• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 1993.10a
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• pp.326-333
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• 1993

Okinawa Prefecture is located in the southernmost part of Japan and has a subtropical climate. A lot of tropical fruits such as pineapples, mangoes and papayas are produced. Pineapples were mainly supplied to the canning industry. Since April 1990, the Japanese Government released the foreign trade restriction of canned pineapples and pineapple juice in accordance with GATT. Okinawan Farmers have been expanding the customers from the processing industry to the fresh market. During the recent year, fully mature, high quality pineapples which have 15 Brix in sugar content are produced in green houses on Okinawa. Prices are 2 to 3 times those of the imported pineapples. At present, they are sorted manually, and this sorting might cause the pineapples to lose their reputation. NIR applied fruit sorters have been developed and operated for apples and peaches in Japan . NIR applied tests were carried out to consider the feasibility into the NIR technique for measurement of the NIR a alysis suggests adequate correlations between sugar content and NIR reflectance properties of pineapples and mangoes.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.247-254
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• 2017

Purpose: Dual-energy X-ray imaging is widely used today in various areas of medicine and in other applications. However, no similar technique exists for dental applications. In this study, we propose a dual-energy technique for dental diagnoses based on voltage-switching. Materials and Methods: The method presented in this study allowed different groups of materials to be classified based on atomic number, thereby enabling two-dimensional images to be colorized. Computer simulations showed the feasibility of this approach. Using a number of different samples with typical biologic and synthetic dental materials, the technique was applied to radiographs acquired with a commercially available dental X-ray unit. Results: This technique provided a novel visual representation of the intraoral environment in three colors, and is of diagnostic value when compared to state-of-the-art grayscale images, since the oral cavity often contains multiple permanent foreign materials. Conclusion: This work developed a technique for two-dimensional dual-energy imaging in the context of dental applications and showed its feasibility with a commercial dental X-ray unit in simulation and experimental studies.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2020

Although there are many kinds of advanced ballast water management systems, pioneering studies for ballast-water free ship and minimal ballast water ship concepts are in progress. In this study, the existing alternatives of ballast water are reviewed and a new design concept is studied on the basis of the existing bulk carrier hull form. To develop a new design alternative which has minimal ballast for ballast water discharge free operation, the new concept should have technical feasibilities that are related to the role of the ballast water, berth access, loading constraints, etc. For this purpose, a simplified systems engineering basis design approach is adopted using a business model as the system analysis and control tool. To check the performance feasibility of the new concept, ship resistance performance is reviewed based on a model scale ship resistance performance analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.337-362
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• 2015

This paper presents a feasibility study on structural damage alarming and localization of long-span cable-supported bridges using multi-novelty indices formulated by monitoring-derived modal parameters. The proposed method which requires neither structural model nor damage model is applicable to structures of arbitrary complexity. With the intention to enhance the tolerance to measurement noise/uncertainty and the sensitivity to structural damage, an improved novelty index is formulated in terms of auto-associative neural networks (ANNs) where the output vector is designated to differ from the input vector while the training of the ANNs needs only the measured modal properties of the intact structure under in-service conditions. After validating the enhanced capability of the improved novelty index for structural damage alarming over the commonly configured novelty index, the performance of the improved novelty index for damage occurrence detection of large-scale bridges is examined through numerical simulation studies of the suspension Tsing Ma Bridge (TMB) and the cable-stayed Ting Kau Bridge (TKB) incurred with different types of structural damage. Then the improved novelty index is extended to formulate multi-novelty indices in terms of the measured modal frequencies and incomplete modeshape components for damage region identification. The capability of the formulated multi-novelty indices for damage region identification is also examined through numerical simulations of the TMB and TKB.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.155-165
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to understand the hand-on breast massage techniques used by well-known experts in breastfeeding clinics. Methods: A qualitative multiple-case design was applied that involved a feasibility test. Four experts sampling qualitative data collected by observing participants and in individual interviews were analyzed by content analysis, linking data to the propositions, and cross-case pattern matching. This study explored differences within and between cases, and the possibilities of replicating findings across cases. Thirty-nine postpartum women participated voluntarily in the feasibility test, which investigated the usability of four massage techniques. Results: The four techniques showed considerable similarities in terms of the application of stimulation to the breast base and increased flexibility of the wired flexible body, which was the core mechanism underlying the techniques. The breast management strategies were consistent with existing practice guidelines with the exception of using cold cabbage to control engorgement pain. There was insufficient scientific evidence for supporting the massage techniques used by the experts. All of the techniques showed 100% education completeness, but application rates were higher for self-control-oriented techniques. Conclusion: The massage techniques applied by experts in breastfeeding were based on hypotheses and self-control techniques are feasible to apply in practice.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.219-225
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• 2013

This work examines the feasibility for estimating existing tensile stress on a stressed wire using the permeability of magnetic flux. A closed magnetic circuit has been constructed to induce magnetic flux inside a steel wire. With different tension stress levels on a wire, the permeability of magnetic flux on the wire has been measured. Two different experimental case studies have been conducted for the examination of sensitivity of permeability of magnetic flux on the stressed wire. One is a varying-length stress test, and the other is a fixed-length stress test. The results show that the permeability of magnetic flux in the varying-length stress test is inversely proportional to the applied stress, while the permeability in the fixed-length stress test is linearly proportional to the applied stress on the stressed wire. It is thus expected that the permeability of magnetic flux on a wire can be a promising indicator for the inspection of its tensile stress.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.600-605
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• 2013

Ground source heat pump systems (GSHP) can achieve higher performance of the system, by supplying more efficient heat source to the heat pump, than the conventional air-source heat pump system. But building clients and designers have hesitated to use GSHP systems, due to expensive initial cost, and uncertain economic feasibility. In order to reduce the initial cost, many researches have focused on the energy-pile system, using the structure of the building as a heat exchanger. Even though several experimental studies for the energy-pile system have been conducted, there was not enough data of quantitative evaluation with economic analysis and comprehensive analysis for the energy-pile. In this study, a prediction method has been developed for the energy pile system with barrette pile, using the ground heat transfer model and ground heat exchanger model. Moreover, a feasibility study for the energy pile system with barrette pile was conducted, by performance analysis and LCC assessment. As a result, it was found that the heat exchange rate of a barrette pile was 2.55 kW, and the payback period using LCC analysis was 8.8 years.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.379-385
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• 2019

Dynamic Tidal Power, which is a kind of tidal power generation, requires huge structures, because it is conducted by using the phase difference caused by the diffraction effect of tides. Economic feasibility is most demanded for practical use, and various studies have been conducted for this purpose. In this study, unlike existing methods, several structures were installed to improve it by increasing power generation. The flow changes around the structures were studied, and it was found that proper spacing between structures was necessary for efficient power generation.

• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.68-93
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• 2018

With the emergence of partnerships with private actors in public and cultural diplomacies, complexity in the relations among the various stakeholders involved has arisen, and yet the relevant research is insufficient to shed any beneficial light on such issues. By looking at public-private partnerships, the present study determined that resource dependence, trust, and risk are the main factors affecting the feasibility of partnerships, and inductively developed propositions on their effects. In an explorative case study, Germany (decentralized mode of governance) and South Korea (centralized mode of governance) were compared as exemplary contrasting system designs. The results revealed that risk and trust are likely to affect the feasibility of partnerships, whereas resource dependence is not. The following additional findings also were made: (1) there are cultural actors in a 'for profit, but with non-profit purposes' sector; (2) an interpersonal level of trust positively affects partnerships; (3) 'taking risks' brings about 'innovation'; (4) the existence of international commonalities between any two cases depending on the actors' shared role, whether public or private; (5) public actors' emphasis on mutual trust, program budget and execution, innovations coming from taking risks, commitment and ownership, and unexpected situations; (6) private actors' consideration of 'publicness' and grant-seeking or financial support as important incentives, and their desire that public actors to show more trust, professionalism, and ownership with less control over budget execution. With its qualitative approach and in-depth analysis, the present study yielded new insights, notwithstanding the relatively small sample data.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.166-171
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• 2008

The feasibility of photo-identification techniques for the bottlenose dolphins from Jeju Island, Korea, and the potential for dolphin watching were simultaneously evaluated in this study. During the sighting survey, a pod of bottlenose dolphins composed of approximately 30 individuals was observed in the southwestern coastal area of Jeju Island. Among 35 suitable photographs, five bottlenose dolphin individuals were identified and cataloged using unique nicks and notches on their dorsal fins. This shows that the Jeju Island dolphins can be individually identified by the nicks and notches on their dorsal fins using photo-identification techniques. Furthermore, the Jeju Island population appears to be suitable for long-term population biology studies using this technique. The potential for dolphin watching around the island would be higher if more information on the seasonal distribution, movement, and residency of this population were obtained.