• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 2017

A Sub-kWe small-scale experimental test loop was manufactured to investigate characteristics of the supercritical carbon dioxide power cycle. A high-speed turbo-generator was also designed and manufactured. The designed rotational speed of this turbo-generator was 200,000 rpm. Because of the low expansion ratio through the turbine and low mass flowrate, the rotational speed of the turbo-generator was high. Therefore, it was difficult to select the rotating parts and design the turbine wheel, axial force balance and rotor dynamics in the lab-scale experimental test loop. Using only one channel of the nozzle, the partial admission method was adapted to reduce the rotational speed of the rotor. This was the world's first approach to the supercritical carbon dioxide turbo-generator. A cold-run test using nitrogen gas under an atmospheric condition was conducted to observe the effect of the partial admission nozzle on the rotor dynamics. The vibration level of the rotor was obtained using a gap sensor, and the results showed that the effect of the partial admission nozzle on the rotor dynamics was allowable.

• KIPS Transactions on Computer and Communication Systems
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.135-142
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• 2016

We proposed the new method to estimate the blood pressure with the differential value of the digital arterial pulse waveform and BP relation equation. To get the digital arterial pulse waveform, we use the arterial pulse waveform measurement system that has digital air-pressure sensor device and smart phone. The acquired digital arterial pulse waveforms are classified as hypertension group, normal group, and hypotension group, and we can derive the average differential value between the highest point and lowest point of a single waveform of individuals along with the group. In this study, we found the functional correlation between the blood pressure and differential value as a form of BP relation equation through the regression process on the average of differential value and blood pressure value from a tonometer. The Experimental results show the BP relation equation can give easy blood pressure estimation method with a high accuracy. Although this estimation method has over 66 % error rate and does not give the high level of the accuracy for the diastolic compares to the commercial tonometer, the estimation results for the systolic show the high accuracy that has less than 10 % error rate.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2001

Conventional microgyroscopes of vibrating type require resonant frequency tuning of the driving and sensing modes to achieve high sensitivity. These tuning conditions depend on each fabricated microgyroscopes, even though the microgyroscopes are identically designed. A new micromachined resonator, which is applicable to microgyroscopes with self-toning characteristics, is presented. Since the laterally driven two degrees of freedom (2DOF) resonator was designed as a symmetric structure with identical stiffness in two orthogonal axes, the resonator is applicable to vibrating microgyroscopes, which do not need mode tuning. A dynamic model of the resonator was derived considering gyroscopic application. The dynamic model was evaluated by experimental comparison with fabricated resonators. The microgyroscopes were fabricated using a simple 2-mask-process of a single polysilicon layer deposited on an insulator layer. The feasibility of the resonator as a vibrating microgyroscopes with self-tuning capability is discussed. The fabricated resonators of a particular design have process-induced non-uniformities that cause different resonant frequencies. For several resonators, the standard deviations of the driving and sensing frequencies were as high as 1232Hz and 1214Hz, whereas the experimental average detuning frequency was 91.75Hz. The minimum detuned frequency was 68Hz with $0.034mVsec/^{\circ}$ sensitivity. The sensitivity of the microgyroscopes was low due to process-induced non-uniformity; the angular rate bandwidth, however, was wide. This resonator could be successfully applicable to a vibrating microgyroscopes with high sensitivity, if improvements in uniformity of the fabrication process are achieved. Further developments in improved integrated circuits are expected to lower the noise level even more.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.313-318
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• 2016

Purpose: This study measured and analyzed the PTO (power take off) torque of a transplanter according to the planting conditions during field operation. Methods: A torque measurement system was constructed with torque sensors to measure the torque of a PTO shaft, a measurement device to acquire sensor signals, and a power controller to provide power for a laptop computer. The field operation was conducted at four planting distances (26, 35, 43, and 80 cm) and two planting depths using the transplanter on a field with similar soil conditions. One-way ANOVA with planting distance and Duncan's multiple range test at a significance level of 0.05 were used to analyze the PTO torque. The torque ratio was calculated based on the minimum torque using the average PTO torque measured under each planting condition. Results: The average torques on the PTO shaft for planting distances of 26, 35, 43, and 80 cm at a low planting depth were 11.05, 9.07, 7.04, and 3.75 Nm, respectively; the same for planting distances of 26, 35, 43, and 80 cm at a middle planting depth were 12.20, 9.86, 7.94, and 4.32 Nm, respectively. When the planting distance decreased by 43, 35, and 26 cm, the torque ratio at a low planting depth increased by 88, 142, and 195%, respectively. When the planting distance decreased by 43, 35, and 26 cm, the torque ratio at the middle planting depth increased by 84, 128, and 182%, respectively. Conclusions: PTO torque fluctuated by planting distance and depth. Moreover, the PTO torque increased for short planting distances. Therefore, farmers should determine the planting conditions of the transplanter by considering the load and durability of the machine. The results of this study provide useful information pertaining to the optimum PTO design of the transplanter considering the field load.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.233-246
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• 2009

The partitioning of evapotranspiration (ET) into evaporation (E) and transpiration (T) is critical in understanding the water cycle and the couplings between the cycles of energy, water, and carbon. In forests, the total ET measured above the canopy consists of T from both overstory and understory vegetation, and E from soil and the intercepted precipitation. To quantify their relative contributions, we have measured ET from the floors of deciduous and coniferous forests in Gwangneung using eddy covariance technique from 1 June 2008 to 31 May 2009. Due to smaller eddies that contribute to turbulent transfer near the ground, we performed a spectrum analysis and found that the errors associated with sensor separation were <10%. The annual sum of the understory ET was 59 mm (16% of total ET) in the deciduous forest and 43 mm (~7%) in the coniferous forest. Overall, the understory ET was not negligible except during the summer season when the plant area index was near its maximum. In both forest canopies, the decoupling factor ($\Omega$) was about ~0.15, indicating that the understory ET was controlled mainly by vapor pressure deficit and soil moisture content. The differences in the understory ET between the two forest canopies were due to different environmental conditions within the canopies, particularly the contrasting air humidity and soil water content. The non-negligible understory ET in the Gwangneung forests suggests that the dual source or multi-level models are required for the interpretation and modeling of surface exchange of mass and energy in these forests.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.227-234
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• 2011

The hrp gene cluster in the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae is a key determinant of pathogenicity. Recent studies have demonstrated that specific host cell induction of the Ralstonia solanacearum hrp gene cluster is controlled by the PrhA (plant regulator of hrp) receptor. To characterize the role that P. syringae PrhA plays in the virulence of plant cells, a prhA homolog was isolated from P. syringae pv. tabaci and a $\Delta$prhA mutant was constructed by allelic exchange. The $\Delta$prhA mutant had reduced virulence in the host plant, and co-culture of P. syringae pv. tabaci and plant cell suspensions induced a much higher level of hrpA gene transcription than culture in hrp-inducing minimal medium. These results indicate that PrhA of P. syringae is a putative pathogen-plant cell contact sensor, therefore, we used a hrpA-gfp reporter fusion to monitor the in situ expression of PrhA. The results of this study demonstrated that PrhA induces hrp gene expression in P. syringae pv. tabaci in the presence of plant cells.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.129-135
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• 2010

This experiment was carried out to commercialize an irrigation control system by finding out problems and solving them in application of a nutrient supply system through this experiment. Its efficiency had been tested through hydroponic cultivation of tomato and cucumber using this system in the farmer's plastic house (1-2W, 20a : Yanggyo-ri, Oseong-myeon Gyeonggi-do) from November. 2006, too. In the first cultivation, tomato seeds (cultivar Coco, Takii Seed Co. Japan) were sowed on November 8, 2006, and transplanted on January 8, 2007. and then, in the second, cucumber (Chuichong, Nongwoo Seed Co.) were cultivated in the same plastic house (sowing date : June 27, transplanting date : July 13). In the third, another cucumber cultivar (Jo-woon, Dongbu-hannong Seed Co.) were cultivated (sowing date : September 5, transplanting date : September 23). All of seedlings were transplanted on perlite bag ($W340{\times}L1,200{\times}H150mm$, 40L). By using this system, 971 boxes (5 kg/box) of tomato were produced and sold, and then total income was 5,466 thousand won per 10a. On the second cultivation, total amount of cucumber production was 489 boxes (50 ea/box), and total income was 7,380 thousand won. On the third cultivation, total amount of production was 67 boxes (100 ea/box), and total income was 1,854 thousand won. On the other hand, this system saved irrigated water by 50% ($4,000{\rightarrow}2,000L/10a/day$) in tomato cultivation, and by 44%($4,500{\rightarrow}2,500L/10a/day$) in cucumber cultivation. It also saved cost of nutrients by 50% in tomato ($1,648{\rightarrow}824thousand\;won/10a$), and 44% in cucumber ($1,648{\rightarrow}725thousand\;won/10a$). Furthermore this irrigation system maintained moisture content in perlite bag stable during cultivation period. Therefore, this system was successfully applied on farmer's greenhouse without a problem and can be commercialized for farmers.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.415-424
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• 2019

In this paper, a minimum rotation radius was designed and fabricated to overcome the threshold so that elderly or disabled people who have difficulty moving can move and transfer safely and conveniently in a narrow room. In the indoor environment, where the sedentary culture develops, this study aimed to provide convenience for passengers with fracture diseases, geriatric diseases, and other knee and waist diseases. First, links, seats, armrests, covers, motors, batteries, chargers, controllers, etc. were attached to the frame so that they could be moved and lifted indoors. The product design and structure were designed considering the user's environment and physical characteristics, and IoT functions were added. A driving experiment was performed to confirm the operating performance of the manufactured indoor moving and lifting wheelchair. The performance tests, such as continuous running time, turning radius, maximum actuator load, maximum lift height, sound pressure level, minimum sensing distance of the driving aid sensor, interworking of server and app programs, device compatibility, and duty cycle error rate, were performed. As a result of the test, the built-in wheelchair could achieve the performance test target of each item and operate successfully.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.1-1
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• 2016

Many of the world's large ecosystems are severely stressed due to population growth, water quality and quantity problems, vulnerability to flood and drought, and the loss of native species and cultural resources. Consequences of climate change further increase uncertainties about the future. These major societal challenges must be addressed through innovations in governance, policy, and ways of implementing management strategies. Science and engineering play a critical role in helping define possible alternative futures that could be achieved and the possible consequences to economic development, quality of life, and sustainability of ecosystem services. Science has advanced rapidly during the past decade with the emergence of science communities coalescing around 'Grand Challenges' and the maturation of how these communities function has resulted in large interdisciplinary research networks. An example is the River Experiment Center of KICT that engages researchers from throughout Korea and the world. This trend has been complemented by major advances in sensor technologies and data synthesis to accelerate knowledge discovery. These factors combine to allow scientific debate to occur in a more open and transparent manner. The availability of information and improved communication of scientific and engineering issues is raising the level of dialogue at the science-policy interface. However, severe challenges persist since scientific discovery does not occur on the same timeframe as management actions, policy decisions or at the pace sometimes expected by elected officials. Common challenges include the need to make decisions in the face of considerable uncertainty, ensuring research results are actionable and preventing science being used by special interests to delay or obsfucate decisions. These challenges are explored in the context of examples from the United States, including the California Bay-Delta system. California transfers water from the wetter northern part of the state to the drier southern part of the state through the Central Valley Project since 1940 and this was supplemented by the State Water Project in 1973. The scale of these activities is remarkable: approximately two thirds of the population of Californians rely on water from the Delta, these waters also irrigate up to 45% of the fruits & vegetables produced in the US, and about 80% of California's commercial fishery species live in or migrate through the Bay-Delta. This Delta region is a global hotspot for biodiversity that provides habitat for over 700 species, but is also a hotspot for the loss of biodiversity with more than 25 species currently listed by the Endangered Species Act. Understanding the decline of the fragile ecosystem of the Bay-Delta system and the potential consequences to economic growth if water transfers are reduced for the environment, the California State Legislature passed landmark legislation in 2009 (CA Water Code SS 85054) that established "Coequal goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem". The legislation also stated that "The coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place." The challenges of integrating policy, management and scientific research will be described through this and other international examples.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.168-177
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• 2015

Here we study the anti-obesity effects of by-product from soybean on mouse fed high fat diet. The body weight gain, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue weight, liver and epididymal adipose tissue weight in freeze-dried soybean-soaking-water (SSW) powder fed group showed lower level than those in high fat diet (HFD) group by determining with weight measuring and histological methods. Also, histological analyses of the liver and fat tissues of SSW grouped mice revealed significantly less number of lipid droplets formation and smaller size of adipocytes compared to the HFD group. Moreover, the levels of total serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and the atherogenic index were decreased in the SSW groups. Especially, in SSW group, the levels of phosphorylation of two lipid oxidation enzymes, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylasse (ACC) were elevated hence that may activate fatty acid oxidation. But AST and ALT levels were not changed in blood. By micro-CT analysis of abdomen, SSW groups significantly showed a tendency to decrease visceral and subcutaneous fats as well as fat-deposited areas compared to HFD group. Taken together, we suggest that soybean soaking water has a function in ameliorating obesity through inhibiting lipid synthesis as well as stimulating fatty acid oxidation.