• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.55-62
• /
• 2015

Purpose Various methods for reducing radiation exposure have been continuously being developed. The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of dose reduction, image quality and PET SUV changes by applying combination of automatic exposure dose(AEC), automated dose-optimized selection of X-ray tube voltage(CAREkV) and sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction(SAFIRE) which can be controled by user. Materials and Methods Torso, AAPM CT performance and IEC body phantom images were acquired using biograph mCT64, (Siemens, Germany) PET/CT scanner. Standard CT condition was 120 kV, 40 mAs. Radiation exposure and noise were evaluated by applying AEC, CAREkV(120 kV, 40 mAs) and SAFIRE(120 kV, 25 mAs) with torso phantom compare to standard CT condition. And torso, AAPM and IEC phantom images were acquired with combination of 3 methods in condition of 120 kV, 25 mAs to evaluate radiation exposure, noise, spatial resolution and SUV changes. Results When applying AEC, CTDIvol and DLP were decreased by 50.52% and 50.62% compare to images which is not applying AEC. mAs was increased by 61.5% to compensate image quality according to decreasing 20 kV when applying CAREkV. However, CTDIvol and DLP were decreased by 6.2% and 5.5%. When reference mAs was the lower and strength was the higher, reduction of radiation exposure rate was the bigger. Mean SD and DLP were decreased by 2.2% and 38% when applying SAFIRE even though mAs was decreased by 37.5%(from 40 mAs to 25 mAs). Combination of 3 methods test, SD decreased by 5.17% and there was no significant differences in spatial resolution. And mean SD and DLP were decreased by 6.7% and 36.9% compare to 120 kV, 40 mAs with AEC. For SUV test, there was no statistical differences(P>0.05). Conclusion Combination of 3 methods shows dose reduction effect without degrading image quality and SUV changes. To reduce radiation exposure in PET/CT study, continuous effort is needed by optimizing various dose reduction methods.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2023

In this study, the lamination performance and strength characteristics of cement-based composite materials according to the laminated specimens manufacturing method were analyzed. As a result of evaluating the buildability according to the layer height, the highest dimensional stability was shown when the layer height was 10 mm in all parts. The mold casting specimen and the printing-Z specimen showed the same compressive strength performance at the age of 28 days. On the other hand, the compressive strength at 28 day of printing-X specimen was the lowest at 71.72 MPa, and 8% lower than that of the mold casting specimen and the printing-Z specimen. The split tensile strength of the laminated specimen may show similar performance to that of the mold casting specimen, but the strength performance may decrease by more than 10% depending on the direction of the layer and the number of layers in the specimen. As a result of the interface analysis of the laminated specimen through X-ray CT analysis, it was confirmed that pores of a certain size were distributed along the interface of the layer.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the ability of limited- and large-volume cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to display isthmuses in the apical root canals of mandibular molars. Materials and Methods: Forty human mandibular first molars with isthmuses in the apical 3 mm of mesial roots were scanned by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and their thickness, area, and length were recorded. The samples were examined using 2 CBCT systems, using the smallest voxels and field of view available for each device. The Mann-Whitney, Friedman, and Dunn multiple comparison tests were performed (α=0.05). Results: The 3D Accuitomo 170 and i-Cat devices detected 77.5% and 75.0% of isthmuses, respectively (P>0.05). For length measurements, there were significant differences between micro-CT and both 3D Accuitomo 170 and i-Cat(P<0.05). Conclusion: Both CBCT systems performed similarly and did not detect isthmuses in the apical third in some cases. CBCT still does not equal the performance of micro-CT in isthmus detection, but it is nonetheless a valuable tool in endodontic practice.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.87-94
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Pineapple is now the third most important tropical fruit in world production after banana and citrus. Phytosanitary irradiation is recognized as a promising alternative treatment to chemical fumigation. However, most of the phytosanitary irradiation studies have dealt with physiochemical properties and its efficacy. Accurate dose calculation is crucial for ensuring proper process control in phytosanitary irradiation. The objective of this study was to optimize phytosanitary irradiation treatment of pineapple in various radiation sources using Monte Carlo simulation. Methods: 3-D geometry and component densities of the pineapple, extracted from CT scan data, were entered into a radiation transport Monte Carlo code (MCNP5) to obtain simulated dose distribution. Radiation energy used for simulation were 2 MeV (low-energy) and 10 MeV (high-energy) for electron beams, 1.25 MeV for gamma-rays, and 5 MeV for X-rays. Results: For low-energy electron beam simulation, electrons penetrated up to 0.75 cm from the pineapple skin, which is good for controlling insect eggs laid just below the fruit surface. For high-energy electron beam simulation, electrons penetrated up to 4.5 cm and the irradiation area occupied 60.2% of the whole area at single-side irradiation and 90.6% at double-side irradiation. For a single-side only gamma- and X-ray source simulation, the entire pineapple was irradiated and dose uniformity ratios (Dmax/Dmin) were 2.23 and 2.19, respectively. Even though both sources had all greater penetrating capability, the X-ray treatment is safer and the gamma-ray treatment is more widely used due to their availability. Conclusions: These results are invaluable for optimizing phytosanitary irradiation treatment planning of pineapple.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.83 no.6
• /
• pp.1342-1353
• /
• 2022

Purpose We compared the radiation dose and image quality between the 2nd generation and the 3rd generation dual-source single-energy (DSSE) and dual-source dual-energy (DSDE) CT of the abdomen. Materials and Methods We included patients undergoing follow-up abdominal CT after partial or radical nephrectomy in the first 10 months of 2019 (2nd generation DS CT) and the first 10 months of 2020 (3rd generation DS CT). We divided the 320 patients into 4 groups (A, 2nd generation DSSE CT; B, 2nd generation DSDE CT; C, 3rd generation DSSE CT; and D, 3rd generation DSDE CT) (n = 80 each) matched by sex and body mass index. Radiation dose and image quality (objective and subjective qualities) were compared between the groups. Results The mean size-specific dose estimation of 3rd generation DSDE CT group was significantly lower than that of the 2nd generation DSSE CT (42.5%, p = 0.013) and 2nd generation DSDE CT (46.9%, p = 0.015) groups. Interobserver agreement was excellent for the overall image quality (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.8867) and image artifacts (ICC: 0.9423). Conclusion Our results showed a considerable reduction in the radiation dose while maintaining high image quality with 3rd generation DSDE CT as compared to the 2nd generation DSDE CT and 2nd generation DSSE CT.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.28-35
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The pedicle of transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap and deep inferior epigastric arterial perforator flap is deep inferior epigastic artery (DIEA) and accurate anatomic knowledge about perforator of DIEA is very important for the elevation of these flap. The authors investigated a detailed vascular network of perforator of DIEA in Koreans. Methods: 24 fresh cadavers were studied. Among them, 15 were examined based on the plain X-ray examination for the distribution and location of perforator of DIEA. And 9 fresh cadavers were examined based on the 3-dimensional computed tomography(CT) study for the distance between ending point of perforator of DIEA and mother artery, the distance between most medial mother artery and midline, the distance between most lateral mother artery and midline, and the running type of perforators of DIEA. Results: Based on the plain X-ray examination, suitable(external diameter$${\geq_-}0.5mm$$) perforators of DIEA are located between the level of umbilicus and 8 cm below it. Based on the 3D-CT study, average distance between the ending point of perforator of DIEA and the mother artery is 30.26 mm on the left, 28.62 mm on the right, respectively. The average distance between most medial mother artery and midline is 17.13 mm on the left, 15.76 mm on the right, respectively. The average distance between most lateral mother artery and midline is 56.31 mm on the left, 50.90 mm on the right, respectively. The main running course of suitable perforators of DIEA is type a, which is a direct musculocutaneous perforator vessel from main vascular axis passing outward to join the subdermal plexus, directly. Conclusion: 3-dimensional computed tomography study as well as plain X-ray examination provided more accurate and detail informations about perforators of DIEA in Koreans. These informations will help us understand the detailed vascular anatomy and operation with ease and safe in the lower abdomen of Koreans.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.15-20
• /
• 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the three-dimensional (3D) facial changes after orthognathic surgery by evaluating the spherical coordinates of facial lines using 3D computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: A 19-year-old girl was diagnosed with class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry. Orthognathic surgery was performed after orthodontic treatment. Facial CT scans were taken before and after orthognathic surgery. The patient had a menton deviation of 12.72 mm before surgery and 0.83 mm after surgery. The spherical coordinates of four bilateral facial lines (ramal height, ramal lateral, ramal posterior and mandibular body) were estimated from CT scans before and after surgery on the deviated and opposite side. Results: The spherical coordinates of all facial lines changed after orthognathic surgery. Moreover, the bilateral differences of all facial lines changed after surgery, and no bilateral differences were zero. Conclusion: The spherical coordinate system was useful to compare differences between the presurgical and postsurgical changes to facial lines.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.113-126
• /
• 2017

In order to investigate the geological storage potential of $CO_2$, X-ray diffraction analysis were conducted for drilling core samples collected from the two drilling sites located in Yonil group of the Miocene Pohang Basin. As a result, various minerals were identified such as quartz, plagioclase, orthoclase opal-CT, smectite, mica, illite, kaolin mineral, chlorite, calcite, gypsum, pyrite, dolomite, and siderite. Smectite was detected in almost all of core samples, and relatively large amounts of smectite were observed in the cores from deeper strata. Opal-CT, mainly occurred in the upper interval of cores, was formed by diagenesis of amorphous diatoms. It shows a tendency that d101 value of cristobalite decreases with depth from $4.10{\AA}$ to $4.05{\AA}$. The almost identical variations in mineral composition with depth are observed at the two sites. This fact indicates that rocks distributed at the two sites were probably deposited in the similar depositional environments. It is determined that the strata in the study area can play roles of cap-rock for $CO_2$ storage, because the considerable amounts of smectite were contained in the rocks through the cores.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.382-387
• /
• 2021

Objectives: Zygomatic complex (ZMC) fractures comprise up to 40% of all facial fractures. Misaligned bone fragments and misplaced fixation hardware traditionally detected postoperatively on plain radiographs of the skull might require re-operation. The intraoperative O-Arm (Medtronic, USA) is a three-dimensional (3D) computed tomographic imaging system. Materials and Methods: This retrospective single-center study evaluated the utility of O-Arm scanning during corrective surgeries for ZMC and zygomatic arch (ZA) fractures from 2018 to 2020. Three females and 16 males (mean age, 31.52 years; range, 22-48 years) were included. Fracture instability (n=6) and facial deformity (n=15) were the most frequent indications for intraoperative 3D O-Arm scan. Results: The images demonstrated that all fracture lines were properly reduced and fixed. Another scan performed at the end of the fixation or reduction stage, however, revealed suboptimal results in five of the 19 cases, and further reduction and fixation of the fracture lines were required. Conclusion: Implementation of an intraoperative O-Arm system in ZMC and ZA fracture surgeries assists in obtaining predictable and accurate results and obviates the need for revision surgeries. The device should be considered for precise operations such as ZMC fracture repairs.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2019

Within the scope of this study, the foam solution was prepared by properly mixing sulfonate based foam agent with water. Furthermore, this solution was mixed with the mixture of fine sand, cement, and water to produce foamed concrete. The mixture ratios which are the percentage of foam solution used in foam concrete were chosen as 0, 20, 40 and 60% by vol. After these groups reached 28 days of strength, they were heated to 20, 100, 400 and $700^{\circ}C$ respectively. Afterward, high-temperature effects on the foamed concrete were obtained by employing physical and mechanical properties tests. Additionally, SEM (scanning electron microscope) and EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) tests were employed to analyze the microstructure, and ${\mu}-CT$ (micro computed tomography) images were used to reconstruct 3-D models of the heat-treated specimens. Then, these models are analyzed to examine the void structures and the changes in these structures due to the high temperatures. The study has shown that the void structures reduce the high-temperature effects and the foam solution could be mixed with concrete up to 40 % by vol. where the high strength of foamed concrete is non-mandatory.