• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate inhaler device handling in elderly patients. Inhaler devices with respect to misuse and error correction were also compared. Methods: Inhaler use technique was assessed using standardized checklists at the first visit and 3-month follow-up visit after retraining. The primary outcome was difference in the acceptable use ratio among inhaler devices. Secondary outcomes included differences in error correction, the most common step of misuse, and factors affecting the accuracy of inhaler use. Results: A total of 251 patients (mean age, 76.4 years) were included. The handling of 320 devices was assessed in the study. All patients had been trained before. However, only 24.7% of them used inhalers correctly. Proportions of acceptable use for Evohaler, Respimat, Turbuhaler, Ellipta, and Breezhaler/Handihaler were 38.7%, 50.0%, 61.4%, 60.8%, and 43.2%, respectively (p=0.026). At the second visit, the acceptable use ratio had increased. There were no significant differences among inhaler types (Evohaler, 63.9%; Respimat, 86.1%; Turbuhaler, 74.3%; Ellipta, 64.6%; and Breezhaler/Handihaler, 65.3% [p=0.129]). In multivariate analysis, body mass index, Turbuhaler, and Ellipta showed positive correlations with acceptable use of inhalers, whereas Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test score showed a negative correlation. Conclusion: Although new inhalers have been developed, the accuracy of inhaler use remains low. Elderly patients showed more errors when using pressurized metered-dose inhalers than using dry powder inhalers and soft-mist inhalers. However, there were no significant differences in misuse among inhaler devices after individual training. Results of this study suggests that repeat training is more important than inhaler type.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.29 no.10C
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• pp.1387-1394
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• 2004

Turbo code, a kind of error correction coding technique, has been used in the field of digital mobile communication systems. And it is well known about the fact that turbo code has better the BER performance as the number of decoding iterations increases in the AWGN channel environment. However, as the number of decoding iterations is increased under the several channel environments, any further iteration results in very little improvement, and it requires much delay, computation and power consumption in proportion to the number of decoding iterations. In this paper, it proposes the efficient iterative decoding stop criterion algorithm which can largely reduce the average number of decoding iterations of turbo code. Through simulations, it is verifying that the proposed algorithm can efficiently stop the iterative decoding by using the variance value of error probability for the soft output value, and can largely reduce the average number of decoding iterations without BER performance degradation. As a result of simulation, the average number of decoding iterations for the proposed algorithm is reduced by about 2.25% ~14.31％ and 3.79％ ~14.38% respectively compared to conventional schemes, and power consumption is saved in proportion to the number of decoding iterations.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea TC
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• v.43 no.11 s.353
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• pp.8-15
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• 2006

In this paper, we propose the iterative receiver for LDPC-coded OFDMA systems in uplink environments. Applying the Wiener filtering to pilot symbols, an initial channel estimation can be performed effectively. To reduce the complexity of the Wiener filtering, we approximate Wiener filtering coefficients to pre-determined coefficients according to estimated correlation of channel. After an LDPC decoding process, soft symbol derived by extrinsic information of decoder outputs is used to estimate channel. we also derive the error variance of channel estimation and maximum ratio combined results. Using combined results, the channel correlation is re-estimated. Then the proper Wiener filtering coefficients are chosen according to the re-estimated result of the channel correction. Using a computer simulation, we show that the proposed receiver structure has the better performance than the receiver using only pilot symbols.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was the clinical implementation of IGRT using KV CBCT for setup correction in radiation therapy. Materials and Methods: We selected 9 patients (3 patient for each region; head, body, pelvis)and acquired 135 CBCT images with CLINAC iX (Varian medical system, USA). During the scan, the required time was measured. We analyzed the result in 3 direction; vertical, longitudinal, lateral. Results: The mean setup errors at the couch position of vertical, lateral, and longitudinal direction were 0.07, 0.12, and 0.1 cm in the head region, 0.3, 0.26, and 0.22 cm in the body region, 0.21, 0.18, and 0.15 cm in the pelvis region respectively. The mean time required for CBCT was $6{\sim}7$ minute. Conclusion: The CBCT on the LINAC provides the capacity for soft tissue imaging in the treatment position and real time monitoring during treatment delivery. With presented workflow, the setup correction within reasonable time for more accurate radiation therapy is possible. And it's image can be very useful for adaptive radiation therapy(ART) in the future with improved image quality.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.139-147
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• 1998

Purpose: Tissue inhomogeneity such as lung affects tumor dose as well as transmission dose in new concept of on-line dosimetry which estimates tumor dose from transmission dose using the new algorithm. This study was carried out to confirm accuracy of correction by tissue density in tumor dose estimation utilizing transmission dose. Methods: Cork phantom (CP, density $0.202\;gm/cm^3$) having similar density with lung parenchyme and polystyrene phantom (PP, density $1.040\;gm/cm^3$) having similar density with soft tissue were used. Dose measurement was carried out under condition simulating human chest. On simulating AP-PA irradiation, PPs with 3 cm thickness were placed above and below CP, which had thickness of 5, 10, and 20 cm. On simulating lateral irradiation, 6 cm thickness of PP was placed between two 10 cm thickness CPs additional 3 cm thick PP was placed to both lateral sides. 4, 6, and 10 MV x-ray were used. Field size was in the range of $3{\times}3$ cm through $20{\times}20$ cm, and phantom-chamber distance (PCD) was 10 to 50 cm. Above result was compared with another sets of data with equivalent thickness of PP which was corrected by density. Result: When transmission dose of PP was compared with equivalent thickness of CP which was corrected with density, the average error was 0.18 (${\pm}0.27$) % for 4 MV, 0.10 (${\pm}0.43$) % for 6 MV, and 0.33 (${\pm}0.30$) % for 10 MV with CP having thickness of 5 cm. When CP was 10 cm thick, the error was 0.23 (${\pm}0.73$) %, 0.05 (${\pm}0.57$) %, and 0.04 (${\pm}0.40$) %, while for 20 cm, error was 0.55 (${\pm}0.36$) %, 0.34 (${\pm}0.27$) %, and 0.34 (${\pm}0.18$) % for corresponding energy. With lateral irradiation model, difference was 1.15 (${\pm}1.86$) %, 0.90 (${\pm}1.43$) %, and 0.86 (${\pm}1.01$) % for corresponding energy. Relatively large difference was found in case of PCD having value of 10 cm. Omitting PCD with 10 cm, the difference was reduced to 0.47 (${\pm}$1.17) %, 0.42 (${\pm}$0.96) %, and 0.55 (${\pm}$0.77) % for corresponding energy. Conclusion When tissue inhomogeneity such as lung is in tract of x-ray beam, tumor dose could be calculated from transmission dose after correction utilizing tissue density.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.357-363
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• 2013

Purpose: To investigate the visual function with prescription swimming goggles. Methods: 15 university students (mean age: $22{\pm}1.54$ years) participated, with a mean distance refractive error of RE: S-1.67 D/C-0.40 D, LE: S-1.70D/C-0.37 D. Inclusion criteria were no ocular pathology, able to wear soft contact lenses to correct their refractive error to emmetropia and able to swim. Participants were fitted with contact lenses to correct all ametropia. Subjective evaluation for satisfaction of visual acuity, asthenopia and balance were also measured using a questionnaire while wearing swimming goggles with cylinder (C+1.50 D, Ax $90^{\circ}$) compared with plano sphere outside the swimming pool area. Visual acuity was assessed using the same ETDRS chart. The prescription swimming goggles powers were assessed in random order and ranged in power from S+3.00 D to S-3.00 D in 0.50 D steps. Results: Subjective evaluation was significantly worse for the swimming goggles with cylinder than for the plano powered goggles for all 3 questions, visual acuity, asthenopia and balance. Visual acuity were significantly affected by the different power of the swimming goggles (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the in-air in-clinic and underwater in-swimming pool measures (p=0.173). However, visual acuity measured in the clinic was significantly better than underwater for some swimming goggle powers (+3.00, +1.00, +0.50, 0, -1.00 and -2.00 D). Conclusions: Wearing swimming goggles underwater may degrade the visual acuity compared to within air but as the difference is less than 1 line of Snellen acuity, and it is unlikely to result in significant real-life effects. Having an incorrect cylinder correction was found to be detrimental resulting in lower score of satisfaction. Considering slippery floor of swimming pool area, it can be a potential risk factor. Therefore, it is important to correct any refractive error in addition to astigmatism for swimming goggle.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2008

Purpose: Cone-beam CT using linear accelerator attached to on-board imager is a image guided therapy equipment. Because it is to check the patient's set-up error, correction, organ and target movement. but imaging dose should be cause of the secondary cancer when taking a image. The aim of this study is investigation of appropriate cone beam CT scan mode to compare and estimate the image quality and skin dose. Materials and Methods: Measurement by Thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD-100, Harshaw) with using the Rando phantom are placed on each eight sites in seperately H&N, thoracic, abdominal section. each 4 methods of scan modes of are measured the for skin dose in three time. Subsequently, obtained average value. Following image quality QA protocol of equipment manufacturers using the catphan 504 phantom, image quality of each scan mode is compared and analyzed. Results: The results of the measured skin dose are described in here. The skin dose of Head & Neck are measured mode A: 8.96 cGy, mode B: 4.59 cGy, mode C: 3.46 cGy mode D: 1.76 cGy and thoracic mode A: 9.42 cGy, mode B: 4.58 cGy, mode C: 3.65 cGy, mode D: 1.85 cGy, and abdominal mode A: 9.97 cGy, mode B: 5.12 cGy, mode C: 4.03 cGy, mode D: 2.21 cGy. Approximately, dose of mode B are reduced 50%, mode C are reduced 60%, mode D are reduced 80% a point of reference dose of mode A. the results of analyzed HU reproducibility, low contrast resolution, spatial resolution (high contrast resolution), HU uniformity in evaluation item of image quality are within the tolerance value by recommended equipment manufacturer in all scan mode. Conclusion: Maintaining the image quality as well as reducing the image dose are very important in cone beam CT. In the result of this study, we are considered when to take mode A when interested in soft tissue. And we are considered to take mode D when interested in bone scan and we are considered to take mode B, C when standard scan. Increasing secondary cancer risk due to cone beam CT scan should be reduced by low mAs technique.