• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1060-1068
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• 2018

Study Design: Retrospective study. Purpose: Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is an important cause of low back pain. Overview of Literature: Spinal fusion is often reported to have a good course for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, many studies have reported that adjacent segment degeneration is accelerated after lumbar spinal fusion. Radiography is a simple method used to evaluate the orientation of the vertebral column. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method most often used to specifically evaluate intervertebral disc degeneration. The Pfirrmann classification is a well-known method used to evaluate degenerative lumbar disease. After spinal fusion, an increase in stress, excess mobility, increased intra-disc pressure, and posterior displacement of the axis of motion have been observed in the adjacent segments. Methods: we retrospectively secured and analyzed the data of 15 patients (four boys and 11 girls) with AIS who underwent a spinal fusion surgery. We studied the full-length view of the spine (anterior-posterior and lateral) from the X-ray and MRI obtained from all patients before surgery. Postoperatively, another full-length spine X-ray and lumbosacral MRI were obtained from all participants. Then, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, curve correction, and fused and free segments before and after surgery were calculated based on X-ray studies. MRI images were used to estimate the degree to which intervertebral discs were degenerated using Pfirrmann grading system. Pfirrmann grade before and after surgery were compared with Wilcoxon signed rank test. While analyzing the contribution of potential risk factors for the post-spinal fusion Pfirrmann grade of disc degeneration, we used generalized linear models with robust standard error estimates to account for intraclass correlation that may have been present between discs of the same patient. Results: The mean age of the participant was 14 years, and the mean curvature before and after surgery were 67.8 and 23.8, respectively (p<0.05). During the median follow-up of 5 years, the mean degree of the disc degeneration significantly increased in all patients after surgery (p<0.05) with a Pfirrmann grade of 1 and 2.8 in the L2-L3 before and after surgery, respectively. The corresponding figures at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels were 1.28 and 2.43, 1.07 and 2.35, and 1 and 2.33, respectively. The lower was the number of free discs below the fusion level, the higher was the Pfirrmann grade of degeneration (p<0.001). Conversely, the higher was the number of the discs fused together, the higher was the Pfirrmann grade. Conclusions: we observed that the disc degeneration aggravated after spinal fusion for scoliosis. While the degree of degeneration as measured by Pfirrmann grade was directly correlated by the number of fused segments, it was negatively correlated with the number of discs that remained free below the lowermost level of the fusion.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.121-132
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• 2018

Weather is an important factor affecting roadway transportation in many aspects such as traffic flow, driver 's driving patterns, and crashes. This study focuses on the relationship between weather and road surface condition and develops a model to estimate the road surface condition using machine learning. A road surface sensor was attached to the probe vehicle to collect road surface condition classified into three categories as 'dry', 'moist' and 'wet'. Road geometry information (curvature, gradient), traffic information (link speed), weather information (rainfall, humidity, temperature, wind speed) are utilized as variables to estimate the road surface condition. A variety of machine learning algorithms examined for predicting the road surface condition, and a two - stage classification model based on 'Random forest' which has the highest accuracy was constructed. 14 days of data were used to train the model and 2 days of data were used to test the accuracy of the model. As a result, a road surface state prediction model with 81.74% accuracy was constructed. The result of this study shows the possibility of estimating the road surface condition using the existing weather and traffic information without installing new equipment or sensors.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.237-244
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• 2019

In this study, we applied terahertz imaging technology to three Korean modern oil paintings ('Boy,' 'Girl,' and 'Hyehwadong Landscape'); investigated the types of inner layer information in the pictures that can be extracted with terahertz imaging technology; and analyzed the conditions for extracting them. The biggest problem in the terahertz imaging analysis we encountered was the image distortion caused by the change of the distance between the target surface and the terahertz detector, depending on the surface curvature of the target paintings. We then developed a 'working distance maintaining device' to solve this problem. As a result, the terahertz imaging technique was used to identify the base material characteristics and any patterns of damage inside, and presented the optimal conditions for identifying each characteristic. In addition, it was useful to employ the terahertz frequency-division image to check the characteristics of the background materials. To confirm coloring techniques such as brush strokes, it is effective to compare the maximum reflection peak image with the cross-section image; and to detect damage information inside the paintings that cannot be observed on the surface, to compare the cross-section image with the frequency-division image. On the other hand, according to the terahertz imaging analysis of the oil paintings, the internal structural damage marks of 'Boy' and 'Girl' were confirmed, and the artist's painting style was confirmed in 'Hyehwadong Landscape.' The above results are expected to be useful for the analysis and diagnosis of Korean modern oil paintings for their preservation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.525-532
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• 2022

The port of Mokpo operates the largest number of coastal passenger ships and routes in Korea. These coastal passenger ships pass through narrow channels in the south-west coast of Korea owing to the geographical effect. It is difficult to find a research for the safety of the marine traffic environment in the narrow channel used by coastal passenger ship. Therefore, in this study, the navigation safety of the target coastal passenger ship was analyzed in the narrow channel near the port of Mokpo using the Korea design standard for port and harbour facilities. As a result of the analysis, the width of the narrow channel between Maek-island and Dali-island is narrower than 1.5 times of the target ship's length over all, the degree of curvature of the narrow channel exceeds the standard value of 30°, and several fishing gears exist near the narrow channel. Finally, the following were suggested to improve the safety of navigation on the narrow channel: keeping one-way traffic during the day-time, and navigating through the designated fairway during night·visibility restriction·low tide.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.2C
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• pp.71-79
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• 2009

This study is to develope the resilient modulus prediction model, which is the function of mean effective principal stress and axial strain, for three types of railroad trackbed materials such as crushed stone, weathered granite soil, and crushed-rock soil mixture. The model consists of the maximum Young's modulus and nonlinear values for higher strain, analogous to dynamic shear modulus. The maximum value is modeled by model parameters, $A_E$ and the power of mean effective principal stress, $n_E$. The nonlinear portion is represented by modified hyperbolic model, with the model parameters of reference strain, ${\varepsilon}_r$ and curvature coefficient, a. To assess the performance of the prediction models proposed herein, the elastic response of a test trackbed near PyeongTaek, Korea, was evaluated using a 3-D elastic multilayer computer program (GEOTRACK). The results were compared with measured elastic vertical displacement during the passages of freight and passenger trains at two locations, whose sub-ballasts were crushed stone and weathered granite soil, respectively. The calculated vertical displacements of the sub-ballasts are within the order of 0.6mm, and agree well with measured values. The prediction models are thus concluded to work properly in the preliminary investigation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.380-386
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• 2010

Objectives: The introduction of nickel-titanium alloy endodontic instruments has greatly simplified shaping the root canal systems. However, these new instruments have several unexpected disadvantages. One of these is tendency to screw into the canal. In this study, the influence of taper on the screw-in effect of the Ni-Ti rotary instrument were evaluated. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 simulated root canals with an S-shaped curvature in clear resin blocks were divided into two groups. ProFile .02, .04, .06 (Dentsply-Maillefer) and GT rotary files .08, .10, .12 (Dentsply) were used in Profile group, and K3 .04, .06, .08, .10, and .12 (SybronEndo, Glendora) were used in K3 group. Files were used with a single pecking motion at a constant speed of 300 rpm. A special device was made to measure the force of screw-in effect. A dynamometer of the device recorded the screwin force during simulated canal preparation and the recorded data was stored in computer with designed software. The data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple range test for post-hoc test. p value of less than 0.05 was regarded significant. Results: The more tapered instruments generated more screw-in forces in Profile group (p < 0.05). In K3 group, 0.08, 0.10. and 0.12 tapered instruments showed more screw-in force than 0.04 tapered one, and 0.08 and 0.12 tapered instruments showed more screw-in force than 0.06 tapered one (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The more tapered instruments seems to produce more screw-in force. To avoid this screw-in force during instrumentation, more attention may be needed when using more tapered instruments.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2011

Purpose: In order to provide the fundamental information for the design development of RGP lenses and its clinical prescription, the corneal types of Korean twenties were analyzed according to corneal shapes, astigmatic degree, and the certain distance from the corneal apex. Methods: Corneal types of total 252 eyes in 20s were firstly classified, then their corneal radii from the certain distance from the corneal apex were measured by corneal topography and further analyzed based on the astigmatic degree. Results: Korean 20s' corneal types were classified as 14.3%(36 eyes) of round, 31.3%(79 eyes) of oval, 28.6%(72 eyes) of symmetric bow tie, 17.5%(44 eyes) of asymmetric bow tie, 8.3%(21 eyes) of irregular shapes. The round and oval typed corneas had mild astigmatic degree whereas the higher astigmatic degree in symmetric and asymmetric bow tie typed corneas were shown. The relative corneal radii of round and oval typed corneas at each distance from corneal apex were shown to consistently increase regardless of astigmatic degrees when they measured at certain distances from the corneal apex. However, the relative corneal radii of symmetric and asymmetric bow tie typed corneas within 1.0-1.5mm from the corneal apex were decreased, which showed steeper slope than it within 1.0 mm and somewhat different based on astigmatic degrees. Bigger change of corneal radii outer 3.5 mm from the corneal apex in symmetric bow tie typed corneas with astigmatism of 1.50-2.00 D and 2.25-2.75 D appeared. Conclusions: The consideration of radial change from the central cornea to peripheral cornea is necessary for manufacturing RGP lens and its prescription since they showed different change in corneal radii by corneal patterns and astigmatic degrees.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.437-448
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze morphological characteristics of maxillary primary molar's root and root canal. 268 children aged 3 - 7 years (175 boys, 93 girls) who had CBCT (152 children) and 3D CT (116 children) taken in Seoul National University Dental Hospital from January 2006 to April 2020 were included. The number of roots and root canals were analyzed in 1002 teeth without any root resorption or periapical pathologies. Curvature, angulation, length of root and root canal, as well as cross-sectional shapes of the root canal were analyzed in 218 teeth. By using Mimics and 3-Matics software, volume, surface area, and volume ratio of root canal was analyzed in 48 teeth. More than half of maxillary primary molars have 3 roots and 3 root canals. The degree of symmetry of root canal type was about 0.63 (Cohen's kappa coefficient). The most frequent shape of roots and canals was linear in 1^st primary molars and curved in 2^nd primary molars. Angulation, length of root and root canals was the largest on palatal roots. Most teeth showed ovoid or round shapes at apex. The largest root canal volume, surface area, volume ratio was found in the palatal roots.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.389-403
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• 2008

In Angle's Class III malocclusion, which has higher incidence in Korean than Western, depressed midfacial profile with protruded lower lips and mandible may give rise to many functional, esthetic, psychological, social problems. Due to the different malocclusion incidence according to racial differences, many previous studies focused on the relationship between Class II malocclusion and nasal airway obstruction. Previous studies used lateral cephalography which has limitations of 2 dimensional image with projection error and identification error. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze morphologic differences in the nasal airway between normal occlusion and Angle's Class III malocclusion patients using 3-dimensional facial computed tomography. Thirteen normal occlusion(7 men and 6 women) and sixteen skeletal Class III(7 men and 9 women) patients were selected and 3-dimensional facial computed tomography taking was performed. Comparison between two group in volume and sectional area of nasal airway were carried out. The results were followed. 1. In the comparison of absolute nasal airway volume, oropharyngeal space of experimental group were larger than control group but there are no significant difference in other. 2. In the comparison of relative nasal airway volume, oropharyngeal space of experimental group were larger than control group but there are no significant difference in other. 3. In the oropharyngeal space width on frontal and lateral view, the similar tendency was revealed between two groups. 4. In the lateral curvature of nasal airway, the similar tendency was revealed between two groups.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.694-709
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• 2021

Purpose: In this study, earthquake-induced landslide risk assessment was conducted to provide basic data for efficient and preemptive damage prevention by selecting the erosion control work before the earthquake and the prediction and restoration priorities of the damaged area after the earthquake. Method: The study analyzed the previous studies abroad to examine the evaluation methodology and to derive the evaluation factors, and examine the utilization of the landslide hazard map currently used in Korea. In addition, the earthquake-induced landslide hazard map was also established on a pilot basis based on the fault zone and epicenter of Pohang using seismic attenuation. Result: The earthquake-induced landslide risk assessment study showed that China ranked 44%, Italy 16%, the U.S. 15%, Japan 10%, and Taiwan 8%. As for the evaluation method, the statistical model was the most common at 59%, and the physical model was found at 23%. The factors frequently used in the statistical model were altitude, distance from the fault, gradient, slope aspect, country rock, and topographic curvature. Since Korea's landslide hazard map reflects topography, geology, and forest floor conditions, it has been shown that it is reasonable to evaluate the risk of earthquake-induced landslides using it. As a result of evaluating the risk of landslides based on the fault zone and epicenter in the Pohang area, the risk grade was changed to reflect the impact of the earthquake. Conclusion: It is effective to use the landslide hazard map to evaluate the risk of earthquake-induced landslides at the regional scale. The risk map based on the fault zone is effective when used in the selection of a target site for preventive erosion control work to prevent damage from earthquake-induced landslides. In addition, the risk map based on the epicenter can be used for efficient follow-up management in order to prioritize damage prevention measures, such as to investigate the current status of landslide damage after an earthquake, or to restore the damaged area.