• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.76-82
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• 2020

Soiling on the surface of a PV module reduces the amount of light reaching the solar cells, decreasing power performance. The performance of the PV module is generally restored after contaminants on the module surface are washed away by rain, but it accumulates at the bottom of the module owing to the thickness of the module frame, causing an output mismatch on the PV module. Since PV modules are usually installed horizontally or vertically outdoors, soiling can occur at the bottom of the PV module, depending on the installation direction due to external environmental factors. This paper is analyzed the output characteristics of a PV module considering its installation direction and the soiling area. The soiling was simulated to use transparent films with 5% transmittance, and the transmission film was attached to the bottom part of the PV module horizontally and vertically. When the soiling area was 33% of the string at the bottom of the PV module, the power output decreased similarly regardless of installation direction. However, when the soiling area was 66% of the string at the bottom of the PV module, it was confirmed that the output performance decreased sharply when installed vertically rather than horizontally.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2021

One of the effective ways to increase data transmission rate is to use massive antenna technique where tens or hundreds of antennas are deployed in base station and spatial diversity gain is improved by multiuser method. If multiuser method is applied, there will be inter-user interference and maximal ratio combiner (MRC) is conventionally used to reduce the complexity of the receiver and to eliminate interference. However, as the number of mobile devices increases, the performance of the conventional receiver becomes deteriorated. To solve this problem, we propose a new detector that completely eliminates the interference from the registered devices and reduces that from the unregistered devices. Then, to reduce the complexity of the proposed scheme, we propose adaptive algorithm of the proposed scheme. Through simulation, we show that the proposed scheme has better bit error rate performance than the conventional scheme.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.462-469
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• 2021

Tin/graphite composites are prepared as anode materials for Li-ion batteries using a dry ball-milling process. The main experimental variables in this work are the ball milling time (0-8 h) and composition ratio (tin:graphite=5:95, 15:85, and 30:70 w/w) of graphite and tin powder. For comparison, a tin/graphite composite is prepared using wet ball milling. The morphology and structure of the different tin/graphite composites are investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties of the samples are also examined. The optimal dry ball milling time for the uniform mixing of graphite and tin is 6 h in a graphite-30wt.%Sn sample. The electrode prepared from the composite that is dry-ball-milled for 6 h exhibits the best cycle performance (discharge capacity after 50^th cycle: 308 mAh/g and capacity retention: 46%). The discharge capacity after the 50^th cycle is approximately 112 mAh/g, higher than that when the electrode is composed of only graphite (196 mAh/g after 50^th cycle). This result indicates that it is possible to manufacture a tin/graphite composite anode material that can effectively buffer the volume change that occurs during cycling, even using a simple dry ball-milling process.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2020

Background and Objectives:The blockage of adenosine receptors by caffeine changes the levels of neurotransmitters. These receptors are present in all parts of the body, including the auditory and vestibular systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of caffeine on evoked potentials using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Subjects and Methods: Forty individuals (20 females and 20 males; aged 18-25 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: the test group (consuming 3 mg/kg pure caffeine powder with little sugar and dry milk in 100 mL of water), and the placebo group (consuming only sugar and dry milk in 100 mL water as placebo). The cVEMPs and ABRs were recorded before and after caffeine or placebo intake. Results: A significant difference was observed in the absolute latencies of I and III (p<0.010), and V (p<0.001) and in the inter-peak latencies of III-V and I-V (p<0.001) of ABRs wave. In contrast, no significant difference was found in cVEMP parameters (P13 and N23 latency, threshold, P13-N23 amplitude, and amplitude ratio). The mean amplitudes of P13-N23 showed an increase after caffeine ingestion. However, this was not significant compared with the placebo group (p>0.050). Conclusions: It seems that the extent of caffeine's effects varies for differently evoked potentials. Latency reduction in ABRs indicates that caffeine improves transmission in the central brain auditory pathways. However, different effects of caffeine on auditory- and vestibular-evoked potentials could be attributed to the differences in sensitivities of the ABR and cVEMP tests.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2020

Background and Objectives:The blockage of adenosine receptors by caffeine changes the levels of neurotransmitters. These receptors are present in all parts of the body, including the auditory and vestibular systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of caffeine on evoked potentials using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Subjects and Methods: Forty individuals (20 females and 20 males; aged 18-25 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: the test group (consuming 3 mg/kg pure caffeine powder with little sugar and dry milk in 100 mL of water), and the placebo group (consuming only sugar and dry milk in 100 mL water as placebo). The cVEMPs and ABRs were recorded before and after caffeine or placebo intake. Results: A significant difference was observed in the absolute latencies of I and III (p<0.010), and V (p<0.001) and in the inter-peak latencies of III-V and I-V (p<0.001) of ABRs wave. In contrast, no significant difference was found in cVEMP parameters (P13 and N23 latency, threshold, P13-N23 amplitude, and amplitude ratio). The mean amplitudes of P13-N23 showed an increase after caffeine ingestion. However, this was not significant compared with the placebo group (p>0.050). Conclusions: It seems that the extent of caffeine's effects varies for differently evoked potentials. Latency reduction in ABRs indicates that caffeine improves transmission in the central brain auditory pathways. However, different effects of caffeine on auditory- and vestibular-evoked potentials could be attributed to the differences in sensitivities of the ABR and cVEMP tests.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2022

Anti-resonant hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (AR-HCF) has unique advantages, such as low nonlinearity and high damage threshold, which make it a promising candidate for high-power laser delivery at distances of tens of meters. However, due to the special structure, optical properties such as mode-field profile and bending loss of hollow-core fibers are different from those of solid-core fibers. These differences have limited the widespread use of AR-HCF in practice. In this paper we conduct numerical analysis of AR-HCFs with different structural parameters, to analyze their influences on an AR-HCF's optical properties. The simulation results show that with a 23-㎛ air-core diameter, the fundamental mode profile of an AR-HCF can well match that of the widely used Nufern's 20/400 fiber, for nearly-single-mode power delivery applications. Moreover, with the ratio of cladding capillary diameter to air-core diameter ranging from 0.6 to 0.7, the AR-HCF shows excellent optical characteristics, including low bending sensitivity while maintaining single-mode transmission at the same time. We believe these results lay the foundation for the application of AR-HCFs in the power delivery of high power fiber laser systems.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.29-53
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• 2023

High-strength shielding concrete against gamma radiation is a priority for many medical and industrial facilities. This paper aimed to investigate the gamma-ray shielding properties of high-strength hematite concrete mixed with silica fume (SF) with nanoparticles of lead dioxide (PbO₂), tungsten oxide (WO₃), and bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃). The effect of mixing steel fibres with the aforementioned binders was also investigated. The reference mixture was prepared for high-strength concrete (HSCC) containing 100% hematite coarse and fine aggregate. Thirteen mixtures containing 5% SF and nanoparticles of PbO₂, WO₃, and Bi₂O₃ (2%, 5%, and 7% of the cement mass, respectively) were prepared. Steel fibres were added at a volume ratio of 0.28% of the volume of concrete with 5% of nanoparticles. The slump test was conducted to workability of fresh concrete Unit weight water permeability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity tests were conducted to assess concrete's engineering properties at 28 days. Gamma-ray radiation of 137Cs emits photons with an energy of 662 keV, and that of 60Co emits two photons with energies of 1173 and 1332 keV were applied on concrete specimens to assess radiation shielding properties. Nanoparticles partially replacing cement reduced slump in workability of fresh concrete. The compressive strength of mixtures, including nanoparticles was shown to be greater, achieving 94.5 MPa for the mixture consisting of 7.5 PbO2. In contrast, the mixture (5PbO₂-F) containing steel fibres achieved the highest values for splitting tensile, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity (11.71, 15.97, and 42,840 MPa, respectively). High-strength shielded concrete (7.5PbO2) showed the best radiation protection. It also showed the minimum concrete thickness required to prevent the transmission of radiation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2023

Background: Although many studies have evaluated the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) components (Rg1, Rb1, Rg3, Rd, etc.), few have examined the in vivo pharmacokinetics of the radiolabeled components. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides and their metabolite compound K (CK), 20(s)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), and 20(s)-protopanaxatriol (PPT) using radioisotopes in rat oral administration. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed orally once with 10 mg/kg of the tritium(3H) radiolabeled samples, and then the blood was collected from the tail vein after 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 168 h. Radioactivity in the organs, feces, urine, and carcass was determined using a liquid scintillation counter (LSC) and a bio-imaging analyzer system (BAS). Results and conclusion: After oral administration, as the ³H-labeled ginsenosides were converted to metabolites, C_max and half-life increased, and T_max decreased. Interestingly, Rb1 and CK showed similar values, and after a single oral administration of components, the cumulative excretion ratio of urine and feces was 88.9%-92.4%. Although most KRG components were excreted within 96-168 h of administration, small amounts of components were detected in almost all tissues and mainly distributed to the liver except for the digestive tract when observed through autoradiography. This study demonstrated that KRG components were distributed to various organs in the rats. Further studies could be conducted to prove the bioavailability and transmission of KRG components to confirm the mechanism of KRG efficacy.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.293-306
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• 2023

This study proposes and demonstrates a smart monitoring system that uses transmission lines embedded in a reinforced concrete structure to detect the presence of defects through changes in the electromagnetic waves generated and measured by a time-domain reflectometer. Laboratory experiments were first conducted to identify the presence of voids in steel-concrete composite columns. The results indicated that voids in the concrete caused a positive signal reflection, and the amplitude of this signal decreased as the water content of the soil in the void increased. Multiple voids resulted in a decrease in the amplitude of the signal reflected at each void, effectively identifying their presence despite amplitude reduction. Furthermore, the electromagnetic wave velocity increased when voids were present, decreased as the water content of the soil in the voids increased, and increased with the water-cement ratio and curing time. Field experiments were then conducted using bored piles with on-center (sound) and off-center (defective) steel-reinforcement cage alignments. The results indicated that the signal amplitude in the defective pile section, where the off-center cage was poorly covered with concrete, was greater than that in the pile sections where the cage was completely covered with concrete. The crosshole sonic logging results for the same defective bored pile failed to identify an off-center cage alignment defect. Therefore, this study demonstrates that electromagnetic waves can be a useful tool for monitoring the health and integrity of reinforced concrete structures.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.43-50
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• 2010

Recently, the Internet telephony has been used rather than the traditional telephony by many Internet users, with low cost. Session Initiation Protocol(SIP) is the standard of application layer protocol for establishment and disconnection of the session for Internet telephony. SIP mainly runs over the UDP for transport. So in case of the loss of the INVITE request message, the message is retransmitted by an appropriate timer for reliable transmission of the UDP message. Though the retransmission is useful for ensuring the reliability of SIP messages sent by the users, it may cause the overload traffic in the SIP proxy server. The overload in SIP proxy servers results in the loss of many input messages. This paper presents a non-linear overload control algorithm to resolve the overload condition of the server. we simulate our proposed algorithm using the network simulator ns-2. The simulation results show that the throughput of the server with the proposed algorithm have been improved about 12% compared to the existing linear control algorithm.