• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 2021

In order to address many issues associated with large volume changes of silicon, which has very low electrical conductivity but offers about 10 times higher theoretical capacity than graphite (Gr), a silicon nanoparticles/hollow carbon (SiNP/HC) composite having bimodal-mesopores was prepared using silica nanoparticles as a template. A control SiNP/C composite without a hollow structure was also prepared for comparison. The physico-chemical and electrochemical properties of SiNP/HC were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements for surface area and pore size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, galvanostatic cycling, and cyclic voltammetry tests to compare them with those of the SiNP/C composite. The SiNP/HC composite showed significantly better cycle life and efficiency than the SiNP/C, with minimal increase in electrode thickness after long cycles. A hybrid composite, SiNP/HC@Gr, prepared by physical mixing of the SiNP/HC and Gr at a 50:50 weight ratio, exhibited even better cycle life and efficiency than the SiNP/HC at low capacity. Thus, silicon/carbon composites designed to have hollow spaces capable of accommodating volume expansion were found to be highly effective for long cycle life of silicon-based composites. However, further study is required to improve the low initial coulombic efficiency of SiNP/HC and SiNP/HC@Gr, which is possibly because of their high surface area causing excessive electrolyte decomposition for the formation of solid-electrolyte-interface layers.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.341-357
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• 2019

Acanthamoeba, one of free-living amoebae (FLA), remains a high risk of direct contact with this protozoan parasite which is ubiquitous in nature and man-made environment. This pathogenic FLA can cause sight-threatening amoebic keratitis (AK) and fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) though these cases may not commonly be reported in our clinical settings. Acanthamoeba has been detected from different environmental sources namely; soil, water, hotspring, swimming pool, air-conditioner, or contact lens storage cases. The identification of Acanthamoeba is based on morphological appearance and molecular techniques using PCR and DNA sequencing for clinico-epidemiological purposes. Recent treatments have long been ineffective against Acanthamoeba cyst, novel anti-Acanthamoeba agents have therefore been extensively investigated. There are efforts to utilize synthetic chemicals, lead compounds from medicinal plant extracts, and animal products to combat Acanthamoeba infection. Applied nanotechnology, an advanced technology, has shown to enhance the anti-Acanthamoeba activity in the encapsulated nanoparticles leading to new therapeutic options. This review attempts to provide an overview of the available data and studies on the occurrence of pathogenic Acanthamoeba among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members with the aim of identifying some potential contributing factors such as distribution, demographic profile of the patients, possible source of the parasite, mode of transmission and treatment. Further, this review attempts to provide future direction for prevention and control of the Acanthamoeba infection.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.1214-1217
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• 2018

In this paper, we propose the development of a Small $360^{\circ}$ Oral Scanner embedded board. The proposed small $360^{\circ}$ oral scanner embedded board consists of image level and transfer method changing part FPGA part, memory part and FIFO to USB transfer part. The image level and transmission mode change unit divides the MIPI format oral image received through the small $360^{\circ}$ oral cavity image sensor and the image sensor into low power signal mode and high speed signal mode and distributes them to the port and transfers the level shift to the FPGA unit. The FPGA unit performs functions such as $360^{\circ}$ image distortion correction, image correction, image processing, and image compression. In the FIFO to USB transfer section, the RAW data transferred through the FIFO in the FPGA is transferred to the PC using USB 3.0, USB 3.1, etc. using the transceiver chip. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed small $360^{\circ}$ oral scanner embedded board, it has been tested by an authorized testing institute. As a result, the frame rate per second is over 60 fps and the data transfer rate is 4.99 Gb/second

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.285-295
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study is to develop a three-wheel riding cultivator for improving the performance of the current four-wheel riding cultivators in the market. Methods: A prototype three-wheel riding cultivator with the rated power of 15.5-kW, a primary hydrostatic and a two-speed selective gear transmission shifts, front/rear three-wheel drive, a hydraulic wheel tread adjustment, and the mid-section attachment of the major implements was designed and constructed. Its specifications and basic performance are investigated. Results: The maximum speeds of the prototype at the low and high stages were measured to be approximately 7.31, and 11.29 km/h in forward travel, respectively, and approximately 3.60, and 6.37 km/h in rearward travel, respectively. The minimum ground clearance is shown to be 670 mm. The rotating speeds of the power takeoff (PTO) shaft at the low and high stages are shown to be approximately 795 and 1,140 rpm, respectively. The tread of the rear wheels, the minimum radius of turning, and the maximum lifting height of the parallel link device are measured to be within 1,320-1,720 mm, 2.80 m, and 390 mm, respectively. Approximately 25.3% and 74.7% of the total weight of the prototype are distributed in the front and rear wheels on flat ground, respectively. When the tread of rear wheels increased from 1,320 to 1,720 mm, the left and right static lateral overturning angles increased from $33.4^{\circ}$ to $39.1^{\circ}$ and from $29.0^{\circ}$ to $36.1^{\circ}$, respectively. Conclusions: The prototype three-wheel riding cultivator showed a wide range of travel and PTO speeds, high minimum ground clearance, small minimum radius of turning, and easy control of the rear wheel tread. Further, the easy observation of cultivating operations by mid-mounting the implements can improve quality of work. Therefore, the prototype is expected to contribute to the riding mechanization of cultivating operations for various upland crops in Korea.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.743-746
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• 2019

In this paper we proposed a new ocean radiation automatic monitoring system. The proposed system has the following characteristics: First, using NaI + PVT mixed detectors, the response speed is fast and precision analysis is possible. Second, the application of temperature compensation algorithm to scintillator-type sensors does not require additional cooling devices and enables stable operation in the changing ocean environment. Third, since cooling system is not needed, electricity consumption is low, and electricity can be supplied reliably by utilizing solar energy, which can be installed at the observation deck of ocean environment. Fourth, using GPS and wireless communications, accurate location information and real-time data transmission function for measurement areas enables immediate warning response in the event of nuclear accidents such as those involving neighboring countries. The results tested by the authorized testing agency to assess the performance of the proposed system were measured in the range of $5{\mu}Sv/h$ to 15mSv/h, which is the highest level in the world, and the accuracy was determined to be ${\pm}8.1%$, making normal operation below the international standard ${\pm}15%$. The internal environmental grade (waterproof) was achieved, and the rate of variation was measured within 5% at operating temperature of $-20^{\circ}C$ to $50^{\circ}C$ and stability was verified. Since the measured value change rate was measured within 10% after the vibration test, it was confirmed that there will be no change in the measured value due to vibration in the ocean environment caused by waves.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.627-634
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• 2020

Belitung district in Bangka-Belitung Province, Indonesia with a population of 0.27 million is endemic for Brugia malayi and 5 rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) were completed by 2010. Based on the results of 3 transmission assessment surveys (TAS), the district is declared as achieving elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in 2017. The findings of an independent survey conducted by the National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD) in the same year showed microfilaria (Mf) prevalence of 1.3% in this district. In 2019, NIHRD conducted microfilaria survey in 2 villages in Belitung district. Screening of 311 and 360 individuals in Lasar and Suak Gual villages showed Mf prevalence of 5.1% and 2.2% with mean Mf density of 120 and 354 mf/ml in the respective villages. Mf prevalence was significantly higher among farmers and fishermen compared to others and the gender specific difference was not significant. The results of a questionnaire based interview showed that 62.4% of the respondents reported to have participated in MDA in Lasar while it was 57.7% in Suak Gual village. About 42% of the Mf positive cases did not participate in MDA. Environmental surveys identified many swampy areas supporting the breeding of Mansonia vector species. Persistence of infection is evident and in the event of successful TAS3 it is necessary to monitor the situation and plan for focal MDA. Appropriate surveillance strategies including xenomonitoring in post-MDA situations need to be developed to prevent resurgence of infection. Possible role of animal reservoirs is discussed.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

Recently, with the development of high-performance processing devices such as GPGPU, a three-dimensional dynamic analysis technique that can replace expensive rock material impact tests has been actively developed in the defense and aerospace fields. Experimentally observing or measuring fracture processes occurring in rocks subjected to high impact loads, such as blasting and earth penetration of small-diameter missiles, are difficult due to the inhomogeneity and opacity of rock materials. In this study, a three-dimensional dynamic fracture process analysis technique (3D-DFPA) was developed to simulate the fracture behavior of rocks due to impact. In order to improve the operation speed, an algorithm capable of GPGPU operation was developed for explicit analysis and contact element search. To verify the proposed dynamic fracture process analysis technique, the dynamic fracture toughness tests of the Straight Notched Disk Bending (SNDB) limestone samples were simulated and the propagation of the reflection and transmission of the stress waves at the rock-impact bar interfaces and the fracture process of the rock samples were compared. The dynamic load tests for the SNDB sample applied a Pulse Shape controlled Split Hopkinson presure bar (PS-SHPB) that can control the waveform of the incident stress wave, the stress state, and the fracture process of the rock models were analyzed with experimental results.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.755-760
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• 2021

Swine diarrhea is a livestock disease that causes huge economic losses to pig farms. In general, diarrhea occurs because of the proliferation of pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). The toxins produced by the proliferated E. coli cause edema in pigs. Although the proliferation of these coliforms can be prevented by using a vaccine, the vaccines containing chemically produced dead bacteria are not very effective, making it difficult to control the proliferation of E. coli. Therefore, there is a need to develop new, more effective vaccines. In this study, we prepared killed F4+ and F18ab+ E. coli, which induce diarrhea and edema in pigs, using the extracts of immune-induced silkworms containing antimicrobial peptides and examined their availability as a killed-bacteria vaccine. First, the antimicrobial activity analysis of the prepared immune-induced silkworm extract was conducted using the radial diffusion assay. The results showed high activity against both F4+ and F18ab+ E. coli. The production efficiency of E. coli dead cells was determined using the colony-counting method. The concentration of the E. coli dead cells was the highest (50 mg/ml) when treated at 4℃. In addition, the analysis of the prepared dead cells using a transmission electron microscope confirmed that E. coli leaked out of the cytoplasm and the cell membrane remained intact. Therefore, F4+ and F18ab+ E. coli produced using immune-induced silkworms extract are considered to be highly available as bacterial ghost vaccines that can help prevent swine diarrhea and the resulting edema.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.6_1
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• pp.1479-1488
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• 2022

Accidents in which oil spills occur intermittently in the ocean due to ship collisions and sinkings. In order to prepare prompt countermeasures when such an accident occurs, it is necessary to accurately identify the current status of spilled oil. To this end, the Coast Guard patrols the target area with a fixed-wing airplane or helicopter and checks it with the naked eye or video, but it was difficult to determine the area contaminated by the spilled oil and its exact location on the map. Accordingly, this study develops a technology for direct ortho-rectification by automatically geo-referencing aerial images collected by the Coast Guard without individual ground reference points to identify the current status of spilled oil. First, meta information required for georeferencing is extracted from a visualized screen of sensor information such as video by optical character recognition (OCR). Based on the extracted information, the external orientation parameters of the image are determined. Images are individually orthorectified using the determined the external orientation parameters. The accuracy of individual orthoimages generated through this method was evaluated to be about tens of meters up to 100 m. The accuracy level was reasonably acceptable considering the inherent errors of the position and attitude sensors, the inaccuracies in the internal orientation parameters such as camera focal length, without using no ground control points. It is judged to be an appropriate level for identifying the current status of spilled oil contaminated areas in the sea. In the future, if real-time transmission of images captured during flight becomes possible, individual orthoimages can be generated in real time through the proposed individual orthorectification technology. Based on this, it can be effectively used to quickly identify the current status of spilled oil contamination and establish countermeasures.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.241-246
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• 2022

Felids are the unique definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii. The intestine of felid is the only site for initiating Toxoplasma gondii sexual reproduction. T. gondii excretes millions of infectious oocysts from the intestine, which are the primary source of infection. There are many difficulties in developing vaccines and drugs to control oocyst excretion due to the lack of an appropriate experimental model. Here, we established an in vitro feline intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) infection system and an efficient animal model of T. gondii Chinese 1 genotype, Wh6 strain (TgCtwh6). The Kunming mice brain tissues containing TgCtwh6 cysts were harvested 42-day post-infection. The bradyzoites were co-cultured with cat IECs in vitro at a ratio of 1:10. Five 3-month-old domestic cats were orally inoculated with 600 cysts each. The oocysts were detected by daily observation of cat feces by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. We found that the parasite adhered and invaded cat IECs in vitro, transformed into tachyzoites, and then divided to form rose-like structures. These parasites eventually destroyed host cells, escaped, and finished the asexual reproduction process. Schizonts associated with sexual reproduction have not been observed during development in vitro cultured cells. However, schizonts were detected in all infected cat intestinal epithelial cells, and oocysts were presented in all cat feces. Our study provides a feasible cell model and an efficient infection system for the following studies of T. gondii sexual reproduction, and also lays a foundation to develop drugs and vaccines for blocking excretion and transmission of oocysts.