• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.383-388
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• 2006

This Paper presents a novel approach to single channel microphone speech enhancement in noisy environments. Widely used noise reduction techniques based on the spectral subtraction are generally expressed as a spectral gam depending on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The well-known decision-directed(DD) estimator of Ephraim and Malah efficiently reduces musical noise under the background noise conditions, but generates the delay of the a prioiri SNR because the DD weights the speech spectrum component of the Previous frame in the speech signal. Therefore, the noise suppression gain which is affected by the delay of the a priori SNR, which is estimated by the DD matches the previous frame rather than the current one, so after noise suppression. this degrades the noise reduction performance during speech transient periods. We propose a computationally simple but effective speech enhancement technique based on the sigmoid type function for the weight Parameter of the DD. The proposed approach solves the delay problem about the main parameter, the a priori SNR of the DD while maintaining the benefits of the DD. Performances of the proposed enhancement algorithm are evaluated by ITU-T p.862 Perceptual Evaluation of Speech duality (PESQ). the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) and the speech spectrogram under various noise environments and yields better results compared with the fixed weight parameter of the DD.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.392-400
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• 2009

In this paper, we propose an effective speech reinforcement technique base on ITU-T G.729A CS-ACELP codec under the near-end background noise environments. In general, since the intelligibility of the far-end speech for the near-end listener is significantly reduced under near-end noise environments, we require a far-end speech reinforcement approach to avoid this phenomena. In contrast to the conventional speech reinforcement algorithm, we reinforce the excitation signal of the codec's parameters received from the far-end speech signal based on the G.729A speech codec under various background noise environments. Specifically, we first estimate the excitation signal of ambient noise at the near-end through the encoder of the G.729A speech codec, reinforcing the excitation signal of the far-end speech transmitted from the far-end. we specially propose a novel approach to directly reinforce the excitation signal of far-end speech signal based on the decoder of the G.729A. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated by the CCR (Comparison Category Rating) test of the method for subjective determination of transmission quality in ITU-T P.800 under various noise environments and shows better performances compared with conventional SNR Recovery methods.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.27-36
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• 2024

The effective control of cost overrun is a crucial issue for construction companies to secure profitability. Especially in situations where cost pressures are significant due to factors such as rising raw material prices and increased financial costs due to high-interest rate policies, cost overruns resulting from project failures have a highly detrimental impact on the profitability of construction firms. The objective of this study is to analyze the current status of cost overrun control measures adopted by construction companies using the IPA technique and provide key characteristics and implications. The IPA analysis results showed that practitioners in general contractors exhibit a high level of interest and effort regarding cost overrun while the performance level is relatively low. Nevertheless, the measures considered important to control cost overruns generally show a high tendency for execution as well. Cost overrun control measures that show high importance but low execution are primarily related to collaboration and communication sectors. To effectively control cost overruns, enhancing collaboration and communication with construction supervisors/CM, headquarters, and regulatory authorities emerged as the most urgent need. Through this study, the current status and areas for improvement regarding cost overrun control measures in general contractors can be identified. This can be valuable for deriving directions and enhancements for future cost overrun control strategy development.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2024

The creation of vertically aligned one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures through the decoration of n-type tin oxide (SnO₂) on p-type chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) constitutes an effective strategy for enhancing gas sensing performance. These heterostructures are deposited in multiple stages using a glancing angle deposition technique with an electron beam evaporator, resulting in a reduction in the surface porosity of the nanorods as SnO₂ is incorporated. In comparison to Cr₂O₃ films, the bare Cr₂O₃ nanorods exhibits a response 3.3 times greater to 50 ppm H₂S at 300℃, while the SnO₂-decorated Cr₂O₃ nanorods demonstrate an eleven-fold increase in response. Furthermore, when subjected to various gases (CH₄, H₂S, CO₂, H₂), a notable selectivity toward H₂S is observed. This study paves the way for the development of p-type semiconductor sensors with heightened selectivity and sensitivity towards H₂S, thus advancing the prospects of gas sensor technology.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-27
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• 2024

This study investigates the link between music integration in the lives of adults in their twenties and their school music experiences. Ten individuals in their twenties were interviewed to explore their experiences based on the self-determination theory's fundamental psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). Participants were categorized into an active music engagement group (5 individuals) and an inactive group (5 individuals) for individual interviews. Transcripts were analyzed following the five steps of grounded theory data analysis technique. Results indicated a strong connection between music activities during school years and current motivation for music integration, associated with the fulfillment of psychological needs outlined in the self-determination theory. Particularly, this study identified the instructional methods, school music activities, and performance evaluations as closely related to autonomy, competence, and relatedness. It offers a comprehensive analysis of how experiences in these areas during school music activities correlate with values and motivations for music integration in adulthood. Additionally, the study suggests ways to promote the voluntary incorporation of music into life through positive experiences of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in music activities.

• Journal of Cadastre & Land InformatiX
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.19-32
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• 2024

This study examined the feasibility of image-based surveys by detecting objects in facilities and agricultural land using the YOLO algorithm based on drone images and comparing them with the land category by law. As a result of detecting objects through the YOLO algorithm, buildings showed a performance of detecting objects corresponding to 96.3% of the buildings provided in the existing digital map. In addition, the YOLO algorithm developed in this study detected 136 additional buildings that were not located in the digital map. Plastic greenhouses detected a total of 297 objects, but the detection rate was low for some plastic greenhouses for fruit trees. Also, agricultural land had the lowest detection rate. This result is because agricultural land has a larger area and irregular shape than buildings, so the accuracy is lower than buildings due to the inconsistency of training data. Therefore, segmentation detection, rather than box-shaped detection, is likely to be more effective for agricultural fields. Comparing the detected objects with the land category by law, it was analyzed that some buildings exist in agricultural and forest areas where it is difficult to locate buildings. It seems that it is necessary to link with administrative information to understand that these buildings are used illegally. Therefore, at the current level, it is possible to objectively determine the existence of buildings in fields where it is difficult to locate buildings.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2024

Purpose:The acute hospital accreditation program launched in South Korea has shown positive effects on safety culture and quality of care. However, relative weights have not yet been investigated for accreditation criteria with a hierarchical structure. This study aimed to derive the relative weights of acute-care hospital accreditation criteria. Methods: We conducted an online survey using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique to assess the validity, importance, and urgency of acute hospital accreditation criteria. The AHP online survey link was distributed in November 2022 after obtaining informed consent from 10 experts in hospital accreditation. Results: 'Basic value system' ranked highest, while 'patient care system' ranked second in terms of validity, importance, and urgency. 'Performance management system' had the lowest validity and urgency, while 'organizational management system' carried the lowest importance. Within the 'patient care system' domain, 'surgery and anesthesia sedation management' scored highest in validity and importance, and 'patient care' scored highest in urgency. 'Care delivery system and evaluation' received the lowest scores for all three aspects. In the 'organizational management system' domain, infection control ranked highest in terms of validity, importance, and urgency. The lowest validity was observed for 'management and organizational operation' and the lowest importance and urgency were noted for 'human resource management'. Conclusion: The weights for validity, importance, and urgency, as shown in each domain and chapter, and the number of measurable elements included, are largely inconsistent. This study will contribute to the development of the structure and scientific improvement of accreditation standards.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2024

In this study, a structural concrete square beam was developed using the centrifugal molding technique. In order to secure the bending stiffness of the cross section, the hollow rate of the cross section was set to 10% or less. Instead of using the current poor mixture of concrete and a concrete mixing ratio with a high slump (150-200) and a design strength of 100 MPa or more was developed and applied. In order to investigate the durability of centrifugally formed PSC square beams to be used as the superstructure of the avalanch tunnel or ramen bridge, the durability performance of ultra-high-strength centrifugally formed concrete with a compressive strength of 100 MPa was evaluated in terms of deterioration and chemical resistance properties.Concrete durability tests, including chloride penetration resistance, accelerated carbonation, sulfate erosion resistance, freeze-thaw resistance, and scaling resistance, were performed on centrifugally formed square beam test specimens produced in 2022 and 2023. Considering the information verified in this study, the durability of centrifugally molded concrete, which has increased watertightness in the later manufacturing stage, was found to be superior to that of general concrete.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.553-563
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• 2023

Objective: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging-derived tractography (DTI-t) contribute to the localization of language areas, but their accuracy remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of preoperative fMRI and DTI-t obtained with a simultaneous multi-slice technique using intraoperative direct cortical stimulation (DCS) or corticocortical evoked potential (CCEP) as reference standards. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 26 patients (23-74 years; male:female, 13:13) with tumors in the vicinity of Broca's area who underwent preoperative fMRI and DTI-t. A site-by-site comparison between preoperative (fMRI and DTI-t) and intraoperative language mapping (DCS or CCEP) was performed for 226 cortical sites to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of fMRI and DTI-t for mapping Broca's areas. For sites with positive signals on fMRI or DTI-t, the true-positive rate (TPR) was calculated based on the concordance and discordance between fMRI and DTI-t. Results: Among 226 cortical sites, DCS was performed in 100 sites and CCEP was performed in 166 sites. The specificities of fMRI and DTI-t ranged from 72.4% (63/87) to 96.8% (122/126), respectively. The sensitivities of fMRI (except for verb generation) and DTI-t were 69.2% (9/13) to 92.3% (12/13) with DCS as the reference standard, and 40.0% (16/40) or lower with CCEP as the reference standard. For sites with preoperative fMRI or DTI-t positivity (n = 82), the TPR was high when fMRI and DTI-t were concordant (81.2% and 100% using DCS and CCEP, respectively, as the reference standards) and low when fMRI and DTI-t were discordant (≤ 24.2%). Conclusion: fMRI and DTI-t are sensitive and specific for mapping Broca's area compared with DCS and specific but insensitive compared with CCEP. A site with a positive signal on both fMRI and DTI-t represents a high probability of being an essential language area.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.466-478
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• 2022

Objective: ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT is often used for detecting malignancy in patients with newly diagnosed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), with acceptable sensitivity but relatively low specificity. The aim of this study was to improve the diagnostic ability of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in identifying malignancy in patients with HLH by combining ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: Ninety-seven patients (age ≥ 14 years) with secondary HLH were retrospectively reviewed and divided into the derivation (n = 71) and validation (n = 26) cohorts according to admission time. In the derivation cohort, 22 patients had malignancy-associated HLH (M-HLH) and 49 patients had non-malignancy-associated HLH (NM-HLH). Data on pretreatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and laboratory results were collected. The variables were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test or Pearson's chi-square test, and a nomogram for predicting M-HLH was constructed using multivariable binary logistic regression. The predictors were also ranked using decision-tree analysis. The nomogram and decision tree were validated in the validation cohort (10 patients with M-HLH and 16 patients with NM-HLH). Results: The ratio of the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the lymph nodes to that of the mediastinum, the ratio of the SUVmax of bone lesions or bone marrow to that of the mediastinum, and age were selected for constructing the model. The nomogram showed good performance in predicting M-HLH in the validation cohort, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.875 (95% confidence interval, 0.686-0.971). At an appropriate cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity for identifying M-HLH were 90% (9/10) and 68.8% (11/16), respectively. The decision tree integrating the same variables showed 70% (7/10) sensitivity and 93.8% (15/16) specificity for identifying M-HLH. In comparison, visual analysis of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images demonstrated 100% (10/10) sensitivity and 12.5% (2/16) specificity. Conclusion: ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT may be a practical technique for identifying M-HLH. The model constructed using ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT features and age was able to detect malignancy with better accuracy than visual analysis of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images.