• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.408-416
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• 2021

In the ultrasonic dispersion, in order to avoid direct contact of the radiation surface of ultrasonic transducers with a liquid sample, the liquid sample is separated by a glass container and it receives ultrasonic energy through an acoustic medium. The transmission efficiency of the ultrasonic energy in the multi-layered ultrasonic system is an important factor. In this study, we suggested a method that can improve the ultrasonic energy transfer efficiency by using a propylene glycol solution as a liquid matching layer in the multi-layered acoustic system. In this method, a propylene glycol solution was filled between the Langevin-type ultrasonic transducer and the luminol solution and the sonoluminescence phenomena in the luminol solution, which is caused by nonlinear effect of high power ultrasound radiated from the transducer, was examined by using a Photo Multiplier Tube (PMT). The transmission efficiency depending on the concentration of propylene glycol solution was observed, and we can see that as the concentration of the propylene glycol solution increased, the matching effect increased while the acoustic attenuation increased. It was confirmed that there is an optimal concentration compromised these two conflicting conditions, and the optimum concentration of the propylene glycol solution was determined experimentally.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.401-411
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• 2009

In this paper, we correct pulse wave velocity(PWV) with heart-rate and derive regression equations to estimate intima-media thickness(IMT). Widely used methods for diagnosis of arteriosclerosis are IMT and PWV. Arterial wall stiffness determines the degree of energy absorbed by the elastic aorta and its recoil in diastole but there is not correlation between sclerosis and IMT in an existing study. In this study, we will correct PWV with heart-rate and get regression equation to estimate IMT using heart-rate correction index(HCI). We executed experiments for this study. Made up question of physical condition and measured electrocardiogram(ECG), photoplethysmogram (PPG) of finger-tip and toe-tip and ultrasound image of carotid artery. Calculated PWV and IMT using ECG, PPG and ultrasound image. We found that every p-value between PWV and IMT is not significant(<0.05). But p-value between IMT and HCI which is a corrected PWV using heart-rate is significant(>0.01). We use HCI and various measured parameter for estimating regression equation and apply backward estimation to select parameters for regression analysis. Result of backward estimation, found that only HCI is possible to derive proper regression equation of IMT. Relationship between PWV and IMT is the second order. Result of regression equation of E-H PWV is $R^2$=0.735, adj $R^2$=0.711. This is the best correlation value. We calculate error of its analysis for verification of earlobe PWV regression equation. Its result is RMSEP=0.0328, MAPE(%) = 4.7622. Like this regression analysis, we know that HCI is useful parameter and relationship between PWV, HCI and IMT. In addition, we are able to suggest possibility which is that we can get different parameter of prediction throughout just one measurement.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartA
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• v.14A no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2007

The intima media thickness(IMT) of the carotid artery from B mode ultrasound images has recently been proposed as the most useful index of individual atherosclerosis and can be used to predict major cardiovascular events. Ultrasonic measurements of the IMT are conventionally obtained by manually tracing interfaces between tissue layers. The drawbacks of this method are the inter and intra observer variability and its inefficiency. In this paper, we present a multiresolution snake method combined with the dynamic programming, which overcomes the various noises and sensitivity to initialization of conventional snake. First, an image pyramid is constructed using the Gaussian pyramid that maintains global edge information with smoothing in the images, and then the boundaries are automatically detected in the lowest resolution level by minimizing a cost function based on dynamic programming. The cost function includes cost terms which are representing image features and geometrical continuity of the vessel interfaces. Since the detected boundaries are selected as initial contour of the snake for the next level, this automated approach solves the problem of the initialization. Moreover, the proposed snake improves the problem of converging th the local minima by defining the external energy based on multiple image features. In this paper, our method has been validated by computing the correlation between manual and automatic measurements. This automated detection method has obtained more accurate and reproducible results than conventional edge detection by considering multiple image features.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2015

Photoacoustic microscopy is capable of providing high-resolution molecular images, and its spatial resolution is typically determined by ultrasonic transducers used to receive the photoacoustic signals. Therefore, ultrasonic transducers for photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) should have a high operating frequency, broad bandwidth, and high signal-reception efficiency. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a suitable material. To take full advantage of this material, the selection of the backing material is crucial, as it influences the center frequency and bandwidth of the transducer. Therefore, we experimentally determined the most suitable backing material among EPO-TEK 301, E-Solder 3022, and RTV. For this, three PVDF high-frequency single-element transducers were fabricated with each backing material. The center frequency and -6 dB bandwidth of each transducer were ascertained by a pulse-echo test. The spatial resolution of each transducer was examined using wire-target images. The experimental results indicated that EPO-TEK 301 is the most suitable backing material for a PAM transducer. This material provides the highest signal magnitude and a reasonable bandwidth because a large portion of the energy propagates toward the front medium, and the PVDF resonates in the half-wave mode.

• Clean Technology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.355-369
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• 2013

Economic feasibility is one of the most important factors in energy production from regenerative biomass. From the aspect, biogas from anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludge is regarded as the most economical because of its cheap substrate and additional income from the disposal of waste sludge. Sludge hydrolysis has been regarded as the rate limiting step of anaerobic digestion and many sludge pre-treatment technologies have been developed to accelerate anaerobic sludge digestion for enhanced biogas production. Various sludge pre-treatment technologies including biological, thermo hydrolysis, ultrasonic, and mechanical methods have been applied to full-scale systems. Sludge pre-treatment increased the efficiency of anaerobic digestion by enhancing hydrolysis, reducing residual soilds, and increasing biogas production. This paper introduces the characteristics of various sludge pre-treatment technologies and the energy balance and economic feasibility of each technology were compared to prepare a guideline for the selection of feasible pre-treatment technology. It was estimated that thermophilic digestion and thermal hydrolysis were most economical technology followed by Cell rupture$^{TM}$, OpenCEL$^{TM}$, MicroSludge$^{TM}$, and ultrasound. The cost for waste sludge disposal shares the biggest portion in the economic analysis, therefore, water content of the waste sludge was the most important factor to be controlled.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.513-519
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• 2019

Typically, contaminated sediments cause clogging of the drain pipe, which increases the residual water pressure in the drain pipe; this study constructed a system for improving drainage efficiency of tunnels by reducing physical and chemical obstructions through ultrasonic energy generated by a PVDF film. The developed hybrid drainage system utilized a PVDF material film fused with an existing drainage tunnel and maintenance system resulting in the ability to initialize the reverse piezoelectric effect, which was evaluated through an on site application. In order to investigate the maintenance performance of the tunnel drainage system, contaminated sediments were simulated in a drainage pipe to test the effect of ultrasonic conditions on drainage efficiency in the laboratory. As a result of applying the developed portable equipment, the ultrasonic energy was generated for about 20 minutes resulting in a reduction of 74.62% of the contaminated sediments and improving drainage efficiency. From the tunnel, acoustic pressure measurements were taken to calculate the response rate while taking into account the laboratory results. In addition, PVDF film was attached to the transverse and longitudinal side of the drainage pipes where contaminated sediments occur most often in the field tunnel. these calculations show contaminant removal was 90% effective.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.242-250
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• 2005

The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of 4-month milk consumption in the prevention of osteoporosis in elderly women living in Asan. Subjects included 277 women age over 65 years were divided into control (n=111) and milk (n=166) groups. For those in the milk group, one cup (200ml) of partially lactose-digested low-fat milk was provided everyday for 4 months. Each subject was interviewed to assess food intake by 24-h recall method before and after milk supplementation. Prevalence of osteoporosis was determined by WHO criteria with calcaneus bone mineral density (BMD) measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) on left heel. After 4 months, the nutrient intake levels of control did not change while intakes of energy, protein, calcium, phosphorous, riboflavin, pyridoxin, niacin and folic acid were significantly increased in milk group. No significant changes were observed in anthropometric, and BMD in both control and milk groups. T-score of milk group, however, was significantly increased after 4 month milk consumption. Prevalence of osteoporosis was increased (27% to 32%) in control group while that of milk group was decreased (32% to 30%). When BMD and t-score changes after 4 months of milk consumption were compared between those with low baseline calcium intake and high calcium intake subjects in the milk group, BMD and t-score were significantly improved in the low baseline calcium intake group. We conclude that one cup a day milk consumption for a relatively short period of 4 months can prevent further bone loss and significantly improve intakes of both macro and micro-nutrients of elderly women.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.963-972
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• 2014

In this study, ibuprofen(IBP) degradation by the photochemical ($UV/S_2O{_8}^{2-}$) and sonochemical ($US/S_2O{_8}^{2-}$) processes was examined under various parameters, such as UV ($10{\sim}40{\pm}5W/L$) and US ($50{\sim}90{\pm}5W/L$) power density, optimum dosage of persulfate ion ($S_2O{_8}^{2-}$), temperature ($20{\sim}60^{\circ}C$) and anions effect ($Cl^-$, $HCO_3{^-}$, $CO{_3}^{2-}$). The pseudo-first-order degradation rate constants were in the order of $10^{-1}$ to $10^{-5}min^{-1}$ depending on each processes. The synergistic effect of IBP degradation in $UV/S_2O{_8}^{2-}$ and $US/S_2O{_8}^{2-}$ processes could investigated, due to the generation of $SO_4{^-}$ radical. This result can confirm from the produced $H_2O_2$ and $SO{_4}^{2-}$ concentration in each processes. IBP degradation rate affected by the $S_2O{_8}^{2-}$ dosage, temperature, power and anion existence parameters. In particular, IBP degradation rate increased with the increase of the temperature ($60^{\circ}C$) and applied power density (UV:$40{\pm}5W/L$, US:$90{\pm}5W/L$). On the other hand, anions effect on the IBP degradation was negative, due to the anion play as a the scavenger of radical.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.184-190
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to compare the dietary habits, nutrient intake, bone mineral density(BMD) and bone metabolism in Korean male collegians as related to smoking situation. One hundred sixty one young adult males at the age of 20-26 participated in this study. The subjects were divided into four groups: non smoker(n=42), light smoker(n=34), moderate smoker(n=49) and heavy smoker(n=36). The anthropometric characteristics, smoking situations, dietary habits and nutrient intakes were observed. Bone status of the calcaneus was measured by using quantitative ultrasound(QUS). Bone metabolism markers including serum alkaline phosphatase activity(ALP) and N-mid osteocalcin(OC) were analyzed. There were no significant differences in height, weight, BMI, energy and calcium intake among the four groups. Iron intake of moderate and heavy smoker was significantly lower than that of light smoker. Heavy smokers consumed significantly lower vitamin C than moderate smokers, and their coffee consumption and lifetime alcohol consumption were significantly highest among the 4 groups. QUS parameters and serum ALP were not significantly different among the four groups. Serum OC levels were significantly lower in heavy and non smoker group compared to the moderate smoker group. In conclusion, heavy smokers in young male collegians had undesirable lifestyle and dietary habits, like as high consumption of coffee and alcohol, and low intake of Fe and vitamin C. Although, there was no significant difference in their current bone status from the other groups, these undesirable factors with heavy smoking may affect their bone health in the long term.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 2014

Photocatalytic hydrogen generation by water splitting ($H_2O_{(1)}{\rightarrow}H_2_{(g)}+1/2O_2_{(g)}$) has been studied on photocatalysts based on Zn, Cd, Fe and Cu, synthesized by coprecipitation. Iron and copper nanoparticles were incorporated as cocatalysts to enhance the photocatalytic activity of the ZnCd solid solution. The effect of the different synthesis parameters (temperature, elemental atomic ratios, amount of Cu and Fe incorporated in the catalyst and calcination temperature) on the photocatalytic production of hydrogen has been studied in order to determine the best experimental synthesis conditions. The catalysts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and BET. The experiments of photocatalytic water splitting were performed in aqueous solution of the photocatalysts previously dispersed in a soft ultrasound bath. The photocatalysts were irradiated under different lights ranging from 220 to 700 nm. The photocatalytic activity was found to be clearly dependent on the specific area of the photocatalyst.