This study focuses on the path planning algorithm for large-scale autonomous delivery using drones and robots in urban environments. When generating delivery routes in urban environments, it is essential that avoid obstacles such as buildings, parking lots, or any other obstacles that could cause property damage. A commonly used method for obstacle avoidance is the grid-based A* algorithm. However, in large-scale urban environments, it is not feasible to set the resolution of the grid too high. If the grid cells are not sufficiently small during path planning, inefficient paths might be generated when avoiding obstacles, and smaller obstacles might be overlooked. To solve these issues, this study proposes a method that initially creates a low-resolution wide-area grid and then progressively reduces the grid cell size in areas containing registered obstacles to maintain real-time efficiency in generating paths. To implement this, obstacles in the operational area must first be registered on the map. When obstacle information is updated, the cells containing obstacles are processed as a primary subdivision, and cells closer to the obstacles are processed as a secondary subdivision. This approach is validated in a simulation environment and compared with the previous research according to the computing time and the path distance.
Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is a newly emerging tick-borne disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV), which belongs to the phlebovirus in the Bunyaviridae family. SFTSV is enveloped with a tripartite ambisense RNA genome. The L segment encodes the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, the M segment encodes the two glycoproteins, Gc and Gn, and the S segment encodes the nucleoprotein (NP) and the nonstructural protein (NSs). NP participates in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) packaging and commonly detected early after infection, suggesting that the N protein is possible to be used as a target antigen for early diagnosis of SFTSV infection. In this study, we analyzed a highly immunogenic multi-epitope using GnGc and NP genes from a consensus sequence of SFTSV strain isolated from infected patients in Korea. The selected genes are constructed to the expression vector plasmid pJHL65 and the recombinant plasmid vector was transformed into the Δasd Δlon ΔcpxR Salmonella Typhimurium attenuated strain JOL912 and the expression of these antigens was verified by immunoblotting assay. We observed the significant levels of systemic IgG and mucosal IgM responses against the JOL912-derived antigen in the immunized BALB/c mice. The level of CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ T lymphocyte subpopulation and TNF-α were also highly regulated in splenic T cells re-stimulated in vitro with NP and Gn/Gc multi-epitope selected antigens. Therefore, immunized mice with NP and Gn/GC multi-epitope recombinant proteins of attenuated Salmonella delivery system elicited T cell-related immune response, inducing an effective immune response. In conclusion, the attenuated Salmonella expressing NP-GnGc multi-epitopes could be a novel vaccine candidate against the SFTS virus.
본 연구는 매체 간 전환이 활발하게 진행되는 콘텐츠 시장 분위기에 발맞추어, 뮤지컬 공연이 뮤지컬 영화로 매체 전환되는 것에 긍정적인 영향을 주고자 연구되었다. 또한, 뮤지컬 공연이 뮤 지컬 영화로 매체 전환 시 공간 선택의 용이성과 카메라 기법의 활용이 인물의 세세한 ‘감정’과 ‘심리 상태의 변화’ 등을 보여줌으로써, 작품의 메시지를 강화할 수 있는지 확인하기 위한 목적을 가지고 있다. 연구 방법은 앙리 르페브르의 공간 이론 중 ‘사회적 공간’ 개념과 ‘추상 공간’ 개념, 조지 레이코프와 마크 존슨의 ‘지향적 은유’ 개념을 기반으로 뮤지컬 영화 <레 미제라블> 속 자베 르의 주요 장면인 “Stars”와 “Soliloquy(Javert’s Suicide)”를 분석하는 것이다. “Stars” 장면에 서는 노트르담 대성당과 파리 경시청이 가지는 공간적 가치와 높이에 따른 지향적 은유에 따라 작품의 메시지가 상징되어 강화되었음을 확인했다. “Soliloquy(Javert’s Suicide)” 장면에서는 노트르담 대성당과 대하수구, 세느강의 수로 등이 가지는 공간적 가치와 자베르의 권위를 상징하 는 도구인 총과 훈장 등을 활용해 만든 은유로 작품의 메시지가 강화되었음을 확인했다. 이처럼 본 연구는 뮤지컬 공연이 뮤지컬 영화로 전환할 때의 장점을 확인했다. 또한, 본 연구를 통해서 뮤지컬 영화 제작에 있어 공간과 소품 배치, 카메라 기법을 통한 공간과 소품에 대한 집중 등을 통해 메시지 전달력이 강화될 수 있다는 결론이 도출되었다. 본 연구는 작품의 주인공인 장 발장 이 아닌 안타고니스트 자베르를 중심에 두고 분석했다는 점과 사십 곡이 넘는 넘버로 이루어진 작품을 다루고 있지만 두 곡만을 분석했다는 점에서 한계를 가지며, 범주를 더욱 넓혀 본 연구의 맹점을 해결한 추가 연구가 이어지기를 제언했다.
This study investigated the effect of manufacturing variables (including heating temperature) on the physicochemical properties of nanoemulsion delivery system (NDS) prepared with WPI/Inulin Maillard conjugate and to study how the physicochemical properties of NDS affected the bioaccessibility of lycopene. The functional properties of the WPI/Inulin Maillard conjugate were determined using the OPA method, interfacial tension, and EAI. The physicochemical and morphological properties of NDS were measured using Zetasizer and TEM, respectively. The bioaccessibility of lycopene in the WPI/Inulin Maillard conjugate based NDS was measured using a spectrophotometer. As the pH and heating temperature increased, the Maillard conjugation efficiency increased significantly (p<0.0001). The emulsifying properties of the WPI/Inulin Maillard conjugate were greater than those of WPI. A WPI/Inulin Maillard conjugate based NDS with a size of ~180 nm was observed in TEM images while the droplet size of the WPI/Inulin Maillard conjugate based NDS was smaller than that of the WPI based NDS. During in vitro digestion, no significant changes in the droplet size and PDI of NDS were observed in the mouth and stomach phases, whereas in the intestinal phase, the droplet size and PDI increased significantly (p<0.0001). Moreover, the bioaccessibility of lycopene in the WPI/Inulin Maillard conjugate based NDS significantly increased (p<0.0001), compared with that of the WPI based NDS. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the bioaccessibility of lycopene with a decrease in the interfacial tension and droplet size of NDS. In conclusion, WPI/Inulin Maillard conjugate based NDS can be used to enhance the bioaccessibility of lycopene.
This perspective article delves into the evolving landscape of non-viral vectors for efficient CRISPR delivery, addressing the challenges associated with viral vectors and highlighting the potential of carbon-based nanomaterials as promising alternatives. The article underscores the importance of design strategies in enhancing the interactions between CRISPR components and carbon-based nanomaterials. Various design approaches are explored, including the incorporation of modified nanoparticles between carbonic layers and the creation of unique morphologies to facilitate optimal CRISPR interactions. Specific case studies are presented to exemplify the effectiveness of carbon-based nanomaterials in CRISPR delivery. This perspective sheds light on the dynamic field of non-viral CRISPR delivery vectors, emphasizing the significance of design strategies and showcasing the promising outcomes achieved through the utilization of carbon-based nanomaterials. The provided insights contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop efficient and safe methods for gene delivery and therapy.
This study aimed to develop a solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (solid-SNEDDS) to enhance the formulation of ketoconazole (KTZ), a BCS Class II drug with poor solubility. Ketoconazole, which is insoluble above pH 3, requires solubilization for effective delivery. This SNEDDS comprises oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant, which spontaneously emulsify in the gastrointestinal tract environment to form nanoemulsions with droplet sizes less than 100 nm. The optimal SNE-vehicle composition of oleic acid, TPGS, and PEG 400 at a 10:80:10 weight ratio was determined based on the smallest droplet size achieved. This composition was used to prepare liquid SNEDDS containing ketoconazole. The droplet size and polydispersity index (PDI) of the resulting liquid SNEDDS were analyzed. Subsequently, solid-SNEDDS was fabricated using a spray-drying method with solidifying carriers such as silicon dioxide, crospovidone, and magnesium alumetasilicate. The physicochemical properties of the solid-SNEDDS were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction, and its solubility, droplet size, and PDI were evaluated. In particular, the solid-SNEDDS containing ketoconazole and crospovidone in a 2:1 weight ratio exhibited significantly enhanced solubility, highlighting its potential for improved medication adherence and dissolution rates.
In order to develop catechin patches for skin regeneration at wound sites, patches with varying concentrations of catechin and chitosan were manufactured. An optimal composition ratio was determined by adjusting the drug release rate and amount, to maximize efficiency. The catechin used in this study was extracted from green tea leaves using a solvent/ultrasonication method, and its characteristics were confirmed through Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses. Patches were prepared with different concentrations of catechin and chitosan, and various properties were analyzed using techniques such as FT-IR, water contact angle analysis, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. It was observed that as the chitosan concentration increased, the release of catechin slowed down or almost ceased. A patch manufactured with 1.5 mg/cm2 of catechin at a 1 % chitosan concentration exhibited a high initial release rate over 24 h and demonstrated cellular biocompatibility. Consequently, these patches, with tailored release characteristics based on the concentrations of chitosan and catechin, hold promise for use as drug delivery systems in wound healing applications.
This study was conducted to determine seafood product quality change in the fresh food cold chain logistics. Salmon was stored in three different simulated refrigerated distribution environments according to door opening time (0, 20, and 60 s) every 10 min before the samples’ qualities were evaluated. The temperature inside the refrigerator generally rose from the bottom to the top, and it was possible to confirm the rapid change in temperature in the order of A, B, and C as the door opening time increased. It was observed that the freshness of salmon decreased as the door opening time increased through the evaluation of various food qualities of salmon, such as its appearance, color, pH, VBN, moisture content, hardness, general bacteria, and E. coli bacteria. It was confirmed that fresh food quality is strongly associated with delivery temperature, while cold-chain delivery vehicles must reduce heat exposure time during delivery.
This study aims to prepare a colloidal silica-containing powder to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of rivaroxaban using a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS). We investigate the impact of colloidal silica on a nanoemulsion system for preparing powdered SNEDDS. The liquid SNEDDS comprises 30/20/50 (w/w/w) Peceol/ Cremophor RH40/Tween 80, which results in the formation of the smallest droplets. Three powdered SNEDDS formulations are prepared by suspending the liquid SNEDDS formulation using colloidal silica and spray drying. The powdered SNEDDS prepared with liquid SNEDDS and colloidal silica at a ratio of 1/0.5 (w/w) exhibits the highest water solubility (0.94 ± 0.62 vs. 26.70 ± 1.81 μg/mL) and dissolution rate (38.4 ± 3.6 vs. 85.5 ± 3.4%, 45 min) when compared to the drug alone. Morphologically, the liquid SNEDDS is adsorbed onto colloidal silica and forms smaller particles. In conclusion, an SNEDDS containing rivaroxaban, prepared using colloidal silica, facilitates the creation of a nanoemulsion and enhances the water solubility of rivaroxaban. Accordingly, this technology holds significant potential for commercialization.
This paper explores the relationships of various cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioural responses of e-discount sales promotion technique preferences consumers have when making purchases through online food delivery services (OFDS). This paper highlights new findings towards expanding e-discount and sales promotion literature and thus provide relevant implications.
This study aims to integrate the protection motivation theory (PMT) model and attitude to explore the factors influencing consumers’ usage behavior toward online food delivery platform services (OFDPSs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The utilitarian value and hedonic value of OFDPSs, which may influence consumers’ attitude, were also included in the integrated research model. This study collected a total of 384 participants who are with experience in using OFDPSs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan for analysis
With the development of information technology, online food delivery services have significantly changed people’s food consumption patterns. The outbreak of COVID-19 has further facilitated the development due to restaurant restrictions and social distancing measures. Due to the emergence of online food delivery services, scholars have paid increasing attention to this popular topic, and a large number of studies have examined which factors are related to consumers’ intention to use online food delivery services. However, previous studies showed inconsistent findings, and relationships between variables lack a comprehensive understanding. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a research model and examine the factors influencing consumers’ intention to use online food delivery services. By reviewing and analyzing 52 studies with 53 independent samples (N = 22,937), the meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach was carried out to assess the research model. The findings indicate that two attributes of online food delivery services (i.e., convenience and price-saving orientation) play different roles in the research model. Specifically, convenience significantly impacted perceived ease of use but had no direct impact on perceived usefulness. Price-saving orientation significantly influenced both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Moreover, relationships between perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and perceived trust were significant, and these factors ultimately significantly led to the intention to use food delivery services. The findings contribute to theoretical advancement in the extant literature on food delivery services and help firms develop to provide better food delivery services for consumers’ continuous usage.
Last-mile delivery is the quintessential example of a logistics sector that is ripe for innovation, owing to a powerful confluence in the advancement of technologies and consumption models. Compared to the conventional delivery mode, the delivery robot offers countless advantages, including maintaining social distancing, improving health safety, protecting the environment, and reducing shipping costs and delivery times. Considering the high investments associated with developing and introducing delivery robots, a better understanding is needed of the consumers’ perceptions and willingness to guide practitioners on whether it is worth starting/continuing investing in such innovation. For this reason, this study addresses the following research questions: 1) What are the relevant characteristics of robot delivery and how do consumers cognitively and affectively respond to these characteristics? 2) What are the processes that form consumers’ willingness to reuse the delivery robot and spread the word about it (i.e., WOM)? Drawing on the technology-task fit model, the present study provides three interesting theoretical insights in relation to the post-adoption behaviour on delivery robots. In the first part, the findings enrich the literature by revealing that consumers’ evaluation of the perceived fit of using delivery robots are based on a combination of internal, external and conditional factors. This study found that hedonic motivations, perceived anthropomorphism and robotic service quality exhibited a positive influence on perceived task-technology fit. This indicates that, being able to experience a sense of fun or enjoyment when using novel technologies (e.g., robot services) will encourage future behaviour and push individuals to continue exploring the benefits of this innovation. Also, consumers tend to attribute the human-like robots as more capable and reliable as it gives the feeling that they are interacting with a social entity. The findings also value to current scarcity research and demonstrate the positive influence of service quality in matching the performance and functionality of delivery robots. In the second part, the empirical findings confirm the positive influence of perceived task-technology fit on trust and value-in-use in the emerging context of delivery robots. In the last part, this research goes further, revealing the indirect link between perceived task-technology fit and post-adoption behaviour. In line with consumer behaviour literature that suggests the individual will undergo a psychological state (or mental evaluation) in goal-oriented behavior, this research deepens our understanding of the mechanisms involved in this relationship. It reveals that trust and value-in-use acted as the missing links in bridging the associations through which perceived task-technology fit influences service reuse likelihood and positive word-of-mouth.
This study focuses on the development of a Last-Mile delivery service using unmanned vehicles to deliver goods directly to the end consumer utilizing drones to perform autonomous delivery missions and an image-based precision landing algorithm for handoff to a robot in an intermediate facility. As the logistics market continues to grow rapidly, parcel volumes increase exponentially each year. However, due to low delivery fees, the workload of delivery personnel is increasing, resulting in a decrease in the quality of delivery services. To address this issue, the research team conducted a study on a Last-Mile delivery service using unmanned vehicles and conducted research on the necessary technologies for drone-based goods transportation in this paper. The flight scenario begins with the drone carrying the goods from a pickup location to the rooftop of a building where the final delivery destination is located. There is a handoff facility on the rooftop of the building, and a marker on the roof must be accurately landed upon. The mission is complete once the goods are delivered and the drone returns to its original location. The research team developed a mission planning algorithm to perform the above scenario automatically and constructed an algorithm to recognize the marker through a camera sensor and achieve a precision landing. The performance of the developed system has been verified through multiple trial operations within ETRI.
Licensing for the application of the Polymer Concrete High Integrity Container (PC-HIC) to nuclear power plants has been completed or is in progress. Approval for the expanded application to all domestic nuclear power plants has been completed to utilize the 860 L PC-HICs for the 2nd stage surface repository, and the regulatory body is reviewing the license application to use the 510 L PCHICs for the 1st stage underground repository in the representative nuclear power plants. The 860 L PC-HICs, which have been licensed for all domestic nuclear power plants, will be used for safe storage management and disposal of low-dose dried concentrate waste and spent resin, and a total of 100 units is expected to be supplied to representative nuclear power plants that have been licensed first. The 510 L PC-HICs are planned to be used for underground disposal of high-dose spent resin and dried concentrate waste. Prior to the application of PC-HICs to nuclear power plants and disposal to the repository, it is necessary to establish realistic and reasonable requirements through close consultations between waste generator and disposal operators to ensure the suitability for disposal of PC-HIC packages and to carry out disposal delivery and acceptance work. Since the Polymer Concrete High Integrity Container (PC-HIC) has long-term integrity of more than 300 years and the barrier does not temporarily collapse, spent resin and dried concentrate waste, which are radioactive wastes to be solidified, can be disposed of much more safely in PC-HIC packages than solidified types. Acceptance criteria for the PC-HIC packages should be prepared fully reflecting the advantages of PC-HIC, and quality assurance methods for physical/chemical/radiological characterization results based on the Waste Certification Program (WCP) should be supported. In addition, infrastructure should be secured for safe transportation, handling, and storage of the PC-HIC packages. In this paper, we have tried to find a reasonable acceptance criteria, quality assurance method, and infrastructure level according to the dose and disposal conditions of PC-HIC packages.
The surge in food delivery systems during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic necessitated this study of heavy metal migration from food contact materials (FCMs). A total of 104 samples of FCMs, comprising 51 polypropylene (PP), 21 polyethylene (PE), and 32 polystyrene (PS) samples of six different types of FCMs (containers, covers, table utensils, cups, pouches, and wrappers) used for food delivery distributed in Korea, were collected and investigated for migration of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and As) using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine whether they complied with Korea’s Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. Acetic acid (4%, v/v) was used as the food simulant, and tests were performed at 100oC (in harsh conditions) for 30 min. Linearity of Pb, Cd, and As showed acceptable results with a coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.9999. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of Pb, Cd, and As were 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001 μg/L and 0.002, 0.003, and 0.003 μg/L, respectively. Accuracy and precision results complied with the criteria presented in the European Commission Joint Research Centre guidelines. The average concentration of Pb, Cd, and As migration detected in a total of 104 samples was 0.009–0.260 μg/L, which was very low compared with the migration specification set in the Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. The maximum level of Pb corresponded to 0.23% of the migration limit. There were no samples exceeding the limit. Thus, this study confirmed that the heavy metal contents of FCMs used for delivery food distributed in Korea were safely managed. The data from this study represent an invaluable source for science-based safety management of hazardous heavy metals migrating from FCMs used in the food delivery industry.
Since delivery food has become a new dietary culture, this study examines consumer awareness through big data analysis. We present the direction of delivery food for healthy eating culture and identify the current state of consumer awareness. Resources for big data analysis were mainly articles written by consumers on various websites; the collection period was divided into before and after COVID-19. Results of the big data analysis revealed that before COVID-19, delivery food was recognized as a limited product as a meal concept, but after COVID-19, it was recognized as a new shopping list and a new product for home parties. This study concludes by suggesting a new direction for healthy eating culture.