• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the effects of an iterative reconstruction algorithm and an automatic exposure control (AEC) technique on image quality and radiation dose through phantom experiments with coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography protocols. We scanned the AAPM CT performance phantom using 320 multi-detector-row CT. At the tube voltages of 80, 100, and 120 kVp, the scanning was repeated with two settings of the AEC technique, i.e., with the target standard deviations (SD) values of 33 (the higher tube current) and 44 (the lower tube current). The scanned projection data were reconstructed also in two ways, with the filtered back projection (FBP) and with the iterative reconstruction technique (AIDR-3D). The image quality was evaluated quantitatively with the noise standard deviation, modulation transfer function, and the contrast to noise ratio (CNR). More specifically, we analyzed the influences of selection of a tube voltage and a reconstruction algorithm on tube current modulation and consequently on radiation dose. Reduction of image noise by the iterative reconstruction algorithm compared with the FBP was revealed eminently, especially with the lower tube current protocols, i.e., it was decreased by 46% and 38%, when the AEC was established with the lower dose (the target SD=44) and the higher dose (the target SD=33), respectively. As a side effect of iterative reconstruction, the spatial resolution was decreased by a degree that could not mar the remarkable gains in terms of noise reduction. Consequently, if coronary CT angiogprahy is scanned and reconstructed using both the automatic exposure control and iterative reconstruction techniques, it is anticipated that, in comparison with a conventional acquisition method, image noise can be reduced significantly with slight decrease in spatial resolution, implying clinical advantages of radiation dose reduction, still being faithful to the ALARA principle.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2015

In diagnostic radiology, the use of automatic exposure control device is internationally recommended for diagnosis and optimization. However, if exposed to prolonged radiation is a complicated manufacturing process, there is a problem that occurs decrease of various performance overall brightness sensor, which is commercially available conventional. Therefore, in this study, absorption of X-ray is high, and I want to evaluate the AEC applicability of the sensor of the photoconductor-based production has an easy advantage. Experimental results confirms the possibility of fabrication of the sensor through an increase in the SNR, with the detection efficiency superior, accurate turn-off. In addition, it is confirmed that the experimental results of the transmittance and the latent image, Ghost effect by the light conductor does not appear, in the case of a photoconductor with the exception of the PbO, 80% - and it was confirmed good transmittance of 90%. Therefore, excellent mechanical stability and poor performance due to a change of the doping concentration than the existing products that have been put to practical use, the sensor easy photoconductor based, fabrication and can be applied as AEC sensor is expected.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 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 Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.685-691
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• 2023

This study aims to raise awareness of the exposure index according to the Sub-ROI in clinical use by studying the effect of Sub-ROI's change on exposure index and dose during Chest PA examination. In this study, to examine the changes in EI and ESD according to the Sub-ROI setting, the irradiation conditions were set to 120 kVp, 200 mA, 2 mAs, and the SID was fixed to 180cm. Five types of Sub-ROI were used. The average value of EI according to the Sub-ROI's change was 135.58 ± 0.89 in AEC, 100.80 ± 0.80 in VR, 143.43 ± 0.76 in HR, 103.22 ± 0.68 in LS, and 102.79 ± 0.84 in SS. The mean value of ESD was 30.28±0.50 µGy in AEC, 30.16 ± 0.44 µGy in VR, 30.30 ± 0.46 µGy in HR, 30.23 ± 0.46 µGy in LS, and 30.28 ± 0.51 µGy in SS. As a result of this study, based on the AEC mode recommended by the manufacturer, the VR (25.7%), LS (23.9%), and SS (24.2%) modes decreased, and the HR mode increased by 5.7%. However, ESD was not affected by the Sub-ROI's change. Therefore, Sub-ROI may change EI during the Chest PA examination, it is considered that Sub-ROI should be used appropriately when setting protocols in clinical use.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.48-54
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• 1968

Male rats of the Albino strain received methylene blue in the dose of 40mg/kg by subcutaneous injection and were subjected to total body X-irradiation, 300 roentgen, at 30 minutes after the injection. The protective effect of methylene blue against the single total body X-irradiation was studied for 24 days after X-irradiation with regard to the levels of liver glycogen, blood glucose, and electrolytes in serum. 1. Total body X-irradiation generally casued an increase in the levels of the liver glycogen and blood glucose in both methylene blue treated and control group during the entire experiment. 2. Methylene blue has been shown to delay slightly the increase of the levels of the liver glycogen and blood glucose when comparing with both groups which were given methylene blue and control saline injection before irradiation in the rats. 3. The delay in the increase in the levels of liver glycogen, in experimental group injected with methylene blue, significantly came in two phases. The first phase appeared at there days after the exposure, the second followed at eighth day. It appeared that the recovery phase was at nineteenth day. 4. During the experimental days the levels of the blood glucose increased generally, methylene blue, however, caused delay in two phases; the first at fifth day, the second at eighteenth day after the exposure to X-rays. 5. In electrolytes, there was not a significant difference. The levels of chloride were, however, slightly decreased in both groups, levels of potassium appeared different in two phases at first day and twelfth day, and the levels of sodium appeared to show irregular changes at the same levels, but there was no significant difference. 6. It may be considered that methylene blue greatly reduces the sensitivity of rats to X-rays, provided that methylene blue is given before the exposure.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.13-24
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• 2008

The aim of the present study was to develop a cognitive-behavioral group therapy program for social anxiety in Korean adolescents and to examine its efficacy through pre-, post- and 2-year follow-up tests. The program included cognitive restructuring, exposure training and social skills training. KSAS-A and SASC-R were administered to 588 1st grade middle-school female students to assess their social anxiety levels. On the basis of double criteria procedure(top 10% scores on both scales), 59 students were selected initially. Individuals currently receiving clinical treatment were excluded. Finally, 40 students were selected and randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a wait-list control group. The program consisted of 12 weekly sessions, approximately 1.5-2 hours in duration. Whereas pre- and post-tests were administered to both groups, follow-up tests were administered to the treatment group only. The collected data were statistically analyzed through independent t-test and paired t-test. The results of the study were as follows: 1) At post-test students in the treatment group showed a very significant reduction in social anxiety and fear of negative evaluation by others in comparison with those in the wait-list group. 2) At post-test students in the treatment group showed a significant reduction in negative automatic thoughts in comparison with those in the wait-list group. 3) At post-test students in the treatment group showed a significant improvement in overall social skills in comparison with those in the wait-list group. 4) At post-test students in the wait-list group showed a significant increase in both social anxiety and negative automatic thoughts in comparison with those in the treatment group. 5) At 3-month, 1-year and 2-year follow-ups, the program's effectiveness was maintained.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.131-137
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• 2017

To compare the radiation dose and image noise of low dose computed tomography (CT) and high resolution CT using the fixed tube current technique and automatic tube current modulation (CARE Dose 4D). Chest CT and human anthropomorphic phantom were used the RPL (radiophotoluminescence) dosimeters. For image evaluation, standard deviation of mean CT attenuation coefficient and CT attenuation coefficient was measured using ROI analysis function. The effective dose was calculated using CTDIvol and DLP. CARE Dose 4D was reduced by 74.7% and HRCT by 64.4% compared to the fixed tube current technique in low dose CT of chest phantom. In CTDIvol and DLP, the dose of CARE Dose 4D was reduced by fixed tube current technique. For effective dose, CARE Dose 4D was reduced by 47% and HRCT by 46.9% compared to the fixed tube current method, and the dose of CARE Dose 4D was significantly different (p<.05). Noise in the image was higher than that in the fixed tube current technique. Noise difference in the image of CARE Dose 4D in low dose CT was significant (p<.05). The low radiation dose and the noise difference of the CARE Dose 4D were compared with the fixed tube current technique in low dose CT and HRCT using chest phantom. The radiation doses using CARE Dose 4D were in accordance with the national and international dose standards. CARE Dose 4D should be applied to low dose CT and HRCT for clinical examination.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2015

Purpose : Skip the repetitive HRCT axial scan in order to reduce the exposure of patients during chest HRCT scan, Helical Scan Data into a reconstructed image, and exposure of the patient change and visually evaluate the usefulness of the HRCT images. Materials and method : Patients were enrolled in the survey are 50 people who underwent chest CT scans of patients who presented to the hospital from January 2015 to March 2015. 50 people surveyed 22 people men and 28 people women people showed an average distribution of 30 to 80 years age was 48 years. 50 patients to Somatom Sensation 64 ch (Siemens) model with 120 kVp tube voltage to a reference mAs tube current to mAs (Care dose, Siemens) as a whole, including the lungs and the chest CT scan was performed. Scan upon each patient CARE dose 4D (Automatic exposure control, Siemens Medical Solution Erlangen, Germany) was to maintain the proper radiation dose scan every cross-section through a device that automatically adjusts the tube current of. CT scan is the rotation time of the Tube slice collimation, slice width 0.6 mm, pitch factor was made under the terms of 1.4. CT scan obtained after the raw data (raw data) to the upper surface of the axial images and coronal images for each slice thickness 1 mm, 5 mm intervals in the high spatial frequency calculation method (hight spatial resolution algorithm, B60 sharp) was the use of the lung window center -500 HU, windows were reconstructed into images in the interval -1000 HU to see. Result : 1. Measure the total value of DLP 50 patients who proceed to chest CT group A (Helical Scan after scan performed with HRCT) and group B (Helical Scan after the HR image reconstruction to the original data) compared with the group divided, analysis As a result of the age, but show little difference for each age group it had a decreased average dose of about 9%. 2. A Radiation read the results of the two Radiologist and a doctor upper lobe and middle lobe of the lung takes effect the visual evaluation is not a big difference between the two images both, depending on the age of the patient, especially if the blood vessels of the lower lobe (A: 3.4, B: 4.6) and bronchi(A: 3.8, B4.7) image shake caused by breathing in anxiety (blurring lead) to the original data (raw data) showed that the reconstructed image is been more useful in diagnostic terms. Conclusion : Scan was confirmed a continuous, rapid motion video to get Helical scan is much lower lobe lung reduction in visual blurring, Helical scan data to not repeat the examination by obtaining HRCT images reorganization reduced the exposure of the patient.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.1116-1120
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• 2004

In the nuclear power plant, there are several cylindrical vessels such as reactor vessel, pressuriser and so on. The vessels are usually constructed by welding large rolled plates, forged sections or nozzle pipes together. In order to assure the integrity of the vessel, these welds should be periodically inspected using sensors such as ultrasonic transducer or visual cameras. This inspection is usually conducted under water to minimize exposure to the radioactively contaminated vessel walls. The inspections have been performed by using a conventional inspection machine with a big structural sturdy column, however, it is so huge and heavy that maintenance and handling of the machine are extremely difficult. It requires much effort to transport the system to the site and also requires continuous use of the utility's polar crane to move the manipulator into the building and then onto the vessel. Setup beside the vessel requires a large volume of work preparation area and several shifts to complete. In order to resolve these problems, we have developed an underwater mobile robot guided by the laser pointer, and performed a series of experiments both in the mockup and in the real reactor vessel. This paper introduces our robotic inspection system and the laser guidance of the mobile robot as well as the results of the functional test.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1179-1186
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• 2018

Objective: The purposes of this study were to evaluate size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) of low-dose CT (LDCT) in the Korean Lung Cancer Screening (K-LUCAS) project and to determine whether CT protocols from Western countries are appropriate for lung cancer screening in Korea. Materials and Methods: For participants (n = 256, four institutions) of K-LUCAS pilot study, volume CT dose index ($CTDI_{vol}$) using a 32-cm diameter reference phantom was compared with SSDE, which was recalculated from $CTDI_{vol}$ using size-dependent conversion factor (f-size) based on the body size, as described in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Report 204. This comparison was subsequently assessed by body mass index (BMI) levels (underweight/normal vs. overweight/obese), and automatic exposure control (AEC) adaptation (yes/no). Results: Size-specific dose estimate was higher than $CTDI_{vol}$ ($2.22{\pm}0.75mGy$ vs. $1.67{\pm}0.60mGy$, p < 0.001), since the f-size was larger than 1.0 for all participants. The ratio of SSDE to $CTDI_{vol}$ was higher in lower BMI groups; 1.26, 1.37, 1.43, and 1.53 in the obese (n = 103), overweight (n = 70), normal (n = 75), and underweight (n = 4), respectively. The ratio of SSDE to $CTDI_{vol}$ was greater in standard-sized participants than in large-sized participants independent of AEC adaptation; with AEC, SSDE/$CTDI_{vol}$ in large- vs. standard-sized participants: $1.30{\pm}0.08$ vs. $1.44{\pm}0.08$ (p < 0.001) and without AEC, $1.32{\pm}0.08$ vs. $1.42{\pm}0.06$ (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Volume CT dose index based on a reference phantom underestimates radiation exposure of LDCT in standard-sized Korean participants. The optimal radiation dose limit needs to be verified for standard-sized Korean participants.