• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.975-984
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• 2022

Since a linear transducer has an area of interest equal to the length of the transducer, the area of interest can be expanded using the virtual convex function installed in the device.However, it was thought that the change in the direction of the ultrasonic sound velocity according to the change in the visual area of interest would affect the image quality, so this was objectively confirmed. For this study, image evaluation and SNR·CNR of the phantom for ultrasound quality control were measured. As a result, in the phantom image evaluation, both images were able to identify structures in functional resolution, grayscale, and dynamic range. However, it was confirmed that the standard image was excellent in the reproducibility of the size and shape of the structure. As a result of SNR·CNR evaluation, SNR·CNR of most trapezoidal images was low, except for structures at specific locations. In addition, through the statistical analysis graph, it was further confirmed that the SNR and CNR for each depth decreased as the size of the cystic structure decreased. Through this study, it was confirmed that the use of the function has the advantage of providing a wide visual area of interest, but it has an effect on the image quality. Therefore, when using the virtual convex function, it is judged that the examiner should use it in an appropriate situation and conduct various studies to acquire high-quality images and to improve the understanding and proficiency of the equipment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.435-441
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• 2018

In this study, we performed to design an image guiding algorithm to improve the efficiency and safety of treatment of varicose vein by focused ultrasound. The algorithm was suggested by different guiding images according to the location of varicose veins. In the case of deep-seated varicose veins, the target area was marked on the surface of the blood vessel in the obtained cross-sectional blood vessel ultrasound image. In the case of the superficial varicose vein, A guiding system based on image segmentation algorithm of the vascular region was suggested and designed two different algorithms according to varicose veins progression degree. as a results, the algorithm based on ultrasound image show a small error with $830{\mu}m$ at maximum. However, the algorithm based on charge coupled device image has a maximum error of 8.3 mm in some data. Therefore, it is expected that additional study is needed for superficial varicose vein image guiding algorithm, and it is expected that the accuracy of blood vessel tracking should be evaluated by constructing simple system.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.315-327
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• 2019

Back analysis has been used to evaluate the factor of safety and circular failure plane at the landfill failure site. However, the estimated circular failure plane by back analysis is quite different from what is observed in the field. Thus, this study was conducted to estimate an actual shear failure plane inside the ground which gives a more accurate failure plane. Cone penetration test (CPT), boring test, soft X-ray image scan, density logging, and ultrasonic logging were conducted at the field and laboratory. The result of CPT showed significantly lower cone resistance, pore pressure, and undrained shear strength at a particular part. This part is a possible shear failure plane inside the ground. To validate, the soft X-ray scan images were analyzed and found the disturbed (inclined) bedding plane induced by shear activity at the estimated shear failure plane. Density and ultrasonic logging tests also found a similar result. Thus, the method in this study is possible to estimate the shear failure plane inside the ground.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.143-153
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• 2021

The growth inhibition effects of M. aeruginosa were verified using large volume (7.2 L) of algae samples and ultrasonication (high frequency of 1.6 MHz vs. low frequency of 23 kHz) in lab-scale experiment. The chlorophyll-a (chl-a) and cell number decreased gradually after 6 hr sonication with high frequency of 1.6 MHz whereas both decreased sharply after 6 hr sonication with low frequency of 23 kHz. Additionally, the first order degradation coefficient (k) values after sonication were greater than those during sonication. These results indicate that relatively low sonication energy per volume may affect the cell membrane and internal organs of M. aeruginosa in a slow and retarded manner and resulted in gradual decrease of cell numbers of M. aeruginosa. Based on the comparison of chl-a and cell number of M. aeruginosa after sonication, low frequency of 23 kHz is superior for growth inhibition of M. aeruginosa, since low frequency of 23 kHz easily penetrates the cell membrane and ruptures the internal organs including gas vesicles. As is evident in SEM and TEM images, ruptured cell membranes were clearly observed for low frequency of 23 kHz. Finally, the microcystin-LR in water is not detected and considered to be harmless in aquaculture systems.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.44 no.4 s.316
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• pp.86-92
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• 2007

A discrete dynamic model for tracking feature points in 2D images is developed. Conventional snake approaches deform a contour to lock onto features of interest within an image by finding a minimum of its energy functional, composed of internal and external forces. The neighborhood around center snaxel is a space matrix, typically rectangular. The structure of the model proposed in this paper is a set of connected vertices. Energy model is designed for its local minima to comprise the set of alternative solutions available to active process. Block on tracking is one dimension, line type. Initial starting points are defined to the satisfaction of indent states, which is then automatically modified by an energy minimizing process. The track is influenced by curvature constraints, ascent/descent or upper/lower points. The advantages and effectiveness of this layer approach may also be applied to feature points tracking of digital image whose pixels have one directional properties with high autocorrelation between adjacent data lines, vertically or horizontally. The test image is the ultrasonic carotid artery image of human body, and we have verified its effect on intima/adventitia starting points tracking.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.217-228
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• 2016

The musculoskeletal system is mainly composed of the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, in addition to nerves and blood vessels. The greatest difficulty in an ultrasonographic freeze-frame created by the examiner is recognition of the targeted structures without indicators, since an elephant's trunk may not be easily distinguished from its leg. It is not difficult to find descriptive ultrasonographic terms used for educational purposes, which help in distinguishing features of these structures either in a normal or abnormal anatomic condition. However, the terms sometimes create confusion when describing common objects, for example, in Western countries, pears have a triangular shape, but in Asia they are round. Skilled experts in musculoskeletal ultrasound have tried to express certain distinguishing features of anatomic landmarks using terms taken from everyday objects which may be reminiscent of that particular feature. This pictorial review introduces known signature patterns of distinguishing features in musculoskeletal ultrasound in a normal or abnormal condition, and may stir the beginners' interest to play a treasure-hunt game among unfamiliar images within a boundless ocean.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.281-288
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• 2004

The hybrid composite material (Al/GFRP laminates) are applied to the fuselage and wing in a aircraft. Therefore, Al/GFRP laminates suffer from the cyclic bending moments. This study was to evaluate the effect of fiber stacking angle on the fatigue crack propagation and delamination behavior using the relationship between crack growth rate (da/dN) and stress intensity factor range (ΔK) in Al/GFRP laminates under cyclic bending moment. The variable delamination growth behavior in case of three different type of fiber orientations, i.e., [Al/O$_2$/Al], [Al/+45$_2$/Al] and [Al/90$_2$/Al] at the interface of Al layer and glass fiber layer was measured by ultrasonic C-scan images. As results of this study, It represent that the delamination shape should turns out to have more effective characteristics on the fiber stacking angle. The extension of the delamination zone in case of [Al/+45$_2$/Al] and [Al/90$_2$/Al] were not formed along the fatigue crack profile. The shape of delamination zone depend on fiber stacking angle and the variable type with the delamination contour decreased non-linearly toward the crack tip at the Al layer.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.68-71
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• 2006

Active thermography has been used for several years in the field of remote non-destructive testing. It provides thermal images for remote detection and imaging of damages. Also, it is based on propagation and reflection of thermal waves which are launched from the surface into the inspected component by absorption of modulated radiation. For energy deposition, it use external heat sources (e.g., halogen lamp or convective heating) or internal heat generation (e.g., microwaves, eddy current, or elastic wave). Among the external heat sources, the ultrasound is generally used for energy deposition because of defect selective heating up. The heat source generating a thermal wave is provided by the defect itself due to the attenuation of amplitude modulated ultrasound. A defect causes locally enhanced losses and consequently selective heating up. Therefore amplitude modulation of the injected ultrasonic wave turns a defect into a thermal wave transmitter whose signal is detected at the surface by thermal infrared camera. This way ultrasound thermography(UT) allows for selective defect detection which enhances the probability of defect detection in the presence of complicated intact structures. In this paper the applicability of UT for fast defect detection is described. Examples are presented showing the detection of defects in PCB material. Measurements are performed on various kinds of typical defects in PCB materials (both Cu metal and non-metal epoxy). The obtained thermal image reveals area of defect in row of thick epoxy material and PCB.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.571-571
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• 2012

We discovered the formation of C60 aggregates in solution by means of photoluminescence spectroscopic study on C60 in solutions. From the in-depth investigation of temperature dependence of the luminescence of C60 in toluene, benzene and CS2 solutions, we reported that the C60 aggregates are formed during cooling at the freezing temperature of these solvents. Furthermore, the C60 aggregates can be changed to stable structures by irradiating with UV pulse-laser (Nd:YAG laser, 355nm). As a consequence, we could obtain nano-scale photo-polymerized C60 clusters, which appear as round-shaped nano- scale particles in high resolution transmission electron-microscopy (HRTEM) images. However, the yield of the nano-scale C60 clusters obtained by this method is too small. So we designed and developed a system to obtain C60 cluster of macroscopic quantity by using ultrasonic nebulizer. In this system, C60 solution was vaporized to several micro-sized droplets in vacuum, resulting in the formation of C60 aggregates by evaporating solvent (toluene). The system was invented to produce nano-scale carbon clusters by the irradiation of UV light upon C60 aggregates in vacuum. We have characterized the products, C60 cluster, obtained from the system by using UV absorption spectra and HPLC spectra. Although the products have a possibility of inclusion various forms of C60 cluster, results support that the product formed from the system by using vaporizer method establishes a new method to obtain C60 cluster in macroscopic quantity. In the presentation, the details of the system and the results of characterization are reported.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.351-360
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• 2003

This study was carried out to settle the plugging problem which occurs frequently when agricultural wettable powder is used in pest control work using the crushing and the dispersing effects caused by irradiation of ultrasonic wave. Sonication was applied to the wettable powder suspension in a beaker for 30 seconds using a 28 kHz, 200 W PZT BLT, and the image of suspension before and after sonication was observed using a microscope and a SEM. The image of tow commercial wettable powder suspensions in water observed using an optics microscope showed that the agglomerated particles were irregularly distributed over the whole observed region when stirred mechanically, while showing more uniform distribution composed of comparatively single particles in the whole observed region after sonication. Concerning the above, the projected areas of particles in the four suspensions after sonication were decreased distinctively in the observed range of the microscope and the atomization of crystals was much developed. Over the measured range of 5.6∼4,157 ${\mu}$m particle size, the overall projected area of particles was decreased to 58.3∼89.6% on the average after sonication. When the SEM images of sonicated wettable powder suspensions dissolved in water and CH$_3$OH were compared to the suspensions before sonication, such phenomena as the atomization of particles, the expansion of voids between particles, the reduction and the decrease of agglomerated particle groups, and the progress of crack developments on the surface of flake-shaped particles were observed. It seemed possible that the plugging problem that occurs frequently in pest control machine when using wettable powder would be settled by the use of sonication.