• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.175-185
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• 2023

As drought risk increases due to climate change, various research works are underway around the world to respond to drought so as to minimize drought damage. In particular, in recent years, many studies are focused on analyzing regional patterns of drought in a comprehensive manner, however there is still insufficient to quantitatively identify drought-risk areas in a large river basin considering climate change in Korea. In this study, we calculated the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Modified Standardized Precipitation Index (M_SPI) as representative meteorological drought index, and performed spatial autocorrelation analysis to identify the drought hotspot region under climate change scenarios of Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5. The SPI was calculated by estimating parameters for each observation station within the study area, whereas the M_SPI was calculated by estimating parameters for the entire study area. It is more reasonable to use the M_SPI for assessing meteorological drought from an overall perspective within the study area. When the M_SPI was used, long-term droughts showed drought hotspot areas clearly larger than short-term droughts. In addition, the drought hotspot area moved from the center of the Nakdong River basin to the Seomjin River basin over time. Especially, the moving patterns of the short-term/long-term drought were apparent under the RCP 4.5, whereas the moving patterns of the long-term drought were distinct under the RCP 8.5 scenarios.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.248-256
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• 2023

ESG, which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, becomes a keyword in managing a company as it becomes an "indicator" that judge companies. Since the environment has suffered so much damage for economic development, it is now to reflect the enormous environmental costs of the future in the management standard rather than the immediate financial benefits at the expense of the environment. Compared to the days when corporate social responsibility (CSR) was discussed, ESG management has improved significantly as it requires practice beyond the declarative level, but the level of consideration for the environmental field is still not high. There may be many backgrounds, but the biggest problem may be the lack of understanding for other fields. Accordingly, this study aims to inform corporates of the need for investment in the environmental field by explaining ESG reviewed in the environmental field and ESG management required in the environmental field. Furthermore, another purpose is to inform them that ESG management is a win-win strategy that can have a meaningful effect not only in the environmental field where investment is received but also in terms of companies by explaining the benefits that companies can gain through this. To reach this goal, this study proposed a method of restoring a damaged ecosystem based on corporate investment, evaluating its effects based on carbon absorption capacity, and using it as a means of carbon neutrality practice as well as ESG management performance of a company.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.56 no.12
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• pp.845-853
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• 2023

Recently, along with the increase in chemical accidents, the number of accidents-related disasters has been increasing continuously since 2012, and when looking at the hydrogen fluoride incident which is a representative example of domestic chemical incidents, there is insufficient technology applicable to the incident site. The result was that the damage spread. Therefore, in this paper, we will adapt the water pollution accident response system to a location-based approach, and introduce a measurement method for alternative index tracking using a GPS electronic floater of a location-based index measurement method for real-time response in the water environment when a chemical incident occurs. The research target area is Gumi City, which is the area where the hydrogen fluoride incident occurred, and Gamcheon is selected, and alternative tracking using GPS electronic floater is conducted in the corresponding target area through water quality and flow measurement. As a result, it is possible to measure water quality and flow at the same time in tracker experiments using GPS electronic floater based on the research results, it is believed that using GPS electronic floater will be of great help in disaster response systems for spill incidents in the river.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.22-35
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• 1981

This study was designed to know difference in degree of dehardening and rehardening respectively by artificial high and low temperature treatments among different clonal seedlings and seedlings from different seed sources of Cryptomeria japonica which have been grown under the cold areas in Japan and Korea. High temperature treatment was done with 15 to $20^{\circ}C$ under 100% relative humidity for one to nine days and low temperature treatment was carried with $-7^{\circ}C$ for one to three days. Occasionaly, high temperature treatment was combined and followed by low temperature treatment. The ability of stem section to delay dehardening by high temperature treatment and/or to hasten rehardening by low temperature treatment was used as an indicator of adaptability under extreme temperature fluctuation in nature. Clones and seedlings from different seed sources which showed greater freezing resistance than others after artificial high and/or low temperature treatments were selected over two to three time periods: early winter, mid winter and early spring in 1977 to 1980. These were Seoul #7, and #9, Namboo #3, and #4, Sung-Kang #11, Chung-Sam #8 and Huek-Suk #9. These selected seedlings might have survival advantage to withstand early and late frost damage, especially the critical frost damage of the basal stem, since it was known to be induced by lowering freezing resistance of the basal part when exposed to the high temperature near the ground during the day. Large variation in freezing resistance and degree of dehardening and rehardening was found among clonal or seed sources and among individuals within a seed source, but was not related to the difference in climatic conditions where the parent trees was selected. These indicated the possibility of future breeding work for more cold resistant family of Cryptomeria japonica.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.50-63
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• 1997

Background : A pressure sore was defined as any skin lesion caused by unrelieved pressure and resulting in damage to underlying tissue. The health care institutions in the United States were reported the incident rate of pressure sores ranging from 6 to 14 %. Intensive Care Unit needed highest quality of care has been found over 40% incidence rate of pressure sore. Also, Annual expenditures for the care of pressure sores in patients in the United States have been estimated to be $7.5 billion; furthermore, 50 percent more nursing time is required to care for patients with pressure sore in comparison to the time needed to implement preventive measures against pressure sore formation. However, In Korea, there were little reliable reports, or researches, about incidence rates of pressure sore in health care institution including intensive care unit and about the integrated approach like CQI action team for risk assessment, prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. Therefore, this study was to develop pressure sore risk assessment tool and the protocol for prevention of pressure sore formation through CQI action team activities, to monitor incident rate of pressure sore and the length of sore formation for patients at high risk, and to approximately estimate nursing time for sore dressing during research period as the effect of CQI action team. Method : CQI action team in intensive care unit, launched since early 1996, reviewed the literature for the standardized risk assessment tool, developed the pressure sore assessment tool based on the Braden Scale, tested its validity, compared on statistics including incidence rate of pressure sore for patients at high risk. Throughout these activities, CQI action team was developed the protocol, called as St. Marys hospital Intensive Care Unit Pressure Sore Protocol, shifted the emphasis from wound treatment to wound prevention. After applied the protocol to patients at high risk, the incident rate and the period of prevention against pressure development were tested with those for patients who received care before implementation of protocol by Chi-square and Kaplan-Meier Method of Survival Analysis. Result : The CQI action team found that these was significant difference of in incidence rate of pressure sores between patients at high risk (control group) who received care before implementation of protocol and those (experimental group) who received it after implementation of protocol (p<.05). 25% possibility of pressure sore formation was shown for the patients with 6th hospital day in ICU in control group. In experimental group, the patients with 10th hospital day had 10% possibility of pressure sore. Therefore, there was significant difference(p<.05) in survival rate between two groups. Also, nursing time for dressing on pressure sore in experimental group was decreased as much as 50% of it in control group. Conclusion : The collaborative team effort led to reduced incidence, increased the length of prevention against pressure sore, and declined nursing care times for sore dressing. However, there have had several suggestions for future study. The preventive care system for pressure sore should be applied to patients at moderate, or low risk throughout continuous CQI team activities based on Bed Sore Indicator Fact Sheet. Hospital-wide supports, such as incentives, would be offered to participants for keeping strong commitment to CQI team. Also, Quality Information System monitoring incidents and estimating cost of poor quality, like workload (full time equivalence) or financial loss, regularly in a hospital has to be developed first for supporting CQI team activities as well as empowering hospital-wide QI implementation. Being several limitations, this study would be one of the report cards for the CQI team activities in intensive care unit of an acute hospital and a trial of quality improvement of health care in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.571-578
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• 2001

To evaluate if the apoptotic fragment assay could be used to estimate the dose prediction after radiation exposure, we examined apoptotic mouse crypt cells per 1,000 cells after whole body $^{60}Co$ $\gamma$-rays and 50MeV ($p{\rightarrow}Be^+$) cyclotron fast neutron irradiation in the range of 0.25 to 1 Gy, respectively. The incidence of apoptotic cell death rose steeply at very low doses up to 1 Gy, and radiation at all doses tigger rapid changes in crypt cells in stem cell region. These data suggest that apoptosis may play an important role in homeostasis of damaged radiosensitive target organ by removing damaged cells. The curve of dose-effect relationship for the data of apoptotic fragments was obtained by the linear-quadratic model $y=0.18+(9.728{\pm}0.887)D+(-4.727{\pm}1.033)D^2$ ($r^2=0.984$) after $\gamma$-rays irradiation, while $y=0.18+(5.125{\pm}0.601)D+(-2.652{\pm}0.7000)D^2$ ($r^2=0.970$) after neutrons in mice. The dose-response curves were linear-quadratic, and a significant dose-response relationship was found between the frequency of apoptotic cell and dose. These data show a trend towards increase of the numbers of apoptotic crypt cells with increasing dose. Both the time course and the radiation dose-response curve for high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation modalities were similar. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) value for crypt cells was 2.072. In addition, there were significant peaks on apoptosis induction at 4 and 6h after irradiation, and the morpholoigcal findings of the irradiated groups were typical apoptotic fragments in crypt cells that were hardly observed in the control group. Thus, apoptosis in crypt cells could be a useful in vivo model for studying radio-protective drug sensitivity or screening test, microdosimetric indicator and radiation-induced target organ injury. Since the apoptotic fragment assay is simple, rapid and reproducible in the range of 0.25 to 1 Gy, it will also be a good tool for evaluating the dose response of radiation-induced organ damage in vivo and provide a potentially valuable biodosimetry for the early dose prediction after accidental exposure.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1247-1251
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• 2007

Purpose : Pathologically, Kawasaki disease (KD) is associated with widespread vascular endothelial damage in the acute phase. The vasculitis induced endothelial injury leads to coagulation abnormalities. Abnormalities of endothelial function, platelet activation, and fibrinolysis are present during acute phase and long after the onset of KD. The aim of study is to evaluate the change of hemostatic markers in the clinical stages of KD and to assess the hemostatic markers to be a useful indicator of the development of coronary artery lesion (CAL). Methods : Seventy four KD patients diagnosed in Chungnam National University Hospital from November 2004 to June 2007. Eleven febrile control and eleven healthy children were selected for healthy control. All blood samples were collected before and after Intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG), $2^{nd}$ week, and $4^{th}-8^{th}$ week of illness of KD. Results : Initial D-dimer level of Kawasaki disease showed meaningful difference compared to control group (P<0.05). D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) before IVGG increased compared with normal control group and decreased after IVGG administration. It is normalized until 2 weeks later, and continue to decreasing. D-dimer and FDP were significantly different according to the CAL before IVGG. Conclusion : The hemostatic markers may change to the clinical stage of KD, which may suggest the degree of endothelial injury. Increased some hemostatic markers may be the predictors for development of CAL.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.213-219
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• 2007

It has been well established that aluminum (Al) inhibits root tip growth rapidly in acid soil. We report the correlation between Al induced growth inhibition and impaired $H^+-flux$ in mung bean (Vigna radiate L. cv. Kumsung). The root growth inhibition was dependent on Al concentration (0, 10, 25, 50, $100{\mu}M$) and exposure time (12 and 24 h). Using Hematoxylin staining, it was observed that the root damage was occurred preferentially in regions with high Al accumulation. Using the pH indicator, it was shown that the surface pH of root tip was strongly alkalized in the control whereas changed only slightly in the $50{\mu}M$ Al-treated root. The $H^+-ATPase$ activity of plasma membrane vesicles was inhibited by 56% in the Al-treated roots compared to control root. Decrease in the amount of the plasma membrane $H^+-ATPase$ (100 kDa) translation in the plant roots under Al stress was demonstrated by Western blot analysis. These results indicate that the dynamics of $H^+-flux$ across the root tip play an important role in root growth under Al stress.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.138-152
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• 2014

The objective of the study survey was to determine the effect of marine sand extraction on community composition and rate of recolonization of the meiobenthos following cessation of mining activities. Because of meiobenthic distribution in nature, high abundance, intimate association with sediments, fast reproduction, benthic larva period, sensitivity to pollution and rapid life histories, meiobenthos are widely regarded as ideal organisms to study the potential ecological indicator of natural and anthropogenic stresses. The community structure of meiobenthos was studied at seven stations within sandy tidal and sub tidal zones in Jangbongdo in the Yellow Sea, Korea from Aug. 2006 to Dec. 2007. Meiobenthic samples were collected by three core samples, with a 3.6 cm in diameter, from each sediment sample taken with a Smith-McIntyre Grab. It was found that sand mining often causes complete removal of the sediment and the damage to the habitats of meiobenthos. This study in the effect showed that sand mining resulted in a reduction in total abundance and biomass of meiobenthos in mining area. The finding of this study further showed that initial restoration of abundance and biomass within one year of the cessation of sand mining.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.203-210
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• 2001

Here, we compared the effectiveness of 50 MeV($p{\to}RBe^+$) cyclotron fast neutrons versus $^{60}Co$ ${\gamma}$-rays by the apoptotic fragment frequency in both rat peripheral lymphocytes and crypt cells to check a radiobiological endpoint. The incidence of apoptotic cell death was increased in all irradiated groups, and radiation at all doses trigger rapid changes in both crypt cells and peripheral lymphocytes. These data suggest that apoptosis may play an important role in homeostasis of damaged radiosensitive target organ by removing damaged cells. The curve of dose-effect relationship for these data of apoptotic fragments frequencies was $y=0.3+(6.512{\pm}0.279)D(r^2=0.975)$ after neutrons, while $y=0.3+(4.435{\pm}0.473)D+(-1.300{\pm}0.551)D^2(r^2=0.988)$ after ${\gamma}$-rays. In addition, $y=3.5+(118.410{\pm}10.325)D+(-33.548{\pm}12.023)D^2(r^2=0.992)$ after ${\gamma}$-rays in rat lymphocytes. A significant dose-response relationship was found between the frequency of apoptotic cell and dose. These data show a trend towards increase of the numbers of apoptotic cells with increasing dose. Dose-response curves for high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation modalities in these studies were different. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) value for crypt cells was 1.919. In addition, there were significant peaks on apoptosis induction at 4 and 6h after irradiation, and the morphological findings of the irradiated groups were typical apoptotic fragments in crypt cells that were hardly observed in the control group. Thus, apoptosis induction in both crypt cells and peripheral lymphocytes could be a useful endpoint of rat model for studying screening test and microdosimetic indicator to evaluate the biological effects of radiation-induced cell damage.