• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.719-728
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• 2021

Melanin pigments are abundantly distributed in mammalian skin, hair, eyes, and nervous system. Under normal physiological conditions, melanin protects the skin against various environmental stresses and acts as a physiological redox buffer to maintain homeostasis. However, abnormal melanin accumulation results in various hyperpigmentation conditions, such as chloasma, freckles, senile lentigo, and inflammatory pigmentation. Tyrosinase, a copper-containing enzyme, plays an important role in the regulation of the melanin pigment biosynthetic pathway. Although several whitening agents based on tyrosinase inhibition have been developed, their side effects, such as allergies, DNA damage, mutagenesis, and cytotoxicity of melanocytes, limit their applications. In this study, we synthesized 4-chromanone derivatives (MHY compounds) and investigated their ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity. Of these compounds, (E)-3-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)chroman-4-one (MHY1294) more potently inhibited the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase (IC₅₀ = 5.1±0.86 μM) than kojic acid (14.3±1.43 μM), a representative tyrosinase inhibitor. In addition, MHY1294 showed competitive inhibitory action at the catalytic site of tyrosinase and had greater binding affinity at this site than kojic acid. Furthermore, MHY1294 effectively inhibited α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanin synthesis and intracellular tyrosinase activity in B16F10 melanoma cells. The results of the present study indicate that MHY1294 may be considered as a candidate pharmacological agent and cosmetic whitening ingredient.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.305-321
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• 2022

The stone chamber tomb in Eungpyeong-ri, Buyeo, is a joint tomb that contains the bodies of two individuals. This paper investigates the relationship between the buried persons and the characteristics of the stone chamber tomb. Based on the geographical location, relics, and the excavated human bones, it was determined that the tomb was built during the Sabi Period of the Baekje Dynasty and that the buried individuals were most probably residents of high stature or government officials. To study the excavated bones, the remains were carefully collected and conservation was carried out. Before collecting samples from the human bones for the analytical research, the results of near-infrared analysis were used to collect the samples for the isotope analysis and DNA analysis. The most important issue when handling the excavation site was the reinforcing agent and the concentration of the agent used. In situations like this, Paraloid B-72 is the most suitable agent. When the shape of human bones was difficult to distinguish from the soil, conservation was performed using X-ray and CT imaging data. The same chemical used for the reinforcement of the site was used to complete a minimum level of conservation to the surface areas where the conservation treatment of removing foreign substances, the reinforcement areas, and bonded areas were carried out. The collagen yield from the sample obtained at selected position was 3.8% to 6.1%. The results of analyzing the stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen found in the extracted collagen showed that the stable isotope ratios came out to δ¹³C -18.3‰±0.1‰, -19.0‰±0.1‰ for EBW and δ¹⁵N 10.7‰±0.5‰, 10.6‰±0.1‰ for EBE. It is believed the two individuals consumed small amounts of minor cereals, mainly from C₃ plants, and protein was obtained from eating terrestrial animals. What's more, the deviations in data obtained from the two individuals were so small that it could be inferred that the individuals ate similar foods. Considering the preservation state of the sample, amplifying DNA for the DNA analysis would have been very difficult since the amount of surviving DNA was so deficient. For DNA analysis, it is anticipated that the results could be derived by applying improved extraction methods that will be developed in the future. In this research, any association between scientific analysis(DNA and stable isotope ratio) and near-infrared spectroscopy was difficult to establish. Further research is needed on the utilization of near-infrared analysis for gathering samples from human bones.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.111-132
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• 2022

The comprehensive examination on tendering system has been introduced to the Cultural Heritage repair and restoration field since 2016 to remedy the repair issues of South Gate in 2014. The Cultural Heritage Administration tried to attain the high performance of the cultural heritage repair and restoration works securing the proper payment for the repair and restoration works. It is high time to review the operating performance of the comprehensive examination on tendering system (hereinafter referred to as the "CEOTS"), as the system has been run for over 5 years to correspond with its original goal, i.e., "The Proper Payment in return for the High Performance of Repair and Restoration works." This study intends to analyze 114 tenders of CEOTS from 2016 to 2020. As a result of the analysis of 114 tenders, firstly, more than half of bid winners were in the top 20% of repair & restoration capacity disclosure amount list, which mostly fulfilled the goal of 'attaining high performance.' Secondly, as the winning bid rate is decreasing from 86.847% in 2017 to 85.488% in 2020, the goal of 'guarantee of a proper payment' is not achieved yet. Thirdly, the influence of Economic Evaluation section in CEOTS has been grown since the change of scoring system in CEOTS in 2019. This study identifies two reasons why the winning bid rate of CEOTS has decreased. Firstly, it is caused by the fact that 'the group that got more than 1st place' and 'the first place group' that are more than half of the total bidders have the decreasing bidding rate trend as the years go by. Secondly, the exclusion rate of 'the group that got more than 1st place' is higher than the exclusion rate of 'the group that got less than 1st place', which means the expected winning rate would be lowered. It is proposed that the revision of CEOTS code is needed, i.e. easing the strict rule concerning the exclusion rate as well as setting up the lower bidding limit to prevent the excessive decreasing winning bid rate.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.218-223
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• 2022

This study, conducted during 2018-2021 in Gangseo, Seoul, monitored residual pesticides in 14 types of fresh-cut produce, including lettuce, tomato, and celery, in wholesale market and supermarkets. A total of 589 cases (2.9%) were inspected; 17 cases (2.9%) were detected within the criteria, and 2 cases (0.3%) exceeded the maximum residual limit (MRL). When assessing the distribution stage of the pesticide violation, there were two violations in the wholesale market (before distribution), which differed from the supermarkets (during distribution). The detected pesticides, mainly insecticides and fungicides, appeared in the order of flubendiamide, flufenoxuron, and diazinon. A violation rate of 0.3% was found for wholesale market, which is collection area dedicated to fresh-cut produce, and this was lower than that for general agricultural products (1.4-2.5%). Since fresh-cut produce are consumed immediately after simple processing, residual pesticides significantly affect the human body; therefore, continuous monitoring of pesticide residues is required.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to monitor the pesticide residues in frozen fruits and vegetables distributed and sold in online and offline markets in Korea. For the study, 107 samples of 34 types of frozen fruits and vegetables were examined, and a total of 341 pesticide residues were analyzed by using multiclass pesticide multi-residue methods of the Korean Food Code. As a result, pesticide residues were detected from 16 of 64 frozen fruits samples and 15 of 43 frozen vegetables samples. Conclusively, residues were detected from 31 samples in total, showing a detection rate of 29.0%. Specifically, pyridaben exceeded the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) based on the Positive list system (PLS) in one of the frozen radish leaves, and the violation rate was 0.9%. Detection on frozen fruits and vegetables was made 23 times for 11 types and 36 times for 21 types. In total, 28 types of pesticide residues were detected 59 times. Fungicides were detected the most in frozen fruits, while insecticides were detected the most in frozen vegetables. The most detected pesticides were the insecticide, acaricide chlorfenapyr (5) and the fungicide boscalid (5). Chlorfenapyr was detected only in frozen vegetables, and boscalid was detected in frozen fruits except one.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.481-487
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to provide safety management information by analyzing the survival and growth-related properties of foodborne pathogens from Romaine lettuce. After cultivating E. coli O157:H7 for 72 h on Romain lettuce via spray inoculation, the bacteria population increased by 2.0 log CFU/g from the initial population, confirming the possibility of survival and multiplication of the pathogen thereon. The study also revealed that there is no significant difference in the cultivation of E.coli O157:H7 after 72 h from inoculation on damaged and undamaged lettuce leaves. As a result of investigating distribution of E.coli O157:H7 on damaged lettuce leaves, it was found that the bacteria is unlikely to adhere on the smooth surface of undamaged leaves and, thus, results in a low population density, whereas the bacteria cluster on the rough surface of damaged leaves and easily enter through the damaged tissues. Furthermore, after 24 h of cultivation of the pathogenic microbe in the extract with concentrations of 10-100%, utilization of the lettuce extract by the pathogen was found to be 8.9 log CFU/mL E. coli O157:H7, 8.6 log CFU/mL L. monocytogenes, and 8.8 log CFU/mL P. carotovorum. The increase in the population of both the pathogenic microbe and foodborne pathogen reached over 4 log CFU/mL, implying the microbe can utilize the lettuce extract as a source of nutrition. Compared to the initial inoculation concentration in 0.1% lettuce extract, the final concentration has increased up to 2.7 log CFU/mL E. coli O157:H7, 1.3 log CFU/mL L. monocytogenes, and 2.9 log CFU/mL P. carotovorum. Accordingly, the study confirms that the minimal growth concentration of the pathogenic microbe is lower than 0.1% and that the pathogen possibly survive and multiply inside the lettuce leaves given the lettuce extract with concentration of 0.1% is consistently supplied through the damaged tissues.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2022

The vegetation of historical sites has been a form of vegetation that has remained since some years ago, but in modern times, vegetation and terrain have been deformed or damaged due to urban development, which was followed by an industrialization. As a solution to this, it is necessary to establish a plan for restoration and management by referring to the vegetation and landscape remaining in the historic site as indicators. This study was conducted to provide basic data for vegetation and landscape management of Baekje Historic Sites in Seoul by comparing and analyzing location characteristics, existing vegetation, and remaining vegetation of past substitutional vegetation for Pungnaptoseong and Mongchontoseong, Baekje Historic Sites in Seoul. As a result of the study, Pungnaptoseong and Mongchontoseong are located near the main stream of the Han River, Pungnaptoseong is located on a flat land consisting of natural embankments and floodplains, and Mongchontoseong is located on a hilly area. In the case of existing vegetation, it has been confirmed that Pungnaptoseong mainly has ornamental trees planting sites, while Mongchontoseong has a distribution of residual species from the past that grow in villages and hilly lowlands. The Substitutional vegetation of Pungnaptoseong and Mongchontoseong was synthesized based on the location characteristics and actual vegetation, it is estimated that the hilly areas may have been divided into "Quercus aliena Blume.", "Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb." and so on, "Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc." on dry land,"Salix koreensis Andersson.", "Juglans mandshurica Maxim.", "Alnus japonica (Thunb.) Steud." in rivers and tributaries, "Quercus acutissima Carruth." in the main part of the forest, "Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc.", "Salix koreensis Andersson.", "Zelkova serrata (Thunb.) Makino." as a divine tree in the beginning of the village. Since the 1960s, all substitutional vegetation in the past has disappeared due to the introduction of foreign species and the creation of urban areas in Pungnaptoseong and Mongchontoseong, and the landscape has also been damaged. Fortunately, the substitutional vegetation was estimated in consideration of the species of residual trees distributed along the walls, climate, location characteristics, and times, but this study was conducted based on literature and existing vegetation surveys. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement the past target vegetation in Baekje historical sites in Seoul through quantitative experiments such as plant relic analysis in the future.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.131-142
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• 2021

Purpose: Clinical practicums via non-face-to-face methods were inevitable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We developed an online program for emergency nursing care and identified the feasibility of the program and the learning achievements of students. Methods: This was a methodological study. The program was developed by three professors who taught theory and clinical practicum for adult nursing care and clinical experts. Students received four hours of video content and two task activities every week in four-week program. Real-time interactive video conferences were included. Qualitative and qualitative data were collected. Results: A total of 96 students participated in the program. The mean score for overall satisfaction with the online program was 4.72(±1.02) out of 6. Subjects that generally had high learning achievement scores were basic life support care, fall prevention, nursing documentation, infection control, and anaphylaxis care. As a result of a content analysis of 77 reflective logs on the advantages of this program, students reported that "experience in applying nursing process," "case-based learning and teaching method," and "No time and space constraints" were the program's best features. Conclusion: Collaboration between hospitals and universities for nursing is more important than ever to develop online content for effective clinical practicum.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2022

As research on a controlled environment system based on crop growth environment sensing for sustainable production of horticultural crops and its industrial use has been important, research on how to properly utilize soil moisture sensors for outdoor cultivation is being actively conducted. This experiment was conducted to suggest the proper method of utilizing the TEROS 12, an FDR (frequency domain reflectometry) sensor, which is frequently used in industry and research fields, for each orchard soil in three regions in Korea. We collected soils from each orchard where fruit trees were grown, investigated the soil characteristics and soil water retention curve, and compared TEROS 12 sensor calibration equations to correlate the sensor output to the corresponding soil volumetric water content through linear and cubic regressions for each soil sample. The estimated value from the calibration equation provided by the manufacturer was also compared. The soil collected from all three orchards showed different soil characteristics and volumetric water content values by each soil water retention level across the soil samples. In addition, the cubic calibration equation for TEROS 12 sensor showed the highest coefficient of determination higher than 0.95, and the lowest RMSE for all soil samples. When estimating volumetric water contents from TEROS 12 sensor output using the calibration equation provided by the manufacturer, their calculated volumetric water contents were lower than the actual volumetric water contents, with the difference up to 0.09-0.17 m³·m^-3 depending on the soil samples, indicating an appropriate calibration for each soil should be preceded before FDR sensor utilization. Also, there was a difference in the range of soil volumetric water content corresponding to the soil water retention levels across the soil samples, suggesting that the soil water retention information should be required to properly interpret the volumetric water content value of the soil. Moreover, soil with a high content of sand had a relatively narrow range of volumetric water contents for irrigation, thus reducing the accuracy of an FDR sensor measurement. In conclusion, analyzing soil water retention characteristics of the target soil and the soil-specific calibration would be necessary to properly quantify the soil water status and determine their adequate irrigation point using an FDR sensor.

• 한국노년학
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.271-284
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• 2021

This study was conducted to derive factors that affect the satisfaction of home visiting health care services and to develop effective community care models by using the results of Seoul's outreach service which is the basis for Korean community care. The population of the study was the elderly aged 65 and 70 who participated in the Seoul's outreach community services 3rd stage (July 2017 - June 2018) and 4th stage (July 2018 to June 2019). 2,200 people were extracted by the proportional allocation method and home visit interviews were conducted on them. Subjects were divided into sub-groups based on chronic disease prevalence, and logistic regression was conducted to derive factors that affect the satisfaction of home visiting health care services. The results demonstrated that the elderly without chronic diseases were more satisfied when they received health education and counseling services, the elderly with one chronic disease were more satisfied when they received Community resource-linked services. In the case of elderly people with two or more chronic diseases, the service satisfaction level is increased when health condition assessment and Community resource-linked services are provided. Regardless of whether or not they have chronic diseases, service delivery time was a factor that increased satisfaction in home visiting health care. And the degree of explanation understanding was a factor that increased satisfaction for both single and complex chronic patients. Home Visiting health care services based on the community is a key component of the ongoing community care. In order to increase the sustainability and effectiveness of community care in the future, Community-oriented health care services based on the degree of chronic diseases of the elderly should be provided. In order to provide more effective services, however, it is necessary (1) to establish a linkage system to share health information of the subject held by the National Health Insurance Service to local governments and (2) to provide capacity-building education for visiting nurses to improve the quality of home visiting health care services. It is hoped that this study will be us ed as bas ic data for the successful settlement of community care.