• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.730-740
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• 2022

Objective : Although several commercialized bone cements are used during percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), there are no reports using domestic products from South Korea. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of Spinofill^® (Injecta Inc., Gunpo, Korea), a new polymethyl methacrylate product. Methods : A prospective, single-center, and single-arm clinical trial of 30 participants who underwent PVP using Spinofill^® for painful thoracolumbar OVCF was performed with 6-months follow-up. Clinical and surgical outcomes included the Visual analog scale (VAS), Korean-Oswestry disability index (K-ODI), and Odom's criteria, complication rate, and recurrence rate. Radiological outcomes were evaluated by measuring the findings of postoperative computed tomography and simple radiograph. Results : The pain of VAS (from 8.95±1.05 to 4.65±2.06, p<0.001) and the life quality based on K-ODI (from 33.95±5.84 to 25.65±4.79, p<0.001) improved significantly, and successful patient satisfaction were achieved in 20 patients (66.7%) 1 day after surgery. These immediate improvements were maintained or more improved during the follow-up. There was no surgery- or product-related complications, but OVCF recurred in two patients (6.7%). Favorable cement interdigitation was reported in 24 patients (80.0%), and extra-vertebral cement leakage was reported in 13 patients (43.0%). The mean vertebral height ratio (from 60.49%±21.97% to 80.07%±13.16%, p<0.001) and segmental kyphotic angle (from 11.46°±8.50° to 7.79°±6.08°, p=0.002) improved one day after surgery. However, these short-term radiological findings somewhat regressed at the end. Conclusion : The overall outcomes of PVP using Spinofill^® were as favorable as those of other conventionally used products.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2023

Background: In modern society, the use of computers accounts for a large proportion of our daily lives. Although substantial research is being actively conducted on musculoskeletal diseases resulting from computer use, there has been a recent surge in interest in improving the working environment for prevention. Objects: This study aimed to examine the effects of posture correction feedback (PCF) on changes in neck posture and muscle activation during computer typing. Methods: The participants performed a computer typing task in two sessions, each lasting 16 minutes. The participant's dominant side was photographed and analyzed using ImageJ software to verify neck posture. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to confirm the participant's cervical erector spinae (CES) and upper trapezius muscle activities. The EMG signal was analyzed using the percentage of reference voluntary contraction and amplitude probability distribution function (APDF). In the second session, visual and auditory feedback for posture correction was provided if the neck was flexed by more than 15° in the initial position during computer typing. A 20-minute rest period was provided between the two sessions. Results: The neck angle (p = 0.014), CES muscle activity (p = 0.008), and APDF (p = 0.015) showed significant differences depending on the presence of the PCF. Furthermore, significant differences were observed regarding the CES muscle activity (p = 0.001) and APDF (p = 0.002) over time. Conclusion: Our study showed that the feedback system can correct poor posture and reduces unnecessary muscle activation during computer work. The improved neck posture and reduced CES muscle activity observed in this study suggest that neck pain can be prevented. Based on these results, we suggest that the PCF system can be used to prevent neck pain.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.253-258
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• 2023

In comics, panels serve a variety of dramatic purposes, including controlling the flow of the story through the size, placement, and order of panels; directing the eye to where characters or specific actions take place; expressing the passage or sequence of time; and using backgrounds, lighting, and color to emphasize emotion and convey mood. When applied to VR animation, these comic panels can give users a more immersive experience of the cartoon world in the VR space. In the VR animation "Mescaformhill: Missing Five," produced in 2022, the comic panels directing is very important to guide the viewer's attention, and in the VR space, the camera angle can be freely changed to realize various visual effects, and the physical interaction brings the comic panels directing to life. This can open up new ways of storytelling in VR animation and contribute to its successful expansion into new mediums.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Due to climate change and aging of reservoirs, damage to embankment slopes is increasing. However, the safety diagnosis of the reservoir slope is mainly conducted by visual observation, and the time and economic cost are formidable to apply soil mechanical tests and slope stability analysis. Accordingly, this study presented a predicting method for the compaction and strength characteristics of the reservoir embankment soil using a portable static cone penetration test. The predicted items consisted of dry density, cohesion, and internal friction angle, which are the main factors of slope stability analysis. Portable static cone penetration tests were performed at 19 reservoir sites, and prediction equations were constructed from the correlation between penetration resistance data and test results of soil samples. The predicted dry density and strength parameters showed a correlation with test results between R² 0.40 and 0.93, and it was found to replace the test results well when used as input data for slope stability analysis (R² 0.8134 or more, RMSE 0.0320 or less). In addition, the prediction equations for the minimum safety factor of the slope were presented using the penetration resistance and gradient. As a result of comparing the predicted safety factor with the analysis results, R² 0.5125, RMSE 0.0382 in coarse-grained soil, R² 0.4182 and RMSE 0.0628 in fine-grained soil. The results of this study can be used as a way to improve the existing slope safety diagnosis method, and are expected to be used to predict the characteristics of various soils and inspect slopes.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2023

In general, maintaining an incorrect sitting posture for a long time is widely known to adversely affect the spine. Recently, several researchers have been interested in the causal relationship between incorrect sitting posture and spinal diseases, and have been studying methods to precisely measure changes in sitting or standing posture to prevent spinal diseases. In previous studies, we have developed a sensor device capable of measuring real-time posture change, applied a momentum calculation algorithm to improve the accuracy of real-time posture change measurement, and verified the accuracy of the postural change measurement sensor. In this study, we developed a posture measurement and analysis device that considers changes in the center of body pressure through the developed sitting pressure measurement, and it confirmed the sensor as an auxiliary tool to increase the accuracy of posture correction training with improving the user's visual feedback.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.511-516
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• 2024

The recently enacted detailed guidelines on the performance evaluation of track facilities presented the necessary requirements regarding the evaluation procedures and implementation methods of track performance evaluation. However, the grade of rail surface damage is determined by external inspection (visual inspection), and there is no choice but to rely only on qualitative evaluation based on the subjective judgment of the inspector. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to develop a diagnostic application that can diagnose rail internal defects using rail surface damage. In the field investigation, rail surface damage was investigated and patterns were analyzed. Additionally, in the indoor test, SEM testing was used to construct image data of rail internal damage, and crack length, depth, and angle were quantified. In this study, a deep learning model (Fast R-CNN) using image data constructed from field surveys and indoor tests was applied to the application. A rail surface damage diagnosis application (App) using a deep learning model that can be used on smart devices was developed. We developed a smart diagnosis system for rail surface damage that can be used in future track diagnosis and performance evaluation work.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.845-849
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• 2024

Currently, rail surface defects are increasing due to the aging of urban railway rails, but in the detailed guidelines for track performance evaluation established by the country, rail surface damage is inspected with the naked eye of an engineer and with simple measuring tools. It is very important to discover defects in the rail surface through periodic track tours and visual inspection. However, evaluating the severity of defects on the rail surface based on the subjective judgment of the inspector has significant limitations in predicting damage inside the rail. In this study, the characteristics of cracks inside the rail due to rail surface damage were studied. In field measurements, rail surface damage was selected, old rail samples were collected in the acceleration and braking sections, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to evaluate the rail surface damage was used to analyze the crack characteristics. As a result of the analysis, the crack mechanism caused by the running train and the crack characteristics of the acceleration section where cracks occur at an angle rising toward the rail surface were experimentally proven.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2018

This study was conducted to determine effects of precooling and storage methods on asparagus spears' quality such as changes of fresh weight and color during simulated export distribution. Two types of precooling methods, air cooling and hydrocooling, were applied prior to packaging by comparing with no precooling as a control. Asparagus spears were packed with oxygen transmission rate (OTR) film for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and perforated (PF) film for a conventional packaging. All treatments were stored at $8^{\circ}C$ for 20 hours, and subsequently at $4^{\circ}C$ by final storage day, which is simulated distribution temperature condition from Yanggu, Korea to Shimonoseki, Japan. The half cooling time was 12 minutes for air cooling and 15 seconds for the hydrocooling, indicating precooling process of asparagus spears faster with the hydrocooling. Rates of respiration and ethylene production were lowest with hydrocooling. Fresh weight loss was higher, approximately 11%, at the control condition in conventional storage, compared with the MAP, less than 0.5%. Carbon dioxide and oxygen content in the MAP was in the permissible ranges for asparagus spears under recommended CA/MA conditions under both the air cooling and hydrocooling. Ethylene content in the film package was lower with the precooling treatment. Firmness of stems was lowest with the hydrocooling prior to the MAP. Visual quality, off-odor, and hue angle value were best with hydrocooling prior to the MAP. In conclusion, the combination of hydrocooling with the MAP is effective in preserving quality during the export distribution process.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.411-417
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• 2020

Purpose: This paper reports the short-term clinical and radiological results of unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression (UBE) to prove its efficacy. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients who received unilateral biportal endoscopic far-lateral decompression (UBEFLD) were analyzed statistically using the visual analogue scale (VAS), modified Macnab criteria and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) clinically. Radiologically, their intervertebral angle (IVA), percentage slip, disc height index (DHI) and foraminal height index (FHI) were analyzed pre- and postoperatively. Results: The VAS scores were 6.20 preoperatively, which improved to 2.05, 1.75 and 1.45 at postoperative one month, three months and one year, respectively (p<0.001). The modified macnab criteria in both the good or excellent category was 70.0%, 80.0% and 85.0% at postoperative one month, three months and one year, respectively (p=0.034). The ODI improved from 59.8% preoperatively to 35.8%, 33.2%, and 17.1% at postoperative one month, three months, and one year, respectively (p<0.001). The IVA was increased 0.40±0.88 after a surgery (p=0.057). Percentage slip was increased 0.19% after surgery (p=0.134). The DHI changed from 0.49 preoperatively to 0.62 postoperatively (p=0.359), and the FHI changed from 0.71 preoperatively to 0.79 postoperatively (p<0.001). Conclusion: UBEFLD displayed satisfactory results. Such a result highlights the potential of UBEFLD as an excellent alternative to spinal fusion or microscopic surgery.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.244-253
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• 2019

Purpose: Total hip arthroplasty was performed using a direct anterior approach (DAA) on an ordinary operation table and a short femoral stem. The clinical radiographic results were evaluated by a comparison with those performed using the modified hardinge (anterolateral approach, ALA) method. Materials and Methods: From January 2013 to November 2015, 102 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty using DAA (DAA group) and the same number of patients using ALA (ALA group), both performed by a single surgeon, were compared and analyzed retrospectively. The operation time and amounts of bleeding were compared, and the improvement in post-operative pain, ambulatory capacity and functional recovery of the hip joint were checked. The location of insertion of the acetabular cup and femoral stem were evaluated radiologically, and the complications that occurred in the two groups were investigated. Results: The amount of bleeding was significantly smaller in the DAA group (p=0.018). Up to 3 weeks postoperatively, recovery of hip muscle strength was significantly higher in the DAA group (flexion/extension strength p=0.023, abduction strength p=0.031). The Harris hip score was significantly better in the DAA group for up to 3 months (p<0.001) and the Koval score showed significantly better results in the DAA group up to 6 weeks (p≤0.001). The visual analogue scale score improvement was significantly higher in the DAA group by day 7 (p=0.035). The inclination angle (p<0.001) and anteversion angle (p<0.001) of the acetabular cup were located in the safe zone of the DAA group more than in the ALA group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the position of the femur stem and leg length difference. During surgery, two cases of greater trochanter fracture occurred in the DAA group (p=0.155). Conclusion: The DAA performed in the ordinary operation table using a short femoral stem showed post-operative early functional recovery. Because a simple to use fluoroscope was used during surgery with an anatomical position familiar to the surgeon, it is considered to be useful for the insertion of implants into the desired position and for an approach that is useful for the prevention of leg length differences.