• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.853-860
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• 2003

Plants sequester atmospheric CO$_2$, a major agent of climate change, during the growing periods and mitigate its rising accumulation in the atmosphere. Pinus densiflora and Quercus mongolica are the native tree species dominant in the temperate forests of Korea. This study quantified the annual CO$_2$ uptake by the two species at forest sites in Chuncheon in the middle of the country. The quantification was based on seasonal measurements of CO$_2$ exchange rates under natural conditions by an infrared gas analyzer over the growing season (1999). The monthly CO$_2$ uptake per unit leaf area ranged from 1.6-6.7 mg/d㎡/h for P. densiflora and from 3.7-8.9 mg/d㎡/h for Q. mongolica, with a maximum in mid-summer. An equation for each species was generated to estimate easily the annual CO$_2$ uptake by total leaf area per tree, which subtracted the CO$_2$ release (i.e. respiration) by leaves and woody organs from the gross CO$_2$ uptake (diurnal uptake and release by leaves). Annual CO$_2$ release by leaves and woody organs accounted for 58-73％ of the gross CO$_2$ uptake across tree specimens. Annual CO$_2$ uptake per tree increased with increasing dbh (stem diameter at breast height) for the study diameter range, and was greater for Q. mongolica than for P. densiflora in the same dbh sizes. This was mainly associated with a greater total leaf area in the former. For example, the annual CO$_2$ uptake by one tree with dbh of 25 cm was 35.6 kg/yr for P. densiflora and 47.9 kg/yr for Q. mongolica. The results from this study can be applied to evaluate an atmospheric CO$_2$ reduction of woody plants by forest type and age class.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.471-484
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• 2009

This study was carried out to classify vegetation structure on the deciduous forest at Namdeogyu area in Deogyusan National Park from May 2007 to September 2008 using the gradient analyses and phytosociological method. The vegetation was classified into Quercus mongolica community(Typical subcommunity, Rhododendron sehlippenbaehii-Q. mongolica subcommunity, Carex lanceolata-Q. mongolica subcommunity), Q. Serrata community(Typical subcommunity, Q. variabilis -Q. serrata subcommunity, Carpinus laxiflora - Q. serrata subcommunity), C. laxiflora community, Fraxinus mandshurica community and Corn us controversa community. Ecological characteristics such as species composition, layer structure, vegetation ratio, and the distribution of individual trees by DBH(diameter at breast height) were significantly different among communities. The order of important value of the forest community with DBH 2cm above plants was Q. mongolica(67.8), F. mandshurica(44.8), Q. serrata(27.5), Acer pseudo-sieboldianum(17.0), C. controversa(l5.9), F. sieboldiana(l1.5), R. schlippenbachii(11.0), C. cordata(11.0), Styrax obassia(10.9), Magnolia sieboldii(10.4) and C. laxiflora(9.8). Distribution of DBH of Q. mongolica had a formality distribution, suggesting a continuous domination of these species over the other species for the time being. In contrast, F. mandshurica appeared limited to the valley of the sheet and a higher frequency of young individuals, suggesting a continuous domination of these species the development of a climax forest terrain. Q. serrata had a higher frequency of young individuals and middle individuals, suggesting a continuous domination of these species over the other species for the time being in contrast. This study examined the correlation between each community and the environment according to DCCA ordination. The Q. mongolica community predominated in the highest elevation habitats which had many C.E.C and T-N. F. mandshurica community predominated in the highest elevation habitats which had many Moisture and EX-Cation. The Q. serrata community and C. laxiflora community mainly occurred in the low elevation habitats which had few C.E.C and T-N. The C. controversa community appeared on the park in the middle habitats.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.235-248
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively analyze and investigate changes in the structural characteristics of the warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved forest community in Mt. Cheomchalsan on Jindo Island. The Mt. Cheomchalsan has high conservation value because the representative warm temperate species such as Quercus acuta and Castanopsis sieboldii are distributed there. The community classification with TWINSPAN and DCA identified 4 communities: C. sieboldii community (I), C. sieboldii-Q. Salicina community (II), Q. acuta-C.sieboldii community (III), and deciduous broad-leaved trees-evergreen broad-leaved trees community (IV). According to the results of the mean importance percentage (MIP) analysis, C. sieboldii, Q. salicina, and Q. acuta were dominant species in the canopy layer, Camellia japonica, Ligustrum japonicum, and Cinnamomum yabunikkei were dominant in the understory layer, and Trachelospermum asiaticum, C. japonica, and C. sieboldii were dominant in the shrub layer. The comparison of the results of the diameter of breast height (DBH) analysis with the past data showed that the ratio of large-sized trees in the C. sieboldii and Q. acuta, which dominated the canopy layer, increased. However, there was no difference in the distribution of C. japonica and L. japonicum in the understory layer. In the future, it is necessary to generate a precision inhabiting vegetation map around the Natural Reserve to understand the actual habitation of evergreen broad-leaved trees and rezone the protective districts of evergreen broad-leaved trees forest with the watershed concept to preserve the evergreen broad-leaved forests of Mt. Cheomchalsan in Jindo.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.385-392
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• 2014

Quercus gilva Blume is an evergreen-leaved tree that belongs to Facaceae and grows in tropical and warm-temperate regions, such as Japan, Taiwan, China and Korea. This study was carried out to analyze the distribution and growth characteristics of Q. gilva in the native range. In Korea, this species was distributed in Jeju Island between 80 and 350 meter above sea level, and mainly in the south-western regions of the island from 100 to 200 meter above sea level. The average height of Q. gilva was $9.8{\pm}1.9$ meter, with most trees 9 and 12 meter tall. The average diameter at breast height was $22.6{\pm}6.8$ centimeter, with the majority between 20 and 30 centimeter. Several coppice shoots ($3.8{\pm}2.1$ pieces) were formed from stumps and inferred by frequent cuttings for use. Almost Q. gilva individuals(96.2%) were covered with kinds of vines(18 species), and evergreen Trachelospermim asiaticum (Siebold et Zucc.) Nakai was major species. The analysis of damage of vines revealed that the most dead branches were found with 9 to 12 meter height of Q. gilva, and the more vines attached, the larger damage to Q. gilva individuals. A continuous monitoring and investigation would be required to preserve this species in their habitats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.569-575
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this research was to study the electrical properties and quality of frozen-thawed chicken breast meat and to investigate the relationship between these parameters at different times of frozen storage. Methods: Thawed samples of chicken breast muscles were evaluated after being kept in frozen storage at $-18^{\circ}C$ for different periods of time (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 months). Results: The results showed that water-holding capacity (WHC) and protein solubility decreased while thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances content increased with increasing storage time. The impedance module of samples decreased during 8-month frozen storage. Pearson correlation coefficients showed that the impedance change ratio (Q value) was significantly (p<0.05) related to pH, color, WHC, lipid oxidation and protein solubility, indicating a good relationship between the electrical properties and qualities of frozen-thawed chicken breast meat. Conclusion: Impedance measurement has a potential to assess the quality of frozen chicken meat combining with quality indices.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9655-9660
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• 2014

Background: Nigella Sativa (NS) is an herb from the Ranunculaceae family that exhibits numerous medicinal properties and has been used as important constituent of many complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs). The ability of NS to kill cancer cells such as PC3, HeLa and hepatoma cells is well established. However, our understanding of the mode of death caused by NS remains nebulous. The objective of this study was to gain further insight into the mode and mechanism of death caused by NS in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Materials and Methods: Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were treated with a methanolic extract of NS, and a dose- and time-dependent study was performed. The $IC_{50}$ was calculated using a Cell Titer $Blue^{(R)}$ viability assay assay, and evidence for DNA fragmentation was obtained by fluorescence microscopy TUNEL assay. Gene expression was also profiled for a number of apoptosis-related genes (Caspase-3, -8, -9 and p53 genes) through qPCR. Results: The $IC_{50}$ of MCF-7 cells was $62.8{\mu}L/mL$. When MCF-7 cells were exposed to $50{\mu}L/mL$ and $100{\mu}L/mL$ NS for 24h, 48h and 72h, microscopic examination (TUNEL assay) revealed a dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptosis. Similarly, the expression of the Caspase-3, -8, -9 and p53 genes increased significantly according to the dose and time. Conclusions: NS induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through both the p53 and caspase pathways. NS could potentially represent an alternative source of medicine for breast cancer therapy.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.708-722
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• 2010

This study was carried out to classify vegetation structure of the Hyangjeokbong in the Deogyusan National Park using the gradient analysis and phytosociological method. The vegetation was classified into Quercus mongolica community(Rhododendron schlippenbachii subcommunity, typical subcommunity), Q. serrata community, Q. variabillis community, Pinus densiflora community, Cornus controversa community, Fraxinus mandshurica community and Taxus cuspidata community. Ecological characteristics such as species composition, layer structure, vegetation ratio, and the distribution of individual trees by DBH(diameter at breast height) were significantly different among communities. The order of important value of the forest community with DBH 2cm above plants was Q. mongolica(81.2), F. mandshurica, Q. serrata, P. densiflora, Acer pseudosieboldianum, Q. variabillis, Rhododendron schlippenbachii, C. controversa, T. cuspidata. Distribution of DBH of Q. mongolica and Q. serrata had suggesting a continuous domination of these species over the other species for the time being. In contrast, F. mandshurica appeared limited to the valley of the sheet and a higher frequency of young individuals, suggesting a continuous domination of these species the development of a climax forest terrain. P. densiflora and T. cuspidata had suggesting a continuous domination of these species over the other species for the time being in maintain. Q. variabilis and C. controversa had a formality distribution, suggesting a continuous domination of these species over the other species for the time being. This study examined the correlation between each community and the environment according to DCCA ordination. The Q. mongolica community and T. cuspidata community predominated in the highest elevation habitats which had few moisture, Ca and in the low pH. The Q. serrata community mainly occurred in the low elevation habitats which had many moisture. P. densiflora community predominated in the middle elevation and south-facing slope habitats which had few moisture, Ca and in the low pH. F. mandshurica community predominated in the low elevation habitats which had many moisture, Ca and pH.

• Journal of Korea Foresty Energy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2006

Quercus mongolica is the most common hardwood species distributed in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the biomass and energy content of the belowground biomass of Q. mongolica and to obtain the regression equation for estimating root biomass using the tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH). A total of 18 sample trees ranging 20 to 60 year-old were selected in the study sites. Tree height, DBH, age, and weight of stemwood, sapwood, heartwood, stembark, branch, leaf, and root were measured for total biomass. The highly positive correlation was shown between the biomass of most of variables of aboveground components and root biomass. The regression equation of the aboveground total biomass was $log\;W_A\;=\;1.469\;+\;0.992\;log\;D^2H\;(R^2 =0.99)$. The regression equation of the belowground biomass was $log\;W_R\;=\;1.527\;+\;0.808\;log\;D^2H\;(R^2\;=\;0.97)$. The mean energy contents of sapwood, heartwood, bark, leaf, and root were 19,594 J/g DW, 19,571 J/g DW, 19,999 J/g DW, 20,664 J/g DW, and 19,273 J/g DW, respectively. The results obtained from this study can be used to estimate biomass and energy content of belowground using easily measurable variables such as DBH and tree height ranging from 20 to 60-year-old Q. mongolica stands.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6949-6953
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• 2013

Background: Nowadays, the encapsulation of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents is attracting interest as a method for drug delivery. We hypothesized that the efficiency of helenalin might be maximized by encapsulation in ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin nanoparticles. Helenalin, with a hydrophobic structure obtained from flowers of Arnica chamissonis and Arnica Montana, has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activity but low water solubility and bioavailability. ${\beta}$-Cyclodextrin (${\beta}$-CD) is a cyclic oligosaccharide comprising seven D-glucopyranoside units, linked through 1,4-glycosidic bonds. Materials and Methods: To test our hypothesis, we prepared ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin-helenalin complexes to determine their inhibitory effects on telomerase gene expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and cytotoxic effects by colorimetric cell viability (MTT) assay. Results: MTT assay showed that not only ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin has no cytotoxic effect on its own but also it demonstrated that ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin-helenalin complexes inhibited the growth of the T47D breast cancer cell line in a time and dose-dependent manner. Our q-PCR results showed that the expression of telomerase gene was effectively reduced as the concentration of ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin-helenalin complexes increased. Conclusions: ${\beta}$-Cyclodextrin-helenalin complexes exerted cytotoxic effects on T47D cells through down-regulation of telomerase expression and by enhancing Helenalin uptake by cells. Therefore, ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin could be superior carrier for this kind of hydrophobic agent.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.347-352
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• 2021

In this paper, we propose a method for finding feature subsets that are effective for classification in an input dataset by using a multi-agent reinforcement learning method. In the field of machine learning, it is crucial to find features suitable for classification. A dataset may have numerous features; while some features may be effective for classification or prediction, others may have little or rather negative effects on results. In machine learning problems, feature selection for increasing classification or prediction accuracy is a critical problem. To solve this problem, we proposed a feature selection method based on reinforced learning. Each feature has one agent, which determines whether the feature is selected. After obtaining corresponding rewards for each feature that is selected, but not by the agents, the Q-value of each agent is updated by comparing the rewards. The reward comparison of the two subsets helps agents determine whether their actions were right. These processes are performed as many times as the number of episodes, and finally, features are selected. As a result of applying this method to the Wisconsin Breast Cancer, Spambase, Musk, and Colon Cancer datasets, accuracy improvements of 0.0385, 0.0904, 0.1252 and 0.2055 were shown, respectively, and finally, classification accuracies of 0.9789, 0.9311, 0.9691 and 0.9474 were achieved, respectively. It was proved that our proposed method could properly select features that were effective for classification and increase classification accuracy.