• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.785-791
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the biological antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtuse) extracts by measuring DPPH radical scavenging and ABTS radical scavenging, and SOD-like activities. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were increased in a dose-dependent manner, with maximum activities of 78% and 62% at an extract concentration of $50{\mu}l/ml$. The C. obtusa extracts also showed high SOD-like activity, with a maximum activity of 92.85% at a concentration of $50{\mu}l/ml$. The antibacterial activities of C. obtusa extracts were measured against six types of bacteria known to cause food poisoning and disease. Antibacterial activity was investigated against three gram-positive and three gram-negative bacteria using the paper disc agar diffusion method. The C. obtusa extracts showed antibacterial activities against B. cereus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, S. typhi and V. parahaemolyticus, among which the activity against B. cereus was greatest. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of C. obtusa extracts were $30-40{\mu}l/ml$ for the 6 strains that showed an antimicrobial response by the paper disc agar diffusion method. These results suggest that C. obtusa extracts could serve as potential antibacterial agents to inhibit the growth of pathogens responsible for food poisoning and disease.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.201-209
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether parents with developmental disabilities are well represented by the persons with developmental disabilities. Analysis data is based on the data from the Survey on Disability Survey in 2014. We analyzed the consistency and biases of the parent's proxy respondents' opinions by the degree of agreement between the contents of the person with developmental disabilities and the value of items that the parents answered on behalf of the development disabled. First, the parents' proxy respondents responded well to the actual situation such as life satisfaction for the developmental disabled, while the parental proxy respondents showed the positive bias to overestimate the cost items and the negative bias to recognize the discrimination. Second, in relation to independent living, the majority of the parents of the developmental disabled respondents had a high agreement with the developmental disabled person. However, about 5 ~ 10% of the parents' proxy respondents seem to have a tendency to distort the independent living policy by preferring non-standard housing types, unlike those with developmental disabilities. Based on this, it was proposed that the respondents should be able to receive the answers of the possible parties in the future research on desire and independent living related intention toward the developmental disabled, and the research on the matching of the proxy response is needed in a multidimensional manner.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.38-49
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• 2021

Airway mucus secretion is an essential innate immune response for host protection. However, overproduction and hypersecretion of mucus, mainly composed of the gel-forming MUC5AC protein, are significant risk factors for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway negatively regulates MUC5AC expression; however, the underlying molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we showed that TGFβ significantly reduces the expression of MUC5AC mRNA and its protein in NCI-H292 cells, a human mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line. This reduced MUC5AC expression was restored by a TGFβ receptor inhibitor (SB431542), but not by the inhibition of NF-κB (BAY11-7082 or Triptolide) or PI3K (LY294002) activities. TGFβ-activated Smad3 dose-dependently bound to MUC5AC promoter. Notably, TGFβ-activated Smad3 recruited HDAC2 and facilitated nuclear translocation of HDAC2, thereby inducing the deacetylation of NF-κB at K310, which is essential for a reduction in NF-κB transcriptional activity. Both TGFβ-induced nuclear translocation of Smad3/HDAC2 and deacetylation of NF-κB at K310 were suppressed by a Smad3 inhibitor (SIS3). These results suggest that the TGFβ-activated Smad3/HDAC2 complex is an essential negative regulator for MUC5AC expression and an epigenetic regulator for NF-κB acetylation. Therefore, these results collectively suggest that modulation of the TGFβ1/Smad3/HDAC2/NF-κB pathway axis can be a promising way to improve lung function as a treatment strategy for asthma and COPD.

• Journal of Legislation Research
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• no.55
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• pp.193-237
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• 2018

The recent surge in the ISD lawsuit filed against the Korean government is likely to cause major domestic confusion. This is because in most cases, foreign investors have claimed billions of won in damages filed against Korea in the ISD lawsuit. Public opinion will be generated to abolish the ISD lawsuit system, which is included in the international investment agreement, when a decision comes out in the Elliott/Mason case or Lone Star case, which has already been completed by the hearing. It is clear that the ISD clause, which is commonly included in most of the BITs, FTAs, can be a limiting factor in the government's public policy, as shown by many investment disputes. However, it is not necessary to have a negative view of the ISD clause itself, given that it is a system that can protect Korean investors from illegal and inappropriate actions by local governments. Since Korea already allows the system of ISD lawsuits with many countries through FTAs and BITs, and negotiations are underway to sign FTAs with new countries, the possibility that foreign investors will refer to the ISD proceeding further to our government's public policy will increase. In order to prepare for an ISD lawsuit, the Korean government has launched a response team consisting of government practitioners, private scholars, and legal professionals in the central government ministries to review major legal issues that are controversial in the cases of the ISD. In particular, local governments and public institutions, which fail to recognize the importance of international investment regulations and ISD clause, need to share and train relevant information so that all processes for public policy planning and implementation comply with international investment rules such as BITs and FTAs.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.77-93
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• 2021

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the lifestyle changes in patients with COVID-19 and their effects on health and the quality of life. Methods : A mixed study method was used for 15 confirmed cases admitted to residential treatment centers in September 2020. The YLP was used to evaluate the lifestyle patterns, and the Korean version of WHOQOL-BREF, MSBS-8, ISI-K, and PHQ-9 were used to analyze health and quality of life before and after COVID-19. The results obtained through in-depth interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi's thematic analysis. Results : YLP (p<.01), WHOQOL-BREF (p<.01), MSBS-8 (p<.01), and ISI-K (p=.05) showed statistically significant differences between the assessment outcomes before and after COVID-19. In addition, 179 meaningful statements, 14 sub-themes, 11 themes, and 3 categories were elicited. The final 3 categories are the emotions of the confirmed cases, the experiences in residential treatment centers and the needs from the perspective of the confirmed cases. Conclusion : There are negative effects on lifestyle, health, and quality of life on confirmed cases. In response, the confirmed cases requested several activities and counseling. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a program to improve the lifestyle, quality of life, and health of asymptomatic cases and cases with mild symptoms.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.15-26
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• 2020

Objective : Due to the rapid aging of the country, the elderly population is increasing and the ratio of face-to-face meetings with the elderly in major areas of occupational therapy is high. The purpose of this study was to investigate the overall perception of the elderly and the status of communication with the elderly. Methods : This survey was conducted From April to June 2020. Occupational therapists who provide interventions for the elderly in hospitals and public health centers across the country were collected using online questionnaires. A total of 91 questionnaires were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, of which 82 were used for data analysis, excluding 9 with insufficient responses. Results : Occupational therapists generally had a lot of negative perceptions of the elderly. In addition, as factors that hindered communication with the elderly, they responded in order of hearing-related, language understanding related, and articulation related. Lastly, occupational therapists were found to induce smooth communication with the elderly in the order of conversation response management, emotional expression, understanding enhancement, and relationship control. Conclusions : Occupational therapists are health care professionals who play a major role in improving the subjects' social participation and quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to provide professional therapeutic interventions and related education using improved communication skills along with an understanding of the elderly's communication skills and their level of communication.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.535-543
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• 2020

In addition to the ubiquitous roles of cellular RNA in genetic regulations, gene expression and phenotypic variations in response to environmental cues and chemotactic signals, the regulatory roles of a new type of RNA called extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) are an up-and-coming area of research interest. exRNA is transported outside the cell through membrane blebs known as membrane vesicles or extracellular vesicles (EVs). EV formation is predominant and conserved among all microbial forms, including prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and archaea. This review will focus on the three major topics concerning bacterially derived exRNAs, i.e., 1) the discovery of exRNA and influence of extraneous RNA over bacterial gene regulations, 2) the known secretion mechanism for the release of exRNA, and 3) the possible applications that can be devised with these exRNA secreted by different gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Further, this review will also provide an opinion on exRNA- and EV-derived applications such as the species-specific exRNA markers for diagnostics and the possible roles of exRNA in probiotics and the epigenetic regulations of the gut microbiome.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2022

In order to identify the factors and problems in which military sexual violence is a continuous and repeated blind spot, this study conducted a content analysis focusing on articles of military sexual violence incidents covered in Internet news from January 2010 to June 15, 2021. carried out. As a result of the study, structurally unequal power relations, authoritarian and closed military organizational culture, internal military response system that is distrustful of passive responses to sexual violence, and enveloping family-friendly investigations and tolerant punishment of perpetrators are blind spots despite the Ministry of National Defense's efforts to improve. factors that exist. Underlying this, the compensatory spirit caused by the conscription system and the negative effects of the patriarchal system are embodied in the national sentiment, suggesting that the sense of crisis of division and an overly permissive attitude toward the military act as a factor that slows change. As an improvement plan according to the results, it is necessary to entail the establishment of a civilian-centered judicial institution, strong punishment of perpetrators, and limited pension payment, as well as honorable punishment such as 'class demotion' in the military culture with a clear hierarchical relationship. Taken together, we can see that most military sexual violence is caused by a hierarchy, and it strongly suggests that the main cause of sexual violence is unequal power relations.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.644-658
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• 2021

Understanding the functional traits of dominant species in urban ecosystems provides insight into species' trait adaptation and ecosystem function in response to fragmented and isolated urban vegetation and reduced biological interactions. This study compared means and variances of environmental factors (geographic, meteorological, and soil attributes) and 4 leaf traits (leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry mass content, and leaf shape index) and 7 reproductive traits (fruit width, fruit length, fruit shape, fruit dry weight, fruit dry matter content, seed weight, and seed ratio) measured of 40 Sorbus alnifolia individuals in four mountainous areas south of Seoul downtown, South Korea. We then performed the multivariate analysis of trait combinations. While the measured environmental factors indicated the individuality of the survey sites, the urban vegetation was drier and had a longer growth period. The leaves of S. alnifolia in the urban areas were smaller and heavier, and the fruits produced longer and lighter seeds, showing the traits affected by long urbanization. The study confirmed changes in the growth and reproduction mechanism of the S. alnifolia population under the urban environment, indicating reduced biological interaction due to vegetation fragmentation and isolation. This study provides limited but distinct ecological information about the function and persistence of key species in cities with a reduced scale of biological interactions and many negative environmental factors such as air pollution.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2022

Roots play important roles in water and nutrient uptake and in response to various environmental stresses. Investigating diversification of cultivars through root phenotyping is important for crop improvement in adzuki beans. Therefore, we analyzed the morphological and architectural root traits of 22 adzuki bean cultivars using 2-dimensional (2D) root imaging. Plants were grown in plastic tubes [6 cm (diameter) × 40 cm (height)] in a greenhouse from July 25^th to August 28^th. When the plants reached the 2^nd or 3^rd trifoliate leaf stage, the roots were removed and washed with tap water to remove soil particles. Clean root samples were scanned, and the scanned images were analyzed using the WinRHIZO Pro software. The cultivars were analyzed based on six root phenotypes [total root length (TRL), surface area (SA), average diameter (AD), and number of tips (NT) were included as root morphological traits (RMT); and link average length (LAL) and link average diameter (LAD) were included as root architectural traits (RAT)]. According to the analysis of variance (ANOVA), a significant difference was observed between the cultivars for all root morphological traits. Distribution analysis demonstrated that all root traits except LAL followed a normally distributed curve. In the correlation test, the most important morphological trait, TRL, showed a strong positive correlation with SA (r = 0.97^***) and NT (r = 0.94^***). In comparison, between RMT and RAT, TRL showed a significantly negative correlation with LAL (r = -0.50^***); however, TRL did not show a correlation with LAD. Based on RMT and RAT, we identified the cultivars that ranked 5% from the top and bottom. In particular, the cultivar "IT 236657" showed the highest TRL, SA, and NT, while the cultivar "IT 236169" showed the lowest values for TRL, SA, and NT. In addition, the coefficient of variance for the six tested root traits ranged from (14.26-40%) which suggested statistical variability in root phenotypes among the 22 adzuki bean varieties. Thus, this study will help to select target root traits for the adzuki bean breeding program in the future, generating climate-resilient adzuki beans, especially for drought stress, and may be useful for developing biotic and abiotic stress-tolerant cultivars based on better root trait attributes.