• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.330-338
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• 2006

Background: The main factors associated with weight loss in patients with COPD are not well known. Since chronic inflammation and oxidative stress play a major pathogenic role in COPD, these factors may be responsible for the patients' weight loss. Therefore, this study measured the body mass index (BMI) in COPD patients and evaluated the variables, such as systemic inflammatory marker, oxidative stress and lung function, that correlate with the BMI. Method: The stable COPD patients (M:F=49:4, mean age=$68.25{\pm}6.32$) were divided into the lower (<18.5), normal (18.5-25) and higher (>25) BMI group. The severity of the airway obstruction was evaluated by measuring the $FEV_1$. The serum IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ levels were measured to determine the degree of systemic inflammation, and the carbonyl protein and 8-iso-prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ level was measured to determine the level of oxidative stress. Each value in the COPD patients and normal control was compared with the BMI. Results: 1) Serum 8-iso-prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ in COPD patients was significantly higher ($456.08{\pm}574.12pg/ml$) than that in normal control ($264.74{\pm}143.15pg/ml$) (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the serum IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, carbonyl protein between the COPD patients and normal controls. 2). In the COPD patients, the $FEV_1$ of the lower BMI group was significantly lower ($0.93{\pm}0.25L$) than that of the normal BMI ($1.34{\pm}0.52L$) and higher BMI groups ($1.72{\pm}0.41L$) (p<0.05). The lower $FEV_1$ was significantly associated with a lower BMI in COPD patients (p=0.002, r=0.42). The BMI of very severe COPD patients was significantly lower ($19.8{\pm}2.57$) than that of the patients with moderate COPD ($22.6{\pm}3.14$) (p<0.05). 3). There were no significant differences in the serum IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, carbonyl protein and 8-iso-prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ according to the BMI in the COPD patients. Conclusion: The severity of the airway obstruction, not the systemic inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, might be associated with the BMI in stable COPD patients. Further study will be needed to determine the factors associated with the decrease in the BMI of COPD patients.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2015

A lipase producing bacterium was isolated from button mushroom bed, which showing high clear zone on agar media containing Tributyrin as the substrate. The strain was identified as Burkholderia cepacia by analysis of 16S rDNA gene sequence. Crude lipase (CL) was partially purified from 70% ammonium sulfate precipitation using the culture filtrate of B. cepacia. Immobilized lipases were prepared by cross-linking method with CL from B. cepacia and Novozyme lipase (NL) onto silanized Silica-gel as support. Residual activitiy of the immobilized CL (ICL) and immobilized NL (INL) was maintained upto 61% and 72%, respectively. Biodiesel (Fatty acid methyl ester, FAME) was recovered by transesterification and methanolysis of Canola oil using NaOH, CL and ICL as the catalysts to compare the composition of fatty acids and the yield of FAME. Total FAME content was NaOH $781mg\;L^{-1}$, CL $681mg\;L^{-1}$ and ICL $596mg\;L^{-1}$, in which the highest levels of FAME was observed to 50% oleic acid (C18:1) and 22% stearic acid (C18:0). In addition, the unsaturated FAME (C18:1, C18:2) decreased, while saturated FAME (C16:0, C18:0) increased according to increasing the reaction times with both CL and ICL, supporting CL possess both transesterification and interesterification activity. When reusability of ICL and INL was estimated by using the continuous reaction of 4 cycles, the activity of ICL and INL was respectively maintained 66% and 79% until the fourth reaction.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.21-34
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• 1992

The behavior of fatigue crack growth in the single spot welded joint of zinc galvanized steel sheets was studied experimentally and analytically based on fracture mechanics. Axial tension fatigue tests were carried out with the BSxGAB specimen that the bare plane(GAB) of monogalvanized steel sheet was spot welded to the double thickness bare steel sheet(BS), and with the GAxGAB specimen that the galvanized plane (GA) was spot welded to the equal thickness bare plane (GAB) 1. The relation between maximum stress intensity factor, K sub(max) and the number of cycles to failure, N sub(f) has shown a linear relation on log-log plot in the spot weld of the zinc galvanized steel sheet. 2. The fatigue strength of BSxGAB specimens is about 23% higher than that of GAxGAB specimens at the fatigue strength of $1\times10^6$ cycles. And the fatigue life of BSxGAB specimens at the same load range increases 6~9 times higher than that of GAxGAB specimens. 3. The general tendency at the angle of bending($\theta$) in an applied load has changed rapidly at the initial 20% of its life. After then, it has changed slowly. The change at the angle of bending has increased linearly as the load range increases. 4. It has shown a linear relation between the location ratio of initiation ${\gamma}$ and fatigue life $N_f$ on the semi-log graph paper. Here $\gamma$ means that the crack distance between main crack and sub-crack, 2L is divided by the nugget diameter, 2r. $\gamma=a{\cdot}log N_f+n$ (where a and n are material constant.)

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.289-294
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• 2011

A rapid and specific high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass (LC/MS/MS) method for the analysis of montelukast in human plasma has been developed and validated. After cold acetonitrile-induced precipitation of the plasma samples, montelukast and glipizide (internal standard, IS) were eluted on a reverse-phase $C_{18}$ column by isocratic mobile phase consisted of 10 mM ammonium formate buffer (adjusted to pH 3.5 with formic acid) and acetonitrile (3:97, v/v). Acquisition was performed with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode by monitoring the transitions: m/z 587.2${\rightarrow}$ 423.2 for montelukast and m/z 446.0${\rightarrow}$321.2 for IS. Ranges of concentration for calibration curves (10-1000 ng/mL) showed correlation coefficients ($r^2$) were better than 0.9948. Precision of intra- and inter-day ranged from 3.70 to 11.68% and from 3.04 to 12.95%, accuracy of intra-day and inter-day ranged from 93.34 to 102.75% and from 100.79 to 107.63%, respectively. The described method provides a fast and sensitive analytical tool for determining montelukast levels in plasma, and was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in 16 healthy human subjects after oral administration of 10mg tablet formulation of montelukast sodium under fasting conditions.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.362-376
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• 2020

Rabbit meat bekasam is a traditional fermentation product from Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the chemical and microbiological characteristics of rabbit meat bekasam during the fermentation process in order to isolate, characterize (in vitro and in vivo), and identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as the probiotic candidate. The chemical contents of bekasam on 7-day fermentation were investigated in explorative and experimental methods in a completely randomized design. A proximate analysis reported a decrease in the moisture content, fat and carbohydrate content, and an increase in protein content. Also, lactic acid content was increased from 0.48% to 1.12%, and pH was decreased from 5.3 to 4.3. Other properties indicated different values, such as bacteria (2.75×10⁶ to 4.45×10⁷ CFU/g), total LAB (3.82×10⁶ to 4.67×10⁸ CFU/g), total yeast (9.89×10⁶ to 3.82×10⁸ CFU/g) and total mould (4.34×10¹ to 4.86×10³ CFU/g). The experiment produced nine LAB isolates, including two probiotics subjected to further 16S rRNA gene analysis, which indicated that Lactobacillus buchneri was the potential probiotic isolate. After being tested on BALB/c mice, L. buchneri could improve the immune system by inhibiting the growth of Coliform and Salmonella.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.545-555
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• 2014

It has been previously demonstrated that laccases exhibit great potential for use in several industrial and environmental applications. In this paper, two laccase isoenzyme genes, lccB and lccC, were cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115. The sequence analysis indicated that the lccB and lccC genes consisted of 1,563 and 1,584 bp, and their open reading frames encoded 520 and 527 amino acids, respectively. They had 72.7% degree of identity in nucleotides and 86.7% in amino acids. The expression levels of LccB and LccC were up to 32,479 and 34,231 U/l, respectively. The recombinant laccases were purified by ultrafiltration and $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ precipitation, showing a single band on SDS-PAGE, which had a molecular mass of 58 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature for LccB were 2.0 and $55^{\circ}C$ with 2,2'-azinobis-[ 3-ethylbenzthiazolinesulfonic acid (ABTS) as a substrate, whereas LccC exhibited optimal pH and temperature at 3.0 and $60^{\circ}C$. The apparent kinetic parameters of LccB were 0.43 mM for ABTS with a $V_{max}$ value of 51.28 U/mg, and the Km and $V_{max}$ values for LccC were 0.29 mM and 62.89 U/mg. The recombinant laccases were able to decolorize five types of dyes. Acid Violet 43 (100 g/ml) was completely decolorized by LccB or LccC (2 U/ml), and the decolorization of Reactive Blue KN-R (100 g/ml) was 91.6% by LccC (2 U/ml). Thus, the study characterizes useful laccase isoenzymes from T. versicolor that have the capability of being incorporated into the treatment of similar azo and anthraquinone dyes from dyeing industries.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 2021

Background: In the mining industry, various methods of accident analysis have utilized official accident investigations to try and establish broader causation mechanisms. An emerging area of interest is identifying the extent to which cultural influences, such as safety culture, are acting as drivers in the reoccurrence of accidents. Thus, the overall objective of this study was to analyze occupational health and safety (OHS) reports in mining to investigate if/how safety culture has historically been framed in the mining industry, as it relates to accident causation. Methods: Using a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software, 34 definitions of safety culture were analyzed to highlight key terms. Based on word count and contextual relevance, 26 key terms were captured. Ten OHS reports were then analyzed via an inductive thematic analysis, using the key terms. This analysis provided a concept map representing the 50-year data set and facilitated the use of text framing to highlight safety culture in the selected OHS mining reports. Results: Overall, 954 references and six themes, safety culture, attitude, competence, belief, patterns, and norms, were identified in the data set. Of the 26 key terms originally identified, 24 of them were captured within the text. The results made evident two distinct frames in which to interpret the data: the role of the individual and the role of the organization, in safety culture. Conclusion: Unless efforts are made to understand and alter cultural drivers and share these findings within and across industries, the same accidents are likely to continue to occur.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.233-252
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• 1994

One of major advantages of Lumped model is its ability to simulate extended flows. A further advantage is that it requires only conventional, readily available hydrological data (rainfall, evaporation and runoff). These two advantages commend the use of this type of model for the analysis of the hydrological effects of landuse change. Experimental Catchment(K11) of Kimakia site in Kenga experienced three phases of landuse change for sixteen and half years. The Institute of Hydrology offered the hydrological data from the catchment for this research. On basis of Blackie's(l972) 9-parameter model, a new model(R1131) was reorganized in consideration of the following aspects to reflect the hydrological characteristics of the catchment: 1) The evapotranspiration necessary for the landuse hydrology, 2) high permeable soils, 3) small catchment, 4) input option for initial soil moisture deficit, and 5) othel modules for water budget analysis. The new model is constructed as a 11-parameter, 3-storage, 1-input option model. Using a number of initial conditions, the model was optimized to the data of three landuse phases. The model efficiencies were 96.78%, 97.20%, 94.62% and the errors of total flow were -1.78%, -3.36%, -5.32%. The bias of the optimized models were tested by several techniques, The extended flows were simulated in the prediction mode using the optimized model and the data set of the whole series of experimental periods. They are used to analyse the change of daily high and low-flow caused by landuse change. The relative water use ratio of the clearing and seedling phase was 60.21%, but that of the next two phases were 81.23% and 83.78% respectively. The annual peak flows of second and third phase at a 1.5-year return period were decreased by 31.3% and 31.2% compared to that of the first phase. The annual peak flow at a 50-year return period in the second phase was an increase of only 4.8%, and that in the third phase was an increase of 12.9%. The annual minimum flow at a 1.5-year return period was decreased by 34.2% in the second phase, and 34.3% in the third phase. The changes in the annual minimum flows were decreased for the larger return periods; a 20.2% decrease in the second phase and 20.9% decrease in the third phase at a 50-year return period. From the results above, two aspects could be concluded. Firstly, the flow regime in Catchment K11 was changed due to the landuse conversion from the clearing and seedling phade to the intermediate stage of pine plantation. But, The flow regime was little affected after the pine trees reached a certain height. Secondly, the effects of the pine plantation on the daily high- and low-flow were reduced with the increase in flood size and the severity of drought.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.34 no.4 s.96
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• pp.298-309
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the filtering-feeding effect of a freshwater mussel (Corbicula leana) on the phytoplankton communities in two lakes with different trophic conditions between June and September, 2000. Manipulation experiments were conducted with two treatments (the control and mussel addition), and each established in duplicate 10 l chambers. Both ambient nutrient (TN, TP) and chlorophyll-a concentrations were significantly (p<0.01) higher in Lake Ilgam than Lake Soyang. Cyanophytes (Microcystis, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya and Dactylococcopis) consistently dominated algal community in Lake llgam, while flagellated algae (Dinobryon divergence, Mallomonas, Rhodomonas) and cyanophytes (Microcystis)dominated in Lake Soyang. The net exponential death rate ($R\;=\;day^{-1}$) of total phytoplankton in the mussel treatment ranged $1.70{\sim}7.39$ and $0.38{\sim}1.64$ in Lakes Soyang and Ilgam, respectively. Mean filtering rate standardized by mussel AFDW ($ml\;mgAFDW^{1}\;h^{-1}$) was much higher in Lake Soyang ($1.70{\sim}3.06$) than in Lake Ilgam($0.24{\sim}0.88$0.24~o.88). Estimating FR per mussel, 1 mussel filtered $1.6{\sim}7.8\;l$ per day and $1.7{\sim}3.0\;l$ per day in Lakes Soyang and Ilgam, respectively. Based on tile C-flux tobiomass ratio, Corbicula leana consumed $0.8{\sim}4.4$ fold of phytoplankton standing stock in Lake Soyang, and $0.4{\sim}1.6$ fold in Lake Ilgam per day. Mussel feeding resulted in increase of SRP concentration by $30{\sim}50%$, compared with the control. The results of this study suggest that filter-feeding activity of Corbicula leana varies depending on the phytoplankton density and community composition. The high seston consumption rate of Corsicuja Jeaua even in a eutrophic lake suggests that biomanipulation approach using filter-feeding mussels can be used far wate rquality management in small eutrophic reservoirs.

• Korean Membrane Journal
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2007

A perovskite-type ($La_{0.6}Sr_{0.4}Ti_{0.2}Fe_{0.8}O_{3-{\delta}}$) dense ceramic membrane was prepared by polymerized complex method, using citric acid as a chelating agent and ethylene glycol as an organic stabilizer. Effect of Ti addition on lanthanum-strontium ferrite mixed conductor was investigated by evaluating the thermal expansion coefficient, the oxygen flux, the electrical conductivity, and the phase stability. The thermal expansion coefficient in air was $21.19\;{\times}\;10^{-6}/K$ at 473 to 1,223 K. At the oxygen partial pressure of 0.21 atm ($20%\;O_2$), the electrical conductivity increased with temperature and then decreased after 973 K. The decrement in electrical conductivity at high temperatures was explained by a loss of the lattice oxygen. The oxygen flux increased with temperature and was $0.17\;mL/cm^2{\cdot}min$ at 1,223 K. From the temperature-dependent oxygen flux data, the activation energy of oxygen ion conduction was calculated and was 80.5 kJ/mol at 1,073 to 1,223 K. Also, the Ti-added lanthanum-strontium ferrite mixed conductor was structurally and chemically stable after 450 hours long-term test at 1,173 K.