• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5A
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• pp.737-746
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• 2008

Recently, NDTs (Non-Destructive Techniques) using electromagnetic(EM) properties are applied to the performance evaluation for RC (Reinforced Concrete) structures. Since nonmetallic materials which are cement-based system have their unique dielectric constant and conductivity, they can be characterized and changed with different mixture conditions like W/C (water to cement) ratios and unit cement weight. In a room condition, cement mortar is generally dry so that porosity plays a major role in EM properties, which is determined at early-aged stage and also be affected by curing condition. In this paper, EM properties (dielectric constant and conductivity) in cement mortar specimens with 4 different W/C ratios are measured in the wide region of 0.2 GHz~20 GHz. Each specimen has different submerged curing period from 0 to 28 days and then EM measurement is performed after 4 weeks. Furthermore, porosity at the age of 28 days is measured through MIP (Mercury Intrusion Porosimeter) and saturation is also measured through amount of water loss in room condition. In order to evaluate the porosity from the initial curing stage, numerical analysis based on the modeling for the behavior in early-aged concrete is performed and the calculated results of porosity and measured EM properties are analyzed. For the convenient comparison with influencing parameters like W/C ratios and curing period, EM properties from 5 GHz to 15 GHz are averaged as one value. For 4 weeks, the averaged dielectric constant and conductivity in cement mortar are linearly decrease with higher W/C ratios and they increase in proportion to the square root of curing period regardless of W/C ratios.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4B
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• pp.363-374
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• 2008

Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curve that is essential to calculate rainfall quantiles for designing hydraulic structures in Korea is generally formulated by regression analysis. In this study, IDF curve derived by the cumulative distribution function ("IDF by CDF") of the proper probability distribution function (PDF) of each site is suggested, and the corresponding parameters of IDF curve are computed using genetic algorithm (GA). For this purpose, IDF by CDF and the conventional IDF derived by regression analysis ("IDF by REG") were computed for 22 Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) rainfall recording sites. Comparisons of RMSE (root mean squared error) and RRMSE (Relative RMSE) of rainfall intensities computed from IDF by CDF and IDF by REG show that IDF by CDF is more accurate than IDF by REG. In order to accommodate the effect of the recent intensive rainfall of Korea, the rainfall intensities computed by the two IDF curves are compared with that by at-site frequency analysis using the rainfall data recorded by 2006, and the result from IDF by CDF show the better performance than that from IDF by REG. As a result, it can be said that the suggested IDF by CDF curve would be the more efficient IDF curve than that computed by regression analysis and could be applied for Korean rainfall data.

• Smart Media Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2023

Recently, a convolutional neural network (CNN) based system is being developed to overcome the limitations of human resources in the apple quality classification of farmhouse. However, since convolutional neural networks receive only images of the same size, preprocessing such as sampling may be required, and in the case of oversampling, information loss of the original image such as image quality degradation and blurring occurs. In this paper, in order to minimize the above problem, to generate a image patch based graph of an original image and propose a random walk-based positional encoding method to apply the graph transformer model. The above method continuously learns the position embedding information of patches which don't have a positional information based on the random walk algorithm, and finds the optimal graph structure by aggregating useful node information through the self-attention technique of graph transformer model. Therefore, it is robust and shows good performance even in a new graph structure of random node order and an arbitrary graph structure according to the location of an object in an image. As a result, when experimented with 5 apple quality datasets, the learning accuracy was higher than other GNN models by a minimum of 1.3% to a maximum of 4.7%, and the number of parameters was 3.59M, which was about 15% less than the 23.52M of the ResNet18 model. Therefore, it shows fast reasoning speed according to the reduction of the amount of computation and proves the effect.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.6D
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• pp.719-726
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• 2009

In this study, a series of push-off tests for lean concrete, aggregate, asphalt subbases mainly used in Korea were performed to investigate the friction characteristics between the slab and subbase layers. Use of separation membrane and wet condition of subbase were other parameters in the tests. Horizontal displacements of the slabs and friction coefficients were measured at 1st loading, stable condition (2nd and 3rd loadings), and wet condition (4th loading) by applying 40mm/hour horizontal loadings. Larger maximum friction coefficients were measured in order of the lean concrete, asphalt, aggregate, and subbases using the separation membrane at 1st loading, and in order of the asphalt, aggregate, lean concrete, and subbases using the separation membrane at stable and wet conditions. The friction coefficients of the aggregate and asphalt subbases which did not used the separation membrane decreased by the wet condition while the subbases using the separation membrane were not affected. Additional push-off tests for effects of slab thickness and temperature sensitivity of asphalt will be performed. And, effects of the friction characteristics between the slab and subbase layers on behavior and performance of concrete pavements will be investigated by structural analyses using the test results.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.241-259
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to study the performance of volunteer work for the elderly from the perspective of self-efficacy and self-extension of the elderly, not from successful aging or productive aging. Through this, the research aims to confirm the expansion of internal growth and self-sufficiency that can occur in old age, and to provide an opportunity to re-examine one's life in old age. In order to verify the purpose of this research, questionnaires were distributed to 300 senior citizens who participated in volunteer activities at the City Hall and the District Office of Busan Metropolitan City over a period of three months from September to November 2018 and used the data from 266 questionnaires for the study, excluding the 34questionnaire answered unfaithfully. The results of the study are as follows. First, the motivation for volunteering activities (value function, social function, understanding function) of the elderly has a positive effect on self-efficacy. Second, the motivation for volunteering activities (value functions, social functions, understanding functions) have a positive effect on self-extension. Third, it has been shown that the elderly's sense of self-efficacy (self-regulation efficacy, confidence) has a positive effect on their self-extension. Fourth, it was found that self-efficacy has a mediated effect on the motivation of the elderly to participate in volunteer activities and the relationship of self-extension. This study identified the relevance of the motivation for volunteering activities of the elderly to influence their effectiveness and self-extension. In particular, the research suggests practical and policy measures for the revitalization of volunteer activities of the elderly by providing a new perspective on the welfare of the elderly by utilizing parameters of self-efficacy, a psychological and social concept for the elderly.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.348-372
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• 2023

In relation to the high-level radioactive waste disposal project in deep fractured rock aquifer environments, it is essential to evaluate hydrogeological characteristics for evaluating the suitability of the site and operational stability. Such subsurface hydrogeological data is obtained through in-situ tests using boreholes excavated at the target site. The accuracy and reliability of the investigation results are directly related to the selection of appropriate test methods, the performance of the investigation system, standardization of the investigation procedure. In this report, we introduce the detailed procedures for the representative test method, the constant pressure injection test (CPIT), which is used to determine the key hydrogeological parameters of the subsurface fractured rock aquifer, namely hydraulic conductivity and storativity. This report further refines the standard test method suggested by the KSRM in 2022 and includes practical field application case conducted in volcanic rock aquifers where this investigation procedure has been applied.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.201-214
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• 2023

This study attempted to analyze the impact of individual entrepreneurial capabilities on entrepreneurial intention targeting small and medium-sized business employees, and sought to confirm the mediating effect of entrepreneurial efficacy and entrepreneurial mentoring between entrepreneurial capabilities and entrepreneurial intention. The sub-variables of entrepreneurship competency were analyzed separately into creativity, problem solving, communication, and marketing. 368 questionnaires collected from employees at small and medium-sized manufacturing companies located across the country were used for empirical analysis. A parallel dual mediation model with no causal relationship between parameters was used for empirical analysis using SPSS v26.0 and PROCESS macro v4.2. As a result of the analysis, first, among the start-up competencies, creativity, communication, and marketing were confirmed to have a significant positive (+) effect on start-up efficacy. Second, among the start-up competencies, creativity, communication, and marketing were tested to have a significant positive influence on start-up mentoring. Third, both startup efficacy and startup mentoring were found to have a significant positive influence on startup intention. Fourth, among start-up capabilities, creativity and marketing were confirmed to have a significant positive (+) effect on start-up intention. Fifth, startup efficacy and startup mentoring were found to have a mediating effect on startup intention except for problem solving among startup competencies. As a result, it was confirmed that in order to strengthen the intention to start a business among small and medium-sized business employees, start-up efficacy and start-up mentoring are important factors, and that marketing and creativity have an important influence among individual start-up capabilities, so education and prior preparation for these are necessary. As follow-up research, it will be necessary to apply multivariate models, analyze time series data, research considering external environmental factors, and test the difference between start-up capabilities and performance considering detailed population characteristics.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.127-140
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• 2024

Upon direct/indirect exposure to flame or heat, composite structures may burn or thermally buckle. This issue becomes more important in the natural fiber-based composite structures with higher flammability and lower mechanical properties. The main goal of the present study was to obtain an optimal eco-friendly composite system with low flammability and high thermal buckling resistance. The studied composite consisted of polypropylene (PP) and short abaca fiber (AF) with eggshell powder (ESP) and halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs) additives. An optimal base composite, consisting of 30 wt.% AF and 70 wt.% PP, abbreviated as OAP, was initially introduced based on burning rate (BR) and the Young's modulus determined by horizontal burning test (HBT) and tensile test, respectively. The effects of adding ESP to the base composite were then investigated with the same experimental tests. The results indicated that though the BR significantly decreased with the increase of ESP content up to 6 wt.%, it had a very destructive influence on the stiffness of the composite. To compensate for the damaging effect of ESP, small amount of HNT was used. The performance of OAP composite with 6 wt.% ESP and 3 wt.% HNT (OAPEH) was explored by conducting HBT, cone calorimeter test (CCT) and tensile test. The experimental results indicated a 9~23 % reduction in almost all flammability parameters such as heat release rate (HRR), total heat released (THR), maximum average rate of heat emission (MARHE), total smoke released (TSR), total smoke production (TSP), and mass loss (ML) during combustion. Furthermore, the combination of 6 wt.% ESP and 3 wt.% HNT reduced the stiffness of OAP to an insignificant amount by maximum 3%. Moreover, the char residue analysis revealed the distinct differences in the formation of char between AF/PP and AF/PP/ESP/HNT composites. Afterward, dilatometry test was carried out to examine the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of OAP and OAPEH samples. The obtained results showed that the CTE of OAPEH composite was about 18% less than that of OAP. Finally, a theoretical model was used based on first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) to predict the critical bucking temperatures of the OAP and OAPEH composite plates. It was shown that in the absence of mechanical load, the critical buckling temperatures of OAPEH composite plates were higher than those of OAP composites, such that the difference between the buckling temperatures increased with the increase of thickness. On the contrary, the positive effect of CTE reduction on the buckling temperature decreased by raising the axial compressive mechanical load on the composite plates which can be assigned to the reduction of stiffness after the incorporation of ESP. The results of present study generally stated that a suitable combination of AF, PP, ESP, and HNT can result in a relatively optimal and environmentally friendly composite with proper flame and thermal buckling resistance with no significant decline in the stiffness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.620-631
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• 2022

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of features suggestive of nodal metastasis on preoperative MRI in patients with invasive breast cancer. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative breast MRI of 192 consecutive patients with surgically proven invasive breast cancer. We analyzed MRI findings of axillary lymph nodes with regard to the size, long/short ratio, cortical thickness, shape and margin of the cortex, loss of hilum, asymmetry, signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted images (T2WI), degree of enhancement in the early phase, and enhancement kinetics. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, chi-square test, t test, and McNemar's test were used for statistical analysis. Results Increased shorter diameter, uneven cortical shape, increased cortical thickness, loss of hilum, asymmetry, irregular cortical margin, and low SI on T2WI were significantly suggestive of metastasis. ROC analysis revealed the cutoff value for the shorter diameter and cortical thickness as 8.05 mm and 2.75 mm, respectively. Increased cortical thickness (> 2.75 mm) and uneven cortical shape showed significantly higher sensitivity than other findings in McNemar's test. Irregular cortical margins showed the highest specificity (100%). Conclusion Cortical thickness > 2.75 mm and uneven cortical shape are more sensitive parameters than other findings, and an irregular cortical margin is the most specific parameter for predicting axillary metastasis in patients with invasive breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.133-144
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• 2023

Objective: Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKN)2A/B homozygous deletion is a key molecular marker of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant astrocytomas in the 2021 World Health Organization. We aimed to investigate whether qualitative and quantitative MRI parameters can predict CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion status in IDH-mutant astrocytomas. Materials and Methods: Preoperative MRI data of 88 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 42.0 ± 11.9 years; 40 females and 48 males) with IDH-mutant astrocytomas (76 without and 12 with CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion) from two institutions were included. A qualitative imaging assessment was performed. Mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), 5th percentile of ADC, mean normalized cerebral blood volume (nCBV), and 95th percentile of nCBV were assessed via automatic tumor segmentation. Logistic regression was performed to determine the factors associated with CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion in all 88 patients and a subgroup of 47 patients with histological grades 3 and 4. The discrimination performance of the logistic regression models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: In multivariable analysis of all patients, infiltrative pattern (odds ratio [OR] = 4.25, p = 0.034), maximal diameter (OR = 1.07, p = 0.013), and 95th percentile of nCBV (OR = 1.34, p = 0.049) were independent predictors of CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion. The AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the corresponding model were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.91), 90.4%, 83.3%, and 75.0%, respectively. On multivariable analysis of the subgroup with histological grades 3 and 4, infiltrative pattern (OR = 10.39, p = 0.012) and 95th percentile of nCBV (OR = 1.24, p = 0.047) were independent predictors of CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion, with an AUC accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the corresponding model of 0.76 (95% CI, 0.60-0.88), 87.8%, 80.0%, and 58.1%, respectively. Conclusion: The presence of an infiltrative pattern, larger maximal diameter, and higher 95th percentile of the nCBV may be useful MRI biomarkers for CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion in IDH-mutant astrocytomas.