• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.222-228
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• 2023

This study aimed to analyze the applicability of the improved median filter in positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) fusion images based on parallel imaging using generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA). In this study, a PET/MR fusion imaging system based on a 3.0T magnetic field and ¹⁸F radioisotope were used. An improved median filter that can set a mask of the median value more efficiently than before was modeled and applied to the acquired image. As quantitative evaluation parameters of the noise level, the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and coefficient of variation (COV) were calculated. Additionally, no-reference-based evaluation parameters were used to analyze the overall image quality. We confirmed that the CNR and COV values of the PET/MR fusion images to which the improved median filter was applied improved by approximately 3.32 and 2.19 times on average, respectively, compared to the noisy image. In addition, the no-reference-based evaluation results showed a similar trend for the noise-level results. In conclusion, we demonstrated that it can be supplemented by using an improved median filter, which suggests the problem of image quality degradation of PET/MR fusion images that shortens scan time using GRAPPA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2016

The purpose of this analysis is to compare 2D T1 FEE and 3D T1 THRIVE for demonstration of the pancreas. A total of 85(45 men, 40 women; 58 years) PACS network datum were analysis clinically indicated pancreas MRI at 1.5 T. The SNRs and CNRs of 3D T1 THRIVE(SNR: $46.42{\pm}0.67$, CNR: $28.16{\pm}0.50$) showed significantly higher values than those from 2D T1 FEE(SNR: $53.84{\pm}1.20$, CNR: $35.48{\pm}0.70$), p<0.05, The image quality of the 3D T1 THRIVE($2.63 {\pm}0.14$) was significantly superior to that with the 2D T1 FEE($2.2{\pm}0.05$), but 3D T1 THRIVE revealed several artifacts resulting in poor quality. In conclusion, The 3D T1 THRIVE technique with a 1.5 T resulting in improved SNRs, CNRs and image quality was demonstrated.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.12-21
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• 2003

Purpose : In order to overcome limitations in the existing conventional spectrometer, a new spectrometer with advanced functionalities is designed and implemented. Materials and Methods : We designed a spectrometer using the TMS320C6701 DSP capable of 1 giga floating point operations per second (GFLOPS). The spectrometer can generate continuously varying complicate gradient waveforms by real-time calculation, and select image plane interactively. The designed spectrometer is composed of two parts: one is DSP-based digital control part, and the other is analog part generating gradient and RF waveforms, and performing demodulation of the received RF signal. Each recover board can measure 4 channel FID signals simultaneously for parallel imaging, and provides fast reconstruction using the high speed DSP. Results : The developed spectrometer was installed on a 1.5 Tesla whole body MRI system, and performance was tested by various methods. The accurate phase control required in digital modulation and demodulation was tested, and multi-channel acquisition was examined with phase-array coil imaging. Superior image quality is obtained by the developed spectrometer compared to existing commercial spectrometer especially in the fast spin echo images. Conclusion : Interactive control of the selection planes and real-time generation of gradient waveforms are important functions required for advanced imaging such as spiral scan cardiac imaging. Multi-channel acquisition is also highly demanding for parallel imaging. In this paper a spectrometer having such functionalities is designed and developed using the TMS320C6701 DSP having 1 GFLOPS computational power. Accurate phase control was achieved by the digital modulation and demodulation techniques. Superior image qualities are obtained by the developed spectrometer for various imaging techniques including FSE, GE, and angiography compared to those obtained by the existing commercial spectrometer.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2002

Purpose : This paper introduces an improved classification approach which adopts a deterministic relaxation method and an agglomerative clustering technique for the classification of MRI using neural network. The proposed approach can solve the problems of convergency to local optima and computational burden caused by a large number of input patterns when a neural network is used for image classification. Materials and methods : Application of Hopfield neural network has been solving various optimization problems. However, major problem of mapping an image classification problem into a neural network is that network is opt to converge to local optima and its convergency toward the global solution with a standard stochastic relaxation spends much time. Therefore, to avoid local solutions and to achieve fast convergency toward a global optimization, we adopt MFA to a Hopfield network during the classification. MFA replaces the stochastic nature of simulated annealing method with a set of deterministic update rules that act on the average value of the variable. By minimizing averages, it is possible to converge to an equilibrium state considerably faster than standard simulated annealing method. Moreover, the proposed agglomerative clustering algorithm which determines the underlying clusters of the image provides initial input values of Hopfield neural network. Results : The proposed approach which uses agglomerative clustering and deterministic relaxation approach resolves the problem of local optimization and achieves fast convergency toward a global optimization when a neural network is used for MRI classification. Conclusion : In this paper, we introduce a new paradigm to classify MRI using clustering analysis and deterministic relaxation for neural network to improve the classification results.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2015.10a
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• pp.582-585
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• 2015

In the aging society, TKRA is steadily increased because of joint diseases. Artificial joint used in TKRA generates metal artifacts in the MRI. Metal artifact may affect diagnosis. In study, We are going to minimize the effect of metal artifact to improve the value of diagnosis by changing the sequence and the type of artificial joint(Co-Cr, Ni-Ti). 1.5T AVANTO, plastic containers and each of the artificial joint (Normal, Co-Cr, NiTi) were used. After the artificial joints fixed in a paper cup was inserted in a plastic container of cylindrical, Signal intensity was measured. To obtain strong and uniform signal intensity, the plastic container was filled with water. We changed Sequences(T1 TSE, T2 TSE, PD TSE) and obtained an Axial image. After excepting the maximum and minimum values, We calculated the average of SNR, CNR and PSNR. Consequently, The SNR, CNR value of PD TSE are measured higher than these of T1 TSE, T2 TSE and The PSNR of Co-Cr is higher than this of Ni-Ti. The SNR of Co-Cr is similar to the SNR of normal comparing this of Ni-Ti. As a result, Using sequence of PD Tse and Co-Cr alloy is considered to be useful.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.507-518
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• 2021

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a key technology that has been seeing increasing use in studying the structural and functional innerworkings of the brain. Analyzing the variability of brain connectome through tractography analysis has been used to increase our understanding of disease pathology in humans. However, there lacks standardization of analysis methods for small animals such as mice, and lacks scientific consensus in regard to accurate preprocessing strategies and atlas-based neuroinformatics for images. In addition, it is difficult to acquire high resolution images for mice due to how significantly smaller a mouse brain is compared to that of humans. In this study, we present an Allen Mouse Brain Atlas-based image data analysis pipeline for structural connectivity analysis involving structural region segmentation using mouse brain structural images and diffusion tensor images. Each analysis method enabled the analysis of mouse brain image data using reliable software that has already been verified with human and mouse image data. In addition, the pipeline presented in this study is optimized for users to efficiently process data by organizing functions necessary for mouse tractography among complex analysis processes and various functions.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2011

Objective : Leukoaraiosis (LA) has been suggested to be related to the poor outcome or the occurrence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) after acute ischemic stroke. We retrospectively investigated the influences of LA on long-term outcome and the occurrence of sICH after thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods : In this study, we recruited 164 patients with AIS and magnetic resonance image (MRI)-detected thrombolysis. The presence and extent of LA were assessed using the Fazekas grading system. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was used to assess the baseline measure of neurologic severity, and the modified Rankin Scale score assessment was used up to 1 year after thrombolysis. Results : Of 164 subjects, 56 (34.2%) showed LA on MRI. Compared to the 108 patients without LA, the patients with LA were of much older age (p<0.01), had a higher prevalence of hypertension (p<0.01), and had a much poorer outcome at 90 days (p=0.05) and 1 yr (p=0.01) after thrombolysis. There were no significant differences in sICH between patients with and without LA on MRI. In univariate analysis for the occurrence of poor outcome at 90 days after thrombolysis, the size of ischemic lesion on diffusion weighted images (DWI), [odds ratio (OR), 1.03; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.01-1.04; p<0.01], recanalization (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.10; p<0.01), sICH (OR, 12.2; 95% CI, 1.54-95.8), neurologic severity (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.09-1.25; p<0.01), blood glucose level (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02; p=0.03), and the presence of LA on MRI (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.04-3.01; p=0.04) were statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, neurologic severity (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.24; p<0.01), recanalization (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.11; p<0.01), lesion size on DWI (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03; p=0.02), serum glucose level (OR, 1.01; 95% CI; 1.01-1.02; p=0.03), and the presence of LA on MRI (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.22-8.48; p<0.01) showed statistically significant differences. These trends persisted up to 1 yr after thrombolysis. Conclusion : In this study, we demonstrated that the presence of LA on MRI might be related to poor outcome after use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator in AIS.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.227-234
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• 2011

The purpose of present study was to examine brain functions associated with intention to conceal information. Kubo & Nittono(2009) and Verschuere et al.(2009) studied the intention to conceal information using P300 amplitude. On the basis of these two studies, present study attempted to identify brain area while participants were performing concealed information test. 19 healthy college students participated in fMRI-based concealed information test. Participants' name were used as concealed information. The test was performed in two conditions. In the intention condition, participants were instructed to try leaving their names undetected by suppressing their brain response to it. In the no intention condition, participants performed the test without intention to conceal. The fMRI results showed that the right anterior cingulated cortex (Rt. ACC), and left orbito-frontal cortex (Lt. OFC) activations were greater in the deceptive condition than the truth condition. These finding confirmed that ACC is area a deception-specific process as shown in the previous fMRI study. The OFC activation was also observed in the deceptive condition. The OFC is an area known as associated with emotional response such as anxiety, fear, and guilty. The anxiety induced while participants were intended to conceal information might be related to the OFC activation.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2000

Purpose : This study was to present the functional brain mapping of both functional magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS) in a case of schizencephaly. Materials and methods : A 28-year-old man, who had left hemiplegia and schizencephaly in right cerebral hemisphere, was exacted with both functional MRI and TMS. Motor function of left hand was decreased whereas right hand was within normal limit. For functional MRI, gradient-echo echo planar imaging($TR/TE/{\alpha}$=1.2 sec/90 msec/90) was employed. The paradigm of motor task consisted of repetitive self-paseo hand flexion-extension exercises with 1-2 Hz periods. An image set of 10 slices was repetitively acquired with 15 seconds alternating periods of task performance and rest and total 6 cycles (three ON periods and three OFF periods) were performed. In brain mapping, TMS was performed with the round magnetic stimulator (mean diameter; 90mm). The magnetic stimulation was done with 80% of maximal output. The latency and amplitude of motor evoked potential(MEP)s were obtained from both abductor pollicis brevis(APB) muscles. Results : Functional MRI revealed activation of the left primary motor cortex with flexion-extension exercises of healthy right hand. On the other hand, the left primary motor cortex, left supplementary motor cortex, and left promoter areas were activated with flexion-extension exercises of left hand. In TMS, magnetic evoked potentials were induced in no areas of right cerebral hemisphere, but in 5 areas of left corebral hemisphere from both abductor pollicis brevis. Latency, amplitude, and contour of response of the magnetic evoked potentials in both hands were similar. Conclusion : Functional MRI and TMS in a patient with schizencephaly were successfully used to localize cortical motor function. Ipsilateral motor pathway is thought to be secondary to reinforcement of the corticospinal tract of the ipsilateral motor cortex.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2007

Conventional MRI methods using T1-, T2-, diffusion-, perfusion-weighting, and functional imaging rely on characterizing the physical and functional properties of the tissue. In this review, we introduce an imaging modality based on measured the mechanical properties of soft tissue, namely magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). The use of palpation to identify the stiffness of tissue remains a fundamental diagnostic tool. MRE can quantify the stiffness of the tissue thereby providing a objective means to measure the mechanical properties. To accomplish a successful clinical setting using MRE, hardware and software techniques in the area of transducer, pulse sequence, and imaging processing algorithm need to be developed. Transducer, a mechanical vibrator, is the core of MRE application to make wave propagate invivo. For this reason, considerations of the frame of human body, pressure and friction of the interface, and high magnetic field of a MRI system needs to be taken into account when designing a transducer. Given that the wave propagates through human body effectively, developing an appropriate pulse sequence is another important issue in obtaining an optimal image. In this review paper, we introduce the technical aspects needed for MRE experiments and introduce several applications of this new field.