• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.679-684
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• 2023

Venous puncture is widely used to obtain blood samples for pathological examination. Because the invasive venipuncture method using a needle is repeatedly performed, the pain suffered by the patient increases, so our research team pre-developed a miniaturized near-infrared (NIR) imaging system in advance. To improve the image quality of the acquired NIR images, this study aims to model the non-local means (NLM) algorithm, which is well known to be efficient in noise reduction, and analyze its applicability in the system. The developed NIR imaging system is based on the principle that infrared rays pass through dichroic and long-pass filters and are detected by a CMOS sensor module. The proposed NLM algorithm is modeled based on the principle of replacing the pixel from which noise is to be removed with a value that reflects the distances between surrounding pixels. After acquiring an NIR image with a central wavelength of 850 nm, the NLM algorithm was applied to segment the final vein area through histogram equalization. As a result, the coefficient of variation of the NIR image of the vein using the NLM algorithm was 0.247 on average, which was an excellent result compared to conventional filtering methods. In addition, the dice similarity coefficient value of the NLM algorithm was improved by 62.91 and 9.40%, respectively, compared to the median filter and total variation methods. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the NLM algorithm can acquire accurate segmentation of veins acquired with a NIR imaging system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.19-32
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• 2023

The fragmentation of habitats resulting from human activities leads to the isolation of wildlife and it also causes wildlife-vehicle collisions (i.e. Road-kill). In that sense, it is important to predict potential habitats of specific wildlife that causes wildlife-vehicle collisions by considering geographic, environmental and transportation variables. Road-kill, especially by large mammals, threatens human safety as well as financial losses. Therefore, we conducted this study on roe deer (Capreolus pygargus tianschanicus), a large mammal that causes frequently Road-kill in Jeju Island. So, to predict potential wildlife habitats by considering geographic, environmental, and transportation variables for a specific species this study was conducted to identify high-priority restoration sites with both characteristics of potential habitats and road-kill hotspot. we identified high-priority restoration sites that is likely to be potential habitats, and also identified the known location of a Road-kill records. For this purpose, first, we defined the environmental variables and collect the occurrence records of roe deer. After that, the potential habitat map was generated by using Random Forest model. Second, to analyze roadkill hotspots, a kernel density estimation was used to generate a hotspot map. Third, to define high-priority restoration sites, each map was normalized and overlaid. As a result, three northern regions roads and two southern regions roads of Jeju Island were defined as high-priority restoration sites. Regarding Random Forest modeling, in the case of environmental variables, The importace was found to be a lot in the order of distance from the Oreum, elevation, distance from forest edge(outside) and distance from waterbody. The AUC(Area under the curve) value, which means discrimination capacity, was found to be 0.973 and support the statistical accuracy of prediction result. As a result of predicting the habitat of C. pygargus, it was found to be mainly distributed in forests, agricultural lands, and grasslands, indicating that it supported the results of previous studies.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.221-232
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• 2023

Carbon neutrality requires carbon dioxide reduction technology and alternative green energy sources. Palygorskite is a clay mineral with a ribbon structure and possess a large surface area due to the nanoscale pore size. The clay mineral has been proposed as a potential material to capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) and possibly to store eco-friendly hydrogen gas (H2). We report our preliminary results of grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations that investigated the adsorption isotherms and mechanisms of CO₂ and H₂ into palygorskite nanopores at room temperature. As the chemical potential of gas increased, the adsorbed amount of CO₂ or H₂ within the palygorskite nanopores increased. Compared to CO₂, injection of H₂ into palygorskite required higher energy. The mean squared displacement within palygorskite nanopores was much higher for H₂ than for CO₂, which is consistent with experiments. Our simulations found that CO₂ molecules were arranged in a row in the nanopores, while H₂ molecules showed highly disordered arrangement. This simulation method is promising for finding Earth materials suitable for CO₂ capture and H₂ storage and also expected to contribute to fundamental understanding of fluid-mineral interactions in the geological underground.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2024

The durability of the catalyst support has a significant effect on the durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The accelerated durability evaluation of the catalyst support is performed at a high voltage (1.0 to 1.5 V), and the catalyst and ionomer binder in the catalyst layer are also deteriorated, hindering the evaluation of the durability of the support. The existing protocol (DOE protocol) was improved to find conditions in which the support, which is a durability evaluation target, deteriorates further. A protocol (MDOE) was developed in which the relative humidity was lowered by 35% and the number of voltage changes was reduced. After repeating the 1.0 ↔ 1.5 V voltage change cycle, the catalyst mass activitiy (MA), electrochemical active area (ECSA), electrical double layer capacity (DLC), Pt dissolution and particle growth were analyzed. Reaching 40% reduction in mass activity, the MDOE protocol took only 500 cycles, reducing the number of voltage changes compared to the DOE method and increasing the degradation of the carbon support by 50% compared to the DOE protocol.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.41-48
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• 2019

Soil compaction is one of the most important activities in the area of civil works, including road construction, airport construction, port construction and backfilling construction of structures. Soil compaction, particularly in road construction, can be categorized into subgrade compaction and roadbed compaction, and is significant work that when done poorly can serve as a factor causing poor construction due to a lack of compaction. Currently, there are many different types of compaction tests, and the plate bearing test and the unit weight of soil test based on the sand cone method are commonly used to measure the degree of compaction, but many other methods are under development as it is difficult to secure economic efficiency. For the purpose of this research, a portable penetration meter called the Free-Fall Penetration Test (FFPT) was developed and manufactured. In this study, a homogeneous sample was obtained from the construction site and soil was classified through a sieve analysis test in order to perform grain size analysis and a specific gravity test for an indoor test. The principle of FFPT is that the penetration needle installed at the tip of an object put into free fall using gravity is used to measure the depth of penetration into the road surface after subgrade or roadbed compaction has been completed; the degree of compaction is obtained through the unit weight of soil test according to the sand cone method and the relationship between the degree of compaction and the depth of the penetration needle is verified. The maximum allowable grain size of soil is 2.36 mm. For $A_1$ compaction, a trend line was developed using the result of the test performed from a drop height of 10 cm, and coefficient of determination of the trend line was $R^2=0.8677$, while for $D_2$ compaction, coefficient of determination of the trend line was $R^2=0.9815$ when testing at a drop height of 20 cm. Free fall test was carried out with the drop height adjusted from 10 cm to 50 cm at increments of 10 cm. This study intends to compare and analyze the correlation between the degree of compaction obtained from the unit weight of soil test based on the sand cone method and the depth of penetration of the penetration needle obtained from the FFPT meter. As such, it is expected that a portable penetration tester will make it easy to test the degree of compaction at many construction sites, and will lead to a reduction in time, equipment, and manpower which are the disadvantages of the current degree of compaction test, ultimately contributing to accurate and simple measurements of the degree of compaction as well as greater economic feasibility.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.137-145
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• 2008

In this study, to reduce the flood damage caused by flood discharge exceeding project flood, the primary technology was applied to determining the optimal location and size for underground sluiceway. The Jungrang Stream was selected for this study because the stream was overflowed and the embankment section of the stream was destroyed owing to localized torrential rainfall in 1998 and 2001. Considering 200-year frequency storm, the inlets of the underground discharge channel were located at Seoul City limits, the confluence of Danghyun Stream, Wolgye 1-gyo, and the confluence of Mukdong Stream. The outlets were located at the estuary of Jungrang Stream and rightbank of Banpo Bridge in Han River. The transverse discharge according to the variation of overflow depth at the inlet of underground discharge channel was estimated and the effect of inundation reduction was analyzed. To examine the appropriate scale of the underground discharge channel, the 8 operation methods for the management of outlet discharge were compared considering four rules (only storage, the constant discharge rate, the constant discharge volume, and the mixture of the constant discharge rate and discharge volume). As a result, the effect of inundation reduction was most significantly improved when the inlet was located at the confluence of Danghyun Stream. The appropriate size of underground sluiceway for 200-year frequency storm was studied, and as a result, the appropriate diameters of the underground discharge channel were 12 m in case of only storage(Rule D), 9m in 50% of discharge(Rule E), 8 m in constant discharge volume(Rule F), and 7 m in mixture method(Rule G). This investigation process can be applied to design the underground discharge channel when the inundation damage is significant in coastal area due to embankment overflow. The underground discharge channel in Jungrang Stream can also be used as an underground road to link Seoul City to Uijeongbu City during dry season.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.24 no.1 s.87
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• pp.29-38
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• 2006

After the first opening of the KTX in April 2004, travel time between major cities has been dramatically reduced. The reduction rates range from 32% to 47%. Considering travel time reduction between major cities, this study concerned about the intercity travel impact of the KTX operation. This study aimed to analyze intercity mode choice behavior of Daegu Citizens according to the first opening of the KTX. This study takes place in two sections. These are (i) the section of KTX between Daegu and Seoul, and (ii) the section of KTX between Daegu and Daejeon. This study estimated empirical models for analyzing intercity mode choice behavior according to the first opening of the KTX. This study makes use of the data from travel survey from Daegu metropolitan area. The main part of the survey was carried out in the KTX Dong-Daegu station. The survey data includes the information on travel from Daegu to Daejeon and from Daegu to Seoul. In order to analyze intercity choice behavior according to the frist opening of the KTX, multinomial model structure is used. For the model specification, a variety of behavioral assumptions about the factors which affect the mode choice, were considered. From the empirical model estimation, it is found that OVTT(Out-of-Vehicle Travel Time), OVTC(Out-of-Vehicle Travel Cost), IVTT(In-Vehicle Travel Time), IVTC(In-Vehicle Travel Cost), travel frequency, travel purpose, sex, age, occupation. household income, individual income are significant in choosing intercity travel mode. However, it is found that the intercity nde choice behavior is different between (i) the section of KTX between Daegu and Seoul, and (ii) the section of KTX between Daegu and Daejeon. Furthermore, some policy implications are discussed in conclusion.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.228-236
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• 2007

Purpose: We have evaluated changes of body composition for patients that underwent a radical gastrectomy for stomach cancer by the use of available bioelectrical impedance analysis during the first year following surgery. We plan to utilize these findings in nutritional and physiological studies. Materials and Methods: We evaluated clinical changes in body composition in patients using the bioelectrical impedance method (Inbody 4.0, Biospace, Korea), between November 2003 to November 2004. A total of 98 patients agreed to enroll in this study among all of the patients that underwent a radical gastrectomy. Results: The average weight decreased by 6.7%, and 9.4%, within the first and 6 months after surgery, respectively (P<0.01). The fat free mass (FFM) dropped by 4.9% within the first month and there were no more changes after this period (P<0.01). The fat mass (FM) and visceral fat area (VFA) decreased 24.3% and 14.1% within the first 6 months (P<0.01), respectively. The reduction effects for female patients were greater than for male patients for weight, FFM and VFA (P<0.05). The edema index was higher in patients with stage III-IV disease than in patients with stage I-II disease (P<0.05). There were significant differences for Billroth I and Billrothl II patients as compared to patients that underwent an esophagojejunostomy for a reduction of the FM, as measured in the in the 12th month after surgery (27.6%, 22.1%, and 41.2%, respectively; P<0.05). Conclusion: Since nutritional supplementation and an improvement in body weight loss after a radical gastrectomy is significantly related with quality of life, nutritional and physiological studies should be greatly considered. In this study, bioelectrical impedance analysis was very useful in analyzing the diminution of body composition and we hope this study on the nutritional and physiological aspects related to a radical gastrectomy will be useful for later studies.

• Clean Technology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2018

This study investigated the influence of catalyst preparation on the activity of $Co-CeO_2$ catalyst for $N_2O$ decomposition. $Co-CeO_2$ catalysts were synthesized by co-precipitation and incipient wetness impregnation. In order to estimate the performance of the as prepared catalysts, direct catalytic $N_2O$ decomposition test was carried out under $250{\sim}375^{\circ}C$. As a result, the catalyst prepared by co-precipitation (CoCe-CP) showed an enhanced performance on $N_2O$ decomposition reaction even in the presence of $O_2$ and/or $H_2O$, whereas the impregnation catalyst (CoCe-IM) did not. In order to investigate the difference in catalytic activity, characterization such as XRD, BET, TEM, $H_2-TPR$, $O_2-TPD$, and XPS was conducted. It is confirmed that the particle size and specific surface area were changed depending on the catalyst preparation method and the synthesis process influenced the physical properties of the catalysts. In addition, the improvement in the activity of the catalyst prepared by co-precipitation is due to the enhanced reduction from $Co^{3+}$ to $Co^{2+}$ and the improved oxygen desorption rate. However, it has been confirmed that the surface electron state and binding energy, which are related to $N_2O$ decomposition, do not change depending on the preparation method.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.91-102
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• 1989

The gravity measurement has been conducted at 61 stations with an interval of about 500 to 1,000 m along two survey lines of about 47 Km between $Chungju-Jech{\check{o}}n$ and $Salmi-D{\check{o}}cksanmy{\check{o}}n$ in order to study on the subsurface geologic structure and structural relation between $Okch{\check{o}}n$ Group and Great Limestone Group of $Chos{\check{o}}n$ Supergroup. The Bouger gravity anomalies were obtained from the reduction of the field observations, and the distribution patterns of the basement and subsurface geologic structure were interpreted by means of the Fourier-Series and Talwani method for two-dimensional body. The depth of Conrad discontinuity varies from 12.7 Km to 15.7 Km, and vertical displacements along the Osanri and Bonghwajae faults are 1.0 Km and 1.5 Km, respectively between Chungju and $Jech{\check{o}}n$. The depth of Conrad discontinuity varies from 13.8 Km to 15.4 Km, and vertical displacement along the Bonghwajae fault is 0.5 Km between Salmi and $D{\check{o}}cksanmyon$. The basement is widely exposed at several places between Chungju and $Jech{\check{o}}n$. In the unexposed area between Osanri and $W{\check{o}}lgulri$, its depth is from 1.5 Km to 2.1 Km. It is displaced downward along the Osanri and Bonghwajae faults by 0.8 Km and 0.6 Km, respectively, and is displaced upward along the Dangdusan fault by 1.6 Km. On the other hand, the depth of the basement varies abruptly by the Sindangri, Jungwon, Kounri, and Bonghwajae faults between Salmi and $D{\check{o}}cksanmy{\check{o}}n$, and it is from 2.8 Km to 3.2 Km around $Salmimy{\check{o}}n$, from 1.6 Km to 2.5 Km between the Sindangri and Bonghwajae faults, 3.0 Km near Koburangjae, and 2.5 Km at $Doj{\check{o}}nri$. The high Bouguer gravity anomalies are due to the accumulation of $Okch{\check{o}}n$ Group and $Jangs{\check{o}}nri$ Metamorphic Complex whose density is higher than the basement exposed between Sondong and Osanri, and imply the existance of Bonghwajae Metabasite or hornblende gabbro of high density distributed along the Bonghwajae fault in the vicinity of Koburangjae. The low Bouguer gravity anomalies resulted form the fracture zone associated with fault or rock of low density imply the existance of the Osanri, Bonghwajae, Dangdusan faults and $Daed{\check{o}}cksan$ thrust between Chungju and $Jech{\check{o}}n$, the uplift of the basement by the Sindangri, Jungwon, Kounri, and Bonghwajae faults, and extensive distribution of Cretaceous biotite granites between Salmi and $Docksanmy{\check{o}}n$. The thickness of $Okch{\check{o}}n$ metasediments varies from 1.5 Km to 3.2 Km, and that of Great Limestone Group of $Chos{\check{o}}n$ Supergroup from 200 m to 700 m. It is interpreted that $Okch{\check{o}}n$ Group is in contact with Great Limestone Group of $Chos{\check{o}}n$ Supergroup by the fault zones of the Bonghwajae and $Daed{\check{o}}cksan$ faults, and the Bongwhajae fault is a thrust of high angle, by which the east of the basement is displaced downward 0.5 Km between Chungju and lechon, and 1.0 Km between Salmi and $D{\check{o}}cksanmy{\check{o}}n$.