• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2004

Various researches have been undertaken to develope a method of enhancing consolidation. This study investigated the effect of ultrasonic energy on consolidation through a series of laboratory experiments. The tests were conducted using a specially designed and fabricated equipment which can apply ultrasonic energy on a soil sample directly during a consolidometer test. Clay specimens were prepared from slurry using a centrifuge facility, and test conditions were varied depending on ultrasonic power and treatment time. The results of the study show that the effect of ultrasonic energy on consolidation is significant. The degree of significance varies with the test conditions. It could be concluded that the study showed potential application of ultrasound to reduce consolidation time.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.120-127
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• 2015

Background: We prospectively compared the response to blind and ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection of corticosteroids for treatment of shoulder stiffness. Methods: A total of 77 patients with shoulder stiffness between April 2008 and March 2012 were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive either a blind (group 1, n=39) or ultrasound-guided (group 2, n=38) glenohumeral injection of 40 mg triamcinolone. The clinical outcomes and shoulder range of motion (ROM) before injection, at 3, 6, and 12 months after injection and at the last follow-up were assessed. The same rehabilitation program was applied in both groups during the follow-up period. Results: There was no significant difference in demographic data on age, sex, ROM, and symptom duration before injection between groups (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in ROM including forward flexion, external rotation at the side, external rotation at $90^{\circ}$ abduction, and internal rotation, visual analogue scale for pain and functional outcomes including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder test between the two groups at any time point (p>0.05). Conclusions: Based on the current data, the result of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection was not superior to that of blind injection in the treatment of shoulder stiffness. We suggest that ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection could be performed according to the patient's compliance and the surgeon's preference. Once familiar with the non-imaging-guided glenohumeral injection, it is an efficient and reliable method for the experienced surgeon. Ultrasound could be performed according to the surgeon's preference.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.359-365
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the causes of bacterial growth to prevent infection caused by ultrasound gel and gel containers in contact with patients during ultrasonography. To investigate bacterial contamination during manufacturing or storage, we cultured ultrasound gels originally supplied from three manufacturers. To analyze bacterial growth according to the lapse of time and frequency of use of the ultrasound gel container, the gel and container were cultured at regular intervals every week for 4 weeks. In addition, to determine the source of infection, the examiner's hand was inspected with hand plate and the degree of bacterial contamination was measured before the test. As a result of the study, bacteria were not detected in the gel provided at the initial supply, and in the gel and gel container used repeatedly for 4 weeks, the same bacteria residing on the skin were identified in the examiner's hand, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Leuconostoc mesenteroid spp cremoris, Kocuria rhizophila, and etc. Separated strains were classified as those of the low- or non-pathogenicity; however, most of these strains may render fatal consequences to patients of lower level of immunity due to acquired tolerance to antibiotics. At week 1, when the number of tests was the highest, 44 colonies were identified, and at week 4, when the number of tests was the lowest, 4 colonies were identified. As r=0.994, it was found that the number of colonies increased as the number of tests increased. In conclusion, it was confirmed that the cause of the infection was not the ultrasound gel, but the examiner's hand. The ultrasound gel or gel container may be contaminated by skin flora of examiner's hands, which can cause opportunistic infection in patients with low immunity. The ultrasound gel or gel container may be contaminated by skin flora of examiner's hands, which can cause opportunistic infection in patients with low immunity. Therefore, it was confirmed that thorough hand disinfection was necessary to block healthcare-associated infections.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.639-647
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• 2022

This study analyzed the job characteristics of radiological technologists in charge of ultrasound examinations in the Yeongnam region. The measuring tool used in the study was a questionnaire, and the subjects were radiological technologists in charge of ultrasound examination at medical institutions located in the Yeongnam region from August 01 to November 30, 2021. In consideration of the COVID-19 situation, statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS/PC Ver 18.0 program using e-mail and SNS in a non-face-to-face manner with 158 questionnaires. As a result of analyzing the job characteristics of the radiological technologists in charge of ultrasound examination, the job satisfaction was 3.24±0.61. In the effect of job characteristic factors on job satisfaction, professional position, self-esteem, and trust relationship formation were found to be higher than the average of 3.0. However, as the dissatisfaction factor, compensation and appropriateness of work were cited. Therefore, in order to improve the job characteristics and satisfaction level of radiological technologists in charge of ultrasound examinations, it is necessary to do their best to improve the appropriate work environment of medical institutions and to continuously secure professionalism of radiological technologists in charge of ultrasound examinations.

• Carbon letters
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• v.22
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• pp.14-24
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• 2017

Carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-COOH) have been used as efficient adsorbents for the removal of picric acid from aqueous solutions under stirring and ultrasound conditions. Batch experiments were conducted to study the influence of the different parameters such as pH, amount of adsorbents, contact time and concentration of picric acid on the adsorption process. The kinetic data were fitted with pseudo-first order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion models. The kinetic studies were well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model for both methods. In addition, the adsorption isotherms of picric acid from aqueous solutions on the MWCNTs were investigated using six two-parameter models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, Halsey, Harkins-Jura, Fowler-Guggenheim), four three-parameter models (Redlich-Peterson, Khan, Radke-Prausnitz, and Toth), two four-parameter equations (Fritz-Schlunder and Baudu) and one five-parameter equation (Fritz-Schlunder). Three error analysis methods, correlation coefficient, chi-square test and average relative errors, were applied to determine the best fit isotherm. The error analysis showed that the models with more than two parameters better described the picric acid sorption data compared to the two-parameter models. In particular, the Baudu equation provided the best model for the picric acid sorption data for both methods.

• IE interfaces
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.394-402
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• 2008

The objective of this paper is to design segmentation algorithm for applying the breast ultrasound image to CAD(Computer Aided Diagnosis). This study is conducted after understanding limits, used algorithm and demands of CAD system by interviewing with a medical doctor and analyzing related works based on a general CAD framework that is consisted of five step-establishment of plan, analysis of needs, design, implementation and test & maintenance. Detection function of CAD is accomplished by Canny algorithm and arithmetic operations for segmentation. In addition to, long computing time is solved by extracting ROI (Region Of Interests) and applying segmentation technical methods based morphology algorithm. Overall course of study is conducted by verification of medical doctor. And validity and verification are satisfied by medical doctor's confirmation. Moreover, manual segmentation of related works, restrictions on the number of tumor and dependency of image resolution etc. was solved. This study is utilized as a support system aided doctors' subjective diagnosis even though a lot of future studies is needed for entire application of CAD system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.451-454
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• 2011

Hydro-Reactive metal Fuel (HRF) which has more fuel than general solid propellant reducing oxidizing agent is suitable for ultrahigh speed rocket motor in the water. However, burning rate of HRF has not been studied yet. Through the earlier studies, we established ultrasonics measurement system measuring burning rate of solid propellant as a function of pressure in a single test and verified its reliability. In this paper, we will measure burning rate of HRF using ultrasound with previous development measurement system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.176-188
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• 2002

Objective : Sono-acupoint (SA) therapy is a new therapeutic technique that combined with acupuncture points, herbal medicine and ultrasound therapy. This study was carried out to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of sono-acupoint therapy. Methods : We performed the tail-flick test with normal rats to examine the tail-flick latency (TFL), and the Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model to examine the edema, skin temperature and serum concentration of c-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor (RF). Herbal SA (HSA) treatment was performed at bilateral Zusanli (ST36) with the hanbang-gel made of several selected herbal drugs in Sprague-Dawley rats (male, $250{\pm}30g$). General SA (GSA) treatment was performed at bilateral Zusanli (ST36) with the gel used in ultrasound therapy. In arthritis rat model, Freund's adjuvant (50mg/ml) was injected in dorsal part of right foot, and these treatments were performed after 15 days. Results : TFL was lengthened after SA treatments. Skin temperature and RF concentration that were the evidence of arthritis in rats were decreased by HSA treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion : These results indicate that HSA has the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in rats, and further developments will produce the advance of this new therapeutic skill.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.143-150
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• 2004

In this paper, resonant ultrasound spectroscopy(RUS) was used to determine the natural frequency of a ceramic ferrule and a ball lens. The ceramic ferrules are cylinderical shape with $\phi$ 2.56mm diameter and l0mm in length. Crack lengths of these ferrules are 10.40$\mu$m, 21.18$\mu$m and 32.35$\mu$m. The spherical ball lens was made of BK-7 glass, one's diameter in 2mm and 5mm. RUS system is consisted of spectrum analyzer, power amplifier, PZT sensor and support frame. The principle of RUS is that the mechanical resonant frequency of the materials depends on density and the coefficient of elasticity. Rus system is based on that given resonant frequency of the materials can be represented by the function of density and the coefficient of elasticity, and it is applied to excite specimen and to inspect the difference of natural frequency pattern between acceptable specimen and defective ones. Defect evaluation by RUS are performed to investigate the natural frequency measure of ferrule and ball lens.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effective impact of self and resistive and ultrasound-biofeedback diaphragm breathing on the pulmonary function and diaphragm thickening ratio of young adults. METHODS: Thirty normal adults were assigned randomly to three experimental groups (self- diaphragm breathing (n=9), resistive-diaphragm breathing (n=11), ultrasound-biofeedback diaphragm breathing (n=10)). Each group participated for 15 minutes for times with a two minute rest between two sets. The subjects were assessed using the pre- and post- diaphragm thickening ratio and the pulmonary function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, maximal voluntary ventilation, and respiratory rate) on the thirty subjects. A paired t-test was to determine the difference between before and after the experiment in each group of diaphragm breathing before and after the exercises. One-way ANOVA was used to determine the differences between the groups. RESULTS: The forced vital capacity and maximal voluntary ventilation measurements revealed a significant difference in the resistive-diaphragm breathing group than the other two groups. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the self-diaphragm breathing and ultrasound-biofeedback breathing groups. CONCLUSION: The resistive-diaphragm breathing group showed greater improvement in the pulmonary function than the other two groups. Therefore, resistive-diaphragm breathing will improve the pulmonary function on normal young adults.