• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.89-113
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• 2023

This study aimed to identify heat wave vulnerable areas and discuss spatial typology and policy directions through spatial coincidence analysis of heat wave damage. By utilizing the climate change vulnerability assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Spatial Statistics Comparison Analysis, this study examined cities, counties, and districts in South Korea for five years (2015-2019), including 2018, when the heat wave was most extreme. It was determined that the number of heat wave days (exposure) was the most impactful among various factors for heat wave vulnerability. Sensitivity and adaptive capacity to heat waves were found to vary according to regional characteristics. The relationship between heat wave vulnerability and damage was categorized into four types through spatial coherence. Hot to Hot and Cold to Cold types have a positive relationship between vulnerability and damage, while Hot to Cold and Cold to Hot types have a negative relationship. The findings suggest that since different types of regions have distinct characteristics and conditions, policies and research for improvement should be directed to address each region separately. This study may be used as basic data for establishing heat-related policies in the future, as it categorizes regions by considering both heat vulnerability and damage and examines the direction of response by type.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.89-102
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• 2020

Chemical terrorism using toxic and flammable gases, which could be fatal to the health of the human body, poses a serious threat to the security of most advanced countries, as well as those that are suffering from local disputes, due to the asymmetric information that exists between terrorist actors and victims. The countermeasures against chemical terrorism can be roughly divided into three stages: prevention, response, and probation. The critical factors for each professional response agency, and the personnel that determine the degree and range of chemical terrorism damage, are performing missions successfully in the process of the prevention and the response stage against chemical terrorism. To do this, conducting objective and systematical assessments on facilities that could potentially be the subject of chemical terrorism is more important than anything. In this study, we compared the existing domestic and foreign vulnerable classification systems for chemical terrorism, reviewed the current direction of improvement in domestic classification systems, and suggested more scientific and systematic methodologies through the vulnerability assessment on an actual public facility sample.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 1997

LHR(Landfill Hazard Ranking Model) was developed for assessing the relative hazard of landfills by using the method of value-structured approach. LHR consists of combining a multiattribute decision-making method with a qualitative risk assessment approach. A pairwise comparision method was applied to determine weights of landfill factors related. To prove the validity of weights allocation of landfill hazard evaluation factors, sensitivity analysis was applied. Firstly, the impact on landfill hazard score according to variations of weights of landfill hazard factors was analyzed. Secondly, the impact on landfill hazard score according to conditions change of landfill hazard factors was analyzed. As a result of sensitivity analysis, LHR composite scores are largely influenced by some factors following sequential order such as waste volume, proximity to sensitive environments, containment facilities, distance from drinking water supplies, and waste toxicity. The relative order of landfill hazard evaluated by LHR is not influenced by the weights change of individual factors. Therefore, LHR seems to be a credible model to determine priorities of landfill remediation based on the vulnerability of water resources.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.117-133
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• 2023

This study assessed the ecological health of border areas using the ecological health index and suggested Indicators for maintaining and promoting ecological values. We analyzed the change trends, pressures, and resilience of ecosystems and services in border areas, and identified their current status and sustainability. The main findings were: (1) ecological assets and ecosystem services in border areas could be compared through ecosystem health assessment; (2) it can be used to set priorities for management and conservation by identifying the relative importance and vulnerability of ecosystems and ecosystem services in each border area; and (3) the index presented in this study can be judged to have explanatory power for the characteristics of border areas and ecosystem health when compared to previous studies. Limitations of this study include the lack of literature and statistical data at the local government level and the resulting limited application of evaluation methods, which limited direct regional comparisons. To overcome the research limitations, further studies are needed, such as establishing ecological information in border areas, mapping and assessment of ecosystem services, and developing and applying assessments that reflect the opinions and participation of various stakeholders. This study was the first attempt to assess the health of ecosystems and ecosystem services in border areas and provided an important baseline for future changes in border areas. In the future, it will be helpful in national and local government policies and ecological assetecosystem management by supplementing insufficient information and presenting clear goals.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.155-165
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• 2014

In this study, using a complex of physical, chemical, and biological evaluation factors, the ecological vulnerability to climate change were evaluated at each river in the Nakdong river basin. First, runoff, sediment rate, and low flow discharge changes according to AIB climate change scenario using the SWAT model were simulated. Also, for the assessment of chemical and biological factors, 48 points that water quality monitoring sites and ecological health measurement points are matched with each other was selected. The water quality data of BOD and T-P and the biological data of IBI and KSI in each point were reflected in the assessment. Also, the future rise in water temperature of the rivers in Nakdong river basin was predicted, and the impact of water temperature rise on the fish habitat was evaluated. The top 10 most vulnerable points was presented through a summary of each evaluation factor. This study has a contribution to river restoration or management plan according to the characteristics of each river.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.196-208
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• 2018

Purpose: To identify the characteristics and health-care needs of high-risk pregnant women in maternal-fetal intensive care units (MFICU). Methods: A mixed-methods design was adopted. Data were collected from 78 high-risk pregnant women admitted to the MFICU. Qualitative data included ten participants' experiences with hospitalization and childbirth, which were analyzed using mixed content analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using at-test and one-way ANOVA testing. Results: The average score for pregnancy and childbirth health-care needs was 3.54 points. Average score by area was before-admission health care (3.70), health care of baby (3.67), health of childbirth (3.61), postpartum health (3.51), and pregnancy health care during hospitalization (3.48). Qualitative results showed diverse feelings and experiences of high-risk pregnant women and their need for health care, which was expressed in three themes and 11 sub-themes. Conclusion: Nurses should recognize high-risk mothers' feelings and needs for pregnancy and childbirth-focused health care to help patients accept their vulnerability and cope positively.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.199-211
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• 2015

The safety and performance of bridges could be monitored and evaluated by Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems. These systems try to identify and locate the damages in a structure and estimate their severities. Current SHM systems are applied to a single bridge, and they have not been used to monitor the structural condition of a network of bridges. This paper propose a new method which will be used in Synthetic Rating Procedures (SRP) developed by the authors of this paper and utilizes SHM systems for monitoring and evaluating the condition of a network of bridges. Synthetic rating procedures are used to assess the condition of a network of bridges and identify their ratings. As an additional part of the SRP, the method proposed in this paper can continuously monitor the behaviour of a network of bridges and therefore it can assist to prevent the sudden collapses of bridges or the disruptions to their serviceability. The method could be an important part of a bridge management system (BMS) for managers and engineers who work on condition assessment of a network of bridges.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.3-4
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• 2017

Recent advances in genome sequencing technologies have enabled humans to generate and investigate the genomes of wild species. This includes the big cat family, such as tigers, lions, and leopards. Adding the first high quality leopard genome, we have performed an in-depth comparative analysis to identify the genomic signatures in the evolution of felid to become the top predators on land. Our study focused on how the carnivore genomes, as compared to the omnivore or herbivore genomes, shared evolutionary adaptations in genes associated with nutrient metabolism, muscle strength, agility, and other traits responsible for hunting and meat digestion. We found genetic evidence that genomes represent what animals eat through modifying genes. Highly conserved genetically relevant regions were discovered in genomes at the family level. Also, the Felidae family genomes exhibited low levels of genetic diversity associated with decreased population sizes, presumably because of their strict diet, suggesting their vulnerability and critical conservation status. Our findings can be used for human health enhancement, since we share the same genes as cats with some variation. This is an example how wildlife genomes can be a critical resource for human evolution, providing key genetic marker information for disease treatment.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.29-44
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• 2020

The effectiveness and the sensitivity of a Wireless impedance/Admittance Monitoring System (WiAMS) for the prompt damage diagnosis of two single-storey single-span Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames under cyclic loading is experimentally investigated. The geometrical and the reinforcement characteristics of the RC structural members of the frames represent typical old RC frame structure without consideration of seismic design criteria. The columns of the frames are vulnerable to shear failure under lateral load due to their low height-to-depth ratio and insufficient transverse reinforcement. The proposed Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system comprises of specially manufactured autonomous portable devices that acquire the in-situ voltage frequency responses of a network of twenty piezoelectric transducers mounted to the RC frames. Measurements of external and internal small-sized piezoelectric patches are utilized for damage localization and assessment at various and increased damage levels as the magnitude of the imposed lateral cycle deformations increases. A bare RC frame and a strengthened one using a pair of steel crossed tension-ties (X-bracing) have been tested in order to check the sensitivity of the developed WiAMS in different structural conditions since crack propagation, damage locations and failure mode of the examined frames vary. Indeed, the imposed loading caused brittle shear failure to the column of the bare frame and the formation of plastic hinges at the beam ends of the X-braced frame. Test results highlighted the ability of the proposed SHM to identify incipient damages due to concrete cracking and steel yielding since promising early indication of the forthcoming critical failures before any visible sign has been obtained.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.276-286
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• 2002

Purpose: The concept of embarrassment as an unpleasant emotion is important in caring for those who are in the continuum of illness and health requiring body care and facing sexual problems. In spite of its nursing implication, embarrassment has not been focused in nursing research. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develope a conceptual analysis of embarrassment. This analysis would help to understand comprehensively an embarrassing situation in which an intimate relationship between nurse and patient regarding body care of the patient could develope. Futhermore, it would be a basis for developing strategies for prevention of embarrassment which could lead for both patient and nurse to emotionally vulnerable situation because of their failure of self-presentation (impression management). Method: The concept analysis model suggested by Walker and Avant (1988) is used to clarify what is meant by the term 'embarrassment'. Result: This analysis defines the attributes of embarrassment such as follows. First, embarrassment is often attributed to situational factors interrupting a smooth interaction such as intimacy, confusion, vulnerability, exposure of interaction and characteristics of audience. Second, embarrassment is closely related with cognitive factor such as fear of losing face resulted from a behaviour being out of line. Third, embarrassment is closely associated with dispositional factor such as embarrassability. Fourth, embarrassment is an unpleasant and unwanted emotion arising reactively after an interaction had occurred. Fifth, embarrassment encloses physical, physiological and behavioral aspects such as a variety of unique and easily noticeable reactions and a pattern of verbal and non-verbal behaviour for coping in an embarrassing situation. The antecedents were normally socialized adolescents with normal cognitive ability, concern of losing face, embarrassability, embarrassing events related with situational intimacy, confusion, vulnerability, exposure of interaction and characteristics of audience, physical, behavioral blunders resulting in a failure of impression management. The consequences were an emotional coping behaviour, audience's embarrassment responses, and verbal and non-verbal coping strategies of interactional participants. Conclusion: It is hoped that this analysis will stimulate further exploration of this concept and study for developing systematic assessment and nursing practice that diminishes embarrassment of interactional participants.