• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.788-793
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• 2018

High-density spent fuel (SF) storage racks have been installed to increase SF pool capacity. In these SF racks, neutron absorber materials were placed between fuel assemblies allowing the storage of fuel assemblies in close proximity to one another. The purpose of the neutron absorber materials is to preclude neutronic coupling between adjacent fuel assemblies and to maintain the fuel in a subcritical storage condition. METAMIC neutron absorber has been used in high-density storage racks. But, neutron absorber materials can be subject to severe conditions including long-term exposure to gamma radiation and neutron radiation. Recently, some of them have experienced degradation, such as white spots on the surface. Under these conditions, the material must continue to serve its intended function of absorbing neutrons. For the first time in Korea, this article uses a neutron attenuation test to examine the performance of METAMIC surveillance coupons. Also, scanning electron microscope analysis was carried out to verify the white spots that were detected on the surface of METAMIC. In the neutron attenuation test, there was no significant sign of boron loss in most of the METAMIC coupons, but the coupon with white spots had relatively less B-10 content than the others. In the scanning electron microscope analysis, corrosion material was detected in all METAMIC coupons. Especially, it was confirmed that the coupon with white spots contains much more corrosion material than the others.

• International Journal of Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent Systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.186-191
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• 2015

Hand gesture is the most common tool used to interact with and control various electronic devices. In this paper, we propose a novel hand gesture recognition method using fuzzy logic based classification with a new type of sensor array. In some cases, feature patterns of hand gesture signals cannot be uniquely distinguished and recognized when people perform the same gesture in different ways. Moreover, differences in the hand shape and skeletal articulation of the arm influence to the process. Manifold features were extracted, and efficient features, which make gestures distinguishable, were selected. However, there exist similar feature patterns across different hand gestures, and fuzzy logic is applied to classify them. Fuzzy rules are defined based on the many feature patterns of the input signal. An adaptive neural fuzzy inference system was used to generate fuzzy rules automatically for classifying hand gestures using low number of feature patterns as input. In addition, emotion expression was conducted after the hand gesture recognition for resultant human-robot interaction. Our proposed method was tested with many hand gesture datasets and validated with different evaluation metrics. Experimental results show that our method detects more hand gestures as compared to the other existing methods with robust hand gesture recognition and corresponding emotion expressions, in real time.

• IEMEK Journal of Embedded Systems and Applications
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.277-283
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• 2023

Vital signals provide essential information regarding the health status of individuals, thereby contributing to health management and medical research. Present monitoring methods, such as ECGs (Electrocardiograms) and smartwatches, demand proximity and fixed postures, which limit their applicability. To address this, Non-contact vital signal measurement methods, such as CW (Continuous-Wave) radar, have emerged as a solution. However, unwanted signal components and a stepwise processing approach lead to errors and limitations in heart rate detection. To overcome these issues, this study introduces an integrated neural network approach that combines noise removal, demodulation, and dominant-frequency detection into a unified process. The neural network employed for signal processing in this research adopts a MLP (Multi-Layer Perceptron) architecture, which analyzes the in-phase and quadrature signals collected within a specified time window, using two distinct input layers. The training of the neural network utilizes CW radar signals and reference heart rates obtained from the ECG. In the experimental evaluation, networks trained on different datasets were compared, and their performance was assessed based on loss and frequency accuracy. The proposed methodology exhibits substantial potential for achieving precise vital signals through non-contact measurements, effectively mitigating the limitations of existing methodologies.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.122-129
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• 2024

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that are usually benign in nature. They may be either familial or sporadic in their occurrence. Numerous neuroendocrine tumors are collectively included under the umbrella of paragangliomas. Among them, carotid body tumors and glomus jugulare tumors are extremely rare. Thus, we present a rare case of 29-year-old male who was admitted with hearing difficulties and tinnitus in the left ear, with swelling on the left side of the neck. Based on clinical and radiological findings, a diagnosis of left-sided glomus jugulare with carotid body tumor was made. The patient underwent a two-stage surgery with an interval of approximately 2 months. Histopathology revealed a paraganglioma. Herein, we present the clinical features, imaging findings, management, and a brief review of literature on the classification, evaluation, and management of carotid body and glomus jugulare tumors. Paraganglioma is a slow-growing tumor. The synchronous occurrence of carotid body and glomus jugulare tumors is infrequent. Microsurgical resection remains the primary treatment modality. Therefore, our patient underwent two-stage surgery. The rarity of occurrence and the proximity and adherence to vital neurovascular structures have resulted in the treatment of paragangliomas remaining a challenge.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.223-227
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• 2013

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to develop a general purpose baler system that is appropriate for the domestic forage cultivation environment and operated by the medium size tractor for production of bale silage made of green forage crops, and to test its performance. Methods: In a first experiment, the time of formation per one bale and densities of bales that are produced from bale system, were measured. In a second experiment, power requirement was measured by a power measurement system manufactured during bale system work. Results: The power measurement system was constructed with strain-gage sensors to measure torque of a PTO axle and proximity sensor to measure rotating speed of a PTO axle. Thus, the power requirement was calculated by PTO torque and PTO rotating speed. For evaluation of bale quality, the samples of bales were analyzed for contents of moisture, ADF, NDF and TDN. Conclusions: If the results of this study will be utilized, the coefficient of utilization of agricultural machinery will be increased by the operation of a medium size tractor that is a major disseminated tractor in farm, and it will contribute tremendously to make a forage production base for livestock farms.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.520-527
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• 2021

In this study, we focused on the low practicality of traditional outdoor advertisements due to uniformity of materials, shapes, and designs, so in order to improve it, we will analyze impact on the practicality of outdoor advertisements depends on the attached type of advertising signboards. The research method is to set up a research model and hypotheses through a literature review and conduct a survey and then perform factor analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. Hypothesis1. The evaluation factors (readability, formability or symbolism) of outdoor advertising signboard in traditional markets will affect their practicality. Hypothesis 2. The type of attached advertising signboards (protruding type or wall-type) in traditional markets will control the impact of each evaluation factors' on practicality. In a result, readability and formability will affect practicality. To increase practicality, the size, color, font, layout and etc. of outdoor advertising signboards should be well recognized to get the better understanding. Also, practicality will be increased by the harmonization and the sense of balance.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.773-784
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• 2023

In this study, we developed a dynamic model and steering controller model for an autonomous tractor and evaluated their performance. The traction force was measured using a 6-component load cell, and the rotational speed of the wheels was monitored using proximity sensors installed on the axles. Torque sensors were employed to measure the axle torque. The PI (proportional integral) controller's coefficients were determined using the trial-error method. The coefficient of the P varied in the range of 0.1 - 0.5 and the I coefficient was determined in 3 increments of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1. To validate the simulation model, we conducted RMS (root mean square) comparisons between the measured data of axle torque and the simulation results. The performance of the steering controller model was evaluated by analyzing the damping ratio calculated with the first and second overshoots. The average front and rear axle torque ranged from 3.29 - 3.44 and 6.98 - 7.41 kNm, respectively. The average rotational speed of the wheel ranged from 29.21 - 30.55 rpm at the front, and from 21.46 - 21.63 rpm at the rear. The steering controller model exhibited the most stable control performance when the coefficients of P and I were set at 0.5 and 0.01, respectively. The RMS analysis of the axle torque results indicated that the left and right wheel errors were approximately 1.52% and 2.61% (at front) and 7.45% and 7.28% (at rear), respectively.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.438-447
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• 2024

Tongyeong is an important shellfish harvesting area, that hosts the largest designated sea area for shellfish exports in South Korea. In particular, the Dosan-Poonghwa Sea Area in Tongyeong is a semi-enclosed bay with poor water circulation and significant pollution due to its proximity to urban areas. This study examined the distribution of fecal pollution indicators (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, male-specific coliphages, and norovirus G1/G2) in the influent and effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). This study assessed the impact of the effluent discharge on shellfish harvesting areas in the Dosan-Poonghwa Sea Area to better safeguard shellfish farms and guarantee the safety of harvested shellfish. A strong positive correlation was observed between total and fecal coliforms in both influent (r=0.974, P<0.01) and effluent (r=0.779, P<0.05), with no other significant correlations observed. The impacts of the effluent was evaluated according to NSSP guidelines. The volume of seawater required to dilute the effluent discharged per day was calculated. This evaluation indicated that surrounding aquaculture areas were not impacted, and no viruses were detected in oysters collected from the Dosan-Pungwha Sea Area.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.620-628
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• 2017

In this paper, we suggest a route plan sharing service for the navigation assistance service which is the second item of 16 items in maritime service portfolios (MSPs) for safety navigation based on interview process. Also, we developed scenarios for effectiveness evaluation of the proposed service, and conducted simulations using full mission ship handling simulator (FMSS) for effectiveness evaluation of proposed services based on the developed scenarios. Through the simulations, we analyzed proximity measures, controllability statistics and subjective evaluations to assess the usefulness of suggested service. If accomplishing the test for new services to apply real ships and vessel traffic (VTS) center, there has possibilities to occur various risks in terms of time/cost problems. Therefore, there is needs for the preliminary effectiveness evaluation processes necessarily when adopts and implements new services. Because we expected the service that is helpful for safety navigation, but the test results are not when conducted a simulation.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.357-365
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• 2017

In this study, we examined how the United States, Chinese, and Japanese viewers perceive the morality of the main characters in the family drama 'Take Care of Mom' and the influence of the perceived morality has on drama enjoyment and quality evaluation. Results show that the viewers from all three countries evaluated 'Hoonjae' favorably and evaluated selfish older brother, 'Hyung Kyu', unfavorably. This means there are common norms that exist in all three countries for judging the good and evil in a drama. However, the main female characters that played opposing characteristics were evaluated differently from all three countries. This is because the relationship between parents and children, and the role of mother and woman were perceived differently from each country. These results support the argument that consumption of drama may differ by viewer's cultural background. Additionally, the research hypothesis that 'moral evaluation of major characters will influence the drama enjoyment and evaluation of the drama quality' was not supported in China and Japan, and was only supported by the U.S. viewers.