• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.231-243
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• 2022

Anthropogenic disturbances on freshwater ecosystem are known to degrade biodiversity, especially on fish assemblage. In this study, we have conducted fish surveys to identify impact of a bridge construction on fish assemblages. A total of eight study sites were surveyed in the Danjang and the Dong Stream in southern part of South Korea from June to November in 2021. The fish samplings were carried out five times, using cast-nets(10×10 mm mesh size), scoop-nets(4×4 mm, 5×5 mm mesh size), set-nets (10×10 mm mesh size), and fish traps (3×3 mm mesh size), along with the Stream/River Ecosystem Survey and Health Assessment by the Ministry of Environment of Korea and basic water quality measurement. Also, we applied the species diversity index and length-weight relationship regressions on certain species to identify interspecific growth rate differences in accordance with study sites. As a result, a total of 782 individuals, 23 species and 10 families were collected. The dominant species was Zacco Koreanus and relative abundance was 50.89%. When applying the length-weight relationship regressions on certain species, the 'b' value for Z. Koreanus was lower at the downstream points than at the upstream points of the construction site. In addition, when comparing to the results of the past survey, relative density of demersal fish at the upstream and downstream points decreased from 26% to 1.4%, and from 18% to 6.3%, respectively. In conclusion, it is considered that bridge construction negatively affects the habitat of fishes, especially on demersal fishes. Therefore, appropriate conservation efforts such as installation of silt protector and sand sedimentation pond are needed to alleviate the disturbance in habitat such as occurrence of turbidity and destruction of micro-habitats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.417-426
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• 2023

Rapid climate change has resulted in glacial retreat and increased meltwater inputs in the Antarctic Peninsula, including King George Island where Marian Cove is located. Consequently, these phenomena are expected to induce changes in the water column light properties, which in turn will affect phytoplankton communities. To comprehend the effects of glacial retreat on the marine ecosystem in Marian Cove, we investigated on phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll-a, chl-a) and various environment parameters in this area in December 2021 and January 2022. The average temperature at the euphotic depth in January 2022 (1.41 ± 0.13 ℃) was higher than that in December 2021 (0.87 ± 0.17 ℃). Contrastingly, the average salinity was lower in January 2022 (33.9 ± 0.10 psu) than in December 2021 (34.1 ± 0.12 psu). Major nutrients, including dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphate, and silicate, were sufficiently high, and thus, did not act as limiting factors for phytoplankton biomass. In December 2021 and January 2022, the mean chl-a concentrations were 1.03 ± 0.64 and 0.66 ± 0.15㎍ L^-1, respectively. The mean concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) was 24.9 ± 3.54 mgL^-1 during the study period, with elevated values observed in the vicinity of the inner glacier. However, relative lower chl-a concentrations were observed near the inner glacier, possibly due to high SPM load from the glacier, resulting in reduced light attenuation by SPM shading. Furthermore, the proportion of nanophytoplankton exceeded 70% in the inner cove, contributing to elevated mean fractions of nanophytoplankton in the glacier retreat marine ecosystem. Overall, our study indicated that freshwater and SPM inputs from glacial meltwater may possibly act as main factors controlling the dynamics of phytoplankton communities in glacier retreat areas. The findings may also serve as fundamental data for better understanding the carbon cycle in Marian Cove.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.247-258
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• 2023

This study aims to investigate the enhancement of water resistance and improvement in adhesion to the skin by combining dextrin palmitate and isopropyl titanium triisostearate coating materials with titanium dioxide. Due to the recent increase in consumers who enjoy outdoor activities, the demand for sunscreen with excellent water resistance is increasing. Prior research was conducted with O/W, Pickering, and W/O/W multiple formulations, but there was a limit to water resistance. The purpose of this study is to develop a complex inorganic powder that can improve water resistance and increase adhesion to the skin to solve this problem. First, we combined dextrin palmitate and isopropyl titanium triisostearate coating materials to form a composite with titanium dioxide. The coating of the inorganic powder was confirmed using FE-SEM and FT-IR analysis. The composite exhibited significantly higher in vitro water resistance compared to other formulations. The hydrophobicity of the coated inorganic powder was compared by measuring the contact angles. When the coated inorganic powder was applied to the W/O sunscreen formulation and the non-coated inorganic powder was applied to the W/O sunscreen formulation as a control, the SPF of the sunscreen containing the coated inorganic powder was higher. These results were the same when observed with a UV camera. Finally the adhesion of the coated inorganic powder to the skin was assessed by applying it to a foundation product. In vivo study, it was observed that the product formulated with the coated powder exhibited less smudging compared to the foundation product formulated with the non-coated powder. The developed inorganic powder in this study demonstrated excellent adhesion to the skin, providing a superior sensory experience, as well as enhanced hydrophobicity and remarkable water resistance effects. In the future, the result of this study is expected to help develop various sunscreen products to improve water resistance.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2023

With rising concerns about pesticide spray drift by aerial application, this study attempt to evaluate aerodynamic property and collection efficiency of spray drift according to the leaf area index (LAI) of crop for preventing undesirable pesticide contamination by the spray-drift tunnel experiment. The collection efficiency of the plant with 'Low' LAI was measured at 16.13% at a wind speed of 1 m·s^-1. As the wind speed increased to 2 m·s^-1, the collection efficiency of plant with the same LAI level increased 1.80 times higher to 29.06%. For the 'Medium' level LAI, the collection efficiency was 24.42% and 43.06% at wind speed of 1 m·s^-1 and 2 m·s^-1, respectively. For the 'High' level LAI, it also increased 1.24 times higher as the wind speed increased. The measured results indicated that the collection of spray droplets by leaves were increased with LAI and wind speed. This also implied that dense leaves would have more advantages for preventing the drift of airborne spray droplets. Aerodynamic properties also tended to increase as the LAI increased, and the regression analysis of quadric equation and power law equation showed high explanatory of 0.96-0.99.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the appropriate levels of crude protein (CP) and phytase in the diet of broiler chicks in order to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus contents in feces while maintaining performance of broilers. Six hundred forty-eight 1-day-old male broilers (41.9±0.91 g) had a total of 3 × 3 complex factor of 3 levels of CP (22%, 21%, 20%) and 3 levels of phytase (1,000, 800, 500 FTU/kg) in the diet. Divided into 9 treatments, 4 replications per treatment, 18 birds per replication, were completely randomly assigned and reared in a metabolic cage for 7 days. Seven-day-old body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) of broilers were significantly lower at CP 20% treatment (P<0.05), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly lower at CP 21% and phytase 800 FTU/kg treatment (P<0.05). Nitrogen and phosphorus contents in chicken excreta were significantly lower in CP 20% and phytase 500 FTU/kg treatment, respectively (P<0.05). Interactions between CP and phytase in the feed were shown for nitrogen and phosphorus in feces (P<0.05). In conclusion, considering the broiler performance and excretion contents of nitrogen and phosphorus, it is thought that CP and phytase levels of broiler chicks diet can be reduced by 21% and 800 FTU/kg, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.146-154
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• 2023

In this study, the peak wave period T_p and mean wave period T₀₂ and T_{m-1, 0}, which are major parameters for classifying ocean characteristics, were calculated using water surface elevation data observed from the second west coast oceanographic and meteorological observation tower. In addition, the ratio of abnormal data, correlation analysis, and optimal probability density function were estimated. In the case of T_p among the calculated representative periods, the proportion of abnormal data was 5.73% and 0.67% at each point, and T₀₂ was 4.35% and 0.01%. T_{m-1, 0} was found to be 2.82% and 0.03%. Meanwhile, as a result of analyzing the relationship between T₀₂ and T_p, the relationship was calculated to be 0.53 and 0.63 for each point. The relationship between T_{m-1, 0} and T_p was 1.15 and 1.32, respectively, and T₀₂, T_{m-1, 0} was 1.18 and 1.22. As a result of estimating the optimal probability density function of the calculated representative period, T_p followed the 'Log-normal' and 'Normal' distributions at each point, and T₀₂ was 'Gamma', 'Normal' distribution and T_{m-1, 0} showed that 'Log-normal' and 'Normal' distribution were dominant, respectively. It is decided that these results can be used as basic data for wave analysis conducted on the west coast.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.311-323
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of Bacillus subtilis-based probiotics and oregano essential oil on the production performance, egg quality, and intestinal morphology of late-phase laying hens (69-weeks). A total of 150 laying hens of 69-week-old were randomly allotted into 6 treatment groups with 5 replicates of 5 birds in each replicate. Laying hens were divided into high (H) and average (A) egg production groups prior to the trial. The hens in each group were supplemented with Bacillus subtilis, or oregano essential oil: CON, a basal diet; BS, basal diet plus 3 × 10⁸ CFU/kg feed Bacillus subtilis; OEO, basal diet plus 0.3 g/kg feed oregano essential oil. Egg performance, blood characteristics, egg quality, and intestinal morphology of the late-phase laying hens were evaluated. Both BS and OEO significantly enhanced (P<0.05) egg production compared to CON in high egg production. The blood characteristics indicated no significant differences based on the egg production and the supplementation of BS and OEO in the late-phase laying hens. The eggshell strength was significantly improved (P<0.05) in both OEO compared to both CON. A significantly decreased (P<0.05) the villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) in the ileum compared to H, and in the treatment groups supplemented with BS and OEO, VH/CD showed a significant increase (P<0.05) compared to both CON. These results suggest that the supplementation of Bacillus subtilis and oregano essential oil in the diet of late-phase laying hens could serve as a potential strategy to enhance egg production, egg quality, and gut health.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.325-336
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• 2023

This study used leaves and stems of 'Tongchaeru', one of the sweet potato varieties, to investigate broiler productivity, meat quality, blood properties, growth hormones, and immune factor levels according to drying method and amount added to feed. For this experiment, a total of 720 1-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were used. Treatments were assigned with 3 replicates per treatment and 20 birds were assigned to each replicate. The treatment group was designed into 12 treatments according to the type of natural product (leaves (L), stems (S)), drying type (natural (N), hot air (H), freeze (F)) and amount added (0.1%, 0.3%). The test was conducted for a total of 5 weeks. In this study, there was no significant difference in productivity depending on the type and amount of additives added (P>0.05). The FS 0.3% group showed high pH and WHC levels, and the shear force was lowest at HL 0.1% group (P<0.05). Blood cell and serum biochemical components were similar in all treatments, and growth hormone IGF-1 was highest in FS 0.1% group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in IFN-γ, but the highest level of IL-6 was seen in the HS 0.1% group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the meat quality and the level of growth hormone and immune factors in the body were different depending on the type and amount of dried leaves and stems of sweet potato 'Tongchaeru', further study is needed to compare the selected additives and amounts added with those without additions.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.12-24
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• 2024

The number of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases worldwide are increasing compared to the early phase of the pandemic, along with highly transmissible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus variant and the increase in adult COVID-19 vaccination. We conducted a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of the COVID-19 vaccines and the observational retrospective studies on adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents. Seventeen studies were finally included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis showed that although vaccination in adolescents was significantly effective to prevent COVID-19 infection in retrospective studies (risk ratio [RR], 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.37; I² =100%), however the effect of preventing COVID-19 infection was lower than in RCTs (RR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.27). In five retrospective studies, the pooled estimated proportion of participants with myocarditis and/or pericarditis was 2.33 per 100,000 of the population (95% CI, 0.97-5.61 per 100,000). Sub-group analysis with sex and vaccine doses showed that male (5.35 per 100,000) and the second dose (9.71 per 100,000) had significantly higher incidence of myocarditis and/or pericarditis than female (1.09 per 100,000) and the first dose (1.61 per 100,000), respectively. Our study showed that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in adolescent recipients were favorable and effective against COVID-19 in RCT as well as observational studies. The safety findings of BNT162b2 vaccine in adolescents were explored and we found the difference of safety according to sex and vaccine doses. The occurrence of adverse events after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination should be monitored.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.439-449
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• 2023

This study was conducted to verify the role of forest roads in the extinction of large forest fires in Korea. The study area was the forest fire-damaged area of Gangneung City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, in April 2023, which is one of the areas with the highest road density among the major forest fires that have occurred so far. The scope of the forest fire damage area was confirmed through on-site survey, and the intensity of the fire was carried out through Sentinel-2 satellite imagery analysis. After that, the relationship between the damage range and intensity and the forest road was examined. About 59.6 km of roads were built within 50 m from the boundary of the forest fire damage area, which can easily access the entire 149.1 ha of forest fire damaged area. The road density is as high as 168.9 m/ha. All forests that were fragmented by roads were fragmented into 83 places, and all of these forests could be judged to have spread by spotting fire. As a result of analyzing the distribution of damage intensity by distance from the road to see the extent of damage according to the ease of access of fire extinguishing vehicles, it was confirmed that the proportion of areas with low-intensity damage has increased sharply even from 75 m or more away from the road. The results of analyzing the distribution of damage intensity by altitude to see the extent of damage according to the ease of access of fire extinguishing showed that the proportion of areas with low-intensity damage increased as the altitude increased, while the proportion of areas with damage of more than strong intensity decreased as the altitude increased. It was confirmed that there is no data that roads inside or adjacent to forests in the forest fire area of Gangneung City are effective in extinguishing forest fires. These results are contrary to the logic that increasing the road density in forests is effective in extinguishing forest fires. In the case of this fire area in Gangneung City, the road density is 43 times higher than the current road density in Korea claimed by the Korea Forest Service of 3.9 m/ha. This study suggests that roads can be a hindrance to extinguishing forest fires.