Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the environmental awareness and health impact of respiratory diseases among residents in the exposure area (Banwoldong) and the control area. Additionally, it sought to identify the correlation between environmental factors in the exposure area and their effects on health. Methods: This study utilized a 2021 survey of 20 residents to assess environmental awareness using a 5-point Likert scale. The measurement of indoor particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), temperature, and humidity was conducted using a direct-reading laser light scattering device, the DT-9881M (SANE Cal. Co., Ltd., Korea). Additionally, a cohort analysis was conducted using National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data (2002~2022) to evaluate the onset of chronic disease, focusing on residency and diagnostic records. Results: In the environmental awareness assessment, women showed a statistically significantly higher level of awareness than men regarding water pollution (p=0.0039) and soil pollution (p=0.007). Also, the incidence of respiratory diseases and asthma was statistically significantly higher in the exposure area than in the control area (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This study found significantly higher rates of respiratory diseases in the exposure area compared to the control area. Long-term exposure (≥5 years) to environmental factors in the exposure area was found to be associated with a greater health impact. This suggests a strong link between environmental factors and respiratory diseases. The results emphasize the need for region-specific environmental policies to address pollution-related health disparities.

Aidanosagitta crassa, a key species in South Korea’s coastal waters, exhibits three morphological types: Type C with a collarette-containing trunk, Type N lacking a collarette, and an intermediate Type I. Limited research studies have been conducted on their ecological patterns, prompting this study to elucidate seasonal occurrence patterns of A. crassa types in Pyeongtaek. Field surveys at six stations in Pyeongtaek port were conducted in winter (Feb.), spring (May), summer (Aug.), and autumn (Nov.) of 2010. Water temperature and salinity were measured and zooplankton samples were collected for abundance analysis. Type C predominated in winter and autumn. Type I predominated in summer and Type N predominated in summer and autumn. Occurrence patterns were influenced by water temperature. Type C showed a negative correlation with water temperature. Type N was positively correlated with water temperature. However, Type I showed no significant correlation with water temperature. In 2013, genetic sampling using the mtCOI marker was conducted in winter and summer. Despite morphological differences, genetic analysis revealed intraspecific diversity due to seasonal environmental changes.

식용곤충인 갈색거저리 유충이 식품 대체원료로써 식육에 대한 대체 가능성을 타진하고자 갈색거저리 유충 분말을 대체하지 않은 제품을 대조구로 설정하고 1%, 2%, 3% 비율로 대체한 유화소시지를 처리구로 하여 4±1℃에서 1, 8, 15, 22, 29일간 저장하면서 이화학적 특성과 관능적 특성 변화를 측정하였다. 갈색거저리 유충 분말을 첨가한 처리구의 pH는 대조구보다 증가하였고, 보수성(WHC)은 저장기간에 따라 대조구와 처리구 간 유의적인 차이는 크게 나타나지 않았으나, 대체량이 많을수록 보수성이 더 우수하였다(p<0.05). 휘발성 염기태질소(VBN), 지방산패도(TBARS) 는 대조구보다 감소하였으며, 관능검사의 경우 대조구와 유의적 차이가 나타나지 않았다(p<0.05). 따라서, 처리구가 대조구보다 우수한 품질과 저장성을 가지고 있었으며, 기호적인 측면에서도 뒤처지지 않아서 갈색거저리 유충 분말로 식육을 대체하는 것이 가능하다고 판단되어 식용곤충을 식품 대체원료로 제품화하였을 때, 식용곤충에 대한 거부감을 완화하고 소비자들에게 있어 긍정적인 인식의 변화를 이끌어낼 수 있는 기초자료를 제시할 수 있었다.

Prebiotics are known as components of intestinal microbiota that can improve and maintain human health status by stimulating the growth and activity of the intestinal tract as a method of controlling the intestinal environment. In this study, we examined whether 2’-fucosyllactose (FL) could affect intestinal microbial population and bowel activity. Water content and frequency of mouse feces were increased in the 2’-FL treated group at a high concentration (1,000 mg/kg), with brightness of the color enhanced and physical properties diluted. In addition, intestinal microbial analysis showed that harmful bacteria Clostridium and Staphylococcus strains were decreased and beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus strains were markedly increased in the group treated with a high concentration of 2’-FL compared to those in the control group. These findings suggest that administration of 2’-FL can maintain healthy bowel activity by reducing harmful bacteria population and improving diluted physical properties.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of head and neck cancer and is associated with high recurrence, poor treatment, and low survival rates. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a transcription factor that regulates the response to hypoxia, a major factor in the tumor microenvironment that affects tumor development and progression in various cancer types. However, microRNA (miRNA) sequence analysis revealed that only a few miRNAs targeting HIF-1α had been discovered. In the present study, we investigated HIF-1α expression in OSCC and the effect of HIF-1α-targeting miRNAs on the progression and metastatic potential of OSCC. We analyzed public databases to explore which miRNAs target HIF-1α expression. In addition, the expression of proteins involved in the cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis in HSC-2 cells was analyzed after miRNA-126 mimic treatment. Furthermore, to investigate the effect of miRNA-126 on the proliferation and invasion ability of OSCC cells, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and Transwell assays were performed. The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were evaluated via gelatin zymography. Our results showed that miRNA-126, which targets HIF-1α, enhances OSCC cell proliferation by regulating the cell cycle and reinforces the cell mobility of OSCC via HIF-1α expression. These findings suggest that miRNA-126 may be a novel marker for OSCC treatment and the development of new tools for patients with OSCC.

Coffee is the most popular beverage in the world and various pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are emitted from the coffee manufacturing workplace (roasting process). In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of VOCs emissions from roasted Arabica coffee bean powder using a VOCs emission chamber with a PTR-ToF-MS. The emission test was maintained under constant temperature (20 ± 2oC) and humidity (50 ± 5%) conditions. As a result of the emission test, most of the target compounds had a high concentration in the initial period, and decreased emissions as time lapsed. Acetaldehyde showed the highest concentration and was initially 78 ppm during the test period. Acetaldehyde was followed by propionic acid at 61 ppm, propanal at 51 ppm, and isobutanal at 50 ppm. As a result of comparing the occupational exposure limits (OELs) of individual VOC emitted during the coffee roasting process, the OELs of four substances, including acetaldehyde, propionic acid, acetic acid, and pyridine were identified. Of all four substances, only pyridine exceeded the OELs, and the other compounds had levels of 10% to 30% of the OELs.

본 연구의 목적은 음성 인터페이스(Voice User Interface, VUI)를 이루는 설계변수 중 사용자에게 긍정적인 감성을 유발하는 설계변수를 확인하는 것이다. 특히, 사용자의 성별과 설계변수의 조절 효과를 분석하여 VUI와 상호작용하는 동안 사용자가 만족할 수 있는 적절한 설계변수 수준을 찾아보고자 하였다. 선행연구를 통해 VUI에 사용되는 음성 설계변수 중에서 사용자의 감성 만족도에 영향을 미칠 수 있는 설계변수 6가지를 도출하였다. 설계변수는 수준을 조절할 수 있도록 Wizard of OZ를 활용하여 VUI 시스템을 구현하였고, 6가지 설계변수의 수준을 조합하여 사용자와 음성으로 대화를 할 수 있도록 구성하였다. 실험에 참여한 사용자는 총 80명으로, 남/여 성비를 고려하여 각 40명씩 모집하였다. 사용자는 VUI와 주어진 임무에 대한 정답을 알아내기 위해 자연스러운 대화를 진행하며, 그동안의 얼굴 표정 변화에 대한 이미지 데이터를 수집 및 표정 분석 소프트웨어를 통해 Valence 점수로 변환하였다. Valence 데이터 를 기반으로 빈도 및 카이제곱 분석을 통해 확인한 결과, 사용자의 성별과 AI gender간의 조절효과가 유의한 것으로 나타났다. 이 결과는 VUI를 설계할 때 사용자의 성별 차이를 고려하는 것이 좋다는 것을 의미한다. 결론적으로, 남성사용자의 경우 성인/남성/높은 톤의 음성, 여성 사용자의 경우 성인/여성/중간톤의 음성이 향후 만족스러운 인터랙션 구현을 위한 VUI 설계에 주요한 가이드라인인 것을 확인하였다. 본 연구의 결과를 통해 향후 다양한 인적 요소를 고려하여 UX 관점에서 인간-AI 상호작용을 보다 섬세하게 분석할 수 있을 것이며, 표정을 통한 실시간 감성 측정을 위한 기초연구로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

본 연구는 2019년 5월부터 2021년 5월까지 무인센서카메라를 이용하여 설악산과 지리산 국립공원에 서식하는 다람 쥐(Tamias sibiricus)의 연중 관찰 양상과 행동 패턴을 파악하기 위해 실시하였다. 주차별 관찰빈도를 지표로 하여 관찰빈도의 연중 변화를 파악하였고 봄과 여름, 가을의 시간별 관찰빈도를 이용하여 계절별 일일 행동 패턴을 분석하였 다. 다람쥐의 일일 행동 패턴은 지역 및 계절에 따른 차이 없이 주행성인 것으로 나타났다. 두 지역에 서식하는 다람쥐는 연중 관찰 기간에 차이가 있었다. 설악산에서 18~45주차에, 지리산에서는 7~48주차에 다람쥐가 관찰되었으며, 이는 동면시기에 영향을 받은 것으로 판단된다. 두 지역에서 다람쥐는 가을에 가장 많이 관찰되었다. 계절에 따른 다람쥐의 개체군 동태 및 활동량 변화가 무인센서카메라 관찰빈도에 반영되는 것으로 판단된다. 무인센서카메라의 관찰빈도는 간접적인 지표로서 대상종의 서식 밀도와 활동량을 구분해낼 수 없다는 한계점이 존재하지만, 방법이 쉽고 조사자에 따른 편차가 적어 효율적인 모니터링 방법으로 제시될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

The rate of industrial accident reduction is slowing down as the attention of the Ministry of Employment and Labor and related agencies on risk assessment systems decreased. this paper focuses on weakness of legal system for the risk assessment in recent years. A survey was conducted to identify the status and condition of the risk assessment system applying on small and medium-sized manufacturing companies. A set of questionnaires is designed to reflect various perspectives of the companies regarding the problems and solutions of the system. The results refer that differentiated instructions and support systems in response to the actual conditions of the companies are mandatory to reinforce the efficiency of risk assessment system.

It was legislated in Korea that the small-sized enterprise with fewer than 50 employees should appoint at least one managing officer in order to improve safety and health of the employees since 2016. Study on the effectiveness of this legislation is hardly found, however. This study tried to evaluate effectiveness of the regulations for appointing the safety and health management officer in small-sized manufacturing companies and make suggestions to improve it. It was done by pairwise comparison between the level of safety and health achievement of 52 companies before and after the legislation. A scorecard system and questionnaires were devised for assessing the level of safety and health achievement and surveying awareness and practice of the regulation in the field. Results from quantitative and qualitative analyses performed in the study confirm that the safety and health achievement score has increased significantly after appointing the managing officer. It is also revealed that the lack of expertise and motivation of the appointed officer would yield pointless outcomes. Recommendations to make it better the effectiveness of the regulation are: to administrate requirements more strictly to be appointed as a safety and health management officer, to revise the curriculum to train the expertise of the appointed officers, and to expand financial support of the government to settle the safety and health management system.