• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1037-1045
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• 2021

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and since obesity is associated with dietary factors and sedentary lifestyles, it is a disease that is readily developing in the modern population. Because obesity is accompanied by serious complications such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, prevention and treatment are important. Currently, drugs such as liraglutide and phentermine are used to treat obesity by suppressing appetite and inducing gastrointestinal motility delay. However, various side effects may occur, including thyroid cancer, cardiovascular problems, and central nervous system disorders. Therefore, to explore an obesity treatment method with relatively few side effects, a method known as "fat browning" was introduced to change white adipose tissue into brown adipose tissue to increase energy consumption. Ongoing studies are attempting to find effective natural substances to safely induce browning. Many natural substances have been identified. The induction of browning by treatment with natural substances generally involves three mechanisms: positive control of browning-inducing factors, inhibition of differentiation into white adipose tissue, and the activation of mechanisms related to browning. In this study, we describe plant extracts with known browning-inducing effects, such as strawberry, black raspberry, cinnamomum cassia, and Ecklonia stolonifera extracts. We also summarize the underlying mechanisms of action identified thus far, including the signaling pathway mediated by these extracts to induce browning. Furthermore, the effects of brown adipose tissue generated through browning on heart disease as an endocrine organ disruptor are discussed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.435-450
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• 2022

In step-by-step site selection for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, parameters necessary for site selection will be acquired through deep drilling surveys from the basic survey stage. Unlike site investigations of rock mass structures such as tunnels and underground oil storage facilities, those related to the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste are not only conducted in relatively deep depths, but also require a high level of quality control. In this report, based on the 750 m depth drilling experience conducted to acquire the parameters necessary for deep geological disposal, the methodology for deep drilling and the geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology and rock mechanics obtained before, during, and after deep drilling are discussed. The procedures for multidisciplinary geoscientific investigations were briefly described. Regarding in-situ stress, one of the key evaluation parameter in the field of rock engineering, foreign and domestic cases related to the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste were presented, and variations with depth were presented, and matters to be considered or agonized in acquiring evaluation parameters were mentioned.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.91-96
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• 2013

Objectives : Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease caused by disorder of energy balance and lipid metabolism. This study was conducted by histopathology and histomorphometry to investigate the anti-obesity effects of mixed water extract of Plantaginis Semen & Poria (CJB) on liver, epididymal fat pads and pancreas zymogen granules in obese rats induced with high fat diet. Method : Male Sprague-Dawley rats to be divided four groups were fed into four different treatments: normal (NOR) diet, high-fat (HF) diet, HF diet+CJB (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, P.O.) for 8 weeks. The weekly body weights were measured in four experimental groups, respectively. Also histopathological and histomorphometrical changes of liver, epididymal fat pads and pancreas zymogen granules were observed in normal control and obese rats, respectively. Results : Adminstration of CJB significantly reduced body weights compared to those of HF group for experimental period. After 8 weeks, liver weights in the CJB groups were lower than those of HF group. In addition, HF diet related steatohepatitis, adipocyte hypertrophy, exocrine disturbances (decreases of pancreatic zymogen granules) were also dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of test material, CJB 100 and CJB 300 as compared with HF group, respectively. Conclusion : Based on the results, it is considered that CJB will be showed hepatoprotective and anti-obese effects, may be directly and/or indirectly mediated by pancreatic zymogen granules because they dose-dependently inhibited steatohepatitis, hypertrophy of adipocytes and decreases of pancreatic zymogen granules induced by HF diet supply, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.84-91
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• 2022

In this study, an experimental study was conducted to analyze the hysteresis behavior according to the steel fiber aspect ratio and volume fraction of diagonally reinforced concrete coupling beams under to cyclic loading. The aspect ratio and volume fraction of the steel fibers were set as the main variables, and 4 specimens were fabricated in which the amount of transverse reinforcement of the coupling beam suggested in the domestic building structural standard was relaxed by about 53%. In the experiment, cyclic loading experiments were performed in the displacement control method in accordance with ACI 374.2R-13, and as a result of the experiment, it was found that all specimens containing steel fibers exceeded the nominal shear strength suggested by the current structural standards. As the aspect ratio of the steel fibers increased, the steel fibers prevented the buckling of the diagonal reinforcement, and the bridging effect of the steel fibers held the crack surface of the concrete. The shear strength, stiffness reduction and energy dissipation capacity of the specimens containing steel fibers were superior to those of the Vf0 specimens without steel fibers. Therefore, it is judged that the steel fiber reinforced concrete can relieve the details of the transverse reinforced.

• Atmosphere
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.103-118
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• 2022

This study evaluates the simulated meteorological fields with a particular focus on the low-level wind, which plays an important role in air pollutants dispersion, under the varying synoptic environment. Additionally, the effects of subgrid-scale orography parameterization and improved topography/land-use data on the simulated low-level wind is investigated. The WRF model version 4.1.3 is utilized to simulate two cases that were affected by different synoptic environments. One case from 2 to 6 April 2012 presents the substantial low-level wind speed over the Korean peninsula where the synoptic environment is characterized by the baroclinic instability. The other case from 14 to 18 April 2012 presents the relatively weak low-level wind speed and distinct diurnal cycle of low-level meteorological fields. The control simulations of both cases represent the systematic overestimation of the low-level wind speed. The positive bias for the case under the baroclinic instability is considerably alleviated by applying the subgrid-scale orography parameterization. However, the improvement of wind speed for the other case showing relatively weak low-level wind speed is not significant. Applying the high-resolution topography and land-use data also improves the simulated wind speed by reducing the positive bias. Our analysis shows that the increased roughness length in the high-resolution topography and land-use data is the key contributor that reduces the simulated wind speed. The simulated wind direction is also improved with the high-resolution data for both cases. Overall, our study indicates that wind forecasts can be improved through the application of the subgrid-scale orography parameterization and high-resolution topography/land-use data.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.39-46
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• 2021

Objectives : AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key metabolic regulator that reduces lipogenesis. AMPK is mainly activated via phosphorylation of liver kinase B (LKB) 1 under energy stress. Here, we highlighted the anti-obesity effect and underlying mechanism of Coix lacryma-jobi var. mayuen Stapf sprout water extract (CSW) sprout extract in connection with the LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway. Methods : C57BL/6 mice (20~25 g) fed HFD to induce obesity and at the same time administered CSW 100 mg/kg (CSWL; (CSWL; CSW low concentration) or CSW 200 mg/kg (CSWH; CSW high concentration) or Garcinia extract (Garcinia) 200 mg/kg orally for 6 weeks. Body weight and food intake were measured at the same time each day. After 6 weeks of CSW administration, liver tissue and serum were obtained through an autopsy. After the end of the experiment, biochemical analysis (triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol) was performed on the serum. And then, protein levels related to TG and TC synthesis were measured through western blot analysis in liver tissue. Results : As a result, serum TG, TC, and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly increased in the control group and significantly decreased in the CSW administration group. On the other hand, the HDL-cholesterol level was increased in the CSW-administered group. And as a result of Western blot analysis, CSW significantly increased the phosphorylation of LKB1 & AMPK, and remarkably decreased the expression of factors related to TG and TC synthesis. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that CSW influences the TG and TC synthesis to positively affect HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2022

In this study, a heat treatment experiment was conducted to select a new melt composition that can easily control the unintentionally doped nitrogen (N-UID) without degrading the SiC single crystal quality during TSSG process. The experiment was carried out for about 2 hours at a temperature of 1900℃ under Ar atmosphere. The used melt composition is based on either Si-Ti 10 at% or Si-Cr 30 at%, and also Co or Sc transition metals, which are effective for carbon solubility, were added at 3 at%, respectively. After the experiment, the crucible was cross-sectionally cut, and evaluated the Si-C reaction layer on the crucible-melt interface. As a result, with Sc addition, Si-C reaction layers uniformly occurred with a Si-infiltrated layer (~550 ㎛) and a SiC interlayer (~23 ㎛). This result represented that the addition of Sc is an effective transition metal with high carbon solubility and can feed carbon sources into the melt homogeneously. In addition, Sc is well known to have low reactivity energy with nitrogen compared to other transition metals. Therefore, we expect that both growth rate and Nitrogen UID can be controlled by Si-Sc based melt in the TSSG process.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.103-113
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• 2022

In this study, in the Nativity birth chart of Classic Astrology, the study was conducted under the premise that 'If the natives are born with different structures to govern their diseases, diseases may appear differently in the lives of natives.' did. In the birth chart, an individual's innate health was analyzed through the strengths and weaknesses of sign, planets, and aspects. In the case of managing congenital diseases, we studied the aspect relationship between the native's ASC constellation and the fixed star and planet in the Nativity Birth Chart. In the case of controlling acquired diseases, it was judged by examining the constellations, rulers, and planets of the 6^th house that control diseases in the Nativity birth chart. In the case of acquired diseases, natives may be exposed to various accidents and diseases throughout their lives. So, we looked at the relationship between diseases through the energy and weakness of the planet coming through Pirdaria, the aspect relationship with the planet, and fixed star. As a result of the study, a native's health status is given differently depending on the strength and weakness of the innate sign and planet in the Nativity Birth Chart. And it has been proven that the health of the native is determined by the state of the 6^th House, who rules over disease, and the disease and accidents that come from Direction are determined by the relationship between the planet and the aspect coming from Pirdaria.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.558-571
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the dietary intake of Korean adults with atopic dermatitis (AD) to determine whether the risk of developing AD was related to their diet. Methods: Among the participants in the 7th National Health and Nutrition Survey (2016 to 2018), 10,571 adults aged 19-64 were divided into AD (AD group, n = 366) and control groups (non-AD group, n = 10,205) to compare and analyze their nutrient intake status and Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) score. Depending on the prevalence of AD, the nutrient intake, nutrient intake per 1,000 kcal, acceptable macronutrient distribution range, and KHEI score were tested for significance by correcting for age, sex, body mass index, education, marriage, occupation, residence area, physical activity, and energy intake variables that were derived for confounding factors. Results: The acceptable macronutrient distribution range for protein was lower in the AD group than in the non-AD group. Comparing the nutrient intake per 1,000 kcal, the intakes of protein, phosphorus, iron, and potassium of the AD group were significantly lower than those of the non-AD group. In the KHEI, the scores of total vegetables, vegetables excluding kimchi and pickles, meat, fish, eggs, and legumes of the AD group were significantly lower than those of the non-AD group. In addition, as these food intake scores increased, the risk of AD significantly decreased. Conclusion: In conclusion, adult AD patients had low intakes of vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, and legumes, and it was confirmed that high intakes of these foods may be associated with low AD risk. Therefore, we suggest that an adequate intake of vegetables and foods containing protein would be necessary for the management and treatment of AD in adults.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.292-303
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• 2022

An eco-friendly energy conversion device without the emission of pollutants has gained much attention due to the rapid use of fossil fuels inducing carbon dioxide emissions ever since the first industrial revolution in the 18th century. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) that can produce water during the reaction without the emission of carbon dioxide are promising devices for automotive and residential applications. As a key component of PEMFCs, polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) need to have high proton conductivity and physicochemical stability during the operation. Currently, perfluorinated sulfonic acid-based PEMs (PFSA-PEMs) have been commercialized and utilized in PEMFC systems. Although the PFSA-PEMs are found to meet these criteria, there is an ongoing need to improve these further, to be useful in practical PEMFC operation. In addition, the well-known drawbacks of PFSA-PEMs including low glass transition temperature and high gas crossover need to be improved. Therefore, this review focused on recent trends in the development of high-performance PFSA-PEMs in three different ways. First, control of the side chain of PFSA copolymers can effectively improve the proton conductivity and thermal stability by increasing the ion exchange capacity and polymer crystallinity. Second, the development of composite-type PFSA-PEMs is an effective way to improve proton conductivity and physical stability by incorporating organic/inorganic additives. Finally, the incorporation of porous substrates is also a promising way to develop a thin pore-filling membrane showing low membrane resistance and outstanding durability.