• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2021

Purpose: Common human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are relatively understudied due to the mild nature of HCoV infection. Given the lack of local epidemiology data on common HCoVs, we aimed to describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of common HCoVs in children. Methods: Respiratory viral test results from 9,589 respiratory samples from Seoul National University Children's Hospital were analyzed from January 2015 to December 2019. Viral detection was done by the multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Demographics and clinical diagnosis were collected for previously healthy children tested positive for HCoVs. Results: Of the 9,589 samples tested, 1 or more respiratory viruses were detected from 5,017 (52.3%) samples and 463 (4.8%) samples were positive for HCoVs (OC43 2.8%, NL63 1.4%, 229E 0.7%). All 3 types co-circulated during winter months (November to February) with some variation by type. HCoV-OC43 was the most prevalent every winter season. HCoV-NL63 showed alternate peaks in late winter (January to March) and early winter (November to February). HCoV-229E had smaller peaks every other winter. Forty-one percent of HCoV-positive samples were co-detected with additional viruses; human rhinovirus 13.2%, respiratory syncytial virus 13.0%, influenza virus 4.3%. Common clinical diagnosis was upper respiratory tract infection (60.0%) followed by pneumonia (14.8%), croup (8.1%), and bronchiolitis (6.7%). Croup accounted for 17.0% of HCoV-NL63-positive children. Conclusions: This study described clinical and epidemiological characteristics of common HCoVs (OC43, NL63, 229E) in children. Continuing surveillance, perhaps by adding HKU1 in the diagnostic panel can further elucidate the spectrum of common HCoV infections in children.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.727-736
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• 2021

Road tunnel lengths are increasing. Some 1,300 tunnels with 1,102 km in length had been increased till 2019 from 2010. There are 64 tunnels over 3,000 m in length, with their total length adding up to 276.7 km. Safety facilities in the event of a tunnel fire are critical so as to prevent large-scale casualties. Standards for installing disaster prevention facilities are being proposed based on the guidelines of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, but they may be limited to deep underground tunnels. This study was undertaken to provide guidelines for the spacing of evacuation connection passages and the widths of evacuation connection doors. Evacuation with various spacing and widths was simulated in regards to evacuation time, which is the measure of safety, using the evacuation analysis simulation software EXODUS Ver.6.3 and the fire/smoke analysis software SMARTFIRE Ver.4.1. Evacuation connection gates with widths of 0.9 m and 1.2 m, and spacings of 150 m to 250 m, were set to every 20 m. In addition, longitudinal slopes of 6 % and 0 % were considered. It was determined to be safe when the evacuation completion time was shorter than the delay diffusion time. According to the simulation results, all occupants could complete evacuation before smoke spread regardless of the width of the evacuation connection door when the longitudinal slope was 6 % and the interval of evacuation connection passage was 150 m. When the evacuation connection passage spacing was 200 m and the evacuation connection gate width was 1.2 m, all occupants could evacuate when the longitudinal slope was 0 %. Due to difference in evacuation speed according to the longitudinal slope, the evacuation time with a 6 % slope was 114 seconds shorter (with the 190 m connection passage) than with a 0 % slope. A shorter spacing of evacuation connection passages may reduce the evacuation time, but this is difficult to implement in practice because of economic and structural limitations. If the width of the evacuation junction is 1.2 m, occupants could evacuate faster than with a 0.9 m width. When the width of a connection door is 1.2 m with appropriate connection passage spacing, it might provide a means to increase economic efficiency and resolve structural limitations while securing evacuation safety.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.437-444
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• 2022

This study investigated the optimal quality characteristics of sauerkraut made by adding 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% (w/w) sea salt to cabbage according to the storage period. The results showed that the pH and salinity of 0.5-2.5% sauerkraut decreased, while its total acidity increased during storage. After 20 d of storage, 1.5% or less sauerkraut showed low yellowness, but high brightness and hardness. Moreover, the lactic acid bacteria in 0.5-2.5% sauerkraut maintained at least 7.06 log CFU/mL until 28 d of storage, suggesting that the lower the salt concentration, the higher were the amount of lactic acid bacteria. The coliform group was not detected after 4 d of storage. In conclusion, the quality characteristics of sauerkraut with a salt concentration of 1.5% or less were excellent until 20 d of storage at 4℃. This study provides valuable data for the safe and high-quality assessment of low-salt sauerkraut in the future.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2023

In this study, bioconversion of rutin to quercetin was confirmed by the fermentation of Korean indigenous probiotics and tartary buckwheat. Based on whole genome sequencing of 17 probiotics species, α-rhamnosidase, related to bioconversion of isoquercetin (quercetin 3-β-D glucoside) from rutin, is identified in the genome of CBT BG7, LC5, LR5, LP3, LA1, and LGA1. β-Glucosidase, related to bioconversion of isoquercetin to quercetin, is identified in the genome of all 17 species. Among the 17 probiotics species, 6 probiotics including CBT BG7, LR5, LP3, LA1, LGA1 and ST3 performed the bioconversion of rutin to quercetin up to 21.5 ± 0.3% at 7 days after fermentation. The fermentation of each probiotics together with enzyme complex Cellulase KN^® was conducted to reduce the time of bioconversion. As a result, CBT LA1 which showed the highest yield of bioconversion of 21.5 ± 0.3% when the enzyme complex was not added showed high bioconversion yield of 84.6 ± 0.5% with adding the enzyme complex at 1 day after fermentation. In particular, CBT ST3 (96.2 ± 0.4%), SL6 (90.1 ± 1.4%) and LP3 (90.0 ± 0.4%) showed high yield of bioconversion more than 90%. In addition, such probiotics including high levels in quercetin indicated the inhibitory effects of NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. In this study, we confirmed that the fermentation of Korean indigenous probiotics and enzyme complex together with roasted tartary buckwheat increased the content of quercetin and reduced the time of bioconversion of rutin to quercetin which is a bioactive compound related to anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.391-396
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• 2023

Milk is an emulsion, improving texture of surimi mixture and able to suppress off flavors and abnormal tastes. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the effective properties of milk in the preparation of a surimi mixture for 3D printing. The sensory and physical properties of surimi mixtures containing 0%, 20 wt%, and 40 wt% milk were evaluated, where the unheated surimi mixture with added milk demonstrated increased firmness and adhesiveness compared to the negative control group. In addition, the hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness of the mixture containing 40% milk were highest, but springiness, cohesiveness, and resilience were lowest. In the sensory evaluation, as the amount of milk increased, a fishy smell, abnormal taste and texture improved, hardness and preference increased as well. From these results, it was confirmed that a surimi mixture can be prepared with milk to improve its physical and sensory properties for 3D printing when compared to the negative control mixture. In particular, it was revealed that the physical properties and preference of the surimi mixture are best when prepared with 40% milk.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2022

Excess nitrogen (N) flowing from livestock manure to water systems poses a serious threat to the natural environment. Thus, livestock wastewater management has recently drawn attention to this related field. This study first attempted to obtain the optimal conditions for the further volatilization of NH₃ gas generated from pig wastewater by adjusting the amount of injected magnesia (MgO). At 0.8 wt.% of MgO (by pig wastewater weight), the volatility rate of NH₃ increased to 75.5% after a day of aeration compared to untreated samples (pig wastewater itself). This phenomenon was attributed to increases in the pH of pig wastewater as MgO dissolved in it, increasing the volatilization efficiency of NH₃. The initial pH of pig wastewater was 8.4, and the pH was 9.2 when MgO was added up to 0.8 wt.%. Second, the residual ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) in pig wastewater was removed by precipitation in the form of struvite (NH₄MgPO₄·6H₂O) by adjusting the pH after adding MgO and H₃PO₄. Struvite produced in the pig wastewater was identified by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. White precipitates began to form at pH 6, and the higher the pH, the lower the concentration of NH₄⁺-N in pig wastewater. Of the total 86.1% of NH₄⁺-N removed, 62.4% was achieved at pH 6, which was the highest removal rate. Furthermore, how struvite changes with pH was investigated. Under conditions of pH 11 or higher, the synthesized struvite was completely decomposed. The yield of struvite in the precipitate was determined to be between 68% and 84% through a variety of analyses.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.147-155
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• 2016

This study presented a measure for turning by-products, released from land farming sites, into resources. The measure involved adding food by-products such as rice bran and nonfat soybean to the sludge, released from the eel farming sites, inoculating the lactic acid bacteria, Aspergillus oryzae, and Bacillus subtilis by step, fermenting them, and measuring the changed ingredients of the fermented fodder. The water content of the fermented fodder by the step of preparation was the first-step fermented product (14.6%) using the lactic acid bacteria, and the second and third-stage fermented product (33.0% and 34.0% respectively) using Aspergillus oryzae and Bacillus subtilis. The pH level was found to be 5.38 in the first-step fermented product due to the secretion of lactic acid caused by the lactic acid bacteria, and the pH level of the second and third-stage fermented products was 5.66 and 7.26, respectively, showing that the pH level increased. The phytic acid content was 0.126g/100g in the first-step fermented product, 0.004g/100g in the second-stage fermented product, and 0.093g/100g in the third-stage fermented product. The measurement of nitrogen content revealed that the amino nitrogen content was high with 1226.37mg% in the second-stage fermented product, and a little lower with 710.18mg% in the third-stage fermented product. The ammonium nitrogen content increased from 0.988mg/kg in the first-stage fermented product to 1.502mg/kg in the third-stage fermented product. Total nitrogen content increased to 2.78% in the first-stage fermented product, 4.08% in the second-stage fermented product, and 4.85% in the third-stage fermented product. As fermentation continued with the three microbes, the phytic acid decreased, and the protein decomposition rate increased. Also, due to the 3 step fermentation, the low-molecule nitrogen ingredient content increased, suggesting that the fodder was developed to offer high digestion and absorption.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.172-203
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• 2023

<Cheongdamdo>(true-view landscape painting) was identified in this study to be a folding screen painting painted by Jeong Seon(a.k.a. Gyeomjae, 1676~1759) in the 32nd year of King Yeongjo(1756) while exploring the Cheongdam area located in Mt. Bukhansan near Seoul. Cheongdam Byeol-eop(Korean villa), consisting of Waunru Pavilion and Nongwolru Pavilion, was a cultural and artistic base at that time, where Nakron(Confucian political party) education took place and the Baegak Poetry Society met. <Cheongdamdo> is a painting that recalls a period of autumn rainfall in 1756 when Jeong Seon arrived in the Cheongdam valley with his disciple Kim Hee-sung(a.k.a. Bulyeomjae, 1723~1769) and met Hong Sang-han(1701~1769). It focuses on the valley flowing from Insubong peak to the village entrance. The title has a dual meaning, emphasizing "Cheongdam", a landscape feature that originated from the name of the area, while also referring to the whole scenery of the Cheongdam area. The technique of drastically brushing down(刷擦) wet pimajoon(hanging linen), the expression of soft horizontal points(米點), and the use of fine brush strokes reveal Jeong Seon's mature age. In particular, considering the contrast between the rock peak and the earthy mountain and symmetry of the numbers, the attempt to harmonize yin and yang sees it regarded as a unique Jingyeong painting(眞境術) that Jeong Seon, who was proficient in 『The Book of Changes』, presented at the final stage of his excursion. 「Cheongdamdongbugi」(Personal Anthology) of Eo Yu-bong(1673~1744) was referenced when Jeong Seon sought to understand and express the true scenery of Cheongdam and the physical properties of the main landscape features in the villa garden. The characteristics of this garden, which Jeong Seon clearly differentiated from the field, suppressed the view of water with transformed and exaggerated rocks(水口막이), elaborately creating a rain forest to cover the villa(裨補林), and adding new elements to help other landscape objects function. In addition, two trees were tilted to effectively close the garden like a gate, and an artificial mountain belt(造山帶), the boundary between the outer garden and the inner garden, was built solidly like a long fence connecting an interior azure dragon(內靑龍) and interior white tiger(內白虎). This is the Bibo-Yeomseung painting(裨補厭勝術) that Jeong Seon used to turn the poor location of the Cheongdam Byeol-eop into an auspicious site(明堂). It is interpreted as being devised to be a pungsu(feng shui) trick, and considered an iconographic embodiment of ideal traditional landscape architecture that was difficult to achieve in reality but which was possible through painting.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2023

The β-Ga₂O₃ has the most thermodynamically stable phase, a wide band gap of 4.8~4.9 eV and a high dielectric breakdown voltage of 8MV/cm. Due to such excellent electrical characteristics, this material as a power device material has been attracted much attention. Furthermore, the β-Ga₂O₃ has easy liquid phase growth method unlike materials such as SiC and GaN. However, since the grown pure β-Ga₂O₃ single crystal requires the intentionally controlled doping due to a low conductivity to be applied to a power device, the research on doping in β-Ga₂O₃ single crystal is definitely important. In this study, various source powders of un-doped, Sn 0.05 mol%, Sn 0.1 mol%, Sn 1.5 mol%, Sn 2 mol%, Sn 3 mol%-doped Ga₂O₃ were prepared by adding different mole ratios of SnO₂ powder to Ga₂O₃ powder, and β-Ga₂O₃ single crystals were grown by using an edge-defined Film-fed Growth (EFG) method. The crystal direction, crystal quality, optical, and electrical properties of the grown β-Ga₂O₃ single crystal were analyzed according to the Sn dopant content, and the property variation of β-Ga₂O₃ single crystal according to the Sn doping were extensively investigated.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.230-240
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• 2023

The pitting corrosion behavior of 329LD cast lean duplex stainless steel and CF3M cast austenitic stainless steel was investigated in chloride environments. The pitting corrosion resistance of the 329LD alloy was superior to that of the CF3M alloy because the pitting potential, passive region, and critical pitting temperature of the low Ni-low Mo 329LD alloy were higher than those of the high Ni-medium Mo commercial CF3M alloy. There are two main reasons for the enhancement of the pitting corrosion resistance of high Cr-low Momedium N 329LD alloy compared to the low Cr-medium Mo CF3M alloy: First, the pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN_δ+γ) value of the 329LD alloy is higher than that of the CF3M alloy. Second, the passive region of the 329LD alloy is larger than that of the CF3M alloy. It indicates that the synergistic effect of the three elements by adding high Cr and low Mo-medium N to the 329LD alloy enhances the passivity of the passive film, thereby increasing the pitting corrosion resistance. It was verified that based on the PREN_γ of austenite (γ) and PREN_δ of ferrite (δ) values calculated using an N-factor of 16, the pitting corrosion of the 329LD alloy was selectively initiated at the γ-phases because PREN_γ value of austenite (γ) was smaller than that of ferrite (δ), and finally propagated from the γ-phase to the δ-phase.