• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.1267-1285
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• 2012

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) deal with variety of healthcare services with diverse Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. However, QoS handling is a challenging problem in such networks. In general, QoS related problems can be addressed from different layers in the networking protocol suite. Design of an efficient QoS aware Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol can address this problem in MAC layer. This paper analyzes the QoS requirements of WBAN, identifies the requisites of QoS handling system, and outlines the trends that are being followed for its advancement with focus on QoS issues at MAC layer. We review some prior works, compare them, and analyze the current research concerned with problem of providing QoS in WBAN. We also explore some open issues and discuss them.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.9-15
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• 2011

U-healthcare system has an aim to provide reliable and fast medical services for patient regardless of time and space by transmitting to doctors a large quantity of vital signs collected from sensor networks. Existing u-healthcare systems can merely monitoring patients' health status. In this paper, we describe the implementation and validation of a prototype of a u-health monitoring system based on a wireless sensor network. This system is easy to derive physiologically meaningful results by analyzing rapidly vital signs. The monitoring system sends only the abnormal data of examinee to the service provider. This technique can reduces the wireless data packet overload between a monitoring part and service provider. The real-time bio-signal monitoring system makes possible to implement u-health services and improving efficiency of medical services.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2022

Objectives: Access to maternal and neonatal care services (MNCS) is an important goal of health policy in developing countries. In this study, we proposed a 3-level hierarchical location-allocation model to maximize the coverage of MNCS providers in Iran. Methods: First, the necessary criteria for designing an MNCS network were explored. Birth data, including gestational age and birth weight, were collected from the data bank of the Iranian Maternal and Neonatal Network national registry based on 3 service levels (I, II, and III). Vehicular travel times between the points of demand and MNCS providers were considered. Alternative MNCS were mapped in some cities to reduce access difficulties. Results: It was found that 130, 121, and 86 MNCS providers were needed to respond to level I, II, and III demands, respectively, in 373 cities. Service level III was not available in 39 cities within the determined travel time, which led to an increased average travel time of 173 minutes to the nearest MNCS provider. Conclusions: This study revealed inequalities in the distribution of MNCS providers. Management of the distribution of MNCS providers can be used to enhance spatial access to health services and reduce the risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity. This method may provide a sustainable healthcare solution at the policy and decision-making level for regional, or even universal, healthcare networks.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.86-97
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• 2024

With the advancement of quantum computers and increasing importance of cybersecurity, quantum cryptography has become an essential technology in quantum world. The success of ground-to-satellite quantum communication in the range of 4,600 km has been reported, and intercountry quantum cryptography connecting the UK and Ireland has been demonstrated. In the European Union, OpenQKD has established 18 testbeds for quantum communication in 12 countries. Through the progress from experimental to pilot networks, quantum cryptography testbeds have begun to provide networks for commercial services, such as finance, healthcare, and government administration. Similarly, the Republic of Korea launched a quantum communication testbed project to accelerate the development of quantum communication devices and materials. The project also aims to support the relevant companies and services in the verification and certification of security functionalities operated by the National Intelligence Service. We review the status of quantum communication testbeds in 16 countries.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.2060-2077
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• 2019

Recently, mobile healthcare services have attracted significant attention because of the emerging development and supply of diverse wearable devices. Smartwatches and health bands are the most common type of mobile-based wearable devices and their market size is increasing considerably. However, simple value comparisons based on accumulated data have revealed certain problems, such as the standardized nature of health management and the lack of personalized health management service models. The convergence of information technology (IT) and biotechnology (BT) has shifted the medical paradigm from continuous health management and disease prevention to the development of a system that can be used to provide ground-based medical services regardless of the user's location. Moreover, the IT-BT convergence has necessitated the development of lifestyle improvement models and services that utilize big data analysis and machine learning to provide mobile healthcare-based personal health management and disease prevention information. Users' health data, which are specific as they change over time, are collected by different means according to the users' lifestyle and surrounding circumstances. In this paper, we propose a prediction model of user physical activity that uses data characteristics-based long short-term memory (DC-LSTM) recurrent neural networks (RNNs). To provide personalized services, the characteristics and surrounding circumstances of data collectable from mobile host devices were considered in the selection of variables for the model. The data characteristics considered were ease of collection, which represents whether or not variables are collectable, and frequency of occurrence, which represents whether or not changes made to input values constitute significant variables in terms of activity. The variables selected for providing personalized services were activity, weather, temperature, mean daily temperature, humidity, UV, fine dust, asthma and lung disease probability index, skin disease probability index, cadence, travel distance, mean heart rate, and sleep hours. The selected variables were classified according to the data characteristics. To predict activity, an LSTM RNN was built that uses the classified variables as input data and learns the dynamic characteristics of time series data. LSTM RNNs resolve the vanishing gradient problem that occurs in existing RNNs. They are classified into three different types according to data characteristics and constructed through connections among the LSTMs. The constructed neural network learns training data and predicts user activity. To evaluate the proposed model, the root mean square error (RMSE) was used in the performance evaluation of the user physical activity prediction method for which an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, a convolutional neural network (CNN), and an RNN were used. The results show that the proposed DC-LSTM RNN method yields an excellent mean RMSE value of 0.616. The proposed method is used for predicting significant activity considering the surrounding circumstances and user status utilizing the existing standardized activity prediction services. It can also be used to predict user physical activity and provide personalized healthcare based on the data collectable from mobile host devices.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.852-855
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• 2010

Based on the rapid development of the computer network technology, the ubiquitous sensor network (USN) was developed to enable us to have access to the communication environment anywhere and anytime without the need for recognizing computers or networks. Moreover, with the increasingly high interest on individual health, the USN technology is being applied to diverse sectors for healthcare and disease prevention. In this paper, a system was designed and implemented using the USN-based RF communication for doctors and nurses who care patients in the hospital to easily measure and control the physiological data on blood pressure and blood sugar. In addition, a database was designed using MS SQL database to store and manage the blood pressure and blood sugar data, which were passively or actively measured from patients. Using the results of this study, the physiological data of patients can be managed in real time and emergency situation can be instantly addressed. It is expected that the healthcare service can be improved and the paradigm of healthcare service environment can be changed.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.23-36
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• 2024

Objective : This study investigated the mediating effect of social networks on the relationship between social networking service (SNS) dependence and healthy lifestyle among university students. Methods : Data from 374 university students were collected via online surveys. Sociodemographic data, SNS dependence, social networks, and healthy lifestyle were assessed. Mediation analysis using bootstrapping was conducted to examine the mediating effect of social networks on the relationship between SNS dependence and healthy lifestyle. Results : A total of 374 university students participated in this study. The average age of the participants was 21.8 years (standard deviation = 2.1), and 70.3% were females. Mediation analysis revealed that SNS dependence had a direct effect on healthy lifestyle (β = -.078, standard error [SE] = .052, p = .128), which was not statistically significant. However, a statistically significant indirect effect was observed through social networks (β = -.052, SE = .020, p = .011). The total effect of SNS dependence on a healthy lifestyle was significant (β = -.130, SE = .053, p = .014). Conclusion : Social networks play a critical role in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Health professionals should prioritize interventions to address SNS dependence and leverage social networks to encourage healthier behaviors.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.1551-1560
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• 2016

With the advancement of wearable devices and wireless body are networks, smart healthcare systems based on such technologies have been emerging to effectively monitor patient health and disease progression. In order to implement viable smart healthcare systems, the security and privacy of patient's personal health information must be considered. Yang et al. proposed a privacy-preserving authentication scheme using key-insulation technique for remote health monitoring system, however, key-insulation technique is not properly adapted to their scheme which in turn causes a security pitfall contrary to their assertions. Besides, Yang et al.'s scheme does not guarantee user anonymity against healthcare service provider. Therefore, in this paper, we discuss the security concerns for Yang et al.'s scheme and present an improved anonymous authentication scheme.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.163-178
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrative medical service model applied to breast cancer patients and their caregivers, exploring its feasibility and challenges within the context of South Korean healthcare system. Methods : A case study approach was chosen to assess the integrative medical service model's efficacy, involving one breast cancer patient and her primary caregiver from W University Hospital. The patient had completed reconstructive surgery and chemotherapy and was undergoing radiotherapy. The model included standard treatments alongside psychological counseling, aromatherapy, axillary rehabilitation exercise, make-up program, art therapy, laughter therapy, horticultural therapy, and yoga programs, and meditation programs delivered over eight weeks. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through surveys, psychological tests, and feedback assessments. Results : The integrative medical service model demonstrated notable improvements in the quality of life for both breast cancer patients and their caregivers. Participants reported enhanced emotional well-being, reduced stress levels, and improved coping mechanisms throughout the treatment journey. Qualitative feedback highlighted the positive impact of holistic interventions in alleviating psychological distress and fostering resilience. Quantitative data corroborated these findings, showing statistically significant improvements in various psychosocial parameters assessed. Conclusions : Our findings underscore the benefits of integrative medical service model with standard medical treatments in the care of breast cancer patients and their caregivers. The holistic approach not only addresses physical symptoms but also enhances overall well-being and quality of life. However, the implementation of such models faces challenges within the South Korean healthcare system, including fragmented service networks and financial constraints. Addressing these structural barriers is crucial for the widespread adoption and sustainability of integrative care models in oncology practice. Future research should focus on larger-scale studies to further validate these findings and inform policy decisions aimed at optimizing cancer care delivery.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.21-29
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• 2013

This paper proposed the architecture of the authentication and the transmission for high reliable emergency data management based on U-healthcare wireless mesh networks. In U-healthcare monitoring service, the high reliable bio data management as well as the data transmission are required because the monitoring emergency bio data is related linked to life. More specifically, the technologies of the identity authentication of the measuring bio data, the personalized emergency status diagnosis who is authenticated the bio data and the emergency data transmission are important first of all. To do this, this paper presents the structure and protocol of the identity authentication management with using the extended IEEE 11073 PHD, the structure of policy-based management of the emergency bio data for the highly reliable management and the resilient routing protocol based on wireless mesh network for the reliable data transmission.