• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.349-357
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• 2015

Objectives: The 2007 Korea National Survey for Environmental Pollutants in the Human Body found the highest blood mercury levels nationwide among residents in Seoksan-ri, Goro-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Gyeonsangbuk-do. With the aim to reduce the blood mercury levels of residents in this region, we conducted this study to identify the association between mercury exposure levels and shark meat consumption. Methods: This survey was conducted with 118 participants in Seoksan-ri before the Chuseok festival and 113 residents were added afterwards. Information on participants was collected via questionnaires. Total mercury concentrations in biological samples were measured using a mercury analyzer with the gold-amalgam collection method. Results: To identify this, we conducted mercury exposure level analysis before and after the Chuseok festival and found that blood and urinary mercury levels after Chuseok (GM of $6.9{\mu}g/L$ in blood and $1.68{\mu}g/g$_cr in urine) were higher than those before (GM of $5.29{\mu}g/L$ in blood and $1.44{\mu}g/g$_cr in urine). This area maintains a custom of using shark meat as one of the ancestral rite foods, and the performance of such rites and shark meat consumption have been identified as main sources of mercury exposure. Other than this, smoking, dental amalgam treatment and residential period in the area also contributed to an increase in mercury exposure levels. On the other hand, recent consumption of oriental medicine and vaccination did not have a significant influence on mercury levels. Conclusion: The results were attributed to the local custom of consuming shark meat with high mercury concentrations during rituals taking place during the festival and ancestral rites. Given that the blood mercury levels in 23.2% of the residents exceeded the HBM II values recommended by the German Commission on Human Biological Monitoring, it is suggested that further appropriate actions and follow-up measures be taken to reduce the mercury exposure levels of the residents that exceeded the reference values.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.33 no.6_2
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• pp.1139-1149
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• 2017

Measuring tree's volume is very important input data of various environmental analysis modeling However, It's difficult to use economical and equipment to measure a fragmented small green space in the city. In addition, Trees are sensitive to seasons, so we need new and easier equipment and quantification methods for measuring trees than lidar for high frequency monitoring. In particular, the tree's size in a city affect management costs, ecosystem services, safety, and so need to be managed and informed on the individual tree-based. In this study, we aim to acquire image data with UAV(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), which can be operated at low cost and frequently, and quickly and easily quantify a single tree using SfM-MVS(Structure from Motion-Multi View Stereo), and we evaluate the impact of reducing number of images on the point density of point clouds generated from SfM-MVS and the quantification of single trees. Also, We used the Watertight model to estimate the volume of a single tree and to shape it into a 3D structure and compare it with the quantification results of 3 different type of 3D models. The results of the analysis show that UAV, SfM-MVS and solid model can quantify and shape a single tree with low cost and high time resolution easily. This study is only for a single tree, Therefore, in order to apply it to a larger scale, it is necessary to follow up research to develop it, such as convergence with various spatial information data, improvement of quantification technique and flight plan for enlarging green space.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.222-230
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• 2000

Purpose : Resection of the epileptogenic zone in the parietal and occipital lobes may be relevant although only few studies have been reported. Methods : Eight patients with parietal epilepsy and nine patients with occipital epilepsy were included for this study. Preoperatively, all had video-EEG monitoring with extracranial electrodes, MRI, 3D-surface rendering of MRI using Allegro(ISG Technologies Inc., Toronto, Canada), and PET scans. Sixteen patients underwent invasive recording with subdural grid. Eight had parietal resection including the sensory cortex in two. Seven had partial occipital resection. Two underwent total unilateral occipital lobectomy. The extent of the resection was made based mainly on the data of invasive EEG recordings, MRI, and 3D-surface rendering of MRI, not on the intraoperative electrocorticographic findings as usually done. During resection, electrocortical stimulation was performed on the motor cortex and speech area. Results : Out of eight patients with parietal epilepsy, three had sensory aura, two had gustatory aura, and two had visual aura. Six of nine patients with occipital epilepsy had visual auras. All had complex partial seizures with lateralizing signs in 15 patients. Four had quadrantopsia. One had mild right hemiparesis. Abnormality in MRI was noticed in six out of eight parietal epilepsy and in eight out of nine occipital epilepsy. 3D-surface rendering of MRI visualized volumetric abnormality with geometric spatial relationships adjacent to the normal brain, in all of parietal and occipital epilepsy. Surface EEG recording was not reliable in localizing the epileptogenic zone in any patient. The subdural grid electrodes can be implanted on the core of the structural abnormality in 3D-reconstructed brain. Ictal onset zone was localized accurately by subdural grid EEGs in 16 patients. Motor cortex in nine and sensory speech area in two were identified by electrocortical stimulation. Histopathologic findings revealed cortical dysplasia in 10 patients ; tuberous sclerosis was combined in two, hamartoma and ganglioglioma in one each, and subpial gliosis in six. Eleven patients were seizure free at follow-up of 6 months to 37 months(mean 19.7 months) after surgery. Seizures recurred in two and were unchanged in one. Six produced transient sensory loss and one developed hemiparesis and tactile agnosia. One revealed transient apraxia. Two patients with preoperative quadrantopsia developed homonymous hemianopsia. Conclusion : This study suggests that surgical treatment was relevant in parietal and occipital epilepsies with good surgical outcome, without significant neurologic sequelae. Neuroimaging studies including conventional MRI, 3Dsurface rendering of MRI were necessary in identifying the epileptogenic zone. In particular, 3D-surface rendering of MRI was very helpful in presuming the epileptogenic zone in patients with unidentifiable lesion in the conventional MRI, in planning surgical approach to lesions, and also in making a decision of the extent of the epileptogenic zone in patients with identifiable lesion in conventional MRI. Invasive EEG recording with the subdural grid electrodes helped to confirm a core of the epileptogenic zone which was revealed in 3D-surface rendered brain.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.42-58
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to classify types of urban flower landscape. As a result of the study, first, through literature and case review, it was found that the four elements of place element, form element, natural element, artificial element, should be included in the sentence and key expression for defining the concept of flower landscape. In contemplating these four elements, a newly reconstructed concept of flower landscape was presented. This is expected to be the basis for the flower landscape integration theory. Second, flower landscape was defined as a genre and a unit of urban landscape. In addition, in order to build a system of flower landscape as a specialized area, after considering the concept, characteristics, and functions of a large category of urban landscape, its hierarchical categories with flower landscape were newly arranged. Thus, the flower landscape as an urban landscape was suggested. Third, in order to provide rational selection materials to consumers through type classification, related theories were investigated by expanding not only to the flower field, but also to the urban planning and urban ecology fields. 41 elements for the type classification were extracted, and 4 core elements were derived through the clustering process. Based on the 4 elements as the classification criteria, through the opinion verification from the FGI with experts, 9 types of middle-classification and 30 types of small-classification were derived. As a follow-up research suggestion, if a valid type is additionally established through a monitoring in the type application process, and more specified application types are developed and organized by expanding second-level classification hierarchy to the third-level hierarchy, this will lead to great studies improving the system of the types.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.123-132
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• 2016

The study was to introduce the revegetation measures for the improvement of the landscape in October, 2012 on the slope; two and four years after the introduction, the slope was examined to see the status of the revegetation. The result is as follows. The result from examining the soil on the slope, the soil was Loamy sand; which infers that the soil is in a poor condition for improving the scenery. Examining the characteristics of the vegetation-base materials, the soil acidity was pH 6.4 to 6.7; and the soil hardness was 21 to 24mm (hardness quotient of soil), this can be considered a favourable condition, which has no effect on the growth and development of plants. When it comes to the discovery of the species in the area, Lotus corniculatus var., Silene armeria L., Papaver rhoeas, Trifolium pratense L. developed and grew in spring after two years. And in the summer, Lotus corniculatus var., Dianthus chinensis L., Cosmos bipinnatus, Coreopsis drummondii L., Trifolium pratense were founded. And there were Lotus corniculatus var., Dianthus chinensis L., Aster yomena, Coreopsis tinctoria, Trifolium pratense L. in the autumn. According to the examination conducting after four years, Lotus corniculatus var., Dianthus chinensis L., Silene armeria, Cosmos bipinnatus, Coreopsis drummondii L., Papaver rhoeas, Trifolium pratense L. were founded in the spring, and Lotus corniculatus var., Dianthus chinensis L., Cosmos bipinnatus, Coreopsis drummondii L., Trifolium pratense grew in the summer. Lotus corniculatus var., Dianthus chinensis L., Astragalus sinicus, Aster yomena, Coreopsis tinctoria, Trifolium pratense L. were discovered in the autumn. Among the exotic species founded in the area, were Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra. When it comes to the protection of vegetation and dominance, Lotus corniculatus var., Metaplexis japonica, Coreopsis drummondii L. are the dominant species among the spring plants; and Lotus corniculatus var., Trifolium repens L., Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. were the dominant plants in the summer. In the autumn, Lotus corniculatus var., Coreopsis drummondii L., Poa pratensis appear to be the dominant plants. The colonies of Pinus densiflora and Castanea crenata var. were formed around the South Sejong IC. Part of the area is occupied by the colony of Alnus hirsuta Turcz. ex Rupr. In terms of shrub, there were Indigofera pseudo-tinctoria, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Rosa polyantha var. genuina NAKA. As ground cover plants, Sasa borealis, Rubus crataegifolius Bunge were founded.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The Recaller app was developed to help individuals record their food intakes. This pilot study evaluated the usability of this new food picture application (app), which operates on a smartphone with an embedded camera and Internet capability. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adults aged 19 to 28 years (23 males and 22 females) were assigned to use the Recaller app on six designated, nonconsecutive days in order to capture an image of each meal and snack before and after eating. The images were automatically time-stamped and uploaded by the app to the Recaller website. A trained nutritionist administered a 24-hour dietary recall interview 1 day after food images were taken. Participants' opinions of the Recaller app and its usability were determined by a follow-up survey. As an evaluation indicator of usability, the number of images taken was analyzed and multivariate Poisson regression used to model the factors determining the number of images sent. RESULTS: A total of 3,315 food images were uploaded throughout the study period. The median number of images taken per day was nine for males and 13 for females. The survey showed that the Recaller app was easy to use, and 50% of the participants would consider using the app daily. Predictors of a higher number of images were as follows: greater interval (hours) between the first and last food images sent, weekend, and female. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study provide valuable information for understanding the usability of the Recaller smartphone food picture app as well as other similarly designed apps. This study provides a model for assisting nutrition educators in their collection of food intake information by using tools available on smartphones. This innovative approach has the potential to improve recall of foods eaten and monitoring of dietary intake in nutritional studies.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2 s.49
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• pp.109-121
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• 2005

A chemical ranking and scoring (CRS-Korea) system was developed and proposed to use as the first step to prioritize the toxic chemicals for the purpose of monitoring and detailed risk assessment that might follow as necessary. The CRS-Korea system takes a basic concept of risk assessment (both human health risk and ecological risk) in that risk score is determined by the product of toxicity score and exposure score. Included in the toxicity category are acute toxicity, chronic/sub -chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, and other toxicity. The exposure category consists of quantity released to the environment, bioconcentration, and persistence. A consistent scheme and a comprehensive chemical data base are offered in the CRS-Korea system to calculate a score for the each component in the two categories by using specific physicochemical, fate, and toxic properties and the quantity of the chemical used. The toxicity score is obtained by adding up all the individual scores for the components in the toxicity category. The exposure score is determined by multiplication of the score of the quantity released with the sum of persistent score and bioconcentration score. Equal weight is given to the toxicity score and the exposure score. As the CRS-Korea system was applied to identify 50 national priority chemicals, it was found that significant data gap exists on toxicity and fate properties and that the uncertainty associated with estimating the quantify released to the environment is notably high. The proposed CRS system is only a screening tool in the first step toward the priority setting and should be used with expert judgement and other considerations necessary.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.385-392
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have reported an association of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) 3123Cytosine/Adenine (3123C/A) polymorphism with essential hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether the AT2R 3123C/A polymorphism affects blood pressure for free-living hypertensive men during a 5-month intervention period. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were free-living hypertensive Japanese men aged 40 to 75 years who agreed to intervention in the period from 2004 to 2011. Detection of the AT2R 3123C/A polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction. The dietary intervention was designed to decrease salt level and to increase potassium level through cooking instructions and self-monitoring of the diet. The exercise session consisted of activities such as stretching, resistance training, and walking. Blood pressure, urinary sodium and potassium excretion, dietary and lifestyle data, and non-fasting venous blood sample were collected at baseline and after the intervention period. RESULTS: Thirty nine subjects were eligible for participation and the follow-up rate was 97.4%. The C allele proportion was 57.9%. AT2R 3123C/A polymorphism was X-chromosome-linked, therefore we analyzed the C and A genotypes. At baseline, no significant differences were observed between the genotype groups. After the intervention, there were no significant differences in lifestyle habit between the groups. Nevertheless, the estimated salt excretion (g/day) was significantly decreased only in the C genotype (13.0-10.3, P = 0.031). No significant change was observed in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (mmHg) in the A genotype, but a significant decrease was observed in the C genotype (150.0-141.5, P = 0.024). CONCLUSTIONS: In the C genotype, it might be easy to improve SBP through lifestyle intervention in free-living hypertensive Japanese men, however generalization could not be achieved by the small sample size.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.33-42
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• 2012

This study aims to establish the performance standard for natural type landscape stone GFRC. The required performance such as material performance, structural safety performance, durability performance, and landscape performance were selected through an examination of domestic and overseas performance related references and examples, and through the questionnaires obtained from 40 experts, and the verified items and performance standards were proposed. Among the required performances, the material performance(glass fiber content, air-dried gravity), structural safety performance(flexural strength, compressive strength), durability performance(crack, corrosion resistance), and landscape performance(texture, efflorescence) were selected through the questionnaires obtained from the experts. In the case of material performance and structural safety performance with the corresponding standards that existed, final performance evaluation standard was proposed by conducting a test and comparing it with the existing standard sample, and in the case of durability performance and landscape performance on which standard does not existed, they were verified by measuring directly through field examination of formative landscape items such as artificial waterfall etc. In this study, performance standard for the material on natural type landscaping rocks GFRC and items which can be evaluated after construction such as material performance, structural safety performance, durability performance, landscape performance, and so forth were proposed, however, follow up study for pro-environmental and ecological performance standard which were recently gaining force would be required through a continuous monitoring for the construction samples afterwards.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2003

PURPOSE - To investigate neurometabolism from the brain destructive lesions and striatal putamen-pallidus regions to the clinically worst side in patients with Parkinson's disease after stereotactic functional neurosurgery. METHODS - Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ($^1$H MRS), fifteen patients (7 males and 8 females; mean age 56.5 years; age range 43-67 years) with Parkinson's disease (PD) were studied to measure N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline-containing compounds (Cho) and lactate (Lac) levels on the neurosurgical lesions of thalamus, globus pallidus and striatal putamen-pallidus regions in a brain. RESULTS - Brain destructive lesion and striatal putamen-pallidus region in PD compared with controls were highly and significantly related to NAA/Cho ratios reduction, respectively (P =0.002, P =0.04), but showed no difference from the same regions of PD prior to neurosergery (P =0.06, P =0.77). Increased lactate peaks at 1.3 ppm were present in all the cerebral lesions, and these resonances were confirmed at a long TE =136 ms, indicating that these signals distinguished from lipids. CONCLUSIONS - Our results suggest that NAA/Cho ratios may provide as a neurometabolite marker for neurochemical changes in brain surgical lesion, and the ratios might be related to functional change of neuropathophysiological status in the striatal putamen-pallidus region of PD. Increase of lactate signals, being remarkable in surgical lesions, could be consistent with a common consequence of surgical necrosis. Therefore, MR spectroscopy could be a sensitive diagnostic tool in monitoring neurometabolic changes in PD with neurosurgical treatment.