• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.63-78
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• 2024

The continuous increasing of the global demand of copper and nickel metals raises the interest in developing alternative technologies to produce them from copper sulfide ore. Also, in line with Egypt's vision 2030 for achieving the sustainable socioeconomic development which aims at developing alternative and eco-friendly technologies for processing the Egyptian ores to produce these strategic products instead of its importing. These metals enhance the advanced electrical and electronic industries. The current work aims at investigating the recovery of copper and nickel from Abu Swayeil copper ore using pug leaching technique by sulfuric acid. The factors affecting the pug leaching process including the sulfuric acid concentration, leaching time and temperature have been investigated. The copper ore sample was characterized chemically using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX). A response surface methodology develops a quadratic model that expects the nickel and copper leaching effectiveness as a function of three controlling factors involved in the procedure of leaching was also investigated. The obtained results showed that the maximum dissolution efficiency of Ni and Cu are 99.06 % and 95.30%, respectively which was obtained at the following conditions: 15 % H₂SO₄ acid concentration for 6 hr. at 250 ℃. The dissolution kinetics of nickel and copper that were examined according to heterogeneous model, indicated that the dissolution rates were controlled by surface chemical process during the pug leaching. The activation energy of copper and nickel dissolution were 26.79 kJ.mol^-1 and 38.078 kJ.mol^-1 respectively; and the surface chemical was proposed as the leaching rate-controlling step.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2024

With the increasing global interest in carbon neutrality, the automotive industry is also transitioning to the production of eco-friendly cars, specifically electric vehicles. In order to achieve comparable driving distances to internal combustion engine vehicles, the application of high-capacity battery packs has led to an increase in vehicle weight. To achieve light-weighting and durability requirements of automotive components simultaneously, there is a demand for research on the application of Ultra-High Strength Steel (UHSS). However, when manufacturing chassis components using UHSS, there are challenges related to fracture defects due to lower elongation compared to regular steel sheets, as well as spring-back issues caused by high tensile strength. In this study, a simulated specimen that is not affected by the property changes of four materials was designed to improve formability of the rear cross member, which is the most challenging automotive chassis component. The influence and correlation of material-specific variables were analyzed through finite element analysis (FEA) for each material with tensile strength of 440, 590, 780, and 980 MPa grades, resulting in the development of a predictive equation. To validate the equation, the simulated specimens of 980 MPa grade were produced from the test molds. Then the reliability of the FEA and predictive equation was verified with measured specimen data using a 3D scanner. The results of this study can be proposed to improve the formability of UHSS chassis components in future researches.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.341-348
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• 2024

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has received remarkable attentions in civil infrastructure due to its unique mechanical characteristics and durability. UHPC gains increasingly dominant in essential structural elements, while its unique properties pose challenges for traditional inspection methods, as damage may not always manifest visibly on the surface. As such, the need for robust inspection techniques for detecting cracks in UHPC members has become imperative as traditional methods often fall short in providing comprehensive and timely evaluations. In the era of artificial intelligence, computer vision has gained considerable interest as a powerful tool to enhance infrastructure condition assessment with image and video data collected from sensors, cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles. This paper presents a computer vision-based approach employing deep learning to detect cracks in UHPC beams, with the aim of addressing the inherent limitations of traditional inspection methods. This work leverages computer vision to discern intricate patterns and anomalies. Particularly, a convolutional neural network architecture employing transfer learning is adopted to identify the presence of cracks in the beams. The proposed approach is evaluated with image data collected from full-scale experiments conducted on UHPC beams subjected to flexural and shear loadings. The results of this study indicate the applicability of computer vision and deep learning as intelligent methods to detect major and minor cracks and recognize various damage mechanisms in UHPC members with better efficiency compared to conventional monitoring methods. Findings from this work pave the way for the development of autonomous infrastructure health monitoring and condition assessment, ensuring early detection in response to evolving structural challenges. By leveraging computer vision, this paper contributes to usher in a new era of effectiveness in autonomous crack detection, enhancing the resilience and sustainability of UHPC civil infrastructure.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.953-958
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• 2024

Recently, there has been growing interest in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with a particular focus on the advancement of augmented reality (AR) devices. However, there is a shortage of AR content. Augmented reality operates through marker-based and markerless methods. The marker-based approach involves using a camera to capture images that serve as markers, enhancing them through AR principles. To address the scarcity of AR content and improve the quality of character goods, this study proposes integrating AR technology into character goods. The character industry is expanding each year, leading to a diverse range of character goods. Character acrylic stands, among these goods, leverage game, webtoon, and animation character IPs for sales. To enhance the design process, we utilized the character image as a marker, allowing for the creation of content that aligns with the characteristics of the character IP. We selected a webtoon character and developed AR content, incorporating features such as voice, speech bubbles, and an introduction to the webtoon, tailored to the webtoon's characteristics. This study demonstrates the potential of AR to present visual and auditory information, paving the way for a variety of products, including diverse content. We anticipate that utilizing this research will lead to the emergence of products encompassing various contents.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.125-138
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to develop and implement a step-by-step upcycling fashion education program that can be utilized within the local community. This program aims to provide basic data by analyzing the current state of community-based upcycling projects and upcycling center programs. To achieve this, the study first examined the meaning and value of upcycling in fashion through literature research and explored upcycling projects and programs in connection with local communities. Subsequently, an upcycling fashion education program platform was developed and applied using the design thinking process. The program involved students from nine high schools in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Depending on the school's circumstances, the time and difficulty level of the upcycling education program were adjusted accordingly. A unique eco-bag making kit, using jeans developed in this study, was employed. Following the completion of the program, a satisfaction survey was conducted among 167 participating students from the high school community class. The findings indicated that the majority of students experienced an increased appreciation, attraction, and interest in upcycling products. They also demonstrated an understanding of the environmental impact of upcycling products and the distinction between upcycling and recycling. It is believed that the educational program developed in this study can promote ethical fashion and foster a sense of value-based consumption. This program can be customized and flexibly adapted to different educational levels and institutional characteristics, making it accessible to a wide range of learners.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.17-23
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• 2024

As interest in sustainable and eco-friendly energy increases due to various problems in the carbon economy, a hydrogen economy that utilizes hydrogen as a main energy source is emerging. Among the methods of producing hydrogen, the water electrolysis method based on renewable energy produces environmentally friendly green hydrogen because it produces hydrogen from water. The water electrolysis facility currently under development produces hydrogen by receiving electricity directly from renewable energy and uses KOH(potassium hydroxide) as an electrolyte. In this study, HAZOP(Hazard and Operability Study), a qualitative risk assessment, was conducted on alkaline water electrolysis facilities to find problems and risk factors in the design and operation of water electrolysis facilities. Risks related to oxygen and KOH, an electrolyte, were identified as major risks, and it is believed that the safety of facilities and workers can be secured based on emergency action plans and safe operation procedures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.2
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• pp.211-225
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• 2024

Soft bending actuators have gained significant interest in robotic applications due to their compliance and lightweight nature. Their compliance allows for safer and more natural interactions with humans or other objects, reducing the risk of injury or damage. However, the nonlinear behaviour of soft actuators presents challenges in accurately predicting their bending motion and force exertion. In this research, a new comprehensive study has been conducted by employing a developed 3D finite element model (FEM) to investigate the effect of geometrical and material parameters on the bending behaviour of a soft pneumatic actuator reinforced with Kevlar fibres. A series of experiments are designed to validate the FE model, and the FE model investigates the improvement of actuator performance. The material used for fabricating the actuator is RTV-2 silicone rubber. In this study, the Cauchy stress was expanded for hyperelastic models and the best model to express the stress-strain behaviour based on ASTM D412 Type C tensile test for this material has been obtained. The results show that the greatest bending angle was achieved for the semi-elliptical actuator made of RTV2 material with a pitch of 1.5 mm and second layer thickness of 1 mm. In comparison, the maximum response force was obtained for the semi-elliptical actuator made of RTV2 material with a pitch of 6 mm and a second layer thickness of 2 mm. Additionally, this research opens up new possibilities for development of safer and more efficient robotic systems that can interact seamlessly with humans and their environment.

• Journal of Platform Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2024

Small and medium-sized enterprises play a fundamental role in the foundation of our country's industry and economy, and most technological innovations occur in small and medium-sized enterprises rather than large corporations. Technology development and innovation are the only way for small and medium-sized enterprises to survive in a fiercely competitive environment, so they focus on it, but interest and investment in technology protection tend to be stingy. As a result, industrial technology leakage accidents occur frequently, and it is difficult to meet improvement measures. When a leak occurs, digital evidence is required to prove criminal activity, but problems such as digital evidence being damaged or deleted due to management loopholes often occur. Therefore, through this study, we aim to design a digital evidence-based countermeasure depending on the type of technology leak accident. We will classify the types of technology leak incidents that actually occurred and study ways to secure digital evidence in the security environment of small and medium-sized businesses that operate internal information leak prevention solutions.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.179-192
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• 2024

YouTube, the most representative video sharing platform, is used by millions every day. New videos across various fields, such as daily life, beauty, games, eating, fashion, and music are constantly being uploaded. Among the content available on YouTube, beauty-related videos are particularly popular. Creators who produce and share beauty-related content on online media platforms are known as beauty creators. There is a significant amount of beauty-related content produced in response to high public interest. Most of this content focuses on sponsored advertisements related to product relevance and attitudes, such as makeup tutorials, hairstyle creation, and new product reviews. However, there is a lack of research on the diverse environments of self-media beauty creators and basic makeup production techniques. This study investigated the content composition of individual media YouTube beauty creators and examined the current status of YouTube beauty creators in Korea. This research is necessary for the development of diverse content and videos by beauty creators. Based on these findings, a makeup technique was developed for YouTube beauty creators, considering the production environment of marketing content and video production steps. This study aims to expand and specialize the broad range of content environments of beauty creators and develop makeup techniques that can be effectively used in YouTube content production.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1698-1704
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• 2024

Therapeutic advancements in treatments for cancer, a leading cause of mortality worldwide, have lagged behind the increasing incidence of this disease. There is a growing interest in multifaceted approaches for cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, but due to their low efficacy and severe side effects, there is a need for the development of new cancer therapies. Recently, the human microbiome, which is comprised of various microorganisms, has emerged as an important research field due to its potential impact on cancer treatment. Among these microorganisms, Bifidobacterium infantis has been shown to significantly improve the efficacy of various anticancer drugs. However, research on the role of B. infantis in cancer treatment remains insufficient. Thus, in this study, we explored the anticancer effect of treatment with B. infantis DS1685 supernatant (BI sup) in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines. Treatment with BI sup induced SMAD4 expression to suppress cell growth in colon and breast cancer cells. Furthermore, a decrease in tumor cohesion was observed through the disruption of the regulation of EMT-related genes by BI sup in 3D spheroid models. Based on these findings, we anticipate that BI sup could play an adjunctive role in cancer therapy, and future cotreatment of BI sup with various anticancer drugs may lead to synergistic effects in cancer treatment.