• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.861-866
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• 2023

Individuals with visual impairments face difficulties in accessing accurate information about medical services and medications, making it challenging for them to ensure proper medication intake. While there are healthcare laws addressing this issue, there is a lack of standardized solutions, and not all over-the-counter medications are covered. Therefore, we have undertaken the design of a mobile application that utilizes image recognition technology, barcode scanning, and QR code recognition to provide guidance on how to take over-the-counter medications, filling the existing gaps in the knowledge of visually impaired individuals. Currently available applications for individuals with visual impairments allow them to access information about medications. However, they still require the user to remember which specific medication they are taking, posing a significant challenge. In this research, we are optimizing the camera capture environment, user interface (UI), and user experience (UX) screens for image recognition, ensuring greater accessibility and convenience for visually impaired individuals. By implementing the findings from our research into the application, we aim to assist visually impaired individuals in acquiring the correct methods for taking over-the-counter medications.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.163-170
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• 2009

Several species of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia produce the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA) known to be responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning. In spite of the potentially toxic effects on marine ecosystem, even the representative Pseudo-nitzschia species occurring in Korean coastal waters have not been clearly reported. Plankton samples from several outer coastal sites of Tongyeong were collected fortnightly from May to November 2008 and the presence of diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Thirteen species were observed, including P. americana, P. brasiliana, P. caciantha, P. calliantha, P. cuspidata, P. delicatissima, P. micropora, P. multiseries, P. multistriata, P. pseudodelicatissima, P. pungens, P. subfraudulenta, and P. subpacifica. The number of Pseudo-nitzschia species observed were only four in May, which was minimum during this survey, and then gradually increased attaining maximum, twelve, in September. After September it began to decrease again and got to five in November. Of these, P. americana, P. brasiliana, P. caciantha, P. calliantha, P. micropora, and P, pseudodelicatissima are new records for the Korean coastal waters and P. calliantha, P. cuspidata, P. delicatissima, P multiseries, P. multistriata, and P. pungens have been reported as DA producers around the world, but the potential toxicity of these species was not ascertained in Tongyeong area.

• Smart Media Journal
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.18-26
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• 2024

Road surface monitoring is essential for maintaining road environment safety through managing risk factors like rutting and crack detection. Using autonomous driving-based UGVs with high-performance 2D laser sensors enables more precise measurements. However, the increased energy consumption of these sensors is limited by constrained battery capacity. In this paper, we propose a fusion sensor system for efficient surface monitoring with UGVs. The proposed system combines color information from cameras and depth information from line laser sensors to accurately detect surface displacement. Furthermore, a dynamic sampling algorithm is applied to control the scanning frequency of line laser sensors based on the detection status of monitoring targets using camera sensors, reducing unnecessary energy consumption. A power consumption model of the fusion sensor system analyzes its energy efficiency considering various crack distributions and sensor characteristics in different mission environments. Performance analysis demonstrates that setting the power consumption of the line laser sensor to twice that of the saving state when in the active state increases power consumption efficiency by 13.3% compared to fixed sampling under the condition of λ=10, µ=10.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.233-246
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• 2024

Background: In this research work, epilithic communities of diatoms in macrophytes are listed and described to evaluate the ecological conditions of the surface waters of the Chipoco River, whose basin has been exploited for agricultural and mining purposes, degrading natural ecosystems. The diatoms studied are found in calcareous tufa deposits developed in swampy environments where little of their benthic microbiota has been studied, despite the regional relevance of these calcareous formations within the manganese mining district. To describe the diatoms and evaluate the ecological condition of the surface waters, the Chipoco River was divided into three sectors (North, Center, and South) collecting a total of 15 samples along 10 km. For the taxonomic identification of diatoms, scanning electron microscopy techniques, consultations with specialists and specialized literature were used. To evaluate the ecological conditions of the Chipoco River, the linear correlation coefficient was used, where the relationships between diatom species and environmental variables were evaluated. Likewise, species diversity was determined by applying the Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson's dominance value (D) was calculated to detect diversity impoverishment processes. Results: Ten genera of diatoms were identified in bryophytes of the species Plagiomnium cuspidatum that grow on the banks of said river. The linear correlation coefficient indicated that physicochemical characteristics such as total dissolved solids, temperature, and calcium, and hydrochemical characteristics of the water intervene in the distribution and abundance of four diatoms Rhoicosphenia abreviate, Epithemia turgida, Calloneis bacillum and Achanthidium minutissimum in the different sectors studied. The Shannon-Wiener diversity indices and Simpson's dominance show that there is greater diversity and marked dominance of diatoms in the northern sector compared to the central and southern sectors. Conclusions: Agricultural and mining activities and the poor sanitary infrastructure of human settlements have caused the Chipoco River to have poor ecological quality.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.157-170
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to analyze the shear bond strength according to kinds of surface treatment agents and resin cements after acid etching of IPS Empress 2. For this purpose, test groups were classified into silane-treated bonding groups, silica-coated group and Targis link applied group. Then, nine bonding groups in total, each three groups per kind, were prepared by using three kinds of resin cements-Panavia F, Variolink II and Rely-X ARC, and thirty test specimens per group were prepared. To examine any changes in the oral environment, the shear bond strength of each test specimen was measured after dipping test for 24 hours and for five weeks, respectively, in distilled water at $37^{\circ}C$ and performing heat cycle 10,000 times in total, each 2,000 times per week, during a five weeks of dipping, under the condition similar to the oral environment. The bond failure modes were also observed by means of a scanning electron microscope. The results are summarized as follows 1. Statically significant differences between the surface conditioning materials were observed. The shear strength of the silane treatment was the highest of all three types of surface treatments(p<0.001). 2. Shear strengths varied significantly for different types of resin luting agents. But bond strength of Targis link surface treatments were not significantly different(p<0.05). 3. No significant difference of bonding strengths was found between storage time conditions(24 hours and 5 weeks). Only group II, IV, VII, IX were significantly different(p<0.05). 4. After thermocycling, the shear bond strengths of all groups were significantly decreased (p<0.05). Group III, V, VI were no significantly different. 5. On the SEM observation of fractured surfaces, all groups were shown complex failure.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2001

Bentonite layers are intercalated within the basal conglomerates in the Tertiary sedimentary basins of Kampo, Janggi and Pohang, southeastern Korea. Eighteen samples of the bentonites went through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, heavy mineral analyses, chemical analyses and oxygen, hydrogen stable isotope analyses to define the mineralogical characters of the bentonites. Heavy minerals such as zircons, apatites, amphiboles and biotites separated from bentonites show clean and euhedral surfaces, which are the characteristic features of volcanic origin. But biotites from the Chunbook Conglomerate are found as altered and heavily broken flakes which implies longer transportation of these bentonites. $TiO_{2}/Al_{2}O_{3} ratios of <2 $\mu$m particle fractions (the Chunbook Conglomerate 0.031; Janggi 0.029; Kampo 0.025) suggest that those are originated from volcanic tuffs. That is, the higher the value is, the more mafic in chemical compositions of the original tuffs. Authigenic montmorillonite and zeolite minerals were observed by SEM, which indicates diagenesis origin of bentonites. But the samples from the Chunbook Conglomerate showed only chaotically packed clay flakes in the matrix of sands or conglomerates, which implies detrital influence, not authigenic origin. The structural formulae of montmorillonite from these basins reflects their environment of formation. Fe (Ⅵ) can show the redox condition of its past environment and much lower $Fe^{2+}(Ⅵ)/Fe^{3+}(Ⅵ)$ ratios in montmorillonite of the Chunbook Conglomerate imply the greater oxidizing influence. Calculated burial depths from oxygen stable isotope data of the samples from the Chunbook Conglomerate generally fall to the range of 929~963 m whereas the real burial depth of this area is only 530~580 m. This could be explained as the bentonites of the Chunbook conglomerate had not been formed in situ. Discriminant analyses with the data from chemical analyses and structural formulae of montmorillonites show that bentonites from three different basins could definitely be distinguished with each other. This result arises from the different chemical compositions of original volcanic ashes and the difference of sedimentary environments.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.35-42
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• 2006

Experimental study was conducted to identify the active agent for reductive dechlorination of TCE in cement/Fe(II) systems. Several potential materials-hematite (${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$), lepidocrocite (${\gamma}$-FeOOH), akaganeite (${\beta}$-FeOOH), ettringite ($Ca_6Al_2(SO_4)_3(OH)_{12}$)-that are cement components or parts of cement hydrates were tested if they could act as reducing agents by conducting TCE degradation experiments. From the initial degradation experiments, hematite was selected as a potential active agent. The pseudo-first-order degradation rate constant ($k\;=\;0.637\;day^{-1}$) for the system containing 200 mM Fe(II), hematite and CaO was close to that ($k\;=\;0.645\;day^{-1}$) obtained from the system containing cement and 200 mM Fe(II). CaO, which was originally added to simulate pH of the cement/Fe(II) system, was found to play an important role in degradation reactions. The reactivity of the hematite/CaO/Fe(II) system initially increased with increase of CaO dosage. However, the tendency declined in the higher CaO dosage region, implying a saturation type of behavior. The SEM analysis revealed that the hexagonal plane-shaped crystals were formed during the reaction with increasing degradation efficiency, which was brought about by increasing the CaO dosage. It was suspected that the crystals could be portlandite or green rust ($SO_4$) or Friedel's salt. The XRD analysis of the same sample identified the peaks of hematite, magnetite/maghemite, green rust ($SO_4$). Either instrumental analysis predicted the presence of the green rust ($SO_4$). Therefore, the green rust ($SO_4$) would potentially be a reactive agent for reductive dechlorination in cement/Fe(II) systems.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.323-343
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• 2018

This study defines the mineralogical, micro-textural and geochemical characteristics for the carbonate rocks and discusses the fluids that have affected the depositional environment of the Lower Makgol Formation in Seokgaejae section. Based on analysis of X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS), Electron Probe Micro Analyzer-Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EPMA-WDS) and Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), carbonate miorofacies in the basal and the lower members of the Makgol Formation are distinguished and classified into four types. Type 1 dolomite (xenotopic interlocking texture) and Type 2 dolomite (idiotopic interlocking texture) have relatively high Mg/Ca ratio, flat REE pattern, low Fe and Mn. Extensively interlocking textures in these dolomites indicate constant supply of Mg ion from hypersaline brine. Type 3 and Type 4 dolomite (scattered and loosely-aggregated texture) have relatively moderate Mg/Ca ratio, MREE enriched pattern, low to high Fe and Mn. These partial dolomitization indicate limited supply of Mg ion under the influx of meteoric water with seawater. Also, the evidence of Fe-bearing minerals, recrystallization and relatively high Fe and Mn in Type 4 indicates the influence of secondary diagenetic fluids under suboxic conditions. Integrating geochemical data with mineralogical and micro-textural evidence, the discrepancy between the basal and the lower members of the Makgol Formation indicates different sedimentary environment. It suggest that hypersaline brine have an influence on the basal member, while mixing meteoric water with seawater have an effect on the lower member of the Makgol Formation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2019

To estimate daily canopy photosynthesis, accurate estimation of canopy light interception according to a daily solar position is needed. However, this process needs a lot of cost, time, manpower, and difficulty when measuring manually. Various modeling approaches have been applied so far, but it was difficult to accurately estimate light interception by conventional methods. The objective of this study is to estimate the spatial distributions of light interception and photosynthetic rate of paprika with time by using 3D-scanned plant models and optical simulation. Structural models of greenhouse paprika were constructed with a portable 3D scanner. To investigate the change in canopy light interception by surrounding plants, the 3D paprika models were arranged at $1{\times}1$ and $9{\times}9$ isotropic forms with a distance of 60 cm between plants. The light interception was obtained by optical simulation, and the photosynthetic rate was calculated by a rectangular hyperbola model. The spatial distributions of canopy light interception of the 3D paprika model showed different patterns with solar altitude at 9:00, 12:00, and 15:00. The total canopy light interception decreased with an increase of surrounding plants like an arrangement of $9{\times}9$, and the decreasing rate was lowest at 12:00. The canopy photosynthetic rate showed a similar tendency with the canopy light interception, but its decreasing rate was lower than that of the light interception due to the saturation of photosynthetic rate of upper leaves of the plants. In this study, by using the 3D-scanned plant model and optical simulation, it was possible to analyze the light interception and photosynthesis of plant canopy under various conditions, and it can be an effective way to estimate accurate light interception and photosynthesis of plants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.330-337
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of Stewartia koreana as oral healthcare materials. The antibacterial activity of ethanol extracts from leaves and branches of S. koreana against oral bacteria was confirmed. The leaf and branch extracts (1 mg/disc) showed antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis only among several tested oral bacteria. The leaf extracts showed higher antibacterial activity, with values similar to those of chlorhexidine, which was used as a positive control. The MIC of the leaf extract against P. gingivalis was 0.4 mg/ml and showed bacteriostatic action. The inhibitory effects of the extract on biofilm formation and on gene expression related to biofilm formation by P. gingivalis were determined by biofilm biomass staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and qRT-PCR analysis. The biofilm production rate and cell growth of P. gingivalis in the cultures treated with 0.2-2.0 mg/ml of S. koreana leaf extracts were significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect on the formation of P. gingivalis biofilms at concentrations of 1 mg/ml was confirmed by SEM. The qRT-PCR analysis showed concentration-dependent suppression of the fimA and fimB gene expression associated with fimbriae formation in the cultures treated with 0.2-2.0 mg/ml S. koreana leaf extract. These results support the conclusion that S. koreana leaf extracts can be used as oral healthcare materials derived from natural materials, as demonstrated by the antibacterial action and inhibition of biofilm formation of P. gingivalis.