• Title/Summary/Keyword: Harsh environments

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Oligotrophic Media Compared with a Tryptic Soy Agar or Broth for the Recovery of Burkholderia cepacia Complex from Different Storage Temperatures and Culture Conditions

  • Ahn, Youngbeom;Lee, Un Jung;Lee, Yong-Jin;LiPuma, John J.;Hussong, David;Marasa, Bernard;Cerniglia, Carl E.
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.29 no.10
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    • pp.1495-1505
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    • 2019
  • The Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is capable of remaining viable in low-nutrient environments and harsh conditions, posing a contamination risk in non-sterile pharmaceutical products as well as a challenge for detection. To develop optimal recovery methods to detect BCC, three oligotrophic media were evaluated and compared with nutrient media for the recovery of BCC from autoclaved distilled water or antiseptic solutions. Serial dilutions ($10^{-1}$ to $10^{-12}CFU/ml$) of 20 BCC strains were inoculated into autoclaved distilled water and stored at $6^{\circ}C$, $23^{\circ}C$ and $42^{\circ}C$ for 42 days. Six suspensions of Burkholderia cenocepacia were used to inoculate aqueous solutions containing $5{\mu}g/ml$ and $50{\mu}g/ml$ chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and $10{\mu}g/ml$ benzalkonium chloride (BZK), and stored at $23^{\circ}C$ for a further 199 days. Nutrient media such as Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) or Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB), oligotrophic media (1/10 strength TSA or TSB, Reasoner's $2^{nd}$ Agar [R2A] or Reasoner's $2^{nd}$ Broth [R2AB], and 1/3 strength R2A or R2AB) were compared by inoculating these media with BCC from autoclaved distilled water and from antiseptic samples. The recovery of BCC in water or antiseptics was higher in culture broth than on solid media. Oligotrophic medium showed a higher recovery efficiency than TSA or TSB for the detection of 20 BCC samples. Results from multiple comparisons allowed us to directly identify significant differences between TSA or TSB and oligotrophic media. An oligotrophic medium pre-enrichment resuscitation step is offered for the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) proposed compendial test method for BCC detection.

Effects of Bacillus-based probiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of weaned pigs

  • Mun, Daye;Kyoung, Hyunjin;Kong, Myunghwan;Ryu, Sangdon;Jang, Ki Beom;Baek, Jangryeol;Park, Kyeong Il;Song, Minho;Kim, Younghoon
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.63 no.6
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    • pp.1314-1327
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    • 2021
  • Bacillus is characterized by the formation of spores in harsh environments, which makes it suitable for use as a probiotic for feed because of thermostability and high survival rate, even under long-term storage. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus-based probiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, immune response, and intestinal microbiota of weaned pigs. A total of 40 weaned pigs (7.01 ± 0.86 kg body weight [BW]; 28 d old) were randomly assigned to two treatments (4 pigs/pen; 5 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (block = BW and sex). The dietary treatment was either a typical nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) or CON supplemented with 0.01% probiotics containing a mixture of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis (PRO). Fecal samples were collected daily by rectal palpation for the last 3 days after a 4-day adaptation. Blood, ileal digesta, and intestinal tissue samples were collected from one pig in each pen at the respective time points. The PRO group did not affect the feed efficiency, but the average daily gain was significantly improved (p < 0.05). The PRO group showed a trend of improved crude protein digestibility (p < 0.10). The serum transforming growth factor-β1 level tended to be higher (p < 0.10) in the PRO group on days 7 and 14. There was no difference in phylum level of the intestinal microbiota, but there were differences in genus composition and proportions. However, β-diversity analysis showed no statistical differences between the CON and the PRO groups. Taken together, Bacillus-based probiotics had beneficial effects on the growth performance, immune system, and intestinal microbiota of weaned pigs, suggesting that Bacillus can be utilized as a functional probiotic for weaned pigs.

Study on the Crack and Thermal Degradation of GFRP for UPE Gelcoat Coated Underground Pipes Under the High Temperature Water-Immersion Environment (고온 수침 환경에서 UPE 겔코트 코팅된 지중 매설 파이프용 GFRP의 열화 및 크랙 발생 특성에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Daehoon;Eom, Jaewon;Ko, Youngjong;Lee, Kang-Il
    • Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.169-177
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    • 2018
  • Glass fiber reinforced polyester (GFRP) composites are widely used as structural materials in harsh environment such as underground pipes, tanks and boat hulls, which requires long-term water resistance. Especially, these materials might be damaged due to delamination between gelcoat and composites through an osmotic process when they are immersed in water. In this study, GFRP laminates were prepared by surface treatment of UPE (unsaturated polyester) gelcoat by vacuum infusion process to improve the durability of composite materials used in underground pipes. The composite surface coated with gelcoat was examined for surface defects, cracking, and hardness change characteristics in water-immersion environments (different temperatures of $60^{\circ}C$, $75^{\circ}C$, and $85^{\circ}C$). The penetration depth of cracks was investigated by micro CT imaging according to water immersion temperature. It was confirmed that cracks developed into the composites material at $75^{\circ}C$ and $85^{\circ}C$ causing loss of durability of the materials. The point at which the initial crack initiated was defined as the failure time and the life expectancy at $23^{\circ}C$ was measured using the Arrhenius equation. The results from this study is expected to be applied to reliability evaluation of various industrial fields where gelcoat is applied such as civil engineering, construction, and marine industry.

Explorative Corporate Entrepreneurship : Case Study on Samsung C-Lab (탐색적 사내 기업가정신 : 삼성전자 C-Lab 사례 연구)

  • Hwang, Seonho;Shin, Juneseuk
    • Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.1101-1126
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    • 2018
  • As incipient organizations progress from formation to become larger entities, the procedures and rules that provided managerial and structural advantages in having established the organizations and promoting the growth impede the innovation and creativity vital to maintain the competitive advantage. Adopting Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE), large corporations have tried to overcome the dilemma and to sustain the innovation and creativity in order to effectively cope with harsh competitive realities. Recently, some advanced corporations are trying to enhance CE by setting up an internal venture program as a seed organization for CE. By making an in-depth analysis of the internal venture program, 'C-Lab' of Samsung that is promoting CE-related characteristics for enhancing CE, we attempt to shed light on (1) what kinds of environments should be built around the seed organization for CE (2) what are the major characteristics that should be promoted through the seed organization in relation to CE (3) What kinds of achievements can be made from the promoted characteristics (4) How the characteristics are spread over the entire organization. Based on the analysis, we suggest a generalized process in which CE can be enhanced. Since different approaches should be taken for managing the seed organization and spreading the characteristics depending on the strengths and weaknesses of a corporation, there must be the step, 'evaluation of corporate internal capabilities' in the process. We believe that each corporation can enhance CE by taking advantage of the process with reference to the C-Lab case study.

Analysis and Investigation of International(UIC, EN, IEC) and Domestic Standards(Test Methods) for Climatic Wind Tunnel Test of Rolling Stock (철도차량 기후환경시험을 위한 국제 규격(UIC, EN, IEC) 및 국내 규격(시험방법) 분석 및 고찰)

  • Jang, Yong-Jun;Chung, Jong-Duk;Lee, Jae-Cheon
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.21 no.12
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    • pp.782-789
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    • 2020
  • The demand for the development of rolling stock technology to maintain the best performance in various climatic environments has increased to expand the overseas market of rolling stock. In this study, international and domestic standards that must be applied to build a harsh climatic environment test system were investigated and compared. The way of improvement for domestic standards is proposed. The wind velocities and temperatures are specified in the UIC, EN, and IEC standards for climatic wind tunnel, and EN 50125-1 provides the velocity test up to 180km/h, the largest wind speed. UIC and EN provide the lowest temperature of -45℃, and IEC 62498-1 provides the highest temperature 55℃. The solar radiation test was specified up to 1200W/m2 in the UIC, EN, and IEC. The IEC, EN, and KS R 9145 provide the water tightness standards, which are different from each other in water capacity, pressure, and methods. The snow test method was not well specified. KRTS-VE-Part 31 provides pressurization test methods. The airtightness standards for high-speed rolling stock are defined and regulated for internal pressure change rate in UIC 660 and 779-11. The domestic standard for the wind tunnel test was not well prepared, and the solar radiation test and snow test do not exist in Korea. Therefore, it is necessary to improve domestic standards to an international level for the climatic wind tunnel test of rolling stock.

Design of Submarine Cable for Capacity Extension of Power Line (전력선 용량증대를 위한 해저케이블 설계)

  • Son, Hong-Chul;Moon, Chae-Joo;Kim, Dong-Sub
    • The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.77-84
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    • 2022
  • A submarine power cable is a transmission cable for carrying electric power below the surface of the water. Recently, submarine cables transfer power from offshore renewable energy schemes to shore, e.g. wind, wave and tidal systems, and these cables are either buried in the seabed or lie on the ocean floor, depending on their location. Since these power cables are used in the extreme environments, they are made to withstand in harsh conditions and temperatures, and strong currents. However, undersea conditions are severe enough to cause all sorts of damage to offshore cables, these conditions result in cable faults that disrupt power transmission. In this paper, we explore the design criteria for such cables and the procedures and challenges of installation, and cable transfer splicing system. The specification of submarine cable designed with 3 circuits of 154kV which is composed of the existing single circuit and new double circuits, and power capacity of 100MVA per cable line. The determination of new submarine cable burial depth and cable arrangement method with both existing and new cables are studied. We have calculated the permission values of cable power capacity for underground route, the values show the over 100MW per cable line.

A Preliminary Study on the Ethnic Identities of the Karen People in Myanmar (미얀마 카렌족(Karen)의 종족정체성에 관한 시론적 연구)

  • KIM, In Ah
    • SUVANNABHUMI
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.29-51
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    • 2010
  • The diversity of Southeast Asia can be also represented at the tremendous number of ethnic groups residing throughout its various regions even beyond national boundaries. What does it mean by the composite of numerous peoples? It has triggered a lot of problems in a nation or overall Southeast Asia. Among them, the most serious one seems to be ethnic conflicts having damaged national integration and caused political, economical, and social instability. In that respect, Karen people have been a minority group situated in the most chronic dispute in Myanmar. Since 1947 some of the Karen equipped with armed forces have been fighting against the military government currently ruling Myanmar. As the result, the refugees over 200,000 population had moved to the mountain camps located at neighboring Thailand, attracting a lot of attention throughout international societies. According to 1931 census by British colonial government, the Karen have the greatest numbers in population as minority and include 16 subgroups including Karenni(Kayah) and Pa-O seemingly excluded from its category in contemporary point of view. It means that Karen people should not be regarded as an ethnic group, and in fact do not show a homogeneous identity under the title of Karen. Given the situation, we need to reconsider the category of Karen. What does the Karen mean in a real sense? Previous studies on the Karen had been performed mainly by anthropologists or missionaries such as Marshall(1922), Hamilton (1976), Hanson Tadaw(1959), Smeaton(1920), Keyes(1979), Hayami (1992; 2004), etc. Most of them examined the Karen as a group and ignored the possibilities of representing the divergent identities vis-à-vis their subgroups. Therefore, they have focused on the myth to convert Karen people to Christianity, although the Christian Karens are less than 20% of total population. As a result, I argue that they would fail to define the real meaning of Karen. It has been caused us to recognize the Karen as a meaningless total entity to be accepted by all means. According to their arguments, the difference among Karen's subgroups is just dealt with the trivial matters that do not affect the ethnic boundary itself, still maintaining the ethnic identity as Karen. As we shall see on this thesis, this is never the case. My thesis aims at uncovering and scrutinizing the real meaning of the category of Karen. For the purpose of it, I will consider Karen people as a linguistic group from the beginning as shown in 1931 census. I argue that the Karen have been affected or exposed by various conditions or environments throughout the harsh history having happened on the areas of current Myanmar and Thailand, leading the vicissitudes of their ethnic identities.

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Screening of salt-tolerance plants using transgenic Arabidopsis that express a salt cress cDNA library (Salt cress 유전자의 형질전환을 통한 내염성 식물체 선별)

  • Baek, Dongwon;Choi, Wonkyun;Kang, Songhwa;Shin, Gilok;Park, Su Jung;Kim, Chanmin;Park, Hyeong Cheol;Yun, Dae-Jin
    • Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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    • v.41 no.2
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    • pp.81-88
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    • 2014
  • Salt cress (Thellungiella halophila or Thellungiella parvula), species closely related to Arabidopsis thaliana, represents an extremophile adapted to harsh saline environments. To isolate salt-tolerance genes from this species, we constructed a cDNA library from roots and leaves of salt cress plants treated with 200 mM NaCl. This cDNA library was subsequently shuttled into the destination binary vector [driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter] designed for plant transformation and expression via recombination- assisted cloning. In total, 305,400 pools of transgenic BASTA-resistant lines were generated in Arabidopsis using either T. halophila or T. parvula cDNA libraries. These were used for functional screening of genes involved in salt tolerance. Among these pools, 168,500 pools were used for primary screening to date from which 7,157 lines showed apparent salt tolerant-phenotypes in the initial screen. A secondary screen has now identified 165 salt tolerant transgenic lines using 1,551 (10.6%) lines that emerged in the first screen. The prevalent phenotype in these lines includes accelerated seed germination often accompanied by faster root growth compared to WT Arabidopsis under salt stress condition. In addition, other lines showed non-typical development of stems and flowers compared to WT Arabidopsis. Based on the close relationship of the tolerant species to the target species we suggest this approach as an appropriate method for the large-scale identification of salt tolerance genes from salt cress.

The Study on the Height Characteristics of Abies Nephrolepis Community in South Korea - In the Case of Seorak·Odae·Taebaek National Park - (우리나라 분비나무의 수고 특성 연구 - 설악·오대·태백산국립공원을 대상으로 -)

  • Jin-Won Kim;Ho-Young Lee;Young-Moon Chun;Choong-Hyeon Oh
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.169-177
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    • 2024
  • This study investigated whether population dynamic analysis based on the height characteristics of Abies nephrolepis was feasible. It was necessary because existing population dynamic analyses based on age and diameter at breast height (DBH) made it difficult to reflect the slow growth characteristics of Abies nephrolepis in harsh environments of high altitudes. The limitations of population dynamics analysis based on the age and DBH distribution of Abies nephrolepis in Seoraksan, Odaesan, and Taebaeksan National Parks, where Abies nephrolepis populations are representative, were verified, and the characteristics of height growth were investigated to comprehensively analyze whether a vertical structure based on height could reveal the population dynamics. The result of this study showed some limitations in understanding the population dynamics of Abies nephrolepis based on age distribution due to practical difficulties in sampling all trees and variations in age distribution within the same community depending on factors such as light conditions. Moreover, it was challenging to differentiate the distribution of DBH classes at fine levels, making it difficult to reflect the rapid growth characteristics of Abies nephrolepis when light conditions become suitable after prolonged stays in smaller DBH classes under shade conditions. However, a comprehensive analysis of the height characteristics of Abies nephrolepis revealed that the density corresponding to the population dynamic characteristics of Abies was high and adequately reflected the predominant tree death at similar height stages, as well as the U-shaped population dynamics at the lower stratum. Moreover, it was possible to identify a transition point in height values under shaded conditions, where the annual growth of Abies nephrolepis individuals in the lower stratum increases significantly, indicating that Abies nephrolepis individuals can escape from competition with other shrubs and undergo vigorous growth only at this height level. Therefore, this study confirmed that a vertical structure based on height can be utilized to understand the population dynamics of Abies nephrolepis in high altitudes, and it is expected that future studies on height characteristics can intuitively reveal the maintenance status of Abies nephrolepis populations in the field.