• Journal of Information Processing Systems
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.448-463
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• 2017

Multimedia is a ubiquitous and indispensable part of our daily life and learning such as audio, image, and video. Objective and subjective quality evaluations play an important role in various multimedia applications. Blind image quality assessment (BIQA) is used to indicate the perceptual quality of a distorted image, while its reference image is not considered and used. Blur is one of the common image distortions. In this paper, we propose a novel BIQA index for Gaussian blur distortion based on the fact that images with different blur degree will have different changes through the same blur. We describe this discrimination from three aspects: color, edge, and structure. For color, we adopt color histogram; for edge, we use edge intensity map, and saliency map is used as the weighting function to be consistent with human visual system (HVS); for structure, we use structure tensor and structural similarity (SSIM) index. Numerous experiments based on four benchmark databases show that our proposed index is highly consistent with the subjective quality assessment.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.272-278
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• 2023

Attention, an important element of human cognitive function, is an important cognitive function that focuses only on necessary stimuli from various stimuli through sensory systems. Although various studies have shown that environmental conditions may affect the level of attention, the effect on attention by applying cooling directly to the skin has not been studied much. Differences in attention depending on when and whether cryotherapy was applied during learning and relaxation activities were examined among 36 subjects. The FAIR attention test, a visual attention evaluation tool, was used, and statistical analysis was conducted on the results of the sub-index of FAIR: Performance index, Quality index, and Continuity index. Among participants who performed rest activities, the application of cryotherapy appeared to have no effect on any subindex. Among the participants who performed learning activities, the group that applied pre-cryotherapy (P=469.0, C=435.4)) and the group that applied post-cryotherapy (P=457.4, C=425.4) showed higher Performance index and Continuity index than the group that did not apply cryotherapy (P=335.8, C=301.7). From these results, it can be concluded that cryotherapy maintains the level of alertness and awakens attention, albeit to a limited extent.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.527-535
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• 2001

Objectives : To improve decreased erectile function as well as impotence, caused by physical fatigue, psychologic stress, too much alcohol and smoking, medication like antihypertensives, and geriatric change, by the prescription of BOWONDAN. Methods : 18 male-volunteers with decreased erectile function who are married 30 to 59 years old, were studied about the difference of a sexual function between before and after taking BOWONDAN 3 pills a day for a month. The results of IIEF(International Index of Erectile Function) and AVSS(Audio-Visual Sexual Stimulation) were reviewed statistically with paired samples t-test. Results : Based on the IIEF, 13(81.25%, p<0.01), 9(56.25%, p<0.05), 9(56.25%, p<0.05), 9(56.25%, p<0.05), 7(43.75%, p<0.05) and 15(93.75%, p<0.01) volunteers were improved in erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, overall satisfaction and total score respectively, among 16 volunteers excluding 2 due to a false measurement. Through the Rigiscan of AVSS, 11 (68.75%, p<0.1)volunteers were improved in base tumescence, among 16 volunteers excluding 2 due to a false measurement. Conclusions : As a result of our work, BOWONDAN is expected to take effect to treat or improve both impotence and decreased erectile function.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.61-68
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a workplace-based work-conditioning program (WCP) on the management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in an automobile-parts manufacturing company. In total, 1,110 subjects with WRMDs participated in workplace-based WCP emphasizing function-centered management and ergonomics. We investigated the incidence of WRMDs variables (number of persons diagnosed with industrial accident-related WHMDs, number of cases of WRMD) and financial benefits (cost of workers' compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs) per year before and after WCP. Additionally, we compared self-reported pain intensity and functional disability in subjects with musculoskeletal pain before and after the WCP. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), and functional disability was measured by the neck disability index (NDI) and the Oswestry disability Index (ODI). The number of person diagnosed with industrial accident-related WRMDs, the number of cases of WRMD, the cost of workers' compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs per year decreased by 51%, 37%, 34%, and 47%, respectively, and VAS, NDI, and ODI scores decreased significantly after implementation of WCP (p<.05). Thus, the results of the present study suggest that function-centered, workplace-based WCP was effective in managing WRMDs at an automobile-parts manufacturing company.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2015

This study aimed to compare the characteristics of breast cancer surgery and shoulder surgery patients on the shoulder range of motion (ROM), degree of pain and dysfunction, and scapular position. This study was carried out with a total of 90 women: a breast cancer surgery group (BS, $n_1=30$), a shoulder surgery group (SS, $n_2=30$) and a control group ($n_3=30$). Shoulder ROM, the Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS), the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the Scapular Index (SI) were used to assess shoulder function. Statistical analyses were performed using a one-way analysis of variance, crosstab test, and independent sample t-test. Post-hoc testing was carried out with Bonferroni test. There were significant differences in shoulder ROM when the BS and the SS were compared with the control group. However, there was no significant difference in ROM between the BS and SS. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in shoulder pain between both surgery groups, and there was greater shoulder dysfunction in the SS than in the BS. There was also a significant difference in upper extremity posture when the BS and the SS were compared to the control group. Finally, there was no significant difference in upper extremity posture between the BS and the SS. This study compared shoulder ROM, pain, dysfunction, and upper extremity postures between the BS and SS. While there were no significant differences in shoulder ROM, pain, and upper extremity posture between both surgery groups, the level of dysfunction was found to be significantly different. Therefore, health professionals managing for breast cancer surgery or shoulder surgery patients should consider these outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2015

The present study identified the brain based learning activities on the individual learning senses by using the brain laterality and the whole brain index. Students receive the information through the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic senses by Politano and Paquin's (2000) classification. These learning senses are reflected on brain by the various combinations of senses for learning. Measuring the types of the learning senses involving in brain laterality and whole brain is required to figure out the related learning styles. Self-directed learning involved in the learning senses shows the problem-based learning associated to the brain function by emphasizing the balanced brain utilization which is known as whole brain. These research results showed the successful whole brain learning is closely associated with elevated auditory learning and elevated visual learning in sensorimotor brainwave rhythm (SMR) while it shows the close association with elevated kinesthetic and elevated visual learning in beta brainwave rhythm.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.114-118
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• 1997

Purpose: Functional MR imaging is the method of demonstrating changes in regional cerebral blood flow produced by sensory, motor, and any other tasks. Functional MR of visual cortex is performed as a patient stares a photic stimulation, so adaptable photic stimulation is necessary. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the size of photic stimulator can affect the degree of visual cortex activation. Materials and Methods: Functional MR imaging was performed in 5 volunteers with normal visual acuity. Photic stimulator was made by 39 light-emitting diodes on a plate, operating at 8Hz. The sizes of photic stimulator were full field, half field and focal central field. The MR imager was Siemens 1.5-T Magnetom Vision system, using standard head coil. Functional MRI utilized EPI sequence (TR/TE= 1.0/51. Omsec, matrix $No.=98{\times}128$, slice thickness=8mm) with 3sets of 6 imaging during stimulation and 6 imaging during rest, all 36 scannings were obtained. Activation images were obtained using postprocessing software(statistical analysis by Z-score), and these images were combined with T-1 weighted anatomical images. The activated signals were quantified by numbering the activated pixels, and activation a index was obtained by dividing the pixel number of each stimulator size with the sum of the pixel number of 3 study using 3 kinds of stimulators. The correlation between the activation index and the stimulator size was analysed. Results: Mean increase of signal intensities on the activation area using full field photic stimulator was about 9.6%. The activation index was greatest on full field, second on half field and smallest on focal central field in 4. The index of half field was greater than that of full field in 1. The ranges of activation index were full field 43-73%(mean 55%), half field 22-40 %(mean 32%), and focal central field 5-24%(mean 13%). Conclusion: The degree of visual cortex activation increases with the size of photic stimulator.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.107-117
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the myofascial release and cervical traction after applying conservative physical therapy to patients chronic neck pain. METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups, namely myofascial release (7 subjects) and cervical traction (7 subjects). Each group performed their therapy 45 minutes per day, two times a week, for four weeks. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Function was measured with the neck disability index (NDI). The cervical range of motion (CROM) was measured with a cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer. RESULTS: After four weeks of therapy, the VAS (p < .05) and NDI (p < .05) significantly decreased, and ROM significantly increased in both groups (p < .05). There were also significant differences between the two groups for these three measures, except for neck flexion and neck extension(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Myofascial release and cervical traction are more effective than cervical traction alone for reducing VAS and NDI and increasing ROM in patients with chronic neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.15-20
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to compared of scapular position between operation side and non-operation side to the rotator cuff surgery. Methods: This study was carried out with a total 34 patients: male (n=14), female (n=20). Shoulder range of motion (ROM), the quadruple visual analogue scale (QVAS), the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), and the scapular index (SI) were used to assess shoulder posture and function. SI was the resting position of the scapular was determined by measuring the distance from the mid-point of the sternal notch (SN) to the medial aspect of the coracoid process (CP) and the horizontal distance from the posterolateral angle of the acromion (PLA) to the thoracic spine (TS) with a soft tape measure. The SI was calculated using the equation: [(SN to CP/PLA to TS) ${\times}$ 100]. Results: There were no significant difference in ROM, QVAS to rotator repair patients according to SI (p>.05). There were significant differences in SI between the operation side and the non-operation side (p<.01). Conclusions: Scapular position was operation side more internal rotation, protraction, abduction than non-operation side. Therefore, health professionals managing for rotator cuff tear repair patients should consider scapular position.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1043-1064
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• 2020

A kind of Subjective Imaging Effect Assessment (SIEA) method and its applications on intelligent imaging terminal design in engineering site are presented. First, some visual assessment indices are used to characterize the imaging effect: the image brightness, the image brightness uniformity, the color image contrast, the image edge blur, the image color difference, the image saturation, the image noise, and the integrated imaging effect index. A linear weighted function is employed to carry out the SIEA computation and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique is used to estimate its weights. Second, a SIEA software is developed. It can play images after the settings of assessment index or assessment reaction time, etc. Third, two cases are used to illustrate the application effects of proposed method: the image enhancement system design for surveillance camera and the imaging environment perception system design for intelligent lighting terminal. A Prior Sequential Stimulus (PSS) experiment is proposed to improve the evaluation stability of SIEA method. Many experiment results have shown the proposed method can realize a stable system design or parameters setting for the intelligent imaging terminal in engineering site.