• Title/Summary/Keyword: Production Capability

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Molecular Identification of Vaginal Lactobacillus spp. Isolated from Korean Women

  • CHANG, CHUNG EUN;SYLVIA I. PAVLOVA;LIN TAO;EUN-KI KIM;SEUNG CHUL KIM;HYUN SHIK YUN;JAE-SEONG SO
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.312-317
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    • 2002
  • Indigenous lactobacilli were isolated from vaginas of Korean women for possible use in ecological treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Vaginal swab samples were obtained from a gynecological clinic and streaked on Rogosa SL agar plates to select the most predominant lactobacilli in each sample. The preliminary identification of the isolates as lactobacilli was based on microscopic observation of Gram-positive rod-shaped cell morphology. The initial characterization was performed on 108 isolates in terms of their cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), antimicrobial activity, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production capability, and 10 isolates were then selected for further molecular identification. For a rapid procedure to identify lactobacilli, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of the l6S rRNA genes were applied. The 10 selected lactobacilli and 9 different reference strains of Lactobacillus spp. were characterized by PCR-RFLP where the amplified l6S rDNA was digested with 7 different restriction endonucleases prior to analysis. DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of one particular isolate, KLB 46, that had been identified as L. crispatus by the PCR-RFLP analysis, further confirmed its identity as L. crispatus.

Comparison of Rigorous Design Procedure with Approximate Design Procedure for Variable Sampling Plans Indexed by Quality Loss

  • Ishii, Yoma;Arizono, Ikuo;Tomohiro, Ryosuke;Takemoto, Yasuhiko
    • Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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    • v.15 no.3
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    • pp.231-238
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    • 2016
  • Traditional acceptance sampling plans have focused on the proportion of nonconforming items as an attribute criterion for quality. In today's modern quality management under high quality production environments, the reduction of the deviation from a target value in a quality characteristic has become the most important purpose. In consequence, various inspection plans for the purpose of reducing the deviation from the target value in the quality characteristic have been investigated. In this case, a concept of the quality loss evaluated by the deviation from the target value has been accepted as the variable evaluation criterion of quality. Further, some quality measures based on the quality loss have been devised; e.g. the process loss and the process capability index. Then, as one of inspection plans based on the quality loss, the rigorous design procedure for the variable sampling plan having desired operating characteristics (VS-OC plan) indexed by the quality loss has been proposed by Yen and Chang in 2009. By the way, since the estimator of the quality loss obeys the non-central chi-square distribution, the rigorous design procedure for the VS-OC plan indexed by the quality loss is complicated. In particular, the rigorous design procedure for the VS-OC plan requires a large number of the repetitive and complicated numerical calculation about the non-central chi-square distribution. On the other hand, an approximate design procedure for the VS-OC plan has been proposed before the proposal of the above rigorous design procedure. The approximate design procedure for the VS-OC plan has been constructed by combining Patnaik approximation relating the non-central chi-square distribution to the central chi-square distribution and Wilson-Hilferty approximation relating the central chi-square distribution to the standard normal distribution. Then, the approximate design procedure has been devised as a convenient procedure without complicated and repetitive numerical calculations. In this study, through some comparisons between the rigorous and approximate design procedures, the applicability of the approximate design procedure has been confirmed.

A study on the development of living products using heat and color conversion treated woods (디자인 스튜디오 교육을 위한 CALM 시스템 개발에 관한 연구 -가구디자인 교육을 위한 시청각 기자재 디자인을 중심으로-)

  • In, Chi-Ho
    • Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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    • v.20 no.5
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    • pp.467-479
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    • 2009
  • The high-tech computer technology developments have greatly affected the area of design education. Starting from the mid 80s, innovations in visual presentation methods have heightened with 2D computer graphic programs, CAD & 3D modeling, and Rapid Prototype that allows dimensional generation. The specialty and quality in design studio education have advanced due to the development in presentation methods such as Power Point and Keynote. But there are many problems with the current method of presenting the visual outcome in a data format using beam projectors, which is a vertical presenting method compared to the old studio study method of conducting discussions and reviews based on the substantial outcome. The essence of studio study that allows for comparisons and analysis by horizontally opening up the various work outcomes is being offset. Also the requirement for manual idea sketching work that plays an important role in the initial design phase continuing to decrease due to the digital working process dependence and cumbersome procedures in the presentation. In order to resolve this problem, the CALM system (Class Applied LCD Modular System) has been developed that replaces the method of attaching the sketches or renderings on the wall with a digital multi-display system. In a nutshell, individuals will upload the outcomes online and display them on the CALM system studio that is composed of 32 LCD (Columns: 4 $\times$ Rows: 8) monitors that are 19 inches in size so that various personnel can openly study the design outcomes. Also the central 42 inch PDP monitor that offers touch pad capability allows each design outcome to be described and examined by expanding. The concept phase of this development process has elevated to the production of an operating prototype that is being reviewed of its practicality. It is considered that the development of this system will decrease the extreme tendency of depending on digital operation but achieve revitalization of a more realistic and opened studio study environment compared to the individual consulting method of the old study approach.

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pT7MT, a Metallothionein 2A-Tagged Novel Prokaryotic Fusion Expression Vector

  • Marikar, Faiz M.M.T.;Fang, Lei;Jiang, Shu-Han;Hua, Zi-Chun
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.17 no.5
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    • pp.728-732
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    • 2007
  • In the present article, a novel fusion expression vector for Escherichia coli was developed based on the pTORG plasmid, a derivative of pET32a. This vector, named pT7MT(GenBank Accession No DQ504436), carries a T7 promoter and it drives the downstream gene encoding Metallothionein 2A(MT2A). There are in-framed multiple cloning sites(MCS) downstream of the MT2A gene. A target gene can be cloned into the MCS and fused to the C-terminal of the MT2A gene in a compatible open reading frame(ORF) to achieve fusion expression. The metal-binding capability of MT2A allows the purification of fusion proteins by metal chelating affinity chromatography, known as $Ni^{2+}$-affinity chromatography. Using this expression vector, we successfully got the stable and high-yield expression of MT2A-GST and MT2A-Troponin I fusion proteins. These two proteins were easily purified from the supernatant of cell lysates by one-step $Ni^{2+}$-affinity chromatography. The final yields of MT2A-GST and MT2A-Troponin I were 30mg/l and 28mg/l in LB culture, respectively. Taken together, our data suggest that pT7MT can be applied as a useful expression vector for stable and high-yield production of fusion proteins.

Screening of the Enterocin-Encoding Genes and Antimicrobial Activity in Enterococcus Species

  • Ogaki, Mayara Baptistucci;Rocha, Katia Real;Terra, Marcia Regina;Furlaneto, Marcia Cristina;Furlaneto-Maia, Luciana
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.26 no.6
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    • pp.1026-1034
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    • 2016
  • In the current study, a total of 135 enterococci strains from different sources were screened for the presence of the enterocin-encoding genes entA, entP, entB, entL50A, and entL50B. The enterocin genes were present at different frequencies, with entA occurring the most frequently, followed by entP and entB; entL50A and L50B were not detected. The occurrence of single enterocin genes was higher than the occurrence of multiple enterocin gene combinations. The 80 isolates that harbor at least one enterocin-encoding gene (denoted "Gene+ strains") were screened for antimicrobial activity. A total of 82.5% of the Gene+ strains inhibited at least one of the indicator strains, and the isolates harboring multiple enterocin-encoding genes inhibited a larger number of indicator strains than isolates harboring a single gene. The indicator strains that exhibited growth inhibition included Listeria innocua strain CLIP 12612 (ATCC BAA-680), Listeria monocytogenes strain CDC 4555, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus ATCC 29213, S. aureus ATCC 6538, Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Salmonella typhimurium strain UK-1 (ATCC 68169), and Escherichia coli BAC 49LT ETEC. Inhibition due to either bacteriophage lysis or cytolysin activity was excluded. The growth inhibition of antilisterial Gene+ strains was further tested under different culture conditions. Among the culture media formulations, the MRS agar medium supplemented with 2% (w/v) yeast extract was the best solidified medium for enterocin production. Our findings extend the current knowledge of enterocin-producing enterococci, which may have potential applications as biopreservatives in the food industry due to their capability of controlling food spoilage pathogens.

Hydroxyl Radical-Mediated Commitment of HL-60 Cells to Differentiation: Modulation of Differentiation Process by Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

  • Cho, Young-Jin;Ahn, Woong-Shick;Cha, Seok-Ho;Lee, Kweon-Haeng;Kim, Won-Il;Chung, Myung-Hee
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • v.2 no.3
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    • pp.369-376
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    • 1998
  • This report shows that hydroxyl radical, generated by a Fenton reaction involving adenosine $5'-diphosphate/Fe^{2+}$ complex ($5-15\;{\mu}M$) and $H_2O_2$ ($2\;{\mu}M$), induced differentiation of HL-60 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This is evidenced by the increases in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate- and fMLP-stimulated superoxide production capability. The cells exposed to hydroxyl radical for defined periods (24∼96 hr) continued to differentiate even after the hydroxyl radical generating system had been removed. The differentiated cells displayed fMLP-stimulated calcium mobilization and increased expression of myeloid-specific antigen CD11b and CD14. The extent of the differentiation was markedly reduced by desferrioxamine ($100\;{\mu}M$), dimethylthiourea (5 mM), N,N'-diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine ($2\;{\mu}M$), and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (5 mM). The induction of differentiation by hydroxyl radical was enhanced by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine ($200\;{\mu}M$) and Ro-20-1724 ($8\;{\mu}M$), and inhibited by dipyridamole (2 ${\mu}M$). These results suggest that hydroxyl radicals may induce commitment of HL-60 cells to differentiate into more mature cells of myelomonocytic lineage through specific signal-transduction pathway that is modulated by phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

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Alternative Method of Determining Resilient Modulus of Subbase Materials Using Free-Free Resonant Column Test (현장공진주시험을 이용한 보조기층 재료의 대체 $M_R$ 시험법)

  • Kweon, Gi-Cheol;Kim, Dong-Su
    • International Journal of Highway Engineering
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.149-161
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    • 2000
  • The stiffness of the subbase materials is represented by the resilient modulus, $M_R$, which are very important properties in the mechanistic design of flexible pavement system. However, the cyclic $M_R$ testing method is too complex, expensive, and time consuming to be applicable on a production basis. In this study, the alternative $M_R$ testing technique for subbase materials was developed using a free-free resonant column (FF-RC) test considering deformational characteristics of subbase materials. To estimate the deformational characteristics of subbase materials, effects of strain amplitude and mean effective stress on modulus of subbase materials were investigated. The $M_R$ values determined by alternative testing procedures matched well with those determined by standard $M_R$ test, showing the capability of the proposed methods being used in determining $M_R$ values.

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The Geomorphic Characteristics on the Location of Gyeongju, Capital City of 'Saro' and 'Silla' Kingdomsin Ancient Times, Korea (고대국가 사로국과 신라의 수도 경주의 입지에 미친 지형 특성)

  • Hwang, Sangill;Yoon, Soon-Ock
    • Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.79-94
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    • 2013
  • Gyeongju in Saro or Silla one of ancient kingdoms in Yeongnam region of southeast Korea, had been developed as a capital city for thousand years despite its unfavorable geographical location being leaned to the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula. Although this rare case in the world resulted from various facts relevant to political capability and intelligence of the ancient Gyeongju people, the geomorphic characteristics played a key role for its political development. In this paper, we discuss the establishment and growth of ancient kingdoms in Gyeongju area in terms of geomorphological factors such as the Taebaek and Sobaek mountain ranges, distribution of fault lines and alluvial fans along the eastern coast of the peninsula, characteristics of the coastal regions. That is, abundant grain supply from alluvial fans in Gyeongju and surrounding areas, high population-carrying capacity of land and positioning of an ancient supercity were made possible by the geomorphological contributions. Furthermore, Gyeongju could hold the lead in competition with surrounding kingdoms by accumulation of wealth and military superiority derived from production and circulation of salt and iron works. Gyeongju had become the capital of ancient kingdoms due to the geomorphic advantages during the ancient times in Korea.

Conceptual Design Trade Offs between Solid and Liquid Propulsion for Optimal Stage Configuration of Satellite Launch Vehicle

  • Qasim, Zeeshan;Dong, Yunfeng
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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    • 2008.03a
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    • pp.283-292
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    • 2008
  • The foremost criterion in the design of a Satellite Launch Vehicle(SLV) is its performance capability to boost the designated payload to the desired mission orbit; it starts from focusing on the SLV configuration to achieve the velocity requirements($}\Delta}V$) for the mission. In this paper we review an analytical approach which is suitable enough for preliminary conceptual design and is used previously to optimize stage configurations for Two Stage to Orbit SLV for Low Earth Orbit(LEO) Missions; we have extended this approach to Three Stage to Orbit SLV and compared different propellant options for the mission. The objective is to minimize the Gross Lift off Weight(GLOW). The primary performance figures of merit were the total inert weight of the SLV and the payload weight that the SLV could lift into LEO, given candidate propulsion systems. The optimization is achieved by configuring the $}\Delta}V$ between stages. A comparison of configurations of single-stage and multi-stage SLVs is made for different propellants. Based upon the optimized stage configurations a comparative performance analysis is made between Liquid and Solid fueled SLV. A 3 degree of freedom trajectory-analysis program is modeled in SIMULINK and used to conduct the performance analysis. Furthermore, a cost analysis is performed on our stage optimized SLVs. The cost estimation relationships(CER) used give us a comparison of development and fabrication costs for the Liquid vs. Solid fueled SLV in man years. The pros and cons of the production, operation ability, performance, responsiveness, logistics, price, shelf life, storage etc of both Solid and Liquid fueled SLVs are discussed. The statistics and data are used from existing or historical(real) SLV stages.

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A Preliminary Design Concept of the HYPER System

  • Park, Won S.;Tae Y. Song;Lee, Byoung O.;Park, Chang K.
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.34 no.1
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    • pp.42-59
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    • 2002
  • In order to transmute long-lived radioactive nuclides such as transuranics(TRU), Tc-99, and I- l29 in LWR spent fuel, a preliminary conceptual design study has been performed for the accelerator driven subcritical reactor system, called HYPER(Hybrid Power Extraction Reactor) The core has a hybrid neutron energy spectrum: fast and thermal neutrons for the transmutation of TRU and fission products, respectively. TRU is loaded into the HYPER core as a TRU-Zr metal form because a metal type fuel has very good compatibility with the pyre- chemical process which retains the self-protection of transuranics at all times. On the other hand, Tc-99 and I-129 are loaded as pure technetium metal and sodium iodide, respectively. Pb-Bi is chosen as a primary coolant because Pb-Bi can be a good spallation target and produce a very hard neutron energy spectrum. As a result, the HYPER system does not have any independent spallation target system. 9Cr-2WVTa is used as a window material because an advanced ferritic/martensitic steel is known to have a good performance under a highly corrosive and radiation environment. The support ratios of the HYPER system are about 4∼5 for TRU, Tc-99, and I-129. Therefore, a radiologically clean nuclear power, i.e. zero net production of TRU, Tc-99 and I-129 can be achieved by combining 4 ∼5 LWRs with one HYPER system. In addition, the HYPER system, having good proliferation resistance and high nuclear waste transmutation capability, is believed to provide a breakthrough to the spent fuel problems the nuclear industry is faced with.