• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.404-413
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• 2023

In this research, we studied the development of a SUS304 microneedle array based on microfabrication technology and the applicability of Parylene-C thin film, a medical polymer material. First of all, four materials commonly used in the field of medical engineering (SUS304, Ti, PMMA, and PEEK) were selected and a 5 ㎛ Parylene-C thin film was deposited. The applicability of Parylene-C coating to each material was confirmed through SEM analysis, contact angle measurement, surface roughness(Ra) measurement, and adhesion test according to ASTM standards for each specimen. Parylene-C thin film was deposited based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and a 5 ㎛ Parylene-C deposition process was established through trial and error. Through characteristic experiments to confirm the applicability of Parylene-C, SUS304 material, which is the easiest to apply Parylene-C coating without pretreatment was selected to develop a microneedle array based on CNC micromachining technology. The CNC micromachining process was divided into a total of 5 steps, and a microneedle array consisting of 19 needles with an inner diameter of 200 ㎛, an outer diameter of 400 ㎛, and a height of 1.4 mm was designed and manufactured. Finally, a 5 ㎛ Parylene-C coated microneedle array was developed, which presented future research directions in the field of microneedle-based drug delivery systems.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.279-285
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• 2023

In order to predict the mechanical properties of ductile cast iron heat treated in an intercritical temperature range, samples machined from cast iron with a tensile strength of 450 MPa were heat-treated at various intercritical temperatures and air-cooled, after which a microstructural analysis and Brinell hardness test were conducted. As the heat treatment temperature was increased in the intercritical temperature range, the ferrite fraction in the ductile cast iron decreased and the pearlite fraction increased, whereas the nodularity and nodule count did not change considerably from the corresponding values in the as-cast condition. The Brinell hardness values of the heat-treated ductile cast iron increased gradually as the heat treatment temperature was increased. Based on the measured alloy composition, the fraction of each stable phase and the hardness model from the literature, the hardness of the ductile cast iron heat treated in the intercritical temperature range was calculated, showing values very similar to the measured hardness data. In order to check whether it is possible to predict the hardness of heat-treated ductile cast iron by using the phase fraction obtained from thermodynamic calculations, the volumes of graphite, ferrite, and austenite in the alloy were calculated for each temperature condition. Those volume fractions were then converted into areas of each phase for hardness prediction of the heat-treated ductile cast iron. The hardness values of the cast iron samples based on thermodynamic calculations and on the hardness prediction model were similar within an error range up to 27 compared to the measured hardness data.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.48-58
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• 2024

Objective: To quantify the effects of midline-related landmark identification on midline deviation measurements in posteroanterior (PA) cephalograms using a cascaded convolutional neural network (CNN). Methods: A total of 2,903 PA cephalogram images obtained from 9 university hospitals were divided into training, internal validation, and test sets (n = 2,150, 376, and 377). As the gold standard, 2 orthodontic professors marked the bilateral landmarks, including the frontozygomatic suture point and latero-orbitale (LO), and the midline landmarks, including the crista galli, anterior nasal spine (ANS), upper dental midpoint (UDM), lower dental midpoint (LDM), and menton (Me). For the test, Examiner-1 and Examiner-2 (3-year and 1-year orthodontic residents) and the Cascaded-CNN models marked the landmarks. After point-to-point errors of landmark identification, the successful detection rate (SDR) and distance and direction of the midline landmark deviation from the midsagittal line (ANS-mid, UDM-mid, LDM-mid, and Me-mid) were measured, and statistical analysis was performed. Results: The cascaded-CNN algorithm showed a clinically acceptable level of point-to-point error (1.26 mm vs. 1.57 mm in Examiner-1 and 1.75 mm in Examiner-2). The average SDR within the 2 mm range was 83.2%, with high accuracy at the LO (right, 96.9%; left, 97.1%), and UDM (96.9%). The absolute measurement errors were less than 1 mm for ANS-mid, UDM-mid, and LDM-mid compared with the gold standard. Conclusions: The cascaded-CNN model may be considered an effective tool for the auto-identification of midline landmarks and quantification of midline deviation in PA cephalograms of adult patients, regardless of variations in the image acquisition method.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.32-48
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• 2023

Autonomous driving technology is shaping the future of personalized travel, encouraging personalized travel, and traffic impact could be influenced by individualized travel behavior during the transition of driving entity from human to machine. In order to evaluate traffic impact, it is necessary to estimate the total number of trips based on an understanding of individual travel characteristics. The Activity-based model(ABM), which allows for the reflection of individual travel characteristics, deals with all travel sequences of an individual. Understanding the relationship between travel and travel must be important for assessing traffic impact using ABM. However, the ABM has a limitation in the data hunger model. It is difficult to adjust in the actual demand forecasting. Therefore, we utilized a Tour-based model that can explain the relationship between travels based on household travel survey data instead. After that, vehicle registration and population data were used for correction. The result showed that, compared to the KTDB one, the traffic generation exhibited a 13% increase in total trips and approximately 9% reduction in working trips, valid within an acceptable margin of error. As a result, it can be used as a generation correction method based on Tour, which can reflect individual travel characteristics, prior to building an activity-based model to predict demand due to the introduction of autonomous vehicles in terms of road operation, which is the ultimate goal of this study.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2007

The frequency response of a microphone, which indicates the frequency range that a microphone can output within the approved level, is one of the most significant standards used to measure the characteristics of a microphone. At present, conventional methods of measuring the frequency response are complicated and involve the use of expensive equipment. To complement the disadvantages, this paper suggests a new algorithm that can measure the frequency response of a microphone in a simple manner. The algorithm suggested in this paper generates the Optimized Aoshima's Time Stretched Pulse(OATSP) signal from a computer via a standard speaker and measures the impulse response of a microphone by convolution the inverse OATSP signal and the received by the microphone to be measured. Then, the frequency response of the microphone to be measured is calculated using the signals. The performance test for the algorithm suggested in the study was conducted through a comparative analysis of the frequency response data and the measures of frequency response of the microphone measured by the algorithm. It proved that the algorithm is suitable for measuring the frequency response of a microphone, and that despite a few errors they are all within the error tolerance.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.41-58
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• 2023

Objectives: This retrospective observational study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of Cheongpebaedok-tang, a traditional Korean herbal medicine, provided via telemedicine to patients with asymptomatic to mild COVID-19 in Korea. Methods: From February to April 2020, a retrospective analysis investigated COVID-19 patients treated via Korean telemedicine. The study involved asymptomatic to mild cases receiving Cheongpebaedok-tang more than three times, along with continuous Korean medicine care in convalescence. Diagnoses and treatment adhered to the telemedicine guidelines of the Association of Korean Medicine, with varied Cheongpebaedok-tang prescriptions based on symptom severity. Symptom evaluation involved a detailed assessment using a 15-item tool at initial and final sessions. Results: The study included 27 patients, with a mean age of 48.7 ± 2.3 years (mean ± standard error). Patients began self-administering oral Cheongpebaedok-tang for an average of 19.4 ± 1.8 days after the date of COVID-19 diagnosis confirmation and continued the medication for 15.8 ± 1.2 days. The reported side effects of the Cheongpebaedok-tang included palpitations (11.1%), insomnia (7.4%), dizziness (3.7%), and diarrhea (3.7%). All side effects disappeared after adjusting the prescription according to standard treatment guidelines. The occurrence of all COVID-19-related adverse symptoms, except fatigue and myalgia, decreased. Fatigue was the most common chronic symptom persisting after 6 months (51.9%), followed by ocular symptoms (37.0%) and sore throat (22.2%). Conclusions: This study implies Cheongpebaedok-tang may offer a potentially safe, symptom-alleviating approach for managing mild COVID-19 cases via telemedicine, although further comprehensive research is warranted.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.88-100
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• 2020

Objective: We aimed to develop and validate a deep learning system for fully automated segmentation of abdominal muscle and fat areas on computed tomography (CT) images. Materials and Methods: A fully convolutional network-based segmentation system was developed using a training dataset of 883 CT scans from 467 subjects. Axial CT images obtained at the inferior endplate level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra were used for the analysis. Manually drawn segmentation maps of the skeletal muscle, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat were created to serve as ground truth data. The performance of the fully convolutional network-based segmentation system was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient and cross-sectional area error, for both a separate internal validation dataset (426 CT scans from 308 subjects) and an external validation dataset (171 CT scans from 171 subjects from two outside hospitals). Results: The mean Dice similarity coefficients for muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat were high for both the internal (0.96, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively) and external (0.97, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively) validation datasets, while the mean cross-sectional area errors for muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat were low for both internal (2.1%, 3.8%, and 1.8%, respectively) and external (2.7%, 4.6%, and 2.3%, respectively) validation datasets. Conclusion: The fully convolutional network-based segmentation system exhibited high performance and accuracy in the automatic segmentation of abdominal muscle and fat on CT images.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to conduct a summative evaluation of the usability of a general-purpose ventilator to determine whether it can be used for its intended purpose in the intended environment by the intended user and to find possible errors in use. The importance of ventilators has increased due to the accelerated aging of the population and the impact of the pandemic. In addition, patients who require ventilators are often in critical condition, so even a small error in use can be fatal. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the ventilator has sufficient stability and can be used satisfactorily without inconvenience to the user. In this study, we conducted a usability test with 17 respiratory nurses with more than 3 years of experience using the ventilator. We analyzed the task success rate, satisfaction, and opinions of the intended users while going through a total of 17 scenarios. Satisfaction was captured through an ASQ questionnaire and subjective opinions were captured through a detailed opinion questionnaire. The results showed a high level of satisfaction with an average score of 6.3 for the use scenarios. Evaluators expressed satisfaction with the overall visibility and versatility of the features, but noted that improvements were needed for calibration tasks with low task success rates. As the calibration method is different from other equipment, it was suggested that specific explanations of the calibration method and the picture that appears when calibrating are needed, and that if relevant training is provided, the equipment can be used without problems. If the usability evaluation is not limited to securing efficiency and satisfaction from the intended users, but also continuously receives feedback from users to prepare for use in emergency environments such as pandemic situations, it will be very helpful to seize opportunities such as emergency authorization in future situations, and ultimately contribute to patient safety by reducing use errors.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.88-93
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• 2011

Purpose: As to analytical method of data, the AutoQUANT software in which it is used quantitative rating of the myocardial perfusion SPECT are reported that there is a difference. Therefore the measured value error of the mutual program is expected to be generated even if the quantitative analysis is made data of the same patient. The purpose of this study is to offer the comparative analysis of myocardial extract method in Quantitative Perfusion SPECT. Materials and methods: We analyzed the 51 patients who were examined by Tc-99m MIBI gated myocardial SPECT in nuclear medicine department of Pusan National University Hospital from June to December 2010(34 men, 17 women, mean age $66.5{\pm}9.9$). We acquired the extracted image in myocardial extract protocol. QPS program that uses the AutoQUANT software measured TID(Transient Ischemic Dilation), ESD(Extent of Stress Defect), SSS(Summed Stress Score). Then analyzed the results. Results: The correlation of appyling myocardial extract is TID(r=0.98), ESD(r=0.99), SSS(r=0.99). In the 95% confidence limit, there was no satistically significant difference(TID p=0.78, ESD p=0.31, SSS p=0.19). After blinding test with a physician for making a qualitative analysis, there was no difference. Conclusion: Quantitative indices in QPS program showed good correlation and the results showed no statistically signigicant difference. The variance between method was small. therefore, the functional parameters by each method can be used interchangeably. Also, we expect patient's satisfaction.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.441-453
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• 2014

Thermal and physical properties were measured on 206 Jurassic granite samples obtained from three boreholes in the central part of Korea. Thermal conductivity(${\lambda}$), thermal diffusivity(${\alpha}$), and specific heat(Cp) were measured in a laboratory; the average values are ${\lambda}$=2.813 W/mK, ${\alpha}=1.296mm^2/sec$, and Cp=0.816 J/gK, respectively. In addition, porosity(${\phi}$), and dry and saturated density(${\rho}$) were measured in the laboratory; the average values are ${\phi}$=0.01, ${\rho}(dry)=2.662g/cm^3$ and ${\rho}(saturated)=2.67g/cm^3$, respectively. Thermal diffusivity of 10 granite samples were measured with increasing temperature from $25^{\circ}C$ to $200^{\circ}C$. In this study, we found that thermal diffusivity at $200^{\circ}C$ is about 30% lower than thermal diffusivity at $25^{\circ}C$. In correlation analysis, thermal conductivity increases with increasing thermal diffusivity. However, thermal conductivity does not show good correlation with porosity and density. Consequently, we know that thermal conductivity of granite would be more influenced by mineral composition than by porosity. We also derived ${\rho}=-2.393{\times}{\phi}+2.705$ from density and porosity data. XRD and XRF analysis were performed to investigate effects of mineral and chemical composition on thermal conductivity. From those results, we found that thermal conductivity increases with increasing quartz and $SiO_2$, and decreases with increasing albite and $Al_2O_3$. Regression analysis using those mineral and chemical composition were carried out ; we found $K=0.0294V_{Quartz}+1.93$ for quartz, $K=0.237W_{SiO_2}-14.09$ for $SiO_2$, and $K=0.053W_{SiO_2}-0.476W_{Al_2O_3}+6.52$ for $SiO_2$ and $Al_2O_3$. Specific gravities were measured on 10 granite samples in the laboratory. The measured specific gravity depends on chemical compositions of granite. Therefore, specific gravity can be estimated by the felsic-mafic index(F) that is calculated from chemical composition. The estimated specific gravity ranges from 2.643 to 2.658. The average relative error between measured and estimated specific gravities is 0.677%.