• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.813-821
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• 2011

While various aspects affect river water quality, reduction of water flow rate during dry seasons is one of the most significant factors causing severe water pollution in river water environment. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of applying a physicochemical method (sand filtration + ozonation) for improving river water quality within a short period. The parameters analyzed and assessed were $COD_{cr}$, BOD, SS and color. The source river water had a severe pollution level showing COD 8.8~17.2 mg/L (ave. 11.9 mg/L), BOD 4.8~13.3 mg/L (ave. 8.3 mg/L), SS 9.0~22.1 mg/L (ave. 12.8 mg/L) and color 34.4~77.1 degree (ave. 56.5 degree) during the experimental periods. The variation trends showed a relatively low correlation between BOD and COD and between color and COD, while SS showed very low correlation with other parameters. The combined process of sand filtration and ozonation showed averaged removal efficiency of COD 37.2%, BOD 48.4%, SS 60.1% and colority 45.1%, respectively. The marked change of BOD level from 8.3 mg/L to 4.3 mg/L under the experimental conditions in this study implied the improvement of class V to class III set by the river water quality standard in Korea.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.9-22
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• 2023

As a famous herbal medicine in China and Asia, ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) is also known as the "King of All Herbs" and has long been used in medicine and healthcare. In addition to the obvious biological activities of ginsenosides, ginseng polysaccharides (GPs) exhibit excellent antitumor, antioxidant stress, and immunomodulatory effects. In particular, GPs can exert an antitumor effect and is a potential immunomodulator. However, due to the complexity and diversity in the structures and components of GPs, their specific physicochemical properties, and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this article, we have summarized the factors influencing the antitumor activity of GPs and their mechanism of action, including the stimulation of the immune system, regulation of the gut microbiota, and direct action on tumor cells

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.707-716
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• 2023

The influence of waste technological waters of thermal and fast reactors of Beloyarsk NPP (Russia) on the accumulation of ⁶⁰Co, ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs in macrophytes and ichthyofauna of the cooling pond has been studied. Critical radionuclides, routes of their entry into the ecosystem and periods of maximum discharge of radioisotopes into the cooling pond have been determined. It is shown that the technology of electricity generation at the Beloyarsk NPP, based on fast reactors, has a much smaller effect on the release of artificial radionuclides into the environment. Therefore, during the entire period of monitoring studies (1976-2019), the decrease in the specific activity of radionuclides of NPP origin in macrophytes was 13-25800 times, in ichthyofauna 1.5-44.5 times. The maximum discharge of artificial radionuclides into the Beloyarsk reservoir was noted during the period of restoration and decontamination work aimed at eliminating the emergencies at the AMB reactors of NPP. The factors influencing the accumulation of artificial radionuclides in the components of the freshwater ecosystem of the Beloyarsk cooling pond have been determined, including: the physicochemical nature of radioisotopes, their concentration in surface water, the temperature of the aquatic environment, the trophicity of the reservoir, the species of hydrobionts.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Rice production by the current standard cultivation method is predicted to decrease due to global warming. It seems that there has been a strong warming trend in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. This study attempted to understand the climate change in Hwaseongsi, Gyeonggi-do and to analyze the effect of climate change on rice production. METHODS AND RESULTS: The statistical and physicochemical analyses were performed using the rice cultivar 'Chucheongbyeo' yields grown at the rice paddy field plot in the Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services and the weather data measured in near the rice paddy plot. CONCLUSION(S): There was no significant difference between the average rice yields per area in 2000s (2001~2010) and 2010s (2011~2020), but the rice yield variability was greater in 2010s than in 2000s. The mean, minimum, maximum temperature, and the sunshine hours were evaluated for the correlation with the rice yield. The understanding of climate change in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do and the major weather factors affecting changes in rice yield, presented in this study, would enhance scientific understanding of regional climate change, and improve rice cultivation management.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2020.06a
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• pp.325-325
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• 2020

Low impact development (LID) is a widely used technology that aims to reduce the peak flow volume and amount of pollutants in stormwater runoff while introducing physicochemical, biological or a combination of both mechanisms in order to improve water quality. This research aimed to determine the effect of hydrologic factors in removing the pollutants on stormwater runoff by an LID facility. Monitored storm events from 2010-2018 were analysed to evaluate the hydraulic and hydrological performance of a small constructed wetland (SCW). Standard methods for the examination water and wastewater were employed to assess the water quality of the collected samples (APHA et al, 1992). Primary hydrologic data were obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration. The recorded average rainfall intensity and antecedent dry days (ADD) of SCW were 5.26 mm/hr and 7 days respectively. During the highest rainfall event (27 mm/hr), the removal efficiency of SCW for all the pollutants was ranging from 67% to 91%. While on the lowest rainfall event (0.7 mm/hr), the removal efficiency was ranging from -36% to 62%. Rainfall intensity has a significant effect to the removal efficiencies of each facility due to its dilution factor. In addition to that, there was no significant correlation of ADD to the mean concentrations of pollutants. Generally, stormwater runoff contains significant amount of pollutants that can cause harmful effects to the environment if not treated. Also, the component of this LID facility such as pre-treatment zone, media filters and vegetation contributed to the effectivity of the LID facilities in reducing the amounts of pollutants present in stormwater runof.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.103-118
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• 2024

The aim of this study is to compare the quality characteristics of dry-cured loins with different levels of proteolysis and lipid oxidation and to investigate the relationship between these factors on quality characteristics. The dry-cured loins were divided into four groups [proteolytic index (PI) and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of high levels (HH), PI of high level and TBARS of low level (HL), PI of low level and TBARS of high level (LH), and PI and TBARS of low levels (LL)] based on the proteolysis index and TBARS. Moisture, protein, and fat content were all significantly influenced by proteolysis and lipid oxidation (p<0.05). The total fatty acid content in the high proteolysis groups (HH and HL) was significantly lower than that in the low proteolysis groups (LH and LL; p<0.05). For total free amino acid content, HH was the highest, and LL was the lowest (p<0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between HL and LH (p>0.05). In the amount of total volatile compounds, there was no significant difference between HH and HL (p>0.05), but LH and LL significantly differed (p<0.05). In conclusion, proteolysis and lipid oxidation can influence the quality characteristics of dry-cured loin. Additionally, proteolysis might be as influential in generating volatile compounds as lipid oxidation.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.156-171
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• 2023

Purpose: The development of vaccines that confer protection against multiple avian influenza A (AIA) virus strains is necessary to prevent the emergence of highly infectious strains that may result in more severe outbreaks. Thus, this study applied reverse vaccinology approach in strategically constructing messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine construct against avian influenza A (mVAIA) to induce cross-protection while targeting diverse AIA virulence factors. Materials and Methods: Immunoinformatics tools and databases were utilized to identify conserved experimentally validated AIA epitopes. CD8⁺ epitopes were docked with dominant chicken major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) to evaluate complex formation. Conserved epitopes were adjoined in the optimized mVAIA sequence for efficient expression in Gallus gallus. Signal sequence for targeted secretory expression was included. Physicochemical properties, antigenicity, toxicity, and potential cross-reactivity were assessed. The tertiary structure of its protein sequence was modeled and validated in silico to investigate the accessibility of adjoined B-cell epitope. Potential immune responses were also simulated in C-ImmSim. Results: Eighteen experimentally validated epitopes were found conserved (Shannon index <2.0) in the study. These include one B-cell (SLLTEVETPIRNEWGCR) and 17 CD8⁺ epitopes, adjoined in a single mRNA construct. The CD8⁺ epitopes docked favorably with MHC peptidebinding groove, which were further supported by the acceptable ∆G_bind (-28.45 to -40.59 kJ/mol) and Kd (<1.00) values. The incorporated Sec/SPI (secretory/signal peptidase I) cleavage site was also recognized with a high probability (0.964814). Adjoined B-cell epitope was found within the disordered and accessible regions of the vaccine. Immune simulation results projected cytokine production, lymphocyte activation, and memory cell generation after the 1st dose of mVAIA. Conclusion: Results suggest that mVAIA possesses stability, safety, and immunogenicity. In vitro and in vivo confirmation in subsequent studies are anticipated.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.143-154
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• 2009

(Y $\times$ L) $\times$ D-crossbred gilts and barrows weighing $80.2\pm0.2$ kg were fed a "medium-energy" (ME) or "low-energy" (LE) diet (3.2 vs 3.0 M cal DE/kg) and slaughtered at 110, 125, or 138 kg, after which physicochemical and sensory quality traits of major primal cuts of resulting carcasses were analyzed, under a 2 (sex) $\times$ 2 (diet) $\times$ 3 (slaughter weight; SW) factorial arrangement of treatments. The ADG and ADFI were greater (P<0.01) in barrows than in gilts and also in 125- and 138-kg vs 110-kg SW. Moreover, ADG and gain:feed were greater in ME vs LE (P<0.01), whereas ADFI was greater in LE vs ME (P<0.01). Backfat thickness, which increased with increasing SW (P<0.01), was not affected by sex or diet. Carcass marbling score was greater (P<0.01) in gilts and LE than in barrows and ME, respectively. Carcass quality grade, which was superior in LE vs ME, was not affected by SW, whereas the yield grade decreased abruptly between 125- and 138-kg SW primarily due to the upper limit of carcass weight imposed on the A and B grades. Physicochemical characteristics including pH, drip loss, and variables pertaining to color of belly, ham, and loin were not affected significantly by any of the treatment factors, albeit statistically significant in some cases, in terms of quality criteria. In sensory evaluation, the acceptability of fresh belly was not influenced by any of the treatment factors. Marbling score of fresh ham was greater in LE vs ME (P<0.01) and tended to increase between 110- and 125-kg SW (P=0.10); in loin, the increase of this variable between the two SW was significant (P<0.01). Following cooking, LE was superior to ME in the acceptability in belly and ham, but the effect of SW was insignificant in any of the sensory quality traits evaluated in this study in any of the three major primal cuts. In conclusion, the present results suggest that SW can be increased to up to 138 kg without compromising carcass quality and that LE has some beneficial effects on quality of the whole carcass and the major primal cuts.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.57-69
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• 2017

Overwintering and succession of phytoplankton community with physicochemical and biological characteristics were investigated in pilot culture system. Water and phytoplankton samples were collected twice a week from February 23 to June 28, 2016. A total of 17 overwintering taxa including cyanophyceae, chlorophyceae, bacillariophyceae were identified in the experimental group in winter (February), and these overwintering species showed a marked succession pattern along with environment changes. In the process of phytoplankton succession, a total of 56 species in 28 genera were identified in two (experimental, control) pilot culture system. In the experimental group, 52 phytoplankton species in 24 genera were identified, and the number of taxa was highest in chlorophyceae (35 species), followed by Bacillariophyceae (9 species), Cyanophyceae (5 species) and others (3 species). In the control group, 25 phytoplankton species in 14 genera were classified and these taxa consisted of 17 chlorophyceae, 3 cyanophyceae, 2 Bacillariophyceae and 3 others. The standing crops ranged from 40 to $325,450cells\;mL^{-1}$ in the experimental group, and from 900 to $37,100cells\;mL^{-1}$ in the control group, respectively. The dominant species were represented by Monoraphidium minutum, Microcystis aeruginosa, Rhodomonas lacustris, Ankyra judai and Chlorella vulgaris in the experimental group; and M. minutum and Coenochloris cf. pyrenoidosa in the control group. In conclusion, overwintering and succession of predominant phytoplankton species developed due to interactions of internal environmental factors(physicochemical and biological factors) in the pilot culture system.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.164-170
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• 2011

Amanita hemibapha is a kind of mycorrhizal mushroom which has a relation with host plants and environmental factors. For the purpose of studying the relationship between environmental factors and mushrooms, in this study we conducted to investigate the soil physicochemical properties, the distribution of plants and the diversity of mushrooms in Gwangyang, Chungdo and Daegu. Soil texture in habitate of Amanita hemibapha was Sandy Loam and Sandy Clay Loam which contains a high rate of sand. Soil pH was approximately 5.0 in all study sites. Total nitrogen contents, C/N ratio and available phosphate($P_2O_5$) were the highest at the Chungdo. However, Gwangyang and Chungdo represent similar Cation Exchange Capacity(C.E.C) and Daegu has much less than other areas. Exchangeable cations, $Ca^{2+}$ content was higher at Gwangyang and Chungdo than Daegu and $Na^+$ content was the highest at Chungdo among three sites. Daegu has much $Mg^{2+}$ contents followed by Chungdo and Gwangyang. Interestingly, $K^+$ content listed in reverse order of $Mg^{2+}$ at Gwangyang, Chungdo and Daegu. The main woody plants in study sites are confirmed as Carpinus laxiflora, Quercus mongolica, Q. serrata and Pinus densiflora. Quercus species are found as a common species in three study sites. Lastly, 8 family and 12 species of mushrooms are emerged in Gwangyang, also 8 family and 12 species and 5 family and 10 species are found in Chungdo and Daegu, respectively. Amanita pantherina, Boletus edulis, Tylopilus felleus and Marasmius maximus, which found in study sites, are also kind of mycorrhizal mushroom same as A. hemibaph. By using correspondence analysis, Q. mongolica, Q. serrata, Q. variabilis and C. laxiflora are expected to as a host plant of A. hemibapha.