• Title/Summary/Keyword: understanding levels

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The association between dietary sodium intake and adiposity, inflammation, and hormone markers: A preliminary study

  • Choi, Jeong-Hwa;Heo, Young-Ran
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.50 no.6
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    • pp.578-584
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    • 2017
  • Purpose: Excess intake of sodium is a major diet-related risk factor for human diseases including hypertension and cancer as well as obesity and inflammation. However, findings are still controversial, and evidence is lacking in Koreans. Therefore, for better understanding of the role of dietary sodium intake in disease etiology, this study investigated the effects of dietary sodium intake on adiposity, inflammation, and hormones in Koreans. Methods: A total of 80 males and females joined the study. The general characteristics and dietary intake data were investigated by trained interviewers using a questionnaire and 24-h dietary recall, respectively. For the markers of adiposity, body weight, body mass index, percent of body fat, visceral fat area, and waist and hip circumference were measured. For the inflammation and hormone markers, leptin, adiponectin, insulin, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 were also analyzed. Results: Multivariate linear regression analyses suggested that dietary sodium intake was not associated with adiposity. However, dietary sodium showed a significant association with insulin level: Plasma insulin concentration increased with sodium intake independent of other dietary intake or percent of body fat (${\beta}=0.296$, adjusted $r^2=0.276$, p < 0.01). Other markers for inflammation and hormonal responses were not associated with dietary sodium intake. Conclusion: Findings suggested that dietary sodium intake may be a critical modifying factor in the level of plasma insulin. However, it showed a limited effect on obesity and other inflammation markers and hormone levels. These findings should be confirmed in larger, well-designed investigations.

Estimation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reductions from Bioenergy (Biogas, Biomass): A Case Study of South Korea (바이오에너지 (바이오가스, 바이오매스) 기술의 온실가스 감축산정: 국내를 대상으로)

  • Jung, Jaehyung;Kim, Kiman
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.33 no.4
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    • pp.393-402
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    • 2017
  • In this study, greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from bioenergy (biogas, biomass) have been estimated in Korea, 2015. This study for construction of reduction inventories as direct and indirect reduction sources was derived from IPCC 2006 guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories, guidelines for local government greenhouse inventories published in 2016, also purchased electricity and steam indirect emission factors obtained from KPX, GIR respectively. As a result, the annual GHG reductions were estimated as $1,860,000tonCO_{2eq}$ accounting for 76.8% of direct reduction (scope 1) and 23.2% of indirect reduction (scope 2). Estimation of individual greenhouse gases (GHGs) from biogas appeared that $CO_2$, $CH_4$, $N_2O$ were $90,000tonCO_2$ (5.5%), $55,000tonCH_4$ (94.5%), $0.3tonN_2O$ (0.004%), respectively. In addition, biomass was $250,000tonCO_2$ (107%), $-300tonCH_4$ (-3.2%), $-33tonN_2O$ (-3.9%). For understanding the values of estimation method levels, field data (this study) appeared to be approximately 85.47% compared to installed capacity. In details, biogas and biomass resulting from field data showed to be 76%, 74% compared to installed capacity, respectively. In the comparison of this study and CDM project with GHG reduction unit per year installed capacity, this study showed as 42% level versus CDM project. Scenario analysis of GHG reductions potential from bioenergy was analyzed that generation efficiency, availability and cumulative distribution were significantly effective on reducing GHG.

The Importance of Weathered Crude Oil as a Source of Hydrocarbonoclastic Microorganisms in Contaminated Seawater

  • Sheppard, Petra J.;Simons, Keryn L.;Kadali, Krishna K.;Patil, Sayali S.;Ball, Andrew S.
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.22 no.9
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    • pp.1185-1192
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    • 2012
  • This study investigated the hydrocarbonoclastic microbial community present on weathered crude oil and their ability to degrade weathered oil in seawater obtained from the Gulf St. Vincent (SA, Australia). Examination of the native seawater communities capable of utilizing hydrocarbon as the sole carbon source identified a maximum recovery of just $6.6{\times}10^1\;CFU/ml$, with these values dramatically increased in the weathered oil, reaching $4.1{\times}10^4\;CFU/ml$. The weathered oil (dominated by > $C_{30}$ fractions; $750,000{\pm}150,000mg/l$) was subject to an 8 week laboratory-based degradation microcosm study. By day 56, the natural inoculums degraded the soluble hydrocarbons (initial concentrations $3,400{\pm}700mg/l$ and $1,700{\pm}340mg/l$ for the control and seawater, respectively) to below detectable levels, and biodegradation of the residual oil reached 62% ($254,000{\pm}40,000mg/l$) and 66% ($285,000{\pm}45,000mg/l$) in the control and seawater sources, respectively. In addition, the residual oil gas chromatogram profiles changed with the presence of short and intermediate hydrocarbon chains. 16S rDNA DGGE sequence analysis revealed species affiliated with the genera Roseobacter, Alteromonas, Yeosuana aromativorans, and Pseudomonas, renowned oil-degrading organisms previously thought to be associated with the environment where the oil contaminated rather than also being present in the contaminating oil. This study highlights the importance of microbiological techniques for isolation and characterisation, coupled with molecular techniques for identification, in understanding the role and function of native oil communities.

A Comparison of web Searching and Library System Searching: Perceived Difficulty, Self-Efficacy, and Effort (웹과 도서관 시스템에서 이용자 정보탐색 비교연구)

  • Rieh, Soo-Young
    • Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.29-44
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    • 2007
  • The purpose of this study was to explore whether the concept of amount of invested mental effort (AIME) developed in the field of educational psychology can help explain why people put so little effort into online searching. In this experimental study, two information retrieval systems - a web search engine and a university library system - were used to make a comparison. The data were collected from 15 undergraduate students through background questionnaires, think-aloud protocols, search logs, post-search questionnaires, and post-task interviews. The findings indicate that perception of the web's "easy-ness" and high levels of self confidence in searching capability led the subjects to put less effort into web searching than they do into library system searching. In addition, the perceived difficulty of search task influenced the extent of mental effort invested. The AIME proved a useful framework for understanding search behavior and user experience for both web search engines and library systems.

Effects of pH, Temperature, and Dissolved Oxygen on Phosphorus Release from Marine Sediment to Seawater (해양퇴적물 인 용출에 미치는 pH, 온도, 용존 산소 농도의 영향)

  • Cheon, Hyo-Chang;Nam, Se-Yong;Kim, Sang-Hyoun
    • Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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    • v.36 no.6
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    • pp.513-519
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    • 2012
  • Understanding the behavior of pollutants in the marine environment is essential for coping with the marine pollution problems such as eutrophication. In this study, the effects of environmental parameters on phosphorus release from marine sediment to sea water were investigated. The environmental parameters such as pH in the range of 7 to 9, temperature from 10 to 20C and dissolved oxygen levels (DO) renging 0.7 to 7.0mg/L were examined. Phosphorus release data were taken from batch tests excluding biotic effects, and analyzed using a first-order kinetic model. The effects of environmental parameters were quantified using a statistical methodology. High pH, high temperature, and low DO increased phosphorus release from the sediment to sea water. pH from 7 to 9, temperature from 10 to $20^{\circ}C$, or DO from 7.0 to 0.7 mg/L magnified the equilibrium phosphorus concentration up to 2~3 times.

Age-related neurocognitive changes and exercise-induced benefits: A review of cognitive neuroscientific research (노화 관련 뇌인지 변화와 운동의 긍정적 영향: 인지신경과학적 연구 개관)

  • Shin, Eunsam
    • Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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    • v.24 no.1
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    • pp.1-24
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    • 2013
  • The elderly population continues to increase in Korea and there has been a growing interest in understanding normal aging. In response to this public interest, the present paper reviewed human aging research focusing on recently published neuroimaging studies. For the first half of the paper, I reviewed the effects of aging on the brain and cognition. In normal aging, structural changes in the brain include atrophy and volume reduction in the prefrontal and temporal cortices. Functional changes are exhibited in the form of overactivation of the brain. Moreover, age-related cognitive decline is particularly observed in inhibition and memory, which are also associated with the age-related structural changes in the brain. For the second half of the paper, I introduced physical exercise studies showing that exercise played a protective role in the age-related neurocognitive decline. More specifically, engaging in physical exercise (particularly, aerobic exercise) for a relatively long period of time (e. g., > 6 mon.) protected older adults from volume loss in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, and induced better inhibition and memory. These exercise-induced benefits appear to be associated with changes in neuronal levels, indicating that the aging brain is still plastic and this plasticity can be enhanced by physical exercise.

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The Experiences and Challenges of Caregivers of Frail or Chronically Ill Elderly: An Integrative Review

  • Han, Hae-Ra
    • Perspectives in Nursing Science
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.47-60
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    • 2006
  • BACKGROUND: Social, legal, and economic factors have changed the delivery of care to elderly who are frail and/or chronically ill. Increasing number of the elderly are now treated in the community, while living with or in close proximity to their family. It is evident that families play a major role of support for elderly persons in our society. This paper provides a review and analysis of studies that have investigated informal caregiving issues encompassing physical, psychological, emotional, and social domains. RESULTS OF THE REVIEW: Family caregiving often interfered with workplace and other responsibilities, creating physical, emotional, and financial stress for caregivers. Relatively high volumes of research addressed caregiving issues in the families of Alzheimer patients and in the areas of emotional and psychological impact of caregiving. Few studies explicitly investigated the role of informal caregivers in the management of other chronic conditions such as stroke or depression or physical consequences of long-term caregiving. While most studies were focused on negative aspects of caregiving, a few studies found it rewarding. Often the burden, stress, and socio-economic effects on the family caregiving for an elderly person were not sufficiently appreciated. CONCLUSIONS: Positive outcomes for both the caregiver and the care recipient are more likely to occur when effective levels of collaboration exist between health professionals and caregivers. As a first step, a better understanding of the caregiving experience such as caregiver characteristics, care recipient characteristics, and social stigma is important for nurses to minimize the burden of care so that appropriate interventions can be developed. In addition, further studies are needed to examine the role and needs of informal caregivers in the care of increasing number of frail and/or chronic ill elderly treated in the community.

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Questionnaire survey & Evaluation for Quality Level of Energy Management System in Buildings - survey for maintenance personnel - (건물 에너지관리 실태 및 수준 평가 - 유지관리자를 대상으로 -)

  • Kwak, Ro-Yeul;Cho, Seung-Hyuk;Kwon, Han-Sol;Huh, Jung-Ho
    • 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 2008.11a
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    • pp.112-119
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    • 2008
  • In order to ensure building energy management at an appropriate level continuously, it is necessary to define clearly service work of energy management and to suggest evaluation index whether energy management in buildings is fit and improvement is needed or not. But, evaluation index of energy management level in buildings is not suggested yet in Korea. So, the purpose of this paper is to suggest evaluation index of energy management level in buildings, investigate the present state of Korean buildings and evaluate energy management levels. As a result of surveys of evaluation index of energy management, it is found that portion of level 1, which is the best level, is higher than any other level, level 2, level 3. And, throughout analysis, it is found that as total floor area is larger, evaluation index of energy management level is better, and, in order to increase energy management level, first of all, there is necessary for building's users to change understanding about energy saving and make a reform of national policy of energy management in buildings. Because there is rich relationship between items among evaluation index of this stuff and result value of evaluation index, evaluation index of energy management suggested in this study is available to evaluate energy management level in buildings.

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The Roles of Intermediaries in Clusters: The Thai Experiences in High-tech and Community-based Clusters

  • Intarakumnerd, Patarapong
    • Journal of Technology Innovation
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.23-43
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    • 2005
  • Industrial clusters are geographical concentrations of interconnected companies, specialised suppliers, service providers, firms in related industries, and associated institutions (for example, universities, standard agencies, and trade associations) that combine to create new products and/or services in specific lines of business. At present, the concept of industrial cluster becomes very popular worldwide, policy makers at national, regional and local levels and business people in both forerunner and latecomer countries are keen to implement the cluster concept as an economic development model. Though understanding of clusters and related promoting policies varies from one place to another, the underlying benefits of clusters from collective learning and knowledge spillovers between participating actors strongly attract the attention of these people. In Thailand, a latecomer country in terms of technological catching up, the cluster concept has been used as a means to rectify weakness and fragmentation of its innovation systems. The present Thai government aspires to apply the concept to promote both high-tech manufacturing clusters, services clusters and community-based clusters at the grass-root level. This paper analyses three very different clusters in terms of technological sophistication and business objectives, i.e., hard disk drive, software and chili paste. It portrays their significant actors, the extent of interaction among them and the evolution of the clusters. Though are very dissimilar, common characteristics attributed to qualified success are found. Main driving forces of the three clusters are cluster intermediaries. Forms of these organizations are different from a government research and technology organization (RTO), an industrial association, to a self-organised community-based organization. However, they perform similar functions of stimulating information and knowledge sharing, and building trust among participating firms/individuals in the clusters. Literature in the cluster studies argues that government policies need to be cluster specific. In this case, the best way to design and implement cluster-specific policies is through working closely with intermediaries and strengthening their institutional especially in linking member firms/individuals to other actors in clusters such as universities, government R&D institutes, and financial institutions.

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Expression pattern of floral scent genes in different flowering stages of Chrysanthemum cultivars

  • Mekapogu, Maniulatha;Ahn, Myung Suk;Yoo, Jong Hee;Jeong, Jae Ah;Park, Jong Taek;Kwon, Oh Keun
    • Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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    • 2018.10a
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    • pp.114-114
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    • 2018
  • Among the various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the plant, floral scent plays a key role in attracting pollinators for reproduction and mediates ecological interactions. Floral scent is an important trait and industry drives the competition for flowers with novel scents. Chrysanthemum is one of the well-known ornamental plants and is a popular cut flower across the world. Floral scent and the genes responsible for the floral scent emission are poorly studied in chrysanthemum. In the present study, floral scent and the expression pattern of floral scent genes were analyzed in two chrysanthemum cultivars 'Golden Egg' and 'Gaya Glory'. Initially, intensity of the floral scent in five developing stages of flower including 'budding (B), bud developing (BD), initial blooming (IB), almost open (AO) and open flower (OF)' was analyzed using electronic nose (E-nose) with six metal oxide sensors. Based on the distance analysis, different stages of flower showed different relative intensity of scent according to the sensory evaluation. Although the scent pattern differed by stage, scent intensity was strongest in the OF stage in the completely opened flower in both the cultivars. Further, expression pattern of six genes in the floral scent pathway including FDS, IDI, ISPH, TPS2, TPS5 and TPS6 was observed in all the five stages of the flower in both the cultivars. The expression pattern of all the six genes differed by stage and the terpene synthase genes TPS2, TPS5 and TPS6 showed good expression levels in the $5^{th}$ flower stage compared to other stages. This study provides a preliminary data for understanding the regulation of floral scent in chrysanthemum.

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