• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.60-69
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• 2022

To keep pace with Industry 4.0, it is imperative for companies to redesign their working environments by adopting robotic automation systems. Automation lines are facilitating the latest cutting-edge technologies, such as 3D vision and industrial robots, to outdo competitors by reducing costs. Considering the nature of the manufacturing industry, a time-saving workflow and smooth linkwork between processes is vital. At Dellics, without any additional new installation in the automation lines, only a few improvements to the working process could raise productivity. Three requirements are the development of gripping technology by utilizing a 3D vision system for the recognition of the material shape and location, research on lighting projectors to target long distances and high illumination, and testing of algorithms/software to improve measurement accuracy and identify products. With some of the functional requisites mentioned above, improved robotic automation systems should provide an improved working environment to maximize overall production efficiency. In this article, the ways in which such a system can become the groundwork for establishing an unmanned working infrastructure are discussed.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.88.1-88.13
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• 2020

Background: Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive bacterium that causes listeriosis mainly in immunocompromised hosts. It can also cause foodborne outbreaks and has the ability to adapt to various environments. Peptide uptake in gram-positive bacteria is enabled by oligopeptide permeases (Opp) in a process that depends on ATP hydrolysis by OppD and F. Previously a putative protein Lmo2193 was predicted to be OppD, but little is known about the role of OppD in major processes of L. monocytogenes, such as growth, virulence, and biofilm formation. Objectives: To determine whether the virulence traits of L. monocytogenes are related to OppD. Methods: In this study, Lmo2193 gene deletion and complementation strains of L. monocytogenes were generated and compared with a wild-type strain for the following: adhesiveness, invasion ability, intracellular survival, proliferation, 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀) to mice, and the amount bacteria in the mouse liver, spleen, and brain. Results: The results showed that virulence of the deletion strain was 1.34 and 0.5 orders of magnitude higher than that of the wild-type and complementation strains, respectively. The function of Lmo2193 was predicted and verified as OppD from the ATPase superfamily. Deletion of lmo2193 affected the normal growth of L. monocytogenes, reduced its virulence in cells and mice, and affected its ability to form biofilms. Conclusions: Deletion of the oligopeptide transporter Lmo2193 decreases the virulence of L. monocytogenes. These effects may be related to OppD's function, which provides a new perspective on the regulation of oligopeptide transporters in L. monocytogenes.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.12
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• pp.4514-4521
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• 2022

In this study, the effects of heat and radiation on the degradation behaviour of fluoroelastomer under simulated normal operation and a severe accident environment were investigated using sequential testing of gamma irradiation and thermal degradation. Tensile properties and Shore A hardness were measured, and thermogravimetric analysis was used to evaluate the degradation behaviour of fluoroelastomer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the structural changes of the fluoroelastomer. Heat and radiation generated in nuclear power plant break and deform the chemical bonds, and fluoroelastomer exposed to these environments have decreased C-H and functional groups that contain oxygen and double bonds such as C-O, C=O and C=C were generated. These functional groups were formed by auto oxidation by reacting free radicals generated from the cleaved bond with oxygen in the atmosphere. In this auto oxidation reaction, crosslinks were generated where bonded to each other, and the mobility of molecules was decreased, and as a result, the fluoroelastomer was hardened. This hardening behaviour occurred more significantly in the severe accident environment than in the normal operation condition, and it was found that thermal stability decreased with the generation of unstable structures by crosslinking.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2023

Pan-Enterovirus (Pan-EV) infects millions of children and infants worldwide every year. As severe infections have recently been reported, the need for monitoring has consequently intensified. Pan-EV is a categorical name for waterborne enteroviruses belonging to the Picornaviridae family, and includes a wide range of pathogens including Coxsackievirus (CoxV), Echovirus (EcoV) and Enterovirus (EV). In this study, we proposed an optimal RT-nested PCR method for diagnosis of various types of Pan-EV in an aquatic environment and developed a positive control. Considering detection sensitivity, specific reaction, and final identification, one condition capable of amplifying 478 bp among the four candidates in the 1^st round PCR (RT-PCR) and one condition in the 2^nd round PCR (nested PCR) were selected. Through the detection of nucleic acids extracted from 123 groundwater samples and the detection sensitivity test based on artificial spiking in the sample, the methods are optimal for non-disinfected water samples such as groundwater. We developed a positive control for Pan-EV detection that can be amplified to different sizes under the two conditions. Accuracy could be further improved by testing for contamination from the control group. The method proposed in this study and the positive control developed are expected to be used in monitoring Pan-EV in aquatic environments including groundwater through future research using more samples.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.563-573
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• 2019

The North Korean government conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 and more recently the sixth nuclear test on September 3, 2017. In order to identify how North Korea's nuclear tests have affected the environment, a scientific approach is required. Although North Korea's nuclear tests and their environmental destruction are not a severe threat to the environment of the Korean Peninsula at this time, identifying environmental damage and taking countermeasures in advance are essential to minimize their potential threats to the environments. The purpose of this study is to study the environmental impact of North Korea's nuclear tests using Google Earth image analysis. As a method of the study, we compare Google Earth images taken before and after each nuclear test was conducted in North Korea. To overcome limitations of the suggested comparison method, we cross-checked our results with those of previous scientific research. After the 1st-3rd nuclear tests, green spaces were found to be considerably reduced. In particular, when comparing the Google Earth images before and after the second nuclear test, some ground subsidences were observed. Such subsidences can cause tunnels on the mountainsides and cracks in rocks around the mountains, leading to the release of radioactive materials and contaminating groundwater. Besides, after the 4th-6th nuclear tests, decay and deforestation were observed not in the nuclear test sites, but in their surrounding areas. Especially after the 5th and 6th nuclear tests, the topography and the forests of the surrounding areas were severely damaged. In relation to North Korea's nuclear tests and their impact on the natural environment, we need to prepare various policy measures to reduce North Korea's environmental pollution and natural environment destruction. Those policy measures include the establishment of various cooperative governance between the Korean government, the private sector, the academia, NGOs, and international organizations.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.329-346
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of physical and social servicescape of apartment community facilities on residential satisfaction and quality of life among newlyweds who have been married for less than 7 years. Methods: In this study, a survey was conducted among 361 Newlywed Hope Town residents who have been married for 7 years or less, and frequency analysis, reliability, validity, and hypothesis testing were conducted using SPSS 22.0. Results: The results of this study are as follows. First, the physical service environment (spatiality, convenience, aesthetics, and comfort) has a significant effect on residential satisfaction. Second, social service landscape (human service, customer similarity, customer suitability) has a significant effect on residential satisfaction. Third, the physical service landscape has a significant effect on quality of life. Fourth, the social service landscape had a significant impact on quality of life. Finally, residential satisfaction has a significant effect on quality of life. Conclusion: This study found that community facilities in Newlywed Hope Town, an apartment complex for newlyweds who have been married for less than seven years, affect residential satisfaction and quality of life in both the physical and social environments. The significance of the study is that the community of the Newlywed Hope Town apartment was approached as a physical environment such as spatial organization and facilities and a social environment of human services, and the relationship between the effects on residential satisfaction and quality of life was examined. In the future, it is necessary to study the effects of communities for young couples such as the Newlywed Hope Town apartment on residential satisfaction and quality of life.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2024

This paper introduces an emergency response system in urban air mobility scenarios. A biometric responsive smartwatch was designed to monitor passengers' real-time heart rates. When an anomaly was detected, the system would send an alert via Morse code vibration and voice notification. It was integrated with the assumed control system of the ROS environment and communicates to implement a system for generating the shortest path for emergency landing to a nearby vertical port during urban air mobility operations. System stability was verified through high-fidelity simulation environments and testing based on actual geographic locations. Our technology improved the reliability and convenience of urban air mobility, demonstrating its effectiveness through simulations and tests in real-world scenarios.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2024

Clinical laboratories endeavor to secure quality by establishing effective quality management systems. However, laboratory environments are complex, and single quality control procedures may inadequately detect many errors. Patient-based real-time quality control (PBRTQC) is a laboratory tool that monitors the testing process using algorithms such as Bull's algorithm and several variables, such as average of normal, moving median, moving average, and exponentially weighted moving average. PBRTQC has many advantages over conventional quality control, including low cost, commutability, continuous real-time performance monitoring, and sensitivity to pre-analytical errors. However, PBRTQC is not easily implemented as it requires statistical algorithm selection, the design of appropriate rules and protocols, and performance verification. This review describes the basic concepts, methods, and procedures of PBRTQC and presents guidelines for implementing a patient-based quality management system. Furthermore, we propose the combined use of PBRTQC when the performance of internal quality control is limited. However, clinical evaluations were not conducted during this review, and thus, future evaluation is required.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2024

This research explores the potential of methyl methacrylate(MMA) as a material for road repair applications. It specifically examines two MMA formulations, referred to as type A and type B, in relation to their performance on concrete substrates. The evaluation criteria included drying time, tensile bond strength, and resistance to alkali. The condition of the substrate surface was varied across three curing environments: constant temperature and humidity(R), immersion in water(W), and immersion in water with chloride ions(N). The findings indicate that type B MMA exhibits a quicker drying time and superior resistance to alkali compared to type A. While type A demonstrated greater tensile bond strength, it failed to maintain adhesion with the concrete base. Based on the parameters tested in this study, type B MMA emerges as the more favorable option for road repair contexts. Nonetheless, the study underscores the necessity for additional testing on asphalt substrates to fully assess the material's durability and applicability for long-term road maintenance.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.285-295
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• 2024

This study investigated the impact of accelerated carbonation on Ordinary Portland Cement(OPC) paste that had undergone steam curing at 500℃·hr. Two carbonation environments were examined: atmospheric carbonation(1atm, 20% CO₂) and pressurized carbonation(5atm, 99% CO₂). Chemical analysis using X-ray diffraction(XRD) and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) were conducted, along with physical characterization via scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and compressive strength testing. Results indicated that atmospheric carbonation with 20% CO₂ concentration significantly densified the internal microstructure of the OPC paste, leading to enhanced compressive strength. Conversely, pressurized carbonation at 5atm with 99% CO₂ concentration resulted in rapid densification of the surface structure, which hindered CO₂ diffusion into the sample. This limited the extent of carbonation and prevented the improvement of physical properties.