• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.933-941
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• 2023

Since the Industrial Age, economic activities have raised environmental concerns, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity conservation areas. However, a fundamental contradiction exists between conservation and utilization, leading to conflicting interests. In light of these issues, the aim of this study was to propose efficient operational strategies for future urban biodiversity conservation areas, while also promoting local community economic development. Accordingly, the focus was the Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve as a case study. The findings reveal the following. First, all local residents recognize the importance of the biosphere reserve and hold a high regard for its direct role in conservation. Second, developing and promoting brands appears to have a more positive impact on local economic activation than activating projects linked to the biosphere reserve. Simultaneously, local residents have expressed negative evaluations of indiscriminate facility development, fearing reckless expansion. Third, if governance is promoted in the future, community participation will likely increase, leading to a strengthening of conservation awareness and the establishment of a framework among local residents and those in adjacent areas. Findings of this study are expected to serve as fundamental data for establishing effective communication among local residents in protected areas facing similar challenges, thus facilitating efficient decision-making processes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.337-348
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• 2023

Successive wetting and drying cycles of concrete due to weather changes can endanger the safety of engineering structures over time. Considering wetting and drying cycles in concrete tests can lead to a more correct and reliable design of engineering structures. This study aims to provide a model that can be used to estimate the resistance properties of concrete under different wetting and drying cycles. Complex sample preparation methods, the necessity for highly accurate and sensitive instruments, early sample failure, and brittle samples all contribute to the difficulty of measuring the strength of concrete in the laboratory. To address these problems, in this study, the potential ability of six machine learning techniques, including ANN, SVM, RF, KNN, XGBoost, and NB, to predict the concrete's tensile strength was investigated by applying 240 datasets obtained using the Brazilian test (80% for training and 20% for test). In conducting the test, the effect of additives such as glass and polypropylene, as well as the effect of wetting and drying cycles on the tensile strength of concrete, was investigated. Finally, the statistical analysis results revealed that the XGBoost model was the most robust one with R2 = 0.9155, mean absolute error (MAE) = 0.1080 Mpa, and variance accounted for (VAF) = 91.54% to predict the concrete tensile strength. This work's significance is that it allows civil engineers to accurately estimate the tensile strength of different types of concrete. In this way, the high time and cost required for the laboratory tests can be eliminated.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2023

Background: Fukushima Medical University (FMU) is located 57 km northwest of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Our laboratory has been conducting environmental radiation measurements continuously before and after the nuclear accident. We aimed to report the observed behavior of radiation originating from the released radioactive materials due to the accident, predict future trends, and disseminate the results to the local residents. Materials and Methods: Measurements of the counting rate by a diameter of 76 mm and a length of 76 mm thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI[Tl]) scintillation detector (S-1211-T; Teledyne Brown Engineering Environmental Services) in the central part of the laboratory, and the dose rate outward at the window by NaI(Tl) scintillation detector and digital processor (EMF211; EMF Japan Co. Ltd.) were conducted. Results and Discussion: Measurements by Teledyne S-1211-T showed that in the early stages, radiation from radioactive isotopes with short half-lives was dominant, while radiation from radioactive isotopes with longer half-lives became dominant as the measurement period became longer. Through nonlinear least squares regression, both short and long half-lives were successfully determined. It was also possible to predict how the radiation dose would decrease. The environmental radiation trends around FMU were measured by the EMF211. Both measurements were affected by rainfall and snow accumulation. Decontamination work on the FMU campus impacted measurements by the EMF211 especially. Conclusion: The results of two types of measurements, one at the center and the other at the window side of the laboratory, were presented. By applying a simplified model, radiation from radioactive isotopes with short and long half-lives was identified. Based on these results, future trends were predicted, and the information was used for public communication with the local residents.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.279-282
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• 2024

This study aimed to verify the results of emotional analysis with respect to canine behavior as reported in the existing animal behavior field based on the dog vestibular emotional reflex (VER) principle, and to evaluate humans and animals based on empathy gained through true communication rather than human-centered interpretation. A total of 200 canines were divided into non-daily and daily situation groups (n=100 each). To assess the psychological and emotional state of each group, these changes were applied to the principle of VER, and six measurement values were selected: positive emotion (balance and energy), negative emotion (tension/anxiety and stress), and body condition (inhibition and neuroticism). The results showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in positive emotions, negative emotions, and body conditions between the two groups. In addition, balance, energy, tension/anxiety, inhibition, and neuroticism were higher in the non-daily situation group than in the daily situation group, with an exception for stress. Compared with the canine daily situation groups, canine in the non-daily situation groups instinctively observed their surroundings to cope with possible threats, had decreased concentration, and elevated vitals due to high-intensity anxiety. This can be perceived as a state of immediate reaction to possible situations/threats. In conclusion, it was confirmed through Vibra Image technology that canine instability mainly affects three factors: positive emotion, negative emotion, and physical condition.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2024

This paper evaluates the influence of rainfall on propagated signal at different time exceedance percentages of an average year, over the climate zones of the country. Specifically, it demonstrates critical and non critical signal fade or signal outage time exceedance (0.001% to 1%) for Ku, K, and Ka-band systems in an average year. The study was carried out using meteorological data made available by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) over a period of 10 years (2009-2018). The four climate zones in the country were represented by five (5) locations; Maidugiri (warm desert climate), Sokoto (tropical dry climate), Port Harcourt (tropical monsoon climate), Abuja and Enugu (tropical savanna climate). The parameters were simulated into the International Telecommunications Union Recommended (ITU-R) models for rain attenuation over the tropics and results presented using MatLab and Origin Lab. Results of Ku band propagations showed that only locations in the tropical savanna and tropical monsoon climates experienced total signal outage for time percentage exceedance equal to or below 0.01% for both horizontal and vertical polarizations. At K band propagations, the five locations showed to have experienced signal outage at time exceedance equal to and below 0.01%, almost same was recorded for the Ka-band propagation. It was also observed that horizontal and vertical polarization of signal had slightly different rain attenuation values for the studied bands at the five locations, with horizontal polarization having higher values than vertical polarization.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.465-474
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• 2024

Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) is a critical geomechanical parameter that plays a significant role in the evaluation of rocks. The practice of indirectly estimating said characteristics is widespread due to the challenges associated with obtaining high-quality core samples. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of utilizing the gene expression programming (GEP) technique for the purpose of forecasting the UCS for various rock categories, including Schist, Granite, Claystone, Travertine, Sandstone, Slate, Limestone, Marl, and Dolomite, which were sourced from a wide range of quarry sites. The present study utilized a total of 170 datasets, comprising Schmidt hammer (SH), porosity (n), point load index (Is(50)), and P-wave velocity (Vp), as the effective parameters in the model to determine their impact on the UCS. The UCS parameter was computed through the utilization of the GEP model, resulting in the generation of an equation. Subsequently, the efficacy of the GEP model and the resultant equation were assessed using various statistical evaluation metrics to determine their predictive capabilities. The outcomes indicate the prospective capacity of the GEP model and the resultant equation in forecasting the unconfined compressive strength (UCS). The significance of this study lies in its ability to enable geotechnical engineers to make estimations of the UCS of rocks, without the requirement of conducting expensive and time-consuming experimental tests. In particular, a user-friendly program was developed based on the GEP model to enable rapid and very accurate calculation of rock's UCS, doing away with the necessity for costly and time-consuming laboratory experiments.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

Purpose: This study is aimed to introduce the application of phantom approach with structural equation modelling method for online learning. By integrating these innovative methodologies, the research seeks to advance the understanding of how the phantom approach can effectively complement and augment structural equation modeling techniques. Research design, data and methodology: A theoretical framework of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was modified and updated. A questionnaire was developed and used to extract information from 189 instructors who used online learning as their primary medium. The Covariance Based Structural Equation Modelling (CBSEM) was applied to test the direct effects and the phantom approach is used to handle the 2 mediators in the model. Results:social influence, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use exerted discernible impacts on instructors' intentionsto engage in online learning. These findings illuminate the intricate dynamics influencing instructor behavior within the realm of online education, underscoring the significance of various factors in shaping their intentions. Conclusions: In additions, the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use had mediated the effect of social influence and instructor intention using phantom approach. Therefore, one can have concluded that this modified model was also confirmed, thereby reinforcing distribution strategies to online learning and overall education presence.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.87-100
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• 2024

Modern logistics significantly influences the globalization and internationalization processes. Logistics systems are becoming increasingly important in today's rapidly changing environment. On the other hand, the development of global economic integration, business globalization contributes to the creation and development of international logistics systems and global supply chains towards the international market. The aim of the article was to investigate the national logistics systems of developing countries in the context of their integration capabilities. The main methods used in this study are statistical analysis, index, graphical and analytical methods, methods for estimating structural dynamic shifts, comparisons. Commonly used methods of economic research, as well as statistical analysis and interstate comparisons, economic modelling (trend analysis to determine the forecast level of LPI for Ukraine), etc. were also involved. It is noted that the problem of development of logistics systems in developing countries was insufficiently covered in scientific research. The study suggests that the integration capabilities of national logistics systems are determined by the logistics performance of each country and the favourable logistics environment for integration transformations. This allowed analysing the state of the logistics systems of Poland, Bulgaria, India and Ukraine, and identifying the factors that determine it. The logistics environment of Poland, Bulgaria, India and Ukraine, as well as the factors of its formation are evaluated. The components of the logistic portrait of the country in the context of integration capabilities of the logistic system are offered. Trend analysis of LPI was carried out on the example of Ukraine, which showed positive trends in the logistics system and allowed drawing conclusions about increasing integration into international logistics channels based on its geopolitical location, improving the characteristics of the logistics environment, including customs regulation, and improving the efficiency of the national logistics system. Prospects for further research involve studies of the impact of pandemics, globalization, digitalization on logistics systems, including that of developing countries.

• Journal of Platform Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.12-31
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• 2024

Today, many countries around the world recognize the development of autonomous vehicles as a national growth engine, support technology development through various projects, and promote it as national policy. China and Korea are representative countries that are strongly promoting autonomous vehicle policies. The Chinese government's policy direction for self-driving cars focuses on support for fostering new industries. Korea has established mid- to long-term goals and plans to foster the future mobility industry as a key growth engine and is promoting these as a national task. Recently, China and Korea have established national pilot areas to test autonomous vehicle operation and are actively pursuing policies. We aim to compare and analyze the operation status of self-driving cars in China's Xiong'an New Area and South Korea's Sejong City and derive policy implications regarding self-driving cars, which are emerging as a key industry of the future. According to the analysis results, it was found that China's Xiong'an New District is ahead of Korea's Sejong City in terms of leader leadership. As a result, autonomous driving is being operated at the government-wide and national level in Xiong'an New Area. In terms of the driving force, in the case of Xiongan New Area, the policy is being promoted by companies centered on Baidu, and in the case of Sejong City, the policy is being promoted by the local government. As a result, it is estimated that Xiongan New Area will be able to reach commercialization before Sejong City. In the final policy proposal, it was proposed to break away from the existing government-led method and switch to a collaboration with the private sector and a private-led method.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.67-77
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop the entrepreneurial mentoring scale on start-up mentoring situation. In recent years, as the needs for entrepreneurship have grown from domestic to foreign, entrepreneurship education is actively being carried out. The entrepreneurial mentoring is strengthening its weight and contents in entrepreneurship education. However, research on the mentoring function scale designed to reflect the characteristics of entrepreneurial mentoring is rarely performed in Korea. In this study, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative research to achieve the research goal. First, we derive the entrepreneurial mentoring scales through literature review and expert group discussions, and we conducted the empirical analysis to draw conclusions. The results of this study are as follows. In the first step, literature review was conducted. In the second step, four major factors and questionnaires were derived through expert group discussion. In the third step, the doctoral level specialists developed 16 questionnaire items to measure the four factors of entrepreneurial mentoring derived from the second step and verified the content validity and the facial validity in fourth step. As a result of this survey, we conducted questionnaires on founding mentors who belonged to 17 Creation Economic Innovation Centers nationwide (153) and analyzed the problem solving, networking, communication, and motivation formation through exploratory factor analysis. This questionnaire was used to survey the entrepreneurial mentors who belonged to the 17 Center for Creative Economy and Innovation under the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning of South Korea(153). In fifth step, as the results of factor analysis such as EFA and CFA, we could confirm four factors including problem solving, networking, communication, and motivation. The significance of this study is as follows. First, academic significance was the first study of the entrepreneurial mentoring function scale reflecting the characteristics of entrepreneur mentoring as a qualitative and quantitative approach in Korea. Second, it is hoped that practitioners will be able to better measure the mentoring function of entrepreneurial mentors and contribute to improving the quality of future entrepreneurial mentoring programs.