• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1323-1331
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• 2021

Objective: To identify the association between renal tumor complexity and pathologic renal sinus invasion (RSI) and evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography tumor features for predicting RSI in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 276 consecutive patients who underwent radical nephrectomy for RCC with a size of ≤ 7 cm between January 2014 and October 2017. Tumor complexity and anatomical renal sinus involvement were evaluated using two standardized scoring systems: the radius (R), exophytic or endophytic (E), nearness to collecting system or sinus (N), anterior or posterior (A), and location relative to polar lines (RENAL) nephrometry and preoperative aspects and dimensions used for anatomical classification (PADUA) system. CT-based tumor features, including shape, enhancement pattern, margin at the interface of the renal sinus (smooth vs. non-smooth), and finger-like projection of the mass, were also assessed by two independent radiologists. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors of RSI. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy of anatomical renal sinus involvement, and tumor features were evaluated. Results: Eighty-one of 276 patients (29.3%) demonstrated RSI. Among highly complex tumors (RENAL or PADUA score ≥ 10), the frequencies of RSI were 42.4% (39/92) and 38.0% (71/187) using RENAL and PADUA scores, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that a non-smooth margin and the presence of a finger-like projection were significant predictors of RSI. Anatomical renal sinus involvement showed high NPVs (91.7% and 95.2%) but low accuracy (40.2% and 43.1%) for RSI, whereas the presence of a non-smooth margin or finger-like projection demonstrated comparably high NPVs (90.0% and 91.3% for both readers) and improved accuracy (67.0% and 73.9%, respectively). Conclusion: A non-smooth margin or the presence of a finger-like projection can be used as a preoperative CT-based tumor feature for predicting RSI in patients with RCC.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.213-224
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• 2021

Objective: Clinical outcomes of patients who undergo transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for single small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not consistent, and may differ based on certain imaging findings. This retrospective study was aimed at determining the efficacy of pre-TACE CT or MR imaging findings in predicting survival outcomes in patients with small HCC upon being treated with TACE. Besides, the study proposed to build a risk prediction model for these patients. Materials and Methods: Altogether, 750 patients with functionally good hepatic reserve who received TACE as the first-line treatment for single small HCC between 2004 and 2014 were included in the study. These patients were randomly assigned into training (n = 525) and validation (n = 225) sets. Results: According to the results of a multivariable Cox analysis, three pre-TACE imaging findings (tumor margin, tumor location, enhancement pattern) and two clinical factors (age, serum albumin level) were selected and scored to create predictive models for overall, local tumor progression (LTP)-free, and progression-free survival in the training set. The median overall survival time in the validation set were 137.5 months, 76.1 months, and 44.0 months for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves of the predictive models for overall, LTP-free, and progression-free survival applied to the validation cohort showed acceptable areas under the curve values (0.734, 0.802, and 0.775 for overall survival; 0.738, 0.789, and 0.791 for LTP-free survival; and 0.671, 0.733, and 0.694 for progression-free survival at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively). Conclusion: Pre-TACE CT or MR imaging findings could predict survival outcomes in patients with small HCC upon treatment with TACE. Our predictive models including three imaging predictors could be helpful in prognostication, identification, and selection of suitable candidates for TACE in patients with single small HCC.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.49-62
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• 2024

Reckless development of the underground by rapid urbanization causes inspection delay on replacement of existing structure and installation new facilities. However, frequent accidents occur due to deviation in construction design planned by inaccurate location information of underground structure. Meanwhile, the electrical resistivity survey, knowns as non-destructive method, is based on the difference in the electric potential of electrodes to measure the electrical resistance of ground. This method is significantly advanced with multi-electrode and deep learning for analyzing strata. However, there is no study to quantitatively assess change in electrical resistance according to geometric conditions of structures. This study evaluates changes in electrical resistance through geometric parameters of electrodes and structure. Firstly, electrical resistance numerical module is developed using generalized mesh occurring minimal errors between theoretical and numerical resistance values. Then, changes in resistances are quantitatively compared on geometric parameters including burial depth, diameter of structure, and distance electrode and structure under steady current condition. The results show that higher electrical resistance is measured for shallow depth, larger size, and proximity to the electrode. Additionally, electric potential and current density distributions are analyzed to discuss the measured electrical resistance around the terminal electrode and structure.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 2024

The coastal dune ecosystem is one of the ecosystems under the most development pressure in Korea. Therefore, it is necessary to study the ecological location and related ecological phenomena of coastal dune plants, but related studies are lacking. Through this study, we intend to conduct research on the structure and restoration of dune plants, focusing on the coastal dunes in Jeju Island, which are affected by artificial development pressure and the continuous increase in tourists among many coastal dunes in Korea. Ecosystems of coastal sand dunes for vegetation survey in Jeju Island are selected based on naturalness and preservation. In this study, 23 major coastal dunes on Jeju Island including Udo were selected. In the coastal dunes of Jeju Island, a whole species survey and quadrat survey were carried out. The vegetation survey at study sites were conducted on May to September 2022, when the vegetation is clearly visible. At the survey site, the dune area was identified at the beginning and the plant species were recorded until no more new species appeared. Vegetation survey in the field was performed by 103 quadrat establishments and was conducted using Braun-Blanquet method. A total of 277 species appeared, and the most common species were Vitex rotundifolia and Calystegia soldanella. The frequency of both Vitex rotundifolia and Calystegia soldanella was approximately over 90%. The proportion of woody and herbaceous in all emerging species was 7.2% and 92.8%, respectively. The total number of species found in the quadrat survey was 98. As a result of classifying plant communities based on species dominance in the quadrats, it was analyzed into 30 plant communities. The plant communities that appeared with a frequency of 2 or more on the main island of Jeju were Vitex rotundifolia, Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii, Ischaemum antephoroides, Wedelia prostrata, Elymus mollis, Calystegia soldanella, Artemisia scoparia, and Tetragonia tetragonoides. The DCCA(detrended canonical correspondence analysis) based on the vegetation and environment factor matrix showed that the height and covers of the dominant plant species explain significantly the variation and distribution of coastal sand dune species on Jeju island. Thus, we may propose a plan to restore the coastal dunes of Jeju island as helping colonization and establishment of mainly sand dune native perennials and trees, preserving native plant communities that are declining and preserving present tree strips of Pinus thunbergii, Litsea japonica, Pittosporum tobira and Vitex rotundifolia.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.401-409
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• 2023

This study compared and analyzed the performance of a distributed area search algorithm and a distributed probability search algorithm based on information exchange between ships. The distributed algorithm is a method that can search for an optimal avoidance route based on information exchange between ships. In the distributed area search algorithm, only a ship with the maximum cost reduction among neighboring ships has priority, so the next expected location can be changed. The distributed stochastic search algorithm allows a non-optimal value to be searched with a certain probability so that a new value can be searched. A circular-based ship collision avoidance model was used for the ship-to-ship collision avoidance experiment. The experimental method simulated the distributed area search algorithm and the distributed stochastic search algorithm while increasing the number of ships from 2 to 50 that were the same distance from the center of the circle. The calculation time required for each algorithm, sailing distance, and number of message exchanges were compared and analyzed. As a result of the experiment, the DSSA(Distributed Stochastic Search Algorithm) recorded a 25%calculation time, 88% navigation distance, and 84% of number of message exchange rate compared to DLSA.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.131-152
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• 2023

One of the key domains within a smart tourism city, smart mobility, encompasses advanced transportation means and services rooted in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This includes shared bicycles, scooters, car-sharing services, smart transportation infrastructure, and more, aiming to surpass limitations of conventional transport and improve the movement of people and goods. It also serves tourists as an affordable and convenient mode of transport between attractions while also enhancing the overall travel experience. This study has defined 'smart tourism mobility' as a form of mobility grounded in ICT, exhibiting exceptional connectivity, serving public interest, and serving as a mode of transport for both residents and tourists in a smart tourism city. The research aimed to outline the scope of smart tourism mobility-related industries through expert Delphi surveys and estimate their economic effects within a smart tourism city. Specifically, this study updated 2015 input-output table and made 2020 regional input-output table of Seoul adopting RAS method and location quotient method. The results showed that the about 2.8 billion KRW investment of Seoul in smart tourism mobility may create more than 4.1 billion KRW in production inducement effect which is expected to create more than 1.6 billion KRW of income-inducing effect, 3.6 billion KRW of value-added-inducing effect, and 54 employment across all industries in Seoul in 2022.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.45-56
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• 2023

This study attempted to provide implications by analyzing the impact of business Owner's safety commitment on industrial accidents and examining the mediating role of management supervisors' safety leadership and worker participation. Analysis was conducted on 2,067 manufacturing sites with 20 to 50 employees in the 10th Occupational Safety and Health Survey data. SPSS waw used to secure the reliability of the measurement variable. Hypothesis vertification was carried out after securing the suitability and validity of the structural model using AMOS. The direct impact of three latent variables on industrial accidents was confirmed: the business owner's safety commitment, the management supervisor's safety leadership, and the worker participation. The employer's safety will and the management supervisor's safety leadership do not directly affect industial accidents, but it has been verified that worker participation has a diret impact on industrial accident reduction. In addition, it has been confirmed that the safety leadership and worker participation of the management. Supervior have a complete mediating effect on the reduction of industrial accidents by mediating with the safety leadership of the management supervior and the participation of the workers. This study analyzed the impact on industrial accidents by dividing the stakeholders constituting the workplace into three classes: business owners, superviors, and workers, but the results suggest that employers and all workers inside the workplace may be organically linked to achieving the goal of reducing industrial accidents. Therefore, in order to establish an autonomous safety management system for safety and health at workerplaces, efforts are needed to reduce industrial accidents in their respective location by forming an organic community among internal stakeholders.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.15-25
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• 2024

In this study, the regeneration effect of pressurized water and ultrasonic cleaning was investigated for contaminated filter cloth from the sewage sludge filter press process. For this purpose, contaminated filter cloth was collected from a 3-ton sewage sludge hydrothermal carbon treatment filter press. First, the contamination characteristics were analyzed. According to the location of the filter cloth, air permeability and unit mass were measured, and compared with the values of a new filter cloth. Next, the results were mapped over the entire area to evaluate the contamination characteristics. Finally, pressure cleaning at 3 bar and ultrasound at frequencies of 34, 76, 120, and 168 kHz were performed on the contaminated filter cloth. In addition, the cleaning efficiency was evaluated by 3 levels of contamination degree. As a result, pore contamination occurred mainly at the bottom and both sides of the filter cloth, where the filter material was continuously injected and compressed. Surface contamination appeared evenly over the entire area. As a result of washing, air permeability increased by 1.3-3.1%p and contaminant removal was by 2.7-4.4% under pressure. In ultrasonic cleaning, air permeability increased by 12.5-61.5%p and contaminants were removed by 2.7-29.2%. In ultrasonic cleaning the lower the frequency, the higher air permeability and contaminant removal rate. Also, The higher pore contamination level, the better the air permeability improvement and contaminant removal.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.221-231
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• 2024

The aim of this study was to enhance the safety and care of mental health for seafarer working in passenger ship workspaces. Brightness, color values, and color distribution were investigated with issues and improvement ways identified through seafarers' interviews. Firstly, previous studies, references, current policy, regulations, and accident case studies were reviewed. Color compositions of wheelhouse and engine room of M Ship were then surveyed in the field. Color values of each space were analyzed using a colorimeter. Colormeter analysis of brightness and color measurements in the wheelhouse and engine areas indicated that ceilings, walls, and floors were generally dark, with the engine area being very dark. Regarding color, green and blue were distributed in the ceiling of the wheelhouse and engine area, while red and blue were in the walls and floors of the wheelhouse and engine area. According to interviews with seafarers currently working at engine rooms, they responded about their experience of near miss incidents due to a decrepit indoor environment, a dark working environment, slippery and bright flooring, and stairs that were not suitable for domestic users. Thus, when installing lighting in the future, the brightness of the space should be improved by distinguishing between night and day. A lighting plan considering the location of lighting, level of shadow formation and contrast, reflectance of the facility, glare, color of light, floor color plan, and material selection is needed. A facility design suitable for domestic users is also needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.147-156
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• 2023

Because the behavior of cable bridges is dominated by dynamic response and is relatively complex, short- and long-term field monitoring are often required to evaluate the bridge condition. If a permanent SHMS (Structural Health Monitoring System) is not installed, a portable monitoring system is needed for the checking of bridge condition. In this case, it can be difficult to operate the portable monitoring system due to limited conditions such as power and communication according to the location and type of the bridge. In this study, the portable-based smart structural response monitoring system is developed that can be effectively used for short- and long-term monitoring of cable bridges in Korea and Southeast Asia. The developed system is a multi-channel portable data acquisition and analyzer that can be operated for a long time in the field using its own power supply system, and is included with the automated analysis algorithm for the dynamic characteristics of cable bridges using real-time data. In order to evaluate the field applicability of the developed system, field demonstration was conducted on cable bridges in Korea and Vietnam. Through the demonstration, the reliability and efficiency of field operation of the developed system were confirmed, and additionally, the possibility of application to overseas markets was confirmed in cable bridge monitoring field.