• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.233-241
• /
• 2014

The aim of this study is to develop a new software tool for 3D dose verification using $PRESAGE^{REU}$ Gel dosimeter. The tool included following functions: importing 3D doses from treatment planning systems (TPS), importing 3D optical density (OD), converting ODs to doses, 3D registration between two volumetric data by translational and rotational transformations, and evaluation with 3D gamma index. To acquire correlation between ODs and doses, CT images of a $PRESAGE^{REU}$ Gel with cylindrical shape was acquired, and a volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan was designed to give radiation doses from 1 Gy to 6 Gy to six disk-shaped virtual targets along z-axis. After the VMAT plan was delivered to the targets, 3D OD data were reconstructed from 512 projection data from $Vista^{TM}$ optical CT scanner (Modus Medical Devices Inc, Canada) per every 2 hours after irradiation. A curve for converting ODs to doses was derived by comparing TPS dose profile to OD profile along z-axis, and the 3D OD data were converted to the absorbed doses using the curve. Supra-linearity was observed between doses and ODs, and the ODs were decayed about 60% per 24 hours depending on their magnitudes. Measured doses from the $PRESAGE^{REU}$ Gel were well agreed with the TPS doses at central region, but large under-doses were observed at peripheral region at the cylindrical geometry. Gamma passing rate for 3D doses was 70.36% under the gamma criteria of 3% of dose difference and 3 mm of distance to agreement. The low passing rate was resulted from the mismatching of the refractive index between the PRESAGE gel and oil bath in the optical CT scanner. In conclusion, the developed software was useful for 3D dose verification from PRESAGE gel dosimetry, but further improvement of the Gel dosimetry system were required.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.62-72
• /
• 2017

Spatio-temporal projection of evapotranspiration over croplands would be useful for assessment of climate change impact and development of adaptation strategies in agriculture. Potential evapotranspiration (PET) and dryness index (DI) during rice growing seasons were calculated using climate change scenario data provided by the National Institute of Meteorological Research (NIMR). A data processing tool for gridded climate data files, readGrADSWrapper, was used to calculate PET and DI during the current (1986-2005) and future (2006-2100) periods. Scripts were written to implement the formulas of PET and DI in R, which is an open source statistical data analysis tool. Evapotranspiration in rice fields ($PET_{Rice}$) was also determined using R scripts. The Spatio-temporal patterns of PET differed by regions in Korean Peninsula under current and future climate conditions. Overall, PET and $PET_{Rice}$ tended to increase throughout the $21^{st}$ century. Those results suggested that region-specific water resource managements would be needed to minimize the risk of water loss in the regions where considerable increases in PET would occur under the future climate conditions. For example, a number of provinces classified as a humid region were projected to become a sub-humid region in the future. The Spatio-temporal assessment of water resources based on PET and DI would help the development of climate change adaptation strategies for rice production in the 21st century. In addition, the studies on climate change impact would be facilitated using specialized data tools, e.g., readGrADSWrapper, for geospatial analysis of climate data.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
• /
• v.43 no.4 s.310
• /
• pp.74-86
• /
• 2006

This paper proposes a robust and computationally efficient algorithm for automatic video object segmentation. For implementing the spatio-temporal segmentation, which aims for efficient combination of the motion segmentation and the color segmentation, an SOM-based hierarchical clustering method in which the segmentation process is regarded as clustering of feature vectors is employed. As results, problems of high computational complexity which required for obtaining exact segmentation results in conventional video object segmentation methods, and the performance degradation due to noise are significantly reduced. A measure of motion vector reliability which employs MRF-based MAP estimation scheme has been introduced to minimize the influence from the motion estimation error. In addition, a noise elimination scheme based on the motion reliability histogram and a clustering validity index for automatically identifying the number of objects in the scene have been applied. A cross projection method for effective object tracking and a dynamic memory to maintain temporal coherency have been introduced as well. A set of experiments has been conducted over several video sequences to evaluate the proposed algorithm, and the efficiency in terms of computational complexity, robustness from noise, and higher segmentation accuracy of the proposed algorithm have been proved.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.400-408
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Complete septal extension grafts have been widely used in rhinoplasty for effective projection of the short retruded columella in Asian patients. Autologous septal cartilages and porous high-density polyethylene sheets are frequently used as septal extension grafts. This study was conducted to compare the postoperative results of porous polyethylene sheets and septal cartilages used for correction of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities by using photogrammetric analysis. Methods: This study investigated a total of 49 patients with cleft lip nasal deformities who underwent corrective surgery, and were followed up for at least 6 months. Septal cartilages were used in 39 patients, and porous polyethylene sheets were used in 10 patients. In all patients, through the open rhinoplasty, complete septal extension grafts were sutured to the caudal margin of the septal cartilage, and the alar cartilage was sutured with suspension. The cleft side alar cartilage was overcorrected by approximately 3 - 5 mm. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated by using photogrammetric analysis. Five indices and 4 angles were measured on their photographs taken before and after the surgery. In patients with unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities, symmetry was also evaluated by means of columellar length index. Results: The postoperative values obtained in photogrammetric analysis showed improvements in comparison with the preoperative ones. The polyethylene group produced more improved outcomes than the septal cartilage group but also resulted in more complications at the same time. Conclusion: The results of this study indicates that complete septal extension grafts are efficient for the correction of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities. However, since postoperative complications occur more frequently in the polyethylene group than in the septal cartilage group, caution is advised in using porous high-density polyethylene sheets in patients with cleft lip nasal deformities.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.172-183
• /
• 2019

The generalized Hoek-Brown (GHB) failure criterion developed by Hoek et al. (2002) is a nonlinear function which defines a stress condition at failure of rock mass. The relevant strength parameter values are systematically determined using the GSI value. Since GSI index is a value quantifying the condition of in-situ rock mass, the GHB criterion is a practical failure condition which can take into the consideration of in-situ rock mass quality. Considering that most rock mechanics engineers are familiar with the linear Mohr-Coulomb criterion and that many rock engineering softwares incorporate Mohr-Coulomb criterion, the equations for the equivalent friction angle and cohesion were also proposed along with the release of the GHB criterion. The proposed equations, however, fix the lower limit of the minor principal stress range, where the linear best-fitting is performed, with the tensile strength of the rock mass. Therefore, if the tensile stress is not expected in the domain of analysis, the calculated equivalent friction angle and cohesion based on the equations in Hoek et al. (2002) could be less accurate. In order to overcome this disadvantage of the existing equations for equivalent friction angle and cohesion, this study proposes the analytical formula which can calculate optimal equivalent friction angle and cohesion in any minor principal stress interval, and verified the accuracy of the derived formula.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.1187-1195
• /
• 2018

Objective: To compare correlations between pulmonary function test (PFT) results and different reconstruction algorithms and to suggest the optimal reconstruction protocol for computed tomography (CT) quantification of low lung attenuation areas and airways in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: A total of 259 subjects with normal PFT and chest CT results were included. CT scans were reconstructed using filtered back projection, hybrid-iterative reconstruction, and model-based IR (MIR). For quantitative analysis, the emphysema index (EI) and wall area percentage (WA%) were determined. Subgroup analysis according to smoking history was also performed. Results: The EIs of all the reconstruction algorithms correlated significantly with the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) (all p < 0.001). The EI of MIR showed the strongest correlation with FEV1/FVC (r = -0.437). WA% showed a significant correlation with FEV1 in all the reconstruction algorithms (all p < 0.05) correlated significantly with FEV1/FVC for MIR only (p < 0.001). The WA% of MIR showed the strongest correlations with FEV1 (r = -0.205) and FEV1/FVC (r = -0.250). In subgroup analysis, the EI of MIR had the strongest correlation with PFT in both eversmoker and never-smoker subgroups, although there was no significant difference in the EI between the reconstruction algorithms. WA% of MIR showed a significantly thinner airway thickness than the other algorithms ($49.7{\pm}7.6$ in ever-smokers and $49.5{\pm}7.5$ in never-smokers, all p < 0.001), and also showed the strongest correlation with PFT in both ever-smoker and never-smoker subgroups. Conclusion: CT quantification of low lung attenuation areas and airways by means of MIR showed the strongest correlation with PFT results among the algorithms used, in normal subjects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.83 no.6
• /
• pp.1286-1297
• /
• 2022

Purpose To assess the usefulness of various metal artifact reduction (MAR) methods in patients with hip prostheses. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 47 consecutive patients who underwent hip arthroplasty and dual-energy CT. Conventional polyenergetic image (CI), orthopedic-MAR (OMAR), and virtual monoenergetic image (VMI, 50-200 keV) were tested for MAR. Quantitative analysis was performed in seven regions around the prostheses. Qualitative assessments included evaluation of the degree of artifacts and the presence of secondary artifacts. Results The lowest amount of image noise was observed in the O-MAR, followed by the VMI. O-MAR also showed the lowest artifact index, followed by high-keV VMI in the range of 120-200 keV (soft tissue) or 200 keV (bone). O-MAR had the highest contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in regions with severe hypodense artifacts, while VMI had the highest CNR in other regions, including the periprosthetic bone. On assessment of the CI of pelvic soft tissues, VMI showed a higher structural similarity than O-MAR. Upon qualitative analysis, metal artifacts were significantly reduced in O-MAR, followed by that in VMI, while secondary artifacts were the most frequently found in the O-MAR (p < 0.001). Conclusion O-MAR is the best technique for severe MAR, but it can generate secondary artifacts. VMI at high keV can be advantageous for evaluating periprosthetic bone.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.71-82
• /
• 2024

It would be advantageous to grow legume forage crops in order to increase the productivity and sustainability of sloped croplands in Hamkyongbukdo. In particular, the identification of potential cultivation areas for alfalfa in the given region could aid decision-making on policies and management related to forage crop production in the future. This study aimed to analyze the climate suitability of alfalfa in Hamkyongbukdo under current and future climate conditions using the Fuzzy Union model. The climate suitability predicted by the Fuzzy Union model was compared with the actual alfalfa cultivation area in the northern United States. Climate data obtained from 11 global climate models were used as input data for calculation of climate suitability in the study region to examine the uncertainty of projections under future climate conditions. The area where the climate suitability index was greater than a threshold value (22.6) explained about 44% of the variation in actual alfalfa cultivation areas by state in the northern United States. The climatic suitability of alfalfa was projected to decrease in most areas of Hamkyongbukdo under future climate scenarios. The climatic suitability in Onseong and Gyeongwon County was analyzed to be over 88 in the current climate conditions. However, it was projected to decrease by about 66% in the given areas by the 2090s. Our study illustrated that the impact of climate change on suitable cultivation areas was highly variable when different climate data were used as inputs to the Fuzzy Union model. Still, the ensemble of the climate suitability projections for alfalfa was projected to decrease considerably due to summer depression in Hamkyongbukdo. It would be advantageous to predict suitable cultivation areas by adding soil conditions or to predict the climate suitability of other leguminous crops such as hairy vetch, which merits further studies.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.25-28
• /
• 2012

Purpose : It is important to reduce radiation dose associated with computed tomography (CT) scanning to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). With Dose Modulation Technic, user select a desired image quality and the system adapts tube current to obtain the desired image quality with greater radiation dose efficiency. In this paper, we presents a comprehensive description of fundamentals, clinical applications and radiation dose benefits of Dose Modulation Technic depending on Body Mass Index(BMI). Materials and Methods : In this study, 149 patients were examined(The mean age : $58{\pm}12.4$ years old). Biograph True Point 40 (Siemens, USA) and Gemini TF 64 (Philips. Cleveland) were used for equipment. When we used Care Dose 4D (Siemens, USA) and D-dom (Philips, Cleveland), we measured dose reduction and Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) depending on BMI. Then we analyze data using SPSS Ver.18. Results : When we used Care Dose 4D, p-value is considered statistically significant by groups with the result that we compared Care Dose 4D with D-dom. On the other hand, p-value isn't considered statistically significant by groups using D-dom. Conclusion : Dose modulation based on the projection angle didn't affect degree of obesity. And When using Care Dose 4D, dose reduction rate in the normal patients were higher than the obese. In this study, there are errors on somato type. So I think more research have to be done. Then application of Dose Modulation technic can help in maintaining acceptable image quality while reducing radiation dose by 20-60% in most instances.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.423-433
• /
• 2018

Particulate matter air pollution is a serious problem affecting human health and visibility. The variations in $PM_{10}$ concentrations are influenced by not only local emission sources, but also atmospheric circulation conditions. In this study, we investigate the temporal features of $PM_{10}$ concentrations in South Korea and the atmospheric circulation patterns associated with high concentration episodes of $PM_{10}$ during winter (December-January-February) 2001-2016. Based on those analyses, a Korea Particulate matter Index (KPI) is developed to represent the large-scale atmospheric pattern associated with high concentration episodes of $PM_{10}$. The atmospheric patterns are characterized by persistent high-pressure anomalies, weakened lower-level north-westerly anomalies, and northward shift of the upper-level meridional wind anomalies near the Korean Peninsula. To evaluate the change in occurrence of high concentration episodes of $PM_{10}$ under a possible future warmer climate, we apply KPI analysis to CMIP5 climate simulations. Here, historical and two representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) are used. It is found that the occurrence of atmospheric conditions favorable for high $PM_{10}$ concentration episodes tends to increase over South Korea in response to climate change. This suggests that large-scale atmospheric circulation changes under future warmer climate can contribute to increasing high $PM_{10}$ concentration episodes in South Korea.