• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.592-600
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• 2021

Probiotics can be processed into a powder, tablet, or capsule form for easy intake. They are exposed to frequent stresses not only during complex processing steps, but also in the human body after intake. For this reason, various coating agents that promote probiotic bacterial stability in the intestinal environment have been developed. Silk fibroin (SF) is a material used in a variety of fields from drug delivery systems to enzyme immobilization and has potential as a coating agent for probiotics. In this study, we investigated this potential by coating probiotic strains with 0.1% or 1% water-soluble calcium (WSC), 1% SF, and 10% trehalose. Under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, cell viability, cell surface hydrophobicity, and cell adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells were then measured. The survival ratio after freeze-drying was highest upon addition of 0.1% WSC. The probiotic bacteria coated with SF showed improved survival by more than 10.0% under simulated gastric conditions and 4.8% under simulated intestinal conditions. Moreover, the cell adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells was elevated by 1.0-36.0%. Our results indicate that SF has positive effects on enhancing the survival and adhesion capacity of bacterial strains under environmental stresses, thus demonstrating its potential as a suitable coating agent to stabilize probiotics throughout processing, packaging, storage and consumption.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4065-4083
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• 2021

Super-resolution can improve the clarity of low-resolution (LR) images, which can increase the accuracy of high-level compute vision tasks. Portable devices have low computing power and storage performance. Large-scale neural network super-resolution methods are not suitable for portable devices. In order to save the computational cost and the number of parameters, Lightweight image processing method can improve the processing speed of portable devices. Therefore, we propose the Enhanced Information Multiple Distillation Network (EIMDN) to adapt lower delay and cost. The EIMDN takes feedback mechanism as the framework and obtains low level features through high level features. Further, we replace the feature extraction convolution operation in Information Multiple Distillation Block (IMDB), with Ghost module, and propose the Enhanced Information Multiple Distillation Block (EIMDB) to reduce the amount of calculation and the number of parameters. Finally, coordinate attention (CA) is used at the end of IMDB and EIMDB to enhance the important information extraction from Spaces and channels. Experimental results show that our proposed can achieve convergence faster with fewer parameters and computation, compared with other lightweight super-resolution methods. Under the condition of higher peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and higher structural similarity (SSIM), the performance of network reconstruction image texture and target contour is significantly improved.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.83 no.5
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• pp.655-669
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• 2022

Passive vibration control devices like tuned liquid column dampers (TLCD) not only significantly reduce buildings' vibrations but also can serve as a water storage facility. The recently introduced modified form of TLCD known as tuned liquid column ball damper (TLCBD) suppressed external vibration efficiently compared to traditional TLCD. For excellent performance, the mass ratio of TLCBD should be in the range of 5% to 7%, which does not include the mass of the ball. This additional mass of the ball increases the overall structure mass. Therefore, in this paper, an effort is made to reduce the mass of TLCBD. For this purpose, a new modified version of TLCBD known as tuned liquid column hollow ball damper (TLCHBD) is proposed. The existing mathematical modeling of TLCBD is used for this new damper by updating the numerical values of the mass and mass moment of the ball. Analytically the optimal design parameters are obtained. Numerically the TLCHBD is investigated with a single degree of freedom structure under harmonic and seismic loadings. It is found that TLCHBD performance is similar to TLCBD in both loadings' cases. To validate the numerical results, an experimental study is conducted. The mass of the ball of TLCHBD is reduced by 50% compared to the ball of TLCBD. Both the arrangements are studied with a multi-degree of freedom structure under harmonic and seismic loadings using a shake table. The results of the experimental study confirm the numerical findings. It is found that the performance behavior of both the dampers is almost similar under harmonic and seismic loadings. In short, the TLCHBD is lighter in weight than TLCBD but has a similar vibration suppression ability.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.41-50
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• 2021

Purpose: This study is aimed at the case of the cognitive health design pilot projects promoted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government since 2014 in terms of design to solve social problems in accordance with the aging population of our society. The purpose of this study is to analyze the maintenance and management of the projects and to suggest implications for the promotion and expansion of sustainable cognitive health design in the future. Method: It set the analysis frame by dividing management into maintenance-damage-demolition for the spatial types and spatial elements suggested in the Seoul Cognitive Health Guidelines. And it analyze the actual conditions of four pilot projects based on the field survey. Results: First, the ratio of damage and demolition was higher than maintenance. Second, designs and techniques with low durability were applied. Most of the cases where floor marks were applied to the external environment were lost or difficult to recognize, and their functions were limited due to storage of goods and parking of vehicles and motorcycles. Third, there was a large variation according to the type of residence. The project contents that can be applied to the low-rise residential area were also limited, and more elements were demolished than in the apartment type. Implications: First, it should limit project contents of space types and space elements that can be maintained even over time. Second, it should seek sustainable design and technical solutions. Third, it should seek alternatives to cognitive health design in low-rise residential areas where a large number of elderly people live.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.63-67
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• 2009

Objectives : Quality control for imported medicinal herbs is duty for regulation, however to the best of our knowledge there has been no report regarding quality control of imported ones. Therefore, this study investigated the data of imported ones for monitoring quality issue. Methods : These data are categorized according to item, the amount of import, country, inspection item, suitability, and incongruity reason based on the 248 results performed by KIOM. Results : China is the number one country for import with the value of 73%. Inspected medicinal herbs were 139 species, among them Poria is ranked as top for requested number and the amount of import. The amount of import is similar between high ranking 20 species and low ranking 119 ones, showing high ranking ones are major. The incongruity ratio was 7.7% from the total number of inspected items, the reason for incongruity was excess of tolerable amount of Cd residue. Conclusions : From the data, it is effective way to focus on high ranking herbs for evaluating imported herbs for quality control. The study of mechanism on Cd accumulation and its decrease is essential for environmental matter. And identification and storage for mixed used and easily decomposable herbs are remained for further study. Our study might be small step for showing guideline for proper quality control.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2022

To improve the solubility of β-carotene, three types of β-carotene-loaded nanocapsules were prepared using chitosan (CS) and two cross-linkers, sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) and hyaluronic acid (HA), alone or in combination (CS-TPP, CS-TPP-HA, and CS-HA). The entrapment efficiency of all nanocapsules significantly increased with an increase in TPP and HA, with the efficiency ranging from 95% to 99%. The solubility of β-carotene was significantly improved by CS nanoencapsulation before and after lyophilization and during storage. CS/HA nanoencapsulation significantly improved (by 11-fold) the water solubility of β-carotene. In particular, CS/HA nanoencapsulation was the most effective in terms of not only the solubility of β-carotene, but also the redispersibility ratio. Therefore, CS/HA encapsulation could be useful for improving the solubility of poorly soluble active ingredients, such as β-carotene.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.479-489
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• 2023

Livestock production depends on the utilization of nutrients, and when this is accomplished, there is accelerated momentum toward growth with a low cost-to-feed ratio. Public concern over the consumption of pork with antibiotic residues in animals fed antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) has paved the way for using other natural additives to antibiotics, such as herbs and their products, probiotics, prebiotics, etc. Numerous feed additives are trending to achieve this goal, and a classic example is vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals represent a relatively small percentage of the diet, but they are critical to animal health, well-being, and performance; both play a well-defined role in metabolism, and their requirements can vary depending on the physiological stage of the animals. At the same time, the absence of these vitamins and minerals in animal feed can impair the growth and development of muscles and bones. Most commercial feeds contain vitamins and trace minerals that meet nutrient requirements recommended by National Research Council and animal feeding standards. However, the potential variability and bioavailability of vitamins and trace elements in animal feeds remain controversial because daily feed intake varies, and vitamins are degraded by transportation, storage, and processing. Accordingly, the requirement for vitamins and minerals may need to be adjusted to reflect increased production levels, yet the information presented on this topic is still limited. Therefore, this review focuses on the role and function of different sources of minerals, the mode of action, the general need for micro and macro minerals in non-ruminant diets, and how they improve animal performance.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.5D
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• pp.513-522
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• 2010

Underground construction for traffic networks, complexes, and storage facilities has risen as an effective land use plan for dealing with emerging problems such as overcrowded urban cities and traffic jams. This paper performed an economic feasibility analysis of the development of the integrated field management system which provides field workers and managers with 3D-based location tracking and clear communication during underground construction works. To conduct the analysis, processes and problems of field management for underground construction were analyzed and deduction in accidents and field management costs and productivity improvement were estimated as expected benefits. Based on computed benefits and costs, an economic analysis was conducted using Benefit/Cost ratio(B/C), Net Present Value(NPV), and Internal Rate of Return(IRR) and then sensitivity analysis was performed to cope with the uncertainty of assumed variables.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.386-386
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• 2022

우리나라에서는 '물의 재이용 촉진 및 지원에 관한 법률 시행규칙' 등 다양한 법률에 따라 특정 규모 이상의 시설에 빗물이용시설을 설치하도록 규정하고 있으며, 지자체에서는 빗물이용시설의 이용을 장려하고자 설치비 및 시설 운영비를 지원하고 있다. 현업에서 빗물이용시설의 설계는 간편식을 이용하여 목표 우수이용률 또는 공급보장률을 만족하는 용량으로 결정하고 있다. 또한, 산정된 빗물이용시설의 용량에 대해서만 경제성 분석을 하고 있으며, 경제성 분석에 포함된 수식에 대한 근거가 부족한 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 기 개발된 빗물이용시설 설계 프로그램인 CARAH(capacity design aid for rainwater harvesting)의 추가 기능으로 경제성 분석을 통한 빗물이용시설의 적정 용량 결정 도구 및 사용자 편의 환경 개발 결과를 제시하고자 한다. 본 연구를 통해 개발된 CARAH의 경제성 분석 도구는 빗물이용시설의 용량, 설치비, 유지보수비용, 지자체의 설치비 지원 및 빗물 이용에 따른 요금 감면액 등을 고려하여 빗물이용시설의 비용편익 비율(benefit cost ratio; BCR) 산정 결과를 제시하는 기능이다. 본 연구에서는 개발된 CARAH의 경제성 분석 도구를 이용하여 기 설치된 광교 신도시의 빗물저류조 5호를 대상으로 경제성 분석을 수행하였으며, 경제성을 고려한 적정 저류 용량을 제시하였다. 경제성 분석 기간은 빗물이용시설의 내용 연수인 30년으로 하였으며, 여러 목표 공급보장률에 따른 최소 저류 용량별 BCR 결과를 비교하여 광교 신도시의 빗물저류조 5호의 적정 저류 용량을 결정하였다. 그 결과, 공급보장률이 60%에 해당하는 저류 용량 341 m3의 BCR이 7.28로 가장 경제적인 빗물이용시설의 저류 용량으로 산정되었다.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.23-35
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• 2023

In this study, we developed a method to determine the flood-limited water levels of agricultural reservoirs, considering both their irrigation and flood control functions. Irrigation safety and flood safety indices were defined to be applied to various reservoirs, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the irrigation and flood control properties. Seasonal flood-limited water level scenarios were established to represent the temporal characteristics of rainfall and agricultural water supply and the safety indices were analyzed according to these scenarios. The optimal scenarios were derived using a schematic solution based on Pareto front analysis. The method was applied to Obong, Yedang, and Myogok reservoirs, and the results showed that the characteristics of each reservoir were well represented in the safety indices. The irrigation safety of Obong reservoir was found to be significantly influenced by the late-stage flood-limited water level, while those of Yedang and Myogok reservoir were primarily affected by the early and mid-stage flood-limited water levels. The values of irrigation safety and flood safety indices for each scenario were plotted as points on the coordinate plane, and the optimal flood-limited water levels were selected from the Pareto front. The storage ratio of the optimal flood-limited water levels for the early, mid, and late stages were 65-70%, 70%, and 75% for Obong reservoir, 75%, 70-75%, and 65-70% for Yedang reservoir, and 75-80%, 70%, and 50% for Myogok reservoir. We expect that the method developed in this study will facilitate efficient reservoir operations.