• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.376-384
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• 2019

Background: Nutrient release during litter decomposition was investigated in Vitex doniana, Terminalia avecinioides, Sarcocephallus latifolius, and Parinari curatellifolius in Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria (January 10 to March 10 and from June 10 to August 10, 2016). Leaf decomposition was measured as loss in mass of litter over time using the decay model W_t/W₀ = e-^{kd t}, while $Kd=-{\frac{1}{t}}In({\frac{Wt}{W0}})$ was used to evaluate decomposition rate. Time taken for half of litter to decompose was measured using T₅₀ = ln ²/k; while nutrient accumulation index was evaluated as $NAI=(\frac{{\omega}t\;Xt}{{\omega}oXo})$. Results: Average mass of litter remaining after exposure ranged from 96.15 g, (V. doniana) to 78.11 g, (S. lafolius) in dry (November to March) and wet (April to October) seasons. Decomposition rate was averagely faster in the wet season (0.0030) than in the dry season (0.0022) with P. curatellifolius (0.0028) and T. avecinioides (0.0039) having the fastest decomposition rates in dry and wet seasons. Mean residence time (days) ranged from 929 to 356, while the time (days) for half the original mass to decompose ranged from 622 to 201 (dry and wet seasons). ANOVA revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.01) in decomposition rates and exposure time (days) and a significant interaction (p < 0.05) between species and exposure time in both seasons. Conclusion: Slow decomposition in the plant leaves implied carbon retention in the ecosystem and slow release of CO₂ back to the atmosphere, while nitrogen was mineralized in both seasons. The plants therefore showed effectiveness in nutrient cycling and support productivity in the ecosystem.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

The trend of x-ray image sensor has been evolved from an amorphous silicon sensor to a crystal silicon sensor. A crystal silicon X-ray sensor, meaning a X-ray CIS (CMOS image sensor), is consisted of three transistors (Trs), i.e., a Reset Transistor, a Source Follower and a Select Transistor, and a photodiode. They are highly sensitive to radiation exposure. As the frequency of exposure to radiation increases, the quality of the imaging device dramatically decreases. The most well known effects of a X-ray CIS due to the radiation damage are increments in the reset voltage and dark currents. In this study, a pixel array of a X-ray CIS was made of $20{\times}20pixels$ and this pixel array was exposed to a high radiation dose. The radiation source was Co-60 and the total radiation dose was increased from 1 to 9 kGy with a step of 1 kGy. We irradiated the small pixel array to get the increments data of the reset voltage and the dark currents. Also, we simulated the radiation effects of the pixel by MCNP (Monte Carlo N-Particle) simulation. From the comparison of actual data and simulation data, the most affected location could be determined and the cause of the increments of the reset voltage and dark current could be found.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.227-244
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• 2021

Objectives: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey provides representative biomonitoring data for environmental pollutants in South Korea. Over the last decade, there have been various studies published using this data. In this study, we aimed to provide information and implications by reviewing each study. Methods: We searched comprehensive electronic databases from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Naver Academic database using the key words 'Korean National Environmental Health Survey' and 'KoNEHS' through March 2021. A total of 57 studies were selected after reviewing the relevance of the data. Results: The most frequently studied pollutants were heavy metals (10), Cotinine (8), Bisphenol A (7), and Phthalates (6), in that order. In particular, Phthalates, Bisphenol A, and Parabens were often studied together (6). A decline in urinary cotinine and heavy metals in the body was shown over time among studies on exposure association. It was demonstrated that Phthalates and Bisphenol A were significantly related to obesity and diabetes from the studies of health impacts. Cross-section study design, spot urine, and insufficient health status information were mostly reported as limitations of the data. Conclusion: Since research has been focused on adults, further investigations of children and adolescents are required. In this regard, it is necessary to maintain the consistency of the data structure and provide integrated weights for all ages. In addition, it would allow the measurement of several environmental pollutants by considering subsample design. Lastly, integrated studies with multi-cycles and the health effects from co-exposure to multiple chemicals would be expected to provide important knowledge.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.78-90
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to standardize the process code of the work environment measurement database (WEMD) for the construction of a job-exposure matrix (JEM). Methods: The standard process code (SPC) was reclassified based on process similarity and drawing upon the code used in the existing K2B. It was supplemented through review by industrial hygiene experts. In addition, an index word database related to SPC was created and used for SPC search. A pilot evaluation project was conducted by experts to evaluate the validity of the newly reclassified standard process code. Results: A total of 70 final SPCs were developed, including 31 processes related to the construction industry. Using the Shiny program, we developed a standard code finder that can be used on the web (https://kscf.shinyapps.io/scf_app/). As a result of the pilot evaluation, it was determined that it was easier to search for standard codes than previous codes, so it was highly utilized. Conclusions: It is expected that JEM construction using industry-process information drawing on WEMD data will be possible using the 70 newly standardized process codes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.57-69
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D is produced in the skin during sun exposure and is also ingested from foods. The role of vitamin D needs to be considered in the prevention and management of various diseases. Moreover, since the majority of Koreans spend their days indoors, becoming susceptible to the risk of vitamin D deficiency. The current study aims to prepare a basis for determining dietary reference intake of vitamin D in Korea, by reviewing the evidence against various diseases and risks. MATERIALS/METHODS: Literature published in Korea and other countries between 2014 and 2018 was prioritized based on their study design and other criteria, and evaluated using the RoB 2.0 assessment form and United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Evidence Library Conclusion Statement Evaluation Criteria. RESULTS: Of the 1,709 studies, 128 studies were included in the final systematic analysis after screening. To set the dietary reference intakes of vitamin D based on the selected articles, blood 25(OH)D levels and indicators of bone health were used collectively. Blood vitamin D levels and ultraviolet (UV) exposure time derived from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed to establish the dietary reference intakes of vitamin D for each stage of the life cycle. The adequate intake levels of vitamin D, according to age and gender, were determined to be in the range of 5-15 ㎍/day, and the tolerable upper intake level was established at 25-100 ㎍/day. CONCLUSIONS: The most important variable for vitamin D nutrition is lifestyle. A balanced diet comprising foods with high contents of vitamin D is important, as is vitamin D synthesis after UV exposure. The adequate intake level of vitamin D mentioned in the 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Korean (KDRI) remained unchanged in the 2020 KDRI for the management of vitamin D nutrition in Koreans.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2023

Background: Injury is one of the major health problems in South Korea. Few studies have evaluated both intentional and unintentional injury when investigating the association between exposure to air pollutants and injury. Objectives: We aimed to explore the association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and years of life lost (YLLs) due to injury. Methods: Data on daily YLLs for 2002~2019 were obtained from the the Death Statistics Database of the Korean National Statistical Office. This study estimated short-term exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of <10 ㎛ (PM₁₀), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 ㎛ (PM_2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O₃). This time series study was conducted using a generalized additive model (GAM) assuming a Gaussian distribution. We also evaluated a delayed effect of ambient air pollution by constructing a lag structure up to seven days. The best-fitting lag was selected based on smallest generalized cross validation (GCV) value. To explore effect modification by intentionality of injury (i.e., intentional injury [self-harm, assault] and unintentional injury), we conducted stratified subgroup analyses. Additionally, we stratified unintentional injury by mechanism (traffic accident, fall, etc.). Results: During the study period, the average daily YLLs due to injury was 307.5 years. In the intentional injury, YLLs due to self-harm and assault showed positive association with air pollutants. In the unintentional injury, YLLs due to fall, electric current, fire and poisoning showed positive association with air pollutants, whereas YLLs due to traffic accident, mechanical force and drowning/submersion showed negative associations with air pollutants. Conclusions: Injury is recognized as preventable, and effective strategies to create a safe society are important. Therefore, we need to establish strategies to prevent injury and consider air pollutants in this regard.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.396-400
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• 1985

For investigation of the optimum gas composition for CA storage of Shingo pear, the pears were kept at 8 different $O_2/CO_2$ concentrations for 5 months and checked in some indices related in storability and sensory quality after storage and transfer to air at $20^{\circ}C$ for 1 week. The pears kept in all the CA storage conditions in this experiment, especially in $3%\;O_2-3%,\;CO_2$, were lower in weight loss than the pears kept in cold room. Immediately after storage decay rates of the pears stored at CA storage conditions except $3%\;O_2-3%,\;CO_2$ and $3%\;O_2-4%,\;CO_2$ were more serious than that of the pears stored at cold room, and the rates of the pears, especially stored at cold room, were rapidly increased by exposure to $20^{\circ}C$ after storage. The highest soluble solid content and firmess were shown in the pears stored at the CA storage condition of $3%\;O_2-3%,\;CO_2$, and the pears stored at the conditions of $3%\;O_2$ and $4%{\sim}5%\;CO_2$ had the highest acidity. In sensory evaluation the pears kept at the conditions of $3%O_2-3%$, 4% and 5% $CO_2$ maintained a good quality after storage and after storage and transfer to air at $20^{\circ}C$ for 1 week.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.226-232
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• 2010

Incidence of tooth impaction varies from 5.6 to 18.8% of the population. Failure of eruption of the first and second permanent molars is rare; the prevalence in the normal population is 0.01% in case of the first permanent molar, and 0.06% in case of the second permanent molar. Permanent molars are particularly important for providing sufficient occlusal support and co-ordinating facial growth. Failure of eruption of permanent molars may result in various complications such as decrease in vertical dimension, posterior open bite, extrusion of antagonistic teeth, resorption and inclination of adjacent teeth, formation of cyst and so on. Treatment options of impacted teeth are periodic observation, surgical exposure, surgical exposure with subluxation, orthodontic relocation, and surgical extraction before prosthetic treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are important, because delayed treatment induces various problems such as decreased spontaneous eruptive force, decreased successful percentage, increased treatment period, increased various complications. Prevalence of the failure of mandibular first molars is rare but eruptive guidance before extraction of impacted teeth is necessary due to importance of permanent molars. We reported two cases of surgical exposure of impacted mandibular first molar. In these cases, we could observe different result of the impacted mandibular first molar after surgical exposure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.231-241
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the input status of exposure-related information in the working environment monitoring database (WEMD) and special health examination database (SHED) for the construction of a national exposure surveillance system. Methods: The industrial and process code input status of WEMD and SHED for 21 carcinogens from 2014 to 2016 was compared. Data from workers who performed both work environment monitoring and special health examinations in 2019 and 2020 were extracted and the actual status of input of industrial and process codes was analyzed. We also investigated the cause of input errors through a focus group interview with 12 data input specialists. Results: As a result of analyzing WMED and SHED for 21 carcinogens, the five-digit industrial code matching rate was low at 53.5% and the process code matching rate was 19% or less. Among the data that simultaneously conducted work environment monitoring and special health examination in 2019 and 2020, the process code matching rate was very low at 18.1% and 5.2%, respectively. The main causes of exposure-related data input errors were the difference between the WEMD and SHED process code input systems from 2020, the number of standard process and job codes being too large, and the inefficiency of the standard code search system. Conclusions: In order to use WEMD and SHED as a national surveillance system, it is necessary to simplify the number of standard code input codes and improve the search system efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.339-344
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• 1994

The crystal structure of a methanol sorption complex of dehydrated partially Co(II)-exchanged zeolite A, $Co_4Na_4-A{\cdot}6.5CH_3OH$ (a = 12.169(1) $\AA)$, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques in the cubic space group Pm$\bar3$m at $21(1)^{\circ}C. $Co_4Na_4$-A was dehydrated at $360^{\circ}C\;and\;2{\times}10^{-6}$ torr for 2 days, followed by exposure to about 104 torr of methanol vapor at $22(1)^{\circ}C$ for 1 hr. The structure was refined to final error indices, $R_1$ = 0.061 and $R_2$ = 0.060 with 147 reflections, for which I > $3\sigma(I).$ In this structure, four $Co^{2+}$ ions and 1.5 $Na^+$ ions per unit cell lie at 6-ring positions: the $Na^+$ ions are recessed 0.44 $\AA$ into the sodalite unit and the Co(II) ions extend ca. 0.55 $\AA$ into the large cavity. 2.5 $Na^+$ ions lie in an 8-oxygen ring plane. The 6.5 methanol molecules are sorbed per unit cell. The 6.5 methanol oxygens, all in the large cavity, associate with the 4 $Co^{2+}$ ions and 2.5 $Na^+$ ions.