• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2018

Purpose: This study has been conducted to develop a potato yield monitoring system, consisting of a segmentation algorithm to detect potatoes scattered on a soil surface and a counting system to count the number of potatoes and convert the data from two-dimensional images to masses. Methods: First, a segmentation algorithm was developed using top-hat filtering and processing a series of images, and its performance was evaluated in a stationary condition. Second, a counting system was developed to count the number of potatoes in a moving condition and calculate the mass of each using a mass estimation equation, where the volume of a potato was obtained from its two-dimensional image, and the potato density and a correction factor were obtained experimentally. Experiments were conducted to segment potatoes on a soil surface for different potato sizes. The counting system was tested 10 times for 20 randomly selected potatoes in a simulated field condition. Furthermore, the estimated total mass of the potatoes was compared with their actual mass. Results: For a $640{\times}480$ image size, it took 0.04 s for the segmentation algorithm to process one frame. The root mean squared deviation (RMSD) and average percentage error for the measured mass of potatoes using this counting system were 12.65 g and 7.13%, respectively, when the camera was stationary. The system performance while moving was the best in L1 (0.313 m/s), where the RMSD and percentage error were 6.92 g and 7.79%, respectively. For 20 newly prepared potatoes and 10 replication measurements, the counting system exhibited a percentage error in the mass estimation ranging from 10.17-13.24%. Conclusions: At a travel speed of 0.313 m/s, the average percentage error and standard deviation of the mass measurement using the counting system were 12.03% and 1.04%, respectively.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.198-210
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• 2010

Precise analysis of local winds for the prediction of atmospheric phenomena in the planetary boundary layer is extremely important. In this study, wind profiler data with fine time resolution and density in the lower troposphere were used to improve the performance of a numerical atmospheric model of a complex coastal area. Three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) was used to assimilate profiler data. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of the profiler data on model results. First, we performed an observing system experiment. Second, we implemented a sensitivity test of data assimilation intervals to extend the advantages of the profiler to data assimilation. The lowest errors were observed when using both radio sonde and profiler data to interpret vertical and surface observation data. The sensitivity to the assimilation interval differed according to the synoptic conditions when the focus was on the surface results. The sensitivity to the weak synoptic effect was much larger than to the strong synoptic effect. The hourly-assimilated case showed the lowest root mean square error (RMSE, 1.62 m/s) and highest index of agreement (IOA, 0.82) under weak synoptic conditions, whereas the statistics in the 1, 3, and 6 hourly-assimilated cases were similar under strong synoptic conditions. This indicates that the profiler data better represent complex local circulation in the model with high time and vertical resolution, particularly when the synoptic effect is weak.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2004

This study was conducted in a commercial plug glasshouse in Sacheon to examine the possibility of producing tomato plug seedlings using various growing media containing cellular glass foam (CGF)and carbonized chestnut woodchips (CCW) as medium components. Plug seedlings of 'Seogun' tomato were grown in media containing 50% CCW＋50% peatmoss, 33% CGF＋67% peatmoss, and 50% peatmoss＋50% granular rockwool. A commercial plug medium (Tosilee) was used as the control. All seeds were sown in 200 cell plug trays on November 28, 2001. Seedling growth was measured at 31 days after sowing. Each treatment showed a similar growth result as compared to the control. Plant height, root grade, fresh weight, and air space and bulk density of the medium were significantly greater in the 33% CGF＋67% peatmoss treatment than those in the other media. However, growth was slightly suppressed in the 50% CCW＋50% peatmoss. pH and EC of the media were the highest in the control treatment, although no toxicity symptoms had been observed. The results suggest that perlite can be replaced with a new material such as CGF in the commercial scale production of plug seedlings of 'Seogun' tomato.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2017

The root bark extract of Aralia taibaiensis is used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in China. The total saponin extracted from Aralia Taibaiensis (sAT) has effective combined antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities in experimental type 2 diabetic rats. However, the active compounds have not yet been fully investigated. In the present study, we examined effects of twelve triterpenoid saponins on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, and found that compound 28-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranosyl ester (AT12) significantly increased phosphorylation of AMPK and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). AT12 effectively decreased blood glucose, triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in the rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The mechanism by which AT12 activated AMPK was subsequently investigated. Intracellular ATP level and oxygen consumption were significantly reduced by AT12 treatment. The findings suggested AT12 was a novel AMPK activator, and could be useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.463-483
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• 2013

Considering the influences of fluid penetration, casing, excavation processes of wellbore and perforation tunnels, the seepage-deformation finite element model of oil and gas well coupled with perforating technique is established using the tensile strength failure criterion, in which the user-defined subroutine is developed to investigate the dynamic evolvement of the reservoir porosity and permeability. The results show that the increases of perforation angle and decreases of perforation density lead to a higher fracture initiation pressure, while the changes of the perforation diameter and length have no evident influences on the fracture initiation pressure. As for initiation location for the fracture in wellbore, it is on the wellbore face while considering the presence of the casing. By contrast, the fractures firstly initiate on the root of the tunnels without considering casing. Besides, the initial fracture position is also related with the perforation angle. The fracture initiation position is located in the point far away from the wellbore face, when the perforation angle is around $30^{\circ}$; however, when the perforation angle is increased to $45^{\circ}$, a plane fracture is initiated from the wellbore face in the maximum horizontal stress direction; no fractures was found around perforation tunnels, when the angel is close to $90^{\circ}$. The results have been successfully applied in an oilfield, with the error of only 1.1% comparing the fracture initiation pressure simulated with the one from on-site experiment.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of pyroligneous acid on turfgrass growth and to propose usage for sustainable management on Korean golf course green. Each plot was treated with 0, 300, 500, and 800 acid to water solution. On all the plots, turfgrass growth increment and visual quality were measured at fried times. The data were subjected to paired samples t-test and corelation analysis. The summarized results are as follows; 1) Leaf growth increment, density, and root spread depth of turfgrass treated with 1: 500 and 1: 800 diluted pyroligneous acid were significantly superior to the control. Particularly, 1: 500 diluted solution was superior to the others. 2) Color, texture, and uniformity of turfgrass treated with 1: 500 and 1: 800 diluted pyroligneous acid were significantly superior to the control. Especially, 1: 500 diluted solution tended to be superior to the others. 3) There were no symptoms of disease in all plots treated with the diluted pyroligneous acid. 1 500 and 1: 800 diluted pyroligneous acid were not thought to trigger or promote disease. 4) Before and after investigating the effect of pyroligneous acid on turfgrass growth ,the soils were analyzed. In all treatments, the chemical properties of the soils did not change noticeably. The chemical properties of the soils might be not changed by the diluted pyroligneous acid treatments. 5) Considering the results mentioned above, 1: 500 diluted pyroligneous acid was the most effective. Though pyroligneous acid is an organic fertilizer and contains only a little nitrogen and phosphorus, 1: 500 diluted pyroligneous acid promoted turfgrass growth effectively. Thus this use might lead to a reduction in the amount of fertilizers used and result in ecologically responsive management of Korean golf courses.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.138-141
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• 2007

Good quality seedlings produced in the seedbed of Yangjik, traditional seedling cultivation, is one of the most important factors in determining the yield and quality of $4{\sim}6-year-old$ ginseng. This study was carried out to substitute Yacto, traditional organic fertilizer, for economical compost in the cultivation of seedling by fertilizing relatively little amount of compost into seedbed soil. Bulk density and solid phase were decreased in physical properties of seedbed soil, while air phase and porosity were increased by more addition of compost. When the amount of applied compost in seedbed soil was above $8{\ell}$ per Kan, the contents of nutrient were exceeded the range of optimal standard for ginseng cultivation. Chlorophyll content and stem length were increased by more addition of compost, while the length and the width of leaves showed the highest value at the application level of $8{\ell}$ per Kan. Heat injury was also increased distinctly above the application level of $8{\ell}$ per Kan. The number of first grade seedlings and usable seedlings, and fresh root weight per plant showed the peak at application level of $8{\ell}$ per Kan, respectively. Fertilizing the compost of $8{\ell}$ per Kan into seedbed soil was the optimal amount for producing the good quality seedlings.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.105-110
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• 2015

The fiber-reinforced endodontic posts were prepared using a photocurable resin and a glass fiber. The mechanical property of the posts increased with increasing density of glass fiber and the micro-pores in the post were removed by a vacuum impregnation process. To improve the interfacial adhesion between glass fiber and polymer, silane coupling agent was used. The surface treatment of glass fiber increased the surface wettability of resing on glass fiber and increased the adhesion property with resin, consequently improved the mechanical property of posts.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.334-342
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• 2009

This study investigates the effects of Psidium guajava L. leaf (Pg), Lagerstroemia speciosa L. leaf (Ls) and mixture A (Pg, Ls, Morus indica L. leaf extract, Pinus densiflora needles extract, Acanthopanax senticosus M. root extract) on streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetes rats. For four weeks, STZ-diabetes rats were fed crystallized extracts of Pg, Ls, and mixture A. Compared to the diabetic control group, extracts of Pg, Ls, and mixture A decreased glucose levels in rats by 20%, 14% and 24% respectively. These extracts also decreased the level of total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid, compared to the diabetic control group, while effectively increasing levels of insulin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. These results showed that mixture A had greater antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and insulin-increasing effects than the Pg and Ls extracts. Mixture A also showed better restoration of damaged beta cell function compared to Pg and Ls extracts. Therefore, it was proved that mixture A provides a beneficial synergistic effect when compared with Pg and Ls extracts used individually.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.889-895
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• 2016

In Danseong-myeon (myeon is a subdivision of), Sancheong-gun, and Sugok-myeon, Jinju City, pot seedling culture was used at the rates of 100% and 62%, respectively. Root restriction seedling culture was used relatively more frequently than pot seedling culture in Yangchon-myeon, Nonsan City, Guryong-myeon, Buyeo-gun, and Wolsan-myeon, Damyang-gun. Open-field seedling culture was used at the rates of 80% and 54% in Samnangjin-eup (eup is a subdivision of a gun), Miryang City and Ssangnim-myeon, Goryeong-gun, respectively. In Danseong, Sancheong, and Sugok, Jinju, granite soil was used as the medium for pot seedling culture at the rates of 90% and 80%, respectively. In Yangchon, Nonsan, Wolsan, Damyang, and Ssangnim, Goryeong, commercial bed soil and coir dust were used for seedling culture at the rates of 73%, 64%, and 60%, respectively. At the main production sites, the use of granite soil for seedling culture, highest rate in 2000-2005, continued to decrease; in 2011-2013, granite soil was used at the rate of 37%, while commercial bed soil and coir dust were used at the rates of 32% and 14%, respectively. The bulk density of commercial bed soil, expanded rice hulls, and coir dust was $0.11-0.16g/cm^{-3}$. Coir dust was the lightest material but had the highest and, 36.7% and 21.8%, respectively. In sandy loam soil and granite soil was low. The pH of all growth media was between 5.4 and 7.0, and the values were in the range of $0.15-0.66dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. However it was necessary, to adjust the pH levels and enhance the of expanded rice hulls, sandy loam soil, and granite soil. Similarly, the fertilizer concentration and air permeability of coir dust need to be adjusted.