• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithm activated at different times during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) acquisition on the magnitude of artifacts generated by a zirconium implant. Materials and Methods: Volumes were obtained with and without a zirconium implant in a human mandible, using the OP300 Maxio unit. Three modes were tested: without MAR, with MAR activated after acquisition, and with MAR activated before acquisition. Artifacts were assessed in terms of the standard deviation (SD) of gray values and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in 6 regions of interest with different distances (10 to 35 mm, from the nearest to the farthest) and angulations(70° to 135°) from the implant region. Results: In the acquisitions without MAR, the regions closer to the implant(10 and 15mm) had a higher SD and lower CNR than the farther regions. When MAR was activated (before or after), SD values did not differ among the regions (P>0.05). The region closest to the implant presented a significantly lower CNR in the acquisitions without MAR than when MAR was activated after the acquisition; however, activating MAR before the acquisition did not yield significant differences from either of the other conditions. Conclusion: Both modes of MAR activation were effective in decreasing the magnitude of CBCT artifacts, especially when the effects of the artifacts were more noticeable.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.611-616
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• 1999

The diagnostic software for the wastewater treatment plant using activated-sluge process is developed in order to increase the efficiency of management of the wastewater treatment plant. This software is based on the expert system and the visualized user interface, including the diagnosis of quantitative and qualitative data. For the generalization of this software, the initialization of each unit process and updating the files can be possible.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.513-520
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• 2007

The simulation programs used for diagnosis and design of activated sludge process require organic fractions in municipal wastewater as the input variables. However, methods for characterizing organic fractions are still under development, and are not standardized. In this study, total COD of municipal wastewater was experimentally subdivided into readily and slowly biodegradable COD as well as soluble and particulate inert COD. The COD fractionation of the three municipal wastewater for one year shows linear relationship between each COD fraction and TCOD concentration with around 100% COD balance. This result means that the COD fraction do not vary very much with time, although the actual influent concentrations vary significantly with time and day. Therefore, the experimentally subdivided COD fractions can be utilized as wastewater specific parameters for the simulation of activated sludge processes.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.1020-1026
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• 2005

In the era of ubiquitous computing, human-friendly man-machine interface is getting more attention due to its possibility to offer convenient services. For this, in this paper, we introduce a 'Half-Mirror Interface System (HMIS)' as a novel type of human-friendly man-machine interfaces. Basically, HMIS consists of half-mirror, USB-Webcam, microphone, 2ch-speaker, and high-speed processing unit. In our HMIS, two principal operation modes are selected by the existence of the user in front of it. The first one, 'mirror-mode', is activated when the user's face is detected via USB-Webcam. In this mode, HMIS provides three basic functions such as 1) make-up assistance by magnifying an interested facial component and TTS (Text-To-Speech) guide for appropriate make-up, 2) Daily weather information provider via WWW service, 3) Health monitoring/diagnosis service using Chinese medicine knowledge. The second one, 'display-mode' is designed to show decorative pictures, family photos, art paintings and so on. This mode is activated when the user's face is not detected for a time being. In display-mode, we also added a 'healing-window' function and 'healing-music player' function for user's psychological comfort and/or relaxation. All these functions are accessible by commercially available voice synthesis/recognition package.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2021

Diversity and flexibility are two typical hallmarks of macrophages. Two types of macrophages, M1(classically activated macrophages) and M2(alternatively activated macrophages) exist at both ends of the commonly known macrophage polarization. M1 macrophages have inflammatory properties and are primarily responsible for defending against invading bacteria in our body. On the other hand, M2 macrophages are involved in anti-inflammatory responses and tissue remodeling. Polarized migration of macrophages is of increasing interest in regulating the initiation, generation, and resting phases of inflammatory diseases. In this review, it intend to discuss the properties and functions of tumor-associated macrophages based on polarized macrophages that affect inflammatory diseases. In addition, the purpose of this study is to investigate a molecular imaging approach that targets macrophages that affect tumor growth by controlling the polarization of macrophages that affect tumor diagnosis and treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.524-530
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• 2007

The recent advances in the basic hematology and immunology have significantly enhanced the understanding of histiocytic disorders. The Histiocyte Society which was established in 1985 enabled the randomized trials for these diseases, and important knowledge regarding pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, therapy and late consequences has been obtained. The treatment of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) has varied greatly over last decades, and is still controversial. Therapy can be reduced for low risk patients, and it is possible to discriminate early the non-responding patients with risk disease who might require more intensified treatment. Current therapy of LCH recommended by the Histiocyte Society (LCH-III protocol) is activated in 2001. Hemophaocytic histiocytosis (HLH) is fatal if diagnosis is delayed and appropriate therapy is not instituted rapidly. The diagnostic criteria for HLH is revised by the Histiocyte Society for the current treatment protocol (HLH-2004) which consists of dexamethasone, etoposide, and cyclosporin in combination with intathecal methotrexate. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is usually necessary for the primary HLH and recurrent secondary HLH.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.163-166
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• 2022

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is an uncommon autoimmune bleeding disorder in which autoantibodies that affect the functions of factor VIII (FVIII) are present in the blood. The initial diagnosis of AHA is difficult as the presentations of AHA differ from those of congenital hemophilia A. Moreover, the treatment of AHA is more complex due to the presence of autoantibodies against FVIII. Here, we present a case report of postpartum AHA, to increase the perception and knowledge regarding the recognition and management of such cases. We present a young female with the chief complaint of vaginal bleeding and upper arm ecchymosis. Laboratory results exhibited isolated prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and FVIII inhibitors. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, FVIII concentrates, and a bypassing agent. In conclusion, unexplained postpartum bleeding, unmanageable with basic hemostatic measures, should lead to clinical suspicion of an acquired bleeding disease.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.33-43
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• 2023

In this study, it was developed and verified an application method of fuzzy-logic theory to the rating process of agricultural fill dam safety. A fuzzy-logic is very famous logical system when some decision making is made on the status of a lack of information. Three proxies were selected and configured membership functions (MFs) and these MFs were activated in the process of fuzzification procedures. Fuzzified vlaues were passed through the rule-based inference system, then fire strength could classified among cases of the rule-based inference system. To obtain final results, Mandani-type was adapted in the defuzzification process. As the results, it was shown the developed system can give a correct results that was compared with Matlab - fuzzy inference function. More ever it could perform the detailed analysis and improvement on the infrastructure safety rating process using classical diagnosis method.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.81-85
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• 2013

Background: Early diagnosis of carcinoma of bladder remains a challenge. Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family, is frequently activated in bladder carcinoma. The objective of this study was to investigate urinary survivin as a marker for diagnosis of urinary bladder. Materials and Methods: We examined urinary survivin concentration in 28 healthy individuals, 46 positive controls and 117 cases of histologically proven TCC prior to transurethral resection, using ELISA, and compared values with findings for urinary cytology. Results: Survivin was found to be significantly higher in the cancer group (P<0.05). A cut off value of 17.7 pg/ml was proposed, with an approximate sensitivity of 82.9% and specificity of 81.1% (P<0.0001), whereas urine cytology had a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 96.0%. Conclusions: Urinary survivin can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for TCC bladder, both for primary and recurrent disease.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.41-44
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• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different numbers of basis images and the use of metal artifact reduction (MAR) on the production and reduction of artifacts in cone-beam computed tomography images. Materials and Methods: An acrylic resin phantom with a metal alloy sample was scanned, with 450 or 720 basis images and with or without MAR. Standard deviation values for the test areas (around the metal object) were obtained as a way of measuring artifact production. Two-way analysis of variance was used with a 5% significance level. Results: There was no significant difference in artifact production among the images obtained with different numbers of basis images without MAR (P=.985). MAR significantly reduced artifact production in the test areas only in the protocol using 720 basis images (P=.017). The protocol using 450 basis images with MAR showed no significant difference in artifact production when compared to the protocol using 720 basis images with MAR (P=.579). Conclusion: Protocols with a smaller number of basis images and with MAR activated are preferable for minimizing artifact production in tomographic images without exposing the patient to a greater radiation dose.