PURPOSES : Traffic congestion on freeway generally occurs when the traffic volume exceeds the road capacity. Most traffic manuals *such as the Korean Highway Capacity Manual) present the highway capacity as approximately 2,000 units/hour. However, in the real world, freeway congestion occurs for various reasons, including unusual driver behaviors, physical road limitations, and large traffic volumes. Thus, the flow rate at a traffic breakdown can have a wide range of volumes. Therefore, using 5-min volume and speed data from the field, this study explores the stochastic features of traffic breakdowns on major urban freeways in Seoul. METHODS : First, a breakdown point is defined by applying a wavelet transform to identify the sharp drop in the speed data near freeway bottlenecks. Second, based on the flow rate at and before a breakpoint, a survival analysis is performed to construct the probability distributions of the traffic breakdown. Log-rank tests are also conducted to verify the similarities of the distributions between freeways. RESULTS : The analysis results confirm the stochastic features of the urban freeways in Seoul. Specifically, the freeways have typical S-shaped distributions of breakdown probabilities. However, the distributions rise steeply (exceeding a 50% of breakdown probability) at flow rates of 1,150 vphpl to 1,700 vphpl; this is lower than the general expectation. CONCLUSIONS : The statistical differences in the probability distributions for freeways indicates that applying a general standard to every urban highway could raise problems. This study has a limitation in identifying the specific causes of traffic congestion owing to the by physical relationships between individual vehicles. An investigation if vehicle trajectory data should be conducted to examine these aspects in further detail.

The carbon concentration in the carburized steels was measured by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) for a range of soluted carbon content in austenite from 0.1 to 1.2 wt%. This study demonstrates the problems in carbon quantitative analysis using the existing calibration curve derived from pure iron (0.008 wt%C) and graphite (99.98 wt%C) as standard specimens. In order to derive an improved calibration curve, carbon homogenization treatment was performed to produce a uniform Kα intensity in selected standard samples (AISI 8620, AISI 4140, AISI 1065, AISI 52100 steel). The trend of detection intensity was identified according to the analysis condition, such as accelerating voltage (10, 15, 30 keV), and beam current (20, 50 nA). The appropriate analysis conditions (15 keV, 20 nA) were derived. When the carbon concentration depth profile of the carburized specimen was measured for a short carburizing time using the improved calibration curve, it proved to be a more reliable and accurate analysis method compared to the conventional analysis method.

Recently, Korean government has introduced Multi Metric Indices (MMI) using various biocommunity information for aquatic ecosystem monitoring and ecosystem health assessment at the national level. MMI is a key tool in national ecosystem health assessment programs. The MMI consists of indices that respond to different target environmental factors, including environmental disturbance (e.g. nutrients, hydrological and hydraulic situation of site etc.). We used zooplankton community information collected from Korean lakes to estimate the availability of candidate zooplankton MMI indices that can be used to assess lake ecosystem health. First, we modified the candidate indices proposed by the U.S. EPA to suit Korean conditions. The modified indices were subjected to individual index suitability analysis, correlation analysis with environmental variables, and redundancy analysis among indices, and 19 indices were finally selected. Taxonomic diversity was suggested to be an important indicator for all three taxonomic groups (cladoceran, copepod, rotifer), on the other hand, the indices using biomass for large cladocerans and copepods, while the indices using abundance were suggested for small cladocerans and rotifers.

본 연구는 범주속성들이 공통원인 혹은 공통효과 인과 네트워크로 연결되었을 때 인과강도에 따른 속성추론을 검증했다. 인과범주에서 속성추론을 검증한 기존 연구들은 인과관계의 방향, 연결된 속성의 개수, 원인 혹은 결과의 여부 등에 따라 고유한 추론 패턴이 나타남을 보여주었다. 다만 기존 연구들은 인과관계에 따른 추론패턴을 주로 탐색했으며 인과관계의 효과가 인과강도에 따라 어떤 변화를 보이는지 확인한 연구는 찾아보기 어렵다. 본 연구에서 는 공통원인(실험 1), 공통효과(실험 2) 네트워크에서 인과강도에 따른 속성추론을 검증했다. 이를 위해 참가자들에 게 속성들이 인과적 관련성을 가지는 범주를 학습하게 한 다음 속성추론 과제를 실시하도록 했다. 실험 결과 인과관 계 뿐만 아니라 인과강도 역시 속성추론에 중요한 영향을 미쳤다. 인과강도가 강할 떄 공통원인 속성에 대해서는 추론이 약해진 반면 공통효과 속성에 대해서는 추론이 강해졌다. 또한 인과강도가 강할 때 공통원인이 존재하는 경 우 결과속성들에 대한 추론이 강해진 반면 공통효과에서는 반대의 결과가 나타났다. 특히 공통효과에서는 인과강도 가 강할 때 인과적 절감이 더 뚜렷하게 나타났다. 이 결과들은 인과적 범주에서의 속성추론에서 참가자들은 인과관 계 뿐만 아니라 인과강도를 고려한다는 것을 일관성있게 보여준다.

This study evaluates the ammonia (NH3) reduction effect of Bio-curtains (hereinafter referred to as curtains) utilized for odor control in pig farms based on the distance outside the curtain and the spraying condition. The curtain (total area: 37.9m3) was constructed with two layers of light-shielding screens stretched over a rectangular parallelepiped structure installed around a ventilation fan (630 mm) on the side wall of a pig barn where 48 finishing pigs were reared. The real-time NH3 concentration was measured by using a photoacoustic spectrometer. In the first part of this study, the NH3 measurement position for each side of the curtain was selected based on the lowest standard deviation among 4 to 8 initial sampling points on the surface of the curtain and utilized for both experiments of distance and spraying. In the experiment concerning the distance outside the curtain, ammonia concentration decreased by 17.45% at 2m compared to the distance at 5 cm and by 6.94% at 4m compared to 2m on average. In contrast, the NH3 reduction rate for each distance compared to the ventilation fan was the lowest at the 100% operating rate in which the exhausted NH3 concentration from the ventilation fan was low. At this time, the spraying mist on the inside of the curtain increased the NH3 reduction rate by 4.98 to 10.36% compared to the non-spraying condition. Consequently, the NH3 be reduced as distance outside the curtain increases due to the diffusion effect caused by the surrounding wind and the spraying mist on the inside curtain on the dissolution of NH3.

This study analyzed the determinants that affect the purchase of ready-to-cook seafood products using the “Consumer Attitude Survey on Processed Foods” from 2018 to 2021. Dietary lifestyle, food awareness and preference survey questions were categorized, and factors affecting the purchase probability of ready-to-cook seafood were identified through a binomial logit model. The main research findings are as follows. First, consumers had higher preference for quality, safety, and new taste factors than health and price factors when purchasing HMR (Home Meal Replacement). Second, through binomial logit model analysis, the probability of purchasing ready-to-cook seafood products was low in the group pursuing taste and economy. On the other hand, the purchase probability was high in the group seeking convenience. Third, the purchase probability of ready-to-cook seafood products was higher in households with two or more persons than in single-person households. These results suggest that differentiated product development and marketing strategies should be needed for each consumer groups in the seafood convenience food market

Vulnerable populations in healthcare facilities are more sensitive to exposure to indoor air pollutants, and therefore are more affected by such pollutants than the general population. This was the underlying reason why studies of indoor air pollutant concentration distribution and health risk assessment have been conducted targeting facilities, such as daycare centers, medical facilities, elderly care facilities, and postnatal care centers. However, previous studies have mainly focused on daycare and medical facilities for their research, and relatively speaking, studies conducted on the other venues are lacking. Therefore, this study aims to present the current status of indoor air quality and perform a health risk assessment in regard to Formaldehyde exposure at postnatal care centers and elderly care facilities. Here, the study focused on facilities that had undergone pollution level inspections from January 2017 to December 2021. A total of 81 postnatal care centers and 48 elderly care facilities were selected as the subject of the study. Then, the study utilized concentrations of five elements (CO2, HCHO, PM10, PM2.5, TBC) to determine the status of indoor air quality of both postnatal care centers and elderly care facilities. For health risk assessment, HCHO concentration was used. The investigation demonstrated that the yearly average concentration of the five elements stood within the indoor air quality maintenance standards, and the ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 in the two types of facilities was distributed as high as about 70%. In addition, the study showed that HCHO and TBC demonstrated a positive correlation when the relationship between indoor temperature and humidity with the five elements was examined. The health risk assessment showed that the cancer risk level of postnatal care center users stood below 10-6, below the level that is perceived as an acceptable risk. The cancer risk of workers from both postnatal care centers and elderly care facilities and elderly care facility users exceeded the acceptable risk level of 10-6, but was shown to be below 10-4, the maximum acceptable risk.

This study analyzed the effect of workers' socio-psychological burden factors on musculoskeletal disorders. A survey was conducted targeting office and field workers in the Seoul metropolitan area. Analysis was performed using the results of 357 surveys out of 400 surveys. The analysis results were derived as follows. First, the socio-psychological burden factor did not show statistically significant results for musculoskeletal disorders. Second, it was found that job stress factors also had a positive effect on musculoskeletal disorders. Third, social psychological burden factors were found to be more positive than office workers than field workers. Fourth, there was a statistically significant correlation between job stress and musculoskeletal disease risk scores. From the above results, job stress factors affect musculoskeletal disease risk factors (work frequency, pain level, and duration) and the increase in musculoskeletal disorders and the number of accidents.

Following the social requirement to strengthen field supervision of the asbestos containing materials (ACM) abatement process with regard to asbestos school buildings, this study was conducted to understand the status and characteristics of airborne asbestos that may potentially occur after the ACM abatement process is completed. In the area where a series of asbestos abatement processes were finally completed, comprehensive area air sampling was performed. For sample analysis, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used according to The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) method and Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) analysis was also performed. Airborne asbestos was detected in 29.5% of the total samples, and the average concentration was 0.0039 ± 0.0123 s/cc (12.3 ± 38.9 s/mm2). 4.5% of the total samples exceeded the AHERA standard (70.0 s/mm2) and the average concentration was 0.0528 ± 0.0256 s/cc (167.2 ± 82.0 s/mm2). Airborne asbestos was no longer detected at the point when AHERA is exceeded after re-cleaning. Most of the detected asbestos was chrysotile (94.4%) and the structure types of asbestos were Matrix (41.4%), Fiber (39.9%), Bundle (10.8%), and Cluster (7.8%). Among the asbestos structures detected through transmission electron microscope analysis, the asbestos structures satisfying PCM-equivalent structures were found to be 6% of the detected asbestos, indicating that there is a limitation of the PCM analysis to check the airborne asbestos in that area. As a result of reviewing the status of airborne asbestos that may potentially occur and the type and dimensions of asbestos structure detected in the area, since the airborne asbestos exposure caused by poor field supervision for the ACM abatement process could not be ruled out, thorough management is necessary. In addition, the result of this study could be used as scientific evidence for establishing and strengthening policies related to ACM abatement, including cases of school buildings.

In 2022, the Korean Ministry of Environment designated Parthenium hysterophorus as an ecosystem-disturbing plant. The purpose of this study was to present a management plan for P. hysterophorus considering its distribution, morphological, physiological, and ecological characteristics, and to introduce various control techniques. P. hysterophorus is native to Central America and occurs in about 45 countries worldwide. However, in Korea, it only grows in some areas of Tongyeong and Changwon, Gyeongsangnam Province. P. hysterophorus is an annual plant and spreads by seeds, moves between countries in the process of importing and/or exporting agricultural seeds, and spreads by agricultural machinery and vehicles after introduction. P. hysterophorus releases parthenin, an allelochemical that suppresses the occurrence of the surrounding vegetation, from its stems and roots. In addition, P. hysterophorus causes damage to humans and livestock through various allergens. P. hysterophorus can be controlled by physical methods, such as cutting its stems or pulling roots, and by treatment with non-selective herbicides, such as glyphosate. Many biological control research studies have been conducted and, unfortunately, there is no a practical solution so far.

This study monitored temperature using electronic sensors and developed a prediction model for compost maturity. The experiment used swine manure in a mechanical composting facility equipped with a screw-type agitator, and the composting process was conducted for 60 d during the summer season in South Korea. Four electronic temperature sensors were installed on the inner wall between the compost piles on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28 for daily temperature monitoring. Compost samples were collected daily for 60 d, and compost maturity was analyzed using the Solvita method. Multiple comparisons, correlations, and modeling were performed using the stat package in R software. The average compost pile temperatures was 39.1±3.9, 36.4±4.3, 31.3±4.5, and 35.4±8.1 on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively, after composting. The average compost maturity according to the composting date was 3.61±0.60, 4.13±0.59, 4.26±0.47, and 4.32 ±0.56 on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively. A significant negative correlation was observed between the compost composting periods (seven, 14, 21, and 28 d) and the temperature of all compost piles (p<0.05), where the correlation coefficients were -0.329, -0.382, -0.507, and -0.634, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between the compost composting periods (seven, 14, 21, and 28 d) and the maturity of the compost (p<0.05), where the correlation coefficients were 0.410, 0.550, 0.727, and 0.840, respectively. The model for predicting the maturation of the 14 d average compost pile according to the compost composting period and the average temperature for 14 d was y=0.026 x d – 0.021 x mt.x_14 d (mean temperature for 14 d) + 4.336 (R2=0.7612, p<0.001). This study can be considered a basic reference for predicting compost maturity by the proposed model using electronic temperature sensors.

This study aims to promote the necessity for future research from the perspective of the indoor environment by analyzing the trend of domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases and examining previous quantitative research cases. The limitations of the qualitative management plan were identified by analyzing the trend of confirmed cases and deaths in Korea and the trend before and after the implementation of 'social distancing' and 'step-by-step daily recovery', which are actually being applied. The trend of initial and follow-up measures for the outbreak of infectious diseases in Korea is judged to be a case where the importance of qualitative and quantitative management should be confirmed to prepare absolute quarantine measures. The results suggest that examining previous research cases and preparing through advanced research for effective application.

We attempted to provide an overview of the laws and current state of the 3D printing industry in South Korea and around the world, using the annual industry surveys and the Wohler report. Additionally, we reviewed articles relating to the potential exposure to hazards associated with 3D printing using metal materials. In South Korea, there were 406 3D printing-related businesses, employing 2,365 workers, and the market size was estimated at 455.9 billion won in 2021. Globally, the average growth rate of the 3D printing industry market over the past 10 years was 27.4%, and the market size was estimated at $11.8 billion in 2019. The United States had the highest cumulative installation ratio of industrial 3D printers, followed by China, Japan, Germany, and South Korea. A total of 6,168 patents related to 3D printing were registered in the US between 2010 and 2019. Harmful factors during metal 3D printing was mainly evaluated in the powder bed fusion and direct energy deposition printing types, and there is a case of material extrusion type with metal additive filaments. The number, mass, size distribution, and chemical composition of particles were mainly evaluated. Particle concentration increases during the opening of the chamber or post-processing. However, operating the 3D printer in a ventilated chamber can reduce particle concentration to the background level. In order to have a safe and healthy environment for 3D printing, it is necessary to accumulate and apply knowledge through various studies.