• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.39 no.6_3
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• pp.1731-1745
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• 2023

Within the framework of the post-2020 climate regime, the Paris Agreement's emphasis on Nationally Determined Contributions and Biennial Transparency Reporting is paramount in addressing its long-term temperature goal. A salient issue is the treatment of wetland ecosystems within the context of Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry, as defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In the 2019 National Inventory Report, wetlands were recategorized as emission sources due to their designation as inundated areas. This study employs C-band radar imagery to discriminate between inundated and non-inundated regions of wetlands, enabling the quantification of their spatial dynamics. The research capitalizes on 24-period Sentinel-1 satellite data to cover both the inundation and desiccation phases while centering its attention on Ungok Wetland, a Ramsar-designated inland wetland conservation area in Korea. The inundated area is quantitatively assessed through the integration of multi-temporal Sentinel-1 Single-Look Complex (SLC) data, aerial orthophotography, and inland wetland spatial information. Furthermore, the study scrutinizes fluctuations in the maximum and minimum inundated areas, with substantial changes corroborated via drone aerial reconnaissance. The outcomes of this investigation hold the potential to make substantive contributions to the refinement of national greenhouse gas absorption and emission factors, thereby informing the development of comprehensive greenhouse gas inventories. These efforts align directly with the overarching objectives of the Paris Agreement.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.204-214
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• 2023

This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the potential impact of deforestation and forest restoration on carbon storage in North Korea until 2050, employing rigorous analyses of trends of land use change in the past periods and projecting future land use change scenarios. We utilized the CA-Markov model, which can reflect spatial trends in land use changes, and verified the impact of forest restoration strategies on carbon storage by creating land use change scenarios (reforestation and non-reforestation). We employed two distinct periods of land use maps (2000 to 2010 and 2010 to 2020). To verify the overall terrestrial carbon storage in North Korea, our evaluation included estimations of carbon storage for various elements such as above-ground, below-ground, soil, and debris (including litters) for settlement, forest, cultivated, grass, and bare areas. Our results demonstrated that effective forest restoration strategies in North Korea have the potential to increase carbon storage by 4.4% by the year 2050, relative to the carbon storage observed in 2020. In contrast, if deforestation continues without forest restoration efforts, we predict a concerning decrease in carbon storage by 11.5% by the year 2050, compared to the levels in 2020. Our findings underscore the significance of prioritizing and continuing forest restoration efforts to effectively increase carbon storage in North Korea. Furthermore, the implications presented in this study are expected to be used in the formulation and implementation of long-term forest restoration strategies in North Korea, while fostering international cooperation towards this common environmental goal.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.349-355
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• 2023

This study attempted to examine the effect of Korean and Japanese college students' perception of welfare for the elderly, dementia perception, and dementia attitude on dementia policy. The main results are as follows. As a result of analyzing the impact of Korean-Japanese college students on their perception and attitude of dementia policy, it was found that Korean-Japanese college students' perception of welfare for the elderly and dementia attitude had a positive (+) effect on dementia policy perception. As a result, I would like to present the following implications. Korea and Japan have developed social insurance systems for the elderly in a low birth rate and aging society, and are developing and implementing support services suitable for the culture of both countries. In the perception of dementia policies of college students in Korea and Japan, the influence of long-term care insurance for the elderly in Korea and nursing care insurance in Japan has led to changes in the perception of dementia among college students. However, it has been shown that dementia awareness does not affect dementia policy awareness, indicating that college students lack dementia awareness. Dementia awareness can increase the demand for the development of various dementia-related services or dementia policies, but low dementia awareness can lead to misunderstanding or negative perceptions of dementia. This can also affect the perception of dementia policies, and services and policies such as social support, prevention, and treatment related to dementia may not be sufficiently developed. In order to compensate for these problems in the future, efforts should be made to improve awareness through the provision of various information such as the government and society to help improve and understand dementia awareness for college students.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.285-293
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• 2023

This study conducted to investigate the temporal and spatial variations in the fish community structure in the Seomjin River estuary (ES1~ES3) and Gwangyang Bay (ES4~ES8). Surveys were conducted at eight points between May and September from 2020 to 2021. A total of 5,111 fish were collected, representing 42 families, 68 genera, and 78 species. The dominant species collected during the survey period were Pennahia argentata, with 2,370 individuals and a relative abundance of 46.4%. Also, as a subdominant species, Nuchequula nuchalis, 1643 individuals were caught, accounting for 32.1% relative abundance. According to Bray-Curtis similarities, observations were divided into three groups based on the fish community composition, and they were further categorized into brackish water areas, coastal areas, inner areas, and outer areas. Group 1 mainly consisted of fish inhabiting freshwater and brackish water areas, while group 3 exclusively contained fish living in marine waters. ANOSIM (Analysis of Similarity) analysis revealed a significant difference (ANOSIM R=0.783, p=0.001) between Group 2 and Group 3, and the species contributing to these clusters were P. argentata and Muraenesox cinereus. The study demonstrated spatial changes in the fish community structure from the Seomjin River estuary to the outer coast. The findings highlight the importance of long-term monitoring of major species that exhibit spatial variations, serving as essential foundational data for the conservation and management of economically significant fish species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.914-922
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• 2021

Purpose To investigate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) after > 10 years of follow-up. Materials and Methods This study included five patients who underwent RFA to treat PTMCs (five lesions, mean diameter 0.5 cm, range 0.4-0.7 cm) between November 2006 and December 2009. The inclusion criteria were histopathologically confirmed PTMCs, a single PTMC lesion without extrathyroidal extension, no metastasis, and ineligibility or refusal to undergo surgery. RFA was performed by a single radiologist using a radiofrequency generator and an internally cooled electrode. We retrospectively analyzed the procedure-induced complications, serial changes in ablated tumors, recurrence, and local as well as lymph node metastasis based on data obtained from medical records and radiological images. Results The mean follow-up period was 130.6 months (range 121-159 months). Three patients underwent a single RFA session, and two patients underwent two RFA sessions. We observed no procedure-induced complications. Three tumors completely disappeared after ablation, and ablation of the other two tumors resulted in the formation of a small scar that showed long-term stability (mean duration 16.8 months, range 12-27 months). At the last follow-up, no patient showed recurrence or lymph node metastasis, and serum thyroglobulin levels were within normal limits in all patients. Conclusion RFA may be effective and safe to treat low-risk PTMC in patients who refuse or are ineligible for surgery.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.76
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• pp.281-302
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• 2023

Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study was to analyze children's play patterns in gardening. Through this, we aimed to have significance as basic research to find ways to support children's play in gardening. Research Contents and Methods: From August to October 2022, a total of 15 participant observations and interviews were conducted with 13 children (9 4-year-olds, 4 5-year-olds) aged 4-5 years at J Daycare Center in Gyeonggi-do. The collected data was transcribed, categorized, and analyzed. Conclusions and suggestions: Children's play patterns in gardening were 'sympathetic play', 'intuitive play', and 'imaginative play'. In the garden, where nature can be easily accessed, children shared emotional interactions and feelings with nature through peer relationships. Children encountered nature in the garden and experienced intuitive, sensory play. Children made up plants, animals, and objects related to the garden and showed their imagination. Children's playfulness was revealed in gardening, and sensitivity and curiosity about changes in nature were revealed through continuous interest in nature through understanding of the mutually beneficial relationship with nature. Gardening should be approached as a long-term, continuous experience rather than a hands-on or one-time experience.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.756-766
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation in treating solitary low-risk T2N0M0 papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and compare the outcomes of microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single center study involved 34 patients (age: 40.0 ± 13.9 years; 28 female) who had low-risk T2N0M0 PTC with a maximum diameter >2 cm and ≤4 cm and underwent MWA (n = 15) or RFA (n = 19) from November 2016 to April 2023. The primary outcomes were the cumulative rate of disease progression and delayed surgery rates. In contrast, the secondary outcomes included changes in tumor size, cumulative rate of complete tumor disappearance, and complication rates. Results: The median follow-up period was 18.0 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 9.0-40.0 months). At 12 months, the median volume reduction rate of the ablation zone was 74.2% (IQR: 53.7%-86.0%). Disease progression was noted in two patients within 1 year, including one patient with local tumor progression post-RFA and one with a new tumor post-MWA, resulting in a constant cumulative disease progression rate of 8.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0%-19.8%) throughout the remaining follow-up period. Both patients were subsequently treated with additional ablation and did not require surgery. The cumulative rates of complete tumor disappearance at 1, 3, and 5 years were 4.0% (95% CI: 0%-11.4%), 26.8% (95% CI: 2.7%-44.9%), and 51.2% (95% CI: 0%-79.1%), respectively. No significant differences were observed in the disease progression (P = 0.829) or complete tumor disappearance (P = 0.633) rates between the MWA and RFA groups. Complications occurred in 14.7% (5/34) of patients presenting with transient hoarseness. RFA had a higher but not statistically significant complication rate than MWA did (21.1% [4/19] vs. 6.7% [1/15]; P = 0.355). Conclusion: Both MWA and RFA demonstrated promising short-term outcomes in terms of efficacy and safety in treating solitary low-risk T2N0M0 PTC, with no significant differences.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2022

Backgrounds/Aims: The role of inflammation in malignant cell proliferation has been well described. High values of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as markers of systemic inflammation have shown associations with unfavorable long-term outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine values of NLR and PLR evaluated prior to and after surgery and their associations with mortality and recurrence rates of liver transplant patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A total of 105 patients with HCC who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were retrospectively reviewed. NLR and PLR values were obtained from complete blood counts prior to and after surgery. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in relation with delta NLR and PLR were estimated. Results: Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels > 100 ng/mL (p = 0.014) and lymphovascular emboli in the specimen (p = 0.048) were identified to be significant predictors of RFS. Child-Pugh score (p = 0.016) was found to be an independent factor associated with poorer OS. An increasing delta PLR was associated with worse RFS, although it showed no significant association with OS. Conclusions: The analysis of PLR as a continuous variable may predict recurrence outcomes in patients undergoing OLT for HCC. It is more representative than isolated values.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.55-70
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• 2009

The long-term effects and the soil environmental changes were examined to ensure the safety of food waste compost in agricultural use. Based on conventional nitrogen application rate of chemical fertilizer, Pig manure compost with $24g\;N\;kg^{-1}$, $8g\;P_2O_5\;kg^{-1}$, and $10.4g\;K_2O\;kg^{-1}$ and food waste compost with $20g\;N\;kg^{-1}$, $20.1g\;P_2O_5\;kg^{-1}$, and $6.5g\;K_2O\;kg^{-1}$ were applied to the paddy soil in $2{\times}2{\times}2m$ lysimeter in which paddy rice (Oryza sativa L. var Chucheong) were grown. The rice grown where food waste compost applied showed better growth responses than control, whereas less yield rate than chemical fertilizer applied. The contents of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus after experiment were increased with compost applied. In addition, it improved soil aeration by the application of food waste compost, while little difference was observed in the quality of surface, infiltrated, and ground water compared to chemical fertilizer applied or control.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.161-167
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• 2024

To evaluate the quality changes of Kimchi cabbage, it was packaged in the modified atmosphere (MA) after hot-air surface drying (HASD) or differential pressure precooling (PC) and stored at 0℃ for 45 days. The respiration rate after PC was lower than that after HASD, but they were not significantly different. In both HASD and PC, the ethylene production rate was lower than that of the control group. The oxygen concentration decreased and the carbon dioxide concentration increased according to the storage period, but they did not show significant differences. The change of trimming loss and weight loss tended to increase as the storage period. No significant difference was shown between HASD and PC, but the corresponding result values of the treatment groups were significantly lower than those of the control group. There was no significant difference in electrolyte conductivity and texture between treatment groups, but HASD and PC were superior to the control group. These results suggest that HASD will be available on preprocessing method for long-term storage and freshness of Kimchi cabbage together with PC.