• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2014

The aim of the study is to test a hypothesis that quasi-breath-hold (QBH) biofeedback improves the residual respiratory motion management in gated 3D thoracic MR imaging, reducing respiratory motion artifacts with insignificant acquisition time alteration. To test the hypothesis five healthy human subjects underwent two gated MR imaging studies based on a T2 weighted SPACE MR pulse sequence using a respiratory navigator of a 3T Siemens MRI: one under free breathing and the other under QBH biofeedback breathing. The QBH biofeedback system utilized the external marker position on the abdomen obtained with an RPM system (Real-time Position Management, Varian) to audio-visually guide a human subject for 2s breath-hold at 90% exhalation position in each respiratory cycle. The improvement in the upper liver breath-hold motion reproducibility within the gating window using the QBH biofeedback system has been assessed for a group of volunteers. We assessed the residual respiratory motion management within the gating window and respiratory motion artifacts in 3D thoracic MRI both with/without QBH biofeedback. In addition, the RMSE (root mean square error) of abdominal displacement has been investigated. The QBH biofeedback reduced the residual upper liver motion within the gating window during MR acquisitions (~6 minutes) compared to that for free breathing, resulting in the reduction of respiratory motion artifacts in lung and liver of gated 3D thoracic MR images. The abdominal motion reduction in the gated window was consistent with the residual motion reduction of the diaphragm with QBH biofeedback. Consequently, average RMSE (root mean square error) of abdominal displacement obtained from the RPM has been also reduced from 2.0 mm of free breathing to 0.7 mm of QBH biofeedback breathing over the entire cycle (67% reduction, p-value=0.02) and from 1.7 mm of free breathing to 0.7 mm of QBH biofeedback breathing in the gated window (58% reduction, p-value=0.14). The average baseline drift obtained using a linear fit was reduced from 5.5 mm/min with free breathing to 0.6 mm/min (89% reduction, p-value=0.017) with QBH biofeedback. The study demonstrated that the QBH biofeedback improved the upper liver breath-hold motion reproducibility during the gated 3D thoracic MR imaging. This system can provide clinically applicable motion management of the internal anatomy for gated medical imaging as well as gated radiotherapy.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.1-17
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• 2013

Objectives: In this research, the effect of samul-tanggahyangbuja on depression and learning in ovariectomized rats subjected to repetitive stress were assessed. Samul-tanggahyangbuja is the prescription consisting of Samul-tang and Cyperi Rhizoma. Methods: Ovariectomized rats were repeatedly stressed over a 2-week period. After being orally medicated with samul-tanggahyangbuja (100 or 400 mg/kg), rats performed the Morris water maze test and forced swimming test, and social exploration was assessed in a behavior test. As well, sucrose intake was measured and measurements of blood serum corticosterone and the change of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in blood samples were made. Results: 1. In the Morris water maze test, rats medicated with 100 mg samul-tanggahyangbuja mastered the maze in a shorter time on the 4th day in comparison with the control group, while rats medicated with 400 mg samul-tanggahyangbuja mastered the maze more quickly (p<0.05 on the 3rd day ; p<0.01 on the 4th day, as compared to control). 2. Immobility time in the forced swimming test was significantly decreased in rats receiving 400 mg samul-tanggahyangbuja compared with the control group (p<0.05). 3. Sucrose intake and active social behavior of rats receiving 400 mg samul-tanggahyangbuja were markedly increased in comparison with the control group (p<0.01). 4. Blood serum corticosterone measurements revealed decreased blood serum corticosterone level after medicating with samul-tanggahyangbuja. But it was not statistically significant. 5. Treatment with either dose of samul-tanggahyangbuja significantly reduced IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that samul-tanggahyangbuja possesses the anti-depressant and cognitive-enhancing activities related to menopause.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was designed to optimize the flip angle (FA) and scan timing of the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) using the 3D T1-weighted, gradient-echo (GRE) imaging with controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA) technique on gadoxetic acid-enhanced 3T liver MR imaging. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patients who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced 3T liver MR imaging were included in this study. Four 3D T1-weighted GRE imaging studies using the CAIPIRINHA technique and FAs of $9^{\circ}$ and $13^{\circ}$ were acquired during HBP at 15 and 20 min after intravenous injection of gadoxetic acid. Two abdominal radiologists, who were blinded to the FA and the timing of image acquisition, assessed the sharpness of liver edge, hepatic vessel clarity, lesion conspicuity, artifact severity, and overall image quality using a five-point scale. Quantitative analysis was performed by another radiologist to estimate the relative liver enhancement (RLE) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The scores of the HBP with an FA of $13^{\circ}$ during the same delayed time were significantly higher than those of the HBP with an FA of $9^{\circ}$ in all the assessment items (P < 0.01). In terms of the delay time, images at the same FA obtained with a 20-min-HBP showed better quality than those obtained with a 15-min-HBP. There was no significant difference in qualitative scores between the 20-min-HBP and the 15-min-HBP images in the non-liver cirrhosis (LC) group except for the hepatic vessel clarity score with $9^{\circ}$ FA. In the quantitative analysis, a statistically significant difference was found in the degree of RLE in the four HBP images (P = 0.012). However, in the subgroup analysis, no significant difference in RLE was found in the four HBP images in either the LC or the non-LC groups. The SNR did not differ significantly in the four HBP images. In the subgroup analysis, 20-min-HBP imaging with a $13^{\circ}$ FA showed the highest SNR value in the LC-group, whereas 15-min-HBP imaging with a $13^{\circ}$ FA showed the best value of SNR in the non-LC group. Conclusion: The use of a moderately high FA improves the image quality and lesion conspicuity on 3D, T1-weighted GRE imaging using the CAIPIRINHA technique on gadoxetic acid, 3T liver MR imaging. In patients with normal liver function, the 15-min-HBP with a $13^{\circ}$ FA represents a feasible option without a significant decrease in image quality.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.134-138
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• 2007

The current PET/CT system with high quality CT images not only increases diagnostic value by providing anatomic localization, but also shortens the acquisition time for attenuation correction than primary PET system. All commercially available PET/CT system uses the CT scan for attenuation correction instead of the transmission scan using radioactive source such as $^{137}Cs,\;^{68}Ge$. However the CT scan may substantially increase the patient dose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate quality of PET images reconstructed by CT attenuation map using various tube currents. in this study, images were acquired for 3D Hoffman brain phantom and cylindrical phantom using GE DSTe PET/CT system. The emission data were acquired for 10 min using phantoms after injecting 44.03 MBq of $^{18}F-FDG$. The CT images for attenuation map were acquired by changing tube current from 10 mA to 95 mA with fixed exposure time of 8 sec and fixed tube voltage of 140 kVp. The PET images were reconstructed using these CT attenuation maps. Image quality of CT images was evaluated by measuring SD (standard deviation) of cylindrical phantom which was filled with water and $^{18}F-FDG$ solution. The PET images were evaluated by measuring the activity ratio between gray matter and white matter in Hoffman phantom images. SDs of CT images decrease by increasing tube current. When PET images were reconstructed using CT attenuation maps with various tube currents, the activity ratios between gray matter and white matter of PET images were almost same. These results indicated that the quality of the PET images using low dose CT data were comparable to the PET images using general dose CT data. Therefore, the use of low dose CT is recommended than the use of general dose CT, when the diagnostic high quality CT is not required. Further studies may need to be performed for other system, since this study is limited to the GE DSTe system used in this study.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 2013

Purpose: Bed, living a long time is required in adult patients with brain lesions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson's disease, causing pneumonia and respiratory diseases may be due to aspiration of food or saliva. In patients with recurrent pneumonia or pulmonary symptoms, there is a need to determine the possibility of pulmonary aspiration due to aspiration of saliva. Materials and Methods: Saliva due to aspiration pneumonia diagnosis in patients with brain lesions request for inspection to the Department of Nuclear Medicine, 10 patients (male 6, female 4) were included in this study. Patients were fasted before the test, $^{99m}Tc_{O4}$ 185 MBq (5 mCi) of less than 1 mL of solution was administered in the oral cavity. Administration and 20 minutes of dynamic imaging acquisition, and immediately after that the static images were acquired. Delayed scan after 2-4 hours if necessary. Results: Positivity rate of all 10 patients was 60%. In 4 patients showed positive reactions after the administration of oral cavity in a 20-minute dynamic imaging were able to confirm whether the aspiration. In the remaining 2 patients, four hours of additional delay tests were able to confirm whether the aspiration. Conclusion: Does not require changes in patient posture compared to the other checks that can be diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. A simple test and takes less time. Therefore be useful in providing information for the diagnosis and treatment modality.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.22-30
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the Solar Radiation(SR) and the Mean Radiant Temperature(MRT) under the shades of the three landscaping trees in clear summer daytimes. The trees were Lagerstroemia indica, Quercus palustris and Ulmus parvifolia. The solar radiation, the globe temperature and the air temperature were recorded every minute from the $1^{st}$ of April to the $30^{th}$ of September 2013 at a height of 1.1m above on the four monitoring stations, with four same measuring system consisting of a solar radiation sensor, two resistance temperature detectors(Pt-100), a black brass globe (${\phi}50mm$) and data acquisition systems. At the same time, the sky view photos were taken automatically hourly by three scouting cameras(lens angle: $60^{\circ}$) fixed at each monitoring station. Based on the 258 daily sky view photos and 6,640 records of middays(10 A.M.~2 P.M.) from the $1^{st}$ of June to the $30^{th}$ of August, the time serial differences of SR and MRT under the trees were analysed and compared with those of open sky, The major findings were as follows; 1. The average ratio of sky views screened by the canopies of Quercus palustris, Lagerstroemia indica and Ulmus parvifolia were 99%, 98% and 97%, and the SR were $106W/m^2$, $163W/m^2$ and $202W/m^2$ respectively, while the SR of open sky was $823W/m^2$. Which shows the canopies blocked at least 70% of natural SR. 2. The average MRT under the canopies of Quercus palustris, Lagerstroemia indica and Ulmus parvifolia were $30.34^{\circ}C$, $33.34^{\circ}C$ and $34.77^{\circ}C$ respectively, while that of open sky was $46.0^{\circ}C$. Therefore, it can be said that the tree canopies can reduce the MRT around $10{\sim}16^{\circ}C$. 3. The regression test showed significant linear relationship between the SR and MRT. In summary, the performances of the landscaping shade trees were very good at screening the SR and reducing the MRT at the outdoor of summer middays. Therefore, it can be apparently said that the more shade trees or forest at the outdoor, the more effective in conditioning the outdoor space reducing the MRT and the useless SR for human activities in summertime.

• Proceedings of the KSPS conference
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• 2000.07a
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• pp.235-240
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• 2000

In the age of global communication, more human exchange is extended at the grass-roots level. In the old days, language policy and language planning was based on one nation-state with one language. But high waves of globalizaiton have allowed extended human flow of exchange beyond one's national border on a daily basis. Under such circumstances, homogeneity in Japan may not allow Japanese to speak and communicate only in Japanese and only with Japanese people. In Japan, an advisory report was made to the Ministry of Education in June 1996 about what education should be like in the 21st century. In this report, an introduction of English at public elementary schools was for the first time made. A basic policy of English instruction at the elementary school level was revealed. With this concept, English instruction is not required at the elementary school level but each school has their own choice of introducing English as their curriculum starting April 2002. As Baker, Colin (1996) indicates the age of three as being the threshold diving a child becoming bilingual naturally or by formal instruction. Threre is a movement towards making second language acquisition more naturalistic in an educational setting, developing communicative competence in a more or less formal way. From the lesson of the Canadian immersion success, Genesee (1987) stresses the importance of early language instruction. It is clear that from a psycho-linguistic perspective, most children acquire basic communication skills in their first language apparently effortlessly and without systematic and formal instruction during the first six or seven years of life. This innate capacity diminishes with age, thereby making language learning increasingly difficult. The author, being a returnee, experienced considerable difficulty acquiring L2, and especially achieving native-like competence. There will be many hurdles to conquer until Japanese students are able to reach at least a communicative level in English. It has been mentioned that English is not taught to clear the college entrance examination, but to communicate. However, Japanese college entrance examination still makes students focus more on the grammar-translation method. This is expected to shift to a more communication stressed approach. Japan does not have to aim at becoming an official bilingual country, but at least communicative English should be taught at every level in school Mito College is a small two-year co-ed college in Japan. Students at Mito College are basically notgood at English. It has only one department for business and economics, and English is required for all freshmen. It is necessary for me to make my classes enjoyable and attractive so that students can at least get motivated to learn English. My major target is communicative English so that students may be prepared to use English in various business settings. As an experiment to introduce more communicative English, the author has made the following syllabus design. This program aims at training students speak and enjoy English. 90-minute class (only 190-minute session per week is most common in Japanese colleges) is divided into two: The first half is to train students orally using Graded Direct Method. The latter half uses different materials each time so that students can learn and enjoy English culture and language simultaneously. There are no quizes or examinations in my one-academic year program. However, all students are required to make an original English poem by the end of the spring semester. 2-6 students work together in a group on one poem. Students coming to Mito College, Japan have one of the lowest English levels in all of Japan. However, an attached example of one poem made by a group shows that students can improve their creativity as long as they are kept encouraged. At the end of the fall semester, all students are then required individually to make a 3-minute original English speech. An example of that speech contest will be presented at the Convention in Seoul.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2020

Advancements in segmentation methodology has made automatic segmentation of brain structures using structural images accurate and consistent. One method of automatic segmentation, which involves registering atlas information from template space to subject space, requires a high quality atlas with accurate boundaries for consistent segmentation. The Allen Mouse Brain Atlas, which has been widely accepted as a high quality reference of the mouse brain, has been used in various segmentations and can provide accurate coordinates and boundaries of mouse brain structures for tractography. Through probabilistic tractography, diffusion tensor images can be used to map comprehensive neuronal network of white matter pathways of the brain. Comparisons between neural networks of mouse and human brains showed that various clinical tests on mouse models were able to simulate disease pathology of human brains, increasing the importance of clinical mouse brain studies. However, differences between brain size of human and mouse brain has made it difficult to achieve the necessary image quality for analysis and the conditions for sufficient image quality such as a long scan time makes using live samples unrealistic. In order to secure a mouse brain image with a sufficient scan time, an Ex-vivo experiment of a mouse brain was conducted for this study. Using FSL, a tool for analyzing tensor images, we proposed a semi-automated segmentation and tractography analysis pipeline of the mouse brain and applied it to various mouse models. Also, in order to determine the useful signal-to-noise ratio of the diffusion tensor image acquired for the tractography analysis, images with various excitation numbers were compared.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2011

Purpose: The SUV is a widely used semi-quantitative index in PET for the estimation of radio-tracer accumulation in VOI. In this study, SUVs from three different PET/CT scanners were assessed, and differences between SUVs were evaluated. Materials and Methods: The PET/CT scanners which were assessed in this study were GEMINI, GEMINI TF 64 (Philips) and Biograph True Point True V 40 (Siemens). The NEMA PET phantom (Data Spectrum Corp., USA) was used to evaluate SUVs. The NEMA PET phantom has6.8 kg weight and three hot inserts. Two different activity distributions for the background and inserts were tested. The activity ratio were 3.7:3.7:7.4:11.1 MBq (1:1:2:3) and 1.85:7.4:9.25:11.1MBq (1:4:5:6) for each of background, insert 1, insert 2 and insert 3. Acquisition time was 2 minutes per bed position and NEMA PET phantom could be covered by two bed positions for all PET/CT scanners. The SUVs from each PET/CT scanner were compared with calculated true value. Results: For both activity ratios, all scanners showed similar results. The differences between each scanner were insignificant. Each scanner showed 91.2%, 85.9% and 87.2% of true SUV for GEMINI, GEMINI TF 64, Biograph True Point TrueV, respectively. Conclusion: For all scanners, SUVs were slightly lower than true value. However, the difference between scanners was insignificant. The SUVs from these scanners would be clinically meaningful if their consistent underestimation is kept in mind.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-82
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• 2014

It was main objectives to find the learners characteristics and educational effects of cyber agricultural technology courses in RDA. For the research, it was followed by literature reviews and internet based survey methods. In internet based survey, two staged stratified sampling method was adopted from cyber training members database in RDA along with some key word as open course or certificate course, and enrollment years. Instrument was composed through literature reviews about cyber education effects and educational effect factors. And learner characteristics items were added in survey documents. It was sent to sampled persons by e-mail and 316 data was returned via google survey systems. Through the data cleaning, 303 data were analysed by chi-square, t-test and F-test. It's significance level was .05. The results of the research were as followed; First, the respondent was composed of mainly man(77.9%), and monthly income group was mainly 2,000,000 or 3,000,000 won(24%), bachelor degree(48%), fifty or forty age group was shared to 75%, and their job was changed after learning(12.2%). So major respondents' job was not changed. Their major was not mainly agriculture. Learners' learning style were composed of two or more types as concrete-sequential, mixing, abstract-random, so e-learning course should be developed for the students' type. Second, it was attended at 3.2 days a week, 53.53 minutes a class, totally 172.63 minutes a week. They were very eager or generally eager to study, and attended two or more subjects. The cyber education motives was for farming knowledge, personal competency development, job performance enlarging. They selected subjects along with their interest. A subject person couldn't choose more subjects for little time, others, non interesting subject, but more subject persons were for job performance benefits and previous subjects effectiveness. Most learner was finished their subject, but a fourth was not finished for busy (26.7%). And their entrying behavior was not enough to learn e-course and computer or internet using ability was middle level as software using. And they thought RDA cyber course was comfort in non time or space limit, knowledge acquisition, and personal competency development. Cyber learning group was composed of open course only (12.5%), certificate only(25.7%), both(36.3%). Third, satisfaction and academic achievement of e-learning learners were good, and educational service offering for doing job in learning application category was good, but effect of cyber education was not good, especially, agricultural income increasing was not good because major learner group was not farmer, so they couldn't apply their knowledge to farming. And content structure and design, content comprehension, content amount were good. The more learning subject group responded to good in effects, and both open course and certificate course group satisfied more than open course only group. Based on the results, recommendation was offered as cyber course specialization before main course in RDA training system, support staff and faculty enlargement, building blended learning system with local RDA office, introducing cyber tutor system.