This study seeks to explore how key restaurant attributes differently influence customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction across pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods, as well as across various economic segments. By employing impact asymmetry analysis (IAA), the research identifies the primary drivers of customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction, examining their uneven on customer satisfaction in Korean restaurants. The findings underscore the non-linear and asymmetric nature of customer responses to various service attributes, highlighting the significant influence of economic factors and the pandemic on dining expectations and experiences. This research deepens our understanding of the factors shaping customer satisfaction dynamics, particularly in the context of the evolving post-pandemic restaurant industry.

This study examined consumer perceptions and market trends of Korean food products sold on Amazon, focusing on keyword and review analysis. As Korean cuisine gains global attention, particularly in the U.S., it is essential to understand how international consumers perceive these products. Data were collected from Amazon, encompassing product details and customer reviews of Korean food categories. Frequently mentioned keywords in the reviews were identified, and customer sentiments were explored using Python-based data analysis. The results suggest that taste, especially spiciness and sweetness, is a key determinant of consumer satisfaction. Although Korean food was generally well-received, packaging and delivery issues were common complaints. These findings provide strategic insights for Korean food manufacturers aiming to expand globally, emphasizing the need for tailored product development and enhanced logistics.

Background: Stroke patients commonly experience functional declines in balance and gait due to decreased muscle strength and coordination issues caused by brain damage. Through repetitive training, robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) can aid in promoting neuroplasticity in stroke patients and help them acquire effective gait patterns. Additionally, convalescent rehabilitation hospitals help to ensure rapid recovery through intensive rehabilitation training. Objects: This study investigated the effects of RAGT frequency on gait and balance recovery in stroke patients in convalescent rehabilitation hospitals, providing data to optimize rehabilitation efficiency, enhance functional recovery, and support the development of personalized strategies to ensure safer and more rapid returns to daily life. Methods: This study compared the frequency of RAGT by analyzing a group receiving two units of RAGT per day for 5 days per week with a group receiving two units of RAGT per week as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program, totaling 16 units daily, in a convalescent rehabilitation hospital. Results: In the 10-minute walking test, statistical significance was observed both within and between groups, whereas the Functional Ambulation Category, Fugl-Meyer Assessment–lower extremities, Berg Balance Scale, and timed up-and-go tests showed significance only within groups. Conclusion: End-effector RAGT and traditional gait training significantly improve gait ability, balance, and lower limb function in stroke patients.

In this study, ester co-solvents and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) were used as low-temperature electrolyte additives to improve the formation of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on graphite anodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Four ester co-solvents, namely methyl acetate (MA), ethyl acetate, methyl propionate, and ethyl propionate, were mixed with 1.0 M LiPF6 ethylene carbonate:diethyl carbonate:dimethyl carbonate (1:1:1 by vol%) as the base electrolyte (BE). Different concentrations were used to compare the electrochemical performance of the LiCoO2/ graphite full cells. Among various ester co-solvents, the cell employing BE mixed with 30 vol% MA (BE/MA30) achieved the highest discharge capacity at − 20 °C. In contrast, mixing esters with low-molecular-weight degraded the cell performance owing to the unstable SEI formation on the graphite anodes. Therefore, FEC was added to BE/MA30 (BE/MA30-FEC5) to form a stable SEI layer on the graphite anode surface. The LiCoO2/ graphite cell using BE/MA30-FEC5 exhibited an excellent capacity of 127.3 mAh g− 1 at − 20 °C with a capacity retention of 80.6% after 100 cycles owing to the synergistic effect of MA and formation of a stable and uniform inorganic SEI layer by FEC decomposition reaction. The low-temperature electrolyte designed in this study may provide new guidelines for resolving low-temperature issues related to LIBs, graphite anodes, and SEI layers.

This study involved the heterogenization of a binder pitch (BP) using a small amount of nanocarbon to improve physical properties of the resulting graphite electrode (GE). Heterogenization was carried out by adding 0.5–2.0 wt.% platelet carbon nanofiber (PCNF) or carbon black (CB) to a commercial BP. To evaluate the physical properties of the BPs, we designed a new model graphite electrode (MGE) using needle coke as a filler. The heterogenized binder pitch (HBP) with PCNF or CB clearly increased the coking value by 5–13 wt.% compared to that of the as-received BP. Especially, the model graphite electrodes prepared with HBPs containing 1.0 wt.% PCNF or CB showed significantly improved physical properties compared to the control MGE from the as-received BP. Although the model graphite electrodes prepared with HBPs showed similar properties, they had smaller pore sizes than the control. This indicates that heterogenization of the BP can effectively decrease the pore size in the MGE matrix. Correlating the average pore sizes with the physical properties of the model graphite electrodes showed that, for the same porosity, matrices formed by the HBP with a smaller average pore size can effectively improve the apparent density, tensile strength, and oxidation resistance of the model graphite electrodes.

Mesocrystals are macroscopic structures formed by the assembly of nanoparticles that possess distinct surface structures and collective properties when compared to traditional crystalline materials. Various growth mechanisms and their unique features have promise as material design tools for diverse potential applications. This paper presents a straightforward method for metal–organic coordination-based mesocrystals using nickel ions and terephthalic acid. The coordinative compound between Ni2+ and terephthalic acid drives the particle-mediated growth mechanism, resulting in the mesocrystal formation through a mesoscale assembly. Subsequent carbonization converts mesocrystals to multidirectional interconnected graphite nanospheres along the macroscopic framework while preserving the original structure of the Ni-terephthalic acid mesocrystal. Comprehensive investigations demonstrate that multi-oriented edge sites and high crystallinity with larger interlayer spacing facilitate lithium ion transport and continuous intercalation. The resulting graphitic superparticle electrodes show superior rate capability (128.6 mAh g− 1 at 5 A g− 1) and stable cycle stability (0.052% of capacity decay per cycle), certifying it as an advanced anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

The present study, black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) fermented using lactic acid bacteria were powdered without defatting and added to 3% or 5% to make pig feed. Weaning piglets were fed 3% (T3) or 5% (T5) feed powdered with Hermetia illucens for 5 months and the efficacy of the feed was investigated. The results of measuring body weight gain over 5 months after adding 3% (T3) or 5% (T5) of Hermetia illucens powder to the feed of weaned piglets showed significant weight gain in the T5 group compared to the control group. The added feed to Hermetia illucens powder did not show toxicity, and analysis of its effect on blood properties showed that white blood cell levels tended to increase in the T3 or T5 group compared to the control group.The only increase in white blood cell count was a change within the normal range. As a result of analyzing the effect of the level of addition of Hermetia illucens powder on feces, the effect of liquid reduction showed excellent results in the T3 treatment group and maintained the best form of feces. In this study, the thawing loss in the control group was 6.66%, and the T3 group with added powder to Hermetia illucens showed a significant decrease of 5.03%, and the T5 group also showed a decrease of 5.61%. Therefore, it was demonstrated that additive feed for Hermetia illucens reduced thawing loss, affected the water holding capacity of meat, and played an important role in maintaining the taste of meat. Moreover, the results of carcass grade showed a tendency for one grade to increase in the T3 and T5 groups fed additive feed to Hermetia illucens compared to the control group. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that feed supplemented with Hermetia illucens is effective in influencing the weight gain of pigs, reducing the liquid content of feces, and increasing carcass grade.

최근 국내외 화장품과 식품산업에서 다양하게 사용되어 지고 있는 콜라겐 단백질 제품은 점차 그 용도와 특성에 따라 보다 고도화, 기능화 되어 가고 있다. 피부 건강의 지표인 콜라겐은 다양한 용도로 개발되어 사용되고 있으 며, 콜라겐의 소비가 증가함에 따라 용도에 적합한 최적 화된 콜라겐 제품의 개발이 중요한 연구 분야이다. 특히 여러 기업과 연구기관들에 의해서 콜라겐의 흡수율을 높 이기 위한 다양한 노력이 이루어지고 있다. 따라서 본 연 구에서는 프란즈(Franz) 세포 시스템을 이용하여 국내에서 판매되는 다양한 분자량별 콜라겐 제품의 경피 및 구강 상피세포 투과성을 비교하였다. 그 결과, 피부 표피/진피 조직과 비교하여 구강점막 조직의 콜라겐 흡수율이 분자 량 500달톤과 1,000달톤의 경우 모두 통계적으로 유의하 게(각각 약 10배, 2배) 높은 것으로 확인되었다. 또한, 분 자량별 구강점막 조직 흡수율을 비교한 결과, 분자량 500 달톤의 콜라겐이 분자량 1,000달톤 제품에 비해 흡수율이 2-3배 증가함을 확인하였다. 분자량 500달톤의 경우 Cmax 와 AUCt 값이 가장 높게 나타났으며, 피부 표피/진피 세 포에 비해 구강점막세포 시험군의 모든 지표가 높은 것으 로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과는 피부 흡수보다는 구강 점막 세포를 통한 콜라겐의 흡수방법이 콜라겐 체내 흡수증가 에 유효한 수단임을 시사하며, 분자량 1,000달톤 이하에서 도 보다 더 작은 500달톤의 저분자 콜라겐의 흡수율이 증 가되는 것으로 보아 콜라겐의 분자량이 흡수율 증가의 주 요한 요소임을 확인할 수 있었다.

In order to foster AI experts needed in each industry in the era of digital transformation where AI and various industrial technologies converge, the AI Integrated Education Consortium was formed by the National Research Council of Science and Technology(NST) and AI education organizations (KISTI, KIRD, and ETRI) to establish and operate three-stage, six-course education programs. The training targets are employees of a total of 35 institutions, including research institutes, subordinate institutes, and research institutes under the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the cumulative target of 10,000 trainees is being set by 2024 after the implementation in 2022. In this study, we present the achievements and future prospects of the AI Integration Education, which is celebrating its third year of implementation as of April 1, 2024.

최근 국내에서는 꿀벌 대량소실 현상이 2022년부터 전국적으로 발생하고 있다. 우리나라 뿐 만 아니라, 전세계 적으로 양봉산업에 큰 위협이 되고 있는 봉군붕괴현상은 2016년 미국에서 세계 최초로 보고되었다. 국내에서는 2022년 민관 합동조사 결과, 이상기온, 응애, 말벌 등이 주요 원인으로 지목되었다. 대량소실 현상을 보인 양봉농 가와 정상 농가의 병원체 검출 비교 결과, 유의성있게 검출이 증가되는 병원체는 발견되지 않았다. 그러나, Tyrophagus mite, Trypanosome, Lake Sinai virus, Apis mellifera filamentous virus 등의 신종 응애, 원충 및 바이러 스 감염이 추가로 확인되었다. 국내에서 새롭게 감염이 확인된 기생충과 병원체가 대량소실, 나아가 봉군붕괴현 상에 직간접적으로 영향을 주었을 것으로 사료되며, 지속적인 조사와 연구개발을 통해 기후등 환경변화에 따른 신종 질병 검색과 대책을 마련해야 할 것이다.

Regarding to diagnosis for bovine brucellosis, more than one serological test should be conducted to confirm the infection by Brucella with a reliable result due to various factors including false positive serological reactions. In this study, we compared confirmatory serological tests to determine the appropriate way to detect and confirm the Brucella infection in South Korea. Several serological tests, including serum agglutination test (SAT), indirect (I)- and competitive (C)-ELISA, and fluorescence polarization assay (FPA), for detection of bovine brucellosis were performed with sera from 537 cattle. In addition, comparison of diagnostic efficacy was performed with bacterial isolation represented true positive. Of 537 serum samples, 426 (79.3% of prevalence), 433 (80.6%), 414 (77.1%), and 409 (76.2%) sera were positive for SAT, C-ELISA, I-ELISA, and FPA respectively. Based on the results of serology, the correlation among the serological tests revealed observed agreements of more than 92% with kappa (k) value of more than 0.77. The correlation between serological tests with bacterial isolation appeared observed agreements of between 79.9% and 84.7% with k value of between 0.42 and 0.59. Particularly, FPA recorded almost perfect agreements with C-ELISA and I-ELISA as well as the highest correlation with bacterial isolation. Accordingly, this investigation presented the comparison of correlation and diagnostic efficacy of serological tests for bovine brucellosis in South Korea. We suggest this finding will be a useful data to re-establish the potential serological diagnostic methods that can apply to maintain the low prevalence.

We report the result of a high-resolution spectroscopic study on seven magnesium (Mg) enhanced stars. The high Mg abundances in these stars imply that they were born in an environment heavily affected by the nucleosynthesis products of massive stars. We measure abundances of 16 elements including Mg and they show various abundance patterns implying their diverse origin. Three of our program stars show a very high Mg to Si ratio ([Mg/Si] ≈ 0.18–0.25), which might be well explained by fall-back supernovae or by supernovae with rapid rotating progenitors having an initial mass higher than about 20 𝑀⊙. Another three of our program stars have high light to heavy s-process element ratios ([Y/Ba] ≈ 0.30–0.44), which are consistent with the theoretical prediction of the nucleosynthesis in rapidly rotating massive stars with an initial mass of about 𝑀 = 40 𝑀⊙. We also report a star having both high Y ([Y/Fe] = 0.2) and Ba ([Ba/Fe] = 0.28) abundance ratios, and it also shows the highest Zn abundance ratio ([Zn/Fe] = 0.27) among our sample, implying the nucleosynthesis by asymmetric supernova explosion induced by very rapid rotation of a massive progenitor having an initial mass between 20 𝑀⊙ ≲ 𝑀 ≲ 40 𝑀⊙. A relative deficiency of odd-number elements, which would be a signature of the pair-instability nucleosynthesis, is not found in our sample.

A conventional porous carbon is still a very promising material for the removal of gaseous pollutants because of its abundant surface functional groups and a high specific surface area. Here, we prepared an environment-friendly uniform N-rich narrow micropore activated carbon, for the removal of formaldehyde, based on steam activation and N-rich with chitin as the starting material. A sample carbonized at 500 °C and steam activated at 800 °C (CAC800) showed a reasonable yield (55%) with uniform and narrow micropores without mesopores but having a balanced nitrogen functionality. CAC800 possesses outstanding formaldehyde removal capabilities under both dry and wet (humidity 45%) conditions. In addition, when compared with commercial activated carbon materials, we clearly demonstrated that the existence of high nitrogen content with uniform and narrow micropores simultaneously removed formaldehyde, effectively.

A large amount of acidic wastewater was generated from the soil washing process. This study focuses on the capture for the radionuclide, especially cesium (Cs), in soil washing wastewater. We conducted the two-step process to reduce the amount of radioactive wastewater after soil washing using the coagulants and adsorbents in each step. We synthesized the adsorbent to capture Cs radionuclides in acidic wastewater (pH < 1). Based on the results, we found that the optimum ratio (NiFC:PAN) was 3.5:1 for the removal efficiency and strength of adsorbent. We compare the NiFC powder and NiFC-PAN for removal efficiency and separation of adsorbent after batch test, showing that the removal efficiency and separation of NiFC-PAN was lower and higher than NiFC power, respectively. We conducted the radioactive experiment to evaluate the satisfaction below release criteria (< 10 Bq·L−1, Cs), reporting that NIFC-PAN adsorbent meet the release criteria. These results showed that NiFC-PAN is promising adsorbent for Cs capture in strong acidic wastewater generated from soil washing and separation after capture process.