• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.507-516
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• 2011

Tropical Atmosphere Ocean/Triangle Trans-Ocean Buoy Network (TAO/TRITON) Array is the series of buoys for the international ocean research project, which is mostly supported by National Ocean and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) and Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). We can determine the effect of the equatorial and Pacific Ocean conditions on global climate change from buoy array measurement data. The TAO/TRITON array comprises around 70 measurement buoys from $10^{\circ}$ north to $10^{\circ}$ south in the tropics and between Galpagos and New Guinea. NOAA maintains ATLAS buoys in the central and eastern Pacific between $165^{\circ}E$ and $95^{\circ}W$, and JAMSTEC maintains the 12 buoys in the western Pacific along $137^{\circ}E$, $147^{\circ}E$, and $156^{\circ}E$. The KA-10-03 cruise excursion provided us with a good opportunity to obtain knowledge on oceanic buoy operation and maintenance. Further, we learned advanced techniques and know-how on buoy operation and maintenance. Once we are confident with our buoy management and maintenance techniques, both KORDI and NOAA technicians may be able to help each other when needed and share available resources.

• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.332-336
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• 1997

The stimulatory effects of leucine on the activities of two soluble forms of brain glutamate dehydrogenase isoproteins (GDH I and GDH II) have been studied at various conditions. There were significant differences between GDH I and GDH II in their sensitivities to the action of leucine. When the effects of varied leucine concentrations on GDH activities were studied in the direction of reductive amination of 2-oxoglutarate with NADPH as a coenzyme, a marked activation was observed for both isoproteins at leucine concentrations up to 10 mM, whereas both isoproteins showed activation to a lesser extent with NADH as a coenzyme. The stimulatory effects of leucine on GDH activities in the direction of the oxidative deamination of glutamate were also observed, but to a much lesser extent. Leucine relieved the inhibition of GDH I by GTP and this resulted in an increase in the apparent activation by leucine in the presence of GTP. 2-Oxoglutarate was found to give rise to high substrate inhibition and leucine significantly reduced the substrate inhibition in the presence of $200\;{\mu}M$ NADH. Thus, the effects of leucine might be composed of a direct effect on the enzyme together with a relief of high substrate inhibition.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2017

People spend the majority of their time in indoor environments. Maintaining adequate indoor temperature and humidity is necessary to support health and improve quality of life. However, people with low incomes can be vulnerable because they may not be able to use effective cooling and heating systems in their homes. In this study, the indoor temperature and humidity in low-income residences over a year in Seoul, Korea was characterized. Indoor temperature and humidity were measured in three types of homes (12 rooftop residences, 16 basement residences, and 18 public rental apartments) occupied by low-income residents. Both differed significantly among the three types of residence, particularly during the summer and winter seasons. A regression model between indoor and outdoor temperature detected a heating threshold at $3.9^{\circ}C$ for rooftop residences, $9.9^{\circ}C$ for basement residences, and $17.1^{\circ}C$ for public rental apartments. During tropical nights and cold-wave advisory days, rooftop residences showed the most extreme indoor temperatures. This study demonstrates that people living in rooftop residences could be at risk from extreme hot and cold conditions.

• The International Journal of Costume Culture
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2009

This paper introduces the probable regional and long distance trade of cotton goods among the pre-Hispanic Mesoamericans during the Classic (A.D. 200-900) period through the comparison of the available documentary sources. Based on the ethnohistoric data and the archaeological evidences it was found that cotton was used throughout the Mesoamerica by the elite ruling class. However, because cotton could not be grown at elevations above 6,000 feet it was obvious that nations such as Teotihuacan which flourished in the highland of present day Mexico City had to import cotton from the tropical coastal hotlands either through trade or tribute. Several ethnohistorical and archaeological data suggest that urban center in highland Mexico had people employed in weaving the textiles rather than cultivating or spinning cotton. Archaeological evidences such as the workshops used by the craft specialists seemed to be associated with weaving of cotton. Because of the similarity in climatic conditions for marine shells and cotton cultivation, Kolb's model seems to be applicable to the cotton trade of the classic Teotihuacan. Based on Kolb's model, it could be hypothesized that Teotihuacan-Kaminaljyyu-Maya was the indirect trade route connecting the Basin of Mexico and the Mayan regions.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.277-290
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• 2008

In the past two decades Mikania micrantha Kunth, a climbing plant species originating from tropical America, has spread across Taiwan. It can now be found frequently in the lowlands and lower mountain areas up to 1,000 m a.s.l. in the centre and south of the island. Mikania micrantha is considered a problematic invasive alien plant species which is said to cause economical as well as environmental damage. This study investigated the ecological site characteristics of M. micrantha in Taiwan. 112 vegetation surveys were carried out in habitats where the alien plant was present. A comparison between sites with a high and a low abundance was carried out in order to assess which factors especially influence the extensive spread of the plant. Furthermore, the influence of disturbances was examined. Results showed that Mikania micrantha grows very dense in habitats which are characterized by good light conditions combined with vertical structures, such as trees. Results revealed that this invader occurs most frequently in agricultural fallows and wastelands, but it could hardly be found in the intensively managed plantations in the investigation area. Results provide great evidence that the plant is strongly influenced by disturbances, but only if impacts occur rarely.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.573-577
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• 2013

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay allows rapid diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection. In the present study, the LAMP assay was evaluated using blood from both naturally and experimentally infected pigs. The sensitivity of the LAMP assay was compared with that of Q-PCR. Both assays detected T. gondii in the blood of experimentally infected pigs, with 100% agreement. In infected blood samples, the parasite was detected as early as 2 days post-infection and reached a peak in 3-5 days. In 216 field serum samples, the detection rates of LAMP and Q-PCR assays were 6.9% and 7.8%, respectively. This result indicates that the sensitivity of the LAMP assay was slightly lower than that of the Q-PCR assay. However, the LAMP may be an attractive diagnostic method in conditions where sophisticated and expensive equipment is unavailable. This assay could be a powerful supplement to current diagnostic methods.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1093-1101
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• 2003

Reproductive data, such as numbers of days to the first estrus and A.I. service postpartum, number of days to conception, number of A.I. services required for conception, interval between the first estrus and first A.I. service and the average interval of A.I. service in Thai native-Friesian crossbred and pure Friesian dairy cows, were compiled in the National Dairy Training and Applied Research Institute in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The data were analyzed statistically and the effect of milk production on these reproductive traits was investigated. The reproductive efficiency of purebred cows was obviously inferior when compared with crossbred animals, in spite of special care being given to the purebred only in order to alleviate the effect of a tropical climate and provide better feeding. However, the regression analysis between reproductive and lactational parameters revealed a definite antagonistic effect of lactation on reproduction, especially in the purebred cows, which had a larger amount of milk production and longer lactation period. If these effects of lactation were eliminated, there would be no evident difference in reproductive efficiency between purebred and crossbred cows in the conditions of this study. Among the reproductive parameters examined, the number of days to the first estrus and interval between the first estrus and first A.I. service were less affected by breed difference and the magnitude of lactation than other reasons.

• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.31.1-31.7
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• 2012

Curcuma longa belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and can be found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is widely used in Asiatic countries, especially India and South East Asia where it is cultivated commercially as a condiment. Its rhizomes exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-human immunodeficiency virus, anti-bacterial, antioxidant effects, nematocidal activities, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities and are of pharmaceutical importance. Another relevant medicinal property exhibited by it is antidiabetic property which is reviewed here. Studies on the efficacy of crude C.longa extracts against type 2 diabetes in murine models reveal that it demonstrates a hypoglycemic effect by lowering the blood glucose levels under in vivo conditions. Clinical studies have revealed the safety of curucmin (major principle component exhibiting pharmaceutical properties from C.longa) on humans but with very low bioavailability. In view of its effective hypoglycemic effect and its low bioavailability, further studies are needed for the characterization of the bioactive principles and formulating the development of C.longa extracts as a novel anti-diabetic therapeutic agent.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.429-433
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• 2014

To identify sequences of Entamoeba histolytica associated with the development of amebic liver abscess (ALA) in hamsters, subtractive hybridization of cDNA from E. histolytica HM-1:IMSS under 2 growth conditions was performed: 1) cultured in axenic medium and 2) isolated from experimental ALA in hamsters. For this procedure, 6 sequences were obtained. Of these sequences, the mak16 gene was selected for amplification in 29 cultures of E. histolytica isolated from the feces of 10 patients with intestinal symptoms and 19 asymptomatic patients. Only 5 of the 10 isolates obtained from symptomatic patients developed ALA and amplified the mak16 gene, whereas the 19 isolates from asymptomatic patients did not amplify the mak16 gene nor did they develop ALA. Based on the results of Fisher's exact test (P<0.001), an association was inferred between the presence of the mak16 gene of E. histolytica and the ability to develop ALA in hamsters and with the patient's symptoms (P=0.02). The amplification of the mak16 gene suggests that it is an important gene in E. histolytica because it was present in the isolates from hamsters that developed liver damage.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.70-78
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• 2012

For evaluating the printing suitability of electronic copying papers in the aspect of climate conditions, 12 samples of copying papers being generally used in Korea and worldwide were collected. The copying papers were controlled by various temperature and humidity options in conditioning equipment in order to simulate the specific circumstances of dry, temperate or tropical climate, and the pre-heating system of photocopying machines during printing. As results, some copying papers showed several physical problems, especially in recycled copying papers and a normal paper with original printing faulty. These problems of copying papers were mostly resulted in extremely high moisture circumstance, and in lower levels of tensile strength and tensile stiffness. The moisture contents of copying papers during passing through the pre-heater system of photocopying machine could be rapidly decreased because paper is exposed to high temperature around the pre-heating zone. The copying paper, for example of XR3 sample, containing low moisture contents below 2% had high exfoliating possibility of toner transfer from copying paper.