• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.161-170
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• 2018

The epidemic of disorders associated with synthetic stimulants, such as methamphetamine (MA) and amphetamine (AP), is a health, social, legal, and financial problem. Owing to the high potential of their abuse and addiction, reliable analytical methods are required to detect and identify MA, AP, and their metabolites in biological samples. Thus, a dilute-and-shoot liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous determination of MA, 4-hydroxymethamphetamine (4HMA), AP, and 4-hydroxyamphetamine (4HA) in urine. Urine sample ($100{\mu}L$) was mixed with $50{\mu}L$ of mobile phase consisting of 0.4 % formic acid and methanol and $50{\mu}L$ of working internal-standard solution. Aliquots of $8{\mu}L$ diluted urine was injected into the LC-MS/MS system. For all analytes, chromatographic separation was performed using a C18 reversed-phase column with gradient elution and a total run time of 5 min. The identification and quantification were performed by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Linear least-squares regression was conducted to generate a calibration curve, with $1/x^2$ as the weighting factor. The linear ranges were 2.0-200, 1.0-800, and 10-2500 ng/mL for 4HA and 4HMA, AP, and MA, respectively. The inter- and intraday precisions were within 6.6 %, whereas the inter- and intraday accuracies ranged from -14.9 to 11.3 %. The low limits of quantification were 2.0 ng/mL (4HA and 4HMA), 1.0 ng/mL (AP), and 10 ng/mL (MA). The proposed method exhibited satisfactory selectivity, dilution integrity, matrix effect, and stability, which are required for validation. Moreover, the purification efficiency of high-speed centrifugation was clearly higher than 6-15 % for QC samples (n=5), which was higher than that of the membrane-filtration method. The applicability of the proposed method was tested by forensic analysis of urine samples from drug abusers.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.40 no.2 s.107
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• pp.221-241
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• 2005

Land Use and Land Cover Changes (LUCC) occur over a wide range of space and time scales, and involve complex natural, socio-economic, and institutional processes. Therefore, modelling and predicting LUCC demands an understanding of how various measured properties behave when considered at different scales. Understanding spatial and temporal variability of driving forces and constraints on LUCC is central to understanding the scaling issues. This paper aims to 1) assess the heterogeneity of land cover change processes over the landscape in northern Ghana, where intensification of agricultural activities has been the dominant land cover change process during the past 15 years, 2) characterise dominant land cover change mechanisms for various spatial scales, and 3) identify the optimal spatial scale for LUCC modelling in a savanna landscape. A multivariate statistical method was first applied to identify land cover change intensity (LCCI), using four time-sequenced NDVI images derived from LANDSAT scenes. Three proxy land use change predictors: distance from roads, distance from surface water bodies, and a terrain characterisation index, were regressed against the LCCI using a multi-scale hierarchical adaptive model to identify scale dependency and spatial heterogeneity of LUCC processes. High spatial associations between the LCCI and land use change predictors were mostly limited to moving windows smaller than 10$\times$10km. With increasing window size, LUCC processes within the window tend to be too diverse to establish clear trends, because changes in one part of the window are compensated elsewhere. This results in a reduced correlation between LCCI and land use change predictors at a coarser spatial extent. The spatial coverage of 5-l0km is incidentally equivalent to a village or community area in the study region. In order to reduce spatial variability of land use change processes for regional or national level LUCC modelling, we suggest that the village level is the optimal spatial investigation unit in this savanna landscape.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.747-753
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• 2019

Cognitive decline is characterized by reduced long-/short-term memory and attention span, and increased depression and anxiety. Such decline is associated with various degenerative brain disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The increases in elderly populations suffering from cognitive decline create social problems and impose economic burdens, and also pose safety threats; all of these problems have been extensively researched over the past several decades. Possible causes of cognitive decline include metabolic and hormone imbalance, infection, medication abuse, and neuronal changes associated with aging. However, no treatment for cognitive decline is available. In neurodegenerative diseases, changes in the gut microbiota and gut metabolites can alter molecular expression and neurobehavioral symptoms. Changes in the gut microbiota affect memory loss in AD via the downregulation of NMDA receptor expression and increased glutamate levels. Furthermore, the use of probiotics resulted in neurological improvement in an AD model. PD and gut microbiota dysbiosis are linked directly. This interrelationship affected the development of constipation, a secondary symptom in PD. In a PD model, the administration of probiotics prevented neuron death by increasing butyrate levels. Dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been identified in AD and PD. Increased BBB permeability is also associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis, which led to the destruction of microtubules via systemic inflammation. Notably, metabolites of the gut microbiota may trigger either the development or attenuation of neurodegenerative disease. Here, we discuss the correlation between cognitive decline and the gut microbiota.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.13 no.3 s.34
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• pp.309-321
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• 2005

To analyze travel demand fur transportation policy and transportation planning, it is important to construct realistic and reliable traffic data. And it needs a user friendly system to demonstrate transportation problems in the transportation planning and transportation management aspect. Generally, to construct network for analysis and collection about social and economical data is a core of transportation planning model. However, it takes a lot of time and effect. To overcome this problem GIS is more effective and efficient in data processing, such as selecting, editing and visualizing, etc. However, it is an early stage to use CIS in the transportation problems. This paper shows a new GIS-T system. The system can give traffic information and plan transportation planning using GIS which has ability as spatial representation and spatial analysis. To build this system, we design interfaces that are able to communicate transportation package for analysis with GIS and manage network efficiently, such as editing and examination. And we also develop a module for traffic information processing to handle spatial data and add it on the system. The proposed system shows more realistic transportation network modeling because the system presents more effective conditions to analyze network. And it can be a tool that can analyze various transportation problems.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.23-34
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• 2017

During Khmer Rouge Regime, Cambodian pop music was completely forgotten since 90% of artists were killed. After recovering from war since 1979, the music started to grow again in 1990. However, Cambodian popular music dynamic and flows are observably directed by the multifaceted socioeconomic, political and creative forces. The major problems are the plagiarism and piracy which have been prevailing for years in the industry. Recently, the consciousness of the need to preserve Khmer original songs from both fans and artist have been increased and become a new trend for Cambodia young population. Still, the music quality is in the limit state. To increase the mind-set, the feedbacks and inspiration are needed. The study suggested a music ranking website using sentiment analysis which data were collected from Production Companies Facebook Pages' posts and comments. The study proposed an algorithm which translates from Khmer to English, doing sentiment analysis and generate the ranking. The result showed 80% accuracy of translation and sentiment analysis on the proposed system. The songs that rank high in the system are the songs which are original and fit the occasion in Cambodia. With the proposed ranking algorithm, it would help to increase the competitive advantage of the musical productions as well as to encourage the producers to compose the new songs which fit the particular activities and event.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.432-447
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• 2016

The increased frequency of drought and flood due to climate change was a global problem. In particular, drought was recognized as a serious environmental, ecological, social, and economic disaster. Therefore, it is necessary to study the measures to prevent it. In this study, we will estimate the meteorological drought index in the Han River Basin and analyze the impact of climate change on drought. The change of the meteorological drought occurrence due to climate change in the Han River separated by the common drought and severe drought was analyzed using the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) scenarios provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The years 1973 - 2010 were selected for analysis in the current period. Using the scenario, we separated the future period (Target I: 2011 - 2039, Target II: 2040 - 2069, Target III : 2070 - 2099). The number of occurrences of less than -1.0 and -1.5 standard precipitation index were analyzed by SPI 3, 6, 12. Looking at the results, trends in rainfall in the Han River was expected to increase from the current figures, the occurrence of drought is predicted to decline in the future. However, the number of drought occurrence was analyzed to increase toward long-term drought. The number of severe drought occurrences was usually larger than the common drought estimated. Additional studies may be considered in addition to the agricultural drought, hydrological drought, socio-economic drought. This will be done by using efficient water management. The results can be used as a basis for future drought analysis of the Han River.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.3-26
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• 1990

Encouraged by the investment in the rice paddy, the introduction of new varieties (Tong-Il), and the price support program, there has been great success in increasing rice production. Meanwhile, the demand for rice has decreased rapidly as per capita income continues to rise. Rice self-sufficiency has been attained, and a new over-supply problem is emerging. Moreover, the Uruguay Round Agricultural Negotiation would prohibit government price support for agricultural products. In October the Korean government decides the government purchase amount and support price, which works as the price guideline. All interested parties exert political efforts to influence the decision. The continued increase of the government purchase price of rice due to political pressure pushed the government purchase price above the market wholesale price in 1988. Also, the farmers preferred to sell to the government than to the wholesaler. This has discouraged the market mechanism, and the government is to take over the three functions of the market mechanism: stockpiling, seasonal price fluctuation adjustment, and circulation. Another big increase may cause the government purchase price to rise above the consumer price, which might lead to arbitrage opportunities for the farmers and suffocate the market mechanism. However, the current political situations limits the options for the Korean government. This paper argues that a supply control policy will reduce the social cost resulting from the high level of producer price support, and it proposes several second best policies: First, the production of new varieties should be reduced rapidly. Second, the old rice in the government warehouse should be auctioned or disposed of in order to reduce the government handling and management costs. Third, the acreage diversion program should be launched in order to control rice paddy acreage. Fourth, a social welfare program in rural areas should be introduced, since the share of population over 60 is increasing rapidly. Fifth, instead of the price support which is forbidden by the Uruguay Round, Korea should restructure the agricultural industry by developing new crops, by enhancing productivity and by improving the agricultural infrastructure.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.409-417
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• 2010

This paper discusses a series of experiments including material improvement in order to ensure quality of grouting for the post-tensioned structure. In prestressed concrete, grouting refers to the construction procedure of filling empty space of duct enclosing with strands using cementitious material, To date, adequate quality control of the grouting has not been established in Korea because the relationship between the grouting and durability of post-tensioned structure is not well-recognized. The Korean standard does not consider the important material characteristic, wick effect, which is caused by strands in the ducts and current standard testing method unlikely quantify reasonable material segregation. As a result, the grout material, which meets the current material standards, may exhibit excessive bleeding water or shrinkage during construction. In this study, international codes and standards related to grouting were surveyed. The ratio of constituents and novel admixtures were suggested to meet equivalently with these standards. Performance of this enhanced grout was compared to common domestic grout using the international standard testing method. A series of mock-up specimens considering geometry of PC beam was constructed and grout flow pattern was observed as the grout was injected. It was observed that the grouting performance was highly influenced by material properties and filling characteristic can be varied depending on geometry of ducts.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was designed to analyze the relationship between the presence and severity of depression and chewing problems (CPs) in a representative sample of the general population. Materials and Methods: Health surveys and examinations were conducted on a nationally representative sample (n = 8150) of Korean was conducted. CPs was determined by a simple survey response concerning "Do you feel uncomfortable about chewing your food because of problems with your mouth such as teeth, dentures and gums?" Depression was defined as individuals with a total score ≥ 10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 survey. Data regarding demographics, socioeconomic history and comorbid health conditions were used to analyze adjusted logistic regression models. Results: In the Korean population, the prevalence of depression was significantly greater in individuals with CP (17.2%) than in those without CP (10.2%). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of depression was significantly associated with CPs (adjusted odd ratio [aOR]: 1.90, P < 0.001). The risk of CPs increased with increasing severity of depression as follows: severe depression (OR: 2.62, P < 0.001), moderately severe depression (OR: 2.19, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The presence of depression was significantly associated with CPs, especially in severely depressed individuals. Depression screening should be considered in treating CP patients.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.287-298
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• 1992

The main purpose of this study is to obtain information on the factors influencing forest scenic beauty in order to make and manage scenic forest of recreation areas. 62 slides were taken for the study. Each photograph was independently judged by college students in 10 different major fields, with a total 264 observers after reliability test in the study. The ratings were scaled using a computer program developed by Brown & Daniel(1990). The results of rating scale analysis indicate that respondents' major field difference affects visual preference for forest scenic beauty. Similarly, with different sexual, forest visit frequency, and community type in childhood, people tend to rate their preference differently. The respondents' rating scale of relative scenic beauty of near-view forest scenes can largely be explained in terms of forest physical characteristics of forest landscape. Bare ground area and stash area are represented negative esthetic effects, while DBH, number of trees per hectare, sky area showed positive esthetic effects. These 6 variables in the model can be accounted for 74% of total variance in perceived forest scenic beauty. With this study result, it can be concluded that forest physical characteristics are significantly related to visual preference for near-view forest scenes.