• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.253-268
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• 2015

This paper investigates the influence of various mix design parameters on the characteristics of concrete containing recycled coarse aggregates and Nano-Silica using Taguchi method. The present study adopts Water-cement ratio, Recycled Coarse Aggregate (%), Maximum cement content and Nano-Silica (%) as factors with each one having three different levels. Using the above mentioned control parameters with levels an Orthogonal Array (OA) matrix experiments of L9 (34) has selected and nine number of concrete mixes has been prepared. Compressive Strength, Split Tensile Strength, Flexural Tensile Strength, Modulus of Elasticity and Non-Destructive parameters are selected as responses. Experimental results are analyzed and the optimum level for each response is predicted. Analysis of 28 days CS depicts that NS (%) is the most significant factor among all factors. Analysis of the tensile strength results indicates that the effect of control factor W/C ratio is ranked one and then NS (%) is ranked two which suggests that W/C ratio and NS (%) have more influence as compared to other two factors. However, the factor that affects the modulus of elasticity most is found to be RCA (%). Finally, validation experiments have been carried out with the optimal mixture of concrete with Nano-Silica for the desired engineering properties of recycled aggregate concrete. Moreover, the comparative study of the predicted and experimental results concludes that errors between both experimental and predicted values are within the permissible limits. This present study highlights the application of Taguchi method as an efficient tool in determining the effects of constituent materials in mix proportioning of concrete.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.413-418
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• 2016

Myostatin (MSTN) is a secreted growth factor expressed in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue that negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass. Gene knockout of MSTN can result in increasing muscle mass in sheep. The objectives were to investigate whether myostatin gene can be edited in sheep by transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) in tandem with single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides (ssODNs). We designed a pair of TALENs to target a highly conserved sequence in the coding region of the sheep MSTN gene. The activity of the TALENs was verified by using luciferase single-strand annealing reporter assay in HEK 293T cell line. Co-transfection of TALENs and ssODNs oligonucleotides induced precise gene editing of myostatin gene in sheep primary fibroblasts. MSTN gene-edited cells were successfully used as nuclear donors for generating cloned embryos. TALENs combined with ssDNA oligonucleotides provide a useful approach for precise gene modification in livestock animals.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2018

Intestinal parasitic infections remain a major public health problem in many parts of Thailand, particularly in rural areas. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors among the people living in Huai Sai sub-district, Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao Province, central Thailand. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from June 2017 to August 2017 which included a total of 224 participants. Stool samples were examined using a simple direct smear and formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique. Association between risk factors and intestinal parasitic infections was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 16.1%. Soil-transmitted helminth infections (14.3%) were more common than protozoan infections (1.8%). The most common intestinal parasites were hookworms (6.7%) followed by Strongyloides stercoralis, (5.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.3%) and Trichuris trichiura (1.3%). Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (1.0%), Giardia intestinalis (0.4%), and Blastocystis hominis (0.4%) were the protozoans identified. A high prevalence of infections was found in male participants of ${\geq}40years$ who raised dogs in the households and did not wear boots while working fields. Multivariate analysis showed a significant association of intestinal parasitic infections with gender with the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.4 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.1-5.2 (P=0.020). The results showed a high prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections among adults in rural communities which were particularly apparent regarding the skin-penetrating species of nematodes. A greater focus on intervention is required by improving sanitation and personal hygiene to prevent the spread of intestinal parasitic infections.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.106-110
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• 2011

In the patient who has intradural mass associated with spinal stenosis, if the operation for spinal stenosis is performed alone, the symptom may remain. We report with literature review that we achieved the successful outcome after simultaneous decompression of spinal stenosis and space occupying mass removal in the case of intradural and extradural compression. A 71-year-old female patient suffering from low back pain and radiating pain of both lower extremities admitted. In magnetic resonance imaging, spinal stenosis on L4-5 and spondylolisthesis on L5-S1 compressed dural sac and intradural space occupying mass on L4 level compressed. By posterior approach, decompression and interbody fusion were carried out. Then mass was removed with median durotomy. Pathologic diagnosis was schwannoma and the symptom was improved remarkably.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 1997

A gene, $phbC_{2.4.1}$ encoding poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) synthase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 was cloned by employing heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. R. sphaeroides chromosomal DNA partially digested with MboI was cloned in pUC19 followed by mobilization into E. coli harbouring $phbA,B_{AC}$ in pRK415, which code for ${\beta}$-ketothiolase and acetoacetyl CoA reductase of Alcaligenes eutrophus, respectively. Two E. coli clones carrying R. sphaeroides chromosomal fragment of $phbC_{2.4.1}$ in pUC19 were selected from ca. 10,000 colonies. The PHB-producing colonies had an opaque white appearance due to the intracellular accumulation of PHB. The structure of PHB produced by the recombinant E. coli as well as from R. sphaeroides 2.4.1 was confirmed by [$H^{+}$]-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Restriction analysis of the two pUC19 clones revealed that one insert DNA fragment is contained as a part of the other cloned fragment. An open reading frame of 601 amino acids of $phbC_{2.4.1}$ with approximate M.W. of 66 kDa was found from nucleotide sequence determination of the 2.8-kb SaiI-PstI restriction endonuclease fragment which had been narrowed down to support PHB synthesis through heterologous expression in the E. coli harbouring $phbA,B_{AC}$. The promoter (s) of the $phbC_{2.4.1}$ were localized within a 340-bp DNA region upstream of the $phbC_{2.4.1}$ start codon according to heterologous expression analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.101-110
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• 2016

Development activities in forest areas are analysed based on degree of slope, altitude, land cover, and prefectures in order to improve the capacity of existing regulations of 'feasibility of forest land conversion' and 'assessment of forest land characteristics' in this research. 959 land based developments between year 2007 and 2013 have been analysed. A development site includes over 50% of forest is categorized as a forest type, degree of slope is steeper than $8.5^{\circ}$ as mountain type, and a development included in the both categories as combined type. Distribution characteristics of the above three types are analysed by development categories and regions adopting Relative Mountain Development Index(RMDI). In results, 44.94% of total development activities have been carried out in Gyeongsang Do in order of urban development, industrial complex, sports facilities, and soil and stone collection quarrying. Developments less than $0.3km^2$ which are exempt from the feasibility of forest land conversion regulation consist 86 cases of forest type, 78 cases in mountain type, and 78 cases in combined type. SAI by slope range showed the highest value of 1.55 in less than $5^{\circ}$ and the lowest value of 0.69 between $20^{\circ}-25^{\circ}$. RMDI value in Gyeongsang Do where mountain ratio is 67.05% appeared 1.17, which is 5 times more than Gangwon Do where mountain area ratio is 81.30%, and 2 times more than Chungchung Do where mountain area ratio is 51.24%. Development activities in forestland in Korea showed unequal distributions and 26% of those developments were not subjected to the feasibility of forest land conversion regulation.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.227-241
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• 2018

The present paper deals with the optimum performance of the passive hybrid control system for the benchmark highway bridge under the six earthquakes ground motion. The investigation is carried out on a simplified finite element model of the 91/5 highway overcrossing located in Southern California. A viscous fluid damper (known as VFD) or non-linear fluid viscous spring damper has been used as a passive supplement device associated with polynomial friction pendulum isolator (known as PFPI) to form a passive hybrid control system. A parametric study is considered to find out the optimum parameters of the PFPI system for the optimal response of the bridge. The effect of the velocity exponent of the VFD and non-linear FV spring damper on the response of the bridge is carried out by considering different values of velocity exponent. Further, the influences of damping coefficient and vibration period of the dampers are also examined on the response of the bridge. To study the effectiveness of the passive hybrid system on the response of the isolated bridge, it is compared with the corresponding PFPI isolated bridges. The investigation showed that passive supplement damper such as VFD or non-linear FV spring damper associated with PFPI system is significantly reducing the seismic response of the benchmark highway bridge. Further, it is also observed that non-linear FV spring damper hybrid system is a more promising strategy in reducing the response of the bridge compared to the VFD associated hybrid system.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.57-62
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• 2016

The over-discharging phenomena in sodium-nickel chloride batteries were investigated in relation to decomposition of molten salt electrolyte and consequent metal co-deposition. From XRD analysis, the material deposited on graphite cathode current collector was revealed to be by-product of molten salt electrolyte decomposition. In particular, the result showed that the Ni-Al alloys ($Al_3Ni_2$, $Ni_3Al$ and $Al_3Ni$) were electrochemically deposited on graphite current collectors in line with over-discharging behaviors. It is assumed that the $NiCl_2$ solubility in molten salt electrolytes leads to the co-deposition of Ni-Al alloys by increasing metal deposition potential above 1.6 V (vs. $Na/Na^+$). The cell tests have revealed that the composition of molten salt electrolytes modified by various additives makes a decisive influence on the over-discharging behaviors of the cells. It was revealed that NaOCN addition to molten salt electrolytes was advantageous to suppress over-discharge reactions by modifying the characteristics of molten salt electrolytes. NaOCN addition into molten salt electrolytes seems to suppress Ni solubility by maintaining basic melts. The cell using modified molten salt electrolyte with NaOCN (Cell D) showed relatively less cell degradation compared with other cells for long cycles.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.428-433
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• 2017

Background Candidate characteristics for hand surgery fellowship training remains unknown, as very little data is available in the literature. This study aims to provide information on the criteria that are employed to select candidates for the hand surgery fellowship match. Methods A 38-question survey was sent in April 2015 to all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education recognized hand surgery fellowship program directors (n=81) involved in the U.S. match. The survey investigated factors used for the selection of applicants, including medical school, residency training, research experience, fellowship interview, and candidate characteristics. A 5-point Likert scale was used to grade 33 factors from "not at all important" (1) to "essential in making my decision" (5); or for five controversial factors from "very negative impact" (1) to "very positive impact in making my decision" (5). Results A total of 52% (42 out of 81) of responses were received from hand surgery fellowship program directors. The most important influential factors were interactions with faculty during interview and visit ($4.6{\pm}0.6$), interpersonal skills ($4.6{\pm}0.5$), overall interview performance in the selection process ($4.6{\pm}0.6$), professionalism and ethics ($4.6{\pm}0.7$), and letters of recommendation from hand surgeons ($4.5{\pm}0.7$). Factors that have a negative impact on the selection process include visa requirement ($2.1{\pm}1.2$), graduate of non-plastic surgery residency program ($2.4{\pm}1.3$), and graduate of a foreign medical school ($2.4{\pm}1.1$). Conclusions This study provides data on hand surgery fellowship directors' perception on the criteria important for fellowship applicant selection, and showed that interview-related criteria and letters of recommendation are the important factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5415-5420
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• 2015

Background: The present study was designed to ascertain knowledge about HPV, cervical cancer (CC) and the Pap test among female dental students of Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire covering demographic details, knowledge relating to human papilloma virus (HPV) (8 items), cervical cancer (4 items) and the Pap smear (6 items) was employed. Responses were coded as "True, False and Don't Know". Mean and standard deviation (SD) for correct answers and levels of knowledge were determined. Results: Based on the year of study, significant differences in knowledge of HPV werenoted for questions on symptoms (p=0.01); transmission from asymptomatic partners (p=0.002); treatment with antibiotics (p=0.002); start of sexual activity (p=0.004); and recommended age for HPV vaccination (p=0.01). For knowledge regarding CC, significance was observed for the age group being affected (p=0.008) and symptoms of the disease in early stages (p=0.001). Indications for Pap smear tests like symptoms' of vaginal discharge (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.01) and women with children (p=0.02) had significant difference based on the year of study. Based on religion, transmission of HPV via pregnancy, HPV related diseases except CC and preventive measures except condom use and oral contraceptives showed significant differences. However, significant variation with religion was observed only for two preventive measures of CC (Pap test; p=0.004) and HPV vaccination (p=0.003). Likewise, only the frequency of Pap test showed a significant difference for religion (p=0.001). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the lack of awareness with regard to HPV, CC and screening with pap smear even among health professionals. Hence, regular health campaigns are essential to reduce the disease burden.