• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.99 no.4
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• pp.210-218
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations are common in patients with diabetes complications, such as autonomic neuropathy. However, the prevalence of GI symptoms before the development of diabetes complications is unclear. Methods: We conducted an interview survey of functional GI disorders among patients with diabetes visiting the endocrinology clinic of a general hospital using the Rome III criteria. The survey consisted of questions regarding functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional constipation, including functional defecation disorder. Results: In total, 509 patients were included in the analysis. The patients were divided into three groups: prediabetes (n = 115), diabetes without neuropathy (n = 275), and diabetes with neuropathy (n = 119). With regard to GI symptoms, the prevalences of functional dyspepsia in the prediabetes, diabetes without neuropathy, and diabetes with neuropathy groups were 16.52%, 27.27%, and 23.53%, respectively; those of irritable bowel syndrome were 8.70%, 11.68%, and 16.81%, respectively, and those of functional constipation were 8.85%, 11.85%, and 15.25%, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, symptoms of postprandial distress syndrome (e.g., postprandial fullness and early satiety) were more prevalent than symptoms of epigastric pain. In the constipation group, symptoms of pelvic outlet obstruction (such as the sensation of anorectal obstruction or blockage and the need for manual maneuvers to facilitate defecation) were more prevalent than symptoms of slow-transit constipation. Conclusions: The prevalence of functional GI disorders increases with diabetes severity. Diabetes-related GI symptoms appear long before the onset of diabetes complications.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.57-75
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• 2024

This study examined how ESG activities of convenience stores, affect consumers' store loyalty. Using 300 valid samples of convenience store users collected through an online specialized agency (Company M), this study empirically analyzed the effects of environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) activities among ESG on trust and store loyalty, and the mediating effects of trust and the moderating effects of eco-friendly values, social media activity, and consumer-company identification. The results of the analysis showed that, first, governance activities had a positive effect on trust, and environmental activities and trust had a positive effect on store loyalty, but social activities had no effect Second, trust had a moderating effect only on the relationship between governance activities and store loyalty, and third, in the relationship between ESG activities and trust, eco-friendly values and social media activity had moderating effects on environmental, social, and governance activities, and consumer-company identification had moderating effects on environmental and governance activities, but not on social activities. Therefore, convenience store brands should further strengthen their environmental and social activities to build consumer trust, especially environmental activities, which only directly affect store loyalty, so they should be more cautious and proactive. In addition, intensive marketing activities are needed to build trust among consumers who have high eco-friendly values, social media activity, and consumer-company identification. Therefore, this study confirms the critical view of consumers despite the social contribution activities of convenience store brands, and suggests that in order to improve them, it is necessary to strengthen social activity efforts, actively participate in ESG activities of on-site franchisees who are customer contact points, and educate employees.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.123-136
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• 2024

This study examines the performance expectations (PEs) and clarification statements of each PE in the 2022 revised national science and mathematics education standards from a data visualization competency perspective. First, the authors intensively reviewed data visualization literature to define key competencies and developed a framework comprising four main categories: collection and pre-processing skills, technical skills, thinking skills, and interaction skills. Based on the framework, the authors extracted a total of 191 mathematics and 230 science PEs from the 2022 revised science and mathematics education standards (Ministry of Education Ordinance No. 2022-33, Volumes 8 and 9) as the main data set. The analysis process consisted of three steps: first, the authors organized the data (421 PEs) by the four categories of the framework and four grade levels (3-4th, 5-6th, 7-9th, and 10th grade); second, the numbers of PEs in each grade level were standardized by the accomplishing period (1-3 years) of each PE depending on the grade level; lastly, the data set was represented by heatmaps to visualize the relationship between the four categories of visualization competency and four grade levels, and the differences between the competency categories and grade levels were quantitatively analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and independent sample Kruskal-Wallis tests. The analysis results revealed that in mathematics, there was no significant difference between the number of PEs by grade. However, on average, the number of PEs categorized in 'thinking skills' was significantly lower than those in the technical skills (p = .002) and interaction skills categories (p = .001). In science, it was observed that as grade level increased, PEs also increased (pairwise comparison: Grades 5-6 vs. 7-9, p = .001; Grades 5-6 vs. Grade 10, p = .029; Grades 3-4 vs. 7-9, p = .022). Particularly, the frequency of PEs in 'thinking skills' was significantly lower than in the other skills (pairwise comparison: technical skills p = .024; collection and pre-processing skills p = .012; interaction skills p = .010). Based on the results, two implications for revising national science and mathematics standards and teacher education were suggested.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.86-101
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data on the importance of accurate scientific communication and the current status of popular astronomy based on science articles that occurred during the so-called Super Blue Moon astronomical phenomenon in August 2023. To this end, the subjects were divided into non-experts, quasi-experts, and experts based on the degree of knowledge of the astronomical universe to investigate the data interpretation ability of astronomical science information and to analyze the causes of errors in the interpretation process through in-depth interviews. We also investigated the favorability and reliability of research institutes that strive to provide scientific information and the media that strive to spread it and also investigated the changes in existing favorability and reliability when incorrect scientific information spreads, as in this case. Although there were differences in the interpretation of scientific information about the astronomical universe depending on the cognitive aspect, the influence of linguistic elements or literacy, which could be called communication, could not be ignored. In particular, it was confirmed that misconceptions inherent in the existing research subjects could be expressed, leading to errors in accurate information interpretation. In addition, after recognizing that errors were included in the spread of scientific information, the subjects' favorability toward research institutes and the media fell 12.30% and 17.58%, respectively, while reliability fell 19.40% for research institutes and 24.49% for media outlets. Regardless of the cause of the error, the importance of providing accurate scientific information is further emphasized, considering that the overall favorability and reliability of both research institutes and the media decline. In order for research institutes and media outlets to spread accurate scientific information about the astronomical universe based on the public's trust, it is necessary to establish a system that can accurately deliver error-free information generated by research institutes related to astronomical space to media or science communicators and to develop a system that quickly retrieves and corrects incorrect scientific information through continuous monitoring.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.418-434
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• 2024

Purpose: The nutritional status of folate in Korean adults was evaluated using the newly established folate database (DB) and data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: This study analyzed the folate intake of 15,054 people (6,278 men and 8,776 women) and the relationship with serum folate concentration of 5,260 people (2,272 men and 2,988 women). Results: The average daily folate intake among Korean adults was lowest in the 19 to 29-year age group and highest in those in their 50s. Folate intake was higher in groups with higher education and household income, non-smokers, participants in aerobic physical activity, and dietary supplement users regardless of sex. Among men, office workers consumed more folate than physical workers. Vegetables and grains were the first and second most contributing food groups to folate intake. The serum folate levels were higher in women than men and lowest in the 19-29 year age group for both sexes. After adjusting for energy intake, age, income, smoking, physical activity, and dietary supplement intake, serum folate concentration increased significantly as intake increased (p < 0.001). The explanatory power (R²) of folate intake on the blood folate concentration was 0.183 and 0.141 in men and women, respectively. Conclusion: The proportion of participants consuming less than the estimated average requirement was 48.1% and 65.3% in men and women, respectively. In particular, the folate intake and serum levels of young men aged 19-29 years were the lowest. Therefore, it is necessary to improve their folate nutritional status through a balanced diet. In addition, the newly established folate DB may be useful for evaluating the folate nutritional status of Koreans.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.302-311
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the changes in bioactive compounds across the ripening stages of three pepper cultivars, each characterized by unique skin colors. The samples used in this study consisted of three pepper cultivars distinguished by their skin colors as green, purple, and yellow green at breaker ripening stage. Samples were harvested at each of the four ripening stages, including premature, breaker, turning, and mature, and subjected to analysis for various bioactive compounds, including capsaicin, ascorbic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, and sugars. In all cultivars with varying skin colors, the capsaicin content within green pepper fruits consistently increased as the ripening stages advanced. Ascorbic acid was most abundant during the premature stage of development in purple and green cultivars, subsequently declining as maturation progressed. In the case of the purple cultivar, kaempferol content decreased by approximately 30% at the mature stage, while the green cultivar exhibited a gradual increase in kaempferol content with maturation. Conversely, the kaempferol content of the yellow green cultivar rapidly declined as maturation progressed. Regarding quercetin content, the purple and green cultivars tended to decrease with maturity, while the yellow green cultivar displayed an increasing trend. Furthermore, the accumulation patterns of glucose, fructose, and sucrose, the predominant free sugars in green pepper fruit, demonstrated an inclination to increase as the maturation stage advanced in both purple and green cultivars. In contrast, the yellow green cultivar initially showed an elevation in free sugar content during the immature stage, followed by a minor reduction during maturation and a subsequent rise during the mature stage. Each pepper cultivar, distinguished by its unique skin color, exhibits varying levels of bioactive substances at different ripening stages. Therefore, optimal harvesting and utilization should align with periods when the desired substance content is at its peak.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.342-352
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• 2023

Ultra-violet (UV) light is one of abiotic stress factors and causes oxidative stress in plants, but a suitable level of UV radiation can be used to enhance the phytochemical content of plants. The accumulation of antioxidant phenolic compounds in UV-exposed plants may vary depending on the conditions of plant (species, cultivar, age, etc.) and UV (wavelength, energy, irradiation period, etc.). To date, however, little research has been conducted on how leaf thickness affects the pattern of phytochemical accumulation. In this study, we conducted an experiment to find out how the antioxidant phenolic content of kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) leaves with different thicknesses react to UV-A light. Kale seedlings were grown in a controlled growth chamber for four weeks under the following conditions: 20℃ temperature, 60% relative humidity, 12-hour photoperiod, light source (fluorescent lamp), and photosynthetic photon flux density of 121±10 µmol m^-2 s^-1. The kale plants were then transferred to two chambers with different CO₂ concentrations (382±3.2 and 1,027±11.7 µmol mol^-1), and grown for 10 days. After then, each group of kale plants were subjected to UV-A LED (275+285 nm at peak wavelength) light of 25.4 W m^-2 for 5 days. As a result, when kale plants with thickened leaves from treatment with high CO₂ were exposed to UV-A, they had lower UV sensitivity than thinner leaves. The Fv/Fm (maximum quantum yield on photosystem II) in the leaves of kale exposed to UV-A in a low-concentration CO₂ environment decreased abruptly and significantly immediately after UV treatment, but not in kale leaves exposed to UV-A in a high-concentration CO₂ environment. The accumulation pattern of total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and individual phenolic compounds varied according to leaf thickness. In conclusion, this experiment suggests that the UV intensity should vary based on the leaf thickness (age etc.) during UV treatment for phytochemical enhancement.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.475-483
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• 2023

This study was conducted to determine the optimal irrigation starting point by analyzing tree growth, physiological responses, fruit quality, and productivity in peach orchards. Seven-year-old 'Kawanakajima Hakuto' peach trees were used in an experimental field (35°49'30.4"N, 127°01'33.2"E) located within the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science located in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do. The irrigation starting point was set with four levels of -20, -40, -60, and -80 kPa from June to September 2022. While there were no significant differences in increase of trunk cross-section area and leaf area among treatments, shoot length and diameter decreased in the -80 kPa and -20 kPa treatments. The photosynthetic rate measured in August was highest for -60 kPa (17.7 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), followed by -40 kPa (15.6 μmol·m^-2·s^-1), -20 kPa (14.5 μmol·m^-2·s^-1) and -80 kPa (14.0 μmol·m^-2·s^-1). SPAD value measured in May and August was lower in the -80 kPa and -20 kPa treatments than in the -60 kPa and -40 kPa treatments. The harvest date reached three days earlier in the -20 kPa treatment compared to other treatments. The fruit weight was highest in the -60 kPa (379.1 g), followed by -40 kPa (344.0 g), -80 kPa (321.0 g) and -20 kPa (274.9 g). Firmness was the lowest in the -20 kPa treatment. The soluble solid content was highest in the -60 kPa treatment (13.3°Bx).The ratio of marketable fruits was highest in the -60 kPa treatment (50.7%) and lowest in the -80 kPa treatment (23.4%). In conclusion, we suggest that setting the irrigation starting point at -60 kPa could improve the fruit quality and yield in peach orchards.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.257-266
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the growth characteristics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. 'Joeunbaekdadagi') and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Dotaerang Dia') seedlings by light intensities and CO₂ concentrations in a closed-type plant production system (CPPS). Cucumber and tomato seeds were sown in 50-cell trays and germinated in CPPS at air temperature 25 ± 1℃ and relative humidity 50 ± 10% for 4 days. After germination, the CO₂ concentrations and light intensity treatment were treated at 500 (ambient), 1,000, and 1,500 µmol·mol^-1 and 100, 200, and 300 µmol·m^-2·s^-1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), respectively. The leaf area of cucumber showed the highest value in CO₂ 1,500 μmol·mol^-1. However, the leaf area of the tomato had no significant difference in CO₂ concentrations and light intensities treatments. In cucumber and tomato both seedlings, the growth and quality such as compactness and leaf area rate were increased with the increase of light intensity, and there were highest in 300 µmol·m^-2·s^-1. The root surface and number of root tips of cucumber and tomato seedlings were significantly increased with the increase in light intensity. In conclusion, the regulation of the CO₂ concentrations and light intensity can control the growth and quality of cucumber and tomato seedlings in CPPS, especially, increasing the light intensity can improve more significantly the growth and quality of seedlings.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2024

This study was carried out to analyze the growth of grafted seedlings produced in a container-type farm system and a greenhouse to stably produce high-quality seedlings. For 14 days after graft-taking, the characteristics of korean melon grafted seedlings were compared by container farm and greenhouse. The container seedling system maintained a stable day/night temperature (25/20℃), relative humidity (70%), and light environment (PPFD 200µmol·m^-2·s^-1, photoperiod (16/8h). The difference between day and night temperature (DIF) was relatively large, with a mean temperature of 28.1/15.4℃ in the high-temperature greenhouse. Plant height of the korean melon seedling was longer in the greenhouse than in the closed seedling system, and the average SPAD value was 30.5 and 41.1 in the greenhouse and closed seedling system, respectively. To calculate the compactness of the graft seedlings, the shoot dry weight was divided by the plant height, and the value was 44.9±2.64 mg/cm and 24.4±1.56 mg/cm in the closed seedling system and the greenhouse treatment, respectively, 7 days after graft-taking. To produce high-quality seedlings during high-temperature or low-photo periods, it will be necessary to analyze the key factors that affect growth characteristics and transplanting growth and to verify the effects of the closed seedling system based on post-transplanting growth and yield.