• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2023

Recently, Heavy rains and super typhoons occurred by climate change cause a lot of damage in Korea. In order to reduce such damage, various types of river maintenance projects are being promoted, but it is difficult to maintain the balance of rivers in Korea with distinct flood and dry seasons. In particular, river structures installed as a river maintenance project cause various problems such as scouring of structures and their foundations during floods and river bed changes. In order to reduce such bed scour, various vanes are installed in the bend of the river, and various bed scour reduction effects appear depending on the size, arrangement, and shape of the vanes. The vane regenerates the secondary flow in the opposite direction to the secondary flow generated by the centrifugal force, thereby reducing scour around the outer bed and promoting deposition. The theory of this study uses the governing equation applying the continuity equation that satisfies the law of conservation of mass and the momentum equation that satisfies the conservation of momentum, and measures the overall average flow velocity change rate according to design factors to investigate the effect of vanes under various conditions. Both the average and cross-sectional flow velocities decreased in both the trapezoidal vane and the square vane. In addition, vanes installed perpendicularly or inclined to the direction of river flow generate a secondary flow in the opposite direction to the secondary flow generated by centrifugal force, thereby canceling the secondary flow of centrifugal force, so the effect of the vane appears.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.641-653
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• 2023

As climate change and urbanization are causing unprecedented natural disasters in urban areas, it is crucial to have urban flood predictions with high fidelity and accuracy. However, conventional physically- and deep learning-based urban flood modeling methods have limitations that require a lot of computer resources or data for high-resolution flooding analysis. In this study, we propose and implement a method for improving the spatial resolution of urban flood analysis using a deep learning based super-resolution technique. The proposed approach converts low-resolution flood maps by physically based modeling into the high-resolution using a super-resolution deep learning model trained by high-resolution modeling data. When applied to two cases of retrospective flood analysis at part of City of Portland, Oregon, U.S., the results of the 4-m resolution physical simulation were successfully converted into 1-m resolution flood maps through super-resolution. High structural similarity between the super-solution image and the high-resolution original was found. The results show promising image quality loss within an acceptable limit of 22.80 dB (PSNR) and 0.73 (SSIM). The proposed super-resolution method can provide efficient model training with a limited number of flood scenarios, significantly reducing data acquisition efforts and computational costs.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.735-747
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• 2023

In recent times, the sharp increase in extreme flood damages due to climate change has posed a challenge to effectively address flood-related issues solely relying on conventional flood management infrastructure. In response to this problem, this study aims to consider the effectiveness of nature-based flood management approaches, specifically levee retreat and relocation. To achieve this, we utilized a 1D numerical model, HEC-RAS, to analyze the flood reduction effects concerning floodwater levels, flow velocities, and time-dependent responses to a 100-year frequency flood event. The analysis results revealed that the effect of creating a flood buffer zone of the nature-based solution extends from upstream to downstream, reducing flood water levels by up to 30 cm. The selection of the flow roughness coefficient in consideration of the nature-based flood buffer space creation characteristics should be based on precise criteria and scientific evidence because it is sensitive to the flood control effect analysis results. Notably, floodwater levels increased in some expanded floodplain sections, and the reduction in flow velocities varied depending on the ratio of the expanded cross-sectional area. In conclusion, levee retreat and floodplain expansion are viable nature-based alternatives for effective flood management. However, a comprehensive design approach is essential considering flood control effects, flow velocity reduction, and the timing of peak water levels. This study offers insights into addressing the challenges of climate-induced extreme flooding and advancing flood management strategies.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2024

The key components of a Phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) are an electrode catalyst, an electrolyte matrix and a gas diffusion layer (GDL). In this study, we introduced a microporous layer on the GDL of PAFC to enhance liquid electrolyte management and overall electrochemical performance of PAFC. MPL is primarily used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells to serve as an intermediate buffer layer, effectively managing water within the electrode and reducing contact resistance. In this study, electrodes were fabricated using GDLs with and without MPL to examine the influence of MPL on the performance of PAFC. Internal resistance and polarization curves of the unit cell were measured and compared to each other to assess the impact of MPL on PAFC electrode performance. As the results, the application of MPL improved power density from 170.2 to 192.1 mW/cm². MPL effectively managed electrolyte and water within the matrix and electrode, enhancing stability. Furthermore, the application of MPL reduced internal resistance in the electrode, resulting in sustained and stable performance even during long-term operation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

This study investigated the effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum JSA22-fermented rice drinks on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Twenty-four mice were randomly assigned; No colitis (Con), colitis with tap water (DSS-only), colitis with unfermented rice (DSS-UFR), and colitis with fermented rice (DSS-FR). After inducing colitis with 2% DSS for 5 days, they were given Tap water, UFR drink, or FR drink for an additional 6 days. The DSS-FR group had significantly lower Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores compared to the DSS-only group, but no significant difference with the DSS-UFR group. Colon length was reduced in the DSS-only group. The DSS-only group had significantly higher IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the Con group, while the DSS-FR groups showed significantly lower IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the DSS-only group. These results suggest that rice drinks fermented with Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum JSA22 ameliorate the severity of DSS-colitis, by potentially reducing proinflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.229-238
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• 2024

This study evaluated the odor removal performance of a bacteria-based odor reduction kit. The bacteria used were Rhodobacter capsulatus, Paracoccus limosus, and Brevibacterium hankyongi, which can remove ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), total nitrogen (T-P), and total phosphorus (T-N), which are odor pollutants. The materials used were bacteria and porous aggregates (expanded vermiculite, zeolite beads, activated carbon), and the combination of the materials varied depending on the removal mechanism. Materials with a physical adsorption mechanism (zeolite beads and activated carbon) gradually slowed down the concentration reduction rate of odor pollutants (NH₃, H₂S, T-P, and T-N), and had no further effect on reducing the concentration of odor pollutants after 60 hours. Expanded vermiculite, in which bacteria that remove odors through a bio-adsorption mechanism were immobilized, had a continuous decrease in concentration, and the concentration of odor pollutants reached 0 ppm after 108 hours. As a result, the odor removal performance of materials with physical adsorption mechanisms in actual river water did not meet the odor emission standard required by the Ministry of Environment, while the expanded vermiculite immobilized with bacteria satisfied the odor emission permissible standard and achieved water quality grade 1.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2024

Background: Dental fear and anxiety are significant challenges in managing behavior in children. Oral administration of sucrose or sweet-tasting solutions has shown effectiveness in reducing procedural pain in infants and neonates. This study aimed to investigate whether pre-application of sucrose solution had an effect on minimizing pain perception during injection and to assess the potential impact of the child's age and sweet preference. Methods: A randomized control clinical trial was conducted on 60 children aged 3-9 years requiring buccal infiltration injections. Following parental consent, demographic data of the children were recorded. Sweet preferences was assessed using a modified forced-choice test. Children were equally and randomly allocated into study (sucrose) and control groups using a lottery method. Sucrose solution or distilled water, respectively, was applied to the lateral surface of the tongue for 2 min. Topical anesthetic was applied at the site of injection, followed by local anesthesia administration. The children rinsed their mouths thrice with water immediately after anesthetic injection. A video was recorded during injection which was then scored by three blinded examiners on the Sound Eye Motor (SEM) scale. The children also self-evaluated using Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS). Results: The mean SEM scores and WBFPS scores were analyzed using the Kruskall-Wallis test. The mean SEM score in the study group was 1.37 ± 0.61, compared to 3.17 ± 0.87 in the control group, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Mean pain scores assessed by WBFPS in the study group were 0.60 ± 1.4, while in the control group, they were 6.27 ± 2.33, also showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Children with a sweet preference demonstrated a subjective reduction in pain perception. Conclusion: Application of sucrose before dental injections in children helps to minimize pain upon injection across all age groups.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2023

A Study on the Introduction of Dose Constraints for Occupational Exposures: Focusing on Experts' Opinions by Field of Radiation Industry. The International Commission on Radiological Protection suggests Justification, Optimization, and Dose Limits as the three principles of radiological protection, among which, as a means of protection optimization, ICRP 103 recommends to set dose constraints. In this study, opinions are collected from experts in each category of radiation industries for stakeholder participation to qualify dose constraints. A guidance and questionnaire for analyzing the dose constraints have been developed for their collection, and opinions were collected from radiation protection experts in selected categories. 20 out of 22 experts, consisted with 91%, have assessed the dose constraints setting is necessary, and 2 experts, consisted with 9%, assessed it is unnecessary. The average of dose constraint presented by experts for RI production institutions is to be the highest level of 15.3 mSv, and light-water reactors (14.6 mSv), non-destructive inspection (14.4 mSv), heavy-water reactor and medical institutes (13.9mSv) is to be above the overall average dose constraint. In case of public institutions, the average dose constraint is to be 8.6mSv, and research institutions (8.8mSv), educational institutions (9.6 mSv), waste disposal sites (9.7 mSv), and general industries (10.6 mSv) are resulted to below the overall average dose constraint. As for the means of setting dose constraints, 8 experts out of 22 suggested setting dose constraints for each specific industry or task. And, 5 experts especially suggest setting dose constraints for the specific groups with relatively high exposure, such as workers with above the record levels. As a countermeasure for workers who exceed the dose constraints, 15 experts out of 22 expressed that the cause analyses for them and preparation for a plan of reducing them are necessary.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.565-575
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• 2024

This research was initiated to establish quality standards and testing methods for fine dust in aggregates, a component currently not regulated under the Korean Industrial Standards(KS) KS F 2527 for Concrete Aggregates. With limited existing research and no definitive quality or testing standards for fine dust, this study sought to provide a quantitative analysis of fine dust in aggregates and to set forth quality standards based on the dust content through a concrete performance evaluation. The experimental findings showed that the primary chemical constituents of the fine dust were aluminum oxide(Al₂O₃), iron oxide(Fe₂O₃), and silicon dioxide(SiO₂). It was observed that increasing levels of fine dust in the aggregates led to higher values of the fine dust index(Al₂O₃+Fe₂O₃). This escalation in the fine dust index corresponded with an increase in the unit water content of the concrete and a consequent decline in compressive strength. Based on these observations, a maximum allowable limit for the fine dust index in aggregates was proposed at 23%. This limit was derived from the correlation between fine dust content and a 15% reduction in compressive strength of standard concrete specimens. The proposed evaluation method for the fine dust index based on its content in aggregates is expected to enhance concrete performance and ensure structural stability. This contribution to the field addresses a significant gap in the standards and provides a foundation for further research and standardization in the construction materials industry.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2005

Background : Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a relatively newly recognized, novel family of peroxidases that reduce $H_2O_2$ and alkylhydroperoxide into water and alcohol, respectively. There are 6 known isoforms of Prxs present in human cells. Normally, Prxs exist in a head-to-tail homodimeric state in a reduced form. However, in the presence of excess $H_2O_2$, it can be oxidized on its catalytically active cysteine site into inactive oxidized forms. This study surveyed the types of the Prx isoforms present in the pulmonary epithelial, macrophage, endothelial, and other cell lines and observed their response to oxidative stress. Methods : This study examined the effect of exogenous, excess $H_2O_2$ on the Prxs of established cell lines originating from the pulmonary epithelium, macrophages, and other cell lines, which are known to be exposed to high oxygen partial pressures or are believed to be subject to frequent oxidative stress, using non-reducing SDS polyacrylamide electrophoresis (PAGE) and 2 dimensional electrophoresis. Result : The addition of excess $H_2O_2$ to the culture media of the various cell-lines caused the immediate inactivation of Prxs, as evidenced by their inability to form dimers by a disulfide cross linkage. This was detected as a subsequent shift to its monomeric forms on the non-reducing SDS PAGE. These findings were further confirmed by 2 dimensional electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis by a shift toward a more acidic isoelectric point (pI). However, the subsequent reappearance of the dimeric Prxs with a comparable, corresponding decrease in the monomeric bands was noted on the non-reducing SDS PAGE as early as 30 minutes after the $H_2O_2$ treatment suggesting regeneration after oxidation. The regenerated dimers can again be converted to the inactivated form by a repeated $H_2O_2$ treatment, indicating that the protein is still catalytically active. The recovery of Prxs to the original dimeric state was not inhibited by a pre-treatment with cycloheximide, nor by a pretreatment with inhibitors of protein synthesis, which suggests that the reappearance of dimers occurs via a regeneration process rather than via the de novo synthesis of the active protein. Conclusion : The cells, in general, appeared to be equipped with an established system for regenerating inactivated Prxs, and this system may function as a molecular "on-off switch" in various oxidative signal transduction processes. The same mechanisms might applicable other proteins associated with signal transduction where the active catalytic site cysteines exist.