• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.591-603
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• 2020

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical features and chest computed tomography (CT) findings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Materials and Methods An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review was performed for 51 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia patients. Patients were divided into two groups depending on their clinical status: mild and severe. Clinical characteristics and chest CT findings were compared between the two groups. Results Among the 51 patients (22 men, 29 women; mean age, 56.5 ± 16 years; range, 22-88 years), 37 (72.5%) were in the mild group and 14 (27.5%) were in the severe group. The patients in the severe group (68.7 ± 12.5 years) were older than the patients in the mild group (51.8 ± 14.9 years, p < 0.001). Premorbid conditions and decreased lymphocyte counts were more often observed in the severe group than in the mild group (71% vs. 41%, p = 0.049 and 86% vs. 32%, p = 0.001, respectively). On chest CT, most patients exhibited a mixed ground-glass opacification (GGO) with consolidation (76%) or a GGO (22%) pattern. The majority of lesions were predominantly bilateral in the lower lung with a posterior, peripheral distribution. The patients in the severe group had higher severity scores than those in the mild group. Conclusion Patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia have typical chest CT findings that provide important information regarding expected disease severity.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1009-1018
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify normal chest radiography (CXR) from the worklist of radiologists in a health-screening environment. Materials and Methods: This retrospective simulation study was conducted using the CXRs of 5887 adults (mean age ± standard deviation, 55.4 ± 11.8 years; male, 4329) from three health screening centers in South Korea using a commercial AI (Lunit INSIGHT CXR3, version 3.5.8.8). Three board-certified thoracic radiologists reviewed CXR images for referable thoracic abnormalities and grouped the images into those with visible referable abnormalities (identified as abnormal by at least one reader) and those with clearly visible referable abnormalities (identified as abnormal by at least two readers). With AI-based simulated exclusion of normal CXR images, the percentages of normal images sorted and abnormal images erroneously removed were analyzed. Additionally, in a random subsample of 480 patients, the ability to identify visible referable abnormalities was compared among AI-unassisted reading (i.e., all images read by human readers without AI), AI-assisted reading (i.e., all images read by human readers with AI assistance as concurrent readers), and reading with AI triage (i.e., human reading of only those rendered abnormal by AI). Results: Of 5887 CXR images, 405 (6.9%) and 227 (3.9%) contained visible and clearly visible abnormalities, respectively. With AI-based triage, 42.9% (2354/5482) of normal CXR images were removed at the cost of erroneous removal of 3.5% (14/405) and 1.8% (4/227) of CXR images with visible and clearly visible abnormalities, respectively. In the diagnostic performance study, AI triage removed 41.6% (188/452) of normal images from the worklist without missing visible abnormalities and increased the specificity for some readers without decreasing sensitivity. Conclusion: This study suggests the feasibility of sorting and removing normal CXRs using AI with a tailored cut-off to increase efficiency and reduce the workload of radiologists.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.828-834
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to assess the outcomes of outpatient day-care management of unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA), and to present the risks associated with different management strategies by comparing the outcomes and adverse events between outpatient day-care management and management with longer admission periods. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study used prospectively registered data and was approved by a local institutional review board. We enrolled 956 UIAs from 811 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 57 ± 10.7 years; male:female = 247:564) from 2017 to 2020. We compared the outcomes after embolization among the different admission-length groups (1, 2, and ≥ 3 days). The outcomes included pre- and post-modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores and rates of adverse events, cure, recurrence, and reprocedure. Events were defined as any cerebrovascular problems, including minor and major stroke, death, or hemorrhage. Results: The mean admission period was 2 days, and 175 patients (191 aneurysms), 551 patients (664 aneurysms), and 85 patients (101 aneurysms) were discharged on the day of the procedure, day 2, and day 3 or later, respectively. During the mean 17-month follow-up period (range 6-53 months; 2757 patient years), no change in post-mRS was observed compared to pre-mRS in 99.6% of patients. Cure was achieved in 95.6% patients; minimal recurrence that did not require re-procedure occurred in 3.5% patients, and re-procedure was required in 2.3% (22 of 956) patients due to progressive enlargement of the recurrent sac during follow up (mean 17 months, range, 6-53 months). There were eight adverse events (0.8%), including five cerebrovascular (two major stroke, two minor strokes and one transient ischemic stroke), and three non-cerebrovascular events. Statistical comparison between groups with different admission lengths (1, 2, and ≥ 3 days) revealed no difference in the outcomes. Conclusion: This study revealed no difference in outcomes and adverse events according to the admission period, and suggested that UIA could be managed by outpatient day-care embolization.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.1029-1036
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• 2024

Drawing on the deep experience and understanding of the principles of nuclear safety, as well as many years of nuclear power plant design and operation, the EDF led NUWARD SMR Project is developing a design for a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) of 340 MWe composed of two 170 MWe independent units, that will supplement the offering of high-output nuclear reactors, especially in response to specific needs such as replacement of fossil-fuelled power plants. NUWARD SMR is a mix of proven and innovative design features that will make it more commercially competitive, while integrating safety features that comply with the highest international standards. Following the principles of redundancy and diversity and rigorous application of Defence in Depth (DID), with an international view on nuclear safety licensing, the Project also incorporates new safety approaches into its design development. The NUWARD SMR Project has been in development for a number of years, it entered conceptual design formally in mid-2019 and entered Basic Design in 2023. The objective of the concept design phase was to confirm the project technological choices and to define the first design configuration of the NUWARD SMR product, to document it, in order to launch pre-licensing with the French Safety Authority (ASN) and to define its estimated cost and its subsequent development and construction schedules. As a delivery milestone the Safety Options file (called the Dossier d'Options de Sûreté (DOS)) has been submitted to ASN in July 2023 for their opinion. An integral part of the NUWARD SMR Project, is not only to deliver a design suitable for France and to satisfy French regulation, but to develop a product suitable and indeed desirable, for the international market, with a first focus in Europe. In order to achieve its objectives and realise its market potential, the NUWARD SMR Project needs to define and realise its safety approach within an international environment and that is the key subject of this paper. The following paper: • Summarises the foundation principles and technological background which underpin the design; • Contextualises the key design features with regard to the international safety regulatory framework with particular emphasis on innovative passive safety aspects; • Illustrates the Project activities in preparation for first licensing in France, and also a wider international view via the ASN led Joint Early Review of the NUWARD SMR design, including Finnish and Czech Republic regulators, recently joined by the Swedish, Polish and Dutch regulators; • Articulates the collaborative approach to design development from involvement with the Project partners (the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Naval Group, TechnicAtome, Framatome and Tractebel) to the establishment of the International NUWARD Advisory Board (INAB), to gain greater international insight and advice; • Concludes with the focus on next steps into detailed design development, standardisation of the design and its simplification to enhance its commercial competitiveness in a context of further harmonisation of the nuclear safety and licensing requirements and aspirations.

• Journal of the International Relations & Interdisciplinary Education
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.57-83
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• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the impact of scores on the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) among foreign exchange students on academic adaptation. Recruited students, approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), totaled seven, and their interview contents were analyzed using a comprehensive analysis procedure based on pragmatic eclecticism (Lee, Kim, 2014), utilizing six stages. As a result, factors influencing academic adaptation of Korean language learners for academic purposes were categorized into three dimensions: academic, daily life, and psychological-emotional aspects. On the academic front, interviewees pointed out difficulties in adapting to specialized terminology and studying in their majors, as well as experiencing significant challenges with Chinese characters and Sino-Korean words. Next, from a daily life perspective, even participants holding advanced TOPIK scores faced difficulties in adapting to university life, emphasizing the necessity of practical expressions and extensive vocabulary for proper adjustment to Korean life. Lastly, within the psychological-emotional dimension, despite being advanced TOPIK holders, they were found to experience considerable stress in conversations or presentations with Koreans. Their lack of knowledge in social-cultural and everyday life culture also led to linguistic errors and contributed to psychological-emotional difficulties, despite proficiency in Korean. Based on these narratives, the conclusion was reached that in order to promote the academic adaptation of Korean language learners, it is essential to provide opportunities for Korean language learning. With this goal in mind, efforts should be directed towards enhancing learners' academic proficiency in their majors, improving Korean language fluency, and fostering interpersonal relationships within the academic community. Furthermore, the researchers suggested as a solution to implement various extracurricular activities tailored for foreign learners.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.812-822
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• 2019

Objective: To assess the diagnostic value of combining diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for differentiating between pathologic and traumatic fractures at extremities from metastasis. Materials and Methods: Institutional Review Board approved this retrospective study and informed consent was waived. This study included 49 patients each with pathologic and traumatic fractures at extremities. The patients underwent conventional MRI combined with DWI. For qualitative analysis, two radiologists (R1 and R2) independently reviewed three imaging sets with a crossover design using a 5-point scale and a 3-scale confidence level: DWI plus non-enhanced MRI (NEMR; DW set), NEMR plus contrast-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted imaging (CEFST1; CE set), and DWI plus NEMR plus CEFST1 (combined set). McNemar's test was used to compare the diagnostic performances among three sets and perform subgroup analyses (single vs. multiple bone abnormality, absence/presence of extra-osseous mass, and bone enhancement at fracture margin). Results: Compared to the CE set, the combined set showed improved diagnostic accuracy (R1, 84.7 vs. 95.9%; R2, 91.8 vs. 95.9%, p < 0.05) and specificity (R1, 71.4% vs. 93.9%, p < 0.005; R2, 85.7% vs. 98%, p = 0.07), with no difference in sensitivities (p > 0.05). In cases of absent extra-osseous soft tissue mass and present fracture site enhancement, the combined set showed improved accuracy (R1, 82.9-84.4% vs. 95.6-96.3%, p < 0.05; R2, 90.2-91.1% vs. 95.1-95.6%, p < 0.05) and specificity (R1, 68.3-72.9% vs. 92.7-95.8%, p < 0.005; R2, 83.0-85.4% vs. 97.6-98.0%, p = 0.07). Conclusion: Combining DWI with conventional MRI improved the diagnostic accuracy and specificity while retaining sensitivity for differentiating between pathologic and traumatic fractures from metastasis at extremities.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1275-1284
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• 2019

Objective: To develop algorithms using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for automatic segmentation of acute ischemic lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and compare them with conventional algorithms, including a thresholding-based segmentation. Materials and Methods: Between September 2005 and August 2015, 429 patients presenting with acute cerebral ischemia (training:validation:test set = 246:89:94) were retrospectively enrolled in this study, which was performed under Institutional Review Board approval. Ground truth segmentations for acute ischemic lesions on DWI were manually drawn under the consensus of two expert radiologists. CNN algorithms were developed using two-dimensional U-Net with squeeze-and-excitation blocks (U-Net) and a DenseNet with squeeze-and-excitation blocks (DenseNet) with squeeze-and-excitation operations for automatic segmentation of acute ischemic lesions on DWI. The CNN algorithms were compared with conventional algorithms based on DWI and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) signal intensity. The performances of the algorithms were assessed using the Dice index with 5-fold cross-validation. The Dice indices were analyzed according to infarct volumes (< 10 mL, ≥ 10 mL), number of infarcts (≤ 5, 6-10, ≥ 11), and b-value of 1000 (b1000) signal intensities (< 50, 50-100, > 100), time intervals to DWI, and DWI protocols. Results: The CNN algorithms were significantly superior to conventional algorithms (p < 0.001). Dice indices for the CNN algorithms were 0.85 for U-Net and DenseNet and 0.86 for an ensemble of U-Net and DenseNet, while the indices were 0.58 for ADC-b1000 and b1000-ADC and 0.52 for the commercial ADC algorithm. The Dice indices for small and large lesions, respectively, were 0.81 and 0.88 with U-Net, 0.80 and 0.88 with DenseNet, and 0.82 and 0.89 with the ensemble of U-Net and DenseNet. The CNN algorithms showed significant differences in Dice indices according to infarct volumes (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The CNN algorithm for automatic segmentation of acute ischemic lesions on DWI achieved Dice indices greater than or equal to 0.85 and showed superior performance to conventional algorithms.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.254-261
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• 2024

Accurate guidance during landing and take-off is important, and instrument landing system (ILS) has been used for stability and verification. Regular inspections are conducted for stable operation, and there is research to perform inspection using drones in addition to ground vehicles and measurement aircraft. Using SDR and single board computer, which can receive wide frequency range, we designed a small system that receives and processes localizer signals through GNU Radio. To check signal processing characteristics through GNU Radio, we simulated with MATLAB Simulink and confirmed the theoretical values. Difference in depth of modulation (DDM) and approach angle can be calculated when the aircraft enters the runway. And GNU Radio implemented real-time signal processing wirelessly using transmission control protocol (TCP). This gives the results within the error of 0.5% when the aircraft entered the runway center line and 0.27% for the angle of 1° degree. Compared to the inspecting and maintaining ILS signals using aircraft or ground vehicles, it is possible to implement a receiving system using small SDR that can be mounted for drone.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1077-1086
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• 2020

Objective: To evaluate the effect of perfluorobutane microbubbles (Sonazoid^®, GE Healthcare) on steam popping during radiofrequency (RF) ablation for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to assess whether popping affects treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods: The institutional review board approved this retrospective study, which included 90 consecutive patients with single HCC, who received percutaneous RF ablation as the first-line treatment. The patients were divided into two groups, based on the presence or absence of the popping phenomenon, which was defined as an audible sound with a simultaneous sudden explosion within the ablation zone as detected via ultrasonography during the procedure. The factors contributing to the popping phenomenon were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Local tumor progression (LTP) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test for performing comparisons between the two groups. Results: The overall incidence of the popping phenomenon was 25.8% (24/93). Sonazoid^® was used in 1 patient (4.2%) in the popping group (n = 24), while it was used in 15 patients (21.7%) in the non-popping group (n = 69). Multivariable analysis revealed that the use of Sonazoid^® was the only significant factor for absence of the popping phenomenon (odds ratio = 0.10, p = 0.048). There were no significant differences in cumulative LTP and DFS between the two groups (p = 0.479 and p = 0.424, respectively). Conclusion: The use of Sonazoid^® has a suppressive effect on the popping phenomenon during RF ablation in patients with HCC. However, the presence of the popping phenomenon may not affect clinical outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.81-100
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• 2024

This study analyzed the national diversity of journal editors and authors, focusing on international journals in library and information science, and quantified it through Simpson's Diversity Index. In addition, LIS journals were clustered according to diversity indicators and their characteristics were analyzed, and it was also confirmed whether nationality diversity of editorial members could induce nationality diversity of authors. As a result of the analysis, first, the diversity index of the editors of the LIS (Library & Information Science) international journal was found to be 0.64, which is less than the diversity of the authors, which is 0.76. It was confirmed that as the diversity of nationalities among editorial committee members increases, it is possible to attract authors of various nationalities (r = .79). Second, journals in the IS (Information Science) field showed a high index before or after 0.8 for both editorial members and author contributing countries, but those in the LS (Library Science) field showed relatively low scores, especially among the editorial members, with a very low index of 0.48. Third, the United States has the highest share of both authors and editors, and in particular, it has been confirmed that the LS field has an overwhelming share of 53.39% of editors. On the other hand, in Asian countries, including Korea, the ratio of contributions as editors compared to contributions as authors was found to be lower than in the United States and European countries.