• Title/Summary/Keyword: Mixed Methods Research

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An Influence of Unit-Water Content Distribution in Ready-Mixed Concrete on Strength and Durability of Concrete (레미콘 단위수량 산포가 콘크리트 강도 및 내구성에 미치는 영향)

  • Woo, Young-Je;Lee, Han-Seung;Jung, Sang-Hwa
    • Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.375-381
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    • 2008
  • Various problems such as durability degradation may happen when extra water is added to concrete. Because of these reasons, the change of water content is managed by using rapid evaluation method of unit water content such as electric capacity method, heat drying method making use of micro wave, unit capacity mass method among various methods. Especially, in Japan, guidance for the change of water content ($\pm$ 10, 15, 20 kg/$m^3$ etc.) were regulated and used. However, it is the real situation that the guidance which were regulated in South Korea evaluate suitability only considering production and measurement error under the circumstances which are not considering the degree of durability degradation. Therefore, this study tries to investigate the influence of addition of extra water in the concrete on the durability degradation of concrete when it was added by artificial manipulation or by management error. From the test results, a guideline of the contents of extra water for the quality control is suggested with the consideration of the degree of durability degradation and the probable error resulted from the addition of extra water. The contents of extra water for tests are set as 0, 15, 25, 35 kg/$m^3$. To examine the durability degradation of concrete, freezing and thawing, carbonation, chloride penetration and compressive strength are tested.

Application of Eye Tracker for Study on the Effect of Analytic Proof Learning of Gifted Students (수학영재 학생들의 분석적 증명 학습 효과 검증을 위한 시선추적기의 활용)

  • Jung, Kyung-Woo;Yun, Jong-Gug;Lee, Kwang Ho
    • Communications of Mathematical Education
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.275-296
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    • 2018
  • The purpose of this study is to investigate the change of gaze and the change of the proof learning achievement after learning the analytic method for proof to mathematical gifted students using eye tracking technique. In order to complete the purpose of this study, a mixed method research was used, that is a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative analysis was conducted based on the data obtained through the eye tracker, and qualitative analysis was also done using post interview data to make up for the quantitative analysis. The subjects of this study were 8 mathematical gifted 3rd grade middle school students in the gifted education center. The conclusions of this study are as follows. First, the learning of analysis leads to a change of gaze in the proof learning of students. The students, after learning the analysis, moved their gaze from the bottom to the top when solving the proof problem, and the occupancy rate of the gaze to the bottom of the proof was higher than the higher part. Second, the change of gaze caused by the learning of the analysis have a correlation with the achievement of the proof learning and it can be seen that the method learning improves the achievement of the proof learning of the students.

Pectinase-treated Panax ginseng ameliorates hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in GC-2 sperm cells and modulates testicular gene expression in aged rats

  • Kopalli, Spandana Rajendra;Cha, Kyu-Min;Jeong, Min-Sik;Lee, Sang-Ho;Sung, Jong-Hwan;Seo, Seok-Kyo;Kim, Si-Kwan
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.40 no.2
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    • pp.185-195
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    • 2016
  • Background: To investigate the effect of pectinase-treated Panax ginseng (GINST) in cellular and male subfertility animal models. Methods: Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced mouse spermatocyte GC-2spd cells were used as an in vitro model. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. For the in vivo study, GINST (200 mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet was administered orally for 4 mo, and the changes in the mRNA and protein expression level of antioxidative and spermatogenic genes in young and aged control rats were compared using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Results: GINST treatment ($50{\mu}g/mL$, $100{\mu}g/mL$, and $200{\mu}g/mL$) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the $H_2O_2$-induced ($200{\mu}M$) cytotoxicity in GC-2spd cells. Furthermore, GINST ($50{\mu}g/mL$ and $100{\mu}g/mL$) significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated the $H_2O_2$-induced decrease in the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (peroxiredoxin 3 and 4, glutathione S-transferase m5, and glutathione peroxidase 4), spermatogenesis-related protein such as inhibin-${\alpha}$, and specific sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor) in GC-2spd cells. Similarly, the altered expression level of the above mentioned genes and of spermatogenesis-related nectin-2 and cAMP response element-binding protein in aged rat testes was ameliorated with GINST (200 mg/kg) treatment. Taken together, GINST attenuated $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in GC-2 cells and modulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes and of spermatogenic-related proteins and sex hormone receptors in aged rats. Conclusion: GINST may be a potential natural agent for the protection against or treatment of oxidative stress-induced male subfertility and aging-induced male subfertility.

Effect of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate supplementation on lactation performance, blood-biochemical profile, and economic efficacy of mid-lactation Holstein cows

  • Kim, Eun Tae;Lee, Sang Suk;Lee, Ji Hoon;Jeong, Jin Suk;Lee, Shin Ja;Jeong, Joon;Park, Jong Kook;Park, Beom Young;Kim, Sang Bum;Jeong, Ha Yeon;Ki, Kwang Seok;Choi, Chang Weon;Kim, Chang Hyun;Kim, Jin Wook;Lee, Sung Sill
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.31 no.9
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    • pp.1458-1463
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    • 2018
  • Objective: This study was done to evaluate the effect of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) supplementation in a total mixed ration (TMR) on the lactation performance, blood parameters, and economic efficacy of mid-lactation Holstein cows. Methods: Twenty-four cows (body weight $647{\pm}11.7kg$) were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups, with six cows per group. The dietary treatments were as follows: basal diet (CON); CON+17.5 g of top dressed SSL (treatment [TRT] 0.05); CON+35 g of SSL (TRT 0.1); and CON+70 g of SSL (TRT 0.2) per 35 kg TMR. Results: The highest level of SSL supplementation (TRT 0.2) significantly improved milk yield during the second period compared to the TRT 0.05 group (5 to 8 wks; 33.28 vs 31.09 kg/d), during the third period compared to both the CON and TRT 0.05 groups (p<0.05) (9 to 13 wks; 32.59 vs 30.64 and 30.01 kg/d) and during the overall experimental period compared to both the CON and TRT 0.05 groups (p<0.05) (1 to 13 wks; 33.43 vs 32.06 and 31.40 kg/d), respectively. No negative effects on hematological or biochemical parameters were observed due to SSL supplementation. Considering both the milk fat and protein content, the total milk price was set at 1,073.60 (TRT 0.05), 1,085.60 (TRT 0.1), 1,086.10 (TRT 0.2), and 1,064.20 (CON) won/L, with consequent total milk profits of -1.7%, 5.4%, and 3.5% for the TRT 0.05, TRT 0.1, and TRT 0.2 diet, respectively, compared to those in the CON diet. Conclusion: The milk sales revenue related to SSL supplementation of the TRT 0.1 diet was increased by up to 5.4% compared to the milk sales revenue of the CON diet. Therefore, 0.1% SSL supplementation might be effective and profitable during the mid-lactation period of cows, without producing adverse effects.

Digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and nitrogen balance with various feeding levels of oil palm fronds treated with Lentinus sajor-caju in goats

  • Hamchara, Puwadon;Chanjula, Pin;Cherdthong, Anusorn;Wanapat, Metha
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.31 no.10
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    • pp.1619-1626
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    • 2018
  • Objective: This study was an attempt to investigate the effect of levels of fungal (Lentinus sajor-caju) treated oil palm fronds (FTOPF) on digestibility, rumen fermentation, and nitrogen balance in goats. Methods: Four 16 month old male crossbred (Thai Native${\times}$Anglo Nubian) goats with initial body weights of $33.5{\pm}1.7kg$ were randomly assigned according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Four levels of FTOPF were assigned for feed intake. The experimental treatments consisted of 0%, 33%, 67%, and 100% of oil palm fronds (OPF) being replaced by FTOPF. Results: The results revealed that total dry matter intake and nutrient intake were not influenced (p>0.05) by the inclusion of FTOPF. However, the efficiency values of the digestibility of the dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin on FTOPF were higher (p<0.05) in treatments with 33%, 67%, and 100% of FTOPF compared with 0% of FTOPF. FTOPF feeding did not change the rumen pH, temperature, and $NH_3-N$. However, the FTOPF levels did affect the total volatile fatty acid (VFA), molar proportion of acetate, propionate, butyrate, ratio of acetic (propionic acid and acetic) plus butyric (propionic acid), and production of $CH_4$. The totals of VFA and propionate was lower in goat fed with 0% of FTOPF than in those of the other groups (p<0.05). The amount of nitrogen retention based on g/d/animal or the percentage of nitrogen retained was the lowest the goat fed with 0% of FTOPF (p<0.05), whereas nitrogen intake, excretion, and absorption were not changed among treatments. Conclusion: Based on this study, FTOPF could be effectively used as an alternative roughage source in total mixed ration diets, constituting at least up to 100% of OPF.

Effects of purified lignin on in vitro rumen metabolism and growth performance of feedlot cattle

  • Wang, Yuxi;McAllister, Tim A.;Lora, Jairo H.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.392-399
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    • 2017
  • Objective: The objectives were to assess the effects of purified lignin from wheat straw (sodium hydroxide dehydrated lignin; SHDL) on in vitro ruminal fermentation and on the growth performance of feedlot cattle. Methods: In vitro experiments were conducted by incubating a timothy-alfalfa (50:50) forage mixture (48 h) and barley grain (24 h) with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/mL of rumen fluid (equivalent to 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 g SHDL/kg diet). Productions of $CH_4$ and total gas, volatile fatty acids, ammonia, dry matter (DM) disappearance (DMD) and digestion of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) or starch were measured. Sixty Hereford-Angus cross weaned steer calves were individually fed a typical barley silage-barley grain based total mixed ration and supplemented with SHDL at 0, 4, 8, and 16 g/kg DM for 70 (growing), 28 (transition), and 121 d (finishing) period. Cattle were slaughtered at the end of the experiment and carcass traits were assessed. Results: With forage, SHDL linearly (p<0.001) reduced 48-h in vitro DMD from 54.9% to 39.2%, NDF disappearance from 34.1% to 18.6% and the acetate: propionate ratio from 2.56 to 2.41, but linearly (p<0.001) increased $CH_4$ production from 9.5 to 12.4 mL/100 mg DMD. With barley grain, SHDL linearly increased (p<0.001) 24-h DMD from74.6% to 84.5%, but linearly (p<0.001) reduced $CH_4$ production from 5.6 to 4.2 mL/100 mg DMD and $NH_3$ accumulation from 9.15 to $4.49{\mu}mol/mL$. Supplementation of SHDL did not affect growth, but tended (p = 0.10) to linearly reduce feed intake, and quadratically increased (p = 0.059) feed efficiency during the finishing period. Addition of SHDL also tended (p = 0.098) to linearly increase the saleable meat yield of the carcass from 52.5% to 55.7%. Conclusion: Purified lignin used as feed additive has potential to improve feed efficiency for finishing feedlot cattle and carcass quality.

Korean solar salts reduce obesity and alter its related markers in diet-induced obese mice

  • Ju, Jaehyun;Song, Jia-Le;Park, Eui-Seong;Do, Myoung-Sool;Park, Kun-Young
    • Nutrition Research and Practice
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    • v.10 no.6
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    • pp.629-634
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    • 2016
  • BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this experiments was to show anti-obesity effects of Korean solar salt from different salt fields in diet-induced obese mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Diet-induced obesity (DIO) was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD; 45% cal from fat) in C57BL/6J mice for eight weeks. The mice were fed with the designated diets (chow diet for Normal, HFD for Control, 0.47%-salt-mixed HFD for purified salt (PS), Guerande solar salt from France (SS-G), solar salt from Y salt field (SS-Y), solar salts from T salt field (SS-T) and S salt field (SS-S)) for another eight weeks. We checked body weight, food efficiency ratio (FER) and tissue weights (liver and epididymal adipose tissue (EAT)), and observed serum concentrations of triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), leptin and insulin. We also evaluated gene expressions of adipogenic / lipogenic mRNAs of $C/EBP{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\gamma}$ and FAS and beta-oxidation-related factors ($PPAR{\alpha}$ and CPT-1) in liver and EAT. The mineral composition of salt samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). RESULTS: SS-T and SS-S significantly reduced body weight gain, FER, and weight of EAT compared to control and other samples (P < 0.05). SS-T and SS-S also significantly decreased serum levels of TG, TC, leptin and insulin (P < 0.05). SS-T and SS-S suppressed expressions of adipogenic / lipogenic mRNAs in liver and EAT, while promoting expression of beta-oxidation-related factors. The lowest sodium concentration was observed in SS-T ($30.30{\pm}0.59%$), and the lowest sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio was found in SS-S (17.81). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that well-processed Korean solar salt may have anti-obesity effects in vivo, probably owing to its differences in mineral composition and other components, presumably resulting from the manufacturing processes. Further research is needed into the mechanism and to explore optimal manufacturing processes.

Synergistic and Antagonistic Interactions for Pesticide mixtures to Honeybee Larvae Toxicity (농약 혼용에 따른 꿀벌유충 독성의 상승 및 상쇄 영향)

  • Paik, Min Kyoung;Im, Jeong Taek;Chon, Kyongmi;Park, Kyung-Hun;Choi, Yong-Soo;Lee, Myeong-Lyeol;Bae, Chul-Han;Kim, Jin-Ho;Moon, Byeong Chul
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.35 no.4
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    • pp.241-246
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    • 2016
  • BACKGROUND: Recently, the widespread distribution of pesticides in the hive has been of concern about pesticide exposure on honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) health. Larval toxicity was adapted to assess the synergistic and antagonistic interaction of cumulative mortality to the honeybee larvae of the four most common pesticides detected in pollen. METHODS AND RESULTS: Acetamiprid($3.0{\mu}l/L$), chlorothalonil ($803.0{\mu}l/L$), coumaphos ($128.0{\mu}l/L$), and tau-fluvalinate ($123.0{\mu}l/L$) were tested in combination; binary, ternary and four component mixture. Larvae were exposed to four pesticides mixed in diet at the average levels detected in pollen. As a result, synthetic toxicity was observed in the binary mixture of acetamiprid with coumaphos. The binary and ternary component mixtures of tested pesticides have mostly demonstrated additive effect in larval bees. The significant antagonistic effects were found in four parings of mixtures including chlorothalonil added to acetamiprid/tau-fluvalinate or acetamiprid/coumaphos/tau-fluvalinate, and tau-fluvalinate added to acetamiprid/chlorothalonil or acetamiprid/coumaphos/chlorothalonil. CONCLUSION: Interactions between combinations of four pesticides showed mostly additive or antagonistic effects in larval bees. Therefore, predicting the larval mortality of pesticides mixtures on the basis of the results of single pesticide may actually overestimate the risk. We suggest that pesticide mixture in pollen be evaluated by adding their toxicity together for complete data on interactions.

Pectinase-treated Panax ginseng protects against chronic intermittent heat stress-induced testicular damage by modulating hormonal and spermatogenesis-related molecular expression in rats

  • Kopalli, Spandana Rajendra;Cha, Kyu-Min;Lee, Sang-Ho;Ryu, Ji-Hoon;Hwang, Seock-Yeon;Jeong, Min-Sik;Sung, Jong-Hwan;Kim, Si-Kwan
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.41 no.4
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    • pp.578-588
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    • 2017
  • Background: Elevated testicular temperature disrupts spermatogenesis and causes infertility. In the present study, the protective effect of enzymatically biotransformed Panax ginseng Meyer by pectinase (GINST) against chronic intermittent heat stress-induced testicular damage in rats was investigated. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 wk old, 60-70 g) were divided into four groups: normal control (NC), heat-stress control (HC), heat-stress plus GINST-100 mg/kg (HG100), and heat-stress plus GINST-200 mg/kg (HG200) treatment groups. Each dose of GINST (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) was mixed separately with a regular pellet diet and was administered orally for 24 wk. For inducing heat stress, rats in the NC group were maintained at $25^{\circ}C$, whereas rats in the HC, HG100, and HG200 groups were exposed to $32{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ for 2 h daily for 6 mo. At week 25, the testes and serum from each animal were analyzed for various parameters. Results: Significant (p < 0.01) changes in the sperm kinematic values and blood chemistry panels were observed in the HC group. Furthermore, spermatogenesis-related molecules, sex hormone receptors, and selected antioxidant enzyme expression levels were also altered in the HC group compared to those in the NC group. GINST (HS100 and HS200) administration significantly (p < 0.05) restored these changes when compared with the HC group. For most of the parameters tested, the HG200 group exhibited potent effects compared with those exhibited by the HG100 group. Conclusion: GINST may be categorized as an important medicinal herb and a potential therapeutic for the treatment of male subfertility or infertility caused by hyperthermia.

Retrospective Study of Bone Resorption after Maxillary Sinus Bone Graft

  • Moon, Ji-A;Cho, Min-Sung;Jung, Seung-Gon;Kook, Min-Suk;Park, Hong-Ju;Oh, Hee-Kyun
    • Journal of Korean Dental Science
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.59-66
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    • 2011
  • Purpose: This research sought to determine the resorption rate of bone grafted to the maxillary sinus according to the grafted material's type, patient's age, systemic disease, implant size, site of implant placement, and residual ridge height. Materials and Methods: This research targeted 24 patients who had immediate Osstem$^{(R)}$ implant (US Plus$^{(R)}$) placement after bone graft. The panorama was taken before the surgery, after the surgery, and 6 months after the surgery. Vertical height change and resorption rate of the grafted bone were measured with the same X-rays and compared. The influence of the following factors on the grafted bone material's resorption rate was evaluated: grafted material type, patient's age, systemic disease, implant size, site of implant placement, and residual ridge height. Results: Patients in their 40s had $34.0{\pm}21.1%$ resorption rate, which was significantly higher compared to the other age groups (P<0.05). There was no significant relationship between systemic disease and grafted bone resorption. There was no significant relationship between implant size (diameter, length) and grafted bone resorption. There was no significant relationship between the site of implant placement and grafted bone resorption. The ramal bone-grafted site was significantly more resorbed than the ramal bone/Bio-Oss$^{(R)}$-grafted site, maxillary tuberosity bone/Bio-Oss$^{(R)}$-grafted site, and ramal bone/maxillary tuberosity bone/Bio-Oss$^{(R)}$-grafted site (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the grafted bone resorption rate in the sinus between more than 4 mm and less than 4 mm residual ridge heights. After an average of 6 months, a second surgery was done; given an average follow-up of 1.9 years, the success rate and survival rate of the implant were 96.9% and 98.4%, respectively. Conclusion: These results indicate that the bone resorption rate of grafted bone among patients in their 40s is higher compared to patients in their 50s and over, and that only autogenous bone (ramus) shows higher resorption rate than the mixed graft of autogenous bone and xenogenous graft (Bio-oss) after maxillary sinus graft.