• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.190-203
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data to ensure the safety and essential performance of a Lower Extremity robotic assisted gait training system and to provide advanced technology and technical basis to the industry handling the system. Based on IEC 60601-1:2012/AMD2:2020 (Medical Electrical Equipment - General requirements for basic safety and essential performance of medical electrical equipment), IEC 62366-1:2015/AMD1:2020 (Medical devices - Part 1: Application of usability engineering to medical devices) and EN ISO 14971:2019 (Medical devices - Application of risk management to medical devices), the requirements for ensuring the safety and essential performance of the Lower Extremity robotic assisted gait training system were derived. Through the Delphi survey method and scenario analysis, which reflects the opinions and knowledge of experts in the fields of development, testing and review of technical documents, and quality assurance of medical devices, validity and reliability were conducted and obtained results with adequate content validity ratio (CVR; 0.7≤) and excellent reliability (Cronbach's α; 0.9≤). As a result, it was confirmed that the reliability and validity of the risk management process to ensure the safety and essential performance of the Lower Extremity robotic assisted gait training system are required a model can be established to provide measures to reduce risks according to the level of risk exposure caused by usage.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.1485-1494
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• 2023

The bow of the nuclear fuel assembly is a well-known phenomenon. One of the vital criteria during the history of nuclear fuel development has been fuel assembly's mechanical stability. Once present, the fuel assembly bow can lead to safety issues like excessive water gap and power redistribution or even incomplete rod insertion (IRI). The extensive bow can result in assembly handling and loading problems. This is why the fuel assembly's bow is one of the most often controlled geometrical factors during periodic fuel inspections for VVER when compared e.g. to on-site fuel rod gap measurements or other instrumental measurements performed on-site. Our proposed screening method uses existing video records for fuel inspection. We establish video frames normalization and aggregation for the purposes of bow measurement. The whole process is done by digital image processing algorithms which analyze rotations of video frames, extract angles whose source is the fuel set torsion, and reconstruct torsion schema. This approach provides results comparable to the commonly utilized method. We tested this new approach in real operation on 19 fuel assemblies with different campaign numbers and designs, where the average deviation from other methods was less than 2 % on average. Due to the fact, that the method has not yet been validated during full scale measurements of the fuel inspection, the preliminary results stand for that we recommend this method as a complementary part of standard bow measurement procedures to increase measurement robustness, lower time consumption and preserve or increase accuracy. After completed validation it is expected that the proposed method allows standalone fuel assembly bow measurements.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.11-11
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• 2021

Ferns have been consumed as food in many countries for centuries. As rich sources of protein, fiber, minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, and fatty acids, ferns provide important nutrients to humans. Eastern bracken (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex A. Heller) is the most popular edible fern in South Korea where, additionally, it has long been used as an edible wild leaf vegetable. Recently, the production of eastern brackens in South Korea (2018) has reached 14,032 tons, for an annual revenue of 83.5 billion won, and even more eastern brackens are marketed if imports are taken into account as well. Most of the common ferns can be propagated using spores. However, fern farmers cultivate seedlings through traditional propagation methods, such as root pruning or rhizome division. These propagation methods exhibit limitations in forming roots and growing-points and are labor intensive. Quality seedlings of eastern bracken can be obtained through spore propagation, but the spores are fine and difficult to handle in the field. In addition, it would require appropriate environmental control. The production of synthetic seeds using encapsulation technology is easy to establish and it can be used to achieve high productivity at low cost. Synthetic seeds contain explants embedded into a seed foam, and they overcome the limitations of micropropagation and offer the possibility of using plug seedlings. Synthetic seed matrix, such as sodium alginate, has the advantages of low cost, low toxicity, and gel stability. The present study aimed to develop and produce synthetic seeds for the commercial exploitation of eastern bracken. Furthermore, we verified spore germination and the extent of gametophyte and sporophyte development achieved with our new synthetic seeds, whose production was intended to solve current problems with the handling, storage, and transportation of eastern bracken.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2024

Slags from steel-making industry have been recycled at a target rate of 95% and most of them are recycled as media-contact type such as fill and cover materials in Korea. However, as they contain free phase CaO during their generation, they may not only expand and collapse upon contact with water, but high pH leachate and heavy metals leaching may occur. In this study, the Korean leaching procedure (KLP) and up-flow percolation test were performed for the samples collected from 17 steel-making production plants in Korea. The waste quality criteria were met in all tests, but pH of the samples was above 10. There are no regulations on the pH of leachate in most of the countries, however, Germany, Italy, and Australia have set a pH range of 10 to 13 for the leachates. Although slag leachate cannot be considered hazardous based only on its high pH, it is necessary to reduce the pH of leachate to minimize the impact on the surrounding environment. Furthermore, conflicting regulations on wastes handling and management in Korea created confusion on the types of wastes subject to recycling. Therefore, an appropriate management plan for steel-making slags needs to be established. To this end, this study attempted to provide a guideline for managing steel-making slag waste by considering international guidelines and current management practices in Korea.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2024

Background: E-waste workers in Hong Kong are handling an unprecedented amount of e-waste, which contains various neurotoxic chemicals. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate the neurological health status of e-waste workers in Hong Kong. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of neurobehavioral alterations and to identify the vulnerable groups among Hong Kong e-waste workers. Methods: We recruited 109 Hong Kong e-waste workers from June 2021 to September 2022. Participants completed standard questionnaires and wore a GENEActiv accelerometer for seven days. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Questionnaire 16/18 (Q16/18) were used to assess subjective neurobehavioral alterations. The GENEActiv data generated objective sleep and circadian rhythm variables. Workers were grouped based on job designation and entity type according to the presumed hazardous level. Unconditional logistic regression models measured the associations of occupational characteristics with neurobehavioral alterations after adjusting for confounders. Results: While dismantlers/repairers and the workers in entities not funded by the government were more likely to suffer from neurotoxic symptoms in Q18 (adjusted odds ratio: 3.18 [1.18-9.39] and 2.77 [1.10-7.46], respectively), the workers from self-sustained recycling facilities also have poor performances in circadian rhythm. Results also showed that the dismantlers/repairers working in entities not funded by the government had the highest risk of neurotoxic symptoms compared to the lowest-risk group (i.e., workers in government-funded companies with other job designations). Conclusion: This timely and valuable study emphasizes the importance of improving the working conditions for high-risk e-waste workers, especially the dismantlers or repairers working in facilities not funded by the government.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2024

Gross examination techniques (GETs) of specimens collected from cancer surgery or endoscopy comprise the act of recording visual information about cancer for accurate histopathological diagnosis and collecting sections of the lesion to create microscopic specimens. GETs must include concise and accurate expressions, appropriate structuring, sufficient resections, error-free standardization of important information, and photo-diagramming of complex specimens. To increase the satisfaction of pathological interpretation, it is a task that must be performed accurately and carefully to gain confidence on a theoretical and practical basis with a sufficient understanding of gross examination. Based on the experience of clinical pathologists in the field of GETs, additional specimen types should be identified as viable candidates. Also, their needs and concerns regarding treatment should be carefully considered. In addition, departments at each institution should review the national focus on clinical partnerships, continuous professional training, diagnostic errors, and value-based healthcare provision.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.139-148
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• 2024

This study takes a comprehensive look at how technological advances have changed the way 2D animation is created. Humans are constantly looking for new ways and technologies to express movement, which has led to many changes in the way 2D animation is produced. In this study, we will examine the impact of these changes on 2D animation production and explore the possibilities for future developments. In the early days of 2D animation, the production method was repeatedly changed by the invention of technologies such as celluloid sheets, rotoscopes, and multiplane cameras, while the advent of digital technology has led to revolutionary changes such as the development of CAPS(computer animation production systems), various digital tools, and the combination of 2D and 3D. In addition, the recent introduction of generative AI is rapidly changing the way 2D animation is produced by automatically handling various tasks. These advances have not only streamlined the production of animation, but have also reduced costs by shortening the production period, and greatly improved the quality of animation by making it easier to implement complex and sophisticated visual effects. The introduction of generative AI has pushed the boundaries of what can be represented in 2D animation. On the other hand, the introduction of digital technology has its drawbacks, as the mechanical and uniform style produced by digital tools can reduce originality and individuality, but advances in technology will open up the possibilities for 2D animation to be produced in a variety of ways, as it fosters the creation of new expressions and creative content.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 2004

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of practical variations in feed restriction, pre-slaughter handing and chilling regime on pork quality during ageing. A total of twenty male landraces were allocated into three treatments(i.e., pre-slaughter feeding, stress and chilling regime) in a factorial arrangement. pH, temperature, free calcium ions, WB-shear force, sarcomere length, cooking loss, drip loss and objective color were determined during rigor development and/or 1, 3, 7 d postmortem. Pre-slaughter chasing stress for approximately 15 min had no effects on pH/temperature profile and objective meat quality. There was an interaction(P < 0.05) between the fasting treatment and chi1ling regime for muscle temperature at pH 6.2. Sarcomere length indicated that the current experiment conditions did not induce muscle shortening, with 1.7 to 1.8 ${\mu}m$, in spite of a significant effect of the fasting treatment (P<0.01). Pigs fed until the morning of slaughter showed a low WB-shear force(P < 0.05) until 3 d at I "C. The treatment also resulted in a higher Hunter L* and a*(P < 0.05) at 24 h and 7 d. Fasted pigs showed a significantly(P < 0.05) reduced cooking loss. The current results indicated that feeding upon the morning of slaughter became detrimental on meat color and the negative effect on cooking loss were linearly elevated with increased ageing time. On the other hand, WB-shear force did not distinguishable after 3 d. Collectively, it appeared that feed restriction from a day before slaughter could produce more a desirable meat quality at the time of consuming. However, the limited effect of animal handling and chilling rate on meat quality is not necessarily to extend to that these do not affect pork quality, as that largely depends on experimental design.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.59-72
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• 2008

Computing systems in the modern era are expanding rapidly to include mobile-based businesses that make us of the various convergence distributed business process. This has lead to growing interest in the field of mobile embedded software development methodology, which has in turn lead to the proliferation of the embedded mobility. The use of CBD (Component Based Development) provides reusability, maintainability and portability, all of which are very important and focus issues to the business process. It also comes with the inherent productivity, quality and reliability of CBD. To make efficient use of CBD, though, clarified interface definitions for component integration are necessary. These definitions should be made up of collaborative hierarchical and horizontal architecture layers. Successful definitions should apply an effective framework made up of the architecture and process. In this paper, we describe an interface specification for small grained mobile embedded components(MEC) for the mobile embedded domain to meet maximum user requirements. We build and deploy the reconfigurable design patterns and components (in business domain categories) to make a component hierarchy and business logics for mobile embedded software. Proposed components specification plays a major role in development of the software for handling inconsistency in existing specification. It also includes plenty of specification information, using semantics and modeling based mechanisms to support business processes. We propose a development model of mobile embedded software using CBD for very complex and dynamic mobile business. We can apply it in a plug and play manner to develop the software. We verify that our framework supports very good productivity, quality and maintainability to meet the user's requirements in mobile business.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 1997

Continual monitoring of abnormal operating conditions i a key issue in maintaining high product quality and safe operation, since the undetected process abnormality may lead to the undesirable operations, finally producing low quality products, or breakdown of equipment. The statistical projection method recently highlighted has the advantage of easily building reference model with the historical measurement data in the statistically in-control state and not requiring any detailed mathematical model or knowledge-base of process. As the complexity of process increases, however, we have more measurement variables and recycle streams. This situation may not only result in the frequent occurrence of process Perturbation, but make it difficult to pinpoint trouble-making causes or at most assignable source unit due to the confusing candidates. Consequently, an ad hoc skill to monitor and diagnose in plat-wide scale is needed. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical plant-wide monitoring methodology based on hierarchical decomposition and principal component analysis for handling the complexity and interactions among process units. This have the effect of preventing special events in a specific sub-block from propagating to other sub-blocks or at least delaying the transfer of undesired state, and so make it possible to quickly detect and diagnose the process malfunctions. To prove the performance of the proposed methodology, we simulate the Tennessee Eastman benchmark process which is operated continuously with 41 measurement variables of five major units. Simulation results have shown that the proposed methodology offers a fast and reliable monitoring and diagnosis for a large scale chemical plant.