• Agribusiness and Information Management
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2016

India is largest producer of banana in the world producing 29.72 million tonnes from an area of 0.803 million ha with a productivity of 35.7 MT ha-1 and accounted for 15.48 and 27.01 per cent of the world's area and production respectively (www.nhb.gov.in). In India, Tamil Nadu leads other states both in terms of area and production followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. In Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool district had special reputation in the cultivation of banana in an area of 5765 hectares with an annual production of 2.01 lakh tonnes in the year 2012-13 and hence, it was purposively chosen for the study. On $23^{rd}$ November 2003, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has commenced a comprehensive project called 'Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project (APMIP)', first of its kind in the world so as to promote water use efficiency. APMIP is offering 100 per cent of subsidy in case of SC, ST and 90 per cent in case of other categories of farmers up to 5.0 acres of land. In case of acreage between 5-10 acres, 70 per cent subsidy and acreage above 10, 50 per cent of subsidy is given to the farmer beneficiaries. The sampling frame consists of Kurnool district, two mandals, four villages and 180 sample farmers comprising of 60 farmers each from Marginal (<1ha), Small (1-2ha) and Other (>2ha) categories. A well structured pre-tested schedule was employed to collect the requisite information pertaining to the performance of drip irrigation among the sample farmers and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was employed to analyze the performance of drip irrigation in banana farms. The performance of drip irrigation was assessed based on the parameters like: Land Development Works (LDW), Fertigation costs (FC), Volume of water supplied (VWS), Annual maintenance costs of drip irrigation (AMC), Economic Status of the farmer (ES), Crop Productivity (CP) etc. The first four parameters are considered as inputs and last two as outputs for DEA modelling purposes. The findings revealed that, the number of farms operating at CRS are more in number in other farms (46.66%) followed by marginal (45%) and small farms (28.33%). Similarly, regarding the number of farmers operating at VRS, the other farms are again more in number with 61.66 per cent followed by marginal (53.33%) and small farms (35%). With reference to scale efficiency, marginal farms dominate the scenario with 57 per cent followed by others (55%) and small farms (50%). At pooled level, 26.11 per cent of the farms are being operated at CRS with an average technical efficiency score of 0.6138 i.e., 47 out of 180 farms. Nearly 40 per cent of the farmers at pooled level are being operated at VRS with an average technical efficiency score of 0.7241. As regards to scale efficiency, nearly 52 per cent of the farmers (94 out of 180 farmers) at pooled level, either performed at the optimum scale or were close to the optimum scale (farms having scale efficiency values equal to or more than 0.90). Majority of the farms (39.44%) are operating at IRS and only 29 per cent of the farmers are operating at DRS. This signifies that, more resources should be provided to these farms operating at IRS and the same should be decreased towards the farms operating at DRS. Nearly 32 per cent of the farms are operating at CRS indicating efficient utilization of resources. Log linear regression model was used to analyze the major determinants of input use efficiency in banana farms. The input variables considered under DEA model were again considered as influential factors for the CRS obtained for the three categories of farmers. Volume of water supplied ($X_1$) and fertigation cost ($X_2$) are the major determinants of banana farms across all the farmer categories and even at pooled level. In view of their positive influence on the CRS, it is essential to strengthen modern irrigation infrastructure like drip irrigation and offer more fertilizer subsidies to the farmer to enhance the crop production on cost-effective basis in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This study further suggests that, the present era of Information Technology will help the irrigation management in the context of generating new techniques, extension, adoption and information. It will also guide the farmers in irrigation scheduling and quantifying the irrigation water requirements in accordance with the water availability in a particular season. So, it is high time for the Government of India to pay adequate attention towards the applications of 'Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its applications in irrigation water management' for facilitating the deployment of Decision Supports Systems (DSSs) at various levels of planning and management of water resources in the country.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.407-412
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to shorten the time required for subculture and bacterial identification and obtain a simple and rapid identification method for new test methods for bloodstream infections. The following results were obtained using a mass spectrometer. In Vitek 2, 208 (81.8%) cases were well-identified and 45 isolates were not identified in blood cultures. Among 208 cases, 146 (57.5%) were Gram positive bacteria and 108 (42.5%) were Gram negative bacteria. In total, 233 were identified to the species level and 21 were identified to the genus level. The identification error was found to be Propionibacterium acnes as Clostridium bifermentans. The accuracy of Enterobacteriaceae, glucose non-fermentative bacilli (GNFB), and staphylococci were 81/83 (97.6%), 12/15 (80.0%), and 72/85 (84.7%), respectively. The concordance rate of Vitek 2 and Vitek MS by the direct method was 81.8% and 45 isolates were not identified. Most of the unidentified bacteria were Gram positive bacteria (N=37). The Gram positive bacteria were streptococci (14), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (11), enterococci (3), Staphylococcus aureus (2), Micrococcus spp. (2), Bacillus spp. (2) and Actinomyces odontolyticus, Finegoldia magna, and Peptostreptococcus spp. The results reporting time was reduced to 24~72 hours compared to the conventional method. The rate of identification of the aerobic and anaerobic cultures was similar, but the use of an anaerobic culture did not require a dissolution process, which could shorten the sample preparation time. These results suggest that the method of direct identification in blood cultures is very useful for the treatment of patients. In further studies, it might be necessary to further improve the method for identifying streptococci and CNS, which were lacking in accuracy in this study.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2009

Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of hepatobiliary dysfunction (HD) at our hospital and determine the possible risk factors and complications associated with the development of HD in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) treated with parenteral nutrition (PN). Methods: A retrospective study of VLBWI (n=92) that required PN between 2004 and 2008 in the NICU at the Bucheon St. Marys Hospital of Catholic University was performed. HD was defined by a direct bilirubin (DB) >2 mg and a transaminase of 60 IU/L defined cholestasis and liver injury. Groups I, II, and III were limited to cases of cholestasis, liver injury without cholestasis, and no abnormalities, respectively. The VLBWI were compared to each other. Results: Thirty-six subjects (39.1%) had cholestasis and 51 (55.4%) had liver injury. In addition, 36 (39.1%), 19 (20.7%), and 37 (40.2%) subjects were classified as groups I, II, and III, respectively. The three groups showed significant differences in gestational age, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, use of surfactant, duration of parenteral nutrition, frequency of RBC transfusions, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (P<0.05). The multiple regression analysis with cholestasis as the dependent variable, showed a significant correlation with gestational age, use of surfactant, frequency of RBC transfusions, and PDA. Conclusion: Various factors, such as birth weight, gestational age, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, use of surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), frequency of RBC transfusions, BPD, and PDA may be related to hepatobiliary dysfunction in VLBWI treated with PN.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2002

Low-viscosity composite resins may produce better sealed margins than stiffer compositions (KempScholte and Davidson, 1988: Crim, 1989). Plowable composites have been recommended for use in Class V cavities but it is also controversial because of its high rates of shrinkage. On the other hand, in the study comparing elastic moduli and leakage, the microfill had the least leakage (Rundle et at. 1997) Furthermore, in the 1996 survey of the Reality Editorial Team, microfills were the clear choice for abfraction lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microleakage of 6 compostite resins (2 hybrids, 2 microfills, and 2 flowable composites) with and without load cycling. Notch-shaped Class V cavities were prepared on buccal surface of 180 extracted human upper premolars on cementum margin. The teeth were randomly divided into non-load cycling group (group 1) and load cycling group (group 2) of 90 teeth each. The experimental teeth of each group were randomly divided into 6 subgroups of 15 samples. All preparations were etched, and Single bond was applied. Preparations were restored with the following materials (n=15) : hybrid composite resin [Z250(3M Dental Products Inc. St. Paul, USA), Denfil(Vericom, Ahnyang, Korea)], microfill [Heliomolar RO(Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), Micronew(Bisco Inc. Schaumburg, IL, USA)], and flowable composite［AeliteFlo(Bisco Inc. Schaumburg, IL, USA), Revolution(Kerr Corp. Orange, CA, USA)]. Teeth of group 2 were subjected to occlusal load (100N for 50,000 cycles) using chewing simulator(MTS 858 Mini Bionix II system, MTS Systems Corp. Minn. USA). All samples were coated with nail polish 1mm short of the restoration, placed in 2％ methylene blue for 24 hours, and sectioned with a diamond wheel. Enamel and dentin/cementum margins were analyzed for microleakage on a sclale of 0 (no leakage) to 3 (3/3 of wall). Results were statistically analyzed by Kruscal-Wallis One way analysis, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Student-Newmann-Keuls method. (p = 0.05) Results : 1. There was significantly less microleage in enamel margins than dentinal margins of all groups (p＜0.05) 2. There was no significant between six composite resin in enamel margin of group 1. 3. In dentin margin of group 1, flowable composite had more microleakage than others but not of significant differences. 4. there was no significant difference between six composite resin in enamel margin of group 2. 5. In dentin margin of group 2, the microleakage were R＞A =H=M＞D＞Z. But there was no significant differences. 6. In enamel margins, load cycling did not affect the marginal microleakage in significant degree. 7. In enamel margins, load cycling did affect the marginal microleakage only in Revolution. (p＜0.05).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.318-324
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• 2015

Purpose: This study compared shear bond strengths of five self-adhesive cements with phosphate monomer to zirconium oxide ceramic with and without airborn particle abrasion. Materials and methods: One hundred zirconia samples were air-abraded ($50{\mu}mAl_2O_3$). One hundred composite resin cylinders were fabricated. Composite cylinders were bonded to the zirconia samples with either Permacem 2.0 (P), $Clearfil^{TM}$ SA Luting (C), $Multilink^{(R)}$ Speed (M), $RelyX^{TM}$ U200 Automix (R), G-Cem $LinkAce^{TM}$ (G). All bonded specimens were stored in distilled water ($37^{\circ}C$) for 24 h and half of them were additionally aged by thermocycling ($5^{\circ}C$, $55^{\circ}C$, 5,000 times). The bonded specimens were loaded in shear force until fracture (1 mm/min) by using Universal Testing Machine (Model 4201, Instron Co, Canton, MA, USA). The failure sites were inspected under field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The data was analyzed with ANOVA, Tukey HSD post-hoc test and paired samples t-test ($\alpha$=.05). Results: Before and after thermocycling, $Multilink^{(R)}$ Speed (M) revealed higher shear-bond strength than the other cements. G-Cem $LinkAce^{TM}$ (G) showed significantly lower bond strengths after thermocycling than before treatment (P<.05), but the other groups were not significantly different (P>.05). Conclusion: Most self-adhesive cements with phosphate monomer showed high shear bond strength with zirconia ceramic and weren't influenced by thermocycling, so they seem to valuable to zirconia ceramic bonding.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1263-1272
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• 2002

Purpose : Rett syndrome(RTT) is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 per 10,000-15,000 female births worldwide. It was initially described by Andreas Rett in 1966. RTT involves developmental regression characterized stereotypic hand movements, tremors, gait apraxia, seizures, deceleration of head growth after the age of 6-18 months. The disease-causing gene was identified as MECP2 on chromosome Xq28. We carried out mutational analysis of MECP2 genes in RTT patients. Methods : Whole blood(5 cc) of 34 sporadic RTT patients was collected in EDTA-anticoagulated tubes. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using the E.Z.N.A. blood DNA kit. Four exons of the MECP2 gene were amplified by PCR in 34 Korean with RTT. We carried out PCR divided the exon three into two parts and the exon four into five parts. Primer sequences designed by Amir et al. in 1999 were almost used(AF030876). Sequencing primers used were the same as PCR. DNA sequencing reactions were performed using an ABI 377 DNA sequencer and ABI PRISM dye terminator cycle sequencing reaction kit(Perkin-elmer). The results were compared with the normal DNA sequence(X99686). To confirm the change of sequence on novel mutations, RFLP analysis was performed. Results : The MECP2 mutations were detected in 23(67.6%) of the 34 patients. The mutations consisted of 12 different types including nine missense and three nonsense mutations. Of these, three (L100V, G161E and T311M) mutations were newly identified. Most of the mutations discovered are located within MBD(39.1%) and TRD(39.1%). In this study, three(T158M, R270X, R306C) mutations were identified high frequency. Conclusion : MECP2 gene was also an important cause of Korean RTT patients. MECP2 gene study is an important tool for diagnosis of Korean RTT patients.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 1998

Objectives : High co-morbidity of periodic limb movements during sleep(PLMS) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) is well known and their incidences tend to increase in the elderly. Previous studies have inconsistently rep0l1ed increase or no change of periodic limb movement index(PLMI) by nasal continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) in OSAS without analyzing possible variables affecting PLMI. We attempted to examine PLMI change evoked during CPAP titration and also factors affecting it in OSAS. Methods : Twenty-nine OSAS patients(M:F=26:3, mean age: $51.6{\pm}10.6\;yrs$) without other sleep disorders except for PLMS were selected, based on the nocturnal (baseline) polysomnograhy. Another night of noctumal polysomnography was performed for CPAP pressure titration. We compared between those two nights PLMI, mean and lowest $SaO_2$, and sleep variables. We also calculated PLMI differences between baseline and CPAP nights, named as delta PLMI (value of CPAP night PLMI minus value of baseline night PLMI). Correlations were calculated between delta PLMI and factors such as age, body mass index, applied CPAP pressure, baseline night values of respiratory disturbance index, mean and lowest $SaO_2$, and sleep parameter differences between baseline and CPAP nights. Results : Decrease of RDI(p<.01) and increase in mean and lowest $SaO_2$ (p<.05, p<.01) were observed during CPAP night. No sleep parameters showed significant change except for the decrease of total stage 1 sleep%(p<.01) during CPAP night. Ten out of 29 patients showed PLMI increase, while the other 19 patients showed either no change(n=14) or even PLMI decrease(n=5) during CPAP night. The 10 patients showing PLMI increase during CPAP night showed a significant positive correlation between delta PLMI and baseline night RDI(p<.05), which meant that PLMI increase was found to be more prominent in higher RDI patients than in lower RDI ones. There were no significant correlations between delta PLMI and other factors in the other 19 patients. Conclusions : We suggest that during the baseline night PLMS would have been underscored and/or masked due to the overlapping of PLMS and apneas/hypopneas or the arousals induced by apneas/hypopneas. Despite its still unknown mechanism, the CPAP application may unmask PLMS and increase PLMI in a subgroup of OSAS patients. It needs to be evaluated further whether the chronic CPAP use sustains the above finding.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2007

Purpose : A simple, rapid, and highly sensitive analytical method for Gb3 in plasma was developed without labor-ex tensive pre-treatment by electrospray ionization MS/ MS (ESI-MS/MS). Measurement of globotriaosy lceramide (Gb3, ceramide trihex oside) in plasma has clinical importance for monitoring after enzyme replacement therapy in Fabry disease patients. The disease is an X-linked lipid storage disorder that results from a deficiency of the enzyme ${\alpha}$-galactosidase A (${\alpha}$-Gal A). The lack of ${\alpha}$-Gal A causes an intracellular accumulation of glycosphingolipids, mainly Gb3. Methods : Only simple 50-fold dilution of plasma is necessary for the extraction and isolation of Gb3 in plasma. Gb3 in diluted plasma was dissolved in dioxane containing C17:0 Gb3 as an internal standard. After centrifugation it was directly injected and analyzed through guard column by in combination with multiple reaction monitoring mode of ESI-MS/MS. Results : Eight isoforms of Gb3 were completely resolved from plasma matrix. C16:0 Gb3 occupied 50% of total Gb3 as a major component in plasma. Linear relationship for Gb3 isoforms w as found in the range of 0.001-1.0 ${\mu}g$/mL. The limit of detection (S/N=3) was 0.001 ${\mu}g$/mL and limit of quantification was 0.01 ${\mu}g$/mL for C16:0 Gb3 with acceptable precision and accuracy. Correlation coefficient of calibration curves for 8 Gb3 isoforms ranged from 0.9678 to 0.9982. Conclusion : This quantitative method developed could be useful for rapid and sensitive 1st line Fabry disease screening, monitoring and/or diagnostic tool for Fabry disease.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2012

Establishment of the LFQC (Liquid Fertilizer Quality Certification) system is very urgent issue for recycling livestock manure as renewable resources in Korea faced with environmental problem of manure application to land due to intensive livestock farming. In this study, we investigated relevant laws and regulations on livestock manure fertilizer, certifications of eco-friendly agricultural products, government policies on livestock manure management to establish reasonable direction of Korean LFQC (Liquid Fertilizer Quality Certification) system. As a result from this study, the liquid fertilizers in 'LFQC' system could be classified as three levels according to the usage patterns in field; 1st. Individual Farm Level (IFL), 2nd. Joint Farm Level (JFL), and 3rd. Commercial Level (CML). And finally, we found some characteristics in 'Main Level-Grading Factors' of liquid fertilizer such as fertilizing value, harmfulness, stability, uniformity, economic effect, storage potential, commercial value, functionality. Those items were considered to be the key factors for the establishment of 'LFQC' system. More research on 'Evaluation Standards' for concrete guideline and on the 'Main Level-Grading Factors' be needed to complete Korean LFQC system.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.21-28
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• 2011

Hibiscus cannabinus L is a plant in the Malvaceae family. Kenaf was seeded at June 1st in 2010 and harvested at November 18th and dried and evaluated worth as a bulking agent for livestock composting. Harvested and dried Kenaf was divided into the bast, core and leaf. All materials were grinded by hammer mill and the moisture absorption, moisture evaporation, pH, volume weight and C/N ratio were measured. Kenaf was higher water absorption and evaporation ability than those of sawdust and chaff. The pH values of Kenaf were pH $2.8{\pm}0.01$ - $4.34{\pm}0.02$, which is lower pH value than those of sawdust (pH $5.28{\pm}0.01$) and chaff (pH $6.3{\pm}0.02$). The C/N ratio of Kenaf showed 649 of core, 204 of bast and 70 of leaf, which were lower than sawdust (789.1) but higher than chaff (132). In volume weight test, the materials were divided by particle size of Kenaf, named as group A(${\geq}4cm$), B(${\leq}4cm$, ${\geq}0.25cm$) and C(${\leq}0.25cm$). The volume of weight of group A and B for core, bast and leaf showed similar, but group C showed higher than those of sawdust and chaff. Especially, the volume weight of group C for leaf was 5 times higher than those of sawdust and chaff. This study suggested the possibility of using Kenaf as a bulk agent for composting of livestock manure. This is considered that strengthen the competitiveness of farmers through reducing the cost, prevention of environmental pollution caused by livestock manure and environmentally friendly processing of livestock manure.