• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.435-443
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• 2022

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disease that develops following exposure to a traumatic event and is a stress-associated mental disorder characterized by an imbalance of neuroinflammation. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is the herbal supplement that is known to be involved in a variety of pharmacological activities. We aimed to investigate the effects of KRG on neuroinflammation as a potential mechanism involved in single prolonged stress (SPS) that negatively influences memory formation and consolidation and leads to cognitive and spatial impairment by regulating BDNF signaling, synaptic proteins, and the activation of NF-κB. Methods: We analyzed the cognitive and spatial memory, and inflammatory cytokine levels during the SPS procedure. SPS model rats were injected intraperitoneally with 20, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day KRG for 14 days. Results: KRG administration significantly attenuated the cognitive and spatial memory deficits, as well as the inflammatory reaction in the hippocampus associated with activation of NF-κB in the hippocampus induced by SPS. Moreover, the effects of KRG were equivalent to those exerted by paroxetine. In addition, KRG improved the expression of BDNF mRNA and the synaptic protein PSD-95 in the hippocampus. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that KRG exerts memory-improving actions by regulating anti-inflammatory activities and the NF-κB and neurotrophic pathway. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that KRG is a potential functional ingredient for protecting against memory deficits in mental diseases, such as PTSD.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.103-113
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• 2022

On the basis of fabrication, the utilization of nano material in numerous industrial and technological system, obtained the utmost significance in current decade. Therefore, the current investigation presents a theoretical disposition regarding the flow of electric conducting Williamson nanoliquid over a stretchable surface in the presence of the motile microorganism. The impact of thermal radiation and magnetic parameter are incorporated in the energy equation. The concentration field is modified by adding the influence of chemical reaction. Moreover, the splendid features of nanofluid are displayed by utilizing the thermophoresis and Brownian motion aspects. Compatible similarity transformation is imposed on the equations governing the problem to derive the dimensionless ordinary differential equations. The Homotopy analysis method has been implemented to find the analytic solution of the obtained differential equations. The implications of specific parameters on profiles of velocity, temperature, concentration and motile microorganism density are investigated graphically. Moreover, coefficient of skin friction, Nusselt number, Sherwood number and density of motile number are clarified in tabular forms. It is revealed that thermal radiation, thermophoresis and Brownian motion parameters are very effective for improvement of heat transfer. The reported investigation can be used in improving the heat transfer appliances and systems of solar energy.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.312-329
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• 2022

Feed cost is the main factor affecting the economic benefits of pig industry. Improving the feed efficiency (FE) can reduce the feed cost and improve the economic benefits of pig breeding enterprises. Liver is a complex metabolic organ which affects the distribution of nutrients and regulates the efficiency of energy conversion from nutrients to muscle or fat, thereby affecting feed efficiency. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can regulate feed efficiency through the modulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In this study, we analyzed miRNA profiling of liver tissues in High-FE and Low-FE pigs for the purpose of identifying key miRNAs related to feed efficiency. A total 212~221 annotated porcine miRNAs and 136~281 novel miRNAs were identified in the pig liver. Among them, 188 annotated miRNAs were co-expressed in High-FE and Low-FE pigs. The 14 miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed (DE) in the livers of high-FE pigs and low-FE pigs, of which 5 were downregulated and 9 were upregulated. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis of liver DE miRNAs in high-FE pigs and low-FE pigs indicated that the target genes of DE miRNAs were significantly enriched in insulin signaling pathway, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone signaling pathway, and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. To verify the reliability of sequencing results, 5 DE miRNAs were randomly selected for quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The qRT-PCR results of miRNAs were confirmed to be consistent with sequencing data. DE miRNA data indicated that liver-specific miRNAs synergistically acted with mRNAs to improve feed efficiency. The liver miRNAs expression analysis revealed the metabolic pathways by which the liver miRNAs regulate pig feed efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.94-103
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• 2023

The effects of carburizing pressure and gas ratio on vacuum carburizing properties (uniformity and surface characteristics) have been studied through the analyses of carbon concentration, hardness, surface color, surface roughness and type of carbon bonding. AISI 4115 steel specimens were carburized with various pressures (1, 5, and 10 Torr) at different locations (P₁, P₂, P₃, P₄, P₅, and P₆) inside a furnace held at 950 ℃. Since the carburizing pressure represents the density of the carburizing gas, it plays an important role in improving the carburizing uniformity according to locations in the furnace. As the carburizing pressure increased, the carburizing uniformity according to the sample location was improved, but the surface of the carburized specimen was discolored due to the residual acetylene gas, which does not contribute to the carburizing reaction. Therefore, the carburizing uniformity and surface discoloration have been improved by injecting acetylene gas (carburizing gas) and nitrogen gas (non-reactive gas) in a specific ratio.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.69-86
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• 2023

Regulatory sentiment refers to the market's subjective evaluation of regulatory reform and is one of the most widely adopted indicators to those charged with implementing and diagnosing regulatory policies. The use of regulatory sentiment in advanced analysis has become universal, albeit it is often limited due to difficulties in articulating consistent and objective quantitative indicators that can meticulously reflect market sentiment overall. Thus, despite ample effort by scholars to read the economic impact of regulatory sentiment in the real economy, causal links are difficult to spot. To fill this gap in the literature, this study analyzes a regulatory sentiment index and economic performance indicators through a text analysis approach and by inspecting diverse tones in media articles. Using different stages of tests, the paper identifies a causal relationship between regulatory sentiment and actual economic activities as measured by private consumption, facility investment, construction investment, gross domestic investment, and employment. Additionally, as a result of analyzing one-unit impulse of regulatory perception, the initial impact on economic growth and private investment was found to be negligible; this was followed by a positive (+) response, after which it converged to zero. Construction investment showed a positive (+) response initially, which then rapidly changed to a negative (-) response and then converged to zero. Gross domestic investment as the initial effect was negligible after showing a positive (+) reaction. Unfortunately, the facility investment outcome was found to be insignificant in the impulse response test. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that it is necessary and important to increase the sensitivity to regulations to promote the economic effectiveness of regulatory reforms. Thus, instead of dealing with policies with the vague goal of merely improving regulatory sentiment, using regulatory sentiment as an indicator of major policies could be an effective approach.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.8-18
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• 2022

With rapid industrialization and population growth, fossil fuel use has increased, which has a significant impact on the environment. Hydrogen does not cause contamination in the energy production process, so it seems to be a solution, but it is essential to find an appropriate storage method due to its low efficiency. In this study, Mg-based alloys capable of ensuring safety and high volume and hydrogen storage density per weight was studied, and Mg₂NiH_x synthesized with Ni capable of improving hydrogenation kinetics. In addition, in order to improve thermal stability, a hydrogen storage composite material synthesized with CaO was synthesized to analyze the change in hydrogenation reaction. In order to analyze the changes in the metallurgical properties of the materials through the process, XRD, SEM, BET, etc. were conducted, and hydrogenation behavior was confirmed by TGA and hydrogenation kinetics analysis. In addition, in order to evaluate the impact of the process on the environment, the environmental impact was evaluated through "Material Life Cycle Assessments" based on CML 2001 and EI99' methodologies, and compared and analyzed with previous studies. As a result, the synthesis of CaO caused additional power consumption, which had a significant impact on global warming, and further research is required to improve this.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.511-518
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• 2023

This study examined the association between functional sequence variants (FSVs) of myosin heavy chain 3 (MYH3) genotypes and collagen content in a Landrace and Jeju native pig (JNP) crossbred population. Four muscles (Musculus longissimus dorsi, Musculus semimembranosus, Musculus triceps brachii, and Musculus biceps femoris) were used for the analysis of meat collagen content, and the same animals were genotyped for the FSVs of the MYH3 gene by using PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism). Three FSVs of MYH3 genotypes were identified and had genotype frequencies of 0.358, 0.551, and 0.091 for QQ, Qq, and qq, respectively. QQ animals for the FSVs of the MYH3 genotypes showed higher collagen content in their M. longissimus dorsi (p < 0.001), M. semimembranosus (p < 0.001), M. triceps brachii (p < 0.001), and M. biceps femoris (p < 0.001) than qq homozygous animals. After the validation of this result in other independent populations, the FSVs of MYH3 genotypes can be a valuable genetic marker for improving collagen content in porcine muscles and can also be applied to increase the amount of collagen for biomedical purposes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.113-121
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the treatment mechanism of Thread-embedding acupuncture, which is used in Korean medicine beauty treatment. Methods : After searching papers published up to January 1, 2023 using the keyword "Thread-embedding" through the OASIS site, we selected beauty papers that mentioned the treatment mechanism of Thread-embedding acupuncture. Results : A total of 60 papers were retrieved: 19 papers on the topic of cosmetic diseases, 35 papers on the theme of other diseases, and 6 papers written unrelated to diseases. Among the 19 papers on the topic of cosmetic diseases, one unreadable paper was excluded. Among the 18 papers, we finally selected 6 papers that mentioned treatment mechanisms: 2 on facial wrinkles, 2 on obesity, 1 on breast enlargement, and 1 on transdermal hydration. The treatment mechanism of Thread-embedding acupuncture is that in the case of facial wrinkles, polydioxanone(PDO) is embedded to fill the volume, and as it decomposes, it causes a tissue reaction around the area. In obesity, it promotes fat decomposition by improving circulation, and promotes breast enlargement and elasticity through collagen formation. In transdermal hydration, it induces the production of surrounding fibers to increase skin elasticity and moisture. Conclusions : Thread-embedding acupuncture appears to have a cosmetic effect through a mechanism that promotes the production of collagen and elastic fibers in the subepidermal dermal layer and increases the activity of skin moisturizing factors during the absorption process after the PDO suture is embedded.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1017-1030
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• 2023

Fetal bovine serum (FBS), which contains various nutrients, comprises 20% of the growth medium for cell-cultivated meat. However, ethical, cost, and scientific issues, necesitates identification of alternatives. In this study, we investigated commercially manufactured serum-free media capable of culturing Hanwoo satellite cells (HWSCs) to identify constituent proliferation enhancing factors. Six different serum-free media were selected, and the HWSC proliferation rates in these serum-free media were compared with that of control medium supplemented with 20% FBS. Among the six media, cell proliferation rates were higher only in StemFlex^TM Medium (SF) and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth Medium DXF (MS) than in the control medium. SF and MS contain high fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) concentrations, and we found upregulated FGF2 protein expression in cells cultured in SF or MS. Activation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1)-mediated signaling pathway and stimulation of muscle satellite cell proliferation-related factors were confirmed by the presence of related biomarkers (FGFR1, FRS2, Raf1, ERK, p38, Pax7, and MyoD) as indicated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry. Moreover, PD173074, an FGFR1 inhibitor suppressed cell proliferation in SF and MS and downregulated related biomarkers (FGFR1, FRS2, Raf1, and ERK). The promotion of cell proliferation in SF and MS was therefore attributed to FGF2, which indicates that FGFR1 activation in muscle satellite cells may be a target for improving the efficiency of cell-cultivated meat production.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.102-109
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• 2024

In order to use limestone powder as a material for concrete, the mechanical and durability characteristics of cement matrices manufactured by varying the substitution rate were evaluated. In general, limestone powder did not contribute to the cement hydration reaction, so as a result of the compressive strength test of cement mortar using it, the compressive strength decreased as the substitution rate increased. However, as a result of evaluating the durability performance of cement mortar using limestone powder, such as chloride ion penetration resistance, carbonation resistance, and chemical attack resistance, small particles of limestone powder showed superior results compared to the unsubstituted control mortar due to the micro-filler effect of filling the fine pores inside the cement matrix. Therefore, limestone powder is expected to be used as an effective method for improving the durability of concrete. In this study, the durability was evaluated by changing the mixing amount of limestone powder to 0 %, 5 %, 10 %, and 15 %, but it is judged that it is necessary to study in more detail the effect on the durability by changing the end and mixing amount of limestone powder to various levels in the future.