• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.655-668
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• 2023

In radiography, an antiscatter grid is a well-known device for eliminating unexpected x-ray scatter. We investigate a new stationary grid artifact suppression method based on a nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) incorporated with Gaussian band-pass filtering. The proposed method has an advantage that extracts the Moiré components while minimizing the loss of image information and apply the prior information of Moiré component positions in multi-decomposition sub-band images. We implemented the proposed algorithm and performed a simulation and an experiment to demonstrate its viability. We did this experiment using an x-ray tube (M-113T, Varian, focal spot size: 0.1 mm), a flat-panel detector (ROSE-M Sensor, Aspenstate, pixel dimension: 3032 × 3800 pixels, pixel size: 0.076 mm), and carbon graphite-interspaced grids (JPI Healthcare, 18 cm × 24 cm, line density: 103 LP/inch and 150 LP/inch, ratio: 5:1, focal distance: 65 cm). Our results indicate that the proposed method successfully suppressed grid artifacts by reducing them without either reducing the spatial resolution or causing negative side effects. Consequently, we anticipate that the proposed method can improve image acquisition in a stationary grid x-ray system as well as in extended x-ray imaging.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.65-70
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• 2022

In manufacturing and semiconductor industries, transfer robots increase productivity through accurate and continuous work. Due to the nature of the semiconductor process, there are environments where humans cannot intervene to maintain internal temperature and humidity in a clean room. So, transport robots take responsibility over humans. In such an environment where the manpower of the process is cutting down, the lack of maintenance and management technology of the machine may adversely affect the production, and that's why it is necessary to develop a technology for the machine failure diagnosis system. Therefore, this paper tries to identify various causes of failure of transport robots that are widely used in semiconductor automation, and the Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) method is considered for determining and predicting the process of failures. The robot mainly fails in the driving unit due to long-term repetitive motion, and the core components of the driving unit are motors and gear reducer. A simulation drive unit was manufactured and tested around this component and then applied to 6-axis vertical multi-joint robots used in actual industrial sites. Vibration data was collected for each cause of failure of the robot, and then the collected data was processed through signal processing and frequency analysis. The processed data can determine the fault of the robot by utilizing machine learning algorithms such as SVM (Support Vector Machine) and KNN (K-Nearest Neighbor). As a result, the PHM environment was built based on machine learning algorithms using SVM and KNN, confirming that failure prediction was partially possible.

• International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology
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• v.9
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• pp.431-441
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• 2021

Gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) is sought-after as an electrolyte layer in solid oxide fuel cells because of its high ionic conductivity and low treatment temperature. Recently, some studies have been reported to produce a component layer of solid oxide fuel cell using a Roll-to-Roll (R2R) system because of its characteristics of the cost-effective and eco-friendly advantages. However, the brittleness and low density of GDC prevent it from being mass-produced via the R2R continuous process. Therefore, we attempted to improve the density of GDC-based multi-electrolyte layers through an optimized R2R calendaring process. The finite element method was employed to determine suitable materials for the calendering rolls and the maximum calendering pressure that would reduce the thickness and porosity of the coated electrolyte layer without producing cracks in the layer. The effect of the number of calendering processes on the thickness and porosity of the electrolyte layers was examined as well. Silicon and steel were observed to be best-suited as the materials for the top and bottom rolls, respectively. Moreover, the maximum permissible calendering pressure was determined to be 15 MPa, while the ideal number of calendering processes was found to be 5. Experimental observations using scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the optimized calendering process reduced the thickness and porosity of the coated electrolyte layers by 16.99% and 7.04%, respectively. Thus, our findings suggest that large-area, high-density GDC-based multi-electrolyte layers with smooth surfaces can be produced via the R2R process, which can enable mass production of SOFCs.

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.19
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• pp.1099-1111
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• 2022

Background: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) have been studied for bone repair because they have regenerative potential to differentiate into osteoblasts. The development of injectable and in situ three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds to proliferate and differentiate BMSCs and deliver BMP-2 is a crucial technology in BMSC-based tissue engineering. Methods: The proliferation of mouse BMSCs (mBMSCs) in collagen/poly-γ-glutamic acid (Col/γ-PGA) hydrogel was evaluated using LIVE/DEAD and acridine orange and propidium iodide assays. In vitro osteogenic differentiation and the gene expression level of Col/γ-PGA(mBMSC/BMP-2) were assessed by alizarin red S staining and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The bone regeneration effect of Col/γ-PGA(mBMSC/BMP-2) was evaluated in a mouse calvarial bone defect model. The cranial bones of the mice were monitored by micro-computed tomography and histological analysis. Results: The developed Col/γ-PGA hydrogel showed low viscosity below ambient temperature, while it provided a high elastic modulus and viscous modulus at body temperature. After gelation, the Col/γ-PGA hydrogel showed a 3D and interconnected porous structure, which helped the effective proliferation of BMSCs with BMP-2. The Col/γ-PGA (mBMSC/BMP-2) expressed more osteogenic genes and showed effective orthotopic bone formation in a mouse model with a critical-sized bone defect in only 3-4 weeks. Conclusion: The Col/γ-PGA(mBMSC/BMP-2) hydrogel was suggested to be a promising platform by combining collagen as a major component of the extracellular matrix and γ-PGA as a viscosity reducer for easy handling at room temperature in BMSC-based bone tissue engineering scaffolds.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.61-118
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• 2008

The purpose of this research is to construct research framework for international franchising based on existing literature and to identify research components in the framework. Franchise can be defined as management styles that allow franchisee use various management assets of franchisor in order to make or sell product or service. It can be divided into product distribution franchise that is designed to sell products and business format franchise that is designed for running it as business whatever its form is. International franchising can be defined as a way of internationalization of franchisor to foreign country by providing its business format or package to franchisee of host country. International franchising is growing fast for last four decades but academic research on this is quite limited. Especially in Korea, research about international franchising is carried out on by case study format with single case or empirical study format with survey based on domestic franchise theory. Therefore, this paper tries to review existing literature on international franchising research, providing research framework, and then stimulating new research on this field. International franchising research components include motives and environmental factors for decision of expanding to international franchising, entrance modes and development plan for international franchising, contracts and management strategy of international franchising, and various performance measures from different perspectives. First, motives of international franchising are fee collection from franchisee. Also it provides easier way to expanding to foreign country. The other motives including increase total sales volume, occupying better strategic position, getting quality resources, and improving efficiency. Environmental factors that facilitating international franchising encompasses economic condition, trend, and legal or political factors in host and/or home countries. In addition, control power and risk management capability of franchisor plays critical role in successful franchising contract. Final decision to enter foreign country via franchising is determined by numerous factors like history, size, growth, competitiveness, management system, bonding capability, industry characteristics of franchisor. After deciding to enter into foreign country, franchisor needs to set entrance modes of international franchising. Within contractual mode, there are master franchising and area developing franchising, licensing, direct franchising, and joint venture. Theories about entrance mode selection contain concepts of efficiency, knowledge-based approach, competence-based approach, agent theory, and governance cost. The next step after entrance decision is operation strategy. Operation strategy starts with selecting a target city and a target country for franchising. In order to finding, screening targets, franchisor needs to collect information about candidates. Critical information includes brand patent, commercial laws, regulations, market conditions, country risk, and industry analysis. After selecting a target city in target country, franchisor needs to select franchisee, in other word, partner. The first important criteria for selecting partners are financial credibility and capability, possession of real estate. And cultural similarity and knowledge about franchisor and/or home country are also recognized as critical criteria. The most important element in operating strategy is legal document between franchisor and franchisee with home and host countries. Terms and conditions in legal documents give objective information about characteristics of franchising agreement for academic research. Legal documents have definitions of terminology, territory and exclusivity, agreement of term, initial fee, continuing fees, clearing currency, and rights about sub-franchising. Also, legal documents could have terms about softer elements like training program and operation manual. And harder elements like law competent court and terms of expiration. Next element in operating strategy is about product and service. Especially for business format franchising, product/service deliverable, benefit communicators, system identifiers (architectural features), and format facilitators are listed for product/service strategic elements. Another important decision on product/service is standardization vs. customization. The rationale behind standardization is cost reduction, efficiency, consistency, image congruence, brand awareness, and competitiveness on price. Also standardization enables large scale R&D and innovative change in management style. Another element in operating strategy is control management. The simple way to control franchise contract is relying on legal terms, contractual control system. There are other control systems, administrative control system and ethical control system. Contractual control system is a coercive source of power, but franchisor usually doesn't want to use legal power since it doesn't help to build up positive relationship. Instead, self-regulation is widely used. Administrative control system uses control mechanism from ordinary work relationship. Its main component is supporting activities to franchisee and communication method. For example, franchisor provides advertising, training, manual, and delivery, then franchisee follows franchisor's direction. Another component is building franchisor's brand power. The last research element is performance factor of international franchising. Performance elements can be divided into franchisor's performance and franchisee's performance. The conceptual performance measures of franchisor are simple but not easy to obtain objectively. They are profit, sale, cost, experience, and brand power. The performance measures of franchisee are mostly about benefits of host country. They contain small business development, promotion of employment, introduction of new business model, and level up technology status. There are indirect benefits, like increase of tax, refinement of corporate citizenship, regional economic clustering, and improvement of international balance. In addition to those, host country gets socio-cultural change other than economic effects. It includes demographic change, social trend, customer value change, social communication, and social globalization. Sometimes it is called as westernization or McDonaldization of society. In addition, the paper reviews on theories that have been frequently applied to international franchising research, such as agent theory, resource-based view, transaction cost theory, organizational learning theory, and international expansion theories. Resource based theory is used in strategic decision based on resources, like decision about entrance and cooperation depending on resources of franchisee and franchisor. Transaction cost theory can be applied in determination of mutual trust or satisfaction of franchising players. Agent theory tries to explain strategic decision for reducing problem caused by utilizing agent, for example research on control system in franchising agreements. Organizational Learning theory is relatively new in franchising research. It assumes organization tries to maximize performance and learning of organization. In addition, Internalization theory advocates strategic decision of direct investment for removing inefficiency of market transaction and is applied in research on terms of contract. And oligopolistic competition theory is used to explain various entry modes for international expansion. Competency theory support strategic decision of utilizing key competitive advantage. Furthermore, research methodologies including qualitative and quantitative methodologies are suggested for more rigorous international franchising research. Quantitative research needs more real data other than survey data which is usually respondent's judgment. In order to verify theory more rigorously, research based on real data is essential. However, real quantitative data is quite hard to get. The qualitative research other than single case study is also highly recommended. Since international franchising has limited number of applications, scientific research based on grounded theory and ethnography study can be used. Scientific case study is differentiated with single case study on its data collection method and analysis method. The key concept is triangulation in measurement, logical coding and comparison. Finally, it provides overall research direction for international franchising after summarizing research trend in Korea. International franchising research in Korea has two different types, one is for studying Korean franchisor going overseas and the other is for Korean franchisee of foreign franchisor. Among research on Korean franchisor, two common patterns are observed. First of all, they usually deal with success story of one franchisor. The other common pattern is that they focus on same industry and country. Therefore, international franchise research needs to extend their focus to broader subjects with scientific research methodology as well as development of new theory.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.835-840
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• 2023

RFID(Radio Frequency Identification) systems are attracting attention as a key component of Internet of Things technology due to the cost and energy efficiency of application services. In order to use RFID technology in the IoT application service field, it is necessary to be able to store and manage various information for a long period of time as well as simple recognition between the reader and tag of the RFID system. And in order to read and write information to tags, a performance improvement technology that is strong and reliable in poor wireless channels is needed. In particular, in the UHF(Ultra High Frequency) RFID system, since multiple tags communicate passively in a crowded environment, it is essential to improve the recognition rate and transmission speed of individual tags. In this paper, Middleton's Class A impulsive noise model was selected to analyze the performance of the RFID system in an impulsive noise environment, and FM0 encoding and Miller encoding were applied to the tag to analyze the error rate performance of the RFID system. As a result of analyzing the performance of the RFID system in Middleton's Class A impulsive noise channel, it was found that the larger the Gaussian noise to impulsive noise power ratio and the impulsive noise index, the more similar the characteristics to the Gaussian noise channel.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.43-65
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• 2010

Facing a complex environment driven by a decade, many companies are adopting new strategic frameworks such as Customer Relationship Management system to achieve sustainable profitability as well as overcome serious competition for survival. In many business areas, CRM system advanced a great deal in a matter of continuous compensating the defect and overall integration. However, pharmaceutical companies in Korea were slow to accept them for usesince they still have a tendency of holding fast to traditional way of sales and marketing based on individual networks of sales representatives. In the circumstance, this article tried to empirically address current status of CRM system as well as the effects of the system on the performance of pharmaceutical companies by applying BSC method's four perspectives, from financial, customer, learning and growth and internal process. Survey by e-mail and post to employers and employees who were working in pharma firms were undergone for the purpose. Total 113 cases among collected 140 ones were used for the statistical analysis by SPSS ver. 15 package. Reliability, Factor analysis, regression were done. This study revealed that CRM system had a significant effect on improving financial and non-financial performance of pharmaceutical companies as expected. Proposed regression model fits well and among them, CRM marketing information system shed the light on substantial impact on companies' outcome given profitability, growth and investment. Useful analytical information by CRM marketing information system appears to enable pharmaceutical firms to set up effective marketing and sales strategies, these result in favorable financial performance by enhancing values for stakeholderseventually, not to mention short-term profit and/or mid-term potential to growth. CRM system depicted its influence on not only financial performance, but also non-financial fruit of pharmaceutical companies. Further analysis for each component showed that CRM marketing information system were able to demonstrate statistically significant effect on the performance like the result of financial outcome. CRM system is believed to provide the companies with efficient way of customers managing by valuable standardized business process prompt coping with specific customers' needs. It consequently induces customer satisfaction and retentionto improve performance for long period. That is, there is a virtuous circle for creating value as the cornerstone for sustainable growth. However, the research failed to put forward to evidence to support hypothesis regarding favorable influence of CRM sales representative's records assessment system and CRM customer analysis system on the management performance. The analysis is regarded to reflect the lack of understanding of sales people and respondents between actual work duties and far-sighted goal in strategic analysis framework. Ordinary salesmen seem to dedicate short-term goal for the purpose of meeting sales target, receiving incentive bonus in a manner-of-fact style, as such, they tend to avail themselves of personal network and sales and promotional expense rather than CRM system. The study finding proposed a link between CRM information system and performance. It empirically indicated that pharmaceutical companies had been implementing CRM system as an effective strategic business framework in order for more balanced achievements based on the grounded understanding of both CRM system and integrated performance. It suggests a positive impact of supportive CRM system on firm performance, especially for pharmaceutical industry through the initial empirical evidence. Also, it brings out unmet needs for more practical system design, improvement of employees' awareness, increase of system utilization in the field. On the basis of the insight from this exploratory study, confirmatory research by more appropriate measurement tool and increased sample size should be further examined.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.672-679
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• 2018

This paper describes a methodology for shape design using an optimal design system, whereas generally a three dimensional analysis is required for such designs. An automatic finite element mesh generation technique, which is based on fuzzy knowledge processing and computational geometry techniques, is incorporated into the system, together with a commercial FE analysis code and a commercial solid modeler. Also, with the aid of multilayer neural networks, the present system allows us to automatically obtain a design window, in which a number of satisfactory design solutions exist in a multi-dimensional design parameter space. The developed optimal design system is successfully applied to evaluate the structures that are used. This study used a stress gauge to measure the maximum stress affecting the parts of the side housing bracket which are most vulnerable to cracking. Thereafter, we used a tool to interpret the maximum stress value, while maintaining the same stress as that exerted on the spot. Furthermore, a stress analysis was performed with the typical shape maintained intact, SM490 used for the material and the minimizing weight safety coefficient set to 3, while keeping the maximum stress the same as or smaller than the allowable stress. In this paper, a side housing bracket with a comparably simple structure for 36 tons was optimized, however if the method developed in this study were applied to side housing brackets of different classes (tons), their quality would be greatly improved.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartB
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• v.14B no.1 s.111
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• pp.51-58
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• 2007

This paper suggests prototype of dialog system combining VXML(VoiceXML) that is the W3C's standard XML format for specifying interactive voice dialogues between human and computer, and RSS(RDF Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication) that is representative technology of semantic web for syndication and subscription of updated web-contents. Merits of the proposed system are as following: 1) It is a new method that recognize spoken contents using ire and wireless telephone networks and then provide contents to user via STT(Speech-to-Text) and TTS(Text-to-Speech) instead of traditional method using web only. 2) It can apply advantage of RSS that subscription of updated contents is converted to VXML without modifying traditional method to provide RSS service, 3) In terms of users, it can reduce restriction on time-spate in search of contents that is provided by RSS because it uses ire and wireless telephone networks, not internet environment. 4) In terms of information provider, it does not need special component for syndication of the newest contents using speech recognition and synthesis technology. We implemented a news service system using VXML and RSS for performance evaluation of the proposed system. In experiment results, we estimated the response time and the speech recognition rate in subscription and search of actuality contents, and confirmed that the proposed system can provide contents those are provided using RSS Feed.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics S
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• v.35S no.6
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• pp.25-35
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• 1998

The control system architecture in switching systems have undergone numerous changes to provide various call processing capability needed in telecommunication services. During call processing in a distributed switching control environment, the delay effect due to communication among main processors or peripheral controllers is one of the limiting factors which affect the system performance. In this paper, we propose a performance model for an IPC(Inter Processor Communication) interface hardware block which is required on the ATM cell-based message processing in a distributed ATM exchange system, and analyze the primary causes which affect the processor performance through the simulation. Consequently, It can be shown that the local CPU of the several components(resources) related to the IPC scheme is a bottleneck factor in achieving the maximum system performance from the simulation results, such as the utilization of each processing component according to the change of the input message rate, and the queue length and processing delay according to input message rate. And we also give some useful results such as the maximum message processing capacity according to the change of the performance of local CPU, and the local CPU maximum throughput according to the change of average message length, which is applicable as a reference data for the improvement or expansion of the ATM control system.