• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.365-380
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• 2017

Rapid changes in the flora of exotic species are ecological problems that cause the alteration of national and regional biota. The purpose of this study is to identify the reality of neophyte flora currently inhabiting in Korea. Having analyzed a total of 151 studies published up until 2016, we found the qualitative and quantitative gaps among the preceding studies due to the lack of rigorousness on the application of the spatial and temporal level of exotic species and academic terminology. In this study, the neophyte is defined as the flora introduced temporarily after the Enlightenment in Korea (late 19th century) and spatially in the Eastern Asiatic Province of the Takhtajan's floral region instead of a country boundary. A total of 326 taxa of 184 genera of 39 families were identified and analyzed for their distributional origin and habitat characteristics. Approximately 87% (285 taxa) was a component of the single-layered herb vegetation, and a total of 211 taxa originated from Europe and North America which are the same temperate biome as Korea. The wetland vegetation components were much fewer with 21 taxa, but they included a large number of invasive alien species that caused critical deterioration in the habitat structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. Ecological approaches to exotic species categories such as Ephemerophyten and Apophyten have emerged.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2020

Background: Prevention of osteoporosis and bone fracture is one of the important issues for liver transplant recipients because a long history of liver disease and lifelong use of immunosuppressants, including corticosteroids, may cause these diseases. In this study, we aimed to analyze liver recipient bone status, 10-year fracture risk, and medication history. Methods: The electronic medical records of adult patients aged >40 years who received liver transplantation at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between January 2009 and June 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. On the basis of their bone mineral density and fracture history, their fracture risks were analyzed using the Korean fracture risk assessment tool. Results: A total of 57 liver transplant recipients were treated with corticosteroids during a mean of 8.8 months after transplantation. 30 patients (52.6%) showed bone metabolism dysfunction such as osteopenia or osteoporosis. The 10-year femoral fracture risk was 2.1%, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry monitoring was performed, including right before liver transplantation every 27.5±19.2 months. The mean femoral bone mineral density decreased by -7.2%±7.3%. Four patients (7.0%) had a fracture after liver transplantation. Osteoporotic fracture occurred in 3 patients with osteoporosis (25.0%). Among the osteopenia patients with moderate fracture risk who were not treated with bisphosphonate, 1 patient (12.5%) had a history of bone fracture after liver transplantation. Conclusions: Considering the deterioration of bone density and moderate fracture risk, medication for osteoporosis should be prescribed to liver transplant recipients with regular monitoring of bone density after transplantation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2009

The metals such as Al, Ag, Au, Cu, Cd, Co, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, etc are present at very low concentration in seawater and are classified as so-called trace metals. Whiles some of them are used in metabolism of living organism as a micronutrient, they may show toxic effects on organisms in case of a limited threshold concentration of them Plenty of studies on trace metals have been performed bemuse trace metals have a persistent influence and an adverse effect on marine environment and ecosystem. For long years, when the concentration of trace metals in natural waters such as seawater and fresh water are measured with high precision and accuracy, some systematic errors have been recognized to be present in measurements. Since 1975 in US and European countries, the measured concentration of trace metals in seawater have been found to be lower by factors of 10-1,000 than the previous data of trace metals measurements and the vertical profiles of the measurements have been shown to reflect well-known biological, physical and geochemical processes. These results are attributed to great advances in analytical instrumentation and methodology for trace metals measurements. Precautions against the contamination of samples are required to be taken in the process of sampling, storage, and analysis of samples. However, in Korea, erroneous data of trace metals with regard to ocean and marine environment related survey and investigations are reported The lock of exact understanding and information regarding precautions in sampling, storage and analysis of samples lead to the deterioration of data quality, especially in the analysis of trace metals. The major procedures to obtain the accurate data of trace metals in natural waters are introduced for applying to the study and assessment of marine environments.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

The rock-carved seated Buddha of Unju temple of Hwasun, Jeonnam, the only Triad Buddha among the stone Buddhas of Unju temple, is currently designated as a tangible cultural property No. 275 of Jeollanam-do. The rock of the seated Triad Buddha bedrock is light-green andesitic tuff breccia that is composed of quartz and feldspar. The results of measurement of the whole rock magnetic susceptibility characteristics, the rock consists of a single sedimentary layer from top to bottom. The results of ultrasonic velocity measurement, show that the number of frequency of 1500~2000 m/s increased and the number of frequency of 2000~2500 m/s decreased in 2009 compared to 2015, and the measurement value for 2000 m/s or below was 87.5% in 2015, a 68.8% increase in comparison to that in 2009. Moreover, on the top, bottom, left side, and head areas of the Triad Buddha, a partial expanding tendency was observed in the range of low ultrasonic velocity. As weathering of the Triad Buddha occurs in the long term, on-going monitoring is required to ascertain the degree of change with time.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.192-199
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• 2015

Under the economic banner of "self-reliance," North Korea has focused on hydro and thermal power as its main energy supply sources. However, in the face of extreme energy penury caused by machinery and material supply instability in the wake of the collapse of the former communist block as well as equipment aging and deterioration due to floods and other disasters, North Korea and international aid organizations are increasingly turning their attention toward energy source diversification. In particular, renewable energy is recognized as the best strategic energy source for North Korea and it is a decentralized energy option that is suitable in light of North Korea's power distribution networks and its pursuit of self-reliance. Biogas can contribute to improving the human rights situation of North Koreans in conjunction with an increase in food production. For this reason, renewable energy is the most promising option for an energy source that is likely to secure humanitarian aid from international organizations such as the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). However, the implementation of such humanitarian aid has been hampered by rising concerns about the diversion of provided energy materials for military purposes and the disguised introduction of dual use items strategic materials as well as UN Security Council resolutions and sanctions of the international community against North Korea's military provocation, including nuclear tests and missile launches. This paper explores the possibility of solving this dilemma and proceeding with the humanitarian aid to North Korea by evaluating the potential for sanction and the risk of diversion of the possible products for biogas-related aid on the basis of the list of UN-sanctioned items.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.332-340
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• 2011

Objective : Pyogenic spondylitis often results in acute neurological deterioration requiring adequate surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic treatment. The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of the clinical effect of continuous irrigation via laminotomy in a series of patients with pyogenic spondylitis in thoracic and lumbar spine. Methods : The authors conducted a retrospective investigation of 31 consecutive patients with pyogenic thoracic and lumbar spondylitis who underwent continuous irrigation through laminotomy from 2004 to 2008. The study included 22 men and 9 women, ranging in age from 38 to 78 years (mean 58.1 years). The average follow-up duration was 13.4 months (range, 8-34 months). We performed debridement and abscess removal after simple laminotomy, and then washed out epidural and disc space using a continuous irrigation system. Broad spectrum antibiotics were administered empirically and changed according to the subsequent culture result. Clinical outcomes were based on the low back outcome scale (LBOS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Frankel grade at the last follow-up. Radiological assessment involved plain radiographs, including functional views. Results : Common predisposing factors included local injection for pain therapy, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and liver cirrhosis. Causative microorganisms were identified in 22 cases (70.9%) : Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. were the main organisms. After surgery, LBOS, VAS score, and Frankel grade showed significant improvement in most patients. Spinal stability was maintained during the follow-up period, making secondary reconstructive surgery unnecessary for all patients, except one. Conclusion : Simple laminotomy with continuous irrigation by insertion of a catheter into intervertebral disc space or epidural space was minimally invasive and effective in the treatment of pyogenic spondylitis. This procedure could be a beneficial treatment option in patients with thoracolumbar spondylitis combined with minimal or moderate destructive change of vertebrae.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.130-142
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• 2014

The Korean government is considering implementation of the marine ecosystem restoration technology program (MERTP) to analyze the current status of the marine ecosystems and causes for the ecosystem deterioration as well as to eventually establish a master strategic plan for restoring ecosystem functions and preventing ecosystem functional loss. In order to determine likelihood of successful implementation, it is essential to perform an analysis of the economic feasibility of the program. The present study assessed economic feasibility of the MERTP. To this end, the dichotomous choice contingent valuation (CV) method is used. In particular, dichotomous choice (DC) format is employed as a method of eliciting willingness-to-pay (WTP) response to incentive-compatible mechanisms. The study also employed the spike model to deal with zero WTP responses from the DC CV survey. This survey of 1,000 randomly selected households in accordance with the guidelines provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA) was carried out nationwide in 2013. And, the respondents were asked in person-to-person interviews about their WTP for implementing the MERTP. The results showed that the annual mean WTP was estimated to be 5,414 won per household. Consequently, the annual benefit from the MERTP would be about 98.6 billion won for the next five years. Economic feasibility assessment utilizing the MERTP investment cost and expansion cost of the value provided that net present value, benefit/cost ratio, and internal rate of return are 337.8 billion won, 5.20, and 65.9 %, respectively, which are bigger than 0, 1.0, and 5.5 %, and that the MERTP passes the cost-benefit analysis.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.483-489
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• 2018

Driving behaviors are reported to be vulnerable to safe driving in unexpected situations or driving in the city due to deterioration of physical and cognitive functions in elderly drivers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in driving behaviors according to age of self-drivers and to identify changes in physical function related to driving caused by normal aging. The subjects of the study included 75 healthy adults (21 persons aged 20-39 years, 40 persons 40-64 years, 14 persons 65 years old) who were self-driving and possessed a driver's license. Data included sex, dominant hand, medication, exercise, age, and driving time obtained by a self-reported questionnaire. In addition, this study measured steering, acceleration and braking using a Driver Test Station. Results of the study showed there was no significant difference in power test according to age group, but the total time of the timer test and the emergency brake test significantly differed according to age. The timer test and emergency brake test were completed fastest in young adults between 20 and 39 years old and completed slowest in elderly people 65 years old or over. Based on our study results, it is suggested that normal aging affects the perceptual-cognitive processes associated with driving behaviors.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.16 s.16
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• pp.39-51
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• 2004

The standing Buddha named Taehwa 4 yew in the Jincheon were sculptured with rock cliff of the dark grey shale. Front of the Buddha statue shows $N40^{\circ}W$ strike with nearly vertical dip toward the back side. Rock blocks of the Buddha statue well developed with bedding and laminations whereas rock surface distributed into the various irregular discontinuities. Sculptured lines of the Buddha were uncertain because of degradation and exfoliations on the rock surface. The surface near the Buddha statue is highly contaminated with lichen and mosses, and accelerate physical and biological weathering owing to the roots of weed and bush along the fracture systems. For the conservational treatment, we treated with primary wet cleaning by air gun and secondary cleaning treatment using distilled water. Separated rock surface and fractured parts fasten and/or fill up the boundaries of the rock blocks using epoxy resin for conservation of rock properties. Some brittle surface was treatment with water repellent consolidant of ethyl silicates, and heterogeneous surface carried out color matching by acrylic pigments. Upper part of the Buddha statue dig out small ditch for rain water drainage, and near surface of the Buddha statue treat removal works for lichen, weeds and bush. The duration capacity of the Buddha constituting rocks are degraded by various weathering factors, therefore we suggest that this Buddha statue have need to do long term monitoring and synthetic conservation researches.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.373-383
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the corrosion damage of large diameter metallic pipes buried in reclaimed land due to the corrosion effect by soil, and to propose a method of installing metal pipes in the reclaimed land. The results are as follow. First, the soil of the reclaimed land was gray clay, the soil specific resistance indicating soil corrosiveness was at least 120 Ω-cm, the pH was weakly acidic(5.04 to 5.60), the redox potential was at least 62 mV, the moisture content was at most 48.8%, and chlorine ions and sulfate ions were up to 4,706.1 mg/kg and 420 mg/kg. Therefore, the overall soil corrosivity score was up to 19, and the external corrosion effect seems to be very large. Second, the condition of straight part of pipes was in good condition, but most of KP joints were affected by corrosion at a severe level. The reason for this seems to be that KP joints accelerated corrosion due to stress and crevice corrosion in addition to galvanic corrosion in the same environment. Third, as a result of evaluating correlations of each item that affects the corrosion on the external part, the lower the soil resistivity and redox potential, the greater the effect on the KP joints corrosion, and the moisture content, chloride ion, and sulfate ion, the higher the value, the greater the effect on the corrosion of KP joints. In addition, among soil corrosion items, the coefficient of determination of soil resistivity with corrosion of KP joints was the highest with 0.6439~0.7672. Fourth, when installing metal pipes or other accessories because the soil of the reclaimed land is highly corrosive, it is necessary to apply a corrosion preventive method to extend the life of pipes and prevent leakage accidents caused by corrosion damage to the joint.