• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1341-1351
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• 2021

Objective: To compare the quality of various polychromatic and monochromatic images with or without using an iterative metal artifact reduction algorithm (iMAR) obtained from a dual-energy computed tomography (CT) to evaluate total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: We included 58 patients (28 male and 30 female; mean age [range], 71.4 [61-83] years) who underwent 74 knee examinations after total knee arthroplasty using dual-energy CT. CT image sets consisted of polychromatic image sets that linearly blended 80 kVp and tin-filtered 140 kVp using weighting factors of 0.4, 0, and -0.3, and monochromatic images at 130, 150, 170, and 190 keV. These image sets were obtained with and without applying iMAR, creating a total of 14 image sets. Two readers qualitatively ranked the image quality (1 [lowest quality] through 14 [highest quality]). Volumes of high- and low-density artifacts and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) between the bone and fat tissue were quantitatively measured in a subset of 25 knees unaffected by metal artifacts. Results: iMAR-applied, polychromatic images using weighting factors of -0.3 and 0.0 (P_-0.3i and P_0.0i, respectively) showed the highest image-quality rank scores (median of 14 for both by one reader and 13 and 14, respectively, by the other reader; p < 0.001). All iMAR-applied image series showed higher rank scores than the iMAR-unapplied ones. The smallest volumes of low-density artifacts were found in P_-0.3i, P_0.0i, and iMAR-applied monochromatic images at 130 keV. The smallest volumes of high-density artifacts were noted in P_-0.3i. The CNRs were best in polychromatic images using a weighting factor of 0.4 with or without iMAR application, followed by polychromatic images using a weighting factor of 0.0 with or without iMAR application. Conclusion: Polychromatic images combined with iMAR application, P_-0.3i and P_0.0i, provided better image qualities and substantial metal artifact reduction compared with other image sets.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.140-160
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop computational thinking (CT) analysis tool that can be used to analyze CT practices; first, by defining what CT practices are, and then, by identifying which components of CT are reflected in STEAM classes. Exploring various kinds of CT practices, which can be identified while applying the proposed CT analysis tool for exemplary STEAM classes, is another goal of this study. Firstly, to answer the question of "What is CT in science education" and thereby to develop the proposed CT practice analysis tool, three types of published documents about CT definition as the main data in this study have been considered. In the first "analysis tool development" part of this study, the following five elements have been identified as the main components of CT analysis tool as follows; (1) connecting open problems with computing, (2) using tools or computers to develop computing artifact, (3) abstraction process, (4) analyzing and evaluating computing process and artifact, and (5) communicating and cooperating. Based on the understandings that there is a consistent flow among the five components due to their interactions, a flow chart of CT practice has also been developed. In the second part of this study, which is an implementation study, the proposed CT practice analysis tool has been applied in one exemplary STEAM program. To select the candidate STEAM program, four selection criteria have been identified. Then, the proposed CT practice analysis tool has been applied for the selected STEAM program to determine the degree of CT practice reflected in the program and furthermore, to suggest a way of improving the proposed CT analysis tool if it shows some weak points. Through the findings of this study, we suggest that the actual definition of computational thinking will be helpful to converge Technology and Engineering to STEAM education and a strong complement to reinforce STEAM education.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2006.08a
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• pp.100-100
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• 2006

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2018.05a
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• pp.462-464
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• 2018

본 논문은 촬영된 치아의 CT영상에서 치아의 상악과 하악의 분리 알고리즘을 제안한다. 촬영 기기의 노후화, metal artifact, 치아 부정합 등 외부 요인에도 강인한 성능을 보이도록 알고리즘을 설계하였다.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.63-67
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• 2015

Purpose Among various causes that influence image quality degradation, various methods for decrease in Artifact occurred by respiration of patients are being used. Among them, this study intended to evaluate CTAC Shift correction method and additional scan compare to the Scan(Q static scan) using respiratory gated system. Materials and Methods This study was conducted on 10 patients, and used PET-CT Discovery 710 (GE Healthcare, MI, USA) and Varian's RPM system. 5.18 Mbq per kg of $^{18}F$-FDG was injected on patients, asked them to take a rest for 1 hour in the bed, and conducted test after urination. Images were visualized through Q static scan, CTAC Shift correction method, Additional scan based on the Whole body scan(WBS) with Artifact. Decrease in Artifact was compared in each image, conducted Gross Evalution, and measured changes of SUVmax. Results For image obtained through the CTAC Shift correction method through WBS with Artifact, 12~56%, Q static scan image showed 17~54% of change rate and Additional Scan showed -27~46% of change rate. In Blind Test, the CTAC Shift correction image showed the highest point with 4 points, Q static scan image showed 3.5 points, and Additional scan image showed 3.4 points. The standardized WBS scan through Oneway ANOVA and three types of Scan method showed significant difference(p<0.05), and did not show significant difference between the three Scan methods(p>0.05). However, the three Scan methods showed significant difference in Blind test. Conclusion Additional scan and Q static scan require more time than the CTAC Shift correction method, there is concern about excessive exposure to patients by CT rescan and Q static scan is difficult to apply on patients with inconsistent respiration or irregular respiration cycle due to pain. For CTAC Shift correction method, limited correction is possible and the range is limited as well. It is considered as a useful method of improving diagnostic value when hospitals use the system appropriately and develop various advantageous factors of each method.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.257-262
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• 2006

Purpose: The standard protocol using large volume of oral contrast media may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and contrast-related artifacts in PET/CT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of low dose oral contrast in $^{18}F-FDG$ PET/CT. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the whole-body PET/CT images in a total of 435 patients. About 200 ml of oval contrast agent (barium sulfate) was administered immediately before injection of $^{18}F-FDG$. The FDG uptake of intestines was analyzed by visual and semi- quantitative method on transaxial, coronal and saggital planes. Results: Seventy (16%, 113 sites) of 435 images showed high FDG uptake (peak SUV > 4); 50 (74%, 84 sites) with diffuse and 20 (15%, 29 sites) with focal uptake. The most commonly delivered site of oral contrast media was small bowel (n=27, 39%). On PET/CT images, FDG uptake coexisted with oral contrast media in 26 patients (54%, 38 sites) with diffuse pattern and 9 (45%, 9 sites) with focal pattern, and by sites, those were 38 (45%) and 9 (31%), respectively. In small bowel regions, the proportion of coexistence reached as high as 61% (29/47 sites). A visual analysis of available non-attenuation corrected PET images of 27 matched regions revealed no contrast-related artifact. Conclusion: We concluded that the application of low dose contrast media could be helpful in the evaluation of abdominal uptake in the FDG PET/CT image.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.109-112
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• 2001

1. 목적 : head and neck cancer 환자의, C-T 영상을 이용한 방사선치료계획시 치과 보철물에 의해 발생하는 artifact가 선량 계산에 미치는 영향을 분석하고자 한다. 2. 재료 및 방법:두 경부와 유사한 크기의 Polystyrenes Phantom ($20{\times}20{\times}25cm^3$) 을 제작하고, 팬톰내에 금으로 인공보철물을 제작하여 보철물 부착 전.후를 C-T Scan (High Speed Advantage, GE, US) 하였다. artifact에 의한 영향을 쉽게 분석하기위해 팬톰내에 다른 구조물은 만들지 않았으며 두가지 방법으로 얻어진 영상을 이용하여 조사면의 크기와 조사 방향을 변화 시켜 가며 1문 조사(SSD 100 cm)에 의한 치료 계획(3D RTP system, Prowess, US)을 수립하여 기준점(5,10 cm depth)에서의 선량 변화를 비교 분석하였다. 아울러 3회 반복 scan하여 artifact에 발생 유형과 CTNo을 이용한 density을 분석하였다. 3. 결과: C-T Scan으로 얻어진 image 상에 나타난 Artifact는 CT no $-1000{\sim}+2775$(기준 $-1000{\sim}+3700$)까지의 다양한 값을 가지며 보철물을 기준으로 방사형태로 분포하였다. artifact가 선량 계산에 미치는 영향을 분석한 결과 보철물 사용시 5cm깊이의 기준점에서 절대선량은 평균 $+1.5{\pm}2.8\%$, 10 cm 깊이에서는 $+1.8{\pm}3.5\%$의 오차를 보였다. 조사방향에 의한 오차는 artifact에 대해 측면 조사한(gantry $270^{\circ}$)경우에서 높게 관찰되었다. 4. 결론: 두 경부 종양의 방사선 치료시 치과 보철물에 의한 artifact는 흔히 관찰가능하며 본 실험을 통해 다양한 형태와 다양한 density을 가짐을 알수있었다. 영상에 나타난 정도에 비해 선량계산에 미치는 평균 오차는 낮게 평가되었지만 조사 방향과 보철물의 위치에 따라 변동이 크게 나타날 수 있어 치료 계획시 가능한 artifact의 영향을 적게 받는 빔의 선택이 정확한 선량 계산에 도움을 줄 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.217-223
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• 2014

The aim of this study is evaluation of dose distribution on radiation therapy planning system with the CT image of high-density material inserted phantom. Gammex 467 Tissue Characterization Phantom is used to acquire an image similar to the human tissues and insert a Titanium to generate metal artifact. The acquired images were reconstructed with Metal Artifact Reduction for Orthopedic Implants (O-MAR). By using the treatment planning system, the volume was analyzed and dose distribution was extracted. Photon dose distribution in linear accelerator was measured by the $MapCHECK^{TM}$ and compared with planned and measured dose distributions. In result of the comparative analysis, when artifact is generated by Titanium, The volume applied O-MAR was increased 6.8% to BR-12 Breast and 40.2% to LV 1 Liver. After O-MAR was used, Dose distribution was higher 1.4 to 1.6% than before. Consequently, The artifact caused by metal objects should be removed if possible, and after that used in the radiotherapy treatment plan can be considered to reduce errors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation of blooming artifacts according to dilution ratio of contrast agent on CT angiography images. A total of 10 sets were prepared by differently setting the ratio of contrast media and saline in a ball phantom made by a 3D printer. CT scan images were obtained and reconstructed by MIP and MPR techniques to obtain axial, sagittal and coronal images, respectively. After, the diameter of the ball phantom of the image obtained after the test was measured each 30 times, a total 1800 times. As a result, the dilution of 20:80 in the coronal plane was the smallest (p<0.05). Similarly, when dilute to 20:80 in the sagittal plane of MIP, it was the smallest as 20.39 ± 0.08 mm (p<0.05). Correlation analysis between dilution ratio and measurement size confirmed strong negative correlations in all reconstructed images (p<0.05). In conclusion, the higher the dilution ratio of the contrast agent, the more difficult it is to measure actual blood vessel measurement. Therefore, this study may provide basic data in future studies on actual measurement.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted evaluate the influence of reconstruction parameters of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images on bone mineral density (BMD) analyses. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of micro-CT images of the maxillae of 5 Wistar rats, acquired using a SkyScan 1174 unit (Bruker, Kontich, Belgium). Each acquisition was reconstructed following the manufacturer's recommendations(standard protocol; SP) for the application of artifact correction tools(beam hardening correction [BHC], 45%; smoothing filter, degree 2; and ring artifact correction [RAC], level 5). Additionally, images were reconstructed with 36 protocols combining different settings of artifact correction tools (P0 to P35). BMD analysis was performed for each reconstructed image. The BMD values obtained for each protocol were compared to those obtained using the SP through repeated-measures analysis of variance with the Dunnett post hoc test(α=0.05). Results: The BMD values obtained from all protocols that used a BHC of 45% did not significantly differ from those obtained using the SP (P>0.05). The other protocols all yielded significantly different BMD values from the SP(P<0.05). The smoothing and RAC tools did not affect BMD values. Conclusion: BMD values measured on micro-CT images were influenced by the BHC level. Higher levels of BHC induced higher values of BMD.