• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.288-296
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• 2022

This study aimed to verify the effect of Citrus unshiu peel water extract (CUP) on a mouse model of acute gastritis (AG) induced by HCl/ethanol. Several studies have found that CUP has anti-inflammatory effects. The AG model was induced by oral administration of 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol (550 µL) to all groups except the control group. Also, for drug treatment, sucralfate (10 mg/kg) and CUP (100 or 200 mg/kg) were orally administered for 90 minutes before induction. The effect of CUP treatment was confirmed by gross gastric mucosal damage measurement, and the levels of Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT), Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT), and myeloperoxidase were reduced as well as the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers and their related proteins. In addition, the levels of inflammatory proteins, mediators, and cytokines were significantly downregulated byPI3K/Akt signaling. Taken together, these results show that CUP treatment alleviates AG by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.29-51
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• 2022

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) designated the Emission Control Area (ECA) in Northern Europe to reduce the NOx and SOx emissions from ships in the coastal areas. This study used Network slack-based measure (SBM) Data Envelopment Model (DEM) and Bootstrop Truncated Regression (BTR) model to analyze the ECA's impact on ferry companies' financial performances based on the financial data from eight ferry carriers in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and North America from 2004 to 2017. To alleviate the problem of arbitrary variable selection in DEA, the variable selection criteria proposed by Dyson et al. (2001) were applied; the size of the company was considered through the Network SBM DEA model; and the company's profit-generating process was divided into stages to measure financial performance in more detail. In addition, the BTR model was applied to derive results that minimize the bias of the data. The study found that ECA regulations did not always negatively affect the shipping companies' financial performance. Rather, a steady increase in efficiency was observed for Northern European ferry companies which were subject to the strongest regulations. For North American ferry companies, government subsidies were found to have a significant impact on efficiency, and relatively small impact on efficiency due to the ECA and oil prices. For the Mediterranean ferry companies, efficiency values have decreased since the implementation of ECA regulation despite the lowest level of regulation in the region.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.316-322
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• 2022

The flow pattern at the inlet of the catalyst layer in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system is one of the key parameters influencing the performance of the denitrification process. In the curved diffusing parts between the ammonia injection grids and the catalyst layers, guide vanes are installed to improve flow uniformity. In the present study, a numerical simulation has been performed to investigate the effect of the geometrical configuration of the guide vanes on the aerodynamic characteristics of a denitrification facility. This application has been made to the existing SCR process in a large-scaled coal-fired power plant. The flow domain to be solved covers the whole region of the flow passages from the exit of the ammonia injection gun to the exit of the catalyst layers. ANSYS-Fluent was used to calculate the three-dimensional steady viscous flow fields with the proper turbulence model fitted to the flow characteristics. The root mean square of velocity and the pressure drop inside the flow passages were chosen as the key performance parameters. Four types of guides vanes were proposed to improve the flow quality compared to the current configuration. The numerical results showed that the type 4 configuration was the most effective at improving the aerodynamic performance in terms of flow uniformity and pressure loss.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2020

Objective : The aim of present study was to clarify the effect of Areca Semen and Toosendan Fructus Mixture (AT-mix) on chronic reflux esophagitis (CRE) in rats. Methods : The antioxidant activity of AT-mix was measured through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities in vitro. CRE was induced in SD rats (5 weeks, male) by ligating the border forestomach and granular portion with 2-0 silk and the duodenum near the pyloric portion was covered with 2-mm wide piece of 18-Fr Nélaton catheter. And then rats were treated AT-mix 200 mg/kg one daily for 14 days. The anti-oxidant and inflammatory protein levels were evaluated using western blotting. Results : Gross lesion of esophageal mucosa after AT-mix treatment showed a superior enhancement compared with that of CRE control rats. AT-mix treatment strongly reduced both DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities (DPPH, IC₅₀ 8.15±0.14 ㎍/mL; ABTS, IC₅₀ 24.69±0.03 ㎍/mL, repspectively). Levels of the NADPH oxidase subunit including NOX4 and p22^phox increased in CRE control rats. Otherwise, AT-mix treatment significantly reduced. The activation of Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) led to significantly the up-regulation of HO-1. The inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation led to NF-κB inactivation. Subsequently, NF-κB inactivation significantly induced the decrease of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6 protein expressions. Conclusion : Taken together, these results suggest that AT-mix treatment can attenuate the esophageal mucosal ulcer though inhibiting NF-κB pathway and enhancing Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Thus, the additional mechanism study about AT-mix would need for the development as a safe herbal therapy for CRE.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2022

To understand the distribution characteristics of PM_2.5 concentration in the Saemangeum Reclamation Area and nearby areas, three points of the background area, the occurrence area, and the affected area were selected and samples were collected for each season. The chemical composition was determined. As a result of analyzing the chemical composition contained in PM_2.5, NO₃^- (7.2 ㎍/m³), SO₄^2- (4.3 ㎍/m³), NH₄+ (4.3 ㎍/m³), OC (2.5 ㎍/m³), Si (1.3 ㎍/m³) m³) and EC (0.5 ㎍/m³) seemed to be the main components, and NO₃-, SO₄^2-, NH₄⁺, which are components that form secondary particles, occupied a large proportion. The composition ratio of PM_2.5 was investigated in the order of ion component (56.8%) > Unknown (27.4%) > carbon component (11.8%) > heavy metal component (4.0%). During the PM_2.5 high concentration case days, the ionic component accounted for 90.7% during atmospheric stagnation cases, whereas the chemical composition ratio was in the order of ionic component (51.7%) > heavy metal component (41.5%) > carbon component (6.8%) during yellow dust cases. It was found that the characteristic of PM_2.5 in the Saemangeum reclaimed land and surrounding areas is mainly influenced by outside (domestic and overseas) throughout the year. Ion components accounted for the largest portion of PM_2.5 components in this area, but there were few sources of SOx and NOx emission in the Seamangeum area, which are precursors for secondary particle formation. Therefore, it is judged that most of these are generated and influenced as a secondary reaction in the atmosphere from the outside.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2022

Objectives : Although the pharmacological effects of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi water extract (AM) have been proven from many studies, reports on the antioxidant effect of AM on ulcerative colitis (UC) are scarce. Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the anti-oxidant effect of AM on the DSS-induced UC model. Methods : To induce ulcerative colitis, 8-week-old male Balb/c mice received 5% DSS in drinking water for 1 week. After 1 week of adaptation, mice were divided into four groups (n=8 each) for use as normal (Normal), DSS Control (Control), DSS + AM 100 mg/kg (AM100)-treatment, DSS + AM 200 mg/kg (AM200)-treatment. After 1 week of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, and the extracted colon tissue was analyzed for protein through western blot. Results : As a result of confirming the macroscopic changes in colon tissues to confirm the therapeutic effects of AM, the decrease in colon length was suppressed in the AM treatment group compared to the control group. In addition, as a result of biochemical analysis, AM administration significantly reduced serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvate transaminase levels and tissue malondialdehyde levels. As a result of confirming the protein expression level through western blot, AM administration significantly decreased the expression of NADPH-related proteins such as NOX2, p22^phox, and iNOS, but significantly increased the expression of SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2. Conclusions : AM may improve DSS-induced UC in mice by modulating NADPH and antioxidant-related proteins. In conclusion, AM showed an antioxidant effect through the improvement of oxidative stress on UC.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2022

According to reinforce environmental regulations, coal power plants have used selective catalytic reduction using ammonia as a reducing agent to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxide generation. The purpose of the present study was to derive a mixing device for effectively mixing dilute air and ammonia in the ammonia mixing pipe by performing computational fluid dynamic analysis. The mixing effect was compared by analysing the %RMS of ammonia concentration at the down stream cross section in the mixing pipe and the 16 outlets based on the case 1-1 shape, which is an existing mixing pipe without a mixing device. The mixing device was performed by changing the positions of a square plate on the downstream side of the ammonia supply pipe and an arc-shaped plate on the wall of the mixing pipe. In the case of the existing geometry(Case 1-1), the %RMS of ammonia concentration at the 16 outlets was 29.50%. The shape of the mixing device for Case 3-2 had a square plate on the downstream side of the ammonia supply pipe and an arc plate was installed adjacent to it. The %RMS of ammonia concentration for Case 3-2 was 2.08% at 16 outlets and it could be seen that the shape of Case 3-2 was the most effective mixing shape for ammonia mixing.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2023

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects of Samul-tang-ga-dansam water extract (SD) in wound-induced mice. Methods The mice were divided into five groups (n=7): the normal group, the control group, the positive control group, the low-dose SD group and the high-dose SD group. The normal group had no wounds and the other groups were wounded on the back with a leather punch. Distilled water was administered to the control group, 200 mg/kg of vitamin E was administered to the positive control group. In the low-dose SD group and the high-dose SD group, 1.23 g/kg and 2.47 g/kg of SD were administered, respectively. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protein levels were evaluated using western blot analysis. Skin tissue was analyzed by H&E, Masson's trichrome staining method. Results Oral administration of the SD significantly reduced the visible skin damage and decreased the reactive oxygen species and ONOO^- activity of the serum. It significantly increased heme oxygenase-1, superoxide dismutase, catalase, GPx-1/2, Nrf2 and Keap-1 which are antioxidant-related factors in skin tissue and reduced NF-κB p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 which are inflammation-related factors. Also, SD significantly decreased NOX2, p22^phox and p47^phox and increased α-smooth muscle actin and COL1A1 protein expression in fibroblasts involved in connective tissue repair. According to histological examination, the thickened epithelial layer was thinned and collagen fibers were increased to accelerate wound healing. Conclusions It is suggested that Samul-tang-ga-dansam has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and promotes wound tissue repair.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.458-468
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• 2023

Background: As a complication of Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of cognitive dysfunction are still undefined. Recent studies demonstrated that Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has promising neuroprotective properties, but the effect and mechanism in diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction (DACD) deserve further investigation. Methods: After establishing the T2DM model with a high-fat diet and STZ intraperitoneal injection, Rg1 was given for 8 weeks. The behavior alterations and neuronal lesions were judged using the open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze (MWM), as well as HE and Nissl staining. The protein or mRNA changes of NOX2, p-PLC, TRPC6, CN, NFAT1, APP, BACE1, NCSTN, and Ab1-42 were investigated by immunoblot, immunofluorescence or qPCR. Commercial kits were used to evaluate the levels of IP3, DAG, and calcium ion (Ca²⁺) in brain tissues. Results: Rg1 therapy improved memory impairment and neuronal injury, decreased ROS, IP3, and DAG levels to revert Ca²⁺ overload, downregulated the expressions of p-PLC, TRPC6, CN, and NFAT1 nuclear translocation, and alleviated Aβ deposition in T2DM mice. In addition, Rg1 therapy elevated the expression of PSD95 and SYN in T2DM mice, which in turn improved synaptic dysfunction. Conclusions: Rg1 therapy may improve neuronal injury and DACD via mediating PLC-CN-NFAT1 signal pathway to reduce Aβ generation in T2DM mice.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.19-27
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• 2023

As the secondary battery market expands, the process of producing laterite ore using the rotary kiln and electric furnace method is expanding worldwide. As ESG management expands, the management of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases is strengthened. The rotary kiln, one of the main facilities of the pyrometallurgy process, is a facility for drying and preliminary reduction of ore, and it generate nitrogen oxides, thus prediction of nitrogen oxide is important. In this study, LSTM for regression prediction and LightGBM for classification prediction were used to predict and then model optimization was performed using AutoML. When applying LSTM, the predicted value after 5 minutes was 0.86, MAE 5.13ppm, and after 40 minutes, the predicted value was 0.38 and MAE 10.84ppm. As a result of applying LightGBM for classification prediction, the test accuracy rose from 0.75 after 5 minutes to 0.61 after 40 minutes, to a level that can be used for actual operation, and as a result of model optimization through AutoML, the accuracy of the prediction after 5 minutes improved from 0.75 to 0.80 and from 0.61 to 0.70. Through this study, nitrogen oxide prediction values can be applied to actual operations to contribute to compliance with air pollutant emission regulations and ESG management.