• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2004

Patient dose verification is one of the most Important responsibilities of the physician in the treatment delivery of radiation therapy. For the task, it is necessary to use an accurate dosimeter that can verify the patient dose profile, and it is also necessary to determine the physical characteristics of beams used in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) The Beam Intensity Scanner (BInS) System is presented for the dosimetric verification of the two dimensional photon beam. The BInS has a scintillator, made of phosphor Terbium-doped Gadolinium Oxysulphide (Gd$_2$O$_2$S:Tb), to produce fluorescence from the irradiation of photon and electron beams. These fluoroscopic signals are collected and digitized by a digital video camera (DVC) and then processed by custom made software to express the relative dose profile in a 3 dimensional (3D) plot. As an application of the BInS, measurements related to IWRT are made and presented in this work. Using a static multileaf collimator (SMLC) technique, the intensity modulated beam (IMB) is delivered via a sequence of static portals made by controlled leaves. Thus, when static subfields are generated by a sequence of abutting portals, the penumbras and scattered photons of the delivered beams overlap in abutting field regions and this results in the creation of “hot spots”. Using the BInS, inter-step “hot spots” inherent in SMLC are measured and an empirical method to remove them is proposed. Another major MLC technique in IMRT, the dynamic multileaf collimator (DMLC) technique, has different characteristics from SMLC due to a different leaf operation mechanism during the irradiation of photon and electron beams. By using the BInS, the actual delivered doses by SMLC and DMLC techniques are measured and compared. Even if the planned dose to a target volume is equal in our experimental setting, the actual delivered dose by DMLC technique is measured to be larger by 14.8% than that by SMLC, and this is due to scattered photons and contaminant electrons at d$_{max}$.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.201-208
• /
• 2007

Purpose: We investigated whether the diagnostic performance of SPECT scintimammography (SMM) can be improved by adding computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) of ultrasonography (US). Materials and methods: We reviewed breast SPECT SMM images and corresponding US images from 40 patients with breast masses (21 malignant and 19 benign tumors). The quantitative data of SPECT SMM were obtained as the uptake ratio of lesion to contralateral normal breast. The morphologic features of the breast lesions on US were extracted and quantitated using the automated CAD software program. The diagnostic performance of SPECT SMM and CAD of US alone was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The best discriminating parameter (D-value) combining SPECT SMM and the CAD of US was created. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of combined two diagnostic modalities were compared to those of a single one. Results: Both SPECT SMM and CAD of US showed a relatively good diagnostic performance (area under curve = 0.846 and 0.831, respectively). Combining the results of SPECT SMM and CAD of US resulted in improved diagnostic performance (area under curve =0.860), but there was no statistical differerence in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the combined method and a single modality. Conclusion: It seems that combining the results of SPECT SMM and CAD of breast US do not significantly improve the diagnostic performance for diagnosis of breast cancer, compared with that of SPECT SMM alone. However, SPECT SMM and CAD of US may complement each other in differential diagnosis of breast cancer.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.151-163
• /
• 2020

Grouting method is an effective way of reinforcing cracked rock masses and plugging water gushing. Current grouting diffusion models are generally developed for horizontal cracks, which is contradictory to the fact that the crack generally occurs in rock masses with irregular spatial distribution characteristics in real underground environments. To solve this problem, this study selected a cement-sodium silicate slurry (C-S slurry) generally used in engineering as a fast-curing grouting material and regarded the C-S slurry as a Bingham fluid with time-varying viscosity for analysis. Based on the theory of fluid mechanics, and by simultaneously considering the deadweight of slurry and characteristics of non-uniform spatial distribution of viscosity of fast-curing grouts, a theoretical model of slurry diffusion in an oblique crack in rock masses at constant grouting rate was established. Moreover, the viscosity and pressure distribution equations in the slurry diffusion zone were deduced, thus quantifying the relationship between grouting pressure, grouting time, and slurry diffusion distance. On this basis, by using a 3-d finite element program in multi-field coupled software Comsol, the numerical simulation results were compared with theoretical calculation values, further verifying the effectiveness of the theoretical model. In addition, through the analysis of two engineering case studies, the theoretical calculations and measured slurry diffusion radius were compared, to evaluate the application effects of the model in engineering practice. Finally, by using the established theoretical model, the influence of cracking in rock masses on the diffusion characteristics of slurry was analysed. The results demonstrate that the inclination angle of the crack in rock masses and azimuth angle of slurry diffusion affect slurry diffusion characteristics. More attention should be paid to the actual grouting process. The results can provide references for determining grouting parameters of fast-curing grouts in engineering practice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.7
• /
• pp.1003-1010
• /
• 2008

The objective of the present study was to identify differences in the expression levels of liver proteins between healthy and ketotic cows, establish a liver metabolic interrelationship of ketosis and elucidate the metabolic characteristics of the liver during ketosis. Liver samples from 8 healthy multiparous Hostein cows and 8 ketotic cows were pooled by health status and the proteins were separated by two-dimensional-electrophoresis (2D-E). Statistical analysis of gels was performed using PDQuest software 8.0. The differences in the expression levels of liver proteins (p<0.05) between ketotic and healthy cows were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF-TOF) tandem mass spectrometry. Five enzymes/proteins were identified as being differentially expressed in the livers of ketotic cows: expression of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase type-2 (HCDH), acetyl-coenzyme A acetyltransferase 2 (ACAT) and elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) were down-regulated, whereas that of alpha-enolase and creatine kinase were up-regulated. On the basis of this evidence, it could be presumed that the decreased expression of HCDH, which is caused by high concentrations of acetyl-CoA in hepatic cells, in the livers of ketotic cows, implies reduced fatty acid ??oxidation. The resultant high concentrations of acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl CoA would depress the level of ACAT and generate more ??hydroxybutyric acid; high concentrations of acetyl-CoA would also accelerate the Krebs Cycle and produce more ATP, which is stored as phosphocreatine, as a consequence of increased expression of creatine kinase. The low expression level of elongation factor Tu in the livers of ketotic cows indicates decreased levels of protein synthesis due to the limited availability of amino acids, because the most glucogenic amino acids sustain the glyconeogenesis pathway; thus increasing the level of alpha-enolase. Decreased protein synthesis also promotes the conversion of amino acids to oxaloacetate, which drives the Krebs Cycle under conditions of high levels of acetyl-CoA. It is concluded that the livers of ketotic cows possess high concentrations of acetyl-CoA, which through negative feedback inhibited fatty acid oxidation; show decreased fatty acid oxidation, ketogenesis and protein synthesis; and increased gluconeogenesis and energy production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.1540-1547
• /
• 2014

The accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) was evaluated for sixteen meat quality traits in a Berkshire population (n = 1,191) that was collected from Dasan breeding farm, Namwon, Korea. The animals were genotyped with the Illumina porcine 62 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) bead chips, in which a set of 36,605 SNPs were available after quality control tests. Two methods were applied to evaluate GEBV accuracies, i.e. genome based linear unbiased prediction method (GBLUP) and Bayes B, using ASREML 3.0 and Gensel 4.0 software, respectively. The traits composed different sets of training (both genotypes and phenotypes) and testing (genotypes only) data. Under the GBLUP model, the GEBV accuracies for the training data ranged from $0.42{\pm}0.08$ for collagen to $0.75{\pm}0.02$ for water holding capacity with an average of $0.65{\pm}0.04$ across all the traits. Under the Bayes B model, the GEBV accuracy ranged from $0.10{\pm}0.14$ for National Pork Producers Council (NPCC) marbling score to $0.76{\pm}0.04$ for drip loss, with an average of $0.49{\pm}0.10$. For the testing samples, the GEBV accuracy had an average of $0.46{\pm}0.10$ under the GBLUP model, ranging from $0.20{\pm}0.18$ for protein to $0.65{\pm}0.06$ for drip loss. Under the Bayes B model, the GEBV accuracy ranged from $0.04{\pm}0.09$ for NPCC marbling score to $0.72{\pm}0.05$ for drip loss with an average of $0.38{\pm}0.13$. The GEBV accuracy increased with the size of the training data and heritability. In general, the GEBV accuracies under the Bayes B model were lower than under the GBLUP model, especially when the training sample size was small. Our results suggest that a much greater training sample size is needed to get better GEBV accuracies for the testing samples.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.359-372
• /
• 2003

Among objectives of periodontal therapy. the principal one is the morphological and functional reconstruction of lost periodontal supporting tissues. This includes de novo formation of connective tissue attachment and the regrowth of alveolar bone. The use of enamel matrix derivative(EMD) may be a suitable means of regeneration new periodontal attachment in the infrabony defects. Implant used to replace lost tooth but, implantitis occurred after installation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of EMD on differentiation and growth of osteoblast in titanium disc. Twentyfive millimeter diameter and 1mm thick Ti disc which was coated 25, 50, 100, 200${\mu}g$/ml of EMD(Emdogain(R)) used as experimental group, 25, 50, 100, 200ng/d of rhBMP-2 as positive control group, and no coat as negative control group. A human osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2 was cultured in Ti disc and cell proliferation and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured at 1 and 6 days. PCR was performed at 2 and 8 hours. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR for mRNA expressions of various osteoblastic differentiation markers -type I collagen, ALP, osteopontin, and bone sialoprotein - were performed at appropriate concentrations based upon the results of MTT and ALP assay. Cultured cell-disc complexes were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 2 hour. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and repeated- measures 1-way analysis of variance(SPSS software version 10,SPSS. Chicago. IL). After culture, there was more osteoblast in EMD100${\mu}g$/ml than in EMD50, 200${\mu}g$/ml on day 6. There was significant difference in experimental and positive control group compared control group, as times go by(1 and 6 days). Alkaline phosphatase activity was different significantly in EMD100, 200${\mu}g$/ml and BMP100, 200${\mu}g$/ml on day 6. The results of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that expression of mRNA for ALPase, collagen type I, osteopontin. hone sialoprotein and BMP-2 was detected at 2 hour and 8 hour in EMI 200${\mu}g$/ml subgroup and BMP100ng/ml subgroup. The results of this study suggest that application of enamel matrix derivative on osteoblast attached to titanium surface facilitate the expression of bone specific protein and the differentiation and growth of osteoblast.

• Archives of design research
• /
• v.19 no.5 s.67
• /
• pp.213-222
• /
• 2006

This paper presents MIDAS (Media Interaction Design Authoring System), an authoring toolkit for designers and artists to develop working prototypes in new interaction design projects. Field research were conducted to identify the requirements and a case study of designing new interactive products was carried out to examine the feasibility of the new tool. MIDAS provides easier ways of integrating hardware and software, to manage a wide range of electric input and output elements and to employ 3D Augmented Reality technology within conventional multimedia authoring tools, such as Director and Flash, which are popularly used by designers. MIDAS was used in case study projects of design education as well as by voluntary designers for evaluation. From the result of case studies, it was found that many design projects were successfully accomplished using MIDAS. Designers who participated in the projects reported that MIDAS not only helped them to concentrate more on ideation but also was very easy to use as they implemented the physical interface concepts without advanced engineering skills. It is expected that MIDAS can also support prototyping in interactive media an, tangible user interface development and related human computer interaction fields.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.263-271
• /
• 2017

The application of mass spectrometry to polymer science has rapidly increased since the development of MALDI-TOF MS. This review summarizes current polymer analysis methods using MALDI-TOF MS, which has been extensively applied to analyze the average molecular weight of biopolymers and synthetic polymers. Polymer sequences have also been analyzed to reveal the structures and composition of monomers. In addition, the analysis of unknown end-groups and the determination of polymer concentrations are very important applications. Hyphenated techniques using MALDI-tandem MS have been used for the analysis of fragmentation patterns and end-groups, and also the combination of SEC and MALDI-TOF MS techniques is recommended for the analysis of complex polymers. Moreover, MALDI-TOF MS has been utilized for the observation of polymer degradation. Ion mobility MS, TOF-SIMS, and MALDI-TOF-imaging are also emerging technologies for polymer characterization because of their ability to automatically fractionate and localize polymer samples. The determination of polymer characteristics and their relation to the material properties is one of the most important demands for polymer scientists; the development of software and instrument for higher molecular mass range (> 100 kD) will increase the applications of MALDI-TOF MS for polymer scientists.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.31-38
• /
• 2012

1. Objectives : This research aimed to understand the effects of food consumption that fits to the constitution of subjects on health status by recognizing the constitutional food preference according to Sasang constitution. 2. Methods : The participants who are college students in D city were invited from Mar. 17, 2009 to Sep. 5 2010 for the research. More than two medical doctors who are specialized in Sasang constitution diagnosed the constitution of participants, and the participants were selected as subjects only if the diagnosis of the two doctors were agreed. Total 422 subjects (Taeumin: 175, Soeumin: 101, Soyangin: 144) were selected from the diagnosis, and the collected data was analyzed with computer software of SPSS 17.0. The frequency analysis was executed for the general characteristics of subjects, and the relationship of constitutional food preference and health status (SF-36) were analyzed with Pearson Correlation Coefficient. 3. Results : From the results about the distribution of constitutional food preference according to the constitutions, Soeumin showed the highest frequency for both of lower than 10 points (35.0 %), which stands for high preference of constitutional food, and higher than 40 points (1.9 %), which stands for low preference of constitutional food. And, they showed no correlation for the results about the relationship between health status and constitutional food preference based on 9 sub-categories of SF-36 including Physical Component Score (PCS), Mental Component Score (MCS). 4. Conclusions : In conclusion, the effects of food consumption that fits to the constitution of the twenties on their health status were understood by recognizing the constitutional food preference according to Sasang constitution. Comparing with the previous research results that constitutional food consumption can enhance their health status, there were no correlation between health status and constitutional food preference. The discrepancy of results can be addressed to difficulties of group selection, constitutional food categorization and lack of constitutional food-related questionnaires. Thus, it is required to conduct a follow-up studies that were made up for the mentioned shortcomings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.197-200
• /
• 2016

Background: Wedge filters are commonly used in radiation oncology for eliminating hot spots and creating a uniform dose distribution in optimizing isodose curves in the target volume for clinical aspects. These are some limited standard physical wedges ($15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$),or creating an arbitrary wedge angle, like motorized wedge or dynamic wedge,${\ldots}$ The new formulation is presented by the combination of wedge fields for determining an arbitrary effective wedge angles. The isodose curves also are derived for these wedges. Materials and Methods: we performed the dosimetry of Varian Clinac 2100C/D with Scanditronix Wellhofer water blue phantom, CU500E, OmniPro - Accept software and 0.13cc ionization chamber for 6Mv photon beam in depth of 10cm (reference depth) for universal physical wedges ($15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, and $60^{\circ}$) and reference field $10.10cm^2$. By combining the isodose curve standard wedge fields with compatible weighting dose for each field, the effective isodose curve is calculated for any wedge angle. Results: The relation between a given effective wedge angle and the weighting of each combining wedge fields was derived. A good agreement was found between the measured and calculated wedge angles and the maximum deviation did not exceed $3^{\circ}$. The difference between the measured and calculated data decreased when the combined wedge angles were closer. The results are in agreement with the motorized single wedge appliance in the literature. Conclusions: This technique showed that the effective wedge angle that is obtained from this method is adequate for clinical applications and the motorized wedge formalism is a special case of this consideration.