• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.241-249
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• 2006

Purpose For the reconstruction of craniofacial deformities, the distraction osteogenesis is an useful method which can make new soft tissues as well as new bone. Although the distraction osteogenesis is an effective procedure in quantitative aspects, the new bone formed by this procedure can be coarse in qualitive aspects sometimes. Materials and methods Twelve rabbits, weighing about 2 kg, were included and the prefabricated distraction device were used. After a latency period of 5 days, in the experimental group (n=6), the mandible was distracted at the rate of 1.0 mm/day for 2 days and then compressed with 1.0 mm for the next 3rd day, therefore distracted totally to a length of 1.0 mm for 3 days. This procedure was repeated 5 times and, as a result, the experimental group was distracted to a length of 5.0 mm for 15 days finally. In the control group (n=6), the mandible was distracted totally to a length of 5.0 mm at the rate of 1 mm/day. At 2 weeks and 8 weeks of consolidation in the control group, 3 rabbits in each group were sacrificed and their biopsy specimens from the distracted mandible were taken. Results All animals showed the mandibular elongation clinically and radiographically. Histologically, many blood vessels, osteoblasts and immature bones formed by osteoid deposition were observed in the experimental group at 2 weeks. At 8 weeks, the bony trabeculae were thicker than the ones in the control group and were composed of lamella bones and woven bones in the experimental group. On histomorphometric analysis, the bone deposition area of the distracted site was broader in the experimental group $(273.8{\pm}115.7\;cm^2)$ than the one in the control group $(199.4{\pm}101.4\;cm^2)$. Futhermore, the modified rate of bone deposition area was higher in the experimental group (48${\pm}$20%) than the one in the control group (35${\pm}$18%). However, these data showed no significant differences statistically. Conclusion These results suggest that the distraction osteogenesis by using an alternating distraction/compression protocols is an effective method for increasing new bone formation in distracted areas.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 1996

This study was conducted at an automobile assembly line located in Kyonggi-do, Korea from January 16 to February 28, 1995. The purposes of this study were to assess worker exposures to hand-arm vibration and the performance of gloves for reduction of vibration. The exposure to vibration was measured using to the ISO 5349(1986) method. Vibration acceleration and frequency spectra for each tool were determined on-line replicating actual working conditions and analyzed together with exposure time for evaluating individual worker exposure. Eight pneumatic hand tools, 60 workers exposured to hand-arm vibration, and three pairs of gloves were involved in this study. Results are summarized as follows. 1. Dominant frequencies of vibration for all tools(n=8) measured in this study ranged from 250 Hz to 800 Hz. 2. There was no significant correleration between dominant frequencies and free running speed (p>0.05). 3. Total predicted exposure times of using impact, hammer type did not exceed 40 minutes, but metal finish task, using grinder and sander exceeded 40 minutes. Total exposure time affected significantly the frequency-weighted, 4 hr equivalent acceleration. 4. Predicted prevalence and observed exposure period data were compared in workers(n=60), according to ISO 5349. In this results, 23(50.0 %) and 24(48.07 %) persons exceeded the mean latency periods for vibration-induced white finger(VWF) at 10 % (n=46) and 50 % (n=52) standards, respectively. On the basis of ISO equation, mean latent periods for VWF were 3.23, 4.72 years at 10 %, 50 % standards, respectively. 5. Reduction of vibration by gloves was evaluated. Since impact pneumatic tools produced low frequency vibrations, conventional gloves did not provide any protection. Gloves A and C amplify somewhat the signal at frequency below 400 Hz; the attenuation increases progressively by frequency to reach 18 dB ($7.94{\times}10^{-6}m/s^2$) at 1,000 Hz, slightly worsening Glove B did not provide any protection and made the situation slightly worse. However, since they make the hands warm, the occurrence of vibration-induced white fingers may be reduced.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.337-345
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• 2014

The present study examined the effects of soybean-derived phosphatidylserine (SB-PS) on the learning and memory function and the neural activity in rats with trimethyltin (TMT)-induced memory deficits. The cognitive improving efficacy of SB-PS on the amnesic rats, which was induced by TMT, was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze test and by performing cholineacetyl transferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) immunohistochemistry. A positron emission tomography (PET) scanning the rat brain was by performed administer 18F-Fluorodeoxy-glucose (18F-FDG). The rats with TMT injection showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks and treatment with SB-PS produced a significant improvement of the escape latency to find the platform in the Morris water maze at the 2nd day compared to that of the MCT group. In the retention test, the SB-PS group showed increased time spent around the platform compared to that of the MCT group. Consistent with the behavioral data, SB-PS 50 group significantly alleviated the loss of acetyl cholinergic neurons in the hippocampus compared to that of the MCT group. Treatment with SB-PS significantly increased the CREB positive neurons in the hippocampus as compared to that of the MCT group. In addition, SB-PS groups increased the glucose uptake in the hippocampus and SB-PS 50 group increased the glucose uptake in the frontal lobe, as compared to that of the MCT group. These results suggest that SB-PS may be useful for improving the cognitive function via regulation of cholinergic marker enzyme activity and neural activity.

• KIISE Transactions on Computing Practices
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.517-534
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• 2017

This paper proposes an Internet of Things (IoT) middleware called Middleware for Cooperative Interaction of Things (MinT). MinT supports a fully distributed IoT environment in which IoT devices directly connect to peripheral devices, easily constructing a local or global network and sharing their data in an energy efficient manner. MinT provides a sensor abstract layer, a system layer and an interaction layer. These layers enable integrated sensing device operations, efficient resource management, and interconnection between peripheral IoT devices. In addition, MinT provides a high-level API, allowing easy development of IoT devices by developers. We aim to enhance the energy efficiency and performance of IoT devices through the performance improvements offered by MinT resource management and request processing. The experimental results show that the average request rate increased by 25% compared to existing middlewares, average response times decreased by 90% when resource management was used, and power consumption decreased by up to 68%. Finally, the proposed platform can reduce the latency and power consumption of IoT devices.

• Journal of KIISE:Computer Systems and Theory
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.407-415
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• 2007

In parallel cluster computing systems, the efficiency of communication between computing nodes is one of important factors that decide overall system performance. Accordingly, many researchers have studied on high-performance inter-node communication. The recently launched multi-core processor, however. increases the importance of intra-node communication as well because the more the number of cores in a node, the more the number of parallel processes running in the same node. Though there have been studies on intra-node communications, these have limited considerations on the state-of-the-art systems. In this paper, we propose a Linux kernel module that minimizes the number of data copy by exploiting the memory mapping mechanism for high-performance intra-node communication. The proposed kernel module supports the Linux kernel version 2.6. The performance measurements over a multi-core system present that the proposed kernel module can achieve lower latency up to 62% and higher throughput up to 144% than an existing kernel module approach. In addition, the measurements reveal that the performance of intra-node communication can vary significantly based on whether the cores that run the communication processes are belong to the same processor package (i.e., sharing the L2 cache).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4169-4173
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• 2016

Background: Mesotheliomas are relatively rare tumors in Lebanon. The only previous study goes back to 14 years ago, when we published epidemiological characteristics of mesotheliomas in Lebanon, showing that the pleural location accounted for the vast majority of cases, with clear evidence of asbestos exposure from the Eternit factory of Chekka region. The objective of this current study was to estimate the incidence of mesothelioma in the past decade and to identify its epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics, making comparisons with our first study published in 2001. Materials and Methods: Between 2002 and 2014, patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma at Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital were investigated. Epidemiological data focusing on asbestos exposure history were collected from medical records and interviews with the families. Results: A total of 26 patients were diagnosed with mesothelioma, 21 of which were successfully investigated. The mean age of these 21 patients is 62.5 (19-82). Only 3 (14.29%) are women. 18 (85.71%) were smokers. Among the 21 available mesotheliomas, 15 (71.4%) are pleural, while 5 (23.8%) are peritoneal and 1 (4.8%) pericardial. Only 60% of patients with pleural mesothelioma and 50% of those with an obvious exposure to asbestos lived and/or worked in Chekka region. The mean time of asbestos exposure in patients with mesothelioma is 24.5 (1-50) years and the mean latency is 37.4 (4-61) years. Of the 21 patients, 10 (47.6%) underwent surgery during their treatment, 16 (76.2%) received chemotherapy and 3 (14.3%) received best supportive care. Conclusions: Compared to the previous study (1991-2000), substantial changes in the epidemiology of mesothelioma in Lebanon were observed, such as an increase in peritoneal localizations and a lower correlation with Chekka region asbestos contamination.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.138-148
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• 2017

Objectives: Sleep quality is directly related to the health, quality of life and working capacity and is affected by age, gender, exercise, life habits. Gender dissimilarities in sleep quality are acknowledged. However, the gender difference in the quality of sleep in shift workers was not well known. Our aim was to study the less known gender differences in the quality of sleep of shift workers. Methods: 1,008 study subjects aged between 21 and 57 years among these, 637(525 male and 112 female workers) were daytime workers and 371(253 males and 118 female workers) were shift workers. Sleep quality was measured by self-report through the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index(PSQI) and fatigue was measured by using the Chalder Fatigue Scale(CFS). All data was analyzed using SPSS version 19.0 program. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. Results: Overall, sleep quality was found to be worse in shift workers than in daytime workers and in female than in male. Fatigue in shift female workers was significantly higher than in daytime female workers and shift male workers. In Spearman correlation analysis results, fatigue were significantly associated with gender, drink habit, regular exercise, working hours and sleep quality. With group male workers as the reference, the odds ratio(OR) for having a CFS was 2.115(${\beta}$ value=0.749, p<0.01), and subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, daytime dysfunction and PSQI were 1.541(${\beta}$ value=0.432, p<0.05), 2.297(${\beta}$ value=0.831, p<0.001), 1.798(${\beta}$ value=0.587, p<0.01) and 2.224(${\beta}$ value=0.799, p<0.01), respectively. Conclusions: Shift work played an important role in lowering the quality of sleep, and the effect was more pronounced in female workers than in male workers. Sleep quality was related to fatigue, especially sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction were significantly related. Therefore, to improve fatigue and sleep quality of shift worker, it is necessary to improve healthy habits such as regular exercise, smoking cessation, and limited drinking. In particular, it is urgent to develop and implement a regular exercise program to reduce fatigue and improve the quality of sleep in workplace.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2014

We investigated the role of central P2X receptors in inflammatory pain transmission in the orofacial area in rats. Experiments were carried out using male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230-280g. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA, $40{\mu}L$) was applied subcutaneously to the vibrissa pad to produce inflammatory pain. The intracisternal administration of iso-PPADS tetrasodium salt, a non-selective P2X receptor antagonist, A317491 sodium salt hydrate, a $P2X_{2/3}$ receptor antagonist, 5-BDBD, a $P2X_4$ receptor antagonist, or A438079 hydrochloride, a $P2X_7$ receptor antagonist, was performed 5 days after CFA injection. Subcutaneous injections of CFA produced increases in thermal hypersensitivity. Intracisternal injections of iso-PPADS ($25{\mu}g$) or A438079 (25 or $50{\mu}g$) produced significant anti-hyperalgesic effects against thermal stimuli compared to the vehicle group. A317491 or 5-BDBD did not affect the head withdrawal latency times in rats showing an inflammatory response. Subcutaneous injections of CFA resulted in the up-regulation of OX-42, a microglia marker, and GFAP, an astrocyte marker, in the medullary dorsal horn. The intracisternal administration of A438079 reduced the numbers of activated microglia and astrocytes in the medullary dorsal horn. These results suggest that a blockade of the central $P2X_7$ receptor produces antinociceptive effects, mediated by inhibition of glial cell function in the medullary dorsal horn. These data also indicate that central $P2X_7$ receptors are potential targets for future therapeutic approaches to inflammatory pain in the orofacial area.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.33-44
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• 2011

In this paper, we presents a hybrid on-chip bus architecture based on the AMBA 3.0 AXI protocol for MPSoC with high performance and low power. Among AXI channels, data channels with a lot of traffic are designed by crossbar-switch architecture for massively parallel processing. On the other hand, addressing and write-response channels having a few of traffic is handled by shared-bus architecture due to the overheads of (areas, interconnection wires and power consumption) reduction. In experiments, the comparisons are carried out in terms of time, space and power domains for the verification of proposed hybrid on-chip bus architecture. For $16{\times}16$ bus configuration, the hybrid on-chip bus architecture has almost similar performance in time domain with respect to crossbar on-chip bus architecture, as the masters's latency is differenced about 9% and the total execution time is only about 4%. Furthermore, the hybrid on-chip bus architecture is very effective on the overhead reduction, such as it reduced about 47% of areas, and about 52% of interconnection wires, as well as about 66% of dynamic power consumption. Thus, the presented hybrid on-chip bus architecture is shown to be very effective for the MPSoC interconnection design aiming at high performance and low power.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.59-67
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• 2013

Reed-Solomon (RS) codes are powerful error-correcting codes used in diverse applications. Recently, algebraic soft-decision decoding algorithm for RS codes that can correct the errors beyond the error correcting bound has been proposed. The algorithm requires very intensive computations for interpolation, therefore an efficient VLSI architecture, which is realizable in hardware with a moderate hardware complexity, is mandatory for various applications. In this paper, we propose an efficient architecture with low hardware complexity for interpolation in soft-decision list decoding of Reed-Solomon codes. The proposed architecture processes the candidate polynomial in such a way that the terms of X degrees are processed in serial and the terms of Y degrees are processed in parallel. The processing order of candidate polynomials adaptively changes to increase the efficiency of memory access for coefficients; this minimizes the internal registers and the number of memory accesses and simplifies the memory structure by combining and storing data in memory. Also, the proposed architecture shows high hardware efficiency, since each module is balanced in terms of latency and the modules are maximally overlapped in schedule. The proposed interpolation architecture for the (255, 239) RS list decoder is designed and synthesized using the DongbuHitek $0.18{\mu}m$ standard cell library, the number of gate counts is 25.1K and the maximum operating frequency is 200 MHz.