• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.383-388
• /
• 2006

This Paper presents a novel approach to single channel microphone speech enhancement in noisy environments. Widely used noise reduction techniques based on the spectral subtraction are generally expressed as a spectral gam depending on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The well-known decision-directed(DD) estimator of Ephraim and Malah efficiently reduces musical noise under the background noise conditions, but generates the delay of the a prioiri SNR because the DD weights the speech spectrum component of the Previous frame in the speech signal. Therefore, the noise suppression gain which is affected by the delay of the a priori SNR, which is estimated by the DD matches the previous frame rather than the current one, so after noise suppression. this degrades the noise reduction performance during speech transient periods. We propose a computationally simple but effective speech enhancement technique based on the sigmoid type function for the weight Parameter of the DD. The proposed approach solves the delay problem about the main parameter, the a priori SNR of the DD while maintaining the benefits of the DD. Performances of the proposed enhancement algorithm are evaluated by ITU-T p.862 Perceptual Evaluation of Speech duality (PESQ). the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) and the speech spectrogram under various noise environments and yields better results compared with the fixed weight parameter of the DD.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.343-350
• /
• 2023

Background: Our purpose was to evaluate a custom reverse total shoulder arthroplasty glenoid baseplate for severe glenoid deficiency, emphasizing the challenges with this approach, including short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes and complications. Methods: This was a single-institution, retrospective series of 29 patients between January 2017 and December 2022 for whom a custom glenoid component was created for extensive glenoid bone loss. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at intervals for up to 5 years. All received preoperative physical examinations, plain radiographs, and computed tomography (CT). Intra- and postoperative complications are reported. Results: Of 29 patients, delays resulted in only undergoing surgery, and in three of those, the implant did not match the glenoid. For those three, the time from CT scan to implantation averaged 7.6 months (range, 6.1-10.7 months), compared with 5.5 months (range, 2-8.6 months) for those whose implants fit. In patients with at least 2-year follow-up (n=9), no failures occurred. Significant improvements were observed in all patient-reported outcome measures in those nine patients (American Shoulder and Elbow Score, P<0.01; Simple Shoulder Test, P=0.02; Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, P<0.01; Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index, P<0.01). Range of motion improved for forward flexion and abduction (P=0.03 for both) and internal rotation up the back (P=0.02). Pain and satisfaction also improved (P<0.01 for both). Conclusions: Prolonged time (>6 months) from CT scan to device implantation resulted in bone loss that rendered the implants unusable. Satisfactory short-term radiographic and clinical follow-up can be achieved with a well-fitting device. Level of evidence: III.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.22-29
• /
• 2024

Background and Purpose: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognition and performance of daily activities. Recent studies have attempted to establish the relationship between AD and sleep. It is believed that patients with AD pathology show altered sleep characteristics years before clinical symptoms appear. This study evaluated the differences in sleep characteristics between cognitively asymptomatic patients with and without some amyloid burden. Methods: Sleep characteristics of 76 subjects aged 60 years or older who were diagnosed with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) but not mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD were measured using Fitbit^® Alta HR, a wristwatch-shaped wearable device. Amyloid deposition was evaluated using brain amyloid plaque load (BAPL) and global standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) from fluorine-18 florbetaben positron emission tomography. Each component of measured sleep characteristics was analyzed for statistically significant differences between the amyloid-positive group and the amyloid-negative group. Results: Of the 76 subjects included in this study, 49 (64.5%) were female. The average age of the subjects was 70.72±6.09 years when the study started. 15 subjects were classified as amyloid-positive based on BAPL. The average global SUVR was 1.598±0.263 in the amyloid-positive group and 1.187±0.100 in the amyloid-negative group. Time spent in slow-wave sleep (SWS) was significantly lower in the amyloid-positive group (39.4±13.1 minutes) than in the amyloid-negative group (49.5±13.1 minutes) (p=0.009). Conclusions: This study showed that SWS is different between the elderly SCD population with and without amyloid positivity. How SWS affects AD pathology requires further research.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.458-468
• /
• 2024

Background/Aims: The SAMe-TT₂R₂ score is used for assessing anticoagulation control (AC) quality with warfarin. However, it is hard to apply SAMe-TT₂R₂ score in Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), because it has not been proven in those populations. This study aimed to validate the SAMe-TT₂R₂ score in Asian patients with AF and suggest a modified SAMe-TT₂R₂ score for this population. Methods: We analyzed 710 Korean patients with AF who were using warfarin. The AC quality was assessed as the mean time in therapeutic range (TTR). Each component of SAMe-TT₂R₂ score was evaluated for the relationship with AC. Further clinical factors that predict AC were analyzed. Identified factors were re-assorted and constructed as SA₂Me-TTR scoring system. Results: Of the components of the SAMe-TT₂R₂ score, female, age, and rhythm control were associated with AC. Heart failure and renal insufficiency were newly identified factors associated with AC. The modified SA₂Me-TTR score was reconstructed with the relevant risk factors (S, female gender, 1 point; A, age < 60 yr, 2 points; Me, medical history of heart failure, 1 point; T, treatment for rhythm control, 1 point; T, history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, 1 point; R, renal insufficiency, 1 point). The modified SA₂Me-TTR score demonstrated an excellent relationship with the grading of AC. The modified SA₂Me-TTR score ≤ 1 identified patients with good AC (hazard ratio 2.46, 95% CI 1.75-3.47). Conclusions: The modified SA₂Me-TTR score was useful for guiding oral anticoagulants selection in Asian patients with AF.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
• /
• v.78
• /
• pp.137-151
• /
• 2024

Purpose of Research: This study aims to gain insights into the direction of multicultural faith community education, which is a part of multicultural Christian education that contemporary Korean churches should establish, based on the holistic mission practices of missionary Elizabeth J. Shepping. Research Content and Method: The study begins with a brief overview of the life of missionary Elizabeth J. Shepping, who experienced multicultural living in various countries, highlighting the prepared professional missionary within the context of her time. The study then examines the details of her holistic mission practices as a professional missionary. The direction of multicultural faith community education in Korea is explored by understanding the background and research trends of multicultural Christian education that Korean society and the Korean church are currently facing. Practical aspects, supplementary points, and directions for the future implementation of multicultural faith community education in the Korean church are also proposed. Results and Conclusions: In conclusion, This study emphasizes multicultural faith community education as a component of the pastoral paradigm that the Korean church needs to improve. Four practical directions are proposed: first, education for holistic service; second, education for social and public practice; third, implementation of public service education linked to the local community; and fourth, activation of dedicated service departments and training of professional leaders. However, the study acknowledges a limitation in not providing specific practical programs for multicultural faith community education suitable for the Korean church context. Continuous research is necessary through various supplementary points in the future.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.137-144
• /
• 2007

Background and Objectives : There are three kinds of formulas for purging the spleen to cure its sthenic syndrome based on the types of preparation formulas : Sabeetang, Sabeehwan, Sabeesan and Sabeeeum. Another formulas called Sahwangtang, Sahwangsan. Sahwangeum is to purge the yellow colour of spleen. There are 8 kinds of Sabeetang, 3 kinds of Sabeehwan, 3 kinds of Sabeesan, 1 kind of Sabeeeum, 4 kinds of Sahwangtang, 7 kinds of Sahwangsan, and 1 kind of Sahwangeum. Combination of herbal medicines, carried out in formulas for purging the spleen, consists of various kinds depending on medical scientists' personal experience in medical treatment without any general principles, which makes it difficult to apply it to clinical use. The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of Sabeetang for curing the sthenic syndrome of spleen through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Sabeetang, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of Sabeetang. Methods : This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Sabeetang based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the ${\ulcorner}$Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine${\lrcorner}$ , the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's Sabeetang is an odd prescription, composed of 7 kinds of ingredients : No.1 Rhizoma Coptidis (2don;7.5g), No.2 Fructus Gardeniae (1don;3.75g), No.3 Ramulus Cinnamomi (1don), No.4 Gypsum Fibrosum (1don), No.5 Fructus Aurantii Immaturus (1don), No.6 Cortex Magnoliae Omcinalis (1don), and No.7 Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei (1don) Results : There are three methods for curing the sthenic syndrome of spleen according to the five elements doctrine : purging the spleen, purging the lung and invigorating the liver. First, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the spleen, you need to purge your spleen. There are two available methods, including taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each imply the bitter taste and the cool property purge the spleen. In the case of taste purgation, two herbal medicines with bitter taste. Rhizoma Coptidis and Fructus Gardeniae, are combined into the principal and assistant herbal medicine, respectively. For property purgation, three herbal medicines with the cool property, Gypsum Fibrosum, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus and Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Secondly, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the spleen, you need to purge your lung which is child in the mother-child relationship in inter-promotion among the five elements. There are two methods to purge the lung, including taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each mean the pungent taste and the warm property purge the lung. Therefore, it is important to use pungent herbal medicines for taste purgation and warm ones for property purgation. Both pungent and warm herb and property invigoration to invigorate the liver with warm property. Therefore, it is important to use pungent herbal medicines for taste invigoration and warm ones for property invigoration. Both pungent and warm herbal medicines, Ramulus Cinnamomi and Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, were combined to invigorate the liver and purge the lung. In addition, Gypsum Fibrosum are combined as dispatcher herbal medicine, leading all the herbal medicines composing the formula to the spleen. Conclusions : First, to cure the sthenic syndrome of the spleen, the methods of purging the spleen and the lung, and invigorating the liver should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's Sabeetang is combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.29-38
• /
• 2008

Background and Objectives : There are four kinds of formulas for invigorating the kidney to cure its asthenic syndrome based on the types of preparation formulas : Boshintang, Boshinhwan, Boshinsan, and Boshingaeng. There are 16 kinds of Boshintang, 28 kinds of Boshinhwan, 3 kinds of Boshinsan, and one kind of Boshingaeng. Combination of herbal medicines, carried out in formulas for invigorating the kidney, consists of various kinds depending on medical scientists' personal experience in medical treatment without any general principles, which makes it difficult to apply it to clinical use. The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of Boshintang for curing the asthenic syndrome of kidney through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Boshintang, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of Boshintang. Methods : This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Boshintang based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the ${\ulcorner}$Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine${\lrcorner}$ , the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's Boshintang is an even prescription, composed of 6 kinds of ingredients : No.1 Fructus Lycii (3don;11.25g), No.2 Radix Polygoni Multiflori (1don:3.75g), No.3 Sarcucarpium Corni (1don), No.4 Fructus Schisandrae (1don), No.5 Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (5poon: 1.875g), and No.6 Cortex Phellodendri (5poon) Results : There are three methods for curing the asthenic syndrome of kidney according to the five elements doctrine : invigorating the kidney, invigorating the lung and purging the spleen. First, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to invigorate your kidney. There are two available methods, including taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each imply the bitter taste and the cold property invigorate the kidney. In the case of taste invigoration, two herbal medicines with bitter taste, Fructus Lycii and Radix Polygoni Multiflori, are combined into the principal and assistant herbal medicine, respectively. For property invigoration, two herbal medicines with the cold property, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Secondly, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to invigorate your lung which is mother in the mother-child relationship in inter-promotion among the five elements. There are two methods to invigorate the lung, including taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each mean the sour taste and the cool property invigorate the lung. Therefore, it is important to use sour herbal medicines for taste invigoration and cool ones for property invigoration. Both bitter and cool herbal medicines, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Lastly, if you suffer from the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your spleen which is an element being surpassed in the relationship between the elements surpassed and ones not surpassed in inter-restraint among the five elements. There are two methods to purge the spleen, which include taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. Taste purgation means to purge the spleen with bitter taste and property purgation to purge the spleen with cool property. Therefore, it is important to use bitter herbal medicines for taste purgation and cool ones for property purgation. Both bitter and cool herbal medicines, Rhizome Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri. were combined to purge the spleen and invigorate the kidney. In addition, Rhizome Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri are combined as dispatcher herbal medicine, reinforcing the kidney energy. Conclusions : First, to cure the asthenic syndrome of the kidney, the methods of invigorating the kidney and the lung, and purging the spleen should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's Boshintang is combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.62 no.3
• /
• pp.203-210
• /
• 2007

Background: The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the lung has been increasing worldwide, and it has been generally been accepted to be relatively unrelated to smoking with a female preponderance. The aim of this study was to examine the gender-related pathological and survival differences in patients with an adenocarcinoma of the lung. Material and Method: A retrospective review of the clinical information of patients diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma of the lung at Kosin Medical Center from January 1999 to September 2005 was performed. The patient's demographics (age, gender), smoking history, stage, serum tumor marker, pathology classification, EGFR mutation, K-ras mutation, treatment methods, and survival time were analyzed. Result: Of the 438 patients, 179 (40.9%) were female. The median age at the diagnosis was 58 years for females and 59 years for males. However, 25.8% of women and only 17.7% of men were under 50 years of age (p=0.02). The distribution of the disease stage was similar in both men and women. The bronchioloalveolar carcinoma component was diagnosed more often in women (11.2%) than in men (5.0%). The overall survival rate was higher in women than in men (p=0.01), and women had a superior therapeutic response to a combined treatment of surgery and chemotherapy. Conclusion: This study showed significant genders differences in terms of the smoking history, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma component, overall survival, and survival after combined treatment of surgery and chemotherapy. Therefore, gender differences should be considered when diagnosing and treating adenocarcinomas of the lung.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.619-629
• /
• 2020

The National Groundwater Monitoring Network (NGMN) in South Korea has been implemented in alluvial/ bedrock aquifers for efficient management of groundwater resources. In this study, aquifer types were reclassified with unconfined and confined aquifers based on water-level fluctuation and water quality characteristics. Principal component analysis (PCA) of water-level data from paired monitoring wells of alluvial/bedrock aquifers results in the principal components of both aquifers showing similar water-level fluctuation pattern. There was no significant difference in the rate of water-level rises responding to precipitations and in the NO₃-N concentrations between the alluvial and bedrock aquifers. In contrast, in the results classified with the hydrogeological type, the principal components of water level were different between unconfined and confined conditions. The water-level rises to precipitation events were estimated to be 4.6 (R²=0.8) in the unconfined and 2.1 (R²=0.4) in the confined aquifers, respectively, indicating less impact of precipitation recharge to the confined aquifer. The confined aquifers have the average NO₃-N concentration below 3 mg/L, implying the natural background level protected from the sources at surface. In summary, reclassification of aquifers into hydrogeological types clearly shows the differences between unconfined and confined aquifers in the water-level fluctuation pattern and NO₃-N concentrations. The hydrogeologic condition of aquifer could improve groundwater resource management by providing critical information on groundwater quantity through recharge estimation and quality for protection from potential contamination sources.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.529-538
• /
• 2002

Background : Many clinicians are reluctant to prescribe systemic corticosteroids to manage an asthmatic attack because of many complications such as osteoporosis, cushing's syndrome, diabetes, hypertension and bleeding tendency. The use of nebulized budesonide may be of value in some infants, old men, and in particular adult asthmatic patients who complain of severe dyspnea. A clinical validation and steroid-sparing effect of nebulized budesonide in asthmatic adults and COPD were evaluated, and the short-term effects of budesonide use on the HPA axis were assessed. Materials and Methods : Study A was prospectively done with 41 patients diagnosed with pure asthma and 30 patients diagnosed with COPD (including asthmatic component) in Soonchunhyang Hospital, Chunan from June. 2000 to Sep. 2001. They were treated with nebulized budesonide including systemic steroids (Group 1), a budesonide tubuhaler including a systemic steroid (Group 2), or only the systemic steroid(Group 3). The peak flow rate, arterial blood gas in room air, pulmonary function test, symptom scoring, steroid amount and hospital stay were analyzed. Study B was conducted with 19 patients to evaluate the short-term effects on the HPA axis of treatment with nebulized budesonide 1mg twice daily and a budesonide turbuhaler 5 puffs twice daily. The adrenal function was assessed prior to budesonide inhalation and after 7 days of budesonide inhalation. Results : In the pure asthmatic patients, the mean value of the symptoms (dyspnea, wheezing, cough, night asthma) or the arterial BGAs, total amounts of steroid or hospital stay and the difference in the results of the pulmonary function tests or peak expiratory flow rate were similar in the three groups. In COPD with an asthmatic component, there were no significant differences among the three groups. Although nebulized budesonide suppressed HPA function,(p=0.006) the HPA responses from the nebulized budesonide and turbuhaler budesonide were similar (p=0.288) Conclusion : This result suggests that systemic steroid should only be made available for acute asthmatic patients irrespective of the inhaled budesonides. Nebulized budesonide at the therapeutic dose has similar effects on the HPA axis compared to that of turbuhaler budesonide.