• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.437-448
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• 2022

This work aims to assess the threat to human health of hazardous materials in groundwater that is used domestically and for drinking. Two distinct sub-assessments are considered: cancer and non-cancer risk. The studied groundwater is in an agricultural area of Gyeongnam Province, Korea, and is contaminated by arsenic at a mean level of 16.27 ㎍/L, far greater than the WHO guideline (10 ㎍/L for drinking water). We collected groundwater data from the National Groundwater Information Center (gims.go.kr) and assessed the risk to human health following the methodology of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. We considered three exposure scenarios: domestic use (scenario 1) and drinking use with different doses (scenarios 2 and 3). Scenario 1 had a median hazard quotient (HQ) of 0.77 and a cancer risk (CR) of 0.013. Scenario 2 had a median HQ of 0.08 and a CR of 3.69 × 10^-5, and the values for scenario 3 were 0.11 and 4.82 × 10^-5, respectively. Scenario 1 is likely the most hazardous to human health. Further study of the origin of arsenic in groundwater in the study area is required, as are remedial measures to mitigate its health effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.164-175
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• 2021

Objectives: The LI11 (Quchi) acupuncture point has always been included in the Seven acupoints for stroke; however, additional LI11 acupuncture research is needed. In this study, the effect of LI11 acupuncture on cerebral blood flow of the anterior cerebral arteries (ACA) and middle cerebral arteries (MCA) was investigated. Method: This study included 10 healthy young male subjects. Cerebral blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity were measured using transcranial Doppler sonography. Changes in hyperventilation-induced carbon dioxide (CO₂) reactivity and modified ACA and MCA blood flow velocity at 40 mmHg (CV40), blood pressure, and heart rate were observed before and after LI11 acupuncture treatment. Results: A statistically significant increase in contralateral anterior cerebral artery CO₂ reactivity (p=0.036) and decrease in contralateral middle cerebral artery CV40 (p=0.047) were observed. No significant difference in mean blood pressure was shown. A statistically significant increase in heart rate occurred after LI11 acupuncture; however, it was not clinically significant as there were negligible changes in the heart rhythm. Conclusions: LI11 acupuncture treatment could improve cerebral blood flow velocity. These results might be explained by regulating endothelium-dependent vessel dilation in the anterior cerebral artery region. Trial registration: This trial has been registered with Clinical Research Information Service, a service of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: KCT0004494 (retrospectively registered). https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01.jsp?seq=15359

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.105-124
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of the contents included in the curriculum and 382 syllabi of the department of home economics education of College of Education in Korea and analyze the correlation by detailed area through the keyword network method. In order to analyze the home economics education curriculum and 382 syllabuses of a total of 11 universities, the frequency of keyword occurrence was analyzed using the KrKwic program, also the degree of connection between keywords and various centrality scales were calculated and visualized. The results of this study were as follows. First, as a result of analyzing the entire syllabi, keywords representing various fields such as family, secondary school, clothing, food, consumer, and design appeared evenly, and keywords related to teaching methods such as 'method', 'practice', 'change', and 'principle' were appeared. Those keywords showed high degree of connection and centrality. Second, in the detailed sectoral analysis, core keywords for each area appeared, and each subject were found to reflect the core keywords of the academic base. This study contributes to the conversion of curriculum of the department of home economics education to future-oriented and convergent curriculum.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.5D
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• pp.635-644
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• 2009

Image processing technique in the outdoor environment is very sensitive, and it tends to lose a lot of accuracy when it rapidly changes by outdoor environment. Therefore, in order to calculate accurate traffic information using the traffic monitoring system, we must resolve removing shadow in transition time, Distortion by the vehicle headlights at night, noise of rain, snow, and fog, and occlusion. In the research, we developed a system to calibrate the amount of traffic, speed, and time occupancy by using image processing technique in a variety of outdoor environments change. This system were tested under outdoor environments at the Gonjiam test site, which is managed by Korea Institute of Construction Technology (www.kict.re.kr) for testing performance. We evaluated the performance of traffic information, volume counts, speed, and occupancy time, with 4 lanes (2 lanes are upstream and the rests are downstream) from the 16th to 18th December, 2008. The evaluation method performed as based on the standard data is a radar detection compared to calculated data using image processing technique. The System evaluation results showed that the amount of traffic, speed, and time occupancy in period (day, night, sunrise, sunset) are approximately 92-97% accuracy when these data compared to the standard data.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.67-67
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• 2022

국가 물관리 측면에서 증발산량과 토양수분량은 자연계 손실로서 국내 수자원 총량의 약43%(563억 m³/년)를 차지하며, 수자원의 계획과 개발, 물순환 과정 규명 및 다양한 수재해 분석 등을 위한 수문 요소이다. 정부는 2005년 「수문조사 선진화 5개년 계획」과 2008년 「제1차 수문조사기본계획(2010~2019년)」을 통해 2019년까지 증발산량과 토양수분량 관측소 확대(각각 25개 지점) 기반을 마련하였고 「수자원의 조사·계획 및 관리에 관한 법률」에 따라 매년 공인 수문 자료로 증발산량과 토양수분량을 측정하고 있다. 증발산량과 토양수분량은 댐 유역의 정밀한 물순환 해석에도 매우 중요한 정보로서 현재 K-water에서의 관측은 일부 시험유역(용담댐 유역)의 flux tower에 의한 에디공분산법(Eddy Covariance Method) 및 토양수분 센서(TDR, Time Domain Reflectometery)에 의한 지점 자료의 생산만 각각 이루어지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 K-water 댐 유역의 증발산량 및 토양수분량 관측 현황과 그간 관측된 자료의 특성을 각종 경향성 분석 등과 함께 소개하고자 한다, 증발산량의 경우는 2개소의 flux tower를운영(덕유산 지점 2011년 이후, 용담 지점 2017년 이후)하고 있으며, 토양수분량은 총 7개소(계북, 천천, 상전, 안천, 부귀, 주천 지점 2013년 이후, 장계 지점 2017년 이후)에 TDR센서를 설치, 계측 운영 중이다. 이렇게 관측된 자료는 매년 홍수통제소 주관 관련 전문가 공인심사를 통해 일자료 기준으로 한국수문조사연보에 수록되고 있으며, K-water에서도 연보를 통해 공개된 자료를 기준으로 공공데이터포털(data.go.kr) 등과 연계하여 온라인 자료 서비스 중이다. 한편, 최근 2020년 「제2차 수문조사 기본계획(2020~2029년)」에서는 수자원 위성 개발연구와 연계하여 위성을 활용한 증발산량과 토양수분량 산정 연구의 필요성이 강조되고 있다. 하지만 본 연구에서 살펴본 지점 자료만으로는 댐 유역을 포함한 광역단위의 시계열 공간정보를 생산하기 한계가 있으며, 댐 유역과 국내 전 지역의 공간 시계열 증발산량 및 토양수분량 자료 산정과 활용 방안에 대해 정립하고, 나아가 위성영상을 활용한 댐 유역 증발산량·토양수분량 관측 가이드라인 마련 등을 위해서는 국가적으로 많은 재원의 투입과 노력이 필요한 상황이다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.156-168
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aimed to determine the status of thermal stimulation devices approved in Korea for medical applications over the past 10 years, and based on this, to obtain insight for future thermal treatment in Korean medical institutions. Methods : We searched the item classification list entitled "Regulations on Medical Device Items and Rating by Item" from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Notice No. 2021-24, 2021 (Enforced March 19, 2021; www.mfds.go.kr) for individually licensed heaters using the terms "heat" and "heating". Results : We identified 17 items of thermal stimulation product group, of which 1,308 devices were licensed by February 4, 2022, and 53.2% of them (n=696) were devices with valid permits for distribution in Korea. Among the licensed devices, heating pad systems under/overlay (electric, home use) were approved the most, but combinational stimulator (for medical use, home use; Grade 2) accounted for the highest percentage among the current valid permission. Moxibustion apparatuses were licensed separately for electrical use and non-electrical use, and occupied a low percentage of the total devices. We analyzed 307 devices that were accompanied by technical documents and found that the heat sources were wires in 145 (47.2%), infrared rays in 44 (14.3%) and ultrasonic waves in 42 (13.7%) devices. Most (83.1%) devices were used for pain relief, while other applications included beauty, cancer treatment, maintenance of infant body temperature, and healing fractures. Conclusions : Thermal stimulation devices accounted for about 0.9% of all medical devices, and among them, combinational stimulators and heating pad systems under/overlay had the most valid permits. Thermal stimulation devices using heating wires and infrared rays were the most prevalent, and most were used to relieve pain. In order to develop a range of thermal stimulation devices that can be utilized in Korean medical institutions, it is imperative that they have potential applications beyond pain management, addressing various medical purposes. To achieve this, foundational research is necessary to effectively apply diverse heat sources based on medical objectives.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2023

In this study, electromyography was obtained in the six muscle areas that move the joints of the two legs, and by analyzing it, an exercise robot system capable of gait rehabilitation was proposed in consideration of the individual's muscle state. Through this, the system was constructed to prevent the effect of exercise from decreasing because the patient's will was not reflected when walking exercise was simply provided automatically. As a result of the evaluation of the developed system, it was confirmed that the pedestrian rehabilitation robot system manufactured through this study had performance suitable for the design requirements, and it was also confirmed that the usability evaluation was comprehensively satisfactory. The results of this study are thought to be of great help to patients who are having difficulty in gait rehabilitation, and are believed to be helpful in the development of electromyography signal-based gait robot systems.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2024

Background: Busan is a rapidly industrializing city with many mixed residential and industrial areas. Fine dust emissions from mobile pollution sources such as ships and vehicles are particularly high in Busan. Objectives: This study analyzed the spatial distribution of air pollutants over the past three years and identified the impact of air pollutants through mobile source data in Busan. Methods: We obtained air pollutant data on fine particulate matter (PM₁₀), ultrafine particulate matter (PM_2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfurous acid gas (SO₂), and ozone (O₃) for the last three years (source: airkorea.or.kr) and analyzed the spatial distribution using SAS 9.4 and Surfer 23. For the mobile pollutant data, we used CCTV data from major intersections in Busan to identify truck and car traffic, and visualized traffic density with QGIS. Results: The analysis of the concentration of air pollutants over three years (2020~2022) showed that all were lower than the annual environmental standards with the exception of PM_2.5. PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 were found to be highly concentrated in the western part of the area, while NO₂ was high in the port area of Busan and SO₂ was high in the western part of the area and near the new port of Busan. In the case of O₃, it was high in the eastern part of the city. The traffic volume of freight vehicles by intersection was concentrated in the West Busan area, and the traffic volume for all cars was also confirmed to be concentrated at "Mandeok Intersection" located in the West Busan area. Conclusions: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between air pollutants emitted from motor vehicles and the distribution of air pollutants in Busan. The spatial distribution of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 correlates with traffic volume, while high concentrations of SO₂ and NO₂ near the port are associated with ship emissions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to conduct a descriptive survey to examine the knowledge, infection prevention behaviors, and health beliefs regarding COVID-19 and to identify factors that influence infection prevention behaviors in elementary and middle school students based on the Health Belief Model. Methods: The study included 388 elementary and middle school students in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Jeonbuk provinces. Data were collected from September 1 to September 15, 2023. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions about COVID-19 knowledge, 13 questions about infection prevention behaviors, and 15 questions about health beliefs. The collected data were subjected to multiple hierarchical regression analyses. The cronbach's α of infection prevention behaviors was 0.83, the KR-20 of COVID-19 related knowledge was 0.68, and the Cronbach's α of COVID-19 related health beliefs was 0. 78. Results: In Model 1, females showed higher levels of infection prevention behaviors than males (β=.14, p=.006) and middle school students showed lower levels of infection prevention behaviors than elementary school students (β=-.10, p=.037). In Model 2, among COVID-19-related health beliefs, barriers had a significant negative effect on infection prevention behaviors (β=-.20, p<.001) and cues to action had a significant positive effect on infection prevention behaviors (β=.14, p=.037), indicating that lower barriers and higher cues to action were associated with higher levels of infection prevention behaviors. Conclusion: The results showed that prevention behaviors were associated with lower barriers and higher cues to action among COVID-19 health beliefs. Elementary and middle school students in Korea spend a lot of time in groups at private academies or school, which are closed spaces with poor ventilation, making them vulnerable to new infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Unlike adults, infectious diseases can have serious impact on their mental and social health. Therefore, it is necessary for schools to provide accurate and timely health education about COVID-19 to increase cues to action for elementary and middle school students in order to improve their infection prevention behaviors.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-23
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• 2013

To discover significant social issues such as unemployment, economy crisis, social welfare etc. that are urgent issues to be solved in a modern society, in the existing approach, researchers usually collect opinions from professional experts and scholars through either online or offline surveys. However, such a method does not seem to be effective from time to time. As usual, due to the problem of expense, a large number of survey replies are seldom gathered. In some cases, it is also hard to find out professional persons dealing with specific social issues. Thus, the sample set is often small and may have some bias. Furthermore, regarding a social issue, several experts may make totally different conclusions because each expert has his subjective point of view and different background. In this case, it is considerably hard to figure out what current social issues are and which social issues are really important. To surmount the shortcomings of the current approach, in this paper, we develop a prototype system that semi-automatically detects social issue keywords representing social issues and problems from about 1.3 million news articles issued by about 10 major domestic presses in Korea from June 2009 until July 2012. Our proposed system consists of (1) collecting and extracting texts from the collected news articles, (2) identifying only news articles related to social issues, (3) analyzing the lexical items of Korean sentences, (4) finding a set of topics regarding social keywords over time based on probabilistic topic modeling, (5) matching relevant paragraphs to a given topic, and (6) visualizing social keywords for easy understanding. In particular, we propose a novel matching algorithm relying on generative models. The goal of our proposed matching algorithm is to best match paragraphs to each topic. Technically, using a topic model such as Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), we can obtain a set of topics, each of which has relevant terms and their probability values. In our problem, given a set of text documents (e.g., news articles), LDA shows a set of topic clusters, and then each topic cluster is labeled by human annotators, where each topic label stands for a social keyword. For example, suppose there is a topic (e.g., Topic1 = {(unemployment, 0.4), (layoff, 0.3), (business, 0.3)}) and then a human annotator labels "Unemployment Problem" on Topic1. In this example, it is non-trivial to understand what happened to the unemployment problem in our society. In other words, taking a look at only social keywords, we have no idea of the detailed events occurring in our society. To tackle this matter, we develop the matching algorithm that computes the probability value of a paragraph given a topic, relying on (i) topic terms and (ii) their probability values. For instance, given a set of text documents, we segment each text document to paragraphs. In the meantime, using LDA, we can extract a set of topics from the text documents. Based on our matching process, each paragraph is assigned to a topic, indicating that the paragraph best matches the topic. Finally, each topic has several best matched paragraphs. Furthermore, assuming there are a topic (e.g., Unemployment Problem) and the best matched paragraph (e.g., Up to 300 workers lost their jobs in XXX company at Seoul). In this case, we can grasp the detailed information of the social keyword such as "300 workers", "unemployment", "XXX company", and "Seoul". In addition, our system visualizes social keywords over time. Therefore, through our matching process and keyword visualization, most researchers will be able to detect social issues easily and quickly. Through this prototype system, we have detected various social issues appearing in our society and also showed effectiveness of our proposed methods according to our experimental results. Note that you can also use our proof-of-concept system in http://dslab.snu.ac.kr/demo.html.