• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.9
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• pp.3785-3795
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• 2024

The present study concerned with the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, ²³⁰Th, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and, ²³⁵U) in ten sedimentary rock samples collected from fault zone, Gabal Um Hamd, southwestern Sinai, Egypt. These samples were investigated to study their behavior during a part of geologic time. The activity concentrations were measured using γ-ray spectrometry (HPGe detector). The investigated samples were analyzed for major oxides using the XRF technique. The results demonstrated high average activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, ²³⁰Th, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and, ²³⁵U than the worldwide average values as reported by UNSCEAR 2008. Theil diagram showed that there are accumulation and leaching of uranium in some samples in the two sides of the fault zone. It is noticed that the ages of uranium depositions for the samples collected from the downthrown of the fault zone vary from 121.5 to 440.1 ky, while for the sample collected from the upthrown of the fault is 210.9 ky. The ²³⁰Th/²³²Th activity ratios range between 4.55 and 91.04 for downthrown samples and between 4.75 and 6.05 for upthrown samples which are smaller than 20 except for two samples, indicating a contamination of the samples by detrital ²³⁰Th. After subtraction of the detrital ²³⁰Th, the corrected ages for downthrown samples vary from 119.1 to 231.7 ky while for upthrown samples vary from 164.4 to 390 ky.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.63-71
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• 1999

For the purpose of utilization in 3-D conformal radiotherapy and whole body radiosurgery, the Whole Body 3-Dimensional Topographic Radiation Therapy System has been developed. Whole body frame was constructed in order to be installed on the couch. Radiopaque catheters were engraved on it for the dedicated coordinate system and a MeV-Green immobilizer was used for the patient setup by the help of side panels and plastic rods. By designing and constructing the whole body frame in this way, geometrical limitation to the gantry rotation in 3-D conformal radiotherapy could be minimized and problem which radiation transmission may be altered in particular incident angles was solved. By analyzing CT images containing information of patient setup with respect to the whole body frame, localization and coordination of the target is performed so that patient setup error may be eliminated between simulation and treatment. For the verification of setup, the change of patient positioning is detected and adjusted in order to minimize the setup error by means of comparison of the body outlines using 3 CCTV cameras. To enhance efficiency of treatment procedure, this work can be done in real time by watching the change of patient setup through the monitor. The method of image subtraction in IDL (Interactive Data Language) was used to visualize the change of patient setup. Rotating X-ray system was constructed for detecting target movement due to internal organ motion. Landmark screws were implanted either on the bones around target or inside target, and variation of target location with respect to markers may be visualized in order to minimize internal setup error through the anterior and the lateral image information taken from rotating X-ray system. For CT simulation, simulation software was developed using IDL on GUI(Graphic User Interface) basis for PC and includes functions of graphic handling, editing and data acquisition of images of internal organs as well as target for the preparation of treatment planning.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.94-102
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• 1997

Purpose: There have been some efforts to diagnose intracranial aneurysm through a non-invasive method using MRA, although the process may be difficult when the lesion is less than 3mm. The present study prospectively compares the results of high resolution, fast speed slice interpolation MRA and DSA thereby examing the potentiality of primary non-invasive screening test. Materials and Methods: A total of 26 cerebral aneurysm lesions from 14 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured aneurysm (RA) and 5 patients with unruptured aneurysm(UA). In all subjects, MRA was taken to confirm the vessel of origin, definition of aneurysm neck and the relationship of the aneurysm to nearby small vessels, and the results were compared with the results of DSA. The images were obtained with 1.5T superconductive machine (Vision, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) on 4 slabs of MRA using slice interpolation. The settings include TR/TE/FA=30/6.4/25, matrix $160{\times}512$, FOV $150{\times}200$, 7minutes 42 seconds of scan time, effective thickness of 0.7 mm and an entire thickness of 102. 2mm. The images included structures from foramen magnum to A3 portion of anterior cerebral artery. MIP was used for the image analysis, and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) technique was used in cases of intracranial aneurysm. Results: A total of 26 intracranial aneurysm lesions from 19 patients with 2 patients having 3 lesion, 3 patients having 2 lesions and the rest of 14 patients having 1 lesion each were examined. Among those, 14 were RA and 12 were UA. Eight lesions were less than 2mm in size, 9 lesions were 3-5mm, 7 were 6-9mm and 2 were larger than IOmm. On initial exams, 25 out of 26 aneurysm lesions were detected in either MRA or DSA showing 96% sensitivity. Specificity cannot be estimated since there was no true negative of false positive findings. When MRA and MPR were used concurrently for the confirmation of size and shape, the results were equivalent to those of DSA, while in the confirmation of aneurysm neck and parent vessels, the concurrent use of MRA and MPR was far superior to the sole use of either MRA or DSA. Conclusion: High resolution MRA using slice interpolation technique showed equal results as those of DSA for the detection of intracranial aneurysm, and may be used as a primary non-invasive screening test in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2009

Purpose: Brain SPECT study is more sensitive to motion than other studies. Especially, when applying 1-day subtraction method for Diamox SPECT, it needs shorter study time in order to prevent reexamination. We were required to have new study condition and analysing method on dual detector system because triple head camera in Seoul National University Hospital is to be disposed. So we have tried to increase image quality and make the dual and triple head to have equivalent study time by using a new analysing program. Materials and Methods: Using IEC phantom, we estimated contrast, SNR and FWHM. In Hoffman 3D brain phantom which is similar with real brain, we were on the supposition that 5% of injected doses were distributed in brain tissue. To compare with existing FBP method, we used fan-beam collimator. And we applied 15 sec, 25 sec/frame for each SEPCT studies using LEHR and LEUHR. We used OSEM2D and Onco-flash3D reconstruction method and compared reconstruction methods between applied Gaussian post-filtering 5mm and not applied as well. Attenuation correction was applied by manual method. And we did Brain SPECT to patient injected 15 mCi of $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO according to results of Phantom study. Lastly, technologist, MD, PhD estimated the results. Results: The study shows that reconstruction method by Flash3D is better than exiting FBP and OSEM2D when studied using IEC phantom. Flowing by estimation, when using Flash3D, both of 15 sec and 25 sec are needed postfiltering 5 mm. And 8 times are proper for subset 8 iteration in Flash3D. OSEM2D needs post-filtering. And it is proper that subset 4, iteration 8 times for 15sec and subset 8, iteration 12 times for 25sec. The study regarding to injected doses for a patient and study time, combination of input parameter-15 sec/frame, LEHR collimator, analysing program-Flash3D, subset 8, iteration 8times and Gaussian post-filtering 5mm is the most appropriate. On the other hands, it was not appropriate to apply LEUHR collimator to 1-day subtraction method of Diamox study because of lower sensitivity. Conclusions: We could prove that there was also an advantage of short study time effectiveness in Dual camera same as Triple gamma camera and get great result of alternation from existing fan-beam collimator to parallel collimator. In addition, resolution and contrast of new method was better than FBP method. And it could improve sensitivity and accuracy of image because lesser subjectivity was input than Metz filter of FBP. We expect better image quality and shorter study time of Brain SPECT on Dual detector system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.619-626
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• 2020

This study aimed to identify the error rates in Catheter Calibration Mode, Auto Calibration Mode, and Segment Calibration Mode among many calibration modes as a quantitative evaluation tool used for predicting the diameter and length of balloon or stent in percutaneous intravascular balloon dilatation or stent insertion. Our experiment was conducted with Copper Wire of 2 mm × 80 mm (diameter × length) manufactured elaborately for quantitative evaluation in calibration and Metal Ball of 5, 10, 15, 30, and 40 mm and Acryl Phantom of 25 mm, 50 mm, 75mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, 150mm, 175 mm, and 200 mm. At each height, subtraction images were acquired with a cineangiograph and Stenosis Analysis Tool as a software provided by the equipment company was used for measurement. To evaluate the error rates in Catheter Calibration Mode, Copper Wire was put on each acryl phantom before shooting. Copper Wire of 2 mm in diameter was set as a diameter for catheter, and Copper Wire of 8 mm in length was measured with Multi-segments. As a result, the error rates appeared at 1.13 ~ 5.63%. To evaluate the error rates in Auto Calibration Mode, the height of acryl was entered at each height of acryl phantom and the length of 8 mm Copper Wire was measured with Multi-segments and as a result, the error rates appeared at 0 ~ 0.26%. To evaluate the error rates in Segment Calibration Mode, each metal ball on the floor of table was calibrated and the length of 8 mm Copper Wire on each acryl phantom was measured and the length of 8 mm Copper Wire depending on the changes of acryl phantom height was measured with Mutli-segments and as a result, the error rates appeared at 1.05 ~ 19.04%. And in the experiment on OID changes in Auto Calibration Mode, the height of acryl phantom was fixed at 100mm and OID only changed within the range of 450 mm ~ 600 mm and as a result, the error rates appeared at 0.13 ~ 0.38%. In conclusion, it was found that entering the height values in Auto Calibration Mode, among these Calibration Modes for evaluating quantitative vascular dimensions provided by the software was the calibration method with the least error rates and it is thus considered that for calibration using a metal ball or other objects, putting them in the same height as that of treatment sites before calibrating is the method that can reduce the error rates the most.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.144-152
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• 2016

Carotid-artery stenosis may reduce cerebral perfusion, and affect cerebral neuronal activities. We examined the question of whether the recovery of cerebral-perfusion reserve after carotid-artery stenting (CAS) can affect the EEG power-spectrum. Nineteen candidates for CAS were initially recruited. Subtraction imaging of single photon emissary computerized tomography (SPECT) and an electroencephalogram (EEG) were taken twice, before and 1 month after CAS. At each time point, the EEGs were recorded before and after injection of acetazolamide (pre-ACZ EEG and post-ACZ EEG). Finally, 7 patients were enrolled after exclusion of incomplete studies. We obtained the spectral ratio (SR) of each hemisphere. SR was defined as the divided value of the power-spectrum sum of fast activities by that of slow activities. The power-spectrum values between hemispheres were compared using the inter-hemispheric index of spectral ratio (IHISR), and we examined the correlation between the power-spectrum and the cerebral-perfusion reserve. Cerebral-perfusion reserve improved after CAS on the stent side in 6 of 7 patients. In 3 patients with unilateral carotid-artery stenosis, CAS increased SR on the pre-ACZ EEGs, and IHISR on the post-ACZ EEGs. The increases of SR and IHISR were concordant with the increment of cerebral-perfusion reserve. In contrast, the results in the other patients with bilateral stenosis showed complex patterns. The SR of pre-ACZ EEGs and IHISR of post-ACZ EEGs may be useful electrophysiological markers for the blood-flow reserve after CAS in patients with unilateral carotid-artery stenosis, but not in those with bilateral stenosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.46-54
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• 2001

Objective : To study correlation of the brain areas with acupoints used in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases to evaluate the hypothesis that selecting acupoints on the left side to treat disorders on the right side and vice versa is known as the crossing combination of acupoints. Materials and Methods: Rest/acupuncture-stimulation Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT using a same-dose subtraction method was performed on 5 normal male volunteers (age range from 27 to 30 years) using acupuncture at acupoint, LI4 located in the left hand. In the control study, needle location was chosen on a non-meridian focus 1cm posterior to the right fibular head. All images were spatially normalized and the differences between rest and acupuncture stimulation were statistically analyzed using SPM(R) for Windows(R). Results : Acupuncture applied at LI4 located in the left hand increased rCBF in the right hemisphere, that is, the right parietal lobe(angular gyrus) and a part of the right middle posterior temporal gyrus and the right inferior occipital lobe. In the control stimulation, no significant rCBF increase was observed. Conclusion : The results demonstrated a correlation between stimulation at acupoint with increase in rCBF to the controlateral hemisphere.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.97-115
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• 2008

In high school mathematics class, to subtract a number b from a, we add the additive inverse of b to a and to divide a number a by a non-zero number b, we multiply a by the multiplicative inverse of b, which is the formal approach for operations of real numbers. This article aims to give a connection between the intuitive models in middle school mathematics class and the formal approach in high school for teaching operations of negative integers. First, we highlight the teaching methods(Hwang et al, 2008), by which subtraction of integers is denoted by addition of integers. From this methods and activities applying the counting model, we give new teaching methods for the rule that the product of negative integers is positive. The teaching methods with horizontal mathematization(Treffers, 1986; Freudenthal, 1991) of operations of integers, which is based on consistently applying the intuitive model(number line model, counting model), will remove the gap, which is exist in both teachers and students of middle and high school mathematics class. The above discussion is based on students' cognition that the number system in middle and high school and abstracted number system in abstract algebra course is formed by a conceptual structure.

• Journal of the Korea Computer Graphics Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

With the widespread use of vision-based surveillance systems, the capability for person identification is now an essential component. However, the CCTV cameras used in surveillance systems tend to produce relatively low-resolution images, making it difficult to use face recognition techniques for person identification. Therefore, an algorithm is proposed for person identification in CCTV camera images based on the clothing. Whenever a person is authenticated at the main entrance of a building, the clothing feature of that person is extracted and added to the database. Using a given image, the clothing area is detected using background subtraction and skin color detection techniques. The clothing feature vector is then composed of textural and color features of the clothing region, where the textural feature is extracted based on a local edge histogram, while the color feature is extracted using octree-based quantization of a color map. When given a query image, the person can then be identified by finding the most similar clothing feature from the database, where the Euclidean distance is used as the similarity measure. Experimental results show an 80% success rate for person identification with the proposed algorithm, and only a 43% success rate when using face recognition.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2002

To analyze the current status of contact-lens in domestic, we analyzed the data of "The Spectacles-wearing Rate Analysis in 1999 (Korea Gallup Research)", "Industry current status(Korea Medical Instruments Industrial cooperative}", "Export & Import current status (Korea Customs Service)", and finally reached the following conclusions. 1. The number of contact-lens wearers in domestic could be assumed 2.13 millions. 2. The size of contact lens market in domestic(on year 2000 basis) was about 25.3 billion Korean wons(\) in total ; 10.8 billion Korean wons on the basis of production unit price (Domestic Gross Production Amount-Export Amount : used the subtraction in math), 14.5 billion Korean wons on Import unit price basis. 3. According to the year 2001 data, the import amount of contact lens is 1.7 times greater than export amount of that. 4. The contact lens export status in year 2001 was Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, U.S.A, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thai, - in order. Especially, the contact lens export of China has increased gradually every year since 1998, the first export year of contact lens. 5. The import status of contact lens was U.S.A, Japan, England, Indonesia, Argentina, Taiwan, Hong Kong, - in order. In addition, the consumption trend of contact lens consumers in domestic reflects that famous foreign contact lens brands were much preferred than lower price contact lens imported from several developing countries.