This study aimed to investigate the language usage of outdoor advertisements and find ways to improve it from the perspective of public language. Anyone is exposed to signboards without limitations, and it allows the public to learn fixed language forms for a long time. Therefore, it has both direct and indirect effects on the public’s language lives. This study focuses on sign language as a public language. Here, signboards from four districts in Gyeonggi-do were collected and analyzed in three ways. Signboards marked only in Korean accounted for a relatively large proportion of the main words, whereas mixed types of characters were used together in the subwords. In addition, there were cases of intentional violation of the language norm and listed only the initial consonants, those conscious of ambiguity. Results show that follow-up studies, such as conducting an additional survey, designating a demonstration area for the practical maintenance of sign language, and preparing guidelines for the production of outdoor advertisements, are expected to continue.

Pepper cultivation requires a great amount of manual labor, especially for varieties needing support stakes to prevent them bending or breaking in heavy winds or rain. In Korea, it is recommended to secure support stakes and string lines carefully, so as to minimize the risk of damage caused by typhoons. The harvesting of peppers is a labor-intensive process with low rates of mechanization.The removal of stakes is particularly time-consuming during mechanical harvesting, and lodging is a major issue during cultivation and mechanical harvesting. Given increased mechanization during pepper harvesting, it is important to consider these issues when undertaking variety development and cultivation method improvements. Further research and development are required to improve cultivation practices and develop pepper varieties that are more resistant to lodging. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of different cultivation methods on pepper lodging, thus broadening our knowledge on the desirable architecture of pepper plants required for lodging tolerance.

In ecosystems within limited resources, interspecific competition is inevitable, often leading to the competitive exclusion of inferior species. This study aims to provide foundational information for the conservation and restoration management of Microphysogobio rapidus by evaluating species’ ecological response to biological factors within its habitat. To understand this relationship, we collected food web organisms from site where M. rapidus coexist with Microphysogobio yaluensis, a specie ecologically similar to M. rapidus, and evaluated the trophic levels (TL), isotopic niche space (INS), and the overlap of INS among fishes within the habitat using stable isotope analysis. Our analysis revealed that the M. rapidus exhibited a higher TL than M. yaluensis, with TL of 2.6 and 2.4, respectively. M. yaluensis exhibited a broad INS, significantly influencing the feeding characteristics of most fish. Conversely, M. rapidus showed a narrow INS and asymmetric feeding relationships with other species, in habitats with high competition levels. This feeding characteristics of M. rapidus indicate that the increase in competitors sharing the similar resources lead to a decrease in available resources and, consequently, is expected to result in a decrease in their density.

The goal of this study was to provide basic data necessary for managing fish in the Seomgang River by confirming diversity of fish species in the Seomgang River and determining the degree of change in fish species through a comparison with earlier related work. Growth rate, obesity level, and temporal and spatial reproductive capacities were analyzed to determine growth characteristics of dominant species. Fish fauna and structure of the fish community were surveyed at three different time points from October of 2020 to August of 2021 at eight sites. In addition, growth characteristics of Zacco platypus from June of 2021 to July of 2022 at four sites were determined. A total of 3,999 individuals, 43 species, and ten families of fish were identified. Among these species, 19 (44.19%) were Korean endemic species and four (9.30%) were endangered species. The dominant species was Z. platypus. Pungtungia herzi was identified as a subdominant species. An analysis of length-weight relationships and condition factor (k) of Z. platypus confirmed a good state of growth. As a result of a frequency analysis of the total length, the life cycle of the Z. platypus population living in the Seomgang River was found to be stable. According to gonadosomatic index (GSI) analysis, the spawning season of Z. platypus was estimated to occur after May, consistent with the literature.

2022년 1월부터 11월까지 부산지역에서 유통 중인 신선 농산물 210건을 대상으로 리스테리아균 분포 현황 및 병 원성 여부를 조사하였으며, 분리된 균주를 대상으로 혈청 형 및 유전자 지문분석을 통해 역학적 연관성을 확인하였 다. 조사 대상 신선농산물에서 총 40건의 리스테리아균이 검출되었으며, Listeria monocytogenes 등 4종의 리스테리 아균이 검출되었다. 이 중 L. innocua가 22건, L. monocytogenes 10건, L. grayi 6건, L. rocourtiae 2건으로 나타났으며, 이 중 식중독을 유발하는 L. monocytogenes균 은 팽이버섯에서만 검출되었다. L. monocytogenes의 병원 성을 유발하는 유전자인 iap, prfA, inlA, inlC, inlJ 및 hly 6종에 대한 분석 결과, 총 10개 균주 중 6개 균주에서 iap 등 6종의 병원성 유발 유전자가 검출되었으며, 4개 균주 에서 hly를 제외한 5종의 유전자가 검출되어 식중독 발생 잠재위험이 있음이 확인되었다. 지역 유통 식재료에 분포 하는 L. monocytogenes의 유전학적 유사도 및 오염원 추 이를 확인하기 위해 신선농산물에서 분리한 L. monocytogenes 10균주 및 2022년 부산지역 유통 가금류에 서 분리한 L. monocytogenes 2균주를 대상으로 혈청형 분 석 및 PFGE를 실시한 결과, 신선농산물 분리균주의 혈청 형은 1/2a 및 1/2b 두 가지 serotype으로 확인되었으며, 가 금류 분리균주는 모두 1/2a형으로 나타났다. 유전자지문 분석결과, 전체 균주의 유사도는 100-45.7%로 나타났고, 이 중 100% 상동성을 보인 균주들은 동일 생산농장 또는 동일지역 유래 팽이버섯에서 분리되어 오염원의 출처가 같음을 추측할 수 있었다. 신선농산물 분리균주와 유통 가금육 분리균주와의 유사도 확인 결과, 일부 팽이버섯 분 리균주와 가금육 분리균주의 유사도가 90.9-84.6%로 나타 났다. 농산물 및 축산물 생산시설간 오염원 이동 및 교차 가능성을 유추할 수 있었다.

The limitation of markers for chronic oral diseases such as oral lichen planus (OLP) and burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The pathogenesis of OLP and BMS is not yet fully understood. Therefore, diagnoses are mainly based on the observation of clinical features and history, rather than established markers. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are used to determine the state of inflammation; however, these markers have some limitations. Recently, a new inflammatory marker, pentraxin-3 (PTX3), has been identified in other systemic inflammatory diseases. PTX3 is a member of the pentraxin family and is classified as a long pentraxin. PTX3 is found in various human tissues, whereas the classical short pentraxin, CRP, is secreted only in the liver. PTX3 is a marker of autoimmune diseases and periodontitis. However, there are no studies on PTX3 in OLP and BMS; therefore, we sought to determine if PTX3 can be a diagnostic marker for OLP and BMS. PTX3 was found to be correlated with other inflammatory markers, suggesting its diagnostic value for inflammatory oral diseases. We also found that the PTX3 levels were lower in patients with OLP and BMS. ESR levels were elevated in the OLP and BMS groups, but CRP levels were not. Despite these associations, no correlation was found between PTX3 expression and other known clinical features of OLP and BMS. We suggest that PTX3 plays a role in the immunological and neurological pathways involved in the complex pathogenesis of OLP and BMS.

Mulberry fruit is a superior source of polyphenols, especially anthocyanin, and has a long history of use as an edible fruit and traditional medicine. The anthocyanin composition of mulberry fruit from 15 Korean cultivars was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector with quadrupole time of flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-QToF/MS) based on a cyanin internal standard. The four glycosides were identified by comparison with authentic standards and published reports. The major anthocyanin was cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (71.7%), followed by cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside (26.6%). The minor components (total of 1.7%) were pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside and pelargonidin 3-O-rutinoside. The total anthocyanin content (mg/100 g, dry weight) of mulberry fruit varied by cultivar and ranged from 471.5±4.0 (Su Hong) to 4,700.2±54.0 (Gwa Sang2). Among the 15 cultivars examined, Gwa Sang2 showed the highest level of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (3,133.4±32.6), which was 9-fold higher than that of Su Hong (351.5±3.4). In conclusion, anthocyanin profiles, including pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside and pelargonidin 3-O-rutinoside, were reported for the first time from 15 Korean mulberry fruit cultivars. The results will contribute valuable information on pharmaceutical properties, breeding superior mulberry cultivars, and food industries.

The term ‘lodging’ in agriculture is usually used when the crops fall from their upright position before harvesting. Various factors may be responsible, including inherent weaknesses in the stem, resulting from low lignin content or small root systems.Weather, such as strong winds or rains, will also likely increase lodging. Insect or disease damage can also weaken the plants, and cultural practices, such as fertilization, irrigation, and cultivation techniques, may increase the risk. Most of the research studies on lodging have been undertaken on cereal crops, but this is also an issue with many vegetable crops, and especially those that require mechanized harvesting. In this review, the issue of lodging in solanaceous vegetable crops is discussed, with an emphasis on the key risk factors and potential areas for future research that can identify damage mitigation strategies.

This study investigated the quality characteristics and optimal conditions of noodles produced by adding Baromi 2 Garu floury rice to wheat flour. The lightness of samples with floury rice increased, while the lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) decreased after cooking compared to before cooking. The weight, volume, and moisture absorption rate of cooked noodles decreased compared to wheat, but turbidity increased as the amount of rice flour increased. In addition, compared to the control with 20% rice flour, GR-20 (flour replacement by 20% Garu floury rice) with floury rice had lower turbidity, showing less cooking loss. The hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of noodles with floury rice decreased as the floury rice content increased, while springiness, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness increased. The elongation force and distance decreased as the amount of floury rice increased. Therefore, the optimal amount of floury rice to replace wheat flour would be 20%. Adding excessive amounts of floury rice to processed foods requires additional processes, such as adding food additives or changing the processing method to control physical properties.

This study focuses on heat-induced gelation of pea (Pisum sativum L.) proteins to assess the potential of pea protein aggregates (PPA) as novel plant-based meat alternatives. The microstructural (SEM, CLSM), mechanical (TPA analysis), and rheological properties (G', G'') of heat-induced gels at pH 2 were systematically investigated as a function of a different pea protein concentration (7.5, 10, 12.5%) and a varying heating time (1, 3, 6, 16 h). The result showed that PPA formation at higher protein concentration and heating time contributed to a homogenous and compact heat-induced gel formation. Such gel network strengthened mechanical properties in terms of high gel hardness (40 g) and elastic texture (2.7 mm springiness). For the rheological studies, the storage modulus (G') showed an increase during both the heating and cooling phases and then stabilized during the cooled-holding phase. This suggested that the formation of durable and stable gel was induced due to the decreased mobility of protein aggregates at low temperatures. Therefore, the PPA is indicated as a potential additive for enhancing the food texture quality in the plant-based meat food industry.

Purpose: The purposes of this study was to identify the nurses' experiences of prolonged mask wearing in the context of COVID-19. Methods: This study was a qualitative study that used the content analysis method. Data were collected using focus group interviews with 18 nurses at a tertiary general hospital from April 13 to 27, 2023. Results: Five themes and 15 sub-themes emerged through qualitative content analysis. The themes included: “Mandatory or optional experience of wearing a mask unrelated to COVID-19”, “Mandatory KF94 masks during the COVID-19 pandemic”, “Multifaceted changes in life due to mandatory mask wearing”, “Unexpected benefits of wearing a mask”, “Difficulties with wearing masks continue even after the COVID-19 pandemic”. Conclusion: This study confirmed the discomfort and difficulties of prolonged mask wearing among nurses in the context of COVID-19. Our findings suggest that there is a need for organizational and national support for nurses who are required to continue wearing masks after the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study investigated the nutritional characteristics of before and after fermentation of domestic soybean (Glycine max L.) by Rhizopus oligosporus. The soybean storage proteins, β-conglycinin (11S globulin) and glycinin (7S globulin), were the most abundant in Seonyu (SY) and Danbaegkong (DBK), with concentrations of 253.4 mg/g and 193.0 mg/g, respectively. For 11S/7S related to sulfur-containing amino acid, DBK had a value of 0.95, making it the most excellent nutritionally among all the cultivars. The free amino acid content significantly increased from 0.04~10.45 mg/g before fermentation to 1.37~16.95 mg/g after fermentation, and the essential amino acid composition increased, confirming an improvement in protein quality after fermentation. Phytic acid, known as a nutritional inhibitor of soybeans, decreased from 1.66~2.13 g/100 g before fermentation to 0.90~1.58 g/100 g after fermentation, suggesting that mineral absorption inhibition was alleviated. In addition, the trypsin inhibitor content is suppressed by 76.20% to 81.25% after fermentation, which is expected to improve protein utilization in the body. This study confirmed some properties of fermented products by Rhizopus oligosporus using domestic soybeans, and these results are presented to serve as the basic data for establishing new uses of Korean soybean cultivars.

본 연구는 난대상록수종인 종가시나무에 대한 수간곡선식의 도출과 재적표의 작성 및 탄소배출계수를 이용하여 탄소저장, 흡수량을 추정하고자 수행하였다. 분석에 사용된 공시목은 전남, 경남, 제주 등에서 수집된 468본이며, 수간형태를 도출하기 위하여 적용한 수간곡선 모형은 Kozak 모델이다. 이 모델의 적합도는 0.9452, 편의는 0.0807, 추정치 표준오차의 백분율은 1.7145, 평균절대편차는 1.2655로 각각 나타났다. 종가시나무의 개체목 재적은 Kozak 수간곡선 모델에 Smalian 재적식을 적용시켜 산출하였으며, 수고와 흉고직경급별로 재적표를 작성하였다. 그리고 붉가시나무 재적표와 이번에 만든 종가시나무 재적표를 서로 비교한 결과(t-test), 통계적으로 두 집단 간에 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 이들 재적표는 두 수종 중 하나만 이용하거나, 둘을 하나로 통합하여도 문제가 없을 것으로 판단된다. 한편 종가시나무림의 탄소저장 및 흡수량은 산림바이오소재연 구소 시험림의 조사구를 대상으로 하였다. 이들 조사구를 대상으로 탄소저장 및 흡수량을 계산한 결과, 생육상태가 양호한 시험구(A)에서 탄소저장량 은 93.17 C ton/ha, 그리고 탄소흡수량은 13.14 CO2 ton/ha/yr 인 것으로 나타났다. 반면에 생육이 저조한 시험구(B)의 탄소 저장 및 흡수량은 양호한 시험구보다 약 1/3 정도 낮게 나타났다.

In this study, the quality safety limit period of seven types of bakery bread was analyzed, and their use-by date was calculated. For evaluating product quality, storage conditions were set as 5, 15, 25, and 35oC for 50 days, and moisture, microorganisms, sensory characteristics, and dominant bacteria were examined. The quality and safety standards followed the Korea Food Code and Korean industrial standards (KS). The results showed that all products stored at 5oC satisfied the standard for bacterial count for day 50, but the sensory quality was below the standard level. Samples stored at 15oC showed high variability from 3–39 days. At 25oC, a quality safety limit period of 2–20 days was set, and one sample was found to have the same shelf life. Bread stored at 35 °C had the shortest quality safety limit period. Considering a safety factor of 0.87, a use-by date period of 1.7–13.1 days was calculated. Therefore, setting the use-by date according to the product type is necessary, even for the same product category. Among the bread products sold in bakeries, those managed as room temperature products (1–35oC) can be distributed and stored in a temperature range of up to 35oC. Overall, this study demonstrates the importance of setting a quality retention period based on the product characteristics and carefully considering the safety factor.

The consumption of ready-to-eat side dishes is rapidly growing in South Korea. These foods are particularly vulnerable to microbiological contamination as they are often cooked without any treatment, such as heating or stored at room temperature after cooking. Hence, in 2022, we analyzed the ready-to-eat side dishes sold in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea for microbiological contamination. We collected 100 samples from supermarkets in 7 cities, and then examined them for presence of food-borne pathogens and sanitary indicator bacteria. In the analysis of the food-borne pathogens, Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens were isolated from 51 samples (51.0%) and 3 samples (3.0%), respectively. However, both quantitatively met the Korean Food Standards Codex. Genes of five different enterotoxins and one emetic toxin were analyzed from the 51 isolated B. cereus strains. We detected enterotoxin entFM (100.0%), nheA (94.1%), hblC (58.8%), cytK (56.9%), and bceT (41.2%) in 51 isolates, and emetic toxin gene, CER, in only one (2.0%) isolate. We did not detect C. perfringens toxin gene (cpe) that causes food poisoning in any one of the three C. perfringens isolates. In the case of sanitary indicator bacteria, Kimchi had the highest levels of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms, followed by Saengchae, Jeotgal, Jeolim, Namul, and Jorim, respectively. We counted total aerobic bacteria at two different storage temperatures (4oC and 20oC) to determine the effect of storage temperature. When stored at 20oC, total aerobic bacteria count increased in most of the ready-to-eat side dishes, except for Jeotgal. This result conclusively shows the need for refrigerating the ready-to-eat side dishes after purchase. Further research is needed to assess the risk and safety of the ready-to-eat side dishes available in the market and determine appropriate safety management practices.

3D printing is widely used in product development and prototype manufacturing, and is expected to become universal across various industries with the development of 3D printing-related technologies. However, parts made by Fused Deposition Modeling(FDM) 3D printing using the commonly used stacking manufacturing process, show low tensile strength and hardness. The decreased mechanical properties of these parts limit their use as structural elements. In this study, we aim to investigate the relationship between ultrasonic treatment of PLA parts produced by FDM 3D printing and their mechanical properties. Specifically, we analyze the effects of ultrasonic annealing on the mechanical properties of PLA parts using the tensile test specimen.

Fluorescent probe were used to evaluate the effects of catechin on the structural parameters (annular lipid fluidity, transbilayer lateral and rotational mobility and protein clustering) of the Porphyromonas gingivalis outer membrane (OPGs). An experimental procedure was used on the basis of selective quenching of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py) by trinitrophenyl groups and radiationless energy transfer from the tryptophans of membrane proteins to Py-3-Py and DPH. Catechin increased the bulk lateral and rotational mobility, annular lipid fluidity of OPGs lipid bilayers, and had greater fluidizing efficacy on the outer monolayer than the inner monolayer. It also caused membrane proteins to cluster. Based on these effects of catechin on OPGs, the antibacterial and antiviral actions of catechin can be partially explained.

본 연구에서는 김치로부터 분리한 유산균 Weizmannia coagulans KK7(KCTC19023P) 균주를 이용하여 당근(Daucus carota var. sativa) 잎 추출물의 발효를 실시하고 얻은 생산물의 항염증 활성 및 성 분변화를 확인하였다. 발효에 의한 당근 잎 추출물의 성분 변화를 확인하기 위하여 고성능 액체크로마토그 래피를 이용하여 분석한 결과 발효 전과 비교하였을 때 발효 후에 플라보노이드의 일종인 루테올린 (luteolin)의 함량이 현저히 증가하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 당근 잎 추출물과 발효 당근 잎 추출물의 항 염 활성은 LPS에서 염증을 유발한 RAW 264.7 세포에서 NO (Nitric oxide) 생성 억제 효과로 확인하였 다. 발효 당근 잎 추출물을 처리하였을 때 당근 잎 추출물 처리군에 비해 NO 생성이 상대적으로 억제되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 발효 당근 잎 추출물 농도가 증가함에 따라 NO 생성 억제 효과도 유의적으로 증 가 하였다. Western blot을 통해 염증반응에서 NO 생합성과 관련된 효소 iNOS의 발현을 확인한 결과 발 효 당근 잎 추출물에서 단백질 발현이 농도 의존적으로 감소하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 실험 결과 로부터 미생물 발효를 통해 당근 잎의 항염 효과가 증대된다는 것을 확인할 수 있었으며 이는 식품으로 거 의 이용되지 않고 버려지는 당근 잎이 발효를 통해 새로운 식품 및 화장품 소재로 사용될 수 있음을 시사 한다.

In vitro digestibility and protein digestibility corrected amino acid scores (PDCAAS) were investigated to verify the availability of protein in various Rhizopus oligosporus fermented products of domestic soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars. Danbaegkong (DBK), Daepung (DP), Daewonkong (DWK), Saedanbaek (SDB), Seonyu (SY), and Cheongja4ho (CJ4) were used as raw samples, which were fermented using commercially available Rhizopus oligosporus for 48 h. All cultivars showed increased crude protein content after fermentation. The crude protein content of DBK and SDB was significantly higher than that of the other samples (55.12% in DBK and 54.22% in SDB) (p<0.001). CJ4 had the highest alanine content of 28.88 mg/g (p<0.001), and no significant difference in cysteine content was detected among the cultivars. In most of the fermented samples, the in vitro digestibility was 0.9 or higher, indicating high protein in the fermented samples. However, it is considered that restrictions on digestion are low. In DWK, the amino acid content and PDCAAS, which together indicate protein quality, were 0.917 and 0.855, respectively, confirming that it was the best cultivar to provide the raw material for fermentation. In conclusion Rhizopus oligosporus fermented soybean products can be considered a prospective source of protein with high utility value.

Purpose: This qualitative study aimed to understand and describe teachers' experiences of early childhood sex education. Methods: For data collection, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 early childhood teachers working at daycare centers until the data were saturated. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using the qualitative thematic analysis method suggested by Braun and Clarke. Results: Although early childhood teachers recognized the necessity of sex education for children, they experienced difficulties in imparting sex education in daycare centers. Teachers lacked confidence because they themselves had not received proper education related to teaching sex education. It was confirmed that sex education methods and materials were lacking and outdated, and the support of educational institutions was insufficient. Teachers emphasized the importance of communication and cooperation with parents when sexual behavior problems occur in children. Conclusion: Systematic education for teachers and parents is required to raise awareness of sex education and to communicate smoothly among them.