• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2007

Among the nuclear medicine imaging methods available today, $H_2^{15}O-PET$ is most widely used by cognitive neuroscientists to examine regional brain function via the measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). The short half-life of the radioactively labeled probe, $^{15}O$, often allows repeated measures from the same subjects in many different task conditions. $H_2^{15}O-$ PET, however, has technical limitations relative to other methods of functional neuroimaging, e.g., fMRI, including relatively poor time and spatial resolutions, and, frequently, insufficient statistical power for analysis of individual subjects. However, recent technical developments, such as the 3-D acquisition method provide relatively good image quality with a smaller radioactive dosage, which in turn results in more PET scans from each individual, thus providing sufficient statistical power for the analysis of individual subject's data. Furthermore, the noise free scanner environment $H_2^{15}O$ PET, along with discrete acquisition of data for each task condition, are important advantages of PET over other functional imaging methods regarding studying state-dependent changes in brain activity. This review presents both the limitations and advantages of $^{15}O-PET$, and outlines the design of efficient PET protocols, using examples of recent PET studies both in the normal healthy population, and in the clinical population.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.72-77
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• 2012

Phase Contrast MR Angiography(PC MRA) is excellent MRA technique for measuring the velocity of vessels in the human body. PC MRA need to at least four images for angiogram reconstruction and it caused longer scan time. Therefore, we used keyhole imaging combined PC MRA to reduce the scan time. However, keyhole imaging can lead the erroneous effects as loss of phase information or frequency discontinuous. In this study, we applied the keyhole imaging combined 2D PC MRA for improving the temporal resolution and also measured the velocity to evaluate the accuracy of phase information. We used 0.32T MRI scanner(Magfinder II, Scimedix, Korea). Using the 2D PC MRA pulse sequence, the vascular images for a human brain targeted on the Superior Sagittal Sinus(SSS) were obtained. We applied tukey window function for keyhole images to minimize the ringing artifact and erroneous factors that are induced frequency discontinuous and phase information loss. We also applied zero-padded algorithm to peripheral missing k-space lines to compare keyhole imaging results and the artifact power(AP) value was measured on the complex difference images to validate the image quality. Consider as based on our results, heavy image distortions and artifacts were shown until using at least 50% keyhole factor. Using above the 50% keyhole factors are shown well reconstructed and matched for magnitude images and velocity information measurements. In conclusion, we confirmed the image quality and velocity information of keyhole technique combined 2D PC MRA. Especially, measured velocity information through the keyhole imaging combination was similar to the velocity information of full sampled k-space image despite of frequency discontinuous and phase information loss in the keyhole imaging reconstruction process. Consequently, the keyhole imaging combined 2D PC MRA will give some clinical usefulness and advantages as improving the temporal resolution and measuring the velocity information via selecting the appropriate keyhole factor at low tesla MRI system.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

PURPOSE. The accuracy of a gypsum model (GM), which was taken using a conventional silicone impression technique, was compared with that of a polyurethane model (PM), which was taken using an iTero$^{TM}$ digital impression system. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The maxillary first molar artificial tooth was selected as the reference tooth. The GMs were fabricated through a silicone impression of a reference tooth, and PMs were fabricated by a digital impression (n=9, in each group). The reference tooth and experimental models were scanned using a 3 shape convince$^{TM}$ scan system. Each GM and PM image was superimposed on the registered reference model (RM) and 2D images were obtained. The discrepancies of the points registered on the superimposed images were measured and defined as GM-RM group and PM-RM group. Statistical analysis was performed using a Student's T-test (${\alpha}=0.05$). RESULTS. A comparison of the absolute value of the discrepancy revealed a significant difference between the two groups only at the occlusal surface. The GM group showed a smaller mean discrepancy than the PM group. Significant differences in the GM-RM group and PM-RM group were observed in the margins (point a and f), mesial mid-axial wall (point b) and occlusal surfaces (point c and d). CONCLUSION. Under the conditions examined, the digitally fabricated polyurethane model showed a tendency for a reduced size in the margin than the reference tooth. The conventional gypsum model showed a smaller discrepancy on the occlusal surface than the polyurethane model.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.203-209
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• 2006

The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of ex vivo MR diffusion tensor imaging technique in order to observe the diffusion-contrast characteristics of human gastric tissues. On normal and pathologic gastric tissues, which have been fixed in a polycarbonate plastic tube filled with 10% formalin solution, laboratory made 3D diffusion tensor Turbo FLASH pulse sequence was used to obtain high resolution MR images with voxel size of $0.5{\times}0.5{\times}0.5mm^3\;using\;64{\times}32{\times}32mm^3$ field of view in conjunction with an acquisition matrix of $128{\times}64{\times}64$. Diffusion weighted- gradient pulses were employed with b values of 0 and $600s/mm^2$ in 6 orientations. The sequence was implemented on a clinical 3.0-T MRI scanner(Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) with a home-made quadrature-typed birdcage Tx/Rx rf coil for small specimen. Diffusion tensor values in each pixel were calculated using linear algebra and singular value decomposition(SVD) algorithm. Apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) and fractional anisotropy(FA) map were also obtained from diffusion tensor data to compare pixel intensities between normal and abnormal gastric tissues. The processing software was developed by authors using Visual C++(Microsoft, WA, U.S.A.) and mathematical/statistical library of GNUwin32(Free Software Foundation). This study shows that 3D diffusion tensor Turbo FLASH sequence is useful to resolve fine micro-structures of gastric tissue and both ADC and FA values in normal gastric tissue are higher than those in abnormal tissue. Authors expect that this study also represents another possibility of gastric carcinoma detection by visualizing diffusion characteristics of proton spins in the gastric tissues.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.467-472
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• 1991

In order to investigate the changes of lipid ingredient and fatty acid content in flint corn by a growth process, total lipids from flint corn(Zea may l.) were extracted, purified and fractionated into three lipid classes (neutral lipid ; NL, glycolipid ; GL, phospolipid ; PL) by silicic acid column chromatography (SACC). Non-polar lipid ingredients and fatty acid contents were determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography (GC). And non-polar lipid ingredients were quantitatived by TLC scanner. The crude oil among proximare composition increased 2.74% to 4.43% and NL and PL were fractionated by SACC increased 48.5% to 86.02%, 1.01% to 2.73%, respectively. But GL decreased 50.4% to 11.25%. Neutral lipid ingredients identified monoglyceride, were 1.1~3.7%, 11.9~16.1%, 2.3~4.2%, 16.7~21.5% and 58.5~63.6%, respectively. The major fatty acids of NL were linoleic (48.9~61.0%), oleic(22.3~34.2%), palmitic (10.3~11.7%) acids and stearic, linolenic acids were also detected as minor components. The ratio of total unsaturated fatty acid to total saturated fatty acid presented a higher percentage of 5.87~6.34. The physico-chemical characteristics of flint corn lipids were presented as specific gravity presented 0.920, refractive index 1.468, saponification value 191.2, unsaponificable matter 0.97%, acid value 0.58 and iodine value 124.6, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.277-284
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• 1998

To establish a monthly data collection planning for the Ocean Scanning Multispectral Imager (OSMI), we have examined the global patterns of three impacting factors: pigment concentration, cloud cover, and sun glint. Other than satellite mission constraints (e.g., duty cycle), these three factors are considered critical for the OSMI data collection. The Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) monthly mean products and the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) monthly mean products (C2) were used for the analysis of pigment concentration and cloud cover distributions, respectively. And the monthly-simulated patterns of sun glint were produced by performing the OSMI orbit prediction and the calculation of sun glint radiances at the top-of-atmosphere (TOA). Using monthly statistics (mean and/or standard deviation) of each factor in the above for a given 10$^{\circ}$ latitude by 10$^{\circ}$ longitude grid, we generated the priority map for each month. The priority maps of three factors for each month were subsequently superimposed to visualize the impact of three factors in all. The initial results illustrated that a large part of oceans in the summer hemisphere was classified into the low priority regions because of seasonal changes of clouds and sun illumination. Sensitivity tests for different sets of classifications were performed and demonstrated the seasonal effects of clouds and sun glint to be robust.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the flexural strength of provisional fixed dental prostheses which was three-dimensional (3D) printed by several build directions. Materials and Methods: A metal jig with two abutment teeth and pontic space in the middle was fabricated. This jig was scanned with a desktop scanner and provisional restoration was designed on dental computer-aided design program. On the preprocessing software, the build angles of the restorations were arranged at $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, and $90^{\circ}$ and support was added and resultant structure was sliced to a thickness of $100{\mu}m$. Processed restorations were printed with digital light processing type 3D printer using poly methyl meta acrylate-based resin. After washing and post-curing, compressive loading was applied at a speed of 1 mm/min on a metal jig fixed to a universal testing machine. The maximum pressure at which fracture occurred was measured. For the statistical analysis, build direction was set as the independent variable and fracture strength as the dependent variable. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc analysis was conducted to compare fracture strength among groups (${\alpha}=0.05$). Result: The mean flexural strength of provisional restoration 3D printed with the build direction of $0^{\circ}$ was $1,053{\pm}168N$; it was $1,183{\pm}188N$ at $30^{\circ}$, $1,178{\pm}81N$ at $45^{\circ}$, $1,166{\pm}133N$ at $60^{\circ}$, and $949{\pm}170N$ at $90^{\circ}$. The group with a build direction of $90^{\circ}$ showed significantly lower flexural strength than other groups (P<0.05). The flexural strength was significantly higher when the build direction was $30^{\circ}$ than when it was $90^{\circ}$ (P<0.01). Conclusion: Among the build directions $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, and $90^{\circ}$ set for 3D printing of fixed dental prosthesis, an orientation of $30^{\circ}$ is recommended as an effective build direction for 3D printing.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.110-122
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• 2013

Purpose : To compare the image quality and ligament traceability in ankle images obtained using Volume Isotropic Turbo Spin Echo Acquisition (VISTA) MRI with and without fat suppression. Materials and Methods: The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) in images from a phantom and from the ankle of a volunteer were compared. Ten ankles from 10 non-symptomatic volunteers were imaged for comparisons of contrast ratio (CR) and ligament traceability. All examinations were performed using VISTA sequences with and without fat suppression on a 3T MRI scanner. The SNRs were obtained from images with subjects and without subjects (noise-only). Contrast ratios from images of the 10 ankles were acquired between fluid and tendon (F-T), F-cartilage (C), F-ligament (L), fat (f)-T, f-C and f-L. Two musculoskeletal radiologists independently scored the traceability of 7 ligaments, in sagittal, axial and coronal images respectively, based on a 4-point scale (1 as not traceable through 4 as clearly traceable). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the CR. Fisher's exact test and Pearson's chi-squared test were used to compare the ligament traceability. Results: The SNRs did not differ significantly between the two sequences except in bone marrow. VISTA SPAIR showed the higher CR only in F-T (p = 0.04), whereas VISTA showed higher CR in f-T (p = 0.005), f-C (p = 0.005) and f-L (p = 0.005). The calcaneofibular ligament traceability with VISTA was superior to that obtained with VISTA SPAIR (p < 0.05) in all planes. Conclusion: VISTA showed significant superiority to VISTA SPAIR in tracing CFL due to the superior CR between fat and ligament.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2002

Purpose : To evaluate the NMR relaxation properties and imaging characteristics of tissue-specificity for a newly developed macromolecular MR agent. Materials and methods : Phthalocyanine (PC) was chelated with paramagnetic ion, Mn.2.01g (5.2 mmol) of Phthalocyanine was mixed with 0.37g (1.4 mmol) of Mn chloride at $310^{\circ}C$ for 36 hours and then purified by chromatography (CHC13/CH3OH 98/2 v/v, Rf, 0.76) to obtain 1.04g (46%) of MnPC (molecular weight= 2000d). The $T1}T2$ relaxivity of MnPC was measured in 1.5T(64 MHz) MR using 0.1 mM MnPC. The MR image characteristics of MnPC was evaluated using spin-echo (TR/TE=500/14 msec) and gradient-echo (FLASH) (TR/TE=80/4 msec, flip angle=60) techniques in 1.57 MR scanner. The images of rabbit liver were obtained every 10 minutes up to 4 hours. To study the effect of concentration on image, 20 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM of MnPC were tested. Results : The relaxivities of MnPC at 1.5T(64MHz) were Rl=7.28 $mM^{-1}S^{-1},{\;}R2=55.56mM^{-1}S^{-1}$. Compared to the values of Gd-DTPA (Rl[=4.8 $mM^{-1}S^{-1})$], R2[=5.2 $mM^{-1}S^{-1}])$]), both T1/T2 relaxivities of MnPC were higher than those of Gd-DTPA. For both of SE and FLASH techniques, the contrast enhancement reached maximum at 10 minutes after bolus injection and the enhancement continued for more than 2 hours. When compared with small molecular weight liver agents such as Gd-EOB-DTPA, Gd-BOPTA and MnDPDP, MnPC was characterized by more prolonged enhancement time. The time course of MR images also revealed biliary excretion of MnPC. Conclusion : We developed a new macromolecular MR agent, MnPC. The relaxivities of MnPC were higher than those of small molecular weight Gd-chelate. Hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of MnPC suggests that this agent is a new liver-specific MR agent.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.498-503
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• 2006

This in vitro study compared the remineralization of incipient interproximal caries in the presence of three glass ionomer cements (highly-filled glass ionomer cement, compomer, resin-modified glass ionomer cement) and a resin composite(control). The long-term changes in remineralization caused by each material were evaluated by microtomography. Proximal restoration was simulated by placing tooth specimens and the various glass ionomer cements in closed containers with artificial saliva at $37^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0 for 30 days with constant circulation Tomographic images were obtained with a micro CT scanner at 90, 180, and 270 days, and density-measuring software was used to calculate the micro-density of artificial caries lesions in the specimens. The mean density changes were compared between groups in order to evaluate the effects of remineralization. All data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the post-HOC Tukey multiple comparison test at p<0.05. While the density of artificial caries lesions increased for all treatments, the increases for the three glass ionomer groups were significantly higher than that for the resin group in each three month period. As time went on, the amount of density increase of the glass ionomer groups decreased, and significant differences were found between the remineralization effects of the glass ionomer groups.