• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.268-286
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• 2018

The eutrophication and algal blooms by harmful cyanobacteria (CyanoHAs) and freshwater redtide (FRT) that severely experiencing in typical regulated weir system of the Nakdong River are one of the most rapidly expanding water quality problems in Korea and worldwide. To compare with the factors of rainfall, hydrology, and dominant algae, this study explored spatiotemporal variability of the major water environmental factors by weekly intervals in eight weir pools of the Nakdong River from January 2013 to July 2017. There was a distinct difference in rainfall distribution between upstream and downstream regions. Outflow discharge using small-scale hydropower generation, overflow and fish-ways accounted for 37.4%, 60.1% and 2.5%, respectively. Excluding the flood season, the outflow was mainly due to the hydropower release through year-round. These have been associated with the drawdown of water level, water exchange rate, and the significant impact on change of dominant algae. The mean concentration (maximum value) of chlorophyll-a was $17.6mg\;m^{-3}$ ($98.2mg\;m^{-3}$) in the SAJ~GAJ and $29.6mg\;m^{-3}$ ($193.6mg\;m^{-3}$) in the DAS~HAA weir pools reaches, respectively. It has increased significantly in the downstream part where the influence of treated wastewater effluents (TWEs) is high. Indeed, very high values (>50 or $>100mg\;m^{-3}$) of chlorophyll-a concentration were observed at low flow rates and water levels. Algal assemblages that caused the blooms of CyanoHAs and FRT were the cyanobacteria Microcystis and the diatom Stephanodiscus populations, respectively. In conclusion, appropriate hydrological management practices in terms of each weir pool may need to be developed.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.148-157
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• 2019

A 70% ethanol extract of Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. was investigated for its whitening activity for application as a functional ingredient in cosmetic products. At the E. annuus extract concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$, the electron-donating ability was found to be 67.83%, the tyrosinase inhibitory effect (related to skin-whitening) was 69%, the elastase inhibitory effect (related to skin-wrinkling) was 69%, and the astringent effect was 80%. The $ABTS^+$ radical-scavenging ability was 87% at the $500{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. In the cell viability test measured on melanoma cells, 96% of the cells treated with $100{\mu}g/ml$ of the extract were viable. According to the western blot results, the protein expression of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 was decreased by 60.22%, 47.83%, 54.79%, and 67.88%, respectively, at the extract concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. The protein expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (p-ERK) and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB) was decreased with increasing concentrations of the extract. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of the extract showed that the mRNA expression of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 was decreased by 86.51%, 85.22%, 74.26%, and 66.66%, respectively, at $100{\mu}g/ml$ extract concentration. The findings suggest that the 70% ethanol extract from E. annuus (L.) Pers. has potential as a cosmeceutical ingredient with whitening effect.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.2
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• pp.202-211
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• 2011

The geometric characteristics of step-pool structures and how they are influenced by channel characteristics were investigated in a steep mountain stream in the Experimental Forests of Kangwon National University in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do. Average values of steps for the study reaches were as follows: step spacing, 4.69 m; step height, 0.47 m; step drop, 0.71 m; step-forming particle sizes, 0.68 m; number, 21steps/ 100 m; the ratio of step spacing to channel width, 0.5; and step steepness, 0.13. Relationships between spacing and height of steps and channel gradient showed a negative- and positive correlation, respectively, whereas all geometric variables of steps manifested poor correlation with channel width. Therefore, step steepness, expressed as the ratio of step height to step spacing, increased as channel gradient increased. The ratio of step steepness to channel gradient representing the criterion of maximum flow resistance was 1.2, indicating the channel bed's stable condition. In particular, the relationship between the ratio of step drop to step height and channel gradient showed a significant negative correlation, suggesting the influence of step-pool geometry in trapping sediment and providing an aquatic habitat. Positive correlations also exist between spacing and drop of steps and step particles. Our findings suggest that the dynamics of step-pool structures may strongly control physical and ecological environments in steep mountain streams, so understanding them is essential for stream management.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.24-38
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• 2021

Microhabitat In the upper stream is created by various environment variables such as the bottom substrate and the physicochemical factors, and may influence the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates. We investigated the bottom substrate and environmental variables influencing the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrate in 26 stream-type waterways established at upper reaches of Geum River. During study period, total 85 families, 160 species, 9305 individuals of benthic macroinvertebrates were recorded. The stream-type waterways, where the bottom substrates consist mainly of pebble (16~64 mm) and cobble (64~256 mm) or with rapid water velocity (more than 0.2 m/s) and high dissolved oxygen (more than 120%), were supported by high species diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate. Hierological cluster analysis and the nonparametric multidimensional scale (NMDS) divided 26 stream-type waterways into a total of three clusters. In Cluster 1, the invertebrate species, such as Branchiura sowerbyi, Cloeon dipterum, Ischnura asiatica, Paracercion calamorum, and Radix auricularia, closely related to aquatic macrophytes, and Chironomidae spp., Limnodrilus gotoi, and Tanypodinae sp. were abundant in waterways, with high coverage of silt and clay as well as high turbidity and total nitrogen. The benthic macroinvertebrate species (Cheumatopsyche brevilineata, Drunella ishiyamana, Dugesia japonica, Ephemera orientalis, Gumaga KUa, Macrostemum radiatum, Potamanthus formosus, Semisulcospira libertine, Stenelmis vulgaris, and Teloganopsis punctisetae) included in Cluster 2 were dominated in sites with high cover rates of pebble and gravel. Cluster 3 was predominantly covered by the Cobbles, was supported by Simulium sp. Such a clear distinction in the study sites means that each stream-type waterways is governed by a clear habitat environment. In the case of some sites with low species diversity, improvement measures are required to restore nature, such as improving the function of inflows and outflows, creating meandering channel, and inducing the settlement of littoral vegetation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.239-249
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• 2020

Rice flour varieties have been developed to replace wheat, and consumption of rice flour has been encouraged. damage related to pre-harvest sprouting was occurring due to a weather disaster during the ripening period. Thus, it is necessary to develop pre-harvest sprouting rate prediction system to minimize damage for pre-harvest sprouting. Rice cultivation experiments from 20 17 to 20 19 were conducted with three rice flour varieties at six regions in Gangwon-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Gyeongsangbuk-do. Survey components were the heading date and pre-harvest sprouting at the harvest date. The weather data were collected daily mean temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall using Automated Synoptic Observing System (ASOS) with the same region name. Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) which is a machine learning model, was used to predict the pre-harvest sprouting rate, and the training input variables were mean temperature, relative humidity, and total rainfall. Also, the experiment for the period from days after the heading date (DAH) to the subsequent period (DA2H) was conducted to establish the period related to pre-harvest sprouting. The data were divided into training-set and vali-set for calibration of period related to pre-harvest sprouting, and test-set for validation. The result for training-set and vali-set showed the highest score for a period of 22 DAH and 24 DA2H. The result for test-set tended to overpredict pre-harvest sprouting rate on a section smaller than 3.0 %. However, the result showed a high prediction performance (R2=0.76). Therefore, it is expected that the pre-harvest sprouting rate could be able to easily predict with weather components for a specific period using machine learning.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.409-415
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• 2022

Plant growth and development are also affected by root-zone environment. Therefore, it is important to consider the variables of the root-zone environment when establishing an irrigation strategy. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between the volumetric moisture content (VWC), Bulk EC (ECb), and Pore EC (ECp) used by plant roots using FDR sensors in two types of rockwool media with different water transmission characteristics, using the method above this was used to establish a method for collecting and correcting available root-zone environmental data. For the experiment, two types of rockwool medium (RW1, RW2) with different physical characteristics were used. The moisture content (MC) and ECb were measured using an FDR sensor, ECp was measured after extracting the residual nutrient solution from the medium using a disposable syringe in the center of the medium at a volumetric moisture content (VWC) of 10-100%. Then, ECb and ECp are measured by supplying nutrient solution having different concentration (distilled water, 0.5-5.0) to two types of media (RW1, RW2) in each volume water content range (0 to 100%). The relationship between ECb and ECp in RW1 and RW2 media is best suited for cubic polynomial. The relationship between ECb and ECp according to volume moisture content (VWC) range showed a large error rate in the low volume moisture content (VWC) range of 10-60%. The correlation between the sensor measured value (ECb) and the ECp used by plant roots according to the volumetric water content (VWC) range was the most suitable for the Paraboloid equation in both media (RW1, RW2). The coefficient of determination the calibration equation for RW1 and RW2 media were 0.936, 0.947, respectively.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2022

Objectives: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was approximately 16% in populations of over age 30 years, and deaths from diabetes mellitus became the sixth most prevalent cause of death by disease. To assess the relationship between HbA1c and heavy metal level in blood and urine, targeted residents were evaluated in a vast steel industrial complex. Methods: We selected 414 subjects for analysis after applying the following exclusion criterion: 18 persons with diabetes mellitus. They took part in a questionnaire survey and underwent blood and urinary assessments. HbA1c and lead (Pb) level were measured in blood and, cadmium (Cd), inorganic arsenic (iAs) and mercury (Hg) were evaluated in urine. Two subgroups were divided by HbA1c 6.5%. Each subgroup was divided by 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th percentile levels of biological exposure index of the heavy metals for logistic regression. Results: Odd ratios have a tendency to increase as they go from the 90th to the 10th percentile of cadmium. However, lead, arsenic and mercury did not have significant relationships with HbA1c. In correction of age, region, gender and smoking history, a higher distribution in the subgroup with cadmium above 0.8318 ㎍/g creatinine (30th percentile) was demonstrated in the subgroup with HbA1c levels above the 6.5%, with an odds ratio of 5.26 (95% C.I. ; 1.44~19.17). Conclusion: This study found a significant correlation between urinary levels of cadmium and HbA1c in correction of several factors. It is meaningful that this outcome may be used as a basis for a study to establish the acceptable limit of urinary cadmium in Korea.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.468-475
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• 2022

This study was conducted to find out the efficiency of heating initiative temperature and carbon dioxide fertilization in summer squash (Cucurbita moschata D.). The heating start temperature experiment was performed at 9℃, 12℃, and 15℃ using an electric heater and operated when the temperature was lower than the target temperature. The CO₂ fertilization concentration experiment was performed from 7 to 12 with the control, 500 µmol·mol^-1, and 800 µmol·mol^-1 using liquefied carbon dioxide. Investigation items were plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, also economic analysis was conducted by surveying only fruits exceeding 100 g. Photosynthesis was measured for the upper leaf position to calculate the saturation point according to the control. The photo saturation point was 587 µmol·m^-2·s^-1, and the CO₂ saturation point was 702 µmol·mol^-1. A_max values by carbon dioxide were 13.4, 17.8, 17.2, 19.6, and 17.5 µmolCO₂·m^-2·s^-1 in the order of 9℃, 12℃, 15℃, 500 µmol·mol^-1, and 800 µmol·mol^-1. In the temperature experiment, 9℃ in growth did not grow normally and no fruiting was performed. 12℃ and 15℃ were higher than 9℃, but there was no significant difference in growth and production. The CO₂ fertilization experiment showed no significant difference between the treatment in growth, but the productivity of 800 µmol·mol^-1 was the best. Comprehensively, the heating initiative temperature of 15℃ was good for crop growth and production, but there is no significant difference from 12℃, so it is good to set the heating start temperature to 12℃ economically, and maintaining of 800 µmol·mol^-1 is effective in increasing production.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.623-634
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• 2022

Due to river maintenance projects such as the creation of hydrophilic areas around rivers and the Four Rivers Project, the flow characteristics of rivers are continuously changing, and the risk of water quality accidents due to the inflow of various pollutants is increasing. In the event of a water quality accident, it is necessary to minimize the effect on the downstream side by predicting the concentration and arrival time of pollutants in consideration of the flow characteristics of the river. In order to track the behavior of these pollutants, it is necessary to calculate the diffusion coefficient and dispersion coefficient for each section of the river. Among them, the dispersion coefficient is used to analyze the diffusion range of soluble pollutants. Existing experimental research cases for tracking the behavior of pollutants require a lot of manpower and cost, and it is difficult to obtain spatially high-resolution data due to limited equipment operation. Recently, research on tracking contaminants using RGB drones has been conducted, but RGB images also have a limitation in that spectral information is limitedly collected. In this study, to supplement the limitations of existing studies, a hyperspectral sensor was mounted on a remote sensing platform using a drone to collect temporally and spatially higher-resolution data than conventional contact measurement. Using the collected spatio-temporal hyperspectral images, the tracer concentration was calculated and the transverse dispersion coefficient was derived. It is expected that by overcoming the limitations of the drone platform through future research and upgrading the dispersion coefficient calculation technology, it will be possible to detect various pollutants leaking into the water system, and to detect changes in various water quality items and river factors.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.318-333
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze changes in dental trauma in children under the age of 12 during the period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). March 2020, when COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, was set as the starting point for COVID-19. From March 2018 to February 2020, subjects in the pre-COVID-19 period were classified as the Pre-COVID-19 group, and from March 2020 to March 2022, subjects in the post-COVID-19 period were classified as the COVID-19 group. Information related to trauma was collected through electronic medical records. The number of trauma patients before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 decreased significantly. During the COVID-19 period, there was no significant difference in the male-female ratio or the distribution order of age groups. In the COVID-19 group of permanent teeth, the ratio of trauma caused by personal mobility was higher than trauma caused by sports. In the COVID-19 group of permanent teeth, the ratio of crown fracture with pulp involvement was significantly higher than the ratio of crown fracture without pulp involvement. Changes in trauma patterns caused by COVID-19 were observed more clearly in school-aged children than in preschool children. In a pandemic situation such as COVID-19, it is expected to be used as a good educational basis for knowing that frequent diagnoses can change due to changes in the environment.