• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.222-230
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• 2018

This study aimed to determine effects of light-emitting diodes on plant growth, leaf morphology and cell elongation of two cultivars ('World-star' and 'Sushiro') of Spinacia oleracea. Plants were grown in a NFT system for 25 days after transplanting (DAT) under the LEDs [White (W), Red and Blue (RB, ratio 2:1), Blue (B), Red (R) LED] under the same light intensity and photoperiod ($130{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, 12 hours). The 'World-star' variety was significantly higher in shoot fresh and dry weights, leaf number, and leaf area than the 'Sushiro' variety. For the 'World-star' variety, the two treatments of mixed light (RB) and red light (R) showed a 35% higher shoot dry weight than that of blue light (B) and white light (W) at 25 DAT. In the 'Sushiro' variety, mixed light (RB) treatment, which had the highest shoot fresh and dry weights, showed 40% higher than the white light (W) treatment, which had the lowest shoot fresh and dry weights. Both varieties showed leaf epinasty symptom at 21 DAT only in both mixed light (RB) and red light (R), and red light (R) treatment showed significantly higher symptom than mixed light (RB), indicating the leaf epinasty is associated with red light. Microscopic observations of the cell size in the leaf center and edge parts showed that the cell density of leaf edge under the red light (R) was lower than that in leaf center, supporting previous reports that suggest an association of the cell size difference between the leaf center and edge with the leaf epinasty occurrence. Since the blue light (B) plays a role in alleviating the epinasty symptom caused by the red light (R), it seems necessary to identify the appropriate mixing ratio of the two light sources. In addition, the World-star variety seems to be more suitable for the cultivation of plant factory using LED light sources.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.400-406
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• 2018

In this experiment the effect of supplemental lighting on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. 'Fresh') plants during low radiation period of winter season were investigated in glasshouses using common high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps and newly developed plasma lighting system (PLS) lamps. Plants grown without supplemental lighting were considered as a control. Supplemental lighting was provided from November 20th, 2015 to March 15th, 2016 to ensure 14-hour photoperiod (natural+supplemental light), also lamps were operated automatically when the outside sun radiation levels were less than $100W{\cdot}m^{-2}$. Spectral analysis showed that HPS lamp had a discrete spectrum, lacked of the radiation in the 400-550 nm wave band (blue-green light), but had a high output in the orange-red region (550-650 nm). A higher red light output resulted in an increased red to far-red (R/FR) ratio in HPS lamp. PLS had a continuous spectrum and had a peak radiation in green region (490-550 nm). HPS has 12.6% lower output in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) but 12.6% higher output in near infra-red (NIR) spectral regions compared to PLS. Both HPS and PLS lamps emitted very low levels of ultra-violet radiation (300-400 nm). Supplemental lighting both from HPS and PLS lamps increased plant height, leaf number, internode number and dry weight of cucumber plants compared to control. Photosynthetic activity of cucumber plants grown under two supplemental lighting systems was comparable. Number of fruits per cucumber plant (fruit weight per plant) in control, PLS, and HPS plots were 21.2 (2.9 kg), 38.7 (5.5 kg), and 40.4 (5.6 kg), respectively, thereby increasing yield by 1.8-1.9 times in comparison with control. An analysis of the economic feasibility of supplemental lighting in cucumber cultivation showed that considering lamp installation and electricity costs the income from supplemental lighting increased by 37% and 62% for PLS and HPS lamps, respectively.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.302-311
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• 2018

Using cylindrical paper pot nursery method, three kinds of commercial tomatoes 'Dafnis', 'DOTAERANG DIA' and 'Maescala' were grafted onto a commercial rootstock 'B blocking'. From 10 to 40 days after graft-take, growth traits of seedlings were investigated by 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0S treatments of standard nutrient solution(S) for seedling growth, and top to root ratio(TRR), compactness(CP) and Dickson Quality Index(DQI) were calculated. Two weeks after transplanting of the seedlings under three different night temperature targeting to 10, 15, and $25^{\circ}C$, which were not precisely controlled, the relative growth rate (RGR) was investigated. The quantitative growth traits of grafted seedlings increased with increasing fertilizer concentration, and various range of seedling size could be produced. Compactness and DQI were significantly regressed (Adj $R^2=0.9480$). Short-term RGR after transplanting was higher at 1.0S treatment of standard nutrient solution at the seedling age of 30 days and 40 days after graft-take(DAGT). DQI and RGR were significantly regressed linearly at respective fertigation strength. Specially the diminishing slope of RGR was lower at 1.0S fertigation strength with the increase of DQI than others. The results indicate that DQI could be applied as a quality index of grafted tomato seedlings and the relation analysis between DQI and short-term RGR also could be used to determine the good quality seedlings of grafted tomato grown in cylindrical paper pot.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.130-140
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• 2020

This study was conducted in order to closely examine about optimum shading for superior seedling production a container seedling of Tetradium daniellii, which is being increased the demand for a seedling due to being used for alternative energy, ecological restoration and honey plant. The experiment of investigating the optimum shading on T. daniellii was carried out by using plastic container types (350 ml/cavity) for the forestry facility cultivation. The shading level was treated with full sunlight and with 35%, 55%, 75% of the full sunlight. As a result of having surveyed height and root collar diameter growth of a containerized seedling in T. daniellii, a case of the shading experiment showed a noticeably high value was indicated in the full sunlight. It was surveyed that the stronger shading level leads to the lower growth value. Root development was most active in full sunlight. Dry matter production, it was investigated to be the highest in full sunlight. It was surveyed to be the similar tendency to the outcome of height and root collar diameter growth. QI, which is index of showing the quality of a seedling, stood at 0.98 in full sunlight, thereby having been investigated to be the highest. As for the chlorophyll content in a seedling, the highest chlorophyll content was indicated in the 75% shading treatment with the relatively highest shading level. The photosynthetic rate and the water use efficiency were surveyed to be the highest in full sunlight with 8.48 μmolCO₂·m^-2s^-1, 1.40 μmolCO₂·mmolm^-1H₂O, respectively. As a result of surveying the whole experiment, optimum shading level for superior seedling production a container seedling of T. daniellii is determined in full sunlight (0%). It is expected that this will be used as a basic data for mass production.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.141-152
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• 2020

The rapid on-site measurement of hydroponic nutrients allows for the more efficient use of crop fertilizers. This paper reports on the development of an embedded on-site system consisting of multiple ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) for the real-time measurement of the concentrations of macronutrients in hydroponic solutions. The system included a combination of PVC ISEs for the detection of NO₃, K, and Ca ions, a cobalt-electrode for the detection of H₂PO₄, a double-junction reference electrode, a solution container, and a sampling system consisting of pumps and valves. An Arduino Due board was used to collect data and to control the volume of the sample. Prior to the measurement of each sample, a two-point normalization method was employed to adjust the sensitivity followed by an offset to minimize potential drift that might occur during continuous measurement. The predictive capabilities of the NO₃ and K ISEs based on PVC membranes were satisfactory, producing results that were in close agreement with the results of standard analyzers (R² = 0.99). Though the Ca ISE fabricated with Ca ionophore II underestimated the Ca concentration by an average of 55%, the strong linear relationship (R² > 0.84) makes it possible for the embedded system to be used in hydroponic NO₃, K, and Ca sensing. The cobalt-rod-based phosphate electrodes exhibited a relatively high error of 24.7±9.26% in the phosphate concentration range of 45 to 155 mg/L compared to standard methods due to inconsistent signal readings between replicates, illustrating the need for further research on the signal conditioning of cobalt electrodes to improve their predictive ability in hydroponic P sensing.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 2020

This study investigates the improvement in the performance of a temperature and humidity measuring system developed by Company A using the Aspirated Radiation Shield (ARS). The shield has been used in the industry and its accuracy was verified recently. The study also experimentally examines the impact of the wind speed of the ARS device on temperature and humidity. The results are summarized as follows. Before the improvement of the system, the temperature of Company A's system was up to 10.2℃ higher than that measured by the ARS device, and the measured relative humidity was approximately 20.0% lower. After improving the system, the temperature and relative humidity of nodes 1 and 2 were found to be almost identical. The temperature deviations including the maximum, mean, and minimum temperatures between those measured in node 2 and by ARS were approximately 0.2 to 0.7℃, respectively; further, the values measured by ARS tended to be slightly lower or higher. In terms of relative humidity, the ARS measurements yielded values approximately 10.0% higher immediately after sunset; otherwise, the values were approximately 1.9% lower. Moreover, when node 1 was set to minimum-middle, middle-maximum, and maximum, the deviations including the maximum, mean, and minimum temperatures of nodes 1 and 2 were 0.1 to 0.4℃, 0.0 to 0.2℃, and 0.0 to 0.5℃, respectively. The deviations including the maximum, average, and minimum temperatures of the three points of node 1 and the ARS ranged from 0.2 to 0.5℃, 0.1 to 2.2℃, and 0.1 to 1.1℃, respectively, indicating that the temperature deviation according to the wind speed was negligible. In addition, considering the results of the previous study with those from this study, the optimal wind speed to improve the temperature deviation is considered to be in the range of 1.0~2.0 m·s^-1.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 1999

To evaluate the usefulness of transforming growth factor-$\beta$1 (TGF-$\beta$1) as a new tumor marker, we determined the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels using sandwich ELISA assay in cancer patients. Patients with three most common adult cancers in Korea (stomach, liver and breast cancer) and children's cancers (leukemia and two kinds of solid tumor) were enrolled for the study. Furthermore, 39 individuals were subjected to age and sex-stratified plasma TGF-$\beta$1 analysis. No statistical difference was demonstrated with respect to age or sex. The mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 level (16.0 ng/ ml) of stomach cancer patients was significantly higher than that (8.3 ng/ml) of controls. However, there was no difference among the mean plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of liver, breast cancer patients and controls. Seven of 16 patients (43.7%) with stomach cancer, one of 8 (12.5%) with liver cancer, and one of 7 (14.3%) with breast cancer showed higher TGF-$\beta$1 levels compared to controls. Plasma TGF-$\beta$1 concentrations of five leukemic children remained in the normal range regardless of the remission state. In contrast, initial high TGF-$\beta$1 levels from two children with solid tumors returned to normal range on surgical resection of tumors. From the above results, we could conclude that plasma TGF-$\beta$1 levels of apparently healthy individuals seem to be rather constant irrespective of difference in age or sex, and the plasma TGF-$\beta$1 has the limited value as a screening test for the diagnosis of aforementioned adult cancers because of its low sensitivity. Finally, additional studies need to be pursed for the large number of stomach cancer and pediatric solid tumor patients in order to reach a secure conclusion on the usefulness of plasma TGF-$\beta$1 as a tumor marker in these patients.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.289-298
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• 2006

Objectives : Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental spectrum disorder with a strong genetic component. Previous neurochemical and genetic studies suggested the possible involvement of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptor in autism. The aim of study was to investigate the association between the NMDA2B receptor gene(GRIN2B) and autism spectrum disorders(ASD) in the Korean population. Methods : The patients with ASD were diagnosed with Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule based on DSM-IV diagnostic classification. The present study was conducted with the detection of four single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in GRIK2 and family-based association analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in Korean ASD trios using transmission disequilibrium test (TDT). Results : One hundred twenty six patients with ASD and their biological parents were analyzed. 86.5% were male and 85.1% were diagnosed as autistic disorder. The mean age was $71.9{\pm}31.6$ months(range : 26-185 months). We found that rs1805247 showed significantly preferential transmission(TDT ${\chi}^2$=12.8, p<0.001) in ASD. Conclusion : One SNP in GRIN2B gene was significantly associated with ASD in the Korean population. This result suggests the possible involvement of glutamate NMDA receptor gene in the development of ASD.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.165-177
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficiency of senior welfare centers and the cause of differences among senior welfare centers in that regard, and to investigate influential factors for the differences in efficiency and the size of the influence of the factors. What methods would be effective at assessing the efficiency of senior welfare centers by taking into account their circumstances was reviewed, andpost-hoc analyses were made by using data envelopment analysis(DEA) and DAE/AP Modified prosthetic which were useful tools to evaluate relative efficiency. After 20 senior welfare centers located in Gyeonggi-do were selected, their yearly operating data of 2009 were utilized. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficiency of senior welfare centers. The evaluation data released by the Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation were analyzed by DEA, which is one of nonparametric statistics, and it was possible to obtain significant results on the regional operating efficiency of social welfare centers in 14 metropolitan cities and provinces, the causes and degree of their inefficiency and what areas one could refer to. As the data for the counties were utilized in this study, it's not quite possible to produce accurate results on the relative efficiency of senior welfare centers, but this study could be said to be of significance in that it suggested how to evaluate the overall operating efficiency of senior welfare centers in the counties involving the degree of their operating inefficiency, what improvements should be made and what reference groups there might be and provided information on the usefulness of the DEA model.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-28
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• 2008

In this research, an empirical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between management performance and Empirical Research on the R&D investment for domestic venture businesses in each industry. Specifically, an empirical analysis for each industry was attempted not only to clarify the general hypothesis on the relationship between management performance and R&D investment for venture businesses but also to demonstrate that differences exist for each industry. Empirical analysis was conducted for eight industries with respect to the $2002{\sim}2006$ panel data extracted as investigative results from the "Investigation Report on Science and Technology R&D Activities" published by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Industrial classification was limited to the middle-level classification (2-digit) in the Korea Standard Industry Code (KSIC) owing to the limited number of panels. Although this research only verified the overall positive effect of R&D activities and funds for existing research on corporate value or productivity and management performance, it was able to document the difference for each individual industry and each business size unlike existing research. Furthermore, the reliability of the research results was enhanced by targeting companies that have been continuously conducting R&D and management activities using consistent 5-year panel data in the analysis. Again, this was something that existing research did not have. Finally, through the use of recent data from 2002 after the IMF economic crisis up to 2006 in the empirical analysis, this research proposed the problems due to the prevailing circumstances at the time of entering the advanced nation stage based on an empirical analysis; the prevailing problems during the pursuit of advanced nation status before the IMF crisis broke out were not tackled. The key empirical analysis yielded several results. First, capital and size of the labor force have a positive correlation with the management performance for the entire company or the venture business. This applies to all eight industries as the subjects of the analysis. Second, although the number of years since a company has been established can have positive or negative correlation with management performance for the entire company or venture business in specific industries, a definite overall trend cannot be identified. Third, R&D investment can be said to have an overall positive effect on corporate management performance. Fourth, the size of the research staff cannot be said to be a factor unilaterally affecting the management performance of the entire company or the venture business. Fifth, the number of years a research institute has been in operation, which was assumed to have a positive effect on the management performance of a company because of the accumulated R&D know-how -- definitely acts as a positive factor contributing to the management performance of a company.