• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2023

Efforts to employ smart home sensors to monitor the indoor activities of elderly single residents have been made to assess the feasibility of a safe and healthy lifestyle. However, the bathroom remains an area of blind spot. In this study, we have developed and evaluated a new edge computer device that can automatically detect water usage activities in the bathroom and record the activity log on a cloud server. Three kinds of sound as flushing, showering, and washing using wash basin generated during water usage were recorded and cut into 1-second scenes. These sound clips were then converted into a 2-dimensional image using MEL-spectrogram. Sound data augmentation techniques were adopted to obtain better learning effect from smaller number of data sets. These techniques, some of which are applied in time domain and others in frequency domain, increased the number of training data set by 30 times. A deep learning model, called CRNN, combining Convolutional Neural Network and Recurrent Neural Network was employed. The edge device was implemented using Raspberry Pi 4 and was equipped with a condenser microphone and amplifier to run the pre-trained model in real-time. The detected activities were recorded as text-based activity logs on a Firebase server. Performance was evaluated in two bathrooms for the three water usage activities, resulting in an accuracy of 96.1% and 88.2%, and F1 Score of 96.1% and 87.8%, respectively. Most of the classification errors were observed in the water sound from washing. In conclusion, this system demonstrates the potential for use in recording the activities as a lifelog of elderly single residents to a cloud server over the long-term.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.67 no.5
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• pp.362-377
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of semantic mapping as a science text reading strategy on high school students' inferential understanding. For this purpose, eight science text reading classes were conducted a reading strategy using semantic mapping for 46 students in two science-focused classes in the third grade of a high school. To investigate the effects of semantic mapping reading strategy on students' inferential comprehension, students' pre- and post-reading ability tests results were analyzed. In order to find out the change in inferential comprehension, the level of the inferential comprehension was analyzed using the analysis framework for developed in this study. For the classification of inferential comprehension, the levels of the inferential comprehension were converted into scores. The results of the analysis of changes in students' inferential comprehension showed that semantic mapping reading strategy classes influenced the changes in high school students' inference, especially bridge inference and elaborative inference among sub-elements of inferential comprehension.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.127-144
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• 2022

Purpose - This study aimed to analyze the dynamic effects of progress in globalization on firm performance by employing individual companies' financial statement datasets. Design/methodology - The analysis leveraged the variables of operating revenue (OPRE) and pre-tax profit and loss (PLBT) as measurement variables for firm performance over 2011-2019. As a proxy variable for globalization, the trade index, a subordinate indicator of the KOF Globalization Index, was used. Through panel regression analysis, the relationship among those variables was ascertained, and the local projection (LP) method was subsequently utilized to identify dynamic effects. A subsample analysis was further performed by classifying companies based on their sizes and industries to determine the differential effects of globalization on each group. Findings - The panel regression analysis derived positive effects of an increasing degree of globalization on OPRE of Korea maritime and fishery firms. However, the impulse response functions, obtained from the LP, showed that in the short run, globalization affects PLBT negatively but in the long run, it gradually converted into a positive effect. In addition, according to the subsample analysis based on company size, the effects of globalization on OPRE became greater as each company became larger. Moreover, the industry-based analysis showed heterogeneous effects, depending on the industries in which the maritime and fishery companies operated. Originality/value - The analysis of the dynamic effects of globalization on firm performance, which revealed that the effects vary depending on the time points, is the important contribution of this study. The results also suggest that the effects of globalization vary depending on the company size and industry.

• Korean Journal of Artificial Intelligence
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.9-13
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• 2023

In this study, we explored the potential of integrating interactive AI callbot technology into the medical consultation domain as part of a broader service development initiative. Aimed at enhancing patient satisfaction, the AI callbot was designed to efficiently address queries from hospitals' primary users, especially the elderly and those using phone services. By incorporating an AI-driven callbot into the hospital's customer service center, routine tasks such as appointment modifications and cancellations were efficiently managed by the AI Callbot Agent. On the other hand, tasks requiring more detailed attention or specialization were addressed by Human Agents, ensuring a balanced and collaborative approach. The deep learning model for voice recognition for this study was based on the Transformer model and fine-tuned to fit the medical field using a pre-trained model. Existing recording files were converted into learning data to perform SSL(self-supervised learning) Model was implemented. The ANN (Artificial neural network) neural network model was used to analyze voice signals and interpret them as text, and after actual application, the intent was enriched through reinforcement learning to continuously improve accuracy. In the case of TTS(Text To Speech), the Transformer model was applied to Text Analysis, Acoustic model, and Vocoder, and Google's Natural Language API was applied to recognize intent. As the research progresses, there are challenges to solve, such as interconnection issues between various EMR providers, problems with doctor's time slots, problems with two or more hospital appointments, and problems with patient use. However, there are specialized problems that are easy to make reservations. Implementation of the callbot service in hospitals appears to be applicable immediately.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2023

In recent years, as the range of human activities has increased, the introduction of alien species has become frequent. Among them, raccoons have been designated as harmful animals since 2020. Raccoons are similar in size and shape to raccoon dogs, so they generally need to be distinguished in capturing them. To solve this problem, we use VGG19, ResNet152V2, InceptionV3, InceptionResNet and NASNet, which are CNN deep learning models specialized for image classification. The parameters to be used for learning are pre-trained with a large amount of data, ImageNet. In order to classify the raccoon and raccoon dog datasets as outward features of animals, the image was converted to grayscale and brightness was normalized. Augmentation methods were applied using left and right inversion, rotation, scaling, and shift to create sufficient data for transfer learning. The FCL consists of 1 layer for the non-augmented dataset while 4 layers for the augmented dataset. Comparing the accuracy of various augmented datasets, the performance increased as more augmentation methods were applied.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2010

Since the reaction of mineral fixation proceeds with a very slow rate, the pretreatment method to increases the rate of carbonation reaction should be required. To increase the reactivity of serpentine with $CO_{2}$, two pretreatment methods are performed in this study. The heat treatment is done at $630^{\circ}C$. A heat-treated serpentine shows that the strength of -OH has a lower peak in FT-IR spectrum. Chemical pretreatment is the method of leaching of magnesium from serpentine using sulfuric acid at $75^{\circ}C$ for 1 h. Because the protonation of the oxygen atoms polarizes and weakens the Mg-O-Si bond, the removal of magnesium atoms from the crystal lattice was facilitated. After performing the pre-treatment of serpentine, $CO_{2}$ fixation experiments are performed with treated serpentine in the batch reactor. Heat-treated serpentine is converted into 43% magnesite conversion, whereas untreated serpentine has 27% of magnesite conversion. Although the results of the heat-pretreatment are encouraging, this method is prohibited due to excessive energy consumption. Furthermore chemical pretreatment serpentine routes have been proposed in an effort to avoid the cost prohibitive heat pretreatment, in which the carbonation reaction was conducted at 45 atm and $25^{\circ}C$. Chemical-treated serpentine, in particularly is corresponded to a conversion of 42% of magnesite compared to 24% for the un-treated serpentine.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2014

To quantitatively evaluate the influence of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) as a supplementary cementitious material on the life-cycle environmental impact of concrete, a comprehensive database including 3395 laboratory mixes and 1263 plant mixes was analyzed. The life-cycle assesment studied for the environmental impact of concrete can be summarized as follows: 1) the system boundary considered was from cradle to pre-construction; 2) Korea life-cycle inventories were primarily used to assess the environmental loads in each phase of materials, transportation and production of concrete; and 3) the environmental loads were quantitatively converted into environmental impact indicators through categorization, characterization, normalization and weighting process. The life-cycle environmental impacts of concrete could be classified into three categories including global warming, photochemical oxidant creation and abiotic resource depletion. Furthermore, these environmental impacts of concrete was significantly governed by the unit content of ordinary portland cement (OPC) and decreased with the increase of the replacement level of GGBS. As a result, simple equations to assess the environmental impact indicators could be formulated as a function of the unit content of binder and replacement level of GGBS.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2005

This study suggested a new method for the solidification of molten salt waste generated from the electro-metallurgical process in the spent fuel treatment. Using binary material system, sodium silicate and phosphoric acid, metal chlorides were converted into metal phosphate in the micro-reaction module formed by SiO$_{2} particles. The volatile element in the reaction module would little vaporized below 1100$^{circ}$C After the gel product was mixed with borosilicate glass powder and thermally treated at 1000$^{circ}$C, li exists as Li$_{3}$PO$_4$ separated from glass phase and, Cs and Sr would be incorporated into an amorphous phase from XRD analysis. In case of the addition of ZrCl$_{4}$ to the binary system, the gel products were transformed into NZP structure considered as an prospective ceramic waste form after heat-treatment above 700 $^{circ}$C. From these results, the gel-route pretreatment can be considered as an effective approach to the solidincation of molten salt waste by the confirmed process or waste form and this also would be an alternative method on the ANL method using zeolites in USA by the confirmation of its chemical durability as an future work.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.346-352
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• 2016

Aroma inhalation therapy has traditionally been used not only in alternative medicinal treatment but also in psychotherapy. In the first stage of the study, the in silico molecular binding affinity of the major ingredients of Smart-Wave (SW) on the active site of the odorant-binding protein (OBP) was compared with that of citrate anions. The binding affinity of the chemical mixture formula of the major ingredients of SW on the OBP was relatively higher than that of citrate anions. In addition, nasal inhalation of SW had a positive effect upon changes in brain waves. Eighteen healthy volunteers participated in the experiment. The study consisted of measurements of the brain’s meditation level recordings in the pre- and post-SW inhalation periods as compared with negative (EV) and positive (HB) control groups. After SW inhalation, all the subjects stated that they felt “fresher” and that the SW trial group had significantly changed the brain’s meditation in a positive way. SW inhalation also converted EV-induced unstable brain meditation wave patterns into more stable patterns. Collectively, the results of this empirical study strongly suggest that the SW mixture activates the OBP and controls the mental state by regulating brain waves. The results provide scientific evidence that the SW formula has potential as an effective mental-stress controller.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Citrus and its peels have been used in Asian folk medicine due to abundant flavonoids and usage of citrus peels, which are byproducts from juice and/or jam processing, may be a good strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of bioconversion of Jeju Hallabong tangor (Citrus kiyomi ${\times}$ ponkan; CKP) peels with cytolase (CKP-C) in RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Glycosides of CKP were converted into aglycosides with cytolase treatment. RAW 264.7 cells were pre-treated with 0, 100, or $200{\mu}g/ml$ of citrus peel extracts for 4 h, followed by stimulation with $1{\mu}g/ml$ lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 8 h. Cell viability, DPPH radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide (NO), and prostagladin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production were examined. Real time-PCR and western immunoblotting assay were performed for detection of mRNA and/or protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, respectively. RESULTS: HPLC analysis showed that treatment of CKP with cytolase resulted in decreased flavanone rutinoside forms (narirutin and hesperidin) and increased flavanone aglycoside forms (naringenin and hesperetin). DPPH scavenging activities were observed in a dose-dependent manner for all of the citrus peel extracts and CKP-C was more potent than intact CKP. All of the citrus peel extracts decreased NO production by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and $PGE_2$ production by COX-2. Higher dose of CKP and all CKP-C groups significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of LPS-stimulated iNOS. Only $200{\mu}g/ml$ of CKP-C markedly decreased mRNA and protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Both 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$ of CKP-C notably inhibited mRNA levels of $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) and IL-6, whereas $200{\mu}g/ml$ CKP-C significantly inhibited mRNA levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that bioconversion of citrus peels with cytolase may enrich aglycoside flavanones of citrus peels and provide more potent functional food materials for prevention of chronic diseases attributable to oxidation and inflammation by increasing radical scavenging activity and suppressing pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines.