• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.411-421
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• 2010

A time-reversal mirror (TRM) is useful in diverse areas, such as reverberation ing, target echo enhancement and underwater communication. In underwater communication, the bit error rate has been improved significantly due to the increased signal-to-noise ratio by spatio-temporal focusing. This paper deals with two issues. First, the optimal number of array elements for a given environment was investigated based on the exploitation of spatial diversity. Second, an algorithm was developed to determine the optimal location of the given number of array elements. The formulation is based on a genetic algorithm maximizing the contrast between the foci and area of interest as an objective function. In addition, the developed algorithm was applied to the matched field processing with ocean experimental data for verification. The sea-going data and simulation showed almost 3 dB improvement in the output power at the foci when the array elements were optimally distributed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.81-100
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• 2020

Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) has been increasingly used in recent years for the assessment of peripheral neuropathies. Fat suppression T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have typically been used to provide high contrast MRN. Isotropic 3-dimensional (3D) sequences with fast spin echo, post-processing imaging techniques, and fast imaging methods, among others, allow good visualization of peripheral nerves that have a small diameter, complex anatomy, and oblique course within a reasonable scan time. However, there are still several issues when performing high contrast and high resolution MRN including standard sequence; fat saturation techniques; balance between resolution, field of view, and slice thickness; post-processing techniques; 2D vs. 3D image acquisition; different T2 contrasts between proximal and distal nerves; high T2 signal intensity of adjacent veins or joint fluid; geometric distortion; and appropriate p-values on DWI. The proper understanding of these issues will help novice radiologists evaluate peripheral neuropathies using MRN.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.298-307
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• 2009

By using the MR T2 map technique, this study intends, first, to measure the change of T2 values of cartilage between healthy people and patients with osteoarthritis and, second, to assess the form and the damage of cartilage in the knee-joint, through which this study would consider the utility of the T2 map technique. Thirty healthy people were selected based on their clinical history and current status and another thirty patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who were screened by simple X-ray from November 2007 to December 2008 were selected. Their T2 Spin Echo (SE hereafter) images for the cartilage of the knee joint were collected by using the T2 SE sequence, one of the multi-echo methods (TR: 1,000 ms; TE values: 6.5, 13, 19.5, 26, 32.5. 40, 45.5, 52). Based on these images, the changes in the signal intensity (SI hereafter) for each section of the cartilage of the knee joint were measured, which yielded average values of T2 through the Origin 7.0 Professional (Northampton, MA 01060 USA). With these T2s, the independent samples T-test was performed by SPSS Window version 12.0 to run the quantitative analysis and to test the statistical significance between the healthy group and the patient group. Closely looking at T2 values for each anterior and lateral articular cartilage of the sagittal plane and the coronal plane, in the sagittal plane, the average T2 of the femoral cartilage in the patient group with arthritis of the knee ($42.22{\pm}2.91$) was higher than the average T2 of the healthy group ($36.26{\pm}5.01$). Also, the average T2 of the tibial cartilage in the patient group ($43.83{\pm}1.43$) was higher than the average T2 in the healthy group ($36.45{\pm}3.15$). In the case of the coronal plane, the average T2 of the medial femoral cartilage in the patient group ($45.65{\pm}7.10$) was higher than the healthy group ($36.49{\pm}8.41$) and so did the average T2 of the anterior tibial cartilage (i.e., $44.46{\pm}3.44$ for the patient group vs. $37.61{\pm}1.97$ for the healthy group). As for the lateral femoral cartilage in the coronal plane, the patient group displayed the higher T2 ($43.41{\pm}4.99$) than the healthy group did ($37.64{\pm}4.02$) and this tendency was similar in the lateral tibial cartilage (i.e., $43.78{\pm}8.08$ for the patient group vs. $36.62{\pm}7.81$ for the healthy group). Along with the morphological MR imaging technique previously used, the T2 map technique seems to help patients with cartilage problems, in particular, those with the arthritis of the knee for early diagnosis by quantitatively analyzing the structural and functional changes of the cartilage.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2000

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of cerebral blood flow measurement applied to perfusion weighted image with short-scan time single shot gradient echo-planar technique in measuring cerebral blood volume(rCBV) of normal rabbits. Materials and methods : With 2.1-3.6 kg weighted rabbits, image is acquired when they are in supine position in children positioner. Perfusion weighted image is acquired to 44 seconds per 1 second successively. After 4 seconds later, Gd-DTPA 2ml are injected into int. jugular vein with 2 ml per second and normal saline is also injected after that. Same technique is applied 2 times per 30 minites in same rabbit. After Image is obtained in two part of cerebral cortex at vertex, convexity, in one of basal ganglia with choosing about $3-5{\textrm{mm}^2}$ areas. Curve of signal intensity changes in time sequence is drawn. After this images are transmitted by PC and software IDL, regional cerebral blood volume is measured with imaging processing program made by us. Results : With 22 of 24 rabbits, satisfactory 1-2 signal intensity versus time curve is made. Cerebral blood capacity and contrast media stay time (ST) is measured in two cerebral cortex and basal ganglia refering in parietal cerebral cortex. Mean focal cerebral blood flow capacity ratio in cortex was $0.97{\pm}0.35$ and in basal ganglia, $0.99{\pm}0.37$, mean contrast media stay time in cortex was $9.83{\pm}1.63$ sec and in basal gaiglia, $9.42{\pm}1.14$ sec, but there was no statistically significant difference between two areas ($\rho$=0.05). Conclusion : In cerebral cortex and basal ganglia, there is no difference in mean focal blood volume and mean contrast stay time. Therefore, PWI is useful in cerebral blood flow and early diagnosis, prognosis of cerebral ischemic disease. Hereafter, it is helpful in analysing cerebral blood flow changes with comparison difference in rCBV between normal tissue and ischemic tissue, and that with DWI finding in infarcted patient.

• 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.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the tracing of optic nerve tract using manganese enhanced magnetic resonance Imaging. Materials and Methods: After injecting $30{\mu}l$ of $MnCl_2(1mol)$ (1 mol) Into the retina of female New Zealand white rabbit, the contrast enhancements at major anatomical structures of optic nerve tract were evaluated by high resolution T1-weighted Images 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after $MnCl_2(1mol)$ Injection using 3D FSPGR (Fast Speiled Gradient Recalled echo) pulse sequence at 1.5T clinical MR scanner with high performance gradient system. Also, for quantitative evaluation, the signal-to-noise ratios of circular ROI on anatomical locations were measured. Results: The major structures on the optic nerve tract were enhanced after injecting $MnCl_2(1mol)$. The structures, which showed enhancement, were right optic nerve, optic chiasm, left optic tract, left lateral geniculate nucleus, left superior colliculus. The structures on the contralateral optic pathway to the right retina were enhanced whereas the structures on the ipsilateral pathway did not show enhancement. Conclusion: The Mn transport through axonal pathway of optic nerve sys)em was non- invasively observed after injecting injecting $MnCl_2$ at the retina, which is the end terminal of optic nerve system. This Mn transport seems to occur by voltage gated calcium $(Ca^{2+})$ channel and In case of direct Injection Into the retina, the fast transpori pathway of voltage gated calcium channel seems to be responsible for Mn transport.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.12-21
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• 2003

Purpose : In order to overcome limitations in the existing conventional spectrometer, a new spectrometer with advanced functionalities is designed and implemented. Materials and Methods : We designed a spectrometer using the TMS320C6701 DSP capable of 1 giga floating point operations per second (GFLOPS). The spectrometer can generate continuously varying complicate gradient waveforms by real-time calculation, and select image plane interactively. The designed spectrometer is composed of two parts: one is DSP-based digital control part, and the other is analog part generating gradient and RF waveforms, and performing demodulation of the received RF signal. Each recover board can measure 4 channel FID signals simultaneously for parallel imaging, and provides fast reconstruction using the high speed DSP. Results : The developed spectrometer was installed on a 1.5 Tesla whole body MRI system, and performance was tested by various methods. The accurate phase control required in digital modulation and demodulation was tested, and multi-channel acquisition was examined with phase-array coil imaging. Superior image quality is obtained by the developed spectrometer compared to existing commercial spectrometer especially in the fast spin echo images. Conclusion : Interactive control of the selection planes and real-time generation of gradient waveforms are important functions required for advanced imaging such as spiral scan cardiac imaging. Multi-channel acquisition is also highly demanding for parallel imaging. In this paper a spectrometer having such functionalities is designed and developed using the TMS320C6701 DSP having 1 GFLOPS computational power. Accurate phase control was achieved by the digital modulation and demodulation techniques. Superior image qualities are obtained by the developed spectrometer for various imaging techniques including FSE, GE, and angiography compared to those obtained by the existing commercial spectrometer.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.379-384
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• 1998

To measure precisely the blood velocity in the skin microcirculation, we have used time domain correlation (called Cross-Correlation) based on the processing of the backscattered RF signal obtained with a wideband echographic imaging transducer, although it is difficulties of adaptation of the pulsed wave system, because of the data processing in real time and the hardware problem. This dedicated technology based on a 20MHz echographic imaging system has been developed. We present how the experimental data, i.e. the backscattered RF signal, have to be analyzed. After RF lines realignment, stationary echo canceling procedure and correlation level control, a velocity profile has been obtained. In-vitro result show that velocity measurements as low as 0.1mm/sec attainable with a 80${\mu}m$ in axial resolution. We have also validated with in-vivo experimentation on the external ear of a rabbit using B-mode sector scanning image and M-mode image of a custom made 20MHz skin image system. The flow of the "auriculares caudales" vein, a microvessel of 600 m diameter, has been detected and studied. This technique will allow a more precise exploration of circulatory troubles in cutaneous pathologies.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.225-233
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• 2024

Active sonar transmits sound waves to detect covertly maneuvering underwater objects and detects the signals reflected back from the target. However, in addition to the target's echo, the active sonar's received signal is mixed with seafloor, sea surface reverberation, biological noise, and other noise, making target recognition difficult. Conventional techniques for detecting signals above a threshold not only cause false detections or miss targets depending on the set threshold, but also have the problem of having to set an appropriate threshold for various underwater environments. To overcome this, research has been conducted on automatic calculation of threshold values through techniques such as Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) and application of advanced tracking filters and association techniques, but there are limitations in environments where a significant number of detections occur. As deep learning technology has recently developed, efforts have been made to apply it in the field of underwater target detection, but it is very difficult to acquire active sonar data for discriminator learning, so not only is the data rare, but there are only a very small number of targets and a relatively large number of non-targets. There are difficulties due to the imbalance of data. In this paper, the image of the energy distribution of the detection signal is used, and a classifier is learned in a way that takes into account the imbalance of the data to distinguish between targets and non-targets and added to the existing technique. Through the proposed technique, target misclassification was minimized and non-targets were eliminated, making target recognition easier for active sonar operators. And the effectiveness of the proposed technique was verified through sea experiment data obtained in the East Sea.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.117-124
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• 2015

In this paper, we introduce how to control TR, TE physical MR parameters for managing $H_1$ spin's SI(Signal Intensity) which is combined with gadolinium following administration MR agent in T1 effect for diagnostic usefulness. we used MRI phantom made with 0.5 mol Gadoteridol. This phantom was scanned by FSE sequence with different TR, TE parameters. In this study, to make T1 effect, TR was 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600 msec. In addition to, TE was 6.2, 12.4, 18.6, 21.6 msec. The results were as follows ; Each RSP(Reaction Starting Point) was 100, 50, 40, 30 mmol in TE 6.2, 12.4, 18.6, 21.6 msec being irrelevant to TR. In MPSI(Max Peak Signal Intensity), 4 mmol was showed in TR 200 msec while peak signal was decreased to low concentration mol in TR 250-600 msec. In terms of RA(Reaction Area), the highest SI was TE 6.2 msec in TR 200-600msec. According to the study, we are able to recognize it is possible to control enhance rates by managing TR and TE of MR parameters; moreover, we expect that enhanced T1 image in MR clinical field can be performed in a practical way with this quantitative data.