• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.173-180
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• 2003

In spite of its potential importance in the assessment of geosynthetic-related dynamic problems, no serious attempt has yet been made to investigate a probable dependence of dynamic friction resistance of the geosynthetic interface on shear displacement rate. Hence, an experimental study of geosynthetics was carried out on a shaking table, and the relationship between dynamic friction resistance and shear displacement rate of geosynthetic interfaces was investigated. A cyclic, displacement rate-controlled experimental setup was used. The subsequent multiple rate tests showed that interfaces that involve geotextiles have such unique shearing characteristics that shear strengths tend to increase with displacement rate. In contrast, once submerged with water, the shear strength appears to be no longer dependent on the displacement rate, partly due to lubrication effect of water trapped inside the interface. The results of the experimental study can be used in the seismic safety assessment of a landfill cover and slope where the geosynthetic materials are exposed to a relatively low normal stress.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2016.11a
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• pp.156-156
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• 2016

The effect of nitrogen doping on the mechanical and tribological performance of single-layer tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C:N) coatings of up to $1{\mu}m$ in thickness was investigated using a custom-made filtered cathode vacuum arc (FCVA). The results obtained revealed that the hardness of the coatings decreased from $65{\pm}4.8GPa$ to $25{\pm}2.4GPa$ with increasing nitrogen gas ratio, which indicates that nitrogen doping occurs through substitution in the $sp^2$ phase. Subsequent AES analysis showed that the N/C ratio in the ta-C:N thick-film coatings ranged from 0.03 to 0.29 and increased with the nitrogen flow rate. Variation in the G-peak positions and I(D)/I(G) ratio exhibit a similar trend. It is concluded from these results that micron-thick ta-C:N films have the potential to be used in a wide range of functional coating applications in electronics. To achieve highly conductive and wear-resistant coatings in system components, the friction and wear performances of the coating were investigated. The tribological behavior of the coating was investigated by sliding an SUJ2 ball over the coating in a ball-on-disk tribo-meter. The experimental results revealed that doping using a high nitrogen gas flow rate improved the wear resistance of the coating, while a low flow rate of 0-10 sccm increased the coefficient of friction (CoF) and wear rate through the generation of hematite (${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$) phases by tribo-chemical reaction. However, the CoF and wear rate dramatically decreased when the nitrogen flow rate was increased to 30-40 sccm, due to the nitrogen inducing phase transformation that produced a graphite-like structure in the coating. The widths of the wear track and wear scar were also observed to decrease with increasing nitrogen flow rate. Moreover, the G-peaks of the wear scar around the SUJ2 ball on the worn surface increased with increasing nitrogen doping.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.1021-1027
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• 1997

$CO_2$production in fermentation of dongchimi was measured and interrelated with changes in pH and titratable acidity. The effects of salt content and temperature on $CO_2$production rate were analysed. Fermentation of dongchimi showed drastic pH decrease in early stage and subsequent levelling off around 3.9, with linearly increased acidity up to 0.3~0.4% optimum quality. $CO_2$production of dongchimi could be analysed to consist of two consecutive stages of constant rate. The first stage $CO_2$production of higher rate moved to the second stage of lower rate when acidity rose beyond 0.3%. When compared to those of 1 and 2% salt content, dongchimi of 3% salt showed lower $CO_2$production rate in the 1st stage and slower acidity change through the whole fermentation period. However, it resulted in the product of highest $CO_2$accumulation at optimal ripeness because of consistent $CO_2$production of longer 1st stage period and relatively high $CO_2$production rate in 2nd stage. $CO_2$production depended on temperature less compared to acidity change(activation energy: 57.3 and 44.3kJ/mol for $CO_2$production of 1st and 2nd stages, respectively; 79.3kJ/mol for acidity change), which means higher ratio of $CO_2$production rate relative to acidity increase at lower temperature. Slower increase in acidity at low temperature also was shown to extend the period of 1st stage $CO_2$production. Therefore, low temperature fermentation was effective in producing the high $CO_2$content dongchimi at adequate acidity, which is desirable organoleptically.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.143-151
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• 2022

Background: After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, biological alterations in the natural biota, including morphological changes of fir trees in forests surrounding the power plant, have been reported. Focusing on the terminal buds involved in the morphological formation of fir trees, this study developed a method for estimating the absorbed radiation dose rate using radionuclide distribution measurements from tree organs. Materials and Methods: A phantom composed of three-dimensional (3D) tree organs was constructed for the three upper whorls of the fir tree. A terminal bud was evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations for the absorbed dose rate of radionuclides in the tree organs of the whorls. Evaluation of the absorbed dose targeted ¹³¹I, ¹³⁴Cs, and ¹³⁷Cs, the main radionuclides subsequent to the FDNPP accident. The dose contribution from each tree organ was calculated separately using dose coefficients (DC), which express the ratio between the average activity concentration of a radionuclide in each tree organ and the dose rate at the terminal bud. Results and Discussion: The dose estimation indicated that the radionuclides in the terminal bud and bud scale contributed to the absorbed dose rate mainly by beta rays, whereas those in 1-year-old trunk/branches and leaves were contributed by gamma rays. However, the dose contribution from radionuclides in the lower trunk/branches and leaves was negligible. Conclusion: The fir tree model provides organ-specific DC values, which are satisfactory for the practical calculation of the absorbed dose rate of radiation from inside the tree. These calculations are based on the measurement of radionuclide concentrations in tree organs on the 1-year-old leader shoots of fir trees. With the addition of direct gamma ray measurements of the absorbed dose rate from the tree environment, the total absorbed dose rate was estimated in the terminal bud of fir trees in contaminated forests.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2002

The effects of housing and nutrition on the performance of growing gilts of the Nepalese Pakhribas breed were investigated. A total of 36 pigs were allocated according to a factorial design with 3 levels of nutrition, provided to achieve a target growth rate of 200, 300 or 400 g/day, and two types of housing, traditional or improved. The growth rate and body composition were monitored during the growing period and subsequent pregnancy. There was a significantly higher growth rate (p<0.01), greater $P_2$ backfat thickness (p<0.01), and greater eye muscle depth (p<0.01) at service in pigs given the higher level of nutrition. Similarly, there was a significantly higher growth rate (p<0.05), and greater eye muscle depth (p<0.10) with improved housing but no significant difference in $P_2$ backfat thickness. The conception rate was 90% at first service, with no difference between treatments. Gilts from the high plane of rearing produced a mean litter size of one piglet greater than those on the low plane, but this was not significant with the limited numbers. However, both improved plane of nutrition and reduced climatic penalty by improving housing resulted in increased birthweight of piglets (p<0.05). It is concluded that improvement in housing can give benefits equivalent to at least a 7% improvement in efficiency of feed use under traditional Nepalese circumstances for pig rearing.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.63-67
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• 1972

Preliminary creel-holding test of live anchovies which are to be used as bait for the skipjact fishery, was conducted on the fish caught by set net and lift net. They were held in the creels constructed with bamboo frame and minnow netting, during the period of Oct. 24-Nov. 28 in 1972. If was found that the survival rate of the creel-held anchovies varied by the size of fish, the towed distance and speed of fish-carrying creel in which the fish were accomodated after catchi. 1. The survival rate of the medium size anchovies, 7.8-9.6cm in length and 4.6-4.8 g in weight, was $70-92\%$ during the holding period of 20-35 days. Whereas, only $16\%$ of juvenile anchovies, 5.3cm in length and 1.0 g in weight, were survived for 19 hours after catch. 2. During the time of transport, the farther and faster the creel containing fish were towed, the less fish were survived in the subsequent holding period. 3. Though both the set net and lift net could be fairly used to catch live anchovy, no decision between these two gears could be made in this experiment to determine the superiorness for the subsequent survival rate.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 1995

Essential and non-essential amino acids supplemented to culture medium stimulate mammalian embryo development in vitro. Amino acids such as glycine, taurine and alanine are concentrated in the lumen of oviduct and uterus and it can he thought that these amino acids may have physiological role on fertilization and embryo development. Our aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of essential and non-essential amino acids, taurine or glycine supplemented to fertilization medium on the cleavage and subsequent in vitro development of bovine oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro. Immature oocytes were obtained from slaughtered Holstein cows and heifers and matured in TCM199 containing 10% fetal calf serum, 2.5 $\mu$g /mL of FSH and LH and 1 $\mu$g / mL of estradiol with granulosa cells in vitro. After maturation, oocytes were coincubated with sperm in fertilization medium supplemented with Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) essential and non-essential amino acids, taurine (3.75 mM) or glycine (10 mM) for 30 hours in vitro. Inseminated oocytes were cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid medium (SOEM) containing MEM essential, non-essential amino acids and 1 mM glutarnine up to 8 days after fertilization.Supplementation of fertilization medium with MEM essential and non-essential amino acids lowered significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.001) the cleavage rate after 30 hours of IVF (53.3%) and at Day 3 (62.7%: Day 0: the day of I VF) compared to control (64.3% and 77.3%, respectively). Subsequent developmental rates to morulae (Mo) and expanding blastocysts (ExBL) also significantly decreased (p<0.001 and p<0.05 for Mo and ExBL) when oocytes were coincubated with sperm in the medium containing MEM amino acids. Taurine added to fertilization medium have not increased the cleavage rate over the control, whereas glycine showed significantly lower (p<0.01) cleavage rate at Day 3 than that of taurine, but there was no significant difference in the developmental rates to Mo and ExBL of bovine embryos irrespective of the supplementation of taurine or glycine to fertilization medium. In conclusion, supplementation of fertilization medium with essential and non-essential amino acids, taurine or glycine has no beneficial effect on in vitro cleavage and development of bovine oocytes matured and fertilization in vitro.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.6
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• 2013

The objective of the current study was to find out the effect of Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique (IAM) on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and IgA. One hundred and fifty subjects were randomized into three groups IAM, Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) and Control. Baseline values were collected before giving the training for all the subjects and the IAM and PMR groups were given training in the respective techniques. BP, HR, RR and IgA were recorded manually at 0 h, 48 h, 2 months and 8 months after the first visit. HR was found to be reduced in the IAM group 48 h onwards and the fall sustained till 8 months (p < 0.05). IAM group showed significant drop when compared to the PMR group and control group in all the subsequent visits (p < 0.05). RR decreased significantly in the IAM group in the third and fourth visits (p < 0.05). RR of IAM showed significant decrease when compared to PMR and control from the third visit onwards. IgA showed significant increase in comparison with PMR and control in the third and fourth visits. BP did not show any difference in any of the visits. There was subject dropout from randomization to completion of the study, in all the three groups. The significant decrease in HR and RR and increase in IgA in the IAM group when compared to the PMR and control group shows the efficacy of the technique in reducing the physiological stress indicators for up to 8 months.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.70-76
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• 2023

Background: Despite considerable technological advancements, polyspermy remains a significant challenge in in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures in pigs, disrupting normal embryonic development. Here, we aimed to determine whether optimal fertilization conditions reduce the polyspermy incidence in pigs. Methods: In vitro-matured oocytes were co-incubated with sperm according to a modified two-step culture system. Results: In the first experiment, oocytes were briefly co-incubated with sperm, washed in IVF medium, and then moved to fresh IVF medium for 5 or 6 h. Although the 6 h sperm-free cultured group had a higher penetration rate than the 5 h cultured group, the polyspermy rate significantly increased in the 6 h sperm-free cultured group. The gamete co-incubation period was either 20 or 40 min. The 40 min cultured group had a higher rate of blastocyst formation and number of total cells in blastocysts than the 20 min cultured group. In experiment 2, oocytes were inseminated with sperm separated by Pecroll treatment. Percoll treatment increased the rate of oocyte penetration and blastocyst formation compared to the control. In experiment 3, fertilized oocytes were cultured in 25 µL microdroplets (10 gametes/drop) or 500 µL (100 gametes/well) of culture medium in 4-well plates. The large volume of medium significantly reduced the number of dead oocytes and increased the rate of blastocyst formation compared to the small volume. Conclusions: Collectively, these results demonstrate that various fertilization conditions, including modified co-culture period, active sperm separation, and culture medium volume, enhance fertilization efficiency and subsequent embryonic development by decreasing polyspermy occurrence.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1007-1020
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• 2024

Objective: We increased the nuclear maturation rate of antral follicle derived oocytes by using a pre-in vitro maturation (IVM) culture system and improved the developmental potential of these porcine pathenotes by supplementing with melatonin. Furthermore, we investigated the expression patterns of genes involved in cumulus expansion (HAS2, PTGS2, TNFAIP6, and PTX3) derived from small and medium antral follicles before and after oocyte maturation. Methods: Only the cumulus oocyte-complexes (COCs) derived from small antral follicles were induced with [Pre-SF(+)hCG] or without [Pre-SF(-)hCG] the addition of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during the last 7 h of the pre-IVM period before undergoing the regular culture system. The mature oocytes were investigated on embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA). Melatonin (10^-7 M) was supplemented during in vitro culture (IVC) to improve the developmental potential of these porcine pathenotes. Results: A pre-IVM culture system with hCG added during the last 7 h of the pre-IVM period [Pre-SF(+)hCG] effectively supported small antral follicle-derived oocytes and increased their nuclear maturation rate. The oocytes derived from medium antral follicles exhibited the highest nuclear maturation rate in a regular culture system. Compared with oocytes cultured in a regular culture system, those cultured in the pre-IVM culture system exhibited considerable overexpression of HAS2, PTGS2, and TNFAIP6. Porcine embryos treated with melatonin during IVC exhibited markedly improved quality and developmental competence after PA. Notably, melatonin supplementation during the IVM period can reduce and increase the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH), respectively. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the Pre-SF(+)hCG culture system increases the nuclear maturation rate of small antral follicle-derived oocytes and the expression of genes involved in cumulus expansion. Melatonin supplementation during IVC may improve the quality and increase the blastocyst formation rate of porcine embryos. In addition, it can reduce and increase the levels of ROS and GSH, respectively, in mature oocytes, thus affecting subsequent embryos.