• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.439-443
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• 2019

To improve the noise characteristics, software-based noise reduction algorithms are widely used in cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) pixelated semiconductor gamma camera system. The purpose of this study was to develop an improved median filtering algorithm using a thresholding method for noise reduction in a CZT pixelated semiconductor gamma camera system. The gamma camera system simulated is a CZT pixelated semiconductor detector with a pixel-matched parallel-hole collimator and the spatial resolution phatnom was designed with the Geant4 Application for Tomography Emission (GATE). In addition, a noise reduction algorithm with a median filter using an improved thresholding method is developed and we applied our proposed algorithm to an acquired spatial resolution phantom image. According to the results, the proposed median filter improved the noise characteristics compared to a conventional median filter. In particular, the average for normalized noise power spectrum, contrast to noise ratio, and coefficient of variation results using the proposed median filter were 10, 1.11, and 1.19 times better than results using conventional median filter, respectively. In conclusion, our results show that the proposed median filter using improved the thresholding method results in high imaging performance when applied in a CZT semiconductor gamma camera system.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.351-359
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• 2009

We have developed a computer simulator fur cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) based on the commercial Monte Carlo code, MCNP. All the functions to generate input files, run MCNP, convert output files to image data, reconstruct tomographs were realized in graphical user-interface form. The performance of the simulator was demonstrated by comparing with the experimental data. Although some discrepancies were observed due to the ignorance of the detailed physics in the simulation, such as scattered X-rays and noise in image sensors, the overall tendency was well agreed between the measured and simulated data. The developed simulator will be very useful for understanding the operation and the better design of CT systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.511-515
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• 2020

In this study, we evaluated image quality for new Gadolinium Aluminum Gallium Garnet (GAGG) scintillation material based on the Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) simulation tool. The gamma camera detectors with GAGG and NaI scintillation were designed. In particular, we modeled modified body phantom by National Electrical Manufacturers Association International Electrotechnical Commission to evaluate the simulated images. To analysis the image performance, the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and coefficient of variation (COV) were used by drawn the region of interests, respectively. Based on the CNR and COV results, the CNR value for GAGG material is higher approximately 17 % than NaI material. In addition, the COV value for GAGG material is lower approximately 17 % than NaI material. In conclusion, we confirmed the performnace of GAGG based gamma camera is useful to improve the image quality for the nuclear medicine instrumentation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2017

There are no recommended test conditions for digital photography in Chest PA examinations. However, each company recommends shooting examinations of the high voltage applied to the previous analog examination. The condition that satisfies the value of 200 ~ 800 which is the recommended Exposure Index value recommended by Philips was selected, and the dose was evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation, and the SNR and CNR were compared. As a result, it was possible to reduce the effective dose up to 77% by controlling the tube voltage, tube current, and additional filter, not the conventional high voltage imaging method. Although there were some differences according to the test conditions, the image evaluation results were similar to the images. We will compare the exposure dose according to changes in tube voltage, tube current, and additional filter at the digital chest radiograph and evaluate the image quality of the image to propose optimal conditions.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 1998

In Bayesian SPECT reconstruction, the incorporation of elaborate forms of priors can lead to improved quantitative performance in various statistical terms, such as bias and variance. In particular, the use of higher-order smoothing priors, such as the thin-plate prior, is known to exhibit improved bias behavior compared to the conventional smoothing priors such as the membrane prior. However, the bias advantage of the higher-order priors is effective only when the hyperparameters involved in the reconstruction algorithm are properly chosen. In this work, we further investigate the quantitative performance of the two representative smoothing priors-the thin plate and the membrane-by observing the behavior of the associated hyperparameters of the prior distributions. In our experiments we use Monte Carlo noise trials to calculate bias and variance of reconstruction estimates, and compare the performance of ML-EM estimates to that of regularized EM using both membrane and thin-plate priors, and also to that of filtered backprojection, where the membrane and thin plate models become simple apodizing filters of specified form. We finally show that the use of higher-order models yields excellent "robustness" in quantitative performance by demonstrating that the thin plate leads to very low bias error over a large range of hyperparameters, while keeping a reasonable variance. variance.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.221-227
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• 2019

In this paper, interacting multiple model (IMM) filter was designed that guarantees a stable navigation performance even in the unstable satellite navigation position. In order to design IMM filter in INS / GPS integrated navigation system, sub filter of the IMM filter is defined as Kalman filter. In the IMM filter configuration, two subfilters are determined. Each Kalman filter defines the six-teenth state composed of position, velocity, attitude, and sensor error from the INS error equation and the states additionally derived in case of the coloured measurement noise. In order to verify the performance of the proposed filter, we compared the performance how the filter works in the presence of arbitrary error in GPS navigation solution. The Monte Carlo simulation was performed 100 times and the results were compared with the root mean square(RMS). The results show that the proposed method is stable against errors and show fast convergence.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 2004

in this study, we developed a Monte Carlo imaging simulation code written by the visual C$\^$++/ programing language for design optimization of a digital X-ray imaging system. As a digital X-ray imaging system, we considered a Gd$_2$O$_2$S(Tb) scintillator and a photosensor array, and included a 2D parallel grid to simulate general test renditions. The interactions between X-ray beams and the system structure, the behavior of lights generated in the scintillator, and their collection in the photosensor array were simulated by using the Monte Carlo method. The scintillator thickness and the photosensor array pitch were assumed to 66$\mu\textrm{m}$ and 48$\mu\textrm{m}$, respertively, and the pixel format was set to 256 x 256. Using the code, we obtained X-ray images under various simulation conditions, and evaluated their image qualities through the calculations of SNR (signal-to-noise ratio), MTF (modulation transfer function), NPS (noise power spectrum), DQE (detective quantum efficiency). The image simulation code developed in this study can be applied effectively for a variety of digital X-ray imaging systems for their design optimization on various design parameters.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.123-133
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• 2007

Z-axis automatic tube current modulation technique automatically adjusts tube current based on size of body region scanned. The purpose of the current study was to compare noise, and radiation dose of multi-detector row CT (MDCT) of lower extremity performed with Z-axis modulation technique of automatic tube current modulation with manual selection fixed tube current. Fifty consecutive underwent MDCT venography of lower extremity with use of a MDCT scanner fixed tube current and Z-axis automatic tube current modulation technique (10, 11 and 12 HU noise index, $70{\sim}450\;mA$). Scanning parameters included 120 kVp, 0.5 second gantry rotation time, 1.35:1 beam pitch, and 1 mm reconstructed section thickness. For each subject, images obtained with Z-axis modulation were compared with previous images obtained with fixed tube current (200, 250, 300 mA) and with other parameters identical. Images were compared for noise at five levels: iliac, femoral, popliteal, tibial, and peroneal vein of lower extremity. Tube current and gantry rotation time used for acquisitions at these levels were recorded. All CT examinations of study and control groups were diagnostically acceptable, though objective noise was significantly more with Z-axis automatic tube current modulation. Compared with fixed tube current, 2-axis modulation resulted in reduction of CTDIvol (range, $-6.5%{\sim}-35.6%$) and DLP (range, $-0.2%{\sim}-20.2%$). Compared with manually selected fixed tube current, 2-axis automatic tube current modulation resulted in reduced radiation dose at MDCT of lower extremity venography.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2007

In this paper, an iterative MAP approach using a Bayesian model based on the lognormal distribution for image intensity and a GRF for image texture is proposed for despeckling the SAR images that are corrupted by multiplicative speckle noise. When the image intensity is logarithmically transformed, the speckle noise is approximately Gaussian additive noise, and it tends to a normal probability much faster than the intensity distribution. MRFs have been used to model spatially correlated and signal-dependent phenomena for SAR speckled images. The MRF is incorporated into digital image analysis by viewing pixel types as slates of molecules in a lattice-like physical system defined on a GRF Because of the MRF-SRF equivalence, the assignment of an energy function to the physical system determines its Gibbs measure, which is used to model molecular interactions. The proposed Point-Jacobian Iterative MAP estimation method was first evaluated using simulation data generated by the Monte Carlo method. The methodology was then applied to data acquired by the ESA's ERS satellite on Nonsan area of Korean Peninsula. In the extensive experiments of this study, The proposed method demonstrated the capability to relax speckle noise and estimate noise-free intensity.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics B
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• v.30B no.12
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• pp.59-66
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• 1993

In this paper we propose an adaptive update rate tracking algorithm for a phased array radar, based on the interacting multiple model(IMM) algorithm. The purpose of the IMM algorithm hers is twofold: 1) to estimate and predict the target states, and 2) to estimate the level of the process noise. Using the estimate of the process noise level adapted to target dynamics, the update interval is determined to maintain a desired prediction accuracy so that the radar system load is minimized. The adaptive update rate tracking algorithm is implemented for a phased array radar and evaluated with Monte Carlo simulations on various trajectories. The evaluation results of the proposed algorithm and a standard Kalman filter without the adaptive update rate control are presented to compare.