• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.51-56
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• 2021

Background: Neck pain is a major public health problem among sewing machine operators working in textile factories. Even though the textile industries are growing in number in Ethiopia, but there is a dearth of published studies on the prevalence of neck pain. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of neck pain among sewing machine operators of garment factories in Mekelle city. Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was implemented among 297 sewing machine operators' working in garment factories in Mekelle city. A systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 23. Finally, variables with 95% confidence interval (CI): p < 0.05 in the multivariate analysis were significantly declared. Results: Two hundred ninety-seven sewing machine operators were enrolled, with 98.7% response rates. In this study, the 12-month prevalence rate of neck pain was found to be 42.3% (95% CI: 36.6%-47.9%), and variables like such as break time [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.888, 95% CI: (2.775-12.493)], working hours per day [AOR: 6.495, 95% CI: (2.216-19.038)], static posture [AOR: 4.487, 95% CI (1.640-12.275)], and repetitive activity [AOR: 4.519, 95% CI:(2.057-9.924)] were associated with neck pain. Conclusion: In this study, neck pain is a major public health problem. Continuous work without break time, working greater than 8 hours per day, sitting in the same position for greater than 2 hours, and high repetitive activities were found significantly associated with neck pain. Owners and governmental bodies need to focus on developing preventive strategies and safety guidelines.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제63권4호
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• pp.872-883
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• 2021

We evaluated the effects of heat stress on physiological responses and milk production in Holstein and Jersey cows reared in Korea. The mean average temperature-humidity index (THI) increased significantly from May to August and then decreased until October. The mean average rectal temperature (RT) was increased in Holstein cows compared with Jersey cows, as the THI values increased from 61 to 85. The average respiratory rate (RR) was increased in Jersey cows compared with Holstein cows when the THI value increased from 61 to 85. The average surface temperature of the rumen and udder was higher in Jersey cows than in Holstein cows when the THI value increased from 61 to 85. No significant difference was noted with respect to relative serum volumes between the breeds and THI ranges, but we measured significant changes in serum pH in Holstein and Jersey cows when the THI value increased from 61 to 85. Milk production was not significantly changed in Holstein cows when the THI increased from 61 to 85, but milk production and milk protein content were significantly altered in Jersey cows when the THI increased from 61 to 85. Current study suggests that Holstein cows still have an advantage in terms of the economic returns of dairy farms in Korea. Therefore, further research is required regarding the heat tolerance of Jersey cows in Korean climatic conditions.

• 보존과학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.370-379
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• 2021

In the past, PVAc [poly(vinyl acetate)] was used as a fixative for the conservation of the murals in the murals of the Payathonzu temple located in Bagan, Myanmar. In this study, attention was paid to gel cleaning as a method for stably removing such PVAc fixatives. Based on the recent research trend related to the cleaning of murals in Bagan ruins, 3 types of gelling agents (Nevek^®, Laponite^®RD, Carbopol^®980) and 2 types of organic solvents (Acetone, Dimethyl carbonate) were selected. Six types of gel cleaners were prepared by mixing gelling agents and organic solvents, and the properties and fixative removability of these cleaners were compared. As a result of confirming the properties of the prepared gel cleaners, the pH of the cleaners was all in the weak acidic to weakly alkaline range, which was a stable condition for mural application. Also, there was no difference in the viscosity of the cleaners depending on the type of solvent, but there was a difference depending on the type of gelling agent used. Regarding the weight loss ratio of PVAc, which is an indicator of removability, the exposure conditions of the gel cleaners, the boiling point of the solvent used, and the viscosity of the gelling agent acted as factors affecting. As a result of comparing the removability of gel cleaners, it was confirmed that the solvent's fixative solubility, the volatility of the solvent itself, and the solvent release control properties of the gelling agent had a great effect on the removability of the gel cleaners. In Part 2, the stability and the running applicability of the gel cleaners will be investigated by making mockup samples reflecting the properties of the materials and techniques used to produce the mural paintings in the Payathonzu Temple.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권12호
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• pp.2012-2022
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• 2021

Objective: In most retail centers, primal pork cuts for sale are usually prepared into retail-ready slices and overwrapped with air-permeable plastic film. Also, meat of Korean native black pig (KNP) is reputed for its superior quality, however, its shelf life during retail display has not been studied. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate shelf life of prepackaged retail-ready KNP belly and shoulder butt slices during refrigerated display. Methods: Bellies and shoulder butt obtained at 24 h post-mortem from finishing KNP were used. Each belly or shoulder butt was manually cut into 1.5 cm-thick slices. The slices in each cut type were randomly taken and placed on white foam tray (2 slices/tray) overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film. The retail-ready packages were then placed in a retail display cabinet at 4℃. Shelf life and sensory quality of the samples were evaluated on day 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 of display. Results: The shoulder butt reached the upper limit (20 mg/100 g) of volatile basic nitrogen for fresh meat after 9 days while, the belly remained within this limit throughout the display time (15 days). Both the cuts reached a thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level of above 0.5 mg malondialdehyde/kg after 9 days. The a^* (redness) values remained unchanged during first 9 days in both cuts (p>0.05). After 9 days, off-flavor was not found in either cut, but higher off-flavor intensity was found in shoulder butt after 12 days. The shoulder butt was unacceptable for overall eating quality after 12 days while, belly still was acceptable after 12 days. Conclusion: The belly showed a longer shelf life compared to the shoulder butt, and a shelf life of 9 and 12 days is recommended for the prepackaged retail-ready KNP shoulder butt and belly slices, respectively.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.289-296
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• 2019

Background: Topical hemostatic agents are used when ligation, electrocauterization, or other conventional hemostatic methods are impractical. Because a hemostatic agent is a foreign body, it can cause foreign body reactions, inflammation, and infections that can interfere with the wound healing process. Therefore, we should select hemostatic agents after considering their effects on wound healing. Here, we compared the effects of hemostatic agents on wound healing in a rectus abdominis muscle defect in rats. Methods: Twelve Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to creation of a $6{\times}6mm$ defect in the rectus abdominis muscle and divided into four groups: control group; group A, Tachosil fibrin sealant patch; group B, Surgicel Fibrillar oxidized regenerated cellulose; and group C, Surgicel Snow oxidized regenerated cellulose. For the histologic analysis, biopsies were performed on the 3rd, 7th, and 27th days. Results: The foreign body reaction was the weakest in group A and most significant in group C. The inflammatory cell infiltration was the weakest in group A and similar in groups B and C. Muscle regeneration differed among periods. The rats in group A were the most active initially, while those in group C showed prolonged activity. Conclusion: Tachosil and Surgicel administration increased inflammation via foreign body reactions, but the overall wound healing process was not significantly affected. The increased inflammation in the Surgicel groups was due to a low pH. We recommend using Tachosil, because it results in less intense foreign body reactions than Surgicel and faster wound healing due to the fibrin action.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.289-296
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: There is a need for a revolutionary method to overcome the problem of biochar, which has relatively low adsorption capacity for existing anion pollutants, along with collectively recycling fallen leaves, a kind of forest by-product. Therefore, the objective of this study was to prepare iron-decorated biochar derived from fallen leaves (Fe-FLB), and to evaluate their adsorption properties to Congo red (CR) as anionic dye. METHODS AND RESULTS: The adsorption properties of CR by fallen leaves biochar (FLB) and Fe-FLB were performed under various conditions such as initial CR concentration, reaction time, pH and dosage with isotherm and kinetic models. In this study, Fe-FLB prepared through iron impregnation and pyrolysis of fallen leaves contained 56.9% carbon and 6.3% iron. Congo red adsorption by FLB and Fe-FLB was well described by Langmuir model and pseudo second order model and the maximum adsorption capacities of FLB and Fe-FLB were 1.1 mg/g and 25.6 mg/g, respectively. In particular, it was found that the adsorption of CR was occurred by chemical adsorption process by the outer boundary layer of Fe-FLB. CONCLUSION: Overall, the production of Fe-FLB using fallen leaves and using it as an anion adsorbent is considered to be a way to overcome the problem of biochar with relatively low anion adsorption in addition to the reduction effect of waste.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.428-434
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• 2020

Background: This study aimed to investigate the quality characteristics of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge leaf (AMBL) fermented with lactic acid bacteria and the applicability of its biologically active compounds. Methods and Results: An assessment of physicochemical properties such as pH, total acidity, free sugars, and isoflavonoid (calycosin-7-o-β-d-glucoside, ononin, calycosin, and formononetin) was conducted. Furthermore, the levels of antioxidant compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids, and radical scavenging activities of the extracts using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate and 2,2-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) were investigated. The calycosin content in the water extract of AMBL fermented with Leuconostoc mesenteroides increased by approximately twice as much as the control. Conclusions: These results indicate that L. mesenteroides can be used to improve biological activity through fermentation, and that AMBL can be used as a functional materials and edible resource in industrial areas.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.108-118
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• 2021

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) contains a variety of ginsenosides that can be metabolized to a biologically active substance, compound K. Previous research showed that compound K could be enriched in the red ginseng extract (RGE) after hydrolysis by pectinase. The current study investigated whether the enzymatically hydrolyzed red ginseng extract (HRGE) containing a notable level of compound K has cognitive improving and neuroprotective effects. Methods: A scopolamine-induced hypomnesic mouse model was subjected to behavioral tasks, such as the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and the Morris water maze tests. After sacrificing the mice, the brains were collected, histologically examined (hematoxylin and eosin staining), and the expressions of antioxidant proteins analyzed by western blot. Results: Behavioral assessment indicated that the oral administration of HRGE at a dosage of 300 mg/kg body weight reversed scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits. Histological examination demonstrated that the hippocampal damage observed in scopolamine-treated mouse brains was reduced by HRGE administration. In addition, HRGE administration increased the expression of nuclear-factor-E2-related factor 2 and its downstream antioxidant enzymes NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase and heme oxygenase-1 in hippocampal tissue homogenates. An in vitro assay using HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells demonstrated that HRGE treatment attenuated glutamate-induced cytotoxicity by decreasing the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HRGE administration can effectively alleviate hippocampus-mediated cognitive impairment, possibly through cytoprotective mechanisms, preventing oxidative-stress-induced neuronal cell death via the upregulation of phase 2 antioxidant molecules.

• 한국버섯학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

The choice of the culture medium is an important factor for the mass production of mycelia in submerged cultures. The influence of liquid medium on the mycelial dry weight of Paecilomyces tenuipes was investigated in this study. The regression equation is expressed as Y=-1292.94187+17.78612X1+18.92425X2+2.11464X3-0.019375X1X2-0.006276X1X3+0.008177X2X3-0.070169X12-0.292175X22-0.008818X32, where Y represents the value of the mycelial dry weight (g/L), X1 is the particle size of wood sawdust in liquid medium (mesh), X2 is the concentration of the wood sawdust in liquid medium, and X3 is incubation time (h). The medium was optimized using a response surface methodology, and the optimal medium contained 30 g of wood sawdust (140 mesh), 20 g of glucose, and 10 g/L of peptone. Under these conditions, the mycelial dry weight reached 38.1 g/L (actual value). The culture medium containing wood sawdust is simple and easy to use, highly efficient, and eco-friendly, and its effectiveness in large preparations of P. tenuipes mycelia with low material costs has been demonstrated.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.82-91
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of initial pH, current density, and electrolysis time on process performance in terms of decolorization and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from disperse dyebath wastewater (DDW) by mono-polar parallel laboratory scale electrocoagulation (EC) process. COD reduction of 51.3% and decolorization of 92.8% were obtained with operating cost of 0.19 €/㎥ treated wastewater for Al-Al electrode pair, while 90.5% of decolorization and 49.2% of COD reduction were obtained with operating cost of 0.20 €/㎥ treated wastewater for an Fe-Fe electrode pair. The amount of sludge production were highly related to type of the electrode materials. At the optimum conditions, the amount of sludge produced were 0.18 kg/㎥ and 0.28 kg/㎥ for Al-Al and Fe-Fe electrode pairs, respectively. High decolorization can be explained by the hydrophobic nature of the disperse dye, while limited COD removal was observed due to the high dissolved organic matter of the DDW based on auxiliary chemicals. Energy, electrode, and chemical consumptions and sludge handling were considered as major cost items to find a cost-effective and sustainable solution for EC. The contribution of each cost items on operating cost were determined as 10.0%, 51.1%, 30.5% and 8.4% for Al-Al, and they were also determined as 9.0%, 38.0%, 40.5% and 12.5% for Fe-Fe, respectively. COD reduction and decolorization were fitted to first-order kinetic rule.