• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.580-586
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• 2022

Background Appropriate position of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) is crucial following nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). The prevention of NAC malposition in two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction has not been well described, and the efficacy of the techniques has not been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of our technique to prevent NAC malposition in patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction after NSM. Methods Patients who underwent two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction with NSM between January 2012 and December 2019 were included. We used a surgical technique to fix the NAC to the rigid base, assuming a pocket-like appearance, with pectoralis major muscle and lateral adipofascial flap at the time of tissue expander (TE) insertion. Patients were classified into two groups based on the performance of the technique for the prevention of NAC malposition. Results In 35 patients who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction after NSM, the clavicle-to-nipple distance ratio was 96.0±5.0% in those who underwent NAC fixation and 86.1±11.5% in those who did not undergo NAC fixation. Conclusions Using our technique, NAC malposition could be prevented in two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction. NAC fixation during TE insertion was found to be extremely effective. This procedure successfully prevented NAC malposition without the formation of extra scars.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.427-433
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• 2000

In this paper, we review several two-stage randomized response techniques for gathering self-report data when persons are asked sensitive question. Also efficiencies and privacy protections based on the two-stage randomized response procedures are compared. Finally, we find optimal parameter conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.324-330
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• 1987

The registration is an important part of image processing and pattern recognition. In this paper, the integral projection method is proposed as the first stage of the two-stage template matching. The computation time of the proposed method is one-tenth of that of the two-stage template matching technique with a sub-template. This method is applied to a noisy (real)image with a different bias level and gives a correct template position, while the two-stage template matching technique with a sub-template cannot detect correctly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.51-58
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• 2010

This paper suggests a control technique of the two axes precision stage. The stage is supported by four flexible spring hinges and driven by two piezoelectric actuators. The dynamic motion of the stage is analysed by the finite element method and identified by the frequency domain modeling technique based on the experimental data. The sliding mode control with integrator is applied to improve the tracking ability of the stage to the complex reference input signal. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed modeling schemes and control algorithm can be used effectively for the two axes stage.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2009.04a
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• pp.239-244
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• 2009

This paper suggests a precision positioning control technique of a precision positioning stage with coupling effects. The precision positioning stage is supported by four flexible spring hinges and driven by two piezoelectric actuators. The dynamic characteristics of the precision positioning stage is modeled and identified by the FEM analysis. The dynamic characteristics of the stage are also identified by the frequency domain modeling technique based on the experimental data. Reliability of two modeling methods is examined by comparing the numerically and experimentally produced responses of the stage. This paper proposes a sliding mode control technique with integrator to improve the tracking ability of the precision positioning stage to the complex input signal using. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modeling schemes and control algorithm, experiment validations are performed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.2130-2141
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• 2002

A unique technique to estimate the magnitude or contribution ratio of each stage backlash in a system with a two-stage gear reducer is proposed. The concept to estimate the magnitude or contribution ratio of each stage backlash is based on the change of frequency response characteristic, in particular, the change of anti-resonant frequency and resonant frequency, due to the change of each stage backlash magnitude, even though the total backlash magnitude of a system with a two-stage gear reducer is constant. The validity of the technique is verified in a seeker gimbal and satisfactory results are obtained. It is thought that the diagnosis and maintenance of the manufacturing machines and systems with two-stage gear reducers will become more efficient and economical by virtue of the proposed technique.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.993-998
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• 2007

To verify the 2D or 3D positioning accuracy of a multi-axes stage is not easy, particularly, in the case the moving path of the stage is not linear. This paper is a study on a measuring method for the curved path accurately. A machine vision technique is used to trace the moving path of two-axes stage. To improve the accuracy of machine vision, a zoom lens is used for the 2D micro moving path. The accuracy of this method depends of the CCD resolution and array align accuracy with the zoom lens system. Also, a further study for software algorithm is required to increase the tracing speed. This technique will be useful to trace a small object in the 2D micro path in real-time accurately.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.647-667
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• 2016

In this paper, dynamic displacement is estimated with high accuracy by blending high-sampling rate acceleration data with low-sampling rate displacement measurement using a two-stage Kalman estimator. In Stage 1, the two-stage Kalman estimator first approximates dynamic displacement. Then, the estimator in Stage 2 estimates a bias with high accuracy and refines the displacement estimate from Stage 1. In the previous Kalman filter based displacement techniques, the estimation accuracy can deteriorate due to (1) the discontinuities produced when the estimate is adjusted by displacement measurement and (2) slow convergence at the beginning of estimation. To resolve these drawbacks, the previous techniques adopt smoothing techniques, which involve additional future measurements in the estimation. However, the smoothing techniques require more computational time and resources and hamper real-time estimation. The proposed technique addresses the drawbacks of the previous techniques without smoothing. The performance of the proposed technique is verified under various dynamic loading, sampling rate and noise level conditions via a series of numerical simulations and experiments. Its performance is also compared with those of the existing Kalman filter based techniques.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.196-203
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• 2011

PURPOSE. This study evaluated marginal fit of glass infiltrated alumina cores fabricated using two techniques and their marginal stability after firing cycles of veneering porcelain. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Fifteen standardized all-ceramic crowns were fabricated on a metal die using each technique: slip cast technique of VITA In-Ceram sprint Alumina (Group A as control) and plastic foil matrix technique of Turkom-Cera fused alumina core system (Group B). Copings were compared between groups and within groups at coping stage and after firing each layer of veneering porcelain. A device was used to standardize seating of copings on the metal die and positioning of the specimens under the microscope after each stage of fabrication. The specimens were not cemented and marginal gap was measured using an image analyzing software (Imagepro Express) on the photographs captured under an optical microscope. Two tailed unpaired 't test' was used to compare marginal gaps in two groups and one way ANOVA was used to analyze marginal distortion within each group at 95% confidence interval. RESULTS. The marginal gap was smaller at the coping stage in group B ($60+30{\mu}M$) than group A ($81+21{\mu}M$) with statistical significance. After firing of veneering porcelain the difference was insignificant. At the final stage, both groups exhibited lower mean marginal gaps than at the initial coping stage with the difference of $11.75{\mu}M$ for group A and $11.94{\mu}M$ for group B, but it was statistically insignificant due to high value of standard deviation. CONCLUSION. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that both techniques produced copings with comparable and acceptable marginal fit and marginal stability on firing veneering porcelain.

• International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.77-82
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• 2008

For heat pumps used in a cold region, it is very important to obtain appropriate heating capacity. Several studies using a variable speed compressor and an additional heater have been performed to enhance heating capacity at low ambient temperatures. However, for outdoor temperature conditions below $-15^{\circ}C$, it is still difficult to obtain enough heating capacity above the rated value. In recent studies, the application of gas injection technique into a two-stage heat pump yielded noticeable heating performance improvement at low temperature conditions. In this study, the heating performance of a two-stage gas injection heat pump with a rated capacity of 3.5 kW was measured and analyzed by varying refrigerant charge amount and EEV opening at the standard heating condition. The heating performance of the two-stage gas injection heat pump was compared with that of a two-stage non-injection heat pump. The heating capacity and COP of the two-stage gas injection heat pump were improved by 2-10% at the optimal charging condition over those of the two-stage non-injection heat pump.