• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.503-509
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• 2009

The development of technology has led to ubiquitous health care service, which enables many patients to receive medical services anytime and anywhere. For the ubiquitous health care environment, real-time measurement of biomedical signals is very important, and the medical instruments must be small and portable or wearable. So, such devices have been developed to measure biomedical signals. In this study, we develop the biomedical monitoring device which is sensing the PPG signal, one of the useful signal in the field of ubiquitous healthcare. We design a watch-like biomedical signal monitoring system without a finger probe to prevent the user's inconvenience. This system obtains the PPG from the radial artery using a sensor in the wrist band. But, new device developed in this paper is easy to get the motion artifacts. So, we proposed new algorithm removing the motion artifacts from the PPG signal. The method detects motion artifacts by changing the degree of brightness of the light source. If the brightness of the light source is reduced, the PPG pulses will disappear. When the PPG pulses have disappeared completely, the remaining signal is not the signal that results from the changing blood flow. We believe that this signal is the motion artifact and call it the noise reference signal. The motion artifacts are removed by subtracting the noise reference signal from the input signal. We apply this algorithm to the system, so we can stabilize the biomedical monitoring system we designed.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.63-74
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• 2007

Fast Fourier transform(FFT) is powerful, fast computation framework for convolution in many image restoration application. However, an actually observed image acquired with finite aperture of the acquisition device from the infinite background and it lost data outside the cropped region. Because of these the boundary artifacts are produced. This paper reviewed and summarized the up to date the techniques that have been applied to reduce of the boundary artifacts. Moreover, we propose a new block-based fast image restoration using combined extrapolation and edge-tapering without boundary artifacts with reduced computational loads. We apply edgetapering to the inner blocks because they contain outside information of boundary. And outer blocks use half-convolution extrapolation. For this process it is possible that fast image restoration without boundary artifacts.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.576-582
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• 2011

In this paper, we proposed the improved Advanced Detail Enhancement algorithm that improve the blurring by the lossy compression with CODEC and reduce the ringing artifacts in restoration. The conventional algorithm needs much amount of the process by the use of RGB color space. To improve this, we only used the luminance value in YCbCr color space. We verified that the performance of the improved algorithm with Y color value, the luminance value, is equal to the conventional algorithm with RGB color value and that the operation time of the improved is shorter about 24% than the conventional through the measurement of the operation time with Kodak standard images.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.165-173
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• 2014

This paper presents a fast and high-quality haze removal method by the modification of the conventional transmission estimation process. In the conventional haze removal method, the halo and blocking artifacts arises while estimating the transmission. In order to effectively reduce the artifacts, the proposed method employs the maximum filter after the calculation of the dark channel. Because of the reduction of the artifacts, the proposed method can simplify the transmission refinement process without sacrificing the quality of the results: this paper proposes to use the single-channel guided filter instead of the multi-channel guided filter. The experimental results demonstrate that the quality of the dehazed results by the proposed transmission correction process is improved and the haze removal speed is increased by up to 59.6%, when compared to the conventional ones.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.286-292
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• 2016

This study evaluates the change of computer tomography (CT) number in the case of the metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithm, using the phantom. The images were obtained from dual CT using a gammex 467 tissue characterization phantom, which is similar to human tissues. The test method was performed by dividing pre and post MAR algorithm and measured CT values of nonmagnetic materials within the phantom. In addition, the changes of CT values for each material were compared and analyzed after measuring CT values up to 140 keV, using the spectral HU curve followed by CT scan. As a result, in the cases of N rod (trabecular bone) and E rod (trabecular bone), the CT numbers decreased as keV increasing but were constant above 90 keV. In the cases of I rod (dense bone) and K rod (dense bone), the CT numbers also decreased as keV increased but were uniform above 90 keV. The CT numbers from 40 keV to 140 keV were consistent in the cases of J rod (liver), D rod (liver), L rod (muscle), and F rod (muscle). For A rod (adipose), G rod (adipose), B rod (breast) and O rod (breast), the CT numbers increased as keV increased but were constant after 90 keV. The CT numbers from 40 keV to 140 keV were consistent in the cases of C rod (lung (exhale)), P rod (lung (exhale)), M rod (lung (inhale)) and H rod (lung (exhale)). Conclusively, because dual CT exhibits no changes in image quality and is able to analyze nonmagnetic materials by measuring the CT values of various materials, it will be used in the future as a useful tool for the diagnosis of lesions.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.455-476
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• 2022

The aim of this study was to develop Jiangxi Nuo masks using 3D digital fashion design technology and suggest various ways to utilize traditional culture based on the characteristics of Nuo masks, a traditional Chinese artifact of intangible cultural significance. The researchers conducted a literature review to gather information about Nuo culture and masks that could represent Jiangxi. Features of the masks were analyzed and classified. The result are as follows. First, the symbolic characteristics of Jiangxi's Nuo masks can be divided into those based on their origin and history, the user's social status, and the notions of primitive beliefs of the chosen people, such as naturism and totemism. Second, Nuo masks' splendid decorations convey meanings such as luck, the bixie, longevity, wealth, and peace in the family. Third, playfulness in mask-making is about dismantling the original form of the mask, re-creating it through application. Fourth, the masks express primitiveness mostly by conserving the wood's original color or material. The initial masks carved to represent images of figures aptly deliver the primitive forms and images of Nuo culture. In this study, Nuo masks were developed and produced using the 3D digital technology CLO 3D by adopting the expressive characteristics and applying design methods such as asymmetricity, exaggeration, and modification. The results of this study demonstrate the possibility of creating diverse as well as economical designs through the reduction of production.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.16.1-16.11
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of peak kilovoltage (kVp) and a metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool on image quality and the diagnosis of vertical root fracture (VRF) in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Twenty single-rooted human teeth filled with an intracanal metal post were divided into 2 groups: control (n = 10) and VRF (n = 10). Each tooth was placed into the socket of a dry mandible, and CBCT scans were acquired using a Picasso Trio varying the kVp (70, 80, 90, or 99), and the use of MAR (with or without). The examinations were assessed by 5 examiners for the diagnosis of VRF using a 5-point scale. A subjective evaluation of the expression of artifacts was done by comparing random axial images of the studied protocols. The results of the diagnoses were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and the Tukey post hoc test, the subjective evaluations were compared using the Friedman test, and intra-examiner reproducibility was evaluated using the weighted kappa test (α = 5%). Results: The kVp and MAR did not influence the diagnosis of VRF (p > 0.05). According to the subjective classification, the 99 kVp protocol with MAR demonstrated the least expression of artifacts, while the 70 kVp protocol without MAR led to the most artifacts. Conclusions: Protocols with higher kVp combined with MAR improved the image quality of CBCT examinations. However, those factors did not lead to an improvement in the diagnosis of VRF.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.6
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• pp.1229-1239
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• 2022

Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has shown potential clinical utility in a wide range of MRI fields. In particular, AI models for improving the efficiency of the image acquisition process and the quality of reconstructed images are being actively developed by the MR research community. AI is expected to further reduce acquisition times in various MRI protocols used in clinical practice when compared to current parallel imaging techniques. Additionally, AI can help with tasks such as planning, parameter optimization, artifact reduction, and quality assessment. Furthermore, AI is being actively applied to automate MR image analysis such as image registration, segmentation, and object detection. For this reason, it is important to consider the effects of protocols or devices in MR image analysis. In this review article, we briefly introduced issues related to AI application of MR image acquisition and reconstruction.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2024

Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of artifacts generated by metal crowns on the detection of proximal caries lesions in teeth at various distances using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Additionally, the diagnostic impacts of tube current and metal artifact reduction (MAR) were investigated. Materials and Methods: Thirty teeth were arranged within 10 phantoms, each containing 1 first premolar, 1 second premolar, and 1 second molar. A sound first molar (for the control group) or a tooth with a metal crown was placed. Of the 60 proximal surfaces evaluated, 15 were sound and 45 exhibited enamel caries. CBCT scans were acquired using an OP300 Maxio unit (Instrumentarium, Tuusula, Finland), while varying the tube current (4, 8, or 12.5 mA) and enabling or disabling MAR. Five observers assessed mesial and distal surfaces using a 5-point scale. Multi-way analysis of variance was employed for data comparison, with P<0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results: The area under the curve (AUC) varied from 0.40 to 0.60 (sensitivity: 0.28-0.45, specificity: 0.44-0.80). The diagnostic accuracy was not significantly affected by the presence of a metal crown, milliamperage, or MAR(P>0.05). However, the overall AUC and specificity were significantly lower for surfaces near a crown (P<0.05). Conclusion: CBCT-based caries detection was not influenced by the presence of a metal crown, variations in milliamperage, or MAR activation. However, the diagnostic accuracy was low and was further diminished for surfaces near a crown. Consequently, CBCT is not recommended for the detection of incipient caries lesions.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.252-260
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• 2012

The reduction of radiation dose from x-ray is a main concern in computed tomography (CT) imaging due to the side-effect of the dose on human body. Recently, the various methods for dose reduction have been studied in CT and one of the method is a iterative reconstruction based on total variation (TV) minimization at few-views data. In this paper, we evaluated the image quality between total variation (TV) minimization algorithm and Feldkam-Davis-kress (FDK) algorithm in micro computed tomography (CT). To evaluate the effect of TV minimization algorithm, we produced a cylindrical phantom including contrast media, water, air inserts. We can acquire maximum 400 projection views per rotation of the x-ray tube and detector. 20, 50, 90, 180 projection data were chosen for evaluating the level of image restoration by TV minimization. The phantom and mouse image reconstructed with FDK algorithm at 400 projection data used as a reference image for comparing with TV minimization and FDK algorithm at few-views. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), Universal quality index (UQI) were used as a image evaluation metric. When projection data are not insufficient, our results show that the image quality of reconstructed with TV minimization is similar to reconstructed image with FDK at 400 view. In the cylindrical phantom study, the CNR of TV image was 5.86, FDK image was 5.65 and FDK-reference was 5.98 at 90-views. The CNR of TV image 0.21 higher than FDK image CNR at 90-views. UQI of TV image was 0.99 and FDK image was 0.81 at 90-views. where, the number of projection is 90, the UQI of TV image 0.18 higher than FDK image at 90-views. In the mouse study UQI of TV image was 0.91, FDK was 0.83 at 90-views. the UQI of TV image 0.08 higher than FDK image at 90-views. In cylindrical phantom image and mouse image study, TV minimization algorithm shows the best performance in artifact reduction and preserving edges at few view data. Therefore, TV minimization can potentially be expected to reduce patient dose in clinics.