Adjustment Capacity of Korean Farm Household

Structural adjustment is defined as the farm household’s behavior of changing its existing farm asset distribution toward more specialized or diversified directions. Farm households are classified into agricultural or non-agricultural based ones. Estimated expected income through switching regression model reveals that higher revenue is expected when adjustment paths toward more specialization and more non-agricultural based activities are chosen.trade policy reform, structural adjustment, expected income, switching regression model, farm household, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Q100, Q180,

Reactive oxygen species regulate urokinase plasminogen activator expression and cell invasion via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways after treatment with hepatocyte growth factor in stomach cancer cells

Abstract Background Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely associated with the intracellular signal cascade, thus strongly implicating involvement in tumor progression. However, the mechanism by which ROS are generated and how ROS target downstream molecules to trigger tumor metastasis is unclear. In this study, we investigated the underlying signal pathways in ROS-induced urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression in the human gastric cancer cells, NUGC-3 and MKN-28. Methods and Results Intracellular ROS, as determined using the fluorescent probe, 2'-7' dichlorofluorescein diacetate, decreased after treatment with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). We confirmed that Rac-1 regulated ROS production after activation of the AKT pathway with HGF. Exogenously added H2O2 promoted the expression of HGF, but not in a dose-dependent manner and also showed negative expression of HGF after co-treatment with H2O2 and HGF. Treatment with NAC, an intracellular free radical scavenger, decreased the enhancement of uPA production and tumor invasion in both cells. We clarified the downstream pathways regulated by ROS after treatment with H2O2, which showed negative control between FRK and p38 kinase activities for uPA regulation. Conclusion HGF regulates Rac-1-induced ROS production through the Akt pathway and ROS regulates uPA production and invasion via MAP kinase, which provides novel insight into the mechanisms underlying the progression of gastric cancer.</p

Technical Efficiency in the Iron and Steel Industry: A Stochastic Frontier Approach

In this paper we examine the technical efficiency of firms in the iron and steel industry and try to identify the factors contributing to the industry's efficiency growth, using a time-varying stochastic frontier model. Based on our findings, which pertain to 52 iron and steel firms over the period of 1978-1997, POSCO and Nippon Steel were the most efficient firms, with their production, on average, exceeding 95 percent of their potential output. Our findings also shed light on possible sources of efficiency growth in the industry. If a firm is government-owned, its privatization is likely to improve its technical efficiency to a great extent. A firm's technical efficiency also tends to be positively related to its production level as measured by a share of the total world production of crude steel. Another important source of efficiency growth identified by our empirical findings is adoption of new technologies and equipment. Our findings clearly indicate that continued efforts to update technologies and equipment are critical in pursuit of efficiency in the iron and steel industry.

Analysis of the distribution and antifungal susceptibility of Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida isolated from human blood culture

BackgroundCandidaemia is a growing concern worldwide, and its species distribution has shifted toward non-albicans Candida in recent decades, especially in patients with malignancy. The population continues to age worldwide, especially in developing countries and among groups with high socioeconomic status.AimsThis study aimed to analyse the Candida species and associated antifungal susceptibility in one region of Korea.MethodsFrom December 2014 to June 2018, 126 specimens of Candida species from blood cultures were analysed using various methods. We used VITEK 2 to perform the blood culture and the R statistical program for analysis. In addition, an antifungal susceptibility test was performed.ResultsC. albicans was detected in 51 (40.5 per cent), C. glabrata and C. tropicalis in 24 (19.0 per cent), and C. parapsilosis in 16 (12.7 per cent) specimens. The mean age of patients with C. albicans was 63.8 years and that of patients with non-albicans Candida was 65.6 years. We performed an antifungal susceptibility test using six agents, and eight (6.3 per cent) specimens exhibited antifungal resistance. The data showed that C. albicans was the most commonly detected species. Moreover, a large proportion of the elderly subjects were infected with C. albicans, and the rate of antifungal agent resistance was as high as 6.3 per cent.ConclusionOur study indicates that C. albicans was the most commonly detected species and the infection rate was high among elderly patients. Therefore, clinics should remain vigilant, and preparedness levels must be increased in regions with a high percentage of elderly people

Ductile Fracture Simulation of Full-scale Circumferential Cracked Pipes: (II) Stainless Steel

AbstractThis paper reports ductile fracture simulation of full-scale circumferentially cracked pipes using finite element (FE) damage analysis. In the structural integrity, without experimental investigations or with few ones, it is not an easy task to properly evaluate the crack initiation and crack propagation of large-scale components with a crack-like defect. Unfortunately, from an economic perspective, performing experiments of large-scale components would be consequently unfavorable. For these reasons, ductile fracture simulation using FE damage analysis to predict crack behavior is one efficient way to replace the test procedures. In order to simulate ductile tearing of large-scale cracked pipes, element-size-dependent critical damage model based on the stress-modified fracture strain model is proposed. To evaluate fracture behavior of full-scale cracked pipes, tensile and C(T) specimens are calibrated by FE analysis technique. Tensile properties and fracture toughness of stainless steel at 288oC are taken from Battelle Pipe Fracture Encyclopedia. After calibrations, simulated results of the full-scale pipes with a circumferential crack are compared with test data to validate the proposed method

New Frontiers of Laser Welding Technology

With the advances in power sources and optic technologies, high-power laser welding has been utilized in many applications such as automotive, battery manufacturing, and electronic industries. The low-heat input of laser power and its precise control enables minimal thermal damage and geometric inaccuracy in the weldment. Recently, laser welding has evolved in combination with machine learning, monitoring and control technology, new materials, and new processes. This Special Issue aims to present the recent advances in the development in innovative laser welding technologies based on new laser power sources, laser optics, systems, and monitoring technologies. A total of six papers are presented in this Special Issue