• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.318-333
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze changes in dental trauma in children under the age of 12 during the period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). March 2020, when COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, was set as the starting point for COVID-19. From March 2018 to February 2020, subjects in the pre-COVID-19 period were classified as the Pre-COVID-19 group, and from March 2020 to March 2022, subjects in the post-COVID-19 period were classified as the COVID-19 group. Information related to trauma was collected through electronic medical records. The number of trauma patients before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 decreased significantly. During the COVID-19 period, there was no significant difference in the male-female ratio or the distribution order of age groups. In the COVID-19 group of permanent teeth, the ratio of trauma caused by personal mobility was higher than trauma caused by sports. In the COVID-19 group of permanent teeth, the ratio of crown fracture with pulp involvement was significantly higher than the ratio of crown fracture without pulp involvement. Changes in trauma patterns caused by COVID-19 were observed more clearly in school-aged children than in preschool children. In a pandemic situation such as COVID-19, it is expected to be used as a good educational basis for knowing that frequent diagnoses can change due to changes in the environment.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.75-88
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• 2023

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the demographic characteristics of pediatric dental patients who underwent dental treatment under general anesthesia (DTGA) at the Seoul National University Dental Hospital from January 2011 through December 2020 and compare the patterns of repeated DTGA between dental patients with severe disabilities (DSD) and non-DSD (healthy or medically compromised patients without DSD). There were 1,857 DTGAs among 1,719 patients (mean age = 5.1 years; males = 59.3%; ASA 2 or above = 52.9%; DSD = 26.8%). Overall, 6.6% of patients underwent repeated DTGA, and the rate of repeated DTGA over a 10-year period was 7.4%. ASA 2 or above (p < 0.0001) and DSD (p < 0.0001) were more likely to undergo repeated DRGA compared to ASA 1 and non-DSD. At both GA1 and GA2, DSD received significantly more restorative treatment on permanent teeth than non-DSD (p = 0.002, p < 0.0001, respectively). There has been an increasing demand for DTGA in pediatric dentistry over the last 10 years. Regular check-ups and preventive oral health care are necessary for pediatric dental patients with severe disabilities to reduce the possibility of repeated DTGA.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the viral load dynamics in children with underlying malignancies diagnosed with symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This was a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of patients <19 years old with underlying hemato-oncologic malignancies that were diagnosed with their first symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 infection during March 1 to August 30, 2022. Review of electronic medical records and telephone surveys were undertaken to assess the clinical presentations and transmission route of the patients. Thresholds of negligible likelihood of infectious virus was defined as E gene reverse transcription (RT)-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value ≥25. Results: During the 6-month study period, a total of 43 children with 44 episodes of COVID-19 were included. Of the 44 episodes, the median age of the patients included was 8 years old (interquartile range [IQR], 4.9-10.5), and the most common underlying disease was acute lymphoid leukemia (n=30, 68.2%), followed by patients post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n=8, 18.2%). Majority of the patients had mild COVID-19 (n=32, 72.7%), and three patients (7.0%) had severe/critical COVID-19. Furthermore, 2.3% (n=1) died of COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. The largest percentage of the patients showed E gene RT-PCR Ct value ≥25 between 15-21 days (n=13, 39.4%), followed by 22-28 days (n=10, 30.3%). In 15.2% (n=5), E gene RT-PCR Ct value remained <25 beyond 28 days after initial positive PCR. Refractory malignancy status (β, 67.0; 95% confidence interval, 7.0-17.0; P=0.030) was significantly associated with prolonged duration of E gene RT-PCR <25. A patient with prolonged duration of E gene RT-PCR Ct value <25 was suspected to have infectivity shown by the transmission of the virus to his mother at day 86 after his initial positive test. Conclusions: Children that acquire symptomatic COVID-19 during refractory malignancy state are at a high risk for prolonged shedding warranting PCR-based transmission precautions in this cohort of patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.417-426
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• 2023

Rapid climate change has resulted in glacial retreat and increased meltwater inputs in the Antarctic Peninsula, including King George Island where Marian Cove is located. Consequently, these phenomena are expected to induce changes in the water column light properties, which in turn will affect phytoplankton communities. To comprehend the effects of glacial retreat on the marine ecosystem in Marian Cove, we investigated on phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll-a, chl-a) and various environment parameters in this area in December 2021 and January 2022. The average temperature at the euphotic depth in January 2022 (1.41 ± 0.13 ℃) was higher than that in December 2021 (0.87 ± 0.17 ℃). Contrastingly, the average salinity was lower in January 2022 (33.9 ± 0.10 psu) than in December 2021 (34.1 ± 0.12 psu). Major nutrients, including dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphate, and silicate, were sufficiently high, and thus, did not act as limiting factors for phytoplankton biomass. In December 2021 and January 2022, the mean chl-a concentrations were 1.03 ± 0.64 and 0.66 ± 0.15㎍ L^-1, respectively. The mean concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) was 24.9 ± 3.54 mgL^-1 during the study period, with elevated values observed in the vicinity of the inner glacier. However, relative lower chl-a concentrations were observed near the inner glacier, possibly due to high SPM load from the glacier, resulting in reduced light attenuation by SPM shading. Furthermore, the proportion of nanophytoplankton exceeded 70% in the inner cove, contributing to elevated mean fractions of nanophytoplankton in the glacier retreat marine ecosystem. Overall, our study indicated that freshwater and SPM inputs from glacial meltwater may possibly act as main factors controlling the dynamics of phytoplankton communities in glacier retreat areas. The findings may also serve as fundamental data for better understanding the carbon cycle in Marian Cove.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2023

Methane production by anaerobic digestion occurs through interspecies electron transfer (DIET), a synthetic metabolism between acetic and methanate bacteria through hydrolysis and acid production steps. In this study, to improve methane yield, the effect of addition of magnetite (Fe₃O₄), a conductor promoting DIET on methane production in food wastewater was investigated, and the effect on methane yield was assessed by methane potential (B_u) and maximum methane production rate [R_m(t₀)] by the operation of batch type anaerobic reactor adding Fe₃O₄. The B_u and R_m(t₀) of food wastewater without Fe₃O₄ were 0.496 Nm³/kg-VSadded and 38.24 mL/day, respectively. The t0 which reached to R_m appeared at 21.06 days during the operation of the anaerobic reactor. The B_u of food wastewater with Fe₃O₄ was 0.502, 0.498, 0.512, 0.510, 0.518, 0.523, 0.524, 0.540, and 0.549 Nm³/kg-VSadded in the treatment of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 70, and 100mM-Fe₃O₄, respectively, and the B_u significantly increased to 36.95% with the addition of magnetite in the addition of 15mM-Fe₃O₄. And, the addition of Fe₃O₄ shortened the duration to reach R_m from 21.06 days to the maximum of 14.67 days by the addition of Fe₃O₄. Therefore, the methane yield and production rate of food wastewater significantly improved with the addition of Fe₃O₄.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.603-614
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• 2022

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities in the Bangtaecheon Stream in Korea from April to October 2020. The survey collected 4,640 fish of 26 species in 9 families from 11 survey stations. The dominant and subdominant species were Rhynchocypris kumgangensis(relative abundance at 31.5%) and Zacco koreanus(27.8%), respectively. The next most abundant species were Ladislavia taczanowskii(15.9%), Pungtungia herzi(4.0%), Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis(3.7%), Microphysogobio longidorsalis(2.4%), and Zacco platypus(2.3%). Among the collected fish species, 17 (65.4%) were Korean endemic species, 4 (15.4%), including Acheilognathus signifer, Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and B. l. tsinlingensis,were class II endangered wildlife as designated by the Ministry of Environment, and 1 species, Hemibarbus mylodon, was a natural monument. Moreover, two landlocked species (B. l. tsinlingensisand C. koreanus) were also collected. Additionally, four cold-water species (R. kumgangensis, L. taczanowskii, B. l. tsinlingensis,and Cottus koreanus) were collected, and all of them mainly inhabited the upper and middle streams. Fish community analysis showed a tendency for dominance and uniformity to decrease and abundance and diversity to increase from upstream to downstream and that the community structure was divided into upstream and downstream groups. The river health was rated as excellent (9 stations) and good (2 stations). Compared to the previous studies, three species (Carassius auratus, Leiocassis ussuriensis,and Siniperca scherzeri) appeared in the past but did not appear in this survey, and three species (Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, Microphysogobio yaluensis,and Orthrias nudus) that did not appear in the past appeared in this survey. Bangtaecheon Steam is well-preserved, and climate-sensitive species, endangered wildlife, and natural monuments inhabit the stream. Therefore, continuous attention and systematic conservation measures are required.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.419-429
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• 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the management water level of an estuary reservoir considering three aspects: the water use, flood control and water quality, and to use a robust decision-making to consider uncertainty due to climate change. The watershed-reservoir linkage model was used to simulate changes in inflow due to climate change, and changes in reservoir water level and water quality. Five management level alternatives ranging from -1.7 El.m to 0.2 El.m were evaluated under the SSP1, 2, 3, and 5 scenariosof the ACCESS-CM2 Global Climate Model. Performance indicators based on period-reliability were calculated for robust decision-making considering the three aspects, and regret was used as a decision indicator to identify the alternatives with the minimum maximum regret. Flood control failure increased as the management level increased, while the probability of water use failure increased as the management level decreased. The highest number of failures occurred under the SSP5 scenario. In the water quality sector, the change in water quality was relatively small with an increase in the management level due to the increase in reservoir volume. Conversely, a decrease in the management level resulted in a more significant change in water quality. In the study area, the estuary reservoir was found to be problematic when the change in water quality was small, resulting in more failures.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2023

This study was conducted in an indoor cultivation room and chamber where environmental control is possible to investigate the effect of temperature and irrigation interval on photosynthesis, growth and growth analysis of potted seedling cucumber. The light intensity (70 W·m^-2) and humidity (65%) were set to be the same. The experimental treatments were six combinations of three different temperatures, 15/10℃, 25/20℃, and 35/25℃, and two irrigation intervals, 100 mL per day (S) and 200 mL every 2 days (L). The treatments were named 15S, 15L, 25S, 25L, 35S, and 35L. Seedlings at 0.5 cm in height were planted in pots (volume:1 L) filled with sandy loam and treated for 21 days. Photosynthesis, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance at 14 days after treatment were highest in 25S. These were higher in S treatments with a shorter irrigation interval than L treatments. Total amount of irrigation water was supplied evenly at 2 L, but the soil moisture content was highest at 15S and lowest at 25S > 15L > 25L, 35S and 35L in that order. Humidity showed a similar trend at 15/10℃ (61.1%) and 25/20℃ (67.2%), but it was as high at 35/25℃ (80.5%). Cucumber growth (plant height, leaf length, leaf width, chlorophyll content, leaf area, fresh weight and dry weight) on day 21 was the highest in 25S. Growth parameters were higher in S with shorter irrigation intervals. Yellow symptom of leaf was occurred in 89.9% at 35S and 35L, where the temperature was high. Relative growth rate (RGR) and specific leaf weight (SLA) were high at 25/20℃ (25S, 25L), RGR tended to be high in the S treatment, and SLA in the L treatment. Water use efficiency (WUE) was high in the order of 25S, 25L > 15S > 15L, 35S, and 35L. As a result of the above, the growth and WUE were high at the temperature of 25/20℃.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2022

Excess nitrogen (N) flowing from livestock manure to water systems poses a serious threat to the natural environment. Thus, livestock wastewater management has recently drawn attention to this related field. This study first attempted to obtain the optimal conditions for the further volatilization of NH₃ gas generated from pig wastewater by adjusting the amount of injected magnesia (MgO). At 0.8 wt.% of MgO (by pig wastewater weight), the volatility rate of NH₃ increased to 75.5% after a day of aeration compared to untreated samples (pig wastewater itself). This phenomenon was attributed to increases in the pH of pig wastewater as MgO dissolved in it, increasing the volatilization efficiency of NH₃. The initial pH of pig wastewater was 8.4, and the pH was 9.2 when MgO was added up to 0.8 wt.%. Second, the residual ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) in pig wastewater was removed by precipitation in the form of struvite (NH₄MgPO₄·6H₂O) by adjusting the pH after adding MgO and H₃PO₄. Struvite produced in the pig wastewater was identified by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. White precipitates began to form at pH 6, and the higher the pH, the lower the concentration of NH₄⁺-N in pig wastewater. Of the total 86.1% of NH₄⁺-N removed, 62.4% was achieved at pH 6, which was the highest removal rate. Furthermore, how struvite changes with pH was investigated. Under conditions of pH 11 or higher, the synthesized struvite was completely decomposed. The yield of struvite in the precipitate was determined to be between 68% and 84% through a variety of analyses.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.227-236
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• 2019

Purpose: To evaluate the results of tibial lateral plateau fractures using arthroscopic-assisted reduction and internal fixation without cortical window or bone grafts. Materials and Methods: From March 2009 to March 2017, 27 patients with Schatzker type II tibial plateau fractures with articular depression and displacement over 5 mm on a computed tomography (CT) scan, who were treated with arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation and followed-up for at least 18 months, were enrolled in this study. Under arthroscopic guidance, the depressed fracture fragment was reduced using a freer and fixed with 5.0 or 6.5 mm cannulated screws through the inframeniscal portal without a cortical window or bone graft. The clinical and radiological results were evaluated using a Rasmussen system. Second look arthroscopy was performed in thirteen patients during the implant removal operation. Results: All fractures healed completely with a mean union time of 8.7 weeks (range from 8 to 12 weeks). Twenty four patients had good to excellent clinical results and 25 patients had good to excellent radiological results according to the Rasmussen classification. A well-healed articular surface with fibrocartilage was also found in 13 cases with second look arthroscopy. The 8 cases on CT scan at outpatient department follow-up showed bone union without bone grafting. Conclusion: Arthroscopic-assisted fixation of tibial lateral plateau fractures is a useful method without a cortical window or bone graft that produces good clinical results.