The pressure sensor had been widely used to effectively monitor the flow status of the water distribution system for ensuring the reliable water supply to urban residents for providing the prompt response to potential issues such as burst and leakage. This study aims to present a method for evaluating the performance of pressure sensors in an existing water distribution system using transient data from a field pipeline system. The water distribution system in Y District, D Metropolitan City, was selected for this research. The pressure data was collected using low-accuracy pressure sensors, capturing two types of data: daily data with 1Hz and high-frequency recording data (200 Hz) according to specific transient events. The analysis of these data was grounded in the information theory, introducing entropy as a measure of the information content within the signal. This method makes it possible to evaluate the performance of pressure sensors, including identifying the most sensitive point from daily data and determining the possible errors in data collected from designated pressure sensors.

The number, size, and material distribution of microplastics (MPs) sized 20-200 μm in the raw water and water treatment processes were analyzed using FT-IR in three water treatment plants in Jeju Province. The number of MPs was detected at 0.075-0.620 MP/L in raw water and 0.040-0.047 MP/L in filtered water, which is relatively lower than the results of other studies. Regarding the size of the MPs, particles sized 20-50 μm in both the raw water and the treated water accounted for the highest proportion, representing 65.6% and 56.3% of the total, respectively. In terms of MP type distribution, polypropylene (PP) was identified as the main type at 58.7%. In the water purification process, the MPs removal efficiency was the highest at 93.5% in the sedimentation and rapid filtration process, followed by 58.4% in membrane filtration and 40.0% in slow filtration. Continuous monitoring of the distribution of MPs in raw water and water treatment processes is recommended.

세계의 많은 도시들은 하천과 항구와 함께 발전해 왔으며, 고대부터 현대까지 교통과 물류의 주요한 축으로 기능하였다. 본 연구는 한강이 가로지르는 서울을 포함하여, 세계 여러 도시에서 현재 운영되고 있는 수상교통 시스템을 조사하였고, 이를 바탕으로 설문조사 를 통해 데이터를 수집, 다항 로지스틱 회귀분석을 통해 수상교통에 대한 사람들의 인식에 영향을 미치는 요인을 알아보았다. 연구의 목적은 수상교통의 특성, 이용자의 개인적 성향 등을 고려하여 수상교통의 이용 의향 여부와 통근형과 관광형 수상교통에 대한 선호 도를 분석하는 것이다. 서울에 거주하고 근무하는 150명의 직장인을 대상으로 온라인 설문조사를 실시하였으며, 세계 각국의 도시 수 상교통에 대한 사전 조사를 통해 공통적 특성을 파악하였다. 설문조사는 인구통계학적 특성, 직업 관련 요인, 도시 수상교통에 대한 인식, 교통수단 특성의 중요성, 개인 성향 등을 조사할 수 있도록 구성하였다. 분석은 빈도분석, 요인분석, 신뢰도 분석을 거쳐 다항 로지스틱 회귀분석을 통해 각 요인의 영향을 정량적으로 파악하였다. 분석 결과, 수상교통의 이용 의향 여부에 유의미한 영향을 미치 는 요인에는 연령, 출근 시간, 출근 시 주 교통수단, 그리고 개인 성향 중 이동 시 넓은 시야를 확보하고 풍경을 관람하는 것을 선호 하는 성향, 새로운 것을 시도하는 것을 좋아하는 성향이 있는 것으로 분석되었다. 통근형과 관광형 간의 선호도에 유의미한 영향을 미 치는 요인으로는 출근 시간과, 개인 성향 중 교통수단의 안전성에 대한 민감도, 여행 중 야외 활동에 대한 선호도가 있는 것으로 분석 되었다. 본 연구는 도시 수상교통에 대한 이용자 특성과 선호도 간의 관계를 파악하여 향후 수상 공간의 교통수단 계획에 기여할 수 있는 통찰을 제공한다.

시멘트 모르타르 및 콘크리트 구조물은 물의 침투로 인한 열화현상으로 인해 외관 손상 및 내구성 저하를 유발할 수 있다. 이러한 문제를 해결하기 본 연구는 위해 소수성 혼화재료를 혼입하여 방수 성능을 개선한 모르타르를 개발하고 역학적 성능을 분석하고자 하 였다. 소수성 혼화재료로써 스테아레이트산을 기반한 재료들을 혼입하였으며 역학적 성능 분석을 위해 압축강도, 휨강도, 물의 접촉각 시험, 모세관 흡수 시험을 진행하였다. 발수성 혼화재료를 혼입하였을 때 압축강도 및 휨강도는 OPC(Ordinary Portland Cement) 비교군 보다 상대적으로 낮게 측정되었으나 급속염소이온침투저항성과 모세관 흡수 저항성이 증가하여 우수한 방수 성능을 나타내었다. 이러 한 결과는 모르타르의 방수 성능을 개선하여 건물 외곽 또는 건설재료에서 방수코팅 등으로써 활용할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

Wet pavement friction decreases due to the increase in water film thickness (WFT), leading to a significant increase in vehicle crashes occurrences. The British Pendulum Test described in ASTM E303-93 is one of the methods used to measure pavement friction in wet conditions for the input of geometric design and pavement management systems. The British Pendulum Number (BPN) in wet conditions varies with WFT. Following ASTM E303-93 standard procedures, water film thickness was simulated by spraying water on the pavement surface. However, the measurement of BPN did not include specific information about the thickness of the water film present during testing. To address these issues, WFTs and BPNs were measured using artificial rainfall generated by a rainfall simulator across various intensities, drainage lengths, pavement slopes, and pavement surfaces. This study aims to investigate the influence of water film thickness on BPN for wet pavement friction and provide the WFT corresponding to each BPN measurement for different surface types. BPNs of three test slabs, including a smooth surface and tined surfaces with 16 mm and 25 mm spacing, were measured under wet conditions by spraying water, and by creating water film thicknesses using a rainfall simulator. This study demonstrates that the BPNs of non-tined surfaces and longitudinally and transversely tined surfaces with 25mm spacing exhibit a significant decrease with increasing water film thickness, while those with 16mm spacing show a slight decrease. These findings can be attributed to the lower friction observed in both non-tined and longitudinally tined pavements, in contrast to surfaces with transverse tinning.

최근 지구온난화로 인해 발생하는 극단적인 기상현상이 빈번해짐에 따라, 사회 인프라와 건축물의 노후화로 인한 붕괴 위험이 증가 하고 있다. 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위해 본 연구는 구조물 유지보수 및 보강을 위한 고성능 숏크리트 공법을 개발하는 것을 목표로 한다. 특히, 자연섬유와 나노버블수를 혼입한 숏크리트는 콘크리트의 성능을 크게 향상시킬 수 있는 잠재력을 가지고 있다. 자연섬유 는 콘크리트의 점착력과 부착력을 높여 펌핑성과 유동성을 개선하고, 콘크리트 내부에 수분을 지속적으로 공급하여 소성수축 균열을 억제하는 효과가 있다. 이를 통해 구조물의 내구성을 증진시키며, 공용 수명을 연장하는 데 기여한다. 또한, 나노버블수는 콘크리트의 수화 반응을 촉진하여 응결 시간과 초기 강도를 크게 향상시킨다. 나노버블수는 콘크리트 혼합물 내에서 슬립 현상을 제공하여 리바 운드를 저감시키고, 시공 중 발생하는 재료 손실을 줄여 시공 효율성을 높이는 역할을 한다. 나아가, 나노버블수는 이산화탄소를 포집 하여 생성할 수 있어 탄소 배출을 줄이는 환경적 이점을 제공하며, 급결제 사용을 줄여 환경오염 감소에도 기여한다. 본 연구에서는 다양한 실험을 통해 각 변수의 영향을 분석하였다. 결론적으로, 자연섬유와 나노버블수를 혼입한 고성능 숏크리트를 통해 구조물 보수 및 보강 공사에서 비용을 절감하는 동시에, 내구성을 크게 향상시킬 수 있음을 증명하고자 한다. 이 연구 결과는 향후 다양한 구조물 유지 보수 공법에 적용될 수 있으며, 건설 산업에서 지속 가능한 기술로 자리 잡을 것으로 기대된다.

Ethylene-responsive factors (ERFs) are important plant transcription factors (TFs) that regulate plant responses against various abiotic stresses. However, little information of ERF genes involved in abiotic stress is available in petunia (Petunia ×hybrida). In this study, a petunia ERF gene, PhERF039, was cloned and functional analysis was performed. The quantitative PCR analysis revealed that PhERF039 was induced at the early stage of water deficit stress. Under-expression of PhERF039 (UE) exhibited rosette growth habit, higher number of branches, and delayed flowering compared to the wild type (WT). The UE petunia was evaluated under various volumetric water contents (θ): 0.25, 0.15, 0.10, or 0.05 m3·m-3 using an automated irrigation system. Transgenic plants did not delay plant wilting, but the θ for UE reached to the set point later than that for WT. A lower stomatal conductance was observed in UE than WT under all treatments. These results suggested that PhERF039 could be involved in plant responses under water deficit by regulating stomatal movements as well as branching pattern and flower development.

This study develops a model to determine the input rate of the chemical for coagulation and flocculation process (i.e. coagulant) at industrial water treatment plant, based on real-world data. To detect outliers among the collected data, a two-phase algorithm with standardization transformation and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) is applied. In addition, both of the missing data and outliers are revised with linear interpolation. To determine the coagulant rate, various kinds of machine learning models are tested as well as linear regression. Among them, the random forest model with min-max scaled data provides the best performance, whose MSE, MAPE, R2 and CVRMSE are 1.136, 0.111, 0.912, and 18.704, respectively. This study demonstrates the practical applicability of machine learning based chemical input decision model, which can lead to a smart management and response systems for clean and safe water treatment plant.

This study was carried out to establish various physiological changes according to soil water stress and to compare the degree of water stress between two species of grapevines (‘Jinok’ as a new breeding cultivar and ‘Campbell Early’ as a control) using thermography. Soil water potentials were treated at -70, -30, and -5 kPa with waterlogging for 7 days. Regarding the photosynthetic rates (A) of the two cultivars, they showed an order of –30 kPA > -5 kPa > -70 kPa in order. With -70 kPa and waterlogging treatments, a decrease of photosynthetic rate was observed at 3 days after treatment, with a more significant decrease accumulating over time. At 7 days after treatment, photosynthetic rates of ‘Campbell Early’ (33.3, 45.6%) and ‘Jinok’ (56.6, 57.3%) grapes decreased compared to those with -30 kPa treatment. H2O2 and proline synthesis were the highest with the waterlogging treatment. In terms of proline synthesis, ‘Campbell Early’ had a relatively higher rate than ‘Jinok’. Leaf and stem water potential were the lowest with the -70 kPa treatment and the highest with the - 30 kPa treatment f or both cultivars. Crop water stress index (CWSI) showed the following order: waterlogging > -70 kPa > -5 kPa > -30 kPa, which was the opposite result of water vapor transfer (IG). As a result of correlation analysis between factors, photosynthetic rate showed negative correlations with the water potential of leaf and stem and crop water stress index but a positive correlation with the relative water content of leaves. Thus, tolerance to water stress of ‘Campbell Early’ was relatively stronger than that of ‘Jinok’ grape. It is possible to compare water stress using infrared imaging.

얕은 물에서 선박과 바닥의 상호작용으로 인해, 제한이 없는 깊은 물에서 운항할 때와 비교하여 저항이 증가하는 현상이 발생 한다. 이러한 천수효과에 의해 증가하는 저항은 주로 조파저항에 기인하기 때문에, 본 연구에서는 유람선을 대상으로 LCG(Longitudinal Center of Gravity)의 위치 변경을 통해 성능을 최적화하여 조파저항을 감소시키는 것을 목표로 진행하였다. 수치해석 시뮬레이션을 통해 LCG 위치를 최적화하여 저항의 최소값을 찾고, 이후 수심의 깊이에 따른 영향을 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 37.5% - 52.5% Lpp의 영역에서의 LCG 변화는 총 저항에 큰 영향을 주었으며, 깊은 물의 조건에서는 총 저항의 최대값과 최소값을 비교하였을 때, 72.67%의 큰 차이를 보이 는 반면, 얕은 물 조건에서는 그 차이가 62.97% 정도로 비교적 낮은 차이를 보인다. 수심의 깊이에 따른 효과는 수심이 낮을수록 총 저항 이 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 깊은 물과 비교하여 1.5m의 얕은 물에서는 총 저항이 최대 67.68% 가량 증가하는 것으로 분석되었다. 이 경우 총 저항 증가의 주요 원인은 전체 저항의 84.99%를 차지하는 조파저항에 의한 것으로 판단된다.

In this paper, we covered the basic design process of water-cooled cabinets and studied how to determine the target performance of heat exchanger design, which is essential in water-cooled cabinet design. A theoretical method was presented to set the target efficiency of the heat exchanger, and the pressure drop of air passing through the heat exchanger was predicted analytically. A cabinet-level thermal analysis was performed using the target efficiency and pressure drop data of the heat exchanger. The accuracy of the theoretical method was judged by comparing the theoretically predicted operating environment of the internal equipment with the analytically predicted operating environment of the internal equipment.

PURPOSES : The skid resistance between tires and the pavement surface is an important factor that directly affects driving safety and must be considered when evaluating the road performance. In especially wet conditions, the skid resistance of the pavement surface decreases considerably, increasing the risk of accidents. Moreover, poor drainage can lead to hydroplaning. This study aimed to develop a prediction equation for the roughness coefficient—that is, an index of frictional resistance at the interface of the water flow and surface material—to estimate the thickness of the water film in advance to prevent human and material damage. METHODS : The roughness coefficient can be changed depending on the surface material and can be calculated using Manning's theory. Here, the water level (h), which is included in the cross-sectional area and wetted perimeter calculations, can be used to calculate the roughness coefficient by using the water film thickness measurements generated after simulating specific rainfall conditions. In this study, the pavement slope, drainage path length, and mean texture depth for each concrete surface type (non-tined, and tined surfaces with 25-mm and 16-mm spacings) were used as variables. A water film thickness scale was manufactured and used to measure the water film thickness by placing it vertically on top of the pavement surface along the length of the scale protrusion. Based on the measured water film thickness, the roughness coefficient could be back-calculated by applying Manning's formula. A regression analysis was then performed to develop a prediction equation for the roughness coefficient based on the water film thickness data using the water film thickness, mean texture depth, pavement slope, and drainage path length as independent variables. RESULTS : To calculate the roughness coefficient, the results of the water film thickness measurements using rainfall simulations demonstrated that the water film thickness increased as the rainfall intensity increased under N/T, T25, and T16 conditions. Moreover, the water film thickness decreased owing to the linear increase in drainage capacity as the mean texture depth and pavement slope increased, and the shorter the drainage path length, the faster the drainage, resulting in a low water film thickness. Based on the measured water film thickness data, the roughness coefficient was calculated, and it was evident that the roughness coefficient decreased as the rainfall intensity increased. Moreover, the higher the pavement slope and the shorter the drainage path length, the faster the drainage reduced the water film thickness and increased the roughness coefficient (which is an indicator of the friction resistance). It was also evident that as the mean texture depth increased, the drainage capacity increased, which also reduced the roughness coefficient. CONCLUSIONS : As the roughness coefficient of the concrete road surface changes based on the environmental factors, road geometry, and pavement surface characteristics, we developed a prediction equation for the concrete pavement roughness coefficient that considered these factors. To validate the proposed prediction equation, a sensitivity analysis was conducted using the water film thickness prediction equation from previous studies. Existing models have limitations on the impact of the pavement type and rainfall intensity and can be biased toward underestimation; in contrast, the proposed model demonstrated a high correlation between the calculated and measured values. The water film thickness was calculated based on the road design standards in Korea—in the order of normal, caution, and danger scenarios—by using the proposed concrete pavement roughness coefficient prediction model under rainy weather conditions. Specifically, because the normal and caution stages occur before the manifestation of hydroplaning, it should be possible to prevent damage before it leads to the danger stage if it is predicted and managed in advance.

Flexible electrodes, particularly paper electrodes modified with polypyrrole, have shown promise in energy-related applications. We have earlier demonstrated the usage of paper electrodes modified with polypyrrole as a flexible and suitable photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC). Further, modification of this electrode system with an appropriate tandem absorber system for solar fuel production is interesting in developing efficient photoanodes. In this study, we study the PEC performance of flexible polypyrrole-based paper photoanodes (PPy-PAs) by decorating them with rGO@Cu2Zn- SnS4 chalcopyrites (rGO@CZTS/PPy-PAs). The lower bandgap (~ 1.5 eV) of the rGO@CZTS/PPy-PAs system allows for efficient visible light absorption, substantially improving PEC water-splitting reactions. The rGO@CZTS/PPy-PAs exhibited an enhanced current density of ~ 13.2 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs RHE, ABPE of ~ 1.5%, and a hydrogen evolution rate of 177 μmoles/min/cm2. Overall, rGO@CZTS/PPy-PAs showed 2.1-fold, 1.1-fold, and 1.4-fold enhancement in photocurrent activity over PPy-PAs, CZTS/PPy-PAs, and rGO/PPy-PAs, respectively. The usability of rGO@CZTS/PPy-PAs is established in the form of stable photocurrent for more than 200 min. These findings open new possibilities for developing modified PPy PAs as flexible PEs for efficient solar-driven PEC devices and give directions on improving flexible PEs for flexible and efficient solar-driven PEC systems.

From 2020, Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency has reset the withdrawal time (WT) for veterinary drugs typically used in livestock in preparation for the introduction of positive list system (PLS) program in 2024. This study was conducted to reset the MRL for tiamulin (TML) in broiler chickens as a part of PLS program introduction. Forty-eight healthy Ross broiler chickens were orally administered with TML at the concentration of 25 g/L (TML-1, n=24) and 50 g/L (TML-2, n=24) for 5 days through drinking water, respectively. After the drug treatment, tissue samples were collected from six broiler chickens at 1, 2, 3 and 5 days, respectively. According to the previously established analysis method, residual TML concentrations in poultry tissues were determined using LC-MS/MS. In TML-1, TML in all tissues was detected less than LOQ at 2 days after drug treatment. In TML-2, TML in liver and kidney was detected more than LOQ at 2 days after treatment. According to the European Medicines Agency’s guideline on determination of withdrawal periods, withdrawal periods of TML-1 and TML-2 in poultry tissues were established to 0 and 2 days, respectively. In conclusion, the estimated WT of TML in poultry tissues is shorter than the current WT recommendation of 5 days for TML in broiler chickens.

Traditional medicine and herbal remedies are gaining popularity worldwide, comprising a significant portion of healthcare research, advancements, and market demand. Growing scientific evidence supports their substantial efficacy as pharmaceutical ingredients and dietary supplements in preventive healthcare. When developing pharmaceuticals, it is crucial to ensure that ingredients are free from side effects and toxicity in order to prioritize safety. Geckos, known as shou gong, are a diverse group of lizards that are widely utilized for treating various diseases in Korean Medicine. This study was conducted to assess the potential acute toxicity of a water extract Gekko gecko by a single oral dose in Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty rats of each sex were randomly assigned to four groups (5 rats each). Test articles were administrated once by oral gavage to rats at dose levels of 0, 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg body weight. Mortality, changes of body weight, and clinical signs of gross observation were monitored for 14 days after dosing. At the end of a 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete macroscopic and hematological examinations were performed. There was no dead animal or test article-related effect on clinical signs, body weight, or gross finding. Other specific changes were not found between control and treated groups in hematology. Results showed no adverse effect at a dose of 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg in rats. The minimal lethal dose was considered to be over 2,000 mg/kg body weight in rats.

Over the past decade, there has been global expansion in the advancement of underwater cleaning technology for ship hulls. This methodology ensures both diver safety and operational efficiency. However, recent attention has been drawn to the harmful effects of ship hull-cleaning wastewater on marine animals. It is anticipated that this wastewater may have various impacts on a wide range of organisms, potentially leading to populationand ecosystem-relevant alterations. This concern is especially significant when the wastewater affects functionally important species, such as aquaculture animals and habitat-forming species living in coastal regions, where underwater cleaning platforms are commonly established. Despite this, information on the ecotoxicological effects of this wastewater remains limited. In this mini review, we discuss the adverse effects of wastewater from in-water cleaning processes, as well as the current challenges and limitations in regulating and mitigating its potential toxicity. Overall, recent findings underscore the detrimental effects posed by sublethal levels of wastewater to the health status of aquatic animals under both acute and chronic exposure.

본 연구는 기능성 화장품 소재로서 생태교란종으로 지정되어있는 가시박 (Sicyos angulatus L., SA)의 이용 가능성을 알아보기 위하여 항산화, 미백, 항균, 항염증 효능 평가를 수행한 후, 에멀션 안정성을 확인하였다. SA는 초순수 (SAW)와 70% EtOH (SAE)로 추출하였다. SAE는 SAW와 비교하 여 DPPH radical 및 ABTS+ radical에 대한 소거 활성과 SOD 유사 활성이 보여 항산화의 효능이 뛰어 나며, tyrosinase의 활성을 저해하여 멜라닌 생성을 억제하였다. SAW는 Escherichia coli (E.c), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.e), Staphylococcus aureus (S.a), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.a), Cutibacterium acnes (C.a) 균주에 대한 항균 효과가 없는 반면, SAE는 S.a를 제외한 E.c, S.e, P.a, C.a 균주에서 clear zone이 생성되어 항균 활성을 나타내었다. LPS를 처리한 RAW 264.7 세포에서 SAE는 SAW보다 iNOS 및 COX-2의 발현량이 억제됨으로써 NO의 생성량을 억제하여 항염증에 대한 효능을 나타내었다. SAE을 첨가한 에멀션을 4℃, 25℃, 50℃의 온도에서 분리 현상이 관찰되지 않고, pH와 점 도는 수치상 큰 변화가 없었으며, 입자크기가 대조군 에멀션의 입자와 유사하므로 제형에 영향을 끼치지 않음을 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과를 기반으로, 기능성 화장품 연구에 새로운 소재로서의 활용 가능성을 제시하고자 한다.

STCW 협약 A-VI에 의거, 승선 필수 증서를 발급받기 위해 소화 과정 최저 훈련 이수를 거치게 되는 공간이 수소화 훈련장 이다. 선박 화재의 상황과 유사한 장소에서 발생한 화재 진압 훈련을 위한 실습 장소의 특성상, 재실자의 안전을 보장할 수 있는 운영 을 위해 안전성을 수치화하여 평가하고 기준을 수립하는 연구의 필요성이 대두되었다. 화재 안전 평가를 위해 FDS를 기반으로 한 Pyrosim을 활용하여 제연설비 유무에 따른 Case를 설정, vector의 분석을 통한 연기 유동 및 열기에 대한 평가를 수행하였다. 피난 안전 평가는 Pathfinder를 통해 허용 피난시간, 총 피난시간을 수치화된 결과로 해석, 비교하여 안전성을 분석하였다. 각 Case에 대한 안전성 을 평가함으로 제연설비별 기능의 적정성을 수치, 시각적으로 나타내었으며, 현재 운영 상태는 안전성이 양호한 것으로 평가하였다. 집 진설비가 정지한 비상상황은 각 피난시간과 111.2초의 여유시간으로 나타내어 수소화 훈련장의 비상상황에 대한 피난시간의 기준으로 활용할 것을 제시하였다.

Since 2010, the Odor Prevention Act has identified and regulated four types of fatty acids as substances that cause odors. Four types of fatty acids are contributors to odor pollution and are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. However, the current analysis method has several limitations, including dependency on the timing of sampling before and after the procedure, as well as dependency on the specific analysis method employed. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of the ion chromatography analysis method by utilizing ultrapure distilled water as a means to improve the current approach. Initially, the analysis system underwent a quality assessment. The results indicated a linearity (R2) of 0.99, a limit of 10 nmol/mol or lower, supporting the conclusion that it is suitable. Furthermore, the investigation focused on the substance’s tendency to change over time in ultrapure water and under alkali absorption (0.01N NaOH). At a concentration of 0.95 ng (low-concentration standard sample), the confirmed peak area values ranged from 0.0004 μg/min to 0.0010 μg/min, resulting in an injection variation of approximately ± 0.001. At 23.7 ng (high-concentration standard sample), the peak area value fluctuated between 0.008 μg/min and 0.013 μg/ min, with an average of ± 0.002. Therefore, storing the material at temperatures below 4°C for up to 3 days (72 hours) after manufacturing seemed to facilitate the optimal conditions for maintaining its stability without significant changes taking place. Finally, blank samples from the laboratory, equipment, and site were analyzed. Out of the four substances analyzed, only n-butyl acid was detected in all three background samples. It was confirmed that it represented 4% of the peak area in the 4.94 ng standard sample.

This study utilizes association rule learning and clustering analysis to explore the co-occurrence and relationships within ecosystems, focusing on the endangered brackish-water snail Clithon retropictum, classified as Class II endangered wildlife in Korea. The goal is to analyze co-occurrence patterns between brackish-water snails and other species to better understand their roles within the ecosystem. By examining co-occurrence patterns and relationships among species in large datasets, association rule learning aids in identifying significant relationships. Meanwhile, K-means and hierarchical clustering analyses are employed to assess ecological similarities and differences among species, facilitating their classification based on ecological characteristics. The findings reveal a significant level of relationship and co-occurrence between brackish-water snails and other species. This research underscores the importance of understanding these relationships for the conservation of endangered species like C. retropictum and for developing effective ecosystem management strategies. By emphasizing the role of a data-driven approach, this study contributes to advancing our knowledge on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health, proposing new directions for future research in ecosystem management and conservation strategies.