• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.875-882
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• 2021

To minimize occupational noise induced hearing loss, it is recommended that workers should not be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA for over 8 h. In the present study, noise exposure levels were measured for seven workers based on their tasks on a training ship. The A-weighted noise exposure level (L_ex,24h) was measured by taking into account the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound level (L_Aeq,i), duration (h) and noise contribution (L_ex,24h,i) from the workers' locations. Results are thus obtained for different job categories as follows: officer group L_ex,24h=56.1 dB, navigation crew L_ex,24h=58.9 dB, navigation cadet L_ex,24h=62.0 dB, ship's cook L_ex,24h=64.3 dB, engine cadet L_ex,24h=91.1 dB, engineer L_ex,24h=91.1 dB, and engine crew L_ex,24h=95.1 dB. It was determined that the engineers, engine crews, and engine cadets in charge of machinery must wear hearing protection devices. By wearing hearing protection devices when working in highly noisy engine rooms, it is estimated that the noise expose levels could be reduced by the following amounts: engineer L_ex,24h=23.1 dB, engine Crew L_ex,24h=24.4 dB, and engine cadet L_ex,24h=21.5 dB. Moreover, if the no. 2 lecture room and mess room bottom plates in the cadets accommodations were improved to the 64 mm A-60-class floating plates, then further reductions are possible as follows: navigation cadet L_ex,24h=4.3 dB and engine cadet L_ex,24h=1.8 dB.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.312-319
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of elevated carbon dioxide on the growth and physiological responses of peach 'Mihong' (Prunus persica). We simulated three different carbon dioxide conditions based on climate change scenarios RCP 8.5 in the sunlight phytotron rooms from April 22 to July 6, 2020; 400 µmol·mol^-1(present condition), 700 µmol·mol^-1 treatment(expecting carbon dioxide concentrations in mid-21st century), 940 µmol·mol^-1 treatment (expecting carbon dioxide concentrations in late 21st century). The average of maximum photosynthesis rate at 700 µmol·mol^-1(16.06 µmol·CO₂·m^-2·s^-1) was higher than those at 400 µmol·mol^-1(14.45 µmol·CO₂·m^-2·s^-1) and 940 µmol·mol^-1(15.96 µmol·CO₂·m^-2·s^-1) from May 22 to July 2. However, stomatal conductances at 700 µmol·mol^-1 and 940 µmol·mol^-1 were lower than those at the control. Also, the carbon dioxide saturation point in all treatments was reduced from 1,200 µmol·mol^-1 in the early stage of growth to 600-800 µmol·mol^-1 in the late stage of growth. The stomatal densities were decreased as carbon dioxide increased. The shoot lengths were decreased while the carbon dioxide was increased, but the increase of trunk diameter and leaf areas, shoot numbers were not statistically different. The fruit weight at 700 µmol·mol^-1(152.5 g) was higher than those at the control(141.8 g) and 940 µmol·mol^-1(147.4 g). The soluble solids were higher at 700 µmol·mol^-1, 940 µmol·mol^-1 compared to the control. These results suggest that a carbon dioxide elevated to 700 µmol·mol^-1 in the future may give a positive effect on the yield and fruit quality of peach 'Mihong' while a carbon dioxide elevated above 940 µmol·mol^-1 may affect negatively such as early senescence and loss of fruit set.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.295-302
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• 2019

Liquiritigenin (LG) is a chiral flavonoid isolated from the roots of licorice. It exhibits multiple biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In particular though, the anti-cancer activity of LG in oral squamous cell carcinoma has yet to be elucidated, and LG-induced apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma remains poorly understood. In the present study, we tested the role of LG in inducing apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. LG treatment of HN22 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability as detected by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The induction of apoptosis in terms of Annexin V/7-Aminoactinomycin D staining, sub-G1 population, and multi-caspase activity were assessed with a $Muse^{TM}$ Cell Analyzer. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that LG treatment resulted in G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression and downregulation of cyclin B1 and CDC2 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. It also resulted in significant upregulation of p27. In addition, LG was seen to trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species and induce CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein in concentration-dependent upregulation. The LG treatment of HN22 cells led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$); it also reduced the levels of anti-apoptotic protein and increased the expression of apoptotic protease activating factor-1, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose)polymerase and Bax. Overall, our results indicate that the pro-apoptotic effects of LG in HN22 cells depend on the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways. Thus, our results suggest that LG constitutes a natural compound with a potential role as an anti-tumor agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.747-753
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• 2019

Cognitive decline is characterized by reduced long-/short-term memory and attention span, and increased depression and anxiety. Such decline is associated with various degenerative brain disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The increases in elderly populations suffering from cognitive decline create social problems and impose economic burdens, and also pose safety threats; all of these problems have been extensively researched over the past several decades. Possible causes of cognitive decline include metabolic and hormone imbalance, infection, medication abuse, and neuronal changes associated with aging. However, no treatment for cognitive decline is available. In neurodegenerative diseases, changes in the gut microbiota and gut metabolites can alter molecular expression and neurobehavioral symptoms. Changes in the gut microbiota affect memory loss in AD via the downregulation of NMDA receptor expression and increased glutamate levels. Furthermore, the use of probiotics resulted in neurological improvement in an AD model. PD and gut microbiota dysbiosis are linked directly. This interrelationship affected the development of constipation, a secondary symptom in PD. In a PD model, the administration of probiotics prevented neuron death by increasing butyrate levels. Dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been identified in AD and PD. Increased BBB permeability is also associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis, which led to the destruction of microtubules via systemic inflammation. Notably, metabolites of the gut microbiota may trigger either the development or attenuation of neurodegenerative disease. Here, we discuss the correlation between cognitive decline and the gut microbiota.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2019

A macroporous Sn thick film as a high capacity negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery was prepared by using a chemical etching method using nitric acid for a Sn film having a thickness of $52{\mu}m$. The porous Sn thick film greatly reduced the over-voltage for the alloying reaction with lithium by the increased reaction area. At the same time. The porous structure of active Sn film plays a part in the buffer and reduces the damage by the volume change during cycles. Since the porous Sn thick film electrode does not require the use of the binder and the conductive carbon black, it has substantially larger energy density. As the concentration of nitric acid in etching solution increased, the degree of the etching increased. The etching of the Sn film effectively proceeded with nitric acid of 3 M concentration or more. The porous Sn film could not be recovered because the most of Sn was eluted within 60 seconds by the rapid etching rate in the 5 M nitric acid. In the case of etching with 4 M nitric acid for 60 seconds, the appropriate porous Sn film was formed with 48.9% of weight loss and 40.3% of thickness change during chemical acid etching process. As the degree of etching of Sn film increased, the electrochemical activity and the reversible capacity for the lithium storage of the Sn film electrode were increased. The highest reversible specific capacity of 650 mAh/g was achieved at the etching condition with 4 M nitric acid. The porous Sn film electrode showed better cycle performance than the conventional electrode using a Sn powder.

• ANNALS OF ANIMAL RESOURCE SCIENCES
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.172-182
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• 2018

The present study was undertaken to examine if the carcass and pork quality of finishing pigs reared on a low plane of nutrition (LPN) could be improved compared with that of the pigs finished on a high plane of nutrition (HPN). Sixty-eight crossbred (LYD) barrows and 68 LYD gilts weighing approximately 50 kg were fed a diet containing 3.54 Mcal DE/kg with 1.00% lysine (HPN) or 3.02 Mcal DE/kg with 0.68% lysine (LPN) in eight pens up to approximately 120 kg and slaughtered. The belly, loin, ham, and Boston butt were cut out from a total of 20 carcasses, after which physicochemical and sensory quality attributes of the belly and the representative muscle of each of the loin, ham, and Boston butt were evaluated. The ADG, gain:feed ratio, and backfat thickness were less for LPN than for HPN (p<0.05). The cooking loss, hardness, and chewiness values for the Boston butt were less for LPN vs. HPN. In sensory evaluation for fresh meat (muscle), the subjective quality scores were greater for LPN vs. HPN in color, marbling, and acceptability for the loin, the muscle:fat balance score for the belly tending to be greater for LPN (p<0.10). In addition, LPN was superior to HPN in the flavor and juiciness in sensory evaluation for cooked ham. In conclusion, the present results suggest that the carcass and pork quality of finishing pigs could be improved with reduced growth performance by using LPN.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.18-35
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• 2019

The Korea District Heating Corporation operates a gas engine generator with a capacity of $4500m^3 /day$ of biogas generated from the sewage treatment plant of the Nanji Water Recycling Center and 1,500 kW. However, the actual operation experience of the biogas power plant is insufficient, and due to lack of accumulated technology and know-how, frequent breakdown and stoppage of the gas engine causes a lot of economic loss. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare technical fundamental measures for stable operation of the power plant In this study, a series of process problems of the gas engine plant using the biogas generated in the sewage treatment plant of the Nanji Water Recovery Center were identified and the optimization of the actual operation was made by minimizing the problems in each step. In order to purify the gas, which is the main cause of the failure stop, the conditions for establishing the quality standard of the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon were established through the analysis of the components and the adsorption test for the active carbon being used at present. In addition, the system was applied to actual operation by applying standards for replacement cycle of activated carbon to minimize impurities, strengthening measurement period of hydrogen sulfide, localization of activated carbon, and strengthening and improving the operation standards of the plant. As a result, the operating performance of gas engine # 1 was increased by 530% and the operation of the second engine was increased by 250%. In addition, improvement of vent line equipment has reduced work process and increased normal operation time and operation rate. In terms of economic efficiency, it also showed a sales increase of KRW 77,000 / year. By applying the strengthening and improvement measures of operating standards, it is possible to reduce the stoppage of the biogas plant, increase the utilization rate, It is judged to be an operational plan.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.55-62
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• 2018

The two main requirements of wearable optical fiber fabrics are that they must presuppose a high degree of flexibility and they must maintain the luminance effect in both flat and bent conformations. Therefore, woven optical fiber fabrics that satisfy the above conditions were developed by both weaving and by using computer embroidery. First, we measured the brightness of the wearable optical fiber fabric in the flat state at a total of 10 measurement points at intervals of 1 cm. Second, the wearable optical fiber fabric was placed horizontally on the forearm, where three-dimensional bending occurs, and the luminance values were recorded at the same 10 measurement points. For the woven fabric in the flat state, the maximum, minimum, average, and standard deviation luminance values were $5.23cd/m^2$, $2.74cd/m^2$, $3.56cd/m^2$, and $1.11cd/m^2$, respectively. The corresponding luminance values from the bent forearm were $7.92cd/m^2$ (maximum), $2.37cd/m^2$ (minimum), $4.42cd/m^2$ (average), and $2.16cd/m^2$ (standard deviation). In the case of the computer-embroidered fabric, the maximum, minimum, average, and standard deviation luminance values in the flat state were $7.56cd/m^2$, $3.84cd/m^2$, $5.13cd/m^2$, and $1.04cd/m^2$, respectively, and in the bent forearm state were $9.6cd/m^2$, $3.63cd/m^2$, $6.13cd/m^2$, and $2.26cd/m^2$, respectively. Therefore, the computer-embroidered fabric exhibited a higher luminous effect than the woven fabric because the detailed structure reduced light-loss due to the backside fabric. In both types of wearable optical fiber fabric the luminance at the forearm was 124% and 119%, respectively, and the light emitting effect of the optical fiber fabric was maintained even when bent by the human body. This is consistent with the principle of Huygens, which defines the wave theory of light, and also the Huygens-Fresnel-Kirchhoff principle, which states that the intensity of light increases according to the magnitude of the angle of propagation of the light wavefront (${\theta}$).

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.137-143
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• 2019

To manufacturing of solid fuel by reuse of the wastes, the drying unit which have 500 kg/hr of drying capacity was developed and experimentally evaluate the performance. The spinach grown in Nam-hae island were used for the experiments and investigated of the heated-air drying characteristics as the inlet amount of raw materials, raw material stirring status, conveying type and drying time. The drying air heated by the energy derived from the steam which is supplied from the incineration plant. The moisture contents of raw materials were measured 85.65%. The inlet flow rate of drying air made a difference as the depth of the raw materials loaded on the drying unit and temperature has showed 108~144℃. The drying speed of the mixed drying more than doubled as that of non mixed drying under the same drying type, inlet amount, drying time and drying air temperature. In each experiment, the drying capacity have showed over 500 kg/hr. A drying efficiency of the ratio of drying consumption energy to input energy was 33.46%, lower than the average of 57.76% for the 157 conventional dryers. Because developed dryer must have a drying time of less than one hour, it is considered that the dry efficiency has been reduced due to the loss of wind volume during drying. If waste heat from incineration plant is used as a direct heat source, the dry air temperature is expected to be at least 160℃, greatly improving the drying capacity.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2021

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density on the growth performance, immune status, and meat quality of broilers. In total, 385 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to one of four distinct stocking densities: 26 birds/㎡, 22 birds/㎡, 19 birds/㎡, and 16 birds/㎡. They were fed the diet ad libitum for 5 weeks. Immunoglobulin (Ig) and corticosterone levels were evaluated, and growth performance, blood parameters, and breast meat quality were determined. It was observed that the weight gain and feed intake of growers (21~35 d) and broilers (0~35 d) were significantly reduced as the stocking density increased (P<0.05). However, the feed intake of starters (0~21 d) significantly increased as the stocking density increased (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the biochemical profiles among the four different stock densities. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in the stress parameters: (heterophils / lymphocytes ratio and corticosterone), IgA, and IgM; however, IgG significantly increased with stocking density (P<0.05). The pH, water holding capacity, and cooking loss of the muscle were all unaffected by the stocking density, but the shear force (tenderness) increased slightly as the density increased. The findings of this study suggest that a lower stocking density (16 birds/㎡) significantly improved the shear force of breast meat and IgG in broilers.