• 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 Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2012

In general, the fabrications of the LEDs with mesa structure are performed grown by MOCVD method. In order to etch and separate each chips, the LEDs are passed the RIE and scribing processes. The RIE process using plasma dry etching occur some problems such as defects, dislocations and the formation of dangling bond in surface result in decline of device characteristic. The SAG method has attracted considerable interest for the growth of high quality GaN epi layer on the sapphire substrate. In this paper, the SAG method was introduced for simplification and fabrication of the high quality epi layer. And we report that the size of selective area do not affect the characteristics of original LED. The diameter of SAG circle patterns were choose as 2500, 1000, 350, and 200 ${\mu}m$. The SAG-LEDs were measured to obtain the device characteristics using by SEM, EL and I-V. The main emission peaks of 2500, 1000, 350, and 200 ${\mu}m$ were 485, 480, 450, and 445 nm respectively. The chips of 350, 200 ${\mu}m$ diameter were observed non-uniform surface and resistance was higher than original LED, however, the chips of 2500, 1000 ${\mu}m$ diameter had uniform surface and current-voltage characteristics were better than small sizes. Therefore, we suggest that the suitable diameter which do not affect the characteristic of original LED is more than 1000 ${\mu}m$.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.818-824
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• 2003

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) were performed to discriminate astragalus roots (Astragalus membranaceus) according to geographical origin (domestic or foreign). Two-hundred-and-four astragalus roots were extracted with 30% methanol in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) and separated in a uncoated fused-silica $(50\;{\mu}m{\times}27\;cm)$ capillary. Conditions for optimal analysis included: temperature $-45^{\circ}C$, voltage -14 kV, and pressure injection time -8 sec. The optimal separation buffer was 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) containing 40 mM hexane sulfonic acid with 20% 2-methoxy ethanol. Raw NIR spectra were obtained using NIRS, and modified partial least square regression was used to develop the prediction model. The correlation coefficient and standard error of prediction were 0.915 and 14.3%, respectively. Under the optimal conditions established for CE and NIRS, the geographical origins of the astragalus roots were correctly identified in 80 and 97%, respectively. Astragalus roots that were not discriminated by NIRS were correctly discriminated by CE. Hence, CE and NIRS are potential methods for discriminating the geographical origins of astragalus roots that complement one another.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1974

The seed quality testing for Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis), their pre-germination and embryo growing process were investigated and the abnormal embryo groups were discriminated by the use of soft X-ray photograph. The study results were as follows ; 1. The embryo reflection was clearly observed for air dried seeds (moisture content was 6.3%) at 30 sec, stratificated seeds at 60 sec (moisture content 24.0-36.0%) and immature seed (moisture content 41.0-64.0%) at 90sec., then the photographing variation for soft X-ray was the radiographing distance at 42cm focus M, voltage 19.5 K.V.P. and Ampere 8 mA. By the above result, the radiographing time for discriminating the embryo reflection was increased by the increase of moisture content in the seeds. 2. The embryo reflection could be clearly observed from the last ten days of June and the embryo length ratio to endosperm length was growing to 65% at the first ten days of September. By the result obtained the soft X-ray photograph was thought to be effective method for the study of inner morphology of seeds. 3. The clear reflection seeds for embryo and endorsperm were observed to 69.7% and the seeds were practically germinated to 75.2% The difference in number between the discriminated seeds by the soft X-ray photograph and the practically germinated seeds was only 6%. According to this results, the soft X-ray photograph was thought to be a effective methods for the germination diagnosis in the shortest time and with the exactness comparatively. 4. Because of the possibility of clearness for observation of pre-germination process, the soft X-ray photograph could be used for the study on the physiology of seed germination. 5. The frequency of abnormal embryos was observed of total 4.4% and their types and subtypes could be classified into twenty groups. Among these groups, single abnormal embryo type was divided into eight subtypes and observed of 2.0 percent, twin embryo was six subtypes and 1.8 percent, triple embryo was five subtypes and 0.5 percent, and inverse type was 0.12 percent.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.754-762
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• 1995

Strontium titanate(SrTiO$_3$) thin film was prepared on Si substrates by RF magnetron sputtering for a high capacitance density required for the next generation of LSTs. The optimum deposition conditions for SrTiO$_3$thin film were investigated by controlling the deposition parameters. The crystallinity of films and the interface reactions between SrTO$_3$film and Si substrate were characterized by XRD and AES respectively. High quality films were obtained by using the mixed gas of Ar and $O_2$for sputtering. The films were deposited at various bias voltages to obtain the optimum conditions for a high quality file. The best crystallinity was obtained at film thickness of 300nm with the sputtering gas of Ar+20% $O_2$and the bias voltage of 100V. The barrier layer of Pt(100nm)/Ti(50nm) was very effective in avoiding the formation of SiO$_2$layer at the interface between SrTiO$_3$film and Si substrate. The capacitor with Au/SrTiO$_3$/Pt/Ti/SiO$_2$/Si structure was prepared to measure the electric and the dielectric properties. The highest capacitance and the lowest leakage current density were obtained by annealing at $600^{\circ}C$ for 2hrs. The typical specific capacitance was 6.4fF/$\textrm{cm}^2$, the relative dielectric constant was 217, and the leakage current density was about 2.0$\times$10$^{-8}$ A/$\textrm{cm}^2$ at the SrTiO$_3$film with the thickness of 300nm.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2015

Radiation exposure from medical diagnostic imaging procedures to patients is one of the most significant interests in diagnostic x-ray system. A miniature x-ray intraoral tube was developed for the first time in the world which can be inserted into the mouth for imaging. Dose evaluation should be carried out in order to utilize such an imaging device for clinical use. In this study, dose evaluation of the new x-ray unit was performed by 1) using a custom made in vivo Pig phantom, 2) determining exposure condition for the clinical use, and 3) measuring patient dose of the new system. On the basis of DRLs (Diagnostic Reference Level) recommended by KDFA (Korea Food & Drug Administration), the ESD (Entrance Skin Dose) and DAP (Dose Area Product) measurements for the new x-ray imaging device were designed and measured. The maximum voltage and current of the x-ray tubes used in this study were 55 kVp, and 300 mA. The active area of the detector was $72{\times}72mm$ with pixel size of $48{\mu}m$. To obtain the operating condition of the new system, pig jaw phantom images showing major tooth-associated tissues, such as clown, pulp cavity were acquired at 1 frame/sec. Changing the beam currents 20 to $80{\mu}A$, x-ray images of 50 frames were obtained for one beam current with optimum x-ray exposure setting. Pig jaw phantom images were acquired from two commercial x-ray imaging units and compared to the new x-ray device: CS 2100, Carestream Dental LLC and EXARO, HIOSSEN, Inc. Their exposure conditions were 60 kV, 7 mA, and 60 kV, 2 mA, respectively. Comparing the new x-ray device and conventional x-ray imaging units, images of the new x-ray device around teeth and their neighboring tissues turn out to be better in spite of its small x-ray field size. ESD of the new x-ray device was measured 1.369 mGy on the beam condition for the best image quality, 0.051 mAs, which is much less than DRLs recommended by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and KDFA, both. Its dose distribution in the x-ray field size was observed to be uniform with standard deviation of 5~10 %. DAP of the new x-ray device was $82.4mGy*cm^2$ less than DRL established by KDFA even though its x-ray field size was small. This study shows that the new x-ray imaging device offers better in image quality and lower radiation dose compared to the conventional intraoral units. In additions, methods and know-how for studies in x-ray features could be accumulated from this work.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.109-120
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was first to analyze the utilization of dental examination through questionnaire to develop a diagnostic reference level of patient doses for dental radiography in korea. 77 dental institutions were classified into three groups: A group for the dental hospitals of the college of dentistry (11 institutions), B group for dental hospitals (30 institutions) and C group for dental clinics (36 institutions). The results were as follows : The mean numbers of unit chairs and medical staffs were 140.2, 15.3 and 5.8 sets, 112.6, 7.3 and 1.7 dentists, 3.1, 0.5 and no one radiologic technologists, and 19.7, 12.5 and 3.3 dental hygienists in A, B and C groups, respectively. The mean numbers of dental X-ray equipments were 14.64, 3.21 and 2.19 in A, B and C groups, respectively. Intraoral dental X-ray unit was used the most, the following equipments were panoramic, cephalometric, and cone-beam CT units. The most used X-ray imaging system was also digital system (above 50%) in all three groups. Insight dental film (Kodak, USA) having high sensitivity was routinely used for periapical radiography. The automatic processor was not used in many dental institutions, but the film-holding device was used in many dental institutions. The utilization rates of PACS in A, B and C groups were 90.9%, 83.3% and 16.7% respectively, and the PACS software program was used the most PiView STAR (Infinitt, Korea). The annual mean number of radiographic cases in one dental institution in 2008 for A group was 6.8 times and 21.2 times more than those for B and C groups, and periapical and panoramic radiographs were taken mostly. Tube voltage (kVp) and tube current (mA) for periapical radiography were similar in all three groups, but exposure time in C group was 12.0 times and 3.5 times longer than those in B and C groups. The amount of radiation exposure in C group, in which dental hygienists take dental radiographs, was more than those in other groups. The exposure parameters for panoramic radiography were similar in all three groups. In conclusion, the exposure parameters in dental radiography should be determined with reference level, not past experiences. Use of automatic processor and film-holding devices reduces the radiation exposure in film system. The quality assurance of dental equipments are necessary for the reduction of the patient dose and the improvement of X-ray image quality.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2007

Purpose: The accuracy and advantages of OBI(On Board Imager) against the conventional method like film and EPID for the setup error correction were evaluated with the analysis of the accumulated data which were produced in the process of setup error correction using OBI. Materials and Methods: The results of setup error correction using OBI system were analyzed for the 130 patients who had been planned for 3 dimensional conformal radiation therapy during March 2006 and May 2006. Two kilo voltage images acquired in the orthogonal direction were fused and compared with reference setup images. The setup errors in the direction of vertical, lateral, longitudinal axis were recorded and calculated the distance from the isocenter. The corrected setup error were analyzed according to the lesion and the degree of shift variations. Results: There was no setup error in the 41.5% of total analyzed patients and setup errors between 1mm and 5mm were found in the 52.3%. 6.1% patients showed the more than 5mm shift and this error were verified as a difference of setup position and the movement of patient in a treatment room. Conclusion: The setup error analysis using OBI in this study verified that the conventional setup process in accordance with the laser and field light was not enough to get rid of the setup error. The KV images acquired using OBI provided good image quality for comparing with simulation images and much lower patients' exposure dose compared with conventional method of using EPID. These advantages of OBI system which were confirmed in this study proved the accuracy and priority of OBI system in the process of IGRT(Image Guided Radiation Therapy).

• 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.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.202-209
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• 2004

Flat panel based digital radiography (DR) systems have recently become useful and important in the field of diagnostic radiology. For DRs with amorphous silicon photosensors, CsI(TI) is normally used as the scintillator, which produces visible light corresponding to the absorbed radiation energy. The visible light photons are converted into electric signal in the amorphous silicon photodiodes which constitute a two dimensional array. In order to produce good quality images, detailed behaviors of DR detectors to radiation must be studied. The relationship between air exposure and the DR outputs has been investigated in many studies. But this relationship was investigated under the condition of the fixed tube voltage. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the DR outputs and X-ray in terms of the absorbed energy in the detector rather than the air exposure using SPEC-l8, an X-ray energy spectrum model. Measured exposure was compared with calculated exposure for obtaining the inherent filtration that is a important input variable of SPEC-l8. The absorbed energy in the detector was calculated using algorithm of calculating the absorbed energy in the material and pixel values of real images under various conditions was obtained. The characteristic curve was obtained using the relationship of two parameter and the results were verified using phantoms made of water and aluminum. The pixel values of the phantom image were estimated and compared with the characteristic curve under various conditions. It was found that the relationship between the DR outputs and the absorbed energy in the detector was almost linear. In a experiment using the phantoms, the estimated pixel values agreed with the characteristic curve, although the effect of scattered photons introduced some errors. However, effect of a scattered X-ray must be studied because it was not included in the calculation algorithm. The result of this study can provide useful information about a pre-processing of digital radiography.