• Title/Summary/Keyword: Improvement Factor

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The effect of subject awareness level of oral health on the quality of life for adult patients who visit hospitals and neighborhood clinics in Busan (부산지역 병의원을 내원하는 성인의 구강건강인식수준이 삶의 질에 미치는 영향)

  • Yoon, Hyun-Seo
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.18 no.10
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    • pp.505-512
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    • 2017
  • The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life according to the level of subjective perception as well as to analyze the influencing factors and improve the subjective perception to improve the quality of life. The results of the survey for adult patients in hospitals and neighborhood clinics in the region of Busan for nine months from December 2015 were as follows. Regarding the total symptoms, the women had a score of 1.41, and the younger respondents felt they suffered from no symptoms. An analysis of the quality of life by the general characteristics showed that the respondents who were better educated and had no systemic diseases had a higher score of 54.71 on the OHIP-14. The respondents who were better educated and had no systemic diseases had a higher score of 6.48 when a single item was used to determine their happiness index, and the respondents who were better educated and had no systemic diseases had a higher score of 3.82 when five items were used to rate their happiness index. The factor with the greatest influence on their scores on the OHIP-14 was the total symptoms, followed in order by the happiness index and self-rated oral health status. The variable that exerted the largest influence on the happiness index was the OHIP-14, followed by the self-rated health status, high-school or lower education, and the presence or absence of one or more chronic disease. Therefore, an improvement in the subjective awareness level is required to boost the quality of life, and a variety of health education programs should be prepared to raise the awareness level. In addition, there should be a chance to convey accurate information.

Evaluation of Masticatory Efficiency and Oral Health Related Quality of Life in Temporomandibular Disorder Patients (측두하악장애 환자에서 저작 효율 및 구강건강관련 삶의 질 평가)

  • Lee, Yong-Seung;Byun, Young-Sub;Choi, Jong-Hoon;Ahn, Hyung-Joon
    • Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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    • v.35 no.2
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    • pp.135-147
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    • 2010
  • In this study, the objective masticatory efficiency of two groups of temporomandibular disorder patients, pain and sound groups, was compared with that in a normal group using the MAI (mixing ability Index). The subjective chewing ability was evaluated using questionnaires, such as the Food Intake Ability Index (FIA) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-49K of the patients was also examined to measure the oral health-related quality of life. The results were as follows: 1. The MAI, FIA and VAS in the pain group were significantly lower than in the normal and sound groups. This shows that the chewing efficiency of the pain group was lower than the normal and sound groups (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the sound and normal groups. 2. The OHIP-49K for the oral health-related quality of life showed a significant increase in both the pain and sound groups compared with normal group. This means that the oral health-related quality of life was lower in both the pain and sound groups. 3. There was a correlation between the MAI, FIA and VAS (P<0.01) in all subjects (71 persons). The OHIP-49K was associated with the FIA and VAS. 4. There was a correlation between the FIA and VAS (P<0.05) in the sound group but no correlation in the other groups. 5. There was a correlation between the FIA and VAS in all groups. 6. The VAS was increased significantly in the pain group according to the level of pain reduction after treatment (P<0.05). However, there was no significant increase in the MAI, even though there was an improvement in masticatory efficiency. In addition, there was no difference in the FIA and OHIP-49K according to the level of pain reduction after treatment. In this study, it is believed that pain is a main factor decreasing the masticatory efficiency in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Moreover, TMJ sounds decrease the quality of life but do not decrease the masticatory efficiency. Therefore, it is important to control the pain in order to improve the masticatory efficiency in temporomandibular disorder patients. Moreover, managing both pain and sound can improve the quality of life.

The Effect of the Improvement of the Sales Regulation of General Medicine and Political Proposals (일반의약품 판매규제 완화효과와 정책제언)

  • Yeom, Min-Sun
    • Journal of Distribution Research
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    • v.15 no.5
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    • pp.237-255
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    • 2010
  • The Korean Pharmacist Law has limited the sales of medicine to pharmacies. This has caused difficulty in purchasing medicine late at night or on holidays, which has limited the range of customers' selections and accelerated customers' discomfort, accordingly. Also, the rapid progress of aging has quickly boosted medical expenses for seniors, and has served as a factor that aggravates the budget of national medical insurance. Meanwhile, advanced countries, including the USA and Japan, have allowed the sales of general medicine, of which the safety and efficacy have been tested, in general retail stores such as convenience stores or super markets from the perspective of supporting self-medication. In particular, Japan, which has a strong tendency of pursuing safety in the world, diversified sales channels for general medicine in order to control quickly rising medical expenses. As a result, Japan has achieved the effect of easing various regulations as follows in the economic and social fields. First, the increasing distribution channels of general medicine from pharmacies to general retail stores provoked a potential demand, which also expanded related markets. Second, the competition between sales channels resulted in the reduction of the price of medicine. Third, the growing sales channels of medicine have extended the options of consumers and, subsequently, the convenience in the use of consumers has increased. Fourth, the creation of a competitive environment owing to the diversification of sales channels has accelerated an effort to enhance corporate competitiveness. Fifth, the foundation of enhancing the financial soundness of medical expenses has been prepared through the formation of a self-medication environment. In 2000, the Korean population aged 65 or over exceeded 7%, and it is anticipated to be over 14% by 2018; thus, the increase of national medical expenses will be sped up. As a way of being prepared for the era of aging, we, just as other advanced countries, need to create a self-treatment environment by diversifying the sellers of general medicine, and, thus, reduce spending on personal medical expenses, enhance the financial soundness of national medical insurance, and, further, promote the welfare of consumers.

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The Study on the Change of Iron Concentration and the Reaction Mechanism of the 1,4-Dioxane Degradation using Zero Valent Iron and UV (영가철(Fe$^0$)과 UV를 이용한 1,4-dioxane 분해 반응시 철농도의 변화와 반응 메커니즘의 연구)

  • Son, Hyun-Seok;Im, Jong-Kwon;Zoh, Kyung-Duk
    • Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.323-330
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    • 2008
  • The study presents the results of 1,4-dioxane degradation using zero valent (Fe$^0$) or Fe$^{2+}$ ions with and without UV. During the reaction, the change of [Fe$^{2+}$] and [Fe$^{2+}$]/[Fe(t)], the concentration ratio of ferrous ion to total iron ion in solution was measured. Less than 10% degradation of 1,4-dioxane was observed by UV-only, Fe$^0$-only, and Fe$^{2+}$-only conditions, and also the changes of [Fe$^{2+}$] and [Fe$^{2+}$]/[Fe(t)] were minimal in each reaction. However, the oxidation of Fe$^0$ was enhanced with the irradiation of UV by approximately 25% and the improvement of 1,4-dioxane degradation was observed. Fenton reaction ($Fe^{2+}+H_2O_2$) showed higher degradation efficiency of 1,4-dioxane until 90 min, which of the degradation was stopped after that time. In the reaction of Fe$^{2+}$ and UV, the ratio of [Fe$^{2+}$]/[Fe(t)] decreased then slowly increased after a certain time indicating the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe$^{2+}$. In case of Fe$^0$ in the presence of UV, the first-order rate constant was found to be 1.84$\times$10$^{-3}$ min$^{-1}$ until 90 min, and then changed to 9.33$\times$10$^{-3}$ min$^{-1}$ when the oxidation of Fe$^{2+}$ mainly occurred. In this case [Fe$^{2+}$]/[Fe(t)] kept decreasing for the reaction. However, the addition of perchlortae (ClO$_4^-$) in the reaction of Fe$^0$ and UV induced the continuous increase of [Fe$^{2+}$]/[Fe(t)] ratio. The results mean the primary degradation factor of 1,4-dioxane is the oxidation by the radicals generated from the redox reaction between Fe$^{2+}$ and Fe$^{3+}$. Also, both UV and ClO$_4^-$ played the role inducing the reduction of Fe$^{3+}$, which is important to degrade 1,4-dioxane by enhancing the generation of radicals.

Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Patients with Carcinoma of Uterine Cervix (자궁경부암의 방사선치료시 예후인자의 재분석)

  • Kim Jae Young;Cho Chul Koo;Shim Jae Won;Yoo Seong Yul;Kim Mi Sook;Yun Hyong Geun
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.307-315
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    • 1996
  • Purpose : The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with the carcinoma of uterine cervix treated with curative radiation therapy to evaluate the prognostic factors that would affect the results of the therapy and to get the critical ideas in determining more aggressive treatment schedule. Methods and Materials : From January 1987 to December 1988. Four hundreds and sixty patients with uterine cervical carcinomas treated with radiotherapy at KCCH were registered to this retrospective study. One hundred and three patients were treated with external radiation therapy alone, and 357 patients were treated with external radiation followed by low dose rate intracavitary radiation therapy. The follow-up rate was 88% and median follow-up duration was 48 months. Results : The overall 5 year survival rate of the patients was 67.7%, and when classified by FIGO stages, 5 year survival rates were 81.2%, 76.3%, 73.1%, 50%. 52.3%, 11.5% for stages Ib, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IVa respectively. Tumor size(p=0.0002), endocervical growth pattern(p=0.003), lymph node invasion(p=0.0001), mean hemoglobin level(p=0.0001), and pathologic cell type(p=0.0001) were significant prognostic factors and decrease in survival for young age patient group was marginally important (p=0.03). Conclusion : Significant prognostic factors in the radiation therapy of the uterine cervical carcinoma were tumor size, growth pattern of tumor, lymph node invasion, pathologic cell type, hemoglobin level of patients during treatment and lower survival rate in young age group was obvious, too. Patients with large size tumor(${\geq)$4cm), especially combined with endocervical growth patterns or advanced stages(III or more) need more aggressive treatment to improve the outcome of treatment. And positive feature of lymph node invasion affected the result of therapy, so improvement in the diagnostic and therapeutic trial is essential.

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Gastric Emptying in Patients with Diabetes: Gastric Emptying Time, Retention Rate and Effect of Cisapride (당뇨병 환자의 위배출능 : 위배출시간, 위저류율 및 Cisapride의 영향)

  • Chung, Byung-Chun;Choi, Chung-Il;Gwak, Dong-Suck;Lee, Jae-Tae;Lee, Kyu-Bo;Kim, Bo-Wan;Chung, Jun-Mo
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.299-306
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    • 1992
  • Gastic emptying scan in diabetic patients is widely used to assess the degree of motility disturbance and the symtoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain and early gastric fullness which we can't find anatomic lesion by fiberoscopic or barium study In order to determine the relationship among diabetic gastropathy, neropathy, retinopathy and disease duration, gastric emptying scan using $^{99m}Tc-tin$ colloid labeled scramble egg in hamburger was performed in 10 healty male controls and 50 diabetic patients which were subdivided to no neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy groups according to the degree of diabetic neuropathy and no retinopathy, background retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy groups according to the degree of diabetic retinopathy. After medication of cisapride for 2 weeks, we observed the presence of improvement of gastric motility in diabetics. The results were as following: 1) In controls, gastric emptying time (GET1/2) was $75{\pm}13.6$ min and 2 hour gastric retension rate (GRR2) was $32{\pm}11.1%$. 2) In diabetics, GET/2 was prolonged more than 2 hours and GRR2 was $58{\pm}23.1%$. According to degree of neuropathy, GET1/2 was prolonged more than 2 hours in all three groups and GRR2 was $54{\pm}24.1%$ in no neuropathy group, $57{\pm}24.3%$ in peripheral neuropathy group and $69{\pm}24.6%$ in autonomic neuropathy group. According to degree of retinopathy, GET1/2 was $110{\pm}23.4$ min in no retinopathy group and prolonged more than 2 hours in other two groups and GRR2 was $45{\pm}21.6%$ in no retinopathy group, $71{\pm}19.7%$ in background retinopathy group and $73{\pm}21.5%$ in proliferative retinopathy group. 3) After cisapride medication for 2 weeks, GET1/2 and GRR2 were improved as $90{\pm}14.6$ min and $40{\pm}13.8%$ (initial GET1/2 and GRR2 were above 2 hours and $61{\pm}15.4%$). We can conclude from above findings that gastropathy in diabetic neuropathy suggesting main underlying factor in motility disorder The degree of retinopathy and disease duration were correlated with severity of gastropathy in diabetics. From the results of gastric emptying scan, we can conclude that cisapride was useful drug for improving diabetic gastropathy and gastric emptying scan was valuable for assessing severity of diabetic gastropathy as non-invasive method.

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The Effect of Exercise Training on Aβ-42, BDNF, GLUT-1 and HSP-70 Proteins in a NSE/ APPsw-transgenic Model for Alzheimer's Disease. (지구성 운동이 NSE/APPsw 알츠하이머 질환 생쥐의 인지능력, Aβ-42, BDNF, GLUT-1과 HSP-70 단백질 발현에 미치는 영향)

  • Eum, Hyun-Sub;Kang, Eun-Bum;Lim, Yea-Hyun;Lee, Jong-Rok;Cho, In-Ho;Kim, Young-Soo;Chae, Kab-Ryoung;Hwang, Dae-Yean;Kwak, Yi-Sub;Oh, Yoo-Sung;Cho, Joon-Yong
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.18 no.6
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    • pp.796-803
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    • 2008
  • Mutations in the APP gene lead to enhanced cleavage by ${\beta}-$ and ${\gamma}-secretase$, and increased $A{\beta}$ formation, which are closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like neuropathological changes. Recent studies have shown that exercise training can ameliorate pathogenic phenotypes ($A{\beta}-42$, BDNF, GLUT-1 and HSP70) in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease. Here, we have used NSE/APPsw transgenic mice to investigate directly whether exercise training ameliorates pathogenic phenotypes within Alzheimer's brains. Sixteen weeks of exercise training resulted in a reduction of $A{\beta}-42$ peptides and also facilitated improvement of cognitive function. Furthermore, GLUT -1 and BDNF proteins produced by exercise training may protect brain neurons by inducing the concomitant expression of genes that encode proteins (HSP-70) which suppress stress induced neuron cell damages from APPsw transgenic mice. Thus, the improved cognitive function by exercise training may be mechanistically linked to a reduction of $A{\beta}-42$ peptides, possibly via activation of BDNF, GLUT-1, and HSP-70 proteins. On the basis of the evidences presented in this study, exercise training may represent a practical therapeutic management strategy for human subjects suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

An Empirical Study on Technological Innovation Management Factors of SMEs (중소기업의 기술혁신 관리요소에 관한 실증연구)

  • Im, Chae-Hyon;Shin, Jin-Kyo
    • Journal of Technology Innovation
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.75-107
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    • 2012
  • Previous researches on technological innovation have several limitations such as lack of general mechanism for technological innovation(inputs, throughputs and outputs of technological innovation), large company oriented studies, and ignoring importance of technology management capabilities. So, this study suggested a new model using resource-based theory and system theory, and empirically applied that to SMEs. Structural equation model analysis by using 223 SMEs in Daegu region provided a support for most of hypotheses. Research results showed that all of factors on technological innovation were significantly and positively related with each other: inputs(R&D leadership, innovation strategy, R&D investment, R&D human resource management, external network), throughputs(portfolio management, project management, technology commercialization) and output(technological innovation). In case of technological innovation inputs, R&D leadership influenced on innovation strategy positively and significantly. And R&D leadership and innovation strategy had positive and significant effects on R&D investment, R&D human resource management and external network. R&D human resource management and external network exerted positive and significant influences on technological innovation throughputs such as portfolio management and project management. But R&D investment did not significant impacts on technological innovation throughputs. Among technological innovation throughputs, both portfolio management and project management had positive and significant effect on technology commercialization. In addition, technology commercialization acted positively and significantly technological innovation output. This study suggests necessary of efforts to implement innovation strategy and manage R&D human resource effectively based on CEO's innovativeness and entrepreneurship. Also, if SMEs want to develop technology and commercialize it, they have to cooperate with external technology resources and informations. Research results revealed that proper level of R&D investment, internal and external communication, information sharing, and learning and cooperative culture were very important for improvement of technological innovation performance in SMEs. Especially, this research suggested that if SMEs manage technological innovation process effectively based on resource-based and system approaches, then they can overcome their resource limitations and gain high technological innovation performance. Also, useful policy support for technological innovation of central or regional government by this research model is important factor for SMEs' technological innovation performance.

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New Approaches for Overcoming Current Issues of Plasma Sputtering Process During Organic-electronics Device Fabrication: Plasma Damage Free and Room Temperature Process for High Quality Metal Oxide Thin Film

  • Hong, Mun-Pyo
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 2012.02a
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    • pp.100-101
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    • 2012
  • The plasma damage free and room temperature processedthin film deposition technology is essential for realization of various next generation organic microelectronic devices such as flexible AMOLED display, flexible OLED lighting, and organic photovoltaic cells because characteristics of fragile organic materials in the plasma process and low glass transition temperatures (Tg) of polymer substrate. In case of directly deposition of metal oxide thin films (including transparent conductive oxide (TCO) and amorphous oxide semiconductor (AOS)) on the organic layers, plasma damages against to the organic materials is fatal. This damage is believed to be originated mainly from high energy energetic particles during the sputtering process such as negative oxygen ions, reflected neutrals by reflection of plasma background gas at the target surface, sputtered atoms, bulk plasma ions, and secondary electrons. To solve this problem, we developed the NBAS (Neutral Beam Assisted Sputtering) process as a plasma damage free and room temperature processed sputtering technology. As a result, electro-optical properties of NBAS processed ITO thin film showed resistivity of $4.0{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}{\cdot}m$ and high transmittance (>90% at 550 nm) with nano- crystalline structure at room temperature process. Furthermore, in the experiment result of directly deposition of TCO top anode on the inverted structure OLED cell, it is verified that NBAS TCO deposition process does not damages to the underlying organic layers. In case of deposition of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) thin film on the plastic polymer substrate, the room temperature processed sputtering coating of high quality TCO thin film is required. During the sputtering process with higher density plasma, the energetic particles contribute self supplying of activation & crystallization energy without any additional heating and post-annealing and forminga high quality TCO thin film. However, negative oxygen ions which generated from sputteringtarget surface by electron attachment are accelerated to high energy by induced cathode self-bias. Thus the high energy negative oxygen ions can lead to critical physical bombardment damages to forming oxide thin film and this effect does not recover in room temperature process without post thermal annealing. To salve the inherent limitation of plasma sputtering, we have been developed the Magnetic Field Shielded Sputtering (MFSS) process as the high quality oxide thin film deposition process at room temperature. The MFSS process is effectively eliminate or suppress the negative oxygen ions bombardment damage by the plasma limiter which composed permanent magnet array. As a result, electro-optical properties of MFSS processed ITO thin film (resistivity $3.9{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$, transmittance 95% at 550 nm) have approachedthose of a high temperature DC magnetron sputtering (DMS) ITO thin film were. Also, AOS (a-IGZO) TFTs fabricated by MFSS process without higher temperature post annealing showed very comparable electrical performance with those by DMS process with $400^{\circ}C$ post annealing. They are important to note that the bombardment of a negative oxygen ion which is accelerated by dc self-bias during rf sputtering could degrade the electrical performance of ITO electrodes and a-IGZO TFTs. Finally, we found that reduction of damage from the high energy negative oxygen ions bombardment drives improvement of crystalline structure in the ITO thin film and suppression of the sub-gab states in a-IGZO semiconductor thin film. For realization of organic flexible electronic devices based on plastic substrates, gas barrier coatings are required to prevent the permeation of water and oxygen because organic materials are highly susceptible to water and oxygen. In particular, high efficiency flexible AMOLEDs needs an extremely low water vapor transition rate (WVTR) of $1{\times}10^{-6}gm^{-2}day^{-1}$. The key factor in high quality inorganic gas barrier formation for achieving the very low WVTR required (under ${\sim}10^{-6}gm^{-2}day^{-1}$) is the suppression of nano-sized defect sites and gas diffusion pathways among the grain boundaries. For formation of high quality single inorganic gas barrier layer, we developed high density nano-structured Al2O3 single gas barrier layer usinga NBAS process. The NBAS process can continuously change crystalline structures from an amorphous phase to a nano- crystalline phase with various grain sizes in a single inorganic thin film. As a result, the water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) of the NBAS processed $Al_2O_3$ gas barrier film have improved order of magnitude compared with that of conventional $Al_2O_3$ layers made by the RF magnetron sputteringprocess under the same sputtering conditions; the WVTR of the NBAS processed $Al_2O_3$ gas barrier film was about $5{\times}10^{-6}g/m^2/day$ by just single layer.

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The Long-Term Variations of Water Quality in Masan Bay, South Sea of Korea (남해 마산만 수질의 장기 변동 특성)

  • Kwon, Jung-No;Lim, Jae-Hyun;Shim, Jeonghee;Lee, Jangho;Choi, Tae-Jun
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.212-223
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    • 2014
  • For the better understanding of long-term and seasonal variations of water quality in Masan Bay, South Sea of Korea, we analyzed the archive data monitored at three stations of the bay during the last 13 years (2000-2012). The average concentrations of the chemical oxygen demand (COD), the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and the dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) during the monitoring period are $2.70{\pm}0.09{\mu}/L$, $19.66{\pm}1.84{\mu}m$ and $1.39{\pm}0.13{\mu}m$ in surface water, respectively, and $2.22{\pm}0.07{\mu}/L$, $18.53{\pm}1.36{\mu}m$ and $1.47{\pm}0.12{\mu}m$ in bottom water, respectively. The trophic state of the surface water was the eutrophic level in Masan Bay during the four seasons. The DIN concentrations of both surface and bottom waters increased from August to November and showed the highest average in November. However, The DIN decreased from February to May and showed the lowest average in May. The concentrations of the DIP and the dissolved silicate (DSi) in bottom waters had the highest averages in August because of the high water temperature and oxygen deficient condition. The results of correlation analysis and factor analysis showed that the main factors of surface waters were inflow of nutrients from terrestrial areas and internal production, and the main factors of bottom waters were the variations of the dissolved oxygen (DO), the DIP, and the DSi. The DIN and DIP average concentrations (2007~2012) had decreased in range of 68.1%~76.0% and 66.2~76.6%, respectively from 2007 in which the "Regulation of Total Emission" was established in Masan Bay. Therefore, it could have had positive effects on water quality improvement to take the "Regulation of Total Emission" and other actions such as reducing water pollutions in Masan Bay from 2007.