• Environmental Sciences Bulletin of The Korean Environmental Sciences Society
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.127-137
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• 2000

This study presents an analysis of the characteristics of vertical ozone distribution near the surface using ozonesonde data(l995 to 1998), plus surface ozone and meteorological data from the Pohang region. These features were examined in detail using three case studies. The first related to episodes of high surface ozone concentrations during the Spring season when the frontogenesis between the high and low pressure associated with the upper-level jet stream was found to be located near the surface. The second was a 5-day winter period(l3 -17 December, 1997) in the Pohang province when the hourly concentrations exceeded 90 ppb on several occasions owing to low-level jets(LLJs) induced by a nocturnal stable layer. Accordingly, this explains why the high surface ozone concentrations occurred at night as the ozone was transported across the zone by a strong wind speed( over 12.5 ms .1). The third case study was ozone enhancement due to photochemical reactions. In this case, the maximum concentration of ozone exceeded 60 ppb in the summer(23 -28 August, 1997). When an ozone peak appeared within the boundary layer, the occurrence frequency of a low-level jet due to the nocturnal stable layer was about 77%, similarly the occurrence frequency of a near-surface ozone peak relative to the appearance of an LLJ was about 76%. Accordingly, there is clearly a close correlation between the occurrence of LLJs and near-surface ozone peaks.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.714-724
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• 2005

The East Sea, a semi-enclosed marginal sea with shallow straits in the northwest Pacific, is marked by the nearly geographic isolation and the low sea surface salinity during the last glacial maximum (LGM). The East Sea might have the only connection to the open ocean through the Korea Strait with a sill depth of 130 m, allowing the paleo-Tsushima Water to enter the sea during the LGM. The low paleosalinity associated with abnormally light $\delta^{18}O$ values of planktonic foraminifera is interpreted to have resulted from river discharge and precipitation. Nevertheless, two LGM features in the East Sea are disputable. This study attempts to estimate volume transport of the paleo-Tsushima Water via the Korea Strait and further examines its effect on the low sea surface salinity (SSS) during the lowest sea level of the LGM. The East Sea was not completely isolated, but partially linked to the northern East China Sea through the Korea Strait during the LGM. The volume transport of the paleo-Tsushima Water during the LGM is calculated approximately$(0.5\~2.1)\times10^{12}m^3/yr$ on the basis of the selected seismic reflection profiles along with bathymetry and current data. The annual influx of the paleo-Tsushima Water is low, compared to the 100 m-thick surface water volume $(about\;79.75\times10^{12}m^3)$ in the East Sea. The paleo-Tsushima Water influx might have changed the surface water properties within a geologically short time, potentially decreasing sea surface salinity. However, the effect of volume transport on the low sea surface salinity essentially depends on freshwater amounts within the paleo-Tsushima Water and excessive evaporation during the glacial lowstands of sea level. Even though the paleo-Tsushima Water is assumed to have been entirely freshwater at that time period, it would annually reduce only about 1‰ of salinity in the surface water of the East Sea. Thus, the paleo-Tsushima Water influx itself might not be large enough to significantly reduce the paleosalinity of about 100 m-thick surface layer during the LGM. This further suggests contribution of additional river discharges from nearby fluvial systems (e.g. the Amur River) to freshen the surface water.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4881-4883
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• 2015

A population-based relationship between low vitamin D status and increased cancer risk is now generally accepted. However there were only few studies reported on prognostic impact. To determine the effect of low vitamin D on progression of breast cancer, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of vitamin D levels and clinico-pathological characteristics in 200 cases of breast cancer diagnosed during 2011-2012 at the National Cancer Institute of Thailand. Vitamin D levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Clinical and pathological data were accessed to examine prognostic effects of vitamin D. We found that the mean vitamin D level was $23.0{\pm}6.61ng/ml$. High vitamin D levels (${\geq}32ng/ml$) were detected in 7% of patients, low levels (<32 ng/ml) in 93% Mean vitamin D levels for stages 1-4 were $26.1{\pm}6.35$, $22.3{\pm}6.34$, $22.2{\pm}6.46$ and $21.3{\pm}5.42ng/ml$ respectively (P=0.016) and 24.1 and 21.3 ng/ml for lymph node negative and positive cases (P=0.006). Low vitamin D level (<32 ng/ml) was significantly found in majority of cases with advanced stage of the disease (P=0.036), positive node involvement (P=0.030) and large tumors (P=0.038). Our findings suggest that low and decreased level of vitamin D might correlate with progression and metastasis of breast cancer.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.523-531
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• 2013

Most patients with chronic low back pain experience functional disability of trunk muscle, and limitations in physical activity. While there are many types of exercise programs available, in recent years sling exercise has been emerging as the exercise program for spinal stabilization. It has been supported by a great amount of research with positive findings on its effectiveness. This research studies the effects of bridging exercise, conducted on a sling, on pain level and trunk muscle activation in supine, sidelying, and prone positions during a 4 weeks period. 10 healthy people(normal group, n=10) and 28 patients with low back pain participated in this study. 28 patients were divided into two groups; one group participated in exercise with the sling(experimental group, n=14) and the other group exercised without the sling(control group, n=14). They were asked to use the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) to answer to the level of their pain they felt (no pain: 0 point, severe pain: 10 points). During sling bridging exercises, the muscle activity level in each muscle measured in each position was standardized as three seconds of EMG signals during five seconds MVIC. In conclusion, the experimental group with four weeks of sling bridging exercise experienced a statistically significant reduction in the pain level(p<.05) and increase in the muscle activities of erector spinae when in supine position, internal oblique when in sidelying position, and rectus abdominis in prone position(p<.05). Regular sling bridging exercise reduces the low back pain and enhances other trunk muscle activation, thereby positively affect spinal stabilization.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.50.1-50.19
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• 2022

Autoreactive B cells are not entirely deleted, but some remain as immunocompetent or anergic B cells. Although the persistence of autoreactive B cells as anergic cells has been shown in transgenic mouse models with the expression of B cell receptor (BCR) reactive to engineered self-antigen, the characterization of naturally occurring anergic B cells is important to identify them and understand their contribution to immune regulation or autoimmune diseases. We report here that a low-level expression of CD138 in the splenic B cells marks naturally arising anergic B cells, not plasma cells. The CD138^int B cells consisted of IgM^lowIgD^high follicular (FO) B cells and transitional 3 B cells in homeostatic conditions. The CD138^int FO B cells showed an anergic gene expression profile shared with that of monoclonal anergic B cells expressing engineered BCRs and the gene expression profile was different from those of plasma cells, age-associated B cells, or germinal center B cells. The anergic state of the CD138^int FO B cells was confirmed by attenuated Ca²⁺ response and failure to upregulate CD69 upon BCR engagement with anti-IgM, anti-IgD, anti-Igκ, or anti-IgG. The BCR repertoire of the CD138^int FO B cells was distinct from that of the CD138^- FO B cells and included some class-switched B cells with low-level somatic mutations. These findings demonstrate the presence of polyclonal anergic B cells in the normal mice that are characterized by low-level expression of CD138, IgM downregulation, reduced Ca²⁺ and CD69 responses upon BCR engagement, and distinct BCR repertoire.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.509-518
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• 2023

The Kori Unit 1 nuclear power plant, which is planned to be dismantled after permanent shutdown, is expected to generate a large amount of various types of radioactive waste during the dismantling process. For the disposal of Very-low-level waste, which is expected to account for the largest amount of generation, the Korea Radioactive waste Agency (KORAD) is in the process of detailed design to build a 3-phase landfill disposal facility in Gyeongju. In addition, a large container is being developed to efficiently dispose of metal and concrete waste, which are mainly generated as Very low-level waste of decommissioning. In this study, based on the design characteristics of the 3-phase landfill disposal facility and the large container under development, radiation exposure dose evaluation was performed considering the normal and accident scenarios of radiation workers during operation. The direct exposure dose evaluation of workers during normal operation was performed using the MCNP computer program, and the internal and external exposure dose evaluation due to damage to the decommissioning waste package during a drop accident was performed based on the evaluation method of ICRP. For the assumed scenario, the exposure dose of worker was calculated to determine whether the exposure dose standards in the domestic nuclear safety act were satisfied. As a result of the evaluation, it was confirmed that the result was quite low, and the result that satisfied the standard limit was confirmed, and the radiational disposal suitability for the 3-phase landfill disposal facility of the large container for dismantled radioactive waste, which is currently under development, was confirmed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.399-405
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• 2018

The platelet count in clinical laboratories is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of hemostasis abnormalities, and accurate platelet counting in the low count range is of prime importance for deciding if a platelet transfusion is needed and for monitoring after chemotherapy. Quality control is designed to reduce and correct any deficiencies in the internal analytical process of a clinical laboratory prior to the release of patient results. Fragmented erythrocytes are the major confusing factors for platelet counting because of their similar size to platelets. The authors found that the low range QC values were out of 2SD with a Sysmex automatic analyzer in internal quality control process. Thus far, there has been little discussion on the relationship between hemolysis and the platelet parameters. Therefore, this study focused on the performance of automated platelet counts, including the PLT-F, the PLT-I, and PLT-O methods at the low platelet range using the low level QC materials and compared the 5 platelet parameters with the hemolyzed samples. The results showed that the CV was the smallest with PLT-F and P-LCR increased from 18.4 to 31.9% in the hemolysis samples. These results indicate that a more accurate estimation of the platelet counts can be achieved using the PLT-F method than the PLT-I method at the low platelet range. The use of the PLT-F system improves the confidence of results in low platelets samples in a routine hematology laboratory. The results suggest that P-LCR is a new parameter in assessing samples when the specimen is suspected of hemolysis and deterioration. Nevertheless, further studies will be needed to establish the relationship with P-LCR and hemolysis using human blood specimens.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.60-66
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• 2014

Most tidal current turbine designs are focused on medium and large scale for deep sea, less attention is paid in low water level channel, such as the region around the islands and costal sea. This study is to develop a horizontal axis tidal current turbine rotor blade which is applicable to low water level island region in southwest coastal region of Korea. In this study, the hydrofoil NACA63-415 and NACA63-817 are both adopted to analyze. The blade using NACA63-817 showed the higher maximum power coefficient and good performance at small TSR (Tip Speed Ratio), which gives the blade more advantages in operating at lower water level channel, where is characterized by the fast-flowing water. The cavitation pattern of hydrofoil is predicted by the CFD analysis and verified that the NACA63-817 is the appropriate hydrofoil in the test site of tidal current resource and the hydrofoil showed considerable performance in avoiding cavitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of physical activity on smoking experience and smoking intensity in Korean high school students. Methods: This cross sectional study used secondary data from the 2013 Adolescent Health Behavior Online Survey. A total of 35,905 high school students were included in the study. Logistic regression was used for analysis of the influence of moderate and vigorous physical activity on smoking experience in a month and smoking intensity. Results: Adolescents with low (Adjusted OR: 1.242, 95% CI: 1.075~1.436) and moderate level (Adjusted OR: 1.094, 95% CI: 1.005~1.189) of moderate physical activity had more smoking experience than reference group, high level of physical activity. Also, smoking experience was more prevalent adolescents with low (Adjusted OR: 1.191, 95% CI: 1.064~1.333) and moderate level (Adjusted OR: 1.134, 95% CI: 1.039~1.237) of vigorous physical activity. Heavy smoking was more prevalent among adolescents who had low level of vigorous physical activity (Adjusted OR: 1.912, 95% CI: 1.347~2.712). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, physical activity has significant influence on smoking experience and smoking intensity. Therefore, physical activity should be included smoking cessation and smoking prevention program for High School Students.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.17-27
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• 1999

This study was performed to investigate the dietary habits, nutrient intake, and health status and to explore the relationship between dietary habits and health status in the middle-aged men and women. The subjects consisted of 220 men and 220 women aged 40-59 years old. Dietary habits and nutrient intake were assessed by self-administered questionnaire and 24 hours dietary recall method by personal interview. Percent of body fat, serum cholesterol, and serum triglyceride level were measured. The middle aged adults who had breakfast and meals irregularly were more than 60% of the study subjects. The middle aged men had meals habits significantly more irregularly than the middle aged women. The middle aged men had high fat meat intake more frequently than the middle aged women. The middle aged men had significantly high energy and protein intake more than the middle aged women but the middle aged women had significantly high carbohydrate intake more than the middle aged men and tended to consume milk higher than the middle aged men. The middle aged adults who had high body fat tended to overeat food, to have high fat meat and processed food intake more frequently than those who had low body fat. The middle aged adults who had high serum cholesterol and triglyceride level tended to overeat food and to have processed food intake more frequently than those who had low serum cholesterol and triglyceride level. The middle aged adults who had regular meals habits. tended to have low serum triglyceride level than those who had irregular meals habits.