• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.1A
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• pp.53-59
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• 2010

Recently, NDTs (Non-Destructive Techniques) using infrared camera are widely studied for detection of damage and void in RC (reinforced concrete) structures and they are also considered as an effective techniques for maintenance of infrastructures. The temperature on concrete surface depends on material and thermal properties such as specific heat, thermal conductivity, and thermal diffusion coefficient. Different porosity on cement mortar due to different mixture proportions can show different heat behavior in cooling stage. The porosity can affect physical and durability properties like strength and chloride diffusion coefficient as well. In this paper, active thermography which uses flash for heat induction is utilized and thermal characteristics on surface are evaluated. Samples of cement mortar with W/C (water to cement ratio) of 0.55 and 0.65 are prepared and physical properties like porosity, compressive strength, and chloride diffusion coefficient are evaluated. Then infrared thermography technique is carried out in a constant room condition (temperature $20{\sim}22^{\circ}C$ and relative humidity 55-60%). The mortar samples with higher porosity shows higher residual temperature at the cooling stage and also shows reduced critical time which shows constant temperature due to back wall effect. Furthermore, simple equation for critical time of back wall effect is suggested with porosity and experimental constants. These characteristics indicate the applicability of infrared thermography as an NDT for quality assessment of cement based composite like concrete. Physical properties and thermal behavior in cement mortar with different porosity are analyzed in discussed in this paper.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.569-582
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• 2023

In recent years, the service life of major SOC facilities in south korea has exceeded 30 years, and rapid aging is expected within the next 10 years. This has led to a growing recognition of the need for proactive maintenance of these facilities. Consequently, there have been numerous research efforts to introduce smart inspection technologies into maintenance. However, the current system relies primarily on manpower for safety inspections and diagnostics, and on-site surveys rely on visual inspections. Manpower inspections can be time-consuming, and subjective errors may occur during result analysis. In the case of tunnels, there are disadvantages, such as the loss of social overhead capital due to partial closures during inspections. Therefore, institutionalizing smart safety inspections is essential, considering specific measures like using advanced equipment and updating qualifications for experts. Furthermore, it is necessary to verify and validate safety inspection results using advanced equipment before instituting changes. This could be achieved through national-level official research programs and the operation of verification and validation institutions. If smart inspection technology is introduced into maintenance, routine inspections of SOC facilities, such as tunnels, will become feasible. As a result, maintenance technology capable of early detection and proactive response to safety incidents caused by changes in facility conditions is anticipated.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.399-407
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• 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs in more than 15% of the dogs over 10 years of age and causes irreversible renal function deterioration. Therefore, it is important to diagnose CKD early and treat the disease properly. The purpose of this study aimed to to evaluate the clinical utility of urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) using POC (point-of-care) device as an early detection urinary biomarker in CKD dogs and to confirm the correlation between ACR and other known CKD biomarkers. Urine and serum samples were obtained from 50 healthy dogs and 50 dogs with CKD. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations, and urine protein creatinine ratio (UPC) were measured. Urine specific gravity (USG) was evaluated using refractometer, and ACR was measured using an i-SENS A1Care analyzer. The ACR values of dogs with CKD were significantly different from those of healthy dogs (p < 0.001), as with other renal biomarkers. ACR showed significant differences between healthy dogs and dogs with CKD at every IRIS stage (p < 0.005), whereas no significant differences were observed between dogs with CKD IRIS stage I and healthy dogs with UPC. There are significant positive correlation between ACR and BUN (r = 0.611, p < 0.001), creatinine (r = 0.788, p < 0.001), SDMA (r = 0.747, p < 0.001), and UPC (r = 0.784, p < 0.001), and significant negative correlation between ACR and USG (r = -0.700, p < 0.001). In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.982 (95% CI 0.963-1.000, p < 0.001), with an optimal cut-off value of 64.20 mg/g (94% sensitivity and 94% specificity). Thus, ACR is a useful urinary biomarker for the early diagnosis of proteinuria in CKD and combined use of ACR and other renal biomarkers may be helpful for early diagnosis and prevention of CKD in dogs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.1021-1033
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• 2024

Exosomes have been extensively studied as disease biomarker in humans, given their role in transporting bioactive molecules. However, despite the great potential of exosomes as noninvasive diagnostic markers and therapeutic nanocarriers for bovine diseases, few studies have been conducted on bovine exosome. Thus, this study aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively compare three isolation methods to identify a suitable method for bovine serum. Exosomes were isolated using ultracentrifugation alone (UC), a combination of ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography (US), or membrane affinity-based exoEasy kit (EE). Isolated particles were evaluated using a range of complementary techniques. Transmission electron microscopy showed that all three isolation methods resulted in particles with a cup-shaped morphology. The particle concentration measured by nanoparticle trafficking analyzer of US was lower compared to those of UC and EE method. As a result of immunoblotting, exosome markers including TSG101, CD81, and HSP70 were detected in US particles, while in UC and EE, only TSG101 expression was confirmed. Particles isolated from UC and EE showed a contamination with the blood protein albumin, whereas particles from US did not show albumin contamination. In addition, to evaluate the possibility of using exosomes as biomarkers, the profiles of the small RNA in the exosomes were compared using the bioanalyzer 2100. As a result, in the EE method, the band of small RNA (25-200 nt) was most prominent, and in the US methods, a distinct band was observed in the small RNA range. Collectively, the purity of exosomes without non-exosomal contamination was highest in the US method. However, for the detection of small RNA, the EE method was found to be the most suitable. Therefore, the results suggest that the optimal isolation method varies depending on the specific purpose of exosome isolation.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.525-539
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• 2024

Massive multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) is a common type of game these days. Predicting user churn in MMORPG is a crucial task. The retention rate of users is deeply associated with the lifespan and revenue of the service. If the churn of a specific user can be predicted in advance, targeted promotions can be used to encourage their stay. Therefore, not only the accuracy of churn prediction but also the speed at which signs of churn can be detected is important. In this paper, we propose methods to identify early signs of churn by utilizing the daily predicted user retention probabilities. We train various deep learning and machine learning models using log data and estimate user retention probabilities. By analyzing the change patterns in these probabilities, we provide empirical rules for early identification of users at high risk of churn. Performance evaluations confirm that our methodology is more effective at detecting high risk users than existing methods based on login days. Finally, we suggest novel methods for customized marketing strategies. For this purpose, we provide guidelines of the percentage of accessed users who are at risk of churn.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.13-26
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• 2024

The CBRN(Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) hazard prediction model is a system that supports commanders in making better decisions by creating contamination distribution and damage prediction areas based on the weapons used, terrain, and weather information in the events of biochemical and radiological accidents. NBC_RAMS(Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Reporting And Modeling S/W System) developed by ADD (Agency for Defense Development) is used not only supporting for decision making plan for various military operations and exercises but also for post analyzing CBRN related events. With the NBC_RAMS's core engine, we introduced a CBR hazard assessment scenario analysis system that can generate contaminant distribution prediction results reflecting various CBR scenarios, and described how to apply it in specific purposes in terms of input information, meteorological data, land data with land coverage and DEM, and building data with pologon form. As a practical use case, a technology development case is addressed that tracks the origin location of contaminant source with artificial intelligence and a technology that selects the optimal location of a CBR detection sensor with score data by analyzing large amounts of data generated using the CBRN scenario analysis system. Through this system, it is possible to generate AI-specialized CBRN related to training and analysis data and support planning of operation and exercise by predicting battle field.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.175-196
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• 2022

Information and communication and home appliance industries, which were one of South Korea's main industries, are gradually losing their export share as their export competitiveness is weakening. This study objectively analyzed export competitiveness and suggested export-promising countries in order to help South Korea's information communication and home appliance industries improve exports. In this study, network properties, centrality, and structural hole analysis were performed during network analysis to evaluate export competitiveness. In order to select promising export countries, we proposed a new variable that can take into account the characteristics of an already established International Trade Network (ITN), that is, the Global Value Chain (GVC), in addition to the existing economic factors. The conditional log-odds for individual links derived from the Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM) in the analysis of the cross-border trade network were assumed as a proxy variable that can indicate the export potential. In consideration of the possibility of ERGM linkage, a parametric approach and a non-parametric approach were used to recommend export-promising countries, respectively. In the parametric method, a regression analysis model was developed to predict the export value of the information and communication and home appliance industries in South Korea by additionally considering the link-specific characteristics of the network derived from the ERGM to the existing economic factors. Also, in the non-parametric approach, an abnormality detection algorithm based on the clustering method was used, and a promising export country was proposed as a method of finding outliers that deviate from two peers. According to the research results, the structural characteristic of the export network of the industry was a network with high transferability. Also, according to the centrality analysis result, South Korea's influence on exports was weak compared to its size, and the structural hole analysis result showed that export efficiency was weak. According to the model for recommending promising exporting countries proposed by this study, in parametric analysis, Iran, Ireland, North Macedonia, Angola, and Pakistan were promising exporting countries, and in nonparametric analysis, Qatar, Luxembourg, Ireland, North Macedonia and Pakistan were analyzed as promising exporting countries. There were differences in some countries in the two models. The results of this study revealed that the export competitiveness of South Korea's information and communication and home appliance industries in GVC was not high compared to the size of exports, and thus showed that exports could be further reduced. In addition, this study is meaningful in that it proposed a method to find promising export countries by considering GVC networks with other countries as a way to increase export competitiveness. This study showed that, from a policy point of view, the international trade network of the information communication and home appliance industries has an important mutual relationship, and although transferability is high, it may not be easily expanded to a three-party relationship. In addition, it was confirmed that South Korea's export competitiveness or status was lower than the export size ranking. This paper suggested that in order to improve the low out-degree centrality, it is necessary to increase exports to Italy or Poland, which had significantly higher in-degrees. In addition, we argued that in order to improve the centrality of out-closeness, it is necessary to increase exports to countries with particularly high in-closeness. In particular, it was analyzed that Morocco, UAE, Argentina, Russia, and Canada should pay attention as export countries. This study also provided practical implications for companies expecting to expand exports. The results of this study argue that companies expecting export expansion need to pay attention to countries with a relatively high potential for export expansion compared to the existing export volume by country. In particular, for companies that export daily necessities, countries that should pay attention to the population are presented, and for companies that export high-end or durable products, countries with high GDP, or purchasing power, relatively low exports are presented. Since the process and results of this study can be easily extended and applied to other industries, it is also expected to develop services that utilize the results of this study in the public sector.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2013

The simultaneous analysis and monitoring of aflatoxin $B_1$, $G_1$, $B_2$, $G_2$ and ochratoxin A in foods were carried out by HPLC with fluorescence detection. The samples were extracted with methanol/water mixture. The extract was centrifuged, diluted with phosphate buffer saline (PBS), filtered, and applied to an immunoaffinity column containing antibodies specific to both aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. After washing the column with PBS and water, the toxins were eluted from the column with methanol, and quantified by HPLC, with a run time of approximately 30 min. The recoveries for aflatoxin $B_1$, $G_1$, $B_2$, $G_2$ and ochratoxin A in foods were 78.4~101.5%, 73.3~102.1%, 81.7~106.7%, 67.0~104.6% and 78.7~120.8%, respectively. The limits of detection of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A ranged from 0.05 to $0.18{\mu}g/kg$. According to monitoring result with the established method, aflatoxin $B_1$ and ochratoxin A were found in 13 of 151 domestic commercial foods. The contamination levels were $0.32{\sim}1.80{\mu}g/kg$ for aflatoxin $B_1$ and $0.97{\mu}g/kg$ for ochratoxin A. Therefore, this study showed all commercial foods monitored were safe under the Korean standards for aflatoxins and ochratoxin A.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8311-8317
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• 2014

Background: Evidence supporting an association between the 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism and prostate cancer (PCa) risk has been reported in North American and Europe populations, though data from Asian populations remain limited. We therefore investigated this association by clinical detection in China, and meta-analysis in Asian, Caucasian and African-American populations. Materials and Methods: Blood samples and clinical information were collected from ethnically Chinese men from Northern China with histologically-confirmed PCa (n=335) and from age-matched normal controls (n=347). The 8q24 (rs4242382) gene polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-high-resolution melting analysis. We initially analyzed the associations between the risk allele and PCa and clinical covariates. A meta-analysis was then performed using genotyping data from a total of 1,793 PCa cases and 1,864 controls from our study and previously published studies in American and European populations, to determine the association between PCa and risk genotype. Results: The incidence of the risk allele was higher in PCa cases than controls (0.222 vs 0.140, $P=7.3{\times}10^{-5}$), suggesting that the 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism was associated with PCa risk in Chinese men. The genotypes in subjects were in accordance with a dominant genetic model (ORadj=2.03, 95%CI: 1.42-2.91, $Padj=1.1{\times}10^{-4}$). Presence of the risk allele rs4242382-A at 8q24 was also associated with clinical covariates including age at diagnosis ${\geq}65$ years, prostate specific antigen >10 ng/ml, Gleason score <8, tumor stage and aggressive PCa, compared with the non-risk genotype ($P=4.6{\times}10^{-5}-3.0{\times}10^{-2}$). Meta-analysis confirmed the association between 8q24 rs4242382-A polymorphism and PCa risk (OR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.39-1.88, $P=1.0{\times}10^{-5}$) across Asian, Caucasian and African American populations. Conclusions: The replicated data suggest that the 8q24 rs4242382-A variation might be associated with increased PCa susceptibility in Asian, Caucasian and African American populations. These results imply that this polymorphism may be a useful risk biomarker for PCa in multi-ethnic populations.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 2000

Zinc is one of the most abundant oligoelements in the living cell. It appears tightly bound to some metalloproteins and nucleic acids, loosely bound to some metallothioneins or even as free ion. Small amounts of zinc ions (in the nanomolar range) regulate a plentitude of enzymatic proteins, receptors and transcription factors, thus rolls need accurate homeostasis of zinc ions. Zinc is an essential catalytic or structural element of many proteins, and a signaling messenger that is released by neural activity at many central excitatory synapses. Growing evidences suggest that zinc may also be a key mediator and modulator of the neuronal death associated with transient global ischemia and sustained seizures, as well as perhaps other neurological disease stoles. Some neurons have developed mechanisms to accumulate zinc in specific membrane compartment ('vesicular zinc') which can be evidenced using histochemical techniques. Substances giving a bright colour or emitting fluorescence when in contact with divalent metal ions are currently used to detect them inside cells; their use leads to the so called 'direct' methods. The fixation and precipitation of metal ions as insoluble salt precipitates, their maintenance along the histological process and, finally, their demonstration after autometallographic development are essential steps for other methods, the so called 'indirect methods'. This study is a short report on the autometallograhical approaches for zinc detection in the central nervous system (CNS) by means of a modified selenium method.