• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.51-73
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• 2009

Although environmental education has increased in importance, few studies have been performed on the quantitative effect of environmental education on energy-saving and garbage-reducing behavior. Accordingly, this study quantitatively analyses the effect of environmental education on energy-saving and garbage-reduction. In this study, we compared reduction in energy use and garbage production between two groups, one receiving specialized and focused environmental education, and one receiving only general environmental education. We found that focused environmental education resulted in some quantifiably positive effects in encouraging energy-saving and garbage-reducing behavior. Specifically, household energy costs and amounts of school food waste for children receiving specialized environmental training were noticeably lower than those for children receiving only general environmental education. These results suggest that enhanced environmental education policy, including the launching of an environmental model school, is needed both to reduce energy use and garbage production.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.192-200
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• 2013

Objectives: To measure the prevalence of behavioural risk factors for obesity among urban adolescent school children in Chennai, India. Methods: This study was performed as a cross-sectional study using a World Health Organization-designed Global School-based Student Health Survey questionnaire (modified for India) among adolescent school children studying in 30 randomly selected secondary and higher secondary schools in Chennai city. 1842 adolescents studying in the VIII to XII standards were randomly selected for the study. Results: In the present study, 40.7% of the students ate fruit one or more times per day and 74.5% of the students ate vegetables one or more times per day. Nearly 20% of the students ate fast food items on 4 to 7 days during the previous week. Among the students, 30.4% watched television for more than two hours per day. Nearly 68% of the girls and 22% of the boys did not participate in outdoor sports activities. When the pattern of physical activity of the students was assessed, it was observed that 15.6% were inactive, 43.4% were minimally active, and the remaining 41.0% belonged to the category of health enhancing physical activity. Among the students, 6.2% were overweight and 5.2% were obese. Conclusions: The prevalence of risk factors for obesity was quite high among the adolescents. This study also showed that a great proportion of overweight/obese adolescents had a correct perception of their body weight and they were making efforts to modify risk factors such as television viewing, computer use, a sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy dietary habits.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.827-837
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• 2019

The present study was conducted with the aim to investigate the ameliorative effects of a new soybean product (cheonggukjang) fermented with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SCGB1 (SFBA) in atopic dermatitis (AD) mouse model. Visual evaluation of AD induction in the mice indicated the remarkable control of SFBA in reducing the pathological severity of AD-like skin lesions reported as the SCORAD score of AD clinical symptoms. The results revealed that SFBA reduced dorsal skin and epidermal thickness to a similar extent with prednisolone. Further analysis revealed the dominance of SFBA in restraining mast cell infiltration in the dermis; immunoglobulin-E expression in serum; and TH2 IL-4 cytokine and itch-related IL-31 cytokine in the mice skin and serum. SFBA also suppressed scratching behaviours in mice induced by compound 48/80. Further histological findings also revealed the alleviation of collagen fiber deposition in dermal skin of the AD mice model. These actions of SFBA were examined to be mediated by its suppression of the phosphorylation activation of key signalling molecules such as $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK responsible for the induction of cytokine production. Thus, SFBA can be considered as a promising functional food for managing clinical, histological and immunological spectra associated with AD.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.28-39
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• 2003

This paper is an overview of research contributions by the authors to the use of compression techniques to handle high resolution, multi-spectral images. Originally developed in the remote sensing context, the same techniques are here applied to food and medical images. The objective is to point out the potential of this kind of processing in different contexts such as remote sensing, food monitoring, and medical imaging and to stimulate new research exploitations. Compression is based on the simple assumption that it is possible to find out a relationship between pixels close one each other in multi-spectral images it translates to the possibility to say that there is a certain degree of correlation within pixels belonging to the same band in a close neighbourhood. Once found a correlation based on certain coefficient on one band, the coefficients of this relationship are, in turn, quite probably, similar to the ones calculated in one of the other bands. Based upon this second observation, an algorithm was developed, able to reduce the number of bit/pixel from 16 to 4 in satellite remote sensed multi-spectral images. A comparison is carried out between different methods about their speed and compression ratio. As reference it was taken the behaviour of three common algorithms, LZW (Lempel-Ziv-Welch), Huffman and RLE (Run Length Encoding), as they are used in common graphic format such as GIF, JPEG and PCX. The Presented methods have similar results in both speed and compression ratio to the commonly used programs and are to be preferred when the decompression must be carried out on line, inside a main program or when there is the need of a custom made compression algorithm.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.487-491
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• 1995

Effects of pH and molecular weight on the intrinsic viscosity of carboxymethyl chitin (CM-chitin) in dilute regime were studied. When the prepared CM-chitin was dissolved in 0.1M NaCl solution at $30^{\circ}C$, the intrinsic viscosity, molecular weight and degree of substitution of CM-chitin were 1.23dl/g, 15,500 and 0.62, respectively. The lower intrinsic viscosity $([\eta])$ of CM-chitin was showed at the lower pH than 7.0 and the higher pH (>7.0) did not result in any increase in intrinsic viscosity. Intrinsic viscosity decreased from 3.1dl/g to 2.55d1/g in water at $25^{\circ}C$ and from 15,500 to 12,600 as molecular weight for 20min of sonication treatment. The Mark-Houwink constant K and v of CM-chitin in water at $25^{\circ}C$ were $3.48\times10^-4$ and 0.94, respectively. So intrinsic viscosity could be expressed using molecular weight as followed equation; $[\eta]=3.48\times10^{-4}M^{0.94}$, consistent with random roil behaviour.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.306-310
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• 2005

The comparison in release rate constant and properties of extracts from extruded raw ginseng and extruded white ginseng was conducted to apply extrusion process for manufacturing of released ginseng tea bag. Dry raw ginseng and white ginseng powder were extruded at 20∼30% moisture content and 200∼300 rpm by using an experimental twin-screw extruder. Browness and redness (both indicated the releasing of saponin and ginsenosides) were increased with the increase in the screw speed and the decrease of moisture content. Crude saponin and water solubility index (WSI) of both ginseng also share the same behaviour against the level of screw speed and moisture content, as well as browness and redness. The particle size effects of extruded raw ginseng at 20% and 28% moisture content on absorbance of released extract at 260 up to 560 nm, WSI, and water absorption index were determined. While particle size decreased from 800∼1000 nm to 200∼500 nm, absorbance and WSI are decreased. Absorbance and WSI shown increasing level while moisture content was decreased. In conclusion, the formation of pores by expansion and disruption of cell wall in extrusion cooking were obviously responsible to increase the amount of released extract of extruded ginseng and its WSI as well. The extrusion process turns out be the efficient process for manufacturing of commercial ginseng tea product than those of other thermal processes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite successes recorded in combating iodine deficiency, more than 2 billion people are still at risk of iodine deficiency disorders. Rural landlocked and mountainous areas of developing countries are the hardest hit, hence the need to explore and advance novel strategies such as biofortification. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We evaluated adoption, purchase, and consumption of iodine biofortified vegetable legumes (IBVL) using the theory of protection motivations (PMT) integrated with an economic valuation technique. A total of 1,200 participants from three land-locked locations in East Africa were recruited via multi-stage cluster sampling, and data were collected using two, slightly distinct, questionnaires incorporating PMT constructs. The survey also elicited preferences for iodine biofortified foods when offered at a premium or discount. Determinants of protection motivations and preferences for iodine biofortified foods were assessed using path analysis modelling and two-limit Tobit regression, respectively. RESULTS: Knowledge of iodine, iodine-health link, salt iodization, and biofortification was very low, albeit lower at the household level. Iodine and biofortification were not recognized as nutrient and novel approaches, respectively. On the other hand, severity, fear, occupation, knowledge, iodine status, household composition, and self-efficacy predicted the intention to consume biofortified foods at the household level; only vulnerability, self-efficacy, and location were the most crucial elements at the school level. In addition, results demonstrated a positive willingness-to-pay a premium or acceptance of a lesser discount for biofortification. Furthermore, preference towards iodine biofortified foods was a function of protection motivations, severity, vulnerability, fear, response efficacy, response cost, knowledge, iodine status, gender, age. and household head. CONCLUSIONS: Results lend support for prevention of iodine deficiency in unprotected populations through biofortification; however 'threat' appraisal and socio-economic predictors are decisive in designing nutrition interventions and stimulating uptake of biofortification. In principle, the contribution is threefold: 1) Successful application of the integrated model to guide policy formulation; 2) Offer guidance to stakeholders to identify and tap niche markets; 3) stimulation of rural economic growth around school feeding programmes.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

Smoking has become one of the public health harzard affecting the world. In the UK, smoking is responsible for around one in five deaths. The illnesses caused by smoking extend beyond the well-reported links with cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses. Hence the research to determine the awareness of the predisposing factor to smoking among adults in sokoto metropolis. A cross-sectional form of descriptive survey research design was used for this study. This is because descriptive studies are used when the characteristics of a population are either unknown or partially known (Hennekens & Buring, 2007), and it was used by Ganley and Rosario (2013) in a related research this justified the use of similar design in a study of similar nature.Two hundred and seventy returned questionnaire was collected, analyzed using descriptive statistic of frequency count, normative percentage and grand mean; as well as inferential statistics of chi-square (${\chi}^2$). The level of significant was fixed at 0.05. Appropriate degrees of freedom were worked out. There was statistical significant influence or relationship with marital status on the predisposing factors of smoking chi-square of 19716.516 greater than the critical value 43.77297at df 30 p<0.05. There were statistical significance chi-square =27468.348 which is greater than the critical value 43.77297 at df= 30. These show that there is a relationship on gender awareness of predisposing factors to smoking rejecting the null hypotheses. The respondents across different lever/year higher institution shows that the awareness of predisposing factors of smoking there were a statistical significance difference chi-square =7168.429 (df=88) greater than critical value 102.342 rejecting the null hypotheses. There is consistent evidence that links exposure to depictions of smoking in movies and initiation of smoking in young people. Over the years television shows and films have effectively built up associations between smoking and glamour, sex and risk-taking. Social learning theory describes how we learn by example from others. We are strongly influenced by our parents, and other people we look up to, such as peers, actors and pop stars. This can lead us to emulate their behaviour and try smoking.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.7 no.12
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• pp.37-50
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• 2017

This study was performed to understand Malaysian Muslims' awareness, attitudes and purchasing behaviour on ginseng (G) and red ginseng (RG) products. A survey of 200 Muslims residing in Malaysia was conducted on awareness, eating experience, preferences, cognitive efficiency of G and RG products, purchase behaviors and satisfaction through a online-survey methodology. Results shows that 50 % and 40% of the participants aware the G and RG products. In particular, awareness amongst female or married consumers is relatively high. Health promotion is the major reasons to consume eat G and RG products in this group of participants. However, the most frequently consumed type of G products was ginseng coffee, candies and chocolates, in their 40s and 50s or married consumers. Participants are also aware of the efficacy claims of these products with regard to improvement of fatigue, immunity and hypertension. While Malaysian Muslim consumers are satisfied with the health claims, convenience to purchase and tastes and aroma, they are dissatisfied with packaging specifications, price. Participants would intend to recommend G and RG products to relatives (82.6%), and are willing to buy them in the future (83.5%). Conclusively, there must be a clear interest and demands of Halal-certified G and RG products among Malaysian Muslims and it is deemed to need of strategic product development and marketing to enhance awareness of G and RG products in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.57-74
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• 1971

The present investigation has been done to observe the ecological habits of field mice to protect the rice from damages during the growing season in paddy-field and during the storge period. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Of 155 mice captured in the period of April-November 1970, which belong to four genera (Apodemus, Cricetulus, Rattus, and Micromys), 148 mice(95%) were found as striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius coreae). The population density of striped field mouse was revealed by the present study as 55/ha, which is quite a low level compared with that in Japan of 900/ha. 2. The age distribution of the mice as judged by their body weight was found mainly composed of adult and the sex ratio was found to be 1.8 as determined with 147 individuals. The nest was found to be occupied by an adult and was composed of at least three openings and more than one food storage tunnels. The mice usually keep hulled rice rather than unhulled one in storage tunnel. The weight of food found in a nest was about 50 grams on an average. 3. The mice show a most active behaviour 1-2 hours after the sunset, around midnight, and an hour before the sunrise, but they are active even in daytime in order for searching for food and for breeding. 4. The ratio (%) of damage appeared in high stem of sweet corn in August was 30 ~ 40 percent, whereas that in low stem was 80 ~ 90 percent. The weight of spoiled grains in paddy-field was 11, 400gm/0.4ha and this gives an estimate of 349, 695 for whole country. 5. The female striped field mouse weighs average of about 30 grams and gives birth to average of 4.8 younglings which wean away from female mouse three weeks after delivery. 6. The natural enemies to the mice are found to be carnivores (weasel, cat, mountain cat, fox, raccoon, and otter), raptatores(eagle, owl, kete, buzzard), and snakes. Two kinds of field rats(Rattus norvegicus, Cricetulus tritor) are also the predator to the mice. 7. The feeding preference of striped field mice follows in decreasing order of sweet corn, soybean, sweet potatoes, chestnut, and wheat. The mice do not have a preference for barley, millet, rough millet, red bean, and green bean. 8. The starvation experiment, in which water alone was supplied, revealed that the mice in good physical and nutritional conditions survived for 71 ~ 79 hours, whereas those in worse conditions survived for only 32 ~ 39 hours.