• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.214-222
• /
• 2015

Aeromonas hydrophila is the most common water fish pathogen and cause diseases such as hemorrhagic septicemia, dropsy, ulceration and asymptomatic septicemia. A. hydrophila secretes many extracellular products (ECPs) which contribute to effective infection, wide distribution and great adaptability to environmental changes. Crude ECPs of A. hydrophila CK257, a strain used in this study, exhibits a toxic activity to the animals including mouse, rabbit and fish. Toxic symptoms were indicated by tissue damage and skin injuries in animal. When ECPs were subcutaneously injected to animals, skin damages were observed, appearing like necrosis. Preliminary research demonstrated that the active factors are protein component. The crude ECPs were collected after ammonium sulfate precipitation of cell-free culture supernatant. ECPs were fractionated with the use gel filtration chromatography. Five ECP fractions were obtained, of which one fraction was found to be toxic to goldfish. MALDI-TOF analyses provided two interesting proteases called M35 and M28. Both M35 and M28 are known as metalloprotease. Accordingly, proteins in an active fraction exhibited caseinolytic activity. These proteins were difference of caseinolytic activity under different metallic ions. Also active fraction has elastolytic activity. These results suggested that peptidase M28 and M35 may be a candidate factor for tissue necrosis activity about infection with A. hydrophila.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.522-526
• /
• 2006

To investigate the characteristics of rainwater in Daegu area, parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, TOC, TIC and TC were analyzed on 34 samples from January to December 2005. Results revealed that higher values were measured in winter than in summer. Furthermore samples that originated from industrial and commercial areas had higher chemical concentrations and conductivity as compared with those from residential and reference areas. Seldom acid-rain occurrence was recorded(27.2%) as compared with non-acid precipitation(72.8%) incidence. Also higher organic carbon fraction(TOC) was detected(72.5%) than inorganic form(TIC)(27.5%) in terms of component ratio with TC. During frequent rainfalls, the concentration of chemicals was decreased to a degree. Conversely, lower rate of rainfall gave out higher chemical values. Thereby the improvement of air qualify in 2005 compare with 2003 report was influenced by the environment authorities' efforts to reduce air pollutions and various factors by the depression of the region's economy.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.21 no.1 s.52
• /
• pp.45-56
• /
• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate seasonal distributions of fine particles ($PM_{2.5}$) and associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at three cities. $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected on glass fiber filters at urban (Chuncheon), metropolitan (Seoul), and industrial complex sites (Ulsan) from September, 2002 to February, 2004 using the Andersen FH 95 Particulate Sampler. About five 24-hour samples were collected from each site per season. The filters were analyzed for mass and six selected PAHs concentrations. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were the highest either in winter or spring, which could be attributed to the increase of fossil fuel combustion in winter or the transport of yellow sand to the Korean peninsula from China in spring, respectively. Regional $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were higher in the order of Seoul>Chuncheon>Ulsan without statistical difference among cities. The filters were extracted using dichloromethane in an ultrasonicator and analyzed for six PAHs (anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene) with HPLC. Total PAHs concentrations were statistically different among seasons in each site, and the highest concentrations were observed in winter at each sampling site. For total samples collected, the median total PAHs concentrations in Chuncheon ($4.6ng/m^3$) and Seoul ($4.4ng/m^3$) were approximately two times higher than that in Ulsan ($2.1ng/m^3$). Chrysene was a component found in the highest proportion among total PAHs at each site. Carcinogenic risks calculated based on the BaP toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) over the whole sampling period were higher in the order of Chuncheon>Seoul>Ulsan. This study suggests that the atmosphere of Chuncheon is contaminated with particulate matter and PAHs at the levels equivalent to those of Seoul and that an appropriate measure needs to be taken to mitigate human health risks from inhalation exposure to airborne fine particles.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.161-168
• /
• 2012

The abnormal maturation and ossification of articular chondrocytes play a central role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Inhibiting the enzymatic degradation of the extracellular matrix and maintaining the cellular phenotype are two of the major goals of interest in managing OA. Ginseng is frequently taken orally, as a crude substance, as a traditional medicine in Asian countries. Ginsenoside $Rb_1$, a major component of ginseng that contains an aglycone with a dammarane skeleton, has been reported to exhibit various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. However, a chondroprotective effect of ginsenoside $Rb_1$ related to OA has not yet been reported. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the chondroprotective effect of ginsenoside $Rb_1$ on the regulation of pro-inflammatory factors and chondrogenic genes. Cultured rat articular chondrocytes were treated with 100 ${\mu}M$ ginsenoside $Rb_1$ and/or 500 ${\mu}M$ hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) and assessed for viability, reactive oxygen species production, nitric oxide (NO) release, and chondrogenic gene expression. Ginsenoside $Rb_1$ treatment resulted in reductions in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine and NO in $H_2O_2$-treated chondrocytes. The expression levels of chondrogenic genes, such as type II collagen and SOX9, were increased in the presence of ginsenoside $Rb_1$, whereas the expression levels of inflammatory genes related to chondrocytes, such as MMP1 and MMP13, were reduced by approximately 50%. These results suggest that ginsenoside $Rb_1$ has potential for use as a therapeutic agent in OA patients.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
• /
• v.10 no.11
• /
• pp.340-350
• /
• 2020

This study was conducted to present comprehensive professionalism measurement tools suitable for hospital administration staffs. The study used measurement tools related to the psychological and behavioral characteristics of individuals used in prior studies for administration staffs at general hospitals and hospitals. Factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted to verify the validity and internal relevance. As a result of the analysis, it was concluded that composed of 5 factors, and that the total reliability was 94.4%, which was very reasonable as a comprehensive professionalism measurement tool. Therefore, each component was defined as Confidence of Job performance, Salary Adequacy, Pride in Duties, Ability to achieve work goals, and Work Autonomy in order to provide a clear meaning. Professionalism from a modern perspective is a broader concept than traditional professionalism, including the subjective perceptions of job values and individuals' their abilities. Therefore, comprehensive professionalism measurement tools presented in this study will be very suitable and useful for hospital administration staffs.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.91-104
• /
• 2017

The purposes of this study were to analyze high school students' understanding about the Earth system and systems thinking process, and to develop science writing programs designed to assess students' understanding about themes of Earth Science such as global warming, volcanoes, and desertification. A total of 8 $11^{th}$ grade students from general high schools participated in the writing program and draw the causal maps. The methods of this study are as follows. First, DAET-C was used to investigate the way of students' understanding about the Earth systems. What the students' best understood was the component of the Earth systems followed by the interaction of the Earth systems and the scientific literacy of Earth science. Second, feedback circulations on the causal maps were found in four students in global warming section, one student in volcanic eruption section, and four students in desertification section, which means that systems thinking was not largely employed by the students. Consequently, the student participants understood that the global change was happening in correlation with complex concepts and factors, but they were short of using systems thinking in their science study. Therefore, the result of this study suggests that more studies be conducted to develop systems thinking in Earth Science learning through science writing programs.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.77-82
• /
• 2011

The use of soft magnetic materials have been increasing in the various industrial fields according to the increasing demand for high performance, automatic, miniaturing equipments in the recent our life. In this study, we investigated the effect of factors on the core loss and magnetic properties of electrical steel and soft magnetic composites. Furthermore, we reviewed the major efforts to reduce the core loss and improve the soft magnetic properties in the two main soft magnetic materials. Domain purification which results from reduced density of defects in cleaner electrical steels is combined with large grains to reduce hysteresis loss. The reduced thickness and the high electrical conductivity reduce the eddy current component of loss. Furthermore, the coating applied to the surface of electrical steel and texture control lead to improve high permeability and low core loss. There is an increasing interest in soft magnetic composite materials because of the demand for miniaturization of cores for power electronic applications. The SMC materials have a broad range of potential applications due to the possibility of true 3-D electromagnetic design and higher frequency operation. Grain size, sintering temperature, and the degree of porosity need to be carefully controlled in order to optimize structure-sensitive properties such as maximum permeability and low coercive force. The insulating coating on the powder particles in SMCs eliminates particle-to-particle eddy current paths hence minimizing eddy current losses, but it reduces the permeability and to a small extent the saturation magnetization. The combination of new chemical composition with optimum powder manufacturing processes will be able to result in improving the magnetic properties in soft magnetic composite materials, too.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.439-446
• /
• 2015

The turnout system, which determines the direction of the train, is not only a key system but also a vulnerable system. Failure of this system may lead to a delay of the train or even casualties. In this light, it is necessary to precisely the conditions of the turnout system. Currently, ROADMASTER of Germany is used as a diagnostic system in Korea. However, a new diagnostic system should be developed for optimized operation of the turnout system with maintenance that is suitable for the Korean railway environment. In this paper, a Fault Tree Analysis for the representative faults of the turnout system is conducted and physical quantities, which can be the cause of the fault, are classified according to the component and function. Also, the measuring factors for the monitoring are derived and a decision making theory is suggested. On the basis of the results, we propose a new turnout diagnostic system that can provide more driverse and precise information than the conventional system.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.47-65
• /
• 2014

VMS(Variable Message Sign) helps drivers to choose their path to destinations on roadways. Some types of VMS often provide traffic information with clearly visible and comprehensible graphical route diagrams. Currently many diagramed types of VMS are installed on urban arterial and highways. This type of VMS surely enhances drivers' ability to comprehend traffic route information while they are driving on the roadway. Nevertheless, some of them are presented with so much information and design elements and they sometimes lead to decline of drivers' comprehensible level for traffic information. Drivers would fail to decide their preferable route in this state of information overflow. The purpose of this paper is to develop a drivers preference model for effective design principle including size and height of displaying font, and the amount of information in the route diagram considering driving speed, sex and age of the driver. This model is developed using structural equation modeling techniques. This model considers driver's emotional factor and, human factor and design component of route diagram. To collect data, we built driving simulator which is able to replicate real driving condition. 72 people who participated in the simulation were selected considering gender and age. The developed model showed that the amount of information, and visibility are more influential factors to the drivers' preference of the route diagram on VMS than design elements such as the shape and the font of the diagram.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.449-459
• /
• 1997

The main component of dental plaque is the mutan containing the a-1,3 bond. The following results were obtained by using a blue mutan to assess the factors affecting the mutan-digesting activity of Streptomyces exfoliatus isolated from soil. A clear zone was produced by mutanase-producing Streptomyces exfoliatus on the minimal essential agar containing blue mutan. Streptomyces exfoliatus digested more blue mutan in the minimal essential broth at pH 7.0 than at pH 5.5 or 8.5. Streptomyces exfoliatus digested more blue mutan at $37^{\circ}C$ than at $32^{\circ}C$ or $42^{\circ}C$ (P<0.05). When the concentration of $CaCl_2$ was increased in the minimal essential broth, the digestion of blue mutan was increased (P<0.05). The optimal concentration of KCl was 10mM to digest blue mutan, but a similar amount of blue mutan was digested at the range of 0.1mM to 6.4mM of $MgCl_2$. When the culture supernatant of Streptomyces exfoliatus was mixed with 2X brain heart infusion broth containing 0.5% yeast extract and 10% sucrose, less artificial plaque was formed by Streptococcus mutans on the orthodontic wire (P<0.05). These results indicated that the secretion of mutanase was identified in culture supernatant of mutan-digesting Streptomyces exfoliatus, suppressing the formation of artificial plaque by Streptococcus mutans.