• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권10호
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• pp.1006-1016
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• 2023

Objective: Computed tomography (CT) is an established method for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of multiple myeloma. Here, we investigated the potential of photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) in terms of image quality, diagnostic confidence, and radiation dose compared with energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT). Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, patients with known multiple myeloma underwent clinically indicated whole-body PCD-CT. The image quality of PCD-CT was assessed qualitatively by three independent radiologists for overall image quality, edge sharpness, image noise, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence using a 5-point Likert scale (5 = excellent), and quantitatively for signal homogeneity using the coefficient of variation (CV) of Hounsfield Units (HU) values and modulation transfer function (MTF) via the full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the frequency space. The results were compared with those of the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols as controls. Additionally, the radiation dose (CTDIvol) was determined. Results: We enrolled 35 patients with multiple myeloma (mean age 69.8 ± 9.1 years; 18 [51%] males). Qualitative image analysis revealed superior scores (median [interquartile range]) for PCD-CT regarding overall image quality (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), edge sharpness (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), image noise (4.0 [4.0-4.0] vs. 3.0 [3.0-4.0]), lesion conspicuity (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]), and diagnostic confidence (4.0 [4.0-5.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0-4.0]) compared with EID-CT (P ≤ 0.004). In quantitative image analyses, PCD-CT compared with EID-CT revealed a substantially lower FWHM (2.89 vs. 25.68 cy/pixel) and a significantly more homogeneous signal (mean CV ± standard deviation [SD], 0.99 ± 0.65 vs. 1.66 ± 0.5; P < 0.001) at a significantly lower radiation dose (mean CTDIvol ± SD, 3.33 ± 0.82 vs. 7.19 ± 3.57 mGy; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Whole-body PCD-CT provides significantly higher subjective and objective image quality at significantly reduced radiation doses than the current clinical standard EID-CT protocols, along with readily available multi-spectral data, facilitating the potential for further advanced post-processing.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.922-930
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• 2021

Objective: It is uncertain why a b-value range of 1500-2000 s/mm² is optimal. This study was aimed at qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing the optimal b-value range of synthetic diffusion-weighted imaging (sDWI) for evaluating prostatic index lesions. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 92 patients who underwent DWI and targeted biopsy for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-suggested index lesions. We generated sDWI at a b-value range of 1000-3000 s/mm² using dedicated software and true DWI data at b-values of 0, 100, and 1000 s/mm². We hypothesized that lesion conspicuity would be best when the background (i.e., MRI-suggested benign prostatic [bP] and periprostatic [pP] regions) signal intensity (SI) is suppressed and becomes homogeneous. To prove this hypothesis, we performed both qualitative and quantitative analyses. For qualitative analysis, two independent readers analyzed the b-value showing the best visual conspicuity of an MRI-suggested index lesion. For quantitative analysis, the readers assessed the b-value showing the same bP and pP region SI. The 95% confidence interval (CI) or interquartile range of qualitatively and quantitatively selected optimal b-values was assessed, and the mean difference between qualitatively and quantitatively selected b-values was investigated. Results: The 95% CIs of optimal b-values from qualitative and quantitative analyses were 1761-1805 s/mm² and 1640-1771 s/mm² (median, 1790 s/mm² vs. 1705 s/mm²; p = 0.003) for reader 1, and 1835-1895 s/mm² and 1705-1841 s/mm² (median, 1872 s/mm² vs. 1763 s/mm²; p = 0.022) for reader 2, respectively. Interquartile ranges of qualitatively and quantitatively selected optimal b-values were 1735-1873 s/mm² and 1573-1867 s/mm² for reader 1, and 1775-1945 s/mm² and 1591-1955 s/mm² for reader 2, respectively. Bland-Altman plots consistently demonstrated a mean difference of less than 100 s/mm² between qualitatively and quantitatively selected optimal b-values. Conclusion: b-value range showing a homogeneous background signal may be optimal for evaluating prostatic index lesions on sDWI. Our qualitative and quantitative data consistently recommend b-values of 1500-2000 s/mm².

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• 제38권10호
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• pp.1327-1332
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• 2014

This paper presents information about the examples of the design on Illumination of Structures(LED Light Pipe for lighthouse) in Korea. We have applied illumination by flood-lighting or facade-lighting in place of the 57 lighthouses (offshore structures) and 4 beacons. The ways of illumination of structures are using direct illumination with LED, halogen lamps and metal halide lamps, and indirect illumination with LED non-neon lamps. The illumination of structures helps a observer to identify the Aids to Navigation and w aterway. The fabricated LED Light Pipe is a transparent acrylic round bar and easy to install. The Light Pipe is arranged in two rows of L ED (78ea). It can be connected in series. It has 4 colours(Red, Green, Yellow, White). We analyzed and the horizontal divergence angle of the LED light pipe is defined as the range with 50% of maximum luminous intensity. Also, we evaluated the conspicuity on the origin al lantern and LED Light pipe for lighthouse. The field experiment was conducted in 'Yeosuguhang lighthouse' in Yeosu-city (Korea). F rom the experimental results, it was confirmed that the fabricated LED Light Pipe is clearly distinguished.

• 대한자기공명의과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한자기공명의과학회 2003년도 제8차 학술대회 초록집
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• pp.37-37
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• 2003

To assess the merits and demerits of postcontrast fat-suppressed (FS) brain MR imaging in children in the evaluation of various enhancing lesions, compared with postcontrast conventional or Magnetization Transfer (MT) imaging. 대상 및 방법： We reviewed patients with enhancing lesion on brain MR imaging who underwent both FS imaging and one of conventional or MT imaging as a postcontrast T1-weighted brain MR imaging. Inclusion criteria of our study were as follows： MR studies should be peformed within one-year interval and showed no significant interval change of imaging findings. Thirty-four patients (21 male, 13 female; mean age, 8 years) with 43 enhancing lesions (19 intra-axial, 19 extra-axial, and 5 orbital location) were included in this study, Twenty-one pairs of FS and conventional imaging, and 15 pairs of FS and MT imaging were available. Two radiologists visually assessed the lesion conspicuity and the presence of flow or susceptibility artifacts in a total of 36 pairs of MR imaging by consensus. For 21 measurable lesions (19 pairs of FS and conventional imaging, 5 pairs of FS and MR imaging), contrast ratio between the lesion and the normal brain( ［SIlesion-SIwater］/[SInormal brain-SIwater]) were calculated and compared.

• 복식문화연구
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.399-410
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate emotional images and preference of knitwear by tone on tone combination. The subjects were 357 university students in Daejeon and Chungnam province, and the measuring instruments were 6 stimuli manipulated by color and tone combination type of background and pattern in the tone and tone combination, and self-administrated questionnaires consisted of emotional images items, preference items, and subjects' demographics attributions. The data were analyzed by Cronbach's ${\alpha}$, factor analysis, t-test, MANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test, using SPSS program. The results were as follows. First, four factors (attractiveness, conspicuity, mildness, and activity) are emerged on emotional images of knitwear. Second, color had main effects on emotional images and preference. Gray color was perceived as most attractive image and more preferred than others. Third, tone combination type had some effects on emotional images. Vivid tone background/light tone pattern was perceived more attractive image but less conspicuous and mild than light tone background/vivid tone pattern. Forth, subjects' gender had an effects on conspicuous image. Male was perceived more conspicuous image on knitwear stimuli than female. Fifth, color and subjects' gender had interaction effects on attractiveness image and preference. Male perceived that blue is more attractive and preferred than female.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.86-93
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• 2018

Purpose: Imaging plays a significant role in diagnosing leptomeningeal metastases. However, the most appropriate sequence for the detection of leptomeningeal metastases has yet to be determined. This study compares the efficacies of contrast-enhanced T2 fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and contrast-enhanced 3D T1 black-blood fast spin echo (FSE) imaging for the detection of leptomeningeal metastases. Materials and Methods: Tube phantoms containing varying concentrations of gadobutrol solution were scanned using T2 FLAIR and 3D T1 black-blood FSE. Additionally, 30 patients with leptomeningeal metastases were retrospectively evaluated to compare conspicuous lesions and the extent of leptomeningeal metastases detected by T2 FLAIR and 3D T1 black-blood FSE. Results: The signal intensities of low-concentration gadobutrol solutions (< 0.5 mmol/L) on T2 FLAIR images were higher than in 3D T1 black-blood FSE. The T2 FLAIR sequences exhibited significantly greater visual conspicuity scores than the 3D T1 black-blood sequence in leptomeningeal metastases of the pial membrane of cistern (P = 0.014). T2 FLAIR images exhibited a greater or equal extent (96.7%) of leptomeningeal metastases than 3D T1 black-blood FSE images. Conclusion: Because of its high sensitivity even at low gadolinium concentrations, contrast-enhanced T2 FLAIR images delineated leptomeningeal metastases in a wider territory than 3D T1 black-blood FSE.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.160-169
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• 2021

Background: Dual-energy X-ray images (DEI) can distinguish or improve materials of interest in a two-dimensional radiographic image, by combining two images obtained from separate low and high energies. The concepts of DEI performance describing the performance of double-exposure DEI systems in the Fourier domain been previously introduced, however, the performance of double-exposure DEI itself in terms of various parameters, has not been reported. Materials and Methods: To investigate the DEI performance, signal-difference-to-noise ratio, modulation transfer function, noise power spectrum, and noise equivalent quanta were used. Low- and high-energy were 60 and 130 kVp with 0.01-0.09 mGy, respectively. The energy-separation filter material and its thicknesses were tin (Sn) and 0.0-1.0 mm, respectively. Noise-reduction (NR) filtering used the Gaussian-filter NR, median-filter NR, and anti-correlated NR. Results and Discussion: DEI performance was affected by Sn-filter thickness, weighting factor, and dose allocation. All NR filtering successfully reduced noise, when compared with the dual-energy (DE) images without any NR filtering. Conclusion: The results indicated the significance of investigating, and evaluating suitable DEI performance, for DE images in chest radiography applications. Additionally, all the NR filtering methods were effective at reducing noise in the resultant DE images.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제2권3호
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• pp.159-163
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• 2001

Objective: The purpose of this study is to correlate the findings of peripheral hypoechoic rim, seen at transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in chronic prostatitis patients, with the histopthologic findings. Materials and Methods: Seven patients with pathologically proven chronic prostatitis were involved in this study. The conspicuity of the peripheral hypoechoic prostatic rim, seen at TRUS, was prominent and subtle, and to determine its histopathologic nature, the microscopic findings were reviewed. Results: In five of seven cases (71%), TRUS demonstrated a prominent peripheral hypoechoic rim. Microscopic examination revealed that inflammatory cell infiltration of prostatic glandular tissue was severe in three cases (42.9%), moderate in two (28.6%), and minimal in two (28.6%). In all seven cases, the common histopathologic findings of peripheral hypoechoic rim on TRUS were loose stromal tissues, few prostatic glands, and sparse infiltration by inflammatory cells. Conclusion: The peripheral hypoechoic rim accompanying prostatic inflammation and revealed by TRUS reflects a sparsity of prostate glandular tissue and is thought to be an area in which inflammatory cell infiltration is minimal.

• 대한치과교정학회지
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• 제48권6호
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• pp.377-383
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• 2018

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effects of external tooth bleaching with flouridation on the appearance of white spot lesions (WSLs) in vitro. Methods: In total, 125 bracket-bonded bovine incisor enamel blocks with artificial WSLs were randomly divided into a control group and four treatment groups (home bleaching, home bleaching + fluoridation, in-office bleaching, and in-office bleaching + fluoridation). A spectroradiometer (SR) and digital images (DIs) were used to evaluate colorimetric parameters (Commission Internationale l'Eclairage $L^*a^*b^*$) for all specimens. Color measurements were obtained before WSL formation (T1), after WSL formation (T2), and after completion of the external tooth bleaching treatment (T3). Results: The SRbased color change after bleaching was significantly greater in the treatment groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). SR-based lightness ($L^*$) and redgreen ($a^*$) values were significantly higher at T2 than at T1 (p < 0.001), with no significant changes in yellow-blue ($b^*$) values. At T3, SR-based $L^*$ values had increased while $a^*$ and $b^*$ values had decreased in the treatment groups (p < 0.001). The DI-based color difference between the sound enamel and WSL areas (DE*DI) increased significantly from T1 to T2 in all groups (p < 0.001) and significantly decreased from T2 to T3 in the treatment groups (p < 0.001). No significant differences in ${\Delta}E^*DI$ at T3 were shown between the four treatment groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested that external tooth bleaching with fluoridation can alleviate the conspicuity of WSLs.

• 한국ITS학회 논문지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.83-91
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• 2017

기존 도로표지의 시인성, 가독성의 문제와 노령운전자의 급격한 증가를 고려할 때 현재 도로표지의 개선의 필요성이 높아지고 있는 상황이다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 상황을 고려하여서 기존의 연구에서 지적된 도로표지 문제점과 선진국의 도로표지를 참고하여 인간공학적 도로표지 개선시안을 제시하였고 이에 대한 설문조사를 시행하였다. 국내 외 도로표지 디자인의 비교분석을 통하여 도로표지의 문제점과 개선점을 파악하고 그 결과를 토대로 하여서 국내실정에 맞는 인간공학적 도로표지를 시안을 개발하였다. 본 연구의 조사결과를 기반으로 우리나라의 다양한 연령층의 운전자들이 목적지를 찾아감에 있어서 도로표지를 참조하여 어려움이 없이 목적지에 도달할 수 있도록 도로표지를 개선하는데 있어서 필요한 토대를 제시할 수 있을 것으로 예상된다.