• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.29-34
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• 2018

Objectives : It is necessary to manage herbal medicines based on effectiveness by comparing the efficacy of herbal medicines by region. In this study, we compared anti-oxidative activity and marker compounds of Eucommiae Cortex by regional groups. Methods : Eucommiae Cortex grown and harvested in Gangjin, Sancheong, Yeongwol, Jangsu, and Jecheon were used. Eucommiae Cortex was extracted in distilled water at $100^{\circ}C$ for 3 hours, and filtered. filtered. Extract samples were freeze-dried at $-80^{\circ}C$. Comparison of anti-oxidant activity in Eucommiae Cortex samples from regional groups was measured in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) between regional groups of Eucommiae Cortex. In addition, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was conducted to compare pinoresinol diglucoside concentration by regional groups. Results : HPLC analysis found that pinoresinol diglucoside concentration, widely known as the marker compound of Eucommiae Cortex, was the highest in Gangwon Yeongwol. There was a significant difference in anti-oxidative activity of Eucommiae Cortex between regional groups as discovered in DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. DPPH free radical scavenging was the highest in Jeonbuk Jangsu. ABTS free radical scavenging was the highest in Jeonbuk Jangsu and Chungbuck Jecheon. FRAP was the highest in Jeonbuk Jangsu. Conclusions : Although pinoresinol diglucoside concentration was high, anti-oxidative activity was not proportionately high. Pinoresinol diglucoside concentration was the highest in Gangwon Yeongwol. Anti-oxidative activity was the highest in Jeonbuk Jangsu.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.25-39
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• 2021

Objectives: Ssanghwa-tang (SHT) is a traditional herbal formula comprising nine medicinal herbs, and it is used for reducing fatigue in Korea. SHT exerts various effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging activities, and protection against acute hepatotoxicity. However, the genotoxicity of SHT has not yet been established. Methods: Ten components were identified in SHT water extract by using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. We assessed the genotoxicity of SHT by using bacterial reverse mutation (Ames test), chromosome aberration, and in vivo micronucleus tests. Results: The contents of paeoniflorin, glycyrrhizin, and liquiritin apioside in SHT were 15.57, 6.94, and 3.48 mg/g extract, respectively. SHT did not increase the revertant colonies of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli strains in the presence or absence of metabolic activity. Although SHT did not induce structurally abnormal chromosomes in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells in the presence of metabolic activity, the number of structurally aberrated chromosomes increased dose-dependently in the absence of metabolic activity. In the in vivo micronucleus test, SHT did not affect the formation of micronuclei compared with the vehicle control. Conclusions: Genotoxicity of SHT was not observed in the Ames test and in vivo micronucleus test. However, based on the results of chromosome aberration test, it can be presumed that SHT has the potential to induce genotoxicity because it induced structurally abnormal chromosomes in the absence of metabolic activity.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.339-352
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• 2022

Studying slope stability is an important branch of civil engineering. In this way, engineers have employed machine learning models, due to their high efficiency in complex calculations. This paper examines the robustness of various novel optimization schemes, namely equilibrium optimizer (EO), Harris hawks optimization (HHO), water cycle algorithm (WCA), biogeography-based optimization (BBO), dragonfly algorithm (DA), grey wolf optimization (GWO), and teaching learning-based optimization (TLBO) for enhancing the performance of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in slope stability prediction. The hybrid models estimate the factor of safety (F_S) of a cohesive soil-footing system. The role of these algorithms lies in finding the optimal parameters of the membership function in the fuzzy system. By examining the convergence proceeding of the proposed hybrids, the best population sizes are selected, and the corresponding results are compared to the typical ANFIS. Accuracy assessments via root mean square error, mean absolute error, mean absolute percentage error, and Pearson correlation coefficient showed that all models can reliably understand and reproduce the F_S behavior. Moreover, applying the WCA, EO, GWO, and TLBO resulted in reducing both learning and prediction error of the ANFIS. Also, an efficiency comparison demonstrated the WCA-ANFIS as the most accurate hybrid, while the GWO-ANFIS was the fastest promising model. Overall, the findings of this research professed the suitability of improved intelligent models for practical slope stability evaluations.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.827-843
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mitochondrial DNA leakage leads to inflammatory responses via endosome activation. This study aims to evaluate whether the perennial grass water extract (Pogonatherum panicum) ameliorate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. MATERIALS/METHODS: The major bioactive constituents of P. paniceum (PPW) were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography, after which their antioxidant activities were assessed. In addition, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, resulting in mitochondrial damage. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to examine the gene expression and cytokines. RESULTS: Our results showed that PPW extract-treated activated cells significantly decrease reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels by reducing the p2^phox and iNOS expression and lowering cytokine-encoding genes, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, PG-E2 and IFN-γ relative to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Furthermore, we observed that LPS enhanced the mtDNA leaked into the cytoplasm, increasing the transcription of Tlr9 and signaling both MyD88/Irf7-dependent interferon and MyD88/NF-κb p65-dependent inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression but which was alleviated in the presence of PPW extract. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that PPW extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by facilitating mtDNA leakage and lowering the Tlr9 expression and signaling activation.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.277-290
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• 2023

In order to study the mechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced ultra-fine fly ash concrete (BFUFARC), the effects of ultra-fine fly ash (UFA) content, basalt fiber content, basalt fiber length and water reducing agent content on the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength of the composite material were studied through experimental and theoretical analysis. Also, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to analyze the mesoscopic structure in the fracture surface of composite material specimens at magnifications of 500 and 3500. Besides, the energy release rate (G_c) and surface free energy (γ_s) of crack tip cracking on BFUFARC in different basalt fiber content were studied from the perspective of fracture mechanics. Further, the cracking resistance, reinforcement, and toughening mechanisms of basalt fibers on concrete substrate were revealed by surface free energy of BFUFARC. The experimental results indicated that basalt fiber content is the main influence factor on the splitting tensile strength of BFUFARC. In case that fiber content increased from 0 to 0.3%, the concrete surface free energy at the tip of single-sided crack showed a trend of increased at first and then decreased. The surface free energy reached at maximum, about 3.59 × 10^-5 MN/m. During the process of increasing fiber content from 0 to 0.1%, G_C-2_γS showed a gradually decreasing trend. As a result, an appropriate amount of basalt fiber can play a preventing cracking role by increasing the concrete surface free energy, further effectively improve the concrete splitting tensile performance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.15-27
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• 2024

Agriculture is recognized as an important anthropogenic cause of non-point source loads. Improved understanding of non-point source loads according to fertilization practices can promote climate change and eutrophication mitigation. Thus, this study evaluated the impact of conventional and standard fertilization practices on non-point pollution (NPP) loads in a dual-cropping system, utilizing the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model. Our research objectives were twofold: firstly, to calibrate and validate the APEX model with observed data through experiments from 2018 to 2023; and secondly, to compare the NPP loads under conventional and standard fertilization practices. The model calibration and validation showed satisfactory performance in simulating nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loads, illustrating the model's applicability in a Korean agricultural setting. The simulation results under conventional fertilization practices revealed significantly higher NPP loads compared to the standard fertilization, with P loads under conventional practices being notably higher. Our findings emphasize the crucial role of recommended fertilization practices in reducing non-point source pollution. By providing a quantitative assessment of NPP loads under different fertilization practices, this study contributes valuable information to sustainable nutrient management in agricultural systems facing the dual challenges of climate change and environmental conservation.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1043-1051
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• 2017

Asphalt overlay on deteriorated concrete pavement has a problem of early damage due to reflective cracking. There is a need for a new method capable of reducing reflection cracking and ensuring the durability of pavement. The purpose of this study was to obtain durability of asphalt overlay with stress absorbing membrane interlayer (SAMI) using epoxy asphalt binder. The tensile performance, durability, water resistance and bonding performance of Epoxy-SAMI were evaluated by various tests. As a result of tests, Epoxy-SAMI meets the quality standard of the bridge waterproofing material. The repeated direct tensile test was carried out to investigate the effect of reflective cracking reduction. When the Epoxy-SAMI was applied, it had 1.2~1.56 times higher reflective cracking resistance than PSMA asphalt concrete with the thickness of 10cm even if the section thickness decreased. 4-point bending beam test results showed the number of fatigue failures increased 7.5 times when Epoxy-SAMI was applied. The Epoxy-SAMI was found to be effective in improving the durability of the asphalt pavement overlay because it serves to prevent reflective cracking, increase lifespan, and function as a waterproof layer.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.77-88
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• 2010

In order to ensure good animal health and performance, it is essential to produce forages with high feeding value and good hygienic quality. However, huge amounts of forages consumed by ruminants are contaminated with mold prior to harvest or during storage as hay, straw or silage. These mold can grow in forages only when nutrients are available, correct temperature exist, oxygen is present, and unbound water is available. Fungal 'species can be divided into two groups: field fungi and storage fungi. Field fungi invade the forages while the crop is still in the field, require high moisture conditions, and are such as species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Clodosporium, Diplodia, Gibberrella and Helminthosporium. Storage fungi invade forages during storage and need less moisture than field fungi. These such as species of Aspergillus and Penicillium usually do not occur any problem before harvest. Mold growth can spoil the nutritional aspects of the forages and also results in secondary metabolites that are highly toxic to animal, humans and plants. Moldy feeds are less palatable and may reduce dry matter intake. This, in turn, leads to a reduction of nutrition intake, reducing weight gains or milk production. Performance losses of 5 to 10 percent are typical with moldy feeds. Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by fungi (molds) growing on crops in the field or storages. While greater than 400 mycotoxins have been chemically identified, the biological or veterinary medical impact of only several mycotoxins is known. Mycotoxins have attracted considerable attention as potential causes for poor performance and health disorders in domestic livestock. They can be carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, hematotoxic, immunosuppressive, estrogenic, or mutagenic. So, feeding moldy forages has adverse effects on animal health and milk consumers. Also, this author reported that rice straw hay was contaminated mycotoxigenic fungi such as Penicillium roqueforti and Fusarium culmorum in Korea. Therefore, it is an urgent need to develop an improved post harvest storage method to reduce nutrient loss and mycotoxin contamination of forages, which will have a positive impact on human health.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2007

The HFMX((High Flux Macromolecular X-ray crystallography) beamline at Pohang Accelerator Laboratory uses beams from a multi-pole wiggler. Two horizontal and vertical slits relevant to high heat-load are installed at its front-end. In order to treat high heat-load with reducing beam scattering, the horizontal slit has two Glidcop blocks with a grazing incidence angle of $10^{\circ}$ of a grazing-incidence knife-edge configuration. The blocks adjust the slit gap by being translated along guides by two actuating bars, respectively. Water flowing through holes, drilled along the actuating bars, cools the heat-load of both blocks. The vortical slit has the same structure as the horizontal slit except its installation direction with respect to the vacuum chamber and its grazing incidence angle. By virtue of a pair of blocks translating on guides, no alignment between both blocks is required and the installed slits show stable operating performance. The cooling performance of the two slits has been also shown to be acceptable. In this paper, the detailed explanation for the design of the two slits is presented and their operating performance is discussed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.263-273
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• 2016

The effect of recirculated exhaust gas on performance and exhaust emissions with FGR rate are investigated by using a natural circulation, pressurized draft and water tube boiler with FGR system operating at several boiler loads and over fire air damper openings. The purpose of this study is to apply the FGR system to a power plant boiler for reducing $NO_x$ emissions. To activate the combustion, the OFA with 0 to 20% is supplied into the flame. When the suction damper of two stage combustion system installed in the upper side of wind box is opened by handling the lever between $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$, also, the combustion air supplied to burner is changed. It is found that the fuel consumption rate per evaporation rate did not show an obvious tendency to increase or decrease with rising the FGR rate, and $NO_x$ emissions at the same OFA damper opening are decreased, as FGR rates are elevated and boiler loads are dropped. While a trace amount of soot is emitted without regard to the operation conditions of boiler load, OFA damper opening and FGR rate, because soot emissions are eliminated by the electrostatic precipitator with a collecting efficiency of 86.7%.