High levels of proinflammatory cytokines have been observed in obese pregnancies. Obesity during pregnancy may increase the risk of various pregnancyrelated complications, with pathogenesis resulting from excessive inflammation. Palmitic acid (PA) is a saturated fatty acid that circulates in high levels in obese women. In our previous study, we found that PA inhibited the proliferation of trophoblasts developing into the placenta, induced apoptosis, and regulated the number of cleaved halves derived from transfer RNAs (tRNAs). However, it is not known how the expression of tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs (tiRNAs) changes in response to PA treatment at concentrations that induce inflammation in human trophoblasts. We selected concentrations that did not affect cell viability after dose-dependent treatment of HTR8/SVneo cells, a human trophoblast cell line. PA (200 μM) did not affect the expression of apoptotic proteins in HTR8/SVneo cells. PA significantly increased the expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 , and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α . In addition, 200 μM PA significantly increased the expression of tiRNAs compared to 800 μM PA treatment. These results suggest that PA impairs placental development during early pregnancy by inducing an inflammatory response in human trophoblasts. In addition, this study provides a basis for further research on the association between PA-induced inflammation and tiRNA generation.

This research purposely conducts to identify Malaysian role in port bilateral diplomacy in ASEAN. Malaysia known as role leader in ASEAN and commit with excellence, drive the country among ASEAN since 1969. The research included Malaysia role within maritime working group where this forum or organization discuss and negotiate any issue related maritime sector in ASEAN. The research also highlights in Port Enhancement and Malaysia Port Strategic whereas Port Development in Malaysia that contribute to Port Bilateral, Port Alliance and Port in ASEAN. The objective includes i) to identify the issues and challenges in bilateral diplomacy in port shipping, ii) to identify Malaysian marine department role toward integrating ASEAN Maritime Working Group, iii) to find out Malaysian initiative for enhancement Malaysian Port Development through ASEAN port alliances, iv) to formulate Malaysia Port Strategic Plan toward the development of national port ASEAN port Alliances. For the literature review in this research is refer to five keywords which is Port Alliances, maritime working group, Malaysia contribution, Malaysia Port Development and Port Strategic Plan. This research is using qualitative method that refer to previous research, article, and journal. The collecting data consist of text transcribe form interview session into verbal and text written. There are selected organization such as Ministry of Transport and Port Authority. The interview process through online using Webex. The coding process take afterward for analysis and conclusion data. The theory formulation of relation diplomacy for this research is propose the objective to formulate Malaysia port strategic plan toward the development of national port ASEAN. Finally, the finding of this research that Malaysia plays significant role in port operation through ASEAN regional. The ministry of Transport plays as policy maker and drive the actor form Malaysia Marine Department and Port Authority in operation and regulatory. The recommendation is to increase the effectiveness of communication and enhance the efficiency of relation toward port bilateral.

Underwater heritage is the term commonly used to mean material found underwater. Many states have heightened of underwater heritage remains unprotected. The UNESCO 2001 convention on the protection of the underwater cultural heritage is the foremost international legal reference for the protection or salvage of underwater heritage. To conduct a literature review for this thesis, five keywords were chosen such as UNESCO, under water cultural heritage, marine salvage and sovereignty, exploration, and investigation. The objective is; i) To ensure Malaysia underwater heritage is being well enforced by respective enforcement authorities.; ii) To create an awareness and protection to public and relevant parties.; iii) To identify the relevant implementation of legal enforcement from the respective Malaysia authority) To formulate Malaysia underwater cultural heritage strategic framework for enhancement sustainability development of underwater assets and wealth, and sovereignty. And for the problem statement, i) Lack of proactive measures from operational patrol of underwater cultural heritage for the enforcement from maritime authority,; ii) lack of public disclosure on the importance and existence of underwater heritage in Malaysia by stakeholders,; Iii) Lack of procedures and legal aspects for implementation of underwater cultural heritage in Malaysia water,;iv) None of national underwater cultural heritage strategic framework for sustainability of underwater assets and wealth in Malaysia. Specifically, the component of the underwater heritage is outlined for the protection and conservation of artifacts which have been partially or totally underwater. Qualitative method as main method and data collection from research book, journal article, publish and non-publish report. While expert interviewed via Webex within expert from academician and operational as supportive for this research. Text transcribed has been used for this research and coding system functioned for reference during discussion and findings. This thesis also uses theory of formulation and marine salvage as well as underwater cultural heritage law as a main reference. Finally, underwater cultural heritage strategic framework has been formulated regards to enhancement sustainability development of underwater assets and wealth, and sovereignty. thereby, it shown the Malaysian government commitment and concern to remain national maritime sovereignty.

목적 : 본 연구는 중국의 옵토메트리 교육제도의 현황을 조사하고 분석하였으며, 중국 옵토메트리 교육에 대한 문제점을 고찰하고자 하였다. 방법 : 중국의 옵토메트리 관련 정보는 중국학술정보원(China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CNKI), 중국안경협회(China Optomatric and Optical Association, COOA), 중화인민공화국교육부, 바이두(baidu) 및 학술연구정보서비스(Research Information Sharing Service, RISS)을 통해 수집되었다. 결과 : 중국의 교육제도에 따르면, 중국의 옵토메트리스트는 중등직업학교(3년제), 전문대학(3년제), 종합대학 (4년제), 의과대학(5년제) 및 단기 직업기능훈련기관 등에서 각각 배출되고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 총 학점 (수업 시간)은 각각 중등직업학교 152점(3,120시간), 전문대학 154점(2,800시간), 종합대학 중 촨베이이쒜위엔 (천북의학원)은 205.5점(3,795시간), 산동디이이커따쒜(산동제일의과대학)는 166점(2,730시간) 및 의과대학 중 난징이커따쒜(남경의과대학)는 297점(3,786시간), 원저우이커따쒜(온주의과대학)는 230.5점(3,249시간)으로 나타 났다. 결론 : 중국 내 옵토메트리 교육 현황 및 교육제도를 조사하였으며 교육의 체계적인 관리와 인력의 수행 능력 평가 방안이 아직 미흡한 것으로 나타났으며 향후 이러한 문제점을 개선할 필요가 있다고 판단된다.

PURPOSES : A mechanistic-empirical (ME) predictive design logic that can compute the reflective cracking life of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) overlaid on top of a composite pavement is proposed herein. METHODS : The overlay thickness design and analysis logic of the HMA were formulated based on the ME concept of reflection crack propagation. Climate data, traffic load data, the pavement material properties, and the thickness of each layer of the pavement are the main inputs for the ME-Reflective Cracking Rate (RCR) prediction algorithm. An Microsoft Excel Virtual Basic for Application (VBA) program was created to aid designers in assessing the expected performance of an HMA overlay design. Calibration was done using data from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) sections. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to compare the results yielded by the program and data from a report by the Texas Transportation Institute. RESULTS : The predictive model performance effectively generates the dynamic and relaxation modulus curves. The correlation value of the calibration factors, R2, is 0.79. The calibration factors used for the Asphalt Overlay Thickness Design (AOTD) program and the sensitivity analysis, i.e., k1, k2,, and k3,, are set to 5, 5, and 150, respectively. The sensitivity of the AOTD program affords reasonable results. Additionally, the program yields results similar to the trends presented in a report by the Federal Highway Administration. CONCLUSIONS : The proposed ME design logic is successfully translated into an Excel VBA program, AOTD, which can perform routine assessments of laboratory tests for HMA overlays. The program can effectively perform numerous iterations and computations to predict an HMA overlay. The predictive model can generate reasonable dynamic modulus and relaxation modulus curves for the characterization of HMA overlays. Under the same asphalt binder grade and HMA type, doubling the HMA overlay thickness yields three times the expected reflective cracking service life.

Niobium (Nb) is present in Ni-based alloys and stainless steels used in nuclear reactors as structural materials. Nb-93 is a naturally occurring and stable isotope of niobium and Nb-94 (half-life = 20,000 years) is produced by neutron activation of Nb-93. Nb-94 can be present in waste streams from dismantling of nuclear power plants and treatment of the primary coolant circuit. Hence, the radioactive wastes containing active Nb-94 are disposed of in the repositories for low- and intermediate-level waste (LILW). Nb predominantly exhibits a pentavalent oxidation state (i.e., +V) within the stability field of water. Cementitious materials (concrete, mortar, and grout) are extensively utilized in LILW disposal systems as structural components and chemical agents for the stabilization of waste. Solubility defines the source term (i.e., upper concentration limit) in the repository system. However, the solubility behavior of Nb in cementitious systems at high pH remains ill-defined, and information available on the Nb solid phases controlling the solubility is scarce and often ambiguous. Sorption on cementbased materials is one of the main mechanisms controlling the retention of niobium(V) in a LILW repository, and distribution coefficients (Rd) are necessary to evaluate the retention capacity by sorption in the safety assessment of disposal systems. Available sorption data of Nb(V) on cement showed a large discrepancy in Rd, moreover, no sorption data is available for Nb(V) under conditions characterizing the first degradation stage of cement (young cement condition) at pH 13 – 13.5. In this context, the solubility of Nb was extensively investigated in porewater conditions representative of the cement degradation stage I, as well as in CaCl2-Ca(OH)2 systems. Special focus was given to the accurate characterization of the solubility-controlling solid niobium phases. We also studied the sorption of Nb(V) by hardened cement pastes (HCP) and calcium silicate hydrates (CSH, major hydrate of HCP). This work provides the results on Rd, sorption isotherm and sorption mechanisms of Nb(V). Besides, the impact of ISA (polyhydroxycarboxylic acid generated by the degradation of cellulose) on Nb(V) sorption and the dissolution of cement materials was investigated.

Reliable evaluation of radioactivity inventory for the nuclear power plant components and residual materials is very important for decontamination and decommissioning. This can make it possible to define optimum dismantling approaches, to determine radioactive waste management strategies, and to estimate the project costs reasonably. To calculate radioactivity of the nuclear power plant structure, various information such as interest nuclide, cross-section, decay constant, irradiation time, neutron flux, and so on is required. Especially irradiation time and neutron flux level are very changeable due to cycle specific fuel loading pattern, the plant overhaul, cycle length. However most of the radioactivity calculations have generally been performed assuming one representative or average neutron flux during the lifetime of the nuclear power plant. This assumption may include excessive conservatism because the radioactivity level has the characteristics of saturation and decay. Therefore, considering these variables as realistically as possible could prevent overestimation. In order to perform realistic radioactivity calculation, we developed monthly relative power contribution factor applying plant-specific operation history and cycle-specific neutron flux. The factors were applied to the radioactivity calculation. The calculation results ware compared with measured values of the neutron monitors that were actually installed and withdrawn from the nuclear power plant. As a result of the comparisons, there are good agreements between the calculated values and measured values. These accurate calculation results of radioactivity could contribute to the establishment of radioactive waste dismantling strategies, the classification of radioactive waste, and the deposit of disposal costs for safe and reasonable decommissioning of the nuclear power plant.

Norflurazon is widely used on agricultural lands and has a high potential to pollute water sources. However, its effects on fish have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of our study was to determine whether norflurazon adversely affects the developmental stage of zebrafish, which are frequently used as a model system to evaluate the environmental impact of pollutants. Norflurazon interfered with the hatching of zebrafish embryos and induced several sublethal deformities including body length reduction, increased yolk sac volume, and enlargement of the pericardial region. We further examined the cardiotoxicity of norflurazon in the flk1:eGFP transgenic zebrafish line. The vascular network, mainly in the brain region, was significantly disrupted in norflurazon-exposed zebrafish. In addition, due to the failure of cardiac looping, norflurazon-exposed zebrafish had an abnormal cardiac structure. These developmental abnormalities were related to the apoptotic process triggered by norflurazon. Overall, the present study demonstrated the non-target toxicity of norflurazon by analyzing the hazardous effects of norflurazon on developing zebrafish.

Mecoprop-p, a chlorophenoxy herbicide, has been widely used since the 1980s. Due to its high water solubility, it could be detected in the aquatic environment, as it has already been detected in the surface water or groundwater in several countries. The toxicity of other chlorophenoxy herbicides has been reported; however, there are few studies on the toxicity of mecoprop-p, one of the chlorophenoxy herbicides, on aquatic organisms. Here, we investigated the toxic effects of mecoprop-p using zebrafish. After mecoprop-p exposure, we observed that the zebrafish larvae eyes did not form normally, heart edema was generated, and the body length was shortened. The number of cells undergoing apoptosis also increased in the anterior part including head, heart, and yolk sac of the mecoprop-p-treated zebrafish compared to the untreated controls. Moreover, cardiovascular structures, including the heart and aortic arches, were also malformed after exposure to mecoprop-p. Therefore, our results suggest that mecoprop-p could cause abnormal development in zebrafish larvae and there is also a high possibility that mecoprop-p would be toxic to other aquatic organisms.

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is known as an important biomarker for fetal abnormality during first trimester and has a pivotal role in follicle development and corpus luteum formation. And also, it is being revealed that an expression of PAPP-A in various cells and tissues such as cancer and lesion area. PAPP-A is the major IGF binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) protease. Cleavage of IGFBP-4 results in loss of binding affinity for IGF, causing increased IGF bioavailability for proliferation, survival, and migration. Additionally, PAPP-A can be used as a promising therapeutic target for healthy longevity. Despite growing interest, almost nothing is known about how PAPP-A expression is regulated in any tissue. This review will focus on what is currently known about the zinc metalloproteinase, PAPP-A, and its role in cells and tissues. PAPP-A is expressed in proliferating cells such as fetus in uterus, granulosa cells in follicle, dermis in wound, cancer cells, and Sertoli cells in testis. They have common characteristics of proliferation faster than normal cells with stimulating IGFs action and inhibiting IGFBPs. The PAPP-A functions and expression studies in livestock have not yet been conducted much. Further studies are needed to use PAPP-A as a marker for healthy longevity in animal science.