• Human Ecology Research
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.327-336
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• 2024

This study was investigated to examine the antioxidant activity and quality characteristics of ginger Jocheong added with Gujeung-gupo ginger powder and the results were as follows. As the amount of Gujeung-gupo ginger powder added into ginger Jocheong increased, the moisture and carbohydrate contents of ginger Jocheong significantly decreased(F=133.33, p<.001) and increased(F=36.15, p<.001), respectively. The content of mineral composition such as K, Ca and Zn showed higher values as the amount of added Gujeung-gupo ginger powder increased. As the amount of Gujeung-gupo ginger powder added into ginger Jocheong increased, sweetness(F=200.00, p<.001), viscosity(F=441.23, p<.001), L value(F=1,458, p<.001), a value(F=44.56, p<.001) and b value(F=203, p<.001) decreased significantly, and pH significantly increased(F=59.18, p<.001). As the amount of Gujeung-gupo ginger powder added into ginger Jocheong increased, total polyphenol content(F=86.015, p<.001), total flavonoid content(F=885.012, p<.001), and DPPH radical scavenging activity(F=75.136, p<.001), ABTS radical scavenging ability(F=145.751, p<.001), and FRAP activity(F=172.242, p<.001) increased. From the above results, the antioxidant activity and quality characteristics of ginger Jocheong added with Gujeung-gupo ginger powder confirmed the potential development of ginger Jocheong with high antioxidant activity.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.269-278
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• 2024

Objectives: The Chepang people, an indigenous ethnic group in Nepal, experience substantial marginalization and socioeconomic disadvantages, making their communities among the most vulnerable in the region. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in the Chepang communities of Raksirang Rural Municipality, Makwanpur District, Bagmati Province, Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to April 2023 among 231 Chepang women selected using simple random sampling from Raksirang Rural Municipality. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for interviewing the mothers. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Variables with a variation inflation factor of more than 2 and a p-value of more than 0.25 were excluded from the final model. Results: The study revealed that the prevalence rate of adolescent pregnancy among Chepang women was 71.4% (95% CI, 65.14 to 77.16). A large percentage of participants (72.7%) were married before the age of 18 years. Poor knowledge of adolescent pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.3; 95% CI, 8.42 to 14.87), unplanned pregnancy (aOR, 13.3; 95% CI, 10.76 to 19.2), and lack of sex education (aOR, 6.57; 95% CI, 3.85 to 11.27) were significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy. Conclusions: The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy among the Chepang community was high. These findings highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the potential consequences of adolescent pregnancy and implementing comprehensive sexuality education programs for preventing adolescent pregnancies within this community.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.518-525
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• 2023

Septin4 belong to a family of polymerizing GTP-binding proteins that are required for many cellular functions, such as membrane compartmentalization, vesicular trafficking, mitosis, and cytoskeletal remodeling. Since, Septin4 is expressed specifically in the testis, we aimed to determine the association between Septin4 gene expression with sperm quality, DNA damage, and stress oxidative level in infertile patients. The present study included 60 semen samples that grouped into three groups: normozoospermia (n=20), asthenozoospermia (n=20), astheno-teratozoospermia (n=20). Initially, semen parameters were analyzed by using the World Health Organization protocol. The mRNA expression of Septin4 in sperm was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Oxidative stress markers, i.e., total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde, were determined by ELISA kit. The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). However, it showed significant negative correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and antioxidant enzyme levels. In conclusion, Septin4 gene expression provides clinical useful information for the diagnosis of male infertility. It might be a marker for discrimination between fertile and infertile patients. The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm MMP. However, it shows significant negative correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and antioxidant enzyme levels.

• Journal of Cadastre & Land InformatiX
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.117-134
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• 2024

Housing is an essential element of human living environments. The type of housing occupancy can vary based on age, family composition, occupation, education level, and economic situation. In this study, we used social survey statistics to investigate the relationship between housing ownership types and individual and societal characteristics. The research findings revealed that apartment residency rates were high across all age groups. Married individuals tended to have higher apartment residency rates compared to unmarried individuals. Additionally, as the number of household members and generations increased, so did the likelihood of apartment residency. Overall, higher income levels and stable employment were associated with a preference for homeownership. However, there was no significant correlation between homeownership and education level or employment status. National and local authorities should focus on housing supply that aligns with the purchasing capacity and characteristics of potential homebuyers.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of preoperative guidance and operating room environment experience using virtual reality on increasing satisfaction with information and reducing anxiety in preoperative patients undergoing general anesthesia and local anesthesia. Methods: A non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental design was employed. The participants were 80 surgical patients from 4 wards (40 experimental group and 40 control group) of the general hospital located in Gyeonggi-do. Data collection was conducted from June to November 2023 after completing the control group survey in January 2023. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test using SPSS 23.0 program. Results: Satisfaction with preoperative information was higher in the experimental group than that of the control group. Additionally, anxiety related to surgery in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group. The preoperative state anxiety score in the experimental group was not significantly lower than that of the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that providing patient education and information using virtual reality technology can not only alleviate patients' anxiety related to surgery, but also have the potential to be used as an effective intervention to improve positive patient experiences.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2024

Walking can have a positive impact on cognitive function in adolescents. This study aimed to compare the effects of walking with sneakers and barefoot on cognitive ability in adolescents. Fifty-nine adolescent male students were included in the study and assigned to the control (n = 20), sneaker (n = 19), and barefoot (n = 20) groups. The barefoot and sneakers group performed a 40-min walking exercise four times a week for 12 weeks during the morning physical activity time, while the control group performed self-study. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain activity variables were measured before and after the exercise program. The results showed that after 12 weeks, the barefoot group had a significant decrease in Gamma and H-beta waves and a significant increase in sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) and Alpha waves. Conversely, the control group showed a significant decrease in SMR waves and increase in Theta waves. The sneaker group showed a significant decrease in SMR waves alone. In an eyes-open resting state, the barefoot group showed a significant increase in H-beta, M-beta, SMR, and Alpha waves. The barefoot group also had a significant increase in cognitive speed and concentration and a significant decrease in brain stress. Taken together, barefoot walking can effectively enhance cognitive ability in adolescents, as demonstrated by the significant variation in EEG activity. This research highlights the potential benefits of barefoot walking as a simple and effective form of exercise for enhancing cognitive function in adolescents.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.498-510
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity, characterized by abnormal fat accumulation and metabolic disturbances, presents a significant health challenge. Opuntia humifusa Raf., commonly known as Korean Cheonnyuncho, is rich in various beneficial compounds and has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its potential impact on glucose and lipid metabolism, particularly in obese rats, remains unexplored. We aimed to investigate whether O. humifusa stems and fruits could beneficially alter glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in a rat model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. MATERIALS/METHODS: Thirty-two rats were allocated into 4 groups: normal diet (NF), HFD control (HF), HFD treated with 2% O. humifusa stems (HF-OS), and HFD treated with 2% O. humifusa fruits (HF-OF). Experimental diets were administered for 6 weeks. At the end of the treatment, liver and fat tissues were isolated, and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. The major flavonoid from O. humifusa stems and fruits was identified and quantified. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of treatment, the serum fasting glucose concentration in the HF-OS group was significantly lower than that in the HF group. Serum fasting insulin concentrations in both HF-OS and HF-OF groups tended to be lower than those in the HF group, indicating a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity in the HF-OS group. Additionally, the HF-OS group exhibited a tendency towards the restoration of adiponectin levels to that of the NF group. CONCLUSION: The 2% O. humifusa stems contain abundant quercetin and isorhamnetin, which alter fasting blood glucose levels in rats fed a HFD, leading to a favorable improvement in insulin resistance.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.575-581
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• 2024

Insect pests are a significant threat to stored crops and can lead to considerable economic losses and reduced crop quality. Traditional pest control methods often involve chemical treatments, which have adverse environmental and health effects. This study evaluated the effectiveness of controlling the environment using LED lighting and plant-derived odor barriers as a dual strategy for insect pest control. The storage environment was altered using LED lights that emitted specific wavelengths (580-585 nm) and by reducing other wavelengths (300-500 nm). This light environment was combined with an insect odor barrier derived from Cinnamomum verum, Illicium verum, and Artemisia annua, and their duel impact on the behavior and frequency of insect pests under real storage conditions was determined. The findings revealed significant changes in the frequencies of various insect orders, indicating differential responses to light wavelengths and odor barriers. Notably, the introduction of an anti-insect light and odor barrier environment reduced Diptera and Hemiptera frequencies, which could potentially reduce pest intrusion. The results underscore the potential use of integrated light and odor barriers as a noninvasive and environmentally friendly approach to pest management. This study identifies the specific wavelengths and odor combinations that effectively deter insect pests and contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable pest control methods. It also highlights the importance of understanding insect behavior and frequency changes in response to novel deterrent strategies.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.1220-1229
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• 2024

In the construction industry, professionals are required to have advanced problem-solving skills to adeptly handle the dynamic challenges inherent to project execution. These skills are crucial, as they enable professionals to effectively navigate the complexities and unpredictability of construction projects, ensuring timely and cost-effective completion. This paper explores an innovative approach to enhance the problem-solving skills of construction students through the integration of conversational AI-based serious games into their educational curriculum. The objective of this research was acquired by following three phases: hazard interaction, problem identification, and AI-guided text-based communication. This approach creates an engaging learning environment, simulating real-world construction challenges and problems, focusing on the excavation phase of a construction project as a case study for students to interact with and communicate with the Conversational AI agent through text-based prompts. In the future, the proposed study can be used to evaluate how AI agents can help enhance problem-solving skills by promoting emotional engagement among participants. This research sheds light on the potential of integrating conversational AI in education, providing valuable insights for educators designing construction management training programs by underscoring the importance of engagement in real-world problem-solving scenarios.

• Journal of Food and Nutrition Research
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.363-366
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• 2021

This study aimed to determine the effect of regulating crude protein (CP) levels in total mixed ration (TMR) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo steers. The regimens were divided into a control group (TMR with 15% CP) and treatment group (TMR with 12.5% CP). The viable cell count and fermentation potential of the prepared experimental feed and the nutrient digestibility were evaluated. Growth performance and carcass characteristics were confirmed by evaluating the weight and intake of Hanwoo steers, and an economic analysis was performed. Only CP digestibility was higher in the control group than in the treatment group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the initial and final body weights, daily gain, and feed requirements between the groups (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in carcass weight, yield index, back fat thickness, and loin area (p>0.05), but the appearance rate of quality grade A was higher in the treatment group than in the control group. In addition, there was no difference in the meat quality characteristics, such as marbling, meat color, fat color, texture, and maturity (p>0.05), and the treatment group had a higher rate of 1++ grade than the control group. Economic analysis showed that when 10 cattle were shipped, the control group received a price of 100,041 thousand won, and the treatment group received a price of 102,033 thousand won. When the income for each group was calculated, the production cost of the treatment group was 8% lower than that of the control group; thus, a higher net profit could be expected considering the low feed cost. Therefore, the economic feasibility of steer raising could be improved while maintaining productivity by controlling CP levels in feed. In addition, this study provides useful basic data for precisely adjusting the CP levels in feed for Hanwoo steers.