• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2017

Spirometry is a physiological test for assessing the functional aspect of the lungs using an objective indicator to measure the maximum amount of air that a patient can inhale and exhale. Acceptable spirometry testing needs to be conducted three times by an acceptable and reproducible method for determining forced vital capacity (FVC). Until the results of three tests meet the criteria of reproducibility, the test should be repeated up to eight times. Interpretation of spirometry should be clear, concise, and informative. Additionally, spirometry should guarantee optimal quality prior to the interpreting spirometry results. Our guideline adopts a fixed normal predictive value instead of the lower limit of normal as the reference value because fixed value is more convenient and also accepts FVC instead of vital capacity (VC) because measurement of VC using a spirometer is impossible. The bronchodilator test is a method for measuring the changes in lung capacity after inhaling a short-acting ${\beta}-agonist$ that dilates the airway. When an obstructive ventilatory defect is observed, this test helps to diagnose and evaluate asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by measuring reversibility with the use of an inhaled bronchodilator. A positive response to a bronchodilator is generally defined as an increase of ${\geq}12%$ and ${\geq}200mL$ as an absolute value compared with a baseline in either forced expiratory volume at 1 second or FVC.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.685-694
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• 2016

In this study, the thermal degradation behavior of biomass during torrefaction was studied by thermogravimetric and byproduct gas analysis. Torrefaction temperature, time, and heating rate were $220{\sim}300^{\circ}C$, 110 min, and $10{\sim}30^{\circ}C/min$, respectively. The degradation rate of yellow poplar was 8.01~8.81% at $220^{\circ}C$ and 71.86~77.38% at $300^{\circ}C$ depending on heating rate. The degradation rate significantly increased at temperature over $240^{\circ}C$. On the other hand, degradation rate of larch was relatively low as 49.58~54.15% at $300^{\circ}C$. The activation energy of yellow poplar was 87.32~91.24 kJ/mol; these values did not significantly change with heating rate. The activation energy of larch was 83.85~91.60 kJ/mol. The major components of the gas generated during torrefaction were derived from hemicellulose. The component types and concentrations increased with torrefaction severity. High concentrations of furfural and acetic acid were detected during torrefaction of yellow poplar.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.57-67
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• 2014

The vigor condition of trees is an important indicator for the management of urban forested area. But difficulties in how to assess the tree vigor condition still remain. Previous efforts were limited in the 1) measurement of single indicator rather than using multiple indices, 2) purpose-oriented measurement such as for air-pollution effect or specific pathological symptom, and 3) ordinal-scale evaluations by field crews 4) despite human errors based on his/her experiences or prior knowledge. Therefore, this study attempted to develop a quantitative and objective methodology for assessing tree vigor condition, by measuring multiple modules and building the profile inventory. Furthermore, the possibility and limitations were discussed in terms of schematic frames describing tree vigor condition. The vigor condition of 56 flowering cherry plants in urban park were assessed by in-situ measurements of following eight items; growth of crown(Gc), growth of shoots, individual tree volume(Vol), plant area index, woody area index, leaf area index, leaf chlorophyll content(Lc) and leaf water content(Lw). For validation, these measurements were compared with the ranks of holistic tree vigor condition, which were visually assessed using a 4-point grading scale based on the expert's knowledge. As a result, the measures of each evaluation item successfully highlighted a variety of aspects in tree vigor condition, including the states of both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic parts. The variation in the results depending on evaluated parts was shown within an individual tree, even though the broad agreement among the results was found. The result of correlation analysis between the tested measurements and 4-point visual assessment, demonstrated that the state of water-stressed foliage of the season (Lw) or the development of plant materials since sapling phase (Vol) could be better viewed from the outer appearance of trees than other symptoms. But only based on the visual assessment, it may be difficult to detect the quality of photosynthesis (Lc) or the recent trend in growth of trees (Gc). To make this methodology simplified for the broad-scale application, the tested eight measurements could be integrated into two components by principal component analysis, which was labelled with 'the amount of plant materials' and 'vigor trend', respectively. In addition, the use of these quantitative and multi-scale indicators underlies the importance of assessing various aspects of tree vigor condition, taking into account the response(s) on different time and spatial scale of pressure(s) shown in each evaluated module. Future study should be advanced for various species at diverse developing stages and environment, and the application to wide areas at a periodic manner.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.156-161
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• 2020

Recently, as there has been growing demand for aesthetic quality in structural materials, the development of excellent color cement concrete having good coloration properties has become a requirement. This study is designed to analyze the basic physical properties of mortar and the properties of keeping the coloration under an ultraviolet ray accelerated weathering test environment according to changes in the mixing ratio between carbon black and iron oxide used as colorants. The test results show that the use of carbon black and iron oxide reduces the initial flow by 6.3~17.2 % and the air content by 3.5~31.5 % but increases the unit volume weight by 3.4~5.5 %, compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). In addition, the study shows that the addition of iron oxide increases the self drying shrinkage. So, caution needs to be taken on the workability of the concrete. The brightness value L^⁎ represented by black showed the most excellent black colour when carbon black 3 % and iron oxide 5 % are added. According to UV accelerated weatherproof test, the brightness value L^⁎ was found to increase in all experiment specimens by 4.28~11.97 %, and the color change by UV was found to be higher for the case where carbon black colorant was not used. Therefore, in terms of color revelation characteristics, the case using carbon black 3 % and iron oxide 5 % was found to show the best black color.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.541-550
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• 2011

Many researches have been performed on concrete with fly ash and bottom ash. However researches on concrete with pond ash (PA) and its application to RC (Reinforced Concrete) structure are limitedly carried out. This paper presents an applicability of PA concrete in construction of real size structure. Referring to the previous study, 2 domestic PA samples with normal performance are selected and 2 replacement ratios (25% and 50%) to fine aggregate are considered for 5 PA concrete structures consisting of column, slab, and wall. In order to evaluate the property of fresh concrete, several tests including air content, slump, and setting time are performed. Using cored out samples from hardened PA concrete structure, tests for strength, resistance to carbonation and chloride penetration are carried out and compared with control samples. Additionally, tests for rebound hardness, drying shrinkage, and hydration heat are performed for PA concrete structure. The test results showed that PA concrete has reasonable strength and durability performances compared to those of normal concrete. Therefore, its potential application to RC structure is promising. The PA aggregate can be more actively used for RC structures with better quality control for content of fly ash, bottom ash, and unburned carbon.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.189-196
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• 2015

This study was performed to identify the effect of mixed bed soil on growth of aerial parts and root zone of daughter plants for nursery field strawberry seedling raising with expanded chaff. The plant height and leaf area of daughter plants were highest or largest in the mixed soil of ERH +RH (100:0, v/v), followed by ERH+RH (75:25). The higher the mixing ratio of RH, the shorter the plant height or the smaller the leaf area. A similar tendency was observed in fresh weight. Within a root diameter of 0-0.4 mm and a root height range of 0.4-0.8 mm, root surface area and volume were statistically significantly better with treatment of ERH+RH (100:0, v/v) compared to those of roots treated with ERH+RH (75:25), ERH+RH (50:50) and ERH+RH (25:75). The growth rate of aerial parts and root zone of daughter plants were noticeably lower in two mixing ratios of 50:50 and 25:75. According to the mixing ratios of ERH+CD surface treatment, the number of roots was greatest in plants treated with ERH+CD (80:20, v/v) and ERH+CD (85:15) on August 1. However, the number of roots was highest in plants treated with ERH+CD (85:15, v/v) on August 15. Root length was longest in the plant with no treatment, and drastically shortened from ERH+CD (90:10, v/v) in both surface and mixed treatment. Although root weight showed a significant difference in ERH+CD (90:10, v/v) treatment, its increase was gradual. The rate of root growth was highest in ERH+CD (85:15). These study findings suggest that the content ratios of mixed soil ERH+RH (75:25, v/v) or below and ERH+CD (85:15) are thought to be desirable for the production of high quality seedlings.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2012

The objective of this study is to provide pollutant loads delivery ratio for flow duration in Oenam-cheon watershed, which is upstream watershed of Juam Lake. To calculate the delivery ratio by flow duration, rating curves and discharge-loads curves using measured data were established, then Flow Duration Curve(FDC) and pollutant loads delivery ratio curves were constructed. The results show that the delivery ratios for $BOD_5$ for abundant flow($Q_{95}$), ordinary flow($Q_{185}$), low flow($Q_{275}$), and drought flow($Q_{355}$) were 23.9, 12.7, 7.1, and 2.9%, respectively. The delivery ratios of same flow regime for T-N were 58.4, 31.2, 17.2 and 7.1%, respectively. While, the delivery ratios T-P were 17.3, 7.5, 3.4, and 1.1% respectively. In general, delivery ratio of high flow condition showed higher value due to the influence of nonpoint source pollution. Based on the study results, generalized equations were developed for delivery ratio and discharge per unit area, which could be used for ungaged watershed with similar pollution sources.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.95-103
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• 2012

Precast concrete method is known to have advantages of minimizing works in the construction, controlling concrete quality easily and saving construction period due to only fabrication work in the construction field, but it needs to apply steam curing to accelerate early concrete strength. In the meanwhile, the oil cost for steam curing has been continuously increased because of political instability in the middle East and international economic shaky. Thus, this study addresses the development of precast/ prestressed concrete which has over 14MPa at 1 day age and specified concrete strength of 40MPa at low temperature, not applying steam curing. Tests were carried out in terms of material characteristics in fresh concrete and compressive strength using 3 types of cement such as Type I, Type III and rapid hardening compound cement. As results of tests, it is found that cements for rapid hardening had disadvantages with respect to slump, slump loss, and air content, but showed higher compressive strength than specified one, especially the highest value when using rapid hardening compound.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.5
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• pp.226-232
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• 2014

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation and results from environmental factors and genetic factors. Although cigarette smoking is a major risk factor, other environmental exposures can influence COPD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of COPD according to the history of environmental exposure. Methods: The study population comprised of 347 subjects with COPD who were recruited from the pulmonary clinics of 14 hospitals within the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease Study Group. We classified environmental exposures according to history of living near factory, and direct exposure history to firewood or briquette. According to living environmental exposures, we compared the frequency of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, quality of life, exercise capacity, and computed tomography phenotypes. Results: Thirty-one subjects (8.9%) had history of living near factory, 271 (78.3%) had exposure history to briquette, and 184 (53.3%) had exposure history to firewood. Patients with history of living near a factory had a significantly longer duration of sputum, while patients with exposure to firewood tended to have lower forced expiratory volume in one second, and patients with exposure to briquette tended to have lower six minute walk distance. Conclusion: COPD subjects with the history of living near factory had more frequent respiratory symptoms such as sputum. Our data suggest that environmental exposure may influence clinical phenotype of COPD.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.108-117
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• 2010

In this study, ambient particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$) levels were measured and their chemical and physical properties were characterized. Two sites in Gwangju were sampled once a month from December 2008 to November 2009. The annual mean concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were $26.9\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $46.3\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, in Nongseongdong and $26.1\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $44.8\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, in Duam-dong. $PM_{2.5}$ levels were 1.8 times higher than the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) national ambient air quality standard for $PM_{2.5}$ ($15\;{\mu}g/m^3$). The average $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratio of 0.58 suggested that $PM_{2.5}$ is a significant component of the ambient particle pollution. The order of concentration of metallic elements in $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ was Si > Al > Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Mn. Cd was not detected. The earth crustal enrichment factors for Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in $PM_{2.5}$ were higher than those in $PM_{10}$. When the earth crustal enrichment factors for Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were higher than 10, this suggested influence from anthropogenic sources. The soil contribution ratios for $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were 11.3% and 16.4%, respectively, and were higher in the fall and winter. Anions (${SO_4}^{-2}$, ${NO_3}^-$, and $Cl^-$) comprise 28.7% of $PM_{2.5}$ and 21.4% of $PM_{10}$. The correlation coefficient of Zn-Fe, Mn-Cu, Fe-Cu and Fe-Mn in $PM_{2.5}$ was high in the sampling sites, and metallic elements were primarily from anthropogenic sources such as fuel combustion and vehicle emissions.