• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.343-350
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• 2024

Mobile electroencephalography (EEG) can continuously and objectively monitor construction workers' psychological stress, thereby contributing to enhanced safety and health. Traditional EEG-based stress assessment techniques utilize headset-type devices that cover the scalp, including the frontal area, which is the most relevant brain part to stress. Yet, the invasiveness of such devices may pose a potential barrier to their field application. In response, ear-EEG technology presents a less intrusive alternative for continuous monitoring, potentially overcoming the limitations of scalp-EEG. The temporal regions monitored by ear-EEG hold anatomical and functional significance in the brain's response to stress, suggesting that ear-EEG could effectively detect stress. Despite its advantage, the effectiveness of ear-EEG in stress detection remains underexplored, largely due to the existing literature's focus on frontal brain regions. To address this gap, the authors aim to evaluate ear-EEG's effectiveness in measuring stress and compare it to high-density scalp-EEG. EEG signals were collected with ear- and scalp-EEGs from 10 subjects in a controlled laboratory while they performed the mental arithmetic tasks under time pressure and socio-evaluative threats to induce stress at different levels (high vs. low). Subsequently, the authors performed t-tests and point-biserial analysis to analyze differences between high and low-stress conditions in the most reliable stress biomarkers in literature: high-beta power in temporal regions for ear-EEG, and alpha asymmetry in frontal regions for scalp-EEG. The results indicate that both EEG techniques could effectively differentiate between stress levels, with statistical significance (p <0.001 for both) and moderate effect size. Furthermore, the results demonstrate ear-EEG's comparable effectiveness to scalp-EEG in detecting stress-induced brain activity given the comparable statistical metrics, such as p-value and effect size. This study provides a groundwork for further explorations into leveraging ear-EEG as a practical tool for the early detection of stress, aiming to enhance stress management strategies within the construction industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

The underlying principle of environmental conservation and restoration is to receive continuous services from nature. In this context, the basic objective of oil spill response and recovery activities is to allow affected residents to retain sustainability of their daily livelihood and productive environment. Hence, monitoring the status of socio-economic impact and the extent of restoration is an important parameter in the restoration effort to repair the damaged functions of environmental services with oil spill accident. However, assessment of socio-economic impact poses investigators with much difficulties in selecting the most appropriate approaches because the process often involves various stakeholders, directly and indirectly. Moreover, the analyses and interpretation of the results also pose a great challenge. The present study monitored fisheries and tourism numbers which were considered as major local socio-economic indicators of living and production environment affected by M/T Hebei Spirit oil-spill accident. This monitoring was conducted by examining the published papers and statistical reports. This was supplemented by surveying how the local residents actually felt about the damage and recovery for the first time in Korea. The results showed that the rate of the recovery was about 40~50 %, and the rate of the recovery seemed to be slowed or decreased. However, what the local residents actually felt was 2~10 points less than the literature surveys and statistical reports. These results suggested limits to using only the literature and statistical surveys for the traditional socio-economic impact assessment. The study also showed the need to include in the impact assessment process what and how the local residents actual feel about the oil spill damage and recovery process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1257-1257
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• 2001

Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy was used as a rapid method to measure the $^{o}Brix$ content and to discriminate between different must samples in terms of their fee amino nitrogen (FAN) values. FT-NIR spectroscopy was also used as a rapid method to discriminate between Chardonnay wine samples in terms of the status of the male-lactic fermentation (MLF). This was done by monitoring the conversion of malic to lactic acid and thereby determining whether MLF has started, is underway or has been completed followed by classification of the samples. Furthermore, FT-NIR spectroscopy was applied as a rapid method to discriminate between table wine samples in terms of the ethyl carbamate (EC) content. EC in wine can pose a health threat and need to be monitored by determining the EC content in relation to the regulatory limits set by the authorities. For each of the above mentioned parameters, $QUANT+^{TM}$ methods were built and calibrations derived and it was found that a very strong correlation existed in the sample set for the FT-NIR spectroscopic predictions of $^{o}Brix$ (r = 0.99, SECV = 0.306), but the correlations for the FAN (r = 0.61, SECV = 272.1), malic acid (r = 0.58, SECV = 1.06), lactic acid (r = 0.51, SECV = 1.14) and EC predictions (r = 0.47, SECV = 3.67) were not as good. Soft Independent Modeling by Class Analogy (SIMCA) diagnostics and validation was applied as a sophisticated discrimination method. The must samples could be classified in terms of their FAN values when SIMCA was applied, obtaining results with recognition rates exceeding 80%. When SIMCA diagnostics and validation were applied to determine the progress of conversion of malic to lactic acid and the EC content, again results with recognition rates exceeding 80% were obtained. The evaluation of the applicability of FT-NIR spectroscopy measurement of FAN, $^{o}Brix$ values, malic acid, lactic acid and EC content in must and wine shows considerable promise. FT-NIR spectroscopy has the potential to reduce the analytical times considerably in a range of measurements commonly used during the wine making process. Where conventional FT-NIR calibrations are not effective, SIMCA methods can be used as a discriminative method for rapid classification of samples. SIMCA can replace expensive, time-consuming, quantitative analytical methods, if not completely, at least to some extent, because in many processes it is only needed to know whether a specific cut off point has been reach or not or whether a sample belongs to a certain class or not.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2019

Due to the rapid global expansion of aquaculture industry during the past decades, production volume of aquatic organisms has accordingly grown. This has been accompanied by a rise in the incidence of diseases in aquatic organisms, leading to an increased use of aquatic medicines. While aquatic medicines are essential for the prevention and treatment of diseases of aquatic organisms, misuse can cause evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pose serious problems to the safety and hygiene of fisheries products. In this study, we surveyed and compared, by analyzing data compiled by all national control centers for aquatic animal diseases in South Korea, to estimate the amount of aquatic medicines sold in different regions between 2012 through 2015. Since we also examined the marketing routes of aquatic medicines, this basic data can be utilized for policy implementation to improve drug safety. In the future research, however, it will be clearly necessary to estimate directly the amounts of drugs actually applied to aquaculture organisms. The current sales figure data should be helpful for preparation of an effective system for aquatic drug use management.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.175-185
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• 2023

Recently, novel viral infections such as COVID-19 have spread and pose a serious public health problem. In particular, these diseases have a fatal effect on the elderly, threatening life and causing serious social and economic losses. Accordingly, applications such as telemedicine, healthcare, and disease prevention using the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) have been introduced in many industries to improve disease detection, monitoring, and quarantine performance. However, since existing technologies are not applied quickly and comprehensively to the sudden emergence of infectious diseases, they have not been able to prevent large-scale infection and the nationwide spread of infectious diseases in society. Therefore, in this paper, we try to predict the spread of infection by collecting various infection information with regional limitations through a virus disease information collector and performing AI analysis and severity matching through an AI broker. Finally, through the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, danger alerts are issued to the elderly, messages are sent to block the spread, and information on evacuation from infected areas is quickly provided. A realistic elderly support system compares the location information of the elderly with the information of the infected area and provides an intuitive danger area (infected area) avoidance function with an augmented reality-based smartphone application. When the elderly visit an infected area is confirmed, quarantine management services are provided automatically. In the future, the proposed system can be used as a method of preventing a crushing accident due to sudden crowd concentration in advance by identifying the location-based user density.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.262-274
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• 2023

Background: Exposure levels for heavy metals such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) have increased due to human activities. They are known to be a public health concern. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the exposure levels to heavy metals in the blood and urine of South Korean adults and to present the contribution rate of exposure pathways using an exposure algorithm for men aged 19~64, women aged 19~64, and all seniors aged 65 or older. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 4 (2018~2020). A total of 2,646 participants aged ≥19 years were included. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting heavy metal concentrations. The contribution rate was calculated by applying three exposure algorithms for ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. Results: Factors that commonly affect heavy metal concentrations in blood and urine were gender and age. The main influencing factors for Pb and Cd were education level and smoking status, while frequency of fish consumption and of alcohol consumption were indicated to be the main influencing factors for mercury. The contribution rates of lead and cadmium from food ingestion were 78.03~79.62% and 88.39~92.89%, respectively. Additionally, the highest contribution for mercury was accounted for by food at 81.69~85.77%. As a result of the risk assessment, cadmium was found to pose a potential health risk a with total cancer risk (TCR) of more than 1×10^-6. Conclusions: The KoNEHS could be an important study for determining the level of exposure to heavy metals and their influencing factors. Integrated exposure to heavy metals could assess the main exposure pathways, and this methodology could be applied to exposure management of heavy metals.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.93-105
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aims to quantitatively determine the impact on nearby risidents by selecting the amount of chemicals emitted from the workplace among the substances subject to the chemical emission plan and predicting the concentration with the atmospheric diffusion program. Method: The selection of research materials considered half-life, toxicity, and the presence or absence of available monitoring station data. The areas discharged from the materials to be studied were selected as the areas to be studied, and four areas with floating populations were selected to evaluate health risks. Result: AERMOD was executed after conducting terrain and meteorological processing to obtain predicted concentrations. The health hazard assessment results indicated that only dichloromethane exceeded the threshold for children, while tetrachloroethylene and chloroform appeared at levels that cannot be ignored for both children and adults. Conclusion: Currently, in the domestic context, health hazard assessments are conducted based on the regulations outlined in the "Environmental Health Act" where if the hazard index exceeds a certain threshold, it is considered to pose a health risk. The anticipated expansion of the list of substances subject to the chemical discharge plan to 415 types by 2030 suggests the need for efficient management within workplaces. In instances where the hazard index surpasses the threshold in health hazard assessments, it is judged that effective chemical management can be achieved by prioritizing based on considerations of background concentration and predicted concentration through atmospheric dispersion modeling.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2024

From March to November 2021, a study conducted in Jeju used the dry ice trap method to collect 17,855 ticks across six regions, examining their distribution and potential as disease vectors. The ticks were identified and categorized by species and growth stage. In addition, the study focused on Babesia, a disease transmitted by hard ticks. Of 17,641 ticks from which DNA had been extracted, 581 pools underwent polymerase chain reaction testing. Of these, 43 pools tested positive for Babesia, with the highest positivity found in Western Seogwipo (23 pools, 53.5%), followed by eastern Seogwipo and central Jeju. The peak times for positive results were April and July. This study highlights an increased risk of tick bites linked to the rising number of abandoned pets in Jeju, necessitating ongoing environmental management and monitoring. These findings provide fundamental data for formulating strategies to prevent and manage tick-borne diseases in Jeju. This involves reducing the disease incidence through targeted preventive measures and detailed epidemiological research. These results underscore the necessity for continued vigilance and proactive intervention to address the health challenges ticks pose in the region.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.44-63
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• 2000

Situated close to Heathrow Airport, and adjacent to the M4 and M25 Motorways, the site at Axis Park is considered a prime location for business in the UK. In consequnce two of the UK's major property development companies, MEPC and Redrew Homes sought the expertise of Intergeo to remediate the contaminated former industrial site prior to its development. Industrial use of the twenty-six hectare site, started in 1936, when Hawker Aircraft commence aircraft manufacture. In 1963 the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Company purchased part of the site. Ford commenced vehicle production at the site in the mid-1970's and production was continued by Iveco Ford from 1986 to the plant's decommissioning in 1997. Geologically the site is underlain by sand and gravel, deposited in prehistory by the River Thames, with London Clay at around 6m depth. The level of groundwater fluctuates seasonally at around 2.5m depth, moving slowly southwest towards local streams and watercourses. A phased investigation of the site was undertaken, which culminated in the extensive site investigation undertaken by Intergeo in 1998. In total 50 boreholes, 90 probeholes and 60 trial pits were used to investigate the site and around 4000 solid and 1300 liquid samples were tested in the laboratory for chemical substances. The investigations identified total petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil up to 25, 000mg/kg. Diesel oil, with some lubricating oil were the main components. Volatile organic compounds were identified in the groundwater in excess of 10mg/l. Specific substances included trichloromethane, trichloromethane and tetrachloroethene. Both the oil and volatile compounds were widely spread across the site, The specific substances identified could be traced back to industrial processes used at one or other dates in the sites history Slightly elevated levels of toxic metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were also identified locally. Prior to remediation of the site and throughout its progress, extensive liaison with the regulatory authorities and the client's professional representatives was required. In addition to meetings, numerous technical documents detailing methods and health and safety issues were required in order to comply with UK environmental and safety legislation. After initially considering a range of options to undertake remediation, the following three main techniques were selected: ex-situ bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils, skimming of free floating hydrocarbon product from the water surface at wells and excavations and air stripping of volatile organic compounds from groundwater recovered from wells. The achievements were as follows: 1) 350, 000m3 of soil was excavated and 112, 000m3 of sand and gravel was processed to remove gravel and cobble sized particles; 2) 53, 000m3 of hydrocarbon contaminated soil was bioremediated in windrows ; 3) 7000m3 of groundwater was processed by skimming to remove free floating Product; 4) 196, 000m3 of groundwater was Processed by air stripping to remove volatile organic compounds. Only 1000m3 of soil left the site for disposal in licensed waste facilities Given the costs of disposal in the UK, the selected methods represented a considerable cost saving to the Clients. All other soil was engineered back into the ground to a precise geotechnical specification. The following objective levels were achieved across the site 1) By a Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA) methodology it was demonstrated that soil with less that 1000mg/kg total petroleum hydrocarbons did not pose a hazard to health or water resources and therefore, could remain insitu; 2) Soils destined for the residential areas of the site were remediated to 250mg/kg total petroleum hydrocarbons; in the industrial areas 500mg/kg was proven acceptable. 3) Hydrocarbons in groundwater were remediated to below the Dutch Intervegtion Level of 0.6mg/1; 4) Volatile organic compounds/BTEX group substances were reduced to below the Dutch Intervention Levels; 5) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals were below Inter-departmental Committee for the Redevelopment of Contaminated Land guideline levels for intended enduse. In order to verify the qualify of the work 1500 chemical test results were submitted for the purpose of validation. Quality assurance checks were undertaken by independent consultants and at an independent laboratory selected by Intergeo. Long term monitoring of water quality was undertaken for a period of one year after remediation work had been completed. Both the regulatory authorities and Clients representatives endorsed the quality of remediation now completed at the site. Subsequent to completion of the remediation work Redrew Homes constructed a prestige housing development. The properties at "Belvedere Place" retailed at premium prices. On the MEPC site the Post Office, amongst others, has located a major sorting office for the London area. Exceptionally high standards of remediation, control and documentation were a requirement for the work undertaken here.aken here.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.20-34
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to assess the anthropogenic impact on trace metal concentrations (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Cd) of roadside sediments (N = 70) from No.7 national road within the watershed of Hoidong Reservoir in Pusan City and to estimate the potential mobility of selected metals using sequential extraction. We generally found high concentrations of metals, especially Zn, Cu and Pb, affected by anthropogenic inputs. Compared to the trace metal concentrations of uncontaminated stream sediments, arithmetic mean concentrations of roadside sediments were about 7 times higher for Cu, 4 times higher for Zn, 3 times higher for Pb and Cr and, 2 times higher for Ni and As. Speciation data on the basis of sequential extraction indicate that most of the trace metals considered do not occur in significant quantities in the exchangeable fraction, except for Cd and Ni whose exchangeable fractions are appreciable (average 29.3 and 25.8%, respectively). Other metals such as Zn (51.4%) and Pb (45.2%) are preferentially bound to the reducible fraction, and therefore they can be potentially released by a pH decrease and/or redox change. Copper is mainly found in the organic fraction, while Cd is highest in the exchangeable fraction, and Cr and Ni in the residual fraction. Considering the proportion of metals bound to the exchangeable and carbonate fractions, the comparative mobility of metals probably decreases in the order of Cd>Ni>Pb>Zn>Cr>Cu. Although the total concentration data showed that Zn was typically present in potentially harmful concentration levels, the data on metal partitioning indicated that Cd, Ni and Pb pose the highest potential hazard for runoff water. As potential changes of redox state and pH may remobilize the metals bound to carbonates, amorphous oxides, and/or organic matter, and may release and flush them through drain networks into the watershed of Hoidong Reservoir, careful monitoring of environmental conditions appears to be very important.