• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.183-196
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this research was to assess the agreement between job physical risk factor analysis by ergonomists using ergonomic methods and physical examinations made by occupational physicians on the presence of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities. Background: Ergonomics is the systematic application of principles concerned with the design of devices and working conditions for enhancing human capabilities and optimizing working and living conditions. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent injuries and physical and emotional stress. The major types of ergonomic injuries and incidents are cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), acute strains, sprains, and system failures. Minimization of use of excessive force and awkward postures can help to prevent such injuries Method: Initial data were collected as part of a larger study by the University of Utah Ergonomics and Safety program field data collection teams and medical data collection teams from the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH). Subjects included 173 male and female workers, 83 at Beehive Clothing (a clothing plant), 74 at Autoliv (a plant making air bags for vehicles), and 16 at Deseret Meat (a meat-processing plant). Posture and effort levels were analyzed using a software program developed at the University of Utah (Utah Ergonomic Analysis Tool). The Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) was developed to assess the risk of epicondylitis from observable job physical factors. The model considers five job risk factors: (1) intensity of exertion, (2) forearm rotation, (3) wrist posture, (4) elbow compression, and (5) speed of work. Qualitative ratings of these physical factors were determined during video analysis. Personal variables were also investigated to study their relationship with epicondylitis. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between risk factors and symptoms of epicondyle pain. Results: Results of this study indicate that gender, smoking status, and BMI do have an effect on the risk of epicondylitis but there is not a statistically significant relationship between EEM and epicondylitis. Conclusion: This research studied the relationship between an Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) and the occurrence of epicondylitis. The model was not predictive for epicondylitis. However, it is clear that epicondylitis was associated with some individual risk factors such as smoking status, gender, and BMI. Based on the results, future research may discover risk factors that seem to increase the risk of epicondylitis. Application: Although this research used a combination of questionnaire, ergonomic job analysis, and medical job analysis to specifically verify risk factors related to epicondylitis, there are limitations. This research did not have a very large sample size because only 173 subjects were available for this study. Also, it was conducted in only 3 facilities, a plant making air bags for vehicles, a meat-processing plant, and a clothing plant in Utah. If working conditions in other kinds of facilities are considered, results may improve. Therefore, future research should perform analysis with additional subjects in different kinds of facilities. Repetition and duration of a task were not considered as risk factors in this research. These two factors could be associated with epicondylitis so it could be important to include these factors in future research. Psychosocial data and workplace conditions (e.g., low temperature) were also noted during data collection, and could be used to further study the prevalence of epicondylitis. Univariate analysis methods could be used for each variable of EEM. This research was performed using multivariate analysis. Therefore, it was difficult to recognize the different effect of each variable. Basically, the difference between univariate and multivariate analysis is that univariate analysis deals with one predictor variable at a time, whereas multivariate analysis deals with multiple predictor variables combined in a predetermined manner. The univariate analysis could show how each variable is associated with epicondyle pain. This may allow more appropriate weighting factors to be determined and therefore improve the performance of the EEM.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.546-555
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• 2014

The final aim of this study is to develop a biofiltration system integrated with plant vegetation for improving indoor air quality effectively depending on indoor space and characteristics. However, to approach this final goal, several requirements such as constant pressure drops (PDs) and soil moisture contents (SMCs), which influence the capacity design for a proper ventilation rate of biofiltration system, should be satisfied. Thus, this fundamental experiment was carried out to adjust a proper wind speed and to ensure a stabilization of initial SMCs within biofilter for uniform distribution of SMCs and PDs, and for normal plant growth, especially avoiding root stress by wind. Therefore, we designed horizontal biofliter models and manufactured them, and then calculated the ventilation rate, air residence time, and air-liquid ration based on the biofilter depending on three levels of wind speed (1, 2, and $3cm{\cdot}s^{-1}$). The relative humidity (RH) and PD of the humidified air coming out through the soil within the biofilter, and SMC of the soil and plant growth parameters of lettuce and duffy fern grown within biofilter were measured depending on the three levels of wind speed. As a result of wind speed test, $3{\cdot}sec^{-1}$ was suitable to keep up a proper RH, SMC, and plant growth. Thus, the next experiment was set up to be two levels of initial SMCs (low and high initial SMC, 18.5 and 28.7%) within each biofilter operated and a non-biofiltered control (initial SMC, 29.7%) on the same wind speed ($3cm{\cdot}sec^{-1}$), and measured on the RH and PD of the air coming out through the soil within the biofilter, and SMC of the soil and plant growth parameters of Humata tyermani grown within biofilter. This result was similar to the first results on RHs, SMCs, and PDs keeping up with constant levels, and three SMCs did not show any significant difference on plant growth parameters. However, two biofiltered SMCs enhanced dry weights of the plants slightly than non-biofiltered SMC. Thus, the stability of this biofiler system keeping up major physical factors (SMC and PD) deserved to be adopted for designing an advanced integrated biofilter model in the near future.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2016

Objective: Newborn screening leads to improved treatment and disease outcomes, but false-positive newborn screening results may impact include parental stress and anxiety, perception of child as unhealthy, parent-child relationship dysfunction, and increased infant hospitalizations. The purpose of this study was to investigate of the false positive rates and the causative factors of false positive results in Tandem Mass Spectrometry (TMS) in single center. Methods: Records were reviewed for all 18,872 subjects who were born in Cheill General Hospital, during January 1st, 2012 to December 31st, 2014. 17,292 neonates (91.62%) were tested for tandem mass screening almost in 2-5th day of life. Newborn babies whose first results were abnormal had been tested repeatedly by same methods in 7-14 day. If the results were abnormal again, further evaluation was performed. TMS analysis included data for the 43 disorders screened for using TMS broken down into three categories: fatty acid oxidation disorders, organic acidurias, and aminoacidopathies. The impact of several factors on increased false positive rates was analyzed using a multivariate analysis: time from birth to sample collection, birth weight, birth height, BMI, gender, gestational age, delivery type. Results: Males of the subjects were 8942 (51.7%), female 8350 (48.3%), the mean gestational age was $38.6{\pm}1.7$ weeks, the average birth weight $3,155.6{\pm}502.4g$, the average birth height $49.1{\pm}2.9cm$, and the average BMI $13.0{\pm}3.8(kg/m^2)$. Vaginal delivery cases were 9713 (56.2%), caesarean section 7,579 (43.8%). The average date of the inspection was $2.8{\pm}1.1$ days. 224 cases were identified as TMS positive. All the subjects were false positive (222/17,292, 1.30%) except 2 cases (1 male; benign phenylketonuria and 1 female; Short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency). The false positive rates were 0.61% in fatty acid oxidation disorders, 0.25% in organic acidurias, and 0.45% in aminoacidopathies. In our study, the date of inspection got late, the false positive rates got higher. Because almost the cases of late test date were in treatment in neonatal intensive care unit so their test date was affected by their medical conditions. False positive rate was higher in extreme immaturity${\leq}27$ weeks than newborns of gestational age >27 weeks [OR=6.957 (CI=1.273-38.008), p<0.025] and extremely low birth weight<1,000 g than newborns of birthweight ${\geq}1,000g$ [OR=5.616 (CI=1.134-27.820), p<0.035]. Conclusion: False positive rate of TMS was 1.30% in Cheil General Hospital. Lower gestational age and birth weight impacted on increased false positive rates. Better understanding of factors that influence the reporting of screening tests, and the ability to modify these important factors, may improve the screening process and reduce the need for retesting. of screening tests, and the ability to modify these important factors, may improve the screening process and reduce the need for retesting.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.6
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• pp.733-739
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• 2009

This study was carried out to analyze the relationship between major climatic factors (monthly temperature, precipitation) and radial growth of Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) in Inje-gun(Mt. Seorak), Sanchung-gun and Namwon-si(Mt. Jiri). Radial growth measurements were crossdated and correlated with climate variables. The climatic factors used were monthly mean temperature and monthly precipitation from August of previous year to September of the current year. In Inje-gun, radial growth was negatively correlated with monthly mean temperature in April, May, June, and August of the current year and was positively correlated with precipitation in August, October of the previous year and in April, August of the current year. Sanchung-gun showed a negative correlation with monthly mean temperature in September of the previous year and August of the current year but positive correlation in January of the current year. In contrast, precipitation in September of the previous year and August of the current year showed a positive influence. The results suggest that high temperature together with low precipitation may thus cause water stress and thereby limit radial growth in this region. In Namwon-si, the climategrowth relationships show that radial growth was negatively correlated with monthly mean temperature in August, October of the previous year and June of the current year. But August of the previous year and May, August of the current year in precipitation was positively correlated with radial growth. In the study areas, precipitation plays an important role for the radial growth of Kroean Pine (Pinus koraiensis). The results suggest that precipitation is important in the radial growth because water deficit in trees would take place in response to high temperature in the study area. Also there was some differences with study areas in the effects of both climatic variables probably as a result of different stand structure and geographical conditions and micro-climate.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.641-649
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Peucedanum japonicum Thunb. (PJT) powder on lipid metabolism and antioxidative activity in rats fed a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups: normal diet group (N), high-fat/high-cholesterol group (HFC), high-fat/highcholesterol with 5% PJT powder (HFC-PBL), and high-fat/high-cholesterol with 10% PJT powder (HFC-PBH). Body weight gain and food efficiency ratio (FER) increased in the HFC group, whereas they gradually decreased in the PJT powder-fed groups. Food intake was not significantly different between the experimental groups. Liver and adipose tissue weights of the HFC group were heavier than that of the N group, whereas the groups fed PJT powder showed gradual reduction of tissue weights. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity significantly decreased after PJT powder administration. Serum triglyceride level significantly decreased in groups fed PJT powder compared to the HFC group. The serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) level of the HFC group increased by 73.70% than that of the N group, whereas serum high density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) tended to decrease in groups fed PJT powder compared to the HFC group. Levels of triglycerides in epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissues, as well as cholesterol levels in liver and adipose tissues were lower in the groups fed 10% PJT powder compared to the HFC group. The liver glutathione (GSH) level increased in the groups fed PJT powder compare to the HFC group. The liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content significantly decreased in the groups fed PJT powder compared to the HFC group. These results suggest that PJT powder may improve lipid metabolism in the serum, liver, and adipose tissue and prevent oxidative stress by stimulating antioxidative systems in rats fed a high fat-high cholesterol diet.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.344-353
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• 2020

Plants native in Korea have not only ornamental values but also have excellent environmental adaptability, so they can be used as garden plants. Studies on proper volumetric water content (VWC) of substrates have been reported, but many have been conducted in glasshouse conditions where environmental factors were controlled. When considering garden planting, it is necessary to perform the automated irrigation system in outdoor conditions where rainfall occurs at frequent intervals. This research aimed to investigate the VWC suitable for the growth of Minuartia laricina, Arenaria juncea, and Corydalis speciosa in open filed. Sandy soil which consisted of particles of weathered rock was used, and the VWC of 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30 ㎥·m^-3 was maintained using an automated irrigation system with capacitance soil moisture sensors and a data logger. No significant differences in growth and antioxidant enzymes activity of A. juncea were observed among VWC treatments. However, the survival rate was low at VWC 0.30 ㎥·m^-3 treatment, which was the highest soil moisture content. Even considering the efficiency of water use, we recommended that VWC 0.15-0.20 ㎥·m^-3 is suitable for the cultivation of A. juncea. Minuartia laricina showed better growth with lower VWC. Because of frequent rainfall in open field, plant volume and survival rate was high even in VWC 0.15 ㎥·m^-3 treatment. In C. speciosa, the plant height, number of shoots and lateral shoots, and fresh and dry weight were higher in plants grown in VWC 0.25 ㎥·m^-3 as compared with that in the plants grown at 0.15, 0.20, and 0.30 ㎥·m^-3. Based on these results, M. laricina needed less water in open filed, and A. juncea and C. speciosa required higher VWC, but excessive water should be avoided.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E on the synthesis of the metallothionein in the liver of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats($220{\pm}10mg$) were randomly assigned to one control and three STZ-diabetic groups. Diabetic groups were classified to STZ-0E(vitamine E free diet), STZ-40E(40mg vitamin E/kg of diet) and STZ-400E(400mg vitamin E/kg of diet) according to the level of vitamin E supplementation. Blood glucose levels of STZ-diabetic rats were three times higher than that of control. The contents of vitamin E in liver were lower signifciantly STZ-0E, STZ-40E groups by 50%, 36% compared with that of control. Lipid peroxide values(LPO) in liver were higher 5.6 and 2.5 times in STZ-0E and STZ-40E groups than that of control. Plasma cortisol levels were higher STZ-0E and STZ-40E groups compared with those of control, but cortisol levels were lower significantly in STZ-400E group compared with those of the STZ-0E and the STZ-40E groups. The plasma insulin levels were lower in all three STZ-diabetic group compared with that of control, but were not affected by the level of dietary vitamin E. The metallothionein (MT) contents in liver, kidney and small intestine were five times higher in STZ-0E, STZ-40E and STZ-400E compared with that of control, but STZ-400E group was lower in the MT contents in tissues compared with that of STZ-40E group. Zn-MT peak in STZ-diabetic rats liver increased than that of control by Sephadex G-75, and Zn-MT peak divided into MTI and MTII peaks by DEAE Sephadex A-25 column chromatography. The present results indicate that STZ-induced diabetic rats are more sensitive to oxidative stress, leading to the acceleration of lipid peroxidation process, which can be more promoted low level of dietary vitamin E. And the result may that increase synthesis of MT induced in the liver of diabetic rats increased so it can be sure that the diabetes is one of the MT induce factor by free radical generation. And high vitamin E supplementation reduced total MT contents of liver, kidney and small intestine and the peak of purified Zn-MT. Through the results of these experiments, we can conclude that MT might be the free radical scavenger.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 1995

To estimate buffer capacity and sensitivity of forest ecosystem to acid rain in Taejon, ionic components of throughfall, stemflow, soil leachate, and open rain in Pinus rigida and Quercus variabilis forest were analysed. The spatial sensitivity based on parent rock and forest type was given by IDRISI of GIS which created imagery conversion from soil and vegetation map. Parent rocks and soils were classified into acidic, sedimentary, metamorphic rock and then subdivided based on $SiO_2$ content. Average pH of vegetation leachate was higher in throughfall but lower in stemflow than open rain and higher in Quercus variabilis forest than in Pinus rigida forest. The flow of $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $Cl^-$ through vegetation leaching(throughfall plus stemflow) into soil were 7.2, 4.3, and 2.5 times, respectively, higher in Pinus rigida forest and 4.4, 2, and 2.5 times, respectively, higher in Quercus variabilis forest than in open field. But the concentration of exchangeable cations was 4.1 times higher in Pinus rigida forest and 4.6 times higher in Quercus variabilis forest than in open field. Average pH of soil leachate was lower than that of throughfall, but higher than that of stemflow. The concentration of exchangeable canons and $Al^{3+}$ in soil leachate were more in Pinus rigida forest than in Quercus variabilis forest and increase signficantly with the increase of acidic deposits. Pinus forest had more deposition and canopy interception of acidic pollutants and more nutrient loss than Quercus forest, and Quercus forest had more cation exchange and proton consumption and than consequently had less nutrient loss and better buffer capacity than Pinus forest. The 69% of forest soils was distributed on acidic rock, 25% of it on metamorphic rock, and 6% of it on intermediate and basic rock. Acidic rock residuals which had low very canon exchange capacity and high sensitivity to acid rain occupied a half of total forest land in Taejon area. Therefore forests in Taejon showed high vulnerability to acid rain and will receive much more stress with the increase of acid rain precursors.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.519-529
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of food insecurity in Korean elderly and to analyze the health status as well as food and nutrient intakes according to food insecurity status. Methods: A total of 939 elderly subjects (over 65 years old) were used in our analysis from the fifth 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-1). The variables consisted of general characteristics, physical and mental health, nutrient intake, rate of deficient intake of energy and nutrients compared with Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) and food quality and diversity according to the status of food insecurity. Food insecurity status was measured using a self-reported food security questionnaire on the dietary situation in the previous year, and participants were classified according to three groups: food secure group, mildly food insecure group, and moderately/severely food insecure group. Results: The proportion of the food insecure group was approximately 67% and the food insecure group had lower income and educational status than the food secure group. Food insecurity was associated with worse physical and mental health status after adjusting potentially confounding variables. The results showed that food insecurity in Korean elderly significantly affected mental health (including stress cognition, depression experience, and suicide thoughts) which exceeded stages of physical health. In addition, food insecurity showed significant association with low nutrient intake and high rate of deficient intakes of energy and nutrients compared with KDRIs, and a reduction of dietary quality and diversity was indicated in the food insecure group. Conclusion: This study concludes that the prevalence of food insecurity may affect the physical and mental health as well as dietary intake of the elderly Korean population. Therefore, food insecurity should be considered as an important public health issue in Korea.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2006

Animal cell culture industry has a large market and an exponential growth rate among biological industry field. Chines hamster ovary(CHO) cells are the most widely used cell lines for recombinant protein production. They can avoid infection from polio, herpes, hepatitis B, HIV, measles, adenovirus and etc. Moreover it is easy to transfection recombinant genes and possible to suspension culture. Serum free media is one of the most important factor of protein production. Because serum has problems. Serum is not defined the contents until now, it has a number of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and unknown molecules that cause of risk involve in infection and high cost of product purification. CHO cell line cultured using serum free media were the basis of a very successful method to produce(glyco-)protein in mammalian cells, which are then used as pharmaceutical products. Also, the low protein content of the developed medium facilitates downstream processing and product purification. But non-adapted CHO cells have a limit of proliferation cultured using serum free media and it takes very long time to adapt non-adapted cells to serum free media. There are a number of causes of a limit of proliferation using serum free media. Absence of growth factors and growth stimulating molecules is a major factor of the reasons. It makes growth signals and moves cell cycle. And increase of cellular stress is another reason. It induces increase of intraceullar ROS concentration. The purpose of this study is about improvement of proliferation capacity of non-adapted CHO cells cultured using serum free media without adaptation process.