• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.330-340
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• 2022

We deduced the proper estimation methodology for the amount of carbon sequestration by damaged trees for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The nine development projects related to renewable energy, damaged trees occur, assessment status and used method of evaluating the carbon storage of damaged trees were summarized. And after re-calculating the carbon storage of damaged trees through allometric equations, the difference between the two groups, re-calculated the damaged trees carbon storage and the damaged trees carbon storage in the report, was validated. As a result, damaged trees carbon storage in words was more than the re-calculated damaged trees carbon storage, and it was statistically significant (p<0.005). This result means that the existing method for calculating damaged tree carbon storage is overcalculated. It was judged that it was necessary to improve the calculation method. Therefore, allometric equations suitable for each dominated-tree species should be used when calculating the damaged tree carbon storage. Furthermore, we propose to establish a carbon storage calculation system based on actual data from the ecosystem so that researchers can efficiently and accurately the damaged trees carbon storage.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.66-74
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigates the characteristics and prognosis of acute poisoning patients visiting nationwide emergency departments before and after the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Data were obtained from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS). Methods: This nationwide retrospective observational study included acute poisoning patients who visited the emergency departments between February 1 to December 31, 2020, which has been determined as the pandemic period. The same periods in 2018 and 2019 were designated as the control periods. The primary outcome assessed was the length of stay in emergency departments (EDLOS). The secondary outcomes examined were intensive care unit admission rate and in-hospital mortality rate before and after the pandemic. A subgroup analysis was performed for inpatients and intentional poisoning patients. Results: A total of 163,560 patients were included in the study. During the pandemic, the proportion of women increased from 50.0% in 2018 and 50.3% in 2019 to 52.5% in 2020. Patients aged 20-29 years increased from 13.4% in 2018 and 13.9% in 2019 to 16.6% in 2020. A rise in cases of intentional poisoning was also noted - from 33.9% in 2018 and 34.0% in 2019 to 38.4% in 2020. Evaluating the hospitalized poisoned patients revealed that the EDLOS increased from 3.8 hours in 2018 and 3.7 hours in 2019 to 4.2 hours in 2020. ICU admissions were also markedly increased (2018, 48.2%; 2019, 51.8%; 2020, 53.2%) among hospitalized patients. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of acute poisoning patients visiting nationwide emergency departments in Korea. The proportion of young adults, women, and intentional poisoning patients has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Prolonged length of stay at the emergency department and an increased rate of intensive care unit admissions were determined in hospitalized acute poisoning patients.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2023

Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) has been widely used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industry as a functional material. In a previous study, we have investigated not only pharmacological effects such as antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, but also analyzed various functional ingredients. In this study, triterpenoids were analyzed using HPLC-DAD to determine marker compounds among functional ingredients. When triterpenoids were analyzed, asiaticoside from C. asiatica was determined as an optimal marker compound. Next, specificity, linearity, limited of detection (LOD), limited of quantification (LOQ), precision, accuracy, and range were evaluated using HPLC-DAD to determine asiaticoside contents in C. asiatica juice and extracts. The specificity was elucidated by chromatogram and retention time using an established analytical method. The coefficient of correlation obtained was 0.9996. LOD was 4.99 ㎍/mL and LOQ was 15.12 ㎍/mL. Intra- and inter-day precision of asiaticoside were determined to be 0.48~1.68% and 0.08~1.09%, respectively. Furthermore, the recovery rate of asiaticoside was 98.88% and the analytical range of Field-70E was determined to be 0.625~10 mg/mL. As a results of evaluating ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP antioxidative effect, Field-70E showed potent antioxidant activities. Results of this study could be used as basic data for quality standardization of C. astiatica juice and extracts.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.267-275
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• 2023

Cardiotoxicity, particularly drug-induced Torsades de Pointes (TdP), is a concern in drug safety assessment. The recent establishment of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (human iPSC-CMs) has become an attractive human-based platform for predicting cardiotoxicity. Moreover, electrophysiological assessment of multiple cardiac ion channel blocks is emerging as an important parameter to recapitulate proarrhythmic cardiotoxicity. Therefore, we aimed to establish a novel in vitro multiple cardiac ion channel screening-based method using human iPSC-CMs to predict the drug-induced arrhythmogenic risk. To explain the cellular mechanisms underlying the cardiotoxicity of three representative TdP high- (sotalol), intermediate- (chlorpromazine), and low-risk (mexiletine) drugs, and their effects on the cardiac action potential (AP) waveform and voltage-gated ion channels were explored using human iPSC-CMs. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we investigated the effects of cardioactive channel inhibitors on the electrophysiological profile of human iPSC-CMs before evaluating the cardiotoxicity of these drugs. In human iPSC-CMs, sotalol prolonged the AP duration and reduced the total amplitude (TA) via selective inhibition of I_Kr and I_Na currents, which are associated with an increased risk of ventricular tachycardia TdP. In contrast, chlorpromazine did not affect the TA; however, it slightly increased AP duration via balanced inhibition of I_Kr and I_Ca currents. Moreover, mexiletine did not affect the TA, yet slightly reduced the AP duration via dominant inhibition of I_Ca currents, which are associated with a decreased risk of ventricular tachycardia TdP. Based on these results, we suggest that human iPSC-CMs can be extended to other preclinical protocols and can supplement drug safety assessments.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.26-34
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• 2023

This study conducted interviews with former and current managers of Cheongwadae landscape architecture to provide basic information necessary to preserve, manage, and utilize Gyeongbokgung Palace's back garden, and the main conclusions summarized are as follows. First, the topography changed a lot with the construction of the main building and the official residence under President Roh Tae-woo. The water system was connected to Gyeongbokgung Palace in the past, but is now disconnected. Second, in the case of planting, the most important principles were the president's security and protocol, and accordingly, trees were placed or managed. Trees were planted by introducing excellent trees in various regions, and wildflowers and ground cover plants were frequently replaced according to the season. Third, facilities and roads were arranged for the president's protocol, hobbies, and workers' rest, and fire-fighting facilities were installed to prevent disaster in the forest area of Baegaksan Mountain. Fourth, the biggest inflection point of Gyeongbokgung Palace's back garden during Cheongwadae period was the change in topography due to the new construction of the main building and official residence during President Roh Tae-woo, the removal of A and B barbed wire fences that separated space during President Roh Moo-hyun, and the extensive landscaping carried out for the G20 Summit under President Lee Myung-bak. The area of Gyeongbokgung Palace's back garden is expected to face another inflection point due to the opening of Cheongwadae on May 10, 2022, and the work of evaluating the historical, academic, and landscape values of Gyeongbokgung Palace's back garden should be carried out while preserving the status.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.341-348
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to develop voluntary learning (talent donation) program as a liberal art lecture for students in G university to cultivate consideration towards others and community life. The title of the liberal education course that was developed was decided as "Beauty Talent Donation". The course objectives were to develop consideration for others and sociality required for community life as well as foster awareness of sharing and develop creative leaders equipped with outstanding characters through cosmetology voluntary service associated education. The final development of education contents were completed over 3 stages including preparation, development, and supplemented development and the major components consist of understanding talent donation, beauty theories, and beauty skills. For the assessment of the learners, absolute evaluation was applied so that personal goals can be achieved through the course instead of evaluating learners' learning capabilities with relative evaluation. Accordingly, a pass or fail system was designed. The beneficiary institution of talent donation was selected based on the following conditions. It is located within a short distance from the educational institution, walking distance for the learners, easy to recruit subjects to receive the support, and accurately understands the purpose of the lecture and willing to cooperate.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2022.06a
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• pp.1250-1251
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• 2022

Measuring management is an important part of preventing the collapse of retaining walls in advance by evaluating their stability with a variety of measuring instruments. The current work of measuring management requires considerable human and material resources since measurement companies need to install measuring instruments at various places on the retaining wall and visit the construction site to collect measurement data and evaluate the stability of the retaining wall. It was investigated that the applicability of the current work of measuring management is poor at small and medium-sized urban construction sites(excavation depth<10m) where measuring management is not essential. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a laser sensor-based hardware to support the wall displacement measurements and their control software applicable to small and medium-sized urban construction sites. The 2D lidar sensor, which is more economical than a 3D laser scanner, is applied as element technology. Additionally, the hardware is mounted on the corner strut of the retaining wall, and it collects point cloud data of the retaining wall by rotating the 2D lidar sensor 360° through a servo motor. Point cloud data collected from the hardware can be transmitted through Wi-Fi to a displacement analysis device (notebook). The hardware control software is designed to control the 2D lidar sensor and servo motor in the displacement analysis device by remote access. The process of analyzing the displacement of a retaining wall using the developed hardware and software is as follows: the construction site manager uses the displacement analysis device to 1)collect the initial point cloud data, and after a certain period 2)comparative point cloud data is collected, and 3)the distance between the initial point and comparison point cloud data is calculated in order. As a result of performing an indoor experiment, the analyses show that a displacement of approximately 15 mm can be identified. In the future, the integrated system of the hardware designed here, and the displacement analysis software to be developed can be applied to small and medium-sized urban construction sites through several field experiments. Therefore, effective management of the displacement of the retaining wall is possible in comparison with the current measuring management work in terms of ease of installation, dismantlement, displacement measurement, and economic feasibility.

• Korean Journal of Forensic Psychology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.223-251
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• 2021

Statement analysis is a technique that examines the credibility of a statement by scientifically analyzing problems and psychological characteristics that appear in the content of the statement. The statement analysis report is prepared, submitted, and used for legal judgments when there is a suspicion of sexual abuse for children(under 13 years of age) and persons with disabilities since it is usually difficult to secure physical evidence nor eyewitnesses. However, the criteria for evaluating the quality of a statement analysis report or testimony are not available in Korea. Although forensic experts and professional organizations in North America and Europe are providing recommendations and guidelines for preparing forensic assessment reports, qualitative analysis research studies for forensic reports revealed a number of problems such as missing or poorly described essential information and lack of logical connection between evaluation results and forensic opinions. Therefore, forensic evaluation guidelines and forensic reports submitted to the courts in the United States, as well as the Structured Quality assessment of eXpert testimony (SQX-12) developed in Sweden were examined to suggest the Korean version of quality evaluation criteria for statement analysis report and testimony. This criteria can be used to improve effectiveness of forensic reports within criminal justice system and used as a guideline to assess the quality forensic reports or expert testimony prepared by experts. However, this criteria do not guarantee the reliability of the statement itself.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2023

Background: The existing research results on the combined toxicity of these pollutants using mammals, such as rodents, are insufficient, especially in relation to changes in the immune system. Objectives: This study aims at evaluating the cellular immune response to PE-MPs solely or when combined with Pb, which possess excellent adsorption capacity with PE-MPs and is commonly co-exposed in our daily lives. Methods: The study investigated the cellular immune function of 9-week ICR mice with 28 days exposure to PE-MPs (2 mg/mouse/day) and Pb (0.1 mM in distilled water) individually and in combination. PE-MPs were administered via gastric intubation while the lead intake was conducted via the oral drinking water route. Cellular immunity was evaluated by analyzing the production for T_H1 cytokines namely, TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 and T_H2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-6 in culture supernatants from polyclonally activated splenic mononuclear cells ex vivo. Results: Both the PE-MPs only and the PE-MPs+Pb exposure group revealed an increased T_H1 response with elevated TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 levels and downregulated T_H2 response with low IL-4, and IL-6 production levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, an increased IFN-𝛾/IL-4 ratio was found in the PE-MPs only and PE-MPs+Pb exposure groups, which indicated the skewedness to T_H1 response. Meanwhile, reduced blood hemoglobin levels and increased levels of IL-4, the dominant T_H2 cytokine in the Pb-only exposure group, were observed. Conclusions: Our current findings on the predominance of T_H1 immune response in the PE-MPs and PE-MPs+Pb groups suggest that PE-MPs could be responsible for the predominant induction of the cellular immune changes. This finding could be used as an important landmark in research related to T_H1 predominance, such as autoimmune diseases. It suggests that additional research on immune modulation using longer exposure durations or the same exposure route is required to elucidate stronger findings.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2023

The office environment is changing according to work types, Information Technology (IT) advancements, and the Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 situation. In order for office space users to perform their tasks comfortably and efficiently, it is necessary to secure individual privacy as well as easy communication among members. In Korea, the demand for improving the acoustic performance of office spaces is also increasing, but the related performance criteria and guidelines have not been established. In this study, standardization of office space acoustic performance measurement and evaluation methods and European countries' acoustic performance criteria were compared and reviewed. It is proposed to comprehensively review international standardization trends and acoustic performance standards in each country and to establish and utilize criteria for evaluating the acoustic performance and satisfaction of office spaces in Korea through our survey. Considering the international standardization direction and compatibility with communication and Public Address (PA) systems, it is appropriate to establish criteria using the speech transmission index or Speech Transmission Index (STI) application index. This criterion will be highly utilizable and compatible. In addition, since the office furniture industry is interested in improving the acoustic performance of office space, it is necessary to establish a labelling system for speech level reduction of office furniture.