• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.487-495
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• 2023

This paper presents a method for autonomous exploration of indoor environments using a 2-dimensional Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) scanner. The proposed frontier-based exploration method considers navigability from the current robot position to extracted frontier targets. An approach to constructing the point cloud grid map that accurately reflects the occupancy probability of glass obstacles is proposed, enabling identification of safe frontier grids on the safety grid map calculated from the point cloud grid map. Navigability, indicating whether the robot can successfully navigate to each frontier target, is calculated by applying the skeletonization-informed rapidly exploring random tree algorithm to the safety grid map. While conventional exploration approaches have focused on frontier detection and target position/direction decision, the proposed method discusses a safe navigation approach for the overall exploration process until the completion of mapping. Real-world experiments have been conducted to verify that the proposed method leads the robot to avoid glass obstacles and safely navigate the entire environment, constructing the point cloud map and calculating the navigability with low computing time deviation.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.254-260
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• 2023

A sensor system has been developed that uses an ultrasonic sensor to detect the downhill slope on the side of a forest road and prevents a vehicle-type forest machine from rolling down a mountainside. A specular reflection of ultrasonic wave might cause severe issues in measuring distances to targets. By investigating the installation angle of the sensor to minimize the negative effects of specular reflection, the installation angle of lateral monitoring ultrasonic sensor could be determined based on the width of road shoulder. Obstacles such as small rocks or piece of log in a forest road may cause the forest machine to be overturned while the machine riding over due to excessive its posture change. It was determined that the laser sensor could be a part of a sensor system capable of specifying the location and size of small obstacles. Not only this sensor system including ultrasonic and laser sensors can issue a warning of dangerous sections to drivers in forest forwarders currently in use, but also it can be used as a driving safety sensor in autonomous forest machine or remote-control forest machine in the future.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4695-4702
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• 2023

Nuclear power plants play a pivotal role in the global energy infrastructure, fulfilling a substantial share of the world's energy requirements in a sustainable way. The management of these facilities, especially the handling of spent nuclear fuel (SNF), necessitates meticulous inspections to guarantee operational safety and efficiency. However, the prevailing inspection methodologies lean heavily on human operators, which presents challenges due to the potential hazards of the SNF environment. This study introduces the design of a novel Pre-Batched Inspection Strategy (PBIS) that integrates robotic automation and image processing techniques to bolster the inspection process. This methodology deploys robotics to undertake tasks that could be perilous or time-intensive for humans, while image processing techniques are used for precise identification of SNF targets and regulating the robotic system. The implementation of PBIS holds considerable promise in minimizing inspection time and enhancing worker safety. This paper elaborates on the structure, capabilities, and application of PBIS, underlining its potential implications for the future of nuclear energy inspections.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.201-206
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• 2008

Exposure to formaldehyde(FA) is closely associated with adverse health effects such as irritation, inflammation, and squamous cell carcinomas of the nasal cavities. Owing to its rapid metabolism and elimination, exposure to FA does not always result in an increased concentration in blood or urine of animals and humans. Therefore, the development of biomarkers for FA exposure is necessary for risk assessment. In the present study, the effects of FA were investigated on the expression of genes involved in the MAPK pathway in vitro and results confirmed in rats exposed to FA by inhalation. Treatment of Hs 680.Tr human tracheal epithelial cells with FA induced gene expression for PDGFA, TNFSF11, SHC1, and HRAS. HRAS expression was also increased in tracheas of rats exposed to FA. In addition, FA exposure induced the expression of RASSF4, a member of the Rasassociation domain family of Ras effectors, in rat tracheas. In conclusion, data showed FA-inducible expression of genes involved in the MAPK pathway occurred and increased expression of HRAS and RASSF4 was noted in rat tracheas subchronically exposed to FA by inhalation. These genes may serve as molecular targets of FA toxicity facilitating the understanding of the toxic mechanism.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.587-601
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• 2016

In this paper we suggest method for scalar recoding which is both secure against SPA and DPA. Suggested method is countermeasure to power analysis attack through scalar recoding using negative expression. Suggested method ensures safety of SPA by recoding the operation to apply same pattern to each digit. Also, by generating the random recoding output according to random number, safety of DPA is ensured. We also implement precomputation table and modified scalar addition algorithm for addition to protect against SPA that targets digit's sign. Since suggested method itself can ensure safety to both SPA and DPA, it is more effective and efficient. Through suggested method, compared to previous scalar recoding that ensures safety to SPA and DPA, operation efficiency is increased by 11%.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.31-42
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• 2014

As weapon systems become complex in terms of the scale and functionality, the required time to complete the test and evaluation (T&E) process is inevitably getting longer. However, nowadays the reduction of T&E period becomes one of the core targets in the weapon systems acquisition programs. This is because the reduced time for T&E process can yield the reduction of defense budget and also faster deployment of the weapon systems, thereby having a competitive edge over rival countries. On the other hand, in weapon systems development the management of reliability, availability, maintainability and safety (RAMS), and risk is considered important to keep competitiveness and thus has been carried out separately. Thus, the objective of this paper is to study on improving the T&E process by integrating the RAMS and risk management process in it. To do so, the related processes are analyzed and modeled first. Then an integrated process model is developed. The resulting model is equipped with the traceability among the data and interfaces that are generated from the T&E and RAMS/risk processes. As a case study, the model developed is applied in tanks development. The effective use of the traceability is expected to reduce the time and cost required to complete T&E process.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.136-142
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• 2022

This paper investigates the enhanced wear performance of a CrAl coated accident tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding. In the wake of the Fukushima accident, extensive research on ATF with respect to improving the oxidation resistance of cladding materials is ongoing. Since coated Zr claddings can be applied without major changes to the criteria for reactor core design, many researchers are studying coatings for claddings. To improve the quality of the CrAl coating layer, optimization of the manufacturing process is imperative. This study employs arc ion plating to obtain improved CrAl coated claddings using CrAl binary alloy targets through an improved coating method. Surface roughness and adhesion are improved, and droplets are reduced. Furthermore, the coated layer has a dense and fine microstructure. In scratch tests, all the tested CrAl coated claddings exhibit a superior resistance compared to the Zr cladding. In a fretting wear test, the wear volume of the CrAl coated claddings is smaller compared to the Zr cladding. Furthermore, the coated cladding manufactured through the improved process exhibits better wear resistance than other CrAl coated claddings. Based on these results, we suggest that fine microstructure is attributed to a mechanically and microstructurally robust CrAl coating layer, which enhances wear resistance.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.39-50
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• 2022

Purpose: Odor generated in traditional markets causes discomfort, hindering the pleasant life of residents, and complaints of odors are steadily increasing every year. Odor is defined as a smell that stimulates a person's sense of smell by stimulating hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, amines, and other irritating gaseous substances. Research design, data and methodology: It is not easy to grasp and manage the current status of the odor analysis of living odors such as traditional markets. Seongnam City has an advanced new town of Bundang and Pangyo, while old cities such as Sujeong-gu are relatively underdeveloped. Results: As a result, the gap between the old city center and the new city center widens, so it is urgent to develop a balanced development. Based on this, the market of Seongnam-si is divided into the old city center and the new city center, and the odor complaint in the traditional market is analyzed to find a solution. A survey was conducted to understand the current status of odor management in the Seongnam-si market and the odor felt by users. Moran Market, Seongnam Jungang Market, and Kumho Market and Dolphin Market, located in the new city center, were selected as targets. The items of the survey consisted of the frequency and cause of the odor, the current status of market management, matters that need improvement, and efforts to resolve the odor. Conclusions: Therefore, this study aims to help citizens feel better about odor environment in places where odor standards are exceeded or complaints occur frequently, and to help local governments and market merchants establish more efficient and useful development plans.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2017

Anabolic steroids have similar structures to testosterone, both of which promote the growth of muscle mass and increase strength. However, the side effects of anabolic steroid use may lead to heart attacks or strokes. Additionally, the excessive use of steroids inhibits the production of the sex hormones in the body via a negative feedback loop, which results in testicular atrophy in males and amenorrhea in females. Currently, the method of choice used to test for the presence of anabolic steroids is GC-MS. However, GC-MS methods require chemical derivatization of the steroid sample to ensure compatibility with the analytical method; therefore, analysis of many different samples is difficult and time consuming. Unlike GC-MS, the liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) method is suitable for many samples. Twenty-two different anabolic steroids were analyzed by LC-Q-TOF-MS with various collision energies (CE). Accurate mass spectral data were obtained using a Q-TOF-MS equipped with an electro-spray ionization source and operated in the positive MS/MS mode for several classes of steroids that are often the targets of testing. Based on the collected data, fragmentation pathways were carefully elucidated. The high selectivity and sensitivity of the LC-Q-TOF-MS instrument combined with these fragmentation pathways offers a new approach for the rapid and accurate screening of anabolic steroids. The obtained data from the 22 different anabolic steroids will be shared with the scientific community in order to establish a library to aid in the screening of illegal anabolic steroids.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.89.1-89.1
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• 2011

According to green growth's policy, green-home dissemination's projects are promoting. Among them, stationary fuel cell systems are receiving attention due to high efficiency and clear energy. But it need absolutely to develop cost down technologies and improve system durability for commercialization of the fuel cell system. To achieve this objectives, in 2009, the Korean Government and "Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP)" launched into the strategic development project of BOP technology for practical applications and commercializations of stationary fuel cell systems, named "Technology Development on Cost Reduction of BOP Components for 1kW Stationary Fuel Cell Systems to Promote Green-Home Dissemination Project". This paper introduces a summary of improved BOP performances that has been achieved through the 2nd year development precesses(2010.06~2011.05) base on 1st year development precesses(2009.06~2010.05). The major elements for fuel cell systems are cathode air blowers, burner air blowers, preferential oxidation air blowers, fuel blowers, cooling water pumps, reformer water pumps, heat recovery pumps, mass flow meters, electrical valves, safety valves and a low-voltage inverter. Key targets of those elements are the reduction of cost, power consumption and noise. Invert's key targets are development the low -voltage technologies in order to reduce the number of unit cell in fuel cell system's stack.