• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.936-942
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• 2022

While indoor vehicle navigation is an essential component in large-scale parking garages of major cities, technical limitations and challenging propagation environments considerably degrade the accuracy of existing localization techniques. This paper proposes a proximity detection scheme using low-cost beacons where a handheld mobile device within a moving vehicle autonomously detects its approximate position and moving direction by only observing Received Signal Strength (RSS) values of beacon signals. The proposed approach essentially exploits the differential RSS technique of multi-directional beams to reduce the impact of the environment, vehicle, and mobile device. A low-cost multi-directional beacon prototype is developed using Bluetooth technology. The localization performance is evaluated using 96 beacons in an underground parking garage within an area of 394.8m×304.3m. Experimental results show that the 90th percentile of the average proximity detection error is 0.8m. Furthermore, our proposed scheme provides robust proximity detection performance with various vehicles and mobile devices.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.414-425
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• 2021

Overcrowding of high-rise buildings in urban zones change the airflow pattern in the surrounding areas. This causes building wind, which adversely affects the wind environment. Building wind can generate more serious social damage under extreme weather conditions such as typhoons. In this study, to analyze the wind speed and wind speed ratio quantitatively, we installed five anemometers in Haeundae, where high-rise buildings are dense, and conducted on-site monitoring in the event of typhoon OMAIS to determine the characteristics of wind over skyscraper towers surround the other buildings. At point M-2, where the strongest wind speed was measured, the maximum average wind speed in 1 min was observed to be 28.99 m/s, which was 1.7 times stronger than that at the ocean observatory, of 17.0 m/s, at the same time. Furthermore, when the wind speed at the ocean observatory was 8.2 m/s, a strong wind speed of 24 m/s was blowing at point M-2, and the wind speed ratio compared to that at the ocean observatory was 2.92. It is judged that winds 2-3 times stronger than those at the surrounding areas can be induced under certain conditions due to the building wind effect. To verify the degree of wind speed, we introduced the Beaufort wind scale. The Beaufort numbers of wind speed data for the ocean observatory were mostly distributed from 2 to 6, and the maximum value was 8; however, for the observation point, values from 9 to 11 were observed. Through this study, it was possible to determine the characteristics of the wind environment in the area around high-rise buildings due to the building wind effect.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.415-427
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• 2021

This technical report briefly introduced the rock cutting splitting method under development. This method is a method of excavating the rock by splitting the block after the rock cutting process. After designing the cutting geometry of the rock face, the chisel is press-fitted to remove the rock block. At this time, when the cutting block is properly designed, the tensile crack propagates smoothly at the bottom of the rock block. An analytical solution was devised to estimate the indentation force required for splitting rock blocks using fracture toughness mode 1 required for tensile crack growth. The impact force of the hydraulic breaker of the excavator was analyzed, and the grade of the excavator that can be constructed according to the rock block design geometry was analyzed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.111-124
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether physical ability is improved by body stabilization, develop training methods to improve physical fitness factors suitable for body conditions, and provide future management and exercise materials to improve Taekwondo athletes' performance, after conducting the Body stabilization exercise (BSE) program on 22 elementary school Taekwondo athletes for 10 weeks to strengthen core muscles and evaluating Visual response speed test (VRST), Functional movement screen (FMS), Y-Balance test (YBT) and Vital capacity (VC). Methods : In order to examine the impact of the BSE program on Taekwondo athletes' VRST, FMS, YBT and VC this study conducted individual evaluations on all subjects, including VRST, FMS, YBT and VC before applying the programs, and compared exercise effects before and after the program, before and after exercise by a certain period. Results : After exercising, strength and quickness were improved significantly and reaction time was significantly shortened (p<.001). The total score of FMS was improved from 10.86±1.17 before to 11.68±0.99 after exercising, was statistically significant (p=.014). YBT was significantly improved from 91.11±4.84 before to 95.68±5.15 after exercising (p<.001). VC improved was statistically significant (p<.001). Conclusion : In conclusion, the BSE athletic program is expected to help Taekwondo athletes perform well by preventing and reducing injuries through the improvement of muscular strength, strength, speed, agility, step, kick, balance, flexibility, full body endurance and the combination of technical abilities.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.78 no.3
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• pp.351-368
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• 2021

This paper, by applying a reliability-based framework, develops seismic vulnerability macrozonation maps for Tehran, the capital and one of the most earthquake-vulnerable city of Iran. Seismic performance assessment of 3-, 4- and 5-story steel moment resisting frames (SMRFs), designed according to ASCE/SEI 41-17 and Iranian Code of Practice for Seismic Resistant Design of Buildings (2800 Standard), is investigated in terms of overall maximum inter-story drift ratio (MIDR) and unit repair cost ratio which is hereafter known as "damage ratio". To this end, Tehran city is first meshed into a network of 66 points to numerically locate low- to mid-rise SMRFs. Active faults around Tehran are next modeled explicitly. Two different combination of faults, based on available seismological data, are then developed to explore the impact of choosing a proper seismic scenario. In addition, soil effect is exclusively addressed. After building analytical models, reliability methods in combination with structure-specific probabilistic models are applied to predict demand and damage ratio of structures in a cost-effective paradigm. Due to capability of proposed methodology incorporating both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties explicitly, this framework which is centered on the regional demand and damage ratio estimation via structure-specific characteristics can efficiently pave the way for decision makers to find the most vulnerable area in a regional scale. This technical basis can also be adapted to any other structures which the demand and/or damage ratio prediction models are developed.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.458-465
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the interaction between neck and/or wrist pain and hand grip strength (HGS) and to investigate factors (age, sex, neck disorders, and carpal tunnel syndrome) influencing the HGS of industrial quality proofing workers (N = 145). Methods: Standardized questionnaires [Neck Disability Index (NDI), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire] were used to evaluate existing neck and/or wrist pain. HGS measurements were performed in different wrist positions. Results: Significant differences between participants with and without neck pain were found in different wrist positions, in neutral wrist position right [without neck pain (n = 48) 46.34 (43.39 - 49.30); with neck pain (n = 97) 38.46 (36.20 - 40.72), F_(1,144) = 16.82, p < 0.001, ŋ_p² = 0.11] and left [without neck pain 44.06 (41.19 - 46.94); with neck pain 37.36 (35.13 - 39.58), F_(1,144) = 12.70, p < 0.001, ŋ_p² = 0.08]. A significant difference between participants with and without wrist pain was found for neutral wrist position right [without wrist pain (n = 105) 42.53 (40.37 - 44.70); with wrist pain (n = 40) 37.24 (33.56 - 40.91), F_(1,144) = 6.41, p = 0.01, ŋ_p² = 0.04]. Regression analysis showed significant results especially for steps two (age and weight, NDI) and three (age and weight, NDI, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) for neutral position right (R² = 0.355, R² = 0.357, respectively). Conclusion: Neck pain has an impact on HGS but should be evaluated in consideration of age and sex.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.102-107
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• 2022

South Korea will soon be a super-aged society, as more than 20.6% of its population will be 65 years and older by 2025. As of 2022, 17.5% of the total population in South Korea is 65 years and older, which exceeds the set threshold for an aged society, where more than 14% of the population is 65 years and older. The proportion of older subway construction workers has increased. Aging workers and their work stress negatively impact their workability. A previous study demonstrated that the stress index measured using the uBioMacpa measurement device (Macpa stress index) had a significant correlation with work stress in South Korea. The device tests vascular health and measures stress levels via Macpa signal analysis. In this study, the pulse waves of subway construction workers were measured using uBioMacpa to identify their stress levels. The stress levels were analyzed by age, years of service, job position, employment type, and work type. Herein, these statistics could not be easily represented by a normal distribution; therefore, the Kruskal-Wallis test, a nonparametric statistical method, was used for the analysis of data. The results showed that age, job position, employment type, and working type affected the Macpa stress index and the stress levels of workers increased with age. In terms of job position, technical engineers were more stressed than other workers because of their poor working environment. In terms of employment type, daily-wage workers were more stressed than other workers. In terms of working type, tunneling, waterproofing, and construction scored the highest Macpa stress indexes without any significant difference, whereas earthworks scored the lowest. Based on the analysis of Macpa stress index, safety and health management plans were proposed to reduce the stress levels of workers. Moreover, a manual for efficient stress management must be developed for subway construction workers.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.77-88
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• 2022

In response to the significant COVID-19 outbreak, countries have enforced the use of E-learning systems as an alternative to traditional learning; to contain the virus and minimize the infection rate while maintaining the continuity of the learning experience. However, the effective adoption of E-learning systems requires a well-understanding of critical factors, especially in times of crisis. In this regard, this study intends to assess the success of the E-learning system adoption by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) during the crisis of COVID-19 by utilizing the Information Systems Success (ISS) model. This study's adopted model consists of nine interdependent dimensions, namely: Technical System Quality, Information Quality, Service Quality, Learner Quality, Perceived Satisfaction, Perceived Usefulness, System Use, Intention to Use, and System Success. An electronic survey was distributed among higher education students from different universities in Saudi Arabia to explore each model's dimension. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) has been applied via SmartPLS software to test the causal relationships between dimensions. This study's main results revealed that students' Service Quality, Learner Quality, and the Intention to Use by students are essential drives for E-learning System Use during the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the Intention to Use the system is significantly influenced by Perceived Satisfaction and Perceived Usefulness dimensions. Further, Perceived Satisfaction, Perceived Usefulness, and System Use are interdependent, and all three have a significant positive impact on E-learning System Success.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.353-369
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• 2022

This study attempts to shed light on the coupled impact of types of loading, thickness stretching, and types of variation of Winkler-Pasternak foundations on the flexural behavior of simply- supported FG plates according to the new quasi-3D high order shear deformation theory, including integral terms. A new function sheep is used in the present work. In particular, both Winkler and Pasternak layers are non-uniform and vary along the plate length direction. In addition, the interaction between the loading type and the variation of Winkler-Pasternak foundation parameters is considered and involved in the governing equilibrium equations. Using the virtual displacement principle and Navier's solution technique, the numerical results of non-dimensional stresses and displacements are computed. Finally, the non-dimensional formulas' results are validated with the existing literature, and excellent agreement is detected between the results. More importantly, several complementary parametric studies with the effect of various geometric and material factors are examined. The present analytical model is suitable for investigating the bending of simply-supported FGM plates for special technical engineering applications.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.9
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• pp.299-307
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• 2022

The goal of the study is to examine and assess how the factors of logistics service quality provided by logistics service providers influence customer loyalty and satisfaction in Vietnam. This study employs samples of the Kansei technique. The article's data was gathered through an online survey of 388 distinct Vietnamese customers who used logistics services before and during the Covid-19 outbreak. After the data was obtained, it was evaluated using SmartPLS 3.0's Cronbach's Alpha test and structural equation model (SEM). Staff service quality, operational service quality, and technical service quality are the three factors that determine the quality of logistics services in the study. Out of the 10 proposed hypotheses, research findings show that five are acceptable. The Covid-19 Pandemic in Vietnam had a significant impact on all dimensions, but it had no effect on how satisfied customers were with the logistics service providers. Nevertheless, loyalty is considerably influenced by only one factor, which is customer satisfaction, and customer trust moderates the relationship between these two factors. As a consequence of that, several managerial implications have been proposed to help logistics service providers improve their services to attract and keep Vietnamese customers using their service in the long term.