• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2010

Purpose: Nuclear medicine manufacturers provide various softwares which shorten imaging time using their own image processing techniques such as UlatraSPECT, ASTONISH, Flash3D, Evolution, and nSPEED. Seoul National University Hospital has introduced softwares from Siemens and Philips, but it was still hard to understand algorithm difference between those two softwares. Thus, the purpose of this study was to figure out the difference of two softwares in planar images and research the possibility of application to images produced with high energy isotopes. Materials and Methods: First, a phantom study was performed to understand the difference of softwares in static studies. Various amounts of count were acquired and the images were analyzed quantitatively after application of PIXON, Siemens and ASTONISH, Philips, respectively. Then, we applied them to some applicable static studies and searched for merits and demerits. And also, they have been applied to images produced with high energy isotopes. Finally, A blind test was conducted by nuclear medicine doctors except phantom images. Results: There was nearly no difference between pre and post processing image with PIXON for FWHM test using capillary source whereas ASTONISH was improved. But, both of standard deviation(SD) and variance were decreased for PIXON while ASTONISH was highly increased. And in background variability comparison test using IEC phantom, PIXON has been decreased over all while ASTONISH has shown to be somewhat increased. Contrast ratio in each spheres has also been increased for both methods. For image scale, window width has been increased for 4~5 times after processing with PIXON while ASTONISH showed nearly no difference. After phantom test analysis, ASTONISH seemed to be applicable for some studies which needs quantitative analysis or high contrast, and PIXON seemed to be applicable for insufficient counts studies or long time studies. Conclusion: Quantitative values used for usual analysis were generally improved after application of the two softwares, however it seems that it's hard to maintain the consistency for all of nuclear medicine studies because result images can not be the same due to the difference of algorithm characteristic rather than the difference of gamma cameras. And also, it's hard to expect high image quality with the time shortening method such as whole body scan. But it will be possible to apply to static studies considering the algorithm characteristic or we can expect a change of image quality through application to high energy isotope images.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.741-748
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• 2021

In this study, we evaluated image quality by changing collimator length and detector thickness using the Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) simulation tool. The gamma camera based on the Cadimium Zinc Telluride (CZT) and NaI detectors is modeled. In addition the images were acquired by setting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 cm collimator length and 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm detector thickness using point source and phantom, which is designed by each diameter (4.45, 3.80, 3.15, 2.55 mm) with 447, 382, 317, and 256 Bq. The sensitivity (cps/MBq) for point source, and signal to noise ratio (SNR) and profile for phantom at the 4.45 mm by drwan the region of interests were used for quantitative analysis. Based on the results, the sensitivity according to collimator length is 2.3 ~ 48.6 cps/MBq for CZT detector, and 1.8 ~ 43.9 cps/MBq for NaI detector. The SNR using phantom is 3.6~9.8 for CZT detector, and 2.9~9.5 for NaI detector. As the collimator length is increased, the image resolution is also improved according to profile results based on the CZT and NaI detector. In addition, the senistivity for detector thickness is 0.04 ~ 0.12 cps/MBq for CZT detector, and 0.03 ~ 0.11 cps/MBq. The SNR using phnatom is 7.3~9.8 count for CZT detector, and 5.9~9.5 for NaI detector. As the detector thickness is increased, the image resolution is decreased according to profile results based on the CZT and NaI detector due to scatter ray. In conclusion, we need to set the geometric material such as detector and collimator to acuquire suitable image quality in nuclear medicine.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2010

Purpose: The Wide Beam Reconstruction (WBR) algorithms that UltraSPECT, Ltd. (U.S) has provides solutions which improved image resolution by eliminating the effect of the line spread function by collimator and suppression of the noise. It controls the resolution and noise level automatically and yields unsurpassed image quality. The aim of this study is WBR of whole body bone scan in usefulness of clinical application. Materials and Methods: The standard line source and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) reconstructed spatial resolution measurements were performed on an INFINA (GE, Milwaukee, WI) gamma camera, equipped with low energy high resolution (LEHR) collimators. The total counts of line source measurements with 200 kcps and 300 kcps. The SPECT phantoms analyzed spatial resolution by the changing matrix size. Also a clinical evaluation study was performed with forty three patients, referred for bone scans. First group altered scan speed with 20 and 30 cm/min and dosage of 740 MBq (20 mCi) of $^{99m}Tc$-HDP administered but second group altered dosage of $^{99m}Tc$-HDP with 740 and 1,110 MBq (20 mCi and 30 mCi) in same scan speed. The acquired data was reconstructed using the typical clinical protocol in use and the WBR protocol. The patient's information was removed and a blind reading was done on each reconstruction method. For each reading, a questionnaire was completed in which the reader was asked to evaluate, on a scale of 1-5 point. Results: The result of planar WBR data improved resolution more than 10%. The Full-Width at Half-Maximum (FWHM) of WBR data improved about 16% (Standard: 8.45, WBR: 7.09). SPECT WBR data improved resolution more than about 50% and evaluate FWHM of WBR data (Standard: 3.52, WBR: 1.65). A clinical evaluation study, there was no statistically significant difference between the two method, which includes improvement of the bone to soft tissue ratio and the image resolution (first group p=0.07, second group p=0.458). Conclusion: The WBR method allows to shorten the acquisition time of bone scans while simultaneously providing improved image quality and to reduce the dosage of radiopharmaceuticals reducing radiation dose. Therefore, the WBR method can be applied to a wide range of clinical applications to provide clinical values as well as image quality.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.20-31
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• 2022

Purpose Broad Quantification Calibration(B.Q.C) is the procedure for Quantitative Analysis to measure Standard Uptake Value(SUV) in SPECT/CT scanner. B.Q.C was performed with Tc-99m, I-123, I-131, Lu-177 respectively and then we acquired the phantom images whether the SUVs were measured accurately. Because there is no standard for SUV test in SPECT, we used ACR Esser PET phantom alternatively. The purpose of this study was to lay the groundwork for Quantitative Analysis with various isotopes in SPECT/CT scanner. Materials and Methods Siemens SPECT/CT Symbia Intevo 16 and Intevo Bold were used for this study. The procedure of B.Q.C has two steps; first is point source Sensitivity Cal. and second is Volume Sensitivity Cal. to calculate Volume Sensitivity Factor(VSF) using cylinder phantom. To verify SUV, we acquired the images with ACR Esser PET phantom and then we measured SUV_mean on background and SUV_max on hot vials(25, 16, 12, 8 mm). SPSS was used to analyze the difference in the SUV between Intevo 16 and Intevo Bold by Mann-Whitney test. Results The results of Sensitivity(CPS/MBq) and VSF were in Detector 1, 2 of four isotopes (Intevo 16 D1 sensitivity/D2 sensitivity/VSF and Intevo Bold) 87.7/88.6/1.08, 91.9/91.2/1.07 on Tc-99m, 79.9/81.9/0.98, 89.4/89.4/0.98 on I-123, 124.8/128.9/0.69, 130.9, 126.8/0.71, on I-131, 8.7/8.9/1.02, 9.1/8.9/1.00 on Lu-177 respectively. The results of SUV test with ACR Esser PET phantom were (Intevo 16 BKG SUV_mean/25mm SUV_max/16mm/12mm/8mm and Intevo Bold) 1.03/2.95/2.41/1.96/1.84, 1.03/2.91/2.38/1.87/1.82 on Tc-99m, 0.97/2.91/2.33/1.68/1.45, 1.00/2.80/2.23/1.57/1.32 on I-123, 0.96/1.61/1.13/1.02/0.69, 0.94/1.54/1.08/0.98/ 0.66 on I-131, 1.00/6.34/4.67/2.96/2.28, 1.01/6.21/4.49/2.86/2.21 on Lu-177. And there was no statistically significant difference of SUV between Intevo 16 and Intevo Bold(p>0.05). Conclusion Only Qualitative Analysis was possible with gamma camera in the past. On the other hand, it's possible to acquire not only anatomic localization, 3D tomography but also Quantitative Analysis with SUV measurements in SPECT/CT scanner. We could lay the groundwork for Quantitative Analysis with various isotopes; Tc-99m, I-123, I-131, Lu-177 by carrying out B.Q.C and could verify the SUV measurement with ACR phantom. It needs periodic calibration to maintain for precision of Quantitative evaluation. As a result, we can provide Quantitative Analysis on follow up scan with the SPECT/CT exams and evaluate the therapeutic response in theranosis.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.283-290
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• 2013

A stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for $MgGa_2Se_4$ single crystal thin films was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. To obtain the single crystal thin films, $MgGa_2Se_4$ mixed crystal was deposited on thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs(100) substrate by the Hot Wall Epitaxy (HWE) system. The source and substrate temperatures were $610^{\circ}C$ and $400^{\circ}C$, respectively. The crystalline structure of the single crystal thin films was investigated by double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXD). The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $MgGa_2Se_4$ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g(T)=2.34 eV-(8.81{\times}10^{-4}eV/K)T^2/(T+251K)$. The crystal field and the spin-orbit splitting energies for the valence band of the $MgGa_2Se_4$ have been estimated to be 190.6 meV and 118.8 meV, respectively, by means of the photocurrent spectra and the Hopfield quasicubic model. These results indicate that the splitting of the ${\Delta}so$ definitely exists in the ${\Gamma}_5$ states of the valence band of the $MgGa_2Se_4$/GaAs epilayer. The three photocurrent peaks observed at 10 K are ascribed to the $A_{1^-}$, $B_{1^-}$exciton for n = 1 and $C_{27}-exciton$ peaks for n = 27.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.217-224
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• 2008

A stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for $ZnIn_2Se_4$ single crystal thin films was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. To obtain the single crystal thin films, $ZnIn_2Se_4$ mixed crystal was deposited on thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs(100) substrate by the Hot Wall Epitaxy (HWE) system. The source and substrate temperatures were $630^{\circ}C$ and $400^{\circ}C$, respectively. The crystalline structure of the single crystal thin films was investigated by the photoluminescence and double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXD). The carrier density and mobility of $ZnIn_2Se_4$ single crystal thin films measured from Hall effect by van der Pauw method are $9.41\times10^{16}cm^{-3}$ and $292cm^2/v{\cdot}s$ at 293 K, respectively. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $ZnIn_2Se_4$ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g(T)=1.8622eV-(5.23\times10^{-4}eV/K)T^2/(T+775.5K)$. The crystal field and the spin-orbit splitting energies for the valence band of the $ZnIn_2Se_4$ have been estimated to be 182.7 meV and 42.6 meV, respectively, by means of the photocurrent spectra and the Hopfield quasicubic model. These results indicate that the splitting of the ${\Delta}so$ definitely exists in the ${\Gamma}_5$ states of the valence band of the $ZnIn_2Se_4/GaAs$ epilayer. The three photo current peaks observed at 10 K are ascribed to the $A_{1}-$, $B_{1}-exciton$ for n = 1 and $C_{27}-exciton$ peaks for n = 27.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.377-384
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• 2015

A survey of the artificial radionuclides in rivers and lakes was conducted to investigate their levels in surface water. Water samples were collected at 60 points and analyzed by gamma-ray spectrometry with a measurement time of 10,000 seconds for ¹³⁴Cs, ¹³⁷Cs, and ¹³¹I. The obained values were lower than MDA for all points, except one point for ¹³¹I that was 0.533±0.058 Bq/L. ¹³¹I is known as a radioactive material that occurs frequently in sewage treatment plants. Because it is often used for medical treatments and subject to spreading into the environment due to the excretion from the patients. For the point where ¹³¹I was detected, we conducted additional investigation on the upstream river point and the effluent points of nearby sewage treatment plant to find the source of ¹³¹I. ¹³¹I was not detected at the upstream points of one of the upstream sewage treatment plants but found at the downstream points with the level being 0.257±0.034 to 0.799±0.051 Bq/L, proving the sewage treatment plant was the ¹³¹Isource.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.309-318
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• 2002

A stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for $CdIn_2S_4$ single crystal thin films was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. To obtain the single crystal thin films, $CdIn_2S_4$ mixed crystal was deposited on thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs(100) substrate by the Hot Wall Epitaxy (HWE) system. The source and substrate temperatures were $630^{\circ}C$ and $420^{\circ}C$, respectively. The crystalline structure of the single crystal thin films was investigated by the photoluminescence and double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXD). The carrier density and mobility of $CdIn_2S_4$ single crystal thin films measured with Hall effect by van der Pauw method are $9.01{\times}10^{16}\;cm^{-3}$ and $219\;cm^2/V{\cdot}s$ at 293 K, respectively. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $CdIn_2S_4$ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g(T)=2.7116\;eV-(7.74{\times}10^{-4}\;eV)T^2/(T+434)$. The crystal field and the spin-orbit splitting energies for the valence band of the $CdIn_2S_4$ have been estimated to be 0.1291 eV and 0.0248 eV, respectively, by means of the photocurrent spectra and the Hopfield quasi cubic model. These results indicate that the splitting of the ${\Delta}so$ definitely exists in the ${\Gamma}5$ states of the valence band of the $AgInS_2$/GaAs epilayer. The three photocurrent peaks observed at 10K areascribed to the $A_1$-, $B_1$-, and C1-exciton peaks for n = 1.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.237-246
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• 2016

This study is therefore aimed at measuring the surface dose rate and the spatial dose rate in and outside the radionuclide facility in order to ensure safety of the patients, radiation workers and family care-givers in their use of such equipment and to provide a basic framework for further research on radiation protection. The study was conducted at 4 restrooms in and outside the radionuclide facility of a general hospital in Incheon between May 1 and July 31, 2014. During the study period, the spatial contamination dose rate and the surface contamination dose rate before and after radiation use were measured at the 4 places-thyroid therapy room, PET center, gamma camera room, and outpatient department. According to the restroom use survey by hospitals, restrooms in the radionuclide facility were used not only by patients but also by family care-givers and some of radiation workers. The highest cumulative spatial radiation dose rate was 8.86 mSv/hr at camera room restroom, followed by 7.31 mSv/hr at radioactive iodine therapy room restroom, 2.29 mSv/hr at PET center restroom, and 0.26 mSv/hr at outpatient department restroom, respectively. The surface radiation dose rate measured before and after radiation use was the highest at toilets, which are in direct contact with patient's excretion, followed by the center and the entrance of restrooms. Unsealed radioactive sources used in nuclear medicine are relatively safe due to short half lives and low energy. A patient who received those radioactive sources, however, may become a mobile radioactive source and contaminate areas the patient contacts-camera room, sedation room, and restroom-through secretion and excretion. Therefore, patients administered radionuclides should be advised to drink sufficient amounts of water to efficiently minimize radiation exposure to others by reducing the biological half-life, and members of the public-family care-givers, pregnant women, and children-be as far away from the patients until the dose remains below the permitted dose limit.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.229-236
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• 2014

A stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for $MnAl_2S_4$ single crystal thin films was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. To obtain the single crystal thin films, $MnAl_2S_4$ mixed crystal was deposited on thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs(100) substrate by the Hot Wall Epitaxy (HWE) system. The source and substrate temperatures were $630^{\circ}C$ and $410^{\circ}C$, respectively. The crystalline structure of the single crystal thin films was investigated by the photoluminescence and double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXD). The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $MnAl_2S_4$ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g(T)=3.7920eV-5.2729{\times}10^{-4}eV/K)T^2/(T+786 K)$. In order to explore the applicability as a photoconductive cell, we measured the sensitivity (${\gamma}$), the ratio of photocurrent to dark current (pc/dc), maximum allowable power dissipation (MAPD) and response time. The results indicated that the photoconductive characteristic were the best for the samples annealed in S vapour compare with in Mn, Al, air and vacuum vapour. Then we obtained the sensitivity of 0.93, the value of pc/dc of $1.10{\times}10^7$, the MAPD of 316 mW, and the rise and decay time of 14.8 ms and 12.1 ms, respectively.