• Title/Summary/Keyword: the Scientific community

Search Result 418, Processing Time 0.136 seconds

A Study on Seawater Quality Criteria and Assessment of Thermal Discharge from Nuclear Power Plant (원자력발전 온배수 영향에 대한 해수질 환경조사 지침 연구)

  • Park, Yong-Chul;Kim, Sung-Jun;Kim, Eun-Soo;Lee, Hee-Jun;Lee, Hyo-Jin;Kim, Dong-Hwa
    • The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
    • /
    • v.12 no.1
    • /
    • pp.50-56
    • /
    • 2007
  • Impact of thermal discharge of nuclear power plant on marine environment is naturally reflected in biogeochemical changes of seawater. Until now, many investigation activities and reports of impact analysis of marine environment were occasionally inadequate to provide sufficient justification in resolving controversial conflict of interests related with thermal discharge of nuclear power plant. From the scrutinized examination of recent 17 reports published in Korea between 2002 and 2004, the most apparent issue was inadequacy of sampling design and absence of significance of many measured parameters. In many cases, lack of statistical interpretation of raw data incurred subjective or ambiguous assessment results, which failed in deducing mutual concurrence between the parties of interest. In overall all, the main reasons for impairing integrity of previous reports seem to be inconsistency of environmental investigation procedures between research institutions, inadequate sampling design at the discretion of institutions and lack of objectivity of impact assessment based on statistical interpretation. Therefore, the primary goal of this study is to (1) discuss the blown issues on previous routine practice of seawater quality assessment procedures, and to (2) provide improved investigation procedures and rational standard criteria strictly based on statistical analysis for the better seawater quality assessment, which could be supported by scientific community, public agency, investigation institution and the other parties of interest.

Collaborative Planning Model for Brownfield Regeneration (브라운필드 재생을 위한 협력적 계획 모델 연구)

  • Kim, Eujin Julia;Miller, Patrick
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
    • /
    • v.43 no.3
    • /
    • pp.92-100
    • /
    • 2015
  • Unlike most other planning processes, brownfield planning generally requires a high level of technical and legal expertise due to potential site contamination. To successfully engage in inclusionary decision making, an adaptive collaboration strategy for brownfield planning is therefore critical. This study examines how a communicative planning approach can be used to overcome the challenge of enabling experts from different fields to work alongside lay people from the local community to achieve a properly balanced collaboration in brownfield planning. After identifying appropriate indicators for collaboration through a literature review of established communicative planning theory, these indicators are applied to the brownfield planning process, highlighting critical points of collaboration such as site prioritization, assessment, remediation, and redevelopment throughout. The results suggest the critical need for an adaptive model focusing on three aspects: 1. Facilitation of a balanced dialogue between the experts with social, cultural, and design-based knowledge and the ones with scientific and engineering-based knowledge, 2. Preparation of an appropriate tool for risk communication with the lay people, 3. Development of decision support system for the integration of expert-oriented technical data and public opinion-oriented subjective data.

Contested Technologies, Resetting the Boundary, and the "signifiant-politics": Semiotical Governance of New Technology in the Case of fMRA (경합하는 기술, 경계의 재설정, 그리고 기표-정치(signifiant-politics): 기능성자기공명혈관조영술(fMRA)의 사례로 살펴본 신기술의 명명 작업)

  • Lee, June-Seok
    • Journal of Science and Technology Studies
    • /
    • v.14 no.2
    • /
    • pp.199-222
    • /
    • 2014
  • Functional Magnetic Resonance Angiography (fMRA) was a technoscientific innovation that allows scientists to directly view the changes made in the blood vessels of a brain. fMRA was first developed at Neuroscience Research Institute (NRI) in Korea. fMRA mainly utilizes 7 Tesla MRI technology, and NRI is equipped with the instrument. First article on fMRA was published in 2008, and two more papers in 2010 and 2012 consecutively had been published on the newly developed technique. However, fMRA is a competitive technology with existing fMRI. Both techniques capture microvascular changes in a brain, and by doing it, both techniques visualize the cognitive and affective changes. fMRI technology was introduced by Seiji Ogawa in the early 1990's and has been widely used since then. In contrast, fMRA was a newer technology and rather unknown. Developers of fMRA in NRI used series of signifiant-politics in order to make it better known to scientific community as well as public. By resetting the boundaries of existing concept of fMRI, they tried to lower the threshold of a new concept/technique. This case study shows how technoscientists use semiotic strategies governing new technology.

  • PDF

Microbial Community of Healthy Thai Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians, Their Core Gut Microbiota, and Pathogen Risk

  • Ruengsomwong, Supatjaree;La-ongkham, Orawan;Jiang, Jiahui;Wannissorn, Bhusita;Nakayama, Jiro;Nitisinprasert, Sunee
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • /
    • v.26 no.10
    • /
    • pp.1723-1735
    • /
    • 2016
  • Pyrosequencing analysis of intestinal microflora from healthy Thai vegetarians and non-vegetarians exhibited 893 OTUs covering 189 species. The strong species indicators of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were Prevotella copri and Bacteroides vulgatus as well as bacteria close to Escherichia hermanii with % relative abundance of 16.9 and 4.5-4.7, respectively. Core gut microbiota of the vegetarian and non-vegetarian groups consisted of 11 and 20 different bacterial species, respectively, belonging to Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria commonly found in both groups. Two species, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Gemmiger formicilis, had a prevalence of 100% in both groups. Three species, Clostridium nexile, Eubacterium eligens, and P. copri, showed up in most vegetarians, whereas more diversity of Collinsella aerofaciens, Ruminococcus torques, various species of Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Escherichia, and different species of Clostridium and Eubacterium were found in most non-vegetarians. Considering the correlation of personal characters, consumption behavior, and microbial groups, the age of non-vegetarians showed a strong positive correlation coefficient of 0.54 (p = 0.001) to Bacteroides uniformis but exhibited a moderate one to Alistipes finegoldii and B. vulgatus. Only a positive moderate correlation of body mass index and Parabacteroides distasonis appeared. Based on the significant abundance of potential pathogens, the microbiota of the non-vegetarian group showed an abundance of potential pathogen varieties of Bilophila wadsworthia, Escherichia coli, and E. hermannii, whereas that of the vegetarian group served for only Klebsiella pneumoniae. These results implied that the microbiota of vegetarians with high abundance of P. copri and low potential pathogen variety would be a way to maintain good health in Thais.

Liaohe National Park based on big data visualization Visitor Perception Study

  • Qi-Wei Jing;Zi-Yang Liu;Cheng-Kang Zheng
    • Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
    • /
    • v.28 no.4
    • /
    • pp.133-142
    • /
    • 2023
  • National parks are one of the important types of protected area management systems established by IUCN and a management model for implementing effective conservation and sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage in countries around the world, and they assume important roles in conservation, scientific research, education, recreation and driving community development. In the context of big data, this study takes China's Liaohe National Park, a typical representative of global coastal wetlands, as a case study, and using Python technology to collect tourists' travelogues and reviews from major OTA websites in China as a source. The text spans from 2015 to 2022 and contains 2998 reviews with 166,588 words in total. The results show that wildlife resources, natural landscape, wetland ecology and the fishing and hunting culture of northern China are fully reflected in the perceptions of visitors to Liaohe National Park; visitors have strong positive feelings toward Liaohe National Park, but there is still much room for improvement in supporting services and facilities, public education and visitor experience and participation.

Establishment of Environmental Assessment using Sediment Total Organic Carbon and Macrobenthic Polychaete Community in Shellfish Farms (퇴적물 총유기탄소와 저서 다모류 군집을 이용한 패류양식장의 환경평가 기준설정)

  • Cho, Yoon-Sik;Lee, Won-Chan;Kim, Jeong-Bae;Hong, Sok-Jin;Kim, Hyung-Chul;Kim, Chung-Sook
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
    • /
    • v.19 no.5
    • /
    • pp.430-438
    • /
    • 2013
  • In this study, the seasonal field survey was conducted in Goseong Jaran Bay(22 stations), Geoje Hansan Bay(15 stations) and Jinhae Bay(18 stations). We analyzed the sediment environmental parameters(Chemical Oxygen Demand, Ignition Loss, Acid Volatile Sulfides, Total Organic Carbon) and biotic parameters of macrobenthic polychaetes(number of species, density, diversity, evenness). It had a good correlation between total organic carbon and polychaete diversity(R=0.61, P<0.01), and we made a decision them as representative environmental indices. As a result of that, regarding the criteria in the assessment of farm environment, we suggest concentrations of total organic carbon : Peak Point = 15 mg/g dry, Warning Point = 26 mg/g dry, Contaminated Point = 31 mg/g dry and polychaete diversity : ~2.6(Good), 2.6~2.1(Moderate), 2.1~1.2(Poor) and 1.2~(Bad). This could be a scientific basis to establish the environmental standards for fishery management.

Gas Separation Properties and Their Applications of High Permeable Amorphous Perfluoropolymer Membranes (고투과성 무정형 불소고분자 불리막의 기체분리 특성 및 응용)

  • Freeman, Benny D.;Park, Ho-Bum
    • Membrane Journal
    • /
    • v.17 no.2
    • /
    • pp.81-92
    • /
    • 2007
  • Membrane-based separation processes are receiving increasing attention in the scientific community and industry since they provide a desirable alternative to processes that are not easy to achieve by conventional separation technologies. In particular, gas separation using polymeric membranes have annually grown so fast owing to advantages such as easy installation, no moving parts, small footprint and low energy process. The key element is definitely a polymer membrane exhibiting high permeability and high selectivity to compete with other gas separation technologies. Current polymer membranes used for commercial gas separation are a family of hydrocarbon polymers for hydrogen separation, air separation and carbon dioxide separation from natural gas sweetening. Relatively, gas or vapor separation properties of fluoropolymers are not known so much as compared with those of hydrocarbon polymers. Accordingly, in this study, membranes prepared from amorphous perfluoropolymers are of particular interest because of the unique properties of these polymers. The advantages offered by these amorphous perfluoropolymers for use in gas and vapor separation will be discussed. In addition, membrane properties and separation performance will be compared with other membranes available on the market.

Effects of Environmental Factors on Phytoplankton Succession and Community Structure in Lake Chuncheon, South Korea (환경요인이 춘천호의 식물플랑크톤 천이 및 군집구조에 미치는 영향)

  • Baek, Jun-Soo;Youn, Seok-Jea;Kim, Hun-Nyun;Sim, Youn-Bo;Yoo, Soon-Ju;Im, Jong-Kwon
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
    • /
    • v.52 no.2
    • /
    • pp.71-80
    • /
    • 2019
  • Effects of environmental factors on phytoplankton succession and community structure were studied in Lake Chuncheon located in Bukhan River, South Korea. The data were sampled at three sites such as CC1 (lower side), CC2 (middle side), and CC3 (upper side of Lake Chuncheon) from 2014 to 2017. The annual average precipitation in Lake Chuncheon was 992 mm during the study period (2014~2017), and the annual precipitation was lower than 800 mm in 2014 and 2015. The annual average water temperature, total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) ranged from 17.0 to $21.1^{\circ}C$, 0.012 to $0.019mg\;L^{-1}$, and 1.272 to $1.922mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The TN concentration was relatively high in 2015 compared with the other study years, as a drought continued from 2014 to 2015. When comparing the correlation between precipitation and environmental factors, water temperature (p<0.01) and TP(p<0.05) showed positive correlations with rainfall. The average numbers of phytoplankton cells by branch were 2,094, 2,182, and $3,108cells\;mL^{-1}$ in CC1, CC2, and CC3, respectively. CC3 is considered advantageous for phytoplankton growth, even in small pollution sources due to low water depth. As a result of analyzing the relationship between precipitation and phytoplankton, the correlation between the two was shown to be high for 2016 (p<0.01) and 2017 (p<0.05), which is when precipitation was high. However, the correlation was not clear to 2014 and 2015. The relationship between water temperature and phytoplankton indicated a negative correlation with diatoms (p<0.01), yet positive correlations with green algae (p<0.01) and cyanobacteria (p<0.01). Diatoms increased in spring and autumn, which are characterized by low water temperature, and green algae and cyanobacteria increased in summer, when the water temperature is high. Our findings provide a scientific basis for characteristics of phytoplankton and water quality and management at the Lake Chuncheon.

The Definition of Outer Space and the Air/Outer Space Boundary Question (우주의 법적 지위와 경계획정 문제)

  • Lee, Young-Jin
    • The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
    • /
    • v.30 no.2
    • /
    • pp.427-468
    • /
    • 2015
  • To date, we have considered the theoretical views, the standpoint of states and the discourse within the international community such as the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space(COPUOS) regarding the Air/Outer Space Boundary Question which is one of the first issues of UN COPUOS established in line with marking the starting point of Outer Space Area. As above mentioned, discussions in the United Nations and among scholars of within each state regarding the delimitation issue often saw a division between those in favor of a functional approach (the functionalists) and those seeking the delineation of a boundary (the spatialists). The spatialists emphasize that the boundary between air and outer space should be delimited because the status of outer space is a type of public domain from which sovereign jurisdiction is excluded, as stated in Article 2 of Outer Space Treaty. On the contrary art. I of Chicago Convention is evidence of the acknowledgement of sovereignty over airspace existing as an international customary law, has the binding force of which exists independently of the Convention. The functionalists, backed initially by the major space powers, which viewed any boundary demarcation as possibly restricting their access to space, whether for peaceful or non-military purposes, considered it insufficient or inadequate to delimit a boundary of outer space without obvious scientific and technological evidences. Last more than 50 years there were large development in the exploration and use of outer space. But a large number states including those taking the view of a functionalist have taken on a negative attitude. As the element of location is a decisive factor for the choice of the legal regime to be applied, a purely functional approach to the regulation of activities in the space above the Earth does not offer a solution. It seems therefore to welcome the arrival of clear evidence of a growing recognition of and national practices concerning a spatial approach to the problem is gaining support both by a large number of States as well as by publicists. The search for a solution to the problem of demarcating the two different legal regimes governing the space above Earth has undoubtedly been facilitated and a number of countries including Russia have already advocated the acceptance of the lowest perigee boundary of outer space at a height of 100km. As a matter of fact the lowest perigee where space objects are still able to continue in their orbiting around the earth has already been imposed as a natural criterion for the delimitation of outer space. This delimitation of outer space has also been evidenced by the constant practice of a large number of States and their tacit consent to space activities accomplished so far at this distance and beyond it. Of course there are still numerous opposing views on the delineation of a outer space boundary by space powers like U.S.A., England, France and so on. Therefore, first of all to solve the legal issues faced by the international community in outer space activities like delimitation problem, there needs a positive and peaceful will of international cooperation. From this viewpoint, President John F. Kennedy once described the rationale behind the outer space activities in his famous "Moon speech" given at Rice University in 1962. He called upon Americans and all mankind to strive for peaceful cooperation and coexistence in our future outer space activities. And Kennedy explained, "There is no strife, ${\ldots}$ nor any international conflict in outer space as yet. But its hazards are hostile to us all: Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation may never come again." This speech seems to even present us in the contemporary era with ample suggestions for further peaceful cooperation in outer space activities including the delimitation of outer space.

Utilization Pattern of Complementary Therapy in Hypertension, Diabetes and Chronic Arthritis Patients Visited to Local Health Center (일개 보건소를 방문하는 고혈압, 당뇨 및 관절염환자의 보완요법 이용실태)

  • Park, Ae-Ju;Park, Jae-Yong;Han, Chang-Hyun
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
    • /
    • v.28 no.2
    • /
    • pp.107-122
    • /
    • 2003
  • Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the use rate and some aspect of complementary therapies used by patients with chronic illness(hypertension, diabetic mellitus and chronic arthritis). Methods: 600 patients visiting the health center for one month(Jan. 2001) were interviewed on their complementary therapies used by the subjects for the previous year. Results: About fourteen-eight percent of the respondents used therapies; 35% of patients with hypertension, 44.6% of patients with diabetic mellitus and 62.9% of patients with chronic arthritis, which shows the highest rate among patients with three chronic disease. The use rate of complementary therapies indicates few meaningful differences according to the general characteristics of the interviewees. Hypertension patients used herb medication(31.0%) acupuncture(29.6%) and most of all the other therapies. Diabetic patients used dietary therapy(57.5%) and herb medication(35.1%). Chronic arthritis patients used acupuncture(85%) and herb medication(34.7%). 36.8% of all the patients who used complementary therapies tried more than two therapies. 18.3% of hypertension patients, 24.1% of diabetic patients and 55.9% of chronic arthritis patients used more than two therapies. Acupuncture(47%) was used most frequently, followed by herb medications(26.3%), health assistance utensils(21.8%). oriental therapy(21.8%), physical therapy(9.5%), health assistance food(8.4%), herb(7.7%), Korea hand acupuncture(3.2%), abdomen respiration(1.1%), and pore therapy(0.7%) Oriental clinic was visited most frequently(42.8%), which was used to cure diseases(61.8%), and to relieve symptoms(26.0%). (p<0.001) The cost spent on complementary therapies last year was 90,000 won(40.3%) and there are some cases of more than 500,000 won(31.2%). Most of the patients(56.1%) were satisfied with the complementary therapies, with 6% of them having side effects. 74% of the patients used complementary therapies answered that they would continue them and 56.1% of them also answered that they would continue them and 56.1% of them also answered that they would advise other patients to do them. Advantages(compared with those of orthodox medical treatment) are psychological comfort(28.1%), body protection(26.0%), effectiveness(20.0%). 34% of the patients using complementary therapies wanted to have informational orientation on complementary therapies. These findings reveal that a considerable number of patients with chronic illness(47.5%) tried a variety of complementary therapies. Though 6% of the patients using therapies had side effects, most of the subjects seemed satisfied with them and they are supposed to continue them. Conclusions: In conclusion, health center personnels and medical doctors should pay more attention to the complementary therapies used by patients with chronic illness. They also have to try their best to advise more scientific and informative complementary programs with less side effects and more help to improve their conditions.

  • PDF