• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1369-1389
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• 2024

In the era of 6G, the rapid increase in communication data volume poses higher demands on traditional channel estimation techniques and those based on deep learning, especially when processing large-scale data as their computational load and real-time performance often fail to meet practical requirements. To overcome this bottleneck, this paper introduces quantum computing techniques, exploring for the first time the application of Quantum Generative Adversarial Networks (QGAN) to broadband channel estimation challenges. Although generative adversarial technology has been applied to channel estimation, obtaining instantaneous channel information remains a significant challenge. To address the issue of instantaneous channel estimation, this paper proposes an innovative QGAN with a dual-module design in the generator. The adversarial loss function and the Mean Squared Error (MSE) loss function are separately applied for the parameter updates of these two modules, facilitating the learning of statistical channel information and the generation of instantaneous channel details. Experimental results demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed dual-module QGAN technique in channel estimation on the Pennylane quantum computing simulation platform. This research opens a new direction for physical layer techniques in wireless communication and offers expanded possibilities for the future development of wireless communication technologies.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.708-715
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• 2024

We propose a 10-GHz 2 × 2 phased-array radio frequency (RF) receiver with an 8-bit linear phase and 15-dB gain control range using 65-nm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology. An 8 × 8 phased-array receiver module is implemented using 16 2 × 2 RF phased-array integrated circuits. The receiver chip has four single-to-differential low-noise amplifier and gain-controlled phase-shifter (GCPS) channels, four channel combiners, and a 50-Ω driver. Using a novel complementary bias technique in a phase-shifting core circuit and an equivalent resistance-controlled resistor-inductor-capacitor load, the GCPS based on vector-sum structure increases the phase resolution with weighting-factor controllability, enabling the vector-sum phase-shifting circuit to require a low current and small area due to its small 1.2-V supply. The 2 × 2 phased-array RF receiver chip has a power gain of 21 dB per channel and a 5.7-dB maximum single-channel noise-figure gain. The chip shows 8-bit phase states with a 2.39° root mean-square (RMS) phase error and a 0.4-dB RMS gain error with a 15-dB gain control range for a 2.5° RMS phase error over the 10 to10.5-GHz band.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.60-72
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• 1994

Background: The number of outpatients visiting large university teaching hospitals has increased drastically with the introduction of a nationwide health care insurance in 1989 and the improvement of the socio-economic status of the population. This resulted in long waiting times for services, particularly prescribed drugs, which have been patients' chief complaints. Hospitals have tried to solve the problem with limited success because their approach lacked comprehensive research. The objective of this study is to investigate associations between waiting times and variables defining a total work system. Methods: Data for the outpatient pharmacy department in a tertiary care university teaching hospital located in Seoul was analyzed to achieve the study objective. Associations of pharmacy system variables -- work load, work force, pharmacist work schedule, machine problems, and inventory control -- with mean and 99th percentile of waiting times were examined by the hierarchical stepwise regression method. Day was a unit of the analyses. Results: The regression models explained 65.8% of variance in the mean waiting time and 61.34% in the 99th percentile of waiting times. The break-down of the printer for drug envelops, Automatic Tablet Counters (ATCs), and main computer system lasted longer than 30 minutes increased the mean for 7.7 minutes, 4.5 minutes, and 7.0 minutes, respectively, and the 99th percentile for 14.8 minutes, 9.0 minutes, and 15.7 minutes, respectively. Concerning the work force, study results showed that there were significant differences in the productivity of pharmacists with work experience more than three years, one to three years, and less than one year, and showed that peak time aid work by pharmacists at job assignments other than the outpatient pharmacy, part-time pharmacists, and the installation of ATCs were effective in reducing waiting times, Finally, study findings indicated that the operational policy of work assignment and rotation schedule, supply and inventory of drugs at work tables, and readiness for undisrupted work during the work hours could have a significant effect on waiting times. Conclusion: The study results indicated that efforts to reduce waiting times for prescribed drugs should be geared toward every components of the pharmacy work system ranging from work schedule of pharmacists and supply of dugs at work tables. These findings should provide hospital managers with right directions in battling the problem.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.220-227
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• 2013

This study examined the electric power quantity derived from solar radiation after installing a photovoltaic power generation system on the rooftop of building adjacent to a greenhouse with a view to reducing the operating expenses of the greenhouse by securing electric energy required to run it. Results of the study can be summed up as follows: The maximum, mean, and minimum solar radiation on the horizontal plane was $26.1MJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$, $14,0MJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$, and $0.6MJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$, respectively and individual the daily electric energy generated was about 6.1 kWh, 3.7 kWh, and 0.01 kWh. The cumulative total amounts of solar radiation and electric energy was about $4,378.2MJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$ and 1,163.2 kWh, respectively. Maximum, mean and minimum cumulative electric energy consumed through each load respectively was 4.5 kWh, 2.4 kWh, and 0.0 kWh and the cumulative electric energy were 739.2 kWh, which accounted for about 63.5% of generated power. In case of the mean amount of power consumption of the system used for this study, the small capacity of heater and the short operating hours meant there was enough power; while big capacity of heater led to a shortage, and if the array surface temperature increased relatively, the energy became proportionate to solar radiation and generated power does not increase. The correlation coefficient between the two factors was 0.851, which indicates a high correlation coefficient.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.665-679
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• 2015

Yearly mean temperature in the 29 lakes surveyed ranges from 12.6 (Suncheon) to 13.9℃ (Mokpo), the lowest in −2.7℃ (January) and the highest in 25.9℃ (July). Monthly mean the amount of rainfall recorded the highest of 336.7 mm in August and the lowest with 4.9 mm in January. A total of 424 species of phytoplankton were identified. They were 157 Chlorophyceae, 161 Bacillariophyceae, 39 Cyanophyceae, and 67 other algal taxa. The phytoplankton diversity were low in stream type reservoirs such as Guemho, Youngsan and Youngam. The population density of phytoplankton ranged from 19 to 53,161 cells/ml. Annual mean of total zooplankton abundance in 45 sites was 369±827 ind./L (n=180). Rotifers were the most common taxa and their relative abundance was high (65~77%). The benthic microinvertebrate fauna of 10 reservoirs of Jeonnam province were 71 species of 61 genera of 44 families of 16 orders of 7 classes of 4 phyla. Aquatic insects of Phylum Arthropoda were 50 species of 44 genera of 28 families of 6 orders. The number of individuals was 6,132. Diptera was highiest (41.3%), and Ephemeroptera (31.0%), Trichoptera (17.5%), Anellida (3.8%), Mollusca (3.3%), Crustacea (0.4%). Large hydrophytes were identified 32 taxa, 2 varieties 30 species 26 genera and 20 families. Especially, Jijung and Juam lakes require management such as physical remove of this ecosystem disturbance field plants. Fishes were identified total 44 taxa, such as 25 Cyprinidae (56.8%), 8 Cobitidae (17.0%), 3 Gobiidae (6.4%), 2 Bagridae (4.3%), 2 Osmeridae (4.3%), 2 Odontobutidae (4.3%), 2 Centrachidae (4.3%), 1 Siluridae (2.1%), and 1 Centropomidae (2.1%). A pale chub was dominant species (18.9%).

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2009

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM. Over the years, resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) have gone through substantial development and refinement. Several studies examined the biomechanics of tooth preparation and framework design in relation to the success rate of RBFPDs and considered retention and resistance form essential for increase of clinical retention. However, these criteria required preparations to be more invasive, which violates not only the original intentions of the RBFPD, but may also have an adverse effect on retention due to loss of enamel, an important factor in bonding. PURPOSE. The object of this in vitro study was to compare the dislodgement resistance of the new types of RBFPDs, the conventional three-unit fixed partial denture, and conventional design of RBFPD (Maryland bridge). MATERIAL AND METHODS. Fifty resin mandibular left second premolars and second molars were prepared on dentiforms, according to the RBFPD design. After model fabrication (five group, n = 10), prostheses were fabricated and cemented with zinc phosphate cement. After cementation, the specimens were subjected to tensile loading at a cross head speed of 4 mm/min in a universal testing machine. The separation load was recorded and analyzed statistically using one-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan's multiple range test. RESULTS. Group V, the pin-retained RBFPDs, had the highest mean dislodgement resistance, whereas specimens of group II, the conventional RBFPDs, exhibited a significantly lower mean dislodgement resistance compared to the other 4 groups (P <.05). There were no significant differences between group I, III, and IV in terms of dislodgement resistance (P>.05). Group V had the highest mean MPa (N/$mm^2$) (P <.05). There was no significant difference between groups I, II, III and IV (P > .05). CONCLUSION. Within the limits of the design of this in vitro study, it was concluded that: 1. The modified RBFPDs which utilizes the original tooth undercuts and requires no tooth preparation, compared with the conventional design of RBFPDs, has significantly high dislodgement resistance (P < .05). 2. The modified RBFPDs which utilizes the original tooth undercuts and requires minimal tooth preparation, compared with the conventional FPDs, has significantly no difference in retention and dislodgement resistance)(P>.05). 3. The pin-retained FPDs showed a high dislodgement resistance compared to the conventional three-unit FPDs (P<.05).

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.67-76
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• 2009

The contribution of pollutant loadings from non-point source (NPS) to the four major rivers in Korea exceeded 22~37 % of the total loadings in 2004 and is expected to reach 60 % in 2020. Most of NPS loadings are coming from urban areas, especially from paved areas. Because of high imperviousness rate, many types of NPS pollutant are accumulating on the surface during dry periods. The accumulated pollutants are wash-off during a storm and highly degrading the water quality of receiving water bodies. For this reason, the Korean Ministry of Environment (MOE) developed the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program to protect the water quality by managing the point source and NPS loadings. NPS has high uncertainties during a storm because of the characteristics of rainfall and watershed areas. The rainfall characteristics can affect on event mean concentrations (EMCs), mass loadings, flow rate, etc. Therefore, this research was performed to determine EMCs for rainfall ranges from transportation landuses such as road and parking lot. Two sites were monitored over 45 storm events during the 2006/06 through 2008/10 storm seasons. Mean TSS EMCs decrease as rainfall ranges increase and highest at less than 10mm rainfall. The results of this study can be used to determine the efficient scale of BMP facility considering specific rainfall range.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.28-40
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• 1998

Background : Many patients have been frequently complaining that they have to spend couples of hours in hospital on visiting outpatient clinic. Among several steps, two major time consuming steps were waiting to see a doctor and/or waiting at pharmacy to get medicine. Therefore not only to provide the proper guidance for medication or counseling on health affairs but also to make waiting time short is very important for the better hospital services. The aim of this study is to validate several time-saving processes to reduce waiting time at outpatient pharmacy and its efficacy. Methods : We surveyed the time interval actually taken to receive medicine after issuing prescription by doctors, and analyzed the data on the bases of relevant or possible causative factors. Then following processes were given to reduce waiting time and resurveyed and compared both data to validate efficacy of those processes : 1. No work-off on Monday and Tuesday 2. Work hour shift to start 30 minutes earlier 3. Changeable work shift between outpatient pharmacy and ward pharmacy according to work load 4. Use of pre-made medicines prescribed more frequently by certain doctors at certain time 5. Cooperation with doctors to use set prescriptions. Results : Before the process, mean waiting time at pharmacy was 29.2 minutes and most time consuming period was from noon to 1 PM, 3 to 4 PM, 1 to 2 PM in order of frequency. Only 37.7 % of patients could get the medicine within 20 minutes. Three times of surveys after process showed mean waiting time at pharmacy were 18.1 minutes, 19.0 minutes, and 17.6 minutes, respectively. And 72.7 %, 81.3%, and 82.2% of patients could get the medicine within 20 minutes. Conclusion : The mean waiting time was markedly reduced with above mentioned processes which applied intradepartmently event hough with little cooperation from other department. Consequently, the complaints of patients were decreased with increasing the satisfaction degree. In conclusion, those suggestions were recommanded to improve the degree of satisfaction of patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.498-503
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• 2017

Objective : The purpose of the present study was to compare inter-fragmentary compression pressures after fixation of a simulated type II odontoid fracture with the headless compression Herbert screw and a half threaded cannulated lag screw. Methods : We compared inter-fragmentary compression pressures between 40- and 45-mm long 4.5-mm Herbert screws (n=8 and n=9, respectively) and 40- and 45-mm long 4.0-mm cannulated lag screws (n=7 and n=10, respectively) after insertion into rigid polyurethane foam test blocks (Sawbones, Vashon, WA, USA). A washer load cell was placed between the two segments of test blocks to measure the compression force. Because the total length of each foam block was 42 mm, the 40-mm screws were embedded in the cancellous foam, while the 45-mm screws penetrated the denser cortical foam at the bottom. This enabled us to compare inter-fragmentary compression pressures as they are affected by the penetration of the apical dens tip by the screws. Results : The mean compression pressures of the 40- and 45-mm long cannulated lag screws were $50.48{\pm}1.20N$ and $53.88{\pm}1.02N$, respectively, which was not statistically significant (p=0.0551). The mean compression pressures of the 40-mm long Herbert screw was $52.82{\pm}2.17N$, and was not statistically significant compared with the 40-mm long cannulated lag screw (p=0.3679). However, 45-mm Herbert screw had significantly higher mean compression pressure ($60.68{\pm}2.03N$) than both the 45-mm cannulated lag screw and the 40-mm Herbert screw (p=0.0049 and p=0.0246, respectively). Conclusion : Our results showed that inter-fragmentary compression pressures of the Herbert screw were significantly increased when the screw tip penetrated the opposite dens cortical foam. This can support the generally recommended surgical technique that, in order to facilitate maximal reduction of the fracture gap using anterior odontoid screws, it is essential to penetrate the apical dens tip with the screw.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1119-1129
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• 2018

Objective: To compare the image quality of low-tube-voltage and low-iodine-concentration-contrast-medium (LVLC) computed tomography urography (CTU) with iterative reconstruction (IR) with that of conventional CTU. Materials and Methods: This prospective, multi-institutional, randomized controlled trial was performed at 16 hospitals using CT scanners from various vendors. Patients were randomly assigned to the following groups: 1) the LVLC-CTU (80 kVp and 240 mgI/mL) with IR group and 2) the conventional CTU (120 kVp and 350 mgI/mL) with filtered-back projection group. The overall diagnostic acceptability, sharpness, and noise were assessed. Additionally, the mean attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and figure of merit (FOM) in the urinary tract were evaluated. Results: The study included 299 patients (LVLC-CTU group: 150 patients; conventional CTU group: 149 patients). The LVLC-CTU group had a significantly lower effective radiation dose ($5.73{\pm}4.04$ vs. $8.43{\pm}4.38mSv$) compared to the conventional CTU group. LVLC-CTU showed at least standard diagnostic acceptability (score ${\geq}3$), but it was non-inferior when compared to conventional CTU. The mean attenuation value, mean SNR, CNR, and FOM in all pre-defined segments of the urinary tract were significantly higher in the LVLC-CTU group than in the conventional CTU group. Conclusion: The diagnostic acceptability and quantitative image quality of LVLC-CTU with IR are not inferior to those of conventional CTU. Additionally, LVLC-CTU with IR is beneficial because both radiation exposure and total iodine load are reduced.