Particulate matter (PM) 10 refers to fine dust with a diameter of less than 10 µm and induces apoptosis and inflammatory responses through oxidative stress. <i>Citrus junos</i> Tanaka is a citrus fruit and contains bioactive flavonoids including naringin. In the present study, we aimed to identify the preventive effect of <i>Citrus junos</i> Tanaka peel extract (CPE) against PM₁₀-induced lung injury. As a proof of concept, NCI-H460 cells were treated with CPE (800 μg/mL, 12 h) in conjunction with PM₁₀ to examine intracellular antioxidative capacity in the pulmonary system. In an in vivo model, male BALB/c mice (<i>n</i> = 8/group) were randomly assigned into five groups: NEG (saline-treated), POS (PM₁₀ only), NAR (PM₁₀ + naringin, 100 mg/kg), CPL (PM₁₀ + CPE low, 100 mg/kg), and CPH (PM₁₀ + CPE high, 400 mg/kg). Intervention groups received dietary supplementations for 7 days followed by PM₁₀ exposure (100 mg/kg, intranasal instillation). Compared to the NEG, the CPE decreased to 22% of the ROS generation and significantly increased cell viability in vitro. The histological assessments confirmed that pulmonary damages were alleviated in the PM₁₀ + CPL group compared to the POS. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB/apoptosis signaling-related markers were decreased in the PM₁₀ + CPL group compared to the POS. These results indicated that CPE showed promising efficacy in preventing pulmonary injuries in vivo. Such protection can be explained by the anti-oxidative capacity of CPE, likely due to its bioactives, including naringin (7.74 mg/g CPE). Follow-up human intervention, as well as population-level studies, will further shed light on the preventive efficacy of CPE against pulmonary damage in humans.

We explored the physiological effects of inhaling basil essential oil (BEO) and/or linalool and identified odor-active aroma compounds in BEO using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC-olfactometry (GC-O). Linalool was identified as the major volatile compound in BEO. Three groups of rats were administered BEO and linalool via inhalation, while rats in the control group were not. Inhalation of BEO for 20 min only reduced the total weight gain (190.67 ± 2.52 g) and increased the forced swimming time (47.33 ± 14.84 s) compared with the control group (219.67 ± 2.08 g, 8.33 ± 5.13 s). Inhalation of BEO for 5 min (392 ± 21 beats/min) only reduced the pulse compared with the control group (420 ± 19 beats/min). Inhalation of linalool only reduced the weight of white adipose tissue (5.75 ± 0.61 g). The levels of stress-related hormones were not significantly different among the groups. The total cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased after inhalation of BEO for 20 min (by more than -10% and -15%, respectively). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lowered (by more than -10%) by the inhalation of BEO and linalool, regardless of the inhalation time. In particular, BEO inhalation for 20 min was associated with the lowest level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (53.94 ± 2.72 mg/dL). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased after inhalation of BEO (by more than +15%). The atherogenic index and cardiac risk factors were suppressed by BEO inhalation. Animals exposed to BEO and linalool had no significant differences in hepatotoxicity. These data suggest that the inhalation of BEO and linalool may ameliorate cardiovascular and lipid dysfunctions. These effects should be explored further for clinical applications.

<i>Citrus junos</i> Tanaka (CJ)-related products are well-accepted by consumers worldwide; thus, they generate huge amounts of waste (peel, pulp, and seed) through CJ processing. Although some CJ by-products (CJBs) are recycled, their use is limited owing to the limited understanding of their nutritional and economic value. The exposure to particulate matter (PM) increases the risk of respiratory diseases. In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effects of CJB extracts (100, 200 mg/kg/day, 7 days) on PM10-induced (10 mg/kg, intranasal, 6 h) lung damage in BALB/c mice. Cell type-specific signaling pathways are examined using the A549 (PM10, 200 μg/mL, 6 h) and RAW264.7 (LPS, 100 ng/mL, 6 h) cell lines. The CJB extracts significantly attenuated PM10-induced pulmonary damage and inflammatory cell infiltration in a mouse model. The essential protein markers in inflammatory signaling pathways, such as AKT, ERK, JNK, and NF-κB for PM10-induced phosphorylation, were dramatically reduced by CJB extract treatment in both the mouse and cell models. Furthermore, the CJB extracts reduced the production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in a dose-dependent manner in the cells. Comprehensively, the CJB extracts were effective in reducing PM10-induced lung injuries by suppressing pulmonary inflammation, potentially due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

(연구 배경 및 목적) 최근 도시 내 유휴공간이 도시 어메니티 향상과 환경 개선의 수단으로 재조명되면서, 이를 정원 조성을 통해 재생하려는 시도가 활발히 이루어지고 있다. 유휴공간은 그간 관리 부재로 인한 도시 문제의 원인이 되었으나, 녹색 공간이 지닌 신체적·정신적 치유 효과 및 삶의 질 향상 기능이 강조되며 긍정적인 대안 공간으로 인식되고 있다. 본 연구는 산림청과 한국수목정원관리원이 주관한 ‘2024년 정원드림프로젝트’에 참여하여, 남양주시 별내동의 유휴공간에 조성한 실제 정원을 대상으로 그 계획 및 시공 과정을 정리하고, 실천적 조성 사례를 제시하는 것을 목적으로 한다. (연구방법) 이론적 고찰을 통해 유휴공간의 개념과 유형, 활용 가치, 정원 적용 사례를 분석하고, 이를 바탕으로 대상지의 현황 분석 및 설계 방향을 설정하였다. 이후 정원 기본 구상 및 계획안을 수립하여 1차 공모에 응모하였고, 당선 후 정원 작가(멘토)와의 협업을 통해 실시설계 및 변경안을 마련하였다. 최종 시공은 2024년 8월 5일부터 24일까지 약 3주간 진행되었으며, 시공 결과를 중심으로 조성 과정을 기술하였다. 본 연구는 설계 및 시공 전 과정에 한정하며, 장기적 이용행태나 유지관리 효과에 대한 분석은 범위에서 제외하였다. (연구결과) 조성된 정원은 ‘느린 정원(Slow Garden)’이라는 개념 아래, 바쁜 일상 속에서 여유와 치유를 제공하는 공간으로 구현되었다. 달팽이 조형물, 곡선형 보행로, 건천, 생태적 식재 등은 공간의 시각적 상징성과 생태 기능, 이용자 동선을 고려하여 종합적으로 설계되었다. 특히 교통섬이라는 입지 조건을 반영하여, 머무름보다는 시각적 인지를 중심으로 한 경관 구성을 시도하였다. (결론) 본 연구는 유휴공간의 정원화를 통해 도시 내 치유와 공공성을 담은 공간 조성 가능성을 실천적으로 제시하였다는 점에서 의의가 있다. 특히 설계·시공 전 과정을 통해 정원의 상징성, 생태성, 경관성을 종합적으로 구현하였다. 다만, 현장 실행 과정에서 일부 주민의 민원이 제기되었으며, 향후에는 지역 주민과의 사전 소통과 참여 기반의 조성 전략이 함께 병행되어야 할 것이다. 이를 통해 정원조성 사업은 단순한 공간 개선을 넘어 지역 커뮤니티와의 상생을 도모하는 지속 가능한 도시재생 모델로 발전할 수 있을 것이다.

A three-dimensional fine-segmented sampling calorimeter enables us to measure the profiles of generated shower particles along the photon’s direction. For a feasibility study, a toy detector was designed via Geant4 simulation. It consists of alternating layers of a 1-mm-thick lead absorber and a 5-mm-thick plastic scintillator. The plastic scintillator is segmented into 15-mm-wide strips, alternately oriented in the vertical and horizontal directions. The energy deposits of each strip are used to train the machine learning algorithm (XGboost) to deduce the given angle, and the resolution of its angle reconstruction is expected to be 1.3 degrees for 1 GeV photon. We fabricate a small sampling calorimeter to validate the simulation results. We use 0.15-mm-thick tungsten strips instead of lead plates and 1mm-square scintillating fibers instead of plastic scintillators for better energy resolution. This updated configuration indicates no significant difference in the angular resolution, while the energy resolution significantly improves. Its performance shows a reasonable agreement between the Monte Carlo expectation and the obtained data with a positron beam. A detailed study is underway to understand the measured data thoroughly.

In recent days, InsurTech services and users are growing rapidly worldwide. InsurTech, a combination of 'insurance' and 'technology', as an area of Fintech has become an essential innovation strategy of insurance companies. Even if InsurTech services and users are prevalent, there is a lack of empirical research on determinants of user acceptance of InsurTech. The objective of this study is to explore factors determining user acceptance of digital insurance platform services most popular within InsurTech in South Korea. The research model was derived from mainly three theories: the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), information systems success model (ISSM) and innovation diffusion theory (IDT) with service characteristic factors (system quality, information quality, and service quality) and user characteristic factors (personal innovativeness, self-efficacy, and perceived risk). 249 survey responses from South Korea were analysed. According to the results, information quality exhibited an effect on performance expectancy and effort expectancy whereas service quality was shown to affect only effort expectancy. Furthermore, personal innovativeness affected performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence, self-efficacy exhibited an effect on performance expectancy, and perceived risk affected performance expectancy and effort expectancy.

In the new normal era, digital nomads are poised to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and revitalizing local economies. Their unique lifestyle and skillset can contribute to positive social and cultural changes, making them valuable assets in shaping the future of work and society. This study explores the characteristics of digital nomads based on remote work and seeks policy ways to attract digital nomads to tourist attractions. Focus group interviews (FGIs) were intended to establish policies related to digital nomads’ tourist sites in the new normal era and to provide implications for strategies to revitalize digital nomads. Each FGI’s panel consists of eight people working for working-level officials, government officials, and public organizations, and it was held three times in about two months, from January to February 2023. FGIs consist of four areas: ‘activating local tourism’, ‘digital transformation’, ‘development of wellness contents’, and ‘creating a settlement environment’. Moreover, eight strategic topics and 24 strategic tasks were derived from each strategic category. Seeking regional attraction strategies for digital nomads is meaningful in responding to paradigm shifts in the new normal era and exploring sustainable local ecosystems.

Abstract We present a Geant4-based simulation study of the three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic sampling calorimeter (ECAL). The 3D ECAL model consists of alternating layers of plastic scintillator and lead sheets where the scintillators are divided into strips and alternatively oriented in vertical and horizontal directions. With the energy deposits in the individual strips as a result of Geant4 simulation, the incidence angle of photons is reconstructed using the XGBoost with boosted decision trees. We report on the performance of the directional measurement which depends on both detector configuration and the maturity of the training.

Particulate matter (PM) 10 refers to fine dust with a diameter of less than 10 µm and induces apoptosis and inflammatory responses through oxidative stress. <i>Citrus junos</i> Tanaka is a citrus fruit and contains bioactive flavonoids including naringin. In the present study, we aimed to identify the preventive effect of <i>Citrus junos</i> Tanaka peel extract (CPE) against PM₁₀-induced lung injury. As a proof of concept, NCI-H460 cells were treated with CPE (800 μg/mL, 12 h) in conjunction with PM₁₀ to examine intracellular antioxidative capacity in the pulmonary system. In an in vivo model, male BALB/c mice (<i>n</i> = 8/group) were randomly assigned into five groups: NEG (saline-treated), POS (PM₁₀ only), NAR (PM₁₀ + naringin, 100 mg/kg), CPL (PM₁₀ + CPE low, 100 mg/kg), and CPH (PM₁₀ + CPE high, 400 mg/kg). Intervention groups received dietary supplementations for 7 days followed by PM₁₀ exposure (100 mg/kg, intranasal instillation). Compared to the NEG, the CPE decreased to 22% of the ROS generation and significantly increased cell viability in vitro. The histological assessments confirmed that pulmonary damages were alleviated in the PM₁₀ + CPL group compared to the POS. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB/apoptosis signaling-related markers were decreased in the PM₁₀ + CPL group compared to the POS. These results indicated that CPE showed promising efficacy in preventing pulmonary injuries in vivo. Such protection can be explained by the anti-oxidative capacity of CPE, likely due to its bioactives, including naringin (7.74 mg/g CPE). Follow-up human intervention, as well as population-level studies, will further shed light on the preventive efficacy of CPE against pulmonary damage in humans.

We explored the physiological effects of inhaling basil essential oil (BEO) and/or linalool and identified odor-active aroma compounds in BEO using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC-olfactometry (GC-O). Linalool was identified as the major volatile compound in BEO. Three groups of rats were administered BEO and linalool via inhalation, while rats in the control group were not. Inhalation of BEO for 20 min only reduced the total weight gain (190.67 ± 2.52 g) and increased the forced swimming time (47.33 ± 14.84 s) compared with the control group (219.67 ± 2.08 g, 8.33 ± 5.13 s). Inhalation of BEO for 5 min (392 ± 21 beats/min) only reduced the pulse compared with the control group (420 ± 19 beats/min). Inhalation of linalool only reduced the weight of white adipose tissue (5.75 ± 0.61 g). The levels of stress-related hormones were not significantly different among the groups. The total cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased after inhalation of BEO for 20 min (by more than -10% and -15%, respectively). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lowered (by more than -10%) by the inhalation of BEO and linalool, regardless of the inhalation time. In particular, BEO inhalation for 20 min was associated with the lowest level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (53.94 ± 2.72 mg/dL). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased after inhalation of BEO (by more than +15%). The atherogenic index and cardiac risk factors were suppressed by BEO inhalation. Animals exposed to BEO and linalool had no significant differences in hepatotoxicity. These data suggest that the inhalation of BEO and linalool may ameliorate cardiovascular and lipid dysfunctions. These effects should be explored further for clinical applications.