• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.46-63
• /
• 2024

One of the biggest dangers in the globe is water contamination. Water is a necessity for human survival. In most cities, the digging of borewells is restricted. In some cities, the borewell is allowed for only drinking water. Hence, the scarcity of drinking water is a vital issue for industries and villas. Most of the water sources in and around the cities are also polluted, and it will cause significant health issues. Real-time quality observation is necessary to guarantee a secure supply of drinking water. We offer a model of a low-cost system of monitoring real-time water quality using IoT to address this issue. The potential for supporting the real world has expanded with the introduction of IoT and other sensors. Multiple sensors make up the suggested system, which is utilized to identify the physical and chemical features of the water. Various sensors can measure the parameters such as temperature, pH, and turbidity. The core controller can process the values measured by sensors. An Arduino model is implemented in the core controller. The sensor data is forwarded to the cloud database using a WI-FI setup. The observed data will be transferred and stored in a cloud-based database for further processing. It wasn't easy to analyze the water quality every time. Hence, an Optimized Neural Network-based automation system identifies water quality from remote locations. The performance of the feed-forward neural network classifier is further enhanced with a hybrid GA- PSO algorithm. The optimized neural network outperforms water quality prediction applications and yields 91% accuracy. The accuracy of the developed model is increased by 20% because of optimizing network parameters compared to the traditional feed-forward neural network. Significant improvement in precision and recall is also evidenced in the proposed work.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.743-757
• /
• 2023

The formulation of a novel functional fresh apple juice enriched with dietary prebiotic fiber (inulin or polydextrose), ginger extract (GE), and cardamom essential oil (CEO) was carried out based on a combined D-optimal design. In the first stage, sensory evaluation was performed to screen and select the optimum sample for further experiments. The sensory evaluation showed that the sample containing inulin 0.25 g/100 g GE and 0.03 g/100 g CEO had the highest organoleptic score. In the second stage, various chemical experiments, including pH, acidity, formalin index, total phenol, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, and vitamin C content, were evaluated on the selected enriched apple juices. The addition of GE and CEO caused changes in nutritional characteristics, including antioxidant capacity, total phenol, flavonoids, vitamin C, and IC50, from 35 g/100 g, 350 mg GAE/g, 17 mg/L, 370 mg/kg, and 1,800 mg/kg to 45 g/100 g, 460 mg GAE/g, 21 mg/L, 420 mg/kg, and 1,200 mg/kg respectively. The steady shear flow and dynamic oscillatory shear rheological tests were also performed on the screened samples, and results showed that the addition of dietary fiber in apple juices increased the apparent viscosity, storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity. In general, adding plant extracts and processed essential oil to apple juice increased the nutritional-nutraceutical value and sensory attributes of apple juice.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.15-31
• /
• 2024

The antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine sulphate (HCQ) has taken much attention during the first COVID-19 pandemic phase for the treatment of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patients. Hence it is interest to study the electrochemical properties and photocatalytic degradation of the HCQ drug. Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, graphene oxide (GO) and CuO/GO NC (nanocomposite) modified carbon paste electrodes (MCPE) are used for the detection of HCQ in an aqueous medium. Electrochemical behaviour of HCQ (20 μM) was observed using CuO/MCPE, GO/MCPE and CuO/GO NC/MCPE in 0.1 M phosphate buffer at pH 7 with a scan rate of 20 to 120 mV s^-1 by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) of HCQ was performed for 0.6 to 16 μM HCQ. The CuO/GO NC/MCPE showed a reasonably good sensitivity of 0.33 to 0.44 μA μM cm^-2 with LOD of 69 to 92 nM for HCQ. Furthermore, the CuO/GO NC was used as a catalyst for the photodegradation of HCQ by monitoring its UV-Vis absorption spectra. About 98% was degraded in about 34 min under visible light and after 4 cycles it was 87%. The improved photocatalytic activity may be attributed to decrease in bandgap energy and enhanced ability for the electrons to migrate. Thus, CuO/GO NC showed good results for both sensing and degradation applications as well as reproducibility.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.211-219
• /
• 2024

Background: Recently, plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) have been isolated, and active research was focusing on understanding their properties and functions. In this study, the characteristics and molecular properties of ginseng root-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GrDENs) were examined in terms of skin protection. Methods: HPLC-MS protocols were used to analyze the ginsenoside contents in GrDENs. To investigate the beneficial effect of GrDENs on skin, HaCaT cells were pre-treated with GrDENs (0-2 × 10⁹ particles/mL), and followed by UVB irradiation or H₂O₂ exposure. In addition, the antioxidant activity of GrDENs was measured using a fluorescence microscope or flow cytometry. Finally, molecular mechanisms were examined with immunoblotting analysis. Results: GrDENs contained detectable levels of ginsenosides (Re, Rg1, Rb1, Rf, Rg2 (S), Gyp17, Rd, C-Mc1, C-O, and F2). In UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, GrDENs protected cells from death and reduced ROS production. GrDENs downregulated the mRNA expression of proapoptotic genes, including BAX, caspase-1, -3, -6, -7, and -8 and the ratio of cleaved caspase-8, -9, and -3 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, GrDENs reduced the mRNA levels of aging-related genes (MMP2 and 3), proinflammatory genes (COX-2 and IL-6), and cellular senescence biomarker p21, possibly by suppressing activator protein-1 signaling. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the protective effects of GrDENs against skin damage caused by UV and oxidative stress, providing new insights into beneficial uses of ginseng. In particular, our results suggest GrDENs as a potential active ingredient in cosmeceuticals to promote skin health.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.25-38
• /
• 2024

The study aimed to investigate a novel approach by utilizing liquid chromatography (LC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to separate, identify and characterize very nominal quantities of degradation products (DPs) of balsalazide along with its process related impurities without isolation from their reaction mixtures. The impurities along with balsalazide were resolved on spherisorb ODS2 (250×4.6 mm, 5.0 ㎛) column at room temperature using 0.2 M sodium acetate solution at pH 4.5 and methanol in the ratio of 55:45 (v/v) as mobile phase pumped isocratically at 1.0 mL/min as mobile phase and UV detection at 255 nm. The method shows sensitive detection limit of 0.003 ㎍/mL, 0.015 ㎍/mL and 0.009 ㎍/mL respectively for impurity 1, 2 and 3 with calibration curve liner in the range of 50-300 ㎍/mL for balsalazide and 0.05-0.30 for its impurities. The balsalazide pure compound was subjected to stress studies and a total of four degradation products (DPs) were formed during the stress study and all the DPs were characterized with the help of their fragmentation pattern and the masses obtained upon LC-MS/MS. The DPs were identified as 3-({4-[(E)-(4-hydroxyphenyl) diazenyl]benzoyl}amino)propanoic acid (DP 1), 4-[(E)-(4-hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl] benzamide (DP 2), 5-[(E)-(4-carbamoylphenyl)diazenyl]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (DP 3) and 3-({4-[(E)-phenyldiazenyl]benzoyl}amino)propanoic acid (DP 4). Based on findings, it was concluded that, the proposed method was successfully applicable for routine analysis of balsalazide and its process related impurities in pure drug and formulations and also applicable for identification of known and unknown impurities of balsalazide.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.697-708
• /
• 2024

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of dietary supplementation of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract (ELE) on muscle metabolism and meat quality of pigs with and without pre-slaughter transportation. Methods: In a 43-day feeding experiment, a total of 160 pigs with an initial body weight 60.00±2.00 kg were randomly assigned into four groups in a completely randomized design with 10 replicates. Pigs in groups A and C were fed a basal diet and pigs in groups B and D were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.5% ELE. Pigs were slaughtered with (group B and D) or without (group A and C) pre-slaughter transport. Muscle chemical composition, postmortem glycolysis, meat quality and muscle metabolome were analyzed. Results: Dietary ELE supplementation had no effect on the proximate composition of porcine muscle, but increased free phenylalanine, proline, citruline, norvaline, and the total free amino acids in muscle. In addition, dietary ELE increased decanoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, but decreased heptadecanoic acid, oleic acid, trans-oleic acid, and monounsaturated fatty acids in muscle. Meat quality measurement demonstrated that ELE improved meat water holding capacity and eliminated the negative effects of pre-slaughter transport on meat cooking yield and tenderness. Dietary ELE reduced muscle glycolytic potential, inhibited glycolysis and muscle pH decline in the postmortem conversion of muscle to meat and increased the activity of citrate synthase in muscle. Metabolomics analysis by liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric showed that ELE enhanced muscle energy level, regulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, modulated glycogenolysis/glycolysis, and altered the metabolism of carbohydrate, fatty acids, ketone bodies, amino acids, purine, and pyrimidine. Conclusion: Dietary ELE improved meat quality and alleviated the negative effect of pre-slaughter transport on meat quality by enhancing muscle oxidative metabolism capacity and inhibiting glycolysis in postmortem muscle, which is probably involved its regulation of AMPK.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.36 no.8
• /
• pp.561-569
• /
• 2014

This study was carried out to get the characteristics of anaerobic digestion for chemical/biological sludge produced from municipal sewage treatment plant for phosphorus. Anaerobic mesophilic batch tests showed that the ultimate biodegradability of waste activated sludge showed 31%, PACl sludge 24%, Alum sludge 26%, respectively. At the S/I 1.0, 75% of total biodegradable volatile solids (TBVS) of waste activated sludge was degraded with an initial rapid decay coefficient, k1 of $0.1129day^{-1}$ and 74% of TBVS of PACl sludge with k1 of $0.0998day^{-1}$, and 76% of TBVS of Alum sludge with k1 of $0.1091day^{-1}$ for 20 days. During the operation of SCFMRs, the 3 reactor (Control, PACl, Alum) pH maintained 6.7~7.0 and the reactor alkalinity maintained 1,800~ 2,200 mg/L as $CaCO_3$. The average biogas production rates of SCFMRs fed with PACl sludge and Alum sludge were 0.089 v/v-d and 0.091 v/v-d, respectively, which was 27~28% lower than that of the control (0.124 v/v-d) at an HRT (hydraulic retention times) of 20 days. And the methane content during the operation ranged 70~76% in 3 reactor. The average TVS removal efficiency of SCFMRs fed with PACl sludge and Alum sludge were 19.6% and 19.9%, respectively, at an HRT of 20 days, which showed 4% lower than that of the control (23.8%). The average BVS removal efficiency of SCFMRs fed with PACl sludge and Alum sludge were 25.8% and 26.9%, respectively, at an HRT of 20 days, which was 8~9% lower than that of the control (34.5%).

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.232-241
• /
• 1984

For the purpose of investigating the effect of chemical composition of nitrogenous fertilizers such as urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate(dibasic) and aqua-ammonia on growth, yield, efficiency and chemical properties of paddy soil this study was carried out at the same nitrogen concentration through field experiment. The results obtained was summarized as follows. 1. Nitrogenous fertilizers had an effect on plant height at heading stage, plant weight at harvest and No. of spikelet per panicle of rice plants in decreasing order: Ammonium sulfate > Diammonium phosphate > Urea > Ammonia water. But they didn't effect on culm length, spike length, dry matter weight, No. of grain per spike, ripening ratio and weight of 1000 grains of rice plants. 2. The absorbed amount of nitrogen and that of sulfur and nitrogen availability were highest in ammonium sulfate application and lowest in ammonia water application and these were positively correlated with yield. 3. The influence of nitrogenous fertilizers on nitrogen and sulfur efficiency and translocation efficiency was insignificant but that of ammonium sulfate on nitrogen efficiency was higher than that of the others. 4. The effect of nitrogenous fertilizers on a basic chemical properties of paddy soil experimented such as pH, C.E.C, exchangeable cation and organic matter was insignificant. But the sulfur content of ammonium sulfate application and phosphorous content of diammonium phosphate application were higher than that of the others.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.429-434
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Severe aspiration of the amniotic fluid is known to cause fatal respiratory distress in neonates. We conducted this study to investigate the clinical findings of severe amniotic fluid aspiration pneumonia (AFAP) in neonates and the effect of pulmonary surfactant replacement therapy (SRT). Methods : Retrospective analysis of medical records was conducted on 28 patients who received ventilator care due to severe AFAP in a neonatal intensive care unit over a 7-year period (2000-2006). Patients whose amniotic fluid was contaminated with meconium were excluded. Results : A large number of cases were term infants (82.1%) and infants born by caesarean section (85.7%), and the 1- and 5-min Apgar scores of these patients were $6.5{\pm}1.2$ and $7.5{\pm}1.3$, respectively. Soon after birth, the amount of amniotic fluid sucked out from airway below the vocal cord was $16.0{\pm}10.1$ mL. All patients received SRT with a modified bovine-derived surfactant (120 mg/kg/dose), and one dose was administered in most cases (75%). Compared with pre-SRT, the oxygenation index ($8.0{\pm}9.6$ vs. $18.9{\pm}7.3$) according to ventilator care was a significant improvement at 12 h after SRT (P<0.001). Furthermore, most cases showed radiological improvement for aeration at 12 h post-treatment. Many cases (46.4%) had cardiorespiratory complications, but their final outcomes were excellent (survival rate, 96.4%). Conclusion : AFAP may be an important cause of serious respiratory distress in near-term and term infants, and SRT seems to be an effective adjuvant therapy in mechanically ventilated neonates with severe AFAP.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.430-435
• /
• 2008

The sensory characteristics of imported (two dry, two sweet, and one medium dry wines) and domestic (one sweet wine) red wine were evaluated by 250 panels. The preferences of aroma, color, sweetness, tartness, astringency, and overall acceptability were determined by 5-point just-about-right scale. Among six wines, B sample obtained the highest mean overall acceptability score of 3.67 and its chemical and sensory characteristics were as follow: cherry or strawberry aroma, 9.4 brix, 3.7% of sugar content, pH 3.5, 10% of ethanol, 0.14% of tannin, 5.74 mg/mL of total organic acids, and color of $L(12.04{\pm}0.01)$, $a(33.90{\pm}0.19)$, and $b(8.22{\pm}0.00)$. These results revealed that Korean consumers generally prefer sweet taste to dry one, flat taste to bitter one, and fruity aroma to others. Panels preferred a red wine containing high sugar content of $5{\sim}10%$. On the other hand, panels showed low preference to the wine containing tannin above 0.16%. However, these general trends were slightly varied depending on their ages and consuming frequencies.