• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.49-62
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• 2023

Phthalates are animal carcinogens. Potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP), which has the least complicated structure among phthalates, is used for the analysis of total organic carbon and formaldehyde. However, its toxicity has not been confirmed. A 24-hour acute toxicity test was performed using Daphnia magna, a water flea used to evaluate aquatic toxicity owing to its high sensitivity. The lowest observed effect concentration of KHP was found to be 240 mg/L. The effects of phosphorus, nitrogen, and Cr(6+), which are able to be discharged along with KHP, were also confirmed using tests. At 240 mg/L KHP, toxicity increased as phosphorus, nitrogen, and Cr(6+) increased. In addition, tests were performed to confirm the half maximal effective concentration of KHP. Through 10 test repetitions, the average ecotoxicity value was found to be 0.3, the average half maximal effective concentration was 327.75 mg/L, and the coefficient of variation (%) was 3.16%; because the latter value is lower than 25%, which is what is generally suggested for the water pollution standard method, the reproducibility of the tests is sufficient to replace the existing standard reference toxicity test that uses potassium dichromate. In addition, the half maximum effective concentration of potassium hydrogen phthalate is approximately 218 times more than that of potassium dichromate; therefore, toxicity is relatively low. In conclusion, KHP is a feasible alternative to the highly toxic potassium dichromate for performing the standard reference toxicity test.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.25-25
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• 2023

The ensemble optimal interpolation (EnOI) scheme is a sub-optimal alternative to the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) with a reduced computational demand making it potentially more suitable for operational applications. Since only one model is integrated forward instead of an ensemble of model realizations, online estimation of the background error covariance matrix is not possible in the EnOI scheme. In this study, we investigate two Gaussian noise based ensemble generation strategies to produce dynamic covariance matrices for assimilation of water level observations into a distributed hydrological model. In the first approach, spatially correlated noise, sampled from a normal distribution with a fixed fractional error parameter (which controls its standard deviation), is added to the model forecast state vector to prepare the ensembles. In the second method, we use an adaptive error estimation technique based on the innovation diagnostics to estimate this error parameter within the assimilation framework. The results from a real and a set of synthetic experiments indicate that the EnOI scheme can provide better results when an optimal EnKF is not identified, but performs worse than the ensemble filter when the true error characteristics are known. Furthermore, while the adaptive approach is able to reduce the sensitivity to the fractional error parameter affecting the first (non-adaptive) approach, results are usually worse at ungauged locations with the former.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2023

Due to extreme urbanization, ground transportation in the city center is saturated, and problems such as the lack of expansion infrastructure and traffic congestion increase social costs. To solve this problem, a 3D mobility platform, Urban Air Mobility (UAM), has emerged as a new alternative. A vertiport is a physical space that conducts a similar role to an airport terminal. Vertiport consists of take-off and landing facilities (TLOF, Touchdown and Lift-Off area), space for boarding and disembarking from UAM aircraft (gates), taxiways, and passenger terminals. The type of vertiport (structure, number of facilities) and concept of operations are key variables that determine the number of UAM aircraft that can be accommodated per hour. In this study, a capacity calculation method was presented using an optimization technique (Deterministic Integer Linear Programming). The absolute capacity of the vertiport was calculated using an optimization technique, and a sensitivity analysis was also performed.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.562-570
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• 2023

The droplet-vitrification technique for cryopreservation has proven successful across a diverse range of germplasm, ensuring safe and effective long term preservation. In this study, we investigate an effective cryopreservation protocol using the droplet-vitrification technique for shoot tips of Freesia hybrida cultivars 'Sunny Gold' and 'Sweet Lemon'. To determine optimal conditions for Freesia cryopreservation, we employed a carefully selected standard procedure along with additional treatments and alternative solutions. For 'Sunny Gold', the highest regrowth rate of 24% was achieved when shoot tips underwent dehydration with PVS3 solution for 120 minutes before direct immersion in liquid nitrogen (LN) for 1 hour, coupled with a standard protocol involving a two-step preculture with 0.3 M - 0.5 M sucrose, loading with C4 for 40 minutes, and unloading with 0.8 M sucrose for 40 minutes. In the case of 'Sweet Lemon,' regrowth of cryopreserved shoot tips was observed with dehydration treatments, including PVS2 (A3) for 60 minutes and PVS3 (B1) for 60 minutes, as well as longer exposure. The results reflect the distinct sensitivity of shoot tips to chemical toxicity and osmotic stress in these two genotypes. This study provides valuable evidence to consistently enhance the effectiveness of cryopreservation methods for the long-term conservation of Freesia germplasm.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.261-266
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• 2012

It is common to use many experiment animals to evaluate the toxicity of chemicals including pesticides. For protecting animal, the concepts of 3R (Reduction, Replacement, Refinement) were introduced and in vitro alternatives methods actively have been developed all over the world. Many experimental animals for toxicological tests have been used, so that it is important to establish the alternative methods. In this study, the alternative method using reconstituted human skin model (Keraskin$^{TM}$) was conducted for classification of skin irritation on pesticides. Sixteen formulations selected on the basis of the degree of irritation were treated by Keraskin$^{TM}$ test. The percent of cell viability was measured into the culture medium collected after treatment of the pesticides for 24-72 hrs. The skin irritations of formulations were evaluated by the cell viability. In this study, The 4 formulations with mild irritation in rabbits were evaluated as nonirritant, the 6 formulations with moderate and severe irritation were evaluated as irritant in human skin model test. We suggest that the alternative test using Keraskin$^{TM}$ model could be used as toxicity evaluation for primary irritation index (P.I.I.) score of greater than or equal to 2.1 of pesticides. The further studies should be required to apply for hazardous assessment of pesticides on alternative skin irritation methods because of the interindividual variability of the sensitivity of skin irritation on pesticides.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.145-153
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• 2015

In this study, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with hydroxynaphtol blue dye (HNB) for rapid and direct visual detection of porcine circovirus 2 DNA with high sensitivity and specificity. The LAMP was completed in 40 min at $63^{\circ}C$, and the results of the LAMP can be confirmed by naked eye without any detection process. The sensitivity of the LAMP was 10-fold higher than that of the commercial PCR (cPCR) and real time PCR (rPCR) previously reported. In clinical application, the PCV2 detection rate of the LAMP was the same on porcine tissue samples (75.0%, 36/48) between porcine blood samples (75.0%, 39/52). The PCV2 detection rate (75.0%) of LAMP was higher than those of the cPCR and rPCR (67.3%, 35/52) in blood samples. In conclusion, the LAMP developed in the study could be an useful alternative method for the detection of PCV2 in the swine disease diagnostic laboratories.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.55-66
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• 2012

The practical way to minimize the greenhouse gas is to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide. For this reason, CCS(Carbon Capture and Storage) technology, which could reduce carbon dioxide emission, has risen as a realistic alternative in recent years. In addition, the researcher is recently working into ways of applying CCS technologies with deep saline aquifer. In this study, the evaluation model on the feasibility of $CO_2$ sequestration in the deep saline aquifer using ANN(Artificial Neural Network) was developed. In order to develop the efficiency-evaluation model, basic model was created in the deep saline aquifer and sensitivity analysis was performed for the aquifer characteristics by utilizing the commercial simulator of GEM. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the factors and ranges affecting $CO_2$ sequestration in the deep saline aquifer were chosen. The result from ANN training scenario were confirmed $CO_2$ sequestration by solubility trapping and residual trapping mechanism. The result from ANN model evaluation indicated there is the increase of correlation coefficient up to 0.99. It has been confirmed that the developed model can be utilized in feasibility of $CO_2$ sequestration at deep saline aquifer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3645-3651
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• 2012

Conventional pap smear (CPS) examination has been the mainstay for early detection of cervical cancer. However, its widespread use has not been possible due to the inherent limitations, like presence of obscuring blood and inflammation, reducing its sensitivity considerably. Automated methods in use in developed countries may not be affordable in the developing countries due to paucity of resources. On the other hand, manual liquid based cytology (MLBC) is a technique that is cost effective and improves detection of precursor lesions and specimen adequacy. Therefore the aim of the study was to compare the utility of MLBC with that of CPS in cervical cancer screening. A prospective study of 100 cases through MLBC and CPS was conducted from October 2009 to July 2010, in a Medical College in India, by two independent pathologists and correlated with histopathology (22 cases). Morphological features as seen through MLBC and CPS were compared. Subsequently, all the cases were grouped based on cytological diagnosis according to two methods into 10 groups and a subjective comparison was made. In order to compare the validity of MLBC with CPS in case of major diagnoses, sensitivity and specificity of the two methods were estimated considering histological examination as the gold standard. Increased detection rate with MLBC was 150%. The concordance rate by LBC/histopathology v/s CPS/histopathology was also improved (86% vs 77%) The percentage agreement by the two methods was 68%. MLBC was more sensitive in diagnosis of LSIL and more specific in the diagnosis of inflammation. Thus, MLBC was found to be better than CPS in diagnosis of precursor lesions. It provided better morphology with increased detection of abnormalities and preservation of specimen for cell block and ancillary studies like immunocytochemistry and HPV detection. Therefore, it can be used as alternative strategy for cervical cancer prevention in limited resource settings.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2007

Limited coverage for health care services of National Health Insurance(NHI) in Korea has been ongoing policy issue but additional NHI financing through raising contribution or taxes in order to improve coverage faces substantial obstacles. Private health insurance(PHI) is often considered as an alternative financing source to improve coverage. Recent reform that attempted to stretch the role of PHI allowed life insurance companies to provide complementary PHI, indemnity plan which will pay for uncovered services by NHI and out-of-pocket spending for covered services. Although complementary PHI may relieve financial burden of patients, it may significantly raise NHI spending as well as total health expenditure since little out-of-pocket spending may increase utilization of health care. So far, there has not been enough discussion about concerns of potential adverse effect resulting from extended role of PHI. This study investigated potential increase of NHI spending followed by extension of complementary PHI through sensitivity analysis. The amount of NHI spending for services that would be covered by complementary PHI was calculated using 2005 NHI statistics and expected complementary PHI enrollment rate by age and sex. Expected utilization increases were obtained based on price elasticities$(-0.2{\sim}-0.5)$ from previous studies and expected coverage rate$(50{\sim}80%)$ of complementary PHI and then converted to monetary figures. Because coverage rate of complementary PHI has not been determined yet, we employed the sensitivity analysis using coverage rate of $50{\sim}80%$. Findings demonstrate that additional spending for health care services is expected to be $426{\sim}1,702$ billion won, corresponding amount payed by NHI $298{\sim}1,192$ billion won. In conclusion, since complementary PHI may raise NHI spending significantly, there should be an agreement whether this additional cost would be accountable and acceptable in our society. Potential inefficiency resulting from extended role of complementary PHI should be considered since public and private financing do not operate in isolation and there should be more discussion on proper role of PHI in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.89-99
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• 2000

To cope with the limits of conventional O-D trip matrix collecting methods, several approaches have been developed. One of them is bilevel Programming method Proposed by Yang(1995), which uses Sensitivity Analysis Based(SAB) algorithm to solve Generalized Least Square(GLS) problem. However, the SAB a1gorithm has revealed two critical short-comings. The first is that when there exists a significant difference between target O-D matrix and true O-D matrix, SAB algorithm may not produce correct solution. This stems from the heavy dependance on the historical O-D information, in special when gravel Patterns are dramatically changed. The second is the assumption of iterative linear approximation to original Problem. Because of the approximation, SAB algorithm has difficulty in converging to Perfect Stackelberg game condition. So as to avoid the Problems. we need a more robust and stable solution method. The main purpose of this Paper is to show the problem of the dependency of Previous models and to Propose an alternative solution method to handle it. The Problem of O-D matrix estimation is intrinsically nonlinear and nonconvex. thus it has multiple solutions. Therefore it is necessary to require a method for searching globa1 solution. In this paper, we develop a solution algorithm combined with genetic algorithm(GA) , which is widely used as probabilistic global searching method To compare the efficiency of the algorithm, SAB algorithm suggested by Yang et al. (1992,1995) is used. From the results of numerical example, the Proposed algorithm is superior to SAB algorithm irrespective of travel patterns.