• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.257-265
• /
• 2024

In this study, we applied AEC(Auto Exposure Control), which is used in many chest examinations, to evaluate whether medical devices inserted into the body affect the dose and image quality of chest images. After attaching three HIMD(Human implantable medical devices) to the ion chamber, the Monte Carlo methodology-based program PCXMC(PC Program for X-ray Monte Carlo) 2.0 was applied to measure the effective dose by inputting the DAP(Dose Ares Product) value derived from the Pacemaker and CRT and Chemoport Additionally, to evaluate image quality, we set three regions of interest and one noise region on the chest and measured SNR and CNR. The final study results showed significant differences in DAP and Effective dose. There was a significant difference between Pacemaker and CRT when AEC was applied and not applied. (p<0.05) When applied, the dose increased by 37% for Pacemaekr and 52% for CRT. Chemoport showed a 10% increase in effective dose depending on whether AEC was applied, but there was no significant difference. (p>0.05) In the image quality evaluation, there was no significant difference in image quality between all HIMD insertions and AEC applied or not. (p>0.05) Therefore, when the HIMD was inserted into the chest during a chest x ray and overlapped with the ion chamber sensor, the effective dose increased, and there was no difference in image quality even at a low dose without AEC. Therefore, when performing a chest X-ray examination of a patient with a HIMD inserted, it is considered that performing the examination without applying AEC is a method that can be considered to reduce the patient's radiation exposure.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.41 no.8
• /
• pp.593-598
• /
• 2004

To make the all-solid-state lithium thin film battery having less than 1 fm in thickness, LiCoO$_2$ thin films were deposited on Pt/TiO$_2$/SiO$_2$/Si substrate as a function of Li/Co mole ratio and the deposition temperature by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD). Especially, LiCoO$_2$ thin films deposited at 50$0^{\circ}C$ with target of Li/Co=1.2 mole ratio show an initial discharge capacity of 53 $\mu$Ah/cm$^2$-$\mu$m and capacity retention of 67.6％. The microstructural and electrochemical properies of (Li, La)TiO3 thin films grown on LiCoO$_2$Pt/TiO$_2$/SiO$_2$/Si structures by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) were investigated at various deposition temperatures. The thin films grown at 10$0^{\circ}C$ show an initial discharge capacity of approximately 51 $\mu$Ah/cm$^2$-$\mu$m and moreover show excellent discharge capacity retention of 90％ after 100 cycles. An amorphous (Li, La)TiO$_3$ solid electrolyte is possible for application to solid electrolyte for all-solid-state lithium thin film battery below 1 $\mu$m.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2007

This paper presents the design of single phase PFC(Power Factor Correction) using a DSP(TMS320F2812). In order to realize the proposed boost PFC converter in average current mode control, the DSP requires the A/D sampling values for a line input voltage, a inductor current, and the output voltage of the converter. Because of a FET switching noise, these sampling values contain a high frequency noise and switching ripple. The solution of A/D sampling keeps away from the switching point. Because the PWM duty is changed from 5% to 95%, we can#t decide a fixed sampling time. In this paper, the three A/D converters of the DSP are started using the prediction algorithm for the FET ON/OFF time at every sampling cycle(40 KHz). Implemented A/D sampling algorithm with only one timer of the DSP is very simple and gives the autostart of these A/D converters. From the experimental result, it was shown that the power factor was about 0.99 at wide input voltage, and the output ripple voltage was smaller than 5 Vpp at 80 Vdc output. Finally the parameters and gains of PI controllers are controlled by serial communication with Windows Xp based PC. Also it was shown that the implemented PFC converter can achieve the feasibility and the usefulness.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.2 s.32
• /
• pp.337-393
• /
• 1996

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and standardize the four scales of Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification 　II (QSCCII). QSCCII is newly prepared by statistical item analysis and is designed to examine its diagnostic discriminability. QSCCII is administered to 1366 random informants. From the survey, we could get the data for the standardization. The criteria of standardization are based on the data from 265 informants who are examined by professionals. Collectted data are analyzed by internal consistency, variation analysis(ANOVA), Duncan test and discrimination analysis of SPSS PC+ V4.0 program. The results are as follows reliability of four scales for QSCCII is relatively valid. The internal consistency of Tae-yang(太陽) (太陽) scale is Cronbach's a=0.5708. That of So-yang(少陽) scale is a=0.5708. That of Tae-eum(太陰) scale is a =0.5922. That of So-eum(少陰) scale is a=0.6319. 2. There is a significant difference between each group through variation analysis of four scales. 3. The process of standardization is based on the average value and standard deviation with respect to age and sex difference of each criteria 4. This study suggests a source of standardization of Sasang Constitution Classification by providing norms in which the differences of age, sex, and number of items are taken into deep consideration. QSCC Ⅱ, therefore, can be applied to every age(the 10's to the 60's) and sex groups. 5. The recalculation of the raw-score to standard value (T-score) shows that the diagnostic discriminability (Hit-ratio: 70.08%) of QSCC Ⅱ brings about 37% improvement than proportional chance criteria (33.33%). Especially, Hit-ratios of Tae-eum In(74.5%) and So-eum In(70.8%) are higher than that of So-yang In(60.0%). 6. QSCC has discriminability only to male informants. Compared with QSCC, however, QSCC II has relatively efficient discriminability both to male and female informants. 7. These results would be a demonstration of the fact that the QSCC II could be used as a tool for sasang constitution classification.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.68-78
• /
• 2020

According to the new climate change agreement, technology development to reduce greenhouse gases is actively conducted worldwide, and research on energy efficiency improvement in the field of power generation and transmission and distribution is underway [1,2]. Economic analysis of the operation method of storing and supplying surplus electricity using energy storage devices, and using energy storage devices as a frequency adjustment reserve power in regional cogeneration plants has been reported as the most profitable operation method [3-7]. Therefore, this study conducted an economic analysis for the installation of energy storage devices in the combined heat and power plant in the Czech Republic. The most important factor in evaluating the economics of battery energy storage devices is the lifespan, and the warranty life is generally 10 to 15 years, based on charging and discharging once a day. For the simulation, the ratio of battery and PCS was designed as 1: 1 and 1: 2. In general, the primary frequency control is designed as 1: 4, but considering the characteristics of the cogeneration plant, it is set at a ratio of up to 1: 2, and the capacity is simulated at 1MW to 10MW and 2MWh to 20MWh according to each ratio. Therefore, life was evaluated based on the number of cycles per year. In the case of installing a battery energy storage system in a combined heat and power plant in the Czech Republic, the payback period of 3MW / 3MWh is more favorable than 5MW / 5MWh, considering the local infrastructure and power market. It is estimated to be about 3 years or 5 years from the simple payback period considering the estimated purchase price without subsidies. If you lower the purchase price by 50%, the purchase cost is an important part of the cost for the entire lifetime, so the payback period is about half as short. It can be, but it is impossible to secure profitability through the economy at the scale of 3MWh and 5MWh. If the price of the electricity market falls by 50%, the payback period will be three years longer in P1 mode and two years longer in P2 and P3 modes.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.21-33
• /
• 2019

This paper focuses on the interpretation of radiation fluxes from active galactic nuclei. The advantage of positron annihilation spectroscopy over other methods of spectral diagnostics of active galactic nuclei (therefore AGN) is demonstrated. A relationship between regular and random components in both bolometric and spectral composition of fluxes of quanta and particles generated in AGN is found. We consider their diffuse component separately and also detect radiative feedback after the passage of high-velocity cosmic rays and hard quanta through gas-and-dust aggregates surrounding massive black holes in AGN. The motion of relativistic positrons and electrons in such complex systems produces secondary radiation throughout the whole investigated region of active galactic nuclei in form of cylinder with radius R= 400-1000 pc and height H=200-400 pc, thus causing their visible luminescence across all spectral bands. We obtain radiation and electron energy distribution functions depending on the spatial distribution of the investigated bulk of matter in AGN. Radiation luminescence of the non-central part of AGN is a response to the effects of particles and quanta falling from its center created by atoms, molecules and dust of its diffuse component. The cross-sections for the single-photon annihilation of positrons of different energies with atoms in these active galactic nuclei are determined. For the first time we use the data on the change in chemical composition due to spallation reactions induced by high-energy particles. We establish or define more accurately how the energies of the incident positron, emitted ${\gamma}-quantum$ and recoiling nucleus correlate with the atomic number and weight of the target nucleus. For light elements, we provide detailed tables of all indicated parameters. A new criterion is proposed, based on the use of the ratio of the fluxes of ${\gamma}-quanta$ formed in one- and two-photon annihilation of positrons in a diffuse medium. It is concluded that, as is the case in young supernova remnants, the two-photon annihilation tends to occur in solid-state grains as a result of active loss of kinetic energy of positrons due to ionisation down to thermal energy of free electrons. The single-photon annihilation of positrons manifests itself in the gas component of active galactic nuclei. Such annihilation occurs as interaction between positrons and K-shell electrons; hence, it is suitable for identification of the chemical state of substances comprising the gas component of the investigated media. Specific physical media producing high fluxes of positrons are discussed; it allowed a significant reduction in the number of reaction channels generating positrons. We estimate the brightness distribution in the ${\gamma}-ray$ spectra of the gas-and-dust media through which positron fluxes travel with the energy range similar to that recorded by the Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics (PAMELA) research module. Based on the results of our calculations, we analyse the reasons for such a high power of positrons to penetrate through gas-and-dust aggregates. The energy loss of positrons by ionisation is compared to the production of secondary positrons by high-energy cosmic rays in order to determine the depth of their penetration into gas-and-dust aggregations clustered in active galactic nuclei. The relationship between the energy of ${\gamma}-quanta$ emitted upon the single-photon annihilation and the energy of incident electrons is established. The obtained cross sections for positron interactions with bound electrons of the diffuse component of the non-central, peripheral AGN regions allowed us to obtain new spectroscopic characteristics of the atoms involved in single-photon annihilation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.8
• /
• pp.3369-3375
• /
• 2014

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP), considered as a prototypical inflammatory cytokine, has been proposed to be involved in tumor progression through inflammation. Recent studies have indicated CRP as a progostic predictor for urological cancers, but the results remain controversial. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of Medline, Scopus and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify eligible studies published between Jan 1, 2001 and Sep 1, 2013. Outcomes of interest were collected from studies comparing overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients with elevated CRP levels and those having lower levels. Studies were pooled, and combined hazard ratio (HR) of CRP with its 95% confidence interval (CI) for survival were used for the effect size estimate. Results: A total of 43 studies (7,490 patients) were included in this meta-analysis (25 for RCC, 10 for UC, and 8 for PC). Our pooled results showed that elevated serum CRP level was associated with poor OS (HR: 1.26, 95%CI: 1.22-1.30) and RFS (HR: 1.38 95%CI: 1.29-1.47), respectively. For CSS the pooled HR (HR: 1.33, 95%CI: 1.28-1.39) for higher CRP expression could strongly predict poorer survival in urological cancers. Simultaneously, elevated serum CRP was also significantly associated with poor prognosis in the subgroup analysis. Conclusions: Our pooled results demonstrate that a high serum level of CRP as an inflammation biomarker denotes a poor prognosis of patients with urological cancers. Further large prospective studies should be performed to confirm whether CRP, as a biomarker of inflammation, has a prognostic role in urological cancer progression.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
• /
• s.37
• /
• pp.335-360
• /
• 2014

An infatuation with webtoons is facilitated by the ultra-rapid internet infrastructures and the highest ratio of penetration of smartphones in the world. Recently, the webtoon has been the focus of a new cultural content and its development has been noticed both and home and abroad. This study aims to find the new role of webtoon as a socio-cultural communication media. The webtoon reflects the reality as it is and shows directly and minutely the social problems, even although the other media make it glorified or reduced. We observe the role of webtoon as a new communication media content that can make the place for social discussion within several generations and social stratums, in which the producer and the consumer can communicate directly and immediately. Two webtoons( and ) have been selected for a textual analysis. In two webtoons, we analyse the method of representation of the social problem in the technique of expression and storytelling. This helps us maintain that the webtoon deserves as the socio-cultural communication media and the social problems represented in webtoon must have been evaluated more valuable in a new perspective.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.569-576
• /
• 2012

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the potential for Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) to substitute for antibiotic in broiler chicken. First, a well-diffusion assay procedure and a 2-fold dilution method were used to determine the bacteriostatic activity of FSE on Escherichia coli K88, staphylococcus aureus, and salmonella was assayed. An inhibitory effect of FSE was observed on the growth of these bacteria. This effect seems to be dose depended, which disappeared after 25.00, 12.50, 1.56 mg/ml. Second, a 42-d trial with 252 broiler chickens (d 1, $38.7{\pm}1.1$ g BW) was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of FSE in broiler chicken. The feeding program consisted of a starter diet from d 1 to 21 and a finisher diet from d 22 to 42. Dietary treatments included were: i) NC: negative control fed a corn-soybean meal based diet; ii) PC: positive control group fed based diet with chlortetracycline; and iii) FC: a test group fed with 100 mg FSE/kg diet. In this study growth performance did not differ among treatments during the starter period. However, dietary supplemental chlortetracycline and FSE increased (p<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared with NC during the finisher and overall phase. Apparent digestibility of calcium on d 21, digestibility of energy and calcium on d 42 of FC was greater (p<0.05) than NC. Moreover, cecal Escherichia coli counts for birds from FC were lower (p<0.05) than NC. Dietary FSE supplementation also improved (p<0.05) villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratios in both duodenum and ileum and decreased (p<0.05) crypt depth in the duodenum. Duodenum villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in both duodenum and ileum from the FC group were also greater (p<0.05). Serum growth hormone and IGF-1 were not influenced by different treatments. Apparently, FSE has the potential to substitute for antibiotic in broiler chicken.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.187-246
• /
• 1996

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and standardize the four scales of Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution ClassificationII (QSCCII). QSCCII is newly prepared by statistical item analysis and is designed to examine its diagnostic discriminability. QSCCII is administered to 1366 random informants. From the survey, we could get the data for the standardization. The criteria of standardization are based on the data from 265 informants who are examined by professionals. Collected data are analyzed by internal consistency, variation analysis(ANOVA), Duncan test and discrimination analysis of SPSS PC+ V4.0 program. The results are as follows 1) The reliability of four scales for QSCCII is relatively valid. The internal consistency of Tae-yang(太陽) scale is Cronbach's ${\alpha}=0.5708$. That of So-yang(少陽) scale is ${\alpha}=0.5708$. That of Tae-eum(太陰) scale is ${\alpha}=0.5922$. That of So-eum(少陰) scale is ${\alpha}=0.6319$. 2) There is a significant difference between each group through variation analysis of four scales. 3) The process of standardization is based on the average value and standard deviation with respect to age and sex difference of each criteria. 4) This study suggests a source of standardization of Sasang Constitution Classification by providing norms in which the differences of age, sex, and number of items are taken into deep consideration. QSCCII, therefore, can be applied to every age(the 10's to the 60's) and sex groups. 5) The recalculation of the raw-score to standard value (T-score) shows that the diagnostic discriminability (Hit-ratio : 70.08%) of QSCCII brings about 37% improvement than proportional chance criteria(33.33%). Especially, Hit-ratios of Tae-eum In(74.5%) and So-eum In(70.8%) are higher than that of So-yang In(60.0%). 6) QSCC has discriminability only to male informants. Compared with QSCC, however, QSCCII has relatively efficient discriminability both to male and female informants. 7) These results would be a demonstration of the fact that the QSCCII could be used as a tool for sasang constitution classification.