• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2010

Retinal prostheses are being developed to restore vision for the blind with retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Since retinal prostheses depend upon electrical stimulation to control neural activity, optimal stimulation parameters for successful encoding of visual information are one of the most important requirements to enable visual perception. Therefore, in this paper, we focused on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) responses to different voltage stimulation parameters and compared threshold charge densities in normal and rd1 mice. For this purpose, we used in vitro preparation for the retina of normal and rd1 mice on micro-electrode arrays. When the neural network of rd1 mouse retinas is stimulated with voltage-controlled pulses, RGCs in degenerated retina also respond to voltage amplitude or voltage duration modulation as well in wild-type RGCs. But the temporal pattern of RGCs response is very different; in wild-type RGCs, single peak within 100 ms appears while in RGCs in degenerated retina multiple peaks (~4 peaks) with ~10 Hz rhythm within 400 ms appear. The thresholds for electrical activation of RGCs are overall more elevated in rd1 mouse retinas compared to wild-type mouse retinas: The thresholds for activation of RGCs in rd1 mouse retinas were on average two times higher ($70.50{\sim}99.87\;{\mu}C/cm^2$ vs. $37.23{\sim}61.65\;{\mu}C/cm^2$) in the experiment of voltage amplitude modulation and five times higher ($120.5{\sim}170.6\;{\mu}C/cm^2$ vs. $22.69{\sim}37.57\;{\mu}C/cm^2$) in the experiment of voltage duration modulation than those in wild-type mouse retinas. This is compatible with the findings from human studies that the currents required for evoking visual percepts in RP patients is much higher than those needed in healthy individuals. These results will be used as a guideline for optimal stimulation parameters for upcoming Korean-type retinal prosthesis.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 2013

To investigate effects of phase mask on susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) using voxel-based analyses in normal elderly subjects. A three-dimensional (3D) gradient echo sequence ran to obtain SWIs in 20 healthy elderly subjects. SWIs with two (SWI2) and four (SWI4) phase multiplications were achieved with positive (PSWI) and negative (NSWI) phase masks to investigate phase mask effects. The voxel-based comparisons were performed using paired t-tests between PSWI and NSWI and between SWI2 and SWI4. Differences of signal intensities between magnitude images and SWI4 were larger than those between magnitude images and SWI2s. Differences of signal intensities between magnitude images and PSWIs were larger than those between magnitude images and NSWIs. Moreover, the signal intensities from NSWI2s and NSWI4s were greater than those from PSWI2s and PSWI4s, respectively. More differences of signal intensities between NSWI4 and PSWI4s were found than those between NSWI2s and PSWI2s in the whole brain images. The voxel-based analyses of SWI could be beneficial to investigate susceptibility differences on the entire brain areas. The phase masking method could be chosen to enhance brain tissue contrast rather than to enhance venous blood vessels. Therefore, it is recommended to apply voxel-based analyses of SWI to investigate clinical applications.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.71-78
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• 2016

In this study, execution costs of the foundation system are compared with PHC and steel pile in the same soil layers and load condition. Steel piles installed on the thin weathered rock are reduced as 12.5% in comparison with the number of PHC piles. Steel piles installed on the soft rock through weathered rock with 1.7m of thickness reduce the number of piles as 35.7% (STK 400) and 46.4% (STK 490), respectively, in comparison with PHC piles installed on the weathered rock. Also, they reduce the number of piles as 26.5% (STK 400) and 38.8% (STK 490), respectively, in comparison with steel piles (STK 400) installed on the weathered rock. When the thickness of footings is constant, steel piles installed on the soft rock may reduce the area of footings up to 12.2% (STK 400) and 45.4% (STK 490), respectively, in comparison with PHC piles installed on the weathered rock. Total cost of foundation system installed on the soft rock with steel piles (STK 400) increases as 12%, whereas in case of replaced with steel piles (STK 490), it reduces as 16% in comparison with PHC piles installed on the weathered rock. This is because the cost reduction due to the number of piles and footing area is more effective despite high cost of steel piles (STK 490). When the thickness of weathered rock is less than 5m, installing steel piles (STK 490) on the soft rock through it is more economic in comparison with installing PHC piles on the weathered rock.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.477-487
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• 2019

Objectives: Firefighters are known to be exposed to a variety of toxic substances, but little information is available on the exposure profile of firefighting activities. The aims of this study were to conduct exposure monitoring of toxic chemicals at fire scenes, to compare the concentrations of respective chemicals among firefighting tasks, and to assess the main factors influencing the concentrations of chemicals. Methods: Researchers performed sampling at firefighting scenes during four weeks in 2013. At the scene, we collected samples based on firefighters' own activities and examined the situation and scale of the accident. Collected samples were classified into three categories, including fire extinguishing and overhaul, and were analyzed in the laboratory according to respective analysis methods. Results: A total of fourteen fire activity events were surveyed: five fire extinguishing, six overhaul, and three fire investigations. Although no substance exceeded the ACGIH TLV, PAHs were detected in every sample. Naphthalene ranged from 0.24 to 279.13 mg/㎥ (median 49.6 mg/㎥) and benzo(a)pyrene was detected in one overhaul case at 10.85 ㎍/㎥. Benzene (0.01-12.2 ppm) was detected in every task and exceeded the ACGIH TLV. No significant difference in concentrations between tasks was shown. Conclusions: These results indicate that all firefighting tasks generated various hazardous combustion products, including possible carcinogens.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.161-176
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• 1999

The objectives of this study are to analyze the changes of geo-surface topography in the Siwha embankment and the Ahsan city area by the image processing of Landsat Thematic Mapper data, and to estimate the reclaimed amount of the exposed tidal flat in the Siwha area using the GIS. False color composite, Tasseled cap, NVDI(normalized difference vegetation index), and supervised classification techniques were used to analyze the distribution of sediments and the aspect of topographical variations caused by artificial human actions. The total amount of the exposed tidal flat was estimated on the basis of the database snch as aerial photography, hydrographic chart, geological map, and scheme drawing in the Siwha area. The possible excavation regions for a seawall were predicted analyzing the supervised classification image of Landsat TM data. Tasseled cap images were used to observe the distribution of sediments. The difference of the NDVI images between spring and summer seasons indicates that deciduous and coniferous forests were distributed over the whole areas. The total fill-volume of the exposed Siwha tidal flat and the fill-volume of the construction planning seawall were calculated as $581,485,354\textrm{m}^3{\;}and{\;}3,387,360\textrm{m}^3$, respectively, from the digital terrain analysis. Daebu Island, Sunkam Island, and the part of Songsan-myeon were chosen as the cut area to make the seawall, and their cut-volumes were estimated as $5,229,576\textrm{m}^3,{\;}79,227,072\textrm{m}^3,{\;}and{\;}47,026,008\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. Therefore, the cut-volume of Daebu Island alone among three areas was sufficient to make the seawall.

• Journal of Engineering Education Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.3-16
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to prepare diverse measures to enhance the utilization of national authorized qualification. The detail objectives of this study are first, to re-establish the utilization scope and range of national authorized qualification through analysis of advance research and theory in various fields of learning on the function of qualification; and second, to set the direction to strengthen the utilization of national authorized qualification. Based on discussions on the various fields of learning on the function of qualification, this study divided the utilization scope of qualification into personal utilization for the benefit of the qualification acquirer him or herself and public utilization for the social and economic benefits. And according to this distinction, we prepared measures to strengthen the utilization of national authorized qualification. First of all, as a way to strengthen personal utilization of the national authorized qualification, we prepared measures to enhance accessibility and facilitate further improvement. As a means to enhance accessibility, we proposed restriction on setting the application condition, diversification of qualification authorization method, facilitation of partial qualification system and minimization of expense required to acquire qualification. Also for the further improvement, we proposed creation of job-level centered grade system and development of job-level centered qualification item by stage. For strengthening the public utilization of national authorized qualification, we come up with ways of strengthening flexibility, transparency, public trust and compatibility. As a way to strengthen flexibility, we proposed establishment of qualification demand monitoring system, expansion of direct participation of users on qualification management, establishment of qualification expiration period and its renewal. For the strengthening of transparency, we proposed to build general qualification information system and to utilize qualification recommendation system. To strengthen public trust, we proposed to strengthen the management of qualification management regulation, secure independency, establish internal audit system and strengthen post management of national authorized qualification. And lastly, we suggested that compatibility comparison standard between qualification and qualification level standard be developed for the strengthening of compatibility.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.349-353
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• 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the bactericidal efficacy of Fumagari OPP$^{(R)}$, fumigation disinfectant, containing 20% ortho-phenylphenol against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In this research, efficacy test of fumigant against S. aureus was carried out according to French standard NF T 72-281. S. aureus working culture suspension number (N value), all of the colony numbers on the carriers exposed with the fumigant (n1, n2, and n3), the number of bacterial test suspentions by pour plate method (N1), the number of bacterial test suspentions by filter membrane method (N2) and the mean number of bacteria recovered on the control-carriers (T value) were obtained from the preliminary test. In addition, the reduction number of S. aureus exposed with the fumigant (d value) was calculated using T value, the mean number of bacteria in recovery solution (n'1) and the mean number of bacteria on carriers plated in agar (n'2). N value was $4.0{\times}10^8$ CFU/mL, and n1, n2, and n3 were higher than 0.5N1, 0.5N2 and 0.5N1, respectively. Additionally, T value was $3.4{\times}10^6$ CFU/mL. In the bactericidal effect of the fumigant, the d value was 6.43 logCFU/mL. According to the French standard for the fumigant, the d value for the effective bactericidal fumigant should be over than 5 logCFU/mL. The results indicated that Fumagari OPP$^{(R)}$ had an effective bactericidal activity against S. aureus, then the fumigant can be applied to disinfect food materials and kitchen appliances contaminated with pathogenic bacteria.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.846-853
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• 2016

This study prioritizes Noxious Liquid Substances (NLS) transported by sea via a risk-based database containing 596 chemicals to prepare against NLS incidents. There were 158 chemicals transported in Korean waters during 2014 and 2015, which were prioritized, and then chemicals were grouped into four categories (with rankings of 0-3) based on measures for preparedness against incident. In order to establish an effective preparedness system against NLS spill incidents on a national scale, a compiling process for NLS chemicals ranked 2~3 should be carried out and managed together with an initiative for NLS chemicals ranked 0-1. Also, it is advisable to manage NLS chemicals ranked 0-1 after considering the characteristics of NLS specifically transported through a given port since the types and characteristics of NLS chemicals relevant differ depending on the port. In addition, three designated regions are suggested: 1) the southern sector of the East Sea (Ulsan and Busan); 2) the central sector of the South Sea (Gwangyang and Yeosu); and 3) the northern sector of the West Sea (Pyeongtaek, Daesan and Incheon). These regions should be considered special management sectors, with strengthened surveillance and the equipment, materials and chemicals used for pollution response management schemes prepared in advance at NLS spill incident response facilities. In the near future, the risk database should be supplemented with specific information on chronic toxicity and updated on a regular basis. Furthermore, scientific ecotoxicological data for marine organisms should be collated and expanded in a systematic way. A system allowing for the identification Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) should also be established, noting the relevant volumes transported in Korean waters as soon as possible to allow for better management of HNS spill incidents at sea.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.145-155
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• 1980

An engineering design of the machines and equipment for processing grain as well as an understanding of processing itself need the knowledge of thermal properties of grain. Thermal properties of grain are thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat. Knowledge of any two and the bulk density of grain enables the third to be calculated. Several workers have investigated these properties, with special emphasis on thermal conductivity and diffusivity. However, some information is available on the specific heat of rough rice and barley but it is available only for a foreign variety of grain and for as a function of moisture content only. The objectives of this study were to develop a model for the specific heat of rough rice and barley which were a staple products in Korea as a function of initial temperature, moisture content and porosity of grain with cooling curve method, and to analyze the effect of these factors on the specific heat of rough rice and barley. The results of this study are summarized as follows; 1. The specific heat was $1.8209-2.7041kJ/kg\;^{\circ}K$ for Naked barley, 1.8862-2.5625 k.l/kg K for Covered barley, $1.5167-2.3779kJ/kg\;^{\circ}K$ for Japonica rice and $1.5260-2.3981kJ/kg\;^{\circ}K$ for Indica rice. 2. The model for the specific heat of rough rice and barley as a function of initial temperature, moisture content and porosity of grain was developed. 3. Specific heat of rough rice was decreased with initial temperature, but specific heat of barley was increased with initial temperature. 4. On the whole specific heat of sample grain was increased with moisture content of grain. 5. Specific heat of the grain was found to decrease with porosity except Indica rice.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.1235-1247
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• 2013

This study is to evaluate the climate change impact on future storage behavior of Chungju dam($2,750{\times}10^6m^3$) and the regulation dam($30{\times}10^6m^3$) using SWAT(Soil Water Assessment Tool) model. Using 9 years data (2002~2010), the SWAT was calibrated and validated for streamflow at three locations with 0.73 average Nash-Sutcliffe model Efficiency (NSE) and for two reservoir water levels with 0.86 NSE respectively. For future evaluation, the HadCM3 of GCMs (General Circulation Models) data by scenarios of SRES (Special Report on Emission Scenarios) A2 and B1 of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) were adopted. The monthly temperature and precipitation data (2007~2099) were spatially corrected using 30 years (1977~2006, baseline period) of ground measured data through bias-correction, and temporally downscaled by Change Factor (CF) statistical method. For two periods; 2040s (2031~2050), 2080s (2071~2099), the future annual temperature were predicted to change $+0.9^{\circ}C$ in 2040s and $+4.0^{\circ}C$ in 2080s, and annual precipitation increased 9.6% in 2040s and 20.7% in 2080s respectively. The future watershed evapotranspiration increased up to 15.3% and the soil moisture decreased maximum 2.8% compared to baseline (2002~2010) condition. Under the future dam release condition of 9 years average (2002~2010) for each dam, the yearly dam inflow increased maximum 21.1% for most period except autumn. By the decrease of dam inflow in future autumn, the future dam storage could not recover to the full water level at the end of the year by the present dam release pattern. For the future flood and drought years, the temporal variation of dam storage became more unstable as it needs careful downward and upward management of dam storage respectively. Thus it is necessary to adjust the dam release pattern for climate change adaptation.