• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.173-177
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• 2020

Background: Indoor air dampness microbiota (DM) is a big health hazard. Sufficient evidence exists that exposure to DM causes new asthma or exacerbation, dyspnea, infections of upper airways and allergic alveolitis. Less convincing evidence has yet been published for extrapulmonary manifestations of dampness and mold hypersensitivity syndrome). Methods: We investigated the prevalence of extrapulmonary in addition to respiratory symptoms with a questionnaire in a cohort of nurses and midwives (n = 90) exposed to DM in a Helsinki Obstetric Hospital. The corresponding prevalence was compared with an unexposed cohort (n = 45). Particular interest was put on neurological symptoms and multiple chemical sensitivity. Results: The results show that respiratory symptoms were more common among participants of the study vs. control cohort, that is, 80 vs 29%, respectively (risk ratio [RR]: 2.56, p < 0.001). Symptoms of the central or peripheral nervous system were also more common in study vs. control cohort: 81 vs 11% (RR: 6.63, p < 0.001). Fatigue was reported in 77 vs. 24%, (RR: 3.05, p < 0.001) and multiple chemical sensitivity in 40 vs. 9%, (RR: 3.44, p = 0.01), the so-called "brain fog", was prevalent in 62 vs 11% (RR: 4.94, p < 0.001), arrhythmias were reported in 57 vs. 2.4% (RR: 19.75, p < 0.001) and musculoskeletal pain in 51 vs 22% (RR: 2.02, p = 0.02) among participants of the study vs. control cohort, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that the exposure to DM is associated with a plethora of extrapulmonary symptoms. Presented data corroborate our recent reports on the health effects of moist and mold exposure in a workplace.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Combustion
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.23-31
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• 2002

Processes in an iron ore sintering bed can characterized as a relatively uniform progress of fuel, cokes combustion and complicated physical change of solid particles. The sintering bed was modelled as an unsteady one-dimensional progress of the fuel layer, containing two phases: solid and gas. Coke added to the raw mix, of which the amount is about 3.5% of the total weight, was assumed to form a single particle with other components. Numerical simulations of the condition in the iron ore sintering bed were performed for various parameters: moisture contents, cokes contents and air suction rates, along with the various particle diameters of the solid for sensitivity analysis. Calculation results showed that the influence of these parameters on the bed condition should be carefully evaluated, in order to achieve self-sustaining combustion without high temperature section. The model should be extended to consider the bed structural change and multiple solid phase, which could treat the inerts and fuel particles separately.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.847-864
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• 2015

In this paper, a reaction-diffusion model of carbonation process in self-compacting concrete (SCC) was realized with a consideration of multi-field couplings. Various effects from environmental conditions, e.g. ambient temperature, relative humidity, carbonation reaction, were incorporated into a numerical simulation proposed by ANSYS. In addition, the carbonation process of SCC was experimentally investigated and compared with a conventionally vibrated concrete (CVC). It is found that SCC has a higher carbonation resistance than CVC with a comparable compressive strength. The numerical solution analysis agrees well with the test results, indicating that the proposed model is appropriate to calculate and predict the carbonation process in SCC. The parameters sensitivity analysis also shows that the carbon dioxide diffusion coefficient and moisture field are essentially crucial to the carbonation process in SCC.

• 한국연소학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.06a
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• pp.171-178
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• 2002

Numerical simulations of the condition in the iron ore sintering bed are performed for various parameters. The sintering bed is modelled as an unsteady one-dimensional progress of solid material, containing cokes and iron ore. Bed temperature, solid mass and gas species distributions are predicted for various parameters of moisture contents, cokes contents and air suction rates, along with the various particle diameters of the solid for sensitivity analysis. Calculation results show that influences of these parameters on the bed condition should be carefully evaluated for achievement of the self-sustaining combustion without the high temperature section, which can cause the excessive melting in the bed. It suggests that the model should be extended to consider the bed structural change and multiple solid phase, which can treat the inerts and fuel particles separately.

• Environmental Sciences Bulletin of The Korean Environmental Sciences Society
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• v.10 no.S_1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2001

A numerical simulation was carried out to investigate the mechanism of snowfall around the Seoul region during a cold air-outbreak in the winter season. A particular case was selected for this study(Dec. 19, 1999). The inflow directions of the synoptic flow in the upper and lower levels were westerly and north-westerly, respectively. Plus, there was a deep trough and thermal ridge at a level of 500/700/850 hPa over the Bal-Hae region, in the northern part of the Korean peninsula. According to the model results, snowfall occurred around the Seoul region with the simultaneous existence of a strong static instability in the lower atmosphere, northerly or westerly dry air advection, and strong thermal advection toward the Seoul region. There was a strong convergence thereby indicating the existence of convective rolls in the clouds. The main energy source of convection over the Yellow sea was a sensible heat flux. The main moisture source was convection. Radiative cooling in the cloud layer intensified the static instability in the lower atmosphere.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.33-40
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• 1996

$(Ba_{0.5}\;Ca_{0.5})TiO_{3}$ humidity-sensitive devices were fabricated by a solid reaction method, and their electrical properties were investigated. The specimens exhibited good humidity sensitivity, in which the impedance changes linearly. It is shown that electrical conduction with moisture adsorption is dominated by the ions through characteristics of charging and discharing current, and electrical conductivity increases as rasing the temperature and relative humidity. It is realized that relative permittivity increases and activation energy decreases with increasing relative humidity.

• Atmosphere
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.187-204
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• 2013

This study analyzed the synoptic distribution and vertical structure about four cases of precipitation occurrences using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and upper level data of winter intensive observation to be performed by National Institute of Meteorological Research at Bukgangneung, Incheon, Boseong during 63days from 4 JAN to 6 MAR in 2012, and Observing System Experiment (OSE) using 3DVAR-WRF system was conducted to examine the precipitation predictability of upper level data at western and southern coastal regions. The synoptic characteristics of selected precipitation occurrences were investigated as causes for 1) rainfall events with effect of moisture convergence owing to low pressure passing through south sea on 19 JAN, 2) snowfall events due to moisture inflowing from yellow sea with propagation of Siberian high pressure after low pressure passage over middle northern region on 31 JAN, 3) rainfall event with effect of weak pressure trough in west low and east high pressure system on 25 FEB, 4) rainfall event due to moisture inflow according to low pressures over Bohai bay and south eastern sea on 5 MAR. However, it is identified that vertical structure of atmosphere had different characteristics with heavy rainfall system in summer. Firstly, depth of convection was narrow due to absence of moisture convergence and strong ascending air current in middle layer. Secondly, warm air advection by veering wind with height only existed in low layer. Thirdly, unstable layer was limited in the narrow depth due to low surface temperature although it formed, and also values of instability indices were not high. Fourthly, total water vapor amounts containing into atmosphere was small due to low temperature distribution so that precipitable water vapor could be little amounts. As result of OSE conducting with upper level data of Incheon and Boseong station, 12 hours accumulated precipitation distributions of control experiment and experiments with additional upper level data were similar with ones of observation data at 610 stations. Although Equitable Threat Scores (ETS) were different according to cases and thresholds, it was verified positive influence of upper level data for precipitation predictability as resulting with high improvement rates of 33.3% in experiment with upper level data of Incheon (INC_EXP), 85.7% in experiment with upper level data of Boseong (BOS_EXP), and 142.9% in experiment with upper level data of both Incheon and Boseong (INC_BOS_EXP) about accumulated precipitation more than 5 mm / 12 hours on 31 January 2012.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1032-1032
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• 2001

Artificial Neural Network (ANN) calibration techniques have been used commercially for agricultural applications since the mid-nineties. Global models, based on transmission data from 850 to 1050 nm, are used routinely to measure protein and moisture in wheat and barley and also moisture in triticale, rye, and oats. These models are currently used commercially in approx. 15 countries throughout the world. Results concerning earlier European ANN models are being published elsewhere. Some of the findings from that study will be discussed here. ANN models have also been developed for coarsely ground samples of compound feed and feed ingredients, again measured in transmission mode from 850 to 1050 nm. The performance of models for pig- and poultry feed will be discussed briefly. These models were developed from a very large data set (more than 20,000 records), and cover a very broad range of finished products. The prediction curves are linear over the entire range for protein, fat moisture, fibre, and starch (measured only on poultry feed), and accuracy is in line with the performance of smaller models based on Partial Least Squares (PLS). A simple bias adjustment is sufficient for calibration transfer across instruments. Recently, we have investigated the possible use of ANN for a different type of NIR spectrometer, based on reflectance data from 1100 to 2500 nm. In one study, based on data for protein, fat, and moisture measured on unground compound feed samples, dedicated ANN models for specific product classes (cattle feed, pig feed, broiler feed, and layers feed) gave moderately better Standard Errors of Prediction (SEP) compared to modified PLS (MPLS). However, if the four product classes were combined into one general calibration model, the performance of the ANN model deteriorated only slightly compared to the class-specific models, while the SEP values for the MPLS predictions doubled. Brix value in molasses is a measure of sugar content. Even with a huge dataset, PLS models were not sufficiently accurate for commercial use. In contrast an ANN model based on the same data improved the accuracy considerably and straightened out non-linearity in the prediction plot. The work of Mr. David Funk (GIPSA, U. S. Department of Agriculture) who has studied the influence of various types of spectral distortions on ANN- and PLS models, thereby providing comparative information on the robustness of these models towards instrument differences, will be discussed. This study was based on data from different classes of North American wheat measured in transmission from 850 to 1050 nm. The distortions studied included the effect of absorbance offset pathlength variation, presence of stray light bandwidth, and wavelength stretch and offset (either individually or combined). It was shown that a global ANN model was much less sensitive to most perturbations than class-specific GIPSA PLS calibrations. It is concluded that ANN models based on large data sets offer substantial advantages over PLS models with respect to accuracy, range of materials that can be handled by a single calibration, stability, transferability, and sensitivity to perturbations.

• Composites Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.39-43
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• 2020

Recently, fabrication process of thermoplastic polyamide-based composites with recyclability as well as impact, chemical, and abrasion resistance have been widely studied. In particular, thermoplastic reactive resin transfer molding (TRTM) in which monomer with low viscosity is injected and in-situ polymerized inside mold has received a great attention, because thermoplastic melts are hard to impregnate fiber preform due to their very high viscosity. However, it is difficult to optimize the processing conditions because of high reactivity and sensitivity to external environments of the used monomer, ε-caprolactam. In this study, viscosity as an important process parameter in TRTM was measured during in-situ anionic polymerization of ε-caprolactam and the solutions for problems caused by high polymerization rate and sensitivity to moisture and oxygen were suggested. Reliability of the improved measurement technique was verified by comparing the viscosity behavior at various environmental conditions including humidity and atmosphere, and it is expected to be helpful for optimization of TRTM process.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2017

PURPOSES: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of anti-stripping on asphalt mixtures constituting anti-stripping agents. METHODS : Based on the literature review, asphalt mixture added with anti-stripping agents was prepared, and these asphalt mixtures were evaluated for anti-stripping properties for each anti-stripping agent through various lab tests, namely, tensile strength ratio (TSR), dynamic immersion test, uniaxial compression test, and indirect tensile strength test (IDT). The liquid anti-stripping agents used in the lab test were premixed with each asphalt binder (PG 64-22, PG 76-22) before being mixed with the aggregate. RESULTS :The result of the TSR test revealed that the effect of anti-stripping was highest when hydrated lime and liquid anti-stripping agent W were added. The correlation coefficient $R^2$ between the TSR result and cohesion ratio is 0.99, which indicates that the sensitivity of the TSR to moisture damage is reliable from the mechanical point of view. The covering ratio of the asphalt binder to the liquid anti-stripping agent W was determined to be higher than that to the other liquid anti-stripping agents. CONCLUSIONS :It is considered that the improved moisture resistance of asphalt mixture as a result of the use of anti-stripping agents can reduce the incidence of various pavement damages such as portholes caused by stripping, and the performance life of the asphalt road pavement can be prolonged.