• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.587-594
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• 2021

By 2050, 70% more food will be needed to fulfill the demands of a growing population. Among the solutions, cultured meat or clean meat is presented as a sustainable alternative for consumers. Scientists have begun to leverage knowledge and tools accumulated in the fields of stem cell and tissue engineering in efforts aimed at the development of cell-based meat. Cultured meat has to recreate the complex structure of livestock muscles with a few cells. Cells start to divide after they are cultured in a culture medium, which provides nutrients, hormones, and growth factors. An initial problem with this type of culture is the serum used, as in vitro meat aims to be slaughter free. Thus, it is contradictory to use a medium made from the blood of dead calves. The serum is expensive and affects to a large extent the production cost of the meat. A positive aspect related to the safety of cultured meat is that it is not produced from animals raised in confined spaces and slaughtered in inhumane conditions. Thus, the risk of an outbreak is eliminated, and there is no need for vaccinations and animal welfare issues. The production of cultured meat is presented as environmentally friendly, as it is supposed to produce less greenhouse gas, consume less water, and use less land in comparison to conventional meat production.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1258-1269
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• 2022

Objective: For improving meat quality especially tenderness, male cattle are usually castrated to removes both the testicles. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect castration method (half- and complete-castration) on meat yield and quality characteristics of Hanwoo male cattle. Methods: Thirty-two similar age (5.9 months) Hanwoo male calves were divided into: half-castration (HC) and complete-castration (CC) groups (n = 16 per group). At 7 months of age, all the animals were castrated in which the HC calves had only one testicle surgically removed while, the CC calves had both testicles surgically removed. The castrated animals were reared under identical conditions until 25 months of age. After slaughter, the carcasses were evaluated for carcass traits and meat yield of primal cuts. For examination of the castration effect on meat quality, L. lumborum and semimembranosus muscles were used. The meat samples were analyzed for chemical composition, color, pH, shear force and water holding capacity, fatty acids, metabolites and volatile aroma compounds. Results: The HC group showed higher meat yields of all primal cuts (p<0.05). As a result, the total meat yield was higher by approximately 44 kg in the HC group (303.32 kg, corresponding to 67.88%) compared to the CC group (259.30 kg, corresponding to 62.11%) (p<0.05). In terms of meat quality, the HC resulted in two times greater fat content in both muscles examined compared to intact males. More importantly, the shear force values did not differ between HC and CC groups for L. lumborum muscles (p>0.05). The meat from HC animals exhibited higher amount of free amino acids associated with sweetness (p<0.05). Furthermore, the castration method only exhibited a negligible effect on metabolites and volatile aroma compounds in the cooked meat. Conclusion: Half-castration emerged as an alternative practice to be used for increasing the yield and tenderness of male cattle meat.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.729-740
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• 2022

This study analyzed the effects of job stress and sleep disorders on sleepiness during the daytime for a night-shift urban railway crew. As a result of the analysis, measurements on a daytime sleepiness index were higher for the crew than those during other working hours, indicating that the degrees of sleepiness and drowsiness were severe. Afterwards, aromatic essential oils, which are generally known to help relieve sleep disorders and stress, were utilized to verify the effect on stress on night-shift workers. The experimental group treated with aromatherapy was found to show improved stress reduction and overall activity levels in the autonomic nervous system compared to an untreated control group. This study proves that night work by an urban railway crew negatively affects stress levels by increasing stress and negatively affects the autonomous nervous system, also showing that an aromatherapy treatment can be a good alternative to alleviate these conditions. The results of this study are expected to help prevent safety accidents by relieving the stress of nighttime workers.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.411-422
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between quality of life and demographic characteristics and health-related behavioral characteristics, and their relevance to variables that represent health conditions among metropolitan-dwelling older adults. The study subjects were 380 senior citizens aged 65 or older living in the D metropolitan area, and data collection was conducted by visiting them for interviews in June 2019. A binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between independent variables (demographic characteristics, health-related behavioral characteristics, health condition variables) and the dependent variable (quality of life) while controlling for gender and age. As a result, the factors related to quality of life for those surveyed were education level, spousal status, living status, bear for living expenses, average monthly allowance, satisfaction with daily life, evaluation of sleep quality, smoking and eating habits, amount of regular exercise, hobbies, subjective health status, physical disability (if any), hearing ability, visual acuity, mastication ability, urinary incontinence (present or not), and amnesia. The above results suggest that quality of life for the elderly living in urban areas is significantly related to variables that indicate demographic characteristics, health-related behavioral characteristics, and health condition.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 2022

Background: We developed a habitat suitability index (HSI) model for Pedicularis hallaisanensis, a Grade II Endangered Species in South Korea. To determine the habitat variables, we conducted a literature review on P. hallaisanensis with a specific focus on the associated spatial factors, climate, topography, threats, and soil factors to derive five environmental factors that influence P. hallaisanensis habitats. The specific variables were defined based on the collected data and consultations with experts in the field, with the validity of each variable tested through field studies. Results: Mt. Seorak had a suitable habitat area of 2.48 km² for sites with a score of 1 (0.62% of total area) and 0.01 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Mt. Bangtae had a suitable habitat area of 0.03 km² for sites with a score of 1 (0.02% of total area) and 0 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Mt. Gaya showed 0.13 km² of suitable habitat for sites with a score of 1 (0.17% of total area) and 0 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Lastly, Mt. Halla showed 3.12 km² of suitable habitat related to sites with a score of 1 (2.04% of total area) and 4.08 km² of sites with a score of 0.9 (2.66% of total area). Mt. Halla accounts for 73.1% of the total core habitat area. Considering the climatic, soil, and forest conditions together with standardized collection sites, our results indicate that Mt. Halla should be viewed as a core habitat of P. hallaisanensis. Conclusions: The findings in this study provide useful data for the identification of core habitat areas and potential alternative habitats to prevent the extinction of the endangered species, P. hallaisanensis. Furthermore, the developed HSI model allows for the prediction of suitable habitats based on the ecological niche of a given species to identify its unique distribution and causal factors.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.236-243
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• 2022

Background: In the case of multiple exposures to different types of heavy metals, such as the conditions faced by residents living near a smelter, it would be preferable to group hazardous substances with similar characteristics rather than individually related substances and evaluate the effects of each group on the human body. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of factor analysis in the assessment of health effects caused by exposure to two or more hazardous substances with similar characteristics, such as in the case of residents living near a smelter. Methods: Heavy metal concentration data for 572 people living in the vicinity of the Janghang smelter area were grouped based on several subfactors according to their characteristics using factor analysis. Using these factor scores as an independent variable, multiple regression analysis was performed on health effect markers. Results: Through factor analysis, three subfactors were extracted. Factor 1 contained copper and zinc in serum and revealed a common characteristic of the enzyme co-factor in the human body. Factor 2 involved urinary cadmium and arsenic, which are harmful metals related to kidney damage. Factor 3 encompassed blood mercury and lead, which are classified as related to cardiovascular disease. As a result of multiple linear regression analysis, it was found that using the factor index derived through factor analysis as an independent variable is more advantageous in assessing the relevance to health effects than when analyzing the two heavy metals by including them in a single regression model. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that regression analysis linked with factor analysis is a good alternative in that it can simultaneously identify the effects of heavy metals with similar properties while overcoming multicollinearity that may occur in environmental epidemiologic studies on exposure to various types of heavy metals.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.24-35
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• 2022

For water quality management, it is necessary to continuously improve the forecasting by analyzing the past water quality, and a Data-driven model is emerging as an alternative. Because the Data-driven model is built based on a wide range of data, it is essential to apply the correlation analysis method for the combination of input variables to obtain more reliable results. In this study, the Gamma Test was applied as a preceding step to build a faster and more accurate data-driven water quality prediction model. First, a physical-based model (HSPF, EFDC) was operated to produce daily water quality reflecting the complexity of the watershed according to various hydrological conditions for Paldang Dam. The Gamma Test was performed on the water quality at the water quality prediction site (Paldangdam2) and major rivers flowing into the Paldang Dam, and the method of selecting the optimal input data combination was presented through the analysis results (Gamma, Gradient, Standar Error, V-Ratio). As a result of the study, the selection criteria for a more efficient combination of input data that can save time by omitting trial and error when building a data-driven model are presented.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2022

Eco-friendly materials, such as alternative vegan materials using various fungal resources, are being actively researched to reduce environmental pollution and facilitate a healthy lifestyle. The fungal mycelium-based mushroom mycelium mat is one such emerging material. In this study, the commonly used mushroom mycelium culture method was modified to reduce the time required to produce the mycelium mat, lower the possibility of contamination, and improve the properties and quality of the mat. Shortening the period required for the previously used primary bag culture and secondary mat production culture. A culture method in which the bag culture was omitted was attempted using a mycelium mutated by gamma irradiation to the mycelium of Trametes orientalis. In addition, various nutrients were added to the fungal solution to observe the change in physical properties of the fungal mat. High-quality mycelium mats were produced in the experimental group containing 1.5% CaCO₃ in sawdust medium, and the period was also reduced by more than 10 days compared to the existing production method. In the future, for mass producing mycelium mats, additional selection of medium components and optimization of culture conditions are essential.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.3
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• pp.290-302
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to examine the changes in the initial tree growth characteristics of Q. variabilis planted in forest fire-damaged areas treated with soil moisturizers such as biochar and to identify the factors that affect tree growth. To evaluate the effectiveness of soil moisture treatment in the area planted with QV, an experimental plot was created according to the treatment method (spread and mix) and treatment ratio (0, 4, and 40 t/ha). The survival rate of QV was 20% higher in the treatment plot than in the control plot. The height and root collar diameter (RCD)growths of QV were high on the northern slope with spread treatment and on the southern slope with mix treatment. The relative growth rate (RGR) according to the soil moisturizer treatment method was higher in the mix treatment, showing a significant difference in RCD. The northern slope had a higher RGR and significant growth rate. This suggests that the growth improvement effect may depend on the soil moisturizer treatment method. The aspect or treatment method affectsthe drying conditions of the soil, which in turn affects its moisture content or nutrient dynamics. The present research results can be used to establish soil moisturizer treatment standards that are suitable for growth purposes. In addition, this study demonstrates that biochar treatment can be considered as an effective alternative to boost biomass and facilitate early restoration of forest fire-damaged areas.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.83-91
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• 2023

This study investigate growth responses of Chinese cabbage and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) to application of fermented organic fertilizer produced from domestic organic resources for developing alternative materials instead of imported castor oil meal. Two types of fermented fertilizers (Fermented Organic Fertilizer A (OFA) and Fermented Organic Fertilizer B (OFB)) were produced by mixing distillers dried grains 30%, sesame cake 30%, rice bran 20% and fish meal 20% under different fermentation conditions. Treatment consisted of OFA is fermented for 21 days on plastic greenhouse, OFB is fermented for 5 days on 40℃, and MOF (Mixed Organic Fertilizer) is a fertilizer made with castor bean as the main ingredient. OFA, OFB and MOF were applied at the rate of 320 kg N/ha. Chinese cabbages were cultivated from Aug. to Nov. in 2022. Growth and yield of Chinese cabbage were no significant differences among all treatments except control (non-fertilized, NF). However, NUE of Chinese cabbage was higher the fermented fertilizer treatment (OFB: 81.4%, OFA: 79.1%) than the MOF (65.3%). It was observed that urease activity in the fermented fertilizer treatment was significantly higher than the MOF. This result confirmed that fermented fertilizers have similar effect on growth and yield with the MOF and could improve the NUE of crop.