• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1640-1649
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• 2021

Objective: Flattening in the anteroposterior direction (AP flattening) of the terminal ileum (TI) or sigmoid colon (SC) lying across the psoas muscle, on magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), might mimic bowel inflammation in the coronal view. This study investigated the prevalence of AP flattening and the factors associated with its development. Materials and Methods: A total of 364 surgery-naïve patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who had undergone MRE were retrospectively reviewed. AP flattening was defined as a luminal collapse in the anteroposterior direction, with a bowel width in the axial plane < 1/4 of the normal diameter without reduction of bowel width in coronal images. The prevalence of AP flattening of the TI and SC on MRE in patients with bowel segments lying across the psoas muscle was determined. We further compared the rate of AP flattening between MRE and computed tomography enterography (CTE) in a subcohort of patients with prior CTE. The factors associated with AP flattening were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression in a subcohort of patients with endoscopic findings of TI. Results: Three hundred and twenty-two and 363 patients, respectively, had TI and SC lying across the psoas muscle. The prevalence of AP flattening on MRE was 7.5% (24/322) in TI and 5.2% (19/363) in SC. The prevalences were significantly higher on MRE than on CTE in both the TI (7.3% [12/164] vs. 0.6% [1/164]; p = 0.003) and SC (5.8% [11/190] vs. 1.6% [3/190]; p = 0.039). AP flattening of the TI was independently and strongly associated with the absence of CD inflammation on endoscopy, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.066 (p = 0.003) for the presence versus the absence (reference) of inflammation. Conclusion: AP flattening of the TI or SC lying across the psoas muscle was uncommon and predominantly observed on MRE of the bowel without CD inflammation.

• 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 radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2009

Purpose : This study was performed not only to compare the brain activation regions associated with sexual arousal induced by visual stimulation and SP6 acupuncture, but also to evaluate its differential neuro-anatomical mechanism in healthy women using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 3 Tesla (T). Subjects and methods : A total of 21 healthy right-handed female volunteers (mean age 22 years, range 19 to 32) underwent fMRI on a 3T MR scanner. The stimulation paradigm for sexual arousal consisted of two alternating periods of rest and activation. It began with a 1-minute rest period, 3 minutes of stimulation with either of an erotic video film or SP6 acupuncture, followed by 1-minute rest. In addition, a comparative study on the brain activation patterns between an acupoint and a shampoint nearby GB37 was performed. The fMRI data were obtained from 20 slices parallel to the AC-PC line on an axial plane, giving a total of 2,000 images. The mean activation maps were constructed and analyzed by using the statistical parametric mapping (SPM99) software. Results : As comparison with the shampoint, the acupoint showed 5 times and 2 times higher activities in the neocortex and limbic system, respectively. Note that brain activation in response to stimulation with the shampoint was not observed in the regions including the HTHL in the diencephalon, GLO and AMYG in the basal ganglia, and SMG in the parietal lobe. In the comparative study of visual stimulation vs. SP6 acupuncture, the mean activation ratio of stimulus was not significantly different to each other in both the neocortex and the limbic system (p < 0.05). The mean activities induced by both stimuli were not significantly different in the neocortex, whereas the acupunctural stimulation showed higher activity in the limbic system (p < 0.05). Conclusions : This study compared the differential brain activation patterns and the neural mechanisms for sexual arousal, which were induced by visual stimulation and SP6 acupuncture by using 3T fMRI. These findings will be useful to understand the theory of traditional acupuncture and acupoint channel in scientific point of view.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate coracohumeral distance (CHD) in patients with or without subcoracoid impingement with hypothesis that patients with subcoracoid impingement would have narrower CHD. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty-four patients with subacromial impingement were evaluated. The subjects with subcoracoid impingement which was affirmed clinically and confirmed by ultrasound guided subcoracoid injection (n=28) was compared with patients with subacromial impingement only (n=96). Patients with stiffness and rotator cuff tear were excluded. Absolute CHD was measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) axial images and on ultrasound with the humerus in neutral position and internal rotation. Also relative ratio of distance difference (RRDD) defined as the difference of CHD in neutral position and internal rotation compared with absolute CHD in neutral on ultrasound was also measured. Results: The distance measured in neutral position was similar between US imaging and MRI (p>0.05) and both measurements did not have significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). On ultrasound, the difference in CHD in internal rotation between the two groups nearly met the level of significance (p=0.07). No significant difference of CHD difference in two humeral positions was seen between the two groups. However, RRDD value was significantly greater in subcoracoid impingement group (p<0.05). Conclusion: No significant difference of CHD was seen between the subcoracoid impingement group and the control group. RRDD value was greater in subcoracoid impingement group suggesting that individualized coracohumeral distance in internal rotation should be taken into account when assessing patients with subcoracoid impingement.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate beam delivery accuracy for small sized lung SBRT through experiment. In order to assess the accuracy, Eclipse TPS(Treatment planning system) equipped Acuros XB and radiochromic film were used for the dose distribution. Comparing calculated and measured dose distribution, evaluated the margin for PTV(Planning target volume) in lung tissue. Materials and Methods : Acquiring CT images for Rando phantom, planned virtual target volume by size(diameter 2, 3, 4, 5 cm) in right lung. All plans were normalized to the target Volume=prescribed 95 % with 6MV FFF VMAT 2 Arc. To compare with calculated and measured dose distribution, film was inserted in rando phantom and irradiated in axial direction. The indexes of evaluation are percentage difference(%Diff) for absolute dose, RMSE(Root-mean-square-error) value for relative dose, coverage ratio and average dose in PTV. Results: The maximum difference at center point was -4.65 % in diameter 2 cm size. And the RMSE value between the calculated and measured off-axis dose distribution indicated that the measured dose distribution in diameter 2 cm was different from calculated and inaccurate compare to diameter 5 cm. In addition, Distance prescribed 95 % dose($D_{95}$) in diameter 2 cm was not covered in PTV and average dose value was lowest in all sizes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that small sized PTV was not enough covered with prescribed dose in low density lung tissue. All indexes of experimental results in diameter 2 cm were much different from other sizes. It is showed that minimized PTV is not accurate and affects the results of radiation therapy. It is considered that extended margin at small PTV in low density lung tissue for enhancing target center dose is necessary and don't need to constraint Maximum dose in optimization.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2012

Purpose : In conventional PET image reconstruction, iterative reconstruction methods such as OSEM (Ordered Subsets Expectation Maximization) have now generally replaced traditional analytic methods such as filtered back-projection. This includes improvements in components of the system model geometry, fully 3D scatter and low noise randoms estimates. SharpIR algorithm is to improve PET image contrast to noise by incorporating information about the PET detector response into the 3D iterative reconstruction algorithm. The aim of this study is evaluation of SharpIR reconstruction method in PET/CT. Materials and Methods: For the measurement of detector response for the spatial resolution, a capillary tube was filled with FDG and scanned at varying distances from the iso-center (5, 10, 15, 20 cm). To measure image quality for contrast recovery, the NEMA IEC body phantom (Data Spectrum Corporation, Hillsborough, NC) with diameters of 1, 13, 17 and 22 for simulating hot and 28 and 37 mm for simulating cold lesions. A solution of 5.4 kBq/mL of $^{18}F$-FDG in water was used as a radioactive background obtaining a lesion of background ratio of 4.0. Images were reconstructed with VUE point HD and VUE point HD using SharpIR reconstruction algorithm. For the clinical evaluation, a whole body FDG scan acquired and to demonstrate contrast recovery, ROIs were drawn on a metabolic hot spot and also on a uniform region of the liver. Images were reconstructed with function of varying iteration number (1~10). Results: The result of increases axial distance from iso-center, full width at half maximum (FWHM) is also increasing in VUE point HD reconstruction image. Even showed an increasing distances constant FWHM. VUE point HD with SharpIR than VUE point HD showed improves contrast recovery in phantom and clinical study. Conclusion: By incorporating more information about the detector system response, the SharpIR algorithm improves the accuracy of underlying model used in VUE point HD. SharpIR algorithm improve spatial resolution for a line source in air, and improves contrast recovery at equivalent noise levels in phantoms and clinical studies. Therefore, SharpIR algorithm can be applied as through a longitudinal study will be useful in clinical.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.57-61
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to compare both 1.5T and 4.7T in Praietal White matter material Phantom using the same methodology at both field strengths. Data at both field strengths are compared in terms of $T_2$ relaxation times, line widths and SNRs MR imaging and $^1H$ MR spectroscopy were performed on GE 1.5T SIGNA system and Broker Biospec 4.7T/30 MRI/MRS system. After phantom axial scan $^1H$ MRS was obtained from T2 weighted image by 3-dimensional localization technique(PRESS : Point RE solved spectroscopy Sequence) this phantom is composed of an aqueous solution 36.7 mmol/L of NAA, 25.0 mmol/L of Cr, 6.3 mmol/L of choline chloride, 30.0 mmol/L or Glu, and 22.5 mmol/L of MI(adjusted to a pH of 7,15 in a phosphate buffet). Data processed using software developed inhouse. At 1.5T, T2 relaxation times for Cho, Cr, and NAA were $0.41{\pm}0.07,\;0.26{\pm}0.04,\;0.46{\pm}0.07$ while at 4.7T they were $0.17{\pm}0.03,\;0.14{\pm}0.05,\;0.20{\pm}0.03$ respectively. At 1.5T, line widths for water, Cho, Cr and NAA were $2.9{\pm}0.7,\;1.6{\pm}0.7,\;1.7{\pm}0.8,\;2.2{\pm}0.02Hz$ while at 4.7T they were $5.2{\pm}1.1,\;4.6{\pm}1.9,\;4.01{\pm}1.8,\;4.8{\pm}1.9Hz$ respectively. It can be seen that $T_2$ relaxation times were significantly shorter at 4.7 compared to 1.5T and that the line widths were also broader. The average SNRs for NAA for subjects at short and long TEs were $23.5{\pm}11.3$ at TE=20 msec ; $15.4{\pm}7.7$ at TE=272 msec at 1.5T and $40{\pm}8.3$ and $17{\pm}3.5$ respectively at 4.7T higher field strength is superior because of improved sensitivity and chemical shift dispersion. However these improvements are partially offset by increased line widths and decrease $T_2$ relaxation times, which act to reduce both sensitivity and resolution. In our experiments with the equipment available to us, 4.7T proton spectra at short TEs exhibit moderately improved sensitivity compared to 1.5T.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to fabricate a full scale road embankment using lightweight air foamed soil as a soil material on soft ground and to investigate its material characteristics and behavior in order to promote dredged soil utilization and minimize ground improvement. As a result of the laboratory test of the onsite mixed samples, the total unit weight of the specimens decreased almost linearly until curing 28 days. In particular, the total unit weight after 28 days of curing was reduced to about 81% of the slurry state before curing, which will be useful in the formulation of similar native soil materials in the future. The unconfined compressive strength began to decrease with the 14th day of curing as shown in the previous study. When the cement content is increased, the strength decreases sharply at a small strain change after the occurrence of the maximum compressive strength, and the maximum strength is exhibited in a range of a smaller axial strain than normal range. The settlement at the surface layer of the ground due to the lightweight embankment was about 1 / 2.75 of the soil embankment and was in agreement with the unit weight ratio (1 / 2.7) of the embankment materials. This indicates the cause and effect of the settlement due to the difference in self weight of the embankments. Also, the difference in settlement between soil and lightweight embankment increased with increasing depth. This shows that the difference in the point at which the settlement is terminated is clear. The ground horizontal displacement under the lightweight embankment was about 15~20% smaller than that of the soil embankment and the depth of occurrence was also 4.5~5.0m shallower in the lightweight embankment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.3
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• pp.307-316
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• 2007

Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) has low germination rate relatively other species, so the seedling production of Yellow poplar is a hard task. Accordingly this study was conducted to determine the optimal germination conditions for healthy seedling production and to promote survival rate after afforestation. Gemination percentage was examined at different media and seed covering materials using planting flats in the greenhouse. The best germination percentage was observed in sand for media and compound soil for covering materials. But it was time to transplant, seedlings became a poor character (i.e. height, root length, number of root, dry weight) in sand for media. In order to produce healthy seedlings, each different medium was compounded with TKS-2 (this is a gardening bed soil.) in the ratio 1:1 (v/v.), and compared two conditions. Quality of seedling was better than not mixed TKS-2 into each medium. Transplanting seedlings from greenhouse to nursery grew up rapidly 2 months later (early in August~early in October). Growth amount during two months corresponded to 85.6% and 71.3% in total growth amount of height and diameter at root collar, respectively. In the case of the competition-density effect on yellow-poplar seedlings, direct seedling produced the maximum 35 standard seedlings above 8 mm of root collar diameter per $m^2$, while transplanting seedling produced the maximum 64 standard seedlings per $m^2$. And produced seedlings of two way were significantly different rootlet while axial root and lateral root was not significantly different.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.31-40
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• 1986

Cylindrical and conical types of grain-straw separation equipment which has a stationary crimped sieve drum with rotating inner rotor were constructed. The developed equipments were tested to investigate the characteristics of separating performance under various mechanical conditions and crop conditions. As increase of the inclination of equipment and decrease of pitch of cover vane, the grain recovery was increased while straw rejection was decreased. The grain recovery and overall efficiency were decreased as the rotor speed and feeding velocity were increased for both varieties of rice, moisture contents, and test equipments. Conical prototype equipment performed higher straw rejection, lower grain recovery, and lower power requirement. However, separation performance of conical type equipment was more widely varied with various test conditions compared to cylindrical one. The performance of both equipments showed relatively insensitive to crop feedrate and crop properties, such as variety, moisture content, and grain-to-straw ratio.