Accelerated Time-of-Flight Magnetic Resonance Angiography with Sparse Undersampling and Iterative Reconstruction for the Evaluation of Intracranial Arteries

Hehan Tang,Na Hu,Yuan Yuan,Chunchao Xia,Xiumin Liu,Panli Zuo,Aurelien F. Stalder,Michaela Schmidt,Xiaoyue Zhou,Bin Song,Jiayu Sun 대한영상의학회 2019 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.20 No.2

Objective: To compare the image quality of three-dimensional time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with sparse undersampling and iterative reconstruction (sparse TOF) with that of conventional TOF MRA. Materials and Methods: This study included 56 patients who had undergone sparse TOF MRA for intracranial artery evaluation on a 3T MR scanner. Conventional TOF MRA scans were also acquired from 29 patients with matched acquisition times and another 27 patients with matched scanning parameters. The image quality was scored using a five-point scale based on the delineation of arterial vessel segments, artifacts, overall vessel visualization, and overall image quality by two radiologists independently, and the data were analyzed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Contrast ratios (CRs) of vessels were compared using the paired t test. Interobserver agreement was calculated using the kappa test. Results: Compared with conventional TOF at the same spatial resolution, sparse TOF with an acceleration factor of 3.5 could reduce acquisition time by 40% and showed comparable image quality. In addition, when compared with conventional TOF with the same acquisition time, sparse TOF with an acceleration factor of 5 could also achieve higher spatial resolution, better delineation of vessel segments, fewer artifacts, higher image quality, and a higher CR (p < 0.05). Good-to-excellent interobserver agreement (к: 0.65–1.00) was obtained between the two radiologists. Conclusion: Compared with conventional TOF, sparse TOF can achieve equivalent image quality in a reduced duration. Furthermore, using the same acquisition time, sparse TOF could improve the delineation of vessels and decrease image artifacts.

PET/CT에서 재구성 프로그램의 성능 평가

임정진,윤석환,김종필,남궁식,신성화,윤상혁,김영석,이형진,이홍재,김진의,우재룡,Lim, Jung Jin,Yoon, Seok Hwan,Kim, Jong Pil,Nam Koong, Sik,Shin, Seong Hwa,Yoon, Sang Hyeok,Kim, Yeong Seok,Lee, Hyeong Jin,Lee, Hong Jae,Kim, Jin Eui,Woo, 대한핵의학기술학회 2012 핵의학 기술 Vol.16 No.2

암의 조기검진 및 수술 전후 추적검사에 유용하게 이용되고 있는 PET/CT는 영상의 질을 향상시키기 위하여 기계적인 성능 향상과 더불어 영상 재구성방법도 발전되어 왔다. 본 연구는 Time of Flight (TOF)를 기반으로 한 재구성 프로그램들에 대하여 영상의 질을 평가하고자 한다. Gemini TF, Biograph mCT, Discovery 690을 이용하여 phantom 영상을 동일한 조건으로 2분 동안 영상을 획득 후 Astonish TF, ultraHD PET, SharpIR을 적용한 것과 적용하지 않은 것에 대하여 영상을 재구성하였다. Flangeless Esser PET phantom 의 내부에는 $^{18}F$-FDG 1.11 kBq/ml (30 ${\mu}Ci/ml$)를 채우고 4개의 열소 원통(8, 12, 16, 25 mm)에는 8.88 kBq/ml (240 ${\mu}Ci/ml$)를 채워서 배후 방사능과 열소 원통 방사능의 비율이 1:8이 되도록 제작하였고 triple line phantom의 내부에는 $^{18}F$-FDG 37 MBq (1 mCi)를 채우고 세 개의 line에는 0.37 MBq/ml (100 uCi)를 주입하여 제작하였다. Flangeless Esser PET phantom을 사용한 재구성 영상에서 contrast ratio와 background variability를 구하였고, triple line phantom을 사용한 재구성 영상에서 resolution을 측정하였다. Phantom lid 크기가 8, 12, 16, 25 mm에서의 contrast ratio는 Astonish TF를 적용하지 않은 영상에서 8.69, 12.28, 19.31, 25.80%, 적용한 영상에서는 6.24, 13.24, 19.55, 27.60%, ultraHD PET를 적용하지 않은 영상에서 4.94, 12.68, 22.09, 30.14%, 적용한 영상에서는 4.76, 13.23, 23.72, 31.65%, SharpIR를 적용하지 않은 영상에서 13.18, 17.44, 28.76, 34.67%, 적용한 영상에서는 13.15, 18.32, 30.33, 35.73%로 나타났다. Background variability는 Astonish TF를 적용하지 않은 영상에서 5.51, 5.42, 7.13, 6.28%, 적용한 영상에서는 7.81, 7.94, 6.40, 6.28%, ultraHD PET를 적용하지 않은 영상에서 6.46, 6.63, 5.33, 5.21%, 적용한 영상에서는 6.08, 6.08, 4.45, 4.58%, SharpIR를 적용하지 않은 영상에서 5.93, 4.82, 4.45, 5.09%, 적용한 영상에서는 4.80, 3.92, 3.63, 4.50%로 나타났다. Phantom line 위치가 upper, center, right에서의 resolution은 Astonish TF를 적용하지 않은 영상에서 10.77, 11.54, 9.34 mm, 적용한 영상에서는 9.54, 8.90, 8.88 mm, ultraHD PET를 적용하지 않은 영상에서 7.84, 6.95, 8.32 mm, 적용한 영상에서는 7.51, 6.66, 8.27 mm, SharpIR를 적용하지 않은 영상에서 9.35, 8.69, 8.99 mm, 적용한 영상에서는 9.88, 9.18, 9.00 mm로 나타났다. TOF를 기반으로 하여 영상의 질을 향상시키기 위한 재구성 프로그램 사용 시 전반적으로 영상의 질적 향상이 이루어짐을 알 수 있었다. 또한 제조사별 재구성 프로그램 비교에 대해서는 어느 정도의 결과 값의 차이를 보였지만 이는 제조사별 장비의 특성과 재구성 알고리즘의 차이로 인한 결과라고 생각된다. 따라서 각 병원에서는 영상의 질을 향상시키기 위해 사용되는 재구성 프로그램을 이용함에 있어서 프로그램에 맞는 적절한 재구성 조건을 찾기 위한 추가적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다. Purpose : PET/CT is widely used for early checking up of cancer and following up of pre and post operation. Image reconstruction method is advanced with mechanical function. We want to evaluate image quality of each reconstruction program based on time of flight (TOF). Materials and Methods : After acquiring phantom images during 2 minutes with Gemini TF (Philips, USA), Biograph mCT (Siemens, USA) and Discovery 690 (GE, USA), we reconstructed image applied to Astonish TF (Philips, USA), ultraHD PET (Siemens, USA), Sharp IR (GE, USA) and not applied. inside of Flangeless Esser PET phantom (Data Spectrum corp., USA) was filled with $^{18}F$-FDG 1.11 kBq/ml (30 Ci/ml) and 4 hot inserts (8. 12. 16. 25 mm) were filled with 8.88 kBq/ml (240 ${\mu}Ci/ml$) the ratio of background activity and hot inserts activity was 1 : 8. Inside of triple line phantom (Data Spectrum corp., USA) was filled with $^{18}F$-FDG 37 MBq/ml (1 mCi). Three of lines were filled with 0.37 MBq (100 ${\mu}Ci$). Contrast ratio and background variability were acquired from reconstruction image used Flangeless Esser PET phantom and resolution was acquired from reconstruction image used triple line phantom. Results : The contrast ratio of image which was not applied to Astonish TF was 8.69, 12.28, 19.31, 25.80% in phantom lid of which size was 8, 12, 16, 25 mm and it which was applied to Astonish TF was 6.24, 13.24, 19.55, 27.60%. It which was not applied to ultraHD PET was 4.94, 12.68, 22.09, 30.14%, it which was applied to ultraHD PET was 4.76, 13.23, 23.72, 31.65%. It which was not applied to SharpIR was 13.18, 17.44, 28.76, 34.67%, it which was applied to SharpIR was 13.15, 18.32, 30.33, 35.73%. The background variability of image which was not applied to Astonish TF was 5.51, 5.42, 7.13, 6.28%. it which was applied to Astonish TF was 7.81, 7.94, 6.40 6.28%. It which was not applied to ultraHD PET was 6.46, 6.63, 5.33, 5.21%, it which was applied to ultraHD PET was 6.08, 6.08, 4.45, 4.58%. It which was not applied to SharpIR was 5.93, 4.82, 4.45, 5.09%, it which was applied to SharpIR was 4.80, 3.92, 3.63, 4.50%. The resolution of phantom line of which location was upper, center, right, which was not applied to Astonish TF was 10.77, 11.54, 9.34 mm it which was applied to Astonish TF was 9.54, 8.90, 8.88 mm. It which was not applied to ultraHD PET was 7.84, 6.95, 8.32 mm, it which was applied to ultraHD PET was 7.51, 6.66, 8.27 mm. It which was not applied to SharpIR was 9.35, 8.69, 8.99, it which was applied to SharpIR was 9.88, 9.18, 9.00 mm. Conclusion : Image quality was advanced generally while reconstruction program which is based on time of flight was used. Futhermore difference of result compared each manufacture reconstruction program showed up, however this is caused by specification of instrument of each manufacture and difference of reconstruction algorithm. Therefore we need further examination to find out appropriate reconstruction condition while using reconstruction program used for advance of image quality.

수신 신호 모델을 이용한 초음파 거리 측정 방법

최진희(Jin Hee Choe),조황(Whang Cho),최익(Ick Choy) 한국전자통신학회 2017 한국전자통신학회 논문지 Vol.12 No.1

현재 대부분의 초음파를 이용한 거리 측정 기술은 송신부로부터 수신기까지 초음파가 진행하는 시간 즉, TOF(: Time of Flight)를 측정하여 그 동안 음파가 진행한 거리를 산출하는 방법을 활용한다. 이 경우 거리측정 정확도를 높이기 위해서는 정확한 TOF의 측정이 필요하다. 본 논문은 정확한 TOF를 산출하기 위해 초음파 송수신기의 수학적 모델을 이용하여 수신된 파형의 수학적 모델을 얻어내고 이를 바탕으로 TOF를 산출하는 방식을 제안한다. 이 방식은 트리거링 후부터 수신된 파형를 이미 얻어진 수학적 모델과 최소자승법을 이용하여 비교하여 초음파 신호가 수신기에 도달한 시점을 역으로 추정하는 방식이다. 제안된 방법을 사용할 경우 트리거링 시점의 변동에 의한 영향을 줄일 수 있음을 실험을 통하여 확인하였다. Most of present ultrasonic distance measurement technologies are based on the measurement of the TOF (: Time of Flight), the elapsed time during which the ultrasonic wave travels from its transmitter to receiver, to evaluate the distance the wave travels during that time. In this case, high distance measurement accuracy requires an accurate measurement of TOF. In order to acquire an accurate TOF, this paper proposes a method that produces the TOF by using a mathematical model of the received signal obtained from a mathematical model of ultrasonic transducer. The proposed method estimates the arrival time of the received signal retrospectively by comparing its wave form obtained after triggering point with its mathematical model in the sense of least-square. Experimental result shows that the effect of variation of triggering point can be decreased by implementing the proposed method.

Exploratory metabolomics of biomarker identification for the internet gaming disorder in young Korean males

Cho, Yeo Ul,Lee, Deokjong,Lee, Jung-Eun,Kim, Kyoung Heon,Lee, Do Yup,Jung, Young-Chul Elsevier 2017 Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technolog Vol.1057 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The main aim of the current research is to characterize the molecular dynamics related to internet gaming disorder (IGD) using non-targeted plasma metabolite profiling based on gas-chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF MS). IGD is a psychiatric disorder instigated by excessive and prolonged internet gaming, which shared many pathological symptoms with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The prevalence of the disorder has been rapidly increased particularly in East Asia countries (5.9% in South Korea) compared to Europe or North America (0.3–1.0% in United States and 1.16% in Germany). Thus we comparably explored the correlation between plasma metabolites and internet addiction severity in IGD patients, and potential biomarker composite in combination with clinical parameters. The systematic metabolite profiling of 54 blood samples (normal user, <I>N</I> =28 and IGD, <I>N</I> =24) identified a total of 104 metabolites out of 1212 metabolic feature, and revealed unique relation of co-linearly regressed set of plasma metabolites (arabitol, <I>myo</I>-inositol, methionine, pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid, and aspartic acid) with internet addiction severity scale (R=0.795). In addition, orthogonal partial least squared discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified the potential biomarker cluster that simultaneously discriminated the different types of the psychiatric status. The potential biomarker re-composite was comprehensively evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis where the AUCs were 0.890, 0.880, 1.000, and 0.935 for control, IGD, AD and IGD+AD, respectively (<I>N</I> =18, 19, 5, and 10) against the others. This exploratory method may provide robustness of predictive diagnosis in population screening of IGD. The identified metabolic features, the relatedness with clinical parameters, and the putative biochemical linkage will hopefully aid future pathological studies in IGD.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Atypical blood metabolite levels may reflect abnormal homeostasis in internet gaming disorder (IGD). </LI> <LI> Multiple logistic regression model suggested significant association between plasma metabolites and internet addiction severity. </LI> <LI> Potential biomarker cluster simultaneously discriminated different psychiatric status in combination of metabolites and clinical characteristics. </LI> <LI> Among them were arabitol, <I>myo</I>-inositol, methionine, and depression that were the unique predictors for IGD group. </LI> </UL> </P>

Effect of Stewing Time on the Small Molecular Metabolites, Free Fatty Acids, and Volatile Flavor Compounds in Chicken Broth

Rong Jia,Yucai Yang,Guozhou Liao,Yuan Yang,Dahai Gu,Guiying Wang 한국축산식품학회 2024 한국축산식품학회지 Vol.44 No.3

Chicken broth has a taste of umami, and the stewing time has an important effect on the quality of chicken broth, but there are fewer studies on the control of the stewing time. Based on this, the study was conducted to analyze the effects of different stewing times on the sensory, small molecular metabolites, free fatty acids, and volatile flavor compounds contents in chicken broths by liquid chromatography-quadrupole/timeof- flight mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, headspace solidphase microextraction, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Eighty-nine small molecular metabolites, 15 free fatty acids, and 86 volatile flavor compounds were detected. Palmitic and stearic acids were the more abundant fatty acids, and aldehydes were the main volatile flavor compounds. The study found that chicken broth had the best sensory evaluation, the highest content of taste components, and the richest content of volatile flavor components when the stewing time was 2.5 h. This study investigated the effect of stewing time on the quality of chicken broth to provide scientific and theoretical guidance for developing and utilizing local chicken.

Comparison of the Bruker Biotyper and VITEK MS Matrix- Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Systems Using a Formic Acid Extraction Method to Identify Common and Uncommon Yeast Isolates

이현승,신종희,최민지,원은정,기승정,김수현,신명근,서순팔 대한진단검사의학회 2017 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.37 No.3

Background: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) allows rapid and accurate identification of clinical yeast isolates. In-tube formic acid/acetonitrile (FA/ACN) extraction is recommended prior to the analysis with MALDI Biotyper, but the direct on-plate FA extraction is simpler. We compared the Biotyper with the VITEK MS for the identification of various clinically relevant yeast species, focusing on the use of the FA extraction method. Methods: We analyzed 309 clinical isolates of 42 yeast species (four common Candida species, Cryptococcus neoformans, and 37 uncommon yeast species) using the Biotyper and VITEK MS systems. FA extraction was used initially for all isolates. If ‘no identification’ result was obtained following the initial FA extraction, these samples were then retested by using FA (both systems, additive FA) or FA/ACN (Biotyper only, additive FA/ACN) extraction. These results were compared with those obtained by sequence-based identification. Results: Both systems correctly identified all 158 isolates of the four common Candida species after the initial FA extraction. The Biotyper correctly identified 8.7%, 30.4%, and 100% of 23 C. neoformans isolates after performing initial FA, additive FA, and FA/ACN extractions, respectively, while VITEK MS identified all C. neoformans isolates after the initial FA extraction. Both systems had comparable identification rates of 37 uncommon yeast species (128 isolates), following the initial FA (Biotyper, 74.2%; VITEK MS, 73.4%) or additive FA (Biotyper, 82.0%; VITEK MS, 73.4%). Conclusions: The identification rate of most common and uncommon yeast isolates is comparable between simple FA extraction/Biotyper method and VITEK MS methods, but FA/ ACN extraction is necessary for C. neoformans identification by Biotyper.

Measurement of TOF of fast neutrons with ²³⁸U target

Li, Meng,Guan, Yuanfan,Lu, Chengui,Zhang, Junwei,Yuan, Xiaohua,Duan, Limin,Yang, Herun,Hu, Rongjiang,He, Zhiyong,Wei, Xianglun,Ma, Peng,Gan, Zaiguo,Yang, Chunli,Zhang, Hongbin,Chen, Liang,Qiu, Tianli Korean Nuclear Society 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.6

We developed a Dual-PPACs detector for fast neutron measurements that consists of two sets of PPAC: conventional PPAC and fission PPAC. A²³⁸U(U₃O₈) coating is placed in the fission PPAC's anode, which is used as the neutrons conversion layer. An experiment was performed to measure neutron time-of-flight (TOF) in which ²⁵²Cf spontaneous fission source was used. An excellent time resolution of 164ps has been observed at 6 mbar in isobutene gas. With the excellent time resolution of Dual-PPACs detector, exact neutron energy can be extracted from the timing measurement. The experimental detection efficiency was 1.9 × 10^-7, consistent with the efficiency of 2.5 × 10^-7 given by a Geant4 simulation. Ultimately, the results show that the Dual-PPACs detector is a suitable candidate for measuring fast neutrons in the future CiADS system.

Transport Properties of Conversion Materials for Digital Radiography

김재형,Chang Hee Park,Sang Hee Nam 한국전기전자재료학회 2007 Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Material Vol.8 No.6

Applying the moving photo-carrier grating (MPG) technique and time-of-flight (TOF) measurements, we studied the transport properties of stabilized amorphous selenium typical of the material used in direct conversion X-ray imaging devices. For MPG measurement, we obtained electron and hole mobility and the recombination lifetime of a-Se films with arsenic (As) additions. We found an apparent increase in hole drift mobility and recombination lifetime, especially when 0.3 % As was added into a-Se film, whereas electron mobility decreased with the addition of As due to the defect density. For TOF measurement, a laser beam with pulse duration of 5 ns and wavelength of 350 nm was illuminated on the surface of a-Se with a thickness of 400 mm. The measured hole and electron transit times were about 8.73 ms and 229.17 ms, respectively.

Transport Properties of Conversion Materials for Digital Radiography

Kim, Jae-Hyung,Park, Chang-Hee,Nam, Sang-Hee The Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic 2007 Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Material Vol.8 No.6

Applying the moving photo-carrier grating(MPG) technique and time-of-flight(TOF) measurements, we studied the transport properties of stabilized amorphous selenium typical of the material used in direct conversion X-ray imaging devices. For MPG measurement, we obtained electron and hole mobility and the recombination lifetime of $\alpha-Se$ films with arsenic(As) additions. We found an apparent increase in hole drift mobility and recombination lifetime, especially when 0.3 % As was added into $\alpha-Se$ film, whereas electron mobility decreased with the addition of As due to the defect density. For TOF measurement, a laser beam with pulse duration of 5 ns and wavelength of 350 nm was illuminated on the surface of $\alpha-Se$ with a thickness of 400 ${\mu}m$. The measured hole and electron transit times were about 8.73 ${\mu}s$ and 229.17 ${\mu}s$, respectively.

A split spectrum processing of noise-contaminated wave signals for damage identification

X.T. Miao,F.C. Li,Lin Ye,X.W. Sun,H.K. Peng,Ye Lu,Guang Meng 국제구조공학회 2012 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.10 No.3

A split spectrum processing (SSP) method is proposed to accurately determine the time-of-flight (ToF) of damage-scattered waves by comparing the instantaneous amplitude variation degree (IAVD) of a wave signal captured from a damage case with that from the benchmark. The fundamental symmetrical (S0) mode in aluminum plates without and with a notch is assessed. The efficiency of the proposed SSP method and Hilbert transform in determining the ToF of damage-scattered S0 mode is evaluated for damage identification when the wave signals are severely contaminated by noise. Broadband noise can overwhelm damage-scattered wave signals in the time domain, and the Hilbert transform is only competent for determining the ToF of damage-scattered S0 mode in a noise-free condition. However, the calibrated IAVD of the captured wave signal is minimally affected by noise, and the proposed SSP method is capable of determining the ToF of damage-scattered S0 mode accurately even though the captured wave signal is severely contaminated by broadband noise, leading to the successful identification of damage (within an error on the order of the damage size) using a triangulation algorithm.