• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.105-114
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• 2006

Purpose: We achieved high resolution MR imaging and spectra of human skin in vitro with using a 14.1 T MRI/MRS system, and evaluated the hydration effect of various cosmetic products by measuring the skin's. moisture concentration. Materials and Methods: We used the Bruker 14.1 T MRI/MRS system with a vertical standard bore that was equipped with a DMX spectrometer gradient system (200 G/cm at a maximum 40 A), RF resonators (2, 5 and 10 mm) and Para Vision software. Spin echo and fast spin echo pulse sequences were employed for obtaining the high resolution MR images. The 3D-localized point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) method was used to acquire the MR spectra. Results: The high resolution MR images and spectra of human skin in vitro were successfully obtained on a 14.1 T system. The water concentration of human skin after applying a moisturizer was higher than that before applying a moisturizer. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the high-resolution MR images and spectra of human skin from a high field NMR instrument could be applicable to evaluating the hydration state of the stratum corneum.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2008

In this study, we observed the alteration of choline signal intensity in hippocampus region of the depressive rat model induced by forced swimming test (FST). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy in the depressive animal model using MR spectroscopy. Fourteen experimentally naive male Sprague-Dawley rats weighting $160{\sim}180\;g$ were used as subjects. Drug injection group was exposed to the FST except for control group. The drugs were administered subcutaneously (SC) in a volume equivalent to 2ml/kg. And three injections were administered 23, 5, and 1h before beginning the given test. 1H MR spectra were obtained with use of a point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) localization sequence performed according to the following parameters: repetition time, 2500 ms; echo time, 144 ms; 512 average; 2048 complex data points; voxel dimensions, $1.5{\times}2.5{\times}2.5\;mm^3$ ; acquisition time, 25min. There were no differences in NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratio between the right and the left hippocampus both normal control rats and antidepressant-injected rats. Also, no differences were observed in NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratio between the normal control rats and the antidepressant-injected rats both the right and the left hippocampus. In this study, we found the recovery of choline signals in the depressive animal model similar to normal control groups as injecting desipramine-HCl which was antidepressant causing anti-immobility effects. Thus, we demonstrated that MR spectroscopy was able to aid in evaluating the antidepressant effect of desipramine-HCl.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.139-139
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• 2012

With angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), the surface electronic band structures of Pt3Co (111) and Pt3Ni (111) single crystals are investigated, which allow to study the bonding interaction between chemically absorbed atomic oxygen and its surfaces. The d-band electrons of subsurface TM are separated from the direct chemical bonding with atomic oxygen. That is, the TM does not contribute to direct chemical bonding with oxygen. From the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, it is identified that the main origin of improved oxygen absorption property, i.e. softening of Pt-O bonding, is due to the suppression of Pt surface-states which is generated from change of interlayer potential, i.e. charge polarization, between Pt-top and TM-subsurface. Our results point out the critical roles of subsurface TM in modifying surface electronic structures, which in turn can be utilized to tune surface chemical properties.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2008

Purpose : We developed a 3D CSI (chemical shift imaging) sequence that uses the PRESS (point resolved spectroscopy) excitation scheme and spiral-based readout gradients. Materials and Methods : We implemented constant-density spirals ($32{\times}32$ matrix, $24{\times}24\;cm$ FOV) which use analytic equations to enable real-time prescription on the scanner. In-vivo data from the brain were collected and reconstructed using the gridding algorithm. Results : Data illustrate that with our imaging sequence, the benefits of the PRESS technique, which include elimination of lipid artifacts, remain intact while flexible scan time versus resolution tradeoffs can be achieved using the constant-density spirals. Volumetric high resolution 3D CSI covering 5760 cm3 could be obtained in 12.5 minutes. Conclusion : Spiral-based readout gradients offer a flexible tradeoff between scan time versus resolution. By combining this feature with PRESS based excitation, efficient methods of volumetric spectroscopic imaging can be accomplished by obtaining whole brain coverage while eliminating lipid contamination.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2008

Purpose : To present the T1 and T2 relaxation times of the major cerebral metabolites at 1.5T and 3.0T and compare those between 1.5T and 3.0T. Materials and Methods : Using the phantom containing N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), Choline (Cho), and Creatine (Cr) at both 1.5T and 3.0T MRI, the T1 relaxation times were calculated from the spectral data obtained with 5000 ms repetition time (TR), 20 ms echo time (TE), and 11 different mixing time (TM)s using STEAM (STimulated Echo-Acquisition Mode) method. The T2 relaxation times were obtained from the spectral data obtained with 3000 ms TR and 5 different TEs using PRESS (Point-RESolved Spectroscopy) method. The T1 and T2 relaxation times obtained at 1.5T were compared with those of 3.0T. Results : The T1 relaxation times of NAA were $2293\;{\pm}\;48\;ms$ at 1.5T and $2559\;{\pm}\;124\;ms$ at 3.0T (11.6% increase at 3.0T). The T1 relaxation times of Cho were $2540\;{\pm}\;57\;ms$ at 1.5T and $2644\;{\pm}\;76\;ms$ at 3.0T (4.1% increase at 3.0T). The T1 relaxation times of Cr were $2543\;{\pm}\;75\;ms$ at 1.5T and $2665\;{\pm}\;94\;ms$ at 3.0T (4.8% increase). The T2 relaxation times of NAA were $526\;{\pm}\;81\;ms$ at 1.5T and $468\;{\pm}\;74\;ms$ at 3.0T (11.0% decrease at 3.0T). The T2 relaxation times of Cho were $220\;{\pm}\;44ms$ at 1.5T and $182\;{\pm}\;35\;ms$ at 3.0T (17.3% decrease at 3.0T). The T2 relaxation times of Cr were $289\;{\pm}\;47\;ms$ at 1.5T and $275\;{\pm}\;57\;ms$ at 3.0T (4.8% decrease at 3.0T). Conclusion : The T1 relaxation times of the major cerebral metabolites (NAA, Cr, Cho), which were measured at the phantom, were 4.1%-11.6% longer at 3.0T than at 1.5T. The T2 relaxation times of them were 4.8%-17.3% shorter at 3.0T than at 1.5T. To optimize MR spectroscopy at 3.0T, TR should be lengthened and TE should be shortened.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.64-72
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• 2002

Purpose : To introduce and demonstrate the advantages of the new hybrid two-dimensional (2D) proton spectroscopic imaging (SI) over the single voxel spectroscopy (SVS) and conventional 2D SI in the clinical application of spectroscopy for pediatric cerebral disease. Materials and Methods : Eighty-one hybrid 2D proton spectroscopic imaging was performed in 79 children (36 normal infants and children, 10 with hypoxic-ischemic injury, 20 with toxic-metabolic encephalopathy, seven with brain tumor, three with meningoencephalitis, one with neurofibromatosis, one with Sturge-Weber syndrome and one with lissencephaly) ranging in age from the third day of life to 15 years. In adult volunteers (n=5), all three techniques including hybrid 2D proton SI, SVS using PRESS sequence, and conventional 2D proton SI were performed. Both hybrid 2D proton SI and SVS using PRESS sequence were performed in clinical cases (n=). All measurements were performed with a 1.5-T scanner using standard head quadrature coil. The 16$\times$16 phase encoding steps were set on variable field of view (FOV) depending on the size of the brain. The hybrid volume of interest inside FOV was set as $75{\times}75{\times}15{\;}\textrm{mm}^3$ or smaller to get rid of unwanted fat signal. Point-resolved spectroscopy (TR/TE=1,500 msec/135 or 270msec) was employed with standard chemical shift selective saturation (CHESSI pulses for water suppression. The acquisition time and spectral quality of hybrid 2D proton SI were compared with those of SVS and conventional 2D proton SI. Results : The hybrid 2D proton SI was successfully conducted upon all patients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.14-15
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• 2010

Recently there has been growing interest in topological insulators or the quantum spin Hall (QSH) phase, which are insulating materials with bulk band gaps but have metallic edge states that are formed topologically and robust against any non-magnetic impurity [1]. In a three-dimensional material, the two-dimensional surface states correspond to the edge states (topological metal) and their intriguing nature in terms of electronic and spin structures have been experimentally observed in bulk Bi1-xSbx single crystals [2,3,4]. However, if we want to know the transport properties of these topological metals, high purity samples as well as very low temperature will be needed because of the contribution from bulk states or impurity effects. In a recent report, it was also shown that an intriguing coupling between the surface and bulk states will occur [5]. A simple solution to this bothersome problem is to prepare a topological metal on an ultrathin film, in which the surface-to-bulk ratio is drastically increased. Therefore in the present study, we have investigated if there is a method to make an ultrathin Bi1-xSbx film on a semiconductor substrate. From reflection high-energy electron diffraction observation, it was found that single crystal Bi1-xSbx films (0${\sim}30\;{\AA}A$ can be prepared on Si(111)-$7{\times}7$. The transport properties of such films were characterized by in situ monolithic micro four-point probes [6]. The temperature dependence of the resistivity for the x=0.1 samples was insulating when the film thickness was $240\;{\AA}A$. However, it became metallic as the thickness was reduced down to $30\;{\AA}A$, indicating surface-state dominant electrical conduction. Figure 1 shows the Fermi surface of $40\;{\AA}A$ thick Bi0.92Sb0.08 (a) and Bi0.84Sb0.16 (b) films mapped by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The basic features of the electronic structure of these surface states were shown to be the same as those found on bulk surfaces, meaning that topological metals can be prepared at the surface of an ultrathin film. The details will be given in the presentation.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 1999

Purpose : To evaluate the proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) findings of early and late ischemic infarcts and to compare these MRS findings with clinical symptoms. Materials and Methods : We obtained MRs spectra of 28 consecutive patients with early ischemic infarct (15 me, 13 women) between 2-10 (mean 6.2) days after stroke onset. Follow-up MRS was carried out between 20-32 (mean 25) days in 12 patients. The MRs spectra were acquired at 1.5T MR unit using single voxel technique with PRESS sequence, TR of 2000ms, TE of 288 (144)ms, and voxel size of 2cm x 2cm x 2cm in the three areas; an infarct lesion, the brain parenchyma adjacent to the lesion, and contralateral normal brain parenchyma. The NAA/creatine, choline/creatine, and lactate/creatine ratios were calculated in each spectrum. The spectra of MRS were compared with clinical symptoms. Results : In early infarct, decreased NAA/creatine ratio (n=22) and increased lactate/creatine ratio (n=25) were found in the infarct lesion. Choline/creastine ratio was within normal range (n=25). On follow-up MRS in late stage, NAA/creatine ratio in the infarct lesion decreased further (n=5), did not change (n=6), or increased (n=1). Lactate/creatine ratio became less elevated (n=10), or did not changed (n=2). Choline/creatine ratio had a trend for increase. The decreased NAA/creatine and increased lactate/creatine ratios were correlated well with the severity of symptoms, respectively. Conclusion : Decreased NAA/creatine and increased lactate/creatine ratios were common MRS findings characteristic in early ischemic infarct and correlated well with clinical severity. On follow-up MRS in late stage, NAA/creatine ratio decreased further or did not change, and lactate/creatine ratio became less elevated.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2006

Purpose: We Investigated to achieve high resolution magnetic resonance (MR) Imaging and spectra of human skin in vitro with using a 14.1 T MRI/MRS system, and to evaluate the hydration effect of a moisturizer by measuring the skin's water concentration. Materials and Methods: We used the Brukrer 14.1 T MRI/MRS system with a vertical standard bore that was equipped with a DMX spectrometer gradient system (200 G/cm at a maximum 40 A), RF resonators (2, 5 and 10 mm) and Para Vision software. Spin echo and fast spin echo pulse sequences were employed for obtaining the high resolution MR images. The 3D-localized point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) method was used to acquire the MR spectra. Results: The high resolution MR images and spectra of human skin in vitro were successfully obtained on a 14.IT system. The water concentration of human skin after applying a moisturizer was higher than that before applying a moisturizer. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the high-resolution MR images and spectra of human skin from a high field MRS instrument could be applicable to evaluating the hydration state of the stratum corneum.