• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.89-93
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• 2024

Accidents at nuclear facilities and nuclear power plants led to leaks of large amounts of radioactive substances. Of the various radioactive nuclides released, ¹³⁷Cs are radioactive substances generated during the fission of uranium. Therefore, due to the high fission yield (6.09%), strong gamma rays, and a relatively long half-life (30 years), a rapid and efficient removal method and a study of adsorbents are needed. Accordingly, an adsorbent was prepared using Prussian blue (PB), a material that selectively adsorbs radioactive cesium. As a result of evaluating the adsorption performance with the prepared adsorbent, it was confirmed that 82% of the removal efficiency was obtained, and most of the cesium was rapidly adsorbed within 10 to 15 minutes. The purpose of this study was to adsorb cesium using the Prussian blue alginate bead and to compare the change in detection efficiency according to the amount of adsorbent added for quantitative evaluation. However, in this case, it is difficult to determine the detection efficiency using a standard source with the same conditions as the measurement sample, so the efficiency change of the HPGe detector according to the different heights of Prussian blue was calculated through MCNP simulation using certified standard materials (1 L, Marinelli beaker) for radioactivity measurement. It is expected to derive a relational equation that can calculate detection efficiency through an efficiency curve according to the volume of Prussian blue, quantitatively evaluate the activity at the same time as the adsorption of radioactive nuclides in actual contaminated water and use it in the field of nuclear facility operation and dismantling in the future.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.710-724
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• 2024

Flavobacterium can synthesize xanthophyll, particularly the pigment zeaxanthin, which has significant economic value in nutrition and pharmaceuticals. Recently, the use of carotenoid biosynthesis by bacteria and yeast fermentation technology has shown to be very efficient and offers significant advantages in large-scale production, cost-effectiveness, and safety. In the present study, JSWR-1 strain capable of producing xanthophyll pigment was isolated from a freshwater reservoir in Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea. Based on the morphological, physiological, and molecular characteristics, JSWR-1 classified as belonging to the Flavobacterium species. The bacterium is strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and psychrophilic. The completed genome sequence of the strain Flavobacterium sp. JSWR-1 is predicted to be a single circular 3,425,829-bp chromosome with a G+C content of 35.2% and 2,941 protein-coding genes. The optimization of carotenoid production was achieved by small-scale cultivation, resulting in zeaxanthin being identified as the predominant carotenoid pigment. The enhancement of zeaxanthin biosynthesis by applying different light-irradiation, variations in pH and temperature, and adding carbon and nitrogen supplies to the growth medium. A significant increase in intracellular zeaxanthin concentrations was also recorded during fed-batch fermentation achieving a maximum of 16.69 ± 0.71 mg/l, corresponding to a product yield of 4.05 ± 0.15 mg zeaxanthin per gram cell dry weight. Batch and fed-batch culture extracts exhibit significant antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that the JSWR-1 strain can potentially serve as a source for zeaxanthin biosynthesis.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.1316-1316
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• 2024

Greenhouses require various control systems to create an optimal environment, and from an architectural engineering perspective, the uniformity of the internal environment is crucial for crop growth. However, greenhouses are structurally exposed to external weather conditions, leading to a high probability of variations in temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, lighting, etc., across different zones within the greenhouse. Such non-uniformity can impact the growth rate, quality, and yield of crops, highlighting the necessity of maintaining a consistent environment within the greenhouse. To address this, experiments utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted targeting greenhouses in Pocheon, South Korea, focusing on the central heating and cooling systems to propose an optimal design considering the uniformity of internal temperatures. Subsequently, validation was performed using measurements from temperature and humidity sensors within the greenhouses. The heating and cooling systems operate based on indoor temperatures, activating cooling when indoor temperatures exceed the set cooling temperature in summer and heating when temperatures fall below the set heating temperature in winter. A standard greenhouse model was set as case 1, and experiments were conducted by adjusting the position and spacing of the fabric ducts of the heating and cooling systems, resulting in six categorized cases. Variations in temperature and humidity distribution were observed among the cases, and quantitative analysis provided optimal positions and spacing for the fabric ducts. The results of this study can serve as foundational data for developing environmental control solutions for agricultural facilities.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.1317-1317
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• 2024

As climate change escalates extreme weather events, the structural durability of plastic greenhouses, constituting 90% of Korea's facility agriculture, emerges as a critical issue. These greenhouses are pivotal for year-round crop cultivation and high-quality agricultural production. In 2021, collapses caused around US$2 million in damages, mainly due to heavy snowfall and strong winds, accounting for 97% of incidents. The Korean Ministry of Agriculture responded by disseminating disaster-resistant standardized designs, yet more robust standards are needed. Current designs rely on elastic analysis, but plastic greenhouses display nonlinear behavior due to factors like residual stress and local buckling. Our study employs a refined plastic hinge method and finite element analysis to analyze structures, considering progressive yielding. We conducted loading tests using scale down models of plastic greenhouses in accordance with similitude laws. Based on these tests, the deformation of models under different load conditions was measured and compared with the deformation of greenhouse using our nonlinear structural analysis. This study will contribute to the development of reliable design criteria for plastic greenhouses in response to climate extremes such as heavy snowfall and typhoons. In addition, by identifying the deformation characteristics of plastic greenhouses due to loads, it can contribute to establishing usability standards for greenhouses, and reinforcement measures for vulnerable areas which are easily deformed under load can be considered.

• Nanomaterials
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1158-1168
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• 2022

Commercial lithium-ion batteries using liquid electrolytes are still a safety hazard due to their poor chemical stability and other severe problems, such as electrolyte leakage and low thermal stability. To mitigate these critical issues, solid electrolytes are introduced. However, solid electrolytes have low ionic conductivity and inferior power density. This study reports the optimization of the synthesis of sodium superionic conductor-type Li_1.5Al_0.3Si_0.2Ti_1.7P_2.8O₁₂ (LASTP) solid electrolyte. The as-prepared powder was calcined at 650 ℃, 700 ℃, 750 ℃, and 800 ℃ to optimize the synthesis conditions and yield high-quality LASTP powders. Later, LASTP was sintered at 950 ℃, 1000 ℃, 1050 ℃, and 1100 ℃ to study the dependence of the relative density and ionic conductivity on the sintering temperature. Morphological changes were analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and structural changes were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Further, the ionic conductivity was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Sintering at 1050 ℃ resulted in a high relative density and the highest ionic conductivity (9.455 × 10^-4 S cm^-1). These findings corroborate with the activation energies that are calculated using the Arrhenius plot. Therefore, the as-synthesized superionic LASTP solid electrolytes can be used to design high-performance and safe all-solid-state batteries.

• Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.64-71
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• 2024

With the advent of Level 4 autonomous vehicles, the need for effective communication between these vehicles and pedestrians has become increasingly important. To address this, eHMI (Enhanced Human-Machine Interface) technology has been proposed to replace traditional driver-pedestrian interactions. eHMI plays a crucial role in conveying the vehicle's status and intentions to pedestrians, thereby improving interaction. Globally, automobile manufacturers and technology companies are investing in visual eHMI technologies, advancing in tandem with the automotive industry. This study developed a methodology for field evaluation of communication technologies between pedestrians and Level 4 autonomous vehicles in urban settings. A three-stage message and display system, tailored to the pedestrian crossing process (recognition, judgment, response), was established. In experiments without message displays, 42.2% (38 out of 90) of participants abandoned crossing. Most who crossed did so only after the vehicle stopped, with some groups crossing irrespective of vehicle approach. When the 'yield' message was introduced, crossing patterns and speed distributions changed significantly. All 38 participants who initially abandoned crossing decided to cross, and the elderly who previously ran or walked quickly crossed at a normal pace, reducing overall crossing time. Field experiments are crucial as real-world conditions may elicit different behaviors than controlled settings. Continued research in field evaluations is essential to develop and assess effective eHMI messages. By observing and analyzing actual pedestrian movements, we can reliably evaluate the effectiveness of these communication technologies, thereby enhancing interaction between autonomous vehicles and pedestrians.

• Journal of Food and Nutrition Research
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.350-356
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• 2021

This study was conducted in Cheonan of central region in South Korea to identify alfalfa cultivars with superior adaptability to the local environment. To evaluate the growth characteristics, productivity, and feed value of 26 alfalfa cultivars, field experiments were conducted with a randomized block design (three replicates) for three years. Among the 26 alfalfa cultivars, "Natsuwakaba" showed the highest dry matter yield (DMY, 37,083 kg/ha), with a significantly higher three-year average than that of other cultivars. Furthermore, the three-year-average DMYs of "Alfalfa short" (31,044 kg/ha) and "Radar II Brand" (31,163 kg/ha) were significantly higher than those of other cultivars. In addition, differences among the feed values of the alfalfa cultivars were relatively less significant than the differences among their productivity, as the feed value was less influenced by the cultivation conditions and cultivars. Although "Jin Huang Hou" and "Certified organic" exhibited the highest feed values when cultivated in central region in South Korea, "Natsuwakaba" outperformed all cultivars in both productivity and feed value. The acid and neutral detergent fiber (ADF and NDF, respectively) contents of "Jin Huang Hou" (38.9% and 47.26%, respectively) were significantly lower than those of other cultivars. In contrast, the ADF and NDF contents of "Burgaltai" (46.52% and 55.56%, respectively) implied poor feed value upon cultivation in South Korea. The crude protein (CP) content in the alfalfa cultivars ranged from 14.95% to 19.44% during early flowering, and the highest CP content was observed for "Certified organic." The in-vitro digestibility of alfalfa was approximately 70% for all cultivars during early flowering, indicating good digestibility of most of the cultivars.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1283-1304
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• 2024

This study delves into the pivotal industrial process of efficiently managing livestock waste. Specifically, the study concentrates on harnessing the potential of bovine blood through enzymatic hydrolysis to produce antioxidant peptides. The whole bovine blood sample, subjected to a 90℃ heat treatment for 30 min, underwent hydrolysis utilizing various commercial enzymes, alcalase, neutrase, and papain. Through neutrase hydrolysis (BB-N), we identified optimized conditions crucial for achieving heightened antioxidant activities and 40% protein recovery. Ultrafiltration with a molecular weight cutoff of 3 kDa was employed to concentrate the BB-N peptide, demonstrating the highest antioxidant and protein yield. The gel electrophoresis profile confirmed the denaturation of key proteins like albumin, globulin, and fibrinogen before digestion, while the BB-N derived after digestion contained peptides below 16 kDa. Post-concentration, the permeation of UF-3 kDa underwent purification, and the peptide sequence was discerned using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The exploration identified nine novel peptides- IWAGK, VDLL, MTTPNK, MPLVR, KIII, LPQL, TVIL, DFPGLQ, and VEDVK. Notably, the IWAGK sequence emerged as the most potent antioxidant activity peptide. Subsequent in-silico gastrointestinal digestion predicted structural changes in these peptides. While IWAGK, VDLL, MPLVR, LPQL, TVIL, and DFPGLQ could be fragmented into bioactive dipeptides and tripeptides, MTTPNK, KIII, and VEDVK exhibited resistance, suggesting potential circulation through the bloodstream to reach the target organ. Consequently, our study explores the potential use of BB-N as a novel dietary ingredient with health benefits. In vivo studies are needed to validate and extend our findings.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1638-1643
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• 2014

This study was conducted to compare carcass characteristics and physico-chemical meat quality in two different genotype ducks raised under identical feeding and rearing conditions. A total of ninety 1-d-old Korean native ducks (KND, n = 45) and commercial meat-type ducks (Grimaud, n = 45) were fed same experimental diets during 56 d and 42 d, respectively to obtain similar slaughter weights. The experimental diet for starter period contained 20% crude protein (CP) and 2,900 kcal nitrogen corrected true metabolizable energy (TMEn)/kg of diet and that for grower period contained 17% CP and 3,050 TMEn/kg of diet. Average daily gain and feed efficiency of KND were inferior to those of commercial meat-type ducks (p<0.05). Carcass weight was not different between two genetically different ducks, but carcass yield of KND was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of commercial meat-type ducks. There were no significant differences in cooking loss and pH of breast meat between two genetically different ducks, but water holding capacity of KND was significantly higher than that of commercial meat-type ducks. The linoleic acid and total polyunsaturated fatty acid of breast meat from KND were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the corresponding part from commercial meat-type ducks. Significant differences were detected in water holding capacity and the content of linoleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid, which were significantly higher in KND, whereas growth performance tended to be superior in commercial ducks. At the market weight, the meat from KND was judged to have better qualities with regard to higher water holding capacity and greater content of polyunsaturated fatty acid compare with meat from commercial meat-type duck.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.16 no.1 s.30
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• pp.47-53
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• 1977

Bacterial diseases of soybean has been recognized as a limiting factor of soybean production in Korea as it was estimated to cause around 10 percent of yield losses annually. The purpose of the study is to obtain information on the diseases through proving the kinds of pathogens and epidemiology, The wire brush method and multineedle appeared to be the best way of inoculation under all circumstances. Wire brush method, especially, was effective in shortening the incubation period and manifesting the lesion development by introducing more inoculum per unit of area. In case of spray inoculation it was necessary to apply a small amount(1 : 1,000) of wetting agent, twin-20, otherwise it was unabled to produce the diseases under field conditions. Two kinds of bacterial diseases caused by Pseudomonas glycinea and Xanthomonas phaseoli var. sljense were found from surveyed areas in Kore. Wild fire disease on soybean caused by Pseudomonas tabaci had not detectable during the experiment although there were several reports on the disease from other countries. when the pathogens were introduced into sterile soil, bacterial leaf blight pathogen could exsisted until 30 days while bacterial pustule pathogen survived only 4 days under the natural conditions of later June. Both bacteria, however, could produce the disease after more than 10 months period of storage in refrigerator when they were exsisted in infected plant tissues. In warehouse, non-temperature controlled, the bacteria lose their infectability within 6 months period from October to April even though they exsisted in infected tissues. Surface infested seeds with the pathogens could not produced the diseases on seedling stages of soybean plants when the seeds were planted in sterile soil after inoculation by dipping the seeds into bacterial suspensions, although germination was depressed by the pathogens when the seeds were planted on agar media.