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Human–computer interface (HCI) methods based on the electrooculogram (EOG) signals generated from eye movement have been continuously studied because they can transmit the commands to a computer or machine without using both arms. However, usability and appearance are the big obstacles to practical applications since conventional EOG-based HCI methods require skin electrodes outside the eye near the lateral and medial canthus. To solve these problems, in this paper, we report development of an HCI method that can simultaneously acquire EOG and surface-electromyogram (sEMG) signals through electrodes integrated into bone conduction headphones and transmit the commands through the horizontal eye movements and various biting movements. The developed system can classify the position of the eyes by dividing the 80-degree range (from −40 degrees to the left to +40 degrees to the right) into 20-degree sections and can also recognize the three biting movements based on the bio-signals obtained from the three electrodes, so a total of 11 commands can be delivered to a computer or machine. The experimental results showed the interface has accuracy of 92.04% and 96.10% for EOG signal-based commands and sEMG signal-based commands, respectively. As for the results of virtual keyboard interface application, the accuracy was 97.19%, the precision was 90.51%, and the typing speed was 5.75–18.97 letters/min. The proposed interface system can be applied to various HCI and HMI fields as well as virtual keyboard applications.

Keloids are fibroproliferative skin disorders characterized by the progressive deposition of collagen. Recently, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been used to treat pathologic scars. Herein, we conducted a study to compare the efficacy of intralesional injections (ILIs) of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) used alone, or in combination with ESWT for keloids. Forty patients were randomized equally into two groups in this 12-week comparative clinical trial. Group A was treated with TA ILIs and ESWT, and group B was treated with TA ILIs alone. At week 12, both groups showed acceptable improvements in nearly all dimensions evaluated, and these improvements were statistically more significant in group A. Group A showed a higher mean percentage reduction in lesion length, width, and height and in the Vancouver Scar Scale score than group B (all P < .05). More patients in group A than in group B had scores of ≥4, which indicated improvements that were good or excellent, on the patient global assessment and investigator global assessment. No serious adverse events occurred. This study suggests that ESWT could be a new, effective and acceptable adjuvant treatment option for keloids.

BACKGROUND Treatment of nevus sebaceus (NS) on the scalp is usually surgical excision, but the optimal timing is debatable. The scalp presents significant challenges to the reconstructive surgeon because the lack of elasticity of the scalp makes the repair of defects difficult. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal timing for surgical excision of NS on the scalp through postoperative outcomes. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the postoperative cosmetic results of patients with a follow-up period of 12 to 15 months. The variables analyzed were patient demographics, preoperative tumor size, location, operative time, cosmetic results, and complications. RESULTS This study enrolled 62 patients, including 30 adults and 32 children. The main complications were hair loss, hypertrophic scar, and widening of the scar. The overall complication rate was 17.7%, and the complication rate in children (9/32, 28.1%) was higher than that in adults (2/30, 6.7%) (p < .05). Tumor location, shape, and size showed no association with complications. CONCLUSION Complications after surgical excision of NS on the scalp are more likely to occur in children than in adults. On the basis of these findings, surgical excision of NS on the scalp can be delayed until after childhood.