• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권10호
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• pp.1719-1729
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• 2021

Objective: Emphysema and small-airway disease are the two major components of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We propose a novel method of quantitative computed tomography (CT) emphysema air-trapping composite (EAtC) mapping to assess each COPD component. We analyzed the potential use of this method for assessing lung function in patients with COPD. Materials and Methods: A total of 584 patients with COPD underwent inspiration and expiration CTs. Using pairwise analysis of inspiration and expiration CTs with non-rigid registration, EAtC mapping classified lung parenchyma into three areas: Normal, functional air trapping (fAT), and emphysema (Emph). We defined fAT as the area with a density change of less than 60 Hounsfield units (HU) between inspiration and expiration CTs among areas with a density less than -856 HU on inspiration CT. The volume fraction of each area was compared with clinical parameters and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). The results were compared with those of parametric response mapping (PRM) analysis. Results: The relative volumes of the EAtC classes differed according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stages (p < 0.001). Each class showed moderate correlations with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and FEV₁/forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = -0.659-0.674, p < 0.001). Both fAT and Emph were significant predictors of FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC (R² = 0.352 and 0.488, respectively; p < 0.001). fAT was a significant predictor of mean forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% and residual volume/total vital capacity (R² = 0.264 and 0.233, respectively; p < 0.001), while Emph and age were significant predictors of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (R² = 0.303; p < 0.001). fAT showed better correlations with PFTs than with small-airway disease on PRM. Conclusion: The proposed quantitative CT EAtC mapping provides comprehensive lung functional information on each disease component of COPD, which may serve as an imaging biomarker of lung function.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.324-333
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• 2021

Objective: The clinical course of an individual patient with heart failure is unpredictable with left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) only. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived myocardial fibrosis extent and to determine the cutoff value for event-free survival in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) who had severely reduced LVEF. Materials and Methods: Our prospective cohort study included 78 NICM patients with significantly reduced LV systolic function (LVEF < 35%). CMR images were analyzed for the presence and extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as a composite of cardiac death, heart transplantation, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator discharge for major arrhythmia, and hospitalization for congestive heart failure within 5 years after enrollment. Results: A total of 80.8% (n = 63) of enrolled patients had LGE, with the median LVEF of 25.4% (19.8-32.4%). The extent of myocardial scarring was significantly higher in patients who experienced MACE than in those without any cardiac events (22.0 [5.5-46.1] %LV vs. 6.7 [0-17.1] %LV, respectively, p = 0.008). During follow-up, 51.4% of patients with LGE ≥ 12.0 %LV experienced MACE, along with 20.9% of those with LGE ≤ 12.0 %LV (log-rank p = 0.001). According to multivariate analysis, LGE extent more than 12.0 %LV was independently associated with MACE (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.71; 95% confidence interval, 2.54-17.74; p < 0.001). Conclusion: In NICM patients with significantly reduced LV systolic function, the extent of LGE is a strong predictor for long-term adverse cardiac outcomes. Event-free survival was well discriminated with an LGE cutoff value of 12.0 %LV in these patients.

• Composites Research
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.7-14
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• 2024

이중 롤러는 Gap block 설계에 따라 동일한 크기와 하중 조건에서도 다양한 변형 양상을 가질 수 있다. 이러한 특성을 활용하여, 본 연구에서는 제품 이송 과정에서 발생되는 주름과 같은 결함을 최소화하기 위한 Carbonfiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) 이중 롤러의 Gap block 설계 방법을 제안한다. 가장 먼저, Gap block에 대한 주요 설계 변수와 공정 정밀도를 고려한 분석 case들을 선정하고, 유한 요소 해석을 활용하여 CFRP 이중 롤러의 변형 양상을 추출한다. 여기서, 본 연구의 목적을 만족하는 최적의 Gap block 설계를 수행하기 위해, 제품과 롤러가 접촉하는 지점들 간의 변형 편차에 기반하여 CFRP 이중 롤러의 변형 양상들을 비교 분석한다. 그 결과, 본 연구에서 제안한 Gap block 설계 방법을 통해, 롤러의 직경 또는 길이와 같은 전체적인 크기 변화없이 제품 이송 시 결함을 크게 감소시킬 수 있는 최적화된 CFRP 이중 롤러를 구축할 수 있었다.

• Composites Research
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.46-52
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• 2024

운송 수단의 발전은 인간의 교통 편의 증진과 더불어 이동이 불편한 장애인들의 이동 반경 확대를 가능하게 하였다. 그러나 휠체어 탑재 차량의 경우 차량 사고 시 발생할 수 있는 안전성은 일반 승객 좌석에 비해 여전히 낮다. 특히 무방비 상태에서 발생할 수 있는 후방 추돌 사고의 경우 장애인 탑승객의 목 부상에 치명적으로 작용할 수 있다. 따라서 휠체어 탑재 차량에 적용될 headrest에는 보다 세밀한 설계안이 반영되어야 한다. 본 연구에서는 휠체어 운송 차량의 저속 후방 추돌 시 headrest의 국부적 압축 특성 분포 구현을 위해 multi-cell headrest가 제안되었다. 이후 해석을 통한 데이터셋 구축과 k-means clustering을 적용한 군집화 결과를 이용해 탑승객의 목 상해지수와 충격 에너지 흡수량 간 상관관계 분석이 수행되었다. 군집화 결과 유사한 특성을 지닌 데이터 군집이 형성된 것을 확인하였으며, 각 군집의 특성을 통한 목 상해지수와 충격 에너지 흡수량 간의 상관관계 분석이 수행되었다. 분석 결과 Mid3와 Mid6에서의 cell 압축 특성이 soft할수록 충격 에너지 흡수량이 증가하는 것을 확인하였으며, Front2, Mid3, Mid6에서의 cell 압축 특성이 hard할수록 목 상해지수 감소에 효과적임을 확인하였다.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제62권1호
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• pp.125-131
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• 2024

본 연구에서는 제조된 Ni/Ce_xZr_1-xO₂ 촉매를 허니컴 구조의 금속 모노리스 구조체 표면에 코팅하여 수증기 메탄 개질 반응에 대한 활성을 연구하였다. Ce/Zr의 비율을 달리한 지지체를 합성하여 수증기 메탄 개질 반응에서의 거동을 확인하였으며, Ni 함량이 촉매 활성에 미치는 영향을 분석하기 위해 다양한 Ni 함량의 촉매를 제조하였다. 촉매의 특성은 XRD, BET, TPR 및 SEM으로 분석하였으며 TPR 분석에서 활성 금속 Ni이 CeO₂-ZrO₂ 혼합물 지지체와 강한 상호작용으로 Ni-Ce-Zr 산화물을 형성하였음을 나타내었다. 15 wt% Ni/Ce_0.80Zr_0.20O₂ 촉매는 수증기 메탄 개질 반응에서 가장 높은 활성 및 안정성을 보였다. 우수한 산소저장 및 공여 특성의 CeO₂와 열적 특성의 ZrO₂를 복합소재로 제조하여 활성과 안정성이 향상된 촉매를 합성하였다.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제82권5호
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• pp.1218-1230
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• 2021

목적 고위험 환자에서 초기 간암 선별 검사로써 단축 자기공명영상 검사의 환자별 진단능을 기존의 고식적 간 자기공명영상검사와 비교하고자 한다. 대상과 방법 간암 고위험군에서 간 자기공명영상 검사를 시행 받은 총 201명의 환자에 대해 연구를 시행하였다. 단축 자기공명영상 검사 군의 프로토콜은 T2 강조영상, 담도기 T1 강조영상, 확산강조영상 등으로 구성되며, 두 명의 영상의학과 의사가 각각의 환자에 대해 후향적으로 단축 자기공명영상검사 군 및 고식적 자기공명영상검사 군, 두 군의 영상을 독립적으로 평가하였다. 두 연구자 간 일관성은 Cohen's kappa 값을 이용하여 비교하였다. 복합적인 참조표준을 이용하여 두 군에서 각각 진단능을 평가하여 비교하였다. 결과 79 명의 환자에서 총 93개의 간암이 발견되었다. 두 연구자 간 일관성은 두 군에서 모두 매우 양호하였다(κ = 0.839, 0.948). 단축 자기공명영상검사 군에서 민감도 및 음성예측도는 각각 94.9% 및 96.4%였으며, 이는 고식적 자기공명영상검사 군과 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다(96.2%, 97.5%). 결론 단축 자기공명영상검사는 고식적 자기공명영상검사에 비교하여 임상적으로 허용 가능한 민감도와 음성예측도를 갖는다. 따라서 간암 고위험군 환자에서 간암 선별검사로써 새로운 대안이 될 수 있을 것이다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권10호
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• pp.939-948
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• 2022

Objective: Evidence supports the efficacy of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-based risk scores in cardiovascular risk stratification of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to compare two CCTA-based risk score algorithms, Leiden and Confirm scores, in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and suspected CAD. Materials and Methods: This single-center prospective cohort study consecutively included 1241 DM patients (54.1% male, 60.2 ± 10.4 years) referred for CCTA for suspected CAD in 2015-2017. Leiden and Confirm scores were calculated and stratified as < 5 (reference), 5-20, and > 20 for Leiden and < 14.3 (reference), 14.3-19.5, and > 19.5 for Confirm. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as the composite outcomes of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and unstable angina requiring hospitalization. The Cox model and Kaplan-Meier method were used to evaluate the effect size of the risk scores on MACE. The area under the curve (AUC) at the median follow-up time was also compared between score algorithms. Results: During a median follow-up of 31 months (interquartile range, 27.6-37.3 months), 131 of MACE were recorded, including 17 cardiovascular deaths, 28 nonfatal MIs, 64 unstable anginas requiring hospitalization, and 22 strokes. An incremental incidence of MACE was observed in both Leiden and Confirm scores, with an increase in the scores (log-rank p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, compared with Leiden score < 5, the hazard ratios for Leiden scores of 5-20 and > 20 were 2.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53-3.69; p < 0.001) and 4.39 (95% CI: 2.40-8.01; p < 0.001), respectively, while the Confirm score did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with the risk of MACE. The Leiden score showed a greater AUC of 0.840 compared to 0.777 for the Confirm score (p < 0.001). Conclusion: CCTA-based risk score algorithms could be used as reliable cardiovascular risk predictors in patients with DM and suspected CAD, among which the Leiden score outperformed the Confirm score in predicting MACE.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제23권12호
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• pp.1269-1280
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of quantitative indices obtained from deep learning analysis of gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary phase (HBP) MRI and their longitudinal changes in predicting decompensation and death in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Materials and Methods: We included patients who underwent baseline and 1-year follow-up MRI from a prospective cohort that underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance between November 2011 and August 2012 at a tertiary medical center. Baseline liver condition was categorized as non-ACLD, compensated ACLD, and decompensated ACLD. The liver-to-spleen signal intensity ratio (LS-SIR) and liver-to-spleen volume ratio (LS-VR) were automatically measured on the HBP images using a deep learning algorithm, and their percentage changes at the 1-year follow-up (ΔLS-SIR and ΔLS-VR) were calculated. The associations of the MRI indices with hepatic decompensation and a composite endpoint of liver-related death or transplantation were evaluated using a competing risk analysis with multivariable Fine and Gray regression models, including baseline parameters alone and both baseline and follow-up parameters. Results: Our study included 280 patients (153 male; mean age ± standard deviation, 57 ± 7.95 years) with non-ACLD, compensated ACLD, and decompensated ACLD in 32, 186, and 62 patients, respectively. Patients were followed for 11-117 months (median, 104 months). In patients with compensated ACLD, baseline LS-SIR (sub-distribution hazard ratio [sHR], 0.81; p = 0.034) and LS-VR (sHR, 0.71; p = 0.01) were independently associated with hepatic decompensation. The ΔLS-VR (sHR, 0.54; p = 0.002) was predictive of hepatic decompensation after adjusting for baseline variables. ΔLS-VR was an independent predictor of liver-related death or transplantation in patients with compensated ACLD (sHR, 0.46; p = 0.026) and decompensated ACLD (sHR, 0.61; p = 0.023). Conclusion: MRI indices automatically derived from the deep learning analysis of gadoxetic acid-enhanced HBP MRI can be used as prognostic markers in patients with ACLD.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권8호
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• pp.1007-1017
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the predictive abilities of clinical and computed tomography (CT) features for outcome prediction in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: The clinical and CT data of 238 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in our two hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred sixty-six patients (103 males; age 43.8 ± 12.3 years) were allocated in the training cohort and 72 patients (38 males; age 45.1 ± 15.8 years) from another independent hospital were assigned in the validation cohort. The primary composite endpoint was admission to an intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to identify independent predictors. A nomogram was constructed based on the combination of clinical and CT features, and its prognostic performance was externally tested in the validation group. The predictive value of the combined model was compared with models built on the clinical and radiological attributes alone. Results: Overall, 35 infected patients (21.1%) in the training cohort and 10 patients (13.9%) in the validation cohort experienced adverse outcomes. Underlying comorbidity (hazard ratio [HR], 3.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67-6.71; p < 0.001), lymphocyte count (HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04-0.38; p < 0.001) and crazy-paving sign (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.03-4.48; p = 0.042) were the independent factors. The nomogram displayed a concordance index (C-index) of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.76-0.88), and its prognostic value was confirmed in the validation cohort with a C-index of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82-0.96). The combined model provided the best performance over the clinical or radiological model (p < 0.050). Conclusion: Underlying comorbidity, lymphocyte count and crazy-paving sign were independent predictors of adverse outcomes. The prognostic nomogram based on the combination of clinical and CT features could be a useful tool for predicting adverse outcomes of patients with COVID-19.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.705-720
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• 2024

Analyzing the collapse behavior of thin-walled steel structures holds significant importance in ensuring their safety and longevity. Geometric imperfections present on the surface of metal materials can diminish both the durability and mechanical integrity of steel shells. These imperfections, encompassing local geometric irregularities and deformations such as holes, cavities, notches, and cracks localized in specific regions of the shell surface, play a pivotal role in the assessment. They can induce stress concentration within the structure, thereby influencing its susceptibility to buckling. The intricate relationship between the buckling behavior of these structures and such imperfections is multifaceted, contingent upon a variety of factors. The buckling analysis of thin-walled steel shell structures, similar to other steel structures, commonly involves the determination of crucial material properties, including elastic modulus, shear modulus, tensile strength, and fracture toughness. An established method involves the emulation of distributed geometric imperfections, utilizing real test specimen data as a basis. This approach allows for the accurate representation and assessment of the diversity and distribution of imperfections encountered in real-world scenarios. Utilizing defect data obtained from actual test samples enhances the model's realism and applicability. The sizes and configurations of these defects are employed as inputs in the modeling process, aiding in the prediction of structural behavior. It's worth noting that there is a dearth of experimental studies addressing the influence of geometric defects on the buckling behavior of cylindrical steel shells. In this particular study, samples featuring geometric imperfections were subjected to experimental buckling tests. These same samples were also modeled using Finite Element Analysis (FEM), with results corroborating the experimental findings. Furthermore, the initial geometrical imperfections were measured using digital image correlation (DIC) techniques. In this way, the response of the test specimens can be estimated accurately by applying the initial imperfections to FE models. After validation of the test results with FEA, a numerical parametric study was conducted to develop more generalized design recommendations for the stainless-steel shell structures with the initial geometric imperfection. While the load-carrying capacity of samples with perfect surfaces was up to 140 kN, the load-carrying capacity of samples with 4 mm defects was around 130 kN. Likewise, while the load carrying capacity of samples with 10 mm defects was around 125 kN, the load carrying capacity of samples with 14 mm defects was measured around 120 kN.