• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
• /
• v.26 no.8
• /
• pp.1111-1120
• /
• 2022

Image Capturing is a matter of viewing images and describing images in language. The problem is an important problem that can be solved by keeping, understanding, and bringing together two areas of image processing and natural language processing. In addition, by automatically recognizing and describing images in text, images can be converted into text and then into speech for visually impaired people to help them understand their surroundings, and important issues such as image search, art therapy, sports commentary, and real-time traffic information commentary. So far, the image captioning research approach focuses solely on recognizing and texturing images. However, various environments in reality must be considered for practical use, as well as being able to provide image descriptions for the intended purpose. In this work, we limit the universally available Korean and English image captioning models and text generation techniques for the purpose of image captioning.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.146-150
• /
• 2020

Assistive technologies for people with disabilities are often marginalized in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In this paper, we intend to present the possibility of acquiring tactile information through the tactile display adapting an electromagnetic actuator. The multi-layered display designed for tactile communication has innovatively narrowed the size and spacing of cells in order to express pictures, maps, and graphics. This display has enabled the visually impaired to touch two-dimensional information combining with other assistive technologies so that. It would also provide a technical source of access to STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) so that students will perform better and be better prepared for advanced education. Moreover, it can be applied to public infrastructure and transportation in smart-city projects on the globe. Hence, this paper introduces the principle of Electromagnetic-actuator and how it can be utilized in many diverse areas.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.437-448
• /
• 2023

Diabetic ulcer is usually seen in people with uncontrolled blood sugar. Reportedly, many factors such as impaired glucose metabolism, and macrovascular and microvascular diseases caused angiogenesis disorders and delayed the healing of diabetic ulcers, thus affecting the body's metabolism, nutrition, and immune function. This study aimed to explore the effect of paeonol on skin wound healing in diabetic rats and the related mechanism. A rat model of diabetic ulcer was established. High glucose-treated mouse skin fibroblasts were co-cultured with M1 or M2-polarized macrophages treated with or without paeonol. H&E and Masson staining were used to reveal inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition, respectively. Immunohistochemistry visualized the expression of Ki67, CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Western blot was used to detect interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-4, IL-10, CD31, VEGFA, and collagen I/III. The expression of iNOS and arginase 1 was revealed by immunofluorescence staining. Paeonol treatment augmented collagen deposition and the expression of Ki67, CD31, VEGF, and macrophage M2 polarization markers (IL-4 and IL-10) and reduced wound area, inflammatory cell infiltration, and macrophage M1 polarization markers (IL-1β and TNF-α) in the ulcerated area. In vitro, paeonol treatment promoted M2-polarization and repressed M1-polarization in macrophages, thereby improving the repair of cell damage induced by high glucose. Paeonol accelerates the healing of diabetic ulcers by promoting M2 macrophage polarization and inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 2023

PURPOSE: Falls are caused by a decline in physical and cognitive function. A quantitative evaluation tool that can comprehensively evaluate motor and cognitive functions for elderly people with an impaired physical function. This study assessed the clinical application potential by confirming the correlation between the physical function tests, cognitive and the stepping trail-making test (S-TMT). METHODS: Fourteen community-dwelling older patients (65-75 years) were recruited. The study conducted cognitive function tests with the trail-making test (TMT-A, B), and physical function tests (6-minute walking test (6MWT), short physical performance battery (SPPB), and timed up and go (TUG)). The results of were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were used for the general characteristics of the study subjects, and the correlations between S-TMT, other functional tests were examined through Pearson's correlation analysis. The statistical significance was set to .05. RESULTS: S-TMT had a significant positive correlation with the TUG (r = .588^*) and trail-making test-B (TMT-B) (r = .689^*, p < .05). Furthermore, S-TMT showed a negative correlation between SPPB (r = -.397) and 6MWT (r = -.422), but it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: S-TMT is a cognitive-gait dual-task performance evaluation tool that can be performed safely. A significant correlation was confirmed between the TUG test and the TMT-B. S-TMT is a dual-task screening tool that can evaluate both physical and cognitive functions simultaneously.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.583-592
• /
• 2023

Background: Alcohol is one of the most commonly used psychoactive drugs. Due to its addictive characteristics, many people struggle with the side effects of alcohol. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a traditional herbal medicine that is widely used to treat various health problems. However, the effects and mechanisms of KRG in alcohol-induced responses remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced responses. Methods: We investigated two aspects: alcohol-induced addictive responses and spatial working memory impairments. To determine the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced addictive responses, we performed conditioned place preference tests and withdrawal symptom observations. To assess the effects of KRG in alcohol-induced spatial working memory impairment, Y-maze, Barnes maze, and novel object recognition tests were performed using mice after repeated alcohol and KRG exposure. To investigate the potential mechanism of KRG activity, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and western blot analysis were performed. Results: KRG-treated mice showed dose-dependent restoration of impaired spatial working memory following repeated alcohol exposure. Furthermore, withdrawal symptoms to alcohol were reduced in mice treated with KRG and alcohol. The PKA-CREB signaling pathway was activated after alcohol administration, which was reduced by KRG. However, the levels of inflammatory cytokines were increased by alcohol and decreased by KRG. Conclusion: Taken together, KRG may alleviate alcohol-induced spatial working memory impairments and addictive responses through anti-neuroinflammatory activity rather than through the PKA-CREB signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.164-177
• /
• 2024

Background: Neck and jaw pain is common and is associated with jaw functional limitations, postural stability, muscular endurance, and proprioception. This study aimed to investigate the effect of jaw and neck pain on cranio-cervico-mandibular functions and postural stability in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs). Methods: Fifty-two patients with TMJDs were included and assessed using Fonseca's Questionnaire and the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index. An isometric strength test was performed for the TMJ depressor and cervical muscles. The TMJ position sense (TMJPS) test and cervical joint position error test (CJPET) were employed for proprioception. Total sway degree was obtained for the assessment of postural stability. Deep neck flexor endurance (DNFE) was assessed using the craniocervical flexion test. The mandibular function impairment questionnaire (MFIQ) was employed to assess mandibular function, and the craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured for forward head posture. Results: Jaw and neck pain negatively affected CVA (R² = 0.130), TMJPS (R² = 0.286), DNFE (R² = 0.355), TMJ depressor (R² = 0.145), cervical flexor (R² = 0.144), and extensor (R² = 0.148) muscle strength. Jaw and neck pain also positively affected CJPET for flexion (R² = 0.116) and extension (R² = 0.146), as well as total sway degree (R² = 0.128) and MFIQ (R² = 0.230). Conclusions: Patients with painful TMJDs, could have impaired muscle strength and proprioception of the TMJ and cervical region. The jaw and neck pain could also affect postural stability, and the endurance of deep neck flexors as well as mandibular functions in TMJDs.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.147-196
• /
• 2023

Advances in brain science have made it possible to stimulate the brain to treat brain disorder or to connect directly between the neuron activity and an external devices. Non-invasive neurotechnologies already exist, but invasive neurotechnologies can provide more precise stimulation or measure brainwaves more precisely. Nowadays deep brain stimulation (DBS) is recognized as an accepted treatment for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. In addition DBS has shown a certain positive effect in patients with Alzheimer's disease and depression. Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are in the clinical stage but help patients in vegetative state can communicate or support rehabilitation for nerve-damaged people. The issue is that the people who need these invasive neurotechnologies are those whose capacity to consent is impaired or who are unable to communicate due to disease or nerve damage, while DBS and BCI operations are highly invasive and require informed consent of patients. Especially in areas where neurotechnology is still in clinical trials, the risks are greater and the benefits are uncertain, so more explanation should be provided to let patients make an informed decision. If the patient is under guardianship, the guardian is able to substitute for the patient's consent, if necessary with the authorization of court. If the patient is not under guardianship and the patient's capacity to consent is impaired or he is unable to express the consent, korean healthcare institution tend to rely on the patient's near relative guardian(de facto guardian) to give consent. But the concept of a de facto guardian is not provided by our civil law system. In the long run, it would be more appropriate to provide that a patient's spouse or next of kin may be authorized to give consent for the patient, if he or she is neither under guardianship nor appointed enduring power of attorney. If the patient was not properly informed of the risks involved in the neurosurgery, he or she may be entitled to compensation of intangible damages. If there is a causal relation between the malpractice and the side effects, the patient may also be able to recover damages for those side effects. In addition, both BCI and DBS involve the implantation of electrodes or microchips in the brain, which are controlled by an external devices. Since implantable medical devices are subject to product liability laws, the patient may be able to sue the manufacturer for damages if the defect caused the adverse effects. Recently, Korea's medical device regulation mandated liability insurance system for implantable medical devices to strengthen consumer protection.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.24-34
• /
• 2017

Nail art is a kind of nail painting or decoration that adds to the beauty. Throughout making nail art, the worker was on a dusty operation with the smoothing of chemicals and nails. People working at nail shops not only use a variety of chemicals, but also experience a lot of fine powder during the process of nail trimmings. While drying the chemical adhesive, the workers often complain of eye, nose and throat discomfort. In addition, the acrylic brush is characterized by a lot of smell when washed with washing solution. Also nail art workers directly influence the worker's breathing through the work done by placing the guest's hands in a work space called a nail table. Chemical ingredients used in nail art procedures include acetone, ethyl acetic acid, toluene, butyl acetic acid, glue, and top coating of nail varnishes. Prolonged inhalation of these substances may cause dizziness, vomiting, as well as impaired respiratory system. The purpose of this study is to investigate the respiratory symptoms of nail shop workers who are likely to be affected by work in nail shop and to find out which factors have the greatest influence if they have respiratory symptoms. Therefore this study is to provide basic data on the health management system of people engaged in nail shop and to develop health education program. For this study, the data collection was collected on July 7, 2017 for the nail shop workers attending the nail art trend seminar held in Gwangju, in Korea. The data were all 236. However, except for the poor data, 208 data were used for the final analysis. The questionnaire consisted of 30 in general questions, questions about self-efficacy in 24 questions. elf-efficacy measuring tool developed by A.Y, Kim, I. Y, Park(2001). The self-efficacy questionnaire consists of 24 items and is self-reported 7-point Likert scale. The reliability of this tool was cronbach alpha = .934.The collected data were analyzed using spss 18.0. Information of Research participant performed frequency analysis. To examine the effects of personal characteristics on self-efficacy, $X^2$ analysis was conducted. And also $X^2$ analysis was conducted to analyze the coughing symptom appearance according to individual and environmental factors. A hierarchical regression analysis was used to determine which of the personal and environmental factors influenced cough symptoms.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.383-393
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the condition of the production facilities of severely impaired products for two years from 2017 to 2018, and to suggest ways to improve the preferential purchase system for the severely disabled comparison with previous study. As of June 2018, 267 out of 544 sites were research and analyzed. As a result, first, the average number of severely disabled workers is 16.51, and the total number of workers, disabled workers who participated in direct production, and non-disabled workers showed the trend of increase in 2018. Second, the average monthly wage of workers with disabilities participating in direct production increased slightly from 790,977 won in 2017 to 829,810 won in 2018. Third, Analysis of changes in sales of production facilities before and after designations showed that overall sales of production facilities increased after designations and after designations. Improvement measures include preferential purchase rate improvement and support for production facilities and purchasing public institutions, classification of roles of performance organizations, Clarification of the role of priority purchasing promotion committee for products produced by people with severe disabilities, complementing the minimum wage exclusion system.

• Korea Science and Art Forum
• /
• v.31
• /
• pp.355-365
• /
• 2017

The future population of Korea is expected to reach the second highest level in the world by 2060 for the elderly. It is because of the rapid development of low fertility and medical technology. The burden of society for the elderly is expected to increase steadily. The elderly person firstly appears functional disorder. They have low ability in memory and in cognitive will be. Their activities are therefore limited. And economic production capacity is sharply reduced. Self-sufficiency is a difficult situation. They need help in economic and social aspects. Products for them need research and development. The elderly have a Mild Cognitive Impairment(MCI) stage with poor cognitive abilities. It is effective to combine pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment methods for people with mild cognitive impairment. The effects of non-pharmacological treatments on music have been proven. This paper is a study on the appearance from the viewpoint of design in the development of ancillary instruments using music therapy techniques with Digital Convergence. For this study, we investigated the preference for external appearance of mild cognitive impairment. Two times surveys were conducted. As a result, the design of home care product for the hard cognitive impaired was different from that of a conventional game machine or set top box. It should be designed according to the user's special circumstances. They are memory and cognitive abilities. Products that meet physical and mental changes must be developed.