• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.185-196
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• 2024

Objectives: Excess mortality associated with long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) has been documented. However, research on the disease burden following short-term exposure is scarce. We investigated the cause-specific mortality burden of short-term exposure to PM_2.5 by considering the potential non-linear concentration-response relationship in Korea. Methods: Daily cause-specific mortality rates and PM_2.5 exposure levels from 2010 to 2019 were collected for 8 Korean cities and 9 provinces. A generalized additive mixed model was employed to estimate the non-linear relationship between PM_2.5 exposure and cause-specific mortality levels. We assumed no detrimental health effects of PM_2.5 concentrations below 15 ㎍/m³. Overall deaths attributable to short-term PM_2.5 exposure were estimated by summing the daily numbers of excess deaths associated with ambient PM_2.5 exposure. Results: Of the 2 749 704 recorded deaths, 2 453 686 (89.2%) were non-accidental, 591 267 (21.5%) were cardiovascular, and 141 066 (5.1%) were respiratory in nature. A non-linear relationship was observed between all-cause mortality and exposure to PM_2.5 at lag0, whereas linear associations were evident for cause-specific mortalities. Overall, 10 814 all-cause, 7855 non-accidental, 1642 cardiovascular, and 708 respiratory deaths were attributed to short-term exposure to PM_2.5. The estimated number of all-cause excess deaths due to short-term PM_2.5 exposure in 2019 was 1039 (95% confidence interval, 604 to 1472). Conclusions: Our findings indicate an association between short-term PM_2.5 exposure and various mortality rates (all-cause, non-accidental, cardiovascular, and respiratory) in Korea over the period from 2010 to 2019. Consequently, action plans should be developed to reduce deaths attributable to short-term exposure to PM_2.5.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.41-61
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• 2017

The literature in research policy extensively addresses the interaction between public R&D and the society. Scholars have paid particular attention to the way science and technology are diffused into the society and industry with the aim of substantiating their potential value. In practice, having recognized the importance of the said interaction, R&D entities and governmental organizations promote scientific and technological innovations that result from their R&D activities. Yet, the nature of news media exposure as their primary channel to promote R&D outcomes has been remarkably understudied. Using the results of R&D projects supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), this study examines R&D entities' strategic use of the news media to publicize their outcomes. The empirical results suggest that the scale of an R&D project positively affects the counts of media exposure of its R&D outcomes, whereas the level of technology readiness and the technology life-cycle do not have significant influence. In addition, the results suggest that, compared to senior researchers, young researchers are more likely to publicize their R&D outcomes and that R&D outcomes from highly ranked universities are more likely to be publicized than those from lower-ranking universities despite our control for R&D outcomes. The aforementioned results suggest that in promoting the diffusion of science and technology, especially to the public, policymakers should be concerned about incentives for those who provide techno-scientific information, such as researchers. The social need for the diffusion of techno-scientific information into the public (e.g., technology transfer and diffusion) is an insignificant factor in determining the media exposure of such information, whereas personal benefits and sensitive issues related to a researcher's own R&D activities (e.g., justification for R&D activities) drive researchers to publicize their R&D outcomes. This paper suggests that policymakers, especially those concerned with better diffusion of scientific and technological innovations need to design a proper incentive system to maximize the societal benefits of media exposure.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.195-205
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• 2022

Background: The biggest concern when using household chemical products is the health risk from inhalation exposure. Objectives: The purpose of this paper was to provide information necessary for estimating inhalation exposure factors in several countries/organizations and to present some examples. Methods: We attempted to use PRISMA-ScR for a systematic review, but no major reports were found. We used the Google search function instead to find 'exposure factor handbook'. As for the results, inhalation exposure factors from South Korea, the United States, Canada, the EU, Australia, Japan, and China were compared. Results: The basic concept and origin of exposure factors was the US Environmental Protection Agency's Exposure Factor Handbook. Its latest version is 2011, but several chapters have been updated in 2017, 2018, and 2019. South Korea's Exposure Factor Handbook was updated in 2019, more recently than those of other countries, and was systematically investigated. In South Korea, the average daily respiratory rate is 14.62 m³/day for adults and 12.73 m³/day for children. It is difficult to compare breathing rate by country because each country divides age groups differently and uses different methods to estimate it. Information on household chemical products, space used, and ventilation rate are in the exposure factor handbook in some countries and not in others. It is not in the handbook in South Korea, but in the notice from the NIER (National Institute of Environmental Research), a sub-regulation of the Chemical Product Safety Act. Conclusions: The exposure factors registered in South Korea's exposure factor handbook have been systematically studied and reflect the most recent data. When using data not in the relevant handbook, data from other countries might be applied, but it should be determined whether the nature and quality of the original data have been managed.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.406-413
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• 2023

Captive breeding and reintroduction are crucial strategies for conserving endangered species populations. However, fish raised in predator-free environments, show a lack of recognition of predationrelated stimuli such as chemical and visual signals. It is critical to recognize chemical signals from injured conspecifics, also known as alarm signals, and the order or shape of predators to indicate the spread of predation risk in the habitat. We conducted a laboratory experiment to determine and adjust the optimal exposure period to induce appropriate anti-predator behavior response to different types of stimuli (Chemical, Visual and Chemical+Visual) for the endangered species Microphysogobio rapidus. Our results demonstrate that predator avoidance behavior varies depending on the types of stimuli and the duration of predation risk exposure. First, the results showed captive-breed M. rapidus show lack of response against conspecific alarm signal (Chemical cue) before the predation risk exposure period and tend to increase response over predation risk exposure time. Second, response to predator (visual cue) tend to peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, but show dramatic decrease after 72 hours cumulative exposure. Finally, response to the mixed cue (Chemical+visual) tend to peak prior to the predation risk exposure period and show reduced response during subsequent exposure periods. This experiment confirms the lack of responsiveness to conspecific alarm signals in captive-bred M. rapidus and the need for an optimal nature behavior enhancement program prior to release of endangered species. Furthermore, responsiveness to predator visual signal peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, suggest an optimal predation risk exposure period of up to 48 hours.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.267-272
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• 2015

The performance of three tubular materials (C-90, L-80, and N-80) was evaluated in a synthetic brine inoculated with sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the absence and presence of biocides. A flow loop was used in the evaluation of the three alloys. Morphological examination of the alloy surfaces after exposure to SRB and after biocide treatment was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the nature of any localized corrosion. The SE images of the coupon samples showed a marked difference between the biocide-treated and untreated samples. Small pits were observed on the ultrasonically cleaned surfaces of the three alloys after exposure to SRB. The biocide treatment reduced the number of SRB on the surfaces of the alloys. Results indicated that C-90 and L-80 alloys exhibited better MIC resistance than N-80 under the conditions used in this study.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.399-400
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• 1999

From the scientific point of view, any regulation of the emissions of toxic air pollutants in general, and ETS or VOCs in particular, will inevitably be based on exposure levels and consequential health effects, data of this nature is still lacking for most of ETS and VOCs. In this context, the importance of personal monitoring measurements of ETS and VOCs in relation to risk assessment has been emphasized previously.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2021.05a
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• pp.140-141
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• 2021

Arc thermal spray process is widely used to protect the steel from corrosion and abrasion. In the present study, two different coatings i.e. Al and Al-5%Mg were used to compare their corrosion resistance performance and the effect of 5% Mg addition in the properties of deposited coating. The SEM results showed the more compact and less porous morphology of Al-5%Mg coating compared to Al. The corrosion resistance performance of both deposited coatings was studied in artificial ocean water with exposure periods and results are compared. The total impedance values of Al-5%Mg at 0.01 Hz exhibited highest with exposure periods might be attributed to the coating and corrosion products nature and morphology compared to Al coating.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.396-401
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• 1995

Epoxy coated reinforcing steels (ECRs) were acquired from ten sources and coatings from each source were initially characterized in terms of defects, thickness, solvent extraction weight loss and hardness. Testing involved exposure in three aqueous solutions at elevated temperature (8$0^{\circ}C$) and in chloride-contaminated concrete slabs under outdoor exposure, It was found that the density and size of coating defects was the promary factor affecting ECR performance. The equivalent circuit analysis using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data indicated that the impedance response for well-performing ECR specimens showed no signs of active degradation at the interface although diffusional processes similar to those noted for poorly performing bars occurred here. Experimental results also indicated a relationship between corrosion behavior and bar source. Weight loss upon solvent extraction correlated with impedance reduction from hot water exposure. Coating defects during most of the tests, especially in high pH solutions containing chloride ions. ECRs with excessive coating defects, either initially present or ones which developed in service, performed poorly in every test category regardless of source. Forms of coating failure were extensive rusting at defects, blistering, wet adhesion loss, cathodic delamination, underfilm corrosion and coating cracks. These occurred sequentially or concurrently, depending on the condition of the ECR and nature of the environment

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.13-14
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• 2003

It is generally well known that Quaternary is characteristic geologically in terms of glacial and interglacial repeats and their associated unconformity formation. This paper deals with the first finding of the characteristic and significant meaningful unconformity between Holocene and late Pleistocene, which implies submergence and emergence of the tidal sedimentary basin along the western coastal zone of Korea during interglacial stage(IOS-5e) and glacial time(IOS-2). The stratigraphy of intertidal deposits in the Haenam Bay, western coast of Korea shows two depositional sequence units (Unit I of Holocene and Unit II of late Pleistocene) bounded by an erosional surface of disconformity. The disconformity is related to the latest Pleistocene sea-level lowstands (probably during the LGM). The Unit II is interpreted as intertidal deposit showing tidal sedimentary structures and crab burrow ichnology and has two parts (the upper part and the lower part) showing different lithology and character. The upper part of Unit II shows characteristic subaerial exposure features (emergence) and its related lithology. Such subaerially exposed upper part (more or less 4m to 5m in thickness) is characterized by yellow-brownish sediment color, cryoturbat-ed structure, crab burrow ichnofacies and high value of shear strength. Geochemical and clay mineral analyses of the upper part sediments also indicate subaerial exposure and weathering. In particular, very high value of magnetic susceptibility of the upper part in comparison to that of the lower part is interpreted as pedogenetic weathering during the subaerial exposure period.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) stand at the frontier of nanotechnology and are destined to stimulate the next industrial revolution. Rapid increase in their production and use in the technology industry have led to concerns over the effects of CNT on human health and the environment. The prominent use of CNTs in biomedical applications also increases the possibility of human exposure, while properties such as their high aspect ratio (fiber-like shape) and large surface area raise safety concerns for human health if exposure does occur. It is crucial to develop viable alternatives to in vivo tests in order to evaluate the toxicity of engineered CNTs and develop validated experimental models capable of identifying CNTs' toxic effects and predicting their level of toxicity in the human respiratory system. Human lung epithelial cells serve as a barrier at the interface between the surrounding air and lung tissues in response to exogenous particles such as air-pollutants, including CNTs. Monolayer culture of the key individual cell types has provided abundant fundamental information on the response of these cells to external perturbations. However, such systems are limited by the absence of cell-cell interactions and their dynamic nature, which are both present in vivo. In this review, we suggested two viable alternatives to in vivo tests to evaluate the health risk of human exposure to CNTs.