• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.11-27
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate high technology adaptive driving controls, such as mini steering wheel-lever system and joystick system, for the people with physical disabilities in the driving simulator. Background: The drivers with severe physical disabilities have problems in operation of the motor vehicle because of reduced muscle strength and limited range of motion. Therefore, if the remote control system with driver-by-wire technology is used for adaptive driving controls for people with physical limitations, the disabled people can improve their quality of life by driving a motor vehicle. Method: We developed the remotely controlled driving simulator with drive-by-wire technology, e.g., mini steering wheel-lever system and joystick system, in order to evaluate driving performance in a safe environment for people with severe physical disabilities. STISim Drive 3 software was used for driving test and the customized Labview program was used in order to control the servomotors and the adaptive driving devices. Thirty subjects participated in the study to evaluate driving performance associated with three different driving controls: conventional driving control, mini steering wheel-lever controls and joystick controls. We analyzed the driving performance in three different courses: straight lane course for acceleration and braking performance, a curved course for steering performance, and intersections for coupled performance. Results: The mini steering wheel-lever system and joystick system developed in this study showed no significant statistical difference (p>0.05) compared to the conventional driving system in the acceleration performance (specified speed travel time, average speed when passing on the right), steering performance (lane departure at the slow curved road, high-speed curved road and the intersection), and braking performance (brake reaction time). However, conventional driving system showed significant statistical difference (p<0.05) compared to the mini steering wheel-lever system or joystick system in the heading angle of the vehicle at the completion point of intersection and the passing speed of the vehicle at left turning. Characteristics of the subjects were found to give a significant effect (p<0.05) on the driving performance, except for the braking reaction time (p>0.05). The subjects with physical disabilities showed a tendency of relatively slow acceleration (p<0.05) at the straight lane course and intersection. The steering performance and braking performance were confirmed that there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) according to the characteristics of the subjects. Conclusion: The driving performance with mini steering wheel-lever system and joystick control system showed no significant statistical difference compared to conventional system in the driving simulator. Application: This study can be used to design primary controls with driver-by-wire technology for adaptive vehicle and to improve their community mobility for people with severe physical disabilities.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.187-202
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• 2013

The electronic medical device industry and the relevant market have been greatly expanded owing to various factors, such as the advent of the aged society and the spread of the desire for well-being in developed countries, and rapid development of China, India and other emerging markets. The electrical stimulator is one of electronic medical devices most commonly used in homes. The electrical stimulator is widely used for pain relief, rehabilitation, muscle conditioning and others. Since it is mainly used in homes, it is very important to assure the safety and performance for protection of users. However, there is no guideline on evaluation of safety and performance of such electrical stimulator for home use. In this study, various local and foreign references were reviewed to develop the internationally harmonized procedures for safety and performance evaluation of the electrical stimulator and test items, specifications and methods are proposed. In addition, such proposed test items were validated to decide the internationally harmonized tests for safety and performance evaluation. This study will contribute to improvement of quality and safety of electrical stimulators for home use and help the Korean medical device industry have the international competitiveness.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2012

In a previous study, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and triose phosphate isomerase (TPI) were detected by 2D gel electrophoresis as differentially expressed proteins in the longissimus thoracis muscles of cattle aged between 12 and 27 months old. In the present study, we investigated the association of SDH and TPI gene expression with intramuscular fat content in 50 Hanwoo steers. The SDH gene was expressed at a 4 times higher level in the 12 month old group than in the 27 month old group (p<0.01). A regression analysis between gene expression value and intramuscular fat content showed a negative correlation between expression of the SDH gene and intramuscular fat content (p<0.001). In contrast, the expression of the TPI gene showed no significant association with intramuscular fat content. This result suggests that the SDH gene may be a candidate marker gene for intramuscular fat content in the longissimus thoracis of Korean cattle.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.409-414
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• 2005

The effects of slaughter weight on blood profile and pork qualities of japan berkshires were investigated A total 72 pigs were divided into 3 groups$(125\~130,\;105\~110\;or\;95\~104\;kg)$. At each slaughter weight pigs were conventionally slaughtered and then chilled overnight The carcass characteristics (carcass weight backfat thickness and grades) were determined on those carcass, the muscle longissimus dorsi was removed from each left side at 5th to 13th rib and meat qualities were evaluated. Blood profile including cortisol, creatine phos-phokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose and phosphorus was not significantly (p>0.05) different among all slaughter weight, However, the calcium contents of pigs at $95\~104\;kg$ were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the other weights. The carcass weight and backfat thickness of pigs slaughtered at $125\~130\;kg$ were higher than those of $105\~110\;or\;95\~104\;kg$. The carcass grade of pigs slaughtered at $125\~130\;kg$ were significantly (p<0.05) lower than the other weight. The moisture contents of pigs slaughtered at $125\~130\;kg$ were significantly lower than the other weights, but crude protein contents were significantly (p<0.05) higher, Cooking loss and shear lone values of pigs slaughtered at $95\~104\;kg$ were significantly (p<0.05) lower than the other weight. CIE $a^*\;and\;b^*$ values of pigs slaughtered at $105\~110\;kg$ were significantly higher than the other weights. These results imply that the carcass characteristics (carcass weight and backfat thickness) could be affected by slaughter weight the cooking loss and shear force values of pigs slaughtered at $125\~130\;kg$ resulted in higher than those of $105\~110kg\;or\;95\~104\;kg$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1131-1136
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• 2003

Forty-eight individually fed Angus steers (body weight $220kg{\pm}9.1$) were utilized to investigate the effects of copper (Cu) source and concentration on lipid metabolism and carcass quality. Steers were stratified by body weight and initial liver Cu concentration and randomly assigned to one of five groups. Groups were then randomly assigned to treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) control (no supplemental Cu); 2) 10 mg Cu/kg DM from $CuSO_4$; 3) 10 mg Cu/kg DM from a Cu amino acid complex (Availa Cu) 4) 20 mg Cu/kg DM from $CuSO_4$; and 5) 20 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu. Steers were fed a corn-alfalfa-based growing diet for 56 d. Steers were then switched to a high concentrate finishing diet for 145 d. On day 74 of the finishing phase subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were obtained from three steers/treatment to determine basal and stimulated lipolytic rates in vitro. Steers were then slaughtered after receiving the finishing diet for 145 d. Control steers tended (p<0.12) to have lower ceruloplasmin (Cp) activity than Cu supplemented steers. Steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu had higher (p<0.03) Cp activity than steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM from $CuSO_4$. Plasma non-esterified fatty acids were similar across treatments. Steers receiving 10 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu had higher (p<0.02) total plasma cholesterol concentrations relative to steers receiving 10 mg Cu/kg DM from $CuSO_4$. Steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu had lower (p<0.03) plasma triglyceride concentrations than steers supplemented with 20 mg Cu/kg DM from $CuSO_4$. Fatty acid profile of longissimus muscle was similar across treatments. Backfat depth tended (p<0.18) to be lower in Cu supplemented steers relative to controls. Steers supplemented with 20 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu had heavier (p<0.03) hot carcass weights and a greater (p<0.02) dressing percentage than steers supplemented with 20 mg Cu/kg DM from $CuSO_4$. Furthermore, in vitro basal (p<0.06) and epinephrine stimulated (p<0.04) lipolytic rates of subcutaneous adipose tissue were higher in Cu supplemented steers relative to controls. The results of this study suggest that Cu supplementation has minimal effects on blood and lean tissue lipid profile. However, it appears that Cu may play a role in lipid metabolism in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.191-196
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• 2011

In this study, we investigated the chemical and enzymatic properties of unmarketable cultured bastard halibut (UCBH) Paralichthys olivaceus harvested at different times (March, May, July, September, November, and January), and we examined the physical properties of surimi gel from UCBH as a potential source of surimi and surimi gel. The moisture and crude protein contents of UCBH harvested in July and January were >78% and <19%, respectively, which is greater than the moisture content in UCBH harvested in May, March, and September, but lower than the crude protein content. Regardless of the month of harvest, the UCBH had a higher crude protein content than Alaska pollock, which is the largest fishery biomass used for surimi and surimi gel, but a lower moisture content. Regardless of the month of harvest, the enzymatic activity in crude extracts of UCBH muscle ranged from 0.31-0.59 U/mg for casein (pH 6.0 and 9.0) and 11.7-12.7 U/mg for LeuPNA. These findings suggest that autolytic enzymes were unaffected by gel formation. Gel strength was highest in the surimi gel prepared from UCBH harvested in September, November, and January; second highest in that prepared from UCBH harvested in March and May; and lowest in that prepared from UCBH harvested in July. Compared to the gel strength of surimi gel from grade SA commercial Alaska pollock surimi, the strength of the surimi gels prepared from UCBH harvested in March, May, September, November, and January were superior, whereas that of the surimi gel prepared from UCBH harvested in July was similar.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.480-488
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• 2018

Objective: Average daily gain (ADG) is an important target trait of pig breeding programs. We aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genomic regions that are associated with ADG in the Duroc pig population. Methods: We performed a genome-wide association study involving 390 Duroc boars and by using the PorcineSNP60K Beadchip and two linear models. Results: After quality control, we detected 3,5971 SNPs, which included seven SNPs that are significantly associated with the ADG of pigs. We identified six quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions for ADG. These QTLs included four previously reported QTLs on Sus scrofa chromosome (SSC) 1, SSC5, SSC9, and SSC13, as well as two novel QTLs on SSC6 and SSC16. In addition, we selected six candidate genes (general transcription factor 3C polypeptide 5, high mobility group AT-hook 2, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1, pleckstrin homology and RhoGEF domain containing G4B, and ENSSSCG00000031548) associated with ADG on the basis of their physiological roles and positional information. These candidate genes are involved in skeletal muscle cell differentiation, diet-induced obesity, and nervous system development. Conclusion: This study contributes to the identification of the casual mutation that underlies QTLs associated with ADG and to future pig breeding programs based on marker-assisted selection. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of the identified candidate genes in the physiological processes involved in ADG regulation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.557-561
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• 2005

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of weekly administration of implant type recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) on the performance and carcass characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire${\times}$Duroc) pigs were employed for 11 weeks in a growth trial in experiment. A rpST designed to implant every 7 d was used. Forty pigs, each weighing 75 kg, were allocated into three rpST treatments; control (CONT), implant of rpST from 75 kg (TRT1) or 90 kg (TRT2) of body weight. The CONT pig and pigs in TRT2 from 75 kg to 90 kg were treated without rpST but with placebo. In rpST-treated pigs, each 100 mg and 125 mg of the equivalent rpST was implanted from live weight of 75 kg to 90 kg and from 90 kg to market weight, respectively. Half of the pigs from each treatment were marketed at live weight of 110 kg and the rest at 130 kg. All pigs were allowed ad libitum access to a commercial feed containing 0.94% and 0.88% of lysine from 75 to 110 kg, 110 to 130 kg of body weights, respectively. rpST had no effect on daily gain, while feed efficiency was improved by 7 to 13% (p<0.05) in the rpST-treated groups compared with the CONT. Compared with the CONT, backfat thickness was decreased by 12% (p<0.05) in TRT1 at 110 kg of market weight, and by 23 to 32% (p<0.05) in the rpST-treated groups at 130 kg of market weight, respectively. Lean muscle rate tended to be higher in TRT1 at both 110 kg and 130 kg of market weight, and carcass fat percentage in the rpST-treated groups was decreased by 33 to 46% (p<0.05) compared with the CONT.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to identify the polymorphism on exostosin-1 (EXT1) gene and to associate with economic traits in Hanwoo (Korean cattle). We sequenced for detection of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with 24 unrelated individuals and identified four SNPs (T272196A, C272359T, G290964A and A302092G). Relationship between the genotypes of 583 Hanwoo individuals by PCR-RFLP and economic traits were analyzed by general linear model. In EXT1 gene, there were four SNPs associated with economic traits such as eye muscle area breeding value, marbling score breeding value, backfat and thickness breeding value (p<0.05 to p<0.01). In conclusion, this study indicates an important role of EXT1 gene in determining the meat quality or economic characteristics in Hanwoo.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2004

ECG signals are often contaminated with high-frequency noise such as muscle artifact, power line interference, and others. In the ECG signal processing, especially during a pre-processing stage, numerous noise removal techniques have been used to reduce these high-frequency noise without much distorting the original signal. This paper proposes a new type of digital filter with a continuously variable cutoff frequency to improve the signal quality This filter consists of a cutoff frequency controller (CFC) and variable cutoff frequency lowpass filter (VCF-LPF). From the noisy input ECG signal, CFC produces a cutoff frequency control signal using the signal slew rate. We implemented VCF-LPF based on two new filter design methods called convex combination filter (CCF) and weight interpolation fille. (WIF). These two methods allow us to change the cutoff frequency of a lowpass filter In an arbitrary fine step. VCF-LPF shows an excellent noise reduction capability for the entire time segment of ECG excluding the rising and falling edge of a very sharp QRS complex. We found VCF-LPF very useful and practical for better signal visualization and probably for better ECG interpretation. We expect this new digital filter will find its applications especially in a home health management system where the measured ECG signals are easily contaminated with high-frequency noises .