• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.317-330
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• 2021

Objectives: By law, companies in Korea must periodically measure workers' exposure to harmful chemicals (the system is called the Work Environment Monitoring Program (WMP)[a]) and report the results to the government. The government also measures exposure to monitor the WMP's reliability (called Reliability Assessment (RA) for WMP[b]). The issue is that measured data from these two sources are so different that the objectivity of WMP needs to be confirmed by comparing the results using the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals' Targeted Risk Assessment (ECETOC TRA). Methods: Step 1: Data collection from WMP reports submitted by companies (n=586) and RA for WMP written by the government (n=33). Step 2: Data Standardization by key information included. Step 3: Data conversion to input-variables required to run the ECETOC TRA model, and run the model with specific data (n=514) which meet the predetermined exposure scenario. Step 4: Statistical data analysis by process category (PROC) and ventilation type from each source ([A] and [B]). Step 5: Additional analysis of any unexpected results. Results: The process categories of the production and handling of Dichloromethane were classified into 12 PROCs, and ten of them were selected to run ECETOC TRA. Modeled values tended to be higher than measured values from both sources. For the measured values from WMP, RCR distribution by PROC was narrow (0.197-0.267, 95% CI) and did not have a relationship with ventilation type, which differs from the tendency of the modeling result. Meanwhile, the measured values from RA for WMP were relatively widely distributed (0.301-1.177, 95% CI) by PROC. In particular PROCs (13,19) were high enough to exceed 1. Also, they become low with better ventilation types and appear differently depending on the ventilation type, similar to the model result. Conclusions: This study revealed that ECETOC TRA might have the potential to serve as a screening tool for exposure assessment and to be used as assistive method for WMP to estimate exposure. Further empirical study is required to confirm its availability as a screening tool.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.109-120
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• 2021

Global warming due to increased carbon dioxide is perceived as one of the factors threatening the future. Efforts are being made to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in each industry around the world. In particular, environmental loads and impacts during the life cycle of SOC structures and buildings have been quantitatively assessed through a quantitative method called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). However, the construction sector has gone through difficulty in quantitative assessment for several reasons: 1) LCI DB is not fully established; 2) the life cycle is very long; 3) the building structures are unique. Therefore, it takes enormous effort and time to carry out LCA. Rather than estimating carbon emissions with accuracy, this study aims to present a simplified estimation model that allows owners or designers to easily estimate carbon dioxide emissions with little effort, given that rapid and rough decisions regarding environmental load reduction are to be made. This study performs the LCA using data from 25 road construction projects across the country, followed by multiple regression analyses to derive a simplified carbon estimation model (SLCA). The study also carries out a comparative analysis with values estimated by performing a typical LCA. The comparison analysis shows an error rate of less than 5% for 16 road projects.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1105-1123
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• 2018

The main risk factors of tunnel excavation through urban areas are ground settlement and surface sink which caused by ground conditions, excavation method, groundwater condition, excavation length, support method, etc. In the process of ground settlement assessment, the numerical analysis should be conducted considering the displacement and stress due to tunnel excavation. Therefore a technique that can simplify such process and easily evaluate the influence of tunnel excavation is needed. This study focused on the tunnelling-induced ground settlement which is main consideration of underground safety impact assessment. The parametric numerical analyses were performed considering such parameters as ground conditions, tunnel depth, and lateral distance from tunnel center line, etc. A simplified ground settlement evaluation chart was suggested by analyzing tendency of ground subsidence, lateral influence area and character by depth. The applicability of the suggested settlement evaluation chart was verified by comparative numerical analysis of settlement characteristics.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.31-52
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• 2020

Purpose - This study mainly investigates two potential legal regimes expected to govern the use of electronic bills of lading: the Rotterdam Rules (2009) and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (2017). Widespread use of electronic bills of lading has been unsuccessful partly due to the absence of a uniform legal regime and protracted uncertainties. This paper aims to carry out an assessment of the possibilities where either of two potential legal regimes could provide certainty to the effect and validity of the use of electronic bills of lading, and contribute to the facilitation of electronically transferring the rights to goods carried by sea. Design/methodology - This paper first introduces two legal instruments and the relevance to electronic bills of lading. Since neither of these legal instruments has yet entered into force, the following section looks into the ratification or enactment possibilities based on a literature review and track records of the past legal regimes of the same kind. Assessment of the different adoption possibilities further requires comparative work of the two legal instruments, which will be based on an analysis of relevant provisions and a literature review. The literature review on the Rotterdam Rules delves into various studies and data produced since the UNCITRAL's adoption in 2009. The literature review on the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records heavily relies on UNCITRAL working group documents from 2011 to 2017 together with the final explanatory note. Findings - The main findings can be summarized as follows. Application of the Rotterdam Rules would negate the role of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records assisting in the implementation of the Rotterdam Rules due to some conflicting issues. Enactment of the UNCITRAL Model Law alone can sufficiently provide a higher level of certainty in the use and effect of electronic bills of lading so long as lawmakers and parties are aware of some issues with the application. What concerns potential users most is the extension of the status quo, where neither of the legal instruments have any effect. It is necessary to take a number of alternatives into consideration, such as promotion of standard clauses and confirmation by a court ruling. Originality/value - Existing studies focus either on the Rotterdam Rules or on the UNCITRAL Model Law, but not both. Not many papers have yet dealt with the Model Law, which was adopted by UNCITRAL only 2 years ago, particularly in the context of a potential legal regime for electronic bills of lading. This paper attempts to introduce the differences between the two legal instruments in regulating the use of electronic bills of lading while providing an assessment of the various possibilities for which parties involved in international trade can be better prepared for the changing legal environment.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.815-821
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• 2011

This study aims to estimate the biological decomposition capacity of MPC(Microorganism Porous-Concrete). MPC has specific surface area formed by inside pores, and bio compound was added to those pores to reduce pollutants loading. To evaluate the water purification capacity of MPC, we carried out the comparative studies using different media types [GPC(General Porous-concrete), CPC(Compound porous-concrete), LPC(Lightweight aggregate porous-concrete)] under the condition of CFSTR, and different retention times (30, 60 and 120 min). We also estimated the purification capacity of MPC under different concentrations of pollutant loadings. The MPC showed higher efficiency in water purification function than other conventional porous concretes with efficient decrease rates of SS, BOD, COD, and nutrient concentrations. In the comparison experiment for different retention times, MPC showed the highest removal efficiency for all tested pollutants in the longest retention time(120 min). In the long period test, the removal efficiencies of MPC concrete were high until 100 days after the set up of the operation, but began to decrease. Outflow flux was invariable compared with inflow flux so that extra detention time for media fouling such as back washing is not needed. But the results suggested that appropriate management is necessary for long-term operation of MPC. As the final outcome, MPC using bio organisms is considered to be efficient for stream water purification when they used as substrates for artificial river structure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.5
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• pp.686-692
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• 2010

This study described the general pattern of genetic variation among ten teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) provenances in Myanmar and determined the most suitable seed sources for the plantation program in Bago Yoma region. Seeds of ten provenances were collected to cover the whole teak natural distribution in Myanmar and planted at four trial sites in Bago Yoma region in 1998. Seven years after planting, variation was assessed for growth, morphological characteristics and their correlation with geoclimatic factors. Statistical analysis using ANOVA revealed that there were significant differences in most of the traits measured among provenances, trial sites and provenance ${\times}$ site interaction at five percent level. A positive significant correlation (p<0.01) was found among most of the traits. The regression analyses between all traits and geoclimatic factors indicated the existence of ecoclinal variation in teak. Most of the traits were negatively correlated with the latitude while a positive significant correlation was found between longitude and C/B ratio, crown-diameter, average branch angle and leaf-remain. There was no significant correlation between the mean temperature and any other traits in this study. Furthermore, growth traits and crown diameter were positively correlated with the mean annual rainfall while negative correlation was found between the geographical distance and growth traits. Results indicate that the latitudinal pattern of teak genetic variations in growth performance was attributed to the limit of mean annual rainfall. Comparative assessment showed that local provenances were generally the best and could be use as suitable seed sources for the plantation program in the Bago Yoma region.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.670-681
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• 2012

In this paper, we review a variety of state-of-the-art research on assessment of the railway track capacity. We address the three well-known methods (Yamagishi, UIC 406, and TCRP-13) with individual case study in this research field. First, we explicitly present every derivation-step of the Yamagishi equations that has been most frequently applied in the Korean railway without clear understanding for it. Further, we present a prospective application scheme of the method as an analytic assessment method. Second, we address establishing process of UIC 406 standard and its application method, which is known as the standard method in Europe. Finally, we address the method and application of TCRP-13, and present comparison between the three methods. This paper is expected to contribute for improving understand on the in-using equations and methods in practice as well as for activating application of the internationally well-used method to the Korean railway.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.429-438
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• 2020

Objectives: Given that Argentinian public-sector workers are highly exposed to stressful conditions, and that the psychometric properties of the widely used Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) should be evaluated in different settings, this work aimed to compare the psychometric properties of the Latin American Spanish PSS-10 and PSS-4 and to identify the optimal scale for stress assessment. Methods: A sample of 535 participants was randomly divided into 2 groups to evaluate dimensionality by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The reliability of both scales was also evaluated. Convergent validity was estimated using the Executive Complaints Questionnaire, the average variance extracted, and the composite reliability. Discriminant validity was based on the correlation with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the phi-square correlation between the components. Results: The factor analyses supported bidimensionality of the PSS-10 (stress and coping), which showed a better fit than the PSS-4. Moreover, the reliability of the PSS-10 was higher, whereas the PSS-4 did not achieve adequate values of internal consistency. The PSS-10 was also correlated significantly with all validation scales, and presented proper internal convergent and divergent validity. Conclusions: The PSS-10 is a reliable and structurally valid instrument to measure perceived stress and coping in a Latin American Spanish-speaking population with high work demands, and the findings of this study expand our knowledge on the geographical and sociocultural applicability of the PSS.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.337-348
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• 2015

Touch input method is unintended difficulties regarding touch and input have increased with touch input methods when compared to using a mouse for input in previously existing menus. This study attempted to analyze usability evaluations according to form and size changes of minimal button forms in button menus. This attempted to verify possibilities through more effective applications of the quantitative performance prediction evaluation model through comparative analysis of Fitts' Law, the representative model of the regression model formula and the interface human performance evaluation method, so that applications can be made in interface designs of touch input methods. Therefore it was significant in that it made reflections on design with consideration given to use user times according to button forms and size changes that can be applied to touch screens.

• The Journal of Korean Association of Computer Education
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2018

Countries around the world are strengthening informatics education to cope with the development of technology that leads to rapid social change. The last step in the capacity to foster through formal education is high school education. The purpose of this study is to examine the competence and level of informatics curriculum for high school students who aim to enter university in terms of testing tools. In order to carry out the research, we analyzed informatics education related test tools for high school students such as Japan, Germany, and USA. The results of the analysis are as follows: First, both the essay type and the short answer type question are included in the test tool as well as the multiple choice question type. Second, we use the real world model as an item and ask whether we can use computing power for practical problem solving ability. Third, the items directly related to the university education are reflected in the items. This study suggests that it has helped to elucidate the features and discussions of the test tool and establish the development direction of the test tool for informatics education.