• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.980-997
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• 2024

To improve the brightness of images and reveal hidden information in dark areas is the main objective of low-light image enhancement (LLIE). LLIE methods based on deep learning show good performance. However, there are some limitations to these methods, such as the complex network model requires highly configurable environments, and deficient enhancement of edge details leads to blurring of the target content. Single-scale feature extraction results in the insufficient recovery of the hidden content of the enhanced images. This paper proposed an edge detection-based multi-scale feature enhancement network for LLIE (EDMFEN). To reduce the loss of edge details in the enhanced images, an edge extraction module consisting of a Sobel operator is introduced to obtain edge information by computing gradients of images. In addition, a multi-scale feature enhancement module (MSFEM) consisting of multi-scale feature extraction block (MSFEB) and a spatial attention mechanism is proposed to thoroughly recover the hidden content of the enhanced images and obtain richer features. Since the fused features may contain some useless information, the MSFEB is introduced so as to obtain the image features with different perceptual fields. To use the multi-scale features more effectively, a spatial attention mechanism module is used to retain the key features and improve the model performance after fusing multi-scale features. Experimental results on two datasets and five baseline datasets show that EDMFEN has good performance when compared with the stateof-the-art LLIE methods.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.188-200
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• 2024

This review explores the essential methodologies for effective postoperative pain management, focusing on the need for thorough pain assessment tools, as underscored in various existing guidelines. Herein, the strengths and weaknesses of commonly used pain scales for postoperative pain-the Visual Analog Scale, Numeric Rating Scale, Verbal Rating Scale, and Faces Pain Scale-are evaluated, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate assessment tools based on factors influencing their effectiveness in surgical contexts. By emphasizing the need to comprehend the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for these scales in evaluating new analgesic interventions and monitoring pain trajectories over time, this review advocates recognizing the limitations of common pain scales to improve pain assessment strategies, ultimately enhancing postoperative pain management. Finally, five recommendations for pain assessment in research on postoperative pain are provided: first, selecting an appropriate pain scale tailored to the patient group, considering the strengths and weaknesses of each scale; second, simultaneously assessing the intensity of postoperative pain at rest and during movement; third, conducting evaluations at specific time points and monitoring trends over time; fourth, extending the focus beyond the intensity of postoperative pain to include its impact on postoperative functional recovery; and lastly, interpreting the findings while considering the MCID, ensuring that it is clinically significant for the chosen pain scale. These recommendations broaden our understanding of postoperative pain and provide insights that contribute to more effective pain management strategies, thereby enhancing patient care outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.50-62
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• 1991

The purposes of this study were to identify causal factors of Anxiety and to analyze correlation between perceived family support and anxiety in hemiplegic patients. The subjects of this study were 88 hospitalized hemiplegic patients at Kyung - Hee Oriental medicine Hospital. Data were collected by using interview with questionaire from Jan. 15 to Mar, 31, 1990. The measurement tools used by this researcher were Kang's family support scale, Spielberger's trait anxiety scale and the other anxiety scale which was developed by this researcher, approved it's reliability and validity. For the purposes of the study, the collected data were analyzed by frequency, t-test, ANOVA and the hypothesis was tested by pearson correlation, partial correlation. The results of the study were as follow. 1) The analysis of causal factor of anxiety higher anxiety these three cases ; \circled1 1st causal factor was the delayed recovery of paralyzed upper limbs(2.42$\pm$1.27). \circled2 End causal factor was the dysfunction of physical ability(2.30$\pm$1.29). \circled3 3rd causal factor was difficulty for walking(2.30$\pm$0.83) and the anxiety level(2.02$\pm$0.83) of physical factor was the highest level than any other factors. 2) The hypothesis that the more perceived family support level is the less anxiety level of patient was supported(r＝-.29, p＝.003). 3) The analysis of the general characteristics exerting influences on anxiety level patients ; (sex, age, marrital status, religious, education level, occupation, economic status, experience of hospitalization, care giver, the period of hospitalizatiot side of paralysis). In this analysis, any factor has not a statistical significance.(p＞.05). 4) The analysis of the relationship about effective factors of family support level by the general characteristics of patient (sex, age, marrital status, religious, education level, occupation, economic status, experience of hospitalization, care giver, the period of hospitalization, side of paralysis). In this analysis, there was significant difference on perceived family support between married and bereaved patients(t＝-2.68, p＝ .009) As a result of this study, anxiety level of physical factor was higher than any other factors (psychological factor, social factor) and the delayed recovery of paralyzed upper limbs is the largest causal factor of anxiety of physical factor. Meanwhile, the relationship between the degree of family support and the level of anxiety was negatively correlated but the degree of relationship was low. Therefore, one can infer from this study that sufficient information about recovery of physical problems and family support were effective in preventing and reducing anxiety in hemiplegic patient.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2001

This study was conducted to identify the effectiveness of meridian acupressure for enhancement of post operative bowel movement to the patient with absolute bed rest who having surgery under general anesthesia. This study used a qusai experimental, nonequivalent control group post test only design. This subject were 44 patients, 22 for the experimental and 22 for the control group, who were admitted at KyungHee University hospital, neurosurgical unit A and B ward, assigned by matched sample by the name of operation who having microvascular decompression and laminectomy. Date were collected from May 1, 2001 to June 30, 2001 by auscultation, self report and by using 7 point face scale. The recovery of bowel sound were measured every 4 hours until gas out for 1 minute auscultation on lower abdomen after 4 hours having surgery. The time of gas out were measured by self report, the severity of nausea were measured every 4 hours for 7 point face scale and also the degree of satisfaction of nursing care were measured after 2 days having surgery with same scale. Data were analyzed with $X^2$, t-test, repeated measures ANOVA and ANOVA. The result of this study were as follows; 1. The experimental group which were implemented with meridian acupressure showed shorter time the recovery of bowel sound after having surgery than control group(t=-5.112, p=.0001). 2. The experimental group which were implemented with meridian acupressure showed shorter time of gas after having surgery than control group(t=-4.010, p=.0001) 3. The experimental group which were implemented with meridian acupressure showed decreased level of nausea score according to time interval than control group(F=21.995, p=.0001). 4. The experimental group which were implemented with meridian acupressure showed higher the degree of satisfaction of nursing care than control group(t=-4.010, p=.0001). These finding indicate that a meridian acupressure could be a effective nursing intervention for enhancement of post operative bowel movement to the patient with absolute bed rest who having surgery under general anesthesia.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.103-111
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• 2016

Seasonal dynamics of kelp forest-forming algae, Ecklonia cava population formed following the large-scale disturbance by Typhoon 'Bolaven' in August 2012 were investigated in Jeju Island, Korea. Morphological characteristics, recruits density, mortality rate, total density and biomass were monitored bimonthly from June 2013 to June 2015. Total and longest blade lengths, and individual weight of E. cava showed distinct seasonal trends. Stipe length increased from winter to spring, but did not show increase or reduced from summer to autumn. This indicates that morphological characteristics of E. cava are mainly affected by the change of blades. The optimal temperature for E. cava growth was about $15-18^{\circ}C$ during winter to spring while the growths were inhibited at the water temperature above $20^{\circ}C$ during summer. E. cava exhibited very low recruitment during spring-summer. However, high recruitment was observed on April 2015 when canopy cover was very low due to low density. This indicates that recruitment of E. cava was controlled not by seasonal effects but by physical factors such as canopy and space. The mortality rate of juvenile plants was highest due to their unstable settlement. By June 2015, 34 months after the disturbances, E. cava was almost recovered to the pre-disturbance population size structure. These results suggest that recovery of kelp forest following the large-scale disturbance requires a considerable period of time (more than three years). This study should provide valuable ecological information on management, restoration and protection of kelp species.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2014

SPLITT fractionation (SF) allows continuous (and thus a preparative scale) separation of micronsized particles into two size fractions ('fraction-a' and 'fraction-b'). SF is usually carried out in a thin rectangular channel with two inlets and two outlets, which is equipped with flow stream splitters at the inlet and the outlet of the channel, respectively. A new large scale splitter-less gravitational SF (GSF) system had been assembled, which was designed to eliminate the flow stream splitters and thus is operated by the full feed depletion (FFD) mode (FFD-GSF). In the FFD mode, there is only one inlet through which the sample is fed. There is no carrier liquid fed into the channel, and thus prevents the sample dilution. The effects of the sample-feeding flow rate, the channel thickness on the fractionation efficiency (FE, number % of particles that have the size predicted by theory) of FFD-GSF was investigated using industrial polyurethane (PU) latex beads. The carrier liquid was water containing 0.1% FL-70 (particle dispersing agent) and 0.02% sodium azide (used as bactericide). The sample loading rate was varied from about 4 to 7 L/hr with the sample concentration fixed at 0.01%. The GSF channel thickness was varied from 900 to $1300{\mu}m$. Particles exiting the GSF channel were collected and monitored by optical microscopy (OM). Sample recovery was monitored by collecting the fractionated particles on a $0.45{\mu}m$ membrane filter. It was found that FE of fraction-a was increased as the channel thickness increases, and FE of fraction-b was increased as the flow rate was increased. In all cases, the sample recovery has higher than 95%. It seems the new splitter-less FFD GSF system could become a useful tool for large scale separations of various types of micron-sized particles.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.543-548
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• 2014

Aquifer recharge and recovery is a technology used to ensure a stable supply of clean water. During the process, river water is injected into a soil aquifer and stored. The stored water is then recovered and used to produce drinking water. It is important to understand quality improvement of the injected water while it is stored in the aquifer. In the present study, a lab-scale column reactor containing saturated-zone soil was employed to mimic an aquifer. The reactor was used to investigate microbial removal of nitrate that is a major inorganic contaminant detected in the Nakdong River. The reactor was introduced with river water that contained nitrate at concentrations (5.07, 6.81, 8.27, and 11.07 mg $NO_3{^-}/l$) detected downstream of the Nakdong River in the past 2 years. The nitrate concentrations decreased during the introduced water is retained in the reactor. Effluent from the reactor contained 1.49 mg $NO_3{^-}/l$ or less and had an average pH of 7.98 regardless of the nitrate concentrations of the influent. However abiotic control reactor showed similar nitrate-concentrations in its influent and effluent. Considering the result of abiotic control, the decreased nitrate concentration observed in the test column suggested that microorganisms in saturated-zone soil removed nitrate in the river water introduced into the reactor. Results of this study will be used to better understand microbial improvement of water quality in aquifer recharge and recovery technology.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.113-117
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• 2008

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the use of midazolam only with midazolam with fentanyl or propofol in IV sedation. Methods: 24 cases were divided to midazolam group (M group), midazolam + fentanyl group (MF group), midazolam + propofol group (MP group) and midazolam + fentanyl + propofol group (MFP group). In M group, 2 ml midazolam was injected at first, than at 2 minutes interval 1-2 ml injected continuously depending on the level of sedation. In MP, MFP groups, propofol was injected at the speed of 15-20 ml/hr by infusion pump. In this study, the sedation level was evaluated by using OAA/S scale. In each groups, the recovery time was measured until OAA/S scale score level was 5, and pre and postoperative blood pressure change was measured. Each group's data was statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA. If significant statistical difference were observed, Dunnet test was performed, and control group was M group. Results: Pre and postoperative blood pressure change were not represent significant statistical difference in 4 groups (P value = 0.679 [systolic], P value = 0.206 [diastolic]). But recovery time were represent significant statistical difference (M group: 35.6, MF group: 32.5, MP group: 17.9, MFP group: 19.6 [P value = 0.002]). The result of Dunnet test on recovery time showed significant statistical difference on MF, MFP group when M group was control group. In MFP group, sedation was increased by using supplemental fentanyl, and postoperative pain control was dominant. Conclusion: To achieve the effect of anxiolysis, analgesia, amnesia effectively, and short recovery time, MFP group is mostly recommended.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2008

Purpose: Human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hATSCs) can be differentiated into multiple mesenchymal lineages, including bone, cartilage, and muscle. And growth hormone play important roles in the normal growth and development of the CNS. In this study, we explored whether the transplanted hATSCs and growth hormones could improve functional recoveries from rats with contusive spinal cord injury. Methods: We divided 30 female rats, which were subjected to a weight driven implant spinal cord injury, into 3 groups with 10 rats each; Group A as a control group, group B with hATSCs transplantation on injured region, and group C with hATSCs transplantation and GH administration for 7 days. Then, we researched their neurologic functional recoveries before and 2, 4, and 8 weeks after transplantation using Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale. And we checked Y-chromosome positive cells by FISH(Fluorescent in situ hybridization) to identify the survival of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells. Results: After 4 weeks of transplantation, the group B and group C showed significant improvement of neurologic function on BBB locomotor rating scale in comparison with the group A(Group A: $13.1{\pm}0.58$, Group B: $14.6{\pm}0.69$, Group C: $14.9{\pm}0.56$). Moreover, the group C displayed meaningful recovery of neurologic function after 8 weeks in comparison with group B (Group B: $15.7{\pm}0.63$, Group C: $16.5{\pm}1.14$). The group A, the control one, improved for 5 weeks after injury, and had no more recovery. On the other hand, Group B and C showed the improvement of neurologic function continuously for 9 weeks after injury. Conclusion: In this study, we found out that hATSCs transplantation have an effect on neurologic functional recovery of spinal cord injured rat and GH injection seems to bring the synergistic results on this good tendency.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.15-24
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the effects of treadmill exercise on functional recovery after rat with experimental SCI. Methods: SCI was induced by the NYU-spinal cord impactor(NYU, USA) dropped a weight of 10 gm after laminectomy. Experimental groups were divided into the Group I (normal), Group II (control) and Group III(treadmill exercise). After 2 days of the operation, 24 rats(group II, III) were trained to walk on treadmill for 21 days twice/day, 15 min/session. After operation, rats were tested at modified Tarlov scale at 1, 2, 3, 4 days with divided into 2 groups, and Motor behavior test(BBB locomotor rating scale, Grid walking test, Narrow beam crossing test, Modified inclined plane test) was examined at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. Histopathological study were performed at 1. 3, 7, 14 and 21 days by H&E, Luxol Fast Blue staining were same times. Results: After SCI an improvement of motor behavior was shown group II, III. The motor behavior test of group Ill showed considerable improvement until 14 days. Conclusion: These results suggest that treadmill exercise treatment can playa role in facilitating recovery of locomotion following spinal cord injury.