• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2010

Most of investigations about the effects of dam construction on the surrounding environments have focused mainly on the change of climate conditions and crop production. In order to research the effect of dam construction on the surrounding vegetation, we chose the Soyanggang dam whose storage capacity is the largest in Korea, and was built 33 years ago. We surveyed and analyzed the surrounding vegetation by using quadrat method and measured the soil moisture content among floodplain (FP), 5m above the flood plain (AFP) and control group (CG) which is 3km far from the lake through ridge. The largest value of mean importance percentage of the canopy~understory layer at FP was Salix koreensis (87.9%) and those of AFP and CG was Quercus mongolica (38.9% and 40.4% respectively) and the largest important percentage of the herb layer at FP was Artemisia capillaris (34.2%) and those of AFP and CG was Oplismenus undulatifolius var. undulatifolius (9.4% and 24.6% respectively). The Shannon-Wiener diversity index of shrub~canopy layer at FP (0.26) was lower than AFP (2.34) and CG (2.23) and there was not any significant difference in the herb layer among three groups. The S${\o}$rensen similarity index between FP and AFP, FP and CG was 0, and that of AFP and CG was relatively high. The highest density of tree and subtree with the DBH level of FP was S. koreensis of 5~10cm (240/ha), and that of AFP and CG was Quercus spp. of 15~20cm (400/ha and 466/ha respectively). And the highest density of seedlings of FP was Pinus densiflora (7,040/ha), and that of AFP and CG was Quercus spp. (720/ha and 400/ha respectively). The soil water content of FP (6.28%) was relatively lower than AFP and CG (11.13% and 10.14% respectively; p<.01). These results indicated that construction of Soyanggang dam changed the vegetation of the floodplain, without showing a change in its upland areas.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.99-108
• /
• 2010

The principal objective of this study was to investigate the cooling effects of geothermal heat pump system (GHPS) in farrowing house. A total of 96 sows were allocated to 2 pig housings (GHPS and conventional housing) with 48 for four weeks in summer season. During the experimental period of four weeks, the highest outside temperature observed was approximately $34.1^{\circ}C$, GHPS decrease indoor temperature of pig housing up to $30.9^{\circ}C$, but conventional pig housing was similar to outside temperature. Dust concentrations (maximum 61.4%) of particulate matter less than $10{\mu}m$ (PM 10) in GHPS-housing were lower than the conventional housing. GHPS showed no signigicant difference in carbon dioxide emission, whereas the ammonia gas concentration was significantly decreased in GHPS-housing compared to that of conventional housing. Sows in GHPS-housing showed significantly lower respiratory rate than those of the control group. GHPS did not affect hormone level, litter size and birth weight, but weaning weight of piglets was influenced by GHPS. Feed consumption of sows was significantly increased in GHPS-housing compared to the conventional hosing. These results suggest that GHPS decrease dust concentration, ammonia gas emission and indoor temperature of pig housing and may affect performance in sows and weaned piglets.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.103-108
• /
• 2010

To obtain the best yield of the beneficial ingredients in green tea, such as catechins, green tea powder is most often prepared by ethyl alcohol extraction. However, the taste, cost and composition of ethyl alcohol extract is different from aqueous spray-dried green tea extract (aq-GTE). Specifically, aq-GTE has a better flavor, lower production costs and higher purity when compared to ethyl alcohol extract. In this study, we elucidated the effect of aq-GTE on diet-induced obesity in male C57BL/6J mice following dose-dependent oral administration of aq-GTE. After eight weeks, the body weight was reduced by 13-17% in mice fed 200 mg/kg bw aq-GTE ($12.468{\pm}0.45\;g$; p<0.05) and 20-25% in mice fed 400 mg/kg bw aq-GTE ($11.259{\pm}0.61\;g$; p<0.05) when compared with the high-fat diet (HFD) control group mice ($14.714{\pm}0.95\;g$; p<0.05). The correlation between epididymal fat accumulation and body weight also decreased by approximately 26.6% (p<0.05) in mice fed a HFD with aq-GTE 400 mg/kg bw. Finally, serum parameters such as the triglyceride, glucose and cholesterol levels in the HFD groups were reduced by the aq-GTE 400 mg/kg bw diet. Analysis on glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, blood urea nitrogen and development of hepatic steatosis revealed no histologic evidence of hepatotoxicity in HFD mice fed aq-GTE. Overall, our results imply that aq-GTE is able to regulate body weight and fat accumulation in mice.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.34-42
• /
• 2016

In order to prepare for the type approval test for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Phase-II of Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS), a phytoplankton mass culture was conducted in a mesocosm enclosure. We evaluated the response of the phytoplankton community after nutrient addition (+N, +P, and +NP) and investigated the development of the species with increasing culture time. After nutrient dosing, the phytoplankton population significantly (p < 0.05) increased from day 1 to day 3, depending on the nutrient treatments In particular, the specific growth rate of the phytoplankton community in the case of +NP treatment and + N treatment were estimated to be $2.47d^{-1}$ and $1.98d^{-1}$, respectively. The phytoplankton population density in the case of + NP treatment was approximately 50 times higher than that of the control group, suggesting that these treatments could be useful for mass culturing phytoplankton (> 75% of natural community) for the approval regulation of USCG Phase-II. In the phytoplankton community of the mesocosm, Pseudo-nitzchia spp. dominated in the logarithmic growth phase. The cell density decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing time, coinciding with the nutrient limitation. At that time, the dominance of Pseudo-nitzchia spp. shifted to that of Cylindrotheca closterium. Therefore, the optimum nutrient concentration ($N:30{\mu}M$, $P:3{\mu}M$) and reasonable harvesting time (after 3 days in summer) found in this study for the mass culturing of phytoplankton may be helpful to meet the USCG Phase-II biological criteria to be used in BWTS.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.102-110
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to obtain the basic information for the improvement of dental environment by investigating the presence of methicillin- or vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA or VRSA) isolated from dental health care workers (DHCWs) and environment of the Chosun University Dental Hospital (CUDH) and a private dental clinic (control group). Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was isolated from anterior nares of 42 DHCWS and 38 sites, unit chairss, x-ray devices, computers, etc., at 10 departments of the CUDH and 20 DHCWs and 11 sites at the private dental clinic. S. aureus was isolated on mannitol salt agar plate and confirmed by PCR with S. aureus species-specific primer. Antimicrobial susceptibility test of clinical isolates of S. aureus against several antibiotics including methicillin (oxacillin) was performed by investigating minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using broth microdilution assay. In addition, PCR was performed to detect the methicillin- or vancomycin-resistant gene. The data showed that one strain of S. aureus was isolated from DHCWs of the CUDH and three strains of S. aureus was isolated from 3 samples of the private dental clinic, respectively. All of the isolates from the CUDH and the private dental clinic had resistance to penicillin G, amoxicillin and vancomycin and susceptibility to oxacillin and ciprofloxacin. The S. aureus strains were already obtained the resistance to penicillin G and amoxicillin. These results suggest that two dental clinics were under relatively safe environment.

• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.602-611
• /
• 2008

The sound design performed in the production of media contents, such as TV, movie, and CF, have been conducted through the experienced feeling of some experts in the aspect of auditory effects that communicates stories. Also, there have been few studies of the quantitative approach and verification to apply visual and auditory effects felt by users. This study is a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design and investigates the difference in communication effects in which the difference in a sound design in the production of media contents that affects users. This study analyzed the brain quotient (BQ) obtained by the measurement of brain waves during the watching of an experiment image (track A) designed by using a 60-second TV CF only and an experiment image (track B) designed by sound effects and music and investigated which sound design represents differences in communication effects for users. The results of this investigation can be summarized as follows: First, in the results of the comparison of the attention quotient (ATQ), which is the BQ of recognition effects, between A and B tracks, the track A showed a higher difference in activation than the track B. It can be analyzed that the sound design based on music showed higher levels in attention and concentration than that of the sound effect design. Second, in the results of the comparison of the emotional quotient (EQ), which is emotional effects, between A and B tracks, the track A represented a higher difference than the track B. It means that the sound design based on music showed higher contribution levels in emotional effects than that of the design based on sound effects. Third, in the results of the comparison of the left and right brain equivalent quotient (ACQ), which is memory activation effects, between A and B tracks, there were no significant differences. In the results of the experiments, although there are some constraints in TV CF based on the conventional theories in which sound effects based design affects strong concentration, and music based design affects emotional feeling, the music based design may present more effects in continued concentration. In addition, it was evident that the music based design showed higher effects in emotional aspects. However, it is necessary to continue the study by increasing the number of subjects for improving the little differences in ACQ. This study is useful to investigate the communication effects of the sound based design in media contents as a quantitative manner through measuring brain waves and expect the results of this study as the basic materials in the fields of sound production.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2005

The present study examines the effects of kinds and concentrations of cryoprotectants, PVP and sucrose and trehalose on the survival rate of vitrified porcine embryos. 1. The developmental stages for the embryos used in vitrification were $245(23.0\%)$ for 2 cell stage, $256(24.1\%)$ for the blastocyst, $234(22.0\%)$ for the early blastocyst $221(20.8\%)$ from the expanded blastocyst and $107(10.1\%)$ from hatching blastocyst out of 1,063 embryos. 2 The survival rate of morula, early blastocyst and expanded blastocyst vitrification-thawed with EDT and EGS were $69.1\%,\;70.3\%,\;69.8\%\;and\;62.5\%,\;61.7\%,\;63.6\%$, respectively. The expanded blastocyst treated with EDS showed the highest survival rate compared with the other cryoprotectants. 3. The survival rate of early blastocyst, expanded blastocyst and hatching blastocyst vitrification-thawed with EDS diluted in $medium + 10\%$ FCS were $61.1\%,\;27.8\%,\;16.7\%$, respectively. This result were love. than the control of group $(92.3\%,\;71.2\%,\; 55.8\%)$. 4. The survival rate of embryos vitrified with EDS and EDT supplemented with $10\%\;and\;20\%$ PVP were $74.3\%,\;77.5\%\;and\;79.4\%,\;71.1\%$, respectively. The survival rate of vitrified embryos cultured for $24\~48$ hours were $37.1\%,\; 40.0\%\;and\;35.3\%,\;31.6\%$ which were significantly lower than that of non-cultured embryos. The survival rate of embryos vitrified with EDS and EDT supplemented between $10\%\;or\;20\%$ PVP did not have a significant difference. 5. The survival rate of embryos vitrification-thawed with EDS to morula, early blastocyst, expanded blastocyst and hatching blastocyst were $58.2\%,\; 36.4\%,\;14.5\%$ to morula, $62.5\%,\;45.8\%,\;20.8\%$ to early blastocyst, $74.1\%,\;61.1\%,\;29.6\%$ to expanded blastocyst and $60.0\%,\;40.0\%,\;14.0\%$ to hatching blastocyst.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.517-523
• /
• 2017

This study was to investigate the role of antioxidants on the characteristics of arsenite-damaged boar semen. Collected sperm was diluted with semen extender, and $100{\mu}M$ arsenite was used for sperm damage. Then melatonin, silymarin, curcumin, and vitamin E were applied for 3, 6, and 9 hr in arsenite-treated boar sperm. Sperm characteristics were then analyzed for motility, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and lipid peroxidation. In the results, sperm motility (control, $77.3{\pm}1.8%$) was decreased by arsenite ($33.3{\pm}1.5%$), while the antioxidant treatment groups (100 nM melatonin, $55.8{\pm}3.4%$; $2{\mu}M$ silymarin, $48.8{pm}3.4%$; $10{\mu}M$ curcumin, $53.9{\pm}2.8%$; and $500{\mu}M$ vitamin E, $54.5{\pm}3.1%$) showed increases compared to the arsenite group (p<0.05). $100{\mu}M$ arsenite decreased the sperm plasma membrane integrity ($24.5{\pm}1.6%$) and mitochondrial activity ($58.2{\pm}2.6%$), and increased lipid peroxidation ($5.3{\pm}0.2%$) at 3 hr (p<0.05). However, arsenite-treated samples with 100 nM melatonin, $2{\mu}M$ silymarin, $10{\mu}M$ curcumin, and $500{\mu}M$ vitamin E increased the plasma membrane integrity and mitochondria activity, and decreased lipid peroxidation compared to the arsenite-treated samples. In summary, arsenite may induce sperm damage and oxidation stress, while antioxidants such as melatonin, silymarin, curcumin, and vitamin E are useful for maintaining sperm characteristics. Therefore, antioxidants can protect sperm against damage by arsenite in fresh boar semen.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.112-118
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in shear bonding strength between resin cements to dental materials when a universal primer (Monobond plus) was applied in place of a conventional primer. Materials and methods: Four groups of testing materials: gold alloy (Argedent Euro, n = 16), non precious metal (T-4, n = 20), zirconia (Cercon, n = 20) and glass ceramic (IPS e.max press, n = 20), were fabricated into discs, which were embedded in an acrylic resin matrix. The gold alloy specimens were airborne-particle abraded, 8 of the specimens were coated with Metal primer II, while the remaining 8 specimens were coated with Monobond plus. The non precious and zirconia specimen were airborne-particle abraded then, the control group received Alloy primer coating, while the other was coated with Monobond plus. Glass ceramic specimens were etched. 10 specimens were coated with Monobond-S and the remaining specimens were coated using Monobond plus. On top of the surface, Multilink N was polymerized in a disc shape. All of the specimens were thermal cycled before the shear bonding strength was measured. Statistical analysis was done with Two sample $t$-test or Mann-Whitney U test (${\alpha}$=.05). Results: There were no significant differences in bonding strength depending on the type of primer used in the gold alloy and glass ceramic groups ($P$>.05), however, the bonding strengths of resin cements to non precious metal and zirconia groups, were significantly higher when the alloy primer was used ($P$<.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, improvement of universal primers which can be applied to all types of restorations is recommended to precious metals and zirconia ceramics. But, the bond strengths of non precious metals and zirconia ceramics were significantly lower when compared to a 10-MDP primer. More research is needed to apply universal primers to all types of restorations.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.473-480
• /
• 1999

Background: Early diagnosis of tuberculosis is critical, especially in Korea, an area where tuberculosis is endemic. Because antibody responses to some membrane proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are not comparable, and the policy of BCG vaccination and the prevalence of tuberculosis are different from country to country, the usefulness of the serological diagnostic tests is questionable in Korea, even though they have been confirmed to be useful in other countries. In the specific context of Korea, we tried to evaluate the validity of the ICT Tuberculosis Test (ICT), a membrane-based antibody kit that purports to detect the 5 M. tuberculosis complex-specific antigens including 38-kDa protein. Method: 68 patients with tuberculosis were tested : 37 had no history of previous tuberculosis, and 31 were reactivated cases. The control group comprised 77 subjects : 25 healthy adults, 35 hospital workers with frequent contact with tuberculosis patients, and 17 in-patients with non-tuberculous respiratory diseases. Results: The diagnostic sensitivities of the ICT were 87% and 73% in patients with versus without previous history of tuberculosis, respectively. The sensitivities of smear-positive and smear-negative patient groups were 81% and 73%, respectively. Both of the two patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis tested positive through the ICT. The specificities of the ICT were 88%, 94%, and 94% in healthy adults, hospital workers, and non-tuberculous patients, respectively, with an overall specificity of 92%. Conclusion: It is suggested that when combined with traditional techniques, the ICT is an useful tool for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. The procedure is simple, easy to perform, rapid, and needs no equipment. It shows 73% sensitivity and 92% specificity for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.