• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.248-254
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to figure out how uptake counts of technetium ($^{99m}Tc$) among radioisotopes in the human body are affected if computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and isotope examination are performed consecutively. $^{99m}Tc$ isotope material, iodinated contrast media for CT and paramagnetic contrast media for magnetic resonance (MR) were used as experimental materials. First, $^{99m}Tc$ was added to 4 cc normal saline in a test tube. Then, 2 cc of CT contrast media such as $Iopamidol^{(R)}$ and $Dotarem^{(R)}$ were diluted with 2 cc normal saline, and 2cc of MRI contrast media such as $Primovist^{(R)}$ and $Gadovist^{(R)}$ were diluted with 2 cc normal saline. Each distributed contrast media was a total of 4 cc and included 10m Ci of $^{99m}Tc$. A gamma camera, a LEHR (Low energy high resolution) collimator and a pin-hole collimator were used for image acquisition. Image acquisition was repeated a total of 6 times and 120 frames were obtained and uptake counts of $^{99m}Tc$ were measured (from this procedure). In this study, as a result of measuring the uptake counts of $^{99m}Tc$ using the LEHR collimator, the uptake counts were less measured in all contrast media than normal saline as a reference. In particular, the lowest uptake counts were measured when $Gadovist^{(R)}$, contrast media for MRI, was used. However, the result of measuring the uptake counts of $^{99m}Tc$ using the pin-hole collimator showed higher uptake counts in all contrast media, except for $Iopamidol^{(R)}$, than normal saline as a reference. The highest uptake counts were measured particularly when $Primovist^{(R)}$, contrast media for MRI, was used. In performing the gamma camera examination using contrast media and $^{99m}Tc$, it is considered significant to check the changes in the uptake counts to improve various diagnosis values.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2008

Purpose : To compare Multi Echo Data Image Combination (MEDIC) and fast SE T2-weighted images with fat saturation (T2FS) to suggest more accurate evaluation of the histologic components of soft-tissue tumors. Materials and Methods : The experimental group included 25 histologic tissues (5 vascular, 4 neural, 4 fibrous, 4 hypercellular, 2 hemorrhagic necroses, 2 cystic, 2 lipoid, 1 myxoid stroma, and 1 thrombus) in 10 patients who had pathologically confirmed schwannoma (n = 3), hemangioma (n = 2), lipoma (n = 1), angiokeratoma (n = 1), synovial sarcoma (n = 1), liposarcoma (n = 1), and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (n = 1). The inhomogeneity values were measured using the standard deviation value (SD) divided by the mean value as SD presents an error amount similar to that of imaging heterogeneity. Results : The inhomogeneity values of 25 histologic components were lower on MEDIC than those on T2FS (p < .001). Conclusion : We conclude that MEDIC is more accurate than T2FS for evaluating the tissue components of soft-tissue tumors using digitalized data because MEDIC images have far lower inhomogeneity.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.389-397
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• 2006

The beneficial effects of graduated compression stockings (GCS) in prophylaxis and treatment of venous disorders of human lower extremity have been recognized. However, their pressure functional performances are variable and unstable in practical applications, and the exact mechanisms of action remain controversial. Direct surface pressure measurements and indirect material properties testing are not enough for fully understanding the interaction between stocking and leg. A three dimensional (3D) biomechanical mathematical model for numerically simulating the interaction between leg and GCS in dynamic wear was developed based on the actual geometry of the female leg obtained from 3D reconstruction of MR images and the real size and mechanical properties of the compression stocking prototype. The biomechanical solid leg model consists of bones and soft tissues, and an orthotropic shell model is built for the stocking hose. The dynamic putting-on process is simulated by defining the contact of finite relative sliding between the two objects. The surface pressure magnitude and distribution along the different height levels of the leg and stress profiles of stockings were simulated. As well, their dynamic alterations with time processing were quantitatively analyzed. Through validation, the simulated results showed a reasonable agreement with the experimental measurements, and the simulated pressure gradient distribution from the ankle to the thigh (100:67:30) accorded with the advised criterion by the European committee for standardization. The developed model can be used to predict and visualize the dynamic pressure and stress performances exerted by compression stocking in wear, and to optimize the material mechanical properties in stocking design, thus, helping us understand mechanisms of compression action and improving medical functions of GCS.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 1997

fMRI, functional MRI introduced receently appears based on the gradient echo technique which is sensitive to the field inhomogeneity developed due to the local susceptibility changes of blood oxygenation and deoxygenation. There has been many variants of the basic gradient echo sequence which is sensitive to the local inhomogeniety, among others such as GRASS or SSFP to EPISTAR are the most commonly used gradient echo techniques. Common to all these gradient echo techniques is that the signal due to the susceptibility effects is generally decreased with increasing inhomogeneity due to the $T2^{*}$ effect or conventionally konwn as blood oxygenation level dependent(BOLD) effect. It is, also found that the BOLD sensitivity is also dependent on the imaging modes, namely whether the imaging is in axial, or coronal or sagittal mode as well as the directions of the vessels against the main magnetic field. We have, therefore, launched a systematic study of imaging mode dependent signal change or BOLD sensitivity as well as the signal changes due tothe tilting angle of the imaging planes. Study has been made for both TRFGE sequence and CGE sequence to compare the distinctions of the each mode since each technique has different sensitivity againsst susceptibility effect. Method of computation and both the computer simulations and their corresponding experimental results are presented.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.585-593
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• 1998

In Fourier magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the number of phase encoded signals is often reduced to minimize the duration of the studies and maintain adequate signal-to-noise ratio. However, this results in the well-known truncation artifact, whose effect manifests itself as blurring and ringing in the image domain. In this paper, we propose a new regularization method in the context of a Bayesian framework to reduce truncation artifact. Since the truncation artifact appears in t도 phase direction only, the use of conventional piecewise-smoothness constraints with symmetric neighbors may result in the loss of small details and soft edge structures in the read direction. Here, we propose more elaborate forms of constraints than the conventional piecewise-smoothness constraints, which can capture actual spatial information about the MR images. Our experimental results indicate that the proposed method not only reduces the truncation artifact, but also improves tissue regularity and boundary definition without oversmoothing soft edge regions.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.436-442
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• 2008

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography(MREIT) has been suggested to produce cross-sectional conductivity images of an electrically conducting object such as the human body. In most previous studies, recessed electrodes have been used to inject imaging currents into the object. An MRI scanner was used to capture induced magnetic flux density data inside the object and a conductivity image reconstruction algorithm was applied to the data. This paper reports the performance of a thin and flexible carbon-hydrogel electrode that replaces the bulky and rigid recessed electrode in previous studies. The new carbon-hydrogel electrode produces a negligible amount of artifacts in MR and conductivity images and significantly simplifies the experimental procedure. We can fabricate the electrode in different shapes and sizes. Adding a layer of conductive adhesive, we can easily attach the electrode on an irregular surface with an excellent contact. Using a pair of carbon-hydrogel electrodes with a large contact area, we may inject an imaging current with increased amplitude primarily due to a reduced average current density underneath the electrodes. Before we apply the new electrode to a human subject, we evaluated its performance by conducting MREIT imaging experiments of five swine legs. Reconstructed conductivity images of the swine legs show a good contrast among different muscles and bones. We suggest a future study of human experiments using the carbon-hydrogel electrode following the guideline proposed in this paper.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.1135-1156
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• 2014

The ratcheting effect greatly challenges the design of piping components. With the assistance of the quasi-three point bending apparatus, ratcheting and the ratcheting boundary of pressurized straight Z2CND18.12N stainless steel pipe under bending loading and vertical displacement control were studied experimentally. The characteristics of progressive inelastic deformation in axial and hoop directions of the Z2CND18.12N stainless steel pipes were investigated. The experiment results show that the ratcheting strain occurs mainly in the hoop direction while there is less ratcheting strain in the axial direction. The characteristics of the bending ratcheting behavior of the pressure pipes were derived and compared under load control and displacement control, respectively. The results show that the cyclic bending loading and the internal pressure affect the ratcheting behavior of the pressurized straight pipe significantly under load control. In the meantime, the ratcheting characteristics are also highly associated with the cyclic displacement and the internal pressure under displacement control. All these factors affect not only the saturation of the ratcheting strain but the ratcheting strain rate. A series of multi-step bending ratcheting experiments were conducted under both control modes. It was found that the hardening effect of Z2CND18.12N stainless steel pipe under previous cyclic loadings no matter with high or low displacement amplitudes is significant, and the prior loading histories greatly retard the ratcheting strain and its rate under subsequent loadings. Finally, the ratcheting boundaries of the pressurized straight Z2CND18.12N stainless steel pipe were determined and compared based on KTA/ASME, RCC-MR and the experimental results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.44-50
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• 1999

For the prediction of combustion performance of the Unlike Impinging Quadlet Injector (OOOF type), mixing efficiency, mixing characteristic velocity, and efficiency of mixing characteristic velocity were obtained from the cold test. Water/kerosene were used for simulants, The momentum ratio of oxidizer and fuel were mixing correlating parameter. Orifice discharge coefficient, spray pattern and mass distribution were measured. As a result, invasion-depth had strong effect on mixing efficiency, mixing characteristic velocity, and efficiency of mixing characteristic velocity. Mixing efficiency and efficiency of mixing characteristic velocity showed maximum value for momentum ratio 1.67(TMR = 2.5), and fuel rich state showed larger decreasing ratio than oxidizer rich state.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.134-141
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• 2002

In this paper, a free wake analysis based on the curved vortex element and CVC wake model is used to predict the aerodynamic performance and noise for HAWT. Also for prediction of RPM, a maximum value through a quadratic regression was suggested. And for a noise prediction, the broadband noise prediction method based on experimental equation was used. The curved vortex element uses a BCVE and an SIVE instead of a straight vertex element. In the CVC wake model, the vortex strengths are assumed to be constant along a span and a vortex filament. The free wake structure made by the curved vortex element and CVC was substituted for a vortex lattice, so it has an advantage for the less calculation time and a depiction of accurate wake structure. For the verification of this program, calculated results are compared with Mr. Kim's experiment model and Zond Z-40FS for performance and with WTS-4 and USWP models for noise. Good agreements are obtained between the predicted and the measured data for the performance and far-field noise spectra.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartB
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• v.17B no.4
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• pp.303-308
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• 2010

In this paper, we propose a medical image registration technique combining the gradient vector flow and modified conditional entropy. The registration is conducted by the use of a measure based on the entropy of conditional probabilities. To achieve the registration, we first define a modified conditional entropy (MCE) computed from the joint histograms for the area intensities of two given images. In order to combine the spatial information into a traditional registration measure, we use the gradient vector flow field. Then the MCE is computed from the gradient vector flow intensity (GVFI) combining the gradient information and their intensity values of original images. To evaluate the performance of the proposed registration method, we conduct experiments with our method as well as existing method based on the mutual information (MI) criteria. We evaluate the precision of MI- and MCE-based measurements by comparing the registration obtained from MR images and transformed CT images. The experimental results show that the proposed method is faster and more accurate than other optimization methods.