• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.767-773
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• 2023

To In this study, we sought to evaluate related factors affecting lung volume and their significance in pulmonary function and ventilation disorders. As experimental subjects, 206 normal adult men and women who underwent a low-dose chest CT scan and a spirometry test were selected at the same time. The experimental method was to measure lung volume using lung CT images obtained through a low-dose chest CT scan using deep learning-based AVIEW. Measurements were made using the LCS automatic diagnosis program. In addition, the results of measuring lung function were obtained using a spirometer, and gender and BMI were selected as related factors that affect lung volume, and significance was evaluated through an independent sample T-test with lung volume. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that in evaluating lung volume according to gender, all lung volumes of men were larger than all lung volumes of women. he result of an independent samples T-test using the respective average values for gender and lung volume showed that all lung volumes were larger in men than in women, which was significant (p<0.001). And in the evaluation of lung volume according to BMI index, it was confirmed that all lung volumes of adults with a BMI index of 24 or higher were larger than all lung volumes of adults with a BMI index of less than 24. However, the independent samples T-test using the respective average values for BMI index and lung volume did not show a significant result that all lung volumes were larger in BMI index 24 or higher than in BMI index less than 24 (p<0.055). In the evaluation of lung volume according to the presence or absence of pulmonary ventilation impairment, it was confirmed that all lung volumes of adults with normal pulmonary function ventilation were larger than all lung volumes of adults with pulmonary ventilation impairment. And as a result of the independent sample T-test using the respective average values for the presence or absence of pulmonary ventilation disorder and lung volume, the result was significant that all lung volumes were larger in adults with normal pulmonary function ventilation than in adults with pulmonary function ventilation disorder (p <0.001). Lung volume and spirometry test results are the most important indicators in evaluating lung health, and using these two indicators together to evaluate lung function is the most accurate evaluation method. Therefore, it is expected that this study will be used as basic data by presenting the average lung volume for adults with normal ventilation and adults with impaired lung function and ventilation in similar future studies on lung volume and vital capacity testing.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.288-296
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• 2023

Coal is abundantly available compared to other energy sources and is used as a versatile energy resource worldwide. To address the environmental issues stemming from conventional coal utilization, efforts are underway to develop clean coal utilization technologies, with IGCC technology being a notable example. In IGCC plants, coal is subjected to a CMD process where both drying and pulverization are achieved by supplying hot air. However, if the temperature of the supplied hot air is excessively high, it can lead to devolatilization and spontaneous combustion, thereby compromising the stable operation of the CMD process. This study aimed to measure the devolatilization and spontaneous combustion temperatures of different types of bituminous coal, and to explore their correlations with the characteristics of the coals. Six coal types exhibited devolatilization between 350 and 400 ℃, while three coal types showed devolatilization at temperatures exceeding 400 ℃. Spontaneous combustion ℃curred in one coal type below 100 ℃, six coal types between 100 and 150 ℃, and two coal types above 150 ℃. The measured initiation temperatures were compared with the coal characteristics including the oxygen, moisture, Fe₂O₃, and CaO content, the H/C ratio, and the O/C ratio to establish correlations. Regression analysis was used to calculate the regression coefficients and determination coefficients for each ignition temperature. It was found that 52.44% of the FC/VM data significantly influenced the volatile matter ignition temperature, and 59.10% of the Fe₂O₃ data significantly affected the spontaneous combustionignition temperature.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1036-1045
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• 2023

Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by the insidious loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, represents a significant and growing healthcare challenge, impacting the mobility and quality of life of aging populations worldwide. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of soybean leaf extract (SL) for dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced muscle atrophy in vitro and in an in vivo model. In vitro experiments showed that SL significantly alleviated Dexa-induced atrophy in C2C12 myotube cells, as evidenced by preserved myotube morphology, density, and size. Moreover, SL treatment significantly reduced the mRNA and protein levels of muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx), key factors regulating muscle atrophy. In a Dexa-induced atrophy mouse model, SL administration significantly inhibited Dexa-induced weight loss and muscle wasting, preserving the mass of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles. Furthermore, mice treated with SL exhibited significant improvements in muscle function compared to their counterparts suffering from Dexa-induced muscle atrophy, as evidenced by a notable increase in grip strength and extended endurance on treadmill tests. Moreover, SL suppressed the expression of muscle atrophy-related proteins in skeletal muscle, highlighting its protective role against Dexa-induced muscle atrophy. These results suggest that SL has potential as a natural treatment for muscle-wasting conditions, such as sarcopenia.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2023

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an acute, highly contagious, and immunosuppressive disease in young chickens, and causes considerable economic losses to the poultry industry. More than 30 years ago, an antigenic variant IBDV (avIBDV) was reported in chicken farms in the United States. Recently, a novel avIBDV exhibited clear differences in molecular characteristics compared with previous variant strains. This study investigated the molecular characteristics of recently isolated avIBDV strains in Korea. Strains of avIBDV were confirmed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and were propagated in 10-day-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs through chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) inoculation. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses of hypervariable regions VP2 gene revealed that the strains originated from two different avIBDV lineages (G2a and G2d). In our results, we confirmed the co-existence and prevalence of avIBDV genogroup G2a and G2d in chicken farms. It is necessary to study the protective efficacy of current vaccines against avIBDVs.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.510-522
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• 2023

Purpose: In this study, data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018) were used to examine the relationship between the prevalence of anemia and dietary intake among adults according to household types. Methods: Using data from a total of 10,646 subjects (4,428 men and 6,218 women), the general information, body measurements, results of biochemical examination, food and nutrient intake, and meal quality evaluation were analyzed according to the type of household. Results: The prevalence of anemia was higher in men belonging to single-person households (SPH) than in those from multi-person households (MPH), while anemia prevalence was higher among the women in the MPH than in the SPH. The men in SPH had a lower total food intake of nuts, vegetables, fruits, fish, and seaweed than the men in MPH, and consumed higher quantities of milk, oil, and processed foods. The women from SPH had a lower intake of seaweed and a higher intake of milk than those belonging to the MPH. In addition, the men in SPH had a lower iron intake and iron intake per 1,000kcal than the men in MPH, lower iron intake through plant-based foods, and a lower iron intake ratio compared to the reference nutrient intake. The total Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) score was lower in both men and women in SPH than in those from the MPH. When analyzing the relationship between household type and anemia risk after correcting for the confusion variable, the risk of anemia in men in SPH increased compared to those belonging to the MPH. However, women showed no such significant correlation. There was no relationship between the total KHEI score and the risk of anemia by gender and household type. Conclusion: In conclusion, since anemia in men belonging to SPH is a matter of concern, it is essential to develop guidelines for anemia-related nutrition education for men living alone.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.325-334
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• 2023

The invasive red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is native to south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. Recently, it has been being spreading in the wild in South Korea. However, its primary sources, introduction routes, establishment, and expansion in South Korea remain unclear. Here, we analyzed genetic diversity and population genetic structures of its domestic natural populations during early invasion, commercial stock from local aquaria (a suspected introduction source), and original United States population using mitochondrial COI gene sequences for 267 individuals and eight microsatellite markers for 158 individuals. Natural and commercial populations of P. clarkii showed reduced genetic diversity (e.g., haplotype diversity and allelic richness). The highest genetic diversity was observed in one original source population based on both genetic markers. Despite a large number of individuals in commercial aquaria, we detected remarkably low genetic diversity and only three haplotypes among 226 individuals, suggesting an inbred population likely originating from a small founder group. Additionally, the low genetic diversity in the natural population indicates a small effective population size during early establishment of P. clarkii in South Korea. Interestingly, genetic differentiation between natural populations and the United States population was lower than that between natural populations and aquarium populations. This suggests that various genetic types from the United States likely have entered different domestic aquariums, leading to distinct natural populations through separate pathways. Results of our study will provide an insight on the level of genetic divergence and population differentiation during the initial stage of invasion of non-indigenous species into new environments.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.361-372
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• 2023

Organotin pesticide is used as an acaricide in agriculture and may contaminate livestock products. This study aims to develop a rapid and straightforward analytical method for detecting organotin pesticides, specifically azocyclotin, cyhexatin, and fenbutatin oxide, in various livestock products, including beef, pork, chicken, egg, and milk, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The extraction process involved the use of 1% acetic acid in a mixture of acetonitrile and ethyl acetate (1:1). This was followed by the addition of anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) and anhydrous sodium chloride. The extracts were subsequently purified using octadecyl (C₁₈) and primary secondary amine (PSA), after which the supernatant was evaporated. Organotin pesticide recovery ranged from 75.7 to 115.3%, with a coefficient of variation (CV) below 25.3%. The results meet the criteria range of the Codex guidelines (CODEX CAC/GL 40). The analytical method in this study will be invaluable for the analysis of organotin pesticides in livestock products.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.303-312
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• 2023

The determination of the oxidation states of metal elements in manganese nodules sheds light on the understanding of the formation mechanism of nodules, providing insights into the paleo-environmental conditions such as the redox potential of the aqueous system. This study aims to reveal the oxidation states and chemical bonding of manganese in the natural polymetallic nodules, utilizing conventional X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Specifically, shallow manganese nodules from the Siberian Arctic Sea, effectively recording mineralogical variations, were used in this study. Detailed analysis of XPS Mn 2p spectra showed changes in the manganese oxidation state from the center to the outer parts of the nodules. The central part of the nodules showed a higher Mn⁴⁺ content, approximately 67.9%, while the outermost part showed about 63% of Mn⁴⁺ due to an increase in the Mn³⁺+Mn²⁺. The decrease in the Mn oxidation state with the growth is consistent with the previously reported mineralogical variations from todorokite to birnessite with growth. Additionally, the O 1s spectra presented a predominance of Mn-O-H bonds in the outer layers compared to the center, suggesting hydration by water in the layered manganates of outer layers. The results of this study demonstrate that XPS can be directly applied to understand changes in paleo-environmental conditions such as the redox states during the growth of manganese nodules. Finally, future studies using high-resolution synchrotron-based XPS experiments could achieve details in oxidation states of manganese and trace metal elements.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.41-59
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• 2003

The present study was conducted to (1) explore the perceptions of Korean men and women about what is an important relationship for them and how do each gender group construe relational self, and (2) develop the scale to assess the factors of relational self and verify construct validity of the scale. 40 college students and 60 adults participated in survey and FGI (Focused Group Interview) respectively, and content analysis of their responses yielded 2 categories with 39 characteristics of relational self. The one category was named 'instrumentality' which was important to men and the other was named 'expressivity' which was important to women. The list of 39 items was administered to a nationwide sample of 1503 Korean adults to assess their construal of relational self through the 6-point Likert scale. Principal axis factor analysis showed that the two categories were unidimensional with high reliability. As a result of factor analysis on each category, a total of 9 factors were extracted. Specifically, the instrumentality consisted of factors such as utilitarianism, independence, initiativeness, self-assurance, and competence. And the factors of expressivity were empathy, passiveness, dependency, consideration. The tests of mean difference revealed that men had higher scores in most of the instrumental factors, while women had higher scores in most of the expressive factors. But there was no sex difference in the interdependent self-construal scale(Cross, 2000) which has been frequently used for measuring relational self. This is related to the Korean's collective cultural characteristics, and it was concluded that the relationship with others is very important to both Korean men and women, but the meaning and expectation of the relationship as well as the method for its preservation are different to each sex group. In addition, the correlation analyses indicated that the feminity score was positively correlated with the expressiveness while the masculinity score was positively correlated with instrumentality. This result implicated the differences of relational self among Korean people were related to the socialization process of each sex, i.e., sex role identity. Finally, limitations of this study and the directions for future research were discussed.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.69-83
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• 2023

Objective : This study sought to systematically examine the intervention effect of social stories when applied in relation to children with sleep disorders. Methods : Studies available in the SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, PsycArticles, and PubMed databases that were published from 2001 to 2022 were searched. The keywords used for the search were as follows: ("social story" OR "social stories") AND ("sleep" OR "sleep disorders" OR "sleep wake disorder bedtimes" OR "sleep initiation and maintenance disorders" OR "sleep wake disorder" OR "sleep arousal disorders"). Based on the selection criteria, six experimental studies were selected and analyzed. Results : The selected studies were two randomized controlled trials, three individual trials, and one case study. The subjects were mostly children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who were school-aged or adolescent. The intervention types were often complex interventions, including social stories and other interventions, while the durations of the interventions varied from one day to more than 40 days. The interventions had a positive effect on the subjects' sleep quality, with night wakings, sleep onset delay, and sleep anxiety all being improved. As standardized assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of social stories, the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire and the Child Behavior Checklist were used in two papers each, and were the most commonly used. As non-standardized assessment tools, each of the four papers used turbulence and sleep diaries as assessment tools. Conclusion : The effect of social story mediation can be divided into sleep quality and sleep-related behavior. In terms of sleep quality, studies showing improvements in night wakings, sleep onset delay, and sleep anxiety accounted for a large proportion of the sample. The detailed effect area of sleep quality showed a significant improvement after the interventions in most studies, and in all six studies analyzed in the present study, the continuation of the effect after the intervention was confirmed via follow-up tests. Thus, the findings of this study are expected to be helpful when applying social stories in children with sleep disorders in clinical practice due to presenting the intervention effects, outcome evaluation tools, and intervention periods in children with sleep disorders in prior investigations involving social stories.