• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2013

A series of birnessite was synthesized at 25, 40, 60, and $80^{\circ}C$, respectively. Intensities of XRD and the ratio of signal to noise of the peaks for samples increases with increasing temperature up to $60^{\circ}C$, whereas the intensity and ratio for a sample synthesized at $80^{\circ}C$ decrease, showing that crystallinity of the birnessite synthesized at $60^{\circ}C$ is better than that of the synthesized at $80^{\circ}C$. However, BET surface areas for these two samples show that the surface area increases 39.4 to 89.7 $m^2/g$ with increasing synthesizing temperature from 60 up to $80^{\circ}C$, indicating that a small surface area is shown in a well-crystallized birnessite rather than that of a poorly crystallized birnessite. SEM images show that morphologies for samples are seriously influenced by temperature. The morphology of the synthesized at 25 shows a round-shape, while a plate-like morphology is shown in the synthesized birnessite at $80^{\circ}C$. In addition, a porous layered structure is also shown in the synthesized birnessite at $80^{\circ}C$. These results suggest that physicochemical properties of the synthesized birnessite are sensitively affected by mechanical changes of parameters such as temperature during the synthesization.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.431-437
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• 2015

This convergence study analyzed the effectiveness of contrast agent reduction by normal saline solution dilution in the computed tomography of arteries of lower limb. 48 patients of 125 cc contrast agent and 30 patients of the same amount divided at a ratio of 7:3 for the contrast agent and normal saline solution were studied. The average attenuation coefficient(HU) and signal to noise ratio(SNR) of abdominal aorta, femoral artery, popliteal artery and posterior tibial artery at each image were evaluated quantitatively and the four criteria in the five point scale was conducted qualitatively by two radiologists and four radiological technologists. In the quantitative evaluation, both HU and SNR had high average score before dilation but there were no statistical significance by independent t-test(p>0.05). In the qualitative evaluation, there were a little differences in the average scores between 4.86~4.77 of original contrast agent and 4.83~4.67 of dilated contrast agent but there were no statistical significance(p>0.05). In the computed tomography of arteries of lower limb, the dilated contrast agent doesn't influence image quality and reduces overall contrast agent and lowers iodine content per unit of molecular therefore will contribute to decrease side effect of contrast agent.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.223-235
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• 2002

Since weak Bones or geological lineaments are likely to be eroded, there may develop weak Bones beneath rivers, and a careful evaluation of ground condition is important to construct structures passing through a river. DC resistivity method, however, has seldomly applied to the investigation of water-covered area, possibly because of difficulties in data aquisition and interpretation. The data aquisition having high quality may be the most important factor, and is more difficult than that in land survey, due to the water layer overlying the underground structure to be imaged. Through the numerical modeling and the analysis of a case history, we studied the method of resistivity survey at the water-covered area, starting from the characteristics of measured data, via data acquisition method, to the interpretation method. We unfolded our discussion according to the installed locations of electrodes, ie., floating them on the water surface, and installing them at the water bottom, because the methods of data acquisition and interpretation vary depending on the electrode location. Through this study, we could confirm that the DC resistivity method can provide fairly reasonable subsurface images. It was also shown that installing electrodes at the water bottom can give the subsurface image with much higher resolution than floating them on the water surface. Since the data acquired at the water-covered area have much lower sensitivity to the underground structure than those at the land, and can be contaminated by the higher noise, such as streaming potential, it would be very important to select the acquisition method and electrode array being able to provide the higher signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) data as well as the high resolving power. Some of the modified electrode arrays can provide the data having reasonably high S/N ratio and need not to install remote electrode(s), and thus, they may be suitable to the resistivity survey at the water-covered area.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.110-122
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• 2013

Purpose : To compare the image quality and ligament traceability in ankle images obtained using Volume Isotropic Turbo Spin Echo Acquisition (VISTA) MRI with and without fat suppression. Materials and Methods: The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) in images from a phantom and from the ankle of a volunteer were compared. Ten ankles from 10 non-symptomatic volunteers were imaged for comparisons of contrast ratio (CR) and ligament traceability. All examinations were performed using VISTA sequences with and without fat suppression on a 3T MRI scanner. The SNRs were obtained from images with subjects and without subjects (noise-only). Contrast ratios from images of the 10 ankles were acquired between fluid and tendon (F-T), F-cartilage (C), F-ligament (L), fat (f)-T, f-C and f-L. Two musculoskeletal radiologists independently scored the traceability of 7 ligaments, in sagittal, axial and coronal images respectively, based on a 4-point scale (1 as not traceable through 4 as clearly traceable). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the CR. Fisher's exact test and Pearson's chi-squared test were used to compare the ligament traceability. Results: The SNRs did not differ significantly between the two sequences except in bone marrow. VISTA SPAIR showed the higher CR only in F-T (p = 0.04), whereas VISTA showed higher CR in f-T (p = 0.005), f-C (p = 0.005) and f-L (p = 0.005). The calcaneofibular ligament traceability with VISTA was superior to that obtained with VISTA SPAIR (p < 0.05) in all planes. Conclusion: VISTA showed significant superiority to VISTA SPAIR in tracing CFL due to the superior CR between fat and ligament.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.669-675
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the difference of X-ray exposure by comparing and analyzing entrance surface dose and absorbed dose according to the frame change in coronary angiography using an X-ray machine. Moreover, appropriate frame selection measures for examination, including the effect of frame change on the image quality, were sought by measuring and analyzing the SNR and CNR of the image through image J. The study was conducted on 30 patients (19 males and 11 females) who underwent CAG at this hospital from June 2017 to October 2017. In regard to the patients, their age range was 49-82 years (mean of $65{\pm}9$ years), body weight was 45-91 kg (mean of $67{\pm}8.9kg$), height was 150-179cm (mean of $165.1{\pm}8.9kg$), and BMI was 19.5-30.5(mean of $24.5{\pm}2.9$). For the entrance surface dose and absorbed dose, air kerma value and DAP were obtained and analyzed retrospectively. The SNR and CNR were measured and analyzed through imageJ, and the result values were derived by applying the values to the formula. As for the statistical analyses, the correlations between the entrance surface dose and absorbed dose, and between the SNR and CNR were analyzed by using the SPSS statistical program. The relationship between the entrance surface dose and absorbed dose was not statistically significant for both 10 f/s and 15 f/s (p>0.05). In terms of the relationship between the SNR and CNR, the SNR ($3.374{\pm}2.1297$) and CNR ($0.234{\pm}0.2249$) in 10 f/s were $1.43{\pm}0.4861$ and $0.132{\pm}0.0555$ lower, respectively, than the SNR ($4.929{\pm}2.8532$) and CNR ($0.391{\pm}0.3025$) in 15 f/s, which were not statistically significant (p>0.05). In the correlation analysis, statistically significant results were obtained among the BMI, air kerma, and DAP; between air kerma and DAP; and between SNR and CNR (p<0.001, p<0.001). In conclusion, there was no significant difference between the entrance surface dose and absorbed dose even when the images were taken by changing the frame from 10 f/s to 15 f/s at the time of the coronary angiography. SNR and CNR increased at 15 f/s than at 10 f/s, but they were not statistically significant. Therefore, this study suggests that the concern of the patient and practitioner regarding image quality degradation, as well as the problem of X-ray exposure caused by imaging at 10 f/s and 15 f/s, may be reduced.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2011

Purpose : To compare free-breathing and respiratory-triggered diffusion-weighted imaging on 1.5-T MR system in the detection of hepatic lesions. Materials and Methods: This single-institution study was approved by our institutional review board. Forty-seven patients (mean 57.9 year; M:F = 25:22) underwent hepatic MR imaging on 1.5-T MR system using both free-breathing and respiratory-triggered diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at a single examination. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed respiratory-triggered and free-breathing sets (B50, B400, B800 diffusion weighted images and ADC map) in random order with a time interval of 2 weeks. Liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR of DWI were calculated measuring ROI. Results : Total of 62 lesions (53 benign, 9 malignant) that included 32 cysts, 13 hemangiomas, 7 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 5 eosinophilic infiltration, 2 metastases, 1 eosinophilic abscess, focal nodular hyperplasia, and pseudolipoma of Glisson's capsule were reviewed by two reviewers. Though not reaching statistical significance, the overall lesion sensitivities were increased in respiratory-triggered DWI [reviewer1: reviewer2, 47/62(75.81%):45/62(72.58%)] than free-breathing DWI [44/62(70.97%):41/62(66.13%)]. Especially for smaller than 1 cm hepatic lesions, sensitivity of respiratory-triggered DWI [24/30(80%):21/30(70%)] was superior to free-breathing DWI [17/30(56.7%):15/30(50%)]. The diagnostic accuracy measuring the area under the ROC curve (Az value) of free-breathing and respiratory-triggered DWI was not statistically different. Liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR of respiratory-triggered DWI ($87.6{\pm}41.4$, $41.2{\pm}62.5$) were higher than free-breathing DWI ($38.8:{\pm}13.6$, $24.8{\pm}36.8$) (p value < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Respiratory-triggered diffusion-weighted MR imaging seemed to be better than free-breathing diffusion-weighted MR imaging on 1.5-T MR system for the detection of smaller than 1 cm lesions by providing high SNR and CNR.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of study was to evaluate radiation dose for pediatric patients by changing tube voltage (kVp) and tube current (mA) at minimum conditions. By evaluating radiation dose, we want to provide dose reduction for pediatric patients and maintain good quality of SPECT/CT images. Materials and Methods: Discovery NM/CT 670 Scanne was used as SPECT/CT. Tube voltages are 80 and 100 kvP. Tube currents are 10, 15, 20, 25 mA. Using PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) Phantom, radiation dose which were calculated at center and peripheral dose and SNRD (Signal to Noise Ratio Dose) were evaluated. Using the CT performance phantom, spatial resolution was evaluated as the MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) graph. Jaszczak phantom was used for SPECT image evaluation by CNR (Contrast to Noise to Ratio). Results: Radiation dose using the PMMA phantom was higher peripheral dose than center dose about 7%. SNRD were 7.8, 8.2, 8.3, 8.8, 8.8, 9.9, 9.8, 9.6 for 80 kVp 10, 15, 20, 25 mA, 100 kVp 10, 15, 20, 25 mA. We can distinguish 35, 45, 70, 71, 52, 58, 90, 110 linepair for 80 kVp 10, 15, 20, 25 mA, 100 kVp 10, 15, 20, 25 mA at resolution with MTF. CNR of SPECT images using CT attenuation map were 57.8, 57.7, 57.1, 56.7, 56.6, 56.7, 56.7, 56.7% for 80 kVp 10, 15, 20, 25 mA, 100 kVp 10, 15, 20, 25 mA. Conclusion: In this study, radiation dose for pediatric patients showed decreased low dose condition. And SNRD value was similar in all condition. Resolution showed higher value at 100kVp than 80kVp. for CNR, there was no significant difference. we should take additional study to prove better quality and dose reduction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.927-933
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the differences in scan time, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in the third lumbar vertebral region including the back fat, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid using the mDixon, T2 TSE, and T2 spectral pre-saturation with inversion-recovery (SPIR) techniques. With the factors affecting the SNR fixed, the lumbar sagittal plane images of 30 adults were compared on mDixon, T2 TSE, and T2 SPIR imaging tests. The test times for mDixon, T2 TSE, and T2 SPIR were 115 seconds, 60 seconds, and 60 seconds, respectively. The mDixon T2 images showed higher SNR than the T2 TSE images at the third lumbar vertebral region (p<0.05), lower SNR in the back fat and cerebrospinal fluid (p<0.05) areas, and comparable SNR in the spinal cord (p>0.05). The CNR between the third lumbar vertebral area and back fat was higher in the mDixon T2 images, and the CNR of the cerebrospinal fluid and spinal cord images was higher in the T2 TSE images (p<0.05). The mDixon T2 FS images CNR was lower for the 3rd lumbar vertebral body region and back fat than the T2 SPIR images, and higher for the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid images (p<0.05). The CNR between the third lumbar body and back fat areas was higher in the mDixon T2 FS images (p<0.05), and there was no difference in the CNR in the images of the cerebrospinal fluid and the spinal cord (p>0.05). It is difficult to determine whether the mDixon technique is superior to the conventional T2 TSE and T2 SPIR techniques in terms of test time, SNR, and CNR. This study was confined to patients with simple lower back pain and was limited by controlled experimental conditions. Studies using clinically applied protocols are warranted in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.613-621
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of supportive devices which are for minimizing the patient's movement during lower extremity angiography and to verify image quality of phantom by analyzing of Mask image, DSA image and Roadmap image into SNR and CNR. As a result of comparing SNR with CNR of mask image obtained by DSA technique using the phantom alone and phantom placed on the supportive devices, there was no significant difference between about 0~0.06 for SNR and about 0~0.003 for CNR. The study showed about 0.11~0.35 for SNR and 0.016~0.031 for CNR of DSA imaging by DSA technique about only water phantom of the blood vessel model and the water phantom placed on the device. Analyzing SNR and CNR of Roadmap technique about water phantom on the auxiliary device (hardboard paper, pomax, polycarbonate, acrylic) and water phantom alone, there was no significant difference between 0.02~0.05 for SNR and 0.002~0.004 for CNR. In conclusion, there was no significant difference on image quality by using supportive devices made by hardboard paper, pomax, polycarbonate or acryl regardless of whether using supportive devices or not. Supportive devices to minimize of the patient's movement may reduce the total amount of contrast, exam-time, radiation exposure and eliminate risk factors during angiogram. Supportive devices made by hardboard paper can be applied easily during angiogram due to advantages of reasonable price and simple processing. It is considered that will be useful to consider cost efficiency and types of materials and their properties in accordance with purpose and method of the study when the operator makes and uses supportive devices.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.725-733
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual grid software (VGS). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in energy and object thickness by dividing the use of VGS into two cases (Without-VGS) without using a movable grid. We attempted to determine the effectiveness of VGS by acquiring images using a chest phantom and a thigh phantom and analyzing SNR and CNR. In the chest phantom and femoral phantom, the tube flow was fixed at 2.5 mAs, and the tube voltage was changed by 10 kVp from 60 to 100 kVp to measure SNR and CNR, and SNR was about 1.09 to 8.86% higher in the chest phantom than in Without-VGS, and CNR was 4.18 to 14.56% higher in the VGS than in Without-VGS. And in the femoral phantom, SNR was about 9.78 to 18.05% higher in VGS than in Without-VGS, and CNR was 21.07 to 44.44% higher in VGS than in Without-VGS. The tube voltage was fixed at 70 kVp in the chest phantom and the femoral phantom, and the amount of tube current was changed at 2.5 to 16 mAs, respectively, and after X-ray irradiation, SNR and CNR were measured in the chest phantom, which was about 1.49 to 11.11% higher in VGS than in Without-VGS, and CNR was 4.76 to 13.40% higher in VGS than in Without-VGS. And in the femoral phantom, SNR was about 2.22 to 17.38% higher in VGS than in Without-VGS, and CNR was 13.85 to 40.46% higher in VGS than in Without-VGS. Therefore, if an inspection is required with a mobile X-ray imaging device, it is believed that good image quality can be obtained by using VGS in an environment where it is difficult to use a mobile grid, and it is believed that the use of mobile X-ray devices can be increased.