• 한국음향학회지
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.282-293
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• 2005

음향 탄성영상법은 외부 진동을 조직에 인가하고 조직 운동을 측정함으로써 조직의 탄성을 영상화하는 초음파영상기법이다. 본 논문에서는 음향 탄성영상법에서 표면 진동자에 의해 연조직 내에 파동이 발생되는 특성과 모드패턴이암과 같은 병변 검출에 미치는 영향을 조사였다. 이를 위해 반공간, 두께가 일정한 무한평판, 그리고 유한 크기 조직에서 발생된 진동패턴을 이론과 유한요소법으로 계산하고 분석하였다. 유한 너비 진동원에 의해 조직에는 특정한 방향으로 강하게 전달되는 횡파가 발생하였으며, 그 특성은 진동자 너비, 주파수 및 진동자로부터의 거리에 의존하였다. 유한 크기 조직에서 병변의 검출가능성은 변위영상에서는 조직내 모드패턴에 큰 영향을 받았으며, 이에 비해 변형률영상에서는 모드패턴에 덜 민감하고 검출가능성도 아주 높은 것으로 나타났다.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.1083-1088
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• 2014

최근 영상 기술과 ICT 기술의 발전으로 인해 다양한 형태의 영상처리 서비스가 가능하게 되고, 이러한 기술을 활용하는 응용 서비스가 다양화 되고 있다. 자동차 번호판 인식은 주차관리 등 차량의 정보를 인지하는 곳에 사용되는데 기존의 시스템들은 주차권 발급이나 불필요한 장비 부착 등 경제적인 단점을 갖고 있다. 이러한 문제점을 개선하기 위하여 본 논문에서는 OpenCV를 근간으로 한 emguCV를 이용하여 차량의 고유번호인 자동차 번호판 인식을 통한 자동 주차관리 시스템을 설계 및 구현하였다. 그리고 사용자 프로그램 개발에 가장 최신 기술인 WPF를 이용하여 각 주차 차량의 상세정보와 주차 시간 및 남은 주차 공간 정보 등 전체 주차관리 사항을 화면이동 없이 관리할 수 있도록 개선된 UI를 설계하였다. 본 논문에서 사용된 emguCV는 Intel 기반의 환경에서 최적화된 성능을 나타내었다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 0.5초 이내의 번호판 인식 처리 시간과 90% 이상의 인식률이라는 결과를 얻었다. 또한 관리자가 전체 시스템을 간편하고 직관적으로 관리할 수 있게 UI가 개선되었음을 보였다.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.773-778
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• 2019

X-선을 이용한 영상은 진단에 필수적인 요소지만 영상에서의 noise발생이 불가피하다. 이를 보완하기 위해 환자의 피폭선량은 낮추면서 영상의 질은 높여주는 total variation (TV) 알고리즘이 제시되었다. 본 연구의 목적은 시뮬레이션을 통해 부가 여과판의 두께에 따라 방사선 영상 촬영 시 영상의 화질에 미치는 영향을 확인하고, TV 알고리즘의 유용성을 평가하는 것이다. 부가 여과판의 두께변화에 따른 각 알고리즘 적용 시 Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) 시뮬레이션 영상을 이용하여 Polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) 팬텀의 실제 크기, 모양과 재질을 동일하게 하고 대조도 대 잡음비 (contrast to noise ratio, CNR)과 변동계수 (coefficient of variation, COV)값을 비교하였으며 그 결과 TV 알고리즘 적용 시 CNR 값이 가장 높고 COV 값이 가장 낮다는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, 모든 알고리즘에서 0 mmAl을 사용할 경우 가장 우수한 CNR과 COV값을 얻을 수 있었다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권7호
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• pp.2364-2370
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• 2021

The ⁿMCP (Neutron sensitive microchannel plate) combined with advanced readout electronics is widely used in energy selective neutron imaging because of its good spatial and timing resolution. Neutron detection efficiency is a crucial parameter for the ⁿMCP. In this paper, a mathematical model based on the oblique cylindrical channel and elliptical pore was established to calculate the neutron absorption probability, the escape probability of charged particles and overall detection efficiency of ⁿMCP and analyze the effects of neutron incident position, pore diameter, wall thickness and bias angle. It was shown that when the doping concentration of the ⁿMCP was 10 mol%, the thickness of ⁿMCP was 0.6 mm, the detection efficiency could reach maximum value, about 24% for thermal neutrons if the pore diameter was 6 ㎛, the wall thickness was 2 ㎛ and the bias angle was 3 or 6°. The calculated results are of great significance for evaluating the detection efficiency of the ⁿMCP. In a subsequent companion paper, the mathematical model would be extended to the case of the spatial resolution and detection efficiency optimization of the coating ⁿMCP.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.29-36
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• 2019

Background: The execution of fibular allograft augmentation in unstable proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) was technically demanding. In this study, the authors evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes after tricortical iliac allograft (TIA) augmentation in PHFs. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 38 PHF patients treated with locking-plate fixation and TIA augmentation. Insertion of a TIA was indicated when an unstable PHF showed a large cavitary defect and poor medial column support after open reduction, regardless of the presence of medial cortical comminution in preoperative images. Radiographic imaging parameters (humeral head height, HHH; humeral neck-shaft angle, HNSA; head mediolateral offset, HMLO; and status of the union), Constant score, and range of motion were evaluated. Patients were grouped according to whether the medial column support after open reduction was poor or not (groups A and B, respectively); clinical outcomes were compared for all parameters. Results: All fractures healed radiologically (average duration to complete union, 5.8 months). At final evaluation, the average Constant score was 73 points and the mean active forward flexion was $148^{\circ}$. Based on the Paavolainen assessment method, 33 patients had good results and 5 patients showed fair results. The mean loss of reduction was 1.32 mm in HHH and 5.02% in HMLO. None of the parameters evaluated showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (poor and not poor medial column support). Conclusions: In unstable PHFs, TIA augmentation can provide good clinical and radiological results when there are poor medial column support and a large cavitary defect after open reduction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.452-459
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenoside compound K(C-K), a major metabolite of ginsenoside, exhibits anticancer activity in various cancer cells and animal models. A cell signaling study has shown that C-K inhibited nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) pathway in human astroglial cells and liver cancer cells. However, the molecular targets of C-K and the initiating events were not elucidated. Methods: Interaction between C-K and Annexin A2 was determined by molecular docking and thermal shift assay. HepG2 cells were treated with C-K, followed by a luciferase reporter assay for $NF-{\kappa}B$, immunofluorescence imaging for the subcellular localization of Annexin A2 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 subunit, coimmunoprecipitation of Annexin A2 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 subunit, and both cell viability assay and plate clone formation assay to determine the cell viability. Results: Both molecular docking and thermal shift assay positively confirmed the interaction between Annexin A2 and C-K. This interaction prevented the interaction between Annexin A2 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50 subunit and their nuclear colocalization, which attenuated the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and the expression of its downstream genes, followed by the activation of caspase 9 and 3. In addition, the overexpression of Annexin A2-K320A, a C-K binding-deficient mutant of Annexin A2, rendered cells to resist C-K treatment, indicating that C-K exerts its cytotoxic activity mainly by targeting Annexin A2. Conclusion: This study for the first time revealed a cellular target of C-K and the molecular mechanism for its anticancer activity.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• 제6권5호
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• pp.445-452
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• 2022

We developed an adaptive optics test bench using an optical simulator and two rotating phase plates that mimicked the atmospheric turbulence at Bohyunsan Observatory. The observatory was reported to have a Fried parameter with a mean value of 85 mm and standard deviation of 13 mm, often expressed as 85 ± 13 mm. First, we fabricated several phase plates to generate realistic atmospheric-like turbulence. Then, we selected a pair from among the fabricated phase plates to emulate the atmospheric turbulence at the site. The result was 83 ± 11 mm. To address dynamic behavior, we emulated the atmospheric disturbance produced by a wind flow of 8.3 m/s by controlling the rotational speed of the phase plates. Finally, we investigated how closely the atmospheric disturbance simulation emulated reality with an investigation of the measurements on the optical table. The verification confirmed that the simulator showed a Fried parameter of 87 ± 15 mm as designed, but a little slower wind velocity (7.5 ± 2.5 m/s) than expected. This was because of the nonlinear motion of the phase plates. In conclusion, we successfully mimicked the atmospheric disturbance of Bohyunsan Observatory with an error of less than 10% in terms of Fried parameter and wind velocity.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.2.1-2.14
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• 2024

Background: Sufficient surgical resection is necessary for effective tumor control, but is usually limited for vertebral tumors, especially in the cervical spine in small animal neurosurgery. Objective: To evaluate the primary stability and safety of customized three-dimensional (3D)-printed implants for cervical spine reconstruction after total vertebrectomy. Methods: Customized guides and implants were designed based on computed tomography (CT) imaging of five beagle cadavers and were 3D-printed. They were used to reconstruct C5 after total vertebrectomy. Postoperative CT images were obtained to evaluate the safety and accuracy of screw positioning. After harvesting 10 vertebral specimens (C3-C7) from intact (group A) and implanted spines (group B), implant stability was analyzed using a 4-point bending test comparing with groups A and C (reconstituted with plate and pins/polymethylmethacrylate after testing in Group A). Results: All customized implants were applied without gross neurovascular damage. In addition, 90% of the screws were in a safe area, with 7.5% in grade 1 (< 1.3 mm) and 2.5% in grade 2 (> 1.3 mm). The mean entry point and angular deviations were 0.81 ± 0.43 mm and 6.50 ± 5.11°, respectively. Groups B and C significantly decreased the range of motion (ROM) in C3-C7 compared with intact spines (p = 0.033, and 0.018). Both groups reduced overall ROM and neutral zone in C4-C6, but only group B showed significance (p = 0.005, and 0.027). Conclusion: Customized 3D-printed implants could safely and accurately replace a cervical vertebra in dog cadavers while providing primary stability.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.264-270
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to propose a methodological approach for reducing the radiation dose in pediatric cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), focusing exclusively on balancing image quality with dose optimization. Materials and Methods: The dose-area product (DAP) for exposure was reduced using copper-plate attenuation of an X-ray source. The thickness of copper (Cu) was increased from 0 to 2.2 mm, and 10 different DAP levels were used. The QUART DVT_AP phantom and pediatric radiologic dentiform were scanned under the respective DAP levels. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), image homogeneity, and modulation transfer function (MTF) were analyzed using the QUART DVT_AP phantom. An expert evaluation (overall image grade, appropriateness of field of view, artifacts, noise, and resolution) was conducted using pediatric dentiform images. The critical DAP level was determined based on phantom and dentiform analysis results. Results: CNR and image homogeneity decreased as the DAP was reduced; however, there was an inflection point of image homogeneity at Cu 1.6 mm (DAP=138.00 mGy·cm²), where the value started increasing. The MTF showed constant values as the DAP decreased. The expert evaluation of overall image grades showed "no diagnostic value" for dentiform images with Cu 1.9-2.2 mm (DAP=78.00-103.33 mGy·cm²). The images with Cu 0-1.6 mm (DAP=138.00-1697.67mGy·cm²) had a "good," "moderate," or "poor but interpretable" grade. Conclusion: Reducing DAP beyond a 1.6-mm Cu thickness degraded CBCT image quality. Image homogeneity and clinical image grades indicated crucial decision points for DAP reduction in pediatric CBCT scans.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.284-292
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• 2018

멜라닌 농축 호르몬(melanin-concentrating hormone, MCH)은 17개의 아미노산으로 구성된 환형의 시상하부 펩티드로 색소 침착의 조절인자로서 연어에서 처음 분리되었다. 포유동물의 MCH는 19개의 아미노산으로 구성되어 있으며 섭식 및 에너지 항상성을 조절하는데 관여한다. 본 연구에서는 양식넙치의 다양한 조직에서 MCH 유전자의 발현 분포, 멜라닌 함유 세포의 집적, 포유동물 MCH 수용체와 양식넙치 MCH의 상호작용을 조사하였다. Real-time qPCR을 이용하여 뇌, 정소, 난소에서 MCH 유전자의 발현이 나타나는 것을 확인하였고, 수정 후 발달 단계에서도 MCH 유전자의 발현을 확인할 수 있었다. 합성된 연어 sMCH, 포유류 hMCH, 양식넙치 fMCH, dN-fMCH, dC-fMCH를 양식 넙치의 표피에 처리했을 때 다양한 농도에 따라 멜라닌 함유 세포의 집적이 다양하게 나타났다. 연어 sMCH, 포유류 hMCH에 비해 양식넙치 fMCH의 멜라닌 함유세포의 집적도가 36~99.85%로 비역가를 나타났으나 양식넙치 dN-fMCH, dC-fMCH를 처리한 경우 양식넙치 fMCH에 비해 높은 농도에서 집적이 나타나고 짧은 시간에 분산되었다. 또한, 인간 MCH 수용체와 쥐 MCH 수용체가 발현된 포유동물의 세포주에 양식넙치 fMCH를 처리하여 각 수용체와 결합하는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 어류에서 발현되는 MCH가 포유동물의 MCH와 유사한 구조를 가지고 있어 MCH 수용체에 대한 새로운 리간드로서 제공될 수 있으며, 향후 어류의 MCH 수용체에 확대 적용할 수 있을 것이다.