• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.343-350
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate laboratory workers' exposures to airborne nanoparticles at a university laboratory where acid treatment experiments were conducted on the surfaces of engineered carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The surface area concentrations, number concentrations, and mass concentrations of airborne nanoparticles were measured at personal breathing zones (PBZs) for various tasks using direct reading instruments. For all three metrics, airborne nanoparticle concentrations during the experiments were higher than background levels measured before and after the experiments for all three metrics. Among the various tasks that were performed as part of these experiments, one task that involved filtering a mixture of acid and CNTs showed the highest concentrations in all three metrics, with concentrations of $116.6\;{\mu}m^2$/cc, 24320 pt/cc, and $9.0\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. Nanoparticle surface area concentrations measured at a representative area fluctuated with those at the PBZs in the laboratory. This result indicates that nanoparticles generated during the experiments were not just limited to the PBZs of the workers but were also present throughout the room, potentially exposing co-located workers. CNTs were detected by a transmission electron microscope in an air sample collected while handling the CNTs. All the tasks were performed inside fume hoods, with the sliding sashes open to their required heights. It was noted that the capture velocities of the fume hoods were much lower than the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)'s recommendation level (0.4 to 0.6 m/s). In conclusion, this study showed that, due to inadequate control, laboratory researchers performing acid treatment experiments on surfaces of CNTs were exposed to airborne nanoparticles generated during the tasks.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2006

Biological control by chitinolytic microorganisms is being evaluated as management options for soilborne diseases. Forty kilograms of chitin compost (CTC) and control compost (CC) were amended on tomato plots ($15m{\times}0.5m$) 7 d before transplanting to evaluate enzymatic activities and the control of Fusarium wilt. Samples were taken on day 1, 3, 5, and 7, the day 1 corresponded to the 66 d after transplanting, the day on which the initial wilting symptoms occurred in plants of CC treated plots. The chitinase activity in soil of CTC was always higher compared to the control. Pathogenesis related (PR) protein (chitinase, ${\beta}$-1, 3-glucanase and peroxidase) activities in tomato roots in CC increased every day and showed marked differences compared to CTC. Wilting symptoms (96 d after transplanting) were reduced by 25% in CTC compared to the control. Protection of tomato plant may be correlated with the high levels of soil enzyme activities resulting from the chitin compost.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.499-520
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• 2020

Input ratio of electricity to other production inputs in the Korean manufacturing sector has been higher than for the other OECD countries. In addition, electricity prices in Korea has been relatively lower than the average of OECD countries. Moreover, electricity sector is responsible for most CO2 emissions in Korea as coal and natural gas account 41.9% and 26.8% of electricity production as of 2018. Therefore, it looks inevitable to raise the electricity tariff for the manufacturing sector in Korea, but there is a concern that increase in the electricity tariff might affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) more than large firms. This study estimates electricity demand's price and output elasticities for large firms and SMEs in steel industry by employing a time varying parameter model (Kalman filter). The analysis shows that changes in output levels regardless of firms' size affect electricity demands more significantly than do changes in electricity prices. Second, large firms have higher variances for both price and output elasticities of electricity demand. Third, large firms have higher price elasticity but lower output elasticity of electricity demand relative to SMEs. Policy implications are suggested in association with how to reduce electricity demands in the energy-intensive industry.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2021

In ocean field, the spread of the Fourth Industrial Revolution based on information and communication technology requires high precision and stable PNT&D (Position, Navigation, Timing and Data). As the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and IALA (The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities) are requiring backup systems due to mitigate vulnerabilities and the increase of dependency on GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), Korea is conducting a research & development of R-Mode. An DGPS (Differentiate Global Positioning System) reference station that uses MF, an existing maritime infrastructure, and AIS (Automatic Identification System) base stations that use 34 integrity station and VHF will be utilized in this study to avoid redundant investment. Because there are radio shadow areas that display low signal levels in the west sea, the establishment of new R-Mode reference and integrity station will be intended to resolve problems regrading the radio shadow area. Because the frequency has a characteristic in that radio wave transmits well along the ground (water surface) in low frequency band, simulation and measurement were conducted therefore this paper to propose candidate sites for R-Mode reference and integrity station resulted through p wave's propagation characteristics analysis. Using this paper, R-Mode reference and integrity station can be established at appropriate locations to resolve radio shadow areas in other regions.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.39-52
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• 2021

Objective : This study aimed to identify the characteristics and analyze the quality of studies on memory improvement using a single-subject research design. Methods : Six studies were selected through the Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), and National Digital Science Library (NDSL). Keywords were memory training, stroke, early dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and single-subject research design. The characteristics and quality levels were analyzed between January 2011 and October 2020. Results : Regarding the quality level, the middle level (7-10 points) was 66.7% of the four articles, and the high level (11-14 points) was 33.3% of the two articles. Reversal designs were used in all studies. Independent variables were errorless learning, smartphone application, cognitive training system (CoTras), spaced retrieval training (SRT) with errorless learning, spaced retrieval training, and iPad applications. The dependent variables included memory, attention, electroencephalogram, instrumental activities of daily living, depression etc., which increased after the intervention. The total session, study period, and intervention time were varied. Conclusion : In single-subject research design related to memory training, occupational therapy intervention was confirmed as an effective method for improving memory and attention. The quality level of single-subject research design was moderate or higher, and high-quality level of studies should be conducted by additional design to increase the validity in the future.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.682-697
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Tibetan tea is a kind of dark tea, due to the inherent complexity of natural products, the chemical composition and beneficial effects of Tibetan tea are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to unravel the composition of Tibetan tea using knowledge-guided multilayer network (KGMN) techniques and explore its potential antioxidant and hypolipidemic mechanisms in mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: The C57BL/6J mice were continuously gavaged with Tibetan tea extract (T group), green tea extract (G group) and ddH2O (H group) for 15 days. The activity of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in mice was detected. Transcriptome sequencing technology was used to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects of Tibetan tea in mice. Furthermore, the expression levels of liver antioxidant and lipid metabolism related genes in various groups were detected by the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. RESULTS: The results showed that a total of 42 flavonoids are provisionally annotated in Tibetan tea using KGMN strategies. Tibetan tea significantly reduced body weight gain and increased T-AOC and SOD activities in mice compared with the H group. Based on the results of transcriptome and qPCR, it was confirmed that Tibetan tea could play a key role in antioxidant and lipid lowering by regulating oxidative stress and lipid metabolism related pathways such as insulin resistance, P53 signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, fatty acid elongation and fatty acid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: This study was the first to use computational tools to deeply explore the composition of Tibetan tea and revealed its potential antioxidant and hypolipidemic mechanisms, and it provides new insights into the composition and bioactivity of Tibetan tea.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.31-69
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to identify the organizational characteristics that enhance CRM performances of a company. Based on a review of diverse definitions of CRM performance, this study examines the relationships among CRM performance measures and organizational characteristics. A questionnaire survey of 123 CRM managers of Korean companies was conducted to test the proposed research model, and a series of structural equation modeling identified the strong effects of organizational characteristics on CRM performance. It was found that top management commitment to CRM and a firm's strategic readiness lead to high levels of CRM investment, which, in turn, enhance directly task-related performance and indirectly customer-related performance. This study also confirmed that customer orientation is significantly related to task-related CRM performance and that the variables of CRM commitment and organizational culture may enhance customerrelated performance indirectly through their effects on the task-related performance. However, organizational members' resistance to change was found to have no effects on CRM performance. Overall our research broadly supports the role of organizational characteristics revealed in the CRM literature.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.47-60
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• 2023

A thorough inventory of ship emissions, particularly ship's emission of in-port area is necessary to identify significant sources of exhaust gases such as NOx, SOx, PM, and CO₂ and trends in emission levels over time, and reduce their serious effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, the goal of this study is to assess the volume of emissions from ships in Mokpo port, which serves as a gateway to the southwest coast of Korea, using a bottom-up methodology and data from the automatic identification system (AIS) and the Korean Port Management Information System (Port-MIS). In this work, an analysis of ship movement utilizing AIS data and an actual set of data on ship specification were gathered. By examining ship movement using AIS data, We also proposed a new approach for identifying cruising/maneuvering mode. Finally, the results were classified by ship operating mode, by exhaust gas, by ship type, and by berth, which provides a thorough and in-depth analysis of the air pollution caused by ships in Mokpo port.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.3.1-3.23
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• 2024

Cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated mouse airway epithelial cells (MAECs)-derived exosomes accelerate the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by upregulating triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1); however, the specific mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of CSE-treated MAECs-derived exosomes on M1 macrophage polarization and pyroptosis in COPD. In vitro, exosomes were extracted from CSE-treated MAECs, followed by co-culture with macrophages. In vivo, mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) to induce COPD, followed by injection or/and intranasal instillation with oe-TREM-1 lentivirus. Lung function and pathological changes were evaluated. CD68⁺ cell number and the levels of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β (M1 macrophage marker), and pyroptosis-related proteins (NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruitment domain, caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, gasdermin D [GSDMD], and GSDMD-N) were examined. The expression of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3), spleen focus forming virus proviral integration oncogene (SPI1), methyltransferase 3 (METTL3), and TREM-1 was detected and the binding relationships among them were verified. MEG3 increased N6-methyladenosine methylation of TREM-1 by recruiting SPI1 to activate METTL3. Overexpression of TREM-1 or METTL3 negated the alleviative effects of MEG3 inhibition on M1 polarization and pyroptosis. In mice exposed to CS, EXO^-CSE further aggravated lung injury, M1 polarization, and pyroptosis, which were reversed by MEG3 inhibition. TREM-1 overexpression negated the palliative effects of MEG3 inhibition on COPD mouse lung injury. Collectively, CSE-treated MAECs-derived exosomal long non-coding RNA MEG3 may expedite M1 macrophage polarization and pyroptosis in COPD via the SPI1/METTL3/TREM-1 axis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.530-538
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• 2023

This study conducted an investigation into the effects of fruit type and cultivation practices (organic and conventional) on soil characteristics and soil arthropod communities within apple, blueberry, grape, peach, and pear orchards. The collection of soil arthropod communities was achieved through the utilization of pitfall traps, with concurrent measurements taken for soil moisture content, electrical conductivity, and temperature. The findings of this study unveiled substantial impacts attributed to fruit type and cultivation practices on soil characteristics. Specifically, within organic apple orchards, discernibly higher levels of soil moisture content, electrical conductivity, and temperature were observed when compared to their conventional counterparts. The investigation into soil arthropod communities yielded a total of 1,527 individuals, classified in to five phyla and 15 orders. The range of abundance, species richness, and diversity indices varied across conventional and organic orchards. Cultivation practices were found not to exert a significant influence on soil arthropod community characteristics. However, Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) analysis indicated a significant differentiation in soil arthropod community structure based on cultivation practices. This study underscores the importance of considering vegetation structure and environmental characteristics that may influence soil arthropod communities comprehensively when assessing the impact of cultivation practices on soil arthropods. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need to account for both the characteristics and structure of soil arthropod communities in understanding the implications of cultivation practices on these organisms.