• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.983-993
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the image quality of ultralow-dose CT (ULDCT) of the chest reconstructed using a cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN)-based deep learning method in the evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: Between June 2019 and November 2019, 103 patients (mean age, 40.8 ± 13.6 years; 61 men and 42 women) with pulmonary tuberculosis were prospectively enrolled to undergo standard-dose CT (120 kVp with automated exposure control), followed immediately by ULDCT (80 kVp and 10 mAs). The images of the two successive scans were used to train the CycleGAN framework for image-to-image translation. The denoising efficacy of the CycleGAN algorithm was compared with that of hybrid and model-based iterative reconstruction. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed to compare the objective measurements and the subjective image quality scores, respectively. Results: With the optimized CycleGAN denoising model, using the ULDCT images as input, the peak signal-to-noise ratio and structural similarity index improved by 2.0 dB and 0.21, respectively. The CycleGAN-generated denoised ULDCT images typically provided satisfactory image quality for optimal visibility of anatomic structures and pathological findings, with a lower level of image noise (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 19.5 ± 3.0 Hounsfield unit [HU]) than that of the hybrid (66.3 ± 10.5 HU, p < 0.001) and a similar noise level to model-based iterative reconstruction (19.6 ± 2.6 HU, p > 0.908). The CycleGAN-generated images showed the highest contrast-to-noise ratios for the pulmonary lesions, followed by the model-based and hybrid iterative reconstruction. The mean effective radiation dose of ULDCT was 0.12 mSv with a mean 93.9% reduction compared to standard-dose CT. Conclusion: The optimized CycleGAN technique may allow the synthesis of diagnostically acceptable images from ULDCT of the chest for the evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2024

Purpose:The acute hospital accreditation program launched in South Korea has shown positive effects on safety culture and quality of care. However, relative weights have not yet been investigated for accreditation criteria with a hierarchical structure. This study aimed to derive the relative weights of acute-care hospital accreditation criteria. Methods: We conducted an online survey using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique to assess the validity, importance, and urgency of acute hospital accreditation criteria. The AHP online survey link was distributed in November 2022 after obtaining informed consent from 10 experts in hospital accreditation. Results: 'Basic value system' ranked highest, while 'patient care system' ranked second in terms of validity, importance, and urgency. 'Performance management system' had the lowest validity and urgency, while 'organizational management system' carried the lowest importance. Within the 'patient care system' domain, 'surgery and anesthesia sedation management' scored highest in validity and importance, and 'patient care' scored highest in urgency. 'Care delivery system and evaluation' received the lowest scores for all three aspects. In the 'organizational management system' domain, infection control ranked highest in terms of validity, importance, and urgency. The lowest validity was observed for 'management and organizational operation' and the lowest importance and urgency were noted for 'human resource management'. Conclusion: The weights for validity, importance, and urgency, as shown in each domain and chapter, and the number of measurable elements included, are largely inconsistent. This study will contribute to the development of the structure and scientific improvement of accreditation standards.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.4
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• pp.912-919
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• 2020

Purpose This study aimed to compare the brain perfusion status of patients with chronic kidney disease to a normal control group to identify any significant differences. Materials and Methods The perfusion state of the brain was measured by MRI using the arterial spin labeling technique in 36 patients undergoing hemodialysis due to chronic kidney disease and 36 normal controls. Images were then analyzed in a voxel-wise manner to detect brain areas showing significant perfusion differences between the two groups. Results Patients with chronic kidney disease showed increased perfusion in the form of large clusters across the right fronto-parieto-temporal lobe and the left parieto-occipital lobe. In addition, perfusion increased in the bilateral thalami, midbrain, pons, and cerebellum (p < 0.01, familywise error corrected). Conclusion Brain perfusion appears to increase in patients with chronic kidney disease compared to normal controls. Uremic toxicity is thought to be the cause of this increase as it can cause damage to the microscopic blood vessels and their surrounding structures.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2024

RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) is a technique used for providing global patterns of transcriptomes in samples. However, it can only provide the average gene expression across cells and does not address the heterogeneity within the samples. The advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology have revolutionized our understanding of heterogeneity and the dynamics of gene expression at the single-cell level. For example, scRNA-seq allows us to identify the cell types in complex tissues, which can provide information regarding the alteration of the cell population by perturbations, such as genetic modification. Since its initial introduction, scRNA-seq has rapidly become popular, leading to the development of a huge number of bioinformatic tools. However, the analysis of the big dataset generated from scRNA-seq requires a general understanding of the preprocessing of the dataset and a variety of analytical techniques. Here, we present an overview of the workflow involved in analyzing the scRNA-seq dataset. First, we describe the preprocessing of the dataset, including quality control, normalization, and dimensionality reduction. Then, we introduce the downstream analysis provided with the most commonly used computational packages. This review aims to provide a workflow guideline for new researchers interested in this field.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.137-144
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• 2024

This study shows the effectiveness of mental health by applying the Light of the Mind program to 45 nursing students who applied for the Human Relations class at JS University and showed 90% attendance once a week for a total of 10 sessions and 60 minutes per session. The 'Light of the Heart' program was carried out in the Simsang-Poetry therapy stage and technique, an integrated art and cultural therapy that recognizes the 'light' representing 'inner positivity'. As a result of phenomenological and qualitative analysis of the participants' descriptions, the categories of source, healing power, positive perception, self-realization, positive emotion, potential, and self-awareness were shown, and there was a statistically significant difference in the experimental group compared to the control group when analyzing before and after the resilience scale. This study is significant in that it improved the mental health of nursing students through human relations classes. It is necessary to develop and carry out various programs for the promotion of human relations and mental health of college students, and it will be helpful to the mental health of modern people by expanding this program to the general public.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.18-23
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• 2024

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) is widely used to form structures ranging from micro to nanoscale due to its advantage of generating high-resolution patterns at a low process cost. However, most NIL processes require the use of imprint resists and external elements such as ultraviolet light or heat, necessitating additional post-processes like etching or metal deposition to pattern the target material. Furthermore, patterning on flexible and/or non-planar films presents significant challenges. This study introduces an extreme pressure imprint lithography (EPIL) process that can form micro-/nano-scale patterns on the surface of a flexible rubber magnet composite (RMC) film at room temperature without an etching process. The EPIL technique can form ultrafine structures over large areas through the plastic deformation of various materials, including metals, polymers, and ceramics. In this study, we demonstrate the process and outcomes of creating a variety of periodic structures with diverse pattern sizes and shapes on the surface of a flexible RMC composed of strontium ferrite and chlorinated polyethylene. The EPIL process, which allows for the precise patterning on the surface of RMC materials, is expected to find broad applications in the production of advanced electromagnetic device components that require fine control and changes in magnetic orientation.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.35-44
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• 2023

Background: The need to study the effects of concert oriented music therapy (COMT) on a diverse range of subjects. Purpose: This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of Concert Oriented Music Therapy (COMT), a technique based on active music activities, in alleviating depression among the elderly in a nursing home. Methods: COMT program was prepared, which was designed to enable participants to express and explore emotions through music in a creative environment, being divided into 'Therapeutic music making' and 'Concert activities,' The 70 elderly residents in a nursing facility were randomly assigned to either an experimental (n=35) or a control group (n=35). The 3 participants withdrew, and a total of 67 completed the COMT intervention program. Results: The experimental group receiving COMT intervention showed a significant reduction in the average GDS-K score from 20.34 to 15.18 (p<.001), with notable decreases observed in the cognitive function and depression factors. Conclusion: The COMT was found to effectively reduce depression, particularly, related to cognitive function, for the elderly residents in a nursing facilities. The COMT intervention program is expected to be beneficial in improving the quality of life for the elderly in a nursing home, susceptible to depression

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2012

Purpose: We evaluated usefulness of abdominal compressor for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and hepato-biliary cancer and metastatic liver cancer patients. Materials and Methods: From November 2011 to March 2012, we selected HCC patients who gained reduction of diaphragm movement >1 cm through abdominal compressor (diaphragm control, elekta, sweden) for HT (Hi-Art Tomotherapy, USA). We got planning computed tomography (CT) images and 4 dimensional (4D) images through 4D CT (somatom sensation, siemens, germany). The gross tumor volume (GTV) included a gross tumor and margins considering tumor movement. The planning target volume (PTV) included a 5 to 7 mm safety margin around GTV. We classified patients into two groups according to distance between tumor and organs at risk (OAR, stomach, duodenum, bowel). Patients with the distance more than 1 cm are classified as the 1st group and they received SBRT of 4 or 5 fractions. Patients with the distance less than 1 cm are classified as the 2nd group and they received tomotherapy of 20 fractions. Megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) were performed 4 or 10 fractions. When we verify a MVCT fusion considering priority to liver than bone-technique. We sent MVCT images to Mim_vista (Mimsoftware, ver .5.4. USA) and we re-delineated stomach, duodenum and bowel to bowel_organ and delineated liver. First, we analyzed MVCT images to check the setup variation. Second we compared dose difference between tumor and OAR based on adaptive dose through adaptive planning station and Mim_vista. Results: Average setup variation from MVCT was $-0.66{\pm}1.53$ mm (left-right) $0.39{\pm}4.17$ mm (superior-inferior), $0.71{\pm}1.74$ mm (anterior-posterior), $-0.18{\pm}0.30$ degrees (roll). 1st group ($d{\geq}1$) and 2nd group (d<1) were similar to setup variation. 1st group ($d{\geq}1$) of $V_{diff3%}$ (volume of 3% difference of dose) of GTV through adaptive planing station was $0.78{\pm}0.05%$, PTV was $9.97{\pm}3.62%$, $V_{diff5%}$ was GTV 0.0%, PTV was $2.9{\pm}0.95%$, maximum dose difference rate of bowel_organ was $-6.85{\pm}1.11%$. 2nd Group (d<1) GTV of $V_{diff3%}$ was $1.62{\pm}0.55%$, PTV was $8.61{\pm}2.01%$, $V_{diff5%}$ of GTV was 0.0%, PTV was $5.33{\pm}2.32%$, maximum dose difference rate of bowel_organ was $28.33{\pm}24.41%$. Conclusion: Despite we saw diaphragm movement more than 5 mm with flouroscopy after use an abdominal compressor, average setup_variation from MVCT was less than 5 mm. Therefore, we could estimate the range of setup_error within a 5 mm. Target's dose difference rate of 1st group ($d{\geq}1$) and 2nd group (d<1) were similar, while 1st group ($d{\geq}1$) and 2nd group (d<1)'s bowel_organ's maximum dose difference rate's maximum difference was more than 35%, 1st group ($d{\geq}1$)'s bowel_organ's maximum dose difference rate was smaller than 2nd group (d<1). When applicating SBRT to HCC, abdominal compressor is useful to control diaphragm movement in selected patients with more than 1 cm bowel_organ distance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.372-380
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of various methods of dentin bonding agent application on microtensile bond strength between dentin and resin, using a 2-step etch-and-rinse dentin bonding agent. Material and methods: Twenty freshly extracted human molars were obtained and divided into 4 groups of 5 teeth. 2-step etch-and-rinse dentin bonding agent was used for all groups. The control specimens were prepared using a direct immediate bonding technique. The delayed dentin sealing (A, C) specimens were prepared using an indirect approach with delayed dentin sealing. For group A, resin was built-up on uncured dentin bonding agent, and for group C, resin was built-up on pre-cured dentin bonding agent. Preparation of the immediate dentin sealing (B) specimens also used an indirect approach with immediate dentin sealing immediately following preparation. All teeth were prepared for a microtensile bond strength test. Specimens were stored in water for 24 hours. Ten beams (1.0 ${\times}$ 1.0 ${\times}$ 11 mm) from each tooth were selected for testing. Bond strength data (MPa) were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA test, and post hoc comparison was done using the Scheffe's test. Results: The mean microtensile bond strengths of control group, B and C (DDS with pre-cure) were not statisticaaly different from each other at 32.7, 33.3, 34.2 MPa. the bond strength for group A (DDS without pre-cure), 19.5 MPa, was statistically different (P < .01) from the other 3 groups. Conclusion: When preparing teeth for indirect bonded restorations, DDS with pre-curing dentin bonding agent and IDS results in the same bond strength between dentin and resin. On the contrast, the bond strength was decreased when DDS without pre-curing dentin bonding agent was used.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.96-103
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• 2005

The motor recovery mechanism of a 21-year-old male monoparetic patient with cerebral palsy, who had complained of a mild weakness on his right hand since infancy, was examined using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The patient showed mild motor impairment on the right hand. MRI located the main lesion on the left precentral knob of the brain. fMRI was performed on this patient as well as 8 control subjects using the Blood Oxygen Level Dependent technique at 1.5 T with a standard head coil. The motor activation task consisted of finger flexionextension exercises at 1 Hz cycles. TMS was carried out using a round coil. The anterior portion of the coil was applied tangentially to the scalp at a 1.0 cm separation. Magnetic stimulation was carried out with the maximal output. The Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) from both Abductor Pollicis Brevis muscles (APB) were obtained simultaneously. fMRI revealed that the unaffected (right) primary sensori-motor cortex (SM1), which was centered on precentral knob, was activated by the hand movements of the control subjects as well as by the unaffected (left) hand movements of the patient. However, the affected(right) hand movements of the patient activated the medial portion of the injured precentral knob of the left SM1. The optimal scalp site for the affected (right) APB was located at 1 cm medial to that of the unaffected (left) APB. When the optimal scalp site was stimulated, the MEP characteristics from the affected (right) APB showed a delayed latency, lower amplitude, and a distorted figure compared with that of the unaffected (left) APB. Therefore, the motor function of the affected (right) hand was shown to be reorganized in the medial portion of the injured precentral knob.