• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.541-549
• /
• 2020

This study conducts differential analysis on the financial positions of Korean shipping companies before and after the bankruptcy of the H carrier, looking specifically at their financial ratios, profit and loss patterns, and other factors related to their financial operation. Firstly, it was discovered that major measures of financial health, such as average assets per carrier, were not affected by the bankruptcy of the H carrier. However, despite this, most carriers experienced large changes in profits and losses, with total sales and shipping revenues averaging 424.5 billion won and 381.7 billion won respectively before the bankruptcy, but falling by half to 252.1 billion won and 234.6 billion won after the bankruptcy. Additionally, charter revenues and expenses also dropped by more than half. EBIT/sales and pre-tax revenue margins were also heavily affected after the bankruptcy, with both figures averaging 8% and 3% respectively before the bankruptcy, but falling into the negative range at -2% and -8% post-bankruptcy, resulting in significant deterioration in operational profitability. The study concludes that there is an urgent need to establish a global sales network, improve cost structures, and consistently secure stable cargo in order to increase Korean carriers' profitability. Of all financial measures, liquidity and total asset efficiency were identified as the most severely-impacted by the H carrier bankruptcy, thereby requiring the most pressing policy addressing.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.521-535
• /
• 2022

Efficient management of deteriorating civil infrastructure is one of the most important research topics in many developed countries. In particular, the remote displacement measurement of bridges using linear variable differential transformers, global positioning systems, laser Doppler vibrometers, and computer vision technologies has been attempted extensively. This paper proposes a remote displacement measurement system using closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) and a computer-vision-based method for in-situ bridge bearings having relatively large displacement due to temperature change in long term. The hardware of the system is composed of a reference target for displacement measurement, a CCTV to capture target images, a gateway to transmit images via a mobile network, and a central server to store and process transmitted images. The usage of CCTV capable of night vision capture and wireless data communication enable long-term 24-hour monitoring on wide range of bridge area. The computer vision algorithm to estimate displacement from the images involves image preprocessing for enhancing the circular features of the target, circular Hough transformation for detecting circles on the target in the whole field-of-view (FOV), and homography transformation for converting the movement of the target in the images into an actual expansion displacement. The simple target design and robust circle detection algorithm help to measure displacement using target images where the targets are far apart from each other. The proposed system is installed at the Tancheon Overpass located in Seoul, and field experiments are performed to evaluate the accuracy of circle detection and displacement measurements. The circle detection accuracy is evaluated using 28,542 images captured from 71 CCTVs installed at the testbed, and only 48 images (0.168%) fail to detect the circles on the target because of subpar imaging conditions. The accuracy of displacement measurement is evaluated using images captured for 17 days from three CCTVs; the average and root-mean-square errors are 0.10 and 0.131 mm, respectively, compared with a similar displacement measurement. The long-term operation of the system, as evaluated using 8-month data, shows high accuracy and stability of the proposed system.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.203-214
• /
• 2024

Ports often suffer pavement damage due to soft ground and heavy equipment operations, leading to issues such as differential settlement and cracks. In this study, we developed port concrete blocks and applied them to a port in two configurations to figure out settlement characteristics. Falling weight deflectometer (FWD) tests on asphalt pavement and block pavements were conducted to figure out deflection and bearing capacity. The block pavement with the cement treated base showed improved bearing capacity with the port operation since lower settlements were detected than asphalt pavement. In the cement treated base, the relative deflection ratio to asphalt concrete pavement was less than 1, indicating enhanced bearing capacity. LiDAR measurements identified multiple settlements in the crushed-stone base due to surface loads after construction. Both relative deflection ratio and LiDAR measurements suggested that block pavement can be widely applied to various port sites with its applicability and bearing capacity of cement-treated base.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.411-419
• /
• 2023

Objective: Optochiasmatic cavernoma is an extremely rare cerebral lesion. They account for approximately 1% of all cavernomas of the central nervous system. Reports on this pathology are limited. Abrupt visual deterioration is a common symptom of the disease. Treatment strategy and visual outcomes after different treatment approaches remain a subject for discussion. Methods: Patients operated in a period 2005-2021 were analyzed in this study. All patients preoperatively underwent computed tomography (CT) scan, CT-angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Visual function of the patients was assessed pre-op, post-op and at the follow-up. Duration of visual dysfunction was noted as well. Surgical details were also extracted from medical notes. All patients were followed up, and control MRI was performed one month after operation. We assessed surgical series of optochiasmatic cavernomas published for last 10 years. Further comparative analysis with our data was performed. Results: Five patients were included into this study. There were four men and one woman. Mean age comprised 33.8 years (range 20-48 years). Most patients were admitted to our hospital due to visual disturbances (80%). Visual function improved in four patients. Visual function was unchanged in one patient, lacking visual distur-bancies pre-op. Complication developed in one patient. Conclusions: Optochiasmatic cavernomas are encountered extremely rare. Despite the use of contemporary diagnostic options, differential diagnosis remains challenging. Full diagnostic work-up is mandatory. After the diagnosis is made, surgical treatment should be considered first. Total microsurgical or endoscopic transsphenoidal removal of the optochiasmatic cavernoma is a relatively safe and effective treatment method facilitating improvement of visual function.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.75-85
• /
• 2009

This work proposes a 13b 100MS/s 0.13um CMOS ADC for 3G communication systems such as two-carrier W-CDMA applications simultaneously requiring high resolution, low power, and small size at high speed. The proposed ADC employs a four-step pipeline architecture to optimize power consumption and chip area at the target resolution and sampling rate. Area-efficient high-speed high-resolution gate-bootstrapping circuits are implemented at the sampling switches of the input SHA to maintain signal linearity over the Nyquist rate even at a 1.0V supply operation. The cascode compensation technique on a low-impedance path implemented in the two-stage amplifiers of the SHA and MDAC simultaneously achieves the required operation speed and phase margin with more reduced power consumption than the Miller compensation technique. Low-glitch dynamic latches in sub-ranging flash ADCs reduce kickback-noise referred to the differential input stage of the comparator by isolating the input stage from output nodes to improve system accuracy. The proposed low-noise current and voltage references based on triple negative T.C. circuits are employed on chip with optional off-chip reference voltages. The prototype ADC in a 0.13um 1P8M CMOS technology demonstrates the measured DNL and INL within 0.70LSB and 1.79LSB, respectively. The ADC shows a maximum SNDR of 64.5dB and a maximum SFDR of 78.0dB at 100MS/s, respectively. The ABC with an active die area of $1.22mm^2$ consumes 42.0mW at 100MS/s and a 1.2V supply, corresponding to a FOM of 0.31pJ/conv-step.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.287-293
• /
• 2009

Purpose: This study is to evaluate rib fractures on bone scan in breast cancer patients treated with breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy and to evaluate its relation with radiation therapy and operation modality. Materials and Methods: Two hundred seventy cases that underwent serial bone scan after breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy were enrolled. Bone scan and chest a findings of rib fracture were analyzed. Results: The rib uptake was seen in 74 of 270 cases (27.4%) on bone scan and 50 cases (18.5%) were confirmed to have rib fracture by chest CT. The rate of modified radical mastectomy in patients with rib fracture was significantly higher than that in patients without rib fracture (66.0% vs. 27.0%, p = 0.000). The rate of additional radiation therapy to axillar or supraclavicular regions in patients with rib fracture was significantly higher than that in patients without rib fracture (62.0% vs. 28.6%, p =0.000). Rib fracture was seen most frequently at 1-2 years after radiation therapy (51.9%) and single rib fracture was seen most frequently (55.2%). Of total 106 rib fractures, focal rib uptake was seen in 94 ribs (88.7%) and diffuse rib uptake was seen in 12 ribs (11.3%). On one year follow-up bone scan, complete resolution of rib uptake was seen in 15 ribs (14.2%). On chest a, the rate of fracture line in ribs with intense uptake was significantly higher than that in ribs with mild or moderate uptake (p = 0.000). The rate of presence of fracture line in ribs with focal uptake was significantly higher than that in ribs with diffuse uptake (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Rib fracture in breast cancer patients after radiation therapy was related to radiation portal and operation modality. It should be interpreted carefully as a differential diagnosis of bone metastasis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.257-264
• /
• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the effects of chitosan-trimer (CT) on the prevention of postoperative adhesion formation in the rate model. All animals divided into PBS (control), 1% CT, 3% CT, and chitin treated group. The mean adhesion score in 1% CT group (1.03$\pm$0.63), 3% CT group (0.64$\pm$0.53) and chitin group (1.67$\pm$0.71) was found to be lower than that in control group (2.07$\pm$0.81). More favorable adhesion prevention was achieved in 3% CT group (0.64$\pm$0.53) in comparison with the control group, 1% CT group, and chitin group without any hemorrhagic complications. A statistically significant difference was observed in adhesion formation between control group and 3% CT group (p<0.001). In control group, 44 of 45 sites (97.7%) formed adhesions between the intestine defects. In contrast, 3% CT was effective in reducing the incidence of adhesion formation to 17 to 45 sites (62.2%) (p<0.05). The locations of adhesions were observed in serosa-serosa (60%), serosa-mesentery (13.3%), serosa-connective tissue of testis (10%), omentum-liver (10%), serosa-omentum (3.3%), serosa-cecum (3.3%), and serosa-incision (0%). On the results of histological analysis, grade of inflammation and fibrosis at the sites of postoperative peritoneal adhesion formation were not significantly different in all groups. But, 3% CT showed the lowest score of inflammation and fibrosis. In 3% CT group, the rate of increase of plasma fibrinogen was significantly lower compared with that in control group from pre-operation to 10 days later (p<0.05). There were no appreciable difference in the CBC, leukocyte differential counts and total protein concentrations among four groups. In conclusion, our data suggested that CT should be effective on reducing adhesion formation in experimental rat models. The results also showed that 3% CT does not adversely affect normal wound healing and healthy recovery after operation.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.24-31
• /
• 2004

Purpose : To know the differences of proton MR spectroscopic features between recurrent rectal cancer and fibrosis in post-operative period, and to evaluate the possibility to discriminate recurrent rectal cancer from post-operative fibrosis by analysis of proton MR spectra. Materials and Methods : We evaluated the proton MR spectra from 25 soft tissue masses in perirectal area that developed in post-operative period after operation for the resection of rectal cancer. Our series included 11 cases of recurrent rectal cancer and 14 of fibrotic mass. All cases of recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis were confirmed by biopsy. We evaluated the spectra with an attention to the differences of pattern of the curves between recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis. The ratio of peak area of all peaks at 1.6-4.1ppm to lipid (0.9-1.6ppm) [P (1.6-4.1ppm/P (0.9-1.6ppm)] was calculated in recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis groups, and compared the results between these groups. We also evaluated the sensitivity and specificity for discriminating recurrent rectal cancer from post-operative fibrosis by analysis of $^1H-MRS$. Results : Proton MR spectra of post-operative fibrosis showed significantly diminished amount of lipids compared with that of recurrent rectal cancer. The ratio of P (1.6-4.1ppm)/P (0.9-1.6ppm) in post-operative fibrosis was much higher than that of recurrent rectal cancer with statistical significance (p < .05) due to decreased peak area of lipids. Mean (standard deviations of P (1.6-4.1ppm)/P (0.9-1.6ppm) in post-operative fibrosis and recurrent rectal cancer group were $2.71{\pm}1.48\;and\;0.29{\pm}0.11$, respectively. With a cut-off value of 0.6 for discriminating recurrent rectal cancer from post-operative fibrosis, both the sensitivity and specificity were $100\%$ (11/11, and 14/14). Conclusion : Recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis can be distinguished from each other by analysis of proton MR spectroscopic features, and $^1H-MRS$ can be a new method for differential diagnosis between recurrent rectal cancer and post-operative fibrosis.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.499-505
• /
• 2010

In this study, hydrodynamics and reaction characteristic of K-based solid sorbents for $CO_2$ capture were investigated using a continuous system composed of two bubbling fluidized-bed reactors(1.2 m tall bed with 0.11 m i.d.). Potassium-based dry sorbents manufactured by the Korea Electric Power Research Institute were used, which were composed of $K_2CO_3$ of 35% for $CO_2$ absorption and supporters of 65% for mechanical strength. The continuous system consists of two bubbling fluidized-bed reactors, solid injection nozzle, riser, chiller, analyzer and heater for regeneration reaction. The minimum fluidizing velocity of the continuous system was 0.0088 m/s and the solid circulation rate measured was $10.3kg/m^2{\cdot}s$ at 1.05 m/s velocity of the solid injection nozzle. The $CO_2$ concentration of the simulated gas was about 10 vol% in dry basis. Reaction temperature in carbonator and regenerator were maintained about $70^{\circ}C$ and $200^{\circ}C$, respectively. Differential pressures, which were maintained in carbonator and regenerator, were about $415mmH_2O$ and $350mmH_2O$, respectively. In order to find out reaction characteristics of dry sorbents, several experiments were performed according to various experimental conditions such as $H_2O$ content(7.28~19.66%) in feed gas, velocity (0.053~0.103 m/s) of simulated gas, temperature($60{\sim}80^{\circ}C$) of a carbonator, temperature($150{\sim}200^{\circ}C$) of a regenerator and solid circulation rate($7.0{\sim}10.3kg/m^2{\cdot}s$). The respective data of operating variables were saved and analyzed after maintaining one hour in a stable manner. As a result of continuous operation, $CO_2$ removal tended to increase by increasing $H_2O$ content in feed gas, temperature of a regenerator and solid circulation rate and to decrease by increasing temperature of a carbonator and gas velocity in a carbonator.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.419-425
• /
• 2017

In this study, the performance characteristics of the K-based sorbents (KEP-CO2P2, KEPCO RI, Korea) has been studied in relation with the heat exchanger structure and shape in a mixing zone of the carbonator in the bench-scale dry $CO_2$ capture process. Two types of heat exchangers (different structure and shape) were used in the carbonator as CASE 1 and CASE 2, in which the experiment has been continuously performed under the same operating conditions. During the continuous operation, working temperature of carbonator was 75 to $80^{\circ}C$, that of regenerator was 190 to $200^{\circ}C$, and $CO_2$ inlet concentration of the feed gas was 12 to 14 vol%. Especially, to compare the dynamic sorption capacity of sorbents, the differential pressure of the mixing zone in the carbonator was maintained around 400 to 500 mm $H_2O$. Also, solid samples from the carbonator and the regenerator were collected and weight variation of those samples was evaluated by TGA. The $CO_2$ removal efficiency and the dynamic sorption capacity were 64.3% and 2.40 wt%, respectively for CASE 1 while they were 81.0% and 4.66 wt%, respectively for CASE 2. Also, the dynamic sorption capacity of the sorbent in CASE 1 and CASE 2 was 2.51 wt% and 4.89 wt%, respectively, based on the weight loss of the TGA measurement results. Therefore, It was concluded that there could be a difference in the performance characteristics of the same sorbents according to the structure and type of heat exchanger inserted in the carbonator under the same operating conditions.