• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.32-41
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• 2004

Purpose : To measure the NMR relaxation properties of MnPC, to observe the characteristics of liver enhancement patterns on MR images in experimentally implanted rabbit VX2 tumor model, and to estimate the possibility of tissue specific contrast agent for MnPC in comparison with the hepatobiliary agent. Materials and Methods : Phthalocyanine (PC) was chelated with paramagnetic ions, manganese (Mn). 2.01 g (5.2 mmol) of phthalocyanine was mixed with 0.37 g (1.4 nlmol) of Mn chloride at $310^{\circ}C$ for 36 hours and then purified by chromatography ($CHCl_3:\;CH_3OH=98:2$, volume ratio) to obtain 1.04 g $(46\%)$ of MnPC (molecular weight = 2000 daltons). The T1/T2 relaxivity (R1/R2) for MnPC were determined at a 1.5 T (64 MHz) MR spectrometer. VX2 tumor model was experimentally implanted in the liver parenchyma of rabbits. All MR studies were performed on 1.5 T. The human extremity radio frequency coil of a bird cage type was employed. MR images were acquired at 17 to 24 days after VX2 carcinoma implantation.4 mmol/kg MnPC and 0.01 mmol/kg Mn-DPDP were injected via the ear vein of rabbits. T1-weighted images were obtained with spin-echo (TR/TE=516/14 msec) and fast multiplanar spoiled gradient recalled (TR/TE : 80/4 msec, $60^{\circ}$ flip angle) pulse sequence. Fast spin-echo (TR/TE=1200/85 msec) was used to obtain the T2-weighted images. Results : The value of T1/T2 relaxivity (R1/R2) of MnPC was $7.28\;mM^{-1}S^{-1}$ and $55.56\;mM^{-1}S^{-1}$ respectively at 1.5 T (64 MHz). Because the T2 relaxivity of MnPC that bonded strongly, covalently manganese with phthalocyanine was very high, the signal intensity of liver parenchyma was decreased on postcontrast T2-weighted images and we could easily distinguish the VX2 carcinoma within the liver parenchyma. When MnPC was administrated intravenously, the tumor margin delineation was more remarkable than Mn-DPDP-enhanced images. The enhancement of liver parenchyma with MnPC persisted at relatively high levels over at least one hour after injection of the contrast agents. Conclusion : The hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of MnPC, which are similar to Mn-DPDP, suggest that this agent is a new liver-specific agent. Also, MnPC seems to be used as a dual contrast agent (T1 and T2) with high T2 relaxivity. However, it is warranted that MnPC needs further investigation as a potential contrast agent for MR imaging of the liver. That is, further characterizations of MnPC are needed in vivo and in vitro before clinical trials. The diagnostic potential of MnPC will also have to be examined more in the animal models of additional types.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2016

The purpose of this analysis is to compare 2D T1 FEE and 3D T1 THRIVE for demonstration of the pancreas. A total of 85(45 men, 40 women; 58 years) PACS network datum were analysis clinically indicated pancreas MRI at 1.5 T. The SNRs and CNRs of 3D T1 THRIVE(SNR: $46.42{\pm}0.67$, CNR: $28.16{\pm}0.50$) showed significantly higher values than those from 2D T1 FEE(SNR: $53.84{\pm}1.20$, CNR: $35.48{\pm}0.70$), p<0.05, The image quality of the 3D T1 THRIVE($2.63 {\pm}0.14$) was significantly superior to that with the 2D T1 FEE($2.2{\pm}0.05$), but 3D T1 THRIVE revealed several artifacts resulting in poor quality. In conclusion, The 3D T1 THRIVE technique with a 1.5 T resulting in improved SNRs, CNRs and image quality was demonstrated.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to evaluate image blurring according to variation of the ETL and propose the clinically appropriate ETL range. SIEMENS MAGNETOM Skyra 3.0T and 20 channel head coil were used for the study. MRI phantom was kept the lines horizontally to three direction(X,Y,Z) of the coil and T1, T2 weighted images that used the fast spin echo technique acquired. The ETL with increase of 10 was applied from 10 to 80. In addition, the ETL with increase of 1 was applied in the interval statistically significant differences occurred. And T1, T2 weighted images that used the conventional spin echo technique acquired to compare image blurring of the images that used the fast spin echo technique. The slope of lattice in the images was measured using Image J 1.47v program to evaluate image blurring. And image blurring was determined by the degree of the slope. The statistical significance of both techniques was evaluated by the Kruskal-Wallis test of the SPSS 17.0v. And the correlation of the ETL and image blurring was evaluated quantitatively by regression analysis. The slope of the T1, T2 weighted images that used fast spin echo technique decreased as contrasted with conventional spin echo technique. In the result of the Kruskal-Wallis test, the T1, T2 weighted images that used fast spin echo technique made a significant difference with conventional spin echo technique. Particularly, in the Tomhane' T2 test, the T1, T2 weighted images made a significant difference from ETL 22 and 31 respectively. In the result of the regression analysis, the R-squared of the T1, T2 weighted images are 0.762 and 0.793. It is difficult to apply the long ETL in the T1 weighted image caused by the short TR and multi-slices study. Therefore, clinical impact according to variation of the ETL is very slight in the T1 weighted images. But the application of the proper ETL is demanded in T2 weighted images using the fast spin echo technique in order to prevent image blurring.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.300-308
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• 2014

Photoacoustic imaging is a useful tool for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis because it is capable of providing anatomical and pathological information at the same time. A photoacoustic signal detector is a pivotal element to achieve high spatial resolution, so that it should have broadband spectrum with a high center frequency. Since a photoacoustic imaging probe is directly inserted into blood vessel to diagnose atherosclerosis, the total size of the photoacoustic signal detector should be less than 1 mm. The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that PVDF can be used as an active material for the photoacoustic signal detector with a high frequency and broadband characteristic. The photoacoustic signal detector developed in this study was a single element ultrasound transducer with an aperture of $0.5{\times}0.5mm$ and the total size of 1 mm. In the design stage, the natural focal depth was adjusted for an effective focal area to cover the region of interest, i.e., 1~5 mm in depth. This was because geometrical focusing could not be used due to the small aperture. Through a pulse-echo test, it was ascertained that the developed photoacoustic signal detector has the -6 dB bandwidth ranging between 40.1 and 112.8 MHz and the center frequency of 76.83 MHz.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2020

In High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, effective localization of HIFU focus is important for developing a safe treatment plan. While Magnetic Resonance Imaging guided HIFU (MRIgHIFU) can visualize the ultrasound path during the treatment for localizing HIFU focus, it is challenging in ultrasound imaging guided HIFU (USIgHIFU). In the present study, a real-time ultrasound beam visualization technique capable of localizing HIFU focus is presented for USIgHIFU. In the proposed method, a short pulse, with the same center frequency of an imaging ultrasound transducer below the regulated acoustic intensity (i.e., Ispta < 720 mW/㎠), was transmitted through a HIFU transducer whereupon backscattered signals were received by the imaging transducer. To visualize the HIFU beam path, the backscattered signals underwent dynamic receive focusing and subsequent echo processing. From in vitro experiments with bovine serum albumin gel phantoms, the HIFU beam path was clearly depicted with low acoustic intensity (i.e., Ispta of 94.8 mW/㎠) and the HIFU focus was successfully localized before any damages were produced. This result indicates that the proposed ultrasound beam path visualization method can be used for localizing the HIFU focus in real time while minimizing unwanted tissue damage in USIgHIFU treatment.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.592-598
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• 2015

In this study, we experimentally investigate the performance characteristics of a high-performance summer-cooling heat pump for an R410A by applying an air-cooled-type vapor-injection (VI) cycle. The devices used for the experiment consist of a VI compressor, condenser, oil separator, plate-type heat-exchanger, economizer, evaporator, and re-cooler. The experimental conditions employed for the cooling performance were divided into three cycles. First, in Cycle A, we apply a VI cycle and with no heat exchange between the evaporator outlet refrigerant and the VI cycle suction refrigerant in the re-cooler. For Cycle B, there is heat exchange, and for Cycle C, there is neither a VI cycle nor heat exchange between the evaporator outlet refrigerant and the VI cycle suction refrigerant. From the analysis results, we observe that the performance was highest in the VI cycle with heat exchange between the evaporator outlet refrigerant and the VI cycle suction refrigerant (Cycle B), while it was lowest in Cycle C without application of the VI cycle. Moreover, the cooling coefficient of Performance ($COP_C$) averaged 3.5 in Cycle B, which was 8.6% higher than the corresponding value in Cycle A, and 33% higher than that in Cycle C.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.43-56
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• 2015

Amidst various efforts which have been made to revive a city, the potential discovery related to the development of public design based on copious cultural heritages is extremely significant. Therefore, in this study, qualitative researches were conducted based on bibliographic data and image materials centered on public design of Theme Park in Daechon-dong, Gwangju Metropolitan City. The case studies verifying the identity of Korean public design through countless numbers of research materials. However, it's necessary to pay attention to a common fact because it's essential to find the national legitimacy and regional identity by tiding over problems in standardized urban development through well-designed development plan for history, living and economy bloc among the regional traditional cultural assets while rejecting the meaning in an excessively broad sense. The spaces assigned with significance are cultural contents embedded with cultural original form of the region and there is room for creative development in order to generate city brand value and to activate the space. This study is significant in that the spatial interpretation of Daechon-dong's Theme Park and the methodology of semiotic spatial planning can not only be applied but also in that this study has demonstrated positive effects on space.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.353-362
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• 2016

Thermal barrier coating (TBC) is an essential element consisting of a super-alloy base and ceramic coating designed to achieve long operational time under a high temperature and pressure environment. However, the top coat of TBC can be delaminated at certain temperatures with long operation time. As the delamination of TBC is directly related to the blade damage, the coupling status of the TBC should be assured for reliable operation. Conventional studies of nondestructive evaluation have been made for detecting generation of thermally grown oxide (TGO) or qualitatively evaluating delamination in TBC. In this study, the ultrasonic C-scan method was developed to obtain the damage map inside TBC by estimating the delamination in a quantitative way. All specimens were isothermally degraded at $1,100^{\circ}C$ with different time, having different partial delamination area. To detect partial delamination in TBC, the C-scan was performed by a single transducer using pulse-echo method with normal incidence. Partial delamination coefficients of 1 mm to 6 mm were derived by the proportion of the surface reflection signal and flaw signal which were theoretical signals using Rogers-Van Buren and Kim's equations. Using the partial delamination coefficients, the partial delamination maps were obtained. Regardless of the partial delamination coefficient, partial delamination area was increased when degradation time was increased in TBC. In addition, a decrease in partial delamination area in each TBC specimen was observed when the partial delamination coefficient was increased. From the portion of the partial delamination maps, the criterion for delamination was derived.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2009

Purpose : Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess the temporal response of neural activation in healthy subjects while they performed the Iowa Gambling Test (IGT), which utilizes decisions involving ambiguity and risk. The IGT was divided into five blocks of 20 trials; analysis showed that activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) moves gradually from the dorsal to the ventral mPFC over the course of the IGT. These findings suggest that cognitive division of the mPFC, including the dorsal portion of the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC), plays a major role in ambiguous decision making and that the aspect of the IGT corresponding to risky decision making is associated with significant activity within the corticolimbic network strongly implicated in emotion and reinforcement. Our results also suggest that decisions made under ambiguity and decisions made under risk situations can be further divided into sub-phases based on the neural network involved.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.518-524
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• 2004

The feasibility of Y(z) curve method of scanning acoustic microscope using high frequency transducer was experimentally studied for assessment of the thermal degradation in Co-based superalloy. Thermal degradation was performed to simulate the microstructural changes in Co-based superalloy arising from long term exposure at high temperature. Longitudinal wave velocity measured by pulse echo method using 10MHz transducer and leaky surface acoustic wave (LSAW) velocity measured by V(z) curve method using 200MHE transducer were measured to investigate the effect on thermal degradation. Ultrasonic velocity decreased as the aging time increased in both ultrasonic waves. Moreover, the low frequency longitudinal wave velocity decreased a little. Otherwise, the high frequency LSAW velocity drastically decreased up to a maximum of 4.7% at the aging time of 4,000hours. A good correlation was found between LSAW and Vickers hardness. Consequently, V(z) curve method of SAM using high frequency transducer could be a potential tool for assessing thermal degradation.