• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.181-189
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently, health policy making is increasingly based on evidence. Therefore, Korean Terminal Cancer Patient Information System (KTCPIS) was developed to meet such need. We aimed to report its developmental process and statistics from 6 months data. Methods: Items for KTCPIS were developed through the consultation with practitioners. E-Velos web-based clinical trial management system was used as a technical platform. Data were collected for patients who were registered to 34 inpatient palliative care services, designated by Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Family Affairs, from $1^{st}$ of January to $30^{th}$ of June in 2009. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis. Results: From the nationally representative set of 2,940 patients, we obtained the following results. Mean age was $64.8{\pm}12.9$ years, and 56.6% were male. Lung cancer (18.0%) was most common diagnosis. Only 50.3% of patients received the confirmation of terminal diagnosis by two or more physicians, and 69.7% had an insight of terminal diagnosis at the time of admission. About half of patients were admitted to the units on their own without any formal referral. Average and worst pain scores were significantly reduced after 1 week when compared to those at the time of admission. 73.4% faced death in the units, and home-discharge comprised only 13.3%. Mean length of stay per admission was $20.2{\pm}21.2$ days, with median value of 13. Conclusion: Nationally representative data on the characteristics of patients and their caregiver, and current practice of service delivery in palliative care units were obtained through the operation of KTCPIS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2015

In order to elucidate the current state of marine pollution of heavy metals around major shipyards in Korea, seawater samples were collected at eleven sampling stations and four control stations around 4 major shipyards located in the southeastern coast of Korea in summer 2010, and 6 kinds of metals such as copper(Cu), zinc(Zn), iron(Fe), cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb) and mercury(Hg) in seawater samples were analyzed. The analyses of heavy metals in seawater showed that the mean Cu concentrations in seawater around 4 major shipyards were in the range of $0.817{\sim}1.638{\mu}g/L$ which were lower than Korean environmental standards of $20{\mu}g/L$ for the protection of human health(PHH) and of $3{\mu}g/L$ for short-term protection of marine ecosystem(SPME) but higher than Cu concentration at control station by a factor of up to 2.75. The mean Zn concentrations were in the range of $0.228{\sim}0.567{\mu}g/L$ which were lower than Korean environmental standards of $100{\mu}g/L$ for PHH and $34{\mu}g/L$ for SPME but higher than Zn concentration at control station by a factor of up to 5.91. The mean Fe concentrations were in the range of $3.332{\sim}7.410{\mu}g/L$ which were higher than Fe concentration at control station by a factor of up to 6.75. The mean Cd concentrations were in the range of $0.013{\sim}0.028{\mu}g/L$ which were lower than Korean environmental standards of $10{\mu}g/L$ for PHH and $19{\mu}g/L$ for SPME but higher than Cd concentration at control station by a factor of up to 2.33. The mean Pb concentrations were in the range of $0.007{\sim}0.126{\mu}g/L$ which were lower than Korean environmental standards of $50{\mu}g/L$ for PHH and $7.6{\mu}g/L$ for SPME. The mean Hg concentrations were in the range of $0.002{\sim}0.004{\mu}g/L$ which were lower than Korean environmental standards of $0.5{\mu}g/L$ for PHH and $1.8{\mu}g/L$ for SPME. Although the concentrations of metals such as Cu, Zn and Fe which were used in shipbuilding works were lower than Korean environmental standards for PHH and SPME, the fact that the concentrations of Cu, Zn and Fe at sampling stations around major shipyards were higher than those at control stations implies that the works in shipyards had some effects on marine water quality around shipyards. Therefore, marine environment management such as the prevention and control of the discharge of various pollutants from shipyards is required on national level.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.24-35
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• 2016

To assess the relationship between environmental factors and seasonal phytoplankton community structure, we investigated abiotic and biotic factors in Ulsan Bay, Korea. We divided the bay into two areas based on geographical characteristics and compared the difference in each factor between inner and outer bay with t-test statistics. As a result, temperature in the outer bay was higher than that of the inner bay during winter (t = -5.833, p < 0.01) and autumn (p > 0.05). However, opposite trend was observed during spring (t = 4.247, p < 0.01) and summer (t = 2.876, p < 0.05). Salinity was significantly lower in the inner bay than in the outer bay in winter, spring, and summer (p < 0.01). However, the salinity was not significantly different between the inner and the outer bay in the autumn (p > 0.05). In particular, high nutrient concentration was observed in most stations during winter season due to vertical well mixing. The nutrient concentration was significantly higher in surface layers of inner bay after rainfall, particularly in the summer. The relative contribution (approximately 70%) of < $20{\mu}m$ (nano and pico) size phytoplankton was increased in all seasons with continuously low nutrients from the offshore water due to their adaption to low nutrient without other large competitors. Interestingly, high population of Eutreptiella gymnastica was kept in the inner bay during the spring and summer associated with high DIN (nitrate+nitrite, ammonium) after river discharge following rainfall, suggesting that DIN supply might have triggered the increase of Eutreptiella gymnastica population. In addition, high density of freshwater species Oscillatoria sp. and Microcystis sp. were found in several stations of the inner bay that were provided with large amounts of freshwater from the Tae-wha River. Diatom and cryptophyta species were found to be dominant species in the autumn and winter. Of these, centric diatom Chaetoceros genus was occupied in the outer bay in the autumn. Cryptophyta species known as opportunistic micro-algae were found to have high biomass without competitors in the inner bay. Our results demonstrated that Ulsan Bay was strongly affected by freshwater from Tae-wha River during the rainy season and by the surface warm water current from the offshore of the bay during dry season. These two external factors might play important roles in regulating the seasonal phytoplankton community structures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.63-75
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• 2013

The Inner Port Phase 2 area of the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port is enclosed by a total of three permeable sea-walls, and the disposal site to the east of the Inner Port Phase 2 is also enclosed by two permeable sea-walls. The maximum tidal range measured in the Inner Port Phase 2 and in the disposal site in May 2010 is 4.70 and 2.32 m, respectively. It reaches up to 54 and 27%, respectively of 8.74 m measured simultaneously in the exterior. Regression formulas between the difference of hydraulic head and the rate of interior water volume change, are induced. A three-dimensional numerical hydrodynamic model for the Asan Bay is constructed incorporating a module to compute water discharge through the permeable sea-walls at each computation time step by employing the formulas. Hydrodynamics for the period from 13th to 27th May, 2010 is simulated by driving forces of real-time reconstructed tide with major five constituents($M_2$, $S_2$, $K_1$, $O_1$ and $N_2$) and freshwater discharges from Asan, Sapkyo, Namyang and Seokmoon Sea dikes. The skill scores of modeled mean high waters, mean sea levels and mean low waters are excellent to be 96 to 100% in the interior of permeable sea-walls. Compared with the results of simulation to obstruct the flow through the permeable sea-walls, the maximum current speed increases by 0.05 to 0.10 m/s along the main channel and by 0.1 to 0.2 m/s locally in the exterior of the Outer Sea-wall of Inner Port. The maximum bottom shear stress is also intensified by 0.1 to 0.4 $N/m^2$ in the main channel and by more than 0.4 $N/m^2$ locally around the arched Outer Sea-wall. The module developed to compute the flow through impermeable seawalls can be practically applied to simulate and predict the advection and dispersion of materials, the erosion or deposion of sediments, and the local scouring around coastal structures where large-scale permeable sea-walls are maintained.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.255-264
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• 2017

To evaluate the water quality changes in agricultural reservoir covered with floating photovoltaic solar-tracking systems, the water quality variations with time and depth were monitored on both six sites for light blocking zones and four sites for light penetration zones after the installation of floating photovoltaic solar-tracking systems in Geumgwang reservoir at Anseong-si, Kyeonggi province. For one year with 16 monitoring events, water quality parameters [i.e., water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), and blue-green algae (BGA)] were monitored at depths of 0.3 m, 1 m, 3 m, and 5 m, while chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) were monitored at depths of 0.3 m. Statistically, the difference in all water quality parameters was not significantly different (p > 0.05) at the level of significance of 0.05. Based on these results, the water quality data from light blocking zones (site 1~6) and light penetration zones (site 7~10) were clustered, and were compared with time and depth. As a result, the difference in water temperature, pH, DO, COD, TN, TP, Chl-a, and BGA between light blocking zones and light penetration zones was not significant (p > 0.05) with different time and depth. For Chl-a and BGA, some data from light blocking zones greater than light penetration zones were temporary observed due to the severe drought, low water storage rate, and over growth of periphyton. However, this temporal phenomenon did not impact the water quality. Considering the small water surface area (${\leq}0.5%$) covered by floating photovoltaic solar-tracking systems, the mixing effect of whole Geumgwang reservoir caused by Ekman current and continuous discharge were more dominant than the effect of reduced solar irradiance. Further study is warranted to monitor the changes in water quality and aquatic ecosystems with greater water surface area covered by floating photovoltaic solar-tracking systems for a long time.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.332-340
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• 2016

Sunken ships cause damage to the environment due to the dispersal of fuel oil and harmful cargo goods in the hull. Since the sunken ship is mostly flooded by the seabed, it tends to be in a relatively stable condition. However, the heavy body, together with the load of remaining goods in the cargo hold, the constant contact with the seabed, and ocean currents and tidal waves, can affect dispersal of residual fuel oils out of the sunken ship. Corrosion of the sunken ship starts upon sinking, decreasing the thickness of the hull structure and sub-materials. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the structural stability against the potential breakdown of the sunken ship. Whilst evaluating the danger of the sunken ship, this result should be reflected in 'the possible discharge'. This study was undertaken to suggest a procedure for a step by step evaluation to assess the structural stability a sunken ship. The structural stability assessment to estimate the collapsibility of the hull was structure targeted at the sunken ship 'No. 7 HaeSung', which was classified as the prime example for the intensive management of sunken ships. This study was undertaken to suggest a procedure for a step by step evaluation to assess the structural stability a sunken ship and to propose a method to conduct a structural safety assessment that estimates the collapsibility of the hull by targeting the sunken ship 'No. 7 HaeSung',which was classified as the prime example for the intensive management of sunken ships. The collapsibility of the hull structure was estimated Based on the damage size of the hull structure, and the corrosion rate of the hull structure and sub-materials due to the seawater after sinking. It was confirmed that there was a low possibility of the total destruction of the hull structure at the current time. However, there is a high possibility in the potential failure of the hull structure due to increased rate of corrosion thereafter. Therefore, we believe continuous study on influence of corrosion and marine environment change to sunken ship's structural safety is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.252-263
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• 1997

Temperature and salinity were observed in Kugum Suro Channel in February, April, August and October 1993. Temperature ranged from $7.0^{\circ}C\;to\;25.0^{\circ}C$ throughout the year and its variation was about $18^{\circ}C$. The maximum temperature difference between surface and bottom was less than $0.75^{\circ}C$ for a year, which meant that the temperature stratification in Kugum Suro Channel was considerably week. Salinity had also a small variation range of less than $0.5\%_{\circ}$. Salinity varied from $34.0\%_{\circ}$ in April to $30.0\%_{\circ}$ in August and its fluctuation patterns were quite similar to the seasonal variations of the precipitation and the duration of sunshine observed at Kohung Weather station. Seasonal variation of sea water density in T-S diagram showed that the water mass in Kugum Suro Channel could be largely affected by regional atmospheric conditions. Temperature increased in ebb tide and decreased in flood tide, but salinity decreased in ebb tide and increased in flood tide for a day. The period of fluctuations in temperature and salinity measured for 25 hours was nearly coincident with the semi-diurnal tide which was predominant in that region. Stratification parameters computed in Kugum Suro Channel areas were less than $4.0J/m^3$ the year round, which indicated that vortical mixing from the bottom boundary caused by tidal current played an important role in deciding the stratification regime in Kugum Suro Channel. In estimating the equation which defines stratification and mixing effects in the observed areas, the tidal mixing term ranged from $4.7J/M^3\;to\;14.1J/m^3$ was greater than any other terms like solar radiation, river discharge and wind mixing.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.874-885
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• 2011

In this study, the urban $CO_2$ emission based on energy consumption (Coal, Petroleum, Electricity, and City Gas) in 16 provincial and metropolitan city governments in South Korea was evaluated. For calculation of the urban $CO_2$ emission, direct and indirect emissions were considered. Direct emissions refer to generation of greenhouse gas (GHG) on-site from the energy consumption. Indirect emissions refer to the use of resources or goods that discharge GHG emissions during energy production. The total GHG emission was 497,083 thousand ton $CO_2eq.$ in 2007. In the indirect GHG emission, about 240,388 thousand ton $CO_2eq.$ was occurred, as 48% of total GHG emission. About 256,694 thousand ton $CO_2eq.$ (52% of total GHG emissions) was produced in the direct GHG emission. This amount shows 13% difference with 439,698 thousand ton $CO_2eq.$ which is total national GHG emission data using current calculation method. Local metropolitan governments have to try to get accuracy and reliability for quantifying their GHG emission. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and use Korean emission factors than using the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) emission factors. The method considering indirect and direct GHG emission, which is suggested in this study, should be considered and compared with previous studies.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2005

This study was to determine the fluctuation in phytoplankton assemblages with regarding to environmental conditions and nutrients, which were surveyed around Mokpo waters in the southwestern waters, Korea. Sampling was carried out on the Mokpo, Sinan, and Wando coasts from March to November 2003. The maximum sea surface temperature was recorded in August, and it ranged around $25^{\circ}C$ regardless of sampling sites. However, salinity in Mokpo waters showed a great variation, which ranged from 5-30 psu and recoded the minimum of 5 psu in July and the maximum of 30 psu in November. Moreover, in Mokpo waters, the chlorophyll a and SS concentration of the surface layer were also the highest values of $20\;{\mu}g\;l^{-1}\;and\;40\;{\mu}g\;l^{-1}$, respectively than those of Sinan and Wando waters. The concentrations of $NH_4-N,\;NO_2-N,\;NO_3-N,\;and\;PO_4-P$ were also he highest values of $0.018\;{\mu}mol\;^l{-1},\;0.062\;{\mu}mol\;l^{-1},\;1.2\;{\mu}mol\;l^{-1}\;and\;0.078\;{\mu}mol\;l^{-1}$, respectively in Morpo waters than those of Sinan and Wando waters. During the period of this study, the majority of the taxa were diatoms; Thalassiosira rotula, Rhizosolenia setigera, Prorocentrum minimum, Chaetoceros curvisetus, Leptocylindrus danicus, Pseudonitzschia pungens, and Chaetoceros spp. were detected in the dominant species of phytoplankton. The dinoflagellates were relatively abundant during the summer season in Wando waters, which attained an abundance of $10-20\%$. In Mokpo waters, DIN/DIP was the highest value of 700 in March, whereas the lowest was shown in Wando waters. However, DIN/DIP value in summer at Wando waters was extremely reversed, which appeared to be associated with the development of dinoflagellates. On the bais of factor analysis using SYSAT 6.0, nutrient showed somewhat correlation with chlorophyll a. Consequently, the process of discharge of fresh water in Mokpo waters plays an important role in extremely fluctuation in nutrients and conditions. Although Wando waters maintains a lack of nutrients, it should be influenced by different water current and may be associated with a concentration of nutrients.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.53-68
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• 1997

Lake Shihwa, artificially constructed since 1988, shows a typical two-layered system depending on strong haline density stratification. Sill of the water gate at 6 m depth greatly restricts physical mixing with outer seawater and circulation in the lake, and contributes to the enhancement of anoxic environment in the deeper layer. With this enclosed physical environment, Lake Shihwa receives enormous amounts of organics, ammonia, and other pollutants from the neighboring municipal and industrial complexes through six major streams, thus developing biogeochemical differentiation of anoxic to suboxic environment in the high saline bottom water and highly eutrophicated brackish surface water. This study investigated vertical structures, biogeochemical behaviors and processes of various organic and inorganic compounds around oxic-anoxic interface. Nitrite and nitrate rapidly decreased below the pycnocline where about $1{\times}10^8$ tons of hypoxic bottom water exist. In this bottom layer, ammonium ranged from 75 to 360 ${\mu}M$ mainly resulting from deamination of dissolved organic nitrogen and ammonification of precipitated organic particles. Despite large amounts of surface water discharge and dilution by outer seawater inflow about $3{\times}10^8$ tons from April to August, 1996, bottom layer did not show any improvement of water quality and maintained highly reduced environment. The main reason seems to be imbalance between ineffectiveness of dilution due to shallow depth and large surface area, overloaded POC influx from the eutrophicated surface biological activity, and poor replenishment of oxygen in this artificial lake system. Therefore, as long as current salinity dependent two-layered system maintains with its physical limitations, any improvement of water quality cannot be foreseen in Lake Shihwa.