Effect of Superheated Steam Treatment on Changes in Moisture Content and Colour Properties of Coconut Slices

Drying is one of the methods to preserve the quality and prolong the shelf life of food. Coconut meat was sliced and dried using superheated steam oven at 140°C, 160°C and 180°C. Drying was carried out at different drying time (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes). The effect of drying temperature and time on the moisture content and colour properties (L, a, b and BI) of the coconut slices were studied. The temperature and time significantly (p < 0.05) affected the moisture loss and colour values of coconut slices during superheated steam drying. The moisture content decreased with increased drying temperature and time. The values of L decreased with drying temperature and time. The a and b value of coconut slice dried at 140°C decreased initially then increased with time. Coconut slices dried at 160°C had their a values increased up to 20 minutes then decreased and b values increased up to 20 minutes then fluctuated. The a and b values of coconut slices dried at 180°C showed fluctuation. BI values of coconut slices increased with increasing drying time and temperature

A Study on the Actual Condition of Automobile Mechanic\u27s Coverall

This study aimed to provide basic information for development of coveralls which reflect the needs of automobile mechanics. We explored the types and characteristics of work clothes worn by mechanics through previous studies and literature, and derived problems and suggestions for improvement of coveralls from the interviews on the automobile mechanics in the field. In a follow-up study, we aim to conduct survey through questionnaire based on this preliminary study to propose new coverall design developments that will reflect users\u27 demands in terms of design, material, and pattern. To evaluate these new designs, actual mechanics will conduct a functionality evaluation

On Insecure Uses of BGN for Privacy Preserving Data Aggregation Protocols

The notion of aggregator oblivious (AO) security for privacy preserving data aggregation was formalized with a specific construction of AO-secure blinding technique over a cyclic group by Shi et al. Some of proposals of data aggregation protocols use the blinding technique of Shi et al. for BGN cryptosystem, an additive homomorphic encryption. Previously, there have been some security analysis on some of BGN based data aggregation protocols in the context of integrity or authenticity of data. Even with such security analysis, the BGN cryptosystem has been a popular building block of privacy preserving data aggregation protocol. In this paper, we study the privacy issues in the blinding technique of Shi et al. used for BGN cryptosystem. We show that the blinding techniques for the BGN cryptosystem used in several protocols are not privacy preserving against the recipient, the decryptor. Our analysis is based on the fact that the BGN cryptosystem uses a pairing e:GxG-->G_T and the existence of the pairing makes the DDH problem on G easy to solve. We also suggest how to prevent such privacy leakage in the blinding technique of Shi et al. used for BGN cryptosystem.Comment: 11 page

Markedly enhanced intratumoral spread and antitumor effect of oncolytic adenovirus expressing decorin

With the aim of improving viral distribution and tumor penetration, we have engineered decorin expressing replication-incompetent (dl-LacZ-DCNG) and -competent (Ad-[DELTA]E1B-DCNG) adenoviruses. In both tumor spheroids and established solid tumors in vivo, administration of dl-LacZ-DCNG resulted in greater transduction efficiency and viral spread throughout the tumor mass. Ad-[DELTA]E1B-DCNG also enhanced viral distribution and tumor spread, leading to an increased anti-tumor effect and survival advantage. Upon histological analysis, Ad-[DELTA]E1B-DCNG also elicited greater percentage of apoptotic cells and extensive necrosis compared to those from untreated or control virus-treated tumors. Furthermore, Ad-[DELTA]E1B-DCNG substantially decreased extracellular matrix components within the tumor tissue, while normal tissue adjacent to the tumor was not affected. Finally, intratumoral administration of Ad-[DELTA]E1B-DCNG did not enhance but inhibited the formation of pulmonary metastases of B16BL6 melanoma cells in mice. Taken together, these data demonstrate the utility of decorin as a dispersion agent and suggest its utility and potential in improving the efficacy of replicating adenovirus-mediated cancer gene therapy

Portulaca oleracea Ameliorates Diabetic Vascular Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in db/db Mice

Type 2 diabetes is associated with significantly accelerated rates of micro- and macrovascular complications such as diabetic vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of the aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L. (AP), an edible plant used as a folk medicine, on diabetic vascular complications. The db/db mice were treated with AP (300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 10 weeks, and AP treatment markedly lowered blood glucose, plasma triglyceride, plasma level of LDL-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure in diabetic db/db mice. Furthermore, AP significantly increased plasma level of HDL-cholesterol and insulin level. The impairment of ACh- and SNP-induced vascular relaxation of aortic rings were ameliorated by AP treatment in diabetic db/db mice. This study also showed that overexpression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, MMP-2, and ET-1 were observed in aortic tissues of untreated db/db mice, which were significantly suppressed by treatment with AP. We also found that the insulin immunoreactivity of the pancreatic islets remarkably increased in AP treated db/db mice compared with untreated db/db mice. Taken together, AP suppresses hyperglycemia and diabetic vascular inflammation, and prevents the development of diabetic endothelial dysfunction for the development of diabetes and its vascular complications

Meteorin regulates mesendoderm development by enhancing nodal expression

During gastrulation, distinct lineage specification into three germ layers, the mesoderm, endoderm and ectoderm, occurs through an elaborate harmony between signaling molecules along the embryonic proximo-distal and anterior-posterior axes, and Nodal signaling plays a key role in the early embryonic development governing embryonic axis formation, mesoderm and endoderm specification, and left-right asymmetry determination. However, the mechanism by which Nodal expression is regulated is largely unknown. Here, we show that Meteorin regulates Nodal expression and is required for mesendoderm development. It is highly expressed in the inner cell mass of blastocysts and further in the epiblast and extra-embryonic ectoderm during gastrulation. Genetic ablation of the Meteorin gene resulted in early embryonic lethality, presumably due to impaired lineage allocation and subsequent cell accumulation. Embryoid body culture using Meteorin-null embryonic stem (ES) cells showed reduced Nodal expression and concomitant impairment of mesendoderm specification. Meteorin-null embryos displayed reduced levels of Nodal transcripts before the gastrulation stage, and impaired expression of Goosecoid, a definitive endoderm marker, during gastrulation, while the proximo-distal and anterior-posterior axes and primitive streak formation were preserved. Our results show that Meteorin is a novel regulator of Nodal transcription and is required to maintain sufficient Nodal levels for endoderm formation, thereby providing new insights in the regulation of mesendoderm allocation.open1113sciescopu

At my work

In creating my ceramics, I could have used various instruments (eg: a potter's wheel). However, I felt challenged to rise above convenience. I felt my work should result from only a human being's five senses and Heulk, in a primitive way, a very primitive way. Yet I thought of God's hands which created the Soul from Heulk. Heulk is an all-inclusive Korean term for clay, soil and earth. There are more specific terms in Korean just as in English, but in everyday speech the word Heulk is more commonly used. An ancient Zen Buddhist saying states: Man came from the Heulk and he goes back to the Heulk

Living clay

Through working with clay for about three years, I have become aware of the nature of this material and its wonderful plastic response when handled with love and care. Originally deriving from many centuries past, clay is the most abundant, ubiquitous, and accessible material on the earth's crust. Ceramics is the perfect combination of what the ancient Greeks regarded as the four elements of which the world was made. Ceramics is made of earth, shaped with water, dried in air, and made durable by fire. Enjoying the versatility of clay, I tried to develop an idea of my potentials for free form in ceramic sculpture. Also I want to find a deeper spiritual content for my own life through the medium of ceramics