• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.403-411
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• 2023

Functional ultrasound imaging, such as elasticity imaging and micro-blood flow Doppler imaging, enhances diagnostic capability by providing useful mechanical and functional information about tissues. However, the implementation of functional ultrasound imaging poses limitations such as the storage of vast amounts of data in Radio Frequency (RF) data acquisition and processing. In this paper, we propose a sub-Nyquist approach that reduces the amount of acquired axial samples for efficient shear-wave elasticity imaging. The proposed method acquires data at a sampling rate one-third lower than the conventional Nyquist sampling rate and tracks shear-wave signals through RF signals reconstructed using band-pass filtering-based interpolation. In this approach, the RF signal is assumed to have a fractional bandwidth of 67 %. To validate the approach, we reconstruct the shear-wave velocity images using shear-wave tracking data obtained by conventional and proposed approaches, and compare the group velocity, contrast-to-noise ratio, and structural similarity index measurement. We qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrate the potential of sub-Nyquist sampling-based shear-wave elasticity imaging, indicating that our approach could be practically useful in three-dimensional shear-wave elasticity imaging, where a massive amount of ultrasound data is required.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2023

In this study, the public sensitivity of the 'MZ generation' was examined through the social media big data sensitivity analysis method. For the analysis, the consumer account SNS text was examined, and positive and negative emotional factors were presented by classifying external sensibilities and emotions of the MZ generation. In conclusion, the positive emotions of liking and interest in relation to the "MZ generation" were 72.1%, higher than the negative emotional ratio of 27.9%. In positive sensitivity, the older generation showed 'a favorable feeling for the individuality and dignifiedness of the MZ generation' and 'interest in the MZ generation with new values'. In contrast, the MZ generation has a favorable feeling for 'the fact that they are a generation of their own boldness, youthfulness and individuality' and 'small growthism'. Negative sensitivity outside the MZ generation was found to be 'A concern about the marriage avoidance, employment difficulties, debt investment, and resignation trends of the MZ generation', 'Hate the MZ generation who treats Kkondae' and 'Difficult to talk to the MZ generation'. On the other hand, the negative emotions felt by the MZ generation itself were 'Rejection of generalization', 'Rejection of generation and gender conflicts', 'Rejection of competition worse than the older generation', 'Relative failure of the rich era', and 'Sadness to live in a predicted climate disaster'. Therefore, the older generation should not look at the MZ generation in general, but as individuals, and should alleviate conflicts with intergenerational understanding and empathy. there is a need for community consideration to solve generational conflicts, gender conflicts, and environmental problems.

• Atmosphere
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.55-67
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• 2024

This paper aims to provide a detailed introduction to the concept of the Ratio of Predictable Component (RPC) and the Signal-to-Noise Paradox. Then, we derive insights from them by exploring the paradoxical features by conducting a seasonal and regional analysis through ensemble expansion in KMA's climate prediction system (GloSea). We also provide an explanation of the ensemble generation method, with a specific focus on stochastic physics. Through this study, we can provide the predictability limits of our forecasting system, and find way to enhance it. On a global scale, RPC reaches a value of 1 when the ensemble is expanded to a maximum of 56 members, underlining the significance of ensemble expansion in the climate prediction system. The feature indicating RPC paradoxically exceeding 1 becomes particularly evident in the winter North Atlantic and the summer North Pacific. In the Siberian Continent, predictability is notably low, persisting even as the ensemble size increases. This region, characterized by a low RPC, is considered challenging for making reliable predictions, highlighting the need for further improvement in the model and initialization processes related to land processes. In contrast, the tropical ocean demonstrates robust predictability while maintaining an RPC of 1. Through this study, we have brought to attention the limitations of potential predictability within the climate prediction system, emphasizing the necessity of leveraging predictable signals with high RPC values. We also underscore the importance of continuous efforts aimed at improving models and initializations to overcome these limitations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.6
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• pp.1286-1297
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• 2022

Purpose To assess the usefulness of various metal artifact reduction (MAR) methods in patients with hip prostheses. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 47 consecutive patients who underwent hip arthroplasty and dual-energy CT. Conventional polyenergetic image (CI), orthopedic-MAR (OMAR), and virtual monoenergetic image (VMI, 50-200 keV) were tested for MAR. Quantitative analysis was performed in seven regions around the prostheses. Qualitative assessments included evaluation of the degree of artifacts and the presence of secondary artifacts. Results The lowest amount of image noise was observed in the O-MAR, followed by the VMI. O-MAR also showed the lowest artifact index, followed by high-keV VMI in the range of 120-200 keV (soft tissue) or 200 keV (bone). O-MAR had the highest contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in regions with severe hypodense artifacts, while VMI had the highest CNR in other regions, including the periprosthetic bone. On assessment of the CI of pelvic soft tissues, VMI showed a higher structural similarity than O-MAR. Upon qualitative analysis, metal artifacts were significantly reduced in O-MAR, followed by that in VMI, while secondary artifacts were the most frequently found in the O-MAR (p < 0.001). Conclusion O-MAR is the best technique for severe MAR, but it can generate secondary artifacts. VMI at high keV can be advantageous for evaluating periprosthetic bone.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.384-394
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the image quality of novel dark-blood computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging combined with deep learning reconstruction (DLR) compared to delayed-phase CTA images with hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), to visualize the cervical artery wall in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Materials and Methods: This prospective study continuously recruited 53 patients with TAK (mean age: 33.8 ± 10.2 years; 49 females) between January and July 2022 who underwent head-neck CTA scans. The arterial- and delayed-phase images were reconstructed using HIR and DLR. Subtracted images of the arterial-phase from the delayed-phase were then added to the original delayed-phase using a denoising filter to generate the final-dark-blood images. Qualitative image quality scores and quantitative parameters were obtained and compared among the three groups of images: Delayed-HIR, Dark-blood-HIR, and Dark-blood-DLR. Results: Compared to Delayed-HIR, Dark-blood-HIR images demonstrated higher qualitative scores in terms of vascular wall visualization and diagnostic confidence index (all P < 0.001). These qualitative scores further improved after applying DLR (Dark-blood-DLR compared to Dark-blood-HIR, all P < 0.001). Dark-blood DLR also showed higher scores for overall image noise than Dark-blood-HIR (P < 0.001). In the quantitative analysis, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values between the vessel wall and lumen for the bilateral common carotid arteries and brachiocephalic trunk were significantly higher on Dark-blood-HIR images than on Delayed-HIR images (all P < 0.05). The CNR values were significantly higher for Dark-blood-DLR than for Dark-blood-HIR in all cervical arteries (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with Delayed-HIR CTA, the dark-blood method combined with DLR improved CTA image quality and enhanced visualization of the cervical artery wall in patients with TAK.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1221-1231
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• 2023

Objective: To clinically validate the feasibility and accuracy of cine images acquired through the multitasking method, with no electrocardiogram gating and free-breathing, in measuring left ventricular (LV) function indices by comparing them with those acquired through the balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) method, with multiple breath-holds and electrocardiogram gating. Materials and Methods: Forty-three healthy volunteers (female:male, 30:13; mean age, 23.1 ± 2.3 years) and 36 patients requiring an assessment of LV function for various clinical indications (female:male, 22:14; 57.8 ± 11.3 years) were enrolled in this prospective study. Each participant underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the multiple breath-hold bSSFP method and free-breathing multitasking method. LV function parameters were measured for both MRI methods. Image quality was assessed through subjective image quality scores (1 to 5) and calculation of the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the myocardium and blood pool. Differences between the two MRI methods were analyzed using the Bland-Altman plot, paired t-test, or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, as appropriate. Results: LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was not significantly different between the two MRI methods (P = 0.222 in healthy volunteers and P = 0.343 in patients). LV end-diastolic mass was slightly overestimated with multitasking in both healthy volunteers (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 60.5 ± 10.7 g vs. 58.0 ± 10.4 g, respectively; P < 0.001) and patients (69.4 ± 18.1 g vs. 66.8 ± 18.0 g, respectively; P = 0.003). Acceptable and comparable image quality was achieved for both MRI methods (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 4.5 ± 0.7 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6, respectively; P = 0.203). The CNR between the myocardium and blood pool showed no significant differences between the two MRI methods (18.89 ± 6.65 vs. 18.19 ± 5.83, respectively; P = 0.480). Conclusion: Multitasking-derived cine images obtained without electrocardiogram gating and breath-holding achieved similar image quality and accurate quantification of LVEF in healthy volunteers and patients.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2013

Purpose : To determine the quantitative parameters of breast MRI that predict tumor invasion in biopsy-proven DCIS. Materials and Methods: From January 2009 to March 2010, 42 MRI examinations of 41 patients with biopsy-proven DCIS were included. The quantitative parameters, which include the initial percentage enhancement ($E_1$), peak percentage enhancement ($E_{peak}$), time to peak enhancement (TTP), signal enhancement ratio (SER), arterial enhancement fraction (AEF), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, long diameter and the volume of the lesion, were calculated as parameters that might predict invasion. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the parameters associated with invasion. Results: Out of 42 lesions, 23 lesions were confirmed to be invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and 19 lesions were confirmed to be pure DCIS. Tumor size (p = 0.003; $6.5{\pm}3.2$ cm vs. $3.6{\pm}2.6$ cm, respectively) and SER (p = 0.036; $1.1{\pm}0.3$ vs. $0.9{\pm}0.3$, respectively) showed statistically significant high in IDC. In contrast, E1, Epeak, TTP, ADC, AEF and volume of the lesion were not statistically significant. Tumor size and SER had statistically significant associations with invasion, with an odds ratio of 1.04 and 22.93, respectively. Conclusion: Of quantitative parameters analyzed, SER and the long diameter of the lesion could be specific parameter for predicting invasion in the biopsy-proven DCIS.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1189-1195
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• 2008

A study was conducted with 48 weaned barrows ($28{\pm}3d$, $8.45{\pm}0.14kg$) to determine the effect of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide (ABPS) supplementation on pig performance, immunological, adrenal and somatotropic responses following Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. The experiment was a $2{\times}2$ factorial design; the main factors included diet (supplementation with 0 or 500 mg/kg ABPS) and immunological challenge (LPS or saline). On d 14 and 21 of the trial, pigs were given an intraperitoneal injection with either $100{\mu}g/kg$ BW of LPS or an equivalent amount of sterile saline. Blood samples were obtained 3 h after injection for analysis of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), cortisol, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and immunoglobulin G (IgG). On d 2 after LPS challenge, peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation (PBLP) was measured. LPS administration decreased average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.05), had a tendency to decrease average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.10) during both the first and second challenge periods and increased (p<0.05) feed:gain ratio only during the first challenge period. ABPS tended to improve ADG (p<0.10) during the first challenge period, and improved ADG (p<0.05) and tended to improve ADFI (p<0.10) during the second challenge period. ABPS did not affect feed:gain ratio. An interaction (p<0.05) between LPS challenge and diet was observed for the plasma concentrations of TNF-${\alpha}$, $PGE_2$ and cortisol after both LPS challenges such that, among LPS-treated pigs, pigs fed the ABPS diet were lower for these indices than those receiving the control diet. In contrast, pigs fed the ABPS diet had higher IGF-I (p<0.05) compared with those fed the control diet. No effect of diet, LPS challenge or both on GH and IgG was observed after both LPS administrations. LPS challenge increased PBLP when these cells were incubated with $8{\mu}g/ml$ of LPS during both the challenge periods, and did likewise when incubated with $8{\mu}g/ml$ of concanavalin A only after the first challenge. ABPS had no effect on PBLP. These data demonstrate that ABPS alters the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines following an immunological challenge, which might enable pigs to achieve better performance.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.34 no.3 s.104
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• pp.241-251
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• 2004

Previous studies have focused on the causes of root resorption after orthodontic treatment and treatment methods to reduce this phenomenon, and have been mainly associated with developed, mature roots. As parents become increasingly interested in their children's' dentition, orthodontists are performing fixed orthodontic treatment on patients of less than 10 years and before the completion of the immature root. Thus, the author evaluated the changes of root length and root form of maxillary immature incisors after orthodontic treatment, compared with those of mature teeth, and investigated the correlation according to gender, treatment duration, and displacement of incisors. The sample consisted of an immature root group of twenty-eight persons (between 8 and 10 years old) and a mature root group of thirty-one persons (between 11 and 15 years old). The crown and root length of the maxillary four incisors were measured with a periapical radiograph, changes in root length and crown-root ratio were calculated, and root form was classified according to a scoring system. The results were as follows. 1. The development of immature roots was not affected by orthodontic treatment and mostly showed normal root length and apical form. 2. Root length of immature teeth was sustained or became shorter, partially in long treatment duration or with open bite patients. Even though the teeth reached their normal root length, they demonstrated a blunt form. 3. Most of the mature roots showed mild resorption, and the form of mature roots was more blunt than the developed form of the immature roots (p<0.05). 4. The developed form of the immature roots was statistically related to treatment duration, while the form of the mature roots was significantly related to the displacement of incisors (p<0.05). 5. In contrast, other variables such as gender, classification of malocclusion, changes in overbite, and changes of U1 to SN showed no correlation with the root resorption of both groups.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.527-533
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• 2003

This experiment was conducted in 2001 to investigate the effect of four nitrogen levels (0, 5.5, 11, 16.5kg/10a) on the yield and quality of vice especially with respect to eating quality. One early-maturing variety (Daejinbyeo) and two mid-late-maturing varieties (Ilpumbyeo and Chucheongbyeo) were used in this experiment. Rice yields of all varieties were increased by the higher rate of nitrogen application, mainly due to a larger number of panicles per m2. Head rice ratio was reduced significantly with an increased rate of nitrogen, while immature vice ratio was increased significantly. Increasing the nitrogen application rate, a considerable increase of protein content was found in all tested rice varieties. Palatability value of Daejinbyeo and Ilpumbyeo measured by rice taster was not affected by nitrogen application rate ranging from 0 to 11 kg/10a, but it was decreased significantly at the rate of 16.5kg/10a. In contrast, the palatability value of Chucheongbyeo was decreased significantly by increasing nitrogen application at the whole application rate. A positive correlation was found between nitrogen application rate and protein content (r=$0.88^{**}\textrm{-}0.96^{**}$), but head rice (r=$-0.84^{**}$~$-0.91^{**}$) and palatability value (r=$-0.72^{**}$~$-0.85^{**}$) showed a negative correlation with the nitrogen application rate. Regardless of the fact that eleven aroma-active volatile compounds were detected in cooked vice of Chucheongbyeo, it was concluded that the aroma-active volatile compounds of cooked rice was not affected by the different nitrogen application rate. The results of this study showed that the standard nitrogen fertilization rate of 11kg/10a could be appropriate considering both rice yield and palatability.