• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2024

Purpose: When performing nuclear medicine examinations, body wraps or plastic supports are used to support and immobilize the patient's upper extremities to prevent patient safety accidents. However, the existing plastic supports compromised patient and staff safety, including finger entrapment and falls. Moreover, the body wrap provided by manufacturers compromised image quality such as upper extremities cutoff during whole body bone scan. Therefore, a new design of body wrap was developed to improve the issue, and this study aims to evaluate the usability of this medical body wrap. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the usability of the newly designed medical body wrap, a quality assessment of whole body bone scan images and a user satisfaction survey were conducted. Adult patients (male:female=129:152, age: 60.3±12.4 years, BMI: 24.0±4.2) aged 16 years or older who underwent a whole body bone scan during two periods: June to July 2022 (before improvement, n=139) and June to July 2023 (after improvement, n=142) were randomly selected for image quality evaluation. Five radiotechnologists visually evaluated the posterior view of the whole body bone image, including the left and right elbow (2 points), arm (2 points), whether the hand is extended (2 points), whether the hand is included (2 points), and the number of visible fingers (10 points), with a total of 18 points, which were converted to 100 points and analyzed for difference before and after improvement using an independent sample t-test. The user satisfaction questionnaire was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale among 16 radiotechnologists from three general hospitals who experienced the new body wrap. Results: The image quality assessment was 82.0±13.8 before the improvement and 89.3±10.1 after the improvement, an average of 7.3 points higher, with a statistically significant difference (t=5.02, p<0.01). The user satisfaction survey showed an overall satisfaction rating of 4.1±0.8 for ease of use, 3.8±0.7 for scan preparation time, 3.9±0.7 for patient safety, 3.8±1.2 for scan accuracy, and 4.2±0.7 for recommendation (87.5% questionnaire response rate). Conclusion: The developed body wrap showed higher image quality and user satisfaction compared to the old method. Considering these results, it is deemed that the new body wrap may be more useful than existing methods.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2020

This study aimed to found out the effect of patellofemoral overlap distance by changing femur thickness and center X-ray angles in Merchant method images. Based on the femur thickness, it suggested tube angle minimizes overlap. It was conducted by Merchant method, a knee tangential view, and the image was obtained by changing the thigh thickness from 14 to 20 cm and the center ray angle from 60°, 57°, 55°. The images were measured by five researchers using a method of measuring the overlap, which was designed by them. The results showed at 60°, 57°, 55° angle, the patellofemoral overlap distance resulted in 0.47±0.66 to 20.89±0.65 cm, 2.26±0.28 to 15.73±0.62 cm, 1.39 ± 0.83 to 12.49 ± 0.37 cm. However, for 57° and 55°, no overlap in thickness under 14.5 and 14 to 15.5 didn't appear. it showed high correlation between femur thickness and overlap. The difference in the mean value of overlap in each group showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.01), all were classified as independent groups in the post-hoc test. In all images, the patellofemoral overlap distance increased as the thickness increased, and at the average thickness of Korean men and women, overlap decreased when reducing center ray. When conducting Merchant tests on Koreans, it was suggested it would be useful to use 57° angle because it minimize the effects of overlap and intrusions of tibia.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.21-28
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• 2008

This paper proposes a novel reduced-reference assessment method for video quality assessment, in which one-dimensional (1-D) histograms of motion vectors (MVs) are used as features of videos. The proposed method is more efficient than the conventional methods in view of computation time, because the proposed quality metric decodes MVs directly from video stream in the parsing process instead of reconstructing the distorted video at the receiver. Moreover, in view of data size, the propose method is efficient because a sender transmits 1-D histograms of MVs accumulated over whole input video sequences. Here, we use 1-D histograms of MVs accumulated over the whole video sequences, which is different from the conventional methods that assessed each image independently. For testing the similarity between histograms, we use histogram intersection and histogram difference methods. We compare the proposed method with the conventional methods for 52 video clips, which are coded under varying bit rate, image size, and frame rate. Experimental results show that the proposed method is more efficient than the conventional methods and that the proposed method is more similar to the mean opinion score (MOS) than conventional algorithms.

• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.227-234
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• 2018

Recently, stitching techniques are used for obtaining wide FOV, e.g., panorama contents, from normal cameras. Despite many proposed algorithms, the no objective quality evaluation method is developed, so the comparison of algorithms are performed only in subjective way. The paper proposes a 'Delaunay-triangulation based objective assessment method' for evaluating the geometric and photometric distortions of stitched or warped images. The reference and target images are segmented by Delaunay-triangulation based on matched points between two images, the average Euclidian distance is used for geometric distortion measure, and the average or histogram of PSNR for photometric measure. We shows preliminary results with several test images and stitching methods for demonstrate the benefits and application.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2010

In projection radiography, two types of digital imaging systems are currently available, computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR): a difference between them can be stated in terms of dose and image quality. In the Department of Radiology our hospital, a flat-panel DR equipment (Digital diagnost, Philips) and two CR systems (ADC Compact plus digitizer, AGFA) are employed. Eight standard radiographic examinations (Skull AP, Skull LAT, Chest PA, Chest LAT, Abdomen AP, L-spine AP, L-spine LAT, Pelvis AP) were considered: doses delivered to patients in terms of both entrance skin dose (ESD) were calculated and compared in order to study the dosimetric discrepancies between CR and DR. Assessment of image quality is undertaken by Consultant Radiologists to ensure that the quality criteria for diagnostic radiographic images of the European guidelines were met. Results showed that both ESD in DR are lower than that in CR; all images met the criteria in the European Guidelines for both modalities and were used for reporting by the radiologists. Since the operators are the same and the image quality is comparable in both modalities, this study shows that in the considered examinations, DR can perform better than CR from a dosimetric point of view.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 1999

The aim of this study is to improve the accuracy of field placement and junction between adjacent fields and block shielding through the use of a computed tomography(CT) simulator and virtual simulation. The information was acquired by assessment of Alderson Rando phantom image using CT simulator (I.Q. Xtra - Picker), determination of each field by virtual fluoroscopy of voxel IQ workstation AcQsim and colored critical structures that were obtained by contouring in virtual simulation. And also using a coronal, sagittal and axial view can determine the field and adjacent field gap correctly without calculation during the procedure. With the treatment planning by using the Helax TMS 4.0, the dose in the junction among the adjacent fields and the spinal cord and cribriform plate of the critical structure was evaluated by the dose volume histogram. The pilot image of coronal and sagittal view took about 2minutes and 26minutes to get 100 images. Image translation to the virtual simulation workstation took about 6minutes. Contouring a critical structure such as cribriform plate, spinal cord using a virtual fluoroscopy were eligible to determine a correct field and shielding. The process took about 20 minutes. As the result of the Helax planning, the dose distribution in adjacent field junction was ideal, and the dose level shows almost 100 percentage in the dose volume histogram of the spinal cord and cribriform plate CT simulation can get a correct therapy area due to enhancement of critical structures such as spinal cord and cribriform plate. In addition, using a Spiral CT scanner can be saved a lot of time to plan a simulation therefore this function can reduce difficulties to keep the patient position without any movements to the patient, physician and radiotherapy technician.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.111-126
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• 1998

In this study, radiographic evaluation was made using panoramic radiography and cross-sectional tomography of SCANORA/sup (R)/ in male and female adults in their 20's on the relationship between the maxillary sinus floor and the apex of the maxillary molar, to test the accuracy and effectiveness of the cross-sectional tomography, and to use this information in the assessment of preop. and postop. root canal treatment, apical surgery, extraction and implantology. Forty-one adults with an average age of 24.4 years were studied using panoramic radiography and cross-sectional tomography. In panoramic view and cross-sectional view, the position of the apices of maxillary molars were classified as separated, contacted, or protruded type; the general shape of the maxillary sinus floor was evaluated horizontally and vertically from cross-sectional tomography. The accuracy of each radiography was tested using maxilla from 5 fresh cadavers from the Anatomy Lab at Yonsei University Dental College, and panoramic view and cross-sectional tomography were taken in the same condition as with the patients. The results were as follows: 1. Panoramic view and cross-sectional view were taken in the maxilla specimen, and the actual distance between the maxillary sinus floor and the tooth apices were measured in the specimen; the median values of the distance from the tooth apices to the maxillary sinus floor in the panoramic view, cross-sectional view and in the actual maxilla specimen were 2.83 mm, 4.51mm, and 4.l5mm, respectively. In the cross-sectional view, the measured distance was close to the actual distance but in the panoramic view, the measured distance was far from the actual distance. 2. When the results of the panoramic view and cross-sectional view were compared, 40.5％ of the results agreed with each other in the two radiographic methods and buccal roots of the 2nd molar were the closest to the maxillary sinus floor in the cross-sectional tomography. 3. In cross-sectional view, when the vertical relationship of the maxillary sinus floor and maxillary roots was assessed, in 1st molars, type II (the sinus floor that extends down to the buccolingual furcation area) was predominant, while in 2nd molars, type I (the sinus floor located above the level connecting the buccal and lingual apices) was predominant. In the horizontal relationship, in 1st molars, type II (the lowest floor of the maxillary sinus located in between the buccal and lingual roots) was predominant; in 2nd molars, type I (the lowest floor of the maxillary sinus located on the buccal side of the buccal roots) and type II appeared in similar frequency. In conclusion, the SCANORA/sup (R)/ cross-sectional tomography was more effective than the frequently used panoramic view, in that the relationship of the maxillary molars and maxillary sinus floor can be evaluated more accurately and the buccolingual cross-sectional view can also be observed. And maxillary sinus floor that was close to maxillary 2nd molar had tendency to be located on buccal side than that close to 1st molar. Therefore, cross-sectional tomography is an effective and accurate method to evaluate the position of the teeth in relation to the sinus floor preoperative and can be easily used to diagnose localized periapical lesions. Also, the image quality obtained was quite satisfactory.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.65-77
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• 2009

This study conducted a comparative analysis between Koreans and foreigners on how they feel of the 'Oreum' so that the data could be used to conserve and utilize 'Oreum' as a brand of Jeju, which is one of the natural and original sceneries of the island along with Halla Mountain. Four aerial photo slides were selected to be assessed among 18 overlooked views of 'Oreums' through quasi-preliminary and preliminary surveys. The assessment group was divided into native and foreigner groups. Image and preference were measured based on 7 step categorization on 26 adjectives, and factor analysis was implemented. The selected factors from factor analysis reflected that calmness was recognized as common image identification variable to natives and foreigners. However, foreigners choose 'dynamics', 'peculiarity' and 'grandeur' in order to explain the image while Koreans selected words in the order of 'attractiveness', 'grandeur', 'dynamics' and 'peculiarity'. This means Koreans identify the image of 'Oreum' as absolute beauty while foreigners see the dynamics and relative peculiarity as its attractive point. As a result of factor score, preference and multiple regression analysis, Koreans selected 'calmness', 'attractiveness' and 'dynamics' as important variables to explain preference. On the other hand, foreigners choose 'dynamics' and 'calmness' as well as 'evenness', 'peculiarity' and 'simplicity'. This represents that foreigners are highly influenced by the structural peculiarity and simplicity on the image preference.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2014

Purpose: To assess the influence of anatomic location on the relationship between computed tomography (CT) number and X-ray attenuation in limited and medium field-of-view (FOV) scans. Materials and Methods: Tubes containing solutions with different concentrations of $K_2HPO_4$ were placed in the tooth sockets of a human head phantom. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were acquired, and CT numbers of the $K_2HPO_4$ solutions were measured. The relationship between CT number and $K_2HPO_4$ concentration was examined by linear regression analyses. Then, the variation in CT number according to anatomic location was examined. Results: The relationship between $K_2HPO_4$ concentration and CT number was strongly linear. The slopes of the linear regressions for the limited FOVs were almost 2-fold lower than those for the medium FOVs. The absolute CT number differed between imaging protocols and anatomic locations. Conclusion: There is a strong linear relationship between X-ray attenuation and CT number. The specific imaging protocol and anatomic location of the object strongly influence this relationship.

• Architectural research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.9-18
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• 2009

This research started from the premise that East Asia - China, Korea and Japan - played a remarkable role in the development of modern architecture. In this study, attention is paid to the lack of a synthetic research about the influence of East Asia on European modernism as a counterpart to its influence on American modernism. Thus, the intention of this paper is to construct an integrated discourse on the East Asian contribution to European modern architecture. By analyzing recently published/presented articles on the related subjects, this study suggests how European modernists encountered the East, what attracted them to the East, and how they applied East Asian aesthetics in their designs. While a number of architects adopted East Asian formal elements directly, at times superficially, others extracted the underlying principles. As a whole, this analysis offers insights at several levels. First, it provides a balance to the view of the East Asian influence on modern architecture by providing an investigation into its influence on European modernism as a counterpart to its influence on American modernism. Second, the multi-faceted nature of modern architecture is further illuminated in this study. Third, an important example of "positive-Orientalism" is provided, which contrasts with the rather negative image implied by E. Said's 'Orientalism'. In conclusion, this paper provides a critical assessment of the fundamental motive of European modernists' adoption of East Asian aesthetics.