• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.408-417
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• 2016

Purpose: Yield monitoring systems are an essential component of precision agriculture. They indicate the spatial variability of crop yield in fields, and have become an important factor in modern harvesters. The objective of this paper was to review research trends related to yield monitoring sensors for grain crops. Methods: The literature was reviewed for research on the major sensing components of grain yield monitoring systems. These major components included grain flow sensors, moisture content sensors, and cutting width sensors. Sensors were classified by sensing principle and type, and their performance was also reviewed. Results: The main targeted harvesting grain crops were rice, wheat, corn, barley, and grain sorghum. Grain flow sensors were classified into mass flow and volume flow methods. Mass flow sensors were mounted primarily at the clean grain elevator head or under the grain tank, and volume flow sensors were mounted at the head or in the middle of the elevator. Mass flow methods used weighing, force impact, and radiometric approaches, some of which resulted in measurement error levels lower than 5% ($R^2=0.99$). Volume flow methods included paddle wheel type and optical type, and in the best cases produced error levels lower than 3%. Grain moisture content sensing was in many cases achieved using capacitive modules. In some cases, errors were lower than 1%. Cutting width was measured by ultrasonic distance sensors mounted at both sides of the header dividers, and the errors were in some cases lower than 5%. Conclusions: The design and fabrication of an integrated yield monitoring system for a target crop would be affected by the selection of a sensing approach, as well as the layout and mounting of the sensors. For accurate estimation of yield, signal processing and correction measures should be also implemented.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.53.1-53.12
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• 2020

Background: The TightRope System is a device developed to provide extracapsular stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in canine stifles. I was then also employed for the extra-articular treatment of shoulder instability and for the intra-articular treatment of hip luxation in dogs and cats. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of the Mini-TightRope (mTR) System for the intraarticular treatment of CCL rupture in small breed dogs. Methods: A cadaveric canine model was used to record the steps of the surgical procedure. Five client owned dogs weighing from 8 to 10 kg and from 2 to 12 years of age were enrolled in the prospective study in which the mTR device was implanted in the stifle joint to replace the ruptured CCL. The dogs were graded using the Bologna Healing Stifle Injury Index (BHSII) and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) scores. Results: The outcomes obtained at the time of the surgery (T0) and for the following 12 months (T12) showed an improvement in the functional parameters (BHSII from a median of 74.3 [range, 58.1-82.4] at T0 to 95.6 [range, 94.1-99.3] at T12]). The OA did not change in 3 dogs and increased by only 1 point in 2 dogs. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, the mTR was a successful and repeatable intraarticular surgical procedure for all dogs. Additional studies related to the clinical application of the technique in medium-large dogs should be encouraged.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.223-230
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• 2000

A rearing experiment of the olive flounder was performed in a set of water-reuse system to test the reusability of the water in culture system with (i) a foam fractionator to separate particles from water and (ii) a culture tank contain mineral particles to filter the metabolic wastes by adsorption and/or decomposition. Two kinds of commercially processed loess particles and a dolomite particle (all 50 ${\mu}$diameter) were tested. The mineral particles were suspended in the culture tank and the water was pumped into the foam fractionator, where the particles were separated and drained out with foam from the system. In a circular culture tank of 4.8 m in diameter with 10 d water, the juvenile olive flounders (23.1 g/fish, 5,555 fish, 128 kg total body weight) were stocked. 90 % of the rearing water was reused and turnover rate of the water in the tank was two times per hour. Water temperature was maintained 17${\pm}$1$^{\circ}C$. At the end of 75 day-experimental rearing, 5,532 flounders, weighing 468 kg, were harvested. An individual flounder grew to 84.6 g of body weight. The final stocking density was 26.0 kg/$m^2$. No diseases were observed during the experiment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.319-325
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of green tea catechin on microsomal mixed function oxidase(MFO) system of kidney and brain in streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 140$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one control and three STZ-diabetic groups. Diabetic groups wer classified to DM-0C(catechin 0%/kg diet), DM-0.5C (catechin 0.5%/kg diet), and DM-1.0C(catechin 1%/kg diet) according to the level of catechin supplementation. Diabetes were experimentally induced by intravenous administration of 55mg/kg body weight of STZ in citrate buffer(pH 4.3) after 4 weeks feeding of three experimental diets. Animals were sacrificed at the sixth day of diabetic state. The contents of cytochrome P450 in kidney were increased by 77, 42, 49% in DM-0C, DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups, respectively, than normal group. The contents of cytochrome P450 in brain were increased by 43% in DM-0C group than normal group, but those of DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups were similar to that of normal group. The contents of cytochrome b5 in kidney were increased by 78, 38, 49% in DM-0C, DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups, respectively, than normal group. Meanwhile, the contents of cytochrome b5 in brain were not significantly different among all groups. The activities of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in kidney of DM-group were increased by 27% than normal group, but those of DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups were 13 and 15% lower than that of DM-0C group. The activities in brain were also increased by 31% in DM-0C group, but those of DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups were similar to than of normal group. Levels of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) in kidney were increased by 147, 60 and 59% in DM-0C, DM-0.5C, and DM-1.0C groups, respectively, compared with normal group, but those of DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups were 36, 35% lower than that of DM-0C group. Meanwhile, the levels of TBARS in brain were not significantly different among four groups. These results indicate that dietary catechins in green tea play a powerful antioxidant role in reducing the lipid peroxidation enhanced by activation of MFO system in STZ-induced diabetes.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.213-218
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• 2000

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary green tea catechin and vitamin E on the phospholipse {TEX}$A_{2}${/TEX} activity and th antioxidative defense system in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100$\pm$10 gm were randomly assigned to one normal and five STZ-induced diabetic groups. The diabetic groups were assigned either a catechin-free diet (DM group), 0.5% catechin diet (DM-0.5C group), 1% catechin diet (DM-1C group), vitamin E-free diet (DM-0E group), and 400 mg vitamin E per kg diet (DM-400E group) according to the levels of dietary catechin or vitamin E supplementation. The vitamin E levels of the normal, DM, DM-0.5C, and DM-1C groups were 40 mg per kg diet. Diabetes was experimentally induced by an intravenous injection of streptozotocin after 4 weeks of feeding the five experimental diets. The animals were sacrificed on the 6th day of he diabetic state. The body weight gains were lower in all five diabetic groups after the STZ injection. The platelet phospholipase {TEX}$A_{2}${/TEX}({TEX}$PLA_{2}${/TEX}) activity in the diabetic groups was higher than that in the normal group. However, the enzyme activity in the DM-0.5C, DM-1C, and DM-400E groups was lower than that in the DM and DM-0E groups. The cytochrome {TEX}$P_{450}${/TEX} and cytochrome {TEX}$b_{5}${/TEX} content and NADPH-cytochrome {TEX}$P_{450}${/TEX} reductase activity were about 50~110% higher in the DM and DM-0E groups than in the normal group, yet significantly reduced by either catechin or vitamin E supplementation. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) content in the liver did not differ significantly in any of the groups. However, the glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activity was generally lower in the diabetic groups, compared with the normal group, whereas that of the DM-0.5C, DM-1C, and DM-400E groups was significantly higher compared with that of the DM and DM-0E groups. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver tissue were 148% and 201% higher in the DM and DM-0E groups, respectively, compared with the normal group, however, these levels were reduced by either catechin or vitamin E supplementation (DM-0.5, DM-1C and DM-400E). Accordingly, the present results indicate that STZ-induced diabetic rats exhibited an imbalance between free radical generation and scavenger systems in the liver which led to the acceleration of lipid peroxidation. However, these abnormalities were reduced and the antioxidative defense system was restored by either dietary catechin or vitamin E supplementation. In conclusion, the effects of dietary catechin or vitamin E in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats would appear to inhibit lipid peroxidation as an anti-oxidant by regulating the activity of {TEX}$PLA_{2}${/TEX}.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidative effects of Paeonia lactiftora Pall. (PL) seed extracts and Forsythia viridissima Lindl. (FVL) extracts on the antioxidative defense system and lipid peroxidation in the erythrocytes of rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100 10 g were randomly assigned to nine experimental groups and fed 0.5 % cholesterol. The HC group did not receive any supplement, while the MP group was supplemented with 0.1 % methanol extract of PL seed, the MP2 group with 0.2 % methanol extract of PL seed, the EP1 group with 0.05 % ether-soluble fraction of PL seed, the EP2 group with 0.1 % ether-soluble fraction of PL seed, the MS1 group with 0.05 % methanol extract of FVL, the MS2 group with 0.1 % methanol extract of FVL, the ES group with 0.025% ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of FVL, and the ES2 group with 0.05 % ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of FVL. The experimental diets were fed ad libitum for 3 weeks. The erythrocyte SOD activity in the EP1 and EP2 groups increased 38% and 59%, respectively, when compared with the HC group, while the erythrocyte GSHpx activity in the EP1, EP2, and ES2 groups increased 30%, 31 %, and 29%, respectively, when compared with the HC group. The level of erythrocyte TBARS was significantly lower in the MP2, EP1, and EP2 groups than in the HC group, yet the level of serum TBARS was significantly lower in the all supplemented groups than in the HC group. The level of serum HDL- TBARS was significantly lower in the EP1 and EP2 groups than in the HC group, while the level of serum LDL- TBARS was significantly lower in the all the supplemented groups than in the HC group. Accordingly, the results indicated that the PL seed extracts and FVL extracts reduced oxidative damage by activating the antioxidative defense system in the erythrocytes of rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.931-938
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• 2012

The effects were investigated of different lengths and numbers of slitwalls in drainless containers on growth and change in soil moisture volumes on the growth of Diffenbachia amoena 'Marianne' and Begonia rex. Drainless containers filled with amended soil, with square shape ($240mm{\times}240mm$) were used, as well as three different sets of slitwalls (2, 4 or 8, respectively) in addition to non-slitwall containers. Two indoor foliage plants were grown in slitwall containers in randomized blocks with 3 replications in greenhouse conditions, from March to September, 2009. Soil moisture volumes per container were measured by weighing containers every 2 hours during the day. The change in soil moisture volumes showed considerable differences among slitwalls tested in comparison to control containers before and after twice-weekly irrigation. Particularly, the differences in the S2 (195mm, slitwall 2) containers were significantly greater than other containers tested. For Diffenbachia amoena 'Marianne', plant height, length of leaf, dry weight and fresh weight were higher with S2 containers than with those grown in other containers tested. The Begonia rex with the best quality in terms of plant height, length of leaf and width of leaf was grown in S8 (360mm, slitwall 8) containers. Particularly, statistical analysis has indicated that shoot fresh weights of Begonia rex grown in S8 were 3-fold higher than those grown in CS8 containers. The different results obtained within the two species led us to hypothesize a species-specific influence on indoor foliage plant performance. However, plants of both species grown in slitwall containers showed good results compared with plants grown in non-slitwall containers.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.681-689
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• 2012

In this study, we performed a simulation of the dynamic response of a multibody system to calculate the tension acting on wire ropes connecting floating cranes and a heavy cargo such as a Giga Block weighing over 5000 tons when the cargo is salvaged using parallel connected floating cranes. In this simulation, we supposed that the motion of the floating cranes, barge ship, and heavy cargo has 6 degrees of freedom and that the interaction is determined by constraints among them. In addition, we considered independent hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces as external forces acting on the floating cranes and barge ship. The simulation result can be a basis for verifying the safety of construction methods in which heavy cargo is salvaged by parallel connected floating cranes, and it can also be used to guide the development of such construction methods.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.181-200
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• 2007

Objevtives & Methods : Effects of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at BL18 and LI11 on lipid composition, cytokine level, liver function, anti-oxidative capacity and histological characters were investigated in diet-induced obese rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 400g were divided into 4 groups of control, BL18, LI11 and BL18 plus LI11 pharmacopuncture groups and raised for 4 weeks. Results : 1. Plasma ${\beta}$-lipoprotein, free fatty acids level and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels significantly decreased in the pharmacopuncture groups compared to those of no treatment group. Plasma and liver total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels were also significantly lower than those of no treatment group. There was, however, no difference in TBARS level among pharmacopuncture groups. Liver total cholesterol level of BL18 pharmacopuncture group was lower than those of the other two pharmacopuncture groups. In LDL-cholesterol level, BL18 pharmacopuncture and BL18 plus LI11 pharmacopuncture groups only had significantly lower levels than that of no treatment group. 2. There was no significant difference between cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture groups and no treatment group in IL-6, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartic acid transaminase (AST) levels. 3. Compared with \ those of no treatment group, pharmacopuncture groups had significantly higher levels of HDL-cholesterol, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase activities. There was, however, no significant difference among pharmacopuncture groups. 4. Histological characters of heart, kidney and liver of BL18 pharmacopuncture group were similar to those of normal rats. Conclusions : These results indicate that cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at BL18 and LI11 may suppress adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation and activate antioxidant system.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.725-732
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of green tea catechin on renal dysfunction and blood presure change in chronic cadmium poisoned rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one normal group and three cadmium poisoned groups. Cadmium groups were classified to catechin free diet(Cd-0C group) 0.25% catechin diet(Cd-0.25C group) and 0.5% catechin diet(Cd-0.5C group) according to the levels of catechin supplement. Animals were raids for 20weeks. Cadmium were supplied as drinking water of 50ppm Cd2+ Morphological changes shown through a light microscope and an electro-microscope revealed the mitochondria and tubule epithelial cell edema in Cd -0C group but they were alleviated in catechin supplementation. The urinary $\beta$2-microglobulin that measured to observe the glomerular injury were higher in Cd-poisoned groups than in normal group but they was lowered by catechin supplementation. Glomerular filtration ratios(GFR) in Cd-poisoned groups were significantly lower than in normal group but that of catechin supplementation group was similar to normal group. This suggested that catechin protected the kidney from the functional damage. Angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) activity and blood pressure(BP) in Cd-poisoned groups were significantly higher than in normal group. Heart rate was tended to increase in Cd-poisoned groups. The results indicate that green tea catechin supplementation on chronic cadmium-poisoned rats normalized the renal dysfunction and blood pressure system.