• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1138-1149
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• 2017

The use of microalgal biomass is an interesting technology for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions owing to its high metal-binding capacity, but the interactions with bacteria as a strategy for the removal of toxic metals have been poorly studied. The goal of the current research was to investigate the potential of Burkholderia tropica co-immobilized with Chlorella sp. in polyurethane discs for the biosorption of Hg(II) from aqueous solutions and to evaluate the influence of different Hg(II) concentrations (0.041, 1.0, and 10 mg/l) and their exposure to different contact times corresponding to intervals of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 h. As expected, microalgal bacterial biomass adhered and grew to form a biofilm on the support. The biosorption data followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the adsorption equilibrium was well described by either Langmuir or Freundlich adsorption isotherm, reaching equilibrium from 1 h. In both bacterial and microalgal immobilization systems in the co-immobilization of Chlorella sp. and B. tropica to different concentrations of Hg(II), the kinetics of biosorption of Hg(II) was significantly higher before 60 min of contact time. The highest percentage of biosorption of Hg(II) achieved in the co-immobilization system was 95% at pH 6.4, at 3.6 g of biosorbent, $30{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, and a mercury concentration of 1 mg/l before 60 min of contact time. This study showed that co-immobilization with B. tropica has synergistic effects on biosorption of Hg(II) ions and merits consideration in the design of future strategies for the removal of toxic metals.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Air ducts installed for ventilation inside buildings accumulate contaminants during their service life. Robots are installed to clean the air duct at low cost, but they are still not fully automated and depend on manpower. In this study, an intersection detection algorithm for autonomous driving was applied to an air duct cleaning robot. Autonomous driving of the robot was achieved by calculating the distance and angle between the extracted point and the center point through the intersection detection algorithm from the camera image mounted on the robot. The training data consisted of CAD images of the duct interior as well as the cross-point coordinates and angles between the two boundary lines. The deep learning-based CNN model was applied as a detection algorithm. For training, the cross-point coordinates were obtained from CAD images. The accuracy was determined based on the differences in the actual and predicted areas and distances. A cleaning robot prototype was designed, consisting of a frame, a Raspberry Pi computer, a control unit and a drive unit. The algorithm was validated by video imagery of the robot in operation. The algorithm can be applied to vehicles operating in similar environments.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.31 no.1C
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• pp.26-35
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• 2006

In this paper, an automatic mobile robot system for a intelligent path planning using the detection scheme of the spatial coordinates based on stereo camera is proposed. In the proposed system, face area of a moving person is detected from a left image among the stereo image pairs by using the YCbCr color model and its center coordinates are computed by using the centroid method and then using these data, the stereo camera embedded on the mobile robot can be controlled for tracking the moving target in real-time. Moreover, using the disparity map obtained from the left and right images captured by the tracking-controlled stereo camera system and the perspective transformation between a 3-D scene and an image plane, depth information can be detected. Finally, based-on the analysis of these calculated coordinates, a mobile robot system is derived as a intelligent path planning and a estimation. From some experiments on robot driving with 240 frames of the stereo images, it is analyzed that error ratio between the calculated and measured values of the distance between the mobile robot and the objects, and relative distance between the other objects is found to be very low value of $2.19\%$ and $1.52\%$ on average, respectably.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.790-798
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• 2020

Background: Beneficial effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear. Methods: We examined whether pretreatment (daily from 2 hours before PCOS induction) with KRG extract in water (KRGE; 75 and 150 mg/kg/day, p.o.) could exert a favorable effect in a dehydroepian-drosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rat model. Results: Pretreatment with KRGE significantly inhibited the elevation of body and ovary weights, the increase in number and size of ovarian cysts, and the elevation of serum testosterone and estradiol levels induced by DHEA. Pretreatment with KRGE also inhibited macrophage infiltration and enhanced mRNA expression levels of chemokines [interleukin (IL)-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase in ovaries induced by DHEA. It also prevented the reduction in mRNA expression of growth factors (epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta (EGF, TGF-β)) related to inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell pathway and stimulation of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 pathway. Interestingly, KRGE or representative ginsenosides (Rb1, Rg1, and Rg3(s)) inhibited the activity of inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 and iNOS, cytosolic p-IκB, and nuclear p-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells, whereas they increased nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 nuclear translocation. Conclusion: These results provide that KRGE could prevent DHEA-induced PCOS via antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. Thus, KRGE may be used in preventive and therapeutic strategies for PCOS-like symptoms.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2014

Purpose: The goal of this study is to determine whether the magnitude of overlap between planning target volume (PTV) and rectum ($Rectum_{overlap}$) or PTV and bladder ($Bladder_{overlap}$) in prostate cancer volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is predictive of the dose-volume relationships achieved after optimization, and to identify predictive equations and cutoff values using these overlap volumes beyond which the Quantitative Analyses of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (QUANTEC) dose-volume constraints are unlikely to be met. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven patients with prostate cancer underwent VMAT planning using identical optimization conditions and normalization. The PTV (for the 50.4 Gy primary plan and 30.6 Gy boost plan) included 5 to 10 mm margins around the prostate and seminal vesicles. Pearson correlations, linear regression analyses, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to correlate the percentage overlap with dose-volume parameters. Results: The percentage $Rectum_{overlap}$ and $Bladder_{overlap}$ correlated with sparing of that organ but minimally impacted other dose-volume parameters, predicted the primary plan rectum $V_{45}$ and bladder $V_{50}$ with $R^2$ = 0.78 and $R^2$ = 0.83, respectively, and predicted the boost plan rectum $V_{30}$ and bladder $V_{30}$ with $R^2$ = 0.53 and $R^2$ = 0.81, respectively. The optimal cutoff value of boost $Rectum_{overlap}$ to predict rectum $V_{75}$ >15% was 3.5% (sensitivity 100%, specificity 94%, p < 0.01), and the optimal cutoff value of boost $Bladder_{overlap}$ to predict bladder $V_{80}$ >10% was 5.0% (sensitivity 83%, specificity 100%, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The degree of overlap between PTV and bladder or rectum can be used to accurately guide physicians on the use of interventions to limit the extent of the overlap region prior to optimization.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.27-39
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• 1989

The purpose of this study is to prove the factors affecting the fluctuation of daily visitors in five mountainous national park(Kayasan, kyeryongsan, Naejangsan, Soraksan, Songnisan), and to analyze the relationship between these factors and daily visitors in Korea. "Three Factors and Nine Categories"(Aoki, K. & Aoki, Y. : 1974, 1979) has been applied to this study, and statistical analysis method was carried out by computer program SAS and SPSS. The number of daily visitors is calculated based on the data of "Daily entrance ticket sale report" by administration office in each national park. The scope of time period is during the last 5years(1982∼1986: 1825days) and the results were as follows: 1) There were significant differences in the number of daily visitors of each national park among months, days of a week and weather-the same as the previous study of urban park case. But it wold be better for their category classification to be adjusted according to the fluctuation pattern of each national park. 2) The peak of monthly visitors comes in May(Kayasan, Soraksan, Songnisan) or October(Kyeryongsan, Naejangsan). These months are specified as group tour season. On the basis of monthly fluctuation pattern, Each national park were classified into seasonal type, that is, kayasan, Soraksan were proved to be three-season type(Spring, Summer, Autumn), Songnisan to be two-season type(Spring, Autumn), and Naejangsan to be one-season type(Autumn). 3) The weekly pattern differs from three category (weekday, weekend, holiday: Eom, Choi 1986) in the case of urban park study. And there is no significant difference in daily fluctuation pattern by weather (fine, cloudy and rainy day), but significant difference between snowy and the others. This result is due to the characteristics of visitors, which is, the major visits of national park are planned in a advance of the tour, therefore it is difficult to change the plan by the weather. 4) the result of correlation analysis showed that the most influential factor on national park use in Kayasan, Naejangsan, Soraksan and Songnisan is ′Monthly characters (M)′, on the contrary ′Day of week(D)′ in Kyeryongsan only. From the result, The more parks are resource-based, the more ′Monthly characters′-factor is supposed to affect the number of daily visitors rather than ′Day of the week′-factor. This means that kayasan, naejangsan, Sorakson and Songnisan are classified into resource-based type, but on the other hand Kyeryongsan should be classified into intermediate type.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2012

Herein, life time prediction based on the deterioration of physical properties of chloroprene rubber (CR)aged by heat and seawater was performed. CR samples were experienced an accelerated test at $80^{\circ}C$, $100^{\circ}C$, $120^{\circ}C$ for heat aging, and $40^{\circ}C$, $60^{\circ}C$, $80^{\circ}C$ for seawater aging for 20,000 hrs. The change in tensile strength, maximum elongation,hardness was measured. As a result, the decrease in elongation was a major factor causing failure. The life time estimated using an Arrhenius model was 125 years at $23^{\circ}C$ for thermal aging and 9 years at $23^{\circ}C$ for seawater aging. SEM and elemental analysis reveal that cracks were generated and the content of oxygen was increased for CR agined by seawater. FT-IR spectrum shows the new C-O and C = O bonds were generated by the chemical reaction with seawater. Also, the glass transtion temperature was increased and the thermal decomposition was decreased by seawater aging.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.263-273
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the relations between class distracting factors and class satisfaction of the dental technology students and then provide a primary data to help further related studies and develop educational programs with which instructors can efficiently manage their classroom. Methods: For this study we have conducted a survey started from the beginning of May 2017 to the end of June. The subjects of the survey were Dental Technology students of D-city, K-city, W-city, selected by random sampling method. The questionnaire was self-administrated and 437 valid results were chosen for our analysis among 450 distributed questionnaires. Results: The results of the research was as follows. Firstly, The overall average point of class distracting factors was 2.5 point. The environmental factors were the highest point as 2.59 and as for the subcategories tiredness and drowsiness was the highest point as 2.76. Secondly, The overall average point of class satisfaction turned out 3,88 point and compliance with class and attitude factors gained the highest point as 4.06. Of the subcategories strict roll checking was the highest point as 4.17. Thirdly, As for class distracting factors from general characteristics a statistical significance was shown as follows; 'instructor factor'(p<.01), 'learner factor'(p<.05), 'total class distracting factor'(p<.05) in the area of gender, 'environmental factor'(p<.001), 'total class distracting factor'(p<.01), 'learner factor'(p<.05), 'instructor factor'(p<.05) in the area of gender 'learner factor'(p<.001), 'instructor factor'(p<.001), 'environmental factor'(p<.001), 'total class distracting factor'(p<.01) in the area of class grade, 'environmental factor'(p<.05) in GPA. Fourthly, A statistical significance, a negative correlation (p<.01) were shown between class distracting factors and class satisfaction. Class distracting factor that especially affects the class satisfaction was instructor factor(p<.001) and the explanatory power of the model turned out 14.7%, which was statistically meaningful (p<.001). Conclusion : Results of this study reveal that instructor factor is the key to class satisfaction of the students. So it is crucial that the instructor faithfully prepare for the class to reinforce the students' learning. Additionally further studies should be followed with more subjects and newer perspectives to develop innovative teaching methodology.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1725-1731
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• 2020

Objective: An initial RNA-Sequencing study revealed that UDP-galactose-4-epimerase (GALE) was one of the most promising candidates for milk protein concentration in Chinese Holstein cattle. This enzyme catalyzes the interconversion of UDP-galactose and UDP-glucose, an important step in galactose catabolism. To further validate the genetic effect of GALE on milk protein traits, genetic variations were identified, and genotypes-phenotypes associations were performed. Methods: The entire coding region and the 5'-regulatory region (5'-UTR) of GALE were re-sequenced using pooled DNA of 17 unrelated sires. Association studies for five milk production traits were performed using a mixed linear animal model with a population encompassing 1,027 Chinese Holstein cows. Results: A total of three variants in GALE were identified, including two novel variants (g.2114 A>G and g.2037 G>A) in the 5'-UTR and one previously reported variant (g.3836 G>C) in an intron. All three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with milk yield (p<0.0001), fat yield (p = 0.0006 to <0.0001), protein yield (p = 0.0232 to <0.0001) and protein percentage (p<0.0001), while no significant associations were detected between the SNPs and fat percentage. A strong linkage disequilibrium (D' = 0.96 to 1.00) was observed among all three SNPs, and a 5 Kb haplotype block involving three main haplotypes with GAG, AGC, and AGG was formed. The results of haplotype association analyses were consistent with the results of single locus association analysis (p<0.0001). The phenotypic variance ratio above 3.00% was observed for milk protein yield that was explained by SNP-g.3836G >C. Conclusion: Overall, our findings provided new insights into the polymorphic variations in bovine GALE gene and their associations with milk protein concentration. The data indicate their potential uses for marker-assisted breeding or genetic selection schemes.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.102-111
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the optimal conditions of collagen extraction from scales of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) using surface response methodology. Four independent variables of NaOH concentration and pretreatment fime in alkali pretreatment and enzyme concentration and treatment time in enzyme hydrolysis were used to predict a model equation for the collagen yield. The determinant coefficient ($R^2$) for the equation was 0.906. The values of the independent variables for the maximum yield were 0.32 N NaOH, 16.38 h alkali pretreatment time, 0.18% enzyme concentration, and 31.02 h enzyme treatment time. In the physicochemical properties of tuna scale collagen, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of tuna scale collagen showed the same migration distances as that of calf skin collagen. The amide A, I, II, and III regions of tuna scale collagen in Fourier transform infrared measurements were shown in the peaks of 3,414 $cm^{-1}$, 1,645 $cm^{-1}$, 1,553 $cm^{-1}$, and 1,247 $cm^{-1}$, respectively. The amount of imino acids in tuna scale collagen was 18.97% and the collagen denaturation temperature was $33^{\circ}C$. The collagen solubility as a function of NaCl concentration decreased to 4% NaCl (w/v) and the collagen solubility as a function of pH was high at pH 2-4 and sharply decreased from pH 4 to pH 7. Viscosity of the collagen solution decreased continuously until $30^{\circ}C$ and this decreasing rate slowed in the temperature range of $35-50^{\circ}C$.