• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.440-447
• /
• 2020

The demand for large-scale horticultural complexes utilizing reclaimed lands is increasing, and one of the pending issues for the construction of large-scale facilities is to establish foundation design criteria. In this paper, we tried to review previous studies on the method of reinforcing the foundation of soft ground. Target construction methods are spiral piles, wood piles, crushed stone piles and PF (point foundation) method. In order to evaluate the performance according to the basic construction method, pull-out resistance, bearing capacity, and settlement amount were measured. At the same diameter, pull-out resistance increased with increasing penetration depth. Simplified comparison is difficult due to the difference in reinforcement method, diameter, and penetration depth, but it showed high bearing capacity in the order of crushed stone pile, PF method, and wood pile foundation. In the case of wood piles, the increase in uplift resistance was different depending on the slenderness ratio. Wood, crushed stone pile and PF construction methods, which are foundation reinforcement works with a bearing capacity of 105 kN/㎡ to 826 kN/㎡, are considered sufficient methods to be applied to the greenhouse foundation. There was a limitation in grasping the consistent trend of each foundation reinforcement method through existing studies. If these data are supplemented through additional empirical tests, it is judged that a basic design guideline that can satisfy the structure and economic efficiency of the greenhouse can be presented.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2014

Purpose. For a more efficient hospital management, this study aims to provide basic data so that the hospital management and staff in charge of hospital administration may systematically classify and collect hospital information, by analyzing the ordinary characters of an upper-level general hospital system and its common-type balance sheet, common-type profit and loss statement and financial ratio. Methods. By using information about an upper-level general hospital in C Province, provided by Alio(www.alio.go.kr), a public organization information provision site, Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service(www.hira.or.kr) and Ministry of Health and Welfare(www.mw.go.kr), this study analyzed 3 year's data from 2010 to 2012 and provided basic data by analyzing the ordinary characters of an upper-level general hospital system, and its common-type balance sheet, common-type profit and loss statement and financial ratio. Results. After analyzing the ordinary characters, common-type balance sheet, common-type proft and loss statement and financial ration of this general hospital, based on the 2010 to 2012 data, this study came to the following conclusions. Firstly, out of all the 1,069 hospital staff, there were 272 doctors working for 24 medical departments, out of whom the majority was 33 physicians. Most of the nurses were third-class ones, and about 2,000 outpatients and 600 inpatients on average were treated per day. Secondly, as a result of analyzing the common-type balance sheet, this study discovered that intangible assets out of fixed assets accounted for 41%, the majority, out of which usable and profitable donation asset buildings were of great importance, and the liquid assets increased more in 2012 than 2011. In the financial structure, the ratio of liquid liabilities was over 50% out of all the liabilities in 2012, and the ratio of purchase payables was high as well. The ratio of fixed liabilities reached up to 40%, out of which the retirement benefit appropriation fund was quite high. The capital was over 80%, but the surplus was in a deficit state. Compared to the capital, the ratio of total liabilities was about 90%, which indicates the financial structure of this general hospital was vulnerable. Thirdly, as a result of analyzing the common-type profit and loss statement, this study found out that the medical profits from inpatients were higher than profits from outpatients. The material cost was related to the medical quality of this general hospital, and it was as high as 30% out of the total costs and was about 45% of the labor cost. This general hospital showed 10% in the ratio of non-medical profits, and it seemed because of government subsidies. The ratios of medical profits and current net income were gradually changing for the better in 2012, compared to 2011. Lastly, as a result of analyzing the financial ratio, it was found that the liquidity ratio kept decreasing, from 110.7% in 2010 and 102.0% in 2011 to 77.2% in 2012. Besides, it was analyzed that the liquidity ratio and the net working capital ratio greatly decreased, while the quick ratio and the liquid ratio kept decreasing. Conclusions. 1. It is necessary to take the risk management into more consideration, and particularly, it is needed to differentiate and manage the levels of risk in detail. 2. By considering the fact that investments into hospital infrastructures were mostly based on liabilities, it is needed to deal with the scale of losses when evaluating risks. 3. By reflecting the character that investments into hospital infrastructures were based on liabilities, it is necessary to consider the ratio of ordinary profits as well as the ratio of operating profits to sales, and it is also important to consider sales productivity factors, such as the sales amount per a sickbed, by comparing them with other hospitals. As for limitations of this study, there may be some problems in terms of data interpretation because of the lack of information about the number of inpatients and the number of outpatients per year, which are needed for the break-even point analysis. Besides, to suggest a direction for the improvement of hospital management through analyses, non-financial factors should be reflected, such as the trend of economy, medical policies, and politic backgrounds. However, this study only focused on the common-type balance sheet, common-type profit and loss statement and financial ratio, so this study is actually limited to generalizing all the factors by analyzing public data only.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.82-88
• /
• 2005

In this study, the physical compensator made with the high density material, Cerrobend, and the electronic compensator realized by the movement of a dynamic multileaf collimator were analyzed in order to verify the properness of a design function in the commercial RTP (radiation treatment planning) system, Eclipse. The CT images of a phantom composed of the regions of five different thickness were acquired and the proper compensator which can make homogeneous dose distribution at the reference depth was designed in the RTP. The frame for the casting of Cerrobend compensator was made with a computerized automatic styrofoam cutting device and the Millennium MLC-120 was used for the electronic compensator. All the dose values and isodose distributions were measured with a radiographic EDR2 film. The deviation of a dose distribution was $\pm0.99 cGy\;and\;\pm1.82cGy$ in each case of a Cerrobend compensator and a electronic compensator compared with a $\pm13.93 cGy$ deviation in an open beam condition. Which showed the proper function of the designed compensators in the view point of a homogeneous dose distribution. When the absolute dose value was analyzed, the Cerrobend compensator showed a $+3.83\%$ error and the electronic compensator showed a $-4.37\%$ error in comparison with a dose value which was calculated in the RTP. These errors can be admtted as an reasonable results that approve the accuracy of the compensator design in the RTP considering the error in the process of the manufacturing of the Cerrobend compensator and the limitation of a film in the absolute dosimetry.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 2005

In this study, we investigated the effect of time gating threshold on the delivered dose at a organ with internal motion by respiration. Generally, the internal organs have minimum motion at exhalation during normal breathing. Therefore to compare the dose distribution time gating threshold, in this paper, was determined as the moving region of target during 1 sec at the initial position of exhalation. The irradiated fields were then delivered under three conditions; 1) non-moving target 2) existence of the moving target in the region of threshold (1sec), 3) existence of the moving target region out of threshold (1.4 sec, 2 sec). And each of conditions was described by the moving phantom system. It was compared with the dose distributions of three conditions using film dosimetry. Although the treatment time increased when the dose distributions was obtained by the internal motion to consider the TGT, it could be obtained more exact dose distribution than in the treatment field that didn't consider the internal motion. And it could be reduced the unnecessary dose at the penumbra region. When we set up 1.4 sec of threshold, to reduce the treatment time, it could not be obtained less effective dose distribution than 1 sec of threshold. Namely, although the treatment time reduce, the much dose was distributed out of the treatment region. Actually when it is treated the moving organ, it would rather measure internal motion and external motion of the moving organ than mathematical method. If it could be analyzed the correlation of the internal and external motion, the treatment scores would be improved.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.207-213
• /
• 2005

The severity of carotid Intima-media thickness (IMT) is an Independent predictor of atherosclerosis which causes transient cerebral ischemia, stroke, and coronary events such as myocardial Infarction. The IMT consists of Intima thickness (IT) and media thickness (MT). However, the Individual clinical significance of IT and MT has not been well studied. We devised a method of measuring IT, MT, and IMT using B-mode ultrasound Image processing technique for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. To inspect the clinical significance of IT, MT, and IMT, one hundred forty-four consecutive patients (mean age; 57 years old, 72 males) were underwent common carotid artery scanning using high-resolution ultrasound. Results showed that, the IT (p<0.05), MT (p<0.05) as well as IMT (p<0.01) of patients with atherosclerotic disease were significantly thicker than that of the patients without atherosclerotic disease. Patients with hyperiension showed significantly thicker IT (p<0.01), MT (p<0.001), and IMT (p<0.001). However, only IT was thicker in patients with smoking (p<0.01). The IT (r=0.374, p=0.001), MT (r=0.433, p=0.000), and IMT (r=0.479, p=0.000) showed positive correlation with age. The coefficients of determination ($r^2$) were estimated to be $92.4\%$ for IMT and MT, $49.1\%$ for IMT and IT, and $27.4\%$ for IT and MT. This result suggests that the Intima layer of the carotid artery has a different physiology with the media layer.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.214-219
• /
• 2005

As part of Korean retinal prosthesis project, we have provided preliminary experimental results regarding voltage parameters for the stimulation of chemically degenerated rabbit retina. Since our APB-treated chemically degenerated retina is only ON-pathway blocked, now we switch our experiments to more appropriate retinal degeneration model, genetically degenerated retina model (RD mouse: rd/rd (C3H/HeJ)). Before studying with RD mouse, we started control experiments with normal SD rat to understand characteristics of retinal ganglion ceil activity with postnatal maturation in rodents. Ganglion cell activities were recorded with 8${\times}$8 multi-electrode array. Moving spontaneous bursts appeared until postnatal day of 15. During pre-eye opening period, no light evoked response appeared. After postnatal day of 2 weeks (post-eye opening period), ON-, OFF- and ON/OFF response appeared. The fractional distributions of ON, OFF, and ON/OFF ganglion cell is about $40\%,\;50\%$, and $5\%$. The percentage ($\%$) of light evoked response in each dorso-temporal, ventral, and dorso-nasal area of eye is about $50\%,\;37.5\%$ and $12.5\%$, respectively. We concluded that the optimal period for experiment in rodent is about postnatal day of 2${\~}$3 weeks.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.166-175
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study is to develop the optimization method for adjusting the film isocenter shift and to suggest the quantitative acceptable criteria for film dosimetry after optimization In the dynamic conformal arc radiation therapy (DCAR). The DCAR planning was peformed In 7 patients with brain metastasis. Both absolute dosimetry with ion chamber and relative film dosimetry were peformed throughout the DCAR using BrainLab's micro-multileaf collimator. An optimization method for obtaining the global minimum was used to adjust for the error in the film isocenter shift, which is the largest pan of systemic errors. The mean of point dose difference between measured value using ion chamber and calculated value acquired from planning system was $0.51{\pm}0.43\%$ and maximum was $1.14\%$ with absolute dosimetry These results were within the AAPM criteria of below $5\%$. The translation values of film isocenter shift with optimization were within ${\pm}$1 mm in all patients. The mean of average dose difference before and after optimization was $1.70{\pm}0.35\%$ and $1.34{\pm}0.20\%$, respectively, and the mean ratios over $5\%$ dose difference was $4.54{\pm}3.94\%$ and $0.11{\pm}0.12\%$, respectively. After optimization, the dose differences decreased dramatically and a ratio over $5\%$ dose difference and average dose difference was less than $2\%$. This optimization method is effective in adjusting the error of the film isocenter shift, which Is the largest part of systemic errors, and the results of this research suggested the quantitative acceptable criteria could be accurate and useful in clinical application of dosimetric verification using film dosimetry as follows; film isocenter shift with optimization should be within ${\pm}$1 mm, and a ratio over $5\%$ dose difference and average dose difference were less than $2\%$.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.232-237
• /
• 2006

The aim of this study was to develop the calculation algorithm of source strength of Ir-192 source In terms of the absorbed dose to water instead of an apparent activity (Ci). For this work the Multi Purpose Brachytherapy Phantom(MPBP) was developed, which was designed to locate the source and the chamber precisely at a specific position Inside the water phantom. The reference point of measurement was set at the 5 cm distance along the transverse axis of the source. For a brachytherapy source calibration, the absorbed dose to water calibration factor ($N_{D.W.Q}$) of an lonization chamber were determined and then apply standard protocols of absorbed dose to water. The calibration factor ($N_{D.W.Q}$) of the ion chamber (TM30013, PTW, Germany) was determined using the EGSnrcCPP Monte Carlo Code. The calculated calibration factor ($N_{D.W.Q}$) was 5.28 cGy/nC. The calculated factor was then used to determine the absorbed dose to water from which the air kerma strength for an Ir-192 source can be easily derived at the reference point (5 cm). The calculated air kerma strength showed discrepancies of -0.6% to +1.8% relative to the air kerma strength provided by the vendor, In this work we demonstrated that the air kerma strength ($S_k$) could be determined from the absorbed dose to water calibration factor for Ir-192 source. In audition, this source calibration method could be applied directly to the dose Calculation formalism of AAPM report TG-43.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.70-76
• /
• 2005

For clinical implementation of Enhanced Dynamic Wedge (EDW), it is necessary to adequately analyze and commission its dosimetric properties in comparison to common physical metal wedge (MTW). This study was implemented with the essential measurements of parameters for clinical application, such as percentage depth dose, peripheral dose, surface dose, effective wedge factor, and wedge profile. In addition, through the comparison study of EDW with open and MTW, the analysis was performed to characterize the EDW. We also compared EDW dose profiles of measured values using chamber array 24 (CA24) with calculated values using radiation treatment planning system. PDDs of EDW showed good agreements between $0.2\~0.5\%$ of open beam, but $2\%$ differences with MTW. In the result of the measurements of peripheral dose, it was shown that MTW was about $1\%$ higher than open field and EDW. The surface doses of $60^{\circ}$ MTW showed 10% lower than the others. We found that effective wedge factor of EDW had linear relationships according to Y jaw sizes and was independent of X jaw sizes and was independent of X jaw sizes and asymmetric Y jaw opening. In comparison with measured values and calculate values from Golden-STT based radiation treatment planning system (RTP system), it showed very good agreement within difference of $1\%$. It could be concluded that EDW is a very reliable and useful tool as a beam modification substitute for conventional MTW.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.83-88
• /
• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether radiation adaptive response could be induced by high dose I-131 therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Materials and Methods: Lymphocytes from 21 patients (7 males, 14 females, mean age $55{\pm}12$ years) were collected before and after administration of 5,550 MBq (150 mCi) I-131. They were exposed to a challenge dose of 1 Gy gamma rays using a Cs-137 cell irradiator. The number of ring-form (R) and dicentric (D) chromosomes was counted under the light microscope, and used to calculate the frequency of chromosomal aberration. Ydr, which was defined as the sum of R and D divided by the total number of counted lymphocytes. Results: Ydr in patients before I-131 therapy ($0.09{\pm}0.01$) was not different from that of controls ($0.08{\pm}0.01$). Ydr was significantly increased to $0.13{\pm}0.02$ (p<0.0001) after I-131 therapy. Increase of Ydr after the challenge irradiation of 1 Gy was significantly lower in patients after I-131 therapy than before I-131 therapy ($0.17{\pm}0.03\;vs\;0.21{\pm}0.02$, p<0.0001). Cycloheximide (CHM), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, abolished this effect. Ydr after CHM ($0.20{\pm}0.01$) was significantly higher than Ydr after I-131 therapy ($0.17{\pm}0.03$, p<0.0001), but was not different from Ydr before I-131 therapy ($0.21{\pm}0.02$).Conclusion: High dose I-131 therapy induces an adaptive response in peripheral lymphocytes of patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer, which is associated with protein synthesis.