• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5A
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• pp.673-683
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• 2008

This study improved the existing method of using the longitudinal strain and concept of influence line to develop Bridge Weigh-in-Motion system without axle detector using the dynamic strain of the bridge girders and concrete slab. This paper first describes the considered algorithms of extracting passing vehicle information from the dynamic strain signal measured at the bridge slab, girders, and cross beams. Two different analysis methods of 1) influence line method, and 2) neural network method are considered, and parameter study of measurement locations is also performed. Then the procedures and the results of field tests are described. The field tests are performed to acquire training sets and test sets for neural networks, and also to verify and compare performances of the considered algorithms. Finally, comparison between the results of different algorithms and discussions are followed. For a PSC I-girder bridge, vehicle weight can be calculated within a reasonable error range using the dynamic strain gauge installed on the girders. The passing lane and passing speed of the vehicle can be accurately estimated using the strain signal from the concrete slab. The passing speed and peak duration were added to the input variables to reflect the influence of the dynamic interaction between the bridge and vehicles, and impact of the distance between axles, respectively; thus improving the accuracy of the weight calculation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.514-520
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• 2008

This study addresses the development of a soy hamburger patty containing enzyme-treated textured soy protein (TSP) as a meat analogue. In order to reduce the beany flavor and enhance the texture, TSP was treated with 0.3% Flavourzyme for 5, 10, 20, or 30 min. The degree of hydrolysis and the water holding capacity of the TSP increased with increasing hydrolysis time. The oil binding capacity of the TSP also increased with increasing hydrolysis time, approaching the maximal value, 175.82%, at 30 min, whereas that of pork scored with the lowest value of 128.67%. The volume of pork was reduced to 81.5% as the result of heat treatment, whereas that of the TSP increased to 140.57%. The values of 'L', 'b', and '${\Delta}E$' differed significantly (p<0.001) with heat treatment, but the 'a' values did not differ significantly. With regard to texture, the hardness values were highest in the pork hamburger patty (PHP), and were lowest in the soy hamburger patty (SHP) containing untreated TSP. The hardness of the SHP containing TSP treated for 20 min did not differ significantly from that of the PHP. The cohesiveness and gumminess of the SHP treated for 20 min were highest, whereas those treated for 10 min were the lowest. The gumminess of the SHP treated for 20 min did not differ significantly from that of pork. The chewiness of the PHP was the highest, whereas that of the SHP treated for 5 min was the lowest. In our sensory evaluation, PHP evidenced the highest scores, followed by the SHP treated for 30 min, as color, texture, beany flavor, and overall quality all improved as the consequence of increasing enzyme treatment duration. In conclusion, it is believed that SHP has great potential as a substitute for meat, in that the flavor, texture, and beany flavor of SHP did not differ significantly from those of PHP.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.97-110
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• 2023

This study presents a systematic literature review aimed at integrating and analyzing the research findings regarding the components of various self-care intervention programs conducted for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) both domestically and internationally. The paper selection criteria were established based on materials from PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, /MEDLINE, RISS, DBpia, KISS, and KMbase databases, covering the period from January 1, 2000, to September 30, 2022. The inclusion criteria included controlled pre-post experimental study designs. A total of 23 studies were included in this systematic review. The intervention-related factors examined included the sample size, type of intervention mediator, intervention frequency, and duration. Additionally, factors associated with intervention effects, such as measurement tools and variables, were analyzed. The findings of the analysis support the notion that self-care intervention programs for COPD can contribute to the prevention of symptom exacerbation and hospital readmissions among patients. Consequently, the development of a tailored self-care intervention program specifically designed for COPD patients in South Korea is warranted, considering aspects such as patient accessibility, convenience, and motivation for long-term sustainability.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.276-283
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• 2023

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most important vegetables used in various foods in Korea and many countries. The growth of garlic is influenced by various abiotic factors such as cultivation temperature, humidity, minimum temperature duration, and photoperiod. This study investigated the effects of increasing temperatures on the plant growth of the northern- ecotype garlic 'Uiseong' in a temperature gradient tunnel. As a result, temperature increase led to decreases in the bulb diameter, weight, and clove pieces of garlic. The rise of cultivation temperature increased the occurrence rate of incomplete bolting in the Northern-ecotype garlic 'Uiseong', resulting in decreases in productivity and a decrease in the yield of marketable garlic, indicating that temperature increases affect the development of garlic bulb formation. The findings of this study are expected to contribute as foundational data for understanding the growth responses of the northern-ecotype 'Uiseong' to increasing cultivation temperatures. The results of this study can be used to develop designing garlic growth models. In addition, the results of this study can improve understanding the interaction between increased temperature and garlic growth.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2024

In this study, a nonlinear dynamic analysis of a frame and single member, which reflect the characteristics of a plant facility, is performed using the commercial MIDAS GEN program and the results are analyzed. The general structural members and material properties of the plant are considered. The Newmark average-acceleration numerical-analysis method is applied to a plastic hinge to study material nonlinearity. The blast load of a vapor-cloud explosion, a representative plant explosion, is calculated, and nonlinear dynamic analysis is conducted on a frame and single member. The observed dynamic behavior is organized according to the ratio of natural period to load duration, maximum displacement, ductility, and rotation angle. The conditions and range under which the frame functions as a single member are analyzed and derived. NSFF with a beam-column stiffness ratio of 0.5 and ductility of 2.0 or more can be simplified and analyzed as FFC, whereas NSPF with a beam-column stiffness ratio of 0.5 and ductility of 1.5 or more can be simplified and analyzed as FPC. The results of this study can serve as guidelines for the blast-resistant design of plant facilities.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.203-213
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• 2024

This study delves into the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced cement composites(FRCC) concerning the dispersion method of multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs). MWCNTs find utility in industrial applications, particularly in magnetic sensing and crack detection, owing to their diverse properties including heat resistance and chemical stability. However, current research endeavors are increasingly directed towards leveraging the electrical properties of MWCNTs for self-sensing and smart sensor development. Notably, achieving uniform dispersion of MWCNTs poses a challenge due to variations in researchers' skills and equipment, with excessive dispersion potentially leading to deterioration in mechanical performance. To address these challenges, this study employs ultrasonic dispersion for a defined duration along with PCE surfactant, known for its efficacy in dispersion. Test specimens of FRCC are prepared and subjected to strength, drawing, and direct tensile tests to evaluate their mechanical properties. Additionally, the influence of MWCNT dispersion efficiency on the enhancement of FRCC mechanical performance is scrutinized across different dispersion methods.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.145-158
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• 2024

Purpose: Although smoking and alcohol consumption are known risk factors for gastric cancer (GC), studies assessing their effects on early-onset GC are limited. In this nationwide, population-based, prospective cohort study, we assessed the effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on early-onset GC in patients aged <50 years. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data of patients aged 20-39 years who underwent cancer and general health screening in the Korean National Health Screening Program between 2009 and 2012. We calculated the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for GC incidence until December 2020. Results: We enrolled 6,793,699 individuals (men:women=4,077,292:2,716,407) in this cohort. The mean duration of follow-up was 9.4 years. During follow-up, 9,893 cases of GC (men:women=6,304:3,589) were reported. Compared with the aHRs (95% CI) of never-smokers, those of former and current-smokers were 1.121 (1.044-1.205) and 1.282 (1.212-1.355), respectively. Compared with the aHRs (95% CI) of non-consumers, those of low-moderate- and high-risk alcohol consumers were 1.095 (1.046-1.146) and 1.212 (1.113-1.321), respectively. GC risk was the highest in current-smokers and high-risk alcohol consumers (1.447 [1.297-1.615]). Interestingly, alcohol consumption and smoking additively increased the GC risk in men but not in women (P_interaction=0.002). Conclusion: Smoking and alcohol consumption are significant risk factors for early-onset GC in young Koreans. Further studies are needed to investigate sex-based impact of alcohol consumption and smoking on GC incidence in young individuals.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: The prognostic utility of follow-up transthoracic echocardiography (FU-TTE) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is unclear, specifically in terms of whether changes in echocardiographic parameters in routine FU-TTE parameters are associated with cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: From 2010 to 2017, 162 patients with HCM were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Using echocardiography, HCM was diagnosed based on morphological criteria. Patients with other diseases that cause cardiac hypertrophy were excluded. TTE parameters at baseline and FU were analyzed. FU-TTE was designated as the last recorded value in patients who did not develop any cardiovascular event or the latest exam before event development. Clinical outcomes were acute heart failure, cardiac death, arrhythmia, ischemic stroke, and cardiogenic syncope. RESULTS: Median interval between the baseline TTE and FU-TTE was 3.3 years. Median clinical FU duration was 4.7 years. Septal trans-mitral velocity/mitral annular tissue Doppler velocity (E/e'), tricuspid regurgitation velocity, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left atrial volume index (LAVI) at baseline were recorded. LVEF, LAVI, and E/e' values were associated with poor outcomes. However, no delta values predicted HCM-related cardiovascular outcomes. Logistic regression models incorporating changes in TTE parameters had no significant findings. Baseline LAVI was the best predictor of a poor prognosis. In survival analysis, an already enlarged or increased size LAVI was associated with poorer clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in echocardiographic parameters extracted from TTE did not assist in predicting clinical outcomes. Cross-sectionally evaluated TTE parameters were superior to changes in TTE parameters between baseline and FU at predicting cardiovascular events.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
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• v.6
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• pp.105-115
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• 2024

Wild ginseng, grown in undisturbed forest environments, has been maintained for centuriesthrough human intervention and knowledge, leading to the development of current ginseng agriculture. The practice of ginseng farming has long been established in various regions of Korea. However, the ginseng farming specifically in Geumsan was recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2018. This designation was granted after a thorough evaluation, which confirmed that Geumsan's ginseng farming met the necessary criteria, including historical importance, traditional knowledge system, agrobiodiversity, and agricultural landscape. Traditional ginseng farming in Geumsan practices the 'rotating agriculture system', a sustainable land use approach that has been developed over several cycles of long duration (10-15 years). It contains the knowledge to choose locations for cultivation that prioritize the direction of sunlight and wind circulation. Furthermore, it received significant recognition for its agricultural heritage value based on its maintenance of several traditional knowledge systems, including ancestral wisdom and knowledge regarding pre-planting field management techniques. As of December 2023, there are currently 86 locations in 26 nations that have been designated as GIAHS. Among these sites, Geumsan stands out as the first and only site in the world specifically recognized for the cultivation of ginseng crops. This historical record serves as a significant reminder of Korea's prominent position as a major producer of ginseng on a global level. This article first provides an overview of the concept of agricultural heritage, the designation criteria, and the status of the designation. It then identifies, among the GIAHS designation criteria, the agricultural heritage value of traditional ginseng farming in the Geumsan region from the perspective of local traditional knowledge systems.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.547-561
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• 2024

In this study, we aim to investigate the precise alterations in the gut microbiota during the onset and advancement of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and examine the impact of Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus) on DN. Eight-week-old male KK-Ay mice were administered antibiotic cocktails for a duration of two weeks, followed by oral administration of R. gnavus for an additional eight weeks. Our study revealed significant changes in the gut microbiota during both the initiation and progression of DN. Specifically, we observed a notable increase in the abundance of Clostridia at the class level, higher levels of Lachnospirales and Oscillospirales at the order level, and a marked decrease in Clostridia_UCG-014 in DN group. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae at the family level. Moreover, oral administration of R. gnavus effectively aggravated kidney pathology in DN mice, accompanied by elevated levels of urea nitrogen (UN), creatinine (Cr), and urine protein. Furthermore, R. gnavus administration resulted in down-regulation of tight junction proteins such as Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1, as well as increased levels of uremic toxins in urine and serum samples. Additionally, our study demonstrated that orally administered R. gnavus up-regulated the expression of inflammatory factors, including nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and Interleukin (IL)-6. These changes indicated the involvement of the gut-kidney axis in DN, and R. gnavus may worsen diabetic nephropathy by affecting uremic toxin levels and promoting inflammation in DN.