• The KIPS Transactions:PartB
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• v.13B no.2 s.105
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• pp.77-82
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• 2006

Digital halftoning is the technique to obtain a bilevel-toned image from continuous-toned image. Among halftoning methods, the error diffusion method gives better subjective quality than other halftoning ones. But it also makes edges of objects blurred. To overcome the defect, we proposes the modified error diffusion to enhance the edges using the property that human vision perceives the local average luminance and doesn't perceive a little variation of the spatial variation. The proposed method computes a spatialactivity, which is the difference between a pixel luminance and the average of its $3{\times}3$ neighborhood pixels' Iuminance weighted according to the spatial positioning. The system also usesof edge enhancement (IEE), which is computed from the normalized spatial activitymultiplied by the average luminance. The IEE is added to the quantizer's input pixel and feeds into the halftoning quantizer. The quantizer produces the halftone image having the enhanced edge. The computer experimental results show that the proposed method produces clearer bilevel-toned images than conventional methodsand the edge of objects is preserved well. Also the performance of the preposed method is improved, compared with that of the conventional method by measuring the edge correlation and the local average accordance at some ranges of viewing distance.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2008

Three failure cases of CNG composite vessels were reported since after January 2005. The 1st and 2nd accidents were indebted to vessel defect and installation mistake. The 3rd was caused by gas leak at pipe connections. In this paper various aspects were studied based on information of the three failure analysis, which must be improved for better safety of the CNG bus system. Overpressure region caused by vessel explosion was theoretically predicted and also assessed by PHAST program. Explosion of 120 l vessel under 20 MPa is equivalent to 1.2 kg TNT explosion. The predicted value by PHAST was more serious than theoretical one. However, actual consequence of explosion was much less than both of the predicted consequences. Since the CNG vessel was designed by the performance based design methodology, it is difficult to verify whether the required process and tests were properly conducted or not after production. If material toughness is not enough, the vessel should be weak in brittle fracture at early in the morning of winter season since the metal temperature can be lower than the transition temperature. If autofrettage pressure is not correct, fatigue failure due to tensile stress during repeated charging is possible. One positive aspect is that fire did not ocurred after vessel failure. This may be indebted to fast diffusion of natural gas which hindered starting fire.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.64-68
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• 2013

Non destructive testing(NDT) methods of electrofusion(EF) joints of thermoplastics pipes are required for fusion joint safety and for the long term reliability of a pipe system. Electrofusion joints, which are joined at the proper fusion process and procedures, may encounter defects due to the difference of ovality between pipes and coupling, improper fusion process or porosity result from electrofusion joining. These defects can cause the failure of pipeline and by extension, they can be caused the limit to expand the use of plastics pipes. This paper studies inspection results using ultrasonic imaging method for damaged polyethylene electrofusion joints. Gas was leaking from 250mm diameter polyethylene electrofusion joints at February 2004 which was electrofused at December 1994 and operation pressure was 2.45kPa. First, surface inspection was conducted and then in order to find the types of defects examination using ultrasonic imaging method was performed. Lack of fusion and inappropriate inserting for polyethylene pipes into electrofusion coupling were found and causes of the gas leak were judged that misalignment and insert defect. Cutting inspection was performed and each inspection results were compared to. Results of ultrasonic imaging method and cutting inspection were the same.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.839-843
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• 2011

ZnO nanostructures were developed on a Si (100) substrate from powder mixture of ZnO and 5 mol% Pd (ZP-5) as reactants by ${\times}$ sccm oxygen pressures(x= 0, 10, 20, 40). DTA (differential thermal analysis) result shows the Pd(5 mol%)+ZnO mixtured powder(PZ-5) is easily evaporated than pure ZnO powder. The PZ-5 mixtured powder was characterized by DTA to determine the thermal decomposition which was found to be at $800^{\circ}C$, $1,100^{\circ}C$. Weight loss(%) and ICP (inductively coupled plasma) analysis reveal that Zn vaporization is decreased by increased oxygen pressures from the PZ-5 at $1,100^{\circ}C$ for 30 mins. Needle-like ZnO nanostructures array developed from 10 sccm oxygen pressure, was well aligned vertically on the Si substrate at $1,100^{\circ}C$ for 30 mins. The lengths of the Needle-like ZnO nanostructures is about 2 ${\mu}m$ with diameters of about 65 nm. The developed ZnO nanostructures exhibited growth direction along [001] with defect-free high crystallinity. It is considered that Zn vaporization is responsible for the growth of Needle-like ZnO nanostructures by controlling the oxygen pressures. The photoluminescence spectra of ZnO nanostructures exhibited stronger 376.7 nm NBE (near band-edge emission) peak and 529.3 nm DLE (deep level energy) peak.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.669-676
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• 2013

Demineralized bone particle (DBP) is a biomaterial used widely in the field of tissue engineering. In this study, in order to study the effect of DBP/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold on disc regeneration in vivo environment, we prepared the porous DBP/PLGA hybrid scaffold. Disc defect was induced by removing the nucleus pulposus tissue after incision the annulus fibrosus tissue in half and scaffolds were transplanted. After 1, 2 and 3 months later, the extracted discs were confirmed by collagen synthesis and glycosaminoglycan (sGAG). We conducted histology (H&E, Safranin-O, Alcian blue, Type I Collagen, Type II Collagen). From the results, it was confirmed that collagen and sGAG content were high in DBP/PLGA scaffold, and the regeneration of intervertebral disc was possible.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2007

Purpose: The venous flap is used as an alternative method to the standard free flap for the management of small and thin soft tissue defects. Especially, the venous flap has advantages of being thin, easy harvest and various donor sites, as well as it having lower morbidity. Yet their clinical applications have been limited by their unstable postoperative course and also by their complications such as partial necrosis. The aim of this study is to extend the clinical indications of venous flaps with using various methods. Methods: From May 2005 to March 2006, total of 19 patients(21 cases) underwent various venous flaps for soft tissue defects as a result of trauma(15 cases), facial skin cancer(3 cases), chronic ulcer(1 case) and surgical wound for congenital anomaly(2 cases). The arterialized venous free flap were applied in 18 cases, the pure venous free flap was applied in 1 case and the pure venous pedicled flap were applied in 2 cases. Among them, two flow-through arterialized venous free flaps were applied that used the great saphenous vein to reconstructed major arteries as well as the injured skin and soft tissues in the arm. All the flap were harvested from the volar wrist(11 cases), dorsum of foot(5 cases), thenar(2 cases), and medial thigh(3 cases). Results: The sizes of the flap ranged from $0.75cm^2$ to $264cm^2$(mean size: $40.06cm^2$). The follow-up period ranged from two to twelve months. In the majority of cases, we obtained satisfying results, which was the excellent reconstruction of skin and soft tissue defects and especially in the case of limb salvage, replantation and cancer reconstruction. However, there were 5 cases of partial necrosis and 2 cases of complete failure. The donor sites were closed primarily in 7 cases and wound closure with skin graft were in 14 cases. Conclusion: We conclude that the venous flap will not only be useful for reconstruction of small defect in the hand and foot, but also be useful for various other clinical indications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.627-635
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• 2011

Purpose: Advanced breast cancer traditionally has been perceived as a contraindication to immediate breast reconstruction, because of concerns regarding adjuvant treatment delays and the cosmetic effects of radiotherapy to breast reconstruction, so delayed reconstruction is usually preferred in advanced breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy. However, with the improved outcome using multimodality therapy, consisting of perioperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy, immediate breast reconstruction is now being performed as surgical option for selected advanced breast cancer patients. Additionally, advanced breast cancer patients may be needed soft tissue coverage of an extensive skin and soft tussue defect after mastectomy. Current authors have experienced several types of immediate breast and chest wall reconstruction for advanced breast cancer. Methods: From December of 2007 to June of 2009, 14 women performed for immediate breast and chest wall reconstruction for advanced breast cancer. They had been treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy followed by modified radical mastectomy or radical mastectomy. Four different techniques were used immediate breast and chest wall reconstruction, which are pedicled TRAM flap (4 cases), extended LD flap with STSG (3 cases), thoracoabdominal flap (4 cases) and thoracoepigastric flap (3 cases). Results: The mean age was 53 years and mean follow up period was 9 months. Patients' oncologic status ranged stage IIIa to stage IV. Two patients had major complications: partial flap necrosis of TRAM flap and one distal necrosis of thoracoabdominal flap. Three patients with stage IV disease died from metastases. Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that immediate breast and chest wall reconstruction can be considered as surgical option for advanced breast cancer. But we need long term follow up and large prospective studies for recurrence and survival.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.396-399
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• 2010

Purpose: In hand injury, pedicle is usually damaged by avulsion injury or crushing injury. Because of postoperative pedicle obliteration, it is often hard to save the injured hand and fingers, even after successful replantation. The author introduces three cases of extensive hand injury, and successful results after applicatoin of multiple venous grafts to these patients. Methods: In all cases there was no circulation in any finger. In the first case, some vessels were extracted, so venous graft was applied to two sites of severely damaged venous sites. In the second case, venous grafts were applied to all four digital arteries of all fingers except thumb which got severely crushed, and two sites of dorsal veins. In the third case, venous graft was applied to all four digital arteries of all five fingers, and two sites of dorsal veins and palmar veins each. Results: In all cases, survival of hands and fingers was successful. In the second case, however, amputation in thumb and little finger at DIP joint level was inevitable, because of its severe damage, and the large dorsal defect on index finger was filled with DIEP free flap. Thumb was reconstructed with toe-to-thumb free flap, and additional debulking procedures and contracture release is furtherly needed. In the first case, additional surgery was done, as FDP tendon got re-ruptured, but in long term follow-up, satisfactory range of motion was attained. In the third case, FTSG on dorsal skin region was planned. as flap on dorsal area got partial necrosis. Conclusion: In hand injury, there are many structures to be repaired, but sometimes venous graft is avoided for its long operating time. Even though the length of damaged vessel is enough for anastomosis, the endothelium is often damaged (zone of injury). In extensive hand injury, successful reconstruction would be possible with active venous graft to all vessels suspicious for damage.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.340-345
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently, bioceramics have become popular as a substitute graft material for reconstruction of bony defect after trauma or tumor surgery. Among the bioceramic materials, hydroxyapatite (HA) is favored due to its biocompatibility. HA scaffold is composed of the interconnected reticular framework, macropores and micropores. Macropores play an important role in cell migration, nutrients supply and vascular ingrowth. On the other hand, a number of micropores less than $10{\mu}m$ form an irregular surface on HA scaffolds, which prevents the osteoblast from adhering and proliferating on the surface of HA scaffold. Methods: In this study, three different groups were designed for comparison. In the first group (group A), conventional method was used, in which HA pellet was applied without surface pretreatment. The second group (group B) was given a HA pellet that has been coated with crystalline HA solution prior to application. In the third group (group C), the same method was used as the second group, where the pretreated HA pellet was heated ($1250^{\circ}C$, 1 hour) before application. Osteoblast-like cells ($2{\times}10^4$/mL) were scattered onto every pellet, then they were incubated in 5% $CO_2$ incubator at $37^{\circ}C$ for twelve days. During the first three days, osteoblast cells were counted using the hemocytometer daily. ALP activity was measured on the 3, 6, 9 and 12 culture days using the spectrophotometer. Results: Under SEM, group A showed a surface with numerous micropores, and group B revealed more rough crystal surface. Group C revealed a fused crystal appearance and flattened smooth surface. In proliferation and ALP activity of osteoblast cells, group C showed better results compared to group B. Group A which lacks pretreatment of the surface showed less osteoblast proliferation and ALP activity than group C, but showed better results than group B. Conclusion: We found that crystallized HA with heat treatment method enhances the osteoblasts proliferation and differentiation on the surface of HA pellets.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.583-590
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• 2009

Purpose: In the cases of a vascular compromised condition in an injured lower extremity, soft tissue coverage with free tissue transfer presents a challenging problem to the reconstructive surgeon. For this reason, cross - leg flaps are still used in unusual circumstances. Advances in surgical technique has made the cross - leg free flap possible although it may require long operation time along with significant donor site morbidity. Therefore, a pedicled cross - leg muscle flap may be an alternative treatment modality when local flap or free flap is not possible. Methods: Twelve patients(9 males and 3 females) underwent the operation between October of 2001 and December of 2008. The patients' age ranged from 6 to 82 years. The unusual defects included the regions such as the knee, popliteal fossa, distal third of the tibia, dorsal foot, and the heel. Indications for the cross - leg gastrocnemius flap are inadequate recipient vessels for free flap(in eight cases), extensive soft tissue injuries(in three cases) and free flap failure(in one case). The muscle flap was elevated from contralateral leg and transferred to the soft tissue defect on the lower leg while both legs were immobilized with two connected external fixator systems. Delay procedure was performed 2 weeks postoperatively, and detachment was done after the establishment of the adequate circulation. The average period from the initial flap surgery to detachment was 32 days (3 to 6 weeks). Mean follow - up period was 4 years. Results: Stable coverage was achieved in all twelve patients without any flap complications. Donor site had minimal scarring without any functional and cosmetic problems. No severe complications such as deep vein thrombosis or flap necrosis were noted although mild to moderate contracture of the knee and ankle joint developed due to external fixation requiring 3 to 4 weeks of physical treatment. All patients were able to walk without crutches 3 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Although pedicled cross - leg flaps may not substitute free flap surgery, it may be an alternative method of treatment when free flap is not feasible. Using this modification of the gastrocnemius flap we managed to close successfully soft tissue defects in twelve patients without using free tissue transfers.