• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2004

Purpose : To know the differences of proton MR spectroscopic features between recurrent rectal cancer and fibrosis in post-operative period, and to evaluate the possibility to discriminate recurrent rectal cancer from post-operative fibrosis by analysis of proton MR spectra. Materials and Methods : We evaluated the proton MR spectra from 25 soft tissue masses in perirectal area that developed in post-operative period after operation for the resection of rectal cancer. Our series included 11 cases of recurrent rectal cancer and 14 of fibrotic mass. All cases of recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis were confirmed by biopsy. We evaluated the spectra with an attention to the differences of pattern of the curves between recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis. The ratio of peak area of all peaks at 1.6-4.1ppm to lipid (0.9-1.6ppm) [P (1.6-4.1ppm/P (0.9-1.6ppm)] was calculated in recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis groups, and compared the results between these groups. We also evaluated the sensitivity and specificity for discriminating recurrent rectal cancer from post-operative fibrosis by analysis of $^1H-MRS$. Results : Proton MR spectra of post-operative fibrosis showed significantly diminished amount of lipids compared with that of recurrent rectal cancer. The ratio of P (1.6-4.1ppm)/P (0.9-1.6ppm) in post-operative fibrosis was much higher than that of recurrent rectal cancer with statistical significance (p < .05) due to decreased peak area of lipids. Mean (standard deviations of P (1.6-4.1ppm)/P (0.9-1.6ppm) in post-operative fibrosis and recurrent rectal cancer group were $2.71{\pm}1.48\;and\;0.29{\pm}0.11$, respectively. With a cut-off value of 0.6 for discriminating recurrent rectal cancer from post-operative fibrosis, both the sensitivity and specificity were $100\%$ (11/11, and 14/14). Conclusion : Recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis can be distinguished from each other by analysis of proton MR spectroscopic features, and $^1H-MRS$ can be a new method for differential diagnosis between recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 2013

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of gadoxetic acid on the measurement of the stiffness value of MR elastography (MRE) used to evaluate hepatic fibrosis (HF). Materials and Methods: MRE was obtained in 32 patients with clinically suspected chronic liver disease, both before and after injection of gadoxetic acid. Two independent reviewers measured the stiffness values of the liver parenchyma on elastograms. The mean liver stiffness values were compared in the pre- and post-contrast MREs using the paired t-test. Intra-rater and inter-rater correlation was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of both pre- and post-contrast MREs was evaluated for the diagnosis of significant HF (${\geq}F2$) using cut off value of 3.1 kPa. Results: There were no significant differences in the stiffness values of the liver parenchyma on pre- and post-contrast MREs (p = 0.15 and 0.38 for each reader, respectively). Regarding intra-rater correlation, excellent agreement was noted on rater 1(ICC = 0.998) and rater 2 (ICC = 0.996). Excellent correlation regarding the measured stiffness values was noted on both pre- and post-contrast MREs (ICC = 0.988 for pre-contrast, ICC = 0.993 for post-contrast). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the pre- and post-contrast MREs for differentiating significant HF (${\geq}F2$) from ${\geq}F1$ were same as 71%, 60%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: As there was no significant difference in the stiffness measurements seen on MREs before and after administration of gadoxetic acids, it is therefore acceptable to perform MRE after contrast injection in order to evaluate HF.

• Proceedings of the International Microelectronics And Packaging Society Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.201-212
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• 2005

[ $Epoxy/BaTiO_3$ ] composite embedded capacitor films (ECFs) were newly designed fur high dielectric constant and low tolerance (less than ${\pm}15\%$) embedded capacitor fabrication for organic substrates. In terms of material formulation, ECFs are composed of specially formulated epoxy resin and latent curing agent, and in terms of coating process, a comma roll coating method is used for uniform film thickness in large area. Dielectric constant of $BaTiO_3\;&\;SrTiO_3$ composite ECF is measured with MIM capacitor at 100 kHz using LCR meter. Dielectric constant of $BaTiO_3$ ECF is bigger than that of $SrTiO_3$ ECF, and it is due to difference of permittivity of $BaTiO_3\;and\;SrTiO_3$ particles. Dielectric constant of $BaTiO_3\;&\;SrTiO_3$ ECF in high frequency range $(0.5\~10GHz)$ is measured using cavity resonance method. In order to estimate dielectric constant, the reflection coefficient is measured with a network analyzer. Dielectric constant is calculated by observing the frequencies of the resonant cavity modes. About both powders, calculated dielectric constants in this frequency range are about 3/4 of the dielectric constants at 1 MHz. This difference is due to the decrease of the dielectric constant of epoxy matrix. For $BaTiO_3$ ECF, there is the dielectric relaxation at $5\~9GHz$. It is due to changing of polarization mode of $BaTiO_3$ powder. In the case of $SrTiO_3$ ECF, there is no relaxation up to 10GHz. Alternative material for embedded capacitor fabrication is $epoxy/BaTiO_3$ composite embedded capacitor paste (ECP). It uses similar materials formulation like ECF and a screen printing method for film coating. The screen printing method has the advantage of forming capacitor partially in desired part. But the screen printing makes surface irregularity during mask peel-off, Surface flatness is significantly improved by adding some additives and by applying pressure during curing. As a result, dielectric layer with improved thickness uniformity is successfully demonstrated. Using $epoxy/BaTiO_3$ composite ECP, dielectric constant of 63 and specific capacitance of 5.1nF/cm2 were achieved.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.13-29
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• 2001

A mathematical model was proposed to analyze the vibration of diaphragm, such as the contact lenses fitted on the eyes, being subjected to the external sinusoidal pressure. The model incorporates the differential equations and their numerical solution program, based on the wave equations. Turbo-C and graphic software, formulated to describe the dependence of the various parameters involved in the vibration. The model predicts the radial distribution of amplitude, frequency dependence of both average displacement amplitude and the power of diaphragm whose edge is being either simply supported or rigidly clamped in vibration. The effect of variables such as thickness, radius, damping coefficients on the vibration characteristics was illustrated by the computer simulation of the derived program. As the frequency of driving pressure increases above the certain value determined by the boundary conditions and parameters the wave shape or pattern changes from simple arc to belly or loops having double antinode. It seems that the effect of outer antinode progressively increases as the frequency increases. If this kind of phenomena occurs to the contact lens on the cornea in vivo, it may cause an abnormal correction power in the lenses or pull off the eye due the increased rise of outer part of the lens.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.408-418
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• 2008

The rectangular resonant cavity was designed and characterized as a microwave plasma source for focused ion beam. The optimum cavity was calculated analytically and analyzed in detail by using HFSS(High Frequency Structure Simulator). Since the resonant cavity can be affected by the permittivity of quartz chamber and plasma, the cavity is designed to be changeable in one direction. By observing the microwave input power at which the breakdown begins, the optimum cavity length for breakdown is measured and compared with the calculated one, showing in good agreement with the optimum length reduced by 10cm according to the permittivity change in the presence of quartz chamber. The shape of breakdown power curve as a function of pressure appears to be similar to Paschen-curve. After breakdown, plasma densities increase with microwave power and the reduced effective permittivity in the cavity with plasma results in larger optimum length. However, it is not possible to optimize the cavity condition for high density plasmas with increased input power, because too high input power causes expansion of density cutoff region where microwave cannot penetrate. For more accurate microwave cavity design to generate high density plasma, plasma column inside and outside the density cutoff region needs to be treated as a conductor or dielectric.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2019

The study analyzes Non SEMAC and SEMAC to reduce susceptibility artifacts that may occur when performing magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of metal patients. The Foot and Ankle Phantom was used as the experimental tool and the 3.8 cm general screw was used to make the magnetic susceptibility artifact. The experimental equipment was used 3.0T Magnetom Skyra and the area was measured with the 17th image where the signal off is the most noticeable in the obtained image. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS(Ver.25) program and the significance was assessed by the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. As a result, the area of Non SEMAC which is the lowest signal was $289.53{\pm}23.07197mm$. When the Turbo Factor was changed to 3, 4, and 5 after SEMAC use, it decreased to $125.02{\pm}7.45875mm$, $120.96{\pm}12.01704mm$ and $108.79{\pm}16.53498mm$, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Using SEMAC with Turbo Factor effectively reduces the susceptibility artifacts.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.78-87
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• 2021

Objective : Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has been widely used during spine surgery to reduce or prevent neurologic deficits, however, its application to the surgical management for cervical myelopathy remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the success rate of IONM in patients with cervical myelopathy and to investigate the factors associated with successful baseline monitoring and the effect of increasing the stimulation intensity by focusing on motor evoked potentials (MEPs). Methods : The data of 88 patients who underwent surgery for cervical myelopathy with IONM between January 2016 and June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The success rate of baseline MEP monitoring at the initial stimulation of 400 V was investigated. In unmonitorable cases, the stimulation intensity was increased to 999 V, and the success rate final MEP monitoring was reinvestigated. In addition, factors related to the success rate of baseline MEP monitoring were investigated using independent t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact probability test for statistical analysis. The factors included age, sex, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, symptom duration, Torg-Pavlov ratio, space available for the cord (SAC), cord compression ratio (CCR), intramedullary increased signal intensity (SI) on magnetic resonance imaging, SI length, SI ratio, the Medical Research Council (MRC) grade, the preoperative modified Nurick grade and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. Results : The overall success rate for reliable MEP response was 52.3% after increasing the stimulation intensity. No complications were observed to be associated with increased intensity. The factors related to the success rate of final MEP monitoring were found to be SAC (p<0.001), CCR (p<0.001), MRC grade (p<0.001), preoperative modified Nurick grade (p<0.001), and JOA score (p<0.001). The cut-off score for successful MEP monitoring was 5.67 mm for SAC, 47.33% for the CCR, 3 points for MRC grade, 2 points for the modified Nurick grade, and 12 points for the JOA score. Conclusion : Increasing the stimulation intensity could significantly improve the success rate of baseline MEP monitoring for unmonitorable cases at the initial stimulation in cervical myelopathy. In particular, the SAC, CCR, MRC grade, preoperative Nurick grade and JOA score may be considered as the more important related factors associated with the success rate of MEP monitoring. Therefore, the degree of preoperative neurological functional deficits and the presence of spinal cord compression on imaging could be used as new detailed criteria for the application of IONM in patients with cervical myelopathy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.610-619
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• 2020

Purpose The study aimed to investigate the role of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) in predicting incidental prostate cancer (PCa) or urothelial carcinoma (UCa) extension in urinary bladder (UB) cancer patients. Materials and Methods A total of 72 UB cancer patients who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy and 3 Tesla multiparametric MRI before surgery were enrolled. PI-RADS v2 ratings were assigned by two independent radiologists. All prostate specimens were examined by a single pathologist. We compared the multiparametric MRI findings rated using PI-RADS v2 with the pathologic data. Results Of the 72 UB cancer patients, 29 had incidental PCa (40.3%) and 20 showed UCa extension (27.8%), with an overlap for 3 patients. With a score of 4 as the cut-off value for predicting incidental PCa, the diagnostic accuracy was 65.3%, specificity was 90.7%, and positive predictive value (PPV) was 66.7%. The diagnostic accuracy for incidental UCa extension was 47.2%, specificity was 92.3%, and PPV was 83.3%. Conclusion Despite the low diagnostic accuracy, the PPV and specificity were relatively high. Therefore, PI-RADS v2 scores of 1, 2, or 3 may help exclude the probability of incidental PCa or UCa extension.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2005

A few studies have shown that the function of fusiform face area is selectively involved in the perception of faces including a race difference. We investigated the neural substrates of the face-selective region called fusiform face area in the ventral occipital-temporal cortex and same-race memory superiority in the fusiform face area by the event-related fMRI. In our fMRI study, subjects (Oriental-Korean) performed the implicit distinction of the race while they consciously made familiar-judgments, regardless of whether they considered a face as Oriental-Korean or European-American. For race distinction as an implicit task, the fusiform face areas (FFA) and the right parahippocampal gyrus had a greater response to the presentation of Oriental-Korean faces than for the European-American faces, but in the conscious race distinction between Oriental-Korean and European-American faces, there was no significant difference observed in the FFA. These results suggest that different activation in the fusiform regions and right parahippocampal gyrus resulting from superiority of same-race memory could have implicitly taken place by the physiological processes of face recognition.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.441-446
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• 2009

Background: Side clamping of ascending aorta during proximal graft anastomosis in coronary bypassing surgery in-creases the risk of direct aortic injury as well as embolization of intimal atheroma. Heartstring proximal sealing system (Guidant Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif), developed to avoid aortic side clamping, may minimize risks of such complications. The aim of the current study is to compare the surgical outcomes of the two proximal anastomosis techniquesi.e., Heartstring system versus aortic side clamping in off pump coronary bypassing' surgery (OPCAB). Material and Method: From January 2003 to August 2008, 499 patients underwent OPCAB. Of them, proximal graft anastomosis was performed using Heartstring system in 182 patients (Group I) and conventional manual anastomosis in 317 patients (Group II). The two groups were compared for postoperative major complications and mortality. Result: Two groups showed similar characteristics in terms of preoperative demographic data, left ventricular ejection fraction, renal function and history of diabetes, hypertension and smoking. Although there was no inter-group difference in the history of cerebral ischemia (p=0.48), preoperative brain magnetic resonance angiography revealed greater incidence of severe carotid artery stenosis (>75% of lumen) in the Group I than in the. Group II (44.5% in the Group I and 30.0% in the Group II, p=0.003). There were no inter-group differences in postoperative mortality (p=0.40) and complications (p=0.47) including neurologic events (3 in the Group land 2 in the Group II, p=0.258). Whereas neurologic events all comprised transient ischemic attacks in the Group I, they comprised multiple embolic strokes in the Group II. One patient in the Group II experienced aortic dissection during proximal anastomosis which resulted in ascending aortic replacement. Conclusion: Although proximal anastomosis using Heartstring system did not show statistically significant benefit over aortic side clamping, the. absence of embolic stroke maybe a definite benefit which may be better defined through further studies over a larger cohort.