• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2019

Objective: Greater occipital nerve block (GONB) is a widely accepted treatment of primary headaches. Two ultrasound (US)-guided blockade techniques exist: 1) the classical distal nerve block technique performed medial to the occipital artery at the superior nuchal line, and 2) the new proximal nerve block technique performed at the obliquus capitis inferior muscle at the level of C2. Our study aim was to perform a head-to-head comparative study of these two US-guided techniques. Method: Forty-nine patients with primary headache treated in our university hospital were recruited. Patients were randomized into two groups of the classical nerve block and the new proximal nerve block techniques. The headache questionnaire was made to assess the intensity of the pain of headache attacks, number of days they experience headache, duration of headache, and amount of pain medication they consumed. Results: In both groups, a decrease in the severity and frequency of the headache was observed. There was no measurable difference in outcome between the two groups. Conclusion: Our study showed that the classic and new proximal techniques are equally effective in decreasing the headache severity and frequency.

• Journal of the Korea Computer Graphics Society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.21-30
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• 2023

Accurate segmentation of the kidney tumor is necessary to identify shape, location and safety margin of tumor in abdominal CT images for surgical planning before renal partial nephrectomy. However, kidney tumor segmentation is challenging task due to the various sizes and locations of the tumor for each patient and signal intensity similarity to surrounding organs such as intestine and spleen. In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised learning-based mean teacher network that utilizes both labeled and unlabeled data using a kidney local guided map including kidney local information to segment small-sized kidney tumors occurring at various locations in the kidney, and analyze the performance according to the kidney tumor size. As a result of the study, the proposed method showed an F1-score of 75.24% by considering local information of the kidney using a kidney local guide map to locate the tumor existing around the kidney. In particular, under-segmentation of small-sized tumors which are difficult to segment was improved, and showed a 13.9%p higher F1-score even though it used a smaller amount of labeled data than nnU-Net.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.794-802
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• 2022

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of single-shot whole thoracic time-resolved MR angiography (TR-MRA) to identify the feeding arteries of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) and reperfusion of the lesion after embolization in patients with multiple PAVMs. Materials and Methods: Nine patients (8 females and 1 male; age range, 23-65 years) with a total of 62 PAVMs who underwent percutaneous embolization for multiple PAVMs and were subsequently followed up using TR-MRA and CT obtained within 6 months from each other were retrospectively reviewed. All imaging analyses were performed by two independent readers blinded to clinical information. The visibility of the feeding arteries on maximum intensity projection (MIP) reconstruction and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) TR-MRA images was evaluated by comparing them to CT as a reference. The accuracy of TR-MRA for diagnosing reperfusion of the PAVM after embolization was assessed in a subgroup with angiographic confirmation. The reliability between the readers in interpreting the TR-MRA results was analyzed using kappa (κ) statistics. Results: Feeding arteries were visible on the original MIP images of TR-MRA in 82.3% (51/62) and 85.5% (53/62) of readers 1 and 2, respectively. Using the MPR, the rates increased to 93.5% (58/62) and 95.2% (59/62), respectively (κ = 0.760 and 0.792, respectively). Factors for invisibility were the course of feeding arteries in the anteroposterior plane, proximity to large enhancing vessels, adjacency to the chest wall, pulsation of the heart, and small feeding arteries. Thirty-seven PAVMs in five patients had angiographic confirmation of reperfusion status after embolization (32 occlusions and 5 reperfusions). TR-MRA showed 100% (5/5) sensitivity and 100% (32/32, including three cases in which the feeding arteries were not visible on TR-MRA) specificity for both readers. Conclusion: Single-shot whole thoracic TR-MRA with MPR showed good visibility of the feeding arteries of PAVMs and high accuracy in diagnosing reperfusion after embolization. Single-shot whole thoracic TR-MRA may be a feasible method for the follow-up of patients with multiple PAVMs.

• Journal of KIISE:Software and Applications
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.829-842
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• 2003

In this Paper, we propose the new face detection and tracking method based on template matching for real-time applications such as, teleconference, telecommunication, front stage of surveillance system using face recognition, and video-phone applications. Since the main purpose of paper is to track a face regardless of various environments, we use template-based face tracking method. To generate robust face templates, we apply wavelet transform to the average face image and extract three types of wavelet template from transformed low-resolution average face. However template matching is generally sensitive to the change of illumination conditions, we apply Min-max normalization with histogram equalization according to the variation of intensity. Tracking method is also applied to reduce the computation time and predict precise face candidate region. Finally, facial components are also detected and from the relative distance of two eyes, we estimate the size of facial ellipse.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.176-185
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• 2005

Purpose: Film dosimetry as a part of patient specific intensity modulated radiation therapy quality assurance (IMRT QA) was peformed to develop a new optimization method of film isocenter offset and to then suggest new quantitative criteria for film dosimetry. Materials and Methods: Film dosimetry was peformed on 14 IMRT patients with head and neck cancers. An optimization method for obtaining the local minimum was developed to adjust for the error in the film isocenter offset, which is the largest part of the systemic errors. Results: The adjust value of the film isocenter offset under optimization was 1 mm in 12 patients, while only two patients showed 2 mm translation. The means of absolute average dose difference before and after optimization were 2.36 and $1.56\%$, respectively, and the mean ratios over a $5\%$ tolerance were 9.67 and $2.88\%$. After optimization, the differences in the dose decreased dramatically. A low dose range cutoff (L-Cutoff) has been suggested for clinical application. New quantitative criteria of a ratio of over a $5\%$, but less than $10\%$ tolerance, and for an absolute average dose difference less than $3\%$ have been suggested for the verification of film dosimetry. Conclusion: The new optimization method was effective in adjusting for the film dosimetry error, and the newly quantitative criteria suggested in this research are believed to be sufficiently accurate and clinically useful.

• Proceedings of the Korea Association of Crystal Growth Conference
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• 1996.06a
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• pp.179-200
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• 1996

The intrinsic instabilities of fluid flow occurred in the melt of the Czochralski crystal growth system Czochralski method, asymmetric flow patterns and temperature profiles in the melt have been studied by many researchers. The idea that the non-symmetric structure of the growing equipment is responsible for the asymmetric profiles is usually accepted at the first time. However further researches revealed that some intrinsic instabilities not related to the non-symmetric equipment structure in the melt could also appear. Ristorcelli had pointed out that there are many possible causes of instabilities in the melt. The instabilities appears because of the coupling effects of fluid flow and temperature profiles in the melt. Among the instabilities, the B nard type instabilities with no or low crucible rotation rates are analyzed by the visualizing experiments using X-ray radiography and the 3-D numerical simulation in this study. The velocity profiles in the Silicon melt at different crucible rotation rates were measured using X-ray radiography method using tungsten tracers in the melt. The results showed that there exits two types of fluid flow mode. One is axisymmetric flow, the other is asymmetric flow. In the axisymmetric flow, the trajectory of the tracers show torus pattern. However, more exact measurement of the axisymmetrc case shows that this flow field has small non-axisymmetric components of the velocity. When fluid flow is asymmetric, the tracers show random motion from the fixed view point. On the other hand, when the observer rotates to the same velocity of the crucible, the trajectory of the tracer show a rotating motion, the center of the motion is not same the center of the melt. The temperature of a point in the melt were measured using thermocouples with different rotating rates. Measured temperatures oscillated. Such kind of oscillations are also measured by the other researchers. The behavior of temperature oscillations were quite different between at low rotations and at high rotations. Above experimental results means that the fluid flow and temperature profiles in the melt is not symmetric, and then the mode of the asymmetric is changed when rotation rates are changed. To compare with these experimental results, the fluid flow and temperature profiles at no rotation and 8 rpm of crucible rotation rates on the same size of crucible is calculated using a 3-dimensional numerical simulation. A finite different method is adopted for this simulation. 50×30×30 grids are used. The numerical simulation also showed that the velocity and flow profiles are changed when rotation rates change. Futhermore, the flow patterns and temperature profiles of both cases are not axisymmetric even though axisymmetric boundary conditions are used. Several cells appear at no rotation. The cells are formed by the unstable vertical temperature profiles (upper region is colder than lower part) beneath the free surface of the melt. When the temperature profile is combined with density difference (Rayleigh-B nard instability) or surface tension difference (Marangoni-B nard instability) on temperature, cell structures are naturally formed. Both sources of instabilities are coupled to the cell structures in the melt of the Czochralski process. With high rotation rates, the shape of the fluid field is changed to another type of asymmetric profile. Because of the velocity profile, isothermal lines on the plane vertical to the centerline change to elliptic. When the velocity profiles are plotted at the rotating view point, two vortices appear at the both sides of centerline. These vortices seem to be the main reason of the tracer behavior shown in the asymmetric velocity experiment. This profile is quite similar to the profiles created by the baroclinic instability on the rotating annulus. The temperature profiles obtained from the numerical calculations and Fourier transforms of it are quite similar to the results of the experiment. bove esults intend that at least two types of intrinsic instabilities can occur in the melt of Czochralski growing systems. Because the instabilities cause temperature fluctuations in the melt and near the crystal-melt interface, some defects may be generated by them. When the crucible size becomes large, the intensity of the instabilities should increase. Therefore, to produce large single crystals with good quality, the behavior of the intrinsic instabilities in the melt as well as the effects of the instabilities on the defects in the ingot should be studied. As one of the cause of the defects in the large diameter Silicon single crystal grown by the

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2009

Direct Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method that combines biological and enzymatic amplification of PCR targets was developed for the detection of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines on soybeen seeds without DNA isolation. Primers Xag F1 and Xag R1 were designed to specifically amplify a 401 bp fragment of the glycinecin A gene of X axonopodis pv. glycines. Xag F1 and Xag R1 were used to carry out the PCR analysis with genomic DNA from 45 different bacterial strains including phylogenetically related bacteria with X axonopodis pv. glycines, and other bacterial strains of different genus and species. The PCR assay using this set of primers were able to detect X axonopodis pv. glycines with DNA concentration as low as 200 fg and $1.8{\times}10^3$ cfu/ml. The Xag was detected from the seed samples incubated for 2 hrs with shaking and the intensity of the band was increase with the incubation time of seeds. The Direct PCR assay method without DNA isolation makes detection of X. axonopodis pv. glycines on soybean seeds easier and more sensitive than other conventional methods. The developed seed assay using direct PCR method will be useful for the specific detection of X. axonopodis pv. glycines in soybean seed samples.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2017

The mixing of rice and brown rice produced in different years is banned in Korea by the grain management act. However, there has been no reported method for discriminating the production year of rice. The objective of this study was to develop a method for discriminating the production year of rice and brown rice based on their phospholipids content. One hundred rice samples and 130 brown rice samples produced between 2012 and 2015 were collected. Twelve phosphatidylcholine components were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Phosphatidylcholine was used as an internal standard to calculate the peak intensity of the samples. A statistical analysis of the results showed that the centroid distance between the stale and new rice was 4.16 and the classification ratio was 97%. To verify the calculated discriminant, 61 and 40 rice samples were collected. The accuracy of discrimination was 82% by primary verification and 80% by secondary verification. The statistical analysis of brown rice showed that the centroid distance between the stale and new brown rice was 3.14 and the classification ratio was 96%. To verify the calculated discriminant, 10 samples of new rice and 30 samples of stale rice were collected and the accuracy of discrimination was 93%. The accuracy of discrimination for rice stored at room temperature was 57.9-92.1% and that for rice stored at a low temperature was 86.8-94.7%, depending on the storage period. For brown rice, the detection accuracy was 94.7-100% at room temperature and 92.1-100% at a low temperature, depending on the storage period. The accuracy of discrimination for rice was affected by the storage temperature and time, while that for brown rice was more than 92% regardless of the storage conditions. These results suggest that the developed discriminant analysis method could be utilized to determine the production year of rice and brown rice.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2006

Based on the data of cervical cancer patients who were treated by the radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy at the radiation oncology department of National Cancer Center from January 2002 to February 2003, we have studied the method recommended by ICRU 38 to maximize the prescription dose to the planing target volume (PTV) with minimizing the dose to surrounding normal organs. Clinical stage of the patients are 1 patient for stage IB, 3 patients for IIA, 19 patients for IIB, 3 patients for IIIA, 3 patients for IIIB and 1 patient for IV. All patients took the MRI before treatment and the maximum size of the gross tumor volume were under 4cm for 17 patients and from 4 cm to 6 cm for 12 patients and above 6 cm for 1 patient. The results show that while the irradiated volume can be reduced with optimized dose distribution using PTV treatment planning (p<0.0001) when the remained tumor size is small, the surrounding normal organs will receive unnecessarily large dose when the irradiated tumor volume is relatively large. This is because there is some limitation in controling the intensity of radiation in Fletcher Williamson Applicator. To overcome the limit of applicator and to achieve the optimal dose distribution, we have virtually applied 4 needles with Fletcher Williamson Applicator for 10 patients who have relatively large tumor and studied the change in dose distribution before and after application. The results show that this new virtual treatment plan reduces the volume covered by 100 % isodose (p=0.0608, p=0.0607) and reduces the dose of normal organs (p=0.0162, p=0.008). This evidence suggest that this method is superior than the currently used method such as PTV treatment and ICRU treatment.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2013

This study examined radiation detection characteristics of spices (cumin, caper and turmeric), other small fruits (hut-gae berry and boxthorn), and pollen extract product. Each samples were irradiated at dose of 1, 5, and 10 kGy and analyzed by the thermoluminescence (TL) and electron spin resonance (ESR) methods. To compare between non-irradiated and irradiated food, all samples were irradiated with $^{60}Co$ gamma-ray source. In TL analysis, most of samples could be applied to detect irradiated foods because of showing TL ratio above 0.1. The glow curves examined by TL method were estimated in the range of $150{\sim}250^{\circ}C$ in irradiated samples. In ESR measurements, the intensity of ESR signal (single-line) increased as the increase of irradiation dose. In particular, the specific ESR signals of irradiation-induced radical were detected in hut-gae berry and pollen extract product. As a results, it is considered that TL and ESR methods can be used to detect both hut-gae berry and pollen extract product. But cumin, caper, turmeric and boxthorn irradiated with gamma ray could be detected only by TL method. It is concluded that TL and ESR methods are suitable for detection of irradiated samples and a combined method is recommendable for enhancing the reliability of detection results.