• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.632-641
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• 2018

Algal dynamics is controlled by multiple environmental factors such as flow dynamics, water temperature, trophic level, and irradiance. Underwater irradiance penetrating from the atmosphere is exponentially decreased in water column due to absorption and scattering by water molecule and suspended particles including phytoplankton. As the exponential decrease in underwater irradiance affects algal photosynthesis, regulating their spatial distribution, it is critical to understand the light extinction characteristics to find out the mechanisms of algal dynamics more systematically. Despite the significance, the recent data have been rarely reported in the main stream areas of large rivers, Korea. In this study, the euphotic depths and light extinction coefficients were determined by monitoring the vertical variation of underwater irradiance and water quality in the main channel of Nakdong River near Dodong Seowon once a week during summer of 2016. The average values of euphotic depth and light extinction coefficient were 4.0 m and $1.3m^{-1}$, respectively. The degree of light extinction increased in turbid water due to flooding, causing an approximate 50 % decrease in euphotic depth. Also, the impact was greater than the self-shading effect during the periods of cyanobacterial bloom. The individual light extinction coefficients for background, total suspended solid and algal levels, frequently used in surface water quality modeling, were determined as $0.305m^{-1}$, $0.090m^{-1}/mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$, $0.013m^{-1}/{\mu}g{\cdot}L^{-1}$, respectively. The values estimated in this study were within or close to the ranges reported in literatures.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2021

Major anthropogenic emissions of elemental mercury (Hg⁰) occur from coal-fired power plants, and the emissions can be controlled successfully using NH₃-SCR (selective catalytic reduction) systems with catalysts. Although the catalysts can easily convert the gaseous mercury into Hg²⁺ species, the reactions are greatly dependent on the flue gas constituents and SCR conditions. Numerous deNO_xing catalysts have been proposed for considerable reduction in power plant mercury emissions; however, there are few studies to date of elemental mercury oxidation using SCR processes with MW- and full-scale coal-fired boilers. In these flue gas streams, the chemistry of the mercury oxidation is very complicated. Coal types, deNO_xing catalytic systems, and operating conditions are critical in determining the extent of the oxidation. Of these parameters, halogen element levels in coals may become a key vehicle for obtaining better Hg⁰ oxidation efficiency. Such halogens are Cl, Br, and F and the former one is predominant in coals. The chlorine exists in the form of salts and is transformed to gaseous HCl with a trace amount of Cl₂ during the course of coal combustion. The HCl acts as a very powerful promoter for high catalytic Hg⁰ oxidation; however, this can be strongly dependent on the type of coal because of a wide variation in the chlorine contents of coal.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2021

Euglena gracilis is a microalga of great biotechnological interest that can create high levels of bioactive compounds, such as tocopherol, paramylon, and folic acid. The objective of this study was to investigate the biological activities of extracts from E. gracilis, especially those focused on immunological activity. E. gracilis biomass was extracted with hot water (HWE) and the remaining pellet was continuously extracted with methanol (HWME). First, we examined the effect of two extracts from E. gracilis on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. HWE treatment dose-dependently increased the production of IL-1β and TNF-α. On the other hand, treatment with HWME significantly decreased the generation of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells. In addition, other biological activities of the extracts were further analyzed: α-glucosidase inhibition, protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B) inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition, xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Analysis of these biological activities showed that HWE has more inhibitory effects than HWME against α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and XO agents. However, the inhibition of PTP1B and ACE with HWME were higher than with HWE. Taken together, the results suggested that E. gracilis possesses various biological activities―especially immunological capabilities―through regulation of cytokine production. Therefore, E. gracilis extract may be potentially useful for food material with immune-regulating effects.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1116-1122
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• 2021

Objective: The aim was to characterize the genetic diversity evolution of the registered Mexican Charolais cattle population by pedigree analysis. Methods: Data consisted of 331,390 pedigree records of animals born from 1934 to 2018. Average complete generation equivalent, generation interval, effective population size (N_e), and effective numbers of founders (f_e), ancestors (f_a), and founder genomes (N_g) were calculated for seven five-year periods. The inbreeding coefficient was calculated per year of birth, from 1984 to 2018, whereas the gene contribution of the most influential ancestors was calculated for the latter period. Results: Average complete generation equivalent consistently increased across periods, from 4.76, for the first period (1984 through 1988), to 7.86, for the last period (2014 through 2018). The inbreeding coefficient showed a relative steadiness across the last seventeen years, oscillating from 0.0110 to 0.0145. During the last period, the average generation interval for the father-offspring pathways was nearly 1 yr. longer than that of the mother-offspring pathways. The effective population size increased steadily since 1984 (105.0) and until 2013 (237.1), but showed a minor decline from 2013 to 2018 (233.2). The population displayed an increase in the f_a since 1984 and until 2008; however, showed a small decrease during the last decade. The effective number of founder genomes increased from 1984 to 2003, but revealed loss of genetic variability during the last fifteen years (from 136.4 to 127.7). The f_a:f_e ratio suggests that the genetic diversity loss was partially caused by formation of genetic bottlenecks in the pedigree; in addition, the N_g:f_a ratio indicates loss of founder alleles due to genetic drift. The most influential ancestor explained 1.8% of the total genetic variability in the progeny born from 2014 to 2018. Conclusion: Inbreeding, N_e, f_a, and N_g are rather beyond critical levels; therefore, the current genetic status of the population is not at risk.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.587-601
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• 2020

Exposure to hazardous substances occurs through multiple pathways. Aggregated risk assessment, which includes all potential exposure pathways to a single toxicant, is necessary to prevent exposure to harmful substances. We aimed to estimate cadmium and lead exposure through various media, such as food, water, air, smoking, cosmetics, and female hygiene products. This study covered 10,733 subjects from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2016, 2017). Dietary exposure was estimated using 24-hour recall data. For water and inhalational exposure, regional variations were considered. Water was classified as tap, bottled, and public water. Inhalational exposure was estimated using the '2014 Time Use Survey' based on daily lifestyle and social status. The frequency and volume of cosmetic usage were randomly approximated by sex and age. Post-menarcheal and premenopausal women were assumed to use feminine hygiene products. Non-carcinogenic aggregated risks were estimated using the Aggregate Risk Index from EPAs and the Total Exposure Hazard Index from Korean government guidelines. For carcinogenic risk assessment, excessive cancer risk was estimated. Ingestion, especially food, was the major route for both cadmium and lead exposure. Smoking was also associated with high cadmium exposure. Exposure to lead from cosmetics was remarkable but not critical. In aggregate risk assessments, median cadmium and lead exposure did not exceed the reference value. Sex, age, smoking status, and income affected exposure levels, unlike to regional variations.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2022

Given that China's resource research, exploration and development and resource economy policies are closely related to Korea's industrial competitiveness in the field of global mineral energy resources, it is important to establish the domestic and overseas resource development strategies. In 2020, China will revise and set standards for mineral resources to ensure efficiency in exploration and development and storage management. China's Ministry of Natural Resources has established the National Mineral Resources Plan (2021-2025), aiming to achieve national goals and strategies, and local governments at all levels are also establishing and implementing regional mineral resources plans. As a result, the supervision and management of geological mineral exploration activities have been strengthened, and the safety of industrial production management in the field of geological mineral exploration and development has been strengthened. China has developed guidelines for high-quality geological exploration, surveying and mapping, improved the level of geological mineral exploration and strengthened the mining supervision and management system. According to China's standardization of mineral resources such as solid mineral resources and petroleum gas mineral resources, a new standard system for resource management will be established in China to improve scientific understanding, rational management and utilization.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.224-235
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• 2022

Objective: Cage rearing has critical implications for the laying duck industry because it is convenient for feeding and management. However, caging stress is a type of chronic stress that induces maladaptation. Environmental stress responses have been extensively studied, but no detailed information is available about the comprehensive changes in plasma metabolites at different stages of caging stress in ducks. We designed this experiment to analyze the effects of caging stress on performance parameters and oxidative stress indexes in ducks. Methods: Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) was used to determine the changes in metabolites in duck plasma at 5 (CR5), 10 (CR10), and 15 (CR15) days after cage rearing and traditional breeding (TB). The associated pathways of differentially altered metabolites were analyzed using Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) database. Results: The results of this study indicate that caging stress decreased performance parameters, and the plasma total superoxide dismutase levels were increased in the CR10 group compared with the other groups. In addition, 1,431 metabolites were detected. Compared with the TB group, 134, 381, and 190 differentially produced metabolites were identified in the CR5, CR10, and CR15 groups, respectively. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) show that the selected components sufficiently distinguish the TB group and CR10 group. KEGG analysis results revealed that the differentially altered metabolites in duck plasma from the CR5 and TB groups were mainly associated with ovarian steroidogenesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and phenylalanine metabolism. Conclusion: In this study, the production performance, blood indexes, number of metabolites and PCA were compared to determine effect of the caging stress stage on ducks. We inferred from the experimental results that caging-stressed ducks were in the sensitive phase in the first 5 days after caging, caging for approximately 10 days was an important transition phase, and then the duck continually adapted.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.542-548
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• 2022

In order to reduce marine accidents, each contracting Government needs to implement the instruments enacted and amended by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The III Code requires each administration of the government to have a system for improvement through periodic review and evaluation and to include performance indicators in its evaluation methods. Thus, each IMO Member State needs to develop its own performance indicators. The purpose of this paper is to develop and present an evaluation model using the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in order to quantify and evaluate the level of implementation of the instruments by the administrations. From the perspective of 'III-BSC', which applies the BSC concept to the III code requirements, the Critical Success Factors (CSF) that must be secured to achieve the established vision were drawn up, and candidate KPIs for each evaluation area were developed to measure the derived key success factors and an initial study model was designed composed of four levels. The validity of the KPIs was verified and the study model was finalized using the survey design using the SMART technique. Furthermore, based on the developed study model, an evaluation model for the implementation of the BSC-based IMO instruments was developed by deriving the weights of elements for each level through AHP analysis. The developed evaluation model is expected to contribute toward improving the administrations' level of implementation of the IMO instruments as a tool for quantitatively grasping the level of performance of the implementation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.927-937
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• 2022

To confirm the therapeutic effect of the water extract from Ecklonia cava (WEE) against PM_2.5 induced systemic health damage, we evaluated gut health with a focus on the microbiota and metabolites. Systemic damage in mice was induced through PM_2.5 exposure for 12 weeks in a whole-body chamber. After exposure for 12 weeks, body weight and food intake decreased, and WEE at 200 mg/kg body weight (mpk) alleviated these metabolic efficiency changes. In addition, PM_2.5 induced changes in the length of the colon and fecal water content. The administration of the WEE at 200 mpk oral dose effectively reduced changes in the colon caused by PM_2.5 exposure. We also attempted to confirm whether the effect of the WEE is mediated via regulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in mice with PM_2.5 induced systemic damage. We examined changes in the fecal microbiota and gut metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and kynurenine metabolites. In the PM_2.5 exposed group, a decrease in the abundance of Lactobacillus (Family: Lactobacillaceae) and an increase in the abundance of Alistipes (Family: Rikenellaceae) were observed, and the administration of the WEE showed a beneficial effect on the gut microbiota. In addition, the WEE effectively increased the levels of SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate). Furthermore, kynurenic acid (KYNA), which is a critical neuroprotective metabolite in the gut-brain axis, was increased by the administration of the WEE. Our findings suggest that the WEE could be used as a potential therapeutic against PM_2.5 induced health damage by regulating gut function.

• Korean Association of Arts Management
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• no.58
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• pp.49-88
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• 2021

Contemporary literary writers engage in multiple jobs and activities in the changing industrial and institutional environments to manage careers and produce literary value. The notion of art entrepreneurship envisages writers as the actors pursuing optimal rewards at both literary and economic levels by applying creative knowledge and skills to the management of career. In contrast, the notion of creative labor argues that writers go through career insecurity as they pursue self-fulfillment through work. This paper critically reviews two notions and suggests the notion of cultural intermediaries to better understand their production of literary value within the variety of relational contexts where they are situated. This paper analyzes the structures and characteristics of a wide range of intermediary practices by literary writers. Based on the analysis, I argue that the autonomy of literary value the writers construct and their status of entrepreneur-labourer are contingent upon the relational contexts within which they practice the intermediary work. I also suggest that literary writers by utilizing a variety of tactics cope with the changes that shape the autonomy of literature and invent new roles and identities as cultural intermediaries. Furthermore, literary writers develop not only self-management skills to adapt to the changing environments but also the collective capacity to cope with the constraints derived from the structural change of literary production and circulation. Finally, I argue that the art management discipline can reflect upon and support the creative endeavors of literary writers by embracing the critical understanding of structural changes suggested by the disciplines of humanities and social sciences.