• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.5075-5079
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• 2015

Background: Adverse effects of treatment prolongation beyond 8 weeks with radiotherapy for cervical cancer have been established. Clinical data also show that cisplatin increases the biologically effective dose of radiotherapy. However, there are no data on the effect of overall treatment time in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with concomitant chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) in an Indian population. The present study concerned the feasibility of concurrent chemotherapy and interspacing brachytherapy during the course of external radiotherapy to reduce the overall treatment time and compare the normal tissue toxicity and loco-regional control with a conventional schedule. Materials and Methods: Between January 2009 and March 2012 fifty patients registered in the Gynaecologic Oncology Clinic of Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital with locally advanced cervical cancer (FIGO stage IIB-IIIB) were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to treatment arms based on a computer generated random number. Arm I (n=25) treatment consisted of irradiation of the whole pelvis to a dose of 50 Gy in 27 fractions, and weekly cisplatin $40mg/m^2$. High dose rate intra-cavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) was performed after one week of completion of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). The prescribed dose for each session was 7Gy to point A for three insertions at one week intervals. Arm II (n=25) treatment consisted of irradiation of the whole pelvis to a dose of 50 Gy in 27 fractions. Mention HDR-ICBT ICRT was performed after 40Gy and 7Gy was delivered to point A for three insertions (days 23, 30, 37) at one week intervals. Cisplatin $20mg/m^2/day$ was administered from D1-5 and D24-28. Overall treatment time was taken from first day of EBRT to last day of HDR brachytherapy. The overall loco-regional response rate (ORR) was determined at 3 and 6 months. Results: A total of 46 patients completed the planned treatment. The overall treatment times in arm I and arm II were $65{\pm}12$ and $48{\pm}4$ days, respectively (p=0.001). At three and six months of follow-up the ORR for arm I was 96% while that for arm II was 88%. No statistically significant difference was apparent between the two arms. The overall rate of grade ${\geq}3$ toxicity was numerically higher in arm I (n=7) than in arm II (n=4) though statistical significance was not reached. None of the predefined prognostic factors like age, performance status, baseline haemoglobin level, tumour size, lymph node involvement, stage or histopathological subtype showed any impact on outcome. Conclusions: In the setting of concurrent chemoradiotherapy a shorter treatment schedule of 48 days may be feasible by interspacing brachytherapy during external irradiation. The response rates and toxicities were comparable.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.280-290
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• 2002

Three-dimensional (3-D) electromagnetic (EM) modeling algorithm has been developed using finite element method (FEM) to acquire more efficient interpretation techniques of EM data. When FEM based on nodal elements is applied to EM problem, spurious solutions, so called 'vector parasite', are occurred due to the discontinuity of normal electric fields and may lead the completely erroneous results. Among the methods curing the spurious problem, this study adopts vector element of which basis function has the amplitude and direction. To reduce computational cost and required core memory, complex bi-conjugate gradient (CBCG) method is applied to solving complex symmetric matrix of FEM and point Jacobi method is used to accelerate convergence rate. To verify the developed 3-D EM modeling algorithm, its electric and magnetic field for a layered-earth model are compared with those of layered-earth solution. As we expected, the vector based FEM developed in this study does not cause ny vector parasite problem, while conventional nodal based FEM causes lots of errors due to the discontinuity of field variables. For testing the applicability to high frequencies 100 MHz is used as an operating frequency for the layer structure. Modeled fields calculated from developed code are also well matched with the layered-earth ones for a model with dielectric anomaly as well as conductive anomaly. In a vertical electric dipole source case, however, the discontinuity of field variables causes the conventional nodal based FEM to include a lot of errors due to the vector parasite. Even for the case, the vector based FEM gave almost the same results as the layered-earth solution. The magnetic fields induced by a dielectric anomaly at high frequencies show unique behaviors different from those by a conductive anomaly. Since our 3-D EM modeling code can reflect the effect from a dielectric anomaly as well as a conductive anomaly, it may be a groundwork not only to apply high frequency EM method to the field survey but also to analyze the fold data obtained by high frequency EM method.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.142-155
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate of utilization, kinds and effective complementary-alternative therapy in elder arthritics, and then utilize the results as basic data for nursing intervention for elder arthritics. Study subjects consisted of 157 elder arthritics over 60 years old, data were collected through a structured questionnaire and face to face interviews. Data collection was done from July 2001 to August 2001. Subjects were sampled out from outpatients of department of rehabilitation of a university hospital in S city, outpatients of a local hospital in D city, and outpatient at public heath center in K and S city. Sexual distribution of subjects showed male 19.1% and the female 80.9%. The diagnosis distribution showed degenerative arthritis at 91% and reumatoid arthritis at 8.9% Duration of arthritics was 10 years over by 46.5%, duration of hospital treatment was 1-5 years by 41% The degree of pain by arthritis pointed out a mean point of 3.37 on a 5-point numeric scale 94.2% of subjects have experience complementary-alternative therapies used. Of the kind the subjects used, physiotherapy occupied 38.2%, Oriental medicine 36.3%, physical exercise 35.7%, nutritional therapy 22.3%, animal diet 8.9%, herbal diet 3.8%. The hardest thing due to arthritis represented disability in daily life by 59.8% and the pain problem by 30.5%. In conclusion, results of the study reveal that elder arthritics have used physiotherapy, Oriental medicine, physical exercise. Concrete strategies for nursing intervention about these complementary-alternative therapy are required to the established soon.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.187-199
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• 2016

In order to delineate the soft ground distribution, an integrated geostatistical analysis was performed using the MASW (Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave) which has the information of overall region and CPTu (Piezo Cone Penetration Test) which provides the direct information of the measuring point of the ground. MASW results were known to have close relationship with the ground stiffness. This correlation was confirmed through the comparison of MASW data obtained from two survey lines to the laboratory test with extracted soil samples. 3D physical property distribution in the study area was acquired by geostatistical integrated analysis with the data of tip resistance ($q_c$) and pore pressure (u) from the CPTu obtained at 6 points within the study area. The integrated analysis was conducted by applying the COSGSIM (Sequential Gaussian Co-Simulation) technology which can carry out the simulation in accordance with the spatial correlation between the MASW results and both tip resistance and pore pressure. Besides the locations of CPTu, borehole investigations were also conducted at two different positions. As a result, the N value of SPT and borehole log could be secured, so these data were used for the analysis of the geotechnical engineering accuracy of the integrated analysis result. For the verification of reliability of the 3D distribution of tip resistance and pore pressure secured through integrated analysis, the geotechnical information gained from the two drilling areas was compared, and the result showed extremely high correlation.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.443-450
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• 2009

Purpose: Conventional image reconstruction uses simplified physical models of projection. However, real physics, for example 3D reconstruction, takes too long time to process all the data in clinic and is unable in a common reconstruction machine because of the large memory for complex physical models. We suggest the realistic distributed memory model of fast-reconstruction using parallel processing on personal computers to enable large-scale technologies. Materials and Methods: The preliminary tests for the possibility on virtual manchines and various performance test on commercial super computer, Tachyon were performed. Expectation maximization algorithm with common 2D projection and realistic 3D line of response were tested. Since the process time was getting slower (max 6 times) after a certain iteration, optimization for compiler was performed to maximize the efficiency of parallelization. Results: Parallel processing of a program on multiple computers was available on Linux with MPICH and NFS. We verified that differences between parallel processed image and single processed image at the same iterations were under the significant digits of floating point number, about 6 bit. Double processors showed good efficiency (1.96 times) of parallel computing. Delay phenomenon was solved by vectorization method using SSE. Conclusion: Through the study, realistic parallel computing system in clinic was established to be able to reconstruct by plenty of memory using the realistic physical models which was impossible to simplify.

• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.342-354
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• 2014

This paper deals with digital watermarking methods to protect ownership of image with targeting the ultra-high multi-view or free-view image service in which an arbitrary viewpoint image should be rendered at the user side. The main purpose of it is not to propose a superior method to the previous methods but to show how difficult to construct a watermarking scheme to overcome the viewpoint translation attack. Therefore we target the images with various attacks including viewpoint translation. This paper first shows how high the error rate of the extracted watermark data from viewpoint-translated image by basic schemes of the method using 2DDCT(2D discrete cosine transform) and the one using 2DDWT(2D discrete wavelet transform), which are for 2D image. Because the difficulty in watermarking for the viewpoint-translated image comes from the fact that we don't know the translated viewpoint, we propose a scheme to find the translated viewpoint, which uses the image and the corresponding depth information at the original viewpoint. This method is used to construct the two non-blind watermarking methods to be proposed. They are used to show that recovery of the viewpoint affect a great deal of the error rate of the extracted watermark. Also by comparing the performances of the proposed methods and the previous ones, we show that the proposed ones are better in invisibility and robustness, even if they are non-blind.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.153-160
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• 2010

It is necessary to determine accurate 3-dimensional coordinates of the building corner points that could be control or check points in order to verify the accuracy of 3D digital maps in the near future. The usual process of obtaining the coordinates of the building corner points is to set up the ground control points with a GPS and then to practice terrestrial survey such as distance or angle measurements. However, since an error in the ground control points can be propagated through the terrestrial survey into the final coordinates of the buildings, accurately should be considered as much as possible. The actual effect of the GPS-derived ground control point error on the estimates of the unknowns through the terrestrial survey is mathematically analyzed, and the simulation data is tested numerically. The error of the ground control points is tested in the cases of 1-4 cm for the horizontal components and 2-8 cm for the vertical component. The vertical component error is assigned twice the horizontal ones because of the characteristics of the GPS survey. The distance measurement is assumed for convenience and the precision of the estimated coordinates of the building corner points is almost linearly increased according to the errors of the ground control points. In addition, the final estimates themselves can vary by the simulated random errors depending on the precision of the survey instrument, but the precision of the estimates is almost independent of survey accuracy.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.548-552
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• 2004

Intracanal disinfection of infected root canal is one of important treatment procedure. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate whether the surface polymers of controlled release drug (CRD) can effectively control the release rate of chlorhexidine for root canal disinfection. Four CRD prototypes were prepared: Group A (n=12); The core device (absorbent paper point) was loaded with 40% CHX solution as control. Group B (n=12); same as group A, but the device was coated with chitosan. Group C (n=12); same as group A and then coated three times with 5% PMMA. Group D (n=12); same as group A and then coated three times with 3% PLGA. All CRD prototypes were soaked in 3 mL distilled water for experimental periods and the concentrations of released CHX from each CRD prototype were determined using a UV spectrophotometer. Results showed that release rate of CHX were the greatest in the non-coated group (control group), followed by the chitosan-coated group, the PLGA-coated group, and the PMMA-coated group (P < 0.05). This data indicate that surface polymers can control the release rate of CHX from the CRD prototypes.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.721-728
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• 2023

In this study, we analyzed the effects of program participation aimed at enhancing self-directed learning abilities in university students on the motivational, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of self-directed learning. The study included 2,302 students enrolled in a university located in Region D, and data collection took place from March 2 to December 31, 2022. Comparing the experimental group(751 students) who participated in the program for self-directed learning improvement with the control group(1551 students), the experimental group exhibited a 0.24-point increase, whereas the control group showed a 0.08-point increase, demonstrating a significant difference between the two groups(t=34.89, p<.001). Furthermore, in the post-hoc analysis of self-directed learning ability scores based on the frequency of program participation, the mean difference between those who participated in 1 to 3 programs and those engaged in 4 to 6 programs was 0.067 points(p<.001). The mean difference between participants in 4 to 6 programs and those in 7 or more programs was -0.135 points(p<.001), and the mean difference between those involved in 1 to 3 programs and those in 7 or more programs was 0.067 points(p<.001). These results underscore the importance of recognizing self-directed learning abilities as a crucial competency in higher education and emphasize the significance of efforts to promote program participation and increase participation frequency.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.25-28
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• 2012

Purpose : It is important to reduce radiation dose associated with computed tomography (CT) scanning to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). With Dose Modulation Technic, user select a desired image quality and the system adapts tube current to obtain the desired image quality with greater radiation dose efficiency. In this paper, we presents a comprehensive description of fundamentals, clinical applications and radiation dose benefits of Dose Modulation Technic depending on Body Mass Index(BMI). Materials and Methods : In this study, 149 patients were examined(The mean age : $58{\pm}12.4$ years old). Biograph True Point 40 (Siemens, USA) and Gemini TF 64 (Philips. Cleveland) were used for equipment. When we used Care Dose 4D (Siemens, USA) and D-dom (Philips, Cleveland), we measured dose reduction and Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) depending on BMI. Then we analyze data using SPSS Ver.18. Results : When we used Care Dose 4D, p-value is considered statistically significant by groups with the result that we compared Care Dose 4D with D-dom. On the other hand, p-value isn't considered statistically significant by groups using D-dom. Conclusion : Dose modulation based on the projection angle didn't affect degree of obesity. And When using Care Dose 4D, dose reduction rate in the normal patients were higher than the obese. In this study, there are errors on somato type. So I think more research have to be done. Then application of Dose Modulation technic can help in maintaining acceptable image quality while reducing radiation dose by 20-60% in most instances.