• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.612-624
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• 2023

The gut-brain axis encompasses a bidirectional communication pathway between the gastrointestinal microbiota and the central nervous system. There is some evidence to suggest that probiotics may have a positive effect on cognitive function, but more research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn. Inflammation-induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may affect cognitive function. To confirm the effect of probiotics on oxidative stress induced by LPS, the relative expression of antioxidant factors was confirmed, and it was revealed that the administration of probiotics had a positive effect on the expression of antioxidant-related factors. After oral administration of probiotics to mice, an intentional inflammatory response was induced through LPS i.p., and the effect on cognition was confirmed by the Morris water maze test, nitric oxide (NO) assay, and interleukin (IL)-1β enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed. Experimental results, levels of NO and IL-1β in the blood of LPS i.p. mice were significantly decreased, and cognitive evaluation using the Morris water maze test showed significant values in the latency and target quadrant percentages in the group that received probiotics. This proves that intake of these probiotics improves cognitive impairment and memory loss through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.593-603
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• 2023

Background: Korean Red Ginseng is a major source of bioactive substances such as ginsenosides. Efficacy of red ginseng extract (RGE), which contains not only saponins but also various non-saponins, has long been studied. In the water-soluble component-rich fraction of RGE (WS), a byproduct generated in the process of extracting saponins from the RGE, we identified previously unidentified molecules and confirmed their efficacy. Methods: The RGE was prepared and used to produce WS, whose components were isolated sequentially according to their water affinity. The new compounds from WS were fractionized and structurally analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Physiological applicability was evaluated by verifying the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacies of these compounds in vitro. Results: High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed that the obtained WS comprised 11 phenolic acid and flavonoid substances. Among four major compounds from fractions 1-4 (F1-4) of WS, two compounds from F3 and F4 were newly identified in red ginseng. The analysis results show that these compound molecules are member of the maltol-structure-based glucopyranose series, and F1 and F4 are particularly effective for decreasing oxidative stress levels and inhibiting nitric oxide secretion, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a few newly identified maltol derivatives, such as red ginseng-derived non-saponin in the WS, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, making them viable candidates for application to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food materials.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.6C
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• pp.287-294
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• 2009

Suction Drain Method is a relatively new technique to improve soft ground using vacuum pressure which can be directly applied to the soft ground through drains that the pore water pressure around them are decreased without changing total stress. This can accelerate volume changes and increase strength of the ground. This paper shows the results of field test of the suction drain method applied at dredged and reclaimed clay. To evaluate the improvement effects of soft ground by the suction drain method, this paper analyzed real-time field measurements to the results of the laboratory tests and numerical analysis. The comparisons of the settlement and shear strength between suction drain method and surcharge preloading method show possibilities for replacement of the preloading methods. The settlements by suction drain method were 2.3 times larger and undrained shear strength were 300%~400% higher than surcharge method. Moreover, the water content is decreased about 30% and the preconsolidation pressure is increased about $0.52kgf/cm^2$.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.415-415
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• 2022

IPCC 제5차 보고서('14) 및 세계위험보고서('15) 등에서 기후변화에 대한 과학적 근거를 제시하였으며, 상위 위험요소로 '수자원 위기'를 꼽았다. 전 세계적으로 기후변화로 인한 이상 기상현상이 발생하고 있으며, 국내에서도 최근 기후변화에 따른 수문사상의 변화로 극한홍수 및 극한가뭄 등으로 인한 피해가 지속적으로 발생하고 있다. 물 관리에서 기후변화는 가장 큰 리스크 요인이므로 물관리 계획 수립 과정에서 기후변화 영향을 고려한 대책을 수립할 필요가 있다. 기후변화에 대한 댐 취약성 평가 관련 연구가 이루어지고 있으나, 미래 기후변화의 불확실성을 충분히 고려했다고 보기 어렵기 때문에 현업에서 의사결정 도구로 활용하기에는 한계가 있다고 볼 수 있다. 이에 따라 과거 수문자료 및 특정 기후모델에 의존하지 않고 댐 인프라의 취약성을 평가할 수 있는 새로운 방법론이 필요하다고 판단된다. 따라서 본 연구를 통해 기후변화의 불확실성에 대비한 댐 취약성 평가 방법론을 정립하고자 한다. 본 연구에서는 기존에 진행된 IPCC 기후변화 시나리오에 따른 댐 취약성 평가 연구사례 및 한반도의 기후변화 영향 및 수문변화를 조사하였다. 그리고 기후 스트레스 시나리오 기반 취약성 평가 체계 및 방법론을 정립한 뒤, 월 강우량을 4분위로 나누어 각 분위별 강우량과 기온을 변경하여 기후 스트레스 시나리오를 생성하였다. 생성된 기후 스트레스 시나리오와 IPCC 기후변화 시나리오 기반 취약성 평가를 유출 및 저수지 모형을 결합하여 충주댐, 용담댐, 합천댐, 섬진강댐에 실시하였다. 그 결과 기후 스트레스에 따른 유출 취약성 평가는 20분위 수 갈수량을 이용해 연중 보장확률을 나타내는 것이 효율적이며, 온도의 영향보다는 강우의 변동이 댐 이수안전도 취약성 평가에 더 큰 영향을 주는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.388-396
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• 2023

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a vital source of clean and sustainable hydrogen energy. Moreover, the large-scale H₂ production is currently necessary, while long-term stability and high PEC activity still remain important issues. In this study, a GaN-based photoelectrode was modified by an additional NH₃ treatment (900℃ for 10 min) and its PEC behavior was monitored. The bare GaN exhibited a highly crystalline wurtzite structure with the (002) plane and the optical bandgap was approximately 3.2 eV. In comparison, the NH₃-treated GaN film exhibited slightly reduced crystallinity and a small improvement in light absorption, resulting from the lattice stress or cracks induced by the excessive N supply. The minor surface nanotexturing created more surface area, providing electroactive reacting sites. From the surface XPS analysis, the formation of an N-Ga-O phase on the surface region of the GaN film was confirmed, which suppressed the charge recombination process and the positive shift of E_FB. Therefore, these effects boosted the PEC activity of the NH₃-treated GaN film, with J values of approximately 0.35 and 0.78 mA·cm^-2 at 0.0 and 1.23 V_RHE, respectively, and an onset potential (V_on) of -0.24 V_RHE. In addition, there was an approximate 50% improvement in the J value within the highly applied potential region with a positive shift of V_on. This result could be explained by the increased nanotexturing on the surface structure, the newly formed defect/trap states correlated to the positive V_on shift, and the formation of a GaO_xN_1-x phase, which partially blocked the charge recombination reaction.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.35-42
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• 2023

This paper described the strength variation characteristics to evaluate the applicability of a reactive material that can absorb organic pollutants as an underground barrier. The Strength was evaluated by unconfined compression test. The test results showed that the strength of the reactive material according to the absorption of each pollutant was in the order of water > TCE > TPH. However, the strength of the reactive material absorbing TPH was greater than that of the case absorbing TCE, when the composition ratio of polynorbornene was 12% or less. The strength of the reaction material in contact with water continued to decrease as the polynorbornene composition ratio decreased. The strength of the reaction material in contact with TCE and TPH increased as the polynorbornene composition ratio decreased from 30% to 21%, and then decreased. In other words, the optimal composition ratio of the reactive material should be applied considering the strength due to contact with pollutants according to the stress conditions occurring in the ground.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.29-42
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• 2024

The 2017 Pohang earthquake caused damage to quay structures due to liquefaction. Liquefaction occurs when effective stress is lost due to an increase in excess pore water pressure during an earthquake. As a result, the damage caused to the pier-type quay wall was identified and the damage caused by liquefaction was analyzed. In addition, in the case of improved ground, damage occurred due to liquefaction of the lower sand layer due to the difference in stiffness from the soft rock layer, so additional numerical analysis was performed assuming non-liquefaction ground. There are several factors that affect the increase in excess pore water pressure ratio, such as the relative density of the ground and the magnitude of the input seismic acceleration. Therefore, this study performed numerical analysis for Cases 1 to 3 by increasing the magnitude of the input acceleration, and in the case of improved ground, damage occurred due to liquefaction of the lower sand layer, so the analysis was performed assuming non-liquefaction ground. As a result, the improved ground requires additional reinforcement when there is liquefied ground below, and the horizontal displacement of the pier-type quay piles was reduced by about two times.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.307-317
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• 2024

To get a better understanding of the effect of drying-wetting cycles (DWC) on the mechanical behaviors of silty clay hiving different initial moisture content (IMC), the direct shear tests were performed on sliding band soil taken from a reservoirinduced landslide at the Three Gorges Reservoir area. The results indicated that, as the increasing number of DWC, the shear stress-displacement curves type changed from strain-hardening to strain-softening, and both the soil peak strengths and strength parameters reduced first and then nearly remain unchanged after a certain number of DWC. The effects of DWC on the cohesion were predominated that on the internal friction angle. The IMC of 17% is regarding as the critical moisture content, and the evolution laws of both peak shear strength and strength parameters presented a reversed 'U' type with the rising of the IMC. Based on it, a strength deterioration evolution model incorporating the influence of IMC and DWC was developed to describe the total degradation degree and degradation rate of strength parameters, and the degradation of strength parameters caused by DWC could be counterbalanced to some extent as the soil IMC close to critical moisture content. The microscopic mechanism for the soil strength caused by the IMC and DWC were discussed separately. The research results are of great significance for further understanding the water-weakening mechanicals of the silty clay subjected to the water absorption/desorption.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 1978

The diurnal pattern of leaf water potential in cuttings by Dye Method was as follows: 1. Diurnal pattern of leaf water potential (${\psi}_l$) in Viburnum Awabuki K. Koch and Daphne odora Thunb. was shown the pattern of the curves without mutual relation with soil classes when soil water potential (${\psi}_s$) was 0 bar. When ${\psi}_s$ was above -0.01 bar, the cuttings in the loamy sand (L.S.) was shown by the maximum values than that in sandy clay (S.C.) by about -1 bar gap (Fig. 1). 2. The diurnal changes of ${\psi}_l$ was shown the most high from two to eight O'clock in the morning, the maximum value was -3 bars when ${\psi}_s$ was above -0.01 to -0.02 bar, and was -4 bars below -0.03 bar. The diurnal the lowest values of ${\psi}_l$ showed -20 to -22 bars from one to two O'clock in the afternoon. In the fifteenth day after cutting V.A., the staying time in the diurnal maximum values of ${\psi}_l$ is about half in comparison with it in the fifth day. The curves of recovery of water stress (Fig. 1), the former reached to the diurnal maximum values -1 to -2 bars lately every hours comparing with it of the latter. The general diurnal pattern of ${\psi}_l$ was most clearly related to change with air temperature and the relative humitidy. 3. Comparing the treatment block by IAA 50 ppm with controlled block in fifteenth day after V.A. cuttings, in case of treatment reached to maximum values -2 to -3 bars lately as shown Fig. 2., and also staying times was only half in comparison with controlled block. 4. The cuttings 4 leafs was much rootings than 2 leafs in V.A. (Table. 1), and the former reached maximum value -2 to -3 bars lately every hours comparing with the latter. 5. In case of Buxus microphylla var. Koreana as shown Fig. 3., comparing the pattern curves of in the cuttings 8 leafs with 4 leafs, the former reached to maximum values -2 to -3 bars lately in comparison with the latter, but reffering to the amount of rooting (Table. 2), the former is less than the latter.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.387-394
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• 1994

Effects of environmental factors of light, temperature, nitrogen sources and water stress were analyzed quantitatively on the nodule formation and nitrogen fixation activity of autumn olive plant (Elaeagnu$ umbellala Thunb.) during the seedling growth. Seedlings showed the maximum nitrogenase activity of $72.5\;\mu\textrm{M}\;C_2H_4{\cdot}g\;fr\;wt\;nodule^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ in the early nodulation stage. The relative growth rate and T/R ratio changed from $1.60%{\cdot}d^{-1}$ and 1.12 in the earlier stage to $3.75%{\cdot}d^{-1}$ and 2.31 in the later stage, respectively. light conditions of 20-25, 1015 and 4-6% resulted in decreases of 41, 54 and 71% of the nitrogenase activity, respectively. Nodules incubated in 15, 20, 25 and $30^{\circ}C$ showed the activities of 5.4, 24.7, 51.6 and $58.5\;\mu\textrm{M}\;C_2H_4{\cdot}g\;fr\;wt\;nodule^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ respectively. Pretreatment with low temperature ($15^{\circ}C$) followed incubation at $30^{\circ}C$ attained higher nitrogenase activity ($66.5\;\mu\textrm{M}\;C_2H_4{\cdot}g\;fr\;wt\;nodule^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$) than that with higher temperature ($35^{\circ}C$). The oxygen pressure above 16 kPa is necessary for saturation of the nodule activity, but the activity was inhibited severely by physical impact such as the exision or isolation of nodules from the root. The relative activities of early nodules grown in pH 5.5, 6.5 and 8.0 were 89, 100 and 40% and those grown in 1 and 3 mM of $NO_3\;and\;NH_4$ were 6, 1 and 68, 50%, respectively. Watering levels of 20, 50 and 100 mL during the seedling growth resulted in 35, 120 and 8 mg of nodule formation and 33.6, 58.4 and $8.4\;\mu\textrm{M}\;C_2H_4{\cdot}g\;fr\;wt\;nodule^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ of the nitrogenase activity, respectively. Water stress with 86% decrease of soil water content caused temporary wilting point of leaf and a complete disappearance of nitrogenase activity of nodules, though the water content and transpiration rate in plant were reduced to 90 and 53%, respectively.tively.