• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.5-13
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• 2024

This paper investigates the stabilization feasibility of contaminated sediment contaminated with benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) using acid/base-modified activated carbon. The efficiency of stabilizers was evaluated by analyzing the impact of the activated carbon on the decomposition and adsorption of the contaminant, along with the biological effects on earthworms. Additionally, the contaminant migration was monitored with the BBP concentration in pore water using low-density polyethylene. The research results indicated that the accumulated concentration of BBP was approximately 2% lower in the experimental group applying a 5% mixture ratio of modified activated carbon compared to the group applying a 10% mixture ratio. The leaching into water was reduced by over 18% in all experimental conditions after 7-day exposure period. Over 25% reduction was observed after 28-day exposure. The pore water concentrations were measured. After 7 days of exposure, the mechanically mixed experimental group exhibited a higher pore water stabilization rate compared to the biologically mixed group. Within the mechanically mixed group, the experimental group with 10% mixture of modified activated carbon showed a 1% higher stabilization rate than the group with 5% mixture. After 28 days of exposure, the biologically mixed experimental group demonstrated a higher pore water stabilization rate compared to the mechanically mixed group. Moreover, within the biologically mixed group, the experimental group with 10% mixture of modified activated carbon showed approximately 0.1% higher stabilization rate than the group with 5% mixture.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2024

We used actual field data to analyze from a traffic engineering perspective how AI and edge computing technologies affect the reduction of traffic accidents. By providing object information from 20m behind with AI object recognition, the driver secures a response time of about 3.6 seconds, and with edge technology, information is displayed in 0.5 to 0.8 seconds, giving the driver time to respond to intersection situations. In addition, it was analyzed that stopping before entering the intersection is possible when speed is controlled at 11-12km at the 10m point of the intersection approach and 20km/h at the 20m point. As a result, it was shown that traffic accidents can be reduced when the high object recognition rate of AI technology, provision of real-time information by edge technology, and the appropriate speed management at intersection approaches are executed simultaneously.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2024

Hi Air Korea and Hanwha ocean are currently developing an Onboard Carbon dioxide Capture System (OCCS) to absorb CO₂ emitted from ship's engine using a sodium hydroxide(NaOH) solution, and converting the resulting salt into a solid form through a chemical reaction with calcium oxide (CaO). The system process involves the following steps; 1)The reaction of CO₂ gas absorption in water, 2)The reaction between carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) and NaOH solution to produce carbonate or bicarbonate, and 3)The reaction between carbonate or bicarbonate and CaO to form calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). And ultimately, the solid material, CaCO₃, is separated and discharged using a separator. The OCCS has been installed on an ship and the test results have confirmed significant reduction effects of CO₂ in the ship's exhaust gas. A portion of the exhaust gas emitted from the engine was transferred to the OCCS using a blower. The flow rate of the transferred gas ranged from 800 to 1384 m³/hr, and the CO₂ concentration in the exhaust gas was 5.1 vol% for VLSFO, 3.7 vol% for LNG and a 12 wt% NaOH solution was used. The results showed a CO₂ capture efficiency of approximately 42.5 to 64.1 vol% and the CO₂ capture rate approximately 48.4 to 52.2kg/hr. Additionally, to assess the impact of the discharged CaCO₃on the marine ecosystem, we conducted "marine ecotoxicity test" and performed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to evaluate the dispersion and dilution of the discharged effluent.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.123-132
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to improve the understanding of stress coping in the very old and elderly and to improve life satisfaction through stress reduction as the population ages. To this end, this study aimed to test the mediating effect of social support on the relationship between stress coping and life satisfaction among very old people. In particular, we paid attention to the differences in stress coping from the existing elderly population and took the view that they should be studied as an independent group. To confirm this, we analysed 275 men and women aged 85 years and older who responded to the fifth supplementary survey of the National Elderly Security Panel (KReIS) conducted by the National Pension Service. IBM SPSS 26 was used to test the mediating effect of social support on the effect of stress coping measures on life satisfaction in the very old elderly. The results of the significance test of the independent variables on the mediating variable showed that stress coping was positively significant, i.e., the higher the level of stress coping, the higher the life satisfaction. In addition, the results of the significance test of the effects of the independent variables and mediators on the dependent variable showed that coping with stress had a significant effect, and the mediator, social support, also had a significant effect on life satisfaction. Therefore, this study suggests the need for social support to improve the level of life satisfaction through coping with stress in the very old elderly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.19-31
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• 2023

According to the climate change scenarios, the intensity of typhoons, a major factor in Korea's natural disaster, is expected to increase. The increase in typhoon intensity leads to a rise in wave heights, which is likely to cause large-scale disasters in coastal regions with high populations and building density for dwelling, industry, and tourism. This study, therefore, analyzed observation data of the Donghae ocean data buoy and conducted a numerical model simulation for wave estimations for the typhoon MAYSAK (202009) period, which showed the maximum significant wave height. The boundary conditions for wave simulations were a JMA-MSM wind field and a wind field applying the typhoon central pressure reduction rate in the SSP5-8.5 climate change scenario. As a result of the wave simulations, the wave height in front of the breakwater at Sokcho port was increased by 15.27% from 4.06 m to 4.68 m in the SSP5-8.5 scenario. Furthermore, the return period at the location of 147-2 grid point of deep-sea design wave was calculated to increase at least twice, it is necessary to improve the deep-sea design wave of return period of 50-year, which is prescriptively applied when designing coastal structures.

• 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.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.27-34
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• 2024

The direct and indirect damages caused by fires in underground utility tunnels have a great impact on society as a whole, so efforts are needed to prevent and manage them in advance. To this end, research is ongoing to prevent disasters such as fire flooding by applying digital twin technology to underground utility tunnels. A network is required to transmit the sensed signals from each sensor to the platform. In essence, it is necessary to analyze the application of wireless networks in the underground utility tunnel environments because the tunnel lacks the reception range of external wireless communication systems. Within the underground utility tunnels, electromagnetic interference caused by transmission and distribution cables, and diffuse reflection of signals from internal structures, obstacles, and metallic pipes such as water pipes can cause distortion or size reduction of wireless signals. To ensure real-time connectivity for remote surveillance and monitoring tasks through sensing, it is necessary to measure and analyze the wireless coverage in underground utility tunnels. Therefore, in order to build a wireless network environment in the underground utility tunnels. this study minimized the shaded area and measured the actual cavity environment so that there is no problem in connecting to the wireless environment inside the underground utility tunnels. We analyzed the data transmission rate, signal strength, and signal-to-noise ratio for each section of the terrain of the underground utility tunnels. The obtained results provide an appropriate wireless planning approach for installing wireless networks in underground utility tunnels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2024

Purpose: Cancer is the leading cause of death in Koreans, with breast cancer being the most common among women. Breast cancer readily metastasizes, and the existing treatment processes impose a significant burden on patients. This study examined whether pomegranate-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PNVs) have anti-cancer effects by inhibiting cell infiltration and metastasis while increasing apoptosis on breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Methods: Initially, exosome-like nanovesicles were isolated from pomegranate using ultracentrifugation. Subsequently, the size range of these nanovesicles was confirmed using nanoparticle tracking analysis. The ability of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells to internalize these natural nanovesicles was assessed with flourescence microscope. The anti-cancer effects of the PNVs were confirmed by applying various concentrations of PNVs (10, 50, 100 ㎍/mL) to MDA-MB-231 cells and systematically assessing their impact on cell viability and migration. Results: The round shape of the lipid bilayer in the PNVs was confirmed, providing crucial insights into their structural properties. We demonstrate that PNVs-associated DiD dye can be efficiently internalized by the MDA-MB-231 cells. The data showed that the PNVs inhibited cell viability, invasion rates, and migration in MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, PNVs were absorbed into the MDA-MB-231 cells, leading to an increased expression of apoptosis proteins, such as cleaved caspase-3 and phosphorus-JNK, in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, a reduction in cell infiltration and decreased expression of the transition markers MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins were observed. Conclusion: For the first time, this study suggests that PNVs may be useful in the prevention or treatment of breast cancer by inhibiting the infiltration and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells and inducing apoptosis.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.45-55
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• 2024

This study analyzed the efficiency determinants of specialty construction companies by industry using the DEA model and the Tobit model. The analysis targets are 394 specialty construction companies as of 2022. As a result of analysis of efficiency determinants using 12 company characteristics as independent variables, the biggest problem for specialty construction companies was overall efficiency reduction due to rising labor costs. In addition, in a situation where construction companies' loan regulations are severe, the debt ratio was found to have a positive effect on efficiency. Company size had a different impact by industry, and the number of businesses held, credit score, and total capital turnover had an effect only on some industries. This study presents results that are an advance on existing research in that it strategically analyzes factors for improving the efficiency of specialty construction companies. However, it has limitations such as limiting the analysis to only specialty construction companies subject to external audit, insufficient number of companies subject to analysis by industry, and analyzing relative efficiency in the same category for each industry.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2024

Background: Dental fear and anxiety are significant challenges in managing behavior in children. Oral administration of sucrose or sweet-tasting solutions has shown effectiveness in reducing procedural pain in infants and neonates. This study aimed to investigate whether pre-application of sucrose solution had an effect on minimizing pain perception during injection and to assess the potential impact of the child's age and sweet preference. Methods: A randomized control clinical trial was conducted on 60 children aged 3-9 years requiring buccal infiltration injections. Following parental consent, demographic data of the children were recorded. Sweet preferences was assessed using a modified forced-choice test. Children were equally and randomly allocated into study (sucrose) and control groups using a lottery method. Sucrose solution or distilled water, respectively, was applied to the lateral surface of the tongue for 2 min. Topical anesthetic was applied at the site of injection, followed by local anesthesia administration. The children rinsed their mouths thrice with water immediately after anesthetic injection. A video was recorded during injection which was then scored by three blinded examiners on the Sound Eye Motor (SEM) scale. The children also self-evaluated using Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS). Results: The mean SEM scores and WBFPS scores were analyzed using the Kruskall-Wallis test. The mean SEM score in the study group was 1.37 ± 0.61, compared to 3.17 ± 0.87 in the control group, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Mean pain scores assessed by WBFPS in the study group were 0.60 ± 1.4, while in the control group, they were 6.27 ± 2.33, also showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Children with a sweet preference demonstrated a subjective reduction in pain perception. Conclusion: Application of sucrose before dental injections in children helps to minimize pain upon injection across all age groups.