• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.332-336
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• 2019

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of many diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The flowers of Chrysanthemum boreale have been used as traditional medicines for the treatment of diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. boreale Makino flower essential oil (CFEO) on adipocyte differentiation using preadipocyte cell line 3T3-L1. CFEO at concentrations between 0.1 and $5{\mu}g/ml$ did not affect 3T3-L1 cell viability. A CFEO concentration of between 0.1 and $1{\mu}g/ml$ significantly inhibited lipid accumulation during MDI-induced differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, reaching a maximal level at $1{\mu}g/ml$ ($28.94{\pm}2.01%$; approximately 30% of control treated with MDI alone). Western blot analysis revealed that CFEO concentrations between 0.1 and $1{\mu}g/ml$ suppressed the activations of three adipogenic transcription factors in the MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 cells: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$; CCATT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$; and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1. Moreover, the expressions of lipogenic enzymes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase were also inhibited by treatment with CFEO between 0.1 and $1{\mu}g/ml$. CFEO may therefore be a promising functional material for obesity prevention.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.21-29
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• 2018

The contents of total nitrogen(T-N), phosphate($T-P_2O_5$), and potash($T-K_2O$) are important factors to determine the application rate of the livestock compost to prevent nutrients accumulation and maintain their appropriate levels in arable lands. The concentrations of nutrient, organic matter, salt, water content, heavy metal in livestock compost in circulation were investigated with 659 samples from 2016 to 2017. In order to investigate the fluctuation nutrient contents of livestock composts with the same product name, 19 samples were collected and analyzed T-N, and $T-P_2O_5$, and $T-K_2O$ concentration during two years. The mean levels of T-N, $T-P_2O_5$, and $T-K_2O$ in livestock composts of from 2016 to 2017 were 1.73%, 1.88%, and 1.66%, respectively. The average contents of organic matter, water, and salt were 38.9%, 40.9%, and 1.2%, respectively. There were found that the maximum concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn in some livestock composts were exceeded the criteria of the official standard of commercial fertilizer. The maximum variation coefficient of T-N, $T-P_2O_5$ and $T-K_2O$ content of livestock composts was found to be 24%, 27%, and 50% on average, respectively. In order to manage the nutrients in agricultural soils, it will be reasonable that the error range of T-N and $T-P_2O_5$ content in livestock composts should be recommended to be 27% in mean as variation coefficient in case of displaying the nutrient element in liverstock compost.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.240-246
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• 2018

The present study analyzed standard samples of three types of aluminum matrix certified reference materials (CRM) using GD-MS. Calibration curves were constructed for 13 elements (Mg, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Sn, and Pb), with the slope representing the relative sensitivity factor (RSF). The x- and y-axes of the calibration curve represented ion beam ratio (IBR) and the authenticated value of the standard sample, respectively. In order to evaluate precision and linearity of the calibration curve, RSD and the coefficient of determination were calculated. Curve RSD for every element reflected high precision (within 10 %). For most elements, the coefficient of determination was ${\geq}0.99$, indicating excellent linearity. However, vanadium, nickel, and gallium curves exhibited relatively low linearity (0.90~0.95), likely due to their narrow concentration ranges. Standard RSF was calculated using the slope of the curve generated for three types of CRM. Despite vanadium, nickel, and gallium exhibiting low coefficients of determination, their standard RSF resembled that of the three types of CRM. Therefore, the RSF method may be used for element quantitation. Standard iron matrix samples were analyzed to verify the applicability of the aluminum matrix standard RSF, as well as to calculate the RSD-estimated error of the measured value relative to the actual standard value. Six elements (Al, Si, V, Cr, Mn, and Ni) exhibited an RSD of approximately 30 %, while the RSD of Cu was 77 %. In general, Cu isotopes are subject to interference: $^{63}Cu$ to $^{54}Fe^{2+}-^{36}Ar$ and $^{65}Cu$ to $^{56}Fe-Al^{3+}$ interference. Thus, the influence of these impurities may have contributed to the high RSD value observed for Cu. To reliably identify copper, the resolution should be set at ${\geq}8000$. However, high resolutions are inappropriate for analyzing trace elements, as it lowers ion permeability. In conclusion, quantitation of even relatively low amounts of six elements (Al, Si, V, Cr, Mn, and Ni) is possible using this method.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.353-362
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to suggest a structure plan for improving the utilization of inactive storage in the dam for overcoming the drought. Inactive storage in the dam is composed of the emergency storage and dead storage. The emergency storage can be used for the case of emergency such as drought. But, in general, the dead storage for sedimentation is not used even for the emergency. Therefore, this study considers the part of dead storage that the sedimentation is not progressed yet can be used during the severe drought period and is called "drought storage in a dam". The accurate Sediment Level(SL) analysis for the computation of the drought storage should be performed and so the present and future SL in the dam reservoir is estimated using SED-2D linked with RMA-2 model of SMS. After the consideration of additionally available storage capacity based on the estimated SL, the drought storage is finally determined. Present data based on historical data, future predicted future climate factors by Representative Concentrarion Pathways(RCP) 8.5 scenario. Then, using the TANK model, dam inflows were determined, and future period such as SL and drought storage were suggested. As the results, we have found that the available drought storage will be reduced in the future when we compare the present drought storage with the future one. This is due to a increase variability of climate change. Therefore, we should take the necessary study for the increase of available drought storage in the future.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.208-220
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• 2019

The seasonality of leaf fall has important implications for understanding the response of trees' phenology to climate change. In this study, we quantified the leaf fall pattern with a model to estimate the timing and speed of leaf litter according to species and considered the nutrient use strategy of canopy species. In the autumns of 2015 and 2016, leaf litter was collected periodically using 36 litter-traps from the deciduous forests in Gwangneung and sorted by species. The seasonal leaf fall pattern was estimated using the non-linear regression model of Dixon. Additionally, the resorption rate was calculated by analyzing the nitrogen concentration of the leaf litter at each collection time. The leaf litter generally began in early October and ended in mid-November depending on the species. At the peak time (T50) of leaf fall, on average, Carpinus laxiflora was first, and Quercus serrata was last. The rate of leaf fall was fastest (18.6 days) for Sorbus alnifolia in 2016 and slowest (40.8 days) for C. cordata in 2015. The nitrogen resorption rates at T50 were 0.45% for Q. serrata and 0.48% for C. laxiflora, and the resorption rate in 2015 with less precipitation was higher than in 2016. Since falling of leaf litter is affected by environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, photoperiod, and $CO_2$ during the period attached foliage, the leaf fall pattern and nitrogen resorption differed year by year depending on the species. If we quantify the fall phenomena of deciduous trees and analyze them according to various conditions, we can predict whether the changes in leaf fall timing and speed due to climate change will prolong or shorten the growth period of trees. In addition, it may be possible to consider how this affects their nutrient use strategy.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.59-71
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• 2019

The domestic unemployment rate is now seriously increasing due to the impact of the international trend of incurring high costs using only a small number of manpower in a situation where the business has been being reduced in size. The nation is taking start-up promotion policies as a way to overcome the problem, but with the advent of excessive entrepreneurs and their concentration on specific areas, their survival is in an unclear situation. Thus, this study was intended to provide a useful direction for successful start-ups by identifying the impact of entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurship, internal characteristics of entrepreneurs, and of competency characteristics, external characteristics of them, on sustainability through business performance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide a useful direction for successful start-ups by identifying the impact of entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurship, internal characteristics of entrepreneurs, competency, and external characteristics, on sustainability through business performance. The result of verifying the hypothesis has showed that entrepreneurial motivation, entrepreneurship, and competency characteristics had a positive effect on business performance, and on the other hand, the business performance had a positive effect on sustainability. In addition, in terms of the impact of entrepreneurial motivation, entrepreneurship, and competency characteristics on sustainability, all of them had mediating effects on business performance. It is obvious that studies on the factors affecting business performance and corporate sustainability up to now have been carried out by only collecting the independent variables of this study individually or two of them. so it is judged that if the study, which has verified the practical direction in general through the verification of entrepreneurs's internal and external characteristics from various angles, is performed more comprehensively along with the addition of background characteristics of entrepreneurs, such as characteristics of start-up preparation, etc., in the future, more in-depth results will be able to be obtained.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.771-785
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• 2021

This study was performed to provide detailed and comprehensive information on inflammation-related blood indicators, joint range of motion, pain scale, and psychological indicators by patient characteristics by performing a 12-week home-based exercise program for ankylosing spondylitis patients. For the purpose of this study, 10 patients with ankylosing spondylitis were selected by age (30s vs. 40s vs. 50s), gender (male vs. female), and duration (less than 5 years vs. 5 years or more). The home-based exercise program was a combination of aerobic exercise and Pilates-based resistance exercise, and was performed 4 times a week for 12 weeks at an intensity of 50-70% of maximal heart rate (MHR). As a result, after 12 weeks of home-based exercise intervention, the blood C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration of patients with ankylosing spondylitis decreased (-35.6%, p=.002), and the blood inflammation level was improved, and each joint (hip, lumbar, cervical) improved mobility (p<.05). In addition, the bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) was decreased by -67% (p=.001) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) was decreased by -64.8% (p=.001), stiffness and pain has been alleviated. In particular, as the degree of depression decreased by -65.5% (p=.001) and the degree of anxiety by -55.2% (p=.003), 12 weeks of home-based exercise improved not only physical changes but also psychological factors. On the other hand, there was no difference in exercise effect according to age, gender, and disease duration in ankylosing spondylitis patients (p>.05). These results suggest that the 12-week home-based exercise applied in this study can be an effective exercise program that can be universally used for ankylosing spondylitis patients regardless of patient characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.48-61
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• 2022

South Korea is quite vegetation rich country which has 63% forests and 16% cropland area. Massive NOx emissions from megacities, therefore, are easily combined with BVOCs emitted from the forest and cropland area, then produce high ozone concentration. BVOCs emissions have been estimated using well-known emission models, such as BEIS (Biogenic Emission Inventory System) or MEGAN (Model of Emission of Gases and Aerosol from Nature) which were developed using non-Korean emission factors. In this study, we ran MEGAN v2.1 model to estimate BVO Cs emissions in Korea. The MO DIS Land Cover and LAI (Leaf Area Index) products over Korea were used to run the MEGAN model for June 2012. Isoprene and Monoterpenes emissions from the model were inter-compared against the enclosure chamber measurements from Taehwa research forest in Korea, during June 11 and 12, 2012. For estimating emission from the enclosed chamber measurement data. The initial results show that isoprene emissions from the MEGAN model were up to 6.4 times higher than those from the enclosure chamber measurement. Monoterpenes from enclosure chamber measurement were up to 5.6 times higher than MEGAN emission. The differences between two datasets, however, were much smaller during the time of high emissions. More inter-comparison results and the possibilities of improving the MEGAN modeling performance using local measurement data over Korea will be presented and discussed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.447-454
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• 2022

In this study, we confirmed the effect of HK shiitake mushroom mycelium (HKSMM) on immune enhancement in Balb/c mice. Experimental animals were divided into five groups: negative control (NC), positive control (PC; 1,000 mg/100 g; AHCC), T1 (500 mg/100 g; HKSMM), T2 (1,000 mg/100 g; HKSMM), and T3 (2,000 mg/100 g; HKSMM), and dissection was performed at four and six weeks. COX-2 and iNOS concentrations were significantly lower in the six-week experimental group than in the control group, and the NO results were also similar. Results of the confirmation of the factors related to the NF-κB (p-p65 and p-IκBα) and MAPK (pERK, pJNK, and p38) signaling pathways revealed that the HKSMM-fed experimental group significantly decreased compared with the control group. A comparative analysis of the number and size of white pulp in the spleen tissue showed that those of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that HKSMM has both immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory effects in Balb/c mice, indicating that it can be used as a health functional food ingredient.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2022

The amount of the plastic waste has been increasing according to global demand for plastic. Microplastics are the most hazardous among all plastic pollutants due to their toxicity and unknown physicochemical properties. This study investigates the optimal methodology that can be applied to sewage samples for detecting microplastics before discussing reducing microplastics in MWTPs. In this study, the effect of different pretreatment methods while detecting microplastic analysis of MWTP influent samples was investigated; the samples were collected from the J sewage treatment plant. There are many pretreatment methods but two of them are widely used: Fenton digestion and hydrogen peroxide oxidation. Although there are many pretreatment methods that can be applied to investigate microplastics, the most widely used methods for sewage treatment plant samples are Fenton digestion and H₂O₂ oxidation. For each pretreatment method, there were factors that could cause an error in the measurement. To overcome this, in the case of the Fenton digestion pretreatment, it is recommended to proceed with the analysis by filtration instead of the density separation method. In the case of the H₂O₂ oxidation method, the process of washing with distilled water after the reaction is recommended. As a result of the analysis, the concentration of microplastics was measured to be 2.75ea/L for the sample using the H₂O₂ oxidation method and 3.2ea/L for the sample using the Fenton oxidation method, and most of them were present in the form of fibers. In addition, it is difficult to guarantee the reliability of measurement results from quantitative analysis performed via microscope with eyes. A calibration curve was created for prove the reliability. A total of three calibration curves were drawn, and as a result of analysis of the calibration curves, all R² values were more than 0.9. This ensures high reliability for quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis could determine the series of microplastics flowing into the MWTP, but could not confirm the chemical composition of each microplastic. This study can be used to confirm the chemical composition of microplastics introduced into MWTP in the future research.