This study was conducted to provide basic data on the antioxidant activity, inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of a mixture of Brassica juncea extract (BJE) and fermented black rice fraction (BRF). We investigated the total phenol content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant effects (DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, reducing power, FRAP and ORAC assay) and anti-obesity activity of the mixture in 3T3-L1 cells. Our results showed that the total phenol and flavonoid content increased with increasing BRF mixture ratio. The antioxidant activity increased as the BRF mixture ratio increased. In addition, BJE and BRF mixtures did not show any cytotoxicity during the 3T3-L1 differentiation period. During adipocyte differentiation, BJE and BRF mixtures significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and ROS production compared to the control group. These results warrant further experiments to develop an anti-obesity functional food using a mixture of BJE and BRF.

Background: Mobilization movements was applied with different forces and frequencies for different clinicians. Force transmission varies with frequency. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of frequency- specific application of grade III PA movement on muscle tone and muscle activity around the lumbar vertebrae. Design: A one group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Twenty study subjects applied grades III of PA movement exercise of 0.5 Hz and 1 Hz with a force of 13 N around the 1st and 3rd lumbar vertebrae, and muscle tone and muscle activity were measured and compared before and after. Results: This study showed that 0.5 Hz grade III PA activity exerted an effect on the decrease in muscle tone of the 1st and 3rd right and left lumbar muscles. It was found that 0.5 Hz affected the right side of L1 and 1.0 Hz affected the left side of L1 in near-activity when applying the grade III PA movement by frequency. Conclusion: In the future, it will be necessary to investigate the effect of applying frequency according to various grades of PA movement.

대한민국 교육은 코로나19 팬데믹으로 대면 교육에서 비대면 교육으로 전환되었다. 학생들이 사회에 대해 배 울 수 있는 그룹 활동 교육은 축소되거나 중단되었고, 비대면 서비스기술 발전으로 메타버스라는 새로운 서비 스를 탄생시켰다. 본 논문에서 저자는 한국 초·중·고교에서 요구하는 집단 활동 교육을 비대면으로 체험할 수 있는 'Virtual School'(VS)이라는 플랫폼을 제안한다. 이 플랫폼은 학생들이 사용하기 쉬운 VRChat과 3D 가상 환경 렌더링을 위한 Unity 3D 엔진을 기반으로 한다. VS 플랫폼은 졸업식, 입학식, OX 퀴즈 등 다양한 활동 을 제공한다. 해당 플랫폼은 부산진고등학교에서 시범 운영되었으며, 메타버스 관련 비대면 교육 플랫폼 연구 분야에서 활발히 활용될 것으로 기대한다.

This study analyzed the chemical characteristics and physiological activity of five kinds of fresh vegetables produced in trees in early spring and tried to use them as basic data for wild vegetable producers and processed food manufacturers using wild vegetables. The crude protein, minerals, ascorbic acid, folate, total phenol, total flavonoid, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitory activity were determined. Five spring wild vegetables contain high protein and phosphorus, indicating that they are useful food ingredients as sources of protein and phosphorus. Vitamin C content was high in R. venicifera and C. sinensis shoots, and in particular, R. venicifera and A. cortex shoots have high folic acid (folate) contents of 1,903.91 ug% and 1,525.35 ug%, respectively, which is considered a good food for folic acid intake in spring. The total phenol content was between 0.52% and 1.27%, and it was the highest in C. sinensis of 1.27%, followed by the order of R. venicifera, A.cortex, K.pictus, and A. elata, which tended to be consistent with the total flavonoid content. As for DPPH radical scavenging ability, C. sinensis (55.93%) showed the highest activity, and ACE inhibitory activity showed the highest activity in A. cortex (88.04%).

In this study, we aimed to compare the mycelial growth of Pleurotus ostreatus after medium supplementation with various amino acids at different concentrations to select the optimal medium nutrient composition for mycelial growth. The mycelial growth of P. ostreatus was investigated after adding four amino acids (tryptophan, threonine, methionine, and lysine) at 0.5% or 1% to the medium.The rate of P. ostreatus mycelial growthwas faster in the potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium supplemented with threonine at 0.5% or 1% than that of the control, whereas it was inhibited by tryptophan treatment. Supplementation of sawdust mediumwith all amino acids, except tryptophan, at 0.5% did not alter the mycelial growth, compared to the controls. However, addition of any amino acid to sawdust medium at a higher concentration (1%) inhibited the mycelial growth. The laccase acitivity of P. ostreatus mycelium cultured in PDA medium was the highest when threonine was added, and the lowest when tryptophane was added, consistent with the results of the mycelial growth. Therefore, the addition of threonine, methionine, or lysine to PDA medium at a concentration of 0.5-1%was effective for increasing the mycelial growth of P. ostreatus; however, it inhibited mycelial growth insawdust medium, suggesting that the effects of amino acids dependedon the medium nutrient composition.

This research focused on the isolation and characterization of the new strains which can be used as microbial resources for auxin production in the agriculture industry. For the isolation of the new microorganism in the gut of Larimichthys polyactis, a marine agar medium was used and 3 colonies were isolated. Through the 16S-based ID service, isolated strains were identified as 1 strain of Niallia circulans and 3 strains of Proteus mirabilis. Verifying the agriculture industrial values of these isolated strains, the productivity of auxin and activity of various enzymes such as amylase, lipase, and protease were confirmed. As a result, isolated 3 strains showed auxin activity and only protease activities which means the possibility of applying them to the production of effective microorganisms in the agriculture industry.

This study was performed to evaluate the separation of Sr, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, and Nd using gas pressurized extraction chromatography (GPEC) with anion exchange resin for the quantitation of Neodymium. GPEC is a micro-scaled column chromatography system that provides a constant flow rate by utilizing nitrogen gas. It is overcome the disadvantages of conventional column chromatography by reducing the volume of elution solvent and shortening the analysis time. Here, we compared the conventional column chromatography and the GPEC method. The whole analysis time was decreased by nine times and radioactive wastes were reduced by five times using the GPEC system. Anion exchange resin 1-X4 (200~400 mesh size) was used. The sample was prepared at a 0.8 M nitric acid in methanol solution. The elution solvent was used at a 0.01 M nitric acid in methanol solution. Finally the eluate was analyzed by ICP-MS to determine the identification and recovery. In this case, we applied the natural isotopes of LREEs (139La, 140Ce, and 144Nd) and high activity nuclides (88Sr, 133Cs, and 138Ba) instead of radioactive isotopes for the preliminary test; as a result, unnecessary radioactive waste was not produced. The recoveries were 93.9%, 105.9%, 91.9%, 47.6%, 35.9%, and 79.9% of Sr, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, and Nd, respectively. The reproducibility of recoveries by GPEC were in the range 2.8%–10.9%.

Fault activity acts as the greatest risk factor in relation to the stability of the radioactive waste disposal facilities and nuclear power plant site, and for this reason, geological studies on areas with past fault activity history must precede site evaluation studies. This study aims to trace the fault activity history of large fault zones, including the Yangsan fault in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula, where two major earthquakes occurred, and to obtain fault activity direction information that is the basis for stability evaluation. The 3D-Shape Preferred Orientation (SPO) of particles in the fault rock created by the earthquake was investigated to analyze the direction of fault plane activity, and the age of fault activity was estimated through Illite Age Analysis (IAA) analysis. It is expected that the large-scale fault activity information in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula obtained through the SPO and IAA analysis can be used as basic data for safety evaluation of existing or future nuclear power plants and radioactive waste facilities.

A variety of microorganisms are contained in the groundwater and surrounding environment at the depth of a deep geological repository, and could adversely affect the integrity and/or safety of the facility under certain thermal, hydraulic and chemical conditions. In particular, microbial activity (in the buffer and backfill) around the canister can cause corrosion of the canister through sulfide production by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), and subsequently promote radionuclide release through the corroded part. Namely, this phenomenon is important in a perspective of performance assessment since it will have an impact on the post-closure exposure dose in the biosphere by accelerating radionuclide leakage into the near-field due to deterioration of the canister integrity In Finland, the performance assessment on microbial activity in buffer, backfill, and plug was performed for the licensing. However, in Korea, researches relevant to microbial activity are only in the early stage as of now. Accordingly, in this study, we draw initial considerations for the performance assessment on the phenomenon in the domestic facility based on review results for the methodology carried out as part of operating license application (i.e. SC-OLA). Studies on the performance assessment of microbial activity in Finland were mainly performed: (a) to investigate complex interactions among microorganisms in the repository by analyzing both indigenous and exogenous microorganisms through drilling, geological and geochemical analysis, (b) to identify microbial interactions at the buffer, backfill, and host rock interface for specific microorganisms that may affect activity of other microorganisms and integrity of the repository, (c) to analyze canister corrosion caused by microbial activity, particularly sulfide production by SRB, and (d) to characterize microbial illitization of montmorillonite that could affect permeability, hydraulic conductivity, and structural integrity of the repository. From reviewing studies above, it is judged that studies labelled as (b) through (d) are applicable to the performance assessment of microbial activity for the domestic facility regardless of specific conditions in Korea. However, for study labelled as (a), the following data on reflecting domestic conditions should be additionally obtained: (1) radionuclide inventory and temperature in spent nuclear fuel, (2) swelling pressure and organic carbon content of bentonite, and (3) size, shape, and gas composition of pores in bentonite. Results of this study could be directly applied to the design and performance assessment for buffer and backfill components, provided that input data specific to the domestic disposal facility is prepared for the assessment required.

When proliferation activity occurs, states and non-state actors combine various sources of information to gain a better understanding of the situation. The quality of information source, content, and presentation can significantly influence the perception of decision-makers and end users. However, a state’s nuclear or missile activities are almost always classified. Also, states might intentionally reveal information to deter their adversary, threaten their adversary, bolster their prestige in the international community, or a combination of all three. Hence, any revealed information inherently contains some degree of uncertainty regarding its credibility. Lack of credibility makes it difficult for other states or non-state actors to determine how much of the information is accurate and how much is deception. The increase of publicly available information (open-source information) and the development of tools to collect, process, and analyze this information increased the possibilities of using open-source information to cross-check the proliferation claims of states. North Korea is a hermit state that has very little outside interaction. It also has continued to develop and refine its nuclear program. How credible is information released by North Korea? How can scholars/experts compensate for this lack of credibility in information on North Korea’s nuclear activity? This paper seeks to apply a framework on information quality to answer these questions. First, it will briefly explain the factors comprising information quality (sources, content, and presentation). Then, it will apply the information quality framework to North Korean activity analysis. It will conclude with implications of using the information quality framework to analyze a state that is low in accessibility and high uncertainty.

Background: Individuals with scapular winging have a weak serratus anterior (SA) muscle, and to compensate, the pectoralis major (PM) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles excessively activate, which can cause upper extremity dysfunction. This study aimed to compare the effects of isometric horizontal abduction (IHA) on SA, PM, and UT muscle activity, as well as the SA/PM and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during knee push-up plus (KPP) at 90° and 120° of shoulder flexion. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of IHA on SA, PM, and UT muscle activity, as well as the SA/PM and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during KPP at 90° and 120° of shoulder flexion. Methods: This study, conducted at a university research laboratory, included 20 individuals with scapular winging. Participants performed KPP with and without IHA at 90° (KPP90) and 120° (KPP120) of shoulder flexion. SA, PM, and UT muscle activity were measured using surface electromyography. Results: PM activity in KPP90 with IHA was significantly lower than KPP90 and in KPP120 was significantly lower than KPP90. UT activity was significantly greater with IHA than without IHA and at 120° than 90° of shoulder flexion. SA/PM muscle activity ratio was significantly higher in KPP90 with IHA than without IHA and in KPP120 than in KPP90. SA/UT muscle activity ratio was significantly lower with IHA than without IHA. Conclusion: KPP90 with IHA and KPP120 are effective exercises to reduce PM activity and increase SA/PM muscle activity ratio. However, applying IHA in KPP90 also reduces SA/UT muscle activity ratio, implying that it would be preferable to apply KPP120 in individuals overusing their UT muscles.

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model, created by the World Health Organization, provides a theoretical framework that can be applied in the diagnosis and treatment of various disorders. Objects: Our research purposed to ascertain the relationship between structure/function, activity, and participation domain variables of the ICF and pain, pain-associated disability, activities of daily living (ADL), and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Methods: Two-hundred patients with chronic LBP (mean age: 35.5 ± 8.8 years, females, n = 40) were recruited from hospital and community settings. We evaluated the body structure/ function domain variable using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Roland–Morris disability (RMD) questionnaire. To evaluate the activity domain variable, we used the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBDS). For clinical outcome measures, we used Short-form 12 (SF-12). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to ascertain the relationships among the variables (p < 0.05). All the participants with LBP received 30 minutes of conventional physical therapy 3 days/week for 4 weeks. Results: There were significant correlations between the body structure/function domain (NPRS and RMD questionnaire), activity domain (ODI and QBDS), and participation domain variables (SF-12), rending from pre-intervention (r = –0.723 to 0.783) and postintervention (r = –0.742 to 0.757, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The identification of a significant difference between these domain variables point to important relationships between pain, disability, performance of ADL, and quality in participants with LBP.

Background: Osteoarthritis is a common condition with an increasing prevalence and is a common cause of disability. Osteoarthritic pain decreases the quality of life, and simple gait training is used to alleviate it. Knee osteoarthritis limits joint motion in the sagittal and lateral directions. Although many recent studies have activated orthotic research to increase knee joint stabilization, no study has used patellar tendon straps to treat knee osteoarthritis. Objects: This study aimed to determine the effects of patellar tendon straps on kinematic, mechanical, and electromyographic activation in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Patients with knee osteoarthritis were selected. After creating the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), leg length difference, Q-angle, and thumb side flexion angle of the foot were measured. Kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activation data during walking before and after wearing the orthosis were viewed. Results: After wearing the patellar tendon straps, hip adduction from the terminal stance phase, knee flexion from the terminal swing phase, and ankle plantar flexion angle increased during the pre-swing and initial swing phases. The cadence of spatiotemporal parameters and velocity increased, and step time, stride time, and foot force duration decreased. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the increase in plantar flexion after strap wearing is inferred by an increase due to neurological mechanisms, and adduction at the hip joint is inferred by an increase in adduction due to increased velocity. The increase in cadence and velocity and the decrease in gait speed and foot pressure duration may be due to joint stabilization. It can be inferred that joint stabilization is increased by wearing knee straps. Thus, wearing a patellar tendon strap during gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis influences kinematic changes in the sagittal plane of the joint.

A novel L. harbinensis VF was isolated from fermented vinegar and identified through biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. Characteristics of probiotics were studied for acid and bile salt tolerances, hemolytic activity, antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial activity, cell surface hydrophobicity, and aggregation. The survival rates of the isolate were maintained at 68.9% and 95.6% after 3 h incubation at pH 2.0 and 2.5 and were over 74% at bile salt concentrations of 0.3% and 0.5%. The hemolytic activity was confirmed to be -hemolysis. The isolate showed broad antibiotics-resistance in over 12 antibiotics except for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, compared to L. plantarum (KCTC 3108), used as control, and previously reported L. harbinensis. Antimicrobial activity was confirmed against pathogens, B. cereus, E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and S. typhimurium, except S. aureus, and it was attributed to produced organic acids (low pH). The hydrophobicity for xylene and chloroform were 16.7% and 20.4%, respectively, lower than those of L. plantarum (41.2% & 49.9%). The auto-aggregation and coaggregation with pathogens were 83.8% and 49.2-87.6% at 24 h incubation, respectively, higher than those of L. plantarum. From this study, L. harbinensis VF is likely to be used as a probiotic strain and is a strong candidate for commercial application.

This study measured the biochemical properties, antioxidants, free sugars, organic acids, trigonelin, chlorogenic acids, and caffeine content of coffee prepared using different extraction methods by adding dried apple powder to develop high-quality functional drinks. Espresso had the highest soluble solids content and brownness at 9.17±0.88oBrix and 1.85±0.57. Its organic acid content was higher in the sample groups than in the control group, whereas the espresso group was highest in citric acid at 2184.11±0.01 mg/mL, malic acid at 2181.35±0.03 mg/mL, fumal acid at 40.42± 0.01 mg/mL, lactic acid at 32.04±0.02 mg/mL, and formic acid at 49890 mg/mL. Additionally, it had the highest sucrose, glucose, fructose, and sorbitol contents (p<0.05). In the trigonelin content, the sample groups showed a higher content than the control group, with the order being espresso > mokapot > water drip > frenchpress > sippon > hand drip (p<0.05). In the content of chlorogenic acid and caffeine, the sample groups showed higher content than the control group, with the order of espresso > mokapot > water drip > siphon > frenchpress > hand drip (p<0.05). As a result, espresso was found to be suitable for developing coffee drinks in manufactured coffee with different extraction methods.

This study selected the optimal conditions for enzyme treatment that can promote the extraction of functional components from Salvia plebeia (SP) and confirmed solubilization characteristics, functional component contents, and applicability evaluation in pilot-scale, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activity. The optimal conditions of pectinase, 1%, and 2 h (P) were determined through the enzyme treatment of SP. The water-soluble index and total polyphenol content were the highest in P compared to 100oC reflux condition for 2 h (CON). Component analysis performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that flavonoid contents were increased 6.6-9.5 times in the P compared to CON. There was no difference in component content when comparing the measurement lab-scale and pilot scale. CON and P indicated cytoprotective effect against H2O2-induced RAW 264.7 cells. CON and P pre-treatment also reduced the production of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, P showed higher antioxidant and anti-inflammation activities than CON. These results suggested that P has a higher concentration of bioactive compounds through enzyme treatment than that obtained from CON. Thus, it can be used as a primary material for industrial utilization, such as developing functional food materials using SP.