• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.308-308
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• 2017

The low and unstable yield of soybean has been a major problem in Japan. Excess soil moisture conditions are one of the major factors to restrict soybean productivity. More than 80 % of soybean crops are cultivated in converted paddy fields which often have poor drainage. In central and eastern regions of Japan, the early vegetative growth of soybean tends to be restricted by the flooding damage because the early growth period is overlapped with the rainy season. Field observation shows that induced excess water stress in early vegetative stage reduces dry matter production by decreasing intercepted radiation by leaf and radiation use efficiency (RUE) (Bajgain et al., 2015). Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the responses of soybean growth for excess water conditions to assess these effects on soybean productions. In this study, we aim to modify the soybean crop model (Sinclair et al., 2003) by adding the components of the restriction of leaf area development and RUE for adaptable to excess water conditions. This model was consist of five components, phenological model, leaf area development model, dry matter production model, plant nitrogen model and soil water balance model. The model structures and parameters were estimated from the data obtained from the field experiment in Tsukuba. The excess water effects on the leaf area development were modeled with consideration of decrease of blanch emergence and individual leaf expansion as a function of temperature and ground water level from pot experiments. The nitrogen fixation and nitrogen absorption from soil were assumed to be inhibited by excess water stress and the RUE was assumed to be decreasing according to the decline of leaf nitrogen concentration. The results of the modified model were better agreement with the field observations of the induced excess water stress in paddy field. By coupling the crop model and the ground water level model, it may be possible to assess the impact of excess water conditions for soybean production quantitatively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 2019

This study investigates the effect of denitrified biofloc water on changes in the water quality parameters and the physiological characteristics of shrimps. Biofloc rearing water contains a large number of microorganisms and can rapidly stabilize the water quality and energy saving if reusable due to high water temperatures. Rearing water contain floating bacteria with both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Therefore, when the carbon source is added in limited air supply, the anaerobic state is activated and the denitrification process is possible. In this study, the denitrification water had the following properties: ammonia (6.9 mg L^-1), nitrite (0.3 mg L^-1), nitrate concentration (9.2 mg L^-1), high pH (8.42) and alkalinity (590 mg L^-1). The experimental group consisted of seawater (SW, control), a mixture of Seawater and denitrified biofloc water (DNW) in the ratio of 3:1, 1:1 and DNW only. All experiments were done in triplicate. As a result, the survival rate never changed even when 100% of the denitrification water was utilized. However, a body fluid analysis showed that creatine and BUN were increased due to index of stress and the tissue damage resulting from the high denitrified water content. Body fluid ions (Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl^-) significantly decreased as the denitrified water content increased. It was recommended that the denitrification water be mixed with a certain ratio (less than 50%) in the future as it may affect the osmotic pressure control in shrimps.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.140-144
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• 2017

Purpose: The optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured by ultrasonography is among the indicators of intracranial pressure (ICP) elevation. However, whether ONSD measurement is useful for initial treatment remains controversial. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between ONSD measured by computed tomography (CT) and ICP in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: A total of 246 patients with severe trauma from January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2015 were included in the study. A total of 179 patients with brain damage with potential for ICP elevation were included in the TBI group. The remaining 67 patients comprised the non-TBI group. A comparison was made between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the accuracy of ONSD when used as a screening test for the TBI group including those with TBI with midline shift (with elevated ICP). Results: The mean injury severity score (ISS) and glasgow coma scale (GCS) of all patients were $24.2{\pm}6.1$ and $5.4{\pm}0.8$, respectively. The mean ONSD of the TBI group ($5.5{\pm}1.0mm$) was higher than that of the non-TBI group ($4.7{\pm}0.6mm$). Some significant differences in age ($55.3{\pm}18.1$ vs. $49.0{\pm}14.8$, p<0.001), GCS ($11.7{\pm}4.1$ versus $13.3{\pm}3.0$, p<0.001), and ONSD ($5.5{\pm}1.0$ vs. $4.7{\pm}0.6$, p<0.001) were observed between the TBI and the non-TBI group. An ROC analysis was used to assess the correlation between TBI and ONSD. Results showed an area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of 0.752. The same analysis was used in the TBI with midline shift group, which showed an AUC of 0.912. Conclusions: An ONSD of >5.5 mm, measured on CT, is a good indicator of ICP elevation. However, since an ONSD is not sensitive enough to detect an increased ICP, it should only be used as one of the parameters in detecting ICP along with other screening tests.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.41-55
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• 2014

In performing seismic analysis of tunnels, it is a common practice to ignore the rock joints and to assume that the rock mass surrounding the tunnel is continuous. The applicability of this assumption has not yet been validated in detail. This study performs a series of pseudo-static discrete element analyses to evaluate the effect of rock joint on the seismic response of tunnels. The parameters considered are joint intersection location, joint spacing, joint stiffness, joint dip, and interface stiffness. The results show that the joint stiffness has the most critical influence on the tunnel response. The tunnel response increases with the spacing, resulting in localized concentration of moment and shear stress. The response of the tunnel is the lowest for joints dipping at $45^{\circ}$. This is because large shear stresses result in rotation of the principal planes by $45^{\circ}$. In summary, the weathered and smooth, vertical or horizontal, and widely spaced joint set will significantly increase the tunnel response under seismic loading. The tunnel linings are shown to be most susceptible to damage due to induced shear stress, and therefore should be checked in the seismic design.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.1101-1121
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• 2016

Base isolation, one of the popular seismic protection approaches proven to be effective in practical applications, has been widely applied worldwide during the past few decades. As the techniques mature, it has been recognised that, the biggest issue faced in base isolation technique is the challenge of great base displacement demand, which leads to the potential of overturning of the structure, instability and permanent damage of the isolators. Meanwhile, drain, ventilation and regular maintenance at the base isolation level are quite difficult and rather time- and fund- consuming, especially in the highly populated areas. To address these challenges, a number of efforts have been dedicated to propose new isolation systems, including segmental building, additional storey isolation (ASI) and mid-storey isolation system, etc. However, such techniques have their own flaws, among which whipping effect is the most obvious one. Moreover, due to their inherent passive nature, all these techniques, including traditional base isolation system, show incapability to cope with the unpredictable and diverse nature of earthquakes. The solution for the aforementioned challenge is to develop an innovative vibration isolation system to realise variable structural stiffness to maximise the adaptability and controllability of the system. Recently, advances on the development of an adaptive magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE) vibration isolator has enlightened the development of adaptive base isolation systems due to its ability to alter stiffness by changing applied electrical current. In this study, an innovative semi-active storey isolation system inserting such novel MRE isolators between each floor is proposed. The stiffness of each level in the proposed isolation system can thus be changed according to characteristics of the MRE isolators. Non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm type II (NSGA-II) with dynamic crowding distance (DCD) is utilised for the optimisation of the parameters at isolation level in the system. Extensive comparative simulation studies have been conducted using 5-storey benchmark model to evaluate the performance of the proposed isolation system under different earthquake excitations. Simulation results compare the seismic responses of bare building, building with passive controlled MRE base isolation system, building with passive-controlled MRE storey isolation system and building with optimised storey isolation system.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.635-650
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• 2017

Acoustic emission (AE) sensors have broadly used to monitor the damage of underground structures and tunnels. The reliability of measured signal is determined by the coupling condition of the AE sensors which are embedded in the target underground structure. To secure the reliability of health monitoring results, it is important to understand the characteristics of the coupling materials. In this study, laboratory tests were performed using portland cement, micro cement, and gypsum as coupling materials in order to verify the bleeding characteristics. The effective parameters for bleeding were determined to be water-cement ratio, material type, curing time, and injected volume of coupling materials. As a results of the experimental study, the bleeding rate increases with an increase in a water-cement ratio and an injected volume; for portland cement, water-cement ratio and injected volume effects are larger than the micro cement. However, curing time is not much effective for occurrence of the bleeding phenomenon. It is anticipated that this study may be useful for the selection of suitable coupling materials for installation of acoustic emission sensors.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.839-854
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• 2018

This study was performed to evaluate the performance of GFRP plate reinforced segments for TBM tunnel support. Recently, the SFRC segment has been applied to prevent local damage such as reduction of the amount of reinforcing bars of the segment, crack control and breakage. However, the steel fiber used in the SFRC segment has a problem of durability deterioration due to fiber corrosion. Compared with the RC segment, the maximum flexural load reduction of the SFRC segment hinders the broad application range of the TBM tunnel segment. Therefore, GFRP plate was considered as a stiffener for the maximum load increase of SFRC segment, and structural synthetic fiber without corrosive concern was used as a substitute for steel fiber. The flexural performance of the segment was evaluated by using the type of reinforcing fiber and GFRP plate thickness as the main parameters. As a result, the maximum load and the flexural toughness were increased by 21.78~23.03% and 0.5~7.96%, respectively, as compared with the segments reinforced with reinforcing fiber and GFRP plate of 3 mm thickness.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2301-2305
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• 2016

Background: The early detection of anthracycline- induced cardiotoxicity is very important since it might be useful in prevention of cardiac decompensation. This study was designed with the intent of assessing the usefulness of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and NT- Pro BNP estimation in early prediction of anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study histologically proven breast cancer patients who were scheduled to receive anthracycline containing combination chemotherapy as a part of multimodality treatment were enrolled. Baseline cardiac evaluation was performed by echocardiography (ECHO) and biomarkers like cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N terminal- pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT- Pro BNP). All patients underwent cTnT and NT- Pro BNP estimation within 24 hours of each cycle of chemotherapy and were followed up after 6 months of initiation of chemotherapy. Any changes in follow up ECHO were compared to ECHO at baseline and cTnT and NT- Pro BNP levels after each cycle of anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Results: Initial data were obtained for 33 patients. Mean change in left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDD) within 6 months was $0.154{\pm}0.433cms$ (p value=0.049). Seven out of 33 patients had an increase in biomarker cTnT levels (p value=0.5). A significant change in baseline and follow up LVDD was observed in patients with raised cTnT levels (p value=0.026) whereas no change was seen in ejection fraction (EF) and left atrial diameters (LAD) within 6 months of chemotherapy. NT- Pro BNP levels increased in significant number of patients (p value ${\leq}0.0001$) but no statistically significant change was observed in the ECHO parameters within 6 months. Conclusions: Functional monitoring is a poorly effective method in early estimation of anthracycline induced cardiac dysfunction. Estimation of biomarkers after chemotherapy may allow stratification of patients in various risk groups, thereby opening window for interventional strategies in order to prevent permanent damage to the myocardium.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.672-678
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• 2002

Oxidative stress contributes to cellular injury following clinical and experimental ischemia/reperfusion scenarios. Oxidative injury can induce cellular and nuclear damages that result in apoptotic cell death. We tested the hypothesis that the catechin flavonoid of (-)epigallocatechin gallate, a green tea polyphenol, inhibits hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O$$_2$)-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The effect of apigenin, a flavone found in citrus fruits, on apoptosis parameters was also examined. A 30 min pulse treatment with 0.25 mM $H_2O$$_2$ decreased endothelial cell viability within 24 hrs by > 30% ; this was associated with nuclear condensation and biochemical DNA damage consistent with programmed cell death. In the 0.25 mM $H_2O$$_2$apoptosis model, 50${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ (-)epigallocatechin gallate markedly increased cell viability with a reduction in the nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation. In contrast, equimicromolar apigenin increased cell loss with intense DNA laddering, positive nick-end labeling and Hoechst 33258 staining. Thus, polyphenolic (-)epigallocatechin gallate, but not apigenin flavone, qualify as an antioxidant in apoptosis models caused by oxidative stress. Further work is necessary for elucidating the anti-apoptotic mechanisms of polyphenolic catechins.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.149-156
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• 2018

Objective: Broilers show clear preference towards red color light (RL). However setting of an optimum light intensity is difficult since dim intensities that favor growth reduce welfare. This experiment was conducted to test the most effective RL intensity regimen (Dim [5 lux; DI] vs high [320 lux; HI]) in combination applied at different growth stages that favors for both performance and welfare. Methods: Complete randomize design was adopted with 6 replicates. Treatments were; T1 = early DI (8-21 d)+latter HI (22-35 d); T2 = early DI (8-28 d)+latter HI (29-35 d), T3 = early HI (8-21 d)+latter DI (22-35 d), T4 = early HI (8-28 d)+latter DI (29-35 d) and T5 = control (white light; WT) (8-35 d) at medium intensity (20 lux). Body weight (BW), weight gain (WG), water/feed intake and ratio, feed conversion ratios (FCR) were assessed. Common behaviours (15) were recorded by scan sampling method. Lameness, foot pad dermatitis, breast blisters, hock burning damage were assessed as welfare parameters. Fear reactions were tested using Tonic Immobility Test. Ocular and carcass evaluations were done. Meat and tibiae were analyzed for fat and bone ash respectively. Results: On 35 d, the highest BW ($2,155.72{\pm}176g$), WG ($1,967.78{\pm}174g$) were recorded by T2 compared to WT ($BW_{WT}=1,878.22{\pm}155$, $WG_{WT}=1,691.83{\pm}160$). But, application of RL, either DI, or HI during early/latter stage had no significant effect on FCR. Under HI, birds showed much higher active behaviours. DI encourages eating. Though LI changed from DI to HI, same trend could be seen even under HI. The highest leg strength ($218.5{\pm}120s$) was recorded by T2. The lowest leg strength ($64.58{\pm}33s$) and the highest ocular weight ($2.48{\pm}1g$) were recorded by T1. Significantly (p<0.05) the highest skin weight ($162.17{\pm}6g$) but the lowest fat% in meat ($13.03%{\pm}5%$) was recorded by T2. Conclusion: Early exposure to DI-RL up to 28 days followed by exposure to HI-RL is the most favorable lighting regimen for optimizing production, better welfare of broilers and improving health benefits of meat.