• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4567-4570
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• 2013

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the commonest radiocurable cancer in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the treatment outcomes and late effects of radiotherapy for NPC patients treated in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Materials and Methods: All newly diagnosed patients with NPC referred for treatment to the Oncology unit at UMMC from 2004-2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment outcomes were 5 years overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), cause-specific survival (CSS), locoregional control (LRC) and radiotherapy-related late effects. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and differences in survival according to AJCC stage was compared using the log-rank test. Results: A total of 176 patients with newly diagnosed NPC were treated in UMMC during this period. Late presentation was common, with 33.5% presenting with T3-4 disease, 84.7% with N1-3 disease and 75.6% with AJCC stage 3-4 disease. Radical RT was given to 162 patients with 22.7% having RT alone and 69.3% having CCRT. The stipulated OTT was 7 weeks and 72.2% managed to complete their RT within this time period. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given to 14.8% while adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 16.5%. The 5 years OS was 51.6% with a median follow up of 58 months. The 5 years OS according to stage were 81.8% for stage I, 77.9% for stage II, 47.4% for stage III and 25.9% for stage IV. The 5 years overall CSS, DFS and LRC were 54.4%, 48.4% and 70.6%, respectively. RT related late effects were documented in 80.2%. The commonest was xerostomia (66.7%). Other documented late effects were hearing deficit (17.3%), visual deficit (3.1%), neck stiffness (3.1%), dysphagia (3.4%), cranial nerve palsy (2.5%), pneumonitis (0.6%) and hypothyroidism (1.2%). Conclusions: The 5 years OS and LRC in this study are low compared to the latest studies especially those utilizing IMRT. Implementation of IMRT for NPC treatment should be strongly encouraged.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to evaluate the bond strength of asphalt emulsions including polymer-modified emulsions for chip seals and fog seals using the bitumen bond strength (BBS) test. METHODS : For the laboratory testing, the Pneumatic Adhesion tensile Testing Instrument(PATTI) device is used to measure the bond strength between the asphalt emulsion and aggregate substrate based on the AASHTO TP-91. In order to conduct all the tests in controled condition, all test procedures are performed in the environmental chamber. The CRS-2L and the SBS CRS-2P emulsions are used as a polymer-modified emulsion, and then unmodified emulsion, the CRS-2, is compared for the evaluation of chip seal performance. For the fog seal performance evaluation, two types of polymer-modified emulsions and one of unmodified emulsion, the CSS-1H, are employed. For chip seal study, the BBS tests are performed at 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes of curing times with curing and testing temperatures of $15^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, and $35^{\circ}C$. The fog seal tests are conducted at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 minutes, and 24 hours with curing and testing temperatures of $25^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$, and $35^{\circ}C$. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : Overall, chip seal emulsions and fog seal emulsions show the similar bond strength trend. At the same testing condition, polymer-modified emulsions show better bond strength than unmodified emulsions. Also, there is no significant difference between polymer-modified emulsions. One of important findings is that the most bond strength reaches their final bond strength within one hour of curing time. Therefore, the early curing time plays a vital role in the performance of chip seals and fog seals.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.232-240
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the zygomaticotemporal suture (ZTS) maturation, analyze the age distribution patterns of ZTS maturation stages, and investigate the relationship between ZTS and cervical vertebral maturation (CVM). Methods: A total of 261 patients who underwent cone-beam computed tomography (112 males, mean age, 13.1 ± 3.3 years; 149 females, mean age, 13.7 ± 3.1 years) were examined to evaluate the ZTS stages. The ZTS stages were defined based on a modified method from previous studies on zygomaticomaxillary sutures. Differences between groups and correlations between indicators were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test, intraclass coefficient of correlation (ICC), one-way analysis of variance and rank sum test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The diagnostic value of CVM stages in identifying ZTS maturation stages was evaluated using positive likelihood ratios (LRs). Results: A positive relationship was found between the ZTS and CVM stage (r = 0.747, ICC = 0.621, p < 0.01) and between the ZTS stage and chronological age (r = 0.727, ICC = 0.330, p < 0.01). Positive LRs > 10 were found for several cervical stages (CSs), including CS1 and CS2 for the diagnosis of stage B, CS1 to CS3 for the diagnosis of stages B and C, and CS6 for the diagnosis of stages D and E. Conclusions: The ZTS maturation stage may be more relevant to the CVM stage than to the chronological age. The CVM stages can be good indicators for clinical decisions regarding maxillary protraction, except for CS4 and CS5.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.105-116
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• 2011

With recent spotlight on the, uniquitous computing technology, the need for object of indentification and location infrastructure has increased. Such GPS technolgy must utilize IEEE 802.15.4 Zigbee used for existing wireless sensor network infra as a basice element for user's context-awareness in a uniquitous environement, for effectiveness.Such real-time GPS service is provided in the internal environment where the user would actually are and most high-rise buildlings apply. Underthe assumption, the real-time GPS technology is seperated by each floor, and signals do not get transmitted to other floors, the application on one floor within the high-rise buildling was conducted. This study intends to suggest a floor detection algorithm using IEE 802.15.3/Zigbee's RSSI which supports the accuracy within a couple of meters for the user's the movement between the floors in high-rise buildings in a complex environment. It proposes an floor detection algorithm using IEEE 802.15.4/Zigbee's RSSI which provides accuracy within a radius of few meters for the users movement between the floors for real-time location tracking within high-rise building in a cmoplex environment. Furthermore, for more accurate real-time location tracking, it suggests an algorithm for real-time location tracking using IEEE 802.15.4a/Zigbee's CSS technology based on triangulation. Based on the suggested algorithm, it designs a hybrid real-time location tracking service system in a high-rise buildling and test its functions.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.4A
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• pp.743-752
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• 2006

Confined concrete has enhanced strength and ductility compared with unconfined strength. Cause of these merits of confined concrete, many researches have been performed for confining effects of concrete and been studied in many fields. Although many researches about concrete confined by FRP sheets have been studied recently, it is difficult to apply concrete confined by FRP in real structures because FRP is a brittle material. In this study, the enhanced strength and ductility of concrete which is confined by steel tubes or steel plates were investigated. Fifty one specimens were tested and each specimen has different confining condition. Test results showed enhanced ductility and strength of confined concrete and concrete models were suggested under various confining conditions by regression of experimental data.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.403-410
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine whether olfactory stimulation would improve spasticity, balance ability and quality of life in stroke patients. Twenty-one stroke patients were recruited and were randomly divided into two groups: olfactory stimulation group (n=10) and sham stimulation group (n=11). Participants in both groups received conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes before the intervention. Additionally, subject in the olfactory stimulation group performed olfactory stimulation using lavender oil for 6 minutes (2 minx3 set), five times a week for two weeks, while the sham stimulation group conducted olfactory stimulation using water for the same amount of time. Composite-Spasticity-Score was used to assess spasticity level of ankle plantar-flexors. Dynamic balance was measured using a TUG. Postural-sway distance was measured using a force platform. Quality of life were measured by SF-36. There was no significant difference within group and between the groups in the spasticity. Significant improvement in postural-sway and TUG were observed in the olfactory stimulation group compared to the sham stimulation group (p<0.05). The Mental Componnt Summary of the SF 36 in the olfactory stimulation group improved significantly greater than the sham stimulation group (p<0.05). Our findings indicate that olfactory stimulation is beneficial and effective to improve balance ability and quality of life in stroke patients.