• 한국가시화정보학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.12a
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• pp.92-95
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• 2006

The global environment is deteriorating at an alarming rate despite of enhanced international environmental regulation. Many studies have been performed to reduce pollutants. Recently, phytoremediation, plant-based technology for the removal of toxic contaminants from soil, water, and air, has been receiving large attention. Arsenic-contaminated soil is one of the major pollutant sources fur drinking water. The fern brake (Pteris erotica) has been reported as a hyper-accumulate arsenic from soils. In this study, we investigated the arsenic absorption effect on sap flow inside xylem vessels of a fern brake. The synchrotron X-ray micro-imaging technique was employed to monitor flow inside the plant non-invasively. The captured phase-contrast X-ray images show both anatomy and transport of water inside the fern brake. The refilling process of water containing arsenic inside the xylem vessels of fern brake's leaves and stems was clearly observed. These results would provide important information needed fur understanding the mechanisms of accumulation, translocation, and transformation of toxic materials in plants.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.215-222
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• 2015

In this work, we performed a proof-of-concept experiment for phase-contrast x-ray imaging (PCXI) based on a single antiscatter grid and a polychromatic x-ray source. We established a table-top setup which consists of a focused-linear grid having a strip density of 200 lines/inch, a microfocus x-ray tube having a focal-spot size of about $5{\mu}m$, and a CMOS-type flat-panel detector having a pixel size of $48{\mu}m$. By using our prototype PCXI system and the Fourier demodulation technique, we successfully obtained attenuation, scattering, and differential phase-contrast images of improved visibility from the raw images of several selected samples at x-ray tube conditions of $90kV_p$ and 0.1 mAs. Further, fusion image (e.g., the attenuation+the scattering) may have an advantage in displaying details of the sample's structures that are not clearly visible in the conventional attenuation image. Our experimental results indicate that single-grid-based approach seems a useful method for PCXI with great simplicity and minimal requirements on the setup alignment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.937-946
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• 2020

The grating interferometer provides the differential phase contrast image of an phase object due to refraction of the wavefront by the object, and it needs to be converted to the phase contrast image. The line-integration process to obtain the phase contrast image from a differential phase contrast image accumulates noise and generate stripe artifacts. The stripe artifacts have noise and distortion increases to the integration direction in the line-integrated phase contrast image. In this study, we have configured and compared several machine learning methods to reduce the artifacts. The machine learning methods have been applied to simulated numerical phantoms as well as experimental data from the X-ray and neutron grating interferometer for comparison. As a result, the combination of the wavelet preprocessing and machine learning method (WCNN) has shown to be the most effective.

• Anatomy & Biological Anthropology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.133-142
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• 2018

3D histology is a imaging system for the 3D structural information of cells or tissues. The synchrotron radiation propagation phase contrast micro-CT has been used in 3D imaging methods. However, the simple phase contrast micro-CT did not give sufficient micro-structural information when the specimen contains soft elements, as is the case with many biomedical tissue samples. The purpose of this study is to develop a new technique to enhance the phase contrast effect for soft tissue imaging. Experiments were performed at the imaging beam lines of Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL). The biomedical tissue samples under frozen state was mounted on a computer-controlled precision stage and rotated in $0.18^{\circ}$ increments through $180^{\circ}$. An X-ray shadow of a specimen was converted into a visual image on the surface of a CdWO4 scintillator that was magnified using a microscopic objective lens(X5 or X20) before being captured with a digital CCD camera. 3-dimensional volume images of the specimen were obtained by applying a filtered back-projection algorithm to the projection images using a software package OCTOPUS. Surface reconstruction and volume segmentation and rendering were performed were performed using Amira software. In this study, We found that synchrotron phase contrast imaging of frozen tissue samples has higher contrast power for soft tissue than that of non-frozen samples. In conclusion, synchrotron radiation propagation phase contrast cryo-microCT imaging offers a promising tool for non-destructive high resolution 3D histology.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.32-34
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• 2002

Over the past two decades there has been a tremendous growth in the number of synchrotron radiation facilities in the world and also in Japan. The high flux and brightness radiation which derive from the third generation low emittance rings provide an ideal source for many applications in the medical sciences. The application of synchrotron radiation to medical imaging started in the early 80's in U.S.A, followed by European countries such as Germany and Russia. In Japan, researchs on intravenous coronary angiography started in 1884 at the Institute for High Energy Phisics(KEK) in Tsukuba. At present, it is the only application of syncrotron radiation which is at the stage of human study. In '90s, newer techniques such as phase and refraction contrast imaging appeared which are at the in vitro or animal study stage. Various types of x-ray CT have also been developed for three-dimensional imaging of the subjects. The present status of medical applications of synchrotron radiation in Japan is reviewed.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2001

Synchrotron radiation (SR) has several advantages over convetional x-rays, including its phase, collimation, and high flux. A synchrotron radiation beamline 5C1 at Pohang Light Source (PLS) was recently built for imaging applications. We have shown that a SR imaging system is useful in imaging microscopic structures. SR with broad-band energy spectrum were adjusted to an object by Si wafers and their energy were approximately ranging from 6 keV to 30 keV. SR were passed through an object and finally transformed into visible lights by CdWO$_4$ scintillator screen. The visible lights which were reflected at an angle of 90 degrees by gold plated mirror were detected by a CCD camera and the image data were acquired using image acquisition system. A high-resolution phantom, capacitor, adult tooth, child tooth, cancerous breast tissue, and mouse lumbar vertebra were imaged with SR imaging system. The Objects were rotated within the field of view of the CCD detector, and their projection image data were obtained at 250 steps over 180 degrees rotation. Image reconstructions were carried out in a PC by using IDLTM(Research systems, Inc., US) program. The spatial resolution of the images acquired by the SR imaging system was measured with a high-resolution chart manufactured for several micrometer resolution. The specimens were also imaged with conventional x-ray radiography system to compare the image quality of radiography obtained with the SR imaging system. The results showed more structural details and high contrast images with SR imaging system than conventional x-ray radiography system. The SR imaging system may have a potential for imaging in biological researches, material applications, and clinical radiography.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.7
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• pp.571-578
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• 2017

Bubbles are generated by the boiling of the cooling water when an accident occurs in the reactor and then in order to measure the void fraction, the Optical Fiber Probe(OFP) and optical camera are used in thermal hydraulic safety research. However, such an optical method is not suitable for measuring the void fraction in a $17{\times}17$ array of fuel rods due to the geometrical limitations. This study was conducted as a preliminary study using x-ray system and various phantoms before applying to rod bundles. Through radiographic and tomographic experiments, the tube voltage of the x-ray generator was 130 kVp and the tube current was 1 mA. In addition, it is possible to measure the hole of 1mm in size visually through the bubble resolution phantom, and it is confirmed that the contrast is relatively decreased in the inside of the freon in the case of the contrast evaluation using the road phantom. However, we could obtain good image without distortion when reconstructing the image. Bubble generation phantom experiments were used to confirm the flow direction of the bubbles and to acquire tomography images. The image J tool was used to measure the void fraction of 18 % for a single tomography image. This study has carried out previous researches for the measurement of the bubble rate around the nuclear fuel and could be used as a basic research for continuous research.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2016

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Nps), composed of magnetite, $Fe_3O_4$, or maghemite, ${\gamma}-Fe_2O_3$, core and biocompatible polymer shell, such as dextran or chitozan, have recently found wide applications in magnetic resonance imaging, contrast enhancement and hyperthermia therapy. For different diagnostic and therapeutic applications, current attempt is focusing on the synthesis and biomedical applications of various ferrite Nps, such as $CoFe_2O_4$ and $MnFe_2O_4$, differing from iron oxide Nps in charge, surface chemistry and magnetic properties. This study is focused on the synthesis of manganese ferrite, $MnFe_2O_4$, Nps by most commonly used chemical way pursuing better control of their size, purity and magnetic properties. Co-precipitation syntheses were performed using aqueous alkaline solutions of Mn(II) and Fe(III) salts and NaOH within a wide pH range using various hydrothermal treatment regimes. Different additives, such as citric acid, cysteine, glicine, polyetylene glycol, triethanolamine, chitosan, etc., were tested on purpose to obtain good yield of pure phase and monodispersed Nps with average size of ${\leq}20nm$. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), $M\ddot{o}ssbauer$ spectroscopy down to cryogenic temperatures, magnetic measurements and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were employed in this study.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.188-195
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• 2020

To meet stringent emission regulations of automotive engines, fuel injection control techniques have advanced based on reliable and fast computing prediction models. This study aims to develop a reliable lightweight prediction model of fuel injection rates using a small number of input parameters and based on simple fluid dynamic theories. The prediction model uses the geometry of the injector nozzle, needle motion data, injection conditions and the fuel properties. A commercial diesel injector and US No. 2 diesel were used as the test injector and fuel, respectively. The needle motion data were measured using X-ray phase-contrast imaging technique under various fuel injection pressures and injection pulse durations. The actual injector rate profiles were measured using an injection rate meter for the validation of the model prediction results. In the case of long injection durations with the steady-state operation, the model prediction results showed over 99 % consistency with the measurement results. However, in the case of short injection cases with the transient operation, the prediction model overestimated the injection rate that needs to be further improved.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.213-232
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• 2009

This document was prepared to review and summarize the analytical methods for airborne and bulk asbestos. Basic principles, shortcomings and advantages for asbestos analytical instruments using phase contrast microscopy(PCM), polarized light microscopy(PLM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) were reviewed. Both PCM and PLM are principal instrument for airborne and bulk asbestos analysis, respectively. If needed, analytical electron microscopy is employed to confirm asbestos identification. PCM is used originally for workplace airborne asbestos fiber and its application has been expanded to measure airborne fiber. Shortcoming of PCM is that it cannot differentiate true asbestos from non asbestos fiber form and its low resolution limit ($0.2{\sim}0.25{\mu}m$). The measurement of airborne asbestos fiber can be performed by EPA's Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) method, World Health Organization (WHO) method, International Standard Organization (ISO) 10312 method, Japan's Environmental Asbestos Monitoring method, and Standard method of Indoor Air Quality of Korea. The measurement of airborne asbestos fiber in workplace can be performed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 7400 method, NIOSH 7402 method, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ID-160 method, UK's Health and Safety Executive(HSE) Methods for the determination of hazardous substances (MDHS) 39/4 method and Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) CODE-A-1-2004 method of Korea. To analyze the bulk asbestos, stereo microscope (SM) and PLM is required by EPA -600/R-93/116 method. Most bulk asbestos can be identified by SM and PLM but one limitation of PLM is that it can not see very thin fiber (i.e., < $0.25{\mu}m$). Bulk asbestos analytical methods, including EPA-600/M4-82-020, EPA-600/R-93/116, OSHA ID-191, Laboratory approval program of New York were reviewed. Also, analytical methods for asbestos in soil, dust, water were briefly discussed. Analytical electron microscope, a transmission electron microscope equipped with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy dispersive X-ray analyser(EDXA), has been known to be better to identify asbestiform than scanning electron microscope(SEM). Though there is no standard SEM procedures, SEM is known to be more suitable to analyze long, thin fiber and more cost-effective. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) imaging protocol was developed to identify asbestos fiber. Although many asbestos analytical methods are available, there is no method that can be applied to all type of samples. In order to detect asbestos with confidence, all advantages and disadvantages of each instrument and method for given sample should be considered.