• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization with embryo transfer between embryos cultured in a time-lapse monitoring system (TLS) and those cultured in a conventional incubator (CI). Methods: The medical records of 250 fertilized embryos from 141 patients undergoing infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technology at a tertiary hospital from June 2018 to May 2020 were reviewed. The study population was divided into TLS and CI groups at a 1 to 1 ratio (125 embryos per group). The primary outcome was the live birth rate. Results: The TLS group had a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate (46.4% vs. 27.2%, p=0.002), implantation rate (27.1% vs. 12.0%, p=0.004), and live birth rate (32.0% vs. 18.4%, p=0.013) than the CI group. Furthermore, subgroup analyses of the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in the different age groups favored the TLS group. However, this difference only reached statistical significance in the live birth rate in women aged over 40 years and the clinical pregnancy rate in women aged 35-40 years (p=0.048 and p=0.031, respectively). The miscarriage rate, cleavage rate, and blastocyst rate were comparable. Conclusion: TLS application improved the live birth rate, implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate, particularly in the advanced age group in this study, while the other reproductive outcomes were comparable. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to further explore the ramifications of these findings, especially in different age groups.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2022

The bacterial soft-rot disease is one of the most critical diseases in vegetables such as Chinese cabbage. The researchers isolated two bacteria (Pseudomonas kribbensis and Pantoea vagans) from diseased tissue samples of Chinese cabbages and confirmed them as being the strains that cause soft-rot disease. Lactic-acid bacteria (LAB), were screened and used to control soft-rot disease bacteria. The researchers tested the treatments with hypochlorous acid water (HAW) and LAB supernatant to control soft-rot disease bacteria. The tests confirmed that treatments with the HAW (over 120 ppm) or LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum PL203) culture supernatants (0.5 mL) completely controlled both P. kribbensis and P. vagans.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

The causes of accidents occurring in chemical plants vary, but 96% of industrial accidents occurring worldwide are caused by workers' unsafe behavior. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has announced 20 elements of workers' anxiety-warning behaviors that occur on multiple occasions at industrial sites in order to warn them of the risk of accidents caused by workers' anxiety-driven behavior, and to prevent industrial accidents, workers' anxiety-driven behavior should be controlled under stress In this study, major types of unsafe behavior were analyzed on the basis of information on the accident investigation history of domestic workspaces in order to find out how workers can manage their unsafe behavior. Based on the results of the analysis of the major anxiety war behavior, the root cause of causing anxiety war behavior was analyzed using the Swiss Cheese Model, and each root cause management method was proposed.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.174-186
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of virtual reality used in maternal-child nursing clinical practicums on nursing students' competencies through a systematic review. Methods: The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed papers in English or Korean presenting analytic studies of maternal-child nursing practicums using virtual reality. An electronic literature search of the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, PubMed, and Research Information Sharing System databases was performed using combinations of the keywords "nursing student," "virtual reality," "augmented reality," "mixed reality," and "virtual simulation" from February 4 to 15, 2022. Quality appraisal was performed using the RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs, respectively. Results: Of the seven articles identified, the RCT study (n=1) was deemed to have a high risk of bias, with some items indeterminable due to a lack of reported details. Most of the non-RCT studies (n=6) had a moderate or serious risk of bias related to selection and measurement issues. Clinical education using virtual reality had positive effects on knowledge, skills, satisfaction, self-efficacy, and needs improvement; however, it did not affect critical thinking or self-directed learning. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that using virtual reality for maternal-child nursing clinical practicums had educational effects on a variety of students' competencies. Considering the challenges of providing direct care in clinical practicums, virtual reality can be a viable tool that supplements maternal-child nursing experience. Greater rigor and fuller reporting of study details are required for future research.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.203-210
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• 2023

Bacterial contamination negatively affects the quality, functionality, and safety of dairy products. Adherent populations of bacteria, referred to as biofilms, grow on the surfaces of dairy processing equipment and are the primary cause of dairy contamination. In addition, microorganisms present in the farm environment and dairy factory can contaminate the Clear-In-Place (CIP) line through raw milk transport pipes; therefore, exhaustive management is required. In dairy manufacturing facilities, biofilm formation is controlled using CIP systems that primarily require sodium hydroxide and nitric acid. However, the leakage or incomplete removal of these potently active compounds can be harmful to humans. In the present study, we compared the eradication of Escherichia coli and other bacteria using commercially available combinations of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and citric acid, which are recognized by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as food disinfectants. When considered in the CIP system of the field manufacturing process, E. coli was not detected (compared to detection before treatment), and other bacteria were detected at 0-32 culture-forming units (CFU)/cm². The residual amount of chlorine ions after CIP treatment was similar to that in tap water, and there was no significant difference in the overall components of the fermented dairy products. Therefore, the NaClO/citric acid CIP system can be safely applied in dairy manufacturing processes.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.465-475
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• 2023

In this study, we demonstrated a silica nanofibrous membrane based on the electrospinning process and evaluated its DNA isolation and purification performance in PCR pretreatment. Generally, silica membranes made of non-woven fabric are used for PCR pretreatment, but this study aimed to improve the efficiency of the pretreatment process by developing a nanofiber-type silica membrane with high specific surface area and porosity. In order to manufacture a nanofiber-shaped silica film while maintaining the original physical properties of silica, nanofiber membranes produced by adding various concentrations of PEO (5 wt%, 8 wt%, and 10 wt%) to silica prepared by the sol-gel method were compared. In terms of nanofiber membrane production, the higher the PEO concentration, the more effective it was in producing nanofiber membranes. The produced silica nanofiber membrane was inserted to a pretreatment device used in commercial PCR equipment, and the pretreatment performance was compared and verified using Salmonella bacteria. When Salmonella was used, samples containing 5 wt% PEO showed superior PCR efficiency compared to samples containing 8 wt% and 10 wt% PEO. These results show that adding 5 wt% of PEO can effectively improve DNA purification and separation by producing a nanofiber-shaped silica film while maintaining the physical properties of silica. We expect that this study will contribute to the development of effective PCR pretreatment technology essential for various molecular biology applications.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.179-183
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• 1980

The efficiency of energy transfer by a population of the farmed pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas was studied during culture period of 10 months July 1979-April 1980, in Geoje-Hansan Bay near Chungmu City. Energy use by the farmed oyster population was calculated from estimates of half-a-month unit age specific natural mortality rate and data on growth, gonad output, shell organic matter production and respiration. Total mortality during the culture period was estimated approximate $36\%$ from data on survivor individual number per cluster. Growth may be dual consisted of a curved line during the first half culture period (July-November) and a linear line in the later half period (December-April). The first half growth was approximated by the von Bertalanffy growth model; shell height, $SH=6.33\;(1-e^{0.2421(t+0.54)})$, where t is age in half-a-month unit. In the later half growth period shell height was related to t by SH=4.44+0.14t. Dry meat weight (DW) was related to shell height by log $DW=-2.2907+2.589{\cdot}log\;SH,\;(2, and/or log $DW=-5.8153+7.208{\cdot}log\;SH,\;(5. Size specific gonad output (G) as calculated by condition index of before and after the spawning season, was related to shell height by $G=0.0145+(3.95\times10^{-3}{\times}SH^{2.9861})$. Shell organic matter production (SO) was related to shell height by log $SO=-3.1884+2.527{\cdot}1og\;SH$. Size and temperature specific respiration rate (R) as determined in biotron system with controlled temperature, was related to dry meat weight and temperature (T) by log $R=(0.386T-0.5381)+(0.6409-0.0083T){\cdot}log\;DW$. The energy used in metabolism was calculated from size, temperature specific respiration and data on body composition. The calorie contents of oyster meat were estimated by bomb calorimetry based on nitrogen correction. The assimilation efficiency of the oyster estimated directly by a insoluble crude silicate method gave $55.5\%$. From the information presently available by other workers, the assimilation efficiency ranges between $40\%\;and\;70\%$. Twenty seven point four percent of the filtered food material expressed by energy value for oyster population was estimated to have been rejected as pseudofaeces : $17.2\%$ was passed as faeces; $35.04\%$ was respired and lost as heat; $0.38\%$ was bounded up in shell organics; $2.74\%$ was released as gonad output, $2.06\%$ was fell as meat reducing by mortality. The remaining $15.28\%$ was used as meat production. The net efficiency of energy transfer from assimilation to meat production (yield/assimilation) of a farm population of the oyster was estimated to be $28\%$ during culture period July 1979-April 1980. The gross efficiency of energy transfer from ingestion to meat production (yield/food filtered) is probably between $11\%\;and\;20\%$.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.288-296
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• 2007

Monascus pilosus (KCCM 60160) in submerged culture was optimized based on culture medium and fermentation conditions. Monacolin-K (Iovastatin), one of the cholesterol lowing-agent which was produced by Monascus pilosus may maintain a healthy lipid level by inhibiting the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Plackett-Burman design and response surface method were employed to study the culture medium for the desirable monacolin-K production. As a result of experimental designs, optimized production medium components and concentrations (g/L) were determined on soluble starch 96, malt extract 44.5, beef extract 30.23, yeast extract 15, $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ 4.03, $Na_2HPO_4{\cdot}12H_2O$ 0.5, L-Histidine 3.0, $KHSO_4$ 1.0, respectively. Monacolin-K production was improved about 3 times in comparison with shake flask fermentation of the basic production medium. The effect of agitation speed (300, 350, 400 and 450 rpm) on the monacolin-K production were also observed in a batch fermenter. Maximum monacolin-K production with the basic production medium was 68 mg/L when agitation speed was 500 rpm. And it was found that all spherical pellets (average diameter of $1.0{\sim}1.5mm$) were dominant during fermentation. Based on the results, the maximum production of 185 mg/L of monacolin-K with the optimized production medium was obtained at pH (controlled) 6.5, agitation rate 400 rpm, aeration rate 1 vvm, and inoculum size 3%.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.19-26
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• 2000

In order to select potent bioactive isolates, 70 Fusarium isolates obtained from soil and 21 plant species were screened by antifungal, insecticidal, herbicidal, and duckweed bioassays after culturing in potato dextrose broth and rice solid media. Eight (11.4%) of the 70 liquid broth cultures showed disease-controlling activities more than 80% against at least one of the 6 plant diseases tested. Fusarium sp. FO-68 isolate exhibited the most potent antifungal activity; it controlled rice blast, wheat leaf rust, and barley powdery mildew with control values more than 95%. Out of 70 solid cultures, 21 (30.0%) controlled at least one plant disease more than 80% and F. equiseti FO-68 isolate showed disease-controlling activities more than 95% against 3 plant diseases such as rice blast, tomato late blight, and wheat leaf rust. As for tile insecticidal activities, 2 liquid and 1 solid cultures showed potent insecticidal activities against pest insects more than 80%, Liquid cultures of F. oxysporum FO-61 and Fusarium sp. FO-80 isolates exhibited insecticidal activities more than 80% against green peach aphid and diamondback moth, respectively. The solid culture of Fusarium sp. FO-510 isolate had 80% insecticidal activity against green peach aphid. However, none of liquid and solid cultures of the 70 Fusarium isolates showed potent herbicidal activities against 10 upland weeds. As the results of duckweed assay, 3 liquid cultures showed 70% growth inhibitory activity at concentrations less than 1.25% of culture supernatants and 9 solid cultures had a potent inhibitory activity against duckweed growth. On the other hand, there was a significant correlation between antifungal activities and herbicidal activities against duckweed of both liquid and solid cultures of tile 70 Fusarium isolates.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.12 no.5_spc
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• pp.169-203
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to compare happiness between Korean elderly residing in South Korea and those residing in New York City area in United States (Korean American elderly), and to investigate important factors determining their happiness. We collected data from 1,988 elderly residing in Chuncheon and Seoul in South Korea and 173 elderly residing in New York City area. All samples were over 65 years old in 2005. In general, Korean American elderly seemed happier than Korean elderly. Our specific data analysis showed that Korean American elderly had higher scores in non-agitation, satisfaction for aging, and satisfaction for life than Korean elderly. And they showed secure attachment more and insecure attachment less than Korean elderly. Social support network, satisfaction in psychological need, health, daily routines, and social background predicted happiness significantly for both Korean American elderly and Korean elderly. For American Korean elderly, satisfaction in psychological need predicted satisfaction for aging, satisfaction for life, and secure attachment significantly when social background, health, and daily routine were controlled. For Korean elderly, satisfaction in psychological need predicted all sub-factors of happiness significantly, and social support network also predicted happiness significantly when social background, health, and daily routine were controlled. Additional data analysis compared social support network, satisfaction in psychological need, health, daily routine, and social background between Korean American elderly and Korean elderly. Korean American elderly seemed to have more solid social support network and to have higher satisfaction in psychological needs than Korean elderly. Korean American elderly perceived themselves as healthier, and their life style related health was much healthier than Korean elderly. In social background, Korean American elderly had higher education and economic level than Korean elderly. Roles of social support network and satisfaction in psychological need for happy aging were discussed in terms of previous theoretical explanation of successful aging.