• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 2008

For B-mode ultrasound images, we propose an image enhancement algorithm based on a multi-resolution approach, which consists of edge enhancing and noise reducing procedures. Edge enhancement processing is applied sequentially to coarse-to-fine resolution images obtained from wavelet-transformed data. In each resolution, the structural features of each pixel are examined through eigen analysis. Then, if a pixel belongs to an edge region, we perform two-step filtering: that is, directional smoothing is conducted along the tangential direction of the edge to improve continuity and directional sharpening is conducted along the normal direction to enhance the contrast. In addition, speckle noise is alleviated by proper attenuation of the wavelet coefficients of the homogeneous regions at each band. This region-based speckle-reduction scheme is differentiated from other methods that are based on the magnitude statistics of the wavelet coefficients. The proposed algorithm enhances edges regardless of changes in the resolution of an image, and the algorithm efficiently reduces speckle noise without affecting the sharpness of the edge. Hence, compared with existing algorithms, the proposed algorithm considerably improves the subjective image quality without providing any noticeable artifacts.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.5 s.133
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• pp.21-28
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• 2005

For the proper conservation of wooden cultural properties, non-destructive evaluation (NDE) method, which can be used to quantitatively evaluate the internal state of wood members, are needed. In this study, an ultrasonic CT system composed of portable devices was attempted, and the capacity of this system was verified by reconstructing the CT images for two phantoms and two artificially defected specimens. Results from this study showed that the sizes of detected defects were enlarged and the shapes were distorted on the CT images. Also, the positions were shifted somewhat toward the surface of specimen, which is regarded due to the anisotropic property of wood. Compared to the filtered back-projection method, SIRT (simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique) method was determined to be more efficient as the algorithm of image reconstruction for wood. A new ultrasonic CT system is thought to be used as a NDE method for wood. However wood characteristics and wave diffraction within wood made it difficult to accurately evaluate the size, shape and position of defects. To improve the quality of CT image of wood, more research including the relationship between wood and ultrasound is needed, and wood properties should be taken into consideration on the image reconstruction algorithm.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.284-293
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• 2022

After extracting the calcium component from the KR slag and the converter slag using ammonium chloride solution, the extract was reacted with carbon dioxide to synthesize precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC). In order to understand the effect of ultrasonic waves on calcium extraction from slags and calcium carbonate synthesis, the efficiency of calcium carbonate synthesis according to the with or without of ultrasonic waves was analyzed. The synthetic efficiency of PCC was investigated according to various experimental conditions, and the synthesized calcium carbonate was analyzed using XRD and SEM. In both slags, the amount of PCC decreased as the reaction temperature increased. The pH at the end of the experiment capable of synthesizing the maximum PCC in the carbonation reaction was 7 (irradiated with ultrasound) and 8 (irradiated without ultrasound), respectively. Because the pH of the extraction filtrate is different when irradiated with or without ultrasound, the pH was adjusted to 9 by injecting an additive (10 M NaOH) before the carbonation experiment, and then the experiment was performed. When calcium was extracted from KR slag, the crystal phase appeared as calcite regardless of the pH at the end of the experiment. However, when calcium was extracted from the converter slag and the pH was set to 7 at the end of the experiment, the crystal phase of PCC appeared as a mixture of calcite and vaterite.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.331-336
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• 2012

This study was conducted to estimate genetic parameters for ultrasound and carcass traits in Hanwoo. Heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated for carcass and ultrasound measurements collected from Hanwoo cows (n=312) born at Hanwoo experiment station. Traits evaluated were eye muscle area (EMA), backfat thickness (BF), marbling score (MS) from carcass, and ultrasound eye muscle area (UEMA), ultrasound backfat (UBF), and ultrasound marbling score (UMS). Parameters were estimated using multi-trait animal models byderivative-free restricted maximum likelihood procedures. Estimated heritabilities for UBF, UEMA and UMS were 0.43, 0.23 and 0.32, while heritabilities for BF, EMA and MS were 0.33, 0.13 and 0.33 in fattened cows, respectively. Genetic correlations between ultrasound and carcass measurements were estimated to -0.19, -0.61, and -0.36 for UBF: UEMA, UBF: UMS, and UEMA: UMS in fattened cows, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between ultrasound and carcass measurements were 0.03, 0.13 and 0.26 for UBF: UEMA, UBF: UMS, and UEMA: UMS in fattened cows, respectively. As for the steer, genetic correlations between ultrasound and carcass measurements were 0.36, -0.80 and 0.27 for UBF: UEMA, UBF: UMS, and UEMA: UMS in steers, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between ultrasound and carcass measurements were 0.13, 0.07 and 0.41 for UBF: UEMA, UBF: UMS, and UEMA: UMS in steers, respectively. In conclusion, this finding would be very useful to implement into Hanwoo breeding program.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.607-611
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• 1999

Carrageenan are sulfated polymers containing galactose and anhydrogalctose units, and is used for its gelling, thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, and suspending properties. However, carrageenan is limited to use beyond $0.03\%$ as food additives because of its high degree of gelling and viscosity with low solubility. The use of ultrasound significantly reduced the viscosity of $\lambda$-carrageenan solutions. The optimal parameters of ultrasound for reduction of carrageenan molecular weight were temperature, $10^{\circ}C$ ultrasound intensity, 114.7 $W/cm^2$ ; carrageenan concentration, $2\%$; treatment time, 10 min. The molecular weights of control, ultrasound peak 1, and peak 2 were approximately 250,000, 184,000, and 67,000 daltons, respectively. The lower molecular weight of $\lambda$-carrageenan showed the higher solubility, the lower alcohol precipitation ratio and the lower emulsifying capacity. Browning degree of both control and lower molecular $\lambda$-carrageenans was not significantly different.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2015

This research was study the accuracy of three-dimensional stereotactic breast biopsy, using a core Needle Biopsy and to assess the accuracy of Stereotactic biopsy and Sono guided biopsy. Using Stereotactic QC phantom to measure the accuracy of the 3D sterotactic machine. CT Scan and equipment obtained in the measured X, Y, Z and compares the accuracy of the length. Using Agar power phantom compare the accuracy of the 3D sterotactic machine and 2D ultrasound machine. Z axis measured by the equipment to compare the accuracy and reliability. Check the accuracy by using visual inspection and Specimen Medical application phantom. The accuracy of the 3D sterotactic machine measured by Stereotactic QC phantom was 100%. Accuracy as compared to CT, all of X, Y, Z axis is p > 0.05. The accuracy of the two devices was 100% as measured by Agar powder phantom. There was no difference between t he t wo d evices as C T and p > 0.05. 3D sterotactic machine of the ICC was 0.954, 2D ultrasound machine was 0.785. 2D ultrasound machine was different according to the inspector. Medical application phantom experiments in 3D sterotactic machine could not find the Sliced boneless ham. 2D ultrasound machine has not been able to find a small chalk powder group. The reproducibility of the three-dimensional stereotactic breast biopsy was better than effect of Sono guided biopsy.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.328-333
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• 2012

A simple, convenient and practical green synthetic protocol for sodium bisulfite catalyzed multicomponent reaction of ethyl acetoacetate, hydrazine hydrate, malononitrile, and various aldehydes for the synthesis of 6-amino-4-phenyl-3-methyl-2,4-ihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles using ultrasound irradiations in solvent free condition. This method provides the advantage of operational simplicity, shorter reaction time and excellent yields making the protocol environment friendly and economically lucrative.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.327-334
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• 2003

This study was carried out to make early prediction of carcass yield grade. Sixty six Hanwoo steers were measured for back fat thickness, longissimus muscle area and body weight at 18, 21 and 24 months of age by ultrasound. Carcass evaluation was done after ultrasound measurement at 24 month of age. Ultrasonic yield grade at 18, 21 and 24 month of age were predicted by regression and decision tree methods. Classifying by carcass yield grade, ultrasonic back fat thickness at 18, 21 and 24 months of age was significantly different in each carcass yield grade (p<0.05). The prediction accuracy of carcass yield grade by regression method was 78.8% at 18 months, 86.4% at 21 months and 90.9% at 24 months of age. By using the decision tree method for carcass yield grade, 78.8%, 89.4% and 89.4% of prediction accuracy were obtained at 18, 21 and 24 months of age, respectively.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.202-207
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• 2010

The effects of ultrasound treatment, in combination with ascorbic acid, on the quality of fresh-cut 'Jonathan' apples was investigated. Prepared apple slices were ultrasonicated in distilled water (US) or in 1%(w/v) ascorbic acid solution (UA) and the other samples were just dipped in 1%(w/v) ascorbic acid solution (AA). All samples were stored at$10^{\circ}C$ for 12 days. UA-treated samples showed high $L^{*}$ and hue values and low $a^{*}$, $b^{*}$, chroma, and ${\Delta}E$ value. Both control and US-treated samples showed considerable browning. A significant inhibition of polyphenol oxidase activity was observed after UA treatment. The level of total phenolics in UA-treated samples was higher on the day of treatment compared with other samples. Total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and gas concentrations were similar in all samples. This study demonstrated that the simultaneous treatment of ultrasound and ascorbic acid was effective in preventing enzymatic browning of fresh-cut 'Jonathan' apples and maintaining total phenolics contents.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.13
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• 2021

Background: Multifidus muscle stiffness decreases in patients with lumbar intervertebral disk herniation; however, age-related changes in humans have not been reported. Objectives: The reliability of ultrasound shear wave elastography in dogs, and changes in the shear elastic modulus of the thoracolumbar multifidus muscle with aging in dogs, were investigated. Methods: Twelve beagle dogs were divided into 2 groups based on the age of onset of intervertebral disk herniation: young (aged not exceeding 2 years; 1.3 ± 0.6 years old, n = 5) and adult (4.9 ± 1.2 years old, n = 7). The shear elastic modulus of the multifidus muscle, from the thirteenth thoracic spine to the fourth lumbar spine, was measured using ultrasound shear wave elastography. The length, cross-sectional area and muscle to fat ratio of the multifidus muscle, and the grade of intervertebral disk degeneration, were assessed using radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Results: The length and cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle increased caudally. In the young group, the shear elastic modulus of the multifidus muscle of the thirteenth thoracic spine was less than that of the third lumbar spine. In the adult group, the shear elastic modulus of the multifidus muscle of first and third lumbar spine was lower than that of the same site in the young group. Conclusions: Ultrasound can be used to measure shear wave elastography of the thoracolumbar multifidus in dogs. If the multifidus muscle stiffness decreases, we should consider age-related change.