• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.450-459
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• 2011

Objectives: Biomarkers in urine are important in assessing exposures to environmental or occupational chemicals and for evaluateing renal function by exposure from these chemicals. Spot urine samples are needed to adjust the concentration of these biomarkers for variations in urine dilution. This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of adjusting the urinary concentration of cadmium (uCd) and arsenic (uAs) by specific gravity (SG) and urine creatinine (uCr). Methods: We measured the concentrations of blood cadmium (bCd), uCd, uAs, uCr, SG and N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity, which is a sensitive marker of tubular damage by low dose Cd exposure, in spot urine samples collected from 536 individuals. The value of uCd, uAs and NAG were adjusted by SG and uCr. Results: The uCr levels were affected by gender (p < 0.01) and muscle mass (p < 0.01), while SG levels were affected by gender (p < 0.05). Unadjusted uCd and uAs were correlated with SG (uCd: r = 0.365, p < 0.01; uAs: r = 0.488, p < 0.01), uCr (uCd: r = 0.399, p < 0.01; uAs: r = 0.484, p < 0.01). uCd and uAs adjusted by SG were still correlated with SG (uCd: r = 0.360, p < 0.01, uAs: r = 0.483, p < 0.01). uCd and uAs adjusted by uCr and modified uCr ($M_{Cr}$) led to a significant negative correlation with uCr (uCd: r = -0.367, p < 0.01; uAs: r = -0.319, p < 0.01) and $M_{Cr}$ (uCd: r = -0.292, p < 0.01; uAs: r = -0.206, p < 0.01). However, uCd and uAs adjusted by conventional SG ($C_{SG}$) were disappeared from these urinary dilution effects (uCd: r = -0.081; uAs: r = 0.077). Conclusions: $C_{SG}$ adjustment appears to be more appropriate for variations in cadmium and arsenic in spot urine.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to define the normal findings of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the clinically healthy Beagle dogs and to provide basic information in diagnosis of neurologic disorders. CSF obtained from 13 clinically healthy dogs was examined for total and differential cell counts, total protein concentration, glucose and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, specific gravity, turbidity, and protein electrophoresis. On gross examination, CSF samples evaluated were clear and colorless. Few red blood cells and nucleated cells were present. The mean concentration of glucose and LDH examined were 65.8 mg/dl and 2.7 mg/dl, respectively. The cellular components of CSF samples based on differential counts were monocytes (41.9%), activated macrophages (35.8%), lymphocytes (20.0%), neutrophils (1.6%), and eosinophils (0.7%). The fractions of electrophoretic protein in CSF were albumin (52.7%), alpha-globulin (16.5%), beta-globulin (24.8%), and gamma-globulin (3.0%). Results of albumin quota were ranged from 0.15 to 0.38. In conclusion, this study provided normal composition of CSF in Beagle dogs.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.97-103
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• 2006

Excess sludge treatment and disposal currently represent a rising challenge for domestic or wastewater treatment plants due to economic, environmental and regulation factors. Conventional gravity sedimentation process has been widely used in sludge thickening. The operation method of the process is very simple, but the process requires long detention time for sludge thickening, uses polymers, and shows low sludge thickening efficiency. To solve the problems, we studied on DAF (Dissolved Air Flotation) system. We use bulking sludge of a paper manufacturing plant. The effects of parameters such as SVI (Sludge Volume Index), storage time, initial concentration and wet density of excess sludge were examined. The results showed that the more SVI was low, the more sludge was thickened. As storage time goes by, SVI was increased and thickening performance was deteriorated. In order to improve flotation performance at high concentration, high recycling ratio and pressure did not increase the concentration due to thickening limitation. The addition of 0.8 g/L of loess was increased flotation efficiency of 1.41 times.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.131-136
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• 2008

The oil separation in an oil separator is one of the most important characteristics for proper compressor operation. In this study, a gravity type of oil separator is used. Oil separation characteristics has been investigated for $CO_2$/PAG mixture in the range of oil concentration 0 to 5 weight-percent and the mixture temperature range of $5^{\circ}C$ to $15^{\circ}C$ and $70^{\circ}C$ to $90^{\circ}C$. The results obtained indicate that the oil separation is increased with an increase in the oil concentration. It is also found that the oil separation in liquid state is increased with an increase in the mixture temperature while the oil separation in gas state is decreased.

• International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.88-93
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• 2009

Lubricant oil is needed in air conditioning and refrigeration system because the compressor requires oil to prevent surface to surface contact between its moving parts, to remove heat, to provide sealing, to keep out contaminants, to prevent corrosion, and to dispose of debris created by wear. Thus, the oil separation in an oil separator is one of the most important characteristics for proper compressor operation. In this study, a gravity type of oil separator is used. Oil separation characteristics have been investigated for $CO_2$/PAG mixture in the range of oil concentration 0 to 5 weight-percent and the mixture temperature range of $0^{\circ}C$ to $15^{\circ}C$ at 50 bar and $70^{\circ}C$ to $90^{\circ}C$ at 80 bar. The results obtained indicate that the oil separation is increased with an increase in the oil concentration. It is also found that the oil separation in liquid state is increased with an increase in the mixture temperature while the oil separation in gas state is decreased.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.14 no.3 s.40
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• pp.301-311
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• 2004

This study is suggested a new dielectric tracer test method to understand geological structure of porous media and groundwater flow to use the dielectric constant which is one of electrical special quality of various geological materials. To measure their parameters, tracer material is made an ethanol mixing liquid(EML) having a same specific gravity of water. Also, soil materials are prepared a dielectric tracer test using the FDR system that could measure dielectric constant for saturated standard sand and river sand layers which have different initial porosity. To compare with their results, we discussed with the concentration variation of saline water having a saline concentration $3\%$ which is general tracer material by using the electro multi-meter system in the laboratory or field test. In two tracer experiment results, EML tracer test could confirm definitely EML concentration variation from each saturated soil layer as standard and river sands. However, tracer test of saline water $3\%$ concentration could not confirm permeating movement of water by degree of salinity change because these are settled at lower part column in a whole column area continuously. These causes are that specific gravity of saline water is heavier than water. That is, it could know that deposition of saline water is composed of lower part of soil column continuously independently of the direction of water into saturated soil material.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.583-589
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• 2016

BACKDROUND/OBJECTIVE: Constipation is a condition that can result from intestinal deformation. Because humans have an upright posture, the effects of gravity can cause this shape deformation. Oligosaccharides are common prebiotics and their effects on bowel health are well known. However, studies of the physiological functionality of a product that contains both lactulose and galactooligosaccharides are insufficient. We investigated the constipation reduction effect of a dual-type oligosaccharide, Dual-Oligo, in loperamide-treated rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Dual-Oligo consists of galactooligosaccharides (15.80%) and lactulose (51.67%). Animals were randomly divided into four groups, the normal group (normal), control group (control), low concentration of Dual-Oligo (LDO) group, and high concentration of Dual-Oligo (HDO) group. After 7 days of oral administration, fecal pellet amount, fecal weight, watercontent of fecal were measured. Blood chemistry, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), gastrointestinal transit ratio and length and intestinal mucosa were analyzed. RESULTS: Dual-Oligo increased the fecal weight, and water content of feces in rats with loperamide-induced constipation. Gastrointestinal transit ratio and length and area of intestinal mucosa significantly increased after treatment with Dual-Oligoin loperamide-induced rats. A high concentration of Dual-Oligo tended to produce more acetic acid than that observed for the control group, and Dual-Oligo affected the production of total SCFA. Bifidobacteria concentration of cecal contents in the high-concentration oligosaccharide (HDO) and low-concentration oligosaccharide (LDO) groups was similar to the result of the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that Dual-Oligo is a functional material that is derived from a natural food product and is effective in ameliorating constipation.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2000

Purpose: The plcr of spot urine has been uised to predict the timed urine protein excretion. Although this method reduces errors caused by variations in urine volume, it is relatively thconvenient and expensive. Recently, a more rapid and less expensive screening method with specific gravity(SG) has been reported, and we have examined whether estimated-creatinine(Cr-est) with urine 5G could be used in place of urine creatinine to predict 24-hour collected urine protein excretion in children. Methods: We had retrospectively analyzed protein, creatinine and urine SG in randomized spot urine samples of 147 patients from March 1998 till June 1998 in Korea university Guro hospital and compared the urinary protein creatinine ratio(P/Cr) with the protein estimated-creatinine ratio(P/Cr-est). We compared the correlation of urinary creatinine vs-urine 5G with the timed urine pretein excretion. Results: 1) urine SG accurately estimated urine creatinine concentration (r=0.407, P<0.001, Cr=SG x 4485.82-4482.87). 2) P/Cr correlated with urine protein excretion measured in a 24-hour urine collection (r=0.771, P<0.001, 24-hour collected urine protein : 0.338 x (P/Cr) 4+667.885). 3) P/Cr-est correlated with a 24-hour collected urine protein (r=0.723, P<0.001, 24-hour collected urine protein =0.354 x (P/Cr-est)+726.044), Conclusions: These results suggest that P/Cr-est with urine SG could be useful method for screening proteinuria in children.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.250-255
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• 2010

This study investigated the quality changes of pound cake prepared with various concentrations of rice bran powder. Pound cake were prepared by addtion of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 powder to the flour of basic formulation. The specific gravity of pound cake decreased with rising powder concentration. The volume and weight and specific volume increased with rising powder concentration. The moisture of pound cake decreased with increasing powder concentration. With rising powder concentration, the a value of pound cake increased but the L and b values decreased. The texture, hardnessm cohesiveness, springness, gumminess, and chewiness of pound cake decreaed with rising powder concentration. The result of sensory evaluation when compared to pound cake with 20% rice bran powder was superior in taste, flavor, and overall preference.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.69-86
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• 2016

The quest to reduce the level of overdependence on fossil fuel product and to provide all required information on proven existing alternatives for renewable energy has resulted into rapid growth of research globally to identify efficient alternative renewable energy sources and the process technologies that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. The present study is aimed at production and characterization of bioethanol produced from sugarcane juice using a $2^4$ factorial design investigating the effect of four parameters (reaction temperature, time, concentration of bacteria used and amount of substrate). The optimum bioethanol yield of 19.3% was achieved at a reaction temperature of $30^{\circ}C$, time of 72 hours, yeast concentration of 2 g and 300 g concentration of substrate (sugarcane juice). The result of statistical analysis of variance shows that the concentration of yeast had the highest effect of 7.325 and % contribution of 82.72% while the substrate concentration had the lowest effect and % contribution of -0.25 and 0.096% respectively. The bioethanol produced was then characterized for some fuel properties such as flash point, specific gravity, cloud point, pour point, sulphur content, acidity, density and kinematic viscosity. The results of bioethanol characterization conform to American society for testing and materials (ASTM) standard. Hence, sugarcane juice is a good and sustainable feedstock for bioethanol production in Nigeria owing relative abundance, cheap source of supply and available land for large scale production.