• 공업화학
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.352-366
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• 2022

Nuclear power plant operations for electricity generation, rare-earth mining, nuclear medical research, and nuclear weapons reprocessing considerably increase radioactive waste, necessitating massive efforts to eradicate radioactive waste from aquatic environments. Cobalt (⁵⁸Co) and strontium (⁹⁰Sr) radioactive elements have been extensively employed in energy generation, nuclear weapon testing, and the manufacture of healthcare products. The erroneous discharge of these elements as pollutants into the aquatic system, radiation emissions, and long-term disposal is extremely detrimental to humans and aquatic biota. Numerous methods for treating radioactive waste-contaminated water have emerged, among which the adsorption process has been promoted for its efficacy in eliminating radioactive waste from aquatic habitats. The current review discusses the adsorptive removal of radioactive waste from aqueous solutions using low-cost adsorbents, such as graphene oxide, metal-organic frameworks, and inorganic metal oxides, as well as their composites. The chemical modification of adsorbents to increase their removal efficiency is also discussed. Finally, the current state of ⁵⁸Co and ⁹⁰Sr removal performances is summarized and the efficiencies of various adsorbents are compared.

• 한국멀티미디어학회논문지
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• 제25권8호
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• pp.1075-1084
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• 2022

Internet of Things(IoT) has become a key available technology for efficiently implementing device to device(D2D) services in various domains such as smart home, healthcare, smart city, agriculture, energy, logistics, and transportation. A lightweight publish/subscribe(Pub/Sub) messaging protocol not only establishes data dissemination pattern but also supports connectivity between IoT devices and their applications. Also, a Pub/Sub broker is deployed to facilitate data exchange among IoT devices. A scalable edge-based publish/subscribe (Pub/Sub) broker overlay networks support latency-sensitive IoT applications. In this paper, we design a hypercube grid quorum(HGQ) for distributed Pub/Sub systems based IoT applications. In designing HGQ, the network of hypercube structures suitable for the publish/subscribe model is built in the edge layer, and the proposed HGQ is designed by embedding a mesh overlay network in the hypercube. As their applications, we propose an HGQ-based mechansim for dissemination of the data of sensors or the message/event of IoT devices in IoT environments. The performance of HGQ is evaluated by analytical models. As the results, the latency and load balancing of applications based on the distributed Pub/Sub system using HGQ are improved.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.141-147
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• 2023

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a global threat to modern healthcare systems and has nullified many commonly used antibiotics. β-Lactam antibiotics are among the most successful and occupy approximately two-thirds of the prescription antibiotic market. They inhibit the synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer in the bacterial cell wall by mimicking the D-Ala-D-Ala in the pentapeptide crosslinking neighboring glycan chains. To date, various β-lactam antibiotics have been developed to increase the spectrum of activity and evade drug resistance. This review emphasizes the three-dimensional structural characteristics of β-lactam antibiotics regarding the overall scaffold, working mechanism, chemical diversity, and hydrolysis mechanism by β-lactamases. The structural insight into various β-lactams will provide an in-depth understanding of the antibacterial efficacy and susceptibility to drug resistance in multidrug-resistant bacteria and help to develop better β-lactam antibiotics and inhibitors.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.283-296
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• 2023

An intraoral spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system has been developed, using a custom-built hand-held scanner and spectrometer. The hand-held OCT probe, based on a microelectromechanical systems scanner and a self-built miniaturized drive circuit, had a field of view sufficient for dental diagnosis. The spectrometer using a fabricated f-theta lens provided the image depth required for dental diagnosis. The axial and transverse resolutions of the OCT system in air were 7.5 ㎛ and 12 ㎛ respectively. The hand-held probe could scan an area of 10 × 10 mm², and the spectrometer could image along a depth of 2.5 mm. To verify the utility of the developed OCT system, OCT images of tooth hard and soft tissues were acquired, and a user-interface program for diagnosis was developed. Early caries and microcracks that were difficult to diagnose with existing methods could be found, and the state of restoration could be observed. Measuring the depth of the gingival sulcus, distinguishing subgingival calculus, and detecting an implant under the gingiva suggested the possibility of the SD-OCT system as a diagnostic for dental soft tissues. Through the presented OCT images, the capability of the developed SD-OCT system for dental diagnosis was demonstrated.

• 한국분말재료학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.310-317
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• 2023

Small-film-type ion sensors are garnering considerable interest in the fields of wearable healthcare and home-based monitoring systems. The performance of these sensors primarily relies on electrode capacitance, often employing nanocomposite materials composed of nano- and sub-micrometer particles. Traditional techniques for enhancing capacitance involve the creation of nanoparticles on film electrodes, which require cost-intensive and complex chemical synthesis processes, followed by additional coating optimization. In this study, we introduce a simple one-step electrochemical method for fabricating gold nanoparticles on a carbon nanotube (Au NP-CNT) electrode surface through cyclic voltammetry deposition. Furthermore, we assess the improvement in capacitance by distinguishing between the electrical double-layer capacitance and diffusion-controlled capacitance, thereby clarifying the principles underpinning the material design. The Au NP-CNT electrode maintains its stability and sensitivity for up to 50 d, signifying its potential for advanced ion sensing. Additionally, integration with a mobile wireless data system highlights the versatility of the sensor for health applications.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.584-596
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of frontline nurses working during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: An online qualitative study was conducted using a pragmatic approach. The data were collected in August 2021. Registered Korean nurses who provided direct nursing care to patients with confirmed COVID-19 were eligible for this study. An online survey was used to gather free-text data, which were then analyzed using machine-based network analysis and summative content analysis. Results: The analysis examined the responses of 126 participants and led to the identification of six prominent themes. These themes were further classified into three distinct levels: personal, task, and organizational. The identified themes are as follows: "collapse of personal life," "being overwhelmed by the numerous roles required," "personal protective equipment was sufficiently provided, but that is not enough," "changes in interprofessional collaboration," "inappropriate workforce management," and "diverted allocation of healthcare services and resources." Conclusion: Our findings highlight areas for improvement in resources, systems, and policies to enhance preparedness for future pandemics.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.1518-1539
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• 2024

Artificial intelligence-enabled business models aim to improve decision-making, operational efficiency, innovation, and productivity. The presented systematic literature review is conducted to highlight elucidating the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) methods and techniques within AI-enabled businesses, the significance and functions of AI-enabled organizational models and frameworks, and the design parameters employed in academic research studies within the AI-enabled business domain. We reviewed 39 empirical studies that were published between 2010 and 2023. The studies that were chosen are classified based on the artificial intelligence business technique, empirical research design, and SLR search protocol criteria. According to the findings, machine learning and artificial intelligence were reported as popular methods used for business process modelling in 19% of the studies. Healthcare was the most experimented business domain used for empirical evaluation in 28% of the primary research. The most common reason for using artificial intelligence in businesses was to improve business intelligence. 51% of main studies claimed to have been carried out as experiments. 53% of the research followed experimental guidelines and were repeatable. For the design of business process modelling, eighteen AI mythology were discovered, as well as seven types of AI modelling goals and principles for organisations. For AI-enabled business models, safety, security, and privacy are key concerns in society. The growth of AI is influencing novel forms of business.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.302-308
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• 2024

With incessant advances in information technology and its implications in all domains of our lives, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a requirement for improved machine performance. This brings forth the query of how this can benefit endoscopists and improve both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy in each part of the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, it also raises the question of the recent benefits and clinical usefulness of this new technology in daily endoscopic practice. There are two main categories of AI systems: computer-assisted detection (CADe) for lesion detection and computer-assisted diagnosis (CADx) for optical biopsy and lesion characterization. Quality assurance is the next step in the complete monitoring of high-quality colonoscopies. In all cases, computer-aided endoscopy is used, as the overall results rely on the physician. Video capsule endoscopy is a unique example in which a computer operates a device, stores multiple images, and performs an accurate diagnosis. While there are many expectations, we need to standardize and assess various software packages. It is important for healthcare providers to support this new development and make its use an obligation in daily clinical practice. In summary, AI represents a breakthrough in digestive endoscopy. Screening for gastric and colonic cancer detection should be improved, particularly outside expert centers. Prospective and multicenter trials are mandatory before introducing new software into clinical practice.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.1714-1720
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• 2012

다중 검출기 컴퓨터단층촬영(multi-detector computed tomography; MDCT) 장비에서 이용되는 다양한 자동노출제어(automatic exposure control; AEC) 시스템에 대한 선량 감소 정도와 영상의 품질을 비교 평가하였다. 연구에 이용한 AEC 시스템은 General Electric(GE)사의 Auto-mA 3D, Philips사의 DoseRight, 그리고 Siemens사의 Care Dose 4D를 이용하였다. 모든 실험에서 X-선 노출 조건을 가능한 한 동일하게 하였다. 다양한 AEC 시스템에서 선량 감소 평가는 인체 모형을 이용하여 고정관류기법과 비교하여 평가하였다. 또한 영상 품질은 CT 계수(number)의 표준 편차를 이용하여 영상의 잡음을 측정하였다. 그 결과 AEC 시스템을 적용할 때 Auto-mA 3D는 35.3%, DoseRight는 58.2%, Care Dose 4D는 48.6%의 최대 선량감소가 있었으며, 영상품질에서는 Care Dose 4D의 강함/약함 (Strong/Weak)의 조합에서 유의한 차이가 없었다(P=0.269). 이런 다양한 AEC 시스템의 적용은 고품질의 영상을 유지하면서 선량을 감소하는데 매우 유용 할 것이라고 사료된다.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.504-516
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• 2018

재정의 지속가능성 확보는 보편적 의료보장(UHC)을 달성하기 위해 필수적이며, 전 세계적으로 재정관리체계 구성요소 중 하나인 전략적 구매기능에 관심이 높아지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 전략적 구매의 개념과 기능을 고찰하고, 한국 건강보험제도에 있어서의 구매기능과 관련 기관을 Preker(2005)가 제시한 전략적 구매 모형에 근거하여 검토하였다. 이를 위하여 관련 문헌을 고찰하였다. 전략적 구매는 주어진 예산의 범위 내에서 국민이 필요로 하는 보건의료서비스를 제공하기 위한 전략적 활동으로 정의된다. 구매관리자는 정부 혹은 국민들을 대신하여 구매 활동을 수행하며, 정부, 구매자, 의료공급자의 관계는 주인-대리인 이론으로 설명될 수 있다. 우리나라에서의 '구매'는 '한정된 재정 내에서 국민이 필요로 하는 보건의료를 제공하기 위한 전략적 활동으로 급여 범위와 대상 설정, 상급종합병원 지정이나 정보 공개 등 양질의 의료서비스 공급자 선정 활동, 급여기준과 가격 설정, 진료비 지불방법의 설계와 운영, 심사와 평가, 모니터링 활동을 포함'하는 것으로 설명할 수 있다. 건강보험심사평가원과 국민건강보험공단이 정부의 위임을 받아 주된 구매활동을 수행하며, 의료기관평가인증원과 한국보건의료연구원 등이 일부 역할을 담당하고 있다.