• Title/Summary/Keyword: economic cycle

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Integrated Rotary Genetic Analysis Microsystem for Influenza A Virus Detection

  • Jung, Jae Hwan;Park, Byung Hyun;Choi, Seok Jin;Seo, Tae Seok
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 2013.08a
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    • pp.88-89
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    • 2013
  • A variety of influenza A viruses from animal hosts are continuously prevalent throughout the world which cause human epidemics resulting millions of human infections and enormous industrial and economic damages. Thus, early diagnosis of such pathogen is of paramount importance for biomedical examination and public healthcare screening. To approach this issue, here we propose a fully integrated Rotary genetic analysis system, called Rotary Genetic Analyzer, for on-site detection of influenza A viruses with high speed. The Rotary Genetic Analyzer is made up of four parts including a disposable microchip, a servo motor for precise and high rate spinning of the chip, thermal blocks for temperature control, and a miniaturized optical fluorescence detector as shown Fig. 1. A thermal block made from duralumin is integrated with a film heater at the bottom and a resistance temperature detector (RTD) in the middle. For the efficient performance of RT-PCR, three thermal blocks are placed on the Rotary stage and the temperature of each block is corresponded to the thermal cycling, namely $95^{\circ}C$ (denature), $58^{\circ}C$ (annealing), and $72^{\circ}C$ (extension). Rotary RT-PCR was performed to amplify the target gene which was monitored by an optical fluorescent detector above the extension block. A disposable microdevice (10 cm diameter) consists of a solid-phase extraction based sample pretreatment unit, bead chamber, and 4 ${\mu}L$ of the PCR chamber as shown Fig. 2. The microchip is fabricated using a patterned polycarbonate (PC) sheet with 1 mm thickness and a PC film with 130 ${\mu}m$ thickness, which layers are thermally bonded at $138^{\circ}C$ using acetone vapour. Silicatreated microglass beads with 150~212 ${\mu}L$ diameter are introduced into the sample pretreatment chambers and held in place by weir structure for construction of solid-phase extraction system. Fig. 3 shows strobed images of sequential loading of three samples. Three samples were loaded into the reservoir simultaneously (Fig. 3A), then the influenza A H3N2 viral RNA sample was loaded at 5000 RPM for 10 sec (Fig. 3B). Washing buffer was followed at 5000 RPM for 5 min (Fig. 3C), and angular frequency was decreased to 100 RPM for siphon priming of PCR cocktail to the channel as shown in Figure 3D. Finally the PCR cocktail was loaded to the bead chamber at 2000 RPM for 10 sec, and then RPM was increased up to 5000 RPM for 1 min to obtain the as much as PCR cocktail containing the RNA template (Fig. 3E). In this system, the wastes from RNA samples and washing buffer were transported to the waste chamber, which is fully filled to the chamber with precise optimization. Then, the PCR cocktail was able to transport to the PCR chamber. Fig. 3F shows the final image of the sample pretreatment. PCR cocktail containing RNA template is successfully isolated from waste. To detect the influenza A H3N2 virus, the purified RNA with PCR cocktail in the PCR chamber was amplified by using performed the RNA capture on the proposed microdevice. The fluorescence images were described in Figure 4A at the 0, 40 cycles. The fluorescence signal (40 cycle) was drastically increased confirming the influenza A H3N2 virus. The real-time profiles were successfully obtained using the optical fluorescence detector as shown in Figure 4B. The Rotary PCR and off-chip PCR were compared with same amount of influenza A H3N2 virus. The Ct value of Rotary PCR was smaller than the off-chip PCR without contamination. The whole process of the sample pretreatment and RT-PCR could be accomplished in 30 min on the fully integrated Rotary Genetic Analyzer system. We have demonstrated a fully integrated and portable Rotary Genetic Analyzer for detection of the gene expression of influenza A virus, which has 'Sample-in-answer-out' capability including sample pretreatment, rotary amplification, and optical detection. Target gene amplification was real-time monitored using the integrated Rotary Genetic Analyzer system.

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Recent Progress in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Research - A Review of Papers Published in the Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering in 2002 and 2003 - (공기조화, 냉동 분야의 최근 연구 동향 -2002년 및 2003년 학회지 논문에 대한 종합적 고찰 -)

  • Chung Kwang-Seop;Kim Min Soo;Kim Yongchan;Park Kyoung Kuhn;Park Byung-Yoon;Cho Keumnam
    • Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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    • v.16 no.12
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    • pp.1234-1268
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    • 2004
  • A review on the papers published in the Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Engineering in 2002 and 2003 has been carried out. Focus has been put on current status of research in the aspect of heating, cooling, air-conditioning, ventilation, sanitation and building environment/design. The conclusions are as follows. (1) Most of fundamental studies on fluid flow were related with heat transportation in diverse facilities. Drop formation and rivulet flow on solid surfaces were interesting topics related with condensation augmentation. Research on micro environment considering flow, heat transfer, humidity was also interesting to promote comfortable living environment. It can be extended considering biological aspects. Development of fans and blowers of high performance and low noise were continuing research topics. Well developed CFD technologies were widely applied for analysis and design of various facilities and their systems. (2) Heat transfer characteristics of enhanced finned tube heat exchangers and heat sinks were extensively investigated. Experimental studies on the boiling heat transfer, vortex generators, fluidized bed heat exchangers, and frosting and defrosting characteristics were also conducted. In addition, the numerical simulations on various heat exchangers were performed and reported to show heat transfer characteristics and performance of the heat exchanger. (3) A review of the recent studies shows that the performance analysis of heat pump have been made by various simulations and experiments. Progresses have been made specifically on the multi-type heat pump systems and other heat pump systems in which exhaust energy is utilized. The performance characteristics of heat pipe have been studied numerically and experimentally, which proves the validity of the developed simulation programs. The effect of various factors on the heat pipe performance has also been examined. Studies of the ice storage system have been focused on the operational characteristics of the system and on the basics of thermal storage materials. Researches into the phase change have been carried out steadily. Several papers deal with the cycle analysis of a few thermodynamic systems which are very useful in the field of air-conditioning and refrigeration. (4) Recent studies on refrigeration and air-conditioning systems have focused on the system performance and efficiency enhancement when new alternative refrigerants are applied. Heat transfer characteristics during evaporation and condensation are investigated for several tube shapes and new alternative refrigerants including natural refrigerants. Efficiency of various compressors and performance of new expansion devices are also dealt with for better design of refrigeration/air conditioning system. In addition to the studies related with thermophysical properties of refrigerant mixtures, studies on new refrigerants are also carried out. It should be noted that the researches on two-phase flow are constantly carried out. (5) A review of the recent studies on absorption refrigeration system indicates that heat and mass transfer enhancement is the key factor in improving the system performance. Various experiments have been carried out and diverse simulation models have been presented. Study on the small scale absorption refrigeration system draws a new attention. Cooling tower was also the research object in the respect of enhancement its efficiency, and performance analysis and optimization was carried out. (6) Based on a review of recent studies on indoor thermal environment and building service systems, it is noticed that research issues have mainly focused on several innovative systems such as personal environmental modules, air-barrier type perimeterless system with UFAC, radiant floor cooling system, etc. New approaches are highlighted for improving indoor environmental conditions and minimizing energy consumption, various activities of building energy management and cost-benefit analysis for economic evaluation.

A Study on the Effects of Career Interrupted Women' Personal Attitude and Subjective Norm on Entrepreneurial Intention: Focusing on Moderating Effects on the Entrepreneurial Supporting Policy (경력단절여성의 창업행위에 대한 태도와 주관적 규범이 창업의도에 미치는 영향)

  • Choi, Jinsook;Lee, Namhee;Hwang, Kumju
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.113-132
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    • 2019
  • The degree of females' participation in corporate activity has been recently increased over the world and females' participation in economic activity may be new dynamic fuel for the Korean economy that falls into the vicious cycle of low growth. Start-up, therefore, has increasingly taken attention as an opportunity for females whose careers were interrupted to re-enter the labor market. The need for studies that examine factors influencing the decision of start-up is also increased along with the increase of the ratio of females' start-up. This study aims to verify effects of the women's characteristics(women discrimination, women's role conflict) and the human networks of females whose careers were interrupted, with the intention for entrepreneurial intention, which are mediated by personal attitudes and subjective norm suggested by Ajzen's Theory of Reasoned Action, based on an empirical research. The findings show that the human networks of females have an effect on attitudes toward start-up activity and subjective norm and the woman discrimination influence the personal attitudes. In contrast, the women's role conflict have no effect on both personal attitude toward start-up activity and subjective norm. This can be supposed as an outcome resulted from the subjects' low level of conflict caused by their sex roles, on their age distribution. The relation between subjective norm and entrepreneurial Intention seemed to be moderated by their perceived strong entrepreneurial supporting policy. Their attitudes toward start-up activity were found to have a mediating effect on the relation between the women discrimination, human networks and entrepreneurial Intention, while the subjective norm only mediated the relation between human networks and entrepreneurial Intention. Based on such results, this study attempts to suggest theoretical suggestions and the direction of various entrepreneurial supporting policy for the increase and the growth of start-up of females whose careers were interrupted, in Korea.

Design and Economic Analysis of Low Pressure Liquid Air Production Process using LNG cold energy (LNG 냉열을 활용한 저압 액화 공기 생산 공정 설계 및 경제성 평가)

  • Mun, Haneul;Jung, Geonho;Lee, Inkyu
    • Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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    • v.59 no.3
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    • pp.345-358
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    • 2021
  • This study focuses on the development of the liquid air production process that uses LNG (liquefied natural gas) cold energy which usually wasted during the regasification stage. The liquid air can be transported to the LNG exporter, and it can be utilized as the cold source to replace certain amount of refrigerant for the natural gas liquefaction. Therefore, the condition of the liquid air has to satisfy the available pressure of LNG storage tank. To satisfy pressure constraint of the membrane type LNG tank, proposed process is designed to produce liquid air at 1.3bar. In proposed process, the air is precooled by heat exchange with LNG and subcooled by nitrogen refrigeration cycle. When the amount of transported liquid air is as large as the capacity of the LNG carrier, it could be economical in terms of the transportation cost. In addition, larger liquid air can give more cold energy that can be used in natural gas liquefaction plant. To analyze the effect of the liquid air production amount, under the same LNG supply condition, the proposed process is simulated under 3 different air flow rate: 0.50 kg/s, 0.75 kg/s, 1.00 kg/s, correspond to Case1, Case2, and Case3, respectively. Each case was analyzed thermodynamically and economically. It shows a tendency that the more liquid air production, the more energy demanded per same mass of product as Case3 is 0.18kWh higher than Base case. In consequence the production cost per 1 kg liquid air in Case3 was $0.0172 higher. However, as liquid air production increases, the transportation cost per 1 kg liquid air has reduced by $0.0395. In terms of overall cost, Case 3 confirmed that liquid air can be produced and transported with $0.0223 less per kilogram than Base case.

Dynamical Study on the Blasting with One-Free-Face to Utilize AN-FO Explosives (초유폭약류(硝油爆藥類)를 활용(活用)한 단일자유면발파(單一自由面發破)의 역학적(力學的) 연구(硏究))

  • Huh, Ginn
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.5 no.4
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    • pp.187-209
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    • 1972
  • Drilling position is one of the most important factors affecting on the blasting effects. There has been many reports on several blasting factors of burn-cut by Messrs. Brown and Cook, but in this study the author tried to compare drilling positions of burn-cut to pyramid-cut, and also to correlate burn-cut effects of drilling patterns, not being dealt by Prof. Ito in his theory, which emphasized on dynamical stress analysis between explosion and free face. According to former theories, there break out additional tensile stress reflected at the free face supplemented to primary compressive stress on the blasting with one-free-face. But with these experimented new drilling patterns of burn-cut, more free faces and nearer distance of each drilling holes make blasting effects greater than any other methods. To promote the above explosive effect rationary, it has to be considered two important categories under-mentioned. First, unloaded hole in the key holes should be drilled in wider diameter possibly so that it breaks out greater stress relief. Second, key holes possibly should have closer distances each other to result clean blasting. These two important factors derived from experiments with, theories of that the larger the dia of the unloaded hole, it can be allowed wider secondary free faces and closes distances of each holes make more developed stress relief, between loaded and unloaded holes. It was suggested that most ideal distance between holes is about 4 clearance in U. S. A., but the author, according to the experiments, it results that the less distance allow, the more effective blasting with increased broken rock volume and longer drifted length can be accomplished. Developed large hole burn-cut method aimed to increase drifting length technically under the above considerations, and progressive success resulted to achieve maximum 7 blasting cycles per day with 3.1m drifting length per cycle. This achievement originated high-speed-drifting works, and it was also proven that application of Metallic AN-FO on large hole burn-cut method overcomes resistance of one-free-face. AN-FO which was favored with low price and safety handling is the mixture of the fertilizer or industrial Ammonium-Nitrate and fuel oil, and it is also experienced that it shows insensible property before the initiation, but once it is initiated by the booster, it has equal explosive power of Ammonium Nitrate Explosives (ANE). There was many reports about AN-FO. On AN-FO mixing ratio, according to these experiments, prowdered AN-FO, 93.5 : 6.5 and prilled AN-FO 94 : 6, are the best ratios. Detonation, shock, and friction sensities are all more insensitive than any other explosives. Residual gas is not toxic, too. On initation and propagation of the detonation test, prilled AN-FO is more effective than powered AN-FO. AN-FO has the best explosion power at 7 days elapsed after it has mixed. While AN-FO was used at open pit in past years prior to other conditions, the author developed new improved explosives, Metallic AN-FO and Underwater explosive, based on the experiments of these fundmental characteristics by study on its usage utilizing AN-FO. Metallic AN-FO is the mixture of AN-FO and Al, Fe-Si powder, and Underwater explosive is made from usual explosive and AN-FO. The explanations about them are described in the other paper. In this study, it is confirmed that the blasting effects of utilizing AN-FO explosives are very good.

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Effect of Strength Increasing Sizes on the Quality of Fiberboard (섬유판(纖維板)의 증강(增强)사이즈제(齊)가 재질(材質)에 미치는 영향(影響))

  • Shin, Dong So;Lee, Hwa Hyoung
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.19-29
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    • 1976
  • The fiberboard and paper mills in this country are much affected by the price hikes and shortage of phenolic resins, since phenolic acid as a raw material depends on imported good. It is prerequisite to fiberboard industry to help replace with other sized and stabilize the prices and supply of them, improving the quality of boards. Thus, the present study was carried out to examine the effect of strength increasing sized such as urea formaldehyde resin (anion and cation type) and urea melamine copolymer resin, on the quality of the wet forming hardboard, and comparing them with two types of proprietary modified melamine resins, and ordinary size, phenol resin. The Asplund pulp was prepared from wood wastes mixed with 20 percent of lauan and 80 percent of pines as a fibrous material. After sizing agents were added at a pH of 4.5 for 10 minutes with alum in the beater, the stock was made in the form of wet sheet, prepared, and then performed by hot pressing cycle: $180^{\circ}C$, $50-6-5kg/cm^2$, 1-2-7 minutes. The properties of hardboard were examined after air conditioning. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. There is a significant difference in specific gravity among hardboards that were treated with strength increasing resins, but no difference is effected by the increase in the resin content. In the case of modified melamine resin, its specific gravity is highest. The middle group comprises cation type of urea resin, anion type of urea resin, and acid colloid of urea-melamine copolymer resin. The lowest is phenolic resin. 2. The difference of the moisture content of hardboard both by the resins and by the amount of each resin applied is significant. The moisture content of hardboard becomes lower along with the increase of each resin content, but there is no difference between 2 and 3 percent. 3. For water absorption, there is a significant difference both in the adhesives used and in the amount of paraffin wax emulsion. The water resistance becomes higher inn proportion to the content of the paraffin wax emulsion. To satisfy KS F standards of the water resistance, a proprietary modified melamine resin (p-6100) and modified cation type of urea resin (p-1500) do not require any paraffin wax emulsion, but in the case of anion type of urea resin, cation type of urea resin, and urea-melamine copolymer resin, 1 percent of paraffin wax emulsion is needed, and 2 percent of paraffin wax emulsion in the case of phenolic resin. 4. The difference of flexural strength of hardboard both by the resins and by the amount of each resin is significant. Modified melamine resin shows the highest degree of flexural strength. Among the middle group are urea-melamine copolymer resin, p-1500, anion type of urea resin, and cation type of urea resin. Phenolic resin is the lowest. The cause may be attributable to factors combined with the pressing temperature, sizing effect, and thermal efficiency of press platens heated electrically. 5. Considering the economic advantages and properties of hardboard, it is proposed that urea-melamine copolymer resin and cation type of urea resin be used for the development of the fiberboard industry. It is desirable to further develop the modified urea-melamine copolymer resin and cation type of urea resin through continuous study.

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Bankruptcy Forecasting Model using AdaBoost: A Focus on Construction Companies (적응형 부스팅을 이용한 파산 예측 모형: 건설업을 중심으로)

  • Heo, Junyoung;Yang, Jin Yong
    • Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.35-48
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    • 2014
  • According to the 2013 construction market outlook report, the liquidation of construction companies is expected to continue due to the ongoing residential construction recession. Bankruptcies of construction companies have a greater social impact compared to other industries. However, due to the different nature of the capital structure and debt-to-equity ratio, it is more difficult to forecast construction companies' bankruptcies than that of companies in other industries. The construction industry operates on greater leverage, with high debt-to-equity ratios, and project cash flow focused on the second half. The economic cycle greatly influences construction companies. Therefore, downturns tend to rapidly increase the bankruptcy rates of construction companies. High leverage, coupled with increased bankruptcy rates, could lead to greater burdens on banks providing loans to construction companies. Nevertheless, the bankruptcy prediction model concentrated mainly on financial institutions, with rare construction-specific studies. The bankruptcy prediction model based on corporate finance data has been studied for some time in various ways. However, the model is intended for all companies in general, and it may not be appropriate for forecasting bankruptcies of construction companies, who typically have high liquidity risks. The construction industry is capital-intensive, operates on long timelines with large-scale investment projects, and has comparatively longer payback periods than in other industries. With its unique capital structure, it can be difficult to apply a model used to judge the financial risk of companies in general to those in the construction industry. Diverse studies of bankruptcy forecasting models based on a company's financial statements have been conducted for many years. The subjects of the model, however, were general firms, and the models may not be proper for accurately forecasting companies with disproportionately large liquidity risks, such as construction companies. The construction industry is capital-intensive, requiring significant investments in long-term projects, therefore to realize returns from the investment. The unique capital structure means that the same criteria used for other industries cannot be applied to effectively evaluate financial risk for construction firms. Altman Z-score was first published in 1968, and is commonly used as a bankruptcy forecasting model. It forecasts the likelihood of a company going bankrupt by using a simple formula, classifying the results into three categories, and evaluating the corporate status as dangerous, moderate, or safe. When a company falls into the "dangerous" category, it has a high likelihood of bankruptcy within two years, while those in the "safe" category have a low likelihood of bankruptcy. For companies in the "moderate" category, it is difficult to forecast the risk. Many of the construction firm cases in this study fell in the "moderate" category, which made it difficult to forecast their risk. Along with the development of machine learning using computers, recent studies of corporate bankruptcy forecasting have used this technology. Pattern recognition, a representative application area in machine learning, is applied to forecasting corporate bankruptcy, with patterns analyzed based on a company's financial information, and then judged as to whether the pattern belongs to the bankruptcy risk group or the safe group. The representative machine learning models previously used in bankruptcy forecasting are Artificial Neural Networks, Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost) and, the Support Vector Machine (SVM). There are also many hybrid studies combining these models. Existing studies using the traditional Z-Score technique or bankruptcy prediction using machine learning focus on companies in non-specific industries. Therefore, the industry-specific characteristics of companies are not considered. In this paper, we confirm that adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) is the most appropriate forecasting model for construction companies by based on company size. We classified construction companies into three groups - large, medium, and small based on the company's capital. We analyzed the predictive ability of AdaBoost for each group of companies. The experimental results showed that AdaBoost has more predictive ability than the other models, especially for the group of large companies with capital of more than 50 billion won.