• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.20
• /
• pp.9033-9038
• /
• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) based volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for locally advanced left sided breast cancer patients undergoing radical mastectomy. DIBH immobilizes the tumor bed providing dosimetric benefits over free breathing (FB). Materials and Methods: Ten left sided post mastectomy patients were immobilized in a supine position with both the arms lifted above the head on a hemi-body vaclock. Two thermoplastic masks were prepared for each patient, one for normal free breathing and a second made with breath-hold to maintain reproducibility. DIBH CT scans were performed in the prospective mode of the Varian real time position management (RPM) system. The planning target volume (PTV) included the left chest wall and supraclavicular nodes and PTV prescription dose was 5000cGy in 25 fractions. DIBH-3DCRT planning was performed with the single iso-centre technique using a 6MV photon beam and the field-in-field technique. VMAT plans for FB and DIBH contained two partial arcs ($179^{\circ}-300^{\circ}CCW/CW$). Dose volume histograms of PTV and OAR's were analyzed for DIBH-VMAT, FB-VMAT and DIBH-3DCRT. In DIBH mode daily orthogonal ($0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$) KV images were taken to determine the setup variability and weekly twice CBCT to verify gating threshold level reproducibility. Results: DIBH-VMAT reduced the lung and heart dose compared to FB-VMAT, while maintaining similar PTV coverage. The mean heart $V_{30Gy}$ was $2.3%{\pm}2.7$, $5.1%{\pm}3.2$ and $3.3%{\pm}7.2$ and for left lung $V_{20Gy}$ was $18.57%{\pm}2.9$, $21.7%{\pm}3.9$ and $23.5%{\pm}5.1$ for DIBH-VMAT, FB-VMAT and DIBH-3DCRT respectively. Conclusions: DIBH-VMAT significantly reduced the heart and lung dose for left side chest wall patients compared to FB-VMAT. PTV conformity index, homogeneity index, ipsilateral lung dose and heart dose were better for DIBH-VMAT compared to DIBH-3DCRT. However, contralateral lung and breast volumes exposed to low doses were increased with DIBH-VMAT.

• Journal of Plant Biology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.165-175
• /
• 1985

The natural forest vegetation of the Piagol, Mt. Chiri, was classified into five major communities, i.e. Quercus mongolica, Carpinus laxiflora, C. tschonoskii, Q. serrata and Fraxinus mandshurica community. C. tschonoskii, C. laxiflora and Q. mongolica characteristically were dominated in the range of 500∼700 m, 700∼900 m and 900∼1,400 m in altitude, respectively. Abies nephrolepis and Rhododendron schlippenbachii in the ridge of Nogodan-Nalnaribong, and F. mandshurica and Q. serrata in the Yongsuam ravine were found as the dominant species. The transition between C. tschonoskii and C. laxiflora communities was relatively wide. The boundary between F. mandshurica, in the conglomerated zone, and the other communities surrounding its community was fairly abrupt. In Q. mongolica community, the canopy was relatively opened and the oak young tree of undergrowth was fairly dense. In the community of C. laxiflora and C. tschonoskii, the species composed of their understory was rich while their coverage was lower than that of Q. mongolica community. Shannon's diversity index was decreased in order of C. tschonoskii, C. laxiflora and Q. mongolica community, while their Simpson's dominance index increased conversely. Judging by the DBH-class distribution showing the negative exponential curve, these communities were considered as the climax forest. In Polar Ordination used samples (quadrats), the vegetation of the Piagol was divided into five groups, which was coincided with five communities classified by Braun-Blanquet system. In the ordination, the first axis and the second axis may be considered soil conditions and thermal conditions, respectively. It seems that two different methods, phytosociological method in macro level and ordination techniques in micro level, are useful for the vegetation classification.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.7-13
• /
• 2019

Purpose: To compare the dosimetrical and radiobiological parameters among various volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) techniques using restricted and continuous arc beams for left-sided breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Ten patients with left-sided breast cancer without regional nodes were retrospectively selected and prescribed the dose of 42.6 Gy in 16 fractions on the planning target volume (PTV). For each patient, three plans were generated using the $Eclipse^{TM}$ system (Varian Medical System, Palo Alto, CA) with one partial arc 1pVMAT, two partial arcs 2pVMAT, and two tangential arcs 2tVMAT. All plans were calculated through anisotropic analytic algorithm and photon optimizer with 6 MV photon beam of $VitalBEAM^{TM}$. The same dose objectives for each plan were used to achieve a fair comparison during optimization. Results: For PTV, dosimetrical parameters such as Homogeneity index, conformity index, and conformal number were superior in 2pVMAT than those in both techniques. $V_{95%}$, which indicates PTV coverage, was 91.86%, 96.60%, and 96.65% for 1pVMAT, 2pVMAT, and 2tVMAT, respectively. In most organs at risk (OARs), 2pVMAT significantly reduced the delivered doses compared with the other techniques, excluding the doses to contralateral lung. For the analysis of radiobiological parameters, a significant difference in normal tissue complication probability was observed in ipsilateral lung while no difference was observed in the other OARs. Conclusions: Our study showed that 2pVMAT had better plan quality and normal tissue sparing than 1pVMAT and 2tVMAT but not for all parameters. Therefore, 2pVMAT could be considered the priority choice for the treatment planning for left breast cancer.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.53-63
• /
• 2024

Biodiversity holds significant importance within the framework of environmental impact assessment, being utilized in site selection for development, understanding the surrounding environment, and assessing the impact on species due to disturbances. The field of environmental impact assessment has seen substantial research exploring new technologies and models to evaluate and predict biodiversity more accurately. While current assessments rely on data from fieldwork and literature surveys to gauge species richness indices, limitations in spatial and temporal coverage underscore the need for high-resolution biodiversity assessments through species richness mapping. In this study, leveraging data from the 4th National Ecosystem Survey and environmental variables, we developed a species distribution model using Random Forest. This model yielded mapping results of 24 mammalian species' distribution, utilizing the species richness index to generate a 100-meter resolution map of species richness. The research findings exhibited a notably high predictive accuracy, with the species distribution model demonstrating an average AUC value of 0.82. In addition, the comparison with National Ecosystem Survey data reveals that the species richness distribution in the high-resolution species richness mapping results conforms to a normal distribution. Hence, it stands as highly reliable foundational data for environmental impact assessment. Such research and analytical outcomes could serve as pivotal new reference materials for future urban development projects, offering insights for biodiversity assessment and habitat preservation endeavors.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.1_2
• /
• pp.153-160
• /
• 2018

Purpose : We retrospectively analyzed doses of each radiation therapy technique used in the treatment for left breast cancer patients after partial mastectomy through dose results for normalorgans and tumor volume to use this as a clinical reference for radiation therapy of domestic left breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods : 40 patients who underwent partial mastectomy on left breast cancer were classified in 3 treatment methods. The treatment plan was evaluated by HI(homogeneity index), $D_{95%}$, and CI(conformity index), and the $V_{hot}$ for gross tumor volume and clinical target volume of each treatment method. In Cyberknife treatment, tumor volume was the same as high dose volume in the other techniques, so no consideration was given to clinical target volume. Treatment plan evaluation for normal organs were evaluated by mean dose on ipsilateral lung, heart, left anterior descending artery, opposite breast and lung, and non-target tissue. Result : Treatment with volumetric arc radiotherapy(VMAT) showed $95.84{\pm}0.75%$ of $D_{95%}$ on the clinical target volume, significantly higher than that of 3D-CRT. The $D_{95%}$ value of the total tumor volume was slightly higher than the other treatments. In Cyberknife treatment, the dose to the normal organs was significantly lower than other treatments. Overall, the maximum dose and mean dose to the heart were $26.2{\pm}6.12Gy$ and $1.88{\pm}0.2Gy$ in VMAT treatment and $20.25{\pm}9.35Gy$ and $1.04{\pm}0.19Gy$ in 3D-CRT therapy, respectively. Conclusion : In comparison on 3D-CRT and VMAT, most of the dosimetric parameters for the evaluation of the treatment plan showed similar values, so that there is no significant difference in treatment plan evaluation. It is possible to select the treatment method according to the patient's anatomical structure or possibility of breath control. Cyberknife treatment is very useful treatment for normal organs because of its accurate dose exposure to the tumor volume However, it has restrictions to treat the local area, to have relatively long treatment time and to involve invasive procedure.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.491-499
• /
• 2020

Increasing impervious surfaces can cause various physical and mental illnesses as well as further problems like deterioration of the thermal environment and disconnection of the water circulation system in the downtown area. This study is intended to suggest baseline data for the future creation or remodelation of large-scaled urban parks in consideration of human health on the aspect of climate by analyzing air ions condition and correlation analysis between air ions and meteorological elements depending on distances from the center in the urban park. The study site was divided into four types by distances from the center of Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, then classified as A and B. After selecting 80 points to record, land coverage and vegetation status were investigated, and then meteorological elements and air ions were measured. First, the green space rate by section is A section Center (90%)> Inner (70%)> Outer-inner (10%) = Outer (10%), B section Center (100%)> Inner (60%)> Outer- In order of inner (30%)> Outer (0%). Second, for weather factors, the temperature was analyzed by Outer (24.18℃) > Outer-inner (22.90℃) > Inner (22.43℃) > Center (21.719℃). For relative humidity, center (46.49%) > Inner (43.36%) > Outer-inner (42.41%) > Outer (38.53%) was analyzed. Third, In the case of cations in the air ions, Outer(435.71ea/㎤) > Outer-inner(415.16ea/㎤) > Inner (389.46ea/㎤) > Center (352.64ea/㎤). In the case of negative ions, Center (569.72ea/㎤) > Inner (499.83ea/㎤) > Outer-inner(410.58ea/㎤) > Outer (292.02ea/㎤). It was analyzed to increase toward Center, and analyzed to decrease with increasing distance from road. For the Air ion index, it was analyzed as Center (1.67) > Inner (1.31) > Outer-inner (1.08) > Outer (0.71). Negative irons was analyzed to increase when its measuring points close to the center and decrease with shortening distance to the road. Fourth, as a result of correlation analysis, positive(+) correlation is negative ions and ion index. These were measured to increase as the recording points closing to the center of the park from the road. The negative(-) correlation is temperature, solar radiation, and positive ions. These increased as getting closer to the road.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.295-305
• /
• 2024

This study aims to analyze the micro-sedimentary structures of the Hwangdo tidal flats using ultra-high resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data. Tidal flats, located in the transitional area between land and sea, constantly change due to tidal activities and provide a unique environment important for understanding sedimentary processes and environmental conditions. Traditional field observation methods are limited in spatial and temporal coverage, and existing satellite imagery does not provide sufficient resolution to study micro-sedimentary structures. To overcome these limitations, high-resolution images of the Hwangdo tidal flats in Chungcheongnam-do were acquired using UAVs. This area has experienced significant changes in its sedimentary environment due to coastal development projects such as sea wall construction. From May 17 to 18, 2022, sediment samples were collected from 91 points during field surveys and 25 in-situ points were intensively analyzed. UAV data with a spatial resolution of approximately 0.9 mm allowed identifying and extracting parameters related to micro-sedimentary structures. For mud cracks, the length of the major axis of the polygons was extracted, and the wavelength and ripple symmetry index were extracted for ripple marks. The results of the study showed that in areas with mud content above 80%, mud cracks formed at an average major axis length of 37.3 cm. In regions with sand content above 60%, ripples with an average wavelength of 8 cm and a ripple symmetry index of 2.0 were formed. This study demonstrated that micro-sedimentary structures of tidal flats can be effectively analyzed using ultra-high resolution UAV data without field surveys. This highlights the potential of UAV technology as an important tool in environmental monitoring and coastal management and shows its usefulness in the study of sedimentary structures. In addition, the results of this study are expected to serve as baseline data for more accurate sedimentary facies classification.

• Korean journal of communication and information
• /
• v.53
• /
• pp.29-52
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence exerted by integration of newsroom upon creation, organization, and operation of news, efficiency during the process of creating news, and the qualitative level of journalism. This study has also utilized a quantitative and qualitative survey method that compares the results of survey on perception of media personnel with the results of case studies. The survey on perception is based on a questionnaire survey separately conducted on changes to organizational operation after integration among executives of top 170 newspapers in USA selected based on circulation. The details of survey include the influence of 1) Change in the system of news coverage and reporting, 2) Qualitative change to journalism, and 3) The differing backgrounds of constituent members upon operation of the integrated newsroom. Moreover, to find out whether the quantitative index shown by the perception survey is actually reflected on the media which operates an integrated newsroom, this study has conducted an in depth interview with related personnel of New York Times and Media General in USA, TMG of UK, Nordjyske of Denmark, and CBS in Korea and also engaged in literature survey. The results of the surveys are as follows. First, this study found that unlike the assertions of many earlier studies, integration of the newsroom generally exerts positive influence upon the organizational operation of a media corporation. Second, after integration, inefficiency of the past for the organization in general including coverage and reporting system, communication within and outside the organization, output of journalists, etc. decreased, and synergistic effect was created. Third, integration of the newsroom generally exercised positive influence upon enhancing the qualitative level of journalism. Fourth, while the current personnel of media generally offered positive assessment of integrating constituent members of differing backgrounds as one newsroom, the case study also showed that there are many negative aspects to it.

• Atmosphere
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.20-42
• /
• 2002

Based on the "Mid to Long Term Plan for Space Development", a project to launch COMeS (Communication, Oceanography, and Meteorological Satellite) into the geostationary orbit is undergoing. Accordingly, KMA (Korea Meteorological Administration) has defined the meteorological missions and prepared the user requirements to fulfill the missions. To make a realistic user requirements, we prepared a first draft based on the ideal meteorological products derivable from a geostationary platform and sent the RFI (request for information) to the sensor manufacturers. Based on the responses to the RFI and other considerations, we revised the user requirement to be a realistic plan for the 2008 launch of the satellite. This manuscript introduces the revised user requirements briefly. The major mission defined in the revised user requirement is the augmentation of the detection and prediction ability of the severe weather phenomena, especially around the Korean Peninsula. The required payload is an enhanced Imager, which includes the major observation channels of the current geostationary sounder. To derive the required meteorological products from the Imager, at least 12 channels are required with the optimum of 16 channels. The minimum 12 channels are 6 wavelength bands used for current geostationary satellite, and additional channels in two visible bands, a near infrared band, two water vapor bands and one ozone absorption band. From these enhanced channel observation, we are going to derive and utilize the information of water vapor, stability index, wind field, and analysis of special weather phenomena such as the yellow sand event in addition to the standard derived products from the current geostationary Imager data. For a better temporal coverage, the Imager is required to acquire the full disk data within 15 minutes and to have the rapid scan mode for the limited area coverage. The required thresholds of spatial resolutions are 1 km and 2 km for visible and infrared channels, respectively, while the target resolutions are 0.5 km and 1 km.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.215-224
• /
• 2013

We clarified the background for establishment of vegetation by comparing the spatial distribution maps of vegetation and substrate on a gravel bar in the Bangtae stream located on Inje-gun of Gangwon-do, the central eastern Korea. The total vegetation coverage was higher in the interior and lower in the marginal parts of the gravel bar. Spatial distribution of vegetation on the longitudinal section of the gravel bar tended to be arranged in the order of shrub, subtree, and tree dominated vegetation types from the front (upstream) toward the rear (downstream) parts. Coverage of the herbaceous plants was higher in the central and rear parts and lower in the front and right parts of the gravel bar. Vegetation height was higher in the rear part and became lowered as move toward the front part. Substrate was distributed in the order of boulder, gravel, sand, and boulder from the front toward the rear parts. Ordination of stands based on vegetation data was arranged in the order of annual plant, perennial herb, shrub, and tree dominated vegetation as move from the right to the left parts on the axis I. Species richness was higher in the order of Pinus densiflora community, Phragmites japonica community, Salix gracilistyla community, Fraxinus rhynchophylla community, annual plant dominated vegetation, and Prunus padus for. padus community based on the species rank-abundance curve. The order based on the Shannon's index was some different; diversity of Phragmites japonica community and Salix gracilistyla community, which showed higher dominance degree, were low differently from species richness. In conclusion, it was evaluated that the gravel bar newly established toward the upstream and vegetation dynamics of the gravel bar seemed to follow ecosystem mechanisms of succession. As were shown in the above results, the Bangtae stream corresponded to the upstream and thereby particle size of substrate was big. Therefore, they move by rolling and are accumulated for the upstream. Vegetation types were arranged in the order of woodland, shrub-land and grassland from the rear toward the front parts of the gravel bar and thereby reflected the formation process of the bar. However, the gravel bar is disturbed frequently by not only the running water but also the suspended sand as the dynamic space. Such disturbances cause habitat diversity and consequently led to high biodiversity.