• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.719-722
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• 2019

Gamma-ray images generally suffer from a lot of noise because of low photon detection in the gamma camera system. The purpose of this study is to improve the image quality in gamma-ray images using a gamma camera system with a fast nonlocal means (FNLM) noise reduction algorithm with an acceleration function. The designed FNLM algorithm is based on local region considerations, including the Euclidean distance in the gamma-ray image and use of the encoded information. To evaluate the noise characteristics, the normalized noise power spectrum (NNPS), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and coefficient of variation (COV) were used. According to the NNPS result, the lowest values can be obtained using the FNLM noise reduction algorithm. In addition, when the conventional methods and the FNLM noise reduction algorithm were compared, the average CNR and COV using the proposed algorithm were approximately 2.23 and 7.95 times better than those of the noisy image, respectively. In particular, the image-processing time of the FNLM noise reduction algorithm can achieve the fastest time compared with conventional noise reduction methods. The results of the image qualities related to noise characteristics demonstrated the superiority of the proposed FNLM noise reduction algorithm in a gamma camera system.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.577-584
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• 2020

Construction automation and robotics have been widely adopted in the construction industry as a promising solution to such issues like a shortage of skilled labor and the difficulties workers face in harsh working environments. The analysis of the knowledge structure and its evolution from the existing articles helps identify essential knowledge elements and possible future research directions. This study attempts to (1) construct keyword networks from the papers published in the International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC), (2) investigate how keywords and keyword communities are associated with each other, and (3) examine the changes in the crucial keywords over time. Through cluster analysis, 79 keywords were categorized into four groups (BIM, Building construction, Sensing, and GPS as representative keywords) with similar structural positions. Research trends show that research themes related to Infrastructure, Construction equipment, and 3D have consistently received a large amount of attention, regardless of geographical region. Research on as-built status model utilization through BIM and Laser scanning and improving Energy performance is taking place more frequently. In contrast, research studies related to problem-solving based on Neural networks are not as common as previously. This study provides useful insights into the construction automation field, at both the macro and micro levels.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2020

The partial air cushion supported catamaran (PACSCAT) is a novel Surface Effect Ship (SES) and possesses distinctive resistance performance due to the presence of planing bottom. In this paper, the design of PACSCAT and air cushion system are described in detail. Model tests were carried out for Froude numbers ranging from 0.1 to 1.11, the focus is on the influence of air cushion system on resistance characteristics. Drag-reducing effect of air cushion system was proved by means of contrast tests in cuhionborne and non-cushionborne mode. Wave-making characteristics reflect that the PACSCAT would eventually enter planing regime, in which the air could just escape under the seals and the hull body could operate in a steady state. To acquire different air cushion pressure, air flow rate and leakage height were adjusted during tests. Experimental results show that the resistance performance in planing regime would decrease evidently as the increased air flow rate, however, the scheme with medium leakage height presents the best resistance performance in the hump region.

• Journal of Information Processing Systems
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.319-331
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• 2022

The capability to examine an X-ray image is so far a challenging task. In this work, we suggest a practical and novel algorithm based on image fusion to inspect the issues such as background noise, blurriness, or sharpness, which curbs the quality of dual-energy X-ray images. The current technology exercised for the examination of bags and baggage is "X-ray"; however, the results of the incumbent technology used show blurred and low contrast level images. This paper aims to improve the quality of X-ray images for a clearer vision of illegitimate or volatile substances. A dataset of 40 images was taken for the experiment, but for clarity, the results of only 13 images have been shown. The results were evaluated using MSE and PSNR metrics, where the average PSNR value of the proposed system compared to single X-ray images was increased by 19.3%, and the MSE value decreased by 17.3%. The results show that the proposed framework will help discern threats and the entire scanning process.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2022

Purpose: The survival of organisms critically depends on avoidance responses to life-threatening stimuli. Information about dangerous situations needs to be remembered to produce defensive behavior. To investigate underlying brain regions to process information of danger, manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) was used in olfactory fear-conditioned rats. Materials and Methods: Fear conditioning was conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals received nasal injections of manganese chloride solution to monitor brain activation for olfactory information processing. Twenty-four hours after manganese injection, rats were exposed to electric foot shocks with odor cue for one hour. Control rats were exposed to the same odor cue without foot shocks. Forty-eight hours after the conditioning, rats were anesthetized and their brains were scanned with 9.4T MRI. Acquired images were processed and statistical analyses were performed using AFNI. Results: Manganese injection enhanced brain areas involved in olfactory information pathways in T1 weighted images. Rats that received foot shocks showed higher brain activation in the central nucleus of the amygdala, septum, primary motor cortex, and preoptic area. In contrast, control rats displayed greater signals in the orbital cortex and nucleus accumbens. Conclusion: Nasal delivery of manganese solution enhanced olfactory signal pathways in rats. Odor cue paired with foot shocks activated amygdala, the central brain region in fear, and related brain circuits. Use of MEMRI in fear conditioning provides a reliable monitoring technique of brain activation for fear learning.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.87-90
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• 2021

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is rare mesenchymal tumor usually arising from pleura. SFT can be found at all anatomic site in our body but incidence of SFT is much lower in head and neck region especially at lower neck area. We found a case of SFT that presented as a lower neck mass in a 41-year old woman. Ultrasonography showed a 3×1cm sized hypoechoic mass in the intermuscular fat plane of left lower neck, and computed tomography showed a well circumscribed, low-density mass with contrast enhancement. Fine needle aspiration showed no malignant cells with abundant red blood cells, but it was not possible to completely rule out malignant tumors or nodules clinically. Surgery was performed to make a definitive diagnosis and histopathology showed tightly packed, round to fusiform cells with staghorn shaped vessels at microscopic examination. The tumor cell were positive for CD34 but negative for CD31 and S-100 protein.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2094-2114
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• 2022

Due to the wide application of fifth generation communication, wireless sensor networks have become an indispensable part in our daily life. In this paper, we analyze physical layer security for two-way relay with energy harvesting (EH), where power splitter is considered at relay. And two kinds of combined methods, i.e., selection combining (SC) and maximum ratio combining (MRC) schemes, are employed at eavesdropper. What's more, the closed-form expressions for security performance are derived. For comparison purposes, this security behaviors for orthogonal multiple access (OMA) networks are also investigated. To gain deeper insights, the end-to-end throughput and approximate derivations of secrecy outage probability (SOP) under the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime are studied. Practical Monte-Carlo simulative results verify the numerical analysis and indicate that: i) The secure performance of SC scheme is superior to MRC scheme because of being applied on eavesdropper; ii) The secure behaviors can be affected by various parameters like power allocation coefficients, transmission rate, etc; iii) In the low and medium SNR region, the security and channel capacity are higher for cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) systems in contrast with OMA systems; iv) The systematic throughput can be improved by changing the energy conversion efficiency and power splitting factor. The purpose of this study is to provide theoretical direction and design of secure communication.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.423-431
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to present objective information in applying 3D printing technology for PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) performance evaluation and use it as a basic research that can be applied to various purposes in the future. Phantoms were manufactured with step wedge of ABS(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and ACR(Acrylic acid) material. The counts for each ROI(Region of Interest) were analyzed through image acquisition in PET/CT. And the variation rate of counts and CNR(Contrast Noise Ratio) was evaluated. In the counts analysis, the effect of thickness occurred. In addition, in the variation rate analysis, the thickness setting of steps wedge 4 to 5 levels should be considered first. These results minimize quantitative and qualitative changes in the phantom manufactured based on 3D printing, and enable more stable PET/CT performance evaluation. Based on 3D printing in PET/CT, various phantoms are expected to be produced in the future. If the characteristics of each material are considered and applied through the basic research such as this research, the result of the phantom manufactured through 3D printing can be more meaningful and will be used in a wide range.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 2022

The physiological characteristics, growth, and yield of each regional rice variety ('Odaebyeo', 'Saechucheong', 'Ilmibyeo') were investigated depending on the impact of changes in temperature and CO₂ concentration. Experiments were conducted with a control group, which reflected atmospheric CO₂ concentration and temperature, and treatment groups, in which the CO₂ concentration and temperature were increased by 250 ppm and 2.0℃ from those in the control group. The results showed that the increase in CO₂ concentration and temperature reduced the growth and yield of the rice 'Odaebyeo', but did not substantially change the productivity of the 'Saechucheong' and 'Ilmibyeo'. The increase in CO₂ concentration and temperature increased stomatal conductance and rate of transpiration of the 'Odaebyeo' variety, thereby decreasing its water use efficiency (WUE). In contrast, the increase in CO₂ concentration and temperature increased the photosynthetic rate and WUE of the 'Saechucheong' and 'Ilmibyeo' varieties. The gradual change in climate is considered to directly affect growth and development of rice and diversely affect the productivity of each variety. Therefore, it is necessary to implement technological development, select regionally optimal rice varieties, develop new rice varieties, as well as conduct long-term monitoring of each rice variety for climate adaptation to counter global warming.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

In this study, we aimed to quantify the population size and spatial distribution of three predatory Scarites species in coastal sand dunes. In June and August 2014, 252 pitfall traps were utilized to conduct a trapping web analysis at three distinct sites with varying vegetation dominance values. Scarites sulcatus had the largest estimated population in a 10 m² area with a habitat density of 36.6 in a Vitex rotundifolia community area (site B) in the June survey. In contrast, Scarites aterrimus had the largest population size with a habitat density of 2.9 in a Calystegia soldanella community area (site A) in the August survey. Spatial distribution analysis revealed that S. sulcatus dominated the Vitex rotundifolia community without preference for a particular site, whereas S. aterrimus and Scarites terricola pacificus were primarily observed on the beach. The results indicated that the three Scarites species in the Sohwang coastal sand dune region exhibited differences in their spatial and temporal distributions in the coastal dune ecosystem in order to avoid competition and predation. In conclusion, our findings can be utilized to estimate the population density of the genus Scarites on the Korean Peninsula. The outcomes of this study will contribute to estimating insect population densities on the Korean Peninsula and developing investigative assessment methodologies.