• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.967-977
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• 2023

Rubus crataegifolius (RC) is a traditional Asian medicinal plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. The fruits of RC are known to prevent adult diseases through antioxidants. In this study, the effects of RC extract (RCex) on obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were evaluated in animal models. Twenty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were induced to become obese for 8 weeks and then the extract was orally administered for 8 weeks. RCex reduced body weight, adipose tissue, liver weight. RCex improved biochemical biomarkers including lipid metabolism (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol). The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) reduced the expression of adipogenesis genes (liver × receptor (LXR), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthesis (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and the effect of enhancing carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity by RCex was verified. RCex also influence on plasma production of hormones (adiponectin & leptin) related on energy expenditure and metabolism. In addition, we confirmed that RCex improved glucose intolerance in HFD-induced obese rats. RCex was first demonstrated to have anti-obesity as well as anti-NAFLD effects by regulating fatty acid oxidation and fatty acid synthesis by phosphorylation of AMPK. This suggests that RCex could be a good supplement for the prevention of obesity and related NAFLD.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.388-398
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• 2023

The changes in groundwater flow due to mining development act as a contributing factor to major issues such as ground subsidence, strength reduction and collapse. For the sustainable mining development, measures for dealing with fluctuations in seasonal underground water inflow, power losses, pump damage, and unexpected increases in inflow must be put in place. In this study, the aim is to identify the causes of underground seepage through the examination of hydrological connectivity between the study area and nearby limestone mine. A tracer tes for assessing subsurface connectivity has been planned. A variety of tracers, such as dyes and ions, were applied in lab test to select the optimal tracer material, and a hydrological model of the study area was implemented through field test. Finally, the hydrological connectivity between the external stream and underground water in the mine was analyzed.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.246-256
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• 2006

The plane wave reflection coefficient is an acoustic property containing all the information concerning the ocean bottom and can be used as an input parameter to various acoustic propagation models. In this paper, we measure the plane wave reflection coefficient, the sound speed, thd the attenuation for saturated granular medium in the water tank. Three kinds of glass beads and natural sand are used as the granular medium. The reflection experiment is performed with the sinusoidal tone bursts of 100 kHz at incident angles from 28 to 53 degrees, and the sound speed and attenuation experiment are performed also with the same signal. From the measured reflection signal, the reflection coefficient is calculated with the self calibration method and the experimental uncertainties are discussed. The sound speed and the attenuation measurements are used for the estimation of the porosity and permeability, the main Biot parameters. The estimated values are compared to the directly measured values and used as input values to the Biot theory in order to calculate the theoretical reflection coefficient. Finally, the reflection coefficient predicted by Biot theory is compared to the measured reflection coefficient and their characteristics are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.251-259
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• 2024

This study evaluated the potential of hemp seed oil (Cannabis sativa L. seed oil, CSO) and hemp seed oil complex (Cannabis sativa L. seed oil complex, CSOC) as an anti-inflammatory material through comparative analysis. Anti-inflammatory effects of CSO and CSOC were confirmed through lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 model. As a result of confirming the inhibition of lipid oxidation through lipoxygenase inhibitory activity, CSO was not inhibited, but COSC was inhibited by more than 70%. As a result of confirming cytotoxicity through MTT analysis, CSO did not show cytotoxicity, but CSOC showed cytotoxicity at over 200 ㎍/ml. In LPS-induced RAW264.7, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO) were significantly inhibited by CSOC compared to CSO. Additionally, CSOC significantly inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and the production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). Through this study, we confirmed that CSOC has superior anti-inflammatory effects than CSO and has the potential to be used as an anti-inflammatory material.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

Objectives: Ephedrae herba (EH) and Coicis semen (CS) has been frequently prescribed for the treatment of obesity. However, effects of combinational extracts of these two herbs on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of EH and CS on lipid accumulation and glucose absorption in free fatty acids (FFAs) or palmitic acid (PA)-treated HepG2 cells. Methods: Five samples of EH and CS were extracted by combination ratios (S1=0:100, S2=25:75, S3=50:50, S4=75:25, S5=100:0). Oil Red O staining was used to measure lipid accumulation in FFAs-induced steatosis cells. Intracellular triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were measured in FFAs-induced steatotic HepG2 cells. In PA-treated cells, intracellular 2-NBDG was detected using a fluorescence microplate reader and flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of key metabolism-related factors of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, expression of key lipid synthesis-related factors carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 alpha (CPT1α), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) were confirmed by western blot. Results: Treatment of EH-CS combination in the FFAs-induced steatotic HepG2 cells significantly reduced lipid accumulation. As the relative ratio of Ephedrae herba increased, the lipid-lowering effects of the combination were increased. However, S1 and S5 of Ephedrae herba and Coicis semen did not significantly reduce triglycerides and total cholesterol induced by FFAs. However, the combination of Ephedrae herba and Coicis semen restored glucose absorption in PA-induced HepG2 cells. Major makers of SREBP1, PPARγ, C/EBPα, and CPT1α expression tended to decrease with EH ratio. Conclusions: The EH-CS combination has advantages over sole EH and CS extracts in improving lipid and glucose metabolism in liver steatosis models.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.498-506
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of mulberry extract (MBE) on blood flow improvement. The $SC_{50}$ value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity of MBE was $89.36{\pm}5.46{\mu}g/mL$. Analysis of the cellular toxicity of MBE on RAW 264.7 and HepG2 cells showed no toxicity under a concentration of 2,500 ${\mu}g/mL$. We found that MBE inhibited the enzyme activity of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 as well as oxidation of human LDL. Western blotting analysis showed that MBE inhibited protein expression of COX-2 and 5-lipoxygenase in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, MBE inhibited protein expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Furthermore, MBE reduced the serum levels of total cholesterol and C-reactive protein in a concentration-dependent manner. These results both in vitro and in vivo suggest that MBE can be employed for the improvement of blood flow.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1265-1272
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• 2015

Barnyard millet Miryang 3 [Echinochloa esculenta (A. Braun)] grains have recently been acknowledged for beneficial health properties due to phenolic ingredients and dietary fiber. This study has been conducted on the anti-diabetic activity of barnyard millet Miryang 3 which shows the strongest anti-inflammatory activity among barnyard millet inhabiting in South Korea. When 80% ethanol (EtOH) extract of barnyard millet Miryang 3 grains were orally administered into db/db diabetic mice for 8 weeks (600 mg/kg/day), the glucose level in blood following fasting appeared to be improved compared to the control group. The results of glucose tolerance test and blood lipid profile assay were similar to those of the metformin-administered positive control group. In addition, the level of body weight increase (8.54±2.24) was lower than the level of metformin-administered group (10.36±3.15); however, there was no subtle difference with negative and positive control groups in terms of food efficiency rates. In addition, total cholesterol levels of the 80% EtOH extract-administered group (160.7±7.6) were significantly reduced compared to the diabetic control group (229.3±47.8) and metformin-administered group (176.0±25.6). Consequently, these results show that barnyard millet grains alleviates many of the diabetic symptoms in vivo non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and suggest that barnyard millet grains can be applicable in developing new functional food materials.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.73-86
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• 2007

Risk-based remediation strategy (RBRS) is a consistent decision-making process for the assessment and response to chemical release based on protecting human health and the environment. The decision-making process described integrates exposure and risk assessment practices with site assessment activities and remedial action selection to ensure that the chosen actions are protective of human health and the environment. The general sequences of events in Tier 1 is as follows: initial site assessment, development of conceptual site model with all exposure pathways, data collection on pollutants and receptors, and identification of risk-based screening level (RBSL). If site conditions do not meet RBSL, it needs further site-specific tier evaluation, Tier 2. In most cases, only limited number of exposure pathways, exposure scenarios, and chemicals of concern are considered the Tier 2 evaluation since many are eliminated from consideration during the Tier 1 evaluation. In spite of uncertainties due to the conservatism applied to risk calculations, limitation in site-specific data collections, and variables affecting the selection of target risk levels and exposure factors, RBRS provides us time- and cost-effectiveness of the remedial action. To ensure reliance of the results, the development team should consider land and resource use, cumulative risks, and additive effects. In addition, it is necessary to develop appropriate site assessment guideline and reliable toxicity assessment method, and to study on site-specific parameters and exposure parameters in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.463-471
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• 2006

Electrical resistivity surveys were conducted at areas of abandoned landfills in Cheonan and Wonju. Geology and extent of leachate migration around the landfills were evaluated with collected resistivity data by 2-D and 3-D resistivity inverse modeling. The Cheonan landfill is located above the paddy fields and the resistivity survey lines were crossed to examine possible pollution at the paddy fields by leakage of the landfill leachate. In Wonju, the landfill and the downgradient paddy fields are divided by a concrete barrier wall. At the bottom of the landfill, there is a leachate settlement system, which has not been in operation. To evaluate leachate leakage into the paddy fields, a total of 4 survey lines were used. According to the resistivity survey results, the landfill leachate in Cheonan appeared to be restricted only within the interior of the landfill, not to migrate into the subsurface of the paddy fields. These results are well consistent with electrical conductivity values of groundwaters obtained from a periodic analysis of water qualities. In Wonju, however, it was inferred that the leachate emanating from the landfill migrated beneath the abandoned leachate settlement system and the leachate would reach the downgradient paddy fields. Low resistivity area was observed in the old reservoir area and it appeared to be derived from convergence of groundwater flows from the surrounding valley and the moist wet land. In addition, groundwater flow into the paddy fields occurs beneath the old reservoir embankment at depths of $7{\sim}8m$. This paper reports details of the resistivity surveys for the uncontrolled landfills.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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• v.44 no.2 s.314
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• pp.37-46
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• 2007

In this paper, we propose technologies for enhancing the immersive realization of virtual objects in AR-based product design. Generally, multimodal senses such as visual/auditory/tactile feedback are well known as a method for enhancing the immersion in case of interaction with virtual objects. By adapting tangible objects we can provide touch sensation to users. A 3D model of the same scale overlays the whole area of the tangible object so the marker area is invisible. This contributes to enhancing immersion. Also, the hand occlusion problem when the virtual objects overlay the user's hands is partially solved, providing more immersive and natural images to users. Finally, multimodal feedback also creates better immersion. In our work, both vibrotactile feedback through page motors, pneumatic tactile feedback, and sound feedback are considered. In our scenario, a game-phone model is selected, by way of proposed augmented vibrotactile feedback, hands occlusion-reduced visual effects and sound feedback are provided to users. These proposed methodologies will contribute to a better immersive realization of the conventional AR system.