• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2024

According to the IEA (2022), global rechargeable battery demand is expected to reach 1.3 TWh in 2040. EV batteries will account for about 80% of this demand, and used EV batteries are expected to be discharged after 30 years. Used EV batteries can be recycled and reused to create new value. They can also resolve one of the most vulnerable parts of the battery supply chain: raw material insecurity. In this study, we analyzed the amount of used batteries generated by EV in Korea and their potential for reuse and recycling. As a result, it was estimated that the annual generation of used batteries for EV began to increase to more than 100,000 in '31 and expanded to 810,000 in '45. In addition, it was found that the market for recycling EV batteries in '45 could be expected to be equivalent to the production of 1 million batteries, and the market for reuse could be expected to be equivalent to the production of 36 Gwh of batteries. On the other hand, according to the plan standard disclosed by the recycling company, domestic used EV batteries can account for 11% of the domestic recycling processing capacity (pre-treatment) ('30). So it will be important to manage the import and export of used batteries in terms of securing raw materials.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.203-217
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• 2024

The Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector of the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory is crucial for obtaining data on carbon sinks, necessitating accurate estimations. This study analyzes cases of countries applying the LULUCF sector at the Tier 3 level to propose enhanced methodologies for carbon sink estimation. In nations like Japan and Western Europe, satellite spatial information such as SPOT, Landsat, and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)is used alongside national statistical data to estimate LULUCF. However, in Korea, the lack of land use change data and the absence of integrated management by category, measurement is predominantly conducted at the Tier 1 level, except for certain forest areas. In this study, Space-borne LiDAR Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) was used to calculate forest canopy heights based on Relative Height 100 (RH100) in the cities of Icheon, Gwangju, and Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. These canopy heights were compared with the 1:5,000 scale forest maps used for the National Inventory Report in Korea. The GEDI data showed a maximum canopy height of 29.44 meters (m) in Gwangju, contrasting with the forest type maps that reported heights up to 34 m in Gwangju and parts of Icheon, and a minimum of 2 m in Icheon. Additionally, this study utilized Ordinary Least Squares(OLS)regression analysis to compare GEDI RH100 data with forest stand heights at the eup-myeon-dong level using ArcGIS, revealing Standard Deviations (SDs)ranging from -1.4 to 2.5, indicating significant regional variability. Areas where forest stand heights were higher than GEDI measurements showed greater variability, whereas locations with lower tree heights from forest type maps demonstrated lower SDs. The discrepancies between GEDI and actual measurements suggest the potential for improving height estimations through the application of high-resolution remote sensing techniques. To enhance future assessments of forest biomass and carbon storage at the Tier 3 level, high-resolution, reliable data are essential. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrating high-resolution, spatially explicit LiDAR data to enhance the accuracy of carbon sink calculations in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2023

Purpose: Since late 2019, the novel coronavirus disease has been a global concern, and alongside preventive strategies, including social distancing and personal hygiene, vaccination is now the primary hope for controlling the pandemic. Sputnik V is an adenovirus vector vaccine used against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among Iranian health care providers, and there is a lack of information regarding the Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) by Sputnik V among the Iranian population. The present study aimed to evaluate AEFI by Sputnik V vaccine among Iranian population. Materials and Methods: Every member of the Islamic Republic of Iran Medical Council received their first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine in Mashhad (Iran) and was referred to receive their second dose enrolled in the present study and asked to fill an English language checklist asking about development of any AEFI following immunization with the first dose of Sputnik V vaccine. Results: A total number of 1,347 with a mean±standard deviation age of 56.2±9.6 years filled the checklist. Most of the participants were male (838 [62.2%]). The present study demonstrated that immunization with the first dose of Sputnik V results in at least one AEFI in 32.8% of the Iranian medical council members. Most of the AEFI was related to musculoskeletal symptoms, including myalgia. By considering the age of 55 years as a cut-off point, individuals younger than 55 had a higher rate of AEFI (41.3% vs. 22.5%, p=0.0001). Male gender, use of analgesics, beta-blockers, and previous COVID-19 infection have a lower chance of developing AEFI (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that most of the AEFI was related to musculoskeletal symptoms, including myalgia, and older individuals, male gender and those receiving analgesics and beta-blockers were less likely to develop AEFI following immunization with the first dose of Sputnik V.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.986-997
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• 2022

Objective: Whether metabolic redistribution occurs in patients with white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unknown. This study aimed 1) to propose a measure of the brain metabolic network for an individual patient and preliminarily apply it to identify impaired metabolic networks in patients with WMHs, and 2) to explore the clinical and imaging features of metabolic redistribution in patients with WMHs. Materials and Methods: This study included 50 patients with WMHs and 70 healthy controls (HCs) who underwent ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/MRI. Various global property parameters according to graph theory and an individual parameter of brain metabolic network called "individual contribution index" were obtained. Parameter values were compared between the WMH and HC groups. The performance of the parameters in discriminating between the two groups was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The correlation between the individual contribution index and Fazekas score was assessed, and the interaction between age and individual contribution index was determined. A generalized linear model was fitted with the individual contribution index as the dependent variable and the mean standardized uptake value (SUV_mean) of nodes in the whole-brain network or seven classic functional networks as independent variables to determine their association. Results: The means ± standard deviations of the individual contribution index were (0.697 ± 10.9) × 10^-3 and (0.0967 ± 0.0545) × 10^-3 in the WMH and HC groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The AUC of the individual contribution index was 0.864 (95% confidence interval, 0.785-0.943). A positive correlation was identified between the individual contribution index and the Fazekas scores in patients with WMHs (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). Age and individual contribution index demonstrated a significant interaction effect on the Fazekas score. A significant direct association was observed between the individual contribution index and the SUV_mean of the limbic network (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The individual contribution index may demonstrate the redistribution of the brain metabolic network in patients with WMHs.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major complications of chronic hyperglycaemia affecting normal kidney functioning. The ayurvedic medicine curcumin (CUR) is pharmaceutically accepted for its vast biological effects. Objectives: The Curcuma-derived diferuloylmethane compound CUR, loaded on Poly (lactide-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles was utilized to combat DN-induced renal apoptosis by selectively targeting and modulating Bcl2. Methods: Upon in silico molecular docking and screening study CUR was selected as the core phytocompound for nanoparticle formulation. PLGA-nano-encapsulated-curcumin (NCUR) were synthesized following standard solvent displacement method. The NCUR were characterized for shape, size and other physico-chemical properties by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy studies. For in vivo validation of nephro-protective effects, Mus musculus were pre-treated with CUR at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. and NCUR at a dose of 25 mg/kg b.w. (dose 1), 12.5 mg/kg b.w (dose 2) followed by alloxan administration (100 mg/kg b.w) and serum glucose levels, histopathology and immunofluorescence study were conducted. Results: The in silico study revealed a strong affinity of CUR towards Bcl2 (dock score -10.94 Kcal/mol). The synthesized NCUR were of even shape, devoid of cracks and holes with mean size of ~80 nm having -7.53 mV zeta potential. Dose 1 efficiently improved serum glucose levels, tissue-specific expression of Bcl2 and reduced glomerular space and glomerular sclerosis in comparison to hyperglycaemic group. Conclusion: This study essentially validates the potential of NCUR to inhibit DN by reducing blood glucose level and mitigating glomerular apoptosis by selectively promoting Bcl2 protein expression in kidney tissue.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.79-92
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• 2024

Global warming is a key challenge subjecting animals to heat stress conditions resulting in multiple physiological alterations in tropical climate. Dietary approach seems to be the more friendly approach to curb the adverse effects of heat stress in rabbits. Some herbs have been categorized to have high potential for promotion of immune responses for amelioration of heat stress. Thus, this research aims to evaluate the potential of Mistletoe (Viscum album), Moringa (Moringa oleifera) and Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus amarus) leaf meal as herbal supplements for the alleviation of heat stress in female rabbits by measuring improvement in sex and stress hormonal responses in serum biochemistry. 80 Rabbit does were exposed to 4 dietary groups supplemented with each of Mistletoe, Moringa, Phyllanthus and a control in an 84-day trial at the summit of thermal stress in South west Nigeria. Growth indices were monitored throughout the study, blood samples were compiled at the end of the trial to assess serum biochemistry, stress and sex hormonal responses of the Does using standard protocols. The results revealed that final weight and weight gain of Does fed on Phyllanthus were significantly (p < 0.05) higher (11.46% and 14.25%, respectively) than Does on control. The herbal supplements enhance glucose, protein, albumin and globulin, reduced cholesterol, and creatinine of Does under heat stress conditions. Among the herbal treatment groups, mistletoe, moringa and phyllanthus had 12.42%, 18.39% and 16.90%, respectively, lower corticosterone than control groups which had 39.76ng/ml. Triiodothyronine of Does fed control were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than Does on Moringa oleifera and Phyllanthus amarus supplements. Estradiol and Follicle stimulating hormone of rabbit Does fed on moringa supplement were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than other treatments. In conclusion, the herbal supplements tend to mitigate the detrimental outcome of thermal stress on Does by suppressing stress hormones. Moringa oleifera and Phyllanthus amarus enhanced sex hormones while Phyllanthus amarus confered growth promoting effects on the Does.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2024

This study investigated the perceptions of military personnel toward stuttering and persons who stutter (PWS) using the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes of -Stuttering (POSHA-S). A total of 67 military personnel participated in the study (male: 58, female: 9, commissioned officers: 11, non-commissioned officers: 56, with an average age of 31.9 years and a standard deviation of 8.7), and the collected data were analyzed according to the guidelines provided by St. Louis. To compare the perceptions of military personnel toward stuttering and PWS, percentile ranks (%iles) relative to the global POSHA-S database, which were constructed from responses from a total of 20,941 participants from various cultural regions, countries, and groups (as of June 2023), were retrieved. Results showed that the overall stuttering score for military personnel was 7, corresponding to the 14 percentile in the POSHA-S database. In addition, the sub-score for ' self-reactions to PWS' was -11 (8 percentile in the POSHA-S database). These results revealed that military personnel hold more negative attitudes toward stuttering and PWS, overall. These findings emphasized the importance of addressing the lack of accurate information among military personnel, suggesting a need for educational programs mainly aimed at improving the understanding of stuttering and PWS within the military.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.497-507
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the treatment response to Korean medicine of a paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) patient with dysarthria and weakness of distal extremity. Case presentation: A 53-year-old female diagnosed with PCD complained of dysarthria and weakness of distal extremity. During 32-day hospitalization, she was treated with Korean medicine, namely, herbal medicine (modified Gamiguibi-tang), acupuncture (15 minutes twice a day at CV23, HT7, LI4, LR3, ST36, SP6, GB20, TE17, PC6, GV20, Ex-HN1, GV24 etc.), moxibustion, and cupping, combined with Western medicine (prednisolone, azathioprine) and physical therapy. Post-treatment, the patient global assessment (PGA) score of dysarthria fell from 100 to 60; grasp power rose from 15 kg to 19 kg and 13 kg to 17 kg in the right and left hands, respectively; and the 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L), EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), and Beck depression inventory (BDI-II) scores changed from 10 to 8, 0 to 80, and 34 to 7 respectively. Follow-up visits continued for about a month after discharge, improvement in symptoms maintained, and there were no significant side effects. Conclusions: Given the lack of standard treatment for PCD, Korean medicine can be tried clinically for the treatment of PCD patients with dysarthria and weakness of distal extremity. However, further studies with control groups are needed.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.69 no.2
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• pp.78-87
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• 2024

The risk of global warming is increasing due to rapid climate change and increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Among the greenhouse gases, methane has a strong warming effect; in particular, 51.2% of the agricultural sector's methane emissions are from flooded rice fields. According to the current standard rice cultivation method, rice is grown during the maximum tillering stage with an intermittent drainage period of approximately 2 weeks. During the flooding period, methane-producing bacteria are active, but the activity of methane-producing bacteria and the amount of methane gas produced are reduced when the soil becomes oxidized through watering. Accordingly, this study used multiple-sensing technology to analyze the growth response according to the intermittent drainage period and to identify the extended intermittent drainage period with less impact on rice production. The equipment used for growth observations included NDVI, PRI, and IR sensors. The results confirmed that growth indices related to stress, such as NDVI and PRI, were not significantly different from those of the control when treated within 3 weeks of drainage, but drastically decreased when the drainage period was extended beyond 4 weeks. These results appear to result from the fact that soil water content (volumetric water content) also dropped to below 20% 4 weeks after irrigation, creating actual drought stress conditions. The 22^nd day after treatment, when the soil moisture content reached 20%, was considered the point in time when drought stress conditions were formed. The point at which the SPAD value decreased to 0.6% of normal was estimated to be 23.5 days after treatment by using the regression equation between NDVI and SPAD.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.469-473
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• 2024

In this paper proposes a study on the development of a multi-camera inline inspection system using machine vision for quality inspection of pharmaceutical containers. The proposed technique captures the pharmaceutical containers from multiple angles using several cameras, allowing for more accurate quality assessment. Based on the captured data, the system inspects the dimensions and defects of the containers and, upon detecting defects, notifies the user and automatically removes the defective containers, thereby enhancing inspection efficiency. The development of the multi-camera inline inspection system using machine vision is divided into four stages. First, the design and production of a control unit that fixes or rotates the containers via suction. Second, the design and production of the main system body that moves, captures, and ejects defective products. Third, the design and development of control logic for the embedded board that controls the entire system. Finally, the design and development of a user interface (GUI) that detects defects in the pharmaceutical containers using image processing of the captured images. The system's performance was evaluated through experiments conducted by a certified testing agency. The results showed that the dimensional measurement error range of the pharmaceutical containers was between -0.30 to 0.28 mm (outer diameter) and -0.11 to 0.57 mm (overall length), which is superior to the global standard of 1 mm. The system's operational stability was measured at 100%, demonstrating its reliability. Therefore, the efficacy of the proposed multi-camera inline inspection system using machine vision for the quality inspection of pharmaceutical containers has been validated.