• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.25-34
• /
• 2013

To investigate effects of phase mask on susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) using voxel-based analyses in normal elderly subjects. A three-dimensional (3D) gradient echo sequence ran to obtain SWIs in 20 healthy elderly subjects. SWIs with two (SWI2) and four (SWI4) phase multiplications were achieved with positive (PSWI) and negative (NSWI) phase masks to investigate phase mask effects. The voxel-based comparisons were performed using paired t-tests between PSWI and NSWI and between SWI2 and SWI4. Differences of signal intensities between magnitude images and SWI4 were larger than those between magnitude images and SWI2s. Differences of signal intensities between magnitude images and PSWIs were larger than those between magnitude images and NSWIs. Moreover, the signal intensities from NSWI2s and NSWI4s were greater than those from PSWI2s and PSWI4s, respectively. More differences of signal intensities between NSWI4 and PSWI4s were found than those between NSWI2s and PSWI2s in the whole brain images. The voxel-based analyses of SWI could be beneficial to investigate susceptibility differences on the entire brain areas. The phase masking method could be chosen to enhance brain tissue contrast rather than to enhance venous blood vessels. Therefore, it is recommended to apply voxel-based analyses of SWI to investigate clinical applications.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2014

Purpose : $T_2{^*}$ relaxation time which includes susceptibility information represents unique feature of tissue. The objective of this study was to investigate $T_2{^*}$ relaxation times of the normal glandular tissue and fat of breast using a 3T MRI system. Materials and Methods: Seven-echo MR Images were acquired from 52 female subjects (age $49{\pm}12 $years; range, 25 to 75) using a three-dimensional (3D) gradient-echo sequence. Echo times were between 2.28 ms to 25.72 ms in 3.91 ms steps. Voxel-based $T_2{^*}$ relaxation times and $R_2{^*}$ relaxation rate maps were calculated by using the linear curve fitting for each subject. The 3D regions-of-interest (ROI) of the normal glandular tissue and fat were drawn on the longest echo-time image to obtain $T_2{^*}$ and $R_2{^*}$ values. Mean values of those parameters were calculated over all subjects. Results: The 3D ROI sizes were $4818{\pm}4679$ voxels and $1455{\pm}785$ voxels for the normal glandular tissue and fat, respectively. The mean $T_2{^*}$ values were $22.40{\pm}5.61ms$ and $36.36{\pm}8.77ms$ for normal glandular tissue and fat, respectively. The mean $R_2{^*}$ values were $0.0524{\pm}0.0134/ms$ and $0.0297{\pm}0.0069/ms$ for the normal glandular tissue and fat, respectively. Conclusion: $T_2{^*}$ and $R_2{^*}$ values were measured from human breast tissues. $T_2{^*}$ of the normal glandular tissue was shorter than that of fat. Measurement of $T_2{^*}$ relaxation time could be important to understand susceptibility effects in the breast cancer and the normal tissue.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.17-24
• /
• 2014

Purpose : To determine whether high-resolution contrast-enhanced three dimensional imaging with spoiled gradient-recalled sequence (HR-CE 3D-SPGR) plays a meaningful role in the assessment of intracranial vertebral artery (ICVA) and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) in lateral medullary infarction (LMI). Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients confirmed with LMI were retrospectively enrolled with approval by the IRB of our institute, and 3T MRI with HR-CE 3D-SPGR and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) were performed. Two radiologists who were blinded to clinical information and other brain MR images including diffusion weighted image independently evaluated arterial lesions in ICVA and PICA. The demographic characteristics, the area of LMI and cerebellar involvement were analyzed and compared between patients with arterial lesion in ICVA only and patients with arterial lesions in both ICVA and PICA on HR-CE 3D-SPGR. Results: Twenty-two of twenty-five LMI patients had arterial lesions in ICVA or PICA on HR-CE 3D SPGR. However twelve arterial lesions in PICA were not shown on CE-MRA. Concurrent cerebellar involvement appeared more in LMI patients with arterial lesion in ICVA and PICA than those with arterial lesion in ICVA alone (p = 0.069). Conclusion: HR-CE 3D-SPGR can help evaluate arterial lesions in ICVA and PICA for LMI patients.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.275-285
• /
• 2013

Purpose : The objective of this study was to investigate effects of different smoothing kernel sizes on brain tissue-masked susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) obtained from normal elderly subjects using voxel-based analyses. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy human volunteers (mean $age{\pm}SD$ = $67.8{\pm}6.09$ years, 14 females and 6 males) were studied after informed consent. A fully first-order flow-compensated three-dimensional (3D) gradient-echo sequence ran to obtain axial magnitude and phase images to generate SWI data. In addition, sagittal 3D T1-weighted images were acquired with the magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition of gradient-echo sequence for brain tissue segmentation and imaging registration. Both paramagnetically (PSWI) and diamagnetically (NSWI) phase-masked SWI data were obtained with masking out non-brain tissues. Finally, both tissue-masked PSWI and NSWI data were smoothed using different smoothing kernel sizes that were isotropic 0, 2, 4, and 8 mm Gaussian kernels. The voxel-based comparisons were performed using a paired t-test between PSWI and NSWI for each smoothing kernel size. Results: The significance of comparisons increased with increasing smoothing kernel sizes. Signals from NSWI were greater than those from PSWI. The smoothing kernel size of four was optimal to use voxel-based comparisons. The bilaterally different areas were found on multiple brain regions. Conclusion: The paramagnetic (positive) phase mask led to reduce signals from high susceptibility areas. To minimize partial volume effects and contributions of large vessels, the voxel-based analysis on SWI with masked non-brain components should be utilized.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.557-566
• /
• 2005

In preparation of steamed foam-cakes, effects of whipping time, amount of wheat flour, and amounts of emulsifier on physical properties of the steamed foam cakes were investigated using RSM (response surface methodology). The three independent variables selected for the RSM experiment were whipping time $(X_1)$, amount of wheat flour $(X_2)$, and amounts of wheat flour $(X_2)$, and concentration of emulsifier $(X_3)$ were set for single-stage mixing, respectively. A rotatable central composite design was used for treatment arrangement. The responses from the product for loaf volume, color values and textural properties were analysed. In the analysis of variance for the foam cakes prepared by single-stage method, significant interactions were observed between independent variables (experimental factors) and physical property like loaf volume (p<0.05); textural properties like hardness, gumminess, and chewiness (p<0.05). Among independent variables, concentration of emulsifier had the most effects on physical properties while whipping time. The ordinary points in surface response showed maximal points with physical property like colorimetric b value while other properties revealed saddle points. The 3-dimensional response surface graphs of the predicted regression models displayed decreasing loaf volumes with increasing whipping times and emulsifier concentrations beyond optimum levels. The optimum conditions for best loaf volume and textural property (hardness, gummimess and chewiness) of the products selected by extracting intersectional areas of the contour maps that commonly overlapped all characteristics were; $11\~13$ min whipping time, $470\~486\;g$ amount of wheat flour, and $19\~20\;g$ emulsifier concentration, in case of single-stage method. The median values extracted from the RSM experimental results for optimum manufacturing conditions for single-stage method, i.e., 12 min whipping time, 478 g amount of wheat flour, and 20 g emulsifier concentration were empirically proven to fit the predicted levels of physical properties from the final foam cakes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.17-30
• /
• 1978

Press drying was used on italian poplar (Populus euamericana) to find the profitable means of drying. This study was designed to investigate the process of platen drying considering core temperature, drying time, current moisture content, drying rate, shrinkage and recovery, and green volume specific gravity, equilibrium moisture content and dimensional stability of press dried material and air dried material, The drying tests were conducted using 1.5 centimeter thick material at platen temperature of $175^{\circ}C$. The results were summarized as follows. 1. Core temperature was divided into three stages of drying characterized by period initial heating, plateau temperature and rising core temperature. Plateau temperature was 114 to $119^{\circ}C$. 2. The following predicting equations of drying time(y) in different core temperatures were developed for initial thickness($x_1$), initial moisture content ($x_2$) and final moisture content ($x_3$) 3. The predicting equaltion of current moisture content(u) was log u=4.658-0.060t as funtion of drying time(t) and that of drying rate(r) was log r=-2.797-0.049t. Current moisture content and drying rate of air drying were shown in figure 2. 4. The predicting equation of shrinkage in thickness direction(y) was log y=1.933+0.038t as function of drying time(t), and that of expansion in width direction was $y=-0.692+0.043t-0.001t^2$. 5. Thickness shrinkage was increased more than proportional at to pressure increase. Width shrinkage and thickness recovery was greatest at 35psi. 6. Green volume specific gravity of press dried material was 25% greater than that of air dried material. But equilibrium moisture content of press dried material was less 24% than that of air dried material. Antishrinkage efficiency of press dried material were obtained 27.7%.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.93-105
• /
• 1993

In this paper, the maximum scour depths at piers located in the Bo Cheong Stream, which is a tributary in the Geum River System, were calculated and compared using 24 local pier scour equations. The equations were classified as six groups by non-dimensional types of equations. The geometric data in the stream bed and pier data at San Seong, Yi Pyung and San Gye, which are IHP data collection stations, were utilized for applying the scour equations. The geometric data in the stream bed were obtained by analyzing the bed material sampled in three stations which are in the left side, middle and right side for stream direction. The maximum flow velocities at maximum flow depths which were measured from 1982 to 1991, were used as the hydraulic flow data. The pier data for predicting pier scour depths were measured in the fields. The maximum pier scour depths calculated using the equations were compared with the held scour depths measured in the streams or rivers in the world. Arunachalam, Shen-Karaki III, Jain-Fischer equations are selected as the proper local scour equations for predicting the maximum local scour depths at piers in the Bo Cheong Stream. Inglis-Lacey and Shen-Karaki II equations are applicable in case of rapid flows conditions in which Froude number is over 0.3. Froehlich, Laursen I, Laursen II, Neill, Melville equations are applicable in the slow flow conditions in which Froude number is less than 0.3. Blench equation or Inglis-Poona equation varies rapidly by changing Froude numbers. Therefore the equations should not be used without careful considerations in selecting the applicable ranges. The maximum local scour depths calculated using Sarma-Krishnamurthy, Ahmad, Coleman, Varzeliotis, Larras, Bata, Chitale, Venkatadri, Basik-Basamily-Ergun, U.S.G.S., Shen I equations are usually less than the scour depths measured in the fields.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.147-153
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evacuate the effect of different types of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds on the formation of human auricular and septal cartilages. All of the scaffolds were formed in a tubular shape for potential application for artificial trachea or esophagus with either 110,000 g/mol PLGA. 220,000 g/mol PLGA. or a combination of both. In order to maintain the tubular shape in vivo, two methods were used. One method was inserting polyethylene tube at the center of scaffolds made of 110,000 g/mol PLGA. The other method involved combination of the two different molecular weight PLGA's. The inner surface of tubular shaped scaffold made with 110,000 g/mol PLGA was coated with 220,000 9/mol PLGA to give more mechanical rigidity. Elastic cartilage was taken from the ear of a patient aged under 20 nears old and hyaline cartilage was taken from the nasal septum. The chondrocytes were then isolated. After second passage, the chondrocytes were seeded on the PLGA scaffolds followed by in vitro culture for one week. The cells-PLGA scaffold complex were implanted subcutaneously on the back of nude mice for 8 weeks. The tissue engineered cartilages were separated from nude mice and examined histologically after staining with the Hematoxylin Eosin. The morphology of the scaffolds were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The pores were well formed and uniformly distributed in the various PLGA scaffolds. After 8 weeks in vivo culture, cartilage was well formed with 110,000 g/mol PLGA. however lumen had collapsed. In contrast. a minimal amount of neocartilage was formed with 220,000 g/mol PLGA, while the architecture of scaffold and lumen were well preserved. Elastic cartilage formed more neocartilage than hyaline. Hyaline and elastic neocartilage were well formed on 110,000 g/mol PLGA with the polyethylene tube, exhibiting mature chondrocytes and preservation of the tubular shape. It was found that 110,000 g/mol PLGA was more appropriate for cartilage formation but higher molecular weight polymer was necessary to maintain the three dimensional shape of the scaffold.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.39 no.2 s.177
• /
• pp.111-128
• /
• 2006

Three dimensional crustal structure and source features of earthquake hypocenters on the Korean peninsula were investigated using P and S-wave travel time tomography. The main goal of this research was to find Vp/Vs anomalies at earthquake hypocenters as well as those of crustal structure of basins and deep tectonic settings. This allowed fer the extrapolation of more detailed seismotectonic force from the Korean peninsula. The earthquake hypocenters were found to have high Vp/Vs ratio discrepancies (VRD) at the vertical sections. High V/p/Vs ratios were also found in the sedimentary basins and beneath the Chugaryong Rift Zone (CRZ), which was due to mantle plume that subsequently solidified with many fractures and faults which were saturated with connate water. The hypocenters of most earthquakes were found in the upper crust for Youngwol (YE), Kyongju (KE), Hongsung (HE), Kaesong (KSE), Daekwan (DKE), and Daehung (DHE) earthquakes, but near the subcrust or the Moho Discontinuity for Mt. Songni (SE), Sariwon (SRE) and Mt. Jiri (JE) earthquakes. Especially, we found hot springs of the Daekwan, Daehung and Unsan regions coincide with high VRD. Also, this cannot rule out the possibility that there are some partial meltings in the subcrust of this region. High VRD might indicate that many faults and fractures with connate water were dehydrated when earthquakes took place, reducing shear modulus in the hypocenter areas. This is can be explained by due to the fact that a point source which is represented by the moment tensor that may involve changes in volume, shear fracture, and rigidity. High Vp/Vs ratio discrepancies (VRD) were also found beneath Mt. Backdu beneath 40 km, indicating that magma chamber existed beneath Mt. Backdu is reducing shear modulus of S-wave velocity.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.107-113
• /
• 2000

Purpose : The goal of this study 닌as to improve the accuracy of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3-D CRT) by measuring the treatment setup error and physiological movement of liver based on the analysis of images which were obtained by electronic portal imaging device (EPID). Materials and Methods : For 10 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 4-7 portal images were obtained by using EPID during the radiotherapy from each patient daiiy. We analyzed the setup error and physiological movement of liver based on the verification data. We also determined the safety margin of the tumor in 3-D CRT through the analysis of physiological movement. Results : The setup errors were measured as 3mm with standard deviation 1.70 mm in x direction and 3.7 mm with standard deviation 1.88 mm in y direction respectively. Hence, deviation were smaller than 5mm from the center of each axis. The measured range of liver movement due to the physiological motion was 8.63 mm on the average. Considering the motion of liver and setup error, the safety margin of tumor was at least 15 mm. Conclusion : EPID is a very useful device for the determination of the optimal margin of the tumor, and thus enhance the accuracy and stability of the 3-D CRT in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.