilities through private networks. Therefore, additional support is needed to settle the financial problem. It would be helpful to build the public networking that provides information about the group-home for the elderly for the public. 5) In case of the increase in the supply of the group-home in a residential area, it could be helpful to promote the group-home to the public. 6) The operators state that the main problems of group homes for the elderly lie in financial difficulties and the shortage of professionals and volunteers. The financial, personnel, and material support for personnel and the supervision of management are required for the transparency and effectiveness of the facility management. In addition, the closer network and cooperation system with the community is required. 7) The present living environments for group-homes for the elderly leave much room for improvement, considering the physical condition of the elderly. The more careful selections in the color, shape, material, and equipment of the facilities should be made for the convenience of the elderly users.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.2-8
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• 2005

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to implement a software to visualize tumor and its surrounding fiber tracts simultaneously using diffusion tensor imaging and examine the feasibility of our software for investigating the influence of tumor on its surrounding fiber connectivity. Material and Methods : MR examination including T1-weigted and diffusion tensor images of a patient with brain tumor was performed on a 3.0 T MRI unit. We used the skull-striped brain and segmented tumor images for volume/surface rendering and anatomical information from contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. Diffusion tensor images for the white matter fiber-tractography were acquired using a SE-EPI with a diffusion scheme of 25 directions. Fiber-tractography was performed using the streamline and tensorline methods. To correct a spatial mismatch between T1-weighted and diffusion tensor images, they were coregistered using a SPM. Our software was implemented under window-based PC system. Results : We successfully implemented the integrated visualization of the fiber tracts with tube-like surfaces, cortical surface and the tumor with volume/surface renderings in a patient with brain tumor. Conclusion : Our result showed the feasibility of the integrated visualization of brain tumor and its surrounding fiber tracts. In addition, our implementation for integrated visualization can be utilized to navigate the brain for the quantitative analysis of fractional anisotropy to assess changes in the white matter tract integrity of edematic and peri-edematic regions in a number of tumor patients.