• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2014

Objective : When the pedicle screw insertion technique is failed or not applicable, C7 intralaminar screw insertion method has been used as an alternative or salvage fixation method recently. However, profound understanding of anatomy is required for safe application of the bilaterally crossing laminar screw at C7 in clinic. In this cadaveric study, we evaluated the anatomic feasibility of the bilateral crossing intralaminar screw insertion and especially focused on determination of proper screw entry point. Methods : The C7 vertebrae from 18 adult specimens were studied. Morphometric measurements of the mid-laminar height, the minimum laminar thickness, the maximal screw length, and spino-laminar angle were performed and cross-sectioned vertically at the screw entry point (spino-laminar junction). The sectioned surface was equally divided into 3 parts and maximal thickness and surface area of the parts were measured. All measurements were obtained bilaterally. Results : The mean mid-laminar height was 13.7 mm, mean minimal laminar thickness was 6.6 mm, mean maximal screw length was 24.6 mm, and mean spinolaminar angle was $50.8{\pm}4.7^{\circ}$. Based on the measured laminar thickness, the feasibility of 3.5 mm diameter intralaminar screw application was 83.3% (30 sides laminae out of total 36) when assuming a tolerance of 1 mm on each side. Cross-sectional measurement results showed that the mean maximal thickness of upper, middle, and lower thirds was 5.0 mm, 7.5 mm, and 7.3 mm, respectively, and mean surface area for each part was $21.2mm^2$, $46.8mm^2$, and $34.7mm^2$, respectively. Fourteen (38.9%) sides of laminae would be feasible for 3.5 mm intralaminar screw insertion when upper thirds of C7 spino-laminar junction is the screw entry point. In case of middle and lower thirds of C7 spino-laminar junction, 32 (88.9%) and 28 (77.8%) sides of laminae were feasible for 3.5 mm screw insertion, respectively. Conclusion : The vertical cross-sectioned area of middle thirds at C7 spinolaminar junction was the largest area and 3.5 mm screw can be accommodated with 77.8 % of feasibility when lower thirds were the screw entry point. Thus, selection of middle and lower thirds for each side of screw entry point in spino-laminar junction would be the safest way to place bilateral crossing laminar screw within the entire lamina. This anatomic study result will help surgeons to place the screw safely and accurately.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between exposure index (EI) and dose factors related to radiation dose optimization in digital radiography (DR) system. Two phantoms with built-in regional test object for quantitative assessment of images were used to produce image signals that acquired in chest radiography background. EI and entrane surface dose (ESD) increased proportionally with rise of radiation dose (kVp, mAs) in both DR and CR systems. Especially, DR detector was effective to form good contrast and hence, reached easily to improvement of image quality with minimal dose changes. It made operators possible to expect the accuracy of EI values deeply related to absorbed dose of the detector. The evaluation of images was obtained specially employed calculation of noise to signal ratio (NSR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR). These measurements were performed for how exposure factors affect image quality. NSR was inversely proportional to kVp and mAs and low NSR represented high signal detection efficiency. Consequently, EI values was the measure of the amount of exposure received by the image receptor and it was proportional to exposure factors. Therefore the EI in a recommended range from manufacturer can offer optimal image quality. Also, continuous monitoring of EI values in the digital radiography can reduce the unnecessary patient dose and help the quality control of the system.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.247-256
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of operative treatment using mini-open sinus tarsi approach for displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures. Materials and Methods: We studied 18 cases (16 patients) of intraarticular calcaneal fractures who were treated with sinus tarsi approach by same surgeon. The mean age of patients was 44.8 years, and mean follow-up period was 17.2 months. The measurement of B$\ddot{o}$hler angle, Gissane angle, the degree of articular surface depression, and the period to union were performed through preoperative and postoperative radiographs. The clinical evaluation was performed according to hindfoot score of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and scale of the Creighton-Nebraska health foundation (CNHF). Results: B$\ddot{o}$hler angle and Gissane angle had improved significantly from preoperative average $9.8^{\circ}$, $117.6^{\circ}$to average $22.4^{\circ}$, $113.4^{\circ}$ immediate postoperatively, and had maintained to average $21.8^{\circ}$and $114.2^{\circ}$ at the last follow-up. The degree of articular surface depression had improved significantly from preoperative average 5.2 mm to 1.2 mm at the last follow-up. All cases achieved bone union, and the period to union was average 10.5 weeks. AOFAS score was average 86.2 points at the last follow-up. There were 7 excellent, 9 good, and 2 fair results according to the CNHF scale. Therefore, 16 cases (88.8%) achieved satisfactory results. Conclusion: The minimally invasive sinus tarsi approach using headless compression screw seems to be an effective surgical method for displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures, because of the possibility of accurate restoration of articular surface and the low risk of postoperative soft tissue complications.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.265-281
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• 2017

For shallow tunnel constructions, settlement of the ground surface is a main issue. Recent technical developments in shield TBM tunneling technique have enabled a decrease in such settlements based on tunneling with ground deformation controls. For this objective, the tail void grouting is a common practice. Generally surface settlements in a soil of low permeability occur during a tunnel construction but also during a long period after completion of the tunnel. The long-term settlements occur mainly due to consolidation around the tunnel. The consolidation process is caused and determined by the tail void grouting which leads to an excess pore water pressure in the vicinity of the tunnel. Because of this, the grouting pressure has a strong effect on the long-term settlements in the shield tunneling. In order to investigate this effect, a series of coupled hydro-mechanical 3D finite element simulations have been performed. The results show that an increase in grouting pressure reduces the short-term settlements, but in many cases, it doesn't lead to a reduction of the final settlements after the completion of consolidation. Thereby, the existence of a critical grouting pressure is identified, at which the minimal settlements are expected.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2009

Background: Reduced bone height is one of the major problems faced in restoring tooth loss with implants. By the use of short implants, it is possible to reduce complicated and invasive treatment such as bone graft, allowing more simple surgery. But short implants are generally considered to have lower success rates than that of standard implants. Purpose: To assess the results of short Straumann implants by a retrospective study of short Straumann implants with TPS(titanium plasma-sprayed) and SLA(sandblasted, large grit, acid etched) surfaces. Materials and methods: 173 implants in 106 patients who received short Straumann implant surgery(${\le}8\;mm$) in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Kyunghee Dental Hospital, from February 1996 to October 2006 were selected and studied. All of the implants were followed up after prosthetic rehabilitation. The average follow-up period was 34 months with 119 months as the longest follow up period. The average follow-up period after prosthetic rehabilitation was 31 months. 64 females(60.4%) and 42 males(39.6%) participated in the research with the age range of 19 to 85(mean age 47). 20 patients(18.9%) were under 40, 85 patients(80.2%) were over 40 and under 70, and only one patient(0.9%) was over 70 years old. Results: 27 implants(15.6%) had TPS surface while 146 implants(84.4%) had SLA surface. 9 implants(5.2%) were 3.3, 108 implans(62.4%) were 4.1mm and 56 implants(32.4%) were 4.8mm in diameter. 167 implants(96.5%) were 8mm and 6 implants(3.5%) were 6mm in length. There were 24 implants(13.9%) on the maxillas and 149 implants(68.8%) on the mandibles. 119 implants(68.8%) were rehabilitated with FPD(fixed partial denture), 47 implants(27.2%) with single crowns and 4 implants(2.3%) with overdentures. Among the fixed partial dentures, 30 of them were splinted with short implants only. After over an year of follow-up period, 139 implants(96.5%) out of 144 implants showed marginal bone loss of less than 1mm. 3 out of 173 implants failed showing 98.27% survival rate. Conclusions: The use of short Straumann implants(${\le}8mm$) can be a simple and reliable treatment method in minimal residual bone height.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.220-227
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• 2016

Marine seismic data have not only primary signals from subsurface but also ghost signals reflected from the sea surface. The ghost decreases temporal resolution of seismic data because it attenuates specific frequency components. For eliminating the ghost signals effectively, the exact ghost delaytimes and reflection coefficients are required. Because of undulation of the sea surface and vertical movements of airguns and streamers, the ghost delaytime varies spatially and randomly while acquiring seismic data. The reflection coefficient is a function of frequency, incidence angle of plane-wave and the sea state. In order to estimate the proper ghost delaytimes considering these characteristics, we compared the ghost delaytimes estimated with L-1 norm, L-2 norm and kurtosis of the deghosted trace and its autocorrelation on synthetic data. L-1 norm of autocorrelation showed a minimal error and the reflection coefficient was calculated using Kirchhoff approximation equation which can handle the effect of wave height. We applied the estimated ghost delaytimes and the calculated reflection coefficients to remove the source and receiver ghost effects. By removing ghost signals, we reconstructed the frequency components attenuated near the notch frequency and produced the migrated stack section with enhanced temporal resolution.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2022

This study compared DLP values along with phantom entrance surface doses and the image quality of chest CT scans made using a Care Dose 4D+Care kV System, scans that are made using only the Care Dose 4D function, and scans that are made with changes made by applying 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 120 kVp, and 140 kVp to the Care Dose 4D and tube voltage to search for methods to maintain the highest image quality with minimal patient doses. It was shown that DLP values decreased 6.727% when scans were taken with Chest Care Dose 4D + Care kV semi 100 and 6.481% when scans were taken with Chest Care Dose 4D + Care kV. With Chest Non as a standard, skin surface doses decreased 16.519% when scans were taken with Chest Care Dose 4D + Care kV semi 100 and 15.705% when scans were taken with Chest Care Dose 4D + Care kV. With comparisons of image quality, when comparisons were made with Chest Non, comparisons made of SNR values and CNR values in all scanning conditions including Care Dose 4D + Care kV showed that there were no significant differences at P>0.05. Imaging using Chest Care Dose 4D + Care kV in chest CT showed that exposure doses decreased similarly to result values gained from the best conditions through manual adjustments of kV and mAS, and there were no significant differences in image SNR and CNR. If the Chest Care Dose 4D + Care kV function is used, image quality is maintained and patient exposure to radiation can be reduced.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.333-343
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• 2004

Impression cytology refers to application of cellulose acetate filter material to the ocular surface to remove the superficial layers of the conjunctival epithelium. The technique is non-invasive, is easy to perform, causes minimal discomfort to the patient, and can be used to follow changes in the conjunctival ocular surface over time. With this method, the morphology of the conjunctival ocular surface can be studied and the degree of squmaous metaplasia assessed. This study was performed to evaluate the conjunctival surface by impression cytology in dry eye patients. A total of 70 students with no contact lens wearing history were recruited. Subjects were required to fill in a McMonnies dry eye symptom questionnaire. The non-invasive tear thinning time(TIT) test of each subject was measured, followed by Schirmer tear test(STI), tear film break-up time(TBUT) tests and Rose-bengal staining were performed as a baseline. Conjunctival epithelial cells from the inferior bulbar conjunctiva were harvested by the impression cytology technique. The specimens collected were labelled and stained with PAS(Periodic Acid Schift)-haematoxylin. The goblet cells and conjunctival epithelial cells were observed under a light microscope of 400x magnification. The specimens were classified according to the Nelson Grading scale which was based on the degree of squamous metaplasia such as changes of goblet cells density, size/form, N:C(nucleus : cytoplasm) ratio. Dry eye patients were observed morphological changes of the epithelial cells, different nuclear alterations, decrease of the goblet cells density. The degree of cytological changes was related to severity of dry eye conditions. When the epithelial cell morphology was graded according to the system described by Nelson, specimens from the control group revealed 91.43% of the eyes to be grade 0 and 8.57% to be grade 1, whereas of the dry eye patients, 20% were grade 0, 42.86% grade 1, 34.29% grade 2 and 2,86% grade 3. Impression cytology represents a non- or minimally invasive biopsy of the ocular surface epithelium with no side effects or contraindications. It has demonstrated to be a useful diagnostic aid for a wide variety of processes involving the ocular surface. This technique is a safe, simple method and may help increase understanding of various ocular surface alterations in dry eye patients.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2005

Purpose : Hypogammaglobulinemia has been observed in nephrotic syndrome, but its pathophysiology remains unknown. We evaluated serum immunoglobulins, IgG subclasses, and vaccine-induced viral antibodies(anti-hepatitis B surface IgG and anti-measles IgG) in children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS). Methods : Using the stored sera, the levels of immunoglobulin(IgC, IgM, IgA, and IgC) and IgG subclasses(IgG 1, 2, ,3, and 4), anti-HBs Ab and anti-measles IgG of 21 children with MCNS were analyzed and compared to those of 25 age-matched healthy children. Results : The mean values of IgG and IgG1 were $390{\pm}187\;mg/dL$ and $287{\pm}120\;mg/dL$ in nephrotic children, and $1,025{\pm}284\;mg/dL$ and $785{\pm}19\;mg/dL$ in control children, respectively. The values of the total IgG and the 4 IgG subclasses in nephrotic children were all significantly depressed(P<0.001), but the IgM($251{\pm}183\;mg/dL\;vs. 153{\pm}55\;mg/dL$, P=0.02) and IgE values(P=0.01) were elevated, and the IgA values were not changed. The seropositivity of anti-HBs IgG was 42.9$\%$(9 of 21 cases) in the MCNS group and 52$\%$(13/25) in the control group, and that of anti-measles IgG was 75$\%$(16/21) and 92$\%$(23/25), respectively, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion : IgG and IgG subclass levels in MCNS children are all depressed without significant seronegativity of the vaccine-induced viral antibodies. Further studies are needed to resolve the cause of hypogammaglobulinemia in MCNS. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:143-148)

• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.748-755
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• 2006

In this paper, a trade-off design and fabrication of IPMC(Ionic Polymer Metal Composites) as an actuator for a flapping device have been described. Experiments for the internal solvent loss of IPMCs have been conducted for various combinations of cation and solvent in order to find out the best combination of cation and solvent for minimal solvent loss and higher actuation force. From the experiments, it was found that IPMCs with heavy water as their solvent could operate longer. Relations between length/thickness and tip force of IPMCs were also quantitatively identified for the actuator design from the tip force measurement of 200, 400, 640, and $800{\mu}m$ thick IPMCs. All IPMCs thicker than $200{\mu}m$ were processed by casting $Nafion^{TM}$ solution. The shorter and thicker IPMCs tended to generate higher actuation force but lower actuation displacement. To improve surface conductivity and to minimize solvent evaporation due to electrically heated electrodes, gold was sputtered on both surfaces of the cast IPMCs by the Physical Vapor Deposition(PVD) process. For amplification of a short IPMC's small actuation displacement to a large flapping motion, a rack-and-pinion type hinge was used in the flapping device. An insect wing was attached to the IPMC flapping mechanism for its flapping test. In this test, the wing flapping device using the $800{\mu}m$ thick IPMC. could create around $10^{\circ}{\sim}85^{\circ}$ flapping angles and $0.5{\sim}15Hz$ flapping frequencies by applying $3{\sim|}4V$.