• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.283-287
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• 1998

Background: Recently, pain clinic is attracting attention and interest of both physicians and laymen. It is the purpose of this article to analyze our 10 years' experience to seek and improve better protocol of treating pain. Methods & Materials: We analyzed retrospectively 11,235 patients who visited the clinic during 10 years from 1986 to 1996. Total number of hospital visits was 51,908. Male to female ratio was 35：65(3910：7325). Treatment modalities employed were SGB(stellate ganglion block), TPI(trigger point injection), etc. Results: Yearly distribution showed a gradual upward curve until 1992 and remains in a horizontal pattern thereafter. Of age distribution, 6th decades occupied the largest proportion(27.29%). As of disease entities, Low back pain & lower extremities pain comprised of the majority(34.01%) and the epidural block was most frequently given as a treatment. Conclusion: Pain clinic is improving rapidly as an important part of medical science in Korea and outpatients of clinic are on an increasing trend. So, anesthesiologists should be make every efforts to research for treatment of good quality.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.217-231
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• 2016

This paper presents a new approach for underwater image analysis using the bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD) technique and the phase congruency information. The BEMD algorithm, fully unsupervised, it is mainly applied to texture extraction and image filtering, which are widely recognized as a difficult and challenging machine vision problem. The phase information is the very stability feature of image. Recent developments in analysis methods on the phase congruency information have received large attention by the image researchers. In this paper, the proposed method is called the EP model that inherits the advantages of the first two algorithms, so this model is suitable for processing underwater image. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is presented in this paper to solve the problem that the threshold is greatly affected by personal experience when underwater image edge detection is performed using the EP model. The EP images are computed using combinations of the Canny detector parameters, and the binaryzation image results are generated accordingly. The ideal EP edge feature extractive maps are estimated using correspondence threshold which is optimized by ROC analysis. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is able to avoid the operation error caused by manual setting of the detection threshold, and to adaptively set the image feature detection threshold. The proposed method has been proved to be accuracy and effectiveness by the underwater image processing examples.

• Journal of Computing Science and Engineering
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.180-199
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• 2008

Technology has had a tremendous impact on our daily lives. Recently, technology and its impact on aging has become an expanding field of inquiry. A major reason for this interest is that the use of technology can help older people who experience deteriorating health to live independently. In this paper we give a brief review of the in-home monitoring technologies for the elderly. In the pilot study, we analyze the possibility of employing the data generated by a continuous, unobtrusive nursing home monitoring system for predicting elevated(abnormal)pulse pressure(PP) in elderly(PP=systolic blood pressure-diastolic blood pressure). Our sensor data capture external information(behavioral) about the resident that is subsequently reflected in the predicted PP. By continuously predicting the possibility of elevated pulse pressure we may alert the nursing staff when some predefined threshold is exceeded. This approach may provide additional blood pressure monitoring for the elderly persons susceptible to blood pressure variations during the time between two nursing visits. We conducted a retrospective pilot study on two residents of the TigerPlace aging in place facility with age over 70, that had blood pressure measured between 100 and 300 times during a period of two years. The pilot study suggested that abnormal pulse pressure can be reasonably well estimated (an area under ROC curve of about 0.75) using apartment bed and motion sensors.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2013

The global movie industry is continuing rapid growth through application of the latest technology. 3D movies are being produced and shown for a more effective viewing experience. Special chairs for audiences are being experimentally manufactured and installed for the greatest viewing effect. This special chair has a structure that applies vibrating stimuli to specific parts of the body by attaching vibration transducers to theater chairs and synchronizing it with each scene of the movie. In a previous study, it has been confirmed that we can analyze the vibration transfer characteristics of sponge seats through the application of an experimental modal analysis method and obtain design variables easily. In this paper, we examine the major design parameters needed in the development of a foaming sponge seat in which auxiliary springs are inserted to improve the vibration transfer effect of a chair seat. Through analyzing several prototypes by applying experimentation as well as the experimental modal analysis method, it was confirmed that the effect of vibration transfer can be improved through the use of an auxiliary member.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.89-97
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• 1995

In order to study the successional trend and the heterogeneity of forest community, we investigated DBH frequency distribution of dominant tree species and the changes of several community indicies including ${\beta}-diversity\;({\beta}_t)$ along a belt transect in Mt. Yongam, Kwangnung Experimental Forest, which has been preserved for about 530 years. Quercus serrata, Carpinus laxiflora, and C. cordata were the three dominant species and their DBH frequency distribution showed a reverse J-shaped form, so these species seem to maintain by themselves. Dominancediversity curve had a lognormal distribution. d and H'for pooled quadrats were 0.13 and 1.09, respectively, but these indices within each quadiat varied with the range of 0.13 to 0.57 and 0.5 to 1.09, respectively. The value of ${\beta}_t$ along the belt transect ranged from 0.14 to 0.42. These results suggest that this forest community is in the stable climax stage but the components experience a heterogeneous microsuccession.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.114-128
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• 2016

The development of operational performance indicators is of utmost importance for nuclear power plants, since they measure, track, and trend plant operation. Leading indicators are ideal for reducing the likelihood of consequential events. This paper describes the operational data analysis of the information contained in the Corrective Action Program. The methodology considers human error and organizational factors because of their large contribution to consequential events. The results include a tool developed from the data to be used for the identification, prediction, and reduction of the likelihood of significant consequential events. This tool is based on the resilience curve that was built from the plant's operational data. The stress is described by the number of unresolved condition reports. The strain is represented by the number of preventive maintenance tasks and other periodic work activities (i.e., baseline activities), as well as, closing open corrective actions assigned to different departments to resolve the condition reports (i.e., corrective action workload). Beyond the identified resilience threshold, the stress exceeds the station's ability to operate successfully and there is an increased likelihood that a consequential event will occur. A performance indicator is proposed to reduce the likelihood of consequential events at nuclear power plants.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.116-128
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• 2020

In the shipbuilding industry, three-dimensional (3D) templates play a key role in the completeness evaluation of shell plates with a large curvature in the shell-plate fabrication process. Currently, the information of 3D templates from a ship computer-aided design system is limited; thus, manufacturers depend on their experience to produce the templates manually. This results in the inaccuracy of templates in addition to increased production time. Therefore, if the pieces of the 3D templates can be produced automatically with accurate information, the lead time of the fabrication process can be reduced. In this study, we define a new type of template piece and develop methods for extending a boundary template and converting manufacturing information into numerical control machine input. In addition, based on the results of the study, we propose a production automation system for 3D template pieces. This system is expected to reduce the lead time of the fabrication process.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.98-107
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• 2022

Background: Stroke patients usually experience damage to multiple functions and a long rehabilitation period. Hence, there is a large volume of patient clinical information. It thus takes a long time for clinicians to identify the patient's information and essential pieces of information may be overlooked. To solve this, we stored the essential clinical information of stroke patients in a blockchain and implemented the blockchain technology using the Java programming language. Methods: We created a mini blockchain to store the medical information of patients using the Java programming language. Results: After generating a unique pair of public/private keys for identity verification, a patient's identity is verified by applying the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm based on the generated keys. When the identity verification is complete, new medical data are stored in the transaction list and the generated transaction is verified. When verification is completed normally, the block hash value is derived using the transaction value and the hash value of the previous block. The hash value of the previous block is then stored in the generated block to interconnect the blocks. Conclusion: We demonstrated that blockchain can be used to store and deliver the patient information of stroke patients. It may be difficult to directly implement the code that we developed in the medical field, but it can serve as a starting point for the creation of a blockchain system to be used in the field.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.101-112
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• 2022

Expanding urbanization practices result in high numbers of buildings being developed in city centers. This high building concentration leads to an increased fire risk, resulting in higher casualty rates and increased economic damages compared to fires in the past. The purpose of this study was to analyze the structural behavior of fire-damaged reinforced concrete buildings using analytical methods and to suggest methods of improving fire resistance in the event of a fire. Damage levels were measured using commercial software to apply the finite element method, ABAQUS, and MIDAS GEN to the dataset. Load-deflection curves were calculated using the effective area and moment of inertia of the fire-damaged columns provided by ABAQUS. The results of this analysis indicate that fire-damaged beams with experience greater deflection from indoor fires than they will from outdoor fires. Fires that occurred on the middle floors were more dangerous than those occurring on higher floors, and eccentrically loaded columns experienced more damage than axially loaded columns. The results indicate that these methods accurately predict structural behaviors of fire damaged concrete columns by considering fire exposure area and eccentric loading.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.59-67
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• 2023

The healthcare industry continues to adopt and integrate smart technology in its operations, from medical devices to managing operations. However, the adoption curve has not been smooth, and the historical record of technology adoption in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reveals the existence of both known and unknown issues. This review paper is aimed to explain the influences and barriers present in the Saudi healthcare sector affecting IoT technology adoption. A comprehensive discussion of the literature illustrated that Vision 2030, the privatisation trend, transformation in disease patterns and ageing, issues in management and increasing public awareness are the key drivers that may influence the need for the medical Internet of Things (mIoT) in Saudi healthcare. However, based on the past trend, the introduction and adoption of mIoT will likely experience issues such as noncompliance from doctors and nurses due to negative beliefs, lack of knowledge and inadequate perception of effort requirements. Thus, in-depth research of the factors associated with mIoT technology adoption is suggested for a smooth transition.