• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.820-827
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• 2023

Since COVID-19 began at the end of 2019, the wearing time of protective clothing used to prevent pathogenic bacteria and virus infection has increased, and the development of safe protective materials that are human-friendly and have antibacterial and antiviral functions has been required. In this study, we investigated the possibility of developing natural antibacterial protection materials using ethanol extract of the medicinal plant Zanthoxylum Piperitum DC. The antibacterial activity assay of the 80% ethanol extract of Z. piperitum DC leaves against various nosocomial infectious bacteria, using the disk diffusion method, showed that Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883, Salmonella typhimurium, and Aeromonas hydrophila are sensitive to the inhibitory action of the extract. The IC₅₀ values of the ethanol extract against S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, P. vulgaris and A. hydrophila were about 0.59 mg/ml, 0.50 mg/ml, 1.06 mg/ml, and 0.06 mg/ml, respectively. To determine whether the ethanol extract of Z. piperitum DC leaves can be applied to the development of antibacterial protective fabric, the ethanol extract was tested using a protective fabric from the KM Health Care Corp. using the JIS L1902-Absorption method. As a result, the bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity values of S. aureus ATCC 25923 and K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883 appeared to be more than 2.0 when treated with the ethanol extract at a concentration of 1% (w/v). Together, these results suggest that Z. piperitum DC leaves can be applied to develop natural antibacterial functional protective fabrics.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.12 no.5_spc
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• pp.149-167
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• 2006

Korean society is rapidly changing to aging society comparing the other industrialized countries, however, the studies of elderly driver's driving behavior and accidents are not enough in Korea for elderly driver's accident prevention. This study focused on the elderly driver's psychological effects on elderly driver's driving behavior and traffic accidents; carefulness and aberrant driving behavior. - Elderly driver's traffic accidents The high percentage of elderly driver's accidents occurs in intersections and when turning left. There was a significant difference of the opponent vehicle's speed when left turn, between elderly driver and young driver; the elderly driver choose the higher speed of opponent vehicle than young driver when left turning. This result means that elderly driver has some problems with deciding the vehicle's speed and gap acceptance(Sunyeol Lee, Soonchul Lee, and Inseok Kim, 2006)(Table 1). - Carefulness and driving confidence In order to understand elderly driver's carefulness, this study compared the elderly driver's driving confidence. Driving confidence was consisted of 4 factors; environment of traffic condition, safe driving, driving ability and attention. Elderly driver's confidence was lower than young driver's. Elderly driver in high driving confidence group, showed longer driving history and they were tend to commit violations more frequently than elerly driver in low driving confidence group. Young driver, whose driving confidence level was high answered more driving history, annual mileage, the frequency of committing traffic violation and the experience of accident within lats 5 years(Soonchul Lee, Juseok Oh, Sunjin Park, Soonyeol Lee and Inseok Kim, 2006)(Table 2). This study examined the total time required until deciding to turn left in the no traffic signal intersection between elderly driver and young driver. The result showed that the time of elderly driver was significant longer than young driver(Sunyeol Lee et al, 2006)(Table 3). - Elderly driver's aberrant behavior Driver behavior Questionnaire(DBQ) was measured to understand the aberrant behavior; violation, error and lapse. The tend of aberrant behavior was observed by aging(Sunjin Park, Soonchul Lee, Jonghoi, Kim and Inseok Kim, 2006). Elderly driver's DBQ score was lower than young driver's(Table 4). Elderly and young driver showing longer driving history were in low DBQ score group. Elderly driver had high error score and young driver had high violation score. Young driver's aberrant driving behaviour was associated with annual mileage and the frequency of committing traffic violation. Elderly driver's aberrant driving behaviour was associated with annual mileage and experience of accident. Especially elderly driver whose violation, error and lapse score was high answered more committing experience of accident within last 5 years.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.50
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• pp.275-289
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• 2023

Since the implementation of the Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) Act in 2008, approximately 10 million tons of genetically modified corn, soybean, potato, canola, and other crops have been imported into South Korea. The import approval procedures have been completed for approximately 191 cases that include seven crops. Of these, approximately 90 cases, excluding crossbreeds of approved LMOs, were reviewed via consultation risk evaluation in four areas: human health, crop culture, natural ecology, and marine fishery environment. LMO developers in South Korea, who are major stakeholders in the import of LMO crops produced overseas, have raised concerns regarding procedural inefficiency in consultation reviews and the need of excessive reviews that are unsuitable for food-feed processing purposes. These procedures reflect the perspective of consultation agencies that deviate from the nature of risk assessment and demand specific supplementary data that do not reflect familiarity and substantial equilibrium. Based on frequent instances of unintentional environmental release of LMO crops imported into Korea, the ministries responsible for consultation insist on a review that considers the climate and natural environment of Korea. In addition, the ministries mandate that their reviews reflect the expertise of competent ministries and are based on risk assessment principles and methods in accordance with international guidelines. In this regard, considering that traits introduced into LMO crops involving familiar agricultural crops have been considered safe for more than two decades, we have suggested reasonable alternatives to several risk assessment items for agricultural LMOs. These alternatives can mitigate conflicts of interest among key stakeholders within the scope of the current LMO regulations.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.87-115
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• 2024

In Korea, exposure to stress has been accompanied by mental pain in the process of achieving many growth along with rapid development, various social problems, and the frequency of emergency hospitalization is increasing.. In the case of mentally ill patients, "unwanted hospitalization" is a problem, and police and 119 paramedics try to suppress the body of mentally ill patients, and many problems are exposed This is because the constituent requirements of the provisions of emergency hospitalization under the Mental Health and Welfare Act do not reflect reality, and each institution has a different position on one mentally ill person, and emergency hospitalization does not proceed smoothly or leads to friction between related organizations, and the safety of the mentally ill or others is not secured. Emergency hospitalization is defined as "a person who finds a person who is presumed to be mentally ill and is at high risk of harming his or her health or safety or others," and if the situation is so urgent that he or she cannot afford time to go through the hospitalization procedure to decide on his or her own hospitalization, he or she can request emergency hospitalization with the consent of a doctor and a police officer. In this case, 119 paramedics are escorted to a psychiatric institution. This provision of emergency hospitalization poses many problems in the process of transferring to psychiatric institutions. If a police officer or 119 paramedics in charge of practice use "physical force" during the emergency hospitalization process, side effects will inevitably occur, and professional negligence can be a problem. Specifically, when exercising physical force, the minimum necessary physical restraint based on laws and regulations and proportional principles is required, and the lack of the duty of care of 119 paramedics or police officers under the laws and regulations will eventually be resolved by applying other laws and regulations. Accordingly, it will be an opportunity for mentally ill patients to be transferred to psychiatric institutions in a safe environment by changing the subject of emergency hospitalization provisions under the Mental Health Welfare Act, defining and prescribing the use of physical protection guards as the enforcement regulations of the Mental Health Act, setting the duty of care for 119 paramedics and police officers, and creating an environment for transportation so that mentally ill patients can be treated safely.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.618-630
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• 2024

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and ethanol ablation (EA) followed by RFA in treating mixed cystic and solid thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods We included 243 nodules from 243 patients who underwent RFA for mixed cystic and solid benign nodules. The nodules were divided into two groups (RFA alone and EA + RFA). We evaluated volume reduction rate (VRR), therapeutic success rate, improvement in symptomatic and cosmetic issues, complications, and adverse effects. Results The RFA group included 204 patients, and the EA + RFA group included 39 patients. The long-term success rates in the RFA only and EA + RFA groups were 90.2% and 97.4%, respectively. The mean VRR at the last follow-up in the RFA and EA + RFA groups were 81.6% and 87.2%, respectively. Therapeutic results were similar in both groups at the last followup. Cosmetic and symptomatic problems markedly improved in both groups. No major complications were observed. Conclusion Both RFA alone and EA + RA are safe and effective methods for treating mixed cystic and solid thyroid nodules, although EA + RFA is slightly more effective.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.127-134
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• 2024

With the growth of offshore wind power generation market, the corresponding installation vessel market is also growing. It is anticipated that approximately 100 installation vessels will be required in the of shore wind power generation market by 2030. With a price range of 300 to 400 billion Korean won per vessel, this represents a high-value market compared to merchant vessels. Particularly, the demand for large installation vessels with a capacity of 11 MW or more is increasing. The rapid growth of the offshore wind power generation market in the Asia-Pacific region, centered around China, has led to several discussions on orders for operational installation vessels in this region. The seabed geology in the Asia-Pacific region is dominated by clay layers with low bearing capacity. Owing to these characteristics, during vessel operations, significant spudcan and leg penetration depths occur as the installation vessel rises and descends above the water surface. In this study, using penetration variables ranging from 3 to 21 m, the unique vibration period, structural safety of the legs, and conductivity safety index were assessed based on penetration depths. As the penetration depth increases, the natural vibration period and the moment length of the leg become shorter, increasing the margin of structural strength. It is safe against overturning moment at all angles of incidence, and the maximum value occurs at 270 degrees. The conditions reviewed through this study can be used as crucial data to determine the operation of the legs according to the penetration depth when developing operating procedures for WTIV in soft soil. In conclusion, accurately determining the safety of the leg structure according to the penetration depth is directly related to the safety of the WTIV.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2024

To verify the nutritional value and safety of larvae fed with a soymilk residue-added food source, we compared and analyzed the nutritional components of and harmful substances in Tenebrio molitor larvae reared on wheat bran. Crude protein content based on dry weight was 1.2 times higher in the 10% soymilk residue-fed group (SR) (54.0%) than in the wheat bran-fed group (WB) (43.5%). Dietary fiber also tended to be 1.9 times more in the SR (4.9%) than the WB (2.5%). Among unsaturated fatty acids, the linoleic acid content was found to be 1.1-fold higher in the SR (32.9%) than in the WB (29.0%). Potassium, which was the most abundant among the macro minerals, was 1.1-fold more abundant in the WB (1,074.5 mg/100 g) than in the SR (1,014.0 mg/100 g). Among the micro minerals, zinc content was 1.2-fold higher in the SR (14.5 mg/100 g) than in the WB (11.9 mg/100 g). The results of the analysis of hazardous substances in the WB and SR revealed that the amount of heavy metals met the standards for heavy metals in edible insects, and food poisoning-inducing bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were not detected in all groups. These results indicate that mealworm larvae fed with 10% soymilk residue have abundant nutrients and are safe for intake. Thus, food sources with added soymilk residue has the potential to be used as feed ingredients.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.225-235
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• 2023

Critical temperature for grain filling of three Korean japonica rice varieties was analyzed by late transplantation to induce a low temperature during grain filling period in a field study. The grain filling percentage (GFP) and grain dry weight (GDW) showed a sigmoid development for the first and second transplants in 2020 and first to third transplants in 2021. For the third transplant in 2020 and fourth transplant in 2021, the GFP and GDW reached a peak at 42 days after heading (DAH), and then decreased or remained unchanged. In non-linear regression analyses, 95% of the final GFP and GDW appeared at 49 - 62 DAH for the second transplant in 2020 and at 37 - 46 DAH and 30 - 36 DAH for the second and third transplants in 2021, respectively. At these time points, the critical seven-day moving temperature (7dMovT) was 8.4~9.4℃ for the second transplant in 2020 and 9.4~10.9℃ for the second and third transplants in 2021, depending on the grain filling traits and varieties of rice. The lowest 7dMovT was 8.4 - 8.7℃ in the three varieties. The observed lowest 7-day mean temperature (7dMT) accompanying increases in the GFP and GDW was 9.4 - 10.1℃, depending on the varieties in the third transplant of 2020 and fourth transplant of 2021. In the two transplants mentioned above, the highest 7dMT that showed no increase or decrease in grain filling traits was 8.7 - 9.1℃. The critical temperature for grain filling of japonica rice was 8.4 - 8.7℃ based on the 7dMovT and 9.1 - 9.4℃ based on the 7dMT. The previous 7dMT of 10℃ is recommended to determine the marginal harvest time for safe rice cropping since the temperature was the highest among the lowest temperature that accompanied an increase in grain filling traits.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.236-245
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• 2023

We investigated the basic vegetative phase (BVP), photoperiod-sensitivity (PS), and thermo-sensitivity (TS) of 40 rice varieties to characterize their heading ecology that is adaptable to North Korean rice production areas. The ranges were 12 - 43 days for BVP, 0 - 74 days for PS, and 15 - 33 days for TS, depending on the variety. The number of days from transplanting to the heading stage (DTH) was significantly correlated with PS in the 13 major rice production regions where all 40 varieties (including early-, middle-, and mid-late-maturing varieties) were tested. DTH was significantly correlated with BVP and TS but not with PS in the 10 low-temperature regions where only 28 early-maturing varieties were tested. The heading ecology of the adaptable varieties for each region could be characterized by an exponential equation between the BVP and PS of varieties that headed at the border of the safe marginal heading date (SMHD) for each of the seven regional environments (Kaesong, Haeju, Yongyon, Singye, Sariwon, Nampo, and Pyongyang). A PS of 25 - 30 days or less was an additional adaptive trait in the Sariwon and Pyongyang environments. The varieties that reached the heading stage not later than the SMHD in six regional environments (Anju, Kusong, Sinuiju, Changjon, Wonsan, and Supung) and those that reached the heading stage not later than the late marginal heading date (LMHD) in four regional environments (Hamhung, Pyonggang, Huichon, and Kanggye) had both a PS of 26 days or less and a BVP of 25 - 28 days or less. In the Yangdok, Sinpo, and Chunggang environments, varieties that reached the heading stage not later than the LMHD for each region had a BVP of 15 - 20 days or less. The results suggested that a shortened BVP trait should be introduced to existing early-maturing rice varieties to reduce the duration of growth period to reach the heading stage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.4
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• pp.899-911
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• 2020

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the newly designed open-cell type self-expandable nitinol stent (NiTi-stent) for peripheral arteries. Materials and Methods Twenty-eight limbs of 14 minipigs were randomly assigned to the NiTistent group or conventional nitinol stent group. Stents were symmetrically implanted into the iliac arteries of each animal using carotid artery approach and were observed for 1 month (n = 5) and 6 months (n = 9). The angiographic lumen diameter (ALD), late lumen loss, angiographic stenosis, histomorphometric lumen area, neointimal area, and area stenosis were analyzed and compared between the groups. Results Stent migration, stent fracture, or thrombus formation were not observed in either group. At the 1-month follow-up, the neointimal area (p = 0.008) and area stenosis (p = 0.016) were significantly smaller in the NiTi-stent group than in the control group. At the 6-months followup, the NiTi-stent group showed significantly larger ALD (p = 0.014), less late lumen loss (p = 0.019), less angiographic stenosis (p = 0.014), larger lumen area (p = 0.040), and smaller neointimal area and area stenosis (p = 0.004 and p = 0.014, respectively) compared with the control group. Conclusion The NiTi-stent is as safe and effective as the conventional nitinol stent and induces less neointimal hyperplasia in a minipig iliac artery model.