• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.407-410
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• 2002

Monochromatic x-ray CT has several advantages over conventional CT, which utilizes bremsstrahlung white x-rays from an x-ray tube. There are several methods to produce such monochromatic x-rays. The most popular one is crystal diffraction monochromatization, which has been commonly used because of the fact that the energy spread is very narrow and the energy can be changed continuously. The alternative method is the use of fluorescent x-ray, which has several advantages such as large beam size and fast energy change. We have developed a parallel-beam and a fan-beam monochromatic x-ray CT, and compared some characteristics such as accuracy of CT numbers between those systems. The fan beam monochromatic x-rays were generated by irradiating target materials by incident white x-rays from a bending magnet beam line NE5 in 6.5 GeV Accumulation Ring at Tukuba. The parallel beam monochromatic x-rays were generated by using a silicon double crystal monochromator at the bending magnet beam line BL-20BM in Spring-8. A Cadmium telluride (CdTe) 256 channel array detector with 512mm sensitive width capable of operating at room temperature was used in the photon counting mode. A cylindrical phantom containing eight concentrations of gadolinium was used for the fan beam monochromatic x-ray CT system, while a phantom containing acetone, ethanol, acrylic and water was used for the parallel monochromatic x-ray CT system. The linear attenuation coefficients obtained from CT numbers of those monochromatic x-ray CT images were compared with theoretical values. They showed a good agreement within 3%. It was found that the quantitative measurement can be possible by using the fan beam monochromatic x-ray CT system as well as a parallel beam monochromatic X-ray CT system.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.47-55
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• 2002

We came to the following conclusion as the results of experiment on the image quality of mammography and the average glandular dose using 4 apparatuses at 3 hospitals in Seoul. 1. Whereas the measurement of half value layer showed no differences among the apparatuses, the measurement by an attenuation curve method showed some differences by 5.9%. There were 9.1% differences in the measurement by aluminum conversion method. 2. The basic density of an automatic exposure control unit must be D = 1.40, but there was no automatic exposure unit adjusted precisely at any hospitals. The unit at the B hospital exceeded the allowable limit by ${\pm}0.15$. 3. In the photographing using an automatic exposure control unit and the management of an automatic film processor using a sensitometer, most automatic film processors were well kept. But in some cases the mean value of a fluctuation coefficient exceeded the allowable limit. There is a need for more cautious management. 4. The image quality of breast phantom photography was affected by the screen/film system among the hospitals. 5. The average glandular dose at a breast of 4.2 cm thickness depended on the tube voltage, In the case of Mo/Mo, it was measured $0.26{\sim}1.39\;mGy$ less than ACR standard 3.0 mGy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.301-312
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• 1996

This study was performed to search a optimal analyzing method of cadmium in whole-blood. Cadmium was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry(GFAAS). We investigated the effect of ashing temperature on the absorbance of cadmium in a simple dilution(ten-fold) method with triton X-100 and matrix modifier methods treated with $NH_4H_2PO_4$(1 and 3%) and $Pd(NO_3)_2$(0.00l and 0.005%) as matrix modifier. We also compared the reported reference values of standard blood with values resulted from optimal analyzing conditions of this study. In case of a simple dilution method, when ashing temperature was set at $450^{\circ}C$, the absorbance of sample and background were $0.334{\pm}0.012$ and $1.382{\pm}0.245$, respectively. Background level was higher than the value(0.8) that can be corrected by $D_2$ background correction method. As ashing temperature was rised to $500^{\circ}C$, the absorbance of sample and background were $0.178{\pm}0.008$ and $0.711{\pm}0.223$ respectively. The higher ashing temperature($450^{\circ}C-650^{\circ}C$) was, the lower the absorbance of sample was. In case of a matrix modifier method with $NH_4H_2PO_4$(1 and 3%), when ashing temperature was rised from $500^{\circ}C$ to $650^{\circ}C$, the absorbance of sample slightly changed. The absorbances of sample at $600^{\circ}C$ were $0.230{\pm}0.017$ and $0.137{\pm}0.012$, respectively. These values were larger than that of simple dilution method. But the absorbance of background was higher than the level that can be corrected by $D_2$ method. In case of a matrix modifier method with $Pd(NO_3)_2$(0.001 and 0.005%), the absorbance of sample and background were higher than those of other methods and were stable and reproducible. When ashing temperature was over $550^{\circ}C$, the absorbance of sample was significantly decreased. In case of 0.005% $Pd(NO_3)_2$ carbon residue remained in graphite tube affected the absorbance of sample and background. From these results, We propose that in case of a simple dilution(ten-fold) method with triton X-100 ashing temperature must be maintained below $400^{\circ}C$. In order to diminish the absorbance of background, the alternative method is attenuation of injection volume or multiplication of dilution ratio. We recommend $Pd(NO_3)_2$ than $NH_4H_2PO_4$ as a matrix modifier. In case of a matrix modifier method with $Pd(NO_3)_2$ ashing temperature might be maintained below $550^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.167-174
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• 2023

Background: A nondestructive test is commonly used to inspect the surface defects and internal structure of an object without any physical damage. X-rays generated from an electron accelerator or a tube are one of the methods used for nondestructive testing. The high penetration of X-rays through materials with low atomic numbers makes it difficult to discriminate between these materials using X-ray imaging. The interaction characteristics of neutrons with materials can supplement the limitations of X-ray imaging in material discrimination. Materials and Methods: The radiation image acquisition process for air-cargo security inspection equipment using X-rays and neutrons was simulated using a GEometry ANd Tracking (Geant4) simulation toolkit. Radiation images of phantoms composed of 13 materials were obtained, and the R-value, representing the attenuation ratio of neutrons and gamma rays in a material, was calculated from these images. Results and Discussion: The R-values were calculated from the simulated X-ray and neutron images for each phantom and compared with those obtained in the experiments. The R-values obtained from the experiments were higher than those obtained from the simulations. The difference can be due to the following two causes. The first reason is that there are various facilities or equipment in the experimental environment that scatter neutrons, unlike the simulation. The other is the difference in the neutron signal processing. In the simulation, the neutron signal is the sum of the number of neutrons entering the detector. However, in the experiment, the neutron signal was obtained by superimposing the intensities of the neutron signals. Neutron detectors also detect gamma rays, and the neutron signal cannot be clearly distinguished in the process of separating the two types of radiation. Despite these differences, the two results showed similar trends and the viability of using simulation-based radiation images, particularly in the field of security screening. With further research, the simulation-based radiation images can replace ones from experiments and be used in the related fields. Conclusion: The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has developed air-cargo security inspection equipment using neutrons and X-rays. Using this equipment, radiation images and R-values for various materials were obtained. The equipment was reconstructed, and the R-values were obtained for 13 materials using the Geant4 simulation toolkit. The R-values calculated by experiment and simulation show similar trends. Therefore, we confirmed the feasibility of using the simulation-based radiation image.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.245-251
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• 2017

This study measured the exposure dose during abdominal-pelvic CT exam which occupies 70% of CT exam and tried to propose a protocol for optimized exposure dose in abdomen and pelvis without affecting the imagery interpretation. The study scanned abdomen-pelvis using the current clinical scan method, the 120 kVp, auto exposure control(AEC), as 1 phase. As for the newly proposed 2 phase scan method, the study divided into 1 phase abdomen exam and 2 phase pelvis exam and each conducted tube voltage 120 kVp, AEC for abdomen exam, and fixed tube current method in 120 kVp, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 mA for pelvis exam. The exposure dose value was compared using $CTDI_{VOL}$, DLP value measured during scan, and average value of CT attenuation coefficient, noise, SNR from each scan image were obtained to evaluate the image. As for the result, scanning of 2 phase showed significant difference compared to 1 phase. In $CTDI_{VOL}$ value, the 2 phase showed 26% decrease in abdomen, 1.8~59.5% decrease in pelvis for 100~250 mA, 12.7%~30% increase in pelvis for 300~400 mA. Also, DLP value showed 53% decrease in abdomen and 41~81% decrease in pelvis when scanned by 2 phase compared to 1 phase, but it was not statistically significant. As for the SNR, when scanning 2 phase close to heart, scanning 1 phase close to pelvis, scanning and scanning 1 phase at upper and lower abdomen, it was higher when scanning 2 phase for 200~250 mA. Also, the CT number and noise was overall similar, but the noise was high close to pelvis. However, when scanning 2 phase for 250 mA close to pelvis, the noise value came out similar to 1 phase, and did not show statistically significant difference. It seems when separating pelvis to scan in 250 mA rather than 400 mA in 1 phase as before, it is expected to have reduced effect of exposure dose without difference in the quality of image. Thus, for patients who often get abdominal-pelvic CT exam, fertile women or children, this study proposes 2 phase exam for smaller exposure dose with same image quality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2016

In this study, among various factors having influence on SUV, we intended to compare and analyze the change of SUV using CT(4 type) and MRI(3 type) contrast agents which are commercialized now. We used Discovery 690 PET/CT(GE) and NEMA NU2 - 1994 PET phantom as experimental equipment. We have conducted a study as follows; first, we filled distilled water to phantom about two-thirds and injected radioisotope(18F-FDG 37 MBq), contrast agent. Second, we mixed CT contrast agent with distilled water and MRI contrast agent with that water separately. And then, we stirred the fluid and filled distilled water fully not to make air bubble. In emission scan, we had 15minutes scanning time after 40 minutes mixing contrast agent with distilled water. In transmission scan, we used CT scanning and its measurement conditions were tube voltage 120 kVp, tube current 40 mA, rotation time 0.5 sec, slice thickness 3.27 mm, DFOV 30 cm. Analyzing results, we set up some ROIs in 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th slice and measured SUVmean, SUVmax. Consequently, all images mixed 3 types of MRI contrast agent with distilled water have high SUVmean as compared with pure FDG image but there was no statistical significance. In SUVmax, they have high score and there was statistical significance. And other 4 images mixed 4 types of CT contrast agent with distilled water have significance in both SUVmean and SUVmax. Attenuation correction in PET/CT has been executed through various methods to make high quality image. But we figured out that using CT and MRI contrast agents before PET/CT scanning could make distortion of image and decrease diagnostic value. In that reason, we have to sort out the priority of examination in hospital not to disturb other examination's results. Through this process, we will be able to give superior medical service to our customers.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.135-145
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• 2019

Analysis of a long cycle or a trend of time series data based on a long-term observation would require comparability between data observed in the past and the present. In the present study, we proposed an approach to ensure the compatibility among the instruments used for the long-term observation, which would allow to secure continuity of the data. An open-path gas analyzer (Model LI-7500, LI-COR, Inc., USA) has been used for eddy covariance flux measurement in the Gwangneung deciduous forest for more than 10 years. The open-path gas analyzer was replaced by an enclosed-path gas analyzer (Model EC155, Campbell Scientific, Inc., USA) in July 2015. Before completely replacing the gas analyzer, the carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and latent heat fluxes were collected using both gas analyzers simultaneously during a five-month period from August to December in 2015. It was found that the $CO_2$ fluxes were not significantly different between the gas analyzers under the condition that the daily mean temperature was higher than $0^{\circ}C$. However, the $CO_2$ flux measured by the open-path gas analyzer was negatively biased (from positive sign, i.e., carbon source, to 0 or negative sign, i.e., carbon neutral or sink) due to the instrument surface heating under the condition that the daily mean temperature was lower than $0^{\circ}C$. Despite applying the frequency response correction associated with tube attenuation of water vapor, the latent heat flux measured by the enclosed-path gas analyzer was on average 9% smaller than that measured by the open-path gas analyzer, which resulted in >20% difference of the sums over the study period. These results indicated that application of the additional air density correction would be needed due to the instrument heat and analysis of the long-term observational flux data would be facilitated by understanding the underestimation tendency of latent heat flux measurements by an enclosed-path gas analyzer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.441-447
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• 2023

Lead(Pb), which is currently mainly used for shielding purposes in the medical radiation, has excellent radiation shielding functions, but is continuously exposed to radiation directly or indirectly due to the harmfulness of lead itself to the human body and the inconvenience caused by its heavy weight. Research on shielding materials that are human-friendly, lightweight, and convenient to use that can block risks and replace lead is continuously being conducted. In this study, based on the commonly used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film and the fabric material used in actual radiation protective clothing, a multi-layer thin film was realized through sputtering and vacuum deposition of bismuth, tungsten, and tin, which are metal materials that can shield radiation. Thus, a shielding film was produced and its applicability as a radiation shielding material was evaluated. The radiation shielding film was manufactured by establishing the optimized conditions for each shielding material while controlling the applied voltage, roll driving speed, and gas supply amount to manufacture the shielding film. The adhesion between the parent material and the shielding metal thin film was confirmed by Cross-cut 100/100, and the stability of the thin film was confirmed through a hot water test for 1 hour to measure the change of the thin film over time. The shielding performance of the finally realized shielding film was measured by the Korea association for radiation application (KARA), and the test conditions (inverse wide beam, tube voltage 50 kV, half layer 1.828 mmAl) were set to obtain an attenuation ratio of 16.4 (initial value 0.300 mGy/s, measured value 0.018 mGy/s) and damping ratio 4.31 (initial value 0.300 mGy/s, measured value 0.069 mGy/s) were obtained. by securing process efficiency for future commercialization, light and shielding films and fabrics were used to lay the foundation for the application of films to radiation protective clothing or construction materials with shielding functions.