• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2003

No currently available methods to monitor pathogenic protozoa, Cryptosporidium and Giardia in environmental water come close to acceptable sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility, and so it has to be accompanied by thorough quality control and performance evaluation to credibly predict the distribution of them. We collected surface water samples from the Han River and spiked our prepared (oo)cysts, determined Matrix Spike recoveries using USEPA Method 1623 and considered what factors influence MS recovery and validity. As a result, average 46% of spiked oocysts and 60% of spike cysts were recovered, but repetitive sampling and statistical approach seemed to be necessary to determine the environmental pollution level of two protozoa as their variation coefficients was so much as 35oio and 26%. And MS recoveries with two acid dissociations during immunomagnetic separation were improved more 10% than that with one dissociations and the use of spiked suspension enumerated by flow cytometry instead of manual preparation enhanced the validity and reliability in spiking tests. Because fluorescence characteristics of (oo)cysts stained on well slides with FITC-labeled monoclonal antibodies and DAPI was not always same, well Elides from spiked field samples were helpful to evaluate the performance of staining. We found many (oo)cyst-like objects with typical fluorescence, not (co)cysts, from the Han River water samples, and then it was concluded that nuclei staining by DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) and examination by Differential Interference Contrast Microscope should be critical for valid identification.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.8 no.2 s.28
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• pp.23-30
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• 2006

Emulsified Asphalt Mixture(EAM) is more environmentally-friendly and cost-effective than typical Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) because EAM does not produce carcinogenic substances, e.g., naphtha, kerosene, during the both of manufacturing and roadway construction process. Also, it does not require heating the aggregates and asphalt binder. However, EAM has some disadvantages. Generally EAM has a less load bearing capacity and more moisture susceptibility than conventional HMA. The study evaluated a Fiber modified EAM (FEAM) to increase load bearing capacity and to decrease moisture susceptibility of EAM. Modified Marshall mix design was developed to find Optimum Emulsion Contents (OEC), Optimum Water Contents (OWC), and Optimum Fiber Contents (OFC). A series of test were performed on the fabricated specimen with OBC, OWC, and OFC. Tests include Marshall Stability, Indirect Tensile Strength, and Resilient modulus test. Comparison analyses were performed among EAM, Fiber modified EAM (FEAM), and typical HMA to verify the applicability of EAM and FEAM in the field. Test results indicated that both of EAM and FEAM have an enough capability to resist medium traffic volume based on the Marshall mix design criteria. Also the study found that fiber modification is effective to increase the load bearing capacity and moisture damage resistance of EAM.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 2011

Upon encountering weathering soil at a construction site, it may be necessary to change the design and construction plans for geotechnical structures. When weathering soil is exposed to air, the weathering process proceeds rapidly, resulting in significant damage to geotechnical structures, particle defects, and an increase in moisture sensitivity. The management of weathering-soil compaction is challenging. Because the engineering properties of weathering-soils vary regionally, it is important to report the result of research into the regional characteristics of such soils. At two locations of granite gneiss in the Gansung area of Gangwon-do, geological studies were performed at 22 and 8 sites, respectively. At each site, test samples were collected for analysis by XRD and to measure particle size, consistency, and compaction. To evaluate the suitability of the material for road subgrade, we examined the interrelationship between CBR value and the uniformity coefficient, the 200 sieve passing ratio and the aggregate ${\geq}$ 2 mm) content. We found that for the weathered granite soil, aggregate sized > 2 mm has a significant effect on the CBR value. In addition, the mixing of aggregate sized > 2 mm with sub-quality soil improves the soil condition.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.17 no.sup
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• pp.61-68
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• 2011

To assess the total cost with all stages of facilities, the feasibility of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis was examined in this study to estimate the livestock manure treatment system and optimal decision making process. For the economic evaluation, the plant/equipment investment and annual operation cost of four Public Livestock Recycling Facilities, whose treatment capacity is 100 ton piggery manure per day, was compared. The initial cost was in the range of 2,699 million won to 3,202 million won, where T and E methods were highest and lowest, respectively. The annual operation cost was in the level of 378 million to 498 million won, which decreased in the following order : T method > J method > E method > B method. For the LCC analysis, 4.7% of interest rate, 3.13% of inflation rate, and 1.52% of net discount rate was considered by the data received from Bank of Korea and Statics Korea in the period of 2000 to 2009. Also, for the calculation of present value factor, the durable years of civil engineering & construction, machinery and electric instrument was 30 years, 10 years and 15 years, respectively. Based on these consideration, operation cost was in the range of 17,570 won/ton to 20,661 won/ton, and E method (17,570 won/ton) was economical and B method (20,661 won/ton) was non-economical. Though initial cost of T method was higher than that of B method, LCC analysis of T method was lower than that of T method due to the lower operation cost. Therefore, LCC analysis, which considers both initial cost and operation cost, is more reasonable evaluation method than either initial cost or annual operation cost. For the change of LCC analysis according to the uncertainty, the sensitivity analysis was carried out using fluctuation magnitude of discount rate in the period of 2000 to 2009. As a result, LCC analysis evaluated by discount rate was stable for the uncertain factors since the cost leadership did not change even though the sensitivity analysis varied. In summary, the economic evaluation using LCC analysis could be an efficient reference to choose the suitable livestock manure treatment plants. Furthermore, standardization of statement calculation for the actual cost analysis should be conducted and more detailed study is necessary to validate this summary. Therefore, the application of comprehensive technology evaluation, which considers LCC analysis, should contribute in obtaining objectivity and enhancing reliability for the 'Evaluation of Livestock Manure Treatment System and its Technology'.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2009

The purpose of the study was to develop an eating habit checklist for screening elementary school children at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake. Eating habits, food intake, and anthropometric data were collected from 142 children (80 boys and 62 girls) in the $4^{th}$ to $6^{th}$ grades of elementary schools. Percentage of Recommended Intakes (RI) and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) of six micronutrients; vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc, and the number of nutrients the children consumed below EAR among the six nutrients were used as indices to detect the risk of inadequate micronutrient intake. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between eating habit scores and inadequate micronutrient intake indices in order to select questions included in the checklist. Meal frequency, enough time for breakfast, regularity of dinner, appetite, eating frequencies of Kimchi, milk, fruits and beans showed significant correlations with indices of inadequate micronutrient intake. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to give each item a different weight by prediction strength. To determine the cut-off point of the test score, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated. The 8-item checklist with test results from 0 to 12 points was developed, and those with equal or higher than 6 points were diagnosed as high-risk group of inadequate micronutrient intake, and those with 4 or 5 points were diagnosed as moderate-risk group. Among our subjects 14.1% was diagnosed as high-risk group, and 30.3% as moderate-risk group. The proportions of the subjects who consumed below EAR of all micronutrients but vitamin C were highest in the high-risk group, and there were significant differences in the proportions of the subjects with intake below EAR of all micronutrients except vitamin B6 among the three groups. This checklist will provide a useful screening tool to identify children at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.567-575
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• 2001

In order to consider statistical properties of probability variables used in the structural analysis the conventional approach using the safety factor based on past experience usually estimated the safety of a structure Also the real structures could only be analyzed with the error in estimation of loads material characters and the dimensions of the members. But the errors should be considered systematically in the structural analysis Safety of structure could not precisely be appraised by the traditional structural design concept Recently new aproach based on the probability concept has been applied to the assessment of structural safety using the reliability concept Thus the computer program by the Probabilitstic FEM is developed by incorporating the probabilistic concept into the conventional FEM method. This paper estimated for the reliability of a plane stress structure by Advanced First-Order Second Moment method using von Mises, Tresca and Mohr-Coulomb failure criterions. Verification of the reliability index and failure probability of attained by the Monte Carlo Simulation method with the von Mises criterion were same as PFEM, but the Monte Carlo Simulation were very time-consuming. The variance of member thickness and load could influence the reliability and failure probability most sensitively among the design variables from the results of the parameter analysis. The proper failure criterion according to characteristic of materials must be used for safe design.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.33-58
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• 2004

This paper tests Van Home's hypothesis, a negative correlation between degrees of operating leverage(DOL) and financial leverage(DFL). For an empirical analysis, we extract information from financial statements of manufacturing companies listed in the Korea Stock Exchange. Data extend from 1980 to 2001. The DOL continued to increase until 1997, but decreased dramatically after the IMF financial crisis. However, the DOL has been at a higher level than companies of other countries such as USA and Japan. The DFL has been maintained at a much higher level, as expected. The empirical results indicate a positive correlation between the DOL and the DFL, which is inconsistent with the VanHorne's hypothesis. To further investigate, we divide the whole sample into subgroups according to such management elements as asset size, level of leverages, earnings and cash flow. The results for sub-samples are different from those of whole sample. This indicates we need to incorporate specific managerial factors in order to correctly explain financial decision processes.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

Several types of methods such as resistivity survey, ground penetration radar, etc are used for detection of levee leakage and according to the river design guidelines detection of levee leakage is performed by measuring the hydraulic conductivity of levee soil. But, the former can not verify the leakage point and degree of saturation, the latter is an after treatment method. Movable sensor, which is a high-tech TDR system developed since 2000, can obtain directly the dielectric constant profile covering the whole depth of levee. In this study, laboratory and field model experiments were carried out using movable TDR sensor in order to evaluate the applicability as detection system of levee leakage, As the result, movable TDR system has proven to be 3 times more sensitive to water contents than dry unit weight, and the results conclude that the dielectric constant, water contents and density of the ground proved to have a correlation among them, and the dielectric constant is expected to be a basic data on detection of levee leakage.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.57-73
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• 2008

Nitrate concentrations were measured up to 49 mg/L (as $NO_3$-N) and 22% of the samples exceeded drinking water standard in shallow and bedrock groundwater of the northern Nonsan area. Nitrate concentrations showed a significant difference among land use groups. To predict nitrate concentration in groundwater, multiple regression analysis was carried out using hydrogeologic parameters of soil media, topography and land use which were categorized as several groups, well depth and altitude, and field parameters of temperature, pH, DO and EC. Hydrogeologic parameters were quantified as area proportions of each category within circular buffers centering at wells. Regression was performed to all the combination of variables and the most relevant model was selected based on adjusted coefficient of determination (Adj. $R^2$). Regression using hydrogelogic parameters with varying buffer radii show highest Adj. $R^2$ at 50m and 300m for shallow and bedrock groundwater, respectively. Shallow groundwater has higher Adj. $R^2$ than bedrock groundwater indicating higher susceptibility to hydrogeologic properties of surface environment near the well. Land use and soil media was major explanatory variables for shallow and bedrock groundwater, respectively and residential area was a major variable in both shallow and bedrock groundwater. Regression involving hydrogeologic parameters and field parameters showed that EC, paddy and pH were major variables in shallow groundwater whereas DO, EC and natural area were in bedrock groundwater. Field parameters have much higher explanatory power over the hydrogeologic parameters suggesting field parameters which are routinely measured can provide important information on each well in assessment of nitrate contamination. The most relevant buffer radii can be applied to estimation of travel time of contaminants in surface environment to wells.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2014

Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (HC) is integrated theoretically from soil water retention curves (SWRC) by Mualem capillary model, but the prediction of HC is extremely sensitive to small variation of matric suction near saturation. Near saturation, the Mualem HC based on smooth SWRC decreases abruptly and has problems in the reliability of hydraulic behavior and the stability of numerical solutions. To improve van Genuchten-Mualem (VGM) HC, the van Genuchten SWRC model is modified within range of low matric suction (arbitrary air entry pressure). At an arbitrary air entry pressure, the VG SWRC is linearized in log scale until full saturation. The modified VG SWRC does not affect the fit of actual retention behavior and either the parameters of original VG SWRC fit. Using the modified VG SWRC, the VGM HC is modified to integrate for each interval decomposed by arbitrary air entry pressure. An analytical solution on modified VGM HC is proposed each interval, to protect the rapid change in HC near saturation. For silty soils, VGM models of HC function underestimate the unsaturated permeability characteristics and especially show rapid reduction near saturation. The modified VGM model predicts more accurate HC functions for Korean weathered soils. Furthermore, near saturation, the saturated HC is conserved by the modified VGM model. After 2-D infiltration analysis of an actual slope, the hydraulic behaviors are compared for VGM and the modified models. The prediction by the proposed model conserved the convergence of solutions on various rainfall conditions. However, the solution by VGM model did not converge since the conductivity near saturation reduced abruptly for heavy rainfall condition. Using VGM model, the factor of safety is overestimated in both initial and final stage during heavy rainfall. Stability analysis based on infiltration analysis could simulate the actual slope failure by the proposed model on HC.