• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.62-71
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• 2009

Recently, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has demonstrated considerable promise for the noninvasive assessment of biological tissues. However, OCT images difficult to analyze due to speckle noise. In this paper, we tested various image processing techniques for speckle removal of human and rabbit cartilage OCT images. Also, we distinguished the images which get with methods of image segmentation for OCT images, and found the most suitable method for segmenting an image. And, we selected image segmentation suitable for OCT before image reconstruction. OCT was a weak point to system design and image processing. It was a limit owing to measure small a distance and depth size. So, good edge matching algorithms are important for image reconstruction. This paper presents such an algorithm, the chamfer matching algorithm. It is made of background for 3D image reconstruction. The purpose of this paper is to describe good image processing techniques for speckle removal, image segmentation, and the 3D reconstruction of cartilage OCT images.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.201-208
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• 2008

Physical evaluations provide the basis for an objective and quantitative analysis of the image quality. Nonetheless, there are limitations in using physical evaluations to judge the utility of the image quality if the observer's subjectivity plays a key role despite its imprecise and variable nature. This study proposes a new method for objective and quantitative evaluation of image quality to compensate for the demerits of both physical and subjective image quality and combine the merits of them. The images of chest phantom were acquired from four digital radiography systems on clinic sites. The physical image quality was derived from an image analysis algorithm in terms of the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the low-contrast objects in three regions (lung, heart, and diaphragm) of a digital chest phantom radiograph. For image analysis, various image processing techniques were used such as segmentation, and registration, etc. The subjective image quality was assessed by the ability of the human observer to detect low-contrast objects. Fuzzy integral was used to integrate them. The findings of this study showed that the physical evaluation did not agree with the subjective evaluation. The system with the better performance in physical measurement showed the worse result in subjective evaluation compared to the other system. The proposed protocol is an integral evaluation method of image quality, which includes the properties of both physical and subjective measurement. It may be used as a useful tool in image evaluation of various modalities.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2015

As radiation therapy is one of three major cancer treatment methods, many cancer patients get radiation therapy. Because of the invisible and scattering characteristics of radiation, it is impossible to identify the quality and the amount of radiation and secondary cancer could be induced by scattered radiation. Because of advanced technique of radiation therapy and the reasons mentioned above, quality assurance of radiotherapy machine should be performed completely. International organizations such as International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) suggest report of quality assurance to recommend united method of radiotherapy machine quality assurance. Domestic society of medical physics, however, is too small to make such a report, domestic hospitals selectively choose some of contents in global suggestions. As there are no suggestions for domestic hospitals and global suggestions are being updated, we did a survey about quality assurance for radiotherapy machine. The questionnaire is composed of possession of radiotherapy machine, items performed for quality assurance and manpower, etc. 37 of 72 hospitals answered to survey. These results could be used for making domestic standard quality assurance procedure.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.45-57
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• 1997

It is mandatory to measure accurately the dose distribution and the total absorbed dose of fast neutron for putting it to the clinical use. At present the methods of measurement of fast neutron are proposed largely by American Associations of Physicists in Medicine, European Clinical Neutron Dosimetry Group, and International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements. The complexity of measurement, however, induces the methodological differences between them. In our study, therefore, we tried to establish a unique technique of measurement by means of measuring the emitted doses and the dose distribution of fast neutron beam from neutron therapy machine, and to invent a standard method of measurement adequate to our situation. For measuring the absorbed doses and the dose distribution of fast neutron beam, we used IC-17 and IC-18 ion chambers manufactured by A-150 plastic(tissue-equivalent material), IC-17M ion chamber manufactured by magnesium, TE gas and Ar gas, and RDM 2A electrometer. The magnitude of gamma-contamination intermingled with fast neutron beam was about 13％ at 5cm depth of standard irradiated field, and increased as the depth was increased. At the central axis the maximum dose depth and 50％ dose depth were 1.32cm and 14.8cm, respectively. The surface dose rate was 41.6-54.1％ throughout the entire irradiated fields and increased as the irradiated fields were increased. Beam profile was that the horn effect of about 7.5％ appeared at 2.5cm depth and the flattest at 10cm depth.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2014

The amounts of radioactive wastes to be disposed in the medical institute have been increased due to development of radiation diagnosis and therapy rapidly. They are produced mostly by the very short lived radioisotopes such as $^{18}F$ used in PET/CT, $^{99m}Tc$, $^{123}I$, $^{125}I$ and $^{201}Tl$, etc. IAEA proposed a criteria for the clearance level of waste which depends on the individual ($10{\mu}Sv/y$) and collective dose (1 man-Sv/y), and concentration of each nuclide (IAEA Safety Series No 111-P-1.1, 1992 and IAEA RS-G-1.7, 2004). Radioactive wastes of $^{18}F$, $^{99m}Tc$, $^{123}I$, $^{125}I$ and $^{201}TI$ in the several types of container like Marinelli beaker, vial and plastic, were collected to measure the concentration of the waste of each nuclide in accordance with IAEA criteria. The measurement method and procedure of determining specific activity of the wastes using gamma emitters like MCA, gamma counter and beta emitters were developed. For the efficiency calibration of the detectors, CRM (certified reference material) which has the same dimension and shape was provided by Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS). Correction factor of the radioactivity decay was calculated based on the measurement results, and the consideration of mutual relation with theoretical equation. The result of this study will be proposed as ISO standard.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2010

In this study, the patient with localized prostate cancer who had previously been treated at Ajou University Hospital was randomly selected since March, 2009. we performed IMRT and 2RA plans and the same dose objectives were used for CTVs, PTVs, rectum, bladder, and femoral head of the respective plans. Arc optimizations and dose calculations were performed using Eclipse versions 8.6. In this paper, we evaluated the performance of IMRT and RA plans to investigate the clinical effect of RA for prostate cancer case. In our comparison of treatment techniques, RA was found to be superior to IMRT being better dose conformity of target volume. As for the rectum and bladder, RA was better than IMRT at decreasing the volume irradiated. RA has the ability to avoid critical organs selectively through applied same dose constraints while maximally treating the target dose. Therefore, this result suggests that there should be less rectal toxicity with RA compared with IMRT, with no compromise in tumor margin. These findings, which show more favorable rectal, bladder, and femoral head DVHs with RA, imply that should not result in excess risk of toxicity when this technique is used. Many experiences with RA have shown not only dosimetric advantage, but also improved clinical toxicity when comparing with IMRT. The main drawbacks of RA are the more complex and time-consuming treatment planning process and the need for more exact physics quality assurance (QA).

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2010

Emerging technologies such as four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) is expected to allow clinicians to accurately model interfractional motion and to quantitatively estimate internal target volumes (ITVs) for radiation therapy involving moving targets. A need exists for a 4D radiation therapy quality assurance (QA) device that can incorporate and analyze the patient specific intrafractional motion as it relate to dose delivery and respiratory gating. We built a 4D RT prototype device and analyzed the patient-specific 4D radiation therapy QA for 2D dose distributions successfully. With more improvements, the 4D RT QA prototype device could be an integral part of a 4D RT decision process to confirm the dose delivery.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.226-232
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• 2007

We studied a Monte Carlo simulation of the proton beam delivery system at the National Cancer Center (NCC) using the Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit and tested its feasibility as a dose verification framework. The Monte Carlo technique for dose calculation methodology has been recognized as the most accurate way for understanding the dose distribution in given materials. In order to take advantage of this methodology for application to external-beam radiotherapy, a precise modeling of the nozzle elements along with the beam delivery path and correct initial beam characteristics are mandatory. Among three different treatment modes, double/single-scattering, uniform scanning and pencil beam scanning, we have modeled and simulated the double-scattering mode for the nozzle elements, including all components and varying the time and space with the Geant4.8.2 Monte Carlo code. We have obtained simulation data that showed an excellent correlation to the measured dose distributions at a specific treatment depth. We successfully set up the Monte Carlo simulation platform for the NCC proton therapy facility. It can be adapted to the precise dosimetry for therapeutic proton beam use at the NCC. Additional Monte Carlo work for the full proton beam energy range can be performed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for the Gifted Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.167-169
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• 2003

과학영재 교육의 목적과 효과를 달성하기 위해서는 과학영재들의 특성, 과학영재의 판별이나 교육 프로그램의 개발, 과학영재들의 과학, 과학자, 과학관련 직업에 대한 인식 등 여러 요소들에 초점을 맞추어 연구해야 하며 이를 바탕으로 교육해야 한다. 과학영재교육의 중요한 점 중 하나는 우리가 교육하는 과학영재들이 성장해서 그들의 영재성을 발휘하도록 하는 것에 있다. 이는 국가적으로도 매우 중요한 일이다. 과학기술의 발달과 국가의 발전은 뛰어난 영재들이 기여를 하였으며 그 업적을 통해 국제경쟁 사회를 선도해 나갈 수 있기 때문이다. 과학영재 교육의 성공 기준 중 하나로 노벨상 수상을 기대하는 것이라고 생각할 수 있다. 물론 노벨상만을 목표로 하는 것은 과학영재교육이 왜곡될 수 있으나, 과학영재교육을 통해서 과학 분야에 뛰어난 인재를 양성하고 이들로부터 과학의 수준이 높아지면서 자연스럽게 노벨상을 수상할 수 있을 것이다. 2002년 노벨 과학상에서 일본은 물리학과 화학 두 분야에서 수상자를 배출하였다. 특히 노벨 화학상을 받은 다나카 고이치는 박사학위도 없는 40대의 평범한 회사원이었다. 그는 일본 과학계를 장악하고 있는 유명 국립대학의 교수도 아니고, 수상 발표 뒤 대부분의 일본 화학자들이 누군지 몰라 당황했을 정도로 잘 알려지지 않은 인물이었다. 이러한 사건은 일본인들에게 희망을 안겨주었으며 과학 및 과학자에 대한 관심과 투자에 대한 인식에 있어 많은 변화를 초래하였다. 노벨상 자체가 국가정책의 목표가 될 수는 없지만, 과학자나 국민 개개인들에게 희망이 되는 것은 사실이다. 해마다 노벨상 수상자가 발표되는 시점에서 우리들은 아주 오랫동안 방관자가 되어 왔다. 이제 여러 과학영재교육기관 등을 통해서 과학영재 교육을 효율적으로 실시한다면 조만간 상황이 바뀔 것으로 기대할 수 있다.택한 이유는 첫 번째가 사회 봉사와 국가 발전에 기여하기 위한 것이었으며, 다음으로는 생활의 안정을 꼽고 있었다. 이외에도 과학적 업적 달성을 위해, 자신의 꿈(이상) 실현을 위해 등의 이유를 들고 있었다. 이러한 경향은 남자 영재와 여자 영재들간에 다소 차이는 있었으나 거의 유사한 것으로 조사되었다(Pearson $X^2$=2.186, p>0.05). 우수한 능력을 소유한 영재들이 과학관련 분야를 선호하지 않는다면 우리나라의 과학 발전은 그리 낙관할 수 없을 것이다. 그러므로, 영재들을 과학 관련 분야로 이끌어 그들이 소유한 영재성을 발휘하도록 하는 것은 매우 중요한 일일 것이다. 이룰 위해서는 과학 영재들이 자신의 능력에 대한 자신감을 더욱 높여야 하며 그 능력을 과학관련 분야에 발휘하도록 하기 위한 국가적, 사회적, 교육적 노력이 필요하다. 노력이 필요하다.~42.1mg$CO_2$/kg.hr였으며 12$^{\circ}C$에서 2.5~8.2mg$CO_2$/kg.hr로 일반적으로 보고되고 있는 토마토 호흡속도와 일치하는 결과를 나타내었다.다.환원당인 sucrose 함량은 계속 증가하였고 fructose, glucose, sorbitol의 함량(추황의 sorbitol을 제외)은 생장이 촉진됨에 따라 증가하다가 다시 점차적으로 감소하였다. 이러한 결과는 총당과 환원당의 측정결과와 일치한 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 배의 성장에 따라 산 함량은 감소하였고 당 함량은 증가하였다.luco-pyranoside, quercetin 7-O- -glucopyranoside, acacetin 7-O-$\beta$-D-glucuronide and apigenin-6-C-$\beta$

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.129-134
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• 2002

The radiosurgery is planned that prescribed dose was irradiated to tumor for obtaining expected remedial value in stereotactic radiosurgery. The planning for many irregular tumor shape requires long computation time and skilled planners. Due to the rapid development in computer power recently, many optimization methods using computer has been proposed, although the practical method is still trial and error type of plan. In this study, many beam variables were considered and many tumor shapes were assumed cylinderical ideal models. Then, beam variables that covered the target within 50％ isodose curve were searched, the result was compared and analysed. The beam variables considered were isocenter separation distance, number of isocenters and collimator size. Dose distributions obtained with these variables were analysed by dose volume histogram(DVH) and dose profile at orthogonal plane. According to the results compared, the use of more isocenters than specified isocenter dosen't improve DVH and dose profile but only increases complexity of plan. The best result of DVH and dose profile are obtainedwhen isocenter separation was 1.0-1.2 in using same number of isocenter.