• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2014

A depth map is an important component for stereoscopic image generation. Since the depth map acquired from a depth camera has a low resolution, upsamling a low-resolution depth map to a high-resolution one has been studied past decades. Upsampling methods are evaluated by objective evaluation tools such as PSNR, Sharpness Degree, Blur Metric. As well, the subjective quality is compared using virtual views generated by DIBR (depth image based rendering). However, works on the analysis of the relation between depth map upsampling and stereoscopic images are relatively few. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between subjective evaluation of stereoscopic images and objective performance of upsampling methods using cross correlation and linear regression. Experimental results demonstrate that the correlation of edge PSNR and visual fatigue is the highest and the blur metric has lowest correlation. Further, from the linear regression, we found relative weights of objective measurements. Further we introduce a formulae that can estimate 3D performance of conventional or new upsampling methods.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.387-413
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• 1998

Image resampling is of particular interest in digital radiology. When resampling an image to a new set of coordinate, there appears blocking artifacts and image changes. To enhance image quality, interpolation algorithms have been used. Resampling is used to increase the number of points in an image to improve its appearance for display. The process of interpolation is fitting a continuous function to the discrete points in the digital image. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the seven interpolation functions when image resampling in digital periapical images. The images were obtained by Digora, CDR and scanning of Ektaspeed plus periapical radiograms on the dry skull and human subject. The subjects were exposed to intraoral X-ray machine at 60kVp and 70 kVp with exposure time varying between 0.01 and 0.50 second. To determine which interpolation method would provide the better image, seven functions were compared; (1) nearest neighbor (2) linear (3) non-linear (4) facet model (5) cubic convolution (6) cubic spline (7) gray segment expansion. And resampled images were compared in terms of SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio) and MTF(Modulation Transfer Function) coefficient value. The obtained results were as follows ; 1. The highest SNR value(75.96dB) was obtained with cubic convolution method and the lowest SNR value(72.44dB) was obtained with facet model method among seven interpolation methods. 2. There were significant differences of SNR values among CDR, Digora and film scan(P<0.05). 3. There were significant differences of SNR values between 60kVp and 70kVp in seven interpolation methods. There were significant differences of SNR values between facet model method and those of the other methods at 60kVp(P<0.05), but there were not significant differences of SNR values among seven interpolation methods at 70kVp(P>0.05). 4. There were significant differences of MTF coefficient values between linear interpolation method and the other six interpolation methods (P< 0.05). 5. The speed of computation time was the fastest with nearest -neighbor method and the slowest with non-linear method. 6. The better image was obtained with cubic convolution, cubic spline and gray segment method in ROC analysis. 7. The better sharpness of edge was obtained with gray segment expansion method among seven interpolation methods.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

For the resistance spot welds of CR1180 and GA1180 TRIP steels, the weld quality evaluation method using the digitalized X-ray transmission imaging apparatus was investigated in comparison with the crosssectional examination method. In the case of the resistance spot welding of CR1180, three circular regions, such as WZ(white zone), GZ(grey zone) and DZ(dark zone), appeared on X-ray image and they corresponded to the diameters of indentation mark, nugget and corona bond, respectively. The variation of X-ray transmission thickness due to the thickness variation of the weld seemed to be mainly responsible for the formation of those contrasts. The X-ray image contrast formed from the variation of transmission thickness at the outer border line of DZ could also enable the inspections of the notch shape, nonuniformity of the welding pressure and spatter from its sharpness, concentricity and the normal straight line, respectively. The X-ray image of the resistance spot weld of galvannealed GA1180 TRIP steel was very similar to that of CR1180 TRIP steel except the crown shaped outer border line of DZ which was considered to be due to the melting behavior of zinc having the boiling temperature even lower than the melting temperature of steel.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.329-336
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• 2022

Unreadable Khitan scripts of ancient documents written by indian ink on parchment(sheepskin) are visualized by active infrared thermography without contacting and damaging the document which are deteriorated and aged presumably over many years. Sinusoidal infrared thermal wave using Halogen lamp is applied to the surface of the document in order to selectively magnify and record the thermal response of indian ink. The infrared image of the document captured in real time by infrared camera under the active external excitation shows the better sharpness and readability of Khitan characters than the optical image, from which many Khitan letters like ' ' and ' ' sounding as 'd' and 'ri' in English alphabet are detected and deciphered. It is concluded from the experiment that the active infrared thermography can be used as a promising method for digital reconstruction and preservation of ancient documents in the future.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.49-57
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• 2012

This paper presents a fast multiple-image-based deblurring method that decreases the computation loads in the image deblurring, enhancing the sharpness of the textures or edges of the restored images. First, two blurred images with some blurring artifacts and one noisy image including severe noises are consecutively captured under a relatively long and short exposures, respectively. To improve the processing speeds, the captured multiple images are downsampled at the ratio of two, and then a way of estimating the point spread function(PSF) based on the image or edge patches extracted from the whole images, is introduced. The method enables to effectively reduce the computation time taken in the PSF prediction. Next, the texture-enhanced image deblurring method of supplementing the ability of the texture representation degraded by the downsampling of the input images, is developed and then applied. Finally, to get the same image size as the original input images, an upsampling method of utilizing the sharp edges of the captured noisy image is applied. By using the proposed method, the processing times taken in the image deblurring, which is the main obstacle of its application to the digital cameras, can be shortened, while recovering the fine details of the textures or edge components.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1165-1177
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• 2020

Objective: To assess the feasibility of applying a deep learning-based denoising technique to coronary CT angiography (CCTA) along with iterative reconstruction for additional noise reduction. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 82 consecutive patients (male:female = 60:22; mean age, 67.0 ± 10.8 years) who had undergone both CCTA and invasive coronary artery angiography from March 2017 to June 2018. All included patients underwent CCTA with iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE level 3, Siemens Healthineers). We developed a deep learning based denoising technique (ClariCT.AI, ClariPI), which was based on a modified U-net type convolutional neural net model designed to predict the possible occurrence of low-dose noise in the originals. Denoised images were obtained by subtracting the predicted noise from the originals. Image noise, CT attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were objectively calculated. The edge rise distance (ERD) was measured as an indicator of image sharpness. Two blinded readers subjectively graded the image quality using a 5-point scale. Diagnostic performance of the CCTA was evaluated based on the presence or absence of significant stenosis (≥ 50% lumen reduction). Results: Objective image qualities (original vs. denoised: image noise, 67.22 ± 25.74 vs. 52.64 ± 27.40; SNR [left main], 21.91 ± 6.38 vs. 30.35 ± 10.46; CNR [left main], 23.24 ± 6.52 vs. 31.93 ± 10.72; all p < 0.001) and subjective image quality (2.45 ± 0.62 vs. 3.65 ± 0.60, p < 0.001) improved significantly in the denoised images. The average ERDs of the denoised images were significantly smaller than those of originals (0.98 ± 0.08 vs. 0.09 ± 0.08, p < 0.001). With regard to diagnostic accuracy, no significant differences were observed among paired comparisons. Conclusion: Application of the deep learning technique along with iterative reconstruction can enhance the noise reduction performance with a significant improvement in objective and subjective image qualities of CCTA images.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.395-401
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• 2016

Upper gastrointestinal series is a diagnostic test that X-ray passes through the stomach after administering contrast media such as barium or gastrografin. Upper gastrointestinal series with an advantage of no side effect except temporary constipation or abdominal pain has been widely used to diagnose diseases of the gastrointestinal system. However, image degradation and diagnostic accuracy frequently occurred when improper movement and breath control were carried out by lack of understanding the overall inspection process for the upper gastrointestinal series. The movie of the upper gastrointestinal series was made for improving inspection accuracy and image quality. The examinees encouraged to see the movie for waiting time before doing upper gastrointestinal series. In this study, image quality and diagnostic accuracy was examined for the effect of the movie about upper gastrointestinal series. 60 patients composed of each 10 people from 30s to 80s were selected randomly among both 2,940 examinees in 2014 and 3,076 examinees in 2015. Image quality was evaluated by the full width at half maximum of profile for each image using the Image J. The measurement of the full width at half maximum showed 0.208 mm and 0.133 mm for after and before seeing the movie. Thus it was verified that the movie education could improve the image quality and diagnostic accuracy for upper gastrointestinal series.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.319-325
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• 2022

The Study In order to obtain a sharpness Image from Skull PA axial projection (Haas) in a head axial X-ray Examination, this study changed the posture angle using Skull Phantom and evaluated the image subjectively to 5 radiologists who worked in the Department of Imaging at University Hospital. In the prone position, the head was lowered 4 cm from the back of the head, entered 25° toward the head, and the image evaluation score was high with 20 points, such as the back bone, dorsum sellae projected in the large hole, and posterior clinoid process. In addition, the score significance was verified, and the Cronbach Alpha value was evaluated to have good reliability of 0.789. As a result of calculating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by setting the region of interest (ROI) of the image, it was the highest at 5.957 for 25° incident at the back of the head and 6.430 for 30° incident at the back of the head. As a result of the study, in order to obtain a sharp image of the back of the head bone, dorsum sellae, and posterior clinoid process when shooting in the axial direction after the head, it is filmed by tilting 25° toward the head from 4 cm below the back of the head. In order to obtain a sharp image of rock pyramid symmetry, petrous ridge, sagittal suture, and lambdoid suture, it is thought that it will be helpful for clinical use if you shoot it 8cm down from the back of the head and tilt it 30° toward the head.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

In this work, we considered a compressed-sensing (CS)-based image deblurring scheme with a total-variation (TV) regularization penalty for improving image characteristics in digital tomosynthesis (DTS). We implemented the proposed image deblurring algorithm and performed a systematic simulation to demonstrate its viability. We also performed an experiment by using a table-top setup which consists of an x-ray tube operated at $90kV_p$, 6 mAs and a CMOS-type flat-panel detector having a $198-{\mu}m$ pixel resolution. In the both simulation and experiment, 51 projection images were taken with a tomographic angle range of ${\theta}=60^{\circ}$ and an angle step of ${\Delta}{\theta}=1.2^{\circ}$ and then deblurred by using the proposed deblurring algorithm before performing the common filtered-backprojection (FBP)-based DTS reconstruction. According to our results, the image sharpness of the recovered x-ray images and the reconstructed DTS images were significantly improved and the cross-plane spatial resolution in DTS was also improved by a factor of about 1.4. Thus the proposed deblurring scheme appears to be effective for the blurring problems in both conventional radiography and DTS and is applicable to improve the present image characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 1999

Machinability of three Korean domestic bamboo species, Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel, Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis Stapf. and Phyllostachys bambusoides S. et Z., was studied to investigate the possibility of utilization of Korean domestic bamboo species as raw material for industry. Splitting force reached a maximum within the first inch of knife travel and diminished thereafter. Parallel-sided wedge-type knife with sharpness angle of 15 degree required the lowest maximum splitting force. Roughnesses of surfaces developed during planing and sawing of bamboo were lower than those of Pinus radiata D. Don and quality of ripped surface was better than that of cross-cut surface on bamboo. 62.5 hours were required to dry 12mm-thick Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel from moisture content of 60% to moisture content of 10% at $70^{\circ}C$.