• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.403-430
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• 2011

The purpose of the study was to investigate how the use of graphing calculators influence on forming students' mathematical concept of algebra, students' mathematical connection, and attitude toward mathematics. First, graphing calculators give instant feedback to students as they make students compare their written answers with the results, which helps students learn equations and linear inequalities for themselves. In respect of quadratic inequalities they help students to correct wrong concepts and understand fundamental concepts, and with regard to functions students can draw graphs more easily using graphing calculators, which means that the difficulty of drawing graphs can not be hindrance to student's learning functions. Moreover students could understand functions intuitively by using graphing calculators and explored math problems volunteerly. As a result, students were able to perceive faster the concepts of functions that they considered difficult and remain the concepts in their mind for a long time. Second, most of students could not think of connection among equations, equalities and functions. However, they could understand the connection among equations, equalities and functions more easily. Additionally students could focus on changing the real life into the algebraic expression by modeling without the fear of calculating, which made students relieve the burden of calculating and realize the usefulness of mathematics through the experience of solving the real-life problems. Third, we identified the change of six students' attitude through preliminary and an ex post facto attitude test. Five of six students came to have positive attitude toward mathematics, but only one student came to have negative attitude. However, all of the students showed positive attitude toward using graphing calculators in math class. That's because they could have more interest in mathematics by the strengthened and visualization of graphing calculators which helped them understand difficult algebraic concepts, which gave them a sense of achievement. Also, students could relieve the burden of calculating and have confidence. In a conclusion, using graphing calculators in algebra and function class has many advantages : formulating mathematics concepts, mathematical connection, and enhancing positive attitude toward mathematics. Therefore we need more research of the effect of using calculators, practical classroom materials, instruction models and assessment tools for graphing calculators. Lastly We need to make the classroom environment more adequate for using graphing calculators in math classes.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.55-72
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• 2010

Recently, the battlefield environment has changed from platform-centric warfare(PCW) which focuses on maneuvering forces into network-centric warfare(NCW) which is based on the connectivity of each asset through the warfare information system as information technology increases. In particular, C4I(Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence) system can be an important factor in achieving NCW. It is generally used to provide direction across distributed forces and status feedback from thoseforces. It can provide the important information, more quickly and in the correct format to the friendly units. And it can achieve the information superiority through SA(Situational Awareness). Most of the advanced countries have been developed and already applied these systems in military operations. Therefore, ROK forces also have been developing C4I systems such as KJCCS(Korea Joint Command Control System). And, ours are increasing the budgets in the establishment of warfare information systems. However, it is difficult to evaluate the C4I effectiveness properly by deficiency of methods. We need to develop a new combat effectiveness evaluation method that is suitable for NCW. Existing evaluation methods lay disproportionate emphasis on technical factors with leaving something to be desired in human factors. Therefore, it is necessary to consider technical and human factors to evaluate combat effectiveness. In this study, we proposed a new Combat Effectiveness evaluation algorithm called E-TechMan(A Combat Effectiveness Evaluation Algorithm Considering Technical and Human Factors in C4I System). This algorithm uses the rule of Newton's second law($F=(m{\Delta}{\upsilon})/{\Delta}t{\Rightarrow}\frac{V{\upsilon}I}{T}{\times}C$). Five factors considered in combat effectiveness evaluation are network power(M), movement velocity(v), information accuracy(I), command and control time(T) and collaboration level(C). Previous researches did not consider the value of the node and arc in evaluating the network power after the C4I system has been established. In addition, collaboration level which could be a major factor in combat effectiveness was not considered. E-TechMan algorithm is applied to JFOS-K(Joint Fire Operating System-Korea) system that can connect KJCCS of Korea armed forces with JADOCS(Joint Automated Deep Operations Coordination System) of U.S. armed forces and achieve sensor to shooter system in real time in JCS(Joint Chiefs of Staff) level. We compared the result of evaluation of Combat Effectiveness by E-TechMan with those by other algorithms(e.g., C2 Theory, Newton's second Law). We can evaluate combat effectiveness more effectively and substantially by E-TechMan algorithm. This study is meaningful because we improved the description level of reality in calculation of combat effectiveness in C4I system. Part 2 will describe the changes of war paradigm and the previous combat effectiveness evaluation methods such as C2 theory while Part 3 will explain E-TechMan algorithm specifically. Part 4 will present the application to JFOS-K and analyze the result with other algorithms. Part 5 is the conclusions provided in the final part.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.155-165
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• 2010

Purpose: In order to evaluate the positional uncertainty of internal organs during radiation therapy for treatment of liver cancer, we measured differences in inter- and intra-fractional variation of the tumor position and tidal amplitude using 4-dimentional computed radiograph (DCT) images and gated orthogonal setup kilovolt (KV) images taken on every treatment using the on board imaging (OBI) and real time position management (RPM) system. Materials and Methods: Twenty consecutive patients who underwent 3-dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy for treatment of liver cancer participated in this study. All patients received a 4DCT simulation with an RT16 scanner and an RPM system. Lipiodol, which was updated near the target volume after transarterial chemoembolization or diaphragm was chosen as a surrogate for the evaluation of the position difference of internal organs. Two reference orthogonal (anterior and lateral) digital reconstructed radiograph (DRR) images were generated using CT image sets of 0% and 50% into the respiratory phases. The maximum tidal amplitude of the surrogate was measured from 3D conformal treatment planning. After setting the patient up with laser markings on the skin, orthogonal gated setup images at 50% into the respiratory phase were acquired at each treatment session with OBI and registered on reference DRR images by setting each beam center. Online inter-fractional variation was determined with the surrogate. After adjusting the patient setup error, orthogonal setup images at 0% and 50% into the respiratory phases were obtained and tidal amplitude of the surrogate was measured. Measured tidal amplitude was compared with data from 4DCT. For evaluation of intra-fractional variation, an orthogonal gated setup image at 50% into the respiratory phase was promptly acquired after treatment and compared with the same image taken just before treatment. In addition, a statistical analysis for the quantitative evaluation was performed. Results: Medians of inter-fractional variation for twenty patients were 0.00 cm (range, -0.50 to 0.90 cm), 0.00 cm (range, -2.40 to 1.60 cm), and 0.00 cm (range, -1.10 to 0.50 cm) in the X (transaxial), Y (superior-inferior), and Z (anterior-posterior) directions, respectively. Significant inter-fractional variations over 0.5 cm were observed in four patients. Min addition, the median tidal amplitude differences between 4DCTs and the gated orthogonal setup images were -0.05 cm (range, -0.83 to 0.60 cm), -0.15 cm (range, -2.58 to 1.18 cm), and -0.02 cm (range, -1.37 to 0.59 cm) in the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively. Large differences of over 1 cm were detected in 3 patients in the Y direction, while differences of more than 0.5 but less than 1 cm were observed in 5 patients in Y and Z directions. Median intra-fractional variation was 0.00 cm (range, -0.30 to 0.40 cm), -0.03 cm (range, -1.14 to 0.50 cm), 0.05 cm (range, -0.30 to 0.50 cm) in the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively. Significant intra-fractional variation of over 1 cm was observed in 2 patients in Y direction. Conclusion: Gated setup images provided a clear image quality for the detection of organ motion without a motion artifact. Significant intra- and inter-fractional variation and tidal amplitude differences between 4DCT and gated setup images were detected in some patients during the radiation treatment period, and therefore, should be considered when setting up the target margin. Monitoring of positional uncertainty and its adaptive feedback system can enhance the accuracy of treatments.