• The Korean Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.111-118
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• 2018

Nicotine of tobacco component has a controversial impact in the clinical outcome of dental implants. Although numerous nicotine effects on bone healing around implants have been presented, it is rarely reported in vitro study about normal human osteoblast(NHost) from oral and maxillofacial area at the surface of implants. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of nicotine on the proliferation and differentiation response of NHost to plasmatic and salivary levels of nicotine reported in smokers at the surface of screw-type plasma-sprayed titanium implants. NHosts were seeded on the surface of titanium implants and cultured for 21 days in ${\alpha}-MEM$ supplemented with 10% FBS, 50mg/ml ascorbic acid, 5mM ${\beta}$-glycerophosphate and 100nM dexamethasone. Seeded implants were exposed to various nicotine concentration(0.05-0.5mg/ml) from 1 to 21 days, and characterized for cell morphology, proliferation, differentiation, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity and ionized calcium concentration(Cai) of medium. Continuous exposure to higher nicotine concentration(above 0.3mg/ml) induced a dose- and time-dependent vacuolation of the cytoplasm, and a tendency to detach from the implant surface. 0.05mg/ml(lower nicotine concentration) did not cause significant effects in the cell proliferation and ALP activity. 0.1-0.2mg/ml caused evident dose-dependent effects in increased cell proliferation, ALP activity and earlier onset of matrix mineralization at levels up to 0.2mg/ml, while a dose-dependent inhibitory effect at 0.3-0.5mg/ml. Cai concentration of control group was decreased at 14 days. Increased Cai concentration at 0.1-0.2mg/ml, decreased Cai concentration at 0.3mg/ml and no change at 0.5mg/ml during the culture period were seen. It suggested that nicotine concentration could paly an role in modulating NHost activity as a contributing factor associated with proliferation and differentiation of NHost at the surface of implants.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.857-866
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• 2020

'Movement' is an expanded concept of 'place' where people act, interact with one another and achieve a specific purpose at every moment. Wheelchairs, as a mobility aid, have a profound impact on improving the quality of physical and psychological well-being for the mobility disadvantaged groups who have mobility difficulties. Such mobility aids were developed mainly for outdoor activities, but in recent years, mobility aids for indoor spaces, the main living environment, are also being developed. Because indoor mobility aids generally move short distances repeatedly, this study examined the characteristics of lithium-ion batteries in short-distance driving of battery-powered wheelchairs and compared them with the characteristics of lithium-ion batteries in continuous driving. The result showed that the driving time for short-distance driving was 2.8% shorter than that of continuous driving. The current supplied to the motor was 15.4% higher for short-distance driving than that of continuous driving.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.11-16
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• 2022

The compaction process using vibrating rollers in road construction is essential to increase soil stiffness in earthworks. Currently, there is no clear standard for the operation method of the compaction roller during compaction. Although simple quality inspection techniques have been developed, plate load test (PLT) and field density test (FDT) are the most frequently used test methods to evaluate the degree of compaction during road construction as the most frequently used quality inspection methods. However, both inspection methods are inefficient because they cannot perform quality inspection in all sections due to time and cost reasons. In this study, we analyzed how the operating conditions of vibrating rollers affect the compaction quality. An intelligent quality management system, which is a currently developed and commercialized technology, was used to obtain quality inspection results in all sections. As a result of the test, it was analyzed that the speed and vibration direction of the compaction roller had an effect on the compaction degree, and it was found that the compaction direction had no effect on the compaction degree.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.94-102
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• 2020

Renewable energy (RE) is essential to comprise sustainable societies, especially, in rural villages of developing countries. Furthermore, application of off-grid RE systems to health care can improve the quality of life. In this research, a RE-based vaccination supply management system was constructed to enlarge the cold-chain in developing countries for the safe storage and delivery of vaccines. The system was comprised of the construction of RE plants and development of vaccine carriers. RE plants were constructed and connected to health posts in local villages. The cooling mechanism of vaccine carriers was improved and monitoring devices were installed. The effect of the system on vaccine cold-chain was evaluated from the field test and topographical analysis in the southern village of Nepal. RE plants were normally operated for the vaccine refrigerator in the health post. The modified vaccine carriers had a longer operation time and better temperature control via monitoring and RE-based recharging functionality. The topographical analysis estimated that the system can cover larger region. The system prototype showed great potential regarding the possibility of a sustainable and enlarged cold-chain. Thus, RE-based vaccine supply management is expected to facilitate vaccine availability while minimizing waste in the supply chain.

• Atmosphere
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.203-216
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• 2024

The National Institute of Meteorological Sciences in Korea has developed the Weather Modification Hybrid Rocket (WMHR), an advanced system that offers enhanced stability and cost-effectiveness over conventional solid-fuel rockets. Designed for precise operation, the WMHR enables accurate control over the ejection altitude of pyrotechnics by modulating the quantity of oxidizer, facilitating specific cloud seeding at various atmospheric layers. Furthermore, the rate of descent for pyrotechnic devices can be adjusted by modifying parachute sizes, allowing for controlled dispersion time and concentration of seeding agents. The rocket's configuration also supports adjustments in the pyrotechnic device's capacity, permitting tailored seeding agent deployment. This innovation reflects significant technical progression and collaborations with local manufacturers, in addition to efforts to secure testing sites and address hybrid rocket production challenges. Notable outcomes of this project include the creation of a national framework for weather modification technology utilizing hybrid rockets, enhanced cloud seeding methods, and the potential for broader meteorological application of hybrid rockets beyond precipitation augmentation. An illustrative case study confirmed the WMHR's operational effectiveness, although the impact on cloud seeding was limited by unfavorable weather conditions. This experience has provided valuable insights and affirmed the system's potential for varied uses, such as weather modification and deploying high-altitude meteorological sensors. Nevertheless, the expansion of civilian weather rocket experiments in Korea faces challenges due to inadequate infrastructure and regulatory limitations, underscoring the urgent need for advancements in these areas.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.43.1-43.14
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• 2021

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3), which express IL-22 and IL-17A, has been introduced as one of pathologic cells in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Dyslipidaemia should be managed in axSpA patients to reduce cardiovascular disease, and dyslipidaemia promotes inflammation. This study aimed to reveal the role of circulating ILC3 in axSpA and the impact of dyslipidaemia on axSpA pathogenesis. AxSpA patients with or without dyslipidaemia and healthy control were recruited. Peripheral blood samples were collected, and flow cytometry analysis of circulating ILC3 and CD4⁺ T cells was performed. The correlation between Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-C-reactive protein (CRP) and circulating immune cells was evaluated. The effect of oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (oxLDL-C) on immune cell differentiation was confirmed. AxSpA human monocytes were cultured with with oxLDL-C, IL-22, or oxLDL-C plus IL-22 to evaluate osteoclastogenesis using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and real-time quantitative PCR of osteoclast-related gene expression. Total of 34 axSpA patients (13 with dyslipidaemia and 21 without) were included in the analysis. Circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 and Th17 were significantly elevated in axSpA patients with dyslipidaemia (p=0.001 and p=0.034, respectively), and circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 significantly correlated with ASDAS-CRP (Rho=0.4198 and p=0.0367). Stimulation with oxLDL-C significantly increased IL-22⁺ ILC3, NKp44^- ILC3, and Th17 cells, and these were reversed by CD36 blocking agent. IL-22 and oxLDL-C increased TRAP⁺ cells and osteoclast-related gene expression. This study suggested potential role of circulating IL-22⁺ ILC3 as biomarker in axSpA. Furthermore, dyslipidaemia augmented IL-22⁺ ILC3 differentiation, and oxLDL-C and IL-22 markedly increased osteoclastogenesis of axSpA.

• 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.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.46 no.1 s.145
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• pp.87-95
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• 2007

Many kinds of environment friendly agricultural materials were used for the insect pest control and the control of plant diseases, furthermore they support the growth of crops in the greenhouses and the kindly environment friendly farming. Phytoseiulus persimilis might be used for control of two-spotted mites with environment friendly agricultural materials at the same time. For testing the toxicity of environment friendly agricultural materials against to p. persimilis, 61 environment friendly agricultural materials were selected by material contents and using methods. When environment friendly agricultural materials were directly sprayed on P. persimilis, IEFAM C, FEFAM A, EFAMSM A, D, EFAMPE A, EFAMCh B, EFAMME A, and EFAMMo C killed over 90%. However, there was no effects to FEFAM C, D, EFAMSM C, EFAML A, EFAMME C, E, H, J, EFAMMo G and I against P. persimilis. P. persimilis adults were not survived in vial for 48 hours after sprayed and dried with the environment friendly agricultural materials, fer examples, EFAMSM I, EFAMME A, EFAMMo A, C, and I. Otherwise, EFAMCh C and EFAMMo B were no effects to P. persimilis. Some environment friendly agricultural materials are of different qualities, and consequently test of their foxily have to necessary.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.82-92
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• 2007

In 2003, we evaluated biological water quality at twelve sites of Youngsan River using community analysis, fish compositions, and the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI). Of the twelve, four sites were the controls, which have no point sources in the upstream and the remaining eight sites were the impacted sites, which are influenced by wastewater treatment plant (WTP) and agro-industrial complex. Model values of the IBI, based on 12 sites data, averaged 28 (n=12, range: $18{\sim}44$), indicating fair poor condition according to the criteria of US EP A (1993). In the mean time, mean IBI in the control sites (S3, S5, S6, S11) was 42 (n=4, range: $38{\sim}44$), indicating a good condition, whereas mean IBI in the impacted sites was 21, indicating a poor condition. Mean IBI value in the control, thus, was greater by 2 fold than that in the WTP sites. The spatial pattern of IBI values was similar to the patterns of species diversity index and species richness index, except for Site 11, which was 1st order stream. Similarity analysis indicated that three groups were divided at the similarity level of 80%. One group was the streams influenced by wastewater and the other two groups were the pristine streams as the control, indicating that the stream health conditions are directly influenced by presence or absence of the point sources. Also, Pearson's correlation analysis showed that IBI values had negative correlation (r=0.899, p<0.001) with relative abundance of tolerance species, and had positive relation (r=0.890, p<0.001) with sensitive species. Overall, outcomes suggest that the point sources of the WTP might impact the species composition and ecological health, resulting in degradation of biological water quality.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1230-1236
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• 2012

To verify that the electrokinetic remediation is effective for decreasing salinity of fields of the plastic-film house, field tests for physical property, chemical property, and crop productivity of soils have been conducted. The abridged result of those tests is as follows. In the EK treatment, the electrokinetic remediation has been treated at the constant voltage (about 0.8 V $cm^{-1}$) for fields of the farm household. At this time, an alternating current (AC) 220 V of the farm household was transformed a direct current. The HSCI (High Silicon Cast Iron) that the length of the stick for a cation is 20cm, and the Fe Plate for an anion have been spread out on the ground. As the PVC pipe that is 10 cm in diameter was laid in the bottom of soils, cations descend on the cathode were discharged together. For soil physical properties according to the EK treatment, the destruction effect of soil aggregate was large, and the infiltration rate of water was increased. However, variations of bulk density and porosity were not considerable. Meanwhile, in chemical properties of soils, principal ions of such as EC, $NO_3{^-}$-N, $K^+$, and $Na^+$ were better rapidly reduced in the EK treated control plot than in the untreated control plot. And properties such as pH, $P_2O_5$ and $Ca^{2+}$ had a small impact on the EK. For cropping season of crop cultivation according to the EK treatment, decreasing rates of chemical properties of soils were as follows; $NO_3{^-}$-N 78.3% > $K^+$ 72.3% > EC 71.6% $$\geq_-$$ $Na^+$ 71.5% > $Mg^{2+}$ 36.8%. As results of comparing the experimental plot that EK was treated before crop cultivation with it that EK was treated during crop cultivation, the decreasing effect of chemical properties was higher in the case that EK was treated during crop cultivation. After the EK treatment, treatment effects were distinct for $NO_3{^-}$-N and EC that a decrease of nutrients is clear. However, because the lasting effect of decreasing salinity were not distinct for the single EK treatment, fertilization for soil testing was desirable carrying on testing for chemical properties of soils after EK treatments more than two times. In the growth of cabbages according to the EK treatment, the rate of yield increase was 225.5% for the primary treatment, 181.0% for the secondary treatment, and 124.2% for third treatment compared with the untreated control plot. The yield was increased by a factor of 130.0% for the hot pepper at the primary treatment (Apr. 2011), 248.1% for the lettuce at the secondary treatment (Nov.2011), and 125.4% for the young radish at the third treatment (Jul. 2012). In conclusion, the effect of yield increase was accepted officially for all announced crops.