• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 2019

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of motion-correction algorithm (MCA) in improving coronary artery image quality and measurement accuracy using an anthropomorphic dynamic heart phantom and 256-detector row computed tomography (CT) scanner. Materials and Methods: An anthropomorphic dynamic heart phantom was scanned under a static condition and under heart rate (HR) simulation of 50-120 beats per minute (bpm), and the obtained images were reconstructed using conventional algorithm (CA) and MCA. We compared the subjective image quality of coronary arteries using a four-point scale (1, excellent; 2, good; 3, fair; 4, poor) and measurement accuracy using measurement errors of the minimal luminal diameter (MLD) and minimal luminal area (MLA). Results: Compared with CA, MCA significantly improved the subjective image quality at HRs of 110 bpm (1.3 ± 0.3 vs. 1.9 ± 0.8, p = 0.003) and 120 bpm (1.7 ± 0.7 vs. 2.3 ± 0.6, p = 0.006). The measurement error of MLD significantly decreased on using MCA at 110 bpm (11.7 ± 5.9% vs. 18.4 ± 9.4%, p = 0.013) and 120 bpm (10.0 ± 7.3% vs. 25.0 ± 16.5%, p = 0.013). The measurement error of the MLA was also reduced using MCA at 110 bpm (19.2 ± 28.1% vs. 26.4 ± 21.6%, p = 0.028) and 120 bpm (17.9 ± 17.7% vs. 34.8 ± 19.6%, p = 0.018). Conclusion: Motion-correction algorithm can improve the coronary artery image quality and measurement accuracy at a high HR using an anthropomorphic dynamic heart phantom and 256-detector row CT scanner.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.87-93
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• 2016

Background: Posture balance control is the ability to maintain the body's center of gravity in the minimal postural sway state on a supportive surface. This ability is obtained through a complicated process of sensing the movements of the human body through sensory organs and then integrating the information into the central nervous system and reacting to the musculoskeletal system and the support action of the musculoskeletal system. Motor function, including coordination, motor, and vision, vestibular sense, and sensory function, including proprioception, should act in an integrated way. However, more than half of stroke patients have motor, sensory, cognitive, and emotional disorders for a long time. Motor and sensory disorders cause the greatest difficulty in postural control among stroke patients. Objects: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of visual and somatosensory information on postural sway in stroke patients and carrying out a kinematic analysis using a tri-axial accelerometer and a quantitative assessment. Methods: Thirty-four subjects posed four stance condition was accepted various sensory information for counterbalance. This experiment referred to the computerized dynamic posturography assessments and was redesigned four condition blocking visual and somatosensory information. To measure the postural sway of the subjects' trunk, a wireless tri-axial accelerometer was used by signal vector magnitude value. Ony-way measure analysis of variance was performed among four condition. Results: There were significant differences when somatosensory information input blocked (p<.05). Conclusion: The sensory significantly affecting the balance ability of stroke patients is somatosensory, and the amount of actual movement of the trunk could be objectively compared and analyzed through quantitative figures using a tri-axial accelerometer for balance ability.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.768-773
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• 2009

Measuring method being applied for off-shore works is performed by using data logger or manual measuring instrument with wiring the cable connected from the sensor up to the position where measuring is allowed.(upper part of embankment or marine structure) Measuring management by using existing measuring method may be acceptable on the condition that the ground deformation volume(vertical, horizontal) is generally minimal and the site condition is good. But loss of measuring instrument, sensor cable failure or cutting is taken place frequently due to significant change of ground behavior caused by an external force change(embankment, excavation) under very soft ground condition(N value below 0-4). In case of the marine works, in particular, loss rate of measuring instrument is highly represented due to the factors of working barge anchoring, constructional interference and natural disaster. In order to solve these problems, measuring management was performed with employing underground wireless system at the immersed tunnel site. Measuring data was obtained freely under the marine environment by using underground wireless communication and cable cutting potential by ground behavior could be reduced. Measuring cost savings and its installation convenience were maximized by way of off-shore tower installation or cabling and by minimizing constructional interference of off-shore working barge. This case of measuring management was accomplished successfully.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.85-91
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• 2023

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) occurs when abdominal pressure increases, such as sneezing, exercising, and laughing. Surgical and non-surgical treatments are the common methods of SUI treatment; however, the conventional treatments still require continuous and invasive treatment. Laser have been used to treat SUI, but excessive temperature increase often causes thermal burn on urethra tissue. Therefore, the optimal conditions must be considered to minimize the thermal damage for the laser treatment. The current study investigated the feasibility of the laser irradiation condition for SUI treatment using non-ablative 980 nm laser from a safety perspective through numerical simulations. COMSOL Multiphysics was used to analyze the numerical simulation model. The Pennes bioheat equation with the Beer's law was used to confirm spatio-temporal temperature distributions, and Arrhenius equation defined the thermal damage caused by the laser-induced heat. Ex vivo porcine urethral tissue was tested to validate the extent of both temperature distribution and thermal damage. The temperature distribution was symmetrical and uniformly observed in the urethra tissue. A muscle layer had a higher temperature (28.3 ℃) than mucosal (23.4 ℃) and submucosal layers (25.5 ℃). MT staining revealed no heat-induced collagen and muscle damage. Both control and treated groups showed the equivalent thickness and area of the urethral mucosal layer. Therefore, the proposed numerical simulation can predict the appropriate irradiation condition (20 W for 15 s) for the SUI treatment with minimal temperature-induced tissue.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in kinematic factors according to stretching treatment, myofascial release treatment, and static stretching treatment conditions during squat. Method: Twelve males with resistance training experience participated in this study. Participants performed squats without treatment (Pre-Test), and performed squats after treatment with the myofascial release technique (MRT) and static stretching (SS) on different days (post-test). Squat movements were captured using eight motion capture cameras (sampling rate: 250 Hz), and the peak joint angles of the ankle, knee, hip, and pelvis were calculated for each direction. One-way repeated ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses using SPSS 27 (IBM Corp. Armonk NY, USA) were used to compare the peak joint angle of the lower extremity joints and pelvis among the normal condition (squat without treatment), MRT condition (squat after MRT treatment) and SS condition (squat after static stretching). The statistical significance level was set at .05. Results: It was observed that the maximum ankle joint flexion angle during squats was statistically reduced under conditions of myofascial release and static stretching (p<.05), in comparison to the scenario where no stretching was performed. Furthermore, static stretching was found to enhance the maximum hip flexion angle during squat (p<.05), whereas the myofascial release stretching technique resulted in the minimal posterior pelvic tilt angle (p<.05). Conclusion: Employing myofascial release stretching as a preparatory exercise proved to be more efficacious in maintaining body stability throughout the execution of high-intensity squat movements by effectively managing the posterior tilt of the pelvis, as opposed to foregoing stretching or engaging in static stretching.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.611-619
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• 2017

Objective : In addition to bone bridging inside a cage or graft (intragraft bone bridging, InGBB), extragraft bone bridging (ExGBB) is commonly observed after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with a stand-alone cage. However, solid bony fusion without the formation of ExGBB might be a desirable condition. We hypothesized that an insufficient contact area for InGBB might be a causative factor for ExGBB. The objective was to determine the minimal area of InGBB by finite element analysis. Methods : A validated 3-dimensional, nonlinear ligamentous cervical segment (C3-7) finite element model was used. This study simulated a single-level ACDF at C5-6 with a cylindroid interbody graft. The variables were the properties of the incorporated interbody graft (cancellous bone [Young's modulus of 100 or 300 MPa] to cortical bone [10000 MPa]) and the contact area between the vertebra and interbody graft (Graft-area, from 10 to $200mm^2$). Interspinous motion between the flexion and extension models of less than 2 mm was considered solid fusion. Results : The minimal Graft-areas for solid fusion were $190mm^2$, $140mm^2$, and $100mm^2$ with graft properties of 100, 300, and 10000 MPa, respectively. The minimal Graft-areas were generally unobtainable with only the formation of InGBB after the use of a commercial stand-alone cage. Conclusion : ExGBB may be formed to compensate for insufficient InGBB. Although various factors may be involved, solid fusion with less formation of ExGBB may be achieved with refinements in biomaterials, such as the use of osteoinductive cage materials; changes in cage design, such as increasing the area of polyetheretherketone or the inside cage area for bone grafts; or surgical techniques, such as the use of plate/screw systems.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2005

As a basic research for the development of a non-invasive blood glucose sensor using millimeter waves, we have presented a method for measuring the dielectric properties of high loss dielectrics, based on the reflection method, and investigated the variation of the dielectric properties of glucose-water and glucose -0.9% NaCl solutions in the 10～90 GHz range. In the proposed method, a minimal reflection condition is formed by placing a specially-chosen low-loss plane-parallel plate in front of a high-loss medium under test at a given frequency range. Using the minimal power reflection coefficient and the corresponding frequency at this condition, tile dielectric properties of the medium can be determined. The measured results on pure water have shown the adequacy of the proposed method. The measured results on glucose-water and glucose -0.9% NaCl solutions in the 10～90 GHz range showed that the variations of the dielectric properties of glucose solutions according to the change of their glucose concentration were maximum in the 30～45 GHz range. From these facts we concluded that the variation of about 3 mole/L in the glucose solutions must be distinguished With the measurement accuracies of ±0.1 dB and ±0.01 GHz.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.37-43
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• 2014

Natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis occur suddenly, so that they cause massive loss of lives and property. Especially earthquakes represent a particularly severe threat because of the extensive damage accompanied by them. In Korea, an earthquake-resistant design has been rarely applied to a design or construction of slope. However, in resent years, the researches for earthquake-resistance have been performed because the importance on the earthquake-resistance is perceived and highlighted. Soil nail method, one of the slope stability methods, is excellent for its constructability and cost effectiveness, as compared with other stability methods. Also, this method has been widely used for reinforced construction for slope stability. The studies of soil nail method have been performed on the interaction behavior between nails and slopes as well as the varied load condition such as static load, dynamic load and so on. Nevertheless, there has been minimal research regarding the constraint condition of nail head. In this study, the numerical analysis was performed for identifying effect on slope stability for the constrain condition of the soil nail. The result shows that the resistance of constrained the nail head on reinforced slope is larger compared to the one of unconstrained nail head.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.201-211
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• 2019

Low carbon steel (S20C steel) and SPCC steel sheet have been austenitic nitrided at $700^{\circ}C$ in a closed pit type furnace by changing the flow rate of ammonia gas and heat treating time. When the flow rate of ammonia gas was low, the concentration of residual ammonia appeared low and the hardness value of transformed surface layer was high. The depth of the surface layer, however, was shallow. With increasing the concentration of residual ammonia by raising up the ammonia gas flow, both the depth of the surface layer and the pore depth increased, while the maximum hardness of the surface layer decreased. By introducing a large amount of ammonia gas in a short time, a deep surface layer with minimal pores on the outermost surface was obtained. In this experiment, while maintaining 10~12% of residual ammonia, the flow rate of inlet ammonia gas, 7 liter/min, was introduced at $700^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. In this condition, the thickness of the surface layer without pores appeared about $60{\mu}m$ in S20C steel and $30{\mu}m$ in SPCC steel plate. Injecting additional methane gas (carburizing gas) to this condition played a deteriorating effect due to promoting the formation of vertical pores in the surface layer. For $1^{st}$ transformed surface layer for S20C steel, maintaining 10~12% residual ammonia condition via austenitic nitriding process resulted in ${\varepsilon}$ phase with relatively high nitrogen concentration (just below 4.23 wt.%N) among the mixed phases of ${\varepsilon}+{\gamma}$. The ${\varepsilon}$ phase was formed a specific orientation perpendicular to the surface. For $2^{nd}$ transformed layer for S20C steel, ${\gamma}$ phase was rather dominant (just above 2.63 wt.%N). For SPCC steel sheet, there appeared three phases, ${\gamma}$, ${\alpha}(M)$ and weak ${\varepsilon}$ phase. The nitrogen concentration would be approximately 2.6 wt.% in these phases condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.482-490
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• 2013

This study suggests a suitable logo design application of a three colors LED light source and flexible plastic optical fiber (POF). In this study, characteristic relevant brightness of (according to the embodiment conditions of the flexible POF for logo design) for smart clothing were analyzed through two experiments. The suitable conditions of the logo design for three colors of light source were observed in 'Experiment 1'. The angle of $80^{\circ}$ to $100^{\circ}$ and the length of 8cm to 16cm appeared a more suitable condition for green-colored and red-colored light sources. The angle of $80^{\circ}$ to $100^{\circ}$ at a length of 8cm to 12cm appeared a more suitable condition for a blue-colored light source. In 'Experiment 2', a 'Klavika' in small letter was selected as suitable logo design for the application POF. The alphabet was separated by a morpheme, which is the minimal linguistic unit. All alphabets were classified into sixteen morphemes. The luminance of fourteen morphemes (realized by the embroidery method) were measured and analyzed. Subsequently, eight morphemes appeared to show a relatively equal luminance of $3-4cd/m^2$ in a green-colored light source, $2-3cd/m^2$ in red-colored light source, and $2cd/m^2$ in a blue-colored light source. Four of the fourteen morphemes, showed a 20% brighter level of luminance compared to the eight morphemes above, the cast of combination of green or red light source. This result indicates that a flexible POF with 20% less luminance are believed more suitable for four morphemes combined with a green or red light source. The results of this study provide fundamental data for further approaches to clothing logo design for the application of a flexible POF.