Korean Environments Research Articles

Comparison of three indirect methods for density estimation of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) in different habitats in South Korea

Increasing human-wild boar conflicts in South Korea have led to a demand for effective management strategies. Absolute abundance, rather than relative indices, is needed for the long-term monitoring and population control of wild boars. Indirect methods for density estimation have become increasingly popular because they are cost-effective and do not have the risk of capture probability bias. We compared three indirect methods, including the non-invasive capture-recapture model (NICRM), random encounter model (REM), and fecal standing crop (FSC), in two different sites characterized by specific habitats (urban and agricultural environments). NICRM and REM reflected population fluctuation and hunting intensity assumptions at both sites; however, FSC did not reflect the latter. While using NICRM, efforts are needed for achieving a low genotyping error rate; this model would achieve more reliable results in low-density areas. REM with accurate parameter information (i.e., daily range, detection zone, and camera placement) could be the most effective density estimation method for long-term monitoring in South Korean environments. Conversely, FSC may not be recommended because of many factors, such as decomposition rate, rainfall, biased distribution of feces that might affect pellet groups. Additionally, the density estimates from this study can provide information for developing effective management strategies in South Korean environments.

Evaluations of Growth and Forage Quality of Sesbania Accessions Adaptable to Korean Environments

Evaluations of Growth and Forage Quality of Sesbania Accessions Adaptable to Korean Environments

Porosity, Permeability, and Compressive Strength after Freezing and Thawing of Permeable Polymer Concrete

Permeable pavements are one of the most widely employed low impact development techniques. In this study, the physical characteristics of permeable polymer concrete materials were assessed. For varying contents of silica sand, the porosity, permeability, and compressive strength were experimentally evaluated before and after freeze-thaw cycles. The results indicate that specimens with a high content of silica sand possess low porosity, low permeability, and high compressive strength. Additionally, under identical compaction efforts, specimens with greater content of silica sand had higher unit weights. After 300 freeze-thaw cycles, the compressive strength of the specimens reduced to approximately 60% of the initial value. The standards for moisture conditions associated with freezing and thawing of permeable concrete have not been established yet. Hence, it is necessary to develop testing standards that take Korean environments into consideration. Keywords: Permeable Pavement, Polymer Concrete, Permeability, Compressive Strength, Freezing and Thawing

Základy slovenského jazyka pre kórejských študentov so znalosťou češtiny

The study focuses on teaching the basics of Slovak language for the Korean students. We consider that there is the areal, cultural and especially linguistic distance between Slovak and Korean environments. What is important is the fact that students who study Slovak language in Korea already have a basic knowledge of Czech language that can be used in the educational process. The similarity of Slovak and Czech language on the one hand facilitates students’ work, on the other hand it can complicate it. The study shows when and to what extent it is appropriate to use the comparative method in teaching, and vice versa, when this method appears to be counterproductive. Using practical experience, the study focuses on the graphical system, phonological system, morphology, and ultimately on teaching basic phrases. Also we particularly focuse on how to make students’ reactions automatic toward these phrases.

A Knowledge-Based Energy Management Model that Supports Smart Metering Networks for Korean Residential Energy Grids

The various energy management technologies that are required in order to deliver effective energy demand responses have resulted from the integrated use of digital technologies with energy grids. Therefore, the core technologies for smart metering infrastructure are regarded as a key issue in the design of future energy grids. The proposed knowledge-based model that supports advanced metering networks is capable of estimating energy consumption according to the characteristics of residential buildings. The energy consumption data is analyzed according to the residential building's properties, which can significantly affect the energy consumption pattern. Therefore, appropriately designed models for energy consumption patterns with respect to identifying each energy consumption feature's potential impact can be applied to create smart metering networks for future energy grid environments. This study introduces a knowledge-based model that considers both the energy and building management profiles. Then, case studies for the estimation of the energy consumption are presented. The proposed model could be effectively utilized in managing the energy demand response process with respect to market prices and residential energy shortages, and it provides a good reference for designing energy demand response strategies in Korean residential energy grid environments.

Exposure of general population to PBDEs: A Progressive Total Diet Study in South Korea

This study assessed the level of 24 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Korean foods following a Progressive Total Diet Study (TDS). The experiments comprised 96 types of dietetically representative foods, all were either cooked or edible raw. PBDEs were widely encountered in foodstuffs with the highest concentration in plant oils, fishes and shellfishes. Of all congeners tested for, BDE-47 was the most predominant and encountered in almost all food items except meats. The presence of nona-BDEs at significant levels indicated that Korean environments are still contaminated by deca-BDE. The daily dietary intake of PBDEs was estimated to be 63 ng d−1. The highest PBDEs intake was observed in the 19–39 year old group and gradually decreased as age increased. Our study suggests that the TDS approach using foods in the table-ready form should be used for a better estimation of dietary exposure to PBDEs.

Comparison of a high oleic acid soybean line to cultivated cultivars for seed yield, protein and oil concentrations

An increased oleic acid concentration improves the nutritional value and oxidative stability of soybean seed oil. High oleic acid soybean cultivars should have desirable agronomic and compositional traits such as a high seed yield, protein and oil concentrations compared to popular, commercially grown cultivars. A high oleic acid soybean line, JD11-0070, was compared to three commercial soybean cultivars in four Korean environments for seed yield, protein and oil concentrations. JD11-0070 had a stable oleic acid concentration across environments, averaging approximately 79 % at each location. In addition, there were no significant differences between JD11-0070 and the other cultivars for seed yield or protein concentration, although JD11-0070 had a lower oil concentration than the other cultivars. Thus, high oleic acid soybean lines such as JD11-0070 can be developed with similar yields and favorable seed protein and oil quality compared to commercially grown soybeans. In addition, use of high oleic oil from this line could contribute to human health, and industrial applications.

구주소나무 적응성검정 시험 -22개 산지 36년생 결과-

스웨덴으로부터 구주소나무 22개 산지 종자를 도입하여 우수산지 선발을 목적으로 36년간 경기도 수원 지방에서 시험한 결과, 식재 후 33년 생장에서 가장 우수한 생장을 보인 산지는 F3001산지로 <TEX>$0.160m^3$</TEX>, 불량산지는 W2027 산지가 <TEX>$0.072m^3$</TEX>로 2.2배의 산지간의 생장차이를 보여 통계적인 유의성을 인정할 수가 있었다. 수령 및 산지간의 생장의 순위는 식재 후 14년생에 접어들면서 우수했던 산지들이 수령 33년생에서도 지속적으로 우수하였으며, 불량했던 산지들도 동일한 경향이었다. 비교수종으로 식재한 강원 평창산지 소나무 생장과 비교할 때, 식재 후 구주소나무 14년생 22개 산지 평균재적생장은 국내소나무와 유사한 생장을 보였으나, 식재 후, 28년생과 33년생 단목 재적생장에서 국내소나무가 구주소나무에 비하여 205%와 333% 우수한 생장을 보였다. 외래수종을 도입하여 새로운 환경에서 순응하는 과정에서 유전적인 요인 및 환경경사 등이 복합적으로 표현되는 생존율에서 비교수종으로 사용한 국내 소나무의 식재 후 당년 조림활착율, 식재 후 3년, 28년, 33년의 생존율은 90%, 85%, 50%, 22%인데 반하여 구주소나무 22개산지 평균생존율은 89%, 70%, 42%, 18%로 국내 소나무의 생존율보다는 떨어지나 유사한 생존율을 보였다. 그러나 구주소나무의 생존율의 상태는 산지별로 반복간의 생존율에서 심한 차이를 보여 전수 고사한 반복이 나타나는 등 정상적인 밀도를 유지하지 못하고 비정상적인 생장으로 쇠퇴하고 있었다. 결론적으로 구주소나무는 원산지보다 온화한 남쪽지방인 우리나라 기후풍토에서 생육하면서 심각한 생리적인 스트레스에 의하여 정상적인 생장을 하지 못하고 허약해진 개체목들은 2차적으로 솔잎혹파리(Thecodiplosis japonensis Uchida et Inouye), 거품벌레(Aphrophora flavipes Uhler), 푸사리움 가지마름병(Fusarium circinatum) 등의 병충해의 집중적인 침범으로 고사하여 외래수종 도입 실패의 대표적인 지연된 실패로 판단하여 시험을 종료하였다. This study was conducted to select superior provenances of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) well adapted to Korean environment for timber production. In 1976, twenty-two provenances of Scots pine were introduced from Sweden and the seeds were sown in seed beds in March. After one year, the seedlings were transplanted to nursery beds. The resulting 1-1 seedlings of 22 provenances were planted at Whaseong in 1978. Randomized complete block design with 3 replications were used for test plantation. Each provenance was planted with 20-tree row plot in each block and at a spacing of <TEX>$1.8{\times}1.8m$</TEX>. The growth performance of each provenance was monitored up to 33-years after planting. There were significant differences among provenances in volume growth. F3001 provenance showed the best volume growth of 33-years after planting (<TEX>$0.160m^3$</TEX>), which was 2.2 times greater than that of the lowest provenance W2027 (<TEX>$0.072m^3$</TEX>). The ranking of provenances was stabilized after 14 years. Comparing to reference tree species, Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora), all Scots pine provenances showed poor growth performance. In other words, volume growth of Japanese red pine at age 28 and 33 were 2.1 and 3.3 times greater than that of Scots pine, respectively. Moreover, survival rate of Scots pine was lower than that of Japanese red pine. Based on these results, it was suggested that Scots pine was not suitable to Korean environments. The cause of maladaptation of Scots pine and the implications of introduction breeding were discussed.

An Enhanced Approach for a Prediction Method of the Propagation Characteristics in Korean Environments at 781 MHz

In high-speed wireless communications, an analysis of the propagation characteristics is an important process. Information on the propagation characteristics suitable for each environment significantly helps in the design of mobile communications. This paper presents the analysis results of radio propagation characteristics in outdoor environments for a new mobile wireless system at 781 MHz. To avoid the interference of Korean DTV broadcasting, we measure the channel characteristics in urban, suburban, and rural areas on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, using a channel sounder and 4×4 antenna. The path loss (PL) measurement results differ from those of existing propagation models by more than 10 dB. To analyze the frequency characteristics for Korean propagation environments, we derive various propagation characteristic parameters: PL, delay spread, angular spread, and K-factor. Finally, we verify the validity of the measurement results by comparing them with the actual measurement results and 3D ray-tracing simulation results.

Ubiquitous Health in Korea: Progress, Barriers, and Prospects

ObjectivesKorea has one of the most advanced information technology (IT) infrastructures in the world, and the application of IT in health systems is rapidly progressing from computerization to information systems, ubiquitous systems, and smart systems. This study aims to analyze Korean environments in regards to the development of their u-Health industry and propose directions for u-Healthcare services based on this analysis.MethodsThis paper reviews the background, progress history, and current status of u-Health in Korea, and suggests strategies for the u-Health industry based on an analysis of its barriers and obstacles.ResultsWhen u-Health was introduced to Koreans, their policies and approaches focused mainly on environmental factors, yet these efforts have not progressed further to impact the u-Healthcare service industry itself. To develop the u-Healthcare industry, four points need to be considered: the development and support of the practical service model, institutional support, support of core technology and industry, and the institutionalization of health management service.ConclusionsKorea is at a strategic point to start building u-Healthcare service delivery models. u-Healthcare is a healthcare service that provides added value through u-Health environments. By identifying critical success factors in u-Healthcare, we can strengthen the u-Health industry and implement policies to coordinate our efforts in the process of value chains to which we belong.