• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.3361-3394
• /
• 1974

The purpose of this thesis is to disclose some characteristics of water consumption in relation to the quantities of dry matters through the growing period for two statured varieties of paddy rice which are a tall statured variety and a short one, including the water consumption during seedling period, and to find out the various coefficients of evapotranspiration that are applicable for the water use of an expected yield of the two varieties. PAL-TAL, a tall statured variety, and TONG-lL, a short statured variety were chosen for this investigation. Experiments were performed in two consecutive periods, a seedling period and a paddy field period, In the investigation of seedling period, rectangular galvanized iron evapotranspirometers (91cm${\times}$85cm${\times}$65cm) were set up in a way of two levels (PAL-TAL and TONG-lL varieties) with two replications. A standard fertilization method was applied to all plots. In the experiment of paddy field period, evapotanspiration and evaporation were measured separately. For PAL-TAL variety, the evapotranspiration measurements of 43 plots of rectangular galvanized iron evapotranspirometer (91cm${\times}$85cm${\times}$65cm) and the evaporation measurements of 25 plots of rectangular galvanized iron evaporimeter (91cm${\times}$85cm${\times}$15cm) have been taken for seven years (1966 through 1972), and for TONG-IL variety, the evapotranspiration measurements of 19 plots and the evaporation measurements of 12 plots have been collected for two years (1971 through 1972) with five different fertilization levels. The results obtained from this investigation are summarized as follows: 1. Seedling period 1) The pan evaporation and evapotranspiration during seedling period were proved to have a highly significant correlation to solar radiation, sun shine hours and relative humidity. But they had no significant correlation to average temperature, wind velocity and atmospheric pressure, and were appeared to be negatively correlative to average temperature and wind velocity, and positively correlative to the atmospheric pressure, in a certain period. There was the highest significant correlation between the evapotranspiration and the pan evaporation, beyond all other meteorological factors considered. 2) The evapotranpiration and its coefficient for PAL-TAL variety were 194.5mm and 0.94∼1.21(1.05 in average) respectively, while those for TONG-lL variety were 182.8mm and 0.90∼1.10(0.99 in average) respectively. This indicates that the evapotranspiration for TONG-IL variety was 6.2% less than that for PAL-TAL variety during a seedling period. 3) The evapotranspiration ratio (the ratio of the evapotranspiration to the weight of dry matters) during the seedling period was 599 in average for PAL-TAL variety and 643 for TONG-IL variety. Therefore the ratio for TONG-IL was larger by 44 than that for PAL-TAL variety. 4) The K-values of Blaney and Criddle formula for PAL-TAL variety were 0.78∼1.06 (0.92 in average) and for TONG-lL variety 0.75∼0.97 (0.86 in average). 5) The evapotranspiration coefficient and the K-value of B1aney and Criddle formular for both PAL-TAL and TONG-lL varieties showed a tendency to be increasing, but the evapotranspiration ratio decreasing, with the increase in the weight of dry matters. 2. Paddy field period 1) Correlation between the pan evaporation and the meteorological factors and that between the evapotranspiration and the meteorological factors during paddy field period were almost same as that in case of the seedling period (Ref. to table IV-4 and table IV-5). 2) The plant height, in the same level of the weight of dry matters, for PAL-TAL variety was much larger than that for TONG-IL variety, and also the number of tillers per hill for PAL-TAL variety showed a trend to be larger than that for TONG-IL variety from about 40 days after transplanting. 3) Although there was a tendency that peak of leaf-area-index for TONG-IL variety was a little retarded than that for PAL-TAL variety, it appeared about 60∼80 days after transplanting. The peaks of the evapotranspiration coefficient and the weight of dry matters at each growth stage were overlapped at about the same time and especially in the later stage of growth, the leaf-area-index, the evapotranspiration coefficient and the weight of dry matters for TONG-IL variety showed a tendency to be larger then those for PAL-TAL variety. 4) The evaporation coefficient at each growth stage for TONG-IL and PAL-TALvarieties was decreased and increased with the increase and decrease in the leaf-area-index, and the evaporation coefficient of TONG-IL variety had a little larger value than that of PAL-TAL variety. 5) Meteorological factors (especially pan evaporation) had a considerable influence to the evapotranspiration, the evaporation and the transpiration. Under the same meteorological conditions, the evapotranspiration (ET) showed a increasing logarithmic function of the weight of dry matters (x), while the evaporation (EV) a decreasing logarithmic function of the weight of dry matters; 800kg/10a x 2000kg/10a, ET=al+bl logl0x (bl>0) EV=a2+b2 log10x (a2>0 b2<0) At the base of the weight of total dry matters, the evapotranspiration and the evaporation for TONG-IL variety were larger as much as 0.3∼2.5% and 7.5∼8.3% respectively than those of PAL-TAL variety, while the transpiration for PAL-TAL variety was larger as much as 1.9∼2.4% than that for TONG-IL variety on the contrary. At the base of the weight of rough rices the evapotranspiration and the transpiration for TONG-IL variety were less as much as 3.5% and 8.l∼16.9% respectively than those for PAL-TAL variety and the evaporation for TONG-IL was much larger by 11.6∼14.8% than that for PAL-TAL variety. 6) The evapotranspiration coefficient, the evaporation coefficient and the transpiration coefficient and the transpiration coefficient were affected by the weight of dry matters much more than by the meteorological conditions. The evapotranspiratioa coefficient (ETC) and the evaporation coefficient (EVC) can be related to the weight of dry matters (x) by the following equations: 800kg/10a x 2000kg/10a, ETC=a3+b3 logl0x (b3>0) EVC=a4+b4 log10x (a4>0, b4>0) At the base of the weights of dry matters, 800kg/10a∼2000kg/10a, the evapotranspiration coefficients for TONG-IL variety were 0.968∼1.474 and those for PAL-TAL variety, 0.939∼1.470, the evaporation coefficients for TONG-IL variety were 0.504∼0.331 and those for PAL-TAL variety, 0.469∼0.308, and the transpiration coefficients for TONG-IL variety were 0.464∼1.143 and those for PAL-TAL variety, 0.470∼1.162. 7) The evapotranspiration ratio, the evaporation ratio (the ratio of the evaporation to the weight of dry matters) and the transpiration ratio were highly affected by the meteorological conditions. And under the same meteorological condition, both the evapotranspiration ratio (ETR) and the evaporation ratio (EVR) showed to be a decreasing logarithmic function of the weight of dry matters (x) as follows: 800kg/10a x 2000kg/10a, ETR=a5+b5 logl0x (a5>0, b5<0) EVR=a6+b6 log10x (a6>0 b6<0) In comparison between TONG-IL and PAL-TAL varieties, at the base of the pan evaporation of 343mm and the weight of dry matters of 800∼2000kg/10a, the evapotranspiration ratios for TONG-IL variety were 413∼247, while those for PAL-TAL variety, 404∼250, the evaporation ratios for TONG-IL variety were 197∼38 while those for PAL-TAL variety, 182∼34, and the transpiration ratios for TONG-IL variety were 216∼209 while those for PAL-TAL variety, 222∼216 (Ref. to table IV-23, table IV-25 and table IV-26) 8) The accumulative values of evapotranspiration intensity and transpiration intensity for both PAL-TAL and TONG-IL varieties were almost constant in every climatic year without the affection of the weight of dry matters. Furthermore the evapotranspiration intensity appeared to have more stable at each growth stage. The peaks of the evapotranspiration intensity and transpiration intensity, for both TONG-IL and PAL-TAL varieties, appeared about 60∼70 days after transplanting, and the peak value of the former was 128.8${\pm}$0.7, for TONG-IL variety while that for PAL-TAL variety, 122.8${\pm}$0.3, and the peak value of the latter was 152.2${\pm}$1.0 for TONG-IL variety while that for PAL-TAL variety, 152.7${\pm}$1.9 (Ref.to table IV-27 and table IV-28) 9) The K-value in Blaney & Criddle formula was changed considerably by the meteorological condition (pan evaporation) and related to be a increasing logarithmic function of the weight of dry matters (x) for both PAL-TAL and TONG-L varieties as follows; 800kg/10a x 2000kg/10a, K=a7+b7 logl0x (b7>0) The K-value for TONG-IL variety was a little larger than that for PAL-TAL variety. 10) The peak values of the evapotranspiration coefficient and k-value at each growth stage for both TONG-IL and PAL-TAL varieties showed up about 60∼70 days after transplanting. The peak values of the former at the base of the weights of total dry matters, 800∼2000kg/10a, were 1.14∼1.82 for TONG-IL variety and 1.12∼1.80, for PAL-TAL variety, and at the base of the weights of rough rices, 400∼1000 kg/10a, were 1.11∼1.79 for TONG-IL variety and 1.17∼1.85 for PAL-TAL variety. The peak values of the latter, at the base of the weights of total dry matters, 800∼2000kg/10a, were 0.83∼1.39 for TONG-IL variety and 0.86∼1.36 for PAL-TAL variety and at the base of the weights of rough rices, 400∼1000kg/10a, 0.85∼1.38 for TONG-IL variety and 0.87∼1.40 for PAL-TAL variety (Ref. to table IV-18 and table IV-32) 11) The reasonable and practicable methods that are applicable for calculating the evapotranspiration of paddy rice in our country are to be followed the following priority a) Using the evapotranspiration coefficients based on an expected yield (Ref. to table IV-13 and table IV-18 or Fig. IV-13). b) Making use of the combination method of seasonal evapotranspiration coefficient and evapotranspiration intensity (Ref. to table IV-13 and table IV-27) c) Adopting the combination method of evapotranspiration ratio and evapotranspiration intensity, under the conditions of paddy field having a higher level of expected yield (Ref. to table IV-23 and table IV-27). d) Applying the k-values calculated by Blaney-Criddle formula. only within the limits of the drought year having the pan evaporation of about 450mm during paddy field period as the design year (Ref. to table IV-32 or Fig. IV-22).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.269-276
• /
• 2016

This study was conducted to determine the inactivation effects of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) on microorganisms attached to salted Chinese cabbage and food materials of kimchi, such as slice radish and green onion. In addition, changes in microbial and physicochemical quality of manufactured kimchi during storage at $4^{\circ}C$ for 4 weeks were investigated. Compared to the untreated control with tap water, total bacterial counts (TBC) of Chinese cabbage, slice radish, and green onion were reduced by 1.75, 1.68, and 1.03 log CFU/g at dipping times of 20 min, 5 min, and 10 min, respectively, upon treatment with 30 ppm SAEW at $40^{\circ}C$. Effect of microbial inhibition was higher in salted Chinese cabbage brined in 10% salt (w/v) of 30 pm SAEW at $40^{\circ}C$ than in untreated control with tap water, as indicated by 1.00 log CFU/g reduction. TBC of kimchi manufactured with materials treated with 30 ppm SAEW at $40^{\circ}C$ was not significantly affected compared to untreated control, although coliforms were remarkably reduced compared to the untreated control. At the beginning of storage (1 weeks), TBC and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts increased by approximately 9 and 7.66~8.18 log CFU/g, respectively, and coliforms were completely eliminated. The pH and acidity of kimchi at 2 weeks were 4.34~4.49 and 0.55~0.66%, respectively, and then slowly decreased. The texture (firmness) of kimchi decreased with storage time, but the difference was not significant. This combined treatment might be considered as a potentially beneficial sanitizing method for improving the quality and safety of kimchi.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.41 no.8
• /
• pp.1049-1056
• /
• 2012

The antioxidant activities and antibacterial activities of grape pomace fermented using a variety of useful microorganisms were analyzed. There were several experimental groups: the control, with non-fermented grape pomace; the BS group, fermented by Bacillus subtilis; the LP group, fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum; the LC group, fermented by L. casei; the CU group, fermented by Candida utilis; the Y1 group, fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CHY1011; the Y2 group, fermented by S. cerevisiae strain ZP 541; and the M group, fermented by a mixed strain culture of LP, LC, and CU. The yield of freeze-dried powder of fermented grape pomace by BS, LP, LC, CU, Y1, Y2, and M was 10.74%, 9.36%, 8.68%, 9.55%, 7.49%, 9.60%, and 9.71% w/w, respectively. The total polyphenol content of grape pomace showed the highest value in the control, but the fermented LP had higher total polyphenol content than those of other fermented grape pomace. The control and fermented LP had 0.16 mg/mL and 0.28 mg/mL as $IC_{50}$ values on DPPH radical scavenging, and 0.22 mg/mL and 0.53 mg/mL of ABTS radical scavenging activity, respectively. The FRAP value (5 mg/mL) showed the highest value on fermented LP (2.44 mM) but did not show a significant difference in the control group (12.27 mM). The fermented LC showed the antimicrobial activities against B. cereus (11 mm), B. subtilis (11 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (12 mm), Escherichia coli (12 mm), Enterobacter cloacae (10.5 mm), Salmonella enterica (11.5 mm), and Pseudomonas aerugionsa (11 mm) at 5 mg/disc, but the control and other fermented grape pomace did not show antimicrobial activities. Thus, fermented grape pomace by LC is shown to be producing a material that has antibacterial activity. In conclusion, grape pomace fermentation using various lactic acid bacteria strains showed excellent effects in promoting the production of functional materials. Especially, using L. casei exhibited an increase in antibacterial activity, and using L. plantarum exhibited antioxidant activity.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.21-33
• /
• 2009

In this study, we investigated the effect of Rhei Rhizoma (RR; 大黃) water extract on gene expression in a hypoxia model of cultured rat hippocampal neurons. RR water extract $(2.5{\mu}g/ml)$ was added to the culture media on day 10 in vitro (DIV10), and a hypoxic shock (2% $O_2$/5% $CO_2$, $37^{\circ}C$, 3 h) was given on DIV13. After maintaining the cultures in normoxia for 24 hr, total RNA was isolated and used for microarray analysis. The MA-plot indicated that most genes were up- or downregulated within 2-fold. There were more downregulated genes (725 ea) than upregulated ones (472 ea) when larger than Global M value 0.2 (i.e., >15% increase) or smaller than Global M value -0.2 (i.e., >15% decrease) were considered. Antiapoptosis genes such as Tegt (2.4-fold), Nfkb1 (2.4-fold) Veg (1.8-fold), Ngfr (1.6-fold) were upregulated, while pro-apoptosis genes such as Bad (-64%), Cstb (-66%) were downregulated. Genes for combating environmental stress (stress response genes) such as Defb3 (2.7-fold), Cygb (2.2-fold), Ahsg (2.18-fold), Alox5 (2-fold) were upregulated. Genes for cell proliferation (cell cycle-related genes) such as Erbb2 (1.84-fold), Mapk12 gene (1.8-fold) was upregulated. Therefore, RR water extracts upregulate many pro-survival genes while downregulating many pro-death genes. It is interpreted that these genes, in combination with other regulated genes, can promote neuronal survival in a stress such as hypoxia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.1253-1259
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of green tea catechin on change of bone tissue in long-term cadmium treated rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100$\pm$10 g were randomly assigned to one normal group and three cadmium treated groups. Cadmium groups were classified to catechin free diet group (Cd-0C group), 0.25% catechin diet group (Cd-0.25C group) and 0.5% catechin diet group (Cd-0.5C group) according to the levels of catechin supplement. Animals were raised for 20 weeks. Cadmium were supplied as drinking water of 50 ppm Cd$^{2+}$. Effects of catechin were analyzed on changes of bony tissue in long-term cadmium treated rats by determining the accumulated cadmium in bone and bone mineral density and micro- photographs of bony tissue. The cadmium accumulation of tibia and femur were higher in Cd-treated groups than in normal group, but they was lowered by catechin supplementation. The bone mineral density (BMD) of tibia and femur in Cd-0C group was significantly lower than in normal group, but it of catechin supplemetation group was similar to normal group. Microphological changers were appeared under a light microscope and an electro microscope reveal no structural changes in bony spicules, marrow cell distribution and cellular morphology in all groups. The bone weight and length tend to decrease in Cd-0C groups. Catechin supplementation in long-term cadmium treated rats depressed the cadmium accumulation in bony tissue that led to improve the bone mineral density in tibia and femur.r.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.27 no.1 s.88
• /
• pp.10-14
• /
• 1999

A single phase composter was constructed by modifying the conventional mixer of sawdust for the cultivation of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. The machine was designed on the basis of 3-phase-1 system which was controlled in prewetting, pasteurization and fermentation processes. In composting 200 kg of straw and cotton waste in the machine, it took 20 minutes in prewetting step and also to hours at $65^{\circ}C$ in pasteurization process. Postfermentation by aerothermophiles was completed by treating the compost at $45^{\circ}C-50^{\circ}C$ for 48 hours which was shorten 24 hours from the conventional method. In the postfermentation at high temperature, forced aeration and/or vigorous mixing process(es) played a great role in the improvement of spawn quality. The growth of mycelium of oyster mushroom was excellent in the culture combinated with 3 parts of surface inoculation and 7 parts of mechanical mixing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.327-333
• /
• 1997

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Quercus acutissima CARRUTHERS extracts on lipid metabolism. Sprague-Dawley male rats$(110{\pm}10g)$ were fed on containing normal and high fat diets. They were orally administrated(0.02g/100g B.W.) of Quercus aculissima CARRUTHERS ethylacetate-extract and water-extract at the same time once a day respectively. The rats were sacrificed after 6 weeks of feeding periods. In high fat diet group, liver and heart weight were increased but kidney weight was decreased. Contents of total lipid, triglyceride and phospholipid were increased in high fat diet groups. But the degree of increment was reduced by administration of Quercus acutissima CARRUTHERS extracts and water extract was more effective. Significant decrease in serum total lipid content by administration Quercus acutissima CARRUTHERS extracts was not due to decrease of triglyceride content but total cholesterol content. Whereas HDL-cholesterol content was significantly decreased in high fat diet group and improved by administration of Quercus acutissima CARRUTHERS extracts. Total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol contents in liver were also increased in high fat diet group but phospholipid content was significantly decreased. The results indicate that Quercus acutissima CARRUTHERS extracts were effective in preventing hyperlipidemia and water extract was more effective.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.181-186
• /
• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementation with transgenic Bacillus subtilis secreting chitinase on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics and carcass traits in finishing pigs. A total of sixty-four pigs ($50.82{\pm}0.82kg$, average initial body weight) were assessed over a period of 84 days. Dietary treatments included: 1) CON (basal diet without antibiotics), 2) AD (basal diet + 0.1% Virginiamycin), 3) CD0.5 (basal diet + 0.5% transgenic B. subtilis), 4) CD1.0 (basal diet + 1.0% transgenic B. subtilis). Each dietary treatment had 4 replicates of 4 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. In terms of growth performance, the ADG (average daily gain) and gain/feed ratio were significantly increased with the CD1.0 diet compared to the AD diet during weeks 0-4 (p<0.05). During weeks 4-8, the ADG was significantly increased with the AD diet compared to the CON and CD0.5 diets (p<0.05). The ADFI was also significantly increased with the AD diet compared to the other diets (p<0.05). During weeks $8{\sim}12$, the ADFI was significantly increased with the CON diet compared to the other diets (p<0.05), and the gain/feed ratio was significantly increased with the CD0.5 and CD1.0 diets compared to the AD diet (p<0.05). Over the entire 84 day test period, the ADFI was significantly increased with the AD diet compared to the CD0.5 and CD1.0 diets (p<0.05). The gain/feed ratio was significantly increased with the CD0.5 and CD1.0 diets compared to the CON diet (p<0.05). In terms of meat color, the L value was significantly increased with the CD0.5 diet compared to the CON and AD diets (p<0.05), and the a value was significantly increased with the CON diet compared to the other diets (p<0.05). In terms of sensory evaluation, meat color was significantly improved with the CON, CD0.5 and CD1.0 diets compared to the AD diet (p<0.05). Marbling was significantly increased with the CON diet compared to the other diets (p<0.05). Firmness was significantly increased with the CD0.5 diet compared to the AD diet (p<0.05). In conclusion, supplementation with transformed B. subtilis secreting chitinase improved gain/feed ratios and influenced meat color. Thus, we suggest that transformed B. subtilis secreting chitinase can partially substitute for antibiotics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.41 no.7
• /
• pp.936-942
• /
• 2012

In the present study, the effects of green tea catechin on microsomal phospholipase $A_2$ ($PLA_2$) activity and the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade in the lungs of microwave exposed rats were investigated. One Sprague-Dawley male rats weighting $100{\pm}10$ g was randomly assigned to the normal group and three were assigned to the microwave exposed groups. The microwave exposed groups were subdivided into three groups according to the levels of dietary catechin supplementation: catechin free diet (MW) group, 0.25% catechin (MW-0.25C) group and 0.5% catechin (MW-0.5C) group. Rats were sacrificed on the 6th day after microwave irradiation (2.45 GHz, 15 min). The lung microsomal $PLA_2$ activity in the MW and MW-0.25C groups was 30% and 15% greater than that of the normal group, respectively, whereas no significant difference between the normal group and MW-0.5C group was observed. The percentage of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) hydrolyzed in the lung microsome in the MW, MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group increased by 47%, 18% and 20%, respectively, due to microwave irradiation. The formation of thromboxane $A_2$ ($TXA_2$) in the lung microsome was 50% greater in the MW group than in the normal group. However, the levels of $TXA_2$ in the MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group were normal. The formation of prostacyclin ($PGI_2$) in the lung microsome was 31% lower in the MW group than in the normal group, while the levels of $PGI_2$ in the MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group were similar to the normal group. The lung microsomal thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration, which can be used as an index of lipid peroxide was 34% greater in the MW group, when compared with the normal group. However, there was no difference between the MW-0.25C, MW-0.5C and normal groups. In conclusion, lung function appeared to be improved by green tea catechin supplementation due to its antithrombus action, which in turn controls the AA cascade system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.34 no.7
• /
• pp.973-979
• /
• 2005

To investigate the effect of Pinus densiflora on biochemical parameters in type I diabetic rats, we evaluated the changes of body weight, fasting blood glucose level, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and biochemical parameters after the intraperitoneal injection of distilled solution of Pinus densiflora in streptozotocin (STZ)­induced rats. Thirty-seven male Sprague Dawley rats $(180\pm10g)$ were divided into four groups; diabetic mellitus (DM) group received STZ (50 mg/kg BW, i.v.); low level of pine extract (LP) group received Pinus densiflora (5 mg/kg BW, i.p.), high level of pine extract (HP) group received Pinus densiflora (10 mg/kg BW, i.p.) after the single injection of STZ (50 mg/kg BW, i.v.), respectively. Normal control (NC) group received saline. The change of fasting blood glucose level and OGTT were measured using glucocard II, and the change of biochemical parameter were measured by Automatic Chemistry Analyzer (Hitach-747, Japan). Mean body weight change of DM group was retarded greatly by STZ-exposure. While, body weights of LP and HP groups were progressively increased with some fluctuation, although the increase rates were slower than that of NC group. Fasting blood glucose levels of LP and HP groups were reduced by Pinus densiflora injection, although the fasting blood glucose levels were higher than that of NC group. The results of OGTT was significantly improved in both of LP and HP group compared to DM group. Increases of blood glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels by STZ-exposure were attenuated by the Pinus densiflora treatment (p<0.05). From the results, it was suggested that Pinus densiflora has a tendency to decrease STZ-induced toxicity in terms of monitoring fasting blood glucose, OGTT and some biochemical parameters of rat.