• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.56-67
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• 2024

This study aims to characterize the material of the finishing materials used in the No.1 stone chamber tomb of the Baekje-era tumuli in Songjeri, Naju with mineralogical, chemical, and physical analyses. The finishing material is a mixture of white lumps and fragments, presumed to be shells, that remain on the surface and between the gaps of the stone walls inside the tomb. The analysis results revealed that the main constituent mineral of the finishing material is calcite. Infrared spectroscopy showed peaks due to calcium carbonate, and thermal reaction decarbonation in the 700~800℃ range, high calcium content, and loss on ignition were confirmed. Therefore, the main material of the finishing materials was determined to be lime, and since no aggregates such as sand or gravel were found, it was identified as lime paste. The shell fragments mixed into the lime paste appear dark blue or grayish-white in color, with no original shape remaining. The surface has a layered structure, and microscopic observations revealed prismatic layers with a columnar structure and nacreous layers with a consistent orientation, suggesting that the shells are from bivalve mollusks. Additionally, X-ray imaging of the shell fragments showed holes and tunnels caused by boring marine organisms both on the surface and inside, and radiocarbon dating results confirmed that the dating of the shells was consistent with the construction period of the tomb. It is concluded that the finishing material used in Tomb No. 1 in Songje-ri, Naju, was lime paste mixed with shell fragments, and the lime was made using the shells of bivalve mollusks as the raw material.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.601-611
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• 2024

The objective of this study was to integrate onion juice into traditional Korean soy sauce and to evaluate the sterilization conditions necessary for commercialization. As the sterilization temperature increased, pH decreased and titratable acidity increased. A reduction in °Brix was observed post-sterilization, from 37.37 °Brix in untreated soy sauce to 36.67-36.77 °Brix. In terms of chromaticity, the L value declined over the storage period while the a and b values increased. The quercetin component exhibited light sensitivity, with no significant difference observed in the sample on the 60th day. Neither Bacillus cereus nor Clostridium perfringens were detected, and the total bacterial count was comparable to that of commercially available soy sauce. This indicates that samples sterilized at 85℃ for 30 minutes fall within a safe quality range. Sensory evaluation revealed that samples sterilized at 85℃ for 30 minutes exhibited consistently high ratings.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.397-418
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• 2024

The Land Surface Temperature (LST) is a crucial parameter in identifying drought. It is essential to identify how LST can increase its accuracy, particularly in mountainous and hill areas. Increasing the LST accuracy can be achieved by applying early data processing in the correction phase, specifically in the context of topographic correction on the Lambertian model. Empirical evidence has demonstrated that this particular stage effectively enhances the process of identifying objects, especially within areas that lack direct illumination. Therefore, this research aims to examine the application of the Lambertian model in estimating LST using the Multi-Channel Method (MCM) across various physiographic regions. Lambertian model is a method that utilizes Lambertian reflectance and specifically addresses the radiance value obtained from Sun-Canopy-Sensor(SCS) and Cosine Correction measurements. Applying topographical adjustment to the LST outcome results in a notable augmentation in the dispersion of LST values. Nevertheless, the area physiography is also significant as the plains terrain tends to have an extreme LST value of ≥ 350 K. In mountainous and hilly terrains, the LST value often falls within the range of 310-325 K. The absence of topographic correction in LST results in varying values: 22 K for the plains area, 12-21 K for hilly and mountainous terrain, and 7-9 K for both plains and mountainous terrains. Furthermore, validation results indicate that employing the Lambertian model with SCS and Cosine Correction methods yields superior outcomes compared to processing without the Lambertian model, particularly in hilly and mountainous terrain. Conversely, in plain areas, the Lambertian model's application proves suboptimal. Additionally, the relationship between physiography and LST derived using the Lambertian model shows a high average R² value of 0.99. The lowest errors(K) and root mean square error values, approximately ±2 K and 0.54, respectively, were achieved using the Lambertian model with the SCS method. Based on the findings, this research concluded that the Lambertian model could increase LST values. These corrected values are often higher than the LST values obtained without the Lambertian model.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.544-555
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: The outcome benefits of β-blockers in chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) have not been fully assessed. We evaluated the prognostic impact of β-blockers on patients with chronic CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 3,075 patients with chronic CAD were included from the Grand Drug-Eluting Stent registry. We analyzed β-blocker prescriptions, including doses and types, in each patient at 3-month intervals from discharge. After propensity score matching, 1,170 pairs of patients (β-blockers vs. no β-blockers) were derived. Primary outcome was defined as a composite endpoint of all-cause death and myocardial infarction (MI). We further analyzed the outcome benefits of different doses (low-, medium-, and high-dose) and types (conventional or vasodilating) of β-blockers. Results: During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3.1 (3.0-3.1) years, 134 (5.7%) patients experienced primary outcome. Overall, β-blockers demonstrated no significant benefit in primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-1.24), all-cause death (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.60-1.25), and MI (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.49-3.15). In subgroup analysis, β-blockers were associated with a lower risk of all-cause death in patients with previous MI and/or revascularization (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.14-0.99) (p for interaction=0.045). No significant associations were found for the clinical outcomes with different doses and types of β-blockers. Conclusions: Overall, β-blocker therapy was not associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with chronic CAD undergoing PCI. Limited mortality benefit of β-blockers may exist for patients with previous MI and/or revascularization.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2024

This study aimed to develop a soft fabric-based elbow-bending angle sensor that can replace conventional hard-type inertial sensors and a system for estimating bending angles using it. To enhance comfort during exercise, this study treated four fabrics (Bergamo, E-band, span cushion, and polyester) by single-walled carbon nanotube dip coating to create conductive textiles. Subsequently, one fabric was selected based on performance evaluations, and an elbow flexion angle sensor was fabricated. Gauge factor, hysteresis, and sensing range were employed as performance evaluation metrics. The data obtained using the fabricated sensor showed different trends in sensor values for the changes in the angle during bending and extending movements. Because of this divergence, the two movements were separated, and this constituted the one-step process. In the two-step process, multilayer perceptron (MLP) was employed to handle the complex nonlinear relationships and achieve high data accuracy. Based on the results of this study, we anticipate effective utilization in various smart wearable and healthcare domains. Consequently, a soft- fabric bending angle sensor was developed, and using MLP, nonlinear relationships can be addressed, enabling angle estimation. Based on the results of this study, we anticipate the effective utilization of the developed system in smart wearables and healthcare.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.2182-2189
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• 2024

The high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometer was used to measure the radioisotope in surface water of lakes in a Chinee petroleum industrial area. 92 samples were collected from surface water of three lakes. Activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K in three lakes were measured, distributed in the range of 101.8-209.4, 192.1-224.9 and 335.0-548.9 mBq/L, respectively. Results were all within the limits of WHO and China. Potential environmental and health risks were assessed by calculating some radiation hazard indicators, radium equivalent index, annual effective dose, excess lifetime cancer risk, absorbed dose rate, external hazard index, internal hazard index, annual gonadal dose equivalent, activity utilization index and representative gamma index, which ranged 0.38-0.54 Bq/L, 0.06-0.08 mSv/y, 0.23 × 10^-3-0.31 × 10^-3, 0.17-0.24 nGy/h, 1.01 × 10^-3-1.46 × 10^-3, 1.55 × 10^-3-2.02 × 10^-3, 1.16-1.66 μSv/y, 3.13 × 10^-3-4.45 × 10^-3 and 2.60 × 10^-3-3.77 × 10^-3. The results were all at acceptable levels, meaning no impact on human health. The relationship between the electrical conductivity of surface water and the activity concentration of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K was evaluated. The electrical conductivity value was 0.241-0.369 mS/cm, showing a significant correlation coefficient between ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K and electrical conductivity. Multivariate statistical methods were used to determine the relationship between the activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K, radiation hazard indicators and electrical conductivity.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.67-76
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• 2024

Various types of assistive devices have been developed for upper limb amputees over the years, with myoelectric prosthesis particularly aimed at improving user convenience by enabling a range of hand gestures beyond simple grasping, tailored to the size and shape of objects. In this study, we developed a five-finger myoelectric prosthesis mimicking human hand size and finger movements, utilizing motor and worm gear mechanisms for stable and independent operation. Based on this, we designed a control system for independent finger control through electromyographic signal input, proposed a state transition-based hand gesture conversion algorithm by selecting representative eight hand gestures and defining conversion condition parameters. We introduced training and usability evaluation methods, and conducted usability assessments among upper limb amputees using dedicated tools, confirming the potential for commercial application of the algorithm and observing adaptive capabilities and high performance through iterative evaluations.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.788-797
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• 2024

Objective: To investigate the potential association among preoperative breast MRI features, axillary nodal burden (ANB), and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with early-stage breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 297 patients with early-stage breast cancer (cT1-2N0M0) who underwent preoperative MRI between December 2016 and December 2018. Based on the number of positive axillary lymph nodes (LNs) determined by postoperative pathology, the patients were divided into high nodal burden (HNB; ≥3 positive LNs) and non-HNB (<3 positive LNs) groups. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors associated with ANB. Predictive efficacy was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC). Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to determine preoperative features associated with DFS. Results: We included 47 and 250 patients in the HNB and non-HNB groups, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that multifocality/multicentricity (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.905, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.685-9.051, P = 0.001) and peritumoral edema (adjusted OR = 3.734, 95% CI: 1.644-8.479, P = 0.002) were independent risk factors for HNB. Combined peritumoral edema and ultifocality/multicentricity achieved an AUC of 0.760 (95% CI: 0.707-0.807) for predicting HNB, with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.0% and 63.2%, respectively. During the median follow-up period of 45 months (range, 5-61 months), 26 cases (8.75%) of breast cancer recurrence were observed. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that younger age (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 3.166, 95% CI: 1.200-8.352, P = 0.021), larger tumor size (adjusted HR = 4.370, 95% CI: 1.671-11.428, P = 0.002), and multifocality/multicentricity (adjusted HR = 5.059, 95% CI: 2.166-11.818, P < 0.001) were independently associated with DFS. Conclusion: Preoperative breast MRI features may be associated with ANB and DFS in patients with early-stage breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.3
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• pp.361-371
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• 2024

This study was conducted to develop models of the xylem volume utilization rate and merchantable log utility rate of the Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi [Lamb.] Carrière), a major commercial species in South Korea. To develop these models, models were fitted together for the xylem volume utilization rate and merchantable log utility rate to the total stem volume. Data on the logs bucked by cut-to-length usage in the forestry field were used for modeling, and the tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and small-end diameter of the last log were used as major predictor variables. Considering the difference in the bucking rate between all logs and solely long-length logs, the models for merchantable log utility rate were classified into two types: short- and long-length logs as well as only long-length logs. Consequently, the models were significantly developed, and the predicted values showed high accuracy within the range of observed values. The tables for bucking rate by cut-to-length log usage were finally provided by applying the models of the xylem volume utilization rate and merchantable log utility rate. Because the bucking rate for all logs and long-length logs can be easily calculated with the easy-to-use DBH and the required small-end diameter of the last log, the developed models are highly expected to be applicable for predicting the timber assortment using the cut-to-length log usage.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.8
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• pp.3307-3314
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• 2024

For traditional spent fuel shielding materials, due to physical and chemical defects and cost constraints, they have been unable to meet the needs. Therefore, this paper carries out the first discussion on the application and performance of bismuth in neutron shielding by establishing Monte Carlo simulation on the neutron flux model of shielded spent fuel. Firstly, functional fillers such as bismuth oxide, lead oxide, boron oxide, gadolinium oxide and tungsten oxide are added to the matrices to compare the shielding rates of aluminum alloy matrix and silicone rubber matrix. The shielding rate of silicone rubber mixture is higher than aluminum alloy mixture, reaching more than 56%. The optimal addition proportion of bismuth oxide and lead oxide is 30%, and the neutron radiation protection efficiency reaches 60%. Then, the mass attenuation coefficients of bismuth oxide, lead oxide, boron oxide, gadolinium oxide and tungsten oxide in silicone rubber matrix are simulated with the change of functional fillers proportion and neutron energy. This simulation result shows that the mixture with functional fillers has good shielding performance for low energy neutrons, but poor shielding effect for high energy neutrons. Finally, in order to further evaluate the possibility of replacing lead oxide with bismuth oxide as shielding material, the half-value layers and various properties of bismuth oxide and lead oxide are compared. The results show that the shielding properties of bismuth oxide and lead oxide are basically the same, and the mechanical properties, heat resistance, radiation resistance and environmental protection of bismuth oxide are better than that of lead oxide. Therefore, in the case of neutron source strengths in the range of 0.01-6 MeV and secondary gamma rays produced below 2.5 MeV, bismuth can replace lead in neutron shielding applications.