Three bamboo stands(Phyllostachys pubescens(Mazel) Ohwi, P. bambusoides Sieb. et Zucc, P. nigra var. henonis Stapf ex. Rendle) were selected to determine suitable biomass equations and productivity of Gajwa and Wola National Experimental Forests, Jinju, Southern Korea. Different independent variables such as diameter at breast height(DBH) or the combination of DBH and height(H) were used to develop biomass equations(Allometric model : logY = a + blog DBH; Linear-quadratic model : Y=aDBH + bDBH2; Linear model with DBH and height : Y=a + bDBH2·H) for each bamboo component from two age-sequence(current-year, > 1-year-old) of three bamboo stands. Based on statistical indicators, the most suitable equation model to estimate biomass from bamboo stands was a linear-quadratic model. Aboveground biomass of three bamboo stands estimated by the model was 48.864 Mg ha-1 for the P. pubescens, followed by 36.632 Mg ha-1 for the P. bambusoides, and 36.504 Mg ha-1 for the P. nigra var. henonis stands, respectively. The highest biomass in the P. pubescens stand was attributed to the morphological growth characteristics such as DBH and height. Belowground biomass was also highest for P. pubescens(53.35 Mg ha-1), followed by the P. bambusoides(36.73 Mg ha-1) and the P. nigra var. henonis(29.75 Mg ha-1) stands. The results indicate that the morphological growth characteristics such as DBH and height among bamboo species were the most important factor to determine bamboo biomass productivity at a local level.

The genetic algorithm (GA), one of the artificial intelligence (AI), is developed based on Darwin's theory of evolution, i.e., the mating of randomly selected objects. If more optimal solution is generated, then it is better to repeat the process of setting the optimum value. In this paper, the method of background music using the genetic algorithm is exploited when the computer game is executed each time. As a result, it has created several music that can be used in the actual game, and it could be confirmed that the other music that is created is different music when performed each time.

Purpose: The public sectors including government and public organizations have put an efforts to improve the quality of people’s lives by providing enhanced services. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that affect job attitude, job satisfaction, and job performance in the public sector, that are rarely examined by previous studies. Research Design, data, and methodology: The following research questions have been proposed: i) how do payroll system, personnel management system, cooperative working environment, and self-efficacy affect job attitude?; and ii) how does job attitude affect job satisfaction and performance? This paper used a survey through an online platform and collected data randomly from five classified public institutions. This study applied regression analysis and ANOVA. Results: This study found that cooperative working environment and self-efficacy had significant impacts on job attitude, while payroll system and personnel management system did not affect job attitude. Overall job attitude affected both job satisfaction and performance. Conclusions: The results provide policy implications to the public sector which factors should be considered to improve job attitude, job satisfaction, and job performance. The results also provide managerial implications how such efforts ultimately improve service quality to the citizens.

This study aimed to produce fermented soy-powder milk (FSPM) with Lactobacillus plantarum P1201 and to evaluate its anti-obesity activity. Isoflavone and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) of unfermented soy-powder milk (UFSPM) and FSPM and were analyzed via high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). Their inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and pancreatic lipase were assayed. Their anti-obesity activities were evaluated on the basis of their inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells, and the expression of mRNAs associated with adipogenesis and lipid metabolism were analyzed via real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR). FSPM with L. plantarum P1201 increased the isoflavone aglycones (daidzein, glycitein, and genistein) content and produced CLA in soy-powder milk (SPM), both of which possessed bio-activity. Both UFSPM and FSPM showed dose-dependent inhibitory activity for α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and pancreatic lipase. FSPM, but not UFSPM, suppressed adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and reduced their triglyceride content by 23.1% after treatment with 1,000 μg/mL of FSPM, compared with the control group. The anti-obesity effect of FSPM can be attributed to CLA and isoflavone aglycones, which targeted CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBP-α) and down-regulated lipoprotein lipase (LPL), adiponectin, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (aP2), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) mRNA. Furthermore, FSPM enhanced the inhibitory activity of glucosidase and pancreatic enzymes and anti-obesity activity. Further studies are required to investigate whether the anti-obesity effect of FSPM persists in an in vivo mouse model of diet-induced obesity.

This study investigated the nutritional properties and biological activities of Ganoderma lucidum (GL). The round type of GL contained higher carbohydrate content, while the Nokgak type of GL contained higher crude ash, crude fat, and crude protein content. The most abundant amino acid, fatty acid, mineral, and soluble vitamin observed were valine (round type: 11.90 mg/g and Nokgak type: 17.18 mg/g), linoleic acid (round type: 47.56% and Nokgak type: 75.68%), potassium (round type: 116.50 mg/100 g and Nokgak type: 184.36 mg/100 g), and vitamin B3 (round type: 1.78 mg/100 g and Nokgak type: 1.81 mg/100 g), respectively. In addition, the β-glucan content were 34.15 g/100 g (round type) and 30.07 g/100 g (Nokgak type). The GL 70% ethanol extract at 40℃ showed higher radical scavenging as well as carbohydrate and lipid enzyme inhibition than other conditions. At 1 mg/mL of treatment with the 70% ethanol extract at 40℃ of round type GL, the DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and pancreatic lipase inhibition activities obtained were approximately 92.85, 99.74, 58.09, 89.68, 44.68, and 67.56%, respectively.

Riptortus clavatus, one of the many insects in major crops, damages pods and seeds, which reduces seed vigor and viability in soybeans. This study was conducted to examine the effect of diversely damaged seeds by R. clavatus on seed germination and seedling emergence and to determine the association of damaged seed with quality and yield of soybean sprouts. All seeds damaged by R. clavatus significantly (P<0.05) reduced seed vigor as measured by the rates of seed germination, germination speed, and seedling emergence. Mean seed germination rate of non-damaged seeds in sprout-soybean varieties was 97.8%, whereas the rates of seeds damaged at different levels, 31-50% and 51-80%, were 23.0 and 5.4%, respectively. The rates of seedling rot and abnormal, incomplete germination significantly (P<0.05) increased as the amount of seeds damaged by R. clavatus increased to 5, 10 and 15% against the total seeds for sprout production. Yield of soybean sprouts from seeds damaged at different levels decreased up to 13% as compared to that in normal seeds. In customer preferences on soybean sprout produce, 84% of customers participated in survey preferred to purchase sprouts from seeds with 5% of damaged seeds, but sprouts produced from seeds with 15% of damaged seeds were intended to purchase only by 22% of the customers. Areas of the seed damaged by R. clavatus were readily infected by pathogens as the seed germinated, resulted in deteriorated quality and reduced yield of sprout produce.