• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2017

Because facial asymmetry is caused by various causes, the cause analysis is important and quantitative index is needed to the evaluation. In this study, we applied the Nottingham Grading System that was used as a quantitative index to evaluate the facial paralysis by tracking the markers through the image processing and calculating the distance between the markers with images obtained by using the webcam, to evaluate facial asymmetry. The existing Nottingham Grading System has a problem of causing a measurement error in the specific case because the left and right are compared by summing the distance change between the feature points of the face part according to the change of the facial expression. We compared the case of the facial asymmetry and case of normal subject by using the existing Nottingham Grading System and the improved Nottingham grading system. In the existing Nottingham Grading System, case of facial asymmetry and case of facial symmetry were 99.0% and 95.0% respectively in the normal range, but the improved Nottingham Grading System showed facial asymmetry case was 74.0% and facial symmetrical case was 93.2%. The results of experiment show that the improved Nottingham Grading System allows detailed evaluation of each site and improved the problem of the Nottingham Grading System for specific cases.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.233-240
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• 2013

Objectives The objective and universal grading system for the facial nerve palsy is needed to the objectification of treatment in Oriental medicine. In this study, the facial nerve palsy grading was developed with combination of image processing technique and Nottingham scale. Methods The developed system is composed of measurement part, image processing part, facial nerve palsy evaluation part, and display part. With the video data recorded by webcam at measurement part, the positions of marker were measured at image processing part. In evaluation part, Nottingham scales were calculated in four different facial expressions with measured marker position. The video of facial movement, time history of marker position, and Nottingham scale were displayed in display part. Results & Conclusion The developed system was applied to a normal subject and a abnormal subject with facial nerve palsy. The left-right difference of Nottingham scores was large in the abnormal compared with the normal. In normal case, the change of the length between supraorbital point and infraorbital point was larger than that of the length between lateral canthus and angle of mouth. The abnormal case showed an opposite result. The developed system showed the possibilities of the objective and universal grading system for the facial nerve palsy.

• Asian Journal of Innovation and Policy
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.168-199
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• 2012

Studies on innovation point towards the need for both in-house research and development (R&D) capabilities along with collaborations with external organisations or linkages with other firms, universities and research institutes. The argument is that innovation is not just a firm specific factor but requires support from several other factors which in turn involves developing linkages with various actors/institutions as sources of resources and/or knowledge for innovation. This paper presents findings from an exploratory study about the Malaysian biofuel sector as an innovation system. Instead of using the neo-classical approach and proposing policy interventions based on traditional market failure rationale (Bergek et al., 2008a), the functional analysis of the technological innovation systems (TIS) approach is used to analyse the biofuel sector in Malaysia to help reveal the strengths and weaknesses in terms of its fulfillment of seven critical functions which are necessary for the generation and commercialization of a product. In addition an attempt is made to reveal the inducement and blocking mechanisms affecting the Malaysian biofuel TIS and the seeking of improved poor functionality. These functional aspects of the Malaysian biofuel sector are analysed in different phases of its development to gain an understanding of the different institutions and their functions at different phases of the development of the innovation system.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2015

The objective grading system for the facial palsy is needed. In this study, the facial palsy grading system was developed with combination of three dimensional image processing and Nottingham scale. The developed system is composed of 4 parts; measurement part, image processing part, computational part, facial palsy evaluation & display part. Two web cam were used to get images. The 8 marker on face were recognized at image processing part. The absolute three dimensional positions of markers were calculated at computational part. Finally, Nottingham scale was calculated and displayed at facial palsy evaluation & display part. The effects of measurement method and position of subject on Nottingham scale were tested. The markers were measured with 2-dimension and 3-dimension. The subject was look at the camera with $0^{\circ}$ and $11^{\circ}$ rotation. The change of Scale was large in the case of $11^{\circ}$ rotation with 2-dimension measurement. So, the developed system with 3-dimension measurement is robust to the orientation change of subject. The developed system showed the robustness of grading error originated from subject posture.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2018

Background: Psychosocial risk management [Psychosocial Risk Management Approach (PRIMA)] has, through the years, been applied in several organizations in various industries and countries globally. PRIMA principles have also been translated into international frameworks, such as PRIMA-EF (European framework) and the World Health Organization Healthy Workplace Framework. Over the past 10 years, an oil and gas company has put efforts into adopting and implementing international frameworks and standards for psychosocial risk management. More specifically, the company uses a PRIMA. Methods: This study explores available quantitative and qualitative risk data collected through the PRIMA method over the past 8 years in order to explore specific and common psychosocial risks in the petroleum industry. Results: The analyses showed a significant correlation between job resources and symptoms of work-related stress, there was a significant correlation between job demands and symptoms of work-related stress, and there were differences in psychosocial risk factors and symptoms of work-related stress onshore and offshore. The study also offers recommendations on how the results can further be utilized in building a robust system for managing psychosocial risks in the industry. Conclusion: The results from the analyses have provided meaningful and important information about the company-specific psychosocial risk factors and their impact on health and well-being.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.276-284
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• 2012

AC/AC power conversion is widely used to feed AC loads with a variable voltage and/or a variable frequency from a constant voltage constant frequency power grid or to connect critical loads to an unreliable power supply while delivering a very balanced and accurate sinusoidal voltage system of constant amplitude and frequency. The load specifications will clearly impose the requirements for the inverter stage of the power converter, while wider ranges of choices are available for the rectifier. This paper investigates the utilization of a buck-type current source rectifier as the active front-end stage of an AC/AC converter for applications that require an adjustable DC-link voltage as well as elimination of the low-frequency common mode voltage. The proposed solution is to utilize a combination of two or more zero current vectors in the Space Vector Modulation (SVM) technique for Current Sources Rectifiers (CSR).

• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.211-220
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• 2014

In this paper, we present a review of optical and structural studies of $GaBi_xAs_{1-x}$ epilayers grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) on (311)B and (001) GaAs substrates with different As fluxes. The results indicate that under near-stoichiometric conditions the bismuth incorporation is higher for samples grown on (311)B GaAs substrates than for those grown on (001) GaAs. In addition, carrier localization effects in GaBiAs layers are clearly revealed for both samples by optical measurements. The (311)B samples showed evidence of higher density of defects. It has also been found that the nonradiative centers play a significant role in the recombination process in this material system. The influence of post-growth annealing on the microstructural, optical, and magneto-optical properties was also investigated. An important improvement of optical and spin properties after thermal annealing due to the reduction of defects in the GaBiAs layers was observed.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.89-105
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• 2017

The AEC industry is highly interested in effective ICT adoption and deployment, including its utilization within the design process. However, its capabilities have not yet been fully exploited and it is an obvious area for further research. Architects and engineers tend to have some technological support to monitor and evaluate the possible impacts of decisions made throughout the design process. Many aspects are left out of consideration and the entire project is broken up into independent fragments or domains that are combined together at a later, post hoc stage. Impact of separate decisions on each others have to be interpreted on a person-to-person basis between the involved design stakeholders. This paper attempts to evaluate current design practice and associated challenges towards design integration with advanced technologies, such as BIM, by conducting an online survey targeted at designers and engineers, who are most affected by its emerging issues. The outcomes of this study are presented and analysed, concluding that the current design process fails to meet expectations and needs improvements. It goes further to propose the requirements for an integrated system as a means for an effective solution for the identified problem.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.367-384
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• 2018

The consideration of constructability issues at the design stage can lead to improved construction performance with smooth project delivery and savings in time and money. Empirical studies demonstrate the value obtained by integrating construction knowledge with the building design process, and its benefits for owners, contractors and designers. However, it is still a challenge to implement the concept into current design practice. There is a need for a decision support tool to aid designers in reviewing their design constructability, deploying current technological tools, such as BIM. Such tools are beneficial at the conceptual design stage when there is a room to improve the design significantly with less incurred cost. This research investigates how current process- and object-oriented models can be used to assess design constructability. It proposes a BIM-based model using embedded information within the design environment to conduct the assessment. The modelling framework is demonstrated in four key parts; namely, the conceptual design model, the constructability assessment model, the assessment process model and the decision-making phase. Each is associated with a set of components and functions that contribute towards the targeted constructability assessment outcomes. The proposed framework is the first to combine a numerical assessment system and a rule-based system, allowing for both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The modelling framework and its implementation through a prototype are described in this paper. It is believed that this framework is the first to enable users to transfer their construction knowledge and experience directly into a design platform linked to BIM models. The assessment criteria can be customised by the users who can reflect their own constructability preferences into various specialised profiles that can be added to the constructability assessment model. It also allows for the integration of the assessment process with the design phase, facilitating the optimisation of constructability performance from the early design stage.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1403-1412
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• 2019

A coupled inductor-dual boost-inverter (CIDBI) with a differential structure has been presented for application to a micro-inverter photovoltaic module system due to its turn ratio of a high-voltage level. However, it is difficult to design a CIDBI converter with a conventional PI regulator to be stable and achieve good dynamic performance, given the fact that it is a high order system. In view of this situation, a sliding mode control (SMC) strategy is introduced in this paper, and two different sliding mode controllers (SMCs) are proposed and adopted in the left and right side of two Boost sub-circuits to implement the corresponding regulation of the voltage and current. The schemes of the SMCs have been elaborated in this paper including the establishment of a system variable structure model, selection of the sliding surface, determination of the control law, and presentation of the reaching conditions and sliding domain. Finally, the mathematic analysis and the proposed SMC are verified by experimental results.