• Korean Linguistics
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• v.81
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• pp.267-297
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• 2018

Vowel raising in Korean has been primarily treated as a phonological, categorical change. This study aims to show how the Korean connective suffix {-go} is realized in various environments, and propose a principle of vowel raising based on both acoustic and perceptual data. To that end, we used a corpus of spoken Korean to analyze the types of syntactic constructions, the realization of prosodic boundaries (IP and PP), and the types of boundary tone associated with {-go}. It was found that the vowel tends to be raised most frequently in utterance-final position, while in utterance-medial position the vowel was raised more when the syntactic and prosodic distance between {-go} and the following constituent was smaller. The results for boundary tone also showed a correlation between vowel raising and the discourse function of the boundary tone. In conclusion, we propose that vowel raising is not simply an optional phenomenon, but rather a type of phonetic reduction related to the comprehension of the following constituent.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.190-200
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• 2023

Skeletal muscle, essential for metabolism, thermoregulation, and immunity, undergoes myogenic differentiation that results in myotube formation. Trans-anethole (TA), the major constituent in essential oil produced by anise, star anise, and fennel, whose function in skeletal muscle has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated whether TA influenced muscle differentiation in mouse C2C12 myoblasts. Cells were induced to differentiate using a differentiation medium with or without TA (50 or 200 mg/mL) daily for 5 days. We measured myotube length and diameter after differentiation days 1, 3, and 5 and analyzed the expression of myogenic markers (myoblast determination protein 1, myogenin, myocyte enhancer factor 2, muscle creatine kinase, and myosin heavy chain) and atrophy-related genes (atrogin-1 and muscle ring finger-1 [MuRF-1]) using quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, we observed the expression of total protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) using western blotting. Our data showed that TA significantly induced the formation of smaller and thinner myotubes and reduced the myogenic factor expression. Furthermore, the atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 expression markedly increased by TA. Consistent with these findings, TA significantly decreased the expression of total Akt and p-Akt. Taken together, these results indicate that TA inhibits myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells via reduction of both total Akt and p-Akt. Our findings may provide valuable insights into the impact of PAA on individuals at risk of muscle atrophy.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.295-306
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• 2009

The risk assessment of groundwater and soil in Sasang industrial complex in Busan Metropolitan City was carried out in order to estimate risks to human health and the environment. The carcinogenic risk (CR) of receptors to soil and air was not identified. However, the CRs for TCE and PCE were 6.7E-6 and 1.0E-5, respectively. Hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) did not appear through air exposure pathways. Yet the HQ and HI of soil were 3.4E-5 and 5E-5, respectively, and lower than the critical value (1.0). On the contrary, HQ and HI with respect to groundwater were calculated as 0.7 (not hazardous) and 1.4 (hazardous). The constituent reduction factor (CRF) for TCE in the study area was determined as 2.5, and thus remediation work is demanded. As a result of sensitivity analysis for 18 exposure factors, eight exposure factors (life time of carcinogens, age, body weight, exposure duration, exposure frequency, dermal exposure frequency, water ingestion rate, and soil ingestion rate) varied with the variation of risk.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.823-830
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• 2007

Traffic noise is a kind of noise caused by cars, trains and aircraft. Among them, noise produced by cars is the most important factor in cities. According to the National Institute of Environmental Research(NIER)'s survey, Road traffic noise levels in Susan are the highest of all the cities in Korea. So, appropriate measures for road traffic noise reduction is required. For this purpose, the construction of a noise map in Susan will playa vital role. However, road traffic noise formulas are constructed considering regional characteristics such as each country road's environment and vehicle quality. Therefore, prior to constructing a noise map in Susan, examination processes about each formula constituent status and estimation process are required preferentially. In this research, the basic first stage is to estimate Susan's road traffic noise. First, investigate characteristics of each road traffic noise estimate and using this, a noise map is constructed for road traffic noise in Susan. Then the adaptation of a road traffic noise formula is evaluated.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2010

This study was performed to increase the removal efficiency of the biofilter packed with granular sulfur in municipal wastewater reclamation facility. Constituent units were influent water tank, denitrification tank, BOD reduction tank and outlet. And, the major operation factor is a biofilter packed with submerged granular sulfur. Actual wastewater and synthetic wastewater were used as influent wastewater. Experimental condition was divided into two phases according to the amount of a phosphorus coagulant. Total phosphorus removal efficiency was insignificant at mode I that phosphorus coagulant was not injected. The average influent and effluent total phosphorus concentrations at mode II were 0.5 ~ 1.0 mg/L and 0.27 mg/L, respectively. As for COD and BOD effluent concentrations, COD was 3.0 mg/L and BOD was 1.0 mg/L. Additionally, nitrogen removal rates were high at low influent DO concentration. In conclusion, a new process, biofilter packed with granular sulfur is expected to treat high-rate nitrogen wastewater and expected to be utilized as an alternative of technological innovation for the nitrogen treatment.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.533-542
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• 2017

This study aimed to develop a measure of professional identity for Korean dental hygienists and to analyze the factors and characteristics of professional identity of these dental hygienists. In this study, 890 dental hygienists completed a self-administered survey. The final analysis was conducted with a total of 880 responses, excluding 10 questionnaires with unreliable responses and partial responses. A systematic literature review was conducted to establish the definition of professional identity, while content validity, exploratory factor, confirmatory factor, and reliability analysis were conducted to establish the constructive factors. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to identify the level of each factor. Authors conceptualized the professional identity for Korean dental hygienists and item generation, item reduction, and questionnaire formatting. The developed measure of professional identity for dental hygienists consisted of five factors, with 15 items. "Sense of calling," "need for academic capacity building," "performance of delegated authority," "compliance of code of ethics," and "usage of professional organizations" were the constituent factors. Based on these factors, the level of professional identity was the highest in the "performance of delegated authority" and lowest in the "usage of professional organizations." These finding indicated that dental hygienists with higher education levels have higher professional identity levels. The dental hygienists working at the general/university hospital had the highest level of professional identity. Thus, further research is needed to establish a model that consists of factors affecting and influencing the professional identity of dental hygienists.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2015

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1), the major active constituent of ginseng, improves insulin sensitivity and exerts antidiabetic effects. We tested whether the insulin-sensitizing and antidiabetic effects of G-Rb1 results from a reduction in ectopic fat accumulation, mediated by inhibition of lipolysis in adipocytes. Methods: Obese and diabetic db/db mice were treated with daily doses of 20 mg/kg G-Rb1 for 14 days. Hepatic fat accumulation was evaluated by measuring liver weight and triglyceride content. Levels of blood glucose and serum insulin were used to evaluate insulin sensitivity in db/db mice. Lipolysis in adipocytes was evaluated by measuring plasma-free fatty acids and glycerol release from 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with G-Rb1. The expression of relevant genes was analyzed by western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: G-Rb1 increased insulin sensitivity and alleviated hepatic fat accumulation in obese diabetic db/db mice, and these effects were accompanied by reduced liver weight and hepatic triglyceride content. Furthermore, G-Rb1 lowered the levels of free fatty acids in obese mice, which may contribute to a decline in hepatic lipid accumulation. Corresponding to these results, G-Rb1 significantly suppressed lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and upregulated the perilipin expression in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and mouse epididymal fat pads. Moreover, G-Rb1 increased the level of adiponectin and reduced that of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in obese mice, and these effects were confirmed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Conclusion: G-Rb1 may improve insulin sensitivity in obese and diabetic db/db mice by reducing hepatic fat accumulation and suppressing adipocyte lipolysis; these effects may be mediated via the upregulation of perilipin expression in adipocytes.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2009

Extracellular matrix(ECM) is known to function as a reservoir of endogenous growth factors, can be an effective delivery system of growth factor that easily lost bioactivity in solution. Fibrillar collagens like type I collagen, are the major constituent of the ECM and structural protein of bone. Also, it can be a scaffold for osteoblast migration. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of absorbable Atelo-collagen Sponge($Teruplug^{(R)}$) insertion in tooth extraction sites on periodontal healing of the mandibular second molar after the extraction of the impacted third molar. The study population comprised 31 cases who had been scheduled for surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. All patients were in good general health and were not using any medication that would influence wound healing after surgery. In 15 cases control group, none was inserted into the tooth extraction site. In 16 cases experimental groups, $Teruplug^{(R)}$ was inserted into the tooth extraction site. We evaluated tooth mobility, pocket depth, gingival margin level preoperatively and 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 3 months postoperatively. The change was compared with two groups using Mann-Whitney test. The results were as follows. 1. There was no significant change of tooth mobility on both groups. 2. There was tendency of decreasing of previous pocket depth causing tooth extraction on both groups. 3. On gingival margin level, there was various change according to initial swelling and loss of attachment on both groups. 4. There was tendency of decreasing of gingival margin level on both groups because of removal of inflammation and decreasing of previous pocket depth. 5. There was large change of pocket depth on buccal middle, distal, lingual distal area because of tooth extraction and bone reduction. Compared with the control group and experimental group, we observed significant difference during some periods. The results of this study suggest that absorbable atelo-collagen sponge($Teruplug^{(R)}$) is relatively favorable bone void filler with prevention of tissue collapse, food packing and enhance periodontal healing.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1147-1155
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• 2018

Agaricus blazei mycelial liquid culture extract (ABMLCE) promoted the production of testosterone (TS) in TM-3 mouse Leydig testis cells. Now, we report that ABMLCE containing eritadenine (EA) as a minor constituent (15.3 mg/100 g) reduced $5{\alpha}-reductase$ 2 ($5{\alpha}-R2$) enzyme activity and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) content which are key constituents for the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) inductions. RWPE-1 prostate cells were grown in a Keratinocyte serum-free medium (K-SFM) containing ABMLCE (0~50 ppm), EA (0~10 ppm,), and finasteride (FS $10{\mu}M$: a positive control) in a 24-well plate for 24 hr. Supernatants collected from cell-cultured media were used for the assay of $5{\alpha}-R2$, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme activities, and for TS, DHT, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) contents by their assay kits. The $5{\alpha}-R2$ activity and DHT content were proportionally reduced (p<0.05) to concentrations of ABMLCE. The SOD and CAT enzyme activities were significantly (p<0.05) elevated concomitant with ABMLCE concentrations, while COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ showed reverse results (p<0.05). Similarly, the effects of EA were similar to those of ABMLCE. Efficacies of ABMLCE 50 ppm and EA 10 ppm in $5{\alpha}-R2$ and DHT reduction were similar to those of $10{\mu}M$ FS. These results suggest that ABMLCE and EA reduced $5{\alpha}-R2$ and DHT through their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative actions. This implies that ABMLCE containing EA could be a beneficial material in the cure of BPH in humans.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.429-444
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• 1991

Cold stress influence plant growth through a wide range of growth characters. Adverse effects of low temperature to plant growth come from results of colligative and complex physiological responses to cold stress. To evaluate more exactly cold tolerance of crop plant, it is needed to observe physiological changes induced by cold stress and to analyze relationships between intraspecific variations in physiological factors related to cold tolerance and the extent of cold tolerance in the field. Therefore, the composition and unsaturation ratio of fatty acids in phospholipid, a constituent of membrane, the transition-temperature in respiratory activity of mitochodria, the chlorophyll fluorescence as a factor related to photosynthesis were investigated in rice plant and data on these factors were compared with the degree of cold tolerance obtained in the field experiment. Also, effects of hardening and Mn++ treatment were evaluated as a method to reduce chilling injuries. The unsaturation ratio of fatty acids, whether rice plants were grown in a natural condition or under the chilling stress, was higher in the cold- tolerant varieties and was significantly correlated with the degree of cold tolerance (1-9) observed in the field experiment. And it was also increased by chilling treatment or hardening treatment, due to a reduction in palmitic acid content and an increase in linolenic acid content. The transition-temperature of respiratory activity of mitochodria isolated from etiolated rice seedlings ($25^{\circ}C$, two week-grown in the dark), was correlated with the degree of cold tolerance in the field, cold -tolerant varieties showing a lower transition-temperature. It was not influenced by growth stages. The intensity of chlorophyll fluorescence was highly correlated with the degree of cold tolerance, cold-tolerant varieties having a higher fluorescence intensity. By foliar application of Mn, the transition-temperature of respiratory activity was lowered as much as 0-2$^{\circ}C$ in all tested varieties. Soil application of Mn induced more significant effect in cold-susceptible varieties with a possibility of reducing chilling injuries. On the whole, there were high correlationships among the degree of cold tolerance, the unsaturation ratio of fatty acids in phospholipid, the transition- temperature of respiratory activity and chlorophyll fluorescence except for a few varieties. The transition- temperature of respiratory activity appeared to be negatively correlated with the unsaturation ratio of fatty acids. and the chlorophyll fluorescence to be positively correlated with the unsaturation ratio. This implies that these physical and physiological factors were very closely related to cold tolerance and can be used as an effective index of the evaluation of cold tolerance of crop plant. But other factors as well as three factors discussed above are needed to be considered colligatively and altogether with a systematic analysis for the more exact evaluation of cold tolerance. in rice cultivars. in rice cultivars.