• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.173-177
• /
• 2018

Masks are generated by adding different fonts of learning data characters in pixel unit, and pixel values belonging to each of the masks are divided into 3 groups. Using the directional expansion operators, we expand the text area of the test data character into 4 diagonal directions in order to create the boundary areas to distinguish it from the background area. A mask with a minimum average discordance is selected as the final recognition result by calculating the degree of discordance between the expanded test data and the masks. Image comparison using directional expansion operations more accurately recognizes test data through 4 subdivided recognition processes. It is also possible to expand the ranges of 3 groups of pixel values of masks more evenly such that new fonts can easily be added to the given learning data.

• IEIE Transactions on Smart Processing and Computing
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.197-202
• /
• 2013

Large gains in speech intelligibility can be obtained using the SNR-based binary mask approach. This approach retains the time-frequency (T-F) units of the mixture signal, where the target signal is stronger than the interference noise (masker) (e.g., SNR > 0 dB), and removes the T-F units, where the interfering noise is dominant. This paper introduces two alternative binary masks based on the distortion constraints to improve the speech intelligibility. The distortion constraints are induced by a gain function for estimating the short-time spectral amplitude. One binary mask is designed to retain the speech underestimated (T-F) units while removing the speech overestimated (T-F)units. The other binary mask is designed to retain the noise overestimated (T-F) units while removing noise underestimated (T-F) units. Listening tests with oracle binary masks were conducted to assess the potential of the two binary masks in improving the intelligibility. The results suggested that the two binary masks based on distortion constraints can provide large gains in intelligibility when applied to noise-corrupted speech.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.232-239
• /
• 2013

In this study, 25gsm melt-blown polypropylene nonwoven for dust-proof/medical masks was finished by the corona discharging treatment. The influence of corona discharging parameters on the filtration efficiency was investigated. Several parameters such as discharging voltage, discharging speed, distance to discharging wire and configuration of discharging system had an effect on filtration efficiency, while the parameters had no effect on breathing resistance. Optimum corona discharging conditions are as follows: Wires were installed on the upper part of the nonwoven and paper pipe was installed on the lower part of the nonwoven having a distance of 5cm. The sequence of wire voltages was +60 kV, +60 kV, 0, -60 kV, and -60 kV. The discharging voltage and speed were 60 kV and 30m/min respectively. The nonwoven treated by corona discharging at the optimum condition showed a filtration efficiency of 80% or more, which is suitable for dust-proof/medical masks.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.16 no.11
• /
• pp.3658-3679
• /
• 2022

Classification of persons wearing and not wearing face masks in images has emerged as a new computer vision problem during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to address this problem and scale up the research in this domain, in this paper a hybrid technique by employing ResNet-101 and multi-layer perceptron (MLP) classifier has been proposed. The proposed technique is tested and validated on a self-created face masks classification dataset and a standard dataset. On self-created dataset, the proposed technique achieved a classification accuracy of 97.3%. To embrace the proposed technique, six other state-of-the-art CNN feature extractors with six other classical machine learning classifiers have been tested and compared with the proposed technique. The proposed technique achieved better classification accuracy and 1-6% higher precision, recall, and F1 score as compared to other tested deep feature extractors and machine learning classifiers.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.69-72
• /
• 2010

Purpose: All masks are created by craftspeople. Accordingly, most masks are generally predictable in dimensions, and the portraitures usually depict the faces and heads of humans. The authors found some masks representing the features of facial asymmetry, such as hemifacial microsomia and rerely lateral facial cleft. Methods: Reviewing the legends of wearing masks with a medley of grotesque features, the authors could deduce the tone of society in those days. Results: A mask, 'crooked mouth', of Native Americans shows typical lineament of hemifacial microsomia. The deformity of the face was legendarily regarded as resulting from trauma caused by either 'one's fault' or a 'curse of God'. 'Grandmother' mask, used in the Korean masque dance of the Kosung province and Sooyoung province also shows the typical features of hemifacial microsomia which represent the old, deserted wife. 'Kori sanni yakka' mask in Sri Lanka, shows the facial asymmetry. In the legend, the child who became demon captured humans and caused illness through wind, phlegm, and bile to revenge on his father who killed his mother by deception of her maid. Conclusion: The authors presume that the victims of severe facial asymmetry were treated contemptuously at that time.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.171-176
• /
• 2020

Advancing the estrous cycle of mares is an essential breeding strategy that is routinely conducted by Thoroughbred breeders to improve economic outcomes. For this purpose, Equilume light masks have been developed as an alternative to existing technologies such as artificial lighting or hormonal treatments because they are considered as valid as existing methods with additional animal welfare advantages. For example, with the Equilume light masks, horses can be let out into the pasture, whereas they have to be kept indoors during lighting treatment. Because the function of Equilume light mask on the estrous cycle of mares is influenced by environmental factors such as nutrition condition and temperature, Equilume light mask should be studied in various environments. The objective of the present study was thus to verify the effect of Equilume light masks on the onset of the estrous cycle in Thoroughbred mares in South Korea. Mares were randomly selected and separated into two groups at two Thoroughbred horse breeding farms. The mares in the treatment group were equipped with Equilume light masks from November 18 to February 10 the following year. The body condition, the number and size (> 35 mm) of uterine follicles, and the uterine horn score of the mares were assessed on January 6 and February 10. The body condition scores were not different between the two groups. The treatment with the Equilume light mask had no positive effects on developing follicles and the reproductive tract. In conclusion, the use of Equilume light masks did not influence the seasonal resumption of the estrus cycles in Thoroughbred mares in South Korea.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.95-101
• /
• 2022

Due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, the demand for face masks is soaring and has often caused a shortage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (UV) and drying treatments on microbial contaminants in facial masks. To conduct this study, standard procedures were designed to develop samples contaminated by the control bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The contamination level of the standard samples was approximately 6.30 × 10⁶ CFU/ml, and the UV light treatment was performed 1, 3, 5, and 7 times. To evaluate the effect of the UV and drying treatments, the masks were first treated with UV 1, 2, and 3 times, followed by the drying process. As a result, the mask contaminated with E. coli and P. aeruginosa showed a bacterial rate of approximately 99.9% after 1 UV irradiation, and in the case of the S. aureus-contaminated mask, it exhibited a bactericidal rate of approximately 99.9% after 7 UV irradiations. However, when the drying process was included after UV irradiation, all the samples contaminated with E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa showed a bactericidal rate of 99.9% or more. The results of this study suggest that UV and drying treatments can effectively reduce the bacterial contaminants in facial masks. In addition, these results provide fundamental data and appropriate sterilization methods for reusing masks.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.147-165
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine various types and characteristics of masks and to consider what meanings they have in the recent fashion world. To this end, this study attempts to reflect on the internal meaning of masks exhibited in fashion designers' collections rather than functional meanings. It has an implication; in that it tries to help understand the expressive needs for variety and freshness pursued by modern fashion and use the unique design development to understand the internal meanings of masks. It, therefore, examines the existing domestic and foreign literature and data about masks from a theoretical perspective, and also attempts to draw findings from the data of fashion collections which have been held since the 2000s, as well as from literature research based on books about fashion and various other media. The meanings of masks in the field of fashion are as follows: First, they express identity, by criticizing the couture fashion, through the fashion. Second, they present a new concept of body, showing an illogical and ambiguous identity in which both feminine and masculine images coexist. Third, they are media externally communicating insights about human beings' inner world, through which various messages are transferred to modern people who are attached to external appearances, and the identities possessed by designers are revealed by the masks. Fourth, they ask about a boundary between gender and sexuality, as a means to make us concentrate on the important social issue, while expressing various and new identities, like the hybrid identity. In other words, they can be found to be used as effective media in communicating fashion massages intended by fashion experimental and creative designers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.109-123
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The aims of this study were to review the standards and key components of the standards for disposable masks in Korea, the US, EU, Japan, and China and to evaluate the appropriateness of disposable masks during a virus pandemic. Methods: We reviewed the standards in the above countries and compared their key elements for each standard. For the second purpose, systemic paper gathering using key words like 'mask', 'respirator' 'virus', and 'coronavirus' in the PubMed search engine was performed. Fifty-three papers were selected and reviewed in regard to the appropriateness of test protocols with sodium chloride(NaCl) particles for virus filtration and the effectiveness against viruses. Results: The standards for masks are largely divided into two categories: US standards and EU standards. In Korea, the Ministry of Employment and Labor adapted the EU standards for workers and the Health Masks adopted the Ministry of Employment and Labor standards by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Regarding airborne viral infections, WHO emphasizes only droplet infection, while many studies have shown that small particles enter the air through coughing or sneezing, which increases the possibility of airborne infection. Compared to other particles, various factors such as airborne viability and the ability to replicate the virus in the body are further involved in the virus's airborne infection rate. Airborne infection is classified into absolute air infection, preferential air infection, and opportunistic air infection. The NaCl-certified N95 mask showed good filtration efficiency against viruses and NaCl particles were proved to be a surrogate material for viruses. From this, KF94 is also expected to be effective in blocking viruses. Conclusion: The N95 test method could be used as a surrogate test method for virus filtration. N95-class masks have been found to effectively block viral infections in the air. However, surgical or medical masks are only partially effective against airborne virus infection though they could effectively block large droplet infection. However, most studies considered in this study targeted N95 in foreign countries and studies on masks actually used in Korea are very limited, so studies on microorganisms and reuse on domestic masks should be conducted in the future.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.422-435
• /
• 2024

This study intended to verify the effects of face masks on the Korean language in terms of acoustic, aerodynamic, and formant parameters. We chose all types of face masks available in Korea based on filter performance and folding type. Two professional voice actors (a male and a female) with more than 20 years of experience who are native Koreans and speak standard Korean participated in this study as speakers of voice data. Face masks attenuated the high-frequency range, resulting in decreased Vowel Space Area (VSA) and Vowel Articulation Index (VAI)scores and an increased Low-to-High spectral ratio (L/H ratio) in all voice samples. This can result in lower speech intelligibility. However, the degree of increment and decrement was based on the voice characteristics. For female speakers, the Speech Level (SL) and Cepstral Peak Prominence (CPP) increased with increasing face mask thickness. In this study, the presence or filter performance of a face mask was found to affect speech acoustic parameters according to the speech characteristics. Face masks provoked vocal effort when the vocal intensity was not sufficiently strong, or the environment had less reverberance. Further research needs to be conducted on the vocal efforts induced by face masks to overcome acoustic modifications when wearing masks.