• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.670-673
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• 2023

The biocompatibility of hydroxyapatite (HAP) has led to its application in various fields. To accomplish practical biological applications, such as drug/gene delivery, the colloidal stability of HAP in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) is particularly important. In this study, we prepared a glycerol incorporated-HAP (Gly-HAP) by heating HAP in a glycerol environment at 200 ℃. To compare morphology and colloidal stability, HAP prepared at room temperature (RT-HAP) was thermally treated in water at 200 ℃ (H₂O-HAP). The heat treatment of HAP in both water and glycerol solutions results in an increase in the crystallinity of HAPs. Due to the low solubility of HAP in glycerol and the adsorption of glycerol on the HAP surface, crystal growth is limited. However, the heat-treated HAP under water increased in size by approximately four times compared to the initial crystallites. Compared to RT-HAP and H₂O-HAP, Gly-HAP shows improved colloidal stability in PBS, which originates from the adsorption of glycerol on the HAP surface that inhibits the agglomeration of individual HAP precipitates.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.987-994
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• 2023

This study examined the associations between the genotypes of the galactose mutarotase (GALM) gene and carcass traits in the Hanwoo population of Jeju Island, South Korea. The GALM genotypes were determined by the 14-bp (5'-GGTCTAATGACCAG-3') insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphisms of the 3'-untranslated region (UTR). All three genotypes (LL, LS, and SS) were found in the Hanwoo steer population. The association analysis showed significant associations between genotypes and several carcass traits, including traits related to intramuscular fat content, such as meat quality, marbling score, and backfat thickness (p<0.05). Animals harboring the SS genotype showed not only higher levels of intramuscular fat content but also lower levels of backfat thickness than animals harboring the LL and LS genotypes. On the other hand, no significant associations were found between the GALM genotypes and carcass weight, eye muscle area, meat color, or fat color (p>0.05). Deleting the 14-bp segment in the 3'-UTR resulted in the modification of the secondary structure of RNA and appeared to affect gene expression by interfering with the binding ability of GALM mRNA with RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs. These results suggest that the 14-bp InDel polymorphism in the 3'-UTR region of the GALM gene affects cattle growth traits and carcass quality through galactose metabolism-mediated fat accumulation in muscle and backfat tissues.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.653-658
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• 2023

In systems like the combat management system of a naval ship or smart city of civilians, where many sensors and actuators are connected, the middle-ware DDS (Data Distribution Service) is mainly used to transmit large amounts of data. It is scalable and can effectively respond to the increase in sensors or equipment connected to the system in the future. The engineering control system (ECS), which plays an important role similar to the combat management system of a naval ship, still uses Server-Client model with industrial protocols such as Modbus and CAN (Controller Area Network) bus, to transmit data, which is unfavorable in terms of scalability. However, as automation and unmanned systems advance, more sensors and actuators are expected to be added, necessitating substantial program modification. DDS can effectively address such situations. The purpose of this study is to confirm the development possibility of an integrated monitoring and control system of a ship by using OpenDDS, which follows the OMG (Object Management Group) standard among the middle-ware DDS used in the combat management system. To achieve this goal, field equipment simulators and an ECS server were configured to perform field equipment data input/output and simulation using DDS was performed. The ECS prototype successfully handled data transmission, confirming that DDS is capable of serving as the middle-ware for the ECS of a ship.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.714-725
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• 2023

Background: Our previous investigation indicated that the preparation of Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng) inhibited melanogenesis. It comprised salicylic acid (SA), protocatechuic acid (PA), p-coumaric acid (p-CA), vanillic acid (VA), and caffeic acid (CA). In this investigation, the regulatory effects of P. ginseng phenolic acid monomers on melanin production were assessed. Methods: In vitro and in vivo impact of phenolic acid monomers were assessed. Results: SA, PA, p-CA and VA inhibited tyrosinase (TYR) to reduce melanin production, whereas CA had the opposite effects. SA, PA, p-CA and VA significantly downregulated the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), cycle AMP (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cycle AMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) pathway, reducing mRNA and protein levels of TYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and TYRP2. Moreover, CA treatment enhanced the cAMP, PKA, and CREB pathways to promote MITF mRNA level and phosphorylation. It also alleviated MITF protein level in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells, comparable to untreated B16F10, increasing the expression of phosphorylation glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β), β-catenin, p-ERK/ERK, and p-p38/p38. Furthermore, the GSK3β inhibitor promoted p-GSK3β and p-MITF expression, as observed in CA-treated cells. Moreover, p38 and ERK inhibitors inhibited CA-stimulated p-p38/p38, p-ERK/ERK, and p-MITF increase, which had negative binding energies with MC1R, as depicted by molecular docking. Conclusion: P. ginseng roots' phenolic acid monomers can safely inhibit melanin production by bidirectionally regulating melanin synthase transcription. Furthermore, they reduced MITF expression via MC1R/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and enhanced MITF post-translational modification via Wnt/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.529-533
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• 2023

The fundamental electrochemical properties and adsorption capabilities of the carbonized product derived from coffee grounds, a prevalent form of lignocellulose abundantly generated in our daily lives, have been extensively investigated. The structure and morphology of the resultant carbonized product, obtained through a carbonization process conducted at a relatively low temperature of 600 ℃, were meticulously examined using a scanning electron microscope. Raman spectroscopy measurements yielded a relative crystallinity (D/G ratio) of the carbon product of 0.64. Electrical measurements revealed a linear ohmic relationship within the carbonized product. Furthermore, the viability of utilizing this carbonized material as an anode in lithium-ion batteries was evaluated through half-cell charge/discharge experiments, demonstrating an initial specific capacity of 520 mAh/g. Additionally, the adsorption performance of the carbon material towards a representative dye molecule was assessed via UV spectroscopy analyses. Supplementary experiments corroborated the material's ability to adsorb a distinct model molecule characterized by differing surface polarity, achieved through surface modification. This article presents pivotal findings that hold substantial implications for forthcoming research endeavors centered around the recycling of lignocellulose waste.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.385-391
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• 2023

As the use of electric vehicles has increased to minimize carbon emissions, the analyzing the state and performance of lithium-ion batteries that is instrumental in electric vehicles have been important. Comprehensive analysis using not only the voltage, current and temperature of the battery pack, which can affect the condition and performance of the battery, but also the driving data and charging pattern data of the electric vehicle is required. Therefore, a thorough analysis is imperative, utilizing electric vehicle operation data, charging pattern data, as well as battery pack voltage, current, and temperature data, which collectively influence the condition and performance of the battery. Therefore, collection and preprocessing of battery data collected from electric vehicles, collection and preprocessing of data on driver driving habits in addition to simple battery data, detailed design and modification of artificial intelligence algorithm based on the analyzed influencing factors, and A battery analysis and evaluation model was designed. In this paper, we gathered operational data and battery data from real-time electric buses. These data sets were then utilized to train a Random Forest algorithm. Furthermore, a comprehensive assessment of battery status, operation, and charging patterns was conducted using the explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) algorithm. The study identified crucial influencing factors on battery status, including rapid acceleration, rapid deceleration, sudden stops in driving patterns, the number of drives per day in the charging and discharging pattern, daily accumulated Depth of Discharge (DOD), cell voltage differences during discharge, maximum cell temperature, and minimum cell temperature. These factors were confirmed to significantly impact the battery condition. Based on the identified influencing factors, a battery analysis and evaluation model was designed and assessed using the Random Forest algorithm. The results contribute to the understanding of battery health and lay the foundation for effective battery management in electric vehicles.

• Clean Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2024

Carbon has a large specific area and excellent chemical stability, so research on its use as a catalyst support is actively conducted. When using carbon as a support, the pretreatment process is essential. Through pretreatment of carbon, the growth of metal nanoparticles can be controlled and the bonding strength between the support and metal particles can be improved. In this study, carbon was pretreated for surface modification and 5 wt% Pd/C catalysts were synthesized using it as a support. Catalytic activity was evaluated through phenol hydrogenation. To compare with nitric acid, which is commonly used in carbon pretreatment, carbon pretreatment was performed using organic acid. Pd/C treated with gluconic acid showed the highest activity, with 94.93% phenol conversion and 92.76% cyclohexanone selectivity. Therefore, it is expected that pretreatment of the carbon support using organic acid will not only overcome the disadvantages of inorganic acid treatment but also improve catalyst performance.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.18-32
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• 2024

This study aims to analyze the summer human thermal environment in Jeju City's outdoor parking lots by measuring microclimate data and comparing pavement and vegetation albedoes and elements through computer simulations. In measured cases, results due to albedo showed no significance, but there was a significant difference between sunny and shaded areas by trees. The sunny area had a PET (physiological equivalent temperature) in the 'very hot' level, while the shaded area exhibited a 2-step lower 'warm' level. UTCI (universal thermal climate index) also showed that the sunny area was in the 'very strong heat stress' level, whereas the shaded area was 1-step lower in the 'strong heat stress' level, confirming the role of trees in reducing incoming solar radiant energy. Simulation results, using the measured albedoes, closely resembled the measured results. Regarding vegetation, scenarios with a wide canopy, high leaf density, and narrow planting spacing were effective in mitigating the human thermal environment, and the differences due to tree height varied across scenarios. The scenario with the lowest PET value was H9W9L3D8 (tree height 9m, canopy width 9m, leaf area index 3.0, planting spacing 8m), indicating a 0.7-step decrease compared to the current landscaping scenario. Thus, it was confirmed that, among landscaping elements, trees have a significant impact on the summer human thermal environment compared to ground pavement.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.829-839
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: There is limited data on the impact of type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from January 2019 to December 2020 was queried to identify T2MI hospitalizations based on the appropriate International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision-Clinical Modification codes. Monthly trends of COVID-19 and T2MI hospitalizations were evaluated using Joinpoint regression analysis. In addition, the multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis was used to compare inhospital mortality, coronary angiography use, and resource utilization between 2019 and 2020. Results: A total of 743,535 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of T2MI were identified in the years 2019 (n=331,180) and 2020 (n=412,355). There was an increasing trend in T2MI hospitalizations throughout the study period corresponding to the increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in 2020. The adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality associated with T2MI hospitalizations were significantly higher in 2020 compared with 2019 (11.1% vs. 8.1%: adjusted odds ratio, 1.19 [1.13-1.26]; p<0.01). In addition, T2MI hospitalizations were associated with lower odds of coronary angiography and higher total hospitalization charges, with no difference in the length of stay in 2020 compared with 2019. Conclusions: We found a significant increase in T2MI hospitalizations with higher in-hospital mortality, total hospitalization costs, and lower coronary angiography use during the early COVID-19 pandemic corresponding to the trends in the rise of COVID-19 hospitalizations. Further research into the factors associated with increased mortality can increase our preparedness for future pandemics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.118-126
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• 2024

In this paper, the research contents and results related to the automation of the hull-form optimal design of container ships are summarized. A container ship is a ship that generally operates near Froude number of 0.26. To implement hull-form optimal design automation for ships operating at this speed, an optimization algorithm, a hull-form change algorithm, a ship performance prediction algorithm, an automation algorithm, and an iterative calculation technique were applied to develop a numerical analysis computer program that enables hull-form optimal design automation of the container ship, and it was named HOTCONTAINER. In this study, a sensitivity analysis algorithm was developed and applied to appropriately set design variables for hull-form optimal design. To understand the reliability and real ship applicability of the developed algorithm, a numerical analysis was performed on KCS(KRISO Container Ship), a container ship that has been studied in various ways worldwide. Consequently, the optimal ship was derived, and the wave resistance, wave pattern, and wave height of the target and optimal ship were compared. In conclusion, compared the target ship, the optimal ship a 47.63% decrease in wave resistance, and the displacement and wet surface area decreased by 0.50% and 0.39%, respectively.