• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.108-116
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• 2006

Purpose : High-resolution spiral-scan imaging is performed at 3 Tesla MRI system. Since the gradient waveforms for the spiral-scan imaging have lower slopes than those for the Echo Planar Imaging (EPI), they can be implemented with the gradient systems having lower slew rates. The spiral-scan imaging also involves less eddy currents due to the smooth gradient waveforms. The spiral-scan imaging method does not suffer from high specific absorption rate (SAR), which is one of the main obstacles in high field imaging for rf echo-based fast imaging methods such as fast spin echo techniques. Thus, the spiral-scan imaging has a great potential for the high-speed imaging in high magnetic fields. In this paper, we presented various high-resolution images obtained by the spiral-scan methods at 3T MRI system for various applications. Materials and Methods : High-resolution spiral-scan imaging technique is implemented at 3T whole body MRI system. An efficient and fast higher-order shimming technique is developed to reduce the inhomogeneity, and the single-shot and interleaved spiral-scan imaging methods are developed. Spin-echo and gradient-echo based spiral-scan imaging methods are implemented, and image contrast and signal-tonoise ratio are controlled by the echo time, repetition time, and the rf flip angles. Results : Spiral-scan images having various resolutions are obtained at 3T MRI system. Since the absolute magnitude of the inhomogeneity is increasing in higher magnetic fields, higher order shimming to reduce the inhomogeneity becomes more important. A fast shimming technique in which axial, sagittal, and coronal sectional inhomogeneity maps are obtained in one scan is developed, and the shimming method based on the analysis of spherical harmonics of the inhomogeneity map is applied. For phantom and invivo head imaging, image matrix size of about $100{\times}100$ is obtained by a single-shot spiral-scan imaging, and a matrix size of $256{\times}256$ is obtained by the interleaved spiral-scan imaging with the number of interleaves of from 6 to 12. Conclusion : High field imaging becomes increasingly important due to the improved signal-to-noise ratio, larger spectral separation, and the higher BOLD-based contrast. The increasing SAR is, however, a limiting factor in high field imaging. Since the spiral-scan imaging has a very low SAR, and lower hardware requirements for the implementation of the technique compared to EPI, it is suitable for a rapid imaging in high fields. In this paper, the spiral-scan imaging with various resolutions from $100{\times}100$ to $256{\times}256$ by controlling the number of interleaves are developed for the high-speed imaging in high magnetic fields.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.34 no.2_2
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• pp.377-391
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• 2018

In order to efficiently monitor red tide over a wide range, the need for red tide detection using remote sensing is increasing. However, the previous studies focus on the development of red tide detection algorithm for ocean colour sensor. In this study, we propose the use of multi-sensor to improve the inaccuracy for red tide detection and remote sensing data in coastal areas with high turbidity, which are pointed out as limitations of satellite-based red tide monitoring. The study area were selected based on the red tide information provided by National Institute of Fisheries Science, and spatial fusion and spectral-based fusion were attempted using GOCI image as ocean colour sensor and Landsat OLI image as terrestrial sensor. Through spatial fusion of the two images, both the red tide of the coastal area and the outer sea areas, where the quality of Landsat OLI image was low, which were impossible to observe in GOCI images, showed improved detection results. As a result of spectral-based fusion performed by feature-level and rawdata-level, there was no significant difference in red tide distribution patterns derived from the two methods. However, in the feature-level method, the red tide area tends to overestimated as spatial resolution of the image low. As a result of pixel segmentation by linear spectral unmixing method, the difference in the red tide area was found to increase as the number of pixels with low red tide ratio increased. For rawdata-level, Gram-Schmidt sharpening method estimated a somewhat larger area than PC spectral sharpening method, but no significant difference was observed. In this study, it is shown that coastal red tide with high turbidity as well as outer sea areas can be detected through spatial fusion of ocean colour and terrestrial sensor. Also, by presenting various spectral-based fusion methods, more accurate red tide area estimation method is suggested. It is expected that this result will provide more precise detection of red tide around the Korean peninsula and accurate red tide area information needed to determine countermeasure to effectively control red tide.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.344-359
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• 2022

Purpose To develop a denoising convolutional neural network-based image processing technique and investigate its efficacy in diagnosing breast cancer using low-dose mammography imaging. Materials and Methods A total of 6 breast radiologists were included in this prospective study. All radiologists independently evaluated low-dose images for lesion detection and rated them for diagnostic quality using a qualitative scale. After application of the denoising network, the same radiologists evaluated lesion detectability and image quality. For clinical application, a consensus on lesion type and localization on preoperative mammographic examinations of breast cancer patients was reached after discussion. Thereafter, coded low-dose, reconstructed full-dose, and full-dose images were presented and assessed in a random order. Results Lesions on 40% reconstructed full-dose images were better perceived when compared with low-dose images of mastectomy specimens as a reference. In clinical application, as compared to 40% reconstructed images, higher values were given on full-dose images for resolution (p < 0.001); diagnostic quality for calcifications (p < 0.001); and for masses, asymmetry, or architectural distortion (p = 0.037). The 40% reconstructed images showed comparable values to 100% full-dose images for overall quality (p = 0.547), lesion visibility (p = 0.120), and contrast (p = 0.083), without significant differences. Conclusion Effective denoising and image reconstruction processing techniques can enable breast cancer diagnosis with substantial radiation dose reduction.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.33 no.6_2
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• pp.1139-1149
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• 2017

Measuring tree's volume is very important input data of various environmental analysis modeling However, It's difficult to use economical and equipment to measure a fragmented small green space in the city. In addition, Trees are sensitive to seasons, so we need new and easier equipment and quantification methods for measuring trees than lidar for high frequency monitoring. In particular, the tree's size in a city affect management costs, ecosystem services, safety, and so need to be managed and informed on the individual tree-based. In this study, we aim to acquire image data with UAV(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), which can be operated at low cost and frequently, and quickly and easily quantify a single tree using SfM-MVS(Structure from Motion-Multi View Stereo), and we evaluate the impact of reducing number of images on the point density of point clouds generated from SfM-MVS and the quantification of single trees. Also, We used the Watertight model to estimate the volume of a single tree and to shape it into a 3D structure and compare it with the quantification results of 3 different type of 3D models. The results of the analysis show that UAV, SfM-MVS and solid model can quantify and shape a single tree with low cost and high time resolution easily. This study is only for a single tree, Therefore, in order to apply it to a larger scale, it is necessary to follow up research to develop it, such as convergence with various spatial information data, improvement of quantification technique and flight plan for enlarging green space.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.987-994
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• 2019

Low energy x-rays that occur in the low tube voltage radiography of general radiography are absorbed strongly in the body and do not aid image quality enhancement. This study maintains titer in general radiography while using tube current that are proportional to density and the tube voltage 15% principle according to density to reduce patient exposure doses, and area doses and entrance surface doses were measured to compare patient exposure doses. In hand, knee, abdomen, and skull radiography, kVp was increased to 115% and mAs was decreased to 50% and kVp was decreased to 85% while mAs was increased to 200% and area doses and entrance surface doses were measured to compare relative doses. Also, 5 places in each image were set, density was measured, and Kruskal wallis H test was conducted to observe significance probabilities between groups. To fix density, kVp was increased to 115% and mAs was decreased to 50% and after measurements of mean area doses and entrance surface doses were made by each part, each decreased to 58.68% and 59.85% when standard doses were set to 100%, and each increased to 147.28% and 159.9% when kVp was decreased to 85% and mAs was increased to 200%. Comparisons of density changes showed that hand, knee, abdomen, and skull radiography all displayed significance probabilities>0.05, showing no changes in concentration. Radiography that increases kVp and lowers mAs through reasonable calculations within ranges that don't affect resolution and contrast seems to be a simple way to decrease patient exposure doses.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2016

In recent years, UAV Photogrammetry based on an ultra-light UAS(Unmanned Aerial System) installed with a low-cost compact navigation device and a camera has attracted great attention through fast and accurate acquirement of geo-spatial data. In particular, UAV Photogrammetry do gradually replace the traditional aerial photogrammetry because it is able to produce DEMs(Digital Elevation Models) and Orthophotos rapidly owing to large amounts of high resolution image collection by a low-cost camera and image processing software combined with computer vision technique. With these advantages, UAV-Photogrammetry has therefore been applying to a large scale mapping and cadastral surveying that require accurate position information. This paper presents experimental results of an accuracy performance test with images of 4cm GSD from a fixed wing UAS to demarcate parcel boundaries in agricultural area. Consequently, the accuracy of boundary point extracted from UAS orthoimage has shown less than 8cm compared with that of terrestrial cadastral surveying. This means that UAV images satisfy the tolerance limit of distance error in cadastral surveying for the scale of 1: 500. And also, the area deviation is negligible small, about 0.2%(3.3m²), against true area of 1,969m² by cadastral surveying. UAV-Photogrammetry is therefore as a promising technology to demarcate parcel boundaries.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 2014

In this study, a real-time evaluation system for quantitative dynamic fitting during pedaling was developed. The system is consisted of LED markers, a digital camera connected to a computer and a marker detecting program. LED markers are attached to hip, knee, ankle joint and fifth metatarsal in the sagittal plane. Playstation3 eye which is selected as a main digital camera in this paper has many merits for using motion capture, such as high FPS (Frame per second) about 180FPS, $320{\times}240$ resolution, and low-cost with easy to use. The maker detecting program was made by using Labview2010 with Vision builder. The program was made up of three parts, image acquisition & processing, marker detection & joint angle calculation, and output section. The digital camera's image was acquired in 95FPS, and the program was set-up to measure the lower-joint angle in real-time, providing the user as a graph, and allowing to save it as a test file. The system was verified by pedalling at three saddle heights (knee angle: 25, 35, $45^{\circ}$) and three cadences (30, 60, 90 rpm) at each saddle heights by using Holmes method, a method of measuring lower limbs angle, to determine the saddle height. The result has shown low average error and strong correlation of the system, respectively, $1.18{\pm}0.44^{\circ}$, $0.99{\pm}0.01^{\circ}$. There was little error due to the changes in the saddle height but absolute error occurred by cadence. Considering the average error is approximately $1^{\circ}$, it is a suitable system for quantitative dynamic fitting evaluation. It is necessary to decrease error by using two digital camera with frontal and sagittal plane in future study.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.325-342
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• 1998

Two RADARSAT SAR images with different modes acquired by Canadian Space Agency to test the effectiveness of geological lineament extraction and spring water detection over the Cheju Island. Geological lineaments are poorly developed this basalt dominant volcanic island, but more linear features can be extracted when SAR and TM images are simultaneously analyzed than when TM image alone is used. This results mainly owe to the facts that RADARSAT SAR systems are able to provide data with different frequencies, azimuth, and incidence angles. Distribution of spring water along coast is poorly correlated with geological lineaments or drainage pattern, but those in middle range of mountain region are developed along geological lineaments. Detection of spring water using remotely sensed images are turned out to be very difficult to achieve. Radial shaped sea surface temperature anomaly derived from TM thermal band should be the best candidate for spring water, but the resolution is not high enough. We also investigate the normalized radar cross section (or sigma naught) converted from RADARSAT and ERS-1 SAR data but to discriminate the spring water effectively except where relatively large water mass is observed on land side. Speckle noise and irregularity in physical sea surface condition are the serious obstacles for this application. ERS-1 SAR image acquired in low incidence angle was more useful for geological lineament estimation and water body study than RADARSAT SAR images with high incidence angles. Therefore the selection of incidence angle is critical in geological and spring water applications of SAR images, and low incidence angles less than about 30$^{\circ}$ are recommended to monitor the Cheju volcanic island.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2023

Purpose: CT scan makes up for the weak point of the nuclear medicine image having a low resolution and also were used for attenuation correction on image reconstruction. Recently, many studies try to make use of CT images additionally, one of them is to measure the bone mineral density(BMD) using Quantitative CT(QCT) software. BMD exams are performed to scan lumbar and femur with DXA(Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) in order to diagnose bone disease such as osteopenia, osteoporosis. The purpose of this study is to identify the usefulness of QCT_BMD analyzed with low dose CT images on L-spine Bone SPECT/CT comparing with DXA_BMD. Materials and Methods: Fifty five women over 50 years old (mean 66.4 ± 9.1) who took the both examinations(L-spine Bone SPECT/CT with SIEMENS Intevo 16 and DXA scan with GE Lunar prodigy advance) within 90 days from April 2017 to July 2022, BMD, T-score and disease classification were analyzed. Three-dimensional BMD was analyzed with low dose CT images acquired on L-spine Bone SPECT/CT scan on Mindways QCT PRO^TM software and two-dimensional BMD was analyzed on DXA scan. Basically, Lumbar 1-4 were analyzed and the patients who has lesion or spine implants on L-spine were excluded for this study. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed in BMD and T-score, chi-square test was performed in disease classification between QCT and DXA. Results: On 55 patients, the minimum of QCT_BMD was 18.10, maximum was 166.50, average was 82.71 ± 31.5 mg/cm³. And the minimum of DXA-BMD was 0.540, maximum was 1.302, average was 0.902 ± 0.201 g/cm², respectively. The result shows a strong statistical correlation between QCT_BMD and DXA_BMD(p<0.001, r=0.76). The minimum of QCT_T-score was -5.7, maximum was -0.1, average was -3.2 ± 1.3 and the minimum of DXA_T-score was -5.0, maximum was 1.7, average was -2.0 ± 1.3, respectively. The result shows a statistical correlation between QCT T-score and DXA T-score (p<0.001, r=0.66). On the disease classification, normal was 5, osteopenia was 25, osteoporosis was 25 in QCT and normal was 10, osteopenia was 25, osteoporosis was 20 in DXA. There was under-estimation of bone decrease relatively on DXA than QCT, but there was no significant differences statistically by chi-square test between QCT and DXA. Conclusion: Through this study, we could identify that the QCT measurement with low dose CT images QCT from L-Spine Bone SPECT/CT was reliable because of a strong statistical correlation between QCT_BMD and DXA_BMD. Bone SPECT/CT scan can provide three-dimensional information also BMD measurement with CT images. In the future, rather than various exams such as CT, BMD, Bone scan are performed, it will be possible to provide multipurpose information via only SPECT/CT scan. In addition, it will be very helpful clinically in the sense that we can provide a diagnosis of potential osteoporosis, especially in middle-aged patients.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2010

Purpose: Partial volume effect (PVE) is the phenomenon to lower the accuracy of image due to low estimate, which is to occur from PET/CT 3D image acquisition. The more resolution is declined and the lesion is small, the more it causes a big error. So that it can influence the test result. Studied the optimum image reconstruction method by using variation of parameter, which can influence the PVE. Materials and Methods: It acquires the image in each size spheres which is injected $^{18}F$-FDG to hot site and background in the ratio 4:1 for 10 minutes by using NEMA 2001 IEC phantom in GE Discovey STE 16. The iterative reconstruction is used and gives variety to iteration 2-50 times, subset number 1-56. The analysis's fixed region of interest in detail part of image and compute % difference and signal to noise ratio (SNR) using $SUV_{max}$. Results: It's measured that $SUV_{max}$ of 10 mm spheres, which is changed subset number to 2, 5, 8, 20, 56 in fixed iteration to times, SNR is indicated 0.19, 0.30, 0.40, 0.48, 0.45. As well as each sphere's of total SNR is measured 2.73, 3.38, 3.64, 3.63, 3.38. Conclusion: In iteration 6th to 20th, it indicates similar value in % difference and SNR ($3.47{\pm}0.09$). Over 20th, it increases the phenomenon, which is placed low value on $SUV_{max}$ through the influence of noise. In addition, the identical iteration, it indicates that SNR is high value in 8th to 20th in variation of subset number. Therefore, to reduce partial volume effect of small lesion, it can be declined the partial volume effect in iteration 6 times, subset number 8~20 times, considering reconstruction time.