Validation of a Rapid Colorimetric Method with Field Soils

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1271-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Yoon Lee ◽  
Hyo Je Park ◽  
Cheol Woo Han ◽  
Seung Yun Lee ◽  
Gi Young Kweon
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
Spectroscopic Method ◽  
Colorimetric Method ◽  
Laboratory Procedure ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Field Soils

Abstract. Regularly monitoring the variations in soil composition is an essential part of proper cultivation management. Some conventional soil characterization methods are often costly and require experienced labor. The spectroscopic method is a simpler procedure that minimizes experimental steps and is faster and more economical than conventional methods. Wide-ranging analytical methods have been developed to determine soil phosphorus concentrations in the field; however, no method has been commercialized. Analytical methods based on colorimetric Mehlich-3 and Lancaster soil tests, developed to reduce measurement time in laboratories in the U.S. and South Korea, have been efficient. However, due to laboratory procedures, the soil was pretreated and not verified with field soil. We tested the rapid colorimetric method, which is for on-site plant-available soil phosphorus tests in the field and allows reduced analysis time. The target accuracy of the field tests was >70% correlation with laboratory test results. This method consists of three steps: fast extraction, fast filtration, and fast color development. In a comparison of the rapid colorimetric method and the standard laboratory procedure, the R2 values were 0.78, 0.71, 0.72, and 0.74, respectively, for field soils collected in four regions of South Korea. However, the results showed significant differences in some areas. When the moisture content and electrical conductivity of soil from each region were included in the multiple regression analysis, the cross-validation results showed superior output with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Keywords: Colorimetry, Phosphorus, Precision agriculture, Sensor, Soil.

scholarly journals Avoidance of Healthcare Utilization in South Korea during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4363
Author(s):  
Minjung Lee ◽  
Myoungsoon You
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
First Case ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Health Related

Avoidance of healthcare utilization among the general population during pandemic outbreaks has been observed and it can lead to a negative impact on population health. The object of this study is to examine the influence of socio-demographic and health-related factors on the avoidance of healthcare utilization during the global outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in 2020. Data were collected through an online survey four weeks after the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) confirmed the first case in South Korea; 1000 subjects were included in the analysis. The logit model for regression was used to analyze the associations between sociodemographic and health-related factors regarding the avoidance of healthcare utilization. Among the participants, 73.2% avoided healthcare utilization, and there was no significant difference in the prevalence of healthcare avoidance between groups with (72.0%) and without (74.9%) an underlying disease. Sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., gender, age, income level, and residential area) were related to healthcare avoidance. Among the investigated influencing factors, residential areas highly affected by COVID-19 (i.e., Daegu/Gyeoungbuk region) had the most significant effect on healthcare avoidance. This study found a high prevalence of healthcare avoidance among the general population who under-utilized healthcare resources during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the results reveal that not all societal groups share the burden of healthcare avoidance equally, with it disproportionately affecting those with certain sociodemographic characteristics. This study can inform healthcare under-utilization patterns during emerging infectious disease outbreaks and provide information to public health emergency management for implementing strategies necessary to improve the preparedness of the healthcare system.

scholarly journals Reducing Topdressing N Fertilization with Variable Rates Does Not Reduce Maize Yield

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 8059
Author(s):  
Calogero Schillaci ◽  
Tommaso Tadiello ◽  
Marco Acutis ◽  
Alessia Perego
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Stem Elongation ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Growth Monitoring ◽  
Fixed Rate ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Significant Difference

Proximal sensing represents a growing avenue for precision fertilization and crop growth monitoring. In the last decade, precision agriculture technology has become affordable in many countries; Global Positioning Systems for automatic guidance instruments and proximal sensors can be used to guide the distribution of nutrients such as nitrogen (N) fertilization using real-time applications. A two-year field experiment (2017–2018) was carried out to quantify maize yield in response to variable rate (VR) N distribution, which was determined with a proximal vigour sensor, as an alternative to a fixed rate (FR) in a cereal-livestock farm located in the Po valley (northern Italy). The amount of N distributed for the FR (140 kg N ha−1) was calculated according to the crop requirement and the regional regulation: ±30% of the FR rate was applied in the VR treatment according to the Vigour S-index calculated on-the-go from the CropSpec sensor. The two treatments of N fertilization did not result in a significant difference in yield in both years. The findings suggest that the application of VR is more economically profitable than the FR application rate, especially under the hypothesis of VR application at a farm scale. The outcome of the experiment suggests that VR is a viable and profitable technique that can be easily applied at the farm level by adopting proximal sensors to detect the actual crop N requirement prior to stem elongation. Besides the economic benefits, the VR approach can be regarded as a sustainable practice that meets the current European Common Agricultural Policy.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study on the Effects of Using Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Linum Usitatissimum and Rosa Damascena on Liver Function in Adult Male Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-67
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mehdi Padam ◽  
◽  
Ameneh Khoshvaghti ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Function ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
Linum Usitatissimum ◽  
Colorimetric Method ◽  
Serum Glucose ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rosa Damascena ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Significant Difference

Aims: Damage to liver tissue and its dysfunction is very important and if left untreated, it can cause serious problems and even death. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extracts of Linum usitatissimum and Rosa damascena on liver enzymes, total protein, bilirubin, albumin, and serum glucose levels. Materials and Methods: This is a non-randomized clinical trial conducted on 42 male rats divided into 6 groups; control group (group 1) received only sufficient water and food, groups 1 and 2 received 300 and 500 mg/ kgB.W Linum usitatissimum extract, groups 3 and 4 received 500 and 1000 mg/ kgB.W Rosa damascena, and group 6 received 100 mg/ kgB.W Linum usitatissimum plus 250 mg/ kgB.W Rosa damascena extracts intraperitoneally for 28 days. After the last injection, the rats were weighed and their blood samples were collected. The study parameters were measured using a colorimetric method by a spectrophotometer, and then were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test in SPSS V. 25 at a significance level of P<0.05. Findings: There was no significant difference between alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin levels in the control group in comparison with other groups (P>0.05). In the groups received Rosa damascena extract, there was a significant difference between total protein and albumin levels compared to the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant difference between serum glucose and aspartate aminotransferase in the control group compared to other groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Linum usitatissimum and Rosa damascena have no negative effect on the liver function. The probability of diarrhea occurrence and the possible effects on the total protein and serum albumin after using Rosa damascena, and the effects of different doses of Linum usitatissimum on the glucose levels should be taken into account.

scholarly journals perbandingan kadar HDL dan LDL akseptor Depo Medroksi Progesteron Asetat dengan IUD

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-51
Author(s):  
Suci Syahril ◽  
Meldafia Idaman ◽  
Dewi Fransisca
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ◽  
Colorimetric Method ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
First Year ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract The use of contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) increasing lately, but some studies suggest has the side effects of weight gain and contraceptives that have side effect in lipid metabolism. Therefore, about 35% of acceptors of DMPA in the first year to stop the use of DMPA. The objective of this study was to determine the differences of lipid profile between acceptors DMPA with acceptors IUD. This was a obcervational study with cross sectional study. The study wasdone at health center Lubuk Buaya in Padang and at laboratory of Biochemistry Departement in Medical Faculty of Andalas University from Januari until September 2016. The subjects were consisted of two groups, each group had 26 subjects. The examination for LDL and HDL used an enzymatic colorimetric method CHOD-PAP.  Data was analyzed using analysis of t-test with p < 0.05 was considered to be significantly different. HDL levels average in Depo Medroxyprogesterone Acetate was 87,54±14,28 mg/dl and IUD was 75,90±8,67 mg/dl with p < 0.05 (significantly difference). Levels of  LDL means there is no significantly difference between DMPA and IUD acceptors (p> 0.05). This research concluded that there isa significant difference on average levels of HDL in the Depo Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and IUD but levels of LDL there is no significantly difference. The clinically lipid profile in the two groups is in normal range.  

South Korea's Destination Image: Comparing Perceptions of Film and Nonfilm Chinese Tourists

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 1453-1462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiheng Zeng ◽  
Weisheng Chiu ◽  
Chul Won Lee ◽  
Hyun-Wook Kang ◽  
Chanmin Park
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Destination Image ◽  
Tourism Destination ◽  
Positive Image ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chinese Tourists ◽  
Food Variety ◽  
And Behaviors

We examined South Korea's destination image for Chinese tourists and compared the differences between visitors who had come to that destination because of exposure to movies or television dramas filmed at their destination (film tourists) and those who were nonfilm tourists. A survey of 311 Chinese tourists, consisting of film tourists (n = 132) and nonfilm tourists (n = 179) revealed that South Korea is perceived as a safe, friendly, and clean tourism destination, and that Chinese tourists feel happy and relaxed during their trip. We also found that Chinese tourists believe that Korea lacks food variety and historical attractions, and is not easy to get around. Moreover, we also found that there was a difference between film and nonfilm tourists in regard to cognitive image of the destination, in that film tourists had a more positive image than did nonfilm tourists. However, there was no significant difference in affective destination image between film and nonfilm tourists. Our findings contribute to understanding of Chinese tourists' perceptions and behaviors in regard to South Korea as a tourism destination. In addition, the implications for film and tourism destination marketers are discussed.

Application of deep learning image reconstruction algorithm to improve image quality in CT angiography of children with Takayasu arteritis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jihang Sun ◽  
Haoyan Li ◽  
Haiyun Li ◽  
Michelle Li ◽  
Yingzi Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Image Reconstruction ◽  
Image Quality ◽  
Ct Angiography ◽  
Takayasu Arteritis ◽  
Image Noise ◽  
Diagnostic Confidence ◽  
Ct Number ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Significant Difference

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory indexes of children with Takayasu arteritis (TAK) usually tend to be normal immediately after treatment, therefore, CT angiography (CTA) has become an important method to evaluate the status of TAK and sometime is even more sensitive than laboratory test results. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate image quality improvement in CTA of children diagnosed with TAK using a deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) in comparison to other image reconstruction algorithms. METHODS: hirty-two TAK patients (9.14±4.51 years old) underwent neck, chest and abdominal CTA using 100 kVp were enrolled. Images were reconstructed at 0.625 mm slice thickness using Filtered Back-Projection (FBP), 50%adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V (ASIR-V), 100%ASIR-V and DLIR with high setting (DLIR-H). CT number and standard deviation (SD) of the descending aorta and back muscle were measured and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for aorta was calculated. The vessel visualization, overall image noise and diagnostic confidence were evaluated using a 5-point scale (5, excellent; 3, acceptable) by 2 observers. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in CT number across images reconstructed using different algorithms. Image noise values (in HU) were 31.36±6.01, 24.96±4.69, 18.46±3.91 and 15.58±3.65, and CNR values for aorta were 11.93±2.12, 15.66±2.37, 22.54±3.34 and 24.02±4.55 using FBP, 50%ASIR-V, 100%ASIR-V and DLIR-H, respectively. The 100%ASIR-V and DLIR-H images had similar noise and CNR (all P >  0.05), and both had lower noise and higher CNR than FBP and 50%ASIR-V images (all P <  0.05). The subjective evaluation suggested that all images were diagnostic for large arteries, however, only 50%ASIR-V and DLIR-H met the diagnostic requirement for small arteries (3.03±0.18 and 3.53±0.51). CONCLUSION: DLIR-H improves CTA image quality and diagnostic confidence for TAK patients compared with 50%ASIR-V, and best balances image noise and spatial resolution compared with 100%ASIR-V.

Heated debates on regulations of heated tobacco products in South Korea: the news valence, source and framing of relative risk/benefit

2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2020-056131
Author(s):  
Jungmi Jun ◽  
Sei-Hill Kim ◽  
James Thrasher ◽  
Yoo Jin Cho ◽  
Yu-Jin Heo
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
Warning Labels ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
News Stories ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tv News ◽  
The Government

BackgroundWe analyse news representations of the regulation of heated tobacco products (HTPs) in South Korea, the country where HTP use is among the highest in the world despite conflicts between the government and the HTP manufacturers.MethodsWe analysed a total of 571 print and TV news covering HTP regulations, published between 2017 and 2018, the time period when HTPs were introduced to the country and various regulations of HTPs were proposed and implemented. We assessed the prevalence and associations among specific types of HTP regulations that were discussed, valence towards regulation, sources, framing of the relative health risks/benefits of HTPs compared with conventional cigarettes.ResultsTaxation (55.2%) and warning labels (25.7%) were two regulation topics covered the most. Almost equal proportions of pro-regulation (2.5%) and anti-regulation valence (2.2%) were found in taxation-related news, while pro-regulation valence appeared more frequently for other restrictions, including warning labels (pro=9.5% vs anti=1.4%), marketing restrictions (pro=6.9% vs anti=0%) and integration of HTPs into smoke-free policies for cigarettes (pro=8.7% vs anti=0%). The government (59%), followed by the tobacco industry (39.4%), was the source cited most often across news stories while the presence of tobacco control advocates was low (4.9%). As for framing, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of stories mentioning reduced harm (31.7%) and equal or more harm (33.6%) of HTPs compared with cigarettes.ConclusionsWe provide implications for governments and tobacco control advocates on building consensus for applying cigarette equivalent taxes and pictorial warning labels to HTPs.

scholarly journals Siphon-Induced Droplet Break-Off for Enhanced Mixing on a Centrifugal Platform

Inventions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Burger ◽  
David J Kinahan ◽  
Hélène Cayron ◽  
Nuno Reis ◽  
João Fonseca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Plasma ◽  
Spectroscopic Method ◽  
Colorimetric Method ◽  
Phosphate Buffer Solution ◽  
Potassium Thiocyanate ◽  
Single Step ◽  
Buffer Solution ◽  
Batch Mode ◽  
Two Fluids ◽  
Pass Through

We present a powerful and compact batch-mode mixing and dilution technique for centrifugal microfluidic platforms. Siphon structures are designed to discretize continuous flows into a sequence of droplets of volumes as low as 100 nL. Using a passive, self-regulating 4-step mechanism, discrete volumes of two fluids are alternatingly issued into a common intermediate chamber. At its base, a capillary valve acts as a fluidic shift register; a single droplet is held in place while two or more droplets merge and pass through the capillary stop. These merged droplets are advectively mixed as they pass through the capillary valve and into the receiving chamber. Mixing is demonstrated for various combinations of liquids such as aqueous solutions as well as saline solutions and human plasma. The mixing quality is assessed on a quantitative scale by using a colorimetric method based on the mixing of potassium thiocyanate and iron(III) chloride, and in the case of human plasma using a spectroscopic method. For instance, volumes of 5 µL have been mixed in less than 20 s. Single-step dilutions up to 1:5 of plasma in a standard phosphate buffer solution are also demonstrated. This work describes the preliminary development of the mixing method which has since been integrated into a commercially available microfluidic cartridge.

scholarly journals Strength and abrasive properties of andesite: relationships between strength parameters measured on cylindrical test specimens and micro-Deval values—a tool for durability assessment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balázs Czinder ◽  
Ákos Török
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Uniaxial Compressive Strength ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Strength Parameters ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Freeze Thaw ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Abrasive Properties ◽  
Water Saturated

Abstract Aggregates are necessary materials for the construction industry. Owing to their favourable properties, andesites are frequently used rock materials; hence, the investigation of their mechanical and aggregate properties has great significance. This paper introduces the analyses of 13 Hungarian andesite lithotypes. The samples were collected from six andesite quarries in Hungary. Cylindrical specimens and aggregate samples with 10.0/14.0-mm-sized grains were made from rock blocks. The specimens were tested in dry, water-saturated and freeze–thaw subjected conditions. Bulk density, uniaxial compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, indirect tensile strength and water absorption were measured. The abrasion resistance was tested by micro-Deval tests. The flakiness indexes of the samples were also measured. The data set of the laboratory test results provided input for further, one- and two-variable statistical analyses. According to the test results, there is no significant difference between the strength parameters measured in water-saturated and in freeze–thaw subjected conditions. The correlation and regression analyses revealed relationships between some rock mechanical parameters, as well as between micro-Deval coefficient and uniaxial compressive strength.

scholarly journals Inherent Reflectance Variability of Vegetation

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baabak Mamaghani ◽  
M. Grady Saunders ◽  
Carl Salvaggio
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Unmanned Aircraft ◽  
P Value ◽  
Ground Sample ◽  
Significant Difference

With the inception of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), remotely sensed images have been captured much closer to the ground, which has meant better resolution and smaller ground sample distances (GSDs). This has provided the precision agriculture community with the ability to analyze individual plants, and in certain cases, individual leaves on those plants. This has also allowed for a dramatic increase in data acquisition for agricultural analysis. Because satellite and manned aircraft remote sensing data collections had larger GSDs, self-shadowing was not seen as an issue for agricultural remote sensing. However, sUAS are able to image these shadows which can cause issues in data analysis. This paper investigates the inherent reflectance variability of vegetation by analyzing six Coneflower plants, as a surrogate for other cash crops, across different variables. These plants were measured under different forecasts (cloudy and sunny), at different times (08:00 a.m., 09:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.), and at different GSDs (2, 4 and 8 cm) using a field portable spectroradiometer (ASD Field Spec). In addition, a leafclip spectrometer was utilized to measure individual leaves on each plant in a controlled lab environment. These spectra were analyzed to determine if there was any significant difference in the health of the various plants measured. Finally, a MicaSense RedEdge-3 multispectral camera was utilized to capture images of the plants every hour to analyze the variability produced by a sensor designed for agricultural remote sensing. The RedEdge-3 was held stationary at 1.5 m above the plants while collecting all images, which produced a GSD of 0.1 cm/pixel. To produce 2, 4, and 8 cm GSD, the MicaSense RedEdge-3 would need to be at an altitude of 30.5 m, 61 m and 122 m respectively. This study did not take background effects into consideration for either the ASD or MicaSense. Results showed that GSD produced a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI, a commonly used metric to determine vegetation health), R 2 values demonstrated a low correlation between time of day and NDVI, and a one-way ANOVA test showed no statistically significant difference in the NDVI computed from the leafclip probe (p-value of 0.018). Ultimately, it was determined that the best condition for measuring vegetation reflectance was on cloudy days near noon. Sunny days produced self-shadowing on the plants which increased the variability of the measured reflectance values (higher standard deviations in all five RedEdge-3 channels), and the shadowing of the plants decreased as time approached noon. This high reflectance variability in the coneflower plants made it difficult to accurately measure the NDVI.

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