• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.54-54
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• 2023

Nypa fruticans Wurmb (N. fruticans) is a plant that belongs to Araceae and N. fruticans is mainly found in tropical mangrove systems. The parts (leaves, stems, and roots) of N. fruticans are traditionally used for asthma, sore throat, and liver disease. N. fruticans contains flavonoids and polyphenols, which are substances that have inhibitory effects on cancer and oxidant. In previous studies, some pharmaceutical effects of N. fruticans on melanogenesis and inflammation have been reported. The present study is conducted to investigate the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of N. fruticans (ENF) on oxidative DNA damage and UVB-induced DNA damage. DNA damage response (DDR) pathway is important in research on cancer, apoptosis, and so on. DDR pathways are considered a crucial factor affecting the alleviation of cellular damage. ENF could reduce oxidative DNA damage derived from reactive oxygen species by the Fenton reaction. Also, ENF reduced the intensity of intracellular ROS in the live cell image by DCFDA assay. UVB is known to cause skin and cellular damage, then finally contribute to causing the formation of tumors. As for the strategies of reducing DNA damage by UVB, inhibition of p53, H2AX, and Chk2 can be important indexes to protect the human body from DNA damage. As a result of confirming the protective effect of ENF for UVB damage, MMPs significantly decreased, and the expression of apoptosis-related factors tended to decrease. In conclusion, ENF can provide protective effects against double-stranded DNA break (DSB) caused by oxidative DNA damage and UVB-induced DNA damage. These results are considered to be closely related to the protective effect against radicals based on catechin, epicatechin, and isoquercitrin contained in ENF. Based on these results, it is thought that additional mechanism studies for inhibiting cell damage are needed.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.373-382
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• 2023

The task of sorting and excluding blemished apples and others that lack commercial appeal is currently performed manually by human eye sorting, which not only causes musculoskeletal disorders in workers but also requires a significant amount of time and labor. In this study, an automated apple-sorting machine was developed to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in apple production workers and to streamline the process of sorting blemished and non-marketable apples from the better quality fruit. The apple-sorting machine is composed of an arm-rest, a main body, and a height-adjustable part, and uses object detection through a machine learning technology called 'You Only Look Once (YOLO)' to sort the apples. The machine was initially trained using apple image data, RoboFlow, and Google Colab, and the resulting images were analyzed using Jetson Nano. An algorithm was developed to link the Jetson Nano outputs and the conveyor belt to classify the analyzed apple images. This apple-sorting machine can immediately sort and exclude apples with surface defects, thereby reducing the time needed to sort the fruit and, accordingly, achieving cuts in labor costs. Furthermore, the apple-sorting machine can produce uniform quality sorting with a high level of accuracy compared with the subjective judgment of manual sorting by eye. This is expected to improve the productivity of apple growing operations and increase profitability.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.37-43
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• 2023

The hospital situation, timing, and patient restrictions have become obstacles to an optimum therapy session. The crowdedness of the hospital might lead to a tight schedule and a shorter period of therapy. This condition might strike a post-stroke patient in a dilemma where they need regular treatment to recover their nervous system. In this work, we propose an in-house and uncomplex serious game system that can be used for physical therapy. The Kinect camera is used to capture the depth image stream of a human skeleton. Afterwards, the user might use their hand gesture to control the game. Voice recognition is deployed to ease them with play. Users must complete the given challenge to obtain a more significant outcome from this therapy system. Subjects will use their upper limb and hands to capture the 3D objects with different speeds and positions. The more substantial challenge, speed, and location will be increased and random. Each delegated entity will raise the scores. Afterwards, the scores will be further evaluated to correlate with therapy progress. Users are delighted with the system and eager to use it as their daily exercise. The experimental studies show a comparison between score and difficulty that represent characteristics of user and game. Users tend to quickly adapt to easy and medium levels, while high level requires better focus and proper synchronization between hand and eye to capture the 3D objects. The statistical analysis with a confidence rate(α:0.05) of the usability test shows that the proposed gaming is accessible, even without specialized training. It is not only for therapy but also for fitness because it can be used for body exercise. The result of the experiment is very satisfying. Most users enjoy and familiarize themselves quickly. The evaluation study demonstrates user satisfaction and perception during testing. Future work of the proposed serious game might involve haptic devices to stimulate their physical sensation.

• IEMEK Journal of Embedded Systems and Applications
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2024

It is widely recognized that for 3D human pose estimation (HPE), dataset acquisition is expensive and the effectiveness of augmentation techniques of conventional visual recognition tasks is limited. We address these difficulties by presenting a simple but effective method that augments input images in terms of viewpoints when training a 3D human pose estimation (HPE) model. Our intuition is that meaningful variants of the input images for HPE could be obtained by viewing a human instance in the images from an arbitrary viewpoint different from that in the original images. The core idea is to synthesize new images that have self-occlusion and thus are difficult to predict at different viewpoints even with the same pose of the original example. We incorporate this idea into the training procedure of the 3D HPE model as an augmentation stage of the input samples. We show that a strategy for augmenting the synthesized example should be carefully designed in terms of the frequency of performing the augmentation and the selection of viewpoints for synthesizing the samples. To this end, we propose a new metric to measure the prediction difficulty of input images for 3D HPE in terms of the distance between corresponding keypoints on both sides of a human body. Extensive exploration of the space of augmentation probability choices and example selection according to the proposed distance metric leads to a performance gain of up to 6.2% on Human3.6M, the well-known pose estimation dataset.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the results of absorbed and effective doses using two different modes, standard mode (A-mode) and low-dose mode (B-mode) settings for prostate cancer IGRT from CBCT. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was obtained using Clinac iX integrated with On Board Imager (OBI) System and CBCT. CT images were obtained using a GE Light Speed scanner. Absorbed dose to organs from ICRP recommendations and effective doses to body was performed using A-mode and B-mode CBCT. Measurements were performed using a Anderson rando phantom with TLD-100 (Thermoluminescent dosimeters). TLD-100 were widely used to estimate absorbed dose and effective dose from CBCT with TLD System 4000 HAWSHAW. TLD-100 were calibrated to know sensitivity values using photon beam. The measurements were repeated three times for prostate center. Then, Evaluations of effective dose and absorbed dose were performed among the A-mode and B-mode CBCT. Results: The prostate absorbed dose from A-mode and B mode CBCT were 5.5 cGy 1.1 cGy per scan. Respectively Effective doses to body from A mode and B-mode CBCT were 19.1 mSv, 4.4 mSv per scan. Effective dose from A-mode CBCT were approximately 4 times lower than B-mode CBCT. Conclusion: We have shown that it is possible to reduce the effective dose considerably by low dose mode(B-mode) or lower mAs CBCT settings for prostate cancer IGRT. Therefore, we should try to select B-mode or low condition setting to decrease extra patient dose during the IGRT for prostate cancer as possible.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.101-106
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• 2009

Purpose of this study is to compare the signal intensity (SI) and CNR with T1 weighted image using FLASH at 3T abdominal MRI by varying flip angle (FA). Totally 20 patients (male : 12, female : 8, Age : $28{\sim}63$ years with mean : 51) were examined by 3 Tesla MR scanner (Magnetom Tim Trio, SIEMENS, Germany) with 8 channel body array coil between september and October 2008. Imaging parameters were as follows : FLASH sequence, TR : 120 ms, TE : minimum, FOV (field of view) : $360{\times}300\;mm$, Matrix : $256{\times}224$, slice : 6 mm, scan time : 15 sec and Breath-hold technique. Abdominal image, with a 50 ml syringe filled with water placed in the FOV measuring the water signal, were acquired with varying FA through $10^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ with $10^{\circ}$ interval. SI's were measured three times at liver parenchyme, water, spleen and background and averaged. The CNR's were measured between the ROIs (region of interest). Statistic analysis was performed with ANOVA test using SPSS software (version 17.0). Less than FA $30^{\circ}$, abdominal images were severely inhomogeneity. Especially, T1 effect of water signal was weak. As the flip angle increased, the signal intensity decreased at all the regions. Especially, flip angle of the highest signal intensity was observed with $40^{\circ}$ at the liver parenchyme, $20^{\circ}$ at water, $30^{\circ}$ at the spleen, respectively. The CNR between liver and water was -60.92 at FA $10^{\circ}$ and 15.16 at FA $80^{\circ}$. The CNR between liver and spleen was -3.18 at FA $10^{\circ}$ and 9.65 at $80^{\circ}$. In conclusion, FA $80^{\circ}$ is optimal for T1 weighted effect using FLASH pulse sequence at 3.0 T abdominal MRI.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2012

The dose re-calculation process using Megavoltage cone-beam CT images is inevitable process to perform the Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART). The purpose of this study is to improve dose re-calculation accuracy using MVCBCT images by applying intensity calibration method and three dimensional rigid body transform and filtering process. The three dimensional rigid body transform and Gaussian smoothing filtering process to MVCBCT Rando phantom images was applied to reduce image orientation error and the noise of the MVCBCT images. Then, to obtain the predefined modification level for intensity calibration, the cheese phantom images from kilo-voltage CT (kV CT), MVCBCT was acquired. From these cheese phantom images, the calibration table for MVCBCT images was defined from the relationship between Hounsfield Units (HUs) of kV CT and MVCBCT images at the same electron density plugs. The intensity of MVCBCT images from Rando phantom was calibrated using the predefined modification level as discussed above to have the intensity of the kV CT images to make the two images have the same intensity range as if they were obtained from the same modality. Finally, the dose calculation using kV CT, MVCBCT with/without intensity calibration was applied using radiation treatment planning system. As a result, the percentage difference of dose distributions between dose calculation based on kVCT and MVCBCT with intensity calibration was reduced comparing to the percentage difference of dose distribution between dose calculation based on kVCT and MVCBCT without intensity calibration. For head and neck, lung images, the percentage difference between kV CT and non-calibrated MVCBCT images was 1.08%, 2.44%, respectively. In summary, our method has quantitatively improved the accuracy of dose calculation and could be a useful solution to enhance the dose calculation accuracy using MVCBCT images.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.42-51
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• 2000

Purpose: Projection-type Fast Spin Echo (PFSE) imaging is robust to patient motion or flow related artifact compared to conventional Fast Spin Echo (FSE) imaging, however, it has difficulty in controlling $T_2$ contrast. In this paper, Tz contrast in the PFSE method is analyzed and compared with those of the FSE method with various effective echo times by computer simulation. The contrasts in the FSE and PFSE methods are also compared by experiments with volunteers. From the analysis and simulation, it is shown that ${T_2}-weighted$ images can well be obtained by the PFSE method proposed. Materials and methods: Pulse sequence for the PFSE method is implemented at a 1.0 Tesla whole body MRI system and $T_2$ contrasts in the PFSE and FSE methods are analyzed by computer simulation and experiment with volunteers. For the simulation, a mathematical phantom composed of various $T_2$ values is devised and $T_2$ contrast in the reconstructed image by the PFSE is compared to those by the FSE method with various effective echo times. Multi-slice ${T_2}-weighted$ head images of the volunteers obtained by the PFSE method are also shown in comparison with those by the FSE method at a 1.0 Tesla whole body MRI system. Results: From the analysis, $T_2$ contrast by the PFSE method appears similar to those by the FSE method with the effective echo time in a range of SO-lOOms. Using a mathematical phantom, contrast in the PFSE image appears close to that by the FSE method with the effective echo time of 96ms. From experiment with volunteers, multi-slice $T_2-weighted$ images are obtained by the PFSE method having contrast similar to that of the FSE method with the effective echo time of 96ms. Reconstructed images by the PFSE method show less motion related artifact compared to those by the FSE method. Conclusion: The projection-type FSE imaging acquires multiple radial lines with different angles in polar coordinate in k space using multiple spin echoes. The PFSE method is robust to patient motion or flow, however, it has difficulty in controlling $T_2$ contrast compared to the FSE method. In this paper, it is shown that the PFSE method provides good $T_2$ contrast (${T_2}-weighted$ images) similar to the FSE method by both computer simulation and experiments with volunteers.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.19-38
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• 2013

This study focuses on the differences in general self-concept, academic self-concept, significant others self-concept and emotional-physical self-concept in relation to appearance management behavior. It goes on to show that appearance management behaviors such as styles in clothing, makeup, skin care, hair care, cosmetic surgery and body shaping, weight control management are strongly influenced by self-concept. Therefore, this study was carried out with the aim of providing basic understanding and information on the appearance management behavior of middle school students. It was also done in an effort to find ways of improving the self-concept of students through education as a part of the domestic science curriculum. The results obtained in this study are as follows: On average, the middle school students who took part in this study showed low self-concept and appearance management behavior which indicates a negative image of themselves. This suggests that efforts need to be made so that students can see themselves in a positive way and improve their self-concept through appearance management behavior. Middle school students with a positive self-concept try to present themselves by keeping their skin clean and their hair attractive. They express their self-esteem and personality through fashion and by keeping and maintaining their clothing, shoes and bags. They also tend to show a positive attitude towards their studies and are more likely to understand and get along with others. The students who showed positive attitudes towards their bodies and emotions have a higher interest in clothing and try to express the image that they want for themselves. They are also less likely to change their bodies unnaturally through cosmetic surgery and body shaping. Appropriate appearance management behavior can help middle school students see themselves in a more positive way.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.318-323
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• 2020

Purpose: To examine the relationship between total fat infiltration (TFI) rate, which quantifies the reduction of muscles around the spine and is an important factor for sarcopenia, and the factors affecting osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Materials and Methods: Patients treated for osteoporotic compression fractures of the lumber spine from January 2012 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, this study included ninety-eight patients who were 1) diagnosed with osteoporosis with a bone mineral density (BMD) T score of less than 2.5 g/cm², 2) received vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for lumbar fractures, 3) involved one segment of the lumbar spine, and 4) were followed-up for more than one year. The TFI rate confirmed by analyzing magnetic resonance imagings with the Image J program was studied. Based on this, the relationship between the TFI of the multifidus and erector spinae muscles and the factors of osteoporosis were analyzed. Results: The mean TFI of the multifidus and erector spinae was 14.66±10.16. The spine BMD showed a positive correlation with the hip BMD, but a negative correlation with the TFI. A positive correlation was observed between the hip BMD and body mass index. In addition, vitamin D was positively correlated with both the hip and spine BMD but negatively correlated with the TFI rate. Conclusion: Muscle growth helps treat osteoporosis, and can prevent fractures that occur frequently in osteoporosis patients. Increasing the vitamin intake can also slow the progression of muscle atrophy.