• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.596-603
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• 2020

In this paper, an experimental study was conducted to investigate the applications of bottom ash, which is an industrial by-product obtained from thermal power plants. Bottom ash was used as fine aggregate in this study, and an experiment was conducted to determine the characteristics of the bottom ash aggregate. In addition, 25, 50, 75, and 100% contents of crushed (natural) fine aggregate were replaced with bottom ash aggregate to produce concrete mixture including bottom ash. Thereafter, test results of the unit weight, ultrasonic velocity, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity of bottom ash concrete were obtained. Moreover, the effect of the curing ages of 28 and 91 days on the material characteristics of bottom ash concrete were identified. Test results showed that bottom ash used as fine aggregate had pozzolanic reaction. Finally, based on the extensive experimental results, relationships between thermal conductivity and unit weight, ultrasonic velocity, and compressive strength was suggested.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.152-161
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• 2021

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is known as a key product for agriculture in several countries across the world. Beet soil-borne virus (BSBV) triggers substantial economic damages to sugar beet by reducing the quantity of the yield and quality of the beet sugars. We conducted the present study to report the complete genome sequences of two BSBV isolates in Turkey for the first time. The genome organization was identical to those previously established BSBV isolates. The tripartite genome of BSBV-TR1 and -TR3 comprised a 5,835-nucleotide (nt) RNA1, a 3,454-nt RNA2, and a 3,005-nt RNA3 segment. According to sequence identity analyses, Turkish isolates were most closely related to the BSBV isolate reported from Iran (97.83-98.77% nt identity). The BSBV isolates worldwide (n = 9) were phylogenetically classified into five (RNA-coat protein read through gene [CPRT], TGB1, and TGB2 segments), four (RNA-rep), or three (TGB3) lineages. In genetic analysis, the TGB3 revealed more genetic variability (Pi = 0.034) compared with other regions. Population selection analysis revealed that most of the codons were generally under negative selection or neutral evolution in the BSBV isolates studied. However, positive selection was detected at codon 135 in the TGB1, which could be an adaptation in order to facilitate the movement and overcome the host plant resistance genes. We expect that the information on genome properties and genetic variability of BSBV, particularly in TGB3, TGB1, and CPRT genes, assist in developing effective control measures in order to prevent severe losses and make amendments in management strategies.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.143-151
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• 2020

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus play important roles in dental caries. Coptis chinensis is a natural product with antimicrobial activity against enterobacteria; however, its effects on oral streptococci are still unknown. Therefore, the effects of C. chinensis on the growth and biofilm formation of the representative cariogenic bacteria S. mutans and S. sobrinus were investigated for the possible use of C. chinensis as an anticaries agent. The C. chinensis extract was diluted with sterile distilled water, and 0.1-2.5% of the extract was used in the experiment. The effects of the C. chinensis extract on the growth and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus were measured by viable cell counting and spectrophotometry at 650 nm absorbance, respectively. Crystal violet staining was also carried out to confirm the C. chinensis extract's inhibitory effect on biofilm formation. The C. chinensis extract significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus at concentrations of ≥ 0.3% as compared with the control group. The viable cell count of colonies decreased by 1.7-fold and 1.2-fold at 2.5% and 1.25%, respectively, compared with the control group. The biofilm formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was inhibited by > 20-fold at C. chinensis extract concentrations of ≥ 1.25% as compared with the control group. In summary, the C. chinensis extract inhibited the growth and biofilm and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Therefore, C. chinensis might be a potential candidate for controlling dental caries.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.57-71
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• 2021

The purpose of the study is to derive an appropriate knitting method that can increase the appearance, wearability, and functionality through empirical research on the sleeve height knitting ratio of seamless knit wear. The study was conducted by producing seven types of experiment clothes according to knitting ratio to examine the characteristics according to the body armhole and sleeve height ratio. Specifically, after fit evaluatins, variance analysis (ANOVA) was performed to analyze the results of the evaluation, and the evaluated contents were converted into data. Among them, the items with significant results were intensively studied using the Duncan-test. The result showed that the height and the width of the sleeves vary depending on the knitting ratio. Test sweater A was the highest at 16cm, followed by test sweater B, test sweater C, test sweater D, test sweater E, test sweater F, and test sweater G at 4cm. The 1:1 ratio of test sweater A, was the highest, which is knitted in the same course as the body. The larger the difference in the ratio of body and sleeve, the lower the height of the sleeves. As a result of the appearance sensory evaluation, a significant difference was confirmed in the result values (p<0.001) from all items on the front, side, and rear. Specifically, the appearance of the test sweater B(2:4:2) on the front and test sweater C(2:4:3) on the side and rear side was the best. When the sleeves height is properly set, the ratio of the arm line to fit the design with a natural curve is analyzed as a very important factor. The results of this study are expected to be of practical use in product development and production that can increase the feeling when wearing and design satisfaction.

• East Asian Economic Review
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-91
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• 2022

Recent years have witnessed renewed interest in Africa and public diplomacy has emerged as the vital tool being used to cultivate these relations. China has been leading in pursuing stronger economic partnership with Africa while middle powers such as Korea are also intensifying engagement with the continent. While previous studies have analyzed the implications of China's activities in Africa on advanced powers, none has examined them from the paradigm of middle powers. This study fills this gap by assessing China's activities in Africa, their economic engagement and implications for Korea's interest in Africa. The analysis is qualitative based on secondary data from various sources and literature. The study shows that China's public diplomacy strategy involves a high degree of innovation and has evolved to encompass new tools and audiences. China has institutionalized a cooperative model that permeates many aspects of governance institutions in Africa, enabling it to strengthen their relations. This could also be helping China to adjust faster leadership transitions in Africa. Whereas the US is still the most influential country in Africa, China is influential in economic policies and has outstripped the US in infrastructure diplomacy. This could be because African policy makers align more with China's economic model than the US' mainstream economics. Chinese aid to Africa has been diversified to social sectors that are more responsive to the needs of Africa. Trade and investment relations between China and Africa have deepened, but so does trade imbalance since 2010. China mainly imports natural resources and raw materials from Africa. But this product portfolio is not different from Korea and the US. China's energetic insertion in Africa using various strategies has significant implications for countries with ambitions in Africa. Korea can achieve its ambitions in Africa by focusing resources in areas it can leverage its core strengths-such as education and vocational training, environmental policy and development cooperation.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.463-470
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• 2021

Due to natural and human factors, dunhuang frescoes in China have gradually degenerated. China has conducted digital transformation of frescoes since 1990. However, it requires expensive research costs. Most of the visitors passively accept transformation contents and lack subjective participation. The paper focuses on produces a prototype of Dunhuang frescoes on the CoSpaces EDU. It was implemented as a metaverse through procedures such as transforming the cave into 3D, mapping images to the cave model and developing CoBlocks. The research puts forward a more specific methodology without expensive costs of development. The paper makes it easier to realize the immersive and interactive virtual Dunhuang frescoes world, to improve the tourism contents and educational effect. This research carries on the statistics to the product result which develops according to the user experience of 100 different ages, has obtained the good feedback. The research results need to be improved is to strengthen the processing of graphic details. Therefore, Optimization and improvement of the result will be carried out in the future research.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.291-297
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• 2022

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a type of progressive blindness that is primarily due to dysfunction and the loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The accumulation of N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E), a by-product of the visual cycle, causes RPE and photoreceptor degeneration that impairs vision. Genes associated with dry AMD have been identified using a blue light model of A2E accumulation in the retinal pigment epithelium and transcriptomic studies of retinal tissue from patients with AMD. However, dry macular degeneration progresses slowly, and current approaches cannot reveal changes in gene transcription according to stages of AMD progression. Thus, they are limited in terms of identifying genes responsible for pathogenesis. Here, we created a model of long-term exposure to identify temporally-dependent changes in gene expression induced in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) exposed to blue light and a non-cytotoxic dose of A2E for 120 days. We identified stage-specific genes at 40, 100, and 120 days, respectively. The expression of genes corresponding to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during the early stage, glycolysis and angiogenesis during the middle stage, and apoptosis and inflammation pathways during the late stage was significantly altered by A2E and blue light. Changes in the expression of genes at the late stages of the EMT were similar to those found in human eyes with late-stage AMD. Our results provide further insight into the pathogenesis of dry AMD induced by blue light and a novel model in vitro with which relevant genes can be identified in the future.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.172-181
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• 2022

This study aims to find out the design needs of millennials for flower services amid changes in the environment in which flowers are purchased online. To this end, first, the consumption tendency of millennials and online flower purchase trends were examined. In addition, focusing on flower bouquet products, the market status of flower delivery shopping malls, which are online flower product services, and regular flower subscription services, a new trend in the flower market, were investigated. Based on this, a survey was conducted to improve online flower services. As a result of the survey, it was found that millennials trusted branded products, preferred eco-friendly products, and tended to have strong design openness in improving online flower service design. In addition, millennials prefer natural bouquet designs mixed with large and small flowers to large and colorful roses, which are currently mainly sold at flower delivery shopping malls. Therefore, we hope that this study will improve the design of online flower services that meet the needs of millennial consumers, revitalizing flower purchases, and expanding to new online flower service design research.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.217-227
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• 2021

This study is a record of ethnomedicinal knowledge in Begumganj province focussed on medicinal plants and their local uses for primary health care. The aim was to document and preserve the ethnomedicinal knowledge used by traditional healers of Begumganj upazila, Bangladesh, to treat human diseases and evaluate the relative efficacy of the medicinal plants. The uses of medicinal plants were documented as an ethnomedicinal data sheet using direct observation, field interview, plant interview and group interview techniques from December 2012 to January 2014 in the study area. Data were collected from 98 traditional healers through a questionnaire survey and analyzed through informant consensus factor and fidelity level. This study revealed comprehensive relationship among various diseases and families, forms and parts of plants and modes of preparation. Overall, 75 plant species under 71 genera of 47 families were documented, which are used to treat 41 diseases. Data analysis revealed that 41.33%, 14.67%, 36% and 8% of the medicinal plant species were herbs, shrubs, trees, and climbers, respectively. Leaves were the most used parts, followed by stem, root, fruit, bark, latex and rhizome. The most frequently treated diseases were dysentery, rheumatism and skin diseases. This is the first ethnobotanical survey, which recorded the importance of medicinal plants in Begumganj upazila, Bangladesh. This study can contribute to preserving the indigenous knowledge on the traditional use of medicinal plants in this region and new drug development with attracting future generations towards traditional healing practice.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2021

The methylglyoxal (MGO) trapping constituents from Malus baccata L. were investigated using incubation of MGO and crude extract under physiological conditions followed by HPLC analysis. The peak areas of MGO trapping compounds decreased, and their chemical structures were identified by HPLC-ESI/MS. Sieboldin was identified as a major active molecule representing MGO-trapping activity of the crude extract. After reaction of sieboldin and MGO, remaining MGO was calculated by microplate assay method using imine (Schiff base) formation of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and aldehyde group. After 4 h incubation, sieboldin trapped over 43.8% MGO at a concentration of 0.33 mM and showed MGO scavenging activity with an RC₅₀ value of 0.88 mM for the incubation of 30 min under physiological conditions. It was also confirmed that sieboldin inhibited the production of advanced glycation end products (AGE) produced by bovine serum albumins (BSA)/MGO. Additionally, MGO trapping mechanism of sieboldin was more specifically identified by ¹H-, ¹³C-, 2D NMR and, confirm to be attached to the position of C-3' (or 5').