• International Journal of Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent Systems
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2015

The main source of noise in computed tomography (CT) images is a quantum noise, which results from statistical fluctuations of X-ray quanta reaching the detector. This paper proposes a neural network (NN) based hybrid filter for removing quantum noise. The proposed filter consists of bilateral filters (BFs), a single or multiple neural edge enhancer(s) (NEE), and a neural filter (NF) to combine them. The BFs take into account the difference in value from the neighbors, to preserve edges while smoothing. The NEE is used to clearly enhance the desired edges from noisy images. The NF acts like a fusion operator, and attempts to construct an enhanced output image. Several measurements are used to evaluate the image quality, like the root mean square error (RMSE), the improvement in signal to noise ratio (ISNR), the standard deviation ratio (MSR), and the contrast to noise ratio (CNR). Also, the modulation transfer function (MTF) is used as a means of determining how well the edge structure is preserved. In terms of all those measurements and means, the proposed filter shows better performance than the guided filter, and the nonlocal means (NLM) filter. In addition, there is no severe restriction to select the number of inputs for the fusion operator differently from the neuro-fuzzy system. Therefore, without concerning too much about the filter selection for fusion, one could apply the proposed hybrid filter to various images with different modalities, once the corresponding noise characteristics are explored.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.195-203
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• 2021

Purpose: Neurodynamic tests are used to examine neural tissue in patients with neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, although this has not yet been established in the intensity of nerve tension application. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of neural stretching intensity on nerve excitability using the latency and amplitude of nerve conduction velocity test (NCV) analysis. Methods: Thirty young, healthy male and female subjects (mean age = 21.30 years) voluntarily participated in this study. Nerve excitability was assessed using the median sensory NCV test. The latency and amplitude of the NCV test were measured under four different conditions: reference phase (supra-maximal stimulus, without neural stretching), baseline phase (2/3 of the supra-maximal stimulus, without neural stretching), weak stretch phase (2/3 of the supra-maximal stimulus, with weak neural stretching), and strong stretch phase (2/3 of the supra-maximal stimulus, with strong neural stretching). Results: The NCV latency was significantly delayed after one minute of neural stretching at the baseline, weak phase, and strong phase in comparison with the reference phase. The NCV latency was significantly delayed by increasing the strength of neural stretching. Furthermore, the NCV amplitude was significantly increased at the weak and strong phases, which were under neural stretching, in comparison with the baseline phase. The NCV amplitude was significantly increased by increasing the strength of the neural stretching. Conclusion: Transient neural stretching as a neurodynamic test can increase the sensitivity of the nerve without negatively affecting the nervous system. However, based on the results of this study, strong neural stretching in the neurodynamic test may delay the transmission of nerve impulses and hypersensitivity.

• Architectural research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.83-90
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• 2016

Senescent effects are the gradual deterioration of function caused by biological aging. Senescent effects on color vision are not clearly understood even after considerable researches. Part of the reason is that the color vision is a complex phenomenon resulting from various factors such as organic systems, and the physical (neuro-optical) and the psychological (experiential) processes of color perception. We performed a field experiment on color perceptional differences due to aging vision. Our experiment was applied to two different groups in South Korea: an experimental group (46 subjects of over the age of 61 years) and a control group (49 subjects in their twenties). The experimental tools are comprised of (1) six gradual yellowing detector board (40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%); (2) pairs of vivid-strong, vivid-deep, grayish-deep, deep-dull, and bright-light tones of Blue (B) and Purple (P) colors; (3) Red (R), Yellow (Y), Green (G), Blue (B), and Purple (P) colors of dull-tones and pale-tones; and (4) a questionnaire on the semantic differential scales of the color images and color differences. A diagnosis system of gradual yellow vision, developed by the authors for this study, was adapted to generate the color detecting boards. The results are as follows. (1) There are significant differences between the two groups in detecting colors that simulate 40% and 50% of yellow vision. (2) As to the color difference detecting ability between similar tones, the experimental group shows difficulties in pairs of vivid-strong tones and deep-dull tones of the B color. And (3), the emotional responses to the dull tone and the pale tone are not stable in the red, the yellow, blue, and purple. Thus, we empirically demonstrate the specific differences in color perception between the old and young groups.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2014

This study has analyzed the scanning path algorithm shown at the process of exploring spatial information through an observation experiment with the object of lobby in subway station. In the estimation of observation time by section, the frequency of scanning type was found to increase as the observation time got longer, which makes it possible that the longer the observation lasts the more the observation interruptions occur. In addition, the observation slipped out of the range of imaging when any fatigue was caused from the observation or the more active exploration took place. Furthermore, when the trend line was employed for the examination of the changes to the scanning type by time section, "concentration" "diagonal or vertical" showed a sharp and a gentle increases along with the increase of time section respectively, while "circulation. combination, horizontal" showed a reduction. The observation data of the subjects observing a space include various visual information. The analysis of the scanning type found at "attention concentration" enabled to draw this significant conclusion. The features of increase and decrease of scanning types can be a fundamental data for understanding the scanning tendency by time.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.179-190
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• 2023

Many recent attempts have sought accurate prediction of pile pullout resistance (P_ul) using classical machine learning models. This study offers an improved methodology for this objective. Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), as a popular predictor, is trained by a capable metaheuristic strategy, namely equilibrium optimizer (EO) to predict the P_ul. The used data is collected from laboratory investigations in previous literature. First, two optimal configurations of EO-ANFIS are selected after sensitivity analysis. They are next evaluated and compared with classical ANFIS and two neural-based models using well-accepted accuracy indicators. The results of all five models were in good agreement with laboratory P_uls (all correlations > 0.99). However, it was shown that both EO-ANFISs not only outperform neural benchmarks but also enjoy a higher accuracy compared to the classical version. Therefore, utilizing the EO is recommended for optimizing this predictive tool. Furthermore, a comparison between the selected EO-ANFISs, where one employs a larger population, revealed that the model with the population size of 75 is more efficient than 300. In this relation, root mean square error and the optimization time for the EO-ANFIS (75) were 19.6272 and 1715.8 seconds, respectively, while these values were 23.4038 and 9298.7 seconds for EO-ANFIS (300).

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.908-919
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to get some basic data for health care for working women, especially or hospital nurses. The number of subjects was 796 nurses from one general hospital and four private educational hospitals. The data were collected from February to April, 1988 using the questionnaire "Symptom Table on Fatigue Perception" designed by the Research Committee of Industrial Fatigue in Hygienic Association of Japan Industry. The collected data were analyzed using means and standard deviations for the subjective symptoms of fatigue and each item as an independent variable was analyzed by T-test and ANOVA test. The results are as follows 1) The mean score for degree of fatigue was 1.89 and the degree of fatigue for physical symptoms had highest score of 2.04, the next was psychological symptoms at 1.89, and neuro -sensory symptoms were the lowest at 1.74. Among the fatigue symptoms, the item scored most frequently was "Legs feel heavy" with a mean score of 2.40 and the least frequent item was "My hand and foot trembled" with a mean score of 1.40. 2) With the respect to the general characteristics of subjects, there were statistically significant difference according to age (F=17.039, p=.000), state of marriage(t=5.381, p=.000) presence of children(t=5.134, p=.000), clinical experience (F=16.663, p= .000), present position(F=18.204, p=.000), working place(F=12.598, p=.000), duty time(F=9.068, p=.000), monthly wages(F=7.361, p=.000). satisfaction about the pay and treatment at work(t=-5.511, p=.000), relation the doctors(t=-4.593, p=.000) the doctors(t=-4.593, p=.000)

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.215-224
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the effects of oriental medical treatments on the facial nerve palsy in Herpes Zoster Oticus. Methods : Subjects were 1 patients with the facial nerve palsy in Herpes Zoster Oticus. She had improved slightly still she had be gotten the medical services on inpatient states for 2 month. We gave Kamiligigepung-san to the patient 90 minutes after each meal and tried acupuncture 2 times every day. And we had evaluated the conditions of the patient using VAS, House-Brackmann Grade and Yanagihara scale. Results : After the comparison between an admission and discharge date at VAS, House-Brackmann Grade and Yanagihara scale, the facial nerve palsy of the patient had improved. Conclusions : It is effective the Kamiligigepung-san and Acupuncture on the facial nerve palsy in Herpes Zoster Oticus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.166-172
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• 1997

Background : For example, aerodynamic study, vibratory study, acoustic study, neuro-muscular test and psychoacoustic evaluation, a number of objective methods are now available for assessing pathologic voice change. They help to differentiate pathologic condition from normal condition and to monitor pathologic and aging change. These laboratory analyses are used commonly to monitor speech therapy and to follow a patient's recovery after surgery. Objectives : We investigated the values of jitter, shimmer and NNE of normal person and hoarseness patients in Korea. The values of Jitter and shimmer might be meaningful parameters distinguishing pathologic vibration from normal and recovery after surgery. Materials and Methods : Statistical significance between normal control and 48 subjects taken microlaryngeal surgery were compared with Dr. speech science program that is computerized system for acoustic analysis of voice production employed to determine vocal characteristics of pitch perturbation(jitter) and amplitude perturbation(shimmer). Results : The mean normal values of jitter and shimmer were 0.226${\pm}$0.110(%), 2.200${\pm}$0.421(%) in male and 0.164${\pm}$0.060(%), 2.063 ${\pm}$0.575(%) in female. In patients with vocal nodule, the preoperative and postoperative values of jitter and shimmer were valueless. In patients with vocal polyps, the preoperative and postoperative values of jitter and shimmer were valuable. Conclusion : Dr. speech science program was effective to monitor laryngeal disease and aging changes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2018

Background: Stroke patients show abnormal walking patterns due to brain injury. In order to have the desired walking pattern, appropriate stimulation is required to activate the central pattern generator. For this reason, our study performed treadmill ambulatory training with rhythmic auditory stimulation. However we did not consider the influence of visual feedback. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the gait abilities in chronic stroke patients following either treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback (TRASVF) or treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (TRAS) alone. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were divided into two groups: A TRASVF group (10 subjects) and a TRAS group (11 subjects). They received 30 minutes of neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) and walking training for 30 minutes, five times a week for three weeks. Temporal and spatial gait parameters were measured before and after the training period. The Biodex gait trainer treadmill system measured gait parameters. Results: After the training periods, the TRASVF group showed a significant improvement in walking speed, the step length of the affected limb, and time on each foot of the affected limb when compared to the TRAS group (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback improved individual gait ability more than the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation alone. Therefore, visual feedback should be considered along with rhythmic auditory stimulation training.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.139-145
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• 1998

This report describes a rare, congenital hypertrophy of the left upper extremity that appeared after compressive bandage of right arm at the age of two. He is eighteen years old, and hypertrophy was aggravated for about 2 years since he started weight training exercise. Recently, skin turgor changed and he visited the Dermatology department. Skin biopsy revealed increased thickness of the dermis. On Orthopaedic examination, the left arm showed non­specific neuro-muscular changes other than easy fatigability a.nd increased skin consistency after exercise, compared to the right arm. The differences of circumference were 2.5 to 4cm according to the level of the upper limb. But the relative proportion of hypertrophy of the limb was balanced., On X-ray examination, bony changes were not shown. Through the MRI, we could find edematous changes of subcutaneous fatty tissue. Muscular structures showed unremarkable changes. Through the endurance test of both arms, we could find a decrease in endurance of the left upper arm musculatures. On histologic examination, infrequent focal necrosis and peri fascicular degeneration of the muscle fiber were present.