• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4_spc
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• pp.742-754
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• 2024

Asia is not only the primary region for global pig production but also the largest consumer of pork worldwide. Although the pig production in Asia has made great progress in the past, it still is confronted with numerous challenges. These challenges include: inadequate land and feed resources, a substantial number of small-scale pig farms, escalating pressure to ensure environmental conservation, control of devastating infectious diseases, as well as coping with high temperatures and high humidity. To solve these problems, important investments of human and financial capital are required to promote large-scale production systems, exploit alternative feed resources, implement precision feeding, and focus on preventive medicine and vaccines as alternatives to antibiotics, improve pig breeding, and increase manure recycling. Implementation of these techniques and management practices will facilitate development of more environmentally-friendly and economically sustainable pig production systems in Asia, ultimately providing consumers with healthy pork products around the world.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2022.06a
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• pp.3-10
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• 2022

An estimated investment gap of $176 billion needs to be filled over the next ten years to improve America's inland waterway transportation systems. Many of these infrastructure systems are now beyond their original 50-year design life and are often behind in maintenance due to funding constraints. Therefore, long-term maintenance strategies (i.e., asset management (AM) strategies) are needed to optimize investments across these waterway systems to improve their condition. Two common AM strategies include policy-driven maintenance and performance-driven maintenance. Currently, limited research exists on selecting the optimal AM approach for managing inland waterway transportation assets. Therefore, the goal of this study is to provide a decision model that can be used to select the optimal alternative between the two AM approaches by considering key uncertainties such as asset condition, asset test results, and asset failure. We achieve this goal by addressing the decision problem as a single-criterion problem, which calculates each alternative's expected value and certain equivalence using allocated monetary values to determine the recommended alternative for optimally maintaining navigable waterways. The decision model considers estimated and predicted values based on the current state of the infrastructure. This research concludes that the performance-based approach is the optimal alternative based on the expected value obtained from the analysis. This research sets the stage for further studies on fiscal constraints that will effectively optimize these assets condition.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.561-569
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• 2016

In this paper a concept of the paradigm shift in the operations of Water and Wastewater systems regarding the production and usage of water was introduced. Based on this concept the interrelationships between the water quality in the upper basin of NakDong River relative to Busan and the degree of satisfaction of the customers on the water supply service in Busan were modeled using the System Dynamics modeling methodology. SamRangJin basin area was determined as the upper basin of Busan after analyzing the relationships between the water quality of MoolGeum water intake point and water quality data of various mid- and upper water intake points along NakDong River. The amount of contaminants generated in SamRangJin basin was modeled using the Gross Regional Domestic Product in the area and the treated amount was calculated using the efficiency of wastewater treatment and the degree of improvement of environmental condition per investment. The water quality at MoolGeum water intake point was modeled to take the effects of the remaining amount of contaminants after treatment and the non-point source contaminants in SamRangJin basin. Using the developed System Dynamics model the effects of the investment for the improvement of environmental condition in SamRangJin basin were compared to the case of alternate water source development for Busan in terms of the degree of satisfaction of the customers on the water supply service in Busan.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.61-92
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• 2011

We analyzed the efficiency of environment investments by taking examples of central government's environmental investment (CGEI hereafter) and investment in prevention of environmental pollution (IPEP hereafter). We expanded the scope of existing studies by decomposing the internal rate of return (IRR hereafter) and present value of benefit (Bpv hereafter) into variable cost (VC hereafter) reduction, investment cost reduction (STC-VC hereafter), and rent. And we found that Bpv checks only the magnitude of benefit, while IRR indicates the existence of efficiency by investigating short-run total cost (STC hereafter) reduction and rent. Finally, by analyzing investment efficiency and changing benefit with respect to CGEI and IPEP through the investment efficiency methodology that compares IRR with market interest rate, we executed retrospective benefit-cost analysis. Accordingly, CGEI and IPEP are not efficient. However, IPEP is even more inefficient than CGEI.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.125-135
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• 2004

Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) in Korea has been used to improve environmental conservation and decision-making. Since environmental impact statement(EIS) was introduced in 1981 with the promulgation of the Environmental Preservation Act in 1977, which replaced the Pollution Control Act legislated in 1963. With a rapid growth of environmental perception as well as the diversification of development activities, however, it has recently bring about a strong demand for a new assessment process related to the strategic level of policies, plan, programs. Method of this study includes analyses of the situation of local EIA and its problematic issues through survey and analysis of information and data, analysis of the level of environmental awareness of professionals and case studies including analysis of foreign strategic environmental assessment. Accordingly, I have elicited a concept of SEA. In addition, I have studied on costs of environmental assessment, and efficiency of internalization of HIA. The survey was carried between September and November 2003, and 177 professionals were asks to complete a questionnaire. As a result of questionnaire survey of environmental pundits, it revealed that 83.8% of participants were in favor of introduction of strategic assessment. This result demonstrated more or less higher approval rate than those of awareness survey done by the Ministry of Environment, i.e. 86.0% ayes, and 14.0% nays. 22.8% of participants agreed to the opinion; "For introduction of this system, earlier is better," 50% reported having an opinion such as, "Will introduce this system in an earliest possible time after correcting problems," 26.3% reported having an opinion such as, "Let's decide the time for introduction of this system after correcting problems first,' and 0.9% reported having an opinion, "it's too early to introduce this system." Specifically, the ratio of ayes on introduction of the system marked 72.8%, and it revealed that a majority of respondents have an opinion such as, "Will introduce this system in an earliest possible time after correcting problems." As means of solutions for the problem regarding the limits of applications that existed in SEA System, factors, such as collecting a wide variety of opinions, securing experts, and faithful implementation, etc. were reported important, and in addition to these factors, respondents revealed having opinions such as, consistent research and development, reflection of public interest, establishment of professional organization, enforcement of after-management service, expanding investments in large, systemizing reference materials, and encouraging public participation, etc. To improve problems involving with present EIA system, it has been identified through this study that SEA is efficient and useful. In order to have SEA introduced successfully, it has been cleared that internalization of effectiveness of environmental cost together with HIA must be accomplished.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.122-142
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• 2012

The importance of rainfed areas and animal agriculture on productivity enhancement and food security for economic rural growth in Asia is discussed in the context of opportunities for increasing potential contribution from them. The extent of the rainfed area of about 223 million hectares and the biophysical attributes are described. They have been variously referred to inter alia as fragile, marginal, dry, waste, problem, threatened, range, less favoured, low potential lands, forests and woodlands, including lowlands and uplands. Of these, the terms less favoured areas (LFAs), and low or high potential are quite widely used. The LFAs are characterised by four key features: i) very variable biophysical elements, notably poor soil quality, rainfall, length of growing season and dry periods, ii) extreme poverty and very poor people who continuously face hunger and vulnerability, iii) presence of large populations of ruminant animals (buffaloes, cattle, goats and sheep), and iv) have had minimum development attention and an unfinished wanting agenda. The rainfed humid/sub-humid areas found mainly in South East Asia (99 million ha), and arid/semi-arid tropical systems found in South Asia (116 million ha) are priority agro-ecological zones (AEZs). In India for example, the ecosystem occupies 68% of the total cultivated area and supports 40% of the human and 65% of the livestock populations. The area also produces 4% of food requirements. The biophysical and typical household characteristics, agricultural diversification, patterns of mixed farming and cropping systems are also described. Concerning animals, their role and economic importance, relevance of ownership, nomadic movements, and more importantly their potential value as the entry point for the development of LFAs is discussed. Two examples of demonstrated success concern increasing buffalo production for milk and their expanded use in semi-arid AEZs in India, and the integration of cattle and goats with oil palm in Malaysia. Revitalised development of the LFAs is justified by the demand for agricultural land to meet human needs e.g. housing, recreation and industrialisation; use of arable land to expand crop production to ceiling levels; increasing and very high animal densities; increased urbanisation and pressure on the use of available land; growing environmental concerns of very intensive crop production e.g. acidification and salinisation with rice cultivation; and human health risks due to expanding peri-urban poultry and pig production. The strategies for promoting productivity growth will require concerted R and D on improved use of LFAs, application of systems perspectives for technology delivery, increased investments, a policy framework and improved farmer-researcher-extension linkages. These challenges and their resolution in rainfed areas can forcefully impact on increased productivity, improved livelihoods and human welfare, and environmental sustainability in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.61-80
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• 2011

Through concentrated investments in environmental regulations centered around BOD, which is a biodegradable matter index, and basic environmental infrastructures, national BOD pollution level has continuously improved. Nonetheless, limitations of BOD management system has become evident through nation-wide stagnation and/or increases of refractory organic matters, such as COD, at main drinking water sources, and the need for a new index, which can easily indicate different environmental conditions, has increased. Therefore, this study suggests a new organic management index for a proper management of surface water. $COD_{Cr}$ and TOC were examined as candidates for surface water quality management index, and it was found that TOC was more appropriate than $COD_{Cr}$ as an organic matter management index. Through this study, it was found that TOC possesses following qualities: a more representative index; international acceptability; monitoring program is easier; better availability of analysis techniques; better accuracy and precision of analysis; less time required for analysis; ease of operation; management of disinfection byproducts; connection with present policies; existence of foreign and domestic application case studies; and correlation with water ecosystem.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.67-79
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• 2001

According to the new general movement of ESSD in Korea, the role, background, and subjects, etc. of Ecological Restoration Area were studied to find out the way for this area to be settled as one kind of industry. Questionnaire and literature study were carried out to understand and to find out the way of the area settlement with the conceptual and practical definition of it. The related sub-areas studied were 1. regulations and standards including design and construction 2. researches and developments around the area 3. related curriculums applying in the educational organizations 4. present situation of the industry. Followings are the results of this study and several proposals for the area to be settled in Korea with the other related areas. 1. The boundary of Ecological Restoration could be defined as the concept of preservation(or conservation) and restoration of the ecosystem with ecological planting - including the restoration strategies for the areas of slope, artificial foundations, watersides and wetlands, with in bio-diversity and eco-forests for these areas. 2. It seems that the more investments needed for the elaborate and professional techniques to be developed for the design and construction works to the contrary that the base of this area be matured already in the several sub-areas. 3. For the successful work of Environmental Restoration, defining the new industrial branch -independent from existing construction industry- is recommended through the law system under the control of the Ministry of Environment. It will be better if professional officer system in governmental organization could follow up this. 4. Educational organization and Technical expert qualifying system to train the Ecological Restoration Professionals should be induced for the effective practice of the area.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.3-49
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• 2014

Growing interest of stakeholders on corporate responsibilities for environment and tightening environmental regulations are highlighting the importance of environmental management more than ever. However, companies' awareness of the importance of environment is still falling behind, and related academic works have not shown consistent conclusions on the relationship between environmental performance and economic performance. One of the reasons is different ways of measuring these two performances. The evaluation scope of economic performance is relatively narrow and the performance can be measured by a unified unit such as price, while the scope of environmental performance is diverse and a wide range of units are used for measuring environmental performances instead of using a single unified unit. Therefore, the results of works can be different depending on the performance indicators selected. In order to resolve this problem, generalized and standardized performance indicators should be developed. In particular, the performance indicators should be able to cover the concepts of both environmental and economic performances because the recent idea of environmental management has expanded to encompass the concept of sustainability. Another reason is that most of the current researches tend to focus on the motive of environmental investments and environmental performance, and do not offer a guideline for an effective implementation strategy for environmental management. For example, a process improvement strategy or a market discrimination strategy can be deployed through comparing the environment competitiveness among the companies in the same or similar industries, so that a virtuous cyclical relationship between environmental and economic performances can be secured. A novel method for measuring eco-efficiency by utilizing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), which is able to combine multiple environmental and economic performances, is proposed in this report. Based on the eco-efficiencies, the environmental competitiveness is analyzed and the optimal combination of inputs and outputs are recommended for improving the eco-efficiencies of inefficient firms. Furthermore, the panel analysis is applied to the causal relationship between eco-efficiency and economic performance, and the pooled regression model is used to investigate the relationship between eco-efficiency and economic performance. The four-year eco-efficiencies between 2010 and 2013 of 23 companies are obtained from the DEA analysis; a comparison of efficiencies among 23 companies is carried out in terms of technical efficiency(TE), pure technical efficiency(PTE) and scale efficiency(SE), and then a set of recommendations for optimal combination of inputs and outputs are suggested for the inefficient companies. Furthermore, the experimental results with the panel analysis have demonstrated the causality from eco-efficiency to economic performance. The results of the pooled regression have shown that eco-efficiency positively affect financial perform ances(ROA and ROS) of the companies, as well as firm values(Tobin Q, stock price, and stock returns). This report proposes a novel approach for generating standardized performance indicators obtained from multiple environmental and economic performances, so that it is able to enhance the generality of relevant researches and provide a deep insight into the sustainability of environmental management. Furthermore, using efficiency indicators obtained from the DEA model, the cause of change in eco-efficiency can be investigated and an effective strategy for environmental management can be suggested. Finally, this report can be a motive for environmental management by providing empirical evidence that environmental investments can improve economic performance.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.60-66
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• 2002

Iksan city is planning to construct a waste incinerator on the site of about $110,000\textrm{m}^2$ in size that will be selected from a public bid(Oct.~Nov.2002)in the wake of expiration by June 2003 of use for Hamyeol fill-up ground. Science it has usually been difficult to find sites for filling-up or incinerating facilities owing to NIMBY phenomenon, it is badly requested to employ up-to-date technology for processing wastes without environmental pollution. The conflicts between the administrative authorities and community people with regard to construction of incineration facilities, fill-up ground and facilities for waste processing or recycling are not the matters of just today but are increasingly deepening and spreading countrywide. There seems to be no prospect for these conflicts to be amicably settled through dialogues. They rather become a social disease inflicting the whole country like an epidemic. It is therefore believed to be necessary to introduce measures to design and build environment-friendly facilities that may be accepted by residents as not abominable ones but be used as amusing place while they watch the daily operation of them as watchdogs. Iksan city's plan to construct environment-friendly waste incineration facilities of pyrolysis type without chimney has undergone the process of public hearings and explanatory gatherings from every class of Iksan citizens to get consensus but is still delayed due mainly to be the failure of inducing foreign investments. Pyrolysis technology has two advantages ; first, environment-friendly due to less emission of second pollutants ; second, production of by-products highly valuable as resources. It Is known that Germany has recently begun installation and operation of pyrolysis facility urban wastes, an evidence indicating that pyrolysis method will be widely applied to cope with the tightened regulation to preserve environment worldwide.