• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.48-59
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• 2023

Ground-level ozone affects human health and plant growth. Ozone is produced by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from anthropogenic and biogenic sources. In this study, two different land cover and emission factor datasets were input to the MEGAN v2.1 emission model to examine how these parameters contribute to the biogenic emissions and ozone production. Four input sensitivity scenarios (A, B, C and D) were generated from land cover and vegetation emission factors combination. The effects of BVOCs emissions by scenario were also investigated. From air quality modeling result using CAMx, maximum 1 hour ozone concentrations were estimated 62 ppb, 60 ppb, 68 ppb, 65 ppb, 55 ppb for scenarios A, B, C, D and E, respectively. For maximum 8 hour ozone concentration, 57 ppb, 56 ppb, 63 ppb, 60 ppb, and 53 ppb were estimated by scenario. The minimum difference by land cover was up to 25 ppb and by emission factor that was up to 35 ppb. From the modeling performance evaluation using ground ozone measurement over the six regions (East Seoul, West Seoul, Incheon, Namyangju, Wonju, and Daegu), the model performed well in terms of the correlation coefficient (0.6 to 0.82). For the 4 urban regions (East Seoul, West Seoul, Incheon, and Namyangju), ozone simulations were not quite sensitive to the change of BVOC emissions. For rural regions (Wonju and Daegu) , however, BVOC emission affected ozone concentration much more than previously mentioned regions, especially in case of scenario C. This implies the importance of biogenic emissions on ozone production over the sub-urban to rural regions.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2018

A edible mushroom, Clitocybe maxima (Lentinus giganteusis) commercially cultivated in China and Taiwan. However, the researches of cultivation and cultural characteristics were not reported in Korea. In this study, we conducted on cultural characteristics and artificial cultivation of C. maxima. Six isolates were collected from China(3 isolates, commercial strain), Taiwan(1 isolate, commercial strain) and Korea(2 isolates, wild type). C. maxima and L. giganteus collected in China and Taiwan, respectively, are the same in China and are estimated to be of the same species as cultured characteristics. The mycelial growth of the collected strains was not significantly different in agar medium but it showed the best growth in YPMG in liquid culture. Optimum temperature for mycelial growth and induction of fruit body were 25℃ and 30℃, respectively. In order to artificial cultivation of C. maxima, cultural characteristics and artificial cultivation were carried out using agricultural by-products and forestry by-products materials. Mycelial growth was suitable in rice straw, cottonwood sawdust, corncob and rice seed medium, and it was selected as a cultivation medium. The suitable medium for artificial cultivation of C. maxima was selected to mixed medium 2(compounding ratio(v/v): 55% of hardwood sawdust, 5% of cottonseed pellets, 10% of cottonseed, 15% of beet pulp, 15% of swollen rice husks). It took about 30 days to be able to harvest, it was faster than oyster mushrooms. The cultivation period was about 30days. A isolate, CMA-002 was not initiation to fruit body primordiuma on the used cultivation substrate. Other 5 isolates were initiate and development to fruit body on the substrate used in this study. The strain CMA-003 was initiated to be fruiting body by 8~10 days after induction of fruiting body in all of the substrates. Isolate CMA-003 was generate to a bundle fruit body. Other isolates, however, were form fruit body individually. The CMA-003 strain was likely highly recommendable strains for farming. The optimum conditions for the induction and growth of C. maxima fruit body were 25~30℃, 8 hr illumination per day with white fluorescent lamp, 90~95% relative humidity, and 1,500 ppm of CO₂ concentration in a cultivation room.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.337-345
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• 2023

Estimating the rice heading date is one of the most crucial agricultural tasks related to productivity. However, due to abnormal climates around the world, it is becoming increasingly challenging to estimate the rice heading date. Therefore, a more objective classification method for estimating the rice heading date is needed than the existing methods. This study, we aimed to classify the rice heading stage from various images using a CNN classification model. We collected top-view images taken from a drone and a phenotyping tower, as well as slanted-view images captured with a RGB camera. The collected images underwent preprocessing to prepare them as input data for the CNN model. The CNN architectures employed were ResNet50, InceptionV3, and VGG19, which are commonly used in image classification models. The accuracy of the models all showed an accuracy of 0.98 or higher regardless of each architecture and type of image. We also used Grad-CAM to visually check which features of the image the model looked at and classified. Then verified our model accurately measure the rice heading date in paddy fields. The rice heading date was estimated to be approximately one day apart on average in the four paddy fields. This method suggests that the water head can be estimated automatically and quantitatively when estimating the rice heading date from various paddy field monitoring images.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.873-878
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• 2002

OA-8159, a new Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5 inhibitor, has exhibited potent erectogenic potential in a penile erection test in rats and anesthetized dogs. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of its erectogenic activity by measuring the activity of OA-8159 against a various PDE isozymes and assessing cGMP and cAMP formation in a rabbit corpus cavernosum in vitro. DA-8159 inhibited the PDE 5 activity in rabbit and human platelets, which the $IC_{50}$ was 5.84$\pm$1.70 nM and 8.25$\pm$2.90 nM, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ of DA-8159 on PDE 1, PDE2, PDE 3 and PDE 6 were 870$\pm$57.4 nM, $101\pm$5 $\mu$M, 52.0$\pm$3.53 $\mu$M and 53.3$\pm$2.47 nM, respectively. This suggests that DA-8159 is a potent, highly selective, competitive inhibitor of PDE 5-catalyzed cGMP hydrolysis. The rates of cGMP hydrolysis catalyzed by human platelets-derived PDE 5 as a function of the cGMP concentration (5~100 nM) and two-fixed DA-8159 concentration (11.3 and 18.8 nM) were investigated in order to characterize the mode of PDE 5 inhibition by DA-8159. DA-8159 increased the apparent 4K_{m}$ value for cGMP hydrolysis but had no effect on the apparent $V_{max}$, indicating a competitive mode of inhibition. DA-8159 increased the cGMP concentrations in the rabbit corpus cavernosum dose dependently. In the presence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), DA-8159 significantly sti\mulated the accu\mulation of cGMP when compared to the control level. This indicated that the enhancement of a penile erection by DA-8159 involved the relaxation of the cavernosal smooth \muscle by NO-sti\mulated cGMP accu\mulation. In conclusion, DA-8159 is a selective inhibitor of PDE 5-catalyzed cGMP hydrolysis and the enhancement of a penile erection by DA-8159 is mediated by the relaxation of the cavernosal smooth \muscle by the NO-sti\mulated cGMP accu\mulation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.218-224
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• 2015

Endocannabinoids can affect multiple cellular targets, such as cannabinoid (CB) receptors, transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1 (TRPV1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$($PPAR{\gamma}$). The stimuli to induce adipocyte differentiation in hBM-MSCs increase the gene transcription of the $CB_1$ receptor, TRPV1 and $PPAR{\gamma}$. In this study, the effects of three endocannabinoids, N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA), N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), on adipogenesis in hBM-MSCs were evaluated. The adipocyte differentiation was promoted by AEA whereas inhibited by NADA. No change was observed by the treatment of non-cytotoxic concentrations of 2-AG. The difference between AEA and NADA in the regulation of adipogenesis is associated with their effects on $PPAR{\gamma}$ transactivation. AEA can directly activate $PPAR{\gamma}$. The effect of AEA on $PPAR{\gamma}$ in hBM-MSCs may prevail over that on the $CB_1$ receptor mediated signal transduction, giving rise to the AEA-induced promotion of adipogenesis. In contrast, NADA had no effect on the $PPAR{\gamma}$ activity in the $PPAR{\gamma}$ transactivation assay. The inhibitory effect of NADA on adipogenesis in hBM-MSCs was reversed not by capsazepine, a TRPV1 antagonist, but by rimonabant, a $CB_1$ antagonist/inverse agonist. Rimonabant by itself promoted adipogenesis in hBM-MSCs, which may be interpreted as the result of the inverse agonism of the $CB_1$ receptor. This result suggests that the constantly active $CB_1$ receptor may contribute to suppress the adipocyte differentiation of hBM-MSCs. Therefore, the selective $CB_1$ agonists that are unable to affect cellular $PPAR{\gamma}$ activity inhibit adipogenesis in hBM-MSCs.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2007

Tooth loss in elderly is mainly caused by alveolar bone loss via severe periodontitis. Although the severity of periodontitis is known to be affected by age, the aging process or the genetic changes during the aging of periodontal tissue cells are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the effect of in vitro aging on the change of gene expression pattern in periodontal fibroblasts. Gingival fibroblasts (GF) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDL) were obtained from two young patients and replicative senescence was induced by sequential subcultivation. When more than 90% cells were positively stained with senescence-associated ${\beta},-galactosidase$, those cells were regarded as aged cells. In aged GF and PDL, the level of phosphorylated retinoblastoma (RB) and $p16^{INK4A}$ protein was significantly decreased and increased, respectively. However, the protein level of p53 and p21, well known senescence-inducing genes, did not increase in aged GF and PDL. Although $p27^{Kip1}$ and $p15^{INK4B}$, another cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, were reported to be involved in replicative senescence of human cells, they were decreased in aged GF and PDL. Because senescent cells showed flattened and enlarged cell shape and are known to have increased focal adhesion, we examined the protein level of several integrins. Aged GF and PDL showed increased protein level of integrin ${\alpha}2$, ${\alpha}v$, and ${\beta}1$. When the gene expression profiles of actively proliferating young cells and aged cells were compared by cDNA microarray of 3,063 genes and were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, 7 genes and 15 genes were significantly and commonly increased and decreased, respectively, in aged GF and PDL. Among them, included are the genes that were known to be involved in the regulation of cell cycle, gene transcription, or integrin signaling. The change of gene expression pattern in GF and PDL was minimally similar to that of oral keratinocyte. These results suggest that $p16^{INK4A}/RB$ might be involved in replicative senescence of periodontal fibroblasts and the change of gene expression profile during aging process is cell type specific.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 2007

Asiatic black Bear(Ursus thibetanus ussuricus) cubs aged one or two were introduced from Russia(Primosky krai) and North Korea for reinforcement of the bear population and they were released to grow wild in Jirisan National Park. We did research on the characteristics of the denning sites of the Asiatic black cubs, which were released before, from Oct. 2004 to Apr. 2006, and the results were as follows: The released bears hibernated in three types of dens,; tree hollows, rock hollows or ground nests. The hibernating sites were dominated by a community of oak trees and its location was at an average of $923{\pm}221m$ height above the sea level ; the average slope incline was $25.9{\pm}7.9^{\circ}$, and the average denning duration was $98{\pm}9$ days. It was analyzed that the cubs' denning site was $2.8{\pm}2.8km$, on an average, far from the release point; $2.0{\pm}0.9km$ far from villages; $1.9{\pm}1.7km$ far from park inspection trails, and $1.9{\pm}1.0km$ on the average far from a driveway. It is assumed that environmental attributes of the denning sites were closely correlated to those of the release points.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2013

We developed a computer program (CDFlow v. 1.0) to design countermeasures against debris flows in natural terrain. The program can predict the probability of landslides occurring in natural terrain and can estimate the zone of damage caused by a debris flow. It can also be used to design the location and size of countermeasures against the debris flow. The program is run using the ArcGIS Engine, which is one of the most well-known Geographic Information System (GIS) tools for developers. The quasi-dynamic wetness index and the infinite slope stability equation were applied to predict landslide probability as a type of slope safety factor. The calculated safety factor was compared with the required safety factor, and areas of high probable potential for landslides were then selected and represented on the digital map. The volume of debris flow was estimated using these areas of high probable potential for landslides and soil depth. The accumulated volume of debris flow can be calculated along the flow channel. To assess the accuracy of the program, it was applied to a real landslide site at Deoksan-ri, Inje-gun, Kangwon-Province, where four debris barriers have been installed in the watershed of the site. The results of soil tests and a field survey indicate that the program has great potential for estimating probable landslide areas and the trajectory of debris flows. Calculation of the capacity volume of existing debris barriers revealed that they had insufficient capacity to store the calculated amount of debris flow. Therefore, this program enables a rational estimation of the optimal location and size of debris barriers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1152-1159
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• 2013

Four male lambs (Katahdin; average live weight $25.9{\pm}2.9$ kg) with "T" type cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square experiment to evaluate the influence of supplemental dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%, dry matter basis) in substitution for dry-rolled (DR) corn on characteristics of digestive function and digestible energy (DE) of diet. Treatments did not influence ruminal pH. Substitution of DR corn with DDGS increased ruminal neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion (quadratic effect, p<0.01), but decreased ruminal organic matter (OM) digestion (linear effect, p<0.01). Replacing corn with DDGS increased (linear, $p{\leq}0.02$) duodenal flow of lipids, NDF and feed N. But there were no treatment effects on flow to the small intestine of microbial nitrogen (MN) or microbial N efficiency. The estimated UIP value of DDGS was 44%. Postruminal digestion of OM, starch, lipids and nitrogen (N) were not affected by treatments. Total tract digestion of N increased (linear, p = 0.04) as the DDGS level increased, but DDGS substitution tended to decrease total tract digestion of OM (p = 0.06) and digestion of gross energy (p = 0.08). However, it did not affect the dietary digestible energy (DE, MJ/kg), reflecting the greater gross energy content of DDGS versus DR corn in the replacements. The comparative DE value of DDGS may be considered similar to the DE value of the DR corn it replaced up to 30% in the finishing diets fed to lambs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.3997-4003
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• 2014

Background: Infection with certain human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes is the most important risk factor related with cervical cancer. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of HPV infection, the distribution of HPV genotypes and HPV E6/E7 oncogene mRNA expression in Turkish women with different cervical cytological findings in Mersin province, Southern Turkey. Materials and Methods: A total of 476 cytological samples belonging to women with normal and abnormal cervical Pap smears were enrolled in the study. For the detection and genotyping assay, a PCR/direct cycle sequencing approach was used. E6/E7 mRNA expression of HPV-16, 18, 31, 33, and 45 was determined by type-specific real-time NASBA assay (NucliSENS EasyQ$^{(R)}$HPV v1.1). Results: Of the 476 samples, 106 (22.3%) were found to be positive for HPV DNA by PCR. The presence of HPV was significantly more common (p<0.001) in HSIL (6/8, 75%) when compared with LSIL (6/14, 42.9%), ASC-US (22/74, 29.7%) and normal cytology (72/380, 18.9%). The most prevalent genotypes were, in descending order of frequency, HPV genotype 66 (22.6%), 16 (20.8%), 6 (14.2%), 31 (11.3%), 53 (5.7%), and 83 (4.7%). HPV E6/E7 oncogene mRNA positivity (12/476, 2.5%) was lower than DNA positivity (38/476, 7.9%). Conclusions: Our data present a wide distribution of HPV genotypes in the analyzed population. HPV genotypes 66, 16, 6, 31, 53 and 83 were the predominant types and most of them were potential carcinogenic types. Because of the differences between HPV E6/E7 mRNA and DNA positivity, further studies are required to test the role of mRNA testing in the triage of women with abnormal cervical cytology or follow up of HPV DNA positive and cytology negative. These epidemiological data will be important to determine the future impact of vaccination on HPV infected women in our region.