• International Journal of Vascular Biomedical Engineering
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.19-24
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• 2006

Background: Pulse wave velocity (PWV), which is inversely related to the distensibility of an arterial wall, offers a simple and potentially useful approach for an evaluation of cardiovascular diseases. In spite of the clinical importance and widespread use of PWV, there exist no standard either for pulse sensors or for system requirements for accurate pulse wave measurement. Objective of this study was to assess the reproducibility of PWV values using a newly developed PWV measurement system in healthy subjects prior to a large-scale clinical study. Methods: System used for the study was the PP-1000 (Hanbyul Meditech Co., Korea), which provides regional PWV values based on the measurements of electrocardiography (ECG), phonocardiography (PCG), and pulse waves from four different sites of arteries (carotid, femoral, radial, and dorsalis pedis) simultaneously. Seventeen healthy male subjects with a mean age of 33 years (ranges 22 to 52 years) without any cardiovascular disease were participated for the experiment. Two observers (observer A and B) performed two consecutive measurements from the same subject in a random order. For an evaluation of system reproducibility, two analyses (within-observer and between-observer) were performed, and expressed in terms of mean difference ${\pm}2SD$, as described by Bland and Altman plots. Results: Mean and SD of PWVs for aorta, arm, and leg were $7.07{\pm}1.48m/sec,\;8.43{\pm}1.14m/sec,\;and\;8.09{\pm}0.98m/sec$ measured from observer A and $6.76{\pm}1.00m/sec,\;7.97{\pm}0.80m/sec,\;and\;\7.97{\pm}0.72m/sec$ from observer B, respectively. Between-observer differences ($mean{\pm}2SD$) for aorta, arm, and leg were $0.14{\pm\}0.62m/sec,\;0.18{\pm\}0.84m/sec,\;and\;0.07{\pm}0.86m/sec$, and the correlation coefficients were high especially 0.93 for aortic PWV. Within-observer differences ($mean{\pm}2SD$) for aorta, arm, and leg were $0.01{\pm}0.26m/sec,\;0.02{\pm}0.26m/sec,\;and\;0.08{\pm}0.32m/sec$ from observer A and $0.01{\pm}0.24m/sec,\;0.04{\pm}0.28m/sec,\;and\;0.01{\pm}0.20m/sec$ from observer B, respectively. All the measurements showed significantly high correlation coefficients ranges from 0.94 to 0.99. Conclusion: PWV measurement system used for the study offers comfortable and simple operation and provides accurate analysis results with high reproducibility. Since the reproducibility of the measurement is critical for the diagnosis in clinical use, it is necessary to provide an accurate algorithm for the detection of additional features such as flow wave, reflection wave, and dicrotic notch from a pulse waveform. This study will be extended for the comparison of PWV values from patients with various vascular risks for clinical application. Data acquired from the study could be used for the determination of the appropriate sample size for further studies relating various types of arteriosclerosis-related vascular disease.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.384-392
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• 2022

The objective of this study was to estimated nitrogen content and chlorophyll using RGB, Hyperspectral sensors to diagnose of nitrogen nutrition in apple tree leaves. Spectral data were acquired through image processing after shooting with high resolution RGB and hyperspectral sensor for two-year-old 'Hongro/M.9' apple. Growth data measured chlorophyll and leaf nitrogen content (LNC) immediately after shooting. The growth model was developed by using regression analysis (simple, multi, partial least squared) with growth data (chlorophyll, LNC) and spectral data (SPAD meter, color vegetation index, wavelength). As a result, chlorophyll and LNC showed a statistically significant difference according to nitrogen fertilizer level regardless of date. Leaf color became pale as the nutrients in the leaf were transferred to the fruit as over time. RGB sensor showed a statistically significant difference at the red wavelength regardless of the date. Also hyperspectral sensor showed a spectral difference depend on nitrogen fertilizer level for non-visible wavelength than visible wavelength at June 10th and July 14th. The estimation model performance of chlorophyll, LNC showed Partial least squared regression using hyperspectral data better than Simple and multiple linear regression using RGB data (Chlorophyll R²: 81%, LNC: 81%). The reason is that hyperspectral sensor has a narrow Full Half at Width Maximum (FWHM) and broad wavelength range (400-1,000 nm), so it is thought that the spectral analysis of crop was possible due to stress cause by nitrogen deficiency. In future study, it is thought that it will contribute to development of high quality and stable fruit production technology by diagnosis model of physiology and pest for all growth stage of tree using hyperspectral imagery.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2009

To obtain the information on antioxidant activity by harvesting parts and time in Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau, total phenolic contents, flavonoid contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD) like activity and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging activity of methanol extracts from Cudrania tricuspidata were investigated. Total phenolic contents was the highest in leaf [$30.2{\sim}38.8\;mg/g$ dry weight (DW)] and followed by root bark, stem bark, fruit, root except bark and stem except bark. Among harvesting time, total phenolic contents of leaf was the highest as $38.1{\sim}38.8\;mg/g$ DW in May and June, and then decreased to October. Root bark harvested in April and May contained $26.6{\sim}27.8\;mg/g$ DW total phenolic compounds and total phenolic content fell to a very low values at 1.8 mg/g DW in February. Flavonoid contents was very high in leaf and root bark. Especially, root bark harvested in April had the highest of flavonoid contents as 23.2 mg/g DW. As a result of simple linear regression analysis of total phenolic contents on flavonoid contents according to harvesting parts, it showed a high correlation (p < 0.001) with $0.57{\sim}0.97\;R^2$ (coefficient of determination). As $RC_{50}$ value, that was, the concentration of sample required for 50% reduction of DPPH absorbance, was $13.7{\sim}20.5\;{\mu}g/mL$ in leaf so DPPH radical scavenging activity was very high. But SOD like activity of $1,000\;{\mu}g$ extract/mL MeOH was a low value of $0.3{\sim}9.2%$ in all samples.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.30 no.1 s.108
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• pp.45-55
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• 2005

Knowledge of the relationship between crop yield and yield-limiting factors is essential for precision farming. However, developing this knowledge is not easy because these yield-limiting factors are interrelated and affect crop yield in different ways. In this study, data for grain yield and yield-limiting factors, including crop chlorophyll content, soil chemical properties, and topography were collected for a small (0.3 ha) rice paddy field in Korea and a large (36 ha) upland corn field in the USA, and relationships were investigated with path analysis. Using this approach, the effects of limiting factors on crop yield could be separated into direct effects and indirect effects acting through other factors. Path analysis provided more insight into these complex relationships than did simple correlation or multiple linear regression analysis. Results of correlation analysis for the rice paddy field showed that EC, Ca, and $SiO_2$ had significant (P<0.1) correlations with rice yield, while pH, Ca, Mg, Na, $SiO_2,\;and\;P_2O_5$ had significant correlations with the SPAD chlorophyll reading. Path analysis provided additional information about the importance and contribution paths of soil variables to rice yield and growth. Ca had the highest direct effect (0.52) and indirect effect via Mg (-0.37) on rice yield. The indirect effect of Mg through Ca (0.51) was higher than the direct effect (-0.38). Path analysis also enabled more appropriate selection of important factors limiting crop yield by considering cause-and-effect relationships among predictor and response variables. For example, although pH showed a positive correlation (r=0.35) with SPAD readings, the correlation was mainly due to the indirect positive effects acting through Mg and $SiO_2$, while pH not only showed negative direct effects, but also negatively impacted indirect effects of other variables on SPAD readings. For the large upland Missouri corn field, two topographic factors, elevation and slope, had significant (P<0.1) direct effects on yield and highly significant (P<0.01) correlations with other limiting factors. Based on the correlation analysis alone, P and K were determined to be nutrients that would increase corn yield for this field. With the help of path analysis, however, increases in Mg could also be expected to increase corn yield in this case. In general, path analysis results were consistent with published optimum ranges of nutrients for rice and com production. We conclude that path analysis can be a useful tool to investigate interrelationships between crop yield and yield limiting factors on a site-specific basis.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.170-179
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• 2012

We examined pretreatment methods eliminating potassium and sodium efficiently for coir bag used in hydroponics by analyzing drainage coming from coir bags. In the first experiment we investigated for six coir bags with the high market shares. The three types of pretreatment were washing coir bags with only water for 7 days (W7S0), washing with water for 4 days and further with nutrient solution for 3 days (W4S3), and washing with only nutrient solution for 7 days (W0S7). In the second experiment we tested reproducibility of the experiment results for Bio Grow and coco Mix among six coir bags used in the first experiment to verify the results. As a result, the best pretreatments for the pH stabilization were W4S3 and W0S7. The EC value of the drainage was stabilized to less than 1.0 that is the same as EC of the supply solution on the fourth day in all treatments. The nutrients of the drainage in W7S0 was stabilized in 3~4 days but calcium and magnesium were depleted. We assessed that washing longer than 4 days was waste of water. The stabilization of coir bags in W0S7 was similar to it in W4S3, but washing with the nutrient solution for 7 days seemed to be uneconomical. The reproducibility experiment for two coir bags ensured the results in the first experiment. Therefore, the pretreatment method, which is the most simple to implement and economic, seems to wash with water for 3 days and then with the nutrient solution for 1 day before planting on coir bag.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.3B
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• pp.193-201
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• 2012

In the last decade, heavy rainfall induced debris flow events have been remarkably occurred in Korea. Consequently, debris flow is becoming one of the most dangerous natural phenomena in mountainous area. Understanding and correct predicting of the runout distance of debris flow is an essential prerequisite for developing debris flow hazard map and prevention technology. Based on the simple and widely used sled model, in this study, we analyse the net efficiency of debris flows which is a dimensionless constant (=1/R) and defined by the ratio of the horizontal runout distance L from the debris flow source to deposit and the vertical elevation H of the source above the deposit. The analysis of field data observed in total 238 debris flow events occurred from 2002 to 2011 reveals that the representative value of the net efficiency of debris flows in Korea is 4.3. The data observed in Gangwon province where is the most debris flow-prone area in Korea shows that debris flows in Inje area have the runout distance longer than those in Pyongchang and Gangneung. Overall features of the net efficiency of debris flows observed in the central Korea are similar to those in the southern Korea. The estimation based on aerial photographs and available depositional conditions appears to overestimate the net efficiency compared to estimation based on the field observations, which indicates that appropriate depositional conditions need to be developed for debris flows in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.667-675
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• 2016

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has been effectively applied for environmental remediation due to its ability to reduce various toxic compounds. However, quantification of nZVI reactivity has not yet been standardized. Here, we adapted colorimetric assays for determining reductive activity of nZVIs. A modified indophenol method was suggested to determine reducing activity of nZVI. The method was originally developed to determine aqueous ammonia concentration, but it was further modified to quantify phenol and aniline. The assay focused on analysis of reduction products rather than its mother compounds, which gave more accurate quantification of reductive activity. The suggested color assay showed superior selectivity toward reduction products, phenol or aniline, in the presence of mother compounds, 4-chlorophenol or nitrobenzene. Reaction conditions, such as reagent concentration and reaction time, were optimized to maximize sensitivity. Additionally, pretreatment step using $Na_2CO_3$ was suggested to eliminate the interference of residual iron ions. Monometallic nZVI and bimetallic Ni/Fe were investigated with the reaction. The substrates showed graduated reactivity, and thus, reduction potency and kinetics of different materials and reaction mechanism was distinguished. The colorimetric assay based on modified indophenol reaction can be promises to be a useful and simple tool in various nZVI related research topics.

• Journal of electromagnetic engineering and science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.169-181
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• 2016

This work presents a new method for enhancing the performance of a dual band Planer Inverted-F Antenna (PIFA) and its lumped equivalent circuit formulation. The performance of a PIFA in terms of return loss, bandwidth, gain, and efficiency is improved with the addition of the proposed open stub in the radiating element of the PIFA without disturbing the operating resonance frequencies of the antenna. In specific cases, various simulated and fabricated PIFA models illustrate that the return loss, bandwidth, gain, and efficiency values of antennas with longer optimum open stub lengths can be enhanced up to 4.6 dB, 17%, 1.8 dBi, and 12.4% respectively, when compared with models that do not have open stubs. The proposed open stub is small and does not interfere with the surrounding active modules; therefore, this method is extremely attractive from a practical implementation point of view. The second presented work is a simple procedure for the development of a lumped equivalent circuit model of a dual band PIFA using the rational approximation of its frequency domain response. In this method, the PIFA's measured frequency response is approximated to a rational function using a vector fitting technique and then electrical circuit parameters are extracted from it. The measured results show good agreement with the electrical circuit results. A correlation study between circuit elements and physical open stub lengths in various antenna models is also discussed in detail; this information could be useful for the enhancement of the performance of a PIFA as well as for its systematic design. The computed radiated power obtained using the electrical model is in agreement with the radiated power results obtained through the full wave electromagnetic simulations of the antenna models. The presented approach offers the advantage of saving computation time for full wave EM simulations. In addition, the electrical circuit depicting almost perfect characteristics for return loss and radiated power can be shared with antenna users without sharing the actual antenna structure in cases involving confidentiality limitations.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.289-298
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• 2015

Objectives: The method of analyzing urinary arsenic by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-HG-AAS) is generally used because it shows relatively greater sensitivity, low detection limits, low blocking action, and is simple to operate. In this study, the results of analysis according to three pre-reductants commonly used in the FI-HG-AAS method were compared with each other. Methods: To analyze urinary arsenic, nineteen urine samples were collected from adults aged 43-79 years old without occupational arsenic exposure. Analysis equipment was FI-HG-AAS (AAnalyst 800/FIAS 400, Perkin- Elmer Inc., USA). The three pre-reductants were potassium iodide (KI/AA), C3H7NO2S (L-cysteine), and a mixture of KI/AA and L-cysteine (KI/AA&L-cysteine). Results: In the results of the analysis, the recovery rate of the method using KI/AA was 82.3%, 95.7% for Lcysteine, and 123.5% for KI/AA and L-cysteine combined. When compared with the results by use of high performance liquid chromatography inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS), the method using L-cysteine was the closest to those using HPLC-ICP-MS ($98.57{\mu}g/L$ for HPLC-ICP-MS; $74.96{\mu}g/L$ for L-cysteine; $69.23{\mu}g/L$ for KI/AA and L-cysteine; $13.06{\mu}g/L$ for KI/AA) and were significantly correlated (R2=0.882). In addition, they showed the lowest coefficient of variation in the results between two laboratories that applied the same method. Conclusion: The efficiency of hydride generation is considered highly important to the analysis of urinary arsenic via FI-HG-AAS. This study suggests that using L-cysteine as a pre-reductant may be suitable and the most rational among the FI-Hg-AAS methods using pre-reductants.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.166-174
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• 2016

BACKGROUND: The current study developed a monitoring method of 6 veterinary antibiotics (amoxicillin, ampicillin, enrofloxacin, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline) in agricultural soils using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in positive electrospray ionization mode.METHODS AND RESULTS: Sample preparation was carried out using acidic acetonitrile and citrate salts followed by purification with dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE). Separation on Eclipse Plus C₁₈ column was conducted in gradient of the mobile phase, 0.1% formic acid and 5 mM ammonium formate in methanol (A) and 0.1% formic acid and 5 mM ammonium formate in distilled water (B). The linearity of the matrix-matched calibrations expressed as the coefficient of determination was good with R²≥0.9900. The limit of quantifications (LOQs) ranged from 0.5 to 10 μg/kg for all analytes. Analysis of 51 agricultural soil samples taken in the Republic of Korea revealed concentrations less than 1.9 μg/kg for enrofloxacin, 75.5 μg/kg for chlortetracycline.CONCLUSION: The method was successfully applied to monitor 6 veterinary antibiotics from 51 field incurred agricultural soil samples in 17 provincial areas throughout the Republic of Korea. The developed method was simple, easy, and versatile and can be used for monitoring various veterinary antibiotics in soil.