Neural machine translators (NMTs), such as Google Translate, may assist second language (L2) readers with general comprehension. However, previous empirical studies show mix ed r esults r egarding their e ffectiveness. In this study, 145 Korean English learners from a girls’ high school were asked to solve three types of reading comprehension problems (grammar judgment, inferring meaning from context, inferring main idea) under three reading conditions (no aid, MT, glossary). Overall, when using MT, reading comprehension scores were higher than in either the no aid or glossary conditions individually. However, none of the reading aid conditions improved grammar judgment. Only mid-proficiency learners benefited from MT in both inferring meaning from context and inferring main idea tasks. The results suggest that the glossary may have interrupted the flow of the reading process. With the widespread availability of MT as an online reference tool, L2 teachers should consider incorporating MT as a legitimate reading aid for different proficiency levels and reading purposes.

Defective product data is often very few because it is difficult to obtain defective product data while good product data is rich in manufacturing system. One of the frequently used methods to resolve the problems caused by data imbalance is data augmentation. Data augmentation is a method of increasing data from a minor class with a small number of data to be similar to the number of data from a major class with a large number of data. BAGAN-GP uses an autoencoder in the early stage of learning to infer the distribution of the major class and minor class and initialize the weights of the GAN. To resolve the weight clipping problem where the weights are concentrated on the boundary, the gradient penalty method is applied to appropriately distribute the weights within the range. Data augmentation techniques such as SMOTE, ADASYN, and Borderline-SMOTE are linearity-based techniques that connect observations with a line segment and generate data by selecting a random point on the line segment. On the other hand, BAGAN-GP does not exhibit linearity because it generates data based on the distribution of classes. Considering the generation of data with various characteristics and rare defective data, MO1 and MO2 techniques are proposed. The data is augmented with the proposed augmentation techniques, and the performance is compared with the cases augmented with existing techniques by classifying them with MLP, SVM, and random forest. The results of MO1 is good in most cases, which is believed to be because the data was augmented more diversely by using the existing oversampling technique based on linearity and the BAGAN-GP technique based on the distribution of class data, respectively.

Despite the widespread recognition of the prominent contribution of key language subskills, such as grammar and vocabulary knowledge, to reading comprehension, a research consensus on their relative significance has not been reached. Moreover, the extent of the contribution vocabulary depth makes to reading comprehension has received little research attention. The present study assessed the relative potential contribution of vocabulary depth and grammar knowledge to advanced Korean EFL college students’ reading comprehension abilities, while controlling for their language proficiency and vocabulary breadth, through hierarchical regression analyses. 56 advanced EFL Korean college students were tested on reading comprehension abilities and a range of reading-related subskills including vocabulary breadth, vocabulary depth, grammar, and listening comprehension in English. The findings revealed the unique contribution of vocabulary depth to reading comprehension abilities beyond the effects of both vocabulary breadth and grammar knowledge when English proficiency was controlled for. The findings further underscore the need for balanced approaches in developing L2 learners’ language skills to enhance their reading comprehension abilities.

This study explores the innovative utilization of a biomimetic electric ray friction nanogenerator (ER-TENG) in combination with electrolysis technology for the remediation of maritime effluent. The ER-TENG is ingeniously crafted with a flexible, planar structure, enabling seamless adaptation to various curved and irregular substrates such as rocks, corals, and shipwrecks on the ocean floor, obviating the necessity for specialized mounting or securing devices. Simulation results regarding the potential distribution between the copper electrode and the PDMS film under different inter-electrode distances indicate that an increase in separation distance is correlated with an enhanced potential difference on the material's surface, exhibiting a linear upward trend, with the maximum potential difference reaching 120 V. When TiO2 nanoparticles are incorporated at a doping mass fraction of 4.65 wt%, the friction nanogenerator attains its peak electrical performance, boasting a peak opencircuit voltage of 123.25 V and a maximum short-circuit current of 13.52 μA, representing increases of 2.73-fold and 2.56-fold in open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current, respectively. At operational frequencies of 1.2 Hz and 1.0 Hz, the initial stage of sterilization rate enhancement proceeds at a moderate pace. However, after 60 minutes of electrolysis, sterilization rates reach 88.12% and 46.36%, respectively. The electrical energy harvested by the ER-TENG facilitates the generation of potent oxidizing chlorine through electrolysis, which effectively eliminates harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens present in ship ballast water.

아일랜드 문학의 저명한 인물인 W.B. 예이츠는 소중한 친구인 로버트 그레고리의 죽음 이후 깊은 슬픔과 실존적 의문에 직면하게 되었다. 이러한 상실은 그 의 죽음에 대한 성찰에 깊은 영향을 미쳤다. 본 논문은 로버트 그레고리 소령을 추모 하며 , 아일랜드 비행사가 그의 죽음을 예견하다 , 양치기와 염소치기 와 같이 로버 트 그레고리를 위해 쓴 예이츠의 애가를 통해 그의 복잡한 감정과 철학적 신념을 탐 구하며, 죽음과 환생이라는 주제가 이 애가들에 어떻게 반영되었는지 살펴본다. 로버 트 그레고리의 특성을 분석함으로써 숭고함과 초연함에 대한 예이츠의 인식을 엿볼 수 있으며, 이는 죽음을 바라보는 그의 독특한 관점도 제공한다. 이들 애가를 탐구하 는 것은 예이츠의 삶과 죽음에 대한 철학적 통찰을 깊이 이해하는 데 필수적이다.

급성 뇌경색 진단에는 환자에 따라 관류강조영상과 조영증강 자기공명혈관영상이 동시에 촬영되는 경우가 있으며, 이 과정에서 MRI 조영제인 가돌리늄의 T1 단축 효과가 발생하여 동맥과 정맥의 신호 겹침이 빈번히 발생한다. 특 히, 3D T1 경사에코 기법을 사용한 CE-MRA에서 첫 번째 조영제 주입(PWI) 후 연속적으로 발생하는 T1 감소 효과로 인해 혈관의 정확한 묘사에 한계가 있었다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위해 마스크 영상의 획득 시점을 조정하여 새로운 방법(B)을 제안하였다. 기존 방법(A)에서는 관류강조영상 이전에 마스크 영상을 획득했지 만, 새로운 방법(B)에서는 관류강조영상 이후 마스크 영상을 획득하여 동맥과 정맥 신호 겹침을 효과적으로 줄였다. 연구 결과, S상 정맥동과 내경정맥에서 새로운 방법이 기존 방법보다 유의미하게 낮은 대조대잡음비를 보였으며, 신호 겹침이 줄어들어 정맥 신호의 억제 효과가 극대화되었다(p<0.05). 본 연구의 새로운 방법은 기술적으로 추가적 인 복잡성 없이 효율적으로 정맥 신호를 제거하여 CE-MRA 영상의 진단적 정확성을 향상하는 유용한 기법으로 평 가된다. 향후 연구에서는 더 다양한 환자군을 대상으로 본 방법의 유용성을 검증하고, 최적의 방안 모색을 할 필요가 있다.

본 연구는 금속성 물질로 인해 발생하는 자화율 인공물(susceptibility artifact)의 정확한 길이 측정을 위해 자체 제작한 팬텀을 이용하여 분석하였다. 치과용 임플란트 고정체를 자체 제작한 아크릴 팬텀에 위치시키고, T2 강조 영상을 통해 자화율 인공물을 검사하였다. 자화율 인공물의 길이를 팬텀 기반 측정법과 선 프로파일 기반 측정법을 사용하여 분석하였고 팬텀 기반 측정법을 기준값으로 선 프로파일 기반 측정법으로 도출된 결과와 비교하였다. 결과 적으로 선 프로파일 기반 측정법에서 배경 신호 기준 25% 허용 범위를 설정했을 때 팬텀 기반 측정법과 가장 유사한 데이터를 얻을 수 있었다. 이를 통해 선 프로파일 기반 측정법이 자화율 인공물 길이의 정량적 측정에 적합할 수 있는 가능성을 확인하였다. 추후 미흡한 부분을 보완한 추가 연구를 통해 자화율 인공물 연구에서 객관적인 데이터 제공이 가능할 수 있게 되기를 기대한다.

Recently, in the manufacturing industry, changes in various environmental conditions and constraints appear rapidly. At this time, a dispatching system that allocates work to resources at an appropriate time plays an important role in improving the speed or quality of production. In general, a rule-based static dispatching method has been widely used. However, this static approach to a dynamic production environment with uncertainty leads to several challenges, including decreased productivity, delayed delivery, and lower operating rates, etc. Therefore, a dynamic dispatching method is needed to address these challenges. This study aims to develop a reinforcement learning-based dynamic dispatching system, in which dispatching agents learn optimal dispatching rules for given environmental states. The state space represents various information such as WIP(work-in-process) and inventory levels, order status, machine status, and process status. A dispatching agent selects an optimal dispatching rule that considers multiple objectives of minimizing total tardiness and minimizing the number of setups at the same time. In particular, this study targets a multi-area manufacturing system consisting of a flow-shop area and a cellular-shop area. Thus, in addition to the dispatching agent that manages inputs to the flow-shop, a dispatching agent that manages transfers from the flow-shop to the cellular-shop is also developed. These two agents interact closely with each other. In this study, an agent-based dispatching system is developed and the performance is verified by comparing the system proposed in this study with the existing static dispatching method.

In response to the escalating demands of global trade and the pressing imperative for environmental preservation, the shipping industry is confronted with the dual challenges of augmenting energy efficiency and significantly curtailing carbon emissions. Ship drag reduction technology emerges as a promising solution to address these critical issues. Over the recent years, a spectrum of diverse drag reduction technologies has been developed, each precisely targeting distinct components of ship resistance and influenced by a multitude of factors. We provide a comprehensive synthesis and critical evaluation of the existing literature on ship drag reduction technologies. It categorizes these technologies into four primary domains: body-attached drag reduction, surface drag reduction, air lubrication drag reduction, and other specialized drag reduction techniques. By presenting detailed and extensive experimental data, coupled with real-world application cases, we underscore the practical implementation and proven efficacy of these technologies in reducing ship drag. We delve into the current limitations and challenges encountered by these technologies. We also offer strategic recommendations for future research endeavors and practical applications, aiming to overcome these limitations and enhance the overall performance of drag reduction technologies. The insights provided in this paper aim to serve as a guide for ongoing efforts in developing innovative and effective utilization of ship drag reduction technologies, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and efficiency of the shipping industry.

Motivated by the effort of diagnostic interventions for EFL learners in Korean educational contexts, this study aims to identify heterogeneous L2 reading skill profiles among students attending the same school. Subsequently, it investigates the impact of learners’ L2 learning backgrounds on heterogeneity of these reading skills. Using Latent Profile Analysis on 234 vocational high school students, we identified four distinct profiles: Profile 1, severely weak L2 readers with very low decoding and syntactic knowledge; Profile 2, moderately weak L2 readers; Profile 3, above-average L2 readers; and Profile 4, fairly well-developed L2 readers with good vocabulary breadth. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that profile membership was significantly predicted by positive past learning experiences, extra-curricular English reading, and motivational attitudes. These findings underscore the significant heterogeneity in L2 reading skills within the seemingly homogeneous EFL group and highlight the critical association with past and current educational experiences, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions based on individual learning histories.

As various types of products are produced in a single production system, it is important to determine a scheduling policy that selects one of the different types. In addition, the failure of processes in a line need to be considered due to machine failure, raw material supply and demand, quality issues, and worker absence, etc. Therefore, we studied production systems with various product types, dedicated buffers for each product type, Bernoulli equipment, and WIP-based scheduling or cyclic scheduling. To analyze such system exactly, we introduced a method to analyze the performance such as production rate, WIP level, blocking probability and starvation probability based on Markov chains and derived various characteristics. Especially, assuming that equipment does not need to select the type it just tried, the flow rate is no longer conserved and increasing buffer capacity does not guarantee increase production rate. The performance comparison between WIP-based and cyclic policy is studied as well.

Research on teaching of Chinese characters has seen a relatively late start in international Chinese language education. Since there is little experience in teaching handwritten characters in previous Chinese as a foreign language instruction, the theory and practice of Chinese character teaching for non-native speakers have developed gradually. The latest Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education list the Handwritten Chinese Character List as a separate item, strengthening the guiding position of the separation of character recognition and writing principle in teaching Chinese characters. It also allows us to re-examine the issue of handwritten instruction in teaching Chinese characters to those learning Chinese as a foreign language. This paper examines issues in Chinese character teaching based on the theory of Chinese character formation, focusing on three levels of mastery: whole character, component, and stroke. The component teaching method has gained a high level of attention in recent pedagogical circles, and this method offers both advantages and disadvantages. Stroke instruction, often overlooked, is also essential for mastering handwritten Chinese characters. Stroke instruction goes beyond merely practicing basic strokes and their order and emphasizes understanding of the logic behind stroke writing.

In the field of oscillating hydrofoil research, the choice of hydrofoils is still mainly based on traditional NACA airfoils. The article explores the hydrodynamic characteristics of other airfoil structures to further improve the applicable range of hydrofoil working environments. By applying the swept structure of fish tail fins through biomimetic methods to oscillating hydrofoils, a motion model of the swept oscillating hydrofoil is established, and the relevant mathematical expressions and parameter definitions are described. Through numerical simulation methods, the effects of the pitch axis position and the tip-to-root ratio on the performance of the swept oscillating hydrofoil are analyzed. The simulation results show that the pitch axis position has a significant impact on the various force characteristics and energy acquisition efficiency of the hydrofoil, while the tip-to-root ratio mainly reflects the degree of sweep of the hydrofoil, thereby affecting the lift-to-drag ratio and the moment coefficient of the swept hydrofoil. Selecting the appropriate pitch axis position and tip-to-root ratio will enhance the lift of the hydrofoil while reducing the drag experienced.

This study evaluated the applicability of existing overseas-developed allometric equations for estimating the biomass of domestic apple trees (Malus domestica) in South Korea. To assess their suitability, predicted biomass values derived from these equations were compared with actual measurements obtained through destructive sampling. The results indicate that some overseas equations showed no significant difference when applied to domestic apple trees, suggesting their potential applicability to local conditions. However, it was also noted that certain equations may not fully capture the unique characteristics of domestic apple trees, such as the slender spindle form associated with modern high-density planting practices. Given these findings, the study highlights the need to develop new allometric equations that are specifically optimized for the growth characteristics and cultivation environments of domestic apple orchards. Such equations would enable more accurate biomass estimation, support agricultural sustainability, and provide reliable data for the national greenhouse gas inventory. This research is expected to serve as a foundation for future Tier 2-level studies on biomass and carbon sequestration in apple orchards while also underscoring the importance of expanding research to include various fruit tree species to develop customized biomass estimation models for enhanced agricultural management and environmental conservation.

본 논문은 마르쿠스 가브리엘의 신실재론(New Realism)을 통해 윌리엄 버틀러 예이츠(W.B. Yeats)의 시를 재조명하며, 그의 상징들이 지닌 자율성과 내재적 의미를 탐구한다. 가브리엘의 ‘의미의 장(fields of sense)’ 개념은 예이츠의 상징을 개 인적 혹은 문화적 맥락의 반영으로 제한하는 인간 중심적 해석을 넘어, 상징이 인간 인식과 무관하게 독립적 의미를 지닌 존재임을 보여준다. 이러한 관점은 예이츠의 상 징적 세계를 다차원적 실재로 위치시키며, 그의 역사적 현실과 신화적 상상력의 교차 를 조명할 수 있게 해준다. 가브리엘의 철학은 예이츠의 시에서 자율적 실재를 발견하 며, 시적 의미를 독립적이고 자율적인 존재와의 만남으로 재정의한다.

자기공명영상은 인체 내부 구조와 병변을 비침습적으로 시각화하는 핵심 의료 영상 기법으로 자리 잡고 있으며, 특히 신경계 및 심혈관계 질환과 같은 복잡한 질병의 진단에서 필수적인 도구로 활용되고 있다. 기존의 자기공명영상 시스 템은 영상의 해상도와 신호대잡음비에서 한계가 있었으나, 최근의 기술 발전은 이러한 한계를 극복하고 진단 정확성 을 높이는 방향으로 나아가고 있다. 고자기장 자기공명영상 시스템의 도입은 해상도와 신호대잡음비를 개선하는 데 기여하고 있으며, 병렬 영상 기법은 촬영 속도를 향상시키면서도 영상 품질의 손실을 최소화한다. 또한, 압축 센싱 (compressed sensing) 기술은 데이터 획득 시간을 줄여 촬영 효율성을 높이는 데 중요한 역할을 하고 있다. 최근 인공지능(AI)의 발전으로, 자기공명영상 데이터에서 초해상도 복원(super-resolution) 및 노이즈 제거와 같은 영상 후처리 기술이 획기적으로 향상되었다. 인공지능 기반의 영상 향상 기술은 저해상도 데이터를 고해상도로 변환하고, 촬영 과정에서 발생할 수 있는 왜곡과 노이즈를 효과적으로 제거하여, 더 정확하고 명확한 진단 영상을 제공한다. 이러한 발전은 단순히 영상의 품질을 높이는 것을 넘어, 임상 진단의 정확성과 효율성을 크게 향상시키고 있으며, 특히 제한된 촬영 시간을 요구하는 응급 상황에서 유용성이 두드러진다. 본 논문에서는 자기공명영상 촬영 기법의 최신 발전과 인공지능 기반 영상 향상 기술의 동향을 여러모로 분석하고, 이들의 임상적 유용성을 조명함으로써 고해 상도 자기공명영상이 의료 분야에서 가지는 의미와 향후 발전 방향을 제시하고자 한다.

Pavements have historically been used for mobility, but their usage in cities is steadily increasing owing to social and cultural development. Urban development is rapidly accelerating, primarily because of the concentration of the urban population. Additionally, the effects of the urban heat island are intensifying owing to global warming. One of the main factors contributing to this phenomenon is the increase in impermeable layers, such as asphalt and concrete pavements, in city centers. Various technological developments have been conducted to reduce the effects of urban heat islands. This study developed a moisture-retaining asphalt that absorbs moisture by incorporating a highly super-absorbent polymer (SAP) into a porous asphalt mixture, with the aim of alleviating the urban-heat-island effect. The porous asphalt mixture was designed accordingly. When the mixing design was completed, tests for the tensile strength ratio (TSR), asphalt wheel tracking, and indoor water permeability were conducted on the porous asphalt. Moreover, Hamburg wheel tracking and dynamic water acupuncture tests were performed to evaluate the compatibility of SAP moisture-retaining asphalt, and the results were as follows: Depending on the type and content of SAP, we confirmed that the TSR and permeability coefficient decreased as the amount of SAP increased, resulting in a decrease in durability. In addition, thermal characteristics and simulations showed that the SAP asphalt mixture would have a heat island reduction effect. In this paper, guidelines for the blending design of SAP moisture-retaining asphalt are presented with the aim of alleviating the urban heat island phenomenon by ensuring durability while simultaneously reducing surface temperatures.

Calcitonin (CT) and CT gene-related peptide (CGRP) are well known to regulate blood calcium concentration and osmotic pressure in vertebrates. Although lophotrochozoan CT-like peptides and their receptors have been characterized in several model species, the presence of CT-like signaling systems in gastropods remains unknown. In this study, we identified two CT-like peptides, Hdh-CT1 and -CT2, and their receptors (CTRs), namely Hdh-CTR-L and -CTR-S, in Pacific abalone. Transcripts encoding Hdh-CT1 and Hdh-CT2 precursors were expressed mainly in neural ganglia. Molluscan CT-type peptides including Hdh-CT peptides were similar in length and showed highly conserved two Cys residues forming a disulfide bond in their N-terminal regions. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that gastropod CTRs, including Hdh-CTRs, belong to a large molluscan CTR subfamily. A luciferase reporter driven by cAMP responsive element was stimulated by Hdh-CT1 but not by Hdh-CT2 in Hdh-CTR-L-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells. In silico docking model using SWISS-MODEL and HPEPDOCK server showed that the N-terminal residues in Hdh-CT1 are deeply inserted into the binding pocket of Hdh-CTR-L. Taken together, the identification of the Hdh-CT system provides a comprehensive insight into the functional CT-type signaling system in marine gastropods.

해조류에는 항산화, 항염증에 효과적인 다양한 생리 활성 화합물이 풍부하게 함유되어 있으며, 장에 유익한 섬유질이 다량 포함되어 있다. 이러한 특징들로 인하여 해조류는 기능성 식품 제조뿐만 아니라, 약리학, 의학적 응용 분야 등 다양한 산업 분야에서 중요한 자원으로 인식되고 있으며, 특히 해조류 발효 기술은 이러한 산업들에 다양한 방법으로 활용될 수 있다. 해조류는 새로운 생리 활성 화합물의 중요한 공급원으로 인정받고 있지만, 육상 식물 바이오매스에 비해 발전이 부족한 상태이다. 해조류를 산업적으로 사용하기 위해 이용되는 해조류 화합물 추출 기술에는 세포벽 처리의 어려움으로 인해 수율이 낮거나 비용 효율성이 떨어지는 등의 문제가 있으나, 최근에는 유산균과 효모종의 미생물을 이용하여 새로운 해조류 발효 제품을 만들어내는 기술이 발전하고 있다. 이러한 해조류 발효 제품은 기능성 식품 및 건강기능식품 시장에서 중요한 역할을 할 수 있으며, 소비자들에게 더 매력적인 제품을 제공할 수 있다. 해조류 발효는 해양 자원의 부가가치를 높이는 중요한 방법 중 하나로, 이를 통해 폴리페놀 함량, 항산화 활성, 생리활성 화합물의 생체 이용률을 증가시키고, 해조류의 감칠맛을 개선하여 소비자들의 만족도를 높일 수 있다. 또한, 해조류 발효는 대량의 양식 바이오매스를 보존할 수 있는 지속 가능한 가공 방법이며, 독성 화학 물질을 생략하여 자연스러운 추출 방법을 제공할 수 있다. 해조류 발효 기술은 아직 많은 연구가 필요하지만, 해조류 산업의 확대와 함께 미래에 매우 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 전망된다.