• 전자공학회논문지 IE
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2009

This paper describes an assistant system for elders who live alone. The developed system is composed of a wearable RFID system, a gateway system, and server system. The wearable RFID system is installed in glove. The wearable RFID system can be considered as a wireless sensor network which has a sink node and sensor node with a RFID reader. The sensor node can read RFID tags on the various objects used in daily living such as furniture, medicines, sugar and salt bottles, and ok. The sensor node transmits wireless packets to the sink node. The sink node sends the received packet immediately to a server system via a gateway system. The gateway provides users with audio-visual information of objects. The server system is composed of a database server and a web server. The data from each wearable RFID system is collected into a database, and then the data are processed to visualize the measurement of daily living activities of users. The processed data can be provided for someone who wants to know about user's daily living patterns in house such as family, caregivers, and medical crew.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2013

Objectives: We evaluated the effects of an allergy control program on children with atopic dermatitis (AD) in five schools located within Gyeonggi-do. Methods: Based on the results of the 12-month prevalence of AD symptoms from an International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire of all students (n=2109; 1040 boys, 1069 girls) at five randomly selected schools, 227 students with AD symptoms were screened. Finally, 188 students with greater than 1 on SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) determined by a physician were selected. The allergy control program includes education related to allergic diseases, skin prick tests, and SCORAD evaluation, as well as keeping a daily journal to check the usage of moisturizer at least once a day. To determine the effectiveness of the allergy control program, SCORAD evaluation was performed again six weeks later. Results: The most common symptom for 12-month prevalence was rhinorrhea (33.9%), followed by atopic skin lesions (14.8%) and wheezing (4.0%). The 12-month prevalences of the three allergic diseases were higher for boys than for girls, and a significant difference was found for allergic rhinitis (P<0.001). The mean SCORAD index decreased significantly from 26.1 to 17.5 after the completion of the six-week control program (P<0.01). In particular, these differences were more pronounced for the group which used the daily journal (P<0.001). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the allergy control program including usage of a daily journal as well as regular monitoring could be a promising tool for preventing and alleviating the symptoms of allergic diseases.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.555-565
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• 2019

Development of a biomarker for predicting tumor-treatment efficacy is a matter of great concern, to reduce time, medical expense, and effort in oncology therapy. In a preclinical study, we hypothesized that the blood-flow parameter based on laser speckle flowmetry (LSF) could be a potential indicator to estimate the efficacy of breast-cancer treatment. To verify this hypothesis, a 13762-MAT-B-III rat breast tumor was grown in a dorsal skinfold window chamber applied to a nude mouse, and the change in blood flow rate (BFR) - or the speckle flow index (SFI) is used together as the same meaning in this manuscript - was longitudinally monitored during tumor growth and metronomic cyclophosphamide treatment. Based on the daily LSF angiogram, several BFR parameters (baseline SFI, normalized SFI, and △rBFR) were compared to tumor size in the normal, treated, and untreated tumor groups. Despite the incomplete tumor treatment, we found that the daily changes in all BFR parameters tended to have partially positive correlation with tumor size. Moreover, we observed that the changes in baseline SFI and normalized SFI responded one day earlier than the tumor shrinkage during chemotherapy. However, daily variations in the hypercapnia-induced △rBFR lagged tumor shrinkage by one day. This study would contribute not only to evaluating tumor vascular response to treatment, but also to monitoring blood-flow-mediated diseases (in brain, skin, and retina) by using LSF in preclinical settings.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.890-895
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• 2012

Duration curves describe the percentage of time that a certain water quality (total/fecal coliform (=TC/FC)) or discharge is exceeded. The curves methodology are usually based on daily records and are useful in estimating how many days per year and event will be exceeded. The technique was further applied to estimated TC/FC loading to the Geumho River, using the daily mean flow rate and TC/FC concentration data during January, 2001 and December, 2011 for the Geumhogang6 (=Seongseo water level station) where an automated monitoring station is located in Gangchang-bridge. Low flow of the Seongseo (=11.1 cms) was equivalent to 75.3% on an exceedance probability scale. Load Duration curve for TC/FC loading at the Seongseo was constructed. Standard load duration curve was constructed with the water quality criteria for class III (TC/FC concentration = 5000/1000 CFU/ 100 mL). By plotting TC/FC observed load duration curve with standard load duration curve, it could be revealed that water quality do not meet the desired water quality for 68.8/11.2% on an exceedance probability scale. IF linear correlation between flow rate and coliform concentration is assumed, it can be interpreted that water quality exceed desired criteria when daily average flow rate is over 11.9/109.9 cms.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2016

The space radiation dose over air routes including polar routes should be carefully considered, especially when space weather shows sudden disturbances such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), flares, and accompanying solar energetic particle events. We recently established a heliocentric potential (HCP) prediction model for real-time operation of the CARI-6 and CARI-6M programs. Specifically, the HCP value is used as a critical input value in the CARI-6/6M programs, which estimate the aviation route dose based on the effective dose rate. The CARI-6/6M approach is the most widely used technique, and the programs can be obtained from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, HCP values are given at a one month delay on the FAA official webpage, which makes it difficult to obtain real-time information on the aviation route dose. In order to overcome this critical limitation regarding the time delay for space weather customers, we developed a HCP prediction model based on sunspot number variations (Hwang et al. 2015). In this paper, we focus on improvements to our HCP prediction model and update it with neutron monitoring data. We found that the most accurate method to derive the HCP value involves (1) real-time daily sunspot assessments, (2) predictions of the daily HCP by our prediction algorithm, and (3) calculations of the resultant daily effective dose rate. Additionally, we also derived the HCP prediction algorithm in this paper by using ground neutron counts. With the compensation stemming from the use of ground neutron count data, the newly developed HCP prediction model was improved.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.263-274
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• 2021

This study presents the achievements and limitations of the voluntary-based Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) through statistical analysis of water quality monitoring data and performance assessments of TMDL plans implemented in the Gyeongan watershed. The results clearly showed that responsible local governments complied the allocated TMDL and the designated water quality goals were successfully achieved in the required period. This was possible because the Ministry of Environment provided innovative incentives, such as, relaxations of the existing tight land-use regulations and full-scale financial aids for constructing and operating public treatment facilities to draw local government voluntary participation. However, a couple of problems which decreased the effectiveness and efficiency of the voluntary TMDL were identified. The different TMDL implementation schedules between upstream (Yongin) and downstream (Gwangju) governments caused delay in water quality improvement and exaggerated TMDL allocation to the local development which made excessive investment in the treatment facilities. Although it is not directly related to the voluntary scheme, technical methods for establishing and assessing the water quality goals should be improved so that the effects of flow conditions on water quality are properly assessed. We expect that results of this case study contribute to developing a more effective voluntary-based scheme for the implementation of the so-called 'tributary TMDL' in the future.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2021

Background and objective: This study was conducted on Forsythia velutina, a special plant, in Gyeongsangnam-do Arboretum under the Gyeongsangnam-do Forest Environment Research Institute, which is located in the southern part of Korea. Methods: The research aimed to analyze the flowering characteristics of the plant by calculating the optimal temperature and humidity according to the flowering time and flowering period for 8 years from 2010 to 2017 in order to provide basic data for bioclimate studies of endemic plants. Results: It was observed that the Forsythia velutina showed a life cycle from mid-March and to mid-November. Average growth period was 243 (± 6.5) days. In testing the reliability of a single variable according to the meteorological factors, the Cronbach's Alpha was 0.701, which indicates that the findings were relatively reliable. The average date of flowering was March 16 (SD = 5.8) and the average date on which blossoms fall was March 29 (SD = 5.2). A substantial difference in flowering period was observed from year to year 11 to 23 days, with an average of 16 days (± 4.7). The temperature and humidity in February to March, which affect the flowering, were 2.9-5.5℃, and 66.5-73.0%, respectively, and showed differences every year. Conclusion: The correlation between flowering time and meteorological factors was positive, and the highest daily temperature and average daily temperature had the highest significance. When establishing basic data on plant species for the conservation of endemic plants, the changes in life cycle events and weather conditions are identified. It is believed that it will be helpful in establishing a conservation strategy for the plant species in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2024

Background: The Korea Risk Information Surveillance System (K-RISS) was developed to enable the early detection of food and drug safety-related issues. Its goal is to deliver real-time risk indicators generated from ongoing food and drug risk monitoring. However, the existing K-RISS system suffers under several limitations. Objectives: This study aims to augment K-RISS with more detailed indicators and establish a severity standard that takes into account structural changes in the daily time series of K-RISS values. Methods: First, a Delphi survey was conducted to derive the required weights. Second, a control chart, commonly used in statistical process controls, was utilized to detect outliers and establish caution, attention, and serious levels for K-RISS values. Furthermore, Bai and Perron's method was employed to determine structural changes in K-RISS time series. Results: The study incorporated 'closeness to life' and 'sustainability' indicators into K-RISS. It obtained the necessary weights through a survey of experts for integrating variables, combining indicators by data source, and aggregating sub K-RISS values. We defined caution, attention, and serious levels for both average and maximum values of daily K-RISS. Furthermore, when structural changes were detected, leading to significant variations in daily K-RISS values according to different periods, the study systematically verified these changes and derived respective severity levels for each period. Conclusions: This study enhances the existing K-RISS system and introduces more advanced indicators. K-RISS is now more comprehensively equipped to serve as a risk warning index. The study has paved the way for an objective determination of whether the food safety risk index surpasses predefined thresholds through the application of severity levels.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.233-244
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to explore the characteristics of concentration of indoor air pollutants, such as $PM_{10}$, $CO_2$, and $NO_2$, measured by tele-monitoring system in a Seoul Metropolitan underground railway station from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012. The annual average concentration of indoor air pollutants actually varied over a wide range and was found to exhibit marked variation with time and measurement sites (tunnel inlet, platform, and concourse). After installing platform screen doors, the average $PM_{10}$ concentration on platform and concourse was decreased by 43.8% and 31.2%, respectively during the study periods. The relationship between the concentration of $PM_{10}$ and meteorological parameters (relative humidity and rainfall) or the Asian dust events was regarded as statistically significant. The correlations between the number of boarding/alighting passengers and $PM_{10}$, $CO_2$, and $NO_2$ were calculated. A p-value of less than 0.01 was regarded as significant except $NO_2$. The I/O ratio of $PM_{10}$ concentration was elevated after a congested time (about 08:00 am). The average I/O ratios of $NO_2$ were observed in concourse and platform on 03:00 am with $1.76{\pm}0.91$ and $1.50{\pm}0.51$, respectively. The average daily variation of standard excess rate of $PM_{10}$ and $NO_2$ concentration in concourse and platform was investigated. The highest standard excess rate was observed on 21:00 (09:00 pm).

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.61-77
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• 2020

In South Korea, major public waters have been systematic management under national level. Water environment network has been continuous monitoring for change of aquatic ecosystem, river and reservoir. In Water Quality Monitoring Networks, the data have been generally monitored Per eight days or month, while in Automatic Water Quality Monitoring Network the data have been monitored at daily intervals. Therefore, we were compared and analyzed water quality data between the networks using statistic method for same water quality item. Mann-kendall test results confirm that all points in Water Temperature (WT) and DO were not statistically significant. In particular, the result revealed that there is significant variation of TOC in the four different sites, TN in two different sites, TP in three different sites, WT in seven different sites, pH in two different sites between Water Quality Monitoring Network and Automatic Water Quality Monitoring Network. As a result firm LOWESS, TOC and pH clearly shows different trend. Among different sites, the water quality show the significantly positive correlations between at Sinam-Sangju2 and Namgang-Namgang4. Negative correlation significantly appeared in TP (ADD_Lower-AD1 site), TOC (DG-SG site), pH (GR-GR site), TP (JP-CN) and TN, TP, pH, EC, DO (GC-GC2-1 site).