• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.187-201
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• 2024

Osteoporosis is a major health issue globally, often remaining undetected until a fracture occurs. To facilitate early detection, deep learning (DL) models were developed to classify osteoporosis using abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans. This study was conducted using retrospectively collected data from 3,012 contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans. The DL models developed in this study were constructed for using image data, demographic/clinical information, and multi-modality data, respectively. Patients were categorized into the normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups based on their T-scores, obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, into normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups. The models showed high accuracy and effectiveness, with the combined data model performing the best, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.94 and an accuracy of 0.80. The image-based model also performed well, while the demographic data model had lower accuracy and effectiveness. In addition, the DL model was interpreted by gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) to highlight clinically relevant features in the images, revealing the femoral neck as a common site for fractures. The study shows that DL can accurately identify osteoporosis stages from clinical data, indicating the potential of abdominal CT scans in early osteoporosis detection and reducing fracture risks with prompt treatment.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2024

Most wetlands worldwide have suffered from extensive human exploitation. Unfortunately they have been less explored compared to river and lake ecosystems despite their ecological importance and economic values. This is the same case in Korea. This study was aimed to estimate the assemblage attributes and distribution characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates for fifty wetlands distributed throughout subtropical Jeju Island in 2021. A total of 133 taxa were identified during survey periods belonging to 53 families, 19 orders, 5 classes and 3 phyla. Taxa richness ranged from 4 to 31 taxa per wetland with an average of 17.5 taxa. Taxa richness and abundance of predatory insect groups such as Odonata, Hemiptera and Coleoptera respectively accounted for 67.7% and 68.2% of the total. Among them Coleoptera were the most diverse and abundant. Taxa richness and abundance did not significantly differ from each wetland type classified in accordance with the National Wetland Classification System. There were three endangered species (Clithon retropictum, Lethocerus deyrolli and Cybister (Cybister) chinensis) and several restrictively distributed species only in Jeju Island. Cluster analysis based on the similarity in the benthic macroinvertebrate composition largely classified 50 wetlands into two major clusters: small wetlands located in lowland areas and medium-sized wetlands in middle mountainous regions. All cluster groups displayed significant differences in wetland area, long axis, percentage of fine particles and macrophyte composition ratio. Indicator Species Analysis selected 19 important indicators with the highest indicator value of Ceriagrion melanurum at 63%, followed by Noterus japonicus (59%) and Polypylis hemisphaerula (58%). Our results are expected to provide fundamental information on the biodiversity and habitat environments for benthic macroinvertebrates in wetland ecosystems, consequently helping to establish conservation and restoration plans for small wetlands relatively vulnerable to human disturbance.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.153-169
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• 2024

Purpose: The main goal of this study was to identify the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on grocery purchases (i.e., fresh and processed foods by grain, vegetable, fruit, seafood, and meat categories) in Korea. To understand the specific impact of COVID-19, the study period was divided into 3 segments: PRE-COVID-19, INTER-COVID-19, and POST-COVID-19. Methods: We used the microdata of household income and expenditure from Statistics Korea (KOSTAT), representing households across the country. The data comprised monthly grocery expenditure data from January 2019 to September 2022. First, we compared the PRE-COVID-19 period to INTER-COVID-19 and then INTER-COVID-19 to POST-COVID-19 and used multiple regression analysis. The covariates used were the gender and age of the head of the household, the household's monthly income, the number of family members, the price index, and the month (dummy variable). Results: The expenditures on all grocery categories except fresh fruit increased from PRE-COVID-19 to INTER-COVID-19. From INTER-COVID-19 to POST-COVID-19, almost all grocery category spending declined, with processed meat being the only exception. Most purchases of protein sources, increased during INTER-COVID-19 compared to PRE-COVID-19, while ham/sausage/bacon for meat protein, fish cakes and canned seafood for seafood protein, and soy milk for plant-based protein did not decrease during POST-COVID-19 compared to INTER-COVID-19. Conclusion: These results show an overall increase in in-home grocery expenditure during COVID-19 due to an increase in eating at home, followed by a decrease in this expenditure in the POST-COVID-19 period. Among the trends, the protein and highly processed convenience food categories did not see a decline in spending during the POST-COVID-19 period, which is a reflection of the preferences of consumers in the post-COVID-19 period.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

Objectives: Presenteeism is known to be a much more economically damaging social cost than disease rest while going to work despite physical pain. Since COVID-19, social discussions on the sickness benefit have been taking place as a countermeasure against presenteeism, and in particular, farmers and fishermen do not have an institutional mechanism for livelihood support when a disease other than work occurs. This study attempted to examine the relationship between agricultural, fishing, and forestry workers and presenteeism using the 6th Korean Work Conditions Survey. Methods: From October 2020 to January 2021, data from the 6th working conditions survey conducted on 17 cities and provinces in Korea were used, and a total of 34,981 people were studied. Control variables were gender, age, self-health assessment, education level, night work, shift work, monthly income, occupation, working hours per week, and employment status. Results: As a result of the analysis, farmers and fishermen showed the characteristics of the self-employed and the elderly, and as a result of the regression analysis, when farmers and fishermen analyzed the relationship with presenteeism tendency compared to other industry workers, farmers and fishermen increased by 23% compared to other industry groups. Conclusion: This study is significant in that it has representation by utilizing the 6th working conditions survey and objectively suggests the need for a sickness benefit for farmers and fishermen who may be overlooked in the sickness benefit.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.57 no.9
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• pp.633-643
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• 2024

Many coastal countries have developed and used a wide range of technologies and policy measures to protect freshwater aquifers and groundwater resources from seawater intrusion, and have established and implemented a foundation to legally and institutionally support them. This study covers coastal states in the eastern United States, the Netheland, India and Japan. The goal of this study is to analyze each country's legal and policy measures for coastal groundwater management. By introducing Jeju Island's groundwater standard level system, we aim to provide a basis for future discussions on groundwater management measures not only in Jeju Island but also in coastal areas of Korea. As a result of the analysis, despite the various contents and aspects of coastal groundwater management based on local issues and characteristics around the world, in order to achieve the common goal of securing a stable amount of groundwater withdrawal and preventing seawater intrusion and to maximize the efficiency of groundwater management, it is understood that attempts are being made to establish optimal management measures, laws, systems, and policies based on several key factors. First, considering the hydrogeological characteristics and status of coastal groundwater, a separate special management system is being established and implemented within the scope of the national groundwater management system. In addition, preventing and maintaining groundwater level decline through limiting the amount of groundwater withdrawal and preventing seawater intrusion are key policy goals and policy tools, and it is suppored by research and development. Finally, tt was found that synergy effects are being sought by using various other policy tools and measures in a complex manner.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.609-619
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• 2024

Neurodegenerative diseases are marked by the accumulation of toxic misfolded proteins in neurons. Therefore, strategies for the effective prevention and clearance of aggregates are crucial for therapeutic interventions. Cytoplasmic dynein plays a crucial role in the clearance of aggregates by transporting them to the cell center, where lysosomes are enriched and the aggregates undergo extensive autophagic degradation. Previously, we reported evidence for the activation of dynein by N-acetylglucosamine kinase (NAGK) and Reln. In the present study, we explored the effects of NAGK and Reln upregulation on the clearance of aggregates. To upregulate NAGK and Reln genes in HEK293T cells (a human embryonic kidney cell line), CRISPR/dCas9 activation systems (CASs) were used with specific plasmids encoding target-specific 20 nt guide RNA. The effects of this genetic modulation were analyzed in Huntington's disease cellular models, including HEK293T cells and primary mouse cortical cells, where external mutant huntingtin (mHtt, Q74) aggregates were induced. The results showed that the CAS activation of NAGK or Reln, or their combination, significantly reduced the proportion of cells with Q74 aggregates (aggresomes). This effect was reversed by Ciliobrevin D (a dynein inhibitor) and chloroquine (an autophagy inhibitor), indicating the role of dynein-mediated autophagy in aggregate clearance. These findings provide the basis for therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing neuronal health through targeted gene activation.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.210-219
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• 2024

This study investigates various ionospheric and thermospheric disturbances around the Korean Peninsula during the G5 geomagnetic storm occurred on May 10, 2024. This level of storm was the first of its magnitude in 21 years, resulting in auroras visible even in South Korea and severe space weather worldwide. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute has been providing ionospheric information over Korea through total electron content (TEC) measurements from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and monitoring the impact of ionospheric disturbances on GNSS signals by operating five GNSS scintillation stations in Korea and other countries. During this storm period, large amplitudes of TEC variations were observed over South Korea, along with anomalous TEC enhancements accompanied by strong scintillations at night and persistent TEC depletion on the dayside during the storm's recovery phase. Such daytime TEC depletion disturbances are quite rare, typically occurring only a few times throughout the 11-year solar cycle. While the association of persistent TEC depletion during the daytime with neutral composition disturbances was identified through observations, the causes of TEC enhancement and strong scintillation at night remain unclear. We speculate that the uplift of the ionosphere by storm-induced electric fields is responsible for the TEC enhancement and scintillation, but this hypothesis requires validation based on additional observational data.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.69 no.3
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• pp.181-197
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• 2024

This study evaluated the salt tolerance of Italian ryegrass varieties under various salt stress conditions. Seven varieties, including Kowineary, Greencall, Greenfarm, Greenfarm 3, IR 603, IR 605, and IR 901, were used in this experiment. Under various salt concentrations, there was no significant decrease compared to the control at salt concentrations of 0.1% to 0.3%. IR 901, Kowineary, and IR 605 had a lower relative reduction rate, but the absolute growth of IR 603 was the highest among the varieties. Among chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, ABS/RC, TRo/RC, ETo/RC, and DIo/RC values (activities expressed per reaction center) showed a significantly negative correlation with growth rates. In the experiment where the salt concentration was drastically increased, the growth decreases in Greenfarm 3 and IR 901 were relatively small compared to other varieties. Among the relative ratio of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, ABS/RC, TRo/RC, ETo/RC (after 1 hour of salt concentration increase), and PIABS (3 hours, 7 days) showed a significant positive correlation, and DIo/RC (3 hours, 1 day) showed a negative correlation with plant growth. In the experiment where the salt concentration was drastically decreased, the growth increases in Greenfarm, IR 901, and Kowineary were relatively high compared to other varieties. Among the relative ratio of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, ABS/RC, ETo/RC, DIo/RC (5 hours), and PIABS (1 hour) showed a significant positive correlation with plant growth. In summary, among the seven varieties, Kowineary and IR 901 had superior relative growth (compared to the control) under various salt stress conditions. IR 603 showed a greater decrease in relative growth but had the highest absolute growth amount under salt stress conditions. In addition, some parameters related to chlorophyll fluorescence showed a significant correlation with early growth, which could be used as indicators of the initial growth of IRG under salt stress.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.271-278
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• 2024

The human skin is an organ that protects the body from physical and chemical factors. The skin is the largest and most massive of the body's organs and is composed of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Constant UV exposure to the skin can cause DNA damage, oxidation of proteins, and contribute to adult diseases. Nypa fruticans Wurmb (NF), rich in phytochemicals (polyphenols and flavonoids), has been traditionally used for treating respiratory and other diseases. This study investigated the effects of NF ethyl acetate fraction (ENF) on DNA damage healing and inhibition of wrinkle-related factors in UVB-stimulated Hs68 cells. Westernblotting was used to assess the expression of DNA damage-related proteins and wrinkle-related protein factors. In addition, the wound recovery capability of ENF was confirmed through wound-healing experiments. ENF significantly suppressed the expression of DNA damage-related proteins Phosphorylated H2AX (γ-H2AX), checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2), protein53 (p53), and Phosphorylated protein53 (p-p53). Furthermore, ENF inhibited the expression of wrinkle-related proteins matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). High concentrations of ENF also enhanced wound healing in Hs68 cells. ENF is thought to have the potential to heal DNA damage by significantly suppressing the expression of γ-H2AX, Chk2, p53, and p-p53, as well as to inhibit wrinkle formation by suppressing the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9. These results suggest that ENF can be used as a natural resource to suppress skin damage caused by UVB by regulating the γ-H2AX, Chk2, p53, and MMP pathways in Hs68 cells induced by UVB.

• Clean Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.276-286
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• 2024

Since the Paris Agreement and the surge in global interest in climate change, the importance of measuring and managing national-level resource productivity has steadily grown. However, concerns about the reliability of productivity indicators persist due to inherent uncertainties. This study estimated the metal and non-metal resource productivities of 38 OECD countries through multiple regression analysis and conducted a comparative analysis of their ranking changes according to their current resource productivities. The study results revealed that the 38 OECD countries could be classified into four categories. First, countries with low overall resource productivities due to a high economic dependence on low-value metal resources by weight exhibited a substantial rise in their non-metal resource productivity rankings. Second, countries that have minimal metal industries in their national economies but generate high value-added from these sectors showed a notable increase in their metal resource productivity rankings. Third, countries with a low proportion of metal industry in their economies and low metal resource productivities experienced significant declines in their metal resource productivity rankings. Fourth, countries with a small disparity between their metal and non-metal resource productivities showed minimal changes in their rankings for both categories. These results highlight that changes in metal resource productivity rankings were more pronounced than those for non-metal resources, which implies that the influence of non-metal resources (biomass, fossil fuels, non-metallic minerals) dominates national-level resource productivity because their economic value is higher than metal resources. These findings suggest that it is necessary to manage the economic value of each resource type as distinct statistical data to provide a more nuanced understanding of national resource productivity.