• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1561-1569
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• 2019

Curcumin, the major bioactive constituent of turmeric, has been reported to have a wide range of pharmacological benefits; however, the low solubility in water has restricted its systemic bioavailability and therapeutic potential. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of turmeric fermentation on its curcumin content and anti-inflammatory activity by using several lactic acid bacteria. Fermentation with Lactobacillus fermentum significantly increased the curcumin content by 9.76% while showing no cytotoxicity in RAW 246.7 cells, as compared to the unfermented turmeric, regardless of the concentration of L. fermentum-fermented turmeric. The L. fermentum-fermented turmeric also promoted cell survival; a significantly higher number of viable cells in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells were observed as compared to those treated with unfermented turmeric. It also displayed promising DPPH scavenging ($7.88{\pm}3.36%$) and anti-inflammatory activities by significantly reducing the nitrite level and suppressing the expression of the pro-apoptotic tumor necrosis factor-alpha and Toll-like receptor-4 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Western blot analysis further revealed that the anti-inflammatory activity of the fermented turmeric was exerted through suppression of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase signal pathway, but not in unfermented turmeric. Taken together, the results suggested that fermentation with lactic acid bacteria increases the curcumin content of turmeric without increasing its cytotoxicity, while strengthening the specific pharmacological activity, thus, highlighting its potential application as a functional food ingredient.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.218-229
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and examine the validity and reliability of a self-efficacy scale for preventive health management related to premature labor (PHMSE-PL) for women of childbearing age. Methods: Instrument development and validation were undertaken in three steps: conceptualization through a literature review and in-depth interviews, item generation and evaluation of content validity, and evaluation of construct validity and reliability. The content validity, factorial structure validity, and internal consistency reliability of the PHMSE-PL were evaluated, and cognitive interviewing was undertaken. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses, Cronbach's α, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The content validity was assessed by experts and was strengthened through cognitive interviews with women of childbearing age. The PHMSE-PL comprised 34 items across five factors. The construct validity of the PHMSE-PL was supported. Cronbach's α for the total scale was .97 (95% CI=.96-.97). Conclusion: An evaluation of the psychometric properties of the PHMSE-PL scale found it to be a valid and reliable tool for women of childbearing age. The scale appears to be useful for women of childbearing age to self-assess their preventive health management self-efficacy related to premature labor and for health professionals to evaluate and promote women's preventive health management.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.9
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• pp.35-43
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• 2021

This study aims to investigate factors affecting eBook acceptance and learning outcomes among students experiencing online distance learning. As conventional textbooks are now switched into eBooks, the effects of contextual factors including lecturer, student computer competency, content and design of the course, access ability, infrastructure, and university support on eBook acceptance and learning outcome needs to be evaluated. The sample of this study is represented by students at the Universiti Teknologi MARA, City Campus Melaka, undertaking 'strategic management course'. Non-probability random sampling was selected as the sampling technique and a purposive sampling method was chosen to select the samples. The samples comprised 171 students randomly selected through Google Form. The questionnaire data was analyzed by using PLS-SEM. The results indicated that these factors contributed 62.3% variations in the eBook acceptance and 67.1% variations in the learning outcomes. The strongest factor affecting both dependent variables was content and design of course. Managerial implication suggested that the content for all courses taught through the eBook platform needs to be revisited and improved in accordance with the mode of online deliverance. Tutorial on how to navigate the eBook platform is important to all users as this would enhance acceptance and produce better learning outcomes among students.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.63-85
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• 2023

Purpose According to a recent survey, more than 90% of customers make purchase or use decisions for their products and services, primarily based on word-of-mouth(WOM) information (reviews, recommendations, ratings, etc.). However, few studies have explored what factors influence user's WOM intention in the context of OTT service. To address this gap, this study investigates the antecedent factors of WOM intention by adopting stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory and pleasure arousal dominance (PAD) theory as a theoretical basis. Design/methodology/approach The research model consists of stimulus factors (diversity of original content, aesthetics, interactivity, personalization quality), emotional factors (pleasure, excitement, dominance), and behavioral factor (WOM intention). The research hypothesis was tested using the survey data collected from OTT service users of 305. Findings The result reveals that diversity of original content significantly affects on pleasure and arousal whereas it is not associated with dominance. Findings indicate that aesthetics positively influences pleasure, and interactivity is not associated with arousal. It is also proven that personalization quality has a positive effect on dominance. In addition, pleasure, arousal, and domination are proven to be positively and significantly related to WOM intention.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.375-385
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• 2024

In the context of contemporary digital media, virtual influencers have become an increasingly important form of socialization and entertainment, in which emotional expression is a key factor in attracting viewers. In this study, we take Luo Tianyi, a Chinese virtual influencer, as an example to explore how emotions are expressed and perceived through facial expressions in different types of videos. Using Paul Ekman's Facial Action Coding System (FACS) and six basic emotion classifications, the study systematically analyzes Luo Tianyi's emotional expressions in three types of videos, namely Music show, Festivals and Brand Cooperation. During the study, Luo Tianyi's facial expressions and emotional expressions were analyzed through rigorous coding and categorization, as well as matching the context of the video content. The results show that Enjoyment is the most frequently expressed emotion by Luo Tianyi, reflecting the centrality of positive emotions in content creation. Meanwhile, the presence of other emotion types reveals the virtual influencer's efforts to create emotionally rich and authentic experiences. The frequency and variety of emotions expressed in different video genres indicate Luo Tianyi's diverse strategies for communicating and connecting with viewers in different contexts. The study provides an empirical basis for understanding and utilizing virtual influencers' emotional expressions, and offers valuable insights for digital media content creators to design emotional expression strategies. Overall, this study is valuable for understanding the complexity of virtual influencer emotional expression and its importance in digital media strategy.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 1976

In order to investigate inherent erodibility of the soil, which is a major factor is soil erosion prediction, a survey on runoff and soil loss of reclaimed upland soil was carried out by using a portable rainulator. The relations of soil loss and some physical properties of the soil were discussed. The soil erodibility factor for Universal soil loss equation was calculated and compared with that of Wischmeier's nomograph. The result were as follows: 1. Total runoff increased for finer textured soil in order of Jeonnam silty clay loam, Songjeong clay loam, Yesan loam, Samgag and Sangju sandy loam. Total soil loss and soil content in runoff were not correspondently related with textural characteristic in order of Jeonnam, Samgag, Sangju, Yesan, and Songjeong. Total runoff, soil loss, and soil content in runoff were increased for steeper slope. 2. Soil loss and soil content in runoff negatively correlated with organic matter content of surface soil, while positively correlated with dispersion ratio, clay ratio, silt content, and significantly correlated with Middleton erosion ratio for coarser textured soil but not correctly related for finer textured soil. 3. The soil erodibilty factor K values for Universal soil loss equation were 0.32 for Jeonnam, 0.22 for Samgag, 0.17 for Sangju, 0.15 for Yesan, and 0.13 for Songjeong respectively. These values were close to those from Wischmeier's nomograph. So, it seems that the nomograph is useful for estimation of soil loss in Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.16 no.6 s.84
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• pp.741-750
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• 2004

Air voids in hardened concrete have an important influence on concrete durability such as freeze-thaw resistance, surface scaling resistance, and water permeability, and they have been characterized by spacing factor Linear traverse and point count methods in ASTM standard have been used in estimating an air void system in hardened concrete. However, these methods require lots of time and efforts, further they are not repeatable. Image analysis method could be utilized In estimating an air void systems in hardened concrete with a developments of microscope, digital camera and computer program. The purpose of this study was to develope image analysis method and provide a guideline by comparing the results from ASTM method and image analysis method. The concerns were at air void content and diameter distribution, air voids system as well as spacing factors. The experimental variables included air content by air entrained agent (0, 0.01, $0.03\%$) and depth of specimen (top, middle, bottom). The result showed that it was possible to calculate spacing factor using image analysis technique, as well as air content, air diameter distribution, and air structure. This study also contributed in developing an reasonable and repeatable image analysis method.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.256-262
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• 2000

The dielectric properties of complex perovskite ($Pb_{1-x}Ca_{x}$)($Fe_{0.5}Ta_{0.5}$)$O_{3}$ with >($0.5{\le}x{\ge}0.65$ were investigated at microwave frequencies. Dilectric constant decreased with increasing Ca content, and was directly proportional to the cube of average ionic ra야 of A-site. For the specimen of x=0.6 sintered at $1250^{\circ}C$ for 3 h in air, dielectric constant (k) of 63, QF of 11000 GHz, and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency(TCF) of -14ppm/$^{\circ}C$ were obtained. As Ca content increased, TCF of the specimen negatively increased due to the reduction of the tolerance factor(t). Changes in intrinsic loss with varying Ca content was investigated by the infrared reflectivity spectra ranging 50 to 4000 $cm^{-1}$, which were calculated by the Kramers-Kronig analysis and classical oscillator model. The relative tendency of microwave dielectric properties of the ($Pb_{1-x}Ca_{x}$)($Fe_{0.5}Ta_{0.5}$)$O_{3}$ specimens calculated from the reflectivity data were in good agreement with the results by the post resonant method.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.117-133
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• 2003

A field survey and Landsat ETM+ image acquisition carried out simultaneously. Using these data, we attempted to establish relationships between tidal flat environmental factors and reflectance observed by ETM+, and to set up a new critical grain size useful for optical remote sensing. Although the grain size of 4 $\Phi$ has been conventionally used as a critical size by sedimentologists, the correlation with optical reflectance was very low. Instead, the grain size of 2 $\Phi$ showed a relatively high correlation coefficient, 0.699, with ETM+ band 4, except near tidal channels in upper tidal flat. We concluded that the grain size of 2 $\Phi$ would be better to use for a critical grain size in Gomso Bay. The grain size also correlated well with moisture content having a correlation coefficient of -0.811 when the 2 $\Phi$ criterion was used. The results of factor analysis showed moisture content was more important parameter than topographic relief, and they were different from German tidal flats in which topographic relief was the prior factor This can be explained by finer grain composition of the Gomso bay tidal flat. In short, moisture content and topography as well as grain size should be considered in tidal flat remote sensing.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.662-669
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• 2021

Objective: Effects of linseed oil (LO) supplementation on the fat content and fatty acid profile of breast meat, and the expression of three genes in the liver, breast muscle and fat tissues of commercial 154-day-old hybrid male turkeys were investigated. Methods: The animals in the control group were fed a commercially available feed and received no LO supplementation (n = 70), whereas animals in the LO group (n = 70) were fed the same basic diet supplemented with LO (day 15 to 21, 0.5%; day 22 to 112, 1%). The effect of dietary LO supplementation on fatty acid composition of breast muscle was examined by gas chromatography, and the expression of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) genes was analysed by means of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The LO supplementation affected the fatty acid composition of breast muscle. Hepatic FADS2 levels were considerably lower (p<0.001), while adipose tissue expression was higher (p<0.05) in the control compared to the LO group. The PPARγ expression was lower (p<0.05), whereas IGF1 was higher (p<0.05) in the fat of control animals. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences in FADS2, PPARγ, and IGF1 gene expressions of breast muscle; however, omega-6/omega-3 ratio of breast muscle substantially decreased (p<0.001) in the LO group compared to control. Conclusion: Fatty acid composition of breast meat was positively influenced by LO supplementation without deterioration of fattening parameters. Remarkably, increased FADS2 expression in the liver of LO supplemented animals was associated with a significantly decreased omega-6/omega-3 ratio, providing a potentially healthier meat product for human consumption. Increased PPARγ expression in fat tissue of the LO group was not associated with fat content of muscle, whereas a decreased IGF1 expression in fat tissue was associated with a trend of decreasing fat content in muscle of the experimental LO group.