• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.744-753
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• 2021

This study suggests ways to improve the standard test method and judgment criterion for the "Eco-toxicity Test" based on the rules and regulations provided in 'performance and qualifying test standards for marine pollution prevention materials and chemicals' in the Republic of Korea. Compared with the relevant references of other countries, this study attempted to find the limitations in the existing standards. As for the growth inhibition test of algae using Skeletonema costatum as an indicator, applying comparative analysis to measure specific growth rates, together with statistical analysis, instead of applying current methods, judged by the appearance of colors from the culture medium was suggested. Considering the exponential growth phase of the test species, the test duration was suggested to be reduced to less than four days. For the test with fish as an indicator, resetting the appropriate body size was suggested to, show consistent sensitivity against chenicals applied during testing. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the criteria needs, which should be established in reasonable and objective ways. For the testing species, marine rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis could be a replacement for Artemia sp., and a bivalve for fish in the test. To improve the performance effectiveness of the "Eco-toxicity test", it is worth considering the designation of accredited testing institutes, by placing it in the same loop. Thus it is also expected to have a reliable management system in place, having the capacity of cost calculation properly and adjusting testing items if required.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.433-442
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• 2021

In this study, the properties of no-fines polymer concrete with different polymer binder contents were evaluated. The polymer concrete was formulated using a polymeric binder (unsaturated polyester resin), fly ash, and recycled coarse aggregate (60%) and crushed coarse aggregate (40%). The polymeric binder content (4.0-6.0wt.%) was used as an experimental variable because it dramatically affects both the cost-effectiveness and material properties. The results showed that the density, compressive strength, flexural strength both before and after exposure to freezing and thawing increased as the polymer binder content increased, while the absorption, void ratio, permeable voids, coefficient of permeability, and acid resistance (mass loss by acid attack) decreased as the polymeric binder content increased. In particular, even though the void ratio was 18.4% and the water permeability coefficient was 7.3mm/sec, the compressive strength and flexural strength were as high as 38.0MPa and 10.0MPa, respectively, much more significant than those of previous studies. Other properties such as absorption and acid resistance were also found to be excellent. The results appear to be rooted in the increased adhesion of the binder by adding a cross-linking agent and the surface hydrophobicity of the polymer.

• Journal of the Korean Medical Association
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.765-775
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• 2018

With growing interest in novel digital healthcare devices, such as artificial intelligence (AI) software for medical diagnosis and prediction, and their potential impacts on healthcare, discussions have taken place regarding the regulatory approval, coverage, and clinical implementation of these devices. Despite their potential, 'digital exceptionalism' (i.e., skipping the rigorous clinical validation of such digital tools) is creating significant concerns for patients and healthcare stakeholders. This white paper presents the positions of the Korean Society of Radiology, a leader in medical imaging and digital medicine, on the clinical validation, regulatory approval, coverage decisions, and clinical implementation of novel digital healthcare devices, especially AI software for medical diagnosis and prediction, and explains the scientific principles underlying those positions. Mere regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration of Korea, the United States, or other countries should be distinguished from coverage decisions and widespread clinical implementation, as regulatory approval only indicates that a digital tool is allowed for use in patients, not that the device is beneficial or recommended for patient care. Coverage or widespread clinical adoption of AI software tools should require a thorough clinical validation of safety, high accuracy proven by robust external validation, documented benefits for patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. The Korean Society of Radiology puts patients first when considering novel digital healthcare tools, and as an impartial professional organization that follows scientific principles and evidence, strives to provide correct information to the public, make reasonable policy suggestions, and build collaborative partnerships with industry and government for the good of our patients.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.140-153
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• 2019

Cloase-range image information from drones and ground-based camera has been frequently used in the field of disaster mitigation with 3D modeling and mapping. In addition, the utilization of virtual reality(VR) is being increased by implementing realistic 3D models with the VR technology simulating disaster circumstances in large scale. In this paper, we created a VR training program by extracting realistic 3D models from close-range images from unmanned aircraft and digital camera on hand and observed several issues occurring during the implementation and the effectiveness in the case of a VR application in training for disaster mitigation. First of all, we built up a scenario of disaster and created 3D models after image processing with the close-range imagery. The 3D models were imported into Unity, a software for creation of augmented/virtual reality, as a background for android-based mobile phones and VR environment was created with C#-based script language. The generated virtual reality includes a scenario in which the trainer moves to a safe place along the evacuation route in the event of a disaster, and it was considered that the successful training can be obtained with virtual reality. In addition, the training through the virtual reality has advantages relative to actual evacuation training in terms of cost, space and time efficiencies.

• Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.1-24
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• 2018

In the last decade, the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a new technology has been applied with traditional Computer-aided design implementations in an increasing number of architecture, engineering, and construction projects and applications. Its employment alongside construction management, can be a valuable tool in helping move these activities and projects forward in a more efficient and time-effective manner. The traditional stakeholders, i.e., Owner, A/E and the Contractor are involved in this BIM system that is used in almost every activity of construction projects, such as design, cost estimate and scheduling. This article extracts major features of the application of BIM from perspective of participating BIM components, along with the different phrases, and applies to them a logistic analysis using a fuzzy performance tree, quantifying these phrases to judge the effectiveness of the BIM techniques employed. That is to say, these fuzzy performance trees with fuzzy logic concepts can properly translate the linguistic rating into numeric expressions, and are thus employed in evaluating the influence of BIM applications as a mathematical process. The rotational fuzzy models are used to represent the membership functions of the performance values and their corresponding weights. Illustrations of the use of this fuzzy BIM performance tree are presented in the study for the uninitiated users. The results of these processes are an evaluation of BIM project performance as highly positive. The quantification of the performance ratings for the individual factors is a significant contributor to this assessment, capable of parsing vernacular language into numerical data for a more accurate and precise use in performance analysis. It is hoped that fuzzy performance trees and fuzzy set analysis can be used as a tool for the quality and risk analysis for other construction techniques in the future. Baldwin's rotational models are used to represent the membership functions of the fuzzy sets. Three scenarios are presented using fuzzy MEAN, AND and OR gates from the lowest to intermediate levels of the tree, and fuzzy SUM gate to relate the intermediate level to the top component of the tree, i.e., BIM application final performance. The use of fuzzy MEAN for lower levels and fuzzy SUM gates to reach the top level suggests the most realistic and accurate results. The methodology (fuzzy performance tree) described in this paper is appropriate to implement in today's construction industry when limited objective data is presented and it is heavily relied on experts' subjective judgment.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.69-74
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficiency of bacteria removal of three different types of hand washing methods. This study performed a convenient sampling of 30 volunteers in cross-over design. The study divided the 30 volunteers into three random groups. The three groups were asked to use antiseptic soap, alcohol-based hand disinfectant, and disposable wet wipes respectively. The result of the study showed that mean log reduction values after each had washing method were $-0.45({\pm}0.69)$ with antiseptic soap and water, $-1.19({\pm}0.52)$ with alcohol-based hand disinfectant and $-0.75({\pm}0.58)$ with disposable wet wipes. The difference was statistically significant when using alcohol-based hand disinfectant compared to the other two methods (p=0.000). According to this study, alcohol-based hand disinfectant was the most effective product based on bacteria removal for hand washing. Advantages of using alcohol-based hand disinfectant are that it is cost-effective and easy to buy, also eco-friendly. Therefore, to prevent infectious disease, providing alcohol-based hand disinfectant to every corner of the community will be very helpful.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2019

Recently, Low impact development techniques, a form of nature-based solutions (NBS), were seen cost-efficient alternatives that can be utilized as alternatives for conventional stormwater management practices. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an infiltration trench (IT) and a small constructed wetland (SCW) in treating urban stormwater runoff. Long-term monitoring data were observed to assess the seasonal performance and cite the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing the facilities. Analyses revealed that the IT has reduced performance during the summer season due to higher runoff volumes that exceeded the facility's storage volume capacity and caused the facility to overflow. On the other hand, the pollutant removal efficiency of the SCW was impacted by the winter season as a result of dormant biological activities. Sediment data also indicated that fine and medium sand particles mostly constituted the trapped sediments in the pretreatment and media zones. Sediments in SCW exhibited a lower COD and TN load due to the phytoremediation and microbiological degradation capabilities of the system. This study presented brief comparison LID facilities equipped with pre-treatment zones. The identified factors that can potentially affect the performance of the systems were also beneficial in establishing metrics on the utilization of similar types of nature-based stormwater management practices.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.267-274
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• 2022

In this paper, we report the design and fabrication of binary diffractive optical elements (DOEs) for random-dot-pattern projection for Schlieren imaging. We selected the binary phase level and a pitch of 10 ㎛ for the DOE, based on cost effectiveness and ease of manufacture. We designed the binary DOE using an iterative Fourier-transform algorithm with binary phase optimization. During initial optimization, we applied a computer-generated pseudorandom dot pattern of uniform intensity as a target pattern, and found significant intensity nonuniformity across the field. Based on the evaluation of the initial optimization, we weighted the target random dot pattern with Gaussian profiles to improve the intensity uniformity, resulting in the improvement of uniformity from 52.7% to 90.8%. We verified the design performance by fabricating the designed binary DOE and a beam projector, to which the same was applied. The verification confirmed that the projector produced over 10,000 random dot patterns over 430 mm × 430 mm at a distance of 5 meters, as designed, but had a slightly less uniformity of 84.5%. The fabrication errors of the DOE, mainly edge blurring and spacing errors, were strong possibilities for the difference.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.297-308
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• 2021

Objective : Shunt infection is a common complication while treating hydrocephalus. The antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheter (AISC) was designed to reduce shunt infection rate. A meta-analysis was conducted to study the effectiveness of AISCs in reduction of shunt infection in terms of age, follow-up time and high-risk patient population. Methods : This study reviewed literature from three databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (from 2000 to March 2019). Clinical studies from controlled trials for shunt operation were included in this analysis. A subgroup analysis was performed based on the patient's age, follow-up time and high-risk population. The fixed effect in RevMan 5.3 software (Cochrane Collaboration) was used for this meta-analysis. Results : This study included 19 controlled clinical trials including 10105 operations. The analysis demonstrated that AISC could reduce the infection rate in shunt surgery compared to standard shunt catheter (non-AISC) from 8.13% to 4.09% (odds ratio [OR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.58; p=0.01; I2=46%). Subgroup analysis of different age groups showed that AISC had significant antimicrobial effects in all three groups (adult, infant, and adolescent). Follow-up time analysis showed that AISC was effective in preventing early shunt infections (within 6 months after implant). AISC is more effective in high-risk population (OR, 0.24;95% CI, 0.14-0.40; p=0.60; I2=0%) than in general patient population. Conclusion : The results of meta-analysis indicated that AISC is an effective method for reducing shunt infection. We recommend that AISC should be considered for use in infants and high-risk groups. For adult patients, the choice for AISC could be determined based on the treatment cost.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.395-405
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• 2021

When issuing forecasts and alerts for agricultural drought, the relevant ministries only rely on the observation data from the reservoirs managed by the Korea Rural Community Corporation, which creates gaps between the drought analysis results at the local (si/gun) governments and the droughts actually experienced by local residents. Closing these gaps requires detailed local geoinformation on reservoirs, which in turn requires the information on reservoirs managed by local governments across Korea. However, installing water level and flow measurement equipment at all of the reservoirs would not be reasonable in terms of operation and cost effectiveness, and an alternate approach is required to efficiently generate information. In light of the above, this study validates and calibrates the parameters of the TANK model for reservoir basins, divided them into groups based on the characteristics of different basins, and applies the grouped parameters to unmeasured local government reservoirs to estimate and assess inflow. The findings show that the average determinant coefficient and the NSE of the group using rice paddies and inclinations are 0.63 and 0.62, respectively, indicating better results compared with the basin area and effective storage factors (determinant coefficient: 0.49, NSE: 0.47). The findings indicate the possibility of utilizing the information regarding unmeasured reservoirs managed by local governments.