• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 2024

Objectives: Nitric oxide is the most important mediator of penile erection after the onset of sexual excitement. It activates cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), increasing penile blood flow. Most pharmaceutical medications prevent enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) from breaking down cGMP, thus keeping its level high. However, due to the adverse effects of pharmacological therapies, herbal drugs that improve sexual function have gained attention recently. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine amino acid on the sexual performance of individuals with erectile dysfunction (ED) using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Methods: Over three months, 98 men with erectile dysfunction were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg of herbal supplements or placebo pills. Each herbal tablet contained 100 mg of protodioscin, 35 mg of ginsenosides, and 250 mg of L-arginine. Results: The results showed that the changes in the average scores of ILEF-5 within each group before and after the intervention indicated that all parameters related to the improvement of sexual function in patients with erectile dysfunction improved in the herbal treatment group (p < 0.001). The herbal group significantly improved IIEF-5 scores in nondiabetics (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the changes of IIEF-5 scores between the two intervention and control groups in diabetic patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine have properties that increase energy and strengthen sexual function, making them suitable for patients with sexual disorders.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.105-122
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• 2024

Myanmar was successful in increasing its sustainable development index during the three years period from 2018 to 2020. However, the index began to decline since 2021. This study aims to analyze both the success factors and obstacles for sustainable development in Myanmar. Using the search terms 'Myanmar' and 'sustainability', online news items were collected from January 2018 to December 2023 and were examined through text network analysis. The study identified the following success factors that contribute to sustainable development in Myanmar: foreign investments, private companies' participation in the effort, human resource development projects, and the use of new and renewable energy. The inhibition factors for the development efforts identified were: government's coercive/restrictive policies, labor rights violations, and forest degradation. The findings of this study provide useful insights for understanding the current status of sustainability in Myanmar from academic and practical perspectives. The results also present benchmarking information for policy-makers in Myanmar and other similar developing countries that are searching for strategic directions in their sustainable development efforts.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2013

In this paper time series wave data are simulated using wave spectrum with random phases of the wave signal. The simulated wave signals are used to study the effect of the sampling rate on the ocean wave characteristics. Effect of sampling rate on wave data which include extreme wave such as freak waves are examined and various wave characteristics including abnormality index (AI), kurtosis of wave profile and maximum wave height are examined. Various wave heights are decreased as the sampling rate decreases. The zero-th moment of the wave spectrum does not affect much on the sampling rate but the second moment are greately affected on the sampling rate. The error due to the sampling rate is decreases as the wave period increases. The error in significant wave height based on the wave spectrum $H_s$ is smaller than that on the time domain method $H_{1/3}$. AI index and kurtosis of wave profile do not deviate much from the exact date as long as the sampling rate is greater than 1 Hz. Ocean wave measurement with the sampling frequency higher than 1 Hz will result the error less than 5% in estimating the height of extreme waves.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.144-156
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• 2012

This paper discusses the methods of estimating the punch penetration indices and data analysis punch penetration test to estimate the TBM normal force and penetration rate. In punch penetration test is known as a useful test to estimate penetration rates and normal force of TBMs directly with several slope indices indicated drill-ability and brittleness of rocks. However, the standard methods and indices for punch penetration test are not suggested yet. The main purpose of punch penetration test which is prediction of normal force of TBM disc cutter when cutters excavate rock mass. In this study, the punch penetration tests were performed for 6 representative Korean rock types and variety length and diameter of rock core specimens. Among slope indices were obtained from punch penetration test, PLI and MLI which is suggested in this study show high correlation with cutter force measured by full-scale cutting test. The results show that the predicted normal force of a single disc cutter and the experimental error was 10%. Based on these results, it is concluded that punch penetration test is reliable laboratory test for estimating thrust and penetration rates of TBM.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.302-313
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• 2012

Concentrations of selected heavy metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, As and Cd) in surface sediments from 96 sites in Masan and Jinhae Bay were studied in order to understand metal contamination. Results show that the surface sediments were mainly enriched by Cu (18-294 ppm), Zn (67-568 ppm), Pb (10-120 ppm) and Cd (0.2-3.5 ppm). The coastal zone of Masan Bay was significantly more contaminated than the non-coastal zone, and spatial distribution pattern suggested additional sources of heavy metal input in the coastal area. The enrichment ratio and geoaccumulation index ($I_{geo}$) have been calculated and the relative contamination levels assessed in the study area. The enrichment ratios of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in Masan Bay have been observed to be relatively high. $I_{geo}$ results reveal that the study area is not contaminated with respect to Fe, Mn, Cr and Ni; moderately to strongly contaminated with Cu, Zn and Pb; and strongly to strong contaminated with Cd. The high contents of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in the study area result from anthropogenic activities in the catchment area. Based on the eight different sediment quality guideline values from USA (ERL, ERM), Canada (TEL, PEL), Australia/New Zealand (ISQG-high, ISQG-low) and Hong Kong (ISQV-low, ISQV-high), sediment quality of Masan and Jinhae Bay was also assessed and characterized.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

Dietary behavior, body mass index(BMI) and nutrient intake status of 185 boys and 205 girls in 3rd grade middle school students in Daegu area were analyzed. Boys were 168.6cm tall and weighed 61.3kg on the average and girls 158.5cm and 54.4kg, respectively. From their BMIs, 17.9% were classified as the underweight, 54.2% as the average, 14.7% as the overweight and 13.2% as the obesity. The average energy intake per day was 2222.6 kcal for boys, 1796.2 kcal for girls which were 83.3% and 86.6% of the RDA, respectively. Composition rate of carbohydrate, protein, fat in relation to energy intake was 62.4 : 16.5 : 21.1 for boys and 58.8 : 16.0 : 25.2 for girls. Protein was taken low and carbohydrate and fat were high in this study. Particularly, fat intake rate of girls was high. Calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin B2 did not meet the RDA and especially calcium was taken 63.9% for boys and 54.01 % for girls. Most of the students have tendency to eat irregularly and to overeat. For the nutrients intake, calories and calcium intake were lower than the RDA regardless of gender and iron intake was not enough for girls only. In relation to BMI, obesity group students were taking lower calories and proteins than the normal students were. No consistent trend was shown for boys about nutrient intake in relation to eating speed. Students had a correct perception of their body image which was similar to that of their mothers. Nutrient average intake is under the average and the percentile under 70% of RDA was high contrary to the fact that nutrient intake like calcium and iron was exceedingly important particularly in the growth process. Therefore, nutritional education for the proper intake of nutrients was required for the students in Daegu area. Especially, education has to be focused on the balanced diet and correct food choices for the proper dietary behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.209-218
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• 2013

This study was conducted to analyze the characteristics of odonata communities as habitat types in Wonju City, Korea. The 33 plots were installed at 4 types of biotope like abandoned paddy fields, natural type reservoir, natural type river and forest valley in Wonju city. From the survey, the 9 family and 38 species were identified. As the result of comparative investigation of the species composition of each habitat through TWINSPAN analyzing, the difference of species composition was definite in abandoned paddy field, natural type reservoir and forest valley, however, it was uncertain in natural type river. The dominant species and the subdominant species of each habitat were mainly Sympetrum frequens and Sympetrum infuscatum but the distributions of Paracercion hieroglyphicum, Epophthalmia elegans, and Anax parthenope julius were different as haibtat types. The order of the index of species diversity was not different between abandoned paddy fiedls, natural type reservoir and natural type river, but forest valley was low. The abandoned paddy field was shown the most diverse spawning type of odonata, it is considered that hydrophyten play an important role in the abundant of odonata since the sorts of odonata spawning in plants are majority. As the result of analyzing interspecies relationship, Crocothemis servilia mariannae and Orthetrum albistylum, Crocothemis servilia mariannae-Platycnemis phyllopoda, Lyriothemis pachygastra-Sympetrum parvulum are shown the positive correlation, however, they have a difference in preferred habitat between high correlation species.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.257-286
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• 2017

This paper estimates the effects of imaginary repeated increases in excise duties on fuel oil consumption and on their income redistribution according to changes in consumer price index, if the inflation indexation system was introduced right after the second Energy Tax Reform ended in July, 2007 in Korea. In fact, nominal excise rates have not been adjusted since 2007. As a result, the real excise rates on fuel oils have been diminished inversely proportional to the consumer price index. Own- and cross-price elasticities of fuel oils such as gasoline and diesel oil are estimated under the general equilibrium framework based on the linear expenditure system. Counterfactual analyses through microsimulation in a static model are adopted to estimate the effects of introducing inflation indexation into the fuel tax in 2007 when the second Energy Tax reform ended on the fuel consumption and income redistribution in 2014. Microsimulations suggest that its introduction could have reduced the consumption of gasoline and diesel oil by 8.8% and 5.4%, respectively, ending up with increased excise revenue by 11.9%. The revenue increase in spite of decreased consumption is mainly because their demands are price inelastic. It could also have increased positive income redistributive effect by 0.01%p (from 0.12% to 0.13%), which is measured in terms of percentage decrease in Gini coefficient. In other words, the fuel excise on the two fuel oils decreased by 0.13% the Gini coefficient of before and after fuel tax income in 2014. This implies that the inflation indexation could have enlarged the income redistributive effect up to 0.13% in 2014, if it is introduced in 2007.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.3-13
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to estimate the nutrient intakes and food habits among preschool children in Kyungjoo city. The subjects were 210 preschool children, aged 4 - 6 years. Measurements of the weight, height, chest circumference, and head circumference of the children were conducted. And general home environment and factors related to eating habits for preschool children were collected using a questionnaire that included information about family income, parents' education and occupations. The average weight-length index (WLI) for the subjects was $103.9\%$. Using the WLI, $20.0\%$ of the preschool children were underweight, $48.6\%$ were normal, $19.0\%$ were overweight, and $12.3\%$ were obese. On the R$\ddot{o}$hrer index, $13.8\%$ of the preschool children were underweight, $38.5\%$ were normal, and $47.7\%$ were over weight or obese. The average daily intake ($\%$ of RDA) of energy and each nutrient was 1323.5 kcal ($81.3\%$), Ca 484.3 mg ($80.7\%$), Fe 7.05 mg ($88.1\%$), vitamin A 420.0 RE ($105\%$), vitamin $B_{2}$ 0.76 mg ($95.0\%$), vitamin $B_{2}$ 0.87 mg ($87.0\%$), and vitamin C 53.1 mg ($106.2\%$) , respectively. In particular, older subjects had lower intake in RDA $%$ of calcium and iron. The energy intake ratio from snacks was much higher than the recommended level of the preschool children. With regard to frequency of regularity of breakfast, $1.9\%$ of preschool children skipped every morning and $7.6\%$ of the children skipped more than 5 per week. With regard to the intake frequency of vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates, and milk, $13.3\%$, $19.9\%$, $22.8\%$, and $41.8\%$ of the children ate more than 5 times per week. The eating habit score was positively correlated (r = 0.18, P < 0.05) with household income. This study suggests that nutrition education to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for preschool children should be emphasized. Also a nutrition education program is needed to enhance consuming calcium and iron intake for adequate growth.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.293-304
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• 2017

This study was performed in order to hydrogeological analysis of aquifer, which is a necessary part for evaluating the efficiency of the combined well and open-closed loops geothermal (CWG) systems. CWG systems have been proposed for the effective utilization of geothermal energy by combining open loop geothermal systems and closed loop geothermal systems. Small aperture CWG systems and large aperture CWG systems were installed at a green house land with water curtain facilities in Chungju City. Aquifer tests include pumping tests and step-drawdown tests were conducted to analyse hydrogeological characteristics of aquifer in the study area. The transmissivity was estimated in the range of $13.49{\sim}58.99cm^2/sec$, and the storativity was estimated in the range of $1.13{\times}10^{-5}{\sim}5.20{\times}10^{-3}$. The geochemical analysis showed $Ca^{2+}$ ion and ${HCO_3}^-$ ion were dominant in groundwater. The Langelier Saturation Index and the Ryznar Stability Index showed low scaling potential of groundwater. In the analysis of vertical water temperature change, the geothermal gradient was estimated as $2.1^{\circ}C/100m$, which indicated the aquifer was enough for geothermal systems. In conclusion, groundwater is rich, can stably use geothermal heat, and it is less likely to cause deterioration of thermal energy efficiency by precipitation of carbonate minerals in study area. Therefore, the study area is suitable for installation of the combined geothermal system.