• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.527-537
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to suggest an improved version of Proof-of-Nonce (PoN) algorithm, which is a distributed consensus algorithm used for block chain system. Methods: First, we used response surface method for design of experiment that is to generate experimental points considering non-linear relationship among variables. Then, we employed overlapped contour plots for visualizing the impact of control variables to performance target. Results: First, we modified the consensus procedure of the existing PoN algorithm by diminishing the content of the exchanged message. Then, we verified the performance improvement of the new PoN algorithm by performing a numerical experiment and paired t-test. Finally, we established new regression models for consensus time and Transactions per second (TPS) and proposed a method for optimizing control variables for obtaining performance target. Conclusion: We could improve the performance of the previous version of PoN algorithm by modifying the content of the exchanged message during 4-steps of consensus procedure, which might be a stepping stone for designing an efficient and effective consensus algorithm for blockchain system with dynamic operation environment.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.648-659
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• 2024

Author verification is challenging because of the diversity in writing styles. We propose an enhanced handwriting verification method that combines handcrafted and automatically extracted features. The method uses a genetic algorithm to reduce the dimensionality of the feature set. We consider offline Bangla handwriting content and evaluate the proposed method using handcrafted features with a simple logistic regression, radial basis function network, and sequential minimal optimization as well as automatically extracted features using a convolutional neural network. The handcrafted features outperform the automatically extracted ones, achieving an average verification accuracy of 94.54% for 100 writers. The handcrafted features include Radon transform, histogram of oriented gradients, local phase quantization, and local binary patterns from interwriter and intrawriter content. The genetic algorithm reduces the feature dimensionality and selects salient features using a support vector machine. The top five experimental results are obtained from the optimal feature set selected using a consensus strategy. Comparisons with other methods and features confirm the satisfactory results.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2011

Objectives: In this study, we summarized the External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to toxic chemicals which started in 1995 and continued until a $31^{st}$ round robin in the spring of 2010. The program was performed twice per year until 2009, and this was changed to once a year since 2010. The objective of the program is to ensure the reliability of the data related to biological monitoring from analytical laboratories. Methods: One hundred and eighteen laboratories participated in the $31^{st}$ round robin. The program offers 5 items for inorganic analysis: lead in blood, cadmium in blood, manganese in blood, cadmium in urine, and mercury in urine. It also offers 10 items for organic analysis, including hippuric acid, methylhippuric acid, mandelic acid, phenylglyoxylic acid, N-methylformamide, N-methylacetamide, trichloroacetic acid, total trichloro-compounds, trans,trans-muconic acid, and 2,5-hexanedione in urine. Target values were determined by statistical analysis using consensus values. All the data, such as chromatograms and calibration curves, were reviewed by the committee. Results: The proficiency rate was below 70% prior to the first round robin and improved to over 90% for common items, such as PbB and HA, while those for other items still remained in the range of 60-90% and need to be improved up to 90%. Conclusion: The EQAS has taken a primary role in improving the reliability of analytical data. A total quality assurance scheme is suggested, including the validation of technical documentation for the whole analytical procedure.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2023

Purpose: This study developed a protocol for nursing care after death for adult patients in hospitals. Methods: This was a methodological study to develop a care after death protocol. The preliminary protocol was developed based on a literature review, guidelines, and practice recommendations from groups of experts and clinical nurses. Content validity was evaluated by a group of experts (n=6) and nurses (n=30) in two hospitals. Results: The preliminary protocol recommendations were modified by validation and the open-question analysis results. The final protocol comprised three general recommendations and 43 recommendations in five steps that are verification and notification of a death, personal care of the body, viewing the patient, patient transfer, and documentation and self-care. Conclusion: This study result provides nurses with a consensus information on patient care after death and family support in a hospital setting. This nursing protocol is expected to improve the quality of care after death for adult patients and their families, and can be used for developing educational and emotional support for nurses to accomplish their important role.