• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.482-489
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• 2021

Background: Asthma is an incurable hyper-responsive disease of the pulmonary system that is caused by various allergens, including indoor and outdoor stimulators. According to the Global Asthma Network, 339 million people suffered from asthma in 2018, with particularly severe forms in children. Numerous treatments for asthma are available; however, they are frequently associated with adverse effects such as growth retardation, neurological disorders (e.g., catatonia, poor concentration, and insomnia), and physiological disorders (e.g., immunosuppression, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and osteoporosis). Methods: Korean Red Ginseng has long been used to treat numerous diseases in many countries, and we investigated the anti-asthmatic effects and mechanisms of action of Korean Red Ginseng. Eighty-four BALB/c mice were assigned to 6 treatment groups: control, ovalbumin-induced asthma group, dexamethasone treatment group, and 3 groups treated with Korean Red Ginseng water extract (KRGWE) at 5, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Anti-asthmatic effects of KRGWE were assessed based on biological changes, such as white blood cell counts and differential counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum IgE levels, and histopathological changes in the lungs, and by examining anti-asthmatic mechanisms, such as the cytokines associated with Th1, Th2, and Treg cells and inflammation pathways. Results: KRGWE affected ovalbumin-induced changes, such as increased white blood cell counts, increased IgE levels, and morphological changes (mucous hypersecretion, epithelial cell hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration) by downregulating cytokines such as IL-12, IL-4, and IL-6 via GATA-3 inactivation and suppression of inflammation via NF-κB/COX-2 and PGE₂ pathways. Conclusion: KRGWE is a promising drug for asthma treatment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.2 s.57
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• pp.356-368
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• 1997

In effort to determine whether aircraft noise can have health effects such as hearing loss, hypertension and psychological stress, a total of 111 male professors and administrative officers working a college near a military airport in Korea(exposed group) and a total of 168 males and 112 females matched by age groups(control groups) were analyzed. Personal noise exposure and indoor and outdoor sound level of jet aircraft noise were measured at the exposed are3. And pure tone, air conduction test and measurement of blood pressure were given to the exposed(males) and matched control groups (males and females). BEPSI(Brief Encounter Psychological Instrument) and psychological response to aircraft noise were examined for the exposed group. The noise dosimetry results revealed time-weighted averages(TWAs) that ranged from 61 to 68 dBA. However the levels encountered during taking off jet airplanes reached 126 dBA for two half minutes time period. Th, audiometric, test showed that mean values of HTL(hearing threshold level) in exposed group at every frequency(500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 Hz were much lower than them of male and female control groups. And in old age groups, interaction of age and noise was observed at 8,000 Hz in both ears(p<0.05). Conclusively, aircraft noise does not appear to induce hearing loss directly in high frequency, but may decreased hearing threshold level by interaction of aging process and noise exposure. However, difference of mean values of exposed and control groups on blood pressure was not significantly. In psychological test, annoyance was the most severe psychological response to noise in exposed group, but mean value of BEPSI was not correlated with job duration in exposed group.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2009

The stone Buddha and Shrine of Unjusa temple (Korean Treasure No. 797) at Hwasun formed in Koryo Dynasty is unique style which faces each other the back parts of south and north within the stone Shrine. The stone Buddha and Shrine is highly evaluated in historical, artistic and academic respects. But, the stone properties have been exposed in the open system various aspects of degradations weathered for a long time without specific protective facilities. To inquire into relative deterioration and environmental factor, air temperature and relative humidity of the stone Buddha and Shrine were monitored for a year of the indoor and outdoor, respectively. As a result, the temperature shows increase and decrease according to the seasons in the tendency to clear. While the relative humidity is high to keep all four seasons. Highly relative humidity environment induces dew condensation on the interior of stone Buddha and Shrine. The dew condensation is recorded at the spring, summer and winter season. The summer season is double the total of spring and winter season. In the case of summer, dew condensation is long time continued due to high temperature and relative humidity that is kept by more than nearly 100%. There is progress towards chemical weathering throughout dissolve rock properties and alteration on the rock surface. In the case of winter, dew condensation is not kept for a long time as summer. In the winter, which showing a below zero may add physical weathering throughout moisture that happen by dew condensation to repeat freezing and thawing. Therefore, the reduction plan of the relative humidity effect on dew condensation should be prepared.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.115-127
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of change in the composition of indoor spaces in Korean-style houses which have been repaired and improved extensively through the 'Bukchon Improvement Project' and are being utilized for public purposes. For this, we conducted a field survey through visiting the house sites from the 5th to the 26th of May, 2006. Conclusions drawn from this study are as follows. Bukchon Korean-style houses maintain centripetal space composition, in which the rooms surround the court. Centering on the court, the hierarchy of spaces is determined, and the hierarchy of spaces and the composition of internal layout are restructured centering on the court and the main hall without change in direction and position. The main hall is sometimes converted to a room, but it maintains an open space relation with other spaces centering on the court, and therefore, even after its use has been changed, it is still the most Korean-style space. In addition, with floor heating, the common sitting-style life is maintained continuously although the rooms have been converted and standing-style furniture is used. In this way, publicly promoted policies for Korean-style houses are allowed within the limit that the appearance is maintained and the internal spaces do not change the overall structure. However, in order to maintain the tradition of Korean-style houses and utilize them as various spaces, the following supplementations are necessary. First, the main hall and the inner court of a Koreanstyle house should be utilized actively. The court sometimes keeps individuals' privacy or expands the space by extending the view to outdoor spaces, and is sometimes used as an open space through interconnection between the inside and the outside of the house. Second, consideration should be given to vertical spaces. Horizontal expansion causes a change of floor plan. Thus, space should be secured using various cross-sectional changes, such as a kitchen and a loft over the kitchen. Third, structure should be changeable in order to adjust the size of spaces. Thus, through research on traditional windows, we need to develop changeable walls that can be installed and removed easily according to the use of spaces.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.26-34
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• 2008

The information of traversability and path planning is essential for UGV(Unmanned Ground Vehicle) navigation. Such information can be obtained by analyzing 3D terrain. In this paper, we present the method of 3D terrain modeling with color information from a camera, precise distance information from a 2D Laser Range Finder(LRF) and wheel encoder information from mobile robot with less data. And also we present the method of 3B terrain modeling with the information from GPS/IMU and 2D LRF with less data. To fuse the color information from camera and distance information from 2D LRF, we obtain extrinsic parameters between a camera and LRF using planar pattern. We set up such a fused system on a mobile robot and make an experiment on indoor environment. And we make an experiment on outdoor environment to reconstruction 3D terrain with 2D LRF and GPS/IMU(Inertial Measurement Unit). The obtained 3D terrain model is based on points and requires large amount of data. To reduce the amount of data, we use cubic grid-based model instead of point-based model.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.279-293
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• 2014

Objectives: Children are more susceptible to heavy metal toxicity than adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate heavy metal concentrations in the blood of Korean preschoolers and investigate the association between metals in blood and related factors. Methods: A total of 512 subjects from 36 to 83 months of age were sampled. A questionnaire survey was performed and the levels of lead, mercury and cadmium were measured in the blood samples of all subjects. Their parents were interviewed in order to obtain information on basic characteristics, dietary patterns, socio-economic factors, and indoor/outdoor environment of the preschoolers. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between the above factors and lead, mercury or cadmium concentrations. Results: The geometric mean concentrations of lead, mercury and cadmium in the blood were $1.45{\pm}1.58{\mu}g/dL$, $2.14{\pm}1.74{\mu}g/dL$ and $0.23{\pm}1.91{\mu}g/dL$, respectively. Results from multiple linear regression analysis showed that blood lead levels were associated with birth weight and paternal smoking status. Daily mercury intake from food and maternal education were also shown to influence mercury concentrations in blood. Also, blood cadmium concentrations were associated with maternal age and having a bus garage near the place of residence. Conclusion: This study suggests that smoking status, dietary patterns and the environmental status near the residence should be considered as important factors for preventable sources of heavy metal exposure in preschoolers.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.249-258
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• 2015

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the correlations between the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and cytokines among elementary school children in an industrial city, Ulsan, South Korea, and to identify major environmental risk factors associated with AR prevalence. Methods: We conducted a case-control study in June 2009 and February 2010 in order to evaluate the relationship between AR and related cytokines. Data on physician-treated prevalence over the past 12 months and potential risk factors for AR were compiled through a questionnaire from a survey of 339 schoolchildren living in different urban environments. Logistic regression analysis was carried out with propensity score matched data (n=180) to assess the influences of cytokines (IL-13, IL-33, IL-4 and IL-5) on AR prevalence and to determine which environmental factors affected AR. Results: In univariate analysis, the AR prevalence was influenced by family history of AR (mother and siblings), environmental factors (odor condition and irritated symptoms of air pollution), and indoor allergens (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus). The t-test demonstrated that eosinophils, Immunoglobulin E (IgE), and interleukins (IL-13 and IL-5) were statistically significantly different according to treatment of allergic rhinitis over the preceeding 12 months. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a statistically significant association between several factors (such as irritated symptoms of air pollution (OR 4.075, CI 1.735-9.568), IL-13 (OR 0.825, CI 0.734-0.928), odor condition (OR 2.409, CI 0.908-6.389), and AR history of siblings (OR 2.217, CI 0.999-4.921)) and the prevalence of AR was found after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: These results suggest that AR prevalence is significantly associated with cytokine level, genetic background, and outdoor environmental factors. Although living in a polluted area and genetic background can contribute to an increased risk of childhood AR, cytokine level should be considered as an important factor in the treatment of AR in the last 12 months.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.33
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• pp.210-255
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• 2000

This study aims to classify the framework and arrangement of interior columns (Naeju) which are used in single-story Buddhist halls into several types, and to develop a theory on the process of changes among those types. Since interior columns are building materials which hold up the roof structure and make partitions in the interior space of halls, their framework and arrangement is closely linked to the development of building technology and is expected to reflect new architectural needs. The kinds of interior columns classified by the shape of framework are goju, chaduju, oepyonju, naepyonju. The arrangement of interior columns can he classified by two methods: One which counts the number of the interior column arrangements in a hall, and the other whose classification relates with the side wall columns - Jeongchibup and yijubup. With the combination of these classifications, we can divide the framework and arrangement of interior columns into 8 types From the remains of Korean and Chinese Architecture, we can presume that before the late-Goryo period, jeongchibup had always been applied in the construction of Buddhist halls, and gamju(column reducing) had only been used in examples of small scale. After the founding of Choseon Kingdom, however, national policy had weakened the economic power of Buddhist temples. Because of that, large-scale outdoor Buddhist mass was replaced by small-scale indoor mass, and for this reason, though the scale of Buddhist halls became smaller, the need for a broad interior space became stronger. Thus in early-Choseon period, reduction of interior columns became widely spread. Those types of framework and arrangement of interior columns where yijubup was applied were developed because the rear interior columns arrangements, in order to expand the interior space, have moved backward. Among these types, yiju-goju and yiju-chaduju were developed for the Buddhist halls with paljak roof(hipped-gabled roof), where the load of their side eaves caused structural problems at the side walls. And oepyonju type was for the small-scale and middle-scale Buddhist halls which needed more interior space but didn't want the extension of roof structure. From the local and periodic distribution of each types, we can conclude that the types jeongchi-goju, jeongchi-chaduju and yiju-chaduju have been settled as typical technique of local carpenters. Oepyonju was developed later than the other types, but for its merit of low cost, it became a popular type across the nation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.12
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• pp.501-506
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• 2011

Purpose: A high level of air pollutants can increase the number of patients with allergy-related diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). To analyze the association between air pollution and allergic disease, we investigated 2 areas in Korea: Incheon, an industrial area, and Jeju, a non-industrialized area. Methods: Second grade students at elementary schools (11 schools in Incheon and 45 schools in Jeju) were examined in a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used and a skin prick test was performed. The levels of $NO_2$, $CO_2$, $O_3$, particulate matter (PM) $PM_{10/2.5}$, formaldehyde, tVOCs, and dust mites in the classrooms and grounds were determined. Results: The levels of outdoor CO, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The levels of indoor CO, $CO_2$, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rates of AR symptoms at any time, AR symptoms during the last 12 months, diagnosis of rhinitis at any time, and AR treatment during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rate of wheezing or whistling at any time, and wheezing during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). Conclusion: We found that the children living in Incheon, which was more polluted than Jeju, had a higher rate of AR and asthma symptoms compared to children in Jeju. To determine the effect of air pollution on the development of the AR and asthma, further studies are needed.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.51-59
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• 2022

In this work, virion concentration and its dose changes by HVAC and air cleaners were estimated in a subway station platform to control airborne infection of SARS-CoV-2. Collection efficiencies with particle size were measured for the air filter equipped in a HVAC in one subway station in Daejeon. Indoor PM_2.5 changes according to outdoor PM_2.5 with time were also measured to estimate air infiltration rate in the subway station platform. When infected persons generate virions by 10⁴, 10⁵, 10⁶, 3 × 10⁶ and 5 × 10⁶ h^-1 in a 2,400 m³ volume platform, the concentration and dose were estimated as 9, 92, 275 and 458 virions/m³ and 4, 43, 130 and 217 virions after 1 hour exposure, respectively. The concentration and dose were reduced by 70%, and 64%, respectively by operations of both HVAC (with a flow rate of 16,000 m³/h, MERV 11) and ten air cleaners(with total CADR 10,740 m³/h) compared to those without operation of both HVAC and air cleaners. However, virion dose in the platform was estimated to be too low at the general conditions due to a large space, a high air infiltration (3 h^-1) and a short residence time (usually < 10 mins) in the platform irrespective of the operations of HVAC or air cleaners. HVAC with filters and air cleaners would be more necessary in the concourse or shopping areas in the subway stations to reduce the infection dose from a few hundred to several tens virions in a hour.