• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.79-90
• /
• 2017

Improving the urban environmental quality relies mainly on the increasing of urban forests capacity to store carbon dioxide. This study assesses the floristic diversity of urban institutional lands in Bukavu and their potential to reduce atmospheric $CO_2$. An exhaustive inventory over three sites ($Coll{\grave{e}}ge$ Alfajiri, $Cath{\acute{e}}drale$ Notre-Dame de la Paix and Institut $Sup{\acute{e}}rieur$ $P{\acute{e}}dagogique$) of Bukavu led to the identification of 1,113 trees of which the diameter at breast height (1.30 m) ranged from 4.9 to 161 cm. Results reveal a floristic diversity made up of 4 families of conifers with 4 species and 14 of broadleaves with 21 species. Average densities were of $54trees\;ha^{-1}$ and $5.21m^2\;ha^{-1}$ of basal area. Urban-based allometric equations used yielded up to 312.8 tons of carbon stored in trees aboveground biomass equivalent to 1,147.9 tons of $CO_2$ reduced from the atmosphere over the three sites. The rate of carbon storage reaches $15.1tons\;ha^{-1}$. Thus, trees of the three institutional sites in Bukavu play an important role in reducing atmospheric $CO_2$ and contribute, thereby, to mitigate global climate change effects. Given the current environmental challenge associated with high population growth rate in cities, the urban forest ecosystem in DRC requires to be extended and further investigation.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.464-473
• /
• 2018

The objective of this study is to develop a sizing system of fitness clothing that can properly accommodate various body sizes of Korean senior women. The sizing system of upper and lower fitness clothing was developed in the present study by selection of key variables, identification of size category candidates, and determination of an optimal sizing system. First, key anthropometric dimensions (stature and bust circumference for upper clothing and stature; waist circumference for lower clothing) were identified by factor analysis on the direct body measurements (n = 272) and 3D whole-body scan data (n = 271) of Korean senior women in Size Korea. Second, sizing system candidates based on the key dimensions of upper and lower clothing were explored using a grid method and an optimization method. Lastly, among the sizing system candidates, optimal sizing systems of upper and lower clothing were selected in terms of accommodation rate. Five size categories (short/small, short/medium, tall/small, tall/medium, and tall/large) were selected as the optimal sizing systems of upper and lower clothing with 89% and 78% of accommodation rate, respectively, for the Korean senior women. The anthropometric characteristics of the representative humans of the optimal size categories would be of use in the design of fitness compressive wear for the better fit and effectiveness of exercise and health of Korean senior women.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.264-270
• /
• 2014

Purpose: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a fulminant disease of the brain characterized by bilateral thalamic lesions, and is prevalent among children in East Asia. The prognosis of ANE is usually poor with a high mortality rate and neurological sequelae. This study aimed to delineate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of ANE. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 399 pediatric patients with encephalitis who were admitted to Samsung Medical Center from December 1998 to March 2011. We enrolled ten patients (11 cases) with ANE and analyzed their demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging data. The location and extent of the brain regions were checked based on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, T1-, and T2-weighted imaging findings; the presence of contrast enhancement, restricted diffusion, and hemorrhage. Results: Ten patients were identified, including one patient with two episodes. The median age of onset was 1.5 years (0.4-8.4 years). The mortality rate was 40%, and only 30% of patients survived without neurological sequelae. The definite involvement of the brainstem on brain magnetic resonance imaging was significantly correlated with mortality (P =0.04). Conclusion: Broad and extensive brainstem involvement suggested the fulminant course of ANE. Early diagnosis of ANE before brainstem involvement, through careful identification of symptoms of brain dysfunction, may be the best way to achieve better neurological outcomes.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.136-141
• /
• 2007

The decomposition of chlorinated methanes including $CCl_4$, $CCl_3H$, and $CCl_2H_2$ was carried out using a thermal plasma process and the characteristics of the process were investigated. The thermal equilibrium composition was analyzed with temperature by Fcatsage program. The decomposition rates at various process parameters including the concentration of reactants, flow rate of carrier gas, and quenching rate, were evaluated, where sufficiently high conversion over 92% was achieved. The generation of main products was strongly influenced by the reaction atmosphere; carbon, chlorine, and hydrogen chloride at neutral condition; carbon dioxide, chlorine, and hydrogen chloride at oxidative condition. The decomposition mechanism was speculated considering the results from Factsage and the identification of generated radicals and ionic species. The main decomposition pathways were found to be dissociative electron attachment and oxidative by radicals formed in a plasma state.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.167-174
• /
• 2007

Spongy Alphonso mangoes were found to be infected with Staphylococcus bacteria. A Gram positive Staphylococcus strain was isolated from spongy pulp and identified from CABI Bioscience, UK, by partial 16S rDNA sequence analysis and by morphological and biochemical characterization through IMTECH, Chandigarh, India. Although identification by both of these methods indicated the organism belonged to same genus, different species names were given. Changes in total phenolics, reducing, and non-reducing sugars, respiration rate, total carotenoids, peroxidase(POX), and catalase activities were monitored during ripening of these fruits. The climacteric rise in spongy fruits was marked by an increase in respiration rate and a decrease in sugar content. Total phenolics content increased in spongy fruits as compared to ripe non-spongy fruits. Development of corky white tissue in spongy fruits was associated with about a 2.5-fold reduction in total carotenoids and a concomitant increase in lipoxygenase-mediated, $\beta$-carotene co-oxidation. A marked decrease in soluble protein content and about a 1.5-fold increase in POX activity was observed. Maximum POX activity was confined to 50-70%$(NH_4)_2SO_4$ fraction. The intense dark bands visible after POX specific substrate staining of the Native gel indicated a high expression of isoenzymes of POX in spongy fruits. Similarly, changes in levels of catalase activity were also observed in spongy fruits. The results suggest that infection of Alphonso mangoes with Staphylococcus bacteria affects the normal ripening processes of the fruit interfering with the carbohydrate and carotenoid metabolism. Also, the studies indicate the expression of POX and catalase enzymes as a plant defense response to microbial invasion.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.282-291
• /
• 1999

Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from Kimchi and screened for bacteriocin. A total of 99 strains showed antimicrobial activity when grown on solid media, yet only 10 showed antimicrobial activity in liquid media. Strain H-559, identified as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity and was active against pathogenic bacteria including Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus as well as other lactic acid bacteria. The antimicrobial substance produced by L. lactis subsp. lactis H-559 was confirmed to be a bacteriocin by the treatment of $\alpha$-chymotrypsin, and protease type Ⅸ and ⅩIV. The bacteriocin activity remained stable between pH 2.0 and pH 11.0 and during heating for 10 min at $100^{\circ}C$. The bacteriocin production started in the exponential phase and stopped in the stationary phase. L. lactis subsp. lactis H-559 showed the highest bacteriocin activity at a culture temperature of $25^{\circ}C$, and an inverse relationship between the bacteriocin productivity and mean growth rate at different culture temperatures was observed. The mean growth rate and bacteriocin productivity of L. lactis subsp. lactis H-559 increased as the initial pH of the media increased.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.316-326
• /
• 2000

A new signal processing algorithm for white light interferometry has been proposed and investigated theoretically. The goal of the algorithm is to determine the absolute optical path length of an interferometer with very high precision (<< one optical wavelength). The algorithm features cross-correlation of interferometer fringe scans and hypothesis testing. The hypothesis test looks for a zero order fringe peak candidate about which the cross-correlation is symmetric minimizing the uncertainty of misidentification. The shot noise limited performance of the proposed signal processing algorithm has been analyzed using computer simulations. Simulation results were extrapolated to predict the misidentification rate at Signal to-Shot noise ratio (SNR) higher than 31 dB. Root-mean-square phase error between the computer-generated zero order fringe peak and the estimated zero order fringe peak has been calculated for the changes of three different parameters (SNR, fringe scan sampling rate, coherence length of light source). Results of computer simulations showed the ability of the proposed signal processing algorithm to identify the zero order fringe peak correctly. The proposed signal processing algorithm uses a software approach, which is potentially inexpensive, simple and fast.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.213-217
• /
• 2010

Sarcocystis sp. infection was investigated in 20 necropsied captive wild mammals and 20 birds in 2 petting zoos in Malaysia. The gross post-mortem lesions in mammals showed marbling of the liver with uniform congestion of the intestine, and for birds, there was atrophy of the sternal muscles with hemorrhage and edema of the lungs in 2 birds. Naked eye examination was used for detection of macroscopic sarcocysts, and muscle squash for microscopic type. Only microscopically visible cysts were detected in 8 animals and species identification was not possible. Histological examination of the sections of infected skeletal muscles showed more than 5 sarcocysts in each specimen. No leukocytic infiltration was seen in affected organs. The shape of the cysts was elongated or Circular, and the mean size reached $254{\times}24.5{\mu}m$ and the thickness of the wall up to $2.5{\mu}m$. Two stages were recognized in the cysts, the peripheral metrocytes and large numbers of crescent shaped merozoites. Out of 40 animals examined, 3 mammals and 5 birds were positive (20%). The infection rate was 15% and 25% in mammals and birds, respectively. Regarding the organs, the infection rate was 50% in the skeletal muscles followed by tongue and heart (37.5%), diaphragm (25%), and esophagus (12.5%). Further ultrastructural studies are required to identify the species of Sarcocystis that infect captive wild animals and their possible role in zoonosis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.38-44
• /
• 2005

Objective : To compare the mortality rate of Korean medical doctors to that of the general Korean population for the period 1992-2002. Methods : The membership records of the Korean Medical Association were linked to the 1992-2002 death certificate data of Korea s National Statistical Office using 13-digit unique personal identification numbers. The study population consisted of 61,164 medical doctors with a follow-up period of 473,932 person-years. Standardized mortality ratios(SMRs) were calculated to compare cause-specific mortality rates of medical doctors to those of the general population. Results : We confirmed 1,150 deaths at ages from 30 to 75 years from 1 January 1992 to 31 December 2002. The SMR for all-cause of death was 0.47(95% CI : $0.44{\sim}0.50$). The SMRs for smoking-related diseases such as cerebrovascular accidents and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were smaller than the SMR of all-cause of death. However, the SMRs for colorectal and pancreatic cancers were not significantly lower than those of the general population. Transport accidents and suicides accounted for 72% (94 of 131) of external causes of death. The SMR for suicide was 0.51 (95% CI : $0.38{\sim}0.68$). Conclusions : The mortality rate of South Korean medical doctors was less than 50% that of the general population of South Korea. Cause-specific analysis showed that mortality rates in leading causes of death were lower among medical doctors although differences in mortality rates between medical doctors and the general population varied with the causes of death. These health benefits found among medical doctors may be attributable to the lower level of health damaging behaviors (e.g., lower smoking rates) and better working conditions.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.393-402
• /
• 1987

The halophilic bacterium Vibrio vulnificus, previously called lactose-positive(L+) Vibrio and Beneckea vulnifica, causes acute, fulminating wound infections and septicemia in humans. Septicemia is very serious infection with a fatality rate of about 50%. Most patients with primary septicemia due to V. vulnificus have preexisting liver disease. V. vulnificus also cause severe wound infections usually after trauma and exposure to marine animals or the marine environment. The mortality rate is not nearly as high as in primary septicemia caused by this organism. In most cases human disease results from ingestion of contaminated seafood or from infection of a wound, frequently of seawater or crab origin. The author made an attempt to isolation of the V vulnificus from seawater, seamud, fish, shellfish, and algae on the southern sea of Korea from January to September in 1987, using for the purpose of vaccine preparation. The author investigated for bacteriological identification, hemolysis and determination of serotypes of isolated V. vulnificus strains. Eighty-five strains(5.9%) out of 1450 specimens collected of V. vulnificus were isolated. The distribution of the 85 isolates were as follows: 21 strains from seawater, 11 strains from seamud, 28 strains from fish, 19 strains from shellfish, and 6 strains from algae, respectively. All 85 isolates were positive reaction on human blood agar. The distribution of serotypes of V. vulnificus isolates were O1 to O8: 13 strains of O1, 6 strains of O2, 11 strains of O3, 9 strains of O4, 10 strains of O5, 7 strains of O6, 15 strains of O7, and 10 strains of O8, respectively. Eighty-one strains showed agglutination with O antisera, but 4 strains failed to show agglutination. In this study, the author suspected that serotypes of V. vulnificus isolates distributed also in the seaside of Korea as well as in most seaside of the world, and new serotypes were in existence in the seaside of Korea except reported up to now.