• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.330-339
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• 2021

Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is a marine bivalve mollusk widely distributed in coastal areas, and have been long widely used in industrial resources. Several studies demonstrated that fermented oyster (FO) extract attribute to bone health, but whether administration of FO play as an endocrine disruptor has not been studied. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of FO on the endocrine system in vitro and in vivo. As the results of the competitive estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) binding affinities, FO was not combined with ER-α, ER-β, and AR. However, 17β-estradiol and testosterone, used as positive control, were interacted with ER and AR, respectively. Meanwhile, oral administration of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of FO doesn't have any harmful effect on the body weight, androgen-dependent sex accessory organs, estrogen-dependent-sex accessory organs, kidney, and liver in immature rats. In addition, FO supplementation has no effect on the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, and 17β-estradiol. However, the relative weight of androgen- and estrogen-dependent organs were significantly increased by subcutaneously injection of 4.0 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) and by orally administration of 1.0 ㎍ of 17α-ethynyl estradiol (EE) in immature male and female rats, respectively. Furthermore, TP and EE administration markedly decreased the serum LH and FSH levels, which are similar those of mature Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. Furthermore, the testosterone and 17β-estradiol levels were significantly enhanced in TP and EE-treated immature rats. Taken together, our findings showed that FO does not interact with ER and AR, suggesting consequentially FO does not play as a ligand for ER and AR. Furthermore, oral administration of FO did not act as an endocrine disruptor including androgenic activity, estrogenic activity, and abnormal levels of sex hormone, indicating FO may ensure the safety on endocrine system to develop dietary supplement for bone health.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.99-111
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• 2021

The connected farm that agricultural land, agricultural machinery and farmer are connected with an IoT gateway is in the commercialization stage. That has increased productivity, efficiency and profitability by intimate information exchange among those. In order to develop the educational program of intelligent agricultural machinery and the agricultural machinery safety education performance indicator, this study analyzed patent trends of agricultural machine with unmanned technology used in agriculture and efficiency technology applied advanced technologies such as ICT, robots and artificial intelligence. We investigated and analyzed patent trends in agricultural machinery of Korea, the USA and Japan as well as the countries in Europe. The United States is an advanced country in the field of unmanned technology and efficiency technology used in agriculture. Agricultural automation technology in Korea is insufficient compared to developed countries, which means rapid technological development is needed. In the sub-fields of field automation technology, path generation and following technology and working machine control technology through environmental awareness have activated.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.305-326
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• 2022

To realize the recycling utilization of waste concrete and alleviate the shortage of resources, 11 specimens of steel reinforced recycled concrete (SRRC) filled circular steel tube columns were designed and manufactured in this study, and the cyclic loading tests on the specimens of columns were also carried out respectively. The hysteretic curves, skeleton curves and performance indicators of columns were obtained and analysed in detail. Besides, the finite element model of columns was established through OpenSees software, which considered the adverse effect of recycled coarse aggregate (RA) replacement rates and the constraint effect of circular steel tube on internal RAC. The numerical calculation curves of columns are in good agreement with the experimental curves, which shows that the numerical model is relatively reasonable. On this basis, a series of nonlinear parameters analysis on the hysteretic behaviors of columns were also investigated. The results are as follows: When the replacement rates of RA increases from 0 to 100%, the peak loads of columns decreases by 7.78% and the ductility decreases slightly. With the increase of axial compression ratio, the bearing capacity of columns increases first and then decreases, but the ductility of columns decreases rapidly. Increasing the wall thickness of circular steel tube is very profitable to improve the bearing capacity and ductility of columns. When the section steel ratio increases from 5.54% to 9.99%, although the bearing capacity of columns is improved, it has no obvious contribution to improve the ductility of columns. With the decrease of shear span ratio, the bearing capacity of columns increases obviously, but the ductility decreases, and the failure mode of columns develops into brittle shear failure. Therefore, in the engineering design of columns, the situation of small shear span ratio (i.e., short columns) should be avoided as far as possible. Based on this, the calculation model on the skeleton curves of columns was established by the theoretical analysis and fitting method, so as to determine the main characteristic points in the model. The effectiveness of skeleton curve model is verified by comparing with the test skeleton curves.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.473-488
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• 2022

To have a better understanding of the impact of the PETRONAS oil and gas platform on commercial fisheries activities, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) examined two approaches which are data collection from satellite and data collection from fishermen and anglers. By profiling the anglers who utilize reefed oil and gas structures for fishing, it can determine if the design and location of the reef platforms will benefit or negatively impacts those anglers and fisherman. Furthermore, this assessment will be contributing to the knowledge regarding the value of offshore oil and gas platforms as fisheries resources. Collectively, the apparent fishing activity data included, combined with the findings in the reefing viability index will help to inform PETRONAS's future decommissioning decisions and may help determine if the design and proposed locations for future rigs-to-reefs candidates would benefit commercial fishing groups, further qualifying them as appropriate artificial reef candidates. The method applied in this study is approaching by using a data satellite known as Google's Global Fishing Watch technology, which is one of the applications to measure commercial fishing efforts around the globe. The apparent commercial fishing effort around the selected twelve PETRONAS platforms was analyzed from January 2012 to December 2018. Using the data collection from fishermen which is the total estimation of commercial fish value cost (in Malaysia ringgit, MYR [RM]) in Peninsular Malaysia Asset, Sabah Asset, and Sarawak Operation region. The data were extracted every month from 2016 to 2018 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration database. Most of the selected platforms that show a high frequency of vessels around the year are platform KP-A, platform BG-A and platform PL-B. The estimated values of commercial fishes varied between platforms, with ranged from RM 10,209.92 to RM 89,023.78. Thus, platforms with high commercial fish value are selected for reefing in-situ and will serve multi-purposes and benefit the locals as well as the country. The current study has successfully assessed the potential reefing area of the Malaysian offshore environment with greater representativeness and this paper focused on its potential as a new fishing ground.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.181-192
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• 2021

This study surveyed visitors' perceptions of Mudeungsan National Park's Seoseokdae Trail Section (STS) on the visitor reservation system (VRS). Data were collected from 248 visitors to STS selected through convenient sampling in May 2019. The majority (86.9%) of the respondents rated their overall experience in STS as either "no problem at all" or "little problem". Moreover, 43.0% of the respondents were aware of the VRS. The most popular information source for VRS was the Internet (49.7%), followed by other people (18.4%) and broadcasting media, e.g., TV (17.7%). While 69.9% of the respondents thought that implementation of VRS would be effective in improving managerial conditions of the STS, respondents perceived that "cumbersome reservation procedures" (79.3%) of the VRS operation was the most important problem, followed by "unfairness associated with Internet familiarity gap" (78.7%) and "deprivation of the opportunities to visit freely" (76.3%). The support for VRS implementation was higher among higher-aged, married, higher-educated, more frequent STS visitors, Gwangju residents, and solo visitors than the other groups. The "knowledge level about VRS" and "the awareness level about potential problems associated with VRS operation" negatively influenced the support for the implementation of VRS, while "the perceived managerial effectiveness of VRS" positively influenced it.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2023

Alien species are known to threaten regional biodiversity globally, which has increased global interest regarding introduction of alien species. The Ministry of Environment of Korea designated species that have not yet been introduced into the country with potential threat as alert alien species to prevent damage to the ecosystem. In this study, potential habitats of Esox lucius and Maccullochella peelii, which are predatory and designated as alert alien fish, were predicted on a national basis. Habitat suitability was evaluated using EHSM (Ecological Habitat Suitability Model), and water temperature data were input to calculate Physiological Habitat Suitability (PHS). The prediction results have shown that PHS of the two fishes were mainly controlled by heat or cold stress, which resulted in biased habitat distribution. E. lucius was predicted to prefer the basins at high latitudes (Han and Geum River), while M. peelii preferred metropolitan areas. Through these differences, it was expected that the invasion pattern of each alien fish can be different due to thermal preference. Further studies are required to enhance the model's predictive power, and future predictions under climate change scenarios are required to aid establishing sustainable management plans.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.985-996
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• 2022

This study investigated the effects of light intensity on growth performance, blood components, eye condition, and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Three hundred and fifty-two 1-day-old male chicks were assigned to one of four treatments (four repetitions per treatment, 22 birds per repetition) and reared in a floor pen for 5 weeks. From the second week, chicks were reared under four different levels of light intensity (5, 20, 35, and 50 lx) and the lighting duration was maintained at 18-hours light : 6-hours dark (18L : 6D). The feed intake and body weight were measured weekly. At 35 days of age, 12 birds per treatment were randomly selected for blood sampling, eye measurement, and carcass analysis. There were no significant differences in body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio among treatments. Triglyceride levels in the serum were significantly higher in the 5 lx treatment, and creatinine was significantly lower in the 5 lx treatment (p < 0.05). The heterophil : lymphocyte ratios decreased significantly as light intensity increased (p < 0.05); however, other blood cell compositions were not affected by light intensity. Interleukin-6 content was significantly higher in the 5 lx treatment than in other treatments (p < 0.05), but the content of tumor necrosis factor-α was not significantly different among treatments. Serum corticosterone concentration was significantly higher at 5 lx than at 20, 35, and 50 lx (p < 0.05). The corneal diameter was the highest in 5 lx treatment (p < 0.05), and tended to increase as the light intensity decreased. Other eye parameters were not significantly different among treatments, but displayed a tendency to increase as the light intensity decreased. Carcass yield and part yields were not affected by light intensity. Meat quality parameters (pH, color, cooking loss, and water-holding capacity) did not show significant difference among the treatments. The results indicate that a light intensity of 5 lx may increase physiological stress or have a negative effect on broiler welfare, even if the performance and carcass characteristics are not affected. Therefore, a light intensity of 20 lx or above is recommended considering both the growth performance and welfare of broilers.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.717-726
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• 2022

The study evaluated different molt-inducing methods to achieve the main goal of molting in commercial layers during molting and post-molting periods. A total of 400 60-week-old Lohmann Brown layers were randomly divided into five groups (eight replicates of 10 birds for each group). Laying hens in the fasting control group received no diet from day 1 to day 10. The second group received a molt-inducing diet recommended by the breeding company. The third group received a wheat bran-based diet. The fourth group received a commercial layer diet with 8,000 ppm zinc (as zinc oxide, ZnO). The fifth group received an induced molting diet given to the second group with 8,000 ppm zinc, respectively. Egg production in the fasting control group and groups fed a diet with ZnO were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than those in groups fed the molt-inducing and wheat bran-based diets without ZnO during molting. Egg laying in the fasting control group was rapidly reduced and stopped on the 5.9th day of molting. In both groups having molt treatment with ZnO, egg production was similarly reduced and ceased on the 6.9th day and 7.0th day of molting, respectively, none of them differed significantly from the control. Layers fed molt-inducing diet or wheat bran-based diet did not reach the cessation of laying even on the 28th d of molting period. Relative weights of the ovary and growing oocytes of layers subjected to fasting or fed diets with ZnO were significantly lower than those of other groups. During the first two weeks of post molting, layers fed molt-inducing diet with ZnO showed higher egg production than the other two groups (p < 0.01). The eggshell strength in the group fed the commercial diet with ZnO was significantly higher than those fed the molt-inducing diet or wheat bran-based diets at 6 weeks of post molting (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the non-feed withdrawal molting using ZnO is more effective in inducing molting and increasing post-molt egg production and egg quality than other methods using a molt-inducing diet alone or wheat bran-based diet without ZnO.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.208-217
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• 2022

Mushrooms in Naejangsan National Park between May and September of 2021 have been surveyed. In this period, a total of 4 divisions, 9 classes, 25 orders, 72 families, 171 genera, and 381 species, including 3 climate-sensitive biological indicator species were found. The order in which the most diverse array of species was observed is Agaricales, which includes 24 families, 64 genera, and 170 species. Among these, the genus Russula was dominant, with 30 species, followed by the genus Amanita with 27 species. Among the 12 grids we investigated, species diversity was greatest in grid F5, in which 56 species of mushrooms were found. In particular, a large number of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, including Russula spp. and Lactarius spp. were recognized. We presume that the gentle slopes and the low occurrence of Sasa borealis in this area may create a favorable environment for wild mushrooms. In corroboration, some grids (e.g. F6, F8, and F10) covering steep slopes and harboring large numbers of Sasa borealis contained only 19 species. Based on DNA sequence analysis, the NJ21064 was identified as Chlorophyllum hortense, which is newly recorded in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.403-421
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• 2021

Most of the urban tunnels in Korea, which are represented by the 1st to 3rd subways, use the drainage tunnel by NATM. Recently, when a construction project that actively utilizes large-scale urban space is promoted, negative effects that do not conform to the existing empirical rules of urban tunnels may occur. In particular, there is a high possibility that groundwater fluctuations and hydrodynamic behavior will occur owing to the practice of tunnel technology in Korea, which has mainly applied the drainage tunnel. In order to solve the problem of the drainage tunnel, attempts are being made to control groundwater fluctuations. For this, the establishment of tunnel groundwater management standard concept and the analysis of the tunnel hydraulic behavior were performed. To prevent the problem of groundwater fluctuations caused by the construction of large-scale tunnels in urban areas, it was suggested that the conceptual transformation of the empirical technical practice, which is applied only in the underground safety impact assessment stage, to the direction of controlling the inflow in the tunnel, is required. And the relationship between the groundwater level and the inflow of the tunnel required for setting the allowable inflow when planning the tunnel was derived. The introduction of a tunnel groundwater management concept is expected to help solve problems such as groundwater fluctuations, ground settlement, depletion of groundwater resources, and decline of maintenance performance in various urban deep tunnel construction projects to be promoted in the future.