• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.78-82
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• 2011

Mono- and few-layer graphenes were grown on Ni thin films by rapid-thermal pulse chemical vapor deposition technique. In the growth steps, the exposure step for 60 s in $H_2$ (a flow rate of 10 sccm (standard cubic centimeters per minute)) atmosphere after graphene growth was specially established to improve the quality of the graphenes. The graphene films grown by exposure alone without $H_2$ showed an intensity ratio of $I_G/I_{2D}$ = 0.47, compared with a value of 0.38 in the films grown by exposure in H2 ambient. The quality of the graphenes can be improved by exposure for 60 s in $H_2$ ambient after the growth of the graphene films. The physical properties of the graphene films were investigated for the graphene films grown on various Ni film thicknesses and on 260-nm thick Ni films annealed at 500 and $700^{\circ}C$. The graphene films grown on 260-nm thick Ni films at $900^{\circ}C$ showed the lowest $I_G/I_{2D}$ ratio, resulting in the fewest layers. The graphene films grown on Ni films annealed at $700^{\circ}C$ for 2 h showed a decrease of the number of layers. The graphene films were dependent on the thickness and the grain size of the Ni films.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.183-186
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• 2003

To evaluate the effect of air pollution on respiratory health in children, we conducted a longitudinal study in which children were asked to record their daily levels of peak expiratory flow rate using potable peak flow meter (mini-Wright) far 4 weeks. The relationship between daily PEFR and ambient air particle levels was analyzed using a mixed linear regression models including gender, age in you, weight, the presence of respiratory symptoms, and relative humidity as an extraneous variable. The daily mean concentrations of PM$\_$10/ and PM$\_$2.5/ over the study period were 64.9$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ and 46. l$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively. The range of daily measured PEFR in this study was 170-481 l/min. Daily mean PEFR was regressed with the 24-hour. average PM$\_$10/ (or PM$\_$2.5/) levels, weather information such as air temperature and relative humidity, and individual characteristics including sex, weight, and respiratory symptoms. The analysis showed that the increase of air particle concentrations was negatively associated with the variability in PEFR. We estimated that the IQR increment of PM$\_$10/ or PM$\_$2.5/ were associated with 1.5 l/min (95% Confidence intervals -3.1, 0.1) and 0.8 l/min (95% Cl -1.8, 0.1) decline in PEFR. Even though this study shows negative findings on the relationship between respiratory function and air particles, it is worth noting that the findings must be interpreted cautiously because exposure measurement based on monitoring of ambient air likely results in misclassification of true exposure levels and this is the first Korean study that PM$\_$2.5/ measurement is applied as an index of air particle quality.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.144-154
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• 2007

The acute and chronic toxicity of ambient and effluent water discharged to Lake Shihwa were investigated by using Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna and Oryzias latipes. Physicochemical characteristics including biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and nine heavy metals in a total of 15 water samples were evaluated and were satisfied with relevant Korean Water Quality Standards (KWQS) except for Hg in one sample. Acute toxicity was observed in five samples collected from three sampling locations. When impacts on reproduction and growth after chronic exposure were evaluated with D. magna, all the samples showed significant chronic effects. Reproduction appeared relatively more sensitive endpoint. In 21 days chronic tests on O. latipes, survival, mean egg number per female per day, hatching success rate and time to hatch were affected by increasing sample concentration. The organ-level changes such as gonadosomatic index (GSI), and hepatosomatic index (HSI), and molecular biomarker of vitellogenin (Vtg) induction that evaluated with O. latipes increased as exposure concentrations increased. It is noteworthy that the samples that did not exceed the KWQS resulted in acute and chronic toxicities. The results suggested that numeric criteria based on physicochemical parameters may not be protective of aquatic ecosystem. Acute and chronic toxicity tests with organisms representing different trophic groups should be supplemented in order to provide adequate level of environmental protection.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.303-314
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• 2016

We tested the combined effects of increased partial pressure of $CO_2$ ($pCO_2$) and temperature on the reproduction and survival of the copepod Calanus sinicus from Asan Bay, the Yellow Sea under laboratory conditions to understand the impact of acidification on copepods. Egg production rate, survival rate, and fecal pellet production of C. sinicus were not affected by 1305 ppm $pCO_2$ or with combined treatments of temperature and $pCO_2$, including $8^{\circ}C$ and 289 ppm $pCO_2$ (ambient), $8^{\circ}C$ and 753 ppm $pCO_2$ (high $pCO_2$), $12^{\circ}C$ and 289 ppm $pCO_2$ (high temperature), and $12^{\circ}C$ and 753 ppm $pCO_2$ (greenhouse), for 5 or 10 d of exposure. However, egg hatching success of C. sinicus decreased significantly in the greenhouse treatment compared with the ambient or the high $pCO_2$ treatments. These results suggest that a combined treatment ($pCO_2$ and temperature) affected egg viability more than a single treatment($pCO_2$).

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.203-212
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• 2012

The physiological effects of elevated $CO_2$ concentration and temperature were examined for Quercus gilva and Q. glauca grown under control (ambient $CO_2$ and temperature) and treatment (elevated $CO_2$ and temperature) conditions for 39 months. The objective of the study was to measure the long-term responses, in physiological parameters, of two oaks species exposed to elevated $CO_2$ and temperature. The photosynthetic rate of Q. gilva was found to be decreased, but that of Q. glauca was not significantly affected, after long-term exposure to elevated $CO_2$ and temperature. Stomatal conductance of Q. glauca was reduced by 21.7%, but that of Q. gilva was not significantly affected, by long-term exposure to $CO_2$ and temperature. However, the transpiration rate of the two oak species decreased. Water use efficiency of Q. gilva was not significantly affected by elevated $CO_2$ and temperature, while that of Q. glauca was increased by 56.6%. The leaves of Q. gilva grown under treatment conditions had an increased C:N ratio due to their reduced nitrogen content, while those of Q. glauca were not significantly affected by long-term exposure to elevated $CO_2$ and temperature. These results suggest that the long-term responses to elevated $CO_2$ and temperature between Q. gilva and Q. glauca are different, and that Q. gilva, the endangered species, is more sensitive to elevated $CO_2$ and temperature than Q. glauca.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.14 no.1_2
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• pp.21-33
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• 1999

A large number of studies have indicated associations between the impairment of respiratory health and exposure to ambient air pollutants such as ozone (O$_3$) , nitrogen dioxide (NO$_2$) , sulfur dioxide(SO$_2$) , particulate matters (PM$\_$10/). To evaluate this associations, we used the pulmonary function tests (peak expiratory flow rate : PEFR) by mini-wright peak flow meter and counting neutrophils in the nasal lavage (NL) as biomarker. From 15 June to 16 July 1998, for the workers in the highway tollgates, PEFR and NL were measured three times daily and twice per week. and association between the level of air pollutants and PEFR and NL were analyzed using the multiple regression model and the poisson regression model respectively. The results indicated that the effects of all measured air pollutants (SO$_2$, NO$_2$, O$_3$, PM$\_$10/) were not significantly associated with the value of PEFR. On the other side, SO$_2$, NO$_2$, PM$\_$10/ were significantly associated with the number of neutrophils in NL. The increase in SO$_2$, NO$_2$of 10ppb and in PM$\_$10/ of 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/m$^3$was associated with 24%, 21%, 35% increases in neutrophil counts. But the ozone exposure was not associated with NL.

• International Journal of Safety
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2012

Examples and experiences of risk management on radiation under prolonged exposure situation are shown. The accident of the Fukushima dai-ichi nuclear power plant after the great east Japan earthquake (11 March, 2011) elevates background level of environmental radiation around the east Japan. For example, ambient dose equivalent rate around Tohkatsu area next to Tokyo located about 200 km-south from the plant, is about 0.1-0.6 micro-Sv $h^{-1}$ mainly due to $^{134}Cs$ and $^{137}Cs$ falling on the ground soil. This level is about double or up to ten times higher than the genuine natural level around the area. International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommends how to face the existing exposure situation; that is the prolonged exposure situation. Referring to ICRP's reports and/or related international/domestic documents, we have been discussing and acting to gain public's safety and relief, who have a possibility to be exposed to prolonged lower-dose radiation. Here, we introduce our several experiences on risk management, especially focusing on risk communication, radiation education to public, and stakeholder involvements into making decision in local governments on radiation protection, relating to the accident.

• International Journal of Safety
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.6-9
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• 2011

Examples and experiences of risk management on radiation under prolonged exposure situation are shown. The accident of the Fukushima dai-ichi nuclear power plant after the great east Japan earthquake (11 March, 2011) elevates background level of environmental radiation around the east Japan. For example, ambient dose equivalent rate around Tohkatsu area next to Tokyo located about 200 km-south from the plant, is about 0.1-0.6 micro-Sv $h^{-1}$ mainly due to $^{134}Cs$ and $^{137}Cs$ falling on the ground soil. This level is about double or up to ten times higher than the genuine natural level around the area. International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommends how to face the existing exposure situation; that is the prolonged exposure situation. Referring to ICRP's reports and/or related international/domestic documents, we have been discussing how to manage this situation and acting to gain safety and relief of public, who have a possibility to be exposed to prolonged lower-dose radiation. Here, we introduce our several experiences on risk management, especially focusing on risk communication, radiation education to public, and stakeholder involvements into decision making in local governments on radiation protection, relating to the accident.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.436-443
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• 2016

Exposure to cold may affect growth performance in accordance with the metabolic and immunological activities of animals. We evaluated whether ambient temperature affects growth performance, blood metabolites, and immune cell populations in Korean cattle. Eighteen Korean cattle steers with a mean age of 10 months and a mean weight of 277 kg were used. All steers were fed a growing stage-concentrate diet at a rate of 1.5% of body weight and Timothy hay ad libitum for 8 weeks. Experimental period 1 (P1) was for four weeks from March 7 to April 3 and period 2 (P2) was four weeks from April 4 to May 1. Mean ($8.7^{\circ}C$) and minimum ($1.0^{\circ}C$) indoor ambient temperatures during P1 were lower (p<0.001) than those ($13.0^{\circ}C$ and $6.2^{\circ}C$, respectively) during P2. Daily dry matter feed intake in both the concentrate diet and forage groups was higher (p<0.001) during P2 than P1. Average daily weight gain was higher (p<0.001) during P2 (1.38 kg/d) than P1 (1.13 kg/d). Feed efficiency during P2 was higher (p = 0.015) than P1. Blood was collected three times; on March 7, April 4, and May 2. Nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were higher on March 7 than April 4 and May 2. Blood cortisol, glucose, and triglyceride concentrations did not differ among months. Blood CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+CD25+ T cell percentages were higher, while CD8+CD25+ T cell percentage was lower, during the colder month of March than during May, suggesting that ambient temperature affects blood T cell populations. In conclusion, colder ambient temperature decreased growth and feed efficiency in Korean cattle steers. The higher circulating NEFA concentrations observed in March compared to April suggest that lipolysis may occur at colder ambient temperatures to generate heat and maintain body temperature, resulting in lower feed efficiency in March.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.158-165
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• 2017

Background: Nuclear facilities in South Korea have generally adopted pressurized ion chambers to measure ambient gamma ray exposure rates for monitoring the impact of radiation on the surrounding environment. The rates assessed with pressurized ion chambers do not distinguish between natural and man-made radiation, so a further step is needed to identify the cause of abnormal variation. In contrast, using NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors to detect gamma energy rates can allow an immediate assessment of the cause of variation through an analysis of the energy spectra. Against this backdrop, this study was conducted to propose a more effective way to monitor ambient gamma exposure rates. Materials and Methods: The following methods were used to analyze gamma energy spectra measured from January to November 2016 with NaI detectors installed at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) dormitory and Hanbat University. 1) Correlations of the variation of rates measured at the two locations were determined. 2) The dates, intervals, duration, and weather conditions were identified when rates increased by $5nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$ or more. 3) Differences in the NaI spectra on normal days and days where rates spiked by $5nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$ or more were studied. 4) An algorithm was derived for automatically calculating the net variation of the rates. Results and Discussion: The rates measured at KAERI and Hanbat University, located 12 kilometers apart, did not show a strong correlation (coefficient of determination = 0.577). Time gaps between spikes in the rates and rainfall were factors that affected the correlation. The weather conditions on days where rates went up by $5nSv{\cdot}h^{-1}$ or more featured rainfall, snowfall, or overcast, as well as an increase in peaks of the gamma rays emitted from the radon decay products of $^{214}Pb$ and $^{214}Bi$ in the spectrum. This study assumed that $^{214}Pb$ and $^{214}Bi$ exist at a radioactive equilibrium, since both have relatively short half-lives of under 30 minutes. Provided that this assumption is true and that the gamma peaks of the 352 keV and 1,764 keV gamma rays emitted from the radionuclides have proportional count rates, no man-made radiation should be present between the two energy levels. This study proved that this assumption was true by demonstrating a linear correlation between the count rates of these two gamma peaks. In conclusion, if the count rates of these two peaks detected in the gamma energy spectrum at a certain time maintain the ratio measured at a normal time, such variation can be confirmed to be caused by natural radiation. Conclusion: This study confirmed that both $^{214}Pb$ and $^{214}Bi$ have relatively short half-lives of under 30 minutes, thereby existing in a radioactive equilibrium in the atmosphere. If the gamma peaks of the 352 keV and 1,764 keV gamma rays emitted from these radionuclides have proportional count rates, no man-made radiation should exist between the two energy levels.