• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.578-585
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• 2017

Recently, there has been a rise in the number of amphetamine derivatives that serve as substitutes for controlled substances (e.g. amphetamine and methamphetamine) on the global illegal drug market. These substances are capable of producing rewarding effects similar to their parent drug. In anticipation of the future rise of new and similar psychoactive substances, we designed and synthesized four novel amphetamine derivatives with N-benzyl, N-benzylamphetamine HCl (NBNA) substituent on the amine region, 1,4-dioxane ring, ethylenedioxy-amphetamine HCl (EDA), methyl, para-methylamphetamine HCl (PMEA), and naphthalene, 2-(aminopropyl) naphthalene HCl (2-APN) substituents on the phenyl site. Then, we evaluated their abuse potential in the conditioned place preference (CPP) test in mice and self-administration (SA) test in rats. We also investigated the psychostimulant properties of the novel drugs using the locomotor sensitization test in mice. Moreover, we performed qRT-PCR analyses to explore the effects of the novel drugs on the expression of D1 and D2 dopamine receptor genes in the striatum. NBNA, but not EDA, PMEA, and 2-APN, induced CPP and SA in rodents. None of the test drugs have produced locomotor sensitization. qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated that NBNA increased the expression of striatal D1 dopamine receptor genes. These data indicate that NBNA yields rewarding effects, suggesting potential for abuse. Continual observation for the rise of related substances is thus strongly encouraged.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.35-48
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• 2018

Groynes are installed generally to protect the riverside or the river bank from the erosion caused by water flows by controlling the flow direction and velocity in rivers. In the past, groynes were used to secure enough depth of water in canals. As there has been a growing interest in river restoration and the natural river maintenance since 2000, groynes are proposed as a major environmental hydraulic structure because the flow control and various river bed conditions around the groyne can contribute to habitat functions. Groynes are typically installed in a series. In designing groyne series, groyne spacing is an important factor because the flow changes in the main canal and the flow inside the groyne area occurs variably depending on the groyne spacing. This study provide information to determine the groyne spacing suitable for the purpose of the groyne by examining the flows that variably changes according to the groyne spacing and angle in the recirculation zone of the groyne field. In particular, the formation of vortex, the location of vortex core and the water flow near the river bank, all of which occur in the recirculation zone inside the groyne area, were mainly analyzed to examine the flow characteristics near the river bank that influences the safety of the river bank area. The results of the experiment will serve as important basic data to examine changes in the river bed inside the groyne area as well as the safety of river banks following the installation of groyne series.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.200-208
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• 2012

Objectives: This study investigated the performance of three separate units of a portable photoionization detector (PID, ppb-RAE 3000) for measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a laboratory. Methods: A laboratory evaluation of the accuracy, precision, and inter-instrumental variance of three separate units of a portable PID (ppb-RAE 3000) was performed. The evaluation was based on the preparation of a test air sample of known toluene or ethylacetate concentration in a Tedlar$^{(R)}$ bag. The test air sample was monitored and data were logged consecutively by the three PIDs. A certified gas of 50 ppm toluene was also monitored during the test to ensure the reliability of the generated test air sample. Four different concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 2 TLV were used and a series of five measurements for each concentration level was performed. The accuracy was evaluated using National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) criteria. Results: The results from the oldest ppb-RAE3000 unit among the three test units generally fell outside the NIOSH recommended accuracy criteria of ${\pm}25%$, whereas the other two units produced results which were acceptable at, or greater than, 25 ppm of toluene, or 0.5 TLV. These units also met the NIOSH criteria for some ethylacetate measurements but the results were not consistent. Conclusions: Considering the inconsistent performance of these ppb-RAE 3000 units, this device may not be appropriate for use as an alternative to the standard measurement methods. However, it can serve good survey instruments to identify exposure sources or concentration profiles. For all applications, the ppb-RAE 3000 should be used with frequent calibration checks, additional validation using a reference material, and careful maintenance.

• Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2018

Objectives. Regenerative treatment using stem cells may serve as treatment option for empty nose syndrome (ENS), which is caused by the lack of turbinate tissue and deranged nervous system in the nasal cavity. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of ENS. Methods. In this prospective observational clinical study, we enrolled 10 ENS patients who volunteered to undergo treatment of ENS through the injection of autologous SVF. Data, including demographic data, pre- and postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25) scores, overall patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications, were prospectively collected. Nasal secretion was assessed using the polyurethane foam absorption method, and the levels of biological markers were analyzed in both ENS group and control group using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SVF extracted from abdominal fat was diluted and injected into both inferior turbinates. Results. Among the 10 initial patients, one was excluded from the study. Subjective satisfaction was rated as "much improved" in two and "no change" in seven. Among the improved patients, the mean preinjection SNOT-25 score was 55.0 and the score at 6 months after injection was 19.5. However, the average SNOT-25 score of nine participants at 6 months after injection (mean${\pm}$standard deviation, $62.4{\pm}35.8$) did not differ significantly from the baseline SNOT-25 score ($70.1{\pm}24.7$, P>0.05, respectively). Among the various inflammatory markers assessed, the levels of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-8, and calcitonin gene-related peptide were significantly higher in ENS patients. Compared with preinjection secretion level, the nasal secretions from SVF-treated patients showed decreased expressions of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-8 after injection. Conclusion. Although SVF treatment appears to decrease the inflammatory cytokine levels in the nasal mucosa, a single SVF injection was not effective in terms of symptom improvement and patient satisfaction. Further trials are needed to identify a more practical and useful regenerative treatment modality for patients with ENS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.295-307
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• 2021

The Korean Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by the East Sea, West Sea and South Sea which are connected to many rivers and streams, thereby facilitating easy inflow of debris from land. Furthermore, excessive debris inflow to the sea because of active fishing and various recreational activities. Debris entering the sea are weighted over time and settle in the seabed, thus, making direct monitoring of debris impossible and its collection difficult. Uncollected submerged marine debris affects the seabed ecosystem and water quality and can cause ghost fishing and ship accidents, especially due to waste net ropes and waste fishing gears. Therefore, understanding the debris distribution characteristics is necessary to assist quick collection of these debris (waste net ropes and waste fishing gears). Thus, this study conducted a survey of debris deposited in the seas of 39 ports. Furthermore, distribution characteristics and compositions of submerged marine debris were identified by a map prepared through GIS-based spatial analysis of the East Sea. Consequently, 58% of waste tires in the East Sea were concentrated in breakwaters and ship berthing facilities. Moreover, 26 % of waste plastics were distributed outside the port. Identifying the distinct distribution characteristics of submerged marine debris was difficult; however, compared with others, the distribution of waste plastics was possible outside the port. The findings of this study can serve as baseline data to assist the collection of submerged marine debris using the distribution characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1038-1043
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• 2021

Guaranteed seafarer wage payment is essential to ensure a stable supply of seafarers. However, disputes over non-payment of wages to seafarers often occur. In this study, an automatic wage payment system was designed using a blockchain-based smart contract to resolve the problem of seafarers' wage arrears. The designed system consists of an information register, a matching processing unit, a review rating management unit, and wage remittance before deploying smart contracts. The matching process was designed to send an automatic notification to seafarers and shipowners if the sum of the weight of the four variables, namely wages, ship type/fishery, position, and license, exceeded a pre-defined threshold. In addition, a review rating management system, based on a combination of mean and median, was presented to serve as a medium to mutually fulfill the normal working conditions. The smart contract automatically fulfills the labor contract between the parties without an intermediary. This system will naturally resolve problems such as fraudulent advance payment to seafarers, embezzlement by unregistered employment agencies, overdue wages, and forgery of seafarers' books. If this system design is commercialized and institutionally activated, it is expected that stable wages will be guaranteed to seafarers, and in turn, the difficulties in human resources supply will be solved. We plan to test it in a local environment for further developing this system.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.641-651
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• 2022

This research compares and analyzes evacuation time depending on the change in stair width in case of fire at Goshiwons. For this, a simulation has been conducted based on possible evacuation time according to the calculation method for the number of people admittable to a specific target for fire fighting equipped with accommodation. Currently, Gosiwon, which is classified as an accommodation facility (a total floor area of 500 m² or more), uses blind spots prescribed by the Fire Services Act, Building Act, and Parking Act to build a high-rise building on a small area of land, and most Gosiwon is transformed into a modified accommodation. This is in line with the owner's operating profit, so it is expected to show a continuous increase. Securing the golden time of Gosiwon evacuation time is the last bastion of Gosiwon residents who belong to the economically disadvantaged in our society, and we hope this study will serve as a starting point for discussions on revising related laws and regulations to establish a social safety net As a result of the evacuation simulation analysis, the evacuation time was the least when the width of the group and the evacuation stairs were expanded to 200cm, and the evacuation time of the existing building was reduced by up to 166.3 seconds by comparing 648.4 seconds and scenario 6. This analysis can be meaningful, in that the width of the evacuation stairs revision of related laws and regulations for the safety of multiplex available premises.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.456-461
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• 2023

The Korea Maritime Environment Corporation is conducting a comprehensive survey of the national marine ecosystem under the commission of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) to ensure continuous use of the ocean, preserve and manage the marine ecosystem. The survey has set major peaks to investigate changes in the marine ecosystem around the Korean Peninsula. However as the peak has been set around the coast, it is necessary to expand the scope of investigation to encompass offshore areas. Meanwhile, the Aids to Navigation Division of the MOF supports a comprehensive national marine ecosystem survey providing photographs of fouling organisms during the Aids to Navigation lifting inspection, however, the photographs are provided only in consultation with the Korea Maritime Environment Corporation. Therefore, a study was conducted to generate information on fouling organisms using deep learning-based image processing algorithms by the lifting Aids to Navigation and dorsal buoys so that Aids to Navigation could be used as the major component of a comprehensive national marine ecosystem. If the Aids to Navigation are used as the peak of the survey, they could serve as fundamental data to enhance their own value as well as analyze abnormal marine conditions and ecosystem changes in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.160-167
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• 2023

An INS is a composite navigation system providing "added value" so defined if work stations provide Multi-Function Displays(MFDs) integrating information and functions for navigational tasks. Even though the minimum requirements for an INS are defined by IMO performance standards, a generic list of the devices and functions that constitute an INS does not exist, so the configuration of the INS is different for each manufacturer, and guidelines based on users' perspectives are also insufficient. This study was conducted to enhance the usability of the INS by analyzing the information required by users according to the ship's operating status and tasks and effectively structuring it in the MFD of the INS. By analyzing INS-related international standards and manufacturers' component equipment lists, mandatory navigation information was selected and card sorting tests were conducted on ship operators with experience in using MFDs to group the information required for each INS task. The results of the study can serve as a basic guideline for manufacturers to structure information based on users' experience when designing products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.395-406
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• 2023

The first technological advance to improve the output and efficiency of the latest steam turbines operating in co-generation plants in Korea can be said to be progress in the field of materials that can use high-temperature, high-pressures steam. As a result of design efforts to improve the internal efficiency of steam turbines along with the development of materials, only a few manufacturers of steam turbine have produced high efficiency steam turbines. The internal efficiency of a steam turbine on the steam path operating for a long period of time is gradually lost owing to the limit of mechanical life, and efficiency and output decrease. Therefore, this study aims to develop a model that can analyze the steam flow path performance of HP (High Pressure) and IP (Intermediate Pressure) steam turbine for a co-generation plant using a commercial program and propose a performance calculation method. Owing to the complex performance calculation method of steam turbines, major variables are presented to serve as practically useful references for steam turbine practitioners. In addition, the thermal dynamic analysis(such as heat balance diagram calculation) and the the thermal dynamic calculation required for steam turbine performance calculation and the suitability of the steam turbine performance calculation results were compared with the performance test results.