Analysis of Ionospheric foF2 by Solar Activity over the Korean Peninsula

The F2 layer is the upper sector of the ionospheric F region, and it is ~250 km above sea level. It has a high electron density and thus plays an important role in shortwave communications. The variations of the critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2) offer clues regarding the events happening within the entire F2 layer, and foF2 analysis is essential for stable shortwave communications. This study analyzes the seasonal and annual variations of the foF2 as well as the reactions of the F2 layer height at two locations in South Korea by employing the mean and standard deviation (SD) used in previous studies. To ensure a more elaborate analysis, the median and quartiles were used for analyzing the ionosphere. We thereby compensate for the limitations of the mean and SD in developing the SD, despite the convenience of the SD for probability analysis. The application of the median and quartiles for the analysis of ionospheric data led to analysis results with greater detail. This was achieved by determining the relative SD and concurrently displaying the outliers and range of variation

Review on the current trends in tongue diagnosis systems

AbstractTongue diagnosis is an essential process to noninvasively assess the condition of a patient's internal organs in traditional medicine. To obtain quantitative and objective diagnostic results, image acquisition and analysis devices called tongue diagnosis systems (TDSs) are required. These systems consist of hardware including cameras, light sources, and a ColorChecker, and software for color correction, segmentation of tongue region, and tongue classification. To improve the performance of TDSs, various types TDSs have been developed. Hyperspectral imaging TDSs have been suggested to acquire more information than a two-dimensional (2D) image with visible light waves, as it allows collection of data from multiple bands. Three-dimensional (3D) imaging TDSs have been suggested to provide 3D geometry. In the near future, mobile devices like the smart phone will offer applications for assessment of health condition using tongue images. Various technologies for the TDS have respective unique advantages and specificities according to the application and diagnostic environment, but this variation may cause inconsistent diagnoses in practical clinical applications. In this manuscript, we reviewed the current trends in TDSs for the standardization of systems. In conclusion, the standardization of TDSs can supply the general public and oriental medical doctors with convenient, prompt, and accurate information with diagnostic results for assessing the health condition

Properties of Magnesia Composites According to Replacement Ratio of Perlite

Recently, passive and zero-energy construction has increased in Korea due to the government`s continuous application of budget-conscious policies for establishments. Accordingly, construction materials are being advanced, and the required performance standards for insulation materials are increasing. However, problems such as fire vulnerability and degradation of physical properties for organic and inorganic insulation materials are shown, so it is necessary to solve this problem. The objective of this research is to examine the properties of the composites by analyzing the flexural breaking load, impact resistance, density, VOCs concentration reduction rate, and fine dust concentration reduction rate of the composites manufactured based on the perlite substitution rate of the magnesia composites. The flexural breaking load test of the composites was assessed according to ‘KS F 3504’, a gypsum board standard and the impact resistance was assessed according to ‘KS F 4715’. The performance evaluation of adsorption performance of air pollutants of the VOCs and fine dust in the context of the small chamber technique suggested by Hanbat University. The results of this study are as follows: The flexural breaking load according to the perlite replacement rate tended to decrease as the perlite replacement rate increased. It is determined that the flexural breaking load is reduced by generating a large amount of pores inside due to the perlite porous structure characteristics. In the case of impact resistance, the impact resistance tended to increase as the perlite displacement rate increased. It is determined that the volume of the binder in the board is reduced, and pores inside the board are generated due to perlite, which is a porous material, thereby reducing the overall bonding force of the board. In the case of VOCs and fine dust concentrations, the VOCs and fine dust concentration reduction rates tended to increase as the perlite replacement rate increased. In the case of the perlite displace rate of 30%, the VOCs concentration decreased by 82.6%, and the fine dust concentration decreased by 87.9%. It has been established that the porous properties of perlite used to create a huge number of pores in the hardened body cause the concentration to be lowered physically through adsorption. This study\u27s findings are thought to be fundamental information for securing the engineering properties and air pollution absorption of magnesia composites blended with perlite

Development of Automatic Mold Shot Measurement and Management System for Smart Factory

Many small- and medium-sized car-part manufacturers are either still managing their mold manually or rarely managing it, and therefore, experience significant manufacturing cost and loss in time. In such a situation, a module has been developed in the present work which can count the number of mold used. Such a module is extremely important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) applying which in the production line they will be able to manage the mold life cycle and improve product quality. This is expected to have both direct and indirect effects on their business activities. The developed system uses a photo sensor, distance measurement sensor, Atmega128 MCU, tablet pc and Bluetooth communication module. The actual module developed in this study was set up on a molding equipment for test and data were collected using an existing tablet PC. The test showed that the number of shots increased when the upper mold touched the lower mold. The maximum and minimum value between the upper and lower molds could be adjusted with the automatic mold shot measurement and management system. Therefore, any molding equipment with various upper-lower gaps will be able to apply the newly developed system

Volume preservation of a shattered kidney after blunt trauma by superselective renal artery embolization

PURPOSEWe examined whether superselective embolization of the renal artery could be effectively employed to preserve traumatic kidneys and assessed its clinical outcomes.METHODSBetween December 2015 and November 2019, 26 patients who had American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grade V traumatic shattered kidneys were identified. Among them, a retrospective review was conducted of 16 patients who underwent superselective renal artery embolization for shattered kidney. The mean age was 41.2 ± 15.7 years, and the mean follow-up duration was 138.2 ± 140.1 days. Patient data including procedure details and clinical outcomes were reviewed, and the preserved volume of kidney parenchyma was calculated.RESULTSBleeding control was achieved in 13 (81%) patients and kidney preservation was achieved in 11 (79%). There was no mortality, and the median intensive care unit stay was 1.5 days. The mean volume of remnant kidney was 122.3 ± 66.0 cm3 (70%) on the last follow-up computed tomography. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was not significantly changed after superselective renal artery embolization.CONCLUSIONSuperselective renal artery embolization using a microcatheter for the shattered kidney effectively controlled hemorrhage in acute stage trauma and enabled kidney preservation

Post-radiation Piriformis Syndrome in a Cervical Cancer Patient -A Case Report-

The piriformis syndrome is a condition allegedly attributable to compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. Recently, magnetic resonance neurography and electrophysiologic study have helped to diagnose piriformis syndrome. High dose radiotherapy could induce acute and delayed muscle damage. We had experienced piriformis syndrome with fatty atrophy of piriformis muscle after radiotherapy for recurrent cervical cancer

Initial serum sodium concentration determines the decrease in sodium level after terlipressin administration in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND: Terlipressin, as a prodrug of vasopressin, has agonistic effects on the V1 receptor and partial agonistic effects on renal vasopressin V2 receptors. However, its effects on serum sodium concentration are controversial. METHODS: This study retrospectively investigated 127 patients with liver cirrhosis to examine the incidence and risk factors for the decrease in serum sodium level following terlipressin administration. RESULTS: Terlipressin was prescribed for bleeding control (99) and management of hepatorenal syndrome (28). Serum sodium level decreased from 134.0 ± 6.5 mmol/L to 130.4 ± 6.2 mmol/L during or after terlipressin treatment (P < 0.001) in all patients. In 45 patients (35.4%), the serum sodium concentration decreased by > 5 mmol/L, in 29 patients (22.8%); by 5–10 mmol/L; and in 16 patients (12.6%), by > 10 mmol/L. Five patients in the latter group showed neurological manifestations. In the univariate analysis, several factors including age, purpose of use, serum creatinine, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, representing liver function, were significantly associated with the decrease in serum sodium after terlipressin administration. However, a multivariate analysis revealed that only initial sodium level was the most powerful predictor of terlipressin-induced reduction in serum sodium. CONCLUSION: An acute reduction in serum sodium concentration was not uncommon during terlipressin treatment, and the baseline serum sodium level was closely related to the reduction in serum sodium concentration

A mirror for lab-based quasi-monochromatic parallel x-rays

A multilayered parabolic mirror with six W/Al bilayers was designed and fabricated to generate monochromatic parallel x-rays using a lab-based x-ray source. Using this mirror, curved bright bands were obtained in x-ray images as reflected x-rays. The parallelism of the reflected x-rays was investigated using the shape of the bands. The intensity and monochromatic characteristics of the reflected x-rays were evaluated through measurements of the x-ray spectra in the band. High intensity, nearly monochromatic, and parallel x-rays, which can be used for high resolution x-ray microscopes and local radiation therapy systems, were obtained.open0