• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1519-1527
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• 2020

AGeneral radiation measuring devices have been developed in the form of spatial dose rate detection devices that measure dose rates to radioactive contaminant and 2D or 3D imaging devices for radioactive contamination information. Each of these radiation detection techniques has advantages. The advantages of both detection devices are necessary to minimize personal injury and rapid decontamination in the area of a radioactive accident. In this paper, we proposed a technique that can measure the dose rate and direction information about the radioactive pollutant source in real time using a detection sensor, a rotating body, and a directional shield for radioactive pollutant detection. The rotational-based detection device is configured to check the dose rate and direction using the location information of the rotator and measurement value. We proposed a measurement technique for vertical and horizontal directions through multiple holes. It was confirmed that the measurement error for direction information was less than 1% when detected in the horizontal direction.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1132-1137
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• 2020

In order to reduce unnecessary exposure doses generated when mammography is performed using a mammography device, a shielding ratio analysis was performed when a self-made shielding body made of bismuth was applied to the breast opposite to the imaging site. In order to determine the scattering dose of uncompressed breasts during CC and MLO tests when the right and left are compressed, the experiment is divided into when bismuth is not shielded (Not used: NU group) and when shielded (Used: U group). Proceeded. The average dose of the NU group was 9.568μSv, and the average dose of the U group was 1.038μSv. The average measured dose before and after the use of the bismuth shield was reduced by 89.15%. The use of a bismuth shield for mammography can shield scattered radiation and keep exposure to radiation to a minimum.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the ability of limited- and large-volume cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to display isthmuses in the apical root canals of mandibular molars. Materials and Methods: Forty human mandibular first molars with isthmuses in the apical 3 mm of mesial roots were scanned by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and their thickness, area, and length were recorded. The samples were examined using 2 CBCT systems, using the smallest voxels and field of view available for each device. The Mann-Whitney, Friedman, and Dunn multiple comparison tests were performed (α=0.05). Results: The 3D Accuitomo 170 and i-Cat devices detected 77.5% and 75.0% of isthmuses, respectively (P>0.05). For length measurements, there were significant differences between micro-CT and both 3D Accuitomo 170 and i-Cat(P<0.05). Conclusion: Both CBCT systems performed similarly and did not detect isthmuses in the apical third in some cases. CBCT still does not equal the performance of micro-CT in isthmus detection, but it is nonetheless a valuable tool in endodontic practice.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2021

Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool in a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) device on the diagnosis of vertical root fractures (VRFs) in teeth with different root filling materials. Materials and Methods: Forty-five extracted human premolars were classified into three subgroups; 1) no filling; 2) gutta-percha; and 3) metallic post. CBCT images were acquired using an Orthopantomograph 300 unit with and without a MAR tool. Subsequently, the same teeth were fractured, and new CBCT scans were obtained with and without MAR. Two oral radiologists evaluated the images regarding the presence or absence of VRF. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and diagnostic tests were performed. Results: The overall area under the curve values were 0.695 for CBCT with MAR and 0.789 for CBCT without MAR. The MAR tool negatively influenced the overall diagnosis of VRFs in all tested subgroups, with lower accuracy (0.45-0.72), sensitivity (0.6-0.67), and specificity (0.23-0.8) than were found for the images without MAR. In the latter group, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values were 0.68-0.77, 0.67-083, and 0.53-087, respectively. However, no significant difference was found between images with and without MAR for the no filling and gutta-percha subgroups (P>0.05). In the metallic post subgroup, CBCT showed a significant difference according to MAR use (P<0.05). Conclusion: The OP 300 MAR tool negatively influenced the detection of VRFs in teeth with no root canal filling, gutta-percha, or metallic posts. Teeth with metallic posts suffered the most from the negative impact of MAR.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.253-261
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• 2021

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is one of the most widely adopted silicon-based organic polymeric elastomers. Elastomeric nanostructures are normally required to accomplish an explicit mechanical role and correspondingly their mechanical properties are crucial to affect device and material performance. Despite its wide application, the mechanical properties of PDMS are yet fully understood. In particular, the time dependent mechanical response of PDMS has not been fully elucidated. Here, utilizing state-of-the-art PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (PFQNM) together with Force Volume (FV) and Fast Force Volume (FFV), the elastic moduli of PDMS samples were assessed in a time-dependent fashion. Specifically, the acquisition frequency was discretely changed four orders of magnitude from 0.1 Hz up to 2 kHz. Careful calibrations were done. Force data were fitted with a linearized DMT contact mechanics model considering surface adhesion force. Increased Young's modulus was discovered with increasing acquisition frequency. It was measured 878 ± 274 kPa at 0.1 Hz and increased to 4586 ± 758 kPa at 2 kHz. The robust local probing of mechanical measurement as well as unprecedented high-resolution topography imaging open new avenues for quantitative nanomechanical mapping of soft polymers, and can be extended to soft biological systems.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.32-41
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• 2021

Objectives: We aim to observe the relation of body mass index (BMI) and the indicators of oral health. Methods: 400 subjects participated in the study. The BMI values are calculated from the height and weight. For the tongue diagnosis, we used the tongue imaging device to analyze the color, tongue coating, and tooth marks. We measured the concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH) to evaluate the halitosis. The dry mouth was evaluated through the measurement of saliva secretion and with the questionnaire asking the frequency of dry mouth. Results: The BMI values were significantly higher in the group with light-white and blue-purple colored tongue, and significantly lower for lightly-coated tongue. However, the correlation of BMI and the amounts of saliva secretion was not significant as well as in the correlation of BMI and the concentration of H₂S, CH₃SH. In tongue diagnosis, the subjects who had blue-purple colored tongue also had significantly higher H₂S and CH₃SH, but tendency of lower saliva secretion. Conclusion: We obtain data showing that BMI value and the indicators of oral health including tongue diagnosis have meaningful correlation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2021

Objectives : Acupoints education is important in that it can determine the clinical competency of Korean Medicine Doctors (KMDs). Accordingly, we aimed to develop a practical simulator for acupoints education, acupoints training, acupoints practice, and acupoints evaluation. Methods : Korean Medicine (KM) SMART Table can be divided into hardware, server and components, and is organically linked. We develop KM SMART Table that combines the hardware of a human-sized table with a UHD display capable of multi-touch in two cases and software that can teach acupoints. We make Augmented Reality (AR) contents linked with KM SMART Table contents and develop applications that can use contents using mobile devices. By developing an AR image tracking module to react with KM SMART Table, it enables acupoint learning according to the mobile device platform and human anatomy. Results : The current system is a prototype where some 3D technology has been implemented, but the AR function will be produced later. New learning using 3D and AR will be required during acupoints education and acupoints practice. It will be used a lot in OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) practices for strengthening the competency of KMDs, and it will be of great help not only in KM education as a unique simulator of KM, but also in the practice of acupuncture and chuna for musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusions : The KM SMART Table is a technology that combines 3D and AR to learn acupoints, and to conduct acupoints OSCE practice, and we suggest that it can be usefully used for educational evaluation.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.161-169
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Fractional microneedle radiofrequency systems are popular options to increase elasticity in aging skin. Laser-assisted drug delivery is a promising method for the epidermal injection of topically applied drugs and cosmetic ingredients. This study assesses the safety and efficacy of topical delivery of L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid after fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment for reducing photodamage. Materials and Methods In this prospective, single-center, split-face, controlled pilot study, six women (mean age, 48.0 years; range, 35-57 years; Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV) exhibiting mild to moderate photodamage, underwent a single session of fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment. The patients were instructed to apply the antioxidant formulation to only one side of the face. Patients were evaluated 3 days, 7 days, and 4 weeks thereafter, using three-dimensional imaging and ultrasound. Ex vivo, the full-thickness human skin was used for molecular and histological evaluation. Statistical analysis was achieved by applying t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and one-way analyses of variance. Results Compared to the untreated side, the antioxidant-treated side exhibited a significant increase in dermal thickness (10.32% vs. 17.54%, p < 0.05), but not in skin elasticity (4.76% vs. 4.69%, p > 0.05). The difference in erythema between the sides was statistically not significant (p > 0.05). In the ex vivo model, expression of FGF2 in the skin was significantly increased after application of the antioxidant formulation, as compared to results obtained subsequent to fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment only (p < 0.01). Conclusion This study demonstrates that for the treatment of photodamaged skin, laser-assisted delivery of the antioxidant formulation is a safe and effective adjuvant modality following fractional microneedle radiofrequency.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.390-398
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• 2022

Ultrasound examination using ultrasound equipment is an ultrasound device that images human organs using sound waves and is used in various areas such as diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment of diseases. However, if the quality of ultrasound equipment is not guaranteed, the possibility of misdiagnosis increases, and the diagnosis rate decreases. Accordingly, The Korean Society of Radiology and Korea society of Ultrasound in Medicine presented guidelines for quality management of ultrasound equipment using ATS-539 phantom. The DenseNet201 classification algorithm shows 99.25% accuracy and 5.17% loss in the Dead Zone, 97.52% loss in Axial/Lateral Resolution, 96.98% accuracy and 20.64% loss in Sensitivity, 93.44% accuracy and 22.07% loss in the Gray scale and Dynamic Range. As a result, it is the best and is judged to be an algorithm that can be used for quantitative evaluation. Through this study, it can be seen that if quantitative evaluation using artificial intelligence is conducted in the qualitative evaluation item of ultrasonic equipment, the reliability of ultrasonic equipment can be increased with high accuracy.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.655-668
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• 2023

In radiography, an antiscatter grid is a well-known device for eliminating unexpected x-ray scatter. We investigate a new stationary grid artifact suppression method based on a nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) incorporated with Gaussian band-pass filtering. The proposed method has an advantage that extracts the Moiré components while minimizing the loss of image information and apply the prior information of Moiré component positions in multi-decomposition sub-band images. We implemented the proposed algorithm and performed a simulation and an experiment to demonstrate its viability. We did this experiment using an x-ray tube (M-113T, Varian, focal spot size: 0.1 mm), a flat-panel detector (ROSE-M Sensor, Aspenstate, pixel dimension: 3032 × 3800 pixels, pixel size: 0.076 mm), and carbon graphite-interspaced grids (JPI Healthcare, 18 cm × 24 cm, line density: 103 LP/inch and 150 LP/inch, ratio: 5:1, focal distance: 65 cm). Our results indicate that the proposed method successfully suppressed grid artifacts by reducing them without either reducing the spatial resolution or causing negative side effects. Consequently, we anticipate that the proposed method can improve image acquisition in a stationary grid x-ray system as well as in extended x-ray imaging.