• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1054-1065
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• 2021

Objective: We implemented a novel resectable myocardial model for mock myectomy using a hybrid method of three-dimensional (3D) printing and silicone molding for patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM). Materials and Methods: From January 2019 through May 2020, 3D models from three patients with ApHCM were generated using the end-diastolic cardiac CT phase image. After computer-aided designing of measures to prevent structural deformation during silicone injection into molding, 3D printing was performed to reproduce anatomic details and molds for the left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass. We compared the myocardial thickness of each cardiac segment and the LV myocardial mass and cavity volumes between the myocardial model images and cardiac CT images. The surgeon performed mock surgery, and we compared the volume and weight of the resected silicone and myocardium. Results: During the mock surgery, the surgeon could determine an ideal site for the incision and the optimal extent of myocardial resection. The mean differences in the measured myocardial thickness of the model (0.3, 1.0, 6.9, and 7.3 mm in the basal, midventricular, apical segments, and apex, respectively) and volume of the LV myocardial mass and chamber (36.9 mL and 14.8 mL, 2.9 mL and -9.4 mL, and 6.0 mL and -3.0 mL in basal, mid-ventricular and apical segments, respectively) were consistent with cardiac CT. The volume and weight of the resected silicone were similar to those of the resected myocardium (6 mL [6.2 g] of silicone and 5 mL [5.3 g] of the myocardium in patient 2; 12 mL [12.5 g] of silicone and 11.2 mL [11.8 g] of the myocardium in patient 3). Conclusion: Our 3D model created using hybrid 3D printing and silicone molding may be useful for determining the extent of surgery and planning surgery guided by a rehearsal platform for ApHCM.

• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2024

Due to the structural characteristic of a double roller, the double roller can have various deformation behaviors depending on a gap block design, even if dimensions and loading conditions for the double roller are the same. Based on this feature, we propose a strategy for designing the gap block of the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) double roller to minimize defects (e.g., sagging and wrinkling), which can be raised during the product conveying process, with the pursue of the lightweight design. In the suggested strategy, analysis cases are first selected by considering main design parameters and engineering tolerances of the gap block, and then deformation behaviors of these selected cases are extracted using the finite element method (FEM). Here, to obtain the optimal gap block parameters that satisfy the purpose of this study, deformation deviations in the contact area are calculated and compared using the extracted deformation behaviors. Note that the contact area in this work is located between the product and the roller. As a result, through the design method of the gap block proposed in this work, it is possible to construct the CFRP double roller that can significantly decrease the defects without changing the overall sizes of the roller. A detailed method is suggested herein, and the results are evaluated in a numerical way.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.140-147
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• 2024

In order to increase the utilization of biomass, an electrochemical performance was considered after manufacturing a carbon anode material (SV-C) for a Setaria viridis-based lithium ion secondary battery through a heat treatment process. When the heat treatment temperature of the Setaria viridis is as low as 750 ℃, the capacitance (1003.3 mAh/g, at 0.1 C) is high due to the negative (-) charge of oxygen present on the surface attracting lithium, along with the low crystallinity and high specific surface area (126 m²/g), but the capacity retention rate is believed to be as low as 61.0% (at 500 cycles and 1 C). In addition, it was confirmed that when the heat treatment temperature increased to 1150 ℃, the carbon layer was condensed to be excellent in arrangement, and the structural defects were reduced, resulting in a significant reduction in the specific surface area (32 m²/g) of the pores. Furthermore, when the surface defects of the anode material are reduced and the crystallinity is increased, the capacity retention rate is as high as 89.7% (at 500 cycles and 1 C), but the degree of defects is small, the active point is reduced, and the specific capacity is considered to be very low at 471.7 mAh/g. In the scope of this study, it was found that in the case of the Setaria viridis-based carbon anode material manufactured according to the heat treatment temperature, the surface oxygen content and crystallinity have higher reliability on the electrochemical properties of the anode material than the specific surface area.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.896-904
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• 2023

The texturization characteristics of textured vegetable protein (TVP) were investigated based on the extent of soybean decoating during the pretreatment of defatted soybean flour used for TVP. The raw materials for TVP consisted of 50% defatted soybean flour, 30% gluten, and 20% corn starch. The weight ratios of soybean seed coat to soybean flour were 9%, 6%, 3%, and zero. Extrusion was performed using an extruder equipped with a cooling die, maintaining a barrel temperature of 190℃ and screw speed of 250 rpm, Water was injected at a rate of 9 rpm using a metering pump. Regarding the textures of the extruded TVPs produced from defatted soybean flour, an increase in the soybean seed coat content led to a decrease in the apparent fibrous structural layer and an increase in hardness. However, there were no significant changes in elasticity and cohesion. Moreover, as the soybean seed coat content increased, the pH of TVPs decreased. A higher soybean seed coat content also tended to lower the moisture content, increasing water absorption, solids elution, and turbidity. These results suggest that an increased seed coat content reduces the proportion of protein, and the fibers present in the seed coats prevent texturization.

• 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.24 no.3
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• pp.235-246
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• 2023

Objective: It is difficult to predict the treatment response of tissue after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) because radiation necrosis (RN) and tumor recurrence can coexist. Our study aimed to predict tumor recurrence, including the recurrence site, after SRS of brain metastasis by performing a longitudinal tumor habitat analysis. Materials and Methods: Two consecutive multiparametric MRI examinations were performed for 83 adults (mean age, 59.0 years; range, 27-82 years; 44 male and 39 female) with 103 SRS-treated brain metastases. Tumor habitats based on contrast-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted images (structural habitats) and those based on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) images (physiological habitats) were defined using k-means voxel-wise clustering. The reference standard was based on the pathology or Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncologycriteria for brain metastases (RANO-BM). The association between parameters of single-time or longitudinal tumor habitat and the time to recurrence and the site of recurrence were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and Dice similarity coefficient, respectively. Results: The mean interval between the two MRI examinations was 99 days. The longitudinal analysis showed that an increase in the hypovascular cellular habitat (low ADC and low CBV) was associated with the risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-4.91; P = 0.001). During the single-time analysis, a solid low-enhancing habitat (low T2 and low contrast-enhanced T1 signal) was associated with the risk of recurrence (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.01-2.35; P = 0.045). A hypovascular cellular habitat was indicative of the future recurrence site (Dice similarity coefficient = 0.423). Conclusion: After SRS of brain metastases, an increased hypovascular cellular habitat observed using a longitudinal MRI analysis was associated with the risk of recurrence (i.e., treatment resistance) and was indicative of recurrence site. A tumor habitat analysis may help guide future treatments for patients with brain metastases.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.221-233
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• 2024

Lignin, a prominent constituent of woody biomass, is abundant in nature, cost-effective, and contains various functional groups, including hydroxyl groups. Owing to these characteristics, they have the potential to replace petroleum-based polyols in the polyurethane industry, offering a solution to environmental problems linked to resource depletion and CO₂ emissions. However, the structural complexity and low reactivity of lignin present challenges for its direct application in polyurethane materials. In this study, Kraft lignin (KL), a representative technical lignin, was fractionated with ethanol, an eco-friendly solvent, and mixed with conventional polyols in varying proportions to produce polyurethane films. The results of ethanol fractionation showed that the polydispersity of ethanol-soluble lignin (ESL) decreased from 3.71 to 2.72 and the hydroxyl content of ESL increased from 4.20 mmol/g to 5.49 mmol/g. Consequently, the polyurethane prepared by adding ESL was superior to the KL-based film, exhibiting improved miscibility with petrochemical-based polyols and reactivity with isocyanate groups. Consequently, the films using ESL as the polyol exhibited reduced shrinkage and a more uniform structure. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope observations confirmed that lignin aggregation was lower in polyurethane with ESL than in that with KL. When the hydrophobicity of the samples was measured using the water contact angle, the addition of ESL resulted in higher hydrophobicity. In addition, as the amount of ESL added increased, an increase of 7.4% in the residual char was observed, and a 4.04% increase in Tmax the thermal stability of the produced polyurethane was effectively improved.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.705-720
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• 2024

Analyzing the collapse behavior of thin-walled steel structures holds significant importance in ensuring their safety and longevity. Geometric imperfections present on the surface of metal materials can diminish both the durability and mechanical integrity of steel shells. These imperfections, encompassing local geometric irregularities and deformations such as holes, cavities, notches, and cracks localized in specific regions of the shell surface, play a pivotal role in the assessment. They can induce stress concentration within the structure, thereby influencing its susceptibility to buckling. The intricate relationship between the buckling behavior of these structures and such imperfections is multifaceted, contingent upon a variety of factors. The buckling analysis of thin-walled steel shell structures, similar to other steel structures, commonly involves the determination of crucial material properties, including elastic modulus, shear modulus, tensile strength, and fracture toughness. An established method involves the emulation of distributed geometric imperfections, utilizing real test specimen data as a basis. This approach allows for the accurate representation and assessment of the diversity and distribution of imperfections encountered in real-world scenarios. Utilizing defect data obtained from actual test samples enhances the model's realism and applicability. The sizes and configurations of these defects are employed as inputs in the modeling process, aiding in the prediction of structural behavior. It's worth noting that there is a dearth of experimental studies addressing the influence of geometric defects on the buckling behavior of cylindrical steel shells. In this particular study, samples featuring geometric imperfections were subjected to experimental buckling tests. These same samples were also modeled using Finite Element Analysis (FEM), with results corroborating the experimental findings. Furthermore, the initial geometrical imperfections were measured using digital image correlation (DIC) techniques. In this way, the response of the test specimens can be estimated accurately by applying the initial imperfections to FE models. After validation of the test results with FEA, a numerical parametric study was conducted to develop more generalized design recommendations for the stainless-steel shell structures with the initial geometric imperfection. While the load-carrying capacity of samples with perfect surfaces was up to 140 kN, the load-carrying capacity of samples with 4 mm defects was around 130 kN. Likewise, while the load carrying capacity of samples with 10 mm defects was around 125 kN, the load carrying capacity of samples with 14 mm defects was measured around 120 kN.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.5
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• pp.1080-1090
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• 2023

Purpose This study aimed to compare the volume and normative percentiles of brain volumetry in the Korean population using quantitative brain volumetric MRI analysis tools NeuroQuant^Ⓡ (NQ) and DeepBrain^Ⓡ (DB), and to evaluate whether the differences in the normative percentiles of brain volumetry between the two tools is related to cranial shape. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, we analyzed the brain volume reports obtained from NQ and DB in 163 participants without gross structural brain abnormalities. We measured threedimensional diameters to evaluate the cranial shape on T1-weighted images. Statistical analyses were performed using intra-class correlation coefficients and linear correlations. Results The mean normative percentiles of the thalamus (90.8 vs. 63.3 percentile), putamen (90.0 vs. 60.0 percentile), and parietal lobe (80.1 vs. 74.1 percentile) were larger in the NQ group than in the DB group, whereas that of the occipital lobe (18.4 vs. 68.5 percentile) was smaller in the NQ group than in the DB group. We found a significant correlation between the mean normative percentiles obtained from the NQ and cranial shape: the mean normative percentile of the occipital lobe increased with the anteroposterior diameter and decreased with the craniocaudal diameter. Conclusion The mean normative percentiles obtained from NQ and DB differed significantly for many brain regions, and these differences may be related to cranial shape.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.309-315
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• 2024

Silicon and carbon composite (SiC) is considered one of the most promising anode materials for the commercialization of Si-based anodes, as it could simultaneously satisfy the high theoretical capacity of Si and the high electronic conductivity of carbon. However, SiC active material undergoes repeated volumetric changes during charge/discharge processes, leading to continuous electrolyte decomposition and capacity fading, which is still considered an issue that needs to be addressed. To solve this issue, we suggest a 4,4'-Methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (H₁₂MDI)-based waterborne polyurethane binder (HPUD), which forms a 3D network structure through thermal cross-linking reaction. The cross-linked HPUD (denoted as CHPU) was prepared using an epoxy ring-opening reaction of the cross-linker, triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC), via simple thermal treatment during the SiC anode drying process. The SiC anode with the CHPU binder, which exhibited superior mechanical and adhesion properties, not only demonstrated excellent rate and cycling performance but also alleviated the volume expansion of the SiC anode. This work implies that eco-friendly binders with cross-linked structures could be utilized for various Si-based anodes.