• Title/Summary/Keyword: Mixed methods research

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A Study on the Enhancement of Inventories for Precursors (NOx, SOx) Released from Open Burning of Agricultural Waste Vinyl Causing the Secondary Generation of Particulate Matters

  • Kim, Tae-Han;Choi, Boo-Hun
    • Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.195-207
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    • 2021
  • Background and objective: While response measures to particulate matters in rural areas are limited due to poor inventory record keeping in the agricultural sector, it is necessary to control agricultural waste vinyl and the emission of precursors released from open burning and the secondary generation of particulate matters. Currently, the open burning emission calculation method uses the definition prescribed in CAPSS by the National Institute of Environmental Research. Methods: This study presented an open burning emission calculation formula for agricultural waste vinyl, which is included as agricultural waste. As for activity data, the open burning ratio of agricultural waste vinyl, and the annual incineration volume provided in the Status Survey by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs were applied. The emission factor was generated through incineration tests on three agricultural plastic film samples collected by the Korea Environment Corporation. Results: Among precursors, SOx and NOx were selected and their emission features were monitored with incineration experiment infrastructure based on the EPA 5G method. The highest emission concentration by agricultural waste type was concentrated in the first and second quarters. As for emission factor of SO2, it was calculated at 98.25 g/kg for mulching-use LDPE, 52.31 g/kg for greenhouse-use LDPE, and 14.40 g/kg for HDPE. As for NOx, it was calculated at 18.21 g/kg for mulching-use LDPE, 16.49 g/kg for greenhouse-use LDPE, and 10.67 g/kg for HDPE. Conclusion: This test confirmed the incineration features of PE-based plastics, ascertained the SOx emission factor that had not been included in open burning in the past, and established that low NOx emission concentration is interfered by soil mixed with livestock excretions. The findings from this study are expected to contribute to improving the system for controlling air pollutants in rural environments.

Physicochemical Properties of Root Zone Soil Based on Sand Blending with Coconut Coir and Peat Moss (코코넛 코이어와 피트모스 혼합 모래 토양의 물리·화학적 특성)

  • Kim, Young-Sun;Bae, Eun-Ji;Choi, Mun-Jin;Kim, Tae-Wooung;Lee, Geung-Joo
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.41 no.2
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    • pp.101-107
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    • 2022
  • BACKGROUND: Soil amendment was necessary applied for the sand that had been used to root zone of green ground in golf course because of its low water retention power and cation exchangeable capacity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the mixed ratio of peat moss and coconut coir as soil amendment materials on the soil physicochemical properties applied to rootzone based on sand. METHODS AND RESULTS: The soil amendments were blended at 0, 3, 5, 7 and 10% by soil volume. The pH in the peat moss treatment was lower than that of control (0% soil amendment), and pH and electrical conductivity (EC) in the coconut coir were higher. The blending ratio of peat moss was negatively correlated with pH of rootzone soil (p<0.01), and that of coconut coir positively with EC (p<0.01). As compared with control, capillary porosity, the physical factors such as air-filled porosity, total porosity, and hydraulic conductivity of rootzone soil were increased by applying peat moss and coconut coir. For correlation coefficients between percentage of soil amendments and soil physical factors, peat moss and coconut coir were positively correlated with porosity and hydraulic conductivity (p<0.01). CONCLUSION(S): These results indicated that the application of peat moss and coconut coir affected on the change of physicochemical properties of rootzone soil, and improved soil porosity and hydraulic conductivity.

Effect of feeding fermented soybean meal on broiler chickens' performance: a meta-analysis

  • Irawan, Agung;Ratriyanto, Adi;Respati, Adib Norma;Ningsih, Niati;Fitriastuti, Rahma;Suprayogi, Wara Pratitis Sabar;Hadi, Rendi Fathoni;Setyono, Wahyu;Akhirini, Novi;Jayanegara, Anuraga
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.35 no.12
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    • pp.1881-1891
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    • 2022
  • Objective: The present study aimed to quantify the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on broiler chickens' performance by employing a meta-analysis approach. Methods: A total of 16 studies were included in the database after being systematically selected using a PRISMA protocol. Hedges' g effect size was used to quantify pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) using random-effects models at 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Publication bias among studies was computed with Egger's test and visualized using funnel plots. Results: Results indicated that dietary FSBM inclusion increased final body weight (BW) (SMD = 0.586, 95% CI: 0.221 to 0.951, p = 0.002) of broiler chickens, particularly in starter period (SMD = 0.691, 95% CL: 0.149 to 1.233, p = 0.013) while in the finisher period, the effect was weaker (SMD = 0.509, 95% CI: 0.015 to 1.004, p = 0.043). Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected with FSBM inclusion when compared to control. Subgroup analysis revealed that FI increased in starter period (SMD = 0.582, 95% CI: 0.037 to 1.128, p = 0.036). When considering types of microorganism as moderating variables in the subgroup analysis, we found that Aspergillus oryzae, mixed probiotics+bromelain protease, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus bacteria significantly increased ADG and FI (p<0.01). Additionally, either Bacillus subtilis+protease or Bacillus subtilis alone decreased FCR (p<0.001). However, meta-regression analysis showed that levels of FSBM inclusion had no effects on final BW (p = 0.502), ADG (p = 0.588), FI (p = 0.861), and FCR (p = 0.462). Conclusion: Substituting SBM in broiler chickens' diet with FSBM improved BW of broiler chickens, especially in the starter period whereas the effects on ADG, FI, and FCR were mostly dependent on microbial strains used for fermentation.

Effect of hemispherical dimples at titanium implant abutments for the retention of cemented crowns

  • Jung-Hoon Choi;Seong-Joo Heo;Jai-Young Koak;Seong-Kyun Kim;Ji-Man Park;Jin-Soo Ahn
    • The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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    • v.15 no.2
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    • pp.63-71
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    • 2023
  • PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of hemispherical dimple structures on the retention of cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) crowns cemented to titanium abutments, with different heights and numbers of dimples on the axial walls. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 3.0-mm and 6.0-mm abutments (N = 180) and Co-Cr crowns were prepared. The experimental groups were divided into two and four dimple groups. The crowns were cemented by TempBond and PANAVIA F 2.0 cements. The retention forces were measured after thermal treatments. A two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey HSD test were conducted to analyze change in retention forces by use of dimples between groups, as well as t test for the effect of abutment height change (α = .05). RESULTS. Results of the two-way ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference in retention force due to the use of dimples, regardless of the types of cements used (P < .001). A significantly higher mean retention forces were observed in the groups with dimples than in the control group, using the post hoc Tukey HSD test (P < .001). Results of t test displayed a statistically significant increase in the retention force with 6.0-mm abutments compared with 3.0-mm abutments (P < .001). The groups without dimples revealed adhesive failure of cements, while the groups with dimples showed mixed failure of cements. CONCLUSION. Use of hemispherical dimples was effective for increasing retention forces of cemented crowns.

Network pharmacoligical analysis for selection between Saposhnikoviae Radix and Glehniae Radix focusing on ischemic stroke (방풍(防風)과 해방풍(海防風) 중 뇌경색 연구에 더욱 적합한 약재 선정을 위한 네트워크 약리학적 분석)

  • Jin Yejin;Lim Sehyun;Cho Suin
    • Herbal Formula Science
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.171-182
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    • 2023
  • Objectives : Saposhnikoviae Radix (SR) and Glehniae Radix (GR) have been frequently used in traditional medicine to treat diseases related to 'wind' syndrome, but there have been cases where it has been mixed in a state where the plant of origin is not clear. In this study, to select materials for conducting preclinical cerebral infarction research, the network pharmacology analysis method was used to select suitable medicinal materials for the study. Methods : In this study, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) based network pharmacology analysis method was used, and oral bioavailability (OB), drug likeness (DL), Caco-2 and BBB permeability were utilized to select compounds with potential activity. For the values of each variable used in this study, OB ≥ 20%, DL ≥ 0.18, Caco-2 ≥ 0, and BBB ≥ -0.3 were applied, then networks of bioactive compounds, target proteins, and target diseases was constructed. STRING database was used to construct a protein-protein interaction network. Results : It was confirmed that SR rather than GR has various target proteins and target diseases based on network pharmacological analysis using TCMSP database. And it was analyzed that the bioactive compounds only in SR act more on neurovascular diseases, and both drugs are expected to be effectively used for cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions : In our future study, SR will be used in an ischemic stroke mouse model, and the mechanism of action will be explored focusing on apoptosis and cell proliferation.

Effects of Passive Scapular Stabilization on Upper Extremity Muscle Strength in Patients With Rotator Cuff Repair

  • Won-jeong Jeong;Duk-hyun An;Jae-seop Oh
    • Physical Therapy Korea
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.41-49
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    • 2023
  • Background: Scapular dyskinesis may cause not only rotator cuff (RC) tear but also weakness of the upper extremity, studies on scapular dyskinesis that may occur after RC repair is still lacking. Objects: To determine whether scapular dsykinesis was present in patients after arthroscopic RC repair and to investigate the influence of passive scapular stabilization on upper extremity strength. Methods: A total of 30 patients after RC repair participated in this study. To compare the scapula of the arthroscopic RC repair shoulder and the contralateral shoulder, the winged scapula (WS) was measured using a scapulometer and scapular dyskinesis was also classified by type. Fixed instruments for muscle strength measurements were used to measure upper extremity muscle strength differences depending on passive scapular stabilization position or natural scapular position. A chi-square test, an independent t-test and a 2-way mixed measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used as statistical analysis. In analyses, p < 0.05 was deemed to be statistically significant. Results: Postoperative shoulder had a significant association with scapular dyskinesis and the WS compared to the contralateral shoulder (F = 0.052, p < 0.01). Postoperative shoulder, muscle strength in the shoulder abduction (p < 0.01), elbow flexion (p < 0.01) and forearm supination (p < 0.05) were significantly greater in the scapular stabilization position than in the scapular natural position. Conclusion: Patients underwent arthroscopic RC repair had a significant association with scapular dyskinesis and muscle strength was improved by a passive scapular stabilization position, therefore scapular stabilization is important in rehabilitation program.

Expression of heat shock protein genes in Simmental cattle exposed to heat stress

  • Luis Felipe Guzman;Guillermo Martinez-Velazquez;Fernando Villasenor-Gonzalez;Vicente Eliezer Vega-Murillo;Jose Antonio Palacios-Franquez;Angel Rios-Utrera;Moises Montano-Bermudez
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.36 no.5
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    • pp.704-709
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    • 2023
  • Objective: In tropical, subtropical and arid zones, heat stress is the main cause of productivity reduction in cattle. When climate stressors occur, animals become thermal adapted through differential expression of some genes, including heat shock proteins (HSP) family. The aim of this study was to determine levels of expression of HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 genes in Simmental cattle raised in tropical environments of Mexico. Methods: In this study, expression of HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 genes was analyzed in 116 Simmental cattle from three farms with tropical climate located in western Mexico. Animals were sampled twice a day, in the morning and noon. Gene expression was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction using probes marked with fluorescence. The MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures was used for all statistical analysis. Results: HSP60 gene expression differences were found for sex (p = 0.0349). HSP70 gene differences were detected for sampling hour (p = 0.0042), farm (p<0.0001), sex (p = 0.0476), and the interaction sampling hour×farm (p = 0.0002). Gene expression differences for HSP90 were observed for farm (p<0.0001) and year (p = 0.0521). HSP70 gene showed to be a better marker of heat stress than HSP60 and HSP90 genes. Conclusion: Expression of HSP70 gene in Simmental herds of the tropical region of western México was different during early morning and noon, but the expression of the HSP60 and HSP90 genes was similar. Identification of resilient animals to heat stress will be useful in the genetic improvement of the Simmental breed.

Genome wide association study for growth in Pakistani dromedary camels using genotyping-by-sequencing

  • Sajida Sabahat;Asif Nadeem;Rudiger Brauning;Peter C. Thomson;Mehar S. Khatkar
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.36 no.7
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    • pp.1010-1021
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    • 2023
  • Objective: Growth performance and growth-related traits have a crucial role in livestock due to their influence on productivity. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Pakistani dromedary camels was conducted to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with growth at specific camel ages, and for selected SNPs, to investigate in detail how their effects change with increasing camel age. This is the first GWAS conducted on dromedary camels in this region. Methods: Two Pakistani breeds, Marecha and Lassi, were selected for this study. A genotyping-by-sequencing method was used, and a total of 65,644 SNPs were identified. For GWAS, weight records data with several body weight traits, namely, birthweight, weaning weight, and weights of camels at 1, 2, 4, and 6 years of age were analysed by using model-based growth curve analysis. Age-specific weight data were analysed with a linear mixed model that included fixed effects of SNP genotype as well as sex. Results: Based on the q-value method for false discovery control, for Marecha camels, five SNPs at q<0.01 and 96 at q<0.05 were significantly associated with the weight traits considered, while three (q<0.01) and seven (q<0.05) SNP associations were identified for Lassi camels. Several candidate genes harbouring these SNP were discovered. Conclusion: These results will help to better understand the genetic architecture of growth including how these genes are expressed at different phases of their life. This will serve to lay the foundations for applied breeding programs of camels by allowing the genetic selection of superior animals.

Estimation of genetic parameters for pork belly traits

  • Seung-Hoon Lee;Sang-Hoon Lee;Hee-Bok Park;Jun-Mo Kim
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.36 no.8
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    • pp.1156-1166
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    • 2023
  • Objective: Pork belly is a cut of meat with high worldwide demand. However, although the belly is comprised of multiple muscles and fat, unlike the loin muscle, research on their genetic parameters has yet to focus on a representative cut. To use swine breeding, it is necessary to estimate heritability against pork belly traits. Moreover, estimating genetic correlations is needed to identify genetic relationship among the traditional carcass and meat quality traits. This study sought to estimate the heritability of the carcass, belly, and their component traits, as well as the genetic correlations among them, to confirm whether these traits can be improved. Methods: A total of 543 Yorkshire pigs (406 castrated males and 137 females) from 49 sires and 244 dam were used in this study. To estimate genetic parameters, a total of 12 traits such as lean meat production ability, meat quality and pork belly traits were chosen. The heritabilities were estimated by using genome-wide efficient mixed model association software. The statistical model was selected so that farm, carcass weight, sex, and slaughter season were fixed effects. In addition, its genetic parameters were calculated via MTG2 software. Results: The heritability estimates for the 7th belly slice along the whole plate and its components were low to moderate (0.07±0.07 to 0.33±0.07). Moreover, the genetic correlations among the carcass and belly traits were moderate to high (0.28±0.20 to 0.99±0.31). Particularly, the rectus abdominis muscle exhibited a high absolute genetic correlation with the belly and meat quality (0.73±52 to 0.93±0.43). Conclusion: A moderate to high correlation coefficient was obtained based on the genetic parameters. The belly could be genetically improved to contain a larger proportion of muscle regardless of lean meat production ability.

Systemic Review on Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Breast Cancer (유방암의 보완대체의학적 치료에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Young-Ae;Kim, Dong-Chul
    • The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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    • v.22 no.3
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    • pp.205-222
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to review systemically journals on the studies for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the treatment of breast cancer. Methods: Through medical websites, foreign clinical literatures about complementary and alternative medicines of breast cancer were searched. The cite used was http://www.Pubmed.gov. And then they were divided into three groups. Medication, Non-medication therapies and questionnaire reports. Results: 1. We researched 23 papers about herb medicines. Most of papers were about single herb and there were rarely about mixed composition. And there were papers about Ocimum gratissimum, elliptilimba, seeds of Livistona chinensis, golden feverfew which were not commonly used in Korea. 2. We researched 16 papers about acupuncture. Acupuncture had a possitive effect on such symptoms like flushing, nausea and vomitting and pain on upper limb caused by anticancer therapy or tamoxifen or surgery. 3. We researched 36 papers about questionnaire study. Most were about research for women who diagnosed as breast cancer or women after breast cancer surgery. Subjects were about proportion of using CAM, purpose of using it, most popular CAM therapy, satisfaction degree, and relation with age, aducation and social position. And most conclusion were that patient-doctor communication was needed. Conclusion: Afterwards we have to focus on realisitic clinical studies about breast cancer patients, especially postsurgery and people who takes anticancer therapy. And we have to be interest in acupuncture therapy on breast cancer patients.