• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.446-452
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• 2021

As a higher standard for food consumption is required, the consumption of chicken meat that can satisfy the subdivided food preferences is increasing. In March 2003, the quality criteria for chicken carcasses notified by the Livestock Quality Assessment Service suggested quality grades according to fecal contamination and the size and weight of blood and bruises. On the other hand, it is too difficult for human inspection to qualify mass products, which is key to maintaining consistency for grading thousands of chicken carcasses. This paper proposed the computer vision algorithm as a non-destructive inspection, which can identify chicken carcass parts according to the detailed standards. To inspect the chicken carcasses conveyed at high speed, the image calibration was involved in providing robustness to the side effect of external lighting interference. The separation between chicken and background was achieved by a series of image processing, such as binarization based on Expectation Maximization, Erosion, and Labeling. In terms of shape analysis of chicken carcasses, the features are presented to reveal geometric information. After applying the algorithm to 78 chicken carcass samples, the algorithm was effective in segmenting chicken carcass against a background and analyzing its geometric features.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.248-262
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• 2021

Marine planktonic ciliates include two major groups, loricated tintinnids and naked oligotrichs. The study of marine ciliate plankton in Korea began with taxonomic efforts on tintinnids based on the morphology of lorica, a vase-shaped shell. Despite polymorphism in the lorica, it is utilized as a key characteristic in identification of tintinnid species. However, oligotrichs have been studied only recently in Korea due to challenges associated with the observation of ciliary arrangements and the technical development for cell staining. Species diversity and phylogenetic classification of the ciliates have been informed by recent advances in morphological and molecular analyses. Illustrations of the planktonic ciliate in Korea have been published on the basis of taxonomic data of tintinnids and oligotrichs. Planktonic ciliates acting as the major consumers of pico- and nanoplankton as well as the prey of mesozooplankton, has been monitored by spatial and temporal investigations in Korean coastal waters. A practical approach addressing the limitations and potential of marine ciliate studies in Korea is proposed here to improve the data quality of planktonic ciliates, providing an enhanced basis for quality control of ciliate monitoring.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.644-658
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• 2021

Understanding the functional traits of dominant species in urban ecosystems provides insight into species' trait adaptation and ecosystem function in response to fragmented and isolated urban vegetation and reduced biological interactions. This study compared means and variances of environmental factors (geographic, meteorological, and soil attributes) and 4 leaf traits (leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry mass content, and leaf shape index) and 7 reproductive traits (fruit width, fruit length, fruit shape, fruit dry weight, fruit dry matter content, seed weight, and seed ratio) measured of 40 Sorbus alnifolia individuals in four mountainous areas south of Seoul downtown, South Korea. We then performed the multivariate analysis of trait combinations. While the measured environmental factors indicated the individuality of the survey sites, the urban vegetation was drier and had a longer growth period. The leaves of S. alnifolia in the urban areas were smaller and heavier, and the fruits produced longer and lighter seeds, showing the traits affected by long urbanization. The study confirmed changes in the growth and reproduction mechanism of the S. alnifolia population under the urban environment, indicating reduced biological interaction due to vegetation fragmentation and isolation. This study provides limited but distinct ecological information about the function and persistence of key species in cities with a reduced scale of biological interactions and many negative environmental factors such as air pollution.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

Background: A validation study is needed to make domestic applications of German Kneipp therapy. Purpose: The study aims to test the effect of a Kneipp therapeutic program in a domestic forest environment on the autonomic nervous system. Methods: The program was made considering the 4 key elements ('exercise', 'regulative therapy', 'nutrition', and 'phytotherapy') of the Kneipp therapy. Total 3 sessions (once a week for 5 hours in each session) were performed to 40 domestic adults divided into four groups (10 in each group). HRV was measured on the subjects before and after the intervention, and its 6 characteristic parameters (TP, VLF, LF, HF, LF/HF, CSI: Cumulative Stress Index) were compared for statistical analysis. Results: For 33 subjects excluding 7 who were disturbed by interrupt factors during measurements, significant improvements after the intervention, were observed in TP(8.64%, p < ..001), VLF(6.96%, p < .05), LF(15.86%, p < .001), HF(8.46%, p < .01), LF/HF(5.77%, p < .05) and CSI(-16.06%, p < ..001). Conclusions: The Kneipp therapy performed in the forest environment was shown to activate the autonomic nervous system and in particular the sympathetic and parasympatheric nervous to promote heart activity, and was also shown to most significantly reduce cumulative stress. The present observations would be the first preliminary evidence that the Kneipp therapeutic interventation in a domestic forest environment results in positive responses of the autonomic nervous system including stress relief.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.63-74
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• 2022

Objective : Gastritis refers to an inflammatory disease of the gastric mucosa. Alcohol is one of the main aggression factors, causing bleeding and inflammation in the gastric mucosa and it is known to not only increase lipid peroxide levels, but also deplete key antioxidant factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus water extract (URW) in alcohol-induced gastritis. Methods : The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of URW were confirmed through an in vitro experiment. Also, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity were confirmed. For in vivo experiments, mice were divided into 4 groups (n=8). Also, 1 hr after oral administration of each drug, 50% ethanol was orally administered to induce gastritis. Results : As a result of in vitro experiments, URW showed excellent antioxidant activity. In alcohol-induced gastritis, URW alleviated the damage to the gastric mucosa caused by alcohol. Also, URW decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum and gastric tissues, and significantly decreased the expression of NADPH oxidases in gastric tissues. In addition, it significantly modulated the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-𝜅B p65 (NF-𝜅B) pathways as well as significantly increased the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins. Conclusions : These results suggest that URW not only reduces oxidative stress through excellent antioxidant activity but also relieves gastric mucosal inflammation as a regulator of Nrf2 and NF-𝜅B pathways.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.39-46
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• 2021

Objectives : AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key metabolic regulator that reduces lipogenesis. AMPK is mainly activated via phosphorylation of liver kinase B (LKB) 1 under energy stress. Here, we highlighted the anti-obesity effect and underlying mechanism of Coix lacryma-jobi var. mayuen Stapf sprout water extract (CSW) sprout extract in connection with the LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway. Methods : C57BL/6 mice (20~25 g) fed HFD to induce obesity and at the same time administered CSW 100 mg/kg (CSWL; (CSWL; CSW low concentration) or CSW 200 mg/kg (CSWH; CSW high concentration) or Garcinia extract (Garcinia) 200 mg/kg orally for 6 weeks. Body weight and food intake were measured at the same time each day. After 6 weeks of CSW administration, liver tissue and serum were obtained through an autopsy. After the end of the experiment, biochemical analysis (triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol) was performed on the serum. And then, protein levels related to TG and TC synthesis were measured through western blot analysis in liver tissue. Results : As a result, serum TG, TC, and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly increased in the control group and significantly decreased in the CSW administration group. On the other hand, the HDL-cholesterol level was increased in the CSW-administered group. And as a result of Western blot analysis, CSW significantly increased the phosphorylation of LKB1 & AMPK, and remarkably decreased the expression of factors related to TG and TC synthesis. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that CSW influences the TG and TC synthesis to positively affect HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.213-219
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• 2023

The wetland ecosystem has a key role in climate change and can capture and store carbon long-term as blue carbon. Currently, the Republic of Korea and People's Republic of China are preparing for the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Phase II inscription, and cross-border cooperation among the two Koreas and the People's Republic of China is expected in term of the coastal wetland in the Yellow Sea region. However, there is a lack of research on the importance of coastal wetland in the Yellow Sea region for migratory bird habitats, roosting sites, feeding grounds, and stop-over sites. Thus, this study focused on the coastal wetland of the Yellow Sea region, including the southwestern coastal wetlands in the Republic of Korea, the Yancheng National Nature Reserve in the People's Republic of China designated as UNESCO World Natural Heritage, and the Mundok Migratory Bird Reserve in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which is listed on the Tentative List. The cooperation for ecosystem conservation between the two Koreas and China was analyzed. The importance of coastal wetlands in the Yellow Sea region as habitats for migratory birds, roosting sites, feeding grounds, and stop-over sites, significant characteristics of Yellow Sea coastal wetlands, and conditions for cooperation among three countries, were analyzed. The direction of ecosystem conservation cooperation for coastal wetlands in the Yellow Sea region in this study will be developed into Pan-Yellow Sea conservation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.427-431
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• 2013

Paprika fruits should be stored and distributed at above $7^{\circ}C$ to prevent chilling injury but the small amount of paprika that transports with other horticultural products in refrigerated container by ship usually stored less than $5^{\circ}C$ for other products. In this case, paprika fruits cannot help exposing chilling temperature, so that the paprika must be lost marketable value during a long period of transfer. This study was conducted to compare the alleviated effects of high $CO_2$ treatment (passive MAP), heat (hot water dipping), and UVc treatment on chilling injury of paprika fruits due to low temperature storage, and also to decide if these treatments can be used for transporting under $5^{\circ}C$. After each treatment the paprika were put in the low temperature storage ($4^{\circ}C$) for 20 days and afterwards change the in room temperature ($20^{\circ}C$) for 5 days. The fresh weight loss of all the treatments except the high $CO_2$ treatment showed around 7~12% after 25 days of storage and the ethylene concentration showed periodical increases and decreases as around 3 ${\mu}l/l$. The $CO_2$ concentration was rapidly increased 33% carbon dioxide in high $CO_2$ treatment during room temperature storage after cold storage for 20 days. The firmness which is key quality characteristics during storage and is decreasing caused by chilling injury was not significantly different among all treatments. However, the firmness of stored paprika was maintained highest in the treated with hot water dipping. Therefore, HWD and UVc treatment that showed 60% of electrolyte leakage in the $4^{\circ}C$ control (chilling injury control) and similar level with the $7^{\circ}C$ control (non-chilling injury control) would be effective to alleviate chilling injury in the stored paprika.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.26-27
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• 2018

With entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol to promote the fair sharing of the benefits of accessing and utilizing genetic resources, much support has been given to research on the development of biomaterials and products using domestic natural resources. Conservation and resource-saving of native species became very important through Nagoya Protocol enactment. The trend of cosmetic industry has been shifing from use synthetic chemicals to natural biomaterials, due to the safety regulations on new materials, ban on animal experiments, and expansion of cosmeceuticals range. In addition, functional cosmetic range has been expanded from whitening, wrinkle improvement, and ultraviolet shielding, to hair loss, hair loss alleviation, acne relaxation, and moisturizing of atopic skin, thus causing the activation of research about field of efficacy evaluation on natural biomaterials and commercialization. Chungbuk province is fostering the bio industry as a key industry for regional economic growth. For this purpose, Osong Biotechnology Complex/Ochang Science Industrial Complex in middle area, Jecheon biovalley in northern region, and Chungju Enterprise city have been established, thus playing a pivotal role in Bio innovative cluster in Korea. In particular, it was established the osong cosmetics clinical research support center to develop the cosmetics industry in chungbuk, thereby supporting clinical trials, efficacy evaluations, overseas certification, and overseas market entry in order to advance into the global market. In addition, oriental plants such as astragalus propinquus, schisandra chinensis, eucommia, alpiniae oxyphyllae fructus and biancaea sappan are being actively studied as global cosmetic ingredients through the promotion of various national research and development projects using natural materials in chungbuk province. The chungbuk natural product industry is expected to grow further throughout cosmetics industry development in the future, as companies and research institutes are actively promoting the secure index of effective material in natural products and effective material commercialization.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2017

This research was aimed to establish rapid analysis technique for the determination of nitrate ($NO_3{^-}$) concentration in the leaves of paprika, which has key role for the stable vegetative and reproductive growth. Leaf petiole and blade sap of two paprika cultivars ('Raon red' and 'Raon yellow') were used for the determination of $NO_3{^-}$ concentration, separately using rapid detection kit (RQ-flex) and spectroscopy quantification methods. In addition, two paprika cultivars namely, 'Nicole' and 'TP2001' were used to determine the status of $NO_3{^-}$ concentration in leaf of each fruiting group. $NO_3{^-}$ concentration in leaf blade sap and the content in leaf showed significant correlation ($R^2=0.8628$), analysed by RQ-flex and spectroscopy methods, respectively. Furthermore, leaf petiole sap and the content in leaf also showed significant correlation ($R^2=0.6734$) but the relationship was poor compared to leaf blade sap and the leaf content. $NO_3{^-}$ concentration in petiole sap decreased in all the cultivars from early to late fruiting group. The higher concentration in the lower leaves and the continuous decrease towards the upper leaves in the both years were found through the analysis of $NO_3{^-}$ concentration in different leaf position. In addition, daily short-term fluctuation of $NO_3{^-}$ in petiole sap could be rapidly monitored. These results showed that long-term or short-term monitoring by test strip-based rapid analysis technique might be useful tool for the diagnosis of nutritional status for the stable of nutritional management in paprika.