• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1747-1755
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• 2018

Objective: Common reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) could potentially provide an alternative resource for silage; however, its silage quality is poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors in reed that contribute to poor quality and determine how the use of additives at ensiling could improve fermentation quality. Methods: In Experiment 1, we determined the chemical composition and the presence of indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in reed. We further examined fermentation quality of reed silage under conditions without additives (NA) and treated glucose (G), lactic acid bacteria (L), and their combination (G+L). In Experiment 2, silage of NA, and with an addition of cellulase and lactic acid bacteria (CL) were prepared from harvested reed. The harvested reeds were fertilized at nitrogen concentrations of 0, 4, 8, and $12g\;N/m^2$ and were harvested thrice within one year. Results: The indigenous LAB and fermentable carbohydrates are at extremely low concentrations in reed. Reed silage, to which we added G+L, provided the highest quality silage among treatments in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, N fertilization had no negative effect on silage quality of reed. The harvest times decreased fermentable carbohydrate content in reed. The CL treatment provided a higher lactic acid content compared to the NA treatment. However, the quality of CL treated silage at the second and third harvests was significantly lower than at the first harvest, due to a reduction in carbohydrates caused by frequent harvesting. Conclusion: The causes of poor quality in reed silage are its lack of indigenous LAB and fermentable carbohydrates and its high moisture content. In addition, reed managed by frequent harvesting reduces carbohydrate content. Although the silage quality could be improved by adding CL, higher-quality silage could be prepared by adding fermentable carbohydrates, such as glucose (rather than adding cellulases).

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.513-519
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• 2014

Background Currently, breast conservation therapy is commonly performed for the treatment of early breast cancer. Depending on the volume excised, patients may require volume replacement, even in cases of partial mastectomy. The use of the latissimus dorsi muscle is the standard method, but this procedure leaves an unfavorable scar on the donor site. We used an endoscope for latissimus dorsi harvesting to minimize the incision, thus reducing postoperative scars. Methods Ten patients who underwent partial mastectomy and immediate partial breast reconstruction with endoscopic latissimus dorsi muscle flap harvest were reviewed retrospectively. The total operation time, hospital stay, and complications were reviewed. Postoperative scarring, overall shape of the reconstructed breast, and donor site deformity were assessed using a 10-point scale. Results In the mean follow-up of 11 weeks, no tumor recurrence was reported. The mean operation time was 294.5 (${\pm}38.2$) minutes. The postoperative hospital stay was 11.4 days. Donor site seroma was reported in four cases and managed by office aspiration and compressive dressing. Postoperative scarring, donor site deformity, and the overall shape of the neobreast were acceptable, scoring above 7. Conclusions Replacement of 20% to 40% of breast volume in the upper and the lower outer quadrants with a latissimus dorsi muscle flap by using endoscopic harvesting is a good alternative reconstruction technique after partial mastectomy. Short incision benefits from a very acceptable postoperative scar, less pain, and early upper extremity movement.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.383-399
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• 2015

Today, as railways increase their capacity and speeds, it is more important than ever to be completely aware of the state of vehicles fleet's condition to ensure the highest quality and safety standards, as well as being able to maintain the costs as low as possible. Operation of a modern, dynamic and efficient railway demands a real time, accurate and reliable evaluation of the infrastructure assets, including signal networks and diagnostic systems able to acquire functional parameters. In the conventional system, measurement data are reliably collected using coaxial wires for communication between sensors and the repository. As sensors grow in size, the cost of the monitoring system can grow. Recently, auto-powered wireless sensor has been considered as an alternative tool for economical and accurate realization of structural health monitoring system, being provided by the following essential features: on-board micro-processor, sensing capability, wireless communication, auto-powered battery, and low cost. In this work, an original harvester device is designed to supply wireless sensor system battery using train bogie energy. Piezoelectric materials have in here considered due to their established ability to directly convert applied strain energy into usable electric energy and their relatively simple modelling into an integrated system. The mechanical and electrical properties of the system are studied according to the project specifications. The numerical formulation is implemented with in-house code using commercial software tool and then experimentally validated through a proof of concept setup using an excitation signal by a real application scenario.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.381-391
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• 2009

Crop production can be secured by the cycle of green manure crops as an alternative of the chemical fertilizer. Recently, rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) has been cultivated in the south part of Korea for the production of biodiesel. In this research, we focused on recycling rapeseed residue, which is produced after harvesting the rapeseed for biodiesel, as a potential source of nitrogen to the succeeding crop. Pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of winter rapeseed as green manure on mineralization and uptake of nitrogen to the succeeding corn (Zea mays L.). Result showed that total nitrogen and C/N ratio of rapeseed at the harvesting stage was 0.54% and 63, respectively. The incorporation of rapeseed without decomposition period slightly inhibited nitrogen uptake to the succeeding corn compared to those with 30 days decomposition period. The pH and EC values of soils increased by increasing the period of decomposition of rapeseed from 5.2 to 6.4 and from 0.05 dS/m to 0.21 dS/m, respectively. Significant amounts of $NH_4^+$ and $NO_3^-$ are released by incorporation of rapeseed. The succeeding corn took up 86% and 88% of inorganic nitrogen released from the rapeseed with and without decomposition period, respectively. The overall results suggested that the utilization of rapeseed residue as green manure can be an alternative source of nitrogen in corn-rapeseed double cropping system.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2022

Powdery mildew and two-spotted spider mite are detrimental to strawberry plants and are controlled with traditional pesticides. To accommodate consumer demand, eco-friendly methods of pest control are required. Strawberries were cultivated (in soil and in a hydroponic system) for two years, and ultraviolet B (UV-B) irradiation was used as an alternative pest control during the harvesting season. Three varieties were grown (Seolhyang, Kingsberry, and Durihyang), and four UV-B lamp/mulch (black, green, and light reflection sheet [LRS]) combinations were used during harvesting: UV-B+black or green mulch, UV-B+black or green+LRS, no UV-B+black or green, and no UV-B+black or green+LRS. In all varieties, powdery mildew was 65% more controlled when UV-B irradiation was used. The adult two-spotted spider mite density was lowest in the UV-B lamp+black or green+LRS treatments. Therefore, UV-B irradiation during the strawberry harvesting season could effectively control powdery mildew and two-spotted spider mite with little side effect on the plants.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.529-535
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• 2016

Background The trapezius muscle flap is not usually the first reconstructive option for skin and soft tissue defects in the posterior neck and scalp due to surgeons' unfamiliarity with the surgical anatomy and developments in free tissue transfer techniques. The goals of this study were to describe the clinical use of trapezius flaps in posterior neck and scalp reconstruction, and to investigate the vascular anatomy of trapezius flaps in Asians in order to obtain information facilitating the safe design and elevation of flaps in which most of the muscle is preserved. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of 10 patients who underwent trapezius muscle flap for posterior neck and scalp defects. We also performed an anatomical study of 16 flaps harvested from 8 preserved Asian adult cadavers and evaluated the main landmarks relevant for trapezius muscle flap. Results In the anatomical study, the mean vertical height from the inferior angle of the scapula to the point at which the superficial cervical artery penetrated the trapezius was $4.31{\pm}2.14cm$. The mean vertical height of the trapezius muscle flap pivot point was $9.53{\pm}2.08cm$ from the external occipital protuberance. Among the 10 flaps, partial necrosis on the overlaid skin graft occurred in 1 patient and postoperative seroma occurred in another patient. Conclusions Vascular variations in the trapezius muscle flap are uncommon in Asians, but when present, such variations appear to have little impact on harvesting the flap or on its circulation. The trapezius muscle flap is a viable alternative for posterior neck and scalp reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.187-192
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• 2006

The perforator flaps are based on cutaneous vessels which are originated from a main pedicle and penetrate fascia or muscle to reach the skin. The lateral lower leg is one of the most suitable areas for harvesting perforator flaps because a number of perforator vessels exist. The authors applied peroneal perforator flaps in nine patients. Five flaps were reverse island flaps based on peroneal artery and septocutaneous perforator, and four flaps were free flap based on musculocutaneous perforator only. The recipient site was the posterior ankle in three patients, posterior heel in three patients, lateral malleolus, anterolateral ankle, and foot dorsum in one patient each. The flap size ranged from 5 to 12cm long, from 3 to 5cm wide, and the primary closure of the donor site was possible in most cases. All flaps, except for the flap in two patients in the reverse island flap series, survived completely. The peroneal perforator flap is a very thin, pliable flap with minimal donor site morbidity and is suitable for the reconstruction of small and medium sized superficial skin defects. Also, this flap may be considered as an alternative to radial forearm flap or other perforator flaps.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.111-124
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• 2014

Decentralized water supply systems, treating the water in users'vicinity, cutting down the distribution system, utilizing the alternative water resources(rainwater harvesting, water reclamation and reuse and so on.) and saving energy and other resources, could be categorized into POU(Point-Of-Use), POE(Point-Of-Entry) and community small scale system. From the literature review, we could thought that decentralized water supply system and hybrid system(integrating centralized and decentralized water supply system within urban water management) might have strengthening comparative advantages to centralized system with respect to: (1) water security, (2) sustainability, (3) economical affordability. Even though it is difficult to derive and quantify direct benefit advantages from decentralized and hybrid system in comparison with centralized system, (1) operational cost reduction, (2) assurance for safe and stability water supply and (3) greenhouse gas reduction can be expected from successful establishment of the former.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.40
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• pp.25.1-25.4
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• 2018

Background: Some of head and neck cancer patients are in compromised general condition after ablation surgery and chemoradiation therapy, which makes secondary free tissue transfer quite challenging. Elderly cancer patients also have some risk for microvascular surgery with lengthened general anesthesia. In those cases, the pedicled flap vascularized by supraclavicular artery could be considered as an alternative to free flap. Despite several authors have demonstrated the clinical reliability of supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF), to date, SCAIF has not been widely used among reconstructive surgeon. In this article, we clarified vascular flow pattern and introduce simple surgical technique of SCAIF with a literature review. Case presentation: Three patients who had underwent previous neck surgery and adjuvant therapy received maxillofacial reconstruction using SCAIF. It required only a few landmarks, flap harvesting was carried out, and the elapsed time gradually decreased to 15 min with experiences. There were no remarkable morbidities in both donor and recipient sites. Conclusion: SCAIF exhibited minimal anatomic variations and short learning curve of surgical techniques, which might be valuable reconstruction modality for beginning surgeon. And it can be beneficial option for the patients with vessel-depleted neck, medically compromised status for lengthened general anesthesia and failed free tissue transfer.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.94-104
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• 2001

A pilot study was performed at the experimental field of Konkuk University in Seoul, to examine the feasibility of the constructed wetland system for sewage and the effect of treated sewage irrigation on the paddy rice culture and its soil characteristics. The constructed wetland performed well, in that effluent concentrations of pollutants were significantly lower than concentrations of the influent. Median removal efficiencies of BOD$_{5}$ was about 78% and slightly lower during winter. Removal efficiencies form TN and TP were approximately 48 and 21%, respectively, and relatively less effective than that of BOD$_{5}$. Irrigation of treated sewage to paddy rice culture did not affect adversely in both growth and yield of rice. Instead, plots of treated sewage irrigation showed up to 50% more yield in average than the control plot. It implies that treated sewage irrigation might be beneficial to rice culture rather than detrimental as long as it is treated adequately and used properly. Soil was sampled and analyzed before transplanting and after harvesting. pH was slightly increased due to irrigation water, but it may not be concerned as long as the treated sewage is within the normal range. EC was increased in first year but decreased in second year, therefore salts accumulation in the soil could be less concerned. OM and CES was slightly increased, which might be beneficial on growing plants. TN did not show apparent pattern. Available phosphorus was decreased after rice culture, but the quantity of phosphorus(TP-available phosphorus) was rather increased which implies that excessive phosphorus supply may result in phosphorus accumulation in the soil. Overall, the constructed wetland was thought to be an effective sewage treatment alternative, and treated sewage could be reused as a supplemental source of irrigation water for paddy rice culture without causing adverse effect as long as it is treated adequately and used properly. For full-scale application, further investigation should be followed on environmental risk assessment, tolerable water quality, and fraction of supplemental irrigation.ion.