• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.79-95
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• 2017

A number of field studies have provided evidence that biomass burning is one of the major global sources of atmospheric particles. In this study, we have collected $PM_{2.5}$ emitted from biomass burning combusted at open burning and laboratory chamber situations. The open burning experiment was conducted with the cooperation of 9 farmers in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, while the chamber experiment was designed to evaluate the characteristics of chemical components among 14 different plant species. The analyzed categories were $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentration, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), ionic components ($Na^+$, ${NH_4}^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$, $Cl^-$, ${NO_3}^-$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), water-insoluble inorganic carbon (WIOC), char-EC and soot-EC. OC was the dominant chemical component, accounting for the major fraction of primary $PM_{2.5}$ derived from biomass burning, followed by EC. Ionic components contributed a small portion of $PM_{2.5}$, as well as that of $K^+$. In some cases, $K^+$ is used as biomass burning tracer; however, the observations obtained in this study suggest that $K^+$ may not always be suitable as a tracer for biomass burning emissions. Also, the results of all the samples tested indicate relatively low values of char-EC compared to soot-EC. From our results, careful consideration should be given to the usage of $K^+$ and char-EC as indicators of biomass burning. The calculated ratios of WSOC/OC and WIOC/OC were 55.7% and 44.3% on average for all samples, which showed no large difference between them. The organic materials to OC ratio, which is often used for chemical mass closure model, was roughly estimated by two independent methods, resulting in a factor of 1.7 for biomass burning emissions.

• The Journal of Economics, Marketing and Management
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.29-38
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• 2017

Organizational commitment (OC) is one of the most important attitudes and/or organizational variables. It is one of the important factors for increasing organizational performance and consequently it has a significant impact on productivity enhancement. Study of behavior in the workplace due to the great importance of manpower compared to other resources within the organization is of great importance too. OC is a psychological state which represents kind of desire, a need and a requirement for continuing employment in an organization. It is considered as one of the most influential factors in getting success and competitive advantage in today's organizations. Investigating effect of financial and non-financial variables on financial performance for a long-term has engaged the minds of researchers. Intensification of competition in markets has increased importance of recognizing competitive advantage patterns and their effect on financial performance (FP).This research conducted to provide a better understanding for people as well as for aggregation of a research subject OC and FP is compared in Indian banking sector by taking sample of 2 public and two private banks the correlation between the OC and FP and the results included a positive and significant correlation. Desired FP to increase wealth is an essential and obvious issue. According to the issued subjects, today, commitments and their impact on FP of companies have become increasingly important. In Indian banks the correlation between the OC & FP were found significant.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.234-240
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• 2012

This study was conducted to examine the effects of low molecular weight gelatin hydrolysates (GH, less than 3kDa), extracted from pig skin collagen on the bone metabolism of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The rats in the experimental groups were randomly segregated into six different treatment groups such as 1) NC, the normal rat fed AIN 93 diet (basal diet) only; 2) OC, the OVX rat fed the basal diet only; 3) GH 0.1, the OVX rat fed the basal diet with 0.1% GH; 4) GH 0.8, the OVX rat fed the basal diet with 0.8% GH; 5) G 0.1, the OVX rat fed the basal diet with 0.1% gelatin; 6) G 0.8, the OVX rat fed the basal diet with 0.8% gelatin. Body weight gain in the GH 0.1, GH 0.8, and G 0.8 was significantly higher than those in the NC and OC. Feed intake of the GH 0.1 and GH 0.8 was higher than that of the NC and OC, while no significant difference was found in feed efficiency ratio (FER). BMD of the GH 0.8 was higher than that of the OC. However, gelatin hydrolysates and gelatin resulted in higher BMC level compare to the OC. Serum HDL-cholesterol of rat fed GH and gelatin was higher than that of OC (p<0.05). LDL-C of the GH 0.1 and the GH 0.8 tended to be less than that of OC. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of the GH 0.1 was lower than that of the OC. The serum of GH 0.8 showed lower osteocalcin value than the OC (p<0.05). In addition, GOT and GPT levels significantly decreased in all treatment groups. These results indicated that gelatin hydrolysates from pig skin gelatin hydrolysates enhanced BMD and serum biochemical parameters related to bone metabolism. Therefore, the gelatin hydrolysates could be used as a beneficial material to improve bone health.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.206-212
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• 1994

Aluminium titanate-mullite composites with varying chemical compositions were prepared by the stepwise hydrolysis of $Si(OC_2H_5)_4$, and $Ti(OC_2H_5)_4$in $AI_2O_3$ ethanolic colloidal dispersion. Sintered bodies having 20-50~01% mullite at $1600^{\circ}C$ for 2h have shown, that it is possible to develop an aluminium titanate with moderately high strength and low thermal expansion coefficient. This was obtained by inhibiting grain site of aluminium titanate with mullite and microcracks. Those with 80-70vol % aluminium titanate have excellent thermal shock resistance and has room-temperature strengths of 31-45MPa. The relation between thermal shock resistance and strength, Young's modulus, sound velocity and thermal expansion coefficient was discussed.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.61-69
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• 2005

Changes in pyrene binding by dissolved and kaolinite-associated humic substances (HS) due to HS adsorptive fractionation processes were examined using purified Aldrich humic acid (PAHA) at different pH (4, 7 and 9). Irrespective of solution pH, molecular weight (MW) fractionation occurred upon adsorption of PAHA onto kaolinite, resulting in the deviation of residual PAHA MW from the original MW prior to sorption. Variation in $K_{OC}$ by bulk PAHA was observed at different pH due to relative contributions of partitioning and size exclusion effects (i.e., specific interactions). For all pH conditions investigated, carbon-normalized pyrene binding coefficients for nonadsorbed, residual fractions $(K_{OC}(res))$ were different from the original dissolved PAHA $K_{OC}$ value $(K_{OC}(orig))$ prior to contact with the kaolinite suspensions. Positive correlations between pyrene $(K_{OC}(res))$ and weight-average molecular weight $(MW_W)$ for residual PAHA fractions were observed for pH 7 and 9. However, such a positive correlation was not found at pH 4 due to the absence of the dramatic fractionation observed for high pH conditions (i.e., exclusive fractionation with respect to higher MW), suggesting that actual MW distribution pattern is more important for sorption-fractionated HS than the composite MW value. For adsorbed PAHA, conformational changes of PAHA upon adsorption seem to be important for the extent of pyrene binding. At relatively high pH (7 and 9), lower extent of pyrene binding was observed for adsorbed PAHA versus nonadsorbed PAHA. The conformation effects were more pronounced at higher pH.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.91-104
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• 2019

In this study, hourly measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ and its major chemical constituents such as organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), and ionic species were made between January 15 and February 10, 2018 at the air pollution intensive monitering station in Gwangju. In addition, 24-hr integrated $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected at the same site and analyzed for OC, EC, water-soluble OC (WSOC), humic-like substance (HULIS), and ionic species. Over the whole study period, the organic aerosols (=$1.6{\times}OC$) and $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations contributed 26.6% and 21.0% to $PM_{2.5}$, respectively. OC and EC concentrations were mainly attributed to traffic emissions with some contribution from biomass burning emissions. Moreover, strong correlations of OC with WSOC, HULIS, and $NO_3{^-}$ suggest that some of the organic aerosols were likely formed through atmospheric oxidation processes of hydrocarbon compounds from traffic emissions. For the period between January 18 and 22 when $PM_{2.5}$ pollution episode occurred, concentrations of three secondary ionic species ($=SO{_4}^{2-}+NO_3{^-}+NH_4{^+}$) and organic matter contributed on average 50.8 and 20.1% of $PM_{2.5}$, respectively, with the highest contribution from $NO_3{^-}$. Synoptic charts, air mass backward trajectories, and local meteorological conditions supported that high $PM_{2.5}$ pollution was resulted from long-range transport of haze particles lingering over northeastern China, accumulation of local emissions, and local production of secondary aerosols. During the $PM_{2.5}$ pollution episode, enhanced $SO{_4}^{2-}$ was more due to the long-range transport of aerosol particles from China rather than local secondary production from $SO_2$. Increasing rate in $NO_3{^-}$ was substantially greater than $NO_2$ and $SO{_4}^{2-}$ increasing rates, suggesting that the increased concentration of $NO_3{^-}$ during the pollution episode was attributed to enhanced formation of local $NO_3{^-}$ through heterogenous reactions of $NO_2$, rather than impact by long-range transportation from China.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.9
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of a glide-path on the shaping ability of 2 single-file instruments and to compare the centering ability, maintenance of original canal curvatures and area of instrumentation in simulated S-shaped root canals. Materials and Methods: Forty simulated S-shaped root canals were used and were prepared with One Curve (group OC), One G and OC (group GOC), Reciproc Blue (group RB) and R-Pilot and RB (group PRB) and scanned before and after instrumentation. The images were analyzed using AutoCAD. After superimposing the samples, 4 levels (D1, D2, D3, and D4) and 2 angles (Δ1 and Δ2) were established to evaluate the centering ability and modification of the canal curvatures. Then, the area of instrumentation (ΔA) was measured. The data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons (p < 0.05). Results: Regarding the centering ability in the apical part (D3, D4), the use of the glide-path yielded better results than the single-file groups. Among the groups at D4, OC showed the worst results (p < 0.05). The OC system removed less material (ΔA) than the RB system, and for Δ1, OC yielded a worse result than RB (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The glide-path improved the centering ability in the apical part of the simulated S-shaped canals. The RB system showed a better centering ability in the apical part and major respect of the canal curvatures compared with OC system.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.222-228
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA; Dentsply, Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA), which is widely used as root-end filling material, with DiaRoot BioAggregate (DB; Innovative BioCaramix Inc, Vancouver, BC, Canada), newly developed product, by using MG63 osteoblast-like cells. MTA, DB, and Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM; Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE, USA) were used for root-end filling material while tissue culture plastic was used for control group. Each material was mixed and, the mixtures were left to set for 24 hours. MG63 cells were seeded to each group and then they were cultured for attachment for 4 hours. Following the attachment of cells to the root-end filling material, early cellular response was observed. After another 12 hours'culture, the level of attachment between cells and material was observed and in order to identify the effect of each material to bone formation, transforming growth factor beta1 ($TGF{\beta}1$) and osteocalin (OC) were estimated by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the amount of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was also measured. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. As a result, only at OC and the number of cells which were attached to materials, there was no statistical difference between MTA and DB. At other items, there was statistically significant difference in all groups. Although DB has not shown exactly the same cellular response like that of MTA, the number of attached cells shows that biocompatibility of the material and OC indicates bone formation rate. Therefore, if DB is used for root end filling material, it is expected to lead to similar results to MTA.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.37 no.6C
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• pp.476-482
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• 2012

In this paper, we analyze and compare several co-channel interference mitigation algorithms for WBAN application in 2.4 GHz ISM frequency bands. ML (Maximum Likelihood), OC (Optimal Combining) and MMSE (Minimum Mean Square Error) has been considered for the possible techniques for interference cancellation in view of the trade off between the performance and the complexity of implementation. Based on the channel model of IEEE 802.15.6 standard, simulation results show that ML and OC attains the lower BER performance than that of MMSE if we assume the perfect channel estimation. But, ML and OC have the additional requirement of implementation for his own and other users's channel estimation process, hence, besides the BER performance, the complexity of implementation and the sensitivity to channel estimation error should be considered since it requires the simple and small sized equipment for WBAN system application. In addition, the gap of detection BER performance between ML, OC and MMSE is much decreased under the imperfect channel estimation if we adopt real channel estimation process, therefore, in order to apply to WBAN system, the trade off between the BER performance and complexity of implemetation should be seriously considered to decide the best co-channel interference cancellation for WBAN system application.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.63-67
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• 2010

The organic solar cells with Glass/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM/Al structure were fabricated using regioregular poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) polymer:(6,6)- phenyl $C_{61}$-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) fullerene polymer as the bulk hetero-junction layer. The P3HT and PCBM as the electron donor and acceptor materials were spin casted on the indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates. The optimum mixing concentration ratio of photovoltaic layer was found to be P3HT:PCBM = 4:4 in wt%, indicating that the short circuit current density ($J_{SC}$), open circuit voltage ($V_{OC}$), fill factor (FF) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) values were about 4.7 $mA/cm^2$, 0.48 V, 43.1% and 0.97%, respectively. To investigate the effects of the post annealing treatment, as prepared organic solar cells were post annealed at the treatment time range from 5min to 20min at $150^{\circ}C$. $J_{SC}$ and $V_{OC}$ increased with increasing the post annealing time from 5min to 15min, which may be originated from the improvement of the light absorption coefficient of P3HT and improved ohmic contact between photo voltaic layer and Al electrode. The maximum $J_{SC},\;V_{OC}$, FF and PCE values of organic solar cell, which was post annealed for 15min at $150^{\circ}C$, were found to be about 7.8 $mA/cm^2$, 0.55 V, 47% and 2.0%, respectively.