• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.88-96
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to clarify effects of long term, low-level monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure (MAHs) such as styrene, toluene and xylene on physiological levels of epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NEP) and these hormones influences diagnosis indices of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: Blood pressure and serum biochemical parameters were measured using digital sphygmomanometer and autochemical analyzer. EP and NEP were analyzed by using ELISA kit and exposure level of MAHs was measured by NIOSH method. Results: The differences of general characteristics such as age, smoking and drinking habits in both groups were not significantly different except working hours per day. In exposed workers, exposure levels of MAHs showed very low concentrations. Serum HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in exposed group, but concentration of NEP was significantly higher in control group. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the diagnosis indices of MetS, EP was WC (OR=0.970), NEP was blood pressure (OR=1.002) and MAHs exposure were significantly associated with HDL-cholesterol (OR=0.257), fasting glucose (OR=3.028) and MetS (OR=0.372). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the chronic exposure of low level MAHs maycontribute to glucose metabolism and induction of MetS. And also, changes of EP and NEP levels by exposure of MAHs affect blood pressure.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study compared the effect of the muscle energy technique (MET) and stretching technique on ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, balance, and gait ability of stroke patients with limited ankle dorsiflexion. METHODS: Forty-four post-stroke patients participated. The participants were randomized into the MET group (METG; n = 22) and the stretching group (STG; n = 22). The METG was subjected to the MET to relax the dorsiflexion, while the STG was subjected to the dorsiflexion stretching technique. Both groups completed standard neurological physical therapy for 30 min per session. The intervention was conducted five times a week over 3 weeks for a total of 15 times. All participants underwent ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion measurement and Berg Balance Scale score determination and completed a 10-m walking test and the timed up and go test before and after the intervention. RESULTS: After the 3-week intervention, both groups showed significant improvement after the intervention (p < .05). METG participants showed greater improvements in ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion and 10-m walking test results compared to STG participants (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Both interventions improved ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Moreover, the MET was superior to ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion on the 10-m walking test.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2024

Obesity and overweight pose a significant public health problem, as they are associated with an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Several studies have shown that diet quality is associated with the development of MetS risk factors. Analyzing dietary patterns may be more helpful in determining the relationship between eating habits and chronic diseases compared to focusing on single foods or nutrients. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the association of food quality score (FQS) with risk factors for MetS in individuals with obesity and overweight. The participants in this cross-sectional study were 340 adults with overweight and obesity. Participants' food intake was measured using a Food Frequency Questionnaire, then the FQS was calculated. A fasting blood sample assessed serum glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and serum insulin levels. Fat-free mass, height, basal metabolic rate, socio-economic score, and waist-to-hip ratio significantly differed among FQS tertiles. TC, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose were significantly lower in the highest tertile of FQS. After multivariable adjustment, our results showed that individuals in the third tertile of FQS had reduced risk of higher levels of TC (odds ratio [OR], 0.982; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.970-0.984) and higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR, 0.974; 95% CI, 0.974-0.999). Our findings demonstrate an inverse relationship between diet quality, as measured by FQS, and MetS risk factors. However, further experimental and longitudinal investigations are warranted to elucidate the causal nature of this association.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 1999

The bioleaching of heavy metals from fly ash was performed by Thiobacillus thiooxidans MET isolated from the enrichment culture of an anaerobically digested sludge. The effect of solid concentrations on the efficiency of metal leaching was studied in shaken flasks. In the range of solid concentrations 20 g.L­$^1$to 100 g.L­$^1$T. thiooxidans MET oxidized S$^{0}$ to sulfate without any lag period. The final pH of slurry solution was decreased to below pH 1, and the final oxide-redox potential (ORP) was increased to over 420 mV in the solid concentrations below 100 g.L­$^1$. However, the initial lag period of 4 to 8 days was required to obtain the pH reduction and ORP increase of the slurry solutions in the range of solid concentrations 150 g.L­$^1$to 300 g.L­$^1$. The sulfur oxidation rate of T. thiooxidans MET in 20~100 g.L­$^1$solid concentrations was 0.70~0.75 g-S.L­$^1$ㆍ d­$^1$, but its sulfur oxidation activity was remarkably inhibited with increasing solid concentration over 150 g.L­$^1$. Increasing fly ash solids concentration in the range of solids concentration 20 g.L­$^1$ to 200 g.L­$^1$decreased the removal efficiency of Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr and Pb. The solubilization of heavy metals from fly ash was strongly correlated with the pH value of slurry solution. When the pH of slurry solution was reduced to 3, the solubilization process of Zn, Cu and Mn started, and their solubilization efficiency of Zn, Cu and Mn was progressively increased below pH 2. However, the solubilization process of Cr and Pb started at pH 2.5 and 2.0, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 1990

Intraspecific fusion frequency between Filobasidium capsuligenum CBS6122-2 ade and met trp or met strains was $2.9\times 10^{-3}$ and $8.5\times 10^{-3}$, respectively. And intergeneric fusion frequency between Folobadidium capsuligenum CBS 4318 (cys his) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 262-12-1 (hom3 thr1) or X2180-1A (ade thr) was $8.8\times 10^{-6}$ and $9.5\times 10^{-4}$, respectively. Nuclear fusion appears to occru in fusants between intraspecies and intergenera as strongly suggested by DNA content, nuclear staining, comparison of survival rate to UV light and mitotic segregation analysis. It was also found that $\alpha$-amylase and glucoamylase activity from intraspecific hybrids was 1.6-2.1 fold increased when compared with that from thier parents.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 1975

Free amino acids in extracts and total amino acids in hydrolysates of eleven species of edible mushrooms were analyzed by amino acid autoanalyzer (Technicon PNC-1 Type). All these 11 species of mushroom can be repesented for convenience sake as follows. S-1; Agaricus campestris Fr. S-2: Agaricus campestris S-3; Pholiota nameko(I. Ito) S. Ito et Imai S-4; Auricularia auricula-judae(Fr.) $Qu{\acute{e}}l$ S-5; Tremella fuciformis Berk. S-6; Tricholoma matsutake(S. Ito et Imai) Sing. S-7; Pleurotus ostreatus Fr. $Qu{\acute{e}}l$ S-8; Lentinus edodes Berk Sing. S-9; Ramaria botrytis (Pers.) Ricken S-10; Coprinus comatus(Fr.) S.F, Gray S-11; Gyrophora esculenta The results obtained from this study are as follows. 1) 17 kinds of amino acid, including 7 kinds of essential amino acid in human nutrition except tryptophan were identified and quantified. 2) Of all free amino acids contained in mushrooms, glutamic acid is the richest, and then comes Ala, Thr, Pro and Lys in that order. There were no found Cys'and His in S-9;His in S-1; Met and Arg in S-11; Cys and Met in S-5;Pro, Cys, Met, Lys and Arg in S-4. Of all total amino acids which are closely related with nutritional valuation, glutamic acid is the richest, and then comes Asp, Ala, Arg, Leu, Thr, Gly in that order. Especially S-1 and S-2 contain high quantity $o{\acute{i}}$ proline in both free and total amino acids. 3) Cotents of ammonia in extracts of mushrooms in decreasing order in S-1, S-10, S-8, S-2, S-7, S-6, and S-2, S-6, S-8, S-9, S-1 in hydrolysates of mushrooms. 4) Gross Contents of free amino acid in extracts is high in decreasing order in S-10, S-1, S-7, S-6, S-8, and total amino acid in hydrolysates is high in S-10, S-2, S-2, S-8, S-1, S-9, S-6. 5) Besides 17 kinds of amino acid, 5 kinds of unknown amino acid are found in extracts and hydrolysates.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.285-291
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• 2009

The aim of the present study was undertaken to investigate the association between diagnostic indices of metabolic syndrome(MetS) with carotid intima-media thickness using ultrasonography. The participants in the study were 315 male employees without carotid atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular disease. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. Written informed consent for the participants in this study was obtained from all individuals. Anthropometric parameters and biochemical characteristics were done using each specific equipments and the NCEP-ATP III criteria were used to define MetS. They were examined by B-mode ultrasound to measure the carotid intima-media thickness(carotid IMT) at the near and far walls of common carotid and bifurcation(bulb). The mean carotid IMT was $0.739{\pm}0.137\;mm$ and it's thickness significantly increased with the increase in age. Also, amounts of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride and fasting glucose were significantly increased with the increase in age. Carotid IMT were significantly correlated with BMI(r=0.170, p=0.004), systolic(r=0.148, p=0.011) and diastolic blood pressure(r=0.123, p=0.036) and HDL-cholesterol(r=-0.164, p=0.005). On multiple logistic regression analysis for the diagnostic indices of MetS, carotid IMT were significantly associated with blood pressure(OR=4.220, p<0.01) and MetS(OR=1.301, p<0.05). The results indicate that blood pressure and MetS are important risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Cu-sulfate, Cu-methionine chelate (Cu-Met) and Cu-soy proteinate (Cu-SP) on the performance, blood parameters and mineral contents of muscle. It was conducted with a total of 1,000 one d old broilers chickens (Ross$^{(R)}$) which were assigned to four dietary treatments; Control, Cu sulfate (200 ppm Cu as $CuSO_4{\cdot}5H_2O$), Cu-Met (200 ppm Cu as Cu-methionine chelate), Cu-SP (200 ppm Cu as Cu-soy proteinate). There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in weight gain. Weight gain of Cu treated groups were higher than the control during 3~5 wk. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in feed intake during 0~3 wk. Cu-Met was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control but the differences among Cu treatments were not significant. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments in feed conversion rate (FCR). Cu treated groups were lower than the control during the whole period. Production efficiency factor (PEF) was significantly higher (p<0.01) in Cu treated groups than the control. Nutrient availabilities of diets were not significantly different among the treatments. The count of white blood cell (WBC) and eosinophil (EO) were lower in Cu-SP treatment than in the control. Copper concentration in the liver was significantly (p<0.01) higher in Cu treated groups than the control. Zinc concentration in the breast and wing muscle was lower in Cu treated and that of leg muscle was higher in Cu-Met than the control. The result of this experiment showed that Cu supplementation at the level of 200 ppm as Cu sulfate, Cu-Met and Cu-SP improves weight gain (4~5 wk), FCR and PEF. Differences among Cu sources were not significant.

• MALSORI
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• no.67
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• pp.195-216
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• 2008

This paper addresses the problem of single-channel speech separation to extract the speech signal uttered by the speaker of interest from a mixture of speech signals. We propose to apply time-frequency smoothing to the existing statistical single-channel speech separation algorithms: The soft mask and the minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE) algorithms. In the proposed method, we use the two smoothing later. One is the uniform mask filter whose filter length is uniform at the time-Sequency domain, and the other is the met-scale filter whose filter length is met-scaled at the time domain. In our speech separation experiments, the uniform mask filter improves speaker-to-interference ratio (SIR) by 2.1dB and 1dB for the soft mask algorithm and the MMSE algorithm, respectively, whereas the mel-scale filter achieves 1.1dB and 0.8dB for the same algorithms.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

Six models of operator seat supplied to local tractor manufacturers were tested in the laboratory in accordance with ISO 5007 and 78/764/EEC. No models out of the six met the allowable damping and transmissibility performance criteria of both ISO 5007 and 78/764/EEC. From the ISO criterion standpoint, one model failed in damping performance and 4 models in isolation performance. From the 78/764/EEC criterion standpoint, 4 models failed in damping performance and 4 models in isolation performance. However none of them failed in all of the criteria, either. Each model met the one acceptance criterion but failed in another. This indicated that operator seat must be improved to meet the current ISO 5007 or 78/764/EEC and the exposure limit value that will be enforced in EU tractor market from 2014 by EU Directive 2002/44 EC.