• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.361-370
• /
• 2009

The image quality management of bone mineral density is the responsibility and duty of radiologists who carry out examinations. However, inaccurate conclusions due to lack of understanding and ignorance regarding the methodology of image quality management can be a fatal error to the patient. Therefore, objective of this paper is to understand proper image quality management and enumerate methods for examiners and patients, thereby ensuring the reliability of bone mineral density exams. The accuracy and precision of bone mineral density measurements must be at the highest level so that actual biological changes can be detected with even slight changes in bone mineral density. Accuracy and precision should be continuously preserved for image quality of machines. Those factors will contribute to ensure the reliability in bone mineral density exams. Proper equipment management or control methods are set with correcting equipment each morning and after image quality management, a phantom, recommended from the manufacturer, is used for ten to twenty-five measurements in search of a mean value with a permissible range of ${\pm}1.5%$ set as standard. There needs to be daily measurement inspections on the phantom or at least inspections three times a week in order to confirm the existence or nonexistence of changes in values in actual bone mineral density. in addition, bone mineral density measurements were evaluated and recorded following the rules of Shewhart control chart. This type of management has to be conducted for the installation and movement of equipment. For the management methods of inspectors, evaluation of the measurement precision was conducted by testing the reproducibility of the exact same figures without any real biological changes occurring during reinspection. Bone mineral density inspection was applied as the measurement method for patients either taking two measurements thirty times or three measurements fifteen times. An important point when taking measurements was after a measurement whether it was the second or third examination, it was required to descend from the table and then reascend. With a 95% confidence level, the precision error produced from the measurement bone mineral figures came to 2.77 times the minimum of the biological bone mineral density change. The value produced can be stated as the least significant change (LSC) and in the case the value is greater, it can be stated as a section of genuine biological change. From the initial inspection to equipment moving and shifter, management must be carried out and continued in order to achieve the effects. The enforcement of proper quality control of radiologists performing bone mineral density inspections which brings about the durability extensions of equipment and accurate results of calculations will help the assurance of reliable inspections.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Nowadays in the nuclear medicine, many studies and efforts are being made to reduce the scan time, as well as the waiting time to be needed to execute exams after injection of radionuclide medicines. Several methods are being used in clinic, such as developing new radionuclide compounds that enable to be absorbed into target organs more quickly and reducing acquisition scan time by increase the number of Gamma Camera detectors to examine. Each medical equipment manufacturer has improved the imaging process techniques to reduce scan time. In this paper, we tried to analyze the difference of image quality between FBP, 3D OSEM reconstruction methods that commercialized and being clinically applied, and Astonish reconstruction method (A kind of Iterative fast reconstruction method of Philips), also difference of image quality on scan time. Material and Methods: We investigated in 32 patients that examined the Bone SPECT from June to July 2008 at department of nuclear medicine, ASAN Medical Center in Seoul. 40sec/frame and 20sec/frame images were acquired that using Philips‘ PRECEDENCE 16 Gamma Camera and then reconstructed those images by using the Astonish (Philips’ Reconstruction Method), 3D OSEM and FBP methods. The blinded test was performed to the clinical interpreting physicians with all images analyzed by each reconstruction method for qualitative analysis. And we analyzed target to non target ratio by draws lesions as the center of disease for quantitative analysis. At this time, each image was analyzed with same location and size of ROI. Results: In a qualitative analysis, there was no significant difference by acquisition time changes in image quality. In a quantitative analysis, the images reconstructed Astonish method showed good quality due to better sharpness and distinguish sharply between lesions and peripheral lesions. After measuring each mean value and standard deviation value of target to non target ratio with 40 sec/frame and 20sec/frame images, those values are Astonish (40 sec-$13.91{\pm}5.62$ : 20 sec-$13.88{\pm}5.92$), 3D OSEM (40 sec-$10.60{\pm}3.55$ : 20 sec-$10.55{\pm}3.64$), FBP (40 sec-$8.30{\pm}4.44$ : 20 sec-$8.19{\pm}4.20$). We analyzed target to non target ratio from 20 sec and 40 sec images. And we analyzed the result, In Astonish (t=0.16, p=0.872), 3D OSEM (t=0.51, p=0.610), FBP (t=0.73, p=0.469) methods, there was no significant difference statistically by acquisition time change in image quality. But FBP indicates no statistical differences while some images indicate difference between 40 sec/frame and 20 sec/frame images by various factors. Conclusions: In the circumstance, try to find a solution to reduce nuclear medicine scan time, the development of nuclear medicine equipment hardware has decreased while software has marched forward at a relentless. Due to development of computer hardware, the image reconstruction time was reduced and the expanded capacity to restore enables iterative methods that couldn't be performed before due to technical limits. As imaging process technique developed, it reduced scan time and we could observe that image quality keep similar level. While keeping exam quality and reducing scan time can induce the reduction of patient's pain and sensory waiting time, also accessibility of nuclear medicine exam will be improved and it provide better service to patients and clinical physician who order exams. Consequently, those things make the image of department of nuclear medicine be improved. Concurrent Imaging - A new function that setting up each image acquisition parameter and enables to acquire images simultaneously with various parameters to once examine.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.224-239
• /
• 1994

In this study we examined several subjective symptoms in an exposed group and an unexposed group to perchloroethylene. The exposed group consists to 30 workers employed in 23 dry-cleaning establishments located in Chung Cheung Do, whereas the unexposed group consists of 42 officers employed in a certain university. This study was conducted from October, 1993 to March, 1994. Also we investigated personal exposure levels and area concentration of PCE, and performed hematological and biochemical examination in blood and urine samples from the exposed group. The results are : 1. The exposed group highly complains several subjective symptoms, particularly in neuropsychiatry, eye, respiratory system and digestive system, compared with the unexposed group. But complaint rates in the exposed group are not related with PCE exposure levels. 2. PCE exposure levels for all dry-cleaning establishment varied widely, from 0.18 to 37.58ppm. The mean exposure level for centers of chain was 16.85ppm, and for local laundries was 8.83ppm, while for self-service establishment it was 3.07ppm. Eighty three percent of the workers were exposed less than the half-level(25.0ppm) of the Korea 50.0ppm standard for eight-hour PCE exposure. Seventeen percent of them exceeded the half-level of the Korea TLV. 3. Statistical correlation exists between the work load(number of operation cycles of equipment and the mass of processed textiles) and the personal exposure levels to be observed. 4. In hematological examination the values of WBC, RBC, Hgb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC and PLT in the exposed group were within normal ranges. In biochemical examination(GOT, GPT, ALP, U-A and LDH) most of the items were within normal ranges. From this surveys conducted on 23 dry-cleaning establishments, the complaint rates of the exposed group to PCE in several subjective symptoms were higher than those of the unexposed group, and PCE exposure levels in all dry-cleaning establishment were below the Koera standard 50.0ppm. In hematological and biochemical examination the significant abnormalities by occupational exposure to PCE were not observed. However, the workers employed in dry-cleaning establishments are always faced with risk, becauses they are also exposed to several organic solvents used to remove stains. Therefore, various measures to improve occupational environment in dry-cleaning establishment should be considered.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.187-193
• /
• 1986

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) using crude and affinity-purified antigens of adult worms of Paragonimus westermani was performed for infected cat sera with different worm burden, from preinfection to 18th week after infection. Crude antigen was used with supernatant of homogenated worms by freezing-thawing method, and the supernate was centrifuged for 1 hour at 10,000 rpm at $4^{\circ}C$. Affinity-purified antigen(antibody-bound antigen) was prepared from fractions(bound and unbound) of crude antigen by affinity chromatography on CNBr-activated sepharose 4B, and IgG as a ligand was prepared from paragonimiasis cat serum(6 months infected) obtained by ammonium sulfate ($40%{\sim}45%$ saturated) precipitation method. By SDS-PAGE, crude antigen showed 22 polypeptide fractions while purified antigen showed 4 fractions: 36, 400, 34, 700, 27, 600 and 11, 500 in molecular weights. All cats were divided into five groups($G_1-G_5$) by different worm burdens. The mean of recovered worms(${\pm}SD$) and the number of cats in each group are as follows: $G_1$, 2 worms(0) and 4 cats; $G_2$, 4.75 (${\pm}0.66$) and eight; $G_3$, 10.75(${\pm}1.92$) and four; $G_4$, 23.20(${\pm}3.43$) and five; $G_5$, 48(${\pm}12.63$) and five cats. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The antibody levels(OD value) increased by worm burden in $G_1$ to $G_4$ generally. However, individual antibody levels were not exactly related with worm burden in all groups, especially there was a wide difference in $G_4$ and $G_5$. These results suggested that the worm burden in $G_4$ (about $20{\sim}30$ worms) is enough to produce antibody maximum in cats of $2{\sim}3kg$ weight. 2. The antibody levels increased significantly(p<0.05) compared to control sera at the 3rd week in $G_1$ and $G_2$, at the 2nd week in $G_3$, and at the 1st week in $G_4$ and $G_5$. Especially in the 4th week, OD value increased more in $G_1$(p<0.01) and in $G_2$ to $G_5$(p<0.001). In the pattern of antibody levels by ELISA in each group, OD in $G_1$ increased to the 18th week continuously, in $G_2$ OD was maintained same after the 16th week, but in $G_3$ it decreased after the 16th week, and it was maintained same in $G_4$ and $G_5$ after the 14th week. 3. The antibody levels by ELISA with the affinity-purified antigen were higher than those with crude antigen in all groups generally. Especially, the difference of OD values between two antigens was larger from the 4th to the 10th week. In $G_1$ and $G_2$ OD with purified antigen was higher than that with crude one to the 18th week. It was also higher in $G_3$ than that with crude antigen to the 16th week and OD of $G_4$ and $G_5$ were higher before the 14th week than that with crude antigen, however became lower at the 16th week. Consequently, the antibody level in ELISA with affinity-purified antigen was more sensitive at the early weeks after infection and in light infection groups than that with crude antigen.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.1101-1106
• /
• 2006

Many BNR (Biological Nutrient Removal) plants have experienced a bulking problem, mainly due to the growth of filamentous organisms, particularly during the winter months. This study investigated the problem of bulking due to the growth of M. parvicella both at a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant and a pilot scale plant located in the C city. The full-scale facility was operated at a flow rate of $51,000m^3/d$, an F/M (Food-to-Microorganism) ratio of 0.12 kgBOD/kgMLVSS/d and an SRT (Solids Retention Time) higher than 25 days, respectively. This plant experienced bulking and foaming problems at low temperatures below $15^{\circ}C$ since it was retrofitted with the BNR system in 2003. The pilot plant employed had an identical process configuration as the full scale one and used the same wastewater source. It was operated at a flow rate of $3.8m^3/d$, temperatures between 10 to $25^{\circ}C$ and SRTs between 10 and 25 days. At full scale, the M. parvicella growth and SVI (Sludge Volume Index) patterns were studied in conjunction with temperature variations. At pilot scale, DO and SRT variations were also explored, in addition to the filamentous bacteria growth and SVI patterns. During the full-scale investigation, over a 3 year period, it was noted that the SVI was maintained within acceptable operational values (i.e. under 160) during the summer months. Moreover settling in the secondary clarifiers was good and was not affected by the presence of M. parvicella. In contrast, at low mean temperatures during winter, the SVI increased to over 300. Overall, as the temperature decreased, the predominance of M. parvicella became apparent. According to this study, M. parvicella growth could be controlled and SVI could drop under 160 by a change in operational conditions which involved an increase in DO concentration between 2 and 4 mg/L and a decrease in SRT to less than 20 days.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.310-319
• /
• 2001

Background : The peak flowmeter is very useful in monitoring of out-patients as well as those in emergency departments because of its convenience and simplicity with low cost. There have been many studies aimed at determining the accuracy and reproducibility of the peak flow meter in normal population. However, there is a paucity of reports regarding its accuracy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) or asthma. The accuracy of the peak expiratory flow(PEF) measured with a mini-Wright peak flowmeter was assessed by a comparison with the results of a mass flow sensor. Methods : The PEF measurements were performed in 108 patients aged 19-82 years presenting with either a chronic obstructive lung disease or asthma before and after inhaling salbutamol. The PEF measurements from the mini-Wright flowmeter were compared with those obtained by the calibrated mass flow sensor. Results : The average of the readings taken by the mini-Wright meter were 37-39 l/min higher than those taken by the mass flow sensor. The average percentage error of the mini-Wright meter were higher, ranging less than 300 l/min. The mean of the differences between the values obtained using both instruments (the bias)$\pm$limits of agreement(${\pm}2$ SD) were $37.1{\pm}90\;l/min$ for the PEF(p<0.001). Conclusions : The mini-Wright peak flowmeter overestimated the flows in patients with COPD or asthma. It was also found that the accuracy of the mini-Wright peak flowmeter decreased in its mid to low range. The limits of agreement are wide and the difference between the two instruments is significant. Therefore, the measurements made between the two types of machines in patients with asthma or COPD cannot be used interchangeably.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.25-47
• /
• 2012

This research is to suggest an ecological management methods by classification of biotope type and its mapping for Tricholoma matsutake. The target area was construction site of the East Hongchun - Yangyang Highway (Yangyang section) where massive production of Tricholoma matsutakes is in place. Specifically, the 700 m long range of area around the road route, Yangyang section, which is over a total area of $19,79km^2$. The flow of this research was as follows: first studied were the characteristics of the Yangyang Tricholoma matsutakes; second, reviews on previous studies on Tricholoma matsutakes; third, the formulation of standards and processes of biotope type considering Tricholoma matsutake production; and fourth, mapping of biotope considering the production area of Tricholoma matsutake. In 24.77% of the region, slope angle measured $30{\sim}40^{\circ}C$, which is suitable for Tricholoma matsutake production. Also, 17.44% of the region had southward vegetation structures, and as for the Pinus densiflora; 26.00% had average receipts; the tree ages was $38{\pm}8.34$ years; and the average density of canopy layer was $9.55{\pm}4.89/100m^2$. The soil acidity (pH) values of 5.0 to 5.6(47.96%) > 5.6 to 7.0(42.90%) > 4.0 to 5.0(9.14%) were slightly high for Tricholoma matsutake growth; but 57.10% of the area had a soil pH of 4.0-5.6. The organic horizon (A0 layer) was $3.39{\pm}2.14cm$, and the mean depths were 4-6cm(78.03%) > 0-2cm(18.10%) > 2-4cm(3.87%). Based on the results of previous studies and field researches on the presence of vegetation (the pine dominance ratio), the topographic structure (the terrain characteristics and slopes), the receipt, the soil structure (the soil acidity and the organic layers interposed between the depths), and the vegetation density, six clusters based on the identified types of biotopes are produced in this paper. Area of distribution according to the type of biotope was Tricholoma matsutake of the potential-production (II) biotope (32.86%) > Tricholoma matsutake of the inadequate-production biotope (22.17%) > Tricholoma matsutake of the adequate (II)-production biotope (17.79%) > Tricholoma matsutake of the adequate (I)-production biotope (14.86%) > Tricholoma matsutake of the potential-production (I) biotope (9.77%) > Tricholoma matsutake of the produced biotope (2.55%).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.528-543
• /
• 2005

Statement of problem: Repeated delivery and removal of abutment cause some changes such as wear, scratch or defect of hexagonal structure. It may increase the value of rotational freedom(RF) between hexagonal structures. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate surface changes and rotational freedom between the external hexagon of the implant fixture and internal hexagon of abutment after repeated delivery and removal under SEM and toolmaker's microscope. Materials and methods: Implant systems used for this study were 3i and Avana. Seven pail's of implant fixture, abutment and abutment screws for each system were selected and all fixtures were perpendicularly mounted in liquid unsaturated polyesther with dental surveyor. Each one was embedded beneath the platform of fixture. Surfaces of hexagonal structure before repeated closing and opening of abutment were observed using SEM and rotational freedom was measured by using toolmaker's microscope. Each abutment was secured to the implant future by each abutment screw with recommended torque value using a digital torque controller and was repeatedly delivered and removed by 20 times respectively. After experiment, evaluation for the change of hexagonal structures and measurement of rotational freedom were performed. Result : The results were as follows; 1. Wear of contact area between implant fixture and abutment was considerable in both 3i and Avana system. Scratches and defects were frequently observed at the line-angle of hexagonal structures of implant fixture and abutment. 2. In the SEM view of the external hexagon of implant fixture, the point-angle areas at the corner edge of hexagon were severely worn out in both systems. It was more notable in the case of 3i systems than in that of Avana systems. 3. In the SEM view of the internal hexagon of abutment, Gingi-Hue abutment of 3i systems showed severe wear in micro-stop contacts that were machined into the corners to prevent rotation and cemented abutment of Avana systems showed wear in both surface area adjacent to the corner mating with external hexagon of implant fixture. 4 The mean values of rotational freedom between the external hexagon of the implant fixture and internal hexagon of abutment were 0.48$\pm$0.04$^{\circ}$ in pre-tested 3i systems and 1.18$\pm$0.25$^{\circ}$ after test, and 1.80$\pm$0.04$^{\circ}$ in pre-tested Avana systems and 2.61$\pm$0.16$^{\circ}$ after test. 5. Changes of rotational freedom after test shouted statistical)y a significant increase in both 3i and Avana systems(P<0.05, paired t-test). 6. Statistically, there was no significant difference between amount of increase in the rotational freedom of 3i systems and amount of increase in that of Avana ones(P>0.05, unpaired t-test). Conclusion: Conclusively, it was considered that repeated delivery and remove of abutment by 20 times would not have influence on screw joint stability. However, it caused statistically the significant change of rotational freedom in tested systems. Therefore, it is suggested that repeated delivery and remove of abutment should be minimal as possible as it could be and be done carefully Additionally, it is suggested that the means or treatment to prevent the wear of mating components should be devised.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.412-420
• /
• 2001

In the growing children with normal occlusion and class III malocclusion who need the early treatment to be helped to diagnose and to set up treatment plan by calculating the mean values of the lateral cephalometric measurements, cephalometric measurements by McNamara alalysis were achieved and compared on both the 84 elementary school children with normal occlusion and 83 class III malocclusion children at the age of 7 to 9 in Kwangju city and the results were as follows: 1. On the boys group, between normal occlusion and class III malocclusion, Effective maxillary length, Maxillomandibular differential, Facial axis, Nasion perpendicualr to pogonion, Point A perp to Mx 1, and A-Pog line to Mn 1 showed significant differences(p<0.05). 2. On the girls group, between normal occlusion and class III malocclusion significant differences were shown in Effective Maxillary length, Maxillomandibular differential, Mandibular plan angle, Nasion perpendicualr to Point A, Point A perp to Mx 1, A-Pog line to Mn 1(p<0.01). 3. There were no significant differences between normal occlusion and class III malocclusion of boys group but significant differences between them of girls group in Effective mandibular length(P<0.01). On the boys and girls group, Effective maxilla length of class III malocclusion was shorter than that of normal occlusion. 4. There were no significant differences between normal occlusion and class III malocclusion both in boys and girls at Anterior lower facial height. 5. There were significant differences between boys and girls both in class III malocclusion and normal occlusion at Anterior lower facial height and Mandibular plane angle(p<0.01).

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.106 no.2
• /
• pp.130-149
• /
• 2017

The subalpine zone which is vulnerable to climate change could be functioning as a habitat for northern plant species especially in the Korean peninsula. In this study, classification of phytosociological community type and investigation on flora of vascular plants of Daecheongbong area in Mt. Seorak were carried out in order to provide a basic information for an ecological restoration and management of the vegetation through community ecological approach. Vegetation data were collected from 31 of quadrates from May to October, 2016. We analyzed vegetation types with phytosociological method, importance value with Curtis & McIntosh method, CCA using PC-ORD program tool, and flora of vascular plants. As a result, the forest vegetation was classified into Abies nephrolepis community. The community was divided 3 groups such as Pinus pumila group, Rhododendron brachycarpum group and Angelica decursiva group. Therefore, the vegetation had 3 kinds of units. The differential species group, it was classified into total of 7 species group units including Thuja koraiensis and Smilacina bicolor differential species group. The mean importance percentage (MIP) in VU 1 was shown Pinus koraiensis (24.1), A. nephrolepis (23.6) and Betula ermanii (10.5), and in VU 2, it was P. koraiensis (26.2), A. nephrolepis (20.8) and B. ermanii (10.5), and in VU 3, it was P. koraiensis (22.2), A. nephrolepis (16.4), B. ermanii (13.5) in the order, respectively. As for importance values of P. koraiensis and A. nephrolepis representative competition species, were different at each layers. The former (46.7) was higher than the latter (26.1) in tree layer, but the latter was higher than the former in subtree and, shrub and herb layers of VU 1. VU 2 and VU 3 also indicated the same tendency. P. pumila group and A. decursiva group were shown to have positive correlation with altitude and present species, respectively. The designated as the endemic plant was 11 taxa and, as the rare plant 24 taxa and 62.5% of vascular plant was northern plant species. It is necessary to continue further long-term monitoring of 3 vegetation units, IV of main competition species (P. koraiensis and A. nephrolepis) with stratum and main specific species (rare plants and endemic plants) considering vegetation science and, population and community ecology approaches.