• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 2013

It is a global trend that the water management policy is shifting from a water quality-oriented assessment to the aquatic ecosystem-based assessment. The majority of aquatic ecosystem assessment systems were developed solely based on physicochemical factors (e.g., water quality and bed structure) and a limited number of organisms (e.g., plankton and benthic organisms). Only a few systems use plants for a health assessment, although plants are sensitive indicators reflecting long-term disturbances and alterations in water regimes. The development of an assessment system is underway to evaluate and manage lakes as ecosystem units in the Korean Ministry of Environment. We reviewed the existing multivariate health assessment methods of other leading countries, and discussed their applicability to Korean lakes. The application of multivariate assessment methods is costly and time consuming, in addition to the correlation problem among variables. However, a single variable is not available at this moment, and the multivariate method is an appropriate system due to its multidimensional evaluation and cumulative data generation. We, therefore, discussed multivariate assessment methods in three steps: selecting metrics, scoring metrics and assessing indices. In the step of selecting metrics, the best available metrics are species-related variables, such as composition and abundance, as well as richness and diversity. Indicator species, such as sensitive species, are the most frequently used in other countries, but their system of classification in Korea is not yet complete. In terms of scoring metrics, the lack of reference lakes with little anthropogenic impact make this step difficult, and therefore, the use of relative scores among the investigated lakes is a suitable alternative. Overall, in spite of several limitations, the development of a plant-based multivariate assessment method in Korea is possible using mostly field research data. Later, it could be improved based on qualitative metrics on plant species, and with the emergence of further survey data.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.565-570
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• 2010

Purpose : To verify the efficacy and safety of lamotrigine (LTG) monotherapy in newly diagnosed children with epilepsy. Methods : We prospectively enrolled 148 children who had undergone LTG monotherapy at our institution between September 2002 and June 2009. Twenty-nine patients were excluded: 19 due to incomplete data and 10 were lost to follow up. The data of the remaining 119 patients was analyzed. Results : We enrolled 119 pediatric epilepsy patients (aged 2.8-19.3 years; 66 males and 53 females) in this study. Out of 119 patients, 29 (25.2%) had generalized epilepsy and 90 (74.8%) had partial epilepsy. The responses of seizure reduction were as follows: Seizure freedom (no seizure attack for at least 6 months) in 87/111 (78.4%, n=111) patients; partial response (reduced seizure frequency compared to baseline) in 13 (11.7%) patients; and persistent seizure in 11 (9.9%) patients. The seizure freedom rate was in 81.6% in patients with partial seizure (75.9% for complex partial seizure and 90.9% for benign rolandic epilepsy) and 44.8% in patients with generalized epilepsy (30.0% for absence seizure, 35.7% for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy patients, and 100.0% for idiopathic generalized epilepsy patients). Adverse reactions were reported in 17 (14.3%) patients, and 8 patients (6.7%) discontinued LTG because of rash and tic. No patient experienced severe adverse reaction such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Conclusion : LTG showed excellent therapeutic response and had few significant adverse effects. Our findings report may contribute in promoting the use of LTG monotherapy in epileptic children.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.853-869
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• 2000

Background : Following several decades of decline, the incidence of tuberculosis has recent1y begun to increase in many countries of this the control of this disease has been impeded by the emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The development of rapid diagnostic methods and effective new drugs are needed to control MDR-TB. One of the new drugs for MDR-TB is rifabutin (RBU) which has been known to be effective in some patients with MDR-TB. A few reports showed that some types of mutations of the rpoB gene, which were known to be present in 96-98% of rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis, were associated with the rifampicin-resistant but RBU-susceptible phenotype. This study was performed to investigate the correlation between RBU susceptibility and the patterns of rpoB gene mutations in Korean MDR-TB. Methods : Sixty-five clinical isolates of multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, gathered from patients who visited the Asan Medical Center from July 1997 to June 1999, were investigated. Clinical responses to rifabutin-containing regimen were evaluated. An RBU susceptibility test and sequencing analysis of rpoB gene were performed, and the results were analyzed to confirm which mutations correlated with RBU-susceptible MDR-TB. Results : Fifty-three of 56 (95%) clinical isolates of MDR-TB had 60 mutations of the rpoB gene. The most frequent mutations were found at codon 531 (43%), and two mutations were combined in seven clinical isolates. Five of 53 (10%) clinical isolates showed the RBU-susceptible phenotype, and in them the characteristic patterns of point mutations were found at codon 509, 516, and 526. Conclusion : The frequency and pattern of mutations of the rpoB gene of Korean MDR-TB isolates were similar to those in western countries, where the prevalence of tuberculosis is low, but some show RBU-susceptible phenotypes. RBU-susceptible MDR-TB isolates showed the characteristic pattern of mutations of the rpoB gene which could be used to rapidly diagnose RBU susceptibility.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.3-30
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• 2011

According to the Article 86 of the United Nations on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS) the provisions of high seas apply to all parts of the sea that are not included in the exclusive economic zone, in the territorial sea or in the internal waters of a State, or in the archipelagic waters of an archipelagic State. Article 87 also stipulates the freedom of the high seas. International laws on the flight over the high seas are found as follows; Firstly, as far as the nationality of the aircraft is concerned, its legal status is quite different from the ship where the flags of convenience can be applied practically. There is no flags of convenience of the aircraft. Secondly, according to the Article 95 of UNCLOS warships on the high seas have complete immunity from the jurisdiction of any State other than the flag State. We can suppose that the military(or state) aircraft over the high seas have also complete immunity from the jurisdiction of any State other than the flag State. Thirdly, according to the Article 101 of UNCLOS piracy consists of any act of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or of an aircraft with knowledge of facts making it a pirate ship or aircraft. We can conclude that piracy can de done by a pirate aircraft as well as a pirate ship. Fourthly, according to the Article 111 (5) of UNCLOS the right of hot pursuit may be exercised only by warships or military aircraft, or other ships or aircraft clearly marked and identifiable as being on government service and authorized to that effect. We can conclude that the right of hot pursuit may be exercised only military aircraft, or aircraft clearly marked and identifiable as being on government service and authorized to that effect. Fifthly, according to the Article 110 of UNCLOS a warship which encounters on the high seas a foreign ship, is not justified in boarding it unless there is reasonable ground for suspecting that: (a) the ship is engaged in piracy, (b) the ship is engaged in the slave trade, (c) the ship is engaged in an authorized broadcasting and the flag State of the warship has jurisdiction under article 109, (d) the ship is without nationality, or (e) though flying a foreign flag or refusing to show its flag, the ship is, in reality, of the same nationality as the warship. These provisions apply mutatis mutandis to military aircraft. Sixthly, according to the Article 1 (5)(dumping), 212(pollution from or through the atmosphere), 222(enforcement with respect to pollution from or through the atmosphere) of UNCLOS aircraft as well as ship is very much related to marine pollution. Seventhly, as far as the crime on board aircraft over the high seas is concerned 1963 Convention on the Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft(Tokyo Convention) will be applied, and as for the hijacking over the high seas 1970 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft(Hague Convention) and as for the sabotage over the high seas 1971 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation(Montreal Convention) will be applied respectively. These three conventions recognize the flag state jurisdiction over the crimes on board aircraft over the high seas. Eightly, as far as reconnaissance by foreign aircraft in the high seas toward the coastal States is concerned it is not illegal in terms of international law because its act is done in the high seas. Ninthly as for Air Defence Identification Zone(ADIZ) there are no articles dealing with it in the 1944 Chicago Convention. The legal status of the foreign aircraft over this sea zone might be restricted to the regulations of the coastal states whether this zone is legitimate or illegal. Lastly, the Arctic Sea is the frozen ocean. So the flight over that ocean is the same over the high seas. Because of the climate change the Arctic Sea is getting melted. If the coastal states of the Arctic Sea will proclaim the Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) as the ocean is getting melted, the freedom of flight over that ocean will also be restricted to the regulations of the coastal states.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2019

Validamycin A is an aminoglycoside fungicide produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus that inhibits trehalase. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for detecting validamycin A in agricultural samples to establish MRL values for use in Korea. The validamycin A residues in samples were extracted using methanol/water (50/50, v/v) and purified with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) cartridges. The analyte was quantified and confirmed by liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Matrix-matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges (0.005~0.5 ng) into a blank extract with $R^2$ > 0.99. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.005 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. For validation validamycin A, recovery studies were carried out three different concentration levels (LOQ, $LOQ{\times}10$, $LOQ{\times}50$, n = 5) with five replicates at each level. The average recovery range was from 72.5~118.3%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 10.3%. All values were consistent with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines (CAC/GL 40-1993, 2003) and the NIFDS (National Institute of Food and Drug Safety) guideline (2016). Therefore, the proposed analytical method is accurate, effective and sensitive for validamycin A determination in agricultural commodities.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.285-290
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• 2008

Various methods (OECD 301B, ISO 9439 and ASTM 5864) for biodegradability test of lubricants were reviewed, and a standard procedure was developed. Most lubrication products are released in rivers or sea then is degraded by microbial action in aerobic condition. Most international method are based on $CO_2$ evolution test. Inoculum obtained from a sewage disposal plant and test compound are cultivated in a mineral medium. Organic carbon of the test compound is degraded and oxidized through the enzymatic actions of inoculum, and ultimately mineralized to carbon dioxide. Biodegradability test conditions of lubricant oils were optimized. The highest biodegradability was achieved when the same medium as in ASTM 5864 and inoculum concentration of $10^4{\sim}10^5$ cell/L were used. The optimum standard materials were selected as aniline and sodium acetate. Additionally the effects of inoculum type on microbial growth and biodegradability were examined. Finally the standard operating procedure (SOP) for biodegradability test method was proposed.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.13 no.3 s.34
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• pp.261-281
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• 2005

Geospatial information and technologies are considered as a fundamental element in the foreign advanced e-governments. Integration of e-Government and GIS technology should be an important task for the Korean e-government. Purpose of this study is to propose integration strategies for Korean e-Government and National GIS projects in a GIS perspective. For the successful integration this study analyzes the evolutional stages of e-Government and changes of GIS paradigms in a more comprehensive way. This study hypothesizes that integration of e-Government and GIS can create greater synergic effects fur the improved citizen services and increased efficiency of governmental administration. To verify the hypothesis, cases of advanced e-Governments in the foreign countries and progress of the Korean e-Government projects are compared and integration strategies are suggested. The strategies are as follows: expanded integration of geospatial and text-based information in e-Government for the greater synergic effects, implementation of GIS portal for e-Government, and development of a variety of geospatial information services for easy access and public participation. Most importantly, innovation of the institutional environments can be considered as an essential requirement to enhance and broaden interdepartmental partnerships. To realize the integration strategies suggested, this study presented the future projects under the following 5 topics: 'service', 'integration of information', 'technology', 'organization' and 'infrastructure for integration'. It is expected that results of this study can contribute to the bigger picture of Korean e-Government and the third National GIS master plan in 2006.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2017

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with endocrine system in organisms, and have different mode of actions compared to conventional chemicals. Therefore, EDCs specific ecotoxicity tests and assessments have been globally developed by some organizations such as OECD, ASTM, and USEPA. In Korea, researches on EDCs and monitoring of EDCs in domestic environments were also continued. However, Korean ecotoxicity test guidelines for EDCs are not suggested till date. The purpose of this study is to review and analyze international ecotoxicity test guidelines for EDCs and the compare ecotoxicity methods and toxicity endpoints among standard test guidelines. We found that there are very limited EDCs specific soil ecotoxicity test guidelines (only in ASTM) compared to aquatic ecotoxicity test guidelines. Currently, fish, amphibian, waterflea, copepoda, earthworm, white worm, springtail, nematode, mite, and midge are suggested as standard ecotoxicity test species for EDCs. Reproduction, hormones, growth, vitellogenin, sex retio and development were proposed as endpoints for EDCs ecotoxicity. This study provided the comparison of EDCs specific ecotoxicity methods and endpoints between standard test guidelines, and suggested the further research to develop the method for assesseing ecotoxicity of EDCs.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.87-98
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• 2015

The natural monument forests (no.374) located at Pyeongdae-ri in Jeju island are described and classified by using phytosociological methods and numerical analysis. The purpose of this paper is to identify the ecological character of Torreya nucifera forests between natural habitat and artificial habitat, as well as their spatial and phytogeographical distribution in the Korea. The comparison of forests between Pyeongdae-ri and other regions was analyzed by using a non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS) and hierarchical clustering. On the basis of the 12 phytosociological $relev{\acute{e}}s$, the vegetation of T. nucifera dominant forest in Jeju island was arranged in one syntaxon (Alangium platanifolium-Torreya nucifera community included typicum and one subcommunity) within Camellietea. The community of T. nucifera dominant forests were characterized floristically and ecologically. We discussed diagnostic species with references, and proposed a few important diagnostic species (Ilex crenata for. microphylla, Acer palmatum, Zingiber mioga, Mercurialis leiocarpa, Osmorhiza aristata, Mecodium wrightii etc.) to explain condition of the habitat and synecological character. The communities were described by concerning their edaphical and syndynamical niche; we discussed their total distribution in Korea. In most forests they are widespread in Korean peninsular and their distribution is primarily determined by artificial plantation and periodical management. The forests consisted of T. nucifera have developed from natural environment element and artificial management. As a result they have very unique characters with the floristic, structural characterization and distribution. Furthermore, we identified that they need to apposite management for sustainability.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.855-858
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• 2007

A left ventricular rupture might be one of the most disastrous complications after a mitral valve replacement. An acute atrioventricular groove rupture (type I) was detected in a 54-year-old female diagnosed with a mitral stenosis combined with severe tricuspid regurgitation. She had a prior medical history of an open mitral commissurotomy in Japan at 30 years ago. The surgical findings suggested that the previous procedure was not a simple commissurotomy but a commissurotomy combined with a posteromedial annuloplasty procedure. After a successful mitral valve replacement and a measured (De Vega type) tricuspid annuloplasty, the weaning from a cardiopulmonary bypass was uneventful. However, copious intraoperative bleeding from the posterior wall was detected and the cardiopulmonary bypass was restarted. Exposure of the posterior wall of the left ventricle showed bleeding from the atrioventricular groove 3 cm lateral to the left atrial auricle. Under the impression of a Type I left ventricular rupture, epicardial repair (primary repair of the Teflon felt pledgetted suture, continuous sealing suture using auto-pericardial patch and application of fibrin-sealant) was attempted. Successful local control was made and the patient recovered uneventfully. The patient was discharged at 14 postoperative days without complications. We report this successful epicardial repair of an acute type I left ventricular rupture after mitral valve replacement.