• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.380-392
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• 2021

An indoor air quality index for school classrooms based on the Hazard Quotient (HQ) was developed in this study. The current index (IAQI-S) covered PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and CO₂, and breakpoints of IAQI-S were calculated using each HQ value. IAQI-S was applied to the real-time data obtained from 123 classrooms of 46 schools during November 2017 to December 2020. As a result of the comprehensive assessment, 93.1% of PM₁₀ and 94% of PM_2.5 belonged to 'good' and 'moderate', respectively. The IAQI-S based on an 8-hour predicted moving average was compared with Comprehensive Air-quality Index (CAI) and with the IAQI of a foreign reference. The IAQI-S includes CO₂ and consists of more stringent levels comparing to outdoor index (CAI).

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.307-326
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• 2019

The electric vehicle is a representative measure to reduce greenhouse gas and local air pollutants in the transportation sector. Most countries provide purchase subsidies and tax reductions to promote electric vehicle sales. The electric vehicles have been considered as zero-emission vehicles(ZEV) in light of the fact that there has been no pollutant emission during driving. However, recent studies have pointed out that the pollutant emitted from the process of generating electricity used for charging the electric vehicles need to be treated as emissions of the electric vehicles. Furthermore, the environmental benefits of electric vehicle replacing the internal combustion vehicle vary with the power mix. In line with the recent studies, this study analyzes the impact of electric vehicles based on the current power mix and future energy transition scenarios in Korea. To estimate the precise air pollutants emission profile, this study uses hourly electricity generation and TMS emission data for each power plant from 2015 to 2016. The estimation results show that the electric vehicles under the current power mix generate the environmental benefits of only -0.41~10.83 won/km. Also, we find that the environmental benefit of electric vehicle will significantly increase only when the ratio of the coal-fired power plant is reduced to a considerable extent.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2019

Thermal power generation accounts for the highest percentage of domestic power generation, among which coal-fired boiler generation accounts for the highest percentage. Coal boilers generate harmful substances and fine dust during coal combustion and have a serious effect on air pollution. So, fluidized-bed boilers have been introduced as eco-friendly coal boilers. It uses a fluid medium which affect the combustion temperature of coal. Because of it fluidized-bed boilers emit less pollutants than original one. Water-wall tubes play an important role in this fluidized bed boiler. Due to the fluid medium, the wall damage is more severe than the existing boiler. However, there is no quantitative maintenance technique in Korea yet. Remote field eddy current testing is a non-destructive evaluation technique that is often used for inspection of inner and outer wall of tube. it can inspect with non-contact and high speed. However, it is an inspection that proceeds from inside the pipe, and the water-wall tube is not able to enter the interior. In this study, we designed and simulated an external remote field eddy current sensor suitable for water-wall tube of a fluidized - bed boiler using simulations. By obtaining a signal similar to the existing remote field eddy current test, the criteria for the external remote field eddy current sensor design can be presented.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2022

Humans have been breeding the mulberry silkworm for the long period of time to obtain silk fabric and nutrient-rich pupae. Currently, silkworm larvae, pupae, and silk-Fibroin hydrolysates are registered as food raw materials, while silkworm feces and Bombyx batryticatus are registered as Korean traditional medicines. Among sericulture products, individually recognized health functional food ingredients include silk-protein acid-hydrolysates for immunity enhancement, Fibroin-hydrolysates for memory improvement, and freeze-dried 5^th instar and 3^rd-day-silkworm powder for lowering-blood sugar. Recently, HongJam produced by steaming and freeze-drying mature silkworms were reported to have various health-promoting effects such as preventing the onset of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, enhancing gastro-intestinal functions, improving skin-whitening and hair growth, and extending healthspan. By consuming silkworm products with various health-promoting effects, it is possible to increase the healthspan of human beings, thereby reducing personal and national medical expenses, resulting in increasing the individual's happiness.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2022

This study developed and tested an ultra-low NO_x burner in an 80 kW combustion furnace. The experiment was conducted in an 80 kW single burner combustion furnace with changing the swirl numbers, total equivalence ratios, and primary/secondary oxidizer ratios. In this study, liquefied natural gas (LNG) was used as an auxiliary fuel to significantly reduce NO_x production. In a thermal power plant, the amount of NO_x generated during coal combustion is about 300 ppm. However, using the burner tested in this study, it was possible to reduce the amount of NO_x generated via LNG co-firing to 40 ppm. If the input amount of the primary oxidizer is enough for the gas to be completely combusted and the gas and coal are added simultaneously, the combusted gas forms a high-temperature region at the burner outlet and volatilizes the coal. As a result, the N contained in the devolatilized coal is discharged. Therefore, when the coal is subsequently burned, the amount of NO_x produced decreases because there is almost no N remaining in the coal. If a thermal power plant burner is developed based on the results of this study, it is expected that the NO_x generation will be significantly lower in the early stage of combustion.

• The Journal of Bigdata
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2021

The number of CCTV installed in Korea is over 1.3 million, increasing by more than 15% annually. However, due to the limited budget compared to the installation demand, the infrastructure is composed of 500,000 pixel low-quality CCTV, and there is a limits on identification of objects in the video. Public CCTV has high utility in various fields such as crime prevention, traffic information collection (control), facility management, and fire prevention. Especially, since installed in high height, it works as its role in solving diverse crime and is in increasing trend. However, the current public CCTV field is operated with potential problems such as inability to identify due to environmental factors such as fog, snow, and rain, and the low-quality of collected images due to the installation of low-quality CCTV. Therefore, in this study, in order to remove the typical low-quality elements of public CCTV, the method of attenuating scattered light in the image caused by dust, water droplets, fog, etc and algorithm application method which uses deep-learning algorithm to improve input video into videos over quality over 4K are suggested.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2012

The objective of the present study is to provide data needed to find double covering method to be able to improve environment of temperature, humidity and PPF in tomato greenhouse. The distribution charts of temperature, humidity and PPF which were measured in environment control conditions such as thermal insulation, air heating, roof ventilation and air fog cooling in conventional and air inflated double layers greenhouses were drawn and analysed. The thermal insulation effect of the air inflated greenhouse was the same as that of conventional greenhouse because the temperature between insulation curtain and roof covering material was equal in heating season. The ventilation effect of the air inflated greenhouse was superior to the conventional greenhouse. The temperature distribution in the fog cooled greenhouse was uniform and the cooling effect was about $3.5^{\circ}C$. The condensation on the roof covering surface could be controlled by removing the moisture between insulation curtain and roof covering by using humidifier. The PPF of conventional greenhouse was more decreased than the air inflated greenhouse as time went by because the transmittance of conventional greenhouse declined by dust collected on the inside plastic film owing to rolling up and down operation for ventilation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.325-340
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• 1998

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between sick building syndrome(SBS) and the environmental factors affecting SBS on 130 underground workers and 60 controls. The study consisted of 1) a review of environmental condition 2) measurement of temperature, $O_2$, $CO_2$, CO, and formaldehyde and 3) a questionnaire survey of symptom prevalence and perception of environmental conditions using indoor Air Quality questionnaire recommended by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Bronchitis and dust allergy were more prevalent in underground workers significantly(p < 0.05). Among the 18 symptoms related to the indoor air pollution, the experience rate of dry, itching or irritated eyes, sore or dry throat, chest tightness, tired or strained eyes and dry or itchy skin symptom was significantly different between the underground workers and controls. The diagnostic criteria of SBS was defined as at least 1 symptom is experienced 1-3 times a week during the last 1 month among 18 indoor air pollution related symptoms which can be relieved by moving out of the underground. Applying the criteria, the mean symptom score was significant higher in underground workers than controls significantly (p < 0.05). These resalts indicated that underground workers are under inappropriate ergonomic and physical condition and inadequate ventilation. Their experience rate of symptoms related to indoor air pollution and prevalence of SBS was significantly higher than controls. To reduce the prevalence of SBS of underground workers, the surveillance system of indoor air quality, restriction of using fuel in underground and legislative regulations for the environment are needed to establish a better indoor air quality. Early detection, treatment and prevention of SBS through medical attention is also needed.

• Journal of Venture Innovation
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.63-81
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to utilize the Photovoice qualitative research method targeting university students. Through this method, we aimed to understand the perceptions of environmental issues, environmental barriers, and eco-friendly behaviors among university students. By employing the Photovoice methodology, we sought to share the perspectives of university students on eco-friendly behaviors, explore the motivations and manifestations of these behaviors, and reflect on their significance. The ultimate goal was to provide practical suggestions for fostering eco-friendly behaviors through an in-depth examination of the visual narratives and reflections of university students. Under the overarching theme of the environment, participants were given the opportunity to individually select and explore three specific sub-themes: 'My Concept of the Environment,' 'Environmental Barriers in My Life,' and 'My Eco-friendly Behaviors.' Participants engaged in the process of capturing photographs from their daily lives related to each theme, expressing their thoughts and perspectives through the selected images. Subsequently, they shared and discussed their insights, actively listening to the opinions of others in the group. The results of this study revealed several key findings. Firstly, participants assigned meaning to the photographs they selected by directly capturing aspects related to the environment, such as 'waste,' 'discomfort,' 'fine dust=environmental pollution,' and 'indifference.' Secondly, participants attributed meaning to the selected photographs related to environmental barriers, associating them with concepts like 'invisibility,' 'apathy,' 'social stigma,' 'inefficiency,' and 'compulsion.' Lastly, participants ascribed significance to photographs selected in the context of eco-friendly behaviors, with themes like 'recycling,' 'energy conservation,' 'reuse,' and 'reducing the use of disposable items.' Based on these research findings, the confirmation of the V-A-B (Values-Attitudes-Behavior) model was established. It was observed that consumers structure a hierarchical relationship between their personal values, attitudes, and behaviors. The study also identified clear impediments in consumers' daily lives hindering the practice of eco-friendly behaviors. In light of this, the research highlighted the need for strategies to address the discomfort or inconvenience associated with implementing environmentally friendly consumer behaviors. The implications of the study suggest that interventions or solutions are necessary to alleviate barriers and promote a more seamless integration of eco-friendly practices into consumers' daily routines.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.554-563
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• 2006

Background: PM is known to induce various pulmonary diseases, including asthma, cancer, fibrosis and chronic bronchitis. Despite the epidemiological evidence the pathogenesis of PM-related pulmonary diseases is unclear. Methods: This study examined the effects of PM exposure on the secretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ in the cultured alveolar macrophages. The cultured primary alveolar macrophages were treated with the medium, PM ($5{\sim}20{\mu}g/cm^2$), LPS (5ng/ml), and PM with LPS for 24h and 48h respectively. ELISA was used to assay the secreted $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-{\beta}$ in the culture medium. Western blotting was used to identify and determine the level of proteins isolated from the culture cells. The cells cultured in the $Lab-Tek^{(R)}$ chamber slides were stained with immunocytochemical stains. Results: PM induced $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ secretion in the culturing alveolar macrophages, collected from the SPF and inflammatory rats. However, the effects were only dose-dependent in the inflammatory macrophages. When the cells were co-treated with PM and LPS, there was a significant synergistic effect compared with the LPS in the both cell types. Conclusion: PM might be play an important role in the induction and/or potentiation of various lung diseases by oversecretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$.