• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the effective volume of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science free air chamber (KRISS FAC) L1 used for the primary standard device of the low-energy X-ray air kerma. Methods: The mechanical dimensions were measured using a 3-dimensional coordinate measuring machine (3-d CMM, Model UMM 500, Carl Zeiss). The diameter of the diaphragm was measured by a ring gauge calibrator (Model KRISS-DM1, KRISS). The elongation of the collector length due to electric field distortion was determined from the capacitance measurement of the KRISS FAC considering the result of the finite element method (FEM) analysis using the code QuickField v6.4. Results: The measured length of the collector was 15.8003±0.0014 mm with a 68% confidence level (k=1). The aperture diameter of the diaphragm was 10.0021±0.0002 mm (k=1). The mechanical measurement volume of the KRISS FAC L1 was 1.2415±0.0006 cm³ (k=1). The elongated length of the collector due to the electric field distortion was 0.170±0.021 mm. Considering the elongated length, the effective measurement volume of the KRISS FAC L1 was 1.2548±0.0019 cm³(k=1). Conclusions: The effective volume of the KRISS FAC L1 was determined from the mechanically measured value by adding the elongated volume due to the electric field distortion in the FAC. The effective volume will replace the existing mechanically determined volume in establishing and maintaining the primary standard of the low-energy X-ray.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.72-79
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• 2022

Purpose: The proficiency test was conducted to assess the performance of the dosimetry audit service provider in the readout practice of the dose delivered to patients in medical institutions. Methods: A certain amount of the absorbed dose to water for the high-energy X-ray from the medical linear accelerator (LINAC) installed in the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) was delivered to the postal dose audit package given by the dosimetry audit service provider, in which the radio-photoluminescence (RPL) glass dosimeters were mounted. The dosimetry audit service provider read the RPL glass dosimeters and sent the readout dose value with its uncertainty to KRISS. The performance of the dosimetry audit service provider was evaluated based on the E_n number given in ISO/IEC 17043:2010. Results: The evaluated E_n number was -0.954. Based on the ISO/IEC 17043, the performance of the dosimetry service provider is "satisfactory." Conclusions: As part of the conformity assessment, the KRISS performed the proficiency test over the postal dose audit practice run by the dosimetry audit service provider. The proficiency test is in line with confirming the traceability of the medical institutions to the primary standard of absorbed dose to the water of the KRISS and ensuring the confidence of the dosimetry audit service provider.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2008

Among the many odor materials, aldehyde has bad influences not only on human nose, but also on human health. Aldehyde has a strong odor at infinitesimal level, such as down to ppt concentration. Also aldehydes are highly reactive and have poor stability. Therefore, manufacture of standard gases, analysis of aldehydes are very difficult compare to other air pollution analysis. Aldehyde CRM containing 4 different aldehydes at $10{\mu}mol/mol$ (ppm) is developed by using gravimetry method according to ISO 6142 guide. The standard gases were reproduced again, and examined its reproducibility of preparation by GC-FID. The developed aldehyde CRM's certified value showed a relative expanded uncertainties of 2.11 % (95 % of confidence level, k=2).

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2023

Urbanization and industrialization have significantly increased the amount of solid waste produced in recent decades, posing considerable disposal problems and environmental burdens. The practice of waste utilization in concrete has gained popularity among construction practitioners and researchers for the efficient use of resources and the transition to the circular economy in construction. This study employed Lytag aggregate, an environmentally friendly pulverized fuel ash-based lightweight aggregate, as a substitute for natural coarse aggregate. At the same time, fly ash, an industrial by-product, was used as a partial substitute for cement. Concrete mix M20 was experimented with using fly ash and Lytag lightweight aggregate. The percentages of fly ash that make up the replacements were 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%. The Compressive Strength (CS), Split Tensile Strength (STS), and deflection were discovered at these percentages after 56 days of testing. The concrete cube, cylinder, and beam specimens were examined in the explorations, as mentioned earlier. The results indicate that a 10% substitution of cement with fly ash and a replacement of coarse aggregate with Lytag lightweight aggregate produced concrete that performed well in terms of mechanical properties and deflection. The cementitious composites have varying characteristics as the environment changes. Therefore, understanding their mechanical properties are crucial for safety reasons. CS, STS, and deflection are the essential property of concrete. Machine learning (ML) approaches have been necessary to predict the CS of concrete. The Artificial Fish Swarm Optimization (AFSO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Harmony Search (HS) algorithms were investigated for the prediction of outcomes. This work deftly explains the tremendous AFSO technique, which achieves the precise ideal values of the weights in the model to crown the mathematical modeling technique. This has been proved by the minimum, maximum, and sample median, and the first and third quartiles were used as the basis for a boxplot through the standardized method of showing the dataset. It graphically displays the quantitative value distribution of a field. The correlation matrix and confidence interval were represented graphically using the corrupt method.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 2023

Purpose: This preliminary retrospective cohort study analyzed the relationship between the parameters provided by sonorheometry device Quantra and the coagulation values obtained from standard venous blood samples in patients admitted in intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: We reviewed medical charts of 13 ICU adult patients in whom at least one coagulation study with Quantra was performed. The relationship between Quantra and laboratory data was analyzed with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rho). The 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We collected 28 data pairs. Statistically significant moderate correlations were found for the following parameters: clot time (CT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (rho=0.516; 95% CI, 0.123-0.904; P=0.009; clot stiffness (CS) and the international normalized ratio (INR; rho=0.418; 95% CI, 0.042-0.787; P=0.039); INR and platelet contribution to CS (rho=0.459; 95% CI, 0.077-0.836; P=0.022); platelet count and platelet contribution to CS (PCS; rho=0.498; 95% CI, 0.166-0.825; P=0.008); and fibrinogen and fibrinogen contribution to CS (FCS; rho=0.620; 95% CI, 0.081-0.881; P=0.001). Conclusions: Quantra can provide useful information regarding coagulation status, showing modest correlations with the parameters obtained from laboratory tests. During diffuse bleeding, CT and FCS values can guide the proper administration of clotting factors and fibrinogens. However, the correlation of INR with CS and PCS can cause misinterpretation. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between Quantra parameters and laboratory tests in the critical care setting and the role of sonorheometry in guiding targeted therapies and improving outcomes.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2024

Purpose: Although the 24-hours urinary copper excretion is useful for the diagnosis of Wilson disease (WD), there are practical difficulties in the accurate and timed collection of urine samples. The purpose of this study was to verify if the spot morning urinary Copper/Zinc (Cu/Zn) ratio could be used as a replacement parameter of 24-hours urinary copper excretion in the diagnosis of WD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from June 2019 to May 2021 on 67 children over three years of age who presented with liver disease. Twenty-seven children who fulfilled the inclusion criteria for WD were categorized into the test group, and the remaining forty children were considered to have non-Wilsonian liver disease and were categorized into the control group. Along with other laboratory investigations, spot morning urinary samples were estimated for the urinary Cu/Zn ratio in all patients and were compared to the 24-hour urinary copper excretion. The diagnostic value of the Cu/Zn ratio was then analyzed. Results: Correlation of spot morning urinary Cu/Zn ratio with 24-hours urinary copper excretion was found to be significant (r=0.60). The area under ROC curve with 95% confidence interval of morning urinary Cu/Zn ratio measured using 24-hours urine sample was 0.84 (standard error, 0.05; p<0.001). Conclusion: Spot morning urinary Cu/Zn ratio seems to be a promising parameter for the replacement of 24-hours urinary copper excretion in the diagnosis of WD.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.169-177
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: Acute worsening of cardiac function frequently leads to kidney dysfunction. This study aimed to identify clinical and imaging parameters associated with impaired kidney function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS: Data from 131 patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction, < 40%) were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at admission (those with preserved kidney function [GFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m²] and those with reduced kidney function [GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²]). Various echocardiographic parameters and perirenal fat thicknesses were assessed by computed tomography. RESULTS: There were 71 patients with preserved kidney function and 60 patients with reduced kidney function. Increased age (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.12; p = 0.005), increased log N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.14-2.66; p = 0.010), and increased perirenal fat thickness (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.10-1.29; p < 0.001) were independently associated with reduced kidney function, even after adjusting for variable clinical and echocardiographic parameters. The optimal average perirenal fat thickness cut-off value of > 12 mm had a sensitivity of 55% and specificity of 83% for kidney dysfunction prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Thick perirenal fat was independently associated with impaired kidney function in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HFrEF. Measurement of perirenal fat thickness may be a promising imaging marker for the detection of HFrEF patients who are more susceptible to kidney dysfunction.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Cancer stigma (CS), a self-inflicted sense of hopelessness, has been identified as a major factor affecting cancer patients' outcomes. However, few studies have investigated the CS-related outcomes in hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) cancer. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate effects of CS on quality of life (QoL) of HBP cancer. Methods: From 2017 to 2018, 73 patients who underwent curative surgery for HBP tumor at a single intuitive were enrolled prospectively. The QoL was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL score, and CS was evaluated in three categories, "impossibility of recovery," "cancer stereotypes," and "social discrimination." the stigma was defined by higher scores of attitudes compared with the median value. Results: The stigma group showed a lower QoL (-17.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -26.75 to 8.60, p < 0.001) than the no stigma group. Similarly, most function and symptoms of the stigma group showed worse results than the no stigma group. The difference in function scores between the two groups according to CS was highest in cognitive function (-21.20, 95% CI: -30.36 to 12.04, p < 0.001). Fatigue showed the largest difference between the two groups at 22.84 (95% CI: 12.88-32.07, p < 0.001) and was the most severe symptom in stigma group. Conclusions: CS was an important negative factor affecting the QoL, function, and symptoms of HBP cancer patients. Therefore, appropriate management of CS is crucial for improved postoperative QoL.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.369-382
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• 2023

We examined the changes in the physicochemical quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of fresh-cut Fuji apples (Malus pumila) during processing and storage after treatment with browning inhibitors. The primary aim was to elucidate processing suitability and storability. We observed that in the processing stage of slicing fresh Fuji apples, there were no significant differences in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging ability and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). However, after NaClO treatment, total flavonoid and total polyphenol contents decreased. When freshcut Fuji apples were treated with browning inhibitors and stored at 4℃, the L value and hardness decreased; however, the weight loss rate increased based on the storage period of all fruit groups treated with Citrus unshiu Markovich (CuM), calcium ascorbate (CA), and ascorbic acid (AA). The pH increased after 2 days of storage in 1% CuM and after 6 days of storage in 1% CA; however, no changes in pH were observed during the storage period in 1% AA. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was generally good under storage conditions of 1% AA at 4℃ and 1% CA at 20℃. Furthermore, FRAP remained relatively constant under storage conditions of 1% CA. The quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of fresh-cut fruits during processing and storage can be used as basic data for industries. Furthermore, we can gain confidence in quality improvements by improving the production and distribution environment of fresh-cut agricultural products.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.512-521
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• 2023

Objective: There is increasing recognition that left atrial (LA) strain can be a prognostic marker of various cardiac diseases. However, its prognostic value in acute myocarditis remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived parameters of LA strain can predict outcomes in patients with acute myocarditis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 47 consecutive patients (44.2 ± 18.3 years; 29 males) with acute myocarditis who underwent CMR in 13.5 ± 9.7 days (range, 0-31 days) of symptom onset. Various parameters, including feature-tracked CMR-derived LA strain, were measured using CMR. The composite endpoints included cardiac death, heart transplantation, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker implantation, rehospitalization following a cardiac event, atrial fibrillation, or embolic stroke. The Cox regression analysis was performed to identify associations between the variables derived from CMR and the composite endpoints. Results: After a median follow-up of 37 months, 20 of the 47 (42.6%) patients experienced the composite events. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, LA reservoir and conduit strains were independent predictors of the composite endpoints, with an adjusted hazard ratio per 1% increase of 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.96; P = 0.002) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.84-0.98; P = 0.013), respectively. Conclusion: LA reservoir and conduit strains derived from CMR are independent predictors of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocarditis.