• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.107-115
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for related researches on knowledge, attitude, and health belief related to hepatitis B and development of a preventive education program for the rise of its vaccination on college students of dental hygienics and dental laboratory technology majors. The questionnaires were distributed to a total of 252 students from April 26 to 30, 2018. The mean knowledge score of hepatitis B was 11.60 out of 20.0. The mean scores for their attitude and health belief on hepatitis B were 3.51 and 3.10 out of 4.0, respectively. Only 38.9% of the subjects were vaccinated and 53.6% of them were not educated. The factors affecting the vaccination were clinical training experience and prevention education. It is essential to provide healthcare education on knowledge, attitude, and health belief related to hepatitis B and to develop a convergent education program because the students may be manpower for healthcare institutions in the future.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.63-77
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• 2021

The aim of this research was to investigate different factors, including cryoprotective agents (CPAs), diluents, dilution ratios, equilibrium times, freezing rates, and thawing methods to optimize cryopreservation protocols for large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). The parameters evaluated were sperm motility, sperm activity index (SAI), survival rate, and DNA damage. Different types of CPAs, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol (PG), ethylene glycol (EG), methanol, and glycerol, were tested for sperm preservation. The highest motility, SAI, and survival rate were observed when EG was used. Different diluents such as Stein's solution, Hank's balanced salt solution, marine fish Ringer's solution, artificial seminal plasma (ASP) of small yellow croaker, and Cortland solution were investigated. The highest post-thaw motility was observed upon using ASP as the diluent. Different concentrations of EG were then mixed with ASP to identify the optimal EG concentration. Experimental results showed that the motility (70.33 ± 1.20%), SAI (5), and survival rate (78.30 ± 0.42%) of post-thaw sperm were optimum when 10% EG and ASP were used as the CPA and diluent of cryopreservation, respectively. Post-thaw sperm motility was high at equilibration times below 150 s and at an optimum dilution ratio of 1:1 (sperm: CPA + diluent) and was not significantly different compared with fresh sperm motility. The freezing rate was found to be slow below -10℃/min. The thawing temperature of 45℃ was identified as ideal. The percentage of tail DNA in post-thaw sperm at 10% EG and ASP was also investigated and was found to have more significant DNA damage than that in fresh sperm but significantly lower damage than that in post-thaw sperm at EG concentrations of 5%, 15%, and 20% (p < 0.05). The cryopreservation protocols obtained in this study will be useful in large yellow croaker hatcheries.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.912-917
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• 2021

We investigated the distribution, molecular characteristics, and antimicrobial resistance of Vibrio vulnificus isolated from seawater at Gadeok Island, the Republic of Korea between June to October. Interestingly no isolates were detected between December to February. The detection rate of V. vulnificus was high (80-100%) from July to September 2019 and from June to September 2020. This coincided with the relatively low salinity of the seawater, which ranged from 7.8-29.9 practical salinity units for that period. Additionally, V. vulnificus had a high detection rate at sampling stations near the Nakdong river. The detection rates of virulence genes, such as vvhA, viuB, and vcgC, among the isolates were 97.1%, 44.1%, and 57.4% in 2019 and 100%, 43.0%, and 50.0% in 2020, respectively. Notably, viuB and vcgC were detected in V. vulnificus isolated between June to October when water temperature was above 20℃. The antimicrobial susceptibility analysis of 80 isolates revealed that most of the strains were susceptible to most antimicrobial agents. However, some isolates showed intermediate resistance to cefepime (18.8%), cefoxitin (58.8%), and erythromycin (22.5%). Of note, 3.8% of the tested strains were resistant to cefoxitin. The minimum inhibitory concentration of highly cefoxitin-resistant strains was determined to be less than 32 ㎍/mL.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.595-605
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• 2021

An understanding of the knowledges, attitudes and perceptions of different populations is key for public health policy makers. Here, a survey was performed on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about malaria diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment. The 407 survey participants included both uninfected inhabitants and patients from 2 cities (Gimpo- and Paju-si) of Northern Gyeonggi-do, known as high-risk areas for vivax malaria. We used community-based study design and non-probability sampling method using the primary data. Association between variables were tested using χ²-tests. In general, the information on malaria reported by the participants in this study was unsystematic and included inaccurate details. The knowledge of malaria symptoms, identified as headache, chills and fever, was high, but the surveyed community lacks knowledge of the specific medications used for malaria treatment, with a large number of respondents having no knowledge of any form of medication. Survey questions with high correct answer rates included questions about easy treatment of malaria in Korea, the high daytime activity of malaria-borne mosquitoes, and the infection risk posed by outdoor activities. However, a large portion of the respondents was unable to provide simple medical and biological information about the disease. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practical behavior of the surveyed community with respect to malaria and the implications reported here could be applicable to other malaria endemic areas in Korea.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.273-286
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• 2004

The effects of environmental forcing on autotrophic picoplankton distributional patterns were investigated for convergence ($5^{\circ}N$), divergence ($9^{\circ}N-10^{\circ}30'N$) and oligotrophic ($17^{\circ}N$) sites in the tropical eastern Pacific during 2001 and 2003 KODOS (Korea Deep Ocean Study) cruises. The distributions of picoplankton populations - Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus and picoeukaryotes algae - were determined by flow cytometric analyses. Latitudinal variations in abundance maxima, vertical profiles, integrated abundance (0-150 m), and estimated carbon biomass were contrasted for each site according to three hydrological conditions. Prochlorococcus showed consistently high abundance in the surface mixed layers of all sites at $1\;{\times}\;10^5{\sim}3\;{\times}\;10^5\;cells\;ml^{-1}$ and showed declining abundance below these layers. However, these decreasing rates were not particularly sharp showing considerably high abundance at $1\;{\times}\;10^4\;cells\;ml^{-1}$ or higher even at 100 m depth. Vertical profiles of Synechococcus and picoeukaryotes were generally parallel to each other in all sites. A clear abundance maximum was observed at divergence site at or slightly above the pycnocline depth. Higher abundance was observed at the surface mixed layer for convergence site but a sharp decrease was observed below the pycnocline. However, there was no significant abundance fluctuation with depth at more oligotrophic site ($17^{\circ}N$). Integrated cell abundance of Prochlorococcus was high in the oligotrophic site at $2.17\;{\times}\;10^{13}\;m^{-2}$, and low in the convergence site at $0.88\;{\times}\;10^{13}\;m^{-2}$. However, opposite pattern was observed for Synechococcus and picoeukaryotes where relatively high integrated cell abundance was shown in the convergence site. Estimated carbon biomass of Prochlorococcus contributed 30.4-80.3% of total autotrophic picoplankton carbon showing the highest contribution in the oligotrophic site and the lowest contribution in the convergence site. Synechococcus contribution of total autotrophic picoplantkon carbon biomass was lower than 5.8% for most of sites except the convergence site where Synechococcus contributed 23.2% of picoplankton carbon biomass. Carbon biomass of picoeukaryotes was 18.8-46.4% showing the highest carbon biomass at the convergence site. Overall, Prochlorococcus showed higher cell abundance and carbon biomass and exhibited different reaction to hydrological conditions when compare with the other two major autotrophic picoplankton groups.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.493-502
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• 2012

This study aimed to determine the management and environmental factors affecting medical expense reduction. For analysis, medical expenses were divided into hospitalization expenses and outpatient treatment expenses, and the rate of medical expense reduction was classified into initial and final reduction rates. Data were collected through a direct survey among 205 directors of independent health insurance review departments of hospital-level medical institutions in Korea. The results of the study are discussed below: In the analysis, differences in the initial and final reduction rates of hospitalization expenses and outpatient treatment expenses were compared. The results showed that, in hospitalization expenses, the initial and final reduction rates were both significantly affected by the following management factors: number of beds, number of departments, number of personnel reviewing health insurance cases, and total number of employees. Further, in outpatient treatment expenses, the initial and final reduction rates were both affected significantly by the following management factors: management of medical records, number of beds, number of departments, number of personnel reviewing health insurance, and total number of employees. The management factors significantly affecting both the initial and final reduction rates were higher number of beds for hospitalization expenses and electronic medical record management for outpatient treatment expenses. The environmental factors significantly affecting both the initial and final reduction rates of hospitalization expenses were a highly cooperative work environment, better implementation of indicator management systems, and overtime pay. Better implementation of indicator management system and a committee for handling medical expenses had significant effects on the initial reduction rate for outpatient treatment expenses. A highly cooperative work environment, better implementation of indicator management system, and overtime pay had significant effects on the final reduction rate for outpatient treatment expenses.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.779-791
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• 2023

This study aimed to assess the effects of embryonic developmental stage, quality grade, and fresh or frozen/thawed conditions on the pregnancy rate and sex ratio of live offspring in Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) cows. The quality and developmental stage of in vivo-derived (IVD) transferred embryos were evaluated using the standard criteria of the International Embryo Technology Society. The recipient cows were synchronized using conventional (estradiol benzoate and progesterone) protocols before embryo transfer. Embryos were transferred to 297 cows, and pregnancy was monitored for 60-70 days after embryo transfer. The pregnancy rates of fresh and frozen/thawed embryos were 56.90% and 52.49%, respectively. Pregnancy rates varied according to embryo quality (56.18% for grade 1 vs. 36.67% for grade 2). Pregnancy rates also varied by developmental stage and cryopreservation (67.86% vs. 63.49% for stage 4-1, 64.00% vs. 54.72% for 5-1, and 50.00% vs. 47.83% for 6-1, in fresh embryos vs. frozen/thawed embryos, respectively). For stage 7-1, the pregnancy rates were 72.73% for fresh embryos and 20.00% for frozen/thawed embryos. In 66 fresh embryos, the sex ratio of live offspring was 5:5, whereas it was 4(female):6(male) for frozen/thawed embryos among the 95 frozen/thawed embryos. The miscarriage rate was approximately 3% higher for frozen/thawed embryos than for fresh embryos (18.1% for fresh vs. 21.1% for frozen). Seasonal fertility rates were 33.3% in spring, 55.67% in summer, 52.8% in autumn, 60.0% in winter. The following male-to-female ratios were observed in different seasons: 6.7:3.3 in spring, 4.0:6.0 in summer, 5.5:4.5 in autumn, and 3.3:6.7 in winter. The current data revealed no significant differences in pregnancy rates between fresh and frozen/thawed IVD embryos. However, there was a lower pregnancy rate with advanced-stage frozen/thawed embryos (stage 7-1). The current study provides comprehensive results for the better optimization of embryo transfer in Hanwoo cattle to obtain the desired fertility rate, pregnancy rate, and sex ratio of calves. These results provide important insights into the factors that influence the viability and success of IVD embryo transfer in Hanwoo cows and may have practical applications for improving breeding programs and reducing production costs.

• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.552-563
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• 2005

In this paper, we propose a wavelet based fuzzy neural network (WFNN) based direct adaptive control scheme for the solution of the tracking problem of mobile robots. To design a controller, we present a WFNN structure that merges the advantages of the neural network, fuzzy model and wavelet transform. The basic idea of our WFNN structure is to realize the process of fuzzy reasoning of the wavelet fuzzy system by the structure of a neural network and to make the parameters of fuzzy reasoning be expressed by the connection weights of a neural network. In our control system, the control signals are directly obtained to minimize the difference between the reference track and the pose of a mobile robot via the gradient descent (GD) method. In addition, an approach that uses adaptive learning rates for training of the WFNN controller is driven via a Lyapunov stability analysis to guarantee fast convergence, that is, learning rates are adaptively determined to rapidly minimize the state errors of a mobile robot. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the proposed direct adaptive control system using the WFNN controller, we compare the control results of the WFNN controller with those of the FNN, the WNN and the WFM controllers.

• Journal of information and communication convergence engineering
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.173-179
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• 2010

Over recent years, much research attention has been devoted to a two-factor authentication mechanism which integrates both tokenized pseudorandom numbers with user specific biometric features for biometric verification, known as Biohash. The main advantage of Biohash over sole biometrics is that Biohash is able to achieve a zero equal error rate and provide a clean separation of the genuine and imposter populations, thereby allowing elimination of false accept rates without imperiling the false reject rates. Nonetheless, when the token of a user is compromised, the recognition performance of a biometric system drops drastically. As such, a few solutions have been proposed to improve the degraded performance but such improvements appear to be insignificant. In this paper, we investigate and pinpoint the basis of such deterioration. Subsequently, we propose a two-level approach by utilizing strong inner products and fuzzy logic weighting strategies accordingly to increase the original performance of Biohash under this scenario.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.316-321
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• 2003

This paper presents a design method of the wavelet neural network based controller using direct adaptive control method to deal with a stable intelligent control of chaotic systems. The various uncertainties, such as mechanical parametric variation, external disturbance, and unstructured uncertainty influence the control performance. However, the conventional control methods such as optimal control, adaptive control and robust control may not be feasible when an explicit, faithful mathematical model cannot be constructed. Therefore, an intelligent control system that is an on-line trained WNN controller based on direct adaptive control method with adaptive learning rates is proposed to control chaotic nonlinear systems whose mathematical models are not available. The adaptive learning rates are derived in the sense of discrete-type Lyapunov stability theorem, so that the convergence of the tracking error can be guaranteed in the closed-loop system. In the whole design process, the strict constrained conditions and prior knowledge of the controlled plant are not necessary due to the powerful learning ability of the proposed intelligent control system. The gradient-descent method is used for training a wavelet neural network controller of chaotic systems. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed control method is demonstrated with application to the chaotic systems.