• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.11.1-11.19
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• 2015

Objectives The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to provide summarized evidence on the association between maternal exposure to particulate air pollution and birth weight (BW) and preterm birth (PTB) after taking into consideration the potential confounding effect of maternal smoking. Methods We systematically searched all published cohort and case-control studies examining BW and PTB association with particulate matter (PM, less than or equal to $2.5{\mu}m$ and $10.0{\mu}m$ in diameter, $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$, respectively) from PubMed and Web of Science, from January 1980 to April 2015. We extracted coefficients for continuous BW and odds ratio (OR) for PTB from each individual study, and meta-analysis was used to combine the coefficient and OR of individual studies. The methodological quality of individual study was assessed using a standard protocol proposed by Downs and Black. Forty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Results In random effects meta-analyses, BW as a continuous outcome was negatively associated with $10{\mu}g/m^3$ increase in $PM_{10}$ (-10.31 g; 95% confidence interval [CI], -13.57 to -3.13 g; I-squared=0%, p=0.947) and $PM_{2.5}$ (-22.17 g; 95% CI, -37.93 to -6.41 g; Isquared=92.3%, p<0.001) exposure during entire pregnancy, adjusted for maternal smoking. A significantly increased risk of PTB per $10{\mu}g/m^3$ increase in $PM_{10}$ (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.41; I-squared=0%, p=0.977) and $PM_{2.5}$ (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.22; I-squared=92.5%, p<0.001) exposure during entire pregnancy was observed. Effect size of change in BW per $10{\mu}g/m^3$ increase in PM tended to report stronger associations after adjustment for maternal smoking. Conclusions While this systematic review supports an adverse impact of maternal exposure to particulate air pollution on birth outcomes, variation in effects by exposure period and sources of heterogeneity between studies should be further explored.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.10021-10025
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• 2014

Background: The study aimed to describe the age distribution of breast cancer diagnosis among Chinese females for comparison with the United States and the European Union, and provide evidence for the screening target population in China. Materials and Methods: Median age was estimated from hospital databases from 7 tertiary hospitals in China. Population-based data in China, United States and European Union was extracted from the National Central Cancer Registry, SEER program and GLOBOCAN 2008, respectively. Age-standardized distribution of breast cancer at diagnosis in the 3 areas was estimated based on the World Standard Population 2000. Results: The median age of breast cancer at diagnosis was around 50 in China, nearly 10 years earlier than United States and European Union. The diagnosis age in China did not vary between subgroups of calendar year, region and pathological characteristics. With adjustment for population structure, median age of breast cancer at diagnosis was 50~54 in China, but 55~59 in United States and European Union. Conclusions: The median diagnosis age of female breast cancer is much earlier in China than in the United States and the European Union pointing to racial differences in genetics and lifestyle. Screening programs should start at an earlier age for Chinese women and age disparities between Chinese and Western women warrant further studies.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2002

A rapid, selective and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of terazocin in human plasma. Terazocin plus the internal standard, prazocin hydrochloride, were extracted from alkalified plasma with tert-butylmethyl ether, back-extracted into 0.05% phosphoric acid. Fifty ${\mu}l-portions$ of extract were injected onto a octadecylsilane column and eluted with a mixture of acetonitrile, water and triethylamine (30 : 70 : 0.1 v/v, adjusted to pH 5.0 with dilute phosphoric acid) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The fluorescence intensity of column eluents was monitored at excitation wavelength of 250 nm and emission wavelength of 370 nm. No interference peaks were observed. The practical limit of quantitation was 5 ng/ml for terazocin. The average intraday and interday coefficients of variation were 4.15 and 3.54%, respectively. Also intraday and interday precisions over the range $5{\sim}60\;ng/ml$ were $0.49{\sim}2.92\;and\;0.38{\sim}5.12%$, respectively. The bioequivalence of two terazosin tablets, the $Hytrine^{\circledR}$ (Il Yang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and the $Teratonin^{\circledR}$ (Sam-A Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), was evaluated according to the guideline of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Sixteen healthy male volunteers $(24.6{\pm}2.0\;years\;old)$ were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 2 mg of terazosin was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentration of terazosin in plasma was determined with a HPLC method using spectrofluorometric detector. AUC was calculated by the linear trapezoidal method. $C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were compiled from the plasma drug concentration-time data. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between the two preparations were 0.21 %, 5.53% and 8.82%, respectively. The powers $(1-{\beta})\;for\;AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were >99%, 97.49%, and 33.26%, respectively. Minimum detectable differences $({\Delta},\;%)\;at\;{\alpha}=0.1\;and\;1-{\beta}=0.8$ and the 90% confidence intervals were all less than ${\pm}20%$ except for $T_{max}.\;AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$ met the criteria of KDFA for bioequivalence, indicating that $Teratonin^{circledR}$ tablets are bioequivalent to $Hytrine^{circledR}$ tablets.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2017

Dissipation pattern and biological half-lives of fungicides boscalid and pyraclostrobin were calculated on jujube. The pesticides were sprayed on jujube in two different field at the standard rate, respectively. The raw agricultural commodities were harvested at 0 (2 hr), 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days after treatment, and analyzed by HPLC/DAD. The method limit of quantification (MLOQ) was $0.02mg\;kg^{-1}$ for boscalid and pyraclostrobin. The recovery ranged 101.8~109.3% with below 5% of CV (Coefficient of variation) for boscalid and 104.2~115.4% with below 5% of CV for pyraclostrobin. An average initial deposit at field 1 and field 2 samples were observed 0.40 and $0.48mg\;kg^{-1}$ for boscalid and, 0.76 and $0.57mg\;kg^{-1}$ for pyraclostrobin, respectively. The biological half-lives of field 1 and field 2 were 11.0 and 13.2 day for boscalid, and 6.1 and 12.7 days for pyraclostrobin.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.402-411
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The role of a school's nutrition environment in explaining students' eating behaviors and weight status has not been examined in an Asian setting. The purpose of this study was to create a school nutrition environment index and to pilot test the index in elementary and middle schools in urban South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods approach. Environment assessment tools were developed based on formative research, which comprised literature reviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Key elements from the formative research were included in the assessment tool, which consisted of a structured survey questionnaire for school dietitians. Fifteen school dietitians from 7 elementary and 8 middle schools in Seoul completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The formative research revealed four main sections that guided a summary index to assess a school's nutrition environment: resource availability, education and programs, dietitians' perceptions and characteristics, and school lunch menu. Based on the literature reviews and interviews, an index scoring system was developed. The total possible score from the combined four index sections was 40 points. From the 15 schools participating in the pilot survey, the mean school nutrition-environment index was 22.5 (standard deviation ${\pm}3.2$; range 17-28). The majority of the schools did not offer classroom-based nutrition education or nutrition counseling for students and parents. The popular modes of nutrition education were school websites, posters, and newsletters. CONCLUSIONS: This paper illustrates the process used to develop an instrument to assess a school's nutrition environment. Moreover, it presents the steps used to develop a scoring system for creation of a school nutrition environment index. As pilot testing indicated the total index score has some variation across schools, we suggest applying this instrument in future studies involving a larger number of schools. Future studies with larger samples will allow investigation of the validity and reliability of this newly developed tool.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2012

In this study, Application of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process for RO retentate treatment was performed. Efficiency of treatment by load and temperature variation was tested. The SBR process was operated two types as HRT per one cycle was 8 and 12 hours, respectively. Methanol was injected for an effective denitrificaion owing to low C/N ratio of the RO retentate. TN removal efficiency of the SBR process was relatively stable at the change of flow-rate and temperature. The optimum time cycle of SBR process was 2 cycle/day for TN removal, and in the case of 3 cycle/day, the effluent TN concentration was found under the effluent quality standard. In the result of assessment, the application of SBR process for RO retentate treatment was effective and could be utilized to design for the wastewater treatment plant. The specific nitrification rate (SNR) and specific denitrification rate (SDNR) were $0.043{\sim}0.066kg\;NH_3-N/kg\;MLVSS{\cdot}day$ and $0.096{\sim}0.287kg\;NH_3^--N/kg\;MLVSS{\cdot}day$, respectively. The derived kinetic could be applied for design to the aerobic and anoxic tank in the RO retentate treatment.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2007

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the present status of several environmental problems caused by emerging toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and arsenic in various environmental media in Vietnam. Monitoring data reported during the 1990s demonstrated elevated contamination of DDTs in most of these compartments in Vietnam. Studies in frame of the Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program revealed that fish, mussels and resident birds from Vietnam contained higher concentrations of DDTs as compared to other countries in region, suggesting the role of Vietnamese environment as a significant emission source of DDT in the Southeast Asian region. The estimated dietary intakes of PCBs and DDTs for Vietnamese were relatively high among Asian developing countries, suggesting potential risk for humans posed by thesechemicals. Widespread contamination of some endocrine active compounds such as alkylphenols and phthalates was observed at various sites along the coasts of northern and middle Vietnam. The presence of significant source of bisphenol-A along Red River estuary was revealed with the concentrations comparable to those reported for developed nations. A case study on seasonal variation of alkylphenols and phthalates in surface water of river delta and estuary of north and middle Vietnam indicated the differences in distribution of these compounds between dry and rainy seasons. Higher concentrations of alkylphenols and phthalates were found in dry season in estuary; while the contrasting pattern was observed in the river delta, showing elevated residues in rainy season. This result suggests the different behavior of alkylphenols and phthalates in river delta and coastal environment. From ecotoxicological perspectives, concentrations of bis-phenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalates [DEHP] in surface water from some locations in Vietnam exceeded the guideline values for Ecotoxicological Effects and the Environmental Risk Limit, respectively, suggesting potential for toxic implications on aquatic wildlife. Widespread and elevated arsenic contamination was discovered inour recent surveys in groundwater in a large area of suburban areas of Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam. The most recent investigation in 4 villages showed about more than 50 % of groundwater samples contained As concentrations exceeding 50 g/L (the WHO and Vietnamese standard). In particular, in Son Dong villages, 58 % of samples analyzed contained As concentrations higher than 200 g/L. Good correlations were found in As concentrations in water and hair and urine of peoples in corresponding families, suggesting the chronic exposure to As by people living in As-contaminated ground water areas. In Son Dong village, As levels in hair (mean: 1.7 mg/kg dry wt) and urine (g/g creatinine) exceeding the reference values recommended by WHO, suggesting potential for human risk posed by long term accumulation of As in human body. Future studies should be focused on the time trends of POPs and EDCs in biota in Vietnam in order to predict future trend of contamination and to reveal new clues for understanding possible toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. The issues of arsenic contamination in groundwater and their chronic toxic implications on human health should be systematically investigated in the future.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.19-28
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• 2013

This study evaluated the quantitative effects of the deployment of semi-actuated signal systems using field data. For this, a semi-actuted signal system was deployed in the regional roadway network extensively. This paper investigated an operating strategy of semi-actuated signal systems for field application, and implemented the functional strategy into the standard signal controller. The performance was evaluated using three measures of effectiveness such as traffic volume, travel time, and the number of delayed vehicle. From the analysis results, traffic volume increased about 9.4% and 11.3% for morning and evening peak periods, respectively. The average travel time was reduced about 6.3% and 7.8% during morning and evening peak periods, respectively because of the expansion of bandwidths for major streets. In addition, the number of delayed vehicles was reduced about 36.4% and 23.9% for morning and evening peak periods, respectively. It is expected that the effectiveness of signal control system can be improved by incorporating a properly designed semi-actuated signal system in regional roadways with directional demand variation.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the morphological characteristics and growth rates of 101 medium-leaf type zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp.) collected at the major sod production area (Jang Seong Gun) in South Korea. Collected lines with distinctive morphology and visual growth rate were planted in plastic pots and measured morphological characteristics under the plastic house conditions. Variation of leaf width, plant height, leaf angle, length of leaf sheath, trichome, stolon length, and color were measured. Six lines were selected by evaluating growth rates from one hundred one collected lines. Eight standard cultivars and three other superior lines previously collected were compared to 7 selected lines form Jang seong area by checking growth rates and morphological characteristics. Average leaf blade width was 3.4 mm, leaf angle was 45.8 degree, plant height was 21.6 cm, height of lowest leaf was 5.0 cm, and length of leaf blade was 14.1 cm. Ground cover rates of selected lines 'CY6097' and 'CY6069' were 70% and 68.3%, respectively. These are believed to be faster than 60% ground cover rate of zoysiagrass 'Anyang', and also, twice as faster than the 31.7% ground cover rate of Z. matrella. Selected line 'CY6069' showed fast growth rate with shorter internode length (5.1 cm) compared to zoysiagrass 'Anyang'. Based on the results of this study, we could select useful fast growing zoysiagrass breeding lines from the major sod production area (Jang Seong Gun) in Korea.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 1999

Most of saline water inousions have been diagnosed by geophysical or geochemical approach independently. The objective of this study is to provide the effective method to detect the saline water intrusion on the ground water in the vicinity of seashore using these two methods. Schulumberger sounding, frequency domain electromagnetic sounding and geochemical analysis of ground water were carried out to explore saline water intrusion. Schulumberger sounding was implemented in dry surface condition before irrigation water was introduced into the field, while electromagnetic sounding was carried out in wet ground condition after the irrigation. The purpose of duplicated measurements on the equivalent spot at different times was to investigate the variation of anomaly zone depending on the amount of ground water. It was possible to discriminate the anomalous zone due to high water saturation from the low electric resistivity zone by high salt concentrations through this way. For the verification of the geophysical result, the ground water samples in the study area were collected and analysed at the 23 points near the measuring spots. The groundwater at the spot nearest to the sea water intrusion identified by geophysical method indicates higher salinity than the standard limit concentration for agricultural irrigation water (250 mg/1). Isotope analysis of $D({^2}H)$ vs. is ${^18}O$ and PCA analysis were used to discriminate the anthropogenic pollution from those of high salinity from sea water intrusion.