• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.37-37
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• 2012

The study aims to evaluate the complexity of relationships between the riparian states - China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia - in the Mekong River Basin since the mid-1990s with special reference to the discourse on hydropower development. A special emphasis will be put on the influence of China on hydropower development. Although a variety of issues on the river basin have been discussed among the riparian states, none of them has been effectively implemented owing to the lack of China's commitment to the discussions for sustainable water management. Now, a new turning point is observed in the region with emergence of the issue on hydropower development, not only in the upper basin but also in the lower basin. The discourse on hydropower in Mekong has quickly drawn attention of the public, accelerated by the onset of construction of the Xayabury Dam in Laos since November 2010. The influence of China as the upstream country with its political, economic, and military power has increasingly grown in the region over the last few decades, and such trend recently intensifies together with an expansion of Chinese commercial interests in the region. Since the establishment of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in 1995, the four MRC members have striven to push forward a sustainable use of water resources in the basin. But the legitimacy of the MRC system has been eroded due to the lack of participation by Myanmar and China, and in particular, the Chinese absence has made the four riparian states blind about the change of water regime due to the Chinese dams upstream. Environmental damages due to hydropower development might be possible, including a drop of fish yields, crop production, and damages to the river's ecosystems. Vietnam and Cambodia have already expressed their concerns over the dam construction towards China as well as Laos by pointing out detrimental impacts of the dams to their economies. China's move to collaborate with the other riparian states since 2010 has given a positive signal in terms of sustainable water management in the river. However, this phenomenon never confirms China's proactive contribution to the cooperative activities within the framework of the MRC system. Laos' initiative to build a new dam in the lower basin alarms those who are opposed to dam construction in the fear of its far-reaching damages to the environment. The question goes back to the year-long debate on policy priorities given to economic growth or the environment. The riparian states require wisdom based on a consensus about sustainable water use rather than hydropower development based on individual growth dreams.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2005

The rodent Hershberger assay is considered as a potential short term in vivo screening method for the detection of androgenic or anti-androgenic compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-androgenic activities of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP), and butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP). A 10-day Hershberger assay was performed using immature Sprague-Dawley male rats castrated at 6 weeks of age. Tastosterone propionate (TP, 0.4 mg/kg/day) was administered s.c. to castrated male rats and followed by flutamide (1, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day) treatment for 10 days by oral gavage. Similarly, DEHP, DBP, or BBP were also administered by oral gavage at 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day after TP (0.4 mg/kg/day) administration. As expected, flutamide significantly inhibited the TP-induced re-growth of seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, and Levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscles (LABC) at 1 mg/kg/day and above, and Cowper's glands and glans penis at 5 mg/kg/day and above. DEHP significantly (p<0.05) decreased the seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, LABC and Cowper's glands weights at 1000 mg/kg/day. BBP at 1000 mg/kg/day significantly inhibited TP-induced re-growth of the LABC in the immature castrated male rats, whereas ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, and Cowper's glands weights were unaffected. In contrast to DEHP, DBP did not affect accessory sex organ weights at any concentration. Body weights, combined adrenal glands, and kidney weights were not affected, but liver weights were significantly increased at high dosages in the DEHP, DBP, and BBP treatment groups. Our observations strongly suggest that DEHP acts as an androgen antagonist at the high dose (i.e., 1000 mg/kg/day).

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.343-352
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• 2010

In order to understand the plant responses to salt stress (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl), Chinese cabbage seedlings grown up to two leaf stages by hydroponic culture were used. Fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll (Chl), antioxidant materials, polyamine content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and inorganic ion level were evaluated. Fresh and dry weights of Chinese cabbage increased with the increase in salinity while the optimal growth occurred at 50 mM NaCl. The Chl a, total Chl, carotenoid content, and Chl a/b ratio increased by the 6 days after treatment with 100 mM NaCI; however, the Chl b content decreased. Glutathione increased in the root of Chinese cabbage for 6 days. Dehydroascorbate increased remarkably by day 6 caused by the salt stress in both leaf and the root. While ascorbate peroxidase increased, the activity of catalase and glutathione reductase decreased gradually in the first leaf for 6 days. The $Na^+$ content increased by 12.5-fold in the 3 days after treatment with 100 mM NaCI in the shoot, whereas the $Ca^{2+}$, $K^+$, and $Mg^{2+}$ content measured in the same treatment decreased by 43 to 57%. Spermidine content decreased as salinity increased, but spermine content increased. The growth promotion, glutathione and ascorbic acid content in Chinese cabbage were increased by low salt stress, and shortening of the cultivation period for growth increase of Chinese cabbage is expected.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.264-273
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• 2002

We have isolated and artificially expressed three cDNA clones of Capsicum annuum PR5 genes for elucidating the antifungal activity against Phytophthora capsici which contracted a hot pepper root rot in field condition. Three divergent PR5 proteins from hot pepper were designated as CAPR5-1 and CAPR5-2 from susceptible cultivar (Subicho) as well as CAPR5-3 from resistant cultivar (CM331) in response to P. capsici. The cDNA similarity was found over 80% of identity among the three CAPR5s, and deduced amino acid sequence was characterized that all of CAPR5s contained 16 cysteine residues which possibly had a significant role in the structural formation. The result of genomic DNA blot showed that CAPR5-1 and CAPR5-2 existed as single copy in the Subicho genome. Three recombinant CPARs in E. coli were identified by SDS-PACE, and each expressed protein was treated on the PDA medium which contained cultured pathogens. Although three CAPR5 proteins did not affected the hyphal growth of Glomerella glycines and Colletotrichum fagenarium, CAPR5-1, CAPR5-2, and CAPR5-3 showed a specific antifungal activities against P. capsici.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.420-427
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• 2019

Scrub typhus is a fever-related disease that is commonly diagnosed during the autumn season. The number of patients affected by this disease continues to increase every year. However, the cause of the disease and the regional differences of its incidence are poorly understood. This study examined the epidemiological features and regional differences in the incidence of scrub typhus. The monthly incidence of cases from all reports rose to more than 90% during the fall season (October~December). Based on the analysis of the 18,851 cases in the epidemiological investigation, 14,777 (78.4%) and 4,074 (21.6%) cases occurred in high and low occurrence areas, respectively. Moreover, there were more female cases than male cases (males: 7,233 [38.4%]; females: 11,618 [61.6%]; P< 0.001). The clinical symptoms, including fever, chills, myalgia, and eschar of the body, were noted in 16,688 (89.1%), 11,533 (61.2%),11,439 (60.7%), and 6,005 (45.4%) cases, respectively. The incidence rates were higher for Gyeongnam, Jeonam, Jeonbuk, and Chungnam provinces. The areas with a high occurrence of scrub typhus were consistent with the areas experiencing a high distribution of Leptotrombidium scutellare. The incidence of scrub typhus has been rising owing to the increasing population of ticks due to global warming and increased agricultural and outdoor activities. Thus, continuous management of patients and preventive environmental measures are needed to control this disease.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2014

Deoxynivalenol (DON) and related trichothecene mycotoxins are extensively distributed in the cereal-based food and feed stuffs worldwide. Recent climate changes and global grain trade increased chance of exposure to more DON and related toxic metabolites in poorly managed production systems. Monitoring the biological and environmental exposures to the toxins are crucial in protecting human and animals from toxicities of the hazardous contaminants in food or feeds. Exposure biomarkers including urine DON itself are prone to shift to less harmful metabolites by intestinal microbiota and liver metabolic enzymes. De-epoxyfication of DON by gut microbes such as Eubacterium strain BBSH 797 and Eubacterium sp. DSM 11798 leads to more fecal secretion of DOM-1. By contrast, most of plant-derived DON-glucoside is also easily catabolized to free DON by gut microbes, which produces more burden to body. Phase 2 hepatic metabolism also contributes to the glucuronidation of DON, which can be useful urine biomarkers. However, chemical modification could be very typical depending on the anthropologic or genetic background, luminal bacteria, and hepatic metabolic enzyme susceptibility to the toxins in the diet. After toxin exposure, effect biomarkers are also important in estimating the linkage and mechanisms of foodborne diseases in human and animal population. Most prominent adverse effects are demonstrated in the DON-induced immunological and behavioral disorders. For instance, acutely elevated interleukin-8 from insulted gut exposed to dietaty DON is a dominant clinical biomarker in human and animals. Moreover, subchronic exposure to the toxins is associated with high levels of serum IgA, a biological mediator of IgA nephritis. In particular, anorexia monitoring using mouse models are recently developed to monitor the biological activities of DON-induced feed refusal. It is also mechanistically linked to alteration of serotoin and peptide YY, which are promising biomarkers of neurological disorders by the toxins. As animal-alternative biomonitoring, huamn enterocyte-based assay has been developed and more realistic gut mimetic models would be useful in monitoring the effect biomarkers in resposne to toxic contaminants in the future investigations.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.1-1
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• 2016

Many of the world's large ecosystems are severely stressed due to population growth, water quality and quantity problems, vulnerability to flood and drought, and the loss of native species and cultural resources. Consequences of climate change further increase uncertainties about the future. These major societal challenges must be addressed through innovations in governance, policy, and ways of implementing management strategies. Science and engineering play a critical role in helping define possible alternative futures that could be achieved and the possible consequences to economic development, quality of life, and sustainability of ecosystem services. Science has advanced rapidly during the past decade with the emergence of science communities coalescing around 'Grand Challenges' and the maturation of how these communities function has resulted in large interdisciplinary research networks. An example is the River Experiment Center of KICT that engages researchers from throughout Korea and the world. This trend has been complemented by major advances in sensor technologies and data synthesis to accelerate knowledge discovery. These factors combine to allow scientific debate to occur in a more open and transparent manner. The availability of information and improved communication of scientific and engineering issues is raising the level of dialogue at the science-policy interface. However, severe challenges persist since scientific discovery does not occur on the same timeframe as management actions, policy decisions or at the pace sometimes expected by elected officials. Common challenges include the need to make decisions in the face of considerable uncertainty, ensuring research results are actionable and preventing science being used by special interests to delay or obsfucate decisions. These challenges are explored in the context of examples from the United States, including the California Bay-Delta system. California transfers water from the wetter northern part of the state to the drier southern part of the state through the Central Valley Project since 1940 and this was supplemented by the State Water Project in 1973. The scale of these activities is remarkable: approximately two thirds of the population of Californians rely on water from the Delta, these waters also irrigate up to 45% of the fruits & vegetables produced in the US, and about 80% of California's commercial fishery species live in or migrate through the Bay-Delta. This Delta region is a global hotspot for biodiversity that provides habitat for over 700 species, but is also a hotspot for the loss of biodiversity with more than 25 species currently listed by the Endangered Species Act. Understanding the decline of the fragile ecosystem of the Bay-Delta system and the potential consequences to economic growth if water transfers are reduced for the environment, the California State Legislature passed landmark legislation in 2009 (CA Water Code SS 85054) that established "Coequal goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem". The legislation also stated that "The coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place." The challenges of integrating policy, management and scientific research will be described through this and other international examples.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.451-458
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• 2018

The coast of Incheon reaches Incheon itself, Gimpo, Siheung, and Ansan of Gyunggi-do. Because this area has been seriously polluted, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has established the Incheon Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) to preserve sea water quality as a marine environment asset. However, there is concern that actions taken in this area may change the surrounding marine ecology, being effected by farms, via a river that flows from waste lands, abandoned fishing activities and fishing nets, etc. Given this background, this study estimates the value of SAMP sea water quality using a choice experiment (CE). A CE survey of 1,000 households was undertaken, investigating trade-offs involving price and four attributes for selecting a preferred alternative to obtain a marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) estimate for each attribute. The estimation results showed that MWTP for a 1 %p improvement in sea water quality, the diversity of fauna species, the diversity of flora species, and a 1 %p reduction in marine litter as a result of conserving Incheon coastal sea water quality are estimated to be KRW 75, 135, 309 and 72 per household per year, respectively. All estimation results were statistically significant at the 1 % level. These findings can provide policy makers with useful information for evaluating and planning marine environmental management policies.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.296-306
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• 2021

Elasticity is a statistical technique that interprets the changing pattern of another variable according to a change in one variable as a quantitative numerical value and provides more information than correlation analysis and is widely used in climate change research. In this study the elasticity was calculated and sensitivity analysis was performed using air temperature and water quality data of the major tributaries of the Nakdong River. In addition the confidence interval for the elasticity was calculated using the T-Test and the validity of the elasticity was examined. The strength of elasticity shows high strength in the order of summer>fall>spring>winter and the direction shows regional characteristics with both negative and positive elasticity. After performing hierarchical cluster analysis on monthly observation data they were classified into 5 clusters and the characteristics of each cluster were visually analyzed using a parallel coordinate graph. The direction and intensity of the air temperature elasticity show regional characteristics due to the relatively high population density and complex influencing factors such as sewage treatment plants, small-scale livestock houses and agricultural activities. In the case of TP it shows great regional variability according to the circulation of nutrients in the ecosystem caused by algae growth and death according to temperature changes. Since the air temperature elasticity of the major tributaries of the Nakdong River is over weak and is valid at the significance level of 5%, it was analyzed that there is a change in water quality according to the air temperature change.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.235-244
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• 2021

The change of the development of transport and logistics systems occurs with the active change of technology and the advent of the era of Industry 4.0. It requires modernization of approaches to the development of transport and logistics systems at the macro and micro levels. The present study aims to identify perspective directions of development and evolution, find out the existing obstacles in the integration of technological solutions of transport and logistics systems at the macro and micro levels. This study is based on a quantitative and qualitative methodology for assessing the level of integration of technologies into transport and logistics systems to study the prospects for their development at the micro level. Macroeconomic indicators of transport and logistics in the context of different regions of the world were used to quantify the development prospects. For a qualitative assessment of the development of the transport and logistics system, the case study method was used. The object of the study was selected logistics company Sensco Logistics Inc., Austin TX. At the macro level, countries with more innovative logistics sectors have stronger mechanisms for coordinating private sector activities. Simplification of administrative procedures of control and regulation by the public sector in order to facilitate trade between countries is a promising direction for the development of transport and logistics systems. Such reforms are more effective in developing a "rigid" transport infrastructure. The integration of Industry 4.0 technology solutions into the international logistics sector is defined by political and legal barriers, especially in developing countries. In low-income countries, hard and soft infrastructure reforms are hindering the development of logistics companies that provide transport services. This determines the national level of development of transport and logistics systems, and in general the global level of development of transport and logistics. In developed countries, the legal barriers to the development of new technological logistics are environmental requirements for the integration of technologies into the transport system. These trends are slowing down the development of International Logistics, which, compared to other industries, is slower to integrate Industry 4.0 technologies. This study combines macroeconomic factors that determine the prospects for the development of transport and logistics systems at the micro level.