• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.131-136
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to compare the relative risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) in middle aged adults with different body weights. 155 subjects living in urban Beijing were recruited from 24 neighborhood committees of urban Beijing. They were divided into normal weight, overweight and obese groups according to their BMIs. The general information of the subjects was collected using an interview-administered questionnaire. Standard procedure was followed to measure subject's weight, height and waist. Biochemical parameters (total cholesterol (TC), low- and high­density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C ; HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and fasting glucose) and blood pressure were also determined. The results indicated that the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL-C of obese group was lower than that of the normal weight group. Fasting glucose of obese males was significantly higher than that of normal weight males. No significant difference of fasting glucose was found among female groups. No significant difference of TG was found among male groups, while TG of overweight and obese females was both significantly higher than normal weight females. There was no significant difference of TC and LDL-C among normal weight, overweight and obese groups in both males and females. The MS rate of obese males was significantly higher than the normal weight and overweight males, as was the female. The relative risk of MS in obese group was about 11 times higher (OR=11.249, $95\%CI$ = 3.812 - 33.191) than the normal weight group after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, drinking, family economic level and education status. It is concluded that obesity contributed to lower HDL-C, hypertriglyceride, hypertension and MS after controlling the effects of age, gender, socioeconomic status, alcohol drinking and smoking. Obese individuals have a higher risk of having MS than their normal weight counterparts.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.350-357
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• 2017

Purpose: In-situ monitoring of water quality is fundamental to most environmental applications. The high cost and long delays of conventional laboratory methods used to determine water quality, including on-site sampling and chemical analysis, have limited their use in efficiently managing water sources while preventing environmental pollution. The objective of this study was to develop an on-site water monitoring system consisting mainly of an Arduino board and a sensor array of multiple ion selective electrodes (ISEs) to measure the concentration of $NO_3$ ions. Methods: The developed system includes a combination of three ISEs, double-junction reference electrode, solution container, sampling system consisting of three pumps and solenoid valves, signal processing circuit, and an Arduino board for data acquisition and system control. Prior to each sample measurement, a two-point normalization method was applied for a sensitivity adjustment followed by an offset adjustment to minimize the potential drift that could occur during continuous measurement and standardize the response of multiple electrodes. To investigate its utility in on-site nitrate monitoring, the prototype was tested in a facility where drinking water was collected from a water supply source. Results: Differences in the electric potentials of the $NO_3$ ISEs between 10 and $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $NO_3$ concentration levels were nearly constant with negative sensitivities of 58 to 62 mV during the period of sample measurement, which is representative of a stable electrode response. The $NO_3$ concentrations determined by the ISEs were almost comparable to those obtained with standard instruments within 15% relative errors. Conclusions: The use of the developed on-site nitrate monitoring system based on automatic sampling and two-point normalization was feasible for detecting abrupt changes in nitrate concentration at various water supply sites, showing a maximum difference of $4.2mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ from an actual concentration of $14mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2010

A rapid and sensitive reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of N-(-4-Chlorophenyl)-6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-chromanecarboxamide (KAL-1120), a novel anti-inflammation agent, in the rat plasma. The method was applied to analyze the compound in the biological fluids such as bile, urine and tissue homogenates. After liquid-liquid extraction, the compound was analyzed on an HPLC system with ultraviolet detection at 275 nm. HPLC was carried out using reversed-phase isocratic elution with a $C_{18}$ column, a mobile phase of a mixture of acetonitril (40 v/v%) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The chromatograms showed good resolution and sensitivity and no interference of plasma. The calibration curve for the drug in plasma was linear over the concentration range of 0.05-50 ${\mu}g$/mL. The intra- and inter-day assay accuracies of this method ranged from 0.06% to 9.33% of normal values and the precision did not exceed 6.28% of relative standard deviation. The plasma concentration of KAL-1120 decreased to below the quantifiable limit at 1.5 hr after the i.v. bolus administration of 2-10 mg/kg to rats ($t_{1/2,({\alpha})}$ and $t_{1/2,({\beta})$ of 2.15 and 26.7 min at a dose of 2 mg/kg, 3.91 and 33.0 min at a dose of 10 mg/kg, respectively). The steady-state volume of distribution ($V_{dss}$) and the total body clearance ($CL_t$) were not significantly altered in rats given doses from 2 to 10 mg/kg. Of the various tissues tested, KAL-1120 was mainly distributed in the lung and heart after i.v. bolus administration. KAL-1120 was detected in the bile by 30 min after its i.v. bolus administration. However, the concentration in the urine after i.v. bolus administration became too low to measure, suggesting that KAL-1120 is mostly excreted in the bile. In conclusion, this analytical method was suitable for the preclinical pharmacokinetic studies of KAL-1120 in rats.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.378-385
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the association between sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity and cardiovascular disease risk in Korean postmenopausal women. Methods: We analyzed data of 2,019 postmenopausal women aged 50-64 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2008-2011 and were free of cardiovascular disease history. Blood pressure, height, and weight were measured. We analyzed the serum concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Waist circumference was used to measure obesity. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sarcopenia was defined as the appendicular skeletal muscle mass/body weight<1 standard deviation below the gender-specific means for healthy young adults. The estimated 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease risk was calculated by Pooled Cohort Equation. Subjects were classified as non-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, or sarcopenic obesity based on status of waist circumference and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity was 16.3% (n=317) and 18.3% (n=369), respectively. The 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease risk in the sarcopenic obesity group was higher ($3.82{\pm}0.22%$) than the normal group ($2.73{\pm}0.09%$) and sarcopenia group ($3.17{\pm}0.22%$) (p < 0.000). The odd ratios (ORs) for the ${\geq}7.5%$ 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease risk were significantly higher in the sarcopenic obesity group (OR 3.609, 95% CI: 2.030-6.417) compared to the sarcopenia group (OR 2.799, 95% CI: 1.463-5.352) (p for trend < 0.000) after adjusting for independent variables (i.e., exercise, period of menopausal, alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) score, income, education level, calorie intake, %fat intake and hormonal replacement therapy). Conclusions: Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity appear to be associated with higher risk factors predicting the 10-year risks of cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women. These findings imply that maintaining normal weight and muscle mass may be important for cardiovascular disease risk prevention in postmenopausal women.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.377-385
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• 2015

We constructed a model test apparatus to evaluate the dependence of the saturation velocity (V_s) in soils on rainfall intensity (I_R). The apparatus comprises a soil box, a rainfall simulator, and measuring sensors. The model grounds (60 cm × 50 cm × 15 cm) were formed by Joomunjin standard sand with a relative density of 75%. The rainfall simulator can control the rainfall intensity to reenact the actual rainfall in a soil box. Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) sensors and tensiometers were installed in the soils to measure changes in the volumetric water content and matric suction due to rainfall infiltration. During the tests, the soil saturation was determined by raising the groundwater table, which was formed at the bottom of the soil box. [Please check that the correct meaning has been maintained.] The wetting front did not form at the ground surface during rainfall because the soil particles were uniform and the coefficient of permeability was relatively high. Our results show that the suction stress of the soils decreased with increasing volumetric water content, and this effect was most pronounced for volumetric water contents of 20%-30%. Based on a regression analysis of the relationship between rainfall intensity and the average saturation velocity, we suggest the following equation for estimating the saturation velocity in soils: V_savg (cm/sec) = 0.068I_R (mm/hr).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.119-132
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• 2012

The unmanaged abandoned concrete roads are vulnerable toward the issues on soil and water pollution, which requires flexible managing method such as eco-corridor after the process of ecological restoration. Among various alternations of abandoned concrete-paved roads, ecological restoration technique may be the most suitable method in sites including high quality of natural environment. Therefore, as in Young dong province, GyungBu express highway (227.24~229.04km), which is near to Hwang-gan IC, the survey to measure its effect of soil under the paving and water pollution by abandoned concrete roads was discussed. Then, the restoration method of plantings of landscape trees and hydro-seeding methods of artificial soil media was appraised through consecutive monitoring. The soil adequacy analysis shows lower percentage of heavy metal substance in each depth level compared to standard limit stated by the Ministry of Environment, along with low concerns raised after the analysis on heavy metal content of the spilled water on the concrete roads. Meanwhile, Korean Weigela (Weigela subsessilis L.H. Baily) was found to be withered in small-scale landscape trees planting sites. Among the seeding plants. the family of leguminosae, Silene armeria, Dendranthema boreale, Caryopteris incana and Aster yomena show good establishment results. Overall studies on planting of small and large landscape trees, planting method of container plants, planting method of ground cover plants, and germination and development trend of seeding plants of the experimental restoration site on abandoned concrete roads are revealing specific trends in the way landscape woody plants establishment and growth. Finally, this study suggests further studies and survey on varied plant restoration methods on abandoned concrete-roads for developed design guidelines of their methods.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.269-278
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• 1998

This paper describes a development of efficient stress ECG signal analysis algorithm. The algorithm consists of wavelet adaptive filter(WAF), QRS detector and ST segment detector. The WAF consists of a wavelet transform and an adaptive filter. The wavelet transform decomposed the ECG signal into seven levels using wavelet function for each high frequency bank and low frequency bank. The adaptive filter used the signal of the seventh lowest frequency band among the wavelet transformed signals as primary input. For detection of QRS complex, we made summed signals that are composed of high frequency bands including frequency component of QRS complex and applied the adaptive threshold method changing the amplitude of threshold according to RR interval. For evaluation of the performance of the WAF, we used two baseline wandering elimination filters including a standard filter and a general adaptive filter. WAF showed a better performance than compared filters in the noise elimination characteristics and signal distortion. For evaluation of WAF showed a better performance than compared filters in the noise elimination characteristics and signal distortion. For evaluation of results of QRS complex detection, we compared our algorithm with existing algorithms using MIT/BIH database. Our algorithm using summed signals showed the accuracy of 99.67% and the higher performance of QRS detection than existing algorithms. Also, we used European ST-T database and patient data to evaluate measurement of the ST segment and could measure the ST segment adaptively according to change of heart rate.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 1995

It has been well known that the alkali-aggregate reaction between the aggregates and cement paste is one of the reasons of a concrete siructre expansion. Because of a serious demage on the concrete stnicture from the expansion, in many countries, the safety of the materials is checked in laboratory by mortar-bar test and the upper limit of expansion in length is 0.1%. The prescriptions are presented in the ASTM C227 and 490 of U.S. which has been international currency and in the KS Handbook F2503, F2546 and L5107 of Korea published by Korean Standards Association. Both of the prescriptions are almost same in their contents. Actually, in the process of preparing and measuring the mortar-bar according to the prescription mentioned above, it seems that there are no problems for its own purpose but a few points are found to be improved upon the methods to increase the accuracy for laboratory work as follows. 1. The prescription of blending ratio(aggregate, cement and water) should be noted by volume not by weight. 2. It is unreasonable to measure the initial length of mortar bars after 24$\pm$2 hours at once regardless the kind of aggregates. 3. It may bring about errors in calculating the expansion ratio under the condition of the denominator value fixed as 254mm. 4. The measuring methods of specific gravity are selected according to the purposes but the pure specific gravity displays the highest accuracy among them.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.322-333
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• 2018

This study was carried out to measure atmospheric environmental improvement effect and estimate its social benefit of thermal power plants through Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for quantitative analysis about operational performances of EIA. In this study, 'EIA outcome' is defined as whether or not the system is implemented, therefore, environmental standard to be followed by each project and consultation contents were compared. In total 60 cases of thermal power plant construction projects that have been consulted over the past 10 years since 2010, major air pollutants have been significantly reduced after the implementation of EIA. The $PM_{10}$ reduced annual 3,745 tons, $NO_2$ by 74,569 tons, and $SO_2$ by 37,647 tons, which were estimated at approximately 240 billion won~5 trillion 967 billion won per year for social benefit. This means the total cost of power plant operations will be cut to 7 trillion 192 billion won~178 trillion 994 billion won over a 30-year period. The reduced amount of air pollutants emitted by energy generation facilities across the country is worth 50%, and its economic value is larger than the annual Current Health Expenditure in Korea. This is meant by the fact that all projects are subject to uniform criteria under the existing relevant regulation, but that each project plans are optimized according to the characteristics of target areas and projects through the process of EIA.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 1982

Methods for the measurement of aquatic bacteria can be divided into two groups. The first group of these methods is based on the 'replicon' concept that live bacterial cells, when diluted and transferred to a suitable medium, produce colonies. These methods distinguish living from dead bacteria, but they massively underestimate bacterial numbers. The second group of enumeration methods uses visual counting technique using specific apparatus such as a microscope. These methods are generally direct and simple, but it is very hard to distinguish between live and dead bacteria and between small particle and bacteria. Recently developed technique in staining methods has provided a reliable method of visual determination of aquatic bacteria. This uses epifluorescence microscopy to measure the total bacterial population. In order to present the fluorescence microscopy as a new methodology for the determination of bacterial numbers in water supplies, data were obtained from chlorine and monochloramine doses added to samples. Total counts by fluorescence microscopy were compared with standard plate count method. The total number of bacteria in water supplies can be determined with fluorescence microscopy. This technique allows better resolution of small bacteria and differentiation of particle from bacteria. Chloramine was found to persist longer in natural waters and prevent bacterial regrowth.