• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1752-1760
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• 2011

In this study, the effect of the Opuntiahumifusa extracts on proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen synthesis and ROS level of a cell was investigated using an osteoblast. Opuntiahumifusawas separated intoOpuntiahumifusapeel (OH-P), seed (OH-Se) and stem (OH-St).These were subjected to extraction by using hot water and ethanol. The proliferation of the MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells that were treated with OH-Se water extract were increased by approximately 120%. Regarding the effects of OH-Se on ALP activity, the $50{\mu}g/ml$ ethanol extract group showed the highest activity. The synthesis of collagen increased significantly in response to treatment with OH-Se water extract. The ROS scavenging effects of Opuntiahumifusawere investigated for involvement of oxidativedamage, cell culture and staining. Also, when OH-Se water extract $100{\mu}g/ml$ was added, the ROS level decreased by 54%. These results indicate that Opuntiahumifusa extracts have an anabolic effect on bone through the promotion of osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting that it could be used for the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.398-403
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of irrigation method adopted for reducing nutrient solution drainage on the root zone environment, growth and yield of a tomato crop grown in a rockwool medium. The irrigation control methods used were large quantity irrigation at a long interval controlled by only an integrated solar radiation sensor (standard), medium quantity irrigation at a medium interval (zero drainage 1), and small quantity irrigation at a short interval (zero drainage 2) controlled by both an integrated solar radiation sensor and a zero drainage sensor. The amount of the nutrient solution supplied and the drain percentage per plant of the standard, zero drainage 1, and zero drainage 2 were 1.4, 0.9 and 0.8 L, and 23.8, 8.6 and 3.7%, respectively. The average, minimum, and maximum water contents and EC of the standard, zero drainage 1, and zero drainage 2 were 64.5~88% and $1.5{\sim}3.5dS{\cdot}m^{-2}$, 40.3~76.0% and $2.5{\sim}4.0dS{\cdot}m^{-2}$, and 56.3~69.0% and $2.7{\sim}3.7dS{\cdot}m^{-2}$, respectively. There was no difference in leaf width, number of leaves, and stem diameter among the treatments. However, plant height and leaf length decreased in the zero drainage 1 and 2 treatments as compared to the standard. The fruit marketable yield per 10a in the zero drainage 1 and 2 treatments was about 93 and 88%, respectively, of that in the standard treatment.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2008

This purpose of this study was to examine the effect of planting density, growing medium and strength of a nutrient solution (National Horticultural Research Institute's nutrient solution: HRI's) on the growth and development of Oriental hybrid lily 'Le Reve' in a box cultivation. The planting density with 14, 18 and 22 bulbs had sprouting one day earlier than other treatments. Planting density of 22 bulbs flowered first, while six bulbs flowered the last, indicating that higher planting densities led earlier flowering. The increasing planting density increased stem length of cut flowers. On the other hand, cut flower quality was improved when the planting density was lower. The incidence of physiological disorders such as blasting was more frequent in planting density of 22, 18, and 14, indicating that higher planting densities caused higher incidences of physiological disorders. All planting densities except 22 bulbs displayed superior results in width, weight, number, and scale weight of the bulbs. Greater planting densities led to inferior bulb enlargement and an increased decomposition rate. pH decreased in all treatments after the bulb enlargement and decreased more as the planting density increased. Contents of P, K, Ca, and Mg increased, while contents of K and Ca decreased, as the planting density increased. The rice hull+coir (1:1, v/v) treatment was better than others, but did not show that much of a difference. Moreover, in bulbs enlargement after cut flower harvest, lily medium and perlite+peat moss treatments showed superior results, and decomposition rate was the greatest in the rice hull+coir (1:1, v/v) treatment. In the HRI's solution strength treatment from the period of flower bud emergence to flower harvest, higher solution strengths gave better cut flower quality in terns of length, weight, and number of flowers. The non-treated control and one third strength of a HRI's solution hastened flowering, indicating that lower strengths led to earlier flowering. According to the results of leaf analysis as affected by solution strength during the flower harvest, absorption rates of N and K were greater when the strength was higher, and Ca and Mg showed the same tendency. On the other hand, the absorption rate of P was the lowest in all treatments.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.43
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• pp.265-288
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• 2016

This essay begins by discussing the issue of the definition of a catastrophe as a trauma by visual media and the problems that result. We assume a concrete approach towards these problems by examining the process through which 9/11 was defined as a "national trauma" in the exclusion of images of bodies falling from towers, which were some of the most shocking images in the media coverage of 9/11. The choice to exclude images of falling men from American visual media representations of 9/11 goes hand in hand with the tendencies of a contemporary trauma theory. This essay assumes that the representations in the U.S visual media depend on "antimimetic theory," one of the leading contemporary trauma theories, in order to validate its logic, and examines the limitations and problems of the theory. This work aims to examine the issue of the definition of a catastrophe as trauma by visual media on the basis on the "antimimetic theory" and the danger that results. Because the antimimetic theory, which the visual media in the United States uses to define 9/11 as trauma, emphasizes literal and unmediated representation of an external event, it lacks an understanding of the human aspects of the event. There is no way to intervene in the construction and interpretation of the trauma. As a result, the theory discourages active attempts to find a solution to the problems of the people directly connected with the event. Thus, it provides an opening for manipulative intervention of an external power. This essay attempts to provide a critical analysis of the "antimimetic theory" in order to help people who witness catastrophic events through various types of visual media, and to seek an alternative means of experiencing and responding to the trauma, that does not stem from the perspective of specific media outlets or external powers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.724-734
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• 2019

The present study investigated the cytotoxicity of particulate matter (PM) derived from car air filter (outdoor PM) and home cleaner filter (indoor PM) in the various human cell lines. Each outdoor and indoor PM were harvested by ethanol extraction method, subsequently sieved with 10 um filter paper, sterilized with autoclave and added to culture media. The half maximal inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the outdoor PM, compared with indoor PM, and the significantly (p<0.05) higher $IC_{50}$ values were observed in the cancer cell lines (A-549 lung adenocarcinoma and AGS stomach adenocarcinoma), than those of normal MRC-5 fibroblasts and dental papilla tissue derived-mesenchymal stem cells (DSC). After being exposed to $100{\mu}g/ml$ outdoor PM for 7 days, the population doubling time (PDT) was significantly (p<0.05) increased in especially MRC-5 and DSC cell lines, compared with untreated cell lines. Further, the expression of senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity was up-regulated in all the cells exposed to outdoor PM than those of untreated control. Besides, the expression level of inflammation-associated genes, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was found to be significantly (p<0.05) increased in the outdoor PM-treated cell lines than those of untreated cell lines. Our results showed that PM induces the cytotoxicity via arrest of cell growth, cell damage and inflammation response.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2023

The cultivation method of shiitake is divided into two methods: log cultivation and sawdust cultivation. Recently, the importance of sawdust cultivation has been highlighted due to problems such as environmental problems, rising labor costs, and a reduced labor force. Among the 24 Sawdust-cultivated Lentinula edodes cultivars in Korea stored by the National Institute of Forest Science, this study was conducted to select excellent cultivars under the sawdust block cultivation method. After inoculation, the sawdust mediums were cultured for 100 days (60 days in dark and then 40 days in light), and only Sanjo 712ho sprouted the primordia on the 10^th day of light culture (total 70 days of cultivation). As a result of cultivation, the average total yield of the 24 cultivars were 1,816 g and Sanjo 712ho was 2,267 g. The fruiting body yield was the highest in Sanjo 713ho with 3,443 g followed by Sanjo 710ho (3,355 g). Sanlim 10ho, Sansanhyang, and Sanjo 716ho showed low production with 174, 238, and 214 g, respectively. As a result of investigating the morphological characteristics of the fruit bodies, the fresh weight of Sansanhyang and Bambithyang was about twice as heavy as the overall average, and Sulbaekhyang was about twice as light. Bambithyang was the largest and longest in diameter and length of the stipe, and the thickness of the stem was the thickest in Sanjo 716ho. As for the hardness of pileus, Bambithyang showed the highest value at 1,276 g/5 mm, and Sanjo 711ho showed the lowest value at 542 g/5 mm. In summary, Bambithyang showed the best fruiting body characteristics and Sanjo 713ho showed the highest yield in the sawdust block cultivation method. This study, the cultivar with shortened cultivation periods and cultivars with excellent morphological characteristics and high yields.

• Journal of the Korean Association of African Studies
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• v.29
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• pp.27-53
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• 2009

At the start of the new century, South Africa probably had the largest number of HIV-infected people of any country in the world. The only nation that comes close is India with a population of one billion people compared to South Africa's figure of 57 million. The tragedy is that this did not have to happen. South Africa was aware of the dangers posed by AIDS as early as 1985. In 1991, the national survey of women attending antenatal clinics found that only 0.8percent were infected. In 1994, when the new government took power, the figure was still comparatively low at 7.6 %. The 2004 figure which has been published is 26.5%. This article tracks the epidemic globally, in the region and in South Africa. I explain some of the basic concepts around the disease and look at what may happen with respect to numbers. The situation is bad, and the number of people falling ill, dying and leaving families will rise over next few years. This will impact on South Africa in a number of important ways. This article assesses the demographic, economic and social consequences of the epidemic. It disposes of a number of myths and present the real facts. The AIDS in South Africa is not related to individuals only. It warns that AIDS in Africa is becoming a community and systemic problem. The acuteness of the problem does not stem merely from the fact that communities are affected, or could even be wipe out by the end of this decade, but from the fact that AIDS will place incredible burdens and obligations upon medical services, health care and religious communities such as churches. The facts confront churches' mission with the important question: who is going to take care of all the patients and where? The reality is that people dying of AIDS will have to be cared for at home by relatives and friends. A further question that arises is whether our people are prepared for this. AIDS was considered to be a homo-plague and the hunt was on for a scapegoat in the light of the fatal implication of the disease. At present we are in the strategic phase where we all realize that it will be of no avail to scare people with the ominous threat of AIDS AIDS destroys the optimism of our achievement ethics. This exposure of the culture of optimism is also an exposure of the so-called 'human basic fear which accuses Christianity that their concept of sin is a damper on man's search for liberation and basic need to be freed from all Imitation. AIDS is also a test for our ecclesiastical genuineness and the sincerity of our mission sensibility. It poses the question: How unconditional is Christian love? Is there room for the AIDS sufferer in the community of believers, despite the fact he is an acknowledged homosexual? The question to put to the church is whether the community of believers is an exclusive to put to the koinonia which excludes homosexuals. They may be welcome on principle, but in actual fact are not acceptable to the church community. As South Africa enters the new century, it is clear that the epidemic is not having a measurable impact. However, the impact of AIDS is gradual, subtle and incremental. The author's proposal of what is currently most needed in South Africa is that the little things will make a difference. It's about doing lots of little things better at grassroots level, with the emphasis on doing. There are so many community, churches and NGOs initiatives worth building on and intensifying. One must not underestimate the therapeutic value of working together in small groups to overcome a problem