• Title/Summary/Keyword: objective assessment

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Characterization of Particulates Containing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Phosphate Processing Facility (인광석 취급 산업체에서 발생하는 천연방사성물질 함유 입자의 특성 평가)

  • Lim, HaYan;Choi, Won Chul;Kim, Kwang Pyo
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.39 no.1
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    • pp.7-13
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    • 2014
  • Phosphate rock, phosphogypsum, and products in phosphate processing facility contain naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). Therefore, they may give rise to enhanced radiation dose to workers due to inhalation of airborne particulates. Internal dose due to particle inhalation varies depending on particle properties. The objective of the present study was to characterize particle properties at the largest phosphate processing facility in Korea. A cascade impactor was employed to sample airborne particulates at various processing areas in the plant. The collected samples were used for characterization of particle size distribution, particle concentration in the air, and shape analysis. Aerodynamic diameters of airborne particulates ranged 0.03-100 ${\mu}m$ with the highest concentration at the particle size range of 4.7-5.8 ${\mu}m$ (geometric mean = 5.22 ${\mu}m$) or 5.8-9.0 ${\mu}m$ (geometric mean = 7.22 ${\mu}m$). Particle concentrations in the air varied widely by sampling area up to more than two orders of magnitude. The large variation resulted from the variability of mechanical operations and building ventilations. The airborne particulates appeared as spheroids or rough spherical fragments across all sampling areas and sampled size intervals. Average mass densities of phosphate rocks, phosphogypsums, and fertilizers were 3.1-3.4, 2.1-2.6, and 1.7 $gcm^{-3}$, respectively. Radioactivity concentration of uranium series in phosphate rocks varied with country of origin, ranging 94-866 $Bqkg^{-1}$. Among the uranium series, uranium was mostly concentrated on products, including phosphoric acid or fertilizers whereas radium was concentrated on byproducts or phosphogypsum. No significant radioactivity of $^{226}Ra$ and $^{228}Ra$ were found in fertilizer. However, $^{40}K$ concentration in fertilizer was up to 5,000 Bq $g^{-1}$. The database established in this study can be used for the accurate risk assessment of workers due to inhalation of airborne particles containing NORM. In addition, the findings can be used as a basic data for development of safety standard and guide and for practical radiation safety management at the facility.

A Study on the Contents Analysis of Safety Education in Elementary School : Focusing on Comparison with the Needs of Students (초등학교 안전교육 내용분석연구)

  • 김탁희;이명선
    • Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.45-63
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    • 2001
  • The objective of this study is to give basic materials for selection and improvement of contents of safety education, which is substantially helpful to elementary students, by analysis of contents of safety education in some subjects and assessment of the needs of elementary students for safety education. For this purpose, this study was analyzed the contents of safety education in five subjects for elementary school and conducted the survey of 883 students in some elementary schools in Seoul from April 7 to 22, 2000. The results were as follows; 1. As a result of analysis of the proportion of contents regarding safety-related education in some subjects, Physical Education occupied the highest proportion (14.09%), and that was followed by Practical Subject (9.55%) and Moral Education (9.34%). However, the proportions in Social Study and Natural Science were very low, 1.85% and 1.31% each. In total lines of these five subjects, the numbers of line regarding safety education was contained by 5.78%. 2. Analyzing the proportion of domains of safety education in five textbooks, the Meaning of Safety and Basic Principles occupied the highest portion (29.5%), and that was followed by the Home Safety (24.0%), the Safety in School (17.1%), and the Play and Leisure Safety (14.0%). The Coping with Accidents and First Aid, the Safety from Fire and Explosion, and the Traffic Safety occupied relatively low portion, 6.9%, 5.7%, and 2.8% each. 3. As a result of analysis of the proportion of the safety education domain in each subject, the Meaning of Safety and Basic Principles occupied the highest portion (23.6%) in Moral Education, the Home Safety (12.7%) in Practical Subject, and the Play and Leisure Safety (10.9%) in Physical Education. 4. Most of the participants in this survey experienced the Home Accidents (71.1%). And also, they experienced the Play and Leisure Accidents (57.9%), the Accidents in School (49.7%), the Traffic Accidents (45.3%), and the Fire and Explosion Accidents (24.7%) in order. 5. In the average proportion of the needs of participants for safety education in each domain, the Coping with Accidents and First Aid has the highest point (4.05). And, that was followed by the Home safety (3.79), the Safety from Fire and Explosion (3.73), the Meaning of Safety and Basic Principles (3.65), the Play and Leisure Safety (3.50), the Safety in School (3.37), and the Traffic Safety (3.35). The average proportion of the needs for safety education of total domains was 3.66. 6. In the needs for safety education regarding the feature of participants, it showed higher scores in female students than male ones (p〈0.001), in lower grader than higher grader (p〈0.05), and in the students born to wealth than those born poor (p〈0.05). Also, the children who recognize the necessity of safety education showed higher scores of the needs for safety education (p〈0.001). And it also showed the same results of high score to the children whose parents did the safety education (p〈0.00l) and to the children and their parents who have the higher degree of practicing safety (p〈0.001), and these differences were statistically significant. 7. In the extent of preference for methods of safety education, it showed high score to the Field Learning, followed by the Audio- Visual Education, the Discussion, and the Instruction of teacher. In the extent of preference for subjects regarding the contents of safety education by each domain, it showed high score to the subject of Safety for 4 domains - the Meaning of Safety and Basic Principles, the Traffic Safety, the Safety from Fire and Explosion, and the Coping with Accidents and First Aid. And also, they preferred Moral Education for 2 domains - the Home safety and the Safety in School, and Physical Education for a domain of the Play and Leisure Safety. 8. While 27 of 36 detail items was contained the contents of safety education, the proportion of needs of participants for safety education showed more than average 3.00 score in 34 of 36 detail items. However, none of 9 detail items was included in five textbooks. Also, 2 detail items - the Coping with Disasters and the Safety from Poisoning - were included together 2 parts; One part had the higher ranked 7 items acquired by analysis of the needs, and the other had the higher ranked 7 items acquired by analysis of the contents. But, except those 2 items, none of items were matched with each part.

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Bioconcentration Factor(BCF) of Perchlorate from Agricultural Products and Soils (농산물과 토양에 대한 퍼클로레이트 함량 평가 및 생물농축계수 산출)

  • Kim, Ji-Young;Kim, Min-Ji;Lee, Jeong-Mi;Kim, Doo-Ho;Park, Ki-Moon;Kim, Won-Il
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.224-230
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    • 2013
  • BACKGROUND: Perchlorate(${ClO_4}^-$) is an anion that is extremely water-soluble and environmentally stable. It mostly exists in the form of sodium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate and potassium perchlorate which are used in rocket fuels, propellants, ignitable sources, air bag inflation systems and explosives. Perchlorate can be taken into the thyroid glands and interfere with iodide uptake. The determination of perchlorate in agricultural products is important due to its potential health impact on humans. The objective of this study was to determine the perchlorate concentrations in the samples of various agricultural products and soils. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, samples of cereal(Rice, Barley, Corn, Bean), vegetable(Spinach, Lettuce, Sesame, Chives, Chili, Pumpkin, Tomato), fruit(Apple, Pear, Tangerine, Grape) were analyzed for perchlorate contents. Perchlorate concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that agricultural products respectively contained perchlorate concentrations in the range of : cereals N.D.~$7.46{\mu}g/kg$, vegetables $0.52{\sim}23.06{\mu}g/kg$, fruits $0.19{\sim}2.66{\mu}g/kg$. Bioconcentration factor was in the order of : vegetables > cereals > fruits. Bioconcentration factor was highest follwed by Sesame 37.88, Corn 21.51, Spinach 10.57, Tangerine 4.39, Chives 2.89 and Lettuce 1.90. The recoveries of perchlorate from spiked agricultural products and soils ranged from 87.72~111.26% and 102.09~111.23%. CONCLUSION(S): The health risk assessment results obtained in this study are lower than the RfD(Reference Dose, 0.0007 mg/kg/body weight/day) value as suggested by the Integrated Risk Information System(US IRIS). Our results indicate that, people currently exposed to perchlorate from agricultural products consumption are considered as safe.

The study of Breast Specific Gamma Imaging Protocol using Self-development Phantom (자체 제작된 팬텀을 적용한 Breast Specific Gamma Imaging 검사 프로토콜에 대한 고찰)

  • Lee, Hae-Jung;Lee, Juyoung;Lim, Kuen-Kyo;Park, Hoon-Hee
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.39-47
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    • 2014
  • Purpose As breast cancer patients continue to increase every year, cases of BSGI are on the rise with a heavier reliance on it. However, BSGI protocol in hospitals was not studied enough despite it was covered by hospital's condition and recommendation of manufacturers. The objective of the study was an examination of methods to be applicable to BSGI protocols, putting the self-development phantom to use in quality assessment of the images. Materials and Methods Dilon 6800 (Dilon Technologies Inc, Newport News, USA) was used in the study and five different sizes of sphere were distinctively produced in the phantom. The study used $^{99m}TcO_4$. The cases were classified in to three categories that background radioactivity to region of interest as ratio of 2: 4: 8, They were acquired images for 5, 7, 10mins. The acquired image was set region of interest according to the size of sphere, and We analyzed quantitative and qualitative analysis. The acquired data statistically analyzed with SPSS ver.18.0. Results As the result of quantitative and qualitative analysis, count rate of each sphere in accordance with difference of injection dose showed that higher count rate as injection dose and sphere size increased (P<0.005). Count rate of each sphere in accordance with difference of acquisition time showed that higher count rate as acquisition time and sphere size increased (P<0.005). Contrast noise ratio of each sphere in accordance with difference of injection dose showed that higher contrast noise ratio as injection dose increased. Particularly, Contrast noise ratio of eight times ratio images was the highest among. Contrast noise ratio of each sphere in accordance with difference of acquisition time showed that higher contrast noise ratio as acquisition time increased. And, Contrast noise ratio of seven minute image was the highest among (P<0.005). Conclusion There was significant change of Contrast noise ratio through quantitative and qualitative analysis. Moreover, We found usefulness of phantom. If Institutions identified image through the phantom study and they made BSGI protocol, We expected to help the improvement of diagnostic value of the images.

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Craniopharyngioma : Comparison of Tumor Characteristics Relevant with Initial Symptomatology between Children and Adults (두개인두종 : 소아와 성인에서 초기 증상과 연관된 종양의 특징 비교)

  • Park, Dong Hyuk;Park, Jung Yul;Kim, Joo Han;Jung, Yong Gu;Lee, Hoon Kap;Lee, Ki Chan;Suh, Jung Keun
    • Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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    • v.30 no.8
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    • pp.985-991
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    • 2001
  • Objectives : The craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor located at least in part in the suprasellar cistern. However, the symptoms and signs from this tumor may be determined not only by the location of the tumor but also by its size and the age of the patient. The objective of our study is to analyze retrospectively the clinical manifestations of craniopharyngiomas with regards to tumor characteristics in children and adults. Material and Methods: Twenty-three patients(16 adults, 7 children) treated for craniopharyngioma between 1990 and 1999 were studied to demonstrate the relationship of tumor size, growth pattern, and its invasiveness with clinical symptoms. As part of the assessment, 16 adults(M : F=8 : 8, mean age : 43.7 years) and 7 children(M : F=5 : 2, mean age : 10.1 years) underwent magnetic resonance(MR) imaging and computerized tomography(CT) scanning with a three-dimensional volume acquisition sequence. Results : The three major cardinal signs were defined to increased intracranial pressure, endocrine dysfunction, and visual problems. The tumor size in child group was larger than that in adult group. Also, visual problems, symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus were more frequently observed in child group. However, endocrine dysfunction and neuropsychological symptoms related with hypothalamic connections to the thalamus, pituitary, frontal lobe, and other cortical areas were more frequent in adult group. Conclusions: In our series, the tumor size and invasiveness of craniopharyngioma revealed to be relevent with initial symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and visual symptoms which were more frequent in child group. As for the growth pattern, we did not find major difference between adults and children.

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Serum leptin, adiponectin and resistin levels in obese children and their correlations with insulin resistance (비만 아동에서 leptin, adiponectin 및 resistin의 혈중농도와 인슐린 저항성과의 관계)

  • Park, Min Young;Ahn, Sun A;Cho, Won Kyoung;Cho, Kyoung Soon;Park, So Hyun;Hahn, Seung Hoon;Jung, Min Ho;Suh, Byung Kyu
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.52 no.7
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    • pp.766-771
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    • 2009
  • Purpose : The objective of this study was to compare the levels of adipocytokines in obesity group with those in control group and examine their correlation with insulin resistance. Methods : We enrolled 36 obese children (male:female [M:F]=17:19; age, $9.3{\pm}1.9yrs$) with ${\geq}95^{th}$ percentile body mass indexes (BMIs) (obesity group) and 35 healthy children (M:F=16:19; age, $9.1{\pm}2.1yrs$) with $25^{th}-75^{th}$ percentile BMIs (control group). We measured the serum leptin, adiponectin, and resistin levels and insulin resistance in both the groups. Results : The weights, heights, BMIs, fasting sugar levels, insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were higher in the obesity group than in the control group. As compared to the control group, the obesity group showed significantly higher leptin levels and lower adiponectin levels; no significant difference was observed in the resistin levels. The leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio was higher in the obesity group than in the control group. In the obesity group, HOMA-IR showed significant positive correlations with weight, height, BMI, and leptin level. However, it was not correlated with age and adiponectin and resistin levels. In the obesity group, leptin level showed significant positive correlations with age, weight, height, and BMI, while adiponectin and resistin levels showed no such correlations with the other variables. Conclusion : We suggest that adiponectin plays an important protective role against weight gain in obese children. Further, L/A ratio can be used as a parameter for predicting the prognosis of obese children.

An Open-label, Randomized, Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy and Safety between Tofisopam and Lorazepam in Anxiety Disorder (Tofisopam과 lorazepam의 항불안효과와 안전성에 대한 비교 연구)

  • Lee, Min Soo;Kim, Yong-Ku;Kwak, Dong-Il
    • Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.265-271
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    • 1997
  • Objective : A 4-week, single-blind, parallel group study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofisopam and lorazepam in 32 outpatients with anxiety disorder. Methods : Patients were randomized to receive either tofisopam(N=17) or lorazepam(N=15). The starting dose of tofisopam was 50mg t.i.d. daily, which could be increased to a maximum of 100mg t.i.d. according to the patient's clinical response and side effect. The starting dose of lorazepam was 0.75mg b.i.d. daily, which could be increased to a maximum of 1.5mg b.i.d. depending on the patient's clinical response and side effect. Efficacy evaluations at baseline, week 1, 2, and 4 used the 14-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety(HAM-A) and Clinical Global Impression(CGI). Tolerability was assessed by response to a nonleading question concerning adverse events. Laboratory parameters including vital sign, EKG, hematological, and biochemical values were measured during trial. Results : No significant differences between HAM-A total scores, two HAM-A factors(psychic, somatic) and CGI severity scores were recorded at any point during tofisopam and lorazepam treatments. However, in each group there was a significant decrease in HAM-A total scores, two HAM-A factor s(psychic, somatic), CGI severity scores over time. The pecentages of patients with tofisopam who at least minimally improved increased from 64.7% at week 1 to 94.1% at week 4. The pecentages of patients with lorazepam who at least minimally improved increased from 40.0% at week 1 to 66.7% at week 4. The pecentages of patients with tofisopam who had not any adverse event increased from 58.8% at week 1 to 87.9% at week 4. The pecentages of patients with lorazepam who had not any adverse event were not changed from 46.7% at week 1 to 46.7% at week 4. Laboratory parameters including vital sign, EKG, hematological, and biochemical values showed no significant changes during the trial in both groups. Conclusion : These data suggest that tofisopam may be effective in reducing anxiety and is a anti-anxiety drug of identical potency with lorazepam. Tolerability of tofisopam was superior to lorazepam. These findings should be confirmed by using double-blind crossover study with a large member of patients.

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A Study on Constituents of the New Apprenticeship Concept for the Promotion of Industrial Growth Potential (산업 성장잠재력 제고를 위한 신도제제도의 개념 요소에 대한 연구)

  • Yin, Zi Long;Rho, Tae Chun;Choi, Won Sik
    • 대한공업교육학회지
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    • v.38 no.1
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    • pp.1-27
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    • 2013
  • The purpose of this study was to find out the areas and their constitute elements of new apprenticeship through the expert of vocational education to improve the growth potential in the field of industry. Through the three times Delphi research process final composing areas and elements(total 6 areas and 41 sub-elements) of new apprenticeship were extracted. Followings are specific study results of 41 sub-elements for the 6 areas. In area A(Technology Skill aspect) total nine sub-elements were deducted as follows. Technology skill's field appling ability, new technology skill's acquisition, quality assurance ability, research development ability, material management using ability, problem solving ability, core technology skill understanding ability, idea's imagery expressing ability, creative design ability. In area B(Institutional aspect) total five sub-elements were deducted as follows. Flexible human material support, precise division of works, objective result assessment, institutionalization of responsibilities and liabilities between teacher and student, institutionalization of duty invention reward. In area C(Affective aspect) total eight sub-elements were deducted as follows. Manners and cooperation between teacher & student and peer, values for job, basic attitude for technology, job ethic sense, respect of other organization, active action to organization change, attitude of technology successor, service mind. In area D(Self-improvement aspect) total nine sub-elements were deducted as follows. Self evaluation and reflection, cultivate of organization understanding, career planning and developing ability, sound philosophy of life, communication ability, decision making ability, prepare of individual competence enhance system, self-control ability improvement, reaction of unexpected situation. In area E(Knowledge aspect) total four sub-elements were deducted as follows. Basic knowledge of relevant area, knowledge of new technology & preceding technology, fusion and relocation of knowledge, practical knowledge. In area F(Environmental aspect) total six sub-elements were deducted as follows. Awareness of business environment, understanding of education and practice environment, understanding of apprenticeship's business demand, connectivity of region community, adapt ability of labor market's change, awareness of society environment change.

Environmental Monitoring of Selected Veterinary Antibiotics in Soils, Sediments and Water Adjacent to a Poultry Manure Composting Facility in Gangwon Province, Korea (강원지역 계분 퇴비공장 인근 토양, 하천수 및 저질토의 항생물질 잔류특성 조사)

  • Lee, Hyeon-Yong;Lim, Jung-Eun;Kim, Sung-Chul;Kim, Kwon-Rae;Lee, Sang-Soo;Kwon, Oh-Kyung;Yang, Jae-E;Ok, Yong-Sik
    • Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.278-286
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    • 2010
  • Veterinary antibiotics have been used to treat disease and to promote growth of livestock. However, the total amount of veterinary antibiotics in Korea was much greater than other developed countries, and there is a high potential to release residual of antibiotics to environment. Consequentially, released antibiotics into the environment produces antibiotic resistant bacteria and causes adverse effects on human health. The objective of this research was to monitor antibiotic concentration in the environment adjacent to facilities which compose chicken manure. Total of 10 antibiotics were selected based on the total amount of higher usage in Korea, and its residuals were measured from surface water, soil and sediment. The frequencies of detected antibiotics were ranged 31-92% from soil, 0-93% from water, and 33-93% from sediment. Generally, a higher frequency was observed in soil or sediment than water. Different ranges in concentration among 4 different antibiotic groups was found from not detected(N.D.) to 35.6 ${\mu}g/kg$ for soil, N.D. to 19.2 ${\mu}g/L$ for water and N.D. to 114.3 ${\mu}g/kg$ for sediment. Our findings suggest that solid phase such as soil and sediment is a critical component to be needed to conduct the environmental impact assessment of antibiotics.

Assessment of the Breast-Firmming Effects of a Cosmetic Preparation with Moir$\acute{e}$ Tophography in Combination with 2D and 3D Digital Image Analyses (2D 및 3D 디지털 이미지 분석과 함께 Moir$\acute{e}$ Tophography 분석을 이용한 화장품의 가슴 탄력개선 효과 평가)

  • Seo, Young Kyoung;Yoo, Mi Ae;Ryu, Ja Hyun;Kim, So Jeong;Cho, Seong A;Nam, Gae Won;Cho, Jun-Cheol;Boo, Yong Chool;Koh, Jae-Sook
    • Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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    • v.38 no.4
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    • pp.289-296
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    • 2012
  • Cosmetic products which might augment the breast have attracted an attention and objective methods for the evaluation of such products are in high demand. This study was conducted to establish a method for assessing the breast-firmming effects of cosmetics. This study included a total of 30 healthy Korean females aged 20-50 years. A cosmetic product was applied by massaging it onto the breast twice a day for 8 weeks. Measurement of breast girth with a tape ruler, 2D and 3D digital image analyses, and Moir$\acute{e}$ topographic analysis were performed before and following the treatment. The application of a cosmetic onto the breast significantly increased breast girth at 2, 4 and 8 weeks without a significant change in underbreast girth, implicating the breast might be augmented. The 2D image analysis indicated that the arc length of the breast which represents the surface distance from the nipple to the periphery of the under-breast was significantly increased at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. The height of the breast which represents the perpendicular distance from the nipple to the periphery of the under-breast was also increased significantly at 4 and 8 weeks. The 3D image analysis of body surface also demonstrated a significant increase of breast volume at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Moir$\acute{e}$ topographic analysis indicated that breast sagging was significantly reduced at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. The results of this study suggest that Moir$\acute{e}$ topography in combination with 2D and 3D digital image analyses may be useful for evaluating the breast-augmenting effects of cosmetics.