• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.978-986
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• 2020

Objective: To compare native and post-contrast T1 mapping with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging for detecting and measuring the microvascular obstruction (MVO) area in reperfused acute myocardial infarction (MI). Materials and Methods: This study included 20 patients with acute MI who had undergone 1.5T cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) after reperfusion therapy. CMR included cine imaging, LGE, and T1 mapping (modified look-locker inversion recovery). MI size was calculated from LGE by full-width at half-maximum technique. MVO was defined as an area with low signal intensity (LGE) or as a region of visually distinguishable T1 values (T1 maps) within infarcted myocardium. Regional T1 values were measured in MVO, infarcted, and remote myocardium on T1 maps. MVO area was measured on and compared among LGE, native, and post-contrast T1 maps. Results: The mean MI size was 27.1 ± 9.7% of the left ventricular mass. Of the 20 identified MVOs, 18 (90%) were detected on native T1 maps, while 10 (50%) were recognized on post-contrast T1 maps. The mean native T1 values of MVO, infarcted, and remote myocardium were 1013.5 ± 58.5, 1240.9 ± 55.8 (p < 0.001), and 1062.2 ± 55.8 ms (p = 0.169), respectively, while the mean post-contrast T1 values were 466.7 ± 26.8, 399.1 ± 21.3, and 585.2 ± 21.3 ms, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean MVO areas on LGE, native, and post-contrast T1 maps were 134.1 ± 81.2, 133.7 ± 80.4, and 117.1 ± 53.3 mm², respectively. The median (interquartile range) MVO areas on LGE, native, and post-contrast T1 maps were 128.0 (58.1-215.4), 110.5 (67.7-227.9), and 143.0 (76.7-155.3) mm², respectively (p = 0.002). Concordance correlation coefficients for the MVO area between LGE and native T1 maps, LGE and post-contrast T1 maps, and native and post-contrast T1 maps were 0.770, 0.375, and 0.565, respectively. Conclusion: MVO areas were accurately delineated on native T1 maps and showed high concordance with the areas measured on LGE. However, post-contrast T1 maps had low detection rates and underestimated MVO areas. Collectively, native T1 mapping is a useful tool for detecting MVO within the infarcted myocardium.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 2009

Purpose: The PET of the PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) quantitatively shows the biological and chemical information of the body, but has limitation of presenting the clear anatomic structure. Thus combining the PET with CT, it is not only possible to offer the higher resolution but also effectively shorten the scanning time and reduce the noises by using CT data in attenuation correction. And because, at the CT scanning, the contrast media makes it easy to determine a exact range of the lesion and distinguish the normal organs, there is a certain increase in the use of it. However, in the case of using the contrast media, it affects semi-quantitative measures of the PET/CT images. In this study, therefore, we will be to establish the reliability of the SUV (Standardized Uptake Value) with CT data correction so that it can help more accurate diagnosis. Materials and Methods: In this experiment, a total of 30 people are targeted - age range: from 27 to 72, average age : 49.6 - and DSTe (General Electric Healthcare, Milwaukee, MI, USA) is used for equipment. $^{18}F$- FDG 370~555 MBq is injected into the subjects depending on their weight and, after about 60 minutes of their stable position, a whole-body scan is taken. The CT scan is set to 140 kV and 210 mA, and the injected amount of the contrast media is 2 cc per 1 kg of the patients' weight. With the raw data from the scan, we obtain a image showing the effect of the contrast media through the attenuation correction by both of the corrected and uncorrected CT data. Then we mark out ROI (Region of Interest) in each area to measure SUV and analyze the difference. Results: According to the analysis, the SUV is decreased in the liver and heart which have more bloodstream than the others, because of the contrast media correction. On the other hand, there is no difference in the lungs. Conclusions: Whereas the CT scan images with the contrast media from the PET/CT increase the contrast of the targeted region for the test so that it can improve efficiency of diagnosis, there occurred an increase of SUV, a semi-quantitative analytical method. In this research, we measure the variation of SUV through the correction of the influence of contrast media and compare the differences. As we revise the SUV which is increasing in the image with attenuation correction by using contrast media, we can expect anatomical images of high-resolution. Furthermore, it is considered that through this trusted semi-quantitative method, it will definitely enhance the diagnostic value.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 1999

In order to obtain effective utilization of intensifying screens[$CaWO_4(W),\;Gd_2O_2S:Tb(Gd)$, BaFCl : Eu(Ba)] over the diagnostic radiology range, we calculated absorption coefficient (${\mu}$), absorption efficiency (${\eta}_{\alpha}$) and absorbed energy ratio(R) and analyzed effects of these properties on X-ray image, finally concluded as below. Regardless of presence of contrast media, absorption coefficient of Gd the highest and decreased with increase of thickness and kVp. Absorption efficiency related with absorbance of fluorescent materials showed the highest value for the Gd, and discontinuous points exhibited at around $80{\sim}90\;kVp$ and $90{\sim}100kVp$ for the Ba and the Gd, respectively. Furthermore, the absorbed energy ratio(R) correspond to contrast of reflection showed the largest value for the W in the absence of contrast media, and for the Gd in the case of the existence of it, and the ratio was decreased with increasing of incident energy. Owing to these properties, we assumed that it was more preferable to use rare earth type intensifying screen for the radiography using in the C.M.(I, Ba), while in the general radiography, $CaWO_4$ intensifying screen was applicable.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.701-710
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• 2008

Including a TV set and a monitor, personal audio system is raising a great interest. In this study, we applied a method to make a good bright zone around the user and dark zone to other region by maximizing the ratio of sound energy between the bright and dark zone. It has been well known as acoustic contrast control. We have attempted to use a line loudspeaker array system to localize the sound in our listening zone. It depends on the size of the zone and array parameters, for example, array size, loudspeaker unit spacing, wave length of sound. We have considered these parameters as spatial variables and studied the effects. And we have found that each spatial variable has its own characteristic and shows very different effect. Genetic algorithms are introduced to find out the optimum value of spatial variables. As a result, we can improve the result of the acoustic contrast control by optimum value of spatial variables.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics B
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• v.31B no.8
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• pp.160-171
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• 1994

The wide dynamic range and severely attenuated contrast in mediastinal area appearing in typical chest radiographs have often caused difficulties in effective visualization and diagnosis of lung diseases. This paper proposes a new adaptive image enhancement technique which potentially solves this problem and there by improves observer performance through image processing. In the proposed method image processing is applied to the chest radiograph with different processing parameters for the lung field and mediastinum adaptively since there are much differences in anatomical and imaging properties between these two regions. To achieve this the chest radiograph is divided into the lung and mediastinum by gray level thresholding using the cumulative histogram and the dynamic range compression and local contrast enhancement are carried out selectively in the mediastinal region. Thereafter a gray scale transformation is performed considering the JND(just noticeable difference) characteristic for effective image displa. The processed images showed apparenty improved contrast in mediastinum and maintained moderate brightness in the lung field. No artifact could be observed. In the visibility evaluation experiment with 5 radiologists the processed images with better visibility was observed for the 5 important anatomical structures in the thorax.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.174-178
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• 2021

A nine-year-old neutered male cat was presented with chronic cough and vomiting. Thoracic radiography showed regions of fatty opacity in the right caudoventral region. On positive contrast celiography, contrast agent did not move into thoracic cavity. Computed tomography revealed 7-mm diameter of defect at the right diaphragmatic crus and a 2-mm diameter defect at the left ventral diaphragmatic crus. Through the right diaphragmatic defect omental herniation was confirmed by the presence of contrast enhanced omental vessel running across the diaphragm. On exploratory thoracotomy, the omentum protruded into the thorax through the right diaphragmatic defect, and it contained a yellowish lipomatous mass. The protruded omentum containing a mass in the thorax was removed, and the right diaphragmatic defect was closed. Histopathologic examination revealed that the protruded omentum showed normal omental structure and the adipose mass showed lipoma surrounded by fibrous tissue. In conclusion, a thorough examination is necessary to confirm the origin of the mass located near the diaphragm.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.3-13
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to compare and analyse the difference between courtyard housings of hot-humid region and hot-dry region in India, in order to identify the affection of climate on the space arrangement of housing. The study starts from the curiosity about similar space structure of Indian housings at different climate area. Indian housings usually have courtyard at the center of its plan, though the 'Courtyard housing' is typical form of dry region's house type. Research method is comparative analysis of traditional houses of India, and the samples are selected from hot-dry city, Ahmedabad and hot-humid city, Bangalore. The conclusion is drawn through comparing main houses with traditional houses of other dry city - Jaipur - and humid cities - Trivandrum and Nilambur. It shows that both dry and humid region's housings has courtyard in common, but their spatial structures are not same at all. Houses of dry region shows organically connected spatial form, in order to maximize the cooling effect of ventilation. In contrast, the plan of houses in humid region shows opened, but can be closed in any time to prevent the penetration of moisture. Both Parekh house(Ahmedabad) and Koramangala house(Bangalore) left inconvenience of its arrangement, though the ventilation of air is the most important point of sustainability in hot region. The study could be the practical reference data for advanced sustainable housings of India which may built in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2857-2870
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• 2015

Although the incidence of breast cancer in Asia remains lower than in North America, Western Europe, and Oceania, rates have been increasing rapidly during the past few decades, and Asian countries now account for 40% of breast cancer cases diagnosed worldwide. Breast cancer mortality has also increased among Asian women, in contrast to decreased mortality in Northern America, Western Europe, and Oceania. These increased rates are associated with higher prevalence of breast cancer risk factors (e.g., reduced parity, delayed childbirth, increased obesity) that have accompanied economic development throughout the region. However, Asian regions (western, south-central, south-eastern, and eastern) and countries differ in the types and magnitude of changes in breast cancer risk factors, and cannot be viewed as a single homogeneous group. The objective of this paper was to contrast the heterogeneous epidemiology of breast cancer by Asian regions and countries, and to suggest potential avenues for future research.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2013

In this paper we propose an image enhancement technique based on histogram specification method over local overlapping regions referred as Local Histogram Specification. First, both reference and original images are splitted into local regions that each overlaps half of its adjacent regions and general histogram specification method is used between corresponding local regions of reference and original image. However it produces noticeable boundary effects. Linear weighted image blending method is used to reduce this effect in order to make seamless image and we also proposed new technique dealing with over-enhanced contrast areas. We satisfied with our experimental results that showed better enhancement accuracy and less noise amplifications compared to other well-known image enhancement methods. We conclude that the proposed method is well suited for motion detection systems as a responsible part to overcome sudden illumination changes.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.40-40
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to characterize focal hepatic lesions through pre and post ferucarbotran-enhanced T2 and T2＊-weighted imaging and to help differentiate benign and malignant lesions 대상 및 방법： Consecutive 34 patients with 52 hepatic lesions underwent MRI before and after intravenous bolus injection of ferucarbotran (Resovist Sobering, Berlin, Germany) for evaluation of focal hepatic lesions. Lesions included hemangiomas (n=17), metastases (n=12), cysts (n=10), hepatocellular carcinomas (n=8), dysplastic nodules (n=4), and focal fat deposit (n=1). T2-weighted fast spin echo (TR/TE： 4060/138) and gradient echo T2＊-weighted images(TR/TE： 140/5.3, FA = 90) were obtained according to the institutional routine imaging protocol. Lesional signal-intensity and lesion-to-liver contrast changes were measured by contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) from region of interest.