• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.119-125
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• 2020

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), two-dimensional atomic layered materials with direct bandgap in the range of 1.1-2.1 eV, have attracted a lot of research interest due to their high response to light and capability to build new types of artificial heterostructures. However, the large-area synthesis of high-quality and uniform TMDC films with vertical-stacked heterostructure still remains challenge. In this study, we have developed a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) system for TMDCs and conducted a systematic study on the growth of single-layer TMDCs and their heterostructures. In particular, using a bubbler-type organometallic compound sources, the concentration and flow rate of each source can be precisely controlled to obtain uniformly single-layered MoS2 and WS2 films over the centimeter scale. In addition, the MoS2/WS2 vertical heterostructure was achieved by growing WS2 film directly on the MoS2 film, as confirmed by electron microscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometer, Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1210-1220
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• 2021

Objective: Unlike mammals, goose fatty liver shows a strong tolerance to fatty acids without obvious injury. Stearyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) serves crucial role in desaturation of saturated fatty acids (SAFs), but its role in the SAFs tolerance of goose hepatocytes has not been reported. This study was conducted to explore the role of SCD1 in regulating palmitic acid (PA) tolerance of goose primary hepatocytes. Methods: 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide was examined to reflect the effect of PA on hepatocytes viability, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA levels of several genes related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, and the role of SCD1 in PA tolerance of goose hepatocytes was explored using RNA interfere. Results: Our results indicated that goose hepatocytes exhibited a higher tolerant capacity to PA than human hepatic cell line (LO2 cells). In goose primary hepatocytes, the mRNA levels of fatty acid desaturation-related genes (SCD1 and fatty acid desaturase 2) and fatty acid elongate enzyme-related gene (elongase of very long chain fatty acids 6) were significantly upregulated with 0.6 mM PA treatment. However, in LO2 cells, expression of ER stress-related genes (x box-binding protein, binding immunoglobulin protein, and activating transcription factor 6), inflammatory response-related genes (interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-1β [IL-1β], and interferon-γ) and apoptosis-related genes (bcl-2-associated X protein, b-cell lymphoma 2, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9) was significantly enhanced with 0.6 mM PA treatment. Additionally, small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated downregulation of SCD1 significantly reduced the PA tolerance of goose primary hepatocytes under the treatment of 0.6 mM PA; meanwhile, the mRNA levels of inflammatory-related genes (IL-6 and IL-1β) and several key genes involved in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), mammalian target of rapamycin and AMPK pathways (AKT1, AKT2, FoxO1, and sirtuin 1), as well as the protein expression of cytochrome C and the apoptosis rate were upregulated. Conclusion: In conclusion, our data suggested that SCD1 was involved in enhancing the PA tolerance of goose primary hepatocytes by regulating inflammation- and apoptosis-related genes expression.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.237-268
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• 2021

As variable renewable sources rapidly increase due to the Energy Transition plan, integration cost of renewable sources to the power system is rising sharply. The increase in variable renewable energy reduces the capacity factor of existing traditional power capacity, and this undermines the efficiency of the overall power supply, and demand resources are drawing attention as a solution. In this study, we analyzed how much electric vehicle demand resouces, which has great potential among other demand resources, can reduce power supply costs if it is used as a flexible resource for renewable generation. As a methodology, a stochastic form of power system optimization model that can effectively reflect the volatile characteristics of renewable generation is used to analyze the cost induced by renewable energy and the benefits offered by electric vehicle demand resources. The result shows that virtual power plant-based direct control method has higher benefits than the time-of-use tariff, and the higher the proportion of renewable energy is in the power system, the higher the benefits of electric vehicle demand resources are. The net benefit after considering commission fee for aggregators and battery wear-and-tear costs was estimated as 67% to 85% of monthly average fuel cost under virtual power plant with V2G capability, and this shows that a sufficient incentive for market participation can be offered when a rate system is applied in which these net benefits of demand resources are effectively distributed to consumers.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.680-691
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, carcass traits, and fat deposition in white-feather broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 480 male one-day-old white-feather broiler chickens were selected randomly and divided into four groups with six replicates of 20 chickens in each. The experimental chickens were fed diets including 3%, 6%, or 9% FCSM fermented by Candida tropicalis until 42 days old. In the experiment, the chickens of the control group were fed soybean meal. Results: FCSM supplementation linearly decreased the feed conversion ratio from d 15 to 21 and d 36 to 42, respectively (p<0.05). The percentage of carcass and semi-eviscerate increased in response to dietary FCSM supplementation at d 21 (p<0.05). The percentage of eviscerated and semi-eviscerate of 3FCSM was higher than that in other groups at d 35 (p<0.05). At the age of 42 d, the percentage of carcass increased in a quadratic way among increasing FCSM in diets (p<0.05). The subcutaneous fat thickness linearly decreased with the increasing levels of FCSM at d 21 (p<0.05). Gompertz and Logistic functions provided a better fit on abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat, respectively. The best fitted equation predicted that the maximum growth rate of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness occurred at d 28. FCSM had no significant effects on the shape of growth curve of abdominal fat weight and subcutaneous fat thickness, but reduced the height of the curve. Birds receiving the 6FCSM diet for 21 d had smaller adipocyte surface and lower serum glucose as well as triglyceride concentration. Conclusion: FCSM is beneficial for broiler chickens as it positively affects their growth and carcass in addition to altering their fat deposition.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.117-132
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• 2021

Due to the terrain in Korea, there are many road sections passing through mountainous areas. During the winter, there is a higher risk of traffic accidents, due to black ice caused by the lack of sunlight. Despite domestic road freezing safety measures, accidents caused by road freezing results in severe traffic accidents. Under these considerations, this study analyzed whether traffic safety signs that change in response to the external temperature help drivers recognize frozen road segments. The study was conducted through analysis of the effect of the signs on a driver's perspective. For the signs under development, out of the signs designed by experts, the sign design which received the highest visibility and effectiveness evaluation ratings from the general public was selected. The sign was implemented through Virtual Reality (VR) and installed on the right side of the road to analyze the effect on gazing and driving behavior. As a result of analyzing the driver's driving behavior, a speed reduction of about 7km/h or more was found in the sign section. Therefore, It was found that the existence of the sign had a strong relationship with the rate of the drivers' speed reduction.

• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.81-93
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• 2021

Through processors, wholesale markets, intermediate sellers, and retailers, agricultural products have been distributed in a multi-level customary manner for a long time as they are easy to deteriorate and no not have a standardized system of size and quality. However, with the advancement of Internet networks and logistic services during the 2000s that facilitated the development of offline markets, and the rise of the non-contact purchase preference in direct response to COVID-19, previous offline consumers flowed into the online market to purchase agricultural goods. In other words, the volume of online agricultural transactions exploded since the pandemic. Against this social backdrop, this study focused on the difference in distribution costs as a result of converting from conventional offline distribution channels to online channels, and analyzed the reduced distribution costs through a case study of garlic sales on the online platform "H" shopping mall. The analysis found that considerable economic effects occurred, some of the effects being an approximate 39% decrease in distribution cost when comparing direct online transactions of the online shopping mall with other more traditional means, a reduced distribution cost rate of approximately 28%p, and increased profit for farmers.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.609-617
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• 2021

Background and objective: The nanobubbles remain stable in water, and it increased dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water that promotes the seed germination and the plant growth. We evaluated the seed germination and growth of sprouts (radish, wheat, and barley) and leafy vegetables (red mustard and pak choi) when irrigated with various DO of nanobubble water (NB). Methods: The oxygen NB was generated by surface friction and treated in 4 levels: NB 0% (control, DO 9.21 mg·L^-1), NB 20% (DO 15.40 mg·L^-1), NB 33% (DO 20.93 mg·L^-1), and NB 100% (DO 39.29 mg·L^-1). Results: The root length of radish and wheat increased more in NB 33% than the control plot. The fresh weight increased in NB 33% compared to the control plot in radish and wheat, and both fresh and dry weight increased more in NB 20%, NB 33%, and NB 100% than the control plot of barley. The leaf length and width of red mustard decreased more in NB 33% and NB 100% than the control plot and NB 20%, which indicated the leaf compactness. The fresh and dry weight of shoot and root increased more in NB 100% than the control plot in red mustard. In pak choi, the shoot fresh weight increased more in NB 100% than the control plot. In leafy vegetables, the germination rate of red mustard in NB 100% was higher than the control plot, however, it was not significantly different between oxygen NB plots in sprout vegetables. Conclusion: The results showed that the root growth and biomass increased after applying NB 33% in sprout vegetables. The leaf growth properties as the number of leaves and leaf size were not significantly different or decreased in NB treatments compared to control plots, but NB 100% (DO 39.29 mg·L^-1) effectively increased the root growth and plant biomass in leafy vegetables.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.338-343
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• 2022

As the revitalization of the global maritime industry continues, the number of foreign ships navigating the maritime territories of maritime neighboring countries has rapidly increased. However, large-scale marine accidents have occurred, caused by the insufficient establishment of a system for management and operation relative to vessels' safety-condition. To address that, the IMO has granted the right to exercise port state control, especially for foreign vessels, to countries with jurisdiction over maritime territories with strengthening regulations and guidelines. In particular, the Republic of Korea, as a member of the TOKYO MOU, is conducting PSC, but as of 2020, the proportion of foreign ships was three times higher than that of national ships that called in domestic ports. However, the inspection rate was low at 9% which has not met the recommended level by the TOKYO MOU. Thus, this study conducted an IPA analysis as well as content analysis, by collecting the practical opinions and views of PSCO through objective questionnaires and written expert interviews, for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of domestic PSC. As a result, it was derived that the importance and performance related to human factors such as life on board, working environment, and response to safety accidents should be improved in to raise the quality of PSC inspection. Additionally, the work environment and performance of PSC in domestic ports for foreign vessels could be improved, if multifaceted support bases are established, for administrative unification of related tests for PSC, recruitment of PSCO, activation of the defection-reporting system, reorganization of the PSC execution group, etc.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.555-565
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• 2021

The goal of this study is to improve flow and noise performances of existing backward-curved blade centrifugal fan system used for circulating cold air in a refrigerator freezer by optimally designing airfoil shape. The unique characteristics of the system is to drive cold airflow with two volute tongues in combination with duct system in a back side of a refrigerator without scroll housing generally used in a typical centrifugal fan system. First, flow and noise performances of existing fan system were evaluated experimentally. A P-Q curve was obtained using a fan performance tester in the flow experiment, and noise spectrum was measured in an anechoic chamber in the noise experiment. Then, flow characteristics were numerically analyzed by solving the three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes equations and noise analysis was performed by solving the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkins equation with input from the flow simulation results. The validity of numerical results was confirmed by comparing them with the measured ones. Based on the verified numerical method, blade inlet and outlet angles were optimized for maximum flow rate using the two-factor central composite design of the response surface method. Finally, the flow and noise performances of a prototype manufactured with the optimum design were experimentally evaluated, which showed the improvement in flow and noise performance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2022

Purpose: Acute pesticide poisoning is lethal and can lead to death. A few studies about the effects of acute pesticide poisoning have focused on the immune system. In the current study, we preliminarily investigated the changes in blood inflammatory cytokine levels in acute pesticide poisoning patients. Methods: In this study, we prospectively investigated the inflammatory cytokines in patients with acute pesticide poisoning. This study included patients admitted from February 2021 to November 2021 with a diagnosis of intentional poisoning by pesticide ingestion. The inflammatory cytokines measured were IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Results: Totally, 27 patients were enrolled in this study. The types of pesticide ingested were glufosinate (n=6), glyphosate (n=8), organophosphate (n=4), pyrethroid (n=2), and others (n=7). The levels of inflammatory cytokines obtained were as follows: IFN-γ 2.78±8.03 pg/ml, IL-1β 2.62±2.03 pg/ml, IL-6 44.58±80.16 pg/ml, and TNF-α 11.80±15.60 pg/ml. The overall mortality rate was 11.1% (3/27), and levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly higher in the death group compared to the survival group. Conclusion: Increased levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were observed in patients with acute pesticide poisoning. IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly higher in the death group as compared to the survival group. Our results indicate the occurrence of an inflammatory response due to the activation of immune cells by pesticide poisoning. Future large-scale studies need to be conducted to investigate the application of inflammatory cytokines as predictors and therapeutic targets.