• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.104-112
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• 1998

Purpose : To evaluate the clinical utility of diffusion-weighted imaging by analyzing the signal intersity of lesions in patients with various intracranial diseases. Materials and Methods : difusion-weighted MR imaging was prospectively perormed in randomly selected 70 patients with various intracranial idseases. They consisted of 20 patients with acute infarct, 21 patients with chronic infarct of small vessel disease, 14 patients with primary intracranial tumor, three patients with brain metastasis, five patient with brain abscess, five patients with brain abscess, five patients with cerebral hemorrhage, one patient with neurocysticercosis, and one patient with epidermoid cyst. the diffusion-weighted images were obtained immediately after routine T2-weighted imaging on a 1.5T MR unit using single shot spin echo EPI technique with 6500 ms TR, 107ms TE, $128{\times}128$ matrix, 1 number of excitation, $24{\times}24$ field of view, 5-7 mm slice thickness, 2-3 mm inter-slice gap. The diffusion-gradients (b value of ($1000s{\;}/{\;}textrm{mm}^2$)) were applied along three directions(x, y, z). On visual inspection of diffusion-weighted images, the signal intersity of lesions was arbitrarily graded as one of 5 grades. In quantitative assessment, we measured the signal intensity of all the lesions and the contralateral corresponding normal area using round region of interest(ROI), and then calculated the signal intensity ratio of the lesion to the normal brain parenchyma. Results : On visual inspection, markedly hyperintense signals were seen in all cases of acute infarct, brain abscess, epidermoid cyst, and neurocysticercosis in degenerating stage. In all cases of cerebral hematoma, the very high signal internsity was intermingled with low signal intensity. focal very high signal intersity was also seen in a solid portion of the tumor in a patient. the mean signal intensity ratios of all those lesions to the normal brain parenchyma were above 2.5. Gliosis, solid component of brain tumor, brain metastasis, and vasogenic dedma appeared isointense to the normal brain parenchyma in 71%, 64%, 100%, and 67%, respectively ; the mean signal intensity ratios of those lesions to the normal brain parenchyma ranged 1.15 to 1.28 and there was no significant difference among these(p>0.1). Cystic cerebromalacia and necrotic or cystic portions in tumor were markedly or slightly hypointense, and the mean signal intensity ratios were 0.45 and 0.42, respectively. Conclusion : Very high signal intensity of acute infarct, brain abscess, epidermoid cyst, and cystic neurocysticercosis in degenerating stage on diffusion-weighted images may be helpful in differentiating from other diseases that are hypointense or isointense to the normal brain parenchyma. It may be especially useful differentiation of brain abscess from brain tumor with necrotic or cystic portion.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.490-496
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• 1998

Purpose: We evaluated brain perfusion SPECT findings of MELAS syndrome and mitochondrial myopathy in correlation with MR imaging in search of specific imaging features. Materials and Methods: Subjects were five patients (four females and one male; age range, 1 to 25 year) who presented with repeated stroke-like episodes, seizures or developmental delay or asymptomatic but had elevated lactic acid in CSF and serum. Conventional non-contrast MR imaging and Tc-99m-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) brain perfusion SPECT were Performed and imaging features were analyzed. Results: MRI demonstrated increased T2 signal intensities in the affected areas of gray and white matters mainly in the parietal (4/5) and occipital lobes (4/5) and in the basal ganglia (1/5), which were not restricted to a specific vascular territory. SPECT demonstrated decreased perfusion in the corresponding regions of MRI lesions. In addition, there were perfusion defects in parietal (1 patient), temporal (2), and frontal (1) lobes and basal ganglia (1) and thalami (2). In a patient with mitochondrial myopathy who had normal MRI, decreased perfusion was noted in left parietal area and bilateral thalami. Conclusion: Tc-99m ECD SPECT imaging in patients with MELAS syndrome and mitochondrial myopathy showed hypoperfusion of parieto-occipital cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus and temporal cortex, which were not restricted to a specific vascular territory. There were no specific imaging features on SPECT. The significance of abnormal perfusion on SPECT without corresponding MR abnormalities needs to be evaluated further in larger number of patients.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.963-995
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• 2015

The effectiveness of the various control algorithms for semi-active structural control systems proposed in the literature is highly questionable when dealing with earthquake actions, which never reach a steady state. From this perspective, the paper summarizes the results of an experimental activity aimed to compare the effectiveness of four different semi-active control algorithms on a structural mock up representative of a class of structural systems particularly prone to seismic actions. The controlled structure is a near full scale 2-story steel frame, equipped with two semi-active bracing systems including two magnetorheological dampers designed and manufactured in Europe. A set of earthquake records has been applied at the base of the structure, by utilizing a shaking table facility. Experimental results are compared in terms of displacements, absolute accelerations and energy dissipation capability. A further analysis on the percentage incidence of undesired and/or unpredictable operations corresponding to each algorithm gives an insight on some factors affecting the reliability and, in turn, the real effectiveness of semi-active structural control systems.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.477-482
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• 2016

A uridine diphosphate-glucose:sterol glycosyltransferase-encoding gene was isolated and cloned from the established fosmid library of Micromonospora rhodorangea ATCC 27932 that usually produces the aminoglycoside antibiotic geneticin. The gene consists of 1,185 base pairs and encodes a 41.4 kDa protein, which was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). In silico analyses of the deduced gene product suggested that it is a member of the family 1 glycosyltransferases. The recombinant protein MrSGT was able to catalyze the transfer of a glucosyl moiety onto the C-3 hydroxy function in sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, and cholesterol), resulting in the corresponding steryl glucosides (β-sitosterol-3-O-β-ᴅ-glucoside, campesterol-3-O-β-ᴅ-glucoside, and cholesterol-3-O-β-ᴅ-glucoside). This enzyme prefers phytosterols to cholesterol, and also shows substrate flexibility to some extent, in that it could recognize a number of acceptor substrates.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartB
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• v.8B no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2001

In this paper, we propose an image registration method by optimization of mutual information to provide a significant infonnation from multimodality images. The method applies mutual infonnation to measure the statistical dependency'r information redundancy between the image intensities of corresponding pixels in both images, which is assumed to be maximal if the images are geometrically aligned. We show the registration results optimizing mutual information between brain MR image and brain CT image and the comparison results with additive gaussian noise. Since our method uses the native image rather than prior segmentation or feature extraction, no user interaction is required and the accuracy of registration is improved. In addition, it shows the robustness against the noise.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.24-29
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• 2022

One of the recent proposals with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a multi-bore NMR which consists of array of magnets which could present possibilities to quickly cope with pandemic virus by multiple inspection of virus samples. Low temperature superconductor (LTS) can be a candidate for mass production of the magnet due to its low price in fabrication as well as operation by applying the helium zero boil-off technology. However, training feature of LTS magnet still hinders the low cost operation due to multiple boil-offs during premature quenches. Thus in this paper, LTS magnet with low mechanical stress is designed targeting the "training-free" LTS magnet for mass production of magnet array for multi-bore NMR. A thorough process of an LTS magnet design is conducted, including the analyses as the followings: electromagnetics, mechanical stress, cryogenics, stability, and protection. The magnet specification was set to 4.7 T in a winding bore of 85 mm, corresponding to the MR frequency of 200 MHz. The stress level is tolerable with respect to the wire yield strength and epoxy crack where mechanical disturbance is less than the minimum quench energy.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 1999

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of functional MRI (fMRI) of visual cortex in patients with ischemic infarction in the occipital lobe. Materials and Methods : Four patients with the symptoms and signs of visual cortical ischemia were included. Functional MRI was performed by 2D-FLASH technique with the parameter of 90/56msec TR/TE, $40^{\circ}$ flip angle, $240{\times}240{\;}FOV,{\;}64{\times}128$ matrix number, 8.32 seconds acquisition time, 8mm slice thickness. An axial slice including both visual cortices was selected and alternative activation and resting of the visual cortex was performed using red color photostimulator. all patients undertook visual field test, and vascular abnormality was examined by MRA (n=4) and DSA (n=2). fMRI results were compared with the results of a visual field test, conventional MRI and cerebral angiography. Results : On fMRI, decreased activity of the visual cortex was found in the occipital lobe corresponding to stenosis of the posterior cerebral artery or its branch noted on angiogram. However, 2 of 4 patients showed no abnormal findings on conventional MRI. Visual field defect was noted in 3 patients, one and of whom showed no abnormality on conventional MRI and diffusion-weighted image, but revealed decreased activity in the corresponding visual cortex on fMRI. Conclusion : fMRI may be a sensitive method for detection of the status of decreased blood flow or vascular reserve which other methods can not.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.922-929
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• 2019

Objective: Mutations in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which encodes a critical protein for cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism in mammals, are involved in cardiometabolic diseases, such as familial hypercholesterolemia in pigs. Whereas microRNAs (miRNAs) can control LDLR regulation, their involvement in circulating cholesterol and lipid levels with respect to cardiometabolic diseases in pigs is unclear. We aimed to identify and analyze LDLR as a potential target gene of SSC-miR-20a. Methods: Bioinformatic analysis predicted that porcine LDLR is a target of SSC-miR-20a. Wild-type and mutant LDLR 3'-untranslated region (UTR) fragments were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into the pGL3-Control vector to construct pGL3 Control LDLR wild-3'-UTR and pGL3 Control LDLR mutant-3'-UTR recombinant plasmids, respectively. An miR-20a expression plasmid was constructed by inserting the porcine premiR-20a-coding sequence between the HindIII and BamHI sites in pMR-mCherry, and constructs were confirmed by sequencing. HEK293T cells were co-transfected with the miR-20a expression or pMR-mCherry control plasmids and constructs harboring the corresponding 3'-UTR, and relative luciferase activity was determined. The relative expression levels of miR-20a and LDLR mRNA and their correlation in terms of expression levels in porcine liver tissue were analyzed using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. Results: Gel electrophoresis and sequencing showed that target gene fragments were successfully cloned, and the three recombinant vectors were successfully constructed. Compared to pMR-mCherry, the miR-20a expression vector significantly inhibited wild-type LDLR3'-UTR-driven (p<0.01), but not mutant LDLR-3'-UTR-driven (p>0.05), luciferase reporter activity. Further, miR-20a and LDLR were expressed at relatively high levels in porcine liver tissues. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that porcine liver miR-20a and LDLR levels were significantly negatively correlated (r = -0.656, p<0.05). Conclusion: LDLR is a potential target of miR-20a, which might directly bind the LDLR 3'-UTR to post-transcriptionally inhibit expression. These results have implications in understanding the pathogenesis and progression of porcine cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of the HCI Society of Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2006

In this paper, we propose a novel method for 3D reconstruction of an indoor scene using a multi-view camera. Until now, numerous disparity estimation algorithms have been developed with their own pros and cons. Thus, we may be given various sorts of depth images. In this paper, we deal with the generation of a 3D surface using several 3D point clouds acquired from a generic multi-view camera. Firstly, a 3D point cloud is estimated based on spatio-temporal property of several 3D point clouds. Secondly, the evaluated 3D point clouds, acquired from two viewpoints, are projected onto the same image plane to find correspondences, and registration is conducted through minimizing errors. Finally, a surface is created by fine-tuning 3D coordinates of point clouds, acquired from several viewpoints. The proposed method reduces the computational complexity by searching for corresponding points in 2D image plane, and is carried out effectively even if the precision of 3D point cloud is relatively low by exploiting the correlation with the neighborhood. Furthermore, it is possible to reconstruct an indoor environment by depth and color images on several position by using the multi-view camera. The reconstructed model can be adopted for interaction with as well as navigation in a virtual environment, and Mediated Reality (MR) applications.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 1999

T$_1$/T$_2$ weighted images are being used to give the characteristic contrast among the various tissues and the norma;/abnormal tissues. Abnormalities in tissues, in general, accompany the biochemical changes and eventually structural ones in which results in the change in T$_1$ and T$_2$ relaxation times of water protons. It has been suggested that the mapping of T$_1$/T$_2$ values may serve as a possible tool for the quantitative evaluation of the degree of abnormality. On reconstructing T$_1$/T$_2$ maps(or any other MR parametric map), only corresponding variables are to be varied, such as TE for T$_2$, TI or TR for T$_1$ and b-factor for diffusion images. But often the receiver gain is taken for the optimal usage of A/D converter, so that the set of the image data has different receiver gain. It must be corrected before any attempt to reconstruct the maps. Here we developed method of correcting receiver gain variation effect, using the standard deviation of noise on individual image. The resultant T$_1$ and T$_2$ values were very comparable to the other reported values.