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This research explores the social mechanism of luxury hotel membership programs and extends current loyalty program literature that has mainly examined membership programs from a mental-accounting perspective. By building upon the social identity theory, this study posits that luxury hotel membership programs provide social platforms, allowing members to construct a collective identity and collective self-esteem. Consequently, collective self-esteem is proposed as an antecedent of customer–brand relationship constructs, such as commitment, switching resistance, and word of mouth. Members from two South Korean luxury hotel membership programs were recruited to participate in a survey to test these constructs’ relationship, and findings demonstrate that membership programs’ effectiveness in cultivating a robust customer–brand relationship is contingent upon members’ collective self-esteem with the program. This correlation involves the four dimensions of collective self-esteem: membership esteem, private esteem, public esteem, and importance to identity. This study is preeminent to the current literature by identifying a critical psychological mechanism, which luxury hotel brand managers can leverage to successfully launch a membership program that ultimately cultivates enduring customer–brand relationships. The results of this study also suggest several managerial implications for hotel marketers to effectively design and manage membership programs by considering collective self-esteem’s four dimensions.

Purpose This study aims to investigate ways in which hotel loyalty programs can be designed to enhance customer’s identification with a hotel brand and develop a sustainable customer-brand relationship. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a cross-sectional design survey questionnaire for data collection and used structural equation modeling data analysis to test the conceptual model. Findings The three loyalty program experiences proposed (member-to-member similarity, memorable loyalty program experience and loyalty program social benefits) exerted significant positive effects on customer-brand identification (CBI), which, in turn, influences customer-brand relationship elements, including trust, commitment and switching resistance. Originality/value This study expands the scope of CBI literature, which previously focused substantially on brand level experiences, by being the first to explore a new set of CBI antecedents with a focus on loyalty program experiences. Furthermore, the current study’s findings delineate specific strategies to uphold the social and experiential aspects of loyalty programs that can develop sustainable customer-brand relationships.

Objective: To evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of grade group 1 (GG1) prostate cancer in Korean populations.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 492 consecutive radical prostatectomy specimens from our institution, which included those from 322 men with clinical GG1 and 170 with clinical GG2 tumors between years 2009 and 2018. The incidence of Gleason score (GS) upgrading, extraprostatic extension (EPE), and seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) were evaluated in patients with clinical GG1. In pathological GG1 cases, the distribution of adverse pathological features including EPE, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI), and biochemical recurrence (BCR) was analyzed.Results: Altogether, 78 (24.2%) out of 322 men in the clinical GG1 group demonstrated upgrading of GS, including 19 men with pathological Gleason score 4 + 3 = 7 and 6 with ≥ pathological Gleason score 4 + 4 = 8 cases. EPE was found in 37 (11.5%) and 22 (8.9%) men in clinical GG1 and pathological GG1 group, respectively. The incidence of LVI and PNI in the pathological GG1 cases was 2.8% (n = 7) and 28.6% (n = 71), respectively. BCR was observed in 4 men in pathological GG1 T2 (n = 226) and 2 men in GG1 T3 (n = 22) group. When we compared the pathological features between pathological GG1 T3 vs. GG2 T2, there was no statistical differences in the incidence of LVI and PNI between the two groups.Conclusions: Contrary to the current concept that GG1 is almost always clinically insignificant, it seems that GG1 still possess its respectable position as a group of cancer with aggressiveness. These findings should be kept in mind when deciding on treatment options for prostate cancer patients in the Asian populations.

18F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is used to monitor tumor response to 131I-therapy, but is confounded by prompt emissions (284, 364, 637, and 723 keV) from 131I, particularly in animal PET imaging. We propose a method for correcting this emission in 18F-FDG PET. The 131I prompt emission effect was assessed within various energy windows and various activities. We applied a single gamma correction method to a phantom and in vivo mouse model. The 131I prompt emission fraction was 12% when 300 µCi of 131I and 100 µCi of FDG were administered, and increased exponentially with escalating 131I activity for all energy windows. The difference in spill-over ratio was reduced to

Background Bisphosphonates are widely used as bone stabilizers, which can cause major side effects including bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) that occurs more frequently in the mandible. Consequently, there is a need for a detailed investigation of BRONJ of the maxilla and, in particular, of involvement of the maxillary sinus. Objective Our aim was to evaluate the characteristic radiologic and clinical manifestations in patients with maxillary sinusitis and a history of long-term bisphosphonate use. Methods Between January 2015 and July 2018, 55 patients with symptoms consistent with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent a paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) and had a history of >12 months of bisphosphonate therapy were included in the analysis. Results Radiologically and clinically evident chronic rhinosinusitis was noted in 24 of the 55 patients, of whom more than half (14/24, 58.3%) had BRONJ. The CT studies demonstrated that the maxillary sinus was involved in all 24 patients, characterized by unilateral involvement (70.8%) and bony remodeling in the posterior maxillary region (90.5%). The evidence of osteitis on CT and/or single-photon emission CT was observed in the majority of cases (19/21, 90.5%) and 12 patients (50.0%) had oroantral fistula. However, there were no differences in the clinical appearance of the diseases with respect to the radiologic aspects. Conclusions Besides its well-known effects on the mandible, long-term bisphosphonate use can also affect the maxillary sinus, with typical clinical and radiological manifestations.

In this study, we aimed to provide the recommended occupational exposure limits (OELs) for multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanomaterials based on data from a subchronic inhalation toxicity study using a lung dosimetry model. We used a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 0.98 mg m(–3) and 3.02 mg m(–3) in rats for MWCNTs and graphene, respectively. The NOAELs were obtained from a 13-week inhalation study in rats. The deposition fractions of MWCNTs and graphene in the respiratory tract of rats and humans were calculated by using the multi-path particle dosimetry model (MPPD model, v3.04). The deposition fraction in the alveolar region was 0.0527 and 0.0984 for MWCNTs and 0.0569 and 0.1043 for graphene in rats and human lungs, respectively. Then, the human equivalent exposure concentrations (HECs) of MWCNTs and graphene were calculated according to the method by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The HEC was estimated to be 0.17 mg m(–3) for MWCNTs and to be 0.54 mg m(–3) for graphene, which was relevant to the rat NOAEL of 0.98 mg m(–3) and 3.02 mg m(–3) for MWCNTs and graphene, respectively. Finally, we estimated the recommended OELs by applying uncertainty factors (UFs) to the HEC as follows: an UF of 3 for species differences (rats to humans), 2 for an experimental duration (subchronic to chronic), and 5 for inter-individual variations among workers. Thus, the OEL was estimated to be 6 μg m(–3) for MWCNTs and 18 μg m(–3) for graphene. These values could be useful in preventing the adverse health effects of nanoparticles in workers.

Radon mitigation performance of SGMs and ARMs was evaluated in five different modes, two of which are active modes supported by a ventilation fan on and the others are passive modes with no fan. The test was performed in a concrete structure consisting of eight partitioned rooms. The bottom side of each room is covered with gravels and radon gas soil sampled at nearby open fields. Then, SGMs and ARMs are installed on top of the soil to block the radon gas. The test is performed for three days in passive modes and for another three days in active modes. Then, the radon concentration is measured with an E perm monitor. These tests are repeated for three different levels of radon gas concentration in the sample soil, labeled as low L , medium M and high H . Experimental results present two observations. The first one is that, in accordance with the EPA recommendations, radon mitigating materials make much greater effects when they are used in an active mode. The best result was from A 1 mode SGM ARM fan . For all of L, M and H soil samples, the radon concentration turned out to be the lowest, about 10 ~ 40 of 148 Bq m3, the EPA activation level EAL . In A 2 mode SGM fan , the concentration was a reasonably fair level, about 25 ~ 48 of EAL. The second observation is that the performance of mitigating materials used in passive modes is unreliable. In all of three passive test modes, the radon concentration was higher than the EAL, or just below the EAL. Young Sub Lee | Yong Hee Lee | Yong Cheol Kim | Gyu-Sik Kim "Performance Evaluation of Radon Mitigating Materials for Building a Radon Resistant Dwelling" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-2 | Issue-4 , June 2018, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd14140.pdf

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It originates from the decay of uranium, which is present in small quantities in all rocks and soils. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless and can only be measured using special equipment. Because it is a gas, radon can move freely through the soil enabling it to enter the atmosphere. In this paper, we install the test bed for performance evaluation of radon reduction of a SGM and an ARM. The test bed was set in a concrete structure which consists of eight partitioned rooms. The bottom side of each room is covered by radon gas soil sampled at nearby open fields. Then, we install SGMs and ARMs on top of the soil to protect the indoor air. Gyu-Sik Kim | Yong Cheol Kim | Young Sub Lee | Yong Hee Lee "Test Bed Installation for Performance Evaluation of Radon Mitigating Materials" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-2 | Issue-3 , April 2018, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd11550.pdf

Background: The elderly have been reported to show anatomical and physiologic changes in the upper airway, which might affect the supraglottic airway (SGA) performance in geriatric populations. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA-C) in the elderly compared with young adult patients. Methods: Fifty patients aged 65.85 years (elderly group) and 50 patients aged 20.40 years (young group) who were scheduled for surgery using the LMA-C for general anesthesia were enrolled in this prospective, non-randomized, comparative study. Manipulations required during insertion, success rate, insertion time, oropharyngeal leak pressure, gastric insufflation, and intraoperative inadequate ventilation with the LMA-C were assessed. Fiberoptic evaluation was used to determine the position of the LMA-C. Results: In the elderly group, the insertion success rate on the first attempt was significantly lower than that in the young group (84 vs. 96%, P = 0.02). The insertion time in the elderly group was significantly longer than that in the young group (28.5 ± 19.6 vs. 22.2 ± 6.4 seconds, P = 0.001). However, there was no difference in oropharyngeal leak pressure or fiberoptic grade between the two groups after proper placement of the LMA-C. During the surgery, inadequate ventilation events occurred more frequently in the elderly group than in the young group (31.3 vs. 4.0%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The clinical efficacy of the LMA-C in elderly patients was inferior to that in young adult patients. Therefore, further studies are required to determine the type of SGA that can provide excellent clinical efficacy in the geriatric population.

In this study, model test equipment was developed to evaluate the hydraulic pressure reduction in appling the drainage shield tunnel and the model test for hydraulic pressure difference was performed in case of drainage and undrained conditions. In the result of model test, increase ratio of pore water pressure was decreased in drainage condition and total stress in drainage condition was smaller than that in undrained condition, so the hydraulic pressure was reduced by the groundwater inflow into the model tunnel. In the result of field instrumentation, the hydraulic pressure in the back ground of shield tunnel was small by 11~22% in comparison with the calculated hydraulic pressure (  ·H) in same groundwater level. In the result of model test and field instrumentation, it was appeared in drainage and undrained conditions that the difference between the theoretical hydraulic pressure and the real hydraulic pressure. It shows that it is possible to apply the reduced hydraulic pressure in applying the drainage shield tunnel and to reduce the segment section due to hydraulic pressure reduction.Keywords: Drainage shield tunnel, Drainage furrow, Model test, Field instrumentation, Hydraulic pressure reduction

Zirconium-89 (t(1/2)=78.41 hours) is an ideal metallic radioisotope for immuno-positron emission tomography (PET), given that its physical half-life closely matches the biological half-life of monoclonal antibodies. In this study, the authors measured the spatial resolution and image quality of Zr-89 PET and compared the results against those obtained using F-18 PET, which is widely regarded as the gold standard for comparison of imaging characteristics.The spatial resolution and image qualities of Zr-89 were measured on the Siemens Biograph Truepoint TrueV PET/CT scanner, partly according to NEMA NU2-2007 standards. For spatial resolution measurement, the Zr-89 point source was located at the center of the axial field of view (FOV) and offset 1/4 axial FOV from the center. For image quality measurements, an NEMA IEC Phantom was used. The NEMA IEC Phantom consists of six hot spheres that were filled with Zr-89 solution. Spatial resolution and image quality (%contrast, %background variability [BV], and source to background ratio [SBR]) were assessed to compare the imaging characteristics of F-18 with those of Siemens Biograph Truepoint TrueV.The transverse and axial spatial resolutions at 1 cm were 4.5 and 4.7 mm for Zr-89, respectively. The %contrast of Zr-89 was 25.5% for the smallest 10 mm sized sphere and 89.8% for the largest 37 mm sized sphere, and for F-18, it was 32.5% for the smallest 10 mm sized sphere and 103.9% for the largest 37 mm sized sphere using the ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) reconstruction method. The %BV of F-18 PET was 6.4% for the smallest 10 mm sized sphere and 3.5% for the largest 37 mm sized sphere using the OSEM reconstruction. The SBR of Zr-89 was 1.8 for the smallest 10 mm sized sphere and 3.7 for the largest 37 mm sized sphere, and for F-18, it was 2.0 for the smallest 10 mm sized sphere and 4.1 for the largest 37 mm sized sphere using the OSEM reconstruction method.This study assessed Zr-89 imaging characteristics using a Siemens Biograph Truepoint TrueV PET/CT scanner and compared the results with those obtained for F-18 PET. Although spatial resolution and image quality of Zr-89 PET were lower compared with F-18 PET, due to longer positron range and low positron branching ratio, Zr-89 is advantageous for immuno-PET due to well-matched half-life with monoclonal antibodies.

Spindle cell ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a recently recognized subtype of DCIS, which is associated with a very rare and unique morphology. Although the histologic features have been relatively well described in a few reports, the cytologic features have not. Even though the distinction of this lesion from usual DCIS is not crucial clinically, it should be noted that this lesion might simulate the features of metaplastic carcinoma on fine needle aspiration cytology. Here, we report a case of spindle cell DCIS in a 45-year-old female, with the detailed cytologic features, both on conventional and liquid-based preparations, along with some useful immunohistochemical staining markers for the differential diagnosis.

Influence of Youth Baseball Players’ Pitches on Range of Motion and Ball Speed

Background Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) are well-known environmental pollutants. They are unnecessary in the biological processes of humans. This study was performed to estimate the representative background exposure levels to the metals by measuring concentrations in whole blood of the Korean general population. Methods This population-based cross-sectional study included 4,000 subjects (1,886 males and 2,114 females) 0–83 years of age in 2010 and 2011. Adult subjects (≥ 19 years of age) were collected by sex- and age-stratified probability method, and preschool- and school-aged subjects were recruited by a cluster sampling method. Written consent was provided prior to blood sampling. Pb and Cd blood concentrations were determined by a flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and blood Hg was analyzed by a direct Hg analyzer. Results The geometric mean, median and 95th percentile of blood Pb was 1.82 µg/dL, 1.83 µg/dL, and 3.78 µg/dL, respectively. The respective values were 2.92 µg/L, 2.87 µg/L, 9.12 µg/L for Hg, and 0.56 µg/L, 0.59 µg/L, 2.20 µg/L for Cd. Blood Pb and Hg were higher in males than in females, but no sex difference was observed, respectively, in subjects 0–4 years of age for Pb and in subjects less than 20 years for Hg. However, blood Cd was higher in females than in males and no sex difference was observed in subjects < 30 years of age. Conclusion This study provides representative data of human exposure to Pb, Hg, and Cd covering whole age groups of the general population in Korea., Graphical Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is the most potent nephrotoxic heavy metal and may affect bone; it also has a long biological half-life in the human body. This study was designed to assess the effect of environmental low-level Cd exposure on kidney function and bone in the general population. The subjects of this cross-sectional study were 1907 healthy Korean adults who had not been exposed to Cd occupationally. We analyzed the concentrations of Cd in the urine, markers of renal tubule damage, such as β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity in the urine, calculated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using serum creatinine, and measured bone mineral density (BMD). Also, we analyzed malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the urine. The geometric mean concentration of Cd in urine was higher in women (1.36 μg/g creatinine) than in men (0.82 μg/g creatinine). Urinary Cd was significantly positively correlated with urinary β2-MG and NAG activity, whereas it was negatively correlated with eGFR and BMD. The risk of renal tubule damage was significantly associated with urine Cd level, and the association remained significant after controlling for various confounding variables. However, no association was observed between urinary Cd level and glomerular dysfunction or bone damage. The concentration of MDA was increased with urinary Cd level in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that low-level environmental Cd exposure may cause microscopic damage to renal tubules through oxidative stress but might not impair kidney glomeruli or bones.

Rationale Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is an extremely rare, malignant neoplasm that occurs most frequently in the major salivary glands and accounts for approximately 1% of all salivary gland neoplasms. Few reports have described the presence of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma in the sinonasal region; hence, the treatment guideline and prognosis remain unclear. Patient concerns We reported a case of a 75-year-old woman with complaint of nasal obstruction and frequent epistaxis for 3 years. During the nasal endoscopic examination, a mass in the left nasal cavity originating from the left nasal septum that caused bleeding on touch was observed. Diagnoses A diagnosis of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma was made based on the features of histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the surgical specimens. The patient was treated by surgical removal of the septal mass using the endonasal endoscopic approach. Outcomes In the serial follow-up paranasal sinus imaging and endoscopic inspection, evidence of recurrence was absent for 18 months after surgery. Lessons This report highlights a case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma originating from a minor salivary gland in the nasal septum, one of the most unusual locations. Diagnosis of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma should be made based on the findings of immunohistochemistry of the operative specimen. Clinicians should consider complete surgical resection as the effective treatment of choice.

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related hypertrophic pachymeningitis, defined as focally or diffusely thickened dura mater and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with increased IgG4 bearing plasma cells, is a rare disease. Moreover, cases involving bone are even rarer. In this report, the authors describe a case of IgG4-related hypertrophic pachymeningitis involving the skull in a 65-year-old man presenting with generalized tonic seizures. There is a 2.4 cm diameter extra-axial mass at the vertex of the left frontal convexity and thickened dura mater with contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In addition, the skull adjacent to the mass was focally enhanced. He underwent surgical resection of the enhanced mass and skull. Histopathological findings revealed chronic inflammation with fibrosis, and idiopathic hypertrophic intracranial pachymeningitis was considered. However, eight months after surgery, partial seizures developed and brain MR imaging revealed a recurrence adjacent to the previous mass. We decided to perform additional immunohistochemical staining of the previous specimen, instead of a re-excision. Immunohistochemical staining showed markedly increased IgG4 (+) plasma cells. Consequently, IgG4-related hypertrophic meningitis was confirmed. Since then, steroids and immunosuppressant medications were started. Follow-up MR imaging at 3 months after medication initiation demonstrated complete remission. In conclusion, IgG4-related hypertrophic pachymeningitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis.

The Siemens Biograph TruePoint TrueV (B-TPTV) positron emission tomography (PET) scanner performs 3D PET reconstruction using a system matrix with point spread function (PSF) modeling (called the True X reconstruction). PET resolution was dramatically improved with the True X method. In this study, we assessed the spatial resolution and image quality on a B-TPTV PET scanner. In addition, we assessed the feasibility of animal imaging with a B-TPTV PET and compared it with a microPET R4 scanner. Spatial resolution was measured at center and at 8 cm offset from the center in transverse plane with warm background activity. True X, ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) without PSF modeling, and filtered back-projection (FBP) reconstruction methods were used. Percent contrast (% contrast) and percent background variability (% BV) were assessed according to NEMA NU2-2007. The recovery coefficient (RC), non-uniformity, spill-over ratio (SOR), and PET imaging of the Micro Deluxe Phantom were assessed to compare image quality of B-TPTV PET with that of the microPET R4. When True X reconstruction was used, spatial resolution was

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as imatinibmesylate, have been used for the adjuvant treatment of KIT-positive GISTs. Several pathologic changes after imatinib treatment of metastatic GIST including tumor necrosis, myxohyaline or sclerohyalinestroma, proliferative index decline, a varying degree of hemorrhage, edema, and cystic change have been reported in previous studies. More specifically, cystic changes after imatinib treatment were mainly induced by necrosis, hemorrhage, and degeneration. Until now, there have been no reports of cystic changes due to a dilated bile duct entrapped by a totally regressed tumor. We report a case of a 61-year-old man who was diagnosed with high-risk GIST of the stomach complicated by hepatic metastasis and who had such a unique pathologic changes with imatinib treatment.

124I has a complex decay scheme with high gamma energy and low positron abundance. In this study, comparative performance measurements of 124I were performed in terms of spatial resolution, sensitivity, and image quality. All measurements were performed using both 2D and 3D PET in both brain mode and whole body mode. The transverse and axial spatial resolutions at 1 cm were 5.56 and 6.07 mm for 124I, and were 4.58 and 4.77 mm and for 18F, respectively. Sensitivities were 0.5 kcps/MBq (2D) and 3.4 kcps/MBq (3D) for 124I, and 1.8 kcps/MBq (2D) and 9.8 kcps/MBq (3D) for 18F. The %contrast of 3D was higher than that of 2D in 124I. For 124I PET imaging, 3D acquisition with brain mode was highest achievable imaging acquisition mode with finer spatial resolution and higher contrast. This result will be useful for 124I PET imaging.

5MW, open pool type research reactor, is commonly used to education and experimental purpose. It is necessary to prepare a standardization of system designs for considering a demand. HANARO has prepared the standardization of 5MW research reactor system designs based on the design, installation, commissioning and operating experiences of HANARO. For maintaining an open pool type reactor safety, a primary cooling system (after below, PCS) should remove the heat generated by the reactor under a reactor normal operation condition and a reactor shutdown condition. For removing the heat generated by the reactor, the PCS should maintain a required coolant flow rate. For a verification of the required flow rate, a flow network analysis of the PCS was carried under a normal operating condition. Based on the flow network analysis result, this paper describes the PCS flow characteristics of a 5MW open pool type research reactor. Through the result, it was confirmed that the PCS met design requirements including design flow rate without cavitation.

Computed radiography (CR) images will require large storage facilities and long transmission times for picture archiving and communications system (PACS) implementation. The American College of Radiology and National Equipment Manufacturers Association (ACR/NEMA) group is planning to adopt a JPEG2000 compression algorithm in the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard for better utilization of medical images. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the results of JPEG and JPEG2000 compressions in medical images. We applied various compression ratios of JPEG and JPEG2000 to chest, abdomen, and hand images obtained using the AGFA CR (Computed Radiography) system (AGFAMD-4.0, BELGIUM) and the FUJI CR system (FCR 9000C, JAPAN). A quantitative evaluation was carried out using the PSNR (peak signal to noise ratio), which is a commonly used measure for the evaluation of reconstructed images and measures how the reconstructed images differ from the original images. In the JPEG and JPEG2000 comparison for compression ratios up to 60:1, the PSNR value showed less than 30 dB in accordance with CR modalities and image regions in JPEG compression whereas JPEG2000 showed more than 30 dB in the same compression ratios for both AGFA and FUJI CR images. As the compression ratios were increased to 200:1, use of the JPEG2000 algorithm showed over 30 dB of the PSNR value in accordance with CR modalities and image regions. In general, when the PSNR value gets greater than or equal to 30 dB, the quality of the processed image is acceptable. Nevertheless, the PSNR value cannot absolutely stand for the quality in terms of perceptibility. The artifact of blockiness is found to be visible not only for the AGFA CR image at 40:1 but also for the FUJI CR image at 40:1 and 60:1 in JPEG compression while no significant artifact were observed in the JPEG2000 compressed image up to 200:1. In conclusion, JPEG2000 appeared to be a more effective method of compression than JPEG in medical imaging applications based on the PSNR value, ROC studies may be needed to establish whether these applications are suitable for real clinical situations requiring diagnostic accuracy.

This work proposes a 12b 60MS/s 0.11μm CMOS Flash-SAR ADC for wireless communication systems. The proposed Flash-SAR ADC is implemented with a 4b flash ADC and a 9b SAR ADC for high speed operation with low power consumption. Furthermore, the shared single sampling-network minimizes a sampling-time mismatch between the flash ADC and the SAR ADC, which is commonly observed in a Flash-SAR ADC without a T/H circuit. The prototype ADC occupies an active die area of 0.31mm2 and consumes 3.2mW at a 1.2V supply voltage.

In this paper, a driving amplifier stage with 1 Watt output has been designed and fabricated, which is operating at UHF band( 470 ∼ 806 MHz) for digital TV repeater. In the driving amplifier stage, preamplifier and 1 Watt unit amplifier are integrated by one electric substrate which is 2.53 in dielectric constant and 0.8 mm thickness. When the driving amplifier stage is flown by bias voltage of 28 V DC and current of 900 mA. it has the gain of more than 53.5 dB. the gain flatness of 0.5 dB and return loss of less than -15 dB in 470 ∼ 806 MHz. Also, when two signals at 2 MHz frequency interval are input port into the driving amplifier stage with 1 Watt output, it resulted in excellent characteristics to designed specification with showing intermodulation distortion characteristics of more than 48 dBc.