Speech-in-Noise Test results of compensation claimants for noise induced hearing loss in Korean male workers: Words-in-Noise Test (WIN) and quick-Hearing-in-Noise Test (HINT).

Background: Pure-tone audiometry is used as a gold standard for hearing measurement. However, since communication in the work environment occurs in noise, it might be difficult to evaluate the actual communication ability accurately based on pure-tone audiometry only. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate speech intelligibility in noisy environments by using Speech-in-Noise Tests and to check its relationship with pure-tone audiometry.

Device performance enhancement via a Si-rich silicon oxynitride buffer layer for the organic photodetecting device.

An advanced organic photodetector (OPD) with a butter layer of Si-rich silicon oxynitride (SiON) was fabricated. The detector structure is as follows: Indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate/SiON(10 nm)/naphthalene-based donor:C60(1:1)/ITO. Values of x and y in SiON were carefully controlled and the detector performances such as dark current and thermal stability were investigated.

Evaluation of wavelength-dependent hair growth effects on low-level laser therapy: an experimental animal study.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the wavelength-dependent effects of hair growth on the shaven backs of Sprague-Dawley rats using laser diodes with wavelengths of 632, 670, 785, and 830 nm. Each wavelength was selected by choosing four peak wavelengths from an action spectrum in the range 580 to 860 nm. The laser treatment was performed on alternating days over a 2-week period.

Diagnostic assay of trace lead in an ex vivo tissue using a combination electrode.

A voltametric diagnosis of trace lead was performed using macro type combination sensors of fluorine-doped graphite pencil electrodes (FPE). Two pencils were used as the reference and auxiliary instead of expensive Ag/AgCl standards and Pt counters. Under optimized conditions, a square wave (SW) stripping working curve was attained at 10-70 mg/L and a micro range of 10-70 μg/L.