• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
• /
• v.12 no.7
• /
• pp.303-314
• /
• 2023

Voice conversion, a technology that allows an individual's speech data to be regenerated with the acoustic properties(tone, cadence, gender) of another, has countless applications in education, communication, and entertainment. This paper proposes an approach based on the StarGAN-VC model that generates realistic-sounding speech without requiring parallel utterances. To overcome the constraints of the existing StarGAN-VC model that utilizes one-hot vectors of original and target speaker information, this paper extracts feature vectors of target speakers using a pre-trained version of Rawnet3. This results in a latent space where voice conversion can be performed without direct speaker-to-speaker mappings, enabling an any-to-any structure. In addition to the loss terms used in the original StarGAN-VC model, Wasserstein distance is used as a loss term to ensure that generated voice segments match the acoustic properties of the target voice. Two Time-Scale Update Rule (TTUR) is also used to facilitate stable training. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms previous methods, including the StarGAN-VC network on which it was based.

• Asia Marketing Journal
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.1-27
• /
• 2009

The research compared the motivational network of traits predictive of complaint attitudes across consumers in the U.S. and South Korean cultures. Overall, the results revealed a similar pattern of traits predictive of complaint attitudes in the two cultures. The traits of value consciousness, general self-efficacy, emotional instability, and the need for material resources were positively related to attitudes toward complaining. In contrast, conscientiousness was negatively related to complaint attitudes. The only trait predictor of complaining attitude that was significantly different between the Korean and U.S. samples was shopping enjoyment. It was negatively related to complaining attitude in the U.S. sample but unrelated to complaining attitude in the Korean sample. Understanding the personality traits predictive of complaint attitudes has the potential to help marketers develop messages that will encourage the low complaint prone to voice their dissatisfaction. This is important, because when a consumer complains about and unsatisfactory purchase, it gives the firm a chance to take actions to avoid losing a customer.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.75-82
• /
• 2023

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) has been revolutionized with deep learning-based approaches, among which self-supervised learning methods have proven to be particularly effective. In this study, we aim to enhance the performance of OpenAI's Whisper model, a multilingual ASR system on the Korean language. Whisper was pretrained on a large corpus (around 680,000 hours) of web speech data and has demonstrated strong recognition performance for major languages. However, it faces challenges in recognizing languages such as Korean, which is not major language while training. We address this issue by fine-tuning the Whisper model with an additional dataset comprising about 1,000 hours of Korean speech. We also compare its performance against a Transformer model that was trained from scratch using the same dataset. Our results indicate that fine-tuning the Whisper model significantly improved its Korean speech recognition capabilities in terms of character error rate (CER). Specifically, the performance improved with increasing model size. However, the Whisper model's performance on English deteriorated post fine-tuning, emphasizing the need for further research to develop robust multilingual models. Our study demonstrates the potential of utilizing a fine-tuned Whisper model for Korean ASR applications. Future work will focus on multilingual recognition and optimization for real-time inference.

• Convergence Security Journal
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.181-188
• /
• 2024

Amid global geopolitical crises that are heightening tensions worldwide, the importance of national security is being reevaluated. Consequently, South Korea is gaining attention in the global defense market due to its superior technology, competitive pricing, and rapid delivery capabilities. The increasing international demand for defense materials offers opportunities for the development of the domestic defense industry and has the potential to lead to long-term defense strategies and an expansion of exports. In particular, the development of future advanced weapons systems and the expansion of defense exports are likely to be possible through a deep understanding of the international political and economic situation and proactive defense diplomacy. This study analyzes the impact of current global geopolitical crises on Korea's defense industry and presents effective strategies based on these findings, including innovative improvements to defense acquisition systems and the discovery of overseas defense cooperation partners to strengthen defense exports. This strategic approach aims to balance domestic consumption with exports, enhance military strength, and improve the country's standing in the international community. Therefore, efforts are needed to ensure the sustainable growth of the defense industry, enabling South Korea to achieve economies of scale and play a pivotal role in the global defense industry.

• Information Systems Review
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.129-143
• /
• 2023

In the era of big data, the field of artificial intelligence is showing remarkable growth, and in particular, the image classification learning methods by deep learning are becoming an important area. Various studies have been actively conducted to further improve the performance of CNNs, which have been widely used in image classification, among which a representative method is the Convolutional Recurrent Neural Network (CRNN) algorithm. The CRNN algorithm consists of a combination of CNN for image classification and RNNs for recognizing time series elements. However, since the inputs used in the RNN area of CRNN are the flatten values extracted by applying the convolution and pooling technique to the image, pixel values in the same phase in the image appear in different order. And this makes it difficult to properly learn the sequence of arrangements in the image intended by the RNN. Therefore, this study aims to improve image classification performance by proposing a novel hybrid method of CNN and RNN applying the concepts of encoder and decoder. In this study, the effectiveness of the new hybrid method was verified through various experiments. This study has academic implications in that it broadens the applicability of encoder and decoder concepts, and the proposed method has advantages in terms of model learning time and infrastructure construction costs as it does not significantly increase complexity compared to conventional hybrid methods. In addition, this study has practical implications in that it presents the possibility of improving the quality of services provided in various fields that require accurate image classification.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.66
• /
• pp.402-407
• /
• 2023

The regulation of platelet aggregation is crucial for maintaining normal hemostasis, but abnormal or excessive platelet aggregation can contribute to cardiovascular disorders such as stroke, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. Therefore, identifying substances that can control or suppress platelet aggregation is a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of these conditions. Artemisinin, a compound derived from Artemisia or Scopolia plants, has shown potential in various areas such as anticancer and Alzheimer's disease research. However, the specific role and mechanisms by which artemisinin influences platelet activation and thrombus formation are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the effects of artemisinin on platelet activation and thrombus formation. As a result, cAMP production were increased significantly by artemisinin, as well as phosphorylated VASP and IP₃R which are substrates to cAMP-dependent kinase by artemisinin in a significant manner. The Ca²⁺ normally mobilized from the dense tubular system was inhibited due to IP₃R phosphorylation from artemisinin, and phosphorylated VASP by artemisinin aided in inhibiting platelet activity via αIIb/β3 platelet membrane inactivation and inhibiting fibrinogen binding. Finally, artemisinin inhibited thrombin-induced thrombus formation. Therefore, we suggest that artemisinin has importance with cardiovascular diseases stemming from the abnormal platelets activation and thrombus formation by acting as an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.217-228
• /
• 2013

Objective: This study was performed to identify associations between the practice of health behaviors and awareness of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among adults aged 19 to 64 years in the Gwangju-Jeonnam area. Methods: This study utilized data from the 2010 Community Health Survey (CHS). Health behaviors considered in this study were smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, low-salt diet, and perception of stress. The index for the health behaviors was calculated as the sum of the practice of each health behavior (range: 0-5). The analysis was weighted with a complex sampling design, and the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify the association between the practice of health behaviors and awareness of MetS. Results: A total of 19.8% of the population were aware of MetS. The perception of MetS was statistically significantly associated with healthy behaviors, including nonsmoking (aOR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.14-1.56), non-high-risk drinking (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.27-1.88), engagement in physical activity (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.28-1.72), and a low-salt diet (aOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.13-1.51). The ORs of the perception of MetS were significantly higher in patients with a health behavior index of 2 to 3 (aOR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.01-2.66) and in those with an index of ${\geq}4$ (aOR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.51-4.04) than in those with an index of 0. Among all health behaviors, physical activity had the highest OR for the perception of MetS (aOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.29-1.74). Conclusions: This study revealed associations between health behaviors, especially physical activity, and awareness of MetS. Therefore, integrated health promotion programs may be needed to enhance awareness of MetS and to effectively prevent MetS and non-communicable diseases.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.247-256
• /
• 2015

There are approximately 1,500 broiler farms in Korea, each raising 55,000 birds. Ninety-five percent of the farms are contracted with Integration Company. According to the Korean broiler performance index, broilers in Korea are marketed at 32 days with 1.52 kg of body weight. In contrast, the market age and body weight of broilers are 47 days/2.8 kg in the United States and 42 days/2.5 kg in Europe. Because of the younger market age of the Korean broiler, the pre-starter feed is important. Chicks exhibit poor absorption of dietary nutrients up to 7 days after hatching due to an immature digestive system and low enzyme secretion rate and activity. At the beginning of hatching, chicks obtain their nutrients from the egg yolk sac. It is highly recommended that chicks, after consuming the nutrients in the egg yolk sac, are given supplemented pre-starter feed to increase early growth rates and improve the performance of broiler production. Pre-starter nutrient requirements are not expressed in NRC, so Korean feeding standards for poultry and commercial breeding companies determine the nutrient requirements of pre-starter broiler chickens. Three approaches are followed to formulate specially designed pre-starter feeds for broiler chicks: (i) selective use of raw materials, (ii) proper standards of nutrient supply, and (iii) application of feed additives such as exogenous enzymes. In the selection of raw materials, those with high digestibility can be used. The absorption rate of carbohydrates in grains can be increased through feed processing at high temperature and high pressure. Soy proteins and fish meal can also be added as protein sources. As an energy source, vegetable oils are preferred over animal fats because of the former's high digestibility. It is suggested that the levels of proteins and amino acids are higher in pre-starter feed than in starter feed. With regard to energy, the sources of energy are more important than the levels of energy in feed. Feed additives such as exogenous enzymes can be used to improve nutrient digestibility. In addition, organic acids and plant extracts can be used as alternatives to animal growth promoters to stimulate immunity and prevent diseases. The growth performance of broilers is affected by various factors, such as management and disease control, in addition to the nutritional strategy; however, nutritional strategies play an important role in improving the productivity of broilers. Therefore, nutritional strategies, along with management and disease control, are required for improving the productivity of broilers in Korea.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.197-225
• /
• 2015

The presentation of this paper was triggered by the spread of MERS in Korea in the year 2015. The analysis of the present acts related with MERS is necessary in order to cope efficiently with any probable spread of such infectious diseases as MERS in future. The acts that should be analyzed in this paper include 'Medical Service Act' and 'Infectious Disease Control And Prevention Act' (hereafter, IDCAPA). At first the classification of the infectious diseases in IDCAPA should be referred to. The Act does not properly classify them because the scope of concept of each group of the infectious diseases overlaps each other. This overlap should be removed. The present system in IDCAPA is not proper for the efficient notification and reporting of the infectious disease patients. This is so in some viewpoints including the persons obligated to make the notification and reporting, the persons to whom they should notify and report such patients, and the process of notification and reporting. The efficient approach to the information related with the infectious disease is necessary for the rapid prevention of its spread. Cohort isolation and quarantine of the infectious patients and exposed contacts are the strongest and most efficient steps for the prevention of spread of the infectious diseases. One of the great problems related with such steps would be the conflict of powers or attributions, the likelihood of which is inevitable under the present system of IDCAPA. The IDCAPA distributed the power or attribution to take the steps to the three governments including the central government, the metropolitan government and the primary local government. The power should be concentrated in the central government, which could afford financially to compensate for the huge amount of damages caused likely by the steps. The power to take the steps would be actually just a useless thing for its holder without such financial capacity. The remedy for the victims by the fault of spreader should be approached to in the sense of national wealth. The general principle of tort law could not supply the victims with the sufficient remedy because the damages would be likely too huge for the wealth of such spreader to cope with. In future another parliamentary inspection could reveal another problems in the administration by the government of the MERS event in the year 2015. Any problem caused by defect in the legal system of the control and prevention of the infectious diseases should be taken into consideration when the legal system would be reformed in future.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.74-82
• /
• 2011

During the industrialization and urbanization of the country, urban rivers have been covered over and developed without forethought and thus became estranged from spaces utilized by area residents in everyday life. Recently, an influx of people and uses have increased largely because accessibility improved through restoration projects which have transformed these river areas into pleasant environments. It thus appears that these projects have an impact on community consciousness for area residents who live near the restored rivers to some extent. The purpose of this study was to determine via questionnaire the effects and influences of urban river restoration on area residents targeting visitors to Seongnaecheon(stream), Songpa-gu, Seoul, which has been restored recently. Factors in the questionnaire analysis included such items as the use status of Seongnaecheon, community consciousness(feeling of belonging, solidarity, feeling settled), and a before and after comparison of the restoration(change of consciousness, regional effects), etc. According to the results of analysis, visitors who have utilized the stream more than 1~2 times per week after the restoration project accounted for the greatest portion. The main purposes of these visits were to 'rest' and 'exercise' while the ratio of using it as a 'meeting space with neighbors and strangers' was low. Community consciousness of area residents using Seongnaecheon was generally high. As a result of an analysis of consciousness differences between groups after dividing visitors into 3 groups according to the frequency of visits, there were significant differences in the consciousness level between groups with high community consciousness levels in visitors who visited frequently. In consideration of these results, the provision of programs along with proper facilities that can be used is deemed important for area residents so as to inspire community consciousness of the area by means of activating both community activities and the progressive use of the restored river.