• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.730-737
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• 2020

Objective : Spinal degeneration is a progressive disease, worsening over time. Lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) is a major spinal disease in elderly patients. Surgical treatment is considered for medically intractable patients with LDD and reoperation after primary surgery is not uncommon. The surgical outcome is occasionally unpredictable because of comorbidities. In the present study, the relationship between comorbidities and the incidence of reoperation for LDD over time was determined. Methods : The claims data of the health insurance national database were used to identify a cohort of patients who underwent spinal surgery for LDD in 2009. The patients were followed up until 2016. Medical comorbidity was assessed according to the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Cox proportional hazard regression modeling was used to identify significant differences in sex, surgery, age, causative disease, and comorbidity. Results : The study cohort included 78241 patients; 10328 patients (13.2%) underwent reoperation during the observation period. The reoperation rate was statistically higher (p<0.01) in males, patients 55-74 years and 65-74 years of age, and patients with decompression or discectomy. Significant association was found between increasing reoperation rate and CCI score (p<0.01). Based on multivariate analysis of comorbidities, the significantly higher reoperation rates were observed in patients with peripheral vascular disease, pulmonary lung disease, peptic ulcer, diabetes, and diabetes complications (p<0.01). Conclusion : The study results indicate the reoperation rate for LDD is associated with patient comorbidities. The comorbidities identified in this study could be helpful in future LDD studies.

• Journal of Satellite, Information and Communications
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 2014

Conventional ScanSAR mode has been adopted in Envisat or Radarsat and played an important role to acquire wide swath SAR images for environmental surveillance. However, it suffers from the undesirable scalloping effect caused by non-homogeneity of antenna pattern while the image resolution is sacrificed. In recent years, TOPS mode has been suggested and put into use to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional scanning mode. Although TOPS mode is able to produce wide-swath SAR image in a short time interval, it demands highly complicated system design knowledge. In this paper, we present the operation principle of TOPS mode and a full SAR simulation is performed to generate TOPS SAR raw data. Azimuth antenna pattern is modified during TOPS mode operation and it is shown that the undesired scalloping effect is suppressed in the generated SAR image.

• Atmosphere
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.173-195
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• 2023

Research papers in the field of atmospheric environment published in three Journals: Journal of Korean Meteorological Society, Atmosphere, and Asia-Pacific Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, are all summarized over period of 60 years since the establishment of Korea Meteorological Society (KMS) in 1963. In addition, current research trends and future outlook in the atmospheric environment field has been also highlighted. The results of historical records published in three KMS journals indicated that the activities, contents, and scope of researches carried out by KMS members in the field of atmospheric environment have yielded the enormous and rapid progress in each of the all four areas over 60 years. In particular, as the chronological progress of observational instruments and availability of satellite data such as from GEMS can be a great asset to deepen the observational and modeling researches in the current and future studies, it is highly anticipated that the more progressive and in-depth studies can be achievable to abate the air pollutants over the Korea as well as northeast Asia.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.253-267
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• 2023

The bearing capacities resisted by the two-bay beams of multi-story planar frames with unequal spans under column removal scenarios differ considerably owing to the asymmetric stress on the left and right beams connected to the failed column and cause the potential for beams with larger span-to-depth ratios to be unable to exert effectively, which is disadvantageous for resisting the vertical load in unequal-span frame structures. To address this problem, the structural measure of adding braces to the weak bays of multi-story unequal-span frames was proposed, with the objective of achieving a coordinated stress state in two-bay beams with unequal spans, thereby improving the collapse resistance of unequal-span frame structures. Before conducting the numerical simulation, the modeling methods were verified by previous experimental results of two multi-story planar frames with and without steel braces. Thereafter, the effects of the tensile and compressive braces on the collapse behavior of the frame structures were elucidated. Then, based on the mechanical action laws of the braces throughout the collapse process, a detailed design method for improving the collapse resistance of unequal-span frame structures was proposed. Finally, the proposed design method was verified by using sufficient example models, and the results demonstrated that the design method has good application prospects and high practical value.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.494-507
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• 2023

Vascular dementia (VaD) is characterized by progressive memory impairment, which is associated with microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Polyphenol-rich natural plants, which possess anti-inflammatory activities, have attracted scientific interest worldwide. This study investigated whether Rubus fruticosus leaf extract (RFLE) can attenuate VaD. Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into five groups: SO, sham-operated and treated with vehicle; OP, operated and treated with vehicle; RFLE-L, operated and treated with low dose (30 mg/kg) of RFLE; RFLE-M, operated and treated with medium dose (60 mg/kg) of RFLE; and RFLE-H, operated and treated with high dose (90 mg/kg) of RFLE. Bilateral common carotid artery and hypotension were used as a modeling procedure, and the RFLE were intraorally administered for 5 days (preoperative 2 and postoperative 3 days). The rats then underwent memory tests including the novel object recognition, Y-maze, Barnes maze, and passive avoidance tests, and neuronal viability and neuroinflammation were quantified in their hippocampi. The results showed that the OP group exhibited VaD-associated memory deficits, neuronal death, and microglial activation in hippocampi, while the RFLE-treated groups showed significant attenuation in all above parameters. Next, using BV-2 microglial cells challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we evaluated the effects of RFLE in dynamics of proinflammatory mediators and the upstream signaling pathway. RFLE pretreatment significantly inhibited the LPS-induced release of nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-6 and upregulation of the MAPKs/NF-κB/iNOS pathway. Collectively, we suggest that RFLE can attenuate the histologic alterations and memory deficits accompanied by VaD, and these roles are, partly due to the attenuation of microglial activation.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.59-70
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• 2016

Purpose - The objectives of this study are described as following. First, the study will establish the concept of Brand Values of Environmentally-friendly agricultural product through theoretical discussion. Second, it shows the effects of Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products brand value on Brand Satisfaction, Brand Trust and Brand Loyalty by empirical investigation. Third, in order to provide the methodology of brand development, literature regarding and questionnaire survey were used such as Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products Brand Value, Brand Satisfaction, Brand Trust and Brand Loyalty. Based up on the results, the research estimates consumers' relative priorities of Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products Brand Value factors in purchase. This research also suggests the consumer oriented new brand development and the progressive direction for the successful launching of Korean Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products Brand. Research design, data, and methodology - Because the relative literatures reviewed regarding not only each factor but also the relationships among them, Brand Value was categorized into 4 dimensions: Emotional, Social, Functional, and Epistemic Value. Then, Brand Loyalty was added as an outcome variable and Brand Satisfaction, Brand Trust were also added as mediators. The proposed research model and 13 hypotheses were created and 23 measurement items were developed. A face-to-face questionnaire survey with items concerning the Brand Value of Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products is conducted to housewives in metropolitan area in May 2016. Respondent answered about Brand Value, Brand Satisfaction, Brand Trust and Brand Loyalty in preferred Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Products. 333 copies of the questionnaire were collected and analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 20.0 to determine the reliability and validity of the measurements. Results - From the confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation modeling, the outcomes of these studies were as follows; (1) Three Brand value dimensions, i.e. Emotional Value, Social Value, and Epistemic Value had a significant and positive impact on Brand Satisfaction, but Functional Value did not. (2) Social Value also had an impact on Brand Trust, (3) Brand Satisfaction significantly affected Brand Trust, and Brand Trust influenced on Brand Loyalty, and (4) Brand Satisfaction were perfectly effective in mediation between Emotional Value, Epistemic Value and Brand Trust, and it also partially mediated between Social Value and Brand Trust. Conclusions - According to the result of consumer research on Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Product brand, 3 dimensions of brand value affected brand satisfaction, and especially Social Value was a significant positive dimension. So, marketers should concern about value proposition of Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Product to consumers by using premium package design, store identity, and distinctive product. Consumers wanted to get self-esteem, self-regard, and high social position by purchasing it. This study has academic and practical significance, so the findings can be applied to a wide range of brand management strategies. However, there are some limitations; 1) limitation about development of new brand value dimensions, 2) limitation about gender in the area of respondents. Future research should be done with wide range of respondents.

• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2011

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study on composite tubes for the energy absorber of the high-speed train. The purpose of the experimental study is to find out which lay-up is the best lay-up for the energy absorber. Four lay-ups were tested using quasi static method: $[0/45/90/-45]_4$, $[0]_{16}$, $[0/90]_8$, $[0/30/-30]_5$. Two triggering methods were used to create initial damage and guarantee the progressive collapse mode: bevel edge and notch edge. As a result, $[0/45/90/-45]_4$ lay-up was find out the best lay-up among the laminates being tested. In the numerical study, a parametric analysis was done to find out the most proper way to simulate the quasi static test of a composite tube using LS-DYNA program. A single composite tube was modeled to be crashed by a moving wall. Comparison between simulation and experiment was done. Reasonable agreement between experiment and analysis was obtained. Dealing with parameter TFAIL and the mass scaling factor, this parametric study shows the ability and the limitation of LS-DYNA in modeling the quasi static test for the composite tube.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.389-394
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• 2015

There is a progressive development in the medical imaging technology, especially of descriptive capability for anatomical structure of human body thanks to advancement of information technology and medical devices. But however maintenance of correct posture is essential for the medical imaging checkup on the shoulder joint requiring rotation of the upper limb due to the complexity of human body. In the cases of MRI examination, long duration and fixed posture are critical, as failure to comply with them leads to minimal possibility of reproducibility only with the efforts of the examiner and will of the patient. Thus, this study aimed to develop an auxiliary device that enables rotation of the upper limb as well as fixing it at quantitative angles for medical imaging examination capable of providing diagnostic values. An auxiliary device has been developed based on the results of precedent studies, by designing a 3D model with the CATIA software, an engineering application, and producing it with the 3D printer. The printer is Objet350 Connex from Stratasys, and acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene(ABS) is used as the material of the device. Dimensions are $120{\times}150{\times}190mm$, with the inner diameter of the handle being 125.9 mm. The auxiliary device has 4 components including the body (outside), handle (inside), fixture terminal and the connection part. The body and handle have the gap of 2.1 mm for smooth rotation, while the 360 degree of scales have been etched on the handle so that the angle required for observation may be recorded per patient for traceability and dual examination.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.568-585
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• 2022

In the present study, we proposed a numerical method for simulating thermally induced fracture slip using a grain-based distinct element model (GBDEM). As a part of DECOVALEX-2023, the thermo-mechanical loading test on a saw-cut rock fracture conducted at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology was simulated. In the numerical model, the rock sample including a saw-cut fracture was represented as a group of random Voronoi polyhedra. Then, the coupled thermo-mechanical behavior of grains and their interfaces was calculated using 3DEC. The key concerns focused on the temperature evolution, thermally induced principal stress increment, and fracture normal and shear displacements under thermo-mechanical loading. The comparisons between laboratory experimental results and the numerical results revealed that the numerical model reasonably captured the heat transfer and heat loss characteristics of the rock specimen, the horizontal stress increment due to constrained displacement, and the progressive shear failure of the fracture. However, the onset of the fracture slip and the magnitudes of stress increment and fracture displacement showed discrepancies between the numerical and experimental results. We expect the numerical model to be enhanced by continuing collaboration and interaction with other research teams of DECOVALEX-2023 Task G and validated in further study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.363-373
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• 2020

During last decades numerous studies generating orthoimage have been carried out. Traditional methods require exterior orientation parameters of aerial images and precise 3D object modeling data and DTM (Digital Terrain Model) to detect and recover occlusion areas. Furthermore, it is challenging task to automate the complicated process. In this paper, we proposed a new concept of true orthoimage generation using DL (Deep Learning). DL is rapidly used in wide range of fields. In particular, GAN (Generative Adversarial Network) is one of the DL models for various tasks in imaging processing and computer vision. The generator tries to produce results similar to the real images, while discriminator judges fake and real images until the results are satisfied. Such mutually adversarial mechanism improves quality of the results. Experiments were performed using GAN-based Pix2Pix model by utilizing IR (Infrared) orthoimages, intensity from LiDAR data provided by the German Society for Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Geoinformation (DGPF) through the ISPRS (International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing). Two approaches were implemented: (1) One-step training with intensity data and high resolution orthoimages, (2) Recursive training with intensity data and color-coded low resolution intensity images for progressive enhancement of the results. Two methods provided similar quality based on FID (Fréchet Inception Distance) measures. However, if quality of the input data is close to the target image, better results could be obtained by increasing epoch. This paper is an early experimental study for feasibility of DL-based true orthoimage generation and further improvement would be necessary.