• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2021

The evolution of X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been based on the discovery of X-rays, the inception of the Radon transform, and the development of X-ray digital data acquisition systems and computer technology. Unlike conventional X-ray imaging (general radiography), CT reconstructs cross-sectional anatomical images of the internal structures according to X-ray attenuation coefficients (approximate tissue density) for almost every region in the body. This article reviews the essential physical principles and technical aspects of the CT scanner, including several notable evolutions in CT technology that resulted in the emergence of helical, multidetector, cone beam, portable, dual-energy, and phase-contrast CT, in integrated imaging modalities, such as positron-emission-tomography-CT and single-photon-emission-computed-tomography-CT, and in clinical applications, including image acquisition parameters, CT angiography, image adjustment, versatile image visualizations, volumetric/surface rendering on a computer workstation, radiation treatment planning, and target localization in radiotherapy. The understanding of CT characteristics will provide more effective and accurate patient care in the fields of diagnostics and radiotherapy, and can lead to the improvement of image quality and the optimization of exposure doses.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2022

Both angiography and interventional procedures accompanied by angiography provide many diagnostic and therapeutic benefits to patients and are rapidly increasing. However, unlike general radiography or computed tomography using the same X-ray, the amount of radiation is quite high, but the dose range can vary considerably for each patient and operator. The high sensitivity of the lens to radiation during cerebral angiography and neurointervention is already well known, and although there are many related studies, it is insufficient to easily reduce radiation in diagnosis and treatment. In this situation, in particular, by adding three-dimensional rotational angiography (3D-RA) to the existing two-dimensional (2D) angiography, it is now possible to make an accurate diagnosis. However, since this 3D-RA acquires images through projection of more radiation than before, the exposure dose of the lens may be higher. Therefore, we tried to analyze whether the radiation dose of the lens can be reduced by moving the lens out of the field range by adjusting the table height and magnification ratio during the examination using 3D-RA. The surface dose was measured using a rando phantom and a radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter (PLD) and the radiation dose was compared by adjusting the table height and magnification ratio based on the central point. As a result, it was found that the radiation dose of the lens decreased as the table height increased from the central point, that is, as the lens was out of the field of view. In conclusion, in 3D-RA, moving the table position of about 2 cm in height will make a significant contribution to the dose reduction of the lens, and it was confirmed that adjusting the magnification ratio can also reduce the surface dose of the lens.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.47 no.8
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• pp.479-486
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to show the clinical results of combination of Nd-YAP (1340nm) laser therapy with conventional endodontic and periodontal treatment. Materials and Methods: Four patients with chronic advanced periodontitis and endodontic infection were treated with conventional treatment and Nd-YAP laser therapy. Occlusal adjustment and splinting were done for stabilization of the teeth with severe horizontal and vertical mobility. The protocol for periodontal treatment was followed as scaling and root planing, pocket irrigation with 3% $H_2O_2$ and exposure of Nd-YAP laser using 320${\mu}m$ optical fiber with 160mJ/pluse, 30Hz. The other protocol for endodontic treatment was followed as access opening, canal preparation by hand and rotary instrument, canal filling, and exposure of Nd-YAP laser using 200${\mu}m$ optical fiber with 200mJ/pluse, 10Hz and 180mJ/pluse, 5Hz which were used respectively for disinfection and canal filling. The assessments of probing depth, mobility, and radiography were made prior to and after treatment. Result: All of these four clinical cases showed good healing of periodontium, which presented decrease of mobility and pocket depth, and increase of bone regeneration and bone density on the radiography. Conclusion: The bactericidal effect of Nd-YAP laser would provide benefits for improving clinical results that are obtained from conventional therapy.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.25-35
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• 2015

Purpose: Signs that are installed at unnoticeable places or that disconnect before the destination can bring errors of location information delivery. Therefore, this study aims to find out the spatial relation between structure of space and signs in the perspective of visual exposure possibility, operating arrangement and assesment by applying spatial structure theory. Methods: Effectiveness of organization of guidance signs was evaluated after the four way-finding factors(Plan Configuration, Sign System, Perceptual Access, Architectural Difference) that G.D.Weisman suggested were interpreted by spatial structure theory(J-Graph analysis, Space Syntax, Visual Graph Analysis) under the premise that it is closely related to the structure of space. Results: 1) Because the south corridor that connects each department of outpatient division is located in the hierarchy center of the space, and walking density is expected to be high, guidance signs need to be organized at the place with high integration value. 2) The depth to the destination space can be estimated through J-Graph analysis. The depth means a switch of direction, and the guidance signs are needed according to the number. 3) According to visibility graph analysis, visual exposure can be different in the same hierarchy unit space according to the shape of the flat surface. Based on these data, location adjustment of signs is possible, and the improvement effect can be estimated quantitatively. Implications: Spatial structure theory can be utilized to design and evaluate sign systems, and it helps to clearly understand the improvement effect. It is desirable to specify design and estimation of sign systems in the order of J-Graph analysis${\rightarrow}$Space Syntax Theory${\rightarrow}$visibility graph analysis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8221-8226
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• 2016

Background: Misreporting self-reported family history may lead to biased estimations. We used Bayesian methods to adjust for exposure misclassification. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was used to identify breast cancer risk factors among Iranian women. Three models were jointly considered; an outcome, an exposure and a measurement model. All models were fitted using Bayesian methods, run to achieve convergence. Results: Bayesian analysis in the model without misclassification showed that the odds ratios for the relationship between breast cancer and a family history in different prior distributions were 2.98 (95% CRI: 2.41, 3.71), 2.57 (95% CRI: 1.95, 3.41) and 2.53 (95% CRI: 1.93, 3.31). In the misclassified model, adjusted odds ratios for misclassification in the different situations were 2.64 (95% CRI: 2.02, 3.47), 2.64 (95% CRI: 2.02, 3.46), 1.60 (95% CRI: 1.07, 2.38), 1.61 (95% CRI: 1.07, 2.40), 1.57 (95% CRI: 1.05, 2.35), 1.58 (95% CRI: 1.06, 2.34) and 1.57 (95% CRI: 1.06, 2.33). Conclusions: It was concluded that self-reported family history may be misclassified in different scenarios. Due to the lack of validation studies in Iran, more attention to this matter in future research is suggested, especially while obtaining results in accordance with sensitivity and specificity values.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.380-390
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• 2018

Objective: A significant association between blood lead levels and hypertension has been reported in many studies. The relationship between cadmium and hypertension has been debated as well. We aimed to study the association of lead, cadmium, and both with hypertension in the Korean general population. Methods: We examined 5,967 adult men and 6,074 women who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III-VI (2005, 2008-2013 years). Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between blood lead concentration and blood cadmium concentration and hypertension using logtransformed blood lead and cadmium concentrations as independent variables after covariate adjustment. Results: Adjusted for general characteristics, the odds ratio of log-lead to hypertension was 2.71 (1.82-4.03), and log-cadmium to hypertension was 2.52 (1.83-3.47). Estimates were found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). When a multiple logistic model was applied, the odds ratio of log-lead and log-cadmium for hypertension were 2.24 (1.50-3.36) and 2.24 (1.62-3.10), respectively. The standardized estimate coefficients of log-lead and logcadmium for hypertension were 4.77 and 6.65, respectively. Conclusion: We observed the association of blood lead concentration, blood cadmium concentration, and both with hypertension. This study suggests that exposure to lead and exposure to cadmium are both risk factors for hypertension.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.472-481
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the AD (allergic diseases: asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis) prevalence among elementary schoolchildren in an industrial city, Ulsan, and identify major environmental risk factors associated with AD prevalence. Methods: Data on the physician-diagnosed prevalence over the past 12 months and potential risk factors of AD were collected through a questionnaire from a 2009-2010 survey of 4,067 schoolchildren living in different urban environments. The logistic regression analysis was performed to assess differences in AD prevalence among the areas and to determine which environmental factors impacted AD. Results: Our survey results showed that the AD prevalence rate ranged between 26.2% and 35.9%. Children living in polluted areas (near industrial and central urban areas) had about a 10% higher prevalence of AD than did those living in coastal or suburban residences. The Chi-Square test demonstrated that this local difference was statistically significant before and after adjustment of major confounders such as parental AD history and parental education. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between several environmental factors (ventilation in winter, odor conditions and exposure to traffic smoke, and outdoor $PM_{10}/O_3$ pollution) and the prevalence of AD found by multivariate model after adjusting confounders. Conclusion: These results suggest that local differences in AD prevalence are significantly associated with outdoor environmental factors. Although there are likely to be other risk factors for AD, living in a polluted area and exposure to high levels of air pollutants can contribute to an increased risk of childhood AD.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.2085-2091
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• 2020

The license for Kori-1, the first commercial reactor in Busan, Korea, was terminated in June 2017; therefore, preparations are being made for its decommissioning. Because the radioactivity of Bio-shield varies greatly throughout the structure, the doses received by the workers depend on the location, order, and duration of dismantling operations. Thus, a model for evaluating the worker external dose during the dismantling of the Kori-1 bio-shield was developed, and work scenarios for dose assessment were designed. The Dose evaluation code VISIPLAN was used for dose assessment. The dose rate around the bio-shield was evaluated and the level of exposure to the operator was evaluated according to the work scenario. The maximum annual external dose was calculated as 746.86 mSv for a diamond wire saw operator under dry cutting conditions, indicating that appropriate protective measures, such as changing dismantling sequence, remote monitoring, shield installation, and adjustment of work team are necessary for the safe dismantling of the bio-shield. Through these protective measures, it was found that the worker's dose could be below the dose limit.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2017

This study was conducted to identify characteristics of domestic pine forest soils and to elucidate major soil influencing factors for natural regeneration. We analyzed the physico-chemical characteristics of the soil samples collected from 23 pine forests and confirmed the similar results with the forest soil characteristics. Soil pH, organic matter content, total nitrogen, exchangeable Ca, silt content, and exchangeable Al were selected as the major soil factors among the exposed soils through 10 days of pine seedlings exposure and cultivation experiments and statistical analysis. Multiple regression analysis showed that soil pH had a positive effect on specific root length (SRL) of red pine seedlings and exchangeable Al was a significant factor affecting negative change in SRL. Taken together, the reduction of exchangeable Al by soil pH adjustment would be helpful for natural regeneration by restoring the forest and improving the fine root and root integrity of pine seedlings. Therefore, soil pH and exchangeable Al could be recommended as a major soil factor to be carefully considered in the monitoring and management of soil in pine forests that need to be renewed in the future.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.300-310
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• 2016

Purpose: Few studies have considered the psychosocial work environment factors in relation to employee health. This study explored the relationship between psychosocial work characteristics and self-rated health among Korean employees. Methods: The study population of 21,476 employees was derived from the 2014 Korean Work Environment Survey (KWES). Psychosocial work environment was measured by Copenhagen psychosocial questionnaire scales. Results: Among employees at workplaces (n=21,476), 23.3% rated their health as poor. Among 12 indicators of psychosocial work environment characteristics, 'higher emotional demand', 'demands for hiding emotions', 'work-family conflict', and 'social community at work' were independently associated with risk of poor self-rated health of Korean employees after adjustment of all sociodemographics, work condition characteristics and physical work environment exposure. In addition, higher 'possibilities for development' and 'social support from supervisor' were more likely to decrease the risk of poor health. Conclusion: We suggest that psychosocial work environment is an important determinant of employees' health. The study results provide a good starting point for developing intervention and strategies for health improvement.