Korea is facing a significant problem with historically low fertility rates, which is becoming a major social issue affecting the economy, labor force, and national security. This study analyzes the factors contributing to the regional gap in fertility rates and derives policy implications. The government and local authorities are implementing a range of policies to address the issue of low fertility. To establish an effective strategy, it is essential to identify the primary factors that contribute to regional disparities. This study identifies these factors and explores policy implications through machine learning and explainable artificial intelligence. The study also examines the influence of media and public opinion on childbirth in Korea by incorporating news and online community sentiment, as well as sentiment fear indices, as independent variables. To establish the relationship between regional fertility rates and factors, the study employs four machine learning models: multiple linear regression, XGBoost, Random Forest, and Support Vector Regression. Support Vector Regression, XGBoost, and Random Forest significantly outperform linear regression, highlighting the importance of machine learning models in explaining non-linear relationships with numerous variables. A factor analysis using SHAP is then conducted. The unemployment rate, Regional Gross Domestic Product per Capita, Women's Participation in Economic Activities, Number of Crimes Committed, Average Age of First Marriage, and Private Education Expenses significantly impact regional fertility rates. However, the degree of impact of the factors affecting fertility may vary by region, suggesting the need for policies tailored to the characteristics of each region, not just an overall ranking of factors.

본 연구는 소나무재선충병 방제대상지 선정의 효율성을 높이기 위해 진주시를 대상으로 소나무재선충병 잠재분포를 예측하였다. 예측에 사용된 MaxEnt 모델은 회귀분석을 기반으로 종 발생 확률 평가 및 다양한 잠재분포 예측에 이용되고 있다. 종속변수로는 소나무재선충병 감염목 자료를 사용하였으며, 독립변수로는 지리 ‧ 지형 ‧ 기후적 요인으로 총 15개 인자를 사용하였다. 잠재분포 예측 결과, 모델의 성능은 AUC가 0.801로 우수한 수준의 정확도를 나타냈다. 독립변수 중에는 전년도 감염목과의 거리, 6월 하순 강우량, 5월 강우량, 화목보일러와의 거리 순으로 잠재분포에 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 지속적인 소나무재선충병 감염목 DB 구축과 지리적 요인들에 대한 모니터링의 중요성이 크다는 것을 의미한다.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B), which is an autosomal dominant hamartoneoplastic syndrome, is a genetic syndrome. Patients with this syndrome are characterized by multiple mucosal neuromas on the tongue, lips, eyelid margins, and conjunctiva with marfanoid habitus, thick and protruding lips, open bite, and maxillary central diastema. Multiple oral mucosal neuromas are known to appear before the development of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or pheochromocytoma. Therefore, understanding the oral symptoms is very important for the early diagnosis of this syndrome. We report multiple submucosal neuromas in a 19-year-old male patient diagnosed with MEN2B and review this syndrome.

Background: Posterior shoulder tightness, which is a problem mainly seen in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome, disrupts the scapulohumeral rhythm between the humerus and scapulae. Objects: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of joint mobilization and stretching on shoulder muscle activity and internal rotation range of motion (ROM) of the glenohumeral joint in patients with impingement syndrome with posterior shoulder tightness. Methods: The research subjects included 22 in-patients with impingement syndrome with posterior shoulder tightness. They were randomly divided into two groups: one group (12 patients) was treated with joint mobilization and the other group (10 patients) was treated with stretching for the posterior shoulder tightness. Each treatment was performed five times a week for two weeks, and there were 15 sessions for each treatment. The ROM of the internal rotation and muscle activities of shoulder joint were evaluated pretest and posttest in each group. Electromyography data were collected from the upper, middle, and lower trapezius and serratus anterior during shoulder abduction of 90°, 120°, and 150°. Results: Both the joint mobilization and stretching groups showed significant decreases in muscle activity in the upper, middle, and lower trapezius on the posttest (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in serratus anterior at 150° (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group in post-hoc analysis (p > 0.025). The internal rotation ROM was significantly increased in the stretching group compared to that in the joint mobilization group (p < 0.025). Conclusion: This study found that both joint mobilization and stretching for posterior shoulder tightness were effective in muscle activity during arm abduction, also in order to increase internal rotation ROM of shoulder joint, stretching was effective in patients with impingement syndrome with posterior tightness.

The objective of this study is to investigate the earthquake response for the design of 100m spanned single-layer lattice dome. The plastic hinge analysis and eigenvalue buckling analysis are performed to estimate the ultimate load of single-layered lattice domes under vertical loads. In order to ensure the stability of lattice domes, it is investigated for the plastic hinge progressive status by the pushover increment analysis considering the elasto-plastic connection. One of the most effective methods to reduce the earthquake response of large span domes is to install the LRB isolation system of a dome. The authors discuss the reducing effect for the earthquake dynamic response of 100m spanned single-layered lattice domes. The LRB seismic isolation system can greatly reduce the dynamic response of lattice domes for the horizontal and vertical earthquake ground motion.

The objective of this study is to investigate the response reducing effect of a seismic isolation system installed between 300m dome and supports under both horizontal and vertical seismic ground motion. The time history analysis is performed to investigate the dynamic behavior of single layer lattice domes with and without a lead rubber bearing seismic isolation system. In order to ensure the seismic performance of lattice domes against strong earthquakes, it is important to investigate the mechanical characteristics of dynamic response. Horizontal and vertical seismic ground motions cause a large asymmetric vertical response of large span domes. One of the most effective methods to reduce the dynamic response is to install a seismic isolation system for observing seismic ground motion at the base of the dome. This paper discusses the dynamic response characteristics of 300m single layer lattice domes supported on a lead rubber seismic isolation device under horizontal and vertical seismic ground motions.

As the national income grows, there is a growing demand for buildings that require long span structures such as exhibition facilities, sports facilities, special industrial facilities, and aerospace facilities. Single-layer latticed dome is one of representative llong span structures. But single layer latticed domes are apt to occur the unstable phenomena that are called “buckling” because of the lack of strength of members and instability of structures, etc. In the previous study, the structural stability of a single-layer lattice dome was roughly grasped by a frame structural system using a ready-made steel when a self-weight and a snow load were applied to a single-layer latticed dome having a span of 300 m and a height of 75 m. However, a systematic study of a 300m single layer lattice dome with various rise-span ratios was not performed. Therefore, it is necessary to study various conditions of this structure because the researchers do not have much research data to apply to actual design. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to verify the buckling characteristics of span 300M single-layer latticed dome with rise-span ratio

In recent years, single layer latticed domes have attracted many designers and researchers’s attention all over the world, because single layer latticed domes as space structure are of great advantage in not only mechanical rationality but also function, fabrication, construction and economic aspect. Yamada developed the shape factor S which represents the shape of spherical latticed dome from a structural perspective as well as a geometric perspective. According to a prior study, the structural behavior and the buckling characteristics of the latticed dome were mostly noticeable when the shape factor of latticed dome was in the range of 1.5 to 5. That is, S, in the range of 1.5 to 5, are able to estimate not only overall buckling, but also member buckling and nodal buckling. In this study, we developed shape models using various size of members with the fixed rise-span ratio. One particular characteristic of the latticed dome is that it is not only light in weight but also high in strength. But the aiming at the use of light-weight materials and at the minimized section of members may result in buckling to cause an unstable state of the overall structure when the external force reaches a limitation. Especially, the structural strength is disadvantageous to the snow loads than the earthquake loads because of light-weight, and is greatly affected by the conditions of loading. This paper is to develop the structural stability according to the shapes and load conditions for single-layer latticed spherical dome with 300m span.

The objective of this study is to estimate the mechanical characteristics and nonlinear behaviors on the geometric nonlinear analysis of curved cable-membrane roof systems for long span lightweight roof structures. The weight of a cable-membrane roof dramatically can reduce, but the single layer cable-membrane roof systems are too flexible and difficult to achieve the required structural stiffness. A curved cable roof system with reverse curvature works more effectively as a load bearing system, the pretension of cables can easily increase the structural stiffness. The curved cable roof system can transmit vertical loads in up and downward direction, and work effectively as a load bearing structure to resists self-weights, snow and wind loads. The nonlinear behavior and mechanical characteristics of a cable roof system has greatly an affect by the sag and pretension. This paper is carried out analyzing and comparing the tensile forces and deflection of curved roof systems by vertical loads. The elements for analysis uses a tension only cable element and a triangular membrane element with 3 degree of freedom in each node. The authors will show that the curved cable-membrane roof system with reverse curvature is a very lightweight and small deformation roof for external loads.

In this study, a direct contact membrane module was manufactured to be used in a pilot scale membrane distillation process to treat 3 m3/day of the digestate produced from anaerobic digestion of livestock manure. In order to investigate the performance of the membrane module, permeate flux was measured with and without spacer inside the module under various condition of temperature difference and cross flow velocity (CFV) through the membrane surfaces. Flux recovery rate after chemical cleaning was also investigated by applying three different cleaning methods. Additionally, thermal energy consumption was theoretically simulated based on actual pilot plant operation conditions. As results, we observed flux of the module with spacer was almost similar to the theoretically predicted value because the installation of spacer reduced the channeling effect inside the module. Under the same operating condition, the permeate flux also increased with increasing temperature difference and CFV. As a result of chemical in-line cleaning using NaOCl and citric acid for the fouled membranes, the recovery rate was 83.7% compared to the initial flux when NaOCl was used alone, and 87% recovery rate was observed when only citric acid was used. However, in the case of using only citric acid, the permeate flux was decreased at a rapid rate. It seemed that a cleaning by NaOCl was more effective to recover the flux of membrane contaminated by the organic matter as compared to a cleaning by citric acid. The total heat energy consumption increased with increasing CFV and temperature difference across the membrane. Thus, further studies should be intensively conducted to obtain a high permeate flux while keeping the energy consumption to a minimum for a practical application of membrane distillation process to treat wastewater.

The objective of this study is to analysis the mechanical characteristics on the geometric nonlinear behavior of radial cable roof systems for long span retractable cable roof structures. The retractable roof is designed as a full control system to overcome extreme outdoor environments such as extreme hot or cold weather, strong wind or sunlight, and the cable roof greatly can reduce roof weight compared to other rigid structural system. A retractable cable roof system is a type of structures in which the part of entire roof can be opened and closed. The radial cable roof is an effective structural system for large span retractable roofs, the outer perimeter of the roof is a fixed membrane roof and the middle part is a roof that can be opened and closed. The double arrangement cables of a radial cable truss roof system with reverse curvature works more effectively as a load bearing cables, the cable system can carry vertical load in up and downward direction. In this paper, to analyze the mechanical characteristics of a radial cable roof system with central posts, the authors will investigate the tensile forces of bearing cables, stabilized cables, ring cables, and the deflection of roof according to the height of the post or hub that affects the sag ratio of cable truss. The tensile forces of the cables and the deflection of the roof are compared for the cases when the retractable roof is closed and opened.

Various morphologies of copper oxide (CuO) have been considered to be of both fundamental and practical importance in the field of electronic materials. In this study, using Cu (0.1 μm and 7 μm) particles, flake-type CuO particles were grown via a wet oxidation method for 5min and 60min at 75 oC. Using the prepared CuO, AlN, and silicone base as reagents, thermal interface material (TIM) compounds were synthesized using a high speed paste mixer. The properties of the thermal compounds prepared using the CuO particles were observed by thermal conductivity and breakdown voltage measurement. Most importantly, the volume of thermal compounds created using CuO particles grown from 0.1 μm Cu particles increased by 192.5% and 125 % depending on the growth time. The composition of CuO was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis; cross sections of the grown CuO particles were observed using focused ion beam (FIB), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive analysis by X-ray (EDAX). In addition, the thermal compound dispersion of the Cu and Al elements were observed by X-ray elemental mapping.

PURPOSES: This paper presents a finite element model to accurately represent the soil-post interaction of single guardrail posts in sloping ground. In this study, the maximum lateral resistance of a guardrail post has been investigated under static and dynamic loadings, with respect given to several parameters including post shape, embedment depth, ground inclination, and embedment location of the steel post. METHODS: Because current analytical methods applied to horizontal ground, including Winkler’s elastic spring model and the p-y curve method, cannot be directly applied to sloping ground, it is necessary to seek an alternative 3-D finite element model. For this purpose, a 3D FHWA soil model for road-base soils, as constructed using LS-DYNA, has been adopted to estimate the dynamic behavior of single guardrail posts using the pendulum drop test. RESULTS: For a laterally loaded guardrail post near slopes under static and dynamic loadings, the maximum lateral resistance of a guardrail post has been found to be reduced by approximately 12% and 13% relative to the static analysis and pendulum testing, respectively, due to the effects of ground inclination. CONCLUSIONS: It is expected that the proposed soil material model can be applied to guardrail systems installed near slopes.

The single layer latticed domes have attracted many designers and researchers's attention all of the world, because these structures as spatial structure are of great advantage in not only mechanical rationality but also function, fabrication, construction and economic aspect. But single layer latticed domes are apt to occur the unstable phenomena that are called "buckling" because of the lack of strength of members, instability of structural shape, etc. In the case of latticed dome, there are several types of buckling mode such as overall buckling, local buckling, and member buckling according to the shape of dome, section type of member, the size of member, junction's condition of member and so on. There are many methods to increase the buckling strength of the single layer latticed dome, that is, with the change of geometrical shape of dome, the reinforcement of buckled member, etc. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to verify the reinforcement effect of buckled member when designers reinforce the buckled member to increase the buckling strength of single layer latticed dome with 3-way grid.

Cable network system is a flexible lightweight structure which curved cables can transmit only tensile forces. The weight of cable roof dramatically can reduce when the length becomes large. The cable network system is too flexible, most cable systems are stabilized by pretension forces. The tensile force of cable system is greatly influenced by the sag ratio and pretension forces. Determining initial sag ratio of cable roof system is essential in a design process of cable structures. Final sag ratio and pretension depends on initial installed sag and on proper handling during installation. The design shape of cable system has an affect on the sag and pretension, and must be determined using well-defined design philosophy. This paper is carried out the comparative data of the deflection and tensile forces on the geometric non-linear analysis of cable network systems according to sag ratio. The study of cable network system is provided to technical informations for the design of a large span cable roof, analytical results are compared with the results of other researchers. Structural nonlinear analysis of systems having cable elements is relatively complex than other rigid structural systems because displacements are large as a reason of flexibility, initial prestress is applied to cables in order to increase the rigidity, and then divergence of nonlinear analysis occurs rather frequently. Therefore, cable network systems do not exhibit a typical nonlinear behavior, iterative method that can handle geometric nonlinearities are necessary.

Cable structures are lightweight structures of flexible type, cable members have only axial stiffness related to tension, they can carry neither bending nor compression. This study is the analysis of cable truss systems are composed of upper and low cables by connecting bracing cables, the structural principle is based on a tensegrity system by using bracing tension members, discontinuous compression members and continuous tension members. A hanging roof of cable truss system is too flexible against vertical loads, most cable members are stabilized by connecting the prestressed upper and lower cable by bracing cables. A cable truss roof system is formed by adding a set of cables with reverse curvature to the suspension cables. With the sets of cables having opposite curvature to each other, cable truss is able to carry vertical load in both upward and downward direction with equal effectiveness, and then a cable truss acts as load bearing elements by the assemble of ridge cables, valley cables and bracing cables. This paper will be shown the geometric non-linear analysis result of cable truss systems with various sag ratio for deflections and tensile forces, the analytical results are compared with the results of other researchers.