• Title/Summary/Keyword: Global stability

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Construction and Characterization of Vitreoscilla Hemoglobin (VHb) with Enhanced Peroxidase Activity for Efficient Degradation of Textile Dye

  • Zhang, Zidong;Li, Wei;Li, Haichao;Zhang, Jing;Zhang, Yuebin;Cao, Yufeng;Ma, Jianzhang;Li, Zhengqiang
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.25 no.9
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    • pp.1433-1441
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    • 2015
  • Pollution resulting from the discharge of textile dyes into water systems has become a major global concern. Because peroxidases are known for their ability to decolorize and detoxify textile dyes, the peroxidase activity of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) has recently been studied. It is found that VHb and variants of this enzyme show great promise for enzymatic decolorization of dyes and may play a role in achieving their successful removal from industrial wastewater. The level of VHb peroxidase activity correlates with two amino acid residues present within the conserved distal pocket, at positions 53 and 54. In this work, sitedirected mutagenesis of these residues was performed and resulted in improved VHb peroxidase activity. The double mutant, Q53H/P54C, shows the highest dye decolorization and removal efficiency, with 70% removal efficiency within 5 min. UV spectral studies of Q53H/P54C reveals a more compact structure and an altered porphyrin environment (λSoret = 413 nm) relative to that of wild-type VHb (λSoret = 406), and differential scanning calorimetry data indicate that the VHb variant protein structure is more stable. In addition, circular dichroism spectroscopic studies indicate that this variant's increased protein structural stability is due to an increase in helical structure, as deduced from the melting temperature, which is higher than 90℃. Therefore, the VHb variant Q53H/P54C shows promise as an excellent peroxidase, with excellent dye decolorization activity and a more stable structure than wild-type VHb under high-temperature conditions.

Short Sleep Duration and Its Correlates among Cancer Survivors in Korea: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

  • Yoon, Hyung-Suk;Yang, Jae Jeong;Song, Minkyo;Lee, Hwi-Won;Lee, Yunhee;Lee, Kyoung-Mu;Lee, Sang-Ah;Lee, Jong-koo;Kang, Daehee
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.11
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    • pp.4705-4710
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    • 2015
  • Background: Though a large proportion of cancer survivors are assumed to be commonly affected by sleep disturbance, few studies have focused on short sleep problems and its correlates among Korean cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of short sleep in adult cancer survivors from a nationwide population-based sample and to identify risk factors for short sleep duration. Materials and Methods: Based on the fourth and fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2007-2012), 1,045 cancer survivors and 33,929 non-cancer controls were analyzed. The prevalence of short sleep was compared between these two groups. Associations between short sleep and its correlates were evaluated using multiple logistic regression among cancer survivors: odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were estimated after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, lifestyle factors, psychological conditions, and cancer-related factors. Results: About 8.1% of cancer survivors slept for less than 5 hours per day (6.2% men and 9.3% women), whereas this was the case for only 3.7% of non-cancer controls. Cancer survivors who had the lowest household income level showed a significantly higher likelihood for short sleep (adjusted OR 2.82, 95%CI 1.06-7.54). Self-reported poor health and depressive symptoms were found to be associated with significantly increased likelihood for short sleep in cancer survivors (adjusted OR 3.60, 95%CI 1.40-9.26 and adjusted OR 2.00, 95%CI 1.17-3.42). Gastric cancer survivors had a 3.97-fold increased risk for short sleep (95%CI 1.60-9.90). Conclusions: The prevalence of short sleep occurs at a high rate among the Korean cancer survivors, which may indicate a poorer quality of life and a higher risk of future complications in survivorship. Targeted interventions that can assist cancer survivors to cope with sleep disturbances as well as ensuring psychological stability are warranted to reduce the latent disease burden.

Information Fusion of Cameras and Laser Radars for Perception Systems of Autonomous Vehicles (영상 및 레이저레이더 정보융합을 통한 자율주행자동차의 주행환경인식 및 추적방법)

  • Lee, Minchae;Han, Jaehyun;Jang, Chulhoon;Sunwoo, Myoungho
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.35-45
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    • 2013
  • A autonomous vehicle requires improved and robust perception systems than conventional perception systems of intelligent vehicles. In particular, single sensor based perception systems have been widely studied by using cameras and laser radar sensors which are the most representative sensors for perception by providing object information such as distance information and object features. The distance information of the laser radar sensor is used for road environment perception of road structures, vehicles, and pedestrians. The image information of the camera is used for visual recognition such as lanes, crosswalks, and traffic signs. However, single sensor based perception systems suffer from false positives and true negatives which are caused by sensor limitations and road environments. Accordingly, information fusion systems are essentially required to ensure the robustness and stability of perception systems in harsh environments. This paper describes a perception system for autonomous vehicles, which performs information fusion to recognize road environments. Particularly, vision and laser radar sensors are fused together to detect lanes, crosswalks, and obstacles. The proposed perception system was validated on various roads and environmental conditions with an autonomous vehicle.

Field Pullout Tests and Stability Evaluation of the Pretension Soil Nailing System (프리텐션 쏘일네일링 시스템의 현장인발시험 및 안정성 평가)

  • Kim, Hong-Taek;Choi, Young-Geun;Park, Si-Sam;Kim, Berm-Suk
    • Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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    • v.4 no.3
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    • pp.27-40
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    • 2003
  • In the present study, a newly modified soil nailing technology named as the PSN(Pretension Soil Nailing) system is proposed. Effects of various factors related to the design of the pretension soil nailing system, such as the length of a sheathing pipe and the fixed cone, are examined throughout a series of the displacement-controlled field pull-out tests. 9 displacement-controlled field pull-out tests are performed in the present study and the pretension forces are also evaluated based on the measurements. In addition, both short-term and long-term characteristics of pull-out deformations of the newly proposed PSN system are analyzed and compared with those of the general soil nailing system by carrying out the stress-controlled field pull-out tests. A numerical approach is further made to determine a postulated failure surface as well as a minimum safety factors of the proposed PSN system using the shear strength reduction technique and the $FLAC^{2D}$ program. Global minimum safety factors and local safety factors at various excavation stages computed in case of the PSN system are analyzed throughout comparisons with the results expected in case of the general soil nailing system. An efficiency of the PSN system is also dealt with by analyzing the wall-facing deformations and the adjacent ground surface settlements.

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Dispersion Characteristics of Wave Forces on Interlocking Caisson Breakwaters by Cross Cables (크로스 케이블로 결속된 인터로킹 케이슨 방파제의 파력분산특성)

  • Seo, Ji Hye;Yi, Jin Hak;Park, Woo Sun;Won, Deck Hee
    • Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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    • v.27 no.5
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    • pp.315-323
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    • 2015
  • Damage level of coastal structures has been scaled up according to increase of wave height and duration of the storm due to the abnormal global climate change. So, the design criteria for new breakwaters is being intensified and structural strengthening is also conducted for the existing breakwaters. Recently, interlocking concept has been much attention to enhance the structural stability of the conventional caisson structure designed individually to resist waves. The interlocking caisson breakwater may be survival even if unusual high wave occurs because the maximum wave force may be reduced by phase lags among the wave forces acting on each caisson. In this study, the dispersion characteristics of wave forces using interlocking system that connect the upper part of caisson with cable in the normal direction of breakwater was investigated. A simplified linear model was developed for computational efficiency, in which the foundation and connection cables were modelled as linear springs, and caisson structures were assumed to be rigid. From numerical experiments, it can be found that the higher wave forces are transmitted through the cable as the angle of incident wave is larger, and the larger the stiffness of the interlocking cable makes larger wave dispersion effect.

China's 'One Belt and One Load' and China's Economic Status (중국의 일대일로(一帶一路) 추진과 중국경제 위상)

  • Heur, Heung-Ho
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.19 no.11
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    • pp.297-313
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    • 2019
  • China's 'One Belt and One Load' is a national development strategy that aims to develop China and Eurasian Economic Area into a single economic Area by overland and sea routes. Thus, China's 'One Belt and One Load' construction will be a new engine for China and global economic development. At the same time, expected to have a significant impact on the international economic order and the enhancement the status of the Chinese economy. First of all, 'One Belt and One Load' will contribute to China's social stability by reducing the development gap between the East and West regions to some extent, as well as solving the problems of overcapacity and overproduction in China. Moreover, with a stable supply of energy resources, it will also contribute to the stable development of the Chinese economy. China's 'One Belt and One Load' will also enhance China's status by enhancing the level of Chinese influence and RMB in the international economy, in addition to the economic development of China and 'One Belt and One Load' consecutive countries. In particular, it will weaken the influence of the US, which has dominated the hegemony in the international community. Therefore, Korea, which maintains close economic relations with China, needs to prepare for countermeasures by closely monitoring the change in China's status as a result of China's 'One Belt and One Load' construction.

The Effects of SO2 and NH3 on the N2O Reduction with CO over MMO Catalyst (MMO 촉매와 CO 환원제에 의한 N2O 분해에서 SO2 및 NH3 영향 연구)

  • Chang, Kil Sang;You, Kyung-Chang
    • Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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    • v.20 no.6
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    • pp.653-657
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    • 2009
  • Nitrous oxide is a typical greenhouse gas which is produced from various organic or fossil fuel combustion processes as well as chemicals producing plants. $N_2O$ has a global worming potential of 310 times that of $CO_2$ on per molecule basis, and also acts as an ozone depleting material in the stratosphere. However, its removal is not easy for its chemical stability characteristics. Most SCR processes with several effective reducing agents generally require the operation temperature higher than $450^{\circ}C$, and the catalytic conversion becomes decreased significantly when NOx is present in the stream. Present experiments have been performed to obtain basic design data of actual application concerning the effects of $SO_2$ and $NH_3$ on the interim and long term activities of $N_2O$ reduction with CO over the mixed metal oxide (MMO) catalyst derived from a hydrotalcite-like compound precursor. The MMO catalysts used in the experiments, have shown prominent activities displaying full conversions of $N_2O$ near $200^{\circ}C$ when CO is introduced. The presence of $SO_2$ is considered to show no critical behavior as can be met in the $NH_3$ SCR DeNOx systems and the effect of $NH_3$ is considered to play as mere an impurity to share the active sites of the catalysts.

Valuation of workout firms considering characteristics of the construction industry : focused on Black·Scholes Models (건설산업의 특성을 고려한 워크아웃기업의 가치평가 : Black·Scholes 모형을 중심으로)

  • Kim, Gu-Hoi;Won, You-Ho;Lee, Joo-Hyung
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.15 no.8
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    • pp.4863-4873
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    • 2014
  • The Korean construction industry has played a major role among all industries despite its relative small ratio of all. The global economic crisis, however, has adversely affected the construction industry. Therefore, the Korean government implemented a corporate restructuring process to ensure the stability of the financial market. The selection standard on workout enterprises by the government is based on two perspectives: (1) external factors, including macroeconomic indices and (2) internal factors, including financial statements of private enterprises. On the other hand, if considering the characteristics of the construction industry, a certain construction company may not be evaluated only by its financial statements. In other words, a valuation process that utilizes the financial statements only can be concluded to be irrational. Accordingly, this study aims to provide the valuation model, which embraces the characteristics of workout firms, and determines their implications. To accomplish this, each enterprise valuation was measured using DCF and Black Scholes models, and by comparing such results with their market value, each enterprise was determined to be either under or over-valued. The results of this study verified that the valuations of 2 workout companies (out of 4) showed a higher value than the market value.

Reinforcement and Arching Effect of Geogrid-reinforced and Pile-supported Embankments (지오그리드와 말뚝으로 보강된 성토지반의 보강 및 아칭효과 연구)

  • Oh Young-In;Shin Eun-Chul
    • Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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    • v.21 no.10
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    • pp.5-16
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    • 2005
  • Geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported embankments have been increasingly used and researched around the world. The inclusion of one or multiple geosynthetic reinforcements over the pile is intended to enhance the efficiency of load transfer from soft ground to piles, to reduce total and differential settlement and increase global or local stability. In this paper, the reinforcement effectiveness and arching effect of the geogrid-reinforced and pile-supported embankments have been studied in terms of field model tests and numerical analysis with varying the space between piles and reinforcement. 2-dimensional numerical analysis has been conducted using the FLAC (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua) program. And load transfer mechanisms between soil-piles-geogrid were investigated. The mechanisms of load transfer can be considered as a combination of embankment soil arching, tension geogrid, and stress concentration due to the stiffness difference between pile and soft ground. Based on the field model test and numerical analysis results, it was found that the geosynthetic reinforcement slightly interferes with soil arching, and helps reduce differential settlement of the soft ground. Also. at the D/b=3 (D: spacing of pile cap, b: diameter of pile), the total settlement is reduced by about $40\%$ compared to that without reinforcement. For $D/b{\ge}6$, the effectiveness of geogrid reinforcement in reducing settlement is negligible.

A Correlation Analysis among Regional Industrial Diversification, Job Creation and Regional Competitiveness (산업구조 다양성과 고용창출 및 지역경쟁력간 관계 분석)

  • Kim, Dae-Jung;Kyung, Jong-Soo;Jung, Sung-Hoon
    • Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.786-800
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    • 2014
  • The aim of this article is to analyze the relationship between the change of the diversity of the industrial structure, and regional employmentability and the intensification of regional competitiveness, and consequently, is to present policy implications. As a result of the analysis of the whole industry such as the primary, secondary and tertiary industry in Chungnam Province, the existing strategic implementation on the employmentability and regional competitiveness throughout the policy on the existing specialized industries can be regarded as appropriate. However, under the condition that danger and stability in each industry are fluctuated and the internal and external circumstances are varied, the detailed analysis and rapid policy prescription on the primary and tertiary industry are required. Along with these results, policy implications are as follows; Firstly, in terms of effectiveness, regional policy are simultaneously conducted along with industrial, technological and regional development's policies while consider ing complex and comprehensive characteristics of the regional industry and rapid changing the global market conditions. Secondly, with respect to equity, regional policy is needed to implement by reducing the socio-economic gap across regions and mixing regional and sectoral policies along with regional and local uniqueness.

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