• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2023

Background: This study aims to reevaluate natural radiation exposure, following up on our previous study conducted in 2019, and to assess the associated risk of lung cancer to the public residing in the gold mining areas of Betare-Oya, east Cameroon, and its vicinity. Materials and Methods: Gamma-ray spectra collected using a 7.62 cm×7.62 cm in NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer during a car-borne survey, in situ measurements and laboratory measurements performed in previous studies were used to determine the outdoor absorbed dose rate in air to evaluate the annual external dose inhaled by the public. For determining internal exposure, radon gas concentrations were measured and used to estimate the inhalation dose while considering the inhalation of radon and its decay products. Results and Discussion: The mean value of the laboratory-measured outdoor gamma dose rate was 47 nGy/hr, which agrees with our previous results (44 nGy/hr) recorded through direct measurements (in situ and car-borne survey). The resulting annual external dose (0.29±0.09 mSv/yr) obtained is similar to that of the previous study (0.33±0.03 mSv/yr). The total inhalation dose resulting from radon isotopes and their decay products ranged between 1.96 and 9.63 mSv/yr with an arithmetic mean of 3.95±1.65 mSv/yr. The resulting excess lung cancer risk was estimated; it ranged from 62 to 216 excess deaths per million persons per year (MPY), 81 to 243 excess deaths per MPY, or 135 excess deaths per MPY, based on whether risk factors reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, United Nations Scientific Committee on the effects of Atomic Radiation, or International Commission on Radiological Protection were used, respectively. These values are more than double the world average values reported by the same agencies. Conclusion: There is an elevated level of risk of lung cancer from indoor radon in locations close to the Betare-Oya gold mining region in east Cameroon. Therefore, educating the public on the harmful effects of radon exposure and considering some remedial actions for protection against radon and its progenies is necessary.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1D
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• pp.129-136
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• 2008

Along with the development in cutting-edge digital technology, the street space is also being changed. Mobile telecommunication units and internet give a big change in a human being's lifestyle. And the ubiquitous computing is proceeding with expanding its application range from the indoor space to the street space. As the street furniture is the convenient facility that allows a human being's life in street space to be abundant, it is getting advanced. First of all, in terms of such phenomenon, this study analyzed the cases of a research on application of street space and the actual condition of a change in the number of individuals for the street furniture, through a literature research of ubiquitous. Also, it researched into the realities of using the street furniture of the walking-desired streets at Daehac-ro and Hongdae district, where are two representative places related to digital generation. The next was carried out FGI (Focus Group Interview) with users of the street space in front of Hongik University and managers of the street furniture, and was researched into the use & management behavior, and recognition level on the street furniture. Thus, the key elements were extracted such as interchange of information for cultural activities, automation for interaction variability in function. Finally the core elements for future vision of street furniture in this digital era were extracted in 3I, namely, Information, Intellectualization, and Integration. This is considered to be applied to the establishment of direction in the process of high-tech digitalization in street furniture related to information hereafter.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.166-178
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• 2023

This study aims to introduce and assess CNN Deep Learning methods to analyze visual landscape images on social media with embedded user perceptions and experiences. This study analyzed visual landscape images by focusing on a healing place. For the study, seven adjectives related to healing were selected through text mining and consideration of previous studies. Subsequently, 50 evaluators were recruited to build a Deep Learning image. Evaluators were asked to collect three images most suitable for 'healing', 'healing landscape', and 'healing place' on portal sites. The collected images were refined and a data augmentation process was applied to build a CNN model. After that, 15,097 images of 'healing' and 'healing landscape' on portal sites were collected and classified to analyze the visual landscape of a healing place. As a result of the study, 'quiet' was the highest in the category except 'other' and 'indoor' with 2,093 (22%), followed by 'open', 'joyful', 'comfortable', 'clean', 'natural', and 'beautiful'. It was found through research that CNN Deep Learning is an analysis method that can derive results from visual landscape image analysis. It also suggested that it is one way to supplement the existing visual landscape analysis method, and suggests in-depth and diverse visual landscape analysis in the future by establishing a landscape image learning dataset.

• Journal of Korean Living Environment System
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.654-664
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• 2017

The use of environmentally friendly finishing materials allows us to create a space where we can feel nature and to have stability and peace in the city center. In this paper, we examined the sensitivity of people to the three café spaces where wooden finishing materials are used in the space elements that change according to people's demands for environmentally friendly space due to pollution of living environment. First, we examined the wood and finishing materials and emotional vocabulary through literature review and previous research. Second, the values of L ^*, a ^*, b^* and sR, sG and sB values were extracted by using a line spectrophotometer (Ci6X). Third, we conducted a 7 - point scale questionnaire based on the extracted 13 pairs of emotional vocabulary. Using SPSS 21, frequency analysis by descriptive statistics, crossover analysis by visiting purpose and intention, and emotional lexical factor analysis were performed. Through the study, the following points were found. First, CB (The Coffee Bean), SB (Starbucks) and HS (Hollys Coffee) showed differences in CB (65%), SB (40%) and HS (37%) in the spatial analysis. Second, CB gave color similar to the color of wall and furniture wood, but HS changed the color or brightness of wood finishing color of furniture. HS or SB showed favorable use of wood color scheme. Third, SB (26.3%) and HS (19.7%) were selected by taste. Fourth, there were differences in the items of CB, 'local-exotic' and SB 'dark-bright' in the factor value. The use of wood finishing materials differed in the atmosphere evaluation depending on the spatial factors and the color of the furniture. However, in this study, there are many factors that are insufficient in the accuracy of the ratio of the applied wood finishing material to the space element and the amount of the survey. If we further study the evaluation of emotional image according to the ratio of wood finishing materials, we think that it is necessary to study now that interest in environmentally friendly is increasing.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2023

In addition to causing direct feeding damage to a variety of greenhouse crops, Frankliniella occidentalis also inflicts indirect harm by facilitating the transmission of the tomato spotted wilt virus. Historically, the prevention of F. occidentalis infestations has relied heavily on pesticide use. However, this approach has led to significant side effects in agricultural ecosystems, including the development of pest resistance and challenges in effective prevention. In response to these issues, research has been directed towards identifying alternative substances that circumvent the tolerance developed against chemical pesticides. Extracts from sixty-seven medicinal plants were prepared by soaking them in water for 24 hours at room temperature. These extracts were then applied to adult F. occidentalis, with particular attention to moutan extract treatment. This treatment demonstrated a 100% insecticidal effect on the first day. The moutan extract, specifically, was prepared using 50% ethanol, after which the ethanol and water were removed via a rotary evaporator. The resultant product was then lyophilized into a powder and used after being diluted with water. In indoor experiments, a 40% diluted solution was sprayed onto F. occidentalis, exhibiting a 100% insecticidal effect 24 hours post-treatment. Furthermore, a pot test indicated a 78% insecticidal effect on the first day of application. Ongoing research includes the analysis of active substances that demonstrate exceptional insecticidal properties and the conduct of on-site validation tests. The application of the aforementioned extract is anticipated to be effective in the prevention of F. occidentalis infestations.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.285-291
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• 2009

The effects of water temperature on oxygen consumption (OC) of starry flounder Platichthys stellatus reared in seawater (SW) and freshwater (FW) was performed in closed water-recirculating system containing respiratory chamber. Fish acclimated in separate indoor tanks with SW (nine of fish used, $263.0{\pm}40.4$ g) or FW (nine of fish used, $265.8{\pm}34.8$ g) were sampled. The OC of starry flounder at $15^{\circ}C,\;20^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$ were $74.4{\pm}17.0,\;85.9{\pm}15.8,\;98.3{\pm}11.4\;mg\;O_2\;kg^{-1}hr^{-1}$ in SW and $46.7{\pm}12.0,\;63.3{\pm}7.5,\;82.6{\pm}5.3\;mg\;O_2\;kg^{-1}hr^{-1}$ in FW, respectively, showing a linear increase in OC with water temperature. The OC of fish reared in both SW and FW clear diel rhythm, with lower values at daytime and higher values in the night, in accordance with light (09:00~21:00 hr) and dark (21:00~09:00 hr) phases of the diel cycle (12L : 12D) in water temperature at $15^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$. However OC of fish reared in both SW and FW showed unclear diel rhythm with light and dark phases of the diel cycle in water temperature at $25^{\circ}C$. Starry flounder reared in FW had higher ventilation rates than those in SW, but SW had higher OC per breath than those in FW.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.389-396
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• 2014

Purpose: The study examined dry eye symptoms of occupants in a newly constructed building and its effects on their work productivity and general activity. Methods: The study subjects were 33 office workers who spent more than eight hours per day on average in a new building constructed in the past three months. The indoor air quality of the new building was evaluated by measuring aldehydes, temperature and humidity. The level of dry eye symptoms was classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe by using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). The experience of LASIK surgery, use of eye makeup, daily use time of a computer and smart-phone, and average daily working hours were also examined. The Work Limitation Productivity Questionnaire was used as the questionnaire about work productivity and general activity to measure the impairment level on a ten-point scale. Results: The concentration variation of formaldehyde in the office was $42.42{\pm}6.30{\mu}g/m^3$. The temperature and humidity were $26.2{\pm}0.70^{\circ}C$ and $40{\pm}1%$, respectively. The respondents with normal, mild, moderate and severe dry eye symptoms were 15.2%, 18.2%, 18.2% and 48.5%, respectively. The severity of dry eye symptoms and impairment of work productivity and general activity demonstrated high correlations of 0.599 and 0.655, respectively (p<0.001). Compared to the normal case, severe dry eye symptoms demonstrated significantly high impairment of work productivity and interruption of general activity (p<0.001). The case of serious dry symptoms showed the possibilities of having impairment level of work productivity and interruption of general activity above three points 3.26 times (p=0.032) and 2.25 times (p=0.045), respectively, higher than that of the normal case. Conclusions: It was confirmed that dry eye symptoms among office workers in a newly constructed building affects work productivity and general activity.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.5-16
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• 2012

In the case of using the soil materials created by cutting in-situ ground directly without adjusting particle size, it is recommendable to seek the compaction property or material constant required for filling design or density control through indoor test, and many studies on this subject have been carried out during that time. The researches conducted during that time, however, were focused on the mixed materials with different diameters that exist in a natural condition. There has been no study conducted using coal fly ash that is by-product of the thermal power plant that is actively considered as the building materials. Therefore, this study was aimed at implementing compaction test and examining the basic engineering property in order to explore the influence of crushing the particles through compacting the admixture of crushed stone and coal fly ash produced from thermal power plant on its engineering property, and then the impact of the admixture volume of each material on compaction property and material property by conducting the One-Dimensional Compression Test. As result of compaction test, the optimum moisture ratio of coal fly ash was shown to be approx. 23%. As result of compaction test in accordance with the mixed ratio of coal fly ash and crushed stone under the same compaction energy and moisture ratio, dry unit weight tended to drop when the mixed ratio of coal fly ash exceeded 30%, while it reached approx. $1.81gf/cm^3$ when the mixed ratio was 30%. As result of One-Dimensional Compression Test in accordance with the mixed ratio of crushed stone and coal fly ash, the change in void ratio by particle crushing was at the highest level in the case of coal fly ash 100%, while the lowest level in the case of crushed stone 100%. In the case of mixed materials of crushed stone and coal fly ash, compression index was at the lowest level in case of coal fly ash 30%, and therefore this ratio of mixed material was judged to be the most stable from an engineering aspect.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of sow breeding environment on the reproduction in the first litter in a large-sized hog farm, located in Dangjin-gun, Chungnam from July 1st, 2007 to June 30th, 2008 and provide basic information to improve the sow productivity in a family farming sows. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The gestation periods were proved to be similar without significant differences between indoor and outdoor breeding grounds, The average of farrowing rate was 91.91%, and 92.54% farrowing rate of out-door ground breeding sows was slightly greater than 91.57% of group-housed sows, but there was no significance between two groups. 2. The average of total litter size and the number of born alive per litter were 9.81 and 9.02, respectively. The number of total number was 0.98 and the number of born alive per litter was 1.18 in the outdoor-ground breeding sows, which was significantly greater than group-housed sows(p<0.001). 3. The number(rate) of piglets stillborn was 0.22(2.10%) from the outdoor-ground breeding sows was significantly greater, compared with 0.33(3.53%) from group-housed sows(p<0.01). The number of piglets culled was 0.23(2.27%) and 0.26(2.77%), in the out-door ground breeding sows and in group-housed sows, respectively and it was not significantly similar between two groups. And, the number of mummies was 0.21(2.1%) and 0.28(2.29%), in the out-door ground breeding sows and in group-housed sows, respectively, which showed no significance. 4. The weaning number in the playground breeding sows was 9.48 and it was significantly greater than that in the group-housed sows(p<0.001). The average of weaned age was observed to be 22.91 days. The weaned age in the out-door ground breeding sows was 22.39 days, and it was significantly smaller than that in group-housed sows(p<0.001). The breeding rate for the weaning of pigs was satisfactory as 96.82%, but there was no significant difference between two groups.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.936-942
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• 2016

As the incidence of environmental diseases is increasing due to harmful environmental factors, there is a rising interest in developing eco-friendly materials for housing. In this study, we sought to develop antimicrobial interior fabric blind materials by employing ethanol extract of a medicinal plant Zanthoxylum piperitum DC. As determined by the disc diffusion method, the zones of inhibition of the pericarp ethanol extract at a concentration of 5 mg/disc against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans were 13.5±1.5 mm, 14.0±0.5 mm and 15.0±0.1 mm, respectively, whereas the leaf ethanol extract (5 mg/disc) against K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and S. mutans were 12.8± 0.3 mm, 13.5±1.0 mm, and 12.0±0.1 mm, respectively. The IC₅₀ of the leaf ethanol extract against K. pneumoniae, S. aureus and S. mutans were about 0.5 mg/ml, 0.1 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml respectively. To examine whether the leaf ethanol extract possessing antibacterial activity of Z. piperitum DC can be applicable to production of antimicrobial fabric blind materials, the fabrics treated with either 1.0% or 2.0% of the leaf ethanol extract were tested for antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae and S. aureus using International Standard Fabrics Test Method. The results indicate that the fabric treated with the ethanol extract of Z. piperitum DC possesses an excellent antimicrobial activity against both pathogenic bacteria. These results suggest that Z. piperitum DC may be applicable to producing functional fabrics which are effective in reducing the harmful bacterial factors in indoor environments.