• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1246-1262
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• 2021

Recent studies have demonstrated the strong ability of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to significantly boost the performance in single image super-resolution (SISR). The key concern is how to efficiently recover and utilize diverse information frequencies across multiple network layers, which is crucial to satisfying super-resolution image reconstructions. Hence, previous work made great efforts to potently incorporate hierarchical frequencies through various sophisticated architectures. Nevertheless, economical SISR also requires a capable structure design to balance between restoration accuracy and computational complexity, which is still a challenge for existing techniques. In this paper, we tackle this problem by proposing a competent architecture called Enhanced U-Net Network (EUN), which can yield ready-to-use features in miscellaneous frequencies and combine them comprehensively. In particular, the proposed building block for EUN is enhanced from U-Net, which can extract abundant information via multiple skip concatenations. The network configuration allows the pipeline to propagate information from lower layers to higher ones. Meanwhile, the block itself is committed to growing quite deep in layers, which empowers different types of information to spring from a single block. Furthermore, due to its strong advantage in distilling effective information, promising results are guaranteed with comparatively fewer filters. Comprehensive experiments manifest our model can achieve favorable performance over that of state-of-the-art methods, especially in terms of computational efficiency.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.2882-2903
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• 2022

Image super-resolution (SR) processing is of great value in the fields of digital image processing, intelligent security, film and television production and so on. This paper proposed a densely connected deep learning network based on cascade architecture, which can be used to solve the problem of super-resolution in the field of image quality enhancement. We proposed a more efficient residual scaling dense block (RSDB) and the multi-channel cascade architecture to realize more efficient feature reuse. Also we proposed a hybrid loss function based on L₁ error and L_∞ error to achieve better L_∞ error performance. The experimental results show that the overall performance of the network is effectively improved on cascade architecture and residual scaling. Compared with the residual dense net (RDN), the PSNR / SSIM of the new method is improved by 2.24% / 1.44% respectively, and the L_∞ performance is improved by 3.64%. It shows that the cascade connection and residual scaling method can effectively realize feature reuse, improving the residual convergence speed and learning efficiency of our network. The L_∞ performance is improved by 11.09% with only a minimal loses of 1.14% / 0.60% on PSNR / SSIM performance after adopting the new loss function. That is to say, the L_∞ performance can be improved greatly on the new loss function with a minor loss of PSNR / SSIM performance, which is of great value in L_∞ error sensitive tasks.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.159-164
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• 2021

Purpose: We investigated the properties of CLEANBOLUS based on silicone with suitable characteristics for clinical use. Methods: We evaluated the characteristics of CLEANBOLUS and compared the results with the commercial product (Super-Flex bolus). Also, we conducted physical evaluations, including shore hardness, element composition, and elongation break. Transparency was investigated through the measured absorbance within the visible region (400-700 nm). Also, dosimetric characteristics were investigated with surface dose and beam quality. Finally, the volume of unwanted air gap was investigated based on computed tomography images for breast, chin, and nose using Super-Flex bolus and CELANBOLUS. Results: CLEANBOLUS showed excellent physical properties for a low shore hardness (000-35) and elongation break (>1,000%). Additionally, it was shown that CLEANBOLUS is more transparent than Super-Flex bolus. Dosimetric results obtained through measurement and calculation have an electron density similar to water in CLEANBOLUS. Finally, CLEANBOLUS showed that the volume of unwanted air gap between the phantom and each bolus is smaller than Super-Flex bolus for breast, chin, and nose. Conclusions: The physical properties of CLEANBOLUS, including excellent adhesive strength and lower shore hardness, reduce unwanted air gaps and ensure accurate dose distribution. Therefore, it would be an alternative to other boluses, thus improving clinical use efficiency.

• Carbon letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.243-248
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• 2011

Two different types of graphite, such as flake graphite (FG) and spherical graphite (SG), were used as anode materials for a lithium-ion secondary battery in order to investigate their electrochemical performance. The FG particles were prepared by pulverizing natural graphite with a planetary mill. The SG particles were treated by immersing them in acid solutions or mixing them with various carbon additives. With a longer milling time, the particle size of the FG decreased. Since smaller particles allow more exposure of the edge planes toward the electrolyte, it could be possible for the FG anodes with longer milling time to deliver high reversible capacity; however, their initial efficiency was found to have decreased. The initial efficiency of SG anodes with acid treatments was about 90%, showing an over 20% higher value than that of FG anodes. With acid treatment, the discharge rate capability and the initial efficiency improved slightly. The electrochemical properties of the SG anodes improved slightly with carbon additives such as acetylene black (AB), Super P, Ketjen black, and carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, the cyclability was much improved due to the effect of the conductive bridge made by carbon additives such as AB and Super P.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.18-41
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• 2010

The purpose of this paper is to show the empirical measurement way for predicting the seaport efficiency by using Super SBM(Slack-based Measure) with Wilcoxson signed-rank test under CRS(constant returns to scale) condition for 20 Korean ports during 11 years(1997-2007) for 3 inputs(port investment amount, birthing capacity, and cargo handling capacity) and 5 outputs(Export and Import Quantity, Number of Ship Calls, Port Revenue, Customer Satisfaction Point for Port Service and Container Cargo Throughput). The main empirical results of this paper are as follows. First, Super SBM model has well reflected the real data according to the Wilcoxon signed rank test, because p values have exceeded the significance level. Second,Super-SBM has shown about 87% of predicting ratio for the ports efficiency and the optimal size of investment in domestic seaport. The policy implication to the Korean seaports and planner is that Korean seaports should introduce the new methods like Super-SBM method with Wilcoxon signed rank test for predicting the efficiency of port performance and the optimal size of investment as indicated by Panayides et al.(2009, pp.203-204).

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.94-102
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• 2018

Purpose: In this study, a maintenance free super-capacitor battery charging system based on the photovoltaic module, to be used in agricultural electric carriers, was developed and its charging characteristics were studied in detail. Methods: At first, the electric carrier system configuration is introduced and the electric control components are presented. The super-capacitor batteries and photovoltaic module used in the experiment are specified. Next, the developed charging system consisting of a constant current / constant voltage Buck converter as the charging device and a super-capacitor cell as a balancing device are initiated. The proposed circuit design, a developed PCB layout of each device and a proportional control to check the current and voltage during the charging process are outlined. An experiment was carried out using a developed prototype to clarify the effectiveness of the proposed system. A power analyzer was used to measure the current and voltage during charging to evaluate the efficiency of the energy storage device. Finally, the conclusions of this research are presented. Results: The experimental results show that the proposed system successfully controls the charging current and balances the battery voltage. The maximum voltage of the super-capacitor battery obtained by using the proposed battery charger is 16.2 V, and the maximum charging current is 20 A. It was found that the charging time was less than an hour through the duty ratio of 95% or more. Conclusions: The developed battery charging system was successfully implemented on the agricultural electric carriers.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.37-41
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• 2008

According to the recent rapidly increasing that construction works are gradually Manhattanized mainly the grand scaled residential buildings, the foundation of the building that is related to safety is increasing for building as a grand scaled mat concrete. Because mat concrete can not be simultaneously placing of concrete in a great quantity due to the circumstance at the field, the inequal deformation of the tensile stress that according to the time lag of hydration heat between the upper layer and the lower layer is affecting as a cause that is the possibility of crack occurrence by increasing. Accordingly, this research checked the efficiency of super retard concrete in applying real structures, and we implemented the preparatory experiment to settle up the inequal deformation of the tensile stress substantially that is according to the time lag of placement between the upper layer and the lower layer by controlling the setting time using the super retarding agent. As the result of test, the more target of delay time lengthened, the more fluidity increased and air content indicated a little differences. There was from 2 to 10 hours between the standard curing and the outside curing at the setting time and in case of calculating the rate of mixing at real structure is required that mix promotion, increasing the amount of mixing, by setting up the curing temperature. The super retard concrete showed the result that in compressive strength, early-age strength was smaller than normal concrete whereas it was same or more figures from at the aging 28days because of the super retarding agent.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.21-28
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• 2017

Improving efficiency of the telecommunication is crucial to the development and growth of Korean economy. Recently, it has become important with the huge development of information technology and its greater potential for extensive impact on the rest of the economy. Hence, it is useful to determine the factors that help enhance efficiency in telecommunication and consider them in improving the evaluation model. This study applies DEA (data envelopment analysis) to evaluate the relative efficiency of 51 branches of a Korean telecommunication company. Using the super-efficiency approach, we tested outliers which may affect the results and ranked the efficient branches. A method of deriving key variables applied to business operation is proposed to identify the key performance indicators for evaluation that takes environmental (non-discretionary) factors into account. We used the extended CCR model proposed by Banker and Morey to investigate the influence of non-discretionary factor. The information provided by the model (slacks, weights) and the sensitivity analysis shows that the most important indicator that affects the branch performance is operating cost. The results of sensitivity analysis show that average efficient score decreases from 0.972 (base case) to 0.863 for CASE2-COST. The average score of the data proves the priority of operating cost over other indicators. The effect of environmental (non-discretionary) variable was found to be significant. The population effect was positive and improved overall efficiency by 0.91% on average. Non-discretionary factor plays a meaningful role explaining the performance of branches. The performance optimization report can help a manager of an inefficient branch to develop branch strategies. Managers can identify the top-performing units, study best practices and adopt the strategy to the organization.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.43-55
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• 2021

This study analyzed the efficiency of medical services in OECD member countries by dividing it into operational efficiency and quality efficiency. For this purpose, data from 2017-2019 OECD Health Statistics were used. As the analysis method, super efficiency was measured by applying an output-oriented Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) model. As a result of the analysis, Switzerland, Korea, and Italy were included in the high group of operational efficiency, Canada, Greece, Denmark, etc. in the medium group, and Belgium, Germany, and Spain in the low group. Based on quality efficiency, Norway, Switzerland, and Spain are in the high group, and Greece, Denmark, Mexico, etc. are in the medium group, and the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, etc. were included in the low group. As a result of comparative analysis of efficiency by OECD member countries as of 2018, it was found that Korea's operational efficiency was the most efficient and quality efficiency was inefficient. Korea (0.998) should improve life expectancy by 0.2 (0.2%) and subjective health perception by 44.2 (138.1%) by benchmarking Greece (0.422), Switzerland (0.207), and Spain (0.371) to improve quality efficiency. Unlike most previous studies that focused on operational efficiency, this study measured quality efficiency together and analyzed the efficiency of the medical service industry in each OECD member country. Through this, this study has implications in that it confirmed the international competitiveness of the domestic medical service industry and suggested ways to improve efficiency.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SP
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.129-136
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• 2011

This paper presents the coding method that have multi-mode and efficiency of audio codecs using the feature of audio signal. Recently, the developed extension super-wideband codec based on G.718 wideband divides two mode between Generic and Sinusiodal. So codec efficently encode audio signal exist in super-wideband. But the codec is not as efficent coding for harmonic component of wind instrument and string instrument and individual-Line component of percussion instrument. The proposed method are modeling and encoding multiple pitch and individual-line feature using multi mode coding. For the performance evaluation, we used SNR in MDCT domain for objective test and MUSHRA test for subjective test. As a result, the performance of SNR and MUSHRA test of the proposed method have better performance than the G.718 super-wideband codec.