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The aim of this study was to examine the ameliorating effect of Spirulina platensis (SP) on cognitive dysfunction in high-fat-diet (HFD) mice. Glucose tolerance was evaluated using the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT). The results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) decreased 20% in the SP group compared to that in the HFD group. The ameliorating effect on HFD-induced learning and memory impairment was investigated using Y-maze and Morris water maze tests. The administration of SP effectively restored learning and memory function compared to that in the HFD group. Using blood serum analysis, liver and kidney function and lipid metabolism-related biomarkers were measured. Generally, administration of SP effectively restored lipid-metabolism by increasing HDLC (HTR) and decreasing LDLC. The antioxidant effects in tissues were also investigated by measuring the superoxide dismutase (SOD) content, oxidized glutathione (GSH)/total GSH ratio, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and the administration of SP effectively improved the antioxidant system in the brain and liver tissues. The improvement of cognitive function was confirmed by the inhibitory effect of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as a biomarker of the cholinergic system, which plays an important role in neurotransmission, and the SP group showed significant inhibition of AChE. Based on these results, SP could be used to improve brain function by ameliorating the HFD condition.

This study collected four ground granulated blast furnace slags from different manufacturing locations for CaO-activation to investigate the influence of the slag characteristics on strength development and the reaction products. Despite the seemingly similar characteristics of the slags, each slag developed significantly different strengths varying from 25 to 52 MPa at 28 days and different reaction products. The main reaction products were C-S-H and calcium hydroxide in all the samples; however, various forms of AFm phases appeared depending on the presence of calcite and calcium sulfates in the raw slags. Ettringite was also found in the case of raw slag with calcium sulfates. In this study, strength development was not governed by any single dominant material parameter of the raw slag, but rather by the combination of various favorable factors such as a higher content of calcium sulfates, a smaller overall particle size distribution and a higher basicity (or chemical indexes).

This study presents an improvement in the compressive strength of the clinker-free CaO-activated GGBFS system with the addition of gypsum. The compressive strength was primarily governed by the amount of ettringite, but more importantly, the morphology of reaction products (e.g., size, slenderness) is proposed as being a more dominant factor. The gypsum content at the best strength produced fine ettringite crystals and removed large pores that were around 100 μm in diameter, resulting in significant pore-size refinement. However, excessive addition reduced the strength and generated a large volume of detrimental pores with sizes of 0.03–0.4 μm, which were probably due to expansive cracking or large voids between the large sizes of re-precipitated gypsum crystals. The SEM images demonstrated that the fine ettringite crystals at the gypsum dosage of the best strength filled the pores effectively, which led to dense matrices; while the coarse crystals of gypsum or ettringite at the excessive addition level produced porous matrices.

Pretransplant alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a useful tumor marker predicting recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Little is known, however, about the relationship between changes in AFP concentration and prognosis. This study investigated the clinical significance of change in peri-transplant AFP level as a predictor of HCC recurrence. Data from 125 HCC patients with elevated pretransplant AFP level who underwent liver transplantation (LT) between February 2000 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with AFP normalization within 1 month after LT were classified into the rapid normalization group (n = 97), with all other patients classified into the non-rapid normalization group (n = 28). Tumor recurrence was observed in 17 of the 97 patients (17.5%) with rapid normalization; of these, 11 patients had high AFP levels and six had normal levels at recurrence. In contrast, tumor recurrence was observed in 24 of the 28 patients (85.7%) without rapid normalization, with all 24 having high AFP levels at recurrence. Multivariate analysis showed that non-rapid normalization (harzard ratio [HR], 4.41, P < 0.001), sex (HR, 3.26, P = 0.03), tumor size (HR, 1.15, P = 0.001), and microvascular invasion (HR, 2.65, P = 0.005) were independent risk factors for recurrence. In conclusion, rapid normalization of post-LT AFP level at 1 month is a useful clinical marker for HCC recurrence. Therefore, an adjuvant strategy and/or intensive screening are needed for patients who do not show rapid normalization.

BACKGROUND Instead of dietary modification, surgical management is considered for correcting growth retardation, poor metabolic control, and hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) in glycogen storage disease (GSD) type I. METHODS The records of 55 GSD type I patients were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-two patients underwent only dietary management (group D) and 23 underwent surgical management (group S). In group S, 17 underwent portacaval shunting (PCS), 13 underwent liver transplantation (LT; 7 underwent both PCS and LT). Height-for-age and body mass index-for-age Z-scores based on World Health Organization data were used to compare growth patterns before and after surgery. Changes in metabolic abnormalities and HCA after operation were also investigated. RESULTS Height-for-age Z-scores for group S were higher by an average of 0.377 compared to that for group D. Metabolic abnormalities often disappeared after LT but improved partially after PCS. De novo HCA was detected in 4 patients (13%) from group D, 12 (100%) who underwent PCS, and none who underwent LT. One case of hepatocellular carcinoma and one of hemorrhage from a HCA were noted in group D. Two cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 2 of hemorrhage, and 1 of necrosis were noted after PCS. CONCLUSIONS Surgery yielded greater growth improvement than dietary management. However, after PCS, metabolic abnormalities remained unresolved, and the de novo HCA rate was high. Portacaval shunting can be used to improve growth in GSD type I patients when LT is not possible, but close observation for metabolic abnormalities and HCA is essential.

Ternary combinations of Portland cement, GGBFS, and fly ash with a typical weight ratio of 4:4:2, respectively, have been widely used for concrete production in South Korea. Recently, to achieve lower heat generation and material costs, the construction society of Korea is investigating the use of a 3:5:2 mixing ratio for construction; however, despite earlier laboratory testing results exhibiting satisfactory mechanical properties, the industry remains reluctant to apply the 3:5:2 mixture because there has been little verification of the microstructural characteristics of the mixture proportions. Therefore, this microstructural study examines the influences of the higher ratio of GGBFS to cement on the microstructure and hydration products to explain the comparable mechanical performances of the ternary mixtures of 3:5:2 and 4:4:2 based on the testing results of powder X-ray diffraction analyses, thermogravimetry, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy.

Vitamin C significantly reduced senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, with both the suppression of cell-cycle inhibitors (p53, p21, p16, and pRb) and stimulation of cell-cycle activators (E2F1 and E2F2). Vitamin C also effectively attenuated the hyperactivation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase-B (AKT) signaling pathway. The expression of the longevity marker, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), was down-regulated by vitamin C while the expressions of forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) and sirtuin1 (SIRT1) were up-regulated by vitamin C. In the middle-aged (MA) mice, oral administration of vitamin C significantly inhibited wrinkle formation, skin atrophy, and loss of elasticity through increasing collagen and elastic fiber. The increase in transepidermal water loss and the decrease in skin hydration were recovered by vitamin C treatment in the MA mice. Overall, vitamin C effectively prevents cellular senescence in vitro and in vivo suggesting it has protective potential against natural aging of the skin.

Background The need for liver retransplantation (re-LT) has been increasing. Here we describe the outcome and technical aspects of re-LT during 25 years in a single major center. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent LT from March 1988 to February 2013. Among 1,312 LTs during 25 years, 38 (2.9%) were re-LTs, including 28 adults (mean age 52.0 y) and 10 children (mean age 5.7 y). Results The most common indication was primary nonfunction in early re-LT and biliary complication in late re-LT. Preoperative major comorbidity was very common (81.6%). Among them, infection was the most frequent (52.6%). Living-donor re-LT constituted 21.1%. In operative technique, nonconventional methods were substantially performed, including high hilar dissection for hepatectomy (>50%), arterial anastomosis with the use of right gastroepiploic or jump graft (23.7%), and hepaticoenterostomy (60.5%). Several reanastomoses were needed in 10.5% for artery and 5.3% for duct. In adults and children, mean estimated blood losses were 9,541 mL and 977 mL, respectively. Mean operative times for adults and children were 508 and 432 minutes, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 35.7% in adults and 40.0% in children. The main cause of death was sepsis for both adults and children. Survival rates at 1 month and 1, 3, and 5 years were, respectively, 89.4%, 56.5%, 50.3%, and 50.3% in adults, and 70.0%, 60.0%, 60.0%, and 60.0% in children. Conclusions Outcome of re-LT is poorer than primary LT regardless of the cause of graft failure. Therefore, more technical concerns need to be considered. We also need more efforts to control perioperative infections to improve survival after re-LT.

SummaryBackground Chronic skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) through c-Jun and c-Fos activation. These signaling cascades induce the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, resulting in photoaging. Methods This study evaluated the preventive effect of the ethanol extract of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker (black ginger) on UVB-induced photoaging in vivo. To investigate the antiphotoaging effect of K. parviflora extract (KPE), UVB-irradiated hairless mice administered oral doses of KPE (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) for 13 weeks. Results In comparison to the UVB control group, KPE significantly prevented wrinkle formation and the loss of collagen fibers with increased type I, III, and VII collagen genes (COL1A1, COL3A1, and COL7A1). The decrease in wrinkle formation was associated with a significant reduction in the UVB-induced expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 via the suppression of c-Jun and c-Fos activity. KPE also increased the expression of catalase, which acts as an antioxidant enzyme in skin. In addition, expression of inflammatory mediators, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was significantly reduced by KPE treatment. Conclusion The results show that oral administration of KPE significantly prevents UVB-induced photoaging in hairless mice, suggesting its potential as a natural antiphotoaging material.

In this study, the effects of mineral and chemical admixtures on pumpability of high-strength concrete were investigated through measuring rheological properties of concrete and the lubricating layer. A total of 32 concrete mixtures were manufactured and tested according to different types and dosages of silica fume, zirconia silica fume, fly ash, and high-range water-reducing admixtures (HRWRAs). From the experiments, it was found that zirconia silica fume is very effective in enhancing pumpability, and the increase of HRWRA dosage leads to the decrease of the viscosity of the lubricating layer and the increase of pumpability. © 2016, American Concrete.

In this study, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) samples from Singapore, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates were hydrated with purified water to estimate the cementing capabilities without activators. Raw GGBFS samples and hardened pastes were characterized to provide rational explanations for the strengths and hydration products. The slag characteristics that influenced the best strength of raw GGBFS were identified. Although it is widely recognized that GGBFS alone generally shows little cementing capability when hydrated with water, the GGBFSs examined in this study demonstrated various strength developments and hydration behaviors; one of the GGBFS samples even produced a high strength comparable to that of alkali- or Ca(OH)2-activated GGBFS. In particular, as the GGBFS exhibited a greater number of favorable slag characteristics for hydraulic reactivity, it produced more C-S-H and ettringite. The results demonstrated a reasonable potential for commercial GGBFS with calcium sulfates to function as an independent cementitious binder without activators.

The purpose of this study is to examine material performance of fiber reinforced cement composite for mass production. It is necessary to manufacture SHCC(Strain Hardening Cement Composite) by batch plant for field application and mass production. For the study, a mock-up test of SHCC manufactured in the batch plant was conducted, and the performance was compared with SHCC manufactured in the laboratory. Assessment items were freshness and hardening properties. Specifically, direct tensile test machine was used for performance verification of SHCC. As a result, there was a tendency of less satisfactory fiber dispersion and performance of strain hardening compared with the performance of SHCC manufactured in the laboratory. To address this, dry mixing and mortar mixing time should be increased compared to laboratory mixing, and injection time of an agent such as a water reducing agent should be properly controlled according to mixing combination, or the capacity to secure dispersion and homogeneity of material.

This work was carried out to investigate chemical composition and meat quality of crossbred Korean native chickens (KNC). Ninety 1-d male chicks were used in this work and were divided into 4 groups as A: (KNC egg-meat type C strains × KNC meat type S strains) ( ) × KNC meat type H strains ( ), B: (KNC egg-meat type C strains × KNC meat type H strains) ( ) × KNC meat type S strains ( ), C: (KNC native R strains × KNC meat type S strains) ( ) × KNC meat type H strains ( ), D: (KNC native L strains × KNC meat type H strains) ( ) × Ross broiler ( ) strains. They were fed the broiler diets for 12 weeks at the flat house and twenty seven chickens were slaughtered at week 5 and 10. Chicken thigh and breast were weighed and physicochemical compositions and sensory characteristics were investigated. Physical compositions of meats have no difference among strains at 5 week, and B strains differed from other strains at 10 week (P

In this study, a structured survey questionnaire was used to determine consumers' preferences and behavior with regard to horse meat at a horse meat restaurant located in Jeju, Korea, from October 1 to December 24, 2005. The questionnaire employed in this study consisted of 20 questions designed to characterize six general attributes: horse meat sensory property, physical appearance, health condition, origin, price, and other attributes. Of the 1370 questionnaires distributed, 1126 completed questionnaires were retained based on the completeness of the answers, representing an 82.2% response rate. Two issues were investigated that might facilitate the search for ways to improve horse meat production and marketing programs in Korea. The first step was to determine certain important factors, called principal components, which enabled the researchers to understand the needs of horse meat consumers via principal component analysis. The second step was to define consumer segments with regard to their preferences for horse meat, which was accomplished via cluster analysis. The results of the current study showed that health condition, price, origin, and leanness were the most critical physical attributes affecting the preferences of horse meat consumers. Four segments of consumers, with different demands for horse meat attributes, were identified: origin-sensitive consumers, price-sensitive consumers, quality and safety-sensitive consumers, and non-specific consumers. Significant differences existed among segments of consumers in terms of age, nature of work, frequency of consumption, and general level of acceptability of horse meat.

Liposomes are phospholipid vesicles that can serve as carriers of biologically active agents in vitro and in vivo. Here, we describe the movement of liposomes suspended with blood flowing in capillaries. Liposomes were coated with a polymer to extend their lifespan in rat mesenteric blood vessels and detected by fluorescent staining. Liposome activity was observed by intravital microscopy using a high-speed camera system at 5 and 60 min after liposome administration. Liposome velocity was determined using two-dimensional cross-correlation, and blood flow was measured by high-resolution PIV (particle image velocimetry). The results showed that the motion of polymer-coated liposome followed the phase averaged velocity distribution of heartbeats while flowing with red blood cells in microvessels. Liposome particles tend to move toward the near blood vessel wall in the low velocity of blood flow.

This paper reports a new technique of micro-resolution Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). To investigate three-dimensional flow structure in microscopic scale, 3D scanning micro-PIV system was developed by combining a high-speed camera, an epi-fluorescent microscope, a CW (Continuous Wave) laser, and a piezo actuator. In order to validate the measurement accuracy of the system, a numerical simulation and an experiment were carried out. In numerical simulation, the optimum conditions of 3D scanning micro-PIV technique were investigated using synthetic images under epi-fluorescent microscope observation. In experiment, a micro-round tube flow was measured by utilizing the optimum conditions. Three-dimensional velocity fields of water inside the micro-round tube with 95 μm were visualized for a spatial resolution of 5.4×2.7×0.27 μm.

More than 200 Bifidobacterium sp. originated from human intestine were investigated for their ability to produce conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Of the Bifidobacteria tested, 1 of culture type strain and 12 isolated strains from Korean infants showed CLA producing ability. cis-9, trans-11 octadecadienoic acid presented more than 90% of the total CLA isomers produced by the Bifidobacteria. CLA content in fermented milk by Bifidobacterium sp. KHU 141 increased by 39.6 mg/l00 g, which showed the potential use for producing fermented milk containing high content of CLA. In fermented milk, little changes showed in lauric acid, myristric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid contents, whereas the content of linoleic acid (LA) decreased and the content of CLA increased. Bifidobacterium sp. KHU 141 converted 86.0% and 84.8% of LA consumed to CLA for 24 hr and 48 hr fermentation, respectively. Prolonging incubation from 24 to 48 hours did not appear to enhance CLA formation and CLA producing ability was stable whether bottle, test tube, or fermenter was used for making fermented milk by Bifidobacterium sp. KHU 141.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentrations of commercial yoghurts and the ability of dairy starter cultures to produce CLA were investigated. The CLA contents of yoghurts were in the range of 4.1~14.8 mg/l00 g. CLA contents in yoghurts depended on the amount of milk used for raw material. Regression test showed positive correlations between CLA concentrations and selected fatty acids (stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid) of lipids in yoghurts. Among the 67 commercial dairy starter cultures tested, one of Lactobacillus acidophilus, one of Lactobacillus casei and three of Streptococcus thermophilus were found to be capable of converting free linloeic acid to CLA and cis-9, trans-11 octadecadienoic acid presented more than 70% of the total CLA formed. The CLA conversion rate of the screened strains ranged from 6.1% to 8.6% in whole milk for 24 hours at 37.

PDF(Parallel/Distributed Processing) is an internet-based parallel/distributed processing system that utilizes resources from hosts on the internet in idle state to perform large scale application through parallel processing, thus decreasing the total execution time. In this paper. do propose an adaptive method to be changed network environment at any time using realtime monitoring of host. It is found from experiments that parallel/distributed processing has better performance than its without monitoring as an adaptive strategy, which copy with task delay factor by overload and fault of network, be applicable to the cockpits of task allocation algorithm in PDP.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a class of positional, geometric conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid (LA). CLA activates the immune system, protects against tumorigenesis, and reduces the incidence of atherosclerosis. Trans-10, cis-12 CLA has specific effects on lipid metabolism, it has been shown to reduce body fat gain and regulates some adipocyte secreted proteins in vivo and in vitro. Here we report that a CLA mixture affects cytokine secretion from rat primary adipocytes. Rat primary adipocytes were treated with 1 mM, 100 μM, 1 μM or 100 nM CLA mixture doses; and leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and glycerol levels in the medium were measured. Leptin secretion was lower, TNFα secretion higher and IL-6 secretion did not change in response to the CLA mixture. Leptin and TNFα secretions did not change with CLA mixture treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the CLA mixture did not appear to enhance lipolysis in rat primary adipocytes. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the decrease in leptin and increase in TNFα secretion in adipocytes treated with CLA mixture may be due to the apoptotic effect and to a reduction in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) ligands.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of antioxidants, such as BHA, BHT, TBHQ, propyl gallate (PG), α-tocopherol (α-1), green tea extract (GTE), and rosemary extract (RE) on oxidative stability of CLA concentrate. Stability of CLA concentrate stored in air at 45°C up to 44 d was assessed by PV. During the storage period, the PV of the control CLA concentrate sample increased from 0.20 (fresh oil) to 1654 meq/kg (oxidized oil). On the other hand, the PV for CLA concentrates treated with 200 ppm of the single synthetic antioxidants, BHA, BHT, TBHQ, and PG, increased from 0.20 to 81, 107, 78, and 101 meq/kg, respectively. Also, the PV of CLA concentrate with the addition of 200 ppm single natural antioxidants α-T, GTE, and RE lowered the final PV to 122, 140, and 110 meq/kg, respectively. Under our experimental conditions, the protective effect of 200 ppm antioxidant was in the order of TBHQ>BHA>PG>BHT>RE>α-T> GTE. These results suggest that the appropriate use of antioxidants prolongs the oxidative stability of CLA concentrate.

Rice wine was prepared with medicinal plants or plant extracts to obtain a value added nutritious alcoholic tonics. Powders of ten medicinal plants (PTM) or aqueous extracts prepared from them (ATM) were added during the initial stage of fermentation. Aroma compounds of rice wine (control) and wines containing PTM or ATM were isolated by liquid-liquid continuous solvent extraction (LLCSE) and analyzed by gas chromatographyolfactometry and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). Desirable aroma compounds: acetaldehyde (sweet, ethereal), benzaldehyde (sweet, fragrant), ethyl acetate (sweet) and ethyl octanoate (sweet, ethanolic) had the highest log₃-flavor dilution (FD) factors in ATM. Results of sensory evaluation demonstrated that intensities of undesirable aroma attributes, such as koji and yeasty notes in control, and raw medicinal herb notes in PTM, were lowest in wine with ATM. Wines made with ATM had the most attractive aroma attributes among the three different traditional Korean medicinal wines.

This is the first report on the synthesis of a new functional nanocomposite gel containing amidoxime functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (AO-MWNT-FNC GEL). The surface morphology of AO-MWNT-FNC GEL was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The modification of gel with amidoxine groups was confirmed by Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy. The AO-MWNT-FNC GEL provides effective binding with uranium ions as was ascertained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The AO-MWNT-FNC GEL was utilized as the new adsorbent for the recovery of uranium ions from aqueous solution. UV-visible spectroscopy was used to monitor the adsorption capacity of the AO-MWNT-FNC GEL toward uranium ions. The influence of initial uranium ion concentration and solution pH on the adsorption capacity of the AO-MWNT-FNC GEL were studied in batch experiments. The new FNC-GEL designed in this study is distinguished by higher adsorption capacity for uranium ions due to the synergistic contributions from high surface area of MWNT and the functional AO groups in FNC-GEL and exhibits potential for efficient recovery of uranium ions.

Chronic skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) through c-Jun and c-Fos activation. These signaling cascades induce the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, resulting in photoaging.This study evaluated the preventive effect of the ethanol extract of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker (black ginger) on UVB-induced photoaging in vivo. To investigate the antiphotoaging effect of K. parviflora extract (KPE), UVB-irradiated hairless mice administered oral doses of KPE (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) for 13 weeks.In comparison to the UVB control group, KPE significantly prevented wrinkle formation and the loss of collagen fibers with increased type I, III, and VII collagen genes (COL1A1, COL3A1, and COL7A1). The decrease in wrinkle formation was associated with a significant reduction in the UVB-induced expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 via the suppression of c-Jun and c-Fos activity. KPE also increased the expression of catalase, which acts as an antioxidant enzyme in skin. In addition, expression of inflammatory mediators, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was significantly reduced by KPE treatment.The results show that oral administration of KPE significantly prevents UVB-induced photoaging in hairless mice, suggesting its potential as a natural antiphotoaging material.

The primary objective of this study is to verify if the rheological properties of the lubricating layer obtained from the newly developed tribometer can give a good prediction of the real flow rates of pumped concrete. An equation for the calculation of the flow rates was derived considering the thickness and the rheological properties of the layer. Full-scale pumping tests were performed with pipelines of 350 and 548 m (383 and 599 yd) with seven different mixtures. From the test results and the comparison between the measured flow rates and the flow rates calculated from the equation, it was verified that the flow rates of pumped concrete can be accurately predicted before pumping according to the rheological properties of the lubricating layer measured with the tribometer. It was also found that the rheological properties of the lubricating layer remained constant during pumping, whereas the rheological properties of the concrete were found to vary.

The character of the lubricating layer formed near the wall of a pipe during the flow of pumped concrete is a dominant factor facilitating concrete pumping. To predict flow rates of concrete transported by pumping, it is necessary to measure the rheological properties of the lubricating layer before pumping. In this paper, a new version of a test instrument called a tribometer is developed by considering the level of shear rate that induces the lubricating layer during real pumping. A test method is also suggested based on numerical simulation of the shear flow inside the tribometer and, finally, equations capable of transforming the values measured in the new tribometer into the rheological properties of the lubricating layer are derived. Work in this paper will be extended in a subsequent paper in which full-scale pumping tests will be performed, and predictions for concrete pumping based on the measurements of the new tribometer will be verified from comparisons with the test results.

Purpose In south Korea, the price of biologics has been decreasing owing to patent expiration and the availability of biosimilars. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a treatment strategy initiated with etanercept (ETN) compared with leflunomide (LFN) after a 30% reduction in the medication cost of ETN in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX-IR). Methods A cohort-based Markov model was designed to evaluate the lifetime cost-effectiveness of treatment sequence initiated with ETN (A) compared with 2 sequences initiated with LFN: LFN-ETN sequence (B) and LFN sequence (C). Patients transited through the treatment sequences, which consisted of sequential biologics and palliative therapy, based on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) responses and the probability of discontinuation. A systematic literature review and a network meta-analysis were conducted to estimate ACR responses to ETN and LFN. Utility was estimated by mapping an equation for converting the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index score to utility weight. The costs comprised medications, outpatient visits, administration, dispensing, monitoring, palliative therapy, and treatment for adverse events. A subanalysis was conducted to identify the influence of the ETN price reduction compared with the unreduced price, and sensitivity analyses explored the uncertainty of model parameters and assumptions. Findings The ETN sequence (A) was associated with higher costs and a gain in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared with both sequences initiated with LFN (B, C) throughout the lifetime of patients with RA and MTX-IR. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for strategy A versus B was ₩13,965,825 (US$1726) per QALY and that for strategy A versus C was ₩9,587,983 (US$8050) per QALY. The results indicated that strategy A was cost-effective based on the commonly cited ICER threshold of ₩20,000,000 (US$16,793) per QALY in South Korea. The robustness of the base-case analysis was confirmed using sensitivity analyses. When the unreduced medication cost of ETN was applied in a subanalysis, the ICER for strategy A versus B was ₩20,909,572 (US$17,556) per QALY and that for strategy A versus C was ₩22,334,713 (US$18,753) per QALY. Implications This study indicated that a treatment strategy initiated with ETN was more cost-effective in patients with active RA and MTX-IR than 2 sequences initiated with LFN. The results also indicate that the reduced price of ETN affected the cost-effectiveness associated with its earlier use.

In this study, a structured survey questionnaire was used to determine consumers' preferences and behavior with regard to horse meat at a horse meat restaurant located in Jeju, Korea, from October 1 to December 24, 2005. The questionnaire employed in this study consisted of 20 questions designed to characterize six general attributes: horse meat sensory property, physical appearance, health condition, origin, price, and other attributes. Of the 1370 questionnaires distributed, 1126 completed questionnaires were retained based on the completeness of the answers, representing an 82.2% response rate. Two issues were investigated that might facilitate the search for ways to improve horse meat production and marketing programs in Korea. The first step was to determine certain important factors, called principal components, which enabled the researchers to understand the needs of horse meat consumers via principal component analysis. The second step was to define consumer segments with regard to their preferences for horse meat, which was accomplished via cluster analysis. The results of the current study showed that health condition, price, origin, and leanness were the most critical physical attributes affecting the preferences of horse meat consumers. Four segments of consumers, with different demands for horse meat attributes, were identified: origin-sensitive consumers, price-sensitive consumers, quality and safety-sensitive consumers, and non-specific consumers. Significant differences existed among segments of consumers in terms of age, nature of work, frequency of consumption, and general level of acceptability of horse meat.

This study was conducted to determine the nutritional characteristics of horsemeat and bone meal in comparison with those of beef and pork presented by Dietary Reference Intakes For Koreans. Longissimus muscle and large metacarpal bone samples were collected from 20 fattened Jeju horses. Muscle samples were subjected to proximate analysis, assays for fatty acid profile and minerals, and bone samples to mineral assays. Horsemeat had similar levels of protein (21.1 vs 21.0 or 21.1%) and lower levels of fat (6.0 vs 14.1 or 16.1%) compared with beef or pork, respectively. Horsemeat had much higher levels of palmitoleic (8.2 vs 4.4 or 3.3%) and alpha-linolenic (1.4 vs 0.1 or 0.6%) acids than beef or pork, respectively. Linoleic acid was much higher in horsemeat (11.1%) and pork (10.1%) than in beef (1.6%). PUFA:SFA and n-6:n-3 ratios in horsemeat were 0.29 and 10.2, respectively. There were no big differences in mineral contents between horsemeat, beef and pork. For daily recommended mineral intakes of male adults (Dietary Reference Intakes For Koreans), phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc and copper can be provided up to 24, 2.5, 6.7, 21, 26 and 40%, respectively, by 100 g raw horsemeat, but calcium and manganese levels are negligible. Horse cannon bone had much higher mineral contents especially in calcium (10,193 mg/100 g), phosphorus (5,874 mg/100 g) and copper (0.79 mg/100 g). Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and retinol contents were 0.20, 0.21, 1.65 mg/100 g and 30 microg/100 g, respectively. But ascorbic acid and beta-carotene were not detected. Our data demonstrated that higher levels of palmitoleic and alpha-linolenic acid in horsemeat than in beef and pork may be beneficial for human health. Horsemeat and bone meal are a good source of some minerals and vitamins.

Red blood cells (RBC) become deformed while flowing through capillaries. We captured images of blood flow in capillaries and of RBC in the rat mesentery using a high-speed camera at 2000 frames/s and then directly measured and estimated the deformation and velocity of RBC in a non-uniform capillary. The distribution of the capillary diameter was determined by image processing. We applied a deformation index and simple modeling to observe RBC deformation in capillaries. The average capillary diameter was approximately 6.2 microm, and the average velocity of RBC was about 1.85 mm/s. The average deformation index of RBC in the capillary was about 1.55. The present results showed that RBC in capillaries generally assume a specific shape depending on external forces such as the velocity of the blood flow and capillary diameter in vivo.

A technique for measuring the full field (x,y,z,u,v,w) velocity distribution of fluid flow at a micrometer scale spatial resolution has been developed. To investigate three-dimensional (3D) flow structures on a microscopic scale, a 3D scanning microparticle image velocimetry system was developed by combining a high-speed camera, an epifluorescent microscope, a cw laser, and a piezo actuator. Both numerical simulations and an experiment were carried out in order to validate the measurement accuracy of the system. Optimum measurement conditions were determined by numerical simulations using synthetic images under epifluorescent microscope observation. As a demonstration, the three-dimensional velocity distribution of water flow inside a microround tube having a diameter of 95μm was measured at a spatial resolution of 5.4×2.7×4.2μm.

A novel surface treatment method for obtaining high quality ZnS/Hg1-x Cd x Te interface is proposed. The treatment procedure includes bromine-methanol etching, electrochemical reduction in an acetate buffer solution, and UV exposure in H2S gas ambient inside a vacuum chamber. After the surface treatment is performed, 4500 Å-thick ZnS film is in situ evaporated on the Hg1-x Cd x Te surface in the same chamber used for the UV treatment without exposing the surface to atmosphere. The interface properties estimated from MIS capacitors show the positive fixed interface charge density of 3×1010 cm-2 and the insulator trap charge density of 1.8×1010 cm-2. The interface trap density is lower than 1012 cm-2·eV-1 over most of the bandgap and the minimum interface trap density is 4.5×1010 cm-2·eV-1 near the middle of the bandgap. The effect of each step of the surface treatment procedure is also investigated by MIS capacitors. All steps seem to be significant.