• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.561-566
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• 2019

Objective : Functional outcomes have traditionally been evaluated and compared using subjective surveys, such as visual analog scores (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36), to assess symptoms and quality of life. However, these surveys are limited by their subjective natures and inherent bias caused by differences in patient perceptions of symptoms. The Fitbit $Charge^{(R)}$ (Fitbit Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) provides accurate and objective measures of physical activity. The use of this device in patients after laminectomy would provide objective physical measures that define ambulatory function, activity level, and degree of recovery. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify relationships between the number of steps taken by patients per day and VAS pain scores, prognoses, and postoperative functional outcomes. Methods : We prospectively investigated 22 consecutive patients that underwent laminectomy for spinal stenosis or a herniated lumbar disc between June 2015 and April 2016 by the same surgeon. When patients were admitted for surgery and first visited after surgery, preoperative and postoperative functional scores were recorded using VAS scores, ODI scores, and SF-36. The VAS scores and physical activities were recorded daily from postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 7. The relationship between daily VAS scores and daily physical activities were investigated by simple correlation analysis and the relationship between mean number of steps taken and ODI scores after surgery was subjected to simple regression analysis. In addition, Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used to investigate the significance of pre-to-postoperative differences in VAS, ODI, and SF-36 scores. Results : Pre-to-postoperative VAS (p<0.001), ODI (p<0.001), SF-36 mental composite scores (p=0.009), and SF-36 physical composite scores (p<0.001) scores were found to be significantly different. Numbers of steps taken from POD 1 to POD 7 were negatively correlated with daily VAS scores (r=-0.981, p<0.001). In addition, the mean number of steps from POD 3 to POD 7 and the decrease in ODI conducted one month after surgery were statistically significant (p=0.029). Conclusion : Wearable devices are not only being used increasingly by consumers as lifestyle devices, but are also progressively being used in the medical area. This is the first study to demonstrate the usefulness of a wearable device for checking patient physical activity and predicting pain and prognosis after laminectomy. Based on our experience, the wearable device used to provide measures of physical activity in the present study has the potential to provide objective information on pain severity and prognosis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.287-292
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• 2021

Load and resistance factor design is an efficient design approach that provides a system of consistent design solutions. This study aims to determine the load and resistance factors needed for the design of breakwater foundations within a probabilistic framework. In the study, four typical types of Korean breakwaters, namely, rubble mound breakwaters, vertical composite caisson breakwaters, perforated caisson breakwaters, and horizontal composite breakwaters, are investigated. The bearing capacity of breakwater foundations under wave loading conditions is thoroughly examined. Two levels of the target reliability index (RI) of 2.5 and 3.0 are selected to implement the load and resistance factors calibration using Monte Carlo simulations with 100,000 cycles. The normalized resistance factors are found to be lower for the higher target RI as expected. Their ranges are from 0.668 to 0.687 for the target RI of 2.5 and from 0.576 to 0.634 for the target RI of 3.0.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2023

In this study, the O/W emulsification processes with the natural surfactants that were extracted from Medicago sativa L. and Sapindus saponaria L. as emulsifiers were optimized using the central composite design-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM). Herein, independent parameters were the amounts of mixed emulsifiers, the mixing ratio of natural emulsifiers (soapberry saponin/alfalfa saponin), and the emulsification time, whereas the reaction parameters were the emulsion stability index (ESI), mean droplet size (MDS), and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scanvenging activity). Through basic experiments, the ranges of operation variables for the amount of mixed emulsifiers, the mixing ratio of natural emulsifiers, and the emulsification time were 12~14 wt%, 30~70%, and 20~30 min, respectively. The optimum operation variables deduced from CCD-RSM for the amount of mixed emulsifiers, the mixing ratio of natural emulsifiers, and the emulsification time were 13.2 wt%, 44.2%, and 25.8 min, respectively. Under these optimal conditions, the expected values of the ESI, MDS, and antioxidant activity were 88.7%, 815.5 nm, and 38.7%, respectively. And, the measured values of the ESI, MDS, and antioxidant activity were 90.6%, 830.2 nm, and 39.6%, respectively, and the average experimental error for validating the accuracy was about 2.1%. Therefore, it was possible to design an optimization process for evaluating the O/W emulsion process using CCD-RSM.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.209-220
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• 2022

With the worldwide spread of African swine fever, interest in livestock epidemics has increased. Livestock transport vehicles are the main cause of the spread of livestock epidemics, but there are no empirical quarantine procedures and standards related to the mobility of livestock transport vehicles in South Korea. This study extracted the trajectory of livestock-related vehicles using the facility-visit history data from the Korea Animal Health Integrated System and the DTG (Digital Tachograph) data from the Korea Transportation Safety Authority. The results are presented as exposure indices aggregating the link-time occupancy of each vehicle. As a result, 274,519 livestock-related vehicle trajectories were extracted, and the exposure values by link and zone were derived quantitatively. This study highlights the need for prior monitoring of livestock transport vehicles and the establishment of post-disaster prevention policies.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.2B
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• pp.211-217
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• 2010

This paper presents numerical investigations of the physical habitat changes induced by the hydropeaking in the downstream river of dam. For the two-dimensional ecohydraulic simulations, River2D model is used. Pirami (Zacco platypus) is selected as the target fish for investigating the impact of the hydropeaking. For validation of the model, the water surface elevations are simulated with two different water discharges. The computed results are compared with field data in the literature, and the result shows that the model successfully simulates the water flows. The weight usable area (WUA) of Pirami with the life cycle and the composite suitability index with different water discharges are computed and discussed. The results show that habitat for Pirami appears to be best in the bend region downstream of the dam. The discharge of the maximum WUA for adult Pirami is computed to be about 9 $m^3/s$. Also, the WUA computed in a condition of hydropeaking during seven days are presented. The averaged discharge of the hydropeaking appears to be about 20% larger than the drought flow, but the WUA by the hydropeaking is computed to be 60-100% smaller. This result shows that the hydropeaking reduces quantity of habitat available to fish.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.420-428
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• 2023

Crosslinking was introduced into vinylized-mesoporous silica and recycled polyethylene. By introducing a vinyl group into the mesoporous silica, it becomes a material capable of inducing cross-linking with non-polar polyethylene. By synthesizing vinylized-mesoporous silica and inducing crosslinking with recycled polyethylene, a recycled polyethylene composite with improved physical properties than existing recycled polyethylene was synthesized. In addition, even when a small amount is added according to the grade of recycled polyethylene using vinylized-mesoporous silica, the crosslinking reaction proceeds and all physical properties are improved. Four types of vinylized-mesoporous silica were synthesized, and the shape, microstructure, and functional groups were analyzed by TEM, BET, FT-IR, and XRD. Using vinylized-mesoporous silica, three types of compounds were blended by crosslinking reaction with recycled polyethylene. In order to confirm the presence or absence of crosslinking, analysis was performed using XPS and FT-IR, and physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, flexural strength, and flexural modulus were confirmed using a universal testing machine. As a result, by applying vinylized-mesoporous silica to recycled polyethylene in various grades, the weak physical properties of existing recycled polyethylene were overcome. By applying the vinylized-mesoporous silica, recycled polyethylene composite material that overcomes the weak physical properties to the normal polyethylene, it shows the optimal physical property index that can be used commercially. Therefore, it is expected that it can potentially increase the use of recycled polyethylene and recycle resources.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.6
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• pp.611-633
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• 2024

This study intends to investigate the response of multi-cell (MC) beams to flexural loads in which the primary reinforcement is composed of both metallic and non-metallic materials. "Multi-cell" describes beam sections with multiple longitudinal voids separated by thin webs. Seven reinforced concrete MC beams measuring 300×200×1800 mm were tested under flexural loadings until failure. Two series of beams are formed, depending on the type of main reinforcement that is being used. A control RC beam with no openings and six MC beams are found in these two series. Series one and two are reinforced with metallic and non-metallic main reinforcement, respectively, in order to maintain a constant reinforcement ratio. The first crack, ultimate load, deflection, ductility index, energy absorption, strain characteristics, crack pattern, and failure mode were among the structural parameters of the beams under investigation that were documented. The primary variables that vary are the kind of reinforcing materials that are utilized, as well as the kind and quantity of mesh layers. The outcomes of this study that looked at the experimental and numerical performance of ferrocement reinforced concrete MC beams are presented in this article. Nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was performed with ANSYS-16.0 software to demonstrate the behavior of composite MC beams with holes. A parametric study is also carried out to investigate the factors, such as opening size, that can most strongly affect the mechanical behavior of the suggested model. The experimental and numerical results obtained demonstrate that the FE simulations generated an acceptable degree of experimental value estimation. It's also important to demonstrate that, when compared to the control beam, the MC beam reinforced with geogrid mesh (MCGB) decreases its strength capacity by a maximum of 73.33%. In contrast, the minimum strength reduction value of 16.71% is observed in the MC beams reinforced with carbon reinforcing bars (MCCR). The findings of the experiments on MC beams with openings demonstrate that the presence of openings has a significant impact on the behavior of the beams, as there is a decrease in both the ultimate load and maximum deflection.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.433-440
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• 2015

Aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) has been commonly employed as a flame retardant for ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers. In the present work, ATH was obtained from a recycling process of multi-layer packaging film wastes. EVA/ATH composite samples were prepared using a two roll-mill and flame retardancy of EVA/ATH composites were examined using limiting oxygen index (LOI) and flame retardancy test (UL94). We observed excellent flame retardancy in case of adding 150 phr or more of recycled ATH to EVA. Particle size and specific surface area play crucial roles in LOI value and UL-94 classification of the EVA/ATH composites. Smaller particle size and higher specific surface area of ATH was found out to improve the flame retardancy. Regarding tensile properties, crosslinked EVA/ATH compounds which is practically used for electric cables had similar to or even better tensile property values than the ones without ATH.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.459-467
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of substituting whole barley flours on quality characteristics of noodles. Noodles were made with composite flour containing 20% whole barley flour of various hullless barley cultivars and the quality characteristics, ${\beta}$-glucan content and antioxidant characteristics were investigated. In amylogram characteristics, the initial pasting temperature and peak viscosity were increased, and setback was decreased in complex flour. Noodles containing barley flour had low lightness, yellowness and high redness compare to wheat noodle. Water absorption of cooked noodles was lower than wheat noodle. The value of swelling index was high in noodles containing non-waxy barley flour and low in noodles containing waxy barley flour. Hardness and gumminess of noodles were lower than wheat noodle. Noodles containing non-waxy barley had higher hardness, cohesiveness and gumminess than noodles containing waxy barley flour. Dahan, non-waxy barley cultivar showed similar characteristics with the wheat noodle. ${\beta}$-Glucan content and antioxidant activity were increased with adding barley flour. Cooked noodle had slightly high ${\beta}$-glucan content, low starch content and low antioxidant activity compared to value of uncooked noodle.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.104-112
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• 2019

The material properties of the 3D printing cement composite mortar were evaluated, and the performance range in which printing was possible was calculated using the void ratio in a fresh state as a single index. As a results of the tests, as the water-binder ratio (W/B) increased, the mortar flow value increased and the density and strength decreased. As the sand-binder ratio (SS/B) increased, the mortar flow value decreased. However, strength and density increased and decreased up to a certain SS/B. As admixture-binder ratio (Ad/B) increased, mortar flow value, density, and strength decreased. These trends make it difficult to mix-design to meet the target performances of 3D printing mortars, represented by extrudability and buildability. The value of mortar flow increased proportionally with the void ratio, while the density and strength apparently decreased as the void ratio increased. This indicates that void ratio can be utilized as a single index for controlling the material properties in the design of mortar mixtures. It was found that mortar mixture could be printed by a 3D printer when the void ratio was in the range from 0.6 to 0.7. This was verified by printing a mortar which has the void ratio of 0.634. The mortar was produced with the mixture design of W/B 35.0%, SS/B 60.0%, and Ad/B 0.1%. Further research applying diverse admixtures is needed to improve the quality of 3D printing output mortars.