• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2016

A change in chemical compositions of Asian dust (AD) particles can dramatically alter their optical properties, cloud-forming properties, and health effects. The present study was undertaken to evaluate this aging of AD particles by means of two complementary methods (i.e., the traditional spot test and the most advanced micro-PIXE analytical technique) for single particle analysis. Size-classified particles were sampled at the rural peninsula of Korea (Byunsan, 35.37N; 126.27E) during AD event and non-AD period in 2004. Sulfate was principally enriched on the particles in the size range of $7.65-10.85{\mu}m$ collected during AD event. The average number fraction of coarse particles ($>2.05{\mu}m$) containing chloride was 16.2% during AD event. Relatively low particles containing nitrate compared to those containing sulfate and chloride were found in AD event. Micro-PIXE elemental maps indicated that a large number of AD particles were internally mixed with man-made zinc. The highest peaks of EC and OC concentrations were appeared at $0.01-0.43{\mu}m$ particle aerodynamic diameter. High EC concentration in $PM_1$ was might be caused by the Saemangeum Seawall Project that was being conducted during our field measurement.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.3-31
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• 2008

Northeast Asia is expected to be on economic bloc which is competed with other economic blocs such as EU, NAFTA. E-Commerce based on IT and networking results in paradigm shift in Northeast Asian Nations, that is, Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan etc. There are the similarities and differences in e-Commerce situations in these nations. The differences are the gaps in e-Commerce infrastructures such as Internet, e-Commerce solution, e-payment system and e-logistics system etc. A number of interorganizational, intraorganizational and usage level factors influences the performances of all firms using e-Commerce tools. As result of this empirical study, China records low level of e-Commerce in terms of environmental aspects, usage and performance while Korea and Japan record relatively high levels. It is also found that non-economic performance is higher than economic performance in Northeast Asian firms. The purpose of this paper contributes to resolve the digital divide in Northeast Asia and to improve e-Commerce infrastructures in Northeast Asia by estimating current e-Commerce levels of Northeast Asian countries and suggesting future development strategies of those countries through e-Commerce cooperation.

• Agribusiness and Information Management
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2012

The Asian food market has been growing recently, due to the role played by major Asian countries, which include Korea, China, and Japan. This study is purposed to investigate the potential of the food market in these Northeast Asian countries and to suggest future direction for global food companies. For in-depth analysis, this study is limited in scope to the confectionery market and analyzes that market within two frameworks: first, the 'Market Attractiveness Matrix' which transforms the 'BCG Matrix' to fit into the food market in order to analyze the flow in the Asian confectionery market; and second, analysis of the potential growth of the market using a Category Development Index (CDI), which aids in understanding the growth potential of a market. The European food market has recently reached its capacity and is now experiencing a low growth rate (Data Monitor, 2011). It is time for food companies to find a new 'blue ocean' to avoid fierce competition in the mature markets of Europe. Therefore, this analysis of the confectionery market, using the Market Attractiveness Matrix and CDI will suggest opportune directions for global food companies.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 1994

To elucidate the relationship between steroidogenesis and sex differentiation in the duck, plasma, testicular and ovarian testosterone, estradiol-$17{\beta}$ and progesterone concentration in male and female embryo of day 11 to 27 (just before hatching) of incubation and in 1- to 7-day-old male and female duckling were investigated by radioimmunoassays. Plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentration in female embryos declined from very high at days 11 and 15 of incubation and remained at low levels after hatching. Male plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentration were always lower than those of the female throughout this period. Plasma testosterone and progesterone concentrations in both sexes were low during the embryonic stage, but then increased to peaks 3 days and 1 day after hatching, respectively. Estradiol-$17{\beta}$ contents were much higher in the left ovary than the right ovary or testes throughout the experimental period. The estradiol-$17{\beta}$ content of the left ovary was very high at day 15 of incubation, and decreased gradually thereafter. Both in right ovary and testes, estradiol-$17{\beta}$ contents were always low. Testosterone and progesterone contents in the left ovary were low from day 11 to 23 of incubation, and reached a peak 1 day after hatching. Progesterone content in the right ovary and testes were low levels over time period examined. Testosterone and progesterone contents were much higher in the left ovary than the right ovary and testes. The present results clearly demonstrate that the capacity of the embryonic left ovary of duck to synthesize estradiol-$17{\beta}$ and testosterone is much higher than that of the embryonic testis. It is suggested that estrogen secreted from the embryonic ovary earlier than day 15 of incubation has an important role in female sexual differentiation in the duck, and the sex of the avian species is basically male with homozygous sex chromosome (ZZ).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.234-238
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• 2003

This experiment was conducted to measure nutrient digestibility and performance in broiler chicks fed diets based on normal and low viscosity rye or barley fed with and without enzyme (pentosanase and $\beta$-glucanase) during a 17 day growth trial. A total of 150 one-day old, male broiler chicks (5 birds per pen and 5 pens per treatment) were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a $3{\times}3$ factorial design experiment (3 cereals${\times}$2 enzyme levels). Digestibility coefficients were determined using chromic oxide. Digestibility coefficients for dry matter and crude protein were significantly (p=0.0001) higher for the barley-based diets than for any of the rye-based diets. Digestibility coefficients for gross energy did not differ (p>0.05) due to cereal grain. There were no differences in the digestibility coefficients for dry matter and gross energy between chicks fed normal and low viscosity rye. However, the digestibility coefficient for crude protein was higher (p=0.01) for the low viscosity rye compared with the normal viscosity rye. Addition of enzyme to the diet significantly (p=0.0001) increased digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein and energy. There were no significant differences in weight gain, feed intake or feed conversion between birds fed barley or rye or between birds fed normal or low viscosity rye. Enzyme supplementation significantly improved (p=0.0001) weight gain, intake and feed conversion. The overall results of this experiment indicate that unsupplemented barley and rye do not support adequate growth rates in poultry. Enzyme supplementation dramatically improved broiler performance. In addition, genetic selection to reduce the viscosity of rye had only a modest effect on the nutritive value of rye for broilers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4711-4716
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• 2014

Introduction: Adiponectin (ApN) is a complement C1q-related protein, mainly secreted from adipose tissue, that signals through ApN receptor1 (Adipo-R1) and ApN receptor 2 (Adipo-R2). Low serum ApN concentrations are associated with obesity-related malignancies. However, there are very few studies on any prognostic role of ApN receptors in gastric cancer. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between AdipoR1/R2 expression and early/advanced stage gastric cancer in terms of clinicopathologic characteristics and survival. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with early and 39 with advanced stage gastric cancer who underwent surgical gastric resection were included in this study. Results: Adipo-R1 expression was low in 2 of the 18 patients with early stage gastric cancer (11.1%), while 4 had low Adipo-R2 expression (22.2%). In those with advanced stage gastric cancer, 7 of 39 had low Adipo-R1 expression (17.9%) and 16 had low Adipo-R2 expression (41%). Adipo-R2 expression was significantly higher (p=0.011) in moderately differentiated tumors when compared to well-differentiated tumors. While there was nearly a statistically significant relationship between TNM stage (T, tumor size; N, regional lymph node; M, whether distant metastases exist) and Adipo-R2 expression (p=0.054), there was no relationship between Adipo-R1/-R2 expression with tumor stage and survival. Conclusion: Adipo-R1/-R2 expression has no prognostic significance of in early/advanced stage gastric cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.4747-4753
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• 2016

Background: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in Indonesia has been reported to be exceedingly low. The purpose of our study was to confirm whether this is the case in Northern Jakarta using a sensitive 13C-urea breath test (UBT), and to examine any associations with lifestyle/environment factors and potential routes of transmission. Methods: We recruited a total of 196 subjects from a low-income community in Northern Jakarta, Indonesia, data from 193 who completed a questionnaire about their lifestyle/environment and had UBT being included as the final. Odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for sex and age with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a logistic regression model. Results: The overall H. pylori infection rate was 15.0% (95%CI, 10.3-20.9), with variation among Javanese (9.1%, total=77), Buginese (40.0%, 35), Betawi (9.1%, 33), Sundanese (3.7%, 27), and Batak (40.0%, 5). On multivariate analysis, the ORs for intake of soybean milk, cucumber more than once a week, infrequent hand washing practice before meals, and alcohol consumption were 0.10 (95%CI: 0.01-0.97), 6.61 (95%CI: 1.87-23.3), 4.10 (95%CI: 1.15-14.6), and 61.9 (95%CI: 1.67-2300.8), respectively. Rates for Buginese (OR=7.84; 95%CI: 1.82-33.8) and Batak (OR=20.1; 95%CI: 1.90-213.2) were significantly higher than for Javanese. Conclusions: The H. pylori infection rate in this study was relatively low, in line with previous studies. Regarding ethnicity factors, Buginese and Batak reported eating food using fingers more frequently than Javanese, Betawi, and Sundanese. Our study indicated that person-person transmission is possible in this low prevalence area. The low infection rates for H. pylori among Javanese, Betawi, and Sundanese ethnics could be partly due to their sanitary practices.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1529-1534
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• 2008

The aim of this study was directed at exploring the possible use of muscle fiber characteristics as new selection traits for improving both porcine lean meat production and quality. A total of 174 (114 Yorkshire, 30 Landrace, and 30 Meishan) pigs were used for this study, and lean meat production ability was estimated by backfat thickness and loin eye area. The Longissimus dorsi muscle was taken in order to measure meat quality and muscle fiber characteristics. Due to the high correlations between total muscle fiber number and most of the performance traits, all pigs were classified into three groups (low, intermediate, or high) by total muscle fiber number using cluster analysis. The high group had the highest loin eye area (p<0.001). The meat quality traits were within normal ranges as reddish pink, firm, and nonexudative (RFN) pork, but the groups classified as intermediate and high had relatively large drip loss percentages (p<0.05), produced more than twice the amount of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) pork as compared to the low group. The group with a high total muscle fiber number was further classified, based on type 2b fiber percentage, into low or high groups by cluster analysis. The results showed that the low type 2b fiber group had good loin eye area (p<0.05), small drip loss (p<0.05), and did not produce PSE pork. For these reasons, a high total muscle fiber number, with a low percentage of type 2b fibers, may be suitable in selecting for improvements in both lean meat production and meat quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 1989

Twenty-four Hereford steers, 22 months old and a mean liveweight (${\pm}\;s.e.$) of $250\;{\pm}\;7\;kg$ were used in an experiment to evaluate over 42 days two rates of copra meal supplementation to cattle on a low N ($8.6\;{\pm}\;0.9$ g N/kg dry matter (DM)), low digestible ($45\;{\pm}\;5.2%$ DM) native pasture hay. Steers given the two rates (500, 1000 g/steer/day; i.e. 500C, 1000C) were compared to steers on a non-supplemental diet and to the effects on steers of supplemental urea (30g/steer/day; 30U) or with copra meal (500 g/steer/day; 500C.U), or of cottonseed meal (500 g/steer/day; 500S). Liveweight change was increased (P<0.01) by all of the supplements except by supplemental urea. The most effective treatment, 1000C, increased significantly (P<0.01) liveweight change (946 g/day) in steers above all supplements except those steers given 500C.U (718 g/day). Hay intake per unit liveweight was increased (P<0.05) by 7% by the 30U and 500C.U treatment, and by 9% by 500C; this group having the highest supplements, being greatest (P<0.05) for the 1000C group (6.0 g feed intake/g gain) and least for the 500S supplemented group (11.5 g/g gain). Efficiency was lowest (18.6 g/g gain) for the non-supplemented steers on the basal hay diet. Copra meal N was less degradable (i.e. 29%) in nylon bags over 15 hours in the rumen than was cottonseed meal N (37%), and rumen ammonia concentrations were lower (P<0.05) in cattle supplemented with copra meal (25, 27 mg N/L) than in cattle given urea (36 mg N/L) or cottonseed meal (39 mg N/L). It is concluded that copra meal at a daily rate of 500 g/head, and with rumen soluble nitrogen from urea, is an effective supplement for improving growth of cattle on a low quality forage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1523-1528
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• 2000

Four Suffolk ewes were used in Latin Square switch over design to study the effects of varying levels and sources of protein on heat production and thermoregulatory responses at daytime high ($33^{\circ}C$ temperature. They were fed Italian ryegrass hay supplemented with fishmeal and/or urea, providing three different levels of crude protein (CP) (low/unsupplemented: 7.9, medium: 11.6, and high: 15.8%) at $1.5{\times}maintenance$. Feeds were distributed at 0900 (30%) and 1700 (70%). Urea diet caused higher heat production and increased vaginal temperature compared to fishmeal and fishmeal-urea mix diets. Time spent standing, skin temperature and respiration rate of sheep fed urea were similar with those of sheep fed fishmeal. Sheep fed diet with low CP level had higher heat production, increased vaginal and skin temperature than sheep fed diet with medium CP content. Sheep on high CP diet produced significantly more heat than sheep fed medium CP diets. Their vaginal temperatures were similar with those of sheep fed medium CP diet but lower than those of sheep fed low CP diet. Respiration rates of sheep and time spent by them for standing on all diets did not differ significantly. These results suggest that urea is inferior protein supplement for thermoregulation of animal at hot environment, as it induced higher heat production than fishmeal and fishmeal-urea mix. Thermoregulatory response on fishmeal-urea mix diet was similar to fishmeal diet. Increasing CP of the diet from low to medium gives advantage for thermoregulation of animal. Increasing CP further to high level was not beneficial as it resulted in the responses of sheep similar to those on low protein diet.