• Title/Summary/Keyword: environmental actions

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Classifications of Ecological Districts for Estuarine Ecosystem Restoration; Examples of Goseong Bay Estuaries, South sea, Korea (하구 생태 복원을 위한 생태구역 구분; 남해 고성만 고성천 인근 하구의 예)

  • An, Soon-Mo;Lee, Sang-Yong;Choi, Jae-Ung
    • The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.70-80
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    • 2011
  • Estuarine ecosystem responds sensitively to natural and anthropogenic perturbations. lt is necessary to identify the direction of the change when the perturbation occurs as well as to understand the structure and functioning of estuarine ecosystem for a proper management of the area. In this study, the estuarine habitats were classified into different ecological districts so as to the switch from one district to another district could be related to the environmental change due to the perturbations. Total 16 ecological districts was defined according to the presence of barrage, salinity and vegetation characteristics. The defined ecological districts were applied to small estuaries in Goseong bay, south sea of Korea (Baedun, Guman, Maam, Goseong) to distinguish different regions which might have characteristic bottom topography, inclinations of river bottom, sediment characteristics, salinity structure and area of vegetation. Total 7 out of 16 ecological district was identified in this region; NFB (natural, fresh, bare), NHB (natural, high salinity, bare), NLV (natural, low salinity, vegetated) in natural (without barrage) estuaries and CFB (closed, fresh, bare), CFV( closed, fresh vegetated), CLV (closed, low salinity, vegetated), CHB (closed, high salinity, bare) in closed (with barrage) estuary. A comparison of environmental factors and biota between CHB and CLV demonstrated the effect of barrage on estuarine ecosystem. The height and sediment characteristics of CHB and CLV were similar but the average salinity was lower in CLV than in CHB due to the barrage, which produced favorable condition for the Phragmites australis in CLV. Information regarding the ecological districts in various sizes and location could be useful for predicting the ecosystem change due to natural and anthropogenic perturbations and for preparing management actions.

A Study on the Smog Reduction Strategies in China (중국의 스모그 저감정책에 대한 고찰)

  • Jeon, So Hyeon;Kim, Yong Pyo
    • Particle and aerosol research
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    • v.11 no.3
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    • pp.63-75
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    • 2015
  • Atmospheric environment in Korea is influenced by outside, especially China. The concentrations of air pollutants in China have showed decreasing trends since 2000. However, these concentration levels in China are still higher than other developed countries. The Chinese Government has tried several measures to control the air pollution. In this study, the details of the amendments and smog reduction strategies in China, especially for Beijing are reviewed and the strategies for Korean side to promote cooperation in Northeast Asia are suggested and discussed. The Chinese State Council amended the Environmental Protection Provisions and Clean Air Act and announced The Action Plan for Air Pollution Control (2013-2017), focusing on three key regions, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area (Jing-Jin-Ji), Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Pearl River Delta (PRD). These policy actions and plan are mainly for the reducing coal usage and emissions from vehicles. It is suggested that, Korea should actively promote multi-national cooperation in the region to take an initiative role in environmental areas.

Proposal on for Response System to International Terrorism (국제 테러리즘의 대응체제 구축방안)

  • Suh, Sang-Yul
    • Korean Security Journal
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    • no.9
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    • pp.99-131
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    • 2005
  • Terrorism which became today's common phenomena over the world is one of the most serious threats the world confront. Although International society make and operate outstanding anti-terrorism system, terror would never end without solving fundamental problems. The main body of terrorism converts from nation to organization and from organization to cell, which makes it difficult for us to recognize the main body. Since the target of today's new terrorism is many and unspecified persons, terrorists will never hesitate to use mass destruction weapons such as nuclear, biological, chemical weapons, and also use cyber-technique or cyber-terrorism. So, effective counter-terrorism measures should be performed as follows. First, it must be better for international society should make long-time plan of solving fundamental problems of terrorism other than to operate directly on terror organization and its means. Second, preventive method should be made. The most effective method of eradicating terrorism is prevention. For this, it is necessary to remove environmental elements of terrorism and terrorist bases, and to stop inflow of money and mass destruction weapons to terrorists. Third, integrated anti-terror organization should be organized and operated for continuous counter-terrorism operations. Also international alliance for anti-terrorism should be maintained to share informations and measures. Fourth, concerned department in the government should prepare counter-terrorism plans in their own parts as follows and make efforts to integrate the plans. - Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs : conventional terror - Ministry of Health and Welfare : bio-terror - Ministry of Science and Technology : nuclear-terror Especially, they should convert their policy and operation from post-terror actions to pre-terror actions, designate terror as national disaster and organize integrated emergency response organization including civil, government, and military elements. In conclusion, pre-terror activities and remedy of fundamental causes is the best way to prevent terror. Also, strengthening of intelligence activities, international cooperations, and preventive and comprehensive counter-measures must not ignored.

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The Effects of Environmental Factors on Biodegradability Test for Lubricant Products (환경인자가 윤활제품의 생분해도 시험에 미치는 영향)

  • Cho, Eun-Hye;Park, Keun-Hyoung;Han, Seung-Ock;Kim, Eui-Yong;Ryu, Jae-Sang;Jang, Sun-Bok;Lee, Un-Gi;Chae, Hee-Jeong
    • KSBB Journal
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.285-290
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    • 2008
  • Various methods (OECD 301B, ISO 9439 and ASTM 5864) for biodegradability test of lubricants were reviewed, and a standard procedure was developed. Most lubrication products are released in rivers or sea then is degraded by microbial action in aerobic condition. Most international method are based on $CO_2$ evolution test. Inoculum obtained from a sewage disposal plant and test compound are cultivated in a mineral medium. Organic carbon of the test compound is degraded and oxidized through the enzymatic actions of inoculum, and ultimately mineralized to carbon dioxide. Biodegradability test conditions of lubricant oils were optimized. The highest biodegradability was achieved when the same medium as in ASTM 5864 and inoculum concentration of $10^4{\sim}10^5$ cell/L were used. The optimum standard materials were selected as aniline and sodium acetate. Additionally the effects of inoculum type on microbial growth and biodegradability were examined. Finally the standard operating procedure (SOP) for biodegradability test method was proposed.

Light-Ontology Classification for Efficient Object Detection using a Hierarchical Tree Structure (효과적인 객체 검출을 위한 계층적 트리 구조를 이용한 조명 온톨로지 분류)

  • Kang, Sung-Kwan;Lee, Jung-Hyun
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
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    • v.10 no.10
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    • pp.215-220
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    • 2012
  • This paper proposes a ontology of tree structure approach for adaptive object recognition in a situation-variant environment. In this paper, we introduce a new concept, ontology of tree structure ontology, for context sensitivity, as we found that many developed systems work in a context-invariant environment. Due to the effects of illumination on a supreme obstinate designing context-sensitive recognition system, we have focused on designing such a context-variant system using ontology of tree structure. Ontology can be defined as an explicit specification of conceptualization of a domain typically captured in an abstract model of how people think about things in the domain. People produce ontologies to understand and explain underlying principles and environmental factors. In this research, we have proposed context ontology, context modeling, context adaptation, and context categorization to design ontology of tree structure based on illumination criteria. After selecting the proper light-ontology domain, we benefit from selecting a set of actions that produces better performance on that domain. We have carried out extensive experiments on these concepts in the area of object recognition in a dynamic changing environment, and we have achieved enormous success, which will enable us to proceed on our basic concepts.

Three-dimensional Simulation of Wave Reflection and Pressure Acting on Circular Perforated Caisson Breakwater by OLAFOAM (OLAFOAM에 기초한 원형유공케이슨 방파제의 반사율 및 작용파압에 관한 3차원시뮬레이션)

  • Lee, Kwang-Ho;Bae, Ju-Hyun;Kim, Sang-Gi;Kim, Do-Sam
    • Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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    • v.29 no.6
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    • pp.286-304
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    • 2017
  • In this study, we proposed a new-type of circular perforated caisson breakwater consisting of a bundle of latticed blocks that can be applied to a small port such as a fishing port, and numerically investigated the hydraulic characteristics of the breakwater. The numerical method used in this study is OLAFOAM which newly added wave generation module, porous media analysis module and reflected wave control module based on OpenFOAM that is open source CFD software published under the GPL license. To investigate the applicability of OLAFOAM, the variations of wave pressure acting on the three-dimensional slit caisson were compared to the previous experimental results under the regular wave conditions, and then the performance for irregular waves was examined from the reproducibility of the target irregular waves and frequency spectrum analysis. As a result, a series of numerical simulations for the new-type of circular perforated caisson breakwaters, which is similar to slit caisson breakwater, was carried out under the irregular wave actions. The hydraulic characteristics of the breakwater such as wave overtopping, reflection, and wave pressure distribution were carefully investigated respect to the significant wave height and period, the wave chamber width, and the interconnectivity between them. The numerical results revealed that the wave pressure acting on the new-type of circular perforated caisson breakwaters was considerably smaller than the result of the impermeable vertical wall computed by the Goda equation. Also, the reflection of the new-type caisson breakwater was similar to the variation range of the reflection coefficient of the existing slit caisson breakwater.

Physiological Function of Isoflavones and Their Genetic and Environmental Variations in Soybean (콩 Isoflavone의 생리활성 기능과 함량 변이)

  • Kim Yong-Ho;Kim Seok-Dong;Hong Eun-Hi;Ahn Wan-Sik
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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    • v.41 no.spc1
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    • pp.25-45
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    • 1996
  • Soyfoods have potential roles in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, most notably cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease. There is evidence that carcinogenesis are supressed by isolated soybean derived products in vivo such as a protease inhibitor, phytic acid, saponins and isoflavones. It is believed that supplementation of human diets with soybean products markedly reduces human cancer mortality rates. Especially, recent papers recognize the potential benefit of soybean isoflavone components for reducing the risk of various cancers. Isoflavones exhibit a multitude of medicinal effects that influence cell growth and regulation, which may have potential value in the prevention and treatment of cancer. In addition to potential biological effects, soybean isoflavones have the important physiological functions such as the induction of Bradyrizobium japonicum nod genes and the responses of soybean tissues to infection by Phytophthora megasperma as well as biochemical activities such as antifungal and antibacterial actions. Genistin, daidzin, glycitin and their aglycone (genistein, daidzein, glycitein) are the principal isoflavones found in soybean. Malonyl and acetyl forms have also been detected but they are thermally unstable and are usually transformed during the processing in glucoside form. Most soy products, with the exception of soy sauce, alcohol-extracted soy protein concentrate, and soy protein isolate, have total isoflavone concentrations similar to those in the whole soybean. Soybean-containing diets inhibit mammary tumorigenesis in animal models of breast cancer, therefore, it is possible that dietary isoflavones are an important factor accounting for the lower incidence and mortality from breast cancer. Of the total soybean seed isoflavones, $80\~90\%$ were located in cotyledons, with the remainder in the hypocotyls. The hypocotyls had a higher concentrations of isoflavones on a weight basis compared with cotyledons. Isoflavone contents were influenced by genetics, crop years, and growth locations. The effect of crop year had a greater impact on the isoflavone contents than that of location. The climate condition might be the attribution factor to variation in isoflavone contents. Also, while the isoflavone content of cotyledons exhibited large variations in response to high temperature during seed development, hypocotyls showed high concentration in isoflavone content. So, it is concluded that one of the factors affecting isoflavone content in soybean seeds is temperature during seed development. High temperature, especially in maturity stage, causes lower isoflavone content in soybean seed. It is also suggested that there may exist a different mechanism to maintain isoflavone contents between cotyledon and seed hypocotyls. In a conclusion, soy foods may be able to have a significant beneficial impact on public health.

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A Study of the Application of Earthquake Early Warning System for the Enhancements in Protective Action by Korea National Park (국립공원의 지진 대응 체계 개선을 위한 지진 조기경보 시스템의 적용에 관한 연구)

  • Yang, Eomzi;Ha, Seong Jun;Kim, Won Kyung;Yun, Tae Sup
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.38 no.3
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    • pp.439-448
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    • 2018
  • Conventional Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) detects the propagated P-wave from epicenter which should be achieved within 5 seconds to provide seconds to minutes of warning, allowing people to prepare for protective actions. EEWS in Korea is currently capable of providing a warning within 50 seconds after the primary P-wave detection, however, it is well-known that earthquake warning systems operating around Korean National Parks (KNP) have limited capability to fully monitor earthquake events. This study, therefore, presents a strategy to quantify the potential vulnerability to earthquake hazards by superimposing the distribution of Korea Integrated Seismic System (KISS) and the discretized map of KNP. Total 22 national parks are evaluated, and the results suggest that the improvement of the on-site systems should be necessitated for Gyoengju, Gyeryongsan, Songnisan, Gayasan, and Deogyusan national parks, whereas enhancement of regional systems is required for Bukhansan national park.

Effect of Manganese Exposure on the Reproductive Organs in Immature Female Rats

  • Kim, Soo In;Jang, Yeon Seok;Han, Seung Hee;Choi, Myeong Jin;Go, Eun Hye;Cheon, Yong-Pil;Lee, Jung Sick;Lee, Sung-Ho
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.295-300
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    • 2012
  • Manganese ($Mn^{2+}$) is a trace element that is essential for normal physiology, and is predominantly obtained from food. Several lines of evidence, however, demonstrated that overexposure to $MnCl_2$ exerts serious neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity and developmental toxicity, particularly in male. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of 0, 1.0, 3.3, and 10 mg/kg/day doses of $MnCl_2$ on the reproductive organs in the immature female rats. Rats (PND 22; S.D. strain) were exposed to $MnCl_2$ ($MnCl_2{\cdot}4H_2O$) dissolved in drinking water for 2 weeks. The animals were sacrificed on PND 35, then the tissues were immediately removed and weighed. Histological studies were performed using the uteri tissue samples. Serum LH and FSH levels were measured with the specific ELISA kits. Body weights of the experimental group animals were not significantly different from those of control group animals. However, ovarian tissue weights in 1 mg and 3.3 mg $MnCl_2$ dose groups were significantly lower than those of control animals (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Uterine tissue weights of 3.3 mg dose $MnCl_2$ groups were significantly lower than those of control animals (p<0.01), while the 1 mg $MnCl_2$ dose and 10 mg $MnCl_2$ dose failed to induce any change in uterine weight. Similarly, only 3.3 mg $MnCl_2$ dose could induce the significant decrease in the oviduct weight compared to the control group (p<0.05). Non-reproductive tissues such as adrenal and kidney failed to respond to all doses of $MnCl_2$ exposure. The uterine histology revealed that the $MnCl_2$ exposure could affect the myometrial cell proliferation particularly in 3.3 mg dose and 10mg dose group. Serum FSH levels were significantly decreased in 1mg $MnCl_2$ dose and 10 $MnCl_2$ mg groups (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). In contrast, treatment with 1 mg $MnCl_2$ dose induced a significant increment of serum LH level (p<0.05). The present study demonstrated that $MnCl_2$ exposure is capable of inducing abnormal development of reproductive tissues, at least to some extent, and altered gonadotropin secretions in immature female rats. Combined with the well-defined actions of this metal on GnRH and prolactin secretion, one can suggest the $Mn^{2+}$ might be a potential environmental mediator which is involved in the female pubertal process.

Fenofibrate decreases radiation sensitivity via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\alpha}$-mediated superoxide dismutase induction in HeLa cells

  • Liu, Xianguang;Jang, Seong-Soon;An, Zhengzhe;Song, Hye-Jin;Kim, Won-Dong;Yu, Jae-Ran;Park, Woo-Yoon
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.88-95
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    • 2012
  • Purpose: The fibrates are ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ${\alpha}$ and used clinically as hypolipidemic drugs. The fibrates are known to cause peroxisome proliferation, enhance superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression and catalase activity. The antioxidant actions of the fibrates may modify radiation sensitivity. Here, we investigated the change of the radiation sensitivity in two cervix cancer cell lines in combination with fenofibrate (FF). Materials and Methods: Activity and protein expression of SOD were measured according to the concentration of FF. The mRNA expressions were measured by using real time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Combined cytotoxic effect of FF and radiation was measured by using clonogenic assay. Results: In HeLa cells total SOD activity was increased with increasing FF doses up to 30 ${\mu}M$. In the other hand, the catalase activity was increased a little. As with activity the protein expression of SOD1 and SOD2 was increased with increasing doses of FF. The mRNAs of SOD1, SOD2, $PPAR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ were increased with increasing doses of FF. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by radiation was decreased by preincubation with FF. The surviving fractions (SF) by combining FF and radiation was higher than those of radiation alone. In Me180 cells SOD and catalase activity were not increased with FF. Also, the mRNAs of SOD1, SOD2, and $PPAR{\alpha}$ were not increased with FF. However, the mRNA of $PPAR{\gamma}$ was increased with FF. Conclusion: FF can reduce radiation sensitivity by ROS scavenging via SOD induction in HeLa. SOD induction by FF is related with $PPAR{\alpha}$.