• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.22-36
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• 2022

Cadmium is a class 1 carcinogen classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and has a high potential for leaching into groundwater. Therefore, it is necessary to address cadmium contamination by employing adequate treatment methodologies. Although various methods have been suggested to reduce cadmium in groundwater, their applications often suffer from various limitation arising from heterogeneous field conditions and technical difficulties. In this work, several in-situ technologies to treat cadmium contaminated groundwater were reviewed and discussed by separately addressing physicochemical, chemical and biological methods. In particular, the optimum cadmium remediation strategies that involve physical removal of source area → physicochemical and chemical remediation → biological remediation were proposed by considering reduction efficiency, adsorption rate, economic feasibility and ease of field application in groundwater.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.89-94
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• 2022

Thermoelectric materials can directly convert a temperature gradient to an electrical energy and vice-versa, and their performance is determined by the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity. However, it is difficult to establish an effective strategy for enhancing performance since electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity are strongly dependent on the composition, crystal structure, and electronic structure of the material, and show a correlation with each other. Herein, based on the understanding of the formulas related to the performance of thermoelectric materials, we provide a methodology to establish feasible defect engineering strategies of thermal conductivity reduction for improving the performance of thermoelectric materials in connection with the experimental results.

• East Asian Economic Review
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.243-269
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• 2023

The multidimensional poverty index is an indicator system established for defining and evaluating poverty, to understand poverty in dimensions beyond just monetary scarcity. Based on income, education, health, living standards, and social dimensions, this article measures and analyzes the level of multidimensional poverty in Xinjiang using the AlkireFoster method, with cross-sectional data obtained from a 2022 survey. Probit model is constructed for regression analysis, further considering the impact of education on enhancing feasible capabilities and alleviating multidimensional poverty at the post-poverty alleviation era. The data shows that many people still face significant challenges from the perspective of multidimensional poverty; the decomposition results of each dimension show that education contributes more to the multidimensional poverty; the regression analysis results show that the higher the education level, the lower the multidimensional poverty; heterogeneity analysis revealed that the inhibitory effect of education on multidimensional poverty is greater for females than males, and the poverty reduction effect of education mainly concentrates on middle-aged and older individuals. This article is meaningful for exploring strategies to alleviate multidimensional poverty in ethnic minority regions in frontier areas in the new era, accelerating regional economic development, and achieving shared prosperity.

• IEMEK Journal of Embedded Systems and Applications
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.319-325
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• 2023

In this study, we proposed a method for hyperparameter optimization in the building and training of a deep learning model designed to process point cloud data collected by a millimeter-wave radar system. The primary aim of this study is to facilitate the deployment of a baseline model in resource-constrained IoT devices. We evaluated a RadHAR baseline deep learning model trained on a public dataset composed of point clouds representing five distinct human activities. Additionally, we introduced a coarse-to-fine hyperparameter optimization procedure, showing substantial potential to enhance model efficiency without compromising predictive performance. Experimental results show the feasibility of significantly reducing model size without adversely impacting performance. Specifically, the optimized model demonstrated a 3.3% improvement in classification accuracy despite a 16.8% reduction in number of parameters compared th the baseline model. In conclusion, this research offers valuable insights for the development of deep learning models for resource-constrained IoT devices, underscoring the potential of hyperparameter optimization and model size reduction strategies. This work contributes to enhancing the practicality and usability of deep learning models in real-world environments, where high levels of accuracy and efficiency in data processing and classification tasks are required.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.61-73
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• 2024

Acute kidney ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a life-threatening condition that predisposes individuals to chronic kidney disease. Since the kidney is one of the most energy-demanding organs in the human body and mitochondria are the powerhouse of cells, mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in the pathogenesis of IR-induced acute kidney injury. Mitochondrial dysfunction causes a reduction in adenosine triphosphate production, loss of mitochondrial dynamics (represented by persistent fragmentation), and impaired mitophagy. Furthermore, the pathological accumulation of succinate resulting from fumarate reduction under oxygen deprivation (ischemia) in the reverse flux of the Krebs cycle can eventually lead to a burst of reactive oxygen species driven by reverse electron transfer during the reperfusion phase. Accumulating evidence indicates that improving mitochondrial function, biogenesis, and dynamics, and normalizing metabolic reprogramming within the mitochondria have the potential to preserve kidney function during IR injury and prevent progression to chronic kidney disease. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the detrimental role of metabolic reprogramming and mitochondrial dysfunction in IR injury and explore potential therapeutic strategies for treating kidney IR injury.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.81-82
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• 2024

Urban air mobility (UAM) is emerging as an innovative transportation solution for cities. However, the potential noise impact on urban life must be carefully examined. Continuous exposure to UAM noise, with its unique frequency characteristics and temporal variability, may adversely affect citizens' health by causing sleep disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive impairmenet, particularly in children. NASA has formed a UAM Noise Working Group to study this issue comprehensively. In Korea, the Seoul Metropolitan Government's UAM demonstration project is expected to accelerate related research and development. Scientific analysis, including noise measurement, prediction modeling, and health impact assessment, must be prioritized. Measures to minimize noise should be established based on this evidence, such as optimizing flight modes, developing noise reduction technologies, and establishing new noise management standards. Transparency and social consensus are crucial throughout this process. Expert review and open communication with civil society are necessary to address related concerns. Sharing demonstration project results and providing opportunities to experience UAM noise through digital twin simulations can help address public concerns and build social consensus. Proactively and scientifically tackling noise issues is essential for the sustainable development and successful integration of UAM into daily life.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 2012

This study was conducted to provide strategies for the reduction of plate waste and prevention of plate waste reuse in foodservice operations. To achieve these goals, we surveyed the entrepreneurs of foodservice operations, professionals in the field of foodservice management and food safety, and public officials working for food safety enforcement about their perceptions and strategies on plate waste management. The professionals' survey indicated that definition of plate waste needed to be clear for understanding. Also Korean food culture insisting on abundance and variety table settings, foodservice owners' demands for cost reduction, and foodservice workers' insufficient safety perceptions were indicated to bring forth the practice to reuse plate waste. The effective ways to control plate waste management were systematic educational supports for Korean food culture upgrade among consumers and improvements of safety perceptions among owners, as well as workers. Also small portion size was needed to reduce plate waste.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2023

Almost all of the water from agricultural dams located to the upper of the Yeongsan river is supplied as irrigation water for farmland and thus is not discharged to the main stream of the river. Also, most of the irrigation water does not return to the river after use, adding to the lack of flow in the main stream. As a result, the water quality and aquatic health of the river have become the poorest among the four major rivers in Korea. Therefore, in this study, several strategies for water quality improvement of the river were developed considering pollution reduction and flow rate increase, and their effect analysis was performed using a water quality model. The results of this study showed that the target water quality of the Yeongsan river could be achieved if flow increase strategies (FISs) are intensively pursued in parallel with pollution reduction. The reason is because the water quality of the river has been steadily improved through pollution reduction but this method is now nearing the limit. In addition, rainfall-related FISs such as dam construction and water distribution adjustment may be less effective or lost if a megadrought continues due to climate change and then rainfall does not occur for a long time. Therefore, in the future, if the application conditions for the FISs are similar, the seawater desalination facility, which is independent of rainfall, should be considered as the priority installation target among the FISs. The reason is that seawater desalination facilities can replace the water supply function of dams, which are difficult to newly build in Korea, and can be useful as a climate change adaptation facility by preventing water-related disasters in the event of a long-term megadrought.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.181-195
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• 2018

On December 12, 2015, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) adopted the Paris Agreement, in which several developed and developing countries all committed to participating in the reduction of greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. South Korea has submitted an intended nationally determined contribution (INDC) proposal with a target to cut down 37% greenhouse gas business as usual (BAU) until 2030 in preparation for the 2030 GHG BAU. Under the post-2020 regime, which will be launched from 2021 as the agreement entered into force early, it is expected that efforts to support GHG reduction and adaptation to climate change in developing countries will be accelerated with the utilization of technologies and financial resources of developed countries. South Korea has established the Basic Plan for Climate Change Response and the Basic National Roadmap for Greenhouse Gas Reductions by 2030 to promote the response to climate change at the government level. The Ministry of Science and ICT, as the National Designated Entity designated by the UNFCCC, has come up with middle and long-term strategies for climate technology cooperation. South-Korea has an abundance of energy-consuming industries to support its export-oriented industrial structure; it is thus expected that achieving the GHG reduction target will incur a considerable cost. Moreover, in order to meet the reduction target (11.3%) of the intended nationally determined contribution proposed by South Korea, it is necessary for South Korea to actively promote projects that can achieve GHG reduction achievements, and financial resources are needed as leverage to reduce risks that can occur in the early stages of projects and attract private sector investment. This paper summarizes the theoretical discussions on climate finance and conducted a comparative analysis on the status of the funds related to climate change response in the UK, Germany, Japan and Denmark. Through this, we proposed the legal and policy tasks that should be carried forward to raise public funds that can be used for creation of new industries related to climate change as well as to reduce GHG emissions in South Korea. The Climate Change Countermeasures Act, which has been proposed by the National Assembly of South-Korea, stipulates the establishment of funds but there is no additional funding except for general account. In this regard, it is also possible to take measures such as the introduction of carbon tax or the collection and use of royalties through technology research and development projects for climate change, such as Industrial Technology Innovation Promotion Act. In addition, since funds are used in various fields such as domestic greenhouse gas reduction, technology development, and overseas projects, it is necessary to establish a system in which various ministries cooperate with the operation of the fund.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.126-140
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary school students' perception of food waste as well as to identify factors affecting the plate waste rate of school foodservice in the Gyeongnam area. Questionnaires were distributed to 280 students from June 20 to July 5, 2011 and a total of 279 were analyzed. The results of this study were as follows. First, the main reason of plate waste was 'big portion size', which suggests that portion size should be adjusted. Second, the attitude for food waste reduction was 3.67 based on a 5-point Likert scale (1: strongly disagree, 5: strongly agree). Third, the average plate waste rate of school foodservice was 18.65%. Fourth, there were four factors affecting plate waste rate; balanced/unbalanced diet, satisfaction of school foodservice, need for nutrition education related to food waste, and attitude towards food waste reduction. The plate waste rates of the students who ate a balanced diet were significantly lower than those of the students who ate an unbalanced diet (P<0.001). The plate waste rates of the students who were satisfied with school foodservice were significantly lower than those of the students who were unsatisfied (P<0.001). The plate waste rates of the students who recognized the need for nutrition education were significantly lower that those of the students who did not recognize this (P<0.01). Finally, the students' attitudes towards food waste reduction were significantly negatively correlated with plate waste rate (P<0.01). In conclusion, in order to successfully reduce plate waste in school foodservice, nutrition education should be provided on proper portion size, balanced diet, and food waste. Further, introduction of partial self-service by school foodservice should be reviewed, and strategies for the improvement of school foodservice satisfaction should be applied.