In this study, a lab-scale experiment was conducted to derive the optimal torrefaction conditions for upscaling food waste torrefaction to generate solid fuel. Basic characteristic analyses (a proximate analysis, elemental analysis, calorific value and thermogravimetric analysis) were conducted and further used to develop experimental conditions during upscaling. Based on the characteristics analysis, the experiments were conducted by varying the heating rates by 5, 10 and 15oC/min, varying the torrefaction temperature from 200 to 550oC at an interval of 50oC and varying the torrefaction residence time from 0 to 50 minutes at an interval of 10 minutes. The heating rates were varied and only carried out for the combustion experiments of the torrefied product at a temperature range of 50 to 800oC. The results show that the optimal torrefaction temperature and residence time of food waste torrefaction were 250 ~ 350oC and 30 ~ 40 minutes, respectively.

Rubia cordifolia has been used to treat diseases for many years in China and India. Although the biological properties and major compounds of R. cordifolia have been extensively studied, the underlying mechanisms of its biological effects remain elusive. In terms of immunological effects, anti-inflammation effect of macrophage (Raw 264.7) simply has been reported. In this study, R. cordifolia was extracted in 70% ethanol and the extract did not affect to macrophage (Raw 264.7) pro-inflammation and T cell (Molt-4). However, in mast cell (RBL-2H3), it showed inhibition of degranulation. The inducing inhibitory effect on degranulation was related to concentration dependent variation in phosphorylation of ERK-1/2 and upregulating the JNK phosphorylation in RBL-2H3 cells. Based on these data, we concluded that R. cordifolia newly have anti-allergenic effects in RBL-2H3 and might be used as a therapeutic agent to treat or prevent allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis.

In the present study, we investigated the role of binding immunoglobulin protein/glucose-regulated protein, 78-kDa (BIP/GRP78)-regulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress on meiotic maturation and cumulus cells expansion in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Previously, it has been demonstrated that unfolded protein response (UPR)- related genes, such as molecules involved in ER-stress defense mechanisms, were expressed in matured oocytes and cumulus cells during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. However, BIP/GRP78-mediated regulation of ER stress in porcine oocytes has not been reported. Firstly, we observed the effects of knockdown of BIP/GRP78 (an UPR initiation marker) using porcine-specific siRNAs (#909, #693, and #1570) on oocyte maturation. Among all siRNAs, siRNA #693 significantly reduced the protein levels of UPR marker proteins (BIP/GRP78, ATF4, and P90ATF6) in porcine COCs observed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. We also observed that the reduction of BIP/GRP78 levels by siRNA#693 significantly inhibited the meiotic maturation of oocytes (siRNA #693: 32.5±10.1% vs control: 77.8±5.3%). In addition, we also checked the effect of ER-stress inhibitors, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA, 200 μM) and melatonin (0.1 μM), in BIP/ GRP78-knockdown oocytes. TUDCA and melatonin treatment could restore the expression levels of ER-stress marker proteins (BIP/GRP78, p-eIF2α, eIF2α, ATF4, and P90ATF6) in siRNA #693-transfected matured COCs. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that BIP/GRP78-mediated regulation of UPR signaling and ER stress plays an important role in in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.

The key risk analysis technologies for the re-entry of space objects into Earth’s atmosphere are divided into four categories: cataloguing and databases of the re-entry of space objects, lifetime and re-entry trajectory predictions, break-up models after re-entry and multiple debris distribution predictions, and ground impact probability models. In this study, we focused on reentry prediction, including orbital lifetime assessments, for space situational awareness systems. Re-entry predictions are very difficult and are affected by various sources of uncertainty. In particular, during uncontrolled re-entry, large spacecraft may break into several pieces of debris, and the surviving fragments can be a significant hazard for persons and properties on the ground. In recent years, specific methods and procedures have been developed to provide clear information for predicting and analyzing the re-entry of space objects and for ground-risk assessments. Representative tools include object reentry survival analysis tool (ORSAT) and debris assessment software (DAS) developed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), spacecraft atmospheric re-entry and aerothermal break-up (SCARAB) and debris risk assessment and mitigation analysis (DRAMA) developed by European Space Agency (ESA), and semi-analytic tool for end of life analysis (STELA) developed by Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES). In this study, various surveys of existing re-entry space objects are reviewed, and an efficient re-entry prediction technique is suggested based on STELA, the life-cycle analysis tool for satellites, and DRAMA, a re-entry analysis tool. To verify the proposed method, the re-entry of the Tiangong-1 Space Lab, which is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere shortly, was simulated. Eventually, these results will provide a basis for space situational awareness risk analyses of the re-entry of space objects.

This study presents the application of satellite laser ranging (SLR) to orbit determination (OD) of high-Earth-orbit (HEO) satellites. Two HEO satellites are considered: the Quasi-Zenith Satellite-1 (QZS-1), a Japanese elliptical-inclinedgeosynchronous- orbit (EIGSO) satellite, and the Compass-G1, a Chinese geostationary-orbit (GEO) satellite. One week of normal point (NP) data were collected for each satellite to perform the OD based on the batch least-square process. Five SLR tracking stations successfully obtained 374 NPs for QZS-1 in eight days, whereas only two ground tracking stations could track Compass-G1, yielding 68 NPs in ten days. Two types of station bias estimation and a station data weighting strategy were utilized for the OD of QZS-1. The post-fit root-mean-square (RMS) residuals of the two week-long arcs were 11.98 cm and 10.77 cm when estimating the biases once in an arc (MBIAS). These residuals were decreased significantly to 2.40 cm and 3.60 cm by estimating the biases every pass (PBIAS). Then, the resultant OD precision was evaluated by the orbit overlap method, yielding three-dimensional errors of 55.013 m with MBIAS and 1.962 m with PBIAS for the overlap period of six days. For the OD of Compass-G1, no station weighting strategy was applied, and only MBIAS was utilized due to the lack of NPs. The post-fit RMS residuals of OD were 8.81 cm and 12.00 cm with 49 NPs and 47 NPs, respectively, and the corresponding threedimensional orbit overlap error for four days was 160.564 m. These results indicate that the amount of SLR tracking data is critical for obtaining precise OD of HEO satellites using SLR because additional parameters, such as station bias, are available for estimation with sufficient tracking data. Furthermore, the stand-alone SLR-based orbit solution is consistently attainable for HEO satellites if a target satellite is continuously trackable for a specific period.

양파의 관행 수확과 저장 방식을 개선하여 벌크 상태로 수확하여 수송, 하역, 보관 및 저장할 수 있도록 톤백 및 와이어철제파렛트를 개발한 후 관행저장 방식과 벌크저장 후 저장성을 비교하고 그에 따른 노동투입시간 및 소요비용을 비교하여 양파의 산지물류비 절감 효과를 비교 분석하고자 하였다. 본 연구를 통해 개발된 톤백이 관행 톤백보다 길이방향 인장강도가 16% 높았으며, 개발한 와이어철제파렛트가 관행철제파렛트보다 약 10% 더 저장가능하고 차량 적재 효율도 2배 이상 향상되었다. 개발된 500 kg용 와이어 철제파렛트의 벌크저장과 관행 그물망 저장의 감모율에는 차이가 없었으나, 1,000 kg 이상 많은 양을 저장할 경우 와이어철제파렛트 벌크저장은 관행저장보다 감모율이 3.7% 높아 적합하지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 톤백을 이용한 벌크 수확이 관행 망 수확보다 노동시간이 50.1% 그리고 총 투입비용은 46.1% 감소할 수 있는 것으로 나타났다. 와이어철제파렛트를 적용한 벌크저장이 관행저장보다 총 저장비용이 28.8% 감소하였으며, 2016년 양파생산량 (1,298,749톤)의 30%를 와이어철제파렛트 벌크저장으로 대체할 경우 연간 183억 원을 절감할 것으로 추정된다. 따라서 현재 산지업체들의 와이어철제파렛트를 조기 도입하여 정착시키면 전국적으로 노동력 및 비용 절감에 상당한 효과가 있을 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구에서는 장기예보자료 기반의 장기 가뭄전망정보를 산정하고, 2015년 가뭄사상을 대상으로 활용성을 평가하였다. 이를 위해 ASOS 59개 지점의 관측강수량, GloSea5의 미래예측 및 과거재현 자료를 활용하였으며, 다양한 지속기간(3, 6, 9, 12개월)에 대한 SPI를 산정하였다. 또한 예보선행시간(1~6개월)에 따른 SPI와 관측자료 기반의 SPI 간의 ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic)및 통계적 분석(상관계수, 평균제곱근 오차)을 수행하여 전망정보의 활용성을 평가하였다. ROC 분석결과, SPI(3)는 2개월, SPI(6)은 3개월, SPI(9)는 4개월, SPI(12)는 5개월까지 ROC score 약 0.70 이상으로 산정되었다. 예보선행시간별 상관계수 및 평균제곱근오차의 경우, 2개월 선행시간 SPI(3)은 0.60, 0.87, 4개월 선행시간 SPI(6)은 0.72, 0.95, 5개월 선행시간 SPI(9)는 0.75, 0.95, 6개월 선행시간 SPI(12)는 0.77, 0.89로 상관계수는 높게, 평균제곱근오차는 낮게 산정되어 활용성이 있는 것으로 판단된다.

Many workers today encounter the problem of overemployment which occurs when actual working hours exceed preferred or desired working hours. Overemployed workers desire to work fewer hours although this may entail a concomitant decline in earnings. This research is conducted to examine the likelihood of overemployment among employees in a particular state in Malaysia, that is, Penang. This study uses primary data that was collected in a survey encompassing a total of 525 employees in the state. A logit model is used to analyse the relationship between the likelihood of overemployment and various socio-demographic, household and work-related variables. The factors that are significantly related to overemployment are ethnicity, age, education, number of children in the household, occupation, hours of work and control over work schedule. Based on the findings of this paper, it is suggested that policies such as offering part-time jobs or jobsharing options to older workers, implementing family-friendly policies, adopting decent working time measures and strategies that give workers more control over their work schedule are some possible ways to deal with the issue of overemployment.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to present a framework for determining the most appropriate business model for e-learning. Research design, data, and methodology – The Electronics Branch of Azad University has been elected as a case study in this research. This study conducted using a descriptive method. The information was obtained using interviews with experts including managers, faculty and students at the Electronics Branch of Azad University. Results – Three service-product system (product oriented system, use an oriented and result oriented system) approaches determined a framework for the formation of a portfolio. This portfolio is including three types of e-learning business models. Examining the relevant characteristics, correspondence of behaviorism learning theory with a product-oriented approach, correspondence of cognitivism theory with a user-oriented approach and in finally match correspondence of constructivist learning theory with a results-oriented approach which is evident. Conclusions – After reviewing the literature on the fields of e-learning, business model and product - service systems, we have achieved three types of e-learning business models. Then the variables in any of the business models were defined by using business model canvas tool and thus a portfolio consisting of three types of e-learning business model canvas was obtained.

The Northern States of Malaysia comprises of four states (Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak) still record high poverty incidence eventhough Malaysia has experienced a remarkable reduction of poverty over the past century. Economic activities in Perlis and Kedah that are predominantly agriculture in the rural area contribute to this disparity. To add, rural households are also subject to risks and uncertainties that make them more vulnerable to poverty. This study examines the impact of risks and assets on households’ vulnerability to poverty. A survey of 400 respondents was conducted in December 2015 in the northern region of Malaysia. From these 400 questionnaires, only 298 were considered valid and used in the analysis. Using a logistic probability function, the results indicated that risks are not a significant threat to households. Gender and strata are crucial elements that significantly determine households’ vulnerability. While human capital and financial capital significantly reduce households’ vulnerability to poverty, physical and natural capitals were not statistically significant. The study suggests that the government and practitioners design strategies and policies with an assets-based approach. The asset-based approach is more appropriate for linking the causes of poverty to vulnerability.

A high resolution spectroscopic observation of the red supergiant star RM_1-390 in the Large Magellanic Cloud was made from a 3.6 m telescope at the European Southern Observatory. Spectral resolving power was R=20,000, with a signal-to-noise ratio S/N > 100. We found the atmospheric parameters of RM_1-390 to be as follows: the effective temperature Teff = 4,250 ± 50 K, the surface gravity log g = 0.16 ± 0.1, the microturbulent velocity vmicro = 2.5 km/s, the macroturbulence velocity vmacro = 9 km/s and the iron abundance [Fe/H] = -0.73 ± 0.11. The abundances of 18 chemical elements from silicon to thorium in the atmosphere of RM_1-390 were found using the spectrum synthesis method. The relative deficiencies of all elements are close to that of iron. The fit of abundance pattern by the solar system distribution of r- and s-element isotopes shows the importance of the s-process. The plot of relative abundances as a function of second ionization potentials of corresponding chemical elements allows us to find a possibility of convective energy transport in the photosphere of RM_1-390.

The end of the Korean War did not bring about the end of Korea’s division. The theme of division runs through many South Korean literary works of the twentieth century. This so-called “division literature” can be characterized by its focus on the psychological pain of separation, and the (im)possibility of unification. The personal tragedies of separated families, of dashed hopes and dreams due to history’s vicissitudes, all these aspects appear in Korea’s modern literature and have their root in the Korean War. South Korean author Yi Munyŏl has been personally affected by the Korean War, and his trauma can be found in many of his writings. In “An Appointment with His Brother” (Auwa-ŭi mannam), published in 1995, he tries to find a means through literature to reach common ground with the other side (North Korea) for a possible future unification. He chose the Chinese city of Yanji as the setting for his story, a place where the majority of its population are ethnic Koreans who from 1992 onwards, have had connections with both North and South Korea. The city and its inhabitants serve as a liminal space where Yi Munyŏl can explore possibilities for reconciliation and to give shape to an imagined Korean unification.

Considerable research has been done on the issue of succession in family businesses. However the process of induction, of preparing the members of the next generation for joining the family business has not been examined in detail. This paper attempts to analyse the relevance of three critical factors – ‘quality of relations’, ‘willingness of the inductee’ and ‘the ability to manage tensions harmoniously’ - to the induction process and the progress of the business. It focuses on the Indian context, specifically in the Small and medium Enterprise (SME) area. Qualitative research has been carried out. The Case Study method is used and data has been gathered from two families (including two branches of one family), using frequent unstructured interviews, over a period of five years. It is concluded that positive impact on business, family and the inductee depends to a large extent on the quality of relations, willingness of the inductee and the ability of both the inductor and inductee to handle and manage the tensions. Thus the findings of the study extend current understanding about succession drivers to the specific context of eastern cultural and developing economy represented by the Indian family businesses in the small and medium enterprise sector.

This paper explores the impact of corporate control, measured by ownership structure, on top-executives’ compensation in Japan. According to agency theory, the pay-performance link is expected to be affected by the firm’s ownership structure. Using a sample of 4,411 firm-year observations (401 firms for the 11-years period from 2001 to 2011) for Japanese non-financial firms publicly traded on the first section and second section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), this study demonstrates that institutional ownership (both financial and corporate) is negatively related to the level of executives’ compensation. Such finding is in line with efficient monitoring hypothesis which claims that the presence of institutional shareholders provides direct monitoring over managers, limits managerial self-dealing and curves the increase in top-executives pay. On the other hand, the results also show that managerial ownership is positively related to their compensation which supports managerial power theory hypothesis, i.e. management-controlled firms are more likely to extract more compensation from the business than other firms. Overall, this study confirms that corporate control has significant impact on cash compensation paid to Japanese top-executives after controlling the conventional pay-performance relationship.

Purpose - While sustainability is based on the argument that the world’s resources are finite and their demand will ultimately surpass supply, entrepreneurship on the other hand argues that there are inherent opportunities to address this through conserving, recycling, switching to more renewable resources and making effective use of available finite resources. Research design, data, and methodology - In response to the lack of scientific information on the outcomes of entrepreneurship in rural Nigeria, this paper surveys the benefits (social, economic and environmental) of women engagement in waste plastic bags recycling in Adamawa State of Nigeria. A descriptive research design was adopted and data was collected from 26 respondents with the use of a semi-structured questionnaire, which was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in frequency tables. Results - Results indicated that 21 women have gained employment, who would have remained unemployed; 80.8% of who make profits below 10000 Naira per month and collectively, they recycle 179.3kg of waste polythene bag per month. Conclusions - It was recommended that the women should be further their education; adequate records of costs and sales should be kept; and savings should be encouraged among them.

Barbaloin is a major component of Aloe vera, which has been used for a laxative. Also, barbaloin is C-glucoside of aloe emodin anthrone which is founded in Aloe vera. Barbaloin has varieties of pharmacological activity such as inhibitory effects on inflammation, histamine release, cancer and microbial infection. But the effect of barbaloin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages has not been understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of barbaloin against LPS-stimulated production of nitric oxide (NO), inflammatory cytokines and MAPKs activation in macrophage. We treated barbaloin (0.1 , 1 , 10 , 100 μM) in LPS-stimulated mice peritoneal macrophage. Our results showed that barbaloin significantly inhibited production of NO and cytokines of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-1β in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophage. Moreover, barbaloin inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in a dose dependent manner. These results indicated that barbaloin could be useful for inflammatory diseases.