• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.324-333
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• 2023

Background: Human exposure to phthalates in indoor environments occurs via dermal absorption, oral ingestion of indoor dust, and inhalation of indoor air. However, systematic studies to investigate the exposure rate to phthalates among the three exposure routes in indoor environments are currently limited. Objectives: A theoretical exposure ratio between inhalation and oral exposure was calculated based on the total amount of di(2-ethyl-hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) emitted into indoor air and deposited into floor dust in a test house. Methods: Flooring and wallpaper containing DEHP were installed in a test house and the concentration of DEHP in both indoor air and floor dust were monitored for five months. Based on the measured DEHP concentrations, the theoretical total amount ratio of DEHP that could be exposed through inhalation and oral ingestion was calculated. Results: Considering the period of operation in the test house, the theoretical total amount of DEHP through inhalation and oral ingestion exposures in the entire test house space was calculated to be 0.014 mg and 5.5 mg, respectively. The exposure ratio of the two routes between inhalation and oral exposure corresponding to the total DEHP amount in flooring and wallpaper was 6.0×10^-7% and 2.3×10^-4%, indicating that theoretical oral exposure to DEHP is approximately 380 times higher than inhalation. Conclusions: Monitoring results from a test house has shown that oral exposure is the main exposure route for DEHP in indoor environments. The experimental design employed in this study and theoretical exposure ratio obtained can be applied to investigate actual exposure to DEHP and to determine the exposure characteristics of various types of semi-volatile organic compounds.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.327-332
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• 2023

This study investigated synthesis gas production via steam reforming of biogas. Ni-Al₂O₃ and Ni-CeO₂ catalysts were synthesized using the co-precipitation method, with controlled precipitation agent injection rates. Catalytic performances were tested at various temperatures, with a gas composition ratio of CH₄:CO₂:H₂O = 1:0.67:3 and a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 647,000 mL h^-1 gcat^-1. The rate of precipitation agent injection influenced the characteristics of the catalysts depending on the type of support used. As the temperature increased, both the CO₂ reforming of methane and the reverse water gas shift reactions occurred. The Ni-Al₂O₃ catalyst, synthesized with a single injection of the precipitation agent, exhibited the best catalytic activity under conditions with sufficient steam supply among the prepared catalysts, due to its high Ni dispersion.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2023

In order to increase the usability of H₂-SCR, the NOx removal characteristics with catalyst powder of PtNi/CeO₂-W-TiO₂ using Ce as a co-catalyst was synthesized and coated on a porous metal structure (PMS) were evaluated. Catalyst powder of PtNi/CeO₂-W-TiO₂(PtNi nanoparticles onto W-TiO₂, with the incorporation of ceria (CeO₂) as a co-catalysts) was synthesized and coated onto a porous metal structure (PMS) to produce a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst. H₂-SCR with CeO₂ as a co-catalyst exhibited higher NOx removal efficiency compared to H₂-SCR without CeO₂. Particularly, at a 10wt% CeO₂ loading ratio, the NOx removal efficiency was highest at 90℃. As the amount of catalyst coating on PMS increased, the NOx removal efficiency was improved below 90℃, but it was decreased above 120℃. When the space velocity was changed from 4,000 h^-1 to 20,000 h^-1, the NOx removal efficiency improved at temperatures above 120℃. It was expected that the use of the catalyst could be reduced by applying the PMS with excellent specific surface area as a support.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.779-785
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• 2023

In the creation of non-verbal dance performance, stage costumes are an important element of visual expression and serve an expanded role in addition to its fundamental decorativeness, representation of status reflective of the historical setting of the act and functionality for the dance movement. We intends that the purpose of this research is to analyze the expanded role of the costumes in the creative ballet <'That' Girl>, and through this exercise, provide foundational data on and suggest new future directions for stage costume design. <'That' Girl> is composed of two acts, offering condolences and eliciting empathy by conveying the fear experienced by the victims of the time. The second dance act representing freedom and "Haan" requires this expanded application of costume design. The costume design was inspired by the "Statue of Peace" representing comfort women, and completed through three draft designs and material experiments testing the ease of operation of the strings and fabrics installed in the costumes as well as the functionality of the associated ballet movements. In conclusion, expansion of time & space, expansion of form and expansion of symbolic expression were shown in the dance of liberation using strings wrapped around the arms and through the cloth embodying 'Haan' hidden in front of the costume.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2024

Energy harvesting technology that converts the wasted energy resources into electrical energy is emerging as a semipermanent power source for self-powered electronics and wireless low-power sensor systems. Among the various energy conversion techniques, flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters (f-PEHs), using materials with piezoelectric effects, have attracted significant interest because they can harvest a small mechanical energy into electrical signals without constraints of time and space in various environments. In this study, we used a flexible piezoelectric composite film fabricated by dispersing BaHf_xTi_(1-x)O₃ (x = 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1) piezoelectric powders inside a polymeric matrix to facilitate f-PEHs. The fabricated f-PEH with optimal Hf contents (x = 0.05) generated a maximum output voltage of 0.95 V and current signal of 130 nA with stable electrical/mechanical disabilities under periodically bending deformations. In addition, we demonstrated a cantilever-type f-PEH and investigated its potential as a sensor by characterizing the output performance under mechanical vibrations at various frequencies. This study provides the breakthrough for realizing self-powered energy harvesting and sensing systems by adopting the lead-free piezoelectric composites under vibrational environments.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 2024

The total number of railroad stations managed in Korea is 322 (including general and wide-area railways), and a considerable number of stations are aging. In terms of the size of the existing railway station and the number of entrances, it has not been possible to secure adequate service capacity, and the demand for station improvement is increasing due to changes in surrounding conditions such as urban development. In the past, railroad stations were focused on the simple function of a connection passage in terms of maintenance or management, but in recent years, railroad stations are also changing to an atmosphere that they should be reborn as a user-centered comfortable, convenient, and safe service provision space. In this study, a case study related to the improvement of the old railway station was conducted to derive an improvement plan that meets the improvement standard of the old station, and the service level evaluation standard was developed. By introducing the concept of service level (LOS) in the development model, station congestion, station movement convenience, and station safety were selected as evaluation indicators. In addition, this development model applied an analytical stratification technique to divide various evaluation elements of each indicator into major and detailed elements and derive the relative importance of the elements by class. Priority for improvement was derived using the ratio of the number of E and F on the LOS for each facility. Based on this study, it is expected to be helpful in using it as an evaluation criterion for improving objective and equitable railway station.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.419-425
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• 2024

As digital communication gains prominence, there is an increasing trend in uncivil behaviors like rude or hateful comments and the empathetic actions towards them, highlighting the need for social efforts to address these issues. As part of these endeavors, we investigated how avatar feedback in a virtual news portal affects users' empathy towards uncivil comments. We defined both posting and empathizing with uncivil comments as antisocial actions. To this end, we posted socially controversial news in a virtual space and provided feedback in two forms when participants selected uncivil comments: text-only feedback and feedback accompanied by an avatar. We then assessed the impact of this feedback on behavioral conformity, guilt, and self-image concern through surveys. Our results showed that avatar-provided feedback significantly influenced participants' social responses more than text-based feedback. Interaction with avatars notably increased participants' behavioral conformity, guilt, and self-image concern. We concluded that avatar-based interactions can positively influence users' social behaviors and attitudes, suggesting their potential in fostering a more civil and responsible digital communication culture.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.539-549
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• 2024

This study employed text mining techniques like frequency analysis, word clouds, and LDA topic modeling to assess consumer satisfaction and dissatisfaction with Hyundai Motor Company in the Chinese market, compared to brands such as Toyota, Volkswagen, Buick, and Geely. Focusing on compact vehicles from these brands between 2021 and 2023, this study analyzed customer reviews. The results indicated Hyundai Avante's positive factors, including a long wheelbase. However, it also highlighted dissatisfaction aspects like Manipulate, engine performance, trunk space, chassis and suspension, safety features, quantity and brand of audio speakers, music membership service, separation band, screen reflection, CarLife, and map services. Addressing these issues could significantly enhance Hyundai's competitiveness in the Chinese market. Previous studies mainly focused on literature research and surveys, which only revealed consumer perceptions limited to the variables set by the researchers. This study, through text mining and comparing various car brands, aims to gain a deeper understanding of market trends and consumer preferences, providing useful information for marketing strategies of Hyundai and other brands in the Chinese market.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.891-899
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• 2024

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is centered on a personalized demand fulfillment economy and is all about transformation and flexible processing that can deliver what customers want in real time across space and time. This paper implements the construction and operation of a packaging platform that can instantly procure the required packaging products based on real-time orders and evaluates its performance. The components of customer satisfaction are flexible and dependent on the situation which requires efficient management of enterprise operational processes based on an e-SCM platform. An OMS optimized for these conditions plays an important role in maximizing and differentiating the efficiency of a company's operations and improving its cost advantage. OMS is a system of mass customization that provides efficient MOT(Moment of Truth) logistics services to meet the eco-friendly issues of many individual customers and achieve optimized logistics operation goals to enhance repurchase intentions and sustainable business. OMS precisely analyzes the collected data to support information and decision-making related to efficiency, productivity, cost and provide accurate reports. It uses data visualization tools to express data visually and suggests directions for improvement of the operational process through statistics and prediction analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.51-65
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• 2023

The Jeongmaeks are Korea's unique forest space recognition system that diverged from the Baekdudaegan. The Jeongmaeks are easily exposed to pressure because it is adjacent to the living area. Among them, Nakdong-Jeongmaek has high biodiversity, but damage is accelerating. According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2022, the target is to expand the area of terrestrial and marine protected areas to 30% of national territory by 2030. As of September 2023, the area of terrestrial protected areas in South Korea is only 16.97% of the country's territory. This is due in part to the high proportion of private forests in the region, which makes it difficult to establish protected areas. Therefore, there is a need to establish Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure (OECMs), which pursue complex and effective conservation that considers multiple values, as an alternative to protected areas. This study aims to identify areas suitable for OECM and to provide opinions on the establishment of appropriate management plans for each value using SOM and InVEST Habitat Quality model. This study evaluated the habitat quality of 206 villages located within 1km of the Nakdong-Jeongmaek and compared the characteristics of villages classified by SOM. As a result, the habitat quality was 0.867 for Tourism village (ClusterIV), 0.838 for Conservation village (ClusterVI), 0.835 for Mixed village (ClusterI), 0.796 for Production (ClusterV), 0.731 for Rural village (ClusterIII) and 0.625 for Urban village (ClusterII). When the distribution was identified through statistical analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the distributions were not identical, with a p-value of 1.53e-08. Dunn's test showed a difference between Tourism, Conservation and Rural, Urban village. However, Mixed village was overestimated due to the lack of villages and the small area included in the study area. Moreover, Conservation village was somewhat under-evaluated in the analysis due to the use of a single weight for protected areas. It is necessary to perform additional reinforcement of the value evaluation of Jeongmaeks by conducting Forest Resource Survey and the National Natural Environment Survey. Therefore, we believe that sufficient validity for the establishment of OECMs in the Nakdong-Jeongmaek can be provided by addressing these limitations and conducting additional research.