• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.545-554
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• 2020

Background and objective: Moth orchids in the vegetative stage are suitable for a multi-layer growing environment in a closed-type plant factory which can be a good alternative that can reduce production costs by reducing cultivation time and energy cost per plant. This study was conducted to find out the optimal rhizospheric environment for different irrigation methods without a potting medium and rhizospheric ventilation for the vegetative growth of young Phalaenopsis hybrid 'Blanc Rouge' (P. KV600 × P. Kang 1) and Phalaenopsis Queen Beer 'Mantefon' in a closed-type plant factory system. Methods: The one-month-old clonal micropropagules with bare roots rapped with a sponges were fixed on the holes of styrofoam plates above growth beds, and were watered using the ebb-and-flow (EBB) and aeroponic (AER) methods with Ichihashi solution (0.5 strength) once a day at 06:00 (P) or 18:00 (S), and both (PS). Rhizospheric ventilation (V) was also applied to change the temperature, relative humidity, and CO₂ concentration of the beds. Plants potted into sphagnum moss and watered once a week were used as the control group. Results: After 12 months of treatment, the growth characteristics of the EBB groups were the best among the treatment groups without a medium, but no effect of irrigation timing was observed. V reduced the temperature, relative humidity and CO₂ concentration of the beds. Whereas, EBB+V (ebb-and-flow with ventilation) improved plant growth and reduced the occurrence of disorders and withering. Especially, EBB+V showed a similar performance to the control group. Conclusion: The results indicated that the optimal irrigation method without a potting medium for producing middle-aged potted moth orchids was the EBB system with forced rhizospheric ventilation. Therefore, further studies on the optimal ventilation method and moisture control of the crown need to be carried out to develop the irrigation system without a potting medium for vertical farming in closed-type plant factories.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.428-440
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• 2023

Global meat consumption is increasing worldwide, however, supply remains lacking. Several alternative protein sources, such as cultured meat, plant-based protein production, and edible insects, have been proposed to overcome this shortage. Interestingly, edible insects are characterized by superior digestive and absorptive qualities that make them the ideal replacement for traditional protein production. This study aims to further the processing ability of insect protein by investigating the effects of various pre-treatment methods, such as blanching (HB), roasting (HR), and superheated steam (HS), on the nutritional properties and physicochemical characteristics of proteins extracted from Hermetia illucens larvae. The drying rate, pH value, color analysis, amino and fatty acid profile, as well as bulk density, shear force, and rehydration ratios of the above pre-treatment methods, were explored. HS was found to have the highest drying rate and pH value analysis showed that HB and HS samples have significantly higher values compared to the other modalities. Raw edible insects had the highest value in the sum of essential amino acid (EAA) and EAA index when compared to EAAs. HB and HS showed significantly lower bulk density results, and HS showed the highest shear force and the highest value in rehydration ratio, regardless of immersion time. Therefore, taking the above results together, it was found that blanching and superheated steam blanching pre-treatment were the most effective methods to improve the processing properties of H. illucens after hot-air drying.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.140-146
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• 2023

Water quality is crucial for human health and the environment. Accurate measurement of the quantity of organic carbon in water is essential for water quality evaluation, identification of water pollution sources, and appropriate implementation of water treatment measures. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis is an important tool for this purpose. Although other methods, such as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) are also used to measure organic carbon in water, they have limitations that make TOC analysis a more favorable option in certain situations. For example, COD requires the use of toxic chemicals, and BOD is time-consuming and can produce inconsistent and unreliable results. In contrast, TOC analysis is rapid and reliable, providing accurate measurements of organic carbon content in water. However, common methods for TOC analysis can be complex and energy-intensive because of the use of high-temperature heaters for liquid-to-gas phase transitions and the use of acid, which present safety risks. This study focuses on a TOC analysis method using TiO₂ photocatalysis, which has several advantages over conventional TOC analysis methods, including its low cost and easy maintenance. For TiO₂, rutile and anatase powders are mixed with an inorganic binder and spray-coated onto a glass fiber substrate. The TiO₂ powder and inorganic binder solutions are adjusted to optimize the photocatalytic reaction performance. The TiO₂ photocatalysis method is a simple and low-power approach to TOC analysis, making it a promising alternative to commonly used TOC analysis methods. This study aims to contribute to the development of more efficient and cost-effective approaches for water quality analysis and management by exploring the effectiveness and reliability of the developed equipment.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2009

This study presents a structural design optimizing sizes of high-rise steel plane truss members by maximizing stiffness subjected to given volume constraints. The sizing optimum design is evaluated by using a well-known optimality criteria (OC) of gradient-based optimization methods. In typical size optimization methods, truss structures are optimized with respect to minimum weight with constraints on the value of some displacement and on the member stresses. The proposed method is an inversed size optimization process in comparisons with the typical size optimization methods since it maximizes stiffness associated with stresses or displacements subjected to volume constraints related to weight. The inversed approach is another alternative to classical size optimization methods in order to optimize members' sizes in truss structures. Numerical applications of a round shape steel pipe truss structure are studied to verify that the proposed maximum stiffness-based size optimization design is suitable for optimally developing truss members's sizes.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.356-371
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• 2024

Novel meat-inspired products, such as cell-cultivated meat and meat analogues, embrace environmental sustainability, food safety and security, animal welfare, and human health, but consumers are still hesitant to accept these products. The appearance of food is often the most persuasive determinant of purchasing decisions for food. Producing cultivated meat and meat analogues with similar characteristics to conventional meat could lead to increased acceptability, marketability, and profitability. Color is one of the sensorial characteristics that can be improved using color-inducing methods and colorants. Synthetic colorants are cheap and stable, but natural pigments are regarded as safer components for novel food production. The complexity of identifying specific colorants to imitate both raw and cooked meat color lies in the differences in ingredients and methods used to produce meat alternatives. Research devoted to improving the sensorial characteristics of meat analogues has noted various color-inducing methods (e.g., ohmic cooking and pasteurization) and additives (e.g., lactoferrin, laccase, xylose, and pectin). Additionally, considerations toward other meat components, such as fat, can aid in mimicking conventional meat appearance. For instance, the use of plant-based fat replacers and scaffolds can produce a marked sensory enhancement without compromising the sustainability of alternative meats. Moving forward, consumer-relevant sensorial characteristics, such as taste and texture, should be prioritized alongside improving the coloration of meat alternatives.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

Objectives : Trimellitic anhydride (TMA), a sensitizer that induces occupational asthma and atopic dermatitis, is widely used industrially to make epoxy and alkyd resins, plasticizers, high temperature polymer, and surfactants. The aim of this study was to investigative the effects of aqueous extracts of Lonicera japonica Flower(LJFAE) on TMA-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in Balb/c mice. Methods : The dried flowers of L. japonica were extracted with distilled water at $100^{\circ}C$ for 7 h. The extract was freeze-dried following filteration through 0.45 ${\mu}m$ filter. Mice were orally administrated with or without LJFE of a different doses(25-100 mg/kg) for 28 days. In the challenge period, mice were externally applied at difference doses of LJFAE one time per day 30 min before TMA treatment. We examined the effects of LJFAE on the the serum levels of IgE and prostagladin E2 (PGE2), the Thl/Th2 cytokine production of spleen cells, ear swelling responses, and the leukocyte infiltration induced by TMA. Results : The orally and externally administration of LJFAE dose-dependently reduced the serum levels of IgE and PGE2 production as well as ear swelling responses and leukocyte infiltration in TMA-induced Balb/c mice. Furthermore, the levels of Thl (TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gammer}$, IL-2)/Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) cytokine production from spleen cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and CD28 mAbs was markedly suppressed by the orally and externally treatment with LJFAE in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that LJFAE suppresses the inflammatory mediators and regulates the Thl/Th2 cytokines. Therefore, these properties may contribute to the strong anti-CHS response effect of LJFAE.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.384-388
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• 2014

Background: Recently, single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been proposed as an alternative to the conventional three-port VATS for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). The aim of this study is to evaluate the early outcomes of the single-port VATS for PSP. Methods: VATS was performed for PSP in 52 patients from March 2012 to March 2013. We reviewed the medical records of these 52 patients, retrospectively. Nineteen patients underwent the conventional three-port VATS (three-port group) and 33 patients underwent the single-port VATS (single-port group). Both groups were compared according to the operation time, number of wedge resections, amount of chest tube drainage during the first 24 hours after surgery, length of chest tube drainage, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain score, and postoperative paresthesia. Results: There was no difference in patient characteristics between the two groups. There was no difference in the number of wedge resections, operation time, or amount of drainage between the two groups. The mean lengths of chest tube drainage and hospital stay were shorter in the single-port group than in the three-port group. Further, there was less postoperative pain and paresthesia in the single-port group than in the three-port group. These differences were statistically significant. The mean size of the surgical wound was 2.10 cm (range, 1.6 to 3.0 cm) in the single-port group. Conclusion: Single-port VATS for PSP had many advantages in terms of the lengths of chest tube drainage and hospital stay, postoperative pain, and paresthesia. Single-port VATS is a feasible technique for PSP as an alternative to the conventional three-port VATS in well-selected patients.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.7-17
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• 2014

Objectives: Condurango is widely used in various systems of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) against oesophageal and stomach ailments including certain types of cancer. However, until now no systematic study has been conducted to verify its efficacy and dose with proper experimental support. Therefore, we examined if ethanolic extract of Condurango could ameliorate benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced lung cancer in rats, in vivo to validate its use as traditional medicine. Methods: Fifteen male and 15 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 0.28 mg/kg of Sweet Bee Venom (SBV) (high-dosage group) and the same numbers of male and female SD rats were treated with 0.2 mL/kg of normal saline (control group) for 13 weeks. We selected five male and five female SD rats from the high-dosage group and the same numbers of male and female SD rats from the control group, and we observed these rats for four weeks. We conducted body-weight measurements, ophthalmic examinations, urinalyses and hematology, biochemistry, histology tests. Results: A histological study revealed gradual progress in lung tissue-repair activity in Condurango-fed cancer-bearing rats, showing gradual tissue recovery after three months of drug administration. Condurango has the capacity to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may contribute to a reduction in anti-oxidative activity and to an induction of oxidative stress-mediated cancer cell-death. Condurango-activated pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, p53, cytochrome-c, apaf-1, ICAD and PARP) and down-regulated antiapoptotic-Bcl-2 expression were noted both at mRNA and protein levels. Studies on caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage by western blot analysis revealed that Condurango induced apoptosis through a caspase-3-dependent pathway. Conclusion: The anticancer efficacy of an ethanolic extract of Condurango for treating BaP-induced lung cancer in rats lends support for its use in various traditional systems of medicine.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.23-35
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the demand and supply of advanced practice nurses and suggest alternative benefit strategies in the Korean national health insurance. Methods: A revised demand & supply model was used to estimate the excess supply of APNs, and policy making process and key actors in the Korean health insurance were considered to develop a political approach to the APN issue. Results: The social demand for APNs is currently estimated to be less than 50% of its supply and the APN education program fell into difficulties in recruits. No reimbursement mechanism for APN's services in the national health insurance has given no economic incentive to hospital managers who have monopsony power in nursing labor market, which has caused the demand shortage of APNs in hospital industry. Payment for APN's services recognized as one of the most significant strategies to booster the social demand for APN's services should be carefully designed and implemented in the national health insurance. In line with this, key actors in health insurance policy decision-making include government, national assembly, labor unions, NGOs, civic groups, medical associations, and academia. Conclusion: The basic researches for APN's activities and cost-effectiveness analysis in clinical settings are required to support the strategies aforementioned. Constructing a policy network among key actors is able to make the payment strategy feasible, which will increase the socal demand for APNs.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.2340-2346
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• 2011

This paper presents a user-friendly authentication system using a flexible USIM. In the proposed method and its system, the flexible USIM utilizes personalized data such as Mobile Directory Number(MDN) and social security number as the key to user authentication. The authentication method proposed in this paper permits limited times of use and/or limited duration of use. A simple simulation model shows that the proposed algorithm works well and shows high compatibility with existing authentication methods. In addition, an alternative or more advanced authentication system can be developed with the proposed flexible USIM card. It is seen that this simple alternative method will eventually be able to make wireless communication networks more easily accessible for subscribers, irrespective of user environments.