• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.409-414
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• 2011

This study was conducted to find out an alternative way of rapid and accurate analysis of forage quality. Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to evaluate the possibility of forage analysis. 175 samples consisted of Italian ryegrass, whole crop barley and pea seeded spring in 2009 were collected. The samples were analyzed for moisture, crude protein (CP), crude ash (CA), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and also scanned using NIRSystem with wavelength from 400~2,500 nm. Multiple linear regression was used with wet analysis data for developing the calibration model and validated unknown samples. The important index in this experiment were SEC, SEP. The r2 value for moisture, CP, CA, ADF, and NDF in calibration set was 0.65, 0.97, 0.93, 0.99, and 0.97 and also was 0.15, 0.94, 0.96, 0.98 and 0.98 in validation set, respectively. The results of this experiment indicates that NIRS was reliable analytical method to assess forage quality for CP, CA ADF and NDF except moisture content in forage when proper samples incorporated into the equation development.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2017

Korean Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) has been protected and used as the most ecologically and socio-culturally important tree species in Korea. However, as dieback of Korean red pines has occurred in the protected area of the forest genetic resources. The aims of this study is to identify causes for dieback of pine tree by investigating topographical characteristics of pine tree dieback and its correlation to meteorological factors. We extracted the dead trees from the time series aerial images and analyzed geomorphological characteristics of dead tree concentration area. As a result, 1,956 dead pine trees were extracted in the study region of 2,600 ha. Dieback of pine trees was found mostly in the areas with high altitude, high solar radiation, low topographic wetness index, south and south-west slopes, ridgelines, and high wind exposure compared to other living pine forest area. These areas are classified as high temperature and high drought stress regions due to micro-climatic characteristics affected by topographic factors. As high temperature and drought stress are generally increasing with climate change, we can evaluated that a risk of pine tree dieback is also increasing. Based on these geomorphological characteristics, we developed a pine tree dieback risk map using Maximum Entropy Model (MaxEnt), and it can be useful for establishing Korean red pine protection and management strategies.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.929-938
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• 2020

In this study, we estimated missing evapotranspiration (ET) data at a eddy-covariance flux tower in the Cheongmicheon farmland site using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The ANN showed excellent performance in numerical analysis and is expanding in various fields. To evaluate the performance the ANN-based gap-filling, ET was calculated using the existing gap-filling methods of Mean Diagnostic Variation (MDV) and Food and Aggregation Organization Penman-Monteith (FAO-PM). Then ET was evaluated by time series method and statistical analysis (coefficient of determination, index of agreement (IOA), root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). For the validation of each gap-filling model, we used 30 minutes of data in 2015. Of the 121 missing values, the ANN method showed the best performance by supplementing 70, 53 and 84 missing values, respectively, in the order of MDV, FAO-PM, and ANN methods. Analysis of the coefficient of determination (MDV, FAO-PM, and ANN methods followed by 0.673, 0.784, and 0.841, respectively.) and the IOA (The MDV, FAO-PM, and ANN methods followed by 0.899, 0.890, and 0.951 respectively.) indicated that, all three methods were highly correlated and considered to be fully utilized, and among them, ANN models showed the highest performance and suitability. Based on this study, it could be used more appropriately in the study of gap-filling method of flux tower data using machine learning method.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.33-49
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• 2017

Background: Health care utilizations and costs of the patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease in Korea increased dramatically. We analyzed whether hospital market competition is associated with charges and length of stay for patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease. Methods: We used Medical claims data of 2002 and 2010 from the nationwide representative sample of National Health Insurance Service of Korea. The study subjects were inpatients with degenerative lumbar spine disease (N=24,768) in 2002 and 2010. We employed a multilevel linear mixed model that included patient- and hospital-level variables in hierarchical data. Results: Higher hospital competition was associated with lower charges (${\beta}=57.5$, p<.0001 in 2002; ${\beta}=353.7$, p<.0001 in 2010) and shorter length of stay (${\beta}=0.3$, p<.0001 in 2002; ${\beta}=0.9$, p<.0001 in 2010) in both 2002 and 2010. Compared to 2002, the magnitude of such association became greater in 2010. However, subgroup analyses show that the influence of competition on charges and length of stay differed by hospital size. Conclusions: This study showed that hospital market structure (e.g., hospital competition) affects hospital efficiency (i.e., hospital charges and length of stay). It is necessary to continue to monitor how changing market structure influences hospital outcomes, including more detailed outcomes such as patient satisfaction.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.147-163
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• 2013

The world faces several issues of energy crisis and environmental deterioration due to over-dependence on single source of which is fossil fuel. Though, fuel is needed as ingredients for industrial development and growth of any country, however the fossil fuel which is a major source of energy for this purpose has always been terrifying thus the need for alternative and renewable energy sources. The search for alternative energy sources resulted into the acceptance of a biofuel as a reliable alternative energy source. This work presents the study of optimization of process of transesterification of vegetable oil to biodiesel using NaOH as catalyst. A $2^4$ factorial design method was employed to investigate the influence of ratio of oil to methanol, temperature, NaOH concentration, and transesterification time on the yield of biodiesel from vegetable oil. Low and high levels of the key factors considered were 4:1 and 6:1 mole ratio, 30 and $60^{\circ}C$ temperatures, 0.5 and 1.0 wt% catalyst concentration, and 30 and 60 min reaction time. Results obtained revealed that oil to methanol molar ratio of 6:1, tranesetrification temperature of $60^{\circ}C$, catalyst concentration of 1.0wt % and reaction time of 30 min are the best operating conditions for the optimum yield of biofuel from vegetable oil, with optimum yield of 95.8%. Results obtained on the characterizzation of the produced biodiesel indicate that the specific gravity, cloud point, flash point, sulphur content, viscosity, diesel index, centane number, acid value, free glycerine, total glycerine and total recovery are 0.8899, 4, 13, 0.0087%, 4.83, 25, 54.6. 0.228mgKOH/g, 0.018, 0.23% and 96% respectively. Results also indicate that the qualities of the biodiesel tested for are in conformity with the set standard. A model equation was developed based on the results obtained using a statistical tool. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of data shows that mole ratio of ground nut oil to methanol and transesterification time have the most pronounced effect on the biodiesel yield with contributions of 55.06% and 9.22% respectively. It can be inferred from the results various conducted that vegetable oil locally produced from groundnut oil can be utilized as a feedstock for biodiesel production.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.7-19
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• 2016

Purpose: To investigate the effect of early hypothermia on post-resuscitation myocardial recovery and survival time after cardiac arrest and resuscitation in a rat model of myocardial infarction(MI). Methods: Thoracotomies were performed in 10 male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 450-455g. Myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Ninety minutes after arterial ligation, ventricular fibrillation was induced, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was subsequently performed before defibrillation was attempted. Animals were randomized to control group and experimental group(acute MI-normothermia)($32^{\circ}C$ for 4 hours). Duration of survival was recorded. Myocardial functions, including cardiac output, left ventricular ejection fraction, and myocardial performance index were measured using echocardiography. Results: Myocardial function was significantly better in hypothermia group than the control group during the first 4 hours post-resuscitation. The survival time of the experimental group was greater than that of the control group(p<.050). Conclusion: This study suggests that early hypothermia can attenuate post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction after acute myocardial function, and may be a useful strategy in post-resuscitation care.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.61-79
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of Dokwal-tang(Duhuo-tang) and Jungsongouhyul Pharmacopuncture on pain control and nerve regeneration after crush injury in rat sciatic nerve. Methods : Animal model was produced through right sciatic nerve crush injury and they were randomly divided into four groups; Group I: no treatment control group; Group II: experimental group treated with Dokwal-tang(Duhuo-tang); Group III: experimental group treated with Jungsongouhyul Pharmacopuncture; Group IV: experimental group treated with Dokwal-tang(Duhuo-tang) and Jungsongouhyul Pharmacopuncture. For the pain assessment, this study was observed the paw withdrawal latency(PWL) and immunoreactivity on the substance-P. For the nerve regeneration assessment, the sciatic functional index(SFI) and immunoreactivity on the GAP-43 were measured. Results : 1. In the pain assessment, the PWL of experimental groups were significantly higher than control group and group IV was significantly higher than other groups. 2. In immunohistochemical response of substance-P, as time passes, all groups had decreased immunoreactivity gradually. Specially, group IV was observed the lowest immunoreactivity. 3. In the assessment of SFI, the SFI of experimental groups were significantly higher than control group. 4. In immunohistochemical response of GAP-43, all groups had higher GAP-43 immunoreactivity at the 14 days from post-injury and at the all days, control group was observed most lower immunoreactivity and group IV was observed most higher immunoreactivity. Conclusions : These results of this study suggest that Dokwal-tang(Duhuo-tang) and Jungsongouhyul Pharmacopuncture was related with pain inhibition and motor nerve recovery, and decreased substance-P expression and increased GAP-43 expression after sciatic nerve crush injury.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.143-155
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• 2016

Recently, a massive loss of life and property is occurring in Korea due to traffic accidents, with the rapid increase in cars. For improvement of traffic safety, the Korea Transportation Safety Authority intensively analyzes accident data in local governments with low traffic safety index, performs a field investigation to extract problems and offers local governments improvements for problems, by conducting the 'Special Survey of Actual Conditions of Traffic Safety' each year, starting 2008. But local governments cannot strongly push forward the improvement projects due to the limited budget and the uncertainty of the improvement plan effects. Therefore, this study suggested a model which applied the Utility concept to the AHP theory, in order to efficiently decide a priority of the improvement plans in accident black spots in consideration of the limited budget of local governments. The number of accidents in each spot for improvement and accident severity, traffic volume, pedestrian volume, the improvement project cost and the accident reduction effect were chosen as evaluation factors for deciding a priority, and data about the improvement plan costs and the accident reduction effects, traffic accidents and traffic volume in the spots to undergo the special research on the real condition of traffic accident in the past were collected from the existing studies. Then, regression analysis was carried out and the Utility Curve of each evaluation factor was computed. Based on the AHP analysis findings, this study devised a priority decision method which calculated the weight and the utility function of each evaluation factor and compared the total utility values. The AHP analysis findings showed that among the evaluation factors, accident severity had the biggest importance and it was followed by the improvement plan cost, the number of accidents, the improvement effect, traffic volume and pedestrian volume. The calculated utility function shows a rise in utility, as the variables of the 5 evaluation factors; the number of accidents, accident severity, the improvement plan effect, traffic volume and pedestrian volume increase and a fall in utility, as the variables of the improvement plan cost increase, since the improvement plan cost is included in the budget spent by a local government.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.235-247
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• 1998

A new technique of simultaneons inversion for 3-D seismic velocity structure by using direct, reflected, and refracted waves is applied to the center of the Korean Peninsula including Pyongnam Basin, Kyonggi Massif, Okchon Fold Zone, Taebaeksan Fold Zone, Ryongnam Massif and Kyongsang Basin. Pg, Sg, PmP, SmS, Pn, and Sn arrival times of 32 events with 404 seismic rays are inverted for locations and crustal structure. 5 ($1^{\circ}$ along the latitude)${\times}6$ ($0.5^{\circ}$ along the longitude) ${\times}8$ block (4 km each layer) model was inverted. 3-D seismic crustal velocity tomography including eight sections from the surface to the Moho, eight profiles along latitude and longitude and the Moho depth distribution was determined. The results are as follows: (1) the average velocity and thickness of sediment are 5.15 km/sec and 3-4 km, and the velocity of basement is 6.12 km/sec. (2) the velocities fluctuate strongly in the upper crust, and the velocity distribution of the lower crust under Conrad appears basically horizontal. (3) the average depth of Moho is 29.8 km and velocity is 7.97 km/sec. (4) from the sedimentary depth and velocity, basement thickness and velocity, form of the upper crust, the Moho depth and form of the remarkable crustal velocity differences among Pyongnam Basin, Kyonggi Massif, Okchon Zone, Ryongnam Massif and Kyongsang Basin can be found. (5) The different crustal features of ocean and continent crust are obvious. (6) Some deep index of the Chugaryong Rift Zone can be located from the cross section profiles. (7) We note that there are big anisotropy bodies near north of Seoul and Hongsung in the upper crust, implying that they may be related to the Chugaryong Rift Zone and deep fault systems.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.419-428
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• 2013

The objectives of this research were to determine ecological characteristics and chemical gradients in two different loach populations-Misgurnus anguillicaudatus ($M_a$) and Koreocobitis rotundicaudata ($K_r$). Eight chemical parameters were compared to test the chemical preferences between the two species. The population of Kr occurred more in better water quality, compared to the $M_a$-population. The $M_a$-population co-occurred more with tolerant species (TS) and omnivores, whereas the $K_r$-population co-occurred more with sensitive species (SS) and insectivores. The differences in the tolerance and trophic composition matched well with the result of stream health assessment, based on the multi-metric model of Index of Biological Integrity (IBI). The IBI value in habitat with the $M_a$-population was "19.6" (range: 8~40) indicating a fair condition, and the IBI values of $K_r$-population was 29.4 (range: 12~40) indicating good condition. Similar results were found in physical habitat health analysis (QHEI). Overall, data analysis showed that the $M_a$-population belong to the tolerant species and $K_r$-population belong to sensitive species in the tolerance classification.