• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.689-697
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• 2016

Kefir is an acidic-alcoholic fermented milk product originating from the Caucasian mountains. Kefir has long been known for its probiotic health benefits, including its immunomodulatory effects. The objectives of this study were to investigate the properties of a fermented whey product and to examine the effects of kefir grains on the in vitro immune-modulation of human mast cell-1 (HMC-1). The results showed that the whey fermented by kefir grains contained the maximum lactic acid bacteria and yeast for 16 hr by 1.83×10⁸ and 6.5×10⁵ CFU/ml, respectively, and lactose and whey proteins were partially hydrolyzed. The experimental whey fermented by kefir grains exhibited an in vitro anti-inflammatory effect on the HMC-1 line for 8, 16, and 24 hr, and this effect induced the expression of interleukin (IL)-4 as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, but not for 48 hr by RT-PCR in HMC-1 cells. In addition, the same phenomenon was observed for the expression of IL-8 as a pro-inflammatory cytokine by the kefir-fermented whey during the same periods of 8-48 hr under the same conditions. These cytokines resulted in the production of IL-4 at 20-25 ng in HMC-1 cells for 8, 16, and 24 hr, whereas 5 ng was produced for 48 hr by the fermented whey. In contrast, IL-8 was produced at 15-20 ng in HMC-1 cells during 4, 8, 16, and 24 hr, while 7 ng was produced at 48 hr. It was concluded that the whey fermented by kefir grains possesses a potential anti-inflammatory function, which could be used for an industrial application as an ingredient of functional foods and pharmaceutical products.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.1
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• pp.94-105
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• 2009

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) stand is representative lowland exotic plantation with low ecological quality and arrested succession in South Korea. To facilitate succession and restore natural vegetation, small canopy gaps (${\sim}57m^2$), which can modify minimally structural variables and reduce restoration related disturbances on stand, was established in the black locust stand, and oak (Quercus serrata) seedlings were introduced in the gap. Two types of varying levels were introduced for gap creation; cutting (C) and girdling (G) on canopies. Understory removal (CU and GU) treatment was applied as subtypes of structural modification. Growth (diameter, height and leaf area) of target species and responses (species composition, diversity and coverage) of understory community were monitored during study years (2007~2008). Canopy openness was different significantly among treatments but not for light availability. Based on the result of logistic regression, growth of height and leaf area of seedlings were significant variables on seedling survival. Height and leaf area of seedlings were increased during study years, although radial growth was reduced. During study years, there were no significant differences in species composition and diversity, and total coverage increased about 20%. Increase of resources by gap creation and understory removal likely affect growth of target species. Small gap creation was effective to reduce understory responses in composition and diverstiy. Synthesized, growth of target species and responses of understory community to small canopy gap creation exhibited, in short term, possibility of utilization in alternative forest restoration and management option. Long-term monitoring is necessary to certificate effect of artificial gap creation on forest restoration.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.398-403
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of irrigation method adopted for reducing nutrient solution drainage on the root zone environment, growth and yield of a tomato crop grown in a rockwool medium. The irrigation control methods used were large quantity irrigation at a long interval controlled by only an integrated solar radiation sensor (standard), medium quantity irrigation at a medium interval (zero drainage 1), and small quantity irrigation at a short interval (zero drainage 2) controlled by both an integrated solar radiation sensor and a zero drainage sensor. The amount of the nutrient solution supplied and the drain percentage per plant of the standard, zero drainage 1, and zero drainage 2 were 1.4, 0.9 and 0.8 L, and 23.8, 8.6 and 3.7%, respectively. The average, minimum, and maximum water contents and EC of the standard, zero drainage 1, and zero drainage 2 were 64.5~88% and $1.5{\sim}3.5dS{\cdot}m^{-2}$, 40.3~76.0% and $2.5{\sim}4.0dS{\cdot}m^{-2}$, and 56.3~69.0% and $2.7{\sim}3.7dS{\cdot}m^{-2}$, respectively. There was no difference in leaf width, number of leaves, and stem diameter among the treatments. However, plant height and leaf length decreased in the zero drainage 1 and 2 treatments as compared to the standard. The fruit marketable yield per 10a in the zero drainage 1 and 2 treatments was about 93 and 88%, respectively, of that in the standard treatment.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.384-394
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• 2019

We have investigated the effects of ambient temperature on the growth of wheat in Korea. The differences in the growth phase of wheat were compared according to the temperature treatment. The productive tiller number and dry weight were decreased in a plot under a higher temperature treatment. We found that the growth of Jinpum was different from that of the alternative wheat cultivars, which were bred in Korea, at 50 days after treatment. While the Jinpum wheat grown at 17℃ showed vegetative stage growth, that grown in the 23℃ growth chamber entered the heading and flowering stage. The differences in the expression of 16 genes known to be involved in high-temperature responses were checked by using Jinpum wheat 50 days after two temperature treatments (17℃ and 23℃), which showed apparent differences in expression between the higher and lower temperatures during the growth phase. In the 23℃ treatment samples, the genes with increased expression were HSP70, HSP101, VRN2, ERF1, TAA1, YUCCA2, GolS, MYB73, and Histone H2A, while the genes with decreased expression were VRN-A1, DREB2A, HsfA3, PIF4, PhyB, HSP17.6CII, rbcL, and MYB73. YUCCA2, HSP101, ERF1, and VRN-A1 showed a significant difference in gene expression between lower- and higher-temperature conditions. Overall, combining the means of the expression of various genes involved in thermosensing, vernalization, and abiotic stresses, it is possible to conclude that different sets of genes are involved in vernalization and summer depression of wheat under long term, high ambient temperature conditions.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.280-292
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• 2017

Hail is not a frequently occurring weather event, and there are even fewer reports of hail damages to forest stands. Since the 2000s, an increase in hail incidence has been documented in Europe and the United States. In Korea, severe hails occurred in Jeollanam-do province on May 31 and in Gyeongsangbuk-do province on June 1, 2017. Hail size was ranged from 0.5 to 5.0 cm in diameter in Jeollanam-do, and from 1.5 to 3.0 cm in Gyeongsangbuk-do. This study was aimed to analyze the hail damages to forests by species and topography based on damage-categorized maps created by using drones and aerial photographs, and to analyze relationships of the damages with meteorological factors. The total damaged forest area was 1,163.1ha in Jeollanam-do, and 2,942.3ha in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Among the 'severe' damaged area 326.7ha, 91% was distributed in Jeollanam-do, and concentrated in the city of Hwasun which covers 57.2% of the total 'severe' damaged area. The most heavily damaged species was Korean red pine(Pinus densiflora S. & Z.) followed by P. rigida. Most broad-leaved trees species including oaks were recovered without any dead trees found. Liliodendron tulipifera was the most severely damaged in terms of the rate of 'severe' degree individuals which are needed to be checked whether they will die or be recovered. Cause of the death of pines was considered as the combination of physical damage caused by the hail and long-lasting drought with high air temperature that occurred before and after the hail event. No pathogens and insects were found which might have affected to tree deaths. We suggested a dieback mechanism of the pine trees damaged by hail and drought.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.117-129
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• 2015

As the Internet becomes ubiquitous, a large volume of information is posted on the Internet with exponential growth every day. Accordingly, it is not unusual that investors in stock markets gather and compile firm-specific or market-wide information through online searches. Importantly, it becomes easier for investors to acquire value-relevant information for their investment decision with the help of powerful search tools on the Internet. Our study examines whether or not the Internet helps investors assess a firm's value better by using firm-level data over long periods spanning from January 2004 to December 2013. To this end, we construct weekly-based search volume for information technology (IT) services firms on the Internet. We limit our focus to IT firms since they are often equipped with intangible assets and relatively less recognized to the public which makes them hard-to measure. To obtain the information on those firms, investors are more likely to consult the Internet and use the information to appreciate the firms more accurately and eventually improve their investment decisions. Prior studies have shown that changes in search volumes can reflect the various aspects of the complex human behaviors and forecast near-term values of economic indicators, including automobile sales, unemployment claims, and etc. Moreover, search volume of firm names or stock ticker symbols has been used as a direct proxy of individual investors' attention in financial markets since, different from indirect measures such as turnover and extreme returns, they can reveal and quantify the interest of investors in an objective way. Following this line of research, this study aims to gauge whether the information retrieved from the Internet is value relevant in assessing a firm. We also use search volume for analysis but, distinguished from prior studies, explore its impact on return comovements with market returns. Given that a firm's returns tend to comove with market returns excessively when investors are less informed about the firm, we empirically test the value of information by examining the association between Internet searches and the extent to which a firm's returns comove. Our results show that Internet searches are negatively associated with return comovements as expected. When sample is split by the size of firms, the impact of Internet searches on return comovements is shown to be greater for large firms than small ones. Interestingly, we find a greater impact of Internet searches on return comovements for years from 2009 to 2013 than earlier years possibly due to more aggressive and informative exploit of Internet searches in obtaining financial information. We also complement our analyses by examining the association between return volatility and Internet search volumes. If Internet searches capture investors' attention associated with a change in firm-specific fundamentals such as new product releases, stock splits and so on, a firm's return volatility is likely to increase while search results can provide value-relevant information to investors. Our results suggest that in general, an increase in the volume of Internet searches is not positively associated with return volatility. However, we find a positive association between Internet searches and return volatility when the sample is limited to larger firms. A stronger result from larger firms implies that investors still pay less attention to the information obtained from Internet searches for small firms while the information is value relevant in assessing stock values. However, we do find any systematic differences in the magnitude of Internet searches impact on return volatility by time periods. Taken together, our results shed new light on the value of information searched from the Internet in assessing stock values. Given the informational role of the Internet in stock markets, we believe the results would guide investors to exploit Internet search tools to be better informed, as a result improving their investment decisions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.561-568
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• 2009

To investigate the effects of garlic and medicinal plants extracts (GP) on liver function and lipid metabolism of rat administered with ethanol chronically, Sprague-Dawly male rats were fed with a basial diet (Normal), a basial diet plus ethanol (Control, 10 mL of 20% ethanol/kg b.w/day), a control diet plus 0.5% garlic and 1.0% medicinal plants extracts (GP-I), and a control diet plus 1.0% garlic and medicinal plants extracts (GP-II) for 4 weeks. Blood glucose in GP group was significantly decreased, but not significantly different between GP-I and GP-II group. Albumin content of serum was significantly increased in GP groups, while total lipid, cholesterol and triglyceride of serum were significantly decreased in GP group. Total cholesterol and triglyceride were not significantly different between GP-I and GP-II group. LDL-cholesterol in blood was decreased to 58% in GP-I group and 73% in GP-II group compared to the control group, it's contents were the lowest amounts among the normal, control and experimented groups. Lipid levels in liver of rat administered with alcohol were decreased in GP group and significantly different in GP-II group. GOT and r-GTP activities were significantly higher in control than normal group, while GPT and ALP activities were not significant in groups administered with alcohol. Activities of GOT, GPT and r-GTP were significantly lower in GP group than control group, while ALP activity was not significant in all groups. TBARS contents were not significant in serum, but it's contents in liver were significantly decreased in GP groups than control group. DPPH radical scavenging ability in serum and liver was significantly increased in GP groups. These results indicate that garlic and medicinal plants extracts were effective in improving and protecting liver disorder induced from long-term alcohol consumption.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.10 no.1_2 s.11
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• pp.23-33
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• 2004

The Lago Sofia conglomerate in southern Chile is a lenticular unit encased within mudstone-dominated, deep-sea successions (Cerro Toro Formation, upper Cretaceous), extending from north to south for more than $120{\cal}km$. The Lago Sofia conglomerate is a unique example of long, gravelly deep-sea channels, which are rare in the modern environments. In the northern part (areas of Lago Pehoe and Laguna Goic), the conglomerate unit consists of 3-5 conglomerate bodies intervened by mudstone sequences. Paleocurrent data from these bodies indicate sediment transport to the east, south, and southeart. The conglomerate bodies in the northern Part are interpreted as the tributary channels that drained down the Paleoslope and converged to form N-S-trending trunk channels. In the southern part (Lago Sofia section), the conglomerate unit comprises a thick (> 300 m) conglomerate body, which probably formed in axial trunk channels of the N-5-trending foredeep trough. The well-exposed Lago Sofia section allowed for detailed investigation of sedimentary facies and large-scale architecture of the deepsea channel conglomerate. The conglomerate in Lago Sofia section comprises stratified conglomerate, massive-to-graded conglomerate, and diamictite, which represent bedload deposition under turbidity currents, deposition by high-density turbidity currents, and muddy debris flows, respectively. Paleocurrent data suggest that the debris flows originated from the failure of nearby channel banks or slopes flanking the channel system, whereas the turbidity currents flowed parallel to the orientation of the overall channel system. Architectural elements produced by turbidity currents represent vertical stacking of gravel sheets, lateral accretion of gravel bars, migration of gravel dunes, and filling of channel thalwegs and scoured hollows, similar to those in terrestrial gravel-bed braided rivers. Observations of large-scale stratal pattern reveal that the channel bodies are offset stacked toward the east, suggestive of an eastward migration of the axial trunk channel. The eastward channel migration is probably due to tectonic tilting related to the uplift of the Andean protocordillera just west of the Lago Sofia deep-sea channel system.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2005

Purpose : Metabolic bone diseases have been mai or problems in children with renal diseases and steroid treatment is the main precipitating factor reducing bone mineral density(BMD). This study was performed to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and to evaluate the clinical factors associated with decreased BMD in children with renal diseases. Methods : Forty-four children with renal diseases who were diagnosed at the Pediatric no phrology division of Ajou University hospital since Oct. 1994 were included. Using a new quantitative ultrasound device, BMD and the prevalence of osteoporosis were evaluated. The clinical and serological data were analyzed in association with decreased BMD. Results : A total of 44 patients were evaluated. The age at initial diagnosis was 6.7$\pm$4.2 years. At the time of evaluation, the chronological and bone age was 9.3$\pm$4.2 years and 8.2 $\pm$ 4.6 years, respectively. The renal diseases included nephrotic syndrome 24(54.5%), Henoch Schonlein purpura nephritis 7(15.9%), IgA nephropathy 6(13.9%), reflux nephropathy(RN) 2 (4.5%), and other renal disease 5(%). The prevalence of osteoporosis was 11%. There was no difference in the clinical factors between the long-term and the short-term treated steroid groups. Conclusion : The prevalence of osteoporosis was 12% in 44 children with renal diseases No significant factor was found in association with decreased BMD and there was no relationship between osteoporosis and steroid usage duration or cumulative dose. A new quantitative ultrasound, which is relatively easy to perform, especially in children, is expected to be in common use and will enable clinicians to evaluate metabolic bone disorders with ease.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2010

This study is aimed at reviewed and analyzed in order to suggest the improved plans related to natural monuments. The summary of this study is as followings; First, Replacing the current term 'cultural properties', which denotes the meaning of 'goods', we need to devise an new categorization that separates such properties into cultural heritage and natural heritage under the national heritage framework. Second, the designation criteria for natural monuments should be divided into the individual realm for animals and plants respectively, since they are not divided in the current Act. Third, the guidelines for naming of natural monuments should be established with the following new categories in accordance with the clear standards. Fourth, such imbalances require us to give priority to the relatively neglected types and areas. Fifth, as the big and old trees account for more than a half of the designated plants, it is necessary to search out new resources(wet plant communities, seashores, sand dune plant communities, etc.) such as geological resources, mineral springs, hot springs, and fossils that are in danger of completely being exploited and exhausted. While most of the designated animals are protected nationally, the existing designation system is required to protect habitats and breeding places for the systematic and efficient conservation. Sixth, as long as we need to preserve those historical and cultural resources for the future generations from national and global perspectives, we should enhance their values by designating them as natural monuments even though they are protected by other regulations such as the natural environment area. Seventh, as a result of the survey, we found that more budgets and experts in the local governments, more empowered organizations, more active public participation should be provided for the better Natural Monument management in Korea. Eighth, the Lap of Natural Heritage in the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage needs to be developed to the Natural Heritage Institute to conduct the diverse activities such as researches, restoration, exhibition and education programs in a systematic and efficient way. Ninth and the last, major damages to natural monuments can be generally categorized into the artificial one and natural one, respectively. The artificial damages include toxics, soil covering, excessive humidity, fire, construction and management works, unlawful damages, fishing, oil spillage, etc, and the natural ones include lightning, storms(typhoons), heavy snowfalls, damage by insects and diseases, lack of prey, etc. This study will become meaningful in that it proposes specific measures for the improvement of the institutions, designation, and management of natural monuments on the basis of the comprehensive analysis on natural monuments. We wish to leave the other subjects related with this study to the future researches.