• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.271-279
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• 2007

We suggest a novel method for the evaluation of cochlear implant (CI) speech processing strategy based on neural spike train decoding. From formant trajectories of input speech and auditory nerve responses responding to the electrical pulse trains generated from a specific CI speech processing strategy, optimal linear decoding filter was obtained, and used to estimate formant trajectory of incoming speech. Performance of a specific strategy is evaluated by comparing true and estimated formant trajectories. We compared a newly-developed strategy rooted from a closer mimicking of auditory periphery using nonlinear time-varying filter, with a conventional linear-filter-based strategy. It was shown that the formant trajectories could be estimated more exactly in the case of the nonlinear time-varying strategy. The superiority was more prominent when background noise level is high, and the spectral characteristic of the background noise was close to that of speech signals. This confirms the superiority observed from other evaluation methods, such as acoustic simulation and spectral analysis.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• 제11권10호
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• pp.5006-5022
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• 2017

Effect and robust detection of targets in infrared images has crucial meaning for many applications, such as infrared guidance, early warning, and video surveillance. However, it is not an easy task due to the special characteristics of the infrared images, in which the background clutters are severe and the targets are weak. The recent literature demonstrates that sparse representation can help handle the detection problem, however, the detection performance should be improved. To this end, in this text, a hybrid method based on local sparse representation and contrast is proposed, which can effectively and robustly detect the infrared targets. First, a residual image is calculated based on local sparse representation for the original image, in which the target can be effectively highlighted. Then, a local contrast based method is adopted to compute the target prediction image, in which the background clutters can be highly suppressed. Subsequently, the residual image and the target prediction image are combined together adaptively so as to accurately and robustly locate the targets. Based on a set of comprehensive experiments, our algorithm has demonstrated better performance than other existing alternatives.

• 대한전자공학회논문지SP
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• 제44권4호통권316호
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• pp.93-100
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• 2007

웨이브렛 변환에 근거하여 디지털영상으로부터 문자를 처리하는 새로운 접근법을 제시한다. 대상은 각필(刻筆)문자 영상이다. 각필문자에는 형성된 결상에 유사성이 존속하며 배경부분과 함께 서로 다른 준위의 다해상도 특성들로 분해된다는 점을 착안하였다. 우선 Daubechies 웨이브렛을 적용하여 영상을 부대역들로 분해한다. 저주파 부대역은 분할처리와 FCM근거 퍼지 군집분리 및 면적기반 영역처리기법을 적용하여 문자특성을 추출한다. 고주파 부대역들에는 이동창을 설정하고, 이동창의 국부 에너지를 추정하여 고주파 특성들을 활성화한다. 이들 특성들은 조합되어 역웨이브렛 과정을 통해 본래 영상 상태로 복원되고 배경부분이 배제된 문자를 추출한다. 실험 결과는 제안된 기법의 효과를 보이고 있다.

• 한국생물물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물물리학회 2003년도 정기총회 및 학술발표회
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• pp.39-39
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• 2003

In our previous study, WEHI-231, an immature B cell line, showed intractable increase in [C $a^{2+}$]$_{c}$ after the B-cell receptor (BCR) ligation and treatment with 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate (2-APB), which was never observed in Bal-17, a mature B cell line (Nam et al., 2003, FEBS Lett). In this study, a whole cell voltage clamp study revealed a specific expression of a novel type of $K^{+}$ current, namely voltage-independent background-type $K^{+}$ channels (IK-bg), in WEHI-231 cells. IK-bg was dramatically increase by the application of 2-APB (50 $\square$M), which induced severe hyperpolarization of WEHI-231 from -45 ㎷ to -90 ㎷, When dialyzed with $Mg^{2+}$ and ATP-free pipette solution, a spontaneous development of IK-bg and membrane hyperpolarization were observed. IK-bg was insensitive to classical $K^{+}$ channel blockers (TEA, glibenclamide, $Ba^{2+}$(1 mM)), whereas blocked by quinine and quinidine in a voltage-dependent manner ($IC_{50}$/=6~9 $\square$M at +60㎷). Phorbol myrstate, a PKC activator, decreased the amplitude of IK-bg. Extracellular acidification (pH 6.5) slightly inhibited IK-bg. Arachidonic acid, riluzole, or hyposmotic stress could not affect the IK-bg after the full development by the intracellular dialysis with Mg-ATP-free solution. In a cell-attached mode of single channel recording from WEHI231, we found two types of voltage-independent $K^{+}$ channels with unitary conductance of 300 pS and 120 pS, respectively. Both channels showed very short mean open times and their open probabilities were increase by the application of 2-APB. In Bal-17 cells, no such $K^{+}$ current was observed in 50 cells tested. In summary, WEHI-231 immature B cells express background $K^{+}$ channels. The pharmacological properties and the large unitary conductance suggest that novel types of two-pore domain $K^{+}$ channels (2-P-K channels) might be expressed in WEHI-231, which may provide an intriguing targets of signal transduction in the immature B lymphocytes.e B lymphocytes.

• 한국항행학회논문지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.48-56
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• 2006

본 논문에서는 복잡한 배경영상에서 움직이는 물체를 자동으로 추적하는 표적중심 추적기의 효과적인 전처리 방법을 제안하였다. 이진 표적중심 추적기의 성능은 다음과 같은 요소가 추적성능을 좌우한다: (1) 효과적인 실시간 전처리 방법 (2) 복잡한 배경영상에서의 정확한 표적 추출방법 (3) 지능적인 표적창 크기 조절법. 본 논문에서 제안하는 표적중심 추적기는 배경과 움직이는 표적을 좀 더 쉽게 판별할 수 있도록 추적필터를 이용한 효과적인 실시간 전처리 방법에 의한 적응적인 표적분할방법을 사용한다. 효과적인 전처리 방법이란 추적필터에 의해 추정된 표적중심을 중심으로 입력영상에 다른 가중치를 줌으로써 표적과 배경을 더 쉽게 분리할 수 있다. 제안한 방법은 합성영상 및 실제 적외선 영상을 이용한 다양한 추적실험을 통하여 그 효용성 및 성능을 검증하였다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.1247-1250
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• 2015

Background: Psoriasis, a common cutaneous disorder characterized by inflammation and abnormal epidermal proliferation with a prevalence of 2-3% in the general population, may be linked to certain types of cancer. Several studies have reported an association between interleukin 10 (IL-10) variant polymorphisms and inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis vulgaris although the results vary according to the population studied. No studies have been performed in the Saudi population. The present study concerned novel variants and other genetic polymorphisms of the promoter and exonic regions of the IL10 gene in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and potential differences in genotype compared to a group of healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and healthy controls with no personal or family history of psoriasis were selected from the central region of Saudi Arabia. Polymorphisms of the IL 10 gene of both groups were genotyped. Results: We observed two novel variants in 5'UTR region of the promoter precursor with higher prevalence of the genotype with both wild-type alleles in patients compared to the healthy control group. The differences at positions -377 and -150 were significantly associated with disease, both the variants conferred strong protection against psoriasis in Saudi patients. Conclusions: This observation provides further support for the importance of the part that IL10 plays in the pathophysiology of this disease. Confirmation of our findings in larger populations of different ethnicities would provide evidence for the role of IL-10 in psoriasis.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.171-178
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• 2024

Background: We developed a novel interlocking three-dimensional (3D) miniplate design with an adjustable configuration. As this device is new, surgeons must become familiar with its application. This study evaluated the usability and learning curves associated with the novel interlocking 3D miniplate for mandibular fracture fixation. Methods: The study participants, nine plastic surgeons, were asked to apply an interlocking 3D miniplate and a standard miniplate to polyurethane mandible models. The participants had completed the Basic Craniomaxillofacial Osteosynthesis course during residency and had operated on craniomaxillofacial fractures within the past 5 years. They were instructed to place the interlocking 3D miniplate three times and the standard miniplate once. We assessed the time required for implant placement, the comfort level of the surgeons, and the biomechanical stability of the plates. Biomechanical testing was conducted by subjecting the mandible to forces ranging from 10 to 90 N and the displacement was measured. Results: The results indicate increasing comfort with each attempt at placing the interlocking 3D miniplate, with a significant difference between the first and third attempts. Additionally, a reduction in application time was noted with repeated attempts, suggesting improved efficiency. Biomechanical tests showed comparable stability between the tested plates. Conclusion: Multiple attempts at applying the interlocking 3D miniplate resulted in increased comfort and reduced application time. These findings indicate that, despite its novelty, the interlocking 3D miniplate is relatively straightforward to apply and has a short learning curve. However, surgeons must have specific qualifications to ensure proper training and minimize errors during placement.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.293-300
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• 2017

Background Simulation training is becoming an increasingly important component of skills acquisition in surgical specialties, including Plastic Surgery. Non-living simulation models have an established place in Plastic Surgical microsurgery training, and support the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use. A more sophisticated version of the basic chicken thigh microsurgery model has been developed to include dissection of a type 1-muscle flap and is described and validated here. Methods A step-by-step dissection guide on how to perform the chicken thigh adductor profundus free muscle flap is demonstrated. Forty trainees performed the novel simulation muscle flap on the last day of a 5-day microsurgery course. Pre- and post-course microvascular anastomosis assessment, along with micro dissection and end product (anastomosis lapse index) assessment, demonstrated skills acquisition. Results The average time to dissect the flap by novice trainees was $82{\pm}24$ minutes, by core trainees $90{\pm}24$ minutes, and by higher trainees $64{\pm}21$ minutes (P=0.013). There was a statistically significant difference in the time to complete the anastomosis between the three levels of training (P=0.001) and there was a significant decrease in the time taken to perform the anastomosis following course completion (P<0.001). Anastomosis lapse index scores improved for all cohorts with post-test average anastomosis lapse index score of $3{\pm}1.4$ (P<0.001). Conclusions The novel chicken thigh adductor profundus free muscle flap model demonstrates face and construct validity for the introduction of the principles of free tissue transfer. The low cost, constant, and reproducible anatomy makes this simulation model a recommended addition to any microsurgical training curriculum.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.784-789
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• 2020

Background: The separation of isomeric compounds from a mixture is a recurring problem in chemistry and phytochemistry research. The purification of pharmacologically active ginsenoside Rb₃ from ginseng extracts is limited by the co-existence of its isomer Rb₂. The aim of the present study was to develop an enzymatic elimination-combined purification method to obtain pure Rb₃ from a mixture of isomers. Methods: To isolate Rb₃ from the isomeric mixture, a simple enzymatic selective elimination method was used. A ginsenoside-transforming glycoside hydrolase (Bgp2) was employed to selectively hydrolyze Rb₂ into ginsenoside Rd. Ginsenoside Rb₃ was then efficiently separated from the mixture using a traditional chromatographic method. Results: Chromatographic purification of Rb₃ was achieved using this novel enzymatic elimination-combined method, with 58.6-times higher yield and 13.1% less time than those of the traditional chromatographic method, with a lower minimum column length for purification. The novelty of this study was the use of a recombinant glycosidase for the selective elimination of the isomer. The isolated ginsenoside Rb₃ can be used in further pharmaceutical studies. Conclusions: Herein, we demonstrated a novel enzymatic elimination-combined purification method for the chromatographic purification of ginsenoside Rb₃. This method can also be applied to purify other isomeric glycoconjugates in mixtures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.304-309
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• 2022

Background Laminin 5, which is found in the basement membrane of dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ), is a major adhesive component and associated with proliferating and migrating keratinocytes. In this study, we hypothesized that the topical application of the skin care products containing the novel peptides might restore the DEJ structure by deriving deposition of laminin 5 and promoting the keratinocyte migration. Here, we evaluated the restoration of DEJ by measuring the skin thickness. Methods Single-center retrospective analysis was performed on a total of 13 patients who underwent skin care using Baume L.C.E. (France, Laboratories d' Anjou) between January and March 2021. All patients applied the skin care agent for 2 weeks only on their left hand dorsum. Before the initiation of the application and after 2 weeks, both their hands were evaluated on photography and ultrasound. And the patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with the questionnaire after 2 weeks. Results There was no obvious improvement in photographic assessment and questionnaire. The post-pre difference of skin thickness in ultrasound images was, in left hand, 0.1 ± 0.37 in distal point and 0.1 ± 0.35 in proximal point; and, in right hand, 0 ± 0.17 in distal point and 0 ± 0.15 in proximal point, respectively. The pre-post difference was statistically significant in proximal point (p = 0.035). Conclusion Topical application of novel peptide derivative comprising laminin 5 demonstrated cutaneous changes including skin thickness, as assessed by ultrasound. Further studies using other modalities including dermal density measurement, three-dimensional photography, optical coherence tomography, or skin biopsy would be helpful to determine the skin-improving effects.