• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.514-522
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• 2022

Non-destructive testing (NDT) technology is a widely used inspection method for agricultural products. Compared with the conventional inspection method, there is no extensive sample preparation for NDT technology, and the sample is not damaged. In particular, NDT technology is used to inspect the internal structure of agricultural products infested by pests. The introduction and spread of pests during the import and export process can cause significant damage to the agricultural environment. Until now, pest detection in agricultural products and quarantine processes have been challenging because they used external inspection methods. However, NDT technology is advantageous in these inspection situations. In this pilot study, we investigated the feasibility of X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify pest infestation in agricultural products. Three kinds of artificially pest-infested fruits (mango, tangerine, and chestnut) were non-destructively inspected using X-ray CT and MRI. X-ray CT was able to identify all pest infestations in fruits, while MRI could not detect the pest-infested chestnut. In addition, X-ray CT was superior to the quarantine process than MRI based on the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), image acquisition time, and cost. Therefore, X-ray CT is more appropriate for the pest quarantine process of fruits than MRI.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2017

The mechanical characteristics of frozen sand greatly depend on the frozen temperature and the fine contents according to the previous study by Chae et al. (2015). There are two hypotheses to explain this experimental results; one is the unfrozen water contents greatly affected by the fine contents and frozen temperature and the other is the sand particle spacing greatly affected by the pore-ice. To evaluate the latter hypothesis, the micro X-ray CT scan was performed. The micro X-ray CT scanning, one of the actively performed interdisciplinary research area, has a high resolution with micrometer unit allows to investigate internal structure of soils. In this study, X-ray CT technique was applied to investigate the effect of the frozen temperature and fine contents on the sand particle minimum and average spacing with the developed image processing techniques. Based on the spacing analysis, the frozen temperature and fine contents have little influence on the sand particle spacing in the frozen sand specimens.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2010

A micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (CT) was employed to determine quantitative phase analysis of skarn Zn-Pb-Cu ore by nondestructive visualization of the internal mineral distribution of a skarn ore. The micro CT images of the ore were calibrated to remove beam hardening artifacts, and compared with its scanning electron microscope (SEM) images to set the threshold of CT number range covering sulfide ore minerals. The volume ratio of sulfide and gangue minerals was calculated 20.5% and 79.5%, respectively. The quantitative 3D X-ray CT could be applied to analyse the distribution of economic minerals and their recovery.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.108-114
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this survey study was to understand how utilization of X-rays as an adjunct to Chuna manual therapy (CT) supports treatment, as assessed by Korean medicine doctors (KMDs). Methods: A survey was emailed to all 18,289 members of the Association of Korean Oriental Medicine (AKOM)to determine the implications of X-ray use in CT. Surveys were collected from September 22, 2017 to October 15, 2017. Results: Of the 18,289 KMDs 562 completed the survey. The implications of a radiological diagnosis (X-ray) with CT was assessed using 5 items in a questionnaire: time to diagnosis, accuracy of treatment, patient comprehension and satisfaction, CT effect, and safety of CT. Survey participants identified improvement in patient comprehension and satisfaction as the most important factor for X-ray use with CT, followed by increased safety of CT. From the determinant factors for selection of CT intensity and specific techniques, severity of clinical symptoms was shown to be the most influential factor. Degenerative changes of the spine and degree of spinal malposition were also reported to be highly influential. Conclusion: The KMDs' that participated in this study indicated that utilization of X-rays in conjunction with CT administration improved patient comprehension and satisfaction, and CT safety. Installation of radiological equipment in Korean medicine clinics where CT is provided may increase safety and patients' satisfaction.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.151-159
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• 2014

Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most widely used medical imaging modality. However, substantial x-ray dose exposed to the human subject during the CT scan is a great concern. Region-of-interest (ROI) CT is considered to be a possible solution for its potential to reduce the x-ray dose to the human subject. In most of ROI-CT scans, the ROI is set to a circular shape whose diameter is often considerably smaller than the full field-of-view (FOV). However, an arbitrarily shaped ROI is very desirable to reduce the x-ray dose more than the circularly shaped ROI can do. We propose a new method to make a non-circular convex-shaped ROI along with the image reconstruction method. To make a ROI with an arbitrary convex shape, dynamic collimations are necessary to minimize the x-ray dose at each angle of view. In addition to the dynamic collimation, we get the ROI projection data with slightly lower sampling rate in the view direction to further reduce the x-ray dose. We reconstruct images from the ROI projection data in the compressed sensing (CS) framework assisted by the exterior projection data acquired from the pilot scan to set the ROI. To validate the proposed method, we used the experimental micro-CT projection data after truncating them to simulate the dynamic collimation. The reconstructed ROI images showed little errors as compared to the images reconstructed from the full-FOV scan data as well as little artifacts inside the ROI. We expect the proposed method can significantly reduce the x-ray dose in CT scans if the dynamic collimation is realized in real CT machines.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.75-81
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• 2015

Objectives To investigate the relationship between cervical intervertebral space narrowing in the X-ray and HIVD level of cervical spine in the CT image. Methods We studied 101 subjects who were taken cervical spine X-ray and CT. Intervertebral space were measured at the anterior, middle and posterior portion of each cervical disc in the X-ray. Considering individual difference, intervertebral space was set as value divided by upper width of lower vertebral body. We analyzed statistically adjusted intervertebral space of normal group and herniated disc group using student' t t-test. Results Intervertebral space of cervical spine was narrowed in the herniated disc group. But there was no significant difference at C2~C3. Conclusions We found that narrowing intervertebral space of cervical spine is associated with herniated disc. Further clinical observation is needed.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2016

Background: Industrial X-ray CT system is normally applied to non-destructive testing (NDT) for industrial product made from metal. Furthermore there are some special CT systems, which have an ability to inspect nuclear fuel assemblies or rocket motors, using high power and high energy (more than 6 MeV) pulsed X-ray source. In these case, pulsed X-ray are produced by the electron linear accelerator, and a huge number of photons with a wide energy spectrum are produced within a very short period. Consequently, it is difficult to measure the X-ray energy spectrum for such accelerator-based X-ray sources using simple spectrometry. Due to this difficulty, unexpected images and artifacts which lead to incorrect density information and dimensions of specimens cannot be avoided in CT images. For getting highly precise CT images, it is important to know the precise energy spectrum of emitted X-rays. Materials and Methods: In order to realize it we investigated a new approach utilizing the Bayesian estimation method combined with an attenuation curve measurement using step shaped attenuation material. This method was validated by precise measurement of energy spectrum from a 1 MeV electron accelerator. In this study, to extend the applicable X-ray energy range we tried to measure energy spectra of X-ray sources from 6 and 9 MeV linear accelerators by using the recently developed method. Results and Discussion: In this study, an attenuation curves are measured by using a step-shaped attenuation materials of aluminum and steel individually, and the each X-ray spectrum is reconstructed from the measured attenuation curve by the spectrum type Bayesian estimation method. Conclusion: The obtained result shows good agreement with simulated spectra, and the presently developed technique is adaptable for high energy X-ray source more than 6 MeV.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.42-48
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• 2007

In x-ray imaging system, two kinds of noises are involved. First, the charge generated from the radiation interaction with the detector during exposure. Second, the signal is then added by readout electronics noise. But, x-ray images are not modeled by Gaussian noise but as the realization of a Poisson process. In this paper, we apply a new approach to remove Poisson noise from medical X-ray image in the wavelet domain, the applied methods shows more excellent results in cone-beam CT.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.333-342
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• 2017

In this study, the heterogeneity of internal structure of various igneous rocks acquired in Korea was quantified and correlated with the seismic velocity and the point load strength. Three-dimensional X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) was used to obtain information on the internal structure of the rock specimen, and the representative unit length (LR) was calculated by applying a statistical technique to the CT images. We also proposed an estimation equation to predict the mechanical properties of rocks from the relationship between LR, acoustic velocity and point load strength. In the proposed method, it is shown that the characterization of internal structure of rocks could be utilized as an indirect index to account for the mechanical behavior of rocks by substituting physical laboratory testing for non-destructive test.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2007

Bone scan using radioactive isotope can be more effective than conventional X-ray radiograph for finding jaw lesion because it takes an image of the physiologic change of bone. This study is designed to show how available bone scan is able to diagnose jaw lesion better than simple X-ray and CT, as well as to determine a basis of diagnosis for jaw lesion using bone scan. The 77 patients, visiting the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dankook University Hospital from January 2002. to August 2005. who were diagnosed histopathologically with postoperative malignant tumor, osteomyelitis, and bone infiltrative benign disease. Preoperative X-ray, CT, bone scan were taken and were compared with histopathologic finding. Also to compare specificty of each lesion in bone scan, bone density was measured to compare. The results were as follows. 1. Among the 25 cases of oral malignant tumor of bony invasion, a positive diagnosis associated with histopathologic evaluation, 22 cases(88%) in bone scan, 14 cases(56%) in CT image, and 10 cases40%) in simple X-ray. 2. Among the 31 cases of osteomyelitis, a positive diagnosis associated with histopathologic evaluation, 30 cases(97%) in bone scan, 23 cases(74%) in CT image, and 19 cases(61%) in simple X-ray. 3. Among the 11cases of bone infiltrative benign disease, a positive diagnosis associated with histopathologic evaluation, 11 cases(100%) in bone scan, 10 cases(91%) in CT image, and 6 cases(55%) in simple X-ray. 4. Measurement of bone density in each group showed no statistical significant difference between malignant tumor and osteomyelitis as well as benign bone disease. But, a statistical significance was seen between osteomyelitis and benign bone disease. From this results, bone scan are more sensitive than simple X-ray and CT image in jaw lesion diagnosis, but specificity shows no significant difference. Therefore, it should be suggested that evaluation of bone scan must be carrying out in reference to final histopathologic diagnosis.