• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1036-1045
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• 2023

Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by the insidious loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, represents a significant and growing healthcare challenge, impacting the mobility and quality of life of aging populations worldwide. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of soybean leaf extract (SL) for dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced muscle atrophy in vitro and in an in vivo model. In vitro experiments showed that SL significantly alleviated Dexa-induced atrophy in C2C12 myotube cells, as evidenced by preserved myotube morphology, density, and size. Moreover, SL treatment significantly reduced the mRNA and protein levels of muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx), key factors regulating muscle atrophy. In a Dexa-induced atrophy mouse model, SL administration significantly inhibited Dexa-induced weight loss and muscle wasting, preserving the mass of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles. Furthermore, mice treated with SL exhibited significant improvements in muscle function compared to their counterparts suffering from Dexa-induced muscle atrophy, as evidenced by a notable increase in grip strength and extended endurance on treadmill tests. Moreover, SL suppressed the expression of muscle atrophy-related proteins in skeletal muscle, highlighting its protective role against Dexa-induced muscle atrophy. These results suggest that SL has potential as a natural treatment for muscle-wasting conditions, such as sarcopenia.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.40-48
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• 2023

This study is part of a foundational research effort aimed at developing a suitability index for breeding grounds related to avian activities along the domestic South and West coasts, including islands. Focus Group Interviews (FGI) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analyses were conducted. The results are as follows. First, as a result of determining the value of the suitability of coastal bird breeding sites, the 'Natural Value(0.763)' was higher than the 'Artificial Value(0.237)'. Other artificial values were identified as sub-ranked except for 'Protected Areas' to ensure continuous integrity of breeding spaces. Second, as a result of re-establishing the 25 evaluation items classified in the two-time FGI as higher concepts, nine natural values and five artificial values were finally selected as a total of 14. Third, the results of the mid-classification evaluation of the importance of the suitability of coastal bird breeding sites were identified in the order of 'Ecological Value(0.392)', 'Topographic Value(0.251)', 'Passive Interference(0.124)', 'Geological Value(0.120)', and 'Active Interference(0.113)'. Fourth, the results of the priority of evaluation items of coastal bird breeding sites were in the order of 'Vegetation Distribution (0.187)', 'Area of Mudflats(0.118)', 'Presence or Absence of Mudflats(0.092)', 'Appearance of Natural Enemies(0.087)', 'Protected Areas(0.08)', 'Island Area (0.069)', 'Over-Breeding devastation(0.064)', 'Soil Composition Ratio(0.056)', 'Distance from Land(0.054)', 'Ocean farm area (0.045)', 'Cultivated land area(0.041)', 'Cultivation behavior(0.038)', 'Angle of the Surface(0.036)', and 'Land Use(0.033)'. It is judged that the weighting result value of the evaluation items derived in this study can be used for priority evaluation focusing on the coastal bird breeding area space. However, it seems that the correlation with the unique habitat suitability of bird individuals needs to be supplemented, and spatial analysis research incorporating species-specific characteristics will be left as a future task.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2024

This study investigated the ecological characteristics of Odontobutis platycephala at Jaho stream from January to December 2022. The riverbed structure of the species' habitat was rich in cobble and pebble. The water was deep, ranging from 22 to 153 cm, with an average of 64 cm, and the stream velocity was rapid at 0.89 (0.42-1.46) m/sec. The ratio of females to males was 1:1.02, and the total length of collected individuals ranged from 38 to 156 mm. The age according to the total length frequency distribution as of May indicated that the group with a total length of 38-69 mm was one year old, the group with 60-99 mm was two years old, the group with 100-139 mm was three years old, and the group 140-156 mm was four years or older. As a secondary gender characteristic, the genital papilla was cylindrical in females and cone-shaped with a pointed tip in males. Some females with a length ranging from 60 to 69 mm and all females 70 mm or longer were sexually mature. Some males with a length ranging from 70 to 79 mm and all males 80 mm or longer were sexually mature. The spawning season was from May to July, and the water temperature was between 17 ℃ and 28 ℃ during that period. The prosperous spawning season was June (24 ℃). The average number of eggs in the ovaries was 988 (284-2,722) per mature female, and the mature eggs were yellowish and spherical with a mean diameter of 1.46 (1.19-1.71) mm. The correlation between total length and body weight is BW=0.00000006TL^3.12 with the constant a as 0.00000006 and the parameter b as 3.12. The mean condition factor (K) was 1.44 (0.96-2.26), and the slope was negative at -0.0007

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.69 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2024

This experiment was conducted at the affiliated farm of the Suncheon University from 2022 to 2023 to investigate the growth, yield, and quality characteristics of soybeans based on the treatment method of Methyl Sulfony Methane (MSM) for the establishment of stable production practices. In the initial investigation of growth characteristics in 2022, an increasing trend in characteristics such as plant height, stem thickness, and branching index was observed as the treatment concentration increased from 50% to 200%. Yield components also followed the same trend, with the basal fertilization + top dressing 3 times at 200% treatment showing the highest yield at 355 kg·10a^-1, with the highest number of pods. In the subsequent study to determine the optimal concentration exceeding 200% in 2023, growth characteristics showed a trend of 400% > 200% > 800%. The basal fertilization + top dressing 3 times at 400% treatment exhibited the longest plant height (106.7 cm) and the most branches (6). In terms of seed quality, this treatment also had the highest proportion (66.9%) of seeds with a diameter over 6.7 mm. Additionally, in yield components such as pods, seeds per pod, and 100-seed weight, the basal fertilization + top dressing 3 times at 400% treatment showed the highest values, resulting in a maximum yield of 374 kg·10a^-1, representing a 23.4% increase compared to the control. Therefore, for the optimal production of high-quality soybeans, it is recommended to apply the treatment of basal fertilization + top dressing 3 times at 400% concentration, with top dressing occurring at 30-day intervals before harvest.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.219-232
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• 2024

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of body mass index (BMI) and drumming exercise on autonomic nervous system function in adult women. Ten adult women (aged 30-50) were divided into two groups based on their BMI: a normal BMI group (Low BMI, LBMI < 23 kg/m²) and an overweight BMI group (High BMI, HBMI > 23 kg/m²). Both groups participated in a drumming exercise program, consisting of 50-minute sessions, three times a week, for a duration of 8 weeks. Body composition and heart rate variability were assessed before and after the 8-week exercise period. Heart rate variability was evaluated using linear analysis in the time domain and frequency domain. Additionally, non-linear analysis was conducted using a Poincaré plot. The autonomic nervous system index was determined by measuring parasympathetic nervous system index and sympathetic nervous system index. Following the 8-week intervention, the HBMI group exhibited a significant decrease in weight (p=0.034), BMI (p=0.044), body fat mass (p=0.032), and waist circumference (p=0.013) compared to the LBMI group. Furthermore, the HBMI group demonstrated significant increases in RMSSD (p=0.018) and TP (p=0.033) in linear analysis, as well as SD1 (p=0.018) in non-linear analysis and PNS Index (p=0.040) compared to the LBMI group. RMSSD, SD1, and PNS Index serve as indicators of parasympathetic nervous system activity in linear and non-linear analyses, respectively. These findings indicate that drumming exercise significantly enhances autonomic nervous system function in overweight women.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.78-87
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• 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) concentrations on fruit quality of small-sized RubyS apples during cold storage. After harvesting, the fruits were treated with 1-MCP at 0.5 or 1 µL/L concentrations and, subsequently, stored at 0℃ for 6 months. After 6 months, the flesh firmness of untreated fruits, which was 85.4 N at harvest, had gradually decreased to 46.5 N; however, that of 1-MCP-treated fruits was maintained at 59.1 and 59.5 N. Titratable acidity (TA) of untreated fruits had also decreased from 0.42 to 0.24%, whereas that of 1-MCP-treated fruits was maintained at 0.26 and 0.27%. Soluble solids content (SSC) did not differ in all fruits. However, the 1-MCP-treated fruits had lower levels of SSC/TA ratio than untreated fruits. Moreover, after 6 months, the ethylene production had increased to 47.0 µL/kg/h in the untreated fruits, whereas 1-MCP blocked the ethylene production at 1.4 and 1.7 µL/kg/h. The weight loss and peel color variables remained unaffected by 1-MCP treatments. Thus, these results indicated that, for RubyS apples, the storability was only 2 months at 0℃ without treatment, which can be extended to 6 months with 1-MCP treatments. The application of 1-MCP at 0.5 µL/L concentration is effectively and economically sufficient to maintain the quality of RubyS apples.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.822-832
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• 2023

This study investigates the effectiveness of CA (controlled atmosphere) containers in maintaining the freshness of exported melons. The melons were harvested on June 5, 2023, in the Yeongam area of Jeollanam-do, Korea. The CA container was loaded with melon samples packed in an export box. The temperature inside the container was set at 4℃, while the gas composition was set at 5% oxygen, 12% carbon dioxide, and 83% nintrogen. Following two weeks of simulated transportation, quality analysis was conducted at 10℃. The melons were inoculated with spore suspensions, and the decay rate was determined to investigate the effect of the gas composition inside the CA container on suppressing the occurrence of Penicillium oxalicum in melons. The results were compared with a Reefer container set at the same temperature. The samples transported in the CA container exhibited lower weight loss. The melon pulp softening, respiration rate, and ethylene production were slower using the CA container. Moreover, the decay rate during the distribution period in the CA container was lower than in the Reefer container. In contrast, the firmness of melons transported in the Reefer container decreased significantly (from 9.03N to 5.18N) immediately after transportation. The soluble solid content (SSC) of melons transported in the Reefer container also decreased rapidly. The results suggested that the CA container is the optimal export container for maintaining the freshness of melons.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.685-698
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• 2023

This study aimed to identify binge-eating behavior and food addiction in Korean population and to determine their associations with obesity, eating behaviors, mental health and cognitive characteristics. We collected clinical questionnaire scores related to eating problems (e.g. binge eating, food addiction, food cravings), mental health (e.g. depression), and cognitive functions (e.g. impulsivity, emotion regulation) in 257 Korean adults in the normal and the obese weight ranges. Binge-eating and food addiction were most frequent in obese women (binge-eating: 46.6%, food addiction: 29.3%) when we divided the participants into 4 groups depending on gender and obesity status. The independence test using the data with propensity score matching confirmed that binge-eating and food addiction were more prevalent in obese individuals. Finally, we constructed the logistic regression models using forward selection method to evaluate the influence of various clinical questionnaire scores on binge-eating and food addiction respectively. Binge-eating was significantly associated with the clinical scales of eating disorders, food craving, state anxiety, and emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal) as well as food addiction. Food addiction demonstrated the significant effect of food craving, binge-eating, the interaction of obesity and age, and years of education. In conclusion, we found that binge-eating and food addiction are much more frequent in females and obese individuals. Both binge-eating and food addiction commonly involved eating problems (e.g. food craving), but there was difference in mental health and cognitive risk factors. Therefore, it is required to distinguish food addiction from binge-eating and investigate intrinsic and environmental risk factors for each pathology.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.47
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• pp.241-279
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• 2023

The Scripture of Myriad Laws was first published in 1986 and then reprinted in 1994 and 1995. It gained widespread recognition as a mysterious text or a Buddhist document containing enigmatic content that deemed difficult to comprehend. Through the analysis of the content of The Scripture of Myriad Laws, it was revealed that the book was published by the Dragon Flower Order, a Jeungsanist religion founded by Seo Baek-Il (徐白一). Therefore, the various texts included in The Scripture of Myriad Laws can be classified as 'Songs of Jeungsanism' (Jeungsan-gyo Gasa 甑山敎歌辭). The contents included in The Scripture of Myriad Laws often mention terms unique to the Jeungsanist orders, such as 'the Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth' (天地公事), 'presiding over cures' (醫統), 'Degree Number' (度數), 'the West God' (西神), 'the nobility of heaven' (天尊), 'the nobility of earth' (地尊), 'the nobility of humanity' (人尊), 'ruling the world for 50 years' (治天下五十年), and 'the era of Resolving Grievances (解冤時代).' It also discusses the birthplace and birth date of Kang Jeungsan, his family name, and the duration of his existence. The contents directly quote the words spoken by Jeungsan and incorporate them into songs. They also mention unique Jeungsan terms such as 'Five Immortals Playing Baduk' (五仙圍碁), 'open-weight wresting match,' 'birth, growth, harvest, and storage' (生長斂藏), 'the god who listens to words' (言聽神), 'pillar of foundation' (基礎棟樑),' 'Ocean Seal' (海印), and 'the higher gods' (上計神). It is also notable that some verses of Chinese poetry that Jeungsan taught his disciples are directly quoted in this scripture. Furthermore, the scripture shows traces of Buddhist salvational beliefs; particularly those that emphasize faith in Maitreya Bodhisattva (彌勒信仰). However, The Scripture of Myriad Laws differs from traditional Buddhist beliefs in that it anticipates and emphasizes the birth of a specific individual endowed with the power and abilities of Maitreya Buddha. While emphasizing Maitreya Buddha (彌勒世尊) and the Dragon Flower Gathering (龍華會上), the scripture also specifically mentions Geumsan-sa Temple (金山寺) located on Mount Moak (母岳山) in North Jeolla Province, and these details are sung about in a special manner. This positive portrayal serves to affirm the belief of followers that Jeungsan, centered around Geumsan-sa Temple, was an incarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Moreover, The Scripture of Myriad Laws subtly asserts that Seo Baek-il, the leader of the Dragon Flower Order, who is mentioned in the scripture, is the absolute savior who has come to this world in place of Jeungsan. In support of this teaching, his birth date, birthplace, years of imprisonment, release date, and honorific name (號) are all recorded in precise detail.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2024

'Miha' is a new strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivar, which was released by the Highland Agriculture Research Institute in 2019. The 'Miha' cultivar originates from a 2014 cross between 'Monterey' and 'Saebong No. 3', both of which exhibited excellent ever-bearing characteristics, including continuous flowering and large fruits under long-day and high temperature conditions. This new cultivar was initially named 'Saebong No. 12' after examining its characteristics and productivity during summer cultivation between 2015 and 2019. After regional adaptability tests, 'Miha' was selected from 'Saebong No. 12' as an elite cultivar. The general characteristics of 'Miha' include intermediate, elliptic leaves, and strong growth. The fruits are conical and of a dark-red color. The number of leaves of 'Miha' was 21.9, which was 6.2 fewer than that of the control cultivar, 'Goha' with 28.1. The number of flower clusters of 'Miha' was similar to that of 'Goha'. The average fruit weight of 'Miha' was 13.4 g, which was 4.3 g heavier than that of 'Goha'. The fruit hardness of 'Miha' was 36.2 g·mm^-2, which was 10.1 g·mm^-2 harder than that of 'Goha'. The marketable yield of 'Miha' was 37,393 kg·ha^-1, 156% more than that of 'Goha' with 23,970 kg·ha^-1. Therefore, the new cultivar of ever-bearing strawberry 'Miha' is expected to be very popular in the export or bakery market because it is hard.